Friday 30 November 2012

Abnormal Weather Patterns

Welcome to the Guild Hall. Today an urgent message arrived from Sun Haven Village. It seems it has been blizzarding there for the past fortnight and they suspected a snow demon was to blame. Normally this wouldn’t be much cause for concern, it being winter and all, however Sun Haven Village is located in the far southern region of the realm and are ill equipped to handle any substantial amount of heavy snowfall. The Guardian of Glitter and I suited up and made our way to Sun Haven to investigate the plea for help. Sure enough as we were approaching the village, we spotted the snow demon that was responsible for the never ending blizzard.
I started by stamping the s.w.a.l.k. “Let It Snow” image on watercolour paper and colouring it with Distress Markers and a Hydra Brush of +50 wetness. I then inked the edges with Distress Ink and stamped the sentiment that came with the image. I decided it looked a little plain and added some glitter to the large snowflakes for some bling bling. Some sparkly pink paper and sparkly snowflake ribbon completed the front. These last three things made the Guardian of Glitter's heart sing with sparkly joy.
The inside was stamped with the sentiment that came with the Kraftin’ Kimmie “Nick” stamp. I also added a toque in the corner from the Dylusions “Christmas Accessories” set.
The envelope I jazzed up with some snowflakes from a Recollections brand set from Michaels.

This snowy wonder will be entered into the following challenges:
Tammy’s Scrapin’ Corner Challenge #38: Let It Snow
Try it on Tuesday November Challenge 2: Christmas Sparkle
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: I’ll have a blue (and pink) Christmas without you...
Divas By Design Challenge #63: Glitter and Sparkle
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

As Nikki and I watched the snow demon jump and play amongst a whirlwind of snowflakes we discussed the best way to take her out, thus ending the massive storm pounding Sun Haven Village. Just as we had decided on a dual combo strike with a Firestorm spell and my Crossbow of Light, the little demon disappeared into thin air, the blizzard abruptly ending. Shrugging, we headed into the village to collect a reward anyways. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Thursday 29 November 2012

The Glide Boots

Today the Lady Commander of Copics and I went to the market square to purchase some new winter equipment. After taking stock of what we had, it seemed we were lacking some key necessities. We came across a stall where a fellow was selling unusual looking boots with blades attached to the bottom. I asked what purpose they served, as they were obviously ill suited for walking. With a smile he simply gestured behind him. There was a frozen pond behind the man and across it a girl was gliding as if dancing on the ice. I watched mesmerized as she was able to slide across the frozen water without slipping and sliding. I looked at Angela who nodded once. Turning to the man I purchased two pairs of the Glide Boots.
I started by stamping one of the images from the Penny Black “Christmas With Mimi” set and colouring her with Copics, warming the Lady Commander’s heart. I then stamped the tag from the Lawn Fawn “Bows and Holly” set. I then used a skill never before attempted and heat embossed the sentiment on the tag. I earned myself +203 heat embossing exp points and leveled up!
The inside sentiment was stamped from the My Pink Stamper “Biggie Christmas Sentiments” set.
I stamped some snowflakes on the envelope to make it all wintery, just like the card.

This skate-astic card will be entered into the following challenges:
Penny Black Saturday November Challenge: Cute Christmas
Tammy’s Scrapin’ Corner Challenge #38: Let It Snow
Pixie Dust Studio: Winter Holiday Creation
Dream Valley Challenge #46: Non-Traditional Christmas
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge #163: Anything Goes
Hooked On Craft Challenge #27: Christmas

It turns out the Glide Boots aren’t as easy to use as the girl on the pond made them look. Angela and I will spend the remainder of the evening practicing as I feel they will come in handy in our winter quests once we get the hang of them.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Sweat Shop Infiltration

