When the going gets tough ...

... the tough get vodka! at least they do today!  And no not me! lol  A friend finished working at the unit I work at yesterday and we had a collection for her and I made the card.  She is famed for her love of vodka so the card and bottle of Polish Bison Grass vodka were very fitting and I'm pleased to say she was very pleased!

For my card (sorry not a great picture due to the gold mirricard) I used a fabulous image from Bugaboo called Tequila, it comes with a fab sentiment too but for this card I generated my own.  She is coloured with Spectrums and First Edition markers, I added glossy accents to her boots, glasses and glass and used glitter pens for her glasses frames and jewellery.  I embossed the gold mirricard with Embossilicious Banners folder and the black cs was die cut with part of a London silhouette die by x-cut but unfortunately it doesn't really show up very well.  Finished off with some liquid pearls.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Little Red Wagon #309 ~ Emboss Folder Love

Crafty Boots ~ Gold or Silver

Not Just Cards #25 ~ Anything Goes

Crafting From The Heart #80 ~ Anything Goes

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #295 ~ Fantasy/Fairy Theme

Ooops, I'm running a little late, seems to be the story of my life at the mo but I'm sure normal service will resume soon (I hope). This Sunday it's Ria's birthday and it's hard not being able to share it in person with her now she is at Uni but her boyfriend is with her this weekend and my Mum & Dad are visiting today so at least she isn't on her own.

Anyway enough of my mauddling! You're probably here to check out the new challenge over at Crafty Cats and this week the wonderful Naomi has chosen the theme of Fantsy/Fairy. We have a fabulous sponsor

Morgan's Artworld

And they are giving our lucky winner a 3 images of their choice

The DT were very kindly given some gorgeous images to play along with and I have used 'Gerient & Enid' which you can find here  This image really made me think of old books so I wanted to try and incorporate that into my card.  I stated by embossing a piece of Kraft and then using versamark ink and perfect pearls powders I set to trying to make the craft look like old leather then I added the brads to give the impression of it being old padded embossed leather (not sure I got totally right but was pleased with this as my first attempt).  Then I cut some corners from Kraft and heat embossed them with antique gold powder.  I printed the image 2x onto kraft and and cut out them mian image from 1 leaving just the border which I added to the other image using foam pads for some added depth.  I heat embossed with the gold powder round the edges of the frame and added the sentiment banner. The 'book' is then held shut with some string.  Overall I am really pleased with how this turned out, it matched the vision I had in my mind! lol  I hope you like it too, don't forget to check out the rest of the amazing cards that those Crafty Catz have been busy making for your inspiration.

I have included this view taken with the flash to try and show the effect of the powders on the Kraft and the gold embossing

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Robyns Fetish #283 ~ Square or Rectangle cards

Come And Get It ~ Clear it out (use a stash item) my pearl powders haven't seen the light of day for a very long time!

Crafty Boots ~ Gold or Silver

Crafting From The Heart #79 ~ Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly ~ Take your Pick ~ I used Autumnal ~ browns and golds and Technique ~ Embossing I used both heat and dry

Little Red Wagon #309 ~ Use and Embossing folder

Crafts 4 Eternity #246 ~ Woodland

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #294 ~ Men At Work

Good morning all, well over at Crafty Catz it's time for a new challenge and this week it's my turn to pick the theme and my inspiration came from the song that was playing at the time which was 'Down Under' by 'Men At Work' so my theme is 'Men At Work' and I have to say that my teamies did me proud they have made fabulous cards.  We are sponsored this week by

BUNNYZOES CRAFT

So for my card this week, after having so much fun using an old stamp the other week I decided to dig deep and use another old digi image!  I have used 'Handy George' from Charmed Cards and Crafts.  I have to say that these digis by the uber talented Louise Brigden were the images that got me started in the world of digi images and I do have quite a lot of them! lol So it was rather nice to revisit with George.  He is coloured with copics, spectrums and First Edition markers, the paper is from Bearly Mine Designs, I added Kraft Ias a mat and the sentiment is stamped.  The tool brads I have had for ages (thought they were a good buy at the time but have hardly used them! lol I'm sure I'm not the only one like that!) and I finished off with tape measure twill which I recently got from Hobbycraft, not with this card in mind but because I thought it would come in handy! lol oh and I liked it! 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

A Gem Of A Challenge #153 ~ Boys, Boys, Boys

Crafting From The Heart #78 ~ Anything Goes

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #292 ~ Autumn Colours:

