Do You Stack Up - teacups? .....

...  Morning all - I've been so excited and it's been really hard to keep this under my hat, but I can tell you now - I've been invited to be Guest Designer at DYSU Challenge - thank you ladies!!  Sadly, this is the last DYSU challenge - but we're going out in style and the theme this week is Turquoise - one of my favourite colours.  I was given a digi image from Rhoda Design Studio - teacups!!  I made two cards.

Stamps: Rhoda Design Studio - Teacups Digi Image; Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea, Afternoon Tea Sentiments
Inks: Distress - Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Broken China
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 20 (S5-026) #3
Accessories: Promarkers - Marine, Petrol Blue, Turquoise, Ivory, Warm Grey 1, Cool Aqua; Turquoise paper and card from stash

I like playing with digi images - you can make them fit whatever size card you need.  I printed this onto white card and cut it out with my Spellbinder die using the "out-of-the-box" technique.  I decided to have ivory teacups with the patterns in turquoise and just a touch of orange.  I mounted the image on some turquoise paper from my stash.  I decorated the card base with various stamps from Waltzingmouse - they were made to go with these teacups!  And the sentiment is just fab.

I was having so much fun with the teacups that I made another card!  I decided to go a bit bolder this time.

Stamps: Rhoda Design Studio - Teacups Digi Image
Inks: Distress - Tumbled Glass
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 18 (S4-310) #5; Simon Says - Folded Banner (S116)
Accessories:  Promarkers - Marine, Petrol Blue, Turquoise, Ivory, Warm Grey 1, Cool Aqua; Stampin' Up Design Paper - Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake;  Sentiment computer generated; Card from stash

I opted for portrait style this time - so the teacups were printed bigger!  I used Promarkers to colour the cups and then fussy cut them out!  I mounted them onto a pretty label that I cut from Crumb Cake DP; I inked the edge of the label while still in the die.  The sentiment is a quote from C S Lewis and seemed appropriate - I printed it on the PC and cut it out with the super folded banner die (a present from my buddy Tara).  I inked the edges and then attached it to the card.

Thanks again to the DYSU team for asking me to join them - I've had such fun!  That's all for now.  See you soon.

Anything goes ....

.... that's the theme over at this week's Do You Stack Up - DYSU#103 challenge - so this obviously fits.   I've been busy making cards to catch up with the Waltzingmouse Stamps Christmas Card Challenge and this card is for May, where the challenge was to incorporate a chipboard element.

Stamps: WMS - Woodgrain, Christmas Cottage, Vintage Christmas Background, Vintage Garden Seed Packet
Inks: Distress - Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss; Stampin' Up! - Whisper White Craft; Stazon - Jet Black
Dies: Memory Box - Grand Maison Window
Accessories: Scrap chipboard; SU - Diamond Dazzles; Uniball White Pigment Pen

It has taken a good long while to come up with something for the May challenge - but I've seen a number of cards using this window frame and as I recently treated myself to the die, I thought this would be a good opportunity to use it.

I made the window frame from some scrap chipboard that came with some stamps - it took quite a few passes through the Grand Calibur to cut through the card, but it worked.  I rubbed some Whisper White craft ink across the card and rubbed it in to give an aged effect.  I made the background resemble a lounge wall.  I masked where the frame would go, stamped the Vintage Christmas background.  I protected the "wallpaper" and brayered the bottom of the wall with Antique Linen and then over stamped with the woodgrain background to make some wood panel.  I masked off the background and then stamped the snowman and trees and created the scene.  I stamped the snowman and trees again on white card and coloured them with Promarkers, cut them out and glued them in place.  I finished off with some glitter and snow and the sentiment which I stamped in Stazon to give a really crisp image.

I know that the sentiment says "Thank You", but this card is both a thank you and Christmas card for a friend who allows Jonathan and I to stay at her house when we visit.

I don't quite know how it has happened, but I'm ahead of myself!!  So much so that I've had time to play in my craft room - hence this card!!  I only have three more of the Waltzingmouse Christmas Card challenges to do - but you'll have to wait until 26th December to see them :)

That's all for today - keep safe.  Hey!!  I just realised that this is my 1000th post!!!!

Noel Trio ....

