Challenge #67 - Anything Goes!

Let me start by wishing all of our participants and sponsors a
Happy New Year!
We hope you will continue to join in with us each fortnight and make 2012 the year for Top Tipping!


Don't forget we are now a
'Once a Fortnight'
Challenge.
More time for you to join in - you can enter up to 3 times -  pass on and pick up your Top Tips too :)


Every other challenge will also be a Top Tip Challenge, so grab your 'Top Tip Tippers Pad' and pen and jot them down as you look through the DT's samples.


Next Tuesday Leanne will be here to showcase our
'Caught Our Eye'
project - this will be one of the challenge entrants added from now until Monday that we think everyone needs to see - a new Blinkie has been created for our CoE's.
So don't wait till the last few days to add your entries!

Challenge - Anything Goes
...again :)


We LOVE AG challenges!




Brought to you by Leanne, Carol, Samantha
and the fantastic TTT DT :)
HUGE thanks to Lisa who has worked wonders with our pics in the sidebar,
do we look like you imagined...lol!

Our fantastic Sponsors...

Simon Says Stamp

Simon Says Stamp is offering a $20 gift voucher to spend in their store!!

In business since 2002, Simon Says Stamp is striving to offer you the best selection of Rubber Stamps, Altered Art, Scrapbooking, Artist Trading Cards, and Paper Crafting Supplies in the world.  We stock over 100,000 items in our warehouses so that we can offer you quick service and one stop shopping at a great price!

Happy customers are the heart of our business.

We work hard to find and deliver to you the latest in stamping and paper crafting supplies!  Attending classes, workshops, and sales meetings around the world, our goal is to keep our product offerings fresh and current.  Make us your one stop easy shop - and we'll deliver right to your door! 

&

Stamp Fairy

Look out for some of their amazing images in our DT samples :)

&


Our Top Tipper Prize is from...

Crimson Cloud

Prize offered to 1 lucky winner is: 3 packs of die cuts.

Crimson Cloud is a mother/daughter venture - a way to indulge our joint passion of cardmaking and crafting. We only sell products that we have tried, tested and love using. We have developed our own exclusive range of dies cuts, digital stamps, svg files and "Make Your Own Card" kits which reflect our styles of card making - and hopefully yours too!"

On to our wonderful DT Samples and we are joined by 2 of our sponsors for this challenge.

Thank you ladies for joining in with us - we do love it when you pop over to play :)

Stamp Fairy Designers...


Gerda - Stamp Fairy Owner





Deanne Tip - If colours are a bit off, use distressing ink to make them the right shades.  I inked my flower and lace to soften them up a bit.)






Crimson Cloud Designer...


Mel - Owner and Designer
Mel's Tip: To give your ribbon bows a more professional finish,
stick the tails down with some sticky dots so that they lie where you want them rather than flapping about"

TTT Designers plus their Top Tips...




Annette using - Barry Countdown to Christmas
Top Tip : If your image is square shaped, use a circle shaped sentiment for variation.

Bettina using - Molly Fairy
Top Tip: If you want to do something different, why don't you try out a folding tutorial. It doesn't have to be more difficult, and you'll learn something new.

Carol using - Lenny & Linda Wedding
Top Tip: When making cards/gifts for a wedding ask to see the invitation - the colour scheme is usually given away here, you can then match your creation.
Here I was actually given the green ribbon off the invitation to use - I used it for the Wedding Memories Book but did not have enough for the card so kept the colours of that to black, white & silver.

Deneen using - Molly Throughout The Year December
Top Tip: Don't forget the little details, they can take your card from nice to stunning. Pearls and rhinestones are great for this, and even adding foam squares behind your image adds a little pizzaz!







Elaine using - Lenny Bubbles
Top Tip: don't be afraid to add more detail to images, I added stitching to Bubbles the bear.

Heike

Top Tip: Do you need a fast present like this? You can make this box with the great "Sizzix die from Stampin Up". I love this so much.

Janette
Top Tip: Put your gift cards in a 3D project and in a box instead of a flat card. Also cut out the amount of gift card packaging so that the person knows how much they are getting without calling a number.

Katrina
Top Tip: Using pearls or rhinestones in the corners of cards always adds a bit of class!

Leanne
Top Tip: If you want to make a wreath but don't have a 'proper' wreath ring, then use a wire coathanger and bend into shape and cut off the hook at the top!

Lisa using Nelly Leo Love
Top Tip: By keeping the sentiment general, you can make a card like this in advance, and use it for an Anniversary, Valentine, Wedding, or just an 'I Love You' card.

Maggie
Top Tip: No scoreboard? Pencil a grid on the back and use it as a guide. 

Moriah
Top Tip: Don't have all the right letters? Combine different colors and styles. You'll use up those odd letters and add interest to your piece. 

Samantha using - Barry Birthday
Top Tip: If you don't have matching card candy, change the colour. Just use white or cream candy and your colouring medium, I used Mustard Seed distress inks.

Tammy Louise
Top Tip: Simply using various Nestabilities on the same elements can change the look of the entire card.

Aren't they all amazing! Some fantastic Top Tips there too :)
Please pop over to personal blogs to find out more info on each project.

Don't forget to share your TOP TIPS!


Add a line or 2 in your post - outlining your Top Tip and stating it is for TTT and your Tip could be picked as the Top Tip!