Nutshells Challenge #26 - Stripes

We have a new challenge up and running at Nutshells and this time we are looking for you to use stripes on your card or project.


I have used one of the soon to be released Christmas Nutshells and what a cutie he is with his pile of presents. There are a few more of these in the pipeline and they are all fabulous. The papers that I have used are all by My Minds Eye and the little flowers started out as white prima ones which I have coloured with a copic marker and then given the stickles treatment to.
The sketch that I have followed is the last week's one at Friday Sketchers(I just missed the deadline!). However it probably does qualify for the current challenge at Ba Humbug where they are looking for you to use your favourite cutie - and this certainly has to be one of my new favourite Christmas images.

You can read all about the challenge and see the fab samples from the DT Here and I do hope that you have some time over the next 2 weeks to join us at our challenge.

Karen x

Cute Little Angel

I have another of the fab new Lilliput images from Squiggle Stamps to share with you today. This one is called L'il Angel and is available as a digi image here.

I have teamed her with some papers from My Minds Eye and the flowers are by prima.


The sketch that I have followed is the one this week at Pixie Cottage Challenge.



We are now half way through the month of August, but you still have a couple of weeks or so to get your entry into this month's challenge at Squiggle Stamps which I am hosting. So please check it out Here and come play along with us to be in with a chance to win a fab prize.

Have a great week.

Karen x

Nutshells Challenge #16

We have a new challenge for you at Nutshells blog and this time around we are challenging you to use polka dots or stripes or both! I

We have another great prize up for grabs this challenge but this week though we have a little surprise for you. Our fab prize this week is a mystery gift, but if your way too impatient to wait here are a few clues...

I'm a brand new stamp set soon to be released at www.nutcrafters.com
You can stamp me to send congratulations to a special couple
You can get a sneak peak of me Sunday 23rd May over at our sister blog!

On my card today I have used a new Harriet Hurst stamp which is due to be released at Nutcrafters very soon. I have coloured this gorgeous image with copics and the papers that I have used are by My Minds Eye, flowers by Prima. The sketch that I have followed is the current one at Friday Sketchers and what a great little sketch this one is - will definately be using this one again. I am also going to enter this card at Papertake Weekly where the theme this week is "Say it With Flowers.


Remember you must use ANY line of stamps that the Nutcrafter's store carries to qualify for the prize!!! That makes it nice and easy for everyone to participate!! So go over to Nutcrafter's and see their selection of stamps from lots of different companies such as The Greeting Farm, Stampavie, Magnolia, Ladybug & Friends, High Hopes, Buddy Bear and Sarah Kay. You can also get their own Nutshells, Harriet Hurst and our Digi Images. You're sure to have something you can use to win yourself a great prize.

You can read all about how to enter this challenge and also have a look at the fab cards from the DT this week Here

Well have fun with the challenge and please pop back to see me on Sunday 23rd May when we will be having a Nutshells blog hop to launch a new set of stamps - I know that you will love them!

Karen x

Pixie Dust Studio Blog Hop Design Team reveal

I have some really exciting news to share with you that I have been having to keep secret until today. Kathy of Pixie Dust Studios contacted me last week to ask if I would join the DT Pixies and of course, I didn't even need any time to make a decision on this one!! Kathy designs the most delightful whimsical digi images and these are just right up my street.

Enough of my excitiement now and on to the blog hop which you can read all about here.

We are so happy that you joined us for the first ever Pixie Dust Studio blog hop Design Team reveal.
We have added 6 new Designers to our current 6 Pixie Girl Designers.
If you haven't done a blog hop it's a lot of fun. Start at the beginning of the hop which is at Pixie Dust Studio and then hop
along to the next DT's blog that is listed on each blog.

Here is my first card as a "Pixie" and the gorgeous image is the one that Kathy has created especially for this DT announcement and she is available Here. The papers are all by My Minds Eye, the swirls were cut with a Quickutz die and the flowers are by prima. Ths sketch that I have followed is the one at The Character Cafe this week.


Head on over to your next stop on the hop which is to

Lana

And in case you get lost along the way...here is the full list of hoppers!

Cabio
Heather
Jacquie
Jana
Karen (Me)
Lana
Lisa F
Lisa
Margie
Shelly
Stephanie
Tammy
Pixie Dust Studio BLOG

Thanks so much for joining us for this super exciting hop!

Karen x

Truly Scrumptious sketch and another Squiggle Stamps preview

I have managed to get a bit of spare time today to make a card with the lovely sketch at Truly Scrumptious this week and have used one of the soon to be released Lilliput stamps from Squiggle Stamps. This one is called Gifts Galore and here she is balancing that tower of presents with her cute little cat perched on top of them all. The papers are all by my minds eye, flowers by prima and the presents sentiment is by CC designs.


Thursday is my day at College on my Business course. We had a assessment this morning which I managed to finish earlier than I had thought so I have had a few hours off before heading back this afternoon to sit another assessment. Today is the end of a set of modules so we will move onto new topics next week. The next lot sound a lot more interesting that the ones we have done so far so that should be good.

Have a great day.

Karen x

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 86 - Recipie

This week over at A Spoon Full of Sugar it was my turn to set the challenge and I have chosen a recipie for you - 3 Pieces of DP, 1 Piece of Ribbon, 3 flowers and 3 buttons. It was also my turn to pick a Guest DT member and the super-talented Simonne has created a gorgeous card for us this week - thanks Simonne. You can check out what the rest of the team have come up with and also this week's prize Here


I have had this Anya set for some time now, but what with Christmas I had never got round to inking this one up - I do so love these Anyas. The papers are by My Minds Eye and the flowers are by prima, buttons and pearls from Bunny Zoes Crafts.

Well it looks like our snow may finally start to thaw a bit today, although I think there may be more forcast for tomorrow.

The trains here are still not running properly and I have come into work on the bus today - it takes around 80 minutes compared to the 40 minutes on the train so I hope that all is sorted out on the railway soon.

Have a great week.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge 43

At Copic Colour Challenge this week we have another lovely colour combo for you to play with! This week, we are sponsored by the one and only My Favorite Things! - read all about it and see the fabulous cards from the DT this week Here

To be in with a shot at winning, all you need to do is create anything using the following Copic marker combo....



If you do not have any of these colours, please do not worry. We still want you to play along so please just use your nearest shade to those stated. As long as it is a Copic then that is OK by us.



The DT were lucky to be given the chance to pick a MFT digi image to work with and I have chosen this cute one with a snowman so that I could get another Christmas card out of the way. DP is by My Minds Eye and the snowflakes are a combination of Crafts House and Martha Stewart punches. Was not too sure at first about these iamges with no heads, but it is certainly growing on me and quite quirky I think.
The sketch that I have used is this weeks one from Stamp with Fun


I am at home today as I am not feeling too good. Was away at a meeting all day yesterday with work and just felt miserable when I got home, so am having a day at home lazing around today - just hope that it is a 24 hour thing as I really have too much to get done before heading off on holiday on Tuesday.

Enjoy the colours this week.

Karen x

Nutty Nutshells #5

I am a bit late with this post today, but as it is Wednesday it is time for another challenge at Nutty Nutshells Wednesday and this week the challenge is to use Ribbon on your card.
Check out the Nutshells blog for some great DT inspiration Here
Oh and don't forget to come play along. You have a chance to win the items below.
Head on over to the Nutshell blog and enter your card to win! Good Luck!




I have used one of the Nutshells Digi Angels on my card this week. The papers are all from My Minds Eye and the snowflakes by crafts house. Ribbon from my stash.


You have 2 weeks to get your cards done to be in with a chance of winning this fab prize and we look forward to seeing your creations.

Karen x

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Non Traditional Christmas Colours

Our Challenge this week was picked by our very own Shary and she challenged us to make a Non traditional coloured Xmas card.
Our wonderful sponsor this week is Elizabeth From softpencil digital stamps,who has very kindly offered the winner a voucher of $15 for her shop.

I have chosen to use this wonderful digi image by Mo Manning. I have used it before and coloured it in traditional green and red, but this is such a versatile image and looks equally as beautiful in these pastel colours. The papers are by My Minds Eye, flowers by prima and ribbon from my stash. The flourish was cut with a quickutz die and I have not put a sentiment on this card as I think it speaks for itself and also I thought it looked busy enough without adding to it.
I have used the fab sketch from Truly Scrumptious this week.


The DT have come up with some gorgeous samples this week and you can check them all out Here

Winter has definately arrived here in the Highlands of Scotland and the grass outside my office is completely white at the moment. We had a little flurry of snow on Sunday but nothing lying on the ground yet.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge - #40

It's Wednesday already and time for another challenge over at the Copics Challenge blog. This week we have another fabulous colour combination for you to follow and this one could be used for Christmas cards as some of the DT have shown, but equally these colours are just perfect for any other type of cards.


This week, we welcome back one of our favourite sponsors, InStyle Stamps! You can check out the prize that they have given us for one lucky winner Here and also check out what the DT and the guest DT members have created this week.


I have used one of the gorgeous Whiff of Joy stamps this week - I have 3 more of these, but not yet had a chance to even ink them up!!. The papers are by My Minds Eye, snowflakes punched with my faithful Martha Stewart Punch and ribbon from stash.


I hope you have fun with these colours.

Karen x

Nutshell's Peace Angel and 2 challenges

This is another of the set of 4 Digi Nutshells Angels that is now available at Nutcrafters and I think that she is just gorgeous. The papers are by My Minds Eye and I have followed the sketch at Sketch Saturday which shows her off beautifully. This card also fits the bill for Cute Card Thursday this week where they are asking for glitter on your cards. I have glittered the wings, the striped paper is glittered, the paper the flowers are punched from are glittered and I have used a Sakura glitter pen on the Peace lettering and I have used stickles glitter on the brads in the centre of the flowers so I think that this definately fits the bill!


I still have another 2 of these Angels to put on cards and will try to share them with you next week.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge #39

This week, we have another brilliant sponsor for you who is offering up an unmissable prize. This week, we are sponsored by none other than Stamping Bella! Emily, the Stampin' Bella herself, has offered up $20 of big fat Bella bucks to spend - what a great prize!! You can check it all out Here and also get some inspiration from the cards that the rest of the DT have made.


The colour combo this week is certainly a bold one but I think probably just perfect for those Christmas Cards.


This week I have tried something a bit different and a change from my usual pastel colours and cute images. This image is by Leanne Ellis for Sugar Nellie and is not actually a Christmas stamp but I had seen it used on a Christmas Card and have given it a try and I am just delighted with the finished result. DP is by My Minds Eye, flowers by Prima and sentiment by Papermania.

I am sure that you will have fun with these colours and I look forward to visiting your blogs to see your creations.

Karen x

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 77 - Create a Scene

Our Challenge this week at A Spoon Full of Sugar was picked by our very own Michelle and she asked us to "Create a Scene". Our wonderful sponsor this week is Summer From Belles n Whistles.
Summer has kindly donated one of the new Elisabeth Bell stamps called Rockin Around.


I have used another of the new Squiggle Stamps which is due to be released later this month. This one is Oscar sitting on his sledge and to create the background, I have masked off Ocsar and then stamped some trees with a tree stamp from the Darcy's Snowman set that I have. Lots of glitter to create the snow effect and the papers are by My Minds Eye as are the coloured snowflakes, the white snowflakes were cut with a Martha Stewart punch.

I hope you all have fun creating your scene cards and please do take a look at the blog Here to take a look at the gorgeous cards that the DT have come up with this week and drool over our Guest Designer Kittie's card this week.

Karen x

Everybody-art-challenge and new Nutshells Digi Set

This cute little Angel sitting on her cloud is from a new set of Nutshells Digi Images (4 in total) that Nutcrafters.
I have used the great sketch over at Everybody-art-challenge this week and have made a little 9cm x 9cm card. The papers are from My Minds Eye and the snowflake cut with a Martha Stewart punch.


I will hopefully get some more of these little cards made this week, I will probably give them to my grandaughter Sophie as they would be just perfect for her to give to her special friends.

I will be back with my Spoon Full of Sugar card tomorrow morning and I do hope you are all keeping warm - I had to scrape a hard frost off the car this morning and according to the weather lady this morning it was -7degrees in Aviemore last night and I am sure we could not have been far behind that.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge #37

Here we are half way through the week again and time for another Copics Colour Challenge and what a treat we have in store for you this week! Our sponsor this week is none other than Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. To read all about the fabulous prize that Kimmie has put up for this week's challenge please read Here and at the same time have a look at the beautiful cards that the rest of the DT have created with this weeks colours. Remember you don't have to have the exact colours, just use the nearest in colour that you have, as long as you use copics that will be fine by us and of course you can combine these colours with some others.


This little image is from Digistamp boutique and doesn't she look so warm and cosy in her winter coat. The papers and sentiment are all by My Minds Eye and the snowflakes from a sticker sheet. The sketch is the one at Mojo Monday


I am scheduling this post to appear around lunch-time as I just about to head off to Aviemore for a conference today. It is a gorgeous day here so it should be a lovely drive up through Speyside as the colours of the autumn trees here at the moment is just spectacular.

Have fun with this week's colours.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge #31

Wednesday morning already (where is the weeking going) and time for another Copics Colour Challenge. As the season here in the UK has really started to turn, these colours are going to be perfect for all of those autumnal cards you are all dying to make! Please check out the blog Here to see what the rest of the DT have come up and also out guest DT members this week.



I have used a couple of the stamps from the Midsummer Nutshells range which is available from Nutcrafters and these were just perfect for the Autumn Colours that we have for the challenge this week. The papers are from the MME Bloom and Grow set and the flowers were all just cut from one of the DP sheets with a small jem stone for the centre.

The layout that I have used is from the sketch at this week's Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge



I have used another Nutshell from the same set on the inside of the card and the ladybird is also a stamps from the set. Same papers as before.



Thanks for looking.

Karen x

Midsummer Nutshells meets Friday Sketchers

On Saturday 29th August Nutcrafters will celebrate their first year of being up and running.

They have added lots of new ranges to thsir store, including their very own Nutshells designs.

To celebrate they are having a BIG BIRTHDAY BONANZA weekend from 28th-31st August, with lots of special offers and great deals!

Today I can share one of those with you, with a sneak peak of a new stamp set they are releasing on the 28th... Midsummer Nutshells. The set contains 10 individual stamps and is just fabulous.

I have already started colouring in some more of this set and will preview some more of them over the next week or so. I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

Front of card

The papers I have used are all by My Minds Eye and come from the Bloom and Grown and Wild Asapargus sets. The lovely sheer ribbon is also from A Minds Eye set. I have paper pieced the little dress so as to have it matching wih the papers.

I have followed the fabulous sketch on Friday Sketchers this week for the front of the card.

Inside of card

I have used the same image on the inside and carried the same papers through from the front.

Back of card

Please keep an eye on the Nutshells blog Here to see some more previews from the rest of the DT of these fab stamps and to read about the birthday weekend coming up.

I will be back on Tuesday with my Spoon Full of Sugar (another of this fab new set) DT card and also my ICS DT card.

Karen x