Just Us Girls Challenge #308 Wild Card - Sketch

Hello Everyone

Well it's the end of August already......where on earth does the time go?  The end of August means the end of my very enjoyable time as Guest Designer over at Just Us Girls.  This week is a Wild Card challenge:

And here is what I came up with:

I started off by stamping this lovely stamp "Falling Flowers" from Honey Doo Crafts.  I heat embossed in fine gold e/p.  I then fussy cut the flowers before putting it through my machine with a Lil Inker Stitched Rectangle die.  I then stamped and embossed the flowers twice more onto vellum, fussy cut them out, coloured the rear of the flowers with my Inktense pencils, shaped and used Pinflair to add them to the top of the original image.  Two mats were cut in pink and gold using the Lil Inker Stitched Rectangles dies and they were all layered up.  The d/p is from my bits box but think it is an old Glenda Waterworth piece.  The band is another piece of gold and pink but I put the pink piece through my machine using my Cuttlebug Paisley embossing folder (which goes pretty well with the d/p).  The sentiment was in my bits box but think it is an old Spellbinders die and the tag is from Sue Wilson's Pierced Tags.  Finishing touches were Liquid Pearls and a bow.

Thanks for stopping by.  Please pop on over to the Just Us Girls Challenge Blog to see the lovely examples the Design Team have come up with for you.

Happy crafting.

Christmas Card Club - Trees

A very quick post from me as I've been really busy this weekend.......you will be sad to know that our "chucking the teddy bear in a parachute off the church tower" event had to be cancelled due to RAIN....... ah well, it was nice yesterday and we were at our friends garden party in Hampshire.  Great catching up.  Anyway enough of all that.

I regularly used to join in the fun at the Christmas Card Club where a few of us gals joined together to set a challenge between ourselves every two weeks.  If you would like to join in then scroll down the right hand side of my blog page and you will see a list of the girls' names.  Just contact Margaret "Dutchess" and she'll give you all the details.

This week the challenge is "Trees" set by Granmargaret and I just had to use my Sue Wilson Christmas Tree die again.  

I had a piece of coloured watercolour card in my scraps box which hadn't turned out as I wanted and thought it might come in handy for something else.  Well today is the day.  I die cut two ovals using TL Essentials ovals, one from purple card and one from gold which had been embossed and was also sitting in my bits box.  I die cut the tree and then sponged ink through whilst it was still in the die.  Added a few Liquid Pearl "drops" and a matching ribbon and here's another Christmas card done.

Hope you've all had a great weekend.

Happy crafting.

Twofer - CASE(E) this Sketch #129

Hi Everyone - it's a scorcher here in Somerset.........and I spent most of the morning cleaning windows!!!  Idiot or what?  Still I'm glad they're done - when the sun shines it shows everything up.  Mind you don't think I would have been so keen to do it if I didn't have my Karcher machine - it's one of the best things I've bought; windows are sparkling in a fraction of the time it takes normally.

Anyway, that's not what you've popped in for eh?  Loved the sketch over at CASE(E) this Sketch #129 this week so thought I'd have a go and, in fact, ended up with two cards.......first one I wasn't that happy with but really liked the result of the second card.

Here is the sketch:

This is my first card - printed out a digi image from A Day for Daisies called Hepburn Dress.  Coloured with Copics.  The sentiment is computer generated.  The card was cut using XCut large rectangle and scalloped rectangle dies.  I embossed the edge of the card but as the e/f doesn't have anything on it I can't tell you the make etc.

Here is my second card - leaves and fuchsias are Clearly Besotted used with the matching dies.  The sentiment is from the same set and I've added some Liquid Pearls.

Thanks for dropping by - enjoy the weather.

Happy crafting.

Viva La Verve June Week 2 Sketch Challenge

This must be a record......think I've posted every day this week; may give myself a day off tomorrow!

