Orange

Today see's a new challenge over at Diva's By Design and this time the theme is

Orange

Great for those Autumnal cards - not so good for Christmas, but we can't be good all the time!

Sponsoring us this time is the fabulous Kenny K who gave us some lovely images to play with and will give our lucky winner some free digi's of choice.

My card uses Jasmine available here.

Challenges;
Heck of a Challenge - Autumn colours
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Autumn leaves & ribbon - all on orange ribbon!
Card Crafters Cafe - Happy Birthday
Crafting For All Seasons - Autumn Colours

Use A Charm

As it is now the end of October, time is fast running out for Christmas cards so from now on, where ever possible I am only to make Christmas cards, right?

The last few years I have made Christmas cards all year long so by this stage in the year I was sitting pretty with my stash all made.  This January however I felt Christmas was never ending so decided to hault production till middle of the year.  Sadly however, middle of the year came and went and Christmas cards still didn't appear.  So that's it, next year its year round production again & for now, it's ONLY CHRISTMAS!

Today sees a new challenge over at An Oldie But a Goodie - set by Natalie and sponsored by Paper Nest Dolls.

The theme is

Use A Charm

(Remember also to use an item older that 6 months on your project and to tell us what it is.)

So here is my CHRISTMAS card!

Made using a super Carolling Snowmen image from Paper Nest Dolls - thanks for that PND!  Papers used are Crafters Companion and my oldies, then the card is finished with the pom-pom trim and charm.

The prize this time from Paper Nest Dolls is a $25 gift voucher to be used in their store - a very generous prize indeed for our lucky winner.

Hope you can join us this time & for more lovely inspiration head back to the main blog to see what the rest of the DT made.

Challenges;

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

CHCC - Music

The Christmas Card Drive - Day 1

How many days is it till Christmas - I'm scared to look! I do however fear there are fewer days than their are cards I have to make, so from now on it's Christmas all the way!

Today's card uses a new Woodware stamp and LOTV papers.

Challenges;
Christmas Challenges With Sketches - Super sketch
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Regular paper not Christmas
Winter Wonderland - Check this out - Use checked paper
Here Come The Boys - Brown & Cream
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - For The Men
Allsorts - Treemendous
Papertake - Oh Christmas Tree
Sweet Stampin - Wood/Trees/Leaves

Shaped Cards - Thanks Laurie!!!

Morning everyone, a scheduled post for you today as I'm away on a course in Edinburgh this week.  Before I went however I made this card for Laurie's challenge over at Moving Along With The Times.  Now normally I like Laurie's challenges, but this time she had me as the challenge is

Shaped Cards!

Thanks Laurie! I thought it was just Lisa who loved these, but apparently a growing number of people are moving away from square.  So a card making first for me, as I don't have a fancy cutting machine, and my Big Shot dies don't do big dies, (oh yeah, I don't have big dies!)  So what was I to do other than panic?

Search the web of course for card templates and there were loads to choose from!

I made this using a tutorial found on line at Papercraft Inspirations, with my own take on things!

Template Found Here. and some kitchen bits (not used by me) Here.

So, if like me you have a panic at the thought of shaped cards, be brave, see what's out there and come join us at MAWTT this week!

Challenges;

Kitty Cats

Just a quick post today as I'm off to visit my parents once Colin decides to part company from his bed!  Today's card uses a super sketch from Sketch Saturday which I just loved!  Couldn't decide what my little features on the card would be, wondered about hearts for a valentine, or balloons for a birthday, but in the end I went with cats - and I guess you all know why that is!

So a Femo and Merlot dedicated card below using one of my first stamps, the fabulous, Stampendous Fluffles!

Sorry about the picture quality, the card is actually white but that's not so obvious from the photo.  Tried flash on and off but still couldn't get a good pic - it's just such a grey day today.

So the rest of the card, an embossed bit and pearls and a computer generated sentiment.

Hope you all have a lovely day, be back tonight to leave comments. Jx

Challenges;
Sketch Saturday - a super little sketch this week.
Crafters Cafe - Cute

Autumn Colours

The days are still flying by at a rate of knots here.  It's mid October and in a blink we'll all be saying it's Christmas.  For now, let's celebrate the season we're in.  After a cold and misty start yesterday, the day improved and we had a lovely sunny afternoon.  Perfect for a garden tidy.

Before I get onto that though I must tell you about the latest challenge over at Diva's by Design, it's,

Autumn Colours

And they are in all their glory at the moment!

So, my card uses a fantastic digi by From The Heart, and some LOTV paper & kraft.

Colouring is by Promarkers and then the card is finished off with ribbon, buttons and a Pippa butterfly.

Sponsoring this weeks Diva's challenge is the wonderful Iva Nova Chest, who are offering the lucky winner a "Charming" prize!

