More TV Show samples

Hello everyone, I hope that you have been tuning in to Lesley's and Dawn Bibby's recent TV shows on the Craft Channel. They have been showcasing the Chocolate Baroque stamps superbly, and the demos have been absolutely fantastic. It has been great to see some of our older stamps getting an update using newer products, and I have thoroughly enjoyed using them again.

Lots of my DT projects have been having another airing, which has been great. I made several of them ages ago, and it is lovely to see them still giving inspiration to people. You can check out my Pinterest board here: https://uk.pinterest.com/judithsmith45/my-own-cards-and-projects/ if you care to scroll through, you will see lots of the cards featured on the various shows, but I thought that I would share a few with you.

Dawn saw this card on a recent show featuring the texture stamps, and instantly fell in love with the peacock stamps:

My other texture samples at the time were these: A tag using the Fancy Flowers stamp set

 A canvas created using acetate for the central window motif and dimensional flower embellishments.

 A mixed media piece using scrap cardboard as the base, fabric for the stamping, and acetate for the bird cages.

The peacock related show showcased a lot of my samples, and I remebered having a lot of fun creating these:

I used sari waste as part of the tail on this peacock, showing how you can use elements from the stamp plate to design your own bird.

I always love to mix and match the stamps that I have, and using the bodices from one of the haberdashery stamp sets, gave me a chance to be a dress designer for a day!

I have had a lot of fun using my gelli plate to create new samples for some of the shows, and the following cards show a cleaner style than some of my older cards, offering inspiration to make cards in a shorter amount of time. We don't always have hours to create something special, but want something that is nonetheless a little bit different:

Finally, a round up of a few more examples that were created for the shows, both old and new that you may have caught along the way:

This card was created using a sentiment and flourish from the Artistic Expressions stamp plate:

I hope that you have enjoyed my gathering of projects, and do please keep looking out for more shows coming up on the craft channel with Lesley and Dawn, showcasing the stamps from Chocolate Baroque. You never know, you might see something else that I have created ;) Thanks for stopping by, xx

Frame It

Hi Folks, it's time for another challenge over on the Artistic Inspirations challenge blog. Sadly this will be my last contribution as a Design Team member, as I have decided to step down due to ever-increasing family commitments. I have been a DT member on the blog ever since it started, so it will seem very strange not to be part of the team any more, but I wish them well, and I'm sure that I will pop in to see how they are doing.

This week the challenge is along the theme of 'Frame It'. I have chosen to use a lovely image from our sponsors Eureka, who are offering the winners a prize of five digis og their choice.

I created a background using the wrinkle free Distress method. I used Wild Honey and Seedless Preserves to get a lovely warm background. Once this was dry, I printed the image onto the paper, and coloured it with pencils. I matted the image twice, using a rich gold and burgundy card. My background paper is taken from the Bo Bunny 'Autumn Song' collection, these papers are beautiful. I have used a sentiment from Chocolate Baroque, one of my all time favourites.

I have added some die cut leaves to echo the image.

Why not have a go at entering the challenge yourself? You can make whatever you like as long as you follow the theme. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Dry embossing

Hi folks, it's time for another challenge over at the Artistic Inspirations challenge blog. The theme this week is dry embossing. I have made two cards this time, although one was from a few weeks ago, as I gave it to my Father-in-law for Father's Day. I used an image called 'Feet up and a cuppa' which is very apt for him, even the wild hair and big nose seems to suit him quite well! He laughed when he opened the card, which was quite fortunate, as he did at least see the funny side.

Anyway, I coloured  my card with pencils, and then used a houndstooth embossing folder to create a textured background. I used a sentiment from Visible Image. Lots of coloured matting picks out the colours from my image.

The second image is called 'Veedub', and I wanted to create a girly card with this image. I printed the image onto to some retro patterned paper that I had been hoarding in my stash for ages, and decoupaged it onto another image that I had coloured with pencils. I then added another coloured layer for the bumper. I punched some flowers which I then embossed with a dotty embossing folder, and attaced them together with brightly coloured brads. I also added a computer generated sentiment using a retro style font, which was a free download.

Our sponsor this week is Dr Digi who is offering the winner 1 digital image of their choice.

