Pollycraft Fantastic Candy

Hi guys,
I just had to let you all know about the Candy Paula has up for grabs over at Pollycraft. There are two main prizes as shown here

Not only that there are 3 runners up prizes of £5 vouchers to spend on Pollycraft goodies.
Candy is open until 14th September - you just need to leave a comment and post a link back to Pollycraft.
Good luck everyone.

Another challenge card

Hello again

This is probably my last entry for today - tea beckons and it's back to work tomorrow :(

Firstly the card

I followed the sketch over at Crafter's Companion but can't enter it for that because I missed the fact that the theme is also "Blue" Der! Never mind.

I am entering it for the challenge at Bee Crafty Downloads which was to use Digi papers and a Digi image. The pearls down the side are a free download from http://www.freedownloads.co.uk/ which I found purely by accident. (Not much of a digi paper Bee but it is one - honest) I shall also enter it for the Allsorts challenge which was to use no rubber stamps - as this is a digi image I think that counts. And lastly I will enter it for the challenge over at Cute Card Thursday - which is new beginnings.

The backing papers are from the Crafter's Companion Occasions Double CD - Autumn/Winter. The image is one from the Pollycraft Cherry Kisses range (adorable!!) The sentiment is from my many hundreds of peel offs bought over the years.

So there you have it. Thanks for looking guys.

Hugz Dawn xx

Second one for Today.

Hello again,
This is my second card for today which I think meets four challenges.

Challenges:
ABC - C is for circles
Cupcake Craft Challenges - 3 buttons, 2 papers, 1 ribbon
Pile it On - Doing things in threes.
Practical Scrappers - Stamps
Recipe: The image is an unmistakingly Dustin Pike freebie which I love - and Thank You Dustin! It was coloured using Twinkling H20's.
The papers are from the HOTP "Classic Creative Pack"
The buttons are from a scrapbook kit I bought ages ago - can't remember the make.
The three scalloped circles were from an internet company specialising in small packs of craft stuff (I'll put the name in later when I have found it again!)
The ribbon was from Craft Creations.
Again, hope you like it and comments as always are most welcome.
Dawn xx

First Post

Hi all,

I don't seem to have had much time to do crafting for me this week. I have had 100 wedding invites to make along with reply cards - but they're all done now so it's back to my stuff.

My first post for today is for the Ooh-la-la Creations Challenge. They wanted Sparkly black and white christmas.

Here is the card I made:

Recipe: A wintery image of the Derbyshire Dales - Rubber stamp from Artkure.

Stickles Glue - Crystal

Sentiment - A clear stamp from Barbara at Clarity Stamp

Hope you like it guys.

Dawn

Sketch & Stash and Creatalicious Challenges

Hi all,
Well, call that a race - humf! Pit crews should be shot if they let their driver down!!! Oh well, rant over - time for my second and last post for today.

I wanted to do a card for the Creatalicious Challenge at Bizzy Becs which was to do a card with a theme for a Dad ('cos it's father's day in Oz next month), you just needed to use the colour brown and add some metal. I needed some inspiration for how to lay it out so I decided to follow the sketch at sketch and stash, as shown below.

I used papers from my Hot Off The Press stash which I've had for ages and it was from one of their Sarabooks called Ivory. The "DIY" letters came from a pack of Dovecraft Crystal Effects stickers which again I've had for ages and just never used. The tools were some charms I bought ages ago at one of the Hobbycraft exhibitions at the NEC. The sentiment was one I bought from Readicut ages ago. (Seems I've had alot of neglected stash I have never used!!) Anyway guys hope you like it.
Dawn x

Charisma Cardz and Allsorts Challenges

Hi everyone,

Maybe just the one post for today - Grand Prix to watch!

I saw the challenge at Charisma Cardz and liked the sound of the colours but never anticipated being able to do a Christmas Card. Whilst looking through my papers for inspiration I came across a 12 x 12 paper with just the right colours in it so that started me off.

Then I chose the sketch from Allsorts, as shown below.

They also wanted you to use torn edges so I have used a backing paper from the Crafter's Companion Festive Occasions CD and used this as the two panels on the card. I stamped the image onto lemon coloured mulberry paper which was from my stash (can't remember where it came from though) and backed this on to white card to show up the lemon colour. The sentiment is a ribbon from Crafty Ribbons and I used snowflakes to go across the top to fit in with the sketch. I'm really not sure about this one - please let me know what you think guys!!

