Win a Stamp Connection Prize!

Thank you Jennie of The Stamp Connection for donating the big stash of wonderful crafty supplies, including the stamps, flower templates, and pad.

Jennie is the manufacturer of The Artistic Stamper range of unmounted rubberstamps and Kling-On Repostionable cushioning. She is also a Certified Ranger Educator.

The Artistic Stamper has just recently become famous in the crafty world. They had some new and exclusive Stitchels stamps on QVC!! Congratulations, Jennie, that’s a great achievement. Just look at some of the beautiful crative art Jennie has been making. I just love this woman deep in thought. It's not often you see the color yellow in use in great amounts, so I really like how it was used here.
Jennie regularly runs giveaways from her blog and includes tons of crafty ideas with tips for making your own amazing creations. Her tales of her crafty adventures are always so fun and she gives good suggestions of where to go.

You Take the Cake, Kate!

Thank you very much Kate of The Kathryn Wheel blog for donating your mini 4” x 4” “You Take the Cake!” canvas. I absolutely love this piece of art because I think the little girl look like my mother.

Not only is Kate a school teacher specialising in music, she is a crafts tutor, teaches card making and scrapbooking, and plays in a ceilidh band. Somehow she also finds time for her family and to make some stunning art. Kate made You Take the Cake as a sample before a craft party in which she led little girls in painting. She certainly inspired the girls who made the wonderful below creation.
From artist’s trading cards to journaling, Kate is always showing her new creations on her blog and they are an absolute delight to see. Kate herself says she likes to embrace the weird, so you’ll always find something unusual. Kate includes great blog links and is also a crafting celebrity having been published in Craft Stamper.

For a chance to win this prize, donate to Craft Against Cancer.

You Take the Cake, Kate!

We Have a WINNER!!!!

Thank you! Thank you! so much Suzy for making such a generous donation! Because of your selling cards at work we can now have the first raffle.

It was so exciting to see we have reached the first donation especially tonight. I've just come home from the doctor's with repetitive strain injury and my hand is now in a brace. I've been doing too much of my normal job and just too much blogging/emailing people about Craft Against Cancer. Over the past few days, I had taken a bit of a rest and trying not to use my hand. I'd been worried this whole Craft Against Cancer idea was not going to take off and I'd lined up all these wonderful prizes from such generous people, but coming home and seeing the donations reach our first target makes it worth all the while.

Now onto the raffle. Drum roll please....

This beautiful fairy made by Rita (for more adorable fairies, click here)....

is going to a new home....

in a land far, far away....

and her new human will be...

Shirley of Nannieflash!

It gives me the greatest pleasure to know that this little fairy is going to a wonderful home. It seems especially fitting that the fairy (or as my mother keeps calling her, the little angel) is going to live with Shirley since Shirley the first cheerleader for Craft Against Cancer. To spread the word about the devastating effects of childhood cancer, she revealed her own story in her blog and encouraged almost all of the first donors. Read about it here. My mother thinks it's a sign and you know, so do I.

Another Great Raffle Prize from Tatyana

Thank you very much to Tatyana of the Wool Thumb blog and Art Studio Shanti shop for donating this gorgeous hand crocheted bag. This is made out of light blue woven cotton with a metallic thread running through it which gives it a shimmering frosted look. This bag would be fabulous for a special evening out on the town.
In her adorable shop, Tatyana sells felted goods, toys, original jewelry, and bags.
Originally from Russia, Tatyana started making jewelry, bags, pillows, etc. by hand when she moved to the USA. Lucky for us, her friends talked her into opening a store where you can see a selection of her unusual crafty goods.
From Asian rice paper laminated placemats to polymer clay pendants, everything Tatyana makes looks so great.

Tatyana tells her crafty tales on her blog, including adventures in repurposing and money saving beauty tips. I especially like these. She has such great ideas to try with old blush and lipstick. Check them out.
Thank you again, Tatyana for your kind donation!

Thank you Simon Says Stamp!

Thank you to all of the wonderful ladies at the Simon Says Challenge blog and shop, especially Lorraine and Heidi.

