SHC - A Wreath for All Seasons ....

... Pinch, punch, the first of the month!! Can you believe it's already September, no, me neither! However, it does mean that it's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft Blog post. I have four cards to share with you today. I've focused on the Harvest Wreath stamp set from Concord & 9th's new release. I'll start with a birthday card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Harvest Wreath Turnabout, Tiny Tagalongs; MFT - Itty Bitty Birthday

Inks: Gina K - Honey Mustard, Blue Denim, Grass Green, Cherry Red

Dies: C&9 - Harvest Wreath

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Cherry Cobbler; Copic Marker

I'm submitting this card to The Paper Players - PP#556 where they have a tic-tac-toe grid - I've picked the central horizontal line - birthday, die-cut, masculine.

I made the note card from dark red card. I used my MISTI to stamp the fuller wreath in blue, mustard, red and green inks - I used darker inks for a more seasonal look. I cut the panel slightly smaller than the note card, edged it with a blue marker and adhered it to the card. I used one of the co-ordinating dies to cut a stitched edge square in red card and stamped leaves in Versamark ink for a tone-on-tone look. I adhered the square to make a diamond shape. I finished the front by adding a simple birthday greeting in blue ink and cut out with a stitch edged die. Inside, I stamped one of the greeting from Harvest Wreath and added a tiny sentiment from Itty Bitty Birthday to complete the message. I also stamped some more of the leaves from the wreath image. This card is on it's way to my uncle - it's his birthday this weekend.

While I had this wreath image in the MISTI, I stamped another wreath in brighter colours:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Harvest Wreath Turnabout, Tiny Tagalongs

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Turquoise Sea, Blue Denim, Soft Stone; Versamark

Dies: C&9 - Harvest Wreath

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Smoky Slate, Night of Navy; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush; Glossy Accents

I'm submitting this card to Just Us Girls - JUGS#599 where it's a photo week. I've taken the colours from the inspiration photo.

I made the note card from soft grey card. I stamped the wreath leaves in Versamark ink around the edge of the grey note card for a tone-on-tone background pattern. I used blue, yellow, turquoise and grey ink to create this wreath. I added a simple sentiment in blue ink at the bottom of the panel.  I adhered the panel directly to the card base. I finished the front by adding a tiny heart which I die cut from navy card stock. I covered it with sparkle and added glossy accents. Love the way the heart looks! On the white panel inside the card, I simply stamped more of the leaves in yellow ink. I might add a greeting later, or leave it blank for my own message.

I changed the wreath image to the thinner wreath and made a Christmas card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Harvest Wreath Turnabout, All the Merrys, Holly Berry Turnabout

Inks: Gina K - Red Hot, Lucky Clover, Christmas Pine; Versamark

Dies: C&9 - Everyday Circles

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Poppy Parade; Lawn Fawn - Gold Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#100 where it's Anything Christmas Goes.

I used traditional Christmas colours for this card and the last impression was stamped with Versamark ink, I added gold embossing powder and heat set it. I didn't have gold card to match the gold embossing, so I made my own. I cut a piece of white card, rubbed Versamark ink around the edges and poured on gold embossing powder and heat set. I repeated this process three times to give a nice gold edge. I layered the stamped panel on the embossed piece and added both to the front of a 5¼" square note card. I used a stitch edge die to cut a circle panel, stamped a Christmas greeting, added some green leaves and then edged the circle with Versamark and used gold embossing powder to create a gold rim. I used dimensional pads to add the greeting to the front of the card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of red card. On the white panel I created the greeting from the words in the Holly Berry turnabout stamp set.

For my final card I changed up the colours and created a Halloween card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Harvest Wreath Turnabout, Tiny Tagalong; Stamping Bella - Oddball Sparkle Fairy

Inks: Gina K - Key Lime, Tangerine Twist, Wild Lilac, Black Onyx; Versamark

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Tangelo Twist; Copic Markers; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush; Clear Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Time Out Challenge - TOC#195 where they want us to use a Coloured Card Base. I could have used any of the cards, but I like this orange one!!

I used traditional Halloween colours for the wreath. I stamped the sparkle fairy on white card, removed her from the MISTI, coloured her with Copic markers, restamped with Versafine black ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I then carefully fussy cut her out. I used a black marker to go over the white card edges. I added the Halloween sparkle in the centre of the wreath, stamped a simple greeting and adhered the fairy to the wreath. I added sparkle to the fairy's wings and the tiny skulls. On the white panel inside the card, I simply stamped the greeting and added more of the little skulls.

That's it. I could have made lots more cards with these wreath images - I have ideas for a wedding and sympathy cards, but I'll do those later. Thanks for staying to the end of the post. See you soon.

SHC - Christmas in July - 2 ...

... Morning! Continuing my Christmas in July theme for my Seven Hills Craft blog post, I have three cards to share with you this morning.

