Monday 25 June 2012

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside .... !

Good morning my crafty friends and welcome to Diana, my newest follower!
It's time for a new new challenge again at Lexi's Creations and I do so hope that this fortnight's challenge brings the nice weather back to the UK - this morning is looking promising here! This time, we're asking you to show us At The Beach.


The fabby team at at Cropstop are sponsoring our challenge again this week and they're offering our lucky winner a $15 Gift Certificate. Here is a little about them:
"If you’re passionate about paper-crafting whether it be scrapbooking your memories, making cards or altered art, CropStop is your one-stop solution. We offer an extensive selection of dies, embossing folders, inks, stamps and punches by all the popular manufacturers and the CropStop die and embossing folder storage solutions Pocketz Pages™ to keep everything organized. Our selection of embellishments and adhesives is continually expanding and we are excited to be the home of the colorful Ribbon Candy™. CropStop ships internationally as well as domestic. Our personalized customer service is only one of our strengths. Call or come visit us at www.CropStop.com and see what’s new in the world of paper-crafting."
Lexi at Fairy Dust Crafts has given every DT member free choice on what image they'd like to have on their cards. Here is the card I've made to share with you today:

My inspiration for this card layout came from Diane, one of my DT friends over at The Crafty Pad who made an awesome diorama card for our challenge on 10th June. So I had a play too in order to come up with this beach scene!


For each layer my card recipe is as follows:

Front Layer

·         Base Card - made from 160gsm white card, cut and folded to a 13cm by 8.5cm rectangle (finished size).
·         Aperture - I embossed an oval shape onto the card using the largest oval on my Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Snowman Delight and Candlelight, and cut this out.
·         Design Paper - is called Sand Hills, and is part of a kit called "FlipFlop-sicles" by Summer at Summertime Designs. Once I had fixed the paper to the card, I then cut round the aperture so you can still peek through it!
·         Image - is called Beach Ball Element and is also from the same "FlipFlop-sicles" kit.
·         Sentiment - is by Debbie at The Crafty Pad Designs
·         Sky - light blue chalk, having made a "mask" using the clip art on my computer to make the right sized cloud shape, which I then printed onto a sticky note and cut round. I then stuck the cloud mask at various places in the sky and simply dabbed my chalk around, leaving white fluffy clouds in a pale blue sky!


Middle Layer
  • Base Card - made from 160gsm white card, cut and folded to a 13cm by 8.5cm rectangle (finished size).
  • Aperture - I embossed an oval shape onto the card using the smallest oval on my Ultimate Pro Embossing Board, and cut this out.
  • Sea - is paper-pieced from Blue Grungy Paper (from the "FlipFlop-sicles" kit) using the sea on my main image as a "template". I then cut this out and offset the waves from the main image so it gives the impression of moving waves!
  • Water Droplets - dabbed in using my Spectrum Noir Pen in TB5
  • Sky - light blue chalk and my "mask"

Rear Layer
  • Base Card - made from Neenah 216gsm Solar White Card, cut and folded to a 13cm by 8.5cm rectangle (finished size).
  • Image - This gorgeous fluffy water baby is Splashing Fun Ollie Duck and he has been created by the lovely Lexi at Fairy Dust Crafts - you can find Ollie and a whole host of other great images by clicking the link and heading over to Lexi's store. I brought Ollie to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
    • Feathers - GB3, GB4, GB5
    • Bill - OR1
    • Rubber Ring - CG4, CR11, IG2
    • Snorkel & Goggles - CG1, FL3, IG1
    • Water Droplets - TB6
    • Outline - IG2
  • Sky - Chalk in Royal Blue and Light Blue and my cloud "mask"
  • Sea - is paper-pieced from Blue Grungy Paper (from the "FlipFlop-sicles" kit).

This card is for my niece who celebrated her first Birthday last Thursday - according to her Dad she just loves Ollie!!!!!

