Rather Be Skiing

Good morning,
The weeks just fly by don't they?
Today is my final week as guest designer for the I♥ProMarkers challenge.
I'd like to thank Ruth for asking me to be their guest, I've enjoyed making some christmas cards this past month, and it has motivated me to make more.
To Ruth & the DT, thanks for having me! xx

Well, it is almost December. In fact, not only is it my son's 16th birthday tomorrow, but 27th November means it's exactly 4 weeks until the the big man in red has left gifts for all the good girls and boys!
If you haven't started already, best get your christmas craft on peeps! ;)

How about joining in with this weeks challenge, which is 'Frosty The Snowman'
yep, you guessed it, show us your snowpeople please.

This week we are sponsored by Marianne Design and by Milk Coffee.

Here's my card...

The image is Rather Be Skiing Snowman by From The Heart Stamps.
Oooo, by the way, there's a Thanksgiving Sale on there at the moment ;)

Promarker colours used:
Snowman - pastel blue & lots of blender (slight shading of the snowman), spice & orange (nose), black & ice grey 5 (coal 'buttons').
Hat, scarf & gloves - rose pink, cocktail pink & lipstick red; grass & leaf green; powder blue & sky blue.
Skis - powder blue & sky blue; ice grey 5 & cool grey 3.

I used a clear glaze pen on the eyes, buttons & carrot nose. Then used a clear glitter pen around the edge of the image and again on the bottom of the skis and on the snow on the ground.
I added some polar white Flowersoft to the hat.
Papers are both from the same pad; Dovecraft, Merry Magic.
I finished the card with a snowflake, cut with a die from Clearly Besotted Stamps.

I'd like to enter this card at:
The Pink Elephant - anything goes
Shopping our Stash - free is good (flowersoft was a gift from a friend)
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - snowpeople

Thank you for stopping by today.
Please remember to go visit the blog for the challenge, where you can link up your entry, and see more fabulous inspiration from the design team :)

Fa La La La La...

Good Morning :)
Here's my 3rd card as a guest designer for the I♥ProMarkers challenge blog.
This week, we want you to use your favourite Christmas song or Christmas carol as inspiration for your entry please.
This weeks fab sponsor is Polka Doodles.
 

How cute is this image? it's Dexter Caroling, a Pollycraft image, that you can buy from Little Miss Muffet Stamps.

Promarker colours used:
Dexter - black, ice grey 5, spice, honeycomb & sunflower yellow,
Hat - pastel green, denim blue, ivory & ruby,
Songbook - pastel green & soft green.

I've teamed up my cream card stock with 2 different patterned papers;
First Edition 'Nordic Christmas', and BoBunny 'Silver & Gold Collection' (the "red" piece!).
The ornate square frame is a Lea'bilities die (Leane 005 Frame Curve).
The holly was die cut using an old Quickutz die, I used shiny red brads for the berries.
Fa La La La La is handwritten.
The card jingles (Jingle Bells!) thanks to the 3 silver sleigh bells tied together with bakers twine.

I'm entering this card at:
Sweet Stampin - to die for
Passion for Promarkers - entertain us ( carol = "Deck the halls")
Sister Act - anything goes

Thank you for stopping by today.
 Please remember to go visit the blog for the challenge, to link up your entry, and to see more fabulous inspiration from the design team :)

UPDATE: woohoo! Thank you!

Superheroes love Christmas too.

Happy Wednesday everyone :)
It's my 2nd week as guest designer for the I♥ProMarkers challenge :)
This week, we are sponsored by the fabulous KennyK Downloads & also by Dies to Die For
The theme is to make a christmas card for a male.
I have made a christmas card for a Superman fan...

So, as you can see, I've used Superhero by KennyK for my card this week.
As you can see, I gave the image a christmas hat.

I'd like to thank Elena & Kenny for allowing me to add the hat to their image.

IMPORTANT: Always ask for permission from the copyright holder BEFORE altering any image(s).

Although actually, I didn't alter the original image at all. But I still wanted to ask beforehand.
I opened up the image in my paint program, then created a new raster layer for the christmas hat which I drew in. I then erased parts of the hat layer and added the final lines around the edges so that the superhero image would show underneath, making it look as though they were merged when in fact they were not.
I finally sent these layers to my printer where it printed both as one image.
I had to touch it up a little around his hairline with my fineliner pen before colouring as my lines didn't print out as smooth as Kenny's professional lines.
I'm happy with how it turned out though, and the colouring of the image certainly helped to make the 2 look as one image.

