My Favourite Five Christmas Cards of 2011

This year I thought I would join in with Debby's brilliant idea of looking back over my Christmas Cards and choosing my favourite five!  Disappointingly there are one or two that I was in such a rush to post this year that I forgot to photograph them but hey ho, we live and learn!!!

My fav's definitely include some Crafty Sentiments images.

I love the simplicity of this card but I also adore the funky red and green paper.  I was so pleased with the circle sentiment on this (it is a straight clear stamp that I managed to curve on the acrylic block) 

I like this one because it's just so different.  This year I have really enjoyed putting parts of characters or images in squares or circles and again I was really pleased with how my copic colouring worked in these images, the hair especially.

And then this one, I only bought the set of Papermania rub-ons for this particular image.  It's not my normal style but I really like it.  I'm a little disappointed that I stamped the sentiment in a green that doesn't match but as there was only one of this image in the set I couldn't redo it!

But most of all I adore my ones that really show, to coin a phrase "the reason for the season"

I bought this image from Whimsy digi's (Touched by Love) and I'm pleased with my copic colouring on it.

This was an amazing prize of this beautiful CC designs image Baby Jesus (from All that Scraps) and I loved this card that when I was getting really desperate I bulk made these. Love the CASness of it yet it says all it needs to say.

So before I go and do a few more Christmas Eve jobs I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and I hope you all have an amazing Christmas holiday and of course 

Happy Birthday Jesus.

A little freebie

I realise that I've been a bit of a bad blogger lately so I thought I would offer you all this little freebie.  I recently needed to make a baby shower card and realised I hadn't got a suitable image so I decided to draw a Mummy-to-be.  I created this card with it:

And here she is:

jpeg version

png version

Merry Christmas

Crafty Sentiments - a bookmark

This week's Crafty Sentiments challenge is to  create a bookmark.  I stamped onto Kraft and then coloured with my copics.  I added some stickles and a little ribbon.

Some new cards

Hi all, thought I would show you some cards that I have made but not had time to post recently.

Here are some Christmas cards:

I made these using the my new die-namics, by the numbers 

(and yes I'm desperately trying to save up to buy the new By the letters dies!)

Crafty Sentiments - Purple and Green

Hi all, so sorry for being a bad blogger. Life has just got really hectic lately and something had to go, unfortunately blogging was the one to suffer! 


I just wanted to pop on and show you this week's Crafty Sentiments challenge, which is purple and green. I quite enjoyed this one as it meant I made another Christmas card (20 down only another, oh 30 odd to go!!! really hope I don't end up resorting to bought cards but ...) 

Crafty Sentiments - Spotlighting

This week our Crafty Sentiments challenge is Spotlighting, quite a cool technique that means you only colour part of the image. 

I decided to use one of our more recent stamps, Annabel 'Happy days'. I coloured her with my copics after I cut out her head with my circle nestie.  I then cut out another circle and framed them on black cardstock, which created the black frame!

Don't forget to check out the Crafty Sentiments store there are some cracking offers on at the moment; 

Buy a border die and get a stamp free!!!

Buy any pack of promarkers and get 5 ultra fine nibs for free!!!
How cool is that!

Baby Jesus

I recently won a couple of stamps from All that scraps.  Thank You :)

I got a lovely little package with Baby Jesus and Angel and 

Swiss Pixie The Group (I'm looking forward to colouring that one!)

I coloured this with my copics and a gold glitter pen, as simple as that! Think I might do a few more like this (especially as I need to get on and do quite a few more Christmas cards!)

Crafty Sentiments - New baby

Hi all and welcome back to another Crafty Sentiments challenge and this week's challenge is New Baby. Suzette recently created some super cute baby stamps, check them out here. I used Lucy and Tiddles and this was a joy to colour :)

Coloured and cut out with nesties, I used a border die and added some flowers and leaf punches and I used a Crafty Sentiments sentiment :)

And if you pop on over to to Crafty Sentiments you will see an amazing offer, if you buy any Crafty Sentiments border dies, you get a free stamp !!!! How amazing is that!

