Just us Girls #311 Colour Week

Hi Everyone

A quick card here to enter into the Just us Girls Challenge #311 which is colour week:

 

Here's what I came up with:

I didn't want to go down the autumn route so decided to use these lovely tulips from Clearly Besotted Friends Forever and one of their sentiments from the same set.  I then coloured in with my Akashiya Sai Watercolour Brush Pens.  I die cut the image with my Creative Expressions Pierced Rectangles dies.  Layered up on red card and then onto the base card.  It looked a little plain so I used my stitched hillside from Lawn Fawn and then added a piece of red card at the bottom.

Thanks for dropping by.

Have a great weekend.

Happy crafting.

CAS(E) this Sketch # 110

There's a new sketch challenge over at CAS(E) this Sketch.  Here is the sketch:

As soon as I saw it I knew what I wanted to do and here is my card:

Such a simple card to put together - I used my Papertrey Ink Circle Scribbles die set and also their sentiment die.  I cut one each of the circle scribbles in pearlised cardstock and overlapped them on the 5x7 card and trimmed off the edges.  I then die cut the sentiment, first in white glitter card (which didn't show up as well as I had hoped) and then in black mirri and I slightly off set them.  Lastly I stamped "wishes" from my Clearly Besotted Say it in Style stamp set and that was it!!!  Hope you like it - I was really pleased with the outcome and thought it would make a nice male card.

Happy crafting.

Less is More Celebrating 4 years

Hello everyone from a very wet and windy Somerset!!!  Well I'm just in the nick of time to join in the fun at Less is More this week.  Just can't believe Chrissie and Mandi started up this blog 4 years ago - it only seems like yesterday.  Sadly I don't seem to have as much time to join in these days but just had to do a card for this special week.  Here are the criteria:

As it is the first Challenge of the month it's a 

Colour Challenge 

and this time they are

PINK AND GREY

And here is my card:

I've used some d/p and ribbon from my stash.  Then I stamped Falling Flowers (Honey Doo Crafts) in Memento London Fog on the bottom of my piece of card, coloured with Chameleon pens and then added Platinum Liquid Pearl dots to the design.  The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted Say it in Style stamp set cut using an EK Success label punch.

For some reason although the ribbon is a very similar pink to the rest of the card it has shown up slightly peachy in the photo!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend whatever you're doing.

Happy crafting.

Clearly Besotted Challenge 14 - Christmas

Hi Everyone - well, what a very dismal and chilly Sunday here in Somerset and the forecast is for 30-40 mm of rain overnight and tomorrow!!!  So, to cheer myself up I decided I really needed to enter the Clearly Besotted challenge.

Now I must admit to owning just one or two CB stamps/die sets (!!! fingers crossed....hehe) and the other day was amazed to find I'd won a £20 e-voucher from Mandy's blog A Little Space of my Own. To say it got spend fairly quickly is an understatement..............

But what I really wanted to use was an exclusive stamp set that Stephanie had designed for Simon Says Stamp!  Once I'd seen it I knew that I needed it!!!

So I stamped the pine leaves in SU Always Artichoke and the cones with Close to Cocoa.  The sentiment was also stamped using Close to Cocoa.  This was then matted onto some dark brown cardstock and then onto an A6 top fold card.  I also used a stencil (sorry don't know the make) which looks like snowflakes and used Imagination Crafts Sparkle Medium in Diamond.  This was placed over the top of the main design and I added a small brown bow to finish off.  This is such a lovely set I know it's going to get used a lot.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy crafting.

It's the little things................

Hello from a very wet and windy Somerset.........hope everyone is safe and well out in blogland.  Happy valentine's Day to you all.

Had to pop by to share a quick post with you today.  After looking, considering, saying no, looking and considering again I actually bought a Brother Scan N Cut machine.  Now I did put a whole lot of thought into this as my friend Jan and I bought a Pazzles Inspiration a few years ago but neither of us could get on with it so it's been sitting in the corner gathering dust.  I think the main problem was that you needed it to be attached to a computer and the actual programme was pretty complicated.  It was one of those things when if you didn't get good results you were reluctant to use it.

Anyway you can see why I ummed and ahhed about this.  The main reason that I was convinced was the fact that you can stamp an image, scan it into the machine and it actually cuts that image out...........PERFECTLY!!!!

