crafty monkeys

Do you have children who like to craft? There is a new challenge blog about to launch this friday dedicated to kids who make cards or who would like to make cards!

Some of you will already know Hannah and Zoe who will be running the challenge with their Mum's help.

Goodies

I've been getting some fabulous mail over the past few days, first my lovely stash from Tracy Janes Crafts came. She recently sponsored CCT and if you place an order and enter the quote she will give you a free gift, I got the lovely sparkly brads seen in the pic!

I haven't had a chance to use any of these papers yet but can't wait they are scrumptious!

Cute card thursday~birthday

A nice easy challenge over on Cute Card Thursday this week,

simply make a birthday card!

Of course that was going to be too easy so I decided to try a new fold, unfortunately my computer froze while I was browsing for instructions so I did it from memory, it didn't quite come out the way it was meant to.

I call this the Kimono card as I don't think I have seen it anywhere before!

We have another fantastic prize again this week, donated by the lovely Korin from

Sweet n Sassy stamps

do pop on over to the challenge to see the rest of the design team's fabulous creations with more details on how they made them on their blogs!

Supplies: tools ~ nestabilities

cardstock~ white, olive

DP ~ Laura Ashley

Penny Black Saturday ~ First Stamp

I really wanted to play along with the new challenge at Penny Black Saturday but I don't have many stamps, mostly just my newest ones which are a christmas set. It was only when I saw the challenge was to use the very first Penny Black stamp you bought that I went rooting around in my older stamp box and discovered this was a Penny Black! I never knew or at least if I did I forgot!

I still love this stamp, it comes out every now and again and I think this card may end up going to my eldest daughter as she and I go for a Starbucks every time we go shopping. That is the most pleasant time we spend together because the shopping is a nightmare, imagine standing holding lots of heavy bags, in hot shops with loud music blaring while daughter browses and tries on numerous outfits!

I loved the cut off card I made last week so I based this one on that design with the addition of the bow to keep it closed.

Supplies: Tools ~ cuttlebug, nestabilities,

Cardstock ~ white and olive

DP ~ Laura Ashley 'contemporary'

Stamp ~ Penny Black 'Shop til drop'

Embellishments~ Flora Doodle flower, Laura Ashley brad, ribbon from Ribbon Oasis

A Spoon Full of Sugar ~ Celebrations

This week the challenge on A Spoon Full of Sugar is Celebrations!

Fabulous blog candy to be won again this week, Joanne is donating a fab Sugar Nellie stamp Nellie with horse!

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For my card I used this fab image kindly given to me by Debbie. You will notice that I have used a Hanglar image this week, well, it is now allowed. Because of the announcement from Sugar Nellie to start producing the Hanglar stamps in the UK Debbie is opening up the challenge to all Hanglar images!

My card is to celebrate my nephew's forthcoming christening.The DT cards are all fabulous again this week, do pop over and take a peek!

Supplies: Tools ~ Sewing machine, Cricut, wire cutters

Cardstock ~ White and navy

DP ~ Basic Grey 'Lily Kate', Doodlebug and Sue Dreamer

Stamps ~ Hanglar and Panduro

Embellishments ~ wire and beads from stash

Cute Card Thursday ~ 3 Embellishments

The Cute Card Thursday challenge this week is being sponsored by Tracy Janes Crafts

we have a fabulous prize from her to give to one lucky winner chosen at random next week! Pop on over to the CCT and have a look at the gorgeous goodies!

The theme this week is to use 3 different types of embellishment.

On my card I used ribbon, eyelets and a charm. The hard part in this challenge was to stop myself from using more than that, it was very tempting!

This image is another one I was sent by Nicola, I just love these Precious Moments characters!

The design team have once again made fabulous cards to inspire you, please drop by and check out their blogs!

Supplies: Tools ~ sewing machine, eyelet setter

Cardstock ~ cream textured, dark brown

DP ~ Basic Grey 'Mellow'

Embellishments ~ eyelets, ribbon and metal charm all from stash

A Spoon Full of Sugar -picking apples

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge this week is a recipe!

You have to use 3 brads, 2 papers and 1 flower.

Easy eh? I found the hard bit was keeping to just the recipe and had to stop myself a few times from adding just a little bit more!

I used my new favourite stamp, picking apples designed by Elisabeth Bell for Sugar Nellie. Check out the challenge as we have a brand new stamp of this image to give away as blog candy for one lucky person chosen at random next week!

