Fab'n'Funky Challenges #136 - Birthday Sketch

Hi Crafters,

Here we are again - on Wednesday already!  We have another new challenge for you over on the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog.  We had loads of lovely leafy wonders last week and Pat K has chosen her Top 3 so head over to the blog to see the lucky winners.

We have lovely Shirley as our host this week and she has chosen to do a fab sketch to celebrate her daughter's birthday and here it is...

A great sketch and so many different possibilities.  There are two sponsors for our challenge this week - StampArt Design by Kathryne and Joanna Sheen.  So two sponsors means two winners!  Double the fun!  Be sure to check out their websites for great crafty goodies.

When I saw Shirley's great sketch, this image just popped into my head and I knew I wanted to use it.  I hope Shirley doesn't mind that I twisted her sketch to fit my image *crosses fingers*!

And here is my card...

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?! Just as well you can't hear me singing!  This Saturated Canary image is called Springtime and is a favourite of mine.  I've loved the cards that I've seen using this digi and hope my effort is up to standard.  I coloured her using ProMarkers and FlexMarkers in Blush, Dusky Pink, Cinnamon, Henna, Caramel, Watermelon, Cocktail Pink, Sunflower, Soft Green, Tea Green, Apple and Leaf Green.  I cut out my image and matting layer using Spellbinders Grand Ovals. 

My papers are from Heidi Swapp and are just scrumptious!  I was really loathe to cut them up but isn't that just a good excuse to buy more!  To make my card blank I cut a piece of 350gsm card to 8" square and then covered with the flowery paper.  I measured up the two triangles and then left a centimetre extra on the edge to attach to the back of the base card.  The coloured card is strong enough to stand up as it is such good quality.  The flowers were made using Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms from the flowery paper and here is a close-up.

I started by twirling the end around my pokey tool and just kept rolling using my fingers, making sure that the base was kept straight.  I glued with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.  My little butterflies were from a Tonic punch.  I also glued these on with the CSDCG.

Do you fancy a peek at the inside now?  Well here you go!

I typed up my sentiment on the computer using My Craft Studio and then printed it onto Super Smooth decoupage paper.  I used the same Spellbinders Grand Oval to cut it out and then attached with double sided sticky tape so that the card can still close.

Hope you have fun with this great sketch and can't wait to see all the different variations.  If you are looking for inspiration, my teamies have done wonderful examples so check them out.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Dragonfly Fun

Hi All,

I've been crafting again!  This time I've used Spellbinders, Debbi Moore and Kanban to make a dragonfly card.  I started by brayering the card blank with my Big and Juicy Soothing Sunset inkpad.  I played it a little too safe and removed too much of the ink from my brayer so it's extremely subtle.  The white mesh is from Kanban and it is so fabulous!
 

I cut two of the largest shapes from the Spellbinders Splendid Circles and then cut them into quarters.  I trimmed the outer edge from the pink layer and mounted with foam pads. 

The dragonfly stamp from Debbi Moore was inked up the the Big and Juicy Soothing Sunset and then cut with the Spellbinders Splendid Circles.  I mounted this onto a circle cut my X-Cut dies.

Unbelievably, this photo was taken at the same time as the top one!  My camera has a mind of it's own sometimes!

Hope you've all had a splendid weekend.

Happy crafting,

Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #135 - Use Leaves Somewhere

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe how fast that last week has gone!  And we are around to the next challenge on Fab'n'Funky Challenges already.  It's a good one too!  If you haven't checked out the winners of the last challenge head over to the Challenge blog.

We have the extremely talented Pat K as our host this week and she has chosen a fab challenge...

Use Leaves Somewhere

You can use any kind of leaves you like in any way but just make sure they appear on your project.  We have a great sponsor too - Bugaboo.  The DT were so lucky to have some gorgeous digi stamps to use.  It was so hard to choose though!

I made this card using BBrat girl flower sitter as she was super cute.  I chose an autumnal colour pallete and was pleased with how she turned out.  Unfortunately I put the list of ProMarkers that I used out with the rubbish.  D'oh!  The ones I can remember are Forest Green, Gold, Lipstick Red, Ruby, Blush, Dusky Pink, Bright Orange, Cinnamon and Henna.  My little image is sitting on a Spellbinders Floral Ovals die-cut.

