CCT September Sketch Challenge

Hello! It's time for a sketch challenge at Christmas Card Throwdown!

 

 

The sketch screamed present at me, so I set about creating the card version of a Christmas gift. It looked at bit too minimalist so some sprigs from the Pretty Pines set of dies were added along with a couple of sequins. I wish my real wrapped presents looked as neat!

 

You are most welcome to flip the design and change the element. On my card it worked better to have my sentiment at the bottom. We should be able to recognise the original sketch in your finished design.

 

We are looking forward to seeing your festive interpretations of Andreja's lovely sketch! Happy crafting, April x

CCT August Technique Challenge

Hello! We have a really fabulous technique for you this month. I hadn't tried it before and it's a lot of fun!

 

 



Here is a link to the technique if it is new to you too. It's a great way of extending the use of your die collection! I used SU's Delicate Ornament Thinlits with gold embossing powder. I've managed to pick up some random areas of gold, but I quite liked the distressed look of the bauble so I went with it! I used a stamp from Ornamental Pines for the background which was clear embossed in the more usual way.

 I'm sure we will see some amazing examples of this great technique!

Happy crafting, April x

Doughnuts

Hello! I haven't done much blogging lately because we were on holiday in New York and Columbus, Ohio. We had the most wonderful time and lots of the food was very inspirational...

I had also seen the doughnut cards made from a recent SU Paper Pumpkin kit. Sadly we don't have that subscription service available to us in the UK, but I do like having a nosey at the kits and being inspired!

This little birthday card has some full-on snippetage pedigree!

 

Everything came from a snippet and there's still lots of eating left on that piece of card! I am sending a tray of doughnuts to Di and Parsnip at Pixie's Snippets Playground because the last I heard Parsnip was threatening to strip and this may provide a welcome distraction. What's all this about not liking black puddings Miss Di??

CCT August Theme Challenge

Hello! As it's August it seems quite appropriate that we should be looking to warmer climes for the inspiration for our theme challenge over at Christmas Card Throwdown.

 

 

How cute is this little guy in his Christmas Hawaiian shirt and straw hat? I just love him. He is from an Inkadinkado set called Warm Wishes. The sand dollar and sentiment are from the same set (there is also a fab flamingo wearing a scarf and a Christmas tree made from driftwood and shells!)  We are looking forward to seeing your tropical Christmas creations! Happy crafting, April x

Dragonflies

Hello! This card is a kind of tribute to the really huge dragonfly that seems to have taken a liking to our drive at the moment. He follows you round like a small aircraft and it's slightly off-putting as he makes a bee-line for your head! I looked him up on a dragonfly identification website and he's a southern hawker apparently.

This card uses the lovely Wood Words stamp set for the background and sentiment. I really love this stamp set and have used it for all kind of cards recently. The colour scheme here was inspired by the challenge over at Sunday Stamps. Such a pretty combo of colours!

 

 

The design of my card was inspired by this week's Global Design Project where it's a 'Case the Designer' challenge.

 

 

I love this type of challenge because I tend to start off with one idea in my head and it often becomes something completely different as I go along!

 

I'm also sending my dragonfly along to see Di and Parsnip at Pixie's Snippets Playground because I've been AWOL lately. I know if there's anyone who would appreciate being dive-bombed by a large dragonfly, it's Parsnip!



CCT July Colour Challenge

Hello! We are having a fun challenge over at Christmas Card Throwdown. It certainly challenged me with my addiction to subdued hues!

 

 

We would like to see at least five of the colours on your Christmas card. I seem to have got all seven here - I was certainly saying, "Richard of York gave battle in vain" over and over in my head!

 

 

 

I used Stampin' Up's Jar of Love stamps with Everyday Jar Framelits and both the stars in the jars and the larger ones are stamps from the new Wood Words set. The holly leaves and berries are from Holly Berry Happiness. I embossed the Island Indigo background with the Stylish Stripes folder.

 

I hope you will have as much fun making your colourful creations. Please visit the DT's inspirational examples. Happy crafting, April x

CCT Sketch Challenge

 

 

Hello! We have a sketch challenge for you at Christmas Card Throwdown this week. Here is our lovely hostess Alison's sketch:

 



 

 





I love these cute robins and their cute Christmas sentiment. It is a Woodware stamp set that I was very lucky to win from the lovely Di and Parsnip at Pixie's Snippets Playground. I thought they would be perfect for this super sketch. They are very simply stamped and coloured with Copics. I thought the bird at the bottom looked as though he was searching for a snack, so I have added a couple of tiny sequins.

 

This great sketch has so much potential for all kinds of festive designs. We look forward to you joining us! April x