Time for a new Challenge at OSAAT

Well, it's been another brilliant year of being part of the design team for the One Stitch at a Time challenge blog featuring the creators at Stitchy Bear's Digital Outlet.  I admire all of the design team and I'm knocked sideways at what is created, such a multi-talented bunch.

Well, this is the last challenge of 2014 and a cracker it is too! We'd love to see your creations using the theme 'Anything Goes with Stitching', real or faux. Check our blog here to see what my fab teamies have made for this challenge.

For my card I chose Sentimental Susan's gorgeous Paws-atively Adorable sentiments and you can find it here.  This is a card inspired by the picture of Ty, my sis-in-law's beautiful German shepherd who we sadly lost just a few short months ago. Ty was a huge dog but so gentle when he knew you, he lived with us when we were between dogs and I was always greeted with a low head and a huge slurp of his tongue, a very special dog.  Sleep on, lovely boy and see you at Rainbow Bridge with all my other GSDs and dogs.

Hope you have a fabulous Christmas!

I can't believe where the time has gone!!  I've had this awful virus doing the rounds twice now and this last lot spoilt my lovely Christmas dinner as it gave me a toothache that wandered along all of my teeth ARRRGH!  Fed up with 2014, roll on 2015.

I hadn't realised that I hadn't been here for a couple of weeks and completely forgot about posting up my DT cards, especially the Christmas ones so I'll do that first.

I had the great pleasure of using three of the Coosty Creations Seasonal Sentiments that you can find here in the Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet I love using word art on my cards.  As this one was going to be posted I kept the embellishments quiet flat and used a couple of Spellbinders Floral Flourish dies and the Sue Wilson Mosaic Poinsettia.

The second one I love as I was able to use the many layers of the Spellbinders die Radiant Rectangles and the Sue Wilson Poinsettia die.

The third card has all the colours of Christmas and a beautiful sentiment too.

Last but by no means least, my DT card for the OSAAT challenge #226 Anything Goes with a Glitter

using the Spellbinders 5 x 7 detailed Scallops which is a real favourite die of mine.

December is here!

Wow! Where has the time gone this year?  it's December and just over three weeks till Christmas. I spent a lovely day in London at the Foodies Festival in the Old Truman Brewery and then wandered through Old Spitalfields Market. So much food everywhere that looked delicious, a shame I have no sense of smell but I could taste it on the air.

Our challenge this week on the One Stitch at a Time challenge blog is 'Anything Goes with Lace' and what a great prize we have. Its all these gorgeous images in the November 5 pack:-

Here is the perfect set of images for all your Christmas projects including a beautiful sentiment too.
Please find our very few rules for entering our challenge here and also have a look at our Facebook page where there is always a great challenge for using the Stitchy Bear Digital images, just click on the link.

For my card this week I chose Stitchy Bear's image called 'I'm Sorry' and you can find her here. The perfect image for when you need to send someone a hug or just to say sorry. I know I will use this image time and time again.

I've used a piece of Linen Closet paper to the front of my card and cut one panel from the Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles in a toning blue Co'ordinations blue card stock.  After colouring her I cut along her wings back a little and placed the next size die down under her wings so that they were free.  Sadly, with the low light levels we are having at the moment the way she sparkles just doesn't show. Some Venise lace and a few Wild Orchid flowers and pearls to decorate.  The sentiment is self generated and cut with a Spellbinders Tag die that I've had for many years.  The cord on my little tag was given to me by my Red Hat friend Marilyn, the perfect shade of peach.

What a Miserable Day!

Well, down here in the backwaters of Essex it's a miserable day and misty too. I can't see across the river or even see the river from where I'm sitting. The dogs have been for a walk and are muddy and wet and looking for their breakfast.

It's Sunday and time for a really lovely challenge at OSAAT. This week our theme is 'Anything Goes with Giving Thanks'.

As we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK I thought I would make a Thank You card. A handy one to keep in my card box.

I've used an image from Hope Jacare called Bouquet 1 and you can find it in the Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet here. I love these stamps as they are so nice to colour. I've used a piece of Linen Closet paper as my starting point and coloured the images with Promarkers, the photo had to be brightened in my graphics program as the sun wasn't shining when I took the photo. the images has been mounted a couple of times using the Spellbinders Matting Basics A + B. A little leaf die from Heartfelt Creations finished off the self generated sentiment.

Anything Goes With Distressing at One Stitch At a Time

Its that time of the week when OSAAT sets a new challenge and for the next two weeks our theme is Distressing. so, lets see those project using distressing tools, inks and anything else that will give that distressed look.

