New Penny Black

Good morning from the wet and windy Fens. It's been raining almost non stop since Wednesday, some of the paddocks are under water and it shows no sign of letting up, so if anyone has a spare boat put my name on it.

As some of you will know I was a very lucky girl last week and spent an afternoon in the company of the very talented Elizabeth Allan from Penny Black when she visited Sir Stampalot's new shop during her trip to the UK. All the new Penny Black stamps are in stock and my card for this weeks Penny Black challenge following Carols sketch uses two of the new stamps together with my take on an idea and technique Elizabeth shared with us. There was a bit of a photo shoot as well and I will share with you later in the week.

I started by creating a background with Penny Black 2410K Penmanship using Tim Holtz shabby shutters. The iris stamp is Penny Black 4041J Purple Folds which I stamped several times, coloured with Marvy pens, then inked all over with Versamark dazzle frost which makes the watercolours bleed, then sprayed with Glimmer Mist pearl which further merges the colours as well as creating a lovely sheen. When the images are still wet they are very pliable and can be manipulated to create more dimension. I cut one of the images down to create a smaller flower (the stamp itself is just the one iris) then decoupaged both.

The sentiment is PB 3418D Great day, the DP's some of the new Kaiser craft ones and yes I confess all, the punch is another new Martha Stewart eyelet lace round the page set. The butterfly is also made from a PB stamp 3819D polka wings, stamped twice onto vellum and glittered.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow when the winner of this weeks Hero candy will be announced.

Allsorts challenge 41

Emma has chosen the theme this week of creating something for Mothers Day or for someone who is like a Mother to you.

My creation is a stationery wallet for my future daughter in law. I made one last Autumn for my other daughter in law, that time using seasonal colours, so this one have given me the perfect opportunity to use some nice fresh spring and summer colours.

I created the folder with a sheet of fairly heavyweight cardstock, probably 350gsm, covered it with some the my new Kaiser DP's plus a pink spotty one from Polkadoodles new Paper Boutique CD which matched really well. I find these CD's really useful for matching one paper to another.

The flowers are all stamped using Hero Arts CL375 Big Flowers onto the reverse of the Kaiser DP and the spotty one. The border is Martha Stewart embossed scallop on the outside, douple loop on the inside and the flower stem a Sizzix swirl die cut through the Big Shot. The notelets and envelopes in the inside pockets have all been stamped with different floral stamps and some also embossed with Cuttlebug folders.

Polkadoodles 8

This week at Polkadoodles it's Lou's turn to set the them and she would like to see "Shaped Cards".

Mine has been cut on the Cricut welding elements together on the DS from Storybook and Plantin Schoolbook. The paper is from the Love and Cherish CD, the border Martha Stewart embossed butterflies and the flower made from plain paper, punched several time and spritzed with Glimmer Mists to add some glitz. The sentiments is stamped with the rubber stamp sheet which matches the Back to Nature CD and the butterfly is also a punch and has been glittered with a quickie glue pen and crystal glitter.

More fairies

A really quick share with you all this morning before I charge off for a rather special session with Elizabeth Allan from Penny Black who is spending a day at Sir Stampalot and for a few very lucky ladies who get in there quickly, doing a class as well.

My card is another of those I have created using some of the the new Lavinia products (link to their store on my sidebar). I created the background with Tim Holts distress ink marigold and tea dye, then spritzed with Glimmer Mist gold to blend the inks and give some sheen. The honeycomb effect is created with a piece of mesh and brilliance ink and the images all inked with versafine black and embossed with detail clear.

Messy fingers

What did you do in your dinner hour ? I got messy fingers.........thanks to this weeks challenge over at Tuesday Taggers which is tailor made for me with their theme "Getting Messy Hands".........I shared my messy fingers with you last week, so you know how I enjoy this form of crafting. And we are asked to include the name of their sponsors for the week who are The Craft Barn. And I have taken the style of my project from this weeks Everybody Art Challenge who would like to see Easel Cards.

The base of the card is a box with a drawer which are so easy to make with just a scoring tool and ruler and the easel card simply mounted on the top. The Basic Grey DP is one of the new designs and double sided, so ideal for using in this way.

