Challenge 5 The First Signs Of Spring- Double Z card

My (Diane) challenge this time. I have been feeling really low lately with one thing and another, and all this cold weather is doing nothing to help matters. I find myself constantly scanning the garden for the first signs of things coming back to life. I love Spring and can't wait for it to come around every year, it cheers me up no end. So my theme is First signs of Spring.

For the card makers out there I want to see a double Z fold card (here is a link to show you how if you don't already know.. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/doublezfold/ ) with what shows the first signs of spring for you hidden inside. For the non card makers your indication of spring can be hidden inside your project.( perhaps an exploding box, or something like that?)
So there you have it.....can't wait to see what you come up with..
The challenge this time is sponsored by The Stamping Boutique

Here's what Tracey says about her Stamping Boutique.
Tracey Malnofski's resume reads like a who’s who of the Stamping Industry. Besides being the owner and a designer for The Stamping Boutique, she's also a stamp artist for Unity Stamp Company and has also worked for In Style Stamps, Squigglefly, and The Digi Shack. Her "Boutique"has it all - fairytale, whimsy, sentimental . . . and Candy! I do not envy the winner who has to choose digi stamps from all those delicious choices. Yep! A winner will be randomly selected to win 5 digital stamps of their choice from Tracey's Boutique!
"The Stamping Boutique" is dedicated to quality products and original artwork. We not only provide wonderful digital images in our store, but also several lines of red rubber images. Our designers are chosen for their character and personality, as well as, their beautiful designs. We work hard to give you our very best. Thank you so much for having us as your sponsor this week.

Store: http://thestampingboutique.com/
Challenge Blog: http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Monthly Challenge: http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/p/monthly-contest.html

The Stamping Boutique have very kindly offered the winner of this challenge the choice of 5 Digi Stamps of their choice. Here is how the team have interpreted this challenge using The Stamping Boutique Images.

Guest Designer Sheree used the Daffodil image for her lovely sunny card. It is Sheree's first time using Digis and (due to email problems) she only got the digis yesterday and the challenge brief, so a big WELL DONE for a lovely card.

Cazzy: I used Spring as a feature on the front of my card and Cynthia Fairy and the Carrot Thief inside to make this card fun. I haven't decided what this card is for yet and will add a further sentiment when I do. The papers are English Paper Company.

Caro: I chose to work with the Daffodil stamp and as my Mother grows, sells and gives lectures about daffodils I decided to make a Mother's Day card. The papers I used are scraps from K&Co and Hot off the Press. I left the inside of my card blank (apart from the patterned paper) to leave room for the message.

Diane

I chose the Tulip Stamp to work with. I love to see the tulips bloom in the spring. The Spring stamp is also available from The Stamping Boutique. My papers were from K and Company and my images, as always coloured by promarkers and then decoupaged for dimension.

Lyn

I made a square card and also used both the 'Tulip' and the 'Spring' digi stamps, from our sponsors but put the 'Tulips' on the front of the card and the 'Spring' inside. I nearly also chose the same K & Co papers too! But ended using these Spring papers by Kate Knight. I've coloured with ProMarkers and added Stickles Glitter to add a bit of spring sparkle, gems, die-cuts and a few peel-offs too. I've made a Quickie (no measurements) Quirky Tutorial here.

Don't forget to check the challenge rules in the sidebar.

Please add a link to your blog post (not your blog) using the biggest blue froggy at the top of the collection, the other one (at the bottom) doesn't do anything that we can tell, and please comment after you have linked. Don't forget to mention Quirky and add a link back to here (please read the rules and if you realised you haven't followed the rules and won't be included in the top three, and you want your entry removed to try again - please email us using the link in the side bar).

Have Fun - The Quirky Crafts Challenge Design Team.

Winners :- Challenge 4 2011 Quirky Love Story (with ribbons and charm)

Time to announce the winners of our last challenge which was set my  Cazzy. Her theme was Love Story, but the twist was that she wanted to see ribbons and a charm.

Well after much deliberation, the design team have chosen Natali as the winner of this challenge.
                                                                          
Well Done Natali. You have the choice of  5 digi images from the Robyn's Fetish Store.
                                                        

In second place for this challenge we have chosen Keeley.
                                                                           
Well Done Keeley.
Both winners will also be invited to be a Guest Designer for a future challenge. Please could you both contact Cazzy using the link in the sidebar.
Well that is it for now....come back later today for the launch of the next challenge.

Thanks for stopping by - The Quirky Crafts Challenge Design Team.

Challenge 4 2011 Quirky Love Story (with ribbons and charm)

Hello Quirky crafters - it is challenge time again and this one should not be too taxing or too quirky (I know - unusual for a Cazzy challenge) and I think we will get a lot of entries!

Love is in the air with Valentines only a couple of days away, and "Where do I begin - to tell the story........" (sorry I can't get that song out of my head).

The theme is Love Story, so show us your Valentine's, Anniversary, Engagement or love themed projects. Your project must feature a dangling charm and ribbons. There - I said it wasn't hard! So if you are into the whole soppy love thing with cute and cuddly animals, or something dark and alternative, just remember to show us your dangly bits!

