Christmas is over!!!

Are you all ready for New Year after the Christmas festivities!!

At Unstampabelles we are still sparkling and trying to inspire you with our creations. The challenge is to create something that sparkles. It doesn't have to be a Christmas card. It could be a New Year card , birthday card or anything really as long as it sparkles.

My inspiration is a card I was commissioned to make for a young Danish lady....hope she liked it.

I started with gold card stock and added a beautiful decoupaged image. I'm not sure where it's from but it was in kit form.....someone may recognise it so I can give credit to the designer. The greeting was also in the kit. I finally added a wooden gold star to the top corner and Voila!!

Then I went to town with the gold stickles to give it sparkle. I smiled with delight when it was finished as it's a card I really enjoyed creating. Hope you like it too and it inspires you to join us at Unstampabelles (link in sidebar)

There's a generous prize on offer from Susan, a voucher for craft goodies. So pop over and enjoy the rest of the inspiration for you at Unstampabelles.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2016.

'Ring in the New Year'

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and are now counting down to the New Year. Last at CD Sunday Sue challenged you to make a last minute Christmas with the theme a Cool Yule. We had some great entries and I think you enjoyed that challenge. Now to this times challenge chosen by the lovely Carol. It's very appropriate for this time of the year 'Ring in New Year'. A great idea for that person we missed off the list for Christmas. I know I have forgotten at least one person this year.....smacked hands!!

This is my inspiration for you.

I started with white card stock and found some lovely paper on an Ooh La La CD Christmas Presence. I used this as the background and left a white border around the edge. I then trawled through my stock of images in My Pictures and found this one.....perfect...and it came with a New Year greeting!! .It a came with extra balloons so I was able to add two extra ones to the original image.

The design team and guest designers have created some fun cards to get your mojo working again after your Christmas break. So pop over to CD Sunday (link in sidebar) and enjoy!!

Have fun and I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2016!!

Sparkley Christmas

We are at the halfway point at Unstampabelles and you've have been creating some fab sparkly Christmas cards. I ma enjoying visiting all your blogs. There is still time to enter so get that glitter glitter pot out and sparkle!!

This is my halfway inspiration for you.

 

The base card is light gold card stock which I covered with some glittery fine mesh/tuille that I bought in the Christmas decs. section of a local DIY store ( as I sais once before crafters in Cyprus have to look in some strange places here in Cyprus for their craft goodies). I wrapped it around the card and secured it with glue dots on each corner. I then covered the glue dots with gold stars.

The image is from a CD by Ooh La La  'Christmas Presence'. To add more sparkle I added a strip of punched out waste of gold.....as a true crafter I throw nothing away.... Then gold peel off border strips we added to give it dimension. The greeting is also from the CD and I added it to gold card and rounded the corners with an Xcut corner punch. I then added gold stickle

s to the angel to give extra sparkle. No sparkley mess with this one but I did get in a tangle with the fine sparkley tuille which wouldn't play nicely for me and I thought I might end up kneeling on it while I glued it in place!!

 

I hope you find time in your busy schedule to make something sparkley to show us. The twist this time is to make us smile!! There'sa generous voucher on offer from Susan for crafting goodies. So go on what are you waiting for pop over to Unstampabelles.....link in sidebar....and get creating.

 

As this is my last post before Christmas I will take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy 2016.

CD Sunday 'A Cool Yule'

Good Morning bloggers. It's a bit chilly here in Cyprus. Well up here in the hills early mornings that is. It's much warmer down in the tourist area and I'm sure folks from the UK are really appreciating it after the floods and storms in the UK. I hope no one has been badly affected by it.

For the last challenge at CD Sunday Jocelyn asked you to look at the Colours of Autumn for your creation. We didn't have many entries but those who were brave enough created some fab cards. At CD Sunday this week Sue asks us to create a 'Cool Yule' card . Well Sue it's cold enough!! This is my inspiration for you.

The card is DL size, just for a change, using white card stock. I'd recently bought some silver washi tape at one of our 'euro' shops over here. I used this to create a background. The image is from Ooh La La 'Christmas Presence'. I thought this little guy was trying to look  'cool' with all his Christmas light bling wrapped around him!! The greeting was from the same CD. The blue snowflakes had been in my stash for eons. I added a white organza bow and pearl button on one corner.

I know you'll enjoy looking at the rest of the team has created. Link to CD Sunday challenge blog in side bar. This will be an opportunity for you to make a last minute Christmas card.....if like me there's always someone I've forgotten about, in spite of the ever growing list.

Have a good week and I look forward to visiting you to see what you've created.

'Let it Sparkle'

This will be Unstampabelles last challenge of the year. Where oh where has the year gone!!! Susan would like you to create something with a bit of sparkle.....who doesn't like sparkle at this time of year!! The twist is to make us smile. There's a voucher on offer courtesy of Susan .....pop over to Unstampabelles (link in sidebar) for more details.

This is my inspiration for you.

The image is from Crafts You Print. Sorry I am not sure who the designer is of this beautiful image. I have used this many times and the recipients always comment as to how beautiful it is and that it reflects the true meaning of Christmas.

It was simple to make. You just have to print it out add it to a square based card. The snowflakes and bow are decoupaged using 3D pads. The greeting was added to silver mirri card which photographs black....must be the lighting. Now for the sparkley bit. OOOhhh I love sparkle at Christmas. I used gold stickles. Now I don't know about you but I always end up with more on me than the card. I am a always promising myself NOT to touch it before it dries but somehow I always do. I always, always seem to end up with a fleck just under one eye. No matter how much cleansing I do it seems to remain. GRRRR. I do smile as I sparkle tho!! I bet that happens to you too!!

 

I hope this made you smile and you could see the sparkle!! For more inspiration pop over to Unstampabelles. I look forward to you making me smile when I visit your blogs throughout December.

I wish all my Belle followers a very Merry Christmas and a healthy 2016.
Have fun!

Anything Goes for Christmas!!

Yeh!!! At last the internet and my PC are both working again. Sorry for the lateness of this post but technology that doesn't work  has taken over my world at the moment!!!

At Crafting with Dragonflies Hilde said DT team 'Anything Goes. It's Christmas' So folks we are asking for anything Christmas related. This can be a card, gift, box, scrapbook page, 3D decoration.....anything as long as it's Christmas related. I went for a tree ornament made from some wired ribbon I had in my stash left over from last Christmas.

 

They are easy to make with a piece of wired ribbon approx. 2inches wide.

This is pleated , 7 pleats in total, for the skirt. Then pinch the top and staple it together. Take another piece and make 5 pleats. Pinch in the centre and staple it. Using a hot glue gun adhere wings to the body. Add a tiny bell with hot glue for the head, you could use a bead. Make sure the loop of the bell is at the top to make threading the ribbon for hanging easier. To finish add a gem to cover join of body and wings. Thread ribbon or thread to head to hang.

 

The angels will also stand alone without the need to hang as the wired ribbon makes them stable. If you need further instructions don't hesitate to ask me. You can probably find a video on You Tube showing you how to make them too. 

 

Please pop over to 'Crafting with Dragonflies (link in sidebar) to see what the rest of the team have created to inspire you. I look forward to visiting you and seeing what yummy projects you have made for Christmas.

Have fun!!

Colours of Autumn

Good morning. Well another week over and another computer crash!!! grrr So I'm back posting on the ancient laptop again! No piccies stored on here so I will add my inspiration for you later in the week when I get the poorly machine mended. I've now found a way around my PC problem so I am able to add a piccie for you.




You made some fab cards for my challenge at CD Sunday last time 'A Sprinkle of Snowflakes'. As you can imagine I'm having problems trying to choose my top three. You'll have to wait until the next challenge to find out if you're a winner. I'll be mailing a little something to you but as it's coming from Cyprus you will have to wait a wee while for it to be delivered.




The challenge at CD Sunday this time has been chosen by the lovely Jocelyn. She wants us to think of those vibrant Autumn colours to create something. It can be anything craft related as long as you use a CD in the making.

I chose a Katy Sue CD 'Fabulous Fashion' for my inspiration. I used orange card from my trusty Lidls card pack as the main card. The topper was printed out as it is......all there for you on the CD. The section I used was a decoupage sheet. Instead of decoupaging it I used the extra flowers at each bottom corner. I finished off with gold peel off corners. The sentiment was bronze peel off which I added to a banner strip.


 Pop over to CD Sunday to view more inspiration (link in sidebar) You'll see some fab creations from the rest of the team and our guest designers. Whom I must say have done a marvellous job for us and we have loved having them aboard. Thank you. Please pop over to their blogs and give them some love.




I hope you're having a lovely, relaxing weekend. I'm off to another Christmas craft fair today so you can imagine it'll be a bit hectic but fun !!


Happy crafting and dust off those CDs and get creating those Autumnal cards.

' Let it Snow' at Ooh La La

Good morning crafters and especially my lovely followers. I have tried to catch up with you but life has some how taken over recently. I've been a tad busy.....it must be Christmas!!

 

Last time Avril asked you to add pearls and lace to your card. We had some very pretty, girly entries. Pop over to OLL to see if you were a winner!!

 

Deborah has chosen the theme for you this time at Ooh La La and she wants to see lots of snow on your card!!

 

I chose an image from an OLL CD 'Festive Funnies'. I thought this would be ideal for a golfing buddy who plays golf whatever the weather. Mad I know but that's golfers for you!!

 



 

 

I used white quarter fold card stock....landscape orientation. The image was already triple mounted so I just had to print it off. The background paper is also from the CD as is the greeting tag. Such great value for money with these CDs.

 

I hope you find time to visit us at Ooh La La ( link in the sidebar) and enter this festive challenge. I expect many of you, like me, are knee deep in Christmas cards so this won't be difficult for you.

 

Have a great week and I look forward to visiting you soon.

 

 

 

Add a ribbon to your Christmas card

 

Good morning crafters. It's time for another challenge at Crafting with Dragonflies. This time Hilde wants you to add ribbon to a Christmas card. I've really enjoying visiting you during the last challenge, Let in Snow. We had some wonderful entries and choosing my Top Three was quite a task. Pop over to see if you're a winner (link in sidebar).

 

This is my inspiration for you. A quarter fold card in deep red card stock, which looks brown in the piccie.

 

I rounded the bottom corners with a corner punch by Xcut. I mounted a piece of burlap on to striped card and mounted two images on this. I used four copper brads to hold it securely to the card. Then I found three tiny charms in my stash and threaded ribbon to the top. The centre one is a holly wreath. The greeting was also in my stash.....not sure where it's from sorry. So that's how I've used my ribbon on this card. I hope you like it.

 

Have fun and don't forget to visit the rest of my teamies to see their creations and to give them some love.

 

I look forward to visiting you and have fun!!

'A Sprinkl;e of Snowflakes'

Good Morning crafters. I hope your weather is as good as ours for November. We've had an ideal month so far.....Yipeeeee!!! I know Winter is around the corner and I will be wrapped up warm but Summers are still the best for me. However I do like snow but not the cold winds that sometimes go with it. It's for this reason that I've chosen the challenge for you at CD Sunday ' A Sprinkle of Snowflakes'. Last time it was Carol's turn and she asked you to add something beginning with 'H' to your projects. We had some amazing entries and Carol is busy deciding on her winner and top three. So pop over to CD Sunday and see if you're the lucky one

 

I found some lovely images on my CD collection but finally decided on something from Creative Crafting World. The CD is 'A Winter Walk in the Countryside'. I must say this is something I miss about not living in the UK, those lovely frosty Winter mornings.

 

 

As you can see the card is a very simple square card. I printed off the image , which came with a border so there was no need to matt and layer. I added it to some white card stock and Voila!!! Of course as it's for Christmas I had to add a bit of glitter. I used Crystal Stickles. It looks gold in the photo but it is Crystal.

Now it's your turn. Don't forget this is CD Sunday so we ask you to add something to your project from a CD. It doesn't have to be the main feature it could simply be a sentiment, bow, border strip etc. Anything really as long as you tell us which CD you got it from. As usual I'll be choosing my Top Three and the winner will receive a small prize. So something yummy to look forward to in the post instead of the dreaded bills.

I hope you're well on the way with those Christmas cards!!! If not this is the time to start.

Have fun and don't forget to pop over to CD Sunday (link in sidebar) and see what the rest of the team and our lovely guest designers have made......you won't be disappointed. Don't forget to visit their blogs to find out more details about their cards and to give them some love.

Happy crafting!!

#193 'Pearls and Lace with Ooh La La

 

Good Morning crafters it's time for another challenge at Ooh La La. We had some fab entries last time for our challenge to Emboss. Pop over to see if you're a winner!!







Avril's turn to choose and she would like you to add Pearls and Lace. Such a lovely girlie theme.

 

This is my inspiration for you. I have chosen an image from 'Say it with Words'. This is a lovely CD with lots of inspirational quotes and fabulous artwork.

 

 

As you can see I've chosen something Christmassie......... as I'm snowed under here with Christmas.....how about you? The image was already placed on the mats so simple to make. I placed it on red card stock from a Lidls pad and then added it to white card stock. The lace cotton trim was a roll I bought here in Cyprus!!! Yeh!!! bet they don't have this in again.....you got to live here to understand the problem we crafters have. I added flat backed red pearl to the lace and Voila!! So easy when you use ooh La La CDs.

I hope you'll find time to visit the challenge blog and see what other yummy cards the design team have created ( link in sidebar). I look forward to visiting you and seeing what you've made.

Have fun!!

'Let it Snow' with the Dragonflies

 

Oooppppssss I'm a wee bit late with this one. PC probs grrrr. I won't bore you with the details.

 

It's my turn to choose the challenge theme at Crafting with Dragonflies. As I love snow, and we don't get any here except in the Troodos mountains for a short while, that is reason I've gone with it and it looks lovely on Christmas cards too. Last time Hilde asks you to think about Breast Cancer sufferers and survivors. We had some awesome pink entries and Hilde will be announcing her winner soon.

 

This is my 'snowy' card for you.



 

Isn't this image adorable of Mummy Polar Bear and her cubs. I went to town with the stickle on this image. Well it is a Christmas card and you have to have a bit of bling!! I mounted it on some curled corner DP from a CD by Ooh La La and placed a peel off snowflake 'in' the curl. I added a large white pointsettia,  as I didn't  have any large snowflakes, and some smaller snowflakes to finish. The greeting Winter Wishes was on the topper so I didn't need to add another sentiment.

I hope you find time to visit the Dragonflies and see what the team have created (link in sidebar) I'll be visiting you to give you some love and I'll be looking for some lovely snowy cards brrrr!!

Have fun!!!

Unstampabelles

I am using the ancient laptop again so I hope this works. It's a very short post as I have no piccies to inspire you (due to latest PC probs grrrr) only information about our latest challenge at Unstampabelles.

This time Susan says 'Anything Goes' and the twist is to add flowers or a flower. So easy peasy pie!! Don't forget it's NO stamps as we're Unstampabelles!! There's a great prize too but you're going to have to pop over to the challenge blog to find out what it is!!! Link is in sidebar for you.

I'm back Yeah!! Pc is working again so I can now complete this post.
This is the prize on offer at Unstampabelles.

It's a fab Poppy die kindly donated once again by Susan. Now who wouldn't want to win that.

Here is my inspiration for you. I've gone with Christmas roses.

 

As you can see it's a large DL easel cracker card. I got it from CUP. It does use a lot of card......almost 3 sheets of A4 but worth it I think. Everything comes with the kit including decoupage for the NOEL and flowers. Easel cards are easy to make and there are a lot of videos on You Tube.....just type in easel cards in the search box and you'll come up with dozen. The instructions do however come with this kit from CUP. 

I hope you have a great crafty week and are well on the way with those Christmas cards. I'll be back in a few days to add piccies etc when the PC is finally better again.....fingers crossed!!!

Back and updated the post. Whew!!! Don't you just hate it when you lose your 'right arm' so to speak!! Have a great week and don't forget to click on the link for Unstampabelles and start creating without stamping......go on you can do it!!!

'Something beginning with 'H'

Good Morning crafters. Well I'm scheduling this post on a an ancient laptop as my dearest computer is poorly with a virus!! Fingers crossed it all works.

The challenge at CD Sunday has been chosen by Carol and she wants something beginning with 'H'. at first I thought I'd not find anything then light bulb moment when I was doing the Christmas cards....Holly!!!  Last times challenge was 'Baby Love' selected by Sue. Although only a few of you joined us in the challenge, thank you, there were some yummy and Sue is going to have a hard task choosing her winner.

Here is my 'H' inspiration for you........

How cute is this image!!! It's from a Krafty Hands CD 'Holly and Snowflake' Christmas Friends'. All the images on the CD are of these two cutie pies!! I used green card stock for main DL card and covered half with background paper also from the CD.. I fussy cut the images and placed them using 3D pads.

The greeting topper was also from the CD. I then added plastic holly which I bought from a local store.....a bit like Poundland but a wee bit dearer. One of those stores where things are cheap but you spend a fortune. Anyway they are wall to wall Christmas at the moment so I went crazy!! The holly was one of the purchases. I made a border top and bottom with it and added some to 'Snowflake's' bow. Looks like 'Snowflake' has just sat on the Holly.....oooppppsss!!!

I've also made a box to put it in as it's a bit prickly to put in an envelope!! Don't want the posty to get prickly do we......especially at Christmas time!!

So there you have it my inspiration for you. They are many other ideas from the rest of the team and our lovely Guest Designers. So grab a cuppa and pop over to CD Sunday and enjoy!!! (link in sidebar)

Have a fun crafty week.......hope this works.....fingers crossed!!

OLL 'Embossing' with Allison

It's time for our fortnightly challenge at Ooh La La and it's Allison's turn to choose the theme.

It was my pick last time and all those Pretty in Pink creations were a joy to view. It made for a difficult decision when choosing my top three. I was backwards and forwards looking at all your yummy creations. To see if you made my Top Three pop over to Ooh La La (link in the sidebar) .....it might be you!!

Allison wants us to Emboss this time and this is my inspiration for you.

As you can see I used 'that' embossing folder. Yes it's the latest freebie in one of the craft magazines that everyone seems to be raving about. I must say it is pretty but it's not mine. I borrowed it from one of my craft buddies.....thank you Christine x I'm not sure which magazine she got it from or who made it but I know I as ill when it appeared in the supermarket here and I missed out :( grrrr
I embossed the white card stock and created a square card. Then added a sentiment from the OLL 'Say it with Words' CD. The pink gems were from my stash which I've had for eons and I've no idea where they were from.

So a simple made card, but very pretty, just using that embossing folder, a bit of bling and a sentiment from Ooh La La and Voila!!

Have a crafty week and don't forget to pop over to OLL (link in sidebar) to see what the rest of the Design Team have created. We had a DT call last time so there may be some news also of a new teamie coming soon.

Have fun creating!!

The Dragonflies are in the the 'Pink' !!!

Yes time for our next challenge at Crafting with Dragonflies and Hilde wants to see cards supporting Breast Cancer.....so pink it is!! I'm sure you all know of someone with this dreadful disease either suffering or recovering from it. Such brave people and many I know always have a smile for you.....so inspiring!!

We are not feeling in the Pink here in Cyprus mind you as our Summer has finally disappeared and we had an horrendous thunder and lightening storm last night which resulted in a power cut!! There were lots of floods in the old town too......47 I think the rumour says!! It's dried up today but looks very dark still so we may be in for another tonight......very scary stuff!!

This is my inspiration for you.

 I started with white A4 card stock folded making an A5 card. Then I added a layer of pale pink card stock and then a further matt in white which I embossed using the Cuttle Bug. The flower topper with the Breast Cancer pink ribbon symbol was in My Pictures.....I'm not sure who the artist is sorry. I matted with dark green.....it looks black in piccie....I placed it to one side and then found a piece of pink ribbon in my bits and pieces box and made a cross ribbon bow. The sentiment, in a perfect pink, was also put on a dark green matt. It reads 'For Someone Special'. I added a tiny butterfly and pink gems to the wings.

I hope you'll be inspired to Think Pink and visit Crafting with Dragonflies (link in sidebar) to see more wonderful creations from the team.

Have a relaxing weekend everyone!! .....and have fun!!

Rise and Shine!!!

We're halfway through this months challenge at Unstampabelles. It can be anything crafty as long as you don't use stamps UNstampabelles you see. The challenge is to create your interpretation of the sun either rising or setting and the twist is to use GOLD!!.....easy peasy.

My inspiration for you is not a card but a photograph taken of at a family wedding we had here recently in Cyprus. It shows the bride and groom by the shoreline and the wonderful sunset in the background. It was a fabulous day and lots of happy memories and catch ups with the family, whom we see so little of. I think they may be visiting again soon tho as they all had a wonderful time.

The design team have been very busy and there are lots of wonderful creations to inspire you. Please pop over to Unnstampabelles and see what they have created. There's a great prize for the winner too, kindly donated by Susan.

It's a great sunburst embossing folder. Now who wouldn't want to win that.

I hope you have a very crafty week and don't forget heads down and get those Christmas cards made!!! Have fun!!

'Baby Love' with Sue

It's Sunday and time for another challenge at CD Sunday. We had some lovely entries for last times challenge 'Bloomin Marvellous' chosen by Jocelyn.
 Jocelyn will be choosing het top three and the winner will be posted in two weeks. This time it's Sue's turn to choose and she's selected 'Baby Love' as the theme.
I just love making baby cards or anything baby related. In fact I just love babies!!! Yummy!!!

This is my inspiration for you.

 

The card is a DL size card and I had some lovely blue card stock from a Lidls card pad which I used. The CD is one of Joanne Sheens, 'Holly Hill Pond'. There are image on there for every occasion. It's a really useful CD. I fussy cut around the main image and mounted it on pale yellow card stock adhere with 3D pads to lift it. I also added a matching banner across the bottom. The birds nest and eggs in the bottom right corner were decoupaged.

s

There were some smaller images on the same sheet so I cut around the circular one......(.note to self....must invest in a circle punch when I visit the UK again!!). I placed this on the banner together with a baby duckling from my stash and a silk teddy that has been waiting to be 'loved' for eons!! Finally I added flower gems to the corners and a matching bow. Voila!!

I hope you find time to visit us at CD Sunday (link in the sidebar) and see what the rest of the team have created to inspire you......you won't be disappointed!! I look forward to visiting you all soon to see those yummy babies!!!

Have a good week. Talk to you again soon.

#191 OLL ' Pretty in Pink'

Good Morning to you from a much cooler Cyprus and guess what we even had some rain this week!!!That's enough about the weather lets talk crafty matters.

 It's my turn to choose the theme this time AT Ooh La La challenges and as I'm a Pink Lady.....I just love everything Pink.....I decided upon ''Pretty in Pink''. So a lovely girly theme for you this time. Our theme last time was chosen by Janice and she asked you to Get Krafty. We had lots of fab entries and that didn't make Janice's job easy when choosing a winner. To see if you made the top spot click on the Ooh La La challenge blog ( link in the sidebar) and find out if it's you!!!

To inspire you this time I went to the wonderful Ooh La La CD 'Say it with words'. This is a great CD and the inspiring words are so apt for numerous occasions.

Everything I have used on this card is printed directly from the CD. How cool is this!!

I hope you have fun creating and I look forward to visiting you to give you some love. Now take a look at what the rest of the team have made to inspire you. Simply stunning!!

Dragonflies are Recycling

Over at Crafting with Dragonflies it's CG's turn to choose the challenge. She would like you to create a card using something that normally wouldn't be used in crafting.

I thought I'd show an idea that I may have shared with you before.....not sure. Forgive me if I have but I thought it was such a simple but effective idea that it was worth showing to you again.

 I had been given some paint colour strips that you get in DIY stores. One of my crafters had gone a bit crazy and collected dozens of them !!! You know what crafters are like if they see something that might be useful. She didn't have any use for so many so she gave some to me. One of her ideas had been to use them on cards.and she showed us what she had done. The strips of paint colour samples were used as toppers and she then punched out flowers in co-ordinating colours. Here is my take on her idea.

 

Paint colour samples fro DIY store.

 

I started with piece of pink card stock and made a DL card. I trimmed one of the 'strips'  to fit on to a piece of deep plum card stock and rounded the corners of both with a corner punch. Then I punched out small flowers from each colour strip. You will need two 'strips' if you want to create the same card. Mine were matching but you could co ordinate the colours. These were placed in each section and I reversed the colours so the lighter one was placed on top and darkest at the bottom thus creating a contrast of mono tones. I added gems to the centre of the flowers and a bow and greeting banner to finish.

 

 

This one was done by fellow crafter who's idea it was originally.....thank you Christine.

 

Similar idea but using a daisy punch and placing the flowers off centre on each section. She has found more ideas recently in a craft magazine so we'll be playing with those ideas at a later date.....watch this space.

 

So thanks to CG for choosing this challenge and making me revisit this idea. The design team have been creative too with their recycling so click the link for Crafting with Dragonflies in the sidebar and it'll take you direct to the challenge blog. Some fab creations from the team.  Now it's your turn to put your recycling hat on and get creative. Have fun and I look forward to visiting your blogs to see what you've come up with it.

Have a lovely weekend crafters.

 

Unstampabelles October challenge.

It's a new month and a new challenge over at Unstampabelles. I think you loved the Boyz theme last month. There were lots of great male themed cards....thank you for sharing them with us.We are busy choosing our winner and  DT choice which Susan will announce on 12th. So don't forget to pop back then.....it could be yooooouuuuu!!

This month the theme is 'Sunrise or Sunset' and the twist is to add lots of Gold to your creations.

This is the prize that Susan has kindly donated for you.

It's a fabulous Sunburst embossing folder. I think you'll agree that this is well worth winning. Good Luck!

For my card I found an unusual Sunset. I thought the colours were wonderful and couldn't resist it. It's been in my stash for eons so it was time to use it I thought. The image came with the window frame. I'm not sure where it's from but someone may know. If you do let me know so that I can give credit to the artist. The colours are truly amazing!!

I picked out the colour purple from the top of the sky to match up. This was a piece of A4 folded in half to make an A5 card. Then remembering the twist was Gold Gold Gold I put a strip of bright yellow card stock across the centre. I know it's not Gold but it's sunshine yellow so I think that counts too lol!! I placed the image centrally and then the window frame was added using 3D pads. To balance I placed another strip of designer paper across the bottom......this has flecks of colour in it. Not sure what you call this paper but it's very flimsy. I found a greeting in  my stash which matched the sunshine yellow of teh card stock and added two purple flower gems. Then raided my peel off stash for gold corners for the frame and borders which I added to the frame and across the top, middle and bottom just to glitter it up a bit and Voila......finished!!

I hope you've been inspired. There's more inspiration for you over at Unstampabelles (link in sidebar). My teamies are very creative as you will see. 

Well that's all for now folks. I look forward to you comments,which are always appreciated. Have a good week crafting and most of all have fun!!

"Bloomin Marvellous"

Good Morning peeps. Well it's a wee bit cooler here in Cyprus.....well cooler in comparison to the mad hot Summer.
 Over at CD Sunday there's another challenge waiting for you. It was my turn to choose the theme last time and what happened!!! Some fab entries for 'Pearls and Lace' but a bit sparse. Thought you'd like a girly card but I got it wrong.....smacked hands for Wynn lol!!

This time it's Jocelyn's turn to choose the theme and she says' Bloomin Marvellous!!'. Well that means all those fab flower CDs that I know you have hiding away in your craft room. So dust them off and start creating please. Lets have a Bloomin good show this week lol!!

This the CD I chose to make my inspirational make for you. I used a Debbi Moore CD Shabby Chic Vintage Rose. One section of the CD gives you templates for giftware so that made this an easy make.

I simply printed it off, scored, folded and adhered it with hi tac tape and Voila!!!.....finished. The matching gift tag was also on the CD. The top of the bag folded over and I covered a clothes pin with some of the same paper as the bag to make a fastener for the bag. I usually punch holes in the top and thread ribbon through for a fastener but somehow I felt this worked better and it avoids getting the 'holes' out of alignment.

So an easy make this week. To see what the rest of the team and our lovely guest designers have created to inspire you grab a cuppa and pop over to CD Sunday challenge blog (link in sidebar).

I look forward to your comments. They are always very much appreciated and put a wee smile on my face. I hope you have a crafty week and have fun!!!

#190 'Let's Get Crafty'

We're ready for another challenge for at Ooh La La. We had some fab entries for the Ribbons and Bows challenge. I could tell you enjouyefd making those and Susan has had a a problem choosing her top three. To see if you're a winner pop over to the challenge blog ( link in sidebar)

This time Janice has challenged us to use Kraft card when creating our cards. I must say this threw me at first as I thought '' Mmm Kraft card? Don't think I have ever seen that here in Cyprus'' However when I was pointed in the right direction by Janice....thank you xx I realised it was really just brown card that you find in lots of packaging only now it's got one of those fancy names that manufacturers love!!

