Holly Crop!

Today the Lady Commander of Copics and I spent the day scouting the outer borders of Hollyston, as we had received a raven from the inhabitants informing us that Cragle demons had been spotted. Hollyston is a peaceful place, their economy based solely on planting and harvesting holly for the great Winter Festival. Should the Cragles attack the village and ruin the crop, it would be devastating to Hollyston’s income, sending the people into poverty. It wasn’t long before we caught the trail of the Cragles and tracked them to their lair.

I started this itty-bitty card by cutting the white shape at 2 ¾” using the Storybook cartridge. I then inked up The Greeting Farm’s Holiday Anya using Archival ink and stamped her onto the shape. 

She was then coloured using my Prismacolor pencils and given a little sparkle with some ice Stickles and a tiny gem. I stamped the sentiment on the side using the Bug Bites “Mistletoe” set.

On the inside I stamped the sentiment using the My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set. The holly came from the Tim Holtz “Christmas Memories” set which I “inked” using Distress Markers so I could get two different colours, earning me a cool +271 two tone exp points.

I used this same stamp and technique on the mini envelope I made for the wee little card. Not really sure what to do with this now as it’s too small to mail and too cute to waste on adding to someone’s gift who won’t appreciate it...hmmm...I have a feeling this will remain in my card box awhile before the perfect situation comes along to use it.

This mini ‘lil note card will sparkle in the following challenges:

The Greeting Farm’s FFF Challenge: ANYA-licious

Christmas Stampin’ All Year Long Challenge #31: Mini Cards

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge #68: Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody #28: Anything Goes

Love to Scrap Challenge #13: Anything Goes

One Crazy Stamper September Christmas Challenge

CHNC Challenge Extra for September

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Stamping All-Stars (Archival black ink - couldn’t craft without it!)

Upon defeating the Cragle demons that had taken up residence near the village, we returned to Hollyston to assure them they (and their holly crop) were safe. Hollinda, the village leader was immensely grateful and bestowed upon us a batch of poisoned holly arrowheads their R&D team had just created. Ummm...aweeeeeeeesome…

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Picture Perfect Discovery

Today the Guardian of Glitter found an ancient relic in the dusty catacombs beneath the Guild Hall. We weren’t quite sure what it was for, and spent the day trying to figure out what magic made it work. We pressed one of the buttons and a bright flash of light lit up the room. When my eyes readjusted to the light after the blinding flash, I saw a small blue bird standing atop the device. “Where did that come from?” I inquired. The Guardian of Glitter shook her head, obviously as confused as I was.

I started this card by colouring the freebie Birdie Brown image using Prismacolor pencils and inking around the edges with Distress Ink. I cut the photo corners for it and the larger ones using the Art Philosophy cartridge. I chose some background paper from a pack of paper I procured from Wal-Mart last summer and have since only used one sheet from. Now I’m proudly up to two, earning myself -235 hoarder exp points and going down a level (which in this case is a good thing). The word mom I cut using the Storybook cartridge. I then embossed it and the stripped piece of paper using my Cuttlebug.

On the inside I cut some more photo corners using the Art Philosophy cartridge. The sentiment was stamped using the Lawn Fawn “Jessie’s ABCs” and “Say Cheese” sets. I stamped the camera from the “Say Cheese” set in light pink so it would be subtle enough to write a personal message overtop.

I stamped the envelope using the Dylusions “Doodle Parts” set.

This little bird will develop in the following challenges:

Birdie Brown April Freebie Challenge

Use it Tuesday Challenge #54: Flowers for Mom

Pile It On Challenge #17: April Showers Bring May Flowers

Love to Create Challenge #63: Punches and/or Dies

There She Goes Challenge #205: April Showers, May Flowers

Tammy’s Scrapin’ Corner Challenge #60: Lots of Layers

Fairy Tale Challenge #66: Very Special Occasion

Challenges 4 Everybody #19: Anything Goes

The Corrosive Challenge #173: Mother’s Day

Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #9: Outdoor Critters

Paper Playtime Challenge #9: Emboss (wet or dry) 
The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge #59: April Showers Bring May Flowers

The small bird let out an unnaturally loud squawk and we heard a pop and the sound of glass breaking. It looked at us solemnly before spreading its wings and flying out the window. When I looked at the device upon where it had been perched, I saw the glass lens was shattered. Whatever this machine was for, we will now never know.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Nothing to Fawn Over, Deer

Today I was doing some power leveling in the Red Willow Glen, trying to go up a few levels as we have a difficult quest ahead of us in the next fortnight. The beetles that inhabit the glen are particularly good for this as they offer a lot of experience when slain. I had just finished off a group of three and was drinking a mana potion to refresh my magic points when I saw a fawn wandering by herself. If the beetles swarmed the poor deer, she would surely be defeated. I made my way over to her, keeping an eye out for her mother.

