Etsy Inspired Challenge #123 Nanny's Room

*Edited to add links, must have been half asleep! *

Yay, it's the weekend!!  More importantly though it's Saturday so it's time for another Etsy Inspired Challenge!

I wasn't able to get into my studio tonight until nearly 1.00am because we are having some boxing in done which so Ian was putting up plasterboard, and it was all over the place in there!  It will be great when it's finished but I didn't dare to poke my head around the door in case I could see all the mess!!  Well sure enough when I got in there everything was filthy!! It doesn't matter how much you cover things up the dust gets everywhere.  Next job plastering and then a massive clean up is on the cards!

When I got into the studio though I got to play with my Papertrey Ink Banner Builder stamps and dies that Ian bought me for Christmas, fun!!  The card took a while to put together but I think that was more down to me faffing.  I had a great time piecing them together though, really fun, like being a child again lol.  The 'I Just Love You' sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamps, 'Sweethearts'.

Today's Etsy shop is 'Nanny's Room' which sells original artwork and handmade items using watercolour and coloured pencils.

I took inspiration from these pictures. In the first one I love the way the hessian was tied around with twine so for my background paper I chose some Fancy Pants Design paper called 'Darling' with a grid on it, and I used some twine for the banner.   I thought my other paper by Prima,'Island Beauty' worked well with the two other images.  I coloured the pearls with my Copic marker to match the Color Q challenge colours, and distressed the whole card with scissors and 'Tea Dye' / 'Vintage Photo' Ranger distress inks.

I used this week's sketch from Get Sketchy #71.

 
and these colours over at Color Q, aren't they pretty?  This is my first time to play along so I hope it's ok to add brown as a neutral like I have done.  It never even occurred to me until I was sticking down the final banner!

Alrighty.. pop on over and see what the rest of our fab team created, such yumminess!

Ashley N. Newell
Angi Barrs

Carole Chesser

De Swanick
Emily Branch
Jackie Bowman 

Joy Stagg
Kerry Angeles
Rachel  {January Guest DT}

Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Savannah O'Gwynn
Sherry Campbell

Virginia Lu

Our sponsor for this week's challenge is The Twinery who will be giving the winner one trio pack (value $42) to one winner - the winner can choose any 3 spools of their choice, total yumminess!!

The winner will also win a great prize package of a necklace of their choice from Nanny's Room so don't forget to pop on over to the EIC blog for more info.

Deadline for entries is Friday 29th January at noon PST. If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#123.

Before I go I also need to mention that I received this lovely award from Christiana.

I've been a bad blogger because I was supposed to post this a while ago, oops!  Thank you Christiana for thinking of me, I love what you put about my blog name, it made me giggle!! ;o)

I received this award a while ago, so rather than bore you all with yet more information about me I will give you the link to read.  I would like to give this award to all of my followers this time.  Without you all this blogging thing would be a total waste of time.  I absolutely LOVE the feedback I get from people, and the fact that people take the time to leave little old me a comment on cards from my little world makes me so so happy!  It keeps me creating, and that makes me one very happy girl!  THANK YOU!

Have a great weekend!

PDCC 65

Hi everyone

Today over at Play Date Cafe we have some fun colours for our challenge; grey, green and orange.  My original idea for this card design is absolutely nothing like it turned out!  I had completely different plans for it, but just decided to go with the flow!!  Does that ever happen to you?  Now seeing it photographed I can see I missed a set of the little triple hearts at the top left, but I was just stamping randomly, and it's meant to look home-made, right??!!! lol

This is the inspiration pic from Sarah...

A good challenge, huh!!

This card was ever so easy to make.

1. Stamp house image and sentiment, colour and cut out
2. Cut a frame (well actually get your other half to cut your frame, if you're anything like me you will cut it wonky - I just can't do straight line cutting!!!)
3. Stamp the frame with lots of mini hearts and a little balloon in the corner, use stickles to decorate
4. Cut a piece of green patterned paper, attach to back of frame
5. Stamp little flowers on the paper, hearts for the chimney and add stickles
6. Attach house image to green paper using pop dots
7. Add orange polka dot ribbon before attaching whole frame to front of card

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Savannah O'Gwynn (Senior DT)
Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Andrea Ewen (Private Blend Designer)

Colleen Dietrich (Private Blend Designer)

Jaclyn Miller

Michele Gross
Tracey Kuzniak
Jinny Newlin
Libby Hickson
Fiona Shultz

So pop on over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC65, and remember to use our inspirational colours to be eligible to win!

Supplies...

Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Wonderfully Whimsical'
Papers: Bazzill Cardstock and Basic Grey 'Sugar Rush - Pulled Taffy'
Accessories: Polka dot ribbon from stash, Stickles, Copics

Have a great day!!

CPS #201

Hello my blogging friends :o)  I started typing this post out last night but I was literally falling asleep over the keyboard, so thought I'd leave it to another day!  Here's a quick card I made for the Card Positioning Systems sketch challenge.

 I used two sets from Hero Arts, 'Sew Stylish' and 'Make Your Own'.  I distressed the edges using Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress inks.  The red border is from Tim Holtz 'Ornate' die.  Not quite as bright as my usual cards, but I got a splash of red in there somewhere!  The papers are by Cosmo Cricket, 'Material Girl'.  Hope you like!

Etsy Inspired Challenge #121 - Modern Bird

It's Saturday!  So that means it's time for an Etsy Inspired Challenge.  This week's challenge is to get inspiration from Modern Bird.  This store is a creative metalsmithing store, and it really is creative! 

I used an old sketch by Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenges for this card, it was their very first sketch.  I never did get time to play along but kept the sketch because I really like it.  I used Cosmo Cricket 'Togetherness' papers, Lawn Fawn 'Bake Me A Cake' and 'Bannerific' stamp sets, and my new Nesties (Fancy Squares) which I'm sure you will be seeing loads more of, hope that's ok!!   Where's the connection to the items in the shop I hear you ask, well my little circle in the middle has butterflies on it and they really look like little hearts, which was where this all started.

I saw this GORGEOUS ring ...

 Here are some more lovely little pieces.  Pop over and see what the rest of the DT made, lots of inspiration!







Ashley N. Newell
Angi Barrs

Carole Chesser

De Swanick
Emily Branch
Jackie Bowman 

Joy Stagg
Kerry Angeles
Rachel  {January Guest DT}

Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Savannah O'Gwynn
Sherry Campbell

Virginia Lu

Our sponsor for this week's challenge is Kutz who will be giving the winner a silhouette cut out.

The winner will also win a great prize package of a Petite Little Bird Necklace so don't forget to pop on over to the EIC blog for more info and a

Deadline for entries is Friday 22nd January at noon PST. If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#122.

Card Patterns Sketch #97

Hi there

Happy Friday, it's the start of the weekend! Yay! I've not had the best few days with my back, so I have really enjoyed my time in the studio tonight creating this card, and my one for the EIC post tomorrow. It's such a great hobby for taking you away from what's bothering you, don't you think? Nothing quite like a bit of distraction!

This card was based on the Card Patterns sketch.  I always love these little patchwork type sketches, it's fun mixing and matching different papers.

For this card I dug out my Cosmo Cricket 'Pixie-licious' papers.  I then cut out two labels using my Nesties Labels 9.  I distressed the smaller one using 'Antique Linen' distress ink, and stamped some Waltzingmouse music notes ('Musical Backgrounds' onto it.  I then stamped the sentiment using 'Fancy Phrases' by Waltzingmouse, and tied on a ribbon which I'd coloured with my Copics.  I also coloured two little white flowers with the same purple copic, and finished off by die cutting a Papertrey Ink 'Signature Series' butterfly, and the smaller butterfly using my Martha Steward punch, all topped off with a little mini purple button.

Well that's it from me today, I will be back tomorrow with my Etsy Inspired Challenge card, see you then!

PDCC 64 and our new DT!!!

Hi everyone

Firstly, WOW, what an amazing response on the Denami blog hop.  I had loads of comments, in fact I'm still trying to get around to everyone, so if you haven't had a visit yet you will over the next few days.  Thank you so much for your wonderful comments, I had the best Sunday!

Well it was my intention to blog at the earlier part of the week, but I haven't had any time to get into my studio :o(  I get a bit frustrated when I can't make cards, it's like part of me is missing somehow.  Are any of you like that?!   Work is finished for the week now, so hopefully I will be able to get in there!

So without further ado, here is my card for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge. As soon as I saw the colours I knew I wanted to use my Papertrey Ink's Warm Happiness set that I got for Christmas.

I really like how this turned out, but then I do love polka dots and anything caffeine, plus it works really well with the Play Date 'Cafe' theme too, huh?!

This is the inspirational pic from Julie..

Here's how my card was made;

1. Cut a card base with coffee coloured cardstock, tie on a bow of polka dot ribbon, attach to card
2. Die cut Nesties 'Lacey Squares' in grey cardstock
3. Die cut Nesties 'Labels 16' in coffee cardstock, distress edges
4. Stamp polka dot patterns with Versamark, one large onto grey cardstock, the other small onto blue, heat emboss
5. Add grey strip to bottom of card, stamp sentiment above
6. Attach blue strip at top of card
7. Attach die cuts together, using pop dots between layers
8. Stamp and heat emboss a coffee mug, again using Versamark, and heat emboss
9. Tie twine around the handle
10. Stamp/paper piece a small piece of brown cardstock for the coffee detail at the top of the mug
11. Add Stickles for polka dot detail on mug

Today is finally the day our new designers come on board with the Play Date Cafe!!!!

