PBSC April - Anything Goes (Or Spring Flowers)...More Inspiration!

It's the third Saturday of the month, so that means it's time for some more inspiration for this month's Penny Black Saturday Challenge...where the theme is:

'Anything Goes'
or
'Spring Flowers'

As usual, we are sponsored by the awesome 1-2-3 Stitch:

Prize - a $20 voucher!

I picked a cute kitty image called 'You're the Bestest!'...I though his big bunch of daffodils would be perfect for our optional 'Spring Flowers' theme. I coloured him using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'Indie Chic - Nutmeg' pad by My Mind's Eye...I distressed all of the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Doodled Flowers' set by Happy Little Stampers.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• As You Like It - Favourite Colouring Medium (Watercolour pencils...I love that I can take them anywhere...all I need is a pencil case & a waterbrush!)
• Card Mania - Spring
• Craftaholics R Us - Anything Goes
• Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
• Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Springtime
• Moving Along with the Times - Springtime
• Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stampers - Too Cute!
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Sparkly Christmas

I have a trio of very sparkly Christmas cards to share today using a set of stamps I recently picked up in a charity shop - they weren't in any packaging, and although through a little googling, I was able to find them listed on ebay...but, the packaging didn't show any branding either, so I'm still none the wiser! I stamped them on to kraft card using Versamark Ink, them heat embossed them using WOW embossing glitters. I made some matching glitter card to mat the images on, but inking around the edges of some pieces of white card, then heat embossing them using the same embossing glitter. I added a sentiment to each card using stamps from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous.

Tree embossed using 'Vintage Peacock':

Reindeer embossed using 'Turkish Nights':

Wreath embossed using 'Emerald City':

Challenges for these cards:

• C.R.A.F.T. - Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Anything Goes
• Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes
• Heartful Stamping - Anything Goes
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

House Mouse & Friends Challenge - Guest Designer

I'm back with another guest designer card for the House Mouse & Friends Challenge today.

The fortnightly challenges are always 'Anything Goes'...but if you want more of a challenge, there's an optional theme, which this time is:

'Let's Eat!'

I found a couple of 'foodie' stamps in my House Mouse collection...'Birthday Cupcake' & 'Cake Nibbler', and I decided to use them both to make a card and gift tag for my Mum's birthday.

For the card, I used the large 'Birthday Cupcake' image...colouring it using watercolour pencils, thn adding a generous coating of Stickles to the cupcake frosting. I paired it with papers from the 'Happy Day' pad by My Mind's Eye...adding a sentiment (from the 'Cupcakes' set by Hero Arts) and doodling some simple borders using a black gel pen.

For the gift tag, I stamped 'Cake Nibbler' on to a small kraft tag, then coloured him using watercolour pencils...although I didn't use any water this time. I added the same sentiment as on the card, then attached to tag to my gift using some multicoloured twine (from TK Maxx).

Challenges for these items:

• Crafty Sentiments - Only for Girls
• Creative Knockouts - Lots of Layers (Just the card)
• Daring Cardmakers - Animal Antics
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes (Optional Vibrant Colours)

Oh...and I also made her a birthday cake...salted caramel...yummy!

For more inspiration from the awesome design team, please pop over to the House Mouse & Friends Challenge.

Pile It On! Challenge - Think Small and/or Coloured Pencils

It's the third Sunday of a new month, so that means we an additional theme for this month's Pile It On! Challenge. Our themes for April are:

'Think Small'
and/or
'Use Coloured Pencils'

Our sponsor for this challenge is A Day for Daisies:

Prize - 3 Images of the Winner's Choice!

I combined the themes and made a simple little gift tag for part of my brother's birthday present. The tag is from Hobbycraft and measures about 1.5 by 3 inches. I stamped a cute little Penny Black pup (called 'for you!') on to it, then coloured him using watercolour pencils...but without using water. I tied it to the present using some multicoloured twine (from TK Maxx).

