Your Tic Tac Toe Challenge Cards

Heat Embossing/Birthday/Background Stamp

Good Morning Ladies,

I decided to go for a 'Tic Tac Toe' Challenge this week, I think that they give you all a bit more freedom to go with your own creativity, it also means we get a HUGE range of different shapes and styles of cards to look through on Sunday.  Don't get me wrong, I love a 'Sketch' as they are really great for those times when you just can't think what to do, we've all been there, stood watching our 'mojo' sauntering off into the distance with your creativity tied in a handkerchief on the end of a stick over his shoulder,  he gives no warning that he is going to leave either! 

You all seem to enjoy them too, which is a huge bonus for me, as your happiness fuels me to keep this blog going.

So enough waffle, here are your Challenge cards......

Janet

Tag/Die cutting/Birthday

Oh Janet, your card is absolutely stunning, that gorgeous, almost 'Wedgewood' blue is divine, you have embossed it for extra detail and then added a selection of die cut borders and flourishes, that floral flourish is so pretty Janet and the gentle, soft colours you have added work perfectly.

Now I have to confess that I was unsure which way up it was meant to go, the sentiment tag made me think it was ↑way up, but I will add it below ↓the original way you sent it to me.

Which I think works better, as the bow then looks like it is the finishing touch to the bouquet.

Thank you so much my lovely for this stunning card and the other lovely projects you shared, I can't wait to share them in the week.

XXX

 Wendy

Favourite Colour/Birthday/Circles

Wendy, such a beautiful, girly card from you this week, this is one of those cards that every time you look at it you notice something new.  That decorative paper you have used is absolutely stunning as is that 'Industrial' style flourish, which you think wouldn't work on such a pretty card but OMG it really does work!  Every element you have used is exquisitely finished, like the 'with love' mini tag with its pearl trim to that adorable Angel charm, I actually have a load of those but never think to use them, so thanks for the inspiration. 

Thank you so very much for such a beautiful card.

XXX

Karen

Circles/Birthday/Favourite Colour

Birthday/Tag/ Fav Colour (recipient)

Birthday/Tag/Die Cutting

Karen has made 3 cards for this weeks challenge, the first card is completely different in every way to the second and third, which proves my earlier point about this kind of challenge, 

The first card is fantastic, I just love all of the different techniques you have used in the background, here is Karen's description......

So it’s circles - birthday theme and (my) favourite colour (blue)

I cut circle apertures in a card blank and stuck different techniques behind eg Pixie Powders, stencils, alcohol pens and rubbing alcohol - that’s really cool to do, misted card etc and cut the HAPPY BIRTHDAY in a piece of Pixie Powdered card and shadowed it with navy card A few blue and aqua gems.

The second and third cards are just so pretty, I love both but the extra detail that the 'paper piecing' gives in the first card brings it to life. They would be perfect for so many occasions from Happy Birthday to Sympathy cards.

I will add Karens card recipe below:

Ingredients:

DL card
Sue Wilson Petite Petals - first time I’ve used this (bought at AP in September)
Sue W pierced tags
C&C topsy turbo card
Lilac pearls and twine
I have sent Tempe photos (before and after) I think this could be used for all sorts of occasions especially a sympathy card.

Thank you so much karen for all three of your lovely cards, I really don't enforce the strict 'choose one line' rule every time we do these challenges, to give you all that little bit more freedom.

XXX

Brenda

Circle/Die Cutting/Background stamp

Brenda, firstly I would like to thank you for finding time to make a card for this weeks challenge as I know that you have been chasing your tail all week!  

I love this Christmas card that you have made, particularly that embossing folder, it is so pretty (is it John Lockwood's)? I particularly like the blank circle in the centre. I love your Santa with his Reindeers flying off into the distance, the background star stamps giving that extra night sky detail,

the card is finished off with that fantastic 'Merry Christmas' die cut.

Thank you so much Brenda, I hope you enjoy your craft show today, can't wait to see your shopping!

XXX

Lilian

Watercolour/Background Stamp/Favourite Colour (blue)

Lilian, Wow! what a stunning 'scene'.  I love your composition, it looks like an optical illusion to me,

the centre scene looks like it is behind a frame, the graduated sky you have achieved with watercolours looks amazing, its brought to life with stars/snowflakes background stamp.  

