Allsorts Challenge ~ Close to Nature

A new Allsorts Challenge begins today and Brenda has chosen the theme of  'Close to Nature' (animals, trees, flowers etc.)  As always there is also the option of Anything Goes.

I bought a preloved AALL & Create #687 - Flock Together (#687) set of stamps recently and used the puffin for my card.  I stamped the image on a white Memory Box 'Stitched Circle Layers' die cut, using Memento 'Tuxedo Black'. I added a little colour to the beak, eye and feet with Promarkers. I stamped the puffin again on a scrap piece of card and fussy cut it to make a mask.  With the mask in place I sponged Adirondack 'Sail Boat Blue' over the circle.  I then used the same ink pad to stencil a wavy pattern over the top, before removing the mask.  I made a matching panel with the same ink and stencil.  The sentiment stamp is from the Stampin' Up 'Best Year', stamped with Versafine Claire 'Nocturne’.

There are three prizes of A5 stamp sets from AALL and Create to be won.

I am joining in the following challenges:

We Love Stamping January Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations January Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Cut it Up Challenge #321 ~ Something New (Puffin Stamp)

Triple B January Challenge ~ Birds, Butterflies and Blooms

 Stencil Fun January Challenge ~ Anything Goes using a Stencil

NBUS Challenge #70 ~ Use Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Puffin Stamp)

Inspiration Station Challenge #69 - Birds and Colours

Black, White and Red

My crafty mojo seems to have gone AWOL lately.  I think it was the lack of time to craft over Christmas and the New Year, which has resulted in it being difficult to get back into making cards again.  I have a couple of masculine cards needed for later this month, together with a few DT cards, so I went in search of my mojo and managed to make a couple of cards.   This is the first one, a masculine card for a friend.

I'm not sure if this fold has a name, but I saw it demonstrated on the Nifty Noodles Crafting Facebook page this week.  I've made similar cards before, but opening the opposite way round. I've always known them as Joy Fold card, so perhaps this has the same name.  The image is a die cut using a Die-Namites 'Birds on a Branch' die.  The patterned paper is from Anna Marie Designs.  

The panel inside is left plain for the message.

I used snippets for everything, apart for the card blanks and red card, so I'll be sharing my card over in the Snippets Playground.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Snippets Playground Challenge #497 ~ Use Snippets

Triple B January Challenge ~ Birds, Butterflies and Blooms

Allsorts Challenge ~ Matching Pairs

This is my second post today, so please scroll down to see my Crafty Calendar Challenge DT card.

Our first Allsorts Challenge of 2025 begins today.  Remember Allsorts Challenges are now every two weeks, so plenty of time to make up to five creations for each challenge.  The theme this time is 'Matching Pairs'.  Will you make a card with a matching envelope or matching tag, or will you think of something else to make a matching pair.  As usual, there is always the optional theme of Anything Goes.

I was lucky enough to receive a Sizzix Stamp & Spin Tool for my birthday in November.  I've played around with it on scraps of paper and this is my first attempt at using it to make a card.   This tool is a game changer for making wreaths and it's so easy to use.  The wreath and matching envelope were stamped Lavina ‘Woodland Fern’, ‘Flowers Mini’, ‘Mini Flutter’, using Versafine Clair ink pads ‘Bali Blue’, ‘Hawthorn Rose’, ‘Grass Green’.   The sentiment is a stamp from the Stampin’ Up 'Humming Along'. 

There are three prizes from Lavinia stamps to be won. 

Please note, we (Lavinia) cannot provide exchanges/replacements/refunds for any products received through this third-party giveaway.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Krafty Chicks Challenge #749 ~ Birthday

Triple B January 2025 Challenge ~ Birds, Butterflies and Blooms

NBUS Challenge #70 ~ Use Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (new spin and stamp tool and the Woodland Fern stamp)

Sweet Stampin' Challenge ~ New (Spin and stamp tool)

Crafty Calendar Challenge ~ Add a Die Cut

This is my first post of 2025 so I would like to wish all visitors to my blog a Happy, Healthy and Creative 2025.

The first Crafty Calendar Challenge this year begins today and we have a theme this month of 'Add a Die Cut'.

For my DT card I used Cuttlebug 'Blooming Bouquet' die which also embosses.  The embossed/die cut card was layered on a blue mat.  The sentiment is a stamp from the Stampin' Up 'Humming Along' set, stamped with Versafine Clair 'Paradise' and raised up on foam pads. 

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Cut it Up Challenge #320 ~ Anything Goes

Krafty Chicks Challenge #749 ~ Birthday

Double D 9th Birthday/Anniversary Challenge

I made a second card using pastel green card for a sympathy card.

The Crafty Calendar Challenge ends on 28th January, so plenty of time to get out your dies and make a card for the challenge.  There is a lovely prize for the randomly chosen winner.....

.....and the DT will choose a Top 3.