Time Gentlemen - Please!

This is the last week of my choices in the Man and Boy theme we have had for April. I have greatly enjoyed visiting you to see your wonderful creations. For our last week of Male cards at Make My Monday, we are challenging you to make a project with TIME as the topic. I have taken the theme and stepped a little into the world of Steampunk, just a gentle step. I used a combination of stamps from  Kanban's Jasper set, Tim Holtz - Steampunk and Paperartsy. All of the stamping and embellishments were fitted onto a side step card, the template taken from a Rob Adams CD Fabulous Folds. Don't forget whoever is the overall winner for the Male theme will win some fabulous dies from Marianne - lucky person. Have fun- I'll be popping around to see you. No hints - but I am greatly looking forward to next month's theme and choices, I'm sure you will all enjoy it.

I am also entering this card into the challenge 'For The Boys' over at Crafty Cardmaker's.

Fat Pages- Steampunk

Last October I began to host a Fat pages Swap on the Do Craft ATC Forum. A group of friends have since been taking part each month. For April the swap theme is Steampunk- here is my Fat Page which will be going to someone who has taken part in the swap. Next month our topic is A Lady - lots of possibilities there, for once I have already got my done, I usually work to deadlines but for this I am ready ahead of time.

LIM - Back to Basics - Circle

 At  Less Is More, this week, the challenge is a sketch, a really simple sketch with the aim of getting back to basics, to decorate the card with either a square or a circle, with a sentiment. I have made both for my entries. Here is my card with the Circle. The card with the square you will find below this card. .

I stamped a flower from a Hero Arts set - Poetic Petals, using Th Distress Ink Peeled Paint. I coloured part of the petals and centre with a yellow Promarker. I punched out the circle using a Fiskars circle cutter, which I love. I then edged the circle with TH Mustard Seed. The Hello sentiment is from a forever ago purchased set of foam greetings which I bought when I first started stamping and even being foam I get wonderful results with them. Thanks for looking at my two cards for Less Is More, and if you leave a comment, many thanks.

LIM Back to Basics - Square

Shame on me, I have not managed to make a card for one of my favourite challenge blogs for a few weeks, but I do pop in whenever I can. Thankfully I have made it  at  Less Is More, this week.  The challenge is a sketch, a really simple sketch with the aim of getting back to basics, to decorate the card with either a square or a circle, with a sentiment. I have made both for my entries. Here is my card with the Square.

I coloured a square with TH Distress ink Dusty Concord, punched out a white square card, on which I added a butterfly from Stamp-It. I stamped with Versamark, heat embossed with extra fine white powder and coloured the back of the butterfly with a Promarker. added 3 small gems for the body. The sentiment is one I picked up in a sale, source unknown. 

Sweets for my Sweet

At CD Sunday Challenges this week, we are challenged with the subject of Sweets for my Sweet. I have searched my few CD's and the only thing I found was a template for the larger cup cake on the Anna Marie CD Designs Templates Volume 1. I am hoping this is acceptable, however I will truly understand if it is not okay, to be in the judging, I had fun making it, something again out of my comfort zone, which is my aim this year. The small cupcakes are from the Dieter plate of stamps from Flippen Women. The lace panel was punched with a Martha Stewart punch.

Welcome to my two latest followers, Kleckerlabor and Melissa L, it is so nice to say hello to you both, I do hope you continue to enjoy visiting my blog. 

Fantasy

Crafty Cardmakers are for their second week challenging us to produce a Fantasy project, bearing in mind today is St. George's Day. I decided to take this literally and use a stamp I have only used once before, sadly I don't know who made the stamp. The red cross is a piece from a scrapbook page by Personal Impressions.
The shield is from Tandastamps which comes along with several other medieval stamps. Having 5 grandsons, I have had to buy a wide range of unusual stamps. Oh! yes I HAD to!

I am also entering this card into The Rainbow Lady Challenge  for St. George's Day. 

For the kids

We are continuing the Man or Boys theme at Make My Monday, this week the challenge is to produce a project with either an animal or a bird. I couldn't decide between the two so, I made an owl and a monkey.
I thought as we are nearing the end of my Male theme choices maybe I should make something for the younger generation. a long time ago I bought an Anna Marie Designs and Templates CD. With 6 grandchildren I can assure you it has been put to good use over that period of time. Time to bring it out again. As much as I love stamping, paper crafting was the start for me in card making and I do enjoy re-visiting it now and then.

Thanks for such wonderful entries last week, it's going to be a difficult decision to choose our Top 3. I look forward to seeing your Animals or Birds this week. Many thanks for your comments and visits.

