OLW68 - Get triangular ....

... this week's One Layer Wednesday - OLW68 is being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  Susan has set us the task of using triangles in our cards.  They can be actual triangles or simply implied! 

I decided to use this as an opportunity to make another Christmas card for my 2011 Collection and have used a "triangular" Christmas tree for the focal image. 

I stamped the image in Tuxedo Black and coloured with three shades of red Promarkers.  And, as it's a Christmas card, I've added lots of sparkle too.  Simple, pretty - I really like this one!

Stamps:  Holly Ivy Mix - Chocolate Baroque; Stampin' Up! - Contempo Christmas
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Promarkers:  Poppy, Lipstick Red, Cocktail Pink, Chestnut, Terracotta, Warm Grey 1
Accessories:  Card and glitter from stash

I'm so pleased to be indoors at the moment - it's blowing a gale outside!  It's not raining - although I don't think it'll be long before it starts - but the wind is howling around the house - I'm sure my decorators are pleased they completed the outside yesterday when it was reasonably warm, dry and wind free!  That's all for now - I'm off to get dinner sorted out and then this evening I plan to play in my craft room for a while.

One layer Wednesday ....

.... I'm running late with my submission for this week's One Layer Wednesday - OLW66 challenge, but I'm here.  The challenge is being hosted by Susan at Simplicity and the theme this week is to "get inspired by Janelle". 

Janelle's blog - Show and Tell - is an inspirational place to visit.  Janelle has always shared great cards and how to make them with us, as well as a joyful description of life, family and her deep faith in God.  And I've dropped in from time to time to check it all out.  Sadly, Janelle was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August and she's facing some tough challenges ahead, but Janelle continues to share her cards, her faith and her progress with us - do visit.  Janelle really is an inspiration.
I spent quite some time reading Janelle's blog - and a couple of coffees later I'd decided to use this card as the inspiration for my OLW66 card.

Janelle's card - I really like the wood grain finish to the hearts!

Janelle is making lots of thank you cards at the moment to give to all her friends, so I thought I'd make a thank you card too.  Here's my take on Janelle's card.

As I had to keep to one layer, I stamped the sentiment directly onto the card and then used one stamp in three shade of pink to stamp a random pattern - very roughly following the layout of Janelle's card. 

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Circle Circus; Waltzingmouse - Join Us
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Card from stash


I've been really busy today - I've been tidying and reorganising my craft room.  I'd reached the point where I could hardly see the floor for all the stash on it, and I couldn't find stuff easily anymore - I should tidy as I go along, but......  Anyway, I decided to attack it all today.  And I'm really pleased with my progress.  I can now see my floor again and I rearranged where everything is stored - I think it's going to be a bit easier to find stuff now.   It's been a good day - but I'm shattered, so I'm off to bed now.  See you all tomorrow!

OLW62 - Make it personal .....

.... gosh, talk about cutting things fine - it's only a few hours to the deadline for this week's One Layer Wednesday challenge, being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  The challenge for OLW62 - is make it personal - "make a card for a particular person that is custom designed for him or her. You might use the person's favorite colors or a favorite image (such as a frog card for a friend who collects frogs, or an iris because it's your mother's favorite flower)". 

I don't know why this card has taken me so long to make - because I knew as soon as I saw the challenge that it would be for Jonathan to welcome him home.  But coming up with a design has been more than a little difficult.  And this card owes thanks to Chrissie - for the idea of sponging, and to Vicky - again for the sponging, but also for the idea of music!

Jonathan has lots of interests but the top two, apart from his family, are photography and music - so it was natural to use them as the main features.  And his favourite colour is green.  Once I'd got that sorted it came together really quickly.  Here's the card.

It's a square card, 13½ × 13½ cm.  I started off by masking off the top and bottom of the card.  I stamped some of the images in London Fog directly onto the white base.  The I picked my favourite green inks and sponged them on being careful to blend them.  Then I added a few more images using the various shades of green.  Finally, I added a sentiment above and below the main image.  I think this is the first time I've done one of these grungy, vintage type panels - I really like the effect. 

