Paperplay # 35 : Tag It!

Jackie has set this week's challenge at Paperplay Challenges :

This week we would like you to use a tag or multiple tags on your creation .. any size .. any shape!! =o)

Check out my fellow DT's fab creations here.

I made a Hallowe'en tag using bright downloads from Lettering Delights cut out with nesties and I sanded some coredinations cardstock which I ran through the cuttlebug.

Looking forward to seeing your entries !

Dei xx

Bee Crafty Challenge # 13 : Bookmarks, a freebie and Bee's candy!

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This fornight's Bee Crafty Challenge is to design a bookmark using a digi element - not necessarily from Bee Crafty (but it would be nice :-))Merrigan is offering a great freebie of a pile of books image to start you off - I used it for my DT entry and the cute Bee Crafty seated boy image (he's so versatile). I stretched the image in MS Word and used my distress inks and scissors to give it a distressed look. There are some fantastic ideas on the Bee Crafty blog from the rest of the DT.
Merrigan(owner and designer of Bee Crafty) also has her own blog Crafts By Bee and is offering some amazing blog candy - so why not pay her a visit- you won't be disappointed!

Paperplay # 34 : No Patterned Paper..

Now I know we all love our patterned papers - I have some I take out and admire and really don't want to cut up - I even love the smell of some of my 12x12 pads !!

So I was a bit taken aback by this week's Paperplay challenge set by Kate :

NO Patterned Paper

You are not allowed to use any patterned paper in your project. You may
however (if you wish) make your own, out of card stock, for example, using
whatever techniques you want ! You can use paint, you can emboss or stamp it's
entirely up to you or you can just use different colours of plain cardstock if
that's what you want

I used a wondeful new digi download from the fantastic Mo's Digital Website and thought acetate would suit the frosty, sparkly theme .I had no acetate but I found this already rounded heavy sheet that was reinforcing the base of a canvas shopping bag!

I added punched out snowflakes and some tinsel ribbon and a liberal sprinkling of glitter - you should really give it a go - if you hop over here you will find some great ideas from my DT buddies - a talented bunch we have !!

Simon says .....Oriental

Sorry for the long absence but it's been a busy week for me as my 3 kids and I have gone back to school and so books,lunches,uniforms, time-tables ,lesson plans and homework have been monopolising my time!!

Here is a card I've made using downloads from the lettering delights - I'm entering it in the Simon Says challenge which is going oriental this week. I added sprinkles of glitter here and there but its not very clear in the photo.

I'll be back tomorrow with my Paperplay Challenge DT card. Until then...take care and happy crafting :-)

Dei xx

Bee Crafty week # 12 : Using Digi-papers :

The Bee Crafty Design Team have been lucky enough to use papers from Cupcake Cards & Craft this fortnight in addition to Bee Crafty images.
Here's my DY card which I made using ‘Scribbles Digital Designers Mini Sets – Olive’ & ‘Whimsical Girl Butterfly Catcher’.

If you visit Bee Crafty you'll find lots of tips on using digi-papers and some fantastic creations from the rest of the DT.
There are also some fab new images including Halloween and masculine images.

Don't forget you have 2 weeks to enter this challenge, You must use digi papers somewhere in your creation. Any papercraft item is allowed but it must use digital papers AND as usual you must also use a digital image (it doesn't have to be a 'Bee Crafty' image, but we hope you'll be tempted to use them!) The extra PRIZE this fortnight is some digi papers from Cupcake Cards & Crafts as well as one of Bee Craftys downloads!

I can't believe that in my excitement yesterday I forgot to mention Caz from Cute card thursday asked me to be a guest DT for this week's challenge as Bee Crafty are sponsoring this week. I was thrilled as you can imagine!! I used the cute baby bunny as the theme is new arrivals. I paper-pieced the little bunny suit and used K&Co Small Wonders papers.

Here's a little preview of another Bee Crafty card I made for tomorrow's challenge- be sure to visit because Bee is about to release some gorgeous new Halloween images :-)

Some Bread And Butter Cards

Ok ok I just said I'll be too busy to blog for the next week or so and here I am writing a 2nd post today - but hey I'm an addict so here I am again!!
Here are some of the 'bread and butter' cards (ie. commissioned) I made this week - I got the cute miniature hurleys from the super-generous Kate who's a fellow Paperplayer-thanks soooo much Kate - the little girl LOVED them!!The lady who ordered these has asked for 5 more cards - eeeek!!

Back to school with Paperplay and Simonsays

To celebrate the return of school, this week's challenge at Paperplay is

BACK TO SCHOOL.

Your creation this week must have a school/college theme. Card, layouts or altered items, the choices are endless.

The prize up for grabs, kindly donated by The Crafty Alley is :

12x12 Serenity paper stack from ATD which includes glittered and textured papers, ribbon, jewel brads and rimmed tags

For my DT entry I used a digi download from Allthatscraps (also available in rubber) . I used DCWV The Green Stack and a little charm I got from my friend JeanJeany :-)

If you get a chance head on over to paperplay to see the other wonderful DT entries!

