SHC - Floral Birthdays ....

..... Good morning! I'm here with my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. I've got a couple of floral birthday cards to share with you today. Here's the first:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Buds & Blossoms, Yay for Birthdays; Altenew - Birthday Builder

Inks: Gina K - Peach Bellini, Sweet Corn, Sea Glass, Ocean Mist, Jelly Bean Green, Passionate Pink, Innocent Pink, Tangerine Twist, Sweet Mango, Slate

Dies: Concord & 9th - Buds & Blossoms

Accessories: White Card; Stickles

I'm submitting this card to Sunday Stamps Challenge - SSC#257 where they have these gorgeous colours, and to Seize the Birthday - STB#214 and I've used the optional twist to make a bouquet of flowers.

Mum asked me to make her a card for one of her friends - so I thought a floral card would be just right. I die cut several flowers and leaves using the Buds & Blossoms dies from white card. I kept the negative space card and put that in my MISTI, positioned the matching solid images in the space, picked them up with the MISTI door and then put the white diecuts in the space and stamped. Once I'd done the solid images I stamped the outline images.  I worked out where I wanted the flowers and leaves to be on the card, and then stamped the birthday greeting. I adhered the outer flowers and leaves flat to the card and used dimensional pads for the yellow, peach and pink flowers. I finished the front by adding some Stickles glitter to the flowers. Inside the card, I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the card. I stamped a couple more flowers on the corners and finished by adding a fun birthday greeting. I edged the panel with an aqua marker.

I had a couple of die cut flowers and some leaves leftover, so I made another card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Polka Dot Turnabout Stamp, Buds & Blossoms; Altenew - Birthday Builder

Inks: Memento - Lady Bug; Gina K - Slate

Dies: Altenew - Geo Frames; Concord & 9th - Buds & Blossoms

Accessories: White & Black Card

I'm submitting this card to The Paper Players - PP#541 where they want to see Polka Dots, and to AAA Cards - AAA#190 where they're celebrating their 7th Birthday.

I started by stamping the polka dot background directly on the card. I used the Polka Dot turnabout stamp and only stamped it once in bright red to match the flower. I used a hexagon die to cut the white panel, to get the black mat layer I simply placed the die on black card, drew round it and cut it out. Makes the perfect size mat. I stamped a simple birthday greeting on the hexagon. I finished by adding the multi-headed flower - this has been layered onto three other die cuts to give dimension and stability. Inside the card, I cut a piece of white card onto which I stamped a greeting and added the last of my left over flowers and leaves.

That's all from me today - see you soon.

Clocks Birthday ...

... Hello again!  I'm on a bit of a roll - long may it continue.  I'm here with another, much needed, birthday card for my stash.  This one has a bit more of a vintage feel:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Hands of Time; MFT - Bitty Birthday Wishes, Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings
Inks: Gina K - Soft Stone, Slate, Kraft, Whisper
Dies: Die-namics - Circles Set 1 - #6, Skinny Strips
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Gina K Card - Slate

I got the idea for this card from the graphic on the new Card Concept - CC#126 challenge, I used the colours from Sunday Stamps Challenge - SSC#221 and the layout is based on the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#417.

I like the vintage style clock face and found this old stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  I used various stamps to create the soft background.  I stamped the clock face, added the hands and used a circle die to cut it out.  I stamped a clean, simple birthday sentiment and a clean, grey panel.  I used dimensional pads to adhere the birthday sentiment. 

On the inside I cut a mat layer of dark grey card and on the white panel stamps another of the clock faces (very subtle) and added a fun sentiment. Once again the photos have come out a bit dark.  I think I'm going to treat myself to a small portable light studio. 

It's turning out to be a fabulous day here in Northop Hall - the sun is shining, the skies are blue, there's virtually no wind; it's a lovely winter's day.  See you soon.

TMR - Wild and Free ....

.... Hi! Before I get to our new challenge at The Male Room, I'd like to say a HUGE thanks to everyone for playing along with our 5th birthday challenge - so many cards to comment on - I'll get there!!