Stamps:  Stampendous - House & Home; Inkadinkadoo - Rock Star; Creative Expressions - Vintage Photography; Waltzingmouse - Musical Backgrounds, Fancy Phrases, Sewing Box - Hugs
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog; Distress - Shabby Shutters, Crushed Olive, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint
Accessories:  Card from stash

I showed this to Kathryn before I added the sentiment and asked her what she thought.  She looked at it carefully and said "It's for Daddy!  His favourite colour, cameras and music!" - so it works :)

I've had an extremely busy day - I've finished the wedding cards - I've made two so that Helen can pick which she likes - I'll share them with you tomorrow.  That's all for this evening, so glad I managed to get this card finished in time for the challenge - now to put it away safely until Jonathan comes home.  Only 10 days to go! 

Sunshine doily ...

... the One Layer Wednesday challenge is being hosted by Susan at Simplicity this week.  Susan has gone for a colour challenge this week - very bright, zesty colours - yellow, orange and aqua - just gorgeous! 

My card for this challenge is for a friend's birthday.  Lena is the Beaver Scout Leader in our village; she's been doing it for years, and I met her through the Group.  She's a wonderful lady - full of fun and these colours remind me of her - bright, cheerful, happy and a good mate!   So I've gone for a sunshine doily rising to send her birthday wishes!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Dainty Doilies Lg, Dainty Doilies Sm; Personal Impressions - Wording stamps (PICS066) by Paula Pascual
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Tuquoise

I'm sorry, but I've had to scan the card as I'm not able to take photos at the moment.  Very hard to balance on crutches and take a photo without (a) falling over or (b) blurred photo!   

So far I'm managing to get around okay on the crutches, but I have to remember not to put weight on my left leg.  And it's so frustrating - I'm not ill, just not able to move about easily!!  I have to plan my crafting very carefully as the computer is upstairs in our office and my craft room is downstairs.  And it's hard to carry thing up and down stairs - so glad that my handbag goes over my head!!   

That's all for now.  I hope to be back later this evening to share another card with you.  See you later.

OLW56 - Father's Day ...

..... it's time for another One Layer Wednesday card and this week the challenge is being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  Susan's challenge is for us to make a one layer card for Father's Day.  The card doesn't have to be just for your father - just someone who might be a "father figure" to you.

Sadly, I'm not in touch with my father (far too long and complicated a story) and my step-father died several years ago, and is much missed by me and my Mum.  So this card has been made for my Uncle Ian - my Mum's youngest brother.  It's by way of thanking him for all the help and support he's given me for many years, but more particularly in recent years following my Mum's stroke in 2009.   Here's my card.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud, Large Doily; Inkadinkado (by Dawn Housen) - Pens 93401X
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Promarker: Sunflower
Accessories:  Card from stash

I love this pen stamp and have had it for several years, but I think it's only the third or fourth time it's seen ink!  However, this does mean that I'm still keeping my resolution of using some of my more neglected (but loved) stamps!!

That's all for this evening.  It's been a really fun day.  If you saw my earlier post, you'll know that Buffy and I have had fun crafting (of course) and the kids have been playing in the garden.  It has actually felt like spring today - so much so that I was able to get some washing dried on the line!!!  Do drop by tomorrow - I have some special to share with you.  Bye for now.

OLW54 - revisited ....

.... I've managed to get some time in my craft room to have another go at this week's One Layer Wednesday challenge - hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  As I said earlier - Susan wants baby cards based on the fabulous cakes at Sunday Sweets.  Earlier this afternoon I posted my card for the challenge - it wasn't good - but I decided to post it just in case I didn't get any more time to play.

However, I did get time - and I've redone my card.  I liked the general concept, but it just didn't come together successfully.  This time I used some masking tape cut to various thicknesses to create straight lines.  I used Twinkling H2Os to paint the stripes - looks so much better as they all have a lovely shimmer.  I allowed the first two colours to dry and then remasked so that I could add in more colours - I left spaces for the white lines.  Finally, I used Sharpie ultrafine markers to add some very fine lines.  There is a little bleeding of colours, but I actually don't mind it too much this time.  Next I used my anti-static buddie bag all over the card as I wanted to make sure that the embossing powder would only stick to the stamped image!!  I inked the image with Versamark and embossed with detail white powder - the detail is not completely clear in the picture, but in real life it's fine!  I am much happier with this version of the card.

