Penny Black Challenge #84 - colour combo

Well, another week of struggling through the snow and ice is over - hope you've all made it through safe and warm to the weekend, where it's time for another Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Thanks very much to everyone who entered last week's sketch challenge - Nat's sketches were fab, and so were your interpretations. Don't forget to pop over to the challenge blog to see who has won last week's prize :-)

This week we have a colour combo for you - yes, we would like to see projects using the colour scheme

Blue, cream & gold

As always you can interpret this however you like, so long as we can see at least one Penny Black image or sticker on your creation.

Our DT is little short-handed at the moment due to various reasons ... our love is with our teamies who can't be with us at the moment. Those of us who are still in the saddle have been busy again making some samples for you, so please do pop over to my fellow teamies' blogs to have a lookee.

This week we have another brilliant prize for you- it is this funky PB stamp "Sisterhood" donated by our very own Carole - how fab is that?


Here's my card for this week.

I struggled slightly to start with this week, not least because due to the weather I wasn't able to get out to a craft shop to get any supplies I was short of .... and I didn't have much in the way of papers in these colours. After a bit of delving I did find these two K&Co papers however :-) and really the whole card stemmed from that.

Here's the inside ...



I would also like to enter this card as my second entry into this week's Simon Says Challenge - Shabby Chic. I have tried to go for a fairly antique look with the bleached out pale gold ink, lace, distressed looking papers, photo corners, miniature roses and deckled paper edges :-) Again it just goes to show that Penny Black stamps can achieve many more looks over and above cuties!

Recipe:
Main image: Penny Black "Aspire" (3381K) inked with champagne pigment ink and the edges sponged with same ink;
Sentiments: Penny Black "Teddy & Company" transparent set (front); "...dreams..." (2711F) (inside);
Papers: K&Co;
Supplies: lace from Quixotic Paperie; miniature roses from Hobbycraft; dragonfly brad from my stash;
Tools: "decorative photo corners" Shapeabilities; Fiskars paper trimmer "deckle" blade.

Look forward to seeing all your creations !

Melinda does the combo

This is the first time I've been able to post any of the cards I made on Sunday afternoon, as there was no decent light yesterday to photograph anything! It really was one of those afternoons ... first I found that the piece of paper I NEEDED for one of the challenges had mysteriously disappeared (or been used up), and then I spent an hour watercolouring and decorating an image, only to smudge the flowersoft (furry edging) and glue before it was dry ... back to the drawing board!! Eventually though I did manage to make three cards ... so here is the first one.



Here is "Confirmand Melinda" - not really a Christmas image, but I think she works on Christmas cards if teamed with the right papers and embellies. I would like to enter this card for the following 9 challenges:

Whiff of Joy #53 - red, cream and one other colour (in my case ... brown)
Daring Cardmakers - getting punchy with it ... the challenge asks you to use your latest craft punch purchase. Well that's easy for me - my latest is the gorgeous Martha Stewart "Arctic Snowflake" punch. In fact, I've also used my last-but-one craft punch purchase, which was the Martha Stewart "embossed snowflakes" edge punch.
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #39 - border punches
One Stop Craft Challenge #53 - newspaper/text - I have used a piece of red paper covered with Christmas words.
Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential (SSHP05) - In So Many Words - again I have used the text-covered paper.
Our Creative Corner - Vintage Style
Crafty Cardmakers #7 - Stamp Something . The "optional" extra is to use a stamping technique you haven't used before or for a while - I coloured in my image using Twinkling H2O's which have been sitting in my stash unloved for a while!
Flutter By Wednesday #81 - open week ... fairy/butterfly/angel
BasicGrey #7 - photo inspiration. As you can see below - the colours are a deep red, winter white and brown.

Recipe:
Main image: Whiff of Joy "Confirmand Melinda" coloured with watercolour pencils and Twinkling H20's, distressed on the edges using distress ink, and decorated with glamour dust;
Papers: BasicGrey "Wassail" (background), BasicGrey"Figgy Pudding" (across middle), and text paper from my stash;
Supplies: BasicGrey "opaline" pearls; sentiment rub on, brads and lace from my stash;
Tools: Martha Stewart "Arctic Snowflake" punch and "embossed snowflakes" edge punch - from The Hobby House.