I used a very new style of card for me, I got the inspiration from Claudia of Pretty Pressings who made this fabulous card! Congratulations to Claudia too as she has just joined the DT at Stampavie!

Do pop over and check out the fabulous DT work on A Spoon Full of Sugar, they have all made fantastic cards!

Supplies: Cardstock ~ cream textured, brown plain and white creative smooth

DP ~ Laura Ashley 'contemporary''traditional'

Stamp ~ Sugar Nellie 'picking apples'

Embellishments ~ flower by 'flora doodles', rub-on, wire, beads, brads all from stash

Ismaki#23, Ooh-la-la and Caardvarks

This card was made using the Ismaki sketch for this week #23 with the option to use just 2-3 colours which I think I have pretty much achieved.

Thanks to Nicola for the fab image and to Bernie for the gorgeous papers and sentiment sticker.

I am also putting this card in for the challenge over on

Ooh-la-la-creations challenges where the challenge is to use ribbons, this one fits in nicely! They have some ribbons to give away as blog candy to the winner of the challenge!

And finally, one I haven't played in a long while but really loved the theme this week is

Caardvarks the theme is 'drink up' to add some sort of beverage to your card, well here is a whole bottle!

Supplies: Tools~ Cuttlebug, nestabilities

Cardstock ~ cream textured, brown,

DP ~ from Bernie, Autumn Leaves

Stamp ~ a bella image from Nicola

Embellishments ~ ribbon, bling and charm from stash,

Ismaki and a very late Saturday Workout!

I had such a job trying to get this post on here, I tried to get it on last night but it was obviously a bit late as I accidently posted it on CCT! Quickly removed it and then couldn't get the photo back on, still having problems with that today but finally worked out a way. Now, my Saturday's workout challenge is a week late, I was already leaving it very late posting last night but the new challenge is up so I missed it! Oh well, better luck next time!

This is my card using this week's Ismaki #22 sketch. I have turned it around in case you don't see the sketch immediately!I also made this card for the Saturday's workout challenge but of course it is nearly next week's challenge now so cutting it very fine, sorry for my lateness with this card. the theme was stitching.I don't know where all my crafting time has gone lately! I do hope to get caught up thisweekend!This image came to me this week from Nicola of My Paper World, I was thrilled to receive it, it is so cute, couldn't wait to use it! Thanks a million Nicola!The sentiment stamp came from Debbie of Crafting Fairy, thanks for that one too, think I might have to invest in these stamps! They work perfectly with the Nestabilities!

Supplies: Tools ~ sewing machine, cuttlebug, nestabilities

Cardstock ~ Cream textured, green plain, white creative smooth

DP ~ K & Co Margo range

Embellishments ~ Dovecraft brads, flowers from stash

Cute Card Thursday ~ Christmas Card

This week on Cute Card Thursday we are having a Christmas theme!

We have been given a CD of christmas designs from Wendi of Ooh La La Creations

do pop over and check out her website!

I made my card with my BAsic Grey Dasher pack, always go to this one first when thinking of christmas! The sugar and spice stamps are also Basic Grey from their Figgy Pudding range. The main image is of course a Hanglar kindly sent to me by Debbie. How fantastic that we will be able to get them in the UK soon courtesy of Sugar Nellie!

Do pop over to see the design teams fabulous cards, they are so gorgeous!

Supplies: Tools ~ sewing machine, corner rounder

Cardstock ~ white textured, olive plain

DP ~ Basic Grey 'Dasher',

Stamps ~ Hanglar & Stanglar, Basic Grey 'Figgy Pudding Winterland'

Embellishments ~ Prima flowers, Papermania adhesive stones, dovecraft brads, DMC gold strand.

A spoon full of sugar ~ colour scheme

The second challenge on A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge is a colour scheme, this is what Debbie asked from us ~

This week we are asking you to use all the following 3 colours on your cards Pink, Blue and Green (any shades) + you can also use flesh colour and a little bit of brown for hair or Animals.

This is very colourful for me and yet still in my usual muted tones, I am not sure about it but I am having one of those weeks where I don't like anything I make.

I did sneak in a bit of extra beige, sssshhh, don't tell anyone! I made the ticket stamps and stuck them on before realising they shouldn't have been in that colour! That is me in the naughty corner!