Stamp:  Stampin' Up! - Punches Three (Hostess set)
Twinkling H20s:  Mediterranean Blue, French Lilac, Lemongrass, Blushing Rose
Accessories:  Card, embossing powder and Sharpies from stash

I am pleased to report that Kathryn does not need spectacles - but her eyes are beginning to show signs of short sightedness.  It's not a surprise, but hopefully she'll manage another year or two before she joins the rest of the family in wearing specs!! 

That's all for today.  I'll be back in the morning with my card for this week's Less is More challenge - a card with a butterfly - should be fun!

OLW54 - Baby cakes ...

... it's taken me a while to get to Susan's (Simplicity) challenge to make a one-layer baby card taking inspiration from the wonderful baby cakes at Sunday Sweets.  There are some fabulous cakes there and I really like the white cake decorated with sugar buttons - but it's been the inspiration for several cards, so I thought I'd try a different cake.  So this is the one I picked - you can see the original picture here - Cakes by Jen.

Cakes by Jen - link above

I think the candy colour nappy (diaper) bag is so cute, so are the shoes and keys!!  I've decided on a really simple stamp - which was stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with clear powder.  Then I painted candy stripes directly onto the card - here's when things started to go wrong!!!  Hey ho!!  I think colours are okay, but I tried to paint them on free hand - that's a mistake.  The paint was uneven and the lines wobbly.  However, I think the idea is good, but I need to neaten it up.  But I'm out of time for the moment, so I decided to post it in it's current state and hopefully I'll have time to do a better version later this evening.  Here it is!!  It's not great - but it's a work in progress :)

Stamp:  Stampin' Up! - Punches Three (Hostess Set)
Paint:  Derwent Aquatones
Accessories:  Card and embossing powder from stash

Now I'm off to take Kathryn for her eye test - I don't think she's going to need spectacles, but as both Jonathan and I need specs - anything is possible.  Back soon - with an improved version of the above card.  Bye for now.

One layer Wednesday ....

.... I've managed to make a card for this week's One Layer Wednesday challenge.  This week it's being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  For me it's a nice gentle challenge to get me back into the swing of things!!  The rules are:

OLW52 Rules

1. A one-layer card is defined as a single layer of cardstock folded in half...no other layers allowed.

2. Use a circle or circles on your card. Get as creative as you like! And remember to keep embellishments to a minimum.

3. Post your card somewhere online and link back to it using the InLinkz button on the sidebar of Simplicity.

4. The most important rule of all: HAVE FUN!!!!

As soon as I saw the requirement for circles I knew which stamp I was using - well it was a toss up between two sets - either my Waltzingmouse Free Spirit stamps or my Stampin' Up! Circle Circus - it was close, but the rodent won!!  Here's my take on this week's challenge.

I adore this large, very retro circle stamp from Waltzingmouse - it's such a fun image and I've used it for all sorts of cards.  I inked it up with my Big 'n' Juicy pad and stamped directly onto the card base.  It's a slightly distressed look to the image - but it's just the effect I wanted to achieve.  I used this inspirational sentiment from the coordinating sentiment set.  I'm  really pleased with this card - and I think I'm going to send it to my son.  He has some exams coming up and this will be to wish him luck with his revision and the exam!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit - Boy, Free Spirit - Sentiments
Ink:  Big 'n' Juicy - Happy Birthday
Card:  Papermania 13.5 × 13.5 cm white textured card

Well, we've been home a few days now - I'm still feeling rather tired, well actually a lot tired, but I think that might be due to the fact that my cold has come back!!  Kathryn, on the other hand is full of energy!!  I'm pleased to say that we've had some serious rain since we got back from India - just in time too - my garden was looking parched!!  It looks lush and green now.

So I've completed the first of a long list of challenges.  I'll be making some more cards tomorrow - I might have to do a bit of ironing too, but mostly I'm going to play in my craft room.  And don't forget that tomorrow is the start of this week's colour challenge at CR84FN - and we have some gorgeous colours for you to play with.  So please check in again tomorrow.  Bye for now.

Sympathy in red ...