When I saw the Viva La Verve Week 2 sketch I just wanted to play:

Here is my take on the sketch:

The designer papers are from a 12x12 pad called New Leaf which I picked up at a craft fair for a ridiculous price.  I used my Tonic oval and rectangle dies for the half oval and sentiment.  The oval was embossed using a lovely floral embossing folder but it doesn't have any information on it at all so I can't let you know where it's from (but I've had it a long time).  I thought just leaving the embossing on the oval was a nice subtle touch.  The sentiment is from Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3474.  I added some punched butterflies and Liquid Pearls to finish the card.

Thanks for dropping by - hope the weather is as good with you as it is here in Somerset.

Happy crafting.

Case-ing Christmas Challenge #24

Hello Everyone - well I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted anything but it was a combination of not being very well and a holiday down in Cornwall.  It's amazing how time flies eh?

Well, an email from Case-ing Christmas came through this morning and as soon as I looked at the case card I knew what I was going to do!  Here is the case card:

 

Here is my offering based on this card:

I have used my Tim Holtz Alterations Victorian Carolers die cut out of some Christmas papers from my bits box.  In fact every element on this card was taken from my bits box and chopped around a bit.  The numbers are from Spellbinders and I've added a ribbon and some liquid pearls.

Now, just to prove I have been creating here are a few cards that I've made recently - the first two were entirely made from die cuts that were sitting in my box, the next one is a birthday card for a friend which was totally inspired by the very talented Pam and the last is a new home card made using a Tonic die.

 

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

Happy crafting.

The Pony CASE-Press

Happy Saturday everyone.  Well I've been waiting to show you this card but had to be patient as it was sent to Mynn over in Canada and I didn't want to spoil her surprise.......unfortunately a lot of mail got caught up in the bad weather in the US so it took an extra loooooong time!

I'm not sure you remember what the Pony CASE-Press is all about but here's a summary:

Here's how this works:

1. The person wishing to participate will contact me, Mynn, at onastampageATyahooDOTcom with their mailing address and be placed in the queue line and will be emailed a personalized watermark to use on the photo of the card they create for this challenge.
2. Mynn will email the participant when it is his/her time to craft and send out a picture of the card they will CASE with the recipient's mailing address.
3. The participant will look at the card that the participant before them created, CASE it, and then send it to the person who inspired them. The participant will also send Mynn a photo of their creation to be put on the queue as soon as the recipient receives it.

There are a few rules:

1. Only sign up if you are willing to ship a card internationally.  This concept will be open world wide as another way to build a fun and friendly online community for crafters.
2. Please be timely in making and sending your creation.  Because this is an international chain, cards need to be made and sent within a week of receiving the email from Mynn so that we can keep things moving along. 
3. Please make sure to use the Pony CASE-Press watermark on the photo of your card.  If you need help with this, email Mynn and she will do it for you! :)
4. After you sign up to participate, please add our badge to your sidebar so that others can find us!
5. You will need to make sure NOT to blog your card until the recipient receives it. 
6. HAVE FUN!

And now onto my creation.  I was tasked with CASEing Mynn's card which, in turn, CASEd Petra's original card:

             Petra's card                                                                                  Mynn's card

          

and now for my card:

For the various elements of backing paper I used docrafts Papermania Madame Payraud's paper pack which has a lovely range of eclectic papers.  These were cut and layered onto plain card and I used my sewing machine with a variety of straight and zigzag stitching to attach the panels.  I used some lace and flowers from my stash.  The banner is Die-namics Fishtail Flags.  

 

On the main panel I die cut some copper sheet using Tattered Lace Doves & Branches and then heated the copper to change the colour.  The die cut leaves I found in my bits box and asdded some WOW Metallic Copper Ultra High embossing powder.  Added a bow, the little birds are from Impression Obsession Die 154-A and the final touch was some Liquid Pearls.

The next card will be a CASE of my card to Mynn and so it goes on - it's great fun so why don't you pop on over to Mynn's blog and join in.

