Birthday Blues

This time of year can be a bit of a nightmare in our house.

We love the darker nights and snuggly evenings as the

temperature drops, but...

I have a son who has never been happy about birthdays, or

any event that puts him in the limelight (yes including Christmas)

This year he is trying. He has agreed to go out for a quiet meal...

(and he may even order a dessert)

He will be 25 and this is the first year he has chosen to 

"do something" just for his birthday.

I want to jump up and down with glee, but I can't,

 that might scare him off, so instead I have made him a subtle

Birthday card XXX

I was so excited I actually stuck the images on the wrong way

hahahahaha...so how to save it?

The easiest thing would have been to cut the whole front off 

and glue it onto a fresh card, but that's not always an option.

So instead I turned it into a kind of easel card...

by creasing and folding the back section in half, inwards...

then adding a raised strip on the back of the decorated section

to act as a stopper...

Turned out pretty sturdy :D

You can't see it on the main picture, but I added

shimmer pen for a subtle bit of sparkle .

This card was made using 

Crafty Witches "Twilight Magic" 8x8 paper pad

and is my DT project for

THE CRAFTY ADDICTS

CHALLENGE 06

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share it with the following challenges;

Creatalicious Challenges #268 Anything Goes with Paper

AAA Birthday Card Challenge #54 Fav Colours

Moving Along with The Times #159 Anything Goes

Loves To Craft #76 Anything Goes

 

Faded Butterflies

 

As Autumn approaches I love to see the butterflies, 

with their dusky faded colours, flitting around the 

buddleia. By the time I post this the flowers will 

also have faded, leaving the rust brown seeds.

This is where I took my inspiration from for this months challenge 

at 

THE CRAFTY ADDICTS

I have treated myself to the (not so ) guilty pleasure

that is 

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.

(I got mine from Hobbycraft on a 3 for 2 deal)

I don't have the entire collection (yet),

but I do have enough pieces to create with.

I stamped and coloured a faded purple leaf design

onto some natural Kraft card...

stamped and coloured this gorgeous butterfly on 

another piece of the kraft card and layered onto 

some of the stunning papers.

Then I added a simple layered tag, and a shimmery 

layer to the butterfly with a Glittershine pen

 from Dawn Bibby Creations

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share with the following challenges;

Everybody Art Challenge #541 anything goes

Unicorn Challenge Blog # 91 Layer it up

The Outlawz September Challenge # Tuesday color challenge

Simon Says Blog Monday Challenge # Stamp It

Lawn Fawnatics Challenge  #156 Color inspiration

Blooming Gorgeous

Hello folks, time to share another project for 

THE CRAFTY ADDICTS

Challenge 04 

(Always Anything Goes)

I've mentioned before how I could be a bit of a

"creativity snob" at times, but I have always appreciated

the pre-cut card kits you can buy.

We don't always have the time or the inclination 

to create from scratch.

I decided to use this gorgeous kit from 

HUNKYDORY

Beautiful soft shades and classically elegant images.

(and foiled which makes photos difficult lol)

Took a base card sheet and my trusty score board

(Crafter's Companion Pro)

and made a fancy fold....

I had a piece of lace I wanted to add, but it was the

 wrong colour blue, so I took a pro marker and 

changed it.

I also wanted to add an extra butterfly, 

stamped and fussy cut and coloured with same marker...

Minimal effort for a beautifully elegant card.

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this card with the following challenges:

Everybody Art Challenge #540 - sketch

A Perfect Time to Craft #8- August 2023 - anything goes

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge#114 - anything goes

Rabisco Challenge #48 August Birthday (must use haberdashery)

 

Batch Making with Alice

My DT project for this months challenge at

THE CRAFTY ADDICTS

I've never really been any good at "batch" making cards 

as I get bored quickly lol

But I treated myself (again) to this gorgeous kit from

 Crafter's Companion

And Oh my Goodness....

literally everything but the glue and scissors!

Then it was just a matter of where to begin...

All of a sudden I had a batch of 6 cards to send with

the RAK packages I am making

(The blue stripey ribbon is from my own stash)

Classically simple cards can look so expensive lol

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share these with the following Challenges;

Creative Fingers Challenge # 258 Anything Goes

Colour My Heart Colour Dare #555 Four Square Colour Combi

As You Like It Challenge # Favourite Plain or Patterned Paper and why

Krafty Chicks Challenge #670 Anything Goes

Hand Stamped Sentiments #417 Inspiration Jug and Roses 

Try It On Tuesdays # Summer Blooms

Granny! I'm going to be 3!!!

This month's challenge from

THE CRAFTY ADDICTS

is now open :D

and for my card this month I chose to again use up

some of my stash. 

This box of joy and sparkle has been with me for around 

15 years!!! and is a mixture of Dawn Bibby fairies and any

other shimmery things I bought along the way.

I was going to doodle over the plain die-cut frame...

but then I thought it might distract from the shimmery embossed

paper background.

I loved the paper so much I couldn't bear to cover it,

so I just used clear sparkly alphabet stickers...

and soft glittered fairy and butterfly stickers...

I think I have been a bit "snobbish" about using

stickers in the past, but so glad I hung on to these.

