NEW DESIGN TEAM MEMBER - CHRISTMAS CARDS ALL YEAR ROUND!!

Happy New Year to you all out there!  I was in bed well before midnight, with earplugs in situ, just drifting orf nicely when all hell broke loose!   As the crow flies we are just a few miles away from a Racecourse and they do (hearsay only) lavish parties for all occasions, so last night was one of these very events!  It sounded like a war going on, I have never heard such loud bangs and thumps coming from fireworks, thank goodness it was relatively short-lived, although I am sure all the people taking part totally enjoyed themselves!

Anyway I've started the New Year with some good news, I've been invited onto the Design Team for Christmas Cards All Year Round, I really am chuffed and pleased with myself!!!  Woo hoo!  This is my first card for the Team, the theme is Anything Goes so if you want to carry on with your Christmas Card making for next year (being so cheerful keeps me going - lol) here's just the Challenge for you to enter.

I bought the digi from Funky Kits (one of the Sugar Nellie range) 'cos I thought it was quite cute.

Ingredients

Digi - 'A gift' for you' Sugar Nellie at Funky Kits
Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs (White)
Papers - LOTV 'Twas the Night' paper pad
Copper coloured paper from stash
Star Border - Bazzill Basics Cardstock strip
Sentiment - Vintage Christmas 'Home for Christmas' - Crafters Companion
Rectangle Die - Lil'Inkers Stitched Rectangles dies
Star Die - Lil'Inkers Stitched Stars dies
Flexmarkers (and 2 Copics)
Stardust Stickles
Docrafts 'Glitz-it' - white glitter

I'd love to see some of your cards in our Challenge this month, why not give it a go.

Lots of big hugs, take care and I hope 2015 is good to you

Sue xxx

I would like to enter my card into the following 10 challenges _

Cute Card Thursday Challenge No 354 - http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/challenge-354-anything-goes.html

Divas by Design Challenge - http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/dec-17th-team-b-anything-goes.html

Dream Valley Challenge No 97 - http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.ca/2014/12/challenge-97-christmas.html

Freshly Brewed Challenge (Jan) - http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/freshly-brewed-challenge-january.html  (Stars with glitter are a favourite)

Hanna & Friends Challenge No 212 - http://just-hanna-stamps.blogspot.se/2014/12/challenge-212-weihnachten-christmas.html

I Love Promarkers Challenge No 250 - http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-250-anything-goes.html

Ooh La La Creations Challenge No 170 - http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-170.html

Scrapbook Stamp Soc. Challenge No 56 - http://scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog.blogspot.nl/2014/12/challenge-56-anything-goes-option.html

Shopping our Stash Challenge No 182 - http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/sos-182-thrice-as-nice.html

Through the Craftroom Door Challenge - http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/ttcrd-anything-goes-dec-30-jan5th.html

OSAAT DT - CHALLENGE NO 227 - ANYTHING GOES WITH STITCHING

Hello friends in blogland!   I really hope you had a wonderful Christmas, whether it was full of noise and chaos or whether it was calm and peaceful (like ours).   We had a lovely time,  the furbabies behaved beautifully and were quite amicable with one another (bonus!!) they enjoyed their catnip toys and special Christmas dinner - Blossom particularly enjoyed the wrapping paper ...... so typical!!

Well, here I am with another DT card (after quite a big blogging break) ooops  - I don't know what happened in November/December, apart from the fact that I had too many last minute commissions and I'm not very good at saying no!  Thank goodness I had my own cards almost made - yup I had to finish off the insides despite my New Year Resolution to make sure all cards were completely finished (apart from any special wording inside).  Still that's all done and dusted now.

This card is one for the One Stitch at a Time Challenge and the theme this fortnight is "Anything Goes with Stitching".  I did a little bit of hand stitching around the edge of the purple matting layer, in fact it was really quite therapeutic and almost set me off wanting to start sewing again.   To be honest though, I love colouring and couldn't go back to just sewing!   We have loads of these fuschias in the garden and in hanging baskets, there are so many different varieties but when I saw this digi it just begged to be coloured in purples and pinks.  This digi comes with its own paper pack but I didn't use it because I desperately wanted to use that greeny background paper with the purple.

The prize for the challenge is the following pack of digis and papers and you can make anything you like as long as there is some stitching, real or 'faux'.  So not at all difficult!

Ingredients

Fuschia digi (with paper pack) - Coosty Creations at Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet
Papers are all old stock from my stash - (bought from Create and Craft)
'Just Because' clear stamp - 'Stamp Doodles' at Polka Doodles
Ribbon - Creative Expressions
Pearls - stash
Stitching - Silk Embroidery Thread in stash
Copics/Flexmarkers
NO DIES USED WHATSOEVER!!!!  - I cut the 'arrow' shape by hand

The challenge runs through until 10 January so you just might have a little time to do some crafting - hopefully.