Such a fantastic Christmas card, Thank you so much Lilian.

XXX

Michele

Circles/Die cutting/Favourite colour

Michele has gone for the 'Retro' look with this Challenge card, using a Sue Wilson Striplet die, cut three times adding a backing of a beautiful blue, the striplet is actually raised up on foam pads to give some depth and dimension, Michele has then added the three striplets to a white base card and added the 'thanks'.

A fantastic challenge card, thank you so much my lovely, you have had a trying week so I really appreciate you taking part.

XXX

 Margaret

Watercolour/Circles/ Die cut

Margaret has made an amazing Christmas card for this week's challenge, I love that 'stained glass window' die Margaret, you have coloured it beautifully, did you use your Stampin'Up Watercolour pencils?  Thank you so much for finding the time on a busy Saturday to make a card my lovely.

XXX

Lynda

Circle/watercolour/ Die cut

Die cut/ Birthday/Background

Lynda has made two gorgeous bright and cheerful cards this week, the first card features one of Lynda's fantastic backgrounds, with two floral circle dies placed upon each other, slightly offset to give a fuller circle.  lynda has then stamped a verse into the centre and added pearls to draw your eyes into the centre feature.

The second card features a stunning butterfly,  it's a Clarity stamp, Lynda has coloured it with Crafter's Companion Sparkle Pens, wow, don't they lack a punch, the colours are so bright and vibrant, you need nothing more that the pretty ribbon.

Two gorgeous challenge cards, thank you so much for taking part Lynda.

XXX

Val

Background stamp/tag/ die cut

Val, I know this isn't the card that you made for this week's challenge, I went to upload it yesterday but there was no card attached.  Please can you resend it.

I did email you yesterday.  

This card works perfectly for this challenge too, a pretty stamped background with die cuts used to create a pocket to slip the tag into, a fantastic Christmas card Val,

Thank you so much.  I will feature your card when you send it in my lovely.

XXX

Another fantastic range of cards ladies, thank you all for taking part once again.

I am off to think about tomorrow's challenge, hmmmm, card shape, colour, sketch, which sort of challenge shall we go for????

Have a lovely Sunday ladies,

Love and hugs to you all,

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Mixed Craft Saturday

Mixed Craft Saturday

Good Saturday Morning ladies,

Well here we are again at the weekend, these weeks are certainly whizzing by, I believe we now have 5 weeks and 3 days until Christmas day, right now that scares me and I am trying not to think about it too much, we may have our Christmas in June! lol

The photo above is of 2 little gift bags that I made using the Envelope Punch Board, one is made using a whole 12 X 12 sheet of paper and the small one is made using a 6 X 6 sheet of paper. The larger one is a really good size, you could fit quite a lot inside, the small one would fit a piece of nice jewellery inside or a treat size chocolate bar.  I like the idea of giving vouchers in the larger one with some chocolates or make up.

If you would like me to do you a step by step tutorial for them just let me know in the comments.

Now we have Michele's Magazine Review, Lynda's shopping, Crafting and New Family member!,

Janet's stockings too, so without any further delay here we go........

Michele's Magazine Review

Hi Ladies,

First up is Simply Cards & Papercraft with a gorgeous set of stamps & a lovely embossing folder. The free gifts will be useful all year round.

Quick Cards Made Easy comes with a great free gift-Christmas Pop Up card kit. The kit makes 4 cards.

Love Cardmaking has a great free gift-perfect for lots of styles of Christmas cards. It contains an Embossing folder, stamps & a foliage die.

Creative Stamping has the most wonderful set of cute stamps that can be used all year round. There’s lots of inspiration inside the magazine.

Papercraft Inspiration has a really lovely stencil & stamp set plus an extra magazine. My card was featured in the All Occasions magazine.

That’s all for this review.
Michele

Thank you Michele for another fantastic review, I don't remember seeing Creative Stamping before,

You have given us all a great overview of this months magazines.