Don't forget to check out my teamates amazing creations and have a go at creating your own Baby project.

Crafty Sentiments - More than one fold

This week's Crafty Sentiments challenge is to create a project with more than one fold (but not an easel card!). I've been wanting to do a stair step card for ages so this is the perfect excuse to attempt it.  I enjoyed doing it and I do hope you like the results.  

I used Patches and Stitch which I coloured with my copics and fussy cut.  I created the base oval by die cutting with my oval nesties after I had stuck on some Martha Stewart punch grass.  I'm quite pleased with my sentiment panel, I cut it out and then used my corner rounder. 

Don't forget to pop on over and check out my team-mates amazing creations.

Crafty Sentiments Blog Hop

Welcome to the Crafty Sentiments Birthday Blog hop.

I've used a new Annabel for todays preview - Hitting the books!   Isn't she cute!

Coloured with copics, I cut it out and then I embellished it with a few stick on scallops and hearts.  I then handwrote the sentiment.

You need to start at Suzette's blog if you want to join in the hop.

Crafty Sentiments Release preview

Welcome to the first of my previews for Crafty Sentiments Birthday Celebrations.

I've used a new Billy for todays preview - Billy Birthday Presents! 

Coloured with copics, cut out with nesties and then I used masking and inking to create the sky.  I used my new Die-namics cloud die before doodling and then handwriting the sentiment.

Don't forget to check out the rest of my teammates previews.

Fimo - Golfer

I do enjoy playing with fimo and thought I would have a go at creating a cake topper (I'm yet to make the cake!)  for my Mum.  She's a bit of a golfer so  I popped a figure of her (with a bit of artistic licence!!!) on the green.

Crafty Sentiments Birthday Blog hop

Crafty Sentiments Designs is turning TWO on 30th October and to celebrate there is going to be a party! 


There is a new release of stamps and there are 7 awesome new stamps available and the DT will be showcasing these stamps over the next 5 days and then on Sunday (release/Birthday day) there will be a blog hop and a chance to win!  Win what I hear you shout!  Well for those that take part in the blog hop and leave some love at all the DT posts showcasing on Sunday and post the banner on their own blogs will be in for the chance to win 2 stamps but that isnt just 1 winner, random.org will be picking 2 winners yes thats right 2 winners on the 1st November.  How awesome is that?  So do come along and join the fun, remember you have to be in it to win it!  


The blog hop starts off at Suzettes blog.  But dont forget the DT members will be showcasing the new stamps.


Pop back on the 29th to see the first of my previews.

Crafty Sentiments - No DP

This week's Crafty Sentiments challenge is to not use any Designer Paper. I had fun with this one as I really do enjoy making my own backgrounds.   made a circular mask and stamped some hearts and then I inked around the edges of that circle.   I added a red ribbon and wrote around the circle and rounded the corners before sticking on Poppy and Henry, which I fussy cut after colouring with my copics, what else!!  I do hope you can come and join us.

Crafty Sentiments - Snowman

This week's Crafty Sentiments challenge is to use snowmen. I used Christmas Gift and coloured with my copics, and popped it on a kraft gift tag with some silver scallops. I do hope you can come and join us.

Crafty Sentiments

This week's Crafty Sentiments challenge is this cute sketch. This isn't an easy one for me but as usual I've added my own CAS spin on it.  I used Strawberry Delight and coloured with my copics, cut out with my nesties. I do hope you can come and join us.

Sparkle Creations

I recently received this gorgeous stamp from Sparkle over at Sparkle Creations and couldn't wait to ink it up.  I've used it to create a card for their latest challenge - light blue, orange and black. 

Crafty Sentiments

This week's Crafty Sentiments challenge is for Pearls, Flowers and Pins. For those of you that know me this is quite a toughie! I don't have any pins but I managed to find a few pearls.  I used Primrose - Autumn Leaves and coloured with my copics. I hope you can come and join us.