It's been sitting on my worktop for a few days partly because I didn't want to be disappointed and also I wanted to have time to dedicate to playing with it.  And that came this morning.......took my heart in my hands and plugged it in.  First came the test cut...........which worked.  Then came the big test, for me anyway, so I stamped this gorgeous stork from the February release at Clearly Besotted, scanned the image in and did a direct cut.  This is the result:

I did a little happy dance - I was so pleased.  I suppose you can expect trial and error period when using a new machine but I can't tell you how delighted I was with the result.

Okay, that's me signing off - time to have another play!

Happy crafting.

Less is More - Week 154 OLC Hearts

Hello everyone - well it's Saturday and a new challenge over at Less is More where it's the dreaded (or not so much nowadays........) One Layer Challenge:

This week it's everyone's favourite - 

ONE LAYER CARDS  

and this week the theme is

Hearts

I haven't joined in any of the LIM challenges for what seems like ages now what with the build up to Christmas and New Year so was determined to have a go today.  Here's what I've made:

I have used a heart embossing folder but before running it through my die cutting machine have put a Sizzix oval diffuser centrally so there would be a central area that isn't embossed thus giving me a lovely area to stamp into.  I used my Clearly Besotted Love Hearts stamp set and used the two words included in the set.  I inked them up with SU Real Red and then clear embossed the images.

Thanks for dropping by - hope you're all having a great weekend.

Happy crafting.

Addicted to CAS Challenge # 25

Hello everyone - can't believe it's time for another challenge at Addicted to CAS but it is and your hostess for this challenge is our esteemed (and very talented) leader Kylie.  The code word she has chosen is:

Sponsor

Digi Darla Designs

 Prize will be 5 images of the winners choice

Now I know one layer isn't everyone's favourite technique but here is my offering for you.

For this card I've made up a 5" square card blank from black ribbed cardstock.  I've stamped my Woodware JGS169 Christmas Date stamp using Versamark and embossed it in fine gold e/p.  I've coloured the number, leaves and berries using pearl paints and then added red Gloss Gel to give dimension to the berries.  You can really see the ribbed cardstock on the coloured numbers.

I decided to make a second card using a different method of using Versamark.

 

I took a card blank and embossed the two largest layers of my Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight.  I then took a sponge and used my lightest blue Pan Pastel to sponge the centre of the embossed area and between the two dies.  Next I put the bauble and bow stamps from Clearly Besotted's Signature Christmas Additions set and the sentiment  from their Holiday Sentiments set, inked up with Versamark ink and stamped into the central area.  I then took my sponge and put a darker blue Pan Pastel on it and sponged over the stamped image and suddenly it appears!  I'm not quite sure why the background colour appears blotchy but it doesn't IRL!!!

 

I've added some clear glitter glue to the centre of the bow and the stars on the bauble.  A very quick and simple card.  Don't forget to pop over to Addicted to CAS to see the amazing cards the DT have made for this challenge.

Have a great weekend.  Happy crafting.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #24

Hello everyone - welcome to the start of the weekend and our latest challenge over at Addicted to CAS.  This week's challenge is hosted by the super talented Christine and here is the code word she has chosen:

Our Sponsor for this challenge is:

and they are offering a $20 gift certificate to our CAS Perfectionist

www.nicecranedesigns.com

 

 

Since I've just received my order of the October release stamps and dies from Clearly Besotted (which I think I am!!!  lol) I decided to make good use of them.   I've made two cards and for the first I have used the Holiday Sentiments set.  

 

 

 I started cutting down a sheet of A4 acetate and scored to make a square card blank.  I cut a piece of white card and stamped the word "merry" twice and "Christmas" once using SU Baja Breeze ink.  I cut a mat slightly larger and pricked around the edge.  Using my StazoOn Cotton White ink I stamped some images directly onto the acetate.  I then attached the topper to the front of the acetate.  I cut a piece of silver card slightly larger than the mat of the topper and attached it to the inside back of the topper so you can't see any glue.  I then cut two pieces of white card the same size as the silver and placed it behind the topper on the inside to be used for your sentiment, and then placed the other piece on the back.  A ribbon finished off the card.

For the second card I used the Set the Scene stamp and die set.  

 

 

 

I started off die cutting the globe aperture from a piece of card.  I then put this through my Ebosser in a snowflake e/f.  I placed acetate behind the aperture and then used the positive piece of the globe to stamp my scene.  I added some snow and glitter (which I don't think showed up in the photo).  The sentiment was cut using an EK label punch and I added some liquid pearls to the centre of the snowflakes.  This was all popped up using d/s foam onto the base card.

Please don't forget to pop on over to the Addicted to CAS blog to see the amazing cards the DT have done to inspire you.

