Top Tip Tuesday Number 3...

If you're planning on matting and layering on to a really special piece of designer paper or glitter card sometimes it's a good idea to use the middle section before you actually mat on to the piece.  In the photo you can see that I've cut out the frame and the snowflakes I needed for my card before adding the white section.  Once the white layer goes on top nobody knows there are holes underneath and it's makes the card lighter to post too.  Doing this means that my other sheet of glitter card is untouched and ready to use another day.

Once you know the size of mat you need it's possible to use a craft knife to cut a section out of the middle and then that can be used for something else.

I usually draw my frame on the reverse of my paper/card before cutting out and I do tend to make the frame quite a large one.

As you can see once cut out you have a great frame to mat the patterned paper on to and also a piece suitable for matting an image on to or using in a die cut machine.

Here's the patterned paper in place ready to be attached. 

Perhaps you already do this when crafting, but if not it's worth knowing especially at those times when you have only one sheet of a colour you really want to use and need to make it go as far as possible.
Thanks for visiting and reading this week's Top Tip Tuesday.  Hope everyone is enjoying using those stencils.  The Stencil challenge is here and there is still lots of time to enter your cards.
Ann, Irene and Max xxx

We have a winner..,

Drum roll please..

The winner of the Holly Fairy stamp set and CD in our monthly prize draw challenge this month is...

Chris B from The Messy Craftroom

Yeah, congratulations Chris.  Just revisited your entry for our challenge and read that our challenge was the very first time you have entered any challenges.  Wow, what a great start.  You will soon be completely addicted like all the rest of us.

Please can you contact us here at Humbug Hall so that we can send your prize off as soon as possible.  Our email address is bahbahhumbug@yahoo.co.uk.

Everyone else - so sorry we can't give you all a prize, but as our loyal followers from last year already know there are always super surprises happening here at Humbug Hall.  If you join in challenges regularly you're automatically a loyalty club member and you just never know when your name will be pulled out of the hat for a spot prize. 

'It could be you' as they used to say on the advert.

Don't forget our latest challenge is to use stencils - brass - plastic - peel off stencils.  The choice is huge and it's completely up to you how you use them.  You can find the stencil challenge HERE .  We have had some amazing entries so far, but we'd love to see more.  So come on show us what you can do.

Ann, Irene and Max xxx

Challenge 2 ... Using stencils...

WHOO HOO!  

Think it's safe to say Bah! Humbug! is back with a vengence as we had a terrific response to our first challenge of 2011.  It was wonderful seeing the return of  so many familiar faces from last year and a brilliant boost to see a few newbies keen to join in too.   All names have now been entered into the prize draw and the random winner of our Flower Fairies Stamp and CD set will be announced over the weekend ... so keep a look out for that.

But in the meantime, let's make a start on our next challenge and let's see how you use your

STENCILS

Stencils are probably one of the most versatile items you can have in your stash as there are several techniques that can be applied when using them.  

... you can apply chalks, paint or inks with a stipple brush or applicator

... you can emboss with them to create a raised design 

... the shapes can be drawn around and cut out from card or fabric before  being added to your project AND if you're really careful with the scissors, the negative can be used for another crafty item!

... they can be flipped to create mirror images which is great for gatefold cards

These are just a few simple ideas and no doubt you can think of other fabulous ways to be creative with stencils.  So SHOW US!
Our Guest Designer Carole obviously loves using stencils and she is sharing 4 ... YES 4 ... beautiful examples of stencil work with us.  
Our Humbugger Ann has worked some stencil magic with embossing paste and glitter, giving gorgeous results, as always.  
As for me (Max) ... well ... ahem ... I haven't quite finished my project yet but have got a good reason for being late this week which will be explained on my blog.  Make sure you bring some tea and sympathy with you LOL!
*Edit: Picture now added*
If you want to know more details about our projects or want to find out why I'm so late this week ... simply click the names below to visit our personal blogs.

Guest Designer Carole 

Brass Stencil

Mask Stencil

Ann

Using a stencil, embossing paste and glitter

Max

The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 20th January 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.

Ann, Irene, Max

xxx

Top Tip Tuesday ... on Wednesday!

Well, there's one thing about us girls at Humbug Hall we certainly keep you on your toes!  Just when you think that Tuesday is the day for Top Tips we spring one on a Wednesday and it's another goodie.  Well, it is if you haven't already donated last year's cards to a charity collection or (eeeeeeeeek) the bin.

