Nutty Nutshells Challenge #9

Love is in the air. Today is a new challenge at Nutshell's. We want to see your Valentine's themed cards. We have a great prize up for grabs as always and as ever, some great great inspiration on the blog from the rest of the DT.
For more information on the Challenge, click here. All you have to do is make a Valentine's Day card using a Nutcrafter's stamp or image and post a comment on the Challenge blog.


For my little project this time around, I have decorated a little brown treat bag and have used one of the digi images from the Loved Up Set which is still available at Nutcrafters and the papers are from a Nitwits download.

I have filled the bag with some really yummy chocolates, so think will need to give this to my husband in the hope that he may share them with me.

It is our Wedding Anniversary on Valentines Day and we will be spending the weekend at out little place in Spain. I have booked for us to go to our favourite restaurant on Sunday night so I can't wait for the 14th to come around. I hope that you are able to do something nice on Valentines Day.

Karen x

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 90 - Recipie

Our Challenge this week at A Spoon Full of Sugarwas picked by our very own Michelle and she challenged us to follow Her fab Recipe of 1 pattern paper,1 Embossing,1 Button,1 Ribbon. We have been sponsored this week by Whimsy Stamps and Denise kindly gave the DT a stamp each to play with this week.


I have used the last few scraps from the My Minds Eye Christmas pack that I had and also used a embossing folder for the strip down the right-hand side. The snowflakes were cut on the cricut and then covered in stickles and I have followed the sketch over at Sketch Saturday this week.

I hope you have fun with this challenge and I look forward to seeing what you create with this fun recipie.

Karen x

Sketch and Stash - Jungle Monkey

Here is a little card (and it is a little one as it is only 9cm square) that I have made with the Jungle Monkey from the Wild Flowers release at Pixie Dust Studios and what a great little monkey he is - really suitable for all sorts of cards and projects. The papers are from a Nitwits download and I have computer generated the sentiment.

I have also finshed off the inside of this card, but the light really is so bad today that it had taken me ages to even get this photo (which is really not good at all as the pinks and yellow are much more vibrant in real life) - oh for a bit of sunshine and light to be able to take a decent photo again!!



I have followed the current sketch at Sketch and Stash and really enjoyed this one.



I am now heading off to Aberdeen to drop off some new curtains that I was making for my daughter Stephanie. She lives in an old flat with really high ceilings and can never get curtains that are long enough - thank goodness for mums!!!

Have a great day.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge DT call

We are looking for some new members to join our Design Team at Copics Colour Challenge.

We are looking for another 2 or 3 members to join our existing team. Each member will be expected to create something every week using the colour combos provided and to choose their own colour combo's when their name pops up on the rota. The colours are posted well in advance within the CCC forum, so there is plenty of opportunity for you to get ahead of yourself if you so choose!

If you are interested, please check out the blog Here to see what you need to do to enter.

The deadline for the DT call will be Friday 12 February at 6pm (GMT). We hope to annouce our new team-mates sometime during the week commencing Monday 15 February.

Good luck.

Karen x

Cupcake Chef Daisy and announcement about Squiggle Digi Stamps

Hello and happy Friday.

I had a bit of time to myself last night and decided to make a card just for the sake of making a card - not as a DT card and not as a challenge card and this is what I have come up with. This digi stamp of little chef Daisy is from Squiggle Stamps and she really is the cutest chef that I have ever seen. The papers are by Me and My Big Ideas, as is the sentiment. The little pearls are ones that I bought from Bunny Zoes crafts and the flowers are from my stash.


This is the first time in ages that I have had time to also decorate the inside of my card - I used to do it with them all and I do love the finished effect. I have used the same papers to go with the front of the card and again the die-cuts are from the same pad as the papers.


Tracy of Squiggle Stamps announced earlier this week that she would be releasing some of her images as digi stamps and I can now tell you that they are now available Here.
This is fabulous news as it now means that you can get these fab images almost instantly. Of course Tracy realises that some people prefer rubber and Squiggle stamps will continue to have rubber as well as this new line of digi images.

Have a lovely weekend.

Karen x

Pixie Dust Studios - Wild Flower release

Please read the post after this one for details of this weeks challenge at Pixie Dust Studios.


This is my second post of the day, but I just wanted to let you all know that today is release day of the Wild Flowers set at Pixi Dust Studios

Check out the Pixie Dust Studio blog and DT team for some great projects using the new Wild Flowers release.







