#90 April Showers Bring May Flowers …….

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Tracey, who has chosen the theme 'April Showers bring May Flowers'

Tracey said 'Hello friends. When I think of April, I am always reminded of the saying "April showers bring May flowers". For this challenge, I would like to see cards that include an image of something rain related and are embellished with at least2 flowers. Your image could be a child splashing in puddles, a person walking in the rain, ducks waddling through puddles, an umbrella, etc.'

Please ensure your creation has both something rain related, and a minimum of two flowers to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by

DI'S DIGI DOWNLOADS
 with a

$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! 

and

THE STAMPMAN

 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.

Here is how the team interpreted the challenge:-

Tracey

For this card I decided to avoid patterned paper in order to focus on the paper piecing I did. I cut my girl out 3 times in 3 different colours and then pieced various items to the brown base. The whole image was cut on my Cricut using "A Child's Year" cartridge.

Viv

 

I made  an umbrella shaped card from a template - the finished card measures 5" high. Was a bit fiddly as I cut out all the shapes by hand - but quite enjoyed making it!

Sharon

I have used a clear stamp from Pink Gem Designs coloured with Promarkers. The background paper is made using a mask and Distress Ink. I have used Marianne and Spellbinders dies for the doily, oval and flowers. A pretty ribbon, bow and pearls complete my girlie card.

Betty

I've used the stamp image from Inky Antics, and the flower doily used Memory Box.  The background used Martha Stewart Punch

 Lin

I used an image from Sassy Cheryl used my Happy Cut to cut out the outside frame and inside mat behind the image, also the frame on the inside of the card. I then ran all three through the Happy Cut using an 8" embossing folder with flowers on. I inked the embossed frames and mat with Peacock Feathers and Squeezed Lemonade DIs

Julie

  

I used an image from the Graphics Shoppe for the girl in the umbrella and coloured with Promarkers. The super sized umbrella and raindrop paper are by Lana Koopman.  I added the sentiment (which I saw in a garden centre) in word then cut out the umbrella and attached to the card with a lolly stick.

Josephine

I've used an image from Reece's Scrap Pieces (via the Stitchy Bear Digital shop) and coloured with Promarkers, adding a background in Distress Ink. I finished with some embossing, die cuts and punched flowers.

Fiona

For my card I have used a digi stamp from a cd that came free with a magazine a while ago. My sentiment is computer generated and my papers are from the Dovecraft Back to Basics IV pack.

Yvonne

This is a 4 x 4 inch fat page. I used an image from the Mabel Lucy Attwell CD, die cuts and a stamped background.

Suze

I've made a tag featuring Tim Holtz Umbrella Man, a rainbow of flowers and a quote from Dolly Parton!

Rebecca

I've built a little scene using a whole collection of different, little stamps. I've also add glitter glue to the clouds to give a "silver lining" effect.

Marie

This time I have done a "Magnolia card", have used a bunch of Magnolia stamps here; like the post stamps and of course the main image which has been in my "yet to be used" box with Magnolia stamps. The designer papers are an old pad from Kaiser Kraft called the Daisy Pad. Flowers are from Magnolia, Ribbon girls and Wild Orchid Craft. Some glossy accent is used on the rain and some crackle paint on the umbrella to make it look a bit wet.

Jackie

I struggled a bit with the colouring on this one - and I'm still not completely happy with it.. I used a SWALK stamp, a die'sire embossing folder and promarkers to colour the image, the backing paper and the ribbon bow and prima flowers from my stash.

All links will now be moderated, please be patient whilst I get the chance to check that your link meets the requirements before adding it to the blog. You will add your link as normal, it just won’t appear immediately. Sorry to have to do this to all our entrants who do take the time to read the rules/requirements before entering. If you are having issues with any other linking matter please mail me at the address in the side bar >>>>>>>>>> 

PLEASE READ THE PARA BELOW BEFORE ENTERING. WE ARE RECEIVING LOTS OF ENTRIES WITH EITHER FLOWERS AND NO RAIN RELATED IMAGE, OR IT MATCHES THE RAIN ELEMENT AND THERE ARE NO FLOWERS. YOU NEED BOTH TO QUALIFY.

Challenge 89 Tag/Card and Matching Gift Wrap, Bag or Box Winners and Top 5

Thanks to everyone who played along with our ‘Tag/Card + Matching Gift Wrap, Bag or Box’ theme.

Carole was our hostess for this challenge and she has chosen her Winners/Top 5 as follows:-

For the prize from

THE PAPER SHELTER
of $20 to spend in their fabulous store

No 25 Kimbo

and for the prize from
WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION
of £12 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist either in store or online

 

No 16 Cindy

 

and Carole's Top 5 are

No 6 Catherine



No 7 Fliss


No 9 Edith


No 14 Vikki

 

No 17 Tracey Boley
 

Congratulations to you all, please feel free to display our Winner’s badge or Top 5 badge on your blogs. Would the two winners please contact me at the address in the sidebar stating the number of the challenge, the title of the challenge and which prize they have won in the subject line.

The winners have until 12th May to claim their prize, after which time I am afraid the prize(s) will be forfeit. As we choose our winners, rather than having a random number thingy to pick them it's too difficult and time consuming to go back again and go through the entries to pick out new winners. Neither, sadly do we have time to chase the winners up.

Don’t forget to call back at 12 noon for our next challenge

Challenge 89 Tag/Card + Matching Gift Wrap, Bag or Box

Before we get on with this fortnight’s challenge I am sad to say that Jack who has been with Crafty Cardmakers from the beginning has had to leave us. Family commitments are taking up too much of her time and she hung on for as long as she could before finally admitting defeat! We are very, very sorry to see her go and if she ever feels able to rejoin us we would be thrilled to have her back.

