The Potion Peddler

Salutations. Today we received the first of what will surely be many a snowfall. The blustering winds howled outside whilst I huddled under my furs with a mug of tea, trying to stay warm in front of the roaring fire. I was startled when I heard a pounding on the Guild Hall door, as I couldn’t imagine who would be outside in this weather. Unhappy at having to leave my warmth bundle, I opened the large oak door. On the stoop stood a girl dressed in her winter attire and holding a steamy beverage.

“Good day, m’lady. Can I interest you in a warmth potion? I have a sample if you’re interested,” she said thrusting forth the mug.

I started this card by stamping the Kraftin’ Kimmie “Piper” image onto watercolour paper and colouring her using my Distress Markers and Hydrabrush of +40 wetness. I cut the scalloped circle out using my well loved Art Philosophy cartridge and stamped the sentiment using the Lawn Fawn “Winter Fox” set. The large mug is from an October Afternoon sticker sheet that I’ve been hoarding for about 3 years and finally decided to use, earning myself +282 bravery exp points. I added some Distress Ink to the edges of all the papers slapped on some red thread and called the front done.    

On the inside I cut the scalloped sqaures out using Art Philosophy again. The red sentiment is from Unity and the brown one is from the Echo Park “Holly Jolly Christmas” set. I then added the little steamy mug that came with Piper.

On the envelope I stamped the mug again and added some red snowflakes to match the colour scheme of the card.

This chilly craft will warm up the following challenges:

Kraftin’ Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday

CHNC Challenge Extra for October

Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday Linky Party

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Anything Goes

Tammy’s Scrapin Corner Challenge #86: Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge #32: Anything Goes

Penny Black and More October “Anything Goes” Challenge

The Corrosive Challenge #186 - Tic-Tac-Toe (patterned paper, image, sentiment)

Knowing better than to accept food or drink from a complete stranger, I politely declined her offer and shut the door. I then rushed to a window and watching the girl, silently whispered a Reveal spell. I wasn’t surprised when her innocent appearance melted away to reveal a hideous ice witch demon. Although her glamour didn’t fool me, I am a seasoned adventurer and wise to such tricks; some of the smallfolk may not know to refuse the seemingly sweet lass. Annoyed at having to leave the warmth of the Guild Hall, I grabbed my sword and fur cloak and set out to stop the demon.  
 
~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Time Is Running Out

continued from Tearing Up The Time Rift...

After arriving at the entrance to the Caves of Bane we could feel the effects of the time rift much stronger as we were now right near the demon. We followed the ticking noise through the caverns, fighting off some low level cave dwellers along the way. As we came upon an opening, water dripping from the stalactites above, we spotted the gear shaped clock-shifter demon. It slowly turned towards us, its gears creaking, as we entered the underground room. As we stared in amazement, the clock-shifter changed shape into a humanoid! It was the time demon we had banished last winter! 

I started this ATC by stamping The Octopode Factory “Violet” image onto watercolour paper and colouring her using Distress Markers and my Hydra Brush of +75 wetness. I made the background for the ATC using Tea Dye, Vintage Photo and Scattered Straw Distress Inks and just swiiiiiiiiiping it through the ink, earning myself +692 swipey exp points. I then used the Tim Holtz “Industrial Blueprint” set to stamp the gears in the background. The clock on the side I stamped using the October Afternoon “9 to 5” set and swiped it through some Scattered Straw as well (not actual straw....that would be silly....the Distress Ink again lol).

