December Card Chain Challenge Reveal Day

Hello everyone, I played in the Card Chain Challenge again in December, couldn't resist the challenge we were given, and today is reveal day!

For December there were no options but instead we had to follow all of the challenges  which were:

NBUS

(new but unused stuff) 
something from your stash that is unused
It doesn't have to be new, old unused stuff is OK too

 

AND

 

your favourite 3 colours

 

AND

 

an animal OR a flower OR a fruit.

This is what I came up with following the challenges above. My card went to Joanne in CT and I was happy to hear that she liked it. The card below is actually are replica of the "original" as silly me forgot to take a picture before mailing it!! But luckily I realized what I had done the very next day when I still had most items out on my desk and the card was fresh in my mind so the only difference would be where the splashed might have been.

I knew exactly which colors to use: this exact blue and this exact pink. My third favorite color is black, I didn't use too much of it on the card, only the sentiment and black brad. Then I knew I'd have some new and never before used stamps as I had purchased several stamps in the last few months that I hadn't had a chance yet to ink up and since it was during Christmas time I selected the beautiful Poinsettia stamp set from Tracy Evans Boutique Designs.

I masked the edges with washi tape then used Blueprint Sketch Distress ink and some splatter with a wet paintbrush for that fun reaction. Next I used part of the Christmas Story background stamp by Penny Black at the bottom portion of the card. The flower was stamped, heat embossed and colored using Picked Raspberry ink and clear embossing powder. There are 2 Poinsettia stamps in the set, the large one (which I heat embossed twice and then a smaller one which I heat embossed once, to cut out for some layers. I used a black brad to hold them together. Under the flower I placed some die cut pine branches made with a Penny Black die (Ornamental Branch). I used navy cardstock for the card base, navy is also a favorite color of mine.

Finally I added the flower with glue dots, stamped the sentiment from the Penny Black set Seasons Gifts in Versafine Onyx ink and then added the sequins for some shine and mainly I wanted to bring a little bit of pink up to the top portion of the card.

Sharing with these challenges:

• Craft Rocket Challenges - Something New (Poinsettia Stamps)
• Creative Inspirations Challenge - AG
• Everybody-Art-Challenge - Christmas or New Years
• Simon Says Stamp - Add a Sentiment
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Christmas
• Word Art Wednesday - AG

I received a real treat from Wendy in Ireland as she sent both of these adorable shaker cards. Thank you so much, Wendy, I absolutely love them!!

The Card Chain Challenge is open to any cardmaker anywhere in the world willing to snail mail a handmade creation and you can still sign up for the January challenge. It's such a great way to send and receive some Happy Mail!

November Card Chain Challenge Reveal Day

Hello everyone. I hope you are doing well. Winter has arrived here in my part of the world. It snowed a lot on Saturday and again last night and the roads were so slick when I was out in the evening. The main reason why I don't like winter but nothing to do about that...

Last month I joined in at the Card Chain Challenge again and today is reveal day. This time my card went to Dagmara in Poland. As always, there are several challenge options such as a sketch, colors, themes or techniques. I went with the theme of Feathers and Vintage and used a Bird for my focal point and did some distressing to make it a bit vintage.

And here is what I made:

For my "Feather" element I decided to use Tracy Evans' Bird from the set Robin and Nuthatch. The set is retired but may still be found at some retailers. I used Distress inks for coloring. The background was one I had done with the gelli plate and some moody blue ink. Then I used a Harlequin stencil by Tim Holtz and a script stamp from Tracy Evans' set Magnolia and Apricot Distress ink. Around the edges I used part of a stamp from Tracy Evans's set Branched Heart. The sentiment is from another Tracy Evans Aall and Create retired set Pinecone. Love this quote. I added a rust red layer and then an apricot colored cardbase. Card front and rust colored mat were distressed to make it a little "vintage". I know I could have done a better job with that technique but this is what it turned out to be. Looking at it here I think some stitches around the edges would have been nice. I was happy to hear from Dagmara and that she liked the card :)

This post includes some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

I am entering the above card to these challenges:

• Creative Fingers - AG
• Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG
• Paper Rock Scissors - Papers and/or Scissors (I used scissors for distressing and all layers are paper)
• Pattie's Creations - AG
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• We Love 2 Create - Anything Creative

If you have never joined in the Card Chain Challenge but would like to, then you can still sign up for the December challenge for just a few more days. Be sure to read all the details here as it's a different type of a challenge where everyone will mail and receive one card in exchange. So fun!

