Tracie's Crafty Creations

SCSC - Ribbon - DT Card

2012-01-28T09:07:00.000Z

SCSC - Food or Drink - DT Card

2012-01-21T09:48:00.005Z

Our lovely Franchesca has picked this weeks theme of ..

Food & Drink

We are sponsored this week by....

The Prize for the winner is 3 digi images from their shop

The Stamping Boutique very kindly sent over a few images for us to use on our cards and I chose Birthday Bunny.

I asked the 'ol man when his moms birthday was as I knew it was soon. He said next Friday, the 13th. Aaaah u mean in the morning dear!! The look on his face was priceless. Don't worry my sweet lil cupcake, you go to bed, I've got it covered. So guess who was up most of the night getting it sorted hahaha.

The card didn't actually take me very long to create and colouring it was a dream. It was the fact I had to decide what papers to use lol. I have sooooooooo many digi papers let alone real ones to choose from it's getting harder by the day. (and I am frantically looking for the ones I decided on to tell you who they are from, i'll have to get back to you on that one *hangs head in shame) EDIT:: Summer Driggs @ Summertime Designs - Beautimous paper pack

I coloured birthday bear with my copics & promarkers then had a crisis. E31 is nearly DRY OMG!!!!!! (At 3am in the morning there is noone to call for help) So I had to resort to adding a few cakey colours with my prisma pencils, phew crisis averted. Added some stickles, errm most places lol and it was time to finish off.

I had found some freebie ribbons from a mag (stuffed in a drawer like everything else lol) that matched perfectly with the chosen papers and just stuck and tied them to the bottom and staggered the knots. I created the circular sentiment in Photoshop and hand cut around the for the mat. (no electronic cutter at 4am, it wakes the neighbours as it vibrates on the desk a little which just seems to echo at night lol)

Needless to say the MIL was loving the card and the chocolates that came with it also went down a treat lol.

So get those foody stamps on the go and create some sweetness.

TracieBxxx

Entered into ....

Clearly Inspired - Pastels

Papertake Weekly - Bows & Bling

Get Well Soon

2012-01-17T16:03:00.000Z

Wow, please take your time getting up.

A shock like this can really knock you about lol.

Yes, yes another post from me hahahaha.

A good friend is in hospital recovering from lung surgery that he had yesterday. He has been complaining that he now has a big scar and "you won't believe where they put the catheter" lmao.

So I decided he needed a little cheering up and made him a card to, hopefully, make him smile a little. Our group of friends from around the world are sending (emailing) me some handwritten words for me to compile and use on the insert as they will not be able to personally sign the card themselves.

I have used Nitwit papers and an image from Bugaboo and coloured with my copics and promarkers (loving the fine nibs you can get for them). Matted onto Bazill Bling card and printed sentiment from my word processor.

I hope you are liking my burst of inspiration, long may it last lol.

Hugs

TracieBxx

Entered into the following .....

Passion for ProMarkers - Humor

Happy Birthday

2012-01-16T16:50:00.000Z

I know, Shock Horror, Tracie has posted MidWeek!!

Well I am off work on me hols at the mo so getting a spot of cardmaking in while I can lol. Also my friends son's birthday is coming up and she has asked me to make him a car. He likes roaring at people at the moment, being a dragon so I thought this would be the perfect card.

I also found out that it is Dustin Pike's Birthday too, the creator of Dudley, our fearsome dragon and have entered it into this weeks challenge over at Doodle Dragon Studios Challenge Blog.

I have coloured Dudderz with my Copics and used Prisma colour pencils to add a little more depth as I don't quite have the dark green I needed (savin me money for the New Copic release in Feb hehehe).

I'm not sure if you can see but i've also glittered the opposing corners of my card to bling it up a bit lol

Don't you think little froggy looks petrified at Dudley. I'm going to tell the little man that he is trying not to be sick as that is another fascination of his at the moment (Kids eh!!! lol)

Well thats all from me today. You never know I may post some more cards soon too hahahaha

TracieBxxx

SCSC - Anything goes with Blue - DT Card

2012-01-14T12:32:00.001Z

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Bridget and is

Anything goes with Blue

so lets see your wonderful creations using a blue theme.

This week we are sponsered by ..

and is your chance to win a $10 voucher to use in their online shop

Sorry for the late post. I didn't want to trust bad blogger to auto publish for me and I had to go pick up my car from the garage as it has been a little poorly but is a lot better now hehe.

My mom's birthday is the beginning of feb and I thought i'd get her card done early rather than trying to do it the day before like last year lol.

She loves my Lily of the Valley images so using one was a no brainer. But I had to go through my whole digi paper sets to decide on the paper I was going to use and there are soooooooo many nice ones I had a hard time deciding lol. I settled on the Nitwit set Promises as it combines blue with my fave purples hehe. Cut out and layered the flower elements of the set and added stickles and leaves to finish them off.

I used Photoshop to do the sentiment and cut out the border from some lilac Bazzil Bling. I used my Klic n Kut to cut my ovals and scalloped ovals out as my nesties weren't big enough and I dont have one of them huuuge new cuttlebugs :o(

I added a few sticky pearls to the edges and me card was done in record time.

So get crafting and post your results on the challenge page.

See u all next week for another exciting 2012 challenge.

TracieBxxx

Entered into ..
Whimsy Stamps - Happy Birthday
Bearly Mine Challenge - Anything Goes

SCSC - Let them Eat Cake - DT Card

2012-01-07T09:38:00.002Z

Hi Guys

Blogger being an evil toad to me today and wont let me upload a pikky now grrrrrrr. I'll have another go later on this afternoon, please keep your fingers crossed for me lol.

I am also never scheduling a post again. Not only has it lost a post, it still hasn't posted this one and it is now 930am grrrrrr.

But it has given me the opportunity to let you all know that we have some fab new Sponsors for our challenges (well done to the Wooo's and Jane xxx).

This week you have the chance to snag a totally brilliant £10 Crafters Companion online gift voucher (wooooo hoooooo, thank u Sara xx)

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Andie and she has chosen a scrummy theme of ........

Let them Eat Cake

Mmmmmm cake!!

Well ladies I can say for certain that there are soooooooooo many images out there that you can use for this challenge lol. Cupcakes, teacakes, birthday cakes..... (you get my drift hahaha) so lets see all that scrummy delishushusnesss (I know, not a real word hehe).

This weeks image Happy Birthday to Me has come courtesy of The Paper Shelter. I settled on trying to do a CAS card (not too good at them as I try and add too much lol) and decided to use the precoloured version, then changed the colours in Photoshop to match the lush papers from their So Girly paper collection. I added a little pencil shading to make it really pop off the page. I have cut it out and stuck to plain card using 3d glue gel. So the sentiment is a little smudged as I tried to stamp it and wondered why I couldn't stamp properly???

Note to self ..... Remember to stamp the sentiment BEFORE sticking the image down!!! (at least I managed to fix the crease line down the centre of his face before the glue dried lmao)

I added a bit of sparkle to the candles and there you go, card finished in super fast time

Entered into ..

The PaperShelter - Anything Goes

SCSC - Happy New Year or Celebration - DT Card

2011-12-19T11:40:00.001Z

OMG how long has it taken me to get into blogger to post my DT card this week Grrrrrrrrrrr.

This weeks challenge over at SCSC has been set by Meeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Happy New Year or Celebration creations

We're looking for New Years cards, any late birthday or special celebration cards for todays challenge.

I went with a lovely Mo Manning Image Tean Fairy Mia for my bezzy mates birthday. Found some Crate paper bought a couple of years ago that I couldnt seem to cut into that fit perfectly. I took the plunge and got me scissors out and with a deep breath squeezed the scissors together (phew not as bad as I thought hehehe)

I decided to make the card into an easel and cut the swirls and leaves out in white paper and coloured with me copics to match the image n paper. I set me cutter chomping away at the flower shapes and sentiment shape. Coloured the flowers with promarkers, soaked them with cosmic shimmer dust mixed with water and scrunched them to death lol

I shaped then while they were wet. After they had dried I applied stickles for extra shimmer. I didnt have the right shade of blue card for the base of the easel so googled the crate paper image, grabbed the blue and printed off a sheet with the blue, sprayed stick n stay all over it then sprinkled Glamour dust all over it. Finished off with a lick of spray and sparkle to seal the glitter and fill in any missing glitter and voila, custom made matching glitter card.

A bit more stickles and ribbon finished it off ready in time for delivery hurrrrah

Hope to see your all for our last challenge before xmas

TracieBxxxx

SCSC - All Creatures Great n Small (including Aliens) - DT Card

2011-12-10T08:14:00.000Z

Well another week has gone by and isnt it cold brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Linda and is ...

All Creatures Great n Small (including Aliens)

As it has been soooo cold the last few days I though it appropriate to give ol Rudolf an Airing to get him ready for the snow that will soon be here (woooo hoooo)

I used Pink Petticoat papers and images this week and added some Bazzil Bling, glitter, flowersoft (for the snowballs) and some ribbon. A fast and simple card of which I may be making more in different colours. I coloured Rudolf in with Prisma pencils and his scarf with Copics. Glittered and glazed his nose for added sparkle. I cut the scalloped mat on my klic n kut to save me trying to cut out out by hand.

I am off now for a warm in front of our new ceramic heater. It has a lovely bright glow and is great to snuggle up by.

Pop on over to the other ladiezzz blogs and share the love.

See u all next week (if you haven't been swallowed up by the crowds christmas shopping)

TracieBxxxx

SCSC Challenge - Photo Inspiration - DT Card

2011-12-03T09:45:00.003Z

This weeks challenge has been set by our lovely Kate and she has given you a photo as inspiration for your card this week ....

I have chosen the colours of red and green for my card and the golden glitter sparkle for my snowflake and the bell at the end of his hat. The image is from Make It Crafty and he is called Floppy hehehe. I used my Copics and Promarkers again to colour him in.

I found the paper on my external hard drive and have no idea where it has come from but the date on the file was 2008 (I really should organise it a bit better lol). The background of the image looked a little harsh against the rest of the card so I ended up masking Floppy and using some pale green chalk ink to shade the whiteness away> I thyink it also makes him stand out a bit more too.

Well guys, have a gander at the pikky and see what jumps out at you this week. I love seeing all the different interpretations you all come up with each week.

Have a great week and good luck with the dreaded Xmas shoppping hehehe. See you all next weekend.

TracieBxx

Entered into the following: ....

Digi Doodle Shop - Lots of Sparkle
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Stamptacular Sunday - Anything Christmas
Colour Create - Red, White & Green
Crafty Catz - Colours of Christmas

SCSC Challenge - Borders & Flowers - DT Card

2011-11-26T09:06:00.002Z

Hi Guys

Hope you all had a lovely week and for those of you stateside a Happy Thanksgiving.

This weeks challenge over at SC Saturday Challenge has been set by one of our new DT members Janet, and is

Borders & Flowers

This is your last week to be in with a chance of winning this months prize of 5 digi's of choice from our sponsor

I'm Tracey Malnofski, the artist and owner of The Stamping Boutique. My team and I are very happy to sponsor Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. My store has been open since September 2009.I am currently a stamp artist for Unity Stamp Co. and I've worked for InStyleStamps, Squigglefly, and TheDigiShack in the past. I'm a professional artist and an active member of the Artist' Guild in my community. I have quite a busy household with a husband, 3 teenagers, 5 mini-dachshunds and an Appaloosa mare. It's noisy, but I love them all. I'm truly blessed. "The Stamping Boutique" is dedicated to quality products and original artwork. We not only provide wonderful digital images in our store, but also several lines of red rubber images. Our designers are chosen for their character and personality,as well as, their beautiful designs. We work hard to give you our very best. Thank you so much for having us as your sponsor this week.

