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!

A winner ....

...  Good morning all - hope my US friends had a good Thanksgiving.  We had a great time, although I rather overdid in the cooking department.  I think I've enough stuffing, turkey and cranberry sauce to last for about a week!!  I'm going to have to come up with creative recipes to use up the left overs!

Sometimes you make a card that is a winner - and this is the case with my little Newsflash card - it was picked winner in both the challenges I submitted it to - Just Add Ink and My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Club.  I'm so excited to have been picked in both challenges - it's a cute little card - must have a go at this style again :)

Thanks to the ladies in both Design Teams - you've made my morning!!

Newsflash ....

.... Good afternoon - it's really dull here today.  But the upside is time spent crafting - I've got a cute card today:

Stamps: My Favourite Things - Read All About It
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Circles Sm (S4-116) #5, Big Scalloped Circles Sm (S4-250) #5; Memory Box - Piestra Tile
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo; SU DP - Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo; Copics

I'm playing along with a couple of challenges that I've missed recently - My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Club - MFTWSC151 and Just Add Ink - JAI#192.  I really like the fun colours and they work perfectly with this cute stamp.  I flipped the sketch upside down.  I die cut the white panel and mounted it onto orange card and then layered again onto Island Indigo.  I stamped the image onto white card and cut it out with a circle die.  I coloured some of the image with copics and paper pieced the rest.  I finished the front with this sentiment.  I'm not sure where this card is going yet and so I've not decorated the inside.

That's all for the moment.  I've had a busy morning doing some shopping.  This afternoon Kathryn and I are off to the dentist for a check up - I don't mind it, but Kathryn hates it!  So as a special treat we are all off to the movies this evening to see The Hunger Games - Catching Fire.  See you later!

Christmas sketch ....

.... Wow - the last couple of weeks have simply flown by.  We're well into September, and I've noticed a definite chill in the air first thing in the morning!  This month our challenges at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown are being set by Ruth and she has a super sketch for us this week.  Here's my take:

Stamps:  Rubber Stampede - Santa Collage; Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks:  Versafine - Onyx Black; SU - Bermuda Bay
Dies: Die-namics - Chevrons; Spellbinders - Plain Ovals Sm (S4-112) #4, Scalloped Ovals Sm (S4-113) #4
Accessories:  White Lustre Card; Black Card; Silver Linen Texture Foil Card; SU Marker - Bermuda Bay; Gems; Promarker - Turquoise

I've gone for quite a clean, graphic look.  I used the colours from this week's Just Add Ink - JAI181 challenge.  I turned the sketch to make a portrait style and I've just realised that I attached the ribbon on the wrong side - hey ho!!  I cut chevrons in black and silver and layered them together, using the silver/black ribbon on the front and the black/silver ribbon on the inside.  I used my favourite Santa stamp for the main image and used an oval die to cut out the face and layered it onto some linen textured foil card.  I added just a touch of colour to the image by colouring the spectacle frames and iris in Bermuda Bay; I coloured the gems to match.  For the inside I stamped the Santa image (using the second impression) and a bold sentiment in Bermuda Bay.

I took a close up photo of the Santa image to really show the colour - it really pops!!

Don't forget to check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the Design Team.  Can't wait to see what you make with this sketch.  See you soon.

Birthday Dude ....

... Morning everyone - hope you're having a good day.  It's lovely here in Northville - sun shining, blue skies and birds singing - just fab.  I've been in my craft room this morning making a birthday card for a young man who will be 18 years old at the end of May - our nephew, Jacob.  I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by - he's so grown up now!  I used a few challenges to make Jacob's card:

• The Paper Players - PP146 to make a CAS masculine card
• Addicted to CAS - ATCAS13 - to make a birthday card
• Just Add Ink - JAI166 - perfect guy colours

Stamps:  CAS-ual Fridays Stamps - Exclamations, Rad; Stampin' Up! - Deligthful Dozen
Inks: SU - Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: SU/Sizzix - Chevron EF; White Lustre Card; SU Markers - Lucky Limeade, Crumb Cake; SU - Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

I love these colours - they are perfect for a guy card.  I cut a mat layer in Lucky Limeade and a white panel on which I stamped a number of sentiments and some star bursts.  After stamping the panel I ran it through my bug using the chevron folder - I like the texture that it adds to the card.  I used my glue pen on the star bursts and added a touch of glitter - it is after all for an 18th birthday.  For the inside I cut another mat panel in the green and stamped a birthday sentiment on the white card.  I like the sentiment here - there are lots of little phrases which I think are just perfect.  I added some more star bursts too.