I made the background paper using elements from the My Craft Studio Artiste Collection CD-ROM.  The ribbon came from some packaging.  I mounted onto gold mirri-card and then onto a white card blank.  I used a corner punch to round the edges.

I can't wait to see what leafy wonders you all come up with for this challenge.  Be sure to check out the other DT creations.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Love is like a butterfly...

Hello Crafters,

I have a Spellbinders card for you tonight.  I luuuurve Spellbinders!  It's the Pick of the Day on Create and Craft and Ideal World tonight/tomorrow but would you believe it I have them all!  Well, nearly all of them!

For this card, I started with some purple pearlescent card and embossed it with the Ornamental Iron M-Bossability folder.  I managed to extend the pattern by placing the folder over the edge of the plates on the second embossing run.

I used a Debbi Moore stamp and then cut it out with Spellbinders Beaded Squares.  I inked through the die with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Dusty Concord.  This is the first time I've used my proper blending tool and it was a doddle!

I cut two squares, one black and one silver mirri-paper with my flimsy knock-off dies - that'll teach me!  The ribbon is also from Creative Expressions.  The butterfly is another Spellbinder and came from the Wings of Hope set.
 

I really do love using Spellbinders and can't wait to see what will make it onto my next card.  Hope you are all enjoying crafty days.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #134 - Angels and Fairies

Hi All,

Well, we've had a day of all seasons here today.  At the moment it's summer but this morning was definitely winter.  Long may summer continue!

It's time for a brand new challenge at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.  Our host this week is Judit and she has chosen a lovely theme...

Angels and Fairies

So dig out those winged beauties and get crafting!  Our sponsor is Digi Darla Designs and one lucky winner will receive 5 digis from their store.  Check out the wonderful designs here.

Now on to my card.  The DT had lovely images to play with and I chose Annie Angel 4 which is a very cute angel digi. 

My papers are from Basic Grey and I love the bright colours of this pack.  I used my X-Cut star dies to cut the shapes from the pink paper and then layered using foam tape over the orange paper.

I coloured my lovely image using ProMarkers in the following colours:

Almond
Blush
Vanilla
Bright Orange
Rose Pink
Cerise
Pear Green

Then I cut her out using my Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles.  The ribbon was recycled from some packaging and I love how it pops.  My sentiment came free with a magazine and is from the Polka Doodles range.

Be sure to check out the other DT inspiration.  They are truly angelic!  Looking forward to seeing your creations. 

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenge #132 - Anything But A Card

Hi All,

I think these weeks are flying by even faster than normal just now.  Have you checked out the winner of our last challenge yet?  If not, head over to the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog.  We also have badges for the winner and Top 3 so make sure you pick one up if it's you. 

And without further ado, we have another new challenge for you at Fab'n'Funky.  I'm your host for this week and I've chosen the following theme...

Anything But A Card

You can make any project you like but just make sure there are NO cards.  We also have a really exciting new sponsor - Flonzcraft, who are stamp manufacturers from New Zealand. 

They have an amazing offer for everyone who enters our challenge this week.  Be sure to click on our challenge blog to find out more.  The challenge winner, picked at random, will also receive a $20 voucher to spend and their order will qualify for FREE shipping!  Wooo!

I made a scrapbook layout using Vintage Girl Fashion - Fifties 03 and I absolutely love this stamp.  We were such a lucky DT to receive some stamps to play with ourselves.  This one had to jump into my basket as soon as I saw it.

My papers are from the Indigo Bleu range by Pink Paislee and I bought them from Create and Craft when they had their International Craft Event.  I have been putting off using them because they are so beautiful and every one is different.  

I used Spellbinders Labels One Scalloped to frame my stamp and Labels Four for my journalling.  I've not cracked the journalling yet but I'm trying to improve.  I don't know when the photo was taken but it shows my Granny and Grandad on the right and my Granny's sister and brother-in-law on the left.  I'll have to ask my Granny if she remembers getting this picture taken.

I cut several different sized strips and then ran the light grey strip through a paper crimper for texture.  The bunting was made using an American Crafts mask.  I drew around the shape and then cut it out by hand.  The "Sisters" lettering was cut using my Cricut Expression 2 and the Paper Lace 2 cartridge. 

