The challenge at Penny Black and More for the month of June is Clean and simple. When I saw the theme for  my DT piece my heart sank. My crafting buddies make fabulous CAS cards but they are not my thing and I am just not good at making them. I did use a two lovely PB stamps.The floral stamp is called "star inspired" and the sentiment is from a set called "gratitude".  I made the embossed background using my scor-pal. I stamped my  image twice so I could use the centre of one image to build up the flower. I used a blue Promarker to colour parts of the flower to match my ribbon and pearls. There you have it.
Pop over to see the teams beautiful CAS cards and check out the rules for the new challenge. As usual there are several craft prizes up for grabs from our generous sponsors  Penny Black, Crimson Cloud, Stamp Addicts and All that scraps.

I have entered my card into the challenges listed below.
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/ Anything goes/ Ends 3rd June
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/Ends 4th June
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 4th June
http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/ Anything goes/ Ends 6th June
http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything+ribbon/ Ends 5th June
http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.co.uk/ CAS/ Congrats./ Ends 5th June
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 6th June
http://cardmakinmamas.blogspot.co.uk/ Use rubber stamp/ Ends 6th June
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.co.uk/ Monochromatic/ Ends 6th June
http://therubberbuggychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 12th June
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 4th June
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com.au/ O for Open/ Ends 13th June
http://papercreatorscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 7th June.
http://hobbyhousechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 27th June.
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 7th June

How time flies.This is a mid month reminder for the Penny Black and More " Sew special" challenge. All you need is some stitching somewhere on your card. It  can be hand, machine, or drawn stitching like I have on my card. There is still plenty of time for you to enter and there are several prizes up for grabs.  If you are looking for inspiration, the design team have made some beautiful cards. Make sure you check out all the rules before you enter and remember NO DIGIS allowed.
As you all know I love bright and cheerful colours so I used  bright and fresh blue spotted paper and spring green card,  flowers and pearls. I die cut a scalloped oval, swirls for leaves and gorgeous butterfly die cuts too. My Penny Black image was coloured with Promarkers. I like my fun card and it will be winging it's way to a Birthday girl.
I have also entered my card into the following challenges:-
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/          Anything goes/Ends 25th May
http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/        Celebrations/Ends 25th May
http://songbirdchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/                  Flowers/ Ends 24th May
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.uk/                   Flowers/ Ends 20th May
http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/                Anything goes/ Ends 20th May
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Lucky dip/die cuts,flowers,pearls/ Ends 20th May
http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ doodleicious/ faux stitching/Ends 20th
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk/ 1or more flower/Ends 19th May
http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything /Ends 31st May
http://www.myshericrafts.blogspot.co.uk/       Flower power/ Ends 24th May
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes/ Ends 23rd May
http://scrappyfrogschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/    Anything goes/ Ends 2nd June
http://sandyscraftycreations.blogspot.ca/   Flowers(at least 3) Ends 30th May
http://funwithshapesandmore.blogspot.co.uk/ Love is in the air/ends 22nd May
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Fav.embellish.(flowers)End 22nd
http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/         Use die cutes/ Ends 28th May
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 3 or more embellishments/ Ends 29th May
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/      Happy birthday/ Ends 21st May
http://natalieandamy.blogspot.co.uk/         Things with wings/ Ends 29th May
http://cceestampers.blogspot.co.uk/  Let it all hang out or over/ Ends 27th May
http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.co.uk/             Anything goes/ Ends 23rd May
http://bythecuteandgirly.blogspot.co.uk/                   Flowers/ Ends 31st May
http://www.onecrazystampercom.blogspot.ca/         Flowers/ Ends 30th May
http://scrapalongutfordringsblogg.blogspot.no/  Dies/punches/ Ends 28th May
http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.no/   O's & X's (flowers, stamps, stitching) Ends 31st May
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/dlart-thankful-thursday-challenge-109.html Flowers/ Ends May 31st.
http://asimplefive.blogspot.co.uk/                 Anything goes/ Ends 23rd May
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 3-2-1 (3 flowers/2 Butterflies/1 image) Ends 22nd May
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/               Card for a child/Ends 23rd May
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes/  Ends 23rd May
http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.co.uk/      Anything goes/  Ends 28th May
http://craftingmusketeers.blogspot.co.uk/       Anything goes/  Ends 29th May
http://therubberbuggychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/Ends 12th June
http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/   Anything goes/ Ends 23rd May

The May challenge at Penny Black and More is to make a card or gift for someone special to you and the option of adding real or faux stitching. As usual there are several craft prizes up for grabs from sponsors Penny Black, Crafts U Love  and Flonz. If you need inspiration pop over and take a look at what the  DT have made, check out the rules and enter your card or project.

