Bon Voyage!

A very quick post today to show you one of my latest creations:

 

 

I'd had this super-cute Bon Voyage set from DigiStamp Boutique for a while and I thought the images were perfect for my new printed tags found at a craft show.

I colored the images with my Copics and used the sentiments that came along with the set.

Aren't they cute?!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

DigiStamp Boutique May Customer Competition: Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart Challenge # 59: Anything Goes

Crafty Time May Challenge: Anything New (tags)

Christmas Card Challenge # 13 - Color.

It's Sunday and it's time for a new Christmas Card Challenge!

 

This week we have a color combo to inspire you:

 

 

Winter Hues!

 

In detail:

 

And this is my card:

 

I thought that these colors were perfect for my Lamb with Lantern from Peppercu Design. I bought it months ago and I'm happy I've finally found some time to use it!

 

You can find all detail for this new challenge here on the blog along with the winners from last week's challenge too and our DT gorgeous inspiration!

 

But if you want to see the details of their creations, check them on their blogs:



                       Alanna    Carol    Donna     Gail    Heather     Jessica     JoAnn     Margo     Marsha    

Shirley Anne     Tenia

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps Challenge # 133: Holiday

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round March Challenge: Critters

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for March: Anything Goes

Fab'n'Funky Challenge # 248: Christmas + Snowflakes

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Non-Traditional Christmas Colors

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge # 216: Lots of Layers

 

Christmas Card Challenge # 4 - Anything Goes.

Good morning!

Here we are with a new Christmas Card Challenge!

The theme is easy this week: Anything Goes!

 

 

 

I chose a Kraftin' Kimmie  stamp called Joy mounted on paper scraps I found in my stash. I had in mind non-Christmas colors for her coat but then I opted for the most traditional color scheme.

 

My teamies have created great cards as usual.

Check here to see them or have a look at their blogs: 



                       Alanna    Carol    Donna     Gail    Heather     Jessica     JoAnn     Lisa  
                                     Margo     Marsha     Monica     Shirley Anne     Tenia

 

 

And don't forget we have a winner and a Top Three each week now: check here to see if you're one of them!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge: Z is for Zebra - Use Stripes

Come and Get It Challenge: Merry Christmas

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge # 209: Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday Challenge # 353: Anything Goes

Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes



Happy Holidays Row.

Good afternoon!

 

Christmas will be here in one week... I can't believe it, time flies too fast!

 

I have another Christmas card to show you today:

 

 

It is one of the new stamps recently released by Eat Cake Graphics: it is called Christmas Row (and you can find it here in Eat Cake Graphics shop).

I had already made a card with the Trick or Treat Boxes (you can read my post here) which is quite similar to this one and I enjoyed myself so much creating my card that I had to have the Christmas version too!

I stamped it twice and cut some details to add them with 3D dots to have a dimensional effect.

I kept the rest of my card quite simple, the image is so beautifully detailed it doesn't need anything else!

 

You can read all about my card here on Eat Cake Graphics blog too!

 

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 287 - Christmas Present.

Hello!

Welcome to a new C.R.A.F.T. Challenge!

 

With Christmas just around the corner we have a second Christmas-themed challenge for you this month!

This time we want to see Christmas presents!

 

Although I'm absolutely far from having my presents ready or at least having an idea of what to buy, I've lots of cards and the one for this week is full of presents:

 

 

She is Ruby Christmas - Present Stack from Bugaboo Stamps. I wanted her to wear a black dress and this inspired the choice of the background papers and card base.

 

As usual, I suggest you have a look here at our challenge blog to see the fab creations of our DT members and to check out all the sponsors for this week's challenge. Bugaboo Stamps is one of them!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge # 123: Holiday

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge # 78: Your Favourite Holiday (Christmas)

Crafting for All Seasons Challenge # 91: 'Tis the Season

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for November: Anything Goes

Try It on Tuesday Challenge: Christmas is Coming

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 285 - Christmas.

Good morning and welcome to our C.R.A.F.T. Challenge!

 

This week it's all about Christmas!

 

I've had the chance to work with a great image this week and this is my card:

 

 

This adorable mouse is Snowflake Butterfly available from StitchyBear Stamps, one of our wonderful sponsors this week!

