Rockin' on

Hi Everyone - Happy New Year.

I've just realised that this is my first post in 2016.  It's been pretty busy with lots of birthdays and anniversaries in January and although I managed to do some really nice cards I was in a bit of a rush for postal deadlines and totally forgot to take photos, so they all went in their envelopes and off in the post!!!  Duh.........what an idiot eh?

I hope this post redeems me.  It's my friend Inga's birthday next week and I thought I'd make her a circular stepper card using a Tattered Lace die set.  I'm not sure if anyone else has the same problem as me with these dies but the circle stepper seems to lean to the right a fraction so have to put an extra embellishment on the left of the stepper to balance it..............if anyone's got an answer then I'd be delighted to hear it.

Anyway, here it is and also the box I made to go with it.

Most of the card was made using snippets and embellishments already in my stash.  The large flower and matching butterfly is a Prima flower set, the fancy frame is Sue Wilson French Collection Burgundy and the lady is from a printed vellum sheet.  Extra flowers, stick pins etc are from my stash.

Right, I'm off to make a warming cuppa.  Hope you all have a lovely weekend - looks like it's going to be a really cold one!

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.

Less is More - Week 220 Theme & HLS Sketch Challenge

Well it's another lovely day here in Somerset, especially if you are somewhere sheltered as there is quite a cold breeze and we had a slight frost this morning.

There's a new challenge over at Less is More and this week the category is "Theme".  

Here's a theme to conjure up a pretty picture

Up, up and away!

For this one you can think balloons, planes, other things that fly and things that can be carried along on the breeze.

Let your imagination take flight!

There is also the April challenge over at Happy Little Stampers:

Here is my card that I'm entering into the challenges.

I've used my Lawn Fawn Party Balloons die set to cut a balloon out of red card with the string to match.  I sponged round the edges of the balloon to give it more definition.  The greeting is Papertrey (birthday) and Tattered Lace (wishes) die cut from glittered mirri card.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to add some definition to the front of the card before I popped the balloon up on a Wobbles Action Spring.  

You can see how it stands out from the card (but goes totally flat to go in the envelope) but it also wobbles as well!  I've just added some sequins to finish off.

Thanks for popping by.  

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.

Lego, Lego and even more Lego

Just a quick post today to show you the card I made my great nephew Charlie for his 3rd birthday yesterday.

I started off by embossing red, green, blue and yellow cardstock using my Embossalicious Grande Dots e/f.  I realised quite soon on that it was difficult to then cut down the cardstock without squashing the embossed dots, so started off again by cutting the cardstock to the width I wanted and then embossing - this worked much better!  I matted the Lego bricks onto some black cardstock and then cut that to size/shape and used Mod Podge over all the bricks.  When that was dry I then put Glossy Accents on all the raised dots to give them real dimension.  The die cut "happy" is Clearly Besotted, the "birthday" is Papertrey Ink and the alphabet for Charlie's name is Tattered Lace Elegant Alphabet.  The banner is Die-namics Fishtail Flags.  The number 3 is computer generated and cut out.

All the family met up for lunch just outside Southampton and it was such a lovely day.............Charlie was in great form (and the adults weren't too shabby either!).  It was lovely seeing them all and catching up with news.

Happy crafting.

CAS.ology Week 135 Mini

Ardyth's latest blog post just popped into my inbox and when I saw what the challenge was over at CAS.ology then I wanted to join in!!!

The challenge for this week is:

So, a super quick card from me.   

I printed out this sweet bee image from Colorink, added some Wink of Stella on the flower and eyes and some Glamour Dust on the wings.  I die cut the image using my Lil' Inker stitched square dies.  Then I cut two "happy" sentiments (Tattered Lace) - one in black and the other in a yellowy orange and slightly offset them.  I then embossed a larger stitched die on the base card and popped the image and sentiment in the embossed square.

Why don't you pop on over to the CAS.ology blog to see the fun cards the DT have created.

Thanks for coming by today.

Happy crafting.

Less is More - Lucky Dip Week

Hi Everyone

It's Lucky Dip Week over at Less is More and the theme is "Little Ones" and you may interpret this in any way you choose... babies, children, small elements on your card... whatever your imagination dictates.

I decided to go for a baby card and here is what I made:

I've used the stork and bundle from my Little B Baby die set and coloured using Promarkers. The die cut words are Tattered Lace and I've used Lil'Inkers Stitched Squares for the mats.  As I'd used the largest of these dies for my last mat - and I wanted a stitched design on my base card - I used the straight stitched die from my Paper Smooches Stitched die set.

For some reason the base card looks cream in the photo but it's definitely white although it's pearl white, so maybe that's why it's showing up differently to the other white card.  Looks fine IRL!!!!

So glad you popped by - hope you're all having a good week and looking forward to the weekend.

Happy crafting.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #48

Hi Guys

Well, are you ready for another challenge at Addicted to CAS?  Hope so!

Your hostess for today's challenge is the lovely and talented Michelle of Handmade by Michelle. This is the code word she has chosen for us.

Our Sponsor is

and the prize is 3 images for the winner

Here's what I came up with...........

I've used my House-Mouse stamp called Dreampuff and I think that even if you don't particularly like mice you wouldn't have any trouble cuddling this little one!!! lol  Stamped twice in Memento Rich Cocoa, coloured using Flexmarkers and then one image fussy cut.  I used some cotton wool, glued down and then added a touch of Stickles for a bit of sparkle.  The fussy cut image was popped up using silicone.  The frame is cut using my Lil'Inker Pierced Squares dies.  The words are die cut from a Tattered Lace sentiment set.

