Newsprint love ....

....  Good morning!  I have a clean and simple card to share with you this morning.  I used a couple of challenges to make it:

• Less is More - LIM#195
• The Paper Players - PP#215

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Hello Love
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: Cream Lustre Card; Papermania DP - Bookprint; SU Card - Basic Black; Wooden Heart Charm

The recipe at Less is More is to use newsprint on your card, and it's taken me nearly all week to come up with something I like.  I was going through my paper stash, found the Papermania pad and in there was this super piece.  I simply cut the page to size, rounded one corned, added a strip of black card to the top and adhered it directly to the card.  I finished it with a sentiment and this fabulous wooden heart (which I think was free with a magazine).  I used the sketch from this week's Paper Players, but turned it to make a landscape card.  On the inside I cut a mat layer in black and a cream panel which I left blank for my own message.

I've included another photo of the card in a square format as I'm fed up of cropping my cards to fit the inlinkz button!  From now on this is how I'm going to post details of my cards.

We all went to the cinema last night to see a presentation of The National Theatre's Frankenstein.  The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Victor Frankenstein and Jonny Lee Miller as The Creature.  It was absolutely magnificent.  The film was directed by Danny Boyle.  It's so nice being able to see stage plays and operas at the cinema - you don't get the whole atmosphere, but you do get to see first class performances locally.

Frankenstein was originally a stage show at The National Theatre in 2012, where Cumberbatch and Miller alternated the roles of The Creature and Victor Frankenstein on a nightly basis.  They both won the Olivier award for Best Actor in 2012; having seen the film, I can see why - they really deserved it!

Before I go, I'd like to give a quick safety message.  If you have a tumble dryer in your house, make sure you get it cleaned on a regular basis.  I was using my dryer on Tuesday morning when I smelt burning, like burnt elements.  I turned off the machine, made sure there was no actual fire and called an engineer.  He came out that afternoon, confirmed that there was lint in the machine and that it had indeed been scorched.  Alf sorted it out and the dryer works fine again.  It was a good thing I stayed in the utility room to fold laundry, if I'd left it could have been so much worse.  Now I'm off to do the ironing that resulted after Tuesday's wash!

Have a great day and see you soon.

TMR - Wood .....

.... Hello!  You guys certainly had lots of fun with our Halloween theme last time.  And now it's time for our new challenge at The Male Room.  For the next couple of weeks we'd like you to use the theme WOOD on your projects.  You can use real wood or you can go faux, but your project has to have a masculine feel.  I had fun and actually made two cards:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Man of the Hour, Wood Grain, USA 1776; Stampin' Up! - Happiest Birthday Wishes
Inks: SU - Blackberry Bliss
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Rectangles #3
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Blackberry Bliss; EK Success Punch - Notebook; BARC Wood Paper - White Birch

I used the sketch from CAS - Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#97 for the layout.  I kept the card really clean and simple.  The wood on this card is both real - the die cut panel is wood paper and faux - stamped chevron arrows. I stamped the main sentiment directly on the wood - you can see a little feathering where the ink has been absorbed by the wood, but it's quite sharp.  I stamped the birthday sentiment on some scrap card, cut it to size and adhered it behind the wood panel.  I made the horizontal strip by stamping the chevrons on white card, cutting to size and then adhering them to a punched border.  The wood panel was adhered with dimensional tape.  On the inside I cut a panel of blackberry card.  On the white card I stamped a firework burst (fourth generation image) and then a birthday greeting.

 My next card has a nautical theme and has a real wood panel too. 

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Tying the Knot, Ocean Bound
Inks: SU - Island Indigo, Mossy Meadow
Dies: WMS - Ocean Bound
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Island Indigo; BARC Wood Paper - Cherry

For this card I used the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#97.  I cut a two inch piece of cherry wood for the central panel and used the die to cut out two ship wheels.  I stamped two wheels in blue and green and then cut them out with the die, I adhered them to the card with dimensional tape.  I added some interest to the front by stamping ropes down the edge of the card and the wood panel.  I finished the front with a simple sentiment stamped on white card, trimmed to size and then cut flags in both ends - attached with dimensional tape.  On the inside I made mat of blue card and stamped a simple greeting on the white card.