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Merry Mantle, All the Merrys, Mistletoe Messages

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Innocent Pink; Versafine Claire - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - Merry Mantle

Accessories: SU Card - Real Red; White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Copic Markers; Pearls

I'm submitting this card to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#60 where it's Anything Goes.

I started by making the A2 notecard from red card. The card measures 4¼" x 5½" and is a standard American size. I used my MISTI to stamp the various images on white card. I removed the images from the MISTI, coloured them with Copic markers, returned them to the MISTI and restamped with black Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I love this technique as the images are clean and crisp, and have shiny outlines. I adhered the pieces to the front of the card - I kept them flat to make it easy to post the card. I finished the front by adding a bold greeting in black and some tiny dark grey pearls to hold the stockings on the mantle! Inside the card, I simply cut a white piece of card slightly smaller than the notecard and stamped a wreath in dark pink and added a greeting.

My next card focuses on the large image in Merry Mantle - the hanging Christmas stockings:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Merry Mantle, All the Merrys, Mistletoe Messages

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Ocean Mist; Versafine Claire - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - Merry Mantle; Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: SU Card - Bermuda Bay; White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - HLSXMAS#07 where it's Anything Goes (I've skipped the option of jingle bells).

I used dark teal card to make the A2 side-opening notecard. I used the same technique as outlined above to stamp the Christmas stockings. I coloured them to match the notecard. I used a stitch edge die to cut out the panel and layered it onto a black panel of card. I adhered the whole lot to the front of the card. I added a mantle shelf above the stockings with dimensional pads. I finished the front with a simple Christmas greeting. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card, to echo the front of the card. On the white panel, I stamped a two-tone greeting and added a tiny bunch of blue and green berries.

My last card today, focuses on the Christmas wreath:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Merry Mantle

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Claire - Nocturne; Versamark

Dies: C&9 - Merry Mantle; Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: SU Card - Shaded Spruce, Certainly Celery; White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Copic Markers; Nuvo - Glitter Drops - Ruby Slippers

I'm submitting this card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - MLCCB#36 where it's always Anything Christmas goes.

I used dark green card for the note card here. I used Versamark ink to randomly stamp the little berry branch all over the front of the card. I die cut a small panel of light green card onto which I stamped a Christmas message. Using the technique outlined above, I stamped, coloured and die cut the Christmas wreath. I added a simple string bow and some red glitter drops for the berries. Once dry, I used dimensional pads to adhere the wreath to the front of the card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of light green card. On the white panel, I stamped the Christmas stocking at the top and coloured them to match the card. I finished by adding a Christmas greeting.

I had fun making these cards and could have made a lot more! So, just doing my Christmas in July theme, I have another six cards, so far, to add to my Christmas card stash. Do join in with me and share your creations on Seven Hills Craft Facebook page - we'd love to see what you make.

That's all from me today. See you again soon.

SHC - A Topping Christmas ....

.... Good morning! I'm here this morning with my Seven Hills Craft blog post - the last one of 2020!! I know that I said I'd finished with all my Christmas cards, but I've got a couple more to share. Today, I'm sharing the card I've made for my hubby, Jonathan. This is a big card - 8" square - well he deserves something special.

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold - Frosty's Hat, Big & Bold - Winter Wishes Snowflake; Concord & 9th - All the Merrys, Snowflake Turnabout

Inks: Gina K - Sea Glass, Blue Lagoon; Delicata - Silvery Shimmer; Versafine - Onyx Black

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Nuvo - Clear Aquashimer Brush; Clear Embossing Powder

I stamped the card with lots of snowflakes. I stamped the large snowflake in shimmery silver and added some soft teal snowflakes over the top. I stamped a bold greeting in the corner. I stamped the large top hat on white card, coloured the image with Copic markers, put it back in the MISTI and restamped with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I did the same to make the bunch of holly. I fussy cut both images and edged them with black ink. I added some shimmer to the hat band with a clear aquashimmer brush. On the inside, of the card I kept it very simple with a greeting and another bunch of holly.

I'm submitting this card to Uniko - USC#62 - where the theme is Tis the Season and an optional twist of sparkle, and to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#85 where the theme is anything Christmas goes.

That's all from me today. Do pop by again tomorrow, I've one more Christmas card to share. See you then.

SHC - Christmas Trees Galore ...

.... Hello! I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft post - a bit late, but I was busy watching the Bake Off final last night!! I've made four more cards for my Christmas stash all using products from Concord & 9th. I'll start off with my tree shaped cards:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Inks: Versamark; Gina K - Red Velvet, Obsidian Amalgam

Dies: C&9 - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Old Olive, Mossy Meadow; Gold Embossing Powder; Gold, Silver, Red Mirri Card; Clear Aquashimmer Brush; Glossy Accents

I used the large tree die from Trim the Tree to make these shaped cards. They were very easy to make. I cut a panel of white card 11" x 4¼", folded it in half and placed the die on it so the top was over the crease, and ran it through the Big Shot. I ended up with a tree shaped card that will stand easily on the tree trunk. I used the same die to cut two green trees to go on the front of the cards.

