Bearing Gifts

Hi, and welcome!

We have a forecast of  SNOW!!!

I am sooooo excited.....and will be sooooo disappointed if it doesn't arrive...hahaaa!

Oh, we have a cracker of a challenge for you this week at 

Card Crafter's Circle 

BEARING GIFTS

As we approach the big gift-giving season, we want your creations this week to show gift-giving.. so the gift must be 'present' in the creation! (Bad pun, I know).   This week our challenge for you is to create with gifts and presents in the image or in mind ... I know easy, huh?   

Our challenge this week is sponsored by MelJen's Designs, who continues to delight us with magical images! Our MelJens prize is 4 uncoloured images for our randomly drawn winner.....and so much to choose from, too!

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a beautiful tree, so I used the very pretty Christmas Tree from our lovely sponsor......

There's an art to takin' wonky photos....ha!  The card base is deckle-edged and I added a base layer of red textured paper and then 2 different papers from my scraps mountain.......I laid a strip of the red paper across the centre of the card, and covered it with a strip of that lovely red ribbon that has sparkly gold bits through it......

Isn't this just a perfect little tree?  I wonder what those intriguing packages hold?  There's a  little dash of sparkly Mod Podge on the lights, baubles and the twinkly star....shame it doesn't show up too well in the pic......and everything is coloured in with Promarkers.......

 I really, really love these Grunge Sentiments from Lili of the Valley......gave it a bit of a rub down with some Distress Ink (can't remember which colour...sorry).....

I cut a few random shapes from scraps and "wrapped" them with scraps of ribbon and ric-rac.....wish it was this easy to get all the family gifts ready....hahaa......

These mini Card Candies are so handy and come in a ton of colours.......from Craftwork Cards.......

Easy-peasy!

Do pop over and get some inspiration from our lovely Design Team .......they have really come up trumps with this challenge!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/r100-christmas-chaos.html  Christmas Chaos

http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas is coming

http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.co.uk/  Traditional Christmas colours (2nd entry)

http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Ribbon or Trim (red ribbon)

http://papermakeupstamps.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas

http://lexiscreations.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas

Blue Skies....With a Hint of Snow!

Hello, and welcome!

How are you,  my lovely bloggie friends?  I'm just a TAD busy....hahaaa.....but, aren't we all gettin' that way at this time of year?  Doesn't help that I effectively "lose" a few days, each week, because I'm either minding grandkiddles or on the phone, trying to sort an extended-family problem....and that takes mega chunks of my time, at the moment.....sheeesh!

It's lovely to take a break, and make a post for our challenge at Twist of Faith Cards

We are always happy to have our current sponsor with us ... StampArt Design by Kathryne! Our random prize winner will receive their choice of 4 images from the SADK collection available at Whimsy Stamps ... wonderful! We're thrilled to have  StampArt Design by Kathryne as a sponsor because we love the images and sentiments!

Our theme for you this week is
BLUE......USE BLUE!

This is a colour challenge, so we want to see lots of blue ... maybe you'll create a monochromatic card... it doesn't matter, as long as BLUE  is your main colour!  Remember our 'twist of faith', too..... your creation should also include a scripture, or quote or an uplifiting sentiment that suits this week's theme.

Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh the joys of those who takes refuge in him!
       Psalm 34:8 NLT

Here is a scripture to share, or for inspiration ....please use any scripture that offers a message fitting our theme.

Here we go.......

The sweet little bear is from a whole sheet of them called Little Winter Bear Fun and he's coloured up with Promarkers.  The background is from a freebie Forever Friends pack that came with a magazine, last year....(forgot all about it, but it has some lovely bits and bobs in it)......and I added sparkly Mod Podge to the snow on the tree and fence...........

Little Winter Bear looks all warm and snuggly in his Rudolph jumper, but has a bit of a lost look on his face...hahaa!  I die cut the lamp from blue starry paper and added an orange glow with a bit of scrap......

 The lovely sentiment is from Craftwork Cards and I backed it with blue spotty paper, edged with blue ink......love the sparkle on this......

A big juicy snowflake with a red button, sewn on with silver thread completes this little card.....and now it's your turn!

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the delights that our fabby Design Team have created.

Thanks for stopping in to see me.....I love it when you do!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Blue and Silver (silver thread in the button and the lettering)

http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Snowflakes

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Let it Snow (papers are from last year)

http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Cold and Snowy

http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-119-winter-wonder-land.html  Winter Wonderland

Giving Thanks

Hi, and welcome!

Have you got that Friday feeling?  Some of you might remember the TV ad for a certain chocolate bar that used that catch-phrase.....and I loved that chocolate bar....still do, actually....hahaaaa!

If it's Friday, so that means it's challenge time at Card Crafter's Circle .....woohoo!

Our challenge for you this week, is to create following our theme

GIVING THANKS

Your creation could be about the holiday Thanksgiving, or could be a Thank You for another reason... we don't mind, as long as you're giving thanks!

We are so happy to have Milk Coffee Stamps joining us again with sponsorship for you!  The winner's prize purse is their choice of 3 Milk Coffee images of their choice! Yummy! And our super sponsor also provides each of our Top 3 with an image of their choice too! Yay!



I decided to make a "Thank You" card and used the very sweet Antique Bicycle as the focus.....

 White card base, layered with pretty freebie papers and some pink glittery thread used to sew around the edges......

I used a pink piece of paper from the same freebie pack to make the pretty frame, and coloured up the sweet image with my Promarkers........I always wanted a pink bike....hahaaaa!  I added a little sparkle to the flowers in that cute basket.......

I thought an antique bicycle deserved to have some pretty lace..........

It's been a while since I made some of these net flowers.......I added a diecut leaf to keep them company......

Craftwork Cards kindly donated the sentiment.......nah.....I had to pay for a pack of 'em....hahaaa......but I'm open to kind offers, lol......

All done!

You really do need to pop over to see what our Design Team has been up to.......they love to show off,

and it would make their day!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.co.uk/  Thank You cards

http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk/  Thankful

http://www.lollipopcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-94-we-are-thankful.html  We are thankful

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/  All Stitched Up

http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-55-giving-thanks.html  Giving Thanks

http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/happy-birthday-were-one-contest.html  Give thanks

Cuddle Bug Cutie!

Hi, and welcome!

Only 4 more Saturdays to go before CHRISTMAS!   Just sayin'....hahaaaa.........

I really hope you are having a good week.....I lost another 6 lbs. when I went for my weigh-in, so this is a really good week, and I can actually fit comfortably into the new jeans I bought a couple of weeks ago....woohoo!

While you're here, I'd like to give a little shout-out for a lovely new-to-me crafting blog that I recently came across......http://cannycrafter.blogspot.co.uk/ ....where you will find Caroline who is on track for her amazing Christmas Countdown.....she's already on Project #21 and has some really  fun ideas....please do check her out, and tell her I sent you!

We've already entered the time of year when it seems to be one birthday after another.....sheesh!......and today's card was for one of our granddaughters birthdays.......Taylor just turned 9 years old, and what a sweetheart she is.....and yep....I'm biased...hahaa.......

Taylor loves all things PINK so this was easy........

I used one of Anna's very pretty images from Cuddlebug Cuties .....she really does draw the prettiest girlies......

A white deckled-edge card blank, layered with Nitwits papers.....yellow and pink, lovely!

 Is she pretty or what?  The frame is cut from more Nitwits with a Nestie's scalloped oval...........

I cut a lovely Spellbinders shape from kraft card,  then topped it with a freebie sentiment, coloured with a Promarker.......

Three sweet buttons with a little button twine (I got a bundle of this from the Ribbon Reel).....

Sweet sentiment from Cuddly Buddly printed onto kraft.......and can you see the yummy washi-type tape?

Taylor really liked her little card.....her hair is very similar, so that made her smile.....result!

Before I go, I'd like to say a warm HELLO to my new Followers......I'm so glad you joined us........YVONNE......I tried to leave a comment on your pretty blog, but it was returned to me, saying it was a Comment Failure, so will try again, soon.

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://flourishes.org/2012/11/timeless-tuesday-196/  Something that makes you HAPPY (always makes me happy to make a card for one of my adorable grandkiddles!)

http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.ca/  Birthdays and Three (I used 3 buttons)

http://little-applefalls.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/cuddle-bug-cutie.html  Use 2 or more papers (I have 3 including the frame)

http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-91-birthdays.html  Birthdays

I'm Being Childish...ha!

Hello, and welcome!

We have hardly had daylight, at all, the past couple of days......grey, wet for some of the time, and a cold wind....not fun!

Some people have been lettin' me know that they have already had snow and I just know that they are being smug about it....ggrrrrr!

Nah......seriously, I'll be happy to wait for our very own particular brand of the lovely white stuff.....as long as it doesn't take too long in gettin' here....hahaaa.....

There's another lovely challenge over at 

TWIST OF FAITH 

This week our challenge prize for our random winner is provided by the fabulous Bugaboo Stamps!  A wonderful prize of SEVEN DIGITAL IMAGES... winner's choice!

We love Bugaboo Stamps, and we know so many crafters do, too! We appreciate their awesome sponsorship... the images are so much fun!

 And... there is a sale going on at Bugaboo until December 26th ... WOW!  Do mind that it doesn't include the Daily Deal (which is already an awesome price!) or the Gift Certificates.    What a time to stock up on your favourite images!!!

Our theme for you this week is

CHILDREN

Your card creation should show CHILDREN... and perhaps it will even be for a child!   Remember our 'twist of faith'.... your creation should also include a scripture, or quote or an uplifiting sentiment that suits this week's theme.

"And He took the children in his arms,

placed his hands on them and blessed them."

                           Mark 10:16 NIV

Here is a scripture share for you...if it inspires you, wonderful!  Please use any scripture that offers a message fitting of our theme...

Here's my DT card for this lovely theme......

I used  AKV Birthday Party  on this bright card....couldn't resist it.......and used that startling red and white (freebie) paper as the background on my cream card base.......

I coloured up with Promarkers and added some sparkly Mod Podge on the balloon and table confettie, and also on the cake frosting.....yum!  I cut the image with a Deckled Edge Nestie.  For the blue background frame, I placed the blue card into a Spellbinder's Scalloped Rectangle die, then laid it onto an open Cuttlebug embossing folder with an embossing mat over the whole, then the usual sandwich of cutting plates.....this gives a lovely diecut shape that is also embossed!  I finished the frame by colouring the outer edge with a darker blue Promarker.............

 I made the upper sentiment on the computer and layered onto red card....the "Friends" sentiment is a rub-on that's been sitting in my drawer for yonks.......and we're done!

Take a look at what the rest of our Design Team has come up with......tons of lovely inspiration!

I hope you'll join in the fun, this week.....we all need cards for children at some time, don't we?

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything but Christmas (the rub on is years old)
http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/ch-89-anything-goes.html  Anything goes
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/challenge-45-anything-goes.html  Anything goes
http://myheartpiecesdigitalstampchallenge.blogspot.in/  Anything Cute
http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.co.uk/  Create for a Child

Touchy-Feely or What?

Hi, and welcome!

Have you been takin' a gander at my Christmas Countdown (above)?  I lose days, just gazin' at it.....hahaaa!

Another Friday, another challenge at 

CARD CRAFTER'S CIRCLE

and this week we are getting all touchy-feely, lol........and want to see lots of

TEXTURES

on your creations.......what can you use? Embossing, fabric, 3D, beads and buttons, even burlap! Make your creations something that we want to run our fingers over!

Returning to sponsor us this week is LIMITED RUNS! There is such a variety of images at Limited Runs.... something for everyone.  While you're there, check out the freebie on offer, and the many  many, CUPCAKE images!  There are cupcake images for every occasion, and I  promise they are calorie free!

Our randomly drawn challenge winner will receive their choice of 3 (three) images from the Limited Runs shop.

When the Design Team members were let loose asked to choose an image from the store, I immediately fell in love with this very cute little fella...........he's called Chilly Owl and I've adopted him.....hahaa!

How cute can ya get?  I love his sweet ickle woolly hat, and he's obviously got really chilled 'cos he's got snow (aka Flower Soft) on the top....heehee.........he's coloured up with Promarkers, but they are doin' nothing to keep him warm.....bbbrrrrrrrr.......there's also a touch of sparkly Mod Podge thrown around, lol....

The card base is kraft and I layered just one piece of Kaisercraft paper, then embossed a piece of white card (Cuttlebug Snowflakes) and ripped one edge.....added snow.......snow.......snow........love that word!

I'm making a 5 feet square version of this sign....goin' up in front of my house....hahaaa!  I used the postage stamp die from Spellbinders Office Supplies set, and the sentiment is from Cuddly Buddly........

This is the first time out for my lovely Memory Box tree, and it snowed! I cut the tree from woodgrain card.......

A strip of cute pom-poms finishes my little card, nicely.

The rest of the Design Team are waiting to show you their own lovely creations, so don't forget to pop over and say hello.....we'll all be looking forward to what TEXTURES you can get onto your creations!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Let's have sparkle! (on my ripped snow & the hat)

http://fatpageswithattitude.blogspot.co.uk/  Add sentiment/Autumn or winter

http://funwithshapesandmore.blogspot.co.uk/  First snow

http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Feeling Blue

http://thestampmanuk.blogspot.co.uk/  Emboss it (background snow)

http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.co.uk/  So cute

http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/  Winter Wonderland

http://mymumscraftshopchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Winter Wonderland

http://joannasheenchallenge.blogspot.ca/  Cold and Frosty

Religious Christmas Challenge

Hello, and welcome!

I'm so glad you dropped in on me because I wanted to share the theme for this week's challenge at Twist of Faith.......

RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS

In my humble opinion, there is no other kind, hahaa.......but, just so we're clear.......

Share with us the meaning of Christmas... it doesn't have to be the Nativity...  many traditional Christmas things have a spiritual and Christian meaning or symbolism (even the red and white candy cane!) ... here is a link you might find interesting for Christmas Symbols and meanings.......

A Christmas Testimony

and remember that your creation should show your Twist of Faith!

The angel said to them... "Do not be afraid. See!

I bring you good news of great joy that is for all people." 

                           Luke 2:10 NLV

The above scripture is a share, or for inspiration.  Please use any scripture that offers a message fitting of our theme.

Our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps

Our random prize winner will receive a $15 voucher for use at the Clear Dollar Stamps store..... wonderful! We're thrilled to have Clear Dollar Stamps as a sponsor because the images are wonderful, and the sentiments fit the heart of our challenge so perfectly!

I was really chuffed to receive this gorgeous image to create my card around.....she's from the Angels Amongst Us set which has 6 simply lovely angelic figures, and 5 angelic sayings.....

I used a red card base and layered up with more red card and a lovely selection from a free Kaisercraft  paper stack.....I just love the traditional colours of this stack........

I coloured up this pretty angel with my Promarkers and a touch of sparkly Mod Podge on the cute star and halo and popped her up onto foam pads.....

The stars were punched from creamy-yellow glittery card, and the holly leaves are slightly shiny heavyweight paper, punched with a really old punch that no longer has a label on it....well-worn, to say the least....hahaaa!  Three little gems complete the holly sprig..........

 How about this bee-a-oo-tiful freebie sentiment?  Isn't it lovely?  I used a Sakura sparkle pen on the star and swirls.........the scripture is from the Gospel of Luke.......apart from the prophesy of the Saviour's birth in Isaiah, this has to be my most beloved Christmas scripture.......also reminds me of the lovely Christmas carol, "Angels We have Heard On High"!

A small piece of the red card, inked, and three teeny buttons added.........these buttons are from docraft and actually have white spots on the other side, but that didn't look right on this card, so just flipped 'em over........

Forgot to get a close-up of the pretty ribbon....duh......but it's a sparkly one, twisted and stuck across the centre.....and now it's called done!

As always, our Design Team has produced some lovelies for your perusal, so go check 'em out.....and we have 2 wonderfully talented new Design Team Members who are waiting to meet you!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/   Punches/diecuts

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas

http://hollyjollychristmaschallenge.blogspot.ca/  Inspired by a carol (Angels we have heard on high)

http://lejdesignschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Seasons Greetings

http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://christmasstampin.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://avadareschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas

http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Moon and/or Stars (only stars...hope it's okay)

Poppies for Remembrance

Hello, and welcome!

It's been a dark and dreary November day in the good ol' UK........and I've stayed quiet and cosy in my little crafty haven......happy sigh.....another happy sigh.........and I'm finally caught up on next week's DT creations......woohoo!

Card Crafter's Circle is having a lovely challenge theme this week......

REMEMBRANCE/POPPIES 

Your creation should follow our theme above, Remembrance, and can be military minded, or in remembrance of someone close to you.  The red poppy is a world recognized symbol of remembrance for those in military service, so you could also create a card using red poppy flowers.

We don't have a digi sponsor this week, but Pailine, our lovely Boss Lady,  is happy to offer a prize for you, which she will send anywhere in the world.  It will be a lovely selection of ribbons, all 1 metre lengths, as shown here (each packet has 4 x 1 metre lengths ... a total of 24 metres of ribbon!)....



Isn't that a wonderful prize?

Because we don't have a digi sponsor this week, Pauline asked us to use any image that we thought would fir the theme.  I had this beautiful digi stamp from Digi Sparkle and loved creating my card around it......

I have some of this lovely, ribbed red card and used some as the back layer for the card.......I then embossed some plain white card with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and placed it over the red background......a small "Remembrance" sticker is the simple sentiment......

Isn't this image just beautiful?  I used my richest red Promarkers to colour it up, then used an X-Cut oval die to cut it out, along with a small red border........two pretty butterflies came to flutterby....ha!

A very simple card in remembrance of all who gave their all in the cause of freedom.

Please play along with us, this week.......I'd love to see your creations........and our Design Team has some truly beautiful inspiration for you, if you need a little nudge....hahaa!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-188-reds-for-remembrance.html  Reds for remembrance

http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-10-remembering.html  Remembering

http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes (with a butterfly)

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.uk/  Poppies

http://daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Remembrance/Veterans Day

Winter Bird

Hello, and welcome!

This post really should have arrived in your reader, yesterday, but life sometimes has other plans for us, eh?

My apologies to my Design Team colleagues and to Pauline, our Big Boss Lady.....I'm guessin' I won't be gettin' that Christmas Bonus, now....haa!

The Twist of Faith challenge, this week, is to use this really neat sketch.....

Nice, eh?  This versatile sketch was designed by that same Big Boss Lady, Pauline.  Of course, you can flip it around until you are happy with the result, but we do need to see the original elements in there, somewhere.......and we will be checking....hahaaaa....

We also have a wonderful sponsor

The prize offered to our randomly drawn prize winner, consists of two newly released images that our Design Team has showcased for you!  The images are named Autumn Blessings, and Winter Bird.  Stay tuned to The Doodle Garden blog for new releases!

I chose to use the sweet little Winter Bird image for my card........had to be a Christmas one.......ha!.......

I used a kraft card base (from docrafts)..........I really like the look of kraft and red with a touch of white....yummy.......

A strip of red and white gingham ribbon gives that country-cosy feel, and I used a wooden star with a little sparkle to anchor the green satin ribbon that holds the lovely (freebie) sentiment.  The tag shape is a die from Whimsy Doodles, and I did a little doodling around the edge and put a tiny punched star on the corner.......

Just feast your eyes on this ickle cutie birdie......he's coloured up with the usual Promarkers, and a tiny bit of red sparkle was added to the holly berries and the hearts.  That beautiful Spellbinder's shape was cut from red glitter card, and the green spotty shape is a chipboard piece that I found in my stash....must have been left by the Craft Fairy...ha......and the little red stars finish it nicely............

I've still got many sheets of peel-off stickers, and thought it would be nice to use one on this simple card......

The inside......just added a snowflake and a teeny-tiny heart that I glittered with red.......

More gingham ribbon, topped with some pom-pom trim, finishes off this wintry card.

I'd love it if you visited the challenge blog to get some inspiration from our uber-talented Design Team, then you could make your card, using our lovely sketch.....and don't forget the TWIST.......a scripture or up-lifting quote or message, somewhere on your card....perfect!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.ca/  Traditional Christmas colours

http://stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.ca/  Use a digi

http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas

http://little-applefalls.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/winter-bird.html  Reds

http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/cupcake-217-get-krafty.html  Use Kraft

http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-60-lets-get-cute.html  Cute

http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-195-no-flowers.html  No flowers