Dancing Skeleton .....

.... Hi!  Talk about a dull, grey day - that's what we've got here in Northville.  The upside is that it is very warm.  Still, I think I'd rather cooler and brighter.  Yesterday I thought I'd finished with Halloween cards, but it seems I was wrong.  I've made another - using two challenges:

• Dynamic Duos - DD25 where the colours are orange and black - see it's Halloween!!
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL213 

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Hocus Pocus

Inks: Versamark; Distress - Antique Linen

Dies: Memory Box - Dancing Skeleton

Accessories:  Stampin' Up! Design Paper - Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black; Cosmic Shimmer - Rich Gold;  White embossing powder, Glitter and card from stash

I spritzed some rich gold shimmer mist onto plain black card and allowed it to dry.  Then I stamped the greeting in Versamark and heat embossed that with detail white powder.  Next I cut three ribbons in SU design papers selecting different sides for each ribbon.  I distressed some white card with Antique Linen ink and then cut out the skeleton.  I ran the pieces through my Xyron and then attached them to the card finishing off with some glitter on the skeleton.  This was such fun to make!!!

That's all for now - I really ought to get some house stuff done!  See you tomorrow.

Round, like a circle ....

... this week, the Walzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC 66 is a sketch from Claire - and she's gone for a lovely circular card!  Now, I don't have much success with circular cards - so I did think about simply making a rectangular card with a large circular focal image.  Then I thought again and decided to have a go!! 



The card is also for the current Ribbon Reel challenge - RR11, which has been set by Keilly and she's given us a lovely inspiration photo of the most magnificent Birthday cake.  As usual we must feature the colours and have ribbon and/or lace on the card. 

Darn just read the instructions again - and realised that the theme for the card should be Birthday - obviously really when it's a birthday cake!  Hey ho!  Mine's an anniversary card!  Well I'll submit it anyway - maybe the girls won't notice ;)

There was only ever going to be one way for me to make this card and that was to use my Spellbinders nesties.  And I used my nice new Grand Scalloped Circle to make the card.  This is a large card measuring almost 7" in diameter - and it's turned out rather differently to my initial thoughts!!

I started off with an 8" square card and the Grand Calibur to cut out the base card, making sure I left part of the side intact.  Next I cut complete plain circle which I sprayed with Cosmic Shimmer - the plan was for a very subtle shimmer.  My spray bottle didn't help - I ended up with some rather large splats!  Still looked okay, so I left it to dry.  Meanwhile I stamped one of the large doilies onto some blue vellum, embossed with white powder and then cut it out.  I also stamped a couple of the smaller doilies onto some pink paper, again doing a fussy cut!  I also prepared the sentiment label - using one of the very pretty fancy tags. 

I created the background by dividing the scalloped circles - using post-it notes - and then stamped the trellis pattern on the narrow edge and used several flourishes on the wide edge.  In my first take on the card I did have a huge bit of frilly lace covering all the trellis pattern - but it just didn't look right, so I removed it and used this lovely satin ribbon over the join!!  Finally, I added the doilies, the label sentiment and sweet brad.  Not quite what I had in mind, but I think a much nicer card than it was.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse: Dainty Doilies - Large, Flourishes - Scallops & Dots, Pic-Nic Patterns, Say It with Style
Inks:  Distress - Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
Spellbinders: Grand Big Scalloped Circles (LF-249) #6, Fancy Tags Two (S5-030)
Accessories:  Cosmic Shimmer - Aqua Lagoon; Papermania - Inspirations Warm Tones; Stampin' Up! - Filigree Brad; Ribbon, vellum and card from stash

We had a super day out at the Food Festival yesterday - it was warm, sunny and really busy.  I took loads of photos on my new camera - I feel it's going to be quite a big learning curve!  What looked to be excellent on the camera, turned out to be not quite right when viewed large on the PC.  The auto-focus (it'll be a while before I play with manual) didn't always focus on the subject!!  Nearly, but not quite.  I'll be going through the pictures this week and post a few later on.

Now - I'm off for breakfast and a quick tidy before heading off to craft class.  Have a good day - see you tomorrow!

CR84FN39 - Thanksgiving ...

... it's time for the new CR84FN colour challenge - it's completely different to last time.  For the next two weeks our colours are orange, yellow and brown - shades of Autumn (or Fall, for our American friends).

