A coloured card ....

... Hi - goodness only knows what's happened to this week - I had big plans to get in my craft room, but only managed a couple of hours this afternoon.  However, I do have a card to share with you and I think I'm only just going to be in time:

• Less is More - LIM119 - to use a coloured card blank
• One Layer Wednesday - OLW140 borders

Stamps: Docrafts - Candle Border; CAS-ual Friday Stamps - Bold Wishes, Countdown
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! Card - Pacific Point; Staedtler - Ergosoft Pencils

I've been thinking about the Less is More challenge all week and trying to work out what colour card blank to use.  I finally decided to go for a bold blue base.  I've combined the LIM challenge with this week's One Layer Wednesday to make a card with a border; it's being hosted by Heather this week and it's been quite a while since I joined in.

The card was really easy to make.  I simply cut the card to make a standard 5½" × 4¼" card base.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the row of candles along the base of the card and then added a couple of score lines above.  I added a clean, bold sentiment to the front and finished by colouring the candles with pencils.  First I filled them all in with white pencil and then went over the top with colours.  For the inside I cut a panel of white card and repeated the candles (second impression) at the bottom, coloured them and finished with a birthday greeting.

I think the inside could also work as a card front - it's clean, simple and bold and I'm really pleased with it.

That's all for now.  See you soon.

Happy Halloween .....

.... Morning all from a cold and frosty Northville!!  Oh, but the sunrise is just gorgeous!  This is a quick post to share my card for this week's One Layer Wednesday - OLW109 which is being hosted by Cheryl at Paperie Journey.  Cheryl has picked the theme of Halloween. I think this is almost my last Halloween card of the year - I have to get them posted to my friends and family in the UK.  I've also used this week's Colour Q - cQc158 challenge for the colours - they were perfect!

Images:  Uniko Studio - BOO!, EEK! - both digital packs
Accessories:  Promarkers - Orange, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Warm Greys 1, 2, 4 & 5; Card from stash

There's not one bit of stamping on this card - it was all made on the computer using images from Uniko Studio.  I used MS Publisher to layout the card and started off by making a thin black frame; it's a square and I made the frame 3pt.  The cobweb is actually black, so I simply made it a washout image to lighten it and put the layer behind the black frame and the sentiment.  I like the ability to play with colours of digi-images - the sentiment started life being black, but I changed it to lilac to fit the colour challenge.  The pumpkin was sized to fit in the corner of the card and I added the face.  I coloured the pumpkin with Promarkers shading from dark orange (Tangerine Tango) to amber (More Mustard), and added a shadow for depth.

Have a good day.

Bee's knees ....

... don't you just love this expression!  I did a Google check to find out when people first started to use it.  According to the Oxford Dictionary it was first used in the 18th century, but then it meant something small or insignificant.  Nowadays, we use the phrase to mean something that's excellent or outstanding; this usage can be traced back to 1920s American slang!  And the relevance to cards - well, I used it on this card!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - L'il Buddies, Compact Sentiments II, Spring Basket
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Squeezed Lemonade, Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold
Accessories:  PTI - Hexagon Die; Glitter and card from stash

I used a few challenges to make this card:

• One Layer Wednesday - OLW106 hosted this week by Heather @ Bits & Pieces
• Charisma Cardz Challenges - CCC37 - to use things with wings
• LIM86 - Take 3 of the previous LIM challenges
• St Luke's Charity Card Challenge - SLCCC18 - where we want to see "couples" - there's still plenty of time to join in with our challenge!

First I cut a stencil using my Papertrey hexagon die - I pushed out some of the hexagons and left a few in place, attached it to the card and sponged through some ink.  I started with the palest yellow and built up to the strongest, suggesting part of a honeycomb.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the sentiment and then added a couple of little bees.  I coloured the bees with Promarkers and added a touch of glitter to the wings.  The three previous challenges for this week's LIM86 challenge are: LIM29 - Things that move (the bees), LIM59 - Masking (to create the honeycomb) and LIM66 - to use yellow.

Looks like I'm finally getting back into my groove - two posts today!!  See you tomorrow!

Fall blessings ....

