SHC - Autumnal Feathers ...

.... Morning. I'm here with my weekly post for Seven Hills Craft Blog. I've made a couple of cards for my kids. I've been sending cards to Ben for a long time and now I'm adding a card for Kat. These are the cards I made for them this week:

Stamps: Altenew - Golden Feather; MFT - Brush Splatter Background, Greetings & Salutaions

Inks: Gina K - Coral Reef, Peach Bellini, Sweet Corn, Blue Raspberry, Innocent Pink, Blue Denim; Stampin' Up! - Grey Granite, Balmy Blue

Dies: Altenew - Golden Feather; Lil Inkers - Long & Skinny Stitched Rectangles

Accessories: White Card

The card on the left is for Kat - I've gone with a softer colour palette, and the tall skinny card is for Ben. I started by stamping the background splatter image on white card, I used grey and yellow for the tall thin card, and peach for the other one. I cut out some panel with a stitch edge die and cut the panels to fit the card, so the stitch detail is at the top and bottom of each piece. I adhered them flat to the card. Then I stamped the layered feathers. For Ben's card I used the clean, simple feather with no flourishes and stamped the outline in dark blue and added the details with a softer blue. For Kat's card I used the softer feathers. I used the matching dies to cut the feathers out. I adhered them to the card and then finished each card with a simple greeting.  For Kat, it was simple 'Hello, Hi' greeting, and for Ben, who struggles, it was an 'It's Okay' message. The insides are blank for my messages.

I'm submitting Kat's card to The Card Concept - CC#140 where they have a lovely image of patterned leaves. I've interpreted this to be feathers with pretty patterns. I've made a clean, layered card. I used the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS#391 for the layout. For Ben's long, thin card, I used the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch and the colours are from Fab Friday - FabF#198.

That's all from me for today. See you tomorrow with my card for Christmas 24 Challenge. Bye!!

SHC - Yas Queen ....

... Morning! It's Wednesday, and that means it's time for my Seven Hills Craft blog post. Today I'm sharing a sparkly creation:

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold A Queen's Crown
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Costal Cabana
Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Costal Cabana; Green Satin Mirri Card; Gems

I'm submitting this to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#50 where it's Anything Goes.

This card is relatively quick and easy to make. I picked a 5" x 7" white card for the base so that I could use the whole of the crown on the card. I cut some light teal card to size, stamped the crown in the middle in the matching ink, added the sentiment in the top left in black and then went to town with lots of little gems. The image has small dots which look very pretty left as they are, but they make the perfect guide for adding gems. I could have added more, but wanted to keep things simple 😉. I layered the image on some soft green satin mirri card and then added the whole panel to the front of the card. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of teal card and on the white panel I stamped a part of the crown and added a lovely greeting.

This is both a birthday and good luck card. Kat's friend had her 19th birthday last week (two days after Kat's 19th) and she also started at Cambridge University. I can't quite believe how fast the last 19 years have gone by. Anyway, that's all from me today. See you soon.

Happy Birthday Kat ....

... Hello again. Today I'm sharing the birthday card that Kat got from her Nanna. Mum asked me to make something special for her and I was only too happy to oblige!

Stamps: Visible Image - faerie Magic, Zodiac Virgo; MFT - Anything But Basic Birthday Wishes, Bitty Birthday Wishes

Inks: Gina K - Soft Stone; Kaleidacolor - Pastel; Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies: Altenew - Featured Sentiments Die Set

Accessories: White Card; Kaisercraft DP - Chase Rainbows; Copic Markers; Watercolour Pencils; Nuvo - Clear Aquashimmer Brush; Clear Embossing Powder; Vellum

I'm submitting this card to Never Before Used Schtuff - NBUS#18 and to Seize the Birthday - STB#199.

I started by stamping the fairy onto the card, masked her off and then stamped the background with a mixture of smaller images and added the fairy wings using the Kaleidacolor pad. I stamped the fairy again onto white card, coloured her with Copic markers, restamped with Versafine black ink and embossed her with clear powder. I then carefully cut her out. I stamped the wings again on vellum and added sparkle with a clear aquashimmer brush. I adhered the wings to the card, then added the coloured fairy image. I finished the front of the card with a simple birthday sentiment at the top stamped on white card and layered on a piece of vellum. On the inside, I cut a mat background from design paper and on the white panel added a greeting and the zodiac constellation of Virgo and a girl's head.

Today is Kat's last full day at home. It's been a week full of 'last' events and it's been a week of excitement and tension. Kat packed all her goods for university earlier in the week, packed up the car yesterday, and had her birthday party with friends - all socially distanced in the garden - in the evening. Today, we're taking Kat out to dinner in Mold. It'll be fun. Tomorrow, Kat heads off to Nottingham with her Dad. Sadly, owing to Covid-19 restrictions, only one parent can accompany the freshers to their rooms and help them settle in - and they only have a short time slot too.

