It's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas in August!

I'm taking a leaf out of Maureen's book and I'm on a mission to create something for each of Cath's challenges - she goes to so much trouble to give us inspiration every day, so I want to support her!

So here is my little creation for the Holiday Food and Treat Wrap challenge at Moxie Fab World...

I  recycled some packaging for this project.  Today when I was in the sweet shop planning to buy red and green jelly beans, I saw these cute little pearlised chocolate sweets and fell in love with the colours, but let me tell you they look a lot nicer than they taste!

Moxie Fab Christmas Decor challenge

Hi there! It's the first day of Spring tomorrow and it definitely feels like it - plenty of sunshine and evening showers. The 1st Iris is blooming today!

It's nearly 3rd term holidays and I know that once  4th term begins, the rest of the year is often a blur, with Christmas suddenly upon us! So no wonder Cath has had early challenges for all things Christmas.
I have made a fun mini canvas with a definite artsy feel for the Christmas decor challenge.

I have used a wooden embellishment as a stencil and then sprayed various inks on the canvas and then a few splats of contrasting inks.  Definitely not a  traditional look!

Moxie Fab World TT Honoring Ombre

Another wonderful inspiration photo for the Tuesday Trigger - I'm really loving the Ombre trend and I'd really love that cake!

Originally I was going to do a circle shape card, but then I decided to use my new copic markers and do something a bit graphic. I'm not so sure about the splatter of glitter, it looks a bit blobby - but the idea was right!

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes challenge.

Fusion Card Challenge

I made a quick card today for the Fusion card challenge - the inspiration photo is really gorgeous and dreamy and made me crave that yummy looking drink!

The paper and the stamps are from AC Dear Lizzy.  I couldn't find the right paper to use for the white panel, so I decided to stamp some text and then add a bit of watercolour wash, which I also added to the strawberry paper.

Papertrey Ink August Blog Hop

It's been a long time since I've made a card for the PTI bloghop challenge, I'm usually too late.
It is based on a colour and sketch.

Firstly, if you are looking for the PTI component, it is the sentiment - 'thanks', from the Lovely Layers set, which I stamped repeatedly on each colour block.
The butterfly die is from Penny Black (I'll have to invest in one from PTI!) 

Scrapbook Boutique - August challenge Take 2

Here's another card for the Scrapbook Boutique challenge - this time I based it on the colours.
I had already stamped the base card, but hadn't used it, so I'm very happy to have used something else from my unfinished box!

The arrow stamp is from a freebie set from a magazine (same one as fox) and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

Case Study Challenge #154 Take 3

And now for something completely different, here is my 3rd card for this weeks Case Study challenge - it seems I'm really inspired by Jennifer!

I decided to stamp up some *NBUS (acronym thanks to Darnell) stamps. First of all I sponged the background with various distress and versamagic inks.  Then I stamped some foliage and grass (stamps from Kanban) with distress inks to add a bit of depth and to echo Jennifer's card. Then I stamped this adorable fox, which was a freebie from a magazine - this set was so amazing - sorry I can't remember the manufacturer.  Then I used some stencils with versa mark ink  and perfect pearls.
I swiped some gold ink on the sides of the card and embossed with gold embossing powder .

I'm actually quite happy with the scene I've created - I don't do cute usually, but I do love this fox!

* Never before used stamps

Case Study Challenge #154 Take 2

I've been having lots of fun getting inky today and have made 2 more cards for the Case Study challenge.

Here is the 1st card...

I cut 6 strips of card and sponged each one various mulberry shades with distress inks and then stamped Hero Arts Lattice background in contrasting colours.  I mounted all the strips on a backing card and then stamped the Penny Black butterfly and embossed with silver. Next I stamped the butterfly again on vellum and cut out and mounted on top of the other butterfly.   The sentiment and banner die-cut is from Taylored Expressions.

Moxie Fab World - Holiday Card challenge

Thanks Cath for having a Holiday Card challenge! Knowing how the last 4 months always seem to rush by in a bit of a blur, it's a good idea to start making cards early.

I'm also challenging myself to go through my box of half finished stash and complete as many cards as possible. This wooden christmas embellishment had already been inked and embossed, so I just had to find the tight paper to complete the card.

Mmm, maybe I shouldn't have used a white background in the photo - you can't see where the card ends on the right!

Case Study Challenge - Jennifer McGuire week 3

Sigh! I love Saturday mornings! Such a relief after a crazy week of rushing around! My daughter has decided not to continue with rowing, which I have mixed feelings about - yay to not having to get up at 5am 3 times a week, but rowing kept her so incredibly fit and I think it's important to be involved in team sport. 

Anyway, on to my card..

This week at Case Study Challenge, we have another beauty to case from Jennifer McGuire.

I decided it was time to break out my PanPastels and made a very bold and bright card!
It's a bit hard to see in the photo, but the middle panel is light blue not white.
The stamps are from Penny Black.

Runway Inspired - Take 2 - More gelato fun!

I'm back with another card for the RIC #42 challenge. I really love these colours - they remind me of those old vintage posters with the really bold colours and lots of shoes. I wanted more white in this card so I used a die-cut for the colours.

The bird and branch dies are from Memory Box and the sentiment is from AC Amy Tangerine.
The embossing folder is from a local craft store.

Runway Inspired #42 Peter Pilotto

I love the dress and the colours in the current Runway Inspired challenge. I may have to make more than one card. Here is my 1st card

I used an embossing folder and gelatos to colour the card. The sentiment is a freebie from a magazine and the butterflies cut from a PB die.

Scrapbook Boutique August Challenge

I couldn't resist the inspiration photo for the Scrapbook Boutique challenge this month ...