Here are the challenges I've piled on:

• Pile It On! - Think Small and/or Coloured Pencils
• Addicted to Stamps - Balloons/Bunting/Presents
• CCEE Stampers - Pets
• Fab 'N' Funky - Cute Critters
• Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Pile It On! Challenge.

Kaleidoscopic Butterflies

Today I have a simple birthday card, with matching gift bag and tag to share. I used my IndigoBlu 'Big Butterfly' stamp, stamped in white pigment ink on kraft, then heat embossed using Stampendous 'Kaleidoscope' embossing powder on all three items. On the card I added a Hero Arts sentiment (from the 'Fabulous Birthday' set), and lightly distressed the edges.

The embossing powder gives a really pretty multi-coloured sparkle...virtually impossible to photograph, but lovely in real life! 

And the matching bag & tag (sentiment stamp from the 'Big Messages' set by Paula Pascual):

Challenges for these items:

• Aud Sentiments - Add a Birthday Sentiment
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
• My Time to Craft - Bag or Box with Matching Tag
• Stamping Sensations - One for the Girls

Snowflake Lace

I have a Christmas card to share today that I found recently in the 'bargain bin' of a lovely little craft shop...it's called 'Snowflake Lace' by Indigo Blu. I stamped it using Versamark Ink, then added a few different shades of blue WOW embossing glitter to create an ombre effect...starting from the top: Vintage Peacock, Midnight Dream & Silent Night. I added a stamped sentiment (from the 'Merriest Wishes' set by Hero Arts), heat embossed it using clear embossing powder, and lightly distressed the edges.

Challenges for this card:

• Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Anything Goes
• Corrosive - Anything Goes
• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
• Crafty Friends - Your Favourite Colour (Blue)
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Anything Goes
• Happy Little Stampers (Christmas) - Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Breakfast in Bed!

Today's card is a simple little one...I just wanted to use the last little pup from the new 'Good Times!' set by Penny Black. I coloured him using watercolour pencils, then cut a circle using one of my Nesties. I found a snippet of Dovecraft 'Tea House' paper that matched with his tray of goodies, distressed the edges a little, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Anytime Messages' set by Hero Arts.

Challenges for this card:

• Catch the Bug - Anything Goes
• Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Little Miss Muffet - Anything Goes
• Moving Along with the Times - Food & Drink
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

Pastel Butterflies

I have a delicate little butterfly card to share today using a new (to me) background stamp called 'Beautiful Wings Background' by Creative Expressions. I inked it up with Distress Inks (Tattered Rose, Milled Lavender, Stormy Sky & Bundled Sage), then spritzed it with a little water and stamped it on to some watercoour paper. I allowed it to dry, then stamped it again using Versamark Ink, and heat embossed it using clear embossing powder. I trimmed the panel down, then distressed the edges a little. Using the same inks, I 'smooshed' another piece of watercolour paper, then used one of my Tim Holtz/Sizzix 'Detailed Butterflies' dies to cut a solid butterfly shape. I then cut the matching detailed butterfly from a scrap of white card, then heat embossed it using Stampendous 'Kaleidoscope' embossing powder fr a really pretty glittery effect. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Doodled Flowers' set by Happy Little Stampers...I also used the 'Kaleidoscope' embossing powder over the black ink on this for a subtle sparkle.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (Colours of Spring)
• Crazy Challenge - Shine On!
• Fussy & Fancy - Add a Sentiment
• Happy Little Stampers (Watercolour) - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Happy Birthday
• Stamping Sensations - One for the Girls
• Sweet Stampin' - Embossing

PBSC April - Anything Goes (Or Spring Flowers)

It's the first Saturday of the month, so that means it's time for a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge...where the theme is:

'Anything Goes'
or
'Spring Flowers'

As usual, we are sponsored by the awesome 1-2-3 Stitch:

Prize - a $20 voucher!

