FTHS sketch challenge #162

Another Monday rolls around, and with it a new I {heart}sketches challenge for From The Heart Stamps :)
Here's sketch #162...

The twist is 'Snow Day', and there is also an option of using the colour palette shown above the sketch, if you wish to use them. So you can choose the sketch, the twist, the colours... or have a go at all 3 if you'd like to!
One lucky challenger will win 2 images of their choice from the store :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible for the random draw, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too. Thanks :)

Here's my card, made for my best friend's hubby, whose birthday is at the end of the month...

I rotated the sketch clockwise by 90 degrees, and used the colours option too. Yes, even the red, there's a teeny weeny bit on the beer bottles.
This fab image is from Hamlet PigWit Cold Suds. I used promarkers to colour him.
I got inky fingers with my distress inks to create the gradient background, then stamped the beer mug image over top, which is from the 'Cheers to You' stamp set by Stampin Up.  I used Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood, and Tumbled Glass distress inks.
The striped paper is from a Bazzill Basics pad called Dino-mite.
For the sentiment, I wanted to use a font with a more handwritten look to it for this card, so 'cheers' is actually from Birdbrain Brew.
However, you do get 7 sentiments to use with your choice of the 4 images also provided, which is an absolute bargain, and a 'must have' set for your male cards.
Just look at Hamlet's little face as he anticipates slurping on his favourite tipple! Maybe I should have drawn his tongue hanging out too lol ;)

I'm entering this card at:
Shopping our Stash - winter blues
I love Promarkers - CAS
Creative Inspirations - anything goes
Sweet Stampin - masculine

Thanks for stopping by today xx

Whisky chicks

Hello friends,
It's time for a little mid-week inspiration for From The Heart Stamps.
And this time i've merged 2 images from different sets, just the birdbrains from Martini Chicks, and the wine glass from Photo Ham PigWit...

  

And here's my card...

I started by opening the wine glass png image (transparent image) into my paint program on the computer. I rotated the image to make it vertical, then copied it 2 more times so that I had 3 glasses clustered together. I erased the glass stems so that I just had the main glasses parts together.
I opened up the wf.png image (white-filled transparent image) from Martini Chicks and pasted the image on a new layer over top of the glasses. I erased the martini glasses from around the birds, leaving me to adjust the bird layer to get it to sit right with the glasses behind.
I added the sentiment above the images, typing my own version of the one in the set by changing the word 'Martini' to 'Grouse', as the recipient of this card drinks Famous Grouse whisky.
Finally, I merged the layers and printed it out to colour with my promarkers.
The patterned paper is by Doodlebug (Sugar Shoppe), and I framed it with SU's eyelet border punch with cerise card stock. I used the same card stock to die cut her name CAL (Carole) which I brushed afterwards with a clear glitter brush pen.
'happy birthday' was stamped using SU's Bring on the Cake stamp set.


Don't forget there's still time to join in our current sketch challenge. You can take your pick of 4 sketches provided.
At the moment, we are playing just for fun until Faith is fully recovered.
We would still love it if you'd continue to join in each week though, after all, crafting is indeed, fun!

Cold Suds

Hello! Happy Monday to you.
The FTHS team are back after their little break, and we have a new I {heart}sketches challenge for you.

Here's the sketch:

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, it's in the rules!


The twist this time is to use a gate fold technique, so...

I've used Cold Suds for this card, which is for my daughter's partner, who's birthday is at the end of the month. I coloured Hamlet with masculine colours and chose papers by Bazzill, Nordic Pines (music notes), and My Minds Eye, Complete Boy.
You can't see it, but I added some shimmer to the top of Hamlet's hat and the ice cubes with a Spectrum Noir clear sparkle brush pen.

I'm entering this card at:
Fab 'n' Funky - add a sentiment
Allsorts - frame it
ABC challenge - L for lots of layers

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of your day :)

FTHS June blog hop

Hello, and welcome to my stop on this month's From the Heart Stamps blog hop, and let me tell you, you are going to LOVE this one!

We have a fun and unique hop for you this month.
Every image is new and each designer got to choose what they would like for a special image and Faith designed them. How fun is that??!!! *Thank You, Faith*

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each blog. One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win the featured image on that blog.
In addition to the images offered on each blog, one very lucky hopper will be able to work with Faith to create an idea for a specially made image.
When you complete the hop and arrive back at the FTHS blog, please comment there, and say what kind of image you would like if you win the chance.

If you have arrived here from the lovely Imke, you are in the right place. If you haven't, why don’t you start at the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything. The full hop list is there too.

So, here he is, the image that Faith has so kindly designed for me...

Photo Ham PigWit

I squealed like an excited pigwit when I saw this image, isn't he fun?
I asked Faith to design this image for me because it's my sisters 50th birthday later in the year, and she LOVES piggies, so I thought having Hamlet posing through a photo frame (party booth style) would be perfect to celebrate her special day.

I printed Hamlet twice, and, after colouring with promarkers, I carefully fussy cut around Hamlet and the frame on one image, and just Hamlet on the second one so that I could layer the image with foam tape.
I added the glass of champagne, the party hat, and a gold number 50 (die-namics dies) to complete Hamlet and the frame.
I wanted balloons in the background, so coloured and cut them twice, then glued them behind the frame.
The sentiment is one of 3 you get as a bonus with this image.
The patterned papers used are from Lawn Fawn's 'pint sized patterns (beachside)' paper pad.

I'm entering this card at:
The Ribbon Girl Blog - June card challenge
Penny's paper crafty - anything goes
Crafts galore encore - anything goes
Seize the birthday - anything goes (no topping)
Moving along with the times - age related sentiment. 

Now, please head over to Kathy's blog to see what she asked Faith to design for her :)

I hope that you enjoy hopping with us today.
The hop will end on Sunday, June 12th at 6am EST (11am UK time).
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday, June 15th.

Hamlet PigWit in the planter.

Wednesday means that it's time for a little mid-week inspiration for From The Heart Stamps.
I've used May's Stamp Of The Month today, Hamlet PigWit in the Planter.
You still have almost 2 weeks to join in our progressive challenge, and earn yourself a free image, which will be the SOTM for June, just for taking part :)

Here's my card..

I coloured Hamlet with promarkers, then got out my pencils to add some more detailling, especially to draw in the wood effect on the planter.
I fussy-cut the image, and the sentiment, which is one of SEVEN that you get as a bonus.

I wanted to keep the focus on Hamlet, so decided on a simple card design. I used a Marianne border die (wave), and patterned papers by Prima (Believe). I raised these corners with foam, and also added foam to the centre of the card to support the image.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Passion for Promarkers - special anniversary - spots and/or stripes (my backing paper)
Scrap N' Challenge - anything goes
Stamping Sensations - anything goes

Thanks for looking :)

Pigging Out!

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

Our theme this time is "Pigging Out"

Faith has designed some awesome new PigWits especially for this hop too. You can check them all out HERE.
Not only that, Faith is generously offering a 30% discount off all PigWit images, and there's no code needed! Grab your favourites now ;)

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each blog. One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win an image of choice from the FTHS store.
We are having a little twist this month too! Some of our designers are adding ribbon to their projects. As you move through the hop, count up how many of the designers chose to use ribbon on their project. Email your answer to Faith: (faith@fromtheheartstamps.com) for a chance to win a $15 voucher to the FTHS store!

If you have arrived here from Imke, you are in the right place. If you haven't, why don’t you start at the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything. The full hop list is there too.

For my card, i've used Cold Suds...

I've coloured Hamlet (without his beer bucket) with promarkers then cut him out.
I've used the beer bucket image on its own inside the card.
The papers used are both retired MME ones, Stella & Rose (Hattie).
I cut the stars using a Marianne Creatables star die, the yellow is glitter cardstock.
The sentiment is one of 7 you get as a bonus when you purchase this fun image.

