Young Love Is Sew Cute

While I don’t count sewing amongst my current skillset, one of the Guild Hall’s house gnomes, Emita, fancies herself quite the seamstress. I was helping her clean up her fabric scraps (which reminded me of my hoard of paper scraps) when I came across an old doily sewn onto a scrap of denim. Amused, I held up the fabric and asked Emita what she had been attempting to make with a doily and old jeans. Emita blushed and shyly explained she had been working on a special Christmas project for a house gnome named Barkle who worked in the stables. Intrigued, I wondered if I could attempt the same concept on a paper Christmas card.

This was made using another panel from the ugly sheet of “on sale” paper I bought. 

You can see the first card I made with this sheet here. Anyways...it felt good to use another sheet of that ugly paper. I stamped some images from the Tim Holtz “Haberdashery” set to make it look more... um...”sewy”... (there I go turning verbs into adjectives again with a “y”). I also distressed the edges to make it look more like scrap of denim. I stamped the Amelia image from The Greeting Farm’s “Fuzzy Wuzzy” set and coloured her with Prismacolors. I then added some glitter to the stars in her hair and on her dress and shoe. (YAY +219 sparkly exp points!) I threaded some buttons in an “x” pattern and glued those onto the card to finish the front off.

The inside sentiment was a combination of the My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set, Lawn Fawn’s “Jessie’s ABCs” set and Echo Park’s “Holly Jolly Christmas”. Yikes...that was a lot of stamping - {lol}.

The envelope I stamped with a cheapo Recollection brand stamp that kind of reminded me of buttons.

I will be stitching this card to the following challenges:
ABC Christmas Challenge: X for X Marks the Spot
TGF Farm Fresh Friday: Christmas Themed Card
Winter Wonderland Challenge: Red and Blue
Creative Card Crew Challenge #25: Star (stars in her hair and dress)
Jingle Belles: December to Remember
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #23: Button or Bow
Hooked On Craft Challenges #27: Christmas
One Crazy Stamper December Sketch or Holiday Challenge
Dream Valley Challenge #47: Christmas

After finishing up with Emita, I urged her not to give up on her Christmas project for Barkle. She promised she would finish it...but working up the courage to give it to him was another matter altogether!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Very Tangled Christmas

Thank you for stopping by the Guild Hall today. The Lady Commander of Copics has been spending the day assisting Marvin, one of the Tcho-tcho people, with his Christmas decorating. Marvin is a sad chap who’s been trying to renounce his demony ways and assimilate into human society. He wanted to start by participating in some human Christmas traditions. Unfortunately, Marvin gets frustrated rather easily, and called upon the Crafters Guild for some assistance.

I started by stamping Stampotique’s “Oh...Tree” and “Tangled Enthusiasm” images. I added some ornaments to the tree and coloured everything using Prismacolors. I then masked off the bottom of the tree and went around the edge with the Dylusions “Let It Snow” stencil. I added some holly to the other side using the Dylusions “Christmas Borders” stamp set. I coloured that with Distress Markers and went over it all with the fabled Hydra Brush to make it look smudgey. This earned me +52 water magic exp, allowing me to level up my Hydra Bomb spell. The sentiment was stamped from the Dylusions “Christmas Words” set onto a scrap of patterned paper I had kicking around in my paper chest.

The inside sentiment is from The Greeting Farm’s “Holiday Blessings” set and was coloured with Distress Markers.

I stamped some Christmas lights on the enveloped using the Dylusions “Christmas Borders” set and coloured them with Distress Markers.

This sad Christmas creation will be entered into the following challenges:
Tammy’s Scrapin Corner Challenge #39: Anything Christmas
Stampotique Designer’s Challenge #77: Let’s Get Sentimental
My Craft Spot Challenge #78: Merry Christmas
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #80: Winter Holiday
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #246: Red and Green
Paper Playtime Challenge #90: Christmas Colors
Card Crafter’s Circle Challenge #52: December Celebrations
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenger #137: Red & Green
Emergency Crafters Challenge: Deck the Halls
Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday Challenge: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

The Lady Commander was able to help Marvin decorate his dwelling with some Christmasy decorations, bringing smiles to the Tcho-tcho’s face. It's always nice to help spread some Christmas cheer to the ex-demon community.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

An Ice Dweller Appears

Adventure continued from Mr. Snow the Soul Stealer...

