Allsorts challenge 25

A very good morning to everyone and being Saturday it's time for a brand new challenge from Allsorts , but before I tell you all about the new challenge I want to say a personal thank you to everyone who entered last week, we cracked the 100 mark and wow, what fantastic entries there were from you all.

This week it's Amanda's turn to select the theme which is "Weddings - anything from a wedding card to a piece of wedding stationery - invitations, thank yous, favour boxes, scrap book layouts, anniversary cards anything you can think of to do with weddings!'. So Amanda has left it fairly wide and given us lots of scope to play with. And of course there will be a prize for the winner selected at random plus our Top 5 who get to display our special blinkie.

There is quite a lot of stamping going on in my card, the main image is Penny Black 3996K Words Sweet.......but of an odd title as there are no words, but who am I to question. The background stamping is Hero Arts G3316 Harlequin, H2365 Old French Writing and F5042 Flourish all stamped with Brilliance Lavender and Thyme. The sentiment is from Tapestry Clear Word Plate 1 (Fancy Pens). To embellish a spray of roses, cord and pearls and a pearl added to the butterfly on the main image.

Stamping for the Weekend

Good afternoon and a quick share of a little item that seems to have made it's way home with me from Stampalot yesterday. But before I get into crafty things.......I know that's what this is all about really, but we need a bit of social interaction as well......what's the weather like your way ? Sunshine seems in short supply around here this week, it's not one thing or another. What is for sure these cold nights have put paid to most the beautiful Autumn leaves and there are more off than on the trees now and a thick carpet everywhere you walk.

My card is for this weeks Stamping for the Weekend where there is a colour theme of 'Orange, Blue and Purple' but with a twist of an 80's song title with three to choose from: Girls on Film-Duran Duran, Dirty Laundry-Don Henley, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun-Cyndi Lauper, which is the one I have opted for. This also my entry for DCM who want to see use of your newest punch.

My image, a wood mounted stamp, the origin of which I have no idea, looks like a lady that definitely has fun and does not give a damn what anyone thinks. I stamped her with versafine black, embossed with detail clear and painted with Brilliance inks, adding a bit of purple foiling to the flowers and her dress. The really gorgeous DP is from Prima. I ripped the edges of the main piece and shaded with Tim Holtz Dusky Concorde.

The flowers are made from the same DP which is double sided and the leaves are also cut from that and Bazzil using my new L-Em punch from Stampalot which is called 'Ash Family 2' which cuts three matching leaves in varying sizes in one cut. I think this one is a real 'need' and so useful with the different sized leaves, especially as it coordinates with my other ash leaf punch by the same manufacturer. Finally, some lace, punched butterflies and pearls to embellish. The words are printed on the computer using 'Folio Girls' font.

Quite a collection

Morning folks. I have a day of 'proper' work today to try and break the back of a wedding invitation order I have been trying to get finished for weeks. It's been a bit of a nightmare as the ribbon I used on the original samples seems to have been discontinued in the width I need so have spent days searching the Internet to see who has any in stock and hey presto, Monday I found three 25m reels at Athena crafts. And I have to say I was impressed with their service, I was in contact with them lunchtime Monday and the ribbon was with me yesterday, now that's service.

But before I make a start on those invitations a quick share of my card that covers a multitude. Following the sketch at this weeks Cupcake challenge, I have combined Passion for Promarkers where there is an 'Open' colour theme but the requirement to include an 'Animal' on your project, Creative Card Crew would like to see 'Snowflakes' this week and Tuesday Taggers have a penchant for a 'Burst of Colour', so all in all very easy to combine in one card.

My main image is Penny Black 4015K Christmas Tree Ted coloured with Promarkers who is a bit in touch with his feminine side in order to blend in with this really pretty My Minds Eye DP. His boots and hat have been diamond glazed and snow added using JudiKins snow glitter - added to dries clear glue this really is great for snow as it is quire chunky and give good dimension. Border are all punched with Fiskars Threading Water.

