Polka Doodles Week 7 - Sketch and Theme

Polka Doodles Friday again already!  This week has just flown for me and not much time for crafting being the school holidays, but couldn't miss this lovely sketch from Kris, and there's a theme too.  To feature a bird, well that was easy, all Nikky's CDs have at least one bird design so I was spoilt for choice.  I've gone for the Lovebirds papers and topper to make this notebook cover, love the cream and black on these papers.  Just added a few chipboard flowers and eyelets.  I think I'm going through an eyelet phase, can't seem to put the crop-a-dile down! Oh! Just realised I've missed the band across the bottom of the sketch, sorry Kris!
Papers:  Love and Cherish CD
Chipboard flowers: American Crafts
Rubons: Doodlebug

Polka Doodles Week 6 - Hearts and Flowers

It's Friday, so it's time for another Polka Doodles challenge.  This week it's my turn to set the theme and I've gone for

Hearts and Flowers

Really easy, just feature hearts and/or flowers on your entry and you could be in with a chance of winning a Polka Doodles prize. All we ask is that you enter your project in no more than 10 challenges including this one.

For my gift bag I've used mainly papers from Sugar Birdies, only just discovered this red check design in the Retro Chic section, love it!  Pop over to the Polka Doodles blog to see the fabby creations from the DT.  Tflx

Polka Doodles Week 5 - Paper Piecing

It's Friday so time for another Polka Doodles challenge.  This week it's been set by Claire who's a great fan of paper piecing. so that's this week's challenge.  Take your favourite image and paper piece it. 
Digital images and papers are great for this.  You just print your image a couple of times on your different patterned papers, cut them out and fit and stick them together like a jigsaw.  I had great fun paper piecing Sherman the pig from the 'Back To Nature' CD.
To use a digi image with a pre printed paper pad,  I use repositionable spray adhesive.  First print your image on plain copy paper, stick your patterned paper over the top of the image with repositionable spray, put the paper back through the printer and print the image again.  The image should now be printed on the patterned paper.
Hope you can join in the fun with us this week.  Tfl x

Polka Doodles Week 4

This weeks Polka Doodles challenge was set by Kerry.  To create a card for Valentine's Day using non traditional colours.  Just a hint of traditional pink in my card!  The image is pre coloured I've just coloured the table with distress ink.  I've added glitter and glossy accents to the cup cakes, but it's not showing up on the photo.  It's a bit fuzzy too, my first attempt using Photoshop Elements, still a lot to learn methinks! 
Hope you can join in this week, don't forget there's a prize of some Polka Doodles goodies up for grabs for the winner.  Tfl x

Polka Doodles Week 3 - Sketch

It's still Friday, just (sorry I'm a bit late posting mine) that means it's time for another challenge from Polka Doodles.  This week it's a sketch, the design team were given the added colour challenge too, to use orange and red in their creations.  Be sure to check out the Polka Doodles blog the DT have come up with some real stunners this week. as always.

Not so happy with my card, not sure that my style brings out the best in the Polka Doodles designs. But I'm working on it, I won't be beaten!
I've used papers from the Sugar Birdies CD  and added some stitching to create a patchwork effect.  Lulu ladybug has had a couple of coats of glossy accents to make her shine!

Polka Doodles Week 2 - Love

This week's Polka Doodles challenge is Love, and the Design team are using Nikky's fab new CD 'Love and Cherish'.  I've made a 'Wedding' card using papers from the Mocha collection and one of the flower templates.  They're so easy to use, just print on to your choice of patterned paper cut out and stack...

And a matching gift card holder.  The template for this interlocking heart card comes with the CD too, another easy make.

I just made a pocket inside to hold the gift card.  :)x

Inspirational Card Sketch #49

ICS time again.  Our sponsor this week is our very own Lulu, some fab candy to be won, check out the ICS blog to see this week's prize.  Dawn has given us another great sketch to work with.  This card came together so easily with a few scraps, funny how that happens sometimes, not often enough for me!

Papers: Polkadoodles Love and Cherish

Flower: Imaginese

Rubon: Crate Paper

Button from stash

Stamp: Can't remember!

Some news to share.  The new Funky Hand CD Dreams Come True is launching on Create and Craft on Saturday 16th at 12 noon, but is available now for preorder on the website lots of fab new paper designs, digistamps and a brand new interface making it so easy to design your very own word books!

Polka Doodles Challenge 1 - Song Title

The Polka Doodles challenge is back from it's christmas break with another great challenge set by the mega talented Ruth. Which is, to create a card inspired by a Song Title.  The design team also had to use the Back to Nature CD for hteir creations.  For my card I've used the 'Shake a Tailfeather' collection from the CD, beautiful designs featuring loads of lovely peacock feahers.  I can't honestly say the card was inspired by the song as I chose the papers first then did a search for 'peacock' in our music collection in Itunes and it came up with 'Peacock Suit' by Paul Weller, although I must admit I do like the song.  You can hear it HERE on Youtube.