Store: http://thestampingboutique.com/

I decided to combine the two and do a flower border hehe (no its not cheating lol) After much fiddling got the border cut using Bazzil Bling card in a soft shimmery lilac.

I used LOTV Garden of wishes stamp as I think she fits perfectly and I just had a vision of the colours in her wings. I used my Copics and Promarkers to colour her in and decided to have a proper play with the light from the star on her face and took more time to try and work with the shadows (which i am not too good at working the shadows from the light source lol) but I am quite pleased with the result although i couldnt quite bring myself to use the purple shading on the skin which some others do really well (yeah go on call me chicken hahaha)

I glittered the wings to death then added more stickles hehehe. Stamped a few swirls around the edges and (yep u guessed it) sticklez'd them an all. I cut the swirl and flower on my Klick n Kut and glittered the swirl too. After colouring the petals with coordinating copics I sprayed it with water and scrunched it up a bit to give it some life. After I dried with with my heat gun I dusted it with Mica powders as I didnt want to overdo the glitter
(is there such a thing as too much glitter??? Discuss lol)

Well off now to try and make a dent in my Xmas card list as I think I have 3 done hehehehe. Have a great week and dont forget to share some love on the other gals blogs.

TracieBxxx

Entered into the following ...
Lily of the Valley - Anything Goes (I remembered the rules this week :D)
Totally Gorjuss - Sparkle (errrm yep lol)
Bearly-Mine - My Fave Things (glitter, copics, klick n kut)

SCSC Challenge - Janes Sketch - DT Card

2011-11-19T09:01:00.000Z

Mooornin Ladeeeez, hope you are all good this weekend (flamin cold this mornin tho *shiver)

This weeks challenge has been set by our Lovely Jane and she has bought us a sketch to follow this week.

I must admit I struggled with the sketch this week as I couldnt seem to find any image that looked right for the card I had imagined in my minds eye. Until I stumbled across a load of older images on my external hard drive that I purchased from PC Hugbug, perfect!

Printed out the images onto 160gsm card and mounted onto some silver mirri board. I used the papers that came along with the images and again mounted the snowflake paper onto silver mirri. I decoupaged the Snowmuch fun sentiment and cut a couple of snowflakes out then glittered them to within an inch of their lives lol.

I was going to put three flakes along the right hand side but do you think I can find my small flake punch, nope have no idea where that has gone in this blackhole of a crafting room hahahaha. As it was getting close to our cut off time I had to go with some square gems (Note to self: TIDY UP THIS ROOOOOOOM!!!) hehehe

Sorry about the quality of the pikky but I am having some focussing problems with my camera (fiddled with the setting and now dont work properly :( grrr) and I cant remember what the original setting are boooo hoooo.

Good luck with the sketch and I am really looking forward to seeing how you interpret the layout.

See you all next weeks, have a good one ladeeez an wrap up warm brrrrrr

TracieBxxx

SCSC Challenge - Spots & Stripes - DT Card

2011-11-12T09:09:00.004Z

This weeks challenge has been set by der heavenly Helen and is ...

Spots and Stripes

As it is t'other halfs birthday in a couple of weeks I decided to get ahead and actually make him a birthday card this year lol. Whilst blog hopping I saw a card with Knight Dudley on and fell in love with it. I actually have him in my stash but didn't realise so no spending xmas cash for me this week lol.

Coloured Dudderz with my copics and had a play with the banner trying to recreate the folds and I think they came out rather well. I googled "scroll" and came up with this version which I thought fit the bill, added some text and printed it out.

I finally got my cutter up and running so fired out the spotty brown border without a hitch. The papers I found in my digi stash and matched the colours I wanted to use so all in all a very easy week for me lol. With all the trouble I have had the past few weeks it was a very pleasant surprise hahaha.

I just hope next week is kind to me lol.

TracieBxxxx

Entered into ..
Pikes Playground - Anything Goes
Stamps R Us - Masculine
Craft your Passion Challenge - Anything Goes + Brown
Lily of the Valley - Creature Comforts

2011-11-05T09:04:00.000Z

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Franchesca and is

Flowers, ribbons and lace

I couldnt resist the new image from Make It Crafty - Chantelle at the Races. She was a joy to colour although finding the right combo to match my papers was a little difficult. The colours I had were either too blue or too violet/pink so had to mix n match and it too me a bit longer than I expected hehe.

Although I am happy with the finished image I am not too happy about the overall card (there is something missing/lacking me thinks). In my haste to finish it I forgot to stamp the swirls around the image before I stuck it down. By the time I realised it was stuck fast grrrr. I added some lace coloured with my black marker and sprayed with glitter spray down the one side. I settled on some PP papers and used the texturiser on the purple one to add a bit of interest

I have also had to reinstall my cutter and because my original disk has died a death I have had to download more software which is different to my original one. I cant get the computer speaking to my cutter now so all the work I have done this week with the swirls and flowers I wanted to add to my card was for nought boo hoooo. I had to rifle through my very disorganised stash to find some prepunched leaves and got to work on a ribbon rose to add in the corner instead.

Anywayz it just goes to show that we can't be perfect all the time hahahaha

Hope you guys join in with us this week and don't forget to pop on over to the other Gals blogs and share some love

TracieBxxxx

SCS Challenge - Spooky or Whimsical - DT Card

2011-10-29T13:54:00.001+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Bridget and the theme is

Spooky or Whimsical

As this is the last challenge of the month it is also your last chance to be in the draw for 5 digis of choice from our sponsor

Well after a complete move around I have somewhat of a semblance of order in my spanking new craft room. I have restored my desktop pc to factory setting and am in the process of getting all my programs reinstalled. Keep your fingers crossed I have installed my cutter files correctly as the install disk is now kerput and wont read.

I enjoyed making my card this week, even though it only took me a few hours. Confession is that I had another one I was making but made such a complete hash of it I threw it in the bin on thursday night. In my mind it was looking great but when it came down to it, it was a mess lol. A rethink is in order for next time me thinks.

Anywayz Nitwit to the rescue with the totally cute and spooky ghosty card made from the Halloween set. I have decoupaged it up to give him some dimension and I think he looks totally fab. A great fast, last minute card lucky for me hahahaha.

Back to the grindstone for me tonite and an extra hours work on top too. Yes folks, dont forget to put your clocks back tonite and enjoy an extra hour in bed. Think of me working hard hahahaha.

Catch u all next week and dont forget to pop over to our gals blogs and have a peek at their spooky creations. Spread the love in your comments and have a great weekend.

TracieBxxxxx

SCS Challenge - White and 1 other Colour- DT Card

2011-10-15T11:09:00.002+01:00

Firstly some news ......

We Ladieez of the Design Team were given a very important job to do over the last few weeks. We visited all of you lovely (and very talented) peeps who posted to join the new line up on our DT. Hard, thirsty work it was tooo (bottle of wine went down quite well tho hehehe).

We eventually decided on these lovely ladieeez to join us other teamies ....

So please pop on over to say hi to them and welcome them to our SCSC family. Their first posting will be on the first Saturday in November so make sure you join us then to see what visual delights they have for us.

Now this weeks challenge has been set by Da Boss - Secret Crafter - WendyWoo's who will also choose this week's SPOTLIGHT CARD. She has chosen a theme of:-

White and One Other Colour

(not counting the colour of your image)

Oh my, Oh my, Oh my how wrong can a card go lol. Worked late yesterday morning and thought, plenty of time to finish when I get home. I was an hour and a half late geting home to start with (and was tuckered out then) only to nearly finish colouring my image and pickup the wrong pen and ended up with my Angel being flourescent yellow!!!! OMG!!! I gave it up as a bad job and went to bed.

Got home this morning determined to get me card sorted. OMG!!! (again lol) My printer is now printing blue blocked lines across my whole page aaaarrrrgggggghhhhhhhh. I also couldn't print out the correct sized sentiment for my card either (Lucky for me I hadn't ripped up my already coloured image and sentiment in temper yesterday hahaha) Now please don't ask me how many colours I added to the image to try and get it to the right shade to match the paper cause I lost count at 5 hehehe. But with a lovely camera and a little program called Photoshop the finished article doesn't look half as bad as it did :-D

So it looks like today I will be trying to fix me printer before even attempting next weeks card hahaha.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend as according to the news this morning we will have snow by next week lol

Happy crafting

TracieBxxx

Entered into ...

Dream Valley Challenges - Monochrome
Forever Friends - Use a Sentiment
Make it Monday - Anything Goes

SCS Challenge - Anything Goes (as long as it Sparkles) - DT Card

2011-10-08T12:20:00.002+01:00

Ladies, so sorry for the latenesss of the post but I have only just gotten home from work :o(

Guess who has chosen this weeks theme.... Meeeeee hahahaha

Anything Goes (as long as it Sparkles)

So let loose with the glitter and stickles to your hearts content woooohooooo hahaha

I chose another image from The Paper Shelter this week Magic Bubbles and I think he is soooo cute hehe. I must admit he does look a little Irish and would make a wicked image for Paddy's day next year, just need to add some shamrocks.

Coloured with my copics and promarkers. I have found a great little combo between the two for purples and greens that blend beautifully (message me if you want the details and i'll let you know) Added copious amounts of Glamour Dust everywhere and a few gems for added sparkle hehe.

The backing is glitter card with papers from Kay Miller Designs - Midnight Garden, which is a lovely combo of cool greens, blues and purples with black accents.

You must, must pop on over to the other gals blogs and look at what they have designed this week, stunning as usual and loads of different ideas to try your hand at.

Sorry for the short post but I an kerrrrnackered now and off for a shower and bed.

TracieBxxxx

Entered into ....
Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle n Bling
The Crafty Purple Frog - Lots of layers

SCS Challenge - Halloween - DT Card

2011-10-01T10:15:00.001+01:00

Ooooooooh nearly Christmas hahahahaha. Although with the weather we are having this weekend you would hardly believe it. Hands up how many of you are going down to the beach today!! Not me I am working again tonite surprise surprise hahaha.

This weeks challenge has been set by our lovely Krafty Kate over at Downright Crafty, and because there are only 30 days left to the 31st October, Spooky Halloweeeeeeeen is this weeks theme.

I have been eyeing this Paper Shelter digi for months and I finally took the plunge and bought it for this challenge. I love the fact she is concentrating so much she is sticking her tongue out hahaha.

I used a combo of my copics and promarkers to colour her in and found my recent purchase of the ultra fine nib add ons for the promarkers came in exceptionally useful. There are quite a few fiddly bits to try and colour and they did the job very very well. They just clip over the top of the bullet nib and away you go.

It actually took me quite a bit longer to colour than I expected but I am very pleased with how it turned out.

I ended up having to use an 8x8 card blank to mount it on as the image is quite large. The background papers are from the coordinating paper pack and print out lovely.

I did have a few problems with embellishments tho. For the life of me couldn't find quite the right thing to add to the card so finished up settling on the flowers and spiders web (cut by hand, phew, fiddly or what). A splash and dash of glitter and all was finished (at about 4am this morning lol).

Pop on over to the other gals blogs to see how they came up with their creations and don't forget to say Hi to our two new ladies joining us this week Janet and Linda.

Thats all folks, enjoy the sunshine and i'll see you all next week.

TracieBxx

Entered into ...

The Paper Shelter - For the Girls

2011-09-28T14:55:00.003+01:00

invites you to join in their
CHRISTMAS DABBLE DAY

held on

Sat 19th Nov

at
Cradley Sports and Social Club
Nr. Halesowen, B63 2TN
(free parking)

Call the shop on 0121 550 5377 to book your place
Limited spaces available.
Credit/debit cards accepted.