A 4 in 1 challenge!!

Back again,

This time I have followed the Sketch over at Sketch Saturday, as shown below.

Then I decided that I would follow the challenge over at Artful Inkables whose challenge was to use the colours Red, Black and White.

I used a black and white printed card for the backing card which came from a pack with an oriental theme bought at Readicut online. The second paper (from the same pack) I trimmed with a Fiskars border punch to give the scalloped edge. The piece of red card was from my card stock (I think I bought this from Readicut too). Then I added ribbon with Chinese writing on to either side of the red card - I've had this for a while but bought it from Crafty Ribbons. Then for the image I used several of Barbara's stamps at Clarity. The "stamp" images come as blank and then by masking off each image you can then put a different image into the actual stamp (sounds like gobbledegook but should be self explanatory). I used stamps with a Chinese theme so I think this meets the challenge at A Spoonful Of Sugar which is Travel. I then masked off all the images and sponged some red colour as a background.

(I've taken a close up so that you can see the images within the stamps a little better). I added three little flowers with buttons in the middle so I'm also entering this one for the challenge over at ABC which was to use buttons. Finally I added the sentiment which was from a pack of die cut sentiments again from Readicut.

Hope you like it!

Dawn xx

Magical Gatefold

Hi all,

My first post for today is a gatefold card. Over at There's Magic In The Air they decided to give away a freebie digital stamp called "Beached Boat" and then asked you to incorporate the image into a gatefold card.

Firstly I made the gatefold card from a piece of hessian coloured card and then using some slightly different coloured card put two panels on each of the "gates". I then used a stamp called "bullrushes" from Barbara at Clarity Stamp to add some interest to the bottom of the card and a "flock of birds" also from Barbara at Clarity to give a bit of definition at the top of the card and used a Happy Birthday sentiment, yes another one of Barbara's for the top left. I used two Crab charms as closers for the card. On the inside I used a slightly coloured paper as an insert and used a fish stamp on the back of the image and also at the bottom of the insert. And yes, you guessed it folks - it's one of Barbara's stamps!

I am quite pleased with the finished card as I don't make many gatefold cards and have only recently found Digital Stamps.
Hope you like it and comments, as always are greatly appreciated.
Dawn xx

A Huge Thank You!!

Hello everyone,

I'm a bit slow putting this post up - what with work and that thing called life - don't you just find they both get in the way of your crafting. LOL.

Anyway, I'm here to put up two awards that have been given to me, and both from my very very good crafting buddy Ali over at http://craftydragons.blogspot.com/. Ali persuaded me to carry on with my blogging as I very nearly gave up after the first one. I'm so glad she nagged at me to have another go. I have so enjoyed the last couple of months (gosh, it seems like longer than that). I have joined in challenges and my style of card making has changed dramatically - so thank you Ali, what a pal!

So, the first award was the Kreativ Blogger award and this is what I now have to do as a result.

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name seven things about yourself that people might find interesting.

5. Nominate seven Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.

7. Leave comments on all seven blogs letting them know you nominated them.

So, at risk of boring you all to death, 7 interesting (do I really mean interesting) facts about myself.

1. My two all time favourite films are Top Gun and Ghost (love a weepie me!)

2. My favourite colour is purple and I love fairies.

3. I would run off with David Boreanaz (Angel & Bones) tomorrow if he asked me (I wish!)

4. I have two cats, Breezer and Smudge and I love Tigers.

5. I love anything Disney!

6. I am a lifelong supporter of Manchester United

7. I love F1 and MotoGP (would love to go but can't afford it)

So there you have it, me in a nutshell.

Anyway, I now have to nominate 7 people that I would like to receive this award. Obviously Ali would be at the top of my list but she passed it on to me so she beat me to it.

1. Janet at Pink Gems because I absolutely adore her digital images and love her blogsite.

2. Val aka Happy Crafter at the Crafting Pad - keep smilin girl we are all behind you!

3. Elizabeth at Soft Pencil for her generosity.

4. Louby Loo at Digital Delights because again, I love her blog and her Delightful Sketches

5. Leanne at Fluttabyz Crafty Haven because her site is lovely and it must be hard to be so far away, even if she does love it.

6. Paula at Pollycraft because her Friday Freebies are fantastic and I love her site

7.Jo at Tinker & Co because her designs are ace.

