CR84FN63 - Hello ....

... Good morning - time for my second card with our fabulous CR84FN63 colours of denim, tan and brown.  Last time I went with a very masculine card, this time I've made a card for one of my UK buddies.  I like to send home notes - I know it's easier to send emails, but there's nothing nicer than getting something in the post, something to keep!

Stamps: Hero Arts - Layered Flowers (CL496); Dawn Bibby - Flower Patch; Waltzingmouse - Compact Sentiments II
Inks: Memento - Rich Cocoa; Distress - Walnut Stain, Faded Jeans
Accessories:  Waltzingmouse - Lace; Papermania - Portobello Road DP 6" x 6"; Marianne Die - LR0133; Stampin' Up! - Crumb Cake card

I enjoyed making last week's card with the distressing, etc, so I had another go.  I started off with some old style newspaper print paper from the Portobello collection, cut it to size and then distressed the edges, crumbled it up and then lightly rubbed over some colour.  I cut the dotty paper to size, distressed the edges and added this lovely cream lace.  I made the layered flower by stamping the image three times; twice onto some postage style paper and once on the dotty paper.  On the bottom layer of the flower I sponged on some blue ink.  I stamped a couple of flowers directly onto the card, and then used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the sentiment.  I finished off by adding some leaves.

Here's the graphic for this week's colours - photos courtesy of Magnolia Rouge.

For more inspiration cards from the DT check out the CR84FN blog or click on the links in my sidebar.  Don't forget, we are having an Open Design Call - we want to add some new designers to the team.  The six month term will begin on 4th November 2012.  Do make sure to use our colours and add "DT" after your name so that we know you want to be considered.

See you soon.

Less is More .....

... Chrissie and Mandi have come up with a super idea for this week's Less is More challenge - LIM74, we are to use the Less is More header as inspiration for our cards.  

This is a beautifully elegant image containing lots of elements - music, flourishes, flowers, gems, scripty fonts and neutral colours.  I decided to simply CASE the image.  I started by cutting a panel of black card for the mat layer and white card.  I stamped some music on the white card and then added some flourishes around the edge.  I die cut two treble clefs to go to the side of the panel and then added the anniversary sentiment.  Before attaching the panel to the card I stamped a flourish on the base.  I'm really pleased how well this turned out, and I think it would work really well in other colours and with different sentiments too!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Musical Backgrounds, Big Day Additions; Stampin' Up! - Baroque Flourish
Inks: Memento - Desert Sand, Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! - Soft Suede
Accessories:  Marianne Dies - Treble Clef LR0167; Card from stash

We're off to Chicago this evening for three days of sight seeing, exploration and fun.  Hopefully, we'll get to see the firework display at the Navy Pier.  So I'm off to do some house work and get packed.  In view of the change in weather, I think we're going to give the pool a miss today!!  See you tomorrow!!

So busy ....

... in my craft room yesterday afternoon and evening - but sadly I can't share any of those cards with you yet - they are all cards for CR84FN and St Luke's Charity Card Challenge.  What I can tell you is that both challenges have great colours and themes coming up - I think I'd better stop teasing now! :)

However, I did manage to make a card for Flutter by Wednesday - FBW167 - a challenge that I really like, but for some reason I've not done for ages.  I thought it was time to fix that!  The card must feature an angel, fairy or butterfly, and this week we must also use die-cuts or punches.  I've gone for a soft, pretty card and mine features a butterfly.  I've used papers from Pink Petticoat, a die-cut and pretty bow! 

Stamp:  Butterfly stamp - don't know the manufacturer
Ink:  Versamark; Distress - Worn Lipstick
Accessories:  Marianne Die - LR0152, Pink Petticoat Paper free with Quick Cards, Ribbon and card from stash

Now, some of you may be aware that I have issues with bows.  I find it really difficult to make them neat and tidy, and to get the tails to lie flat!   Jeanne J, one of my new followers, kindly pointed me in the direction of Becca Feeken and a wonderful tutorial she's made about how to do bows!!  It's brilliant and I highly recommend it.  This one turned out beautifully first time!  But I think I need to make a peg board like hers!!!!

My visit to the physio yesterday was excellent.  She was very pleased with the progress I've made - my knee feels so much better.  I did have to run through a few exercises with her - and I must get back to doing them regularly.  As I've been walking around with no problems, I'd sort of stopped doing the exercises, but she tells me that it's important to continue - so I will.

Jonathan has been busy working at home - I like having him working at home with us.  Kathryn has been very good and doesn't disturb him during worktime, but lunchtime is fair game :)  Since coming home Jonathan has been catching up on photo shoots - both with the Camera Club (last night) and at local studios. 

Today is going to be busy - Kathryn and I both have lots of tidying to do.  I've got to get the house ready for visitors, and Kathryn has to tidy her room as her cousin will be sharing her room.  My Aunt and her granddaughter will be arriving on Friday afternoon and that means I won't be able to play in my craft room.  But it'll be great to see the family.

Hopefully, I'll have a couple of cards to share with you later today.  And before I go - I'd like to say hello and welcome to Maja - a new Blog Friend.  So glad you joined me.  I'd also like to say thank you to everyone who has left me such lovely comments recently - I do read all the comments left, they are much appreciated - thank you!

See you later.

Thinking cap on ...

... because I really have to finalise my OU assignment.  It's really interesting - I'm doing an astronomy course.  It's only an introduction, but there's a lot to read - and the picutres of stars, galaxies, planets are so beautiful.  The use of computers and colour enhanced images really makes it as lovely to look at, as it is interesting to read.  Sorry, tend to waffle on about the course :)))

So, I thought I'd show you a few more cards that I made earlier in the year.

I made this for my sister-in-law, Charlotte.  I'd already made her a card - see 4th October post - but that was from Kathryn.  This one was from Jonathan and me.  It was reasonably quick to make.  I used the Spellbinders star dies to cut out stars in various colours and sizes, I then ran them through the cuttlebug to give a rose impression.  The flourishes were made using some holographic card from my stash and two different Marianne dies.  The backing paper came from a pad of pink paper from Papermania; I used the Doily Lace punch to make the borders.  Finally, I added the Craftworkcards greetings and some ribbon.

I like this layout - it's a nice simple design and can be adapted for all occasions.  This time I needed to make a card for a little boy who'd just had a new baby sister.  Obviously, there would be lots of cards in the house welcoming the new baby, and I thought that Ewan should have a card just for him - as the "Big Brother".  The image is from Pink Petticoat and is coloured with pencils - I added some glitter to the mane.  I used Spellbinders Labels 3 to cut the layers; the papers were free from craft magazines.  Finally, I used a Sakura stardust pen to add the hand drawn borders.

As I said - this is a good layout!  This time it's a card that I made for my brother-in-law.  I couldn't decide what to do.  Then I found these wonderful Smirk men!!  And I found "Superman" - I just had to do it.  I used Labels 3 to cut the layers and Waltzingmouse Stamps to add the dotty frame.  I coloured the image with Prisma pencils and used peel offs for the greeting.

That's all for now, as I'd better get back to my assignment.  I'll be back tomorrow.