Penny Black - Tender Showers

Good evening,

Here's a card I have made for the My Time to Craft Challenge where the theme is "In Full Bloom".

I've used a Penny Black image called "Tender Showers" (2875K) which I've coloured with Copic Ciaos. I've added a little Fimo bee to cover up a grey splodge on the paper - I think it looks cute! The sentiment is from Cuddly Buddly and the papers are Echo Park "Country Drive". I am being really good and making myself use these papers rather than hiding them away in a cupboard for "best" which is what I tend to do with a lot of my stash and then never end up using it!

I decided to challenge myself when colouring this image - the challenge I set myself was to pick Copic colours that I don't usually use. I seem to have favourites from all the colour groups and neglect 75% of my collection. It was fun to use different colours and I'm really pleased I did.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs and best wishes Clare xx

My first House Mouse

Hello,

I have resisted for so long but the adorableness of House Mouse stamps has finally worn me down and I've bought my first set of stamps. After much deliberation I chose the set called "Reindeer" (JSHM033).

I coloured these little cuties with Copics and pencils. The papers are Dovecraft Back to Basics "Christmas". If you would like a chance to win some of these papers, please see my candy HERE.

Enjoy your day!

Hugs, Clare xx

A Passion for Papertrey "For the Boys!"

Good afternoon,

Here's a card I have made for the A Passion for Papertrey challenge. The theme is "For the Boys!".

I've used a stamp from the "Everyday Buttons bits" set and the buttons are also from Papertrey Ink.

The fabby paper is by Echo Park, it's from a 6" x 6" pad called "Country Drive".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Cards for Men "Anything Goes"

Hi folks,

The Cards for Men challenge this week is "Anything Goes".

I've embossed onto Core-dinations Whitewash cardstock using a Crafts Too embossing folder "Swirly Frames". The image is made using the Harbour Scene-It stamp set from Hobby Arts, stamped onto watercolour paper and coloured with Letraset Aquamarkers. I've covered the gul with glossy accents to add extra texture.

I would also like to enter this into the August challenge at By the Cute and Girly where the theme is "The Sea". (Thanks Lisa!).

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

I have candy HERE

Brother's Birthday Card

Good afternoon,

Here's my entry for the Cards for Men Challenge #16 "Clean and Simple"

I bought the Penny Black "12 Days of Christmas" (30-016) clear stamp set just for this image to use on men's cards. It's perfect for my brother who's not into sports but loves his music.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Simon Says Stamp Challenge "Christmas in August"

Good afternoon,

The theme at Simon Says Stamp challenge is "Christmas in August".  I'm really in the mood for making Christmas cards at the moment, so I've made not one, but two cards to enter into the challenge. Can you spot the difference?

I've used tree stamps from a Hero Arts clear stamp set called "Merry Christmas Trees" cl459 and a sentiment from a Penny Black clear stamp set called "Christmas Critters" 30-006. The background stamp on the first card is from Hero Arts and is called "Large Canvas Stripes" S5433 (oh, there are so many Hero Arts background stamps on my wish list, they're so versatile).

The paper piecing uses papers from a Dovecraft paper pack called "Let it Snow".  I'm not convinced that the colours are very Christmassy, but I don't mind.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

First 'Spot Prize' Winners at Ready-Teddy-Go

Good afternoon!

From time to time Julie-Ann will randomly select one commenter and one follower at the Ready-Teddy-Go challenge blog to receive a prize.

Today the lucky winners, chosen at random, are:-

 Wendy 

from the commenters

and Sarah 

from the followers.

Congratulations ladies, you've won one of the new Christmas Fizzy Moon stamps. For more information please see this post on the Ready-Teddy-Go challenge blog.

Hugs, Clare xx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge "Anything Goes"

Good afternoon,

The theme at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge is "Anything Goes".

I've made a Christmas card to enter into the challenge, using a stamp from the Penny Black clear set called "Jolly Friends" (30-058). I swapped the tree on the stamp for a Marianne die cute tree. The Papers are from a Dovecraft pad called "Let it Snow".

Have a lovely weekend!

Hugs and best wishes, Clare x

I am over the moon to have received this blinkie

from the ABC Christmas Challenge team for this card

Thank you to the Design Team for choosing my card as one of your 'O' for Old Top 3.

Sir Stampalot Challenge - August DT

Good morning.

Welcome to another Sir Stampalot challenge.

This month it's time to let your creative juices run riot with our theme of:-

"Whatever you Fancy"

I've used a Penny Black Slapstick stamp called "Fly Away" (40-020), coloured with Copic Ciaos, the sentiment is included in the same set - I love this font! 

Isn't the dog sweet leaning against the boy, this is just what my dog does to me, although when she does I struggle to stay standing up - she's a rather large German Shepperd!

Other ingredients:-

Papers - My Mind's Eye "Asparagus"

Punch - Martha Stewart border 

Dies - Sizzix Photo Corners 2

Spellbinders - Large Rectangles and Large Scallop Rectangles

Buttons - Papertrey Ink

Plain and Pearlescent from stash

I hope you are inspired to join us this month.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Penny Black at Allsorts - August DT

Good morning!

It's 1st of August which means it's time for another challenge at Penny Black at Allsorts.

Our theme this month is:-

Free and Easy (Anything goes)

I've chosen from my favourite range of Penny Black stamps, the florals. This image is called "Tigress" (3817K). I've coloured it with Copic Ciaos and added some Black Diamond stickles glitter glue. To take the white glare away from the card I sponged around the edges with Spun Sugar distress ink.

The Penny Black sentiment is called "Special Time" (4174H) and I've stamped it onto vellum with Versafine Onyx Black ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.

I hope you are able to join us this month!

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Ready-Teddy-Go! August DT card

Good morning!

Today is the very first challenge at Ready-Teddy-Go. It's a challenge for all teddy bear lovers. You can use either a rubber stamp or a digi image, we don't mind.

The first challenge is:-

"Button and Bows"

My teddy bear is part of a Penny Black stamp called "Team Teddy" (3981K). He's coloured with Copic Ciaos. 

This is the fabulous prize which will be chosen at random during the first week of September.

I look forward to meeting all the different teddies who are entered into the challenge.

I would like to enter this card into the challenge at Truly Scrumptious where their theme is "Buttons and Bows".

Hugs, Clare xx