... Good morning all from a very grey and wet Northville - looks like summer might well be over now.  It's still warm, but the weather is perfect for staying in and playing in my craft room!  Lots of challenges are now focusing on Fall (autumn!!), and I've used three to make this card:

• Less is More - LIM84 where Chrissie & Mandi would like a one layer card featuring FOLIAGE
• OLW105 - Autumn - being hosted by Cheryl @ Paperie Journey
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL207 - lovely sketch

My first attempt at this card ended up in the bin!  I used post-it notes to mask off a panel, applied ink directly to an acrylic block and then stamped - it turned out really spotty and didn't work.  So I tried again, this time I used removable tape to mask off the panel and completely covered the card as I didn't want to get ink in the wrong place.  I used blending sponges to add three autumnal shades to the panel and then dropped spots of water onto the ink - I love the effect you get when you do this.  Once I removed the tape dried the card with my heat gun.  Then I stamped leaving falling down the panel and finished off with a simple sentiment.

Stamps:  See-Ds - Leaves #50052; Waltzingmouse - Peace & Plenty
Inks:  Distress - Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo
Accessories:  Card from stash; Removable tape

I'm really pleased with how well the blending tool works - better than my old way of using the sponges by hand.

Well, that's all for now.  I think I've had my time in the craft room and I'd better put the rest of the day to good use with ironing!  See you soon.

OLW - on the subject .....

..... Just before I went on holiday, at the end of July (where is the time going?), Susan (Simplicity) announced the addition of two new designers to the OLW challenge DT - Karen Dunbrook and Ardyth Percy-Robbs and for various reasons I've not been able to join in with the challenges for ages!!  However, I am fixing that today.

The host of this week's OLW - OLW102 is Ardyth at MASKerade.  Ardyth's challenge is "While we're on the subject" - she wants us to make a one layer card with a school flavour but based on our favourite subject.  Such fun!!!  My favourite subject at school was science - in pretty much all its flavours - chemistry, biology and physics (a bit).  Here are my cards - yes, I made four!!!  They are all tiny cards - the rectangular ones are 7½ x 10½ cm (2 7/8" x 4 1/8") and the square ones are 7½ x 7½ (3" x 3") - approximately.

Stamps:  There She Goes - Chemistry, Chem 101, Cutie Pi
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Promarkers - lots; Card from stash

These were really easy to make - I simply stamped the images directly on to the cards and then coloured with Promarkers.  The first one I made is the last card shown - a play on the diagram of an atom - hence the sentiment.  Then I saw the little cutie pi stamp and, as my husband is a total maths nerd, I had to use it too - and his favourite colour is green!  Now, my very favourite science subject is chemistry and I just love the scientist image, and a fun sentiment to match.  I finished off with the rack of test tubes and these colourful solutions!  Chemicals really do come in a huge range of bright colours:

I took this photo at an Open University Transition Chemistry Summer school in July 2006.  It was such a fun week and I learnt a lot too!  These containers hold samples of all the chemicals we made that week.

That's all for today.  After an absolutely beautiful weekend weather wise, I've woken to rain and grey skies.  Still warm!  My job today is to do the ironing - I've managed to put it off since we got back, but it has to be done today!  See you soon.

In threes ....

... Good morning all - it's going to be another brilliantly sunny and very hot day here in Northville.  It's only just after 9.00am and it's already 26C (79F)!!!  I've made a couple of card for this week's Less is More - LIM76 challenge.  It's the one layer week and Chrissie and Mandi would like us to use three of anything on our card.  I've made two small cards (UK A7 - USA 2 15/16 x 4 1/8).

The first card is a thank you card; I've used one stamp and three shades of pink - it's really clean and simple.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Cute by the Inch (hostess set)
Inks: Memento - Angel Pink, Rose Bud, Love Letter
Accessories: Card from stash

I played a bit more with my second card.  I stamped this sweet sunflower in a vase three times and coloured the images with Promarkers.  I added some bling to the centre of the middle flower and finished off with a simple sentiment.

Stamps: Pink Petticoat - free with Simply Cards & Papercraft
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Promarkers; Gems and card from stash

I am submitting the second card to this week's One Layer Wednesday - OLW96 which is being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  I really should read instructions properly too - Susan wants Birthday cards with Bling - mine is simply for my Mum, because I love her!

