Stampin' with Karin .....

....  a few other cards that I made at a recent Stampin' Up! meeting at Karin's.  All the cards we made are CASEd, but with a few adaptations from me.  My first card is a sympathy card for my stash - I've used far too many sympathy cards recently.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Serene Silhouettes, Petite Pairs
Inks: SU - Soft Sky, Island Indigo, Smokey Slate
Accessories:  SU Card - Basic Grey, Soft Sky, Whisper White

The card is made from a base of Basic Grey with a panel of Soft Sky card on top.  On the white panel the strips were made by using masking tape.  I torn three bits of tape and gently touched each one to the ink pad and then applied the tape to the card - it gives a lovely distressed finish.  Next I stamped up the image in Island Indigo and stamped to the side of the card and added a sentiment.  The inside is another panel of Soft Sky with white card on top.  I stamped the flowers again and the sentiment that pairs with the one of the front.  To complete the card, I also stamped the image on the envelope.  The card is CASED from Karin's own design.

The next card I'm sharing is a complete contrast to the sympathy card.  It's bright, funky and fun.

 

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Tape It, Gorgeous Grunge, Label Love
Inks: SU -Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay; Versamark
Accessories:  SU Card - Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White; SU Punch Artisan Label; SU EF - Stylish Stripes; White embossing powder; SU Buttons; Twine

I love, love the grunge and tape stamps.  I can see these sets being really useful for me as I love to make cards for my son Ben - can you image this card in slightly more masculine shades!  There is no sentiment on the inside, just a few grungy images and space for a message - I did the envelope too.  The card is CASEd from Beth's card here - I changed up the colours and sentiment.  But I love layout (Freshly Made Sketch - FMS97) which I didn't manage to play along with!

The next cards uses a technique that's completely new to me - faux herringbone.  Karin demonstrated the technique - it's lots of fun.  This is my take on the card:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Lots of Thanks
Inks: SU - Crushed Curry, Costal Cabana
Accessories:  SU Card - Costal Cabana, Smokey Slate, Crushed Curry, Whisper White; SU Punches - 1¾" Circle, 13/8" Circle, 1¾" Scalloped Circle; SU DP - Eastern Elegance; Gems; SU Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet

You start with three coordinating papers cut into ½" wide strips and a panel of card covered with adhesive sheet.  This card is based on Julie's card here - and Julie also has a video showing the method on U-tube - the link is here.  I like this technique - all the cards we made in class looked so different.  Julie has made lots of cards using this technique click here to see more of her cards.  The inside of the card is really simple with a mat panel in Smokey Slate and white card on which to write the greeting.

The last card that we made is a sweet card that I've made to send to a friend.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Six Sided Sampler
Inks: SU - Strawberry Slush, Basic Grey
Accessories:  SU Card - Soft Sky, Basic Grey, Strawberry Slush; SUDP - In Colours 2013-15, Subtles Stack; SUEF - Honeycomb; SU Punch - Hexagon; SU Punch - Bitty Butterfly; Pearls

The card is CASEd from Debbie's card here.  It is pretty much the same, but I changed up the colour of the sentiment and one of the butterflies. The card base is made from Soft Sky with a panel of Basic Grey on top which has been embossed.  I stamped some images onto white card and cut them out with the hexagon punch as well as a few from SU design paper.  I stamped the sentiment to match the pink butterfly.  On the inside I used a few of the left over hexagons and another butterfly.

I was planning to spend yesterday afternoon in my craft room while Kathryn had her party - but I ended up creating a font list on my PC - very useful it is too.  Here are some photos from Kathryn's party; they're a joint effort - Jonathan took them and I edited:

It was a small, select group - the girls had lots of fun.  Kathryn picked an Oreo cake and we found some candles that burned with different coloured flames, which Jonathan captured perfectly in the photo above.  It was a fun day.  And the party continues - we're going shopping so that Kathryn can spend her birthday money!!!  See you soon.

A quick reminder .....

...  for you this morning! There's still time for you to join in with our inaugural challenge at Waltzingmouse Fanatics Challenge.  We've started off with a sketch - you can make a card, do a scrapbook layout and any style goes - but you have to include at least one Waltzingmouse image or sentiment.  Here's the sketch:

The deadline for submission is Thursday 19th September 5pm GMT, that's Noon EDT.  And for the winner Claire has kindly donated a £20 code to go shopping at the store.  I'm really looking forward to seeing your projects.

I had a bit of an accident with my Cuttlebug on Monday - I was trying to get a die to cut and used one shim too many.  My Bug exploded!!  The side popped off and the whole mechanism broke.  I was so, so sad.  I've had my little Bug since it was launched and since I've had it for so long, I thought I'd treat myself to a new machine.  It arrived yesterday afternoon - a lovely new Big Shot in pretty shades of blue and teal.  And yes, I know that the colours aren't important, but it's so pretty!!!

