We're back at Fab'n'funky Challenges - just in time for Christmas

hi all

Hope you've all had a lovely summer - I've had quite an eventful few months 

- some good, some bad but I've had a bit of a break and I'm ready to get going close to again!

We just got back from our summer holiday a week or so ago and our chllenge at

Fab'n'Funky Challenges 

is also returning from summer break this week so it seemed a good place to start

As its the last week of the month our regular theme is 

Christmas

It's actually suprisingly close to Christmas

- a bit scary if you count the number of weeks to December

- not long to get those cards made now!!

today is 25th September 

 - so not hard to work out how many cards you can make at one a week lol.

I thought I'd kick off with a die cut card based on one I've made before to break myself in gently

Die cuts are good for bulk making, and although this one is a bit more complicated than a quick make as the dies have to be lined up precisely, it's easier to make several on the same formula than to design different cards, its always the design that takes me the time

This is what I did...

One the edge stocking die from Crafters Companion

On the edge sentiment die - Crafters Companion

Red and white card and gingham ribbon

I love a bit of red gingham!

I've had a really busy card making week this week - my Mam was 90 on Friday then we celebrated our 40th Wedding anniversary on Sunday - two very special cards - nothing like a bit of pressure to get the creativity flowwing again!

I hope you'll join in at Fab'n'Funky,  we have lots of challenges coming up  to fill those long dark nights of crafting : )  - I love this time of year

Have a fun crafty week everyone 

Hugs

Judith xx

When is a Fa La Llama not a Llama?! .......

.......When it's an Alpaca!

He he - good morning all

Did you see what I did there lol

I saw this fab little alpaca image was available from our sponsor this week and just had to have it!

But I really wanted her to be a Llama so I could do my own take on the lovely Llama cards that are around (in fact all over the place!) this Christmas

So forgive me Alice the Alpaca (available HERE)
you have been redisignated as a Llama lol

Sorry about the lighting on this photograph - it's so difficult these dark days to get decent colour and I ran out of time so just had to go with it- it is brighter IRL and she has pink ears and nose and blue eyes - poor Alice - she's really suffering for my art 😉

This card is for our challenge at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges 

our theme is 

Add an Animal

(so either an animal as the main focus or as part of the general scene - Birthdays, all sorts of ocassions and lots of scope for Christmas here - rudolph, nativity - so bring out all those lovely animal stamps

Our lovely sponsor this week is 

Dr Digis House of Stamps

There are sooo many cute animal digis in the Dr Digi store - pop over and take a look and check out the Fab'n'Funky girls creations on the Fab'n'Funky Challenge blog.  I just love what everyone has done this week with these cute images

This is what I did....

Image - Alice the Alpaca from Dr Digi's house of stamps

Coloured with copics

Papers - an old papermania Christmas collection (sorry lost the cover sheet!)

Die cut hat and scarf from Sara's Cute Christmas (santa suit) at Crafters Companion

Bunting Dies - Whimsey stamps
Letter dies -Dies'ire essentials from Crafter's companion

I hope I've inspired you to join in with our challenge this week - we'd love you to help us fill our Ark!!

Hugs
Judith xx

Good morning all

We have a new challenge starting today at

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

our theme is 

Ribbon or Lace

My daughter asked me to make a wedding card for a friend in a shabby chic style

- always a favourite of mine - I loved ma.king this

the inside

the box

I made this card almost entirely with papers, dies, stamps and embellishments from the Sara Davies Shabby Chic collection from Crafter's Companion.  With the addition of some die cut buttons, distress inks and word dies it went together very easily - and the bride loved it!!

We have a lovely sponsor this week who will provide a voucher to spend instore at 

so you can stock up o  those ribbons and bows!

Hope you'll join in with our challenge this week -I'm looking forward to seeing lots of pretty lace and ribbons 

hugs Judith xx

Floral cards - everyone's favourite!

Good morning all

It's time for a new challenge at 

Moving along with the Times

Challenge blog

the theme this time is 

June Blooms

I used the new Gemini Stamp and Dies to make this card

Quite a quck and easy card to make with just a few mats and layers 

and the lovely stamp and die make the image easy to work with too

This is what I did....