That's all for now - see you soon.

Any size, any theme ....

.... just a quick post this morning to share a sweet little card that I made for two challenges:

• One Layer Wednesday - OLW94 - to use any size card apart from an A2.  This week the challenge is being hosted by Cheryl at A Paperie Journey
• Charisma Cardz - CC25 - theme is anything goes

My card is tiny; in the UK it would be called an A7 card.  It measures 74 x 104 mm (2 3/8" x 4 1/8") - it's really sweet.  I decided to play with some of my new stamps from There She Goes Stamps - they make really fun images.  I have a lot of cyber buddies and so I made this card.

Stamps:  There She Goes - Crafty Taglines, Technology Bytes; Waltzingmouse - Midnight Feast
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Promarkers - shades of grey and a touch of red, card from stash

I really like this computer setup and the sentiment is just perfect.  I coloured the image with Promarkers and decided to add an image to the monitor screen - love the tiny bats!!

It was so hot here yesterday - we reached 38C (100F) by the afternoon - perfect weather to splash around in the pool!!  I went in too!!  And today we are expecting much the same, so we're off out early to get the shopping done before it gets too warm!!  See you soon.

OLW93 - In the kitchen ....

..... I meant to post this card before I went out this morning, but better late than never!!!  This week's One Layer Wednesday - OLW93 is being hosted by Heather of bits & pieces.  Heather is sending us to our kitchens to find inspiration for our cards.  For me this was easy!  On top of the cupboards in my kitchen is a lot of "stuff" - it was all here before we moved in and I've been meaning to move it.

However, I'm glad I've not moved it yet - I've got the perfect inspiration for my card!  I rather like the cockerel and it gives me the opportunity to use my Waltzingmouse cockerel.

This is an ultra clean and simple card - it's also quite small, being a 4" x 4" card.  I simply stamped the cockerel in black, masked him off and the placed a stencil over the top.  I sponged through the stencil with my distress inks.  I finished off with a bright and breezy sentiment.  The cockerel is calling in the dawn!

Stamps:  Waltingsmouse - French Country
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed
Spellbinders: 2011 Snowflake Pendant (S5-054)
Accessories:  Card from stash

I was told that summers in Michigan could be hot - and they weren't kidding!!!  Yesterday was stifling - it was 35C and very, very humid and today is almost as hot at 33C but a lot less humid which makes a big difference.  I had promised not to use the air conditioning before we came here, but I am so, so grateful we have it.  Coming into the house this afternoon was bliss - a blast cool, fresh air - lovely!  I'd like it just a tiny bit cooler - the high 20C would be fab!

That's all for now - I'll be back again tomorrow.  Take care.

End of term ....

... One thing that is really difficult to get used to here in the States, is just how early the schools close for their summer break.  I know that it is because American schools have shorter holidays during the school year, but it's still hard getting used to the idea of a 2½ month summer break!!!  What am I going to do with Kathryn ? :) :)  The school closes on Thursday, but I think most of this week will be quite relaxed and today all the 5th Grade kids are off to a local sports centre for fun and games!!

It was so hot here yesterday (32°C) that we had a quiet day in the house - in the air conditioned cool!!!  Kathryn asked me to make a couple of cards for her teachers, which I was delighted to do.

For my first card I used the One Layer Wednesday - OLW91 challenge to make a card for a teacher.  This week the challenge is being hosted by Jennifer at Styles Ink.  I made an ultra clean and simple card.  I stamped the rectangle, greeting and apple directly on the card base and coloured the apple with Promarkers.  Well, you have to have an apple on a card for the teacher!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Frame It, Peace and Plenty
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Promarkers: Apple, Meadow Green, Cocktail Pink, Walnut, Warm Grey 1

For the second card I've used a couple of challenges:

• Do You Stack Up - DYSU#75 - the DT would like us to use paper piecing
• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC56 - the DT would like us to use polka dots in the design

The school pledge at Ridge Wood Elementary is:

As a Ridge Wood Rocket,

I promise to do my best,

Show compassion,

Keep a positive attitude,

Be respectful and responsible

In every way.

