CR84FN36 ...

... while my friends in the States have already sent their children back to school, we are only half way through the school summer holidays here in the UK, but time is moving on and it's time for the new CR84FN challenge.  Our colours for the next fortnight are yellow, kraft and neutral - bright, sunshine colours.

Our inspiration photos are courtesy of Martha Stewart - check out that site - so many gorgeous things to see :)  I have a thing about stationery, a passion that I think is shared by most crafters, I love papers, inks, card - and I just love the stationery photo in our graphic.  However, that's not the picture that inspired my card.  Actually, it was the cake - I rather like the sweet flowers on the cake and used them for my inspiration!!  And isn't that a fabulous quote?  So true!

So to my card.  I decided that it was time to play with my sewing machine again - I did post a couple of cards on Friday on which I'd done some sewing, but I think this one is much better.  I cut layer of kraft card onto which I stitched some pretty yellow paper.  I used two lines of stitching - simple straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch - I really like the effect.  Then I attached a strip of kraft across the centre of this panel - again using zig-zag stitch.  I found some pretty yellow and white fluffy wool in my stash and wrapped this around the panel.  The whole lot was attached to the base card using dimensional tape. 

I used Spellbinders Labels 18 to cut a layer for the sentiment.  I stamped a pretty border around the edge and embossed it with clear powder, and then added colour with my distress inks.  I used a dark brown to stamp the sentiment - embossing the word "birthday" to make it stand out.  To make sure that the other words were positioned correctly I used my stamp-a-ma-jig.  As the wool is quite thick - I attached the sentiment with dimensional tape.

The little flowers - which were the inspiration for this card - are echoed in the card with my chrysanthemums.  I stamped the large image with kraft ink, embossed with clear powder and coloured it with Promarkers, then I added a smaller flower to the centre.  I added a little sparkle to both flowers.  The other two flowers were stamped with a solid flower and fussy cut - but it was really quick.  The leaves were die cut with one of my Spellbinders foliage sets.  Finally, I added a jewelled flourish. 

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Big Blooms - Chrysanthemums, Say It Loud, Very Vintage Labels No 18
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso; Distress - Mustard Seed
Spellbinders:  Labels 18 (S4-310) #4; Foliage (S4-328)
Promarkers: Yellow, Lemon, Soft Lime
Accessories:  Papermania - Lemon Sorbet Capsule Collection; wool fibres, jewelled flourish and card from stash

Full details of how to play along with CR84FN can be found on the challenge blog - we'd love to see what you make with these wonderful colours.  If you want more inspiration - do check out the Design Team's blogs:

Sue

Andrea

Stephanie

Suzanne

Heather

Mona
Lisa

We went to my in-laws yesterday to pick up Kathryn.  She had a fantastic week with her Nanny, Grandpa, Aunty and cousin - but she did miss us a bit.  Still Skype is a wonderful thing and we were able to see Kathryn and talk to her.  It's nice to have here home.  It's the last day of Jonathan's holiday and he's back to work tomorrow - so nice that it's in the UK and not Mumbai!!  That's all for today.  See you tomorrow.