This is my creation for you.

I know a wee bit early for Christmas but really you can't be too early when you've got as many cards as me to make!!

I used the fab CD from Ooh La La Xmas Presence and printed off a sheet of toppers. There are several images on the same sheet so an opportunity to make more than one cards using the same cute image. The greeting is also from the same CD. I made a tag from the Kraft card stock and added the greeting and ribbon. I wanted to soften the card so I also added a white peel off border strip along the top edge.

So a cute card that I struggled to make but I was pleased with the result.

To see the rest of the teams inspiration for you pop over to Ooh La La challenges (link in side bar). There are some fab creations for you to drool over!!!

Have a great week and happy Krafting!!

'Belles' Final Week

Whewww where did the month go! It is the final week for you to get those male cards entered in the Unstampabelles challenge. We've had some great entries so far and he was me thinking you didn't like making male cards. My inspiration for is a card I made for my football crazy Grandson.

The image was in My Pictures and I'm not sure where it came from. I googled his favourite team's badge. This was fussy then added to the top corner along with his name and birthday age.

The twist this time is to blog journal about what makes a great male card. As you can see I went with sports equipment which I think is always good for male cards if you know which sport they follow of course. Keep your card simple and don't add fussy bling or bows.

Susan has once more generously provided a fab prize of decoupage sheets and stickers.

To see more inspiration for those male cards check out what the rest of the team have created at Unstampabelles (link in sidebar) Don't forget rule is NO STAMPS digi or otherwise ....thank you x x

Have a great week and I look forward to reading all your comments and visiting your blogs.

'Anything Goes ' with Dragonflies

Good Morning crafters and bloggers. It's time for another card challenge at Crafting with Dragonflies. Last time Susan chose a Magical theme.....we had lots of fairies!! Susan now has the difficult task of choosing her top three....it won't be easy!!

This time Hilde has chosen 'Anything Goes'. Now I know this is always popular with you  so we are expecting lots of yummy entries. I can't wait to visit you all and see what you come up with. Don't forget although it's 'Anything Goes' it has to be a card. So easy peasy for you this time.

This is my inspiration for. It's a shaped teapot card that I got from CUP. I made for my MIL 's birthday.

This was an easy card to make as all the elements are easily printed off from CUP. The flowers are decoupaged and the tags come in a variety of sentiments. I just added a narrow green ribbon to the top of the tag and adhered it with a glue dot. Voila!!

I hope you have fun with this challenge. I look forward to visiting you. Pop over to 'Crafting with Dragonflies' (link in sidebar) and see what the rest of the Dragonflies have made to inspire you.

Have a crafty weekend!!

Midway with the Belles.

Well can you believe it we are halfway through Septembers challenge at Unstampabelles. The challenge is to make a card for the males in your life. Not at favourite I thought but I was wrong we have had some amazing entries so far this month.

This is my midway inspiration for you.

This was a project we did at with my craft group and the idea came from my co leader, Terri. She challenged us to use corrugated card in our creation and also provided the waistcoat template. This is what I made. The turquoise card base was from a Lidl's pad and the design paper was a wall paper sample that I sent away for eons ago!! I cut out small pieces of the 'background' paper to make pockets, a handkerchief and buttons. I also used it to line the waistcoat. Finally I added a gold corner peel off and a peel off sentiment 'Its your day'.

We are also looking for you to journal about your idea of a perfect male card. I definitely used KISS  here don't you think. The colour of the waistcoat is more male too and the corrugated card I think looks like corduroy. So all elements for a male card and defo not girly!!

Pop over to Unstampabelles (link in sidebar) and see what the rest of the team have to inspire you.....you won't be disappointed. There are some lovely decoupage sheets and toppers to be won. Kindly donated by Susan.

'Pearls and Lace' at CD Sunday

Good Sunday Morning to you. It's time for another challenge at CD Sunday. First of all I've got to say WOW!! There were some fab entries for Carol's 'Gorgeous Gowns' last time and choosing her top three is going to be difficult!!

This time I have chosen 'Pearls and Lace' so another pretty girly challenge.....two in row whatever was I thinking!!

This is my inspiration for you.

The CD I have used is one of Debbie Moore's latest. It's called 'Elegant Moments'. There are some fab images on this CD and I had difficulty choosing just one!!

I used white card stock for the main card. Then I scanned some lace material to make the background paper. The bottom edge you can just see shows how the lace fell on to the scanner making an interesting border line I thought . So I decided to place it a short way up from the bottom of the white card to give it a 'broken' edging.....hope you understand what I mean.

The image was placed at an angle and the sentiment I adhered with 3D pads. Finally I made a bow with some ribbon from my stash and placed flat backed pearls around the sentiment and along the bottom of the lace. You can see that her dress just hangs over the bottom edge of the frame and again this breaks up the straight line......I liked that idea.

You will fund lots of fab inspiration from the rest of the design team over at CD Sunday (link in sidebar). Please pop over and visit them and don't forget to give them some love. I look forward to visiting you all and seeing what yummy creations you have made for this time's challenge.

Have a great week crafting!!

Ooh La La #189 'Ribbons and Bows'

We had some fab entries for last time's challenge Signs of Autumn and it has been very difficult for Pauline to choose her Top Three. To see if you're a winner pop over to OLL (link in sidebar). This time it's Susan's turn and she's asking you to use Ribbon and Bows on your creation......very girly!

I have chosen an image from 'Say it with Words'

Isn't this cute. I'm sure any cat lover will appreciate this. I added a doiley behind the image and placed it on some turquoise card stock. My ribbon is some yellow ric rac from a crafty friend.....she knows who she is. I made a matching double ribbon bow using the fork method....lots of videos demonstrating this on Youtube.

For more inspiration pop over to OLL (link in sidebar) to see what the rest of the team have to inspire you. Then why not have a go yourself.....you know you want to. Have fun!