There we go then, just the blog hopping to do now and let everyone know.

The second award, as I said was also from Ali at http://craftydragons.blogspot.com/ and this is lovely because I adore Disney characters.

Again I am passing this on (obviously goes without saying that first would have been Ali but hey ho beat me again!) I'll get you girl!

Firstly to Janet at Pink Gems for the reasons I have already said, to Val at the Crafting Pad and to Elizabeth at Soft Pencil.

Wow, what a long post, sorry guys - and NO CARD either!!! Still, weekend coming up, posts will be added then hopefully!!

Love and hugz to all my new crafting buddies.

Dawn x

Fantastic Blog Candy

Hi guys,

Just wanted to let you all know about this fantastic load of blog candy at Julie's Open Window. She has just passed the 100 mark with followers and wanted to celebrate in style. Wow is this style or what. Just hop on over to Julie's site and have a shufty at what she has on offer.

Well worth a visit!

Dawn

2 challenges in one!

Hi guys,

Just the one post for tonight.

I have a friend at work who loves the Meerkats and so when I saw this stamp at Sandra Dry Digi Designs I just had to have it, (along with a few others naturally!). I followed the sketch for Midnight Madness over at Priscillastyles blog which was a bit of a challenge. I used three different papers from a 12 x 12 pad (can't remember whose make, sorry guys) and then twisted two different ribbons from my craft stash but probably purchased at Crafty Ribbons and placed them at the top and bottom of the card. The tag was made using separate letter stamps purchased from Barbara at Clarity Stamps. The challenge at Digital Tuesday is male cards using a digital image so as I think the image and colours are quite masculine I will enter it for that too!!.

Hope you like it and as always comments greatly appreciated.

Fantastic Blog Candy

Simply had to tell you about this fabulous Blog Candy being offered over at Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge by Priscillastyles. Just pop on over and follow the rules and you too could be in with a chance or several of winning this fantastic stash!! Good luck everyone.

Delightful Sketches Challenge

Hi there

Just the one post for today which I am submitting for the Delightful Sketches Challenge from Digital Delights. What a fabulous site - soooo glad I found it.

I followed their sketch as shown below which I thought was a lovely sketch.

Then I used the image of Angel Maggie which is their Friday Freebie - and I have to say I think she is adorable. I used a backing paper which I bought from Craft Creations ages ago and forgot I had. Then I used two different gold pieces of card from my craft stash for the cross over pieces. I then cut out all the circles and layered them onto gold card to match the rest. The ribbon across the top was from my ribbon stash but not sure where it came from but the other ribbon is one I purchased from Crafty Ribbons. The image of Angel Maggie is coloured in using Twinkling H2O's which I have had for ages and again not used properly. The Sentiment is a stamp I bought from Barbara at Clarity Stamp.

I have taken a couple of close up piccys but I'm still not sure that you can see the shimmer from the Twinkling H2O's properly.

Hope you all like it.

Cheers

Charisma Cardz and Pollycraft Monday Challenges

Hello again,

My second and final post for today is a baby card which meets two challenges.

Firslty I used the Charisma Cardz Challenge sketch (shown below).

And then I followed the Pollycraft Monday Challenge which was to use buttons and bows (I hope I've used enough). The backing paper was one I made myself. The ribbon was from Crafty Ribbons and the small piece of backing paper was from a HOTP pad called Baby. The image was a Pink Gem stamp (recently purchased) which I coloured in using Watercolour pencils and the Art Kure water brush. The bows and buttons were from my craft stash which I purchased whilst at the Hobbycrafts/Crafts for Christmas exhibition at the NEC, which takes place very November. The four brads in the corners were from a stack of brads which I purchased from the Paper House in Stafford, my local DoCrafts stockist.

Hope you like it.

Sketch Saturday, ABC & My Time to Craft Challenges

Hello everyone
My first post for today is a Christmas Card which I think satisfies three challenges.
Once again I will start with the sketch (shown below) which was from the Sketch Saturday Challenge - always a lovely sketch this one.