Go Rockets!!!

So it was very easy to come up with a design for this card - Kathryn wanted me to use the sweet rocket from the Half Pint Heroes set.  As the school colours are red, white and blue - I decided to print off some polka dot paper and paper piece the rocket.  I stamped the frame directly on the card - this time with the gap at the top.  Using my stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the rocket flying out of the frame - moving on up to Junior High!!  I coloured the rocket fins, window frame and flame with Sakura Stardust pens to give a subtle shimmer.  I made the sentiment on my computer and cut it out with Spellbinder, adding shading around words. I finished off by stamping some stars around the rocket and the moon.  Kathryn was so pleased with this one!  This one is for her class teacher, Mrs Zane, who is a fabulous teacher.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Half Pint Heroes, Frame-It
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire
Spelllbinders: Petit Ovals Lg (S4-138) # 2
Accessories:  Sakura Stardust pens

Just in case you're worried - Kathryn has lots to do over the summer break.  She will be going to some summer camps and my Mum and Ben are coming to stay with us for a month in July - we are all so excited to have them here.  That's all for now, see you soon.

Cutting it fine .....

.... I seem to be doing that at the moment, and this one will only get in because the deadline has been extended!  I've used four challenges to make this card:

• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC51 - a birthday theme (extended deadline - yea!)
• One Layer Wednesday - OLW87 - to make a shaped one layer card
• Colour Q - cQc136 - great colours
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU71 - to use a flower

This week I've been sorting out my craft room; all the boxes are unpacked and it's so, so nice to have all my stash here.  And I've been able to use it on this card!!  I started off by cutting an octagon shaped card (OLW87) and embossing another octagon inside the cut shape.  Next I stamped a birthday cupcake (CFC51) in the centre and used Promarkers to colour match (as far as possible) the cQc136 colours.  I finished off by stamping "happy birthday" around the image.  Clean, simple and fun!!  This one is for my stash and for the joy of crafting.

Stamps:  Hero Arts - Birthday Cupcakes; Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Promarkers: Ivory, Tulip Yellow (Daffodil Delight), Gold (Tangerine Tango)
Spellbinders: Octagons Lg (S4-185) #7 and #4
Accessories: Card from stash

It's so nice having my craft room back - it's mostly sorted and I promise to have photos next week.  I should have all the house finished by then!

That's all for now.  I'll be back tomorrow - with another card to share.  See you then.

Kathryn's art lesson ....

.... We've had a very busy morning.  Kathryn has spent quite a lot of time this week working on Maths, English and Science, so today I thought it would be fun to do a bit of art.

As we found out about Katie's birthday this morning, I asked Kathryn if she'd like to make Katie a card and use of the challenges for the inspiration.  Her immediate response was YES!!!  Kathryn decided that she'd have a go at the One Layer Wednesday - OLW84 challenge set by Susan.  After hunting through my stash, Kathryn came up with this card:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Large Doily, Compact Sentiments, Make Your Mark
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red
Accessories:  Card from stash

Kathryn started off by working out her design on a piece of scrap paper and trying out different colours - originally the large doily was going to be orange, but she decided that she liked it better in pink (and I agree with her).

Hopefully, Kathryn will have a few more cards to share with you soon.

Sweet birthday wishes ....

.... This morning I found out that it is our Hotel Manager's birthday today.  Katie is such a lovely person; always smiling and cheerful, and she has made us so welcome.  I've used three challenges as the basis for my card design:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC89 - card design by Renee
• One Layer Wednesday - OLW84 - hosted by Susan this week; she wants us to use pinks and one shade of orange
• Less is More - LIM59 - Chrissie and Mandi have given us a theme this week - they want to see evidence of masking 

I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to try out my new Waltzingmouse stamps.  I started off by masking off a narrow border all round the card.  Next I stamped one of the lovely Vintage Label frames in bright orange, and a couple of pretty flowers in the bottom corners.  I covered these images with some masks and then stamped the chicken wire background in pale pink.  I stamped a few more flowers at the bottom corners and, after removing the mask, I stamped the sentiment in the frame.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Vintage Labels 25, Chicken Wire, Compact Sentiments; Dawn Bibby - Flower Patch
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red
Accessories:  Card from stash

