PDCC and Papertake Weekly

Today I have a Christmas themed card, but not a Christmas card as such - it's a Thank You card for my husband's Grandparents for their gifts to us all this season. They are very old, and we are very thankful that they are still with us - it's another year that my children can remember Christmas with them, and I'm so grateful for that.

So, I took the colour inspiration for this card from this week's Play Date Cafe, lovely Christmassy colours, and the sketch is from Papertake Weekly, by Dawny P.





So while the children are playing the latest computer game with Daddy, I took mtself off to my craft area (dining room!) closed the door and spent a few hours making this..




I have used the lovely Nutcracker image by Waltzingmouse Stamps - I had this set just before Christmas, and didn't get time to make a card using any of the larger images, so I was determined to use him today.

He has been stamped onto kraft card and coloured with Steadtler Ergo Soft colour pencils - I did colour a couple of these images with my Promarkers, but due to the fibrous nature of this particular kraft, it bled a lot, so I scrapped them and got the trusty pencils out!




The sentiment is also from Waltzingmouse, Peace and Plenty set, and I used my Nestabilities Labels 14 to cut both the sentiment and the image, and whilst in the dies I sponged some Frayed Burlap Distress Ink around the edges.



The red paper rose is from Hobbyhouse, and the green leaves are from The Ribbon Reel, as is the jute twine, and red Baker's Twine which is wrapped around the card base.



The ruffled green ribbon is from The Ribbon Reel also, and the patterned paper is from Wild Rose Studio Christmas Stack. The card base is actually white Linen, sponged with Frayed Burlap, before layering a kraft base stamped with the little circle stamp from Nutcracker Sweet set, although this is difficult to make out as I used Antique Linen to stamp, and I think it's almost run out.

As a final flourish, I added some red pearl accents to the corners.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Nutcracker Sweet, Peace and Plenty - Waltzingmouse Stamps

Inks: Memento Rich Cocoa and Ladybug Red; Distress Inks Antique Linen, Peeled Paint, Frayed Burlap

Paper: Bazzill Kraft and Bazzill Bling in Green; Milton Christmas Papers - Wild Rose Studios

Ribbon: Cherry Red Divine Baker's Twine, Button Twine - Ivory, Silky Crush - Parrot Green, Oval Leaves - Green - all The Ribbon Reel.

Other: Red Paper Rose - The Hobbyhouse; Red flat backed pearls from stash; White Linen Card base from stash.


I am entering this into the following challenges:


The Play Date Cafe

Papertake Weekly


So, we are halfway through the Christmas break, just the New Year Celebrations to look forward to, another excuse to dress up and party! We will be celebrating at home, with our in-laws, so I'm sure the sherry will be flowing ;-)

I had some fab news yesterday, I have been accepted as a design team member for Do You Stack Up Challenge Blog, to say I'm over the moon is a slight understatement! It has been one of my favourite challenges to play along with, so my only grumble is I can't join the challenges lol! I hope you pop back in the New Year to see my first submission for this challenge, I'm so excited I can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

5 Favourite Christmas Cards 2011

Debby, from A Scrapjourney, has a bloghop over at her blog, and is asking us to post our Favourite Five Christmas Cards, and it was tough! I did manage to whittle it down to five, but only just!


I'm starting off with this gorgeous Lili of The Valley Summer Icy Angel, teamed with some pretty snowflake patterned papers from Forever Friends.



Herer I have made a mountainfold (think that's what this shape is called!) card, with papers from Graphic 45 and a digi stamp Poinsettia from My Grafico.



I had to include this little guy - this is the card that won me the Hero Arts Fresh Face winner, and he's my good luck charm! I couldn't bear to give him away this year, he's on my shelf in my craft area.



Next is a card made using a tag style concertina card base from Little Claire's, using Waltzingmouse Stamps images.




And finally, my last Christmas card for the year was this sweet snowy scene, a lovely image from Robyn's Fetish, coloured with Promarkers and using some freebie papers for the backing.



The blog hop finishes on the 30th, and Debby is going to pick her favourite post with a prize of some stamps.

Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

The Ribbon Reel Challenge #18

Hi all, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, today brings us another challenge from The Ribbon Reel, with the theme of New Years, in White, Cream, Grey, Silver and Black.

For inspiration, I have cased a beautiful card sent to me by my lovely blog friend Sue Lelli, see HERE for Sue's beautiful original.