Now, it's time to tell you about our new challenge at The Male Room - TMR#92. For the next couple of weeks, we want your masculine projects to have a WILD & FREE theme - can't wait to see how you interpret the theme. I decided to make a very clean, simple and bright card for my son:

Stamps: Altenew - Hello Sunshine, Parrot Paradise
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Slate, Moonlit Fog
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! DP - Smoky Slate; Nuvo - Shimmer brush; Copics; Clear Embossing Powder

I've had this parrot stamp set for a while and I decided to show it some ink!! I stamped the parrot on the card, masked it and then stamped the outline leaves - I didn't add any colour as the parrot is the focus. I used the sentiment from Hello Sunshine as it works perfectly with the bold parrot. I used my MISTI to stamp the parrot on white card, coloured it with Copic markers, returned it to the MISTI and restamped using Versafine and then heat embossed with clear powder. This gives a lovely clean, crisp, raised line on the image. I don't have the dies for this set so I simply fussy cut the parrot. I adhered it flat to the card (so much easier to post) and then added shimmer all over the parrot with my clear Nuvo shimmer brush. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of design paper and on the white panel stamped the parrot off the edge and added a message. I've left lots of space for my message to Ben.

I got inspiration for the colours from the challenge at Sunday Stamps - SSC#185, and as this is a masculine card I'm also submitting it to Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#142 - it's been a while since I joined in with their challenges!!

Don't forget to visit The Male Room to see much more inspiration from the rest of the design team and also from our guest designer, Steph. You've got plenty of time to join in the fun - deadline for submission is midnight (BST) Tuesday 28th August (that's 7.00pm EDT in here the States).

That's all for now - do drop by again soon - I've a few sneak peeks from the upcoming Uniko release! See you soon.

TMR - Theme - Recycle ...

... Hello again! It's a busy today!! Not only have I got my Uniko release post here, but today is the start of our new challenge at The Male Room - TMR#80. We want you to RECYCLE on your masculine projects. I think there are many ways to interpret this theme. You can recycle any leftover stash from previous projects, you can use old labels, junk envelopes, the choice is yours. I've recycled a chocolate wrapper. I wasn't sure what to make for this challenge, but after eating my Lindt Easter Bunny (so tasty) I thought I'd do an Easter card, but with a twist:

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Evil Flesh Eating Eggs; Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Crazy Talk; Uniko - Birthday Sentiments
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Jelly Bean Green
Dies: Die-namics - Wonky Stitched Rectangles Stax #4, Rectangles Stax Set 1 #8
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Lemon Lime Twist; Lindt Gold Bunny Wrapper; Ranger Alcohol Inks - Limeade, Ginger, Citrus; Copics; Nuvo - Aqua Shimmer Brush

I have a great fondness for these evil little eggs and I've used the image a few times to make an Easter card for my son. I printed the image on to white card and cut it out with a die. I coloured the image with Copic markers. I printed off another digital image the same size, cut out the individual eggs to use as a pattern on the Lindt bunny wrapper. I drew around each egg and inside the cut out eyes and mouths, and then very carefully cut the wrapper and adhered the wrapper to each of the little eggs. I used alcohol ink to colour the gold wrappers. Once dry, I adhered each of the eggs to the image, layered it onto some bright lime card and attached it to the card. I finished the front with a simple greeting. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of lime card and on the white panel added a bold greeting along with some more of the little eggs - this time without their gold overcoats! I did add some shimmer to these eggs. I'm submitting this card to Sunday Stamps Challenge - SSC#173 where they have a colour theme.

I took a close-up photo of the eggs so that you can see the print from the Lindt wrapper - I like the added texture it gives:

Don't forget to visit The Male Room blog to see more inspiration projects from the rest of the Design Team, and also from our Guest Designer, Keti from Keti's Projects.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you create with this challenge - you've got until midnight (GMT) on Tuesday 13th March - that's 8.00pm EDT (our clocks go forward a week before they do in the UK). Have fun!!

Peace and Joy ...

.... Morning! It's Black Friday here in the States, and I see is making its way to the UK too. I've had a look at some of the many crafty sales and so far I've been good!! But I may sneak back in a while and place an order, or two!! I started today off with a long walk around our sub-division - it's a gorgeous morning with blue skies, bright sunshine and no wind, which means it's merely cold and not freezing!! In my earlier post I said that I got to spend quite some time in my craft room yesterday afternoon and I made another Christmas card for my stash:

Stamps: Altenew - Bells & Bows, Beautiful Inside; Lawn Fawn - Snowy Backdrops
Inks: Gina K - Black Onyx; Delicata - Silvery Shimmer; Memento - London Fog, Grey Flannel
Dies: Die-namics - Squares Set 1 #2
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Basic Black; Vellum; Gems

 I combined a few challenges on this card:

• Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#124 - where they want to see BOWS
• Inkspirational - INK#148 - where they want to see Christmas cards in only neutral colours
• Sunday Stamps Challenge - SSC#166 - sketch

I've had this Altenew Bells & Bow set for a while and this is the first time I've used it. To create this lovely bow it takes four stamps and it really helps to have a MISTI (or something similar). However, it is very easy to line up the stamps. I used a shimmery ink for the base layer and I think the bows look almost metallic! After stamping, I carefully cut them all out and layered them on small black squares. I stamped a simple snowy panel behind the squares and finished the front with a greeting layered on vellum and some square gems. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of black card and on the white panel added more snow and a simple Christmas greeting.

