Not the weekend I'd planned!

I should be at a craft weekend with a group of crafters this weekend. I made these gift boxes containing caramel Easter Eggs to take with me to give to a few crafty friends. Thursday evening I somehow tripped over a kerb and nosedived onto the pavement. (No alcohol involved! 🤣) After 5 1/2 hours in A & E Thursday night, my hand is in a plaster cast and my face looks like I've done several rounds with Mike Tyson! No crafting for a while as my right hand is out of action, so I ate the contents of one or two boxes to cheer myself up. 😋 xx

I used a Craft Addiction 'Cracker Die' I bought recently.  I watched a video showing how to use it to make boxes, but I adjusted the measurements to make it the right height for the Easter Eggs.  The patterned paper was from The Works.  I bought some inexpensive, mini clear hair bands to keep the boxes closed.

I just need to practise typing faster with just one hand as two fingers on my right hand are enclosed in the plaster cast.  It's times like this I wish I was left-handed! 🤣

I am joining in the following challenges:

NBUS April Challenge ~ Use Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (die)

Love Those Pretty Papers April Challenge

Time Out Challenge #310 ~ Sweet treats are in the boxes 😉

Allsorts Challenge ~ In the Garden

A new Allsorts Challenge begins today and Gail has chosen the theme of 'In the Garden'. As always, there is also the option of Anything Goes.

I used a Studio Light triptych die for the card base and layers. The dandelion patterned paper is from The Range.  I stencilled the middle panel using a Lavinia 'Dynamic' stencil and 'Kitsch Flamingo' Distress Ink.  The fairy is a Lavinia 'Olivia - small' stamp, stamped with Versafine 'Onyx Black'.  I added some sparkle to the fairy's wings using a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush. 

There are two prizes of Lavinia stamps for the lucky randomly drawn winners.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Love Those Pretty Papers April Challenge

Make My Monday Challenge #275 ~ Monotone

Stamping Sensations April Challenge ~ Inspired by Nature

We Love Stamping April Challenge ~ Spring

Stencil Fun April Challenge ~ Use a Stencil

Crafty Calendar Challenge ~ Dies and Punches

The theme of the April Crafty Calendar Challenge is 'Die Cuts/Punches'.  I made this masculine card for my brother using two different dies.

The patterned paper is from Anna Marie Designs. I found a piece of white card in my snippets drawer which was already embossing with a Creative Expressions 'Cogs & Gears' embossing folder.  I cut it into a long panel and layered it on a black mat.  I used a Memory Box 'Gearworks Border' die with silver mirror card and layered the die cut over the embossed panel.  I used one of the dies from the Xcut 'Cogs Chronology' set with a snippet of black card to add a cog to the top right hand corner.

The Crafty Calendar Challenge ends on 28th April, so please hop over to the challenge blog to see all the beautiful creations the DT have made for inspiration.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Craft Rocket Challenge #135 ~ Layer it up

Creative Knockouts #568 ~ Embossing Delight

Krafty Chicks Challenge #814 ~ Birthday

Little Red Wagon Challenge # 852 ~ "M" is for Masculine

Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Snippets Playground Challenge #529 ~ Use Snippets

Highland Cow

I made this card today to enter a challenge on the Craft Addition Facebook page, where the theme is turquoise and gold.

The turquoise die cut is a Craft Addiction 'Highland Cow'. I used the die again with gold glitter card and inlaid all the little pieces into the turquoise cow.  I used snippets of black and pink to inlaid the eye nose and tongue.  The sentiment made with Memory Box 'Alphabet Soup' die cuts and I added three turquoise pearls. I used the same turquoise and gold glitter card for the mats.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #633 ~ Four Legged Friends

The Paper Funday Challenge #85 ~ Anything Goes with Optional Twist: Fur or Feathers

Allsorts Challenge ~ It's Springtime

A new Allsorts Challenge begins today and Brenda has chosen the theme of 'It's Springtime'.

For my DT card, I used an embossing folder I was given recently.  I think it may have been a magazine cover gift a while ago.  As it's covered in tulips, it was perfect for my springtime card.  The embossed pattern has a flat circle in the middle and my first thought was to die cut the cut out.  However, this would have flatten the embossed design.  I die cut a stitched white circle and stamped the stem and leaves from the Stampin' Up 'Timeless Tulips' set directly onto the circle.  The flower head was stamped on a scrap of white card using two different pink stamp pads to add some shading.  It was then fussy cut and attached with foam pads to add some extra dimension.  The sentiment was a stamp from the same set and I hand cut the sentiment banner and mat.  Three tiny green pearls finished off my card. 

