Fab'n'Funky Challenges #175 - Birthday

Hi Crafters,

It's Wednesday again and that means a new challenge at Fab'n'Funky but first, head on over to the blog to see our winner from last week's fruity challenge.  We loved your great designs.

I predict a lot of love for our challenge this week!  The very talented Dawn is our host and she has chosen the theme of...

Birthday

Simples!  I don't think this one needs any explaining!  Our sponsor is the totally awesome Mayzyart and the DT were so lucky to work with her fab images.  I used Maurine with Tea for my card.

I started with a piece of Coredinations cardstock and I embossed this several times to extend the pattern with an embossing folder that I received free with the last Crafter's Companion magazine.  I really like the flower and dotty patchwork pattern.  To reveal the core I sanded back using the Crafter's Companion Coredinations Accessory Kit.  The lilac ribbon was on sale at Hobbycraft a few years back and this is the first time I've used it.  

I used Creative Expressions crinkle paper for the bottom and then added half a doily coloured using the Twilight Sky ProMarker.  My cup was made from Spellbinders Tea Cups and I stamped the sentiment with Momento Tuxedo Black ink.  The gems were affixed  by hand using Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue.  

I coloured Maurine with ProMarkers in Blush, Dusky Pink, Caramel, Cocoa, Henna, Ruby, Lipstick Red, Indigo Blue, Reef Blue, Twilight Sky, Polar Blue, Amethyst, Peony and Lilac.  I cut down some Hunkydory foam pads to attach her to my card.  I finished by adding some glitter to make stream from the tea cup.

I really hope you'll join us this week to celebrate someone's birthday.  The more the merrier!

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #174 - Let's Get Fruity

Hi Everyone,

Wednesday's seem to be here before I know it just now.  It's only two and a half weeks until my brother's wedding.  Eek!  I'm sure it'll be more hectic before then too!

But I have a post to do and the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog has been updated with the winners and Top 3 from last week's challenge of One for the Girls.  We were bowled over with all the great entries.  Thanks to everyone for making our job so hard but enjoyable!

For this week we have the brilliant Beccy as our host and she has chosen a super theme...

Let's Get Fruity

We would like to see fruit in your design.  You could add a fruity embellishment, digi or backing paper.  Our sponsor is the awesome Stamp Fairy and the DT were lucky to be able to work with their images.  I used Lenny Fruits 3 and you can find him here.

I started with a 6" scalloped card blank and printed the checked paper from Craft Artist Professional 2 after changing the colour to monochrome.  I ran this though an Embossalicious embossing folder from Crafter's Companion with a chevron design.  

My image was coloured with ProMarkers in Cool Grey 1, CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, Ruby, Heatwave, Apple Cider and Pear Green.  I cut out the little guy with Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven.  Finally, I added a big green satin bow and ribbon border. My button is recycled from a piece of clothing.  

I really hope you'll get fruity with us this week!  Can't wait to see your makes.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #173 - One for the Girls

Hi Everyone,

We are back to Wednesday again and I'm not sure I like how fast this year seems to be going!  I doubt it will slow down though!

Wednesday means a new challenge at Fab'n'Funky Challenges but it also means that the winners and Top 3 from last week have been chosen.  All the details can be found over at on the F'n'F blog.

We have our blogging Mama as our host this week - the fabulous Judith.  I love the theme this week as it it totally me!  So without further ado our theme is...

One for the Girls

Just make a female-themed project and link it up - couldn't be simpler!  We have two sponsors this week too.  My Creative Classroom and StampArt Design by Kathryne.  Two sponsors means two winners so let's get crafting!  

This is my card for the challenge - the girly elements are the butterflies, pearls and decorative edging.  

I used a StampArt Design by Kathryne image for my card called Butterfly Border 1 and coloured with FlexMarkers in Aquamarine, Surf Blue and Navy Blue.  I inked the edge with Tim Holtz Distress ink in Antique Linen for an aged effect.

My base card was made from two of the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One cut in kraft card.  I attached with the super stick red liner tape.  While still in the die I inked through with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Broken China.  My main background was made with Coredinations cardstock.  I embossed using the lattice Embossalicious folder from Crafter's Companion and then lightly brushed a Versamark inkpad over the top.  I added Debbi Moore's metal magic and heated from behind with a heat tool.  I really like the effect that this has created.

My sentiment topper was created with Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One in kraft and Coredinations.  Using Claritystamp's Letterbox Alphabet set and Broken China Distress Ink I made the sentiment as I wanted.  The squares come as triple, double and single boxes so I after stamped the triple box, I masked it off and then used the double box stamp to create a five letter space for my wording.  Claritystamps really are the best quality I've ever had the pleasure to use.  My tiny butterflies were punched using a Tonic punch and I just coloured a piece of super smooth paper with the Aquamarine FlexMarker to get the perfect match.  The pearls came free from Create and Craft a while back.

I really hope to see you join us for our girly challenge this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenge:-
Shelly's Images - Show Us What You Got

A Flower for You!

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I have a new crafty cupboard courtesy of Storage 4 Crafts and this morning it was an absolute pleasure to make my first card with a place for everything and everything in its place!  I think I may even turn into a tidy crafter - shock horror!  

I saw that the latest challenge over at the Tiddly Inks challenge blog was to use a Wryn image and being a huge fan, I decided to give it a go.  It's also Saturday and that means a new sketch over at the Sketch Saturday blog.  I love their ideas and this one was no different...

I think this sketch will be so useful for a whole variety of cards.  So I'm sure you'd like to see my card by now!  I'll not keep you in suspense any longer!

Isn't this image just adorable?!  It's called Bugs and Kisses!  I started with a 5.25" kraft card blank and then layered up a piece of Me To You red dotty paper which came free with a magazine.  I thought the jaunty angle might add an extra dimension so squint it was!  I took a piece of Dawn Bibby paper and chopped the silver bubble border off to give me a purple stripey layer.  My ribbon is from DoCrafts and I've had it for ages.  

I coloured my image with ProMarkers in Cinnamon, Vanilla, Dusky Pink, Blush, Ruby, Lipstick Red, Spring Lilac, Lilac, Henna, Cocoa, Caramel, Cool Grey 1, Yellow, Marsh Green and I also used the blender pen on the little hedgehog.  My flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I really love them.  

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday - #260
Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog #110 - Use a Wryn

Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #172 - Ribbon or Lace

Hi All,

What a glorious morning!  Until I hung out the washing!  Story of my life!  I hope you are all well and enjoying some crafty time this week.  

We have a great new challenge over at the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog but first the winner and Top 3 from last week have been posted.  Head on over to the blog to see our lucky winners.

Now, on to this week's challenge and we have the wonderful Vicky as our host.  She has chosen a great theme and I'm sure you'll all be eager to join in.  Our theme this week is...

Ribbon and Lace

You can add ribbon or lace or both to your project and then link it up to be in with a chance of a prize or Top 3 position.  Our sponsors this week are Doodle Pantry and StampArt Design by Kathryne.  Just click on their names to view the brilliant range of images.

I used a Doodle Pantry image for my card this week.  It's called Pitcher and Basin and can be found here.

I saw a similar design in a magazine and thought I'd have a go myself.  I started with an A4 piece of kraft card and cut it length-ways and then scored each piece in half to make two 6" x 4" card blanks.  I used my Tonic guillotine to cut the fronts on the diagonal.  I attached the two blanks together the Collall All Purpose Glue.  It really is the best glue in the world!  

The image came with two patterned backing papers but I made the plain blue paper by using the colour picker feature in My Craft Studio.  I used the flowery backing paper to cover the fronts of my card and then added a piece of kraft cardstock that had been embossed with one of the A4 Sue Wilson embossing folders from Creative Expressions.

My image was cut using Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven.  I added the lace to close the card and also for an extra girly finish.  

I hope you can join us for our ribbon/lace challenge this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #171 - Favourite Embellishment

Good Morning,

I hope this Wednesday morning finds you all well with lovely creations just waiting to be made.  Thank you to everyone who joined in for our beady challenge last week.  You really showed how beads can be a great addition to any crafty stash.  The winner and Top 3 have been posted on the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog, so why not head on over for a peek! 

So I'm sure you are all waiting to find out our current challenge and boy do we have a great one for you this week.  The amazing Pat K is our host and the theme is...

Favourite Embellishment

So simple - just add your favourite embellishment to your project and tell us about it!  I'm sure this is going to be a popular challenge!

We have a fantastic new sponsor - Dilly Beans.  Their images are really quirky but so useable.  The DT were so lucky to be able to work with some brilliant images and you can see all our work on the Fab'nFunky Challenges blog.

