Happy Summer!

It seems summer is finally here! It's sunny, it's warm and days are long!

 

A few days ago I was inspired by the challenge over at Creative Inspirations and made this card:

 

 

The theme is "Here Comes the Sun" and I thought this little girl from Pollycraft (available through C.C. Designs) was perfect: she makes me think about sunny days at the park!

 

I hope you like it as much as I do!

Chipboard Crazy - Part 10.

Another new card today with one of the chipboard embellishments I found in my stash!

 

As my readers surely remember, back in April I decided to use some of my chipboard embellishments because I cannot keep collecting them... my drawers are about to explode!

(you can read all about my chipboard cards here, here, here, here, here, and somewhere else...).

 

This week I have a cards dedicated to travellers or to those who just dream about travelling:

 

 

Background paper is from American Crafts while arrows and suitcases are from Toga.

I then added LOTS of buttons and I started dreaming how I could fill my travel wish list...

 

I have a few more cards with my chipboard destash to show you so stay tuned!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting from the Heart Challenge # 121: Anything Goes

Crafting with friends Challenge # 25: Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge # 321: Anything Goes

Creative Moments Challenge # 98: Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination Challenge # 95: Anything Goes

 

A Sweet Little Mermaid.

As a participant in Gerda Steiner June Challenge I was sent a new image for July and how cute it was!

 

This is my card:

 

 

She is Mermaid from Gerda Steiner Designs.

I printed her on a background journaling card from Miss Tiina at Sugarhill, colored her with Copics and embellished the card with die cuts (Paper Smooches) and rhinestones.

Sentiment is from Sugar Pea Designs.

 

I love her and the little starfish she holds in her hand!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Gerda Steiner July Challenge: Mermaid

Cards und More Challenge # 162: Summerfun, Beach, Sea

Fab'n'Funky Challenge # 313: Add a Sentiment

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge # 37: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge: Create a Scene

 

 

Chipboard Crazy - Part 9.

It's been a while since I last posted a card for my "Chipboard Crazy" series and it's time to show you another one, before summer ends!

 

 

This card is surely a summer-themed one! I love the colors and beachy feel!

And what about all those flip-flops!

They are not my favourite type of shoes but I have a collection of flip-flops which seems the one in this card, I love to match them with my beach outfit!

 

Well, another few pieces of my chipboard embellishments have been used, maybe one day they'll be finished!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

 Cards und More Challenge # 162: Summerfun, Beach, Sea

Creative Ladybirds Creations Challenge # 17 Anything Goes + Opt. Summer

Deep Ocean Challenge # 132: Colors of Summer

Inspiration Destination Challenge # 93: Anything Goes

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge # 37: Anything Goes



Time for Picnics!

Since I entered Gerda Steiner Monthly Challenge back in May, I received a super cute digi for this month's challenge!

I was really worried not to be able to participate this month, I was stuck in a very demanding order and I hardly found the time to make my DT cards.

 

Really at the very last minute, I've finished my card:

 

 

It's Picnic Penguin digital stamp mounted on a kraft card decorated with a picnic-themed patterned paper (I'm sorry, no idea of the brand).

I've also had the opportunity to test a new die from Toga I had bought in April: the fence is lovely, isn't it?

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Gerda Steiner June Challenge: Anything Goes with Picnic Penguin

Animal Friends Challenge # 39: Animal with Fruit or Vegetables

Crafting by Designs July Challenge: Anything Goes

Crafting with Friends Challenge # 23: Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge # 318: Anything Goes

 

 

 



Chipboard Crazy - Part 8.

Last week I didn't have much time to blog so I didn't show you my weekly chipboard card project.

 

Being a National Holiday today, I have a bit more time to write here on the blog while family is still sleeping.

 

This is my bright summer card:

 

 

I love this mix of pink, yellow, green and light blue and, of course, I love the wheel!

 

Backgrounds papers are from Lawn Fawn (Hello Sunshine) and I think they perfectly match my chipboard embellishments!

I then added tiny butterflies and, of course, some pearls to embellish the corners.

 

Ohhh summer!

