Coffee and friends .....

.... Hello!  I can't quite believe that it's Friday already!  This week has simply flown by.  This morning's card was made using three challenges:

• MUSE - MUSE#56 - Lisa Haines
• Just Add Ink - JAI#204
• Fusion Card Challenge - FUSION#5

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Tea Shoppe; Reverse Confetti - Be A Barista
Inks: Crumb Cake, Pistachio Pudding
Dies: Die-namics - Mini Delicate Doilies; Spellbinders - On the Edge (S5-168)
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Crumb Cake; SU Card - Pistachio Pudding; Gold Paper; SU Punch - 1 3/8" Circle; Gold Marker Pen

I cut a mat panels of gold paper and Crumb Cake design paper and adhered them to the card.  I stamped the coffee cups onto white card, punched them out and mounted them onto some mini gold filigree doilies.  To make the sentiment panel I die cut the edge and added the green and white panels.  Before attaching the white card I edged both sides with a hint of gold using a large marker pen.  I finished the front with a simple sentiment.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of design paper and finished with a sentiment.

I do like the layout of Lisa's card, it's very versatile and I had fun with it.  From the FUSION graphic I took the theme of tea cups although, of course, mine are coffee cups!  And I just love the soft, subtle colours that the Just Add Ink DT picked for us this week.

After my visit to the hair dresser yesterday, Jonathan and I headed over to Kathryn's school - it was parent/teacher conferences.  We are both so very proud of our daughter, not only is she a kind, considerate and helpful young lady, but she's very bright too.  It was a delight to meet Kathryn's teachers!  My car is at the auto shop today being fixed.  Somehow I've got a crack in the rear bumper!  No idea how it happened, but I suspect the ice might have something to do with it :)  As I can't leave the house today, I suspect I'll be playing in my craft room.  Bye for now!

TMR - Valentine .....

.....  Good morning!  I've been keeping a secret and I can share it now!  I am absolutely delighted to be joining Jacqueline and the rest of the Design Team at The Male Room - a challenge site specially for guy cards.  I think you all know that I actually enjoy making guy cards - I use quite a lot with sending them to Ben and Jonathan.

Our theme at The Male Room is Valentine.  Your card/project should encapsulate the theme and  have a masculine feel.  Here's my card:

Stamps: My Favourite Thing - LJD Homespun Hearts
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Island Indigo
Dies: Cheery Lynn - Hearts 'n' Gears; Die-namics - LJD Rustic Hearts
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Real Red, Island Indigo

I've used the colours from this week's Dynamic Duos - DD#88 and the layout/theme from the current FUSION challenge - FUSION#3.  This card came together really quickly.  I found the lovely heart die a couple of weeks ago - the gears give it a really masculine feel.  I cut the larger heart out in red cut out a couple of white hearts and stamped them in teal.  I stamped a couple more red hearts and some teal buttons directly onto the card base.  I finished the front with a simple, but heart-felt sentiment.  For the inside I cut a mat layer in teal, added the smaller gear heart and a dotty heart too.

I'm not actually giving this to Jonathan on Valentine's Day as we actually met on 15th February 2000 - so I'm giving it to him then.  Wow, that's 14 years ago!  The time has simply flown by!  It's been marvellous and there's still so much to come :)

Do check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the team - lots of lovely cards to see!  I can't wait to see what you create for our masculine Valentine theme.  See you soon.

Pastel Christmas ...

...  Good morning!  It's a beautiful day here - the sun is shining, the birds are singing, but my goodness it's so cold!!!!  I've a non-traditional Christmas card for you this morning:

Stamps: My Favourite Things - Sheet Music BG, LJD Stitched Stockings, Cheerful Christmas Greetings
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Regal Rose, Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar; Versamark
Dies: Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #4, LJD Stocking Trio
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Regal Rose; SU Card - Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Sky; SU Punch - 2 3/8" Scallop Circle

I used the soft pastel colours from this week's Colour Throwdown - CTD#277, the layout is based on the sketch from MFT Wednesday Sketch Club - MFTWSC#161 and the theme is from Merry Monday - MM#94 where the team would like us to feature stockings.   I had lots of fun making the layers on this card.  I added some texture to the scalloped circle by stamping in Versamark the music sheet background.  I drew in a line to hang the stocking from and used dimensional gel to attach the stockings.  On the inside I cut a mat layer in pink, stamped some soft blue borders and finished with a bold sentiment in the middle.

I really like the soft, sorbet colours of this card, gives a nice non-traditional look.  I think I might make the card again in traditional colours too!

I had a slight change of plans last night.  Kathryn decided she wanted to watch the Super Bowl (knowing that her friends would be talking about it today); I got a bit caught up in it too.  I don't think I've ever seen such a one-sided American Football match!  It was actually fun!  Anyhow, that's all for today.  I'll be back tomorrow with our new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  See you then!

WMSFC - Sketch .....