This challenge is sponsored by the lovely Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More.

Our first place winner will be able to choose 5 digi images from the Robyn's Fetish Store.

Here are some examples from the Design Team.

First of all our Guest Designers with some lovely makes (or should that be luv-erly makes?):

Crafty Girl used Bearly Luv, and red ribbons and two dangling butterflies on her gorgeous card.

Cazro used Pussycat Luv and said she doesn't normally do "cute" or use digis, and she didn't expect to be among the winners of our last challenge, so I think she has done really well with this cute digi!

Susan (who said she is thrilled to be joining us again) used I Toadily Luv U, and this one really made me giggle when I first saw it, I love the glittery nail varnish the toad is wearing! Susan used a 6"x6" card blank and mirri card to mat and said "I have coloured with pencils and fiskars metalic pens. I chalked the background and used red stickles. Red satin ribbon, yellow red heart ribbon and lime green ribbon, heart charm and DP's are all from my stash."

There are plenty more details on our GDs blogs, why not hop over to share some luv with them!

Here are the Quirky Crafts Team examples:

Diane - has made it just in time!!!

Using Pussycat Luv, a heart easel cut using my Cameo and a whole bunch of rolled roses. not forgetting the obligatory ribbon bow and charm....a little pussycat.

Caro: I decided to alter a white chocolate bar for my husband who adores white chocolate! I used parchment patterned creamy paper and stamped a selection of hearts over it in fired brick. The very cute 'Bearly Luv' (coloured in promarkers) was cut out and mounted on top, and then I finished off with a making memories ribbon and a little heart charm attached to the ribbon with jump rings.

Cazzy: was cross with the computer, I took a better photo and it wouldn't download but Monday the computer decided to play nice so here it is! I used I Have a Crush On You, sentiment and image. I coloured the image with Promarkers and used various Spellbinder dies (see my blog for details). I used very fine ribbon with several charms.

Lyn here...a wee bit late, well a lot late! I'm home and in my crafty room so I just had time to make this card using It's Bearly Lov. I've 3D-ed the heart and added some tiny scraps of ribbon and hidden the join with the bow, plus some heart brads and a flower charm.

Please add a link to your blog post (not your blog) using thebiggest blue froggy at the top of the collection, the other one (at the bottom) doesn't do anything that we can tell, and please comment after you have linked.
Don't forget to mention Quirky and add a link back to here (please read the rules and if you realised you haven't followed the rules and won't be included in the top three, and you want your entry removed to try again - please email us using the link in the side bar).


Have Fun - The Quirky Crafts Challenge Design Team.

Winners of Challenge 3 - Make a Scene

Wow - this challenge really grabbed your imagination and we had some really good scenes as a result. The great quality made it harder than ever to pick the top three (we wish we could pick you all as you were all very good - so well done everyone), but without further ado here are our choices this time:


First place goes to Meggi for this stunning scene:

Well done Meggi - you can choose 3 digi images from Limited Runs as your prize, Please email me (Cazzy) using the link in the sidebar with your choice of images and I will arrange for you to be sent your prize.

Our second place winner who created a gorgeous scene with scenery stamps is Sheree T with this winter scene that reminds me of the weather in the U.K. during the week!

Well done Sheree - you can choose 3 images or sets from Squigglefly. Please email me with your choices and I will arrange for you to be sent your prize.

Our third place goes to Angela with a very cute and very detailed scene. 

All three of you are welcome to join us as Guest Designers in two weeks time, please email Cazzy using the link in the sidebar if you would like to join us. All three of you can help yourself to a winner's banner from the side bar and display it on your blog too.

Don't forget to check back later for our new challenge, which I am sure you are going to luv!


The Quirky Crafts Challenge Design Team.

Challenge 3 2012 - Make a Scene

Challenge 3 is a little bit different and we think a whole lot of fun. We want you to build a scene on your project. This means that you should start with a background picture and build it up with other items that are on the same theme to make a picture, and you can see what we mean if you look at the examples below.

We are pleased to introduce another new sponsor for this challenge and one of our regular sponsors.

The sponsors are:

Limited Runs who have lots of lovely images, as well as a monthly challenge. Hop on over to explore this very interesting site.

Limited Runs are offering our first place winner 3 digi images of their choice.

and our new sponsor Squigglefly who have so many images I didn't know where to begin! They also have challenges, freebies, and interesting links and this is another great site for those who love exploring.

Squigglefly are offering our second place winner 3 images (including sets) of their choice.

Now for some examples to get you thinking.

First of all our guest designers:

Andria used Limited Runs Mushroom House, with little birds and butterflies, and a cute die cut fence in front.

Mary (who made the top three two weeks running including first place with her lovely advent box in December) also used the Mushroom House from Limited Runds and the butterfly to make this lovely card on a multi textured and layered white background.