'Something Magical'

The challenge this fortnight at Crafting with Dragonflies has been chosen by Susan and she wants us to create something magical. This can be many things such as angels, fairies or even a magical event like a new born baby or in nature like the sun rising or setting. The choice is yours. This is a fun quiz so no prizes just the honour of being in the top three.


I have chosen one of the lovely flower fairies for my inspiration. This one is the lavender fairy.

I placed the topper on  toning background paper....not sure where is was from. I added two sentiments from my stash 'Just to say' and 'Happy Birthday' bordered with silver peel offs. The main card is a deckled edge A5 card from Tonic. It was cream originally so I inked the edges in lavender to match.

For more inspiration pop over to Crafting with Dragonflies to see what the rest of the team have created. I'm sure you're going to love making something for this challenge. Have fun!

'Boys Will Be Boys'

It's time for another challenge over at Unstampabelles and this time Susan would like you to create one of those difficult Boy's cards lol. Don't we just love making those. The twist is to blog about what you think makes a good card for the boys.

My thinking is :

• it needs to be plainish
• no sparkles
• no girly pink
• no lace or ribbon
• images of a sporty nature
• scenery
• animal images...e.g. favourite pooch
• favourite football team colours

This is my inspiration for you.

This was made for a young man who was 21 and into gaming with his xbox and his mobile phone is permanently attached to him!! This image has been in 'my pictures' for eons so I'm not sure where it was from (anyone help out with this so I can give it credit) The main card is a piece of black A4 card folded in half. This was another simple make . I printed it off and put on the black card stock and Voila!! No extra embellishments were added. Keep it simple for 'The Boys'

Now why don't you have a go. Remember no stamps please and blog about what makes a great male card.

Great prize again this time too from Susan.

                                                 A pack of decoupage sheets and stickers.

Link to Unstampabelles in side bar. Have fun!!

'Gorgeous Gowns'

Good Sunday Morning fellow crafty bloggers. I'm scheduling this post as I've got family visitors staying with us. They are here for a wedding so something lovely to look forward to.

This time over at CD Sunday Carol has chosen 'Gorgeous Gowns' as the theme. That may make you think of Wedding Gowns but there are plenty of CDs out there with gorgeous gowns on them. So I'm looking for to seeing lots of entries for this one. We also have two guest designers Meg and Pauline. A big welcome to them .....glad to have you both aboard.  So even more inspiration for you over at CD Sunday  this fortnight (link in sidebar)


I made my card earlier this month for my DIL. I thought the image was so pretty that I couldn't resist it.

The image is from a Debbi Moore CD 'Party Divas Milestone Birthdays'. The main card is from my stash in a pretty crushed strawberry which matched the gloves and bag in the image. It was quick and easy to make . I just printed off the image placed it on the card stock and Voila. I felt it need nothing adding to it as the sentiment was already printed on there too. So a very quick make for those times you need a card in a hurry....like I did for this one....smacked hands cos I nearly forgot her birthday!!

I hope you feel inspired to join us at CD Sunday and don't forget you need to use something from a CD no matter how small. Don't forget to tell us which CD it came from.

Have fun!!

#188 'Signs of Autumn'

Time for another challenge at Ooh La La. Last fortnight Michelle asked us to make 'One for the Boys,. We had some great entries and I know Michelle has had a difficult task choosing her top three. If you ant to see who is gracing the Top Spot this time then pop over to Ooh La La challenges (link in the sidebar) and see if it's you!!


It's Pauline's turn to choose the theme this time. She has gone for a lovely theme 'Signs of Autumn'. The colours of Autumn are always glorious so I'm sure you'll love creating something Autumnal this time around.


I browsed through the Paula Oakley OLL CD. This is fast becoming a firm favourite with me. There are so many images on there that are suitable for most occasions. It's well worth investing in and I know you won't be disappointed.

This was a simple card to make as everything I used was on the CD. So just a case of printing the background and image and  ribbon strip arranging landscape orientation and voila!! The greeting is from 'Carnival of Colour' another great CD from OLL.

I'm sure you'll enjoy creating something for the challenge this time. Why not grab a cuppa, sit back and realx and pop over to OLL to see what the rest of the design team have created. There are some fab inspirational cards for you to view. Don't forget to visit their blogs and give them some love. Have fun!!!

The Dragonflies are back!!!

Did you know Crafting with Dragonflies is up and running again. Hilde is now returned to good health and decided to re-launch the challenge blog. We wish her well and I'm sure if the support she has received thus far is anything to go by the challenge blog will once again be very successful.


This fortnight Hilde asked us to create something for the theme 'Under the Sea'. Now she doesnt' want to ships and lighthouses etc but you need to under the water to find your treasures.




I had a great time browsing through my stash and came across this old decoupage sheet by Gerri called 'Ocean Treasures'....perfect for the challenge. I love the colourful coral and the seaweed.

I decided to make a side stepper card and found some lovely 'fishy' background card to create 'mats.' for the steps. The decoupaged 'Ocean Treasures' image was placed along the front step. I found some diecut shells and a starfish and placed them alongside. Then I googled 'seahorse images' and found this colourful fellow. I fussy cut it out and placed it on the tall side step. More diecut shells and starfish were placed on the steps behind. Finally I added a cute greeting ' Best Fishes' from my stash (not sure of origin... if you know please tell me know and I can acknowledge the creator) and Voila!!

So I am back enjoying designing creating for 'Crafting with Dragonflies'. Please pop over to the challenge blog and give Hilde your support and blessings. Remember this doesn't have to be a greeting card it could be anything crafty. Go on have fun you know you want to. I look forward to seeing your creations!!

CD Sunday "Bear with me"

Good Morning fellow crafters. I hope you're enjoying the hot weather in the UK and I hope you aren't shivering in Oz.

Last week at CD Sunday Jocelyn gave you a lovely photo to inspire you. We had some great interpretations ......very inspiring. Pop over next week to see if you are in Jocelyn's Top Three.

This week it's Sue's turn to challenge you and she's asks us to "Bear with me". I'm intrigued to see what you conjure up with this title. This is my interpretation.

I used a lovely CD from Ooh La La. It's the Paula Oakley collection. The image and the background paper are both from this CD. Isn't that teddy adorable! The sentiment tag is from Debbie Moore Shabby Chic Collection...... "Sending you Teddy Bear hugs"..... The main card is an A4 piece of card stock folded landscape style.


If you need more inspiration pop over to CD Sunday (link in sidebar) and see what my teamies have created......you won't be disappointed. Don't forget to use a CD to create your card and tell us which one you have used.


Have a good week and happy crafting!!

#187 'One for the boys' at OLL

Good Morning crafters. Are you ready for another challenge at Ooh La La.....hope so. Don't the weeks fly by. Last time we asked you for all things 'Nautical'. I think you liked that theme....I know I did. We had lots of fab entries. So thank you for showing us your creations. I really enjoyed visiting some of you to see how you made your projects. If you pop over to OLL now you'll see if you're in our top three (link in sidebar)

Now on to this times challenge and its 'One For the Boys' chosen by Michelle. Now I know a lot of you don't like making cards for men or boys but we've got some wonderful inspiring pieces of work for you from our design team. So pop over and visit and get your 'mojo' working.

 This is my card for you

It was made using the Quick Cards section on the new Paula Oakley Collection.CD from Ooh La La. There truly is something for every occasion on this CD so well worth buying....you won't be disappointed . The artwork throughout is stunning. The only extra I did to this quick card was to add the greeting which I printed off from another OLL CD 'Carnival of Colour'

Have a fun week and I look forward to visiting you and sending you some love.

Midway at Unstampabelles

Can you believe this month is halfway over....it'll soon be Christmas.....now there's a thought!! How many of you have started on your Christmas cards yet. I've done one or two but never start in earnest til September and then always rushing at the last minute!

It's time for our midway inspiration at Unstampabelles. This month Susan has challenged us to use white and a hint of one other colour. The prize is fabulous pack of lace ribbons donated by Susan.

Some yummy goodies there for you. My inspiration for you is this sympathy I made using two new embossing folders that my crafting colleague brought to the group for us to try. Not sure who its made by.

It's a gatefold card as you can see. Each side is embossed with a different folder. The black flowers were a RAK which I think may be from Susan..not sure....but they arae lovely. Thank you whoever sent them to me. I added a diecut flourish to them and also popped one in the corner. On the opposite side I used two diecut ovals, one black and one white, and layered them. Finally adding silver peel offs 'Just to say'. I printed of a verse from the CD Cardmaking Factory and added a black flourish above the verse to link it with the front.

I hope you find a moment to pop over to Unstampabelles (link in sidebar). You won't be disappointed with the inspiration from my other Belles. Please visit them and give them some love. If you're tempted to join in the challenge don't forget to follow the theme and don't add any stamped image or greeting....remember it is Unstampabelles.

Have a good week whatever you get up to.

CD Sunday

Good Morning from a sizzling hot Cyprus. Yes we are still in the middle of a mega heatwave.....Phew!!! Bring high factor sun blocker if you're visiting this week.
What a crazy week it's been here which culminated in OH changing over to Windows 10. Well it was a nightmare. It didn't like blogger at all and I seriously thought I'd have to give up blogging.....now what would I do then lol!! Anyway Wendi from Ooh La La sent me a link to change back to Windows 7 and it worked a treat. So thank you Wendi and I'm hopefully back blogging again. Well not quite still having probs uploading piccie but after a bit of Percy I've managed to give you something but in a roundabout way lol.....I won't bore you with the details.
Time for our next challenge at CD Sunday but first let me thank you all for your fab creations for my choice of theme 'Rock Star' I know this is going to be difficult to choose my top three, as we had some 'rocking' entries!! Check out CD Sunday in two weeks to see if you were a winner!! (link in sidebar)


This time Jocelyn has given us a photo for inspiration.....something a bit different....





Lots there on this tile to inspire you with this tile pattern I'm sure you'll agree....colours, shapes etc.

This is my creation. (Better picture than earlier after many hours of hair tearing!!! Long story.....won't bore you lol)

You can see I was inspired by the colours and the background paper seems to reflect the design of the tile.

I've used Ooh La La's CD with Paula Oakley's amazing artwork for image and background paper plus the greetings is from Ooh La La too 'Carnival of Colour'. The whole design is on cream card stock.

I hope this has inspired you but if you need more inspiration please visit CD Sunday challenge page and check out what the rest od the design team have created. There's also some breaking news on there but I won't spoil the SURPRISE!!!.....so off you go.... click on the link in the sidebar.

Have a great week and keep cool if you are visiting and keep out of the sun.

Ooh La La #186

It's time for another challenge at Ooh La La. Last time we asked you to show us your Christmas cards. There were many fab entries and choosing a top three was difficult as usual. This time it's a Nautical theme and this makes me think of wonderful sailing weather which it is here at the moment. It would be lovely to be out on a boat when it's hot with a breeze to cool you down.

My inspiration for you comes from Ooh La La's latest CD with the wonderful artwork by Paula Oakley. The range of beautiful images on this CD is amazing. If you haven't already purchased it you are missing out guys. Pop over to the Ooh La web site and check it out you won't be disappointed.

I chose a side stepper design for my card using Kraft card. The background paper is from the same CD. I added the image to the first step at an angle. The sign above the image, To the Beach, was from my stash. The verse on the back step was originally a bookmark with sentiment also from OLL. I thought the card would be appropriate for a retirement card so I added the greeting, "Congratulations on your retirement" which was in my stash. The starfish wooden embellishments that I added to finish it off have been in my stash for eons...not sure where they came from sorry. The bottom step I  left blank to personalise it later.

If you want more inspiration please pop over to see what the rest of the team have created. The link to OLL is in the sidebar.

Have a crafty week and I look forward to visiting you all soon.