I used the two ticket stamps together for the first time after seeing fellow design team member Camilla using them like that, love the effect and you get two greetings in one! Thanks for the inspiration Camilla! Pop on over and check out her card and the rest of the team's work, they are so gorgeous!

As if you need any other excuse to play Debbie is donating a super cute stamp by Rachelle Ann Miller to one lucky participant who will be drawn at random next week!

supplies: Tools ~ Sewing machine

Cardstock ~Cream textured cardstock, olive and white creative smooth

DP ~ K & Co 'Hannah' range

Stamps ~ Sugar Nellie 'kitty' designed by Elisabeth Bell, Autumn Leaves 'ticketed', Cat's life press 'handmade card'

Embellishments ~ flora doodles, scissor sisters flower, Dovecraft charm brad, bling from stash

Cute Card Thursday ~ Patterned Paper

This week on Cute Card Thursday the theme is Patterned Paper!

I love my new Basic Grey 'Archaic' pad for men and boys cards at the moment so I delved through it for these lovely masculine papers.

This week we have more fabulous blog candy, Andrea Miller of Kaboodle Doodles has offered one lucky winner some downloads of her fabulous paper designs.

Many thanks to my good friend Debbie for supplying me with this fabulous Hanglar image, he is so adorable! This card is for my bro, hopefully he won't see this as it is only going in the mail today! Aged it a bit by knocking the edges of the card and did some faux ageing on the stamped out paper bits.

Supplies: Cardstock ~ cream textured, olive plain

DP ~ Basic Grey 'Archaic'

Stamps ~ Hanglar'fishing boy', Magnolia 'signpost', Autumn Leaves 'ticket stamp' and 'for the record 2'

Embellishments ~ Dovecraft brads

Sweet Sugar Challenges ~ something different

This week on Sweet Sugar Challenges the brief was to make something different, other than the usual card! I had this old jar kicking around and decided to 'pimp' it.

I love the saving for a rainy day expression and how appropriate I had just bought this fabulous new Maggie stamp!

I may have gone overboard with the ribbons etc, I just didn't know where to stop!

Supplies: Tools ~ Cuttlebug, nestabilities

DP ~ Laura Ashley

Stamp ~ Sugar Nellie 'Splashing Maggie'

Embellishments from stash

A Spoon Full of Sugar ~ Summertime

It is here! The launch of the new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge!

The very first challenge has been set, the theme is

Summertime!

A lovely easy first challenge for everyone to play along, come on, get out your Nellies! You are also allowed to use the new Rachelle Anne Miller range, so what you waiting for?

Pop on over and take a look at the fabulous new stamp on offer as blog candy for one very lucky participant who will be drawn at random next week!

Also you can see more fabulous design team cards to inspire you along with links to the DT blogs so you can check out even more fabulous creations!

I used a Z fold card for my base, my stamp is one of the fabulous new collection by Elisabeth Bell, this one is called Summer Ice Cream. I love this one as makes me think of my youngest DD with our little dog, so once again I have coloured the dog to look like ours!

Supplies: Cardstock ~ cream textured, navy textured and DCWV matstack blue

DP ~ DCWV The Far East Mat Stack (thanks again Bernie)

Stamp ~ Sugar Nellie 'Summer Ice Cream'

Embellishments ~ Flora doodle flowers, Dovecraft brads, photo turn, ribbon and charm from stash

New Challenge!

Some exciting news!

Pop along to the A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge blog and add it to your bookmarks ready for Tuesday when the first challenge will go live!

You can use Sugar Nellie images and also the new Rachelle Anne Miller images so a great opportunity to use those fabby new stamps!

Best of all, there is blog candy to be given away!

Next a couple of awards.

Isn't this one so cool? I love it, the very talented and sweet Bernie of Crafty B gave me this award, thank you so much Bernie and you rock my socks too!

Isn't this pic just fab?

I love this award, circle of friends, it is so hilarious!

My lovely friend and crafting buddy Debbie of Crafting Fairy gave me this award for being in her new Design Team, see the above new challenge ! Thank you so much Deb, it is such an honour!

Who to pass them onto is always so difficult as you all deserve them so I will have a little think about it!

I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!

CCT ~ Sketch challenge

The challenge this week on Cute Card Thursday is a fabulous sketch by Katharina.

This week we have some scrumptious blog candy to give away, some Bootiful Stampz very kindly donated by the very talented Sally at Aunty's store

you can see a picture of them under the challenge post for this week, they are so cute!