This version of the Big Shot comes with an Extended platform - which is really nice.  I have to admit that I do like having the instructions on the tabs!

I've already given it a quick test drive and it works like a dream.  I hope I get as many years use with my Big Shot as I did with my sadly missed Bug!

That's all for now - we're off out for breakfast and then some quick cake shopping.  Kathryn has invited some of her friends over today to celebrate her birthday, which is actually on Tuesday, but today is the best day to party.  It's a small, select group and they're going to be watching movies, listening to music and chatting - a really girly time!!  I can't believe that Kathryn is almost 12 years old - the time has simply flown.  Enjoy your weekend.

Christmas colours .....

.... Hi everyone, it's time for another challenge from 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  Ruth has picked us some wonderful colours for our cards - kraft, red and white, here's my take:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season Two; Stampin' Up! - Sassy Salutations
Inks: SU - Crumb Cake, Real Red
Dies: Spellbinders - Create a Flake Three (S4-340), 2010 Snowflake Pendant (S4-286)
Accessories: Cuttlebug EF - Snow Crystals; White Lustre Card; SUDP - Crumb Cake, Real Red; Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch; Red Ribbon; Vellum; White Glitter Paper; Gem

I used a couple of additional challenges in the making of this card.  I used the layout from this week's CAS - Colours and Sketches - CASC&S42 and also this week's Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Emboss It.  I started by stamping the sentiment at the top right in Crumb Cake ink and then embossing snowflakes over the front.  I cut a strip of design paper and layered on red ribbon and attached the panel directly to the card.  Next it was simply a case of die cutting the snowflake - I used vellum for the bottom layer, white glitter paper for the middle and finished with a punched snowflake in red.  I top it all with a single crystal gem. I think these colours are just lovely for Christmas Cards and this card was really quick to make. For the inside I simply cut a mat layer in Crumb Cake.  Using the little snowflake negative as a stencil, I sponged snowflakes over the white card and finished with a bold sentiment in red.

Below is a close up of the snowflake - you can really see the shimmer of the glitter and the sheer embossed pattern in the vellum.

That's all for now.  Don't forget to check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the Design Team - as always, they have awesome cards to share.  And for September Margaret, a long time player of our challenge, has joined us as our Guest Designer.  Have a super weekend.

Birthday invitations .....

.... Morning - I was busy making Kathryn's birthday invitations yesterday - she's having her party on Saturday 14th, so I've left it a bit late!!  However, it shouldn't be a problem as she and her friends have been discussing it for a while!  I used the theme from this week's CAS- Colours & Sketches Challenge - CASC&S41 - rainbow colours.  Here are the cards I made:

Stamps: Lil Inkers - Notebook Doodles; My Favourite Things - Just the Ticket, Playlist, For the Record
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Garden Green, Pool Party
Dies: Lil Inkers - Notebook
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Various Copic and Sakura Stardust pens; SU Markers - Basic Grey, Real Red, Basic Black

This is the first time I've inked up the doodle stamps.  I used Copics and Sakura Stardust pens to colour in the doodles, it was such fun!  Then I cut out eight notebook pages and stamped on the lines.  For the words on the pages I used a mixture of stamps from My Favourite Things and some of the doodle images.  The reverse of the invitation gives details of the party:

I've blanked out the address and telephone number.  Each card is slightly different; I used different colours to stamp "legit" and "OMGEE!" on each card.  I put each invitation card into a glassine envelope and added a name label.

Below are the other three invitation cards - as you can see - there are a few subtle differences between them.

That's all for now.  I've got a really busy day lined up - sadly all involving housework.  My ironing basket is piled high - so I'll be doing it all in front of the TV and watch a movie at the same time.  See you soon.

WMS Fanatics Sketch Challenge ....

... Good morning fellow Waltzingmouse Fans!  Today's the day that our new challenge at Waltzingmouse Fanatics launches - yea!!!  We're starting off with a touch of the familiar - a sketch - and I've made a couple of cards to share with you.  Here's the first:

Stamps: WMS - Simple Sprig, Big Day - Today
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Basic Grey, Island Indigo, Regal Rose, Raspberry Ripple
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Circle Punches - ½" and ¾"

This is really clean and simple.  I used the colours from this week's Colour Q - cQc205 challenge.  I stamped the leaves (using the second impression for a softer look) twice following the shape of the curve.  I then stamped the roses onto white card and used punches to cut them out.  I glued some of the roses flat to the card and some I attached with dimensional tape.  Don't you love the font Claire used for the sentiment?  I've left the inside of this card blank.  The card measure 5½" × 4¼".  So pleased to finally ink up my new stamps :)

My second card is for my son Ben who has just moved into his own place.  At the grand age of 17½ years, Ben has decided that he wants to live on his own.  As you can imagine, I'm very proud that he wants his independence, but at the same time I'm a bit worried.  I've used my all time favourite WM set - Free Spirit Boy - seemed appropriate!