Having narrowly escaped the evil snowman, the Lady Commander of Copics, Guardian of Glitter and I were getting desperate to reach the secret lair of the Cloven Sisters. A blizzard had started, the temperature dropping sharply. We trudged through the deep snow our heads bent down to protect our faces from the bitter wind. Suddenly an Ice Dweller appeared in front of me. “I know where you are headed, Guildyssssssss,” the Ice Dweller hissed. “Follows me now.” I looked to my fellow craft questers who shrugged, nodding their heads. They were thinking the same thing I was - it’s cold and we’re lost. The Ice Dweller was our only hope off this mountain.

This was a super simple little gift tag. I cut out the tag shape using the Art Philosophy cartridge. I stamped the Stampotique image and sentiment (from My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set) using Aged Mahogany Distress Ink. I then inked the edges of the tag using Shabby Shutters Distress Ink.

The back I stamped using the Christmas Wishes set again.

This mini gift tag will be entered into the following challenges:
Stampotique Designer’s Challenge #76: It’s a Wrap
CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #80: Clean and Simple Gift Tag
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
Hooked on Craft Challenge #27: Christmas

True to his hissing word, the Ice Dweller lead us to the Cloven Sisters secret laboratory. We drew our weapons, rolled our skill checks for our spells, and busted in. After a brief but explosive battle, the Cloven Sisters were left defeated. We were able to retrieve all the stolen glitter plants and return them to their rightful owners. The Lady Commander placed a binding spell on the lab so the Cloven Sisters would never be able to leave again, thus protecting the Rainbow Glitter Caverns from any further raids. Quest complete.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Mr. Snow the Soul Stealer

Adventure continued from Let’s Go For a Skate...

The Lady Commander of Copics, Guardian of Glitter and I made our way to Moonstar Mountain where the Cloven Sisters were known to have their secret laboratory. The mountain is vast and snow covered, making it difficult to navigate. Nikki attempted to cast a locating spell, but only managed to roll a 3, failing the skill check. We wandered in what we thought was the right direction when we came across a red cabin in a clearing of trees. In front of the cabin stood a snowperson. This wasn’t a fun, jolly looking snowperson - this was a creepy, heart stopping snowman. Although the chap was smiling, I could feel him peering into my soul and without thinking, my hand slowly slid to the hilt of my sword.

I started this one off by cutting Mr. Snow using SCAL and a Mr. Men font from Da Font. 
I then went searching for some background paper to use. I found this pack of paper my lady mother had bestowed upon me last Winter’s Feast that was “photorealistic” scrapbook paper. I hadn’t even peeled the clear round stickers off the edges of the pack yet! Totally forgot I even had that in my paper chest. I cut some out to use as a nice background for Mr. Snow to stand in front of. I then cut a sentiment using Winter Frolic and jazzed it up with a white gel pen. Lastly I tied some raffia and called the front done.

I went a little crazy on the inside {lol}. The sentiment was a double combo consisting of Lawn Fawn’s “Cozy Christmas” and TGF’s “Fuzzy Wuzzy” set. I also stamped the little fire and stockings from the Cozy Christmas set and coloured them with Distress Markers. Lastly I embossed the sentiment panel with some bricks to make it fire-placey. I gained +203 dual technique exp points and +888 SUPA KAWAII exp points for all the cuteness.

On the envelope I stamped a toque from the Dylusions "Christmas Accessories" set and added some snowflakes around it to make it more snowy.

I will be entering this wintery cool creation into the following challenges:
Cardz TV Stamps DT Challenge #20: To Die For
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #140: Snow
ABC Christmas Challenge: X for X Marks the Spot
Paper Playtime Challenge #90: Christmas Colors
Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #48: Forgotten Stash
Cricut Cardz Challenge #121: Speaking of Christmas
Hooked On Craft Challenge #27: Christmas
Jingle Belles: December to Remember
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Good thing my sword was at the ready, for just as we were about to turn away from the sinister looking snowperson he lunged for Angela. As he grabbed for her throat with his frozen hands, I raised my blade and severed his snowball head in one fluid movement. Gasping for air we quickly left the vicinity, not caring what treasures the red house may contain.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The adventure continues in An Ice Dweller Appears...
 

