Christmas Shadowbox Card

I am hooked on this shadowbox card fold and decided to use it to make a few of these Christmas cards.  I love the stamp and die set from Paper Sweeties, it is the Holly Days bundle (stamps and dies) but they no longer sell it I'm sad to say....but I know they have other sets that are just as sweet.

I used my Cuttlebug.  The opening was cut with Sizzix Scallop Circle Dies. The snowman and snowflakes are all from that Paper Sweeties Holly Days Bundle set.  I used colored pencils and glitter gel pens and then added some pretty gems.  I used Liquid Glass from Close To My Heart to give his "carrot" nose some shine and dimension.  The snowflake patterened cardstock is from an old Recollections pack I had got from Michaels a couple years ago.

To see my tutorial on how to make the shadowbox card just CLICK HERE (oops....that isn't suppose to be public until January 6th....oh well...LOL)

I can't forget the challenges!!!

613 Avenue Create - #204 AG/OPT Christmas/Winter

A Vintage Journey - Winter Wonderland

Die Cut Diva's - Winter Time

Craftyhazelnuts Christmas Challenge Extra - December
Craftyhazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - December
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies
Happy Little Stampers - Christmas Challenge
Paper Sweeties - #62 December
Cuttlebug Mania - It's Christmastime
Die Cuttin' Diva's - Challenge #348 Holiday

Thanks for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Masculine Montana Shaker Card

Masculine cards are something I struggle with.  It's not the making of them I have a problem with, it's coming up with an idea that I like.

I made this one for my brother-in-law, and like my husband, he is an outdoorsy country boy.  I love moose and knew he would too so this was pefect.  Since we actually have Winter where we live I decided to make it a snowy shaker card to go along with the snow that is in this pre-colored digital image from DeeDee's Digis (no longer in business sorry).  The front of the card was embossed with a woodgrain look and inked with "Gathered Twigs" Distress Ink.  I added a die cut tree to the front and some Stickles to represent snow.

I actually found some good Challenges too...

A Gem Of A Challenge - #208 Animals In The Snow

613 Avenue Create - #204 AG/OPT Christmas/Winter

A Vintage Journey - Winter Wonderland

Fussy & Fancy - #201 Blue & Brown/Beige Winter

Moving Along With The Times - #59 Christmas Animals

Pause Dream Enjoy Challenges #201 Winter Weather

Crafty Gals Corner - #151 Anything Goes

Die Cut Diva's - Winter Time

Crafty Cardmakers - #201 Animal Magic

Thanks for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

MEET THE NEW DT!!!

I am so happy to introduce

Crafter's Castle Challenges

Design Team!!!

When I did the design team call for Crafter's Castle Challenges that will be staring in January, I didn't know what to expect....but I got lucky with these ladies!

And now....LET'S MEET THE DESIGN TEAM!!!

Bev Code

I was new to online scrapping since Apr 2009. There were so many amazing sites that were my learning curve to this amazing world of scrapbooking. My name is Bev Code and I have been scrapping 8 years. I am a wife, mother and gramma that loves being retired and now have time to scrap to my heart's content. I love scrapbooking along with fun things it entails with online friends, forums and FB. The learning process has been interesting and creative also. Other crafts I love also are needlepoint, sewing, knitting, crochet and taking lots of photos.
Family and friends are the subjects of my scrapping along with nature, ancestry and vacation sites. I live in Kitchener, Ontario with my mom while we are building our new home in Listowel, Ontario for May occupancy. We are now in Canada for Christmas but fly back to Florida Jan 5th where I take my scrapping with me for the extended time. I am super excited to be here and am looking forward to sharing all aspects of scrapbooking and learning from everyone too. I love layouts for preserving memories for my whole family who all get the pages I create. Cards, mini albums, tags and any other projects are for fun to experiment with and learn new techniques as I go along. Crafting is fun and allows me to relax and enjoy some time just for me.

My Blog is :  http://beeceecreativity.blogspot.com/
pinterest: http://pinterest.com/beeceecode/
twitter:  https://twitter.com/BevCode  
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevcode/
My YouTube name is: beecee1000 and here is my link:
https://www.youtube.com/user/beecee1000/videos

Carolyn Akkerman Smith

My crafting started with. learning how to knit in night school classes when I was 19, and from there it was crocheting and sewing. About 2005 I went to my first stamping class and from than on I was hooked or addicted! I have learned so much about stamping and the tools that can be used for stamping projects. Scrapbooking, mini-albums, stamping, coloring for adults is what I go to to relieve stress.