That's all for now - see you again soon.

Cupcake Wishes ...

... Good morning! Yes, I know, I'm posting again today, but I have a very good reason. It's Kat's 19th birthday today and probably the last one she's going to be sharing with us at home. She's off to university on Saturday. But today, we get to wish Kat the happiest of days and give her a card, some presents (most of which are already packed in the car), and to share the day with her. This is the card we gave her:

Stamps: Stampotique - Glimmering Hope; Mama Elephant - Birthday Messages; Impression Obsession - Inner Witch

Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black

Accessories: White Card; Copie Markers; Sakura Stardust Pens; Clear Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to a couple of challenges - Cupcake Inspirations Challenge - CIC#502, just love these colours, and to Seize the Birthday - STB#199 where I've gone for Anything Goes for a Birthday.

I know that many of you will think that this isn't really a birthday card. But Kat is a Goth Princess. She has always loved all things Halloween, spooky, dark and this card is perfect. It has cake, albeit a bit different to usual birthday cakes! I stamped the little cupcakes on white card, coloured the images with Copic markers, restamped them with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I then very carefully cut them out and edged them all with black ink. I added sparkle to all the cake decorations with Sakura Stardust pens. I stamped the image of the girl/witch on white card, added some soft colour and then carefully cut her out. I adhered all the images directly onto a white cardbase. I finished the front by adding a simple, fun sentiment. On the inside, I kept it really simple with another birthday greeting and another little cupcake.

I took a close up photo of the cupcakes so that you can see the shimmer and sparkle on the cakes.

I can't believe how quickly the last 19 years have gone by. Kat has grown into a wonderful young woman. She's caring, passionate in her beliefs, confident, considerate, curious, inquisitive, respsonsible, a bit nerdy, loving, intelligent, generous and above all, she's her own person. I'm proud of this young women - but then I'm a bit biased 😊. That's all for today. See you again tomorrow.

SHC - Back to School ...

... Hello again! Two days on the trot, something strange going on! I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft blog post. Today I'm sharing a card that Kat asked me to make. She wanted me to make a good luck card for a friend who's shortly heading off to Cardiff University. This is what I made:

Stamps: Hero Arts/Ink Blot Shop - Please Deliver; Altenew - Happy Dreams, School Days
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Gina K - Soft Stone; Kaleidacolor - Spectrum
Dies: Hero Arts - Rectangle Peek-a-Boo Doors #11
Accessories: Black and White Card; Copic Markers; Nuvo - Clear Aquashimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#50 where it's always, Anything Goes.

Before I start, I have to give credit for this card to Jennifer McGuire - check out her video where she shows you how to make peek-a-boo doors in your cards. I pretty much CASEd the entire card. I cut a piece of white card, larger than I needed, and stamped the pencil image along the bottom. I colour the pencils with Copic markers, such fun to make the rainbow. I die cut the door in the panel, replaced it in the MISTI and stamped the sentiment and arrow. I then trimmed the panel to fit the card. I made the card from black cardstock and added a piece of white card to the front. I put the card in the MISTI and placed the stamped panel on top. I opened the door and pencilled around the opening, removed the panel and stamped another image.

I think this inspirational sentiment is perfect for someone starting university. On the inside, I cut a white panel of card and stamped another message. This one has the words 'Back to School' - well, a university is just a very big school for big kids - so I think it works! I also added some little stars for fun.

I added some sparkle to the coloured pencils with a clear aquashimmer  brush - you can't see it in the photos above, but I did take a photo holding the card out of the window and you can really see the shimmer in this photo. Love all that sparkle!!

Not only is Kat's friend heading for university, Kat will be heading to the University of Nottingham on Saturday to study Politics & American Studies. Kat is so excited, but a bit nervous too. Because of the Covid-19 restrictions only one parent can accompany Kat on moving-in day, so she's going with her dad. I've told Kat she has to send me lots of photos of her room and new friends. I know the campus well - it's one of my favourite universities. I'll share the card I made for Kat later this week! Bye for now!

C24C - Christmas Ornament ....

.... Morning! It's time for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#18. We have a sketch for you to use. You can turn it (as I did) but we must be able to see the sketch in your card. Here's mine:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Ornate Ornaments, Alpine Christmas
Inks: Versamark; Delicata - Golden Glitz; Versafine Clair - Summertime; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Spellbinders - 2010 Heirloom Ornaments (S4-283) #5
Accessories: White Card; Kasiercraft DP - A Touch of Gold, Chase Rainbows; Gold Embossing Powder; Black Ribbon; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - 52CCT34-20 - where they have a fun colour combination - Black, Orange and Gold (white is allowed). Also playing along with The Holly & Ivy Christmas  Challenge - H&ICC#79 where it's Anything Goes.