I received the beautiful card below from Hilary in UK. I absolutely love these colors and the gorgeous stylish stamps! Thank you Hilary!!

October Card Chain Challenge

Today is reveal day at the Card Chain Challenge where I took part in last month. As always there were several challenge options to choose from such as a sketch, themes, colors or products/techniques. I actually liked all of the options given so I decided to join in. My card went to Dee in Kenya. I really hope it was received as I haven't heard back yet from Dee.

My first thought was to go with the sketch using trees and fairies but the sketch then didn't really work out so the challenge options I chose are trees, wee folk, glitter and splats.

All stamps I used are by Lavinia Stamps - Fairy Chain small, Spring Trees, Secret Night. I linked these to ASC stamp supplies on Etsy (my favorite shop for Lavinia stamps in the US because she offers free shipping!!). They are also available at Simon Says Stamp. If you're outside the US then your best place to get them is at the Lavinia stamps shop or a Lavinia retailer in your country. 

This card was actually pretty easy to make once I figured out my design. I first stamped the Fairy Chain using Walnut Stain Distress ink and embossed with ultra fine clear embossing powder. Next I inked the card using Distress inks/oxides in Carved Pumpkin and Fired Brick with a moon mask in place. After removing the moon mask I stamped the Spring Trees using second generation Walnut Stain ink as I wanted the trees a shade lighter than the fairies. A homemade mask was used to make some hills around the fairies and trees using Fired Brick ink. Finally I stamped parts of the sentiment Secret Night at the bottom. For some spatter I used a gold Posca pen. And of course the fairies need sparkly wings so I added stickles glitter for some sparkle.

This post includes some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

I plan to link up with these challenges:

• A Perfect Time To Craft - AG
• Ally's Angels - AG
• Classic Design Challenge - AG
• Crafts Galore Encore - AG
• Creative Fingers - AG
• Fab n' Funky - Things with Wings
• Krafty Chicks - AG
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Fall
• We Love Stamping - AG

I received the beautiful sparkly card below from Jeanne in MN. It's hard to tell from the photo but the flowers are embossed in gold and glitter. I love it!

Btw., if you'd like to join the card chain challenge in November, it is still open for a few more days. All you have to do is make one card and mail to your recipient so it arrives before the end of the month. You will also receive one card from the person who signs up after you. All details are here.

September Card Chain Challenge

It's been a while since I joined the Card Chain Challenge but I finally signed up again for September and today is reveal day. There were several challenge options given such as a sketch, themes, colors or techniques. I chose the colors along with the theme of "fish" and this is what I came up with. My card went to Arlene in CA.

I did my best to find colors to match the color combo below:

The images and sentiment are all part of a set by Hero Arts - Curious Cat. I colored with Distress inks, Hero Reactive ink and Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. Images have all been fussy cut. 

The brick background was done using a 3D Texture Fades ebossing folder (also at Amazon). At the bottom of the brick background I used a gingham stamp by Lawn Fawn and black ink. 

I'm entering the above card here:

• A Perfect Time To Craft - AG
• Ally's Angels - AG
• Can You Handle The Pressure? - AG with Embossing Folder
• Crafty Animals - AG
• Critter Crazy Challenges - AG
• FarmQuest Home Challenge Blog - AG Home related (this was a scene from my own home some years ago just a larger aquarium)
• Neglected Stuff Challenge - AG with neglected stuff (patterned paper and stamp set have both been neglected )
• Paper Rock Scissors - AG with paper and/or scissors (I used both - paper layers and scissors for fussy cutting and ribbon cutting)
• Stamps & Fun = Creativity - Animals
• The Paper Funday - AG
• Try It On Tuesday - Animals

I received the beautiful card below from Julia from MA. Isn't that flamingo absolutely stunning!! And loving the texture!

