Sunday 7 May 2017

Your Challenge Cards




Good Morning Ladies,

The theme of this weeks Challenge was for you to make a card with just one colour, plus white of course.  Oh my goodness did you do me proud, I have been totally blown away by the amount of cards I have received and how stunning they all are !!
So without further delay,  here we go.......


First up we have Brenda's sketch card, the colour Brenda has chosen is 'Sweet Sugarplum', a beautiful Stampin'Up​! Card, the die Brenda has used is 'So In Love',
A really pretty detailed die, The ruched ribbon is also 'Sweet Sugarplum' and Brenda has used the ribbon to create those beautiful roses.  a Stunning card, thank you Brenda XXX


Lilian has used 'Night of Navy' for her accent colour, using 'Hopeful Thoughts' stamp set for that beautiful Flourish and 'Papillon Potpourri' for butterfly, both Stampin'Up stamps too.  Lilian, I just love the clean and simple look of this card, it is Stunning!
Thank you so much for taking part XXX




Maria has made two Amazing Challenge cards this week, both very different cards, the first one has a stunning background with a beautifully detailed die cut flower that Maria has finished with a pearl dazzler! 
The second card is just stunning, I love the pretty yellow colour, the 'Indian Ocean' Background die gives all the detail on this card, the 'Gillian ' die gives the perfect frames for the sentiment while looking as pretty as any flower! 
I absolutely love your cards Maria, thank you so much for taking part, I hope you enjoy your class the Julia Watts today XXX


Janet, two fantastic cards from you this week too, the first is such a pretty card, the Corner dies you have used are stunning, giving so much detail, the 'Vienna' Die, designed by Sue Wilson, gives the perfect focal element and frames your sentiment beautifully. 
Your second card is completely different to your first, using one of your Vintage dies that your bought a bundle of vintage  'Art Stamps' from "Bee Crafty", the are incredibly detailed stamps, designed in such a way that you can use them for so many different occasions. I'm not sure if you have used die to cut this stamp out or if you have Perfectly​ 'fussy' cut it out, if you have you must have an amazing steady hand! I love both of your cards Janet, thank you so much for taking part. How did your first trip out to Meadowhall go with your new wheels? XXX



Val, such pretty cards from you this week, not sure which one is my favourite, I love the shade of Blue in the second card, the stunning Pansy in the first card is also amazing , hhhhmmm decisions!!
Val has been playing with Creative Expressions 'Colour Cloud' inks and Stencils this week and I have to say that the results are stunning! 
I'm going for number 2 as my favourite as I love the simplicity of the design, the rolled flower and Cheery Lynn Flourish add just enough detail to that gorgeous background.  Thank you so much Val, I am so pleased you enjoyed the challenge XXX


Margaret used this weeks Challenge to make a card for a friend at one of her clubs that is poorly, it is often so hard to find the right words to add to a card for times like this but I think you have but the nail on the head Margaret, a beautiful card, that embossing folder has so much pretty detail. Your pretty centre piece would brighten anyone's day. Thank you so much for taking part XXX




Karen managed 3 cards for this Challenge, which is amazing, these are the first two, the first one is just perfect, everything about it neat, it just all works perfectly.
The second is a very pretty, girly card, I love the Embossing folder that you have used Karen, you have become an expert with that Scan & Cut !  Here is Karen's description:

My first card is stamped - get me!  - card using one of John Lockwood's stamps - Butterfly Dreams Striplet, Nuvo drops in glossy white and black and the dies behind the image are Sue Wilson NY - Times Square.

The second one was created using ScanNCut - a Tattered Lace usb - Frippery and Flourishes.


Karen, this card to me says 'Summer', it is bright, cheerful and fun! It shows Pixie Powders at their very best.  I love that big, bright flower, it matches perfectly too.
Here is Karen's description:


Here's my third attempt at this week's challenge

I used some yellow dotted card from my stash and cut out a flower from a basic shape in ScanNCut. I cut a second with a "seam allowance" in pale yellow. 
The background has been created with Pixie Powder. I found a bright yellow button at Craft Club to hide the faux pas I made with Tonic Nuvo drops! Iwill add a sentiment when I need to.
Thank you so much for THREE gorgeous​ cards Karen XXX


Lynda is the designer of these two fabulous cards, the first card is a classic Monochrome card, using the 'St.Barts' die from Creative Expressions, I love using the die to create the card base as it showcases the design of the die and gives you a 
Fantastic little card that's a little but different.
The second card has been made using Sue Wilson's 'Butterfly Frame die, Wow Lynda what an amazing card, I bet it cut perfectly on your new Gemini machine too! Thank you so much for taking part in this weeks Challenge XXX 



Michele has also managed two cards, the first card Michele made with one of her new dies, this would be a perfect "Sorry you're feeling under the weather" card, or a "We'll weather this together" card, perfect for somebody that's going through a hard time, it's hard to find cards for times like that, particularly when a card saying that would really make a difference. 
Micheles's second card was inspired by a 'Tissue Box', The two floral panels on Michele's card were from a tissue box that she saw while shopping in Tesco and was immediately inspired by the colours and the pattern, such a beautiful selection of purples.
So Michele bought the tissues and used the colour inspiration to create this second card, it is absolutely stunning Michele, such beautiful colours.  Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest of places.  I like garden centres for that, seeing all the colours that nature creates really gets my mind whizzing with ideas!  Michele thank you so much for making two stunning g cards.  
We also need to thank you for this weeks Challenge idea, it has been loved by Everyone XXX


Sue, despite being dragged in every direction this week, managed to design a Challenge card!  I was so surprised when I saw the email, it bought a huge smile to my face ( you ladies have no idea how grateful I am to you all for making time in your busy lives to support my blog and take part in the different tasks I set, without you there would be no Cotswold Crafter! ) . 
She has used the 'Lyra' die from Creative Expressions,( gosh I remember using this on almost every card I made a year or two back! ) To create her card, the 'Kaleidoscope' of Butterflies and pretty sentiment were cut from the same pretty Anne Marie Card as Sue used in the background.  A gorgeous card, thank you so much Sue XXX

Well, I hope I have remembered everybody's cards this week, I am so proud to have such an amazing display of cards, it was a fantastic Challenge, thanks again Michele.
If any of you would like a turn at setting the Challenge please let me know, I would be delighted to go with your ideas.  The only thing to think about is that I like the challenge to be acheivable to All levels of experience, so that the Children can take part too if they want too. 

I had a lovely afternoon at the Allotment with Paul yesterday, it's a lovely place to escape to and just listen to the birds singing, the sounds of people digging or chatting to their 'Allotment neighbours', it's very calming.  Mind you poor Paul has his work cut out with this second allotment, to give you an idea of the height and density of the weeds we put a wheelbarrow on one of the beds to fill with weeds, when you stood on the path beside the bed the wheelbarrow was completely​ invisible!  It has nothing growing for over a year so you can imagine! I tried to help, I am paying for it too, my arms and fingers are still tingling from the Nettles !

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday,

Love and hugs
Sandra 
XXX









20 comments:

  1. Morning Everyone from a very dull start to the day here in Sheffield but OH BOY is the CAFE BLOOMING with wonderful CCs. So much so that I've had to drag another display board to put them all on.
    I really cannot choose a favourite as each and everyone is a work of art and I'm sure that all recipients were delighted when they received them.

    SANDRA- Yes my Door Knocker was 'fussy' cut as there isn't a cutting die for any of these stamps. I have to say that it was my second attempt at cutting but I was pleased. I always stamp two sets for 'just in case'. I also must say that without your fantastic 'faux Misty' I would never have attempted these stamps. In fact that is the best piece of equipment ever!! and is always on the side of my table.

    We're off out visiting Christina today so as usual it's lunch in Bakewell and then on to Hognaston. I think that lambing has now finished and that is't onto calving. Whether she has any new temporary residents other than the usual Hedgehogs we shall see when we arrive. They have managed to buy a field which adjoins their garden much to their relief as it was up for auction and of course being Derbyshire there was a good chance that a 'developer' would get it so we or should I say Jim will be having a walk round it.

    Have a good Sunday everyone and fingers crossed that all plans go well. Hugs on their way to you all. xxxx

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    1. Hi Janet
      Have a lovely lunch and a great time at Christine's. How fantastic that they were able to buy the field next door rather than developers, love the cards, especially your second one.

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    2. Hi Janet
      Have a lovely time at Christine's. Brilliant news about buying the field next door. Hope Jim enjoy's his walk round it. How did you find your new hot wheels.
      Love Lynda xx

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    3. Sorry Janet I love both of your cards xxxx

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  2. Morning Ladies

    What a fantastic collection of challenge cards, all gorgeous and all so different. I had great fun making purple card-inspired by a box of tissues! So I used something recycled, some scraps of card and some mini square dies. The second card was a challenge set by a friend-to start using Dies that haven't been out of their packaging!! Sent her a photo (well, a lot of photos) and the Weather Set was the one she chose.

    We have glorious sunshine here today so I think I need to get the washing machine on, ironing later.

    Michele

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    1. Love the cards Michele. I assume the umbrella and the rain clouds were from China.

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    2. They're a First Edition set called Westher. I think I saw a card on Pinterest made using them so I just had to have them, of course I haven't got a clue which card it was now!!

      Michele

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    3. Hi Michele I love all your cards especially like the umbrella set so useful too. I have a few coming from China I do get itchy fingers waiting for them HaHa 😔Xx

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  3. Wowser! Everyone's cards are beautiful I love to see what people come up with and colours we all choose
    I hope your trip went well JANET
    Your afternoon sounded lovely too SANDRA even though it was hard work
    I hope all goes well this week PAT It may be worth mentioning that you've had an URGENT appt cancelled only because the ladies doing the task of sending out letters would not have known this
    MIL having Sunday roast with us today If she's up to it she'll come here or we'll take the dinner to hers and finish cooking it there

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    1. Hi Karen
      What a good idea. I think I'll ring them sometime on Tuesday. As Monday I'll be up the hospital. Actually I could ring them from the hospital.

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    2. Hi Enjoy your dinner with MIL hope she is well enough Karen.
      Hug's For you all xx

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  4. Hi Sandra and all.

    Fantastic cards today everyone. Amazing how much imagination everyone has just using one colour.

    I've a few birthday cards to do today for next month. I am going to stay at my friends on Wednesday for just over a week and as it's Fathers Day next month I really wanted to make a few cards before I go.

    Sandra it sounds like a good day at your allotment yesterday. A lot of hard work but when all those lovely veg are starting to grow it will be worth it. Hope you're not too tired today.

    Have a good Sunday everyone.
    Love Valxxx

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    1. Hi Val good luck with your cards you have to make.
      Such a chore crafting isn't it 😂😂😂
      Love Lynda xx

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  5. Hi Sandra and ladies
    What a stunning array of cards today. Love them all and once again not one the same.
    Hope your not feeling to bad after your stint with the stinging nettles Sandra, and I hope it's not to back breaking clearing your second allotment. Mind you your potatoes that you plant this year will break the soil down nicely. Well Pete conned me good and proper on Friday. He picked up another bag of potatoes over at Yarnton on Friday. I'm stood by the till saying no, he's saying oh go on while the staff were in hysterics. He then told me that Craig said he'd come over and help him dig the garden ready for planting. So in the end I relented. However, talking to Craig when we went over Friday evening to play cards, he hadn't actually said that day he'd come over. He will he said but Pete was telling me porkies. He's not meant to do mega bouts of digging and planting.

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  6. Good morning Sandra & everyone
    Wow so many beautiful cards today & not any the same. Sandra you will have to build a annex next to the café with more wall space as lots of ladies are making 2 or 3 CCs 😂😂😂
    We are up Lisa's today for one of her lush dinners so looking forward to that
    Seeing my big Grandson seems like ages since we last see him.
    I will get GEMINI withdrawals HaHa. But I love seeing my daughter SIL &Joseph.
    Horrible day weather wise very dark & cold again with strong winds.
    PAT

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    1. Sorry pressed publish stupid me.
      PAT hope hospital appointment's go well this week for you & Pete. Hug's xx
      Sandra hope your not suffering too much after yesterday's stint in the allotment yesterday but it will be worth of all yours & pauls hard work
      Are you crafting or digging today Sandra.
      Well better get a wiggle on &get ready.
      Love Lynda xx

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  7. Hi Sandra & all in cafe,
    Sandra once again a lovely selection of cards again this week, thanks to you & Michele it was a brilliant suggestion, I loved it & will use it again.xxx
    Janet enjoy your time with Christina sounds my sort of place to live.xxx
    Lynda enjoy having dinner cooked for you & seeing Grandson.xxx
    We have lovely sunshine & the wind has gone thankgoodness so will hopefully have a sit out.
    Pat hope Pete gets on ok tomorrow, also hope you can sort out your appointment.xxx
    I will send hugs to all who need them love Margaret.xxx