Today the Lady Commander of Copics and I decided to go on a little recon mission in preparation for freeing the enslaved elves that my house gnomes had told me about. We were determined not to rush into the mission ill-prepared as it would surely spell disaster. We made our way North over the snow covered plains to the workshop where the elves were forced to build the toys. I donned my +80 boots of stealth to increase my sneak stats, allowing us to approach the building undetected. We peered through a dirty window into the factory below. A large overweight fellow in red pants and a stained tank top strolled through the aisles sucking on a fat cigar and absently flicking a leather whip clutched in his thick hand. If an elf took even a moment to catch his breath the whip cracked, echoing loudly throughout the shop. We spotted one elf carrying numerous presents stacked on top of each other. Angela and I held our breath as we watched the elf struggle with the load, hoping it wouldn’t topple to the ground, thus enraging the heavy set chap.
I started by stamping the Kraftin’ Kimmie “Balancing Elf” image on watercolour paper and colouring him with Distress Markers. I then inked the edges with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink, earning me +173 distress exp points. I used some patterned paper that was already cut up from my stash and a scrap of cream ribbon. Instead of stamping a traditional sentiment I used one of the Melissa Frances Christmas flashcards from the package that I had bought strictly because it was on sale to complete the front.
The inside sentiment was stamped from the My Pink Stamper “Biggie Christmas Sentiments” set. I added some presents using the Echo Park “Holly Jolly Christmas” set.
I used the same presents to decorate the front of the envelope.

This balancing act will be entered into the following challenges:
Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps Challenge #156: Feelin’ Festive
Stamping For Pleasure: Rudolph Day
Hooked On Craft Challenge #27: Christmas
Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #47: Anything Goes
Paper Playtime Challenge #89: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamps: Dawny’s Sketch

Eventually, the little fellow’s elven arms gave out and the presents all tumbled to the ground. I heard something shatter as one of the boxes struck the floor. The fat man rounded on the elf, his eyes blazing. The Lady Commander and I covered our eyes as we heard the whip crack followed by a cry. Enough was enough...it was time to free these elves!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Peeled Paint Pea Pie

Olga, one of the house gnomes, had sat down with me today to review the menu for our Winter Feast. It is still about a month away, but some of the items are hard to obtain and she needs to start now to ensure we have them all here in time. One of my favourite dishes she makes is her peeled paint pea pie. For that she would need to get the gargantuan green peas from across the Pearlescent Sea, unless we were fortunate enough to have a wandering traveller pass through the village before the Winter Feast. As the weather has taken a turn for the worst, I didn’t expect that to happen soon. “What if the peas could somehow come to us,” Olga mused, a dreamy look on her face.

This simple tag was cut out using the Winter Frolic cartridge. I stamped the Penny Black “Joyful Peas” image onto the tag and coloured them with Distress Markers. After inking the edges, I finished off the gift tag with a piece of twine.
On the reverse side I stamped a to and from using the My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set.

I would like to peas offer this tag to the following challenges:
Winter Wonderland Challenge: Food Glorious Food
Penny Black and More November Challenge: Any Die Will Do
Lawnscaping Challenge #46: Tags

After giggling with Olga about the possibility of peeled paint peas somehow making their own way here, we started formulating a real plan to obtain the elusive vegetables before the Winter Feast.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Monday 26 November 2012

Just Gingersnaps

After the debacle trying to make gingerbread men earlier today I decided to use the rest of the dough to make gingersnaps, not wanting to risk anymore humanoid shaped cookies coming to life on me. Luckily the round cookies turned out as intended. The fae dust made the cookies a little sweeter than normal, but at least they weren’t walking around.
I cut this 'lil present tag using the Winter Frolic cartridge and assembled the layers. I then stamped the images using Lawn Fawn’s “Cozy Christmas” set and coloured them using Distress Markers.
I used the Echo Park “Holly Jolly Christmas” set to stamp the to and from on the back of the tag. That’s it. Easy Peasy....(what does that even mean...)