Head on over to Lexi's Creations and see what my team mates have created At The Beach. Don't forget to come back and then show us your beach themed creations! You've got until Saturday 7th July 2012 to link your cards up.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges: 
Have a crafty week!

Hugs, Helen x

Sunday 24 June 2012

Thank You!

Hi,

It's time for another challenge at The Crafty Pad; this week it's my Team A "teamie" Diane's turn to set the challenge and she is asking everyone to Use More than One Fold.  So, let your folding tools run riot in your craft room! Your creation could be gate fold, concertina, tri-shutter fold ... as long as it's got more than one fold we'd love to see it!


Our sponsors this week are the lovely girls at Joanna Sheen who are offering this week's lucky winner a £10 voucher to spend in their online store!!!!! And remember that they charge no postage and packing (apart from a few items unavailable to non UK customers) for any country in the world providing you spend a minimum of £9.


I've chosen a lovely Crafty Pad Designs image for my card as I'm trying to get ahead in doing "Thank You" cards for my girls' teachers! This Bookworm is perfect for the job!


My card recipe is as follows:
  • Base Card - made from Ivory Centura Pearl 300gsm Card which I cut, scored and folded to make a 10.5cm square (when flat) spring card
  • Design Papers - are Blue Damask  and Dots Paper, both from the set called The Best of Fall by Summer at Summertime Designs
  • Image - Bookworm Teacher Thank You is just one of the many fantastic images by Debbie at The Crafty Pad Designs and you can get your own copy by clicking here! I think this image is perfect for cards for all those male teachers out there. I brought this Bookworm to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours: 
    • Worm - FS2, FS3
    • Pencil - TN3, TN4, TN5, IG1
    • Apple - EB1, DG2, DG3
    • Book - EB1, EB2, JG6
    • Outline - IG1
As this card is for my youngest daughter's (male) class teacher I have deliberately used muted colours and left this card embellishment free. However, if this card was for a female teacher it could easily be embellished!


My card has 5 folds, but make sure this week's Guest Designer and my "Talented Teamies" have kept up with this week's challenge of Using More than One Fold by going over to The Crafty Pad and checking out their creations. Then see what you can make for this week's challenge and come back and show us! You've got until 8pm (BST) on Saturday 30th June 2012 to link your cards up.

With a little help from the girls at Feline Playful (thanks girls!), I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:
Have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x

Monday 11 June 2012

Happy Birthday!

Hi,

Good Morning my crafty friends and a very warm welcome to Katie - my newest follower! Hope you enjoy my creations Katie.

Today is new new challenge Monday at Lexi's Creations and this one is a great challenge! Simply Happy Birthday - easy peasy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o)

This fortnight, we are being sponsored by the lovely girls at Joanna Sheen who are offering our lucky winner a £10 Gift Certificate Thanks girls!





The equally lovely Lexi at Fairy Dust Crafts has given everyone on the DT their choice of image and here is the Birthday card I'd like to share with you today:


My inspiration for this card layout came from a Sketch Challenge at  Incy Wincy Designs when I was GDT with them in April (I loved this sketch then and I still do - it's proving to be very useful!), and also by the current colour scheme at The Play Date Cafe.



My card recipe is as follows:
  • Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Royal Blue (I got mine in a Darks pack from Crafter's Companion but they don't seem to stock this any more) cut and folded to a 15cm square card.
  • Design Paper - is called The Courtship Papers 2a, and is by Paulette at Create with TLC. This was one of the goodies she sent out to subscribers of the May Club.
  • Image - This gorgeous girl is Roxi (what a pose and I just love the choppy bobbed hair-do!) and she has come from the pen of the talented Lexi from Fairy Dust Crafts - pop over to Lexi's store by clicking on the link ... I can assure you that you won't be disappointed! I embossed an oval shape onto the Royal Blue Centura Pearl using my  Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Snowman Delight and Candlelight, cut this out and then mounted Roxi onto it. Roxi came to life through the nibs of my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
    • Trousers - TN3, TN4
    • Top - BT4, BT5
    • Belt - TB5, IG1
    • Skin - FS2, FS3
    • Hair - GB8, GB10
    • Outline - IG1
  • Aqua coloured Gems - from my stash
  • Sentiment - computer generated in my word processing package using a Banner shape, word art coloured aqua to match my card colour scheme and sized to fit in the banner.



