Crafty Cardmakers

Challenge 60 Beads

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000Z

I have decided to slightly alter the format of our posts and from now on the Winners and Top 5 will appear in a separate post which I shall, hopefully, post before the next challenge is posted. So please scroll down to the post below if you want to see who won our 'No Floral Embellishment' challenge. Our challenge this time is hosted by Jack and she would like to see beads used. You can make a project using just beads or use them as embellishments on something you make. The important thing is that beads are there for all to see.

Our sponsors for this challenge are:

We are kindly sponsored for this challenge by The Stampman (and Lady of course!) who are ofering the winner a £10 voucher for their store, you can spend this online, in the shop or if you're lucky enough to see them at a show! They have a ton of items in store, enough to tickle any crafty taste bud. and another of our new Sponsors Di's Digi Downloads $10 Gift Voucher

I have been drawing since a child and studied graphics at College many years ago, I now work as a Medical photographer part time but my love was always drawing. I started cardmaking about 4yrs ago when I bought my daughter a cardmaking kit which we did together, but I’m afraid I got the bug! My daughter preferred scrapbooking. I then started looking online at other blogs and this then became my passion and I loved sharing my cards with likeminded people.

I love stamping and loved finding images, but sometimes I could not find what I wanted so I started to draw myself.

This then has become my second addiction and I have never looked back, I love thinking of new images, and its just fabulous to see others take them and make them into beautiful works of art. Long may it continue!

Jack

I had so many ideas for this challenge but eventually decided to show a piece of jewellery I made as a Christmas present. I used 3 sizes of grey pearl beads, sparkly rondelles and a beautiful leaf toggle that I offset to show it off.

Tracy

I had to think long and hard about this challenge, I was looking for inspiration when I saw the paper Fuchsia flowers I had made ages ago. I got out some beads and added them to the ends of the stamens. I cut the circle from the base card using a die, I printed the Fuchsia fairy off four times and made my own decoupage, printed a background paper and added lots of Glamour Dust for some fairy sparkle. I was really pleased with how the card turned out as it's different to anything I've done before.

Josephine

'Use Beads,' said the challenge. So, I used lots of them, and a little bit of beading thread and a button.

My daughter wanted a bracelet to go with a new dress, so we chose some beads, and I got my beading loom out and set to work. The beads are all by Gutterman, and the button is 'recycled'!

Sally

Use beads is the challenge and; although I love using them I hardly ever do, so this was a lovely excuse to get out the micro beads that I've had forever. I wanted to use the pink and blue mix so raided my stash for some coordinating papers and ribbons. After matting the papers onto card, I punched three hearts out of a double sided adhesive sheet, peeled off the first paper layer and stuck them on the centre panel. Then after peeling off the second paper layer I sprinkled them liberally with the micro beads. (It's a good idea to use a tidy tray for this as the beads are so tiny they go absolutely everywhere!) I stuck the panel to the card, added the ribbons, pearls and a sentiment to finish.

J (Jackie)

I've never been keen on beading, as generally speaking I find it too fiddly. So I decided to stick to a card as my project! I've been in a "clean and simple" frame of mind recently, and I decided to make my card comparatively plain and unfussy. This one uses a textured card base and a limited number of embellishments and no backing paper. I thought the stamped butterfly was crying out for beads to be used in the rings as decoration and I was really pleased with the way it turned out.

Mynnette

I was very excited to hear about this challenge because I have a Pretties Kit from Stampin' Up! that has rarely been used! I used a hat pin and beads from the kit with a piece of soft white ribbon at the top to accent my sentiment. The sentiment is another stamp from the Tagtastic Hostess set from Stampin' Up! I really like that this sentiment is a bunch of little dots--it looks so cool! I thought that since the sentiment was made up of dots, that I should use dots as my theme--so I went a little polka dot crazy! :) It was fun, though, and I think the card turned out nicely.

Aj.

I love to use beads on projects so really enjoyed this challenge.

I used a Teddy Bea image, paired with Prima papers in soft pink and matched the rose to Bea's clothing, for my beaded addition I used thin grade florists wire with some pink sparkly star beads to create the cluster accents used in the floral display. Fiona

For my card I have used a House Mouse stamp coloured with ProMarkers. The glitter heart paper is from a Country Companions paper pack. I have added white beads to the centre of my paper flowers,also I have added lots of tiny little yellow beads to the heads of some of the flowers in my main image. I have used my MS border punch on the red card and a cuttlebug embossing folder on the green card. Flowers,beads and heart mini buttons all from my stash. ALAN:

I was not sure what to do for this challenge so as that morning a new ticket die arrived it clicked. I had in my stamp collection a very classic Dress Stamp. The backing paper is one of my own designs that l will make available if wanted. The beads were added to the dress to give detail.. Tickets with Admit One were added.

Carole

I loved this challenge and knew immediately that I wanted to use the fibres that have been sitting in my stash forever to create a backdrop for the beads. So the silvery hearts are made from a mixture of angelina and crystallina fibres, and I've used a combination of white pearl beads and ones that are clear with silver shot through the middle. They were all from a purchase made many years ago on impulse and have sat in my stash ever since. As ever I have used nesting dies and edgeabilities!! Yvonne [Meggymay]

Use beads is this weeks challenge, for me this was an excuse to look out my tiny seed beads. I have edged the image and covered the inner flower petals with them. Not easy as these tiny beads have a life of their own. The fashion stamp is Craft Individuals and the papers from my stash.

Beth

I was really struggling to come up with an idea for this challenge as I'm not good with beads. I find them too small for me to see clearly with my dodgy eyesight, but having seen the other wonderful creations by my fellow DT members was determined to have a play and this is what I came up with.

Now you're probably wondering where the beads are? If you look closely at the top of the pin I've used as a sceptre you can see five tiny ones! The stamps are from the Kanban Vivienne range stamped onto Clarity cardstock and coloured in with promarkers and a Sakura gold pen. The flowers are hand made by cutting rough circles of thin card and scrunching them to within an inch of their lives before shaping and securing the layers with a small brad. The background paper was printed by me as was the 'Queen for a day' sentiment. The gold flourishes are from a Marianne Design Creatables die.