Good morning, well we seem to be enjoying some late summer sunshine here at the moment and I've got the whole weekend off, not that I'm planning on being out and about much, got bits to sort for Uni, possibly going to a bbq sometime on Saturday and the rest of the time I hope to be crafting as I really don't feel I've done too much of it recently!  Anyway I'm here today to share my make for this weeks challenge over at Crafty Catz and this week our gorgeous Dianne has chosen the theme of 'Autumn Colours', lovely and we are sponsored this week by the wonderful 

AURORA WINGS

prize for the winner is $15 USD in digis 

Well the team was very lucky and got some fabulous digi images to play with, I have used Elven Queen, coloured with Copics, Spectrums and First Editions, added plenty of liquid pearls in various colours, background paper is from Funky Vintage pack by Dovecraft (had it for years), JS die for the ivy corner, cuttlebug for the other leaves and Die'sire for the flower.  The scalloped circles are actually yellow and white polka dot waxed paper jam covers which I bought thinking 'they'll come in handy' years ago and now they finally have! lol Oh and nearly forgot the little wire spirals

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Allsorts #327 ~ Lots of layers

Crafty Cardmakers #147 ~ Floral embellishments

Not Just Cards #24 ~ Anything Goes

Crafting From The Heart #76 ~ Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown #261 ~ Anything Goes

Little Red Wagon #306 ~ Digi Do!

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #291 ~ Anything Goes

Good morning, well now that we have reached September there already seems to be a chill in the air in the evenings!  Gosh can't really believe it is September and in 2 weeks we'll be taking Ria up to Uni in London, now that's scary!  Anyway it's time for a new challenge over at Crafty Catz and this week choosing the theme is our very own Anna and she has chosen a theme that is a firm favourite with all you crafters out there, yes it 'ANYTHING GOES' and we have been sponsored this week by 

CRAFTY RIBBONS

prize

AND

inky impressions 

 The  prize will be a 10$ Gift voucher.

So for my card I used a beautiful pansy stamp from Aurora Wings and I printed it and I printed and coloured it several times so that I could add some depth by decoupaging parts of the image.  I embossed the background with a Sheena Douglas folder (new)

Once I'd done that I tried to add a sentiment and embellishments but they just weren't working so instead I decided to decorate the inside!  Kept it nice a simple and printed the image again but smaller and matted it onto some lilac cs then cut the sentiment and little butterflies from the same cs.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Robyns Fetish #279 ~ Square Cards Only

Incy Wincy Designs ~ Anything Goes

Crafting From The Heart #75 ~ Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers #146 ~ No DPs 

Papertake Weekly ~ Anything Goes

Little Red Wagon #305 ~ Clean and Simple

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #290 ~ Golden Oldie

Hello, I must apologise for being so late with this post but in my haste to go away for a week to see my Mum & Dad I totally forgot to shedule this!  So better late than never.  This weeks challenge over at Crafty Catz has been picked by our fabulous Aunty Sue and she wants to see you stamps (rubber, clear or digi) that are over 12 months old and I'm sure (actually I know) we all have some of them! lol (I definitely have a few that are in that category!) and this weeks fabulous sponsors are 

CRAFTY RIBBONS

prize

So I dug deep and rummaged through all my old stamps and decided on an old The Greeting Farm stamp from my early days of card making.  I do love this little Anya stamp and really should look through my old stamps more often!  I have coloured her with Copics and Sprectrums and used lots of wonderful new dies that I ordered at the same time as my Cut 'n' Boss!  the papers are from First Editions Blank Canvas pad.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Not Just Cards #23 ~ Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown #259 ~ Just Because

Creative Fingers #90 ~ Anything Goes

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #289 ~ Flowers

Good morning, well this morning I'm off to the hospital for a cortisone injection in my right thumb and then on Sunday, we are off to visit my Mum & Dad in Kent for the week so I'm really looking forward to that and when we get back I still have a week off work! But that's not why you are here you are hear to find out about this weeks challenge over at Crafty Catz and this week our fabulous Janette has chosen a beautiful theme of 'FLOWERS' and we have a wonderful sponsor too ...

BUGABOO

prize...7 images of winners choice

How fabulous and the DT were very generously given some images to play along with and you really should check out what everyone did, they are gorgeous.  Well I have used Hedgehog Flower and coloured the image with copics, spectrums and First Edition markers, pale yellow cs and paper from Bearly Mine Designs.  The sentiment stamp and banner die cut are new and they are Marianne Design Collectables, the flowers are using Die'sire Itsy Bitsy Bloom (new), ladybird die Quikcutz and the leaf ribbon is from my stash.

