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.

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 - Birthday Balloons ....

... Morning! Hope you're all keeping well and safe. We're on holiday!!! We should have been in Turkey enjoying the sun and sea, but as things stand we're doing day trips around North Wales - still nice and lots of fun!

I'm here this morning with my card for Seven Hill Craft blog. I've made a simple and fun birthday card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Birthday Stacks; Lawn Fawn - Chit Chat
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Clair - Verdant
Dies: Concord & 9th - Birthday Stacks; Lawn Fawn - Chit Chat
Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Granny Apple Green; Copic Markers; Sakura Stardust Glitter Pens; Clear Embossing Powder

I used the sketch from the current CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#382 challenge.

I started by stamping the circles onto white card, coloured them with a selection of green Copic markers, restamped with Versafine black ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I added the string images to make them into balloons; I extended the strings with a black marker pen. I added some glitter with Sakura pens and then cut out the panel with the matching die.I adhered the panel to the front of the card. On scrap card I stamped the cute little bird and a fun speech bubble saying 'happy birthday'. I embossed both these images and cut them out with the matching dies. I used dimensional pads to attach them to the card. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of green card and on the white panel I stamped a birthday message along with some cute birthday presents.

I sent this to my nephew - he was 18 last Sunday. I think it's a fun card and I'm absolutely sure he enjoyed the birthday present inside!! That's all for now. See you again soon.

Creative Chaos ....

... Good afternoon! Have you been enjoying the rain? I've had to be careful when I go out for a walk, got soaked on Wednesday, but I've managed to go out between the showers. The garden is looking lush!! Anyway, I spent this morning playing with a few challenges and this is the card I made:

Stamps: Visible Image - Random Acts of Kindness, Creative Chaos
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Key Lime, Jelly Bean Green, Jet Black Amalgam
Accessories: White Card; Visible Image Stencil - Two Tone; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to The Card Concept - CC#136 where they want Bright Flowers, Colour Throwdown - CTD#596 - those gorgeous bright colours, and CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS#375.

I masked off a rectangle on the card and applied two shades of green ink through a dotty stencil. After removing the masking tape I stamped the stem of one flower directly on the card and heat embossed with clear powder. I put the card back in my MISTI and stamped the flower head and heat embossed. I finished the front by stamping the sentiment directly over the flower and embossing. I stamped the flower again on scrap white card, coloured it with Copic markers, restamped and heat embossed with clear powder. I carefully cut it out and used dimensional pads to attach it to the card. I also added a lot of shimmer to the flower. On the inside I kept it simple with a tiny flower.

I took a close up photo of the flower to show the sparkle, and you can see it in this photo - the sun came out and it sparkled!!

That's all from me today, the sun has come back out and I'm going to grab the chance of another walk before the rain comes back. See you again soon.

Dreams ....

... Hello! I guess we're all getting fed up with all the wind and rain here in the UK.  We've been luckier than many, but the winds yesterday were rough.  It really was whistling around the house.  So, I had no guilt at all in staying in and crafting.  I made a card for several challenges - and it's not a Christmas card!!

Stamps: Pink & Main - Believe Script; Happy Little Stampers - Doodle Flowers
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Grey Granite, Melon Mambo, Gorgeous Grape; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Copic Markers; Tim Holtz Stenicls - Dot Fade (THS006), Hocus Pocus (THS131); Clear Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - HLSCAS#02, CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS#360, and Colour Throwdown - CTD#581.

I went for a very literal take on the CTS sketch, using two different stencils to create a background for the bold, positive sentiment. I added a simple leaf to drawn attention to the words.  I've kept the inside blank for my own message - I've a feeling this may well be for our daughter - she's making big plans for university and beyond.

It was fun making a non-festive card.  That's all for today - I'll be back again soon.  Have a good weekend.

Birthday Wishes ...

... Evening! I hope you're having a good weekend.  Mine's been really good, I've managed to get in lots of crafting.  I made another birthday card for my stash this afternoon:

Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy - Balloon Tangle, Shine; MFT - Bitty Birthday Wishes
Inks: Memento - Summer Sky, Bahama Blue; Gina K - Black Onyx; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: D2BA - Hot Air Balloon
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Tim Holtz Watercolour card; Zig Clean Colour Brushes; Clear Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS#356, Dare 2B Artzy - DTBA#01 Winter challenge, and to Allsorts Challenge - AC#556 where the theme is Take Flight.

I've gone for cool winter colours for this card.  I stamped the balloon onto watercolour card (using my MISTI), coloured it with Zig brushes and then restamped with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  I then cut it out with the matching die.  I flipped the sketch through 180 degrees and created a blue sunray pattern - suggestive of the sky.  I stamped the greeting in black and added the hot air balloon with dimensional tape.  On the inside I simply stamped a couple of mini hot air balloons and added a greeting.

As well as making a much needed card, I've also been stamping lots of Dyan Revealey images onto media paper to cut out this evening while I watch Dr Who - such a fun way to spend the evening.  That's all for now.  See you soon.

Relaxing ....

.... Hi! Yesterday was so weird! It poured with rain, the wind blew a gale and the sun came out - it felt more like autumn than summer. The positive was that I spent the afternoon in my craft room catching up with challenges. I made a fun card:

Stamps: Impression Obsession - Have a Seat
Inks: Gina K - Black Onyx
Dies: Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #1
Accessories: White Lustre Card; K-ology DP - Addison; Copic Markers

The theme at Time Out Challenges - TOC#141 is Relaxation. I think there is nothing more relaxing than sitting in a comfy armchair with a good book in front of a roaring fire. Well, there's no fire here at the moment, but I plan on that comfy chair and book later today. The layout is loosely based on last week's CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#333 and the colours are from Global Design Project - GDP#201.

I had a rummage through my stamps and found this old set from Impression Obsession. I stamped the armchair on some old design paper and fussy cut it out. I used my Misti to stamp the large sentiment, coloured the letters with Copic markers and restamped it with bold black ink. I die cut two fishtail banners and added a couple of sentiments. On the inside I cut a white panel and added a border of the design paper to the edge. I finished with a simple word - Relax!!

It's been a quiet weekend - Kat went over to her friend's house yesterday for a movie session - all night! I have to pick her up later today. Mum has been watching her favourite animal/garden TV programmes and I've just been playing. Feels so good to be back.