Promarker colours used:
Costume and Hat - royal blue, midnight blue, poppy, burgundy, sunflower yellow.
Skin & Hair - oatmeal, tan, umber.

For my design, I took inspiration from my Grandson's birthday card that I made a couple of weeks ago. It worked so well with that card that I decided to do something similar again for a different super hero. Plus, I wanted to play with that cityscape die again :)
I framed my cityscape scene with a gold mirror card heart frame, cut using dies from Marianne's scalloped heart set. The mistletoe above the frame was also cut (twice) using a different Marianne die, then I added some flat backed pearls for the berries.
The yellow starry paper is from Doodlebug's Hip Hip Hooray paper pad.
The name was cut from red and blue mirror card using Die-namics By The Letter dies.
I really like how this card turned out.

I'm entering this card at:
MAWTT - sparkle and/or shine
Creative Card Crew - christmas joy
QKR Stampede - christmas
Crafty Calendar - christmas

Thank you for stopping by today. Please remember to go visit the blog for the challenge, and to see more fabulous inspiration from the design team.
Have a great day, i'll be back at 11am with some inspiration 'from the heart' ;) xx

Rudolph

Good Morning :)
I'm very happy and excited to tell you today that I have been asked to be a guest designer for the I♥ProMarkers challenge throughout November!

The new challenge today is 'Cute Christmas', so you don't really have an excuse not to play do you? I think everyone has their fair share of lovely christmas cuteness to colour up eh? ;)

For my cuteness, I chose to use a Pollycraft image. I bought this before Paula closed the Pollycraft doors, oh how we all still miss her talent don't we?
This is Rudolph...

I've coloured him using promarkers of course.
Colours used:
Costume and Antlers - umber, cocoa, sandstone.
Hair - buttercup, sandstone, caramel.
Skin - oatmeal, peach, pastel pink.  Nose - ruby.
Banner - ruby, forest green, pine.

I wanted to keep to a bright red, white and green colour palette, so along with my plain card stock, I used a candy stripe paper from Lawn Fawn's 'Peace, Joy, Love' paper pad.
I then edged the image either side with die cuts from Clearly Besotted Stamps; Snowflake Trio Die Collection. I have used the 2 smallest dies on this card.
I wanted to add a touch of green for balance, so finished the card with a couple of punched stars.
I've left room at the bottom of this card to add the name of the recipient.

I do hope you'll join in the challenge this week, who doesn't love making cute christmas projects? ;)
This weeks sponsor is Sherri Baldy, details of the prize on offer can be found on the blog.

I'm entering Rudolph at:
The Ribbon Girl - christmas
Crafty Calendar Challenge - christmas
Without Words - preparing for christmas
Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes 
Allsorts Challenge - masculine
Creative Card Crew - christmas joy

Hope you liked my card, thanks for visiting, I look forward to seeing what you make for the challenge.

Halloweeeeeeeeeeen!

Here is a treat bag i've made for the new Crafting By Designs challenge, where I am happy to say that I am their guest designer for this challenge :)

Please go check out the fab creations by the Design Team, and I hope you'll join in the challenge too.

This week's challenge theme is 'Halloween'...

I've used the fab image Broom Flying Birdbrain by From The Heart Stamps... 'Whooosh!' ;)
I coloured with promarkers and sponged in the background.
The sentiment is one of six you get free with the image.
'MIKEY' was cut using my trusty Die-namics By the Letter dies.
The bat paper is by Erin Bradley, from a set called 'Going Batty'. I also cut out an extra bat to add to the top of the treat bag.
The ribbon is from my stash, I can't remember where I bought it from though, I have had it years!

I'd like to enter this treat bag into the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin - anything but a card
That Craft Place - halloween
Simon Monday Challenge - treats!
2 Cute Ink - halloween treats
The Pink Elephant - anything goes

Thank you, Crafting By Designs, for having me as your guest :)
and Thank YOU for stopping by today.
Happy Halloween! xx

I {heart} sketches #68

Happy Bank Holiday Monday!
And as it's Monday, it also means it's time for another fabulous I {heart}sketches challenge over at From The Heart Stamps.

here's the great sketch for this week...

The twist this week: Sentimentally Yours (use a sentiment)
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

Here's my final sketch card as the Guest Designer for April & May...

 
I've used one of my favourite characters from the From The Heart Stamps shop; Yes, it had to be a Birdbrain! This one is Birdbrain Wine, Hic!
The sentiment is one of FOUR that come with the image.
I've coloured the image using promarkers, and also pencils for the finer detailling.
I wanted to add some extra grapes so I punched out 6 small circles and coloured them with promarkers, then gave 2 of them a tiny stalk using a teensy bit of kraft card.
The green paper is by Teresa Collins, Fabrications; and the other 2 papers are by My Mind's Eye, Stella & Rose, Hattie.

I'd like to enter this Birdbrain at:
A Random Fan - anything goes
I Love Promarkers - anything goes
Crafts Galore - anything goes
My Mums Craft Shop - lots of layers
ABC challenge - L for lots of layers
Sentimental Sundays - things with wings (plus sentiment)

You can find more inspiration, and enter the I {heart} sketches challenge by clicking HERE.
Thank you so much for stopping by today :)

Hamlet loves cake!

My inspirational post for today uses the sketch and twist from this weeks I {heart}sketches challenge, here's the sketch...

The twist this week is BINGO!
I've used the line: stitching / digital stamp / buttons.
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! great eh?
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.
Entries close on Sunday, 10pm CST, which I think is 4am (Monday) in the UK.

Here's my GD card...

Image: Hamlet PigWit Pig Out
Sentiment: Create with TLC
Paper: Sweet Shoppe Designs; Pretty Little Things
Colouring Medium: promarkers

I'd like to enter this card at:
Papertake Weekly - ohhh so cute
Crafts Galore - anything goes
A Random Fan - anything goes
I Love Promarkers - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today :)

MAY mid-month reminder

Today is mid-month reminder day at From The Heart Stamps.

If you joined in with the Stamp Of The Month challenge in April, you will have received Whimsy Garden Fence via email.
You have until the end of this month to submit your entry to this month's challenge using the image shown below, and if you do, you will receive next month's SOTM digi for free too.

If you didn't play last month and don't have this stamp, you can still join in by buying the image from the store.

This is the image...

and here is my card for today's inspirational post...

With a detailed stamp such as this, I personally like to keep my card design simple so that nothing distracts from the wonderful image.
I have coloured the image using promarkers.
The sentiment is one of FOUR that you will get for free with the image.
Other items used were a SU scalloped border punch and a few card candi to finish. Simples!

There's still time for you to play with this fab image, there's 2 more weeks to get your entry in, and remember if you do, you'll get June's SOTM emailed to you for free.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Stamp and Create - spring colours

Papertake Weekly - pretty pastels

Crafty Sentiments - flowers
Crafty Creations - recipe challenge (purple & flowers)
Crafty Little Fairies - in the garden

Thank you for stopping by today :)

Bonjour!

Thank you for hopping with From The Heart for our Get Well / Encouragement blog hop, to find out if you're a winner of a free image or the winner of the $5 gift voucher, don't forget to visit the FTH blog on Wednesday :)

Today is Monday, so that means it's time for another I {heart}sketches challenge, here's this weeks superb sketch...

The twist this week is 1, 2, 3  (1 ribbon, 2 designer papers and 3 embellishments).
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store.
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

Here's my GD card...

Image: French Mustache Birdbrain.
Sentiment: French Mustache Birdbrain.
Paper: Basic Grey; Life of the Party.
Colouring Medium: Promarkers.
Other Supplies: Dark Navy grosgrain ribbon, black flatback crystals.

I decided to colour up this Birdbrain with a striped shirt, yeah that old stereotype, but it really suits him, don't you think?
Technically I used 3 papers besides from my white card base, the 2 patterned ones by BG, and the plain navy blue which is an old sheet bought from when I first started card making, it has gotten a little creased over the years though.
The ribbon and crystals were in my stash too.

I'd like to enter this card at:
My Mums Craft Shop - lots of layers
Inky Impressions - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

You can find more inspiration by checking out what the fab FTH design team have made for this weeks challenge by clicking HERE.
Thanks for stopping by today :)

FTH May Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on this month's From the Heart Stamps blog hop.

Our theme this month is Get Well or Encouragement

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each entry. One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win the image that the designer used. And additionally, one commenter on the From the Heart Stamps blog will be selected to win a $5 gift voucher to the store!

If you have arrived here from Jessica, you are in the right place, if not, why don’t you start at the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything.

Here is my GD card, using Rainy Day Birdbrains...

I have coloured using promarkers, I sponged the sky with SU inks though (basic gray and a touch of bashful blue)
The papers are by Bella Gypsy 'The Last Key' (grey gingham), and Echo Park 'Times & Seasons' (navy piece)
The borders were made using the Xcut 'diamond' punch.
The sentiments come with the image.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
That Craft Place - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Not quite straight
Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes

For your next stop on the hop, please head over to Angela, and see what she has created to inspire you.

Thanks for hopping along with us. Don't forget to tell your crafty friends!
The hop will end on Monday May 5th at 6am, EST (11am UK time)
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday May 7th.
Happy Hopping! xx

FTH sketch #64

It's time for another fabulous I {heart}sketches challenge over at From The Heart Stamps.

here's the sketch...

The twist this week is paper piecing.
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! great eh?
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

I've made 2 cards this week, this first one uses the sketch...

Image: Mice Surprise.
Sentiment: from Birdbrain Card Sharks.
Paper: My Mind's Eye; Stella & Rose; Hattie.
Colouring Medium: promarkers.

Challenges entered:
Crafty Catz - anything goes
Creative Inspirations - cute characters

and here's the other card, using the twist...

Image & Sentiment: Free Hugs (Faithful Friends).
Paper: Echo Park; Playground.
Colouring Medium: promarkers & pencils.

Challenges entered:
Top Tip Tuesday - paper piecing
Fab 'n' Funky - paper piecing
Crafty Little Fairies - furry friends
Totally Gorjuss - cuddly


You can find more inspiration by checking out what the fab FTH design team have made for this weeks challenge by clicking HERE.
Thanks for stopping by today :)

Ladybug Liftoff

Yay! Monday means another I {heart}sketches challenge over at From The Heart Stamps.

here's this week's sketch...

The twist this week is to use the inspirational photo provided.
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! great eh?
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

Here's my GD card...

As you can see, I turned the sketch clockwise 90 degrees.
This image is Ladybug Liftoff, i've coloured it using promarkers that are similar to the colours in the inspirational photo.
The patterned paper is by Provocraft, from the 'tags, bags, boxes & more' paper pad.
I hand cut the cloud, and used the medium flower from Die-namics flower and leaf trio die, plus a small punched circle to make the sun.
I added a sentiment, this one is from Paper Smooches 'Sentiment Sampler' set.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Passion for Promarkers - all creatures great and small
Sweet Stampin - lots of layers
Allsorts - birds and feathers
ABC challenge - J for just as you like (anything goes)

You can find more inspiration by checking out what the FTH design team have made for this weeks challenge by clicking HERE.
Thanks for stopping by today :)

Stamp Of The Month reminder.

Today, is Mid-Month reminder day at From The Heart Stamps.

If you joined the SOTM challenge in March, you will have received Spring Medley via email. You have until the end of April to submit your entry to the challenge so that you can get next month's digi for free too.

If you don't have Spring Medley, you can still play along by buying the image from the store.

This is the image...

Such a lovely quote, with a message of hope too.
For my card today, I decided to cut up the image into its 3 boxes and move them around...

I coloured the image using promarkers, then added a slight touch of glitter to the flowers with a clear Gelly Roll Stardust pen - which has decided to be camera shy and can't be seen in my photo!
I've used a music patterned paper here, which is actually a christmas paper, it's from Dovecraft's Back to Basics 'vintage' Christmas collection. It is probably the sheet music for a carol, but there's no words, just the notes, so I think I can get away with it lol.
I wanted to add musical paper because Spring is the time of year that you start to hear all the birds singing :)

There's still time for you to play with this fab image, there's 2 more weeks to get your entry in, and remember if you do, you'll get May's SOTM emailed to you for free! ;)

I'd like to enter this card at:
A Random Fan - Springy pastel colours
Stamp & Create - Spring flowers
Allsorts - Spring blossoms
Sweet Stampin - flowers
Digi Galore - flowers

Hope you like my card,
Thanks for looking xx

Hula!

It's time for another fabulous I {heart}sketches challenge over at From The Heart Stamps.

here's the sketch...

The twist, if you want to use it, is.... No cards allowed.
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to spend at the store.
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

Here's my GD project...

Now, it was only AFTER i'd taken the photograph of this CARD, that I remembered that I was going to use this layout to decorate the top of a box, so that I could use the twist too. Oh well, never mind, the twist is optional anyways.

The image is Birdbrain Hula Chick, and i've coloured her with promarkers.
The green checked paper is by Lawn Fawn (Peace, Joy, Love). The paper with the butterflies was bought years ago, when I started card making. I can't remember the company, or the pad it came from, but it could have been either Dovecraft or DCWV, as I remember having different papers from both companies back then.
The flower embellishment was made by colouring (with promarkers) the largest flower after using the Die-namics flower and leaf trio die, then layering with a stamen (Nellie Snellen stamen punch), and finishing with card candy.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Craftitude - anything goes
That Craft Place - anything goes
MMCS challenge - anything goes

You can find more inspiration by checking out what the design team have made for this weeks challenge by clicking HERE.
Thanks for looking!

FTH sketch #61

It's time for another fabulous I {heart}sketches challenge over at From The Heart Stamps.

But first, i'd like to thank all of you who left me such lovely comments for my FTH blog hop card, and i'm sending you all good luck wishes in the prize draws :)

Back to today's challenge, here's the sketch...

The twist this week is to colour on kraft paper.
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! great eh?
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

Here's my GD card...

This is Chocolate Box Birdbrain. It was one of the first images that I bought from the store.
The sentiment comes with it, along with 2 other sentiments and the extra 3 chocs image too.
I printed the image on kraft and then coloured it using pencils.
The patterned papers are by Stampin Up (old olive DSP).
The horizontal bands on the sketch are represented by the brown funky foam border (using a Marianne die), and the brads/sentiment combination.

You can see more delightful inspiration by checking out what the design team have made for this weeks challenge by clicking HERE.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Allsorts - NO flowers
MMCS challenge - anything goes
Crafts Galore - include your favourite colour (mine is green)
2 Cute Ink - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope to see your cards using this great sketch :)

Friendship From The Heart

Welcome to my stop on this month's From the Heart Stamps blog hop.
I'm delighted to have been chosen to be a guest designer for the next two months, and this is my debut GD card :)

Our theme this month is Friendship.

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each entry. One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win the image that the designer used. And additionally, one commenter on the From the Heart Stamps blog will be selected to win a $5 gift voucher to the store!

If you have arrived here from Jessica, you are in the right place, if not, why don’t you start on the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything.

Here is my card, using Bouquet Chick...

Yes, another Birdbrain! I love them... well, I think everyone does! :)
I've coloured this fantastic image with promarkers. 
The dotty paper used here is by Dovecraft (Merry Magic)
My sentiment is from the Stampin Up set; Pocket Silhouettes, and then punched out with their Word Window punch.
I added a final touch of bling with a few green crystals.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
I Love Promarkers - clean and simple
Penny's Paper Crafty - feathered friends
Crafting By Designs - April anything goes
MMCS challenge - anything goes
Crafts Galore - include your favourite colour (mine is green)

For your next stop on the hop, please head over to Angela, and see what she has created to inspire you.

Thanks for hopping with us today. The hop will end on Monday April 7th at 6am, EST.
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday April 9th.

Woohoooo!

I have news to share... :)

I'm delighted to announce that I'm going to be a guest designer over at From The Heart Stamps for April and May :)
How cool is that eh?!
I'm very lucky to have been chosen, and can't wait to get started :)

HUGE thanks to Faith and the Design team for choosing me xx

Guesting at Crafting By Designs :)

Today i'm showing you a card i've made for the new Crafting By Designs challenge, because I'm delighted to have been asked to be their guest designer this week! Thank you ladies :)
This week's challenge theme is 'Things with Wings' and is being sponsored by Sami Stamps.
Here is my card...

I've used Jr Hatter Lilith from Little Miss Muffet Stamps for my card, this little cutie loves her feathered friends :)
I've gone for some soft colours for this card., and I really like how it turned out.
The paper is by Melissa Frances (Classic Elegance - Bits of Paper)
The branches were cut using a Marianne die. The seam binding and string of pearls were from my ribbons tub, and are perfect for this colour theme.

I do hope you'll join in with this great challenge. For more inspiration, check out what the talented design team and other guest designers have made this week.