....  I've been feeling a bit rough this morning, but I was able to play in my craft room before my headache became too bad!  I've had another go at card and I've combined two challenges.  The OLW challenge from Susan at Simplicity which is to make a sympathy card that does not feature a tree or flower, and the Less Is More challenge which is to use a touch of red in the card.  A lot of the inspiration for this card comes from seeing Karen's LIM9 card which features a beautiful flower and gave me the idea.  Here's my card:

I really liked the effect of text around the image and I remembered this lovely cross that I have in my stamp stash, which has only seen ink once before!!  So this card has fulfilled another resolution to use much neglected stamps ;)  I started off by looking for a nice shape into which I could stamp the image and text.  Then I masked the card and using my trusty stamp-a-ma-jig I stamped the cross in black.  Next I masked the cross and reinked the stamp with red and stamped the image again - the cross has a very subtle red hint.  Leaving the mask in place, I inked up the large text stamp and stamped over the whole image.  I very carefully removed all the masks.  Then I stamped a really simple "with sympathy" sentiment - and just as I lifted the stamp it slipped!!  Darn!!  One smudged sentiment.  So, sorry Susan, it's not quite one layer, as I had to rescue the card.  I applied a simple black ribbon on to which I attached a plain oval sentiment.  Result - I'm really pleased with this.

Stamps:  Papermania - PMA10058 (Cross); Stampin' Up! - En Francais
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog, Lady Bug
Accessories:  Card, sentiment, ribbon and oval shape from stash

Now that I've posted this, I'm off to bed to have a sleep - my head is thumping!! 

OLW - a sympathetic challenge ...

... this week the OLW challenge is being hosted by Susan over at Simplicity.  Susan wants us to make a sympathy card but we're not allowed to use flowers or trees!!  Now most of the sympathy cards I've made recently have featured flowers and/or trees, they seem to be the standard on a sympathy card.  I need to make some sympathy cards for my stash, as I've used up all the ones I've made recently.

Well, the first decision was to work out what to use on my card.  I spent a while browsing through my Stamp catalogue and came across a beautiful stamp from Stampin' Up!  I've used it a lot, but it's not designed with sympathy in mind.  However, the shape lends itself beautifully to a sympathy card.

The stamp is from the Serene Snowflakes set and while it's designed for Christmas, the strong central cross image works well on a sympathy card too.  I opted for a softer cream base card and stamped the frame using my stamp-a-ma-jig (absolutely essential for correct positioning).  Then I inked up the stamp with pale lavender, positioned the image with the stamp-a-ma-jig and done!  To get the darker colour on the central cross, I inked the whole image and then very, very carefully removed the dark ink from the filigree designs - lined it all up with the stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped.  Thankfully, it worked!!  Finally, I added a simple sentiment in the dark purple ink.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Serene Snowflakes; Waltzing Mouse Stamps - Frame-It
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

I'm going to be busy in my craft room today, as I've got several cards to prepare for upcoming CR84FN challenges - but you'll have to be patient for them!!  If you haven't made a card for this week's colour challenge, CR84FN22, do check out the colours - green, kraft and brown - they're fab!!  Finally, I do hope to make a card for the Waltzing Mouse SOAP CASE competition - details here!  Check back later!!

Easter eggs ....

... another challenge card completed, and another towards this year's selection of Easter cards.  I used the colours from the challenge over at The Play Date Cafe - PDCC74 - blue and purple and white - who could resist?  Not me!!  And the other challenge is the one set for us by Susan over at Simplicity for the OLW challenge - to make a one layer card that feature an egg or eggs, and it must also have some sparkle.

My card is really clean and simple.  I turned to my favourite frame set from Waltzingmouse and, using my stamp-a-ma-jig, stamped the square frame directly on the card.  I used the stamp-a-ma-jig to correctly position the Easter eggs inside the frame.  The eggs were stamped using Stazon as I wanted to colour the ribbons with Stardust inks and my aquapen.  I then, very, very carefully coloured the rest of the eggs with an ivory Promarker.  I added a shaded edge to the eggs with a Crayola pencil.  Finally, I added a simple Easter greeting.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Frame It, Spring Baskets;  Hobbycraft - Four Eggs
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Stazon - Jet Black
Pens:  Promarkers - Ivory; Sakura Stardust - Purple (#724), Marine (#738)
Accessories:  Card from stash

It feels good to be back and crafting again, and so pleased to be able to share my cards with you all.  As I write this post, I've noticed that I've another new follower - so Hello and Welcome to Susie - thanks for joining me.  I hope to have another card to share with you later today - but if the weather holds up, I plan to take my Mum to visit Ness Gardens.  The magnolias should be out and they are one of  her favourites - I may even manage a photo or two.  That's all for now, stop by later. 