If you've been thinking about joining in at the Card Chain Challenge then you still have few more days to sign up for the October card exchange. All you have to do is make and send a card to the person in front of you on the sign up sheet and receive a card from the one signing up after you. So fun! All details can be found here.

Thanks so much for visiting!

World Cardmaking Day Sale Going On Now!

A Little Bear for October Card Chain Challenge

Last month I decided to take part in the Card Chain Challenge and today is reveal day. My October card went to Joanne in CT. We were given a variety of challenge options to choose from, I decided to go with Bears, Plaid and (unplanned) also Needle/Thread.  And this is what I came up with.

This post may include some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

The image I used is an older wood mounted stamp by Penny Black - Rainin' Daisies - colored with Copic markers. I wanted this to be a fall themed card so I covered up the daisies on the umbrella with falling leaves which were done with an old MFT leaves die (part of a flowers and leaves die set). They were cut from some snippets I had laying around from a previous inky project. Branch die  Blustery and Polaroid die are both by Penny Black. I used distress inks for inking. The plaid background was done with a stencil set -  I no longer have the packaging so unfortunately unsure of the make.

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I plan to share the teddy bear card with these challenges:

• Crafts Galore Encore - AG
• Critter Crazy Challenges - Critters 
• Double Trouble Challenge - AG plus thing 3 option of Fall
• Penny Black Saturday - use PB stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stencil it (plaid stencil)
• The Creative Crafters - AG

I received this wonderful floral card from Carol in UK. Love these bold flowers on the stitched die cut. 

In case you missed it: the linky tool for the Papercrafters Year in Review sign up is now open. You can read all the details in this post or if you already know what it's all about and are interested then you can use the linky tool below to sign up. It's a fun and easy way for us papercrafters to share our favorite makes of the year with each other. 

This linky tool is for the Year in Review hop sign up.

Black and White Plus One for March Card Chain Challenge

Hello and welcome! It's the 2nd of the month and that means it's time to reveal the cards that were sent for the March Card Chain Challenge. I thought I was going to take a break in March but when I saw the themes I just couldn't resist and this is pretty much the card I had in mind so it didn't take me too long to complete.

My card went to Jeanne in Minnesota and I hope she liked it :) I absolutely loved creating it!

As always we're given a variety of challenge options, this time I selected the color scheme of Black and White plus one other color and I also selected the other option of "postal". This cute girly stamp is new to me but a real oldie from Stampin Up. I found it along with another stamp from the set at a local thrift store for just 50 cents for both stamps and of course I had to get them as I love silhouette stamp. 

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I used the negative of a circle die cut to ink up inside the circle and used a MFT cloud stencil. The ink is Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide. After removing the stencil I stamped the little girl and birds (birds are part of a past Hero Arts stamp kit ). At this point I wasn't sure what to use for the sentiment when I remembed the postage stamps from Whimsy Stamps (old) with matching die so I chose one of the stamps from that set. A couple small die cut flowers (from the Penny Black Frames die set) finish off the card. The girl stamp includes a sentiment on the bottom but I masked that off and instead chose a sticker sentiment from Tim Holtz' small talk booklet. 

This post may include some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

I was so happy to receive the adorable card below from Ella in Germany. Thank you, Ella for this beautiful card! I love it!

If you want to join in the April Card Chain Challenge then you can still sign up here. The linky tool will be open for a few more days. Be sure to check out the FAQ page for all the info if you are new to the CCC.

>>>>>>>>>>>>Tim Holtz Brand Products on Sale Now/Ad

I will share my postal girl card with these challenges:

• A Perfect Time To Craft - AG
• A Place To Start - Add one or more flowers
• Crafting From the Heart   - AG
• Crafts Galore Encore  - AG
• Krafty Chicks - All Occasions
• Just Us Girls - AG with Stencils (I used a cloud stencil)
• Path of Positivity - Anything Positive Goes
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• The Crafting Challenge - AG

Spring has Sprung at Allsorts Challenge and Card Chain Challenge February Reveal

Hello everyone! This is a "two in one" post today as I am sharing two cards - my weekly Allsorts challenge card and the February Card Chain Challenge card.

