Spot Prize Time

Just before February flies out the door and March comes ... well ... 'marching in' with a fanfare of Spring loveliness, we thought we'd award a wee surpise to one of you.  Yeeeeeeeeesssss ... it's SPOT PRIZE TIME!

Just to clarify for our new participants, we like to send out little surprises to regular entrants on a random basis ... you just never know who will be chosen ... nor indeed when!  We realise that sometimes life gets in the way and it's not always possible to enter every week, and it would be unrealistic to expect that, but we do keep a record so we know who enters most weeks and it's easy to pop those names into our Humbug Hat and pull one out.

The lucky random name selected this time is .........  

JOCELYN

Would you please contact us with your address details so we can post your prize out to you.  Our Bah! Humbug! e-mail address is in the side bar, as is our Loyalty Banner, which anyone who plays at Humbug Hall is welcome to display in their own blog sidebar.

Don't despair if you weren't lucky this time, there will be plenty of opportunity to win throughout the year AND, don't forget we have our 2011 Grand Prize Draw in December, for all those who manage to complete 30 or more of our challenges.

Our current challenge is HERE and on Friday we'll have the first exciting March challenge and the first of our new Guest Designers will be making their debut appearance here at Humbug Hall. WHOO HOO!

Challenge 8... Things that fly...

We were seriously, SERIOUSLY blown away by all the wonderful entries to our CD/DVD challenge and count ourselves very lucky to have so many talented friends willing to bite the bullet and get stuck in to our challenges no matter what we ask.  We applaud you all!

This week we promised you something a little less taxing to round off February and you know we NEVER break our promises, so all we want to see from you this time is your interpretation of 

Things That Fly

For example think of  ... Angels ... Birds ... Christmas Fairies ... Santa in his Sleigh ... oh and not forgetting ... the money from your bank account lol!  Hahahahaha!

Before that though, please join us in saying a fond farewell to our very good friend and Guest Designer Carole, as she completes her final challenge sample as a 'Humbugger'. We can't thank her enough for all the hard work and beautiful inspiration she has shared with us during her extended stay and although we're sad to lose her from the team, we think she deserves to kick off her shoes and enjoy a well-earned rest.    
Don't be too downhearted though as, starting from March, we have a real bevvy of talented beauties assembled at Humbug Hall, ready and waiting to wow us all for the remaining challenges of 2011.  If you missed that announcement then just check HERE.  We're too excited for words and know it's going to be a blast working with them all.

If you would like to know more details about this week's DT projects, or leave some love for Ann and Carole, please click on the links above each card.  

  

Carole at Camcraft Designs

Ann at 'Just for Fun'

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The deadline for this challenge is 

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 3rd March 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. 

Ann and Max xxx

Guest Designers Announcement

The response to our Guest Designer Call was absolutely amazing and we were delighted to see such enthusiasm and interest from everyone.  As you can imagine, this presented us with the dilemma of having to choose only a few from the many talented applicants, which was not an easy task at all  - we would love to have included you all, but this was simply impossible.   However,  in an attempt to limit the disappointment, we made the decision to have 2 Guest Designers for each month this year and hopefully you'll agree that we have chosen a good mix of new faces and faithful friends with a variety of styles to suit everyone.  
If the following people are all still interested, will you please contact Ann and Max at 
bahbahhumbug@yahoo.co.uk 
as soon as possible and we will let you know further details of your allocated months and the challenge themes. 
 
Fiona - Leaves From My Notebook
Judith - Poppy Cottage
Veronica - Vroncards
Kelly - Pink Crafty Devil
Kathy K - Purple Princess Diaries
Karen - Serendipity Dragonfly
Christine - Ladylace Crafting Space
Colleen - Colleen's Card Creations
Donna - Popsicle Toes
Tracy - Scrapcat Scribbles
Barb - Made For Keeps
Wendy - Crafting Purple Crazy 
Rita - RMG Designs 
Chris B - The Messy Craftroom 
Abi - Where's My Table?
Clare - Miscanthus Crafts
Kendra-Sue - KSD Creations
Brenda - Butlers Abroad

Just a reminder that you will be asked to submit a minimum of 2 projects during your allocated month and although we will send you details of the themes in advance, we would ask that you not 'spill the beans' before the challenge date, for obvious reasons.   Huge thanks to everyone who applied and thank you for your patience whilst awaiting our decision.