.... Okay, I know I said I wouldn't be posting as often as normal, but I need my crafting fix :)))  And this one was so quick and easy - it's a tiny card, only 4 1/8" × 2 7/8" (10.5 × 7.5 cm).  It's a little gift tag for a Christmas present and it fits the following challenges:

• Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC161
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU102 - theme is Christmas
• CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS9 - I turned the sketch upside down
• Charisma Cardz Challenge - CCC49 - theme is Christmas cards

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Trees (FRCL045)
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Gumball Green; Distress - Festive Berries, Picked Raspberries
Accessories: Clear embossing powder; SU - Diamond Dazzles; Card from stash

I know this is not an original idea (there are several variations of a trio of trees on the CTS blog), but it is just perfect for the challenge and I got to use a set of stamps that I'd forgotten I had.  Love the Art Deco feel to the design.  I stamped the image in Versafine and embossed with clear powder which makes painting so much easier.  I used Gumball Green to do the trees - gives lovely shading, and for the tinsel I used Festive Berries and Picked Raspberries.  I added a touch of glitter to make the tinsel sparkle.

That will be all for today - still lots of washing and ironing to sort out.  Hope you all have a good day!  It's another very mild December day - no sign of snow just yet!!  Bye for now.

Metallic Christmas ....

..... Morning all - I've a card for this week' Do You Stack Up? - DYSU101 challenge - where we have to include Gold and Silver.  The challenge deadline is today, so I'm quite late submitting my card.

Stamps: Chocolate Baroque - Holly Leaves
Inks: Versamark; Distress - Evergreen Bough
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 17 (S5-025) #6
Accessories:  Gold and silver embossing powder; Black card from stash; Craft Work label sentiment

This is a really quick and easy card to make and I really like the effect you get combining different embossing powders.  I started by stamping the image in Versamark and adding the gold and silver powder, heating and then cutting it out with the beautifully ornate Labels 17 die.  I sponged on some colour around the edge of the card base and then, using the same colour, stamped the image directly onto the card base.  I finished off with the sentiment label which I coloured to match the background.  This looks very dramatic but is quick and easy enough to mass produce.

Before I go I'd like to welcome Anne-Elise - thanks for joining me.  That's all for now - I'm off to the hairdresser to get my hair cut - ready for Christmas and the New Year.  It's only two weeks to go!!!  Take care, see you soon.

Pastel thanks .....

..... Good morning to you all - it's glorious here today.  I've had a really good morning doing stuff in the house and crafting too!  The inspiration for my card came from a beauty that I saw this morning - designed by the very talented Michelle Bala.  I have CASEd Michelle's card - using the same stamp but in softer pastel colours and with a different sentiment.  It's actually for three challenges:

• The Ribbon Reel Challenge - RR42 - Inspiration photo - pastel Christmas
• The Sweet Stop Challenge - SSS186
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU100 - theme is thanks

Stamps: Hero Arts - Ancient Motif; CAS-ual Friday Stamps - Big Thanks
Inks: Distress - Spun Sugar, Shabby Shutters, Milled Lavender, Tumbled Glass; Versamark
Dies: Spellbinders - Lacey Squares (S4-295) #3
Accessories:  Crochet flower from Sue Walsh; Gems and ribbon from stash; Cream Lustre card - Stampeddlar

Michelle's card

The inspiration photo from Ribbon Reel is just gorgeous and I was intending to make a Christmas card, but as I've cased the design from Michelle, I wanted to change the theme and the Big Thanks sentiment fit perfectly in the square.  Hope this is okay girls ;)

I stamped the image four times in soft pastel tones and cut the square focusing on the scroll pattern.  I cut the lacey square in cream card and added these pretty gems, I adhered the sentiment into the centre using dimensional tape.  I finished off with this pretty crocheted flower which I got from Sue Walsh - sadly it is the last one!  I added a ribbon and a couple of gems.  And here's a picture of  Michelle's original card.

I did notice on the Ribbon Reel blog that Michelle is joining the DT - so pleased for her and the rest of the girls too!  And on another note, sadly Do You Stack Up? will be closing at the end of December - sorry to see it finish, but there's still time to play.  Well that's all for me today - I still have quite a few Christmas cards to make, as well as a number of birthday cards.  January is a big month for birthdays in our family and I need to get them made before Christmas!!  See you soon.

It's a numbers thing ....

