Make and Send

I popped a couple of the Crafter's Companion Make and Send pads into my basket recently, these are card making pads - the description claims that they contain everything you need to craft and decorate 16 hand-made cards. I like to challenge myself to create something other than the examples that are given, this time I used the All Occasions pad.

The papers, butterflies and sentiment are from the pad, I used my Sam Poole Shabby Basics dies to cut the little doilies and a Tim Holtz die to make the rosette.

For this card I used papers, butterflies and sentiments from the collection again, the envelope is a paper sheet from the pad, you just cut it out and follow the fold lines.  I used my Hunkydory Tag Punch to create the tags and some Sizzix dies to create the flower.

This time I used my Crafter's Companion Patchwork dies to cut the squares from some of the papers, I inked the edges of everything and added a sentiment and butterflies from the collection.

This final card is more the type of card that is suggested in the examples, I have used papers, a butterfly and a sentiment.

Thank you for dropping in today, your company is much appreciated - please leave a comment so that I can come and visit you.

Pauline
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Happy Birthday Paul

This is the card that I created for my husband, it was his Birthday earlier in the week.

I used some more of the images from the New World computer game that he has been playing recently. I found them on the internet along with the map from the game in the background. The frame is a Creative Expressions Die, it is the Decorative Rectangle Aperture Trio from the Slimline Collection. I cut it from pale blue card stock that matched the water on the map, unfortunately I then proceeded to cover up most of the water!

I computer generated the sentiment, I printed it on a portion of the map and also used the map to decorate the inside of the card.

Thank you for popping in today, please leave a comment so that I can come and visit you.

Pauline
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Birthday Stars

This is my card for this weeks Less is More Challenge, it's the dreaded one layer week and the theme is Stars.

I used four stamp sets to create this simple card!  The sentiment is from Creative Expressions, the large stars are from the Clearly Besotted Superstar stamp set, the smallest solid stars are from the Clearly Besotted Many Thanks stamp set and the larger solid stars are from the Lawn Fawn Summertime Charm stamp set.

I used Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide ink - these inks stamp up beautifully.

I would like to enter this card into this weeks Less is More Challenge #350 - One Layer Stars.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, your company is much appreciated.

Pauline
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Beautiful Blooms

I have used my Craft Consortium Bloom Beautiful paper pad to create another card.

I have used one of the beautiful floral papers and cut the bird topper from another of the papers using my Sue Wilson stitched squares die.

I created the flowers with a Spellbinders Becca Feeken die called Cinch and Go Flowers, I used Core'dinations card stock - I quite like the effect when you spritz them with water and scrunch them up.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, your company is much appreciated.

Pauline
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Beside the seaside ...

I am absolutely thrilled to be Guest Designer at Less is More this week, thank you so much for inviting me ladies.  The theme for the week is 'Your Perfect Holiday', well my perfect holiday is relaxing by the sea - preferably on a lovely sunny day.

I used my Sue Wilson Flip Flops die to cut three pairs of flip flops from the papers in this month's Julie Loves Creativity Box - they are quite fiddly to put together but I think they are worth it, my inspiration came from a card that I saw on Pinterest a long time ago.

The torn paper is from the Sara Davies Shabby Chic Signature Collection and the sentiment is from Pink Petticoat, now trading as The Lovely Studio.

To finish my card I added some twine secured with bow.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, make sure you pop over to the Less is More Challenge Blog and check out the fabulous DT inspiration, I do hope you will be inspired to play along.

Pauline
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Cute Kitty

This is my second card for this weeks Less is More Challenge, it's Theme week and the theme is Spring Walk.

I have used another adorable digi image from Bugaboo - she is so sweet isn't she.

I coloured her with my Spectrum Noir Illustrator Pens and cut her out with a Sue Wilson Pierced Square die.  I added a sentiment from The Lovely Studio (previously Pink Petticoat).

I would like to enter this card into the Less is More Challenge 324 - Spring Walk.

Thank you for calling today, your company is much appreciated.

Pauline
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Cute Puppy

This is my card for this weeks Less is More Challenge, it's Theme week and the theme is Spring Walk.