This ATC will take its time in the following challenges:

Wicked Wednesday Challenge #96: Like Clockwork

Brown Sugar Challenge #54: Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody #26: Anything Goes

Dream Valley Challenge #63: Monochrome

“Time’s running out on your lives, Guildys,” the time demon groaned. A battle commenced, spells flying left and right amongst mythril arrows and our steel blades, singing as they sliced through the evil creature. After about 12 rounds of battle we were successful once again in banishing her back to the Time Dweller’s Realm. This time, we combined forces and quickly cast a SUUUUUPPA SPARKLE SHIELD on the portal before it closed. Hopefully this would keep it better contained and prevent this demon from breaking through again.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

SURPRISE Party! (and guest cards)

Today I awoke with a slight sugar hangover after all the festivities last night. Today is my nameday, and my lord husband and I had originally decided to not partake in elaborate celebrations. Little did I know that he and my sister, the Lady Commander of Copics, were using their stealth skills to sneakily plan a surprise party for me. After a hard day of working in the village, I returned to the Guild Hall only to be greeted by shouts and hoots and hollers - SURPRISE!!!!! All the Guild members were there: the Lady Commander of Copics, the Guardian of Glitter, Guild Apprentice Lindsay and even Guild Mercenary Kimmy with her little aspiring guildy. Numerous people from the village had come as well and my lady mother and lord father had made the journey to partake in the party. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the entertainment my lord husband had hired for the evening. A musical group known as the Jitterbugs...only it turns out they are actually bugs!

This card is more of a diorama than a traditional card per say. I had seen a tutorial on this awhile ago, but I honestly can’t remember where. It was one of those things that I just jotted down the measurements and didn’t get around to trying it for a long while. So I cut the “love bug” out using the Simply Charmed cartridge and embossed his body using the Cuttlebug. I added some glitter to his cheeks to make him sparkly. That is the first glitter I ever bought and it really sucks because I purchased it from the Everything-For-One-Brass-Coin stand in the market square (not known for high quality products). 

I glued him to the back portion then cut the grass from the Create-A-Critter cartridge and adhered it to the front piece, creating a 3D effect. On the front I cut the heart shaped flower using the Give a Hoot cartridge. I freehand cut the banner shape and stamped the sentiment using the We R Memory Keepers “Cupid” stamp set.

This Valentine’s bug will crawl into the following challenges:
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #147: Queen of Hearts
MFP Friends of SpeedyTV Challenge #58: Valentine’s Day
My Craft Spot Challenge #85: Valentines for Kids
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #88: Use Your Oldest Bling
MFP SpeedyTV Simple Salutations Challenge #31: Valentine’s Day Card
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Have a Heart
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #255: Love Struck
Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday Love is in the Air Challenge
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #146: Love
A Gem of a Challenge #66: Hearts/Valentines
The Corrosive Challenge #167: Hearts and Flowers
Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #6: Anything Goes
Desert Island Crafter’s Challenge #47 - Used: #1 (Love/Romance), #2 (Hearts), #6 (Sentiment), #9 (String/Raffia)

Those little bugs sure knew how to put on a show and all of the party guests were thoroughly entertained! After watching the singing bug band we all settled around the large oak table for some board games. My lord husband and sister could not have planned a better evening to celebrate my nameday!

Lady Commander of Copics (left) and Guardian of Glitter (right)

Here are some cards I received for my birthday:

Made by Angela - the Lady Commander of Copics

She used this super cute vintage October Afternoon paper, because she knew I had the same paper and would never want to cut it because it’s too cute (and she’s right...I haven’t been able to bring myself to cut up that paper yet :D) On the inside she stamped a sentiment using the My Pink Stamper "Birthday Crazy" set.

Made by Nikki - the Guardian of Glitter

She used an ultra kawaii image by Kraftin’ Kimmie and made an awesome spritzy background for this card! It wouldn't be a card from the Guardian of Glitter without something sparkly, and she didn't disappoint; it's hard to tell in the picture, but those brads are spppppppparkly. I love how decorated the inside is! Cupcakes and washi tape and another inky spritzed up background!