Stamps: WMS - Free Spirit Boy, North Shore, Tying the Knot, Playful Pinwheels, Sewing Box - Hugs
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade; Distress - Iced Spruce
Accessories: SU DP - Old Olive, Lucky Limeade; White Lustre Card; SU Card - Old Olive; SU Markers - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

This card measures 7" × 5".  I used the current Colour Throwdown Challenge - CTD258 - I really like the colours; perfect for a guy card.  I used Iced Spruce (second impression) to stamp the circles on the background.  I cut a panel in white,stamped the rope image around the edge and attached it to the card base.  I really like the wing effect on the surfer image from North Shore and thought it would work to frame a sweet house.  I stamped the image in Chocolate chip and cut it out by hand.  I stamped the house onto design paper and white card, cut out the image and created the little house above.  For the inside I cut a mat layer in Old Olive and on the white panel I stamped some more of the circles and a couple of sentiments.  I think the sentiment from Tying the Knot is perfect - as I remember when I first moved into my own place, I did find it a bit tough.  And the "be happy" bit speaks for itself!

Here's the sketch that we're playing with - all we ask is that you use at least ONE Waltzingmouse image or sentiment and link up your card by Thursday 19th September, 5pm (that's noon EDT in Michigan).

Don't forget to pop over to Tara's blog and check out her cards - they're fab!  Really looking forward to seeing your creations.  Oh yes, before I go, I should let you know that our first winner will receive £20 credit from Claire to go shopping at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Here are the graphics from the Colour Q and Colour Throwdown challenges - great colours!

Well, that's all for now.  We're off to a pool party this afternoon, making the most of the last of the hot summer sunshine.  Have a super weekend, see you soon.

Christmas sketch ....

.... Wow - the last couple of weeks have simply flown by.  We're well into September, and I've noticed a definite chill in the air first thing in the morning!  This month our challenges at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown are being set by Ruth and she has a super sketch for us this week.  Here's my take:

Stamps:  Rubber Stampede - Santa Collage; Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks:  Versafine - Onyx Black; SU - Bermuda Bay
Dies: Die-namics - Chevrons; Spellbinders - Plain Ovals Sm (S4-112) #4, Scalloped Ovals Sm (S4-113) #4
Accessories:  White Lustre Card; Black Card; Silver Linen Texture Foil Card; SU Marker - Bermuda Bay; Gems; Promarker - Turquoise

I've gone for quite a clean, graphic look.  I used the colours from this week's Just Add Ink - JAI181 challenge.  I turned the sketch to make a portrait style and I've just realised that I attached the ribbon on the wrong side - hey ho!!  I cut chevrons in black and silver and layered them together, using the silver/black ribbon on the front and the black/silver ribbon on the inside.  I used my favourite Santa stamp for the main image and used an oval die to cut out the face and layered it onto some linen textured foil card.  I added just a touch of colour to the image by colouring the spectacle frames and iris in Bermuda Bay; I coloured the gems to match.  For the inside I stamped the Santa image (using the second impression) and a bold sentiment in Bermuda Bay.

I took a close up photo of the Santa image to really show the colour - it really pops!!

Don't forget to check out the inspiration cards from the rest of the Design Team.  Can't wait to see what you make with this sketch.  See you soon.

I've been playing with photos ....

... Hi - it's been a while!  I'm fully recovered from the bug I picked up on holiday; why is it that happens?  Hey ho! By the way, this is a picture heavy post and there's not a card in sight!!

Last week I took Kathryn to the hair dresser.  She's been dying (sorry) to have her hair done for ages and, as the school doesn't worry about it, we got it done!!  Kathryn's absolutely thrilled with it!

 I love the colour that Kathryn picked.  You should have seen Jonathan's face when he got home from work :)))

Last weekend was the Labour Day holiday and we went out with a group of friends to a lovely lake in one of the local State Parks.  The weather was absolutely perfect - warm, sunny, but not too hot.  The kids (big and little) had a great time playing in the lake and I had a super time taking lots of photos.  Here are few of the day:

It was a brilliant day out - I love the photo of the children with the sandcastle which they built with the "help" of the big kids!  Here's the link to the rest of the photos!

On Labour day we headed out the Michigan Renaissance Festival.  It was absolutely fabulous.  And I had my camera out again.  I took lots of photos and here are a few:

If you want to see the rest of the photos from the day, they are on Flickr and here's the link!

I've been taking lots more photos recently - hence not getting into my craft room much last week - I was going through the several hundred photos on my computer and picking out my favourites.  Since moving to the US I've been meaning to make some scrapbooks and not done it yet, but I really think that I have fix that!  I've got so, so many photos!

Kathryn started back to school on Tuesday; she was really quite pleased to go back and see her friends.  And Jonathan's back to work too.  Now that their routines have returned to normal, hopefully I'll get back onto schedule a bit too.  I've missed lots of recent challenges, and there have been some super sketches and colours too.  That's all for now.  See you soon.