It's all in the Game

Once again, the team have been amazed by how many of you have taken part in Fridays Teen Spirit dare and also the Easter Little Extra on Tuesday. We love seeing all your creations so keep them coming.

This week the girls have let me (Sue) loose on my maiden dare so I hope I’ve come up with something you can all play along with.
It’s all in the Game

Tiddlywinks, playing cards, dominos, jig saw pieces…….the list goes on and I’m sure that most of us have a drawer somewhere that has the odd one or two of these lying around in.
Well now’s your chance to use them because I dare you to make a card using some of those pieces.
Oh and no, you don’t need to throw a double six to start playing.

Don't forget to leave us a comment with your blog link to show us what you come up with.
If you haven't got a blog don't worry you can still join in, send a photo or scan of your card to the team at daringcardmakers@hotmail.co.uk and we will add it to our gallery and share the link right here on the blog.

Here's some cards from the design team to help inspire you.

Lythan
Sue

Kathy
Jane
Keryn

Mel

Rhi

Tanya

Rachel

Jo

Easter Greetings !!

Hello again everyone !! A huge thank you once again to everyone who has taken part in Rachel's 'Teen spirit' dare. We have a great response so far- and dont forget - you still have time to get a card in for the Teen dare- and be in with a chance to get the random spot prize, generously supplied by Scrapbook Outlet NZ.

Now, on to this weeks mid week dare. Its a nice simple one, happily, and all you have to do is make an Easter card ! We have purposely kept the little extra simple because its Sue's first time to dare on Friday - and she has a really tricky challenge lined up for you !! (evil laugh here).

We are lucky to have Fiona Carter still with us as Guest Designer and our newest guest designer is Tanya Leigh ! Welcome Tanya, we are looking forward to working with you and continuing working with Fiona.

Okay, here is some Easter cards from the team to give you some starting ideas....cards designed by Tanya (Guest designer), Lythan,Keryn, Kathy and Sue. Thank you girls !!

Teen Spirit by Rachel

Hello All

Thank you all once again for sharing all your beautiful creations with us. We have so much fun looking at them all. Thank You Mel for setting some awesome dares to challenge us.

Now, this week it's Rachel's first time to set the dare;
"Well I thought we have had plenty of flowers and hearts and girly things so I would like some cards with some teen spirit please."
Quite a first challenge ! Thanks Rachel !

BUT WAIT ! There's more ! This week we are really happy to be able to offer a random Spot Prize to one of our lucky darers, very kindly donated by Scrapbook Outlet NZ !!Now, you need to go check outthe beautiful goodies for sale Scrapbook Outlet, you'll be spoiled for choice ! Thank you so much to Andrea and the team at Scrapbook Outlet for your support. The winner will be picked at random next Friday - and will be announced soon after.
So good luck everyone!

We'd love to see what you come up with, so leave us a comment- and don't forget to leave a link to your blog so we can all view your lovely work. Here's some from the design team to get you started.

Jane

Sue
Kathy

Jo

These are a few of my favourite things!

Wow....thankyou all so much for taking part in our Friday dare! There were plenty of fantastic cards created with some really innovative ideas to hold the teabag into position. We hope you enjoyed having a play :))

The mid week dare this week is another one by Mel - these are a few of my favourite things. What you need to do is use one of Mel's favourite things on your card (embroidery cotton/thread, buttons, felt or fabric) and combine it with one of your favourite things.

Here are a few cards that the Design Team whipped to get you started :)))Card are from Mel, Fiona, Jane, Jo and Rachel .

Don't forget to leave a message with a link to your blog ! Thanks again !

Take A Break

Hello everyone, it's Mel here again! Welcome to our new dare - 'Take a break!'

The dare involves creating a card incorporating a tea bag or coffee satchel - just perfect for days when somebody may need a quiet rest and break. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you all create for the dare.

This week we would love to welcome our new guest designer - Fiona Carter. We hope you enjoy your time with us Fiona :)))

Also, thankyou so much for participating in the mid week stitching tutorial. There were some really beautiful cards created!

Keryn
Jane

Fiona

Rhi

Mel

Rachel

Jo

A little hand stitching

Hi everyone, this week's little extra is another one of our tutorials.....

Hello, it's Mel here this week to show you all how easy and effective a little hand stitching can be on your work. Hand stitching doesn't have to be long and complicated to achieve a really lovely finish on your cards. Sometimes even a tiny bit of cross stitch here and there is a nice way to add an extra element of 'handmade'.

To begin you will need some basic supplies - needle, cotton/embroidery thread, scissors, ruler (handy for measuring spaces or helping with straight lines), pencil and eraser. I tend to use stranded embroidery thread for handstitching but you can even use machine cotton if you are stuck - it just gives a thinner appearance when stitched on the card. If you are using stranded embroidery thread you can vary the strands for a different thickness....mostly I use 2 or 3 strands but if you really want the embroidery to 'pop' try using the entire 6 strands.

Start by working out your design. You might decide to just stitch a straight line on your card or perhaps draw around a template (circles, stars etc..). The possibilities are endless. Use your pencil (and ruler if you aren't using a template) to draw/measure the area that you wish to stitch.Now pin prick holes with a pin or needle directly onto the card.

Use an eraser to rub out any pencil lines. Thread your needle and begin stitching through the the pin pricked holes. Adhere the start of the thread using double sided tape or a photo tab.
Once the design is finished you can adhere the last piece of thread into position using another photo tab or piece of double sided tape.


Here are a few more handstitching cards to inspire you:
Thankyou also to all the fabulous 'I am woman' cards from Lythan's Friday dare. WOW, there were some really beautiful cards created by you all for the dare. Thanks so much for joining in and having a play.

Well, have fun stitching and we can't wait to see all your gorgeous creations for this week's mid week dare.

I am woman

It's Lythan here. As ever we are blown away by all your wonderful contributions. It makes our day to see how creative and ready to be challenged you are!

My theme this week is

I am woman

As its coming up to Mothers day in the UK here’s a chance to make a card that celebrates women and girls . So I’d like to see a card with at least one feminine image on it . And that's it for rules really.
Apart from this one.
And it is sneaky.
No Tildas, Sugar Nellies or Bellas please. I love them all. But there are loads of great challenges out there using them so for this challenge you can give them a well earned rest!

Sue

KerynKathy
RhiRachelLythan

Jo
Marlou

Mum's Recipe.........

Well done to all those who have joined in so far with Rhi's wonderful dare, Plastic Fantastic, we've really enjoyed looking at all your creations, using recycled plastic packaging. Some of you have been so inventive ! Don't forget, there is still time to join in, don't forget to leave us a comment- and a link to your blog.

Thank you also to eveyone who joined in with Keryn and Rachel's Friendship dare. Keryn has drawn two names out of a hat and will send these lovely cardmakers a spot prize as soon as she receives their mailing address. The winners are: - Andrea (Andreas's World) and Hels. Congratulations!!! Please send your mailing address to Keryn by EMail.

This weeks little extra doesn't have to be for any specific occasion but you do have to follow a reciepe. Two buttons, one ribbon and a 'spoonful' of flowers.....! Put all the ingredients together and bake in a craft room until complete !

Here's a couple from the design team to wet your taste buds ! Don't forget to share your creations with us by leaving us a link to your blog.

Happy baking !