This week's challenge over at Simonsays is also back to school so I'm killing two birds with the one stone :-)

My blog will be a little quiet over the next week or so as I too am dusting off my schoolbooks and heading back to the classroom - an incredibly busy time both at work and at home, so please forgive me if I don't visit as many blogs as I usually do :-)

Dei xx

Paperplay Challenge : a sketch and some fabby prizes

Would you like to win these lovlies? Cardznscrapz are sponsoring this week's Paperplay Challenge .

This week Mandy has designed a fantastic sketch for us :

I used coredinations cardstock and yet another Mo's Digital Pencil image coloured with brushpens. I really found it a great sketch to work with - why not hop on over to Paperplay to see the rest of the DT's take on the sketch and maybe you'll give it a go!

Ben

Here's a little card I made with another of Mo Manning's wonderful images. I used the DCWV papers from the Green Stack and my brush pens to colour.

I'm going to be very busy over the next week or so as my sisiter has asked me to make some cards for work - about 25 actually and a neighbour has asked me to make 5 very specific cards- eeek! It's either feast or famine here and I find it impossible to say no! I'm not crazy about making occasions cards like sympathy , engagement etc. and much rather make cards for no other reason but enjoyment - but hey if it means buying more stash.....

I'll be back tomorrow with my Paperplay card -don't forget you have one more day to make a 'stepping out' card...

Have a great day!

Dei xx

Bee Crafty week # 11 : OTT

Bee really got us thinking for this fortnight's fun challenge at Bee Crafty - for challenge # 11 we want you to go OTT over the top , 'Just a bit more...'

How to play:
Throw simplicity and reserve out of the window, we want a paper craft item (card or other) that leaps out at us and demands attention!

For my DT entry I used Bee's cute fluffy bunnies download and hid them amongst the flowers and leaves. I had such fun putting it together and my kids think its really funny.

Be sure to hop over to Bee Crafty to see the fantastic ideas the rest of the DT have come up with. Don't forget that you any papercraft item is allowed but it must have one 'digi-element' and it doesn't have to be a Bee Crafty image.

Thanks for looking!

Dei xx

Paperplay Challenge : Stepping Out...

This week's challenge at Paperplay has been set by Jackie : Stepping Out .

So get all those shoes, slippers, wellies, runners or any footwear out and show
us your creations, then post a link to your blog page here in the comments
section to be in with a chance to win this weeks prize.

I made this card with my sister in mind as she's a member of a hill-walking club . The image was a freebie from the Digi-Shack which I coloured with distress ink and brush pens and the papers are DCWV The Green Stack - I love these!

I thought it'd be fun to take a pic of it in the garden - I must have been a "pretty sight" dashing about the garden in my p.js taking photos of a card - thankfully we live in a remote area!!

Thanks for looking and don't forget to hop over to Paperplay to see the other fab DT cards !

Starting school

My little goddaughter Laura is starting "big school " very soon so when I saw this image by Mo I had to get it!It's so sweet and reminds me of Max and Ruby a favourite cartoon of Laura's.

I coloured it in with brush pens and used K&Co dollhouse paper which is so pretty and girlie. I love the fairy tale innocence of the image which was a pleasure to colour!

I've at least 3 almost made cards on my desk so I'll be back tomorrow with a few more ...

Thanks for looking!

Dei xx

Steph's Blog Candy

Steph is offering amazing blog candy! Check out her post here:
http://stephaniecastrodesigns.blogspot.com/2009/08/some-thank-you-blog-candy.html
Best of luck!
Dei xx

Another Mo card :-) Charmed Somethings Challenge

Here's another card I made with the teenagers images I got from the wonderful Maurie Manning who's just launched her own shop here. I coloured "Rae with journal" with brush pens and the sentiment is from the Magnolia Summer Kit . I won the charm and loads of others in Jean's blog candy - thanks hun!!

I'm entering this in this week's Stamp Something challenge :Charmed Somethings.

I also have another award to pass on ! I got this from my uber-talented buddy Semsee - her blog is a must-see!

So to officially accept this award I must :

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog
3. Link the person who nominated you for this award
4. Name seven things about yourself that people might find interesting
5. Nominate seven Kreative Bloggers
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate
7. Leave comments on all seven blogs letting them know you nominated them

So here are 7 sort-of interesting things about me :

1. My Dad was a first cousin of our former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Aherne.


2. I love to lift weights in the gym (only as a hobby-I'm no muscle woman lol!); bench presses , biceps curls the works .


3. I adore porrdige/oatmeal and sometimes eat it for breakfast and supper too- marzipan/almond is another favourite of mine-yum!


4.I'm a bit of a headbanger in the car (not literally!!) and often sing along to my ac/dc and Prodigy cds.