Marie

I found this challenge well........challenging am not really a beady person and for that reason decided to have a go, they don't call them challenges for nothing ! I cut the scale pattern with my Cameo and using my spellbinders circle die made a frame from foam. The paper inside is by Crafty Individuals from their seaside range. I covered the paper in an abundance of UTEE and as it was drying sprinkled over lots of seed pearls and some coloured beads, was trying to give the illusion of bubbles ! Made the little fish from Fimo the light air drying type. While it was still pliable I inked up A Tim Holtz embossing folder and gently pressed the image against it, a little seed pearl for the eye and there you have it !

Doreen

This challenge was brilliant. I love beads and therefore I had no problems to use few of them. At the moment it is really difficult for me to use another image than Tilda *lol* I won this image (tilda with arrow) and therefor I had to use it. I colored the image with copic in soft lilac. Lovely color. The paper I used is from Creative Memories, Magnolia and Maja Design. I like to mix it. I embellished with flowers from Wild Orchid, ribbon and Alpha stickers from stash. And the beads are inside too.

Feebsy

I'll be honest I wasn't too sure what to do for this challenge but realised I have quite a few pots of Beadazzles in my craft stash so decided to look at those and when I saw the "Electric Slide" colour set they seemed perfect for a peacock. So, off I went to search for my only peacock stamp and created this card. It's quite simple really, I stamped the image with versamark onto black card and used Perfect Pearls to colour it. I then created some interest on the edge of the card with my Beadazzles. I then backed the main image with green and blue mirror card. Finally, I finished the card with some black embroiderry floss to which I added some very pretty iridescent glass beads.

Kimx

I'm not a great one for beads, although of course I have loads of them, so this was a bit of a challenge for me. Then I remembered a card I once made for a magazine that had beads wrapped around a punched heart and decided that I would make another card along the same lines.

It's a Christmas card I'm afraid but I'm on a roll at the moment so you will have to forgive me :)

Melly

I had a lot of trouble with this challenge this time! Not only do I only have beads for making my jewellery I had NO IDEA what to do! So after staring at my stash for days I suddenly remember seeing a wee Butterfly made using beads and a saftey pin somewhere! So a wee while later here's what I made! I used BoBunny papers, my butterfly die, a quote I found online, flowers and pins and loads of distress ink!

Annette

I used paper from Bo Bunny and cardstock in Red.

Stamped image from Magnolia * Sweet Crazy Love - Tilda with wrapped Heart *

Colored with Distress ink pads & re-inker.Decorated with Paper Flowers,Heart Pin with mini Beads and on the Ribbon Bow is a chain with a Heart Bead.The fastener Ribbon has each two Beads in Red.Inside Box with chocolate .

Anne Ray

I love adding beads to images and backgrounds, here I've used clear crystal seed beads added to my flower's centre. Then I've scored a diagonal grid onto the pink background and added a bead at its junction, stuck down with Glossy Accents. The image is a Fred She Said digi, layered onto a couple of die cuts, the DP is Basic Grey Out of Print and the sentiment is Stampin' Up.

Susie

I know, I know.... she's back with her Pink Petticoat again and no Their not paying my wages!!!

Both the Image and the papers are Pink Petticoat, I find them so sweet to work with.

I've added some beads to the pins to "Jazz" then up a bit and one for the center of the flowers.

Lin

I used a Mo Manning image which I coloured with flexmarkers. The paper is from Basic Grey and the little birthday sentiment embossed paper (made with a folder) has been cut along the edge with my newest Marianne die. The floral arrangement contains my beads, in the form of a hatpin with extra beads and two other pins, one shaped like a leaf.

Challenge 59 Winners and Top 5

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000Z

Because I felt that our lovely winners and Top 5 were being lost in the long post of the new challenge, from now on I shall be doing a separate post for our winners, hopefully, before the new challenge goes live, so when you enter in future please look for a separate post either on the Sunday or earlier on the Monday.

Before I get down to business, I have to say that sadly we were unable to judge a few of your entries as you did not adhere to our rules. I must emphasise again, that we only accept entries for the Top 5 and winners if you enter NO MORE THAN 15 challenges, so that’s 14 plus our own challenge.

So our Two Winners for our ‘No Floral Embellishment’ challenge are

279 – Laney who wins a £10 voucher from One Stop Card Crafts

249 – Ani who wins our first ever $10 gift certificate from Digi Doodle Shop

If you could both contact me by emailing me at CCMChallenges@gmail.com, I will sort your prizes out for you.

Our Top 5 are

255 – TraceyBrossart

31 - Lorraine A

307 - Deonna B

9 – Sally

130 - Sandie

Congratulations to all our lovely Winners and Top 5, please feel free to display our badge on your blog.

Challenge #59 No Floral Embellishments

2012-01-09T12:50:00.005Z

Good morning and Happy New Year everyone.

We are thrilled to be back and raring to go, as indeed we hope you are.

Before we get onto this time's challenge I should like to announce our Top 5 and winner from our final challenge of 2011, to 'Use it Three Times'

Tracy, who hosted that challenge has chosen the following worthy recipients

First our Top 5

And our Winner

Congratulations ladies, please feel free to display our Top5/Winner badge,whichever is appropriate and if the winner could contact me via the address in the righthand side bar I will sort out her prize.

It's all change at Crafty Cardmakers and we have some fabulous new sponsors for this year, you can read all about them on our new Sponsor page and you should be able to find links to them also in our right hand sidebar.

Now onto this time's Challenge, which is hosted by Fiona - No Floral Embellishments

Please read the requirements below carefully, as sadly we had to discount a few of you in our last challenge for NOT following the theme correctly.

You can use flower Backing Paper, flowers in your image or even a flower as an image, but NO floral embellishments, so no flowers, flower shaped buttons, or anything else resembling a flower that you have added to the finished card.

We are sponsored today by ONE STOP CARD CRAFTS who are offering a £10 voucher for their store as a prize.

At One Stop Card Crafts we have a big range of ever changing discount making and card making craft supplies.

