52CCT - Technique .....

....  Good morning!  I must apologise to my Design Team mates as I'm really late with my card for this week's challenge, but it's here!!  This week's challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown is a technique challenge and Tanja has picked Embossing on Vellum - you can dry emboss or use embossing powders, the choice is yours.  Here's my take:

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp - Ugly Sweater, Sweater Words & Appliques
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black; Versamark
Dies: SSS - Sweater Dies
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Kraft; Copic Markers; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Winter Wonderland; Wink of Stella - Clear; Vellum; White Embossing Powder

I've used a few challenges - the colours and layout are based on this week's Time Out Challenges - TOC#36 to CASE Alice's card, and I've included several hearts which is the theme over at Merry Monday - MM#167.  And as there's embossing on the card, I'm also submitting to CAS-ual Friday Challenge - CFC#141.   I used Kraft card to make the card base and cut a piece of vellum slightly smaller than the base.  I used a snowflake folder to dry emboss the vellum and adhered it to the card.  I stamped a sweater on white card, coloured it with Copic markers and then stamped, in Versamark, the Christmas lights heart shape which I embossed with white powder.  I added a touch of red to the lights on the sweater.  I stamped a few more little hearts on white card, coloured them red and cut them out.  I finished the front with a fun sentiment and added a touch of sparkle to the little hearts.  On the inside I cut a panel of white card on which I stamped a greeting and the heart lights stamp, I also edged the panel with red marker.

Do visit the blog to check out more inspiration cards from the team - you've got until Friday 31st July to join in with the challenge.  Have fun!

TMR - Theme - Spots 'n' Stripes .....

....  Good morning all!  It's time for our new challenge over at The Male Room.  For the next couple of weeks we'd like your masculine projects to have SPOTS AND STRIPES.  Here's my take:

Stamps: Viva Las Vegas - Dr Who Plate 925
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up DP - Melon Mambo, Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay, Kraft; Clear Embossing Powder

I've used the colours from CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#133 and the layout is from Clean&Simple - FTL#21.  This card is completely different to the one I had planned to make.  I was checking the main blog yesterday morning and saw Louise's wonderful card with the spots and stripes ties, and realised that I'd have to come up with something different.  And yesterday evening (about 9.00pm) I suddenly had an idea.  I've mentioned that I like Dr Who, and when Matt Smith played Dr Who, bow ties were very cool!  So this is the result.  I stamped the bow tie three times, embossed them with clear powder and cut them out.  I cut a strip of striped paper adhered it to the card and added some burlap paper - love this texture.  I then used dimensional tape to attach the bow ties.  I haven't added a sentiment as yet because I'm not sure whether this will be for a birthday or just because!  And, as I was running out of time, I haven't done the inside - but will add a photo when it's completed.

Do visit our blog and check out the inspiration projects from the rest of the team and from our Guest Designer, Monika.  You've got plenty of time to join in with the fun.  Enjoy!!!

52CCT - Theme .....

.... Hello, good morning!  It's time for our new theme challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and Tanja has picked the theme of snowman.  I had so much fun with this theme, here's my card:

Stamps: Funstamps - Scribble Snowman; Uniko - Stunning Snowflakes
Inks: Versamark; Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog
Dies: PTI - Wet Paint Holiday
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! - Basic Black; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear; Perfect Pearls - Pewter; Peel Offs

I used the sketch from this week's Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#195 for the layout and the colours are from Colour Me Card Challenge - CMCC#80.  I stamped snowflakes randomly over the card in Versamark and used pewter Perfect Pearls to bring them out.  I stamped the snowman three times on white card and coloured them with Copic Markers.  I cut them out, edged them with a black marker and added some sparkle to the hats and scarves with a clear Wink of Stella brush.  I adhered the first snowman flat to the card, and used dimensional gel for the other two.  I die cut the word Christmas four time in black, glued them together and attached it to the card.  I finished with a peel off which I coloured black.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of black card and stamped a Christmas greeting on the white panel, along with some more snowflakes.

Here's a close up of the sparkle on the hats and scarves - looks so nice when the sun shines!!

Don't forget to visit our blog to check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the team.  It's so nice to be back in the States and play in my craft room.  I did miss playing along for the past few weeks!  That's all for now - have fun!

RSD - Progressive Challenge Team B ....

.... Morning!  I'm back in the States and it's so nice to be home, I've really missed playing in my craft room.  I'm back this morning with a card for our Rick St Dennis Progressive Challenge, and it's time for some mid-month inspiration from Team B.  This month has an "ANYTHING GOES" theme, but you must use one of Rick's images on your project.  There's a huge selection over at Rick's Zibbet shop - do check it out.