While I'm here I would just like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope that 2015 is good to you.  Thanks to everyone who has commented on my blog and for the encouragement you have given me - especially to those of you who have kept commenting despite me not being able to reciprocate (because of time constraints and schedules I've had etc) I really do appreciate your friendship and loyalty.  You are the best!!!

That's it for now peeps - please take care and don't get too tiddly over New Year - I shall be in bed before 12 midnight, hopefully asleep, which will make a change.  I am not a fan of celebrating the passing of one year into the next so my pit and hot water bottle will be beckoning - lol!!!

Lots of big hugs to you all and an extra big cuddle to anyone who may need one.

Sue xxx

I would like to enter my card into the following 10 challenges -

Crazy Challenge No 187 - http://crazychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/cch-187-everything-goes.html

Creative Card Crew Challenge No 77 - http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/77-anything-goes.html

Cute Card Thursday Challenge No 353 - http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-353-anything-goes.html

Divas by Design Challenge - http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/dec-17th-team-b-anything-goes.html

Fairytale Stampers Challenge No 49 - http://www.fairytalestamper.blogspot.de/2014/12/challenge-49-top3-und-gewinner.html

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge No 260 - http://kraftinkimmiestamps.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/december-krafty-previewsday-three.html

Paper Shelter Challenge - http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/12/christmas-challenge-anything-goes.html

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge No 208 - http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-208.html

Scrapper's Delight Challenge No 37 - http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-37-last-challenge-of-year.html

That's Crafty Challenge - http://thatscraftychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/anything-goes-challenge.html

CRAFTY CALENDAR DECEMBER CHALLENGE - WHITE ON WHITE

Hello everyone - it's the last challenge of the year at Crafty Calendar and the theme is White on White.  It was my turn to host the Challenge this month and I just lurve white on white so this was soooo up my street.... again.  As usual I've sprinkled loads and loads of glitter on this one, much to the maestro's horror 'cos he's only just managed to divest himself of the last lot!

 The maestro couldn't get rid of the purple hue on here but I can assure you that this really is white apart from a little blue ink on the sky above the reindeer.  I think I'm getting a little out of practice with my digis at the moment, but I do enjoy using die cuts - are you ready for the inevitable long list??

Ingredients

7" x 7" White Card - Anna Marie Designs
'Snowflakes' embossing Folder - Bebunni at Crafters Companion
Handmade paper glitter strip - Papermania
Holly Jolly Christmas Collection bauble die - Create and Craft Couture Dies
Small Deer dies - Impression Obsession Dies (DIE 117C)
Christmas Tree border die - Impression Obsession Dies (DIE 086L)
Star of Wonder die - Memory Box Dies
Precious Ornaments die - Memory Box Dies
Snowflake Corner die - Memory Box Dies
Sprig and Berries dies - Elizabeth Craft Designs Dies
Ornamental Tags 3 die - Spellbinders Dies
'Merry Christmas' Sentiment Stamp - Daisy & Dandelion Clear Stamps
DecoArt Glitter
Ribbon - Stash

I hope you have time to enter the challenge because there is a set of 4 great stamps from our sponsors at Elphine House to win

The Challenge is open until Friday 2nd January so please have a go.

Thank you so much to all of you who have entered our challenges over the past year, I hope we see you all again in January, but in the meantime MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR to each and every one of you.

I must be off now 'cos I still have a few more commission cards to make as well as a couple more DT cards for another challenge blog.  No rest for the wicked!!!

Hugs to you all and please take care.

Sue xxx

I would like to enter my card into the following 10 challenges -

Brown Sugar Challenge No 123 - http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-123-winter.html

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge No 288 - http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-288-4th-of-december-christmas.html

Crafty Mess Challenge No 2 - http://a-crafty-mess.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-2_5.html

Die Cut Divas Challenge No 15 - http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/decembers-challenge-is-snow-and.html

Dies R Us Challenge No 15 - http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-15-winter-wonderland.html

Get Creative Challenge No 3 - http://getcreativechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/challenge-3-winners-of-challenge-2.html

Ladybug Crafts Challenge (Dec) - http://ladybugcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/december-challenge-and-october-winner.html

Ooh La La Creations Challenge No 170 - http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-170.html 

Stamp & Create Challenge (Dec) - http://stampandcreateblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/december-challenge-christmas.html

Try it on Tuesday Challenge - http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/christmas-is-coming-at-tiots.html

OSAAT DT - CHALLENGE NO 225 - ANYTHING GOES WITH LACE

Good afternoon peeps, me again with another OSAAT DT card, this time the theme is 'Anything Goes with Lace' and I love a bit of lace so this is right up my street!!  I've 'almost' used a sketch from {Mojo} Monday - but I've added some flowers to mine - now there's a surprise!!!

