Big hugs ....

.... That's what I'm sending to my friend Kathy - she's not been feeling very well lately, so I want to send her my best wishes and a virtual hug.  I've made Kathy's card with three challenges in mind:

• For Your Inspiration - FYI#22 - photo inspiration and I used the colours
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL174 - sketch layout
• Cooking It Up with Katie - CIU#88 - where they would like to see an embossed heart

I think the inspiration photo is just gorgeous and my initial thoughts included a tree with golden leaves, but it just wouldn't come together properly.  And today, after I saw my friend's note about feeling poorly, I decided to make a card for her - not a specific get well card, but one to let her know that I'm sending hugs and good wishes.  I was going to over stamp the long text panel with a message, but decided to keep things simple and put the sentiment in the heart.  My heart has two forms of embossing - dry via the Spellbinder dies and heat on the sentiment.  I'll be posting this to Kathy in the morning.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - En Francais; Waltzingmouse - Sweethearts

Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Peach Parfait, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz

Spellbinders: Scalloped Hearts (S4-137), Hearts (S4-136)

Accessories:  Martha Stewart - border punch, card and embossing powder

It's been a really good day.  I set up the ironing board in front of the TV and got it all done while catching up with some episodes of Criminal Minds!  It really does make things go much quicker.  At lunch time I saw the last ¾ hour of the Murray v Djokovic semi-final at the Australian Open.  From what I saw it was fantastic - at one point I thought it was all over for Andy, then he came back and almost made it.  He really pushed Djokovic all the way.  Jonathan is still feeling quite jet-lagged - it'll take a while before he's back on UK time. Now I'm going to try and find a channel showing the European Ice Skating championships - it's proving really difficult.  The championships are being held in Sheffield!!!  I would love to have been able to go.  That's all for now.  See you tomorrow.

Corners, recycled Christmas ...

... I've made this card for two challenges, and as part of my on-going resolution to make at least one Christmas card a week!.  So, to the challenges - this week at Cooking It Up with Katie the recipe is to "use some red, add a little ribbon and don't forget the corners".  Over at Waltzingmouse Makes they have started a new monthly Christmas Card challenge -  you will have to join the forum to take part in this challenge but it's fun.  And the theme for January - yes I know it's a bit late, but we have until June to upload our cards - is to use something recycled from Christmas - the card must also feature some Waltzingmouse stamps.  They have prizes too!!  My card is really quite clean and simple.

The recycled items on my card are the snowflake button and the stack of parcels (cut out from a card).  The corners have been decorated with a couple of stamps from my collection of Waltzingmouse stamps.  I stamped the red flourish directly on the card and the holly leaves and berries were stamped on plain card, coloured with Promarkers and attached.  I added a lovely red ribbon to the snowflake button - looks a bit like a shooting star!!  Finally, I added a simple Christmas greeting.  I really like the card - red and green, very festive.  Very quick!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Very Vintage Christmas Stamp Set
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug
Promarkers:  Lush Green, Poppy
Accessories:  Card, ribbon from stash

That's all for now - got to get some housework done this morning.  I'll be back later!!

Bon Voyage ....

..... this card is for this week's challenge over at Cooking It Up with Katie.  The recipe for this week is "use something metal, add a little brown and make sure you have 2 designer papers".  I wasn't at all sure where to go with this one.  However, rummaging through my designer paper stash - boy do I have a lot - I found a pad of paper entitled "For Him" - great shades of blues and browns.  And that was the starting point - this is my card.

I think I mentioned earlier this week that Jonathan is off to India shortly.  He's off on business for three months - the house will seem so empty without him, but it's a good job and he does want to see Mumbai!  So this is Jonathan's going away card - he's seen it already!!!  Never mind, the thought's there.  I used Spellbinders wonky squares to cut out the layers. I ran the copper metallic card through my bug to add some texture.  The image is from Waltzingmouse Stamps and is coloured with Promarkers.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Half Pint Heroes; Penny Black - Sentiments
Inks:  Memento - Rich Cocoa
Promarkers:  Blush, Satin, Cool Aqua, Warm Grey 1, 2 and 4, Walnut, Cinnamon
Paper:  Papermania - For Him 6" × 6" pad
Cuttlebug:  Diamond Plate folder
Spellbinders:  Wonky Squares (S4-289) dies #7 and #5

That's all for today - it's been great fun.  Jonathan has been working on his photos - he's almost up to date.  Jonathan's also started to think about what he needs to take to India - I think the baggage allowance is 50 kgs.  I think that's one case for business and one for casual!!  We've got a lot to do next week.

