Confetti...

The Confetti challenge launches today over on the Let's Craft and Create blog.  In your projects we'd like to see what 'confetti' means to you.  It could be wedding cards, tags, confetti holders. Or maybe a card featuring confetti like the one I've made above. Just a few ideas there to get you started.  We'd love you to join in the fun.

The rest of the DT have some lovely makes over on the blog.

Happy Birthday...

A new challenge launches today over on Let's Craft and Create and the the theme is Happy Birthday.
We'd like you to share your Happy Birthday projects with us. It can be a card, tag, gift anything that fits with the the Happy Birthday theme.  There are some fabulous projects from the design team over on the blog.
There's a cute little prize that you won't want to miss.  Check it out HERE

For my card I created a frame with a multi frame die and some crushed velvet cardstock that I've had for an absolute age. They had a last minute reprieve from the 'bin it' pile.  The flowers are just punched, scrunched and layered together with a tiny brad.  I machine stitched the stems and added some tiny hand cut leaves.  Another scrap buster card.

Stamp -  Paula Pascual - Mix & Match; Papers - My Minds Eye; Die: - Nellie's Multi Frames; Doodlebug Crushed Velvet Cardstock

CAS Love and a Giveaway...

A new challenge launches today over on Let's Craft and Create.  This time our theme is CAS Love.  
We'd like you to share your clean and simple (CAS) projects with the theme of love...valentine, wedding, anniversary, with love, all my love etc.  There's some fabulous projects from the design team over on the blog.  Plus the prize is a beautiful set of Clearly Besotted stamps.

For my card I've crocheted some tiny hearts and tied them to a crocheted chain.  The pattern to make the hearts is HERE and is really simple if you're a crocheter, you just need to remember that the pattern uses US terminology. I've tried a few different patterns for hearts but found this one is just the perfect size for cards.

For anyone who would like some ready made hearts, I've got these to giveaway   Just leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a name out of the hat and announce the winner here on Saturday 26th January. 

Anything Goes...

Over on Let's Craft and Create we're starting off  2013 with a challenge we're sure you'll all enjoy - Anything Goes.  A nice and simple one to ease us back into crafting after the Christmas break, I know I needed it!

I got a  lovely surprise gift pop through the letterbox on Monday. A set of Clearly Besotted Stamps.  It's one of the new releases 'Flower Arrangement .  I've used it on this card together with my current favourite paper pad - Basic Grey Lucille.

There's some fabulous makes over on the Blog to get you insipred to join in with us.  And, as it's the new year we have a very special giveaway   A matching die and stamp set from Clearly Besotted Stamps, all the details you need to enter are HERE.

Crepe Paper Streamer - The Range
Pink Silk Ribbon - The Ribbon Girl
Flat Back Pearls - Stampin Up

All About Buttons..

A new challenge launches today over on the Let's Craft and Create blog and our theme is buttons.  All you have to do to enter is use buttons in your card or project and you could win a crafty prize.
For my project I've threaded mother of pearl shell buttons on to craft wire to create this simple button heart to hang on the Christmas tree.
Do check out the blog for some more button projects from the rest of the team.  As this is a very busy time of year we've given you until Tuesday 8th January 2012 to enter.  I do hope you can join us this time.

A Splash of Colour...

We've launched another challenge over on Let's Craft and Create and the theme this fortnight is a splash of colour...
I've gone for a splash of red to make these embroidered Christmas gift tags.  It's one of those ideas you see in a magazine and think 'I wish I'd thought of that'.  But sadly no, I dind't think of this one.  It caught my eye in one of the many Christmas craft magazines on the newsagent's shelves this month.
An opportunity to use some of  the many embroidery stitches on my sewing machine.  Up until now I'd only used straight stitch and zigzag. I would recommend trying each the stitch pattern out on scrap card first and adjusting the stitch length and width to ensure the stitches are not too close together.  Otherwise, you'll just create a tear or hole on the card.
The kraft paper bags were made from parcel wrap and the gingham ribbon is from The Ribbon Girl.

Check out the blog to see some gorgeous splash of colour designs from the rest of the team and the prize for one lucky entry.  The challenge closes on 11th December.

Getting ready for Christmas...

Have you started getting ready for Christmas yet?  Our new challenge over on the Let's Craft and Create blog is the perfect place to start because that's our theme Getting Ready for Christmas. You'll find loads of inspiration for those Christmas makes over on the blog.  All you have to do to enter is post a photo of what you're making in preparation for the big day, couldn't be simpler!

I thought I'd taken the pressure off this year by buying most of my cards.  But now I've got it into my head, thanks to the Cosmo Cricket blog, to make all the tree decorations by hand.

