CASE Me a Christmas Card

Every year for the past few years my crafty friend Michelle Lupton has asked me to play along with her "Challenge Me a Christmas Card". In the past we've chosen a theme and created to that theme. Last year Michelle tweaked it a little - and I have to say it was a FABULOUS tweak and one I really enjoyed. Once again this year we are CASE'ing a card created by each other. 

I checked out Michelle's Instagram Page - Michelle_Lupton and chose THIS card she created to CASE (published with permission from Michelle), isn't it adorable? Michelle and I have such different stryles but we both have a love of the art and that's what makes this challenge even more fun, interpreting her style into my own. Her use of die cuts, embossing and colour are truly amazing, I feel I may have short changed her here using her card made from pre-printed paper, but she showcases it in such an amazing way that she definitely shows her design skills.

 I love Christmas and Christmas baubles are so versatile. I chose 3 of  Mo Manning's gorgeous playful elves to use on my card and added a striped digital paper corner so that I could overlay one of my elves into it. I added some stickles and washi tapes to the border for extra Christmas sparkle and the baubles are also glittered up. Michelle used a paper pack from Paper Rose Studio. 

Thanks Michelle for another awesome challenge. I do think I tend to be quite literal when I CASE someone's work. but then I don't want to lose too much of the inspiration in my redesign either.

To check out which of my cards Michelle chose to CASE check out her link HERE. I can't wait to see what she did! And don't forget to check out more of her amazing CASEs for this challenge on her BLOG.

CASE Me a Christmas Card

 

Every year for the past few years my crafty friend Michelle Lupton has asked me to play along with her "Challenge Me a Christmas Card". In the past we've chosen a theme and created to that theme. This year Michelle tweaked it a little - and I have to say it was a FABULOUS tweak and one I really enjoyed. This year we are CASE'ing a card created by each other. 

I checked out Michelle's Instagram Page - Michelle_Lupton and chose THIS card she created to CASE, isn't it adorable? I love gnomes and chose 3 of  Mo Manning's to use. Michelle used the Gnomies from Paper Rose Studio. 

Of course given it's a Christmas Challenge I did change the colours and sentiment to suit the festive season. Thanks Michelle for another awesome challenge.

To check out which of my cards Michelle chose to CASE check out her link HERE. I can't wait to see what she did! And don't forget to check out more of her amazing CASEs for this challenge on her BLOG.

Tickled Pink Stamps is Sponsoring 2 Challenges

This week Tickled Pink Stamps is sponsoring the Paper Sundaes Challenge which is Vintage/Shappy Chic. We are also sponsoring the monthly CLP sketch challenge so I've managed to combine the 2 into one card - although you may notice I've flipped the sketch upside down to suit my image.

I've used the fantabulous Lil Victorian Steampunk Luca (available HERE) for my card which I've sent off to my BIL for his birthday today - can you guess how old he is - LOL. My DPs are a mixture from different companies and I have added a few little bits and bobs from Tim Holtz too.

Some of the other Pink Ladies are playing along too - and you can check out their gorgeous work on our blog HERE.

xXx

Three Challenges in One

This week Tickled Pink Stamps is proudly sponsoring 3 different challenges. And as they all work together I have combined them into one card. I've used the wickedly handsome Lil Pirate Luca and popped him onto a circular easel card - you can get this cutie HERE. I don't have a Grand Calibur so these are the original sized circles but I'm thinking it works OK as I haven't let the boundaries scare me off - LOL. The sentiment is computer generated and the flourish dies are from WoJ.

We have Cupcake Craft doing anything BUT a square, Bearly Mine are doing "Happy Birthday" and lastly Do You Stack Up are using the colour GREEN.

We hope you can play along with some or ALL of these fabulous challenges for a chance to win some TPS prizes!

And just in case you hadn't heard Kellie has this amazing offer...

