Leonie's ATC Challenge - Highlights

Well this is my bash at Leonie's Highlights ATC Challenge. I feel that I've lost my mojo this week, I'm completely sucked into the Olympic Games and can't seem to tear myself away from the screen. One of the pleasures of being a SAHM I guess, it's great to share a lot of it with Chaz, at three and a half she's having a whale of a time doing forward rolls and balancing on one leg while the gymnastics are on. Anyway back to the ATC, both birds, swifts or swallows can anyone confirm, are highlighted differently. The bottom with Stickles in Diamond and the top one has been double stamped on a second colour card, raised on 3d foam and glazed, sorry the photos made it all look quite flat.

ATC Swaps

I've been really slack on the atc front as Leonie's having a break from blogging and its not kicking me into action. So I've joined in with a couple swaps on the Spilt Coast Stampers Forum in the States. The first group (sorry for the pale photo) is Ace of Sugared for a Basic Grey atc swap and the second two are for Halloween swap one in just black and orange and the second in green, purple and black

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Sharon so here goes 1.What was I doing 10 years ago? 1998 was a great year for me. In Jan I took volunteery redundancy from Transco (formerly British Gas Engineering), I'd been there for 8 1/2 yrs since leaving school. I then went to work at an activity centre in Wareham Forest, Dorset (I was qualified to teach Archery, Climbing, Abseiling, Rifle Shooting and Orienteering) a life long dream fullfilled, but as life long dreams go, once I was doing it, it just becomes your job, so I decided to go travelling and as my work experience consisted of office work I completed a series of part time jobs before I set off, shop assistant, pizza chef, working in macdonalds and pulling pints in the local. I had a blast doing these jobs and met some great people one who I ended up marrying 5 yrs later. Andy delivered the fruit and veg to the local and I was pulling pints on a Friday evening when he use to come in to collect the money! I spent the last three months of the year in Canada and the next 3 1/2yrs travelling. 2.Name 5 things on todays 'to do' list.... Write a to do list, I spend most of my time winging it! update my blog, work my way through a huge pile of washing, pay back for having a fun packed crafty week, send of the atc's I've made for challenges and spend as much time as possible having fun with the kids 3.Snacks I enjoy... Ice cream and chocolate, chocolate ice cream with chocolate swirls and chunks and sprinkles and sauce all in chocolate, did I mention I liked ice cream with my chocolate! 4.Things I would do if I was a millionaire... Build a permanent worshop/classroom on the farm so we don't have to scrabble for space for the craft club and on demo days. 5.Places I have lived... I've stayed in loads of places while travelling so I'm only going to list places I've spent more than three months or it will go on forever, Southampton, Bournemouth, Wareham Forest,in the UK - Sydney, Harvey Bay and Magnetic Island in Australia. I've chosen to tag Emma. Serves her right for mentioning me on her blog.

Arty Girlz Sketch Challenge

It's been ages since I completed a sketch challenge so this was great fun. I've used five different shades of core-dinations card stock, Stampin up Scallop and circular punches and stamp and cuttlebug embossed the top layer.

Arte Y Pico Award

Sharon at http://sharon-ward.blogspot.com/ has kindly nominated me for an Arte y pico award, It's my first one and I'm really excited. Many thanks Sharon.

the details of which are as follows:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language. 2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone. 3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself. 4. The Award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte Y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. 5. To show these conditions.

I would like to nominate the following blogs.

Not sure if it's allowed ! but I would like to pass the award back to Sharon http://sharon-ward.blogspot.com/ as I love checking out her ATC's for Leonie's challenges.

MissyK http://littlecraftingmiss.blogspot.com/ as I always enjoy her ATCs and Inchies.

Carole Claxton http://www.needmoretimetocraft.blogspot.com/ is my Stampin Up hero and I find endless inspiration from her blog and contributions on http://www.inlovewithstamping.com/

I had the great fortune to meet Kirsty Wiseman http://limegreenbogiegirl.blogspot.com/ and Claire Curd, unfortunatley I don't knew if Claire has a blog, at a Design Objectives roadshow in May and found them both truly inspiring, both as craft designers and as people. I guess the two things are the same, as crafting seemed to be in their blood.

and last but no means least, the one and only Leonie Pujol http://www.leoniepujol.blogspot.com/ The reason I started blogging was to take part in Leonie's challenges and I would like to thank her for the time she puts in, as I know she has a busy life and I have meet some great people because of the challenges.

Decoupage Delights - Leonie's ATC Challenge

A really quick one this week, no imagination I'm afraid and no decapitation of the fairie, sorry Leonie ! huge THANK YOU to Sharon for nominating me for an award, such an honour. I'll have to get a bit more organised and allow a little more time to post over the weekend so I can forward the award. If you look really closely at the bottom of the penultimate page of the latest issue of Creativity from DO Craft (a magnifiying glass will be useful !) you can spot two of my Basic Grey cards. If I make the cut I might end up with six, yes six, full pages in the next issue!! fingers crossed.

My Time To Craft Challenge - Circles

For this weeks challenge from My Time To Craft is Circles. I've used Basic Grey's Cupcake range for this card, papers are from the 6" pad and the cupcake itself is from the chipboard stickers.

Just a quick one !

This weeks challenge from Daring cardmakers is 'just a quick one'. So here it is. I've used Sugared by Basic Grey, I adhered the backing paper from the 6" pad and trimmed and then added the self adhesive chipboard elephant and hearts. It came together so quickly that I added a bit of doodling around the edge to use up a bit more time.

Pretty Piece of Paper

For this one I have used Papermania's Venetian Skies from their Creative Tones range. I like decoupaging with circles, but I didn't have a large enough circle punch for the main daisy. I've stepped outside of Leonies remit by using a litttle Stickles instead of ink.

Leonie's ATC Challenge Recollection and Receipts

Well I did it on time this week.

This challenge has been very theraputic for me, as this was the concert that never was. Didn't manage to get Andy, tickets, venue and myself in the same place at the same time. A whole string of comedy errors took over events and the blessed tickets have been winking at me ever since. So it has been a great relief to attack them with scissors and take control. At least they have had a use and I think this is the most expensive ATC that I'll ever make. Hey ho !!

Leonies ATC Catch Up

Tone on Tone For this one I've used Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. Direct to paper for the base card, scrunch, drag, spritz and iron for the layer and standard stamping to finish off. Chop and Change For this one I've used Wild Plum and Denim Alcohol inks on old yohurt pot tops. Chopped them up peiced them on to a base card, added fake stitching, a couple of clear glitter stickers added to the scraps, cut out and stuck on.

Try a new technique from Split Coast Stampers

Had a busy day having a go at a few of the challenges on Split Coast Stampers

Dahlia Fold and the Whole Enchilada

Craft Club Samples

The top two photos are of an ATC Double Pocket and the three below are for an A6 size card using the new release X-Cut Impress Double Die Bookmark sets.

Monotone Rainbow Colours

Sorry that the photo's so poor, the colouring is mainly cranberry/wine but the photo makes it look more pink. This weeks challenge from the Rainbow Lady is Monotone Rainbow Colours, and will run for a while. For the first of the challenges I've chosen Red, I'm going to do them in order, I will get completely confused otherwise. I covered my 5"x7" canvas with Adirondack Dabber in Cranberry, I then added a couple of torn sections of a cherry background paper to add a little texture, these where then lightly painted over with Cranberry Dauber to tone in with the piece. Grungeboard hinges and swirls in the swirl texture have been covered in Cranberry Dauber, wine ribbon and christmas red eyelets, have been used to embellish them. Several clusters of deep wine beads have been added using christmas red Stickles. The silk flowers, brads and buttons have been altered by adding varying amounts of Cranberry Dauber and a trio of small brads have been added to complete the look. Apologies again for the poor photo just imagine deep Burgundy velvet.

Leonie's ATC Challenge - A little bit of Glitter

The new release goody bags from DO craft arrived in the shop today, so I've been creating a whole range of cards and other bits and pieces and made this ATC with this weeks Challenge from Leonie in mind.

Arty Girlz Background Challenge

I've put this card together for this weeks Arty Girlz Challenge - Handmade Backgrounds

I've used Perfect Pearls in Interference Violet with one of Funky Fairy's Pinkie Pops clear stamp for both of the layers, for the base layer I stamped several swirls with Perfect Medium and dusted with Interference Violet, for the strip layer I covered it with Perfect Medium and dusted all over, inked the stamp with perfect medium and stamped the first of the four swirls, when the stamp was removed it lifted the perfect pearl, I cleaned the stamp completely and repeated the process again until the strip was covered.

The same technique was used for the message on the tag, which reads, to brighten up your birthday, which is again from the Pinkie Pops stamp set. The tag and topper are from the pointed tag die-cut stencil set by x-cut Impress

Split Coast Stampers

I found this double pocket card at SCS in the Try a New Technique so I had a quick go and it is so easy, a great way to give cash or vouchers in an attractive way.

For the book mark I've used chocolate and beige vivelle(self adhesive fluffy stuff) and the new release X-Cut Impress Teddy and Border die cut stencil.

My Funky Fairy Drawer

Here's one I whipped up last night. This weeks Funky Fairy's Challenge is 'Show us your drawers' These cute little drawers are so easy to do, they remind me of a super sized match box and would make an excellent way to give gifts or do a stash swap as well as storing all of your goodies. I made my box out of white card, dressed it with paper from Funky Fairy's Pinkie Pops range then I added a couple of eyelets and ribbon to finish it off.

Tutti Fruitti - My time to craft challenge

I kept this one girlie sweet and simple, for this weeks My Time To Craft Challenge. Four layers of decoupage on a pale pink pearl card, a small touch of backing paper and a couple of gems added for a bit of bling.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Katharina's Sketch #2

For this weeks Papertakes Challenge I've used papers and clear stamps from Basic Grey's Archaic collection. The stamped image and matt are raised on foam pads to add a little dimension.

Some Like it Hot

This weeks challenge from Daring Card Makers is Hot and Spicy. We where also encouraged to add a little sauce as well, so this is my attempt.

Unfortunately the photo doesn't show the all over shimmer on the gold pearl base card, which lifts the feel of the card. The film poster was printed on to textured cream card I then matted it onto gold mirror and black card, added the black fibre trim. I tin snipped the backs off of the gem brads and attached them with silicone glue to black and gold mirror card mats and created the central flower motif. The gems are from a Papermania Oriental kit.

Funky Fairy Winner

Woohoo I won last weeks Funky Fairy Challenge - Stars and Strips. My pressie was a download from their fab shop. I went for the irresistible Pinkie Pops and treated myself to the wonderful matching stamp set.

Loads of ideas are now whirring around in my head, I'm sure some of the wonderful papers and toppers will find their way in to this weeks Funky Fairy's Challenge-Show us your draws.

Yesterday I managed to finish the third Paper Nations display board for the shop. Pets are next, I feel like I becoming completely decoupaged out.

In the Pink

I got a bit excited with this weeks Rainbow Lady's Challenge: Beads. I had a hundred and one ideas going on but I settled on these two clipboards.

Both clipboards are covered in Anna Griffin papers, the letters are Papermania Swirls and Flowers chipboard letters altered with Adirondack Dabbers. The first clipboard is A5 in size, the small tag is dabbered grungeboard with beads from an Artisan Jewellry Kit threaded onto embrodery threads. The Second clipboard is A4 with microbeads used to create the flower heads on the right hand side.

Holey Moley

This weeks ATC challenge by Leonie is Holey Moley. For me there can only ever be one hole, 'Polo, The mint with the hole'. Yet again showing how completely brainwashed by advertising I am. I've used clear glitter vinyl mounted on silver linen effect card and crop-a-diled a few holes for good measure. Thanks Leonie it gave me a perfect excuse to nip to the shop to buy a new packet, all in the name of crafting of course.

Second bite of the cherry

I was really inspired while I browsed through all of the Arty Girlz Challenge entries this week, so I've had another go at creating. I've had my crop-a-dile for a while but I've not really used it to its full potential, so this was a great reason to attack tin and I must admit, it was far easier to do than I expected.

This card is for the Papertake Weekly Challenge: All that glitters.

