Cuttlebug Challenge

Hello again, I really wanted to try the Cuttlebug Challenge for my second one and as it was to create a pocket card with RED as the main colour, I figured that it was something that perhaps I should have a go at even though my spare time was practically nil due to starting to de-clutter. This meant spending a lot of time on Ebay. Eventually, I listed the items I had selected but it is such hard work, not to mention time consuming. Then, just when I thought that I could sit back and wait, I suddenly started getting emails from people asking me questions!! Anyway I digress.

When I thought about this challenge, I didn't want to make a Valentine's Day card as I thought that it would be a bit obvious and also if I was to make one I wanted to put a lot more into it and as time was of the essence, went for an easier option. The base red card is from my stash but as this was my first Cuttlebug Challenge I just had to use my all time favourite Divine Swirl embossing folder. I find this folder to be exceptionally versatile as it suits every occasion. I also used the corset die. I found the white adhesive lace in my stash and used a Versafine ink pad to colour it (and myself) black. In hindsight (I do hindsight quite a lot), I should have put the corset through the Cuttlebug again using another embossing folder and perhaps layered the bottom of it with a contrasting colour but hey nevermind at least I got there in the end. I hope that I am still in time for the Challenge - not even sure about that now but I'll give it whirl if I can remember how to submit it as I am very new to blogging and still finding my way around.

I decided to scan this into my photo folder as the light was really too bad to risk it with my digi camera, so I apologise in advance for the poor quality. You really wouldn't believe that state of my craftroom since I made this card!! Will have to spend yet another evening sorting it out again!!

My first challenge EVER

This is my first attempt at a challenge and as I loved the colours I decided to give it a go. I started with the dark turquoise card from my stash, grabbed a corner punch (which coincidentally turned out to be Dovecraft corner punch Daisy) - a good omen methinks! I then went to my Basic Grey Offbeat pad and thought that this paper matched the carpet/rug on the illustration. It seemed too dark against the deep turquoise so I found the pale turquoise and trimmed this with my EK success scalloped edger punch (not very clear on the photo sorry - especially as I covered most of it up with the daisy trim which I found nestling in my ribbon box. This still didn't look right so I added a white background which seemed to set it all off a bit better. Finally I used Sugar Nellie Daisy stamp which I coloured using Le Plume pens. The final touches were flowers and brads from my stash. I really enjoyed this challenge and look forward to more in the future.

I am so glad that the snow was so bad this weekend that I didn't want to go out at all and it enabled me to find the time to create this card which although is far from perfect, it has put me on the first rung of the ladder. After all, practice makes perfect and over time I'm hopefully going to improve on my techniques. Any constructive criticism would be most useful. Thanks.

5th January 2010

This is my first attempt at a blog. I have been meaning to start one for some time but just never got around to it. I live in Manchester and when we got up this morning it was impossible to get to work due to the snow and ice on the roads, in fact it was impossible to get the car off the drive!! I spend as much time as I can crafting i.e. card making and scrapbooking and absolutely love it! I am debating whether to attempt a card challenge but again I haven't got a clue where to start. I will just take my time before committing myself I think. Perhaps start with something simple - if anyone could point me in the right direction I would be really grateful.