Mice Don't 'Bauble' Me

Today I was alone in the crafting chambers, working away at some new enchantments, when suddenly a loud crashing could be heard from the storage attics. It startled me, causing me to drop the vial of dragonstooth powder I was holding, sending glass shards and the valuable ingredient across the chamber floor. Cursing, I made my way to the attic to investigate the cause of this catastrophe. After climbing the hidden ladder and pushing open the heavy wooden trap door to the attic floor, I was surprised to see our Christmas tree decorations sprawled across the room. In the corner, a group of mice wearing little santa hats were playing on the baubles, singing Christmas carols. 

This card was created for the Creative Card Crew “Christmas in July” challenge that is happening now. Get a head start and make a Christmas creation to come play along with us for your chance to win a prize from our sponsors!

  

I started this card by colouring the Whiff of Joy "Harry Hugging a Christmas Bauble" image using Prismacolor pencils.

I added some gold glitter to the bauble and some white glitter to the fluffy parts of his hat, earning me +926 glitter XP and allowing me to level up my sparkle spells. I cut the salutation out using the Lawn Fawn “Quinn’s ABCs” dies.

On the inside I stamped the sentiment using The Greeting Farm’s “Holiday Blessings” set and coloured in the baubles with Distress Markers.

I made the envelope out of this weird textured cardstock I got on clearance from Michaels awhile ago. It’s not really good for much as you can’t stamp on it because of the texture and the Cricut just eats it, so I can’t use it for die cutting. It makes great envelopes though - just have to add a label so you can write the address in. :)

This card will hang itself in the following challenges:

CHNC Challenge #187: Cute

CHNC Challenge Extra for July

Completely Christmas Challenge #22: Anything Goes

The Corrosive Challenge #204: Christmas in July

Crafting for All Seasons Challenge #82: Christmas in July

Crafty Catz Challenge #241: Anything Goes

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Deck the Halls

Kraftin’ Kimmie Challenge #240: Christmas in July

Little Scrap Pieces Show It Off Saturday

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #217: Christmas in July

Friday Sketch Challenge #74

Although the room was now a mess, and I had lost the valuable dragonstooth powder, it was difficult to be angry at the adorable Christmas mouse clan. I decided to let them be, and have the house gnomes put the decorations away later. Everyone knows it’s good luck to have a Christmas mouse visit in July.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Caravan of Crazy

Welcome to the Guild Hall. Earlier this week, a caravan of unique merchants had arrived at the market square in the village and as the night was fair, I decided to venture into town and see what they were selling. The first booth was full of curiosities that the strange inventor claimed could do wondrous things. As he was missing an eye and had replaced the empty socket with a lightbulb, I was hesitant to trust the breadth of his sanity.

Next to him, a young lady was selling what appeared to be your standard, albeit rather large, strawberries. When I inquired about her oversized fruit, she shook her head and gestured for me to lean in close. She then glanced from side to side, apparently ensuring no one was listening in, and whispered in my ear. “These are magical strawberries. Some can heal any alignment, others can enable you to fly, and still others will send you on a magnificent trip down a rabbit hole.”

The stall next to her was simply a girl with a scuba helmet on. She didn’t appear to be selling anything. Or speaking. It was odd.

Here are some more calendar pages from my 2014 desktop calendar. You can see January - March and April already. For May I started by stamping and colouring the Octopode Factory “Steampunk Alfie” image with Prismacolor Pencils. The background was coloured with Distress Inks and then stamped with the lightbulb from the Tim Holtz “Industrial Blueprint” set. The curly border was cut with the Artbooking cartridge.

June was made by stamping the Alice image from The Octopode Factory and colouring her with Prismacolors. The background was coloured with Distress Inks and then stamped with a large strawberry stamp from Unity (not sure what kit it’s from). I also added the leaves on the side using the Dylusions “Luscious Leaves” stencil. Last I stamped some strawberries from the Lawn Fawn “Summertime Charm” set and coloured them with Distress Markers.

This calendar page will soak up sun in Try it On Tuesday “Colours of Summer” challenge. 

July was made by stamping and colouring the Octopode Factory “Steampunk Willow” image with Prismacolor pencils. The background was made by swiping the paper through some wet Distress Ink. After it was dry, I stamped the tentacles using the Dylusions “Doodle Parts” set and the “bubbles” using the Lawn Fawn “Summertime Charm” set.

