Crazy 4 Challenges is seeing Spring!

Playing along with C4C again this week

it's actually my last week

Thank you so much for having me this month ladies!

This time our hostess with the mostess Anja told us to bring Spring to our cards!

I used a pastel colour palette for my card then made sure to add flowers in a few different ways. 

How would you bring Spring to your card?

Join in and show us!

Thank you so much for coming by today

Please hop on over to the C4C challenge blog today and see the ladies gorgeous creations!!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges- Sketch time!

Happy Saturday!

I'm back with another Crazy 4 Challenges inspiration

This week our hostess with the mostest Anja has given us a sketch

Here's what I made with the sketch!

Want to see more inspiration?

pop over to the C4C blog and see what the ladies have made!

Happy Crafting, 

Andrea

C4C- Bring on the Bling!

Happy Saturday!

Andrea here playing with the Crazies this week again over at the Crazy 4 Challenges blog. 

This week our hostess with the mostest asked us to "Bring on the Bling"!

I used embossing paste and a camera stencil on black card stock to get my cool background.

I then used a Unity Stamp 'Angie's Camera' and my copics to get my focal point. 

Added some bling and done!

We would love you to play along with us. Hop on over to the C4C blog and see what the rest of the ladies have made to inspire you!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges!

I was invited to be the March guest with on one of my old Design Teams

Crazy 4 Challenges!

Of course I said yes.

This week's challenge from our lovely hostess Anja is to put a bow on it

I used elements of my Simon Says Stamp card kit and one of my favourite Unity stamps 'Enjoy.Explore.Believe. I used one of the small notecards with the Eiffel Tower because I am partial to that particular tower or anything to do with Paris. 

What do you think?

Like it?

I'm not a yellow person but I love this card.

We would LOVE if you would join us this week for our challenge.

So hop on over to the Crazy 4 challenges blog and see what the rest of the ladies have made for inspiration!

Happy Crafting, 

Andrea

C4C201- Buttons and Bows

Happy Saturday!!

Jessie our August hostess has a fun challenge to close our her hostess spree

Buttons and Bows

Since I think I have a bow on every card I make this one is easy!

I did the very hot chalkboard technique along with my Unity stamps

all you need is black paper, white embossing powder and white ink

then the magic happens!

I have to say there are some really cute cards to inspire you over at C4C this week

Click here to see the Crazies cards

Thank you Jessie for the fun challenges this month!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges is loving the animals this week

Crazy 4 Challenges this week has us going to the dogs...or cats...or whatever animal you'd like!

I used the uber cute Paper Smooches set Woofers and Tweeters. I stamped and coloured these cuties right on my card base to make this a one layer card. 

And seriously- how cute is that paw print washi tape! Oh Washi tape- oh how I love thee. 

Thank you for the fun challenge Jessie! You should see all the uber adorable cards the Crazies made too for your inspiration over at the C4C blog. We would love for you to join us!

Cheers, Andrea 

Crazy 4 Challenges is thinking about Back to School time!

Our hostess with the mostess Jessie is challenging us to have a back to school theme with our crafts this week!

I have to admit this is not what I planned- and I like this better! I had planned out a card that had 4 windows and I wanted to put apples in each one and make it a thank you card. Then the apples turned into these cute school bus stickers. Then my plan to do 4 windows was crushed when I couldn't figure out how to get my globe patterned paper to frame each cut out window equally. I am NOT as handy as I would like to be with an exacto knife lol!

Sometimes the best ideas come when you just let go and breathe. 

While sitting on my floor sulking I eyed my large fishbowl of washi tape and this ruler pattern crossed my path. Then I envisioned it used as a road for the buses...and you can see where that left me. And I have to say this looks much better than the apple card I had in mind originally hee hee!

I can't wait to see what the other Crazies have come up with this week! Hop on over to the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and go back to school with us!

Cheers Andrea

C4C195- July Sketch time!

This week's crazy challenge over at the Crazy 4 Challenges blog is a sketch! I got to design the sketch being the hostess for the month so I tried to think of something funky but not too wild. I hope you like what I came up with- you can see it here. 

A sketch is a great kick-off point when making cards. I tend to use a sketch and then tweak it to suit where I think my card is going. For example when I made the sketch I envisioned my sentiment right over my 3 circles. However I realized when I went to place it that I couldn't bear to cover up the birdcages on my middle circle. So I placed some skinny ribbon there instead and moved the sentiment down. 

You should SEE the amazing job the crazies did this week with the sketch! Hop on over to the C4C challenge blog to get the full challenge details and to see some amazing inspiration. Another great week ladies!!