Challenge 7...Use a CD/DVD!!

We could never have guessed how many different ways there are to use doilies in craftworld ... UNTIL you showed us your delightful entries last week.  You certainly inspired us to regard this humble item with a lot more respect and give it more space in our stash in future.  Thank you very much to everyone who joined in.

Now we're wondering what exciting and innovative things you can create with this week's theme

CD/DVD

We don't mind whether you choose to recycle or alter an old disc to create something new ... or make a CD/DVD gift card or holder ... or do something else entirely - as long as you follow the theme.
Ann and Carole have stepped up to the mark as always, and their examples are shown below.  If you would like to know more details or leave a comment, ('cos we love comments), please click on the links above each card.

Carole - Camcraft Creations

Ann - Just for Fun

We have included a few links for those looking for additional ideas to try but don't spend too much time browsing or you'll run out of time and we're way too impatient to wait too long to see your results.

CD Holder Card
CD Crafts - various
Snowman CD Ornament
CD Mirror Ball Ornament - video
Crocheted Rose Photo Frame - video
CD Photo Album  - video
CD Case Photo Cube  - video

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The deadline for this challenge is 

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 24th February 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 and Max xxx

Top Tip Tuesday ...Number 4...

This week's Top Tip is a money saving one - a very important one too for UK Bah! Humbuggers!  It's no good having made the most gorgeous Christmas cards ever if when December comes round you just can't afford to post them.

Royal Mail have already given a huge blow to us crafters with the introduction of the dreaded Large Letter stamp which means that most of our cards cost a fortune to post.  None of ours at Humbug Hall have ever been slim enough to get through the slot yet, but things are going to get worse.  So sorry to be the bearer of this doom and gloom, but needs must.

This is the official notice of the price rises by Royal Mail...

'The  main price increases are:

• The price of First and  Second class stamps for standard items weighing up to 100g will rise by 5p to  46p and 4p to 36p respectively.
• The cost of a Large Letter  stamp will rise by 9p to 75p for First Class items and 7p to 58p for Second  Class mail.'

Eeeeeeeeeeeek  75p to send a card!  Well, here at the Hall we're going to try and combat this by buying as many stamps as we can over the coming weeks.  As none of the stamps have the price on them it's possible to stock up now and avoid the price increase for a little while at least.  
Our plan is to add a couple of books of stamps in with our weekly shop which hopefully won't dent the budget too much, but will make a big difference come December.  
Remember too that because your cards will be all done and dusted by the end of November you'll be able to post them early and use Second Class mail. That will make a huge saving, especially if you post a lot of cards.
Even if you are lucky enough to live somewhere where there hasn't and isn't going to be a price rise (is that possible?) it's still a good idea to buy a few stamps each week.  It will certainly save you from a nasty shock come December.
Our current challenge of Doilies is here.  We've had some amazing entries so far.  Keep them coming - we're learning so much from you all.

Ann and Max xxx

February Prize Winner

We promised to make the announcement of our Monthly Prize Winner this weekend ... and luckily there's still a few minutes left before Monday kicks in so we're keeping our word by the skin of our teeth.

All the names from last week's entries were popped into our Special Bah! Humbug! Prize Hat and the random lucky winner pulled out was ..... 

Fiona

Leaves From My Notebook

Congratulations to you!  

Please e-mail us at  

bahbahhumbug@yahoo.co.uk  

with your snail mail details we will get your prize out to you ASAP.

Thank you to everyone else for your wonderful entries and don't be too disappointed 'cos there will be plenty of super random Spot Prizes to come during the year and you never know when it could be you.

Challenge 6 - Doilies...

