Wednesday 1 December 2010

Fresh new challenges


Good Morning peeps, the first of the month means new challenges and I decided we all need a change from what seems like months of Christmas cards so something a bit different on both counts.

Can I first apologise I have not visited you much the last few days, I've got Optic Neuritis again which is a real pain in the rear, not to say inconvenient. But it means I have to restrict computer use to short bursts and hours of blogging is just not on if I want to shift it quickly. I've found I can craft for a bit longer if I lower my daylight lamp and work above it away from the light itself it that makes sense, so not all is bad news.

A little reminder about this coming weekend at Sir Stampalot........it's the third Ultimate Rubber Stampaing Demo Day........seven very different styles of stamping demos running simultaneously from 10am through 4pm, free refreshments and prize draws and of course a shop brimming full of crafting essentials. The last two years it's been a fabulous day so if you can get there do come along and don't forget to say hello......I'll be the one with messy fingers......and maybe dark glasses if the eyes don't pick up.

At Stampalot Challenge we have 'Travel the World' and 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' at Penny Black at Allsorts. Last month saw bumper entries at both challenges and I really do hope you will all be joining in again this month.

Here are my DT pieces. The one above is my travelling ladies.....check out their ticket, reduced in size but it's authentic and they are fresh off the Orient Express. I used a whole collection of Art Impression stamps......thanks for the loan from the classroom Stampalot....... The ladies ware stamped first and masked, then the various buildings stamped from their travels.......Tour Eiffel, Big Ben, Il Colosseo, La Torre di Pisa and of course the sky scape's of the Big Apple. A little big of background scenery and sky added and mounted over a world map. This is also for the following challenge:

Simon Says - Sketch (it's a bit reversed but hope it's acceptable)
Totally Stampilicious - Anything goes
Tip Top Tuesday - Anything goes
Cute Daisy May - Lets get girly


My Penny Black piece encapsulates what beauty means to me, which is basically everything Nature has to offer. My tag book is cut on the Big Shot pro........again thanks to Sir Stampy for the borrow.......looks like I don't own anything crafty reading this post......... I coloured all pieces with stencils and various Tim Holtz distress inks and Glimmer Mists then overstamped with a collection of Penny Black stamps........oh yeah, these are definitely all mine......... I couldn't resist using my favourite sentiment stamp inside and drew a freehand border round the edge.

I won't list all the stamps, but if anyone wants any specific codes please drop me a mail. The flowers are made from punches, meant to be carnations and are made up of as many layers you can get onto your brad really.......think I used about ten punched flowers........then made in the usual way.........shaded round the edges, spritzed with water to make the colours bleed and crumpled, then sprayed again with Glimmer Mist and they dry nice and rigid. This also fits the following challenges:

One Stitch at a Time = Bling it up (glimmers mists and crystals)
Pollycraft - Chipboard (the tabs and swirls)
Papercutz - Anything goes

55 comments:

Helen said...

Stunning, Brenda, as always! I hope you get better soon.

Mervi said...

Gorgeous cards both of them!!!
Hope you feel better! I was bad blogger too, felt so sick few days, haven't done much!
I copied your tutuorials,try to do myself!
Thanks;-))m

PinksyDoodles said...

Firstly, I hope your eye gets better really quickly Brenda.
Secondly, your cards are brilliant. I love the pink card, so very, very beautiful.
Hugs, Clare x

Always with a Sentiment said...

Hiya Brenda. Wow, these are great, you put so much work and detail into your fabulous creations.
I do hope that your eye starts to improve quickly, take care and look after yourself. Happy crafting.
With love, Sandra xx

Lisa Jane said...

Hi Brenda - hope you feel a lot better soon.. enjoy your day on saturday .. sounds like a lotta fun.. love the cards ... the first is so elegant,a nd your se3cond so soft and pretty
Have a great day
Lisa ;)

chris said...

Completely amazing cards Brenda. I was a bit late this morning just when I thought I had this blogging lark sorted it didnt schedule its self.
hope you are on the mend hugs chris xx

Claire said...

What gorgeous creations Brenda, you're a real inspiration :-) I'm kind of Christmas carded out so its lovely to have a change
I hope your eyes improve soon,
hugs
Claire xx

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Stunning work Brenda!