I made this card by cutting out the square base using the Art Philosophy cartridge. I then stamped the deer using the Unity “Deer to Me” set and paper pieced their bodies. The little heart/word bubble and the sentiment all came from that same set. The branches and shape the sentiment is stamped on, I cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge, whilst the word “mom” I cut using the Storybook cartridge.

The inside sentiment (which made me laugh so hard when I saw this set online, it prompted me to purchase it) I stamped using the Unity “Deer to Me” set again, earning me +291 consistency exp points. I subtly stamped the tree using the Unity "Naturally Yours" set in red so you can easily write a personal message over top it.

I stamped some leafy branches on the envelope using the Unity “Naturally Yours” set again.

This ‘lil deer will be fawned over in the following challenges:

The Perfect Sentiment Challenge #76: Mother’s Day

Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge #124: Anything Goes

Divas By Design: Inspired By a Movie (Bambi)

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Cardz TV Challenge #28: Cute as a Button

Little Scrap Pieces Buttons and Bows Fun Friday Challenge

Fairy Tale Challenge #66: Very Special Occasion

The Corrosive Challenge #173: Mother’s Day

Desert Islands Crafters Challenge #52 (used #1-no flowers, #2-use black or red or teal, #3-no markers, #9-make it square, not rectangular)
Unity Friends With Flair (later on this week)

I heard a branch snap behind me and whirled around, sword drawn. Emerging from the woods was the fawn’s mother. Just as I started to relax, her face twisted in horror and she let out a scream. Turning around I saw a swarm of blood beetles advancing. Luckily I had just drank that mana potion, as it allowed me to cast a shield on the scared little fawn beside me, whilst I entered into battle with the deadly coleoptera. Naturally, I prevailed, being the Guild Master and all, and was able to reunite the two deer and gain a level in the process.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Ancient Secret Recipes

We had got another lead on the schema we were searching for that would allow us to make the legendary adhesive, so the Lady Commander of Copics and I set out to the Shabby Shutter Isle, hoping for better luck than last time. Everything on the island was varying shades of green, making it difficult to navigate and easy to lose our way. Angela began marking trees we passed, using her accessory R26, to help prevent us from getting turned around too much. We finally came to the location we sought and began to dig under the Great Green Oak Tree as instructed. I’ll admit that I was somewhat surprised by what we found. Not only did it include the schema we so desired, but multiple other diagrams, directions and recipes for making various accessories, tonics and potions. 

I made this recipe book as a gift for my lady mother and lord husband’s mother (that’s right, I did two of these suckers) to share my favourite recipes. I made all the pages, embossing the edges of each one, then used a piece of ancient designer paper to bind it all using my YourStory. The letters on the front of the book were cut using the Storybook cartridge. Okay...there’s a lot of pages, so we’ll go fast (I took pics of them before they were bound). You can click on any of the pics should you like a closer look.

The sliced apple was cut using Country Life.

Apples were cut using Give a Hoot.

Muffins were from Create-a-Critter.

The milk and eggs were cut using Country Life.

Cute smiling bananas from Create-a-Critter.

Blender cut from Nifty Fifties.

Cute panda came from Create-a-Critter.

The carrot and cheese were from Create-a-Critter and the snail is from Paisley.

Veggies were cut from Country Life.

Chicken also came from Country Life.

The corn is from Country  Life while the mushroom is from Create-a-Critter.

The KAWAII noodle bowl is from Create-a-Critter.

Lemon and can are from Simply Charmed.

Another chicken from Country Life.

Apron is from Country Life. The utensils are from Disney: Dreams Come True.

Cute mouse is from Create-a-Critter. I honestly don't remember which cartridge the flowers came from.

The ship and fish are both from Pack Your Bags.