The background of the main element is a piece of linen cardstock, inked with Tim Holtz peeled pain, shabby shutters and antique linen, then spritzed with Glimmer Mists honey dew mist, pearl and gold, with a splash of tiger lily in the top right corner to give the effect of sun. I then distressed the edges, inked again and dipped into detail gold embossing powder, then heated to define the edges.

All stamps are all Lavinia and including some of their new releases, with the exception of the tiny leaves and cobble stones which are Art Impression. The border across the bottom is punched with Martha Stewart embossed scallop and some pearl brads added.

More Hero Arts Followers Candy and last weeks winner

Candy now closed - click here to go to this weeks candy.Our wonferful sponsors and megga craft store Sir Stampalot have more Hero goodies for you this week. A huge thank you to everyone who took part last week and for all your wonderful comments. Also a special thank you and big welcome to all my new followers, I really do appreciate your support.

Mr Random Org., has picked the following lucky winner from last weeks entries:

racinggrandma61

True Random Number Generator

Min:1 Max: 424 Result: 155

Congratulations. Please mail me from the link on my profile, with your full name and postal address so I can get your candy off to you.

Each week until 1st April we will be giving away a Hero Goody package. They are all different and no clues as to the contents, why spoil the surprise, all I can say is that they contain as the name suggests Hero Arts products.

So what do you have to do to be in with a chance of winning, not much really:

* Just link to follow and leave a comment on this or any new post between now and midnight GMT Monday 1st March. If you leave comments on different posts, then each will be entered, so more chances to win !!

and

* Add the goody box picture above to your blog with a link back here to help us spread the word.

Each week I will do the draw using Random Org., adding all the names that have entered that week and post the winners here. Then the whole process will start all over again.

Please note that winners must make contact with me before the next weeks draw takes place, otherwise the previous draw will be re-run.

Hero Arts Candy

This candy now closed - new candy at top of blog

Have you entered for a chance to win this weeks Hero Goody Bag ? Click here or leave a comment on any post.

Happy Birthday

What on earth is happening with our weather.........it's deep midwinter again and snowing like the clappers. I know I am not alone, but I so hate all this cold, it was pretty to see for a few days, but it's been absolutely weeks on end now.

Right moan over, a card which fits this weeks Cupcake challenge of "Friends" and on that note a chance to say Happy Birthday to someone who kept her birthday very secret.............didn't they Janice ? I am told this also fits the theme at Totally Gorjuss this week, so in for a penny.................

And because the weather is so horrid, I am going pink and summery again. I started by making a stencil with Hobby Art U1913D small dragonfly and dabbed lightly with Tim Holtz worn lipstick (I have not stenciled for ages but Lesley got me going with her lovely butterfly card the other day) down the edge of the card, I then overstamped with the same stamp and ink.

The text of the main piece is Hero Arts G2678 art, stamped with Hero chalk ink Latte, the overstamped with the same dragonfly and heat embossed with detail gold. The sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps and cut in half after stamping, the border Martha Stewart embossed butterflies and the rose made from pink paper and spritzed with Glimmer Mist tea rose.

Rosie D's challenge

Sunday evening means a new challenge at Rosie D's and the theme this week is "Friendship". The DT were given images to use on their projects from this weeks sponsor Stretch and Bubbles.

I opted for these cute little owls, which I printed out several times so I could decoupage them after colouring with Copics. I created a background by brayering Big and Juice Waterfall onto a piece of gloss cardstock, first masking it to create a moon.......every owls needs a moon and creating some hills using ripped paper (tutorial here). I stamped grass across the tops of te hills to add a bit of definition.

I stamped a branch for the owls to sit on with Hero Arts H4946 long branch. The little flowers across the bottom are Magnolia Tilda range stamped onto cream shrink plastic and coloured with brilliance inks. The fence is a Martha Stewart punch and the leaves a Sizzix die run through the Big Shot. The sentiment is an unmounted Hero set.......only last year but afraid I have lost to code. To finish I added a few flowers and gems.

In the pink

Good afternoon everyone, would you believe this card has been in the making since about 8am, some days it seems the faster I try and work the slower I am. But at least after a really hard frost again the sun is shining now and it is quite Spring like.