Tickets £30 per person

(includes breakfast pastries on arrival
and tea, coffee & juice available all day)

5 lovely Christmas projects,
5 different tutors,
variety of techniques.

Doors open 10.00 am - for 10.30 am start
Lunch at 1.30pm-2.15pm (bring your own packed lunch)
Afternoon session 2.15pm-4.15 pm
1 hour at each table

Payment in full is required at time of booking

– we cannot refund any cancellations made after 6.00 pm on Weds 9th November.

SCS Challenge - Recipe - DT Card

2011-09-24T10:16:00.001+01:00

The theme this week set by our very talented Jane and she has chosen

A Recipe

consisting of 1 image, 2 papers, 3 flowers, 4 brads and 5 gems/pearls

I've not followed a recipe before and thought it was going to be really easy as I didnt have to think about what I was going to put on me card, boy was I wrong lol. I just kept wanting to add more hahaha.

The flowers were going to be snowflakes but it looks like, when clearing my hard drive last week, I may have deleted a file I need for my cutter grrrrrr. So I need now to look for my install disks again (having put them away 4 years ago lol) So out came my flower stash and I picked these lovely shimmery white bejewelled flowers (I think they look xmassy lol).

I found these papers on my hard drive while I was clearing out but have no idea where I have them from :o( Again I thought they looked xmassy and I love the duck egg blue/brown combo. I used an image from Lily of the Valley 2010 Xmas range and coloured with my Copics. I wanted to have a very light touch on the colouring and it was hard not to reach for the darker colours and add more lol.

This is the last week for the DT call so get adding your blog details to the side bar on the right hand side of the challenge blog.

Also an announcement...... Congratulations to two lovely ladies LINDA & JANET. They will be joining us on the DT from next week. Please pop on over and visit their blogs and give them a warm SCS welcome.

Thats all for this week so go on grab a coffee and hop around and visit out DT blogs for so more inspiration

TracieBxxxx

Entered into ...
The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

SCS Challenge - One Layer Card - DT Card

2011-09-17T09:28:00.002+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by der lovely Helen, and her chosen theme is...

'One Layer Cards' or

A card where the image is stamped or printed directly on to the card base,
with no additional layers, and minimal embellishment.

A real easy challenge for everyone today as someone didnt like me at all this week lol. Not only did I end up with a bout of food poisoning and twisted/sprained my ankle again, I ended up leaving my phone at the B&B in Great Yarmouth where we went on our lil hols grrrrrr.

I have eventually got my phone back, lost a few pounds during the food poisoning and had a lovely week away courtesy of my old man lol, so all in all turned out nice again in the end hehehe

I have used a freebie stamp set from Cardmaking and papercraft magazine, stamped with Memento ink and coloured with my prisma pencils as the image was a bit too fiddly for my promarkers/copics.

Ladies an Gents we also have a DT call over at SCS so if you fancy joining a great bunch of ladies for fun n mischief, pop your details and link on the right hand side of the challenge blog.

Entered into the following ....

SCS Challenge - Create a Scene - DT Card

2011-08-20T13:14:00.002+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by Wendy (da Boss) and is Set a Scene

I used some of my Magnolia stamps and used the masking technique to create a scene. I used a Mojo Monday sketch from 2010 and Pink Petticoat papers. I coloured using my Copics n Promarkers. This card has been made to order and at the time of posting I was still awaiting the wording for the sentiment so have had to post it without. I may also add some flowers or swirls around the sentiment too.

Hope you are all having a good weekend, me i'm off to work again tonite hahaha.

SCS Challenge - Only Black n White - DT Card

2011-08-07T09:20:00.000+01:00

Hi Guys, having a hectic time at work due to summer hols so this will be a quickie i'm afraid.

This weeks challenge was to use only Black n White no other colours which is hard even though it should be easy lol. I ended up using an image from Pink Petticoat printed onto shimmery pearl card. Using the same card I embossed with the swirls cuttlebug folder and finished off with a Summer Driggs black swirly background paper.

I realised after I stuck it down that I was going to put the flower image on foam pads but it was well stuck and I didn't want to ruin it lol.

2011-07-17T09:46:00.000+01:00

Naughty Naughty Blogger. Did not auto post me post grrrrrrrr

Oooo for a win on the lottery! We all have a wish and one of them is to go back to this lovely beach in Fuertaventura. It is on the edge of a volcanic island which is a wildlife preserve and sooo peaceful. The only drawbacks are that there is no shelter (new meaning to have u got yr brolly lol) and no cafe. Everything you need for the day must be brought along with u on the boat. Ooooh yes u get a fab boat ride across the bay to get there too hehehe.

I decided that rather than have all of my holiday photos just sitting on my hard drive I should scrapbook them. I have never scrapbooked in my life and thought I'd try my hand a digital scrapbooking as a change from cutting out by hand lol.

After a good start it went gradually downhill from there and I struggled to get proper drop shadow effects and after a week of this I relented and purchased a quickpage lol. I have had a bit of a play with this one and I hope u like it.

More to come from this me thinks in the future when I can get my head around all of the cool effects you can do with a photo editor lol.

Me hopes u like.

TracieBxxx

SCS Challenge - Get Well Soon - DT Card

2011-07-09T10:57:00.002+01:00

Francesca has chosen this weeks challenge over at Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and has chosen the theme Get Well Soon.

I have chosen an image from our sponsor The Stamping Boutique from the Latte Lounge set.

I have coloured with prisma pencils and used papers from The Linen Closet paper pad. Added a computer generated sentiment and voila. Pop on over to the other gals blogs and show them some love

TracieBxxxx

SCS Challenge - Here comes Summer - DT Card

2011-07-02T09:47:00.001+01:00

Well judging by the weather this morning Summer is well n truly here lol.

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Bridget and she has picked the perfect theme

Something that reminds you of Summer

I have had a bad week this weeks with a couple of painful burns from work on my arms but I will survive lol. I had a major mojo issue this week and the original card idea has been put aside for another day and I decided on this image instead. It reminds me of all the beautiful wild flowers that appear in summer and I would deffo love to receive a huge bunch like this hehe.

I have used my copic to colour the image and Nitwit Waddles Whimsy papers which have printed out beautifully. It really was a quick and easy card, and after the mare I have had this week made a refreshing change.

I hope u like my quick fresh card and look forward to seeing you all again next week

TracieBxx

SCS Challenge - Household Items - DT Card

2011-06-18T11:48:00.001+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Andi and the theme is "Something from the House" so you need some household item on your card

I have chosen a cute Lily of the Valley image for my mom n dad's anniversary card. Coloured in using a combination of copics and ProMarkers. I have used the lovely Nitwits In the Meadow papers and distressed them at the edges using the little square VersaColor inks. You can get these ink pads and Promarkers/ Copics over at Secret Crafter.

TracieBxxx

SCS Challenge - Male Card- DT Card

2011-06-11T08:50:00.000+01:00

This weeks challenge of Male Cards has been set by the Woo's herself. She apologises but male cards have to be made sometimes haha and with Farthers day a week away in the UK its a good a time as any.

I decided on a clean and simple card again this week (i'm getting into these lol). I have also used my Prisma Pencils again as I think they suit the cards really well and Secret Crafter stocks the Sansodor, Paper Stumps and loads of card too.

Well its a lovely day here in Sunny Oldbury so am going to make the most of the weather today. See u all next week and pop on over to my teamies to have a peep at what they have for you this week.

TracieBxx

SCS Challenge - Photo Inspiration- DT Card

2011-06-04T11:51:00.001+01:00

Todays challenge has been set by me and would like you to use this photo as your inspiration..

You may use any elements from it, for example a certain colour or colours.

One of my colleagues is leaving work for her retirement so I agreed to do the card. It is the biggest card I have ever made lol (have to try and make the envelope now Ooooo). I used the Centura Pearl Card available in packs from Secret Crafter (give Wendy a call to find out more) and then my Copics to colour my little sad Tilda.

I also used some ribbon from my stash and some Raspberry Lime ribbon also from Secret Crafter (the ribbon actually matched the plummy colour but it has not come out well in the photo grrrr).

I can't wait to see your creations and which elements you pick from the photo.

Don't forget to pop on over to my DT pals and have a look at their cards this week

TracieBxx

SCS Challenge - Clean and Simple - DT Card

2011-05-28T10:16:00.000+01:00

This week's challenge is set by the lovely KELLY. She has chosen a theme of:-

CLEAN AND SIMPLE

We want to see projects with a minimalist layout/embellishments. Clean and simple card have lots of white space.

I have used an image that for the life of me cannot remember where it came from. I found it on my hard drive in a very obscure folder called Furries (??? lol) But though it was perfect for this weeks challenge.

I have used my Prismacolour Pencils to colour the image and blended them with paper stumps and Sansodor which are available at Secret Crafter.

I must really try and do more of these cards because I do like how they look and are soooooo quick and simple to do (no thinking about papers and layout lol)

Have you all seen the Create and Craft Announcement??????

Dawn Bibby will be on this Tuesday at 2pm

Not my personal taste but will have a look to see if there are any changes.

Hopes u likey and see u all next week

TracieBxx

SCS Challenge - Janes Sketch- DT Card

2011-05-14T09:34:00.003+01:00

Well what a few days I have had! Blogger NOT working aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhh.

(My missing pikky)

It seems to be working now but I can't upload my pikky so you will have to wait a bit on that one i'm afraid.

This weeks challenge has been set by our very lovely Jane and is a sketch (again can't upload it as yet so pop on over to SCS Challenge to see it)

(Janes missing sketch)

I have used a brill image from Tiddly Inks, Everyday Princess and coloured her with Copic and ProMarkers. She was a joy to colour and I decided to go a bit funky with the papers. I used freebie ones from Cardmaking & Papercraft. They are My Minds Eye Quite Contrary. Also flowers from Wild Orchid to finish off the sketch.

I hope you like my card today (when I eventually get it uploaded lol)

Pop on over to the other gals and see what delights thay have for you this week

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - For a Baby - DT Card

2011-04-30T09:20:00.000+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by our lovely Franchesca

and is For a Baby

As this is the last challenge in April this will be the last chance for you to be included in this months draw for 5 digis of the winners choice from our fabby sponsor

Store: http://thestampingboutique.com/

Challenge Blog: http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Oooooh i've been such a Baaaaad Blogger. I was soo engrossed in THE Wedding yesterday that I forgot what day it was. It was Friday..... the day to upload this weeks DT card .... ready for the Secret Crafter Challenge .... Oooooooooh drat!!!!!!!!

Soooo many many apologies to Jane and the gals, my card was ready but my brain was quite obviously mushed (t'other halfs brain was too after the wedding coverage started when I got home from work. He hates Weddings lol)

This weeks card is a Nitwit Tickled Pink card (who have a 33% off sale today!!!) and is for one of my ladies at work who's daughter had a bonnie lass earlier this month.

I also used the new Nellies Border dies from Secret Crafter and distressed the centre panel with a VersaColor Ink pad. I added a personalised sentiment circle and a ribbon flower and my quick card was done.

Hope you have a lovely day and make sure you pop over to the other gals blogs as their work, as always, is simply stunning.

TracieBxx

SCS Challenge - Pink, Brown n Cream - DT Card

2011-04-23T09:00:00.002+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Bridget and it's the colours Pink, Brown n Cream.

Grab a cuppa, sit down and relax, this is gonna be a long one lol

Oh boy have I had a hard week this week. Someone own up.... Who pinched my mojo!!!! I don't know what was wrong! The extra hours at work, wanting to sit out in the sun or craving ice lollies hahaha. I have had such a hard time trying to put together this card. I couldn't decide on an image or papers (and believe me I have ten ton of both lol) I ended up creating my own papers (betcha can't guess what my next set will be hehe) Then.... Nothing. I was stuck again!!!