Emboss It!

Another two weeks at Fashionable Stamping Challenges with a new challenge. Avril, has chosen for the challenge for either Dry or Heat Embossing or even both. The Embossing folders have certainly become very popular and can make such an attractive addition to a card or other projects. Please pop over to the blog and don't forget the winner each fortnight will win a voucher to buy goodies from our sponsor. Step over to our catwalk to see the amazing inspiration from the Design Team.

Here is my card, I matted the main white card with brown spotted paper. I  embossed a piece of pearlised cream card with Christmas Vines Embossing Folder, a strip of the brown backing paper added, lace and two ribbons tied with a faux bow. Two pieces of card from Tim Holtz Shabby Chic Stash pad, edged with TH Distress inks Vintage Photo. The stamped image is from Kay Carley available from The Stampman, which was coloured with Promarkers. Finally, I added gems, a metal rosette with a small pink flower. Thanks for your comments which are always appreciated. Have fun making your embossed card.  

Ring a Roses take 2

Over on CD Sunday Challenge the challenge this week is Ring A Roses, this is my second entry. I couldn't see any rules about numbers of entries so am hoping this is okay.  I have made another  because ---
I run a weekly card class and for this month it is the choice of the ladies which projects we will make. I was asked for side step type cards, hence I made the one above as a sample of a double side step card, which is from Fabulous Folds  CD by Rob Adams. I had more than enough left over from the design sheet I had printed out for my first entry, see here., which was from Debbie Moore Shabby Chic, Vintage Botanical. The ladies in the class, enjoyed making this card today, including adding the foiling onto parts of the lettering,  rose leaves and stems. Thanks for visiting me and for any comments you may leave. welcome to my newest follower Rita Odeh, so nice of you to add to my list of followers. I hope you enjoy your visits.

F is for Feathered Friends

This week at Alphabet Challenge it is time for the letter F- for Feathered Friends, we would love to see your creations with birds, please remember while I and most of the DT have made cards, any project is welcome.
Your Embroidery cards last week were a pleasure to see, so I am looking forward to lots of pretty bird cards.

The background papers are from Papermania Aqua collection. I coloured the background of a piece of white card with TH Distress Inks Broken China and Dusty Concorde. Then stamped the Inkadinkado bird stamp, followed by the La Blanche swirls. Added a few gems and a greeting. Thanks for visiting and for any comments left which are always well appreciated. 

No pictures today...........

I have been crafting today but nothing I can show you yet. I have been researching Stepper cards, templates for different shapes. One of my class requested to make a stepper card, so on Friday I will be giving them the choice of a few. I have been busy most of the day, making templates, scanning and printing them. I know I won't offend the ladies when I say, most are measurement challenged, so I have made the templates without measurements, hopefully to help with smooth sailing and card making.

Postcard Weekly Challenge 2012

I am late with my entry for Week 15 at the Postcard challenge 2012, which is to visit ICELAND. I hardly knew a thing about Iceland, but thanks to Darcy, our sole tourist guide, I am amazed at what I have learnt. As an example I even have understood an item in the news this week. The British Government are to have talks with the Icelandic PM regarding the diversion of created electricity from the geothermal geysers and volcanoes. It is said that Iceland could create enough electricity to power all of Europe. To find more interesting facts of Iceland I recommend you popping over to here.  The Icelandic people are also very proud of their history and heritage, including the Vikings. The National flag is not allowed to be worn on clothing or for advertising.

Hermione's card to her parents tells of how she had 10 house points deducted because she sent out of the school a video of school activities. Well, I think we all knew she would be in trouble for that. She is beginning to get really curious as to why her parents are Muggles and she is what she is - a witch. Ssshhh!!! 

Ring a Roses

I couldn't join in last week at C.D. Sunday Challenges, but hooray, I can this week. The challenge is Ring a Roses, plenty to choose from,  for me was the first part of the challenge to achieve, which to use? I decided to go for the Debbie Moore Shabby chic Victorian Botanical. I drew around the swirls and inside the roses with a Quickie Glue pen, then when it was dry, rubbed on gold foil, which doesn't show as well as I would like on the picture. I added a gold peel off to the edges to give it some depth. I added the insert for this card is intended for a friend for next month for a special birthday.
I am also entering this card into Flutterby Wednesdays for a birthday card challenge.