It's seemed like a long time coming!!  The team has been slowly revealed to you, so now you just want to see them in action I'm sure!  You are going to LoVe what they create, their work is so much fun! If you've been playing along with us for a while you may have even noticed them as players.   We have almost had to get them to sit on their hands because they have been dying to get involved, so I'm sure you will see some wonderful creations from them all over the coming months.  Watch this space!

So here is the full list of our new team

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Savannah O'Gwynn (Senior DT)
Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Andrea Ewen (Private Blend Designer)

Colleen Dietrich {New Private Blend Designer}

Jaclyn Miller

Michele Gross
Tracey Kuzniak
Jinny Newlin
Libby Hickson
Fiona Shultz

So pop on over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC64, and remember to use our inspirational colours to be eligible to win!

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Warm Happiness' & 'Polka Dot Basics'
Dies: Papertrey Ink 'Warm Happiness' die
Papers: Bazzill Cardstock
Accessories: East of India ribbon, Nesties 'Labels 16' and 'Lacey Squares', Ranger Distress Ink 'Frayed Burlap, Stickles

Have a great day!!

Denami Blog Hop

Happy Sunday!






I am joining in for my very first Denami Blog Hop today. I'm actually a bit apprehensive, just that I get it right, I always worry about blog hops that I will do all of the linking properly!

So here is my entry for the hop ....

This Denami stamp is YEARS old, and I mean years! I had a look at the date and it's 1999! How old does that make me feel?! BUT.. I still think it's a gorgeous stamp and still contemporary. Often stamps go out of date, don't you think, but this one seems to be timeless :o)

This card is loosely based on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge, #29. 

Using my scallop die cutter I simply cut lots of scallops which were then assembled at the bottom, and I attached the image at the top, stamped the sentiment, tied on a piece of ribbon and the card was finished. 

See below for the list of participants...  If you're following the blog hop and have come from Kristy's blog then you're in the right place!  If you've lost your way then pop back to the Denami blog to start the hop from the beginning.

1. Lisa Petrella
2. Ayana Posadas
3. Wendy Elliot
4. Michele Gross
5. Laurie Willison
6. Andrea Matthews
7. Ashley Cannon Newell
8. Paulina Nakamura
9. Vera W. Yates
10. Nicki Scheck
11. Annette Holleger
12. Ruza Rebel
13. Tina Covington
14. Virginia Larsen
15. Amy Smidebush 
16. Sue Lelli
17. Beverly Montez
18. Tenia Nelson
19. Melissa Tousse
20. Terri Szymanski
21. Pat Quinet
22. Kristy Smith
23. Ruby (that's me!) 

All you need to do is pop over to each of the blogs on the hop and leave comments! Three lucky winners will receive a $20 gift certificate from DeNami Designs and another two random winners that has left comments during the blog hop will receive a $20 gift certificate each as well!  Isn't that fab!  You have until January 10th 11:59 PST to leave comments on the blogs to be eligible for a prize!

You are at the end of the blog hop now so pop back to the Denami blog, let them know you've finished the hop and wait to see if you've won their fantastic prize! 

Hope you've enjoyed the blog hop!

Etsy Inspired Challenge #121 - La Pomme

It's time for another Etsy Inspired Challenge.  This week we are featuring the shop, La Pomme, which sells French country vintage items. 

Now I chose my digi image before choosing the items from the shop so it was an interesting combination trying to work out which images to use for my colours!  As you can see my image is a cartoon monster, which doesn't work that well with the whole French Vintage Country theme lol, but this is what I managed to do...

I took my inspiration from this picture.  The word 'Love' reminded me of my Basic Grey papers with lovey words on,  so I thought this would be a good choice for the image, and I blackened the edges of the mauve paper to bring in a grey hue.

I love everything French as I said a few days ago in my blog award poat, so I really enjoyed looking through the items at La Pomme.  I love this key.  After making the monster card I came up with another idea using this image, but that's for another time!

Pop over and see what the rest of the DT made, lots of inspiration!

Ashley N. Newell
Angi Barrs

Carole Chesser

De Swanick
Emily Branch
Jackie Bowman 

Joy Stagg
Kerry Angeles
Rachel  {January Guest DT}

Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Savannah O'Gwynn
Sherry Campbell

Virginia Lu

Our sponsor for this week's challenge is The Stamp Fairy who will be giving the winner 3 digi images of their choice.  There are some really fun ones to choose from, it took me a while to decide which one to use!