Crafty Sentiments - Happy Birthday

This week's challenge over at Crafty Sentiments is chosen by me and I've gone for the obvious and chosen Happy Birthday. We always need birthday cards and I like to have generic ones on hand. 


I used some pretty Crafty Sentiments balloons from the Patches and Stitch stamp set but best of all I got to play with the new Crafty Cutters Dies, these will be on sale fairly soon so keep an eye out for our release.  One of the best bits about this die is that it works perfectly with my Spellbinders Ovals dies. I used the sentiment from Patches and Stitch. I've coloured with copics and added a bit of glitter (stickles) just to give it that umph!

Crafty Sentiments - Spots and Stripes

This week's Crafty Sentiments Challenge is Spots and Stripes and it coincides with our new Manga images release so make sure you check out all my team-mates amazing creations to see all of the images.


So, as if you didn't know; coloured with copics, fussy cut and popped up on dimensionals. I created the sentiment with Doodlebug Simply Sweet rub-ons and created the corners on the papers with a corner chomper. I'm definitely a CASEr and my inspiration for this card came from this card by Kristy.  

TSG - Paper Dolls

Over at TSG they are celebrating their 3rd birthday and they are challenging us to create a paper doll. I loved the idea of this challenge but as I have finally rejoined the working population after spending nearly 6 years with my beautiful children I figured I wouldn't have time to join in the fun. But I have found a bit of time this morning and have really enjoyed doing something other than cards!  I have created three dolls (so there were no arguments!) and have used the TSG Blossom by Blossom set. I coloured with copics (what else!) and used a circle punch to create the bases.


Here are my three girls together, I decided I wanted to have a go at some slightly different copic colouring so I went for spots on the girls' dresses. There is a slightly different effect on the girl in the middle, although I still used dots I turned them into flowers by popping a centre dot and then popping other dots around it to create a flower.

To continue the challenge TSG have challenged  us to photograph our dolls in different places, so my little girls came out with us today!  Here the girls came out on the town with us, well to the park.  It was really windy so in order to get a half decent photo Em sheltered in the tunnel with them.

(Her nose is grazed not dirty! She fell over big time on Thursday grazing about every place she could!)

Next we were challenged to let our dolls experience the great outdoors so two of my girls decided to climb a tree! The all decided to go for a walk through the jungle (well I reckon it must look like a jungle to them!)

And of course back home I had to pop them back in the spotlight (just so they felt they had a bit more attention!)

And they are demanding a party, so hopefully we'll be back soon!

Crafty Sentiments Challenge

For Crafty Sentiments Challenge this week I'm using a brand new digi which you can buy here at Crafty Sentiments Designs.  I did the usual, coloured with copics, cut out with my nestie.  I used Papermania paper, the border was cut with a die-namics Dainty Dots border.  

A few new creations

Here's a few of my new creations.  For this first one I was inspired by the TSG girls, especially this card by Jodi. I already had an Elzybells flip flop stamp (so can't justify buying another!) I coloured with copics and added a little bling (it is there, honest!)

My second one uses my go to flower stamps from The Crafts Meow. I added a Hero Arts sentiment and created the purple frame by die cutting a Labels 11 nestie and cutting the edges to create the two edges.

My third card uses a new stamp I had from a yummy candy offered by Jane over at  Janey's cards.  I love her style, it's so CAS but always so personal and of course I love her posts, she always makes me giggle :)  Thank you so much for my amazing candy, it was so yummy.

This one isn't my usual style but it was really nice to do something different for a change. I coloured this with my copics while my DD Jess sat beside me and coloured the same image (with felt tips!) and she advised me of every colour choice!  It was really nice to share my 'hobby' with her.  She's getting good but I must get her some flesh tone pens, most of her people end up bright pink!

Just thought I would mention the sweet candy over at LOTV 

they're gearing up for the cutest release ever :)

Simon Says

Simon Says and Simon Says Stamp and Show have a cool blog hop going on this week as well as an Anything goes challenge - pop on over and check it out :)

Here is my card for the challenge, I've used a recent stamp acquisition (from a crafty mag) and coloured with my copics, simples :)

TSG - One layer with pop

Over at TSG their new challenge is to create a one layer card with a pop - it's difficult to see but my girl is popped up on dimensionals. This image is from the Blossom by Blossom , she's coloured with copics and I finished the card off with bakers twine.

