Winter Wonderland - "Oh Christmas Tree"

The Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog launches today! Pop over and have a look at the lovely DT cards for this week's theme of 'Oh Christmas Tree'. There is some pretty candy on offer too for our first week's 'winner'.

Make a gentle start to your Christmas preparations this year by participating in our challenges and creating one card or project item each week :o)

As it's the last Sunday in the month, I decided to create a card and a gift bag for this theme. Here it is ....... :o)

I used a new stamp set called Scandinavian Season from Stampin' UP! for the main image. This is such a pretty modern Christmas Tree and looks lovely when heat embossed with silver powder.

The products I have used are all Stampin' UP! apart from the silver mirri card which is from Joanna Sheen, the brushed silver eyelets which are WRMK and the little gems which are from my supplies.

Cardstock ........... Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Ink ................. Versamark
Stamp Set ........... Scandinavian Season, Season Of Joy (for sentiment)
Other Products ...... Silver Embossing Powder, 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon, 1" Bashful Blue Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

The gift bag is really easy to make....

I used 2 sheets of A4 cardstock, but trimmed 2.5cm off the long side as it was a bit too long for what I wanted. On each piece of cardstock, score the two long sides and one short side(bottom) all at 4cm. Cut along the two vertical score lines on the short side up to the 4cm horizontal scoreline. Measure for placement and add the eyelets at the top of each cardstock piece now, while the cardstock is still flat.

On the back piece put glue onto the right side of the two corner tabs that were created by the cuts (above) and then fold them in, pressing the longer middle tab up to them to form the bottom of the back half of the gift bag. You then need to do the same for the front piece, but before you do, decorate it as you require first - it's easier than trying to stick things on later.

Add glue to the back piece on both sides and the bottom (all on the right side). Slot the front of the gift bag over the back piece, pressing the sides and bottom of the bag together firmly. Add ribbon for the handles ..... and you're done :o)

I tend to use a strong, tacky PVA type glue for my bags, but you could just as easily use the strong, red sticky strip.

The measurements for this bag are easily adapted to create any size or depth of bag you need. It's really simple to create and worth having a go :o)

Teri xxx

Passion For Promarkers - Challenge #1

Passion For Promarkers is a new weekly challenge site that had it's launch this week. It's worth checking out because the prizes on offer for the first week are amazing!!!
There are prizes from .....
Angel Crafts
Joanna Sheen
Dies To Die For
Daisy May Designs
Pink Gem Designs

This is my entry for the first challenge. You are able to use any colour Promarkers this week.


This was my first attempt at 'proper' shading - which I've used on the hair, guitar and boots. The colours used here are all the 5 Cool Greys.
Skin Tone - Ivory and Blush. Blossom for the mouth.
Dress - Rose Pink
Guitar - Red

The stamp used is from The Greeting Farm called Rock Star Anya. It's my first stamp of this type ... and I loved using it. I think I will be getting a few more soon! :o)

I have done some more paper pleating on this card, to create the 'stage'. This time I've created pencil pleats - still made in the same way with a strip of paper scored at 1cm and 2cm intervals ... just folded differently to have the pleats going all the same way :o)

Other Products used : - All from Stampin' UP!
Cardstock ...... Basic Black, Barely Banana, Whisper White, Real Red, Going Grey, Pixie Pink
Pattern Paper ... DSP Real Red
Stamp Set ....... Oval All
Ink ............. Real Red
Punches ......... Scallop Oval, Large Oval, 1/2" Circle
Accessories ..... Silver Elastic Cord, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Signo White Gel Pen

Winter Wonderland Blog!!! ...... And Candy!!!

There's only 4 days to go until the launch of our new Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog. I hope you will be joining us on Sunday 31st May :o) The DT have been working hard on the themes to produce some gorgeous, inspiring projects for you .... and we have some lovely candy up for grabs for the first week!

Take this opportunity to get a head start on Christmas. Just making one card or project a week will help no end in reducing that last minute panic we seem to fall into each year :o)

How about another sneaky peak at what's to come .... ??



And a pic of the candy :o)



Teri xx

Stamp With Us Challenge

Stamp With Us have another recipe challenge on their site this week. The recipe this time is ....

1 Pattern Paper
2 Ribbons
1 Button
1 Flower

I really enjoyed doing this card. I'd wanted to have another go at paper pleating after seeing Monica's video on the Online Stamp With Us course this month. It's so easy to do ..... once you have been shown the right way :o)

I've used all Stampin' Up! products for this card.