Cute cow is from Create-a-Critter.

Cheese block is also from Create-a-Critter.

Mushrooms are all from Paisley.

It's very puffy!

Okay I know that was a lot of pages. Phew. This recipe book will cook up a storm in the following challenges:
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #149: Kiss the Cook
Friends of SpeedyTV Challenge #60: Recipe Card (well there’s a few here - lol)
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #90: Use your oldest designer paper
Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge #115: Anything Goes
Spark your Creativity Now! Challenge #6: Anything Goes
Crafting for All Seasons Challenge #46: Dies and Punches

We carefully removed the tome from the ground, in awe of our find. We would be able to craft some powerful accessories and potent tonics with the knowledge contained inside. The Lady Commander and I left Shabby Shutter Isle to return to the Guild Hall, eager to begin creating. Quest complete!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Fine Vintage Indeed

As I was in the crafting chambers today, organizing my papers by size and colour, an owl came with a message from the people of Dusty Concord Isle. Their vineyards were under assault from an angry pack of hobgoblins, intent on destroying all the crop, thus cutting off the rest of the realm from the sweet wine that came from the isle. As I was partial to the fresh summer wines originating from the region, I quickly donned my armor and grabbed my great bow, ready to assist the good people of Dusty Concord Isle. Of course, a guildy never quests alone, so I asked the Guardian of Glitter to come along, as I knew the Lady Commander of Copics would have nothing to do with the "island of juice", as she calls it.

This card was really built around the sentiment from the My Creative Time "Wow! So Many Candles" set. I used the Birthday Bash cartridge to cut the base for this skinny card. I then used the Simply Charmed cartridge to cut the bottle. It's actually a champagne bottle with lots of stuff coming out of the top, but I cut all that stuff off, since I wanted it to look like a wine bottle. After putting on the label, I thought it looked a little too much like ketchup, so I used the Storybook cartridge to cut "vino" and some foliage so there was no confusion as to what it was {lol}. 

Inside I added some more greenery using the Storybook cartridge and stamped the sentiment using the My Pink Stamper "Birthday Crazy" set.

I made the envelope, as I didn't have any that would fit this skinny card, and stamped a little flower on it.

This vintage will age itself in the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #89: They Say it's Your Birthday
MFP SpeedyTV Simple Salutations Challenge #32: Wine/Grapes
A Gem of a Challenge #67: Dies & Punches
Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #6: Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody #14: Anything Goes

By the time the Guardian of Glitter and I arrived at Dusty Concord Isle, the attacking hobgoblins were so drunk, we were able to fell them rather easily. I didn't even have to use a healing tonic. The vineyard owners were so grateful, they bestowed upon the Guild Hall fifteen cases of their signature summer wine. Nikki and I would have to find somewhere to hide it all from the Lady Commander, as she has an unnatural aversion to all things "juicy". But that is a whole other tale unto itself.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

What's In Your Box?

Today as I was tucking into a nice pease pudding prepared by the house gnomes, there was a knock on the Guild Hall door. Sighing, I heaved myself from the oak dining table and went to see what unfortunate creature was disturbing my supper. I flung the door open, in a foul mood as my hunger mounted, and was surprised to see no one there. I poked my head out and looked about, but the Guild Hall grounds were deserted. I was about to close the door and head back to my meal when I noticed a small box on the door step. Curious I picked it up and examined it. Twas a small copper box engraved with leaves. Knowing better than to open strange boxes left anonymously on my stoop, I carefully took it to the crafting chambers and called for back up. While waiting, I decided to craft, my supper forgotten and growing cold.

I created this box as a going away present for one of my co-workers. She really likes my cards, and I thought this would be nice gift for her. This is what this box started looking like:

It was an old box I had saved from the facial cleanser I use.

I removed the white piece that holds the bar and just used the rest of the box. I started by painting the entire box copper. After that was done, I made the "panels" for the sides of the box. The leaves I cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge and stamped with the corresponding Close to My Heart stamp. The monogram "base" I also cut from Art Philosophy, but the letter "L" (which is the first letter of her name) I cut from the Storybook cartridge.

More leaves on the back of the box. All these leaves earned me +89 nature exp points, leveling up my nature damage spells.