SPEND OVER $50 FOR FREE SHIPPING "WORLDWIDE"

That's right spend just $50 and you get free shipping and this doesn't just apply within Australia but WORLDWIDE. You really can't go wrong with a price like that! (Stamps ONLY for overseas customers)

And don't forget to enter for a chance to win my blog candy HERE.

xXx

Butternut Sage Contest

As I mentioned yesterday my lovely friend Donna over at Butternut Sage Designs has an amazing blog candy contest going! I have enjoyed Donna's Stampin' Up creations from the very beginning of my stamping journey. Her creations are always stylish and inspiring - and she loves a bit of dry embossing too - a gal after my own heart! Donna often has some fun and whimsical elements to her cards too - make sure you spend some time scrolling through her blog if you visit! And her bows - WOW - it almost makes me wish I did bows more often - LOL.

I've gone back to my SU roots for this card - to further honour Donna's dedication to these wonderful products. I've used my "God's Beauty" stamp set and the sentiment is from SU's "Sincere Salutations". I was going to pop a bow on somewhere - but couldn't figure out where - LOL. It's really hard to emulate someone else's style - especially one so different to mine! I sooo felt the need to layer on some flowers, leaves etc! I hope I've captured Donna's style OK - but as always - the original is ALWAYS the best!!!!

xXx

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch #45

When I found the Just Christmas and Birthday Cards challenge blog I thought it would get me making a Christmas card every week and I would be well ahead in the lead up to Christmas! Unfortunately I haven't always managed to play along and the Christmas goodies are starting to show up in the shops - the pressure is ON!!!

It's school holidays here in Melbourne - which means I get 2 weeks off work too - and some time to play!!! I love the sketch this week from Tanja - and I'm really happy with the way my card worked out.

I've used another fabulous digital image from Mo's Digital Pencil called Choir - I love the multi-cultural feel of this little group - harmoniously singing together - wish the world could be the same!!! I have a few of Mo's images now - they are just fabulous!!!! I've paired it with some retired SU DP, Real Red and Handsome Hunter CS. The sentiment is from SU's Snow Swirled set and the star brads are from my stash. Once again I've used my Touch and Copic markers to colour.

xXx

Another Double Challenge

Boy am I on a roll - LOL. I've managed to do another card for 2 challenges. This one follows Kellie's Sketch Challenge #3 and uses the colour combo from Colour Create - Neon Green and Black!

I first saw this colour combo on the divine Miss Dena's blog. I'm a bit of a green addict so this colour combo has been rattling around in my head waiting to be used. Teamed with the black it's absolutely fabulous!

I used one of the Motivet images Kellie very kindly let me stamp off recently - I have already coloured him in yellows and browns so this looked quite strange next to that one. But put him into this fabulous layout from Kellie with more Basic Black and Green Galore CS and it just seemed to work! I know there's a touch of white in there - ah well - it's called artistic license I believe - LOL.

Not sure why I am inside - the weather outside is delightful - warm and lovely Spring breezes - with the wind chimes singing away! Am off to enjoy it... hope your day is wonderful too.

xXx

Two Challenges in One!

I'm not known for managing to fit more than one challenge in a card - unlike some of my amazing blogging friends who sometimes fit in 4 or 5! Don't know how they do it!!! I managed to find time to put this card together today - I had coloured the image up a couple of days ago but have been organising a class for tomorrow ever since. It's a bit scary - am teaching folk art painting again - haven't done that in AGES!!! Had to find all my bits and pieces tucked away behind all the inks and CS that have overtaken my crafting space - LOL.

Ok - back to my card! Last weekend Mo Manning from Digital Pencil Too posted a challenge on her SNR Card Universe - to use this fabulous image! How tough is THAT!!!! Well I had her printed off in no time and had her all coloured up pretty soon after! While I was colouring her I kept thinking she reminded me of my daughter reading her school novels - she only has a few weeks of High School left before her final exams so she's started her revision by revisiting these books. I figured that meant this card qualified for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge that my friends Lisa and Kris help organise. Their 3rd challenge is "Back to School". Our Aussie kids are heading into the end of their school year but their US counterparts are just starting! My daughter has just entered her university preferences for next year - so this particular sentiment from SUs In The Stars just fit beautifully. I really hope all her dreams DO come true!

I hope all your dreams come true too.

xXx

Creatalicious Challenge #1

Recently the ultra talented Bec and Cheryl launched a fun new monthly challenge - Creatalicious Challenges - and it's just as well it's monthly as it's taken me forever to find the time to play along!!!