Here's an angled shot to show up the iridescent gold twinklies on melinda's dress ...


Back tomorrow with a couple more of my weekend efforts :-)

Update Tuesday: Simon Says Challenge has just posted that they are ENCOURAGING multiple entries for their all that sparkles challenge in an attempt to reach 300 entries. I had already entered this challenge, but as this is a pretty sparkly card I have made whilst the challenge has been open, I'm entering it as a THIRD entry :-)

Penny Black Challenge #69 - Autumn Breeze

Welcome once again to the weekend, and to the latest Penny Black Saturday Challenge. It looks like the weather is on the turn here in the UK and autumn is definitely on its way, so to celebrate we thought this week we would have a theme challenge for you ... and surprise, surprise it is

Autumn Breeze

... so what we would like to see is anything on your card that reminds you of autumn .. whether it's an image, shapes or just autumnal colours. As always, the only rule is that we need to see at least one Penny Black stamp or sticker on your creation.

This week we have an absolutely fantastic prize ... our own dear Carole has donated this gorgeous stamp from the latest PB Christmas 2009 range - "Hand mailed" - how cute is that? You've got to be in it to win it, so we look forward to seeing your creations.


Here's my card for this week ... I treated myself to a couple of new Daisy Bucket papers in autumnal colours, and then I couldn't resist inking up this cute li'l mouse swinging from a branch (first time I've inked him up - naughty!!) as I thought the flowers complimented the flowers on the paper. This card is very different from my usual colour palette, but I kinda like it (and of course it allowed me to buy some paper and flowers so I'm more geared up for future autumn cards lol!)

Indeed, life being short and all that, I'd also like to enter this card for 2 other challenges that have an autumn theme this week .. namely the new Crafty Calendar Challenge (where I have also included the optional extra of plants and vegetation) and One Stop Craft Challenge #49.

Recipe:
Main image: mouse from Penny Black transparent set "Tiny Wishes":
Sentiment: from PB transparent set "Party Critters";
Papers: Daisy Bucket "Sweet Marabella";
Supplies: lace from Quixotic Paperie; pearls by BasicGrey "opaline"; flowers and flower-shaped gems by Petaloo; gold, copper and iron brads from my stash;
Tools: image matting and layering cut with large oval and scalloped oval nestabilities; leaves cut using Leone Em "Ash Family" punch.

Thanks to everyone who joined in last week with your fabulous pink, lemon & chocolate themed cards - there were some really yummy creations. Don't forget to check out the challenge blog later to see who has won last week's prize, and whilst you're there do check out the fabulous cards for this week from my fellow DT teamies :-)

Hope you have a great weekend.

Penny Black Challenge #63 - Stitching

Another week gone, and it's time for another Penny Black Saturday Challenge. Thanks everyone for your entries for last week's colour challenge - an unusual colour combo, and there were some fabulous cards. Hope you will check back with the challenge blog later to see who has won last week's yummy prize pack by Simply Create.

This week we have a change of pace, as we would like to see a particular feature on your projects, namely

Stitching

This can be real or faux, so it's time to get out your needles and pins (or pens!) and see what you can produce. The only other rule is that we must be able to see a PB stamp or sticker somewhere on your project to qualify for the prize .... talking of which, this week's prize is 2 fab sets of PB stickeroos kindly donated by Tracie.

Here's my card for this week. Don't forget to check out the other DT members' cards for some brilliant inspiration.

Recipe:

Main image: Penny Black "Team Effort" (3980K);

Sentiments: Penny Black "Salutations" transparent set (front); Penny Black "great day" (3419D) inside;

Papers: K&Co "Wild Raspberry";

Supplies: ivory crocheted ribbon and "Friends" charm from Quixotic Paperie; flowers by Floradoodles; Doodlebug sugar coated brads; pearls from my stash;

Tools: pricking tool and ruler to make holes for faux stitching; Martha Stewart "Valentine lace" edge punch; main image shape cut using mega deckle rectangle nesties.

And here's the inside .... I decided to use a cute little charm to fill the space on my smallest mega rectangle, as it is a very long and narrow shape. I've never used a charm inside a card before, but I rather like it :-)

Hope you will find time to join in this week - look forward to seeing your creations. have a lovely weekend!

Penny Black Challenge #62 - colour scheme

Saturday has come around again so quickly, which means that it's time again for another Penny Black Saturday Challenge. Thanks so much to everyone who entered last week using Beth's fab sketch - there were some brilliant interpretations ... and of course not forgetting that if you check back on the challenge blog you may find you have won last week's prize from 1-2-3 Stitch!

This week we have a colour challenge for you - yes, we would like to see a card that primarily uses the following colours:

Blue, cream and tan

As always you can interpret this however you like in your project, so long as we can see a Penny Black stamp or sticker somewhere on your creation. Don't forget to check out the other DT cards - there are some totally gorgeous creations this week.

This week's prize consists of the following yummy selection of October Afternoon papers, alphabets, die cut stickers & rubber charms from Simply Create

Here's my card - I struggled a bit with this colour combo initially, but hopefully I got there in the end (gave me an excuse to buy some new paper and bazzill bling cardstock lol!!)

And the inside .....

Recipe:
Main image : Penny Black "Cheesecake Wish" (1652J), which was an RAK from my lovely friend Karen;
Sentiments: Penny Black "Happy Birthday" (2912D) (front); ge studio (inside);
Papers: BasicGrey "Granola";
Supplies: various shades of Bazzill bling and non-bling cardstock; flowers by Prima; paper tea roses from Hobbycraft; lace by Quixotic Paperie; butterfly charm from Dolls Made Up;

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and look forward to seeing your creations :-)

Sugar Bowl #16 - Marlene's Sketch ... and Happy birthday to Heffa!

Here is my birthday card for my great bloggy friend Helen - I actually made it several days ago but didn't want to publish it until now because today (Monday) is her birthday and she is one of my most loyal visitors and commenters :-) (thanks hun!!)

So that being the case, it's a good job I chose to make this card in line with the theme for this fortnight's Sugar Bowl challenge #16, which is still open and is Marlene's sketch + the option of "doodling".

And here's a pic of the inside .....

Recipe:

Main image: Sugar Nellie Gorjuss Girl "Sitting", coloured with watercolour pencils;

Sentiments: Craftwork Cards "Oh My Words!";

Papers: not sure but think they are My Mind's Eye;

Supplies: flowers - mixture of Prima and Floradoodle; charm from Quixotic paperie; Doodlebug sugar coated brad; ribbon and lace from my stash;

Tools: Leone Em "Ash Family" leaf punch; Martha Stewart "Doily Lace" edge punch.

Actually I was a bit embarrassed when I finished this card .. my white gel pen was acting up so Ikept going over it .. then I walked away and came back and found it had dried VERY white!! Oh dear! So my card does contain a bit of a grovelling apology but I hope we all agree it's the thought that counts (!)

Flowers, lace and sparkle galore!

Well, having got back from a week's holiday yesterday evening, I've had one more day off work today before getting back to business tomorrow ... so inbetween feeding the washing machine all day long I have been getting back to the business of cardmaking! I've been at it all day long and yet somehow have managed to make only 2 cards ... I'm normally pretty slow but not sure what's happened today!

The first card I made must stay behind the scenes for now as it is my PBSC DT card; but here's the second one I made, using stash both old and new including one of the stamps I bought last week on my visit to The Glitterpot.

For this card I followed the sketch over at Secret Crafter Challenge #43 ... it would be rude not to seeing as I found out this morning I won their monthly random draw whilst I was away ... woo hoo and thankyou!!
I would also like to enter this card for

One Stop Craft Challenge #40 - Swirls and Pearls: my floral stamp and paper both have swirly elements in the design, and my background embossing is using the Cuttlebug "Birds and Swirls" folder (first time out even though I've had it quite a while .. tut tut!!) I have used pearls both in the flower centre and edging decorations.
My Time to Craft #71 - floral frenzy
Dutch Dare #57 - lace on your card
Creative Inspirations #14 - Bling! and
Daring Cardmakers - Bejewelled Bliss! Both of these would like to see bling or sparkle - well I have got a few iridescent gems on the corners of the card, and it is also quite sparkly as I coloured my stamp with Twinkling H2O's and Cosmic Shimmer paints. Also my embossing is done onto iridescent pink card - fabulous how it changes colour when it catches the light!

And here's a close up to try to capture the iridescence and sparkle!

And the inside....

Recipe:

Main image: Penny Black "Day-Dreams", heat embossed with detail gold powder and coloured with Cosmic Shimmers and Twinkling H2O's;
Sentiments: Craftwork Cards "Oh My Words!";

Paper: Magenta; iridescent pink card from Edwin Allen;

Supplies: gold lace from Quixotic Paperie; gold spacer from The Hobby House; Papermania iridescent gems; flowers, pearls and dragonfly brad from my stash.

( Main image stamp, sentiments and paper all from The Glitterpot)

Well having done all this washing I guess I'd better get down to some serious ironing ... work tomorrow (sigh!). Have a good evening!

One card - four challenges

Here is a leaving card that I made last night for a lovely lady at work .... I couldn't help but think that this gorgeous cute hedgie image, with her trainers on and rucksack ready to go, was just perfect for this occasion!

I would like to enter it into the following four challenges:

Papertake Weekly #19 - Dawny's sketch. Now I have taken a couple of liberties with it insomuch as I have rotated it by 90 degrees, and then I have replaced the oval with a wavy rectangle (cos that's what I had to hand and I didn't want to cut off hedgie's uber-cute feet lol!) Anyhow - I hope you still get the idea :-)

Stamp Something this week has a theme of pink, green and yellow - so I deliberately chose these beautiful summery papers to fall in with that.

Simon Says Stamp wants to see summer fruits or summer fruit colours - well I have not gone especially for English summer fruit colours, but rather for exotic fruits such as watermelon pink, lemon, grapefruit yellow and kiwi fruit.

Stamp With Fun #15 asks us to use shapes or punches - I have used nestie shapes for my matting and layering, plus punched leaves and a border punch (inside).

Talking of which ... here's the inside ....

Recipe:
Main image: Penny black transparent set "Tiny Wishes", coloured with watercolour pencils and decorated with Stickles;
Sentiment: computer generated (front); Penny Black (inside);
Papers: K&Co "Wild Raspberry";
Supplies: crocheted ribbon from Quixotic Paperie; charm from Dolls Made Up; spacer from The Hobby House; Doodlebug sugar coated brads; leaves cut using Leone Em "Ash Family" punch from Edwin Allen; border inside punched with MS doily lace punch from Dies to Die For; flowers and pearls from my stash.

Have a great evening and thanks for looking!

Penny Black Challenge #49 - Recipe 3-2-1!

Good afternoon everyone - time again for another Penny Black Saturday Challenge. Actually it's rather past the time, because I'm a teeny bit late with my DT card this week - oops sorry! Won't bore you with the various reasons why I didn't get round to it in time, but thank goodness I'm getting caught up with myself now lol! Thanks as always for last week's fantastic entries, and congratulations to the winner of last week's prize :-)

This week we have a recipe for you .... what we would like to see on your creations is

3 flowers, 2 papers and 1 charm/brad

Don't forget that you can make anything you want - so long as it features at least one PB stamp or sticker.

We also have a new sponsor for you this week. Last week I went to Port Sunlight, and managed to meet Wendy from Stamps & Memories.

Stamps & Memories is both a shop and online store, selling a fabulous range of products including lots of stamps (inc. PB's of course) and other goodies including Copic pens and Martha Stewart punches - due soon! Wendy was kind enough to donate this gorgeous stamp as a prize ... "looking at You". How cute is that? (I want it lol!)

