Seizing the Birthday with just hours to spare!

Hi there, I hope you're all keeping well during these difficult times.

I've already played along in Challenge #187 at Seize the Birthday, but decided to do so again because they have a lovely theme for the toppings: Spring Fling!

I love this set from Clearly Besotted. Sadly, it's discontinued so I was delighted to find it offered for sale a while back by a blogging buddy, however Clearly Besotted do have a similar set which you can find here. The blossom is so pretty that I thought rather than colour it I'd leave it plain. I stencilled the background in Spun Sugar and Tattered Rose Distress Inks and added two sweet sentiments from a Jane's Doodles set called Doodle Butterflies. Finishing the card just required some sequins and a little layering in kraft.

The Seize the Birthday gang also have another challenge running until April 28th;

Isn't that great? What a lovely way to thank the ordinary people who are going above and beyond rightnow to look after us and keep us safe.

Stay safe everyone, and keep crafting!

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #157 - U is for Upcycling

It's good to see that Edna is using her time at home productively and indulging in a little upcycling! 

Yes, we're all about reusing and recycling for this challenge and boy, did we ever have fun with this one. Our new Queen has come up with a very clever (and possibly relatable) take on this challenge, while the sisters have interpreted the theme in quite a variety of ways.

For my card I re-used a postcard sent from a clothing company, then added a die cut image from a magazine which I'd stamped with a fun, snarky sentiment from Picket Fence.

You'll love the inspiration on offer for this challenge, so why not head on over and play along? You have until Friday 1st of May to join the fun!

They tell me it's Wednesday...

Hi everyone, I'm just dropping by to share a birthday card made with stencils and a fun image from VLVS that I'll be sending to a lovely work friend. She's just a bit nutty (like me) so I think she'll enjoy it.

I'm not sure why this gal is practising yoga in her posh clothes - perhaps lockdown is proving a little stressful.

I'm Seizing the birthday with this card and deliberately went with Spring colours so I could grab the toppings too.  The current Always Fun Challenge is "CAS (clean and simple)", so I'm delighted to join the fun there too! 

Keep crafting, and keep safe!

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #30 - Winter Wonderland (Create a Scene)

Greeting friends, I hope that you're keeping well and coping during these difficult times.
I'm finding crafting and blogging to be a huge comfort right now - I think us crafters are well equipped to keep our spirits up by getting inky and staying in touch with friends around the world.

It's new month over at Christmas Kickstart and we have a new theme AND a new elf.

Challenge #30 - Winter Wonderland (Create a Scene)

I'm thrilled to welcome long-term blogging buddy Jane from Purplejet Loves Crafts as elf this challenge!

You'll love Jane's take on the challenge theme, so why not head on over and take a look!

Here's my take on the theme:

I love this fabulously haughty moose, which was a present from the lovely Gail. I've mixed two die sets, which are both Tim Holtz Thinlits from Sizzix.


My second card also uses the mountain die and features this adorable bear in his pom-pom jumper and hat from Sugar Pea Designs.  The set is called Hey Winter and I can see myself using it again and again as it has some lovely images.

The sentiment is a favourite oldie from Mama Elephant.

I'm linking both cards to Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge as their optional theme is Christmas Animals!

As always, there's a prize available over at Christmas Kickstart from Rudolph, so please come join the fun and make life in lockdown a little easier. 

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #157 - R is for Retro

Greeting Snark Fans, Edna and the Sisterhood have a fabulous new challenge on offer and it's one we feel sure you'll enjoy! Yes, we're playing R is for Retro and bringing you memories of simpler, possibly less complicated times!

Sister Lee has done us proud once again and as a result we have Edna rockin' a fabulous retro vibe to get the party started!

I just love this retro girl stamp from VLVS and knew I'd partner her with a little mock tie-dye background for a trip down 'what-we-we-thinking' memory lane.

As you can imagine our queen and the sistahs have had way too much fun with this challenge, so come take a look and play along.

Stay safe and well you lovely people.

Card Chain Challenge - March 2020 Reveal

It's Card Chain Challenge Reveal time again and I have to say that, to me, our little chain of friendship and creativity feels extra special and precious during these difficult and challenging days. 

During March we had 23 participants who exchanged cards across the globe using at least one of the following options:

Colour Palette Option

or

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Things with Wings/ Flowers/ friendship

Product / Technique Options:  Embossing/ Design Paper

I sent this little piece of craziness to Marga in Spain:

I switched around the sketch a little and found the perfect winged creature from Stampin' Up to sit on a die cut branch. The colour combo was spot on for this card, and I did some cloud stenciling to create a little interest on this otherwise quite plain card.

My sender for this month was my dear friend in NZ, Dawn. 

Unsurprisingly, a few cards have been delayed this month, but there's still plenty of loveliness on show over at CCC HQ, so why not head on over and take a peek!

If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up for the April Card Chain Challenge until Monday 6th April. 

Take care!