So whether your card is inspired by a song or you make the card first and then find a song to fit it would be great to see you joining in, as usual there's a prize on offer to the winner.

Here's a couple of sneaky peaks of sample cards I've made using Nikky's new CD 'Love, Marriage and More' that she'll be launching on Create and Craft on Sunday at 11 am.

Inspirational Card Sketch #45 and an award!

It's Wednesday which means I'm late posting my ICS card this week! A fabby sketch from Dawn and great prize on offer which has also been donated by Dawn, pop on over to ICS and see what's on offer.

For my DT project this week I've rotated the sketch and created a christmas money wallet.
Oh am I so glad of blogland today.  I spent yesterday at the funeral of my old uncle, he was 81 and had been poorly for a while, a sad old business. I was reminded of other loved ones passed away and that life is really short and passes far too quickly, so am feeling a bit miserable this morning.So I'm off to while away a couple of hours visiting you all and maybe even get some DT stuff done this afternoon as I'm sure you lot will cheer me up and inspire me to get the paper and scissors out again.

I've got an award to share too.  It's been given to me by the very talented Tracey thank you so much.  Now the rules are that I give 5 facts about myself so here goes..

1. I can't wear high heels anymore
2. I hate driving
3. I should exercise more
4. My favourite soap is Corrie- I've never missed an episode
5. I hate porridge and rice pudding

I also have to pass it on to 7 others.  Well I'm sure a lot of you have got this one already, but if you haven't feel free to take it.  You're all sooo creative.

Polka Doodles 28

My last week as Guest Designer at Polkadoodles, how time flies.   Really enjoyed working with the Jingle Jangles CD and stamps.  This week's challenge is to use 3 papers and to stamp.  Be sure to check out the DT creations this week, there's loads to inspire.  Nikky will be launching her new CD on Ideal World at 2pm on 3rd December, can't wait for that.
Off now to the hairdresser, she's gonna have a job with me today, lots of grey to cover and a well overdue trim!  I'm hoping the hew hairdo will reignite the crafting mojo too!  Tfl :)x

Polka Doodles 27

The Polkadoodles challenge this week is to use this fabby sketch from Nikky to make a non-male card.  there's a polka doodles CD for the winner so it's well worth having a go this week.  The DT are using the 'Not For Girls' CD, check out their amazing cards here.  As Guest Designer I'm using the Jingle Jangles CD and christmas stamp set.  I've used the gorgeous snowball paper again this week, just love this soft lilac colour, I think snowfrost is the technical term ;).  Plus, I've found this matching paper with printed stitching on the CD too, saves me doing the stitching!  I've decoupaged the stamped tree and added a few gems.  Nikky is looking for some new designers to join the Polkadoodles team so if you're interested, check out the polkadoodles blog HERE.  Thanks for all your lovely comments, they're much appreciated.

Polka Doodles 26

The Polka Doodles challenge set by Nikky this week is to use her fab sketch and make a male themed card.  As guest designer my card  is to have a christmas theme too, using the Jingle Jangles CD.  I think I've covered everything with this one, although to be honest I'd forgot about the 'Male' theme but luckily it's not pink so I think I've got away with it. 

I've been seeing a lot of easel cards around and so thought I'd have a go at one.  It was a lot easier than I thought.  I realised once it was assembled that I didn't need the brad to stop it slipping the paper strip would do that!   I love these little present stamps and I've tried to echo the design with the topper. I like to keep things simple!

Papers: Jingle Jangle Christmas CD
Stamps: Christmas doodles

Polka Doodles Challenge 25

Was I surprised when the lovely Nikky, the multi talented designer of all things Polkadoodles asked me to be a Guest Designer for November?  Took me about 30 seconds to decide and say 'Yes!'.  I love Nikky's designs and the DT over there are a talented bunch so I was honoured to be asked to join them.

This week the Polkadoodles challenge is to create a christmas decoration and here's my christmas tree mobile.

And here's how I made it. The papers I've used are from the Jingle Jangles CD.

Cut two triangles of patterned paper measuring 16cm at the base and 20cm high.

Cut 2 6.5cm squares of contrasting paper for the pot and shape the sides making them more pot-shaped!

Cut the 2 triangles of paper into strips 3.75cm wide

Cut 2 Stars for the top of the tree and 2 Ovals for the hanger.

Place one set of tree pieces and the star face down leaving a 2mm gap between each piece. Take a piece of string and stick it to the centre of each tree piece with some tape, keeping the string as straight and as near to the centre as you can. Otherwise it'll be 'wonky'!

