Soccer Player Sonata

This evening, the Lady Commander of Copics and I decided to take the night off and head to the village to relax at one of the local taverns, Ink Smashed In. When we arrived though, we could barely make it across the floor to find a table as the place was packed with people. I asked the barkeep what all the fuss was about and he informed me that a famous soccer player was passing through, on her way to the world’s final game over in Gluegonville. I couldn’t believe all the fuss over a woman who runs around kicking a black and white ball for a living. 

This card was a commission by a coworker for her niece who was turning eight. The only direction I was given was that she likes gymnastics and soccer. Well I had nothing that related in any way to gymnastics, but did manage to dig out this stamp from The Greeting Farm’s “Miss Anya Lounge” set. She’s wearing a jersey, so adding a soccer ball, made her look like a soccer player :) This earned me +183 athleticism exp points. I stamped her inside the polaroid from the Lawn Fawn “Say Cheese” set and coloured her with Prismacolor pencils. The sentiment I stamped using The Greeting Farm’s “Special Autumn” set. I cut the arrow and banner out using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

On the inside I stamped the polaroid again (on patterned paper this time) and cut it out. The sentiments are a combination of Unity and My Pink Stamper stamps. The cupcake was cut out using the Art Philosophy cartridge and stamped with the coordinating Close To My Heart stamp.

On the envelope I stamped a border using the Dylusions “Further Around the Edge” set. It’s kinda sketchy and the rainbow patterned paper has a sketchy feel to it which, in my mind, makes it match :)

This athletic card will score some goals in the following challenges:

TGF Garden Variety Tuesday: Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #276: Stars and/or Stripes

A Gem of a Challenge #87: Lots of Layers

Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC#7: Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody #24: Anything Goes

Penny Black and More July Challenges: Dies and Punches

TGF Retro Fresh Challenge: Layers

Desert Islands Crafters Challenge #57 (used #1: let’s go outside, #4: rainbows #6: ribbon or twine & #9: dies & punches)

The Lady Commander and I gave up trying to find a table and a flagon of ale and returned to the Guild Hall thirsty and more sober than we had initially intended.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Project Robotz: Part 5

We have finally created the fifth bot we needed for the robot army we were building to strike the evil Shrieking Harpies for what they did to the Crafters Guild. The final bot we created for our mechanical army was a healing bot. We would need something that was able to mend not only the broken bots, but offer healing to us Guildys as well. We constructed them with wheels instead of two legs, so they could get to the wounded faster, zipping in between their robot brethren on the battlefield. I installed a compassion chip into these little fellows, so they would be less mechanical and have some “bedside manner” when dealing with the humans who were fighting. 

This is the fifth and final card in my robot series. You can see the other four here, here, here and here. All that’s left now is to make a box to house them all. But let’s talk about this card. This one I started out by stamping the robot image from Stampin’ Up “Lots of Bots” set. I’ve now used all the robots from this set! Woot woot. I coloured him with Distress Markers and inked around the edge with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink to match the patterned paper. The sentiment also came from the “Lots of Bots” set. I embossed the background with my Cuttlebug using a metal patterned folder. Lastly I stamped the edge with the “binary numbers” using the “Lots of Bots” set.

On the inside I stamped the sentiment using the Lawn Fawn “Love ‘n Breakfast” set. I then added some nuts and bolts using the “Lots of Bots” set and Shabby Shutters Distress Ink.

On the envelope I stamped the same binary numbers as on the front to make it more roboty, earning me +391 tech exp points.

This caring bot will roll on into the following challenges:

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge #59: Anything Goes

Love to Create Challenge #72: Condolence and Support

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Anything Goes

Crafts and Me Challenge #138: Anything Goes

Love To Scrap! Challenge #9: Anything Goes

Catch the Bug July Anything Goes Challenge

Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC#7: Anything Goes

Allsorts Challenge #214: Favourite Thing (Cuttlebug - love to add embossing to projects!)

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #149: Dry Embossing

Divas By Design: Cute

Cuttlebug Mania: What’s In a Name (“C” for Crystal - used Cuttlebug and Circle Punch)

It seems I may have to tweak the compassion chip a little, as the first bot I tested, was so concerned with the patient's feelings and comfort, bringing them flowers, pillows and extra blankets, it completely neglected to attend to the rest of the injured. Once this bot was perfected, we simply needed to construct a leader for all these soldiers and we would be ready to strike!

See the box and all five cards in Project Robotz: The Final Battle!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Raise Your Glass

Today Mikael, who runs the armour shop in the village is celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary. As he has always been good to the Crafters Guild, supplying us with endless equipment for all our crafty quests, us Guildys decided to throw him a small party. The Guardian of Glitter was delighted, as she gets really excited whenever she gets the opportunity to use her sparkle magic to decorate parties. I left the decorating to her and the Lady Commander of Copics, whilst I snuck away to the crafting chambers to create a card for the armourer. 

This was made for the Just Some Lines reminder - reminding you it’s your LAST CHANCE to play and win some JSL images before we go on summer break! So get your crafting boots on, make an imagination saving roll with a D20 and create something using a JSL image!

I started by colouring the champagne glass image with Prismacolor pencils, keeping to a black and white colour scheme. I then went around the edges with Weathered Wood Distress Ink. I used my crafting dirk of +70 shreddiness, Paper Distresser, to distress the edges, then sponged some black Distress Ink around. Ta-da.

Setting that aside, I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the half circle and bubbly strip out. I used my Cuttlebug and trusty ‘ol Swiss Dots folder to emboss the half circle and then stamped the sentiment onto the vellum strip using the Mark’s Finest Paper “Celebrate Big” set. Some of the letters got a bit blobby - I guess I pushed too hard on the vellum. Probably should’ve taken off my gauntlets of +60 strength before stamping.

On the inside I stamped the sentiment using the Unity “Deer to Me” set. The background was stamped using the Inkadinkado “Flower Flourishes” set.

I also stamped that same image on the envelope to keep it all matchy-matchy, earning me +94 coordination exp points.

This card will raise its glass in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Anything Goes

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge #59: Anything Goes

Cuttlebug Mania: What’s in a Name? (“C” for Crystal - used champagne glass and Cuttlebug!)

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge #134: Spots and Stripes

4 Crafty Chicks #149: Dry Embossing

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #276 - Star and/or Stripes

Allsorts Challenge #214: Favourite Things (Prismacolors - my favourite colouring medium and Cuttlebug - love adding embossing to projects)

Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC#7: Anything Goes

Catch the Bug July Anything Goes Challenge

Fairytale Challenge #71: Favorite Colors (love making black and white cards!)

Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #11: Anything Goes

Feeling Sketchy Challenge #64

The party went off without a hitch and Mikael and his wife were so surprised and happy. After the joyous celebrations, it was back to preparing for more crafty quests.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Distressing Situation...With Penguins

Today the Lady Commander of Copics and I partook in a rather dull campaign through the Salty Ocean Seas. As we were confined to a boat whilst traversing the great waters, we had to utilize our range magic spells and archery skills. Luckily, I had brought my great bow, Fungi, with me. We sailed on, searching for signs of the lost treasure of the pirate Holtzson that had supposedly sunk here, vanquishing the enemies that kept appearing along the way. Suddenly, off in the distance, we spotted a penguin that appeared to need assistance. I raised my scope to get a better view, and indeed the little fellow appeared to be drowning! 

This was my second ATC for the Wicked Wednesday guild who had invited me to be a guest designer for their red white and blue challenge. (My first ATC can be seen here). I was happy to lend some Crafters Guild assistance to them once again.

I started this ATC by colouring the image from 2CuteInk with Distress Markers and my Hydra Brush of +1945 wetness. It was extra wet today for some reason, and caused some of the colour to bleed outside the lines. I probably should have used watercolour paper to have more control over the water/colour spreading situation, but hindsight...

I cut him out then worked on the background. This time I did use watercolour paper and smushed it into some Distress Ink I had layed down on my non-stick sheet, earning me +519 splooshy exp points. I kept spraying water and adding layers until I was happy with it. The sentiment I stamped on the bottom is from the Mark’s Finest Papers “Not So Ugly” set. To finish off the ATC I cut some photo corners out using the Art Philosophy cartridge.

This penguin will float on into the following challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs: Summer Lovin’

Paper Playtime Challenge #13: Red, White & Blue

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Anything Goes

Tammy’s Scrapin Corner Challenge #69: Summer Fun

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge #59: Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments Designs: Red White and Blue

Divas By Design: Cute

DRS Designs Challenge #77: Summer Sun, Summer Fun

Brown Sugar Challenge #49: At the Beach

Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC #7: Anything Goes

2 Sisters Challenge #151: Red White and Blue

We quickly changed course, making our way to the animal in distress. As we neared him, I tossed out a flotation device. The penguin grasped the floating donut gratefully, gasping for air as he held himself above water. We brought the little fellow aboard and abandoning our search for pirate treasure, set out to take the chap home. Who ever heard of a penguin that couldn’t swim??