Image and die - Gemini poppy stamp and die set

Coloured with - Spectrum noir sparkle pens

Backgrounds also created with SN sparkle pens

Stitched circle die - MFT

Black card and gold luxury cardstock from Crafter's Companion

sequins from my stash

hope you'll play along with us this time!

Hugs

Judith xx

And it's christmas again......

Good morning all

Well it's definitely winter - and Christmas is in winter lol
Though to be fair we had some lovely sunshine here yesterday
- lets hope it lasts!

It's time for a new just for fun challenge at

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

and its our once a month theme of 

Christmas 

(we're trying hard to encourage good Christmas crafting habits!!)

This is a lovely stamp that I bought last year from Woodware - I love their stamps they are so easy to colour and always make quite quick and easy CAS cards.  I coloured these with the lovely Colourtint pencils from Crafter's Companion - just the perfect shades for this lovely image.  I coloured onto Canson Watercolour paper - I just love the texture of this paper - it makes such a huge difference to the finished result.

This is what I did....

Image - Peace from Woodware at Creative Expressions

Coloured with - Colourtint pencils from Crafter's Companion

Paper used - Canson Watercolour paper

Blackcard - from Crafter's Companion

It would be great to see you playing along - anything Christmas will do!

Hugs

Judith

Babies, Children and Men.....!

Good morning all

I'm still on my Spectrum Noir ColourTint pencil obsession and found another great image that was perfect for the muted tones of these fab pencils.  

There are only 24 pencils in the whole set - but you can colour just about any image with just those 24 - check them out at Crafter's companion HERE

This one if a DT card for the challenge over at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

our theme is 

Babies Children and Men 

(I'm sure they all have something in common!!)

I'm a bit late this week -don't tell the boss!!

I love this type of image for men's cards - a simple card style with a statement image and just a sentiment to fit the occassion and its good to go.  I can never decide whether my favourite style to make is this or Shabby Chic..... might just have to practice a bit more lol

This is what I did....

Image -from  justinklined (great stamps for just about any occassion!)

Printed onto Sheena Stamping card from Crafter's Companion

Coloured with Spectrum Noir Colourtint pencils - from Crafter's Companion

Papers -from the Downton Abbey pad from Crafter's Companion

Kraft Card - Crafter's Companion

Sentiments form LOTV and Appleblossom Stamps

Distress ink - TH Distresses Corduroy

Hope you'll join in with our challenge this week - I can't wait to see what you coe up with!

hugs

Judith xx

Words of love.....

Hi all

I'm sure those three little words mean all sorts of things to all sorts of people - me I thought - The Beatles.  One of their probably lesser known songs but when you hear it you'll know it imediately - just like every other Beatles song lol

We have a new challenge this week at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

very topical 

Valentine - say it with Words

In other 'words' you must have words on your valentine project

here's my card made with stamps provided by our sponsor this week

 and with another nod to the Beatles - just because I can! - the sentiment says

"All you need is Love"

our lovely sponsor this week is 

Mama Makes

and the stamps are the All my love set available HERE

there are lots of lovely sentiments, including the one I used and that cute couple, on the sheet.

When I saw this lovely image I knew it was perfect to fit into a heart.  And after working with the lovely heart easel dies last week I also knew the perfect hearts to use to make this card -and this design just sort of  popped into my head!!

This is what I did.....

Image and sentiment from Mama Makes

Gatefold card blank - Crafter's Companion

Dies - Heart easel dies - Crafter's Companion

           Tag dies - MFT

Papers - MME A4 special edition pad from  Michaels

Black card - Crafter's Companion

Hope you'll join in with our challenge this week - see you there!

Hugs

Judith xx

Easels are the way forward!

Happy Saturday!

I just had to share some more of my Easel cards made with the fabulous new dies by Crafter's Companion that are being launched on Hochanda TV on Monday

This is the floral easel, it's a lovely scalloped circle shape that has a beautiful floral overlay (which is in two parts so it can be used in various ways)

On my first card I used one overlay at the top of the card and one of the flowers to decorate the base,  so that I  had lots of space to add a coloured image

on my second card I used both floral overlays and coloured them with distress inks and finished it very simply with a pretty bow.  i also decorated the base with the overlays.