There's no sentiment at the moment, but I'll pop it on the top left-hand corner once I have decided whether this is a birthday card, thank you card or whatever.

The inside is just ready for a verse or greeting which, again, will be added once I have decided what sort of card this will be.

Ingredients

7" x 7" White card blank - Anna Marie Designs
'Grimalie' digi - Beary Dust at Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet
Christmas Card Stock Stack pad - DCWV
Beach Bliss paper pad - LOTV
New Bloom paper pad - First Edition
Oval die ref LR0240 - Marianne Creatables Dies
Flexmarkers/Promarkers
Pearls - Hobby House
Flowers - WOC
Stardust Stickles
Guipure Lace - Ebay

The challenge will run for a fortnight so there's loads of time to enter and you can make any sort of card or project as long as you add some lace!  The prize will be digis and a paper pack from Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet.

Thank you so much for popping over to my blog and for your comments, you are so kind.  Must just tell you that Donny is now sitting and walking loads better (thank you kindly for your concerns Mrs Duck - lol) following his surgery!  He's still running after Blossom with a gleam in his eye but by the time he catches up with her he's forgotten why!   She still gets fed up with him though and instead of being a Dirty Gertie she thwacks him with her paw - several times if he doesn't move quickly enough.  This really is hysterical to watch, I suppose he will learn ......... eventually!

Must be off now, I've a smidge (ton) of ironing to do.  Please take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Sending you all big hugs and if your mojo is taking a hike, I hope you find it again soon.

Lots of hugs to you all

Sue xxx

CCC(25) - ASHA'S CHALLENGE - SILVER BELLS

Hello there my fellow blogsters - I don't seem to have posted for absolutely aaaages but here I am with an early CCC card and I have to admit this has been a real favourite of mine.  When I saw that my friend Asha (Sunny Summer Crafts) had chosen silver bells I knew straight away the sort of bells I wanted on my card - woo hoo another .... yes another .... light-bulb moment for me!!!

 There's a load of glitter on here but you can't see it all in the pics, the light is bloomin' awful at the moment.  It really sparkles irl - probably 'cos I've used two glitter sprays and three different loose glitters!  The maestro has been finding it 'everywhere' and moaning about it to boot!!!

Apart from the glitter there's dies, dies and even more dies!

Ingredients

7" x 7" White card blank - Anna Marie Designs
Holly Flourish Edge - Tattered Lace Embossing Folders
Twirly Circle die - Memory Box Dies
Pine Sprigs die - Memory Box Dies
Small Garden Sprig die - Memory Box Dies
Climbing Vine die - Memory Box Dies
Ivy Leaves die - Joanna Sheen Signature Dies
Holly Berries die - Joanna Sheen Signature Dies
Ivy Flourish die - Joanna Sheen Signature Dies
Ivy Corner die - Joanna Sheen Signature Dies
Glitter Strips - Papermania
Glamour Dust - DecoArt
Silver Glitter - Debbi Moore
Silver bells - Ebay
Pearls - stash

This one definitely needs a box 'cos of all the little twiddly bits sticking up - oh and those little bells make a lovely twinkly sound.

I hope you like this one, I would love it if you could leave a comment on my blog 'cos you know how much you cheer me up especially when it is cold and wet outside!

I shall be checking out the other CCC cards tomorrow when they are posted - mine is always early because of my DT card which I post tomorrow.

Lots of hugs to you all and please take care - have a lovely weekend.

Sue xxx

I would like to enter my card into the following 10 challenges -

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge No 222 - http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/4-cc-222-die-cuts.html

Completely Christmas Challenge No 40 - http://suzysmarty1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/completely-christmas-challenge-40.html - My 'S' is for 'Sparkle'

Crafting for All Seasons Challenge No 91 - http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-91-tis-season.html

Crafty Catz Challenge - http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/anything-goes-and-gdt-spot.html

Crafty Creations Challenge No 277 - http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-277.html

Crazy Challenge No 185 - http://crazychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/cch-185-white-all-around.html

Creative Knockouts Challenge No 65 - http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/65-all-that-glitters-paper-shelter.html

Fussy and Fancy Challenge No 128 - http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.ca/2014/11/fussy-and-fancy-challenge-128-happy.html

Simply Create Too Challenge No 75 - http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/mid-post-challernge-75-snow-snow-snow.html

Winter Wonderland Challenge - http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/dies-and-punches.html

CRAFTY CALENDAR NOVEMBER CHALLENGE - IT'S ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS!