Yesterday I told you that we were going to the Motor City Comic Con - well we headed for it.  It took us over half an hour to get onto the showgrounds and once we'd parked and found the queue to get in, we realised that it would be at least two hours before getting inside!!!  We decided that it was just plan silly waiting in the hot sun, so we headed to the cinema instead.  We still had our geeky day out - we saw Star Trek - which was brilliant and then we saw Iron Man 3 - another superb movie.  And we rounded the day off by watching the finale of Dr Who on TV.  Three very happy geeks!!!

That's all for now.  I'm taking Kathryn for her first full body massage today - I'm having one too.  And while we're being pampered, Jonathan will be off at a photo shoot.  A perfect day all round.  Hope you're all enjoying your weekend.  See you soon.

100 Years old .....

... Hello!  On Friday I showed you the card I'd made for my Mum to send to her "adopted" Dad.  Well, this morning I'm showing you the one I've made to send to "Granddad".  Sadly, all my grandparents have passed on, but my Aunt's father was very happy to take on my Mum and me.  So this is for him - I used a few challenges to make it:

• The Sweet Stop - SSS206
• Just Add Ink - JAI161
• CASology - CAS39 - cue word "Travel"

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - The Open Sea, Memorable Moments, Layered Labels
Inks: SU - Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard, Sahara Sand
Dies: PTI - Tag Sale #3
Accessories: SU Card - Midnight Muse, More Mustard; SU DP - More Mustard; SU Ribbon - Rich Razzleberry; SU Markers - Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry; Cream Lustre Card, Button, twine and ribbon from stash;

I think the colours for this week's Just Add Ink challenge are perfect for a masculine card.  I layered Midnight Muse card and More Mustard design paper together, added some Rich Razzleberry ribbon and adhered the panel to the card base with dimensional tape.  I die cut the tag from cream card and stamped a number of travel related images randomly over it - I used the second impression to give a softer look.  I carefully pencilled in lines to ensure that the sentiment and numbers were straight!  I finished off the tag with some blue ribbon from my stash that is an almost exact match to Midnight Muse and tied it with some twine.  The final touch on the front was a button tied with twine.


For the inside, I kept it really simple with a mat layer in More Mustard and a simple greeting which I coloured with SU markers.  This will be going in the post tomorrow morning - and should get to "Granddad" in plenty of time for his 100th birthday.

You know, last week I thought that spring had finally arrived, but I was wrong.  I went for a walk yesterday afternoon - it started out reasonably nice with a bit of sunshine.  But as I walked around the estate, it got greyer and greyer and colder and colder.  Then it started to snow - just little flakes at first.  Just after I got in it started to snow - coming in horizontally!!!!  I know that we've had it really easy by comparison with some areas - but I think it's past time for spring to really show up!!

Sorry about the moan - but I feel better now ;))  See you soon.

Two more challenges ...

... I've been having lots of fun this afternoon, and I've made cards for two challenges.  The first card is for a new blog that I found the other day while browsing - by it's just the type of challenge I like.  The Blog is called For Your Inspiration - and new challenges are posted on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, there aren't many specific rules - just create a project based on the inspiration photo posted using any medium you choose (ie: paper, sewing, jewelry, art, etc) - you can enter up to three times.  The challenge this week is based on this wonderful photograph:

We've been told that this building is a library - I don't know where it is or what's it's called, but it looks just wonderful in this photo.  I can imagine sitting reading, immersing myself in books and knowledge - joy!!!  And this is my interpretation of the photo:

In my scrap box I found this lovely blue vellum that looks a bit like the cloudy sky, so I cut it to fit just inside the card base.  The blocks of colour in the library window reminded - by some strange route - of a lovely flower stamp that I have in my box.  I've had it a long time, but I think this is only the second time it's seen ink!!  I stamped it four time and embossed each image with clear powder to give a nice raised edge.  I painted each image with Twinkling H2Os and then cut them out.  Initially I was going to layer them up and make a single flower, but I decided to make them individual flowers.  I cut out the vellum mat with my nesties and stamped the single word "Imagine" and embossed it.

Stamps:  Funstamps - 3D Flower 3 (FF69); Hero Arts - Letter I set
Inks:  Versafine - Onyx Black
Twinkling H2Os: Snap Dragon, Lemongrass, Autumn Skies, Dreamsicle
Spellbinders:  Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) die #4
Accessories:  Card, vellum and clear embossing powder from stash

My next card has been made for the Just Add Ink challenge - I've not played this one for a while - don't know why, just kept missing the deadline!!  This weeks challenge is also an inspiration photo - and it's just beautiful.

When I first saw this photo - I was going to make a card based on a window with flowers in a beautiful window box.  But that's not what I made. 