Addedndum: Been reminded that I forgot to say how I made the snowflakes - a new - did I say new, oh dear yep new Martha Stewart punch that I really really 'needed' and the brad snowflake is in a pack of six I found at Stamplaot but afraid already thrown the packing so no name.

Everybody Art Challenges

Hello everyone, been a bit quiet this end and not too much crafting for a day or so what with my flu/cold plus Buffy is poorly. Been to the vets a couple of times......with Buffy - not me......mind you I might get more sense if I made the change. They think it's some kind of virus - bless her she is sneezing constantly and has a really high temperature, but hopefully the antibiotics will kick it quickly and she will be back to her old self. When a Labrador if off her food you know she's not feeling good.

Back to all things crafty and something for this weeks Everybody Art Challenges where Thelma has set theme of 'Autumn', one I just love to play with. The sun has been created with a mask and sponging and then my owl image -Inkadinkado 98396 - stamped into the centre with versafine sepia and embossed with detail clear.

Quite a lot of stamping going on in the background using Hero Arts 97513 Harlequin and Inkadinkado 97513 and Brilliance Thyme, Rocket Red Gold and Rust and Hero Arts H2365 stamped onto the bank across the middle which I punched with Fiskars Threading Water. The leaves are from the same Inkadinkado set as are the tiny ones which have been stamped onto Shrink Plastic with some raffia and a single rose made from the same paper as the band across the middle of the card wich is stamped with H2365 Old French Writing.

A Halloween Trio

Morning peeps, cold wet and windy this Sunday morning here in the Fens.......typical the rain had to appear before they get through with the beet harvesting. And to match the weather I have a cold coming out so will be keeping it brief.

Mind you, before I can curl up and forget the world I must dash to Cambridge to pick up my coffee beans.......the worse possible thing happened yesterday I realised I was almost out and had forgotten to order my supply.......I have 2kg about every four weeks. Those that know me will realise the implications if I can't kick start my morning with the odd Espresso or four and my beans from Limonchello, my most favourite Italian delicatessen are my greatest indulgence at £50 a time, well apart from crafting 'essentials' that is. I know what you are saying, that's expensive, you can get them half the price, but believe me they produce the most wonderful flavour and crema.

So my card after all the babble that I was going to keep to a minimum. There is a lot of Halloween going round at the Moment.......might be something to do with 31st October, but as I don't have very much at all in the way of Halloween stamps, in fact just the one, plus a few tinies, I am combining three challenges here. The first is Penny Black where the theme is 'Halloween', Stamping for the Weekend who have the theme of 'Fangtastic Halloween' and I am using the nice sketch from this weeks Friday Sketchers. And finally this fits with Tuesday Taggers challenge, a new one for me but I have been prompted by Pat so here goes.

The main image is Penny Black 3716K stamped with versafine black, embossed with detail clear and coloured in with Promarkers. I used the three small stubby stamps I have with a pumpkin, spider and bat to stamp the hessian ribbon and also added a couple of bats to the main image. The spooky three is cut on the Cricut Stretch Your Imagination, the DP is a double sided one from Bo Bunny and the border my new Martha Stewart Checker Border.......this was another of those mystery purchases when I was at Stampalot Thursday. The sentiment is computer generates and I added gems to embellish the corners round the image.

Rosie D's challenge

Just a quick reminder that there is still another week to pop over to Rosie D's challenge blog and enter the current challenge which is a colour theme of 'Carrot Cougette and a Flower' and a prize for the winner selected at random from our sponsorts Digital Ink Co who provided the DT with a pumpkin image to use on our projects.

As most of you know, I don't profess to be a scrapbooker and this is a feeble attempt compared with some of the great layouts I have seen on some blogs, but we had such gorgeous pompkins in the garden this year that I felt they deserved a scrapbook page. So here it is. The various words and accents were all cut on the cricut.