Our prize for this challenge is a fab set of 5 digital images that you can see on the challenge blog here and you will find the simple rules we have for our challenges.

For my DT card this week I've used Baby Gangsta James by Reece's Scrap Pieces and you can find him here.

I've coloured him with Promarkers and cut up a couple of pieces of waste card and have distressed all three edges with a little Tim Holtz distressing tool. the background paper has come from my stash from  kit by Papermania, the postage stamp card, I think, has come from Craftwork cards. a Couple of buttons, some twine and loads of distressing ink to finish.

Love Liverpool! And a new challenge at OSAAT

I'm back from a brilliant weekend in Liverpool at our Red Hat convention. About 240 ladies converged on Liverpool to enjoy a break at the Adelphi Hotel, Ok, not the best hotel in Liverpool, it's in need of a refurb but it's glory days can still be seen in the fabulous lounge and ballroom. Food wasn't bad for mass catering but we weren't there for that.

The hotel was the perfect location for a tour on the open top hop on-hop off bus and we had time to tour the dock area and have lunch. As you can guess in our purple and red we were often stopped and asked what it was all about.  We had a tour on the Mersey Ferry but unfortunately it was far to windy to go far and we were all quite pleased to be back on land. We had great entertainment all weekend and it's taken me a couple of days to recover.

                                                 (Me, Kay and Linda in our finery!)

Well, it's time for a new challenge at OSAAT and the theme is 'Anything with Butterflies. We would love to see your creations, a card or altered item or scrap page with pretty butterflies.  Please check out all the rules (and they are very few) over on our OSAAT blog page. there you can see some beautiful inspiration from our DT members.

For my card this week I used Rajrupa by My Heart Pieces and you can find her right here.  Isn't she sweet, I love My Heart Pieces designs, they are a real joy to colour.

My picture is a little dark but you can still see what a lovely image it is. I've used a Spellbinders die called Mystical Embrace that I've been itching to use on a card as the base. Ive added a piece of design paper from my stash behind the image. I've added a few butterflies using a Martha Stewart punch on the edges. The frame is very ornate and I didn't want to put flowers on it as it will be posted to a dear friend. I've coloured the images with Promarkers to match the design paper.

Last of the Bramble Berries and it's OSAAT time again

It looks like we've now picked the last of the bramble berries yesterday when out exercising the dogs. The bushes are getting ready to die back for the winter. They have been spectacular this year with the warm September. I'll make an apple and berry pie today for my husband and a bakewell tart too.

I've got friends coming tomorrow to help to get the door hangings ready for our trip to Liverpool for the Red Hat Society UK convention.  These door hanging announce who is in residence and I'll post some pics when they are finished.  Flowers to make today to add some extra colour.  Can't wait to meet up with old friends.

On the One Stitch At A Time Challenge (OSAAT) blog here it's time for you to show us your creation with the theme 'Anything Goes With the Colour Orange. The fab prize this month is a set of digi images created for the month of October.  How gorgeous are they?

The challenge will run for two weeks so dig out all those lovely shades of orange you're using for the Autumn cards.

For my card this week I'm using an image by Gingerloft called Rustic Bench and you can find it here. What a useful stamp this is as it could be used in so many ways.  Here I've used it as a get well card made with my lovely sis-in-law as she recovers from her major op.

I've made an 8" x 8" card and covered the front with a paper from a First Edition's pad that had the perfect background colours.  I've coloured  the image with Promarkers and mounted it on a die cut from the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals.  The three largest flowers I've made myself from dies from Heartfelt Creations using paper from First Edition and mulberry paper.  The sentiment is self generated.

The sickies have gone and I'm feeling fine and it's OSAAT Time!

A couple of weeks ago I had an awful pain in my shoulder and called my osteopath for an appointment to get some relief. Over the weekend the most horrendous blisters appeared on my neck, off to the docs and had it confirmed as Shingles. Whatever next! Lots of soothing Aloe Vera and Calendula Gel did the trick in keeping everything calm but it looked like I had an awful orangey green tidemark on my neck that any schoolboy would have been proud of.  All better now, just waiting for the scars to go.

Well, it's another Sunday and time for our fortnightly challenge at the One Stitch At A Time Challenge Blog. The challenge theme is 'Anything Goes with a Flower'. So, let's see your creations embellished with some lovely flowers or may be a flower stamp or image. You can find the rules for the challenge here and they are very few. A gorgeous set of five September images for the winner.