And here is a close up of that gorgeous stamp.

I left it uncoloured as I thought it looked more like the old images of the Fifites.  I have a great idea for my next project using it though!

Have fun creating your projects and I can't wait to visit you all and see what you've done.

Do make sure you check out the other DT members' blogs.  Their projects are amazing, as always, and I want to thank them all for sharing their creativity and being such a lovely team.

Happy crafting,

Rachel x



Les Papillion Birthday

Hi All,

Hope you have been enjoying your Saturday.  We've had a very sunny day but I've been enjoying it in my craft corner!  I have a card made with the new Spellbinders for you today.  I just couldn't resist the wonderful dies and had them ordered within about 3 minutes!  Create and Craft will be the financial ruin of me!  Did anyone else take the plunge and order them too?

I love the new butterfly dies called Les Papillion and knew these would have to feature on my first card.  I started by matting and layering the pink pearlescent and gold cardstock.  My embossed cardstock was made using the Elegance M-Bossability folder from Spellbinders.  My border strips are from the Asian Accents set.  I used Scalloped Labels One for underneath my butterfly.  I cut the top layer of the butterfly from the Spellbinders packaging and actually passed it through the Grand Calibur about 30 times.  Unfortunately, due to the intricacy of the die it just wouldn't quite cut through.  So out came the old fashioned technique of cutting with scissors!  I attached with Pinflair Glue Gel.

The sentiment stamp is from Create and Craft and layered onto Fancy Framed Tags One.  These really need to be cut with greaseproof paper.  I ended up ripping three just by not using this technique. 

Have any of you got crafty plans for tomorrow?  I'm hoping to work on a Fab'n'Funky challenge idea but I'll keep that one under wraps until Wednesday!

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Sneak Peek - Baby Barker

Hi Everyone,

I have a sneak peak of a card that I made with my Cricut Expression 2.  I made this for my friend's new baby who was only born a couple of weeks ago.  I'm going to visit them tomorrow - can't wait for baby cuddles.

Yip, you guessed it - his name is Noah.  I've seen a couple of pics and he is utterly adorable.  Hope I can get a good photo tomorrow.  If you fancy taking a better look at my card, check out my Cricut blog here.

Better get a move on and make some food, then I'm off out for a fun night at my friend's house.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #131 - No Stamped Images

Hello Crafty Friends,

We loved your handmade flower projects last week - a great variety.  Check out the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog to see if we picked you as our lucky winner.  The Top 3 have also been posted.  Don't forget to grab those badges too.

I had better get cracking with this week's challenge.  The talented Ginny is our host and she has chosen a clever challenge...

No Stamped Images

I kept going to reach for my stamps and then realised that I wasn't allowed!  In the end I created a Spellbinders card.  Not quite up to Sue Wilson standard yet but I do love checking out her inspirational blog. 

Our sponsor this week is Joanna Sheen.  The lucky challenge winner will receive a £10 gift token to the Joanna Sheen store. 

I began by printing out my patterned snowflake paper from the Debbi Moore Shabby Chic Christmas CD-ROM.  There are loads of great papers on this CD so it was hard to choose which one to print first!

My card blank was made with Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven.  I also cut the base layer with this Label but used the next size down.  The next layer is silver mirri-board cut using Spellbinders Labels Twenty.  I topped this with the Cheery Lynn Frency Pastry die in the DM paper.  This is the first time I've used a Cheery Lynn die and was really impressed with them.  I have another die that I bought at the same time but I'll keep that one for another time!

My snowflakes were also Spellbinders and I used 2011 and 2012 Snowflake Pendants.  I attached these with either foam pads or Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue from Creative Expressions.  I added a silver pearl to the middle with the silver Cosmic Shimmer glue.  This is also how I made the pearls around the edge.

Don't forget to check out the other DT members' creations.  Can't wait to see what you come up with for our challenge.

Happy crafting,

Rachel x

Mountain of Prima Giveaway

Wowee!  Look at all these goodies!  Ingvild is being very generous with this giveaway.  She is celebrating her new look blog and it's gorgeous! 

If you fancy a look at Ingvild's fabulous blog then just click here.  You'll be truly inspired.

Happy blogging,
Rachel x