Christmas Kickstart Challenge #42 - Use a Christmas Embossing Folder and a Stamp

There's double the fun on offer over at Christmas Kickstart as we join forces with Let's Squash It! That's right, because there's only one thing better than ONE Embossing Folder challenge: TWO embossing folder challenges!

The lovely Gail is our elf for this challenge and it just so happens that we've recently partnered up to start a new challenge blog where we celebrate the embossing folder in all it's craftin' glory! If you're not familiar with our new venture you can take a look here.

Our theme Challenge #42 is:

Use an Christmas Embossing Folder and a Stamp

And here's what I made:

I LOVE this Crafter's Companion embossing folder (Nordic Christmas Reindeer Parade) so much! I used some lovely, soft Bazzil Basics card to emboss the image and then swiped a gold Versacube across it. The centre panel features a very old Technique Tuesday sentiment plus an unnamed holly die and some red gems. This looks great IRL, but hasn't photographed well.

Here's my second make for the challenge:

This was such a quick and simple card to make. I stamped the sentiment and then embossed. The robins were added after the embossing from Papermania/Docrafts set Noel - which seems to be unavailable except on eBay. The folder is an oldie from CuttleBug called Christmas Snowflakes.

This challenge will run at Christmas Kickstart until Monday 23rd November, but will continue until the end of the month over at Let's Squash It! There will be winners and prizes on both blogs, so please link up on each to double your chances of winning! The rules are slightly different on each blog, so please don't forget to check them before you sign up.

Hope you'll come and join the fun!

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #27 - Penguin Parade

Hi there, did you all have a good Christmas? Feeling up to partying the night away as 2020 approaches? And are you ready to make a Christmas card??? Yes, it's time to begin making our Christmas cards for 2020! 

The theme for this challenge is:

Challenge #27 - Penguin Parade

and I'm delighted to be joined by Gail from Crafty Nomad to undertake the elfin duties.

I spotted Mama Elephant's Little Penguin Agenda just before Christmas and fell head-over-heels in stamp love!

Aren't they adorable? You get twenty little penguins in this set; some with Winter accessories and some that could be used for birthdays. I can see me using this set again and again.

Card #2 is all about random stamping and a central panel from a very old Technique Tuesday set that doesn't appear to be available any more. This was very quick and simple to make.

Rudolph's back after a busy time guiding Santa's sleigh and he's offering a gorgeous (and very appropriate) prize for this his Random Raffle draw:

Woodware Clear Stamp set - Penguin Parade.

So, as Santa heads off for a well earned rest, Gail and I very hope you'll come and join us for the first pre-Christmas 2020 Challenge. 

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #109

We're going all Steampunk over at The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers for this challenge and once again Edna has dressed for the occasion.

While I do like all things Steampunk, I really do struggle with this style of card making.

However, once I'd spotted this cat over at VLVS I decided to go with this bit of fun!
My teamies are a lot better at Steampunkery - you can head on over and see for yourself as there are cogs, mustaches, big winged flying machines and googles aplenty on offer!

Naughty or Nice Challenge #49 - Drink Up!

Another fun graphic (Bravo, Danielle) heralds the start of another fun challenge over at Naughty or Nice!

This month we've got a favourite challenge of mine: Drink Up!

Although alcohol may be the first thing that springs to mind, the Troublemakers aren't worried whether your card features wine, beer, coffee or another beverage of your choice - it just has to show something you can drink!

My card for this challenge features champagne... and pink champagne at that!

I made this card for my cousin's wife, Sandra, who is celebrating her birthday today. The sweet, little champagne flute comes from a Technique Tuesday Christmas set 'Keep Calm and be Merry' and the sentiment was printed on my PC.

I am really pleased with how the card base turned out. You can't really tell on the screen how twinkly and pretty the hearts are. I mixed embossing paste and Distress Stickles and spread them across a hear stencil. The finished effect is gorgeous and definitely a technique I'll be used again!

I'm also linking to Challenge #161 at Addicted to Stamps - Have a Heart. I'm not sure I've ever played there before, but I love the DT cards and the linky gallery looks awesome!

We're saying a goodbye and an au revoir over at Naughty and Nice this month, but we're delighted to have a long time friend of the challenge stepping in to help out. If you want to see who our fabulous guest DT is, why not head over, take a look and play along...

Make it Crafty - Felicity

Meet the lovely Felicity! From the moment I saw her she made me think of my sweet niece. My niece loves her shorts, thick tights and boots, so I thought this image would be perfect for her Christmas card.

Allow me a proud auntie moment! I love that she's toasting her success in getting her new belt with orange juice.

Here's a close-up of Felicity's sweet face, and her gorgeous hat and scarf.

This will be my final post as a guest over at Make it Crafty. I'd like to say a big thank you to Zoe and the regular DT girls for making me feel so welcome!

Creative with Stamps Challenge #1 Mid-month Inspiration

It's the middle of the month and the CWS crew are back with some gorgeous mid-month inspiration for you!

As I'm sure you'll recall our theme for April is Butterfly.

My offering was pretty quick and easy but I have to admit I love how it turned out!

I used a very, very old stencil that was a magazine freebie. I've used it alot and it's looking a bit tatty but it never lets me down. I stencilled with various Distress inks after die cutting the card, then stamped the Technique Tuesday sentiment and layered my card.

My teamies have created some lovely cards, so why not pop over, take a look and play along with the hottest new challenge in town!

A ripping good time!

Morning guys, I hope you are all well and looking forward to the weekend.
I'm breezing in at the last minute with my LIM card for the current challenge which is 'Tearing'.

 

I've had this idea in my head for most of the week but didn't get the opportunity to get into the craft room until yesterday. The 'tearing' element is very subtle and forms the bands of colour on the centre panel. Nice and simple to do, especially if you use a long post-it note!

The image is Em's Mixed Media Flowers from Stampingbella and the 'sentiment' is a very old Technique Tuesday journalling stamp which I found on eBay. I coloured with Distress inks and added plenty of Stickles. IRL this looks lovely, but hasn't photographed well.

That's the end of the crafty bit of this post but if you want to stick around here are a few pictures from our mini-break in Somerset. We stayed at a lovely pub called The Woolpack in Beckington, near Frome.

Frome is pronounced Froom, to rhyme with broom, and is a pretty town with a gorgeous little arts/crafts centre and a great arty vibe.

One of the highlights of our break was a visit to Stourhead House.

The house and grounds are stunning... and the naughty cream tea wasn't bad either!



 

 

Another highlight of our few days away was an evening with Frank Turner and his band The Sleeping Souls. We hung around after the concert and were lucky enough to get to meet and greet with Frank!

And of all the things that I could have said when meeting one of my musical heroes what did I actually say?
'Ooooo, you're tall'

Have a good weekend everyone!