Our tip this time is ...

'Recycle last year's Christmas cards.'

Not the beautiful handmade ones you have received of course.  They are far too precious to tamper with, but all those shop bought ones that might end up in a bin or taken to a recycling collection.  Well, why not recycle them yourselves.
On my 8" x 8" card I've used the whole of the front of an old card.  It didn't cost me anything to print and I didn't even have to add glitter as that was already on too.  What a bargain!?  All I had to do was mat and layer the image onto matching card, add some embellishments and a little embossing using my Fisker's Shape boss and hey presto card is finished.
Hope when you have a look through your cards you can find some images and trimmings to put on one side and use in your crafting.  Such a shame for them to be wasted.
Don't forget our challenge this week is HOLLY - FAIRIES or BOTH and you still have time to enter HERE. 
Some fabulous cards and projects so far.  Good luck to everyone in the draw.
Tons of love from
Ann, Irene and Max.
xxx

Challenge 1 - Holly ... Fairies ... and a touch of New Year Magic!

Welcome Back To Bah! Humbug! Challenges 
We hope you all thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas break and that no one is suffering from burst pipes or received any nasty injuries as a result of the bad weather. 
The Humbuggers were all very lucky girls and got some super new stash to play with from Santa.  No doubt you'll be seeing some of it during the course of this year as we make our way through some brand new challenges.
SO ... TELL US ... ARE YOU READY TO PLAY?  
YAY!  Lets's get started then.

For our first challenge of 2011, we thought we'd be kind and offer you a choice, hence the themes of 

Holly and Fairies

You decide whether you'd like to use one or the other ... or if you prefer you can combine the two.  Regulars will know that our first challenge of every month gives you the opportunity to win some crafty stash, so check out what we have up for grabs.   

Crafter's Companion Flower Fairies Stamp and CD

One lucky person will be randomly selected from all the entries after the challenge deadline and the winner's name will be announced at some point over the following weekend, in a separate post ... which is a change from last year.

We are very pleased to be joined this month by Carole of Camcraft Creations, who was one of the ladies who managed to complete all of our 2010 challenges and she's kindly agreed to be our January Guest Designer.  Take a look at her beautiful cards below and the other Humbugger samples.  

Unfotunately, our good friend and fellow DT member Irene hasn't been well so can't join us this week, but hopefully it won't be long until she feels much better and is back sharing her gorgeous cards with us all.     

Get Well Soon Irene xxx  We miss you!

Details of products used on all our examples can be found by clicking the names and visiting our personal blogs so take a peek.

Guest Designer Carole

Camcraft Creations

Max

Ann

The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 13th January 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.  
If you don't feel up to making a start on next years cards just yet, why not share a scrapbook page with us?  We'd love to see some of your Christmas activities and share your family festivities.

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're really looking forward to seeing you all again.

Ann, Irene, Max

xxx

Top Tip Tuesday ...1...

Hello, Bah! Humbug!  fans.  Did you have a good Christmas?  Did you party the night away or were you like some of us at Humbug Hall leading very quiet lives?  Whatever you did we hope you enjoyed it and are taking it nice and easy this week in preparation for a new year of fun challenges at Bah! Humbug!
To start the year off we are bringing you the very  first of this year's Top Tip Tuesdays and it's a real winner.  Well, we think it is...

When only the crumbs are left from your Christmas biscuits and chocolates make sure you save the tins.  With all the cards we will be stashing away during the coming months we will definitely need somewhere safe to keep them all and what better place than a Christmas themed storage tin.

I must admit when I bought my goodies this year as well as looking at price and content I also considered the tin size and which cards could be stored in it later. No round tins in my Christmas shopping basket!
The one in my photo is just the right size for 8" x 8" cards and envelopes.  I just need to find some space to store the tins now.  Eek!
Don't forget our first challenge of the year starts on Friday.  It's a good one with plenty of scope for you to use those new Christmas goodies and maybe even win some more as we have a great prize on offer too.
See you Friday - till then have fun.

Ann, Irene and Max xxx

H A P P Y ... N E W ... Y E A R

"The Humbuggers" Would Like To Wish 

Friends Far and Near

Health and Happiness For The Coming Year

 XXXXX