The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #71 - W is for Watercolour

Welcome, welcome, welcome! For Challenge #71 my fabulous sistahs have pulled-out their watercolour paints and got busy!

I struggled a little with this challenge, making card after card but not being satisfied with any of them. I'd had the idea for a Wizard of Oz style card in my head for ages but it wasn't until I saw this card, made by Lydia at Understand Blue, that I had a 'sentiment' to match with the image. 

The background was made with Brushos. Brushos are tiny tubs of crystallized/powdered watercolour paint and believe-you-me, a little goes a very long way! The shoes are from a cute Hero Arts set that I used before to make this card.

I made this card for the lovely Shirley Brampton: hope you had a fun day, sweetie!

The Sistahs and our fabulous GDT, Lauren, have created some watercoloured wonders for your delight and delectation, so why not head on over and take a look...

Naughty or Nice Challenge #32 - Reminder

It's time for our mid-month post over at Naughty or Nice and the gang have created yet more inspiration to get you in the mood for our current, fun challenge. 

My card is focusing on wild women... And true friendship!

Head over before Tuesday 25th October to play along.

Creative With Stamps Challenge #7 - Reminder

And now for something very CAS: a simple die-cut greeting and stamped dots!

It's still all about the sentiment over at Creative With Stamps this month.

My teamies have created some truly beautiful inspiration cards for this challenge. You have until the end of October to play along with our 'Sentiment Only' Challenge.

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #70 - D is for Day of the Dead.

Edna is looking a little pale, and yet, somehow, strangely glamorous with those gorgeous roses in her hair!

For Challenge #70 the Sistahs are celebrating D is for the Day of the Dead. 

I have to be honest and admit that although I'd heard of this festival, I knew little or nothing about it. After some quick Googling, I discovered that Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Central and Southern Mexico on 1st and 2nd November. This festival coincided with the Catholic celebration of All Soul's and All Saint's Day and the indigenous people combined this with their own ancient beliefs of honouring their deceased family members. Mexicans believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31st, and that the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2nd, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

This card was made as an anniversary card for my hubby. I adore Janet Klein's Vera Lane Studio images and would happily buy each and every one of them. I love these two little zombies who are all dressed-up and ready to party!

To see what the Sisterhood have created please head here and be warned, there's some seriously fabulous inspiration waiting for you with zombies and sugar skulls aplenty!

September Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Welcome to my September Card Chain Challenge post. Sadly, our leader, Deborah, is still unwell so all the action is currently taking place over at Gail's blog. Gail, who crafts as Ionabunny and Crafty Nomad has valiantly stepped-in to maintain this wonderful, world-wide celebration of card making and friendship in Deborah's absence.

This is the card I sent to my recipient, Agata in Switzerland.

I used some gorgeous MFT products to create this little scene and had so much fun colouring this cute kitty to look like my cat, Custard!

Here's Deborah's lovely sketch for this challenge. However, I had literally no idea how to use the colour palatte for September but once I got started, the card came together surprisingly easily!

My sender this month was Marga in Spain.

I also decided to send a card to Gail to show my appreciation of her efforts to keep CCC going. Thanks, Gail, I'd invite you over for coffee and cake but you live in Norway! 

You can find the October sign-up by visiting Gail's blog here.

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #69 - P is for Pink Halloween!

Now, there are challenges and there are FABULOUS challenges... And I have to say that this one is nothing short of brilliant! 

The lovely Edna makes a very smart witch, and doesn't she look great against her stunning pink background; reminding us that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That's right ladies, this month a worldwide annual campaign involving thousands of organisations seeks to highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research. This is a subject very dear to my heart as my mom is a breast cancer survivor. 

I had waaaaaaay too much fun making this card! I smooched a hole heap of pink Distress inks onto some watercolour paper and then left it to dry overnight. I added some splatters in gold and die cut to size. I coloured a clipart cauldron and then coloured and fussy cut the witches legs from a wonderful little set by Hero Arts. The cobwebs are from the same set, as is the sentiment.

The Sistahs also had fun with this challenge and I'll bet you will too, so why not jump on your broomsticks, fly by and take a look. You have until 11.55pm EST on Friday 14th October to upload your project.

Creative With Stamps Challenge #7 - Just a Sentiment

This month over at CWS we are looking for the sentiment to take centre stage!

Sponsors:

3 Digital Stamps from STAMPLORATIONS

Shop: http://stamplorations.auctivacommerce.com/

Blog: http://stamplorations.blogspot.com/

and

Once again, we are fortunate to have our sponsors on board and this month the DT have created cards featuring stamps from Stamplorations.

Although I've photographed and re-photographed this card this remains the best image I can get.

I wanted to achieve a watermark-style effect so stamped the rose image in Versamark and then clear embossed. The same stamp has been used to created the border. Its a lovely image so I know I'll be using it again in all it's glory very soon!

We'd love you to join us...

Naughty or Nice Challenge #32 - Spooky Sistahs and Wild, Wild Women!

This month at Naughty or Nice we are celebrating women both spooky and wild!

I've gone the witchy route for my card, although I think the witch has just popped out for a moment. Perhaps she's oiling her broomstick or visiting the supermarket to buy a pint of  milk and two dozen newts. Thank goodness her trusty cat is there to guard her hat!

I had so much fun creating this card. I stamped the hat, then masked it and added the cat. Sequins and tiny, glossy bats completed this quick and simple make.

The Troublemakers have performed their usual magic with this challenge so why not go take a look and play along...