First up is my card for the new Allsorts challenge where Lorraine is hosting this week with her optional theme of Spring. Hope you will join us for your chance to win. Prizes come from AALL and Create and Aldridge Crafts for weeks 769 and 770. Remember, winners will be announced on the last Friday of the month and Top 5 next Friday.

This post may include some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

For my card I decided to ink up some Lavinia stamps and created this cute spring scene. I started out with Lavinia's hills masks and a MFT cloud stencil to create the background. Then I stamped the tree (Celestial Tree) and Hares (Whimsical Hares) using  Ground Espresso Oxide ink and a bit of green ink on the tree buds to make it look like a spring tree. The flowers are Lavinia's Lavender. The bee is also from Lavinia and sentiment is an oldie from Stampin Up. I added stickles glitter to the tree, bee and flowers for some sparkle.
 

Iplan to share the above card with these challenges:

• Aloha Friday Challenge - Pastel colors
• Creative Fingers - AG
• Dream Valley Challenges - 4 legged friends
• Krafty Chicks - AG
• Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fur or Feathers
• Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG

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Next up is my card for the February Card Chain Challenge where today is reveal day. My card went to Alice in Finland this time. As always we are given a variety of themes/challenges to choose from and I went with the colors this time.

I love these colors and knew right away it's what I wanted to choose. I also got a bit inspired by the sketch so I added my image panel at an angle although I'm not sure I like it that way. 

The image is new to me from a set by Aall and Create Don't Stop Me Now. I colored with zig clean color markers. I added some diluted distress ink onto the background then stamped just the 2 flowers from the same image onto the top right corner. Sentiment is a quote from Tim Holtz' Small Talk sticker sentiment book. My plan was to tie some twine onto the staple (twine was another option from the February challenge) but it seemed out of place to my eye so I took it off again and added sticky rhinestones in sky blue instead. I haven't heard yet from Alice but hopefully she received the card and likes it. 

Still a little time yet to join in the March card chain challenge if you like to sign up. You do need to be willing to make and mail a card to one other participant (the person who signed up before you) and you will receive one card from another participant. All the details can be found here. 

I plan to share the above card here:

• C.R.A.F.T. - Female
• Everybody-Art-Challenge - Favorite Colors (these are some of my favorites)
• Passion For Markers Challenge - Fabulous Florals
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• We Love 2 Create - Something creative/mixed media
• Word Art Wednesdays - AG

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Stamping Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

January Card Chain Challenge Reveal Day

Happy Friday!! It's the second of the month and that means it's time for the January reveal at the Card Chain Challenge - who sent what to whom! My January card went to Renata in the NL. As usual we were given a variety of challenge options to choose from, I went with the theme of "Magical" and also tried to go with the colors Aqua, Slate and Amethyst, but instead of Slate I used Black so it's not an exact match.

This post may include some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

The background was done with Distress Oxide inks. Stamps are Lavinia's Dancing til Dawn, Spiral of Spells and Fern Leaf. I added some  glitter on the fairy wings and around the edge of the card front to make it sparkle. The sentiment sticker from Tim Holtz's Small Talk sticker book was a perfect choice I thought. 

I was happy to hear that Renata loved the card as I surely enjoyed making it :)

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And below is the adorable card I received from Barbara in Switzerland. Love these cute little penguins!!

There is still time to take part in the February Card Chain Challenge if you sign up by February 6th. You can do so here. Any cardmaker is welcome to join as long as you are willing to make and mail a card to the person who signed up ahead of you to be received by the end of the month. 

I plan to share my fairy card with these challenges:

• Paper Shelter - Something beginning with F (Fairies)
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• Try It On Tuesday - Add Some Text
• Crafting From the Heart - AG
• Double Trouble Challenge - AG

Christmas Pinecone and a Bunny in the Snow

It's Saturday already and that means a new challenge starts today at Allsorts and it's also time for the reveal at the Card Chain challenge so I have two project to share today :)

First up, at Allsorts it's Liz' turn to host and she selected the fun theme of "Stitching - Real or Faux" and of course the theme is optional so all your new creations are welcome.  A wonderful bundle from  AALL and Create is our prize which will be split between challenges 756 and 757 so hope you can join us for your chance to win! 