Allsorts challenge 24

Good morning everyone and as it's Saturday this means it's Allsorts challenge day again and this weeks theme is set by Debs who has chosen "Furry Friends". The DT have all been treated to an image to use from this weeks sponsors Wild Rose Studio.

It is so good to see so many of you joining in with us every week and the inspirational team really enjoy visiting all your projects and of course as well as a prize every week, there is also the Top 5 who get to display our special blinkie on their blogs.

I chose this cute little mouse who definitely looks to be in Christmas mode. I coloured him with Promarkers and added diamond glazed. The DP's are from K&Co's Winter Wonderland 12 x 12 Christmas pad. I ran one panel through the Cuttlebug using the snowflake folder and mounted it onto a red mat edges with my Fiskars threading water punch. The snowflakes are also cur with a punch and red pearls added to the centres. The sentiment is from Woodware FRCL128.

Inspirational Card Sketches

I am back again with my take on this weeks sketch at Inspirational Card Sketches and in an effort to build the stack of Christmas cards have opted for the seasonal theme for my card.

I have used Mr Happy and Cool - Penny Black 4003F, in fact three Mr Happy and Cools as I masked and decoupaged him to make a trio of snowmen going up the snowy hill.....do I live in fantasy world or what ? I have simply coloured them with Sakura pens and glittered them liberally. The DP is My Minds Eye and the large snowflakes are cut from the same paper and silver mirri through the bug with this super new snowflake cut and emboss folder and the small ones from a regular punch. The greeting is Penny Black 3995F, some gem brads in the centres of the snowflakes and glittery falling snow in the sky......fantasy world again.

I made the Top 5

Morning everyone, just a real quickie to share my excitement, I made the Top 5 at Passion for Promarkers again with this:

http://stamping-fantasies.blogspot.com/2009/10/three-into-one.html

Thank you all you lovely girls over at PFP challenge site for selecting this. I always struggle with cutsie, so to know I am eventually getting there gives me a real boost.

Back in the real world it's raining like fury and has been most of the night - 1/8th of an inch my hubby reliably informs me. But have to agree with him we desperately need it as despite being dull and cold it is such a long while since we had proper rain.

Penny Black challenge

No post yesterday I am afraid, it was normal manic Monday at work, it started off quiet but didn't last and I was still at my desk at 7pm and so far Tuesday's not looking much better. And the weather is dry, dull and cold so no incentive to go very far even if time permits.

Did manage to get a card done to share which is for this weeks Penny Black challenge using a quite unusual sketch which I have combined with Passion for Promarkers using the requisite colours of Poppy and Forest Green which to me yells Christmas. I think my penguins also fit this weeks challenge at Creative Card Crew which is "Babies and Children".

The penguin image stamped with versafine back and embossed with detail clear and coloured with the two Promarker colours is Art Impression T3055 - I don't seem to have too many stamps where the image is vertical as required in the sketch. So my Penny Black images are the scrolls on the circle using Penny Black 2636K and the sentiment from PB 30-036.

The DP is one of the double sided sheets from the scrummy new K & Co peppermint Twist 12x12 pad. The penguins and star have been liberally glittered and the tree baubles diamond glazed.

Quick catch up and thank you

Good afternoon one and all, hope everyone is having a great weekend and some of the sunshine we have been treated to here in the Fens. Afraid I have been rather quiet all weekend and apologise that I am all behind on visiting you all but yesterday was all taken up with my demo day at Sir Stampalot and the today we have some unexpected visitors so this is a very brief catchup so you don't think I have abandoned ship.Here is a quick share from yesterday (and really quick explanations - smells like the chickens nearly ready and I am meant to be entertaining visitors) and I also want to say a very special thank you all everyone who came along to see me on Saturday, too many to name individually but I met some of my blogland friends including Chris, Denise and Alice and her daughter for the very first time which was loveley. And there were even one or two men crafters which was really wonderful........now does that sound right........what I mean is, it's great to see that this obsession of ours is not female dominated......grief, think I will quit whilst I am ahead and hope you all know what I mean ?
The first card used Penny Black 3997K and 2636K in the background, shaded with Tim Holtz broken china and spiced marmalade. DP is My Minds Eye and lots of buttons to decorate.