I have used an adorable digi image from Bugaboo - he looks like he is enjoying a spring walk doesn't he.

I coloured him with my Spectrum Noir Illustrator Pens and cut him out with a Sue Wilson Pierced Square die.  The papers are from my stash and I added a sentiment from The Lovely Studio (previously Pink Petticoat) cut out with my Die-namics Fishtail Flag die.

I would like to enter this card into the Less is More Challenge 324 - Spring Walk.

Thank you for calling today, your company is much appreciated.

Pauline
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Crocodile Hunting

It's time for a new challenge at Ooh La La Creations and the theme for the next fortnights challenge is One for the Boys. The prize for one lucky winner is 2 digi downloads from the Ooh La La Creations shop.

I have used a fabulous image and papers from the Ooh La La Creations Paula Oakley Collection CD to make my card.

I used my Creative Expressions Plaid background stamp to create the plaid paper, the other two are both from the CD.

I added some ribbon from my stash and a sentiment from the CD. The card candi was made using my Die'sire Flowers for all Occasions dies, the circular die used to create the centre of the flower, along with some 3D Crystal Lacquer.

I would like enter this card into the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge 366 - The Great Outdoors

Creative Corner Challenge - Just For Men

Crafty Calendar June Challenge - Father's Day/For a Male

Dragons Lair Designs June Challenges - One for the Guys

Kitty Bee Designs Challenge 73 - Masculine Cards/For Dad

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge 142 - Masculine with ribbon or trim

Make sure you pop over to the Ooh La La Creations Challenge Blog and check out the DT inspiration, we would love for you to join us for our One for the Boys challenge.

Thank you for calling today, your company is much appreciated.

Pauline
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Valentine Blueprint

This is the valentine card that I made for my husband, he's not a cute and cuddly sort of guy - I suppose it wouldn't really do much for his image as he teaches Martial Arts and is a black belt in both Taekwondo and Korean Kickboxing, so I broke out the Tim Holtz Valentine Blueprint collection.

I love Tim's Blueprint images, I've collected quite a few, so you could be seeing a lot more cards made with them in the future.

The base papers are from the Bearly Mine Designs Vintage Fantasy collection, I used distress inks and a Creative Expressions mask to create the large spots and stamped the Cupid image in one corner.  I stamped the '14' image and added some colour with ProMarkers.

Some left over hearts from when I was trying to make a card for my eldest to give his girlfriend, a circular stamp from the Mama Elephant 'Confetti' collection and a die cut corner have been added.

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

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - We Love Stamps
Creative Knockouts Challenge 24 - Spots and Dots
Crafting by Designs - Anything for Love
Divas by Design - With Love
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 203 - Love/Valentine Theme
The Male Room - Valentine
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 164 - Monochrome
The Paper Shelter Challenge 145 - Be My Valentine

I hope everyone has a fabulous Valentines Day, thank you so much for visiting me today, I always appreciate you taking the time to pop in.

Pauline
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Christmas in July

It's time for a new challenge at Crafting for all Seasons and this week the theme is 'Christmas in July'.  I have made a card using my favourite technique by Jennifer McGuire as part of the Pattern Play class from Online Card Classes.

The papers are from the Dovecraft Back to Basics Christmas Collection and the tree has been cut using a Die'sire die from Crafter's Companion.  My sentiment is a stamp from Creative Expressions.

Our sponsor this time is:

Whoopsi Daisy

Prize:  2 sheets of images

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

Clearly iStamp Challenge 3 - Christmas in July
Fairytale Challenge 72 - Christmas in July
2 Sisters Challenge 153 - STARS
Gingerloft Challenge - Trees
One Stitch At A Time Challenge 173 - Use your favourite (Technique)
Sentimental Sundays Challenge 164 - Christmas in July
Digi Darla's Challenge 72 - Christmas in July

Lexi's Creations Challenge 95 - Christmas in July
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 230 - Christmas in July with a Catch!
ABC Christmas Challenge - O is for O' Christmas Tree

Make sure you pop over to the Crafting for all Seasons Challenge Blog and check out the DT projects, we would love for you to join us for our 'Christmas in July' challenge.

