Diva's by Designs launch there final challenge, so lets go out on a high....

Hello Again,

It's a sad day, and not technically my turn to post but both teams decided that on the farewell post for Diva's By Design Challenge blog we would all pull together and support Rebekah and the team to go out with a bang!

We really hope that all of you will join us too, enter the challenge and show Rebekah and the team how you've loved the blog and send it on its way with a smile on its face (if blogs can smile lol)

The theme is Anything Goes, so let your creativity go wild and join our final farewell challenge....

Here's my make:

I was asked to make a card that said 'To my Wife' at Christmas so this was what I came up with :D

Here's what I used:
Image: Pulling Crackers due from Festive Hollybobs by Polkadoodles
Coloured: with my Graph'it marker pens, and printed on 300gsm super smooth card from That Craft Place
Background: DCWV papers I have in my stash, still trying to use some up lol and tags from the same collection
Embellies: perfect pearls, lace, ribbon and resin bird from That Craft Place

Here's how:
Easy one; again I used a 7x7" card base (an 8x8" cut down) to allow hangover elements to add dimension but still allow for it to go in the envelope!
I layered DCWV papers, distressed the edges with the Tim Holz/Ranger distressing tool thingy and layered them random style.
I added the image raised on 3D foam and as I had printed on 300gsm card there is no need to add a matting layer so I chose not too.
I then added matching tags and banners to coordinate with a little added bling and perfect pearls.  Then Voila!

Here's the close ups

Thank you so much for stopping by and please do leave me a comment as I really really appreciate reading them all xx

Don't forget to check the challenge blog to see what the rest of the teamies...all of them...have been up to...click HERE

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
Crafts Galore - Dec, AG optional Christmas
Scrapbook stamp society - 56 ag with Christmas
A Crafty Mess - 2 AG with traditional colours of Christmas
V's sweet ideas challenge - 29 holidays
Crafty hazelnuts Christmas challenge - Dec Christmas
Ohh la la challenge - 170 Christmas
LolliLulu Crafts NEW Challenge - Dec Naughty or Nice; definately nice!
Cheerful Stamp Pad - 101 Signs of Christmas
Chocolate, coffee and cards - 80 Christmas
Jo's Scrap Shack - 12/12 Happy Holidays

It's a Nordic Christmas

Hello Again,

I seem to be in a bit of a CAS (clean & simple) design mode lately so I challenged myself to interpret the essential elements of a Nordic style into a CAS make, and it tied in nicely with the challenge over at Polkadoodles and as I had already made this one, I thought I'd still share.....

....and here's what I came up with.....

I loved how this one turned out....and I hope you do too...how cute does the 'ickle Reindeer look!

Here's what I used to make it:
Images: The Reindeer is pre-coloured, and the North Pole does come pre-coloured but I chose to colour it up with my Graph'it Marker Pens.  Both images are from the gorgeous Work & Play 5 Festive Hollybobs CD Collection that is also available as a complete collection Digital Download!
Sentiment: Is also from Work & Play Festive Hollybobs Collection
Backing: from my stash...white card, dark antique silver card.  Double layered to add depth and definition to the main design
Embellies: Glamour dust sprinkled over cosmic shimmer glue adds the snow (this way you keep the 3D effect) and snowflakes with bling that I bought from our local The Works shop.
Insert: backing paper also from Work & Play Festive Hollybobs

So simple, yest I love how dramatic the images look on this syle :D

Here's the close ups:

Thank you so much for stopping by and please don't forget to leave a comment before you go :D
I have moved the follow me buttons to the top right sidebar so please click to follow me xxx


Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
The Pink Elephant challenge - 278 AG
Through the Purple Haze - 69 AG
Whoopsie Daisy - 24/11 AG
Craft your passion - 241 baby its cold outside
Just Inspirational - winter
Inspiration destination - 9 aG
Crafty catz weekly - AG 28/11
Creative fingers - 58 AG
Scrapbook society - 55 ag
Bunny Zoes challenge - Snow

Something different from me.....a CAS take on a theme

Hello again,

Today's post is a CAS (clean and simple) make!  A nice change for me from my designs of late and I really enjoyed the challenge.

I have used an image from Polkadoodles called DIY Dave, and he can be found on the Work and Play 1 collection.
The collection is available as:
Work and Play 1, complete collection download (great if you are out of the UK)
Work and Play 1 CD collection (and if you add a few other bits to your basket deliver over £20 is free!)
DIY Dave Clear Stamp! (fabulous if you love stamping)

Here is my design:

I adore him!  He is actually a Birthday card for my son, Jake (bad Mummy lol) and he loved it :D

I have coloured Dave using my Graph'it Marker Pens and used the following combo's:
Skin: 4115, 4155, 4180, 3120, 6150, 4145
Hair: 1230, 1250, 1280, 3110
Clothes and hat: 7110, 7115, 7125
with touches of 9500, 9501 and 9502 and 9400 for the shadowing

The paint can is made from thick aluminium foil (from a party tray) and the idea for a 3D decorating materials was not mine!  I was inspired by a fellow crafter, who has the most amazing design using this image - Claire Boelema and her blog can be found HERE (a very talented lady xx)
I added rolled paper for 'wallpaper' and done spiders web and he presto we have a CAS card!

Here are the close-ups:

Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment before you go...I love reading all your feedback :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Firztown challenge - 62 AG
Penny's Crafty challenge - 204 AG
Crafting for all seasons - 90 Birthdays
Inspiration Destination - 8 AG
Creative fingers - 57 AG
Art by MiRan - 19 AG
Treasured times rubber stamps - 29 AG
V Sweets challenge - Nov AG
A Crafty Mess challenge - 1 AG

Setting the scene with Diva's by Design

Hello again,

Big changes for me in the next few months!  I am soooo excited, change is always good in crafting, new directions, new inspiration, keeping designs fresh :D 

But...back to the task at hand!

The Diva's by Design Challenge Blog launches it's new challenge today and the theme is a Photo Inspiration!  The photo can be found below my DT inspiration :D

Just a word about the Diva's by Design challenge blog, it's quite sad at the moment because the boss Rebekah has decided to close the blog at the end of the year :(  Life gets busy and time is not on her side so the challenge will close.  It's sad, and I have loved working with Rebekah but it means that I will have time to reflect and look out for new opportunities.  So I send a massive hug to Rebekah and my super talented teamies xxx

But....back to my interprestation of the Photo Inspiration...I took some of the essential elements from the photo, Christmas swags, presents, ribbon and sparkle and this is what I came up with.....

I know...another CAS (clean and simple) card from me..the Queen of embellies!  Its must be catching lol :D

Here's the Photo Inspiration for you all:
And Here's what I used to make mine:
Image: Hollybobs Presents digi stamp from Polkadoodles, which is a part of the gorgeous Work and Play 5 Festive Hollybobs collection
Coloured: with my Graph'it Marker Pens (the reds are so lush)
Sentiment: Work and Play 5 Festive Hollybobs collection from Polkadoodles
Backing: stash white card, red card and gold card (not mirri as I'm not a fan)
Presents: My 15yr old daughter Zoe made tiny 3D boxes for me from 160gsm paper, the papers are also from Work and Play 5 Festive Hollybobs
Ribbon swag: I picked this up from The Range, in their Christmas decs range :D  always looking for embellies lol

Close up pics to show you the details:

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and please leave a comment before you go :D
I have moved the follow me links to the top of the sidebar and I would really appriciate new followers xx
And don't forget to join us for the Diva's By Design Challenge this time :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
Papertake Weekly - 2 or 4 legs (mine has 2)
Pink Elephant Challenge - CAS
Love to Create - 141 AG
Not Just Cards - 6 AG
Just Inspiration challenge - 11/11 Gifts
Fan-tastic Tuesday - Add some ribbon
Creative Card Crew - 74 Christmas
WordArt Wednesday - 158 Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - 7 AG
Creative Fingers - 55 Anything Goes

Recycle It over at Polkadoodles....

Hello again,

It's a new challenge over on the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog and so I'm here with my DT inspiration....

The theme this time is Recycle It!
Oh boy did I have a little panic about this one!  I've not really adventured far away from card making on my blog yet and spent a long time trying to figure out what and how I was going to rise to this challenge using Nikky Hall's fabulous products from Polkadoodles.

After much dithering, here's what I came up with.....

Recycled frame countdown chalk board!

My children were over the moon when they realised what I was making and we are still trying to convince them that we have to put it away until December lol!

Don't those Polkadoodles papers look amazing!

Here's how I made it:

Old photo frame:  This one I'd picked up in a cheapy shop and had in a bag for a while, it had two frames so I just took a knife (carefully) to the back to unstick the inner frame so I could decorate them seperately.

Inner frame: 
Totally awesome Christmas papers from Work and Play Festive Hollybobs Collection CD (which is also available as a download HERE and is totally packed with awesome digi's, embellies, pre-coloured images, papers, design sheets, bags and boxes, paper bows and so much more).
The papers were torn in to strips of approx 2cms wide and measured to the width of my inner frame.
I then used a mix of cheap PVA glue and water to decoupage the strips around the frame.
When I'd finished and it had dried I then covered it again in a layer of PVA glue, let it dry and repeated to create a seal.
Outer Frame:
I sanded the original frame so it would grip the paint and then put on two coats of Gesso.  Once dry I put on a full coat of red acrylic paint and then once dry two coats of white acrylic paint.
Once dry the frame was sanded back in places to create the distressed look. 
Tip: make sure you sand a little at a time, then stand back to have a look so you don't over sand it...remember you can always add more but can't take it back once you've done it, you'd have to start again!

Once both layers were fully dry I put them back together.
The chalk board in the centre was another cheat!  I found some sticky backed chalking sheets in our local Pound shop!  All I did was trim it to fit over a piece of card for the centre and then put the back back on!  How easy was that!

Embellishments:
I added some ribbon and bells that I got from a local store and then of course I wanted to use some of the fabulous embellishments from Festive Hollybobs so I printed out the North Pole sign, heart and candy canes in the desired size, all pre-coloured options used, and then covered them in glossy accents so they were totally protected when the frame is displayed :D

Here's the close-up pics:

Thank you for visiting today and don't forget to leave me a comment as I'd love to know what you think of my Recyle It project :D

I totally look forward to seeing your makes over at the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Penny's Papercrafty challenge - 201 AG
Not just cards challenge - 5 AG
Fab n Funky challenge - 235 Christmas
Crafty Catz weekly challenge - 253 AG
Creative Fingers challenge - 54 AG
Hiding in my craftroom - 171 Holidays
All Sorts challenge - 282 Christmas
Scribble and Scrap - 30 AG (3of3)
613 Avenue Create - 95 AG
Moving along with the times - 30/10 Winter

Christmas Fun over at Polkadoodles Challenge Blog....

Hello again,

It's time for a mid-challenge inspiration make for the Christmas Fun over at the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog. 

This gave me a chance to have another play with the totally awesome Work and Play Festive Hollybobs CD and the image I have used is also available as a digi download and her name is Hollybobs Cards so don't forget to check her out in the Polkadoodles digi download store.

Now onto my DT make....I have something a little different for you, and please don't fall off your chairs but I have NOT used my alcohol markers!  I know, a shock right!  But I am very pleased with the effects on this card and really hope you are too.....

Totally monochrome!
The artwork by the amazing Nikky Hall is so good that all I did was to take my black micron pen and add shading by dotting and adding small dashed lines.  TOP TIP:  I followed the shading guide already on the image and kept stopping and looking at a different angle to make sure I didn't go to far.

The layering was kept simple, black and white spotted paper from my stash and I fashioned a frame for the image from scrap black card (see there is a reason I keep it all!).

Finally adding a button and some black onyx perfecct pearls and ta-da, my quick make monochrome Christmas card is done!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will leave me a comment as I love to read them :D 
Don't forget to head over to the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the very talented design team have been up to :D

Happy Crafting

Sandie xx

Challenges:
TTCRDS - 21/10 AG
Not Just Cards - 4 AG
Ppinky Dolls challenge - 4 AG
Buckwells challenge - Oct
Crafting for all seasons - buttons and bows 88
Inspiration Destination - 4 AG
Creative Fingers - 54 AG
CD Sunday - 19/10 Sillouettes (CD I've used is Festive Hollybobs)
Crafty Girls challenge - 30 AG
Pennys paper challenge - 20 Polkadots and pearls (I have used black perfect pearls)

A little bit of Hollybobs...

Hello again,

Well the weather here is turning cold, and today 60mph wind so crafting all day it is then!

I have a little extra look at one of my Christmas fav's today, Festive Hollybobs   from Polkadoodles and is the 6th addition to the fabulous Work and Play series all designed by Nikky Hall.

The milk carton cut file ready for printing and hand cutting or you can import and trace it into the silloutte is one of the extra's on the Hollybobs collection, and makes an excellent gift box for all those little pressie's we have to find at Christmas time.

My 6 yr old and I have decided that we are going to make another 3 of these and fill them with sweets for her teachers as their little thank you this Christmas!

All of the images and embelishments are from the Festive Hollybobs collection and I have used all pre-coloured images!  I know, a 2nd make from me without me using my trusting alcohol markers!  I'll be alright honest, don't worry lol :D

I covered the images the night before I made this with Rangers glossy accents and then left them over night to dry completely before fussy cutting them to add to the milk carton.

Final touches of a string of pearls and a bulldog clip decorated with ribbon to hold it closed and that is that :D  A fabulous idea from our Nikky, and will come in so handy this holiday season :D

Here are some more pics:

Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment before you go! 
Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
We do doobadoo 16 Christmas
Buckwells crafty challenge - 1/10 AG
Inspiration destination - 1/10 1 AG
The Papershelter - 176 pearls (string at top and perfect pearls)
Creative fingers 51 AG
CD Sunday Challenge - 1/10 Christmas is coming
Crafty Girls - Oct AG 2of
Sisters of craft - Oct AG 1
Dragons Lair challenge Oct

I just couldn't help it!

Hello again,

I know, I know, I have been posting a lot of make with the fabulous Pretty Sweet collection from Polkadoodles but they are so lush!

Anyway, after this one I promise no more for a while - I have plans for October and there is several makes I want to try and an array of gorgeousness I want to share with you next!

So onto todays make:

I present Maddie Shy

Isn't she adorable :D

I have coloured her with my Graph'it Marker Pens then I distressed the edges before matting her on a backing paper (its the same as the base layer).
All the papers are from Pretty Sweet CD collection as is the sentiment (the clever Nikky Hall made sheets of circular sentiments with instructions as to which size punch to use!) - its fabulous value for money and the papers are lush, so versatile :D

I added a die cut from my sillouette, lace, flowers, and embellishments to finish the design.
Her are the close up picks so you can see the detail xx

Thank you so much for stopping by and please remember to leave a comment as I love reading your comments :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Glitter and Sparkle - 104 add flowers
Creative card crew - 71 twine
Brown suger - 113 AG
Sister Act - 76 AG
Creative fingers - 50 AG
Crafty Girls challenge - 27 AG
Moving along with the times - 123 recipe (1image, 2papers, 3 colours)
A Creative Romance - In the garden
Crafting at the weekend - 30/9 to Oct - AG 1of