Week 14 - Big Birthdays

Hello NJ here, I just wanted to say Happy Easter to you all and welcome to another fab challenge this week.

Have you all entered last week's fab Blog Hop?? We have more candy than you can poke a candy cane at and you still have until noon on Easter Sunday to enter so make sure you get hopping NOW! Those of you who watch Create & Craft TV, you can also catch Nikky doing the Paper Clinic 2 hour slot on Easter Monday at 11am - lots of colouring, hints and tips and answering questions, so if you have bank holiday boredom tune in! Don't forget to check out the Polkadoodles Website where you can find fabulous dies and stamps from Marianne Design and also lots of other gorgeous crafty goodies, don't forget to check out the Polkadoodles CD ROMS while your there. Who needs an Easter Egg!

Before we get onto this week's challenge, let's find out the winners from Week 12 which was the Mother's Day challenge which were:

1st place - Dee 2nd place - Sazzlecraft 3rd place - Sarah

Congratulations! Please email Nikky for your prize and blinkies - the first placed winner receives a free download! Please put in the subject field of your email your placing and the challenge number.

We have a few little rules which makes our life a lot easier when we come visiting your blogs :

1. Please follow the challenge!
2. Only enter your creation into a maximum of 10 challenges including Polka Doodles.
3. Please link your blog post and not your blog address with the blue frog - this saves us from searching your blog for your entry.
4. And please no back-linking to previous posts - these will be disregarded from our top three voting.
5. If you have comment moderation and word verification on your blog it really does slow us down when leaving comments - please consider turning word verification off especially now that comment moderation has a spam section.

I (Ruth), have set the challenge this week as I am celebrating my Birthday today! It's one with a number ending in zero although I'd like to think I am 21 again! So, to help me celebrate (not that I will need much encouragement!) the challenge this week is to make a Birthday Card with a number on - the bigger the number the better! Our Top 3 winners of this challenge will each get a FREE Sugarplum Daisy CD - woohoo!! So make sure you get your entries in!...

Ruth: I've used a firm favourite with the Sugary Cake template from Paper Boutique Vol 1. I've used a Marianne Design Creatable embossing die on the card blank and also on the larger cake layers. Although you can't see it, the cake icing is rather sparkly as too are the numbers which I've attached with curled wire.

Emma Hello there, I have combined some of Polkadoodles gorgeous Pretty Sweet papers with beautiful Marianne Design Creatables die for this 21st bithday card. For the folded flower, I used a scalloped shaped ribbon style trim from the Sundae Of Seasons Cd.

Nelly - Hi Everyone for this weeks Big number Birthday card I have used images and design papers from the new Sugar Plum Daisy CD , the style is a Z gate fold and I have made the wrap to hold it closed, perfect for a sweet 16th Birthday :) embellishments are also from this adorable Cd!

Shell- For my card this week I've used a beautiful image and papers from the Sugarplum Daisy CD. The image has been coloured with pro markers. I made the rolled flowers using a Marianne Design Die LR0163, the ribbon, pearls and metal corner are from my stash.

NJ Hello for my big number I have made a card using the All Around & Everywhere CD I have hidden the '50' on a tag and popped it in a pocket. I used a Marianne Design Creatable LR0118.

Claire (Happy Days) - I've used the Sugarplum Daisy and Paper Boutique Volume 1 CD to create my handbag card. I've also used the alphabet and number set from the new Pen & Paper Circle Magazine 2 to create the sentiment tag. The gorgeous butterfly clasp is from the Marianne Design butterfly set LR0158.

Clare:- I've used papers, image, number and sentiment from the new Polka Doodles "Candy Doodles Collectors Edition" CD-Rom. I've coloured the image and number with alcohol markers and added glitter, clear ultra thick embossing powder and glossy accents as highlights. The roses and leaves are from the Marianne Design die "English Rose" LR0162.

Joanna: As I didn't have any "big" birthdays coming up, I decided to incorporate the BIG numbers into these cute frames for my 2 adorable nieces as a keepsake of what they look like in 2012 :-). The papers are a mixture of Sugarplum Daisy, Candy Doodles and Sundae of Seasons and the numbers are from the Sugar Birdies CD. The gorgeous die cuts are from Marianne Design CR1202 and LR 0141.

Dee: I have used the tree and birdhouse image, backing papers, ticket, numbers and a flower from the Candy Doodles Collectors edition CD, and the girl and the toadstool are from Sugarplum Daisy CD for this weeks card. The fence, birdhouse, bird, fence and swirl are Marianne Design Dies cut from a very pretty Marianne Designs backing paper. Some inking with distress inks and faux stitching finishes off the card just nicely.