My card follows the great sketch at Stamping for the Weekend and the really pretty colour combo at Penny Black of 'Pink, Green and Yellow'.

Instead of working from my image backwards as I usually do, after a rummage through the 'pink' drawer I worked forward from the Doodlebug DP which has all three colours required. My image is Penny Black 3949 H Poppies, which I stamped several times so I could decoupage the flower heads and coloured with Copics.

The mats were all cut with Nesties through the Big Shot, the border is Martha Steward doily lace........I love this one, but it's a pain in the bum to punch with so I rarely use it. Despite all my efforts with foil, silicone paper and even some punch lubricator it just don't like to play ball with me. The little circle sentiment is from Hobby Art A4981 which I tied with ribbon so it dangles and finally I added some yellow pearls, punhced leaves, trirled up wire and Liquid Pearls to the flower centres.

Polkadoodles 7

Kris has come up with the lovely theme of "For the Birds" this week at Polkadoodles plus a sketch to follow.

I have used the Love and Romance CD which I just love, the papers are all so yummy and it's hard to make decisions. I re-sized the lovebirds, printed them off five times and cut them with Nesties to create a pyramage effect. The border is Martha Stewart and the roses made from plain pink paper and glittered round the edges. Punched leaves, ribbon and gems added to embellish.

Going green and cutsie

Morning Peeps from a foggy and frosty Fen. Winter seems to be going on forever this year and I so long for Spring, probably my favourite time of year when I never fail to be amazed by the wonders of nature with all the re-birth of everything that has laid dormant all winter. I think I get this from my dear Dad who as a farmer, had his whole life dictated by nature.

I have spent a good deal of crafty time this week preparing DT work so that I can get ahead of myself and have time to get started on the preparations for the new Stampalot challenge I am organising. Much of the artwork I have finished can't be shared until March, except the samples I created for Polkadoodles new CD which the oh so talented Nikky is launching on C&C next Thursday 25th.

Today's card is for two challenges Everybody Art challenge whose sketch I have followed and ABC challenge which is "One Paper" - which is says can be double sided and count as one, which is what I have done. My piece of paper is one of the beautiful new designs from Cosmo Cricket which I plundered when I was at Sir Stampalot when they arrived the other day.

My image is Sarah Kay picnic time stamped with versafine back and embossed with detail clear three time, coloured with Copics and decoupaged. I decorated round the image with various Art Impression leaves and flowers and the large flowers is made with punches using the same DP scrunched up and sprayed with Glimmer Mist lily pad, plus some leaves and pearls.

Candy this week, candy next week.......

This candy now closed - new candy at top of blog

I promised I would be back today and here I am with yet more exciting news about the Stampalot Challenge which lots of you will know from my post on Sunday is going to become a regular event starting on 1st April.

It was going to be just a one off, but lots of you have made it abundantly clear that you want more of the same, so we have come up with something to keep you occupied until we kick off with the first challenge.

Each week until 1st April we will be giving away a Hero Goody Bag. They are all different and no clues as to the contents, why spoil the surprise, all I can say is that they contain as the name suggests Hero Arts products.

So what do you have to do to be in with a chance of winning, not much really:

* Just leave a comment on any of the posts I add on this blog between now and midnight GMT next Monday 22nd February.

and

* Add the goody bag picture to your blog with this link back here to help us spread the word.

Each week I will do the draw using Random Org on Tuesday adding all the names that have entered that week and post the winners here. Then the whole process will start all over again and every week for the next five weeks.

Messy fingers

This is just a quick post as I will be back later with Stampalot news and some more candy coming your way.

After all the activity of the past few weeks and not as much crafting as usual, I promised myself a day off work and time to get down to what I enjoy most which is messing about with inks. So these fingers are evidence of either a mis-spent youth or a really good craft session, I prefer to think the second option and this is what I created for this weeks Tuesday Taggers who have the theme "Time". There is some wonderful inspiration from the new DT so do go check it all out.