I dyed the small ribbon on the image with Really Rust marker pen ...... ok you don't get an exact colour match every time .... but it's close enough :o) I also used the marker pens - Really Rust, Old Olive and More Mustard to stamp the image with.

Image ............ True Friend Stamp Set
Cardstock ........ Whisper White, Old Olive, Really Rust
Pattern Paper .... DSP Spiced Cider
Accessories ...... More Mustard Button, Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon
Punch ............ Scallop Edge

Crafts 4 Eternity - #33

This week's challenge from Crafts 4 Eternity this week is to use the sketch to create a TEEN card.

Apart from the base square card, I have used all Stampin' UP! products for my entry :o)

Cardstock ........... Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
Ink ................. Real Red, Basic Black, Old Olive
Pattern Paper ....... DSP Summer Picnic, DSP Real Red, DSP Old Olive
Punches ............. Scallop Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1" Circle
Stamp Set ........... Girlfriends - Retired US Set, Circle Of Friendship
Other Products ...... Pretties Flower, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Old Olive Button
Stampin' Markers .... Real Red, Old Olive, Blush Blossom

Honest Scrap Award

Lovely Shirley from Rubber Stamping Workshops has been kind enough to send me this award! Thank you Shirley xxx
BUT ...... I've also been given it by the gorgeous Alison and the adorable Debbi. Thank you so much ladies!! xxxxx

I've had to do a little investigating to find out a bit more about this award and where it originated and apparently ......

"This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.” ......... Isn't that lovely?? :o)

The conditions of this award are:

I must thank the person who gave me the award, list their blog and link to it
I must list ten (10) honest things about myself
I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog
I must select at least seven (7) other worthy bloggers & list their links
I must notify the bloggers of the award

Hmmmmmm ..... 10 Honest Things About Me .......

1. I'm a paper stroker and sniffer. I love the smell of new paper and I HATE cutting into new sheets :o)
2. I love my dogs soooooo much. BUT I miss having a cat around.
3. I spend far too much time looking at all your lovely blogs ... and not enough time cleaning!
4. I HATE cooking and preparing food. I HATE planning meals and most of all .... I HATE getting packups ready for the kids school lunches.
5. If I don't write down what needs to be done ..... it gets forgotten!
6. I hate to be late for anything ... but even more, I hate to be too early. Unfortunately my DH has to be hours early for everything, so going anywhere for a certain time is always 'stressy'! :o)
7. I am an avid reader and if I'm not crafting or on the web then I have my nose in a book. Usually a paranormal romance .... you just can't beat those sexy vampires and werewolves!!! Yummy :o)
8. I hate to upset people. It is not in me to be deliberately rude or insensitive.
9. I am quite a calm person. My philosophy is to 'just worry about the important things'.
10. I no longer watch 'the news' or read 'the papers'. Haven't been able to since what happened to that poor baby Jamie Bulgar.

And my nominees for this award .... all of which have 'brilliant' blogs ....

1. Sarah at Card Oasis
2. Lisa at Lisa's Stampin Weblog
3. Keryn at Poppy Dog
4. Anne at Anne's Corner
5. Sara at Sara Stamper
6. Kim at Simply Fairies
7. Julie at Paper Pleasing Ideas

These are all blogs that I regularly stalk. All are wonderful and full of inspiration ...... check them out for yourself :o) xxxx

Gorjuss Girls 2

I think it has now been a few weeks since the second selection of Gorjuss girls was released. I haven't had a chance to play with mine until today. One of my daughter's friends has a birthday tomorrow and I made this for Lauren to give to her :o)

I've made lots of these little bags in the last few weeks. They are so simple to make and it's really easy to adjust the size so that you can fit in all sorts of pressies, no matter what their size and shape.

Cardstock ........... Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Whisper White
Ink ................. Chocolate Chip
Pattern Paper ....... DSP Sweet Always
Punches ............. Scallop Circle
Stamp Set ........... Gorjuss Girl - From Sugar Nellie
Other Products ...... Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Non SU Products ..... Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad, Yellow Button, Promarker Pens, WRMK Antique Brass Eyelets

Stamp Something Challenge

This week's Stamp Something challenge is to create a 'Clean and Simple Thank you'.

I have used all Stampin' UP! Products for this card.