Thank you for calling this morning, please come back and visit again soon.

Pauline

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Good Friends

Good Morning everyone, it's time for the last ever challenge at The Crafty Pad, Debbie has decided to close The Crafty Pad Designs Shop and so the Challenge Blog will also be closing.  The theme for our last challenge is - FRIENDSHIP/KEEP IN TOUCH so please take the time to join us this week and share in our final goodbyes.

This is my card, made using my favourite Crafty Pad Image - Dress Form Trio:

My papers are Hot Off the Press and I have inked all of the edges with distress inks.  Full details of what I have used are listed below:

My card has been decorated on the inside with matching papers and layout:

Card Recipe:

Image:  The Crafty Pad - Dress Form Trio

Papers:  Hot Off the Press - Nonna's Garden Paper Pack

Card Stock:  Dies to Die For - Kraft

Tools:  Spellbinders - Floral Oval, Fiskars edge punch

Embellishments:  ribbon, flowers and pearls from stash

Sentiment:  Creative Expressions - Antique Dressforms

Our Sponsor for our last ever challenge is the fabulous Joanna Sheen

and the prize is £10 to spend in her online shop

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

Crafty Creations Challenge 200 - Wise Words

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge 28 - Recipe
Mema's Crafts December Challenge - Anything Goes
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge 62 - Anything Goes and Ribbon
Papercraft Junkies Challenge 6 - Bingo (Ribbon, Pearls, Pink)
Simon Says Stamp - What's Your Favourite?  - Dress Form Trio Image
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Sparkles Monthly Challenge 39 - Anything Goes
ATC's & Cards with Attitude Challenge 29 - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations Challenge 19 - Anything Goes

Make sure you pop over the The Craft Pad Challenge Blog, check out the DT projects - the whole team is playing along this last time and make sure you join us for our FRIENDSHIP/KEEP IN TOUCH Challenge.

The Crafty Pad Designs Shop will remain open for purchases until officially closing on 7th January 2012 and there is currently a 25% Sale so make sure you pop over and take a look.

Thank you for calling today, I hope you are having a great weekend.

Pauline
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Merry and Bright

Good morning everyone, it's time for our October New Release Celebration over at The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog and it's my pleasure to showcase the new Christmas Pine Cones and Holly Set:

I  have coloured the image with ProMarkers and have inked the edges of my Bearly Mine Designs Festive Fun Christmas papers with old paper distress ink, my sentiment is a Creative Expressions stamp.  Full details of everything I have used are listed below.

I have used the same papers to decorate the inside of my card.

CARD RECIPE:

Image:  The Crafty Pad - Christmas Pine Cones and Holly

Papers:  Bearly Mine Designs - Festive Fun

Card Stock:  Crafter's Companion - Core'dinations

Tools:  X-Cut - Scalloped Border Punch, Spellbinders - Large Scalloped Oval

Embellishmens:  gems from stash

Sentiment:  Creative Expressions - Pine Cone Christmas

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

Delightful Challenge - Winter Holiday

Fairy Tale Challenge 51 - 1/3 Cards
Crafty Mess Challenge 19 - Anything Goes
Catch The Bug - October Anything Goes
Crafty Boots Challenge - Three (three pine cones)
Forever Friends Fortnightly Challenge 46 - Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays Challenge 123 - Anything Goes
Stella Says Sketch Challenge 121 - Sketch
Christmas Card Challenge Week 45 - Optional Colour Challenge

Make sure you pop over to The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog and have a look at the other new releases and the inspiration from the design team. For your chance to win the Christmas Pine Cones and Holly image all you have to do is leave a comment on the Challenge Blog post and your name will go into the draw. For a 2nd chance in the draw, become a follower of The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog and leave another comment telling us you are a follower - how easy is that!

Thank you so much for visiting today, please come back soon.