This post may include some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

This beautiful pinecone stamp is from my most recent Aall and Create order from the set Pinecone. I placed 4 orders with them in total within the last 3 months, just couldn't resist the fabulous sale prices and lucky for me I did not have to pay any custom fees for any of my orders. The inky background was found in my box of previously inked card stock where I used Distress Oxide ink, not sure anymore what color. I stamped the image on the inked piece then colored with Ground Espresso Oxide ink and a Faber Castell Polychromo pencil for the pine needles.

On the top portion I used part of the Penny Black background stamp Christmas Story. And a bit of it was stamped on red card stock for some added interest. I really wanted to use some of this gingham ribbon but thought it was all gone, then found a small piece of it on the bottom of my ribbon stash so I tied some jute twine around it and added with a mini glue dot. Really love this ribbon combined with twine. Some glitter on the pinecone for a little sparkle and I used my Wonky Stitches die to add a stitched design.

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I'm entering this card with the following challenges:

• C.R.A.F.T. - Christmas
• Creative Knockouts - Tis the Season
• Krafty Chicks - AG
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Christmas
• Crafting From the Heart - AG
• Double Trouble Challenge - Stitching

The next card I made for the November Card Chain Challenge where today we are revealing the cards sent in November.  My card went to Bonnie in Colorado this time and I was happy to hear that she liked it. 

As always there are several challenge options to choose from - a sketch, color combo, themes, techniques. We only have to choose one and this time I selected the theme of "winter" which was one of the options because I really wanted to use this new (to me) stamp from Colorado Craft Company - Sled Bunny. I combined it with the beautiful trees which were part of the Aall and Create set Woodland. I added Penny Black's Berries die and then the sentiment which is part of the Aall and Create stamp set. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>12 Days of Christmas Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

I am sharing the above card with these challenges:

• DL.Art - AG
• Moving along with the Times - Winter Animals
• TIME OUT Challenges - Winter
• Christmas with the Cuties - Cute Christmas plus a die cut
• Crafting From the Heart  - AG
• Dream Valley Challenges - AG
• Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG
• Path of Positivity - Anything Positive
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Trees

Below is the beautiful card I received from Julia in MA, doesn't this pie look absolutely delicious!! Thank you, Julia for this wonderful card!!!

PS: If you've been thinking about taking part in this year's Papercrafters Year in Review hop, there are only a few more days left to sign up for this hop which takes place at the end of December. Please visit this post for all the details! Would LOVE for you to join in!! 

October Card Chain Challenge Reveal Day

It's been a while since I joined the Card Chain Challenge as I started renovating my kitchen cabinets in the spring (still working on that!!) but I ended up clicking on the CCC recent post and saw one of the challenge options was bears so I decided to join in once again :) 

My recipient for October was Michaela from Austria and this is the card I made for her and was so happy to hear that she liked it :)

As always, we are given a nice selection of themes and I wanted to use the "bears" option because it's been a while since I used this cute Lili of the Valley stamp. 

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I kept the card in a CAS style. The image has been stamped on Bristol Vellum and colored with distress inks first. But it turned out a bit more pastel than I wanted so I added some Faber Castell Polychromos pencil coloring. I added a die cut border with some natural jute twine, then the sentiment from Penny Black. The little flowers were done with a Martha Stewart punch. 

This post may include some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

If you are a card maker and would like to join in then you can still sign up for the November challenge for a few more days. You do have to make and mail a card to your recipient to be received my the end of the month. All details can be found here.

I usually share a picture of the card I received but unfortunately it didn't arrive yet.

 >>>>>>>>>>>Stamping Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

I plan to link up with these challenges:

• Use Your Stuff - AG
• Critter Crazy Challenges - Critters
• A Perfect Time To Craft - AG
• Ally's Angels - AG
• Crafts Galore Encore - AG
• DL.Art Linky Challenge - AG

PS: Still plenty of time to sign up for the Papercrafters Year in Review 2023 hop where we share our favorite creations of the year. If interested, please visit this post where I shared all the info about it at the end of that post.