I went with the 'Spring Flowers' option, and had another play with my new 'Blossom Branch' stamp. I used the watercolour stamping technique...but added much less water than last time, trying to get a crisper image! I used Distress Inks to colour directly on to the stamp...slowly building up layers of colour...I used a lot of inks: Squeezed Lemonade, Scattered Straw & Spiced Marmalade (Centres of flowers); Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord & Chipped Sapphire (Flowers); Peeled Paint & Forest Moss (Leaves). Once the image had dried, I stamped it one final time using Versamark Ink, then heat embossed it using clear embossing powder. I added a sentiment (from a set that came free with a craft magazine), stamping it in black, then heat embossing that too. To make a softer background, I blended Bundled Sage, Stormy Sky & Faded Jeans Distress Inks over the top.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• 4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
• Gem of a Challenge - Female Birthday with a Sentiment
• Happy Little Stampers (Watercolour) - Anything Goes
• Incy Wincy - Nature & All of It's Beauty
• Love to Scrap - April Showers Bring May Flowers
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Happy Birthday
• Stamping Sensations - For the Girls

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Abstract Triangles

I have another 'the same, but different' cards to share today featuring the 'Abstract Triangles' background stamp by Simon Says Stamp. I started by stamping the background stamp on to a piece of watercolour paper using Versamark Ink, then heat embossed it using white powder. I then added some blue and green Distress Inks (Cracked Pistachio, Evergreen Bough, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon, Broken China & Salty Ocean) on to my craft mat, added a little water, then 'smooshed' my embossed paper int them. I picked out a few of the triangles to paint with some stronger colour using the same inks, then splattered it with some water droplets...leaving it to stand for a minute before drying with a paper towel. I trimmed the panel in half, then cut partial circles using one of my Nesties, added them to my card bases, then stamped my sentiments (from a set that came free with a magazine) in the 'hole'.

Challenges for these cards:

• AAA Cards - A Favourite Technique (Ink smooshing)
• Addicted to Stamps - Thank You (Obviously just the 'thank you' card)
• C.R.A.F.T. - Get Well (Obviously just the 'get well' card)
• Crafting with an Attitude - Anything Goes
• Creative Knockouts - Anything Goes
• Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes

Moo'd Swing

Today's card features a rather grumpy looking cow called 'Moo'd Swing' by Whipper Snapper. I coloured the image using watercolour pencils, then added a sentiment from a Lili of the Valley set. I added a piece of patterned paper (from the My Mind's Eye 'Now & Then' pad) along the top...I cut the curve using one of my Lawn Fawn 'Stitched Hillside' border dies.

Challenges for this card:

• Animal Friends - On the Farm
• Craftaholics R Us - Birthday Cards
• Crafty Animals - Anything Goes
• Little Red Wagon - Old MacDonald
• Penny Black & More - Black & White Plus One
• Shopping Our Stash - Black, White & One Other Colour
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Happy Birthday

ABC Christmas Challenge - H & I are for?

We have a fun new ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Lols is the host, and the themes for this month are:

'H is for Hats'

&

'I is for Ice'

Our sponsor for this challenge is All Dressed Up:

Prize - 2 Digi Stamps of the winner's choice!

There's also an awesome bonus prize for one lucky winner from Lols...a $25/£20 gift certificate to a store of the winner's choice!

Looking through my stamp collection, I discovered that I had quite a lot of Christmas stamps featuring hats...but just had to go with 'Snowy' (by Penny Black). I coloured him using watercolour pencils, then paper pieced his hat and scarf using snippets of paper from the 'Recollections - Prince Charming' pad by Michaels (found at TK Maxx). I used some more of the papers for the background...distressing the edges a little, then adding some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from a set by Pollycraft for C C Designs.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Anything Goes
• Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
• Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes

Coming up with an image for 'Ice' was also fairly easy...I do have a few 'ice skating' images, but thought that little Lili of the Valley penguin on his iceberg (called 'Ice Christmas') would be perfect! I coloured him using watercolour pencils, and added a sentiment (from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous). I simply distressed the edges a little then matted it on to a couple of pieces of co-ordinating card.