XXX

Janet's Stockings

Janet has been busy making some gorgeous Christmas Stockings, these particular ones are 'Threaders' which is another arrow to the 'Crafters Companion' Bow, bringing pretty materials and sewing essentials.  Janet ordered hers from Hochanda, I have to say that they look really top quality, the Fabric is so beautiful, the fabric also looks like it would work for little boys or girls, were all the elements included in a kit Janet? if so I might try having a go myself, a kit would be a good way to get started with sewing, having everything that you need included.

Thank you so very much for sharing your stockings Janet.

XXX

Lynda

Lynda has made an absolutely amazing Mixed Media card, Lynda I love your Mixed media cards

so much, you put so much work into each card that you make, so much work, you pay so much attention to detail and everything ties together beautifully.  I would love to sit and craft with you some day, I find your work so inspiring. 

Here is Lynda's description......

My mixed media card I made I matted a piece of card then put some silver guilding on then on another piece of patterned paper tore the edges & put some gold guilding wax in places round the edge.Then added the final paper of pens printed. I rolled peices of same paper cut then rolled up cut three in different sizes then put gold guiding wax to make them look old glued cogs on wrapped some thick twine added all sorts of embellishments key's springs dragonfly lantern Angel wings hession stamped onto a price of same paper stamped Create ;& Art I enjoyed making it hope you understand my dissertation. Easier to make than doing a discription lol x

Lynda has been buying some new stamps.......

Two fantastic Woodware stamps, a fantastic 'Happy Christmas' and a super cute Penguin thats wearing a snowflake jumper! Well why not?!

and a Hero Arts 'Cling' background stamp, I have seen this stamp used loads and it is stunning, I can't wait to see how you use it Lynda.

The last of Lynda's shopping is a set of fantastic background dies, I have some similar Tim Holtz background dies and they are so useful, these will work perfectly with your Mixed Media work.

Now I have had to save this 'Happy News' till last........

Meet Lynda and Terry's latest family member.....Marley, he and 'Baby' have had puppies together

previously so they are old friends, it looks as though he is already making himself at home.

It will be lovely for Baby to have some company too.  

Thank you so very much Lynda for sharing your shopping, amazing crafting and most importantly your Happy news, I couldn't be happier for you both.

XXX

Well thats about all I can fit in for this week, thank you so much to Michele for the fab Mag review,

Janet for sharing her beautiful Christmas stockings and Lynda for everything else.

Paul went with Rebecca to watch Lucy receive the year 12 Award for both Biology and Spanish,

Rebecca recorded the moment for me to see myself.  It was the first one I have missed, it was nice that Rebecca had the opportunity to go and be proud Big Sister, she enjoyed catching up with her old teachers too. So once again we are very proud parents.

I hope that you have a nice relaxed weekend planned,

Love and Hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Festive Friday

Good Morning My Dear Friends,

It's Friday again so that means we need to have a 'Festive' card, so this week I thought I would have a play and do something different with the 'Precious Marieke Snow Globe' die.

I took a piece of white card and scored it in half, placed the die so that just a little of the cutting edge of the die at the top hangs over the scored line, this makes a hinge, making a 'Bauble' shaped card base.  
Idie cut another two Snow Globes, 1 in Cherry Cobbler and 1 in white, I used a Spellbinders Scalloped circle to die cut the centre out of the white Snow Globe, (rather than the plain circle that comes with it) as I wanted a little bit of the red layer showing around the centre white circle.  So I put all of my layers together, White Bauble card base, red layer, then the top white layer with scallop centre, I added some foam pads to this layer too, for a little extra dimension. 
I die cut the 'Impression Obsession Merry Christmas' die twice and stuck them together, i then added them to the centre of the snow globe.  
To embellish the card I die cut a few 'Britannia Poinsettia die' a few times and layered them up, I added some Fir sprigs to the top and bottom sides of the card, placed a large and small Poinsettia (die cut in Cherry Cobbler card) in the centre.  I thought that the sentiment looked a little bit odd stuck in the centre on its own, so I die cut some tiny poinsettias from the 'Stampin' Up!  'card front builder' thinlits, also in Cherry Cobbler, I added some tiny bits of Fir foliage and added SU Faceted Gem stones to each of the poinsettia's.
To finish I tied a bow using Cherry Cobbler ribbon.
What do you think????