I woud like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Come and Get It ~ Round things

Crafty Boots ~ Fair and square

Crafting From The Heart #73 ~ Anything Goes

Not Just Cards #23 ~ Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly ~ To Die For

Ruby's Rainbow #111 ~ Dies or punches

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #288 ~ New Beginings

Good morning, well the Crafty Catz are back after our summer break, all rested and raring to go so this week our wonderful Nick has chosen the theme of 'New Beginings' so think new home, baby, back to school that sort of thing.  Our fabulous sponsor this week is 

CRAFTY SENTIMENTS

Prize is 3 digital images

And the DT were given some wonderful images to play with.  I chose the adorable 'Bird House' which I have coloured with my spectrums, background paper is First Edition Neroli pad teamed up with some red cs, little banner die cuts (sizzix thinlits new)  and birds on a wire (Spellbinders die) finished off with some handwriting!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' ~ Anything but Birthday.

A Gem of a Challenge #150 ~ Animals or birds

Robyns Fetish #276 ~ Things With Wings

Crafting From The Heart #72 ~ Anything Goes

Not Just Cards #23 ~ Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky #270 ~ Things with Wings

TFL

Make a wish

Wow it seems like I've been away for a while, not intentionally I must add!  Unfortunately we've had some ill health in the family and it has distracted me from crafting, but it didn't distract me from doing some serious online shopping for which I have my wonderful Mum and Dad to thank xx  Ahh retail therapy, don't ya love it!

Just recently due to the arthritus in my thumbs I have been finding it painful to use one of my most prized pieces of equipment and one I have had from very early on in my crafting, my beloved Big Shot, I love my Big Shot but I'm sorry to say I have replaced it and treated myself to a wonderful Cut 'n' Boss and along with that I decided I NEEDED some new dies and some new embossing folders, well we crafters can never have enough of those can we?! lol

Then at the end of a very difficult, stressful and tiring week I came home to find that I had been a Designer Favourite over at TEW AND I had also won TEW Facebook challenge, so thrilled and I won 4 TEW images, lots of smiles and happy dancing!  You could say it was just what the doctor ordered! lol

Anyway I have used plenty of new bits on this card that I'm sharing today.  The image is TEW Lucy Loo Snow Queen, coloured with Spectrums, First Edition Markers and Sakura startdust pens, the background is embossed with Embossalicious Clouds (new), then diecuts added, JS banner, Cheery Lynn Designs Colonial Lampost (new), Crafty Cutters label die, snow flake punch, sentiment stamp from Paula Pascual Stamps (new) finished off with a flower, leaves and gem from my stash. (and there's more new stuff I haven't used yet!)

Also took one with the flash to show off the sparkle.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew #93 ~ Sparkle

Papertake Weekly ~ Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter #213 ~ punches & dies

Creative Fingers #89 ~ Anything Goes

Simply Create Too #91 ~ Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge #118 ~ Anything Goes

Crafting From The Heart #72 ~ Anything Goes

Not Just Cards #23 ~ Anything Goes

TFL

Professor Lucy Loo

Just here to quickly share a make for the East Wind anything but a card  challenge.  This time I have made a clip for those important 'To Do' items using a giant peg, this is something I have been meaning to have a go at for a while and while out shopping the other day I came across some giant pegs so I bought me one and set to! lol  The paper is First Edition New Bloom and I have used 'Prof. Lucy Loo' from TEW coloured up using copics and First Edition markers, I thought the image worked well as a reminder that things needed to be done! I added some small prima flowers and liquid pearls (really need more practice at getting these the same size! lol)  I then threaded a ribbon through the peg workings allowing the peg to be hung up.  Enjoyed doing this and may even do some more as gifts.

I would like to enter this peg into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter ~ Anything Goes

Creative Fingers #88 ~ Anything Goes

Brown Sugar #156 ~ Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers and More #144 ~ Anything but a Card

Crafting from the Heart #70 ~ Anything Goes

Not Just Cards #22 ~ Anything Goes

The East Wind #35 ~ Anything But A Card

TFL

Not a card

The new challenge over at The East Wind is Anything But A Card so I thought it was time to update my coaster.  I've had this plastic coaster for quite some time now I think it originally came with a cross stitch magazine so that is a great many years ago!  Anyway every now and again I change the image that is inside and when I saw what the challenge was and I saw what this weeks new release image was I knew exactly what I wanted to do!  (I'm also working on a second project but that's not quite finished yet!)  The image is Aurora Scarf Lover and I have coloured her using Spectrum Noir pens & pencils and First Edition Markers and I have teamed her up with some First Edition paper from the New Bloom pad.  Now she is finished it seems a shame to cover her up with my cup but every time I lift my cup there she is in all her glory!

