The Snowman

Today I'm sharing my last Christmas card of the year... and what a strange year it has been. I think most people will be glad to see the back of it.

This is a simple card I made for my Auntie and Uncle..

 

There's a lot of white space on this one albeit it's embossed with 'snow'. The digi is an oldie but cute from Digistamp Boutique and I created the greeting in Publisher. The trees are dies I have had for years but I love them because they are such a fab shape.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Creative Moments #205 - anything goes

Little Red Wagon #581 - Merry Christmas

Watercooler Wednesday's #302 - anything goes

Christmas Kickstart #45 - if it's Christmassy link it up!

Crafty Sentiments - anything goes

Casology #380 - snowman

The presents are wrapped, the lunch is prepared... time to sit back now and enjoy the festivities

Merry Christmas everyone

Sharon

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Simple Tags

I was wanting to 'play' but as I don't need any more cards, I have made some simple last minute tags...

 I bought some lovely folky Christmas stickers at a craft fair (remember them!) some time ago - I particularly liked them as they were printed on mat card rather than the usual glossy card but they also had touches of glitter.

I die cut the labels from mat gold card and added strips of foiled patterned papers from my snippets box. Finally, I added a gold peel-off strip and threaded a length of gold thread as a tie.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Daring Cardmakers - tags, toppers and labels

CRAFT Challenge #581 - Christmas - the last stretch

Creative Friday #271 - last minute Christmas

Outlawz PAM - Christmas

Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - last minute makes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Red Baubles

 Finished my Christmas cards this afternoon - I'll maybe make a couple more 'just in case' cards but I'm about ready to put the glitter and mirri-card for another year!

I've used some super shiny foiled striped card for the border, edged with a peel-off strip. The bauble die was a bargain bin find by a Dutch company called Crealies. I've used more peel-off strips to 'hang' the baubles and I've decorated each bauble with a sparkly gem in the middle. The greeting was created in Publisher using a font called Merienda.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

My Time To Craft #447 - a monochromatic Christmas

Krafty Chicks Challenge #537 - Christmas

Crafty Gals Corner #214 - tis the season

Try It On Tuesday - Christmas sparkle

Crafting Happiness #74 - mostly red

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Festive Nutcracker Man

 Today's card is for my brother, James.It's difficult to make masculine cards anyway but more so at Christmas when there is an urge to add glitter and shine!

I was greatly inspired by this week's challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches TEAM FAVOURITE- yes, I know it's Saturday but I've been busy!

I was particularly attracted to the three dots in the corner - I often do this with pearls or gems on my cards.

I used a really cute die-cut decoupaged Nutcracker man by a company called Deco. He is mounted on an oval die-cut base matted onto a fancy looped border die in gold mirri.

I've used tartan patterned card with a red border then a gold mirri looped die-cut border. Instead of the dots I've used three tiny die-cut snowflakes.

Finally I've added a greeting created in Publisher using Pumpkin Cheesecake font.

I'm also playing along with the challenges at:

Cardz4guys #259 - traditional Christmas

The Male Room#145 - tartan and plaid

Cut It Up Challenge #214 - Christmas 

Paper Funday Challenge #24 - Christmas

Creative Knockouts #379 - 'tis the season

Color My Heart Color Dare #423 - red and green

Thanks for visiting

Stay safe

Sharon

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Happy Christmas Girlfriend

 Ooohh - it's been a while!

I'm knee deep in making Christmas cards now - I started a bit late this year as my lockdown brain decided it would be a good idea to start decorating! 

Today's card is the design I am using for my female friends this Christmas - I need to make about 20 in various colours. The digi image is an oldie but a goodie from Pink Petticoat. I've coloured the image using Spectrum Noir pens and used some very old patterned paper from The English Paper Company.

