A Christms Box @ MMM

Firstly congratulations and welcome to Mynette and Val who have joined the Deezine Team, they will be with us starting neaxt week. All entries were fabulous, again a dificult decision. I am sure they will both  show how their different styles will blend in with the team. best wishes to them both.
This week finds us at our last week of the November projects. Thanks Suzi for the lovely selection we have had. We normally ask you to produce any project, whether it be a card, scrapbook page, an altered project anything you want to make in line with the required theme. This week we are being different, and why not?

Suzi thought of a Christmas box, now this can be one you make, an altered one or one you have decorated.

I chose to make one of the really easy small Pizza style boxes. There are quite a few instructions and demos on You Tube, if your interested. It only used one piece of card measuring 6" x 11", a piece of glittery ribbon around the edges, I stamped a poinsettia flower for the lid, but decided I wanted more height. The fancy ribbon is one of those with an inner piece of thread and you pull and pull till it all twists itself up. I'm sure you know what I mean. I look forward to visiting your blogs. It was so heart warming to see so many gorgeous Christmas cards, it certainly won't be an easy task to choose the Top 3.

Stamp -Poinsettia from Chloes Creative Cards.

Christmas Foilage at MMM

We at Make My Monday are continuing our theme of Christmas for the month of November, for this week we would like to see your creations showing either  FLOWERS, FOILAGE or SNOWFLAKES. Such a wide choice available. Please pop over to the blog to check out the Design Teams creations which are fabulous, so many styles showing the required theme. i will again look forward to visiting your blogs.
For my card, I stamped my favourite swirl stamp, heat embossed with Silver Bells Wow! E.P.  added some pearls and crystals. I stamped the main image, the foilage heart wreath and ribbon as I had the dge of the card. Again added pearls and crystals to decorate, Matted onto a piece of silver mirri card.
Stamps used
Foilage heart from Chloe's Creative Cards    Swirl Stamp - La Blanche  - Bow stamp -Debbie Moore from the top of Christms Stockings.

For a complete contrast, I also made this card,  the layered poinsettia, being the focal point. I stamped onto both green and red card, using gold EP. Cut, layered the levels. In the centre of the poinsettia I glued small gold beads. Stamp designed by Dawn Bibby by Personal Impressions.

A little story of the Poinsettia.............................

A Mexican legend explains how Poinsettias came to be associated with Christmas. Apparently a little girl who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of the road. The child was told a humble gift, if given in love, would be acceptable in God's eyes. When brought into the church, the weeds bloomed into red and green flowers and the congregation felt they had witnessed a true Chrismas miracle in the village called Poinsettia. .................

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas @ F.S.C.

I am not dreaming of a white Christmas, not after last year, it started snowing late November and didn't stop till mid February. No, not me, it's Shirley and the Design Team over at Fashionable Stamping Challenges  They have produced some wonderful Christmas cards which will hopefully inspire you to join us this week with your wonderful creations. There is always a super prize for the the winner. Please pop over and have a look at our catwalk to see the treasures. For my card, I decided to take the challenge literally by the title, concentrating on white and silver,  sadly the photo doesn't show the bling of the Silver Bells WOW! powder or the silver mirri card.  On a piece of cut white card, I stamped and embossed with the  Wow! EP,  the spruce branches around the outside of the card, to appear as though on a Christmas tree. I stamped the baubles and bows, embossed with the Wow! E.P. They were adhered to the card with 3 d foam to give shape and dimension.

Stamps used Spruce - from Sheena Douglass Faith set

Two baubles and bows from a fairly new stamp designer, please check out her blog, she has some amazing stamps and samples at Chloe's Creative Cards 

I again look forward to visiting your blogs, to see your Christmas delights.

Let It Snow Nos 4, 5, 6 for St. Luke's

I made several cards for samples for the Friday craft class today. The theme of the class was to create a snow scene. This was achieved by first tearing a piece of copy paper and securing this to form the horizon of where snow meets sky. To then create the sky using TH Distress inks, we used a selection of inks including, Tumbled Glass,  Broken China and Chipped Sapphire. To either spray or not to spray some water onto the blue sky to form snow. I then showed the group the samples and which stamps could be used to make more Christmas cards. I stamped the penquin onto the card, then added a decoupaged coloured in penquin to be able to get the colouring right. I have  6 samples to show you, so will add the remaing 3 tomorrow. This type of card really doesn't take very long, so I am going to send these first 3 off to the St. Luke's Charity Card Challenge for their Christmas Fayre which is on November 27th, I am sure they would be delighted to receive whatever cards you could spare, every penny helps them in this worthwhile cause.
Stamps used above- Fun Stamps Lyndsay Mason Skiing Penquin - Trees from Creative Expressions -Sheena Douglass, Merry Christmas from stash.