Made by Travis - my Lord Husband (with assistance from the Lady Commander)

These two snuck into my crafting chambers and used my supplies to make a card. My lord husband chose everything to use and made the card while my sister guided him, as he is a complete crafting noob. He chose the monkey paper because his nickname for me is “monkey” which is the same reason I chose that paper for his birthday card a couple months ago. Super cute how he didn’t press evenly enough on the stamp to get it all ;) On the inside he stamped The Greeting Farm’s “Birthday Anya” because I had just used her on a card and he thought she was cute with a little cake on her head. {lol} This is seriously the cutest thing ever. I truly have the best husband in the world!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The Aspiring Guildy

Today the Lady Commander of Copics and I paid a visit to our cousin, Kim - Crafters Guild Mercenary. As we visited, drinking some delicious tea, her son was running around the room making “vrrooooooming” noises while flying a paper airplane. I questioned Kim on his choice of toys. Was work as a Guild Mercenary not paying well enough that she could afford proper toys for the lad? She chuckled and said he claims he wants to be a member of the Crafters Guild when he “gets bigger”. He’s started practicing his craft by making paper airplanes. The Lady Commander and I laughed and watched the boy as he began folding another piece of paper.

To create this card, I gritted my teeth, cast a bravery spell and cut *gulp* into my My Little Shoebox cloud paper. I LOVE My Little Shoebox paper due to its EXTREME KAWAII-NESS! And I NEVER use it, because I don’t want to cut it up. So this was a big step - lol. I stamped the paper airplane from Lawn Fawn’s “Flying By” set onto an index card and cut it out. The sentiment was a combination of the “Flying By” set and the “Sophie’s Sentiments” set. They’re almost the same font, so they go together.

The inside I used the rest of the index card and stamped another paper airplane. I also added a tack from the October Afternoon “9 to 5” set to give this card +25 office points. The sentiment is from the My Creative Time “Wow! So Many Candles” set. I chose it because the way it was spaced and the size of the font, it fit exactly on the lines of the index card! I think this card will make a great birthday card for someone in my office.

I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut a mini envelope for this mini card (3.5”x3.5”) then stamped a paper airplane and the “dot trail” from the “Flying By” set.

This officey birthday card will glide on into the following challenges:
Try It On Tuesday Challenge: New Stash (I just bought “Flying By” yesterday with my Christmas money :)
Lawnscaping Challenge: Let’s Party

Sketch With a Twist Challenge #28: Use Baker’s Twine

It’s nice to see that the village youth are aspiring to be members of the Crafters Guild upon their entry into manhood. There is much more to being a member than simply creating paper crafts though...perhaps I should get the child a crossbow for his next nameday...

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The Shroom Addict

As winter rages on across the realm, food has begun to become scarce unless you are fortunate enough to have the coin to pay for it or had the good sense to create a winter storage supply, such as the one we have at the Guild Hall. Last night I was leaving the Inked Cricket after a few mustard seed ales and spotted a dirty looking house gnome digging through the tavern’s trash bins, obviously looking for something to eat. I started to approach the unfortunate chap, but when he spotted me, he scurried off deeper into the alley.

It’s been awhile since I’ve made a garbagey card, and these events seemed like the perfect time to bust another one out. I don’t even know where to begin with this one; there’s so much going on. The main image was a combination of body parts from the Dylusions sets “Pondering Petunia” (head), “Travelling Travis” (legs) and “Dependable Dotty” (body). The were all coloured with Distress Markers and glued together. I added some Glossy Accents to her lips for some shine. The santa hat was cut using the “Winnie the Pooh and Friends” cartridge. The gnome and mushrooms all came from the Lawn Fawn “Gnome Sweet Gnome” set. This is the first time that ink has touched that gnome stamp, and it felt good to finally use him. I wanted him to look a little more Christmasy so I gave him a pom-pom using the popcorn image from the October Afternoon “Very Merry” set. I then added glitter to both the hats’ pom-poms. I inked and distressed some tickets from the Tim Holtz “Odds and Ends” set and stamped the large sentiment from the Tim Holtz “Christmas Memories” set. The background paper was spritzed with some Dylusions spray ink to jazz it up. Lastly the grey panel was run through the Cuttlebug, sprayed with Perfect Pearls mist and tied with a scrap of ribbon from my stash to finish it off.

