One for four ....

... Good afternoon from a somewhat dull, grey and rather humid Northville! Not easy to take photos when it's like this, so please excuse the photo!  I've made a card and managed to use four challenges to make it, and they are:

• The Male Room - TMR1 - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stamp Shop Use What You Have - UWYH11
• Colour Throwdown - CTD253
• Muse - MUSE28

Stamps: Sweet Stamp Shop - Chemistry
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Lil' Inkers - Instant Camera Die
Accessories: Stampin' Up Card - Smokey Grey; Promarkers - Cyan, Sunflower, Pumpkin, Cool Grey 1 & 3; White Lustre Card

The Male Room is a new challenge that launched today and, as the name says, focuses on projects for Men/Boys.  I know that lots of people aren't too keen on guy cards, but I really enjoy making them, so I had to play along with their inaugural challenge - it's an easy one too - as Anything Goes!!!  I've also managed to play along with Muse this week - just love Lynn Mangan's inspiration card and have used the layout for my card.  This week's Colour Throwdown challenge are bold and bright and I think perfect for a guy card.  Finally, I'm submitting this to the Sweet Stamp Shop challenge to "Use What you Have".  I've have a super stash of SSS stamps and I've had the chemistry set for a while (I'm a science nerd) and haven't inked it up before, so that's the one I'm using!  I'm trying to build a stash of cards to send to Ben - I try to send one a week - and I think he'll like this theme!

I cut the Camera die twice - once in grey and one in white.  I stamped the flask image directly onto the white panel, used the second impression and then coloured it with Promarkers.  I stamped the chemical symbols onto another scrap of card and cut them out and adhered them over the flask.  I stamped the bulb onto some more scrap, coloured with Promarkers and adhered it to the card with dimensional tape.  I love the fun sentiment - Ben might think it means him :))  Here's a photo of my SSS stash - got lots of ideas for the new ones!

Well, I think that's all for today.  I've off to get dinner ready.  Kathryn is having a friend over for a sleepover tonight - she's so excited!!

PJ Party in the afternoon ....

.... Good afternoon!  Hope your day is going well.  I'm back with another card for Claire's Waltzingmouse Pajama Party (only 5 hours to go at the time of typing).  I've already made cards for Tickle Me Silly and You're a Doll, and I've managed to get into my craft room again this morning to make a card for the In the Background challenge:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit Boy, Half Pint Heroines
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Midnight Muse, Old Olive, So Saffron
Accessories: SU DP - Old Olive, Marina Mist; SU Card - Midnight Muse; SU Markers - Marina Mist, Black, Midnight Muse; Promarkers - Tan, Caramel; Copics - E00, R20; White Lustre Card

I've made this one for my son, Ben.  I love the random circles from Free Spirit and use them often, particularly when I make cards for Ben.  My boy is going through a rough patch at the moment, and it times like this when I wish that we lived closer, but as I can't be there in person, I'll send him a little note.  I made the card base from Midnight Muse card, cut a panel in white onto which I stamped the circles.  I saw Erin's card this morning; I loved it and thought I'd CASE it for Ben.  I cut a panel of the text design paper adhered it to the card and then stamped on the hot air balloon.  I stamped the balloon again onto coloured paper and card, then paper pieced the balloon and coloured the basket.  I was going to use one of the heads from Half Pint Heroes to represent Ben, then I realised that Ben's hair is actually rather long and hangs over his face - so I used one of the face from Half Pint Heroines!!!  These sets are so versatile!  For the inside I simply stamped some of the circles - using the second and third impressions for a subtle look.

As well as using the Pajama Party Background challenge I used the following to make this card:

• The Paper Players - PP156 - for the layout
• Colour Q - cQc200 - for the colours

At the time of writing this post, the Colour Q challenge isn't up yet, but I saw the colours on LeAnn's blog this morning and just had to play with them - they are perfect for a guy card!  I've had such playing along with the first Pajama Party challenges, and it isn't over yet. Each pajama party ends with a Bedtime Story - where we're given a sketch and that challenge is open until 5th August.  Claire and the Design Team have made some fabulous inspiration cards - do check them out!!

