A Stitch in Time

It is well known across the realm that my Lady Mother is a Master Seamstress. When she was still a young miss, she had already surpassed her elders in the art of stitching. She made tunics and dresses such that the realm had never seen, weaving the most wonderful creations out of seemingly dull fabrics. When my sister, the Lady Commander of Copics and brother, Jason the Machinist, and I were young, she wouldn’t let any of the servants make or purchase our clothing, insisting she do it herself as her pieces far surpassed anything else. As Mother’s Day is almost here, I retreated to my crafting chambers to create a card honouring my Lady Mother.

I started this card by cutting the shape using the Art Philosophy cartridge then stamping the image with the Unity “Sew Cute” set. I coloured it with Distress Markers and my fabled, Hydra brush, earning myself +218 water elemental exp points and levelling up! Next I stamped a ton of buttons (using the same Unity set) on different colours of card stock that matched the background paper. The sentiment (unsurprisingly) also came from that same Unity set. I’m not quite sure why, but the words on that stamp aren’t in a perfectly straight line....very strange (it even shows it crooked on the package picture). I kind of curved the stamp a little to compensate for the unevenness. It sorta worked....sorta....it's still a little crooked.

On the inside I stamped my newest favourite sentiment using the Unity “Deer to Me” set. This bad boy will be going on all future cards to my parents, reinforcing the fact that I am better than my siblings - haha :D

I stamped some more buttons on the envelope to make everything all matching.

This card will stitch itself up in the following challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge #40: Mother’s Day

Pile It On Challenge #18: For Mother

Love To Create Challenge #64: For Mom or Special Lady

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #159: Mother’s Day

Tammy’s Scrappin’ Corner Challenge #61: Mother’s Day

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #100: Mother’s Day or Pink

Cardz TV Challenge #29: There’s No Other Like My Mother

Chocolate Coffee and Cards Challenge #38: Mother’s Day
Crafty Sentiments Challenge: Use a Sentiment

Penny Black and More May Challenge: Sew Special

I still have some of the items my Lady Mother stitched for me, and am saddened I did not learn her art. Instead, I became a Master of Paper...and an adventurer. Someone needs to keep the demons in check.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Cookies of Wisdom

Today the Lady Commander of Copics had a visitor from afar who brought us some of her favourite food, native to her home village. The tasty concoction all came mixed up in one paper container with a wire handle. After we dined, the girl presented us each with a cookie and instructed us to break it open, where we found a message written on a scroll. 

I started this card by stamping and paper piecing the little asian girl from the Unity “You’re My Bestie” set. I then stamped the chinese food box and fortune cookies using the Lawn Fawn “Good Fortune” set, earning myself +192 cooking points. Using my Cuttlebug and a border folder of +20 impression, I embossed the edge of the card with a floral pattern. The sentiment I stamped using the My Pink Stamper “Birthday Crazy” set.

On the inside I stamped another fortune cookie and then cut it in half with jagged cuts to make it look broken. I went over the jagged edges with a black sharpie so it was all outlined with black. I then stamped the fortune scroll and sentiment using the “Good Fortune” set and made it look as though it came from the now broken up fortune cookie.

I decided to emboss the envelope to match the embossing on the card itself. I’m a big fan of embossing the envelopes since trying it here a couple weeks ago.

This birthday card will see its future in the following challenges:

MFP SpeedyTV Inspiration Challenge # 9 - A Trip to the Orient

Paper Playtime Challenge #9: Emboss (wet or dry)

There She Goes Challenge #206: Paper Piecing

Love to Scrap Challenge #5: Anything Goes

Cuttlebug Mania Tic Tac Toe Birthday Challenge (used buttons, embossing, flowers)

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Inspired By (I’ve been playing a lot of Mini Ninja on my iPad, which inspired me to use my little oriental girl stamp)

The Lady Commander of Copics unfurled hers first and read aloud, “You are kind and will have good luck in a future endeavor.” She seemed pleased, but I thought it rather vague. I read mine next, “You will meet your death”...? I looked up from my scroll to see the girl holding a sword to my throat, the Lady Commander knocked out on the floor.

“Consider this a declaration of war between the Crafters Guild and Mini Ninja Clan of the Weathered Wood Mountains,” she said. A giant puff of smoke suddenly surrounded her. When the cloud cleared, she was nowhere to be seen. Why can we never just have a normal meal around here?

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Rhinestones From Above

It has been a while since the Crafters Guild has had a good battle. Today we received a message from the good folk at Crushed Olive Glen who were under siege from a band of vengeful angels. Angels can be tricky to defeat at the best of times, but vengeful ones are even harder. I armed myself with my great bow, Fungi, and instructed the other guildys to ensure they loaded up on ranged weapons and long distance spells as we would surely be fighting the angels as they soared through the air.