Easel cards have always been my favourite shape to make, I remember a blogging friend saying to me years ago that easel cards mean you have double the space to add embellishments.  There are four lovely shapes to choose from in this new launch, so lots more choice of lovely space to decorate on your card!!

This is what I did....

Both cards -

Easel die - Dies'ire from Crafter's Companion

Card used for base- centural pearl from Crafter's Companion

Collall All purpose glue,Tacky glue and 3d glue gel

red liner tape - I always use this to secure the easel to the base as it gives a strong bond

1st card-

Word Dies Diesire classiques only words and Sara's Signature Together Forever Celebrate die

Sheena stamping card

Digi image from Tiddly Inks

Coloured with Spectrum noir  colourtint pencils

Papers –Prima Rondelle (an old pad that I was so happy to still have!)

Black card

2nd Card

"With Love" die –free with  Crafter's Companion magazine issue 17

Coloured with Tim Holtz distress inks 

Have a great weekend!

Hugs

Judith xx  

Challenges I've entered 
Just us girls - love
patties creations -love is isn the air

More Christmas!

Good morning all

Are you fed up with my Christmas posts yet!!

this is the last one I have (for now)

and it's for the new challenge starting today at 

Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog

(I love these Christmas challenges, great for keeping up with Christmas makes)

The theme for this challenge is

All boxed up

and I have these cute little penguins (with boxes!) to share mounted onto one of those fab kinetic cards - I love these they make suprisingly quick and easy cards

the image is Christmas penguins available HERE

It's coloured with my Spectrum noir sparkle pens but I'm afraid you can't see much sparkle in this photo - between the shape of the card, the mirri card and the sparkle this was not aneasy card to photograph at all

The image was provided our sponsor this week

This is what I did....

Image - Christmas Penguins from Sasayaki Glitter

Coloured with Spectrum noir sparkle pens

Card base -Circle Kinetic card base from Crafter's Companion with Let it snow insert

Card - White Sheena stamping card, black card, red mirri from the cute christmas collection all from Crafter's Companion

Hope we see you playing along with us at Winter Wonderland for this challenge - pop over to the blog for some more inspiration from the design team - we have some lovely new teamies playing along for the first time - so be sure to give them a welcome

hugs

Judith xx

Down sizing for Christmas! ppp-pick up a tiny penguin

Hi all

Just a quick little post to share a cute little card!

I joined the facebook challenge 'Make one card a week for Christmas'

in an effort to have lots of cards all ready and waiting to be sent when christmas comes around 😃

There's a different optional theme each week
 this week its make a 3 inch square card

If i make one of these each week I'll have no storage problems lol.

So here it is in all it's glory  -3inches square!
- though it could be any size in this photo
- the wonders of photo editing!

I just decided to tackle this card the same as making a larger card with mats and layers, embellies and a sentiment - it wasn't until I actually cut the card did I realise quite how tiny 3 inches is - in card terms it's really really tiny!

This is what I did....

Card made with white Sheena stamping card from Crafter's Companion

Mat and latered with black card and cored'nations red card

Penguin and snow flakes die cuts  - Sara's Cute Christmas range from Crafters Companion

Sentiment stamp from LOTV

Pearls and ribbon from my stash

Can't wait for next weeks challenge!

hugs

Judith xx

Give me a number!

Good morning all

Hands up who's sick to death of weather

We have some every day and none of it's good!!

I'm sharing a sun-shiney sort of card today for the challenge over at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges 

where our theme for the week is

With a number

I saw this really cute image over at Bugaboo Digi stamps called Birthday Troll available HERE -Bugaboo are our fab sponsor for our challenge this week. 

I  knew this little troll girl was perfect for my granddaughter Eva's birthday card - and here's the thing I must be so organised because it's not until April!! - this is the new me lol

Eva is just mad about Poppy Troll from the kids film The Trolls and I thought I could definitely make this image very Poppy Troll like! If you don't know the film you might know the song from the film by Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop the Feeling - Eva does a mean dance to that too lol  here's a link 

to the video on youtube  

I guarantee you'll be singing it all day.....dance dance dance dance.....