Aren't these the cutest cupcakes!!

I went very literal with my interoperation. The moustache stamp is a freebie from a magazine and the sentiment is my favourite from Stamp It!

Muse Challenge - Therese Calvid

I have been meaning to join in the fun at Muse for a long time, I'm not sure why I haven't , but when I saw that the Muse is Therese, I knew I would have to take the plunge!

Here is Therese beautiful card:-

And here is my card....

When I saw Therese's card, I thought of a beach sunset silhouette, but when I pulled out the stamp I realised it wasn't a silhouette! So I decided to do more of a watercolour effect.

The stamp is from Kaisercraft and I used a mixture of distress markers and gelatos.

Hope you like it and can see where I got my inspiration.

MFW Craving Navy and Christmas Card/SSS Monochromatic

I'm feeling very inspired by Cath's Tuesday Trigger this week, I hadn't realised how much I was Craving Navy! I'm also entering this in the Christmas Card challenge and the SSS Wednesday Challenge 'Monochromatic'.

I had this idea to use the leftover, negative piece of chipboard. I covered it with chipped sapphire distress ink and then heat embossed it with polysparkle powder.

My daughter asked me why I'm making Christmas Cards? I told her it was for a challenge and you can never start too early! My problem isn't making them, it's the writing and sending them that I struggle with!

Case Study Challenge #153 - Jennifer McGuire!

The muse this month at Case Study Challenge is the super talented Jennifer McGuire. I missed last week, so I'm getting in quickly this week. I really adore the inspiration this week.

As soon as I saw the inspiration card, I thought of this gorgeous stamp set from Papertrey Ink,  which I'm ashamed to say I haven't yet used!  I used a new Penny Black die for the butterfly. 

Simon Says Stamp - Monday Challenge - Make the cut

Happy Friday!  The challenge at SSS Monday challenge is 'Make the Cut'. You can use a die cutting machine, paper punch, pre-made die-cut shapes or stickers, or have your own twist on the challenge. You should see the wonderful creations by the design team.

I used Fancy That dies to make this card and 
paper from Christy Tomlinson.

!0 Minute Craft Dash - 1 Year Birthday Bash

I heard about this challenge from Lyndal, who was on the design team, but being a procrastinator, I didn't think I would be able to do it.  When I came across the blog hop to celebrate 1 year, I became inspired and decided to give it a go.

I chose this collage stamp, because it was a new purchase and I decided the quickest way, would be to colour the stamp with distress markers, spritz it with water and stamp on water colour paper.
The same for the sentiment, without the spritzing. Then I used my sewing machine to do sew random, uneven frame around the image. I coloured the card base with distress marker to match.
Yay - I made it in 9.05.2 mins! Miracle. I'll definitely have to give this a try again!
Happy Birthday to this fun challenge!

Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger - another one!

Here is another card for the TT Craving Navy challenge and also for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - which is Monochromatic.

The stamps are from Penny Black and I've used chipped sapphire distress ink.

Moxie Fab World: Tuesday Trigger meets Trendy Triangles!

Hi there, I'm not feeling very chatty at the moment, so please forgive me. I'm still trying to cope with my Dad being so ill and looking after Mum and now I've come down with a chest infection.

So on to me card. Cath is craving navy this week in the Tuesday Trigger and I got some new triangle stamps from MFT, so I can enter it in the Trendy Triangle challenge. I'm also entering this in the SSS Wednesday challenge 'Monochromatic." Here is the result...

Tuesday Trigger - One more go!

I thought I'd get another card done for the Moxie Fab World - TT 'It's Completely Collagical!'

I used Darkroom Door stamps and for the postcard and stamp and Hero Arts for the butterfly.
I did som masking to make it a one layer card.

Runway Inspired /Penny Black Play along take 2

Hi, I'm back with another card for the Runway Inspired challenge, because that dress was calling out to me to get inky!!!

The sentiment on the card is for my Dad. He's been in hospital for 8 days and we nearly lost him last Saturday. He's very poorly and I hate seeing him going through so much, when he just wants to be left in peace. Dad has always been my biggest fan in everything, but especially with my card making and I love him dearly.

I used various inks on the Penny Black background stamp, then I spritzed the paper and  card , before stamping it. I left it for a few seconds to let the ink sink in.
Next I used more distress inks as a water-colour wash to colour in the flowers.
The background card has been mounted on the card with dimensional tape.
The sentiment is also from Penny Black.
I stamped Hero Arts friends definition over the image to ad some interest and depth.

I

Runway Inspired /Penny Black Collaboration

This week at Runway Inspired Challenge, the Penny Black designers are joining in the fun and there is so much inspiration!

Here is my card...

I've used Penny Black Floral Applique stamps and I tried to capture the light effect that you can see in the flowers of the dress.
NB: I know my card looks a bit like Jill's, but I promise I had nearly finished mine, before her's was posted!

Playing with Gelatos, Gesso and Penny Black

I made this card a few weeks ago after being inspired by this great tutorial by Jill Foster.

To begin I used a crimper to add texture to the background and then painted it with gesso.
When the paint was dry, I stamped the  Penny Black irises using gelatos straight on to the stamp and spritzing with water. Next, I coloured the background with gelatos and my fingers to smooth it out.
Then i die-cut the butterflies with one of PBs new dies.

Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger - revisited

Hi just popping in with another card for the Tuesday Trigger - it's completely different from my first, I was just having a play with a freebie stamp (I think it's from Darkroom Door) and inks. The butterflies made with a new Penny Black die.
ETA: I'm entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

Stamped on canvas paper