Angie used the Japanese Scene and elements from the Japanese Pack, available from Squigglefly, on her very peaceful card. Angie said "I've never done putting a scene together so it was different!".

and now for the Quirky Crafts Team:

Caro: I used the Limited Runs digital stamps (Tree 1, mushroom house, Mouse and big cupcake, Cuddles, Butterfly 3, dragonfly 1 and Little bird) to make this picture which is going on my sons wall. I didn't use any fancy art packages, just printed them all out and then cut them out to layer onto the background. They were all coloured in with promarkers and I used tapestry stamps for leaves on the tree. I finished the scene off with glitter glue on the wings of the dragonfly, the spots on the butterfly and the icing on the cupcake.

Diane: I decided to take the theme literally, and create a scene for a nursery wall. I used the Limited Runs Digital stamps in the Craft Artist program to create this scene. I printed extra images to decoupage the elements, especially the butterflies and the cat.

Cazzy: I used the Japanese scene and Japanese pack from Squigglefly and I managed to get the screen in there too. My little old lady is about to put up another lantern to celebrate. All the visitors have politely taken off their sandals and left them outside.

Lyn will be back with us very soon, we all send her our best.

Surprise! Hi guys, just had to have a go when I saw Nikki's (Limited Runs) Mushroom House (I love mushroom houses) Sorry I couldn't make a card, so this is completely digital!! I coloured the digi in PaintNet. Missing you all, hope to be back soon! ((Lyn))

Please add a link to your blog post (not your blog) using the biggest blue froggy at the top of the collection, the other one (at the bottom) doesn't do anything that we can tell, and please comment after you have linked.
Don't forget to mention Quirky and add a link back to here (please read the rules and if you realised you haven't followed the rules and won't be included in the top three, and you want your entry removed to try again - please email us using the link in the side bar).

The Quirky Crafts Challenge Design Team.

Winners of Challenge 2 - Silhoutte

Well we certainly saw some lovely silhouette's this week.  Thank you all for entering.  It was a tough choice for us as a design team to make, but the winner of the $10 voucher from Stitchy Bear stamps is...

Crafty Girl

Congratulations, this was simply stunning!  Please contact Cazzy via the email link on the side bar, and help yourself to a winner's banner to display on your blog. We would also like you to join us as a Guest Designer in an up and coming challenge.

The second place for this challenge was Cazro

and Susan was in third place.

These two cards are both beautiful! Please help yourself to a winner's banner and we would also like to invite you both to join us as Guest Designers.

Our next challenge will go live later today and we look forward to you joining us.
The Quirky Crafts Challenge Design Team.

Challenge 2 - 2012 - Silhouette

I loved all the food shown in the last challenge - it made me feel quite hungry! Thank you all so much for entering.  It is my (Caro's) turn to set the next challenge and I decided to choose SILHOUETTES.  At this time of year I often see the most amazing silhouettes of trees in the morning against the sunrise on my way to work, and I just love them, so I want to see what interesting silhouettes you come up with. Don't forget, we are not just a cardmaking challenge blog; you may incorporate your silhouette into any creation you wish.
For this challenge we are again joined by one of our regular sponsors 'Stitchy Bear Stamps' who are offering a generous $10 voucher for their store for the winner of the challenge.

As always, the winner and two runners up will be chosen by the Design Team and invited to join us as Guest Designers in a following challenge.

So without further ado here are some SILHOUETTE examples from the team, all made using Stitchy Bear digital stamps:

 Guest Designer Claire used Top Hat for a Lady for her stunning cameo easel card.

Diane
I chose to work with a digistamp called sewing....for obvious reasons...I changed the stamp colour to fit the colour scheme of my card, I wanted the sewing machine to pick up on the green in the floral backing paper and the leaves on the flowers. My flowers are made from a spellbinders roses die and embellished with pearl beads. I used ribbon, lace and buttons to echo the sewing theme...

Caro: My first card is a one layer card made with the Rose Fantasy silhouette stamp from our sponsors.  For this card I had to do some careful measuring and make the inked background first before putting the card through the printer.  Once that was done it was simply a matter of adding Holographic glitter glue to the wings for a clean and simple design.

Caro: My second card used the 'Off shore' silhouette stamp from our sponsors which again was printed onto a distress ink background.  I then layered the image onto various mats, added real shells (from Cleethorpes beach!), a shrink plastic shell and the ribbon for a masculine card.

Cazzy: I used Sewing and decided to make it into a repeating pattern for the background of this card which also features die cuts Tim Holtz Sizzix die and real stitching.

Sadly due to personal reasons Lyn was unable to join the team this time.

We look forward to seeing your creations.  Please remember our rules (in the side bar), we don't have many of them, but in order to be considered for a prize you must follow them. A lot of people are being disqualified because they enter their cards into more than 6 challenges including this one.
Please add a link to your blog post (not your blog) using thebiggest blue froggy at the top of the collection, the other one (at the bottom) doesn't do anything that we can tell, and please comment after you have linked.

 Don't forget to mention Quirky and add a link back to here (please read the rules and if you realised you haven't followed the rules and won't be included in the top three, and you want your entry removed to try again - please email us using the link in the side bar).


 Happy Crafting from: The Quirky CraftsChallenge Design Team.