I would like to enter this coaster into the following challenges:

Not Just Cards #22 ~ Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly ~ Don't Be Square

The Paper Shelter #212 ~ Use some circles

Brown Sugar #155 ~ Girly

The East Wind #35 ~ Anything But A Card

TFL

A little black & white

So this week I have actually been off work with a bad back so have been taking lots of pain killers and taking it easy (no housework allowed!) the only good point to this is that I have been able to catch up on some TV and been able to colour!  So today I am sharing another card that was only intended to be a practice!  This time I went for a monochrome look including the skin tones and shading, its not perfect but I do like how it turned out.  So I have used another awesome TEW image this one is Lucy Loo style I love You.  Paper is from Bearly Mine Designs, the arrow die cuts are a Crafty Cutters by Crafty Sentiments die and the speech bubbles are Sizzix Thinlits (bought last week!) the sentiments are handwitten (that was very brave of me! lol) and I finished off with some punched stars and little black gems.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Boots ~ Stars or Stripes

Incy Wincy Designs ~ Doodle what???

Crafting From the Heart #68 ~ Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly ~ Don't Be Square

Creative Card Crew #91 ~ Die Cuts

TFL

Aurora Love

This card initially was not going to be a card, I was having a play with colouring faces as I feel I need to get more definition in and I thought this lovely image from TEW called Aurora Love was an ideal image and in the end after colouring her face I was really quite pleased with the result that it seemed a shame to waste it!  I have to admit that the whole of the colouring did take me quite some time but I am pleased with the results.  I have used a mix of Copics, Spectrum Noir pens & pencils and some First Edition markers.  The papers are all First Edition Blank Canvas and I have inked all the edges for a softer look. The sentiment I hand wrote on the banner and finished off with some ric rak and flowers from my stash.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafting From The Heart #68 ~ Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments ~ Country

Fab 'n' Funky #268 ~ Flower Delights

Creative Inspirations #322 ~ Lets Colour

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 #61

TFL

Red, White & Blue

Just a quick post so that I can enter this card into the Patriotic Colours challenge over at The East Wind, I have used the fabulous newsletter freebie for this challenge to.  So lots of red white and blue, the papers are very patriotic too as they are from a collection called 'Portobello Road' which is a place in London which has a fantastic market, one end starts with a car boot style market then you move through a normal market and the other end is full of antiques, I love it there, so it seemed very apt to use those papers, the stamps round the image and the sentiment are all from the collection too.  I liked the papers so much I got the 12x12 and the 6x6 which has enabled me to use a piece of the 6x6 blue crown paper in the build a brad to match the bigger crowns.  Had gret fun colouring her hair too.  I have used copics, spectrum pencils and tried out First Edition markers too for the skin tones, need more practice!  Anyway here she is the wonderful Lucy Loo in Profile ...

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

The East Wind #34 ~ Patriotic

Little Red Wagon #297 ~ Birthday

Creative Fingers #87 ~ Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart #68 ~ Anything Goes

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 #60

TFL

Crafty Catz Challenge #287 ~ Summertime

Good morning all, well it's Friday so time for a new challenge over at Crafty Catz and after this week the Catz are taking a break for the summer to recharge their batteries and enjoy some sunshine and family time, but don't worry we will be back on 14 August with a brand new challenge.  But for now back to this week and this week it was the turn of our wonderful Cindy to set the challenge and  she chose 'Sumertime' and our fabulous sponsor is 

Sami Stamps 

PRIZE

Sami Stamps will provide a 12$ gift card to the shop at www.samistamp.blogspot.com 

(that's equal to 3 images of  choice) to the winner. 

The DT were very kindly given some beautiful images to play along with, I chose 'A Basket Full' The papers I used were some old digi ones but I forget where from,teamed this up with some green ribbon, a strawberry charm some red paper for the bow which is a TH die and finished off with these cute little birds which is a SB Inspirations die which I also inked.  Think these 2 new dies are going to be well used! lol.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crazy Challenge #201 ~ Summer Vacation

Not Just Cards #22 ~ Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart #67 ~ Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments ~ SWEET

Papertake Weekly ~ Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew #91 ~ Die cuts

Fab 'n' Funky #267 ~ Inspired by a song ~ Strawberry Fields Forever

TFL