The second one good old Stampendous P107 onto a background brayered with Kaleidecolour Bouquet and some DP from stash, roses made from the same DP and border punched with Martha Steward arch lattice.

Rosie D's challenge

Sunday and a new challenge at Rosie D's.

We were thrilled to see so many of you join in and the lucky winner will be revealed later today and will receive a $10 voucher from our sponsors Digital Delights.

And the sponsor of our next challenge is The Digital Ink Company who kindly gave all the DT the image we have used on our projects this week.

Here are a couple of sneak peeks at my project, but all of the DT work can be seen on the challenge blog.

Allsorts challenge 23

Welcome to week 23 of Allsorts challenge and this week it my turn to host the theme. I have come up with a sketch with the added twist of a monochrome Christmas. I think many of us think shades of black and white for monochrome but according to the ancient Greeks "μονόχρωμος" means "a picture done in different shades or a range of tones of a single colour".

You would not believe the problems I had following my own theme her and ended up making the card three time, the first time a lovely card, but then Oh dear.......didn't I do a sketch to follow ? That just about sums up my week.

So here is what I finally ended up with. The main image is Penny Black 3997K Majestic stamped onto Bazzil cardstock using Versafine satin red and embossing with detail clear. I used this stamp for a sample board for Sir Stampalot a few weeks back and they tell me is has been oh so popular, I think it's the pure simplicity of the image which lends itself to so many card designs.

I used the same ink and embossing on the three panels stamping with one of the flourishes from Inkadinakdo 97632. The greeting is that favourite of mine Penny Black 3995F. The corner was created using Martha Stewart embossed scallop and the holly and leaves from punches. I added a spotlight to the tree to add interest and distressed the edges of the mats and DP's which are from K&Co's Winter Wonderland pad, using Tim Holts worn lipstick and fired brick. Pearl gems added to embellish here and there.

Sir Stampalot Demo Day

I can't beleive it's Friday already and I can't really identify what I have done all week. Apart from 'proper' work, my spare time seems to have drifted by in a haze preparing for various DT work and my demo day at Sir Stampalot this coming Saturday - 10 through 4, free refreshments and demo day special offers.

I will be stamping with Penny Black, Hero, Inkadinkado and more and of course some nice messy background techniques, brayers and distressing.......mind you by the time they get rid of me Andy and Janice might well be the distressed ones after putting up with me all day.

Here are just a couple of the cards from the sample boards I have made up ready for Saturday. The first is very simple with a moon created by masking and using Tim Holtz broken chine and brilliance silver. Stamped with Inkadinkado 98396/97513 using versafine back and detail clear embossing powder.

The second card has a background created with Tim Holtz spiced marmalade, dusky concord and peeled paint.......now for some of my peronal technical crafting terms...... all 'splodged' onto a non stick sheet, spritzed very liberally with water then watercolour card 'swished around' in it. The image is Penny Black 3982K stamped with Versafine imperial purple and embossed with detail clear, then stamped again offset with the residue left on the stamp. The DP is Daisy Bucket, all well distressed and tattered round the edges, with cord and handmade roses made from the same matting paper.

By the Cute and Girly reminder

Well, it's halfway through the month and what a fabulous response we have had to our first challenge at By the Cute and Girly . We are thrilled how many of you have already entered, but for those of your that have not had a look yet you can do so by clicking here. The Inspirational Team came up with a fantastic selection of projects for this months theme of Autumn Glory and being that this challenge is about ALL crafts we hope it will allow more of you to join in and show us what you make in your spare time. And of course there are prizes on offer and not just the one either, but three.

