Christmas in March (because it's never too early)

I don't want to be a bore about the absolute monsters who hacked my husbands accounts but seriously, the work involved in trying to sort it and the stress it has caused us both has been just awful and everything, including cardmaking, had to be set to one side for a while so I am behind!!! 

These were not the cards I intended to post for our new theme for "Pets" at Everybody Art Challenge.  I've had a new image on my desk since we got back from Prague just waiting to be coloured but I haven't got around to it yet.  But I do love this little dog which is actually part of a larger image by Mo’s Digital Pencil called Candy Cane Pug.  You can find it here together with the lovely young lady who is walking him.  I used the whole image in a card on my blog here but for these Christmas cards I used just the doggy.

I have a couple of friends who are not big fans of the holiday season so I used the different sentiment below for them. I made half a dozen of these cute little cards, which were coloured en masse and assembled with a little die cut mistletoe sprig, complete with liquid pearl berries, and postage stamp framing... and you know, it is never too early to start making Christmas cards!

We would love to see your pet creations at Everybody Art Challenge. There is wonderful inspiration from my teamies on the challenge blog.

And don't forget we have a challenge for "wings or tails" running at Stamping Sensations and as long as stamping is the main focus of your card, we would welcome your pet entries (provided they have wings or tails) there too. 

If you are looking for more inspiration with Mo Manning's digital images, there is a Facebook page HERE, the Dream Team Blog HERE, and Mo's "Patreon" Page HERE. 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

CD Sunday Plus - #106 Anything Digital Goes

Krafty Chicks #655 CAS

We Love to Create Mixed Media #2 Always Anything Mixed Media goes

Deconstructed Wings at Stamping Sensations

It's the middle of the month and time for our mid-month reminder of our "Wings or Tails"  theme  at Stamping Sensations where our sponsor is Aall & Create. 

I have cheekily (or cleverly - depending on your mindset) deconstructed some Wings for my card today which uses these magnificent Papertrey Ink feathers.   I stamped just the edges of the feathers with Hickory Smoke before moving my paper slightly and stamping them again with a mix of coloured inks.  Then I overstamped with some Versamark and added clear embossing powder.  The result is these embossed feathers with a shadow of Hickory Smoke which adds extra depth - so much depth apparently that some of my friends on the Stamping Sensations Design team mistook the feathers for being 3d die cuts adhered to the card. I masked off a border around the edge of my card and gently blended some Hickory Smoke Distress Ink onto the background.   I think the Sentiment is Papertrey Ink too but I can't find it on my desk right now to double check!  To make this a little more mixed media, I have added liquid pearls and sequins.

I'm sorry I'm a little late with my post.  The hacking of my husband's accounts has caused so much work and so much stress and we have been suffering as a result.

Do please consider sharing some love with my teamies at Stamping Sensations by visiting the challenge site and leaving comments on our blogs.

I am entering my card into the following challenges

We Love to Create Mixed Media #2 Always Anything Mixed Media goes

Time Out #234 A Great Expectations Dickens quote about weather and I followed Jenny's lead by using feathers blowing in the cold wind.

Take what you need - Medicine bottles

For my project today I have used only dies and design paper for this interactive Feel Better soon card. 

We have a new theme for "Get Well Soon" at Everybody Art Challenge and we would love to see your creations. Do check out the wonderful inspiration of my teamies and share some love with the Design Team by leaving comments on their blogs.

And don't forget to ink up those stamps for our challenge at Stamping Sensations for "Wings and Tails". 

Ewe are my Sunshine - Wishing you brighter days

The Hubster and I have been having a terrible time recently when his accounts were hacked.  Social Media and Microsoft and goodness knows what else and it is soooooo hard to get hold of anyone to speak to.  The Microsoft hack was especially bad as so much of our lives are recorded in Microsoft products.  We were very stressed by the worry and the need to change 60+ passwords on a different computer to the one we think was hacked.  

So here is my card using Sheep from Mo’s Digital Pencil.  Actually I only used one of the sheep from Mo's image which I printed onto shrink plastic, coloured and shrunk to fit in this little PTI stamped and die cut frame.

A partial stencilled sun and some SU spatters were all that was needed to make this fun little card.  There is a Facebook page where members can upload their Mo Manning creations and we look forward to seeing you there. It's easy to become a member.  Just click HERE.  And check out the Dream Team Blog where there is lots of inspiration from my teamies HERE.