This tag-o-cookies will be entered into the following challenges:
Penny Black and More November Challenge: Any Die Will Do
Winter Wonderland Challenge: Food Glorious Food!
Lawnscaping Challenge #46: Tags

Exhausted from all the baking, chasing gingerbread men, then baking again, I think it is time I retire to my sleeping chamber. My direwolf, Lycan, is already warming my bed for me.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The Great Gingercapade

Greetings and welcome to the Guild Hall. Today I had a little mishap in the kitchens. I decided to try my hand at baking some holiday delights, not something I do often. I mixed the dough, following an old dusty recipe book I found in the pantry. Unbeknownst to me, I accidentally mistook the fae dust for white granulated sugar, which is what the recipe called for. To be fair, they are of similar colour and consistency, though why we store them right next to each other is beyond me. I removed the first gingerbread man from the large stone oven and placed the pan on the counter while I turned to get the icing. When I turned back around to decorate the humanoid shaped cookie, he was sitting up and rubbing his head staring at me with gumdrop eyes! Startled, I dropped the icing to the floor, splattering all the cupboards with sweet sticky goo.
I started by cutting the gingerbread man from the Winter Frolic cartridge. I decorated him using a scrap of red ribbon that I salvaged from a broken Christmas tree ornament and some mini flat back pearls. The phrase was also cut from Winter Frolic. I used a couple different patterned papers I’ve been hoarding for quite a while earning myself +89 bravery points for cutting into them.
On the inside I stamped the sentiment and images from the Lawn Fawn “Cozy Christmas” set. I coloured the super kawaii guys with Distress Markers. Inanimate objects with faces make my heart smile.
On the envelope I stamped the same two guys, but also put a heart over their heads because it is a well known fact that cookies and milk love each other :)

Before it’s eaten, this crumbly card will be entered into the following challenges:
Divas By Design Challenge #62: Use 2 or more patterned papers
Jingle Belles: Christmas Feast
Pixie Dust Challenge: All About Gingerbread
Winter Wonderland Challenge: Food Glorious Food
CSAYL Challenge #37: 2 Die For
52 Christmas Card Throwdown Embellishment Challenge #11: Pearls
Little Scrap Pieces Fun “Black” Friday Challenge
Stamping For Pleasure: Rudolph Day
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #139: Holiday Wishes
Cricut Cardz Challenge #121: Speaking of Christmas
Hooked On Craft Challenge #27: Christmas

The baked man hopped from the counter and scurried off before I could catch him. Hopefully he manages to hide or escape before the direwolves find him. I'd better do something with the remainder of this dough, but first thing's first...finding a new storage place for the fae dust...

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Saturday 24 November 2012

Outfitting the Animals

As the temperatures outside have continued to drop, the wild animals have started taking shelter in our stables and barn. The Lady Commander of Copics has taken pity on a few of the smaller ones that don’t have fur and started making tiny little winter clothes for them to wear. At first I thought she was crazy, but after I saw the first bird outfitted in its new winter gear, I had to admit it was pretty cute.
The bird was cut out from the 3 Birds On Parade cartridge, whereas the phrase came from the Winter Woodland cartridge. The Brrrr and pieces of the bird’s clothes were embossed using the Cuttlebug for some extra texture. I also sponged some white ink onto the bird’s clothes to make it look “frosty”. The background paper is from some old Recollections paper pack from Michaels. I added the snowflake ribbon and called it done.
The inside was stamped with a sentiment from the My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set. I added the “warm” using an alphabet set.

This tweet card will be entered into the following challenges:
Cricut Cardz Challenge #121: Speaking of Christmas
Creative Card Crew Challenge #24: Anything Goes
Christmas Stampin’ All Year Long Challenge #37: To Die 4
Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #47: Anything Goes
Paper Playtime Challenge #89: Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge ##162: Flutter By
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Three R’s (ribbon, red, Recollections paper)

Although it looked extremely cute, the little guy couldn’t really fly in his winter outfit, resorting to just hopping around. It could be my imagination, but I’m fairly certain I heard him let out a long sigh after numerous attempts.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Thursday 22 November 2012

Can You Believe the Petrol Prices?!