Shary- For my card I've used the Not for girls Polkadoodles CD for the papers, letters, number and sentiment and the cute image is called Skating Don by Marianne Design. I've coloured him in with Copics.


Diane - My card for a lucky 40 year old uses the Fairy Flutterfly Gracie stamp and pretty paper from the new Sugar Plum Daisy CD. The numbers were also from the CD but the sentiment and flowers are part of the stamp plate, I just drew the stems and leaves for the flowers. The lovely corners are from a Marianne Design die and everything is coloured with Copics.

Carol - For my card I have used the brand new gorgeous cd called Sugarplum Daisy. I've played around in my graphics programme and merged a couple of images as well as printed out the little bees and bunny on the flower and popped them up on some glue gel for added dimension. The sentiment is also from the cd. I then printed the little girl onto some tissue paper and adhered it to the candle.

Lou:  I didn't want to go all "guns blazing" announcing the significant birthday, (not saying that this is Ruth's "0" birthday) but instead have created lickle dots with a number on! All papers are from the new Candy Doodles Collectors Edition as they are such a fab selection of papers and so versatile; as is the cupcake and sentiment (printed on to Safmat). The embossed panel at the back is a Marianne Design "Designables die which both cuts and embosses. I have also used a Marianne Design frame and butterfly die.

So there is our inspiration for this challenge - you have until Sunday 15th April to enter and be in with a chance of winning that fabulous candy! Entries close at noon GMT.

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Week 12 - Mothers Day

Good morning everyone, hoping that you managed to catch Nikky with the Letraset Pick of The Day yesterday as there were some fab bargains to be had along with the brand new Sugarplum Daisy CD which is absolutely gorgeous and full of lovely summery stash.

Before we get onto this week's challenge let's find out the winners from our Lets Hear It For The Boys challenge who are:

1st place - Shari , 2nd place - Margreet , 3rd place -  Priya Sondhi

Congratulations! please email Nikky for your prize and blinkies - the first placed winner receives fee download! Please put in the subject field of your email your placing and the challenge number.
We have a few little rules which makes our life a lot easier when we come visiting your blogs:

1. Please follow the challenge!
2. Only enter your creation into a maximum of 10 challenges including Polka Doodles.
3. Please link your blog post and not your blog address with the blue frog - this saves us from searching your blog for your entry.
4. And please no back-linking to previous posts - these will be disregarded from our top three voting.
5. If you have comment moderation and word verification on your blog it really does slow us down when leaving comments - please consider turning word verification off especially now that comment moderation has a spam section.

Our challenge to your this week is to make a creation with Mum in mind as we all know that those Mums out there deserve some special treatment for all the wonderful things they do.
The design team have made some fabulous creations so read on for inspiration.

Emma
Hello there, this week, I have used some backing paper from the Double Sprinkles of Kraft CD Rom together with some Martha Stewart punches, Marriane Design die for the fern, and lots of lovely embellies to layer up this Mother's day creation.

NJ For my Mother's Day card I have used the Paper Boutique Volume 3 CD . I thought the images from the A Recipe for A Great Day were just the thing I wanted to make my Mother's Day card. It reminds me of the many hours I spent baking when I was growing up!

Nelly; for my mothers day card i used the flowers, leaves and butterfly images are from The sundae of seasons CD and alphabets from candy doodles collectors edition. lace from stash.

Shary - For my Mother's Day card I've used the brand new Sugarplum Fairy CD. I printed out the papers to layer up my easel card. I then printed out the quick and easy topper and border. The sentiment is also from the same CD. For embellishments I used the papers to make some pretty flowers and also one of the Sugarplum Fairy butterflies.



Joanna: For my Mother's Day card I used the ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL papers from the brand new Sugarplum Daisy CD. I distressed the edges and machine stitched the paper tiles and lace for a shabby chic look. The gorgeous die cut shapes are from Marianne's Designs. The green paper for the leaves was printed onto a vintage music sheet - I just love the way it looks! This CD is a real MUST HAVE, it's just packed with delicious sugarplum goodness!

Norine: For my Mother's Day card, I used combined images from the new Candy Doodles Collectors edition. The yellow patterned paper is from Sundae of Seasons cd and the green fade is from the Paper Boutique Creative Christmas cd. I used a Spellbinders die and a Martha Stewart punch for the papers and some matching butcher's twine and a Prima flower to finish it off.