 

From the end of next month we are also losing Mynnette, again her family commitments are consuming all her time. We will be very sorry to see Mynette leave too and wish her all the best with some new ventures.

 

We will miss you both!

 

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Carole who has chosen the theme 'Tag/Card with matching Gift Wrap, Bag or Box'

 Carole would like to see a card or a tag with a complimentary matching gift wrap, bag or box. Any style just as long as it matches! 

Please ensure your project has the two matching features to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED

We have two new sponsors this week  

THE PAPER SHELTER

with a $20 gift certificate for their fabulous store

 If you are looking for fun, cute and lovely digi stamps for your paper-crafting or web design projects, The Paper Shelter is your one-stop boutique! This growing catalog of high-quality digi stamps with many different kind of options offers a multitude of themes such as everyday items, holidays, special occasions, children, adorable characters and creatures. Stamps are available in standard black and white line art, as well as in pre-colored format. Images are wonderful for coloring and make perfect additions to greeting cards and scrapbook albums. In "The Paper Shelter" you'll also find great other resources for all crafts (or digital) projects, like Paper Packs, Printables, Accessory sheet, etc. 

and

WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION 

 

With a prize of £12.00 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist, either in store or on line.

 

Woodware are a Yorkshire based family owned business, as well as distributing Dreamweaver Stencils and Stampendous Stamps we have a wonderful range of stamps designed for us by Francoise Read and Jane Gill. We also scour the world for new and innovative products for the crafty card maker, and have a great range of punches and tools of the trade, to find stockists in your area or to see the range visit the website www.woodware.co.uk.

Our design team are playing along with the challenge so check out our blog, which is there for inspiration at www.woodware.co.uk/blog.

Happy Crafting!

 

Here is how the team interpreted the challenge
  Carole

 
I just love things that match - hence the challenge I have set for you all! I have used the 'Home Sweet Home' digi stamp from our sponsors 'The Paper Shelter', to create my matching card, tag and mini box. I have used Promarkers to colour in!!

Betty

Josephine

I've used a Paper Shelter image called Snow Angel, coloured with Promarkers. The dies are from Sizzix.

Mynnette

I've used a gorgeous vintage paper pack by Paper Shelter called "Love & Letter" to create a tag and box-in-bag style gift wrapping. This will most likely house my mother's gift for Mother's Day here in the USA next month. :)

Julie

I have used a lovely Paper Shelter image called 'Magic Bubble Bath' to create a card, mini gift bag and an oversized tag.  They were all coloured with Promarkers and all the die cuts are from a Cricut  digital cartridge 'Splish Splash'

 

Rebecca

 

I have used bright designer papers from American Crafts and Anna Griffin to create a matching gift bag and tag which would be perfect for a child's birthday.

Elaine

I have used this fab Rock Star image from The paper Shelter I coloured the images with promarkers.  The tag is cut using a Marianne Design die and tied with organza ribbon.  Perfect for a present for a friend.

Marie

Another creation made with the Paper Shelter's wonderful products. The designer papers used is from the Paper pack called the Happy Couple paper pack and the image is called In the 20's, also from the Paper Shelter. The image is coloured with my Letraset family. Flowers from WOC and Magnolia.

 

Sharon

I have used 'The Most Adorable Easter Bunny' digital stamp from The Paper Shelter and papers from their 'Enchanting Dancing' digital 6x6 paper pack to make an Easter basket and matching card. The images are coloured in soft pinks and browns with ProMarkers and edged with Distress Inks. The lacy border was made using an X-Cut punch.

Suze

I've made a gift card and a matching gift wallet for a Silver Anniversary.  For the card, I cut the heart shapes out of thick wrapping paper with my Silhouette machine then matted onto white and silver miri card. Added some bling and a PC generated sentiment.

The matching money wallet was made using the same wrapping paper with the addition of a large silver blingy embellishment.

 

Kimx

For this challenge I made a box filled with cards made using Woodware products.

Jackie

 

I used a The Paper Shelter image from my collection coloured with coloured pencils, a my craft studio template and backing paper and a spellbinder die to make my card, bag and accompanying tag.

All links will now be moderated, please be patient whilst I get the chance to check that your link meets the requirements before adding it to the blog. You will add your link as normal, it just won’t appear immediately. Sorry to have to do this to all our entrants who do take the time to read the rules/requirements before entering. If you are having issues with any other linking matter please mail me at the address in the side bar >>>>>>>>>>

Challenge 88 Humour, Winners and Top 5

Thanks to everyone who played along with our ‘Humour’ theme.

Suze was our hostess for this challenge and she has chosen her Winners/Top 5 as follows:-

For the prize from

DI’S DIGI DOWNLOADS
of a $10 Gift Voucher

No  52 Pat

 
and for the gorgeous stamps from

HOBBY ART

No  46 Diane W

 

 

and Suze's Top 5 are

No 2 Marlies
 

No 33 Sarah T
 

No 50 Dee's Cards
 

No 54 Tip Top
 

No 61 Cheryl Ann

Congratulations to you all, please feel free to display our Winner’s badge or Top 5 badge on your blogs. Would the two winners please contact me at the address in the sidebar stating the number of the challenge, the title of the challenge and which prize they have won in the subject line. The Winner of the Hobby Art stamps will need to give me their home address so our prize co-ordinator can mail you out the stamps.

The winners have until 28th April to claim their prize, after which time I am afraid the prize(s) will be forfeit. As we choose our winners, rather than having a random number thingy to pick them it's too difficult and time consuming to go back again and go through the entries to pick out new winners. Neither, sadly do we have time to chase the winners up.

Don’t forget to call back at 12 noon for our next challenge