Their first challenge was inspired by Father's Day here in Australia - which is this coming Sunday. You need to make a male card including the colour brown and some metal. When I saw this digital image from Mo Manning at Digital Pencil Too I knew it was the image for me - or at least for my train obsessed brother-in-law! I find male cards hard - I keep wanting to tizz them up with other bits'n'pieces - but I think I stopped myself in time here - LOL. A bit of texture with the cuttlebug embossing, some rich colours and some metal and that's it!

The sun is shining outside and I'm heading off for lunch with my sister and mum to celebrate my mum's birthday - no complaints from me today - LOL. Hope your day is just as much fun!!!

xXx

Kellie's Sketch Challenge #2

Yay - I finally found time to play along with a challenge that's not related to my DT work. Kellie has come up with another fabulous sketch and is offering some cute Motivet stamps as a prize - but hands off - they're MINE - LOL

This cute little baby having all the fun in the fall leaves is a digital stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil. Kellie showed me a couple of Mo's designs at Stamp Camp and I couldn't resist getting a couple for myself. I did colour up one of Kellie's but haven't had time to card it up yet - poor neglected thing!!! The images at Mo's have to be seen to be believed - if you can't find something you LOVE there you're just not looking properly!!!

And don't forget to give Kellie's sketch a go too - you have until midnight Sunday, 30th August - Melbourne Oz time!!!

xXx

Do You Want To Win Some Sunshine Stamps??

This week Sunshine's Stamps are sponsoring Priscilla's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and up for grabs are some free images and some blog candy - check it out here. This was meant to be posted earlier but somehow it just didn't happen - not sure why - I thought I had it scheduled properly - ah well - it means you have 2 posts from me today - LOL!!!

I've used the sketch on it's side, and one of the new "About the House" series of stamps - Burnie Toaster - to make a fun and quirky engagement card.

Once again I had all sorts of fun suggestions for sentiments, it makes for lots of laughs with family and friends - but decided to go with something a little tamer than some of the suggestions - LOL. It's another aspect of these fun images I love - the creativity of finding a fun sentiment to go along with the image - and then seeing what the other Sunshine Gals get up too with theirs - they are all linked in the sidebar here if you want to check them out - soo much fun!!! I really enjoyed this sketch - I love the look of the panels behind the main image. Hope you want to give it a go too...

xXx

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch Challenge #40 and Lisa's Challenge for a Sunday Afternoon #2

I've actually combined 2 challenges in this card - mainly because I'm running out of time before I leave for Stamp Camp and want to enter both of these challenges - LOL. The first is a sketch by Karin over at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards - these challenges are helping me get my Christmas cards done and the sketches are always fabulous!!!

The second part of the challenge is Lisa's Challenge for a Sunday Afternoon and this week we had to use a tool that had been sitting idle for a while. I'm not quite sure Lisa will allow me this tool - it's my Christmas Ornament Cuttlebug Embossing folder and I've used it on the Real Red CS!! Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a bit of a CB addict - and I bought a whole heap of embossing folders early on. I'm ashamed to admit that this one has never been used!!! Does that count Lisa???? If not I know I haven't used my snowflake punch for a while - it's my back-up neglected tool - LOL.

The cute little elf image I bought last week and a quilt and craft fair I went to with my sisters. He comes from an Australian company called Fern Gully Stamps - and lucky for me their shop is only a short drive away too! I've popped some Crystal Effects on the bauble to give it a lovely 3D shine. The sentiment is from SUs hostess set - Best Yet and the DP is from the Ski Slope series again - I think it's my Christmas favourite!!

Catch up with you soon - have a GREAT weekend....

xXx

Kellie's 1st Challenge - A Sketch

My amazingly talented friend Kellie Winnell has decided to celebrate her recent achievements by posting a sketch challenge - with a secret surprise prize!!!! Well how could I not play along and support her wonderful blog and talents! You have until Friday, 25th if July at midnight Australian EST - so why not drop everything and give it a go!

I actually made my card up last Sunday - but didn't get a chance to post it until now thanx to some dodgy prawns!!!