I started this ATC by stamping the Kraftin’ Kimmie “Celestina” and colouring her with Prismacolors. I then stamped the stars using the Lawn Fawn “Summertime Charm” set. The little “glowy dotted halos” also came from that Lawn Fawn set. I added some bling to the stars using Stickles. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something shiny on the floor of the crafting chamber. It was a rhinestone that had fallen off my Lexus tunic, which I am almost always wearing when crafting at the Guild Hall. 

See the missing spot at the bottom of the “L”? (along with the massive amount of direwolf hair - haha). That’s where the gem came from. Not wanting to waste anything, I decided to glue it on my project, giving Celestina a little hairclip. This also had the added benefit of earning me +105 reusable exp points. I don’t know if that means I can reuse these exp points towards another skill, or if I am now better at reusing things...hmmm...where are the instructions with all these exp?

This ATC will ascend into the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #140: Stars

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #267: Come Fly With Me

Kraftin’ Kimmie Krafty Hop Challenge #3 - Let It Sparkle

Kraftin’ Kimmie Krafty Hop Challenge #4 - Anything But A Card

ATC’s With Attitude Challenge #39: Things With Wings

Desert Islands Crafters Challenge #53 - (used #6: recycle it (gem stone), #7: glitter it, #10: angels)

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Inspired By (I was inspired by the latest Cassandra Clare novel I'm reading in which angels are a prevalent force)

As we approached Crushed Olive Glen, we could see the angels flying above the huts, raining vengeful fire down upon the scared villagers. I notched an arrow, nodded to the Lady Commander of Copics and Guardian of Glitter and in unison we unleashed our attack, bringing the angels down one at a time.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

An Inventive Scam

Today the Lady Commander of Copics was telling me of a bizarre machine the mad inventor was trying to sell her when he was in the village. A device that he claimed would replace the sending of letters by raven and owl. He said it would allow your voice to travel over the countryside to distant realms and talk with people instantly. It sounded a little farfetched to me - black magic maybe. 

I created this CAS card using the Unity “Hello Friend” set. I inked the edges of the panel using a combination of Tea Dye and Antique Linen Distress Ink to give it an aged effect, earning me +194 vintage exp points. Some brown-ish buttons threaded with some earthy cord finished off this super CAS creation.

On the inside I used the same Distress Inks around the edge of the paper to age it approximately 42 years  - a fine vintage if I do say so. I then stamped the sentiment using the MFP “Be Wild & Free” set. The vintage lady came from the Crafty Secrets “Coffee & Tea” set.

On the envelope I stamped...an envelope...I really don’t know what got over me...anyways...it is an aptly named Unity stamp -  “Scripted Envelope.” I still don’t know what I was thinking...

This CAS card will call on the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp: Happy Mail

MFP SpeedyTV Simple Salutations Challenge #43: Monochromatic

Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge #19: Anything Goes

Crafting For All Seasons Challenge #51: Monochromatic

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Inspired By (I heard the Pink Floyd Song “Comfortably Numb” on the radio which starts out “Hello, Is there anybody in there?” It made me think of this stamp set which I had bought awhile ago and had yet to use. I don’t even like Pink Floyd, but it got me to ink up a virgin stamp, so I guess it worked out - lol.

I asked the Lady Commander if the inventor had actually demonstrated this mystical device. She said he couldn’t as the person “on the other end” would also have to be in possession of said device, and as he hadn’t sold one yet.....sounds like a scam to me.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Flamingo Friends Appear

Greetings traveller. We may as well chat out here on the grounds, as the Guild Hall is sweltering hot. No one was prepared for this sudden change in temperature, and the house gnomes had yet to fill the ice fans to keep the Guild Hall cool. It is much too hot for adventuring, so us guildys have been hanging out on the grounds, enjoying the breeze. Some strange pink birds have started appearing along with the heat. The Guardian of Glitter is wary of them, mistrusting their smiling faces.

I started this ATC by inking a white piece of paper with yellow and blue Distress Ink to create a kind of “sun” and “water” scene, earning myself +183 terrain altering exp points. I stamped the edges using the Dylusions “Bordering on the Edge” set. The flamingo I stamped directly onto pink checkered paper using the Lawn Fawn “Gnome Sweet Gnome” set. I stamped the lemonade glass using the Lawn Fawn “Make Lemonade” set, colouring it with Distress Markers. I decided the glass needed a little "table" to float on, so I stamped the lily pad using the My Little Shoebox “Oasis” set. I finished it off by adding a sentiment from the Lawn Fawn “Happy Summer” set.

