At least I can say that I've tried

Here's one of my favourite Christmas cards I've ever made.  I love it's simplicity & clean lines, honestly it's a card that totally makes me happy!

I've used a James Bear pre-coloured image from LOTV, my swiss dots embossing folder & the little mittens came from who knows where....I have the vaguest of feelings that it could possibly have been Lakeland.

He's my card for the Sweet Stampin' Christmas challenge this month.  We had a phenomenal start to the challenge in January, plenty of organised people around so come & join us in February.  We're always Anything Goes (Christmas themed of course).

Playing along with some challenges:

A Snowflakes Promise - Anything Goes

Christmas with the Cuties #2 - Christmas Carols & Songs (definitely a 'White Christmas' here, love that song!)

Merry Monday - Clean and Simple

Thanks for popping by, have a great day,

The Genius (Occasionally!) xx

Game Time

I almost started crafting last night at 1am, it was another poor sleeping night.  Strangely though I don't feel tired today.  Maybe it will catch up with me later but for now, I am a whirlwind!  So here's another card for my tally, I am a wee bit behind schedule.  I recently sorted out all of my clear stamps and found a *few* lotv stamps that have never been inked.  I teamed this one with some SU paper and this lovely sketch and hey presto!

Inspired by these lovely challenges:

I love Promarkers - Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon - They say it's your Birthday
Simon says Stamp - Anything Goes
Sketch Saturday - Sketch

The Male Room - Babies or Little Ones

Thanks so much for sropping by,

The Genius (Occasionally!) xx

CASS - Cute Christmas

Just dropping by to let you know we have a new challenge at Christmas at Sweet Stampin'.  Now's as good a time as any to start getting organised with those Christmas cards so dig out your CUTE images & join us.  I used an LOTV image paired with some Tim Holtz papers.  If i'm not careful, it will be Christmas before I blog again lol!

I was inspired by the great sketch at Aud Sentiments & a few other challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Sketch TOP 3 WIN!
Brown Sugar - Layers
Ooh la la Creations - Use a pre coloured image
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland - Oh Christmas Tree

Thanks for popping by,

The Genius (Occasionally!) xx

Top 12 of 2014

Well that title is a bit misleading!  The lovely Wendy is challenging us to display our top 12 creations of the year.....Considering I haven't blogged more than about 25 cards this year, I couldn't find 12 that I really felt were favourites.  So I've gone for 5.  If you're a better blogger than me, you can join in with 12, there's blog candy on offer too.

March - I love the softness of this gorgeous LOTV fairy, love the fact that I used that very dimensional word i've had for over 5 years (it came from Lakeland & we know how long it's been since they did craft stuff right?!) and I love the fact that my wee cherub coloured it in for me.  She enjoys colouring but prefers me to turn them in to cards.

July - A special request this one, using the Stampin' Up truck.  I love that it's got layers but it's still clean & neat

October - made this for a very wonderful friend's birthday using a Penny Black lady.  My friend has dabbled in making cards herself & truly appreciates them.  In fact she still has this on display 3 months later....

November - I almost couldn't give this one away!  Another LOTV, I just love it.  I was reasonably happy with my colouring, attempted a bit of texture on the fur which looked ok but I just love the whole feel of it, it makes me smile you know?

December - Another one I made for a friend & I am not totally sure of the stamp origin so please let me know if you know.  I love the softness, I felt it suited the image and again it's one where I was reasonably pleased with my colouring.  It also went to a friend who makes cards herself so I know it is another that is truly appreciated & cherished. ETA - Thanks Wendy for letting me know it's LOTV but an older one.

So there we have it, my top 12 5 cards of 2014.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing them.  I'm also linking up albeit late in the day to Debby's Favourite Five of 2014.

See ya soon xx

Sweet Stampin's Birthday

Yep, over at Sweet Stampin' we are celebrating our 5th birthday!  We'd love to have you join in too, all you need do is make a birthday card with stamping on.

I used the adorable Little Lorry Bear from LOTV which is being retired on November 30th so if he takes your fancy, grab him quick!  

I teamed him with some Stampin' Up papers that are perfect for boys cards...bright & bold, an lotv sentiment circle & that fab tag that was just made for this card and I was pretty pleased with the end result!

We're sponsored by Crafty Devils, Marianne Designs & Wild Orchid this week.  Hope to see you playing along with us.  I'd love to enter in the following fabulous challenges too please:

A Crafty Mess #1 - Anything Goes

Brown Sugar #121 - Use two or more colours

Craft for the Craic #10 - Birthday

Crafting for all seasons #90 - Birthdays

Crafts 4 Eternity #203 - Furry Friends

Fab n Funky - Birthdays.  These ladies are also celebrating their 5th birthday, Congratulations!! Random Win!

Southern Girls - Let's hear it for the Boys

Looking forward to seeing what you all make to celebrate with us :-)

Thanks for stopping by.  I will do some comment visiting soon, I'm super busy preparing for a Christmas Fair at the mo xx