The card is wonderful with the Orient Express ticket and the stamped buildings in the background and the beautiful ladies.

The tag book is so beautiful with its pink colours and lovely details, the carnations and the freehand border.

Sorry the hear about the neuritis, hope you can stay away from the computer and that you'll soon be better.

Take care
Maarit

Fliss said...

Just gorgeous Brenda and your Stampalot one really made me smile as a couple of the stamps you used I also have, having bought them from Andy and Janice when they used to do shows - looks like I have the reason to do this one having missed some.
xx

Anonymous said...

two awesome cards Brenda! Sorry to hear the Optic Neuritis is acting up, take care! Certainly don't worry about visiting everyone, we're always here! and always here for you!

Totally love those ladies in the cafe!

and that pink one is gorgeous!!!

Mummylade said...

I adore your projects, so classy!

Victoria said...

gorgeous cards x

Jules said...

Hi Brenda

Loving both of your creations .. .. both very different but gorgeous!!

Love Jules xx

pinky said...

Brenda stunning creations again. I love your classy travel card and the pink creation is fabby. So soft and pretty. Hope you are getting better.
Pinky

Unknown said...

Hi Brenda, gorgeous cards, love the flower one, so beautiful. Yes me too have been doing just Christmas Cards lately. Hope you will be better soon and thank you for joining us at OSAAT this week. xx

Joey said...

Beautiful creations brenda, lovely finishing touches, thanks forjoining us at pollycraft
Joey.xx

craftymum said...

gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
hope you will feel better soon Brenda.Glad you have managed to make some cards!
hugs Sarah

Ellibelle said...

These are both amazing Brenda!! Love your coloring on the first one, and such a gorgeous image! Love your punched out flowers on the second project and gorgeous colors!!
Hope you feel better soon!!

Lynda said...

Two absolutely stunning cards Brenda and I've got Optic neuritis too at the moment - it really is a pain isn't it! Hopefully it'll get better soon for both of us!

Love Lynda xxx

Beryl said...

Oh Brenda - you do make me laugh. Optic neuritis - a pain in the rear- gave me visions of you at the pc with your specs on your b*m. Sorry!
The stamped scen on the first card is brilliant. Love the way you've bbuilt it up - and the secondd card - wow. It is so very beautiful.Just the sort of thing you do superbly.
Beryl xx

Nicola said...

Great creations love them both. Take care of yourself especially with this horrible weather. Unfortunately I can't make this weekend at Sir Stamp Holly's school has it's christmase fayre as I work there I have to attend, also it is Holly's birthday on Sunday so have friends and family coming an going all weekend. Hugs Nicola xx

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

I love the scene you've created with the ladies at the cafe! The pink card is really pretty too and I love the sentiment inside!

Thanks so much for sharing your work with us at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge!!!

-Sarah

Jacee said...

Fabulous Brenda,the pink is so pretty but I absolutely adore the first card, fabulous work.
Sorry to hear you're having prblems again, I do hope you are soon feeling better.
Hugs Jacee

Zoechaos said...

What can I say both pieces are fabulous of course your PB piece is very beautiful with those stratigically placed flowers. Am enjoying being part of PB@A guess listening to a nagging Brenda LOL

Round the world very elegant lovely work.

Have a great time on Saturday hope your eyes are OK xx Zoe

Sande said...

Such an elegant card! Beautiful!

Thanks for joining us at Whoopsi Daisy!

Hugs,Sande

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous card Brenda :-) I love the cityscape one especially ,,, lovely :-)

thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge :-)
luv
Lols x x x

Sarah A said...

Hi Brenda

Sorry to hear about your Optic Neuritis and hope you are able to be back to normal soon ;-)

Both cards are beautiful but I love the elegant feel to the top one!

Sarah x

Sally H said...

Hope the eyes are behaving themselves and are on the mend. Your cards are sooooo beautiful! Love them both. take care my friend x

Nannieflash said...

Hi Brenda, your cards are both stunning, I love the travel one its so 1920 looking and your flower one is gorgeous, love those roses on the edges and the sentiments. With love and hugs Shirleyxx

Merry said...

Stunning, stunning, stunning. Love both of these cards....thanks for your lovely comments over my way. I am going to disappear from blogland for December but I promise I will be back in the new year.....can't miss out on your wonderful work. Wishing you and your family a brilliant Christmas.