 

I'd like to enter the folloowing challenges:

Send a Smile to Kids Challenge: Bright Colors 4 Kids

Southern Girls Challenge: Layers

Through The Craftroom Door Challenge May 31 - June 06: Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge # 232-233: Anything Goes

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge # 10: Anything Goes

 

 

This card is for sale in my shop. Please contact me if you are interested.



A Micey Day.

It's been a while since I last bought a stamp to make a card for a challenge.

Due to family issues and custom orders I have little time left for other projects but I long to make something "just because"...

 

This morning I decided I had to finish my card for the Gerda Steiner Designs Monthly Challenge. It's not the first time I buy one of her - adorable! - stamps to enter her challenge but I've never been able to make my card in time...

 

Today, I am ready:

 

 

This little mouse was too cute to resist!

 

I colored it with Copics and used an Avery Elle paper as background together with some matching pearls. The sentiment is from Pennyblack.

 

I LOVE it!!!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More: CAS

Craft Your Passion Challenge # 312: Anything Goes

Creative Moments Challenge # 93: Anything Goes

Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge # 17: Anything Goes

Gerda Steiner Monthly Challenge: Use this Digi

 

 

This card is for sale in my shop. Please contact me for any additional information.

 



Chipboard Crazy - Part 6.

A new week means a new card with one of the chipboard embellishments I'm trying to destash:

 

This time I've opted for a summer theme, with this little boat which makes me happy and dreaming of the sea...

Papers are from My Mind's Eye and Echo Park. I particularly love the sentiment which is the focus of the card.

I'm realizing that I'm destashing lots of paper too...

 

If you want to see my previous chipboard cards, have a look here.

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion Challenge # 311: Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew Challenge # 112: Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge # 137: Anything Goes

The Crazy Challenge # 222: Three Layers or More

Through the Craftroom Door Challenge May 10-16: Anything Goes

Chipboard Crazy - Part 4.

Here I am again with a new card made with some of the chipboard embellishments I found in my stash.

 

This week I have a travel-themed card to show you:

 

 

I love this Polaroid camera, I was given one when I was young, my very first "important" gift. I should have it hidden somewhere!

 

Papers are from October Afternoon, K & Co. and Bella Blvd.

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion Challenge # 309: Anything Goes

Create and Inspire Challenge # 44: Anything Goes

Creative Ladybirds Challenge # 14: Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination Challenge # 83: Anything Goes

Love to Scrap! Challenge # 76: Anything Goes

 

 

This card is for sale in my shop. Don't hesitate to contact me in case you need help.



Chipboard Crazy - Part 1.

A while ago I decided to start using some items in my ever-growing stash of craft materials.

 

I found some adhesive chipboard die cuts bought in a local shop perfect to create something with them.

For a whole week I created cards, 13 in total and yes, I reduced my stash (even thought I didn't use them all...).

 

Today I'm happy to show you my first card:

 

 

This is a small card with two of my favourite themes: travel and sea items.

Papers are from ModaScrap.

 

Hope to be able to show you all remaining cards in the next weeks!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

A Beautiful Mess Challenge # 1: Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart Challenge # 106: Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge # 306: Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft Challenge # 26: Anything Goes

The ABC Challenge: E is for Everything

 

 

This card is for sale in my Etsy shop. Don't hesitate to contact me if you are interested.

 

Framed.

It's been a while since I found some time to make a card for a challenge and not for a DT request.

 

I saw the challenge over at Sami Stamps and I thought it was perfect for my new Sami Stamp digi: the theme is "Frame It" and, with the help of my photo stamps from The Alley Way I made this card:

 

 

He is the cutest of guys, isn't he? This digi stamp is Warm Sand colored with Copics and the background paper is from Simple Stories. The sentiment in the arrow is from a stamp set I found in a magazine.

 

Schools started yesterday here so we are definitely back into the winter routine and summer is just a memory. Time really flies in the summer!

 

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge # 162: Make Your Mark

A Gem of a Challenge # 153: Boys, Boys, Boys

Allsorts Challenge # 328: Buttons

Crafty Friends Challenge # 14: B is for... Beach, Boy...

Sami Stamps Challenge # 29: Frame It!

Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop!

I've been creating some coffee-themed cards and projects recently and when I saw the Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop I couldn't keep myself from creating a coffee card with a summer feel for this challenge.