We are always adding to our range of craft supplies which are ideal for making handmade greeting cards, do-it-yourself invitations scrapbook pages, altered items and much more.

Our card making craft supplies include free UK postage, our popular discount scheme and quick service means our customers keep coming back for more.

Our prices are very competitive and this makes us an ideal place to buy your card making supplies online. Some of our new products include Petaloo flower layers, Ranger Glitter Glue and Martha Stewart Punches. We also host a regular challenge at http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Digi Doodle Shop

$10 gift Certificate for the store

Digi Doodle Shop is the results of a mother and daughter’s love for the arts and crafts. It was started a little over 3 years ago with a little more than 100 stamps, and has since then grown to almost 500 stamps. Joy (the mother of this team) designs realistic images, while Judy (aka/daughter) loves the “fun side of life”, and create images with a cartoon flair. Having these two complimenting styles have enabled

Digi Doodle Shop to offer a wide variety of stamps.

It is a real honor and pleasure to sponsor this challenge, and we look forward to seeing all the amazing creations. We thank the design team for their incredible creations, and wish all the participants the very best of luck in this challenge.

Thank you so much for having us, and again the very best of luck to all of you.

Sincerely,

Judy and Joy

Here is what the team came up with:-

Fiona

For my card I have used Skateboard Tilda which I stamped and then masked off and overstamped with the Butterfly Background stamp.I have coloured the image with ProMarkers.All of the papers that I have used are from Papermania.I have made the little butterflys by sticking peel offs onto vellum and cutting them out,and coloured them with Sakura pens. My sentiment is a digi from Crafty Sentiment Designs.The mini buttons are from Papermania and then finally added some stickles to the buttons and image.

Josephine

I was lucky enough to win some images from Digi Doodles recently, and I fell in love with some of their landscape images. This one is probably my favourite, and it seemed ideal as a card I could use for anyone - particularly for those pesky men. The image is mainly watercoloured with Aquamarkers, but I also used Twinkling H2Os for the water to give it a nice shimmer. To finish, I've used some paper from Paper Cellar which I edged with Distress Ink, and some die cut swirls.

Tracy

This little bear is from Lilli of the Valley, I stamped him on watercolour card and used my watercolour pencils to colour him, I was surprised at the difference the card made in the result you get with the pencils. I inked the card as it was white and too stark, the corners are from my collection of dies. I mounted the little bear onto some more holographic card just to tie it all together.

Sally

For this challenge I started off by choosing a Docrafts "Tulip" die cut topper. I matched up some pretty gingham & dotty papers from my stash & then matted them onto a pink card base. I wanted to add a bit of lace but not white & came across some in pink, that I'd recently bought, which was perfect. A couple of heart shaped buttons tied with raffia were added for minimal embellishments.

J (Jackie)

I thought it would be nice to make a plain card for this challenge, and in fact, have very little embellishment on it at all. The card was made using a plain white base card, and my main topper was a digi stamp called "Running Away" from one of our sponsors today - the Digi Doodle Shop.

I coloured the image using promarkers and stamped a suitable sentiment at the bottom in versamark ink and embossed with silver detail powder.

Beth

For this challenge I chose a fabulous digi stamp called "Let's Do Lunch" from one of our new sponsors Digi Doodle Shop.

I paper pieced the piggies and their trough and the rest of the image was coloured in using Promarkers. The corner of the card was stamped with a La Blanche foam stamp and embossed in bright gold embossing powder and I popped a few lime green gems to give a little extra highlight. The sentiment was attached with a plaited length of plain old garden twine which I made into a tassel. The inside of the card reads "It's your birthday, so you're allowed to pig out!" It was made with a dieting friend in mind, I sure hope she's not offended!

Mynnette I've used an image from Stampin' Up!'s Tagtastic Hostess set as my main sentiment and image. I stamped it in black and white, then punched it out with a large oval punch. I highlighted it with two more ovals on top and bottom. I used some green ribbon to highlight the green accents of the sentiment. I dry embossed a purple strip and glued it to a white strip then added it to my patterned card front. I'm very pleased with how the colors worked out--I think I'll probably use them again!

Jack

I went for colours I don't use very much for this card. I used orange, brown and green card and the lovely image is Faith in Nature from Stampin Up, coloured in with pencils.

Yvonne [Meggymay]

I have used an old favourite stamp for this card by Art Journey, I just love this little lad who seems to be growing in the plantpot. It was hard not to add a flower embellishment so I finished off with a plain knot tie.

Annette

I have used a paper bag and decorated with design paper from Papermania "Honey & Hugs " I chose a Digi stamp image from Digi Doodle Shop " Sleeping Infant " colored with Distress Ink Pads and Watercolor Pencil. Embellishments Buttons , Charm , mini Rhinestone and Ribbon .

Susie

For this challenge I have teamed my favourite Pink Petticoat papers with a Kenny K Digital stamp coloured with Copics. I've added a little lace and a few gems and a fabulous heart charm.

Marie

I have embossed and paper pieced the pears with the co- ordinating paper from the Pyrus paper pad, added some red and green stickles , distressed and inked the edges of the papers and mounted it onto some cream linen card.

Feebsy

The "No Floral Embellishment" challenge seemed to me a perfect opportunity to make a male card. I've kept it quite simple using a "The Greeting Farm" stamp and colouring it with promarkers and coloured pencils. I thought the image looked quite sporty and followed that theme with the border and used brads for an all-star look.

ALAN:

I wanted to make a male card with a flowery content. The paper started life as a wall paper sample. This was then embossed, distressed and inked. The Glitter ribbon was toned down by using Butchers Twine. The edge of the card is soft but it did follow the flower theme. Small brads were re-coloured with a pen to fit it all in one colour scheme.

Aj.

For my *No floral embellishments* inspiration I have used Abigail Apple by Kraftin Kimmie stamps coloured using copics, teamed with Memory Box papers and a lovely deep rich red satin ribbon tied in a double bow.

Doreen

For my card I used the absolutely cute and lovely digi stamp from Digi Doodle Shop " Sleeping Infant ".

The little baby looks like my son *lol* I colored the image with my Copics.