Have a great weekend.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge # 22

Hi Everyone

Welcome to the latest challenge at Addicted to CAS.  Your hostess for this challenge is the very talented Sandie of London Days.  She has chosen the following code word for you to play with:

Our Sponsor for this challenge is:

http://www.the-papernest.com/cat/shop/

They are very generously offering a Prize of a $25 gift voucher!

For my card I've gone with Clearly Besotted stamp and die sets.

 

I've used a 5" base card and cut some card slightly smaller than the front.  I used my Stampin Up scoreboard to score two lines about a quarter the way up from the bottom so I could "ground" my elements.  I stamped the sofa twice using Stampin Up Not Quite Navy and die cut them both.  I then cut one of the sofa's so I had the separate seat cushions, shaped them and popped them up on the other sofa using Pinflair Glue Gel.  The base of the standard lamp was inked using SU Close to Cocoa and clear embossed.  I stamped two lampshades using Not Quite Navy and die cut them both.  The bottom one was laid over the base of the lamp and the other was shaped and popped up using Pinflair again.  The two sentiments were inked with Close to Cocoa - I shaped the longer sentiment on my acrylic block to give it more interest.

Thanks for popping by.  I love reading all your comments and can't wait to see what you come up with for this challenge.  Don't forget to go over to Addicted to CAS to see the great cards the Design Team have come up with.

Have a great weekend.  Happy crafting.

Recipe:  Clearly Besotted "Time to Relax" and "Shine Bright" stamp and die sets, Anna-Marie double sided pearl cardstock, Stampin Up inks and Scoreboard, PinFlair Glue Gel

Edited to add:  Just a quickie for those of you trying to comment on my blog post yesterday and found you couldn't!!!  I had enabled Google+ comments not realising it stopped anyone else commenting!!!  So, be warned and don't check the box to allow G+ commenting.  I've now unchecked the box and everything looks okay.  Thanks to all my blogging buddies out there who sent me an email letting me know.

Addicted to CAS - #21

Hello everyone - it's that time again...........here is the latest challenge from Addicted to CAS.  Here are the details.  Your host is the very talented Harriet and here is the code word she's chosen: 

This challenge is Sponsored by -

 

 

who are offering a prize of a

$25 gift voucher!

Both of my cards use digi images but I'm afraid I don't know where they originated.  I've printed these images out and used a simple frame for each.

 

 

For the violin I've used my square nesties and turned the central one into a diamond shape.  I die cut four strips of music using my MB Virtuoso Music die and sponged lightly with Distress Ink Old Paper.  These were then added around the frame.  The sentiment was computer generated and die cut using Petite Labels One and again sponged inside the label die.  

 

 

 

For the umbrella image I used my square nesties and Labels Twenty-Seven and die cut the frame which I then put through my machine in a Cuttlebug music embossing folder.  I added some acetate to the inside of the frame onto which I'd stamped one of the stamps in the Raindrop Set (Designs by Ryn) using StazOn Timber Brown.  The border stamped on the base card is one of the background builder sets from Clearly Besotted.

Well, that's enough from me........it's time for you to pop on over to A2CAS to check out the inspiration the rest of the Design Team have come up with.  We can't wait to see your entries and visit your blogs.

Have a great weekend.

The Male Room - Anything Goes

Afternoon everyone - hope you're all having a good weekend.  Very overcast and breezy here today but still warm.

There is a new challenge on the block called The Male Room which, as it says on the tin, is for men only cards.  I think most of us have trouble with cards for men - such difficult creatures eh? lol

Their first challenge is Anything Goes and as I needed to make a card celebrating my youngest nephew's 30th birthday I thought I would kill two birds with one stone.........so to speak!

This card actually didn't turn out how I envisaged at the beginning.......but that's often the case eh?  I started with the clock which is a Papertrey die, as are the hands and numbers.  Die cut from bronze mirri card with black for the numbers and hands.  I mounted it onto a scalloped circle which I sponged with DI Gathered Twigs.  The kraft card blank is Anna-Marie Designs.  The mats have been die cut using Spellbinders Grand Squares and embossed using Embossalicious Dotty A4 e/f.  The top sentiments are Clearly Besotted Shine Bright and Make a Wish sets.  The main sentiment is SU Memorable Moments die cut with SU Framelits.  I die cut his name Keir using Memory Box Large Classic Alphabet.  The metal elements are from my stash.

Whatever you're doing have a great day.  Thanks for dropping by.

Less is More Week 128 - One Layer

Hello everyone from a very, very hot Somerset!

This week's challenge over at Less is More is the eponymous One Layer card.

