Thursday, 2 October 2014

My Guest Design Team project(s) for Recycle, Re-Purpose and Reinvent

The overall theme of CS Designs blogs focuses on Recycling 
and using Throwaway items in your Art.

I hope you like my Guest Design Project for this wonderful blog that I have the fabulous honor to be a guest for this month of October. I will be posting another
project in a couple of weeks. For this first challenge of Recycle, Re-Purpose and Reinvent
Ive transformed recycled a milkshake powder tub that my teenage daughter was
about to throw away. I instantly thought of a sturdier holder for the larger pairs of scissors that I use in my crafting (3 pairs lol). The largest & heaviest being my ribbon scissors, (see the photos below, as the dark purple handled scissors are the pair that Im on about). So I started getting my stash ready for this project. 


First I need to tell you about: 


We're Also Having A Blog Hop with lots of Fun Prizes
To help us Celebrate our 1st challenge here on Recycle, Re-Purpose & Reinvent. 
 
There are 7 blogs participating in this Hop and 6 Great Prizes to be given out. Because we want you to become acquainted with our  fabulous new team you must  visit and leave a comment on Every Participating Project Post along the way in order to be eligible to win any of our prizes. 

There will be 6 winners altogether,:  3 will be chosen from all the comments left on our participating posts, 2 will be chosen from all those that participate in our 1st challenge and 1 from those that find the hidden ghost somewhere on the CS Designs Store. Our Blog Hop starts today Oct 1st, 2014 and ends  at 11:55 October 13th, and winners will be announced on Nov 1st. All Winners will receive their choice of 3  digital designs from the CS Designs Online Store. 
 
Art you ready to party? 
 
You need to start HERE - ON THIS BLOG
(There are two ways to win on this blog, join our challenge or leave us a comment)

Marg..Crafty Cards by Marg(You are here)
Chris ... Doodle Pieces 
Chris ... / CS Designs   .. The store does not allow comments so to play and be eligible for a prize you will have to find my little ghost hidden somewhere among my designs and write to me with where you found him. I will chose 1 winner from all those who find him.
 

Note: Because we all live in different parts of the world, our blogs may not all go live at the same time, so if you visit a blog and can not find the blog hop post, come back  here a little later, check the links and try visiting again.  




Now back to my project of transforming the milkshake tub. (Ive posted photos below showing before and after).
I started with the blank tub and glued on 2 pieces of backing papers from my own stash to cover over the details of what was in the tub. I also took the paper slightly higher than the top of the tub so it wasnt showing the silver coloured trim. I then added a thin strip of black lace using extra strong double sided tape, followed by a strip of dark brown "eyelash" trim (so called as it looks like eyelashes). The next thing I did was to wrap a wide strip of loose weave hessian around the base and tied a bow using an old piece of garden twine that I found in my "oddments" drawer in the kitchen.. lol (I dont suppose anyone else has one of those drawers do they???)
After making sure that all the lace/twine & hessian were stuck down & dry I coloured a picture of 

Zombie Powder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dark And Edgy / Artful Sentiment
from the 
Haunting Apparitions 
section of the website


in an Almond colour from my Graph It marker/alcoholic pen collection to give it an antique/classic/old look about it. It turned out rather good if I say so myself.  Now to the back of the tub, I didnt want it to look "bare" without a picture/image so I decided to add the 

Shrunken Head 1
Shrunken Head Digital Stamp
from the 
Haunting Apparitions


which was coloured with a mixture of Promarkers & Graph It pens, apart from the "nail" through the hair tie which I coloured with a Silver coloured Sakura metallic pen. He was close cut out and stuck down with Collall glue gel.

Thats it!! I hope you have liked my first post for Recycle, Re-Purpose and Reinvent Challenge Blog and that you will join in our Blog Hop, which gives you the chance to see the Design Team members of this wonderful blog, take a look through at their styles & their previous creations. 
regarding the blog hop, dont forget to start off on the first one on the above list, which is the Challenge Blog itself!!!  Good Luck!!