I'm not sure whether this is completely within the Less is More rules - but I think the chicken wire background does allow a lot of white space to show!!  Ladies, if it's not quite right, feel free to delete and I'll have another go :)

The weather today continues to be absolutely wonderful - I'm sitting by the window in my bedroom and I can hear crickets and birds outside - it's just fab!  We are expecting record temperatures today about 83F, which is 28C!!!!  However, temperatures will be dropping by the weekend towards 60F, which is still higher than normal for Michigan in March!

That's all for now.  Back soon with something from Kathryn!

Circles galore and Valentine wishes ....

.... Good morning all - hope you're all fine and well today.  Life here is a bit hectic, but I got some time in my craft room last night to unwind a bit.  I've got quite a bit to share with you today and I'll start with this card which was made with two challenges in mind:

• One Layer Wednesday - OLW78, hosted by Susan at Simplicity - and we must use at least FIVE circles on our card
• The Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC118 - just love these colours

Last week I told you that my Aunt had asked me to make her a number of cards, including several birthday cards for her boys and husband.  This is birthday card number three - only one more to make.  As soon as I saw the PDCC colours I knew that they would be perfect for a guy card.  I really like Circle Circus, I think the set works really well for masculine cards.  The idea for this came really quickly, but it took a little while to make as there was a lot of masking involved.  I used post-it notes to mask off the sides of the card to leave a central panel, into which I stamped Circle Circus.  To create depth I stamped a few of the images, masked them off, stamped some more, did a bit more masking and some more stamping.  I finished off by adding birthday greetings above and below the stamped panel.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Circle Circus; Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit - Sentiments
Inks:  Kaleidacolor - Blue Breeze; Stampin' Up! - Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Card from stash

My second card is a Valentine card for my darling husband Jonathan.  The card has been made with two challenges in mind:

• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU#58 - they have the theme "Love" this week
• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC39 - where the team would like us to make a card using paper piecing

This card came together quickly and easily.  The hearts from Sewing Box Hugs just cry out to be paper pieced.  I simply found some coordinating papers (in Jonathan's favourite colour), stamped the hearts, cut out the layers and attached them to the card.  I stamped a simple frame and sentiment to complete the card.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Frame-It, Sweethearts, Sewing Box Hugs
Ink:  Memento - Cottage Ivy
Paper:  Papermania - Inspirations Cool Tones
Accessories:  Card from stash

The postman brought me a very special envelope yesterday - it was from Meredith and contained all these lovely goodies.

Meredith's giveaway goodies

Meredith set up a 100 Follower Giveaway where we had to comment on her post - and I was the lucky winner.  Thank you so much - I can't wait to play with my new goodies.  Not only did I get all these super bits to play with, but Meredith included this beautiful card too - it's gorgeous!

I've another new follower - please join me in welcoming Evelyn - Hi, great to have you here!  Now I'm off to do a bit more sorting out - we've still got quite a lot of decluttering to do, so while the weather is reasonable, I'm going to fill the skip!!  See you soon.

One layer Wednesday .....

... Susan has a lovely challenge for us this week.  The One Layer Wednesday - OLW76 challenge is to use grey, white and a pop (just a bit) of a bright colour.  Susan's cards are simply gorgeous and they are the inspiration for my card.  I do like the softness of stamping in grey - it gives a totally different feel to the card.  I think this card will go into my stash for when I need a sympathy card.

I've kept the layout, but changed the stamp and sentiment - I think the blue gems work beautifully with the soft grey ink.  Clean, simple and quick.

Stamps:  Kanban - All Occasion - both the flower and sentiment
Ink:  Memento - London Fog
Accessories:  Blue gems and card from stash

I'm really excited this morning - I'm off to the airport shortly to pick up Jonathan, his plane is due in at 8.45am.  I know that Jonathan has only been in the States for three weeks, but it has felt much longer this time than before Christmas.  Kathryn is coming to the airport with me - she can't wait to see her Daddy.  That's all for now - I'll be back again tomorrow!  Have a good day.