Three in one ....

.... at last I've made a challenge card!!!  Well, as I said in the title - it's really a three challenges in one card - card!!  The colours are from Colour Q - totally my colours, the layout is from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and the theme is from Simplicity for this week's OLW card - to feature an egg(s).

 

I love this week's layout from Waltzingmouse - but I've been having a hard time coming up with an idea for my card.   Well, that was until I saw Susan's challenge at Simplicity - a one layer card featuring an egg or eggs.  Then when I saw the wonderful colours at Colour Q - it was easy - a basket of eggs for Easter!

I love the Colour Q challenge and I've got my new ink spots in all the current Stampin' Up! colours - but sadly the challenge is using a lot of the old SU colours!!  Never mind, I've matched the colours I don't have as best I can.  I stamped the basket full of eggs and the pennant images first, masked them and then over stamped with the quilt image.  Then I coloured the pennant and eggs with my inks and aqua pen.  I added a very clean and simple greeting and to finish I sprayed a light covering of Cosmic Shimmer mist in pearl.  In real-life the card has a lovely shimmer.

Stamps:  Waltzmingmouse - Spring Baskets; Molly Blooms stamp free with Simply Homemade

Inks:  Distress - Antique Linen, Crushed Olive (Kiwi Kiss), Dusty Concord (Concord Grape), Broken China (Bermuda Bay); Stampin' Up! - Bashful Blue; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Cosmic Shimmer Mist - Pearl; card from stash

It's feels so good to have completed some card challenges!  After the last few weeks - which have been rather stressful, it feels good to start getting back to normal - or what passes for "normal" in my house!!  I've even done all my ironing!!  And it feels like Spring has really arrived - it's been absolutely beautiful here today - the sky was bright blue, white fluffy clouds and unseasonably warm!!  It's been fab!  Do drop by again tomorrow - I will have another card to share with you - I've still got a few Easter cards to make!!

Before I go - I'm delighted to report that Ben did his fun run last weekend in just over 11 minutes - much faster than he was expecting - so pleased for him.  And I'd also like to welcome another new follower - Ciara.  See you tomorrow.

OLW41 - It's Christmas .....

.... over at Simplicity the challenge that Susan has set us is to make a one layer card with a Christmas theme.  Apart from the one layer rule, the only specific requirement is that we use only red and green on cream or white!!  There are already some really lovely cards posted on this challenge - well worth a look - and there are at least two that are close to my original ideas.  So it's taken a couple of days to come up with something a bit different, and here they are.

The first card has the image stamped directly on to a white card.  I used a lovely soft green - Forest Moss - a distress ink, and pulled the colour into the leaves with my aqua brush.  I coloured the holly berries a sparkly red with my Sakura Stardust pen.  Finally, I added the word "holly" in Barn Door.  Very clean and simple.

Stamps:  Woodware - Christmas Greenery
Inks:  Distress - Forest Moss, Barn Door
Pens:  Sakura - Stardust Red

The second card is my favourite of the two!!  And, I have to admit up front, that it is not strictly a one layer card.  It did start off that way.  But unfortunately when I embossed the nestie frame onto the card base it slipped.  I really like the effect of embossing these frames, so I decided to save it and cut the card down so that I could layer it onto another card.  I used the mistletoe stamp (same set as the holly) - this time stamped in memento - Bamboo Leaves.  I coloured the leaves and berries with Promarkers.  I added the word "mistletoe", coloured the card edge with Barn Door and then adhered it to the base card.  I'm really pleased with this - even though it's not quite a OL card!