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Juicy Ant Attack

The weather has been unseasonably warm in the realm as of late, everyone finding it tough to cool down. The Lady Commander of Copics and I decided to pack a little picnic and take my direwolf and her daemon feline to the lakeside to play in the water. We spread out a blanket and broke into the watermelon slices Angela had packed. As soon as I bit into the first piece, we were ambushed by giant guardian ants! Luckily a Guildy never leaves home without a full arsenal of weapons. 

I had so much fun making the first post-it note holder, I was delighted when a coworker asked me to make one for her. Well not for herself...she had purchased this card from me and when she saw the cute bear post-it note holder I made, she requested a watermelon one to go with the card she was giving to someone. Phew...that’s probably a whole lot of information you didn’t need. Moving on...

I cut the watermelon out using the Doodlecharms cartridge and added some shading with Peeled Paint Distress Ink. The cute little ants I stamped using the Lawn Fawn “Happy Summer” set.

On the inside top flap I stamped the sentiment using the My Little Shoebox “Oasis” set. I then stamped some more of those adorable ants around it. I used the magnet strips on this again to keep it closed, which gave me enough experience to level up my metal magic.

I went through the pad (being careful not to bend it this time) and stamped some ants throughout. I stole borrowed a stack of post-it notes from the wagon repair shop, where I work to make some extra gold coins, so I will be making a bunch more of these cute holders!

This colourful craft will be taking notes in the following challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs: Summer Lovin’

Tammy’s Scrappin Corner Challenge #69: Summer Fun

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge #104: Office Supplies

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge #59: Anything Goes

DRS Designs Challenge #77: Summer Sun, Summer Fun

My Creative Moments Word Play Saturday June Challenge “Summertime”

Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC #7: Anything Goes

Emergency Crafters: Summer

Despite their menacing name, the guardian ants were quickly dispatched by the Lady Commander and I. I didn’t even have to use a single tonic potion in the battle. Hopefully those baddies learned not to invade our picnic again!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The Realm of Strips and Stars

Greetings and salutations. Today we received a message by owl instead of the usual ravens that deliver our scrolls. This was no ordinary owl either. The little fellow was adorned with a blue scarf and large red glasses, making his eyes seem even bigger than normal.

“Good day, Crafters Guild!” the little owl squeaked. “I hail from the realm of stripes and stars and bring tidings of goodwill and an invitation to join us in our yearly festival of fireworks.”

I looked at the Lady Commander of Copics, shrugging my shoulders. I had yet to encounter a talking messenger owl, much less one that was wearing clothing.   

“What’s a firework?” my sister asked the feathered chap.

“I’m glad you asked, dear Guildy! Follow me outside!” he replied flying back out the open window. 

The Lady Commander and I rushed out the front door of the Guild Hall and spotted the owl sitting in the middle of the lawn holding what looked like a stick of dynamite in one wing and a match in the other. This could only spell disaster.

Well it appears that I have gathered enough ATC quest coins after making my first ATC  in January and was able to trade them in for a Guest Designer spot over at the Wicked Wednesday guild. Jenn invited me to create an ATC for their red white and blue challenge and this is what I came up with. I coloured the adorable little owl from 2CuteInk using Prismacolor pencils.

I used some Glossy Accents on his glasses to make them more glasses-y. Seeeeee? That earned me +381 glossy exp points.  I then stamped the image from the Unity “Film Strip - My Favorite Photo” set. I cut out the inside and placed the cute owl behind it, stamping July 4th in red ink on the side. Some firework paper and smiley little fireworks I cut out of patterned paper finished off this ATC.

Gotta say...this is the first time I’ve EVER made a 4th of July project. It’s like I was cheating on my country, considering I crafted this on the Canada Day weekend. I’m sorry Canada. Don’t be mad at me. I still love you and your maple leaves and snow. But, I did manage to LEVEL UP, gaining an awesome new stripped cape to wear which grants me +70 to my explosive magic spells.

This little ATC will have a hoot and set off sparks in the following challenges:

Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC #6: Let Freedom Ring

Little Scrap Pieces: Let Freedom Ring

Challenges 4 Everybody #23: Anything Goes

Paper Playtime Challenge #13: Red, White & Blue

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Anything Goes

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge #59: Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge: Red, White & Blue

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #108: Red, White and Blue or Your Flag Colors

Simon Says Stamp: Patriotic

Before we knew what was happening, there was an explosion of colour around the owl, sparks shooting up into the sky. He began squealing with glee as red and blue lights twinkled back to the ground. Although the realm of strips and stars was quite a journey from our own realm, having to cross the frozen plains of the Ice Cap Territories, we decided to make the journey to celebrate the festival of fireworks with the inhabitants. Maybe we could even bring back some of these magical devices!

~ Guild Master Crystal ~