I started by stamping the large ornament on white card. I removed the card from the MISTI and coloured the area under the pattern with an orange marker. I repositioned the card, stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with gold powder. Before cutting out the image with the matching die, I stamped the sentiment and little snowflake. I cut a panel of black and gold design paper to cover the front of the card and added a strip of orange patterned paper down the centre. I then added the ornament and finished the front with a little black bow. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of orange design paper and on the white panel added a Christmas greeting and some tiny snowflakes.

This card uses some of my older, much loved stamp sets from Waltzingmouse Stamps - Claire your designs are as fresh now as they were then!

Don't forget to visit our blog to see more inspiration cards from the rest of the design team. I hope you have fun playing with the sketch and I look forward to visiting and leaving a comment. Bye for now - have fun!

SHC - Holly, but no ivy ...

.... Good morning! Hope you're all keeping well. September is flying by. I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft post. I've been busy making Christmas cards - I still need so many for my stash. I used one stamp set and made three, yes three, cards and all with different techniques. I'll start off with the most clean, simple card.

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold - Holly & Berries
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories: White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Twinkling H₂Os Paints

I'm submitting this card to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Card challenge - H&ICC#78, where it's Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas.

I used a 5¾" square white card. I stamped the large holly and berries image directly on the card in Versafine ink and embossed it with clear powder. I used several different Twinkling H₂O paints to add colour. I mixed two shades of green for the holly leaves, and two shades of red for the berries. I set the coloured image aside to dry. I love the effect that you get when paints dry. I finished the front with one of the sentiments from the stamp set. Stamped it in black ink and embossed with clear powder.

On the inside, I've kept it really simple. I used two more of the sentiments from the stamp set and added the holly leaves and berries in the bottom corner. Done!

My next card is another large square card.

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold - Holly & Berries
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories: White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Kaisercraft DP - Mint Wishes; Copic Markers

For this card, I positioned the big image in my MISTI, stamped the image, removed it from the MISTI and coloured it with Copic Markers. I repositioned the imaged, stamped it again with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I then very carefully cut out the image and edged it with a black marker. I used some design paper to cover the front of the card, adhered the coloured image and finished the front with a Christmas sentiment.

On the inside, I used another piece of the design paper for the mat layer, and on the white panel used a greeting and the holly leaves.

My final card uses a favourite technique of mine - paper piecing.

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold - Holly & Berries
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories: White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Kaisercraft DP - Home for Christmas

I'm submitting this card to Merry Little Christmas Card Blog - MLCCB#26 where it's Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas.

I used a standard US A2 size card which means that not all the image is on the card. I started by selecting the area to stamp and stamping it direct on the card base. I found some scraps of design paper in my stash and used three different greens for the leaves, some red design paper and a piece of wood finished design paper for the branch. I stamped all the images in Versafine black ink, embossed them with clear powder, fussy cut them out and edged them all with a black marker pen. I started by adhering the branch, then the top most dark green leaf, the patterned leaf, the holly berries and finally the pale green leaf. I finished with another of the Christmas greetings from the stamp set.

On the inside, I cut a mat layer of red design paper and on the white panel added a couple of the sentiment stamps (and I'm still humming the song) along with the holly leaves.

I really like this set of stamps - so versatile and I'm going to be using it again soon. That's all for now. See you again soon.

Happy Birthday ....

.... Hello again! I'm on a bit of a roll - another card this week! It's another birthday card:

Stamps: Paper Smooches - Hip to be Square; Concord & 9th - All the Birthdays; Stampin' Up! - Clockworks, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Sea Glass, Blue Lagoon
Dies: Concord & 9th - All the Birthdays; Altenew - Featured Sentiments
Accessories: White Card; Gemstone Cardstock; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Seize the Birthday - STB#198 - the theme is add Gold or it's Anything Goes Birthday, so I've picked the latter.

This card came together so quickly. I already had the background image of the squares mounted on a card (it was actually made when I was on TMR design team in April 2018 and I still have one background to use). The die cut HB letters were left over from the birthday cards I made last week for my Seven Hills post (I still have the pink letters to use). So all I had to do for this card was finish the front with a sentiment stamped on a die cut panel. On the inside, I added an image and funky birthday greeting - so quick and so easy!

It seems that summer has come back again - was lovely yesterday and I was able to turn the heating off and enjoy the sun! That's all for now - see you again soon.