New Shinys

Today there was a Pre Winter Festival Fair in the market square of the village. The Lady Commander of Copics and I went to see it we could find any hidden gems, bespelled baubles, enchanted embellishments, magical mysteries, or ...you know...Christmas ornaments. Even though the Guild Hall attics were overfilled with Winter Festival decorations, the Lady Commander and I could not help but purchase more.  

This is another card from my postcard set series. You can see the first one here. I started by stamping the post card from the Lawn Fawn “You’ve Got Mail” set. The Christmas bauble, from the Lawn Fawn “Ornate Ornaments” set, was watercoloured with Distress Markers. I then decided it needed more bling and used some glittery Stickles on the swirls, earning me +444 sparkly XP points. I also clear embossed a shiny star and positioned the ornament so it looked like the shininess was coming from it. The postmark was stamped with the Kaisercraft "Twig & Berry Postmarks" set and the sentiment came from a Simon Says Stamp set (don’t know the name as I won it and it arrived without packaging...ooooo….mystery XP points).

On the inside I stamped the sentiment using The Greeting Farm’s “Holiday Blessings” set, tying in the ornament theme of this card.

The outside was stamped with the postage line things (I'm really not sure what they're called) from the Lawn Fawn “You’ve Got Mail” set and again with the “Twig & Berry Postmarks” set.

This card will have a ball in the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge: S for Something Festive

Brown Sugar Challenge #113: Anything Goes

CHNC Challenge Extra for September

Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper September Challenge

Crafty Sentiments Designs: Christmas in September Challenge

Divas By Design: Pretty In Glitter

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Ribbons or Lace

Incy Wincy Designs: Anything Goes

Kraftin’ Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday

Love To Scrap Challenge #38: Anything Goes

Open-Minded Crafting Challenge #19: Roll Out The Red

Pile It On Challenge #38: Shiny

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

Winter Wonderland Challenge: Layer It Up

Unlike previous years, we came away from the fair with our coin purses still half full, only purchasing a few new ornaments. I was fairly certain that one I had purchased was enchanted, unbeknownst to the seller. Time to head back to the Guild Hall and unravel its secrets.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Hay, We Have a Situation Here!

Greetings. Welcome to the Guild Hall. Today a sack of post arrived from the Northern Region where the elves were already preparing for the great Winter Festival. I tore open the first envelope, brushing off the magical snow that still clung to the front, and pulled out a postcard from the leader of the reindeer herd. It seems the summer was very dry, the hay harvest yielding a poor haul. He requested the assistance of the Crafters Guild to seek out some hay reserves to get the reindeer team through the winter and the important festival in December. 

This card was created for the Creative Card Crew “Twine” challenge that is happening now. Make a project with some twine and come play along with us for your chance to win a prize from our sponsor!

Last year I had won a pack full of crafty Christmas goodies which included a sheet of stickers that looked like postage stamps. That inspired me to make a set of Christmas cards using the Lawn Fawn postcard from “You’ve Got Mail” and use the postage stamp stickers. This is the first one. 

The deer was stamped using the Lawn Fawn “Into the Woods” set and die cut using the coordinating Lawn Cuts. Soooo much easier than fussy cutting, and I earned +88 efficiency XP points. I watercoloured it using Distress Markers and then gave him a red nose (like rudolph) with some red stickles. The little ornament he’s holding was stamped with the Lawn Fawn “Ornate Ornaments” set, watercoloured, cut out and made shiny with Glossy Accents. The sentiment was stamped with the Lawn Fawn “Cozy Christmas” set. The postmark was stamped with the Kaisercraft "Twig & Berry Postmarks" set. 

On the inside I stamped the sentiment using The Greeting Farm’s “Holiday Blessings” set.