I've kept the layout pretty simple as you should when bulk making - the only embellishments I've added are 3 tiny flat-backed pearls.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Holly and Ivy #54 - anything Christmas

TGIF Challenges #292 - have a magical Christmas

The Paper Shelter #451 - a Christmas card

Creative Knockouts #378 - Christmas delight

Just Add Ink #533 - just add 'S' (shoes)

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Birthday Balloons

The Glittertastic house is still upside down in the midst of decorating....  I just about found time to make a quick card for my birthday box...

The image is a very old digi I've had for years by A Day For Daisies. I've coloured it with Pro-markers and added some Dovecraft Pearl Effects to the balloons, The patterned paper is from The Range, matted onto some plain green embossed card. The greeting is a Lili Of The Valley digi.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

The Sisterhood of Crafters - embossing

Crafty Sentiments - anything goes

Di's Digi Challenge - use a digi image

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #145 - anything goes

I Love ProMarkers Challenge #423 - anything goes/Birthday

Thanks for visiting

Stay safe

Sharon

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Very Fancy Vixen

My house is upside down at the moment as I am decorating and I'm loathe to bring craft stuff into the mix but I've managed to get a few more Christmas cards made whilst I wait for things to dry out...

Here's a very simple masculine card I've done for a friend's Dad, in burgundy and grey. This die is one of my favourites because of the magnificent antlers.

I do like plaid papers and the heather colour mix in this pattern is beautiful yet still masculine. The greeting was created in Publisher and double mounted.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

The Holly and Ivy Challenge #82 - anything goes

All Fun Challenges #18 - anything goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - V is for vixen

Crimbo Crackers #218 - anything goes

Moving Along With The Times #123 - animals or birds

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Skinny Girl With Dog

Today's card uses one of my favourite images from Bugaboo that I call 'skinny girl with dog'..

I coloured her using Promarkers and based the colour scheme on the gorgeous polka dot glittered patterned card from a pad by Deco Time (a brand found in The Range). The floral pattern was from the same pad.

I've recently run out of kraft coloured card so I improvised using a buff coloured stationary folder for the matting! Hard times at the moment for crafters with no papercraft shows! The flowers came from a Poundland pack.

I'm playing along with the current challenges at:

Watercooler Wednesdays #292 - feminine twist

Creative Moments #200 - anything goes

Crafty Creations #414 - anything goes

Moving Along With The Times #123 - animals or birds 

Colour Crazy week #40 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Christmas Cutie

Back to card making after a short break filled with decorating, having a clean out and my best friend's wedding...

It's a wet and miserable day here in the North East so I have decided to get a crack on with Christmas cards....

The Crafty Sentiments image is so cute! I've coloured it using Spectrum Noir pens and used glittered papers from The Range in the background. I've also added a shiny peel-off strip - cos y'know it's Christmas.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Allsorts Challenge #592 -  cute Christmas

Krafty Chicks #527 - stamp act

Crafty Animals #43 - anything goes

Crafty Sentiments #29 - anything goes

Holly and Ivy Challenge #80 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting today

Sharon                                                                                                                                                          x

Walking The Dog

This cute image was one of a pack of printed ready to colour designs that came free with Quick Cards Made Easy a number of years ago - coloured with a mixture of Pro-markers and Spectrum Noir pencils. The backing papers also came with a magazine some time ago. I used a layout inspired by this sketch at Sunday Stamps

I'm playing along with other challenges at:

Crafty Cardmakers #261 - lots of layers
Crafty Sentiments #25 - anything goes
Creative Moments #197 - AG/pretty papers
Through The Craftroom Door - anything goes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Cheers To You

A masculine birthday card today - I don't tend to make these unless I have to but I have a few birthdays coming up so need to build up a stock...

I've used a beer glass topper from Buzzcraft as the main image. The simple striped card seemed very masculine - it reminded me of a man's shirt material. I've matted both using dark brown paper and added some punched dots to decorate. As a background I've used some embossed off white card on a kraft base. Simple - just like blokes cards should be!