Mo also has a "Patreon" Page HERE. There are three levels of Patron to choose from with a minimum of just $2.50 per month (plus tax where applicable) and each month Mo offers treats to her patrons.  

Just as a reminder of other challenges where I am on the Design Team... our challenge  at Stamping Sensations is "Wings or Tails", and our theme is "Feel Better or Get Well" at Everybody Art Challenge 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

CAS on Friday #252 Friendship

CD Sunday Plus - #105 Anything Goes

Crafter's Cafe - #294 Cute

Four Seasons #March Spring

Krafty Chicks #653 Stamp Act

We Love Stamping -March - Spring is in the Air

Edited to add a thrilled top pick choice from CAS on Friday.  CAS is not usually my vibe so I'm extra thrilled to have received this honour from this fabulous challenge blog!  Thank you.

Butterfly smiles for Stamping Sensations

We have a new theme at Stamping Sensations for "Wings or Tails" so grab some stash and come join in the fun.  Our sponsors this month are "Aall & Create".  It is not necessary to use products from Aall & Create but if you have them, we would love to see them.  

I have used this fun girl #299 designed by Janet Klein for Aall & Create because her butterfly accompaniments were just right for our "Wings or Tails theme".  I stencilled some clouds inside a circular mask, coloured her with my Copics and teamed her with this wonderful Papertrey Ink sentiment stamp. 

I am entering my card into the challenge at Fourseasons - March "Spring".  It's still a bit too early for butterflies in the UK but if the sun would shine, I'm sure we would see some.

Edited to add that this post seems to have disappeared from my feed so I've popped it back in and resubmitted my challenge entry.

Birthday Cocktails!

Oops!  I've just realised I forgot to press "publish" on today's post so I'm late for my DTs but I'm congratulating myself for still being on the right day!  For my card I have used this fabulous new image from Mo’s Digital Pencil called "Champagne for Two". It is my new favourite image.   This beauty comes holding two champagne flutes but I really wanted at least one of the glasses to be more tulip shaped for a colourful cocktail.   I asked for and received permission directly from Mo Manning to make this small change to her already perfect digital image.  Ordinarily it would not be permitted but I'm so glad Mo agreed to my request.  The swapping of one of the champagne flutes for a Tequila Sunrise worked so well for the intended recipient of my card and also with this fun laugh-out-loud sentiment by My Favorite Things.   

I enjoyed adding some Tim Holtz stencilled splats and drink rings in the background for a fun young vibe and I was amazed at my success colouring the folds of her dress.  I have the wonderfully talented Faye Wynn-Jones to thank for that!  I attended her brilliant colour classes and enjoy watching her You Tube tutorials too!  

We have a new theme for "Birthday" at Everybody Art Challenge and we would love to see your creations. Do check out the wonderful inspiration of my teamies and share some love with the Design Team by leaving comments on their blogs.

And don't forget there is a sketch challenge running at Stamping Sensations.  You can see the sketch in my last post. 

There is a Facebook page where members can upload their Mo Manning creations and we look forward to seeing you there. It's easy to become a member.  Just click HERE.  And check out Mo's other sites where there is lots of inspiration from my teamies.

* Dream Team Blog HERE for inspiration

* Mo's "Patreon" Page HERE. There are three levels of Patron to choose from with a minimum of just $2.50 per month!  

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

CD Sunday Plus - #104 Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations -Feb - Anything Goes

Inkspirational #282 Use stencils and optional spatter

Krafty Chicks # 651 CAS

Passion for Markers -#678 Favourite stamp or dig 

Stencil Fun - February Use stencils and optional hearts

Sweet Stampin - Feb - No squares

Time Out #232 Happy Birthday (Especially happy 9th birthday to the Time Out team)

We Love Stamping - Feb - Add a stencil

Edited to add a happy spot in the top three from the lovelies at CD Sunday Plus and in the top 4 from my friends at We Love Stamping!  Thank you so much!!!

  

Pure Innocence Mid Month Stamping Sensations

It's the middle of the month and time for our mid-month reminder of our "sketch" theme  at Stamping Sensations where our sponsor is Oakwood Direct

My card today uses this sweet Pure Innocence image as it's focal point but the background is also stamped  with a fun Hero Arts stamp.   I love our easy to follow sketch at Stamping Sensations and we would love you to try it out with us.  If you have stash from Oakwood Direct, please feel free to use them but that is not a requirement of entry.