Challenges for this card:

• Sparkles Forum Christmas - Feature a Creature
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
• Winter Wonderland - Animals

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Perfect Petals

Today's card is inspired by the current Less is More Challenge, where the theme this fortnight is to CASE this fabulous card by Aileen:

I don't usually attempt CASE challenges...but was drawn in by the beautiful blues and took inspiration from the layout, blue flowers & silver sentiment...I probably would have added some sequins too, but I'm away from home at the moment and only have limited supplies with me. I started by stamping my Woodware 'Perfect Petals' stamp on to some watercolour paper using 'Onyx Black' Versafine Ink...I then heat embossed it using clear powder...I wanted to colour it straight away, and this also gives the added bonus of providing a slightly raised edge which is helpful for stopping your watercolouring from spreading! I watercoloured the flowers using a few shades of blue Distress Ink
(Broken China, Salty Ocean & Tumbled Glass), then used a silver gel pen to colour their centres. Once the flowers had dried, I went over the three largest ones with a clear Wink of Stella pen to give them some sparkle. I heat embossed a sentiment (from a set that came free with a magazine) using 'Metallic Silver Sparkle' embossing glitter by WOW, then added a pierced border using one of my CutterBee Bugs.

Challenges for this card:

• Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Heartful Stamping - Anything Goes
• Less is More - CASE Card
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes
• Stamps + Fun = Creativity - Clean & Simple

House Mouse & Friends Challenge - Guest Designer

I was the lucky winner of a House Mouse & Friends Challenge last month, and as well as a super cute Happy Hopper stamp, part of my prize was a guest designer stint with the challenge!

The fortnightly challenges are always 'Anything Goes'...but if you want more of a challenge, there's an optional theme, which this time is:

'Multiple Images'

I couldn't resist using the Happy Hopper stamp I'd won on my card...he's called 'Great Catch'...and I coloured him using watercolour pencils. I paired him with some papers from the 'Recollections - Awesome Boy' pad by Michaels (found at TK Maxx). I distressed all of the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Big Massages' set by Paula Pascual.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Creative Knockouts - Outside Fun
• Naughty or Nice - Pick An Old Challenge (I chose #5 - For the men)
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from the fabulous design team, please pop over to the House Mouse & Friends Challenge.

Pile It On! Challenge - Think Small

It's the first Sunday of a new month, so that means we have a fun new Pile It On! Challenge starting today. The theme this month is:

'Think Small'

Our sponsor for this challenge is A Day for Daisies:

Prize - 3 Images of the Winner's Choice!

I picked some small images from the 'Birthday Buddies' set by paper Smooches', and made a set of small cards (4x4). I coloured the images using watercolour pencils, then cut them out using one of my circle Nesties. I cut squares of brightly coloured card, added them to my card bases, then stamped the matching sentiments from the stamp set. I found some small snippets of paper (from the 'Happy Day' pad by My Mind's Eye), doodled some simple borders around everything then assembled the cards.

Here are the challenges I've piled on:

• Pile It On! - Think Small
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes
• A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes
• A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes
• Cards Galore Encore - Anything Goes
• Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes
• Crafty Animals - Anything Goes
• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
• Crafty Girls Creations - Anything Goes
• Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything Goes
• Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
• Pixie's Snippets Playground - Use Snippets
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes
• Simply Papercrafts - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Pile It On! Challenge.

Bunny Friends

I have one last Easter treat bag to share today. I used a couple of the bunnies from the 'Bunny Friends' stamp by Penny Black...I love using parts of the larger image (there are five bunnies in total). I coloured the image using watercolour pencils, then cut it out using one of my circle Nesties. The papers are from the 'Recollections - Charming' pad from Michaels (found at TKMaxx). I distressed the edges a little, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Egg-cellent Easter Wishes' set by Amy R/C C Designs.

Challenges for this treat bag:

• Aud Sentiments - Easter or Spring Sentiment
• Crafty Cardmakers - Bunnies, Chicks or Eggs
• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes 
• Deep Ocean - Easter or Spring
• Fab 'N Funky - Easter
• Little Red Wagon - Hipptiy Hoppity
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes