Fab'n'Funky Challenges #193 Reminder - It's Our Birthday (Anything Goes)

Hi All,

We are back at Fab'n'Funky Challenges with our mid-way reminder for our Anything Goes challenge to celebrate turning 4 years old.  What a fantastic response so far and thank you to everyone who has linked up and/or left us a comment.  We feel very blessed.

Now for a quick reminder of the brilliant sponsors this week

Prize - 5 digis of the winers Choice - and a GDT spot at Fab'n'Funky Challenges

The first South African online digital image store was launched in 2010 – Digistamps4Joy (or DS4J)http://www.digistamps4joy.co.za/eshop/ .  In February 2012, Margy Kieser took over ownership of DS4J, and there are now two South African artists who contribute to the more than 500 images available. Margy has taken the store to new heights and the store now stocks digis that are cute, whimsical, artistic, sometimes serious, and sometimes humorous. The store has PAYPAL and EFT (South African) facilities.  Digistamps4Joy offers a monthly freebie on the first Friday of every month, and holds regular bi-weekly card challenges on our blog (http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.com )that draw entries from many international card makers. Feel free to join us in our challenges!
- the prize is 5 images of the winners choice from DS4J shop


Prize is 3 images of the winners choice from the Lacy Sunshine Shop

Inky Impressions 

prize is 3 digis of the winners choice

The fabulous Flonzcraft

prize - $20 voucher to spend in store - with free shipping!

I used a Digistamps for Joy (DS4J) image this time round called Welcome Home which I think is so pretty.

I made a kraft cardblank using Spellbinders Grand Labels One and then embossed some Tim Holtz Coredinations cardstock with the Spellbinders M-Bossabilities folder Twisted Hearts.  I sanded this back to reveal the core.  My ribbon is from The Ribbon Kings.  

I coloured my image with ProMarkers in Marsh Green, Apple Cider, Dusky Rose, Budding Rose, Pale Pink, Cinnamon, Satin and Walnut.  I used the Scalloped Labels One from Spellbinders to cut it out and then inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Bundled Sage.  I layered the image with kraft card and coredinations.  My die cut words are from the Tattered Lace Sentimentals range.  To finish I added three pearls to the top left corner.

Hope to see you at the Fab'n'Funky Anything Goes party!  

Happy crafting, 
Rachel x

31 Years Young!

Hi Everyone,

I have a new card for you today using Studio Calico products.  I made this for my friend, Lynsey, for her birthday earlier in the month.  She is the number one female triathlete in Scotland!  We are all so proud of her and hope she leaves them standing at the World Championships next month.  When I saw these cute little wooden bikes I knew I needed to use it on her card.  And here is the finished result:

I started with an A4 piece of cardstock which I scored in half on the Ultimate Pro.  I spritzed with the silver Mister Huey's to add a shimmer.  Using the Simon Says Stamp star die I cut the star border straight across the front.  The doily is from My Paper Stash and I left it plain.  I used Tattered Lace sentiment dies for the Happy Birthday and then attached with Cosmic Shimmer glue.  

My focal point was made using Spellbinder Hexagon dies and X-Cut Star dies.  I also used the Spellbinder Classic Circle dies for the bicycle base.  My papers and wooden embellishments are from Studio Calico.  Finally I used a Tim Holtz alphabet die to cut the numbers.  Here is a picture in the sun.

When I was over at Lynsey's for her birthday party, I noticed that she had framed my card from last year - I was so chuffed!  It also had a bicycle on it so I had better not do a third in a row for next year!

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #178 - Anything but Square

Hi Everyone,

I'm Back!  We all had a lovely time at my brother's wedding.  The family came from all over the UK - London, Glasgow, Moffat, Alford, Forres, Aberdeen, Perth and Comrie.  It was brilliant to see everyone again and the photos will be a great keepsake.  

I'm sure you are all waiting to hear about the new challenge over at Fab'n'Funky but first we have announced our winner and Top 3 from last week.  Just head over to the blog to take a peak.

We have the wonderful Angelique as our host this week and she has picked a great challenge to inspire you...

Anything but Square

That's right - we don't want to see any squares this week!  Just so long as your project isn't square, feel free to it link up.  We also have two great sponsors - Digi Darla Designs and StampArt Design by Kathryne.  Take a look at their designs by clicking on the links.  You won't be disappointed.

As we are into wedding season I have chosen to use the Tall Wedding Couple image from Digi Darla Designs as the focus of my card.

I used Spellbinders Grand Labels Twenty Three for my base card and then embossed through one of the Creative Expression folders designed by Sue Wilson.  I think this one is called Cascading Hearts.  To add definition to the edge of the card, I inked very lightly with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Dusty Concord.  This is barely noticeable in the photo but does show up better in real life.

My image was coloured with ProMarkers in Blossom, Almond, Black, Marsh Green and all the Cool Greys.  I also inked the edge with Dusty Concord.  My flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I've had them for over a year but have been loathe to use them as they are so pretty!  I think I've made up for it here!  Finally I added my sentiment which is from a really old Hunkydory kit.  It was a little too pink so I went over with the Dusty Concord here too.

I really hope you'll join us this week - just leave those squares at home!

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fairy Gemstone - Amethyst

Hi Everyone,

Happy Easter to you all.  I hope you've been able to enjoy some chocolate and sunshine.  We have had such great weather lately.  I'm going to cook come summer!

I was having a little experiment with the new Linda Ravenscroft Fairy Gemstones CD-ROM from Card Creations Plus and thought that if took an image into Serif I could use it make matching papers and embellies.  And it worked! 

I used the latest sketch from Sketch Saturday which is another great one...

I changed it up and made a 5" square card instead.  My printer seems to be a bit slow on picking up the images in Serif so my shadowing hasn't shown up so well.  It has also lightened the main backgournd colour so much that it is almost white instead of pink!

I also added an insert with the same bubble pattern.

To finish off I added Tim Holtz Glossy Accents to three of the bubbles on the front.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Sketch Saturday #252
Everybody-Art-Challenge #229 - Fairy
Charisma Cardz Challenges #12 - Happy Birthday

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Pearly Thank You

Hi All,

Another day, another card!  I really should be making wedding invites but this just came to me last night and I had to make it there and then.  It's another Spellbinders card and I have used kraft cardstock again. 

After pink, turquoise is definitely my next favourite colour.  The turquoise colour on this card is from Coredinations cardstock.  I stared with an 8x8 piece and attached to my card blank with double sided sticky tape.  My main layer is kraft cardstock which I embossed with an Embossalicious embossing folder that I had inked with Versamark on the debossed side.  I ran it through the Grand Calibur and then covered in white embossing powder before heating with my heat tool.  I inked around the edge with Broken China Distress Ink from Tim Holtz.  My ribbon is Creative Expressions Silky Crush in gold and Ribbon Kings sheer ribbon in turquoise. 

I used the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals for my base topper and inked again with the DI.  The pearls, from Creative Expressions, were all in one but I cut in half and then added on top.  I used the Spellbinders Standard Ovals Large in Coredinations and kraft for the next layers and stamped the same Thank You sentiment stamp in Broken China again.

I hope you have lovely plans for the weekend.  I'm sure it'll be Monday before we know it!

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #158 - What's Inside

Hi Crafty Friends,

It must be Wednesday as we have a brand new challenge for you at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.  We loved all of your romantic and heart projects last week - what a lot of love is going on in the world this week!  The winners and Top 3 are on the blog now so do take a look.

And now to let you in on our new challenge, we have the brilliant Beccy and she has chosen...

What's Inside

We would like to see the inside of your cards decorated.  You can decorate it in any way you like, just make sure there is something extra special in there for the recipient.

Our sponsor this week is one of my faves - Stamp Fairy.  You can click here to check out their fab designs.  The randomly picked winner will receive a $10 voucher to spend in the online store.

So, I bet you are wondering what I've created this week, so without further ado...

Isn't he cute?  This is Garden Goblins 1 from Stamp Fairy and you can find him here.  I took him into Serif and used the Cut Out Studio to cut away the main white part of the mushrooms.  I added a red polkadot background paper behind and then once printed out I fussy cut around with scissors and a craft knife.  I coloured using my ProMarkers and Flexmarkers in Satin, Almond, Dusky Pink, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Caramel, Burnt Umber, Lipstick Red, Ruby, Surf Blue, Aquamarine and Soft Aqua.  I hope you can see the shading.

My red layer is a piece of Coredinations cardstock which I distressed with my Tim Holtz paper distresser.  I embossed the mushroom frame from the Cuttlebug Freshly Picked set and then sanded back to reveal a bit more of the design.  My circle of clouds was made using a Darice folder and an X-Cut circle die.  I printed the blue and brown papers from Serif, recolouring using the colour picker tool.  My card blank is from Hunkydory and I used Antique Linen Distress Ink to age the edge. 

I layered up more of the papers that I had used on the front and then added a border of mushrooms.  This paper was also printed from Serif.  My mushroom die is by C.C. Designs and I've had it in my stash for ages but only just cut with it today.  I used a stamp set, with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Fired Brick, that was a free gift from Create and Craft as part of my club membership.

I hope you can link up your creations this week.  The team have come up with some brilliant ideas to I hope you can visit them for some inspiration too.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #157 - Valentine's or Hearts

Good Morning!

I'm so grateful for everyone who linked up their shoe projects last week at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.  I had so much fun checking out all the entries.  Fab colouring, great layouts and super inspiration.  The winner and Top 3 are on the blog right now so why not head on over for a visit.

We have a great new challenge for you today and this week it's the wonderful Pat K playing host.  If you would like to be inspired and amazed - check out Pat's blog here.  I love her style.  Now I better let you in on our theme..

Valentine's or Hearts

Simples!  Love is definitely all around this month!  Our sponsor is one of my favourite stamp companies, ever!  We have Lili of the Valley (LOTV) this week and they have such wonderful images and papers to lust over on their site.  Click here to start lusting!

I have a wedding card this week as I went with the heart theme using a LOTV image and sentiment.

What a sweet image!  I started with a 5.5" kraft card blank and added a sheet of Webster's Pages paper that I received as a free gift with a magazine last year.  I wrapped some Creative Expressions cream lace around this layer and really fell in love with how gorgeous the lace looks. 

My topper was stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed with gold detail embossing powder.  I cut out with an X-Cut heart shaped die and then inked through with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen for a vintage feel.  My sentiment is also LOTV and I simply stamped in brown ink and then cut out by hand.  I inked all over with Antique Linen DI.  I curled the sentiment over the edge of my table.  Love this technique! 

I love this image and have just realised that I bought it when I was in Glasgow for the SECC craft fair last March at the same time I bought the magazine with the free papers!  Meant to be I think!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 84 - Vintage Love
Whoopsi Daisy - Ribbon or Lace
Natalie and Amy #6 - Something Old and Something New (something old is my heart die and something new is my lace)
Southern Girls Challenge #61 - Get Krafty
Deep Ocean Challenge #44 - Love and Lace
Party Time Tuesday #106 - Love and Romance

I hope you'll be able to link up with us this week at Fab'n'Funky Challenges. 

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

The Cuttlebug Spot DT Card - Stars

Hi All,

I'm back with the final challenge in our "Get Into Shape" season at The Cuttlebug Spot.  This week we are celebrating using...

Stars

We would love to see stars in your projects.  I love stars and they always catch my eye when I'm out shopping or looking for new crafty stash!

I have a baby card for you this time and this image is super cute.

My image was from Pollycraft who unfortunately are no longer in business.  They had a mega clearance just before closing and I picked up a few bargain digis.  Such a shame that they're not around anymore.  I coloured my image with Spectrum Noir pens but I didn't keep a note of the colours I used.  Sorry!  

I embossed my cardblank with a Craft Concepts embossing folder and then used Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Broken China to highlight the pattern.  To give a deckled edge on the front I used the Joy Crafts starry border die .  I cut the largest of the Spellbinders Star Circles in brown pearlescent cardstock using my Cuttlebug and then layered up my image with Pinflair glue gel, after rounding on the edge of my table.  Finally I added three of the stars from the Spellbinders die to the top right corner of the inside.

I really hope you can join us at The Cuttlebug Spot for our stars challenge.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #155 - Your Favourite Colour Combo

Hello Crafters,

I can't believe it's Wednesday again already!  But Wednesday means a brand new challenge at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.  So if you haven't already, check out our winners post for the last challenge as it's on the blog right now.

So, I know you're all wondering what we would like you to create this week.  Our host is the wonderful Ginny and she has chosen a great theme...

Your Favourite Colour Combo

Yip, it's that simple.  Just chose your favourite colour combo and get crafting!  We also have the brilliant Flonzcraft as our sponsor.  They are a stamp manufacturing compnay from New Zealand.  Be sure to check out their stamps here.

I had a little dilemma chosing my colour combo but this is what I first thought of when I saw the challenge theme so I knew it had to be the one - pink, black and silver.

I recently treated myself to a set of the Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Squares which I bought from America because it was cheaper then buying from the UK!  Anyway, I used these to make my card blank and then scored the back panel to allow the card to stand.

My background actually came from waste!  I spritzed all over the circles masks from That Special Touch to make a background for another card and then used the leftover ink that was still on the mask to make a second background and this what I've used here.  I really liked the way it turned out - not quite perfect but still enough to show the shimmer of the Mister Huey spray.  I used my Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry Distress Ink on my Slodge mat to add colour to the spritzy background once it had dried.  I wanted a graduated look so really went for it at the bottom of the card, fading nearer the top.

Using Spellbinders Grand Decorative Circles I cut a base shape from black card and then added a doily which I had covered with silver metallic ink.  I stamped my Flonzcraft Crystal Frame stamp in black on white card and then used my DI to colour match the background.  I added a silver-mirri butterfly from the Spellbinders Jewel Flourishes set.  Finally I finished off with some gems for the corners.  I'm still in gem-mania mode!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp and Show - What Are You Known For (pink and butterflies)
Top Tip Tuesday #94 - Lavishly Luscious Layers
Creative Card Crew #28 - Girly 
Created With Love Challenges #25 - Anything Goes 

I hope you can join us for our great colour combo challenge this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

The Cuttlebug Spot DT Card - Triangles

Hi Everyone,

I hope you've all had a good start to the new year.  I've had a humongous abscess!  I couldn't even bear my hair touching my cheek!  Major bummer!  Plus I have a real fear of the dentist after a bad experience a few years ago so it hasn't been the best start to my new year.  Sorry, I went on a bit there!

So anyway, onto the latest challenge at The Cuttlebug Spot.  We would like to see...

Triangles

Easy peasy lemon treasy!  Just use a triangle somewhere on your card or project and don't forget to use those Cuttlebugs.  I love mine.  We have a wonderful sponsor this week - Trina Clark from Digiscrap Kits.  The winner can pick 2 items from her amazing blog!

 

Unfortunately Blogger is being a pain and I still can't upload any photos.  So head over to The Cuttlebug Spot blog to see my creation this week.  Once blogger starts to play ball again I'll add some photos to this post.  Update:  My lovely teamie, Brianna, suggested using a different browser and it has worked a treat!  So here is my card for our triangles challenge...

I created my card using the DayDream digikit in Serif's Craft Artist 2.  I love the colours of this kit - so pretty and girly.  Once I had my design sorted I split the layers and printed using my brand new A3 Brother printer!  Woo!  My brother bought me a Brother!  Lol!  Fab pressie and fab brother!  Although I think my future sister-in-law was the genius behind this wonderful gift. :)

I used a craft knife and steel ruler to cut out the layers and then distressed using Tim Holtz paper distresser tool, adding with foam pads from Hunkydory.  Love these foam pads.  I cut a butterfly using Spellbinders Wonderul Wings which is a brilliant set of beautiful butterfly dies.  I inked thorugh the die with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Worn Lipstick.  Finally I used a computer generated sentiment and cut it out using Spellbinders Floral Tags, adding a crystal gem to each corner.

I hope you can join us at The Cuttlebug Spot for our Triangles challenge.  We'll have a brand new challenge on Tuesday so make sure to check back for that.

Happy Crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky #150 - Non-Traditional Christmas

Hi Crafties,

Well, we are all partied out over on Fab'n'Funky - well maybe not quite yet.  Christmas is coming!  Thank you to everyone who joined us for our birthday fortnight.  We loved your projects and what a difficult job picking the Top 3.  But choose we did and the lucky winners are up on the blog right now.  Check them out at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.

We have a Christmassy challenge for you this week...

Non-Traditional Christmas

So you can use non-traditional colours or a non-traditional image.  We have two sponsors this week - My Creative Classroom and Stamp Fairy.  Who both have a fab prize for our lucky winners.

Here is my inspiration...

Loads of layers on this one.  I started by making an A5 card blank by scoring on my Ultimate Pro.  I layered up pink pearlescent cardstock and then a sheet of patterned glitter paper from Creata.  My border is made up from brown pearlescent cardstock and light pink glitter card.  My ribbon is from Creative Expressions. 

I used Spellbinders 2012 Heirloom Ornaments for the baubles.  My sentiment stamp is from Polka Doodles and came free with a magazine a while back.  I inked through the white bauble with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Spun Sugar.  I curved my baubles on the edge of my table and then mounted with foam tape.  Finally I added three gems to the top left corner.

I hope you can join us for our Christmassy challenge this week.  Can't wait to see what is in store for us!

Happy Crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #149 - Birthday Extravaganza

Hello Lovelies,

Another week closer to the festive season but we are still celebrating our third birthday at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.  So I hope you will join us in celebrating.

The challenge this week is hosted by Judith, who is just a wonderful lady.  We have an easy challenge for you...

3 of something on your card or number 3

Our sponsors this week are

Cult Pens


Who are offering a fabulous prize of
a £50 voucher
 to spend in their store
Wowzers!!!

 Cult Pens are also  offering a discount of 10% in their store
to all you Fab'n'Funky fans - just use the code below
It's valid right up until the end of December

 FNF2012 

*********

Who are offering

 a £10 voucher 

to spend in store

*********

Who are offering

  3 digis

 from their fabulous selection in store

*********

Flonzcraft

Who are offering

   a $20 voucher

 to spend in their store

 - with free shipping

*********

Who are offering

 a choice of 5 digis 

from the cute digis they have in their store

**********

What a veritable feast of birthday treats!  And here is my card.  I used a Flonzcraft stamp called Vintage Fashion Girls - Fifties 03. 

I have two 3's on my card - my lovely ladies and three layers.  My papers are from Prima and I wasn't sure when I first got them but the colours really work well together and they aren't too over the top.  I stamped my image onto Super Smooth Decoupage paper and then stamped again onto each of the different patterned papers.  I cut them out with scissors and paper pieced the dresses and glove.  My image was cut out with Spellbinders Eyelet Squares which I inked with Tim Holtz Distres Ink in Worn Lipstick, placing at a jaunty angle with foam pads for interest.  I used the smallest Eyelet Squares die for my sentiment which is from that set that I've had forever.  What a brilliant buy that one turned out to be!  I also used the DI to ink my sentiment.  My card blank is from Hobbycraft.

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

Crafts and Me #111 - Circles

Joanna Sheen - Anything Goes Excluding Christmas

A Gem of a Challenge #60 - Paper Piecing

I really hope you can join us for our birthday celebrations.  With those wonderful prizes on offer, you'd be mad to miss it!

Happy crafting,

Rachel x

Exciting News and A Brand New Challenge at The Cuttlebug Spot

Hi Everyone,

As you can probably guess from the title of my post I have some very exciting news for you.  I am now a proud member of The Cuttlebug Spot DT.  Yippie!  Be sure to check out the wonderful designs from my teamies and join in with our great new challenge which launches today.

Well what is this great challenge that you speak of, I hear you ask!  This week we would like you to...

Use 3 different die cutting/embossing items

Here is my card for inspiration

I have only recently discovered the joy of kraft card but boy what a joy it is to use!  I started with a 5" kraft card blank and debossed a row of snowflakes down the outer edge using my Cuttlebug.  I then took some Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Salty Ocean and added that to the edges of the card. 

I used my Cuttlebug again to cut the Spellbinders snowflake shapes.  These are a random mix from 2010, 2011 and 2012.  My final piece of embossing came in the form of the sentiment and I also added some ink to the edge of this piece of card.  To achieve the raised effect I rolled it over the edge of my table in two different directions.  I attached with a lot of Pinflair glue gel!

I hope you like my inspiration and can join us this week at The Cuttlebug Spot.  Can't wait to see your great crafty projects.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #146 - Bingo

Hi Everyone,

Wow!  What a response to our Die Cuts/Punches challenge last week.  We had so many brilliant entires.  I don't know how Pat K managed to choose her top 3 but choose she did!  Head over to the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog to see the wonderful winners and fab Top 3.

This week is my turn to host our challenge and I have gone with a bingo board...

Shaped card blank	Charm	Distressing
Lace	Vintage	Flourish
Twine	Embossing	Kraft card

Just use any line - across, up, down or diagonal and let us know which line you have used.

We have a fantastic sponsor this week - it's Stamp Fairy!

The DT were able to use super Stamp Fairy images from their new winter digis.  There are so many lovely images on the site so make sure you check them out.

From the bingo board, I chose twine, embossing and kraft card on my project and it's not a card!

Nope, it's a gift bag!  My Dad gave me some of these brown paper bags for my first craft fair last sunday and I knew it would be perfect for this challenge.  My checked and dotty papers are from Papermania's Deck the Halls paper pack.  I used Spellbinders Holly Accents for the holly border and inked through the die with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Mowed Lawn.  This ink pad is actually from the seasonal summer set but really worked well with my Christmas papers. 

I printed my image straight onto kraft card and then added twine in red and green using Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue.  I mounted my lovely little gingerbread man onto Spellbinders Labels Twenty Eight with foam tape.  My embossed greeting was made using an embossing folder and Centrura Pearl Snow White card.  The folder is made up of lots of different Christmas greetings so I just cut it out with scissors and then cololured with the distress ink again.  I really love the shimmer from this card.

So get your dabbers at the ready and lets play bingo!  Can't wait to see all of your creations.

Happy crafting,

Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenge #137 - Colours of Autumn

Hi Everyone,

Hope this post finds you all well.  I learned a valuable crafty lesson on Sunday night - paper is dangerous!  I bent down to pick up a piece of mirri-paper and snap went my back!  I couldn't straighten up and had to get help from my Mam!  Be careful out there!

Anyway, we have a brilliant new challenge over at Fab'n'Funky and our host this week is the great Pat.  Her chosen theme is very apt for this time of year...

The Colours of Autumn

We also have a fantastic sponsor - My Creative Classroom, who are giving our lucky winner the chance to take part in a hair colouring masterclass.  How amazing is that?!

So, onto my card and I've gone quite simple this week but I kinda liked how it turned out.

I think my photo skills are getting worse though!  This shows the gold mirri-card off and then I layered with brown pearlescent cardstock.  The red spider's web mesh is from Kanban and I have 5 rolls of this in different colours so you might be seeing quite a bit of it for a while!

My stamped image is also Kanban, from their Steampunk stamp set.  I used a Hobbycraft gold inkpad and it really suits these stamps.  I used Spellbinders Grand Ovals to but my image and then distressed with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Fired Brick to highlight the embossing.  Here is the close-up...

This shows the colour of the die cut paper which is a lot more orange-y in real life.  Hope you have fun with your colours of autumn.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x