Challenges;
Stampin For The Weekend - Anything goes
Creative Craft Challenges - Anything Goes
Papertake - Happy Halloween Hues - or Autumn - mines more Autumn!
Shopping Our Stash - Oldest ribbon - this one has to be in this category, it was bought a couple of years ago in Germany.
Tuesday Throwdown - Pumpkin Patch
Craft Your Passion - Embossing
Tammy's Scrapin Corner - Fall Colours
Pink Elephant - Pumpkin Photo Inspiration
Without Words - Pumpkins
Glitter n Sparkle - Add some Orange
Chocolate Coffee & Cards - Autumn

Spooky

Well it's the school holidays where we stay, so Colin is at home with me for the next two weeks.  We haven't really got much planned, just days here and there and catching up on odd jobs.

Today however is new challenge day over at An Oldie But A Goodie and Helen has chosen

Spooky 

(Please also use an item older than 6 months on your project and tell us what it is. )

So here is my spooky card...

Sponsoring us for the first time this time are Sk Digi who very kindly gave us DT gals a stamp of our choice and who are offering our winner some free digi's.  Check out their store, they have loads of fun stamps.

Back to my card, and it uses an old crepe bandage, an old ribbon - used it last year too! and a great Sk Digi image called Little Mummy, available here.

A really simple card to make, with just a touch of shading on the bandages and some glossy accents on the eyes.

Challenges;
Cards For Men - Halloween - This will be going to my son to remind him that his Mummy expects him to keep his flat clean and tidy!
C is For Challenge - Halloween
Creative Creations Challenge Blog - Halloween
Digi Makeover Challenge - Clean & Simple
Lexi's Creations - Halloween
My Craft Spot - Halloween
Stamp & Create - Halloween
The Crazy Challenge - Halloween
Sweet Stampin - Halloween

Nurse Congratulations

Just a quick post today as kitty sleeps! (Kittens seriously reduce craft time!)

Made this congratulations card for a nurse who recently got promoted.

Papers LOTV and the flower made using a Marianne die.

Challenges;
Sketch n Stash - Sketch 19 - lovely sketch, nothing too new on this, maybe the papers, stamp and die quite old now.
Paper Creator - Dies or Punches - used a flower die

Spooktastic MAWTT

Morning everyone, hope you are all ok and managed to make the most of the good weather we had at the beginning of the week. (Gone now!)  I've had a good week, not done as much gardening as I might have, but there is a reason for this...

Before I tell you that bit of news, I'll have to tell you all about this weeks challenge over at Moving Along With The Times.  It's a seasonal theme that Hazel has gone for with

"Spooktastic Times"

A great theme as there are so many fabulous Halloween stamps out there so I really can't wait to see what you all come up with.

For my card, I went with this new release from Bugaboo.  Added lots of glossy accents, a nice bold ribbon & that my dears was it! Abra-ca-Dabra, job done!  Now it's over to you! (PS Thanks to everyone who entered last week, we had a brilliant response to that challenge so hopefully you'll come out in force again for this weeks one too.)

Challenges;
Kaboodle Doodles - Pumpkins
City Crafter - Trick or Treat
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesday - Pumpkins
My Craft Spot - Trick or Treat
Without Words - Pumpkins
Hobby Cutz - Halloween
Catch The Bug - October Anything Goes

Which now leaves me my other tiny bit of news... everyone, Meet Merlot!

Welcome Back

Can you believe it, the 3rd of October already?  I certainly can't - where did the Summer go this year?  We can't even blame the bad weather, we had a really great summer, it's just that somebody pressed fast forward on it!

So last time I did a Moving along with the Times post was back in May, and we were all sad cause it was stopping for a break.  The break is now over and we're back in full swing with a new challenge to tempt you all back... and the theme... Nice and easy...

Anything Goes

And as we are in party mode, both Teams A and B are producing cards, so there's lots to feast your eyes on over on the main blog.

I went with an old Sugar Nellie stamp and some Wild Rose papers to make this anniversary card.

A simple layered card as I have been rather busy of late, but hopefully things are settling down and I'll have a bit more crafty time soon.

OOpsie almost forgot to tell you about the prize!  It's a super prize from Sir Stampalot and they are offering our lucky winner the goodies below!

Now head back to the main blog to see all the lovely creations by my teamies then please join us in this weeks fun. Jx

Challenges:
The Sugar Bowl - Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles - Your Special Day
Pink Elephant Monday - Wedding or Anniversary
Fab & Funky - Ribbon

CAS

Boy's oh boys am I ahead of myself!  It's only Aug and here's me posting an October DT card.  No biggy now, but I bet come Oct I'll be well chuffed that this is done and dusted and I can concentrate on Christmas cards!

So, the new challenge at Diva's by Design is...

CAS

A favourite challenge theme of mine, which is probably why creativity has jumped ahead, when really I should be working on the current DT card!!!