The inside sentiment was a combination of the Lawn Fawn “Gnome Sweet Gnome” set “Cozy Christmas” and a Close To My Heart set that’s just random little words (for the for...haha...)

The envelope was stamped with a cheapo Recollections brand stamp. This card earned me another +210 exp points in garbage assembly, allowing me to level up that skill! I didn’t think anything could get more random than the Dumpster Diving Katta card, but I was wrong.

Oh well. This gargantuan garbage pile will be entered into the following challenges:
Creative Card Crew Challenge #24: Anything Goes
Stamping For Pleasure: Rudolph Day
Divas By Design Challenge #63: Glitter and Sparkle
Pixie Dust Studio: Winter Holiday Creations Challenge
Cardz TV Stamps DT Challenge #20: To Die For
Dream Valley Challenge #46: Non-Traditional Christmas
Use It Tuesday Challenge #44: Ink It Up...Finally
The Octopode Factory Challenge: Words
Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday “Make It Sparkle” Challenge
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge #163: Anything Goes
Jingle Belles: December to Remember
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #23: Button or Bow
Hooked On Craft Challenge #27: Christmas
One Crazy Stamper December Sketch or Holiday Card

I finally caught up to the little gnome and offered him food and shelter and a place of employment at the Guild Hall - all of which he refused. Turns out he’s a power shroom addict and was rooting through the garbage for items to sell or trade for more shrooms. How the power shrooms had made their way here from the Mushroom Kingdom is beyond me, but I was determined to find the shroom smuggler and put a stop to it!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Glittery Peppermint Snowfall

A blanket of glistening snow covered the grounds this morning, a true herald to winter's rapid approach. The house gnomes have been busy keeping fires stoked in the hearths whilst the Lady Commander of Copics has been huddled in furs, cloaks and scarves, trying to stay warm. In an effort to stave off my chill, I have opened the winter stores and have been consuming the Christmas teas we have on hand - gingerbread, candy cane, peppermint - each one reminding me that not only is winter coming, but Christmas too!

I started by colouring Kraftin' Kimmie's "Willard" with Prismacolors. The peppermints I cut using the Simply Charmed cartridge and added some cherry red glitter after much urging from the Guardian of Glitter. At least I gained +79 shimmery exp points. I embossed the green shimmery piece of paper with my Cuttlebug. The sentiment was pieced together using Lawn Fawn's "Cozy Christmas" set and a cheap Inkadinkado stamp for the word "sweet".

The inside sentiment and peppermints were stamped from the October Afternoon "Very Merry" stamp set. 

I made a peppermint pattern envelope for this card to make is SUPER matchy! 

This peppermint paper project will be entered into the following challenges:
Creative Craft Challenges2: "Three" (3 peppermints) 
Jingle Belles: Holiday Creature Feature
ABC Christmas Challenge 2012: U for Up To You
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Challenge #33: Traditional Colors
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #112: Dry Embossing
My Craft Spot Challenge #73: Emboss It!
Tammy's Scrapin Corner Challenge #32: Anything Goes
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge #151: Sketch
 
Based on the weather thus far, I do believe we are in for a harsher winter than last year. I know the direwolves will be pleased as they love to frolic in the fresh snowfall. I suppose it is time to unpack the winter furs and accessories.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

  

The Sepia Tea Party

A messenger crow arrived today with news about a large supply of tea that was stolen from a local merchant. He was seeking help from any willing hero and would provide a reward to anyone who could recover the crates of missing tea. I sent a message to the Guardian of Glitter for assistance, knowing she was a tea lover, and we met up and set out to find the missing tea. Turns out it was stolen by the notorious Captain Jack Java who was in the process of disposing of the tea into the Lake of Liquid Pearls. Nikki used her glitter beam to stun him while I sliced him with my great sword - Kraft Blade. We then returned all the stolen tea to the grateful merchant. I felt I needed to make a card based on our tea-capade.