What's your favourite season of the year?  When I'm asked that question - I have to be honest and say it depends.  I usually pick the season we're in - who couldn't love the warm, deep colours of autumn - the shades of yellow, orange and brown - just lovely!  And aren't these photos just stunning  - and I got the inspiration for my card from that lovely Autumn Wreath.

I started off with a plain white card and added some yellow ink to the edges.  I placed a leaf mask on the card and the sprayed, lightly, with some gold Cosmic Shimmer - the leaf pattern has a lovely shimmer.  I stamped the wreath onto plain white card and coloured with Promarkers. I used the Spellbinders lacey square to cut the base layer in brown.  In my stash I found some lovely fabric in shades of orange and yellow - perfect!!  Onto the dark orange fabric I stamped the sweet oak leaves and acorns, and I stitched a square of the yellow and orange fabric to the brown base layer.  Next I added a plain white card on which I'd stamped a brown frame and sentiment.  I used pinflair glue to give the oak leaf wreath some dimension. 

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse: Peace and Plenty, Teeny Trees, Frame It
Inks: Distress - Mustard Seed; Stazon - Timber Brown; Memento - Rich Cocoa; Versafine - Vintage Sepia
Spellbinders:  Lacey Squares (S4-295) #5, Standard Squares Lg (S4-126) #6
Accessories:  Creative Expressions - Leaves mask; Cosmic Shimmer Gold Shimmer; Fabric and card from stash

Now, if you'd like to see more inspirational cards with these fabulous colours, please do check out the Design Team's blogs:

Sue

Andrea

Stephanie

Suzanne

Heather

Mona
Lisa

 Marie Oberg - our Guest Designer

That's all for now.  We're off to the Mold Food Festival today - it's an annual event where local farmers, small holders and businesses get together to show off, and sell, their produce.  It's such fun - we get so try different foods, see cookery techniques, the kids usually get to make a quick and easy recipe of some sort.  We always come home with lots of food goodies - so I'm looking forward to what I can add to the larder!!  Have a good day and I'll see you tomorrow!

CR84FN31, Part II ....

... I realised after I'd scheduled last week's post, that I'd forgotten to mention something important!  Silly me!!  Starting with CR84FN31 - last Sunday - the CR84FN Design Team is taking things a bit slower.  For the duration of the summer hols, we're doing the challenges on a fortnightly basis, and we'll return to normal weekly challenges from Sunday 4th September. 

However, that doesn't mean I can't share another card with you that I've made using the CR84FN31 colours - the pink, green and neutral scheme is just yummy!  My card features flowers - like last time - but this time the feel is totally different!  And where my dominant colour last time was green - this time I've gone girly with lots of hot pink!!

I used a mask to make the background - I simply laid it over the card base and sprayed my Cosmic Shimmer Mist all over building up the depth of colour gradually.  After removing the mask, I dried the card base to make sure I didn't smudge it!  Next I cut out some backing mat using my nesties.  On a bit of the green paper I also stamped some leaves.  I stamped the flowers using Versamark and Rose Bud and quickly poured on clear embossing powder and heat set it.  In real life the flowers have a lovely shine!  I sprayed them with the Cosmic Shimmer to match the background.  The small mat was sprayed with a green Cosmic Shimmer mist.  Finally, I added a large brad onto which I burnished a greeting!   Kathryn loves this card!!

Stamps:  Dawn Bibby - Daisies
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud
Spellbinders:  Lacey Squares (S4-295) die # 4,  Classic Squares Sm (S4-128) die #5
Accessories:  Cosmic Shimmer Mists - Candy Pink and Meadow Lush; Cosmo Cricket Paper - De Lovely; Creative Expressions Mica Mask - Floral Lace; Hot of the Press - Large Brad and transfer; Card from stash

I know that some of  the DT have made another card this week - so do check out the CR84FN blog to see CR84FN Part II - a bit like a film sequel :)  Participation may vary - depending on who is away on holiday at the time!  You've got plenty of time to play along with the challenge - what are you waiting for?  These colours are just so gorgeous!!  Our inspiration pictures are courtesy of Steve Steinhardt.