I found myself drawn to the lovely sky and sea and the shades of blue - so relaxing, so calming.  And I remembered a lovely sailing ship stamp that I got from Ebay - it's part of a discontinued Stampin' Up! set and I just love it.  I started off with a bit of nestie scrap that I have in my box - a lovely oval.  I attached it to my card and stamped the ship image through the space and put a mask over the image.  Next I added a couple of cloud masks (from my OLW61 card - I don't throw things out).  Then I stippled on a variety of blue inks, starting with the palest and building up the intensity around the ship.  After removing the various masks I added the sentiment and coloured the ship and flags.  Mu Mum loves this - and I'm quite pleased with it too! :)

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Discontinued set
Spellbinders:  Mega Classic Scalloped Ovals Lg (S5-024) die#4
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black;  Distress - Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire
Accessories:  Card and pencils from stash

That's all for today - I've been making up for the last couple of days!!  Tonight is our last Scout meeting of the term.  We're doing some community work this evening by selling programmes at our local theatre - we started on Wednesday night and finish on Saturday.  The leaders and Scouts have each taken a night.  It's fun!!

See you tomorrow for two of my favourite challenges - Less Is More and Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  Bye for now!

Fun with flowers ....

.... that's exactly what I've been having in my craft room this morning.  I've been making and colouring flowers for the two cards that I made this morning. 

The first card is for three challenges:  Just Add Ink - JAI52 (sketch); Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - SSC95 where we have to use 3 papers, flowers, ribbons, etc; and Crafty Cardmakers - CC38 where we have to use flowers. 

JAI52 - Sketch

Edited:  Darn - I've just uploaded the page and discovered that the Just Add Ink has closed - shame, but never mind.  The link was open when I checked this morning!!  I wasn't quick enough.
I've used a lovely set of 6" x 6" papers from My Mind's Eye called Quite Contrary; I got this pack free with Cardmaking & Papercraft last year.  It has the most lovely colours.  I selected three sheets, used the green to cover the card base and then used my Spellbinders dies to cut out two layers.  I put some lovely green satin ribbon around the smallest layer.  To cut the flowers I used my Woodware flower punches.  I then made the flowers by layering up from biggest to smallest flower.  I added some lovely pink gems to the centre of each flower and finally, I added a greeting.  This card is going to my Mum - just because!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Spring Baskets
Papers:  My Mind's Eye - Quite Contrary
Spellbinders:  Labels 8 (S5-019) - dies #6 and #4
Woodware:  Flower punches
Accessories:  Ribbon and gems from my stash

The second card I made is also for three challenges:  Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC31 (sketch); Little Red Wagon - LRW65 to add some lace to your card, and finally for Splitcoaststampers Clean and Simple Challenge where we were to use flourishes.

This card also features flowers - I think I'm trying to get in the mood for Spring!  My starting point on this card was the backing paper - it has some sweet cherry blossom like flowers and pretty flourishes on it.  I cut this to the shape in the sketch and attached it to the card.  I added a length of lace which I'd tinted blue with my inks.  I stamped the big flower and coloured it using Promarkers.  I added some faux stitching to the curve in the paper.  The greeting is made up of two stamps - sadly I can't remember the name of the company who made these stamps.  The glitter flourishes (which hardly show in the photo, but which are gorgeous in real-life) were drawn by hand.  Actually the whole card has a beautiful sparkle!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Big Blooms - Chrysanthemums
Paper:  Papermania - Creative Tones - Venetian Skies
Promarkers:  Midnight Blue, Denim Blue, Pastel Blue
Inks:  Memento - London Fog, Summer Sky, Paris Dusk
Accessories:  Glitter, lace and gem from stash

I noticed just now that I've two new followers - so I'd like to say Hi and Welcome to Natalie and Queenie Jeannie.  Kathryn starts at a new drama/singing/dance club tonight - she's so excited, but it's a late finish, so I'm not sure whether I'm going to be able to play in my craft room again later.  So this is likely to be all for today.  Do drop by again tomorrow.

Butterfly garden ...

... I think that's the title for this card.  I've made this for two challenges.  The first is a colour challenge from Just Add Ink - the colours are quite bright so a good antidote to the dull and grey weather we're having.  The second challenge is for Flutter by Wednesday's - this week they have an open challenge, so the theme can be anything, but it must feature a butterfly, fairy or angel.

I've kept my card really clean and simple this time.  It took me a little while to decide what to feature - angel, fairy, butterfly?  But then I remembered my lovely Stampin' Up! butterflies in the Flight of the Butterfly set - so I decided to use them.  For the flowers I used some lovely circles from Teeny Trees - another favourite set, this time from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  As I don't have much Stampin' Up! ink or card, I've done my best to match the colours - Distress Scattered Straw - So Saffron, Memento Bamboo Leaves - Pear Pizzazz, Memento Lady Bug - Riding Hood Red, and Memento Grape Jelly - Elegant Eggplant.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Flight of the Butterfly, Greenhouse Garden; Waltzingmouse Stamps - Teeny Trees
Inks: Distress - Scattered Straw; Memento - Lady Bug, Grape Jelly, Bamboo Leaves
Accessories:  Card from my stash; Martha Stewart punch to make border; Anita's ribbon

I think this is bright and spring-like - just what I need!!  Do drop by again tomorrow.  Bye for now.