Visitors to Humbug Hall are probably a little worried at hearing the sounds of muffled sobbing, coupled with the awful howling of the Humbug Hounds today, but please try not to be too alarmed.  We're all rather upset having just heard the news that Humbugger Irene has decided to resign from the DT following her recent illness.   Obviously, we have to respect her decision and it goes without saying that we are going to miss her dearly.  However, her health has to come first and hopefully, this will continue to improve over the coming weeks, so that she eventually makes a full recovery and who knows? ... maybe at some point in the future, she will rejoin us as part of the Bah! Humbug! team.   Fingers (and paws) are firmly crossed!  
Meanwhile, we will send her regular sackfuls of healing hugs ... and maybe even harrass her occasionally on the phone ... just so's she knows we're still here and thinking about her. 

Hopefully our challenge this week is going to get your grey cells buzzing so you won't have time to pine too much.  Please share your wonderful ideas and inspire us all to use

Doilies

Hmmmm ... not an item you would immediately associate with crafting as they're more usually found lining a sandwich/cake plate,  or as decoration on a dressing table for displaying Grandma's 'nicknacks'.   However, as you will find out, doilies can produce absolutely amazing results when crafters get hold of them.  
Just for starters, have a look at the examples from Ann and Carole this week and, as always if you would like to know more details or leave a comment, ('cos we love comments), please click on the links above each card.
 

Carole - Camcraft Creations

Ann - Just for Fun

 

Just in case you'd like to try something other than cardmaking, or simply need further convincing of how awesome doilies are,  follow the links below for some more fabulously creative projects.  We guarantee you will never again think doilies are boring!
Christmas Angel 1
Christmas Angel 2
3D  Ornament 
Tree Ornament
Lace Envelope
Dyed Doilies
Scented Doily Sachets - a Xmas version? 
Martha Stewart Doily Ideas 

Thank you so much to Valerie for bringing this fabulous link to stamped doilies to our attention.  Wow I just love these!  Don't think we have those stamps at Humbug Hall, but they are certainly being added to our wish list.  

The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 17th February 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.

A final word to let you all know we will announce the winner of last week's prize goody box over the weekend.
Best of Luck to everyone.

Ann and Max

xxx

Challenge 5 - Buttons and Bows...

We can't believe that the first month of 2011 Bah! Humbug! Challenges is over already.  Those who have joined in so far will be sitting pretty, and probably feeling just a little bit smug, that they're already well on the way to having a tidy pile of beautiful hand-crafted cards to send this year.  What's more ... because they're not racing against the clock, they can afford to spend a little more time ... which equals a little more love ... on each one of their beautiful creations.  That's gotta' be good RIGHT? 
So as we've slipped into February and a fresh new challenge, that means there's also a fresh new prize on offer to one randomly selected entry this week.    WHOOOOOOOOOO!  Are you excited?  
Wouldn't you like to win this A4 box of goodies which include sparkly ribbons, sparkly brads and sparkly Stickles to sparkle up the Christmas Fancy papers?  

OF COURSE YOU WOULD!
So get your brains in gear and make a Christmas card or project following our theme of 

BUTTONS AND BOWS

Just before you tootle off though, please check out the fantastic cards created by our Guest Designer Carole and 'Humbugger' Ann who are both working soooooo hard to keep Humbug Hall ticking over nicely while Max and Irene are missing ... and it must be said, they're doing a WONDERFUL job.  As always if you would like to know more about the cards on display or leave a comment, ('cos we love comments), please click on the links above each card.

Carole

Ann

The deadline for this challenge is

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 10th February 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

Guest Designer Call at Humbug Hall

"The Humbuggers" are once again putting out a call for Guest Designers who would be interested in contributing to our challenge samples during 2011.  In return for your efforts, we will place a direct link to your blog so everyone can visit ... you will be given more praise and appreciation than you can shake a glue gun at ... but sadly there won't be any wages.

You would be expected to contribute a minimum of 2 x DT samples for a period of one month. 
If you would like to allow us to exploit your talents, be considered for selection and be included in our list of potential GDT members, then please show your interest in the comment box below indicating any month where you WILL NOT BE available.  

Thank you in advance.

Ann, Irene, Max

xxx