The prize this time is two Penny Black Stamps available from Buddly Crafts.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Ellibelle's Garden Party No. 13 ~ Anything in (or from) a Garden

Try It On Tuesday Challenge ~ Spring

Christmas Snippets

I made this card with snippets, although I've already entered the Snippets Playground challenge this fortnight with another project.  Have you entered the Snippets Playground challenge yet?  There is a lovely prize for the lucky randomly drawn winner and you have until 11am on Saturday to enter this fortnight's challenge.

I used a hexagonal punch with snippets of patterned paper from The Works.  I laid them across the top of the card blank and trimmed off the excess. I embossed a snippet of navy blue card with a Sue Wilson 'Snowflake Lattice' embossing folder. The sentiment is a stamp from the Stampin' Up 'Greatest Part of Christmas' set, stamped with Versafine Clair 'Morning Mist'.  Three silver holographic Card Candi finished off my card.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Rudolph Days March Challenge

Tag

I'm in the middle of blitzing my crafty room, which is long overdue!  I came across box with backgrounds I'd made a long time ago and never used, so I thought I'd use a snippet of one of the backgrounds to make a tag for the Tag-Along (and ATCs) Challenge.

The background was made using the Rubber Band Technique Loll demonstrated HERE.  The video was made 8 years ago, so I guess my snippet has been in the box for quite a few years!  Basically the pattern was made with rubber bands around a stamping block, stamped using an embossing pad and embossed with gold embossing powder on a white piece of card.  After the pattern was embossed, Distress Inks in turquoise and orange were blended over the top. I used a Stampin' Up punch to make the tag from the inked panel. I used it again with a snippet of white card to punch a top of the tag, which I layered over the inked tag and added a white strip along the bottom, corner rounding the bottom corners.  The Memory Box 'Chloe Stem' die cut was in my box of odd die cuts, left over from a previous project.  I found a scrap of orange ribbon, which I tied to the top of the tag.  So..... as the tag is made entirely of snippets, I'll be sharing my tag over in the Snippets Playground.  

I am joining in the following Challenges:

Tag-Along (and ATCs) Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Snippets Playground Challenge #528 ~ Use Snippets

Craft Rocket Challenge #134 ~ No Design Paper

Craftlandia Challenge #26 ~ Hummingbirds

The March Craftlandia Challenge begins today and Mariela has chosen the theme of 'Hummingbirds or Anything Goes'.

I decided to ink up my Lavinia Stamps 'Hummingbird - small' stamp for the first time.  I used Versafine Clair ink pads for all the stamping and coloured in the stamped hummingbird with Polychromos pencil crayons.  I covered the coloured hummingbird with a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush to add some sparkle.  The wreath was made with Lavinia 'Lucky Clover Mini' and 'Flowers Mini' stamps, using my Sizzix Stamp and Spin Tool. The circles were die cut with a Sue Wilson 'Double Pierced Circles' dies.  I added some subtle lilac stencilling to the background with a Lavinia 'Ambience' stencil and Distress Oxide 'Wilted Violet'. The stencilling show up more IRL.

The challenge ends on 30th March, so please hop over to the challenge blog to see the beautiful creations the DT have made.

I am joining in the following challenges:

We Love Stamping March Challenge ~ Wildlife/Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations March Challenge ~ Spring/Anything Goes 

Triple B March Challenge ~ Birds, Butterflies and Blooms

The Paper Funday Challenge #85 ~ Anything Goes with Optional Twist: Fur or Feathers

Just Add Ink Challenge #781 ~ Just Add Wings!

Allsorts Challenge ~ Things with wings

Lynn has chosen the theme of 'Things with wings' for this fortnight's Allsorts Challenge.  As always there is also the option of Anything Goes.

I used a Memory Box 'Summer Meadow Collage' die bought in a charity shop and I used it for the first time on this card.  I added an extra butterfly using a 'Pippi Butterfly' die cut.  I finished off my card with three sequins and a stamped sentiment. 

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Cut it Up Challenges #351 ~ Happy Birthday

AAA Birthday Game #83 ~ Use Die Cuts

I made a second card in lilac for a sympathy card.  I decided to leave off the sequins for this card.