Blog:  Grandma's Creative Blog

Instagram: Carolyn M Akkerman Smith

Pinterest:  Carolyn Smith

Twitter page: cmsmith60

Jana Melton

Hello crafty friends! So to tell you a bit about me, I am a born and raised Long Islander (Long Island, New York). I am married to a loving, wonderful and supportive husband of 15 years and we have three beautiful children: our two daughters ages 13 and 9 and our son who is 4. We also have 3 fur babies: Izzy our Pomeranian and Thor and Loki who are our two Shih-tzus. I became a stay at home mom after my son was born. My children definitely keep me busy and on my toes with school and all of their extra-curricular activities. When I am not busy running around after the kids, you can almost always find me in my Happy Place, My Craft Room!! I have enjoyed crafting since childhood. I love all crafts including cardmaking, scrapbooking, paper piecing, stamping, coloring, wreath making and planning, just to name a few. I will dive into and try any craft or craft tool at least once (and most of the time I become addicted, LOL). I have been on several different Design Teams since 2015 and love to share projects and ideas to inspire others!

Blog address: https://chbcreations.blogspot.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chbcreations

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/CHJBbyJana

YouTube channel: CHB Creations

  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcbOVqWDfWMNcRdbxUFFVKg/videos

Jeanie Ellis

A little bit about me....Well, first and foremost, I am a Christian. I love the Lord, who gave me a wonderful husband of soon-to-be 46 years, 2 children: Amy and Keith, and 3 grandchildren: Caleb-20, Isaac-almost 13, and Moriah-almost 12. When the doctors said I couldn't have children, I had 2! I have 1 furbaby, Mittens, and 2 grandfurbabies, Peaches a big loveable dog and Pumpkin, a kitty. My love of scrapbooking came about in 1997, when my daughter had her first child. I was a consultant for a few years, but then just about 3 or 4 years ago, I was introduced to papercrafting and became addicted! My craft room is my place to “get my craft on” and get lost in the world of crafting! I love doing mixed media, making tags and cards, stencils, texture paste, coloring, etc. I have been on a few design teams, plus on a few now, but a couple will end about the time this one starts.

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/1486Jeanie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookingmamaw/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jeanieellis/ 

Blog: Jeanie Ellis - Scrapbookingmamaw

Priya Satish

Helen Keller said, "The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." To me that is art!

A graduate in Chemistry, a passionate Bharathanatyam dancer, allured toward the alchemy of art for the past 15 years. I run my Dance School under the name Auromira Arts and have been training students for over a decade. Dance has taught me that any sense of direction to my future should come out of my own hands. This reflection contributed to engaging my wishes in sketching. I wanted my strokes to speak in this pursuit with a firm belief that Art breathes life into space. The blending of colours in creating works of art has always fascinated me. This curiosity and fascination led me to learn the art of painting. My exposure and training in the field of art and painting has instilled confidence in me to try out many things in life. I aim to spread positivity, happiness and encourage my viewers to believe in themselves. I am responsible, passionate about learning, work well in groups/teams and maintain a healthy environment, love to share my work and quintessentially experiment with new products and projects. I believe that Life isn't about finding yourself; Life is about creating yourself. Whatever work I do, I put my heart and soul into it. In most of my works, you can see a positive quote that encourages one to believe in oneself. Every element that I use in my works, I intend for them to stand out, to retain their beauty. I prefer to leave my works immaculate, possibly because of my traditional background. I leave my roots unearthed... that is, I try to retain the background as much as I can, in my works too (pun intended).

Blog Address: https://creativemotif.blogspot.in/

Instagram name: creativemotifs

https://www.instagram.com/creativemotifs/

YouTube: creative motifs  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZyS3BlDNOl0sZeh2Lm_dQ

And lastly...ME

Janie Rinta - Craft Princess, Blog Admin, & Team Coordinator

Hi everyone!  The most important thing about me is that I am a Christian.....and I am blessed with a wonderful loving family that consists of my amazing, loving, supportive husband, 5 fantastic children, and 3 fur babies.  So I guess all of that makes me the luckiest girl in the world. 

My craft interests are quite diverse.  Cardmaking, papercrafting, mixed media, altering things, upcycling.....the list could go on and on.  If you visit my YouTube channel, jjgz4ever, you will get an idea of what I do.

My creativity has given me the opportunity to be on some wonderful design teams....My Besties, Sunsational Stamps, Scrapbook Blessings Club (co-admin and sponsor coordinator), and Creating With Details, as well as being a Guest Designer on a few others such as MHK Designs.  And now I finally have my own desigin team for my Crafter's Castle Challenges!

YouTube: jjgz4ever https://www.youtube.com/user/jjgz4ever/videos?disable_polymer=1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bearmoosecreati/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janielacasella/

*NEW* Distress Ink Technique!!!

NEW Distress Ink Techniques!!! A few people said it wouldn't work....but I already did it...and now I made a video just to show YOU how! 

A great way to add texture or even create a scene!

Want to see how to get even MORE CREATIVE with your Distress Inks?  
CLICK HERE to watch my video!

Thanks for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

NEW CTMH CONSULTANT!!!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! 

I am now a Close To My Heart (CTMH) consultant!!! And I'm so excited I had to share it with all of you!!! I have a page on Facbook, Janie's CTMH Party Page, and also have a CTMH website where you can shop https://craftprincess.closetomyheart.com/ 

No matter where you live in the United States you can still have a catalog party or Facebook party, or just order and it will be sent right to you! 

Contact me with any questions....

I would love to hear from you!!!

Thanks for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!! 

Cold Porcelain Tutorial and Giveaway!!!

Hi everyone....let me show you how to make DIY EMBELLISHMENTS with 4 simple ingredients you probably already have!!! Perfect for Cardmaking, Mixed Media, Altering, and pretty much EVERY craft including making JEWELRY!
It's EASY!

My video includes a GIVEAWAY :)

This is just a sample of the beautiful embellishments and jewelry you can make with Cold Porcelain.  The possibilities are endless and it is VERY inexpensive!!!  

Here is a list of the 4 ingredients ...

White glue (like Elmer's)

Corns Starch

Baby oil

Lemon juice

Directions on mixing and using are in my video.  I'm also having a giveaway and directions for entering are also in the video so don't miss out!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH!!!

Thanks for watching and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

MHK Designs October Release - Day 2 - Funky Fall Foliage

MHK Designs is having their October Release Party 

and today this is the image set being released

And this is the card I made using it

It is just a sweet simple card.  I colored the image with Ohuhu colored pencils, and chalked the background with Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks.  I added sequins to the rays of sunshine, and I LOVE butterflies so I had to add the die cut butterfly and inked the edges and added a gem....I think it really went will with the whole scene.  It's probably the closest I will get to a CAS card.

Scroll down for details on MHK Designs Release Party and GIVEAWAY!!!
But first...CHALLENGES!!!
Crafting With An Attitude - Challenge #32
Cute Card Thursday - #498 Anything Goes
Crafting By Design - October Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft - #53 Anything Goes
The Crafter's Cafe - #182 Die Cuts or Punches
Crafty Girls Creations - #40 Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes With Dies
Through The CraftRoom Door - Anything Goes
and be sure to check out
MHK Designs - October Challenge
This is DAY 2 of MHK Designs October Release Party !

To see all the wonderful creations the Design Team has created you can start at MHK Designs Blog where you will find links to everyone's blogs.  Also, below are details on how you can WIN one OR all of August's new release sets!!!

GIVEAWAY!

In order to get this new set OR the entire release for FREE, here's what you'll need to do:

1. Leave a comment on the MHK Designs Blog. 
2. Leave a comment on each DT member's blog (see list on MHK Designs Blog). 
3. Join our MHKDesigners & Friends Facebook group and leave a comment there.

Mynn will randomly choose the winning comments from all these places after the release is over. The best way to win is to comment every day.

Thanks for stopping by and...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!

MHK Designs October Release - Day 1 - Celestial Elements

MHK Designs is having their October Release Party 
and today this is the image set being released

I love this set and just had to make this card for my hubby!

First I printed the moon and sentiment on white cardstock.  Then I did some experimenting.  I haven't done masking before, but I decided to mask the moon and create a nighttime sky background around it....which was also an experiment.  I created the background with Distress Inks....Milled Lavender, Shaded Lilac, Faded Jeans, and Chipped Sapphire.  I started with the lighter colors first and then darker the further out I got....I just dabbed around with the ink on a blending tool.  Then I flicked some Twinkling H2O Blue Pearl watercolors on it...then decided it needed something else so I tapped some white gelly roll pen and a glitter gel pen around to help create some stars.  Then I removed the moon mask and colored the moon with Perfect Pearls gold and outlined it with a glitter gel pen.  I just happened to have a star charm that I thought would be perfect so I attached it with a heart brad.  And finally, I matted it onto a piece of dark blue cardstock and adhered it to the front of the card.
Here is a close up...

Scroll down for details on MHK Designs Release Party and GIVEAWAY!!!

But first...challenges!!!
Addicted To Stamps and More - #262 Make Your Mark
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Challenge 1740
Simon Says Monday Challenge - A Walk on the Dark Side
Hiding In My Craft Room - #320 Freestyle
Through The Purple Haze - #135 Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft - #53 Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Creations - #40 Anything Goes
and 
MHK Designs - October Challenge

This is DAY 1 of MHK Designs October Release Party !

To see all the wonderful creations the Design Team has created you can start at MHK Designs Blog where you will find links to everyone's blogs.  Also, below are details on how you can WIN one OR all of August's new release sets!!!

GIVEAWAY!

In order to get this new set OR the entire release for FREE, here's what you'll need to do:

1. Leave a comment on the MHK Designs Blog. 
2. Leave a comment on each DT member's blog (see list on MHK Designs Blog). 
3. Join our MHKDesigners & Friends Facebook group and leave a comment there.

Mynn will randomly choose the winning comments from all these places after the release is over. The best way to win is to comment every day.

Thanks for stopping by and...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!

Special Announcement & DT Call

Welcome to Crafter's Castle first DT Call!!!

First the announcement!  Starting in Jaunary 2018 Crafter's Castle will be having monthly challenges!  

The challenges will start on the first Saturday of each month and will be open for 4 weeks.  

Each challenge will have sponsored prizes.

Most of the challenges will be card fold and/or technique themed so you can hone your skills.  Some challenges will be "Anything Goes Using Your Favorite Technique"

Ok....let's move on the Design Team Call.
I'm looking for cardmakers, scrapbookers, papercrafters, mixed media artists, and more!

I'm looking for 4 creative crafters to join my friendly team....or should I say "creative family".  Here is what I need from you and what you will get from being on the team.

Requirements:

You must live in the United States (Sorry, this requirement has to do with sponsors that can't ship out of the country).  HOWEVER....if you are international and would be interested in being a Guest Designer OR the possibility of just participating in the months we have digital products...please apply and let me know where you are from and that you are interested in one of those options.

You must 18 years old or older.

You will be committing to a 6 month term, beginning January 2018.

You must have an active YouTube channel AND active blog.  (If you don't have both but still want to try out for the team please contact me).

You will be making 2 projects a month showcasing the sponsors products.  At least one of them needs to be featured in a YouTube video.  Both need to be on your blog.  And all need to be posted in social media as listed below.  Depending on the theme of the month it could be cards or any craft that fits the theme (including mixed media, scrapbooking, 3D projects, etc).

You must be willing and able to post your projects on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and other social medias.  Entering other challenges with your projects is encouraged.

We will be taking turns commenting on challenge entries.

You need to be able to take quality pictures of your projects.

Facebook is a must as that is how our team will be communicating with each other and all team info will be posted there as well.  We will have a private team group.

You MUST be responsible, on-time, conscientious, a team player, and a communicator.  No drama.  I want us to be a happy team that works well together and is supportive of each other.  I want our sponsors to be proud us and love what we do.

What's in it for you:

You will receive products from our sponsors.  Some will be digital products and some will be physical products...it just depends on who the sponsor is.

You will be working with a variety of sponsors and their products....not just one company....variety is a good thing.

I will teach you how to promote your YouTube channel and blog so not only will our sponsors get more exposure but YOUR YouTube channel and blog will get more exposure!

You will get exposure on Crafter's Castle blog and on team members Crafter's Castle blog posts.

You will have a crafty family support group.

This DT Call is open Oct. 1 - 31

If all goes as planned, the team will be notified by Nov. 15.

Anyone interested in trying out for the team please send the following information to me, Janie, at 

4crafterscastleATgmailDOTcom

(replace the capitalized words with the correct symbols)

Put DT CALL in the subject line.

Send:

Links to your blog and YouTube channel

Links to your Pinterest, Instagram, and other social medias

Link to your Facebook

3-5 pictures of your projects that best represent you

A short bio so I can get to know you and your crafting history

Previous and current design team experience

Tell me why you want to be on the team, what you have to offer the team, and what you hope to get from the team.

Thank you for your interest in joining Crafter's Castle Challenge DT.  
I look forward to hearing from you :)

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!