.... Hello again!  It's time for our new challenge at Waltzingmouse Fanatics.  This time we have a sketch for you to play with - I liked it so much that I actually made three cards!!!!  Here they are:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Folk Art Medallion, Frame It, Say It Loud; Uniko Studio - All Occasion Sentiments #3
Inks: Versamark; Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Grey Flannel
Dies: Memory Box - Forget Me Knot Stem, Prim Poppy, Chloe Stem; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Stax # 3 & 4
Accessories: WMS Digital Papers - Celtic Lunettes; White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Basic Black; White Embossing Powder

I think this sketch is lots of fun and I decided to focus on WMS digital papers.  I printed several sheets of the Celtic Lunettes pattern in grey, blue and pink, sized just a bit bigger than the card base.  I also printed off several copies of the sketch to use as a template.  I trimmed all the papers to size and then used temporary adhesive to stick the sketch pattern over the top of the design paper and cut the panels.  Using this method to cut the panels means that the lunette patterns line up.  Ask me how I know this?  Well the first card was a mess with misaligned patterns all over the place!!!  I used  dies to cut out the flowers and banners.  I inked up the sentiments in Versamark and heat embossed with white powder.  I turned the last card to make it horizontal - that's because I needed to cover up the point which was a bit messy on this card!  Here are photos of the inside of each card.

For more inspiration with this sketch - check out Tara's card.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what you create with this sketch.  As always, you can make a card, scrapbook page, or 3D project, but whatever you make must include at least one Waltzingmouse image or sentiment.  You've got plenty of time to play along, the deadline for submission is Thursday 6th February 5.00pm GMT (that's Noon EDT for those of us in the States).   That's all for now, see you soon.

52CCT - A recipe ...

...  Good morning everyone!  Welcome to 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown,  Mynnette has provided us with a recipe to follow this week:

Monochromatic, CAS, ribbon and a rhinestone

Stamps: Chocolate Baroque - Christmas Flourish; Waltzingmouse - Festive Foliage; Stampin' Up! - Sassy Salutations, More Merry Messages
Inks: Kaleidacolor - Fresh Greens; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: WMS - Holly Die; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #3
Accessories: Green Hammered Card; White Lustre Card; Vellum; Clear Embossing Powder; Ribbons; Gems

I love monochromatic cards, it's fun to pick a colour and play; I've gone for greens on my card.  For the layout I used this week's Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#119 challenge.  I made the base from some dark green hammered card stock that I've had in my stash forever for a while!  The background holly flourish and holly spring were stamped in Kaleidacolor Fresh Greens.  I cut a strip of vellum for the sentiment as I didn't want to hide the pretty background stamp.  I stamped the sentiment in Versafine and then heat embossed with clear powder.  To adhere the vellum I used Invisi Dots over most of the length, but left the end unstuck.  I found some ribbons in my stash, cut fishtails in each, attached to the card and then used dimensional gel to adhere the holly spring.  I cheated a bit with the rhinestones, Mynnette's recipe is for a single stone, but it would have looked strange to have a single stone, so I went with three green gems.  For the inside I cut a panel of white card and used the flourish stamp to create a border all the way round the card, finishing with a Christmas greeting in the middle.

Do you remember that we had a Design Team call last year, well from this week we are being joined by our new teamies.  Do make them welcome!  I must also give a shout out to Mynnette - you might notice that some of us have swanky new 52CCT logos for our cards - all designed by Mynnette!

I have to say that I'm really getting fed up with winter, we've got even more snow here today.  I know that we don't have as much as some, but I'm over it.  I'm so glad that our new snow blower arrived last week.  I assembled it on Thursday and it's already cleared the drive a couple of times.  So much quicker than doing it manually!  Well, that's all for now - I'm really looking forward to seeing your creations with the recipe!

Amazing ....

.... Hello!  I'm back with a card that I made on Saturday night.  This one is for a couple of challenges:

• My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Club - MFTWSC#157
• Colour Me! - CMCC#1

Stamps: MFT - Border It Mod Borders, CS Success, Bold Statements
Inks: Stampin Up! - Smoky Slate, Island Indigo; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Die-namics - Triangle Screen
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Tempting Turquoise, Basic Grey; SU DP - Island Indigo

I think this week's MFT sketch is super and seems, to me, to be perfect for a guy card.  I used the colours from the new challenge Colour Me - so glad to join in on the first week too.

I decided to go for a very graphic look.  I cut a panel of design paper in Island Indigo and overlaid this with the triangle panel.  I cut a strip white card, stamped grey triangles and a very bold statement in black, and layered on a strip of Island Indigo card.  The inside has a mat layer of grey card and white panel with a simple inspirational sentiment.

I left lots of white space for me to write a message.  This is one of my cards for Ben - this year I intend to send him one card a week, just to let him know that I'm thinking of him.  I do miss having him with us, but this helps!

That's all for now - be safe!

WMSFC - Time to Party ....