I'm delighted with the way this card turned out. Now this card is actually going to be for my eldest daughter who will be 13 next month. She doesn't do "pink, fluffy or girlie" and this image is utterly perfect for her. I think this we'll be seeing "happy tears" when she opens this card! My only challenge will be keeping this post safe for the next 3 weeks ... Hmmmmmmm! :o)

Head on over to Lexi's Creations and see what Happy Birthday projects my "Talented Teamies" have to show you. Don't forget to come back and then show us your creations! You've got until Saturday 23rd June 2012 to link your cards up.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:
  • Challenge #135 - Aquamarine, Poolside, Clay at The Play Date Cafe
  • Challenge #56 - Any Sentiment for a Child's Birthday at Aud Sentiments - OK so I know she's going to be thirteen ... but she's still my little girl! :o)
  • Challenge #114 - Anything Goes at Craft Your Passion
  • Week 23 - Happy Birthday / Celebration at Craft Punked
  • Anything Goes, using something that's at least 6 months old at Oldie but a Goodie ( 2nd Entry to this challenge) - Well, it's those gems again ... I bought 4 rather large mixed bags (of shapes, sizes and colours) from a French hypermarket last August.
Hugs, Helen x

    Sunday 10 June 2012

    Snoozin' on a lazy afternoon!

    Hi,

    Welcome to my newest follower, Rachel - glad to have you aboard for this crafting journey!

    It's Team A's turn to set this week's challenge time at The Crafty Pad and the lovely Dawn is obviously mindful that next weekend will see us celebrating Father's Day in the UK. The challenge she has set is Let's Hear it for the Boys! So, we'd like you to show us your creations which celebrate Father's Day or A Special Man in your Life. 


    There will be 2 lucky prize winners this week as we have two wonderful sponsors for this challenge:

    Letraset Sponsor



    The lovely team at Letraset are offering our first winner a set of Promarkers in Pastel Tones.


    AND


    The lovely Emma at Crafty Emma's Store is offering our second winner a £10 Voucher to spend in her Online store.





    Debbie, Owner and Creator of The Crafty Pad Designs has (once again) let the DT loose in her online store, and this is the card I have made to show you, using one of her great images for men:


    My card recipe is as follows:
    • Base Card - made from  Centura Pearl in Chocolate (I got mine in a Darks pack from Crafter's Companion but they don't seem to stock this any more) onto which I embossed the largest rosette shape from the "nest" on the Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. I folded the card so there is a hinge at the top, and 2 "feet" at the bottom and then cut round the embossed shape.
    • Design Paper - is called One for the Dads, and it is this month's Members Download at Crafter's Companion. Ensuring that the "Happy Father's Day" border was in place, I used the largest circle from the "nest" on the Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats  to emboss the circle, and then cut it to shape. When mounting it on my card, I deliberately set it off-centre so that the lovely border can be seen!
    • Image - Albert Snoozin' is just one of the many fantastic images by Debbie at The Crafty Pad Designs and you can get your own copy of this idyllic scene by clicking here! Included with the image, is a great piece of word art, although I didn't have room for it on my card - sorry Debbie! I used my corner punch to round off the corners, and then distressed the edges of the cardstock before mounting it on my DP and base card. Albert came to life courtesy of my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
      • Waders - DR3, JG6
      • Jacket & Hat - EB2, GB10
      • Shirt - EB1
      • Skin - FS2, FS3
      • Hair - BG1, BG2
      • Tackle Box - CR2, TN3, TN4
      • Fishing Rod - TN5
      • Tree - TN7, TN8, Colourless Blender
      • Grass - DG2, DG3, DG4, Colourless Blender
      • Water - BT1, BT2
      • Outline - IG1
      • Sky - light blue chalk, having made a "mask" using the clip art on my computer to make the right sized cloud shape, which I then printed onto a sticky note and cut round. I then stuck the cloud mask at various places in the sky and simply dabbed my chalk around, leaving white fluffy clouds in a pale blue sky!
    So, that's my Dad's card sorted for next weekend ... and I'm very safe in posting it as I don't think he knows about my blog! Head on over to The Crafty Pad and see what this week's awesome Guest Designers and my "Talented Teamies" have made for this challenge - don't forget to pop round their blogs and leave some love; yes, we like reading your comments as much as we like leaving them for you! Don't forget to come back and then show us your creations celebrating Father's Day or The Special Man in Your Life! You've got until 8pm (BST) on Saturday 16th June 2012 to link your cards up. If you use a Crafty Pad Designs image on your card, Debbie will give you another image for free! (The small print for this offer is on the challenge blog.) Looking forward to seeing your cards.

