Challenge 25 'Embossing,' Winner of Ch 24 & Goodbye to Elaine

How to play: This fortnights theme is 'Embossing,' you need to make a craft item (card or other) which features embossing somewhere, it must also include a DIGI IMAGE somewhere but this doesn't have to be a Bee Crafty one.

Please submit your entry by Saturday 13th March (Midday UK) by posting on your own blog and leaving a comment below, with a direct link to your item if possible (see the link tip to the right). The PRIZE is one of Bee Craftys downloads!

There are lots of different approaches to embossing and many tools available, my DT have used a variety of techniques and included some tips to inspire you with their examples...

Victoria spotted a great tutorial on The Cuttlebug Spot which inspired her to create this fantastic double embossed card using 'Seated Bunny.'
 

 
Sheri has combined two embossing techniques to great effect in her super boys card using 'Seated Boy.'
 

The main panel was embossed with an embossing folder (Dots by Quickutz). The little panel that Seated Boy is sitting on was embossed by hand using my Score Board & Tool.

 
Start with a larger piece of paper, you can then trim to size. Tip: If score tool is not scoring easily, lightly rub a piece of wax paper over your cardstock. The tool will now move more easily.
 
Kim has used heat embossing on her charming birthday card using 'Little Lady Birthday.'
 

Here are some tips for heat embossing on a digital image:

Option #1: To emboss the entire image, print image from a ink jet printer. Ink stays wet longer. Apply embossing powder immediately so that it will still stick to the image. Emboss with heating tool. (I didn't do ithis option on my card.)

Option #2: If the embossing powder doesn't stay on at all for you using option #1, try using a Zig emboss writer. It's a pen so you would just go over the entire image and then apply the powder. Work with small sections as it dries up fast as well. Emboss with heating tool. This is what I did on my card.
 
Lori's very pretty card using 'Whimsical Girl and Bird' is embossed with 2 different Quikutz folders - Large and Small Dots - in addition to some heat embossing with clear embossing powder and heat gun on the image.

 
Trix has created a charming, rustic card with 'Fluffy Bunny and Flowers' which uses an embossed background.

 
Winner of Challenge 24 'Sew Cute' ...is Renata for her beautifully made and cleverly stitched card, well done!

 
Goodbye to DT member Elaine. Elaine has been a great member of the Bee Crafty Design Team, producing consistently lovely, well crafted cards....but due to other commitments has had to leave us.
Best wishes Elaine, you will certainly be missed!

Challenge 24 'Sew Cute' and Winner of Ch 23

How to play: This fortnights theme is 'Sew Cute,' you need to make a craft item (card or other) which features real or pretend (faux) stitching / sewing, it must also include a DIGI IMAGE somewhere but this doesn't have to be a Bee Crafty one.


Please submit your entry by Saturday 27th February (Midday UK) by posting on your own blog and leaving a comment below. The PRIZE is one of Bee Craftys downloads!

Here are some tips that might help...then read on for the great DT examples...
 
1. Use a sewing machine. Elaine and Victoria have used sewing machines but produced really different results, Victoria recommends embracing the 'shabby chic' effect as a design choice (or if your sewing machine skills are a bit lacking!)
 
2. Consider different ways to get the stitched effect - this is Sheri's advice;
I like to use a piercing template/ruler to ensure a straight line.
To secure the template and paper in place pin it down to the foam mat while working.

Instead of a Gel Pen, I prefer using a Poster Paint Marker by Sharpie. They give me a dark smooth line for the faux stitching. (I use the Extra Fine Tip marker)

3. You could use an embellishment which already has stitching on it, such as a ribbon - see Kim's card below
 
4. A really easy way to get a stitched effect is to neatly draw on dashed lines, particularly effective around the edge of die cuts and images (use a fine liner or similar in black or a colour to compliment your design.)
 
Design Team Inspiration
 
Sheri's beautiful, romantic card using 'Whimsical Girl The Kiss' is delicately framed by her great stitching technique (see above for tips on how to achieve this look.)
 

Victoria's gorgeous colours work really well with her shabby chic stitching and the 'Whimsical Girl Heart Garden' image.

Trix has combined rustic textures and made great use of 'Whimsical Girl The Kiss' by cutting out the image.
 

Elaine's beautifully constructed card sees some great stitching which frames the 'Whimsical Girl Heart Garden' image.

Kim's charming Valentine card features 'Whimsical Girl Heart Garden' and cleverly uses ribbon which already has stitching in it!

Lori has used fantastic colours and bold stitching detail on her 'Whimsical Girl The Kiss' card. 

Winner of Challenge 23 'Romance' is...Crystal for her gorgeous altered candy box, such a pretty project and great example of romantic upcycling! (Love the ribbon ruffle.)
 

 
What a huge response to this challenge, and so many lovely craft creations, thank you all for participating :)

Challenge 23 'Romance,' NEW IMAGES & Winner of #22

How to play: This fortnight you need to make a craft item (card or other) with a romantic or loving theme, it must also include a DIGI IMAGE somewhere but this doesn't have to be a Bee Crafty one.
Please submit your entry by Saturday 13th February (Midday UK) by posting on your own blog and leaving a comment below. The PRIZE is one of Bee Craftys downloads!

In keeping with the theme, two exiting NEW BEE CRAFTY DOWNLOADS available in the shop now!

Now be inspired by the gorgeous creations of my Design Team using the new images...

Lori has used a fantastic and effective combination of colours to create this wonderful card using 'Whimsical Girl The Kiss'

Trixi's great design and technique looks brilliant with 'Whimsical Girl Heart Garden'

Victoria has really embraced the romance of 'Whimsical Girl The Kiss' with her choice of colours on this lovely card

Sheri's beautiful, 'long' card is a great way to use the 'Whimsical Girl Heart Garden' scene is and is so pretty

Kim has created a vibrant and exiting card with lovely pattern paper to tie in with 'Whimsical Girl The Kiss'

Elaine's charming design creates a wonderfully 'soft' feel for the 'Whimsical Girl Heart Garden' image

Winner of Ch22 'Favourite Colour Combo' - This has proved to be a very popular challenge theme with many great creations and colour combinations, so with much deliberation the talented winner is....JODI for her beautifully made 'pink/grey' card which has a lovely harmony between the image and background.

Challenge 22 'Favourite Colour Combo' & winner of No. 21

How to play: This fortnight you need to make a craft item (card or other) which showcases your favourite colour combination, it must also include a DIGI IMAGE somewhere but this doesn't have to be a Bee Crafty one.
Please submit your entry by Saturday 30th January (Midday UK) by posting on your own blog and leaving a comment below. The PRIZE is one of Bee Craftys downloads!

Now enjoy the beautiful DT creations and their favourite colours, you can find the images they have used in my shop here. Victoria has used a Bee Crafty freebie which is available here.

Elaine's choice of lilac and white is shown off beautifully on this wonderfully designed card featuring Whimsical Girl.

Kim's pretty and delicate Wedding Bay Tree card uses a lovely combination of lilac and green.

Victoria's choice of pink and grey works really well with the Love Sentiment and her stylish design.

Sheri's beautifully arranged and crafted card featured Seated Bunny and a great combo of pink and brown.

Lori's gorgeous choice of pink and fresh green is a great combination for this lovely invitation using Bee Crafty freebie Slice of Cake found here.

Winner Challenge 21 - 'Thank You Card' - is....Raindrop Echo Designs for her beautifully designed and coloured card. Congratulations!

Challenge 21 'Thank You Card' & Winner of #20

How to play: This fortnight you must make a THANK YOU CARD (or non-card item.) It must include DIGI somewhere but you don't have to use a 'Bee Crafty' image.
Submit by Saturday 16th January (Midday UK) by posting on your blog and commenting below. The PRIZE is one of Bee Craftys downloads. (See full rules to the right.)

Check out the great designs by my Design Team - all the images they have used can be purchased at our shop here or use the purple button at the top of the blog.

Sheri has used the 'cupcake card template' to create a shimmery, fun thank you card

Elaine's pretty patterns and textures make a lovely card using 'bunny & flowers'

Trixi uses muted reds and subtle distressing with 'fluffy bunny & flowers' on her charming card

Victoria's vibrant and contemporary card uses a great colour combo with 'kitty'

Kim's lovely use of patterns and colour sets off 'whimsical girl and bird' briliantly

Lori uses 'seated bunny' in her bright and fantastically coloured card with great embossing

Winner of Challenge 20 'Circles' is...Penny for her pretty card with well crafted circles and sentiment (Penny has used a Bee Crafty freebie found here.)

Challenge 20 'Circles,' Winner of #19 & Goodbye to Christine

How to play: This fortnight you must make a craft item (card or other) which features CIRCLES. It must also include DIGI somewhere, you don't have to use a 'Bee Crafty' image. Submit by Saturday 2nd January (Midday UK) by posting on your blog and commenting below. The PRIZE is one of Bee Craftys downloads. (See full rules to the right.)

Now be inspired by my Design Team - all the images they have used can be purchased at our shop here or use the purple button at the top of the blog.

Lori's adorable and festive card, uses buttons for added 'circle' effect. Image is 'seated bunny.'

Trixi's lovely muted colours and wonderfully shaded 'penguin pair' make for a charming Christmas card.

Kim's super Christmas card uses 'fluffy bunny christmas' with scalloped circles.

Elaine's soft pink works perfectly with the pretty die cut circle pattern frame and 'seated bunny.'

Sheri has created a gorgeous circular, scalloped valentine card using 'fluffy bunny and flowers.'

Victoria's fantastic, vibrant card sees lots of circle techniques in embossing, die cuts and button detail.

Winner of Ch 19 'Christmas Extras' is....Alicia for her beautifully made and coloured Christmas gift tag set. Congratulations!

We also have to say a sad goodbye to one of our DT - Christine - and wish her many thanks for all her creative contributions.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Challenge 19 'Christmas Extras' & Winner of 18

How to play: This fortnight you must make a craft item NOT A CARD which could be considered a 'Christmas Extra' e.g., festive decoration, gifts, gift tags and wrapping... So it;

• Must be something other than a card
• Must be festive (or for Christmas e.g., as a present)
• Must include digi somewhere

You don't have to use a 'Bee Crafty' image. Submit by Saturday 19th December (Midday UK) by posting on your blog and commenting below. The PRIZE is one of Bee Craftys downloads. (See full rules to the right.) Check out the great creations of my Design Team - all the images they have used can be purchased at our shop here or use the purple button at the top of the blog.



Victoria has created a fun extra addition to the tree with this cute bauble using 'Penguins Three.'


Kim's fantastic colour coordinated gift features 'Fluffy Bunny Christmas,' perfect Christmas extra.
Christine's pretty and very festive ornaments use both boy and girl 'Wish Fairies - Christmas.'


Sheri's beautifully decorated note book using 'Whimsical Girl & Snowman' will make a gorgeous gift.

Elaine has created her own super packing using 'Wish Fairies - Original (boy)' and personalised it.

Lori's beautifully made Christmas gift box using 'Whimsical Girl & Snowman'

Winner of Challenge 18 'Sparkle' is Marianne for her different applications of glitter and clearly sparkly card, congratulations!



Notice: particularly for UK readers, check out the Folksy auction in aid of Sue Ryder Charities starting on the 7th Dec.