For the main image I used a Pink Gems stamp called Millie on Reindeer which I have only recently purchased. As the ABC challenge was "Anything Goes with the added option of animals" I think the reindeer makes it eligible for this challenge. I coloured in the image using Sakura Gelly Roll pens and my watercolour pencils blended in using the Art Kure waterbrush. For the fur on Millie's clothing I used Liquid Pearls to give a raised effect and then covered this with glitter. For the image backing I used a holographic card from my craft stash. The Snowflake paper is one of a 12x12 pack but I've had it so long I can't remember what it is called or who made it, sorry. I also used a piece of vellum with a snowflake image embossed on it and scalloped the edge with a Fiskars border punch with a Christmassy theme. The ribbon was from my craft stash but is one of many that I have purchased over the years from Crafty Ribbons. The sentiment is again a Pink Gem design that I bought recently. The brads are from a set of Dovecraft brads called, would you believe - Snowflakes! My Time to Craft's challenge is Christmas this time so this card qualifies for that challenge too.
I hope you like the finished card.

It's a Crafter's Companion

Hello everyone,
I think I might have just made it in time for this challenge. I had been planning on submitting a card for this challenge all week, but just didn't seem to get round to it..... until now!


As always I will start with the sketch which was for the It's a Crafter's Companion challenge with the added effect of gems/sparkle. I used the Zinnia Fairy from the Crafter's Companion Flower Fairies Friends CD Rom. I printed off the Zinnia pyramage and the Zinnia backing sheet. I used a contrasting pink vellum from my craft stash and a matching pink card stamped with a Funstamps sentiment. I used pink gems bottom left and top right of the card and used Stickles glitter glue to highlight the flower, the wings and the skirt of the Zinnia image - although I'm not sure how well the Stickles shows up on these photos.
Anyway, hope you like it and as ever, comments greatly appreciated.
Hugz Dawn xx

Cupcake Craft Challenge

It seems like I have been away for ever and ever - but no - I've only been back at work four days! There just aren't enough hours in the days to do work and Crafting!
So, here it is, my post for today.

My card follows the sketch and colour theme for the Cupcake Craft Challenge as shown below.

As so many of you have said, these are colours I wouldn't normally put together but having done so, I think I would do them again. The image was one of two images very kindly and generously
donated by Soft Pencil Designs, thank you Elizabeth - I hope I have done this image justice!

The backing papers are, solid brown - from my craft stash, floral brown - HOTP Ivory collection and the bluey floral is a backing paper from Joanna Sheen's Victorian Birthdays CD. The brown ribbon was from my craft stashas were the three turquoise blue gems and the turquoise ribbon was an Anita's sticky ribbon, again from my rather large stash of ribbons - much ignored in the past and now seeing a new lease of life thanks to this blogging lark!

Anyway, I hope you like the finished article and as ever comments are gratefully received.

Blog Candy - 25,000 hits celebration

Hi all,

Just to let you know there is blog candy available at Where'd all My Money Go posted by Steph as a celebration of over 25,000 hits on her blog site. She also now has over 100 followers. Good going girl. I got some catching up to do but I'm working on it.
Pop on over and take a look at Steph's site.

Sketch and Stash Challenge

Hello again,

Well third and final post for the day - really must tidy my craft room so that I can find everything. It's so easy to get carried away with card making isn't it?

I thought the sketch for this challenge from Sketch and Stash was really lovely and couldn't resist using my Forever Friends stamp from my stamp stash the sentiment was also a rubber stamp. The flowers I used were Papermania (the purple ones) and the little silver one has been in my embellishment box for ages - can't remember where it came from!

The backing papers were from the Amethyst collection of Hot Off The Press papers and the ribbon was from my ribbon box (do I really have that many ribbons!) Again, the three little purple heart embellishments were in my stash.

Anyway off to tidy the craft room now.

Hugz

Dawn

ABC Challenge

Hello everyone

Second post of the day (with a card that is).

I liked the idea of the ABC challenge - Z is for zero embellishments so using a free two part Daisy and Dandelion stamp set - given away with the DoCrafts magazine Creativity I mounted Daisy on to red corrugated card from my stash and used a piece of white mulberry paper for the background. The card is really simple but it seemed to take longer than some of the more complicated ones! Oh well - you live and learn.

Comments, as ever are very welcome

Hugz Dawn x

Sketch Saturday and Allsorts Challenge

Hello again
It is another beautiful day today - just what August should be like - I hope it is nice wherever you are in the world today.

My next card shown below fulfils two challenges today.

I followed the Sketch Saturday sketch as shown and tried to make the card fit the Allsorts challenge of using a vintage theme - I hope it works.