I've gone a little bit Impress mad on this one and used just glitter card, a couple of Papermania Dome Butterfly stickers and gems to complete the look.

Arty Girlz Ribbon Challenge

Well this is my first attempt at a Bind-it-all project. My in-laws are off on a cruise in a couple of weeks and I thought that it might be nice for them to take a 6" mini album instead of a paper envelope stuffed full of photos. I've made it with ten pages and will add journelling and photos once MIL has decided which ones she would like to take. For the third project in a row I've used Two Scoops paper and cardstock stickers by Basic Grey. I promise something different for the next one.

First card based on a sketch

This weeks Daring Cardmakers Challenge is Butterflies, so I've created this card using Basic Grey cardstock stickers and papers from the Two Scoops range. I've never used a sketch or map to create a card before so I've given it a bash after finding a great site called, Page Maps, I'm sure I must be teaching loads of you to suck eggs but I found it really inspiring and will try to use them in more of my projects in the future.

On a Basic Grey Roll

This card is for this weeks My Time to Craft Challenge: Framed. I've used cardstock stickers and coordinating papers from Basic Grey's Two Scoops range and I must admit I'm loving the quality, the frame has been mounted on foam squares to add a bit of depth.

A Productive Day

I've managed to finish off the second in the series of Paper Nation Decoupage Display Boards, Adults, and this week I've used Archaic papers and chipboard by Basic Grey to complete the Funky Fairys Stars and Strips Challenge.

This challenge has been an excellent reason to get on and use some of my Basic Grey stock. I've fallen into a really bad habit of obsessive stroking and creating excellent designs in my minds eye, but doing nothing about it. So thank you girls for giving me the push. You never know you might start to see some of my, minds eye, projects appearing quite soon.

One Down, don't ask how many more to go!

Well it seemed a good idea at the time. We are going to be running a buy one get one free promotion on Paper Nations backing papers. To help promote the offer and promote sales of the 3D decoupage sheets, I stupidly decided to create one of each design in the range and use them on display boards in the shop. Bit of a nightmare as Charlotte just loves playing with the finished cards and is getting a bit distressed that her 'friends' are going to be living in the shop.

I've kept the cards simple so as many of my customers feel they can achieve the same look and improve on them. (The space is for, School Girl, will complete her when the next delivery arrives from Crafthouse Press).

Funky Fairys Challenge - Male

Although not strictly just for the males in our lives, I've tried to stay away from using blue to take part in this challenge.

The bottle has been created from a WS Design Template used with deep green pearl card, the neck and bottle labels are again by WS Designs. I have stamped them on cream card and heat embossed in gold, I then trimmed and coloured with perfect pearls to create a subtle sheen on them, Crinkle effect gold paper was used to complete the look.

My Time To Craft Challenge #9

Well this is my first attempt at a card for My Time To Craft. I covered the front of the card blank with Anna Griffin scrapbook paper. The main motif is an X-Cut Impress Perforating Stencil stitched in silver thread, layered on white and silver mirror card and I've also added two strips of co-ordinating ribbon to add more texture.

Leonie's Fab Friday Challenge #5

Excellent Challenge this week from Leonie. I've gone for more of a magician's theme. The top hat and wand are made from black shrink plastic, as I ran a craft evening last week for a local Brownie pack and they all thought their shrink plastic butterfly keyrings where 'magic' when they went all small and curly. The playing cards are from a pack that came out of a christmas cracker and the letters have been die cut using the X-Cut Impress Italic font, on self adhesive clear glitter vinyl. I must improve my skills with the camera as I haven't really captured the glitter sparkle and the shimmer of the pearl card properly.

Leonie's ATC Challenge

Well this is the reason for starting my blog. I've been wanting to take part in a whole host of challenges but have just been watching from a far.

I find the field of marketing/branding really interesting and it intrigues me that shape and colour can hold such an impact on our subconscious. Over the last week my 'day' job has had me bar coding up loads of craft supplies for the shop, this means we can now keep accurate records on stock and sales.

The harsh reality of business vs creative visual impact, or is this just an ATC made from a tin label, who knows, who cares. I had a great time messing around with glue and paper.