For my card this week I chose an image by Scrappers Delight called Crafty Shopper, a girl after my own heart! You can find her hereI've coloured her with Copics (love the skin colours) and Promarkers. I've used a shaped card from Craftworks Card and cut my corresponding shapes with the Spellbinders Borders die, The background paper is from my stash and my Crafty Shopper was also cut out with a die from the Spellbinders  Floral Ovals set. My flowers have been made by me using some of the handmade papers I've had since I first started card making. I was really please with them. I've finished my Crafty Shopper with a simple sentiment from Craftworks Cards.

How Time Flies

Two years ago today I lost my precious son to cancer.  I feel that he is still around me but I just can't talk to him anymore but I hear his voice whenever I look at photos of him.  I would love to have nattered to him about recent events in this country, I know he would have some really funny things to say about it all.  His sense of humour is still with me.

Sleep on, Paul, I'll be looking for your star tonight.

Yay! OSAAT Time Again!

We've thrown open the doors at the One Stitch At A Time (OSAAT) challenge blog and we are all raring to go with lots of lovely new style challenges. 

We have made a few changes of how we are now running these challenges so please take a few minutes to read what is going on.

We are now going fortnightly, so on the first week we will have the new challenge which will run for two weeks.  On the second week we will post the winners from the previous challenge.   Instead of having the main prize for those who enter with a StitchyBear Digital Store item we are offering this to everybody and we will also be picking the Top 3 entrants instead of having a runner up.  The winners will have a new Top 3 badge for their blogs.  The main prize will be chosen by random generator so it is very fair to everybody and will be the monthly prize pack of 5 StitchyBear Digital Store items from a variety of our wonderful creators. You can see the prize on the OSAAT blog here  The Top 3 will be chosen by the Design Team who will be visiting all your blogs during the fortnight that the challenge runs.

Our themes from now on will be Anything Goes with a . . . . .  maybe a bow, or a button, maybe glitter or a die.  The something extra will be different for every challenge.  Be as creative as you can, it does not have to be a card, we love 3D models, boxes, altered items too, just remember to have the ‘with a . . . .’ on it.  Check out the blog as it will have all the info on there.

For my card this week I've used Floral Monogram Frame 2' by Floppy Latte. 

It's very Art Deco and made me think of Paris in the 20's. My background paper is from the Papemania Bookprint pad and I've used a kraft card as a foundation. The digital image was printed onto a piece of cream card and has been coloured with a mix of Promarkers and Copics.  The little die cut perfume bottle is from a stamp and die set by Sizzix/Graphic 45 that I managed to pick up in their sale, a proper bargain at the time. I've finished off with a wired ribbon bow and a little sentiment from the set. 

The Dust in Here!

I've just popped to have a dust around and get tidied up for when the new challenges start the first week of September on the One Stitch At A Time challenge
blog.  It's been a fabulous break but I'm looking forward to starting again.

I haven't been idle these last couple of months (although been horrendously ill) and have made several cards that I hope to display over the next few months.

This was made for a special lady, the Queen of our Red Hat chapter.

Here Comes Summer

When it gets warm here in the south-east of England I always think of Jerry Keller and his song, "Here Comes Summer" it epitomizes the season of warm sunshine to me. Blue skies and, as we live almost on the coast, cool breezes too.  Also, it shows my age as this song came out in 1959!! Eek!!

Our last challenge this week as the OSAAT Challenge Blog will be closed for the summer until the first week of September. Our theme this week is 'Anything Goes'. Rules are simple and can be found on the blog.  For our last Challenge my teamie, Sue, chose Princess Nataliya by Coosty Creations and you can find it here. Our teamie Nataliya wanted a princess theme for her daughter's birthday and Jane of Coosty Creations produced this sweet princess and some beautiful backing papers too.

I've used one of the backing paper as a base and cut a beautiful die cut using hologram card from Spellbinders 5 x7 Mystical Embrace. It almost looks to me like a tiny crown at the top corner, perfect for our Princess.  I've coloured Princess Nataliya with a mix of Promarkers and Copics and backed her onto the die cut. She just has to have blonde hair as Nataliya's daughter has gorgeous hair and longer than this princess's too.I've used  Memory Box die to cut the bunting and popped on some pearls and feathers too.   I had to photograph her in the morning sun so she looks a lot more colourful in real life.

Late and the Dreaded Lurgy

I'm so late with my blog post this week having had a dreadful weekend with something that's doing the rounds. Headache, awful tinnitus, golf balls in my throat and a raging thirst. Luckily, my husband was at hand and waited on me and made me lots of drinks. I'm feeling a little better now but I couldn't look at the computer screen for more than a minute or so.

Anyway, enough about me, let's get on with this week's challenge at OSAAT. This week our theme is 'Button It'. so, let's see some lovely buttons on your cards.The OSAAT rules are very simple and can be found on the challenge blog here. Please check out the fabulous creations of my teamies, just click on the link above their card.

This week's image is 'Snail' by Crafty Girl Creations. Isn't he cute?

I've used a piece of a pad whose name escapes me as a background. I've coloured my snail with Promarkers and mounted him on a piece of card that blends perfectly with the paper.  I found a free font on the internet called 'Snailets' that is perfect for my sentiment, it even has tiny snails too. Buttons, of course, and a Memory Box die to finish. with todays technology we don't seem to get much snail mail except junk!

I love this!

It's time for another great challenge at One Stitch At A Time and I'm rather late with my blog post after spending a fabulous weekend up at Mundesley in Norfolk with a host of beautiful Red Hat friends. Well, it's up as it's north of where I live.

For my card this week I chose for Sue (check her blog here) and I the gorgeous 'Vase of Lovely Flowers by Hope Jacare Doodles that you can find right here. I saw this style of card quite a while ago on the beautiful blog of Becca Feeken who designs for Spellbinders and Justrite Stampers amongst many. Becca's cards are so inspiring.

I've coloured the image with a mixture of Copics and Promarkers and used the Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics and Spellbinders Decorative Labels Eight  for the contour of the card that have been distressed with Antique Linen. A bow of wired ribbon and a couple of pearls to finish.

I'd Like to enter the following challenges:-

Card Mania #48 - Flowers

It's that time again!

Yup! Time for another great challenge at OSAAT. Our rules are very simple and can be seen on the challenge blog here.  This week's top prize is the 7 image June pack for those entries with a Stitchy Bear image. There are over three thousand images to choose from so there is bound to be something you will love.  A non-Stitchy entry will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in store. Our theme this week is 'Boyish'. A new creation for those little and big boys in your life

For my card this week I chose to use 'Baby Gangstaz - Joel' by Reeces Scrap Pieces. A little lad trying to look really cool. Ain't he cute???

I've coloured him with Promarkers and matted the image onto a piece of red card. the background papers are from a pack called Fiddlesticks by MME. The button and corner I brought back from the US a few years ago and when I was lucky enough to visit Michaels. A piece of raffia and a self generated sentiment to finish.

Anything Goes

Time for a new challenge at One Stitch At A Time and our theme this week is everyone's favourite challenge of 'Anything Goes'.  Our rules are very simple and can easily be found on the challenge blog. The winner using a Stitchy Bear image is the May 7 image pack.

It was my teamie, Sue's turn to select the image for this week and she chose In The Harbour by Delicious Doodles and you can find it here.  It's the perfect image for all occasions and for the men in your life and I chose to use it for a retirement card.

I've used a lovely background paper from the Beach Cottage collection from Pink Petticoat. The image was coloured with Promarkers and finished off with a couple of card mats. The sweet buttons are froma large pot of buttons I've collected over the years. The blue heart button I bought in the US many years ago and the pop up every now and again/

I'd like to enter the following:-

A vintage Journey#6 All About Him

CMC Copic Challenge Group #93 Fathers Day / Boys Stuff

Keeping It Simple..... sort of!

Time for a nice challenge on the OSAAT blog and this week it is 'Keep It Simple'

I was a little bit stuck for time this week and chose to use this gorgeous pre-coloured image from Ike called Japanese Lady and you can find her here.

I just had to bite the bullet and use a piece of my hoarded Graphic 45 paper pad called Bird Song. I've mounted her on a couple of pieces from the DCWV Natural mat stack that were perfect for the image.
I've cut a flower from a Memory Box die in the reverse side of the paper which was just as beautiful. A couple of Marianne Dies leaves and a little coin button to finish. when I purchased the paper pack I received lots of sticker and embellishments, so I've kept it fairly simple!

I would like to enter the following:

Challenges 4 Everyone #41 Anything Goes
Scribble and Scrap Challenge Blog #18 Always Anything Goes
The Squirrel & The Fox #70 Let's Hear It For The Girls
Crafting At The Weekend #1 Anything Goes
Craftitude Challenge #6 Use A Die
Crafts 4 Eternity R#176 To Die For
QKR Stampede #88 Dies or Punch and/or Dies

Use a Digi is our theme

Over on the One Stitch at A Time challenge blog our theme this week is 'Use A Digi'. There's a fab prize of the images used by the DT on the May 7th challenge up for grabs if you use a Stitchy Bear image on your card. If you use a non-Stitchy Bear image you will be entered into a draw for $3 to spend in-store.

For my card this week I chose Miss Peony by Alipeeps Art and you can find this fab image right here.

Ali has captured such a wistful look in her face and I've coloured her so that she is highlighted by the background paper. This paper came from a Kanban pack called Apricot Dreams which was perfect for her as she seems to me to be dreaming of someone far away. She's coloured with Promarkers and her peony flower is highlighted with a Gellyroll glaze pen.Some Prima flowers tinged with Tim Holtz's Distress in and a Sue Wilson die cut leaves branch. The sentiment is from Heartfelt Creations.

Spooky and It's not October!

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge at One Stitch At A Time and the theme this week is

Ribbons or Lace.

You will find all the info you need on the challenge blog here, If you are the chosen winner with a Stitchy Bear image on your project you are in the running for a super prize of $9 to spend in the store. The runner up prize with a non-Stitchy Bear image will be eligible for $3 to spend in store.

 

For my card this week I chose one of Delicious Doodle's Horroscope - Aquarius, isn't she fab! I've coloured her lightly with Promarkers and added my own sentiment.  She was cut with a Spellbinders Oblong die and placed n a mat of copper card. I've played with distress inks around a plain white card and I've made her a little feminine with her red nails and some ribbon too. Black, of course. The little black cat usually comes out at Halloween but it seemed perfect for this card. It's a Spellbinders die from way back when you could find a little freebie with your regular dies. It was in the days of the Wizard machine, 2007!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:-

Challenges 4 Everybody #41 Anything Goes

Scribble and Scrap #17 Anything Goes

That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafting at the Weekend #1 Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog # Fairies or Fantasy

Sister Act Card Challenge #55 - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #5 Anything Goes

Dies R Us Challenge #1 Anything Goes

OSAAT Day

Don't you just hate computers when they go wrong. OH treated me to a new computer in January and now it won't even turn on. Phoned Zoostorm's customer service who said it could be memory not sitting correctly and would we like to open the back and check!! That would negate any guarantee, wouldn't it. Ok, so a log was made of our call and please return it back to them at our cost for them to have a look. In the meantime, take a system backup as the hard disk will be returned at factory settings. A bit hard to do as the British made (so they say) PC won't turn on. I know I should have backed up my stuff but after three months!

OK! rant over.  Now for a lovely new challenge at OSAAT. This week our challenge theme is everyone's favourite, Anything Goes' and our rules for the challenge are very simple and can be found on the challenge blog.

For my card this week my teamie, Sue, chose 'Love In A Mist' by Delicious Doodles and you can find it here.  Isn't it gorgeous and so lovely to colour too. Just a couple of Promarkers for the image and I've mounted it onto some lovely blue metallic card.

The white embossed card came from Create and Craft a little while ago and I've kept the sentiment very simple to show off this beautiful image and popped a sweet little flourish by Memory Box underneath. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:-

613 Avenue Create: #69 ~ Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody #40 - Anything Goes

Ditzie Digi Design: Week 2 ~ Anything Goes

Scribble & Scrap Blog #17 - Always Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays # 204 Clean and Simple

That Craft Place - Anything Goes

Crafting at the Weekend #1 Anything Goes

Easter Sunday and a lovely challenge at OSAAT

Happy Easter to everyone, may it be peaceful and joyous.

Technical issues at home have prevented me from getting to the blog to post a new challenge but we're managing! The challenge this week is to show us and let us know on your blog your blog about your 'Favourite Things'.   Our rules are very simple and can be found here on the challenge blog.

For my card this week I've used Scappers Delights Wood Elfling and I've added a verse by A.A.Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh which was perfect for this lovely image. I've used a background paper from SprinG Feast by First Edition. I've cut an oval frame with some Spellbinders idea and decorated it with lovely leaves from Cheery Lynn. The flowers are ages old and I can't remember where they came from. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out.

A Lovely Sunny Day!

Wherever you are I hope is sunny and bright as mine is in this little corner of Essex. I have a lovely view from my window and I can see many yachts out on the river and there's not a cloud in the sky.

Our theme this week on the One Stitch At A Time challenge blog is 'Use A Digi' Our super prize this month is seven digi images and is sponsored by our own Stitchy Bear.

For my card this week I chose to use Panda Bear Designs digi pack called Birthday Surprise and you can find it here. This is such a brilliant pack and prints beautifully, no fancy photo printing just some good paper. I was really please with the intensity of the colours and they're perfect for children's cards.  I decided to create a birthday party invitation.

I created an invitation in Open Office (brilliant program and free too!) and cut it out with a Spellbinders die. I've had the cupcake die from Marianne die for ages but it was perfect for my invite. I pulled apart s white blossom from Wild Orchid and used a Promarker to colour it to a similar flower on the paper. Now to bake some cakes for my party!

I would like to enter the following challenges:-

Suzie Bee's Bloomin' Challenge -24 Anything Goes

Chocolate, Coffee a& Cards. #62 Yipes! Stripes!

Sister Act Card Challenge #52 Anything Goes

Like the White Rabbit!

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date! Yep! Late posting today.

It's time for another challenge at OSAAT and our theme this week is 'Flowers'on your project.

Our rules are very simple. If you use a Stitchy Bear image then you will be entered for the top prize of $9 to spend in the store, if you use a non-Stitchy image then you will be entered into a draw for $3 to spend instore.

For my card this week I've used Coosty Creations 'Fuchsia' paper pack and you can find it here. I have a lovely Red Hat friend whose chapter name is Princess Fuchsia and her birthday is this month too. If you pop into have a look at the blog, don't peep, Kay!

Jane's image was a joy to colour and I wanted it to be the main focus and kept it quite large. I've also used one of the papers in the pack as a tailored bow and cut with the WMRK Envelope Punch Board. There is a great video on YouTube showing how to do it, dead easy. The background card, I believe, is rich razzleberry from Stampin' Up. A simple birthday self generated sentiment and pearls to finish.

Anything Goes at One Stitch At A Time

Anything Goes is the theme this week on the OSAAT challenge blog.

Our rules are pretty straightforward and if you use a digi image purchased in the store then you may enter as many times as you like to win the top prize of a seven digi pack. It's kinda like 'buy one get seven free'

 If you use a non Stitchy image on your project then you will be placed in a draw for $3 to spend in store.

I decided to have some fun with this image of 'Grim Reaper' by Reeces Scrap Pieces. I've coloured him in with red and purple Promarkers and matted the image onto some red card. The background paper is from Coosty Creations and is called 'Red Hat Pumpkin'. A few pearls and a Memory Box swirl to finish.

For The Woman In Your Life

For The Woman In Your Life is the theme on the One Stitch At A Time challenge blog. This is for your Mum, Grandma, Auntie, Cousin or a special girl friend. This week our Sponsor is Stitchy Bear Stamps with a prize of $9 to spend in the store but you must use a Stitchy image. A non-Stitchy project will be placed in a draw for $3 to spend in-store.

For my card this week I chose Rose by Crafty Girl, it's a beautiful image to colour and the tones of lilac remind me of a rose I have called ' Blue Moon'.

I've used Promarkers on the main flower and leaves and mounted the image on a plain mat of lilac pearlised card. the backing paper if from Craftwork Cards. The alphabet is by Spellbinders that I've had for several years and my bow is a die cut from Sue Wilson new range of dies.

Sunday and Time for a New OSAAT Challenge

Sunday again and what a fabulous day it is out here in the backwaters of Essex. I have a gorgeous view of the river from my room and it looks so blue but cold, we need some more sunshine, please.

Our challenge at One Stitch At A Time is 'Use a Digi', and I chose Quirky Cora from Hope Jacare for my teamies , Nataliya and Lady Ann and you can find her here. Isn't she cute? Our rules are very easy:-

Our Sponsor this week is our own Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet and the top prize is the 7 image monthly pack  but we must see a digi from the store on your card and you may enter as many times as you wish.

The runner-up prize is $3 to spend in the store if you use a non Stitchy Bear Outlet Store digi image, you may enter a maximum of three times

When I was colouring this image my mind wandered back to my very early teens when I lived in the Old Kent Road in south London. There were hardly any clubs where girls could join in, it was mainly for boys.  Our local church ran a club where we could go and chat and have a cup of coffee. It was run by a deaconess and we would often see her flying around on her old bike with basket on the front.  She wore the veil but ordinary clothes, she would always have her sandals on, summer and winter but would wear thick grey stockings with them to keep her feet warm. She was such a sweet lady but her dress was definitely 'quirky' This card is dedicated to her and her unstinting kindness to teenage girls.  The sentiment is from a song By the Kinks from 1966. coloured with Promarkers and paper from stash.

Time For The Boys

It's that time of the week when we have a new challenge on the One Stitch At A Time. This week's theme 'For the Boys', so anything remotely not pink!

Our Sponsor this week is our own Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet and the top prize is $9 to spend in store but we must see a digi from the store on your card and you may enter as many times as you wish.

The runner-up prize is $3 to spend in the store if you use a non Stitchy Bear Outlet Store digi image, you may enter a maximum of three times

For my card this week I chose Stitchy's image called 'Got Game' I don't make many boy card as my only grandson os now grown up but I did like this image a great deal. He's been coloured with Promarkers and mounted onto a blue Spellbinders Lacy Square and then onto a couple of sheets from First Edition's Up, Up Away paper pack. A sentiment from Craftwork Cards and some blue twine to finish.

I'd like to enter the following:

Crafts Galore Encore - Use a Digi

Ladybugs!

It's time for a new challenge at OSAAT and our theme this week is 'Anything Goes'. Our rules are very simple:

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp to win our top prize this week of seven digi stamps. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store. You may enter the challenge a maximum of three times with a non-Stitchy image.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No back linking, it must be a new creation after our blog goes live.

My teamie, Nataliya, chose Ladybugs by Coosty Creation, I loved using this paper and image as it screamed at me Use a Poppy Promarker! So I did!

I coloured the image with my Poppy Promaker and also used a dark grey pen for the body and spots. To accentuate the spots I used a drop of Glossy Accents and cut out another flower. This was glazed too with the Glossy Accents. I've used a lovely bright red foil circle as a mat for the image. The sentiment I found on the internet and has been around for years apparently, you learn something new every day. 

This card is sitting on my hall table as a reminder that Spring is not too far away. 

New Bits and Pieces

I had a lovely time at a recent craft show at Five Lakes Hotel in Essex. I went on the Thursday with Red Hat friends and then back on the Saturday with my lovely sis-in-law and my niece. I bought a couple of the new Sue Wilson dies, the Filigree 3D Bow and the Faux Quilled Leaves and I've used both of them on my card today.  I also purchased the Santoro A4 paper pack and one of the papers was perfect to go with this sweet image called Clara Cupcake from Hope Jacare that you can find here in the Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet. I created this with my beautiful granddaughter, Lacey. in mind as it's her birthday is very soon.

This is also my DT card over on the OSAAT blog this week. our theme this week is Girly and our rules for our challenge are very simple

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp to win our top prize this week. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store. You may enter the challenge a maximum of three times with a non-Stitchy image.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No back linking, it must be a new creation after our blog goes live.

Here's my card-

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Colour Me Creative # 87 - Anything Goes
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #17 - Use Red/Pink
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - February - Anything Goes
Emergency Crafters - Pink or Red
Feeling Craft Challenge #25 Dies and/or Punches.

Use a Digi Challenge #200 at OSAAT

Everyone's favourite, Use A Digi is our theme this week on the OSAAT Challenge blog here.  The top prize this week from our Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet is seven images. A stitchy image must be used on your new creation to win. A non-Stitchy image on your entry will be placed in a draw for $3 to speend in the store.

Our rules are very straightforward.

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp to win our top prize this week. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store. You may enter the challenge a maximum of three times with a non-Stitchy image.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No back linking, it must be a new creation after our blog goes live.

For my card we had Panda Bear Designs - Chocolate Valentine Pack 2 set of papers to play with.

I've used a couple of the designs and added some spotty ribbon to hide the join. I cut the pale pink heart with  Memory Box Heart die and embossed it. I then cut a Memory Box La Rue Heart from the top paper. Decorated with pearls and a simple sentiment to complete the card for my husband.

Love Is In the Air

It's Valentine's Day very soon, that time of the year when anything pink or red trebles in price!

Well, you can feast your eyes on the wonderful designs over on the One Stitch At A Time challenge blog and feel the love that the design team have put into their cards.  Our theme this week is 'With Love' and it certainly shows in all the fab designs.  For the top prize in our challenge this will be $9 to spend in the Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet  but you must use a Stitchy Bear image. If a non-Stitchy image is used then you will be entered into a draw for the chance to win $3 to spend in the store. Our rules are very simple:-

Our general rules for entering our challenge are very easy:-

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp to win our top prize this week. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store. You may enter the challenge a maximum of three times with a non-Stitchy image.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No back linking, it must be a new creation after our blog goes live.

For my card this week I chose Winter Elf by Scrappers Delight, isn't she a sweetie!  

I've coloured her with a mix of Promarkers and Flexmarkers and used a Sakura Souffle pen on the white fur.  She's been mounted her on a pink mat to give some definition, The background paper is from Dovecraft (I think).  Another lovely banner die bought from the lovely Tams and  Memory Box Precious Hearts die cut. The sentiment is self generated.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:-

Aud Sentiments - Sharing the love

Card and Scrap - Challenge 69

Crafting by Design - Anything Goes

The Squirrel and the Fox - Challenge 63 Love

Just for Fun - Love is in the Air
That Craft Place - Love

Time for a new Challenge at OSAAT, this week it's Anything Goes

This week the challenge at OSAAT theme is Anything Goes and it's when you can create with your favourite colours and papers.

This week our Sponsor is our own Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet and thr brilliant prize this week is all the images used by the DT on Challenge #196. Fabulous images the design team chose that week.

Our general rules for entering our challenge are very easy:-

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp to win our top prize this week. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store. You may enter the challenge a maximum of three times with a non-Stitchy image.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No back linking, it must be a new creation after our blog goes live.

This week I've used Pook Puck by Pookie Designs and you can find the image right here. 

I've used a mixture of Promarkers and Flexmarker on the image and mounted him on some sparkly rust coloured paper. I think it's a male pixie as a girl would have had heels on those boots!! The background paper is from from First Editions Spring Leaf and was perfect for this card. Another lovely Memory Box die I bought from Tams of Droplets in a Rusty Bucket. Please check her blog out, it gives me lots of inspiration. 

The leaves are from Spellbinders.  Hoping Spring comes soon.

A Beautiful Sentiment By Jane for OSAAT Challenge #197

Our theme this week for Challenge #197 on the One Stitch At A Time challenge blog is

White with One Other Colour

Our general rules for entering our challenge are very easy:-

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp to win our top prize this week. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No back linking, it must be a new creation after our blog goes live.

I chose to use Jane of Coosty Creations beautiful 'Dream Sentiments' and you can find it here. I am a real sucker for beautiful words and these just cried out to be used. I've used two of the sentiments but the main one by Walt Disney as my focal point. I changed the colour of the type to a deep blue. I've used a Spellbinders Decorative Labels Eight as my base in blue. I've die cut the sentiment in white with  Memory Box Debutant Frame and topped it with the Memory Box Vaudeville Frame in blue. I've trimmed the frame with  Memory Box Lavish Branch and a Cherry Blossom flower and another die a little smaller bought from Tams. The cameo came in a packet of goodies from a lovely lady on Facebook. The little flourish underneath the cameo was in with lots of dies that I bought from a lovely lady called Tams way up there in bonny Scotland.  Please check out her smashing blog, Droplets in a Rusty Bucket.  I enjoyed your recent Craft Clearout, Tams!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

OSAAT TIME!!!

It's time for a lovely new challenge at OSAAT today and our theme this week is  'Use A Digi'. The rules are very simple and we would like to see where you have used a digital image. Our sponsor this week is our own Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet. the main prize is all the images that the design team used oin Challenge 194

Our general rules for entering our challenge are very easy:-

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No backlinking, this must be a new creation blogged after our challenge goes live.

My teamie, Nataliya. chose the image this week and her choice was 'Friends Forever' by Delicious Doodles.

I've used a lovely piece of background paper from way back when and ribbon and a slider that I've had forever, coloured with Promarkers with about 6 different colours for her hair and the horses mane. Mounted simply and a self generated sentiment.

Not a good light for the photo as her hair doesn't looked that washed out in real life. Roll on, Summer

Happy New Year and a 'New' Challenge at OSAAT

Happy New Year to you all and it's time for a brand 'New' Challenge over at the OSAAT Challenge. Our theme this first challenge of the year is 'Some thing New'. It could be a new job, a new home, a new baby or just celebrating some thing new. Our sponsor this week is our very own Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet and the prize is $9 to spend in the store, there are twenty designers in our store and there is sure to be something that tickles your creative spirit.  Our rules are very simple:-

1. You may enter as many times as you like when using a Stitchy Bear digi stamp. But, if you choose to enter without using one of the images from the store then you will be entered into a separate draw for $3 to spend in the store.

2. You must link back to our blog.

3. No backlinking, this must be a new creation blogged after our challenge goes live.

I created my card this week for a particular couple. My next door neighbours of 13 years have moved to Ireland and are hoping to open a B&B over there. Good Luck, Sue and Terry.

I chose a design by Reece's Scrap Pieces called 'Going Up' it reminded me very much how their former home had been decorated in the past.  Included in the images was a pre-coloured one that I have used. There are quite a few pre-coloured images in the store and these make for a very quick card, there's always time later to colour the image in your own colours. I've kept it simple with some lovely spotty paper and a Memory Box die cut. A self generated sentiment punched out with a couple of Stampin' Up punches.

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

A Gem of a Challenge #104 - Something New

A Creative Romance - Something New

A New Year

Better get the duster out, haven't been here for nearly a month!