For more inspiration projects featuring wood check the blog to see what my team mates have made.  Have fun!

Owl Eyes on You ....

....  Good afternoon!  It's absolutely gorgeous here today.  It started off a bit cool, but the sun has come out and it's 18°C (65°F) at the moment; the weather man said it could reach 20°C (70°F) later this afternoon.  I've been out taking some autumn photos - more of them later.  I've a fun birthday card to share with you today:

Stamps: Impression Obsession - Owl Be Thankful, What a Hoot!; Stampin' Up! - Endless Birthday Wishes
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Kaleidacolour - Luau
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Basic Black; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this one to Inkspirational - INK#68 where they have a photo inspiration challenge - sweet coloured owls!  How could I resist?  I think I've mentioned before that I just love owls.  I decided to make a card with lots of cute owls in fantasy colours.  I placed the largest owl in the centre of the card, added other around and stamped them with Memento ink.  I had lots of fun colouring.  I didn't want the colours to be too bright, so I coloured all the owls (except the blue one) in shades of brown and then added the bright colours over the top.  I like that lighter Copic colours push most of the brown out, but leave enough brown to stop the colours being too bright.  I added some leaves around the edge and stamped a couple of sentiments.  Inside I cut a mat layer in black and stamped a multicoloured owl and birthday sentiment on the white panel.

Here are some of the photos I took earlier today - the sun really makes the trees look like they're on fire.  The reds, oranges, golds and browns are just fantastic.  Our street looks so pretty.

I played about with this photo.  I removed most of the colour, just allowing the reds to shine out.  You can see on the branch right at the front, that the leaves are dropping!

I've been busy in my craft room this weekend - not making cards, just tidying up and putting away stamps and papers that I've allowed to accumulate on the floor!  And to make my day complete, Mr Brown has just arrived with my Stampin' Up! order - some bits and pieces from the special Christmas supplement.  Off to play now :)  See you soon.

52CCT - Stash ....

.....  Good morning!  Can you believe it's the last Saturday in October - only two months to go until Christmas.  Which brings me to our new challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown, this week we have a Stash Challenge.  We want you to use Enamel Dots on your projects.  Here's my take:

Stamps: Dimension Stamps - Funky Tree; Waltzingmouse - Tis the Season
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Smoky Slate
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Basic Black; Basic Grey and Doodlebug Sprinkles - various; SU Marker - Basic Black

I decided to let the enamel dots be the star of this card, so I stamped the funky tree and sentiment in black and then went wild with lots of enamel dots.  I drew the frame by hand.  On the inside I cut a mat layer in black.  On the white panel I stamped the tree in grey and added a bold greeting in bright red.  The card is actually brilliant white (not sort of pink as in the photo above) - I'll try to take new photos later in better light!

Check out the blog to see what the rest of the team have made using enamel dots!  You've got until Friday 31st October, midnight (7.00pm EDT) to join in.  Have fun!

Book worm ....

.... Good afternoon!  I've a cute little card to share with you today - made with a couple of challenges in mind:

• Less is More - LIM#194 - Little creatures
• Colour Q - cQc#264

Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Book Work
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Wisteria Wonder; Washi Tape; Copic Markers; Glossy Accents

I think I'm just about in time for this week's Less is More challenge.  I've been going back and forward all week thinking about what "little creature" to use on the card, then I found this cute little book worm.  I made a small gift card (5" × 3½").  I used Washi Tape to make a book shelf.  I stamped the books and book worm on some scrap card, colouring both with Copic markers.  I fussy cut them both out and adhered the books flat on the card and used dimensional gel for the worm.  I added some Glossy Accents to the worm's glasses.  I finished the front with a fun sentiment - I tend to find that this one is often true!!!  On the inside I cut a mat layer of lilac card and stamped another sentiment.