The paper I've used is from Maja Design and SU. I stamped the baby tees (wheel from SU), embossed them and cut one out. I embellished my card with a wire hanger and a ribbon and hopefully my girlfriend will have a boy *lol*

Anne

I made a very flowery card for the "no floral embellishments" challenge:). The image is from a gorgeous new set called Engraved Flowers by Stamp Addicts and is coloured with Copics and Glossy Accents. The paper is Basic Grey and I've added a ribbon, a dotty embossed border and lots of little pink pearls.

Carole

I have used the lovely 'Lady Bug' digi stamp from our new sponsor, Digi Doodle Shop. I know I've said it before that I don't do cute, but this one just leapt off the screen to me, as it's such a cheeky image!! I have used my faithful old Windsor and Newton watercolours, with a few things added to make the image sparkle and shine!! Cxx

Kimx

For my card I have used a Hero Arts leaf stamped and embossed with white embossing powder and the truly stunning Starburst Stains from The Stamp Man to create my own background paper.

I tore the panel in half and then 'stitched' it back together using metallic thread.

Not a flower in sight.

Melly

I was stumped at first with the Challenge!

Looking through all my projects a "theme" of using flowers seems to be occurring! So I decided why not go with a Male card! A challenge in its self for me!! So after finding my fun wee LOTV image and bright cheery Basic Grey Papers this we card just happened! And not even needing to add any flowers though there are some gems lol!

Lin

As a team we were fortunate enough to be able to choose some images from Digi Doodle Shop and as soon as I saw this one my mind saw something amusing. I have imagined that Hobos, or tramps as we Brits call them, would be just as fed up with turkey as the rest of us are after Christmas. I have coloured him with promarkers and prismas and the paper is from K & Co.

New Design Team Members

2012-01-02T11:48:00.001Z

We had lots of amazing entrants to join our Design Team, and finally we reached a decision. I am very sorry that we couldn’t take you all on, but thank you all for applying.

Before announcing the new team additions I am sad to tell you that Jenni is leaving us to develop her digi stamp business. We will be hugely sorry to see her leave but wish her all the best in the future.

I am thrilled to announce the following additions to our Design Team.

I am sure they will fit in brilliantly with the rest of the team and look forward to working with them.

Don’t forget we will be back next Monday 9th January with our first challenge of 2012 and we look forward to seeing all your lovely entries. Until then we at Crafty Cardmakers would like to wish you all a fabulous and creative 2012.

#58 Use It Three Times

2011-12-12T14:26:00.003Z

Well here we are at the final challenge for 2011, but before we get to that I have to announce the winner and Top 5 of our Heat Embossing challenge which have been chosen by Josephine. We had some fabulous entires, thank you.

No. 55 - Irene M

A beautifully rich card, with some fabulous triple embossing.

And the top 5, in entry order because as Josephine said 'I definitely wouldn't know how to choose between them!'

No. 20, Riti Bankar Podder

No. 37, Sharon

No. 41, Claire C

No. 70, Alicia

No. 83 - Stargroves

Congratulations ladies, would the winner kindly contact me via the email address in the righthand sidebar and all of you please feel free to display our badge.

We at Crafty Cardmakers are sad to announce that this is the last challenge that will be sponsored by Joanna Sheen. We would like to thank Joanna for her enduring support of our challenge blog, so please take advantage of your last chance to win Joanna's fabulous prize of a £10 voucher for her online shop which is crammed full of goodies with new stock arriving all the time! Thanks for everything Joanna!

Next year we will be back with some exciting new Sponsors, along with our regular sponsors One Stop Card Crafts and The Stampman.
Now onto this last challenge for the year which has been chosen by Tracy, who has picked Use It Three Times as her theme. Use the same stamp/image three different ways. It could be the background, main image and a tag to match for example. (ie Christmas Wrapping Paper, Greeting Card and Gift Tag) Using different colourways is another way or, even, as a couple of the team have done three different cards or the same image three times on the one card.

Tracy

I choose this theme for the challenge as I think we sometimes forget how versatile stamps can be. I have used the Swirly-Whirlies Poppies from Little Claire's for my collection of projects. I made the card using the resist technique and some distress ink. I stamped the tag and seam binding both of which are coloured with promarkers. I used some tissue paper to create the candle and dug out my shrink plastic to make a mobile charm. These are all for a friend who loves poppies. I can't wait to see what you all create for this challenge.

Josephine

For this card, I kept things fairly simple. The stamp I used was a Craft Stamper freebie a while ago, and I stamped it using a Big and Juicy ink pad in Mountain Meadow, choosing different areas of the pad. I layered two of the flowers, and finished all three with sticky gems. I shaded the background using the same ink pad and an Ink Duster. Some matting, a Martha Stewart border punch and some velour ribbon, and that's it!

Sally

I was a bit stuck with this challenge for a while, but after some thought came up with this idea. I've used the same little flower in a vase stamp 3 times. Once on the front of my card, then on the vellum insert & finally on the envelope. I must admit that I was quite pleased with the result as I don't usually decorate inserts or envelopes.

Fiona

I decided to get ahead with myself and make my daughter Mia's 9th birthday card (its not her birthday til end of Jan lol) I have used a small magnolia shell stamp 3 times, the first time I have used it is with purple versamagic chalk on pink pearl card and then heat embossed it with holographic powder.I have also used the stamp in the main image with pink versamagic and the 3 little purple shells are made from shrink plastic.This was almost impossible to do as the stamp is so small the shrink plastic kept blowing away lol The image I have used is a digi from Pollycraft,the other papers are from the Me to You paper pack and Fizzy Moon paper pack. Ribbon,pearls and gems are all from my stash.

Jack

I chose to use a Christmas Stamp I've had for ages. It's a Christmas Angel from Anita. I stamped her onto tissue paper to make the candle, then onto white card for the Christmas Card and finally onto Shrink Plastic to make the bookmark. All three images were coloured with Derwent Studio pencils. I see that I've had the same ideas as Tracy but I promise I hadn't seen hers until I'd uploaded my efforts.