Do check out their blog for inspiration. They show the best of the cards made in each of their challenges and some of them are exceptional. I love looking here for ideas. Their shop is also particularly well stocked. This is an under statement. They have a huge amount of stuff, including really unusual stamps. Do check them out.

Enormous Prize from Dawn of Crafty Ramblings!

Thank you to Dawn of Crafty Ramblings for donating the huge amount of fun Tag Art, gorgeous hand made cards, stamped images and other crafty items. What a fantastic prize some lucky crafter is going to win.

Dawn has a wonderful blog called Crafty Ramblings in which she shows her gorgeous creations. She participates in tons of challenges and has some great tutorials on her site.

If that’s not enough to keep her busy, Dawn is also part of the ABC Challenge Design team, Something Completely Different, and Craft Barn Blog. She’s a guest designer too for Making Handmade Cards, a Spoonful of Sugar, and Cute Card Thursday.

There is certainly always something new on Dawn’s site. Either she makes it herself or has a catalogue of links to others. She has some great tutorial links in which you can learn how to make amazing pop up cards and paper roses.

Thank you again, Dawn! What excitement this great prize will bring when received in the mail.

Why Exercise when you can Stamp for Charity?

Debbie of The Crafty Pad has graciously donated to the raffle her Race for Life stamp as well as any other stamp of the winner’s choosing on the Crafty Pad site. This is a really great site with lots of card making ideas, tutorials, and creations from guest designers.
Debbie designs all the stamps on the site and they are made in the UK by a stamp manufacturer.
Her Race for Life stamp is really a great idea. Part of the proceeds go towards the Race for Life Charity, so if you are in no shape to exercise (like moi) then what a great idea to stamp for charity!

Thank you again, Debbie

Win 5 Gorgeous Handmade Cards!

All we need is 50 more pounds for the first raffle! If you donate now, you'll have a chance at all of the prizes. Pictures of most new items to be added this weekend, so keep checking back!

Diane of 1CardCreator blog and shop has generously donated 5 greeting cards of the winner’s choosing from her etsy shop. Thank you, Diane!

From her Michigan home, Diane specializes in making very detailed handmade cards. What makes her shop unique is she offers a greeting card mailing service. She will remind you of people’s birthdays and anniversaries, personalize the card, sign, address, stamp, and mail it for you this year and next. What a great idea! I wonder if she does Christmas cards? Wouldn’t you love someone to take the hassle out of doing those each year? There’s no more excuses of “I ran out of time” when Diane’s around.

Diane is even a minor crafting celebrity now. She is the proud winner of the Papercraft magazine 2008 World Card Day Contest. Her winning card submission will be featured in the March/April 2009 issue. Diane has been making cards since 2001 and has never stopped since. She just loves making cards and seeing the joy they bring to her friends.

Diane’s 1CardCreator blog is also really interesting. She demonstrates with clear pictures how she made her cards. She’s also got some really unique ones on there – cards in the shape of a graduation cap, balloons bursting forth from inside a card, and cards with moveable objects. To see pictures of all these are more, click here.
My favorite post on her blog is how to tie dye card stock with shaving foam. It is absolutely genius. With ideas such as these, Diane is sure to be winning more awards.

Gorgeous Vintage Charm to Win!

June of the June’s Arty Retreat blog donated this gorgeous aqua vintage charm. I just love the sweet little girl’s face and the dangly beads. This is just one example of the treasures June makes on a daily basis.
June is also a superb card maker and likes to mix vintage and romanticism with a twist. She regularly participates in challenges, shows all of her cards on her site, and often includes instructions about how she made her creations. Her site is a place to go to find out about other challenges and blog candy on offer.
June also has some really great links on her site to other wonderful sites I would not normally have found – like where to buy doll’s heads. June’s such a warm, welcoming person, you’re sure to delight in her blog. Do become a follower. I promise you’ll have a lot of fun.

June also has another wonderful blog titled Art Freebies. You can download for free tons of great images. She even creates her own digital images and posts them there. Don't you just love the above photo? Does anyone out there make their own digital creations?