Don't forget we have a "Love/Hearts" theme at Everybody Art Challenge which is ongoing and please consider sharing some love with my teamies at Stamping Sensations and Everybody Art Challenge by visiting the challenge sites and leaving comments on our blogs.

I am entering my card into the following challenges

Crafter's Cafe - #294 Cute

Creative Inspirations - Feb - Anything Goes

Polkadoodles #6 Anything Goes

Time Out #232 Anything Birthday  

and I'm just going to take TIME OUT to wish you a BIG HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY!

I love Ewe

For my card today I have used this fun "luv ewe" image from Mo’s Digital Pencil Patreon page which is also available in her shop here.  I coloured her with Copics and teamed her with this perfect embossing folder from Marianne Designs, a little die cut heart flag from an MFT die set, and an MFT sentiment stamp.

We have a new theme for "Heart/Love" at Everybody Art Challenge and we would love to see your creations. Do check out the wonderful inspiration from my teamies and share some love with the Design Team by leaving comments on their blogs.

And don't forget we have a new sketch challenge running at Stamping Sensations. You can see the sketch in my last post.

There is a Facebook page where members can upload their Mo Manning creations and we look forward to seeing you there. It's easy to become a member.  Just click HERE.  And check out Mo's other sites where there is lots of inspiration from my teamies.

* Dream Team Blog HERE for inspiration

* Mo's "Patreon" Page HERE. There are three levels of Patron to choose from with a minimum of just $2.50 per month!  

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

CD Sunday Plus - #103 Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Inkspirational #282 Love themed mood board

Make my Monday -#193 Love is in the air

Simon Says Stamp (Wed) - Love is in the air 

Tic Tac Toe #195 Layers, Friendship Circle

Stamping Sensations Sketch Challenge

I scheduled this post but I came home from a weekend away today and I see my scheduling didn't work.  So sorry I'm late!    We have a new theme at Stamping Sensations for "Anything Stamped with the option of using the sketch" which you can see below my card.  I love a good sketch for inspiration and this one from  Brenda is such a great and easy example.  Our sponsors this month are "Oakwood".  It is not necessary to use products from "Oakwood" but if you have them, we would love to see them.  

I have used Fox Set 1 and Hide and Seek Door by Lavinia Stamps for this new home card.  Next time I shall have to remember that the fox needs to be seated a little lower on my project to account for his tail.  I feel he is hovering a little above ground.  

And here is the sketch for this months challenge from Stamping Sensations

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Color Throwdown - #728 Red brown pink green.  My pink looked too much like the red so I've gone a bit purply I'm afraid

Krafty Chicks #649 Stamp Act

Polkadoodles #5 Anything Goes

Tic Tac Toe #195 I used Stencil, Circle and Ink blending for my card today.

Edited to add my excitement at having been selected as the Designers' Choice at Tic Tac Toe!  Thank you!

Everybody Art Challenge wants to see "New"

For this card, for our "New" theme at Everybody Art Challenge, I used my old Memory Box die and a page from a London A to Z map book. I have seen other cards which use mappy design paper for this type of effect but the house on this card is cut exactly on the street  to which the recipients of this New Home card moved. 

We would love to see your "New" themed cards at Everybody Art Challenge.  You can use your new craft stash, a new idea, or the card can be to celebrate something new like the New Year or a New Baby or, like this one, a New Home. Please let us know the "new" behind your card if it might not be obvious.

And don't forget we have another challenge running at Stamping Sensations to "Add some Sparkle". 

My teamies would love to see you visit their blogs.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations - Jan - something old, something new (old die and map, new home)

Inkspirational #281 New or Welcome (both work with this welcome to your new home card)

the Male Room #170 Galaxy or stars

Polkadoodles #3 Anything Goes

Add some Sparkle for Stamping Sensations

It's the middle of the month and time for our mid-month reminder of our "add some sparkle" theme at Stamping Sensations.    Our sponsors this month are "Highlight Crafts".  It is not necessary to use products from "Highlight Crafts" but if you have them, we would love to see them.  