These baubles, although a bit tricky to start with, get easier the more you make!  Took one whole evening to make the first but I've got a system now.  Ideal to make with one eye on the TV!

 I'll be back with a tutorial showing you how to make them tomorrow.

Edited to add:  The tutorial is HERE

Pearls and Lace...

Can't believe another fortnight has flown by and I haven't managed a blog post since the last Let's Craft and Create challenge.  I'm starting to believe that old saying that time passes more quickly as you get older!  
This time the theme for our challenge is Pearls and Lace. Pop over to the Let's Craft and Create blog for some inspiring ideas from the rest of the team and the prize on offer for one lucky entry.  Hope you can find the time to join us this time.  The challenge will close  in just wo weeks!

Stamps: Personal Impressions Big Sentiments designed by Paula Pascual
Papers: Crate Paper and Echo Park
Lace Edge Trim:  The Ribbon Box
Blossom Flowers, Flatback Pearls and Cluny Lace (for bow): The Ribbon Girl

A Different Dimension...

For our next challenge over on the Let's Craft and Create Blog we'd like you to add dimension to your cards and projects. This can be done in many different ways such as layering images, adding buttons or any other elements that pop out from your design.

To add dimension to my card design I've used a foam pad between each layer of the flower embellishment sandwich.  This isn't something I would usually do but I will certainly try again on future projects.  

Pop over to the Let's Craft and Create Blog to check out the inspiring ideas from the rest of the team.  Hope you can find the time to join in with our challenge, don't forget you've got two weeks to enter.

Papers: My Minds Eye Indie Chic - Nutmeg
Stamps: Personal  Impressions Frames & Greetings designed by Kirsty Wiseman 
Flower Die:  Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations - Tattered Florals

Getting Creative With Borders...

It's time for another challenge over on the  Let's Craft and Create blog and the theme this fortnight is Borders.
An opportunity to dig out your border dies and punches and get creative.  I've used a scalloped border punch to create a frame for my card.
Pop over to the Let's Craft and Create blog for some more inspiring ideas from the rest of the team.  Hope you can find the time to join us, don't forget you've got two weeks to enter.

Fiskars Scalloped Lace Border Punch
2" Circle Punch
Frames and Greetings Stamp Set by Kirsty Wiseman (Personal Impressions)
Various Paper Collections from Echo Park and My Minds Eye

Things With Wings...

The theme for our challenge over at Let's Craft and Create is 'Things With Wings'.  All you need to do to enter is create a card or project featuring wings!  

This fortnight there's a fabulous Papertrey Ink Stamp Set up for grabs for one lucky entry.  Pop over to the Blog for all the details and some wonderful inspiration from the Design Team.

I've been raiding my scraps box again and with the help of my Fiskars ShapeCutter and Butterflies Template created a layered butterfly and I couldn't resist adding some stitching just to finish it off.

Fiskars Shape Cutter and Butterflies-2 Template

Personal Impressions Stamp Set - 'Greetings' designed by Lindsay Mason

Papers from various K&Co and My Minds Eye collections

Crochet a Pin Cushion...

Our current challenge over on the  Let's Craft and Create Blog is Anything but a Card!  

I've crocheted a pin cushion. The motif  I've used for the design is called 'African Flower' an internet search will give you various patterns and tutorials, but the one I used is  HERE.
The yarn is  4ply mercerised cotton from knitshop.co.uk there's some gorgeous bright and zingy colours in the range.  I've used Pastel Pink, Rose Pink, Leaf Green and Silver.

Check out the Let's Craft and Create blog to see some fabulous projects from the rest of the team and the prize on offer for one lucky entry.  Don't forget you've got two weeks to enter.

Stamp It & Freehand Embroidery...

It's challenge time again over on the  Let's Craft and Create blog, and the theme is

Stamp It 

All you need to do to enter is include a stamp - rubber or digi - in your design.  You can just make out the stamping on my card, around the cherry on top of the cake.  A recent purchase of circle sentiment stamps,   a bargain in the Hobbycraft sale.
Check out the Let's Craft and Create blog to see some fabulous 'Stamp It' projects from the rest of the team and the prize on offer for one lucky entry.  Don't forget you've got two weeks to enter.

Now, the freehand embroidery.  I've been wanting to try it on paper and card since way back when I discovered Poppy Treffry's work.  I've had the special darning foot for my machine for about a year, but was put off trying it when I read it described as, "drawing with a needle rather than a pencil".  I can't even draw with a pencil!
This week with a bit of time on my hands I plucked up the courage to give it a go.  It takes A LOT of practice, a completely different concept to regular sewing and I'm still not sure if my perfectionist tendencies can get used the irregularity of the stitching.  But, it's growing on me and I've a few more design ideas I'm working on.

