Hey Dude!! - My Time To Craft, Bring Me Sunshine

I was really pleased to see this challenge. I need to see a bit of sunshine, and it was time that these Tanda stamps were opened. This card also fits the challenge at Stamp Something perfectly, as their theme is Summer in Winter.
The 'Dude's' background has been coloured with acrylic paint dabbers, and cuttlebugged (Swiss dots). The base card is Basic Grey, and the surf board is from the Arcaic collection.
The little yin yan's are shrink plastic. It still scares me to death watching this shrink!!
The obligatory stitching stamps and dew drops and all finished. There's a lad at work who this card will be perfect for, so thats a mans card solved!!
I really enjoyed this challenge, and thanks for looking xx.
http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/01/challenge-46-little-bit-of-sunshine.html

Does My Bum Look Big In This?? - Art Creations Friday

I know she's all pretty and vintagey, but as
soon as I saw her that's the first thought that went through my head lol. The background has been coloured with distress inks, and the sentiment is a acetate overlay.
Thanks for looking xx

http://artcreationsfriday.blogspot.com/2009/01/11th-challenge.html

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Frame It!

This is my entry to this weeks Penny Black challenge. I've stamped a black 'Bubble' all around the base card edge as it looked quite boring without. The frame has been 'cuttlebugged' , and the pink card has been embossed with 2 cuttlebug folders.
The Penny Black stamp has been watercoloured, add a ribbon and chipboard flower and all finished.
Thanks very much for looking xx

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2009/01/penny-black-saturday-challenge-week-33.html

Caard Varks Challenge - Seeing Spots

Here is my entry to the Caardvarks challenge lots and lots of spots! The background papers are K&Co Cosmopolitan, now that I've started cutting there's no stopping me lol.
Following the theory that more is well... more I added lots of Pearly Doodles. Not sure if it was a good idea, but too late to change now.
Thanks for looking.
http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/2009/01/seeing-spots.html

Ismaki Challenge 3

I've been chasing my tail all week trying to fit some crafting in. Ismaki challenge starts on a Monday, but there is no way I can craft until Thursdays. I really like this sketch so I definitely wanted to join in. I've used some Basic Grey papers - they were still in their cellophane wrap and I've taken them out and cut them!! Part of the challenge was to use three different stamps, so I've used the BG stamps to match the papers. I got quite a few (!) in the DoCrafts sale. The rub-on sentiment is also BG - I've remembered now, it's the Boxer range. The card was a pain in the you know where to make, but I'm really pleased with the result.
Thanks very much for looking xx
http://ismaki.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/ismaki-09003/

You're Having a Laugh!!

Im really loving my Murray and Ethel stamps, they are so much fun to use! I've scribbled down so many challenges that I want to enter, and there are just not enough hours left to do them, so I've had to combine this one. The sketch is from Sketch and Stash - my new stash is my stamps - this is the 1st time that I've used these two. I got them from a great e-bay seller, they arrived the day after I ordered them - how great is that!
The 2nd part of the challenge was from My Time to Craft titled 'You're Having a Laugh'
The background paper is DCWV - part of the 3 parter from QVC last Summer. I couldn't wait for it to arrive, but I think this is the 1st time I've used it - typical!!
Thanks very much for looking xx
http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
http://www.mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Art Creations Friday

Here's my entry to this weeks Art Creations Friday Challenge. It's another tag I'm afraid - I seem to be in a taggy mood at the moment.
The background is a Basic Grey Blush paper which is soooo pretty. I've copied the photograph onto printable acetate. The girls locket is a dew drop, and the rub on is by Creative Imaginations. They are not really where I wanted them to be, but they kind of stuck on before I was ready, so I had to the most of it lol.
Thanks for looking xx
http://artcreationsfriday.blogspot.com/2009/01/10th-challenge.html

Tag You're it - Numbers

Oh look it's that stamp again lol. This is one of my favourite Paper Artsy stamps, and I've not used it for ages. The grungy looking background is in fact Paper Artsy numbers stamped and embossed and then the background coloured in with chalk inkpads then embossed again.
The main image has been coloured with distress inks, and the number seven has been painted with gold paint dabber then embossed till it bubbled and fizzed!!
Thanks very much for looking. xx
http://weekendtaggers.blogspot.com/2009/01/week-42-numbers.html

The Wednesday Stamper - Lace

This is my entry for this weeks Wednesday Stamper, the theme is lace. My cocktail lady (lady!! lol) is wearing a lacy basque and stockings. The set is by Bombshell stamps and they are a great quality rubber and stamp beautifully. I've used real lace under the trimming on the bottom, and the rub on is by Creative Imaginations.
I've used a few Dew Drops as champagne bubbles, these are new today and they're my favourites already. Thanks for looking.
http://wednesdaystamper.wordpress.com/

The Wednesday Stamper - Openings

The hardest part of the challenge was to find a stamp with an opening, I hope this bridge counts! It's part of a huge 'Stamp Camp' stamp, and I must admit it's the 1st time that I've used it. The number of stamps that I have seen, loved, bought and never used.... lol.
I've stamped, then used ink pads and water to colour in. The sentiment is by Invoke Arts, and the sky has been coloured using Ranger acrylic paints in blue and white. I've also used a white pen to highlight, a red/gold brilliance pad to ink the edges, and lots and lots of Mod Podge to give it a shine
I really enjoyed this challenge, thanks for looking. xx
http://wednesdaystamper.wordpress.com/

Lots To Do Challenges Week 3 Keys

I've hunted down one of my old favourite Tanda stamps for this ATC. I've stamped and embossed, then coloured him in with pigment inkpads and re-embossed. The background is brilliance pearlescent ink and the whole thing has been UTE'd.
The colours are a little more subtle in real life but the flash seems to make them pop!
Thanks for looking xx
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/2009/01/week-3-keys.html

Art Creations Friday

This is the first time that I have seen this Challenge site, so I don't know if I have followed the rules as I have only used part of the image. I decided that the little girl was sending a letter to her father away in the army ( don't know why lol) The papers used are K&Co, and the scrolly stamp is Laundry Line. Sorry it hasn't photographed too well but again, no daylight - I need some sunshine!!
Thanks for looking xx
http://artcreationsfriday.blogspot.com/2009/01/9th-challenge.html

Caardvarks Challenge

This is the first time that I have seen this challenge site, but I loved the sketch so much that I had to have a go. The papers are Floral Felicity (I am one of the many that got them really cheaply when QVC priced them up wrongly bless'em) They're all double sided so it was easy to find 4 that went together. The plain colours are Bazzill Bling which I lurve lol. The one and only stamp is by Cuddly Buddly, and a few Primas and gems to finish off.
I have had to join a Flickr group join in the challenge, I have learned far more about computers through crafting then I ever did on my tech course!
A great challenge, and thanks for looking. xx
http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-new-year.html

Ismake Challenge 2009/02

This seemed to come together so much easier than last weeks card. It's been a typical crafter's 'thing' I love these papers so I'm not going to use 'em! They're all from K&Co's Neopolitan range, and I brought them back from America a couple of years ago. I think I've made one card from them as I can't bear to cut them up lol.
The little diamonds are DCWV 12 x 2 strips. These are great for the Cuttlebug as you don't have to go into a big sheet for a small die cut.
The main sentiment is Penny Black, and the smaller one Cuddly Buddly.
I really enjoyed this challenge, and thanks for looking.
http://ismaki.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/ismaki-002/

Graphicus Challenge Plum & Gold

I'm a big fan of Glenda, and her products, so when I saw that she had a challenge, I thought I would give it a go. This months was plum and gold, with a celebration theme. I have used Elusive Images All of a Twitter stamps. This is the first time they have come out of the packet, but they stamped beautifully. The 'celebration' stamp is from Hot off the Press. I've had another go with Stampboard - it's not the most 'artsy' of designs but I quite like it. The card is a lovely plummy colour in real life, but as we've had no sunshine for two days I had to photograph it under my craft lamp. If I ever see a fuchia challenge I shall re-enter it in that too lol.
http://team-graphicus.blogspot.com/

Ismaki Challenge 1

This is the first Ismaki challenge of the year, and I really wanted to join in. I must admit I have cut it a bit fine with my timing but hey ho! The option this week was snowflakes, but I really can't face another Christmassy card just yet - mainly because I left 2008's till the last minute. I really must be more organised this year lol.
I've used my new Murray & Ethel stamps for this 50th birthday card. I saw them on C&C, but being a Northern lass, wouldn't pay the p&p from there. I got them from a fantastic e-bay seller, no p&p and they arrrived the day after I ordered 'em. These are quite large and stamp very nicely. I've finally got round to buying an anti-static bag and wow what a difference it makes - no more splodgy embossing powder!
The plain brown cardstock is DCWV self adhesive. I love this for using with the Cuttlebug - no more trying to put glue round scalloped edges - great!
I really enjoyed the challenge and promise to be earlier next week

The Sunday Stampers - Black and Gold

The theme on Sunday Stampers this week is black and gold, and a damn fine song this is too. OK an ATC is 3.5 x 2.5 so why did it take approx 3 hours to make and 30 mins to tidy away lol. Well after many aborted attempts with gold leaf (oooh) and foiling (ahhh) they went in the bin, and Sir Tim's acrylic paint dabber come out!! It's a Tim Holtz stamp, stamped embossed them masked. Paint dabbed on quite thinly to give a streaked effect. The rub on words are by Creative Imaginations, with just a little gold charm from the bottom of the box to finnish. I really enjoyed making this - though anyone listening wouldn't have thought so!
Thanks for looking.xx
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/2009/01/sunday-stamper-week-42-black-gold.html

Basic Grey Challenges - Challenge 16

Wow, no posts for months then 2 come along at the same time, and I've heard that wonky photography is the new straight! I've only just discovered this site, and as I have more Basic Grey than Messrs Basic and Grey I thought it would be rude not to give it a go.
If I were a better blogger I would be able to show you a picture of the sketch, but trust me it's more or less like the card.
The base card is 8x8 so boy did it take some filling. The papers used are mainly Colour me Silly. My cuttlebug doesn't go up to the circle size, so I cut around my lamp with my craft knife. This was only possible 'cos I got one of those new Fiscars finger tip knives and it's great - no way will I go back to my old one.
The topper is from the latest QVC pick of the day. I've found that my family tend to like cards that look like they've been bought from a shop rather than my inky creations, so that's what they will be getting this year!
I'm not too sure about the 8x8, it's none of your cheap stuff, but it still struggles with the layers.
It's been really nice to get crafting again, and thanks for looking.
http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/2009/01/challenge-17-first-sketch-of-2009.html

Sue The Iron is Back!!

After an absence longer than I care to think about the crafting stash has finally come back out!! Real life seemed to overtake me last year... but enough of that! I can honestly say that I have forgotten how to blog so here's hoping I can still do the links etc. As I appear to have no idea whatsoever of what I want to make, I thought that I would start with a couple of challenges. The first is one from Craftswap Forum, and the theme is black, white and one colour. This is one of my favourite stamps (I know I say that about them all, but this one really is) I hope using acetate isn't cheating, but I've only used black, white and red so I should be Ok. However did we manage without nestabilities and a Cuttlebug eh