I have used a white linen card base, and covered the base with some black damask embossed patterned paper. Then taking some cream pearly card, I embossed this with the PTI Linen impression plate, and layered this to the top half of the card.

I then cut 3 doilies using an MFT die, using paper from a Papermania Monochrome pack, and the glittery doily in the middle was from my stash.

I then layered the beautiful grey and black ruffled ribbon, layered together with cream twill and some plain jute twine. Finally I cut a felt flower using dies from Marianne Creatables, and a couple of PTI Tiny Tags, topped with some Prima Say it With Crystals.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Tiny Tags - Papertrey Ink

Papers: Pearlescent card from stash; Papermania Monochrome stack by Tina Higgins; Glittery paper from stash; Black damask embossed card from stash.

Ribbons: Cream twill, Ivory Button Twine, Satin Black Pleat, Satin Silver Pleat, all The Ribbon Reel

Other: Say it in Crystals - Prima; Tiny Tags Die - Papertrey Ink

Thanks for stopping by, and wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Pauline

Sketchbook Saturday Challenge #42

Hi all, I have had a quick make today - I am away in The New Forest for Christmas, without any crafting supplies. So, today I headed off to Lyndhurst where one of my favourite shops is - Emerald Crafts to have a browse!

I can't ever enter this store without picking up a few bits, so I grabbed a couple of paper packs, some card blanks, a couple of Tim Holtz distress inks, Candi Dots, Martha Stewart Zinnia Stickers, Glue runner and a new stamp. I restrained myself as I know Santa is coming very soon...

I was inspired this afternoon by last week's Sketchbook Saturday, a fab sketch by Iwona Palamountain, so I took myself off for a half hour crafty play, and I'm so pleased with the results!

Here's the sketch:


And here's my take:


Apologies for the poor picture, I had to use a different camera, and it's already dark here!

I had to improvise somewhat due to my restricted supplies, but I'm happy with how this turned out - due to the wonderful sketch that Iwona has provided.

The base paper is from My Minds Eye Six by Six stack 'A Happy Heart', and I stamped the large sentiment by Papermania in Stormy Sky onto a pink panel from the same paper stack.

I then cut (using a pair of large cumbersome kitchen scissors!) the little floral strip at the bottom from the stack, and layered it onto some polka dot patterned paper by Papermania, Persimmon Collection by Tina Higgins.

I then added a row of Craftwork Cards Candi Dots from their Princess pack, and adhered a white Zinnia from Martha Stewart.

All in all this took me a little over half an hour, a record for me! It just goes to show what you can do with limited supplies lol!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

Charisma Cardz Challenge

Well, only a few days 'til the Big Day, so in celebration of the Christmas festivities, we are having a Two week challenge of ANYTHING GOES at Charisma Cardz this week!

I have made my last card for this year, using the lovely image 'In the Cold' from Robyn's Fetish Stamps, coloured with Promarkers.



The patterned papers are from a freebie magazine pack.

I have followed the sketch from Card patterns.

The image was cut using Nestabilities Sml, and layered onto a doily cut using an MFT die, with some red glittered card.

The white lace was a gift from my lovely blog friend Sasha at Sasha's Inspirations, and I layered some red chiffon over the top from my stash.

The sentiment is by Waltzingmouse Stamps, from their Nutcracker Sweet set, cut with a Spellbinders fancy tag, and sponged in Aspen Mist chalk ink.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Card patterns

Bling it On Challenge

Frosted Designs Challenge

Passion for Promarkers

Papertake Weekly

Paperplay Challenges

I Love Promarkers

Do stop by the Charisma Cardz blog, and see what the rest of the team have done, lots of lovely inspiration over there!

Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

WMSC 78

Hi all, today I have what will be my last make of this year! I have a couple of scheduled posts for later this week, for the Charisma Cardz Challenge on Thurday (don't miss it!) and for the new Ribbon Reel Challenge on Monday.

For today, I have my entry for this week's Waltzingmouse Stamps Sketch Challenge, and it's pretty good one!



I have made a gift tag for a pillow box, and as I was playing with kraft yesterday, I continued with this theme.


The kraft box was already made, from Flutterby Crafts, my local craft shop.




I stamped two stars from WMS Season's of Love, in Cottage Ivy, then carefully went around the outlines with a quickie glue pen and some gold glamour dust.

I added the sentiment from Compliments of the Season, in Ladybug Red, and added some gems to the little stamped stars.



I then wrapped some red satin ribbon around the box, and some twine, added a satin and twine bow to the label and finally added a little christmas rose.