5 I recently celebrated my 13th Wedding Anniversary.


6 I teach Irish in a secondary school and enjoy it (most of the time..)


7 My idea of heaven would be a morning in bed with a cup of coffee watching reruns of the Waltons and The Little House On the Prairie ?!

Right so now I've bared my soul it's the turn of the following 7 Bloggers - who are some of my fellow DT members of Bee Crafty and Paperplay :

Trixi

Christine

Kim

Jackie

Sandie

Julie

Kate

Hope my marathon post hasn't bored you!!

Paperplay # 29 : All Creatures Great And Small.....

It's my turn to set the challenge at Paperplay this week. As almost everone has some little critters in their stash (mine include dust mites lol!) and as many stamp companies have fantastic pet collections I decided on animals as a theme. There are also some fantastic digi images around (and some great freebies too!) like Bee Crafty and Mo's Digital Pencil - so what are you waiting for!

This week's prize is sponsored by Kerry at An Siopa Buí - one lucky winner will get a choice of 5 COPICS!!

For my Dt entry I used a digi image freebie by Elizabeth Dulemba , a childrens author and illustrator who regularly offers wonderful freebies on her blog many of which are adorable animals. I coloured this cute little fella with brush pens and sponged distress ink around the edges. I distressed the edges of the paper with the edge of my scissors.The laced effect stamp is one I bought from Magnolia ages ago.

We really love to see your creations so why not head off to Paperplay for some inspiration...

I've also decided to enter this card into this week's DareU2Digistamp which requires distressing.

Thanks for visiting - if you've time let me know if you've dropped byand I'll pop over :-)

Hugs,

Dei xx

Two lovely awards

Another quick post... I just got two wonderful awards from my dear friend Linda from Idaho USA. Linda is a genuinely sweet and supportive blogger who unfailingly visits my blog and always leaves a word of encouragement- thanks so much Linda!

I'd like to pass on the beautiful blogger award to all who pass by and are sweet enough to take the time to comment :-D

To keep the Circle of Friends going I must do my part and pass it along.....
Here are the rules for this award:
To pick up the Circle of Friends Blog Award cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog.
Nominate 5 other bloggers you feel have become part of your circle of friends.
Link to your nominees within your blog post.
Include these instructions on how to pick up the award in your blog post.
Link back to the person who gave you the award in your blog post, to show your appreciation. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award

So here are the 5 nominees (sounds like the Oscars!!) :

Shirley

Mandy

Dianne

Debby4000

and

Debbie

Bee Crafty week # 10 : Adding colour to images and Charmed Crafts Candy:

I'm a wee bit late with this posting as its a bank holiday weekend here in Ireland and a sopping wet one at that!!

Nevertheless we had a lovely weekend at my in-laws in beautiful West Cork.

So here is my DT card for this fortnight's Bee Crafty challenge which is "Adding colour to images".

We all chose our favourite method of colouring-in and also shared a tutorial /tips. My trusty brush-pens were my weapon of choice and here is the wonderful Bee Crafty image I chose to illustrate it. For my tips and a host of tutorials and wonderful samples why not visit Bee's challenge blog.

You've got until Saturday August 15th to enter this challenge and don't forget you don't have to use a Bee Crafty image but your creation must have a digi-element somewhere.

Oh by the way Bee is offering a great freebie too - here's a sneak preview to tempt you....

I'd also like to enter my Bee Crafty card in Charmed Crafts amazing blog candy competition over at Crafty Goings On . To be in with a chance to win 72 yes that's right 72 copics you must post a link to a card that either uses a download or a stamped image that you coloured in. You have until August 9th to do so.

Must go now -thanks for visiting !

Dei xx

Paperplay # 28 : Dimension.....

This week it's Kate's turn to set the challenge at Paperplay :

"Dimension"

Make your project as 3D as possible!

Our prize this week is sponsored by Crafty Angels, who have kindly given us a beautiful Dovecraft 12x12 Designer pack.

I have to admit that découpage was my first love when I really got into card making over 5 years ago.So for this week's DT card I printed off this image I got from pccrafter ages ago and out came my tiny scissors, the sticky pads and off I snipped to my heart's content in front of the tv on a lap tray!I made the flower from vellum using a sizzix die and added some glitter and a few gems here and there. I found it quite difficult to capture the dimension with my limited photographic skills but I hope you get the idea...

So off you go if you can spare a minute to feast your eyes on the varied and inspirational Design Team entries.

Mo's Digital Pencil Card

Here's a card I made this morning using the stunning images I found on Mo Manning's etsy shop.I found this amazingly talented illustrator's work via Rach's blog and boy is it amazing!
I used this image fron Dani and friends - perfect for a teenager's card!The sentiment is computer generated and the background is made using a digi download by Kate Hadfield.The weather is miserable here - very dull so my photo isn't great...
Thanks for having a peek and please say hello if you have the time -I love to read your comments :-D

Dei xx