The outside was stamped with the postage line things (I'm really not sure what they're called) from the Lawn Fawn “You’ve Got Mail” set and again with the “Twig & Berry Postmarks” set. Check back for more Christmas cards from my postcard set series.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:
CHNC Challenge Extra for September

Cuttlebug Mania: Anything Die Cut (used Lawn Fawn “Into the Woods” die set)

Lawnscaping Challenge #90: Critters Galore

Meljen’s Designs Challenge #228: Karaoke (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)

I could not deny helping the nine member reindeer team; they are vital to the Winter Festival going off smoothly. I quickly sent my reply by raven and went to find the rest of the Guildys to begin our hay filled quest.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Two Forgotten Souls

Today the Guardian of Glitter and I were questing in the Ruins of Forgotten Souls, barely holding our own, when we were granted a brief respite from the fray. I uncapped a healing tonic and downed the entire thing, carefully storing the empty bottle back in my satchel. Behind us, we heard branches snapping causing a flock of birds to fly above the forest canopy. I quickly unsheathed my sword, preparing for another onslaught of flesh moulders. To our surprise a lost looking fellow emerged from the thick foliage.  

“Have you seen my sister?” he blurted, clearly out of breath.

I looked curiously at his odd hat and goggles he wore on his head. “You are the first human we have encountered,” I replied.

“Perhaps we can offer you assistance in locating your missing kin,” the Guardian of Glitter offered. “It is not safe here.”

“We got split up. She has pigtails and is carrying a lunch box,” the lad said, relieved that we were going to help him. "I think our parents forgot us somewhere near here."

“We’ve no time to waste! Those flesh moulders show no mercy,” I said shouldering my bag of holding.

It’s time once again for more calendar pages from my The Octopode Factory themed desk calendar. You can see January - March,  April , and May - July already. For August I started by stamping and colouring The Octopode Factory “Steampunk Nipper Winston” image and colouring him with Prismacolor pencils. The background was coloured using Distress Inks. I masked off an area for the setting sun and coloured it last. The birds I stamped using the Unity “Tail Feather” set. 

For September I used The Octopode Factory “Back to School Girl” image, colouring her with Prismacolor pencils as well. 

The leaves were cut out using the Art Philosophy cartridge and then covered with glue and gold glitter, earning me +111 sparkly alliteration XP points.

This calendar page will fall into the following challenges:

Corrosive Challenge #208: Autumn/Fall

Crafting For All Seasons Challenge #86: Colours of Autumn

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #339: Awesome Autumn!

Divas By Design: Anything But a Card

Incy Wincy Designs: Anything Goes

Kraftin’ Kimmie: Wonderful Wednesday

Little Scrap Pieces Show It Off Saturday Linky Party

Milk Coffee: Colors of Autumn

Pile It On Challenge #38: Shiny

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #169: Who’s Who

Simply Create Too Challenge #73: Fall/Autumn

After about thirty minutes of searching we came upon the missing girl locked in combat with a rotting barghest. I was about to throw an energy bolt at the half dead wolf when the girl smashed her heavy lunchbox on the barghest’s head, knocking it senseless. Pulling a small dagger from her belt, she stabbed the stunned creature, finishing it off.

“It appears our assistance is not needed,” I said raising an eyebrow at the Guardian of Glitter.
“Tough kid,” she muttered.

“SISTER!” the chap called, rushing towards the girl.

“Oh. Hello, brother. Where have you been? None of these puppies want to play nice,” she said in a dreamy voice.

I glanced at Nikki. Clearly this lass wasn’t right in the head.

“Follow us. We will lead you out of the ruins and to safety,” I offered.

Seems we now had a new quest protecting these two wayward travellers. There had better be a reward in this.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Season of Strategy

Today the Lady Commander of Copics and I were invited to dinner in Hollyston. It turned out to be more like a business meeting with their leader, Hollinda. Over four courses and some lovely holly berry tea (Angela had water as she found the tea had too high a berry level) we discussed strategies on how to keep the village safe this coming holiday season. Every year they were inevitably attacked, the enemies after their precious holly. As I passed Hollinda the salt, we began to lay down the groundwork for magical defences the Lady Commander and I could erect.  

I started this card by cutting the base out using the Art Philosophy cartridge. I stamped the salt and pepper using the Unity “What’s Shakin’” itty bitty. I added some faces using a Lawn Fawn set and a santa hat using the Lawn Fawn “Hat’s Off To You” set. I coloured everything using Prismacolor pencils and cut them out. The holly I cut using the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. I had to explain the pun on this card to a few people *sigh*. The salt and pepper are seasons and they’re greeting each other. Lol. Regardless, I earned +50 punny XP points.