Supplies Used:

Stamps: Compliments of The Season, Seasons of love - Waltzingmouse Stamps

Inks: Ladybug Red, Cottage Ivy - Memento

Other: Spellbinders Star dies; Glue Pen; Glamour Dust; Red Satin Ribbon from stash; Twine and Christmas Rose - The Ribbon Reel; Pillow Box - Flutterby Crafts; Gems from stash.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop

Cupcake Inspirations

One Stop Craft Challenge

Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

A Holly Angel for WMS Tag Challenge

Evening all! I'm a tad late with this entry for the Waltzingmouse Stamps Tag Competition, see HERE for details, it ends tonight, and I have spent days and days thinking what to make for this.

Tags generally stump me, and my mojo was not playing ball this week!

So, I thought I would pull out my very first stamp set from WMS, Earthangel. If you can't use an Angel at Christmas, when can you?!

Here is my creation:



I decided on going for a rustic feel with this little sweetie.


I have used Bazzill kraft stock as the base, and for the angel. I stamped her in Memento Rich Cocoa, and coloured her in with Staedtler Ergo Soft Colour Pencils, my first time colouring on kraft, and I love the effect it gives.


The background is stamped using WMS Musical Backgrounds, in Rich Cocoa, and cut using Nestabilities Labels 14, and edged with gold glamour dust. Wrapped around the centre of the tag is some Red Baker's twine - this and the little Christmas Rose at the top are both from The Ribbon Reel.




The little tag is Papertrey Ink's Tiny Tags, stamped in Brilliance Pearlescent Poppy and Rich Cocoa.

The little holly and berry leaves were stampe using elements from Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy and Earthangel. Stamped, coloured and cut separately from the base 'rope', as the base has a floral design, and I wanted to try to give a holly effect.


On the back I have used elements from Compliments of The Season and Rescue Remedies, both from Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Off to post this now, as the deadline is getting nearer!

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Waltzingmouse Stamps Tag Challenge

Paperplay Challenge

One Stop Craft Challenge

Cupcake Inspirations

Craft Your Passions

Sweet Stampin Challenge


Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

Yep, he is on his way! Checking that list and packing his sleigh!

I love this bauble stamp from Waltzingmouse Stamps, Santa's Coming to Town set and I'm loving the icy blues that I've been using so much of recently! My favourite shades in the Distress Inks range are Tumbled Glass and Faded jeans.


The snowflake background and ribbons are stamped in Weathered Wood, and I've applied some glue strips and added some Glamour dust for some sparkle.


I'm entering this into the following challenges:


DYSU Challenge

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge

Paperplay Challenge

Totally Gorjuss

Papercrafting Journey

Papertake Weekly


Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

Tuesday Throwdown Guest Designer

Hi all, today is my second posting as a Guest Designer for Tuesday Throwdown.
This week we are being sponsored by My Grafico, and I have chosen this beautiful Poinsettia image to play with.


I have coloured the poinsettias with Promarkers, and decoupaged both flowers.



The patterned paper is by Graphic 45, stitched and layered onto some red Bazzill Bling card, and mounted onto a Mountain Fold card.

The sentiment is by Waltzingmouse Stamps.


The ribbon and lace is from a christmas pack of ribbons, and the little black gems are by Kars, as are the little red gems on the sentiment oval, and the little gold gems in the flower centres. The little green leaves are from The Ribbon Reel.




On the back I stamped the sentiment by Waltzingmouse Stamps, from Very Vintage Christmas.


I am entering this into the following challenges:

Daring Cardmakers

Cupcake Inspirations

Do You Stack Up

Party Time Tuesdays

One Stop Craft Challenge


Supplies Used:

Stamps: Very Vintage Christmas , Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Poinsettia - My Grafico

Paper: Mountain fold card base; Neenah Solar White Card - Crafter's Companion;
Christmas Emporium - Graphic 45; Red Bazzill Bling

Ink: Brilliance Cottage Ivy and Berry Red;

Other: Sewing Machine; Gems from stash; Promarkers; Lace and ribbon pack; Green leaves - The Ribbon Reel; Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals Small

Do stop by the rest of the DT to see their wonderful creations today!

Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

The Ribbon Reel Challenge #17

Morning all, today brings us another challenge from The Ribbon Reel Challenge, and this week it's a theme of Shabby Chic Christmas, using the pictorial inspiration below.




I've made a wine bottle tag, always a handy tag to have at this time of year!