This hot ATC will chill out in the following challenges:

Wicked Wednesday Challenge #82: Sun & Surf

Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge #125: Animals

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #267: Come Fly With Me

Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #9: Outdoor Critters

Creative Craft Challenges2 #9: All About Animals

ATC’s With Attitude Challenge #39: Things With Wings

It seems all the birds were after was a refreshing drink. I had Olga, one of the house gnomes, prepare some tasty lemonade and we invited some of the birds to partake in the thirst quenching beverage. Sated, they departed as mysteriously as they had appeared.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Bright Ideas Abound

Today there was an inventor visiting the village. Some say he is mad, while others insist his machines are genius. The Lady Commander and I decided to head to the village and see for ourselves. He was an interesting looking chap. Although well dressed, he did have a light bulb in place of an eye. When I asked him about it, he said it was an experiment gone awry, but turned out to be quite useful in, ummm... “dim” situations. I asked to see his wares and he lead us around the the back of his wagon. His cart was full of hissing and whirring machines, smoke coming out of every one. 

I am not well adapt in the art of tag construction, but decided to try my hand at it nonetheless, unexpectedly earning myself +496 tag creation exp points and leveling up! I started by spraying the tag with Dylusions spray ink - vibrant turquoise and bubblegum pink being my colours of choice. After it was dry I embossed it with my “gears” embossing folder. Because the tag material is soooooo thick, you really can’t see the embossing very well. 

I coloured The Octopode Factory’s “Steampunk Alfie” image using Prismacolors and added some Glossy Accents to his light bulb. I then cut the gears using the Robotz cartridge and embossed each one as well. Some screw brads and crinkle ribbon finished off this tag.

This bright idea will formulate in the following challenges:

Try it on Tuesday: Inventors, Inventions and Steampunk

The Octopode Factory Friday Challenge: Tag! You’re It!

Stampotique Designer’s Challenge #98: Pink and Turquoise

Paper Playtime Challenge #9: Emboss (wet or dry)

Dream Valley Challenge #56: No Squares Allowed

Most of the mad inventor’s creations appeared broken or in ill repair. We did however spot one thing, shoved way in the back of the wagon, that caught my eye. A device that evidently swept floors all on its own. It used magical capsules the inventor called “batteries” for energy and would roam the room sucking up dirt and debris. Despite the outrageous cost, I handed over my gold pieces and purchased the device, eager to try it out.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Flowery Deception

As I was wandering the Fuchsia Fields, picking some early blooming flowers to adorn my crafting chambers, I spotted a little girl nearby picking flowers as well. I hailed the lass, but did not receive any response. Shrugging, I turned from her and continued to gather flowers. As I stood up after picking some pretty sparkling rossettas, the girl was standing right in front of me. She looked up at me from under the brim of her oversized hat with burning red eyes. I was about to open my mouth to speak, when she beat me to it, barring her sharp pointed teeth and hissing. 

This card was created for the Just Some Lines Mother's Day challenge, happening now! You can use the freebie provided (or any Just Some Lines image) and win some digis from the Just Some Lines shop!

I started this gate fold card by colouring the Just Some Lines image using Prismacolor pencils. I cut the shapes out using the Art Philosophy cartridge and embossed the green piece with my Cuttlebug. The sentiment I stamped using The Greeting Farm “Special Autumn” set. I added some ribbon and a bow to finish off the front of this card, earning myself +59 embellishment exp points.

On the inside I used some leftover scraps of the paper on the front and stamped the sentiment using the My Pink Stamper “Birthday Crazy” set.

I stamped the envelope with some flowers from the Unity “With Sympathy” set to make it match the pink card.

This mother’s day delight will take root in the following challenges:

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

Celebrate the Occasion Challenge #110: Anything Goes

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

Die Cuttin’ Divas Challenge #113: Anything Goes

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

Cuttlebug Mania “One for Mum” Challenge

The Perfect Sentiment Challenge #77: Make It Feminine

Crafts and Me Challenge #131: Floral Frenzy

Brown Sugar Challenge #40: Mother’s Day

The Corrosive Challenge #173: Mother’s Day

Paper Playtime Challenge #9: Emboss (wet or dry)

Cardz TV Challenge #29: There’s No Other Like My Mother

One Crazy Stamper May “Flowers” Challenge

I dropped the flowers I was holding and drew my blade. Her innocent facade melted away revealing a flugian demon. After a brief battle, during which I crushed all my freshly picked flowers underfoot, I hurried back to the Guild Hall, lest there be more flugian demons lurking about. These vile creatures are known to travel in packs and I didn’t want to risk getting swarmed. Not for flowers anyways. Now had it been, say, chocolate at stake...

~ Guild Master Crystal ~