This calendar page will sink into the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge #267: Splish, Splash, Splosh

Love to Scrap! Challenge #33: Anything Goes

My Craft Spot Challenge #144: Anything But a Card

Open-Minded Crafting Challenge #14: Water, Water, Everywhere

Penny’s Challenge #186: Anything Goes

Shopping Our Stash #160: Can’t Put it Down (Distress Inks)

I decided to not risk my hard earned gold coins and went home empty handed. Later I received a raven from the Peanut Nutter Asylum of the Magically Insane informing me that three patients had escaped and were suspected of ambushing and stealing a caravan. Well that explained a lot…

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Better With Bacon

Today the Guardian of Glitter and I paid a visit to Natsume Farm, which is always a treat due to the large eyed kawaii animals that are raised there. Whilst at the farm, we also replenished some supplies and ingredients we were low on. Nikki was especially interested in the new bacon mana potion recipe the farmer’s wife had come up with. 

I started this ATC by stamping the cute images onto watercolour paper using the Lawn Fawn “Critters on the Farm” set and colouring them with Distress Markers and my Hydrabrush of +90 wetness. After they were done, I cut them all out using the coordinating die set which is a million times faster than fussy cutting them all and earned me +1954 speedy XP points. The background I made using Distress Ink and the sentiment is from the There She Goes “Poultry in Motion” set.

This ATC will roam into the following challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge #123: Animals

Shopping Our Stash #160: Can’t Put it Down (Distress Inks)

Penny Black and More July Challenge: Dies and Punches

Penny’s Challenge #186: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday

Wicked Wednesday Challenge #145: On the Farm

Knowing her affinity for bacon, I quickly took the potion recipe from the Guardian of Glitter, hiding it in my tunic.

“Heeeeeeeeey,” she squealed, her short arms grasping at the parchment.

“I know your weakness for anything bacon. The last thing I need is you overdosing on mana potions,” I said as I stuffed the recipe deeper into the cloth.

Dejected, but unable to argue with the truth, she let her arms fall to her sides. “Fair enough.”

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Underwater Scavenge

Salutations, traveller. The last week has been unbearably hot, everyone in the Guild Hall trying to find new ways to keep cool. The Guardian of Glitter and I were elated when we received a crafty quest from the Borealis Clan of Merpeople, giving us an excuse to venture into the cool Pearlescent Sea. We gathered the necessary underwater gear, loaded up on lightning spells, and made for the water’s edge.

This card was created for the Creative Card Crew “Sea/Beach” challenge that is happening now. Make a sea or beach themed project and come play along with us for your chance to win a prize from our sponsors!

      

So I’m not going to lie. I had real issues with this image. If you visit the Guild Hall on a regular basis, you know that I primarily colour with Prismacolors (and sometimes Distress Markers). I don’t own any alcohol markers. I also have yet to find a sharpener that will get my Prismas to a fine point again (if anyone has suggestions as to what they use, PLEASE leave me a comment). As such, colouring this image was completely impossible for me...unless I wanted to print it out on an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper :/ So...I had to come up with another way to use it which didn’t involve sloppy colouring with semi-blunt coloured pencils. Distress Inks and water to the rescue. I was actually SHOCKED that the printer ink from the image didn’t run all over the place. With that problem (sorta) solved, I moved onto the rest of the card.

The background paper I used is incredibly sparkly, but really hard to photograph so you can see the sparkles. I ran a piece of vellum through my Cuttlebug (another experiment - I actually expected it to rip), using a folder that reminded me of bubbles. The shells and star I cut out using the Create-a-Critter cartridge and glued a small pearl on each one. The sentiment and coins were stamped using the There She Goes “Shiver Me Timbers” set.

On the inside I stamped a simple sentiment using the My Pink Stamper “Birthday Crazy” set. I then added the bubbles around it with the Crafty Secrets “Couple of Cuties” set, and earned +333 water magic XP points, allowing me to level up one of my water based spells.

The envelope was stamped with the same bubbles to make it all matchy match.

This card will swim into the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge #267: Splish, Splash, Splosh

Cut it Up Challenge #49: Under the Sea

DRS Designs Challenge #130: Big Chill (cool colours)

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #219: Day at the Beach

Incy Wincy Designs: Strings and Things

Little Scrap Pieces Show if Off Saturday Linky Party

Open-Minded Crafting Challenge #14: Water, Water, Everywhere
Penny’s Challenge #185: Anything Goes

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #12: B is for Brads or Buttons

The Guardian of Glitter and I gratefully entered the blissfully cool waters, making sure to cast the appropriate spell which would allow us to breathe underwater. Once we got our bearings, we set off in the direction of the Salty Peacock Reef where the little mer-princess had disappeared. The king and queen of the Borealis Clan feared for her safety, so it was imperative that we made haste. If we happened to scavenge some rare underwater elements and ingredients whilst down there...well...these spells and potions don’t make themselves…

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Fluffy Song

Today I was relaxing outside, enjoying the warm weather and a day off questing, when suddenly I heard music. It was odd as it sounded as though the music was coming from above me. I looked up and couldn’t see anything amiss, however the strange song continued to sound from above. I dashed inside the Guild Hall and retrieved my spyglass to better view the sky. Upon closer examination I saw the cause of the music - incredibly rare songburst clouds had formed overhead. 