Thanks for dropping by.  Please pop on over to the Addicted to CAS blog to see the great cards the other girls in the DT have made as inspiration for you.

Have a great weekend.

Happy crafting.

Addicted to CAS - #43

Hello Everyone - I'm scheduling this card as we have friends visiting and am not sure what I will be up to on Saturday morning but we're hoping the weather is as glorious as forecast!!!

Well, it's time for another challenge and this week it's been set by the lovely Jaydee who has chosen the code word:

Our amazing sponsor this week is Bugaboo Stamps!!!! They are generously offering you a pack of 7 digi's from their store!!!

and we are lucky enough to have Cathy - as our Guest Designer

My card for this challenge is very simple.  I decided to use a Stamping Bella set called "Uptown Couple Brett and Brenda get Married".

I stamped the couple in Versamark and heat embossed using WOW Ultra High Metallic Silver e/p.  I coloured the couple using some metallic watercolour paints and added some Liquid Pearls to the flowers. The sentiment came with the set and again is heat embossed.  I fussy cut the couple and mounted onto a Tattered Lace Westminster die.  I embossed the main card using an Embossalicious embossing folder and basically that is it!!! lol

Can't wait to see what you all come up with for this word - it's so versatile that I'm sure we are going to get some stunners.

Have a great weekend whatever you are doing.

Happy crafting.

Happy Birthday Dippy

As you all probably know by now (!!!) it's Darnell's birthday............if you didn't, why not???  It's all over blogland!

Here's my card for Dippy (sorry but we have pet names for each other!!! lol).

 

I've made her a flip card using my Tattered Lace Westminster dies which are so pretty.  There is a set of three dies - the square outer with the cut out corners, the middle circular lacy design and then a smaller circular die - you also get the lovely corner die to match.  I am sure you all know how to make these flip cards but if anyone wants to know how to do them let me know and I can post the instructions.  Now I need to make a confession...............I stamped the central motif in Delicata Golden Glitz but I can't remember what the stamp is!  Senior moment........again!  On the back of the card you can just see the sentiment/greeting.  I added a bit of bling as well.   I do hope she's received the card as I was a little tardy in posting it but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

There are two parties going on for Darnell.  Pop over to Bev's who has a celebration at Happy Dance and Ardyth has a Mr Linky at Maskerade for you all to link up your birthday wishes.

Hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday Dippy..............mwah!!! lol

Addicted To CAS - Challenge #38

Happy Saturday everyone - it's time for another challenge at Addicted to CAS and this time it's the lovely Marie's turn to set the challenge.  Your code word is:

 

Our Sponsor is

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

Prize is 5 free digis

New Guest Designer Alert! :)  We are so excited to announce that Darnell (djkardkreations), will be guest designing at ATCAS for the month of May!  Welcome Darnell!

 

"Welcome to the merry month of May at Addicted to CAS! As a lot of you know, I'm a CAS cardist who has been blogging for a couple of years. I started making cards in 2002 and my hobby grew to the point where I now have my own little Playhouse in the back yard where everyone is welcome! I'm so delighted to be here as a Guest Designer this month! I'd like to thank the DT for inviting me to join them and thank you for joining in the fun and participating in our challenges!!"

 

I'm delighted that Darnell is our guest designer for the month of May as she's one of my all time favourite bloggers (and a great friend as well aren't you Dippy??? lol).  If you've never had the pleasure of meeting her I will warn you that if you visit her blog once you will go back time and time again - my face aches every time I visit........and you'll see why when you pop on over!!!

 

Well, things have been hectic for me this last two weeks and I apologise for the lack of commenting but had some things been happening and the last straw was that our computer died on us on Wednesday - my tablet joined in - and all I was left with was my phone! Still good news there we've just got our new computer and I'm desperately trying to find my way around it so please bear with me!  So, on to my card for the challenge:

 

 

 

 

Off the Edge seemed appropriate for me after all we've been through, so instead of jumping off a cliff (that was tempting believe me.....!) I decided on a simple effect of die cutting and paper piecing and then slicing down the centre to give an off set gatefold card.  I've done the same with the sentiment which is Tattered Lace.  The main die cut is Memory Box Blooming Vine.  I've added some liquid pearls at the end.

 

 

We can't wait to see what you come up with and will try to catch up with all my visiting.  Please pop on over to the Addicted to CAS blog to see what inspiration the DT have come up with for you.

 

Happy crafting.

 

 

 

 

Simon Says - Wednesday Challenge

The challenge over at Simon Says is Wedding/Anniversary and as I've just finished this anniversary card for our friends' 47th wedding anniversary I thought I'd enter.

I've used an Anna-Maria 8x8 card blank and embossed the front with an Embossalicious e/f and then cut a piece of dark gold cardstock slightly smaller than the card front and embossed it with the same e/f.  I cut a frame using nesties and used the "waste" at the back of the frame to stamp my greeting which is from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  I used my lovely Delicata GoldenGlitz ink to stamp.  I used my Tattered Lace Double Delights die to cut two of the shapes out of gold cardstock and attached them to the back of the frame which I had already embossed using Sue Wilson's lattice e/f.  This was then popped up over the sentiment (which I curved on my block to match the space in between the two die cuts).  I added a ribbon and some Liquid Pearls to finish.

Thanks for dropping by.

Happy crafting.