My wonderful news!

Good morning,

I am so excited! I have some great news. I recently applied for a Design Team position on the Penny Black at Allsorts challenge and am delighted to say that I have been chosen to join the team.

I am honoured to be joining such a talented group of designers.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Oldie but a Goodie "Say it with Flowers"

Good afternoon,

I've been meaning to take part in the Oldie but a Goodie challenge for ages and now I have finally made a card for this fortnight's challenge where the theme is "Say it with Flowers".

I have used a Penny black stamp called "Portraits" 3868J. I'm not sure how old it is but it's definitely over six month's old, which is the criteria of the challenge. I paper pieced the image and drew in the stems, which aren't on the stamp. I then used a Leonne Em stamen punch for the centres of the flowers and added a blob of black stickles glue. The sentiment is from Hero Arts. Along the bottom of the card I have used my Scor-pal to emboss some lines.

Have a lovely day.

Clare x

Penny Black Saturday Challenge "Clean and Simple"

Good morning!

The current challenge at Penny Black Saturday is "Clean and Simple".

I have used a cute stamp from Penny Black called "you are the bestest" (40-015). I love colouring with Copics but sometimes it is nice to have a change, so I got out my Prismacolor Pencils for this image and for an additional change I used only the pencils without any blending solution. As a final touch I added stickles glitter glue to the centres of the flowers.

Talking about coloured pencils, I have just bought a set of Staedtler ErgoSoft pencils, and I think they are fantastic and exceptional value for money. They are break resistant and blend beautifully with Sansador or can be used on their own. I've tried lots of different coloured pencils and I can say that these pencils have my number one spot alongside Polychromos. (This is just my personal opinion, not an advertisement, I just wanted to rave about them!).

I think I am going to make a lot more cards with this image because this kitty always puts a smile on my face so sending him to someone would be like sending a smile in the post!

Have a great day whatever you are doing.

Hugs, Clare xx

Penny Black at Allsorts - "Shape Up"

Good afternoon!

The current challenge at Penny Black at Allsorts is "Shape Up", which means any shape goes as long as it's not a square or a rectangle.

I originally bought a set of Spellbinders Labels 11 with the intention of making a shaped card just like this but never got around to it, so this challenge is the perfect excuse to get on and do it. I think I thought that the card wouldn't acutally stand up, but it does (see photo further down for proof).

I have used two Penny Black stamps on this card, the first is Foliage 3642K. I have used this to stamp a random background on the yellow card. I stamped using Versamark Dazzle "Champagne" ink and brushed Perfect Pearls in "Heirloom Gold" over the top.

The second stamp is the sentiment which is a new one from Penny Black called "Special Time" 4174H. Again, I stamped this using Versamark Dazzle "Champagne" and brushed over with "Heirloom Gold" Perfect Pearls. I've finished off with a flower and some pearls.

Here's another photo to show how nicely the card stands up.

Penny Black at Allsorts are having a DT call combined with their current challenge and I am going to put my name down, wish me luck!

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Best wishes to you. Clare xx

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Paper Piecing or Piercing

Good morning,

The current challenge at Simon Says asks you to use Paper Piecing or Paper Piercing on your project.

I chose to use paper piercing for my card.

The image I have used is a new Toby Tumble called "Tea Time" and I've coloured it with Copics.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Best wishes, Clare x

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Dust off Your Stash

Good morning,

Today's card is for the Secret Craft Saturday Challenge where this week they ask "Dust off Your Stash".

My neglected craft item is a Scor-Bug. I bought one some time ago and tried using it and really struggled to get the pressure right, either piercing right through the card or not making a mark at all. Rather than practice to get it right, I just put the Bug away and almost forgot about it. I got it out for this card in a last ditch attempt to get some use out of it and "hey presto" I got it right first time. I am sure I shall be using this little gadget more and more from now on.

The image I have used is from Lilyboo and called "Floral Bouquet" and will be available in the very near future from Cuddly Buddly. I coloured this image with Copics and added some Stickles Glitter glue to some of the flowers. I have also used my new Spellbinders "Labels 4 Small", I am so pleased that Spellbinders bought out this die to co-ordinate with the original Labels 4.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs, Clare xx

Kraft Christmas

Good morning,

Today I am showing you the latest addition to my Christmas Card pile.

I've used stamps from a Hero Arts clear stamo set called "Sending Holiday Cheers" (CL464). I've coloured the image with pencils and added some Glamour Dust for the snow.

Hugs, Clare x

Sir Stampalot May Challenge "Magical Worlds"

Good morning,

Oh my goodness, I'm late with my posting. My apologies!

Today sees the start of another monthly challenge from Sir Stampalot and this month the theme is:-

"Magical Worlds"

We have another fabulous prize for the winner of this challenge, from our sponsors Sir Stampalot.

I hope you get the time to join us this month and if you need some inspiration, please visit the challenge blog to see the wonderful samples from the Design Team.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Clare xx