Kimx

I must admit that I hate to make the same card twice, so I liked this challenge.

I have used a lovely Woodware clear set to create 3 different cards.

The main image on each card has been stamped onto is piece of handmade background from my stash, but you could just as easily use ready made background papers you just won't be able to bleach out the flowers..

Pop over to my blog to get instructions on how to make each card.

Jackie

For this challenge, I used a freebie rubber stamp of a small angel that I got with a magazine. I stamped it three times, masking the centre angel and then coloured them with promarkers.

I used the same stamp to decorate the envelope, and I used an offcut of the blue card with a stamped angel decoupaged onto it as a book mark.

Melly

I decided to make 3 cards using the same image in 3 different colours!

I used the same layout for each card but stuck with the "3" theme and used only 3 patterned papers on each, 3 strands of ribbon and on each card 3 different embellishments in groups of 3! Using 3 flowers, 3 buttons and a bead pin head with 3 beads!

Beth

For my card I chose to use a sweet little digi stamp from Pink Petticoat which I printed directly onto my card and added a little colour using Promarkers. I cut out a pretty border which I layered up with some copper mirri and a piece of green velvet ribbon. I added three wee pearls which I colour tinted using the same shade of Promarker as I used on the mistletoe.

Doreen

I decieded to make a simple and clean christmas card for this challenge. I used the Delightful Decoration Stamp Set from Stampin Up.

The fir branch is a creatables from Marianne D. The ink and paper I used is from Stampin Up too.

I embellished with rhinestones and a little bit og liquid pearl.

Jenni

I decided to make a gift, card and envelope for the Use it 3 times challenge, I stamped my image twice onto shrink plastic and coloured it with Promarkers then used a Nestability die to cut them into circles before shrinking them and making a pair of earrings. I then made the card, cutting an aperture and frame again with the nesties and stamping just the centre part of my image onto the green backing paper. I also die cut the fab glittery border at the bottom using a new die from Memory box. Finally I made an envelope to contain the gift card, stamping the image onto white cardstock and again colouring with Promarkers and cutting out a red scalloped piece of cardstock to frame the image. I then ran a piece of Kraft paper through my ribbler to finish off the design.

Susie

I never got around to making my Husband a Christmas card last year so thought I'd better make sure I did this year or he'll start to think I've gone off him!!

Firstly I flipped the image of " Miss Mistletoe" using "Word" and coloured all three images with Copic's.

Printed out Sentiments again using Word. I've matted and Layered using Printable Pattern paper fro Bearly Mine Crafts and Core'dinations card stock. before finally mounting the sentiments and images I wrapped ribbon around the whole length of the card securing with DST in the areas that will be hidden and then tied the bow. I then decorated with die cut Holly & Mistletoe using Perfect Pearls to make the berries.

Lin

I'm another who doesn't like to make the same card more than once, I would be useless at Wedding Invitations! So I used this lovely free stamp that came with Card Making and Papercraft and stamped it three times and coloured it three different ways. I used the same layout for each card, but used different papers to go with the different colours.

I shall be announcing the new DT in a couple of weeks time, as this time of the year is somewhat hectic and I haven’t had a chance to check all the entrants out yet.

We will be back with a new challenge on 9th January 2012 and look forward to seeing you all back then, but in the meantime please add your project for this last challenge for 2011 below.

From all at Crafty Cardmakers we wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous, healthy and crafty New Year!

PS IF ANYONE HAS HAD ISSUES WITH MR. LINKY PLEASE TRY AGAIN AS I HOPE I HAVE NOW FIXED IT!

Crafty Cardmakers #57 Heat Embossing and DT call extension

2011-11-28T12:00:00.001Z

Thanks for your entries to our recycling challenge last time. There were some fabulous creations amongst them and I had a really hard time choosing a Top 5 and Winner.

24. Lee with this amazing creation

4. LaDiva

8. Daniele

30. Ria (Age 15)

36. Hayley

49. Fiona (Age 10)

If the winner could contact me via the email address on the right hand side bar I will sort your prize out for you, and please feel free to display the winner’s and top 5 badges on your blogs.

I am also extending the Design Team call which I posted last time as I realise that recycling is not to everyone’s taste and I wanted you all to have a chance to enter if you wanted to. Don’t worry about taking on too much commitment this side of Christmas because we won’t start you until we come back after our Christmas break in January, so you can apply and still get your Christmas cards made in time!

If you fancy a spot on the team please read all about it here, and add your name with your heat embossing challenge in the linky list below, adding DT after your name. If you did apply last time, don’t worry we will still be choosing from those entrants as well.

So onto this time’s challenge, as the title says Heat Embossing. This challenge is hosted by Josephine and this is what she had to say about it:

‘Any technique using heat embossing - stamping or ultra-thick embossing powder or something else I haven't thought of!’

We are sponsored for this challenge by The Stampman and on offer is this fabulous prize of some Starburst Stains pots.

We are kindly sponsored for this challenge by The Stampman (and Lady of course!) who are offering the winner the lovely prize pictured above.
Starburst Stains Brush on The Fun - Holiday Wreath
Deep, rich, vibrant colours with a two-toned shimmer!
These are all dye based products, which give them that vibrancy and can be used on any porous surface, (paper, wood, fabric, balsa, chipboard, etc).
Instructions on how to use: Add hot water, (filtered preferably, especially with the stains), let sit at least 10 minutes.
Shake or stir before each use.

Here is what the team came up with

Josephine

Well, this time on the Spotlight Challenge, it's my choice of technique, and I chose Heat Embossing. You can do anything you want as long as it includes some heat embossing.

I used thi s technique for the background on the card below. The butterflies were stamped with Versamark ink onto a shiny shoe catalogue then embossed with gold. For the centre image, I stamped and heat embossed the image onto white card, then I coloured the image with Sakura Stardust pens which give the end result a 'jeweled' effect that I like.

Tracy

For this challenge I used a bargain alphabet set, some Versamark ink, clear embossing powder and lots of card scraps to make corner bookmarks to go into my Christmas cards just to let people know I'm thinking of them. I enjoyed making these but next time I don't think I will make quite as many as 40 took a while. There are some basic instruction on my blog if you want to have a go at a corner bookmark.

