Fab'n'Funky Challenges #186 - Button It

Hi All,

I hope you are well and crafting with plenty of lovely goodies.  We have a great new challenge over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges but firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who entered our Leaves challenge last week.  We had a lovely time looking at all the wonderful creations.  The winner and Top 3 are over on the blog now so check it out soon.

On to this week and Wendy is our brilliant host with a great theme that you can really put your own spin on...

Button It

We would like you to use buttons on  your project.  They can be real, paper, digital or just mahoosive!  Our sponsor this week is one of my favourite digital stamp companies - The Paper Shelter.  The random winner will receive a $20 voucher to spend in their online store.  I'm ever so slightly jealous!

The DT were very lucky to be able to work with The Paper Shelter images this week and I chose to use Rhythm Everywhere.

I started with a 6" scalloped card blank and my first layer was made using kraft card and a piece of Pebbles backing paper.  I then embossed the blue Coredinations with a Spellbinders M-bossability folder called Hearts.  This layer was also matted with kraft card.  My ribbon was recycled from some pajamas packaging!  My buttons were created with a die from the Spellbinders Sewing Elements set.

I used Spellbinders Circles to cut out my main image and layer and then mounted on foam pads from Hunkydory.  The little shiny bursts are the waste from another card!  I used a Memory Box die (Snowflake Burst) with Centura Pearl cardstock and they just went perfectly.

I really hope you can join us for our Button It challenge this week at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Blog #225 - Button Up
Card Mania Challenge #30 - Cute as a Button

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #184 - Sweet Treats

Hi Crafters,

Well we are on Wednesday again and that means a brand new challenge at Fab'n'Funky.  It is my turn to host this week and as we are sponsored by the fabulous Digi Darla Designs, I picked a foodie-related challenge

Sweet Treats

You can use cake, chocolate, sweets or even a fruity cocktail in your design.  We would love for you to satisfy your sweet tooth with us!

The winner, picked by random.org, will receive 5 images of their choice from Digi Darla Designs.

Here is my card this week...

I used a pre-coloured image called Chocolate Cake from Digi Darla Designs and cut it out with my Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles.  I inked through the die with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Red Brick.  My background paper is from DCWV and I embossed this with a Crafter's Companion Embossalicious folder.  I added a piece of Coredinations in dark pink which was embossed with a "Happy Birthday" folder and then sanded back.  The pearls came from Creative Expressions and my flowers were also from Crafter's Companion.

While I was thinking of my card design, I decided to make some sweet treats of my own and here is the end result - a chocolate cupcake with strawberry flavoured chocolate frosting.  This is for the true chocoholic!

The cupcakes in the background are actually my kitchen wallpaper - I really do love cupcakes!

I really hope you can join us in our Sweet Treats challenge this week at Fab'n'Funky.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #183 - Opposites Attract

Hi Everyone,

We are back at Fab'n'Funky Challenges today with a brand new challenge but before you get crafting to join in, why not check out the winners from last week.  They are up on the blog right now.

Our challenge this week is hosted by the wonderful Alli and you can visit her blog here.  Alli has chosen a great colour challenge:-

Opposites Attract

We would like you to use two opposite colours from the following colour wheel:-

We also have two fabulous sponsors this week:- 

Stamp Art by Kathryne 

and 

Flonzcraft 

I chose to use an image from StampArt Design by Kathryne called Butterfly Border 1.  Along with the border image, you also receive an individual butterfly image which is what I used here.  

You can probably guess by the photo which colours I chose!  Yellow and purple just seemed to scream out at me "Pick me, pick me!"  How could I refuse?!

My card blank was made using two cuts of the Spellbinders Fanciful Lattice in Centura pearl glued together on the left to create the spine.  I printed the purple paper from a Creative Crafting World CD-ROM.  To make the butterfly the vibrant shade of yellow I used My Craft Studio software.  Once printed, I embossed the wings using a Cuttlebug swirl folder.  I added glitter to the centre with a Quickie Glue Pen and attached with foam pads.  My ribbon is really old so I have no idea where it came from but my pearls are from Creative Expressions.

I really hope you can make your opposites attract this week and join us at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.

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 #182 - You Can Stick It!

Hi Everyone,

We are back at Fab'n'Funky Challenges with a brand new challenge for you today.  The winners from last time are also on the blog so head on over to find out who was lucky.

The talented and very kind Ciska is our host this week and we have a great challenge to help you use up some stash...

You Can Stick It!

We would like you to use stickers on your project.  They can be peel-offs, glitter stickers, word stickers or any other kind of sticker from your crafty bounty.  Just make sure you tell us what you've used.  

Our sponsor this week is the brilliant Bugaboo Digi Stamps.  They have a stamp for every occasion and some really funny ones too.

The DT were lucky enough to work with fabulous Bugaboo images and I chose to work with the Silhouette Butterfly Flowers image which you can find here.

I started with a 6" square scalloped card blank and used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to create texture in the middle of the card.  I inked this with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Fired Brick to make it pop.  My image was cut out using Spellbinders Picot Edge Circles.  I simply threaded the ribbon through the holes created by the die and tied in a bow at the top.  This is the first time I've used this technique but really liked the effect.  

My stickers are ancient!  They are glittery butterfly stickers from Anita's.  I think I might have bought them from the DoCrafts website a few years ago but really can't remember.