Claire - For my mother's day card/fridge magnet I've used the newly released Sugarplum Daisy CD. I printed out some of the yummy papers and used one of the toppers from the collection to decorate the front of the card. I then created a mini box frame and decoupaged the same scene on the inside of the card (as we're all friends here I'll confess to not noticing that I'd reversed the image on the inside until it was way too late!). I mounted the box frame onto some magnetic strip and then placed it onto magnetic strips that I'd attached to the card.

You have until 12 noon on Sunday 1 April to get your entries in and good luck!

Week 4 - Template

Week 4 - Tempt us with a template project

Hi there everyone, It's Dee here with this weeks challenge. Before we get to this week's challenge I'd like to announce the winners from Week 2 Vintage/Retro set by Fliss. As always we had some fab entries, you don't make our jobs easy do you? The winners are:

1st place: Tracey MacDonald, 2nd place: Paula Tidman, 3rd place we have a tie with Lovely Linda and Suzanne B well done everyone! Can everyone please email Nikky for your blinkies and to claim your prizes please! Please put in the subject field of your email your placing and the challenge number - this will make Nikky's life a lot easier!

Now, onto this week's challenge - I would like you all to use a template in your project, It can be a physical one or a digi template, it's up to you.

The Polkadoodlers have a few little rules which makes our life a lot easier when we come visiting your blogs:

1. Please follow the challenge!

2. Only enter your creation into a maximum of 10 challenges including Polka Doodles.

3. Please link your blog post and not your blog address with the link below - this saves us from searching your blog for your entry.

4. And please no back-linking to previous posts - these will be disregarded from our top three voting.

5. If you have comment moderation and word verification on your blog it really does slow us down when leaving comments - please consider turning word verification off especially now that comment moderation has a spam section.

Dee: I've made a toy soldier card for my project this week, although it's from the Paper Boutique Vol II-Creative Christmas it's one that could be used all year round. I simply printed off all the bits and layered it up using silicon glue.

Nelly: I have used the Paper Boutique vol 1 cd and used the Sugary Cake template, placed it on an 8x8 card and cut around. The design papers are also from the cd except the dots the text swirls paper which is from the Sugar Birdies CD and the images are taken from Pretty Sweet CD. I used a Martha Stewart punch to create the border and ribbon and raffia from my stash, the sentiment is from the Pretty Sweet CD.

Joni: I used the Paper Boutique 111 CD - the Country Cottage template.

Emma - Polkadoodles make some fab templates, I have used the cupcake one from Paper Boutique Volume three this time to make my card. I printed the cut and create template in A6 size which has pre colured elements which saves time. I backed the template onto different sized mats to build up my card and then decorated the heck out of my cupcake - (hmmmm no surprise there then!)

Louise- I have used the paper Boutique Cd for my card this week and printed out the lovely house and then used a character from the Pretty sweet CD.

Clare:- I've used the birdhouse template from the Candy Doodles CD. I printed the papers from the Sugar Birdies CD onto card and printed the template onto the back of the papers. This template makes a really good size birdhouse. I filled the inside with paper flowers and printed out the cute owls from the Sugar Birdies CD.

Shary I have used the Paper Boutique Vol 3 for my project. I've done a mixture of using the papers from the CD and I've also printed out some of the elements to colour with copics. The little flowers have been punched out using the papers and I've added a little gem to each flower.The sentiment is also from the same CD.

Joanna - I've used a seed packet template from Sundae of Seasons CD, the papers are from Sundae of Seasons and the seed packet image hidden at the back is from Not For Girls CD. The butterflies are from the Fairy Flutterfly Maxine stamp set and the flowers are a free stamp designed by our talented Nikky for the Craft Stamper. All coloured with Inktense pencils.This template is so versatile! If you'd like to see more inspiration with this template, visit my blog - I have a tutorial, too!

Shell-for my card this week I used the cut and create cupcake template off the Paper boutique lll cd, I made a card blank using my nesties, added a few layers and distressed the edges using worn lipstick distress ink then simply added a ribbon and a few pearls.

Colette - I have used the green cupcake template from Paper boutique lll and followed the instructions on the CD to make my cupcake shaped card. The stars are covered in glossy accents and I added some string and a button from stash to make it look a bit more masculine.

Carol - I have used a template from the Paper Boutique Vol III and decoupaged the layers for more depth. I also added some stardust stickles for some bling.

Norine: I used a template from the Paper Boutique 3 CD this week as well as background papers from the Pretty Tuff CD. After cutting and piecing all the pieces, I stitched beads on for sprinkles on the cupcake.

So there is our inspiration for this week - some fab and fun projects! Your closing date to enter is Sun 5th Feb at noon GMT.