Beth

For this challenge I used a wooden stamp that I found whilst rummaging around for something else! I used Versamark to stamp onto Clarity cardstock and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold embossing powder. I then layered the card onto some plain black cardstock and some gold cardstock I had in my stash. For the base card I folded an A5 sheet of black card in half, and embossed the corner using one of my favourite La Blanche foam stamps. To complete the card I used a pink satin ribbon tied in a simple bow.

Kimx

This was an easy challenge for me as embossing has to be my all time favourite thing to do :)
The background panel has been created using an Embossed resist technique which I will explain in detail on my blog. The main panel has been stamped and embossed and then coloured using distress inks which I have sponged over the image. The entire panel has then been coated in clear embossing powder which when heated gives a slightly pitted and shiny finish. The stamp set is a clear set by Artemio.

Doreen

Sally

Not an easy challenge for me, as most of my attempts at heat embossing seem to turn out a bit squiffy. lol. Anyway, practice makes perfect & here's my effort. I covered my card base with stripy paper, coloured the wooden numbers with my Whispers pens, then double embossed them with pink embossing powder. I matted them onto green card & doodled around the edges. Some worded ribbon, a few pearls, a punched heart & a peel off sentiment complete my design.

Jack

I luuurve heat embossing but don't do it often enough, so I really enjoyed this challenge. I used a stamp from Inkadinkado, stamped it in Encore silver and then embossed it with Holographic EP.

Feebsy

For this card I decided to try out a new technique I've learned recently called faux enameling to create the base background to the card. I also created the golden globe by triple embossing. I'll describe both of these techniques in detail on my blog. The images have all been aged and stamped with distress inks. I chose gold as a contrast for the embellishments and layering.

Susie

For my card I have stamped the Stampin Up! Medallion stamp with Versamark Ink onto black card and then Heat Embossed using a white puff up Embossing powder.After cutting out the Medallion I then added Gem to the blank circles on the embossed stamp. I then matted and layered onto my base card and added chiffon ribbon. The patterned paper is Sprinkled with Twinkles by Pink Petticoat. I have edged with lavender Stickles.

Jenni

For this card I started by covering my cardstock with designer paper then I die cut the bauble shapes from 3 different patterned papers and inked them with a Versamark (clear) embossing pad and added ultra thick embossing powder and heated it, repeating the process 3 times until I had a good thick covering. I then inked up some flourish stamps with gold ink and while the embossing powder was still in a liquid state stamped the flourishes, waiting until it cooled a little before removing the stamp. I added ribbon and threads and a stamped greeting to complete the card.

Jackie

I usually like heat embossing, but I struggled a bit with this challenge. The card I ended up with was about 7th in the line of those cards discarded because for one reason or another I wasn't satisfied with them.... I suspect I need to do more heat embossing to get my mojo back! Anyhow, this one has a heat embossed swirl in the top left corner using versamark ink pad and gold detail powder. The topper was triple embossed with ultra thick to make an "enamel tile".

Vix

For this challenge I used the Holiday Wreath starburst stains set which is our prize from The Stampman this fortnight. Its a gorgeous set and you can also make lovely spring pinks and greens with it too. I've stamped the NOEL stamp and embossed with Moonglow embossing powders (from a christmas set) over the holiday wreath starburst stains then mounted on white and more SS with 3d pads so it really sticks out. The swirl in the corner is also embossed and I added sticky gems (That come in 4 sizes on one sheet - fab!)

Melly

I decided to do a simple card with a little embossing! I first embossed my text in gold powder then in a pearl white to make it more soft. next I done the flowers in the same way with the gold and then the pearl white. Added some ribbon and small gems to finish my card.

Lin

I printed out a square and A4 sheet from the gorgeous Artylicious Seasons’ Greetings CD, and then embossed in white detail powder the fabulous baroque Christmas tree from IndigoBlu. The snowflakes are a Memory Box die, dies to die for an no mistake! The presents under the tree have been hanging around in my stash since forever.

I am sure the team would appreciate it if you stopped by their blogs!

Please post your entries for our Heat Embossing challenge here. Thank you for entering and Good Luck! Don't forget to add DT after your name if you are interested in joining our team

ARGHHHH SORRY I understand Mr. Linky was AWOL, if he disappears again please add your link in the comments section.

Challenge #56 Recycle and DT Call

2011-11-14T12:07:00.002Z

Our challenge this time is for you to recycle something and use it on your project. This was my crazy idea so I will be picking our Top 5 and Winner. So what do we define as recycling? Well you could for example turn a pringles container into a pen pot, the inside of a parcel tape roll to make a jewellery box. Alternatively just something on the project that is recycled, ie corrugated cardboard for background, bits of sweet box ribbon, shiny foil etc. The possibilities are endless and I am sure appeal to the little hoarder inside all of us Crafters.
We're very kindly sponsored again by the lovely Joanna Sheen who is offering a £10 voucher for her online shop which is crammed full of goodies with new stock arriving all the time! Thanks once again Joanna!

To see how how the team interpreted the challenge please scroll down, but first I have some winners and top 5s to announce. As you may have noticed Vix posted our last challenge as I had other commitments and so the winner for the previous challenge #54 Cute With a Dark Twist was not announced the winner for that one is

16 Jennifer

11 Alica

44 Lisa

57 Murlikatam

91 Corry

Yes I know there are only 4, Sarah chose number 16 also in her top 5 as well as being her winner.