Now stick the corresponding pieces on top with glue, decorate both sides and stamp a sentiment on the oval hanger. I'm going to make a few of these to send as cards, it folds quite easily to fit into a standard sized envelope.

Hope you can join in with the challenge this week, it closes on Sunday 15th November. There's some lovely designs by the DT to inspire you to get crafting for christmas, be sure to check them out on the Polkadoodles blog.

Polka Doodles Challenge 22

Can't seem to get out of christmas mode, so when I saw the fabby sketch at Polkadoodles it was screaming at me 'Gift Box' although it's taken me all week to come up with colours, papers etc. but when my 'Next' christmas catalogue came through the door, the colour combo was sorted - lime and emerald green with silver and white. 

For the box I used some satin silver card and stamped on some swirls with white stazon.  For the flower and wrap I used lime green cardstock stamped on some flourishes with silver and emerald green ink, then put it through the cuttlebug with the mesh embossing folder. 
Thanks for all your lovely comments on my last post, all three cards are growing on me now.  As my hubby always says, 'You're too damn fussy!' and he should know! ;)x

Paper and card: Paper Mill Shop

Stamps:  Rhonna Farrer
Ink: Encore metallic silver; Stazon white cotton; Colorbox emerald green.

Polka Doodles Challenge 21

Another fabby sketch over at Polkadoodles this week.  I've kept my card simple, still trying to find a design for the christmas card production line.  I think I may have got there with this one.  The paper design is from the Sugar Birdies cd, not a specific christmas design and not a traditional colour but I think it works and I like it, surprise surprise! ;).  One of the baubles is glittery believe it or not, it's so dark here today so not a good pic.  Tflx
Papers: Polkadoodles Sugar Birdies; Cord: Hobbycraft; Rubon: Making Memories; Diecut Baubles: from stash

Polka Doodles Challenge 20 - Sketch

There's a sketch for the Polkadoodles challenge this week, and a lovely one at that, nice and simple, just what I like, and some fab ideas for using it from the DT too. I've used the Sugar Birdies cd for my cards, the first card is for the challenge the second card I was just using up the leftovers! In true Polkadoodles style I played around with some doodling.

Enjoyed it so much I made another card (not following the sketch) with the rest of the A4 sheet and stampies. I've seen Nikky on Create & Craft demoing her new stamps, stamping black on pastel papers, and just had to give it a try it looked so effective, something I never would have thought of doing. The gorgeous holly leaves and berries are from Lynda, I've doodled on them too!

Papers and stampies: Polkadoodles Sugar Birdies CD

Stamps: Sentiment Studio G; Flourish Urban Lily

Holly: Lynda

Polka Doodles Challenge 18

The Polkadoodles challenge this week is

DIY Flowers (Do It Yourself / Make It Yourself Flowers)

Well, as luck would have it my Studio 490 stamp set had just arrived so an opportunity to follow this tutorial and make a beautiful rose! Mine is not quite beautiful, needs a bit of tweeking next time but not bad for a first attempt. Be sure to check out the Polkadoodles blog, great flowers from the DT and a tutorial too, there's still time to enter the challenge closes on Sunday.

Papers: BG Lemonade, Ink: TH Distress Spiced Marmalade and Brushed Corduroy, Stamp: Studio 490 Dimensional Rose Art. Template: Cutting Cafe.

Polka Doodles Challenge 17

Just can't get a good photo of this don't know why blue is so difficult to photograph.... anyway on to the matter in hand, the Polkadoodles challenge this week is 'Anything but a card'. I've made a memo block using a tutorial from HERE. It's a pressie for a friend who loves writing lists, just hope it's big enough!

Papers: Polka Doodles SugarBirdies CD

Topper: Polka Doodles Stackies.

Rubon: Melissa Frances

Notepad: Asda

Polka Doodles Challenge 16

Needed to make a quick 'congrats on passing your GCSEs' card for my hubby's goddaughter. I used the Polkadoodles challenge 'spots and stripes' for inspiration, just scraped in my the skin of my teeth, this one closes on Sunday. Be sure to check out the latest Polkadoodles challenge 'Anything But A Card' , there's some fab stuff from the DT to feast your eyes on. Tflxx
Paper and toppers: Funky Hand Minty Madness

Polka Doodles Challenge 14

The Polkadoodles challenge this week is a fantastic sketch from Nikky and the only other rule is to use at least one Polkadoodle product. I've used the Sugar Birdies CD, loving the flexibility of the designs I found just what I was looking for to make a birthday card for my son, and yes I've got a teenager in the house!

All the elements for this card, apart from the Card Candy (Craftwork Cards) and the 13 (American Crafts), were made using the CD. Tfl xx