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.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge # 49 and a fab new product!

Hello Everyone - can you believe it's October already???  This year has just flown.  Talking of which it's time for a new challenge over at Addicted to CAS.  Your hostess for this challenge is our amazing leader Kylie of  Kylie is Addicted to Stamps.  Here is the code word she has chosen for us:

Our Sponsor is:

http://www.whimsystamps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_38

Welcome to our Guest Designer for October ... Hannelie of Desert Diva

Hi, my name is Hannelie Bester. So thrilled to be guest designer for October at ATCAS!

I've actually made two cards to show you today, both using stencils but in a slightly different manner.  Here is my first one:

I've used Memory Box "Texture Honey Comb" stencil and for this I've used Glitter Frosting Paste from Glitz Craft which is a fast drying paste (probably about 15-30 minutes depending on how much you have used).  I've matted it onto a light blue base.  The sentiment is Tattered Lace and the lovely snowflake is Memory Box "Precious Snowflakes".  

Before I die cut the snowflake I added a new product to my cardstock called Stick It Die-Cut Adhesive Sheets.  These are micro thin sheets of adhesive specially formulated for intricate die cutting and can also be used with electronic cutting machines...it creates a uniform layer of adhesive making it so easy to stick down those fiddly die cuts.  I bought the large sheets but there is also a smaller pack size.  You just cut a piece to size, peel off the easy release backing and stick it down onto your cardstock.  In this case I actually put it on the front rather than the back as I wanted to glitter the snowflake.  I then passed my cardstock and die through my Big Shot, removed the backing paper (super easy!!!) and then sprinkled it with Glamour Dust.  This product was extremely easy to use, it's lightweight and the backing removes perfectly even with an intricate die.  I'm definitely going to use this for all my dies that are difficult to add adhesive to!!!  I added the snowflake to the card using some Pinflair to raise it up.

Here is my second card:

I've used Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi "From the Garden" and sponged through using SU inks.  The sentiment is also Stampin Up!  I've added some gold Liquid Pearls to the centres of the flowers and matted onto a green base.

Well, that's about it from me.  Please pop on over to see all the lovely cards the rest of the DT and Hannelie our GD have made for you.  We're all gearing up to come visiting.

Have a great weekend.

Happy crafting.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge # 47

Yes, I know it's only been a week but what gorgeous creations you all made for the LUXURY challenge. Certainly makes it hard to decide!

So onto today's newest challenge at Addicted to CAS.  Your hostess for this challenge is the gorgeous and very talented Sylvia of Poppy's Papercraft Patch.  Here is the code word she's chosen for you:

Our Sponsor is:

http://www.whimsystamps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_38

and they are offering a prize of 5 free digis

Now I must admit I really don't have many oriental stamps..........or not really any that I wanted to use so I turned to Joanna Sheen's Oriental Dreams CD and picked out this lovely bird graphic.  Very simply matted it onto dark blue cardstock and the greeting (computer generated) was treated the same.  All popped up on a DL card blank and I added two swirls of Memory Box Blooming Vine as it looked a little too bare!

As I was left with more of these images in different sizes I decided to make another card, not quite to CAS, to use them up.  I matted the various sizes of image onto dark blue card and then layered them up side by side.  The sentiment actually says "Love" in Chinese and was computer generated and punched out using my EK Success label punch.  I then added a double bow and some Liquid Pearls.

Now, let's see what you come up with - can't wait to come visit your blogs.

Happy crafting.

Surprise party for Nonni - Happy Birthday!

Hello everyone

Today is Nonni's birthday - korttikarkuri - and I'm sure loads of you out in blog land know her gorgeous work.  If not then you're missing a treat - pop on over and have a look at all her inspiration.