Paul is off helping Josh with some painting work for the next couple of days, so I will be in my Craft room today.  He is just pleased to have some work, even if only a few days, he likes to be busy working and I can see how frustrated he is that he isn't getting any replies, although most of the jobs have only just 'closed' for applicants so there is still time.
Luckily Josh (Becca's Fiance) and his Dad have their own Painting and Decorating Business and are extremely busy, so they are glad to have Paul on board, it will keep his mind busy if nothing else.

Although the major works aren't due to start for a few weeks there seems to be a constant stream of workmen popping up all around the place, today I was sat reading on my bed after taking my early morning meds, suddenly the most horrendous noice started and they were using a pneumatic chisel thing to remove the old porch and gutterings etc!  They don't even bother to knock on the door and say 'we are about to start on your porch' so that you are prepared.  I am going to complain to the site office I think, they wouldn't pitch up to a 'paying clients' house and just start without notifying them.
Fingers crossed for a quiet day today.

Lynda, I hope that your pain has eased a little today, sending gentle hugs xxx

Tracy, sending hugs to you too sweetheart, there are no words that will help but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers my lovely xxx

Maria, I hope you aren't in too much pain today either, sending hugs your way xxx

Love and Squishy hugs on route to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxxx

Shadow Box Card

Shadowbox Card

Pops back into shape

Panel for writing your greeting

Good Morning Ladies,

Today's card came about after yesterday's crafty session with Pat, she saw this style card on Pinterest and wanted to have a go.  So I looked at a couple of different styles and made some notes, I then went on to make Pat a shadowbox card to take home and some instructions to make another.   

After Pat left I thought that I would have a go and make one for today's blog post.

I used the 'Stampin'Up! 'Carols Of Christmas' stamp set to create this card.  I stamped 'Deck The Halls' stamp on a piece of the 'Merry Music' DSP, using Cherry Cobbler ink, I added the pretty swag underneath using Garden Green ink, I placed this in the back part of the shadowbox, I then used two 'Stitched Square' dies to die cut an aperture and create a frame to surround the aperture.  I then stamped and die cut the poinsettia and Holly from the same stamp set to create the decorative elements on the front of the card.

I then stamped a white panel of card with a greeting and added some more Poinsettias and leaves to decorate.

The fantastic thing about these cards is that they fold totally flat to pop into an envelope to post and then pop back into shape. 

They are super simple to create too, if any of you would like me to do a tutorial I would be more than happy, just let me know in the comments below.

Now I told you that we are having major 'renovations' done to our bungalow, I took a quick snap of one of our neighbours, who's bungalow had just been started, it highlights what I meant about them taking the whole front of the building out......

These photos show the front door on the left of the photo across to the lounge, the partition wall that you see on the left is the wall that separates the porch from the lounge.  The workmen had the front of the building out, the backdoor off and the back window is virtually the same as the front.  The metal frame that they have put in is to hold the new radiators, as they had to be removed too, I think we are going to be absolutely freezing cold for a few days!

Well I am off to make the most of my warm craft room!

Sue, sending love and hugs to you and Chris at this very tough time xxx

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxx

My Challenge Card

Good Morning Ladies,

I finally made time to get into my craft room and make a card last night, have you ever sat and made a card and then thought "how did I end up with this"?  Well that was me last night, I decided to use a background stamp and decided to go for a 'burgundy' tone, I thought I would keep it simple too.  Well this card was the result, it looks brighter in your hand I have to say.

I stamped the 'Definitely Dahlia' background stamp on to Very Vanilla card using Rich Razzleberry ink, as it is quite a large stamp I used my Tim Holtz Stamping Platform, so that I could add more layers of ink.

I then matted and layered the stamped image onto a tiny black background then a Rich Razzleberry card and then onto a black card base. I then added a piece of black ribbon that has little bits of gold woven into it and stamped my sentiment in Gold to pick out that detail, I die cut the sentiment and it's Matt with SU Label thinlits (sadly retired) in Rich Razzleberry and then Black card.  I added a few Gold Sequins for a touch of sparkle and to carry on that touch of gold theme.

It's a different look, I hope you like it. 

By the way I chose categories: Background Stamp/ Happy Birthday/Die cut.