I used a Clarity Stamp called Amethyst which I have had for ages but hardly use and also one called Art Nouveau Corner which if you look carefully is in the top right of the card. I used the Happy Birthday sentiment stamp which was an Anita's stamp stocked by Hobbycraft. The backing papers came from my card/paper stash (which is huge!) and I think it was part of the card stock I ordered from Barbara at Clarity as part of her New Design club. The flowers were a stamp which I cut out and coloured with watercolour pencils and the Art Kure water brush which were also used to colour the stamp in.

Hope you like it and as ever please feel free to comment.

Hugz

Dawn xx

Blog Candy!!

Hi there,

Just a quickie to let you know of some fab Blog Candy over at There's Magic in the Air. Just click this link or the icon in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the site. It does look a lovely site too!



Back later with card challenges.

Dawn x

Four Challenges In one this time!

Hello again,

I am really starting to enjoy this - four challenges in one this time (I think!)

For my next post I have followed the sketch for Charisma Cardz Thursday Challenge as shown below.

I thought this might be a little ambitious as it is only my second proper post following the many challenges there are but I was determined to give it a go.

First off I chose my image and decided on a Heritage Fairy Stamp which I bought from Cardcraft Plus ages ago and haven't used since I bought it - this also means this card is suitable for the Forgotten Stash aspect from the My Time to Craft challenge. I have also added three flowers which fits the Pile it On Challenge. I used blue as backing paper colour and also a blue ribbon from Anita's Sticky Ribbons - I think this counts as the Allsorts Challenge which was to use three flowers, two papers and one ribbon. I hope you like the finished card - and of course please feel free to comment.

Hugz

Dawn x

Three challenges in one

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd have a go at doing Three challenges in one for my first attempt.



I took a close up so that you could see the glittery snow!


So - to start with I used the Lily of the Valley sketch as my base - shown below.


I used a download backing paper from Crafter's Companion (http://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/) called twinkling stars. I used snowflakes instead of flowers as I was following a Christmas theme. And when I saw Drake the Penguin - this week's freebie download from Pollycraft Desgins (http://www.pollycraftdesigns.blogspot.com/) I just had to incorporate him into my design. I coloured him in using watercolour pencils and the Artkure water brush. Colouring in this digi image means that this card suits the Bee Crafty challenge (http://www.bee-crafty.blogspot.com/) then I used my Sakura Gelly roll pen for the tassles on his hat - I know they look blue on this picture but trust me they are actually purple! Using this Sakura pen and the snowflake brads - both of which are part of my forgotten stash, mean that my card is suitable for the My Time to Craft challenge too.


Wow, my first challenge (or three as the case may be)! I think I'm going to like this blogging lark. I hope you like my card and of course please feel free to comment.


Dawn x

Cards for Charity

Hello again,

I thought I would like to tell you about my reason for making cards. Initially it was a bit of fun and I just thought how nice it would be to make cards for friends and family - you know - that personal touch. They went down really well so this in turn spurred me on to make more and more.
I work in the local Hospital and for the last six years I have been a medical secretary working in the Oncology Department (which I am sure you all know is better known as the Cancer Dept). My office was situated next door to the Chemotherapy Unit where alot of our patients received their chemotherapy. These days alot of people opt to have their treatment at home but the Chemo Unit still deals with hundreds of patients every year.
I got to thinking one day - the Chemo Unit try and provide things for patients to make their days a little easier whilst having their treatment such as Personal CD players, Personal DVD players and televisions in the Unit. I decided to see if the Management would let me sell my cards in the Unit and in return I would give a percentage of my sales to the Unit to put towards their funds. Management agreed and so my cards sell in the Unit on a daily basis. It is difficult to keep them topped up sometimes but it is well worth the effort.
In an attempt to broaden the help I can give I have decided that I am going to split the proceeds now between the Chemotherapy Unit and Cancer Research UK and hopefully do my little bit to help find a cure for this life threatening disease.
My Nan died of breast cancer and I was devastated by it. Whilst working in Oncology I have got to know alot of patients, sadly some of whom are no longer with us. I now work in Oncology Clinical Trials and this department and the trials it runs may in turn also provide much needed research and and support in trying to find a cure.

Anyway, hopefully now my internet connection is back up and running I will have a few cards to post for challenges in the next couple of days.

Dawn