I started by stamping the clock from JudiKins Instuments cube 6765I down one side of a piece of cardstock using versamark and detail clear embossing powder. I then coloured the whole piece with Tim Holtz mustard seed, marigold and spiced marmalade which revealed the clock faces. Next I overstamped with Hero H2365 Old French Writing and JudiKins swirl 3327F and the clock image again all using Hero Latte chalk ink.Then a final stamping with the swirl stamp using versamak and copper embossing powder. I stippled all round the edges with Adirondack copper and pool acrylic paint then heated here and there with my heat gun to make the pain bubble.

I stamped the clock three more times onto cream shrink plastic using stayzon sepia and tied to the side panel which I scored, overlaid with a piece of bazzil stamped with a mixture of the same stamps and added three eyelets.

I thought the card lacked something, so I stamped Penny Black 3819D four times onto vellum, cut out to make two butterflies, adding wire antenna. I am not altogether sure butterflies and clocks go together, but I sort of like the combination.

Keep it Simple

So how simple is simple ? The new challenge at Cupcake is "Keep it Simple" and I am really hoping this one will fit the bill, no embellies, pretty border punches or ribbons just some strightforward inking and stamping.

The card is one I made for The Stampman using the new Kay Carley Funky Flowers stamp sheet which the lovely Jill sent to me recently. The stamps are so pretty and detailed I felt they needed a simple approach to show off the lovely images.

For the background piece I stamped randomly with one of the single flower heads using versamark and embossed with detail clear. I then applied Tim Holtz worn lipstick and dusky concord using a blending tool to reveal the images then spritzed with water and Glimmer Mist pearl.

I used the same inks to create a background for the main image again spritzing with water and GM to bleed and blend the colours. The main image was then stamped using versafine black and clear embossing powder.

I stamped the flowers heads of the main image onto crystal shrink plastic and placed the shrunk pieces in the centres of the large flowers and to finish added some white Liquid Pearls and a couple of Swarovski crystals.

Sir Stampalot challenge winners and even more exciting news

Well hello one and all. What a day I have had doing all the draws.......poor Mr Random Org is exhausted with all the excitement. But he did play ball and I can reveal all the lucky winners which I am so pleased represents a real worldwide spread.

There have been some awesome entries and I have received some wonderful comments from so many of you and it seems pretty clear you have all really enjoyed our challenge and blog hop. So from all at Sir Stampalot and the DT, thanks to each and every one of you for helping us make this such a success.

But before I tell you who the winners are I want to let you in on a secret that I have been longing to share with you..............the Sir Stampalot challenge is to become a permanent one......yipeeeeeeeeeeee. We are going to start with bi-monthly challenges so the next one will be on 1st April. And wowzers, what prizes are in store again.........I can't share yet, but watch this space as I will be revealing more in a week or two and I can tell you it's going to be amazing - you won't be disappointed and won't want to miss the chance to join in.

So now on to the winners of this challenge and blog hop:

Challenge winners are:

1st - Emma - UK - Big Shot and dies

2nd - Lina - Sweden - Assorted embellies, ribbons etc.,

3rd - Sue - UK - Penny Black stamp

Blog hop winners:

Lorraine - Josephine -UK - Embellies & cardstock
Francesca - Michelle - UK - Embellies, flowers, stickers
Chris - Diane - UK - Cardstock, embellies, ribbon
Jules - Amelie - Sweden - Stamp Happen stamp & envies
Clare - Tammy - USA - Hero stamp and sentiments
Tracy - Sarah - UK - Papers, buttons and ribbons
Debby - Nikbee - Australia - Hero stamp and sentiments
Sally - Sannas - Finland - Stampendous stamp & envies
Julia - Kari - Norway - DP's, ribbons & buttons

Pinky - Mirabella - Poland - Stampendous stamps

Winner of the Blog Hop solution which was "We have Moved"

Debbie M - Hampton Art stamp, embellies & ribbons

Congratulations to you all, please all mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full names and postal addresses. Everything is packed and ready to go and as soon as I get all your details I will book a large lorry to get everything to the Post Office !!

And finally a little message to all my blog buddies who have been so kind and understanding of my lack of visits recently.......hopefully normal service will be resumed this week.