My card today uses Evie by Krista Smith of Saturated Canary fame.  I love Krista's images and haven't showcased one here for ages.  The sentiment stamp is by LOTV and I couldn't resist adding the sea themed dies.  Evie's tale is super sparkly thanks to my Wink of Stella sparkly pen and, in addition to the little shells cut out of sparkly card stock, I have added lots of shiny pearl drops!

Do please consider sharing some love with my teamies at Stamping Sensations by visiting the challenge site and leaving comments on our blogs.

And I just want to remind you that we have an "Anything Goes" theme at Everybody Art Challenge where I am also a design team member.

I am entering my card into the following challenges

CD Sunday Plus - #101 Anything Digital Goes

Polkadoodles #2 Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp (Wed) - Too Cute

It's 2023..."Let's a Go"

For my card today I thought I would try a new technique to make a card entirely out of dies and punches and I got out my old Cricut machine for some of the shapes too.  I Googled some Mario images and simply tried to recreate his face using shapes I could punch or cut and I must say that I think it worked out rather well.   

What a shame I completely forgot to post my card at Everybody Art Challenge where our first challenge theme this year is for "Anything Goes".  Hopefully I'll be forgiven by Andrea and the team!   

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

 

Creative Inspirations - Jan - something old (my cricut and the punches and dies) or something new. 

Polkadoodles #1 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp (Wed) - Something New (the technique to recreate an image using only cut shapes).

A Stampendous Snow Postcard for Stamping Sensations

Happy New Year!

I hope it's filled with love and laughter and more joy than your hearts can hold!

We have a new theme at Stamping Sensations to "Add some sparkle" so grab those stamps and come join in the fun.  Our sponsors this month are "Highlight Crafts".  It is not necessary to use products from "Highlight Crafts" but if you have them, we would love to see them.  

For this sparkly winter scene I used this wood-mounted  "Snowy Postcard" from Stampendous.  I touched up my inking with some Prisma pencils and popped in an extra tiny stamped tree before adding some die cut leaves.   My card is seriously sparkly but sadly I struggled to photograph it well. 

 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafter's Cafe - #292 Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations - Dec - Festive Foliage

Fourseasons January - Anything Winter Goes

Sketch Saturday - Use an old Sketch (this is from June 2013 which I have rotated but I'm afraid I can't read the number.  It could be 260, 263?)

Sweet Stampin - Christmas Creations

Winter Scenes or Anything Stamped Mid Month reminder at Stamping Sensations

With Christmas rushing towards us, I thought this stamp would be perfect to make a quick watercoloured card for our mid month reminder at Stamping Sensations where our theme is for a Winter Scene or Anything Stamped and our sponsor is Craft Stash.  

As it turns out, it wasn't all that quick to make on account of how difficult I find watercolouring but I made it in time and that's the main thing.  This image is by Stampendous and is called Christmas Cottage, I believe.

I had been so discombobulated in November by CoVid and subsequent dental problems that I got completely behind and missed making a card for Everybody Art Challenge which began last Tuesday. The theme there is "Christmas Flower" and we hope you will play along.

Do please consider sharing some love with my teamies at Stamping Sensations and Everybody Art Challenge by visiting the challenge sites and leaving comments on our blogs.

I am entering my card into the following challenges

Creative Inspirations - December - Festive Foliage

Four Seasons - December - Winter

Simon Says Stamp (Wed) - Ice Cold

Sweet Stampin - Christmas Creations

Stamping Sensations Winter Wonderland

It's the first Sunday of the month and time for a new theme at Stamping Sensations for "Anything Stamped with the option of a Winter Wonderland" so grab your stamps and come join in the fun. This month's prizes are from Craft Stash.  

And here is my card using lovely Lavinia Stamps and a Papertrey Ink Sentiment.

As a reminder, the theme at Everybody Art Challenge is for "Winter has come to town" and we would love to see your creations there too. 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations - Nov - Sparkle, sparkle Sparkle (my sparkle isn't really evident in the photo but it IS there)

Fourseasons December - Anything Goes Winter

Krafty Chicks #640 Stamp Act

Lavinia Creative Monthly Challenge - Dec - Snow Falling

Less is More #478 Outdoors

Simon Says Stamp (Wed) Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin - Christmas Creations

Tic Tac Toe #190 - Top row Snow, Stencil (the circle), Tree

Delighted to see this card was a top pick from the lovelies at Krafty Chicks and another from the wonderful ladies at Sweet Stampin'.  Thank you!