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

    Have a great week!

    Hugs, Helen x

    Tuesday 5 June 2012

    Brrring, brringgggg ...

    Hi,

    As it's first Tuesday of the month, the wonderful Debbie has released a new set of images over at  The Crafty Pad Store.

    There are 6 different images being released today; Birds in a Frame, Telephone, Chair, Table, Oil Lamp and a Dog & Gramophone (which are being sold together as a set). All of the images are silhouettes which will give a gorgeous, vintage feel to your projects, but they also lend themselves to a speedy but good looking "make" for those occasions when time is of the essence!

    The whole Design Team have been given at least one image to create a project to inspire you with, so here is mine:


    My card recipe is as follows:
    • Base Card - Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Ivory, cut and folded to make a 12cm square card.
    • Mat & Layer Card - plain black card from my stash
    • Design Paper - is called Invoice Paper 4 and is by Paulette at Create with TLC. This was a prize for a scavenger hunt she ran on her blog earlier this year.
    • Image - Telephone is by Debbie at The Crafty Pad Store and is one of the gorgeous silhouette images being released today. Click here to go directly to the New Releases section at Crafty Pad Designs. Don't forget to check out the other great images that are also newly released. I tried a new technique for me and ink distressed the edge using my Spectrum Noir Pen in DG4 and then used the Colourless Blender to soften the edges.
    • Sentiment - is also by Paulette at Create with TLC and I ink distressed it as well. I then used some waxed linen thread to "tie" it across my card.
    • Black Gems - from my stash ... with my very vivid imagination, I think they look like Jet to go with this Bakelite telephone from a bygone era!
    Now, here are three reasons to make sure you head over straight to The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog 

    1. Check out the gorgeous "makes" from the other DT Girls - I feel so privileged to be working with this exceedingly talented group of ladies. Don't forget to pop over to their blogs and leave them some love too! 
    2. We are giving away one FULL SET of  these new images to one lucky person. To be in with a chance of adding these gorgeous silhouettes to your stash, all you have to do is leave us a comment on the New Release Post and let us know what you think of them. Easy!
    3. We're even giving you a second chance in this draw - simply make sure you follow The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog (and if you don't already, why not?) and then leave us a further comment letting us know you're a follower!  :o)

    All comments left on the New Release Post up to midday (BST) on Monday 11th June 2012 will be entered into our draw, and the winner's name will be announced on the Blog in our Winner's post on Thursday 14th June.
    I would like to enter this card for the following challenges (with a little help from the girls at Feline Playful - thanks girls!) :
    • Remember When .......? at Joanna Sheen
    • Anything Goes, with the option of twine at Simon Says
    • Anything Goes,  using something that's at least 6 months old at Oldie But A Goodie (My old stash ... I bought the gems from a hypermarket in France whilst on holiday in August 2011 and I used the black card for the first card I ever made in April 2011!)
    • Challenge 25 - Time to Embellish at Crafter's Companion
    • Challenge 28 - Many Layers at Crafting for all Seasons

    Have a crafty week!

    Hugs, Helen x