Sir Stampalot Challenge and Blog Hop

A very Good Morning to you all..........the day we have all been waiting for has eventually arrived and all can be revealed. As you all know, our sponsor for this very special challenge and blog hop is Sir Stampalot who are celebrating their move to a spacious new shop in Peterborough.

This is an addition to my original post as I have been asked the question a few times - yes, this is open to entries worldwide !

We have lots of fun planned and some super prizes. The first prize for the challenge is a Sizzix Big Shot with extended cutting platform, plus dies including two of the fabulous Sizzix Bigz dies which cut boxes and shaped cards.

The Challenge First Prize

This prize is so good that I have had real trouble with my Design Team because as soon as I told them what was on offer most of them wanted out so they could enter the challenge. But I am pleased that they all stayed and I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of them for their time and effort in helping me get this up and running. They have come up with some wonderfully inspirational work which you will see on your way round on the Blog Hop. I can't share my creation until tomorrow as it is a small gift for Andy and Janice and I don't want to spoil the surprise.

These are just some of the goodies up for grabs on the Blog Hop

There will also be two runners up prizes for the challenge and prizes for every stop of the blog hop which include stamps from all the best companies such as Hero Arts, Penny Black, Stamps Happen, embellishment kits etc.

So enough of my blurb, I know you all want to know what you need to do to be in with a chance of winning:

The Challenge and blog hop will run for two weeks closing at midnight GMT on 13th February 2010. The challenge theme is:

"MOVING"

Your project can be a card, box, scrapbook l/o, whatever you choose and the theme is open to interpretation, moving home, kinetic card, vehicle or as simple as a dangling charm as long as it represents movement.

Just a few rules you need to follow for your creation to be included in the big draw:

1) Your project must be linked to Mr Linky at the bottom of this post.

2) You must include a link to this post and Sir Stampalot in your entry post on your own blog.

3) You may enter more than once, proving second or subsequent entries are a different type of project (i.e a card and a scrapbook l/o, not two cards). You may combine with other challenges, but we ask that you do not back-link to old posts.

The Blog Hop: Starting here you need to visit the following Design Team blogs:

1) Pick up a letter clue at each one.

2) Leave a comment at each blog you visit on their special blog hop posts so you can be entered into the draws for those prizes. Starting from here, this is where you need to go:

Lorraine

Fransesca

Chris

Jules

Clare

Tracy

Debby

Sally

Julia

Pinky

And a little clue to help you on your way - when you re-arrange the letters you will end up with three words and I have given you one to start you on your way:

_ _ / _ _ _ E / _ _ _ _ _

When you have the answer mail it to me brenda@ibas.co.uk and all correct answers will go into the draw for yet another prize.

All winners will be selected by Random Org., and will be announced here on Sunday 14th February 2010. All that remains is to say thank you so much for your support, good luck with all the prize draws and most importantly have fun and we look forward to visiting all your blogs to see what you have created.

Note: As Mr Linky seems to be in holiday mode please link in the comment section if he is missing.

Allsorts challenge 39

This week at Allsorts it's Debs turn to host the challenge and she has come up with a recipe "3, 2, 1", you choose what elements it will be to make up the recipe.

Mine are 3 eyelets, two cords and one charm. The card is actually one of the samples I have been creating with the new hero products for Sir Stampalot. The stamps used are Hero Arts CG163, Silhouette Bluebells, H2365 Old French Writing, CL338 sentiment and G2678 Art Script (this is quite an old stamp but I think still available).

This one was a bit time consuming, but really like the finished article. I started by applying a light misting of Glimmer Mists midnight and silver the the card itself. I then stamped a piece of dark blue cardstock with the French writing stamp using Tim Holtz soot black. Next I stamped the bluebell image using versamark and embossed with detail clear, then bleached out all the flowers to remove the writing on those sections.

I stamped over a larger piece of the same blue cardstock with the Art stamp and the same TH ink, cut and scored a narrow piece to act as a spine to my card and a larger piece to place behind my main image. I distressed the edges with Tim Holtz weathered wood. Finally added the eyelets and threaded the cord through the top one and tied on the charm - it was silver so I inked it with Hero Cerulean chalk ink and embossed with detail clear........take care if you do this, the metal gets very hot - tweezers are a good idea.