On the inside I stamped the sentiment using the There She Goes “‘Tis the Season” set.

The envelope was stamped with the Dylusions “Christmas Borders” set and quickly coloured with Distress Markers.

This card will season the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge: S for Something Festive

CHNC Challenge Extra for September

Completely Christmas Challenge #29: Anything Goes

Incy Wincy Designs: Shaped Cards

Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps: Wonderful Wednesday

Love To Scrap Challenge #38: Anything Goes

Open-Minded Crafting Challenge #19: Roll Out the Red

Although our plan was far from perfect, it would at least help the small village protect itself and the valuable holly until the Crafters Guild could come and assist in the battle. Also, I’ll never say no to a free dinner...so...all in all...time well spent.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The Raiding Duo

Today the Lady Commander of Copics and I embarked on the annual Guildy Raid. Unfortunately the Guardian of Glitter was unable to join us as her powerful healing magic was needed in a neighbouring village. Guild Apprentice Lindsay was also tied up in an unfinished quest, so it was just the two of us this year. The dungeon was harder to explore being only a duo as opposed to our usual foursome, the silver topped creatures fiercer than ever. Somehow we managed to prevail, though with not as much loot as previous raids. As we left the dungeon, we decided to grab a soothing hot chocolate as the weather was still abnormally cold.

I started this card by stamping The Greeting Farm’s “Beanie Ian” image and colouring him using Distress Markers and my Hydrabrush of +30 wetness (it leveled up after my previous crafty quest). I then cut the card base out using the Art Philosophy cartridge. The “snowflake border” (<--that’s in quotation marks, because I don’t really think they look much like snowflakes) was cut using the Artiste cartridge (one of the spoils from the raid). I stamped the sentiment using a Unity stamp. I was going to leave it like that, but thought it seemed a little plain, so I stamped the mug, steam and spoon using the Lawn Fawn “Love You a Latte” set. I coloured them using Distress Markers and diecut them out with the coordinating Lawn Cuts set.

On the inside I once again using the “Love You a Latte” set for everything. The images were water coloured with Distress markers and diecut out. This time I decided to add a little smiley face to the mug for some +80 bonus cuteness XP.

The envelope I stamped using the Close To My Heart “Snowflakes” set keeping the colours scheme the same as the card so it was all matchy-matchy.

This card will warm up the following challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge #111: Celebrations

CHNC Challenge Extra for September

Completely Christmas Challenge #29: Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper September Challenge

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #338: Too Cute!

Farm Fresh Friday: Anything Goes

Incy Wincy Designs: Shaped Cards

Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps: Wonderful Wednesday

Little Scrap Pieces Saturday Linky Party

Love To Scrap Challenge #38: Anything Goes

One Stitch At a Time Challenge #219: Anything Goes with a Die

Winter Wonderland Challenge: Boys Will Be Boys

Sipping our sweet scalding beverages in the cafe, we sifted through our spoils, thinking of all the crafting quests we would be able to complete with them. The dungeon doors have closed for another year when we would once again set out on the raid, hopefully with a full complement of the Crafters Guild this time.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Look What The Winter Storm Blew In!

Greetings traveller. Please step into the Guild Hall and get out of the cold. The realm has been blasted with abnormally low temperatures this last week and we even received some snow. As it isn’t even Autumn yet, I expect this is the work of an evil Winter Wizard. The Guardian of Glitter and I dusted off our heavy cloaks and winter armor, preparing to set out and track down the fiend who was responsible for this awful weather. As we stepped out of the Guild Hall we were shocked to see the Lady Commander of Copics walking towards us; she has been missing for almost three months! A fuzzy scarf was wrapped around her neck and her hands were buried in a sparkling muff. It was odd attire considering the last we heard she was in the tropical Floundering Reef. 

I started this card by colouring The Greeting Farm’s “Holiday Anya 3” image using Distress Markers and my Hydra Brush of +20 wetness. I then used some Stickles to add some sparkle to her muff and hair clip. The card base I cut using the Artiste cartridge. The snowflakes were diecut using the Lawn Fawn “Stitched Snowflakes” die set. The sentiment was stamped using the Lawn Fawn “Let It Snow” set.