The Allsorts prize is a $30 gift card from Taylored Expressions and extra prize of an A4 stamp set.

Owl Planter

A card made for a card swap this month.  I saw this layout on 'Sue's Paper Creations' Facebook page. 

The image is a Woodware 'Owl Planter' stamp, stamped with Memento 'Tuxedo Black' and coloured with Promarkers.  The patterned papers are snippets from a paper pad from The Range.  I used a Couture Creations 'Fireflies' embossing folder for the background.

I cut off the top half of front of the card blank, decorated the bottom half and attached the layered image.  The plain panel inside is for the message.

I am joining in the following challenges:

We Love Stamping March Challenge ~ Wildlife/Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations March Challenge ~Spring/Anything Goes

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #271 ~ Embossing Heat or Dry

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #632 ~ Shades of Green

Triple B March Challenge ~ Birds, Blooms and Butterflies

Moving Along With The Times Challenge #187 ~ The Birds and/or The Bees

Just Us Girls #814 ~ Word Week - Emboss

Diamond Wedding

A card made for friends who recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

The card shape was made with a Spellbinders 'Happy Days'.  I covered the panels with white glitter card, which looks whiter in real life, to add some 'diamond' sparkle.  The flower is a Sue Wilson 'Passion Flower' die cut, the leaves are from the 'Dianthus' set and the hearts from the 'Mr and Mrs' set.  I added some clear gems to finish off my card.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Mix It Up Challenge #82 ~ Anything Goes + optional Die Cuts 

Papercraft Challenge # 127 ~ Hearts & Hugs

Triple B March Challenge ~ Birds, Butterflies and Blooms

Creative Creases Challenge #113 ~ Use a Fancy Fold

Craft Rocket Challenge #134 ~ No Design Paper

Crafty Calendar Challenge ~ Spring

The March Crafty Calendar Challenge begins today with the theme of 'Spring'.

For my DT I used an Easter bunny with lots of spring flowers.  The stamp is one I've had for many years and was part of a set which came as a magazine cover gift.  I use Memento 'Tuxedo Black' to stamp the image which I coloured with Promarkers.  The sentiment is a stamp from the Stampin' Up 'Timeless Tulips' set.  The patterned paper was from an old DoCrafts paper pad.  I finished off my card with a few tiny pink pearls.

The Crafty Calendar Challenge ends on the 28th March, so plenty of time to make your Spring themed cards.

I am joining in the following challenges:

We Love Stamping March Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations March Challenge ~ Spring

Snippets Playground Challenge #527 ~ Use Snippets (gingham paper and white card for stamping)

CRAFT Challenge #775 ~ Spring /Easter / Anything Goes

Passion For Markers Week 827 ~ Lots of Layers

Love those Pretty Papers March Challenge

Allsorts Challenge ~ Add Ribbon or a Bow

Sarah has chosen the theme of 'Ribbon or Bow' for this fortnight's Allsorts Challenge. 

 

 

I used a Marianne Design cross stitch die and cut into a square using a Memory Box 'Stitched Square Layers' die.  I used a free pattern from Marianne Design which you can find HERE.  The embossing was done with a Couture Creations 'Without a Lock' embossing folder and I added a strip of ribbon across the middle of the card.  The layered image was attached with foam pads to add some dimension.

The Allsorts prize is an A5 stamp set, stencil and ribbons and £10 digital download from Polkadoodles.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #631 ~ Dies or Punches

Sisterhood of Crafters February Challenge ~ Stitching

Can You Handle The Pressure? Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Fractured card

A masculine card today for my nephew.  It's been a while since I made a Fractured Card, so I decided it was about time I made another.

Everything on this card was made with snippets, except for the card blank, so I'll be sharing my card in The Playground and Little Red Wagon challenges.  The patterned paper is from Anna Marie Designs.  I used a stamp from the Stampin' Up 'Many Mates' set, stamped with Versafine Clair 'Nocturne' and coloured with an ultrafine red Sharpie.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Snippets Playground Challenge #526 ~ Use Snippets

Krafty Chicks Challenge #809 ~ Masculine

Little Red Wagon Challenge # 847 ~ L is for Leftovers

Time Out Challenge #307 ~ Inspired by the Spots and Stripes

Rudolph Days February Challenge

The February Rudolph Days Challenge begins today and I was delighted to be invited to be a Guest Designer.  I haven't made a bridge card for a long time, so I decided to make this fold for this Christmas card.