Polkadoodles week 6

This week Dolly has selected the theme "Hearts and Flowers" for the new Polkadoodles challenge - could it be something to do with 14th February do you think ? Lots of chance to go all girly here if you want with all those pretty DP's.

For my card I have have selected some from the great new Polkadoodle CD Love and Romance, I just love the elegance of this section of the CD. I printed off two sheets so I could cut out and decoupage the leaves and flowers although it's difficult to pick that up on my picture. I added one of the toppers which I matted up then glittered the heart and added a simple 'I love you' sentiment and some red gems here and there.

Sheer indulgence at Penny Black

When I saw the theme at Penny Black's challenge this week I could not miss out. I have not had time to enter for a week or two but this one was a must and making this card was sheer indulgence for me and just what I needed as a diversion from all the frenetic activity of the last few weeks.

I just love Penny Black 2695J - Dance, I think the quote is so beautiful and is quite sufficient as the central element of a card. To create this I cut a square template with a Nestie through the Big Shot, stamped all round the edges with Penny Black 2642 Daisy Pattern using versamark and clear embossing powder. I then shaded over with Tim Holtz peeled paint and broken china to reveal the stamping. The quote was then stamped into the centre with versafine black ad detail clear embossing powder and I gently shaded the edges with TH black soot to give a bit of definition.

I stamped the daisy pattern down the edge of the card and embossed with JudiKins Malachite embossing powder. The border is punched on a scrap of DP from my stash using Martha Steward embossed scallop. I made three roses from the same DP and black, embossed round the edges before assembling with the same Judikins embossing powder and assembled into a spray with pearls, cord and a stick pin threaded with pearls and beads (all elements available from Spellbound - there is a link on my sidebar).

I could make this type of card all day and they sell very well, but alas there is a need for more versatility in crafting........if I sat inside my comfort zone all the time there would be no challenge involved would there ?

Rosie D's challenge 63

A really quick post peeps, afraid I nearly forgot this one for Rosie D's new challenge. So many goings on with the Stampalot blog hop and challenge and everyone hoping to get their hands on the Big Shot prize, that my week has sort of drifted by.

Plus I really messed up with my Rosie D's DT card as well, we were given a selection of images from this weeks sponsors Digital Ink for the theme "Just for Men. What did I choose - daffodils, which might have been fine if I had been making perhaps a box to hold bulbs to give to a man, but I had this easel card and matching gift box firmly in my mind, all very feminine. So back to the drawing board and a car theme instead.......I will share the daffodils with you during the week just to prove how versatile the images are.

I coloured the image with Copics, adding diamond glaze for the windows and silver marker pen for the headlights and spokes. The DP and oil can are from Polkadoodles Definitely Not for Women CD and the border punched with Martha Stewart checkerboard.

Allsorts challenge 38

This week at Allsorts it is my turn to host the challenge and I have chosen the theme "Get distressed with button/s and a bow". As always your project can be anything you have made, card, box, scrapbook page, the choice is yours.

We have a great prize on offer from this weeks sponsors Sir Stampalot, who lots of you will know have a very special event with some rather special candy on offer taking place at the moment. Details are at the top of my blog, so don't forget to join in the fun.

For my card I started by inking a panel with Tim Holt distressed inks Spiced Marmalade and Tea Dye, then stamped with bleach using Hero F5042 Leaf Flourish which lifted the colour where I stamped. I distressed the edges and heat embossed with detail copper powder and did exactly the same with the background DP which is Basic Grey.

The leaves and flower have been stamped several times onto the same DP, cream card and acetate with Hero CL375 Big Flowers Pattern then cut and layered up with a button and cord bow in the centre. I used a swirl cut on the Big Shot for the stem and the sentiment is computer generated.

Big shot challenge prize

Judging by the number of entries, lots of you already know about our Stampalot challenge where there is a Big Shot up for grabs as well as Blog Hop prizes. But for those of you who don't know - where have you been all week ? Click here to find out how to enter..........I'm sure there must be loads of you who would love that prize and all you have to do is make a card........how easy is that ?