I tried to photograph this so you can see all the sparkle - unfortunately that has made the colours look a bit darker than IRL - can't have everything I suppose

I also used some of the new Sue Wilson dies to make this a bright sunny card - I just love that rainbow, it's also proved to me that something from my school science lessons stuck there.  I just had to have a correctly coloured rainbow - non of that red and yelow and pink and blue rubbish that they sing about!!! - there is no pink!!  At school we were taught ROY GABIV is the name of the rainbow guy and it's stayed with me my whole life.  Thats Red, Orange,Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet -so thats what my rainbow is : ) - all coloured in pencils and then glittered.

Here's what I did..

Image - Birthday Troll from Bugaboo digi stamps

Coloured with Spectrum Noir Colourblend pencils 

on Sheena Douglass Stamping card from Crafter's Companion

Background created with TH distress inks

Papers Sara Davies  Birthday Party collection

Card - Cored'nations brights

Yellow and white glitter card

Rainbow, clouds and Sentiment dies - Sue Wilson you are my sunshine set

Sunshine die from the rain or shine set

Number 2 - Diamond press fashion dies from Crafter's companion

Diamond Stickles

So come on - bring out those numbers! - mine is a teeny little one 'cos Eva will be 2 years old so how high or low(!) can you go 😃 

Hope to see you over  at Fab'n'Funky Challenges this week

hugs 

Judith xx

We have a girly challenge going on at Fab'n'Funky Challenges

Morning all

I have to confess that when I started out on this one it took me on a bit of a trip down 'crafting memory lane'  I think because it's quite a while since I've made anything in this style and I started to think about when I first started colouring and this was the style of  card I used to make.  It's actually quite a long way from my style now.  It's funny how things evolve over time and it's not until you look back that you realise how much things have changed!  That's not to say that I don't like the card I've made - just I'm definitely a much messier, grungier, shabbier crafter than I used to be - lol

But this image called 'Give a Heart' - available HERE

 is one provided by Whoopsie Daisy who is  our sponsor this week at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

and she is undoubtedly very cute!  

She wasn't going to be dark or grungy or even shabby chic 

- she needed to be pink and pretty

  and like our theme says 

Girly

This is what I did....

Image - Give a heart from Whoopsi Daisy
Coloured with Spectrum noir watercolour pencils and spakle pens
6inch square card base
Papers - LOTV buttons and bows (I think - I've lost the cover!)
Card - LilacPastel Centura pearl from Crafter's Companion
Butterfly die - Sara's flutterfly from Crafter's Companion
Tonic nouvo drops in lilac
Pierced square noble die from Sue Wilson - Creative expressions
heart and scallopped circle dies - Dies'ire crafters Companion
Stitched circle die - Die'namics
number 2 - Diamons press fashion dies from Crafter's Companion
Seam binding ribbon  from Crafty Ribbons
Cutie! stamp from Apple blossom stamps

I hope you join in with our challenge at Fab'n'Funky this week - we have a fab prize up for grabs - so call inand take a look!

hugs

Judith xx

Happy cards are the best!

Good morning all

There's a new challenge starting over at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

the theme is 

Happy

(anything at all with the word Happy)

I thought it was a great opportunity to use the new flower dies that I bought in the sales over Christmas - so much so that I made two cards!

The dies are from Tonic - believe it or not the first Tonic dies I've ever bought!

So do you like the bright and bold.....

.......or the muted softer tones

This is what I did.....

1st card

Dies - Tonic Sunny Gazania

        - Sizzix border die

       - Happy birthday - from crafter's companion Sara's birthday collection

Embossing folder - from crafter's companion Sara's birthday collection
glossy accentsand viva decor (red)

Card from my stash

2nd Card

Dies - Tonic  Apple Blossom

        - Spellbinders happy birthday

       - crafters companion - diesire fancy edgeable

       - small stitche circle die - MFT?

papers - First edition - spring feast

card from my stash

I love these flowers - such a great size and variety for ll sorts of projects - you may see them again very soon!

Hope you'll join in with us over at fab'n'funky this week 

Hugs

Judith

Who else feels like they need anything but Christmas!