Our winner and top 5 for Challenge #55 Colour Combo are

28 - Hunter (aged 4)

Would our winners kindly contact me via the email link in the right hand sidebar and I will sort out your prizes. Please feel free to display our winners and Top 5 badges.
Before we start with this week’s challenge, I am having a quick DT call as we have a few members poorly at the moment and one stepped down so I would like to strengthen the team. If you are interested please put DT after your entry and we will pop along to your blog and have a look. Our requirements are
We do not offer rewards, although occasionally we may have Sponsors who might offer items to use for the challenge (normally digital) and you should be prepared to use these when offered.
We are interested in people who are willing to try different styles or showcase their own particular technique, perhaps with the occasional tutorial as we aim to be a resource for the newer crafter as well as the more experienced one. So you might like the CAS approach or excel in shabby chic, altered art, steampunk or maybe you are a scrapper. Whatever your talent we could have space for you on the team.
Your commitment will be to produce up to two projects per month and to contribute with ideas for challenges. We take it in turns to host the weekly challenge and it will be your responsibility when it is your week to choose a Top 5 and winner. You will also be responsible for commenting on entries, including to the challenges you do not participate in yourself, and to that end you will be assigned a number to comment on. For example all entries ending with 1, 2, etc. 10% of the total entries.
We will be taking a break in Mid December, so please don’t let the proximty to Christmas put you off from applying.
Now back to this week’s challenge, and what the team came up with.

Lin

I went a bit mental, or should that me metal, with mine. Firstly the image was stamped onto the back of a box of cereal and coloured with cosmic shimmer micas mixed to a paint with water. The borders, swirls and flower were all made from recycled coke cans. I should issue a word of warning here, be VERY careful when you are handling them as I ended up with a sliver of metal in my thumb which took ages to fish out. After I had trimmed down the cans I added alcohol inks and left them to dry then I cut out two swirls with a Die-Namics die and two borders using an EK Success punch. The flower was a combo of S!r T!m of Hotlz' Tattered Florals Die and a small punch for the centre of the flower, plus a brad. It got a little messy on the edge of my image because I attempted to stick the flourishes down with glue gel, which didn't work. In the end I went for Stick and Stay. Full details on my blog.

Jenni

I had to take out the project I had on here before as I blogged about it back in September!
I just made this new one today - it started life as a presentation box which I found lying about behind the scenes at the library, I decided it would make a good storage box for my thin dies such as my Nesties and Marianne's Creatables. Many of them are on magnetic sheets which fit well into the box - best of all there is plenty of room for more!!
I covered the box with K&Co papers and distressed the edges, added faux stitching to the panel on top then used die cut chipboard letters as well as a die cut bird and flourish to decorate.

Tracy

My effort isn't anywhere near as arty or as fabulous as Jenni's, this was a container for hot chocolate by a well known chocolate manufacturer. After wiping out the inside I measured the circumference , cut my paper, punched the top and rolled it round the tub. I cut the letters from some silver paper and stuck them on. It really is foam pads in there I bought a huge wheel of pads at the NEC in the summer and when I opened them needed somewhere to store them all.

Josephine

I don't often make things that aren't cards, so I had to give this challenge some thought! I eventually came across a sturdy little box which originally had some costume jewellery in it, and had the manufacturer's name across the lid. I decided it would make a lovely little gift box for Christmas, so I set to with paper, mirror board, punches, dies and some ribbon!

Sally

This Christmas cracker started life as an empty loo roll tube (before pic on my blog). I used some pretty glittery tissue paper as the base, last years Christmas papers, a pretty self adhesive border & some red raffia to tie the ends. I finished it off with a FF bear sticker. There's a perfume spray inside which I hope will make a nice Christmas gift for someone.

Doreen

For the cover of my little notebook I used a old pasteboard. I receive so many parcels with stamps, PP, embellies etc (hopefully my husband will never read this *lol*) and therefore I needed a possibility to recycle it. I divided the top coat from the rest of the pasteboard - so it looks shabby chic.

Few stickers, tulle and an overlay and my little notebook was ready.

Jack

I decided to do something with my pen pot. For the past 3 years it has been a simple, unadorned Smash container. You may wonder why I went with a musical theme for a pen pot, but that was dictated by the lovely paper I used from Stampin' Up. I has adverts for music on it so I partnered it with stamps from Aspects of Design called Classical Music, then added some lace to finish it off.

Kimx

My family consider me to be somewhat of a hoarder (I take after my Mum lol ) so I'm sure that they will be thrilled to see that I actually made use of some of the so called 'rubbish'.
I have used the inside of a roll of DSST to create this shaker card, along with some wonderful Christmas stamps, nesties, acetate, flower soft and glitter. I even painted with coffee, how about that for recycling!

Fiona

My 2 gift tags started life out as the cardboard in a board-backed envelope. I die cut this really sturdy cardboard (with a struggle lol) in my cuttlebug with a tag shaped die. Then I covered them with Tim Holtz music tissue tape. I then inked over the tape with Antique Linen distress ink.The white part of the snowflakes is also recyled from an old white envelope, which I cut into snowflakes using my Cricut, I also cut some smaller snowflakes from silver mirror card.The white buttons and ribbon are both from an old dress of my daughters.To finish I added some stickles to the snowflakes and to the ends of the ribbon.

Carole

I have used an empty box that I was given some beautiful cosmetics in as the base for my desk tidy. To make the holders for the scissors, I used the tube from the centre of a roll of wrapping paper. The centre of sticky tape rolls formed the structure of the larger compartment, while the lid from a spray can made the smaller one! It was all spray painted gold - with my trusty edgabilities cutting the decorative paper. And a strip of sticky covered in gilding flakes finished off the centre!!

Susie

My Girls at 15 & 16 don't have stockings at Christmas anymore so instead each year I find something to decorate and place under the tree for them!! As you can see from the before and after shots I've taken one of favourite coffee cans and Jazzed it up as a gift tin for one of my girls! I Have covered my can with paper from the Forever Friends Cozy Christmas range. The strips of glitter I did with strips of double sided sticky tape and the covered with Pixie Stix glitter, The Snowflakes are cut from Mirri card with Mariannes Snowflake dies and attached with pearl brads after I used a very strong Pokey tool !!

Don’t forget to stop by their blogs and give them some love.

Please remember the rules, particularly not entering your creation into anymore than 15 challenges including ours. Enjoy and we look forward to seeing just how frugal you are and what you can recycle.

Challenge #55 Colour Combo

2011-10-31T12:00:00.023Z

Afternoon all! Thank You sooooo much for your cute with a dark twist entries, wow spooktacular! Lin will be along with the winners shortly. We're back with another challenge and this fortnight we'd love you to use the colour combo of PINK, BROWN & CREAM.