I have silver embossed the bauble from Waltzingmouse Stamps, and distressed with Tumbled Glass and Faded Jeans distress inks.



I have mounted the bauble onto some veluum which has been embossed with a Santa and snowflake image, in pearly white, you can just about see peeks of it in the picture above.



The lace, and Peacock Blue seam binding are from The Ribbon reel as is the little Christmas Rose and grey velvet ribbon, which I threaded through the lace.

I am entering this into the following Challenges:

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

Do You Stack Up

The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop

Stamptacular Sunday

Crafty Catz

Totally Gorjuss

Crafty Emmas Challenge

Craft Your Passions


Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

Hi all, Here's my entry for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.




Lots of embossing and distressing, but I've got to cut the chat as I'm off out to meet the friend this is destined for, I'll update all the details later :-)



Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline

Charisma Cardz Challenge - Anything but a Card Week!

Morning all, today brings us another challenge from Charisma Cardz, and this week we would like to see Anything but a Card!

This week, we are being sposored by Bunny Zoes Crafts.., Whiff of Joy and The Stamping Boutique.



I made a Christmas Garland to hang on my mantelpiece, using images from Waltzingmouse Stamps, and the snowflake die cut by Marianne Creatables, I just love the shape of this pretty snowflake, and have used it intensively this week!


I created the detachable ornaments by cutting 3 snowflakes, scoring gently through the middle, and using some tiny glue dots to attach them together to make a 3D shape. I repeated this 5 times, and then the real fun began!



I stamped the sweet images by Waltzingmouse Stamps, from their Sewing Box Hugs - Christmas set.



I decoupaged all the images, and used some papers from the Nitwit Heavenly Collections papers, and all the images were stamped with Versamark, and embossed with Platinum glitter powder from WOW!. And it really is WOW! It's a beautiful powder, that embosses to a sparkly finish, but, it did get EVERY where lol! I had to vacuum a few times after creating this lol!



I threaded some translucent beads onto some Oyster Bakers Twine from The Ribbon Reel, (that took a while and a lot of patience!) and rubbed some Opal Dust by Jo Sonjas over all the snowflakes.

I did have to let them dry overnight before attaching the images, but it was worth the wait as they now shimmer and sparkle beautifully. The Opal Dust is a gluey cloudy consistency when applied, but dries to a clear finish revealing the beautiful glitter.



A couple of shots to show them on the tree :-)



This is the back of the ornaments, I tried to capture the glimmer from the opal dust.



I finally added some turquoise gems to the snowflakes, and treaded some seam binding through the tops tied with some bakers twine for a little bow.

I added some seam binding that had been scrunched up and spritzed with some Glimmer Mist to the silver hanging twine, and attached the ornaments using some little silver pegs.

Our sponsors this week at Charisma Cardz Challenge are:

Bunny Zoe
Whiff of joy
The Stamping Boutique

Do stop by my fellow team mates for some wonderful inspiration!


Team Gemma

♥ Allison ♥
♥ Joanne ♥
♥ Gemma ♥
♥ Christel ♥
♥ Denise ♥
♥ Joyce ♥
♥ Natalie ♥
♥ Jenni ♥
♥ Debbie ♥
♥ Nina ♥
♥ Catherine ♥
♥ Pauline ♥ - That's Me!


Team Carlyann

♥ Clare ♥
♥ Jan ♥
♥ Carlyann ♥
♥ Leah ♥
♥ Emma ♥
♥ Michelle ♥
♥ Vee ♥
♥ Shannon ♥
♥ Lisa ♥
♥ Laney ♥
♥ Allison (XTGL) ♥
♥ Brandi ♥


Supplies Used:

Stamps: Sewing Box - Christmas, Compliments of the Season , Holiday Labels 14 - Waltzingmouse Stamps

Inks: Versamark

Papers: Nitwit Heavenly Collection; Neenah Solar Crest White Card - Crafter's Companion

Ribbon: Oyster Bakers Twine, Aqua Seam binding - The Ribbon Reel

Other: Opal Dust - Jo Sonjas; WOW! Metallic Platinum Sparkle Embossing Glitter - WOW! ; Turquoise gems; Beads from stash; Silver pegs from stash; White Vellum from stash; Marianne Creatables snowflake die.


I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

The City Crafter - Home for the Holidays - A home decor piece or anything with a house.

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Snow

One Stop Craft Challenge - Let it Snow

Top Tip Tuesday - Snow

The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Christmas with a Bow


Thanks for stopping by,

Pauline