So please hop over to the challenge blog and see what my team mates have made for your inspiration, and have a go at entering the challenge.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Fur or Feathers

Hi Folks, it's time for another challenge over at the Artistic Inspirations Challenge blog. This week, the theme is 'Fur or Feathers'. I have chosen to use an image from our sponsors Floppy Latte of two kissing swans. This image is great for weddings or anniversaries. I have used some lovely embossed card for my background, and coloured the image with Pencils. I have added a sentiment and some heart gems to finish. I chose to stick to soft pastel shades of blue and white, so that I can give the card for almost any Anniversary except Golden or Ruby! However, this card is earmarked for a special couple already, so it won't be sitting in my box of cards for long.

Why don't you join in the challenge, and make something with a fur or feather related theme?
 It can be anything you like, a card, box, tag, mixed media project, etc. We would love to see what you come up with.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

A bit of Paper Piecing

Hi Folks, it's time for a new challenge over at the Artistic Inspirations challenge blog. I have used an image from our sponsors this week called 'Hug me Angel'. I printed the image several times onto patterned paper, and once onto plain white card. I coloured the face, hands and hair with Copics, and then cut the rest of the image from the various pieces of patterned paper.

I have added a flower and leaves cut from the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals and Tattered Leaves dies. My image had some faux stitching on it, so I've added that to the edge of my leaves, and as a border around the background paper.

Our sponsor this week is QKR and is offering 5 digis of the winner's choice as a prize.

Why not enter the challenge? You can make whatever you like, just follow this week's theme of Paper Piecing/Paper Piercing.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Di's Digi Designs Winged Things

Paper Creators Crafts Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly Paper piecing

Through the craft room door Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Flowers and Lace

Hi Folks, it's time for another challenge over at the Artistic Inspirations Challenge blog. The theme for this week is Flowers and Lace, so why don't you have a rummage through your stash and have a go at making a project for the challenge?

I have used an image from our sponsor this week, Eureka Stamps called Garden Square. I must have been in a cheery mood when I created this card, as I have gone for very bright colours! I have coloured the digital image with my Polychromos pencils, and then used a lovely backing paper from the DCWV Mariposa stack. This is a beautiful selection of papers that I am shamefully hoarding, so it's about time I started to use them. I have used a pretty piece of ribbon, some flowers and glittery domes from my stash along with a piece of lace to tie in with this week's theme.

Eureka stamps are offering 5 digis of the winner's choice.

Please hop over to the blog to see what my team mates have made, and have a go at making something for the challenge. It can be anything that you like, a card, tag, box, altered item, mixed media project, etc, as long as you incorporate Flowers and Lace.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Challenges for Everybody Anything Goes

Pink Gem Challenge Blog Things with Wings

Crafty Calendar Challenge Blooms and Blossoms

Left of Center Challenges Use a Digi Image

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Lots of Layers

Hi Folks it's time for another challenge over at the Artististic Inspirations challenge blog, and this week the theme is 'Lots of Layers'.

I have used an image from our sponsor Sassy Studios called 'Elizabeth Bennet'. I coloured the image using my Polychromos pencils, and cut the image out using a Nestie shape. I coloured the edges with Distress Inks, and really like the lacy effect that this gives this die. I have added some torn script paper in keeping with the literary theme of my character, and some scrumptious PaperArtsy paper. I rummaged through my stash for some lace, a toning purple flower, a brad and a die cut leaf to finish the card. My last layer is some white card as the base layer.

Pride and Prejudice was always my favourite Jane Austen novel, but I enjoy watching the movie as well. Who doesn't like to see Elizabeth and Mr Darcy agonise their way though the fim to the ultimate happy ending? Mr Darcy in a damp shirt isn't too bad either ;)

Our sponsor this week is offering 4 digis of the winner's choice:

So please hop along to the challenge blog, and take a look at what my team mates have made, and have a go at making something for the challenge yourself. It can be any kind of project you like, a card, tag, box, altered item. etc.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts Flowers and Lace


Sisterhood of Crafters Anything Goes

Divas by Design Inspired by a Movie

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Anything But a Card

Hi Folks, I hope that you are having a lovely sunny morning wherever you are. I'm just back from a weekend away at Alexandra Palace where I met up with some of my lovely crafting friends at the Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show. It was a great weekend, catching up on lots of news, watching some fabulous demos and of course, stocking up on crafty stash. I always come away with lots of ideas, and enthusiasm for new projects. Hopefully, I'll have time to put them into practice!