.....  Hi - back again.  This card was made with three challenges in mind:

• My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Club - MFTWSC99
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU99 - to used numbers on your card
• Charisma Cardz Challenge - CCC46 - where they have a colour combination for us

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Serene Snowflakes
Inks: SU - Tempting Turquoise
Die: SU - Decorative Punch
Accessories:  DCWV - Rose Tinted Christmas Papers; Cuttlebug - Christmas Number EF; SU Card - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple; Martha Stewart - Glitter

I nearly didn't post this card!  I like the sketch layout, the colours are just fabulous and I had fun making it.  Sometimes an idea is great in theory, but in practise not so much.  Here adding the glitter was a step too far!  I think I'll try to rescue the card though - as I really like the colours!  Hey ho!!  See you soon.

Many thanks ....

.... Hi - good to be back!  I spent the day doing house stuff yesterday!  And this morning I've made a thank you card for two challenges:

• CASology - CAS19 - cue word is THANKS
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU98 - they want a RAINBOW

Stamps: CAS-ual Fridays - Big Thanks; Stamps of Life - Crayons2stamp

Inks: Memento - Lady Bug, Tangelo, Dandelion, Cottage Ivy, Danube Blue, Grape Jelly, Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Card from stash

I love rainbow colours - so bright, so cheerful!  This is an ultra clean and simple design, simply stamped the crayons and drawn line (second impression) onto white card and added the sentiments above.  I really like the different languages - and there are more in the set, but I couldn't fit them on!  I cut the card slightly larger than the card base and adhered with dimensional tape.  Super simple!  

It is a real pain when your stamp-a-ma-jig moves just a bit so that "gracias" is slightly lower than it should be!!!  Dang!!

That's all for now - I'm off to finish my UK Christmas cards - I want to get them written and parcelled up this weekend.  See you soon.

Holly branch ....

... I promise this is the last post for today!  This is another of the cards I made yesterday using embossed card.  This week's challenge at Do You Stack Up? - DYSU97 is leaves and trees.  In keeping with my theme of Christmas cards, I've used a holly branch on my card.

Cuttlebug EF: Holly
Accessories: Coredinations card; Lakeland sentiment tag; Foiled card, ribbon and card base from stash

No stamping on this card.  I used Coredinations card and ran it through my bug, then sanded the design to reveal the warm pink core.  I layered this onto some gold foil card - rounding the corners of each before gluing them together.  I finished off with a pink ribbon and this sweet Christmas tag.  The tag was made by Lakeland (a UK company) and has been in my stash for years!!!

While I had the embossing folders out, I embossed several pieces of Coredinations card - you've already seen some on earlier cards here and here.  Here's another - again no stamping on this one, but I have used some more of my Kanban stash.  It's a very traditional card which, coincidentally, is the theme for this month's challenge at St Luke's Charity Card Challenge.

Cuttlebug EF: Allegro
Accessories: Coredinations card; Lakeland sentiment tag; Foiled card, card base from stash


There's still plenty of time to join in with the fun at St Luke's - and we have a super prize too!  Come check it out!  That really is all for today.  I'd better go and do some house type stuff!  See you soon.

Be Good ....

...  Good morning from a cold, wet and very blustery Northville.  I do hope all my blog buddies living in the path of Hurricane Sandy have made it safely through the night.  We haven't felt the full force here in Michigan, but we sure are getting some strong winds and cold rain.  Keep safe and warm, wherever you are.

I've made a Christmas card for this year's stash (I think you're going to be seeing lots of Christmas cards on here from now on), and I used a few challenges:

• CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS3
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU95 - to use embossing
• Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge, September - WMSCCC09-12 - the challenge here is 3-2-1: 3 different WM stamps, 2 embellishments, 1 circle

When I saw this week's sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch I just knew which stamp I'd be using.  I love the Be Good Santa stamp!  

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Text-It!, Around Christmas Time, Very Vintage Christmas; Compact Sentiments

Inks: Memento - London Fog; Distress - Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick

Spellbinders: Pinking Circles Sm (S4-172) #5

Accessories:  Silver embossing powder; Card from Stash

I started by stamping the Santa image directly on the card base in Versamark and heat embossing with detail silver powder.  I coloured Santa's hat with Promarkers and then added some glitter and flock for the trim and his beard.  Next I stamped a subtle text background all over some white card and added some pink snowflakes!!  I cut the negative circle space in the white card, attached the panel to some red foil card and then recut the negative space.  Next I trimmed the long edges of the panel and lined the panel up with the stamped image.  Once in the right place, I attached the panel to the card and cut off the excess at top and bottom.  I finished off with a couple of crystal gems.  

I decorated the inside of the card too.  I kept it really simple, a frame of the red foil card with a heartfelt sentiment in grey to match the front.  