As I was feeding the hellhounds today I suddenly noticed a strange flying contraption descending from the clouds and landing in our now snow covered garden. Intrigued, I set down the metal bucket containing the hellhound feed and approached the whirring machine. A door opened with a hiss and a woman stepped out, white smoke billowing out behind her. Shading her eyes she surveyed her surroundings, consulting the tattered map clutched in her right hand. Finally noticing me she broke into a smile and came forward, “Greetings, m’lady! I seem to have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Do you perhaps have any petrol you can spare?” 
I started out by stamping Kraftin Kimmie’s “Genevieve” and colouring her with Prismacolors. I distressed the edges and inked 'em up using Distress Ink. I popped her up using suuuuuuuupa pop dots (1/8” thick) earning me +90 dimensional exp points. I (painfully) cut into my DCWV "Bon Voyage Travel Pack” of paper I’ve been hoarding for over two years for the background panel and the vertical panel. The square panel I stamped using the Tim Holtz “Reflections” set. That was also distressed and had the edges inked using Distress Ink. The sentiments I stamped using the Tim Holtz “Odds & Ends” set. I added some ribbon and Tim Holtz adage tickets to finished off the front.
The inside I stamped with the 7 Gypsies “Steampunk” set. The first part of the sentiment was also from the Tim Holtz “Odds & Ends” set and the Happy Birthday was stamped from the My Pink Stamper “Birthday Crazy” set. 
On the envelope I stamped the hot air balloon using the “Steampunk” set again.

Before this birthday card takes flight it will be entered into the following challenges: 
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #244: Girls Only
Creative Card Crew Challenge #24: Anything Goes
Paper Playtime Challenge #89: Anything Goes
Divas By Design Challenge #62: Use 2 Or More Patterned/Designer Papers
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #134: Pop It Up
Dream Valley Challenges #45: Anything Goes
Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps Challenge #155: Sketch

I lent the lost traveller some fuel and watched as her flying contraption once again took flight. I wondered where she came from and where she was going. I was about to find out as she left her map behind. Perhaps I could beat her to whatever treasure she was seeking!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Wednesday 21 November 2012

The Magicless Hat

Today as I was strolling through the Forest of Fiends, I came across a black silk top hat, slowing being pushed along by a gentle winter’s breeze. I bent down to retrieve the top hat and as I stood back up, a rainbowy glittery dust sprinkled to the ground from inside the hat. I glanced around me, hoping to find the owner of the tattered hat and could see no one around, save a snowperson some village children had made in the distance. Smiling to myself, I trudged through the snow, making my way towards the elaborately constructed snowperson. I placed the top hat on his head and stepped back as the same rainbowy glittery dust surrounded the snowperson and his twig arms started to twitch.

This spinner card didn’t turn out exactly as planned. The track was a little tooooo close to the bottom of the card, so the hat kinda touches the “ground” when the card is being displayed (as you can see in the picture). But it does spin! Oh well...on to business. The snowman was cut from the Winter Frolic cartridge. The hat came from Create-A-Critter. The “hills” of snow I hand cut as well as the “track” for the hat to go on. I embossed the snowman and the snow hill using my Cuttlebug and added a piece of yellow ribbon to the hat to give the card some texture. I then used some cheap glitter I bought AGES ago from the “everything-for-one-brass-coin-stand” to add some bling to the trees and star. The sentiment was stamped from the My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set.
The inside was coloured using water and the Christmas Distress Inks. The sentiment is also from the “Christmas Wishes” set whereas the snowflakes were just from some cheap Recollections brand set. I don’t know why I added a button to the inside of the card...but I did, earning me +56 irregularity exp points.

On the envelope, which I made due to the odd size of this card, I stamped a whooshy snowflake from that same cheap Recollections brand set. You know, for a super cheap stamp set from Michaels, it sure has come in handy for Christmas cards.