Stamps:  Woodware - Christmas Greenery
Inks:  Memento - Bamboo Leaves; Distress - Barn Door
Promarkers:  Pear Green, Lime Green, Lipstick Red, Lime Zest
Spellbinders:  Classic Rectangles Lg (S4-132) die #4

We have had a super fun family day today.  This morning Ben, Kathryn and I played Buzz on the Playstation.  It's a music quiz and great fun!  I actually won the first game!!!  It's amazing - I never win normally - but then Jonathan is normally here to join in - and he's the music buff in this family :)  The second game was brilliant - I was never going to win that game!  We managed to talk to Jonathan this morning (just after lunch his time) - I love Skype!!!  The children were so pleased to be able to see and talk their Dad!!  But it will be easier when we get faster our super-fast internet connection :)

Before I go I must say a big THANK YOU to all those kind enough to leave me some wonderful messages recently.  I do try to respond to comments, but with half-term holiday and Jonathan heading off to India, my normal routine has gone up in flames!!!  And that's all for now.  I have got some more cards to show you later, so do drop by this afternoon.  See you then.

Christmas tree ...

... in February!!!  I've made this card for three challenges.  The first is The Play Date Cafe PDCC67 colour challenge - using blue, purple, pink and red.  The second is for the new Sparkles Christmas Challenge which is to use a Christmas tree in your design.  And the third is the OLW challenge at Simplicity - where we must use a border, image and some bling.

I found these colours to be really challenging!!  Still I guess that's the whole idea!!  All the stamps are from Waltzingmouse Stamps - Claire does wonderful Christmas stamps!!  I stamped everything directly onto the base card using memento inks, and added some colour to the Christmas tree with Promarkers.  The bling is simply a sparkly gold star!!  That's it - clean and simple!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Muscial Backgrounds, Nutcracker Sweet
Inks:  Memento - Paris Dusk, Grape Jelly, Lady Bug
Promarkers: Rose Pink, Poppy
Accessories:  Card from stash; Sakura gold stardust pen

Sadly :)  I didn't get to do the ironing today as I had a bit of a relapse and felt rather poorly!  So it also meant that I didn't get to finish all the challenges that I wanted to.  However, I've managed half an hour this evening and put together this card - so the day was a complete loss! :))

But that's all for now - I'm off for an early night.  Will be back again tomorrow. 

More pine cones ....

.... for another Christmas card.  I really like Susan's challenge this week over at Simplicity.  Susan's instruction are to "Use a) an image, b) a border stamp (or stamped border if you're short of border stamps), and c) bling (glitter or rhinestones...doesn't matter). You may add small CAS embellishments to this list (embossing, ribbon, twine, or a charm, for instance), but you may NOT use a sentiment stamp or cardstock layers."

Earlier today I posted a very clean and simple silver Christmas card.  It was a portrait layout, but I decided to have another go and made the card again - using exactly the same stamps - but this time in landscape.  In my card I stuck to the layout Susan used - as it works so well.  And I did again on this card.

I inked the border stamp with Versamark and added Rich Cocoa on top, then added Kaleidoscope embossing paper - giving a beautifully sparkly effect on the border.  I used this technique a lot last year and love it.  This time I coloured the pine cone image with memento inks - making more natural looking pine cones. Then I added the gems.  In real-life the card is light gold, but it looks a bit grey in the picture - it's not is really warm looking!!  Once again - all stamps are from Waltzingmouse.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Festive Foliage, Text-It
Inks:  Memento - Rich Cocoa, Potter's Clay, Cottage Ivy, New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves
Accessories:  Kaleidoscope embossing powder; Gems from stash

Well that's all for now.  I hope to be back again later - but if not, I'll see you in the morning.

Some cards ...

... I've managed to have a couple of hours in my craft room and completed a couple of challenges.  The first card is for this week's challenge at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  Initially I thought - yes, I'll make a lovely flower card, but then I couldn't make up my mind - and actually it's turned out completely different.  I woke up this morning knowing exactly what I was going to make. 

And the second card is for this week's OLW being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  While the challenge is to make a one layer card with minimal embellishments, this time Susan has given us some inspiration - she CASify (clean and simplify) a beautiful card by Vanessa Menhorn - I've shown both cards - and in the challenge we are to use an image and border stamp and some bling - no sentiment!