Hi all

I'm running late today a combination of, birthdays, holidays  and life in general!

so perhaps the theme of our challenge this week at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges 

 fits very well

Chosen by our lovely Helen our theme is indeed

Anything but Christmas!

it's my grandson Jacob's 6th birthday today and we all went out for family tea. at a local  independent Italian restaurant.  I find the Italian restaurants are really accommodating to kids, they are so welcoming and nothing is too much bother  - very family orientated,  they brought him ice cream with a candle and he was thrilled to bits that the whole restaurant sang happy birthday to him. We had a lovely time and we were home by 7 o'clock - well it is a school night!

here is the card I made for him using a cute image from our sponsor this week

perfect for a little boy's birthday

Frame it - balloon boy - available here

Our sponsor this week is the fabulous 

Bugaboo Digi Stamps 

if ever I.m stuck for a fun image to colour I know I'll always find one there

Here's Jacob looking very handsome and  pleased with himself with his birthday ice cream
how did he get to be six already- I have no idea!

This is what I did....

Image - Frame it Balloon Boy

Coloured with Spectrum noir pens from Crafter's Companion

Papers and '6'   and birthday banner from Sara Davies Signature Birthday collection at CC

Letter cut with  a Sizzix Tim Holtz Easy peasy  alphabet dies

This is our last challenge of the year at Fab'n'Funky -I  hope to see you there xx

hugs 

Judith

Are you a dedicated follower of fashion?

Hi all

Well here's me three weeks in a row now!  - things are definitely looking up an I've been doing a bit of visiting too - slowly but surely I'm getting back to regular blogging - might have to up the ante a bit soon - it's been lovely seeing what's been going on in blogland

it's time for another challenge over at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

this week our theme chosen by our lovely Monika is

Fashion

I decided to make a tag with one of the lovely images kindly given to us by our sponsor

this is Spunky available HERE

I was really so pleased with this when it was finished - exactly how I wanted it to look.  It's also quite a while since I sat down to a 'proper' colouring session and I coloured several other images last night too - I really enjoyed it.

Our sponsor this week is the lovely

Who are offering a prize of 3 images to this weeks winner

This is what i did....

Image - Spunky girl from Lemon Shortbread

Coloured with Spectrum noir alcohol markers

Tag coloured with TH distress oxides and Crafters companion sparkle pens

inspirational words and flower stamps from Sheena Douglass

Assorted stencils from Sheena Douglass and Walmart

Butterfly made with vellum and Crafter's Companion foils and sparkle pens

Ribbon and buttons from my stash

i hope we see you over at Fab'n'Funky this week with your Fashion makes

Hugs

Judith 

I love to make a scene - and I love Marmite too!!

Good morning all

It's challenge day again at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

and as it's the last week of the month our theme is 

Christmas

I made this 'scene card in a box 'using the 

Crafter's Companion Ultimate Pro board, it's one of the projects on the Crafter's Companion Advanced Projects DVD.   It can be adapted for all sorts of occasions and is really 'only a piece of card'!, The DVD gives clear instructions on how to make these projects - but I also love to work out how to construct projects from scratch.  I think its definitely a Marmite thing - love it or hate it - and I love Marmite too lol

This is what I did...

Project from Crafter's Companion Ultimate Pro Advanced projects DVD

Card - Crafters Companion Centura pearl White with a hint of silver and pastel blue

Snowy acetate from Crafter's Companion Sara's Contemporary Christmas set

Snowflake dies - Sara's Contemporary Christmas snowflake dies

Pearls from my stash

this makes a lovely special card for any occassion - using different embellishments to suit the occasion.  I'm looking forward to seeing all your Christmas projects over at Fab'n'Funky

hugs

Judith xx 

Things that fly - at Moving along with the Times - this week

Good morning all

There's a new challenge starting at 

Moving along With the Times

the theme is

Things that fly

It can be anything at all - if you check over at the MAWTT challenge blog you'll see that the team have been very creative - everything from birds to kites and a lot more besides!

I thought this was a great theme to make a Christmas card 

(one more to add to the stash)

and got out my new dies and embossing folders that I bought a couple of weeks ago

- I've been dying to use them and I knew there was a cute little bird that would fit this challenge perfectly. I love the Scandinavian style.

This is what i did....