Cheers, Andrea 

C4C 193- Let's Get Wordy!

It's my turn to be the Hostess with the Mostest over at the Crazy 4 Challenges blog for the month of July! For our first challenge I am asking you to 'Get Wordy' and use a sentiment as the main focus of your card. 

I stamped this sentiment from Inkadinkado onto acetate using Graphite fast drying pigment ink in Tuxedo black. It took me 3 tries to get one with little smearing. I set it aside for a day to dry as it was still wet to the touch a few hours later. I then layered the acetate over this paper from my stash and kept the card simple. I am pretty sure this is Stampin' Up designer paper from years ago. I tend to hoard things ;). 

To see more 'wordy' cards hop on over to the C4C challenge blog for more inspiration from the DT and also from our new July guest designer!!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges is seeing Shapes

Hexagons to be specific!

Today's challenge is to use Hexagons in some form on your card. I found some paper by My Mind's Eye I bought last year that did the trick! I trimmed around the design then added a bow, pearls and my sentiment. This sentiment is from Unity- 'Thoughts from the Heart'. 

I can't wait to see how the other Crazies incorporated hexagons into their projects. Head on over to the Crazy 4 Challenges blog to see!

Cheers, Andrea

C4C is wishing you a happy Father's Day!

I'm a little late with today's post so please forgive me! Crazy 4 Challenges would like to see Father's Day themed cards! Don't wait till the last minute...or day of...to get these cards made and our challenge this week will help you get ahead of the game. 

This card was actually for last week's challenge but I got so late at posting it (for shame!!) that I turned it into a Father's Day card as well. Two birds with one stone! I used an older stamp from Prima that I really like featuring a schooner. To me it is very much a male card image. Now this card is actually for my girls to give to their Papa. Even though they are skilled crafters I have a feeling he will know it comes from me hee hee! The sentiment is from Unity stamps and the set came with 3 Father's Day sayings. 

To see more manly creations hop on over to the C4C challenge blog and be inspired!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges- It's a Doozie!

Happy Friday!!!

Crazy 4 Challenges is back with a DOOZIE this go around!

No 'commercially made' patterned paper. 

You can make your own or keep your cards clean and simple. 

I love that! Great challenge!

I coloured up this Kraftin' Kimmie image with my copics.

This KKS stamp is one of Cheryl Alger's images called LuLu and Libby. 

In place of patterned paper I dug out some washi tape, twine and a button. 

And a Doily. Can't have a tea party without a doily!

To see more amazing inspiration pop on over to the C4C challenge blog and see what the rest of the Crazies cooked up!

Cheers- Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges Photo Inspiration

Happy Saturday!!

I'm back today with a fun inspiration challenge from the Crazies over at Crazy for Challenges! I think this photo is so amazing- I have a soft spot for star fishes and one day I want to see one in real life. I hope it is as cool as these ones. 

Today's inspiration pic can be interpreted anyway your creativity takes you. The photo is a 'jumping point' to help get your mojo into gear. Personally the colours got me inspired to create a simple clean card. I used images from my April KOTM from Unity - 'You Make my Heart Puffy', some American Crafts pre-scored cards and ribbon. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Hop on over to the C4C blog to see how the rest of the Crazies were inspired! I already peeked and the creations are amazing!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges is getting Negative!

Yep it's true. C4C is VERY negative this week. Frances our hostess with the mostess has challenged us to use the negative space left over from punches or die cuts. How fun is that!!!

I kinda cheated and used a MFT die that cuts out the four circles above and leaves a negative space for you. So no I didn't get out the ruler and use my punches and creative this perfectly lined up piece. Thank you MFT for saving my sanity ;)

I also used this cute stamp set by Hero Arts that also uses the 'negative' space to show the design. How smart am I!! Frances should be proud! hee hee! I then filled in the remaining circles with items from my stash and added a ribbon. I am thinking it is almost impossible for me to NOT add ribbon to a card. Hope no one challenges me to do that for awhile. 

To see how the rest of the Crazies got negative for Frances hop on over to the Crazy for Challenges blog and join us!

Cheers, Andrea

C4C is getting touchy feely with TEXTURE!

Today's fun challenge over at Crazy 4 Challenges is to use lots of texture on your creation. Be sure to click here to go to the C4C blog and see how the Crazies added texture to their cards. 

On my card today I used the Paper Smooches stamp set 'Cyber Cafe' paired with this beautiful muted paper from the Country Boutique Fancy Pants line.  