Male card

Saw the G is for challenge over at Cards for men and just had to enter my latest GOLF card! A must in my stash as both my Dad and Grandad are golfers (my Mum too!) As you can tell I was inspired by PTI's framed, I used a Waltzingmouse sentiment and Papermania's golfer.

Crafty Sentiments - Ribbons and bows

Hi all and welcome to Crafty Sentiments new release 'Summer of Fun' blog hop and this week's challenge.  Hope you have enjoyed all our projects, these are such cute stamps!

Today's card is also for our challenge - Ribbon and bows. I have to say I have cheated somewhat, my card does have a bow but I'm afraid I've used thread instead of ribbon (please forgive me!)

I've used this cute 'Summer of Fun' image of Billy swimming which I coloured with my copics and Derwent coloursoft pencils and then I've added my own computer generated sentiment.

Hopefully you should have arrived here from Hazel's blog, in which case leave me a comment here and then pop on over to Jan's blog and check out her fabby creation.

You can be in with a chance of winning the 1 of the 4 New Main Summer of Fun Character stamps from us. They are amazing. Four of you will receive 1 each of the stamps. So you have a great chance of winning.

The Rules are simple. 

1 Post the Summer of Fun Banner on your sidebar with a Link to the Crafty Sentiments Store.

                        2. Comment on the Design Teams Cards Previewing the images for Thursday 25 August.

Here is the blog hop list just in case you get lost:

Axa

Dora

Hazel

me! -------> Heather <------- me!

Jan

Jac

Kim

Rebekah

Shell

Tanya

Summer of Fun Day 3

Hi all and welcome to Crafty Sentiments 

'Summer of Fun'

I hope you've enjoyed seeing the cuteness that is the new Primrose and Billy stamps. Tomorrow we've got a new challenge for you as well as an opportunity to win some of these amazing stamps!!!

I have chosen to show you Primrose 'A good book' for today.  She's coloured with copics and then I added my own computer generated sentiment.  She was then cut out with my square nestie and layered with another square and a sclloped square nestie. I then cut three strips of paper for the background.

Don't forget to check out the rest of my teammates amazing creations and pop back tomorrow to see another preview of the Summer of Fun stamps.

Summer of Fun Day 2

Hi all and welcome to Crafty Sentiments 

'Summer of Fun'

For the next 2 days we're showing you the new cuteness that is the new Primrose and Billy stamps. I adore these little guys :) Then on Thursday we've got a new challenge for you as well as an opportunity to win some amazing stamps!!!

I have used Primrose 'Blowing Bubbles' today.  I added my own computer generated sentiment and then I coloured her with copics and cut her out with a square nestie and then mounted on a black square nestie. I created the background by cutting out a variety of circles from blue paper.

Don't forget to check out the rest of my teammates amazing creations and pop back tomorrow to see another preview of the Summer of Fun stamps.

Summer of Fun Day 1

Hi all and welcome to Crafty Sentiments 

'Summer of Fun'

For the next 3 days we're showing you the new cuteness that is the new Primrose and Billy stamps. I adore these little guys :) Then on Thursday we've got a new challenge for you as well as an opportunity to win some amazing stamps!!!

I have chosen to use Primrose 'Riding the waves' for today.  I created the sunshine background using an ink technique that I found here and then popped a piece of blue card which I punched with my Fiskars waves border punch. I coloured the image with my copics, cut out and and mounted. I then did the stupidest thing ever, I decided to use glitter! Don't get me wrong, glitter looks pretty just not all over my desk and, well, me!  I used Doodlebug Designs double sided letters which I then covered in alternate gold and red glitter.

Don't forget to check out the rest of my teammates amazing creations and pop back tomorrow to see another preview of the Summer of Fun stamps.