Win Great Prizes from Kimmi of Poppy Petal Designs

Thank you Kimmi of Poppy Petals Designs Shop and blog for donating 25 mixed charms on chains to put on cards and scrapbooks plus any Digi images she now has in the shop and any that she puts up until September this year.
I absolutely love these charms, especially the one with the ladybird (ladybug), and they really jazz up cards. The metal and beads are a great contrast to the paper and ribbon on typical cards.

Kimmi has been fighting cancer herself and has been raising money herself for the cause. She’s an inspiration as someone who keeps fighting and creating. She’s also well exceeded her target donation goal. Great job, Kimmi! I know how hard that can be. There are so many people and children out there fighting this dreaded disease that every donation helps to find a cure.
Kimmi’s fun blog is a place to win great candy, not only does she give it away, but she regularly participates in challenges in which others are giving away prizes. In her shop, Kimi also has for sale some adorable digi images that she designed. My favourite is the patchwork donkey. Head on over there and take a look. I’ll guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself.

Also, thank you very much to Josefa Laura of Mi Sello Personal for the lovely two awards. I pass these two and the beautiful blogger award from yesterday on tosome of my first blogger buddies, Harbor Hon and Mindy. Old friends are not forgotten.

Milagra Gourd Lady Raffle Prize!

Bridgette of Bella Luna Arts has donated from her shop one of the most interesting dolls I’ve ever seen – a blue and green milagra gourd lady. Her body is made out of a gourd, surrounded by blue net and adorned with jewels and beads. She has silver hands and little silver shoes. Her hair is a twist of blue and aqua beads with the most expressive face. This milagra is absolutely delightful and I hear she brings good luck.

Did I also mention this milagra is from a celebrity family? Her sisters have been featured on HGTV's Carol Duvall Show and in the magazine of wearable art, Belle Armoire Jewelry.
All of Bridgette’s pieces are so unique. In her shop, she is also showing a beautiful little Steampunk angel with brass wings and vintage watch plates. It’s whimsically Victorian, yet also has a funky, industrial feel.
Bridgette really is creating art over at Bella Luna. Her piece “Mary Watches Over Me” is made up of a sweet vintage Miraculous Medal of Mary encased in a small vintage watch case. What a great idea! This piece is lined in black satin with tiny gold beads floating around Mary. From the watch dangles Swarovski crystals, vintage glass & brass.

If you would like the chance to win one of Bridgette’s milagra gourd ladies, all you need to do is donate and be entered into the raffle. Thank you again, Bridgette!

As of tonight, we have raised 100 pounds! Thank you very much to everyone who has donated. All we need is to raise 50 more pounds and we will raffle off the fairy. New prizes are coming in all the time. We have about 18 confirmed now. The raffle prize page will be updated this weekend. Remember, it's best to donate early because you will then have a chance to win ALL of the raffle prizes. Best of Luck!

Matryoshka Doll Hair Clips To be Won!

Aysel of Enna Design Shop has created a felt fantasy world of bambis, babushkas, and lily of the valley babies. There’s a few French poodles in there too. She designs all of her own creations and sews everything by hand.

Aysel’s stitching is so impressive – so small and so neat. Look at all the details she has lovingly put into every one of the babushka. The vibrant colors of the felt are amazing. Where she found two shades of lavender, aqua, and peach, I don’t know. Her fabric shop is definitely better than mine.
Each little face is perfectly fashioned too with little pink cheeks. These would be absolutely perfect for a little girl’s birthday present or a big girl…I know I love them.
Aysel also has another doll fashion shop called DoLLYSToRY where she sells her hand sewn creations for Blythe, Petite Blythe, and Momoko dolls. Puff sleeves, pearls, and lace, these dresses are amazingly detailed.
Thank you for your kind contribution, Aysel. Someone is going to be really lucky because I know I want them! (but for obvious reasons, am excluded from the raffle). Do check out her shop. The colors and the cute photographs will perk up your day!

I just wanted to add an enormous thank you to Shirley of the wonderful Nannieflash blog who gave me this award today. It really means a lot, especially today. Shirley has really been a strong supporter of the Craft Against Cancer campaign and has revealed her own personal story on her blog which has inspired many of the first donors. Do click on the above link and scroll down. This is why it's so important we do all we can to raise money for the Royal Marsden cancer campaign so they can find a cure for childhood cancer.

p.s. - I will pass on the blog within the coming days.