Then I gets an email from Jane... "Need your pikkies in by Thurs 11am as I'm going away" (lucky lucky lady grrr lol) Oh heck!!!!! Its now Weds early afternoon and I go to bed around 2ish (night shift!) and no card in sight! I must admit I gave up. Had a shower and went to bed, new day tomorrow and all that.

Got home from work Thurs morning and made a start (nothing like a bit of pressure to kick your backside into gear lol) Decided on a PollyCraft image Star Fairy (I thought it captured the school hols, hanging upside down from a tree lol) and got it printed out. Then it happened......... WINDOWS UPDATE (insert suitably doom inducing music here!!) and that was that... no Computer and no Internet connection Aaaarrrgggghhhhhhh. Remember the 11am deadline (its now 9am and counting). Now I would like you to envisage the Rabbit "I'm late, i'm late for a very important date" running around frantically rebooting everything, my computer and the router. Still nothing....... Headless chicken mode coming up. A WHOLE DAY without the internet or my computer..... Now Breathe.

A phone call to the boss lady later and I was a little more relaxed. She has the challenge blog access YIPPEEEEEEEE. A little reprieve Phew! So time to get down to making and colouring yay.

Used my usual Copics n ProMarkers then went to town with my Quickie glue pen and Glitter hehe. After watching Create n Craft for the past week I decided to have a go at the ripped spiral flower thingys. Draw a spiral on a square and rip along the lines. Start with the outside edge and roll to the middle. Let the flower relax a little and stick the bottom circle. Put it upside down on a flat surface and squish, press down with the heel of your hand (this ruffles the edges and slightly flattens the flower). Rip a couple of leaf shapes and there you go. Add plenty of Stickles (which came flying out due to the heat making it runny lol) and stick to your card.

I coloured some of the webbing stuff (dunno whats its called??) with my ProMarker to match the papers and stuck it with a tape runner. Luckly I had some test prints of my papers so used those and got some pale pink card to mat it all onto. Yay my card was essentially finished. Still no internet connection or computer.

To cut a long story short (cause I know you all wanna get back to the sun bathing lol) I had to roll back the update, reinstall my printer etc and make a new backup point. Reinstall the update (keeping fingers and everything else crossed at the same time) FANFARE PLEASE......... It worked, phew.

Just enough time to photograph and do the photoshop converting and overlaying thingy and post off to the Woo's. The only think I didn't have time to sort out was a sentiment as it was going to be done on the computer.

After all the drama this week, I just want a quiet lie down lol. How much do we all rely on our computer these days?? Go on i'll let you all go off now and eat chocolate till it makes you sick and sit in the sun till u look like a beetroot.

Have a very very good easter everyone and i'll see you alll next week after THE WEDDING Oooooo!!!!!!

TracieBxx

Entered into ...

SCS Challenge - Stitching - DT Card

2011-04-16T09:36:00.003+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Beate and is Stitching (don't worry it can be false or real lol)

I plumbed for false stitching (after I couldn't get to grips with my mini sewing machine that I have had since Xmas but has not been out of the box lol). The freebie paper from Bearly Mine just happened to have some stitching around the outside so I was very lucky hehe.

I used Kenny K image Lady Raven and coloured her in with .... yep u guessed it Copics n ProMarkers hehe. I just cut around her and chopped off the corners with my corner rounder but then went to town with my VersaColor ink pads in Violet and Lapis Lazuli to match me image and paper.

Flowers are from Wild Orchid and coloured with the Copics n ProMarkers I used in the image and splashed with liberal amounts of glittery glitter.

I was struggling with a blank area then remembered my Klic n Kut so whizzed off a couple of swirls, coloured with a Purple ProMarker, sprayed the Stick n Stay and coated them with My Paper World Holo Irridescent Glitter. A printed sentiment finishes off this weeks card.

Pop on over to have a peek at the DT creations this week, very inspiring I must say (some even have real stitching too, brave buds xx)

Enjoy the sunshine too, I know I am *grin*

TracieBxx

PS: My Teal n Brown papers are now available from Secret Crafter as a digi download.

Entered into the following challenges ......

SCS Challenge - Feathered Friends - DT Card

2011-04-09T08:36:00.002+01:00

I have used an image from the centre pages of Simply Cards & Papercraft, scanned in and printed onto Neenah Card, which I think fits our British Summer to a T (although a mini heatwave this weekend puts paid to that theory lol). Coloured with my Copics and ProMarkers with Glitter on the water feature lol.

I have my new Nellies border dies which are a full 6" (yay no longer have to trim my card down to fit my dies) and they go through my cuttlebug no problems. Trimmed with the sheer sparkly ribbon Lilac Blue and Emerald Mint twisted over the top of it. The backing paper is from my new Digi Paper Set Teal and Brown that will be released shortly over at Secret Crafter.

Add a touch of distressing with the VersaColour ink pads and a digi sentiment and phew we're done. Just enough time left over to get the barbie fired up and the beers chilling in the fridge lol.

Have a great weekend and don't forget to slip, slap, slop :oD

TracieBxxx

Entered into the following
Daring Cardmakers - Draw a Bird (or stamp/Paper Piece)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
ABC - R is for Ribbon
Crafters Companion Monthly - Aqua and Brown (good theme for my new papers lol)
Creative Inspirations - Punches & Dies

SCS Challenge - Butterflies - DT Card

2011-04-02T00:01:00.002+01:00

This weeks challenge has been set by the Boss herself, Wendy. Create any project you like as long as there are butterflies on there. For example within your image, backing paper or as an element.

I love The Paper Shelter images, they are really cute and easy to colour. I have used Little Sylfie and coloured her with a combination of my fave Copics and ProMarkers.

My flowers are from WOC (where else!!) then Sticklez'd within an inch of their lives hehe. The sentiment is one of the new clear sets from LoV (which I stamped from Wendy's new set when she wasn't looking hehe).

The DP are from my new Pink & Blue digi paper packs which are now available from Secret Crafter and immediately downloadable (or on my blog) with more packs to be added very very soon.

I used the basic sketch from last weeks Sketch Saturday Challenge as I was really stuck for a card layout for some reason this week and thought it was quite different from my usual layouts using the triangles.

The gals this week have some really stunning projects so pop on over for some weekend crafting inspiration.

TracieBxxx

ps. I'm working on my next digi paper set which is a teal and brown combo, due out in the next couple of weeks.

Entered into the following......

SCS Challenge - Xmas in Spring - DT Card

2011-03-26T12:52:00.000Z

Well it's that time of year again..... Oh sorry got a little carried away there. This year is going soooo fast it almost seems like Christmas is just around the corner and the three sunny days we had last week were our Summer (I Reeeeally hope not). But it is not too late to make a start on your Xmas card stash, so dust off the snowflakes and get stamping and glittering to your hearts content.

Also as this is the last week of the month then it is your last chance to be included in the draw for 5 digi's of choice from our sponsor.

Store: http://thestampingboutique.com/

Challenge Blog: http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/

My new Digi Paper Packs are now available from Secret Crafter for immediate download, no more waiting for your guys lol

I have a confession.... this is not my original card. "Where is is it then?" I hear you cry. In the flippin bin after I spilt a cup of coffee over it while I was trying to take a pikky of it on Thurs nite. "What a silly sausage" you laugh (I can hear you ya know!!)

Sooo very early on Friday morning I got started on another christmas card. Its a very quick one and looks fab in real life but the quick phone pikky does not do it justice (sorry, but didn't have time to get the studio out lol).

The DP is a digi Echo Park Paper Co - Wintertime from Jessica Sprague. The fab image is from Secret Crafter Xmas stamps - Christmas Angel is available in polymer or digi download and she has been coloured with Promarkers and Copics and cut out with Nesties. Finished off with one of my own circle sentiments and scrummy shimmery Secret Crafter Ribbon in Light Blue and Pink.

You really must pop on over to the other gals sites as they have some really fab inspirational cards for your this week

TracieBxx

SCS Challenge - Anything But a Card - DT Card

2011-03-19T07:23:00.005Z

Well this week you will have to get your thinking caps on as we would like you to come up with a project that is not a card.

I have a project on the go which I was hoping to use but as it it not finished I decided to show you a door hanger I have made for a friends hubby. Bless him, loves to go out with the lads on a rare Friday or Saturday night off work and despite saying "I'm only gonna have one or two" comes home a little worse for wear hahaha.

I found this digi image in my stash from Di's Digi Downloads and thought he was perfect. I used my Shery K Retro digi papers for the background and PS Elements to digitally create the hanger. I printed it onto a fairly heavy cardstock which I folded in half and stuck together to give it some strength.

I printed the image out again onto Neenah card then coloured with my Copics, then cut it out and stuck it on with some silicone. (I embossed the back of the image so his little tummy sticks out hehe) I was going to use my nesties to cut out the hanger hole then remembered too late and had already stuck the image down (DOH!) so went with a Woodware circle punch instead which I am pleased to say coped very well with two layers of thick card.

My other DT teamies have come up with some simply stunning creations so please pop on over to leave your thoughts.

I'll be back in a bit to pop on my original project once it is finished (nearly done now lol).

TracieBxx

Digi Paper Pack

2011-03-12T11:51:00.008Z

Digi paper packs now available for immediate download
from Secret Crafter.

Click image Preview for further details..

The full pack is £1.50

All papers are 6x6" and in jpeg format at 300dpi

I would be pleased to receive a picture of any projects you make with my papers and will add them to a gallery page. Email me with your creations

I hope you like them. Any feedback gratefully received and keep em peeled for my next set.

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - Flowers for Mum - DT Card

2011-03-12T03:47:00.007Z

This weeks challenge has been set by de loverly Kate ....

Flowers for Mum

So a girly card with flowers on is what we are looking for. Mothers day is around the corner so just the ticket for this weeks challenge.

I have used a fab Pergamano Flower Girls image which was really easy to color in with my ProMarkers and Copics (restock on the way too with the new colours, woop!). I added a touch of stickles to the flower centres and the spots on her dress to give it a sparkle.

My flowers are from WOC (where else!!) and dusted with liberal amounts of Glamour dust and the sentiment is computer generated in MS Word.

The DP are from my new Pinks digi pack which are now available from Secret Crafter and immediately downloadable (or on my blog) with more packs to be added very very soon.

I have also won another challenge. Picked by the man himself no less ... Dustin Pike. Awsome creations from the designer for High Hopes stamps. Pop on over and take a peek at his fab creations.

Thats all from me at the mo (poppin off to create so more papers lol) You must grab a cuppa one hop over to the other Gals blogs and see their creations for this week.

Entered into ......

Wild Orchid Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Anything Goes

Catch u laterz

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - A Patchwork Background - DT Card

2011-03-05T08:41:00.002Z

Oooooh what a chilly weekend we have upon us. The grass is no longer green but white with sparkly frost, cold but beautiful.

This weeks challenge has been set by de lovely Jane and is ...

A Patchwork Background

It's a great way to use up all your leftover pieces of background paper. I cheated a little and punched out squares then found that they didn't fit the piece of lime green cardstock I had cut! (grrr) So ended up having to cut small slices off each square so they did fit lol.

I was looking through all of my images and found this cutie from Dustin Pike. He is such a talented artist and draws lots of the images for High Hopes stamps. Have a look throught his blog and you'll find loads of freebies to try out. Also links to his shop and monthly membership details for exclusive images.

My DP is a digi pack from Kay Miller Designs - Its a Spring Thing and it has loads of really good cardmaking elements (the flowers are fab).

Lilly of the Valley provided my sentiment and my Iced Lime seam binding is from The Ribbon Girl.

I used the Woodware square punch, lime cardstock and Copics all available from Secret Crafter.

I hope you like and don't forget to pop over to the our other DT members and also welcome our newest members of our team Andie, Beate, Francesca & Kelly.