I will enter this card as my 4th entry to their monthly challenge for Christmas cards. Stamps used are as above designed by Sheena Douglass. 

Stamp used is the Santa's Sleigh from La Blanche.

No 3 for St. Luke's challenge

This is my 3rd card, for the Christmas month at St. Luke's Charity Card Challenge. I used a pearlised dark blue card, stamped the pine needles with Perfect Medium (or Versamark), used Silver Bells WOW! Embossing powder, what a fabulous holographic shine it gives. The stamp is from Creative Expressions designed by Sheena Douglass. I then stamped and embossed in the same way some bauble stamps which are from a new designer, who has some fabulous stamps at Chloe's Creative Cards. The sentiment is a Crafter's Companion one I think. I have a small parcel of Christmas cards ready to post to you ladies, probably Friday this week for your Christmas Fayre which to remind folk is on November 27th, I am sure they would appreciate any donations for their big fund raising event.

Something Unique (I think)

My grandson Matthew was 8 in October, (I know it's taken me this long to get sorted .) Currently his very strong interest is about the Romans, he always wants to know as much as he can. My OH took him and a cousin to see the Roman Villa at Segedunum which is basically the end of Hadrian's Wall at Wallsend, Northumberland. Back to his birthday, when trying to decide what to do for his birthday card, I had one of those light bulb moments which I would like to share with you, for surely this is a unique type of modern day birthday card. He was so thrilled, I know this is one birthday card which won't be thrown out. (I hope lol)

How was it made? Two inner rolls from 1 x cling film and 1 x tin foil, the ends painted gold. The red and black mosaic patterns were free downloads from the internet as was the photo of the Roman soldiers. Two sheets of pearlised cream paper, so there was sufficient for the rolling at both ends. A piece of red ribbon and a seal to add to the end, made with Metal Magic from Debbie Moore or use any UTEE and add some gold E.P. I had so much fun making this it was something so different.

MMM - The Sentiment

Over on Make My Monday we are starting our new month's challenge - Christmas - for the next four weeks Suzi B has chosen the challenges, it makes Christmas seem ever so close, but then it is, isn't it?  For the first week the challenge it to keep it Clean and Simple with the emphais being on The Sentiment. 
This challenge gave me a great opportunity to use a new stamp, designed by Chloes Creative Cards.  I recently bought some Christmas stamps from Chloe at an event in the North East of England, Chloe herself is from Durham, she has designed the above heart stamp, there are some wonderful stamps available, including her new designs, on her blog. I stamped the heart above with Memento Cottage Ivy and added red dots with a Sakura gelly roll pen. Matted and layered onto red and green card. The bow is from the Christmas stockings stamps from Debbie Moore.  I look forward to visiting your blogs, to see your wonderful entries. Have fun, remember there IS a limit on how many challenges you can enter. Please read the rules. Also don't forget their is still a DT call, if your interested.

I'm back on line..............

...............some folk may not have noticed I have been off line for a few days. Changed my internet provider. Why is it, one problem leads to a dominoe roll? Or is that just the way things go for me? I am contacting as many forums and DT challenge blogs as I can, I will add my new e mail address on my blog, which is active from today. It is now catch up time, I haven't been idle the last few days, I have made a few DT cards and a number of Christmas cards so I'm up to date and on track with them.  Bye for now.

Peel offs!! @ Try It On Tuesdays

"It's Amazing What You Can Do with Peel-Offs!! You can't say we at Try It On Tuesdays aren't willing to try all aspects and techniques in paper crafting. This extra long peel off of a bunch of flowers has been adorned with a mixture of gilding flakes to add beautiful shimmers of golds and silver. I first stamped a Creative Expressions text stamp for the background, gold embossed it to highlight on the black background. Added pieces of a die cut and some very small butterflies helped to complete. As this tag is longer than normal, I think I will give it as a bookmark gift to a very good friend.  Why don't you hop over where this week we ask you to make a TAG, and to use Peel Offs. I look forward to visiting your blogs.

It's beginning to look like Christmas at MMM

Here we are, at Make My Monday, our first challenge in November, which should be no surprise, for we are going to be asking for challenges related to Christmas. The challenges this month have been chosen by Suzi B. I would like to welcome MYNETTE, a regular participant in our challenges, who for the next month will be our Guest Designer, a regular new feature of the blog, pop over for more details. To set the snowball rolling, the first week is Vintage/Distressed.  The card I decided to make is a Victorian style but with a modern twist. The backing paper is from last year or even beyond by Papermania.  I stamped the image using an unusual stamp, in that it is as round as you see, no cutting involved. I coloured it with pencils, water coloured a few areas. Decoupaged the snowman and litle bog to give more dimension. I added glitter glue on lots of the snow areas, not sure if it shows but I think it will if you enlarge it. This was matted onto the same blue card as the main card, then comes the modern twist, it was layered onto a CD, you know those that keep appearing in newspapers and through your letter box - how's that for re-cycling?
The stamp is from La Blanche, I get mine from QVC, though they are starting to appear on E-bay. please pop over to our blog and have a go. The remainder of the Design Team have made some fabulous cards to inspire you. Looking forward to visiting your blogs again. Don't forget about the DT call, check it out on the blog, you have until November 15th. Good luck to all who apply.
I am entering this into Cards for Men  - Christmas  challenge,
ABC Christmas  for Vintage