This was the first time I've ever attempted this "double pocket fold" card after watching a bunch of different tutorials on YouTube. My only regret is the patterned paper I chose, but I powered through anyways. Before I get into everything that I used, here is what it looks like with the stuff out of the pockets.

So because I was entering this into the Lawnscaping Challenge that involved creating your own patterned paper with stamps, I used the Lawn Fawn set "My Cup of Tea" to stamp the teacup pattern and the pattern on the tag. I used that same set to stamp the spoon and sentiment on the tag. Then I used the Crafty Secrets "Coffee and Tea" set to stamp the retro lady, tea kettle and the sentiment on the front. I coloured them using Prismacolors trying to go for a sepia tone.

Here's a close up of the cute kettle on the tag. I used the "steam" stamp from Lawn Fawn's "My Cup of Tea" for the background on this one. The bands of kraft I added on the tag and outside of the card because they reminded me of those "sleeves" they put on your cup at coffee shops so you don't burn your hand.

I used the kettle from the Lawn Fawn set to make the "patterned paper" for the inside of the card. They weren't all uniform but I liked that better because it added to the "vintagey" feel of the card.

Then I added another retro lady from the Crafty Secrets set and coloured her as well. I kind of messed up on her, but oh well. The phone and the "call me" came from the October Afternoon "9 to 5" set and the super random splotches came from the 7 Gypsies "Steampunk" set. 

Of course I also stamped the envelope to match the card because it makes me happier when they match. I earned +400 combo exp points for using four different stamp sets to make this card.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:
365 Cards: Day 174 - Surprise Inside (the tea bag)
Emergency Crafters Challenge: Tea & Cake
Lawnscaping Challenge #40: Make your own patterned paper with stamps

The merchant ended up paying us in tea. I needed to hook a cart to Ruffles just to haul it all back to the Guild Hall as it was too much to fit into her saddlebags. The Lady Commander will be pleased to see all that tea upon her return as she is a fan of warm beverages. Quest complete.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Mini Cake Anyone?

While at the market yesterday, I decided to buy something sweet to cheer myself up as I was missing the Lady Commander of Copics and our long nights of crafting until the candles are no more. Trying to talk about ribbons and inks with the house gnomes just isn't the same (although one did give me 99 alternate uses for buttons). As I meandered from stall to stall, I came across a lady selling mini cakes. One bite and I was hooked! This was just the kind of artificial mood boost I required. I bought a dozen and went back to the Guild Hall to stuff my face with the sugary delights. Riding the sugar high I was inspired to make a card.

This is like a clash between office and birthday. Don't ask me what I was thinking. The clock, "rush" and tack were stamped from the October Afternoon "9 to 5" set. The "giggle" ticket is obviously from Tim Holtz Adage Tickets, but the one behind was stamped out using his "Odds and Ends" stamp set. The sentiment is from the "Birthday Crazy" stamp set by My Pink Stamper. The circle do-dad was cut from the Accent Essentials cartridge. That brings me to the star of the card - "Birthday Anya II" by The Greeting Farm. I coloured her using Prismacolors and Gamsol. This was the first time I've ever used Gamsol, and I was pretty impressed with it.

It just gets rid of the sometimes harsh pencil lines you can get when using coloured pencils and blends everything together oh so nicely. I have since coloured numerous other TGF characters and can't wait to give them a card to call home. I earned +170 Prisma points and leveled up my colouring skill.

The inside I stamped with "Flower Flourishes" by Inkadinkado using the Spun Sugar Distress Ink. Then I stamped the sentiment using "Birthday Crazy" again.

I will be entering this into the following challenges:
The Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Friday: Happy Birthday Challenge
Diva's By Design Challenge #48: Sketch Time!

Well after eating all those mini cakes I sure had quite the upset stomach and had to send Mixie, one of the house gnomes, to the apothecary for an elixir. Hopefully the Lady Commander returns soon so I don't resort to sugar binges to fill the craftless hole in the hall.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~