 

I printed the mouse on a background paper from My Grafico while the other papers are from Toga.

 

I've seen beautiful cards from our DT this week, so have a look at our Challenge blog and be inspired!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe's Crafts November Challenge: Snow

Creative Moments Challenge # 55: Anything Goes/Celebration

Eureka Stamps Challenge # 114: 4 Legged Friends

Inky Impressions Challenge # 185: Animals

Papertake weekly Challenge: 2 or 4 Legs

I've It in my Hands at Last!

A while ago I fell in love with a little stamp.

 

Every time I switched on the computer, I had a look at it in the shop. Then, one day, I bought it.

And now I can hold it in my hands!

 

I don't know why I fall in love with certain images, they speak to me and I always think about making somemthing for my mum, for, I know, she'd love it too!

 

This morning I had some time to make a card and this cute little monster is now on my desk next to the computer smiling at me!

 

Let's start with the card:

 

 

She is (it's a she, of course) one of the little monters of the Silly Monsters 2 stamp set from Your Next Stamp and, to make my card, I followed the sketch of Your Next Stamp Challenge # 1:

 

(I chose to follow the sketch but there's also a Color Challenge if you prefer, all details here).

 

I had various ideas in mind, this sketch is absolutely lovely and I think I'll use it again in the future, but I finally chose to make a Christmas card, coloring my little monster with red and glitter.

 

I've made a mini card, a size I love even if I know it's impossible to post, I think it's perfect to accompany a gift or a bunch of flowers.

 

Well, it's time to go back to my orders, not before to lin it to:

Your Next Stamp Challenge # 1: Sketch



Watching from the Window.

Good morning!

 

Today I have a new Christmas card to show you:

 

 

When I chose this stamp from Eat Cake Graphics I started imaging what the little girl could be watching from the window at Christmas.

I then found this paper from My Little Shoebox and... that's what she was looking at!

 

She is Mary and Mr. Meow at Window (and there's is also a version with Billy and Sparky at Window in case you prefer boys and dogs) and you can find her here in Eat Cake Graphics shop, both mounted and unmounted.

 

I love this stamp very much and I'm working on more samples so stay tuned!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps Challenge # 118: Holiday

Christmas at Sweet Stampin' October Challenge: Snowflakes

Inspiration Destination Challenge # 4: Anything Goes

Nutcrafters Challenge # 79: Winter Weather

Polkadoodles Challenge # 42: Christmas Fun

Christmas Card Challenges # 35 - Anything Goes!

Anything goes at Christmas Card Challenges!

What a wonderful way to start with your Christmas cardmaking!

 

This is my card:

 

I've used Snowbirds digi stamp from Broken Box Stock (it's still a freebie in the shop here!). I colored it with Copics and mounted it on a patterned card from DCWV.

 

Check out the Challenge page here to see the lovely and inspiring creations from the DT or have a look at their personal blogs:

 Alanna

Anne

Donna

Heather

Jenn

Jovita

Karen

Lisa

Margo

Marsha

Roselany

Sandi

Wendi

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round July Challenge: Non Traditional Colors

Completely Christmas Challenge # 22: Anything Goes

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge # 187: Cute

Jellypark Friends Challenge: Christmas in July

Papertake weekly Challenge: It's a Jolly Holiday

Inspiration Saturdays: For the Love of Plaques

When painting was my first crafting activity I made lots of plaques: little signs to be hung on doors and walls with whimsical animals and people.

I loved these little cuties and every now and then, I try to make something similar using papers and stamps.

With summer approaching, I thought that an "On Vacation" sign could be useful to be hung out of a shop or wherever there's someone lucky enough to go on holiday!

I gathered a few supplies: a cardboard plaque, a patterned paper, an image and a sign and I made this:

This sweet digi stamp is one of the latest creations from Broken Box Stock: she is called Ice Cream Toodle and she is available here in a colored version and here as a digi stamp.

I used my Copic markers and some glitter and glued her on a dotted paper by Pink Petticoat. A ribbon, some pearls and the heart decorate the plaque.

I'd like to hang it out of my kitchen to inform everybody I'm on vacation and won't cook for a while...

