Engagement Card for my Niece

This is my "Congratulations' card for my niece who just got engaged. Exciting time for her and her fellow. I hope they  enjoy the card. Who could express being in love  more than these two shy bears; aren't they just adorable?  Oh to be young and in love. I remember when......! Anywho, here are the challenges this card has been entered in:

Challenge 1. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 43: an  inspiration challenge http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/

Challenge 2: Anything Goes: this weeks thyme is Congratulations    http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/

Challenge 3: CPS Card Sketch #195  http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

Challenge 4: Top Tip Tuesday : Anything  Goes Challenge - I'm not leaving a tip just my creation  http://www.toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/

Challenge 5:  Design Dollies - to create a card using at least 5 layers (counting the ribbon I have seven) http://designdollies.blogspot.com/


Stamp: Digi Stamp from Squigglefly  - Spinning Bears
Sentiment: Computer generated
Ribbon:    Michaels
Markers:  Prismacolors Markers
Ink for sponging : apricot appeal, tangerine tango, dusty durango
Other: crystal effects

Technique: sponging (zindorf circle sponging), dimensional (the right hand bear has been stamped twice, coloured, one cut out and pasted over the first stamped bear for a 3-D effect)

Sammy the Snowman

I have created this tri shutter card for Lexi's Creations challenge #29. The theme is "Blue and Silver' to celebrate being the exact date of their 1st challenge. I have been given the wonderful opportunity to be their guest designer for this challenge  and have immensely enjoyed playing with 'Sammy'  for the past few days. Isn't he the cutest little snowman!   The tri shutter cried out for a home, so I made a box (a Vicki Hook design) and dressed it up a little. I love tri shutter cards;  you can do so much with them and they do carry a punch.

Stamp:  digi stamp from  http://www.fairydustcrafts.com/, tree background from SU's Scenic season

Sentiments: from SU

Paper: assortment from Michaels and SU . The large panels were made with  paper from Michaels. I sponged around the edges and in the case of the right side panel I stencilled in branch and snowflake designs. The background paper in the two pockets are SU's, which again were sponged.

Other: MS punches for the snowflakes and the branches. Silver stickles added to the snowman's hat. Silver brad snowflakes from Michaels, clear dew drops.

Lexi's Creations challenge blog  http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/

Challenges entered:  Easy Craft Challenge # 26 Snow http://ecpchallenges.blogspot.com/ which is being sponsered by Fairy Dust Crafts

Scrap Creations: Going Blue   http://www.scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/

Fussy and Fancy - Christmas with no Red or Green  http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/11/fussy-and-fancy-challenge-christmas.html

Version 2 of Kumihimo Bracelet

Not content with the previous version I then took it apart and made this version. For some reason I got a very swirled look this time. I assume it is due to how I placed the beads on the Kumihimo Disk. Of course Jamie our fabulous teacher was not around so I winged it on my own and I will never be able to repeat this swirl -lol. I 'm not sure I like this version better than the last, but I will keep it this way for awhile.

The beads are Magatamas and can be found here:  http://www.glitznkitz.com/

My first Kumihimo Bracelet

This was the first of four Kumihimo bracelets I made following the guidance of my stepdaughter Jamie North. Jamie is a very talented jewellery designer and I am very lucky to have her to teach me so many skills. Jamie and some friends of mine got together one week-end at my place and  Jamie taught us the art of Kumihimo. Such beautiful work was done by all.  I plan to post more in the days ahead.

Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese beading technique..

Christmas Goodies

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What a great digital image from The Digi Shack! Met with Dawn for a stamping playdate yesterday and we worked on this old gal for our cards. I will link to her card when she posts.  We had loads of fun as usual.

Update: here is Dawn's adorable card   http://stamp-n-play.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-baking.html

Challenge 1. Taylored Expression #134 

http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/search/label/Taylored%20Expressions%20Sketch%20Challenge 

Challenge 2. Stamp TV Color Spotlight Challenge  to use apple green, lipstick red, and white.  see here : http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/color-spotlight-challenge-1

Challenge 3. Lexi's Creation  Challenge 27 Traditional Christmas Colours see here:

http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/

Stamp: digital from The Digi Shack called Mrs.

Paper: SU  real red, green galore, whisper white

Ink: Prismacolor markers,

Other: crystal effects for the eyes and eyeglasses,stickles for the berries, white ribbon from Michaels,pearls

Jeff & Katie - New Home Card

This card is for a friend of my son's who he has known since  kindergarten.  He is a wonderful boy and he feels like a second son to us.....Time passes, they grow, meet lovey ladies, fall in love and before you know it , one of them (my son's friend and his love) are off looking for a home. They find one they they think is right and are due to move in early December. Hoping to get a head start on things ( at a stamping play date  with a friend  yesterday) we decided to get the 'move in' card made . This is my result.  I have included two pictures just to show the crystal effects on the windows as it did not show up in the first picture.

 Note:  Inside the card I have stamped 'Congratulations on your new Home'

1. Stamping Vacation 'The To Who ' challenge - Make a card for someone who  has just bought their first home     http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2010/10/to-who-challenge.html

2. Cute Card Thursday - challenge #138 Anything Goes   http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/

3. Easy Craft Projects - challenge #25 - Red   http://ecpchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/11/challenge-25.html

Stamp: SU 'Right at Home' stamp  and mesh background stamp ' 

Paper: SU

Ink: Parismcolor markers. SU always artichoke, mellow moss, bashful blue

Ribbon: green from SU, black(?)

