A String of Pearls

It's the first dare of the new month so we'll be looking at the birthstone for June in a minute, but first we want to say a big Thanks You to all who shared their Anniversary cards with us for Lythan's challenge last week. So many beautiful, inspiring cards to see - you really are a talented bunch :)

We're very happy to let you know that Andrea will be staying on with us for another month's worth of dares, how lucky are we to see more of her fab cards on here?

As you really can't get too much of a good thing, we're delighted to welcome a second fabulous Guest Designer to the team this month - we're thrilled to bits that Kaz, of Slightly Wonky Crafts fame has come to play with us for a few weeks. If you've not "met" Kaz yet, then please head over to her blog to see a fab array of her projects

So here we are in the sixth month of the year (isn't 2010 whizzing by?).

The birthstone for June is the

Pearl

We'd like you to use lots and lots of beautiful pearls on your cards this week - or maybe you'll take inspiration from Pearls in another way, for instance the Pearl symbolises loyalty, faithfulness and friendship and is associated with modesty, chastity and purity.

We just know we'll be seeing some fabulous cards this week and we just can't wait to see them - don't forget to come and leave a link when you're ready to share.

Before you get started though, here are the cards the team have made this week.

Kaz

Nat

Andrea

Lynda

Rein

Kathy

Vanessa

Keryn

Jane

Lythan

Anniversary Waltz

Its been great to see all those masculine cards this week. There's a whole lot of inspiration there for everyone.

So, who were the two lucky winners of the fabulous digital image collections donated by Charmed Cards& Crafts?

Unfortunately a lot of wonderful cards weren't eligible for the prizes because they didn't adhere to the requirements for entry to the draw, but never mind we loved seeing them.

Huge congratulations to Sarah A who's name was first out of the "hat" (aka random number picker!) and is the winner of the "Mikey" bundle and to Clare who is the winner of the "Boy oh Boy" bundle

Please send your email info to the email address on Kathy's blog and we'll organise "delivery" ofyour prizes. 

We look forward to seeing what you make using the images.

This week, my turn (Lythan) to choose the dare falls on my wedding anniversary. We've now been married so long we don't have a gift name associated as we are supposed to be saving up for Silver... Actually the first year we were married we forgot to buy cards for each other at all. So this year I thought I would help myself remember by having

Happy Anniversary

as the theme. It doesn't have to be Wedding Anniversary, it could be Anniversary of Adoption, moving house - whatever comes to mind! As ever we look forward to seeing your creations and here are the Design Team's interpretations of the dare.

Lythan

Rein

Andrea

Kathy

Lynda

Nat

Vanessa

Jo

Jane

BoyZone

Thanks to everyone who put the flags out and hung up bunting on their cards for Jo's fab dare last week, It was so much fun to see all those colourful triangles fluttering!

This week we have a treat in store as we have TWO prizes to give away.

Karen, of the very fabulous Charmed Cards & Craft has very kindly offered the following fantastic "Boy" themed digital image collections - You'll be able to choose between the "colour them in yourself" and "ready coloured" options.

Prize 1. Digital Download Bundle "Mikey"

Prize 2. Digital Download Bundle "Boy Oh Boy"

Please head over and visit Charmed - you'll find a great range of products there, and Karen is always adding even more goodies to tempt us all with!

We thought the perfect title for a challenge with prizes like these was:
BoyZone
and we'd like to see cards for Little Boys or Teenage Boys

(but not "Grown-Up" boys this time!)

So, now you know the this week's theme,here's what you'll need to remember to qualify for entry to our prize draw:

1. Make your card according to the theme (above)
2. Add a link on your blog to Charmed Cards & Crafts (Our generous sponsor this week)
3. Submit your card for no more than 3 challenges, including this one
4. Add a link back to the Daring Cardmakers Blog

Then sit back and wait for next Friday when the draw will take place and the winners announced.

Here's what the team have come up with this week to help inspire you


Lythan

Andrea

Lynda (struggling with internet problems atm)

Rein

Kathy

Nat

Asia

Jo

A-Bunting We Will Go!

A HUGE thank you to all who went green last week and shared their emerald inspired cards with us.

Sadly we are saying goodbye to Paula this week, we send lots of love and wish you well and hope that you will pop in to see us from time to time.

It's Jo here today with a dare;

A-Bunting We Will Go!

There seems to be an abundance of bunting everywhere at the moment and I expect more will appear soon in honour of the World Cup! I thought that it would be fun this week to add some bunting to our cards...

From Wikipedia;

Today, bunting is a term for any festive decorations made of fabric, or of plastic, paper or even cardboard in imitation of fabric. Typical forms of bunting are strings of colourful triangular flags and lengths of fabric in the colours of national flags gathered and draped into swags or pleated into fan shapes.

and a picture;

The design team have created amazing bunting inspired cards. Have a good week and I can't wait to see what you create!

Jo

Andrea

Kathy

Rein

Lynda

Asia

Vanessa


Nat

Lythan

The Emerald Isle?

Paula's "Easel Does It" challenge was a huge success so a great big Thank You to all who made an easel card to share with us over this past week. It's been such a treat to see them.

An extra special "well done" to those who did the double dare and made a shaped version and also for those who made an easel card for the first time because of this dare - that really is the true spirit of the Daring Cardmakers. We hope you enjoyed making them as much as we enjoyed seeing them.

We are delighted to announce that Andrea Gourley, who won Keryn's SU prize die last week agreed to come and join us as Guest Designer for the whole of May.

We're especially pleased to have her on the Team as not only is she a wonderful card-maker, but she's been contributing to our challenges almost since we started out back in 2006.

Welcome aboard Andrea we know you're going to be a real inspiration to us all.

Throughout this year, our first dare each month is given over to cards inspired by that month's birthstone

"Prized since ancient times, a fine emerald can be more expensive than a high quality diamond of the same carat weight."

The May birthstone is the Emerald and we'd like you to use this beautiful gem as the inspiration for your cards this week. We'd like to see more than just a tiny spot of emerald green on your cards, too!

If you're looking for extra inspiration you can find lots of info about the myths and legends surrounding the Emerald HERE

To help get you thinking here's what the Design Team have come up with this week - remember we always love to see what you make so please come back and leave a link

Andrea

Lythan

Lynda

Rein

Kathy

Nat

Vanessa

Keryn

 Asia

Jo