We were busy packing and organising for the builders to start on Friday, we have to have all curtains /blinds down, all furniture moved away from inside of windows etc.  Something made me suggest to Paul to pop round to the site office to check dates and access details etc, I'm so glad he went as there had been a change of plan due to lack of manpower and they will now be starting on the 15th December, yes that's right 15th December, just 10 days before Christmas!   Hopefully there will be further delays and it will be after Christmas! 

I am looking forward to seeing Pat later today, it seems like ages since we last crafted together.

I hope you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs 

Sandra

xxxxxx

Congratulations Michele !!

Michele's prize winning card

The magazine feature

Good Morning Ladies,

It's not very often that we get to really celebrate anything these days, so when Michele messaged me last night to tell me that her amazing card had made Runner Up in the Papercraft Essentials Magazine, I just couldn't wait to share the news with all of you.  I was going to leave it until Saturday but knowing that Michele is going through a bit of a tough time at work, which as I'm sure you all know, effects all of your life not just the 8 hours you are there, I thought that she could do with a little bit of a Celebration to bring a smile to her face! 

Michele you card is stunning, I absolutely love that 'All-Occasion' Embossing Folder that you have used, so much in fact that after the last time you used it I went out and bought it myself !! 

Your design is clean and crisp and as always the finish is absolutely perfect, everything about the design works from the combination of patterns to the 'Dot' theme carried throughout the card, (black gems on flowers, sparkle gems on wavy border and polka dots on bottom embossing folder).

You must have been 'Over the Moon' when you heard the happy news!, Do you get a prize? I do hope so.  I know this isn't your first magazine feature Michele but it's the first one we have been around to celebrate with you, I just know that all of your friends here in the cafe will be as proud and happy for you as I am !!!!

Michele's card is featured in Papercraft Essentials issue 153, which will be out for sale on Thursday, so if you want a closer look at the article grab your copy soon.

The All-Occasion Embossing Folder and matching die set is available on the Craft Stash website, you can buy a combination of folders so that you can create your own design, they have so many different combinations.  Michele's particular folder is called 'Dotty Floral', you can get Birthday, Christmas & patterns to use all year round.

Here is a image of some of them........

All Occasion Embossing Folders and Dies

As you can see they have really expanded the range since that first Embossing Folder was given as a Freebie on a Magazine, soon after it was the most demanded E Folder around, in fact it was selling on eBay for the most ridiculous prices. 

Thank you so much Michele for allowing to share in your happy news XXX

I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for your outstanding support for Karen's Challenge last week, I think Karen was absolutely amazed at all of the cards 

that were shown yesterday.  Thank you Ladies, you are all amazing friends.

Thank you to Karen too for choosing the challenge and making cards to inspire us, I look forward to your next idea Karen XXX

I would love for any of you to do as Karen did, even a suggestion would be welcome.

Sending love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra

xxxxxx

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

I wait with baited breath to see what this week throws at us, a job for Paul and somewhere to live would be a great start to the week but I am not holding my breath.
We have a very busy week as the people that manage our current home are coming to do major renovation works this week, which involves them taking the whole of the front and back of our lounge wall out, its hard to explain but I will try, the bungalow that we live in is a prefabricated building, with the whole of the front of the lounge being a plastic wall with windows and a radiator hanging on the plastic wall, well they were just going to replace windows but they can't without moving the radiator, which is so old that it won't last being moved so they are replacing those too,
which means that as well as having no walls in the front or the back of the main part of the house, we will have no heating either as they need to drain the system to replace the radiators.
They are then replacing the windows and external doors throughout the rest of the house.
Then on the following Tuesday the do the same to the other end of our house.   I have no idea how we are going to A) keep warm, B) keep the cats contained.  So all fun  and games over here!!

Now onto this weeks challenge, a Tic Tac Toe, I think that all of the categories are all self explanatory for this one, so just choose three and have fun!

This particular Tictactoe is from Hero Arts, so if you type that in to Pinterest you may get some inspiration there.  I was attending a Stampin Up event yestereday so didn't get a card made in time, but I will make one today ready for tomorrow's blog.

I hope you all enjoy the challenge and I very much look forward to seeing your cards.

Love and Hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx