Bah! Humbug!

Special Prize Draw Winners

2011-12-12T09:29:00.000Z

It's TIME!

Drum roll! Fanfare! Applause!

YES ... the moment has finally arrived to announce the lucky winner of our

Bah! Humbug! Special Prize Draw 2011

We popped the names of all those who had completed 30 or more of our challenges during 2011 into our distinctive Special Glowing Santa Hat ...

Gave it a good ol' shake ... rummaged around ... shook some more ... dug down deep and plucked out 2 names. So without further ado ....

HERE ARE OUR LUCKY WINNERS

Special 1st Prize Winner 2011
Karen - Serendipity Dragonfly
who will receive a collection of rubber stamps, glitters and all manner of yummy items that any crafter needs.

Runner up Prize Winner 2011

Sandra - Is That The Time?
who will receive a smaller ... but still delicious ... collection of scrumptious crafty goodies.

CONGRATULATIONS LADIES

Please e-mail us with your address details at

bahbahhumbug@yahoo.co.uk

AS SOON AS YOU CAN so we can hopefully get your prizes sent before the Christmas rush.

We would have loved to be able to send out a prize to each and every one of our loyal participents, but due to total failure of Camelot to pick our numbers for yet another year ... YA BOO SUCKS ... our purse strings simply won't stretch to buying enough goodies for everyone. However, we hope you all know how much we appreciate all the wonderful creations you have shared with us during this year and also the really kind comments about how much you have enjoyed participating in our challenges. Thank you all so much.

So now to the 'not so good' news ...
Creating and running Humbug Hall has been an absolute blast, but sadly it's badly in need of repair and regeneration. There is a huge crack in the heating boiler that even Pinflair glue cannot fix and the wind whistles through the chips in the window panes so loudly that it easily drowns out the Ghost of Christmas Past moaning in the corridors, not to mention the howls of the Humbug Hounds.

Alas, it's not only the Hall that needs an overhaul! We Humbuggers would benefit from a bit of renovation too! So after much soul searching we've both decided to close Humbug Hall for a while while we recharge our batteries, fill in the cracks and touch up the paintwork. We're undecided how long this will take ... it may be a few months or possibly even a whole year ... Who knows? But when all the repairs have been carried out, when the cleaners have spit and polished us back to a sparkling condition and when we're ready to unlock the doors again, we sincerely hope that you won't have forgotten all about Bah! Humbug! ... Humbug Hall and The Humbuggers.

All the challenges from the last 2 years, will remain available for you to revisit any time you may need a bit of inspiration, so feel free to browse at your leisure. We certainly intend to continue crafting and will be pootling out'n'about in blogland, maybe even joining in with other challenge groups, (including some of the Christmas ones listed in our sidebar), so no doubt we'll catch up with many of you here and there.
In the meantime, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all again from the heart of our bottoms ... or is it the other way round? ... hmmmm ... no matter LOL ... and wish everyone

A Very Merry-licious Christmas

May Your Homes Be Filled With

Love, Laughter and Happiness

For The Festive Season And Always

Luv From
Ann & Max
"The Humbuggers"

xxx

Traaa-La-La-La-La!

2011-12-09T08:00:00.007Z

YOWZA!
You cannot begin to imagine how wonderful it was for us to see such a fabulous response to our final challenge in 2011 and to read so many kind messages of support. You really have helped us go out on a high again this year. We can look back on the year with satisfaction at a job well done, but also look forward to relaxing over the next few weeks, enjoying the excitement and feeling the Christmas magic as we celebrate with our families.

Before we tootle off to make merry though, we have a wee bit of good news to announce at Bah! Humbug!!!

Please raise your glasses and a cheer to the randomly drawn winner of our wee prize for the December Monthly Challenge. And that lucky lady is..............

Christine at Daisychain

Congratulations Christine! If you could please email us with your address so that we can get your prize sent out to you as soon as possible - it may even arrive before Santa does.
You'll be pleased to see that we can now ... finally ... at long last, show a photo of what you've actually won - YIPPEE!!

A lovely Papermania duo consisiting of a super-sparkly ribbon selection and a snowflake embossing folder. We hope you will enjoy playing with them when they arrive.

Finally ...
.... we just need to remind you that on Sunday, we have our last bit of housekeeping to do before Humbug Hall's gates are padlocked. We'll be announcing the winner and runner up of our Special Loyalty Prize Draw where those people who joined in with 30 or more of this year's challenges will have a chance to win some crafty-licious goodies.
SQUEAL! SO EXCITING! Please don't miss it!

Until then ... take care, stay safe and carry on crafting.

Challenge 47 ... Cute Christmas Critters ...

2011-12-02T07:08:00.001Z

"JINGS ... CRIVVENS ... Help ma boab TAM!"

It's hard to believe but the time has come for us Humbuggers to hang up our hats
and announce our final 2011 Challenge.
YES ... ALREADY!
We've enjoyed another fantasic year of festive fun, with visits from crafters across the globe joining in with our challenges. Hopefully, we've achieved our aim of helping you be a little better prepared for posting duties than you otherwise might've been without us, and, more importantly, that you've had fun along the way. We'd like to thank each and every one of you for your support during the past year and for sharing all your wonderful Christmas projects with us at Humbug Hall. It has been an absolute blast and we've loved trit-trot-trampling our snow boots through your blogs every week to drool over all the gorgeous eye-candy you've had on display.   Extra-Special Humbug Hugs must go to all our wonderful 2011 Guest Designers who have been awesome in providing oodles of inspiration for us all. You're amazing ladies!
But all good things must come to an end and we're now preparing for our annual Humbugger Hibernation.   We've got a good supply of chill pills along with a couple of ~~cases~~ ... ahem ... bottles of red, tucked up in a cosy corner waiting for us to join them. But before we do that we'd like to invite you to play one last time this year following our theme of
Cute Christmas Critters
In Bah! Humbug! tradition for the 1st Challenge of a new month, there is a wee prize on offer for one randomly drawn entry and, when Mr. Blogger stops his hiccupping, we'll be able to show you a sneaky-peek.   In the meantime, and before you rush away to play, check out the Humbugger's cutie-patootie critters below.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Ann - Just for Fun

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 8th December 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

**We'll announce our Monthly Prize Draw Winner next weekend followed by our 2011 Loyalty Grand Prize Draw Winner ... SQUEAL!!**

Challenge 46 ... Fabric ...

2011-11-25T06:32:00.002Z

Oh my naughty Mr Blogger OR could it be naughty computer gremlins here at the Hall? Well whatever or whoever is to blame access to the blog was impossible yesterday which led to this week's post being really late.

So sorry!

Well, apologies over and hopefully accepted and now on to the fun stuff. Oh my what incredible bags and boxes we saw last week - they just exploded from everywhere like there was no tomorrow. Thank you so much everyone for all the exciting ideas and projects you put forward. We were blown away.

Now we are even more excited to see just how well you can think out of the box and into FABRIC!

Yes, friends this week we want you to use fabric in some way on your designs. If like us at the Hall your brain cells have got that pre-Christmas melt down we may let you get away with just a ribbon, but come on you can do more than that. Let your creative juices flow and knock us for six with your stunning designs, but before you do take a look at our team work for this week. As usual if you want to find out more do click on the links above the photos.

Then of course go away and have lots of fun.

Ann - Just for Fun

Colleen - Colleen's Card Creations

Max - Max's Craft Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 1st December 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 45 ... Bags and Boxes ...

2011-11-18T07:00:00.018Z

We saw some truly bonnie Baby's 1st Christmas cards from you last week and, as predicted, there was a fair amount of drooling going on here at Humbug Hall as we browsed your entries.

With only a couple of challenges left for this year, most of you will have a healthy supply of beautiful cards by now, so we thought we'd change tack slightly for our challenge this week and ask you to consider creating a

Gift Bag or Box

The DT have come up with a few ideas to get you started, but we're super confident that you have your own creative ways of making those itty-bitty nick-nacks that we all pop under our tree look extra-specially exciting ... so please show and share!
Should you prefer to create a card for our theme, then there's always the option of creating a box card ... or maybe even an exploding box, which were all the rage in craftland a couple of years ago. Whatever you decide, we're really looking forward to seeing your ideas.

If you'd like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max and Colleen, then click on the links below to visit our personal blogs. Your messages are always appreciated and we do our very best to reply to everyone.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Colleen - Colleen's Card Creations

Ann at Just for Fun

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 24th November 2011

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Feel free to show us as many different Christmas Boxy/Baggy Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Oh My Goodness...

2011-11-15T16:19:00.001Z

So late announcing our monthly winner this week - so sorry!!!

The days are flying by at the moment for all of us here at the hall and to be truthful I don't know what's got into the hounds these days, but they are really whipping up some chaos. We would have announced our winner a lot earlier had it not been for Ebenezer Hound running off with Santa's hat with all the names inside.

Anyway it has been retrieved now and even though some of the names were a bit soggy - Ebenezer does tend to saliva when he gets excited we were able to read the name of this week's winner.

Drum roll please...

Our winner is...

Joan from Late Night Stamping

Congratulations Joan. Please could you email us (address in side bar) with your address as soon as possible and we will get your prize sent off to you.

There is still time to enter this week's challenge which can be found here.

Challenge 44... Baby's First Christmas...

2011-11-11T07:26:00.009Z

Oh My Giddy Aunt!!
- the date today is 11/11/11 -
HOW COOL IS THAT?

Today is also Friday which means another fabby Bah! Humbug! Challenge ... WHOOP WHOOP! ... and if you play along with us again this week then you'll be able to tick another Chrimbo' card off your list. Your stocks must be looking pretty good now, which is just as well really with only 43 sleeps left!

SQUEAL!

Are you excited yet?
We're doubly-bubbly excited at Humbug Hall as there was a new addition to the Cutts Clan earlier this year with the birth of little Eli, and he's provided us with the inspiration for this week's theme of

Baby's 1st Christmas

We just KNOW there'll be plenty of "Oooooh-ing" and "Ahhhhh-ing" when we see all your cutsie-tootsie creations ... but don't worry 'cos we have a ready supply of bibs in case we drool too much over them lol.
Hopefully our DT cards will encourage you to join in the fun and, as always, if you'd like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max and Colleen, then click on the links to visit our personal blogs. Your messages are always appreciated and we do our very best to reply to everyone.

Ann - Just for Fun

Colleen - Colleen's Card Creations

Max - Max's Craft Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 17th November 2011

*********************

You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

DON'T FORGET that we will be announcing the lucky random winner of our November Prize Draw sometime over the weekend so don't stray too far 'cos that lucky person might just be YOU!

Challenge 43 ... Snowmen...

2011-11-04T07:00:00.003Z

Hard to believe that we're into our final few challenges for 2011 ... YES REALLY! How quickly the year has flown but oh what treats we Humbuggers have enjoyed along the way. Your entries for our Diecut Challenge last week were amazing and we were bowled over, not only by the number of entries but by the standard and quality of the finished results. We can safely say that die cuts are well-loved in craftland!

For this week's challenge, we welcome the return of another favourite theme

Snowmen

We're keen to see how many wonderfully different snowmen projects you are going to parade past us, although we have a sneaky suspicion that with our November Prize Draw as an added temptation, the corridors of Humbug Hall are going to be b-b-b-buzzing!

But before you head off to trawl through your stash for your favourite frosty friend, just check out our DT examples in the Gallery below, where you will see we have a new kid on the ~~cell~~block!

Please welcome our November Guest Designer

Colleen - Colleen's Card Creations

We're really pleased you were able to join the team this month Colleen and hope you will enjoy your stay at Humbug Hall.
As always, if you'd like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max and Colleen, then click on the links to visit our personal blogs. Your messages are always appreciated and we do our very best to reply to everyone.

Colleen - Colleen's Card Creations

Ann - 'Just for Fun'

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Huge apologies that we haven't yet got a photo of this week's prize, but someone at the Hall, (who shall remain nameless but isn't Max lol), forgot to recharge the camera and all we're getting at the moment is an eerie red flashing light! Eeek ... scary! But don't worry, as by later in the day all will be well and this month's great prize will be on show.
**Hint**
We're offering a combination of stamps and dies too so a real treat to get you salivating this month. Batteries charged - camera at the ready - and here's a piccie of the prize on offer this month.

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 10th November 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 43... Die Cuts...

2011-10-28T07:00:00.001+01:00

What a wonderful mixed bag of fabulous entries to our Male Challenge last week. We saw cards of every description for every kinda' guy imaginable. For the young and the not quite so young ... some that were cute ... some that were elegant ... some that were funny ... some that were *snigger* a little bit saucy ... traditional images ... modern styles ... in fact you included everything we could possibly wish for ... and much much more! Thank you all so much for rising to, what we thought would be, a difficult challenge. How wrong we were! We obviously need to rethink our strategy if we're ever going to catch you lot out!
This week will probably be a walk in the park for most of you as we'd like you to dig out your

Die Cuts

You'll see some gorgeous Die-Cuts on display from the Humbuggers and our awesome October Guest Designers, so scroll down just a teeny weeny smidge and prepare to be amazed. It is with a sad and heavy heart that we must bid farewell to these 2 oh so talented ladies and our humble Humbugger "Thank You" somehow doesn't seem quite enough in return for all the amazing projects they have shared. Their DT submissions over the last few weeks have been amazing and we secretly hope that when we go to prepare the rooms for our November Guest Designers, we'll be lucky enough to find a little parcel of their creativity, tucked away in the corner just waiting for us Humbuggers to ~~steal~~ ... errrm ... borrow.

If you'd like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max, Kendra-Sue and Brenda, then click on the links to visit our personal blogs. Your messages are always appreciated and we do our very best to reply to everyone.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Brenda - Butlers Abroad

Kendra-Sue - KSD Creations

Ann - 'Just for Fun'

********************

The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 3rd November 2011

*********************

You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 42 ... With Men in Mind...

2011-10-21T08:23:00.028+01:00

oh wow last week really tested our participants out - a not so easy challenge and yet we still saw some stunning creations? You are all just so clever!

This week has been a very special one as Max packed her bags and travelled down to the Yorkshire wing of Humbug Hall. Oh what fun we have had! You would not believe the laughs and fun all week. Oh my, it's just amazing how many empty red wine bottles have accumulated in the Hall's recycling bin and the local craft stores are all under the impression that the recession is well and truly over.

Sorry less rambling about what we've been up to at the hall and more about our new challenge which is yet again a tricky subject matter - eeeeeeeeek - yes it's those dreaded cards for the love of our lives (or bain of our lives depending on what they have been up to recently). Yes this week we are focussing on the theme of ...

Cards for Men!

oh come on less groans and more enthusiasm please! We need our male counterparts to carry the bags, clean the drains and empty the bag on the vacuum cleaner when it gets so full that it won't pick up anymore so the least we can do is make them a special card. So pluck up your courage and dive into your craft supplies to find the perfect stuff to create that perfect card for the man in your life.

Before you head off though do check out the work of Max and Ann using stamp sets in the Yorkshire wing of Humbug Hall and our fabulous Guest Designers.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Ann - Just for Fun

Brenda - Butlers Abroad

Kendra-Sue - KSD Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 27th October 2011

*********************

You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

We have a winner...

2011-10-17T13:58:00.001+01:00

Better late than never comes the announcement of this month's prize draw winner. Drum roll please... and our winner is...

Tracy from Crafteezee

Whoo hoo!! The Angel Stamps and brass stencil will be heading your way just as soon as you e-mail us your snail mail details, (address in the sidebar).

Don't be too disappointed if you weren't chosen this time as there's still plenty of crafty stash for future prize events and you just never know when they will happen.

Challenge 41 ... Good to Eat...

2011-10-14T07:00:00.002+01:00

We Humbuggers were mega-surprised and super-dooper-doubly-delighted at the wonderful response to last week's challenge - WOW! You certainly seemed to love our Glitz and Glitter theme and we're really enjoying viewing all your fantastic projects but still have a fair few to see, so bear with us as we don't want to miss any. All those challenge participants are automatically eligible for entry into our October Prize Draw and one lucky winner will be randomly plucked 'oot'a the exclusive Bah! Humbug! Santa Hat to win the super Brass Embossing Stencil and Woodware Angel Stamps we showed you last week. EXCITING STUFF HUH?

**We'll make the winner announcement over the weekend so pay attention 'cos it could be you ... or you! ... or EVEN YOU!**

While you're waiting for us to do that you could be joining in with this week's theme which is

Christmas Food

Show us your crafty ideas which demonstrate the things that tantalise your festive tastebuds and stimulate those saliva glands ... from the traditional turkey with all the trimmings to whatever weird and wonderful festive treats you like to indulge in. The DT have some fabulous ideas to show you and if you'd like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max, Kendra-Sue and Brenda, then click on the links to visit our personal blogs. Your messages are always appreciated and we do our very best to reply to everyone.

Ann - 'Just for Fun'

Kendra-Sue - KSD Creations

Brenda - Butlers Abroad

Max - Max's Craft Creations

*********************

The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 20th October 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 40...Glitz and Glitter...

2011-10-07T07:10:00.001+01:00

Well October certainly hasn't tippy-toed in has it? More like put on it's tacketty-boots and stomped it's way through the first week. Not sure about elsewhere in the world but here in the UK there's been a HUGE contrast between North and South. It's blimmin' Baltic in the North Wing at Humbug Hall where there's been hailstones, gale force winds, torrential downpours and ... can you believe SNOW! But those residing in the South Wing have been subjected to a veritable heatwave where clothes have been discarded hither and thither, lots of BBQ's and Al Fresco dining have been enjoyed and sun lotion sales have shot through the roof!
EEEEEEEH ... it's weird!
However all this weather 'Humpty-Dumpty-ness', can't be allowed to interfere with our weekly Challenges because, (in case you didn't know), there's ONLY 78 sleeps left now until The Big Day arrives ... EEEK! ... and we need to keep your card-making momentum at it's peak to make sure you're well prepared. So how better to achieve that than by providing you with the very best inspiration from the most talented people we can find! And YES ... we have them ALL here at Humbug Hall! You'd better believe it!
This month we Humbuggers are pleased and delighted to introduce 2 fantastic new ticketty-boo Guest Designers to our humble abode, so please extend a warm welcome to Kendra-Sue - KSD Creations and Brenda - Butlers Abroad - WHOOP-WHOOP WELCOME LADIES!
They're going to blow you away from your computer screens with their wonderful projects for this week's challenge which is ...

Glitter and Glitz

Ann - 'Just for Fun'

Brenda - Butlers Abroad

Kendra-Sue - KSD Creations

Max - Max's Craft Creations
AND because we love you all sooooooo much, just look at the treat we have on offer for one lucky random winner from this week's entries!
October Prize

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 13th October 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.
love 'n' stuff
Ann and Max xxx

Challenge 39 ... Nativity ...

2011-09-30T07:26:00.000+01:00

"Thirty Days Hath September ..."

...so you wouldn't need to be Einstein to know that we've reached the end of another month of challenges.
But before we step into October, we've got the pleasure of our Guest Designer Barb's company for one final fling before she packs her bags and leaves Humbug Hall. We were lucky that she was here for 5 wonderful weeks and we'd like to thank her for sharing some fantastic projects with us all during that time. Not to mention what a dynamic demon she was when wielding the spider-catcher - special thanks from Max for an excellent job well done! Of course we're really sorry that she has to go but reckon she has more than earned a wee rest after working so hard ... besides we need to get the room ready for next month's ~~victim~~ ... errr ... ~~prisoner~~ ... ahem ... Guest Designer lol.
If you've played along with us every week since January, you should have a luvverly-jubberly collection of Christmas cards by now. Even those who've only recently joined us still have time to get organised and avoid any frantic last minute panic, trying to make enough cards for those special friends and relations. We can help by providing you with inspiration and this week we thought we'd tempt you all with our ideas following the theme of

Nativity

When you see our projects it becomes apparent that we must've all been on the same wavelength ... either that or were all working together lol!
No discussion took place beforehand and yet somehow ... incredibly ... we all turned out results that .......... well take a look for yourselves below. How weird is that? If you'd like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max and Barb, then click on the links to visit our personal blogs. Your messages are always appreciated and we do our best to reply to everyone.

*********************************
Ann - 'Just for Fun'

Barb - Made For Keeps

Max - Max's Craft Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 6th October 2011

*********************

You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 38 ... Rudolph/Reindeer

2011-09-23T09:19:00.000+01:00

Welcome back to Humbug Hall for another Friday Challenge. Last week's entries were amazing and we were positively blown away by the wonderful swirly-licious flourishes on display. Thank you all sooooo much.
This week we are looking for a theme that is a favourite with everyone and almost certainly makes an appearance in everyone's card box at some point ... namely ....

Rudolph or Reindeer

Whether you like the cute version ... the quirky version ... or the more traditional elegant version ... we want to see them ALL!

Barb is following on from last week's trip through flourishing heaven with her submission this week and shows us an absolute stunner of a creation. If you would like to know the details of her project, then simply click the link below to visit her personal blog. Your messages are always appreciated and we do our best to reply as much as possible.

Barb - Made For Keeps

Max - Max's Craft Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 29th September 2011

*********************

You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 37 ... Flourishes/Swirls ...

2011-09-16T07:00:00.001+01:00

Wishing a Happy Friday to you all and why wouldn't you be happy when you know that every Friday brings a new Bah! Humbug! Challenge? Before moving onto this week's theme, I thought you'd be pleased to hear that our Guest Designer Barbs is doing a grand job dealing with 'the scuttlers' while Ann's away. In fact, she's doing so well we may have to consider promoting her to "Executive Chief Spider-Catcher Extaordinaire!"
It must be said that they have left behind some beautiful webs, so rather than waste them, I thought it would be a good idea to make use of them by spraying them silver and gold and - VOILA! Humbug Hall is magically decorated ready for Halloween with no effort whatsoever ... and, more importantly, it was much more fun than doing the dusting - tee hee. GENIUS! What was not quite so GENIUS is that I forgot to tape paper behind them before spraying - WHOOPSIES! - hmmmmm ... I predict some time on the naughty step when Ann finds out.
Ah well let's not worry about that for now but focus on this week's challenge theme instead which is

Flourishes and Swirls

Christmas simply wouldn't be Christmas without a few of these and Barb and I have examples which will hopefully inspire you to play along. Just click the links below to visit our DT personal blogs to find out how we created them or if you'd like to leave us a message, we always really appreciate your comments and opinions.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Barb - Made For Keeps

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 22nd September 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity. We may not always manage to comment but we do visit everyone who joins in our challenges.

We Have A WINNER!

2011-09-13T08:27:00.000+01:00

Rather later than intended but please raise your glasses and put your hands together for our September Prize Draw Winner .......

NANNIEFLASH

Whoo hoo!! The Snowman Stamps and Papers Combo' will be heading your way just as soon as you e-mail us your snail mail details, (address in the sidebar).

Don't be too disappointed if you weren't chosen this time as there's still plenty of crafty stash for future prize events and you just never know when they will happen.

Challenge 36 ... Paper Weaving ...

2011-09-09T08:36:00.002+01:00

It's been absolutely 'HOACHING' here at Humbug Hall this week ... or for those not familiar with the Scottish lingo ... we've been overrun with these, (not so), little critters - EEEEEEEK!

Whilst common sense dictates that we Bah Humbuggers shouldn't be scared of them, given that they're so much smaller than us ... (and let's face it, no one ever heard of a spider squishing a human lol) ... that doesn't deter us from screaming and running for cover like demented idiots whenever we catch sight of them scurrying across the floor, up the walls, down the curtains, along the skirting boards .... eurrrgghhhh .... just the thought is enough to bring on the shudders. Then comes the inevitable pushing and shoving at each other until Ann eventually loses and is dispatched to deal with them, armed with the extra long handled spider-catcher, of course!

One push of the trigger opens the bristles and when released, the offending invader is captured and can be safely returned to the garden - that is until it decides to come back in out of the rain, bringing along all the family for an arachna-shindig! Taking a bit of a liberty really don'tcha' think?
ANYWAY ... the point is that all this arachna-batic activity coincides quite nicely with our theme for this week's challenge, which is

Paper Weaving

Now unfortunately, Humbugger Ann got a bit fed up being our "Chief Spider-Catcher Extaordinaire" and decided to escape on her jollies - this time to Gran Canaria, ... (hmmmm ... wonder how big the spiders are over there?) ... so there will be an obvious gap in our gallery for the next couple of weeks.
BUT thank goodness she left the extra-long-handled-gadget thingy behind ... because Guest Designer Barb is going to need it LOL! Speaking of Barb, she's been busy spinning her own beautiful wee web this week ... you have just got to take a look and admire her fabulous work. Just click the links below to visit our DT personal blogs.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Barb - Made For Keeps

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 15th September 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity. We may not always manage to leave a comment, but we view every single entry and gratefully appreciate your continued support of our challenges.
Oooooh ... also don't forget to check back this weekend and see who our lucky September Prize Winner is.

Challenge 35 ... Xmas Sentiments/Text

2011-09-02T07:00:00.008+01:00

It's now September and officially the end of British Summertime but hopefully you won't allow that fact to cool your enthusiasm for our Bah! Humbug! Challenges. If the volume and standard of last week's entries were anything to go by it appears to us more like you're all moving up a notch as Christmas gets nearer! There were some real 'Christmas Crackers' on display that's for certain ... thank you all so much for sharing your fantastic ideas but please be patient if we haven't left a comment yet as we're both finding our online time severely limited at the moment. Rest assured we have viewed all your entries and been delightfully dazzled by the talent we've seen.

As you will know by now, a new month brings an opportunity for us to showcase crafty talent and this month we're pleased to welcome someone who has been a loyal visitor to our Bah! Humbug! Challenges ...

Barb - Made For Keeps

We're sure you'll be just as smitten with her beautiful creations as we are.
Our challenge this week is for you to make the focal point of your design

Christmas Sentiments/Text

The DT have some fantastic examples to inspire you below so have a peek before you head off to play and if you'd like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max and Barb, then click on the links to visit our personal blogs.

Ann - Just For Fun

having a blast from the past

Barb - Made For Keeps

Max - Max's Craft Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 8th September 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.
All submissions from this week will be entered into our September Prize Draw, when one lucky randomly drawn entry will win this super Snowman Stamp and Paper Combo ...

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 34 ... Here Come The Girls!

2011-08-26T07:00:00.060+01:00

Our Something New Challenge proved to be a huge hit with everyone and what a lovely time we've had examining all the scrummy-yummy new purchases you've bought, as well as discovering some fabulous new techniques to try out along the way. That's not all though! Oh No-no-NO! It also turned out to be a bit of a 'talent magnet' by bringing some new faces to play with us at Humbug Hall, so we'd like to welcome them all into our wee group and hope they enjoyed themselves enough to come back again soon.

Let's see if we can tempt them with this week's theme which is ...

Here Come The Girls!

OH YES! We want to see your girly-est girly ideas whatever they may be.
If 'Bling is your Thing' ... then bombard us with BLING! We'll wear sunglasses to protect our eyes.
Maybe your girls are 'Too Hot to Handle' ... then turn up the temperature, and use those Hot Pink goodies you have in your stash ... we'll get the oven mitts out so our fingers don't get burned.
But if you prefer the more subtle approach and your girls are 'Too Kool for Yule', then hunt out those pretty cool pastel colours, which always look stunning with a sprinkle of sparkle and a dash of ice. We'll open the vodka ... ermmmm ... whooops ... well you get the idea lol!
There are no rules when it comes to being creative, so let loose and strut your stuff. For more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Tracy and Donna, please click on the links above each image to visit our personal blogs. Max is noticeable by her absence this week but there's a message explaining why further down.
It's amazing how quickly this month has gone but we'd like to say a humungous 'Thank You' to both of these wonderfully talented ladies for allowing us the privilege of showcasing their fantastic projects here at Humbug Hall - y'know we're going to really miss having you around the place.

Ann - Just for Fun

Donna - Popsicle Toes

Tracy - Scrapcat Scribbles

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 1st September 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

**Message From Max**

Sorry I'm absent this week but my daughter Naomi and I are in Dublin this weekend - hopefully having an absolute blast! She was selected to compete at the Triple Crown being held there, as a member of U.19 Ten Pin Bowling Scotland Squad and to say we are proud of her doesn't even touch on how chuffed we feel. Whoop Whoop! She's always wanted to play for her country and it just shows that with hard work and commitment, dreams really do come true.
So just before you tootle off to play, please take a minute over the weekend to concentrate some of your positive energy to wish her and the whole Scottish Junior Ten Pin Bowling Squad good luck this weekend.
Thanksky Versky Muchsky xxx

Challenge 33 ... Something New ...

2011-08-19T04:28:00.001+01:00

It's been a hive of activity for us Humbuggers this week, as we reluctantly wind down from the Summer Jollies, peruse our precious piccies and get back into the normality that is called 'Life at Humbug Hall'.
Like many of you in the same situation, (especially those with kiddlings), we are battling humungous mountains of washing which have mysteriously accumulated at every turn ... and just when you get to the bottom of it all, you turn around and realise that the mountains of washing have transformed into gargantuan mountains of ironing ... and when you finally finish ploughing through that lot ... WELL ... then comes the dreaded chore of putting it all away into wardrobes and drawers which seem to have shrunk!
Anyway, once everything was squeezed back where it belonged, (and some where it didn't!), we managed to find a teeny bit of time for this week's challenge which is

Something New

If you're suffering the symptoms of Craft Withdrawal and feeling the urge to buy a little treat ... maybe as a reward for doing all that washing lol ... then you have our permission to do so. YAY! BUT ... if all the expenses of the last few weeks has left you feeling a wee bitty skint and you think that means you can't play along this week. Errrrrr ... WRONG!

No money is no excuse because your Something New could be an opportunity to show off a new technique you have learned ... or maybe even invented!

For more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max & Donna, please click on the links above each image to visit our personal blogs. We always really appreciate any comments or opinions you may have. Tracy hasn't joined us yet this week but we suspect she might possibly have been accidently 'squeezed' into somewhere she shouldn't be - whoops! We're going to send the Humbug Hounds out to search and hopefully we'll find her before next week's challenge.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Donna - Popsicle Toes

Ann - Just for Fun

Now
... for those of you who lurrrrrve surprises and left a comment on our 'Celebrating over 400 Followers' post, hold your breath no longer because here are the winners...

KathyK - Purple Princess Diaries
Brenda - Butlers Abroad
Anne - Stamps and Paper

Yeah! ... congrats to all three of you. Please could you send an email to Humbug Hall and we'll get a small surprise sent out to you as soon as possible.
AND FINALLY ....

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 25th August 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

We Have A WINNER!

2011-08-14T14:22:00.002+01:00

TA-DAH!

Congratulations and a drum roll to announce the randomly drawn winner of our August Prize Draw who will soon be receiving the pretty snowflake mobile and brads via pigeon post ...........

Whisper - Whisper's Cards

Well done Sam! If you would e-mail us with your snail mail details, using the adress in the sidebar, then we'll get your prize sent off to you.
Don't be too disappointed if you weren't chosen this time as there's still plenty of crafty stash for future prize events and Ann has already promised some treats to celebrate breaking 400 followers .... so make sure you stay alert to the announcements as you just never know what might happen at Humbug Hall ... nor indeed when!

Check out this post if you lurve surprises.

and this post to enter this week's challenge of 'Kiss'-mas

Oh my goodness..,

2011-08-13T16:21:00.004+01:00

400 and five and rising! - crafters are following our adventures at Humbug Hall! Can you believe that - wowza - amazing!

Think this entails heading for the wine cellars and opening a bottle (or two) of Humbug Hall's finest vintage red. Of course we would love to pour everyone a glass, but we don't think wine really travels that well through cyber space and even if it did the computer screens might get a little sticky.

However don't despair as we may not be sharing the wine, but we are going to delve into our Humbugger Santa sack and see if we can come up with some surprises for a couple of our loyal followers.

ooooooooooooooooh exciting - wonder what we will find? Well if you are like us and love surprises (good ones of a crafty nature) just let us know by commenting on this post.

We'll announce the lucky crafters when our new challenge starts next Friday.

If you're looking for this week's challenge click HERE.

Whoops almost forget to say last week's monthly prize winner will be announced shortly. Just waiting for our random people picker to get into action. Watch this space as they say.

Have a brilliant weekend.

Max and Ann xxx
OOHh lovely wine - hic !

Challenge 32 ...'KISS'mas

2011-08-12T06:23:00.001+01:00

We Humbuggers were blown away again by the amazing gallery of gorgeousness submitted for our White on White Challenge last week. Anyone who still thinks that white is 'boring' after seeing all those fantastic projects needs their head examined and an urgent appointment at Specsavers! We will announce the random winner of the Prize Draw from those entries over the coming weekend so good luck to you all.

On to this week and our challenge theme is ...

"KISS-mas"

We'd like you to 'pucker up' and create something to send Christmas Kisses to a loved one in your life. Someone who holds a special place in your heart that you'd like to smother in big, fat 'smack-er-oonie kisses' ... mwah ... MWAH ... M-WAH! It could be a family member ... a special friend ... or even a secret someone you don't get a chance to lock lips with but would desperately like to! You can share with us 'cos we promise not to tell!

Our very talented Guest Designers Donna, Tracy and resident Humbugger Ann have provided you with some fabulous ideas as you'll see below. Max's project will be uploaded soon ... and if not ... then there'll be no KISS-mas for her lol.

For more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max, Donna and Tracy, please click on the links above each image to visit our personal blogs. We always really appreciate any comments or opinions you may have.

Ann 'Just for Fun'

Tracy - Scrapcat Scribbles

Donna - Popsicle Toes

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 18 August 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 31 ... White on White

2011-08-05T05:52:00.005+01:00

It's now August and we've already passed the halfway mark with our 2011 challenges - UNBELIEVEABLE!
We Humbuggers are chuffed to bits that Bah! Humbug! has developed so many loyal followers who join us every week and willingly share their ideas with everyone. We really appreciate your enthusiasm for our challenges and thoroughly enjoy checking out all your fabulous projects. We'd love to leave a message for everyone that we visit, but during busy holiday periods, family life has to take priority and unfortunately, sometimes there are simply not enough hours, although we do view every challenge entry. We'd like to thank you all for understanding our situation and for your continued support of our challenges despite our occasional neglect.

As this is the first challenge of a new month, we are pleased to have a prize on offer and have decided to go with something a little bit different this time.

Wanna' looksee?

Just imagine how you could let your creativity run riot with this snowflake mobile and, once decorated, it will look absolutely stunning. What a super Christmas craft project for one lucky random entry to this week's challenge ... which is

White on White

Should you need a little inspiration, check out our DT projects below. You will immediately notice that we have 2 brand new Guest Designers joining us for August so please extend a warm Bah! Humbug! welcome to

Donna - Popsicle Toes
Tracy - Scrapcat Scribbles

We can guarantee that their debut projects are going to knock your cotton-pickin' socks off! Ours are currently dangling from the chandelier at Humbug Hall and we'll have to rescue them fairly soon or we'll be suffering cold Humbugger tootsies ... might need a couple of glasses of something strong and red to make the climb first though lol!
For more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max, Donna and Tracy, please click on the links above each image to visit our personal blogs. We always really appreciate any comments or opinions you may have.

Max - Max's Craft Creations

Donna - Popsicle Toes

Tracy - Scrapcat Scribbles

Ann - 'Just for Fun'

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 18th August 2011
whoops the Humbug Hall poltergeist has been up to his tricks again!apologies all round the closing date was today (11th August) but if you still have a card to show us please feel free to add it up to the 18th

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 30 ... Lace ...

2011-07-29T07:16:00.000+01:00

Oh My!

How can it be the end of July already?

What happened to Summer?

Did we blink and miss all the long hot days - the sizzling barbeques - lazing on the beach and the summer fetes held outside? Surely not ... but thinking positively, maybe there is still time for all those things when August turns out to be such a blisteringly hot month that we can finally turn the heating down ... or maybe even OFF at Humbug Hall. We can dream can't we lol?

In the meantime, it's a good job we Humbuggers had your stunning beadilicious creations to make us smile last week or we really don't know what might've become of us. As always, you just blew our socks off with your creativity, sharing some amazing projects with pretty good thinking 'outside of the box' going on as well.

You may find yourself having to think outside the box for this week's challenge too as our new theme is ...