I added texture in a few ways:

-textured cardstock

-paper piecing for a raised effect

-twine fibre

-metal charm

-burlap behind the stamped panel

How will you make your project all 'touchy feely'? Don't forget to link up on the C4C blog so we can check it out!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges is Waving Hello!

The Crazies over at the C4C have a cheery challenge for you this week!

Joanne is our hostess this month and as Feb 7th is 'Wave all your fingers at your Neighbours Day' her challenge today is for you to make cards that will bring smiles an happiness. 

I used some fun, bright and cheery paper from one of my fave companies American Crafts to make my happy card. I kept it simple by also using a matching sticker from the line. My banner is made by using amazing banner dies from MFT- love them! I added a sentiment from Paper Smooches and it was done! I'm all set to do some finger wagging at my neighbours hee hee!

Pop on over to the Crazy 4 Challenges blog to see more 'neighbourly' inspiration!

C4C- Raise the Bar!

This week our Crazy 4 Challenges team is 'raising the Bar' as in our much loved team member Barbara Anders! Barbara is on a crafting break right now due to hand surgery- boo! To help cheer her up and let her know we are thinking of her our challenge this week is to CASE one of Barb's cards from her blog! 

Sounds easy right? NOPE! She has soooo many gorgeous cards it took me forever to pick just one! I settled on this one as I loved the clean lines with the embossed white panel- click here to see which card I am referring to. I flipped the card position but kept most of the design the same. Thanks for the inspiration Barb!!

So to play along with us head on over to Barb's Blog and scroll through all her delicious eye candy and CASE one of her cards and link it up! Also hop over to the C4C blog and see what the rest of the Crazies did with their Barb inspiration!

Cheers- Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges- C4C168

This week our C4C hostess with the mostess Betty has challenged us to make anything BUT a square or A2 sized card. Gulp. 

I was truly perplexed until I remembered that I have this amazing teacup Sizzix card pattern that had yet to be used- phew!!

This was sooooo fun to make. I just cut out the pieces and folded along the scored lines and glued where the instructions told me. I love when it is so easy even I can do it ;P hee hee.

I have to admit I wanted it to look more 'authentique' so I took a gold pen and added gold foil to the teacup and plate- just like the teacups my Grandma had. I added another die cut, flowers, jewels and it was almost done. I then remembered that in my teacup stamp collection I had a set from Stampin Up with the perfect sentiment and used that plus a cup stamp on the teabag label. 

I have to admit I love it!!

Considering it is hubby's birthday today and I still need to make him a card do you think this one is to girly for him? Maybe a bit hee hee!!!

You have to hop on over to the C4C challenge blog and see the other amazing projects that ladies did to help inspire you out of the 'normal' card size. Thanks Betty for such a fun challenge!

Cheers, Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges is back in swing for 2013

I can't decide which picture I like better ha ha! Yep- call me crazy so I posted both of them. And speaking of CRAZY the C4C gang is back in session after our Winter break. How did you like that segue hee hee!

Our first hostess with the mostess for this year is Betty and she has asked us to put BOWS on our cards. I just have a little wee one with twine. I did have a bigger ribbon on here originally but changed it out to give this a more Valentinesy feel. 

On my card today I used the BEE MINE stamp set from Paper Smooches. One of my top go to companies for stamps. Excellent quality and I adore Kim's font which she uses on all her sets so I tend to snap them up asap. In fact there are very few that I don't have since she started her company! I then used some white glitter corrugated paper from American Crafts- texture and glitter. Perfect match in my books. Oh- and the patterned paper I used was from the 6x6 pack from American Crafts as well called XOXO. Super fun and cute colour combos in this collection. 

Come on over to the C4C challenge blog and see the other samples the Crazies have for you. I am sure you will be 'bowed' over. Ha Ha!

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Andrea

Crazy 4 Challenges- Use your one of your fave Christmas stamps

Today is our last challenge over at C4C for 2012 and Cindy has asked us to use one of our fave Holiday images. I used this cute bear from Magnolia Stamps called Cozy Christmas Bear. How cute is he!! I coloured him up with my copics then used a nubby washcloth and copic blender solution to dab at the image and give him his furry look. Such a cool technique! I then added some fun papers, flowers and Tim Holtz clock die cut to help finish it off. 

I hope you can play along with us and I hope I am not the only one who still needs to make more holiday cards lol! If you are one of the lucky ones already done for this year maybe this will help you get started on next year ;). 

So hop on over to the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and see the rest of the AWESOMESAUCE samples the Crazies have cooked up for you this week!

Cheers! Andrea