The image was stamped off for me by my friend Deb A - she bought the stamp recently and thought I would like a couple of images to play with - I did!! Not sure which stamp company he belongs to but he is rather cute!

The large circle has been cut from a sheet of Whisper White that I stamped with the SU Gratuitous Graffiti background stamp. I also cut a smaller circle out of an offcut to stick behind a SU Clear Button, after I tied a piece of embroidery floss through the holes. A smaller circle of DP was popped into a Build-a-Brad, this little guy just didn't seem to need flowers in the layout! The sentiment is from my favourite hostess set - Best Yet.

I hope you get a chance to check out the challenge - or give it a go yourself!!!

xXx

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch Challenge #39

This week's sketch over at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards is by Amanda. I must admit to being really glad that they are posting their challenges fortnightly for July and August - otherwise I certainly wouldn't have made the deadline!

I got the idea of using the tree from Thoughts & Prayers on a Christmas card from Paula over at Precioso Designs. I haven't followed the sketch exactly but I'm pleased with the final card I ended up with, it's not traditional but I think that's one reason I like it.

The tree has been embossed with white EP and the DPs are from Ski Slope - appearing in our Spring Mini from August 1st! The other images are from Winter Post.

I was checking out how many Christmas cards I have made already thanx to fabulous challenges like this one - I'm really happy to know I've made a GREAT start and hope I'll actually be organised this year - a first for me - LOL.

xXx

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch Challenge #35

WOW - I won last week's challenge over at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards with this Holiday Line Up card!!!! I'm over the moon about it too - not only have I made a head start on my Christmas cards and had a lot of fun - I've also won a really cute stamp!!! My hubby is rapt too - new rubber I haven't had to pay for - LOL.

Now onto this week's fabulous sketch by Simone. I've cheated a bit by using a border of pin holes around the perimeter of the card to give the illusion of another layer - I just couldn't find anything I liked as much to go with the busyness of the image layered onto 2 different DPs from the Holiday Treasures set. The Ruby Red gives a lovely warm glow behind the snow globe image and I think it off sets the snowflakes beautifully. I just wish you could see the sparkle of the Dazzling Diamonds and rhinestones.

The image is from the retired SU set Snow Globe - a set I was reminded to use after I saw another snow globe card created by Leonie over at A Stamper's World this week - check it out here. It's such a fun set because it has various scenes to use.

It actually feels a little like a traditional Christmas at the moment - snow has started falling in the snow fields and the coats and scarves have come out to play. Having been born in the England I have fond memories of cold Christmases and the smell of baking at my Nana's house - no wonder we celebrate "Christmas in July" here in Australia!

xXx

Bizzy Becs Whiff of Joy Challenge

Bizzy Bec has a challenge running until May 22nd using a Whiff of Joy stamp and lace. I only have a couple of Whiff of Joy stamps and the other one is a chair - may try that one another time! I love this image from the Winter Collection and with the cold weather outside it certainly felt like the right stamp to use. I've played with my Copics again - am loving these! I also masked the little girl and stamped the large snowflakes in Soft Sky (retired) and Versamark so I could add some glittery EP. The smaller snowflakes are just in the Soft Sky. These stamps are from the retired SU set The Snowflake Spot. I've used my Eyelet Border punch to fulfil the lace criteria. This is soo sparkly IRL - with the snowflakes and Dazzling Diamonds on the girls ear muffs, muffs and boots!

And can you tell - I have some new Nesties - Labels 2!!!

KWerner Color Inspiration #51

It seems to have been ages since I've had a chance to participate in Kristina Werner's colour challenge - it's great to be able to play again. It was also great to be back in my stamping room after Convention. I've had all of these fabulous ideas rumbling around my head and all I wanted to do was stamp - but there was the house to get clean, work to go to, washing to get done and a new vacuum to buy - I haven't bought my new iron yet - so can't do any ironing yet - what a shame!!!! Am wondering how long I can put buying it off - LOL
It's Autumn here in Melbourne - only a few short days to Winter! The colours for the challenge reminded me of the fall colours - the trees seem to be ablaze with stunning reds and oranges! That was my inspiration for this card and colour combo! AND it gave me the perfect excuse to use this fabulous tree from Thoughts and Prayers - I just can't get enough of it!!! The idea for the heart in build-a-brad on the tree is a CASE from my fabulous upline Yvonne - here's her post where she gives you a tutorial on using the BaBs too, and check out the stunning card!!!

