Our Graduate

.... Hello again! The first of the special family events taking place this week is our daughter's graduation tomorrow at the University of Nottingham. We are so proud of Kat - she's graduating with a 2.1 in Politics and American Studies. Here's the card we are giving her (it's safe to share now, as Kat doesn't look at my blog):

Stamps: Gina K - Hats Off; Dare 2B Artzy - Wise Owl, Graduation

Inks: Archival - Forget-Me-Not, Vibrant Fuchsia; Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Clair - Nocture; Gina K - Stormy Sky

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 8; Hats Off

Accessories: White & Black Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to Addicted to Stamps and More - ATSM#450, and to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#07.

This is a large card measuring 5" x 7". I created the background panel by stamping the smaller mortar board image in blue and pink (the colours from the BA hood that Kat will be wearing). I used a die to cut out the panel and layered it onto a black mat panel and added it to the note card. I stamped the larger mortar board image in Versafine ink, embossed with clear powder and used the matching die to cut it out. I did the same for the scroll, and the word 'grad' - I coloured the letters with Copic markers. I also cut the die cut pieces in black card, which I used to give dimension to the pieces. I stamped a sentiment directly onto the background panel and adhered the die cuts. Inside, I cut a black mat layer, and on the white panel stamped a greeting along with 'class of 2023' and another mortar board.

Next is the card that I made for my mum to give to Kat:

Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy - Graduation; Gina K - Hats Off

Inks: Gina K - Lipstick, Tangerine Tango, Wild Dandelion, Lucky Clover, Turquoise Sea, Wild Wisteria, Passionate Pink; Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies: Gina K - MLO2

Accessories: White & Black Card; Gina K Stencil - Fizzy; Clear Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Happy Little Stampers Stencil Challenge - HLSSC#07.

I placed the stencil onto a US A2 card and blended a rainbow of inks across in a diagonal. I die cut a piece of white card onto which I stamped a number of images to make the greeting, this was embossed with clear powder and layered onto a black mat and added to the card. Inside, I cut a black mat layer and on the white panel stamped a bold greeting and a bright pink mortar board.

That's all for now. I'll share some photos from the graduation later on. Take care.

Diamond Wedding Anniversary

... Hello!! It's been quite sometime since I last posted on my blog. I've not been making many cards, instead I've been working in my art journals (will share some of them later). However, this week we have two big family celebrations. The second one is my in-laws 60th wedding anniversary - that's a heck of an achievement. We'll be getting together for a family dinner to celebrate. I've made two cards for them, the first is the one from Jonathan and me:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Number of Years; Lil' Inkers - It's Today, Right?

Inks: Delicata - Silvery Shimmer; Versafine Clair - Morning Mist

Dies: SU - Large Number Framelits

Accessories: White Card; Tim Holtz Alcohol Card - Silver Sparkle; TH Stencil - Sparkle THS132; Su Design Paper - Granite Grey

I'm submitting this card to CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#516 - I've flipped the sketch, and to Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - HLSAGD#07.

This came together so quickly. I placed the stencil onto the card and brushed on silver shimmer ink (sadly you can't see the shimmer in the photo, but it's pretty!). I trimmed a piece of the silver card to size and adhered it across the card. I die cut the numbers from silver card, and several from white card too. I layered the numbers together to give dimension and adhered them to the card. I finished by adding a simply greeting in grey ink. Inside the card, I cut a piece of design paper slightly smaller than the note card, and on the white card I added a greeting and cute couple. This card measure 6" x 4½".

Next is the card I made for my mum to give to Madeline and Simon, it's also a 6" x 4½" card:

Stamps: Lil' Inkers - It's Today, Right?; Avery Elle - Sentimental Too; Mama Elephant - Easy Sentiments

Inks: Delicata - Silvery Shimmer; Versafine Clair - Morning Mist

Dies: SU - Large Number Framelits

Accessories: White Card; SU DP - Granite Grey; TH Alcohol Card - Silver Sparkle; Gina K Stencil - Harvest Flourish; Taylored Expressions - 6 x 6 Masking Stencil - Oval

I'm submitting this card to Addicted to Stamps and More - ATSM#450, and to Happy Little Stampers Stencil Challenge - HLSSC#07.

I placed patterned stencil onto the card and added the oval mask stencil over the top. Then I inked with silvery shimmer ink. I die cut the number from silver and white card, layered them together and adhered them into the oval. I finished the front by adding a bold, simple greeting. Inside the card, I cut some design paper for the mat layer, and on the white panel I created the greeting from two different stamp sets. I like doing this. 

That's all for now. See you soon.