Thursday, 18 August 2016

Viv in the spotlight


Today it's the turn of my team mate Viv to be in the spotlight following our current challenge to the DT to share either a technique that is new to them or one that they particularly enjoy using, so I will hand you over to her.................

"I received a card from a friend some time ago who had done the Faux Mother of Pearl technique so I thought I would give it a go. It was quite easy and overall I was pleased with how it turned out. It's simply done by using white acrylic paint, dragging across your base card then leaving to dry completely. By sponging or brushing Distress Inks over the dried acrylic paint you end up with lovely shimmery effects (which as with all things that shine are terrible to photograph to capture how it looks in real life!)


I used Squeezed Lemonade, Peacock Feathers and Shabby Shutters on the panel then stamped my image over it, adding teeny drops of Perfect Pearls onto the berries. I smudged the post mark stamp a little on the base card unintentionally and was going to do a new one but dear husband said 'postmarks are often smudged' so I left it alone!"

Many thanks for sharing Viv.

Sunday, 7 August 2016

August challenge - Anything Goes

Please note: our July winners post is right below this one.

Welcome to our August challenge where we are again keeping it simple as so many are busy with summer holiday activities................

********Anything Goes********

You can enter up to three times, combine with other challenges and use any make of stamp......but can I please remind you.........we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image, sentiment quote as the focal element of your artwork


We are pleased to welcome back Foil Play as our sponsor, they specialises in rub on foils and ultra fine glitter, along with card toppers and 3D decoupage (die cut and traditional) and a great selection of greetings and embellishments too. New products are added often and the site offers an array of over 11,000 different paper craft products from classic and well known brands, including Kanban, Hunkydory, Dufex, Craftwork Cards, La Pashe, The Hobby House, Debbi Moore Designs and many more.

Foil Play has no minimum order and you can pick just the individual products that you want, without needing to buy a huge kit. There are plenty of crafty bargains, including big discounts for bulk packs of selected products. UK P and P is free when you spend over £10, orders are packed carefully and sent speedily by First Class mail. One lucky winner will receive a £35 voucher to spend at their on line store.

We are pleased to welcome Leeane as our Guest Designer this month, she has made a lovely card that really reflect the hot sunny weather we are enjoying.


The DT have been busy as always and have some super inspiration to set you on your way.................


Good luck to you all and have fun with this months challenge.


Saturday, 6 August 2016

July winners


Good evening all, I am literally just back from holiday so doing a really quick post with our July winners ahead of tomorrows new challenge.

It seems there were a few problems with the linky whilst I was away, at the moment I have absolutely no idea what went wrong and must say a big thank you to my teamies for doing their best to keep things running and find a way for you to still add your entries in the comment section.

So I am pleased to announce the winner who is...........................

Links removed to comply with GDPR

Sue
A totally delightful floral creation

Huge congratulation Sue, please mail me with your full name and postal addy so I can send your prize.

And our top 3.................

Julie
A super inky background and colour combo

Kevin
Such a pretty gift bag and stunning colouring

We had a tie for thied place............................

Anke

Lorraine

Well done to you all, please collect our Top 3 badge for your own blogs.

Our new August challenge will be posted in the morning.

Monday, 18 July 2016

Pretty inky backgrounds from Joan


Good monring, it time for our mid month inspiration post where the Design Team are currently sharing some techinuques that are either new to them or ones they particularly enjoy.

A little note about this months winner and Top 3, as I am currently away the winners post will be a little late but I will do it as soon as possible on my return, do keep an eye out for it.

This month it's the turn of Joan, so I will pass you over to her.....................

My turn for mid month and although I don't have a new technique I thought I revisit a technique I haven't used for a long time Here are the supplies needed


Take a piece of wax paper and emboss it through an embossing folder


Put the piece of embossed wax paper between two pieces of card stock, any type, I used one piece of glossy and one plain piece, now iron the stack and you will end up with two pieces of wax resist card stock.  The bit I like best is then colouring the card stock with ink pads or sprays and seeing the resist pattern pop out. Here's a couple of mine



And here's the stack I ended up with in no time at all

 Finally here's a few cards I made with some of them



Thank you so much Joan, a lovely display of pretty backgrounds and cards.