I started this ATC by stamping the bird from the Lawn Fawn “Year Four” set and die cutting it out. The balloon and music notes also came from that set. I then stamped the clouds onto patterned paper using the My Little Shoebox “Home Tweet Home” set.

See how shiiiiiiiiiny the music notes are...ooooooooo…..They earned me +55 glimmering musical XP points. Last, the sentiment was stamped with the Lawn Fawn “Critters in the Forest” set.

This ATC will float into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Designs: Anything Goes

Divas By Design: Things With Wings

A Gem of a Challenge #123: Animals

Penny’s Challenge #185: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday

Wicked Wednesday Challenge #144: Clouds/Cloudy Day

I had only seen (and heard) these clouds once before as conditions had to be perfect for their formation. It wasn’t long before various songbirds were flying close to the musical clouds, singing along in harmony with the fluffy white instruments of the sky. I sat back in my lounge chair, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the concert from above.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The Dove Conundrum

Greetings. Thank you for stopping by the Guild Hall. Today we received a frantic message from a couple that were about to be married tomorrow afternoon. It seems the two dozen doves they were planning on releasing at the ceremony had gone missing. The bride was desperate to have them back as they held sentimental value to her. I wasn’t one to turn down a quest, especially from a bride-to-be, so the Guardian of Glitter and I set about creating a tracking spell to see if we could locate the missing doves.

I started this shaker card by cutting the rectangular frame and wedding couple out using the “Stretch Your Imagination” cartridge. I assembled the shaker part, filling it with wedding confetti I purchased at the Everything-For-One-Brass-Coin stand at the market. The banner I cut using the “Rock Princess” cartridge and stamped it with the My Pink Stamper “Birthday Crazy” set. The base of the card was embossed with my Cuttlebug, earning my +111 bumpy XP points.

On the inside I stamped the sentiments using the Lawn Fawn “Sophie’s Sentiments” and “On the Mend” sets. I kept it clean inside since it was going to be signed by a large group of people.

This card will shake up the following challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge #101: Anything Goes

Catch the Bug Anything Goes Challenge

Crafty Sentiments Designs Anything Goes

Die Cuttin’ Divas Challenge #173: Wedding or Anniversary

Pile It On Challenge #27: Add Some Flowers

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Shake It!

Once we got a lock on their location, it was simply a matter of riding there and retrieving the stolen birds. We were surprised to learn that the thief was none other than the bride’s own sister. It was revealed that two of the doves were actually the girls’ parents, having been transmogrified by an evil wizard a year prior. The problem was when the bride purchased doves to release at her wedding, they no longer knew which ones were their parents, all the doves looking the same. As she was still holding onto the hope they would be able to change them back, the sister didn’t want them released for fear of losing them forever. It looked as though the Guardian of Glitter and I had a long night ahead of us concocting a reversal spell.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Dark Thoughts Illuminated

After weeks of searching and following numerous leads, we were unable to find the Lady Commander of Copics. We did finally locate the Duke of Dies lair, only to see he had abandoned it. Dejected and out of ideas, the Guardian of Glitter and I returned to the Guild Hall.

“It is hopeless,” I sighed sinking into the plush sofa after dumping my travelling gear on the floor. "My sister is lost to me. We shall never see her again."

“Don’t give up hope. There has to be light at the end of this incredibly long tunnel,” the Guardian of Glitter said, turning on the lights in the sitting room.

I started this ATC by stamping and heat embossing a sentiment from the Unity “ {...shine, shine, shine.} “ kit. I then stamped the different lamps using the Unity “Shine On!” kit, colouring them with Prismacolor pencils. I added the shiny marks using the Lawn Fawn “how Delightful” set, earning myself +55 bright XP points.

This ATC will light up the following challenges:

ABC Challenge O is for Orange

Brown Sugar Challenge #101: Anything Goes

Catch the Bug Anything Goes Challenge

Little Scrap Pieces Show It Off Saturday Linky Party

Love To Scrap! Challenge #33: Anything Goes  

Wicked Wednesday Challenge #143: Inspirational/Uplifting Quotes or Words

The Guardian of Glitter and I sat in silence, lost in our own thoughts while the lamp light cast shadows over the sitting room walls. For now we would have to continue on with our regular questing, and hope we receive a lucky break and are able to locate the missing Lady Commander of Copics.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~