TracieB xxx

Entered into the following ....

Dustin Pike Challenges - Spring is in the Air
Stamping for the Weekend - Springtime
Cute Card Thursday - Signs of Spring
Delightful Challenges - Welcome Spring
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

My next paper set .... Pinks

2011-03-03T13:44:00.000Z

I have been creating...... again

A set of Digi Papers in Pinks with a couple of co-ordinating papers

Whadaya think???????

Pop on over to My Paper Page (Left sidebar link or click on picture) for all the details and a larger preview.

Your comments, feedback and idea's are very welcome, just drop me a line.

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - Sweet Treats - DT Card

2011-02-26T09:01:00.000Z

This weeks challenge has been set by the heavenly Helen and is ....

Sweet Treats

We would like to see some yumminess on your cards if you please.

Our new DT's join next week but one of the four decided not to join us so that means we had a free place which I am pleased to say that ANDIE has agreed to come on board. Pop on over and give her a warm SCS Welcome.

Also as this is the last week of the month then it is your last chance to be included in the draw for 5 digi's of choice from our sponsor.

Store: http://thestampingboutique.com/

Challenge Blog: http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/

I have used my new Tiddly Inks - Pinky digi this week. I decided to colour her with the brightest pens I could find in my ProMarkers and Copic sets and shaded some more with my Prismacolor pencils. I used some Pink Glitter card to mat her onto as it matched soo well with the colour of her hair and then decided to glitter over the top of her skirt too (can't have too much blingy sparkle lol)

I used the Personal Impressions Swirls and Flowers Stamps with Perfect Medium around the edge of the image before brushing over with Cosmic Shimmer powders.
I am really excited to tell you that I have designed some New Digi Papers which I have for sale on my blog at the moment and I have used some of my next set on this card. An Aqua background paper and a Swirly pink paper which I used with the Marianne Designs die cut Swirls.

I added a Hero Arts Birthday Cupcake sentiment which I embossed and distressed to match. I added a little more glitter to the hearts to finish it off.

I hope you like and I hope to see you all again very soon. Don't forget to pop on over to the rest of the DT to find out how they created their scrummy cards.

TracieB xx

I've been a busy Bee

2011-02-23T06:08:00.000Z

I have been creating......

A New set of Digi Papers Oooooooh (in my fave colour Purple lol)

Whadaya think???????

Pop on over to My Paper Page (Left sidebar link or click on picture) for all the details and a larger preview.

Your comments, feedback and idea's are very welcome, just drop me a line.

(PS Mr Randomiser will put all of your comments into a draw for a free set, all I ask is that you spread the word of my first eva public showing lol)

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - Fancy Folds - DT Card

2011-02-20T06:37:00.009Z

This weeks challenge has been set by Bridget who's theme this week is

Fancy Folds

That means anything but a card folded in half. I googled folded cards and there are flippin millions of em! (well slight exaggeration but there are quite a few lol)

I have never made a stepped card and thought this was the perfect time to try one. I downloaded a pikky and got me ruler out. I am not much good at measuring and working things out on paper so after half a pack of paper in the bin later out came Microsoft Word lol. Sooooo much easier for me to size up a few boxes and move them around on the screen then print out me template haha.

EDIT... Pop on over to Cats Whiskers, Jacqui has a tutorial on her blog which gives you all the measurements you need including some bostin pikkies.

I have not done a wedding card for ages now so I decided on a Tiddly Inks Digi - The Happy Coupledunno why I tell u this every week lol) Copic MarkersHero Arts - Trees, Birds and Messges stamp set using a Versamark pad then dusted over the top with my Cosmic Shimmer Powders. I decoupaged the image up one layer to make it stand out from the background. from the Gothic Cute range and coloured it with ( but used the really light Violet one and used a blender to lighten the colour on the dress a bit more. I stamped around the background with the swirl from

I found a lovely Making Memories - Wedding pad in our shop stash which all the silver print is actually irridecent silver and has a lovely sheen to it. I used an MS Border Punch - Quilted Edge on both of the sides then added Wild Orchid Sprays which have lashings of stickles covering them.

I printed the sentiment onto Letraset Safmat film which is brilliant stuff and nearynuff invisibubble on most papers.

You've gotta pop on over to the other DT Gals blogs as they have made some really wonderful folded cards. You never know you may learn something new, I certainly did.

TracieB xxx

Another Award (I'll pay u all later lol)

2011-02-15T05:13:00.002Z

The lovely Dotty Jo over at Dotty Puddings Place has very kindly given me an award.... (drum roll please..)

The rules of this award are as follows:

1. You must accept it, write a post about it and display it.

2. Pass it to 3 - 5 fab blogs and tell them that they have been given the Love Blog Award.

3. Link back to the person who passed it to you.

The aim of this award is to showcase great but not well known blogs, so don't tag anyone with 3,000 + followers.

Here's my fab five, why not grab a cuppa and take a peek as these blogs are simply brilliant!

Franchesca - KraftyLady Cards

Kelly - Creatively Inked

Bridget - CurlyBear Crafts

Angel - Angel's Sparkly World

Helene - Mummylade

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - A Stamped Flower - DT Card

2011-02-12T09:54:00.003Z

This weeks challenge has been chosen by our namesake, The Secret Crafter herself, Wendy (aka Da Boss Lady or She Who Must Be Obeyed hehe)

A Stamped Flower

This must be either stamp or digi and can be alone or part of an image (but not flowers on your papers alone or flower embellishments).

I had been playing with You Tube and came across a tutorial vid showing these lovely ribbon roses (I think if you put ribbon roses in the search you will find many vids). Now i'm not the most adept with the needle (cross stitch or sewing buttons aside lol) but I found these really easy to do. Just a line of running stitch along one edge of the ribbon, then slide the ribbon up the thread until it ruffles and starts curling back on itself. Sew the two ends together, tie off the thread and there you go. If you have a thinner ribbon, sew more and let the ribbon curl back upon itself and you can play about with the tension keeping some a little looser like I did with the bottom layer of the top flower. Pop a brad or pearl in the middle and there you go.

I have used the Ribbon from Secret Crafter and it has a fantabulous two tone shimmer with names as scrummy as Emerald Mint and Raspberry Lime (and at only 30p per metre its a steal).

You may recognise the paper I have used as some of you out there have it as your Blog Headers etc. Summer Driggs at Summertime Designs have some really beautiful papers for you. Best of all she offers them absolutely free on her blog. Your really need to pop on over and have a peek for yourself (scroll down and there is a loooong list of her papers on the right hand sidebar).

I used my Hangler flower girl I have had for ages from a swap a few years ago and came across my swap folder during a little clear out. Coloured with ..... yup you guessed it lol .. ProMarkers and Copics and shaded with my Prismacolor pencils. Popped on a printed sentiment and away ye go

Now for some news.............

A couple of weeks ago we had a DT call. We were overwhelmed with the amount of people expressing an interest in joining our little group and would like to thank you all. It was so hard choosing from the wonderful people but the we, the DT, selected four and I am pleased to say they will be joining us from March.

They are:-

BEATE

CARINA

FRANCESCA

KELLY

Great to have you joining us girls. We are all looking forward to working with you. Please visit their lovely blogs and you will see why we chose them to join us - they are mega talented. Jane will be popping their photos to the SCS Challenge side bar in the coming week so you can "put a name to a face".

SCS Challenge - Valentine - DT Card

2011-02-05T05:29:00.006Z

These great funky digi stamps are from Simply Betty Stamps, part of their Emo Valentines range (they remind me of Bettlejuice or Tim Burton films lol). I managed to find some fab papers to use with them. I wanted something a little different from the usual valentines red and pink so thought purple was suitably Emo'ish and found a pack from Digital Scrapbook Studio - Linda Cumberland, New Beginnings was perfect. A bit of paper tearing finished it off.

I have coloured the images again with my fave ProMarkers and Copics. I used Distress inks and Versacolour cubes to shade the edges of my card and papers. I have glittered the flying hearts and the edge of my sentiment using the really Ultrafine Glitter from Secret Crafter. I got the lace trim from my local Dunelm store (but I didn't realise how expensive it was until I got to the till lol).

Wendy at Secret Crafter has released some 2011 valentine digi images which are available here.

I'll be posting a card using the images in the next few days. I hope you'll pop on over to have a look.

Also entered into the following challenges....

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-02-02T12:23:00.001Z

Me ol' SCSC teamie Bridget over at CurlyBear Crafts has only gone an given me an award

Ta muchly hun xxxx

Part of this award is to share 8 things about yourself. Oh dear I fear I may not be that interesting but here goes....

My best mate owns a craft shop, how awesome is that. Wendy lets me have a play with loads of new stuff. There is no way i'd be able to afford to get all of it myself.
I love colouring in and, in my very humble opinion, i'm quite good at it lol. I do really need to get much better at card layouts though, but I have found that sketches have helped me a great deal with placement of my bits n bobs
I love teaching card classes and run day ones for Wendy over at Secret Crafter. I get a kick out of showing someone how to use the alcohol markers and pencils and seeing their faces light up when they create something after they say they just can't get the hang of it.
I like to go horseriding. Nothing can beat hacking over the countryside on a spring/summer or winters day. I even got me other half (Ian) to have lessons with me the other year (he did look a bit like a sack of spuds bouncing along though haha). Although I can't go very often as the cost is very prohibitive at the moment with everything costing us more *sigh*
Apart from cardmaking I like to do a little cross stitch in front of the telly on my nights off. I am doing a quite large christmassy one at the mo. I told Ian i'd get it done for xmas, he frowned and said thats only a couple of weeks away and it looks like you have loads to do. I just replied that I didn't say which christmas hehe
I work the night shift. Some of you may not like that idea but for me it suits perfectly. I get to go to work, do my classes in the morning and sleep away the afternoon/evening and sadly (not) miss "X Factors Got Talent on Ice" lol (I can't bear them sorry)
I am an avid reader. I've been a bookwork most of my life even as a kiddly. I love all the Terrys, Pratchett, Brooks, Goodkind and I am currently rereading (well listening to on audio book) the Robert Jordan-Wheel of Time Series. The last one should be released this year and it's been a while since I have read them so I am having a bit of a refresher before I get it. I have even got the Kindle app for my phone which was fantastic on me hols as I didn't have to take the 10 books that I normally pack lol.
I love driving especially in Wales or Scotland. The countryside there is absolutely stunning. Spring and Autumn can be particularly beautiful with all the colours of the trees changing.

Well thats my 8 things just about. I hope I haven't bored you too much lol. My next difficult task is to pass it on to another 8, so here goes ......

Claire- What shall I make today
Trudy - Tru's Gifts from the Heart
Carol - My Little Piece of Heaven
Priscilla - PriscillaStyles After Midnight
Collette - Heavensent for you
Andie - Andie's Space
Carina - Carinas Hobby
Debs - Especially for You

And finally quick thank you to everyone who takes the time to say hi and make me smile.

Huggles xx

SCS Challenge - Hot Chocolate - DT Card

2011-01-29T08:34:00.001Z

We have some exciting news ........

The Stamping Boutique are our new monthly sponsor

They are offering the lucky winner of our challenge 5 digis of choice.

Here are a few details about them....

"I'm Tracey Malnofski, the artist and owner of The Stamping Boutique. My team and I are very happy to sponsor Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. My store has been open since September 2009.I am currently a stamp artist for Unity Stamp Co. and I've worked for InStyleStamps, Squigglefly, and TheDigiShack in the past. I'm a professional artist and an active member of the Artist' Guild in my community. I have quite a busy household with a husband, 3 teenagers, 5 mini-dachshunds and an Appaloosa mare. It's noisy, but I love them all. I'm truly blessed. "The Stamping Boutique" is dedicated to quality products and original artwork. We not only provide wonderful digital images in our store, but also several lines of red rubber images. Our designers are chosen for their character and personality,as well as, their beautiful designs. We work hard to give you our very best. Thank you so much for having us as your sponsor."