So here's my effort,

... and there's no denying that it's not CAS! A computer generated sentiment, my new wave die from Die-namics a piece of ribbon & my Promarkers.  And obviously a fabulous image, by 2 Cute Ink, called Dolphin Cutie, available free to all here.

The sponsor this time is 2 Cute Ink, a lovely stamp company, who generously gave us lovely images to play with and who will give our winner lovely digi's as a prize.

Challenges;
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Something blue
Stamp & Create - Birthdays
Tammy's Scrapin Corner - Monochromatic
Creative Craft Challenges - Anything Goes

Oldies Play Bingo

Don't know if I'll have caught up on myself by today - should have and we should have finished decorating the new flat.  In case things haven't gone to plan I'm scheduling this!

So it's a new challenge over at An Oldie But A Goodie, and Francesca has given us a Bingo grid to play with. (It's on the main blog and at the end of my post.)  Just select any line and tell us which you used.

Bingo

(Please also remember to use an item older that 6 months on your project and to tell us what it is.)

So for my card this time around I made an anniversary card using an old Penny Black stamp which I love.  I then made die cut flowers, punched leaves and a doily border and finally added pearls to my flower centres.

Sponsoring us this time is the fabulous Robyn's Fetish who are very kindly offering our winner some digi's of their choice.

Now as this was a bulky card & I didn't want to squash it,  so I followed Bev's Tutorial here, on how to make a card box.  Thanks Bev, it was quick and easy to do with your great instructions.

Challenges;
Come and Get It - Fall colour challenge - golden brown
Polkadoodles - More than 1 fold - Easel
Crafty Little Fairies - Autumn colours - Gold
Crafters Cafe - Die cuts & punches - die cut flowers, doily punched borders.
Creative Belli - Ribbons & pearls (CBC179)
I Love Promarkers - make your own flowers - with dies?
Penny's Paper Crafty - Easel card
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

2nd Oct
Delighted to see my card as a random winner at Penny's Challenges and even more delighted to receive a $6 spend in Little Miss Muffet stamps as my prize.

Parachute Jump For Charity

Today, one of the girls I know celebrates her 18th Birthday, and is doing a charity parachute jump with a group of friends.

To mark this special occasion I've made her this card.

The image is Bugaboo - the place I always look when you want something a bit different! Papers are First Edition - Up Up & Away and the dies are Dynamics - I think!

Hope the jump goes well Shannon and you raise loads for charity. Jx

Challenges;
Papertake - Sketch

New Home

I thought a new home card was a good start back to blogging and card making after my month long break. Just made this card to send to Alan to welcome him in to his new flat and to wish him all the best as he starts 2nd year university.

Now this card hasn't quite turned out the way I wanted - funny how you see things straight away once they are stuck down! Anyway I like the idea of the card, now I just need to perfect how to make it less boring!

Below my card you will see pictures of his newly decorated flat.  We are really pleased with the end result and clearly we caused a bit of interest with the neighbours as we worked solidly on the place for 3 weeks. One neighbour was so impressed he thought we were decorators by trade and asked if we could work on his new property!

Lounge

Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bathroom

The bath side is off in this picture as we discovered 2 leaks just before we finished.  One from the overflow, which Craig re-fitted the other from the sealant round the bath edge - which I removed and reapplied - that was a reat job, NOT!  Leaks all gone now though, Jx

Challenges;
Papercraft Star - Picture Inspiration - I went for Monopoly then House

2nd Oct

Thanks to the ladies at Paperstar for awarding me the Quasar Award & badge. Jx

Anything Goes @ Diva's

Hopefully by the next challenge I'll be back to normal and not scheduling, but for now here's a quickie to tell you all about the latest challenge over at Diva's By Design.

It's going to be a biggy... as it's ...

Anything Goes

& the sponsor is Live & Love Crafts who are giving the lucky winner the prize listed on the main blog page.

For my card I visited a new stamp company called Wee Stamps - could have bought them all, but as it was a baby card I needed to make I stuck with this image - Wee One for now.

Lots of dies and embossing in action here and more Craft Companion papers.

Challenges;
Allsorts - Baby
Sweet Stampin - Fancy folds
Choc Coffee & Cards - Anything goes
Crafty Little Fairies - Baby
Glitter n Sparkle - Add some pink

Dies & Punches

Still on scheduled posts I'm afraid, but the end is in sight with the flat re-decorating.  As today is the start of a new challenge over at An Oldie But A Goodie I thought I'd better tell you about it!

The challenge this time is

Dies & Punches

( Please also use something which is older that 6 months on your card and tell us what it is. )

A nice easy one as I think most of us use either one or both of these on just about every card we make!

The sponsor this time is Tonic Studio's who are giving our winner the prize shown on the OBAG blog page.