I had a really fun day yesterday - I went to a friend's wedding.  I was invited to be a witness and after the service we went back for a small lunch and some champagne.  I took a few informal photos at the lunch. 

I made card last week using some pears - this is the gift bag that I made to go with the card.  The glasses - for the champagne toast!

I told you the photos were informal!!  From left to right - Nicola, Seya, Sophie, and the happy couple - Nathan and Lucie.

Nathan and Lucie - a bit more formal this time!

I've got to get a good head start on my upcoming Design Team cards.  My son, Ben will be coming over for a couple of weeks in November.  I'm so excited and really looking forward to seeing him - it's been nearly a year since we last got together.  He's bringing his girlfriend, Sophie, too.  So, it's going to be a busy few weeks, and that's all for now.

Thanksgiving wreath ....

... Hello all!  I hope you're all having a good week; mine's been great so far!  This morning I've a Thanksgiving card to share with you:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Wondrous Wreath, Tags 4 You, Mingle All The Way
Inks: SU - Cajun Craze, Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso
Dies: SU/Sizzix - Wonderful Wreath Framelits; Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #4
Accessories: Cream Lustre Card; SU Card - Pear Pizzazz; SU DP - Colour Me Autumn; SU Punch - Label Bracket; SU Candy Dots; WMS - Twine; Wink of Stella - Clear

I used the sketch from this week's Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#159 for the layout, although I turned to make a landscape card.  The colours are from Colour Throwdown - CTD#315 - they are just right for this time of year.  I used a sheet of design paper to cover the card.  I cut a square of green card and adhered it directly to the card.  I stamped the sentiment on cream card and cut it out with the matching punch.  To make the wreath I stamped first in Cajun Craze (second generation impression), next with Pear Pizzazz and finished with yellow berries.  Then I cut the wreath with the coordinating dies (it's really easy to do).  I stamped a yellow bow on cream card and punched it out.  I adhered the wreath and ribbon with dimensional tape.  Before attaching the sentiment, I looped some dark brown twine and used gel glue to adhere the tag.  I finished the front with some candy dots and some Wink of Stella on the wreath.  On the inside I cut a mat layer from the design paper and stamped another wreath on some cream card.  I finished off with the sentiment stamped in dark brown.

I know that it's definitely autumn here now, I had the water sprinkler system winterised yesterday.  This still feels strange - it's not something we have to do in the UK, but winters here are so much colder that we really do have to make sure there is no water in the pipes otherwise it would be a disaster!  Oh yes, the other really big sign of autumn, not only have the leaves changed colour, but they really feel off the trees in the wind this week!  That's all for now.

One for three - birthday ...

... Hello again!  I'm on a bit of a roll today!  House stuff done, time in craft room this morning and another quick card to share with you.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Offbeat Backgrounds; My Favourite Things - Document It Rock On, Gift Card Greetings; Stampin' Up! - Endless Birthday Wishes, Delightful Dozen
Inks: Versamark; SU - Night of Navy, Old Olive, Concord Crush
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #4, Stitched Circles #2 & #3
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Old Olive, Concord Crush; SU DP - Old Olive; Vellum; Silver Embossing Powder

 I'm submitting this one to several challenges:

• Just Us Girls - JUGS#263 - colours
• Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#50 - use Vellum
• Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#159 - layout

I've made a birthday card for my stash - I've just realised that I don't have very many actual birthday cards.  This is definitely more masculine in feel.  I stamped the chevron pattern in all three colours and then cut out a square.  I also cut a vellum square which I adhered directly on top of the stamped square - makes the pattern a little more subtle.  I inked up a bold, graphic sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed with silver powder.  I finished the front with a stamp on the circle - it's a games controller!  The inside has a mat of green design paper and a fun sentiment on the white panel, along with a birthday cake!

That's all for today!  Bye for now.

Non-traditional Christmas ....