 

This is my card:

 

 

The image is the adorable Love You a Latte Gnome from 2 Cute Ink, colored with Copics and matched with papers from Avery Elle (above) and Miss Tiina (chevron).

The sentiment is from Bugaboo (Coffee Time - May Your Cup).

 

I've had a great fun to color it and put the card together! I LOVE these bright colors!

And this gnome has the same happy face I have every morning when I sit down and smell my coffee!

 

Well, time to hop and see all those beautiful coffee-themed cards!

 

 

 

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 311 - Bloghop Birthday!

Happy Birthday To Us

Happy Birthday To Us

Happy Birthday Dear CRAFT Challenge

Happy Birthday To Us!

 

Can you believe it? CRAFT Challenge is already 6 years old. Originally started by Tracy from Just Tracy Crafts and with a DT mostly recruited from Trimcraft forum members (Hence the term CRAFT Challenge, which stood for Crafters Residing Are Friendly Trimmies. Or if you wished alternative meaning of Can't Remember A Flipping Thing) on the 4^th of May 2009.

 We have now grown to be a large team of Design Team Members from all around the world, supplemented with lots of Guest Designers who join us for a month at a time.

We have always welcomed all kinds of craft, not just paper craft (unless specifically stated so in the challenge at the time) and are happy to have such a large group of faithful followers.

So, how are we going to celebrate this milestone?

Well, how else can we celebrate than to have our yearly Blogaversary Blog Hop?

 We all feature one of our sponsors for this blog hop on our blogs and I have the honour of featuring and offering a prize from the following sponsor. You can win this prize by adding your name to Inlinkz at the end of this post. I would love to see your comments as well.

 

         The prize to be won is $12 voucher for Sami Stamps.

 How can you get to win any of the prizes provided by our sponsors?

 That is easy! Just follow the route on our blog hop (you can also find that in our side banner), Our Blog Hop lasts for the duration of this challenge, which means a closing time of Wednesday 6pm GMT on the 20^th of May 2015.

And here are our little rules for this challenge/blog hop:

 

 What can you win on our challenge blog?

The winner of the winning sentence wins the special pack by Trimgym's Digital Stamps and Images.

 

You should have come here from Marlene's blog and as you can see your next stop is Myrna's blog. The start and finish of this blog hop are at CRAFT Challenge Blog.

 

And here is my project for this week, hope you like it. I have used 'Icecream Beauty' by Sami Stamps.

 

 

And now for our Blog Hop route:

CRAFT Challenge Blog (you are here at the start of the hop)

Abby

Aunty Sue

Brenda

Helen

Iona

Jo

Maggie

Marlene

Monica (you are here now)

Myrna

Shona

Ruth aka TipTop

CRAFT Challenge Blog (you are here at the end of the hop)

 

And here is the letter to be collected on this blog:

 

 

Your next stop is Myrna's blog. Enjoy the rest of your hop! Don't forget to add your name to Inlinkz below to be in with a chance of winning the prize on my blog.

 

 



Not Just Cards Challenge # 19 - Anything Goes.

Good morning!

 

Welcome to a new Not Just Cards Challenge!

Have you noticed that we have revamped the look of our blog?

But our challenges are always Anything Goes so feel free to add your creations and, of course, your cards!

 

This is my card for this challenge:

 

 

I chose Pinwheel Crab from Imagine That!which I colored with Copics and mounted on papers from Echo Park.

 

Imagine That! is one of our fab sponsors for this fortnight, but we have some more, check them here on the blog!

You'll also find tons of inspiration from our DT!



C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 308 - Make Your Own Embellishment.

Here we are with a new C.R.A.F.T. Challenge!

 

This week we challenge you to make your own embellishment.

 

This is my card:

 

 

This lovely rabbit is s.s. Hoppity from Robyn's Fetish colored with Copics.

My handmade embellishment is very simple this time: I cut some black cardstock and made the seagulls which I now realize are not black...

 

Need inspiration? Have a look here to see the amazing creations from the DT!

I can't wait to see what kind of handmade embellies you create!

My Monsters... Again!

Yes, I have a new card with my beloved Silly Monsters from Your Next Stamp!

 

This fortnight Your next Stamp Challenge has this sketch:

 

 

which I translated into this:

 

My monsters are colored with Copics as usual. Then, I cut their hands and switched their positions so they seem they're having a great fun in the sea!

While struggling with snow it was healthy to think about sunny days at the seaside!

 

There's also a color challenge, just in case you prefer...

 

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Your Next Stamp Sketch and Color Challenge # 7: Sketch

Scribble and Scrap Challenge # 37: Anything Goes

Simply Create Challenge # 79: Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations February Challenges: Anything Goes

That Craft Place Challenge: Anything Goes

Not Just Cards Challenge # 09.

Welcome to a new challenge at Not Just Cards!

 

The theme is always Anything Goes and we can't wait to see your creations!

 

Although this is the week of Christmas, I was thinking ahead when I prepared my project for the challenge and made this:

 

 

I chose this funny duck from Doctor Digi called Scaredy Duck and though about summer, sea and warm weather.

 

I've had sneak peeks of my teamates' projects and they are all so stunning!

Have a look here to check them out!



I Love This Card!

Today I'm happy to show you one of my favourite cards for this year:

 

 

I made it a while ago using Paddling in the Canoe, a super cute stamp by Eat Cake Graphics.

This time I imagined a boy paddling at night under a starry sky and a big moon.

 

I regret I have only a few scraps left of the starry paper so I don't think I can duplicate thi card... I'll probably keep it for myself for a little while...

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft a Scene Challenge: By a Silvery Moon

Creative Card Crew Challenge # 72: Black cardstock

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge # 199: Anything Goes

Scribble and Scrap Challenge # 29: Always Anything Goes

The Crafter's Café Challenge # 86: Use an Image with a Hat

 

 



Have a Happy Day!

In the North of Italy we haven't had a great summer.

Weather has been miserable for most of the time, rainy and cold.

Luckily enough I went to the seaside for a few days and it was sunny and warm but I feel like I've not had enough sun this year. Autumn is just around the corner and no, I'm not ready for cold again!

 

While still hoping for warmer and sunnier days, I made a card using one of my beloved Eat Cake Graphics stamps:

 

She is Daphne on her Floatie Bear and you probably remember her from another card I made (here).

This time I opted for a dotted background and added punched dots, as if they were bubbles.

Again, this little girl reminds me of my daughter when she was a little girl and used her floatie bear...

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

A Random Fan Challenge # 15: Anything Goes

Clear It Out Challenge: Crazy for Polka Dots

Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge # 53: Anything Goes + Shades of Blue

Glitter'n'Sparkle Challenge # 102: Use a Punch

 

and

 

Creative Colors Challenge # 19: Colors + Polka Dot Paper

white + shades of light blue/turquoise

 

 

Isn't this picture yummy? I LOVE dots!

 





Memories...

While summer is coming to an end, I regret I haven't gone to the seaside this year.

 

We are not far from the sea, not the most beautiful sea in the world but it's one hour drive from home so it's worth going there even for a day.

 

For years my daughter and I used to spend a couple of weeks at the seaside with my mum.

The first year she was six months.

The second year she could walk and the first day, while putting her feet on the sand, she started crying... she then understood it was nice to walk on the beach...

Another year she fell while jumping on a wave and she cried out loud for she had swallowed some water.

After a few years, she read me little books while waiting for the time to go and have lunch.

 

We didn't go for a couple of years and, in July, my daughter went there again with my mum, my sister and her cousins: she prepared her suitcase and I waved her goodbye. She didn't want to take her toys to play in the sand, she now swims like a pro and she probably reads better than me...

 

Ours was a yearly vacation, we knew we would have gone and every year there was something new to discover and something old to remember.

Although it was not "my vacation" I enjoyed the time I spent with my daughter, teaching her new things, reading her bedtime stories and waiting for dad when he reached us for the weekend.

 

This is why I chose this stamp and made this card:

 

 

She is Daphne on her Floatie Bear from Eat Cake Graphics.

This little girl reminds me of my daughter playing at the seaside and enjoying the water with her floatie bear!

 

You can find 1120-F Daphne on her Floatie Bear in Eat Cake Graphics Shop here.