.....  Good morning everyone!  I do hope that you've enjoyed (and recovered) from your Christmas celebrations.  This is a scheduled post as we'll be flying back to the US after spending Christmas visiting our families.  It's time for our new challenge at Waltzingmouse Fanatics and we have a colour challenge for you - here's my take:

Stamps: WMS - Putting on the Ritz, USA 1776; Stampin' Up! - A Brand New Year
Inks: SU - Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe; Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Rectangles Sm (S4-130) #4; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #1
Accessories: Cream Lustre Card; Black Card

These colours are right out of my comfort zone - I much prefer cool colours but that's why we all play along with challenges - to try out new things!  I've managed to use four of the colours from the graphic - two shades of coral, cream and black.  The layout is based on a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches - FMS116, I didn't get chance to play along with this one before Christmas, but I think it's great for this card.  I did, however, turn the panel through 90° so that the sentiment would fit.  Using the two shades of coral, I stamped fireworks over the background.  I stamped the Art Deco style frame in Calypso Coral and then stamped the stars inside in Crisp Cantaloupe and cut out the shape with a die.  I layered the stamped panel onto black card and added black ribbons either side and adhered it directly to the card.  On the inside I cut a mat layer in black and on the cream panel stamped more fireworks and a super New Year sentiment.  This is a discontinued stamp, but new to me and I think it's great!

The winner of this week's challenge will receive a prize - one of the mini stamps sets - details on the Waltzingmouse Fanatics blog.  For more inspiration with these colours visit Tara to see what she's made.  You have until 5.00pm GMT (12 noon EDT) on Thursday 9th January to submit your cards - remember you must use some Waltzingmouse stash - stamps, digis or cut files.  That's all for now.  See you soon.

Sweet snowflakes ...

... Morning everyone.  Just a quick post today to share a birthday card I've made.  I think I've mentioned before that I have lots of birthdays in January and I like making winter birthday cards - this one has a snowy theme - inspired not only by the graphic but the blanket of white that I can see from my office and craft room windows.

Stamps: Uniko Studio - Stunning Snowflakes; Stampin' Up! - Sassy Salutations
Inks: SU - Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Smoky Slate
Dies: Uniko Studio - Snowflakes; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #2, Fishtail Flags Stax # 2; Spellbinders - Circle Sm (S4-116) #6
Accessories: SU Card - Smoky Slate; White Lustre Card; White Glitter Paper

The challenge at Sketch Saturday - SS#289 is to use a previous sketch and I've picked sketch227 (from September).  The current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - CCIC#11 is Sweet Snowflake and is being sponsored by Uniko Studio.  Now I have lots of Beverley's stamps and the Stunning Snowflake set is one of my favourite, so I had to join in the fun.

I made the card from a sheet of Smoky Slate card.  I cut a panel of white and randomly stamped the snowflakes all over it using pink, blue and grey, then I cut the panel into squares.  I adhered the little squares to the card base.  I die cut the largest snowflake in white glitter paper and adhered it to a grey backing circle.  I finished the front by stamping the sentiment onto white card and cutting it out with the fishtail flag and matting it onto a grey flag.  I adhered the sentiment with dimensional tape and added a pretty pink snowflake.  On the inside I cut a panel of white card and stamped more snowflakes around the edge and a bold, sassy birthday greeting in the centre.

That's all for today.  While I like snowflakes on a card, I'm officially fed up with the snow outside!  See you soon.

ASM - Photo inspiration ....

... Good evening all!  This week our challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! is a Photo Inspiration.  Our sponsor this week is Sami Stamps and the winner of the challenge will receive a $12 gift voucher to her store!  Here's my take:

Stamps: Sami Stamps Digi - Zombie Beauty; Christmas Lights (don't know who made them); Stampin' Up! - Gorgeous Grunge, Sassy Salutations
Inks: Distress - Antique Linen, Peeled Paint, Wild Honey; SU - Real Red
Dies: Spellbinders - Mega Ovals Lg (S5-023) #4, Mega Oval Scalloped Lg (S5-024) #4; Die-namics - High Rise Numbers
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Gold Foil Card; Copics

So you're trying to figure out how I got this card from the inspiration photo!  I took the colours and the Christmas lights.  I saw this digi image - a tall, young lady - so pretty (albeit a zombie) and decided to make a birthday card.    I used the gold in the mat layers. I created a bokeh effect background paper on my computer by blurring a photo of Christmas lights and ornaments and then adding a subtle repeating text.  I stamped a row of Christmas lights at the top which I coloured with Copics and then adhere it to the gold mat.  I printed off the digi image and cut out one using the oval die and while still in the die I added some colour to create depth.  I coloured one of the other images and then very, very carefully cut it out and adhered it to the card.  I finished the front with a simple number!  For the inside (which I forgot to photograph) I used the grunge image and a bold funky birthday greeting in red.

Hopefully this card will have reached my niece by now - I can't believe she's 13 - they grow up so fast!!!

Don't forget to check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the team - we all took something very different from the inspiration photo!  Bye for now.