You can also enter a card in the month long challenge for March too. The theme is Anything Goes, simples! :)

I'd like to enter this card at:
Craft Your Passion - young at heart
MAWTT -  moody blues

Thank you, have a great Wednesday x

Update: Thank you!

300

Sketch Saturday has its 300th challenge today!
WOW! that's an achievement eh? :)
As one the original Saturday Girls, I was asked if i'd like to be their Guest Designer for this momentous occasion. Of course, I said YES!  and not only that, my first ever sketch gets an airing too, although it has had a bit of a facelift, but then I would need one too if I reached 300! lol...

Obviously the new sketch is the one on the right. And here's my card using it...

The image is Birthday Candle Birdbrain, by From The Heart Stamps. I think that this is one of my favourite images right now, it's such a lovely image to colour. As usual, i've used promarkers here.
The papers used are both from MME's life of the party pad.
The pretty border is a cArt-Us die (fountain).

This weeks sketch is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp, who are offering a very generous $25 gift certificate for the lucky challenge winner.

Not only that, to celebrate the 300th challenge, there's a blog hop too!
Hopefully you came here after seeing Jen's fabulous creation.
Not to worry if you didn't, here's the hop order if you need to go back and start over...

Lizy
Vannessa
Cathy
Alex
Marzena
Carla
Lesley
Niki
Laura
Jen
Jo (You are here)
Debra
Melissa

There's mystery candy hidden along the way in this hop.
You won't know where the candy is, so to be in with a chance to win, all you need to do is leave a comment at each stop on the hop (including here), which is easy peasy as you're hopping along to see the wonderful cards made by the SS DT anyway aren't you? ;)

Please hop along next to Debra's blog to see what she has made to inspire you, oh and don't forget to comment :) Good Luck! x

Blog hop winners will be announced on Sketch Saturday next Saturday, March 15th at 7:20am.
The challenge winner of the $25 gift certificate for Simon Says Stamp will be announced 10 minutes later at 7:30am.

again, here's the hop order

An InLinkz Link-up

I'd like to enter my Birdbrain card at:
The Pink Elephant - birthdays
Crafty Creations - happy birthday
Paper Makeup - anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - use a stamp or digi stamp

thank you for visiting me today, hope you've left your comment?  ;)

Guest Designer for Stamps R Us!

YAY! I am very honoured to have been chosen to be Guest Designer over at Stamps R Us! :)

This time the challenge has a BIRTHDAY theme, so a nice and easy one to join in with ;)

The challenge is also a special 'Operation Write Home' (OWH) event.

OWH is an organization that sends handmade cards to US armed forces in Iraq & Afghanistan for them to write home on.
Once you have made your card, and if it is suitable to send to one of the dedicated shippers (for example - NO GLITTER allowed), please consider passing it on to them, where it will be very much appreciated.
All details can be found on the Operation Write Home website. Thank you.

The challenge is sponsored by The Paper Shelter

who have a generous prize package for one lucky winner, could it be you?

The Design Team and myself were kindly given free images to use on our cards (Thank you!), here's what I made with mine...

Using 'Happy Birthday To Me!' by The Paper Shelter

printed 3 times & coloured with Promarkers, then layered in places.

The pretty background paper is by Echo Park (little girl)

The sentiment is a SeeD's stamp, and I punched out the tab shape and made the flowers and the rounded corners using a mix of punches.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
MMCS challenges - happy birthday
Passion for Promarkers - beary special

Sweet Stampin - flowers
(I won last weeks sweet stampin challenge with my teenager card..YAY! thanks girls xx)

Here's my second card...

Using 'Little Cowboy' by The Paper Shelter

also printed 3 times & coloured with Promarkers, then layered in places.
I used a pair of shaped scissors and my cropadile to alter the 2 layers of cardstock around the image.

The background paper is My Mind's Eye (Stella Rose - Hattie)

and the green paper is by Sizzix (little sizzles - country)
The brown strips are just card scraps, but I thought it worked somehow by layering/weaving them through the green paper.
The sentiment was printed off the computer.
 I wanted to add embellishments too, and thought that a sheriff's badge would look good, but I don't have any, so the little stars punched from copper coloured cardstock will do instead.

I would like to also enter this card into the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes
Prairie Fairy Fridays - snips & snails
Stamptacular Sunday - use a sentiment
Kaboodle Doodles - lots of layers


Thank you for stopping by today and I hope to see your entries for this weeks Stamps R Us challenge :)