That's all for now.  See you soon!

PJ Party feathers ...

....  Hi, it's me again!  I've another card for Claire's Pajama Party - this time I've used feathers.

Stamps: Fine Feathers, Funky Feathers
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Smokey Slate
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 18 (S4-310) # 2, Labels 24 (S4-353) # 2, On the Edge (S5-168)
Accessories:  SU EF - Cloudy Day; SU Card - Pear Pizzazz; White Lustre Card

I had lots of fun making this card.  I stamped the feathers onto white card and then cut them out by hand (haven't got the cut files yet).  They are actually really easy to cut out.  I made the card base from Pear Pizzazz, cut a small panel in white card onto which I embossed these super dotty clouds.  I sued some of the textured Pear Pizzazz card to make the bottom panel and die cut the edge to, sort of, match the clouds.  I cut a couple of die cut shapes, stamped the sentiment on the green card, layered them and adhered the label with dimensional tape.  I using this card to send a thank you note to another of my UK friends - they're a bit late, but it's taken a while to get back into the swing of things!!  Here's the inside:

As well as the feathers theme, I used a couple of other challenges to make this card:

• Dynamic Duos - DD#63
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL251

I love all shades of green so I had to play along with this week's Dynamic Duos challenge.  The layout from Clean & Simple Stamping is just super - there are so many possibilities, and I turned it upside down!  I think that's all for this evening.  I'm going to go check out the cards at the Pajama party - see you soon.

PJs at Waltzingmouse ....

....  Good evening everyone - Claire's having a Pajama Party over at Waltzingmouse Stamps.  At the beginning of July Claire launched some wonderful new stamps and this is the perfect opportunity to play with them.  Claire has given a list of challenges here.  Here's my card:

Stamps: WMS - You're a Doll, Folk Art Medallions, Crackle Background
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Coral Calypso
Dies: Spellbinders - Ovals Sm (S4-112) #5, Scalloped Ovals Sm (S4-113) #5
Accessories:  SU Card - Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral; White Lustre Card; SU Glitter; Promarkers - Pear Green, Mango, Soft Peach; Copics - E00, E01, G42, R20

I've been itching to play with all the new sets - they are just fab!  And I particularly like the sweet little Russian Dolls - so I decided to make a thank you card with them.  This card is for one of my friends in the UK who was kind enough to have Kathryn over for a sleepover when we visited.  I decorated the inside too - keeping it simple.

 I used a few challenges in the making of this card:

• Colour Q - cQc199 - for the colours
• Fusion Card Challenge - FUSION 14 - used the sketch
• Addicated to CAS - ATCAS18

I had to adapt the colours a bit as I don't have the shades listed on the cQc graphic, but I think the colours are close.  I love the simple sketch at this week's Fusion challenge (so pleased to finally get to play along).  I turned the sketch on its side as it worked better for my card. I added just a touch of glitter to the doll - which is the challenge at Addicted to CAS this time.

I'm going to get a coffee and get into my PJs and check out all the cards.  See you soon.

Oops, I missed it ....

.... Morning!  I've made it - two posts in a row!  I've made this card using three challenges:

• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC110 - to use a number(s) on your card
• CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS38
• Addicted to Stamps and More! - ATSM#55

Stamps: CAS-ual Friday Stamps - Tech Talk, Brickworks
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight; Brilliance Banner - Green, Blue; Stazon - Jet Black
Accessories:  White Lustre card

I like the rainbow candles in Addicted to Stamps' photo inspiration, so used that to create a rainbow of bricks using the layout from CAS(E) this sketch.  This card is actually the second attempt as the first was a bit of a mess - the sentiment was too pale and not sharp enough.  So on this card I used Stazon for a clean, sharp and dark image.  This card is going in the post tomorrow - it's for my great nephew who had his birthday last Friday (and I forgot!). 

Hope you're all having a good weekend.  It's been quite cool in Northville - which does mean that my morning walks are much more pleasant, but I'd quite like the warmth to come back.  I'm off to a craft class this morning run by Valerie Brincheck - we're going to be making a mini Collage Canvas.  I'm really looking forward to getting inky and messy!  I'll post pictures later today!  See you soon.

Christmas Embellishment Challenge ....

.... Good morning all!  I didn't manage to get into my craft room until yesterday when I suddenly realised I hadn't made my card for this week's 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown challenge!  As you can imagine, that caused a bit of a panic!  Patricia has a fabulous challenge for us this week - she wants us to use stitching on our cards.  The stitching can be real or faux (which is good for me), but we do need to SEE your stitching and a single stitch doesn't count!!!  Here's my take on the challenge:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Sewing Box Christmas, Compliments of the Season; My Favourite Things - Christmas Sentiments
Inks:  Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies:  Lil' Inkers - Stitched Squares # 6 & 7; Spellbinders - Eyelet Circles (S4-304) # 3
Accessories:  Kaisercraft DP - Holly Bright; White Lustre Card; Gems; Micron Pen

I'm so glad that we're able to use faux stitching as my sewing machine is still not set up and my hand stitching isn't great.  I decided to use one of my favourite Christmas sets from Waltzingmouse - Sewing Box Christmas, and that hard part was picking the image to use.  I settled on the holly leaf and star, which I stamped onto patterned paper and cut out.  I used the same paper to make the backing panel, which I cut out using the Stitched Square die.  I used the largest of the Stitched Square dies to embossed stitches on the edge of the card base, which I then coloured in with a Micron pen.  After cutting the circle I stamped on a simple greeting and added a few stars as well as some gems.  Despite having several layers, this card is reasonably flat so should go through the post at regular cost!  I used the sketch, adapted for a square card, from this week's My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Club - MFTWSC134 for the layout of my card.

For the inside I used another sheet of paper from the pack and layered on a white panel onto which I stamped a bold Christmas sentiment.

I do like these papers - they have a lovely vintage feel.  Do visit the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown blog to check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the team.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with this week's challenge!

Hopefully, now that I've managed to get back in to my craft room, I'll get back into playing along with some more challenges. 

That's all for now - I do hope you have a good weekend.  I've got a bit (LOT) of weeding to do today, but after that I'm going to play and make some cards.  See you soon.

Remember me?

.... well, hello all!  It's been a while since I wrote a "live" post! I got back to Northville a week and a half ago and fully intended to get straight back into my craft room, but real-life intervened!  I had to unpack, tidy, do the laundry and basically catch up with all the outstanding house stuff!  I'm almost up to date.  And, as it's Kathryn's summer holiday, we've been out to the cinema a few times too.

However, today I finally got to make some cards.  I attended Karin's monthly Stampin' Up! Card Class.  Here are the cards I made today.  The first one is a birthday card - perfect for a guy.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Chalk Talk, Make A Wish
Inks: SU - Smokey Slate, Summer Starfruit
Dies: SU - Chalk Talk Framelits
Accessories:  SU DP - Soho Subway, Gumball Green; SU Card - Basic Grey, Smokey Slate, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White; SU - Twine

The inside of the card  - I do like this stamp!

The next card we CASEd was originally a birthday card, but I switched up the sentiment and made it a "Thinking of You" card - could be used for a sympathy or just for when needed.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Wetlands
Inks: SU - Early Espresso

Accessories:  SU DP - Etcetera; SU Card - Early Espresso, Old Olive, Very Vanilla; SU EF - Woodgrain; SU Markers - Early Espresso, Old Olive, Crushed Curry

Next we made a thank you card - a very feminine card.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Flower Shop, Four You
Inks: SU - Sahara Sand, Wisteria Wonder, Soft Sky

Accessories:  SU Card - Sahara Sand, Wisteria Wonder, Soft Sky; SUEF - Woodgrain; SU Punches - 2½" Circle, Pansy; SU Markers - Wisteria Wonder, Soft Sky; SU Pearls

Our last card was such fun to make - an easel card.  I don't often make easel cards - don't know why, as they really are very easy to do.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Flower Shop, Label Love, Sweet Essentials
Inks: SU - Smokey Slate, Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana

Accessories:  SU DP - In Colour 2013-15; SU Card - Smokey Slate, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White; SU Punches - Pansy, Artisan Label; SU EF - Chevrons; SU - Pearls

All these cards have been CASEd.  I will get back to my regular challenges from tomorrow - I'm getting withdrawal pangs!!!  I've started to visit friends blogs - I've discovered a few new challenges and I'm trying to catch up on commenting. 

That's all for now - see you tomorrow!

Bloglovin ...

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5262423/?claim=9c34wgvk4yh">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>


I've decided to join in with Bloglovin - hope this works!!

A Christmas recipe ....

.... Hello!!  Patricia has a lovely challenge for us this week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - it's a recipe.  She'd like us to make a card using the following recipe:

• One ribbon
• Two design papers
• Three gems - they can be crystals, pearls or a combination

Here's my take on the challenge:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season II
Inks: Memento - London Fog
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 20 (S5-026) # 4
Accessories: Papermania - Festive Frolics DP; Cuttlebug EF - Snowflakes; WMS - Lace Ribbon; K & Co Chipboard Letters; White Lustre Card; Gems
 

I was a bit stumped by the recipe at first, but once I decided to spell out the word "JOY" - it was much easier to work out how to use the two papers!  I picked two patterns Festive Frolics (I've had this pad a while) and decided to use the red paper for the background and to cover the letter "O"; I used a paler green for the letters "J and Y".  The chipboard letters came in a pack with decorations, so I first had to remove the gems and sand off the paper and glitter.  I ran my selected DPs through my Xyron and adhered the paper to the letters.  Using my scalpel I cut off the excess and sanded off the edges to make sure that the papers wouldn't lift off the letters. I added this pretty white lace ribbon to the card and over the top I put the die cut shape which I'd embossed with snowflakes.  I adhered the letters with Glossy Accents and applied three gems!

For the inside I used some more of the pale green paper to make a mat layer and stamped a simple sentiment in pale grey on the white panel.

Do go to the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown blog to check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the Design Team - they are just awesome!

That's all for now - hope you have a super weekend.  Bye for now.

Christmas warmth ....

.... Hi - welcome to another scheduled post, by the time this goes live Kathryn and I should be at the airport waiting to board the plane for our flight back to the States.  Patricia has picked some wonderful colours for this week's challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - deep red, dark green, dark brown and ivory/vanilla - the colours are so warm and rich.  Here's my take on the colours:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Bright Season, Festive Foliage, Little Lanterns, Compliments of the Season II
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 20 (S5-026) #4
Accessories:  SU Card - Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Crafter's Companion - Spray & Sparkle Gold; Sakura Stardust Pen; SU Markers - Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, Garden Green; Clear Embossing Powder. 

I took the inspiration for this design from the photo on our graphic, using the candle and foliage.  I made the card from Early Espresso and cut a panel in Very Vanilla onto which I stamped the pine cone branch.  I used markers to get some shading on the pine cones and pines.  I die cut some vanilla card and made the mat layer by cutting around the outside of the die with my scalpel.  I stamped the lantern and candle directly onto the vanilla shape, added the light rays and drew over them with a clear Sakura Stardust pen.  I stamped the lantern in Versamark onto Early Espresso card and heat embossed with clear powder, then I carefully cut it out.  To add a touch more sparkle I sprayed the cut out lantern with Crafter's Companion Gold Sparkle - has a lovely shimmer - which you can see here.  The image is deliberately blurred to allow the sparkle to show (all the in focus images don't really show the shine).


The inside is quite clean and simple - a sentiment stamped in Early Espresso and another little lantern in the corner.

That's all for now - don't forget to visit the blog and check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the team - they are just lovely!  Have a good weekend and I'll be back soon with some "live" posts!!  Bye for now.