Here is my card, featuring a gorgeous image that was a birthday RAK from my lovely friend Debbie.

Recipe:

Image: Penny Black "Birthday Angel" (1130K) coloured with watercolour pencils and dusted with Glamour Dust;

Sentiment: See-D "Celebration messages";
Papers: K&Co "Wild Raspberry" (the papers are double sided; so you can actually see three out of four patterns from 2 papers - one is on the large flower);

Supplies: large flower punched using my new EK Success "Whale of a Punch"; medium flower by Prima; small rose from Hobbycraft; charm from ebay shop Dolls Made Up; lace from Edwin Allen.

I have every intention of decorating the inside of this card, but seeing as I'm so late I thought I'd better get a picture up here!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Penny Black Challenge #46 - anything goes!

Another week has flown by and here we are at Saturday again, which can mean only one thing ...yep, it's time for another Penny Black Saturday Challenge. Thanks for the fantastic response to last week's challenge - there were lots of fabulous interpretations of Nat's sketch. As always, don't forget to check the blog to see who won last week's prize.

This week we decided to be kind, so the challenge gives you the widest possible scope - yes, literally

Anything Goes!

That's right ... the rule is - there are no rules, except of course that you must use a Penny Black stamp or sticker on your creation. So let your imaginations run riot!!

And this week we really have got a super prize ... so sad we have to give it away cos I want it lol!! Heidi from Simon Says Stamp has kindly sponsored this week's prize...

... which is this fabulous transparent PB set - "Spring Friends " - how cute is that?

All the DT members have really given their imaginations full rein, so please do visit their blogs and check them out.

As we had a free choice this week, I thought I would continue with last week's theme of trying out different Penny Black "looks", and I have tried to go with vintage/shabby and sepia.

The whole thing was based around my only vintage PB stamp ("Rain or Shine Friends") which I really love ... teamed with a new WOJ sentiment stamp that I thought went with the image just perfectly! I coloured my image with watercolour pencils (skin) and everything else with a brown Marvey marker, watered down to give different shades. I also inked around the edges of the image with distress ink, and matted onto some "distressed gold" cardstock which I cut with deckle-edge scissors. The flowers are both Prima, lace is from Hobbycraft, cute umbrella charm from ebay shop "Dolls Made Up", and the papers, large metallic bead cap and pearl gems are from my stash. (sorry the papers didn't have a make written on them!) I also threw in a bit of faux stitching and tearing on the papers just to liven things up a bit!

No interior shots of this card as I didn't have time to decorate it (yet!) ... by the time i finished the front it was already past my bedtime lol!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, and look forward to seeing all your "freestyle" creations.

Now I hope this isn't too cheeky, but on the basis of "so many challenges.... so little time ..." etc. I would like to enter this card also into this week's Stamp Something challenge, which I spotted a matter of moments after logging on after posting this card - you've got to admit, the fit with the challenge of flowers and showers is just too good to miss! :-)

Another dip in the sugar bowl

This fortnight's challenge over at the Sugar Bowl is to make a card that a mum could love .... luckily for me that's easy is one sense as my mum loves all my cards, bless her! ...but less easy in another, as my only SN stamps at the moment are Christmas ones lol! I decided to use this gorgeous RAK from Helen of Annie ("Blossom") - I actually already made my mum a bit more traditional card for Mother's Day, so I tried to make a card that mum or indeed anyone else might hopefully love! I have been playing with my nesties, MS doily punch and Leone Em Ash branch punch again, and am quite pleased wtih this as I was blown away by these fabulous papers when I saw them on an outing to Horseshoe Crafts.

Recipe:
Stamps used: SN "Blossom", Penny Black sentiment from "Salutations" clear set.
Colouring media: Watercolour pencils, crystal stickles.
Paper: My Mind's Eye.
Supplies: lace from Hobbycraft; Prima flowers; Papermania pearl brads; spacers, charm & zoomz from my stash.


Gotta dash now to get ready for work - have a nice day everyone!