So onto this week's challenge. We have a theme of:-

HOT CHOCOLATE

We want to see hot chocolate either within an image or using colours. We have been lucky enough to be given digis from The Stamping Boutique to celebrate their new sponsorship of our challenge blog.

The papers are from a digi download called Cinnamon but I have lost the details for them. I have coloured the image again with my fave ProMarkers and Copics. A spray of Wild Orchid roses coloured with co-ordinating Promarker/Copic colours. I used Distress inks and Versacolour cubes to shade the edges of my card and image.

I created a tag with a new Photoshop brush that I have been playing with (i'm loving these and hope to show you some more creations in the next few weeks) and added text before printing out.

Lashings of stickles on the falling broken hearts and an organza bow complete my card.

Please pop along to my fellow DT'ers and see our interpretations using the wonderful Stamping Boutique images.

TracieB xx

PS... Don't forget our DT Call, you can find the post details HERE

DT CALL - SCS CHALLENGE

2011-01-28T05:42:00.000Z

DT CALL

Pop on over to leave your details if you are interested.

Here is a copy of the info for you

"Design Team Applicants

We are looking to expand out DT. We would like to a enlist a further 4 or 5 members to our little team. Below are some details you will need to be able to complete if you wish to be considered.

Set the challenge on a rota basis. This could be a theme, technique, recipe etc.
Complete a DT project to the chosen theme every week. Your project for each week must be completed by latest Friday noon before the challenge is due to be published on Saturday.
You will be expected to comment on some entries into the challenge by number order (Issued when joined)

Nice and simple really. If you are interested then please leave a link to your blog below and the DT can then visit. We will announce the successful applicants mid Feb.

Hugs from Wendy, Jane & DT xx"

So there you go get creating and posting if you want to join our little team

SCS Challenge - A Couple Thing - DT Card

2011-01-22T07:31:00.000Z

This week's challenge is set by the lovely Kate and has chosen a theme of:-

IT'S A COUPLE THING

As I always forget my mon and dads anniversary I decided that this was a good a time as any to make them a card. I love Lily of the Valley stamps and have not used this one as yet and I think it fits our challenge perfectly.

The papers are Pink Petticoat and are really pretty pastel colours. I have coloured the image again with my fave ProMarkers and Copics and shaded with my Prismacolor pencils. A spray of Wild Orchid roses curve around the Marianne Die Double Frame cut from pale pink white core cardstock. I sanded the embossed parts to expose the core and used distress inks and versacolour cubes to shade the edges of my card and frame.

I have very few circle sentiments so I created my own using Photoshop and free fonts. The lace is from a visit to Dunelm Mill and has a delicate shimmer thread through it.

TracieB xx

SCS Challenge - With Love - DT Card

2011-01-15T08:05:00.002Z

This weeks challenge has been set by Jane and is....

With Love

So we would like to send us some luuuurve. With Valentines just around the corner here's a chance to get a head start on all those cards you will be sending (and hopefully receiving lol).

I saw this sketch over at Sketch Saturday last week and followed it for the base of my card. As I have said in previous posts i've been perusing the digi paper sales and found Sunday Gardens by Correen Silke over at Scrapbook.com. With all the miserable weather we are having they reminded me of a lovely hot summers day.

It's a fairly simple card with the sentiment being printed out and all papers distressed with chalk inks. Pale green card backed all the elements and lil ol Tilda graces the image panel. Coloured her in again with my fave ProMarkers and Copics and shaded with my Prismacolor pencils. A sprinkling of Wild Orchid roses completes me card.

I hope you like my take on the challenge this week and don't forget to pop on over to the rest of the DT and spread the luuurve.

TracieB xxx

Entered into the following challenges....

My Nitwit Valentine

2011-01-14T06:50:00.004Z

Well, I think i'm on a roll at the mo cause here's another card.

Loving my new Nitwit set I have puchased for Valentines Butterfly Kisses. I printed out most of the set before I finally decided on which bits I was going to use lol. Started cutting different elements out and fitting them onto a card base and finally came up with the main base of my card.

My main task then was trying to find an image to use as I wanted to put something at the top of the hearts. I have a couple of the Magnolia sitting ones but Angel Tilda fitted perfectly. I ended up stamping and reprinting her out to get her to sit on the hearts better. Coloured her in with my with ProMarkers and Copics and shaded with my Prismacolor pencils. I found out my Stardust Gelly pen and coloured her wing with that to give it a lovely shimmer.

I sized the flowers from the set and cut and layered them up then decided on bling for the middle instead of a brad.

My thanks to me ol' DT buddy Vicky for highlighting my blog on hers. I have had some really lovely comments from people who have taken the time to pop on over to have bit of a peek at me cards. Cheers guys.

Thanks also to Kate (my SCS DT buddy) for your pikky comments. I have had a play and created a sort of overlay frame for my cards and a signature thingy too, whadda u think??? My Daylight bulb for my lamp has also arrived so the colours are more true to life now too.

Oooh and I googled and found a pikky of a plate holder which I fiddled with then printed and cut out. So in the absence of an easel I now have a stand for my cards in my new photo booth lol

I hope u likey and I'll see you all tomorro with my Secret Crafter Challenge DT card for this week.

TracieB xx

Entered into .....

Biiiig Hugs

2011-01-09T18:41:00.005Z

I have decided to try and get ahead with some Birthday cards and when I saw Bevs sketch over at Wild Orchid Challenge I had my card layout sorted.

I have downloaded squillions of paper packs in the last few days and decided to use one from Kay Miller Designs - Happy Hearts. She has some really fab digi papers and I could of spent a lot more than I did lol.

I used my Copics (including some of my shiny new xmas sketch ones) to colour my Tilda then layered her up over the die cut frame. I find that I am too heavy handed to shade directly around my coloured image (you get to the last little bit then slip and get some huge smudge right over the top lol) so find that cutting it out then sticking them on the top solves my problem lol. Digi sentiment matted onto the coloured card.

Obviously I couldn't enter a Wild Orchid challenge without using some of their luscious flowers (and lashings of stickles on the top hehe) and there we go, one down, loads more to go (including a few male ones *groan*). At least my papers for the male cards are sorted now haha.

I am still not happy with my pikkies despite making a white box background to stand them in (daylight bulb waiting on Royal Mail delivery lol). Any tips or tricks you can give me will be gratefully received.

TracieB xx

Entered into the following ....

SCS Challenge - Tons of Texture - DT Card

2011-01-08T09:34:00.002Z

This week's challenge is set by our lovely HELEN. She has chosen a theme of:-

TONS OF TEXTURE

Well I was a bit stuck with this one. As the shop is closed at the mo cause the Woo's is on her hols I don't have a lot of cardmaking bits at home.

I grabbed as much as I could before Xmas but there is always something you forget lol (I forgot my portable hard drive with all me digi papers on). I have no paper packs (AAAAaaaaaarrrgggghhhhh) Soooo I have spent the last few days going digi shopping for downloadable papers (Oh Joy everybody has got a sale on lol).

Luckly most of my images I have on my laptop hard drive (cause I'm a lazy begger an don't delete them after I transfer them hehe). I was looking at doing my other halfs valentines card early (at least he'll get one this year haha) so combined it with this weeks challenge.

I used one of Kenny K's wicked images coloured with ProMarkers and Copics and shaded with my Prismacolor pencils. I only went and picked up two different MS PATP punches so couldn't PATP and had to settle on only corners (what a nitwit!) using the MS Round Lattice corner. As it was a white core card after I embossed using a Cuttlebug folder (for the life of me can't remember what its called grrr) I sanded it and used copious amounts of Stardust Stickles and stuck some pink heart bling in the corners.

The paper I have used is from the digi paper pack Heart 2 Heart from Monika Designs and has a wonderful crackle finish in a fab deep purple. I just had to add some Wild Orchid flowers (but forgot to pick up a leaf punch haha) so I just coiled the stems around my pokey tool instead. Added some text to the tag from the digi pack and attached with a bit of ribbon.

Me hopes u likey and come & join us over at SCS Challenge.

TracieB xx

SCS Challenge - Buttons n Bows - DT Card

2011-01-01T08:16:00.001Z

This weeks challenge Buttons n Bows over at

has been set by the lovely Bubbly Bridget

First off "HAPPY NEW YEAR" to all u bloggy peeps and hope that 2011 is a good one for all of you.

Secondly, can anyone spot the deliberate mistake????? Yup, I forgot to attach the sentiment circle before I took the pikky lol. My other half mom's birthday is in a couple of days so decided to kill two birds with one card and made this using her fave colour, Green.

I have had this Summertime Designs, Sweet Springtime digi paper pack for ages and thought it was perfect for my card as it combined the green and pink in a very pretty paper set. I used the Greens and Black Provocraft Cricut card stock pad from Secret Crafter to back the papers and it matched perfectly. I distressed the edges a little with Distress Inks Peeled Paint and Worn Lipstick.

I used a Deckled Edge Oval Nestie to cut out my Magnolia Tilda image which I have coloured with ProMarkers and Copics. I have been using my Prismacolor pencils, blending with Sansodor, a lot lately to add additional shading to my images and I am really pleased with the results i'm getting. As long as you don't try and colour over the top of them with your markers (as it transfers onto the nib) there is no problem.

I finished off with some lime ribbon and button brads from my stash and there you have it, a perfect card (apart from the sentiment that I added after I uploaded the pikky, DOH!!)

I hope you like it and don't forget to leave a message, then pop on over to our other DT Gals Blogs to see how they all did with our first SCS Challenge of 2011.

TracieB xx

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T05:22:00.001Z

Merry Christmas Everyone xxxxxxx

Kenny K's Santa

2010-12-23T08:47:00.002Z

2 posts in as many days, ooooh u lucky people lol. I have been playing about with some Nitwit Collections I have and came up with the base of this card. That's as far as I had got but couldn't think of what to put in the middle of the frame. I sat and looked through my images (which took ages phew) then found my Kenny K ones and decided upon Santa (well he'll be here in a few hours hehe).

I coloured him with my ProMarkers and Copics but wasn't too happy with the shading so attacked him with me Prismacolor Pencils too lol. I found some glitter that came with a craft magazine last year. It was perfect as it is not as sparkly as my Stickles but gave a more subtle effect on his furry bits (ooerr missus)

I distressed the edges with my scissors and cats eye chalks then went around the edge of my printed sentiment with stickles. I wanted more sparkle (and why not!!) so out came my spray n sparkle which I coated the frame with.

I am going to enter this into the following challenges .....

Kenny K - Distressing
Copic Creations - Sparkle
Crafty Cats - Your Choice
I ♥ ProMarkers - Anything Goes

Then I'd better get on to wrapping my chrissy prezzies hehe

Wendy over at Secret Crafter is having a 20% off sale.
Pop on over for the discount code

TracieB xx

A card for Someone Special

2010-12-22T16:42:00.000Z

As I have a little spare time at the mo due to Christmas, I have taken the opportunity
to make a few cards and enter a couple of challenges (also not going anywhere
due to being a little snow bound grrr).

I have used one of the fantastic Lilly of the Valley Christmas images coloured with ProMarkers and highlighted with my Prismacolor pencils. I used one of the Marianne Designs dies for the circle border and distressed using Distress Inks. Flowers are from the one and only Wild Orchid coloured with my ProMarkers to match and the papers are from ScrapStreet Silent Night collection.

Sprinkle everything with a copious amount of glitter and sparkling stones and
there you have it.