 

 

The blue chandelier and lace card is by Vanessa - it's absolutely gorgeous!  The card in pink on the right is the CASifyed version by Susan - and is equally as lovely.  Susan also did a blue version - you can see that one on her blog!  I have a marginal preference for the pink one!  And that's why I'm showing it here.  I can imagine it in purple too - very luxurious looking!!

First up is my card for Waltzingmouse - and I opted for a Christmas theme.  One of my intentions this year is to make my cards early - and I realised when I woke that the flower could equally well be a shooting star - so that's what I made.

All the stamps used on the card are from Waltzingmouse - just perfect for Christmas cards!!  I stamped random snowflakes on the card base in shades of lilac and grey.  My Spellbinder dies have had a good workout on this card!!  I cut out a piece of purple paper (had it for ages) using the wonky squares.  Next I cut out a star shape and my favourite labels 14.  I stamped the star from Seasons of Love in Versamark and embossed with detail silver.  The border on the label is from Holiday Labels and also embossed with detail silver.  The greeting was stamped with Memento ink in Grape Jelly - perfect match!!  Finally, I added a jewelled comet tail in a mixture of purple and silver gems.  I'm delighted with how this turned out!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season, Holiday Labels No 14, Seasons of Love Tags
Inks:  Versamark; Memento - Grape Jelly, Lulu Lavender, London Fog
Spellbinders:  Stars (S4-092) die #5, Wonky Square (S4-289) #7, Beaded Circle (S4-292) #2, Labels 14 (S4-290) #3
Accessories:  Papermania - Contemporary Christmas; Sparkle Stickers; Gems from stash

My card for the OLW39 challenge is also for Christmas.  I'm making a great start on my Christmas cards this year!  Once again all the stamps are from Waltzingmouse.  I've kept this really simple - stamped in Versamark and embossed with detail silver.  Finally, three dark grey pearls!  That's it!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Festive Foliage, Text-It
Inks: Versamark
Accessories:  Bling from stash

Kathryn is loving her new drama class - she came home last night full of news about some shows that are coming up!!  She wants to audition!!  Kathryn's class lasts a couple of hours, and last week I took a book to read - it was great.  But I've decided that I ought to make better use of my time and join the gym!!  Yes, really!  It's been years since I've been inside a gym - so today I'm off for an induction course - I can't believe I'm doing this!!  Still, it's good for me - at least that what I keep being told!!

Hopefully, I'll be back later with some more cards - my mojo is back and I'm feeling ready to stamp!!  See you later.

More words ....

... I can't help it - the challenge over at Simplicity this week is just fabulous.  Susan wants us to make a card featuring sentiments - "more than one sentiment" is exactly what she said!  And I think I've played a bit fast and loose with the requriement, but these quote stamps are just so cute that I couldn't resist making a few more.

Stamps:  Inkadinkado - Friendly Advice
Inks:  Kaleidacolor - Cappucino Delight

Stamps:  Inkadinkado - Tell It Like It Is
Inks:  Kaleidacolor - Blue Breeze

Stamps:  Inkadinkado - Tell It Lik It Is
Inks:  Kaleidacolor - Luau

These are all little card - just 3" x 3" - and I think they are so cute.    I've got one more card to finish and I'll post that one later.  I'm now off to have a glass of wine (or two) and watch a bit of TV.  See you later.

OLW37 - more words ...

... I've managed to make another quick one for this week's challenge over at Simplicity.  Susan wants us to make cards using only sentiments - no embellisments, well maybe a little glitter, gems or ribbon.

Stamps:  Inkadinkado - Friendly Advice
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black, Tangelo, Bahama Blue

This one was very easy - I have a super set of stamps featuring quote from children.  I remember when I saw the set that I thought it was just lovely, but sadly it's not really been used.  I think I'm going to make a few more cards for this challenge using other stamps form the set.  But it's grey and dull, and sometimes that can make you feel a bit low.  So this quote was appropriate.  I notice now that it's been scanned - that I got a bit of black ink onf the colour bit - darn!!  I also think I need slightly stronger colours!

Just got back from Scouts - we had a fun evening!  And next week the Scouts are cooking my tea!