Not only was yesterday Thanksgiving, it was also the 54th anniversary of one our favourite family programmes - Dr Who. We had a viewing fest and for some reason, we picked the sad ones - the one where Rose 'dies', the one where Donna (my favourite) 'dies', and the one where Amy and Rory 'die'. There were many tears and lots of enjoyment! If you're a Dr Who fan, you'll enjoy the clip below which shows how the opening sequence of title and music has changed since 1963:

That's all for now - see you again soon. Have a great weekend.

Good Coffee ....

... Hi! Good afternoon - I'm finally getting to play along with the Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - FCLBH. I've been running around like a mad thing this week and only managed to get into my craft room late last night, and finished off my card this afternoon. I used some new stamps on my card:

Stamps: Stamplorations - Caffeinated Zen 1, Literary Caffeine-ations; Sugar Pea Designs - Espresso Yourself
Inks: Gina K - Kraft, Dark Chocolate; Versamark
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Early Espresso; Copics; Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder; Wink of Stella - Clear

I've used the colours from the current Sunday Stamps Challenge - SSC#161. I started by stamping the large coffee cup directly on the card and then added the words. I only added colour to the cup on this image. Using my MISTI, I stamped the cup again twice and coloured in the cup and cup band. I put the completed images back in the MISTI, inked up with Versamark and then heat embossed with gold tinsel embossing powder. Then I very carefully cut out the whole coffee cup and the lid and band from the other image. I used dimensional tape to adhere the cup and again when I attached the band and lid. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of dark brown card. On the white panel, I stamped a portion of the coffee cup, added a greeting and a few coffee beans.

I've just had a quick look at the Coffee Challenge and there are over 1000 entries! It's going to take a while to get around and have a look at all the wonderful creations! That's all for now - see you again soon.

Uniko - Polka Dots and Word Blocks ....

... Good morning! You've seen the sneak peeks, and now it's time to introduce the new stamps from Uniko. Today we are introducing two new sets. The first is an addition to the Background Blocks series and it features POLKA DOTS - just love them!! The second set is an addition to the Simply Said series - this time the words are in blocks. I've combined them both on this card:

Stamps: Uniko - Background Blocks Polka Dots, Pure Florals Gerbera, Simply Said Blocks, All Occasion Sentiments #3
Inks: Gina K - Onyx Black; Delicata - Silvery Shimmer
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! - Basic Black; Copics; Wink of Stella - Clear; Silver Shimmer Washi Tape

When I made this card, I hadn't received the actual stamps - Bev kindly sent me the digital images and I was able to print them off to size. I used the sketch from Sunday Stamps Challenge - SSC#160 for the layout. I cut the polka dot panel to size and layered it on some black card and attached it to the card base. I forgot to add some silver string, so used a strip of silver shimmer washi and and thin strip of the polka dot panel to make my own. I stamped the gerbera image on white card and used Copics to create a rainbow coloured flower, cut it out and added some sparkle all over with a clear Wink of Stella brush. I attached the flower with some dimensional tape on the side that over hangs the dotty panel. I finished the front with a simple sentiment - I think there are some super words in this set. On the inside I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped the polka dots in silver shimmer ink and added a bold word in the centre, I finished the panel by adding a couple of rainbow gerbera daisies. I wish you could get daisies like this for real!!!

You've seen the peeks, and you've used seen how I've used the stamps. Do visit the Uniko blog to see how the rest of the team have used these sets - they're fabulous!!! Before I go, here's a quick reminder of the release schedule:

Introductions: 6th - 8th August - your chance to see how these stamps are in action

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 9th August, 9.00am BST. You get to see the whole release and see how the Design Team have used them on their projects. As is traditional, there will be a DT Blog Hop - do leave comments as you go along as there's a GIVEAWAY too! You can get the stamps at the Uniko Shop.

That's all from me today - do come back tomorrow to see more introduction cards! Bye for now.