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Week 2 - Vintage/Retro

Hi there,

We hope everyone is back in to the swing of things now 2012 is truely underway. We had some amazing entrants in our Challenge 50 - Through the Window challenge, it was so hard to choose but our winners are

1st place: Michaela 2nd place:Pauline 3rd place:  Donna - well done to all of you!

Please email Nikky for your blinkies

Please put in the subject field of your email your placing and the challenge number - this will make Nikky's life a lot easier!

The Polkadoodlers have a few little rules which makes our life a lot easier when we come visiting your blogs:

1. Please follow the challenge!

2. Only enter your creation into a maximum of 10 challenges including Polka Doodles.

3. Please link your blog post and not your blog address with the link below - this saves us from searching your blog for your entry.

4. And please no back-linking to previous posts - these will be disregarded from our top three voting.

5. If you have comment moderation and word verification on your blog it really does slow us down when leaving comments - please consider turning word verification off

especially now that comment moderation has a spam section.

Hello there everyone, it's Fliss here with the challenge details for this week and I've been a bit naughty as I'm on Team A and this is really a Team B week - tee hee! The reason for this is that my younger daughter will be turning 21 in just a few days and I wanted to pick a theme which she loves as much as I do which is why I chose Vintage or Retro.

Fliss: My card is Sarah's 21st card and I chose a sewing theme as she's doing a fashion degree. The gorgeous dress form, sentiment and pincushion are from the Sundae Of Seasons CD and I printed them out on beige parchment card for a vintage look. I used papers all from the Pretty Sweet CD and an embossed panel of recycled kraft paper. I finished off with some lovely embellishments.

lis-m ; For my card I have used "Pretty Tuff" for the whole thing... i love this little boy image . I have coloured him with Promarkers, and added a couple of buttons to finish.

Nelly; I made two cards for this weeks theme and couldn't choose so for my easel card I have used images and design papers from the Pretty Sweet CD and for the retro card i have used Sugar Birdies CD Candy Doodles CD and Pretty Sweet CD

Clare:- I've gone for a sixties feel, retro card. Very plain and simple to fit the sixties style.

The papers are from the Polka Doodles "Candy Doodles" CD, the colours were a great match for my Flexmarkers. The flowers are black and white stampies from the "Sugar Birdies" CD and the image is from the Polka Doodles "Meeshelle" Fairy Flutterby" rubber stamp set.

Norine: For my card this week I had fun exploring all the CD's again and decided on a vintage card with paper and images from the Sundae of Seasons CD. I love the subtle colors and designs and when paired with distressed, inked edges and scruffy lace, you have an easy to make vintage card for almost any occasion.

Shell- For my card this week I went with vintage, the Papers and the adorable image are from the Pretty Sweet cd, I have distressed the edges with distress inks, the flowers are die cut using a page from an old book.

Joni: Pretty Sweet CD

Supplies: Pretty Sweet CD

Louise For my card I have used this cute image from the Double sprinkle of kraft CD and coloured with copics.

Dee: I've used a selection of papers and a sentiment from the mini CD Pretty Sweet this week. I decided not to use an image and just concentrate on the papers, so I've used quite a few Spellbinder dies. I've even added some of my favourite spotty ribbon to this pretty card. Everything has been edged with an Old Paper distress inkpad.

Shary For my card this week I've gone for vintage. I used coordination card and sanded it and embossed it. The papers are from the Pretty Tuff CD and I've distress inked them around the edges. The image is two of the stamps from the Magic Neighbours range. I've coloured them with Copics and lightly gone over with the distress ink. And finally the sentiment is from the Fairy Flutterby Babsie set. I punched the flowers out of the Pretty Tuff papers and inked them too , also adding a little pearl to the middles.




Diane My card this week uses the stamp Fairy Flutterfly Babsie and I've coloured her with Copics and Prisma pencils and given her a very girly, vintage setting. All the papers are from the Pretty Sweet Mini CD Collection.

Joanna: For this week's vintage theme I looked for inspiration in Not For Girls CD and oh boy, this CD is full of vintage goodness! My papers are a mixture of Not For Girls and Paper Boutique vol III CDs and the tickets, sentiment and alphas are from Not For Girls CD. A lot of distressing with distress inks later and my card was finished! ;).

Carol : This week I decided to use the Pretty Sweet cd rom and printed these dps off as well as the image which I have coloured in with Copics.

Colette For my vintage card I have used the Not for Girls CD's printed one of the plain papers onto my card for the background and then layered more papers and the vintage cars poster on top. I have added some grosgrain ribbon, brads and a mini bulldog clip to finish it off.