This is one of my projects where I tried to capture the three phases of the day, morning, noon and night. The image is JudiKins 2633G and the cobble path Art Impression L3297. The background on all three images was created with Glimmer Mists and masks and touches of Tim Holtz distress inks here and there. The words on the front were cut on Cricut Stretch Your Imagination and the leaves are from Inkadinkado 97513 inked with Brilliance and the tiny ones have been stamped with the same ink onto Shrink Plastic. The border is Martha Stewart Arched Lattice.

Creat and Craft TV reminder

Morning folks - well not actually blogging this early, a scheduled post from last night just to remind you that the new Stamp Addicts live show will be on Create and Craft today at noon. And anotert quick share of one of my cards - product details in previous posts this week.

Three into one

Good day all and what a wonderful sunny day it is here in the Fens, hope you are all having a bit of the same. Beet harvesting is well under way now and this weather is ideal for them, always hate it when it's wet this time of year as our single track roads........oh yes, it's pretty rural where we live......become a mass of mud. So I always get black looks from the Polish car wash team at Tesco when I take my mud laden baby in for her wash.......being a sporty number it sits pretty close to the road so the mud just piles up.

Anyway, enough jabber, this is just a quick post in my lunch break with a card combining this weeks Passion for Promarkers where Gina has provided a brill sketch and you can use any colours on your project, Everybody Art Challenge who would like to see punches and shapes on your card ans Creative Card Crew who's theme is scallops.

My image is Sarah Kay stamped in versafine black and embossed with detail clear and coloured with Promarkers. I have stamped her hat again onto my DP which is from Best Creation and decoupaged it and also made three roses from the same paper. The scalloped border is using Fiskars threading water punch and the leaves are also punched with a new McGill punch. The sentiment is one of four on a skinny cube SK-LG-207 from Stamps by Judith. Not the best picture I am afraid as despite the bright day seemed to get shadow in every direction.

Stamp Addicts sneak peek

I am back with another sneak peek of some of the samples coming up on tomorrows Stamp Addicts show on Create and Craft TV. This is a brand new show and is sure to be packed with inspiration, so don't forget to set your TV to record.

The first card is again using this super background stamp (details in yesterday post) stamped with versafine and embossed with detail white onto black cardstock. The card itself has been randomly stamped with versafine and embossed with detail clear using the same Judikins cube (as yesterday post). The main image is Judikins 2776G Aiko. I have added a black tassel - these are coming up in the show as well.

The second card uses JudiKins 3462E China Girl which I have also used to create the strip down the card. The background DP is one of the lovely glitters ones from My Minds Eye. The little sentiment is A Stamp in the Hand, but no code on it I am afraid, but sure the girls at Stamp Addicts will know which one as it will be in the show.

Penny Black and Cupcake challenges

Good morning peeps, hope everyone had a good weekend. It was a fairly quiet one here so lots of crafting and last night one of our sons and his girlfriend cooked dinner.......homemade pasta and a really yummy pesto sauce, homemade focacchia topped with garlic and sun blushed tomatoes then apple crumble. All of our sons enjoy cooking and can turn out a good meal which in this hectic world of equality it's probably just as well.

On to my card for this Weeks Penny Black challenge who have the theme of "Buttons and Bows" which fits very closely with today Cupcake theme of "Buttons and Stitching".

I have to confess to making a monumental ---- up of this one because I was certain my main image was a PB, of course it's not and I only remembered when I came to do this post, so hopefully I have redeemed myself by adding some sentiments using Penny Black Banner of Joy Set 30-036. The penguins are actually Hero Arts K5260 stamped with versafine black and embossed with detail clear then glittered. The DP is My Minds Eye and the trees cut from the same paper.

The snowflake was cut on Cricut Accent Essential then glittered, a button and ribbon added to the centre. The green panel was run through the Bug using the snowflake folder and edges of the layers have been distressed with Tim Holts Shabby Shutters then versamark run round the edges and iridescent embossing powder added.

Stamp Addicts new show

As promised some more news and sneak peeks of some of the goodies coming up on the Stamp Addicts new show which is going out live at 12 noon on Wednesday 14th October. Being on their DT I was treated to some super new JudiKins stamps to create samples and as you will see there is an Oriental theme going on. Here I am sharing two of the cards I made, you can also see more on Sarah's blog The Purple Zone, where she also has some candy on offer.