A couple more challenges ...

... to show you.  I've had another go at two challenges I did earlier this week.  The One Layer Wednesday challenge hosted by Jennifer at Styles Ink - I'm find this week's challenge quite tough.  We can only use one image stamp and a maximum of two colours; we can add a senitment if we want. 

I've made a really small card - 3" x 3" - and featured a butterfly stamp and some words - very clean and simple.  I coloured the butterfly with a promarker - shading to give some depth to the image.

Stamps:  Making Memories - Just Chillin' Girl
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Promarker:  Lipstick Red

The other challenge I had another go at was from Just Add Ink - here the theme is to "Just Add Summer".  Go through my stash box yesterday afternoon, I found a sweet stencil image that I made ages ago at craft class featuring a flower and some dragonflies.  To me that speaks of summer.  I edged the image with a bright pink felt pen and added a couple of stamped images to the card - which I coloured with Sakura Stardust pens.  Finally I added the sentiment - again speaks of summer to me!!

Stamps:  From a set in my stash (can't remember the company)
Stencil: Borrowed from a friend - coloured with chalks

It's the last day of my daughter's Christmas holiday today, so we're going to have a girly day out.  Jonathan's back to work today - not too keen!!  Hopefully, I'll be back later.  Bye for now and thanks for stopping by.

End of the year ....

... and I know that many others have said it too, but the year really has flown by.  It's been a busy year for us all - for me particularly memorable.  I turned 50 in June (but only feel about 35!), I graduated from the Open University with a First Class honours in Chemistry and, best of all, I've had the pleasure of being with my family. 

Today was no exception - we went out to the shops and bought some frames.  Then at home we framed some of Jonathan's photos, follwed by a fun family lunch.  Then this afternoon we played Buzz on the PS3 - a silly music game (I was never going to win!!).  Jonathan played on WOW (World of Warcraft), Kathryn on her new Sims game, Ben with his mates and me - in my craft room!!  Great fun.

So the product of this afternoon's playtime are a couple of challenge cards.  I've made cards for this week's Just Add Ink challenge - it's a fun one - the theme is "Just Add Summer" and for Clean & Simple - FTL121 (see sketch).  I've also made a card based on  the JAI48 sketch - I missed the deadline for this challenge, but really like the layout so I played with it.

FTL121



JAI48 - the one I missed



The first card to show you is the one for Just Add Ink - JAI49.  The theme - Just Add Summer - which is nice as I think I've seen enough Christmas cards for a while.  It's only a small card - 3" x 3" - but it's perfect for the image I have.  One of my favourite companies - Pink Petticoat - the flip-flops are coloured with Sakura pens - glaze and souffle.  The greeting is reminscent of holiday postcards and I thought it went with the picture perfectly.  I distressed the edge of the card.

Image:  Pink Petticoat
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Frame It
Inks: Distress - Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade; Memento - Tangelo

The next card is based on the JAI48 sketch shown above - sadly I missed the challenge deadline - Christmas got in the way !!  I turned the sketch on its side and made a thank you card; I need quite a few of them.  The border was stenciled when I first joined my craft class about 3 years ago - it's been in my stash box since then!! 

Stamps:  Inkadinkadoo - Everyday Expressions

Paper:  Papermania - Inspirations Warm Tones

Inks:  Versafine - Onyx Black

Accessories:  Sticky ribbon by Anita's

My final challenge card for today is also a thank you card based on the FTL121 sketch.  I decided to turn this sketch on its side too - worked better for the embellishment.  The rose was made at craft class a few months ago.  I stamped the image on watercolour paper, embossed it with detail gold (it was a bit patchy).  Next I wet the image and added dye inks and allowed the ink to flow where it would.  The result was very pleasing - a soft, tonal effect.  I've added some gold glamour dust to the centre of the flower to help disguise the patchy embossing!!  Rather pleased with this one.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Frame-It, Roses in Bloom

Paper:  Papermania - Inspirations Warm Tones

Accessories:  Anita's sticky ribbon; Martha Stewart border punch

That's all for this evening.  We are going to have a quiet family in for New Year's Eve - we're going to have a Dr Who marathon session.  Ben bought us the boxed set for Christmas - we huge fans, as you can probably tell!!

Whatever you're planning for this evening - have a great time.  Enjoy, be safe and have fun.  Wishing you all a very

Happy New Year