It's been really difficult trying to take a decent photo this morning - there's really not enough good natural daylight and using the flash tends to wash out the colours and make the foil card flare!!  I've got a reasonable close up of the Santa image here.  I'll try to get a better photo later today, but I'm not going to promise anything.

I think this fulfils all the WMS requirements: 3 stamps - text, snowflakes and Santa image; 2 embellishments - the two gems; 1 circle - the negative die cut and circular stamped image.  I think this was a really tough challenge!

I've got a nice day planned - I'm off to the hairdressers to have a cut and colour done.  Gotta hide those greys!!!  That's all for now.  Be safe!

Thanksgiving cards ....

... Hi!  Don't quite know what happened yesterday - but I seem to have lost a day!!!  Oh well, I've a card to share today - one of several Thanksgiving cards I need to make.  I've used two challenges to make this one:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC117 - designed by Kelly Schirmer
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU92 - warm colours

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Florentine Frippery, Peace and Plenty
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Cherry Cobbler; Memento - Rich Cocoa
Spellbinders: Labels 24 (S4-353) #] 4
Accessories:  Papermania - Sunshine Paper by Tina Higgins; WMS - Twine; SU Card - Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Buttons from stash

My card has been influenced by Kim Duran's pretty card - I had to use the pumpkin!!  I made the card base from SU Early Espresso and the came from the Sunshine Paper set.  I stamped the Florentine Frippery image onto Very Vanilla card in Cherry Cobbler - the photo doesn't do it justice - looks so rich in real-life.  I stamped the pumpkin onto some more paper from the Sunshine set and cut it out and attached it to the label with dimensional tape.  I've adapted the sketch a bit by removing the central element of the row of three and using this as the position for the sentiment.  I put some falling leaves (again stamped on another sheet of the Sunshine paper set) either side of the sentiment and added some buttons threaded with twine.  I finished off the card with a simple twine bow at the top.  Like this sketch!!

That's all for now.  I'm about to head off to school again - it's been a busy week!!  We have another Bake Sale today and are finishing off the Parent/Teacher meetings.  See you soon.

CR84FN64 - Hello Buttercup ....

.... Well, it's the last day of September, we're officially into Autumn!!!  It's time for our new colour challenge at CR84FN.  Our colours for the next week and a half are bright, fresh and spring-like!!!  Our colours for CR84FN64 are light blue, yellow and green!!  And I just love them.

The graphic photos are courtesy of Magnolia Rouge; they just fabulous and I've used the striped fabric and the pretty flowers as the inspiration for my card.

Stamps: PTI - Signature Greetings II, Rosie Posie, Happy Hexagons
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke
Spellbinders:  Classic Triple Scallop (E8-003), Rectangles Sm (S4-130) #4, Scalloped Rectangles Sm (S4-131) #4
Accessories:  PTI - Hexagon Die, Rosie Posie Dies; SU Card - Certainly Celery; Promarkers; Lace, gems and card from stash

I used the lovely hexagon die to make this card; I cut out a template, attached it to some card then, using Nicole Heady's hexagon colour plan, I stamped four colours over the template.  I cut this layer to fit the base of my card.  Using the Rosie Posie dies, I cut several flower and then stamped the images in So Saffron.  I used my Promarkers to add some depth to the flowers and leaves.  I cut the pretty scallop border from some card and attached to some white card and then attached the lace over the top.  I cut a couple of mats onto which I attached the flowers.  I stamped this super sentiment onto vellum as I didn't want to cover up the background pattern.  And I finished off the card with some bling!   And, I decorated the inside of the card too - using more hexagons!

I used this week's sketch from My Favourite Things - MFTWSC91 for the layout, and as there are scallops in several places this card is also being submitted to this week's Do You Stack Up? - DYSU81 challenge to use scallops.

For more inspirational cards with these gorgeous colours click on the links below:

Mona Pendleton, Sue Lelli, Pauline Pollington, Andrea Matthews, Heather Jensen and Shannon White.

Don't forget, we are continuing our Open Design Team Call with this challenge - check out the CR84FN blog for full information.

I had a brilliant day yesterday.  We finally finished unpacking our moving boxes!!  Yes, I know we've been here a while, but sometime you just keep putting things off!  Well, I do.  Everything has been put away and now all that's left is getting rid of the empty boxes.

Kathryn and I plan to have a girly day - we're off to the cinema.  Not sure what we'll see yet, but it'll be a fun day.  Jonathan is off to a photo shoot.  Enjoy your day - see you soon.