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  8. Hello Sandra and everyone,
    WOW ladies you have certainly pulled out the stops this week so many gorgeous cards, each one very different. Mine ended up with a few little pearls poked into the tiny rose spray, I felt it needed a lift. But by then I already sent Sandra the picture.
    I'm late today as yesterday evening we went to a family friends 60th birthday party (that's who my CC card was for, original idea hadn't worked out, CC came to the rescue). The party was great it was held at the V & A Museum of Childhood. In London. We thought we wouldn't be late in leaving, but were, and ended up missing the last train to our local station. So instead of being home within the hour, it took us over two hours to get home. By then it was 2am !!!! So I am having a very quiet day today.
    Pat and Pete hope all goes well tomorrow. xx
    Lynda, hope you had a lovely meal with your family, especially your lovely grandson. xx
    Janet, hope you enjoyed your lunch in Bakewell and your afternoon with Christina. Brilliant they managed to buy the field next to them xx
    Karen, hope MIL was well enough to visit you, but it's lovely to read you were prepared to take everything to her, that would be a tonic on its own. LOL xx
    Take care everyone, Love Brenda xxx

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  9. Hi Sandra and everyone.
    oh this is a wonderful display once again of cards, I like Janet's corner on the first one and love the knocker card. Hope you had a nice day at Christina's and the visit to Bakewell.
    Michele, love the umbrella and you card with all the little squares. Hope your dad is fine.
    Karen- hope you have a nice day with MIL, love your cards too. The black and white is gorgeous and yellow tooB.
    Lilian- like your card a lot, it looks a bit like a book cover to me. Talking about covers, I just love your cushions and the door stopper ! Hope you have a nice day and your hands are okay.
    Lynda- hope you have a lovely day seeing your grandson and enjoy the lush dinner, it sound so nice not to have to cook. Hope you and Terry are doing alright.
    Brenda- hope your day been good. Love your colour,die and the beautiful flowers and ribbon on your card :)
    Margaret- hope you and Pop have had a nice day. Is it a EF or a die you used on your card ? it's lovely.
    Val- hope you have the same nice weather we suddenly got here even if the morning was a bit nippy. Nice cards from you too, hope you manage to make some others for the shop and the mojo not disappear again somewhere. Take care.
    Sue- I hope you are alright and not in to much pain after your hectic week. Look after yourself. Many cuddles to the little one when you see her, hope they all well too. Sweet card and butterflies too, Be careful if Lynda is near tihi
    Christine- hope you have a nice weekend. Your card yesterday is lovely. Shall have a look on your blog from time to time :)
    Sandra- how are you feeling after yesterday's work at the allotment ? hope you not too sore and hurt after having a meet up with the stinging nettles, they do hurt ! We have brambles that taking over the borders, not sure how to get rid of them as they growing in from behind the fence which is counsel. They coming to cut the bushes and looking after the trees but not much else. Yes as you know I had a day with Julia so I will take some photos, you can use them when you are short or for the mixed Saturday perhaps. It was a great day but I get so tired afterwards so sorry i didn't see you yesterday. The day today has been beautiful so I hope you all have had the same. We went in to town this morning for some bits and pieces. Had a look in poundshop but didn't have a ny craft papers, must just be down in Kent where you bought them Lynda who are selling sometimes. The afternoon have been spent in the garden with hanging the washing outside and little bit of weeding on and around the patio, it's gone so black over the winter so need a proper clean with the jetwash but that will have to be for another day because now it's time to cook dinner and then just sit on sofa with a film soon after.
    Love and many hugs to you all, Maria xxx

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  10. Good evening
    We had a lovely day at Lisa's & had an added bonus Lisa also invited Darren Sam & Harry the girls were both doing their own thing so very enjoyable of course Harry was the star of the afternoon making everyone laugh.
    When Joseph was younger Lisa extended the kitchen & lounge had a cupboard included for a toy copboard now Harry calls it Lisa's toy shop. It was nice seeing him & Joseph playing together he said Joseph is his best friend. The sun came out after a dark morning so they played in the garden with Ian.
    MARIA they had some paper pads in the pound shop last week would you like me to pick some up for you it's no problem they were same as before. Let me know.
    PAT & PETE hope everything goes well for you Tomorrow all the best Sending you both some HUG'S xxx
    SUE hope your feeling better take care 🤗🤗xx
    SANDRA hope your ok did you & Paul go up the allotment today.
    I'm off to my bed now as tired see you all tomorrow Good night everyone
    Love Lynda xx

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