You could be quite inventive with this one and maybe have a go at a Christmas card in that combo like Kim and Doreen have ;) Look forward to seeing your entries!

We are sponsored today by ONE STOP CARD CRAFTS who are offering a £10 voucher for their store as a prize.

At One Stop Card Crafts we have a big range of ever changing discount making and card making craft supplies.

We are always adding to our range of craft supplies which are ideal for making handmade greeting cards, do-it-yourself invitations scrapbook pages, altered items and much more.

Our card making craft supplies include free UK postage, our popular discount scheme and quick service means our customers keep coming back for more.

Our prices are very competitive and this & makes us an ideal place to buy your card making supplies online. Some of our new products include Petaloo flower layers, Ranger Glitter Glue and Martha Stewart Punches. We also host a regular challenge at http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Vix

For this I used an image by Teddy Bo coloured with promarkers, flexmarkers and ultra fine promarker nibs. The swirls are sizzix I've just got (and broke my C plate trying to work out the sandwich doh!) Flowers are papermania and papers are My minds eye and unknown!

Tracy

I used a template to cut this card on my Craft Robo, the papers I have had in my stash forever so I don't know who made them but I felt they fitted this challenge perfectly. I added some Prima flowers and a piece of spotty ribbon as embellishments. I had my friends birthday card in mind when I was making this and she seemed to really like it.

Josephine

This colour combination just suggested sepia-toned photographs to me, so I had a look through the images on my computer and came up with this one! It's from the Crafty Image Emporium CD from Crafty Computer Paper. I kept everything else fairly simple - some Coredinations (Chocolate Box) which I embossed and sanded, a ribbon punch, some ribbon and lace!

Jack

I decided to go for a bit of Oooh La La with my card and used a stamp from Paper Artsy Vintage Nudes Plate 1. She is stamped in Stampin' Up Early Expresso, as is the sentiment. The paper is from K&Co Classic K Bailey pad and the punch is Martha Stewart Garden Trellis.

Melly

I was really really stumped with this challenge! Being not a very pink girl this was not my sort of Challenge! So being ready to take this on I dug out my new First Edition papers and my wee Magnolia with Tulips stamp. Coloured her with promarkers made a simple layout and added some flowers to finish! Looks ok even for a pinky card!

Beth

For this challenge I used a selection of papers and an adorable image from the wonderful Polka Doodles A Double Sprinkle of Kraft CD which I printed out onto the lovely Ultimate Graphic Paper again from Polka Doodles. Before anyone says anything, no, I'm not employed by them, I just love their products! I chose to make an easel card as I adore them. The main image has been decoupaged although you can't see that from this photo. I have also used a very pale cream coloured cardstock, but for some reason it looks as though it's white. I guess photography ain't my strong point LOL!

Jackie

My card is one for those who have their birthdays around Christmas, so although it is in the required colours, it also has some of the festive imagery too (check out the cute robin!). The image is a Sarah Kay stamp coloured in promarkers.

Carole

I loved this challenge, because it meant I could just play with textures and patterns. It's for my friend's 40th, and is a total nestability and edgeability fest, with handmade flowers and plenty of organza ribbon. Most of the card is Bazzil - and came from my off cut box!! So quite an economical card too!!

Sally

I enjoyed this challenge because I love the colour combo. I used a LOTV pre coloured image & just added a touch of pink here & there with Whispers pens. My fave Doodlebug dotty papers, MS scallop dot punch, pink card candi & brown & pink ribbon from my stash.

Fiona

For my card I have used a LOTV stamp which I have coloured with PMs. I used my oval nesties to layer it and added lots of little pink pearls around the frame. The papers I have used are from an old Papermania stack. To finish I added the pink lace,gems,sentiment and some stickles to the balloon and on some of the hearts in the dp.

Kimx

Who says Christmas has to be red and green?

My card for the challenge uses a lovely Christmas Decoupage stamp from Imagination. I have stamped the image onto several different pieces of paper from my stash and them mounted them as illustrated.

I added some ribbon, vellum, a ribbon slider and some micro beads. I just loved this colour combo.

Doreen

For my card I used the great Digi Stamp from Kenny K. I love the Kenny K Collection and the color combo of this challenge ;-)

I colored the image with my new copics. The paper is from MME Lost and Found Collection. The Flowers are from Prima.

Susan

For my challenge card I have used a LOTV stamp, coloured with PM's. The papers are from my stash and edged with antique linen distress ink. The filigree corner was a rather bright gold, so I coloured it with expresso alcohol ink and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I added a touch of pink stickles to the fairy wings and flowers, although they aren't showing too well on the photo.

Feebsy

For my card I created a distressed background using Tattered Rose and Old Paper Distress Inks that were mixed with Blush Perfect Pearls and water. I then used Indigo Blu's Music Hall stamps inked with Espresso Adirondack Pigment ink. I added some frosted glass gems and backed the finished project onto brown card then onto a cream card.

Jenni

For my card I used a digital image from Paper Make Up I won in a recent challenge which I used my Promarkers to colour - sticking to the Pink, brown & cream colour combo. I used pink cardstock as my base then took some cream card and used a stencil and distress inks to create a patterned backing. I mounted that and my image onto brown cardstock, rounding all the corners with a corner punch. I added some pink cord and some felt 'buttons' to embellish. The sentiment is from a Whimsy Stamps set and I used a rub down to create the rounded box for it.

Susie

You may think I'm Obsessed and you'll be right!!! I Just LOVE LOVE LOVE Pink Petticoat!!
I've printed off one sheet of Gingham, one each of Mocha and Bubblegum. Cut a Card base of 12 x 24 cm and folded in half. Cut squares of 11 x 11 cm and 9 x 9 cm and distressed the edges. Before layering I used DST to stick down some cream lace. Layered the stitched round the edges of each layer. I then I used my Copic pens and coloured the image and layered onto a piece of the pink gingham and again stitched, then layer into the middle of the card. I trimmed the sentiment to fit and layer onto card.
Then I added perfect pearls in swirls to finish off the card.