The winner will also win a great prize package from La Pomme, a pack containing vintage music sheets, a vintage tin box and some plush fruits so don't forget to pop on over to the EIC blog for more info.


Deadline for entries is Friday 15th January at noon PST.  If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#121.

Three Cards, three challenges

Hi everyone

I hope you've all had a good week, and that you're looking forward to the weekend, I know I am :o)  It seems like ages since Christmas, I do miss it, but it's also nice to start to get back into a routine again.

Today I have a few cards to share with you. The first is for two challenges, Unscripted Sketches, to use any sketch, and The Sweetest Thing's sketch #98. Here is my card..

and here are the two sketches that I used..

 I dug out my Cosmo Cricket Togetherness 6 x 6 pad for the papers, and used my Papertrey Ink 'Baby Button Bits' which is quite an old set, but new to me :o)  I also used the new Victorian border die and Labels 16 Nesties.  The longest part of the job was tying on the little bows, they were quite fiddly, plus those tiny little buttons.

My next two cards are for Lucy Abram's sketch challenges.  Her sketches are fab, I really do hope she carries on doing them.  The first card is for her Day One Challenge, both cards are very quick and easy.  I had a few minutes to play with my Lawn Fawn, 'My Silly Valentine' so decided to make a couple of very quick cards..

I'm not sure if you can really see but the little apple was cut out using Basic Grey Origins green grid paper, and then covered with glossy accents, and the little leaf was coloured in using some green Stickles.  I really LoVe that little apple, it's adorable!

The next card is for Lucy's Day 4 sketch challenge...

This is a 3 x 3 mini card, again using Cosmo Cricket papers.  Don't those little pears look so cute all dotty?!   The sentiment reads, 'we make a perfect pear', not 'we make perfect pear' as it looks!!  Every time I took the picture the ribbon would move!

So, I will be back tomorrow with a card for Etsy Inspiration Challenge, so don't forget to pop by!  I always love your visits, just remember to say hi so that I know you've popped in!

PDCC 63

Hi there everybody

I have a quick card to share with you for today's Play Date Cafe Challenge. It is another CAS card, it must be my week for that style lol

The colours this week are green, silver and gold.  Well I have been thinking about this for the past few days and for some reason, I don't know about you, but I find silver with gold quite a challenge.  I knew I needed to make a male birthday card, so thought the colours would be great for it.   As it turned out I never had much time to play so I ended up with this.  Now where is the silver and gold you may be asking, well the silver has been used on the wing mirrors on the car, and the star is gold, so technically all the colours are there.  You just have to look very hard for them!!! ;o)

This is the inspiration pic from our lovely Sarah..

As you can see it's very quick to make;

1. Cut strip of stripey paper, attach to centre of card
2. Stamp car, once in main solid image, and then mask off to do tyres in brown
3. Stamp on reverse of silver card and cut out wing mirrors
4. Attach finished car with pop dots, attach to card
5. Stamp sentiment, and add a star to finish
6. Breathe a sigh of relief that while it may not be your best piece of work, at least you met the deadline!!  Sometimes life just gets like that, doesn't it?!  I'm hoping to get to play over the next few days so should have a few more cards to share with you

In the meantime, why don't you pop over the other girls' blogs and check out the loveliness!  Here are the links for you.  Don't forget our new DT girls will also be joining us as players so you could get a sneaky peek of what fab work is to come from them too!

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Savannah O'Gwynn (Senior DT)

Andrea Ewen (Private Blend Designer)

plus our new girls ...

Jaclyn Miller

Michele Gross
Tracey Kuzniak
Jinny Newlin
Libby Hickson
Fiona Shultz
Colleen Dietrich {New Private Blend Designer}

Pop on over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC63, and remember to use our inspirational colours to be eligible to win!

I can't wait to see what you come up with on the silver and gold idea, I could really do with some ideas on how to use it better in the future!  I'm hoping loads of you will do 'man' cards too, that way I can add to my inspirational folder of cards for male birthdays!

A Very Simple Christmas Thank You Card

Today I have a very quick card to share with you.  We were in the fortunate position of receiving lots of lovely presents, which meant a lot of thank you cards to be made!

This card took hours and hours to make, yeah right!  It has to be THE most clean and simple card I've ever made.  I thought I'd enter into the first Lawnscaping Challenge Blog, run by fellow Lawn Fawn stamps addict, Laurel Beard!  If I had time I'd have liked to have created more for the challenge, as I do so love my Lawn Fawn, but time is a bit tight here this week.

Have fun!  I will back tomorrow with another card for this week's PDCC challenge.