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Totally Gorjuss - For Someone Special
Stamp Fairy - Anything Goes

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

TracieB xx

2010-12-18T11:07:00.000Z

This weeks challenge over at

has been set by the Woo's (aka Der Boss). Wendy has chosen a theme of:-

IN THE FARMYARD

We are sponsored by Stitchy Bear Digi Stamps this month. They are offering the lucky winner a choice of 5 digi stamps and they very generously game the DT some images to play with.

OUR FARMYARD CHALLENGE WILL LAST FOR 2 WEEKS.
WE WILL BE BACK IN THE NEW YEAR.

I knew exactly what I was going to do as soon as I saw the HOT SOUP lady. I have just watched Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang and thought the likeness soooo uncanny hahaha.

I searched fruitlessly for a suitable circle sentiment so I put my thinking cap on and decided to do one all by myself. I think it's perfect even if I am a little biased lol

I am sitting here looking out of the window and watching the snow falling. It's getting really thick now, maybe i'll have a problem getting into work tonight (fat chance lol)

My Secret Crafter bits this week are as follows .......

Hot Soup from Stitchy Bear Stamps coloured with Secret Crafter ProMarkers and Copic Ciaos
Lime Green Glitter card from Secret Crafter
DP is Kay Miller Designs - All Organic Digi Kit
Distress Inks

Check out the challenge blog to see the other girlies creations and to join us.

And finally a wish from me .....

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

SCS Challenge - Colour Challenge - DT Card

2010-12-11T01:00:00.001Z

Click on the image for a better view xx

This weeks challenge has been set by ME hehe.

I decided on a colour challenge as a change from Xmas and all of the reds and greens around at the moment. So here are the colours I eventually settled on .....

.. they are ProMarker colours just to give you an idea of where to start but you can use any medium you like.

I am having some major problems taking pictures of my cards at the moment as they are really not doing them justice and they look sooooo much better in real life.

As this card is for my mates birthday I downloaded a funky Kenny K Image (I just love em). I also found an old My Minds Eye paper pad in my stash that matched the colours perfectly.

I used the MS PATP double loops to edge the pearly paper and the corner punch on the edges of the green paper and lime green glitter card. Of course the flowers are from my Wild Orchid stash and the name I cut using my Klic n Kut then coloured with ProMarkers.

Kenny K VikkiLeeVicious Download
coloured with both ProMarkers and Copic Ciaos
Lime Green Glitter card from Secret Crafter
My flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.
MS Punch Around the Page - Double Loops,

I hope you like it and please don't forget to pop on over to the other gals blogs to see how they did with this weeks colour challenge.

TracieB xx

2010-12-04T11:10:00.001Z

This week's challenge is set by Suzie and very appropriately she has chosen

Christmas

I stamped the whole of the 6x6 pieces of card (one black and one gold) using the Creative Expressions Christmas Borders wording stamp then heat embossed the whole thing with the wickedly sparkling Black Sparkle and Gold Sparkle powder. Did the same with the sentiments on white linen card.

I chose both images from the Creative Expressions Christmas Nestabilities stamp set, stamped then embossed with the corresponding sparkle powder. I also edged pieces of card with the sparkle powder and used the scalloped & circle nesties to cut out the image, mirri card and the sparkle pieces then layered them all up and stuck them to the background.

I also did the same to the border image, layered with mirri and sparkle edged card.

A really simple but sparkly card for xmas that can also be done with the Silver Fish embossing powder for another different look.

My supplies can be purchased from The Secret Crafter Shop and here's a list of what I used from the shop this week hehe.....

Creative Expressions Rubber Stamps: Christmas Borders and Christmas Nestabilities
Creative Expressions Silver Sparkle and Black Sparkle Embossing Powder
Perfect Pearls Ink pad
Spellbinders Nestibilities in Circles and Scalloped Circle

I hope you liked our creations this week and we look forward to reading your comments.

TracieB xx

SCS Challenge - 3 Snowflakes, 2 Circles an lace - DT Card

2010-11-27T09:35:00.008Z

As this is the last challenge of November this is your last chance to be in the draw and this month we have a FANTASTIC sponsor:-

KENNY K DOWNLOADS

Elena and Kenny have very generously offered 3 prizes for us.

1st prize - any 3 digis of choice
2nd prize - any 2 digis of choice
3rd prize - a digi of choice

They also supplied some fantastic digis for the DT to use this week - thanks guys they were a dream to work with and we hope you like our projects.

This week's challenge is set by MELISSA. She has chosen a recipe for you of:-

3 Snowflakes, 2 Circles & Lace

I stamped the whole of a 6x6 piece of silver card using the Christmas Borders wording stamp then heat embossed the whole thing with the wickedly sparkling Silver sparkle powder. Did the same with the sentiment but used the black sparkle instead. Found out some lace from my stash but it wasn't looking right in white and I didn't want to sparkle it and take anything away from the background.

Sooooo I sprayed it to death and got absolutely covered in the Cosmic shimmer spray cause I went a little over the top with it hehe. I found me a couple of old snowflake punches and used some white card then glittered them. I did think they looked a little plain so used a nailhead in the middle of them.

Coloured Miss Mistletoe with Copics and Promarkers then glittered her furry bits, cut her out and whacked her on a circle of Mirri card (Oooo how hard is it to get a pickky of the card whilst not getting your reflection on the Mirri card!!!!)

Most of my supplies can be purchased from The Secret Crafter Shop and here's a list of what I managed to get my sticky mitts on in the shop this week hehe.....

Creative Expressions Rubber Stamps: Christmas Borders and Stylish 3
Creative Expressions Silver Sparkle and Black Sparkle Embossing Powder
Perfect Pearls Ink pad
Kenny K Xmas Mistletoe Downloads (scroll down the page for the links) coloured with both ProMarkers and Copic Ciaos
Spellbinders Nestibilities in Circles and Scalloped Circle
Cranberry Nailheads in the centre of my snowflakes
Cosmic Shimmer Spray in Lava Red

I hope you liked our creations this week and we look forward to reading your comments.

Happy thanksgiving

TracieB xx

I have entered this into the following challenges this week .......

SCS Challenge - Sparkle n Shine - DT Card

2010-11-13T11:22:00.015Z

The loverley Helen has set this weeks challenge of Sparkle n Shine, just perfect for a Christmassy card.

I have had the Pink Petticoat - Have an Ice Christmas download for a while and had a bit of a play about with the snowflake paper. Put it into Photoshop and overlaid the positive and negative and made an entirely new pattern. I inked the edges with Distress Ink- Chipped Sapphire and used a glue pen and glitter to highlight some of the snowflakes.

Coloured the cutie Penguin with both ProMarkers and Copic Ciao, then used some Ice Stickles on the snowballs which is more 3D that the normal stickles. Mounted the Penguin and sentiment onto silver mirri to match in with the colour scheme.

I cut out some snowflakes using Marianne Designs Creatables - Snowflake 1/2/3. I then found out my metallic ink pads in purple and ice blue, inked up the snowflakes and used 2 coats of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (which provides the Shine). I also used the MS Icicle punch as a top border, covered it in glue and glittered it to within an inch of death (which is, you guessed it, the Sparkle)

Don't forget to pop on over to the other gals blogs as there are some stunning cards out there again this week.

We are all working hard in the shop this week as we have our first Open Weekend this weekend coming. It's all very exciting and very nerve racking. If you're in the area, come along and have a mooch, loads of demo's (Creative Expressions are here too) and make and take classes (also Tea n Coffee wiv bikkies Mmmmmm). Details at the top of my blog or pop along to the shop for further details.

TracieB xxx

Also entered into the following ......

Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C63 Christmas
ABC Challenge - H is for Holidays
Stamp Something - November Digi Day
Delightful Challenges - Glitter it up
Sweet Stamping Challenge - Snowflakes
Die Cut Dreams Christmas Club - Snowflakes
Little Red Wagon - 3's (3 Snowflakes)

SCS Challenge - Red and Gold - DT Card

2010-11-06T09:10:00.001Z

This weeks challenge has been set by the lovely Bridget and is

Red and Gold

I just had to use the New Secret Crafter Christmas Angel Digi Download and coloured her with a combination of Letraset ProMarkers and Copic Ciao markers to match the DP which is a Kaisercraft Tis the Season paper pad (a really nice pad with embossing and sparkly bits). Finished her off with the much used (and now nearly empty) bottle of Stardust Stickles.

Looking through the Die Cutting storage box I came across the Marianne Designs Swirl and Ponsettia 1 die cut creatables and voila me card was done.

A really simple and quick card to do but I think it looks just fab.

Thanks for joining us this week and don't forget if you are free over the weekend of the 20/21st November to pop on over to our Secret Crafter Open Weekend. Lots of demo's by your DT, How to Classes and Creative Expressions will also be here too.

TracieB xx

SCS Challenge - Anything that Flies DT Card

2010-10-30T09:20:00.003+01:00

This week over at ....

We are sponsered by the fab SOME ODD GIRL. They have very generously offered a prize of $9 voucher for digi's of the winner's choice. We also got the chance to pick a digi of our choice to use in this weeks challenge so here is Magic Mae Digi Download (soo hard to choose between them, so many cuties available).

We were set the theme of Anything That Flies by the big boss lady WendyWii (it was WendyWoo but ask her about her Wii dance games she has just purchased hahahaha)

I picked out the new Basic Grey Capella Paper Pad as my background paper (I just love the pattern and colours) I thought that the edges needed something other than just distressing so picked out one of our class MS Punch Around the Page sets and got to work and am really pleased with the results (I hid the join between the two papers with some ribbon from my stash hehe).

I coloured Mae and the Fairy Castle with a combination of Letraset ProMarkers and Copic Ciao markers to match the DP then I decided to cut them both out. Inked the edges of the cloud with Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass. There is a fair bit of silicone behind Mae as I wanted her to be more prominent than the castle.

It looked like she was enchanting something with her wand so decided to add some bling around it then fairy dust trailing below (but onto what? hmmmm...) I know ......

I just had to use me flowers again after I received my order from Wild Orchid Crafts lol. I coloured plain white flowers and buds with the Frost Blue Copic that I used on Mae so they matched my colour theme (Then the Fairy Dust magically appeared all over them hehe).

The bottom corner looked a little bare but Wendy has just had some fantabulous mother of pearly buttons and they are just wicked coloured with either ProMarkers or Copic Ciao and I played around till until I got this fab spotty effect and I was just about done

The other girls have done a fab job this week. Pop on over to have a peek and

leave us a message to say hello and I hope to see you all again next week.

TracieB xx

Also entered into the following challenges....

Alphabet Challenge Blog - A is for Angel & Faries

One Stop Craft Challenge - Anything Goes

SCS Challenge - Manga - DT Card

2010-10-23T12:54:00.005+01:00

Another week, another ....

This weeks challenge is Manga, so get all your Secret Crafter Manga stamps, Sugar Nellies etc and get stamping (or printing for those digi's).

And on that note you have to take a look at the Brand New Exclusive Secret Crafter Xmas Digi images (arrived Hot Off the Press last night)

Available for immediate download (and at £2.99 they're a steal), why don't you use them for this weeks challenge (keep 'em peeled as there are more to come very, very soon hehehe)

I haven't got a fave as yet cause I love em both and can't wait to get them inked up (but I gotta wait til Monday before I can have a play grrrrr)

We had some new DCWV Cafe Mediterranean 8x8 and 6x4 paper pads in and they are truly lush. I just luurrve the colours and they all match each other perfectly and managed to rescue a pad from the shop to use this week. Italian Girl, is from Secret Crafter Shop used as a Digi Download but they are also available as Clear Stamps.