The lovely Sandie of London Days has been kind enough to organise this surprise linky Birthday Party for Nonni so when you've finished her pop on over to Sandie's blog to see all the other cards.  The linky will be open from 5 am GMT today until 5 am on 12th September.........so if you fancy joining in please post on your blog and then link up via Sandie's blog.

Here's what I made for Nonni - and hopefully she's received it safely over in Finland!!! 

I have cased my friend Anne's card that she made for 
my birthday and another few that I've seen around blog land..........couldn't resist getting this die set as it looks stunning.  It's Spellbinders Shapeabilities Pendants Fleur De Lis.  The centre panel is made up of 9 separate die cuts on matching cardstock which is layered onto light blue embossed mirri card.  I've used dies from the same set for the corners, the sentiment is computer generated and the flowers are from my stash.  The flourish is Simon Says Stamp! Harrington Vine and I've added some liquid pearls to finish off.

Hope you have a lovely birthday Nonni.

Happy crafting.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge # 44

Happy Saturday everyone - hope you are all well and looking forward to our latest challenge over at Addicted to CAS.  This week your hostess is the "oh, so creative" Deepti of Dee's Art Utopia.  Here is the code word she has chosen for us.

Our Sponsor for this challenge is:

Prize is 5 free digis

We are thrilled to have Lyndal (Ideas and Paper) join us as Guest Designer for August --- welcome Lyndal!

"Hi ATCAS fans, Lyndal here from Melbourne, Australia! So thrilled to have been invited along as a Guest Designer for August. 

Back in 2011 when my daughter and her friend thought they'd like to have a stall at their school fair, and I offered to make a few cards, I had no idea what an amazing on-line community it would lead me to.  I love getting crafty and my style ranges from Clean and Simple to messy and complicated, but I always seem to be drawn back to CAS. 

Hope you have as much fun playing along with Addicted to CAS this month as I have - can't wait to see what you create!"

Well, what are you going to make of this challenge word???  GOLD - this can cover so much.  Anyway, here's my contribution:

I've used my Our Daily Bread Quatrefoil die and backed it with some dull gold cardstock.  The ribbon is from my stash.  The sentiment is from a Waltzingmouse set stamped in Delicata Golden Glitz.  Gold liquid pearls add the finishing touch.

We're really looking forward to seeing your creations and visiting your blogs.

Happy crafting.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge # 42

Hello everyone - hope you're having a great start to your weekend.

It's the start of our new challenge at Addicted to CAS and your hostess today is the talented Shana and the theme she has chosen for this challenge is:

Our Sponsor:

http://www.whimsystamps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_38

Prize is 5 free digis

It's the start of a new month and that means we have a new Guest Designer for July.  Please welcome Cathy (Cathy's Card Spot)!

"Hi everyone, I was thrilled at being asked to be a guest at Addicted to CAS. I've been making cards for many years and am still developing my style, but I do love clean and simple designs. I also LOVE die-cuts and embossing and am enjoying playing with inky techniques too.
There are so many inspirational designers and challenges out there and ATCAS is one of my favourites. I hope you enjoy playing along with this week's code word.
I decided to go with a male themed card for this challenge as I always think blue for sky and blue always seems to equate to men for some reason!!! lol

Anyway here's what I came up with:

I went with a watercoloured background by swiping my inks on a craft mat, spritzing with water and then putting my watercolour cardstock face down on the inks.  The stamp is Sail Away from Stampin Up and I used my Clear Wink of Stella on the sails (although not sure you can see this).  I decided to cut the panel into four sections and matted onto white, dark blue and lighter blue mats.  The sentiment was computer generated and I cut it as a pennant by putting all three layers together and cutting through........then cutting the straight end slightly shorter for each mat (at least you get all your pointy ends matching!).  The addition of a button and some bakers twine - oh, and some liquid pearls finished off the card.

Please pop on over to the Addicted to CAS blog to see what all the other DT girls have come up with and check out what Cathy (our GDT) has designed for you.

Enjoy your weekend and happy crafting.