I used a lovely floral design paper for my background from First Edition called "Isabelle" and a PB image called "heart garland". I used a Promarker with a fine nib to make my faux stitching. I made a large flower by layering up several different sized and shaped flowers. I used a border punch to edge the backing for my sentiment and a larger piece as an embellishment with added brads. I also used a strip of lace roses and a butterfly I stamped (by Flonz stamps).
I have entered my card into the challenges listed below.

http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/ Bling it up/ ends 12th May
http://twistedtuesdaychallenges.blogspot.ca/ Free for all/ ends 12th May
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ ends 10th May
http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ ends 28th May
http://sandyscraftycreations.blogspot.ca/ Anything goes + flowers/ ends 30th May
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Floral frenzy/ ends 7th May
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Animals/ ends 7th May
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.uk/ Lots of flowers/ ends 3rd June
http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.co.uk/ Furry friends/ ends 13th May
http://ready-teddy-gochallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Spring has sprung/ ends 31st May
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.co.uk/ Spring has sprung/ ends 9th May
http://rheddandrosies.blogspot.co.uk/ Real or faux stitching/ ends 7th May
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.uk/ Come fly with me/ ends 8th May
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Use stitching/ ends 8th May
http://natalieandamy.blogspot.co.uk/ Things with wings/ ends 29th May
http://livelaughstamp.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/wordplaysaturday ends 10th
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ Use a shaped card/ ends 9th May
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ ends 16th May
http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/ Use brads/ ends 14th May
http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Bingo Bash/(punch/sentiment/flowers) ends 9th May
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/ Love/Wed/Anniv. ends 7th May

Have you ever started a small project thinking it will take couple of hours or so to make. Well I did just that but it ended up being a couple of days.Take a look at the next couple of pictures and I will explain why.

I thought it would be a good idea to cover a polystyrene heart with little buds made from circles of  pretty paper. BIG MISTAKE. One of my favourite colour combos at the moment is pink and white so I used Craftwork Cards paper from the "Moorish" collection. It took ages to cut out the circles freehand and scrunching them took time too. I mixed some PVA glue with a little water, brushed a thin coat on the heart and each scrunched circle as I went round. The amount you see here I had to do 10 fold plus all those that fell off had to be stuck on again.  I kind of scrunched them and added more glue as I went along to try and keep them stuck down but as fast as I put one on, another one stuck to my finger or fell off. My fingers were thick with glue and I was fed after a short while. I got nearly a quarter done and decided to leave it until the next day.

I had not put much thought to the gluing but when I checked the heart the next morning ( picture above) I realised that my lovely soft  buds had stretched out with using to much glue and were looking more like flatish, rock hard, pancakes. I was so disappointed. I tried pulling some off but a chunk of the polystyrene came off with them. I had no other option but to glue them back into place and carry on.
As this is a gift for a friend I had to cover the inside and the back of the heart which took another couple of hours. When  the last buds went on I vowed never again to make scrunched buds.
I waited another day for the whole thing to be rock hard. I decorated it with ribbon, plain and sparkly flowers, crystal gems, die cuts, sentiments and plain and silver Candi.

I guess my friend will never know how much went into making this little heart. I hope she likes it.
I have entered it into the challenges listed below.
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Fav. colour combo ( Pink shades and white) ends 5th May
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/ Bling it up/ Ends 12th May
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes/ Ends 6th May
http://twistedtuesdaychallenges.blogspot.ca/  Free for all/ Ends 12th May
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk/ Free for all/ Ends 5th  May
http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ One for the girls/ Ends 13th May
http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything + ribbon/ Ends 8th May
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.co.uk/ Sparkle, bling and ribbon/ Ends 12th May
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 10th May
http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything/ Ends 28th May
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Just because/Ends 8th M
http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 6th May
http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Mother/Female. Ends 31st May
http://memascrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/may-challenge.html Ends 31st May
http://sandyscraftycreations.blogspot.ca/ Anything goes + flowers/Ends 30th May
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Punches/dies/Ends 5th May
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 4th May.
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 6th May
http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/ Anything goes/ Ends 6th May
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Lots of pink/ Ends 5th May

How time flies. It is halfway reminder time for the Penny Black and More April challenge " Blossoms and Bows". Enter your card / project for your chance to win some fabulous craft prizes. Up for grabs this month are prizes from Penny Black, Crafty Ribbons and Classy Crafts. Pop over to the PB blog here to get all the details.