My card is a clean and layered with a fun image:

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Emma Hemlock (I Brake for Stamps); Kaisercraft - Secret Garden
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Pistachio Pudding
Dies: Memory Box - Cross Stitched Frame Borders #5 and #6
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Rich Razzleberry; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear, Pink, Silver and Green

I printed the image on white card, cut it out with the lovely cross stitched frame die and then coloured her with Copic markers.  I know that the image is for Halloween, but I think she's lovely.  The colour inspiration started from this week's Colour Q - cQc#299, but then slightly wandered off!  I did use some of the colours, but could get the image to work with yellow, so opted for lime green instead.  I think Emma's a fun loving girl, so I added green to her hair (wish I was brave enough to do that) and added lots of sparkle to her feathers, the ribbon, her make-up and the background too.  I layered the finished image on a piece of razzleberry card and adhered the whole panel to the card.  I finished the front with a simple, but heartfelt, sentiment.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of razzleberry card and on the white panel stamped a pretty doily in green (to match her ribbon) and added a bold sentiment.

Do visit our Sparkle and Glitter blog to see the inspiration projects from the rest of Team B - they're fabulous!!!  And why not play along with us this month - Mr Linky is here - find your favourite image from Rick's shop and go wild!!  That's all for now - see you soon.

Uniko - July Release ....

......  Morning!!!!  It's arrived, today is Release Day - Uniko has three new stamps sets to add to their collection.  You've seen the Sneak Peeks, you've had the Introductions and today you can purchase all three sets at Uniko here.  Let's see the sets in full:

Don't you just love this - the possibilities are endless and you can build personalised banners!  It's fab. Garlands Galore £9.95 This set features garland / bunting building stamps and a mini alphabet. The small solid garlands measure 10.5 cm in length and the two larger garlands 14cm approx.

I adore this house and can't wait to paper piece it!!  Home Sweet Home £4.95 This set features a simple house and new home sentiments. The house measures 6.5 x 6.5 cm approx.

And last, but by no means least:

Bev draws the most beautiful flowers and here's another to add to the collection - Cosmos!  Love it.  Pure Florals:Cosmos £4.95 This is the first mini Pure Florals set as the flowers work better on a smaller scale. The double flower stamp measures 4.2 cm x 7.5 cm approx. Make a Wish sentiment measures 4.5 cm x 1.2 cm approx.

Release Day: Today you'll be able to see all the sets and you'll be able to purchase them at the Uniko shop.  As is tradition with a new release, there will be a Design Team Blog Hop with the chance for ONE lucky person to win the ENTIRE release!!!  Here's the order for the release:

Bev

Gillian

Jane

Nicki

Sarah G

Sarah P

Places to join in and possibly win a prize are by commenting on the way at Uniko Blog, DT and Guest Team Blogs, liking the Uniko Facebook Page, following on Twitter and Pinterest!

Sadly, I don't have any cards to share with you today.  I've been in England visiting family and friends.  Bev sent the new release to my Mum's house and I have them in my suitcase.  My Mum, Kathryn and I will be at Heathrow airport as this post goes live - our plane due to leave at 10am.  I've had the most fabulous visit to the UK with wonderful weather and super friends.  And now we're off home.  I've really missed Jonathan and it will be super to see him again.  Oh yes, I'll also be able to get back into my craft room and play - do drop by soon to see what I make with Bev's new stamps!!  Bye for now.

TMR - Theme - Song Title ....

.... Hello!  Morning!  As this post goes live, I'm on my last week's holiday in the UK.  Kathryn and I flew over at the end of June, leaving Jonathan to have a two week vacation at home in the States.  So as you've guessed this is a scheduled post - prepared before I fly off!  It's been a busy week.  Our challenge, for the next two weeks, at The Male Room is to make a masculine theme project based on a Song Title.  Here's my card - see if you can work it out before I tell you:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - North Shore; Verve Stamps - Learning to Sail
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Real Red; Clear Embossing Powder; Copic Markers

Have you guessed it yet?  He's a surfer dude, and I've gone for good old, red, white and blue .  My song is Surfin' USA by the Beach Boys - just love this song, it is so, so summer!!  And my card is ultra clean and simple.  I cut a mat layer of red card.  On the white panel I stamped this fabulous surfer image in black and embossed it with clear powder.  I added just a touch of colour to the sea behind him and to the lovely hibiscus flowers.  On the inside, I kept it just as simple with another mat layer of red card and some cool red, white and blue surf boards and greeting.

We have a guest designer with us this month - I'm sure that many of you are familiar with her work, please welcome Monika of Creative with Monika.  The rest of the team have some fabulous inspiration for you too.

Here's a video of the Beach Boys singing Surfin' USA - enjoy!!

Uniko - Sneak Peek 3 ....

....  Morning, I'm here with the last Sneak Peek for the Uniko July release.

Such a pretty flower and a gorgeous font for the sentiment.  Tomorrow the DT will start introductions to the new sets - do check out their blogs to see what they've made.