For my first card I created my own background paper by repeat stamping JudiKins Japanese Fabric Cube 6734I and Brilliance Olive and Red ink pads. The three butterflies were stamped with Stayzon on to shrink plastic and coloured with the same two brilliance inks after shrinking. The little Japanese girl is JudiKins 3467E Dancing Girl, coloured with Promarkers and the mats cut with Nesties through the Bug.

My second card has a brayered background using Tim Holtz Broken China and Lipstick Red onto gloss cardstock, with a bit of paper tearing to create the hills and clouds. The main image is JudiKins 2815H and the writing down the side is just a section of JudiKins 2201J - this is a massive stamp and fantastic for creating an entire background. I added some foiling to the bonsai to add some shine and interest.

Rosie D's challenge

Lots of new sponsors and prizes on offer........I am talking about the challenge over at Rosie D's. For those that don't know, we have just changed from weekly to fortnightly so you still have another week to get your entry in for the current challenge which is "Coffee and Cream with a cherry on the top".

And you will be in with a chance of winning the fab prize on offer from Digital Delights. The Design Team were all treated to a downloads to create their project and have come up with some wonderful inspiration for you. And is that's not enough I can tell you there are more brilliant prizes in the pipeline for all the upcoming challenges, so if you have not already checked it out what are you waiting for ?

I chose this cute image of a toadstool with the little elf. I coloured the image with Promarkers, used some Doodlebug and Magnolia DP's, Martha Stewart embossed zigzag punch plus a butterfly and leaf punch. Diamond Glaze was added to the spots on the toadstool and the butterfly and I stamped some tiny toadstools across the bottom of the image with a Lavinia stamp.

Two cards, two challenges

I usually do a separate post for each card, but time being a bit at a premium and with several posts to let loose early next week for an new Stamp Addicts Create and Craft show on Wednesday 14th , I am including two here for two different challenges.

The first is for this weeks Friday Sketchers following Beatrix's sketch. I have created a moonlit background by masking the moon then brayering with Big and Juicy Waterfall. I have absolutely no idea of the origin of the image which I think is a Venetian gondola.......might be on the river Cam for all I know, ther is enough of them there, but Venice is far more romantic a notion. The overhanging leaves are Art Impression F2055. The DP os from my stash as is the butterfly and gems. Not a lot more to tell you really, quite a quick and simple card. Mats were cut using Nesties run through the Bug.

The second card is for this weeks Stamping for the Weekend where there is a colour theme of Orange, Brown and Leaf Green, nice combination. The DP is My Minds Eye and the image stamped onto the reverse of the DP is Magenta 42022K simply stamped with Versfine sepia and embossed with detail clear. I stamped the leaf and dragonfly again and decoupaged them. I made two two paper roses from the same DP and added some cord and pearls. The leaf across the bottom corner is from Inkadinkado 98396.

Allsorts challenge 22

It's Saturday and Allsorts challenge 22 where my teamie Gro has selected the theme of Halloween. Judging by lots of your blogs you like this theme so this is the perfect opportunity to play along with chance of winning the wonderful prize from our sponsors this week Pink Gem Designs.

My DT card is rather orange to say the least but it's growing on me. My main image is one of my new goodies Hero Arts F5210 Curious Owl stamped simply with black versafine and embossed with detail clear. I made the background paper by repeat stamping onto orange card using the same method as the owl using one of the leafy images from Inkadinkado 97513......they call this a Halloween set, but a pumpkin is as near as it gets really, but the leafy flourishes and tree are gorgeous and I have had so much use out of this set. The pumpkin is from the same set and the little bat which has no code.

The borders were punched with Fiskars threading water, the wording cut on Cricut Jasmin and the spider inspired by Kath using a button and paper offcuts.