Now without further ado, here is my card...

I started with a 6" square scalloped card blank and made a background using a piece of silver mirriboard.  I embossed using one of the new Cuttlebug embossing folders and then used my Adirondack and Pinflair alcohol inks to add the colours of the rainbow.  As soon as I saw this image on the Dilly Beans site, I immediately thought rainbow colours! 

My image is called Daisy Framed Girl and is available here.  I coloured her with ProMarkers in Ruby, Lipstick Red, Bright Orange, Gold, Canary, Yellow, Forest Green, Grass, True Blue, Cobolt Blue, Plum Preserve and Amethyst.  Once I had finished colouring the flowers, I didn't want to spoil the rest so I've left her black and white.  I really need to get more confidence with my colouring techniques.  I do have another idea in mind for this image so watch this space!

I used a corner rounder to chomp the corners of my background and black layer.  I added my favourite embellishment - gems - to the centre of each of the flowers.  But of course my card wouldn't be complete without a butterfly so added one to the inside...

I used the same technique as the background to make my butterfly but used bigger drops of the alcohol inks.  I cut out using Spellbinders Wonderful Wings and layered with black card again.  My frame was doodled with a Micron pen.  Totally out of my comfort zone but I think that's a good thing, now and again!

I hope you can join us with your favourite embellishments.  Don't forget to tell us why you love them so much.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #170 - Use beads

Hello All,

I hope you are all well and carrying on crafting!  We had a morning of glorious sunshine yesterday and then as soon as I put my washing out, the mist came down!  Typical! 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges are back with another challenge for you but first why not head over to the blog to see our random winners and Top 4 from last week.  We were all pinked out!

I'm your host this week and I've gone slightly out of the box with my theme...

Use Beads

You can use beads in any way you like and there is wonderful inspiration from my teamies on the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog.  They have really done me proud this week. 

We have the brilliant Digi Darla Designs as our sponsor.  Click here to view their amazing artwork.  The DT were so lucky to be able to work with Digi Darla Designs images this week and I chose to use Dandelion Spray.

I'm really pleased with how my card turned out and it is winging it's way to Comrie in Perthshire for my aunty's birthday.  I really hope she doesn't pop in for a look before it arrives! 

I started by making a Spellbinders Grand Labels Twenty Three shaped card blank and then cut a piece of the Teresa Collins Fabrications teal paper using the same die, making an aperture using one of the smaller dies of the same shape.  I took a piece of co-ordinating paper from the same kit and covered with a double sided sticky sheet.  I then attached microbeads all over.  This is the first time I've used microbeads and I think they are really cool.

I printed my digi using Super Smooth Decoupage paper and cut again with Spellbinders Grand Labels Twenty Three.  I used a Quickie Glue Pen and MCS glitter for the flower heads.  My beads in the centre were recycled from old jewellery and I attached with Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue. 

Finally I added my bow using silky crush ribbon and a piece of recycled satin ribbon, topping with a Creative Expressions dazzler. 

Once I had made my card, I started on the box for that added wow factor!  I used Centura Pearl cardstock and made a box using the Boxer board with the Crafter's Companion Ultimate Pro.  Using the leftover piece from the frame of the card, I made a topper for my box.  The sentiment was computer generated and finshed off with some more ribbon.

This is a photo that I took on my phone without my Ottlite on and was just astounded by the microbeads!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I really hope you can join us for our beading challenge.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x


I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

Creative Card Crew #35 - Bling
Let's Craft and Create #69 - One for the Girls
Whimsical Designs  - Bling it Out
Designs by Lisa Somerville - A Female Touch
Allsorts #205 - Add Some Sparkle
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog #51 - Sparkle
The ABC Challenge Blog - M for Make it Sparkle

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #169 - LOTS of Pink

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe we are back to Wednesday again!  Where are these weeks going? - maybe it's just a sign I'm getting older!  I hope you've all had plenty of crafty time over the last few days.  I seriously need to get my crafty stash in order as it is slowly taking over my house!

Thank you to everybody who entered our challenge last week.  We really felt the love!  If you would like to check out the winner and Top 3, head over to the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog now.

Our challenge this week is one that filled me with glee when I saw it!  The brilliant Wendy is our host and I'm sure many of you know I'm partial to some pink on my cards and the theme this week is...

LOTS of Pink

That's right - just use plenty of pink on your project and link it up.  I had so much fun deciding how to incorprate the pinks into my card. 

We also have two great sponsors this week - Lili of the Valley and StampArt Design by Kathryne.  I used a LOTV image called Garden of Wishes and it's the first time I've inked her up...

I started with a 6" square scalloped card blank and then added a piece of star embossed card that I had inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Picked Raspberry (my favourite DI colour).  My plain card is piece of Coredinations cardstock and I added three gems to the top right corner.  I bought the ribbon from The Ribbon Kings at the SECC craft fair last year and I love the shimmer it gives. 

I coloured my image with ProMarkers in Satin, Blush, Sunkissed Pink, Vanilla, Pineapple Crush, Soft Green, Cerise, Pink Lobster and Pink Mittens.  To cut my image I used Spellbinders Labels H and then stenciled through the die with the same DI.  I added glitter with a Quickie Glue Pen.  The pink glitter was from Lakeland who used to have a craft range.  The clear glitter was from My Craft Studio.  I attached my topper with foam pads to give dimension.

I really hope you can join us for our Pink extravaganza this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #168 - Love is a Many Splendored Thing

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, apologies for my absence last week - a mega migraine put a stop to everything for a few days so there was no crafting or blogging for me.  I hope you've all had a great week.  We have announced the winners and Top 4 from the last challenge over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges - thank you to everyone who entered. 

We also have some fantastic news - how does some blog candy sound? 

The time has come to celebrate as we have reached 1001 followers!  Wow!  Thank you so much everyone.  We only have one rule - be a follower of the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog.  Simples!  The prize is amazing so check out the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog.

Now on to this week's challenge and we have the talented Ginny as our host with a brand new sponsor for Fab'n'Funky - Floppy Latte Designs.  Ginny has decided that we all need a bit of love and and has chosen a theme to reflect this...

Love is a Many Splendored Thing

You can interpret the theme in any way you like but make sure to show us the love!

Here is my card for this week...

The DT were given so many lovely images and you can see what my teamies have created over on the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog.  I'm always so amazed by their great ideas.  I chose to use one of the four images from the Valentine's Roundies set (this image is number 2 in the set).  I've given this card a Shetland slant by digitally stamping the word "smoorikins" on the background paper.  A smoorikin is the Shetland dialect word for kiss. 

This is Serif Craft Artist 2 Professional card - I used the scissors tool to cut my material in three and then added to my purple background.  My lace was added next and then I used a copy of the material to make a matt for my main topper by punching from a plain part of the design.  Once all my items were in place I used the shadow tool to make them jump off the page.  My pearls were recoloured with the colour picker and then I used the text tool to add my "smoorikins" with the stamp tool, also changing the colour. 

I really hope you can join us for our love themed challenge.  Don't forget to check out our 1001 followers candy.  All you have to do to enter is to be a follower.  :)

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges ~166 - Spring Colours

Hi Crafting Lovelies,

We are back at Fab'n'Funky Challenges with a brand new theme for you today.  However, we just wanted to thank you for showering us with your entries last week!  See what I did there?!  The winner and Top 3 are up now over on the Fab'n'Funky blog. 

Now onto our current challenge - the awesome Jackie is our host and we are sponsored by the one and only Kenny K who has loads of really fab and quirky images.   

Okay, I won't keep you in suspense any longer, our theme is...

Spring Colours

Simples!  Just use a colour palette inspired by spring for your project and link up to be in with a chance to win a fab prize from Kenny K. 

The team were so lucky to be able to work with some really awesome images from Kenny K and I chose to use Rock Dude which I actually already had in my digi stash.  This is the perfect image for my brother who is a huge rock music fan.  This is my card...

He's funky alright!  I started by making my matting and layering with My Craft Studio sofware and did this with background papers in yellow, turquoise and blue which I also printed as full sheets to make embellishments.  I coloured my image with ProMarkers in Cyan, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Cornflower, Yellow, Lemon, Soft Lime, Blush, Dusky Pink, Pale Pink, Walnut, Cocoa and Caramel.

I found some really great cutting files in the Silhouette software and used this to cut out the Rock & Roll lettering.  The yellow card blank was already in my stash and it just happened to be the perfect size!  I mounted my main image with Hunkydory foam pads to give dimension.

Really hope you can play along with us for our Spring Colours challenge this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x