I had planned to make some cards yesterday and get them posted.  Instead I ended up tidying my craft room - it was looking like a bomb had hit it!  Now it's looking quite good - I can see the floor again - and find stuff too.  So I plan to spend some time playing today - and I hope to post a card or two later this afternoon.  Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend.  Bye for now.

Quiz winner ....

.... the challenge for this week over at Waltzingmouse Sketch is a real fun one - they've given us a pennant as the basis of our design.  At first I was going to be quite literal and simply make a banner, but I ended up making a card.

As you know, I am Scout Leader for our local Group.  Well, last week there was a district quiz competition, but we didn't manage to get a team together, and I was feeling a bit rough so I didn't go down for the evening.  So you can imagine my surprise and shock when there was a knock at my door last Thursday to see Katie and Lena (her mum) standing there holding a Prize Shield.  Katie was beaming from ear to ear and delighted in telling me that we had won the Quiz competition!! ???  Katie went along to the competition on her own and represented the Group - and she won - all on her own!!  So the card I've made is especially for her - she's a winner!

I was lucky to get my new lacey pennant dies last week, so I was delighted be able to use them on this card.  The colours are from this week's CR84FN challenge - cream, garnet and chartreuse - wonderful colours, and I'm so pleased to use them again - check it out!!

I stamped the lovely swirly banner from the new Waltzingmouse Vintage Banner set in Versamark and then embossed it with Cosmic Shimmer Lava Red Aurora.  The embossed pennant was cut out with the matching Spellbinders Lacey Pennant, and then tinted with shabby shutters distress ink.  I decided that I'd have some smaller banners hanging behind the main pennant, so used the coordinating swirly pennant from Bitty Banners.  I stamped two rows - one in shabby shutters and one in aged mahogany.  The sentiment comes from another Waltzingmouse set - Back in the Saddle, but seemed to be totally appropriate for this card.  Finally, I added two ribbons to the main pennant - they started off as white ribbon, but were dyed with aged mahogany!  You should see my fingers ;)))

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Vintage Banners, Bitty Banners, Back in the Saddle
Inks:  Distress - Shabby Shutters, Aged Mahogany; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders:  Nested Lacey Pennants (S5-029) die #4
Accessories:  Cosmic Shimmer Lava Red Aurora embossing powder; Card from stash; Ribbon from stash

I don't quite know how I've managed to get another card done so quickly.  Actually I do, I was all ready to pack Kathryn's bags for her, but she'd done it!!  So all I had to do was check to make sure that she has everything she's going to need for the next few days.  She's so grown up, so independent and so excited!!  And that really is all for today.  I want to spend some time this evening catching up on blogs, tidying my desk (which looks like a bomb site) and reading my new book.  The last part of the Jean Auel series :)

Oven fresh ...

... this card is for two challenges.  The first is from Stamptacular Sunday - where they would like us to make a project that features food.  Over at Little Red Wagon the challenge this week is to use some misting on your project.

On one of my recent trips to my local craft shop I picked up some Cosmic Shimmer sprays - I had a voucher from a previous shop so these were basically free!!  For the base card I used a pearly champagne card from my stash and decided to bling it up by using the sprays.  I added three colours - Ancient Copper, Golden Mint and Meadow Lush - drying each before applying the next colour.  Then, using my favourite rodent stamps, I stamped the pie and pear onto plain white card.  I coloured both images with Promarkers and then over sprayed with more Cosmic Shimmer spray this tie in Gold.  I cut out the pie and pear, stuck the pie to the centre of the card and then stamped the frame and greeting.  Finally I added the pear to the corner.  Such a yummy looking card!!  It has such a lovely shimmer.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Peace and Plenty, Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
Cosmic Shimmer Sprays:  Ancient Copper, Golden Mint, Meadow Lush, Gold
Promarkers: Forest Green, Pear Green, Lime Green, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Oatmeal, Apricot, Ruby

I've a lot on today - planning for Scouts this evening.  I always seem to save it up to do just before the meeting!!  Tonight we're looking at - SPACE.  We've been given a telescope for the Group - it's not been used before, so I don't know what it'll be like, but we'll have a play.  I'm also going to take my binoculars along - it's a full moon, so we should get some great views of the moon's surface - cloud permitting!!

Hopefully, I'll be able to post again later this evening.  Have a good day.