This is the release schedule:

Sneak Peeks: our final teasers to keep you guessing and wanting more.

Introducing: 8th - 10th July.  The Design Team will be showcasing a new set each day - sadly I won't be taking part this month - but once I get back to the States you'll see what I make with them!!!

Release Day: Saturday 11th July - you'll be able to see all the sets and you'll be able to purchase them at the Uniko shop.  As is tradition with a new release, there will be a Design Team Blog Hop with the chance for ONE lucky person to win the ENTIRE release!!! 

Now you don't want to miss out on any of the fun from 5th to 11th July as Bev will be drawing random winners for some prizes.  No hints as to the value of the prizes, you'll just have to join in!

Places to join in and possibly win a prize are by commenting on the way at Uniko Blog, DT and Guest Team Blogs, liking the Uniko Facebook Page, following on Twitter and Pinterest!

Uniko - Sneak Peek 2 ....

...  Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the Uniko Sneak Peeks!  I think this is a wonderful addition to Bev's collection of stamps and will be so useful:

Here's the Release schedule:

Sneak Peeks: 6th - 7th July - some teasers to keep you guessing and wanting more.

Introducing: 8th - 10th July.  The Design Team will be showcasing a new set each day - sadly, as I only got my stamps yesterday, I won't be taking part this month - but once I get back to the States you'll see what I make with them!!!

Release Day: Saturday 11th July - you'll be able to see all the sets and you'll be able to purchase them at the Uniko shop.  As is tradition with a new release, there will be a Design Team Blog Hop with the chance for ONE lucky person to win the ENTIRE release!!!

Now you don't want to miss out on any of the fun from 5th to 11th July as Bev will be drawing random winners for some prizes.  No hints as to the value of the prizes, you'll just have to join in!

Places to join in and possibly win a prize are by commenting on the way at Uniko Blog, DT and Guest Team Blogs, liking the Uniko Facebook Page, following on Twitter and Pinterest!

Uniko - Sneak Peek 1 ....

....  It's time to give you a sneak peek at one of the new sets that Bev at Uniko will be releasing this month. 

There are so many possibilities with this new set - and I hope that this peek makes you want more!!!  Our release schedule is as follows:

Sneak Peeks: 5th - 7th July - some teasers to keep you guessing and wanting more.

Introducing: 8th - 10th July.  The Design Team will be showcasing a new set each day - sadly, as I only got my stamps yesterday, I won't be taking part this month - but once I get back to the States you'll see what I make with them!!!

Release Day: Saturday 11th July - you'll be able to see all the sets and you'll be able to purchase them at the Uniko shop.  As is tradition with a new release, there will be a Design Team Blog Hop with the chance for ONE lucky person to win the ENTIRE release!!! 

Now you don't want to miss out on any of the fun from 5th to 11th July as Bev will be drawing random winners for some prizes.  No hints as to the value of the prizes, you'll just have to join in!

Places to join in and possibly win a prize are by commenting on the way at Uniko Blog, DT and Guest Team Blogs, liking the Uniko Facebook Page, following on Twitter and Pinterest!

English Country Garden ....

... Good afternoon.  We've been back in England since Sunday and it seems we've brought hot summer weather with us.  We picked up our hire car at Heathrow, had to get an upgrade as the one they tried to give us was way too small.  We had a super run up to Leicester and spent Sunday and Monday with my in-laws.

It was lovely to see them both. My in-laws have the most wonderful garden and this year they said the roses have been magnificent.  I spent several hours sitting in the garden on Monday afternoon enjoying the soft fragrance of the flowers, the sound of bees as they flew around visiting the flowers and the wonderful bird song.  I took lots of photos - I only wish that they captured the smell too!  Here are a few photos - enjoy!!

On Tuesday we headed for North Wales and for home!  It was a super drive and we got in early.  The hotel wasn't quite ready for us, so we headed straight to the village.  It always feels so strange to stand outside our house and not be able to go in.  However, we did manage to catch up with lots of our friends.  Tuesday was the hottest June day on record in the UK, we got to 29°C and again on Wednesday.  The hottest July temperature recorded in the UK was at Heathrow where it got o 36.7°C on Wednesday.  However, the down side of all the hot weather is the humidity.  And there were some spectacular storms last night.  Today is rather grey, but much more pleasantly warm.

We've been to visit Hawarden High School - where Kathryn will go when we come back to the UK.  It was so nice to see all her friends come up and hug her.  They had a lovely afternoon in the park catching up on news.

I'd completely forgotten that Wimbledon would be on when we came over to the UK.  It's been fab to be able to watch some tennis and see Andy Murray play.

Kathryn and I got back onto UK time reasonably quickly, but we both still have coughs - so fed up of them now.  We've only got one more day in Wales and then it down to Hampshire to spend some time with my Mum.  Really looking forward to seeing her and also to seeing our son, Ben.  That's all for now.  Take care.