Cardstock ........ Very Vanila, Close To Cocoa
Stamp Set ........ Pocket Silhouettes
Ink .............. Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Other Products ... Chocolate Chip 1" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

I Fell In Love ................. :o)

......... with this stamp set! Actually I fell in love with a card Sara made. Have a look at her post and scroll down - you will see the one I mean :) Absolutely gorgeous! I love the black and red .... and the flower is just perfect. I had to buy the stamp set ... it's just beautiful!

Above is my first version of the card. I have a very sick friend at the moment and decided to make a card for her. This was my very first attempt at watercolouring with .... well anything really as I haven't tried it before .... but this was with Ink Pads and Aqua Painter Brushes.

Cardstock ........ Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
Stamp Set ........ Bloomin' With Beauty
Ink .............. Real Red, Garden Green, So Saffron, Black Stazon
Other Products ... Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware
Technique ........ Watercolouring with Ink Pads
Sentiment created using the computer.

I've always loved red and black together. I think it's a superb, dramatic colour combination. Working on this card also inspired another card for one of the online classes/challenges that Stamp With Us have been doing this month. This one was to make a Christmas Card within a certain time limit.

This is the one I made ........



Cardstock ........ Basic Black, Real Red
Stamp Set ........ Season Of Joy, Best Yet
Ink .............. Basic Black, Versamark
Other Products ... Black Embossing Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
Technique ........ Heat Embossing

There ....... my first Christmas card ..... done! :o) xx

Cupcake Craft Challenge - #39

I found another card challenge site this week and decided to have a go :)
The Cupcake Craft Challenge set, was to produce a card for a man or a boy.

All Stampin' UP! products used this time .....

Cardstock ........... Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue
Ink ................. Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Markers ............. Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom
Pattern Paper ....... DSP Chocolate Chip
Stamp Set ........... All In The Family, Very Versatile, Frames With A Flourish
Other Products ...... Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Brads, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Crafts 4 Eternity - #31

Another great sketch from Crafts 4 Eternity this week.

Except for the base square card, I have used all Stampin' UP! products for this one.

Cardstock ........... Whisper White, Ballet Blue
Ink ................. Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue
Pattern Paper ....... DSP Bashful Blue
Punches ............. Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Scallop Edge
Stamp Set ........... Garden Whimsy, Oval All
Other Products ...... Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Winter Wonderland - New Challenge Blog!!!

I am absolutely thrilled to tell you that I have been asked by Anne to become a Design Team Member for a new Challenge Blog - WINTER WONDERLAND!!!.

The challenges will all be Christmas related. A new challenge will go up every Sunday - with the last challenge of a month being for an item other than a card. Of course you can use any of the challenges to create whatever you want to - cards, bags, boxes, decorations, scrapbook layouts - I can't wait to see what you all create :)

Take this opportunity to check out Winter Wonderland now and become a follower - so you won't miss any of the challenges when they start on 31st May.

We have a fantastic Design Team on board ..... check out their gorgeous, inspirational blogs ......

Anne
Joey
Lesley
Pascale
Sam

Stamp With Us - Theme Challenge

This week's challenge on Stamp With Us is the theme 'THANKS'.

I have used mostly Stampin' UP! products on my card.

Cardstock ........ Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Old Olive
Stamp Set ........ Fresh Cuts, Very Versatile
Punches .......... 5 Petal Flower, Large Oval, Boho Blossoms
Ink .............. Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum
Patterned Paper .. DSP Certainly Celery - from the retired list
Other Products ... Embossing Tool, Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brad, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Non SU Products .. WRMK Jumbo Silver Eyelets

I made the Double Pocket card adapting Lisa's tutorial on her Blog. I used an A4 sheet of Whisper White and adjusted the measurements slightly.

The flower was also from a blog tutorial from Stacey.

Both these ladies have amazing, inspirational blogs and well worth a look if you haven't yet 'discovered' them :)

Crafts 4 Eternity - #30

Crafts 4 Eternity have a fab challenge sketch this week for you to make a child's card.

I have used all Stampin' UP! products again for this one :)

Cardstock ........ Green Galore, Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow
Ink ................. Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue
Markers .......... Basic Black, Real Red, Brilliant Blue
Punches .......... Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Scallop Edge, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle
Stamp Set ........ Choo Choo, Best Yet

Stamp With Us - Sketch Challenge

This week's challenge on Stamp With Us is a sketch.

I have used all Stampin' UP! products on my version.

Cardstock ........ Old Olive, Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie
Stamp Set ........ Best Yet - Level 1 Hostess Benefit stamp set
Punches .......... Large Oval, Scallop Oval, 1" Circle
Ink .............. Old Olive
Chalks ........... Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun
Other Products ... Blending Pens, Embossing Tool