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for the new CR84FN challenge - we've got some wonderful colours for you!  See you then!

Butterfly wings ...

... texture and shades of white - all make up this very special card.  It's a combination of three challenges:  Mojo Monday - MOJO175 (sketch); Cooking It Up with Katie - sketch me a textured punch and Flutter by Wednesday - FBW139 white on white.

When I saw the challenge from Flutter by Wednesday I knew just what I wanted to make - an anniversary card for my husband.  We celebrate 10 years of marriage in April - yes, I know it a few months away, but I like to be prepared!!  I found the perfect layout at Mojo Monday, and over at Katie's place - the recipe is to use a sketch from another challenge, add some texture and finish with a punch.

I started off with a plain A5 pearly white blank, and added the first layer - some wonderful Stampin' Up! designer paper called Bride (sadly now discontinued) which has a gorgeous flourish pattern on it.  I found a lovely Cuttlebug folder called Floral Fantasy and embossed some matching pearly white card.  I mounted this piece on some white glitter paper from my stash.  The main topper was made from some white holographic card, which I cut with the Spellbinders Lotus pendant.  The butterfly has been stamped with London Fog and coloured with Promarkers, I cut it out using Spellbinders plain circles - I distressed the edge slightly with Antique Linen. 

I stamped the butterfly onto some vellum, coloured it on the back and added some glamour dust to the front.  To complete the butterfly I added some clear gems (see picture below for a detailed view).  The flower is made from a pretty hand crocheted rose (from Sue Walsh - A Consuming Passion), a couple of white feathers and a fabric flower from my stash.  I added a satin ribbon - not quite white, but the only one I have!!  Finally, the greeting comes from Waltzingmouse Stamps - Sweethearts); stamped in London Fog and cut out with Spellbinders dies. 

Stamps:  Creative Expressions - Small Giant Butterfly (HH283E);  Waltzingmouse Stamps - Sweethearts
Cuttlebug:  Floral Fantasy Embossing Folder
Spellbinders:  Lotus Pendant (S4-269), Standard Circles Lg (S4-114) die #6, Mega Ovals Lg (S5-023) die #2, Mega Classic Scalloped Ovals Lg (S5-024) die #2
Inks:  Memento - London Fog, Tuxedo Black; Distress - Antique Linen
Promarkers: Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 3, Orchid, Bluebell, Royal Blue
Paper:  Stampin' Up! - Designer Paper Bride (discontinued)
Accessories:  Ribbon, gems, flowers and card from stash

I am absolutely delighted with this card - it turned out even better than I was hoping.  Now I have to put it away safely (and remember where I put it) until April. 

That's all for now.  I've had a great time playing this afternoon, but think that I'll have a glass of wine and read for a bit now!!  See you tomorrow.

Cute and green ...

... and some brads - this is the recipe for this week's challenge over at Cooking It Up With Katie.  I'm also entering this card into the challenge over at Little Red Wagon - they want a one layer wonder!

Stamps:  Pink Petticoat - Dog in the Chair;  Waltzingmouse Stamps - Frame-It
Inks:  Memento - Cottage Ivy, Lady Bug
Promarkers:  Meadow Green, Apple, Emerald, Apricot, Ginger, Lipstick Red, Cool Grey 1
Accessories:  Green gems

I only realised when I'd scanned the card that I slipped slightly with the greeting - darn!!  I don't have time at the moment to fix this, so I'll sort it out tomorrow.  I sort of cheated a bit with the green brads bit - I don't like the tails on the inside of the card, so I used some tiny gems instead.  This is a cute little card - it's only 3" x 3" - perfect when you need a little pick-me-up!!

I've been very busy in my craft room today working on a project - but you'll have to check back next week to see that one :))  See you tomorrow.

Sunny day ....