I coloured the image with a combination of Letraset ProMarkers and Copic Ciao markers. Inked the edges with some Distress Inks in Peeled Paint which is a lovely lime green colour. I used the middle of the new Marianne Designs Double Frame and a circle nestie behind it. The Happy Birthday is from the Personal Impressions Greetings clear set inked with Black Versafine. I just had to use me flowers again and another order for Wild Orchid Crafts has also been placed lol.

Also Kate our Guest DT has agreed to stay on in a permanent role - we are so pleased she accepted (she also managed to get a card done with the new digi's for this weeks challenge, buttering up the boss already eh! hahahaha).

Pop on over to the rest of the DT's blogs and don't forget to say hi to the gals for me

Entered into the following challenges too ......
Paperplay - Week 42 Blue, Orange and Olive

Hugglies

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - Oriental - DT Card

2010-10-16T08:25:00.003+01:00

This weeks Challenge over at

is an Oriental Theme set by Yours Truly

(dats me u know hehe)

I've been itching to use the Dovecraft Eastern Promise pads for ages but just never got round to it so this was the perfect opportunity. Trying to decide on which design to use was the hardest as I picked out about 6 before I decided on the 3 to use. The image, Samurai Boy, is from Secret Crafter Shop used as a Digi Download but they are also available as Clear Stamps.

I coloured the image with a combination of Letraset ProMarkers & Copic Ciao markers. I was looking for a punch to use on the card but couldn't decide so eventually went with tearing (really hard to tear in a straight line lol). I inked the edges with PaperSoft Colour in Lime Green and Rose which turned out to be a very good colour match with the rest of the card. I wanted to get away from using flowers on everything so was then stuck on what to do next lol.

I went hunting in Wendy's stash and came across some lovely new stamps Darkroom Door Rubber stamps - Full Bloom Vol 1 (in a metal storange box no less, posh!!) and the sentiment was just perfect. Wacked that on the side after a bit of inking and ta daaaaa I was finished.

I hope u like me little creation and don't forget to pop on over to the rest of the teams blogs to find out how they created their cards

See u all next week

TracieB xx

Entered into the following challenges ....

Cards for Men - No 21 - Happy Birthday

Colour Throwdown - No 114

Colour Create Challenge - No 55 Pink, Green n Cream

Totally Gorjuss - No 52 Pink

SCS Challenge - Distressing - DT Card

2010-10-09T12:07:00.002+01:00

Distressing

This weeks challenge is a doozy and is set by Suzie

(I is a poet hahaha)

I very nearly just put a pikky of me on a card cause I is distressed. Just back off me hols and am not happy being back at work lol (need to win the lottery haha)

Anyhows, back to me card. Patience Pixie is from Whimsie Doodles and is such a cutie. Coloured her with Promarkers and Copics then decoupaged her. I decided not to colour her wings and went with the Glitter instead (and much more blingy in my humble opinion lol)

Used the new Pink Petticoat Autumn Blossoms papers for the background and the Woodware Punch flowers. We have some awesome new Buttons - Style 3 over at Secret Crafter. I have used the white ones and coloured them with Promarkers to match the colours I have used on Pixie. Mounted everything up onto Mirri Card and added a border used the MS Border Punch and distressed with Tim Holtz edge distresser and some Distress Inks

We have a fabulous Guest DT for the month of October - KATE (DOWNRIGHTCRAFTY) has agreed to join us, so pop on over to the gals blogs to see what delectable creations they have for you this week.

Oh well, back to the holiday washing and repacking of the cases for another year

Distressed, I am now! haha

Also entered into the following challenges......

Incy Wincy Designs - No 62 Sparkly Glitter
Paper Playtime - No 19 - Ribbons, Buttons or Rhinestones
A Spoonfull of Sugar - No 124 - Sparkle and Shine
Digital Tuesday - No 79 - Ribbons, Buttons, Bling plus Digi

SCS Challenge - NEW LAUNCH - Anything Goes

2010-09-19T08:35:00.001+01:00

We are celebrating the launch of four fabulous new Manga stamps exclusive to Secret Crafter. The four images are AVAILABLE NOW HERE in clear polymer stamps and will be available as digital downloads in the near future.

The images are:-

ANGEL BOY

BIRD FAIRY

ICE SKATING COUPLE

ITALIAN GIRL

As it is a special week we also have a prize - one person chosen at random will received all four new images as digi stamps.

Due to the new release, Jane has set the theme as ANYTHING GOES challenge, so to be in with a chance of winning the whole set of these gorgeous images, pop on over to Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and get your card entered this week.

You must pop on over to the Gals from the design team and check out their blogs, WOW what a talented bunch, we are very lucky to have them.

We also have two very Special Guest Designers joining us this week. Let us introduce you to LILY and RACH, click on the links and give them a warm SCSC welcome.

Now, onto my card details ...

I used the new Ice Skating Couple stamp and colours with Promarkers and Copic Ciao's from Secret Crafter Shop. The paper pad is one of the new Dovecraft Xmas ones, Christmas Fancy. I decoupaged the swirls on the bottom, added some Twinklets Diamond Dust so it looked like snow, added a few glittery snowflakes, sprayed copious amounts of glittery spray and voila finished.

Me hopes u likes it

TracieB xx

SCS Challenge - A Sketch

2010-09-11T09:23:00.002+01:00

This weeks Challenge over at

is following a Sketch, set by de loverley Helen

It is also a dual challenge card. It was Wendywoo's (de Boss as she likes to be called hehe) birthday on Friday and, cause i'm such a baaaad cardmaker, (there would be no time to make 2 cards in a week lol) I have used the opportunity to kill 2 cards wiv one sketch (geddit haha).

You may think me a little cheeky givin me bestist mate a card with a mobility skooter on it but everytime the Wendy lady sees one she's like "Ooooh gotta get me one of them" (same wiv the Stanna Stairlifts, lazy mare lives in a bungalow lol). Despite all the customers saying "She's gonna kill u", Wendy gave a huge belly laf (No comment here haha) declaring "It's fab, I love it" (not a direct quote but u get the idea lol).

It was touch and go as to whether I would finish the card in time to upload for the Challenge Blog so decided to take a piccy of the front first just in case (where does the time go, you start something then Bang 3 hours have gone by!!!) But here is the finished card including the verse....

Click for a better look x

When we got the new pads in a few challenges ago I claimed one of them for my card that week, but de boss pinched it first (grumble grumble haha). So when I got the image and checked out the sketch I decided that the pads was Cosmo Cricket De Loverly'ist one to use (good play on words there huh!!).

I used the image from Just Inklined digi stamps (the wrinklies section lol) and got to work on it using Copic Ciao's to match the paper. The text I printed onto Linen card using me printer and all of the flowers were from my ever growing Wild Orchid stash, coloured with some of the same Ciao colours I used for the image. A couple of Nesties through the Cuttlebug later and the first part was done (Phew!)

How hard is it to remember how to make an easel card (spesh as I haven't made one for what seems like ages lol!!!) Anywayz, sorted that out and set to searching the internetweb for a suitable friend poemy thingy. After an age I found the perfect one, printed it out, mounted and stuck to bottom of said card. Giggery pokery (an a bit of stickles n ribbon later) me card was done.

Hopes u likes it and make sure you also pop on over to my fellow De Loverley (hehe) DT Gals Blogs to see their sketch creations (Don't forget to pop us a comment in the box to let us know what u all think too)

Happy Crafting peeps

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - Clean and Simple

2010-09-04T07:50:00.001+01:00

I have had such a busy week i'm soooo glad this weeks challenge at SCSC is ...

Clean and Simple

Wendy has got new till. It's an all singing, all dancing, barcode reading sparkly piece of machinery. It's such a shame that the operators aren't as technologically advanced lol (not me u understand, just Wendy hahaha, soz boss xx) How difficult is it to program this till?? There are step by step instructions and everything, but do you think we can get it to work properly!!!!!!

Wendy has figured out most of the adding products to stock steps (way to go, you can read techno speak lol) and between us we have been able to serve customers but there is still a looooong way to go lol. So, if you need to cheer yourselves up, pop on over and have a chuckle at two or even three people trying to work out how to add unbarcoded products up on the till for customers haha.

Anywayz, back to the Challenge and my card. Such quick and easy card but looks fab (in my humble opinion anyway! hehe). It's a 5x7 cardblank backed with Silver Mirri Card. I cut a piece of White Linen card (fab cardstock, we use it to make all our card blanks) slightly smaller then embossed it to just under half way down, using the D'vine Swirls embossing folder. Added a couple of embossed lines using my scoreboard then Shock Horror!!! a peel off (didn't have a stamp that fitted properly lol).

Vicky popped over with some of her stash and showed me some of the New Marrianne Designs Creatables she had cut out and guess what.... I PINCHED ONE and ran off with it hehehe ( I knew she wasn't gonna chase after me tho, too much energy expended on a non crafting event lol). Added it to the side of my card and Ta Daaaaa finished!

The other girls have done a fab job this week. Pop on over to have a peek and say hello to our Newest DT Member Bridget (some gorgeous cards on her blog u know) and Welcome Back to Renate (glad to have her back after the summer break x)

Leave me a message to say hello and I hope to see you all again next week.

TracieB xxx

The Craft Awards 2010

2010-08-31T19:00:00.002+01:00

Vote for

Best Independent Store in the Midlands

we'll make u rich

(thats a huge lie but it made u look hahaha)

Put your tick next to us on question number 21

Go on, you know you want to hehe.

SCS Challenge - Make a start on Christmas

2010-08-28T10:13:00.000+01:00

Wel i'm off to a fine ol' start this mornin!! Me internet only came on about 10 mins ago (9.50ish grrrrrrrrrr) and as I cut and paste me thoughts from Notepad (but didn't save it, double grrrrr) I lost all me witty musings that I was going to post today. So, I'm sorry for the short post but I really need to get it uploaded and quick !!!

I was playing about with the Spellbinders Impressabilities Snowflake Stencil which embosses beautifully but doesn't cut out. I scanned it and made some magic in my Klick n Kut program and came up with the delicate cut out version of the stencil. I glittered it to death (of course) but couldn't use it on it's own so decided to attach it to an acetate front to make my card.

I used Bazzil Bling Flirty for the back of the card. Used a Marianne Designs Creatable die cutting stencil for the flower with Bazzil Bling Flirty & Infatuation and silver card for the leaves. Ribbon and a peel off (I know, I know shock horror, but I love the clear and sparkly design) and Bada Bing the card was finished, and unfortunately so is this post.

Make a start on Christmas today (you know you're going to get to December then have to get them fingers smokin to finish your cards) and pop on over to the other Gals blogs for more inspiration.

TracieB xxx

SCS Challenge - Blue and Cream

2010-08-21T09:31:00.001+01:00

It's Wendywoo's turn this week over at

(aka Da Boss hehe)

Blue and Cream is the theme

(haha I am a poet but I didn't know it lol)

Happily there were no major problems with this weeks card (Boo Hoo no fun lol). I had the design in mind ages ago and I decided to follow a sketch to make the layout easy.

Cat Girl from Secret Crafter is such a pleasure to colour in I nearly stamped and coloured another one just for fun lol. Wendy had also been able to make her stamps available in Digi Format for immediate download (instant crafty fix haha).

I had a bit of a clear out and found some papers that I had from a magazine offer about 5 years ago and the blue ones matched purrrfectly (get it, lol).

I added a punched piece using MS Edger Punch Hearts, used the good ol Nesties to cut out the image & the computer printed sentiment then added a bit of bling for the corners.

I had to add some of my newly found creations in the form of ProMarker coloured flowers (don't they just look fantabulous, check out my previous post for how to do it) and hey presto, finished card

Pop across to the other DT Blogs for info on their wonderful creations and I hope to see you for next weeks new SCS Challenge.

TracieB xx