Fall Colours

...Morning!! So much for making a card everyday!! Instead, I've been doing some reorganising in my craft room - it's nearly done. However, I did get chance to make a card yesterday - we had autumn sunshine and I noticed that autumn colours are creeping in already. So, here's the card:

Stamps: Waffle Flower - Multiple Fall Leaves; C&9 - Triple Step Autumn Leaf, Harvest Wreath Turnabout; Stampin' Up! - Cookie Cutter Halloween

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Faded Brick, Fresh Asparagus, Sandy Beach; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Accessories: White Card; SU Punch - Cookie Cutter; Copic Markers

I masked off an area in the centre of the notecard, I lightly inked the background, stamped some outline leaves, which I coloured with Copic markers, and finished by adding some solid images in coloured inks. I removed the tape (sadly there was some spreading of the alcohol ink) and stamped a greeting. Next, I stamped the cute scarecrow, coloured him with Copics and used the co-ordinating punch to cut him out. For the inside of the card, I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the notecard, added some autumnal leaves and a simple greeting in bold black ink.

This one is already in the post, off to my Aunt in Barry and confirming a date for our lunch next month - so looking forward to seeing her.

I'm playing along with the following challenges - CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#568 (used their sketch); Addicted to Stamps and More! - ATSM#501 (make your mark); CAS on Friday - CASOF#317 (Theme - Fall); and Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#78 (I've had the Cookie Cutter image and punch for years, and this is the first time I've used it on a card!!!).

That's all for now - I'm spending the rest of the day finishing off the reorganisation that I started. I've got rid of a large black DVD unit (used to store SU and Uniko stamps) - it blocked the light, and now I have a much brighter room. There's no autumnal sunshine today, just rain - lots of it. I'm not going to grumble as we need the rain, but it's dull!!! Bye for now.

Birthday Wishes

.... Hello!! It's been a while since I've been here. I was lucky enough to go to a Uniko/Dies to Die For workshop at the beginning of August and my creative mojo started to come back. So, here I am with a much needed birthday card for my stash:

Stamps: Uniko - Simply Said Blocks 3; Birthday Sentiments

Inks: Gina K - Applemint, Lucky Clover, Christmas Pine; Versafine Claire - Nocturne

Accessories: Uniko Stencil - Layering Bauhaus Blocks; White Card; Copic Marker

I'm submitting this card to AAA Cards - AAA#297 where it's Anything CAS Goes with the option of all green, and I love all shades of green. I'm also playing along Just Us Girls - JUGS#790 where it's Stencil week. And, as this is the first time I've used this stencil, I'm also submitting to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#77.

I had such a good time at the Uniko/Dies to Die For workshop, that I was inspired to get out some of my Uniko stencils. I'm embarrassed to say that I've had this stencil for ages, but not used it. The design is made of three layering stencils, and I simply used three shades of green from light to dark. I trimmed the panel to be slightly smaller than 5" square, edged it with dark green Copic and adhered it to the card base. I didn't want to hide the image, so I stamped a small birthday greeting in black ink, cut it out and added to the card. For the inside, I cut a piece of white card to 4¾" square and I added the centre strip of the stencil to the card (I turned it sideways), and added a fun greeting.

It's been fun getting back to making cards. I needs lots!!

The reason I've been absent, is that Mum's cancer came back early last year, and I spent as much time as I could with her. Sadly, mum died in January, I've been coming to terms with no having mum here. It's been a tough, but my mojo seems to be back, and mum would be so pleased to see me making cards again. I worked my way through all my stash, and I so need more cards. So, I'm back. See you again soon.

SHC - Shimmer and Shine ....

.... Morning! I can't quite believe that it's already August - the year is flying by. However, it's Wednesday and that means it's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft Blog post. Not a Christmas card in sight today, instead I've made a set of three cards all using products from Concord & 9th. Here's the first:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Stripes & Sayings, Everyday Greetings

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Passionate Pink; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - Confetti Card Die, Butterfly Perfect Pairing

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Melon Mambo; C&9 - Tintables Card Fronts; Silver Holographic Card; Sheer Shimmer Spray - Sparkle

I'm submitting this card to Color Hues - CH#23 where the colours are yellow and pink, and to Inkspirational - INK#244 where they want to see Dots/Spots.

I started by blending yellow and pink inks over the dotty tintable card front. I love the way the pattern is revealed as the colour is blended! I spritzed the panel with a shimmer spray and once it was dry I used a fancy edge die to cut the panel to fit on the front of an A2 (US size card) notecard. I stamped a simple greeting in bold black in the bottom corner of the card. I finished the front by adding a flutter of butterflies. I die cut a silver layer and two white layers. I adhered them together to give strength and stability to the die cut, and then I glued them to the card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of bright pink card. On the white panel I stamped a birthday greeting in bright pink and added a tiny sun stamp in yellow. I also added a silver holographic butterfly - some of the waste from the die cut!!

Next, I used word tintable card front:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Everyday Greetings

Inks: Gina K - Lemon Drop, Key Lime, Lucky Clover

Dies: C&9 - Confetti Card Die

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Granny Apple Green; C&9 - Tintables Card Fronts; Sheer Shimmer Spray - Frost

I'm submitting this to the current Never-Before-Used-Sctuff - NBUS#29 - first time I've used the Confetti die, despite having it for a while!!

I used acid lemon, lime green and grass green for this tintable cover sheet. In real-life the words are clearly visible, but not so much in the photo. I think perhaps, I'll use darker colours next time. As before, I used the Confetti die to cut out the panel, after first adding shimmer with a frost spray. I adhered the panel directly to an A2 notecard. Inside, I cut a mat layer of bright green card. On the white panel, I simply adding a bold greeting in green. Lots of space left for my own message.

My final card is a simple hello card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Shine On

Inks: Gina K - Powder Blue, Blue Denim, In the Navy, Slate

Dies: C&9 - Confetti Card Die; Everyday Sayings

Accessories: White & Black Card; C&9 - Tintables Card Fronts; Sheer Shimmer Spray - Frost; Copic Marker

I'm submitting this card to Cardz 4 Guyz - C4G#276 where they want us to use Shades of Blue - done!!

This time I used blue and grey inks to blend over the chevron tintable card front. I spritzed on some frosty shimmer and, once dry, I used the Confetti die to cut the panel to size. I adhered it to the front of an A2 card. I used a large 'hello' die to cut a black shadow and three white hellos. I layered the white words together, glued them to the black shadow and then adhered the lot to the front of the card. Inside, I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the note card. I edged it with a dark grey Copic marker and stamped a message and some stars. There's plenty of space for my message. I think this one will go to our son, Ben.

That's all from me today. I'm taking Mum and Kat into Chester later this morning for a bit of retail therapy. And then, in the afternoon, I'll be watching the Olympics - just love all the sports. See you soon.

SHC - Books Galore ....

.... Morning! I'm here with my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. I was lucky enough to get a super new stamp for my birthday - thanks so much Tara. I had to play with it.

Stamps: Hero Arts - Bookcase Peek a Boo; Concord & 9th - Tiny Tagalong; Mama Elephant - Mixed Wishes Greetings

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Claire - Nocturne; Gina K - Soft Stone, Stormy Sky

Dies: MFT - A2 Rectangle Stax Set 1 #11

Accessories: White & Black Card; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder; Sakura Stardust Pen

I'm submitting this card to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#27 - the stamp is brand new!!!

I started by stamping the large bookcase image onto white card. I removed it from my MISTI and coloured, in rainbow order, with Copic markers. I returned the image to the MISTI, stamped in Versafine black ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I used a die to cut it out, edged it with a black marker and adhered it to the front of an A2 notecard. I stamped this fun message in dark grey ink and used the matching banner stamp in pale grey. I carefully cut out the banner, leaving a white edge around. I used dimensional pads to adhere it to the card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped a lovely greeting from another new set and added a bit of the bookcase image in the corner. This card can be used for a birthday or just because!

After stamping and mixed media and making cards, reading is my favourite hobby. I have a an old and much loved bookmark that I use in my books. It was made for me in 2012 by Vicky Hayes - I used to get my Stampin' Up! goodies from her. And, when I went to the States she made me the bookmark as a farewell gift. Here's a photo - it's a bit dog eared, but the paper is soft and smooth and it feels wonderful.

As this bookmark is getting a bit old and fragile, I decided to make some new bookmarks using the Bookcase Peek a Boo stamp. I based the design of my bookmarks on the one Vicky made for me. I didn't take my bookmark apart, I worked out how to do it. Here are the bookmarks:

Stamps: Hero Arts - Bookcase Peek a Boo

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Claire - Nocturne

Accessories: White, Black, Red, Green, Teal, Orange and Yellow Card; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder; Ribbons and Brads from my stash

I'm submitting the bookmarks to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#59 - where it is Anything Goes.

I stamped the image on white card and coloured each row shades of one colour. I stamped and embossed it and then cut it out. I layered the coloured panels on black card. I cut two strips of card measuring 1½" x 6" in each colour. I adhered the coloured image at the bottom of one strip and stamped some words at the top. On the reverse of this strip of card I adhered some super tacky adhesive tape down the centre and around the edges. Next I cut some ribbon and folded it in half and adhered it to the centre strip of adhesive tape. I then added a brad at the top of the strip, making sure that it went through the ribbon. I removed the protective paper from the adhesive, added a thin layer of strong liquid adhesive and than carefully aligned and adhered the second strip of card on the back. I made sure the hold the edges together to ensure they were fully adhered. 

I am very happy how these have turned out. My daughter Kat, who came home from University on Saturday, has taken possession of the teal bookmark, and I've given a couple to mum.

That's all from me today. See you again soon.

SHC - It's All About the Dies ...

... Morning! I'm running a bit late with my Seven Hills Craft blog post - Internet gremlins!! Fortunately, Bev did my slot yesterday and I'm doing hers today. I'm focusing on dies today. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has many dies in her stash, and I'm often guilty of not using them enough (at all!!). I'm making up for that today. Here's my first card:

Dies: Concord & 9th - Everyday Sayings

Accessories: White and Black Card

This is as clean and simple as it gets. I used the hello die and its shadow to cut a black mat layer and white top layer. I adhered them together and glued them to the front of my card. Done!! The inside is blank for my message. My next card is still quite CAS, but much brighter:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Bold Butterflies, Fluttering By Turnabout Stamp, Kids are Grand

Inks: Gina K - Dusty Rose, Stormy Sky; Stampin' Up! - Poppy Parade

Dies: C&9 - Bold Butterflies, Everyday Sayings

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Poppy Parade

I'm submitting this card to Uniko Challenge - USC#65 where it's Anything Goes with the option of using dies - done!

This was very easy to make. I die cut the large 'hi' twice in red card and layered them together and adhered them to the card. Next, I stamped the layered butterfly onto white card and used the matching die to cut it out. I applied a thin line of glue down the middle of the butterfly and added some dimensional pads under the winds. I finished the front by adding a tiny butterfly trail. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of red card and on the white panel I stamped a message and added a tiny red butterfly.

Next is another clean and simple card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Kids are Grand

Inks: Gina K - Lucky Clover

Dies: MFT - In Focus Florals

Accessories: White Card; Brusho Crystals - Sea Green, Emerald Green, Lime Green, Turquoise, Black; Cosmic Shimmer - Pearl

I'm submitting this to CAS on Friday - CASOF#206 where they want to see the colour Green. Done!

I stamped the little clusters of kisses and the sentiment in green and added the lovely die cut leaf/floral image. This was cut from some water colour panels that I had in my stash. I made them ages ago, so it's nice to actually use them!! The inside is blank for my message.

The next three cards are all made using the water colour panels that I found in my stash. When I make panels like this, I keep a note of the products I use.

Dies: C&9 - Everyday Sayings

Accessories: White Card; Tim Holtz Water Colour Card; Brushos - Gray, Burnt Sienna, Black, Dark Brown, Sandstone; Cosmic Shimmer - Pearl Spray

I'm submitting this card to Happy Little Stamps Water Colour challenge - HLSWC#06 where it's Anything Goes.

This was so easy to make. The water colour panel was quite large, so I cut it to fit the front of an A2 size card (US size) and adhered it to the card. I had a strip left over, so I used the large 'hello' die to cut out the word. I used the shadow die to cut out a mat layer. The first time I did it in black card, but the word was lost on the front of the card, so I cut a white shadow layer. I glued the pieces together and added it to the centre of the card. Done. I love this one!! The inside is blank for my message.

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Kids are Grand

Inks:Versamark

Dies: MFT - In Focus Florals; Gina K - Master Layouts1

Accessories: White & Black Card; Brusho Crystals - Ost Blue, Ost Red, Violet, Cobalt Blue; Cosmic Shimmer - Pearl; White Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Seize the Birthday - STB#215 - I've gone for the Anything Goes Birthday option.

Another card that was very quick to put together. I used dies to cut the water colour panel to size and layered it onto black card and added it to the front of the card. I die cut three white flowers and layered them together and glued directly to the card. I finished the front by stamping a birthday greeting on black card and heat embossing with white powder. I trimmed the strip to fit the front of the card. At the moment, the inside is still blank.

Finally, I used the negative space on the green water colour panel:

Stamps: MFT - Itty Bitty Basics

Inks: Versamark

Dies: MFT - In Focus Florals, Itty Bitty Strips; Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Costal Cabana; Brusho Crystals - Sea Green, Emerald Green, Lime Green, Turquoise, Black; Cosmic Shimmer - Pearl

I'm submitting this card to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#27 - the dies are all new.

I used a die to cut the water colour panel to the right size and layered it on black card. I then adhered the little pieces from the leaves back into the leaf spaces. I adhered the whole panel to the front of a pale green note card. I finished the front by stamping a message on black card, embossed with white powder and used the matching die to cut it out. I used dimensional pads to adhere it to the card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card and added a white panel which is blank for my message.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end of this post - it's a long one!! 

Yesterday was my 61st birthday and I had my second Covid vaccination as a present. I was also lucky enough to get lots of lovely cards and some super stamps for presents. See you soon. Keep safe!

Happy Anniversary ....

... Morning! I'm here with a quick post today to share an anniversary card that my mum asked me to make for her. Friends of hers will be celebrating their Ruby Wedding anniversary soon, so I had fun making the card for mum. 

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Heart Turnabout; MFT - Birthday Sentiments, Essential Sentiments, Journal It - Pocket Calculator; Lawn Fawn - Milo's ABCs; Visible Image - Follow Your Heart

Inks: Gina K - Lipstick, Soft Stone; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Hero Arts - Unicorn

Dies: Concord & 9th - Heartstrings

Accessories: White & Black Card; Red Satin Mirri Card; Holographic Heart Card; White Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - HLSAGD#05 and to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#26 - I've had the Heatstrings die for ages, but this is the first time it's been out to play!!

As it's a Ruby anniversary I had to use red, and I combined the red with grey and black (sadly I missed the deadline for Paper Players - PP#540). I started by cutting a piece of white card 5½" square. I used my MISTI to stamp the Heart turnabout stamp. I stamped the first and third impression with bright red ink and the second and fourth in soft grey which gives a complete background. I edged the panel with a black marker and adhered it to the front of a 5¾" white square card. The heartstring die set consists of three parts - a tiny heart, a solid heart and the heartstrings die which cuts out the string sections. I used the solid heart and heartstrings die to cut out the red satin mirri layer. I used the solid heart to cut out a silver heart holographic layer as well as two white hearts. I adhered the two white hearts together, adhered the silver heart layer on top of them and finished by adding the red heartstring layer on top. Next, I die cut a small black heart onto which I stamped the number 40 in white ink and heat embossed with white powder. I adhered the black number heart on top of the heart panel and glued this to the card. I finished the front by stamping a simple 'happy anniversary' message in black.

Inside the card, I cut a piece of red mirri card for the mat layer. On the white panel, I stamped a beautiful graffiti style heart in soft grey ink. I stamped a scripty 'happy' in black in and a clean, crisp 'anniversary' in red ink.

I'm very pleased how this turned out. And I'm so pleased how the heartstring die looks, I can see it working for a shaker card!! I took a close-up photo of the holographic heart card - it's so pretty in real-life as the shimmer moves:

Jonathan and I travelled down to the University of Nottingham to see Kat yesterday. It was a wet and dull day, but it was great to see Kat. It's the first time that I've been down to see her room since she started last September. She made the place beautiful and so homely. Kat's course has almost finished and she'll be coming back home in three weeks'. The year has flown by. I asked Kat if she'd had a good year despite all the difficulties with Covid and the various restrictions. She said yes, and she's loves her course and she's made some very good friends.

Well, that's all from me for today. See you soon.