It's a Celebration...

 

Congratulations to Fikreta over at Show US Your Pussycats as she reaches Challenge #100! 

Well done, Fiki, this is a brilliant milestone to have achieved. I don't know if you guys remember, but Fiki continued this challenge after Ike/Sue sadly passed away in April 2022. 

I decided to to break out this sweet little set to join the fun...

These super-cute stamps are from Sunny Studio - Birthday Cat. I had great fun colouring the cats - can you see Fiki's kitty hiding in the frosting at the top of this card? It's so nice to have joined Fiki's celebrations, and it feels like a lovely reunion for some of The Cat Lovers and Janis's Helpful Hoppers too. 

I'm also linking my card at AAA Cards Challenge who are celebrating their 10th Birthday and at AAA Birthday where Game #61 is Clean and Simple. 

Happy Friday, everyone! 

Cardstock Christmas with The Jingle Belles...

 

It's Cardstock Only this fortnight over at Jingle Belles! 

Here's what Stef and Lauren require for their current challenge:

"This fortnight at Jingle Belles we're asking you to step away from the designer paper … yes, put it away … none allowed … not even a scrap … because this time the assignment is to create a holiday card using only cardstock. You can tear it, ink it, stamp it, spray it, emboss it, die cut it … but stick to only cardstock for your holiday card design."

Mmmmm, this one took me a few days to ponder, and then I hit upon this idea:

I do love kraft and white together, and when you go for such a simple design you just HAVE to add some texture. The cute trees are from Sizzix/Tim Holtz Festive Things (On Sale!) and the sentiment is from Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Lisa Horton. 

Thanks for the fun, guys, I really did enjoy the challenge of ditching the design paper! 

Happy crafting, everyone! 

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #86 - Reminder

 

Over at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #86 we're currently 

Playing with Plaid

with Gail from Crafty Nomad, who very kindly jumped in to cover for Jen when she went down with Covid. You'll be glad to hear that Jen is now on the mend and recovering well. 

Here's what Gail created for our challenge... Isn't this just simply adorable? Do you love that bear, the tree and the fabulous drapes as much as I do? 

I decided to steal Gail's easel card format and her use of die cuts for my 'Inspired by...' card.

I do love Merry Moose from Sizzix and die cut him from a Gelli Press print I created ages ago. 

The fretwork die is from Sizzix and is called Holiday Cut Outs, sadly I can't find a useful link to any currently for sale. 

Here's my second card for this challenge using Waffle Flower Print and Script Merry Christmas and Stockings from Paper Smooches. 

Rudolph's Random Raffle Prize is a gorgeous two-fer this challenge...

Gail and I both hope you'll come and join the fun!

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #86 - Playing with Plaid

I'm sending love and healing vibes to the lovely Jen Nelson, who was due to be our Christmas Kickstart Elf for this month, but has succumbed to Covid. I hope you feel better very soon, Jen.

So, just look who has jumped into the breach and is our emergency elfin inspiration this month over at The Christmas Kickstart... It's Gail from Crafty Nomad!

For the rest of May we're going to be...

Playing with Plaid 

and we'd love you to come and join the fun!

Plaid, Tartan, Gingham, Buffalo Check, Shepherd's Check, Houndstooth Check, Mini-Check, Pin Check, Graph Check, Window Pane Check, Madras, Argyle Checkered Pattern... Get the picture???

Gail has created a little piece of magic for our challenge, so why not hop over to the blog and see her adorable card...

Here's my first offering for our challenge:

This cute pup in his tartan pullover really appeals to my slightly warped sense of humour! The gorgeous Tartan paper comes from this pad and the pup is from Jane's Doodles set O Christmas Tree!

Rudolph has chosen a lovely Random Raffle Prize for this challenge, so why not come and join the fun?

See you there!  

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #250 - O is for Outside

 

Hi guys, the weather here in the UK has been so dreary of late, so the theme 'O is for Outdoors' has me dreaming of palm trees and sunshine. 

It's such a pity this cute Jane Davenport image is tiny, but I think it just about works in a slimline format.

Over at The Sisterhood we have a fabulous guest, and the sisters have created some amazing cards for this challenge, so please head on over and take a look.

I'm also linking this card at CAS on Friday, where the current challenge is Sunshine. 

I'm not sure how it's taken me so long to find this challenge, but I'm loving the DT cards and only wish I'd found it sooner!

Have a happy day!

Card Chain Challenge Reveal - April 2024

We had 32 participants who exchanged cards across the globe this month. Our total number of cards exchanged thus far by Card Chain Challenge participants is 4,360 - which is pretty amazing, I think!

All the cards exchanged this month used at least one of the following options:

Colour Palette Option

 

(Exact matching is not required.)

Sketch Option

(Orient as desired.)

Theme Options: Spring / Food and drink / Friendship

Product / Technique Options:  Something You Were Given / Pop Up

I was delighted to send my card to long-term player Linda in Michigan. The bunnies are from Mama Elephant - Crafted with Love. The background squares are from a very old Hero Arts block. 

I received this beauty from Dee in Kenya. Dee's card is a Z -fold, and is so beautifully made.

And don't forget, if you want to join in the fun you can sign up for the Card Chain Challenge.  All sign ups run in advance, from the 7th of the preceding month to the 6th of the exchange month.  All reveals happen on the 2nd of the month after the exchange is complete.

Merry Little Christmas Challenge

 

Happy May, everyone! It's never too early to begin making your Christmas/Holiday cards...

Here's my little offering for the new challenge over at The Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog. Isn't it a pity these gorgeous Stampin' Up! mice are no longer available. I'm so glad I bagged this set when I did. 

I took my cue for the colours from the design paper and then spent an age trying to decide whether to add a sentiment. I decided to leave it as it is and not cover that sweet patterned paper. 

The DT have created some beautiful cards, so please come on over and play along!