So I didn't want to put leaf die cuts on all the sides of the box, so there would be "blank" sides to grasp when opening the box. I just jazzed up the paper on the remaining two sides using the Dylusion stencil "Luscious Leaves". Let's open her up shall we...

So for the inside I made some mini cards with mini envelopes. I cut them out using the Art Philosophy cartridge and stamping coordinating Close to My Heart Stamps.

There's six cards inside, two of each "style". They're all thank you cards, because who can't use little thank you note cards? I was inspired by Mary's (over at Cardz TV) note cards and thought they'd be perfect to go inside my little autumn box I made.

I will be entering my box into the following challenges:
Simply Create Too Challenge #23: Autumn/Fall
Emergency Crafters Challenge: Autumn Leaves
Tammy's Scrapin Corner Challenge #30: Fall Colors
Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge: Leaf-spiration
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #71: Go Green (Color or Recycle Something) - I recycled the Cyclic box

Once my other guildys arrived, we cast a spell of containment on the crafting chambers and carefully opened the mysterious box. As we slowly lifted the lid, a green light shone through the opening. To our surprise, the box contained a crop of the rare green-glow shrooms we'd been searching for! How fortuitous...a little too fortuitous...I have a feeling this gift may come at a price.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Tag You're It

Welcome to the Guild Hall. You have arrived just in time to hear my tribulations. I have yet to embark on a crafting quest that has felt a chore until I accepted this latest mission. Admittedly, the troubles started by my own accord and a foolish decision that nearly doomed the entire expedition. Instead of making my usual card, I decided to try my hand at making a tag. I have only made a tag once before and it wasn't a "stand alone" tag. It was crafted then quickly settled into its new home on a card face. It had purpose. This one was going to be a lone tag - a rogue. It was rough going the whole way through. I suppose I do need more practice at this particular craft.

The tag itself was one of my spoils gained from the Crafters Guild Raid last weekend. I started by inking the tag using Dylusions spray inks. Step two was stamping the Stampotique image using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink. Then I sat there and stared at the tag for a good ten minutes trying to decide what to do next. Hmmmmm....nothing was coming to me. Luckily it was time to sup; a well needed break away from this tag that was apparently going no where. 

My evening meal consumed, I returned to the crafting chamber and stared at the tag for awhile longer. I finally decided to emboss the one side and ink it up. Then I dug through my "bits box" to try and find something of use. I came across that owl image that I had cut from the Storybook cartridge literally two years ago and that weird orange shape that I think was the inside piece of a jack-o-lantern mouth at one point. 

Next I stamped the sentiment from the Dylusions "Say What You Mean" set and the eyes from the "Dependable Dotty" set. I also added glossy accents to the eyes. I still thought it looked a little plain, so I stamped the key and button things from the 7 Gypsies "Steampunk" stamp set. Last I inked a piece of silver ribbon using the Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and frayed the ends of it.

I stared at the tag a little longer and decided that nothing I could add would make me like it more. Best just enter it into the Stampotique Designers Challenge (#64: Colour Challenge - mustard, navy, orange) and be done with it.

This endevour wasn't a complete failure having earned myself +190 exp points in tag making. I will definitely need to attempt a similar quest again before I will have enough experience to level up this skill.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Dusting Off The Ancient Archives

Yesterday the Guild Master and I had the tedious task of cataloging the family archives to preserve our genealogy. It is a delicate process that requires a deft hand and skilful eye, so as not to disturb the delicate relics. We started by selecting an ancient photo of our mother’s wedding day and went to work.

We cut out the butterfly from the Rock Princess cartridge and the word “Bride” from the Storybook cartridge. We also embossed the white letters using the Swiss Dots cuttlebug folder.

The picture was mounted on some sparkly foam from the dollar store (much to the Guardian of Glitter’s delight) earning us a level up in “frugality”...think of all the mana potions we'll be able to afford now! We were also able to snag a handful of exp points in “replication” by scanning in a copy of her wedding invite and reprinting it on vellum paper.

We shall add this completed page to the dusty tome and carefully store it until next time we need to index the records.

This page will be entered into the challenge at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #121 - Wedding Bliss.

I think I now need to take an allergy pill after breathing in all that dust from the library. I’m going to talk to my sister, Guild Master Crystal, about hiring some house gnomes to dust this place...

~ Angela – Lady Commander of Copics ~