Passion for Promarkers

Over at Passion for Promarkers Denise has set the theme were you can use any colours on your project but with a recipe of "3 different shapes, 2 papers and 1 ribbon". This one I made at the weekend fits the bill perfectly.


The image is one I found as a free download here, I fell in love with it immediately, it is so cute. Inger's work is wonderful, do go check her out.


I coloured the image with Promarkers lush green, meadow green, berry red and sandstone plus ivory and pale pink for skin and cool greys for the hair. The border is using Martha Stewart embossed scallop and the DP's K & Co peppermint twist pad. Large snowflake was cut on Cricut Accent Essential and the small ones from a punch. The ribbon is from my stash and added Diamond Glaze to the flowers on the little girls dress and holly wreath and the shading round the image is Tim Holtz peeled paint.


In case it is not clear my three shapes are snowflakes, circle brad and tiny red stars in the centre of the small snowflakes.

Inspirational Card Sketchers

As usual Dawn B has come up with another great sketch for this weeks Inspirational Card Sketches.

I decided on a Christmas theme and have used My Minds Eye DP's ......just for a change I hear you say ! Well they are lush and this one with it's cool blues really lends itself to snowmen. So my image is Penny Black 4003H Happy and Cool........only a snowman could be happy that cold I guess ? I stamped him twice and decoupaged him, colouring him with Marvy pens. The mats were cut with Nesties through the Bug, the large snowflake is a Cuttlebug cutting and embossing set and the border Martha Stewart doily lace punch. I distressed the edges with Tim Holz broken china and added some smaller snowflakes using a punch. The greeting is from Penny Black30-035.

Everybody Art Challenges

Good morning folks, it looks like being one of those days when I don't know if I am on my ---- or by elbow ! Just completed my card for this weeks Everybody Art Challenges which is a great sketch by Tina, went off to take a piccy of it and what do I find, I had already done one yesterday, so as I can't decide am posting both.

And if what was enough, I found I had even screwed up on my card for my own challenge coming up at Allsorts this Saturday.......now you would have thought taking so much time to prepare my theme I would at least have remembered what it was...... and the worse bit is, I only realised when I went to post it ready for Saturday. So a second take on that as well.

Back to this challenge, both cards totally different. The one with the birds which is yesterdays take is using Daisy Bucket DP's and a background brayered on to gloss cardstock using Tim Holz dried marigold, spiced marmalade, fired brick and mustard seed. I masked the sun for the initial brayering, then after removing the mask rand over it again with the mustard seed. The image is Penny Black 3837H and the sentiment from Woodware FRCL128 stamped onto white shrink plastic. The border is Fiskars and gems added to finish.

My second attampt is using Hero CL105 stamped with Hero shadow in soft apricot and green. The PS's are My Minds Eye and the border Martha Stewart doily lace. I ran one of the panels thought the Bug using the daisy folder to match the daisies on the image. The greeting is a section of Hero E4509 placed iside a tag cut on Cricut fabulous finds (I think - I borrowed the cartridge and ran off a stock of buckles and tags). Enblellised with some flowers, ribbon and brads.

Cupcake Challenge

Thought it was too good to last as today us fen folk woke up to a cold dull day which has now turned into rain.......yes I know we do need it. That central heating switch got a nudge this morning.......minus one in our greenhouse according to hubby, so those frosts can't be too far away. At lest that will help the sprouts on their way........mind you sprouts are a dodgy subject sometimes a bit like Marmite, you either hate them or your love them.......but they make the best bubble and squeak ever.

So on to a card, this week over at Cupcake the theme is 'Thanks a Bunch'. Just right for botanical me and a chance to share a recent card for a demo day at Sir Stampalot. For those of you who live in the area, I will be doing an all day demo with them on Saturday 17th October, refreshments and special offers all thrown in for good measure and a chance for lots of crafty chatter.