For our 

One Layer Challenge 

this week we like to see cards which are 

NOT SQUARE or RECTANGULAR

Although they've asked for a shaped card not square or rectangular and there are some amazing cards posted already I think my brain has been fried with the heat!!!  lol  It was 31 degrees here yesterday and it's hotter today - no breeze, just very still.  I know some people love this weather but it's definitely too hot for me.

So I've come up with a circular design which I die cut using my Grand Decorative Circles.  I sponged around the edge of the die using DI Marigold.  I've stamped the lovely cherry blossom stamp from my Clearly Besotted Happy Everything stamp set and coloured with Flexmarkers.  The sentiment is from the same set stamped in Versafine Sepia - I've only put the "Happy" on as I thought I'd decide whether it was "birthday", "anniversary" or "everything" later on.  Final addition of a matching bow finished off the card.

If it cools down I may be back with a more original shaped card but don't hold your breath!!!  lol

Thanks for dropping by.

Addicted to CAS - #14 - CIRCLES

Hello Folks - hope you are all well and looking forward to our latest challenge at Addicted to CAS.  

This week our super Hostess is the lovely Marie and the code word she's chosen is:

Our Sponsor for this challenge is -

I've made two cards for this challenge, both of which are very quick and simple cards.

For this one I have taken a snippet of patterned paper and punched various sized holes in all the flowers.  I've popped this up with d/s foam tape onto a border of matching card which has been put across the centre of a 6" square white linen card blank.  The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted called Happy Days.

My second card is using a 5"x7" card blank.  I punched out the button border using my EK Success punch and left a small oblong piece of card attached.  This was placed across the centre of the card and I have used 3D Crystal Lacquer on it to give some dimension.  The button was in my button box and I've added a small piece of ribbon.  The partial stamped image is Papermania Urban Stamps Vintage Notes (Doily) using Stampin Up Taken with Teal ink.  The sentiments are from the same Clearly Besotted stamp set Happy Days..  To finish off I've added some gems.


Thanks for dropping by.  Can't wait to see what you come up with for this challenge.  Don't forget to pop over to the Addicted to CAS blog to see what the DT have done to inspire you.

 

Happy Birthday Ardyth - Part 2........

Following on from my post yesterday here is another card for Ardyth which I think is more her style..........loads of colour and CAS!  All Ardyth's birthday cards are on show over at Darnell's blog so pop on over and have a look - and maybe join in the fun.

Very quick and easy - I've stamped the image in black Memento ink.  It's a very old Whispers stamp but doesn't have a a name on it.  Coloured with Flexmarkers and glittered with Atyou Spica pens.  I've added Crystal Lacquer to all the flames although not sure the photo does that justice.  The sentiment is again from Clearly Besotted "Happy Days" which is so versatile - inked using a Kaleidacolour Pastel rainbow pad.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthday Ardyth!

Hello Everyone

Today is a very special day as it's Ardyth's birthday and my great blogging buddy Darnell (or Dippy as I call her.......!) has arranged a virtual blog hop in celebration.  Please pop on over to her blog to see all the wonderful creations our blogging community have made for Ardyth.

I took a sheet of A4 cream linen card and scored to make an A5 card blank.  I then used my Spellbinders Marvellous Squares dies for the centerpiece and sponged every other one with DI's.  I layered up the die cuts and used the waste from one of them for the corners.  The flowers and pins are from my stash.  The sentiment is from my Clearly Besotted Happy Days set.

So I wish you a very, very happy birthday Ardyth and I hope you like Darnell's surprise!

Thanks for dropping by and don't forget to pop on over to Darnell's blog to see the cards.  If you want to join in wishing Ardyth a Happy Birthday then use the "Inlinx" gadget to link up to your blog.

With sympathy - for Susan

Hello everyone.  Just wanted to share a sympathy card I've just made for my blogging buddy Susan Goetter who has just lost her beloved husband Butch.  I am sure many of you know Susan and admire her amazing talent both in card making and Zentangle.

For the card I have used the lovely orchid from Clearly Besotted "Thinking of You" stamp set.  I inked the stamp with Versamark and then embossed it with white detail e/p.  I then coloured it using Glimmer Mist (spray a small amount onto a piece of acetate) using a paintbrush.  For deeper colour let it dry and add another layer.  I've mounted it on a mat of purple cardstock and punched the edges with my Martha Stewart Modern Garland punch.  I stamped the sentiment using Stampin Up Orchid Opulence ink and then added some gems.

Thanks for dropping by.  I am sure you will keep Susan and her family in your thoughts this weekend.