This topsy turvy delight will be entered into the following challenges:
CTV Stamps DT Challenge #19: “Scene It!”
Card Crafter’s Circle Challenge #49: Textures
CHNC Challenge #99: Use Something More Than 6 Months Old (that glitter is ancient!)
Paper Playtime Challenge #89: Anything Goes
Try It On Tuesday November Challenge 2: Christmas Sparkle

Just as I thought the snowperson was going to burst to life, the twigs stopped twitching, the rainbowy glittery dust settling to the frozen ground. I picked up the hat and looked inside, not sure what I was expecting to find. Replacing the hat on his head, I started walking back to the Guild Hall, and swore I heard a chuckle coming from behind me.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Don't "Bauble" With Embellishments

Welcome welcome. Do step inside from the cold. I just got back from a dungeon crawling quest and am making some tea to stave the chill. I got down to the 24th level of the dungeon where I was rewarded with a stash of Ice Baubles. Not only can you use them as an elemental weapon, they also look delightful on a Christmas tree.
As this was made for a CAS challenge, there is really very little to it. I stamped the baubles from the Dylusions “Christmas Borders” set and the sentiment was from some cheap Recollections brand set. I looked at the card for a while after that and finally decided I just couldn’t leave it like that (CAS or not) and added the little ribbon to the corner. I gained +176 CAS exp points, which I desperately need, because I have a really tough time with them.
For the inside I used one of the scalloped square I had leftover from a previous project (it was accidently cut the wrong size). Since it was still on my desk and two feet away, in the card it went. The inside sentiment was from the My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set. 
On the envelope I stamped the bauble from the Echo Park “Holly Jolly Christmas” set.

This CAS concoction will be entered into the following challenges:  
CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #79: CAS Winter Project Featuring Blue
Charisma Cardz Challenge #45: Keep Your Cool
Winter Wonderland Challenge: Oh Baubles
Crafty Hazlenut’s Christmas Challenge #99: Use Something More Than 6 Months Old (both the sentiment stamps are more than six months old. So is the blue ribbon)

Only two more weekends and then we can decorate the Christmas Tree here at the Guild Hall. My new Ice Baubles will look as crisp as a winter’s frost on the tree. Hopefully the hellhounds don’t try to eat them this year.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Monday 19 November 2012

May Your Box Runneth Over

You may remember a certain box I crafted a while back when a similar box was mysteriously left on my stoop. The recipient of said box sent a raven the other day bearing a new crafting quest. It seems the mini thank you cards the box contained were a popular item and she needed more to fill the box. I made a few more that matched the previous ones, but also made some different “winter themed” ones as the others were decisively fall themed and winter has now descended upon the realm in full force.
These mini cards were also cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge. I ran the panel through the Cuttlebug to emboss it with a snowflake pattern, then used a sanding block to distress said snowflakes so they stood out better. For the one on the right I used the Close To My Heart stamp set and corresponding cut from Art Philosophy cartridge for the tag. The snowflake on the left one was also cut from Art Philosophy, which has been getting quite the workout recently. The sentiment was stamped from the My Pink Stamper “Friends & Family” set. The “gems” were from my stash which I’d purchased at the “everything-for-one-brass-coin-stand” in the market square quite a while ago. The ribbon was also from my stash. You may remember me mentioning I had purchased numerous rolls of it for making wedding invitations that I never ended up using. I always smile whenever I get to use some of it up.
The insides were left blank so a personal note could be written. The cute ‘lil envelopes were cut from...you guessed it...Art Philosophy.
 
These gracious minis will be entered into the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #77: Thank You or Thanksgiving
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Thanksgiving/Thank You
Charisma Cardz Challenge #45: Keep Your Cool
Pixie Dust Studio Challenge: Thanksgiving or Thank You
Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #46: Thank You Project
Card Crafter’s Circle Challenge #49: Textures
Use It Tuesday Challenge #43: Be Thankful
Crafting For All Seasons Challenge #40: Thank You Cards
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #138: Be Ye Thankful
Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge: Thank You

I am grateful the lady was fond of my gift and is using the mini thank yous I made for it. Receiving a handmade thank you will make anyone, save a demon, smile.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~