I really hope you can join us to stick it this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

JustRite Stamps in a Teacup!

Hi Everyone,

I have a new card to share with you today and it's my first entry into the JustRite Challenge blog.  I just love their stamps and dies and have a small collection which has been building steadily.  The current challenge has photo inspiration along with a designated colour palette.

And here is my card:

I think my photography skills have let me down on this one.  I used the Cosmic Shimmer Lustre embossing powder in Pink Pearl which has a gorgeous sheen but this hasn't shown up very well through the photography.

I started with the JustRite French Rose background stamp and used Versamark on yellow pearlescent cardstock.  I added the Cosmic Shimmer Lustre embossing powder and heated.  I tore the edges of my card and then die cut the Spellbinders Tea Cup, adding the handle in matching cardstock.  The doily was coloured with a ProMarker in Pink Mittens from the seasonal limited edition set from last year.  My sentiment came from JustRite's All In The Family Large Sentiments set.  This was also stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with the Lustre Powder.  I coloured the seam binding with the Pink Mittens pen.  My dazzler was added with Pinflair glue gel.  

For the base card, I scored a piece of Centura Pearl cardstock in half using my Ultimate Pro and then embossed with one of Sue Wilson's embossing folders.  To finish the background, I cut and embossed the corners from Spellbinders' Botanical Swirls and Accents set.  

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

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

JustRite Challenge #102 - Colour Inspiration
Sweet Pea Stampers - Embossing (Wet or Dry)

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #180 - Make a Set

Hi Everyone,

We are back at Fab'n'Funky Challenges with a great new challenge.  Be sure to head over to the blog to check out our winners from the Christmas in July challenge though.  They are just waiting to be seen!

On to this week's challenge which is hosted by the wonderful Shirley who is a fab cake decorator too.  She has chosen a brilliant challenge to get those creative juices flowing! 

Make a Set

That's right this week we would love to see you make a set of cards, maybe a card and a matching tag or envelope. You could make a gift box with a matching card and tag. 

This week you have three times the luck of winning a wonderful prize as we have three wonderful sponsors - Doodle Pantry, StampArt Design by Kathryne and Digital Delights.  Just click on their names to see their super designs.

I chose to work with an image from Doodle Pantry and when I came across "Oh Baby" I knew it would be perfect.  I have so many friends who are expecting babies this year!  Must be something in the water!

I made a set of four cards all using the pre-coloured yellow baby bottle from Doodle Pantry and some yellow gingham paper from Craft Artist 2 Professional.

I chose to use blue and pink card blanks for to differentiate the boys and girls cards.  I also added embossing and die cutting to each to help tie them together.  The folders I used were from Crafter's Companion Embossalicious range.  I created the die cuts with Spellbinders Grand Splendid Circles, Labels One and Labels Eight and the "baby" was cut with a Provo Craft die.  My stamps came from a set I received free from Create and Craft for being a club member.  

Here they are one by one...

As you'll see I used my X-Cut corner rounder punch on two of the cards and added some pretty pearls to the girly cards.  

As we are in our summer season, this challenge will run for two weeks so you have until 6 August to post your entry.  

Happy crafting,

Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges - #179 Christmas in July

Ho Ho Ho! 

No, I've not lost the plot, it is still July!  We have a great new challenge over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges with the talented Anne-Marie as our host.  She has chosen a fab theme...

Christmas in July

Dig out your glitter, red and green paper and get festive!  I love making Christmas cards so this was the perfect excuse to dig out my festive stash!  We have two fab sponsors this week too.  The first is My Creative Classroom who are offering one lucky winner the opportunity to participate in an online class of their choice.  Our second sponsor is Dilly Beans - one of my favourites.  The winner of this prize will receive 3 digital images of their choice.  

The DT were so lucky to be able to work with great images from Dilly Beans and I chose to use Holly Penguin Framed (image #493) for my card.

What a cutie!  I coloured my image with ProMarkers in Lilac, Winter Berry, Forest Green, Leaf Green, Ruby, Gold, Summer Sun, Pineapple Crush and all the Cool Greys.  

I went a little bit wild last week and ordered loads of the new Christmas Memory Box dies.  They are just scrummy!  I have used the Gabriella Border die here with lilac glitter cardstock from Create and Craft.  My card blank was embossed with the Spellbinders M-Bossabilities folder Holiday Magic.  

I really hope you'll join us for some festive fun this week.

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

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #176 - Animals

Hi All,

Apologies for the late post - brain wasn't engaged!  It's my brother's wedding on Saturday and I'm not sure where the time has gone.  It actually doesn't seem real yet and we've already had the rehearsal!  Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

Enough of my jibbering though!  We have a brand new challenge over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges and this week we are hosted by the wonderful Zoe.  The theme is a fab one too...

Animals

So as long as there is an animal on your project, feel free to link it up.  We also have two great sponsors - Flonzcraft and StampArt Design by Kathryne.  As always, that means two great prizes!

I chose to use a StampArt image this week called Ari and Toby which features the most adorable little dog.  I went with bright colours to fend off those raindrops.

Isn't she cute?!  I made this card using Serif's Craft Artist Professional 2.  As soon as I saw those wellies I knew they would make the perfect background and all the elements came from the Backyard Bumper digikit.  I left my image blank so that the recipient - my friend's 7 year old daughter - can colour it herself.  

I really hope you can join us this week with your animals!

Happy crafting,
Rachel x