Stickers are also awesome for adding a little

detail to envelopes (see 1st photo)

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this card with the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create #June - Anything Goes/Good old Summertime

Allsorts Challenge #week 731 - Anything Goes / use your dies

The Fairy and the Unicorn Challenge # June - Anything Fantasy

Unicorn Challenge #88 June - Fantasy

 

My Crafting Addiction made whole again...

Welcome to the newest challenge from

The Crafty Addicts 

It's a while since I wandered the fabulous place that is 

Blogland, and I couldn't think of a better way to get

back exploring than to join a DT and spread the joy of

crafting.

It seems like forever since I made a greetings card, so I

decided to try and keep it simple to ease myself back in.

My version of C&S (clean n simple)

I started by just grabbing a random selection of bits

from my craft room...

I chose an image from the

 Hunkydory Little Book of Flower Children

and then used a 

Craft Sensations Deco stencil

to create a matching background paper.

Then it was just a matter of building a few sympathetic

layers with muted tones.

This card was for my 8 year old niece, who asked for watercolour

paints for her birthday (Auntie Gina always buys the proper stuff),

so the card is meant to mimic the soft effect you can get when using

watercolours.

Hope you enjoyed my little run through , and that it inspires you to

raid your stash and have some fun :D

I look forward to visiting your blogs to see your lovely creations.

And don't forget to check out our sister challenge at

Crafting From the Heart

where Anything goes (except cards)

Enjoy

XXX

I would like to share this card at the following challenges:

Beyond The Blue challenge- #84 Birthday

Creative Fingers Challenge-#253 Anything Goes

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge- # April Colour Pallette

Dream Valley Challenge-#293 Make it Female

A Place to Start-# May Anything Goes 

Path of Positivity-#112 Anything goes w/o Inspired by Nature

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends-#204 Anything Goes (2nd entry)

Bloomin' Birthday

So glad April is over. 

Sorry I haven't been around but it has been a 

month of trials....

Managed to cave in to the worst "flu" I've ever had on 

the same day Mum took a turn for the worst...

She passed on the 5th and the funeral had to be

sorted quickly as little Sis was full term with her

baby boy.

Baby was due the day of Funeral!!!

Fortunately all has passed well, and Baby 

hung on til 20th bless.

It was also her daughters Birthday...

 the same weekend Mum passed!

My DT project for MAY at

CRAFTYHAZELNUT'S

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

is the card I made for my little niece :)

I was supposed to be posting a review about

the Stazon ink pads, so I used one

(Gothic Purple)

to stamp my Gorjuss image onto watercolour paper.

I felt it would make a softer outline for the watercolour

paint effect.

(Gorjuss stamps by Santoro)

I used one of the small collectable stamps for the 

money pocket on the inside...

which I also watercoloured.

I really am pleased with the overall look of this card,

matching the colours of the papers

(Spring Delights from Paper Boutique) to paint the image,

and the stazon didn't move at all!!! :D

So here's to a less stressful May XXX

I would like to share in the following challenges;

Sweet Stampers Challenge #31 Celebrate/Birthday

Colour Crazy Challenge # wk 16 Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #279 AAG

Crafting From the Heart # 242 Anything Goes

Classic Card

My February project for

CRATYHAZELNUT'S 

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

Haven't made a card since Christmas lol

So for my "very grown up" 8 year old niece

(who is an avid Harry Potter fan) , I wanted

to make something classically Magical :D

 Graphics 45 "Enchanted Forest" collection are the 

perfect papers for that "ethereal" feel...

and the addition of micro beads gives just 

enough "bling" for a classic look . 

(Close up of the yumminess that is Graphic 45)

Inside I made a pocket with another topper

to put money in....

I know it seems a little young for cash, but

here only request was to go to the Harry Potter

shop in a nearby city.

Gotta love a girl who knows exactly what she wants :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this card in the following challenges;

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 29th January~Anything Goes

Always Fun Challenges # 95 Anything Goes

Fab n Funky Challenge # 425 Fantasy Figure

A Bit More Time to Craft # 85 Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge # 415 Anything Goes

Don't let Life get in your way...

As ever, Life has been throwing wobblers my way,

BUT 

I am stronger, so managed to kick it all into shape

and get some Christmas cards made AND mailed lol

In keeping with the "brown paper" movement I chose to use 

Kraft card bases...

For my special Princesses,

 Graphics 45 "Nut Cracker Suite" papers

 then 2 different stamped images.

The 1st "Snow Forest" from Spellbinders...

 the 2nd "Robins" from Craft UK Rubber Stamping.

Both are stamped with permanent black ink, on 

backgrounds made with watercolour paper treated 

with watery inks/watercolour paint/white gesso.

A little Diamond Stickles for a frosty sparkle :D

I would like to share these cards in the following challenges;

Sweet Stampers Challenge #27 Anything Goes 

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #415 

Shopping Our Stash # 384 - Tis the Season

Crafty Creations Challenge # 380 Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown # 421 Anything Goes

Flowers for the MIL

Welcome to 

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge

August

(Always Anything goes MUST use patterned papers)

My project is a Birthday card for my MIL

who will be 87 years of age this month.

She loves her roses, and flowers are always on option

on anything I make for her :D

This card is made using the "Summer Posy Collection"

from Hobby House.

The paper/ribbon flowers are from my stash :)

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges;

Inkspirational Challenge # 166 Designers choice (10 minutes or less)

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 31st August Anything goes

Crafting From the Heart #217 Anything Goes

Use Your Stuff #323 Free Week