The image is one of the new Hero cling stamps CO102 inked with Brilliance Tyne and Hero shadow Soft Pool. The background card is repeat stamped with Hero H2385 Old French Writing, then overstamped with one of the swirl stamps from Inkadinkado 97513. The DP is Doodlebug punched with Fiskars Threading Water. String, flowers and pearls added to finish.

Penny Black chellenge

Good morning one and all, the wind has dropped and there is actually come sunshine today, rather cold still but at least bright. I had a trip to Sir Stampalot yesterday, first outing in two weeks apart from hospital etc., that is........so where else would I go on my first outing ? Oh food for the family I hear you say, goodness me no, what's the point in wasting valuable time doing that when I can order out to Tesco. And afraid I seem to have come home with new stash, some new Hero, Penny Black and Magenta stamps and the most yummy book of DP's from K&Co Winter Wonderland range. So hopefully some playtime with my upcoming DT projects that I will be sharing with you shortly.

This card is for this weeks Penny Black challenge, not entered last two weeks as the crafting has been limited, but feeling almost back into the groove now and this is what I have come up with for their 'Autumn Breezes' theme.

I first stamped around the edge of my mat cut on Cricut Storybook inking just the small branch of Penny Black 3982K Golden Leaves.......very apt I thought, with versamark and embossed with detail clear. Next I distressed the edges with Tim Holts Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade and just a touch of Aged Mahogany. I then stamped the larger branches with Brilliance Thyme and embossed with detail clear.

The border section was punched with what seems to be a new EK punch Dotted Wave........how on earth I managed to get that into my basket yesterday I have absolutely no idea, but seeing it's here felt I have to use it. The leaves are cut with a Woodware punch and inked and embossed with detail clear to give them some shine. The fibres under the borders and some string mesh I picked up at a garden centre and DP's are My Minds Eye.

Rosie Dees challenge

Sunday evening and sneak peek time for this weeks new challenge at Rosie Dees.

And this week we have Digital Delights. sponsoring us who will also be giving the winner a free download. It's a real 'yummy' theme this week so do go check it out and I look forward to coming round to see all your creatons.

Allsorts challenge 21

The fen gate is open today and it's blowing like a goodn. Anyone who knows the fens will understand what I mean.......not a hill in sight so when it blows we know all about it. And with it being so dry lately we have 'fen blows' as well - the fine soil wafting in clouds.

We have really had a treat this week as all the Allsorts DT were given downloads from Pink Petticoat from the new Big Fella range. Pink Petticoat are also sponsoring this weeks challenge and the lucky winner will receive a free download. And there is an added twist this week because if you use Pink Petticoat products to make your entry you can add the link twice on Mr Linky and have double the chance of winning.

I used the Kraft papers and the birthday cake image which I coloured with Promaprkers adding some glitter to the candles. The flowers were cut from the same papers and buttons and raffia added to them. The border is using Fiskars threading water. I stamped randomly around the image with Creative Expressions JN2B using Hero shadow ink soft pool.

By the Cute and Girlies goes live

Today sees the start of the brand new monthly challenge By The Cute and Girly. And no ordinary challenge either as we want to see all your crafty projects from cardmaking, scrapbooking right through to needlework and cookery. The are prizes on offer for the different categories from some wonderful sponsors.

Fittingly the first challenge is "Autumn Glory". All of the wondeful and varied DT's creations are on the main challenge blog, but we will individually be sharing our own with you throughout the month. You will also find links to free downloads, tutorials and other useful information.

The first of my DT projects I am sharing is a frame card using Inkadinkado 97513. The frame was cut on Cricut Plantin Schoolbook which I then stamped randomly with the single leaf stamp using Brilliance Crimson, Thyme, Copper and Chocolate. Three more leaves were stamped onto card, cut out and decoupaged in the corner with some raffia. The background for the inside of the frame is watercolour card inked with Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint and Scattered Straw - my preferred method of doing this is to dab each inkpad onto a silicone sheet several times, spritz well with water and then rub the card into the colour wash. The leaves are from the same set and the bird from Inkadinkado 98396 all embossed with detail copper.