I made this quick and simple card using a gorgeous Penny Black Stamped image called  Flying stars. I felt the image needed no colouring so I popped it on top of a die cut and just added a few Petaloo flowers. I added pearls around the edges as I felt it needed a "little something" to bling it up a bit. I finished it off with some beautiful organza striped ribbon.  There you have it, a simple black and white card that I will use as a Get Well or Thank You card.
I have entered it into a few challenges l isted below.

http://lexiscreations.blogspot.co.uk/ Use lace and/or ribbon. Ends 26th April
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 20th April
http://desertislandcraftschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/Use 3 items from list. I used 2, 9 and10/ Ends 29th April
http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/ Anything goes/ Ends 22nd April
http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.co.uk/ Flower power/Ends 22nd April
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/ Use one Paper only/ Ends 20th April
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Bling it up/Ends 23rd April
http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Flowers/ Ends 30th April
http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.co.uk/ Round and round/ (PEARLS) Ends 1st May
http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/ Anything goes linky/ Ends 23rd April
http://rheddandrosies.blogspot.co.uk/ Monochrome/ Ends 23rd April
http://natalieandamy.blogspot.co.uk/  Monochrome/Ends  29th April
http://cardmakinmamas.blogspot.co.uk/ Use ribbon/ Ends 25th April
http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/our-first-challenge.html Anything goes. Ends 28th  April
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/Ends 26th April
http://papercreatorscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ Spots/ Ends 26th April

This is my Penny Black DT card for the month of April. The challenge is "Blossoms and Bows" and runs for the whole month of April. I f you would like to show off your creations pop over to the Penny Black and More blog to get the details of the challenge. This is a nice easy challenge, so show us your gorgeous cards and you have a chance to win some fabulous craft goodies.
This Penny Black Image seemed  perfect for the look I wanted. Fresh and clean looking. I added a slight dusting of Turquoise chalk to the flower and Butterflies using some cotton wool but it does not show on the photo. I tried several times to get a better photo but to no avail.The chalking really helps in linking the image with the coloured card and looks much better in real life.  I used a bold floral DP so did not want to over embellish the card. I added just a few sparkly turquoise gems, lace, a bow and sentiment. I hope you like it.
I have just noticed the lace is a bit skew whiff so I will amend that before sending it off to someone.
I have entered my card into a few challenges listed below.

http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.co.uk/ Ribbons and blooms/ Ends 9th April
http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.co.uk/ Floral delight/ Ends 15th April
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Birthday/celebration/Ends 10th
http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 16th April
http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.co.uk/ Birthdays/ Ends 14th April
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.co.uk/ Music/ Ends 10th April
http://cceestampers.blogspot.co.uk/ Things with wings/Ends 10th April
http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything + ribbon/ Ends 10th April
http://happycamperscc.blogspot.co.uk/ Flower power/Ends 16th April
http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything but square/ Ends 10th April
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 11th April
http://crazy4challenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Movement (flying butterflies) Ends 12th
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Birthdays/ Ends 12th April
http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/ Any + sparkle (sparkly gems) Ends 12th
http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 12th April
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Scallops/ Ends 12th April
http://www.onecrazystampercom.blogspot.ca/ Black &White + 1 /Ends 29th
http://memascrafts.blogspot.co.uk  Anything goes/ Ends 29th April
http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Butterflies/ Ends 30th April
http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Dewdrops/ 13th April
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 12th April
http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/ Use a stamped image/ Ends 13th April

At last we have some sunshine and Spring is in the air. I just had to make a card to reflect the spring flowers and blossoms. This cute little image by Penny Black reminds me of my little granddaughter on her bicycle on a spring day.
The papers and large flower are from Papermania Happy days collection. As the flower papers are quite bold,  I only used small amounts. A few buttons and my Pro marker colour coordinated image finished it off. I love the freshness of it.
I new there were several "Spring" themed challenges running so I made this card in the hope that it would it would fit into some of those which are listed below.

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Spring/ Ends 5th April.
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 6th April
http://frosteddesigns.blogspot.co.uk Scallops/ Ends  11th April
http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/  Spring/ Ends 4th April
http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.co.uk/  Cute as you like/ Ends 4th April
http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/  Anything goes/ Ends 8th April
http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Make it cute/ Ends 5th April
http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.co.uk/  Springtime/ Ends 5th April
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Spring days/ Ends 4th April
http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/  Use some blue/ Ends 5th April.
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Girly/ Ends 5th April
http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/  Anything goes/ Ends 5th April
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.co.uk/ Spring fling/ Ends 13th April
http://sketchycolors.blogspot.co.uk/  Blue, Mint Green & Yellow/Ends 6th April
http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.co.uk/ Use sketch + stamp/ Ends 5th April
http://memascrafts.blogspot.co.uk  Anything goes/ Ends 29th April
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes/ Ends 12th April
http://scrappyfrogschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Spring/ Ends 5th May

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