I'm entering this card at:
Ribbon Girl - May card challenge

Craft Your Passion - always anything goes
Creative Inspirations - for the boys
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

Now, please head over to Kathy's blog to see her fun creation.

I hope that you enjoy hopping with us today.
The hop will end on Sunday, May 8th at 6am EST (11am UK time).
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday, May 11th.

Good luck, and happy hopping! xx

PigWit Cheer!

Hello! happy Monday to you.
Today has a new I {heart}sketches challenge for From The Heart Stamps :)
Here's the sketch:

The twist this time is 'Watercolouring', so I got out my very limited supply of distress inks for my card...

This fab image is PigWit Cheer.
I used tattered rose, fired brick, and antique linen inks. Unfortunately, I didn't print my image onto watercolour card stock, so the end result isn't what I wanted because the inks didn't blend too good.
I also used the inks on the base card too.
I needed to outline my image again with a thin black marker once it had dried.
The sentiment is one of FOUR that you get for free when you buy this image :)
I chose this particular one, because I can add whatever greeting I need to the inside before I send the card... happy birthday, well done, you're the best...etc
The paper strips are scraps from my stash, and I used a small star punch to add some extra interest.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Sister Act card challenge - anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - use a stamp or digi
Use Your Stuff - anything goes
Crafting From The Heart - always anything goes
Sugar & Betty - anything goes 

You can find more inspiration, and enter the latest I {heart} sketches challenge by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join our progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!
Thank you for stopping by today, i'll be back on Wednesday with my mid-week inspiration post :)

Cute, Cute, Cute.

It's Monday, so that means it's time for a brand new I {heart}sketches challenge at From The Heart Stamps :)

Here's the sketch, the twist this time is to make a cute card...

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. It's in the rules! ;)

Here's my card...

The image is Hamlet PigWit Pig Out, Hamlet is such a cutie, so he's perfect for this weeks twist too.

I've coloured the image with promarkers.

The spotty paper is from Doodlebug's 'Hip Hip Hooray' paper pad.

The sentiment is by Stampin Up, from the 'Bring on the Cake' stamp set, although you do get 2 bonus sentiments when you buy this PigWit. One says "You are so stinkin' sweet!", and the other "It's your Birthday, pig out!" You also get a pencil shaded version of Hamlet too, and a co-ordinating image border of 4 cupcakes, I've used one of those cupcakes enlarged to the left of my sentiment.

I shall be entering this card into the following challenges:

I love Promarkers - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes
Creative Inspirations - Birthday Bonanza!
Simon Wednesday challenge - let's get sentimental

UPDATE:  Yay! thank you :)

You can find more inspiration, and enter the I {heart} sketches challenges by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

Have a fab day, thanks for visiting :)

Inspiration Wednesday

It's time for a little mid-week inspiration by From The Heart Stamps.

This lovely image is Hamlet and Harriet Pigwit Christmas Mistletoe, coloured, as is usual for me, with Promarkers.
I've used papers by Dovecraft, Back to Basics, Christmas (vintage), and have used this week's sketch as a starting point.
The sentiment is computer generated.

I'm entering this card at:
Allsorts - Animal Magic
That Craft Place - Christmas
The Ribbon Girl - Anything goes
Stamp & Create - Anything goes - Christmas

You can find more inspiration, and enter the I {heart} sketches challenge by clicking HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

FTH October Blog Hop

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

Our theme this time is "Think Pink"

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each blog.
One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win an image of choice from the FTH store.
And additionally, one commenter on the From the Heart Stamps blog will be selected to win a $15 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. The full hop list is there too.

Here is my card...