Beautiful Blue Bella Raffle Prize

Trudette, thank you very much, for your utterly charming donation of Blue Bella to the Craft Against Cancer raffle. Blue Bella is a delightful young lady who is fond of flowers, loves to be in a world of blue, and bring smiles wherever she goes. She would make a delightful gift for a baby or a little girl.
Trudette and her blog/shop are also truly delightful. In her shop, she sells crocheted gift bags adorned with roses, daisies, chicks, and hearts. I particularly love this deep pink one with pale blush rose. Look closely and you’ll see she adorns some with beads too. In fact, if you look closely at a lot of what Trudette makes you will see she all of her work is quite detailed.
In addition to crocheting, Trudette also draws the most enchanting pictures of little girls surrounded by flowers. They all look so pretty, I’d love to hang them in bunches on my walls. They’d look particularly lovely in a little girl’s bedroom (maybe big girls too.) Every year I age, I seem to also regress into a little girl land.
Trudette also has a blog in which she entertains her followers with tales of Miss Amy and her captivating Belgian neighborhood. I just love seeing where other people around the world live, don’t you? Her photographic skills are excellent too. I want to reach through the screen and gobble up her pictures of food and spread my arms into the clouds of her sunset evenings. Thank you again, Trudette, for sharing and giving so much.

Check out all of the raffle prizes here

Sunny Russian Doll Print - Raffle Prize!

Thank you to Amy Perrotti for donating one of her "Sunny Russian Doll Print" to the Craft Against Cancer Raffle. I first saw this 11"x8.5" print as a treasury on someone’s blog and absolutely fell in love with it. The bright colors make me feel so happy whenever I see it. The Russian Doll's name is Sunny and I’m told she’s a kind and happy child. She is sure to bring a smile where ever she goes. I’ll vouch for that.

The print is of an original drawing by Amy Perrotti that she digitally illustrated. It is printed on an archival Epson matte paper using an inkjet printer with HP Vivera inks that resist fading for a century.

(All pictures are the work of Amy Perrotti. Please note that only the "Sunny Russian Doll" is for the Raffle. For the rest, you have to head on over to her great shop.)

All of Amy’s prints in her shop are so unique. They’re modern, bright, and bold. I love her take on Little Red Riding Hood, Circus Animals, Buddha, Russian dolls, tiger girls, and fairies.

In the Fairies playing Hide and Seek series, Tiger Girl and Fox Girl, the little girl depicted is so serious about pretending that her clothes are like a camouflage costume, but you can always tell she is a child by her sweet little stocking feet.

One of the things that makes her blog so interesting is that she shows the drafts of her art during the creative process. When I see the final print, I feel as if I’ve gone on a journey with her.

Amy makes such interesting craft things too. She’s made babushka tent doll cards that make me want to have a party just so I can buy them to use as party invitations. What fun everyone would have receiving these in the post. They certainly would be unique.

I just love Amy’s bold bright style. It’ll bring a smile to your face, if you go visit her here or follow her on Twitter. Thank you again, Amy!

Glorious Soap to Win

Thank you, thank you to Patrice of the Soap Seduction blog and shop who has generously donated a $20 gift certificate for one lucky to winner on use on any of the soaps in her shop. Whoever wins this sure is going to have a hard time picking.
Patrice makes the most glorious of soaps. They make you want to sing at 6am in the shower even before you’ve had your coffee. She uses the most luscious of scents like chocolate coconut, cranberry fig, blackcurrant and nectarine, lemon chiffon sugar bubbles, and butter cream cupcake. They make you just want to gobble them up, especially the cupcake.
She has fashioned her soap in really inventive ways too – just perfect for a really unique gift. Who has ever seen fishies in a bag soap, gummy ring, fortune cookie, or monkey soap (you’re just going to have to mosey on over to her blog to see that kid approved soap).
Her blog is really very amusing. She tells it like it is with a cheeky grin. Be prepared to be entertained.
Thank you again, Patrice!