Well hello there peeps!   This is my Crafty Calendar DT card for November,  our theme is 'It's all About Christmas' and I chose this lovely topiary shrub from our November sponsors 'Scribble Designs'.  I decided to make this into a CAS card, even though I find them difficult to make - only because I want to put other bits and pieces on them (even now!!!).

You can't see much of the colour on this pic so I am adding another one which shows off the red and the silver satin mirri card - thanks to the maestro!

I stamped the greeting directly onto the card and embossed it with Cosmic Shimmer Black embossing powder.

Ingredients

Ivory Hammer Finish Card 9.25" x 4.25"
Snow Cap Topiary digi - Scribbles Designs
Merry Christmas Sentiment - Stamps Away 'Written Christmas Greetings'
Red and Silver Satin Mirri Card - C & C
Promarkers and Flexmarkers
DecoArt Glitter

I know that there are a lot of you making Christmas cards right now so why don't you enter the Crafty Calendar Challenge this month - you can win 3 digis of your own choice from our sponsors Scribbles Designs.   
I'm calling this a mid-month reminder - even though this started on 1 November, the next challenge doesn't start until 6 December so you have until 5th December (8pm) to enter up to 3 of your Christmas cards.

I hope you don't think my card is too CAS - does it need anything else ... a ribbon maybe ... a couple of pearls ...  ooooh I'm itching to add a little bit here and there!!!

Oh well, I'll think about it!  Take good care of yourselves and enjoy the rest of your weekend, I'm sending you all a hug as usual!

Just a little addendum - keep a check on my blog for news of Donny and his missing manitals or testicules - can't use the proper word 'cos it's too painful for me oops I mean him!!!   

Sue xxx

I would like to enter my card into the following 10 challenges -

A Crafty Mess Challenge No 1 - http://a-crafty-mess.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-1.html

A Little Bit Crafty Challenge - http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/albc-cas-or-clean-and-simple.html

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge No 11 - http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/dt-call-and-anything-goes.html

Crafty Catz Challenge No 255 - http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-255-christmas-is-coming.html

Christmas Cards All Year Round Challenge (Nov) - http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/hello-everyone-and-welcome-to-our.html

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Challenge No 37 - http://christmasstampin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-37-anything-goes.html

Digi Choosday Challenge Wk 45 - http://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/week-45-casdigi-choosday-crafting.html

Paper Creators Crafts Challenge No 32 - http://papercreatorscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-32.html

Polkadoodles Challenge Wk 46 - http://polkadoodle.blogspot.ca/2014/11/week-46-clean-and-simple-polkadoodles.html

We Do Doobadoo Challenge No 19 - http://wedodoobadoo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/challenge-19-christmaswe-do-doobadoo.html

CCC(23) - LORRAINE'S CHALLENGE - SNOWMEN

Good morning peeps!  I am afraid this is a day late this time instead of being a day early!  The lovely Lorraine set the CCC a challenge of making a Christmas card depicting a snowman or snowmen!   My wonderful friend Rita set the last challenge which was 'Reindeer' and I won a $12 dollar voucher when I entered my card into the Anything Goes with a Twist Challenge - bloomin' brilliant!!!  One of the images I chose from their sponsor, Di's Digi Stamps, was this amazing snowman - he's totally cute!

This is the card I made - another one that came out almost as I had pictured it in me head!!!  Might have been on a roll for a couple of cards!!!!

The snowflake border stops just below the edges of the ribbon, I snipped away at two partial die-cuts (the handmade glitter paper is notoriously difficult to die-cut) and then added them in at the sides, so that it looks as if it is a frame.

Ingredients

Image - 'Snowman' from Di's Digi Stamps (here)

7" x 7" White Card blank - Anna Marie Designs

Embossing Folder - 'Frosty Swirls' from Creative Expressions

Circle die - Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax

Snowflake border die (in silver glitter paper) - Create & Craft Couture 'Winter    Flurries' collection

Sentiment - 'Let it Snow' clear stamp (an old one without a name unfortunately)

Snow blobs - Cosmic Shimmer 'Crystal' glue - goes on white and dries sparkly 

Promarkers and Flexmarkers

Silver Glitter paper - old stash from an A5 pad

Ribbons - stash

Snowflake charms - Ebay

This is another theme that I really enjoyed so thank you Lorraine!  I am just off to check over the other CCC blogs - I need to sort out how to put their names on my blog so that you can check them out too!  Will add this to my ever growing list of things to do!

Thank you for stopping by my blog again, you are all stars.  As usual, please take care of yourselves, I'm sending big hugs to all of you.

Sue xxx