Here's my card recipe:
Image: Hamlet PigWit Icing on the Cake.
Sentiment: 'Happy Birthday 653F' by Catslife Press Rubber Stamps & 'friend' die by Clearly Besotted Stamps.
Spotty Paper: Fancy Pants 'Beach Babe'.
Colouring Medium: Promarkers.
Other Supplies: Die-namics Flowers & Leaf trio die, Die-namics Party Banner die, Xcut scalloped circle die, Cuttlebug embossing folder 'Mini Monsters Companions', card candi & pale pink lace ribbon from stash.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Creative Inspirations - lovely lace
The Pink Elephant - anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - make it feminine
Crafty Little Fairies - Only one DP
ABC challenge - U for unique (anything goes)
Crafts Galore Encore - Trick or Treat (I've gone for a 'sweet' project)
Cute Card Thursday - spots & dots

Now, please head over to Kathy's blog to see her beautiful card.

Thanks for hopping with us today.
The hop will end on Monday October 6th at 6am, EST.
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday October 8th
Good luck, and happy hopping! x

Pumpkin PigWit SOTM reminder

It's time for our mid-month reminder for the SOTM challenge at From The Heart Stamps.
Remember.... EVERYONE who plays, WINS!

If you joined in with the Stamp Of The Month challenge in July, you will have received Pumpkin PigWit via email.

You have until Sunday, August 31st, at 11:59pm CST (5.59am Monday, 1st Sept in the UK) to submit your entry, using the image shown below, and if you do, you will receive next month's SOTM digi emailed to you for free! cool eh?!

If you didn't play last month, you can still join in by buying the image from the FTH shop. OR you can still get the image for free when you spend $10 in the store, just grab the code needed from the SOTM challenge post.

Here's Pumpkin PigWit...

and you get all of those sentiments too! :)

Here's my card...

The spotty paper is from my Mabel pad (My Mind's Eye; Stella & Rose), and the striped is a scrap off an old sheet of paper by Chatterbox, I think the collection was called Chateau.

As you can see, I've used one of the sentiments that you get for free with this image.

I made my embellishment. I punched out 3 hearts and then used a pair of torn edge scissors, trimming away at the edges of the hearts. I sponged them and then coloured in the centres with my markers. I shaped them slightly by pushing gently with the end of a pen onto a foam mat. Then finished with some tendrils, which were just thin strips of cardstock wrapped around a pen, then I took the coil off the pen and pulled to loosen slightly to create the curls.

I'm entering this card at:
I love Promarkers - anything goes
A Random Fan - paper patterns
Papertake Weekly - spots & dots
Fantastic Tuesday - anything goes
2 Cute Ink - animals
Digi Galore - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
MilkCoffee Challenge - add stripes

So, now it's your turn ;) you can link up your SOTM entry HERE
Thanks for stopping by today xx

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 :)

Think Spring

I'm using From The Heart's stamp of the month for March on this card; Hamlet PigWit Think Spring.
You actually get 2 stamps this month (cool eh?) I used the daffodil image for my card today.

I've used my usual promarkers to colour up Hamlet and his little butterfly friend.
The sentiment is by Paper Smooches (sentiment sampler set) , and the paper is by Prima, from a pad called Believe.
I bought a new top out of my birthday money last week, and have cut out the ribbon that was inside across the neck, as those things annoy me, however, they don't annoy me when they are wrapped across cards ;)

I'd like to enter this card at:
From The Heart - March SOTM challenge
Cute Card Thursday - what a gem
Totally Papercrafts - female birthday

Thanks for looking :) x

Pig out!

There's a new sketch challenge today over at the From The Heart blog...

I've been meaning to use Hamlet PigWit Pig Out since I bought him last month, and he's been sitting on my desk coloured up, all ready to go on a card. I liked the idea of the sketch's twist being dry embossing, and I have a new folder that has swirls, perfect to give the impression of piped buttercream. Mmmm!
Here's my card...

The swirly embossing folder that I mentioned is from a pack of 4 folders by Cuttlebug (Heritage Companions set)
The striped paper is by Paper Cellar (wedding collection)
I stamped the birthday greeting from SU's Fun & Fast Notes stamp set, and used my SU eyelet border punch to make the pretty edge.

As well as the I (heart} sketches challenge, I'd like to enter Hamlet at:
Cute Card Thursday - what a gem
Totally Papercrafts - female birthday

I have another Hamlet card to show you, watch this space! ;)