I have a tag to show you today for the Artistic Inspirations challenge blog. This week, the theme is 'anything but a card', so we'd like to see your tags, boxes, altered items, etc. I have used an image from our sponsor Robyn's Fetish called 'Sunflower 1' as the basis for my project, and chosen a colour palette of greens and yellows.

I used a large tag, which I covered with Prima paper, adding a bit of Distress Ink for extra colour. I stamped a large Stamp Camp swirl around the edges, before distressing them and colouring them with more Distress Ink. I coloured some scrabble tiles with DIs and stuck those to the tag. My flower is from the Persian Motifs Spellbinders set, as it reminded me of a sunflower, and is again inked with DIs. The butterfly is from a good old Primark necklace.

Our sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish:

Robyn is offering 5 digis of the winner's choice

I am entering my tag into the following challenges:

Challenges4Everybody Anything Goes

crazy4challenges wooden accent

charisma cardz Tags

Happy Campers Flower Power

Thanks for stopping by, xx

An Easter Card and DT call

Hi Folks, I hope that you've all been having a great Easter break. The weather hasn't been that brilliant, but it's been great for us to have some family time, a rare treat, as our Daughter came home for a visit. It seems strange to see displays of de-icer and snow shovels at the Supermarkets when there should be primroses and Spring flowers at this time of year. I hope that for most of you the snow is disappearing now, and that the warmer weather will be on its way very soon.

I have a card to show you today that is my DT offering for this week's Artistic Inspirations challenge. The theme is Easter/Spring, and there is also a DT call. It is a great challenge blog to work on, lots of friendly people, including yours truly!

I have used an image from our sponsor this week called Easter Lilies and have decoupaged the image, colouring it with pencils. I have gone for a colour palette of soft pinks and greens as I felt that this fitted the Spring theme very well. I have used some Martha Stewart punches for the butterflies and the border, colouring the edges with Tattered Rose DI. The sentiment is from Chocolate Baroque.

So, please pop along to the challenge blog to see what my team mates have made, have a go at making something, and why not think about becoming a member of the Design Team?

Digi Darla is offering five digis of the winners choice.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Corrosive challenge blog Spring Fling

My Sheri Crafts Spring has sprung

creative Corner Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Use some Metal

Hi folks, it's time for another challenge over at the Artistic Inspirations Challenges blog. This week, the theme is 'Use some metal'. I have chosen to make two cards this week, but using the same sketch. My first card is using a digital image called 'Emma'. This is a fabulous vintage style image, and I wanted to create a card that had a period feel to it. I chose a colour palette of soft blues, browns and greys, and coloured the image with Copics. The background paper is a free digital download.

I embossed some pearlescent card with a metallic finish through my Big Shot, and then rubbed some Inka Gold in Silver over the raised areas. I added some more Inka Gold to the edges of my card. I added a watch charm to the ribbon to finish my card.

My second card is based on the same sketch, but would be more suitable for a child's Birthday card, or for anyone who likes a bit of magic! I've used an image called 'Starr', coloured with Copics, but added some Platinum Stickles to her dress for some sparkle. I embossed the purple circle with some gold stars, and added some punched stars from gold card. The sentiment is computer generated.

Our sponsor this week is Stitchy Bears, and the prize that they are offering is a shop voucher to spend in the online shop.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Things with Wings

Hi Folks, slightly later than normal, I have my offering for the Artistic Inspirations challenge this week. I've been visiting my parents, so although I had my project finished while I was there, I just couldn't write my blog post. Yesterday, I travelled home, and met my lovely crafting buddy Lesley for lunch and a long catch up chat. We hardly see each other, so it was lovely to have a proper hug and chat instead of a virtual one.

This week the challenge is 'Things with Wings' our sponsor is Meljens, and I have used a super image called Lazy Susan buggies, which I printed onto Prima Firefly paper, and then onto plain white card. I coloured the white image, before cutting it out and decoupaging it onto the Firefly paper. I added some lovely satin ribbon and some green bazzil card as a mount. It's a simple project as I had limited stash with me at my Mum and Dad's house.

However, it will be a great storecupboard card suitable for lots of occasions.

Meljens is offering 3 digis to the winner.

Please pop over to the challenge blog to see what my team mates have been making this week, and why not enter the challenge yourself? You can make whatever you like, a card, tag, box, altered item, mixed media project, the choice is yours.

I am entering my project into the following challenges:

crafty boots

paper make up stamps

Thanks for stopping by, xx