I am sure that you will love these images just as much as I do and I will have another couple of cards to show you over the next few days with the rest of this release.

Karen x

Pixie Dust Studio - Pixie Challenge #7 - Decorative Borders

Today is Pixie Dust Studio - Pixie Challenge day and this time around the challenge is to use decorative borders on your project.


On my card and gift box I have used the super cute Zebra from the New Wild Flower set which is released today. This little zebra is just too cute and could be used for all kinds of cards - not just baby ones and if you check out the rest of the DT Pixies blog links Here you will how many different interpretations of these images that there are.


The papers that I have used are all from a set by SEI called chick-a-dee and the flowers are cut off a bunch that I bought at hobbycraft. I have used Nestabilities to cut the scalloped border mat on the giftbox and also the round mats for the images. The sketch that I have used for this card is the brilliant one at Sketch Saturday this week. I really enjoyed working with this one and will certainly be using it again.



I do hope that you get time to play along with us in this fabulous little challenge and I will be back later in the day to show you all the images from the Wild Flower release so do pop back later in the day.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge #50 and Pixie Dust Studios new release Sneek Peek

Here are the colours for this week Copics Colour Challenge. Please remember that if like me you do not have the exact colours, just use the nearest colours that you have - as long as you have used copics that is fine by us.

We haven't mentionned this specifically before, but please feel free to combine our colour challenge with any other challenge. Also, if our combo has really inspired you, please feel free to enter more than once.


On my card this cute little ted is Wink and he is one of the images due to be released by Pixie Dust Studio tomorrow as part of their fabulous new Wild Flower set. Please pop back here tomorrow where I will have another card to show you and also details of the whole set - I just know that you will love them all.


The papers that I have used are a download from Nitwit Collections and the buttons are by stampin up. The sketch I have used is the one below which is the current one at Friday Sketchers.



Have fun with this challenge and please remember to pop back tomorrow for the Pixie Dust Studio Wild Flowers release.

Karen x

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 89 - Lets get Sketchy

Time for a new challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this week Sonja has designed us a lovely sketch to work with. With the hearts as part of the sketch this is perfect for those valentine's cards which we'll all be needing very soon!!


This image is Elise and she is a Sugar Nellie stamp. Not sure if she is specifically for Valentines Day, but as she is carrying a heart she certainly could be used for this. I have cut the heart shapes on the cricut and then embossed them with cuttlebug folders - if you look closely you will see that the pink heart has been put in the folder the wrong way around and now is debossed - looks OK though I think. The border strip which is only just visable under the image is cut using a Martha Stewart Punch.


There are some fabulous cards from the DT for you to see Here and you can also read all about the fab prize from this week's sponsor Stretch n Bubbles.

Have a great Tuesday.

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

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - challenge 30 - Hearts/Valentines

I can't beleive it is Friday already - what a quick week. Time again for a new Dare U 2 Digi stamp challenge and this time around we are looking for you to use your digi stamps to create something with hearts or for valentines day.


The sketch I have used is the fabulous one over at Sketch and Stash at the moment. I just love this sketch and definately will use this one again. I am also entering this card at Allsorts Challenge where they want you to use hearts and flowers. The image is by Whimsie doodles and they also have a boy version of this cute image available, papers are by papermania and the flowers were cut with retro flower punches in matching papers.


Have a great weekend and don't forget to check out the gorgeous cards from the rest of the Dare U 2 Digi Stamp DT Here

Karen x

Nutty Nutshells Challenge #8 - Sorry I am late with this one!!

We have another challenge up and running at Nutty Nutshells Wednesdaywhich started yesterday and as usual will run for 2 weeks, this time around we have a recipe challenge. The recipe is:use at least 3 layers, ribbon and glitter.

This week we are giving away the Digi Stamp Set Loved Up to one lucky winner!!! so get those cards in!! You will love this set!



I have used one of the stamps from the Summer set on my card this week and the papers are by Making Memories. The cute little butterfly and flower are from my stash as is the gingham ribbon. I have used some nestabilities to cut the circles, and lots of stickles on the wings of this little cutie.


I have used the sketch this week from Papertake Weekly and I am also entering this card into the challenge at Quixotic Challenges where they are looking for you to incorporate butterlies into your project.


Emjoy the rest of your week and I look forward to seeing your creations for this challenge.

Karen x

Copics Colour Challenge - #49

Here are the colours for this week's challenge over at Copics Colour Challenge.


Now, we know this doesn't look like a massively exciting combo, but we thought that it should actually be a nice easy one for you as you have a skin tone, blush and hair colour just sat there, waiting to be called upon! Add whatever colours you like and you are good to go!

Please remember though that if you are missing some of the colours, we still want you to join in with us. Just have a rifle through your Copics and pull out something similar. As long as the overall effect is the same, you are more than welcome to play along.


I have challenged myself this week to try something a bit different and to use darker coloured papers. I have had this pad from K&Co for ages and just love the papers in it, but have really struggled to put a card together with them in the past and have played around with them many times. I hope you like what I have come up with - it is growing on me!! The image is from Sugar Nellie and the flowers are by prima. I have followed the square version of the sketch on offer this week from Mojo Monday.


Please check out the copic colour challenge blog Here to see what the rest of the DT have created this week and also to read all about the fab stamp that Janet from Pink Gem Designs is offering as our prize this week.

Karen x

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 88 - Freestyle

Our new challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar has just started and this week our talented DT member Sandra challenged us to freestyle.. so basically create anything you like! This week we are sponsored by the Stamping Boutique and the owner Tracey is offering 5 of her fab digi images to our winner. You can read all about the challenge and perhaps get a bit of inspiration from the beautiful cards from the DT this week Here.


While blogging last week I can across a new source for digi images from Di's Digi Downloads and she has some amazing images this one that I have used here is called Shy Maisy and I think she is just adorable. The papers are all from the docrafts goody bag that I bought for my grandaughter Sophie when she came to visit a couple of weekends ago. These are not colours that I would normally use, but I thought that for this freestyle challenge I should really try something different. All the other embelishments are also from the same goody bag. The sketch that I have used is the current one at Friday Sketchers.

Karen x

Stampin for the Weekend - Fiona's sketch

While blog hopping at the weekend I found another challenge called Stampin for the weekend and this week they have a sketch by Fiona which I just had to try out.


I have used this really cute CC Designs image again, but this time in slightly different colours. I just think that she goes so well with these Forever Friends Pink parfait papers. The flowers are by Prima and the sentiment is a die cut one from a pack that is from the same range as the papers - I don't normally go for this type of sentiment, but I think that these are just perfect with these papers. The buttons are also from the same range - so my colours!!


Well here we are, Monday again - where does the weekend go. Have a great week. I will be back tomorrow morning with my Spoon Full of Sugar card.

Karen x

Cupcake challenge with a sprinkling of Pixie Dust

Here is my card for this weeks < href="Here is my card for this weeks Pixie Dust challenge where they are looking for glitter and sparkle. I think this one would fit the bill as I have added glitter to all the hearts and also added some heart shaped jewels. The image is a free one that I got from the Pixie Dust Studio and she just is the cutest, they have lots of really cute images that are just ideal with my favourite pastel colours and lots of glitter, the papera are all by Forever Friends All Loved Up pack. I have followed the fab sketch over at Cupcake Challenge and have only just made the deadline on this one by the skin of my teeth.


I had a great card making day yesterday and managed to 4 cards done (must be a record for me) but the light is really bad today and I am now heading on out for the day, so I guess I will just have to wait until tomorrow to get the photos taken.

Have a great day,

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

Copics Colour Challenge #48

Well it is Wednesday again and time for another set of yummy colours from Copics colour challenge . Please do not fret if you do not have some of these colours - just use the nearest shade that you have.


We have been sponsored this week by Instyle Stamps and here on my card I have used one of their fabulous digi images. The papers are by K&Co, a really old but favourite pad and the flowers are by prima, the sentiment is from a Studio G clear stamp set.


I hope you all have fun with these colours and can't wait to see your creations and please don't forget to have a look at what the DT and guest designers have created with these colours Here

Karen x

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 87 - lots of layering

The challenge this week at A Spoon Full of Sugar has been chosen by our own Nikki and she has asked us to use lots of layering. Nikki is kindly also sponsoring the challenge this week and will give one lucky person a chance to have their own personalised stamp from Scrapmagasinet.


I have used a few of the elements from the fabulous new Nutshells Loved Up Digi set which is now available Nutcrafters. This set is just perfect for all those Valentine cards and there are also a couple of other images in the set that I have not used here - a boy with a heart, a mailbox and also a fab bench for these little characters to sit on. The papers that I have used are from one of the new Forever Friends ranges and again these are especially for Valentines Day.

Have lots of fun with your layering and I look forward to seeing what you create.