Before attaching the green trees I added some decorations. On the dark green tree I used the stitch die (from Trim the Tree) to add stitched decorations and on the light green tree I stamped Christmas lights using stamps (Trim the Tree). I adhered the trees to the cards and continued to add more decorations - you can't have too many decorations on a Christmas tree!! I used the bauble garland and ornament dies to cut gold, silver and red decorations. I added the words 'fa la la' to the front of the light green tree, added some sparkle with a clear aquashimmer brush and went over with glossy accents. On the dark green tree, I stamped a large greeting and embossed it with gold powder. On the inside of both cards, I stamped a Christmas message in red ink.

I'm submitting these cards to the current challenge at The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#84 where it's Anything Christmas Goes.

The next two Christmas trees are the focal images on actual cards:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Inks: Versamark; Gina K - Red Velvet, Sea Glass, Dark Chocolate, Obsidian Amalgam

Dies: C&9 - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Old Olive, Mossy Meadow; Gold Embossing Powder; Gold, Silver, Red Mirri Card; Clear Aquashimmer Brush; Glossy Accents

I used some of the stamps from Trim the Tree to make the backgrounds on these cards. I added stitched garlands to the light green tree and die cut the words 'fa la la' out of the dark green tree. I glued them to the front of the cards and added more decorations. On the plaid card I added a gold star and silver bauble garlands, along with the word 'Christmas' in a pretty script font on the sides. On the snowy card I used the inlaid die technique to add the word 'fa la la' in red mirri card. I also added a cute gold bow and some more decorations. On the inside of each card, I stamped a large greeting in bright red ink.

I'm submitting the snowy card to Jingle Belles - JB:20:24 where we should take inspirations from the blog's banner. I've picked the snowy background, the trees, red letters and glitter.

Before I go, here's a photo (sorry, it's not a great photo) showing how the shaped Christmas tree card stands up - I think it's very cute:

Just a quick warning - there are only four weeks' until Christmas! Yes, I'm not sure how that crept up on me either. If you want some ideas, we've got a fun Santa Claus theme over at Christmas 24Challenge and there's still time to join in with the challenge.

I've got to go through my Christmas card list and make sure all the addresses are up to date. I think that sending cards this year will be even more important than in past years. We've not been able to meet up with so many of our friends and family, so a card and letter is a great way of keeping in touch. That's all for now. See you again soon.

SHC - Friends and Christmas ....

... Hello! It's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft post. I've made some quick and easy cards this week:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Buds and Blossoms

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocture, Summertime; Gina K - Passionate Pink

Accessories: White Card

This card is based on the sketch from the current CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#398; it's been a while since I played along. I used two large sentiments in black ink, stamped the outline flower and then added some colour with the matching solid flower image. I also added some orange dots in the middle of the flower. This is ultra clean and simple and very quick. The inside is blank for my own message.

My next two cards use more of the smaller flower images from the stamp set:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Buds and Blossoms

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocture, Summertime, Cheerful, Charming Pink, Purple Delight

Accessories: Cream Card

The card on the left is 6¼" × 4½". I used my MISTI to make the card. I stamped the orange flower first, turned the card and stamped again in the opposite corner. I repeated this process with the yellow and purple flowers. I masked the yellow flowers and stamped them again in pink. I finished this card with a simple sentiment in the middle of the card. The card on the right is smaller at 5½" × 4¼" (a standard A2 card in the USA). Once again, I used the MISTI to stamp the card and create the floral background. I should have allowed the ink to dry more before adding the 'thank you' sentiment - you can see that the black ink has bled a little. Oh well, never mind, this is a handmade card! Once again the insides are blank for my message.

I'm submitting the 'Hello Friend' card to The Flower Challenge - TFC#50 where they want us to use a sentiment. The 'Thank you' card is being submitted to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#20 - this is a brand new set!!

I was having such fun with these cards, and they were so quick to make, that I decided to make a set of Christmas cards too:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - All the Merrys, Pinstripe Background

Inks: Versafine Clair - Green Oasis, Warm Breeze, Fantasia, Acorn, Tulip Red; Gina K - Key Lime, Sea Glass, Wild Wisteria, Sweet Mango, Innocent Pink; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Accessories: White Card

For the focal sentiment, I used the two-step 'Merry Christmas' stamps from All the Merrys. I stamped first in the light shade and then in a darker co-ordinating shade. I used the matching outline letters in black to define the words. Then I played. I used the Pinstripe background to add some decoration. I left the teal card ultra clean and simple with only the sentiment in the centre. I stamped diagonals on the top left and bottom right corners of the orange and green cards. On the lilac card I added diagonals all around the words. Finally, on the red card, I stampted diagonals on the top right and bottom left - first in pink and then shifted the card and added red stripes. The insides are blank. I think my two favourite cards are the teal and red ones. I'm submitting the teal card to the current CAS on Friday - CASOF#193 challenge where they want us to use a big sentiment.

That's all from me today. Have a good week. Take care and be safe.