Times Gone By - I'm late

For the next 2 weeks at Fashionable Stamping Challenge we are asking you to step back in time, any time, as long as it is Times Gone By. My choice of card was down to which stamp will fit the bill. Despite having a mountain of stamps, there are more of one period in time than any other, me thinks, I need, no I want more stamps. The stamp I used is from a favourite company - Inkadinkado, another E-bay purchase. I coloured it using TH Distress inks as watercolours. The tram tickets are from a stamp a friend kindly gave me. The background took the longest but I love making my own backgrounds. Again a mixture of TH Distress inks, the stamps are from the Time plate by Creative Expressions. I am late in handing in my homework to the head Fashionette so my apologies, I may not be appearing on the cat walk until later today. Please do visit our main blog, for the remainder of the design team have created some magical pieces of memorabilia.

St. Luke's Challenge No 2 - Christmas

For my second Christmas card to send to St. Luke's Charity Card Challenge I decided to be traditional.  I used some Christmas colours backing sheet from my stash, a dark green card, stamped and embossed the holly onto white card, matted onto some old gold card. I edged the torn edges with a touch of Fired Brick red, used several green colours to add shading and colour to the holly. The holly stamp is from Inkadinkado, I love their wooden stamps.  I must remember to send my cards earlier than normal this month, they need them for their Christmas Fayre on November 27th. Every card they receive can make a difference.

The Craft Barn Calendar - No 8

It is week 8 at the Craft Barn Calendar Challenge, so the month is August. The challenge is a deep/dark colour with circles/dots. Believe it or not it has taken me from last Saturday till today to think of a colour and a theme. The reason being I would normally for August, do a sunny seaside scene or sunny colours,  a challenge indeed this has been for me. Moving my mind from summer, I then thought dark blue - underwater, will still look okay in the summer. Eventually I got the idea! A selection of dark greens and blue TH Distress Inks to colour the background. A stamped and gold embossed mermaid, a cut out gold fish, several stickies for the sea bed, plus some stamped shells and some small real shells from a charity shop shell necklace bought at least ten year ago for embellishments in my Mermaid' Grotto please pop over to say hello to Miranda, she always welcomes visitors. Oh, yes the dots and circles, punch out circles of holographic paper for bubbles. Odd bits of cut up wool for foilage. Can't wait to see what the challenge is for next week.

Make My Monday Design Team Call

The Make My Monday team are looking for two more members to join them. Jacqueline, the owner has added all of the details on the blog, please click on the logo on the right side bar for the details. I have been fortunate to have been a member since the blog began, regulars may like to know none of us are leaving, we aren't being replaced, no, Jacqueline is looking to expand. I wish everyone luck who decides to enter the DT Call, we are all excited knowing shortly another two talented ladies will be joining our happy group. Good luck.

TIOT - Unusual Shaped Card

This week at Try It On Tuesdays it is a CARD WEEK, but the challenge this week is an unusual shaped card, anything except a normal square or rectangle card. Please pop over for the team have made some really interesting and different style cards. For my sample I turned to a reliable source of unusual cards - Anna Marie Designs - Templates Vol 1 (only one I have). I have found my younger grandchildren have had lots of fun receiving these animal /bird shaped cards. I used a stamp to provide a branch and the leaves are stamped too. Everything else has been made by cutting card according to the template. I find this form of card sculpting very relaxing. The google eyes have been adhered with silicone, they aren't going anywhere. I hope you like Olly the Owl. Do you think he looks cross-eyed. I look forward to visiting your blogs again. Have fun and go for it.

St. Luke's - It's Christmas!

Here we go, Halloween is over. The first Christmas card challenge I have entered this time of the year, will probably be one of many to come. The first is an unusual size for me A6, but I have lots of envelopes this size so must get them used. I used navy card, silver holgram for matting and white card. the punched strip is with an X-cut punch, I know I used a peel off for the greeting, hands up I admit it,  for quick cards I do. The Christmas stocking is one of my many favourite Christmas stamps, it is from a set by Debbie Moore. I stamped it in Versamark and used ultra fine white embossing powder. I decoupaged the bow to give a little more dimension. I am entering this card into the St. Luke's Charity Card Challenge, I appeal to those who don't know about it to pop over, check them out, they will be having their Christmas Fayre at the end of November so any donations before then would be greatly acceptable. Your cards could make a big difference to their final total.