Sports or Hobbies

Continuing our theme of Male cards for the month of April at Make My Monday, this week we are challenging you to provide a project for male interest in either Sports or Hobbies. We had a good response last week to the vintage challenge which is always popular so we look forward to seeing your creations again. I used a Creative Expressions sheet set - Vintage Games to produce my card.

I edged the card with TH Vintage Photo, then kept to colours to red and black. I look forward to visiting you once again. Ladies' don't forget for this month, for the overall monthly winner we have Marianne dies sponsoring us with a terrific prize. Pop over to the main blog to get all of the details. 

Vintage for a Male

It is Week 44 at Make My Monday, we are continuing the month for Men and or Boys, but for this week we would like to see a project in vintage style, don't forget it does not have to be card. We are being sponsored this month by Marianne Dies with some new dies suitable for males. For more information of this and the challenge please pop over to the blog site highlighted above. You will also see the fabulous samples to inspire you by the D.T. and from our Guest Designer for the month Lainey, who is providing some wonderful cards. 

I decided to keep mine fairly simple this week. I found some blue paper for the background.. The patterned paper, a left over from a scrapbook page,  was enhanced by stamping a balloon and aeroplane from the Aviation Stamp plate by Creative Expressions. The gentleman who  looks happy to be going on his exciting journey, is a wooden stamp from Personal Impressions. I look forward to visiting your blogs during the next week. I loved all of your wheel projects last week, it is always difficult to choose the Top 3. 

A Nautical Theme

This week the Fashionable Stamping Challenge is Nautical, please pop over to check out al of the information, but to also see the wonderful projects which are sure to inspire you made by the Design Team.  Of course the sponsor cottage Crafts is also offering her regular prize to the outright winner. For my Nautical theme I made a scenic card.

Everything has been stamped and coloured with Promarkers. 

Clouds, Lighthouse and cottage, the sand, the boats, the grasses are all from Creative Expression- Sheena Douglass -Coast.  The rocks and the sea waves are from Scenescape stamps. The galleon from a pirate set from Tandastamps. The birds are from Inkylicious.  This card did involve a lot of masking. I first stamped it out onto normal copy paper, to work out which was to be stamped first and then in what order to work out the masking,  time consuming but for me an enjoyable time was spent. I look forward once again to visiting your blogs over the next two weeks. 

Postcard Challenge Week 14.........

........jets us off to Singapore. I knew 3 things about Singapore before the challenge, Raffles Hotel, a Singapore Sling and of course of the Japanese invasion during WW2. Darcy at the Postcard Weekly Challenge who is our Hostess and senior guide around the world certainly knows how to make our journey interesting as well as educational. Do pop over to her blog to see the art and stories of my fellow travelling companions. I found during my research '40 Interesting Facts of Singapore' for your perusal, worth a visit if like me, you find these facts quite amazing. 

I did find this journey more difficult than some others, until I found the Jurong Bird Park, this is the largest  in the world for the number of birds they have, many of which are very exotic in their colours. It is the second largest in the world as far as acreage. I stamped the exotic bird using an Inkadinkado stamp and feather. Coloured it with mica powders and Promarkers, I have added lots of bling with gemstones and gold embossing powder.

Oh dear, do you think from this Herminone may be in trouble? Are her parents over reacting or are their concerns to be expected. Just as well they don't know all she is getting up to. 

Let The Hunt Begin...........

At CAS-ual Fridays this week their challenge is to provide a project which we might find in an Easter Basket.
I have used a small stamp which was free with the Craft Stamper magazine.  I also tied a piece of raffia across for decoration, for I am sue the little chicks would have some straw to keep them warm. I coloured them with Promarkers. Happy Easter to everyone.
Also entered into Easter at Crafty Cardmakers

E - Embroidery

Hi to all my visitors, and welcome to me newest follower Michelle JM, thanks so much.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the D for Dry Embossing so many really talented crafters around, I enjoyed popping around to your blogs. This week we at Alphabet Challenge are up to the letter E - Embroidery, real, faux, stitched, which was chosen by our fellow DT member Rudlis. You will find all the details over on the challenge blog. the D.T have made some beautiful projects to inspire you.  I made my card using print outs from a Debbie Moore, shabby Chic - Haberdashery CD. It has some wonderful designs and colours. The small box is also from the same C.D., a nice size to add a small gift.  The flower was made with a free stamp from the Craft Stamper magazine. The only other embellishments I added were a scattering of small buttons of similar colours, and a small shoe advert. I will look forward to visiting your blogs again.

White on White

A Christmas card, already, I know , but I need one for a regular swap group I am in, so I thought I'd make one by entering the challenge this week at Christmas Challenges with Sketches. Their challenge this week is White on White, your only allowed to colour the image. The sketch was one I haven't tried before, I enjoyed making it, for it is something completely different to what I would normally make and I now have my card for my All year Round Christmas Swap. This will be posted tomorrow to my partner. 

  

The stamp is from Personal Impressions. I used two embossing folders, Swiss Dots and Large Snowflakes.

I've been busy...........

yes, you will be right, and this is why..................................................

Yesterday, it just snowed, and snowed and snowed. At 7 p.m. I lost my broadband connection, which wasn't as bad as approx 4.000 houses within close proximity to me, they lost all electrical supply, due to the ice, the winds and amount of snow on the overhead power cables. They still aren't all  re-connected. I got back my broadband after a few hours, thank goodness. I made a few cards, and hold on girls, I even did some ironing.

last week I wore short sleeved t-shirts and sat outside with a glass of wine or two. The good old British weather. 

Give me Five

A recently found German challenge group, Cards und More  again interested me with the current challenge, "Give Me Five". This being Turquoise, Brown or Cream, White, Buttons and Frills. I am so enjoying trying different challenges. This is my card. I used for the background paper from Craftwork Cards, the white punched card was achieved with a Martha Stewart punch, I punched it twice to get more depth. A Marianne die for the flourish.  A Nellie Snellen die for the flowers. the flowers are by Kay Carley for The Stampman . Many thanks ladies for another interesting challenge. 

All Sewn Up

Firstly I would like to welcome two new followers Gayle and Michele, I do hope you enjoy visiting my blog, thank you for your support.
Many thanks again to CD  Sunday Challenge for choosing me in the Top 3 for the Spots and Dots challenge.
This week it is All Sewn Up- another really interesting challenge, I no longer sew due to the fingers and thumbs not working as they should, however I gave it a go and even made a lace rosette, not as neatly as once would be I only ask for you not to closely examine it. Most of the embellishments are from the Debbie Moore haberdashery CD. The corset is a stamp from Bravura stamps, the sewing machine is from Xelcrafts which I believe no longer produce stamps, please let me know if I am wrong.

Name That Song

Thanks again to Feline Playful i found another interesting challenge blog site, called CAS-ual Fridays Challenges. Even though I love to be messy, grungy and fill my pages, I also have great fun in keeping the cards simple and clean. The current challenge is Name That Song, I was inspired by the Walt Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean

the song "Yo Ho - A Pirate's Life for Me". 

The main image is from a set of quirky stamps from Debbie Moore. The waves and galleon are from a pirate set by Tandastamps. I masked the card to create the sea by brushing on TH Distress ink Broken China, then stamped with Chipped Sapphire the waves. The galleon is a second stamping for I wanted it to be in the background and bot too strong. Thanks girls, I enjoyed this challenge, something really different.

I am also entering this card into the Uninked challenge at Use It Up Tuesdays, as this is the first time I have used this stamp.

Easter Blessings to All

I would like to enter this card into the Easter challenge at Crafty Cardmaker's. However I would also like to wish all of my followers and  visitors, who celebrate this special time of the year, a very Happy Easter. I decided to keep my card very simple. The stamp is from Personal Impressions, I stamped it twice with Memento Rich Cocoa, coloured it in with Promarkers. From the second stamping I cut out the flowers, then laid them on top of the first stamped image. Went around the edges with a blue Promarker, matted onto white card then adhered with silicone glue to a piece of blue glitter card. The sentiment was produced from my computer.

I am also entering this card into 

The Cheerful Stamp Pad for Anything Goes

Make My Monday - New Theme

At Make My Monday during the last month we have had a lovely time with Spring,  thanks to the choices made by Jacqueline. this month, April our theme will be for MEN/BOYS cards, I know some of us don't like making men's cards, which is why these are challenges, for you to stretch yourselves and give it a try, plus there will be more cards for you to look at and get ideas. So we are hoping to see you really get involved during April.  The first challenge leaves you with lots of choices but we want to see WHEELS. Please pop over to the blog above for the Design Team again have come up with some marvellous inspiration for you. I decided on a monochrome effect using most of my stamps with wheels. Hoping you enjoy taking a look and again many thanks for your comments and visit. I look forward to visiting you to check out your wheels.

The motor-bike stamp is from Papermania, the remainder are from a company, which I think isn't around any more, please let me know if I am wrong. I think they were called Xelcrafts. This type of card would be welcomed by all of the males in our family as they are all motor or engine enthusiasts.