The patterned papers were a recent purchase from The Range.  The were in the sale at £2 for a 12 x 12 paper pad, so I couldn't just leave them on the shelf!  The sentiment was from Stampin' Up 'Perfect Plaid' set, stamped with Versafine 'Crimson Red'.

I made a second card while I had the papers out, moving the horizontal panel to the bottom.

The sentiment is a stamp from the same set I used on the first card, using Versafine Clair 'Rain Forest'.

Zen Butterfly

The Stamping Sensations Challenge theme this month is 'Favourite Stamps'.  My favourite stamps are Lavinia stamps, which I first started collecting nearly 20 years ago when I saw the stamps demonstrated at a craft fayre.  I used one of my favourites stamps on this card, bought many years ago.

I decided to keep the design fairly CAS to let the beautiful 'Zen Butterfly' take centre stage.  The butterfly was stamped with Memento 'Tuxedo Black' and coloured with Promarkers. I covered the butterfly with a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush.  The stamp has been discontinued, but it's still available on the Lavinia website as a digi stamp.  I used Spellbinders 'Classic Scalloped Ovals' to die cut the image and mat.  The background was embossed with a Spellbinders 'Dainty Dots' embossing folder.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Stamping Sensations February Challenge ~ Favourite Stamps

We Love Stamping February Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #270 ~ Wings

Triple B February Challenge ~ Birds, Butterflies and Blooms

Can You Handle The Pressure? Challenge ~ Anything Goes With a Twist of Die Cuts

Passion for Markers Week 825 ~ Shop your stash (stamp)

Valentine Hammock Card

I saw fold demonstrated on the Nifty Noodles Crafting Facebook page recently and decided to make this style of card for my hubby's Valentine card.

The patterned paper is from The Range and I used an X-cut 'Small Polka Hearts' embossing folder. I used punches for the hearts and the sentiment layers.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #228 ~ AG + From the Heart

Dragonfly Dreams February Challenge ~ Fun Fold or a Shaped Card

Can You Handle The Pressure? Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Creative Creases Challenge #112 ~ Use a Fun Fold

CRAFT Challenge #773 ~ Love / Anything Goes

Just Us Girls Challenge #810 - WORD Week - Valentine

Allsorts Challenge ~ Embossing, Dry or Wet

A new Allsorts Challenge begins today and Val has chosen the theme of 'Embossing, dry or wet'.

 

I used a Lisa Horton 'Padded Quilt' embossing folder for the background.  The butterflies are Memory Box 'Pippi' and 'Isabella' die cuts and the flowers were made with punches.  The sentiment is a stamp from the Stampin' Up 'Humming Along' set, stamped with Versafine Clair 'Paradise'.

The prize this time is Lisa Horton Rambling Woodgrain Rose embossing folder and coordinating stencils.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Triple B Challenge ~ Birds, Butterflies or Blooms

Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge ~ Anything Goes With a Twist of Die Cuts

Squares

I watched a video this week on the Nifty Noodles Crafting Facebook page demonstrating this design.  It's a perfect design for using snippets.  My card is a similar layout as the card in the video, but I made a few changes by adding ribbon and the positioning of the sentiment. 

The papers are from The Range and I die cut lots of snippers into squares with a Memory Box 'Perfect Patch Strip', which cuts five stitched squares in one go.  I bought the die years ago because it was in a sale, but only used it today for the first time, so I'll be sharing my card over in the NBUS challenge.  The embossing was done with a Lisa Horton 'Layered Petals' embossing folder.

I made a second card with patterned papers, also from The Range.  I chose non-floral papers as I though I could use it for a masculine card.  I used a Lisa Horton 'Cubes' embossing folder on this card. 

As I'll be sharing my card over in the Snippets Playground,  I remembered to take a photo of my snippets leftovers.

I am joining in the following challenges with my pink card:

Snippets Playground Challenge #525 ~ Use Snippets

NBUS Challenge #83 ~ Never-Before-Used-Schtuff 

Die Cut Divas Challenge ~ Red &/orPink Colors

Love Those Pretty Papers February Challenge

I am joining the the following challenges with the blue card:

Creative Crafting Uncles Challenge #73 ~ Happy Birthday