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Watercooler Wednesdays #285 - AG/masculine
Crafters Cafe Challenge #249 - dots and stripes
The Male Room #141 - masculine birthday (Happy 7th Birthday!)
The Sisterhood of Crafters - masculine
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - August - something starting with 'B' (beer, brown)
Daisy Chain Challenges #44 - for the boys/men

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Wedding Cake

I've got a couple of friends getting married in the next month - both very small weddings because of COVID. Here's a card I've made for one of them using one of the Anita's foiled decoupage sheets...

Again, I've used mirri card which is so difficult to capture in a photograph. The patterned papers are from packs form The Range in my stash - the pink one with diamond outlines is very appropriate! To embellish, I've added 3 small glittery heart gems.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Aud Sentiments #257 - AG plus sentiment

Crafty Sentiments - AG

Creative Knockouts #362 - sparkle and shine

Dream Valley #230 - add gems or pearls

Creations In Pink #24 - AG

Ike's World #135 - 3 of a kind (heart gems)

Thank you for stopping by

Sharon

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Celebrate In Style

A quick post tonight of a card I made today using a Buzzcraft 1920s style lady topper...

It is so difficult to photograph mirri-card!!

I've mounted the topper and backing paper using silver mirri-card and added matted rectangles placed in an Art Deco inspired arrangement. The greeting came with the toppers and I've added some silver Rennie Mackintosh style square peel-offs.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Crafting Happiness #60 - anything goes
Corrosive Challenge #8 - anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #139 - anything goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #120 - anything goes
The Crafter's Cafe - Aug 20 - anything goes
A Perfect Time To Craft #8 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Wild Thing

Today's card is made from bits from my scraps box...

I printed this girly digital image by Bugaboo a couple of years ago but I've never got round to using it. The animal patterned paper was not very large and a strange off cut but I managed to get four die cut squares out of it. I coloured the image with Pro-markers to match the pattern and matted everything with black card. As a backing I used a sheet of embossed card that I got as part of a lucky dip bag at a craft fair...

The result is a sassy girly birthday card for my box. I could never wear shoes like that - they have 'broken ankle' written all over them!!

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Colour Crazy Challenge #29 - anything goes
Crafting Happiness #59 - anything goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2030 - anything goes
Pixie's Sunday Snippets #383 - anything goes (yes to play for the prize please)

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Welcome Baby Boy

I don't often make new baby cards for my box - I usually only make them when one is needed but today I was inspired by this cute image by Lili Of The Valley that I found in a box in my craft room (as you do!)...

I used a kraft colored base and matting and some sweet patterned papers from a pad from The Range - the backing paper is actually tiny hearts rather than spots. I've added some die cut balloons and some tiny pearls to embellish, and created the greeting in Microsoft Publisher.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Krafty Chicks Challenge # 517 - all occasions
The Crafter's Cafe #247 - male
Watercooler Wednesdays  #281 - all about occasions
Craft Rocket Challenges #72 - for the men/boys
Little Red Wagon #559 - spots or stripes
Dream Valley #228 - all occasions

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Christmas In July

Seeing the challenge at Less Is More #424 this week has inspired me to add to my growing pile of Christmas cards...

The image is a cute design I found on an embroidery website years ago...

I used heavy white linen card for the base  - I feel this adds a bit of texture to one layer cards and it's lovely to colour as the texture shows through.  I've used pro markers to colour him, and a silver gel pen for the buckle.  I've cheated a little for a one layer card as I've finished it off with a tiny cotton wool ball for the pom-pom. The greeting was created using Candy Square BTN Striped font.

I'm also playing along with the challenges at:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #137 - Christmas In July
Christmas Card Throwdown July - Santa
My Time To Craft #436 - Christmas In July
The Paper Players #500 - CAS and celebrate (and a Happy Birthday PP!)

Thanks for visiting
Stay safe

Sharon
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Another Butterfly Card

I'm certainly loving butterflies this Summer - they are appearing on loads of my cards!

I'm trying to use up old stash so I've made this with some old M&C Boutique papers I bought from The Works a few years back...