.... and challenges.  It might be a bit cold here today, but the sun is shining and the sky is blue - such a cheery day, so I decided that my card would reflect that feeling.  This card is for two challenges, a sketch from Stamptacular Sunday Challenges and a recipe from Cooking it Up with Katie.  The recipe from Katie is "make it for someone you love, use any form of embossing and add a little pink" and here's the sketch: 

I've pretty much kept to the sketch layout as shown (it's a very useful sketch, this one).  With regard to the recipe - yes, I think I've stuck to that too.  It's not a Valentine card, but it is for someone I love - one of my closest friends - I don't see her often enough, but I think she's great.  The image is from Pink Petticoat (a source of lovely digi-images).  I've coloured it with Promarkers and added shading with my distress inks.  I've opted for dry embossing this time and used a pretty flower border from Provocraft, which I've lightly coloured with distress ink.  The backing papers were free from Creative Cardmaking and I found them when I had my clean up last week!!

Image:  Pink Petticoat
Promarkers: Various (forgot to write down names!)
Inks: Distress - Shabby Shutters, Bundled Sage, Tumbled Glass
Spellbinders:  Labels 8 (S5-019) die #4
Papers:  "Let them eat Cake" collection - Creative Cardmaking

I'm really pleased how well this turned out - it really is a bright, cheerful card and I think I'll pop it in the post to my friend when I go to collect Kathryn from school.  On the subject of Kathryn, she is really beginning to get into crafting.  I gave her a pack of goodies (from one of the magazines) and she's already made a couple of cards.  This morning we discussed the idea of her having her own blog!!!  We've had a serious discussion about internet safety, and I think I'm going to be creating a new blog for her this weekend - watch this space!!

I'm not sure if I'll be able to post anything else today.  It's our first Scout meeting of the term tonight.  We have a great evening planned and hopefully I will send them all home absolutely shattered :)

The recipe to follow ....

... for this week's challenge at Cooking It Up With Katie is to use some ribbon, a button or two and show an animal.  Now I found the sweetest little elephant when I visited Spyder's Corner during the WOYWW blog hop.  Lyn (Spyder) has drawn the cutest Elle with a heart and given it to us as a freebie - do check out her site - she does the sweetest animals!!

Anyway, I downloaded the image thinking I'd use it later - perhaps Valentine's!!  Then I saw the challenge must feature an animal - so it had to be Elle the Elephant.  The great thing about digital images is that you can resize them so easily.  I've actually made two cards for the challenge - both for new babies - one in blue (A6) and one in pink (square 13.5 x13.5 cm)!!  I've coloured the images with Promarkers and cut them out and mounted onto Spellbinder shapes, which had previously been coloured with co-ordinating Distress inks.  On the blue card I also added some Glossy Accents to the bow and hearts - looks great in real-life.  So here are the cards:

Image:  Elle with a Heart - Spyder's Corner
Promarkers: Ice Grey - 1, 3, 5; Blush, Powder Blue, Cobalt Blue, Royal Blue
Inks:  Distress - Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire
Spellbinders:  Beaded Ovals
Accessories:  Ribbon, butons, papers and greetings from stash

Image:  Elle with a Heart - Spyder's Corner
Promarkers: Cool Grey - 1, 3, 5; Blush, Baby Pink, Carmine
Inks:  Distress - Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
Spellbinders:  Crown Circles
Accessories:  Ribbon, butons, papers and greetings from stash

I'm really pleased with them - it's always useful to have baby cards in your stock - you never know when they might come in handy.  These were fun to make.

Finally, we woke to snow this morning.  The weather forecast has suggested snow, but we've been so lucky and managed to avoid most of the worst last time.  However, today it's been snowing steadily since we got up and the sky is very grey.  So far there's about an inch of snow on the ground.  I'm hoping that it stops soon!!  Still it's not stopping the school trip to the Panto - and that's the most important thing. 

Now I suppose I'd better finish off that ironing.  See you later.

Challenge cards ...

.. I finally made some today.  I had planned on getting into my craft room first thing this morning, but after looking at my daughter's bedroom I decided that she really needed my help to get it sorted out.  There was so much mess on the floor that she didn't know where to start!!  To be fair neither did I!  However, we finished it between us, and the place looks lovely now - a bedroom fit for a princess!!!

So I got to sit down this evening and had a play.  I decided that I'd have a go at the last challenge posted on Cooking It Up With Katie - the recipe this time being to use a favourite technique, and include some ribbon and brads.  Now most of you know that I love stamping - so of course that's the technique I opted to use. 