While you are there take a peek at the DT's cards, they are so amazing, then pop in to check out the blogs and the fantastic cards they make.

Supplies: Tools ~ Cuttlebug, nestabilities, scalloped edge scissors

Cardstock ~ Cream textured, dark pink and white creative smooth

DP ~ Autumn Leaves (I think , it came in a RAK from Bernie and I got it all mixed up)

Stamp ~ Hanglar

Embellishments ~ Sticker, half pearls and ribbon from stash

Tilda & friends Glorious Green

This week on Tilda & friends ATC challenge the theme is 'Glorious Green'.

This was quite a quick make as I seem to be so short of time just now.

I hope you are all having a fantastic weekend!

Supplies: Tools ~ sewing machine

DP ~ Basic Grey 'two scoops'

Stamps ~ Magnolia 'Tilda in heart dress' Autumn Leaves ticket stamp

Embellishments ~ Flowers 'flora doodles' and 'scissor sisters sweet bella blossom' Papermania adhesive stones

Cute Card Thursday ~ Vacation/travel

This is my card for the Cute Card Thursday challenge which this week is a

vacation/travel theme.

We have been given a fabulous Magnolia 'Paris Tilda' stamp to give away this week so the holiday theme was very obvious to us!

I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to use this fabby new stamp from Sugar Nellie, it is Hamish and Maggie 'rockpool fun'. I really enjoyed colouring this one!

Supplies: Cardstock ~ Cream textured, brown and olive, white creative smooth

DP ~ Basic Grey 'Archaic'

Stamp ~ Sugar Nellie 'Rockpool fun'

Embellishments ~ Love Elsie ' toby' sticker, brads, ribbon and seahorse charm from stash

Ismaki #12 & Saturday's workout

I made this card using Ismaki sketch 12 and also used a faux linen background for the challenge over at Saturday's workout! I added some bling for the option of 'sparkle' at Ismaki and the linen background was some fab textured card that I rubbed down with sandpaper to show up the white core. I also distressed around the edges.

Supplies: Tools ~ sewing machine

Cardstock ~ Cream textured, brown and olive textured from DCWV mat stack

DP ~ Basic Grey 'Mellow'

Stamps ~ Hanglar

Embellishments ~ Sticker, MM cheeky flat clip and some flat backed blingy stones from stash

New blog!

No creating done this weekend so far, weather has been too nice to stay indoors! The garden is getting the attention this week!

If you like to see photos like this one I have just launched my photographic blog which you can see here I will be adding many more photos of animals and scenes!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Thanks for visiting!

Cute Card Thursday Challenge ~ Gems and Jewels

The Cute Card Thursday challenge this week is to use gems or jewels.

We have been given some gorgeous Zoomz from Kay at Stamp Galaxy so these will go to one of this week's participants chosen at random.

The design team cards are fantastic do pop on over to check out all their blogs!

Supplies: Cardstock ~ cream textured, brown and white creative smooth

DP ~ Basic Grey Mellow, DCWV Old World, some from RAK from CraftyB!

Stamp ~ Hanglar

Embellishments ~ Dovecraft Charm brad, Woodstone Collection Sticker, Papermania Adhesive stones, ribbon from stash

Tilda and friends ATC ~ Bugs

The Tilda and friends ATC challenge this week has a bug theme! the only Magnolia bug I have is the dragonfly so I supplemented it with the sheep and a Studio G butterfly and snail! I used some paper from my RAK from Bernie, thanks again B, they are all gorgeous!

Stamps ~ Magnolia 'sheep' 'dragonfly' Studio G 'snail' 'butterfly' 'flower'

Red Panda and RAK

One of the reasons for my internet absence over the weekend. We went off to see this gorgeous creature on saturday! It is a red panda, they are so cute and we were lucky to be there during feeding time! They live at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie in Scotland so if you are ever near, it is so worth a visit. They do such fantastic work there!

I have tons more great photos but I will start up a new wildlife blog as soon as I get some time.

I got this fabulous RAK delivered over the weekend from Bernie of CraftyB!

Thank you so much Bernie, it is all fabulous stash, I love it all and can't wait to use it! The papers are gorgeous and I don't have any of them so you can imagine the oohs and ahhs when I started looking through them!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, it was amazing that we in the Uk did so well with our Bank Holiday weather! It was so lovely to see the kids out in their summer clothes yesterday!