....  Hi!  Good morning!  I'm feel quite pleased with myself - I got all the ironing done yesterday - sadly I also started a new pile!!!  Never mind, I was able to play in my craft room too.  I've a VERY non-traditional Christmas card to share with you this morning:

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Do Not Open Til Creepmas; Waltzingmouse - Ornate Ornaments; Stampin' Up! - Endless Wishes
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; SU - Wisteria Wonder, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Pistachio Pudding
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Basic Black; Kaisercraft DP - Kaleidoscope; Copic Markers; SU Marker - Black

Lori, over at Merry Monday - MM#131 is a traditional gal, but she's picked non-traditional colours as the theme for this week's challenge.  I hope she likes this card, not only is it non-traditional colours, but it's a VERY non-traditional style.  I've gone for a fun, silly and slightly darker card!!  I covered the card base with some design paper - a very grungy look, a bit like the corner of a room.  I printed the stack of presents on white card, coloured them with Copic markers and then cut them out.  I edged the image with black marker and then adhered it directly to the card base.  I stamped the words randomly around the parcels - I like the one that says "Open me first" - right by the big purple box with very sharp teeth :))  On the inside I cut a mat layer in black card and then stamped a Christmas sentiment in funky colours and added a few snowflakes!!

I had lots of fun with this card!  The image is fab and I think I know a teenage boy who will really appreciate this one!  That's all for now.  See you soon.

ASM - Holiday ...

.... Hello all!  You had lots of fun with our Make Your Mark challenge last week, so many super cards.  This week at Addicted to Stamps and More! we have our Holiday challenge.  Your project must have a holiday theme - any holiday - Halloween, Valentine, Easter, summer hols, whatever takes your fancy.  Our challenge this week is sponsored by Eureka Stamps and the winner will get three free digi images.  I've used one of their super images on my Christmas card:

Stamps: Eureka Stamps - Sleigh with Presents; Waltzingmouse - Tis the Season
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) #4, Squares Sm (S4-128) #7
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Gold Textured Mirri Card; Copic Markers; Glamour Dust; Wink of Stella Brushes - Clear, Orange, Gold, Pink, Blue, Green

I printed the sleigh on white card and coloured it with Copic markers.  I used lots of the tips I got from the Online Card Class about Copic Markers.  I created the background by lightly dotting very pale colours around the sleigh to suggest snow, as well as creating a ground.  I added lots of sparkle to the image, using Wink of Stella brushes on the main image and adding glitter to the ground and snow.  I kept the inside of the card really simple - a gold mat and a very bold sentiment on the white panel.

For more holiday themed inspiration cards - check out the blog to see what my Team mates have made.  Before I go though, here's a close up of the sleigh - the photo is deliberately out of focus as I find this really shows the sparkle well.

Have fun with the challenge and I look forward to seeing your projects.  See you soon.

Beauty and the Beast ....

.... Good morning!  Today's card is based on the story of Beauty and the Beast - and many of use will have seen the Disney movie too!  At the heart of the story is the fact that love overcomes all.

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Belle et Bete; Waltzingmouse - Frosty in the Meadow, All Hallows Eve; Winnie & Walter - The Big, The Bold and The Happy
Inks: Memento - Grey Flannel; Distress - Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce, Chipped Sapphire; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Basic Black; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear

I'm submitting this card to the Progressive Challenge Part II over at Sparkle and Glitter.  It's the final part of the challenge and we have all been given this fabulous digi - Belle et Bete to use on our projects.  It's a cute image, but with a bit of edge.  I used the colours from last week's Colour Q - cQc#263 for Belle's dress and for the Beast, and I created the forest background using Waltzingmouse stamps.  I had so much fun colouring this image and I'm really pleased with the way Belle's dress came out (yellow, like in the movie).  On the inside I've put a mat layer of black card and on the white panel is a tiny cottage in the woods.  I've also put a close up photo of Belle's dress showing the sparkle!!

That's it for now - I can't put off the ironing any longer!  I'm going to have a marathon Walking Dead session while I do the ironing and then it's on to more boring housework stuff!  See you soon.