An itsy-bitsy candy alert

This post will stay on top until the 30th of November, so please scroll down to see what I've been up to. Thanks!

Well my dear friends, the time has finally come for sugar & spice, and everything nice at Chupa's blog :)
I've been watching the number of my followers rising, with great thankfulness and joy, and now that it's nearly at 300... wowza!! I'm gobsmacked...I can't tell you how much it means to me, that you're finding inspiration in what I do!
Also, as the time of giving thanks & being jolly is coming, I thought that I'd do a little giveaway, in a gesture of appreciation to all of you wonderful people.
It happens that I've got a couple of stamps that need a caring owner... ;)

These cuties from PaperWorks Co & We R Memory Keepers:



these two Hero Arts & Inkadinkado stamp sets,

beautiful Prima mini clear stamps,

the woodblock grass stamp by Impress...

A couple of Kaszazz cling rubber stamps, including this two-step butterfly, and a Frangipani... (there's also a lovely folk quilt stamp, but I couldn't find a photo of it on the web)

In addition to this, what about the Cuttlebug Embossing/Die Set,

... heaps of yummy ribbon, and as many other bits & pieces as I can find in the meantime :)

What do you need to do to get these for a Christmas present?
Please leave me a comment under this post, telling me why you paper craft, or what you love most about it. Do you send/give out your creations, or are you a hoarder? Or, is there anything that you'd like to see on my blog next year?

I will keep this opened until the end of the month, and I'll draw a random winner shortly afterwards.
Let it be a meaningful comment, please... Forcing anyone into following my blog is against my ethics, therefore the offer is open to anyone. Keep in mind though, that if I draw a person who seems to be only interested in the giveaway ( I call them "candy hunters" :)), I will do another drawing.
Comment away! {MWAH}

Two

Good evening and happy mid-week to you :)
As I'm writing this, the first day of December is slowly creeping in, and I'm SO not ready! I've been thinking that Christmas will be extra special this year, since it's the first time that my little munchkin will be able to thoroughly enjoy it. Yet I can't get rid of this thought, that having Holidays in the middle of the hot Australian summer is just not right... I just can't get used to it! Goodness knows I'd give a lot to have snowfall...
Anyhoo, here's my installment for you, I hope you'll like it!

Supplies: cardstock: Stampin' Up! (River Rock), Canson; stamps: Hero Arts (sentiment), Kaisercraft (tree), Grace Taylor (script), Annabelle Stamps (Backgrounds By Design 1 - polka dots); ink: Versa Color (Khaki), Versa Magic (Spanish Olive); Papertrey Ink (Tea Dye Duo); die-cut flower: EZCut; metallic brad

It surprisingly meets the requirements of quite a few current challenges: All Occasion Challenge in the Moxie Fab World, CC299 Red Old Rock; CAS95 - Flower Accents, C4C65 - use script paper/ef, and WMSC25 - sketch:

The other card humbly serves only one challenge - a current SFYTT sketch :)
Can you see that I utilized the same die-cut flower, but in the larger size? I thought that it would make a nice poinsettia.
This is the first time that I used my own Nestabilities. That's right, Chupa finally broke out her pocket money and got some... hooray!!

Supplies: cardstock: Grant; paper: Echo Park Paper (Wintertime); stamps: Penny Black, Annabelle Stamps (Holly Branch - a part of a sentiment only); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Celadon); Copic markers; die-cut flower: EZCut; Nestabilities Circles, Scalloped Circles; letter stickers: American Crafts; glitter: Ice Stickles; paper holly leaves: Annabelle Stamps; chipboard snowflake: Maya Road

Here's the sketch:

I guess it's time for me to go get some night's sleep, so I'll leave you to it. Thanks for coming! xxx

A card and some tags

Hello, friendlies! (yes, it is a word now)
I hope you're enjoying your week so far. I'm not too bad, just lacking time as always... and I think I know what to blame *wink*
I made some things, as you might suspect.

First is a card for Curtain Call 58. When I first saw these colours, I thought "oh my, now that's a toughie..." Then I clicked to see what the fab DT girls were up to, I came across Jean's sample, and I could not for the life of me resist CASE'ing the look. If that girl doesn't kick ass, then seriously, I don't know what does :)

Supplies: cardstock: recycled Kraft, Stampin' Up! (Concord Crush (?)), Grant, Papertrey Ink (Rustic Cream); stamps: Annabelle stamps (Backgrounds By Design 1), Grant, Penny Black; label: Pink Paislee); ink: Versafine (Onyx Black), Fabrico (Wisteria); suede ribbon: Stampin' Up!; organza ribbon available here; lace trim; butterfly punch: Cristina Re; rhinestones: Bella!

Apart from the colours, I used Card Patterns sketch 92, and the ribbon makes the card eligible for WMC33 - Bowtiful Ribbon :)

I also made some cute tags, with my recently won Penny Black stamps... fun fun FUN!!
I paper pieced the snowmen's scarves & hats, and highlighted them with Copics for a more dimensional look.

Supplies: cardstock: recycled Kraft, Papertrey Ink (Rustic Cream); paper: Cosmo Cricket (Mitten Weather); stamps: Penny Black; ink: Versafine (Onyx Black); Copic markers; cotton twine

I love the rustic feel they've got, backed with kraft paper. I think I'm going to wrap our presents this year with kraft wrapping paper, and add some matching ribbon & accents to compliment the tags. It's going to look dee-licious :)
This project goes to OCC's Tag, You're It!, TSTR38 - Get In Shape, and TPE89 - Blue, Green & Red.
Thank you for visiting & have a lovely, crafty time! xxx

TSG83 - Cards For Kids

Hello, lovelies! Tonight I'm having a quick post for you...
This week’s challenge is brought to us by our wonderful Trendie, Christine! She has challenged us to create a card for a child/kidlet/young person/etc ;). This can be anything from birthday cards to something to slip into their lunchbox before they head off to school. Use your imagination and have fun!

Supplies: cardstock: pre-scored card, rustic brown card, Papertrey Ink (Rustic White); paper: Basic Grey (Pyrus); stamps: There She Goes (Cattitude); ink: Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap, Pumice Stone); watercolour pencils: Belgrave; blender pen; sewing machine; button; string; crocheted flower

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card for a child then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the Mr. Linky that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (Dec. 6). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

Here's the FTL118 sketch that I decided to use:

Thank you for peeking in, have a lovely day/good night! xxx

Two cards, and some ramble

Duh! I know that I'm making appearance sooner than you (and I) expected, I didn't actually mean to get crafty again tonight, but it... just happened *wink*
Please be honest with me - do any of you feel consider it tiring or overwhelming, that I post so much? I've been wondering about it lately, especially that I lost a few followers in the last weeks - perhaps they just couldn't take it any more... lol
I really don't know... just a thought.
I don't hide it that I'm a bit, let's say, addicted :P I love what I'm doing and I love sharing it with you, but most of all, I hope that this blog gives you inspiration. Let me know if you think that I'm going overboard, and I'll do my best to restrain myself... I wouldn't want to lose any of my much cherished followers in result of anything this silly :)

But! On to the new stuff... first up is this MFT card. I thought that these holly leaves would look great as a tree canopy, but then I added some buttons on top of them (which I thought would balance the design), and now it totally looks like a supersized Holly branch, doesn't it?? Not exactly what I had in mind, but hey, it looks cute... ;)

Supplies: cardstock: pre-scored card (Envelope Solutions), Stampin' Up! (Old Olive, So Saffron); paper: Jenni Bowlin, October Afternoon, digital; stamps: My Favorite Things, Papertrey Ink; ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Green Tea), Papertrey Ink (Tea Dye Duo); Copic markers; border punch: Fiskars; string available here; paper holly leaves available here; buttons; Cuttlebug embossing folder

The challenges for it are SC308 (sketch), CTD120 (colours) & MFT Wednesday Stamp Club (theme).

Here's also a CAS card with a similar colour palette:

Supplies: cardstock: white card, Stampin' Up! (Rich Razzleberry); stamps: There She Goes (Dance, Dream A New Dream); ink: ColorBox (Dark Peony), Versa Magic (Spanish Olive); watercolour pencils: Belgrave; blender pen; wrinkled ribbon available here; gems; QuicKutz embossing folder (Polka Dots)

This one's made for FS199, and I CASE'd this beautiful card by Kris. I'm glad that her colour choice corresponded perfectly with the colours of Inkspirations Colour Challenge #50 - I only replaced Pear Pizzazz with Olive (note to myself - I really must get more shades of green ink!)

Ta-dah! That's all for tonight. I will now make friends with bed, if you don't mind :) Have a wonderful crafty time, hugs!

Gift card holder

Hello lovelies, I hope you're having a nice weekend!
Here's my share for you today, something that I tried for the first time, and thoroughly enjoy making - a gift card holder. I found this nice & informative tutorial here, and wanted to give it a try, especially that it's the theme of the current challenge at Caardvarks.

Supplies: cardstock: Stampin' Up! (Soft Suede), cream; paper: October Afternoon; stamps: There She Goes (Just For You); ink: Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap), Versa Color (Pinecone), ColorBox (Brick); Copic marker; Glossy Accents (on the gingerbread man); sewing machine; grosgrain ribbon

I followed the JAI45 sketch, and the color inspiration from JayGee's Nook Challenge #2:

I hope you like it :) Have a lovely rest of the weekend, take care and thank you for stopping by! xxx

Sweet Stop...

Hello, lovelies! I'm popping in to share with you the new Sweet Stop sketch and my card. This is another one from the Penny Black series that is surely to continue... I just can't put these stamps away :) Perhaps I'm not being too humble here, but I'm pretty sure you'll like it as much as I do... :)

Supplies: cardstock: Stampin' Up! (Cajun Craze), DCWV; paper: My Mind's Eye, Lily Bee Design; stamps: Penny Black, Flourishes; ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Sky Blue, Celadon); Copic markers; watercolour pencils: Belgrave; blender pen; ; black pen; Prima flowers; button; string: Papertrey Ink; Liquid Pearls (Pewter)

The banner is NOT a stamp, I drew it to suit my idea. I like banners like these very much, but haven't yet come across a relevant stamp. Does any of you know if someone offers anything similar?

Here's this week's sketch (SSS84):

I used the colours of CD86 - Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Cajun Craze & Pumpkin Pie. They look better together that I thought at first! :)
Also entering the card into F4A40 - Just Desserts.
Right-o! I'm going to leave you to it & enjoy the weekend, and I hope you'll do just the same :) Thank you for coming!

New Penny Black

As I wrote earlier today, I've been planning to ink up some of my new PB stamps, and I'm happy to say that so I did :) It's true that it caused another late night though, but it was worth it!
Do you want to see the results??

Supplies: cardstock; American Crafts; paper: American Crafts, Basic Grey; stamps: Penny Black, Technique Tuesday; ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Celadon); Copic markers; watercolour pencils: Belgrave; blender pen; lace trim; grosgrain ribbon; edge distresser; buttons; string

I made this one on the basis of VLVNov2010 Week 4 sketch, also entering it into CCEE1047, which is to use lace.

Here's another one... I'm in love with these little penguins!

Supplies: paper: Echo Park Paper (Wintertime); stamps: Penny Black; ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Sky Gray); watercolour pencils: Belgrave; blender pen; burlap & wrinkled ribbon available here; button; string: Papertrey Ink; silver pearls (Metallics) available here; glitter: Stickles (Diamond); brown pen

The sketch is FTTC94, and the colours - PDCC57. The card also fits ssnotime167, which is to use black.

Ok, got to go & get some sleep now :) Thank you for stopping by, have a lovely day! xxx

Stampin' away

Oh how I love happy mail :) I received some adorable Penny Black stamps today, some of which I won in the Caardvarks challenge, and some purchased. My mojo has been challenged lately, but after seeing these I think it revived... And so, I've got two cards for you, but only one uses PB stamps - I'm planning to play with my babies some more later today :)
The other one is using my all-time favourite stamps from There She Goes. Have I told you lately how I LOVE being a Trendsetter?? :)

Supplies: cardstock: Papertrey Ink (Rustic White), textured paper; paper: Cosmo Cricket; stamps: Grace Taylor (music sheet), Penny Black (gingerbread man, sentiment); ink: Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap, Pumice Stone), Versa Color (Umber), Versafine (Onyx Black); Copic marker (E43); white paint; glitter: Reeves; May Arts ruffled ribbon; gingham ribbon; sewing machine; border punch: EK Success; button; string: Papertrey Ink

I stamped the gingerbread man on the textured cardstock, so that it gives more of a real look. I painted the 'icing' with white acrylic paint & applied glitter over it. I also did some shading with a Copic marker. Isn't he adorable?? :)

The sketch is Laura's 66 from 2S4Y (turned on the side), and the colours are taken from Embellish Holidays Color Challenge.

The card also fits the Tuesday Trigger: It's Snowing Gingerbread!

...and here's the TSG card. The stamp set is called Poppies, but I also stamped the little flower ornaments on the sides of the sentiment, from You're A Hoot! set.

Supplies: cardstock: American Crafts, recycled kraft; stamps: There She Goes (Poppies, You're A Hoot!); ink: Versafine (Onyx Black), Versa Color (Bark); Copic markers; QuicKutz embossing folder ( Diamonds & Dots); lace trim; sewing machine; edge distresser; brads

The sketch is Mercy's MTSC101, and the colours CC298 - Chocolate Cherry Crumb Cake (mmmmm....!)

I hope you like them :) Thank you for coming, I hope you'll have a fabulous crafty time today! xxx