I couldn't believe it when I looked through my bags of ribbons and found such a perfect match!

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Crafting Happiness #57 - anything goes
Dream Valley #228 - all occasions
Creative Fingers #190 - anything goes
Allsorts week #580 - something beginning with 'B'
Crafty Calendar July - add a ribbon
Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2028 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting

Stay safe

Sharon
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Tri-fold Butterfly Card

Oh my - I can't believe it's been a week since I posted - time is flying! And where is this year going to - I've been working at home for 3 and a half months now and it's suddenly July!

Well today's card is inspired by this week's challenge at The Paper Players:

I do like unusual shaped cards. My go to shape is usually an easel card but today I've tried to make what I think is called a tri-fold card...

Using an A4 base card I cut a diagonal top edge then scored and folded the card into three.

The papers are from an old issue of  Papercraft Essentials. I've die-cut the butterfly but left the 'bits' in the shape. Finally I've used a Lili Of The Valley digi for the greeting.

I'm also playing along with the challenges at:

Crafter's Castle #31 - anything goes
Crafting Happiness #56 - things that fly
Corrosive Challenge #7 - anything goes
Get Creative Challenge #93 - birthdays

Thanks for visiting
Stay safe

Sharon
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Boy Racer

Another masculine birthday card for my box...

The sports car topper and patterned paper came from an old issue of Making Cards Magazine. I fussy-cut the image and mounted it on a slate grey background using foam pads. I cut a strip of patterned paper and matted it on larger yellow and white papers. Finally, I added one of the greetings that also came with the magazine and added three coordinating punched circles.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Unicorn Challenge #55 - masculine
Crafty Gals Corner #208 - you're the man
Creative Inspirations June Challenge - let's hear it for the boys
Crafting Happiness Challenge #55 - anything goes
Crafty Friends Challenge #138 - men or boys
Dragonfly Dreams - make it masculine

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Grey Daisies

A quick card today using some pretty yellow and grey patterned papers and an old Digistamp Boutique vase of daisies digi...

The image was coloured with Pro Markers and mounted on a fancy scalloped circle die - isn't it strange how photography changes colours - in real life the vase is exactly the same colour as the yellow patterned paper!!

 I'm a bit disappointed with how the background colouring turned out - it looks a bit patchy. I've added a greeting created using KG Sorry Not Sorry font.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Tuesday Throwdown #460 - anything goes

The Paper Shelter #433 - going digital

Simon Says Stamp #74 - anything goes

Passion For Promarkers #548 - use a die

Crafty Sentiments #23 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting today

Sharon

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Top Dog

I usually only make masculine cards when I get a special request so I thought I would make some for my ever-growing box of 'lockdown' cards...

This fabulous dog topper came with Making Cards Magazine a couple of years ago. I love the colour combo - mustard, red and grey work together really well. I've matted the image on grey card and used a couple of coordinating patterned papers to create a simple layout. the greeting was created in Publisher and I've added a couple of coloured Card Candi as embellishments.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Little Red Wagon Challenge #554 - animal antics
Watercooler Wednesdays #276 - make it masculine
Allsorts Challenge #577 - pets
Crafty Gals Corner #208 - you're the man
Unicorn Challenge #55 - masculine
Crafty Friends Challenge #138 - for men or boys TOP 3

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Have A Hoot

Today's card uses a really old digi from a company called 'Karleigh Sue' - I was given this to use when I was in a design team some years ago...

This digi owl is so girlie and cute!. I coloured her using promarkers and mounted the image on a die-cut scalloped square. I used coordinating pastel patterned papers from my stash. The greeting was made in Publisher using Copperplate Gothic font and I added some Card Candi.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Star Stampz Challenge #11 - Happy Birthday
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #133 - anything goes
Sweet Stampin' - die-cuts/punches
Moving Along With The Times #119 - things with wings
The Cutie Pie Challenge #148 - layer it up

Thanks for popping in - stay safe

Sharon
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