The Stampalot challenge certainly has kept me busy this week and I am afraid I am still neglecting all my blog friends, I am so sorry but there has been precious little time for blog hopping or crafting. But on a positive note I have actually managed one card today. It's one I needed to make for an order for a young lady for her boyfriend, but it fits some challenge themes so I am taking the opportunity to share it with you.

The theme at Stamping for the Weekend and Creative Card Crew is "Valentine" and ABC challenge is "N for New". My image is Penny Black stamp three times, coloured with Copics and decoupaged. The balloons have been liberally glittered. The frame is a Nestie run through the Big Shot and the border Martha Steward embossed hearts using the "New" element which is the very pretty glittery Doodlebug DP and I used the tiny hearts from the border cut-outs to dot around the image. All in all a quick simple card.

Polkadoodles week 5

Good morning peeps, it's Friday which must mean a new Polkadoodle challenge. And this week it's our teamie Claire's turn to host the challenge and she ask that we include some paper piercing on our card.

Before I move on to how I made my card, I just want to remind you all that you still have time to enter the one off Stampalot challenge where the prize is a Big Shot plus dies etc.

I decided on a bit of machining, albeit it rather rickety, I just can't sew straight lines anymore it seems. And a colourway that I should use more, somehow I don't seem to use blue often but I was drawn to this pretty stripey paper from the 'Whiskers and Paws' section of the Back to Nature CD.

The stampie is from the same CD which I coloured with Copics, cutting three layers to build up and add dimension. The border is Martha Stewart embossed scallop and the corner frame a Sizzix die run through the Big Shot. The two flowers were created with punches and spritzed with Glimmer Mist lavender fields. I punched a few daisies from the stripey paper offcuts and added them round the image.

My Sir Stampalot creation

Hello everyone and have to say I am absolutely overwhelmed by all you support and entries for our very special challenge and blog hop. I have received some lovely mails saying how much you are enjoying it and judging by the fantastic entries to the challenge it's a theme that has really caught your imaginations.

And if you don't know what I am talking about then go to the post at the top of my blog where you see that you have twelve days left to enter and be in with a change of winning a Big Shot and lots of other prizes.

I explained yesterday that I could not post my creation until I was certain Andy and Janice had seen it. I was able to give it to them when my hubby and I helped them in the final stages of their move which came right on top of their return from visiting the States for CHA, then big trade show.

So I can now share the small book I made for them with a Medieval slant of the 'Knight and his fair Lady's' move to the new shop. All pictures are of the new shop floor. I have used so many stamps and materials that I do not intend to list them all as I normally do, but if anyone needs details on anything specific such as stamp codes, let me know. And a special thanks to Nick who works for Sir Stampalot and kindly agreed to take the pictures for me whilst Andy and Janice were out of the way in the States. Here are just a few of the pages from the book.

Andy and Janice

The Hero Arts unmounted and cling stand

My Ode to Sir Stampalot

A rather crooked picture of the book - I never said I was a photographer !

Top and below - the stamp room

View across part of the shop towards the Sizzix wall

The final page, a sort of in house joke about my all time favourite stamp Stampendous P107

We have a winner

Wow, you really are a busy bunch this morning, my inbox has been pinging since 8pm with your answers to the Blog Hop and you all seem to be liking the theme and big candy prize for the Challenge as well. Can't wait to see all your creations.

As promised, the winner for the candy selected from all of those who left comments and have been giving the challenge a plug on their blogs is:

Sadilla

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1 Max: 190

Result: 124

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There is a picture of your candy above and I can see you live in Cagliari, Sardinia, Sadilla, so I figure your candy may take a bit longer to arrive, but if you mail me your address I will get it packed and off to you as soon as I can.

By the Cute and Girly

So much going on blogwise at the moment I was almost late with this one, had it saved as a draft but forgot to schedule it.

Jules has selected the theme for February and most of will not be surprised that her theme is 'LOVE' which she says we can interpret as we wish.

The first creation I am going to share is a card I created with the new Hero set CL375 Big Flowers stamped several times onto Doodlebug DP and acetate, cut out and layered. I stamped Hero F5042 over the card itself with Hero cerulean blue chalk ink and created a stem for my flower with a Sizzix swirl die cut on the Big Shot and the border Fiskars threading water punch. The sentiment is computer generated.