Another easy way to use your stamps in a different way!

I'm entering the following challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenge # 145: Summer Scene
Crafting by Design Challenge: Anything Goes with a Twist: Summer Fun
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Anything Goes
The ABC Challenge: O for Open

Fun in the Sun.

These last few days have been so warm and sunny it seemed to be in full summer!

But just to remind us we are not, this morning is heavy rain again...

Inspired by the sun, I've recently made this card:

Although I'm definitely NOT a camping person, I love this Campfire Toodle (available as digi stamp here and in a color version here) from Broken Box Stock: she is so pretty with her hat and bows in the hair!

I think she's really having fun!

You can find it in Broken Box Stock shop for just $1 and it's perfect to make cards and projects for this summer! Make a tiny card and hide it in your kids' backpack when they leave for the camp or print a bigger version and let your children color it. Then hang it on your fridge and make a countdown to their camping adventure!

There are plenty of different uses for digi stamps, not onlly cards! I'm planning a few posts to show you something different so stay tuned!

Since I was inspired by the weather and the digi stamp, I'll enter this card in the following "Anything Goes" challenges:

Crafty Caz Weekly Challenge # 182: Anything Goes

Love to Scrap Challenge # 5: Anything Goes

Make It Monday # 140: Anything Goes

Inspire Me Fridays # 102: Anything Goes

Crafts and me Challenge # 133: Use a Digi

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge # 100!

This week, the challenge at Sparkle Creations was about a sketch, this one:

As I usually do when I see a sketch, I started to be afraid I couldn't make a card out of it. I'm waiting for my new stamps from Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps to arrive and I hoped to receive them to get some inspiration.

Yesterday, I decided it was time to make the card and it came out very smoothly! My Traveling Josh stamp was still to be colored that the card was already made!

I must admit that, although I started with the stamp I wanted to use, everything ran smooth when I saw an old paper in my stash...

But let's see the card first:

The paper is from Autumn Leaves and I loved the idea of trains as starting point for a traveling young boy. I loved the colors and decided to color my stamp accordingly. Then, I added a journaling card from SMASH and a few other details to follow the challenge requirements and to finish the card.

I'm really proud of my card, being something a bit unusual for me!

I'm entering the card into the following challenges:

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge # 100: Sketch

Here Come The Boys Challenge # 48: Picture Inspiration

The ABC Challenge: J for Just As You Like

Happy Holidays! At Broken Box Stock

A GREAT new challenge at Broken Box Stock: Happy Holidays!

We all need Christmas cards so why don't create one for this challenge?

As a DT member this month I created two cards, it was difficult to choose just one so I sent both!

This is the first one I made a while ago:

I used a new easel card I had just bought and added these sweet little shops all dressed up for Christmas which you can find here. It's a freebie so hurry up and create the sweetest Christmas card!

Mine is light blue and shops are colored with Copics and, of course, glitter!

After having made this card, I received a new Toodle and... bang! I had a crush!

She is Gifts Toodle and exists as digi and in a colored version. I love her! All those gifts and bags, the pretty dress,her tights and, of course, her earrings!

I printed a giant version of the Toodle (the beauty of the digi stamps... being able to make any size you want!) and colored her with Copics and glitter. I decided to use two non-Christmas papers from my favourite Doodlebug collection: Sweet Cakes: these colors are perfect for Christmas too!

This bright and cheerful card makes me happy in these gloomy and very non-Italian days: it's been raining heavy for a long while, my daughter's school is partially flooded and... well, somewhere else in Italy conditions are even worse. Let's pray for them all this will be a happy Christmas despite all the difficulties.

Back to the challenge now! Here are the rules:

Challenge Directions:

Make a holiday card.

Broken Box Stock Digital Stamps:

You don't have to use our stamps but we love it when you do! We have hundreds of digital stamps, click here and check them out!

.

FREEbies:

Check out our freebies too! View our entire freebies collection here.

 

Deadline: Thursday, December 13, 2012 @ 5:00pm

Prize: 3 FREE digital stamps from our shop at http://www.brokenboxstock.com/ (your choice!)

Challenge Rules: 

1) Follow the challenge's specific design criteria above.