Pauline
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The Magic of Christmas

I really am making a start on my Christmas cards now, as usual it's going to be one mad rush to get ready for my Christmas Fair on 1st December - but then it just wouldn't seem right if I was organised!

This is quite a CAS card, all I have used are some Pink Petticoat papers, a punched edge, two die cut trees, a stamped sentiment and a little ice stickles to finish.

I kept the inside of my card quite simple as well - the same patterned papers, a scalloped circle cut from the plain paper and a standard circle die cut in white paper to write on.

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

The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge 26 - Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge 2 - Anything Goes
Created with Love Challenge 7 - Christmas - Must use a Die Cut
City Crafter Challenge 125 - Monochromatic
Paperminutes Challenge 233 - Combine Old/New (old dies and stamp, new papers)
Ruby's Rainbow Challenge 36 - No Images JUST WORDS
Word Art Wednesday Challenge 44 - Must use encouraging or uplifting sentiment
Charisma Cardz Challenge 35 - Seeing Double (two trees)

Thank you so much for calling today.

Pauline
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Lifetime Treasures

It's time for Team A to host the challenge at The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog and this week Diane has chosen the theme - Anything BUT Square.  This is my card:

I used the fab Crafty Pad image - Acorns and Autumn Leaves, I printed the image three times, so that I could decoupage it and coloured it with ProMarkers.  There is quite a lot going on with this card - I stamped the base card with leaves, embossed the beige panel with a bark pattern, distressed the next layer and mounted the decoupaged image on a die cut base that has been inked with distress inks.  Full details of everything I have used are listed below.

We have two great Sponsors again this week:

Digital Downloads - £10 to spend in the lovely Lorraine's shop

and

Letraset - Vibrant Tones Promarkers

I have decorated the inside of my card to complement the front:

CARD RECIPE:

Image:  The Crafty Pad - Acorns and Autumn Leaves

Sheena Douglas - A Little Bit Sketchy - Autumn Leaves (background)

Papers:  Pink Petticoat - Quatrefoil and Colour Collection

Tools:  Crafter's Companion - Die'sire Scalloped Tags, Spellbinders - Big Scalloped Ovals,

Creative Expressions - Bark Embossing Folder

Embellishments:  raffia from stash

Sentiment:  Creative Expressions - Thoughtful Sentiments

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

Squigglefly Challenge 34 - Falling into Fall
Anything Goes Challenge 74 - Make your own background
I Love ProMarkers Challenge 132 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge 125 - Emboss It
My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge 72 - All the Three's - 3 Acorns, 3 Leaves, 3 Patterns
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 170 - Shaped cards
Digi  Doodle Shop Challenge 123 - Vintage
My Heart Pieces Challenge - Layers, Layers and Layers - I have eight layers if you count the base card and the decoupage
Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenge 50 - Lots of Layers - I have eight layers if you count the base card and the decoupage
Crafty Calendar September Challenge - Browns and Creams with optional choice of Tags!

Make sure you pop over the The Craft Pad Challenge blog, check out the DT projects and join us for our 'Anything BUT Square' Challenge.

Thank you for calling today, enjoy what is left of your weekend.

Pauline
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Wishing you Happiness

Good morning, it's time for another Willow Sketchie Challenge and this is the card I have made following Shell's great sketch: 

This is Shell's sketch:

and she has chosen the theme:  Make your own backing papers.

You don't have to follow both the sketch and the theme unless you want to, one or the other will do just fine. 

I have used the gorgeous digi image -  Fairy Jangles available from the Willow Designs Store and coloured her with ProMarkers, her wand has been glazed and some gems added to her crown.

Sorry Shell, I just don't do handmade papers, (as the Glitter Girls would say - because I can't).  Make sure you pop over the the Willow Sketchie Challenge Blog and look at the other DT's fab papers, they really put me to shame.

My papers are Bearly Mine Designs Summer's Roses and Mini Dots and everything has been layered onto some purple card stock that I had in my stash.  I put the corner through my ribbler to incorporate some texture and added some buttons and gems also from my stash.  

As usual I have decorated the inside of my card: 

I also made a little pocket and inserted a tag that has been cut out and embossed with my Cuttlebug Embossed Tags folder, the sentiment is a Creative Expressions stamp.

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

Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Show us that Bling!!

Ooh La La Challenge 106 - Make it Girly + DT Call
Going Grey with ScrapCreations Challenge - Fairies
The Emerald Faeries Challenge 25 - Buttons
I Love ProMarkers Challenge 119 - Use a Digi
Stampavie and More Challenge 169 - For a Girl
Sundays with Crissy Challenge 29 - Things with Wings
Stamp and Create May Challenge - For the Ladies
Digistamps 4 Joy Challenge 42 - Cute as a Button
Celebrate the Occasion Challenge 64 - Anything Goes

Make sure you pop over to the Willow Sketchie Challenge Blog, have a look at the DT inspiration and join in with our challenge, you have until 20:00 hrs on Wednesday 6th June to enter and the prize is a voucher to spend in the Willow Designs Store. Don't forget you can either follow the sketch and/or the theme.

Thank you for visiting today.

Pauline
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April Showers

We have a new challenge for you over at Crafting for all Seasons and the theme this time is April Showers.  We have three fab sponsors again:

Bugaboo stamps

The Stamping Boutique

and

our very own Jani's Kreativwelt Digital Stamps

I used the lovely Rainy Cynthia from The Stamping Boutique and this is my card:

I coloured the image with FlexMarkers and added some sparkle with a Sakura pen, unfortunately it doesn't show up very well in the photograph.  I followed the sketch from this weeks Sketch Saturday.  Full details of everything I have used are in the Card Recipe below.

This is the inside of my card, decorated to complement the front:

CARD RECIPE:

Image:  The Stamping Boutique - Rainy Cynthia

Papers:  Docrafts Digital Designer - Papermania Capsule Collection

Card Stock:  Handy Hippo

Tools:  Spellbinders - Scalloped Ovals, Martha Stewart border punch, Punch Bunch - flower punches and fern punch

Embellishmlents:  Creative Expressions - ribbon, buttons and flowers from stash

Sentiment:  Beth Gunnel - Sweet treats stamp collection (free with Quick Cards)

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

Pretty Little Ribbon Shop Challenge 9 - To Die For
2 Sisters Challenge 85 - Birthday Fun
ABC Challenge - M is for Magical
Passion for ProMarker Week 143 - Whatever the Weather
Paper Pretties Challenge - April Showers bring May Flowers
Pollycraft Challenge 134 - Water, Water, everywhere!
Little Darlings Challenge 20 - Outside
Sketch Saturday - Sketch (rotated)

Do pop over the the Crafting for all Seasons Challenge Blog and check out the DT inspiration, we would love for you to join us.

That's it from me for today, I hope to see you back for another visit soon.

Pauline
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Challenge of the Year

This certainly was a challenge, not only did I have to make cards for two young men, the young men in question have severe learning difficulties and no real interests or hobbies. Well where do you start, I thought about the usual male subjects - football, gardening, boats, trains etc., but they did not seem appropriate.  I then remembered my 'The Big One CD' and the 'Wacky Wheelz' section and thought that's it, they are bright, fun images - problem solved.

I made both cards using the same design but chose two different images:

The decoupaged images, paper and sentiments are all from the CD, the gears have been cut using  a Tim Holtz die and the silver panel was embossed with a Creative Expressions Metal Effect Mask, the metal brads were from my stash.

There were two smaller images on the decoupage sheets, so I cut them out and used them to decorate the inside of the cards.:

My  husband and youngest son, who also has learning difficulties, are going to the joint birthday part tonight so I will find out if they liked their cards.

I would like to enter these cards into the following challenges:

Stamp n Doodle - Embossing

CRAFT Challenge 148 - Things with Wheels

CES Challenge 79 - No Girls Allowed!

Pile It On Challenge 13 - For/From a Man

Love to Create Challenge 8 - Masculine

2 Sisters Challenge 85 - Birthday Fun

A Gem of a Challenge 43 - Aquamarine (backing paper)

Thank you for joining me this evening, I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Pauline

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