Sunday, 3 July 2016

July - Anything goes with a stamp and ribbons

EDIT: So sorry, but the InLinkz link up expires a week before we intended it too, so if you are visiting and it has closed, please leave a link to your entry in the comments. The Challenge will run until 3rd August

Welcome to our July challenge and as it's approaching the holiday season when so many of us are busy with the school holidays and summer activities we are keeping it nice and simple.............

********Anything goes with a stamp and ribbons********

You can enter up to three times, combine with other challenges, use any make of stamp......but can I please remind you.........we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image, sentiment or quote as the focal element of your artworkIt so upsets us to see names come out in the draw who are not eligible for the prize because they have not read the rules.

Before I tell you about the lovely prize on offer this month we have to say farewell to Eret, she has been a super team member and she has shared some stunning creations with us, we are sorry to see her leave but she feels the time has come to move on and we wish her well in the future. 

So next I would like to introduce our new team member Marlies, she has been a regular entrant to the challenge and we are so pleased that she has agreed to become part of our team, please join me is in giving her a warm welcome.


Now on to this month sponsor who is Crafty Ribbons with a fabulous collection of ribbons and embellishments, as you can see from the photo there is a rainbow of ribbons in all colours and types which will keep the lucky winner going for ages.


Crafty Ribbons is a ribbon emporium, we are passionate about ribbons and want to share our fantastic ribbons with others. Our range of Christmas ribbons is second to none. Remember when we only used ribbons to add a bow to our hair, or tie up a birthday parcel ? Ribbons are now a "must-have" for all types of craft. Whether your project requires satin, sheer, silk, grosgrain, gingham or polka dot ribbon we have them all! Lots and lots of different colours in a range of widths. Need a little bit of ribbon inspiration - then have a look at our projects on our blog,or visit our Inspiration blog,or maybe join in with us at our Challenge blog. Go on, have a look... It's worth it !

And now for some inspiration from the Design Team.................

I hope we have inspired you to get out your stamps and join in with this months challenge.


EDIT: So sorry, but the InLinkz link up expires a week before we intended it too, so if you are visiting and it has closed, please leave a link to your entry in the comments. The Challenge will run until 3rd August

Friday, 1 July 2016

June winners


Good morning Peeps, where on earth did June go, I can't believe I am here posting the winners again ?

Once again you shared some absolutely stunning artwork with us and we enjoyed seeing each and every one of your entries which always makes choosing our winners so difficult. But the votes have been counted and I am so pleased to announce that our June winner of the Be Creative prize is.......

Links removed to comply with GDPR

Leanne
A lovely landscape with a fun scarecrow

Congratulations Leanne, please mail me with your full name and postal addy so I can arrange for you to receive your prize.

And out Top 3 are..............................
Katrina
Beautiful Butterflies

Christine
A really sweet animal scene

Sylvia
A super background and stamping

Well done to you all, please collect our Top 3 badge to display on your own blogs.

I will be back Sunday with a new challenge.

Sunday, 19 June 2016

June challenge - Feature a Creature


Welcome to our June challenge where this month our theme is...........

********Feature a Creature********

You can enter up to three times, combine with other challenges, use any make of stamp......but can I please remind you.........we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image, sentiment or quote as the focal element of your artworkIt so upsets us to see names come out in the draw who are not eligible for the prize because they have not read the rules. 


We are pleased to welcome back 'be Creative!' as our sponsor this month. They have their own super range of design papers and coordinating embellishments plus so much more and you can brown their store here. News are new products are also on their Facebook where you will see some of the new products and you can also order from here.  They can also be seen regularly on Hochanda TV. The lucky winner will receive a surprise package of Be Creative products including some of their new embossing powders.

We are pleased to welcome Samantha as our Guest Designer this month and she has made this lovely card to share with us all...................


And here is what the design Team have created to inspire you, please do pop along to their individual blogs to see how they created their artwork.



Happy Crafting all and we look forward to seeing all your creations.