2) To enter your card in the challenge, use our "inlinkz" link tool below.

3) No back linking.

4) Up to 3 entries per person.

5) Subscribe to our blog so you know if you win (winners must claim their prizes by emailing us, we will not reach out to you)!

6) We must have at least 5 entries to award a prize.

 

Don't forget to be inspired by the gorgeous creations of the DT! Check them all here!

Vacation, Vacation...

Good morning!

It's the last Monday in August and this means... it's Paper Playtime Digi Monday again!

This month the theme is: VACATION!

August is THE MONTH for vacation here in Italy. Even if there's more people around in towns these days than in the past, most of us still go on holiday in August. The 15th being a National Holiday, offices and factories closed, the two central weeks of August are absolutely the most quiet in town!

Back to our challenge, here's my card:

I used these lovely Beach Huts digi from Delicious Doodles which I simply colored with pencils. I love this turquoise and white look, it's calming and refreshing!

Don't forget to have a look at the other amazing creations from our DT!

Is It Christmas Yet?

Last week I finally discovered that was I hoped for really existed...

I was wondering why there were no Christmas-themed Challenges all year around, so that I had an excuse to  make Christmas cards (I love Christmas, you know it) even in February, March, April...

And last week I finally discovered there was one: a two-weeks challenge! Perfect! I could make a card every two weeks and I'll end up to have a good stash for the shop and - hopefully - for friends and family too!

So I made this card:

I painted this lovely Pennyblack stamp with my watercolor pencils and kept the design simple because the theme of the ABC Christmas Challenge was "C is for Clean and Simple". The light greens and creams give me an idea of fresh and clean, but also a bit of snow and winter.
They also gave a sketch to follow:

With my surprise, I discovered some more Christmas-themed challenges but I added just one to my list: it's Jingle Belles. A part from the lovely name, they state the following:

OUR MISSION: to make a new christmas card each & every week of 2011, thus avoiding holiday mayhem. won't you JOIN US?!

Couldn't I say no???

This Challenge runs weekly so hopefully I should be able to make at least 6 Christmas card/month and this isn't too bad...

This week they ask for "No Red" and luckily enough I have an absolutely no-red card ready to enter it!

I'm also planning to have a secret drawer somewhere in my studio were I'll hide the cards until the next Holiday Season, so that I don't see them everyday and I'll still be surprised when I see them!

Let It Snow!

It's snowing!!!

I LOVE snow, I actually do but not in town. The traffic goes mad, the streets are slippery and it's cold.

It's been snowing for less than 5 hours and I'm already tired.

I had lunch at my mother's who got a cold and ask my husband to drop me there so we did not have to take two cars to go to the theater this morning. I said to myself that a bus ride back wouldn't have been too bad, I could have seen our wonderful town center with Christmas lights and a few shops already open.

But...

At noon it started snowing. The buses where both on time, I didn't have to wait under the snow but the soccer match couldn't be played under such a snow storm and it was canceled when everybody was already in the stadium.

I'm one of those unlucky Italian girls who have the misfortune to live near a soccer stadium, and this means that on Sundays I have to remember if our team plays at home if I want to invite somebody or if I have to go out.

Today it meant that the bus had to change its route because the road was full of people going out of the stadium. The traffic was terrible and it took me ages to come back home. I had to get out of the bus quite far from home under the snow and I arrived home frozen and wet.

I think I hate more soccer than snow (and this is no good for an Italian girl...) but today I was really fed up with both of them. (I apologise if "fed up" is not too polite but it's the most efficient English word I'm thinking to describe my mood...).

Anyway, in celebration of snow and snowflakes I've made a card for two challenges which have snow as theme:

Crafts and Me (http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/) which wants to see snowflakes

and

Digital Tuesday (http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/) which has a Let It Snow theme.

Here's my card:

I already used this stamp by the Digistamp Boutique for my first challenge ever and I love it so much that I decided to make another card changing colors and sketch.

The stamp is colored with watercolor pencils as usual, the patterned paper is from Echo Park and snowflakes are punched and embellished with rhinestones.

It's incredible how quickly everything gets white and covered with snow, silent and peaceful.

Well, maybe for tonight I'll try to see how beautiful snow is.