Let's Go For a Skate

Today we received a message from the Rainbow Glitter Cavern workers asking us for help. It seems someone has been sneaking into the caverns and stealing the glitter plants. The Guardian of Glitter was outraged and was not about to let such an transgression go unpunished. The fastest way to Rainbow Glitter Cavern in the winter is to cross the Lake of Mirrors which is frozen solid during these frigid months. We donned our new Glide Boots and started the journey across the frozen water. To my surprise, the Guardian of Glitter was a natural in the Glide Boots! She sped across the ice never stumbling or slipping once. The Lady Commander of Copics and I followed shakily behind her, clutching each other for support.

I started by stamping Kraftin’ Kimmie’s “Antoinette” and colouring her up using Prismacolors. I added some glitter to the white portions of her dress to make it all glisteny and sparkly. [side note: I find it perfectly acceptable to turn any noun or verb into an adjective by adding a “y”. Lol...ok...carrying on]. After that was done, I went searching my stash for some background paper to use. I was delighted to come across a sheet of 4x6 Christmas journaling cards that had one that matched my image perfectly and had the perfect blank rectangle for her to go in! I totally forgot I had bought that paper! Jackpot! I then cut out a banner from Art Philosophy and stamped the sentiment on it. I decided it still looked a little plain, so I cut some snowflakes from the Winter Woodlands cartridge and glittered the heck out of them, earning myself +692 sparkle exp points!! Level up time!

The inside sentiment came from the My Pink Stamper “Biggie Christmas Sentiments” set. The pink holly was stamped from the Tim Holtz “Christmas Memories” set.

I also stamped some more pink holly on the envelope I made using my Scoring Board Of +70 Creasiness.

This glistening glittery wonder will be entered into the following challenges:
Kraftin’ Kimmie Challenge #157: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #245: Snowflakes!
Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #48: Forgotten Stash
Cardz TV Stamps DT Challenge #20: To Die For
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #136: Christmas with no red or green
CHNC Challenge #101: Make It Girlie
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything Goes
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #140: Snow
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #23: Button or Bow
Jingle Belles: December to Remember
Hooked On Craft Challenge #27: Christmas
Penny Black Allsorts December Challenge: It’s Your Choice
One Crazy Stamper December Sketch or Holiday Card
Tammy’s Scrapin Corner Challenge #39: Anything Christmas

We finally reached the Rainbow Glitter Caverns and I was happy to get those Glide Boots off my feet! After some investigating we came across a couple footprints next to one of the missing glitter plants. Judging from the shape of the print, this could only be the work of the Cloven Sisters. They’ve been trying to get their hooves on some glitter plants to use in their ominous experiments for some time now. Looks like that was our next stop.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The adventure continues in Mr. Snow the Soul Stealer...

The Bard's Clause

Greetings. Welcome to the Guild Hall. As the twelfth moon is now upon us, the Winter Festival is drawing closer. This always brings an influx of performers to the village taverns, hoping to capitalize on people’s merriment and generosity around the holiday season. The Lady Commander of Copics and I took in one such show last night and saw a bard at the Inked Cricut. This was unlike any normal bard as she was clad in a suit much resembling the one worn by the overweight slaver we had seen only a few days ago. We were immediately suspicious. Was she some sort of spy sent by the fat man? Were we discovered on our recon mission?

I started by stamping “Sasha” (who hasn’t had ink touch her since I bought her seven months ago) from The Greeting Farm’s Creeper Crew Collection onto watercolour paper and colouring her with Distress Markers and the fabled Hydra Brush. The sentiment was stamped from the Dylusions “Christmas Words” set. Some red thread and a stitching stamp finished off the front of this creation.

The inside sentiment is from the My Pink Stamper “Christmas Wishes” set.

I stamped the envelope with holly from the Tim Holtz “Christmas Memories” set.

This x-rated greeting will be entered into the following challenges:
Penny Black and More December Challenge: It’s Your Choice
One Crazy Stamper December Sketch or Holiday Card
Hooked On Craft Challenge #27: Christmas
Jingle Belles: December to Remember
ABC Christmas Challenge: X for X Marks the Spot
The Corrosive Challenge #163: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
CHNC Challenge #101: Make it Girlie
Use It Tuesday Challenge #44: Ink It Up...Finally
Dream Valley Challenge #46: Non-Traditional Christmas
Pixie Dust Studio: Winter Holiday Challenge
Emergency Crafters: Anything Goes
TGF Double Take Tuesday Sketch

I asked the bartender the name of the female bard and was surprised to learn it was “Mrs. Claus.” I thought I remember the slave driver’s name being Santa Claus... was this a coincidence? Or was something more sinister afoot?

~ 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 ~