Monique said...

What elegant and classy cards!! Hope you feel better soon and thank you for playing along with Totally Stampalicious :)

Hazeyj said...

Both beautiful cards, Brenda and a refreshing change from snow and Christmas. Hope you are feeling better real soon! Hugs, Hazel x

Gem said...

gorgeous creations Brenda! Thanks for joining in the challenge this week at One Stitch at a Time! Gemma :)

Kirsten...x said...

Hi Brenda both absolutly stunning i love the images on the card and how you have put them together, and the tag book is just adorable...x

Hugs Kirsten...x

Mel said...

Hi Brenda, sorry your suffering. I hope your eyes are better soon. What a drag it must be. I hate it when i just can't get on lwith things. Anyway lovelycards as always. Love Melxxx

CraftinGranny said...

This is a beautiful and stunning creation. I love the colors, the bling and the details. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Paper Cupcakes this week. "Hugs" Carol

Linapyssel said...

I´m so sorry to hear about your eye Brenda, I hope it heals in no time so that you´ll be able to see propperly again. Your eyes are such an important tool! My thoughts are with you!

Lovelly cards as ever Brenda, and once again I´m impressed with you crafting despite not having your full eyesight.The Stampalot card is so stylish and the Butterflye one is a pink delight!!

Get better soon
Hugs Lina

Nikbee said...

Gorgeous cards. The image is fab on the first one and I love the colours on the second one.

Nikki x

Rleen said...

WOW! Brenda, your creations are gorgeous!
Thank you so much for joining us at the Whoopsi Daisy challenge this week. Hope to see you again next challenge.
Hugs, Rleen

Claire Phillips said...

Really lovely projects Brenda! Sorry to read about your eyes - hope you have some relief soon! Cheers Claire x

Tracey said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda :) Hope you're eyes are better real soon.

You were asking about the design of my card - it is a decoupage sheet available here:
http://thecraftypurplefrog.blogspot.com/search/label/Golden%20promises

The artwork is by the Sweet Pea designer "Ching-Chou Kuik".

Take care & keep warm.
Hugs
Tracey
xx

Choccy said...

Such a beautiful blingtastic card.

Thankyou for sharing with us at OSAAT for our glitter and bling challenge. Good Luck !

Choccy x

Emma said...

Both so gorgeous and pretty.
Thanks for joining us at Pollycraft & good luck.
Hugs Emma x

lisa said...

I'm so sorry to hear you're suffering again, Brenda. This weather won't help either!!! Hope you are keeping warm.
Your creations are beautiful. I especially love the tag book. Those stamps are my favourites, it's all just gorgeous.
Enjoy your weekend,
hugs Lisax

Anne said...

What an amzing card, this is just perfect. Hope you're feeling better.
Thanks for joining us at Top Tip Tuesday
Hugs
Anne

Jackie said...

Your cards are just beautiful as always Brenda :)I hope you're ok xx

debby4000 said...

Wonderful cards Brenda.
luv
Debby

Unknown said...

What a lovely card. Thanks for joining us at OSAAT this week

Linby said...

wow-these are both fabulous, but I love the scene you have created with those ladies - absolutely brilliant.
Linbyx

Audrey Ernst (hippieaud) said...

Very cute card, what a great image and love the way you have colored it. Thanks so much for joining our girly challenge at WHOOPSI DAISY!!

Katherine said...

Lovely! I enjoyed my visit to your blog. Wishing you happiness and hope you're feeling better soon. Hugs, Katherine

Juls said...

gorgeous!! Love your travel card...the mix of images is brilliant!!! and I love the twine detail!!! Just stunning!!

The book is just glorious too!!! hope you are feeling better soon! Hugs Juls

Christine said...

You've done a great job with the sketch. I love your stamp and the tags are the perfect touch. Thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog!
xoxo, Christine

Heidi said...

This project is so ethereal, I really love it, the colours are so soft and subtle, yet everything is gently defined so you can see even the littles detail, perfect. Hugs Heidi, ps have been meaning to come and comment since I first saw this on the PB@allsorts challenge blog!

Elizabeth Allan said...

Stunning Brenda. Your work is always so beautiful.