I stamped the image in versamark and embossed it with gold detail powder.  I coloured the image using pearlescent chalks - in real-life they have a lovely shimmer, but it doesn't really show up much in the photo!!  I used the beaded ovals from Spellbinders to make a matte, which I coloured with Tattered Rose Distress ink.  I threaded a pale green ribbon through the holes.  I thought the greeting was just right for the card, but I can't remember which company it's from.   I inked the edge of the card with Bundled Sage Distress ink. Finally I added some brads - but they looked awful, so I cheated a bit and added some pastel green gems!!

Stamps:  Aqualegia - borrowed from a friend; Greeting from set (don't know company)
Spellbinders:  Beaded ovals
Inks:  Distress - Bundled Sage, Tattered Rose
Accessories:  Ribbon and gems from stash

I'd like to take this opportunity to say Hi to Julie and Sam - the latest folk to join my band of followers.  Welcome!!

And that's all for this evening, it's been a long day, but I was pleased to get into my craft room - eventually!!!  Please drop by again - I have more to show you tomorrow.

Sparkly baubles ...

... are what I came up with for two challenges this week.  Cooking It Up with Katie - the recipe for this week is to show us Christmas, use some layers and have a bit of red.  The Little Red Wagon challenge was to use a die cut.  So I've combined both these challenges in one card.

I have a wonderful bauble punch from Stampin' Up!  - it's a lovely shape and fits their stamps perfectly.  I stamped three baubles in bright red; first I inked up the image with Versamark and then put the Distress ink on top of that.  Once I'd stamped the image I applied Kaleidoscope embossing powder and set this with my heat gut.  Result - three beautifully sparkling baubles.  This tip comes from Lisa - via the 12 Days of Christmas from Waltzingmouse.  I then used my punch to cut out the baubles.  Katie asked for layers - well I have two; the base card and the baubles!!  For the branch of the tree I used the wonderful Baroque stamp - makes a fab branch!!  Finally, I added a greeting and some strings and bows to hang the baubles.  Here it is -

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Baroque, Delightful Decorations; Greeting - free from magazine
Inks:  Versamark;  Distress - Barn Door
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! - Bauble Punch; Stampendous - Kaleidoscope Embossing Powder

I'm all set up for Cubs and Scouts this evening - I think it's going to be fun.  I hope to take some photos of their cards to show you tomorrow.  See you then.

Angelic Christmas ...

.... I made two cards for these challenges!  The first challenge is from Just Add Ink #45 was a sketch and the second challenge is from Cooking It Up with Katie - the ingredients this week - use some paint, add some rhinestones and make it angelic!

As I've got quite a few Christmas cards to make, I decided that these cards had to have Christmas as the main theme.  I got some stamps free with Cardmaking & Papercraft last month - pretty Christmas Fairies - so I decided to use them.  However, I really liked two of the images - so I made two cards.  Obviously they both follow the sketch layout above.  The paint I used was Twinkling H2Os - I love the effect you get with them and, of course, I added some glitter as you have to have bling at Christmas.  Here are the cards.

 

Stamps:  Cardmaking & Papercraft - Christmas Fairies

Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black

Twinkling H2Os: Oyster, Wild Blueberry, French Lilac, Blushing Rose, English Lavender, Irish Mist, Spiced Pumpkin

Papers:  Dovecraft - Christmas Blues; Anita's - Christmas Black

Spellbinders: Labels 3, Labels 1

I'm really pleased with them both - In real life the shimmer of the Twinkling H2Os is lovely - just a shame that it doesn't really show up on the photos!!  And that's all for tonight.  I'm about to go and babysit for my neighbour's two lovely little children, while she and her husband go out for a change!

Do drop by again tomorrow - and I'll have a few more challenges to show you.   Keep warm and safe.

Challenge workshop ...

... that's what my craftroom is going to be today.  The weathermen have promised us a cold, crisp and probably snowy day, so I have the perfect excuse to stay in a nice warm craftroom and play!!  And I have a list of challenges that I want to work on. 

The OLW challenge, at Styles Ink, this week is based on inspiration from Vigo cards and I've picked a few designs - now to produce some cards.  I'm going to do something with Katie's recipe for angelic rhinestones!!  And I also want to come up with something for the colour challenge from The Play Date Cafe - that could be interesting.  I have several others too. 

Come back later today and I should have something to show you.

At last, some challenges ...

... it's taken me rather longer than I thought to finally make some cards.  But I've done some now!!

The first one is for One Layer Wednesday, hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  This time Susan wanted us to base our card on some wonderful cakes at Cake Wreaks.  I based my card on this cake - it looks absolutely wonderful.  My card is okay but not great.  I decided to use my Cuttlebug folders to create some texture on the card - I used Swiss Dots and one of the fancy borders - they looked great.  Then I thought I'd add some colour by brushing my ink pad across the top of the card - unfortunately that didn't work out too well.  It's okay, but not perfect.  I added some ribbon and a greeting on a flower making the card not enitrely one layer!! 

I Dream of Cake

The next card covers two challenges - one for colour and one for design.  The colour challenge is from The Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC56 and the design is from Clean and Simple Stamping - FTL117. 

 

As I've still got so many cards to make for my Christmas collection, I decided that I'd use one of my new sets from Waltzingmouse Stamps - Around Christmastime.  This is a super set with lots of clean and simple images which I think work really well with the bright colours.  What do you think?

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Around Christmastime

Inks: Colourbox Pigment - Magenta, Olive, Turquoise

Paper: Pink Petticoat striped; Red foil card

Punch: Martha Stewart Christmas Ornaments

Last, but by no means least, is a card that I've made for the Cooking It Up with Katie challenge.  The recipe for this card was to use a punch, to add a little gold and to make it for your family.  Once again I used my trusty Around Christmastime stamps - I used the large image of Santa's head and embossed it with gold.  I coloured Santa's hat with Distress inks and added glitter for the edge of the hat and flock for his beard.  To make it for my family I decided that this is the card I'm sending to my sister and her husband.  I'm really pleased how this turned out.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps - Around Christmastime

Spellbinders:  Plain large circles, Large Inverted Circles

Accessories:  Glitter, white flock, gold embossing powder and gold peeloffs

That's all for now.  Back again tomorrow.

Card recipe ...

... Katie and the team at Cooking It Up with Katie posted another recipe yesterday, this time the ingredients are to include a food and/or drink, along with a tag (or two) and a sentiment.  I thought that was a lovely idea - and then I went to my stamp stash and realised that I only have a few stamps featuring foods - some cupcake stamps (which are lovely, but I've used them quite a bit) and a set featuring ice-creams.  Yes, I know it's almost the middle of November - and at the moment there's a howling gale blowing around my house!!  But I decided that my card would feature ice-cream!!  I think I must be mad - but then I do rather like the taste.  So here's the card:

Papers & image:  Pink Petticoat - Sweet Sundaes
Promarkers: Pastel Pink, Cocktail Pink, Poppy, Orchid, Lilac, Burnt Sienna, Vanilla, Blush, Forest Green
Stamps:  Woodware - Ice Cream Parfait
Spellbinders:  Labels 14
Stickles:  Diamond, Black Diamond
Ribbon, A6 card and pink holographic card from my stash

The background papers and images (including the little ones on the tags) come from Pink Petticoat.  I printed off several copies of the ice-cream sundae and coloured it with promarkers; I then cut out a couple of layers for the ice-cream.  I added some stickles to give a little glitter to the cherry and spinkles.  The greetings came from the Woodware set.  I made a set of three tags - the back two have little images of different ice-cream sundaes with another greeting on the top tage.  I finished it all off with a pretty pink bow.  Actually, I'm quite pleased with this one.

And that's all for tonight.  I'm off to make a nice warm cup of coffee!!  Note to self - get some drink (coffee) images :) 

I hope to be back tomorrow with another card.

Black, texture and swirls ...

.... these are the ingredients required in Challenge #36 at Cooking It Up with Katie.    This card also fulfils the challenge on One Stop Craft Challenge - here the requirement is to feature embossing.  It took me a while to come up with the design - and my requirement was that it would be a Christmas card to add to this year's collection.  So here it is:

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Delightful Decorations

Cuttlebug: D'vine Swirls

Embossing Powder: Heat It Up! - Red Tinsel, Black Tinsel

Peeloffs: Dawn Bibby tiny sentiments

Card/Paper:  From stash

Accessories:  Ribbon from stash

The silver metallic foil hasn't shown up too well on the picture - but it's lovely in real life.  These bauble stamps are great - so versatile and I've embossed them with sparkly powder - again not too clear in the picture, but very twinkly here!!

I'm off back to my craftroom, as I've got an idea for another challenge.  I should be back again later.