Enjoying this new crafting adventure!

Personal Impressions Frames and Greetings Stamp Set
Crate Paper Paper Pad - Emma's Shoppe
Medium Pom Pom Trim and Cream Cotton Lace from The Ribbon Girl

Make It Pretty...

Our latest challenge over at Let's Craft and Create is

Make It Pretty

Add anything you like to your card or project to make it pretty.  I've used vintage style seam binding and a flower loom to make these shabby daisies and added lots of stitching to 'Make It Pretty'.  Do check out the Let's Craft and Create blog to see how the other designers pretty projects - you won't be disappointed.
Hope you can join in the fun with us this time.  You've got two weeks to enter and there's a prize on offer for one lucky entry.

Paper Pad:  My Minds Eye - Dwell
Vintage Style Seam Binding and Top Stitch Thread from The Ribbon Girl

Scrap Buster...

Are you like me and hate throwing away those scraps of cardstock and patterned papers? Well, now's your chance to use them! Our latest challenge over at Let's Craft and Create is...

Scrap Buster

I get an immense satisfaction from using up my scraps. For my DT project I've created a set of mini cards with some off cuts of Echo Park Happy Days papers, a couple of punches and a few stamps.

Check out the Blog for some inspiring ways to use your scraps from the Let's Craft and Create designers and the fabulous prize on offer for one lucky winner. I hope you can find the time to join in the fun.

Thanks for visiting today :)

Storage Idea...

Time for another challenge over at Let's Craft and Create and the theme this fortnight is

Decoupage

For my DT project I've decoupaged a washing tablet box with scraps of vintage book paper. It's the perfect size to store my embossing folders.
Check out the Blog for some inspiring projects from the Let's Craft and Create designers and the fabulous prize on offer for one lucky winner.  I do hope you can join in the fun with us this time.

Mod Podge - Matte finish
Vintage Book
Hodge Podge hardware - Stampin Up
Stampendous Alphabet Stamps

Keep Calm and Carry On...

It's time for another challenge over at Let's Craft and Create. and the theme is a recipe. All you need to do to enter is use the following on your card or project - new projects please.

a button

a piece of fabric or similar

a stamped sentiment

I've made a lavender bag, I stamped the 'Keep Calm' sentiment, onto white fabric using Versacraft ink, and added a twill ribbon bow and vintage button to pretty it up a bit. If I made another I'd add a lace edging for a bit more prettiness!  It now sits on my craft bench as a gentle reminder!


Would be great to see you join in this time.  Check out the Let's Craft and Create Blog for all the details, some fabulous inspiration from the Design Team and the prize up for grabs for one lucky winner.

Thank you flower...

I've been totally absorbed with crochet this last week, that's why it's been quiet here. Blogging and card making have come second to my new passion.  There's yarn, hooks and crochet patterns all over the house and I've bored my followers on Pinterest by adding around  50 crochet 'pins' within a couple of days!   

Now let's get back to the matter in hand. It's time for another challenge over at Let's Craft and Create. and the theme is 

ANYTHING GOES

Would be great to see you join in this time all you need to do is make a new card or project to  enter.

Check out the Let's Craft and Create Blog for all the details, some fabulous inspiration from the Design Team and the prize up for grabs for one lucky winner - some pretties from The Ribbon Girl  shop.

Craft Concepts Universal Embossing Folder - Woodgrain

Ric Rac, pearl button  and Gingham Ribbon from The Ribbon Girl

With Love...

It's time for another challenge over at Let's Craft and Create. This time the theme is 

ONE LAYER

By one layer we mean one piece of card folded in half with no additional layers.  The image can be stamped or printed directly onto the card stock with minimal embellishments.

Looking forward to seeing all you one layer cards for this challenge. Check out the Let's Craft and Create Blog for some fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team and the prize up for grabs for one lucky winner.

Rose Acrylic Stamp - 'Craft Stamper' magazine (free gift)

With Love Sentiment Stamp - Papermania

Stampin Up real red  dye ink pad

Versafine onyx black ink pad

You're a star...

It's time for another challenge over at Let's Craft and Create. This time the theme is 'Stars in Your Eyes'. 

Remember your entry doesn't have to be a Papercraft project just as long as you stick to the 'Star' theme 

Check out the blog for some fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team and the fabulous prize up for grabs for one lucky winner.

Papers:  My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart - Be Happy

Stampin Up Chipboard Star

Glamour Dust Glitter by Decoart

Pearl Mix Buttons, Pastel Mix Buttons, Top stitching Thread and Natural Button Twine from The Ribbon Girl

Computer Generated Sentiment