For my card I used a lovely Stamping Bella stamp bought at the beginning of the year.  The papere are Craft Companion - over a year old, then I used old ribbon, my old MS doily punch and a flower die.

Challenges;
Creative Craft Challenges - Use ribbon
Kaboodledoodles - Anything but square
A Creative Need - Weddings/Anniversary

The Return of MAWTT & a DT Call

Yeah, Moving Along With The Times is returning soon...

Very soon in fact, we re-start on Thurs 3rd October and would love it if you'd like to join us again.

And talking of joining us, any of you lot want to join the MAWTT design team?  After our Summer break, a few of the current members have decided to step down so we have a number of vacancies.

If you're interested, hop over to the main blog page, read what's involved and if you're still keen let Hazel or myself know - or any other DT member for that matter.  We are a very friendly, chatty bunch, so if that's your thing, we want to hear from you.

As for me, well anyone who follows my blog will know that card making has taken a nose dive for me this Summer.  The reason being, we got a flat for Alan for his 2nd year at Uni and are in the process of decorating it throughout.  Numpties that we are, we never took any before shots - we were just so eager to begin, but here's a work in progress shot and I can't wait to show you the flat when it's done.

Decorating is ongoing for the next couple of weeks - the lounge and one of the bedrooms are finished with the rest soon to follow.  Hopefully by October I'll be back to normal once the flat is finished, posting more cards and visiting other blogs more too. Jx

Water

Another scheduled post today as I'm probably still in Aberdeen when this goes live helping Alan move into his new flat.  However we crafters know that very little gets in the way of a new challenge, so rather than skip this week, I've relied once again on MrBlogger!

So it's back to Team B at Diva's again this week and we have the theme of

Water

Interpret this as you wish and hopefully we'll get some interesting creations.  The prize this time around is... A Surprise! So you'll just have to win it to see!!!

This consequently meant that us DT ladies could use any image we wanted, so after much searching I came up with this lovely image from A Day For Daisies, it's a beauty isn't it, and better than that, she is available FREE HERE!  (She was just so lovely to colour & glitter - think I'll be getting more of these stamps.)

Challenges;
Glitter n Sparkle - Anything Goes
Lacy Sunshine - Dies & punches - Wreath die

8th Sept
This lovely lady was one of the winners at Glitter and Sparkle this week, and the prize, 3 digi's from Fitztown. Thanks. Jx

Spots & Stripes

As I type this I am thinking ahead to where I will actually be the day this post goes live.  Hopefully at the end of last week everything went smoothly and we are now owners of a student flat for my son and are busy there decorating it before the start of term.  With that in mind, I thought I best press on with card making in August so that things were taken care of in plenty of time.

So, today sees a new challenge over at An Oldie But A Goodie, set this time by Helen, and she's gone with

Spots & Stripes

(Remember also to use something older than 6 months on your card and to tell us what it is.)

Sponsoring us again this time are the fabulous Bugaboo, who are offering our winner 7 free digi's of their choice.  They were also very kind to offer us DT girlies an image of choice - thanks Jodie.

So, back to the card, I chose AKV Schoolboy available here, coloured him with Promarkers & set him on LOTV Nitwits papers.  My oldie are the doodlebug letters and ribbon, both several years old.

My card is actually for a friends son who started school at the end of August - such a milestone in their little lives.  By all accounts things are going well for him so long may that continue.

Challenges;
Sketch n Stash - New image but old doodlebug letters
Milk Coffee Challenge - Back To School
By Lori Designs - Back to School
Little Red Wagon - Pretty Polka Dots
Polycraft Challenge - For the kids
Sweet Stampin - Spots & Stripes
Crafty Ribbons - Back To School

So for a chance to win a great prize, please join us this week at an OBAG.  For more inspiration hop back to the main blog page to see the rest of the DT works, Jx

Twine Time

Morning all, Diva time again, and although this card isn't very Divaish, I am quite pleased with it & I think the dangly football is kinda cute!

So, first things first, the challenge this week at Diva's by Design is

Twine

And the fabulous sponsor back with us this time is my all time favourite Bugaboo, who are offering our lucky winner 7 free digi's of their choice.

For my card, I chose the digi Bugaboo Brat Sports - Soccer Boy available here.

It's a simple card, no inner diva appearing this week, but it's for a boy so he wouldn't want flowers & fuss. Instead he has a 3d arm and a football you can ping! I think this would appeal to a boy more.

Challenges;
Crafting Musketeer's - Challenge 4 - Sketch
Heck of A Challenge - Summer holidays
Drunken Stampers - Twine
One Stop Crafts - Add stripes
Artistic Inspirations - CAS
Make My Monday - Childs Play
Crafty Sentiments - Colourful
Creative Craft Challenges - Not a square

So that's my take, now over to you, but first, I highly recommend you visit the main DT page as you won't be disappointed by what you see.

Have a good week you lot, Jx