Other: embossing folder, crystal effects

Technique: Dry embossing, marker colouring, some sponging and for dimension added two little green bushes and a cloud

House Mouse & Friends

Cutest bunch of mice I've  ever seen. I seem to love cartoon type mice , or cute little Digi or stamp mice but IRL they  make me very uneasy and I do not like them at all. Go figure!

1.These little guys are from House Mouse Designs and the House Mouse & Friends Monday challenge is to create a card with the theme of 'You Gotta Have Friends'. Well friends are never more needed than when you wish  for someone to share a Christmas Eve with you. These could be a bit more lively though lol!!
See here for details:  http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/

2. Dry Embossing over at Crafty Cardmakers . See here for details: http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2010/11/spotlight-dry-embossing.html Stamp: House Mouse  'Mice & Cozy'
Paper: SU
Ink: Prismacolor  markers and SU mellow moss
Other:  SU embossing folder 'Petals -A-Plenty',  SU edge punch,Chrystal Effects used on the light bulb

Let It Snow - Blue Birdie

It is getting closer to the season and here we go with another Christmas card. I used a freebie from Doodle Pantry and coloured him in blue. I found the face rather hard to do; I must practise more with the Prismacolor markers! now for the challenges:

1. Doodle Pantry CPDC1- use a Doodle Pantry stamp  http://doodlepantryblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/doodle-pantry-digital-challenge-1.html

2.ABC Christmas Challenge - Winter Wonderland - white theme   http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/11/w-for-winter-wonderland.html

3.Craft Your passions Challenge #31: Recipe - Double anything on your card ( I have two iidentical
 blue snowflakes)  http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

4. Creatalicious Challenge #15: all white with some colour  http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.com/search/label/Challenge%20%2315

5. Craft Your Days Away CYDA Challenge #7:  white backgrounds with colour on image and embellishments     http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/2010/10/cyda-challenge-7.html

Stamp: digital freebie from Doodle Pantry

Ink: Pacific Point and Prismacolor markers

Paper: Whisper White and  white cardstock from Staples

Cuttlebug embossing folder

Shadow Box Snowmen

OK this was a fun one. A friend gave me some materials and a shadow box and asked that I play with them  to see what I could come up with. She was looking for ideas for a November work shop. This was the result. Like I said , fun time!

 Challenges:

1. Paper Sundaes #43 - Let It Snow  http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2010/11/paper-sundaes-challenge-43-let-it-snow.html 

2.  One Stitch at a Time: Winter Wonderland ( any snow type scene)   http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/2010/11/osaat-challenge-38-theme-is-winter.html

3.Patties Creation  - Challenge #3  Christmas Card or Creation      http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/

4. Lexi's Creation - Challenge #26 - Anything Goes   http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/2010/11/lexis-creations-challenge-26-winners-of.html

5. Charisma Cardz  - Challenge #44 - With Love @ Christmas  (my snowmen have lots of hearts)  http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2010/11/challenge-44-with-love-christmas.html

Christmas Carolers

This one was a bit of a struggle - who knew  this simple card could be so difficult! I had at first envisioned this as an elgant card but as I went on it became more and more rugged  due to several (or more) mishaps. I finally gave in and gave it the distressed look it seemed so determined to have.     I have entered the card into the following challenges:

1. Marks's Finest Paper (Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge #28: Piercing   http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

2. Winter Wonderland: Sing a Christmas Song    http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

3. Crafty Cardmakers challenge #33: Stitching real or faux    http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2010/11/challenge-33-stitching.html

Stamp: SU  Christmas Carolers

Ribbon: from Michaels

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Whisper  White

Ink: chocolate chip

Other: Sakura gelly roll pen, Opal glitter glue, piercing tool

Twin Snowmen

I started to make this for a colour challenge but missed the deadline so I changed my  tactics somewhat, although I did keep the colour scheme.
 Usually I can get my photos to straighten , but had no luck with this one. Oh well!

1.Critter Sketch #38 Christmas:  http://critterchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

 2.Craft Your Passion - Challenge 30 Anything Goes: http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/


Stamps: Penny Black and Stampin Ups 'Snow Burst'
Accessories:  Stickles 'Frosted Lace' and 'Opal' Glitter Glue,  Spellbinders 'Flourish Accent'
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Baja Breeze, Cool Carribean,Prismacolor Markers

Christmas Mouse

An adorable little digi mouse by Elizabeth Dulemba who creates  coloring pages every week for teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents

to  enjoy with their children, but also to let the public know about  her books ; see MY BOOKS !  I picked this little creature to make a Christmas card for some challenges.

1. Sketch challenge from CPS #191  http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

2. Delightful challenges to use circles  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/

3. Winter Wonderland to make a mousey  Christmas card   http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

4.  Creative Card crew to use punches  http://www.creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/

5. Marks Finest Papers  (Speedy the Cat Challenge #27) to make a holiday card  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/ 

Stamp: digi stamp by Dulemba, Stampin Ups Serene Snowflakes,  sentiment by Stampin Up 'Warm Words', Punch: Martha Stewart  branch

Cuttlebug:   embossing folders 'Swiss Dots' and 'Candy Cane Strips'

Spellbinders: standard circles small