On the inside I cut the shape out using the Artiste cartridge and then stamped the sentiment using a Unity stamp.

The envelope was cut using the Artiste cartridge and stamped using the Close to My Heart “Snowflakes” set.

The flap of the envelope is fancy and matches the fancy edge of the card.

This card will create a flourish in the following challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge #111: Celebrations

CHNC Challenge Extra for September

Completely Christmas Challenge #29: Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper September Challenge

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #338: Too Cute!

Farm Fresh Friday: Anything Goes

Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps: Wonderful Wednesday

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge #120: Glitter or Sparkle

One Stitch At a Time Challenge #219: Anything Goes with a Die

MFP SpeedyTV Inspiration Challenge #79 (colours of the flowers)

“Sister!” I exclaimed rushing towards the Lady Commander of Copics.

“Where in the seven hells have you been?! We searched tirelessly for you with no luck,” the Guardian of Glitter  said.

“Whatever do you mean? I left just a fortnight ago,” Angela answered.

I looked at her glassy eyes and shook my head. “Memory altering spell,” I muttered to the Guardian of Glitter.

“Great. Well let’s get her into the Guild Hall and work on reversing it. This Winter Wizard will have to wait,” she replied.

Looks like we were stuck with the snow and cold for a bit longer, but at long last our lost Guildy has returned!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~   

Buttergears Take Flight

Today I was gazing out the window, watching the yellowing leaves fall from the trees when a large airship landed right in front of the Guild Hall. Sighing at the interruption of my melancholy reverie, I put down my mug, threw on a cloak and, shoving a dagger in my boot for good measure, headed outside to see what this unexpected visitor wanted.

“Hail, good lady!” a woman called as she disembarked from her steaming airship. Her curly pink hair cascaded down her back from underneath a bowler hat. She held a monocle up to her eye, examining me. “Are you the Guild Master?” she inquired.

“I am.”

“Excellent!” She pulled a small clear box from a pouch on her thigh. It contained a tiny butterfly fluttering and whirring inside it’s glass prison. Upon closer inspection, it appeared the insect was comprised of tiny gears!  

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

 

I started this card by colouring the KennyK “Inspector Em” image using Distress Markers and cutting her out. Next I stamped and clear heat embossed the gear image from the Tim Holtz “Industrial Blueprint” set. The sentiment I stamped using the Lawn Fawn “Beep Boop Birthday” set. Last thing I did was die cut that steampunk butterfly. I was super pumped about that die when I found it, and I was incredibly disappointed with it. As you can tell from the slightly mangled right side, it really did not cut very well...and this was my FIFTH attempt. I tried using shims to make it tighter, ran it through the machine back and forth numerous times, and nothing would make a nice clean cut - there was always one section (not always the same section, mind you) that would not be cut the whole way through. It was a most infuriating trial and earned me +3400 frustration XP!

On the inside I stamped the sentiment, gears, and butterfly using a bunch of different Unity stamps.

I stamped the same gears on the envelope to make everything match.

This card will gear up for the following challenges:

Catch the Bug September Anything Goes Challenge

The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge #94: Anything Goes

Crafting For All Seasons Challenge #85: Wheels and/or Cogs

KennyK’s Krafty Krew Challenge #179

Kraftin’ Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday

Little Scrap Pieces Show It Off Saturday

Love to Scrap Challenge #37: Let’s Fly Away

One Stitch at a Time Challenge #219: Anything Goes With a Die

Penny’s Challenge #193: Anything Goes

Simply Create Too Challenge #69: Show Us Something New (butterfly die)

“What is that creature?” I exclaimed.

“We have started calling them buttergears. I was hoping you would be able to help me,” the woman replied. “These mechanical butterflies have completely taken over my city. They started appearing a fortnight ago and now there are so many it is unsafe to be outdoors. They must be powered by some sort of magic,” she explained, offering me the clear box to examine the creature closer.

“Let us go inside, Madame. I will make you a hot beverage and we can formulate a plan.” 

The strange woman and I made for the comfort of the Guild Hall while the odd buttergear whirred and clicked inside the glass cube, seemingly protesting our planning the destruction of its brethren.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~