Chicks Inspiration Challenge - Week 5

Wow - when I saw this Inspiration Picture for the latest challenge as Guest DT for Chicks with Inkpads I knew exactly what stamps I wanted to use - the big problem is I don't actually own them - yet!! When we got the new catalogue I highlighted all the sets I wanted - but unfortuately the budget didn't stretch to getting them all at once - after all - I have all year to buy them right!!!! So you can just imagine how frustrating it was to see these sets highlighted in my catty but not sitting on my shelf!!! Maybe I should work some overtime - NO - that'll leave me no time to stamp - LOL. It's a vicious circle!!!

Can you guess which sets I wanted??????

To start with how good would the grasses have been from the Inspired by Nature set??? But I don't have them, so I used the image of Upsy Daisy I had stamped in Kiwi Kiss at our team get together. I've combined this with some Urban Garden DP , Baja Breeze CS, Cuttlebugging and some white taffeta ribbon. I chose this particular DP and cuttlebug folder as the stripes represent the tall grass. The sentiment is from Fresh Cuts. There's a funny story to it's shape, I had stamped it onto a scrap of Whisper White before I decided I didn't want to use my oval punch - and the scrap was too small for the square punch, it was missing the bottom corner!! I thought it looked pretty cool and cut the corner off the larger square too - LOL.

I tried to match the colours of my punched butterflies to the ones in the inspiration piece - but they looked shocking! So after many colourful butterflies being punched and layed out, and lots of family discussion, I ignored everyone and popped these 3 on! I've also added Dazzling Diamonds to the 3 largest flowers!

I'll be checking out the challenge to see what everyone else comes up with - I wonder if my sets appear!!!

Chicks Inspiration Challenge - Week 4

Woohoo - this week I don't get to play along with the Chicks with Inkpads inspiration challenge because this week I was a Guest Designer!!! They ask the top 5 entries to join in the fun so why don't you give it a go too! It would have been nice if there were more than 5 entries, but I'll take the spot - LOL.


I couldn't resist using this little Tilda I had - so perfect for a "beach" feel. I don't have any umbrellas so had to go with the colours - Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Sahara Sand. I've used my Speckled Wheel and Sahara Sand to add a sandy texture to the top of the Whisper White oval background. On the bottom I've swirled on some Soft Sky and Blue Bayou for waves - and added a few "whitecaps" with my white gel pen. I also used a leftover "sea" scrap for the background of my sentiment.

The stone steps are courtesy of Philippa over at Cards from the Cauldron - we had a little Magnolia swap happening - thanx Philippa!! Some Divine Swirls Cuttlebugging on some Night of Navy CS adds more "waves" - and a little friend from Crab & Company looks to nibble Tilda's toes should they get too close!

I just wish I had noticed the steps were put on a little crooked - it's one of those things that get REALLY annoying once you notice it!!! Did I make you go back and look?!?!?!

Chicks Inspiration Challenge - Week 3

Now this challenge from Chicks with Inkpads finished off nothing like it began!!! Firstly I had decided to do 3 oval vases in the three different colours - but just could NOT get the idea to work!! It was just not ME and I felt it was boring - so of course I just HAD to play with it some more which completely wrecked it!!! So then I decided to go with the colours - which led to all sorts of discussions as to whether the middle vase was green or white - so I used BOTH, after all there is green foliage and a white background - along with the pink and blue.


I am so much happier with this card - it's much more my style - if I HAVE a style, still working on THAT!! I've had this Tilda with Puppy stamp for a while now - this one was actually already coloured up and cut out in my "finished images" drawer. I like to sit and colour but don't always have the card ready to go so I pop these images in my little drawer ready to use when the time is right - it even amazed me how many I had in there waiting to be loved! The sentiment is from the new hostess set Best Yet.