I am entering this project in to the following challenges:

The Sisters of Craft, October, Theme is Anything Goes http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/sisters-of-craft-october-anything-goes.html

Divas By Design, Wednesday, 1 Oct 2014, Theme is Spooky Creations

http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/spooky-creations.html

Inspiration Destination, #1 Theme is Anything Goes
http://ema-ginationstation.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/AG-ch-1.html

Little Tangles #46, theme is Anything Goes
http://www.littletangles.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/challenge-46-anything-goes.html

Sassy Studio Designs DTBST #249, theme is Anything Goes
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/dtbst-249-anything-goes.html

The Pink Elephant #270, theme is Anything Goes
 http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-pink-elephant-challenge-tpe270.html

My Craft Creations challenge 29/9-11/10/2014, theme is Anything Goes
http://craftcreatoins.blogspot.co.uk/p/new-challenge.html

Crafting By Designs October, theme is Anything Goes
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/october-anything-goes.html

Creative Inspirations, Challenge 283, theme is Lovely Lace!
http://cinspirations.blogspot.com.es/2014/10/challenge-283-lovely-lace.html










Sunday, 28 September 2014

A bit of Goth....


Hiya peeps

A darker side of me for this post using an image drawn by the awesome Rick St Dennis. His drawing of  SkuLl with Roses (which can be found by clicking on the link).  I decided that I wanted to decorate a large tag with this coloured (by Promarkers) beautiful digi stamp.  I  die cut the Majestic labels by Spellbinders and glued the image to it.
I dont want to go into too much detail regarding the creation of this tag, as not only is this post photo heavy, I dont want the text to be so long either!!
If you have any questions about what I used and where I brought it, please leave me a comment & I will answer asap, usually by the next lunch time.

I am entering this creation in to the following challenges:

RSD September 2014 Progressive Challenge

Paper Wings Productions, Sept Challenge theme is: Ribbon or Twine

Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog, the theme is: Favourite Embellishment (mine being ribbons)

Decorate To Celebrate, theme is Anything Goes  (Party item is a gift tag for a teenager) 

Scribble & Scrap Challenge Blog #28 - 3 Entries Only!









Thursday, 25 September 2014

A Special Card For A Special Little Girl

Hiya peeps,

Two posts in one day, well you are honoured!!! lol ;0

This post is all about a Birth Congratulations card that I recently made for a dear friend of mine daughter. I had known the mum & daughter for over 10 years now & it feels so much longer as they are really lovely ladies. Im sure that the daughter is a fantastic mum. Im just so sorry that they no longer live close enough for a quick visit. Anyway the little girl who was born & to whom this card is for is, as you have probably guessed is called Hope and she is absolutely gorgeous.
I decided to create an extra special card for them and this is the result... an acetate front card in the shape of a dress. I know for a fact now that it was received with great admiration and compliments of " Its gorgeous" and "It will definitely go into Hope's memory box".
I did draw the dress myself and all of the design is of my own imagination. The greeting/sentiment/verse was printed off, die cut out using Spellbinders Grand Decorative Oval die set and placed on the reverse of the "dress". I used Crafters Companion 400gsm construction strength acetate. I also made the box for the card too, complete with pink tissue paper from my own stash and tied with a white organza ribbon.
Please feel free to comment below with any questions or comments you may have.

I am entering this card in to the following challenges:

Totally Gorjuss Challenge & the theme is: Baby

7 Kids Challenge #109: Anything Goes with a twist of Ribbons or Lace (Ribbon & Lace used, both in pink) also used Spellbinders Grand Decorative Oval die set available in your store by clicking on the blue description just above.

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge, theme is: Shaped Card

Miriam's Crafting Blog, theme is: Kids


Whimsy Inspires Challenge, theme is: Monochromatic I have used pinks with the off touch of white

Glitter and Sparkle Challenge #103, theme is: Must Use Pink















DT card for Crafty Ribbons - beware you will need a coffee to read this...


Hiya peeps, I would grab a coffee and some cake to keep you going as this is such a long post, for which I apologise now....

A lovely day it is (when I wrote this as its a scheduled post to correspond with the Challenge blog going live).

Its time for a new challenge over at Crafty Ribbons. This fortnight its the "Bows" team to bring you the inspiration makes. We are all lovely crafters in both teams and as a DT together. Crafty Ribbons are a lovely company to work for.

My creation for this challenge, the theme being "Anything Goes with Ribbon & Buttons" and as you are probably aware, I am a ribbon addict!!!
I do have to use ribbons & buttons from Crafty Ribbons for obvious reasons and even though there are ribbon bows as well as ribbon lengths weaved through the decorative holes in the base card, its because the weaving stands out is why I chose only that ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons. The green buttons are from Crafty Ribbons but the pink ones were stuck down before I realised that I didnt know where I had brought them from!! I sincerely apologise to all at Crafty Ribbons for my mistake. The pink candy striped ribbon that I weaved through the holes in the base card, is a gorgeous soft feel to it and not at all grainy like the look of it.

The bags of ribbon lengths (really 1m length sizes and not just bits) that you get when buying from the selection of Jam Pot Ribbons - Special offer - buy all 7 flavours and only pay for 6 and are a favourite of mine as the selection of different shades of the colour and the different types of ribbon as in satin, eyelash, grosgrain etc. Each bag does NOT contain the same as the others, each bag might contain a different variety of ribbon types but the colours are so gorgeous in all that I have used.

My creation, a birthday card for a neighbour who lives across the road from my youngest daughters dad, which in truth is my old home. Cath turned 40 yesterday and I wanted to make her a lovely card as they always buy Tia lovely presents and the cards she buys are beautiful. Anyway, the card was cut from the Spellbinders grand decorative ovals die set and decorated with backing papers & the image called "Dew Drop (pre coloured)" are from The Paper Shelter website. Loads of beautiful images and fantastic gorgeous backing papers to look at or buy,.... The rest of the items used on this card are from my own stash. I did buy the Cherry Blossom flowers (left & right hand side of the card) in a pale purple/Ivory colour are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the rest are from a mixture of Ebay & Facebook sellers.

Well, a very fussy card this time as I'm certain the Dew Drop image really warrants it. I hope you like it too. If you have any questions please leave a comment & I will get back to you asap. ;0 xx

I am entering this card in to the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly Challenge, theme is Oh How Cute
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/oh-how-cute.htmll

3 Girl Jam Challenge, theme is Birthday Time
http://3girljamchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/september-2014-challenge-birthday-time.html

Ladybug Crafts Challenge, theme is Anything Goes
http://ladybugcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/september-challenge-july-winner.html

Sisters of Craft Challenge, theme is always Anything Goes
http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/sisters-of-craft-september-anything.html

The Crafty Bloggers Network, theme is Anything Goes
http://craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/september-challenge-at-crafty-bloggers.html

The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge, theme is Anything Goes
http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/challenge-19.html

The Cheerful Stamp Pad, theme is Birthdays
http://cheerfulstamppad.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/happy-birthday-to-you.html

























Wednesday, 17 September 2014

DT post for Halfway Reminder at CM


Back to now, a day late in posting (Im not well again but forcing myself to write this) but here is my DT card, the half way reminder for Crafting Musketeers Challenge Blog where you will find some wonderful & gorgeous makes using exclusively drawn images for us by Helz Cuppleditch.

Not only did she provide us with the exclusive digi images (all of them can be seen on our challenge post) but she also gave us a fabulous prize that can be won by entering in to our wonderful challenge.
This is the prize:

The theme for this month is Buttons, so please remember to add a button or more!! This very cute rabbit, who has no name, was a joy to colour. We did have pre coloured images also from Helz but they were only for guidelines for us and not to use. After all half the fun of crafting is the colouring!!!

I am entering this card in to the following challenges:

Scribble and Scrap Crafts #27 theme is Anything Goes
http://scribbleandscrapcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/challenge-27-anything-goes-and-candy.html









Some exciting news for you all peeps!!!

Ive been accepted, and Im very honoured to have been, on to the Design Team of a new blog challenge that is starting on 7th November. A Crafty Mess is run by a wonderful woman called Teighan. Watch this space for my first make for this new blog challenge...
I have, however, ended my time on Fitztown & Through The Craft Room Door challenges. 

Monday, 15 September 2014

A little bit of red for a Wedding card


One of two Wedding Day cards that I was commissioned to make for a wedding that took place on
Sunday. The other card is very similar to this one but doesnt have the names on.

Very easy to make too so ideal for a beginner.
Items used:

White linen effect card from Papermill Direct
Die Cut classic hearts from Spellbinders
Red lightly textured card from Papermill Direct
Red 15mm wide satin picot edged ribbon from Crafty Ribbons
White 10mm "Tying The Knot" printed ribbon from Crafty Ribbons
2 sizes of labels dies from Sugar Nellie
"On Your Wedding Day" die cuts from Tattered Lace Dies
"Katie & Martin" die cuts from Tim Holtz dies

I hope you like this simple card from me.
I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Open Minded Crafting, #19 theme is Roll Out The Red
http://www.open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/challenge-19-roll-out-red.html

Ladybug Crafts, September challenge, theme is Anything Goes
http://ladybugcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/september-challenge-july-winner.html














Thursday, 11 September 2014

Words From The Heart - A special card for a special friend of mine & DT call application

Hiya peeps,

Well it looks like its going to be a gorgeous day again today and for September, we are doing well.. lets hope it keeps going for at least the rest of the month, From what I read on the msn website, we are in for more severe winters in the near future.

Right, back to why Im posting today. I am very pleased to say that one of my favourite artists/designers is having a DT call, and that person is The Sugar Nellie blogs otherwise known as The Sugar Bowl,,, A fantastic badge to catch peoples eyes too.
One of my favourite ranges of their stamps are the new Furry Friends range and I went straight ahead and brought 4 of the range & 2 others (little cute really beautiful girls). I couldnt wait to get started and you can see further down my blog that I have created a Birthday card using the lovely "Gift Wrapped".  
The image I have used for my application to this fantastic opportunity is called 
"Words From The Heart"  and I coloured the printed digi with a selection of Promarkers and a couple of Graph It alcohol pens.  (I love using both sets of pens but I really need to add more Graph It pens to my collection as its still quite small).
Back on to track, After colouring and cutting the image out, leaving a not so thin white border around the image, I then set about mounting it on to a piece of scrap decorated card that I had left over in my scrap box. This was then put to one side whilst I decorated the plain white card base that I had selected to use in the horizontal position for this card. I found a gorgeous pastel pink with an off white flourish/lace effect border on, Im sure this is from a free lot of papers/toppers from Crafters Companion. After mounting this beautiful paper on to the card I added a wide white lace to the card and topped that with a cathedral thin width white lace and then a row of small white beads on a string. I then stuck the card backed image to the base card. I added a white rose paper flower to the bottom left of the image (but on the card), this was a recent giveaway win of mine through Facebook. The flowers, in red, white & black are made by Craftime Connection The last thing for me to do was to add the wide lace bow & stick pins (in coordinating colours) oh, and the same stringed beads wrapped around the knot of the bow. A beautiful finishing touch for this card, which I think I will use as a Birthday card for a long time friend of mine.... its perfect for her as we still do, occasionally write to each other. Words From The Heart - perfect for your pen pals or life long friends that you dont see that often, as in the case with me & Julie. 

Thanks for popping over to my blog and taking the time to read this post. 
Have a fabulous day & a wonderful weekend...

I would like to enter this card in to the following:


Treasured Time Challenge, #24, the theme is Anything Goes