Lace

This should be great fun for everyone, because as you already know we are pretty chilled here at the hall, and that's not just because we can't afford the heating up high lol. No, we mean we're so laid back that sometimes we've even been known to fall off our chairs, although overdoing the red wine might have played a part in that ... ahem ... best not to go there.
Seriously though, you can take our theme of lace wherever you want it to go. Using lace patterned paper, punched lace, lace paper doilies or even real lace ribbon. The choice is entirely yours. You may even go rather posh like Humbugger Ann and do some lacé work or follow the example of our fantastic Guest Designers Abi and Kathy K, who are sadly packing up their crafty stash and moving out this week. It's always sad when our guests have to leave as we thoroughly enjoy having them on the team and are very grateful that they have shared such wonderful projects with us all ... and without the need for torture! Thank you so much ladies xxx

For more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max, Abi and Kathy K, please click on the links above each image to visit our personal blogs. We always really appreciate any comments or opinions you may have.

Ann - Just for Fun

Kathy K - Purple Princess Diaries

Abi - Where's My Table?

Max - Max's Craft Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 4th August 2011

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You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

Challenge 29 ... Beads ...

2011-07-22T07:13:00.003+01:00

It's a blimmin' good job the visitors to Humbug Hall are so talented otherwise we Humbuggers would be feeling rather down in the dumps by now.

WHY? Well ... because ... it's almost the end of July and Summer has STILL not arrived here yet? We've had rain ... and thunder ... and more rain ... and hailstones ... and even more rain ... and lightening storms ... oh and did we mention the torrential rain?

Fortunately there is an abundance of fantastic 'eye-candy' entries to our challenges every week which certainly helps to bring some sunshine into our days, so keep up the good work everyone!

This week we are interested in seeing how you would use

Beads

Cast your beady little eyes ...*snigger* ... around all the nooks, crannies and crafty cubbyholes until you find your box of delightful beads ... crystal beads ... plastic beads ... sparkly beads ... micro-beads ... wooden beads ... in fact any kind of beads at all ... EXCEPT the 'beads of sweat' that are threatening to tickle your top lip, 'cos that's absolutely NOT what we want to see ... so hurry and wipe them away LOL.

The Humbuggers and our awesome Guest Designers have been busy 'beadling' about and you can check out our finished results below which we hope will inspire you. For more details about this week's DT projects, or if you just want to leave some love for Ann, Max, Abi and Kathy K please click on the links above each image to visit our personal blogs. We always really appreciate any comments or opinions you may have.

Ann - Just for Fun

Abi - Where's My Table?

Kathy K - Purple Princess Diaries

Max - Max's Craft Creations

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The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 28th July 2011

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OK ... we've shown you ours and now it's your turn to show us yours. You are free to create whatever you like ... it doesn't have to be a card ... in fact, show us as many different Christmas Projects as you want to share.

Just remember ... have fun and don't forget to leave us a direct link to your project in our comment box so we can come and admire your creativity.

July Prize Draw Winner

2011-07-17T02:43:00.003+01:00

It's time to wave the flags ... sound the fanfare ... bang on the drums and generally make a

BIG NOISE

because we have another winner at Humbug Hall!
Congratulations and loud cheering please for ...

Carolyn - Carolyn's World

... who was randomly selected from our infamous Bah! Humbug! Santa Hat and will soon be the proud owner of this super-dooper prize package.

Please e-mail your snail mail details to us (address is in the sidebar) and we will ensure your goodies are sent out to you tout-de-suite.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and apologies again for the late announcement. You'll be pleased to hear that our previously flaming red faces have now faded to a rather fetching and pretty shade of pink .... oh and as a wee bonus ... the heat generated from our embarrassment was enough to keep Max's chilly rooms cosy all weekend despite the thunderstorms and heavy rain, so all's well that ends well lol!

Please don't be too disappointed if you weren't chosen this time as there's still plenty of craft stash left in Santa's sack for future prize events - you just never know when we will surprise you. Actually ... neither do we ... HAHAHAHA!

Our current 'Shapes Challenge' can be found HERE and we'd love for you to join in with the fun.

Bah! Humbug!

**Special Prize Draw Winners**

Traaa-La-La-La-La!

Challenge 47 ... Cute Christmas Critters ...

Challenge 46 ... Fabric ...

Challenge 45 ... Bags and Boxes ...

Oh My Goodness...

Challenge 44... Baby's First Christmas...

Challenge 43 ... Snowmen...

Challenge 43... Die Cuts...

Challenge 42 ... With Men in Mind...

We have a winner...

Challenge 41 ... Good to Eat...

Challenge 40...Glitz and Glitter...

Challenge 39 ... Nativity ...

Challenge 38 ... Rudolph/Reindeer

Challenge 37 ... Flourishes/Swirls ...

**We Have A WINNER!**

Challenge 36 ... Paper Weaving ...

Challenge 35 ... Xmas Sentiments/Text

Challenge 34 ... Here Come The Girls!

Challenge 33 ... Something New ...

**We Have A WINNER!**

Oh my goodness..,

Challenge 32 ...'KISS'mas

Challenge 31 ... White on White

Challenge 30 ... Lace ...

Challenge 29 ... Beads ...

**July Prize Draw Winner**

Special Prize Draw Winners

We Have A WINNER!

We Have A WINNER!

July Prize Draw Winner