Red card - Luxury collection - red from Crafter's companion

Dies - all from Crafter's Companion Scandinavian Christmas collection by Sara Davies

Embossing Folder from Crafters Companion Nordic collection 

inked with red berry DI from Tim Holtz

The bird is a fab die - it's one of the deep cut mixed media dies so it cuts several at a time and also would be great for all kinds of  fabric Christmas Projects - I think I might make some little felt bird decorations to hang on the Christmas tree - I know I've got some red and white felt squares and some ricrac  to  make a hanging loop .... now where to find them lol

Hope you'll join in with our challenge

Hugs

Judith xx

Take your pick!

Hi all

I thought I'd make an appearance around here and show you what I've been doing lately!

I've had a few trials and tribulations over that past few weeks and at the moment I've totally fallen out of love with my pens and colouring - I just can't get my act together at all

when it comes to my alcohol pens : (

However I haven't stopped crafting or creating.  I've really been enjoying die cutting and mixed media, journaling, construction work and general messy crafting!  

I have a few projects to share that I made for Crafter's Companion recently

They have some great deals on Hochanda tomorrow with pick and mix packs

They are all featuring the  Die'sire Classiques corner die collection

I made this easel card with the fab lace corner die 

and Luxury card pack in Ice blue

The bow is the lovely Brooch die from the Downton Abbey range

 words are all from the Diesire only words sets

 - great sentiments for every occasion!

This box is made with the heart corner die

black card and Centura pearl metallics card

My final card was a really quick and easy one

made with the butterfly corner die and  Sheena Stamping card

Highlighted with Pebeo gilding wax (empire gold)

The butterflies and swirls are from Sara's Shabby chic collection

The shows are on at 8am and 11am tomorrow 

Lots of fab demos from the Crafter's Companion team

- be there or be square!!

I'll be back soon with some more to share

have a great weekend

hugs Judith xx

Fathers day card tutorial

Good morning all

Here I am again - this time with a cute tutorial I created for Crafter's Companion to make

 a Fathers Day card

Father’s Day is fast approaching and if you’re looking for a fun card from the kids for Dad – this might just be the thing for you.  Sometimes cards for Dad can be pretty boring – either pictures of football, shirts and ties or a scenic view – not much fun or cute.  I for one think our Dad’s deserve a bit of fun and cute on their special day! – so I looked to the new Crafter’s Companion Mixed Media dies for inspiration, and came across with the cute Twit Twoo owl die, which seemed pretty perfect.

This card is made with a Die’sire fancy card blank  -easel card.   Easel cards are great for creating extra space for embellishments and sentiments especially when the subject is as big as this cute owl.

Here's what i did....

Step 1

Cut two card mats each for the easel and the base.  Use three layers for each mat - the bottom layer in Centura Pearl precious metal (copper), black card for the middle layer and Sara’s Signature Autumn Morning 12x12 for the top layer.  Stick together with Collall all purpose glue and then adhere to the two surfaces of the easel card.

Step 2

Cut a tag shape using the same 3 three layers as the main card (the bottom layer being 12.5cm x 7cm and graduate each layer as shown below).   Adhere the paper to the black card with Collall all-purpose glue, then the black card to the Centura Pearl with Collall 3d glue gel to give dimension – this tag forms the stopper for the easel as shown.

Step 3

Using black card and the Diamond Press Fashion dies, cut the words HAPPY, TWIT, TO YOU.   Then using the Die’sire Male Words dies cut Father’s Day.

Step 4

Die cut the branch and the parts for the owl from mount board, (I used brown for the branch and the owl’s main body, chest, wings, and pupils of his eyes and cream for his eyes, eyelids and legs)  Then cut papers from the Autumn Morning 6x6 pad to cover each part except the main body and the eyes and pupils.

Step 5

Adhere the papers to the appropriate parts of the owl. Then assemble the owl and the branch on the front of the card, placing the die cut words as shown.  It’s a good idea to take a bit of time to lay the pieces out before sticking to ensure that it all fits perfectly.

Step 6

Finally stick the lettering on to the tag on the easel base – finishing off with a bow of twine.

Step 7

My crafty tip for making an easel card is to create a small pocket in the blank underneath the easel to insert a sentiment tag. (use redliner tape around the 3 edges to create a strong pocket shape)  It gives the card a nice finish and also a lovely place to write your greeting.

Pop on over to the Crafter's Companion blog to check out lots of crafty tutorials

hugs Judith