52CCT - Colours .....

Hello!!  It's time for our colour challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and Louise has some gorgeous colours for us to play with - she's based them on fresh strawberries!!!!  Here's my take:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Around Christmas Time
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Large Circles (S4-114) #5, Sm Pinking Circles (S4-172) #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Ribbon from stash; Holographic Silver card; Gems; Copics; Wink of Stella Silver Brush; Glitter and Flock

I've used the sketch from this week's CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#80 and the theme from Merry Monday - MM#112 to feature Santa's hat.  I stamped the image on to white card, coloured the hat with Copic markers, coloured the background to remove the original sentiment and added some glitter to the hat and flock for the beard.  I coloured the bell with a yellow Copic and then added silver glitter.  I added a simple silver peel off greeting to echo the silver holographic frame and I finished the front with some gems.  The inside is, at the moment, blank.

For more inspiration using these fabulous colours check out the cards from the rest of the Design Team and also from our Guest Designer Marie.   Looking forward to seeing your creations!

One for four ....

... Hi!  Today's card was made with four challenges in mind:

• Time Out Challenge - TOC#7 where the theme is summer with optional flowers
• Fusion Card Challenge - FUSION#11
• Uniko Studio Challenge - USC#10 
• Darnell's Challenge - NBUS#1 -in Darnell's words "never-before-used schtuff."

Stamps: Uniko Studio - All Occasion Sentiments No 1, Beautiful Blooms 1
Inks: Versamark; Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Melon Mambo
Dies: Memory Box - Blissful Butterfly Border; Uniko Studio - Beautiful Blooms 1
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Pistachio Pudding; SU DP - Real Red, Pumpkin Pie; Clear Embossing Powder

I hope the ladies at Fusion and Uniko Studio don't mind me taking a few liberties with their challenges, I've added a touch of green to the Fusion colour palette and  a bit of orange and yellow to the Uniko Studio palette.  I used the sketch from Fusion and used my new (NBUS) butterfly border along the bottom with the inlaid die technique (which I love).  On the inside I cut a mat layer in pale green and stamped another of the lovely big blooms on the side.

Did anyone watch the first match of the Football World Cup last night?  I know I might be in the minority here, but I really enjoy football (that's soccer to my American friends) and we've got great coverage here.  Brazil, as expected, won the opening match against Croatia 3 - 1, but it was a closer match than the score suggests!!  That's all for today.

Non-crafty photos ...

.... Hi, just a quick heads up to let you know that I've added some new photos to my non-crafty photos page.  I've actually edited photos from the pool shot that we attended last Saturday.  The workshop was run by David Birdsong, the pool location was kindly provided by Mari Stewart and we were joined by a number of models - Windsor, Andrea, Kirstin, Krissy, Corian and Amber.  It was lots of fun.  Here's one photo to get you going:

If you'd like to see all my photos from the shoot, check out my Flickr account, click here.

Dreamer .....

.....  Good morning everyone!  Today is Kathryn's last day, well strictly morning, at school - then it's holidays for 12 weeks!!!!  Today's card has been made using a couple of challenges:

• The Paper Players - PP#199
• Rick St Dennis - Red, White & Blue - Facebook challenge

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - 20 Winks; Dare 2B Artzy - Graduation
Inks: Versamark
Dies: Spellbinders - Mega Scalloped Rectangles (S4-143) #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Kaisercraft DP - Suga Pop; Stampin' Up! Card - Night of Navy; White Embossing Powder; Copics; Wink of Stella Clear

I only recently came across the amazing digi images drawn by Rick St Dennis, but I think they are fab and I purchased a few (and will be getting more).  Rick has a personal challenge on the RSD Facebook page and that's to use the colours red, white and blue on one of his images and I'm submitting this.  It also fits in with this week's Paper Players challenge. 

I printed the image onto white card, coloured with Copic markers, cut it out and then added a touch of sparkle using my Wink of Stella clear brush.  To make the card I covered the base with the pale blue dotty design paper and added a dark blue panel down the centre.  I adhered the image directly to the panel and finished with a fun sentiment.  Even fairies have to sleep!!!  I've left the inside blank.

Bye for now!

TMR - Father's Day ...

.... Hi!   It's time for our new challenge at The Male Room.  I wasn't able to play along with our May challenges as my Mum was here on holiday.  However, I'm pleased to be back with this challenge - one to celebrate our Dad!  He's a special guy and worth a special card - our theme is Father's Day.  Here's my card:

Stamps: Impression Obsession - Have a Seat; Stampin' Up! - Delightful Dozen; Papermania - Couch Potato
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; SU - Wild Wasabi
Dies: Spellbinders - Gold Squares One (S4-410) #1
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi; SU Card - Daffodil Delight; Copics

I've used the bold, bright colours from this week's CAS - Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#77.  I stamped the cozy armchair onto some green design paper and added some subtle shading making it a well loved chair.  I made the cushion from a small piece of yellow card that I embossed with a pattern and then rubbed turquoise ink over to bring out the design.  I stamped a very simple sentiment, adding a touch of colour with my Copic marker.  I finished off the front by adding a cup of tea and TV controller - both on the floor waiting for the chair's owner to settle down.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of the turquoise paper and stamped a fun sentiment. 

For more inspirational Father's Day cards - check out the projects from the rest of the Design Team.  This card is for my father-in-law - he's a lovely man!  That's all for now.  See you soon.

ASM - CAS ...

... Good evening!  It's time for CAS (clean and simple) challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  A CAS card should have clean and crisp lines, minimal or no embellishments and lots of 'white' space.  Now the white space doesn't have to be "white", it can be any colour.  White space is a term used for the area of your card with no stamping, embellishments etc.  Here's my CAS card:

Stamps: Uniko Studio - Explosion; Avery Elle - Handwritten Notes
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black, Majestic Blue
Dies: PTI - Tipped Tops
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Cuttlebug EF - Diamond Plate; Copics; Clear Embossing Powder

This was fun to make!  I made the ombre card using three shade of blue Copics and blending well.  Then I stamped the explosion image, heat embossed with clear powder and cut it out.  I die cut two panel out of white card and coloured the edge of the larger piece to match the explosion shape.  I embossed the top panel with the diamond plate embossing folder.  I added "OMG!" to the centre of the explosion cut out and finished the front of the card with a simple greeting.  I've left the inside blank.  I'm submitting this card to Inkspirational - INK#58, as Sandie's challenge is to make a clean and simple card!

Our sponsor this week is QKR Stampede and the challenge winner will receive 3 digi images from them; they have a great selection.  To see more CAS cards from the rest of the Design Team, click on this link - do leave a comment, we all love to get some love!!  That's all for now!  See you soon.

Welcome baby ....

.... a week ago today it was my birthday - I had a fantastic time.  I also found out that a friend of mine had her baby on the very same day - 2nd June is a good day to be born!!!  I can post this card as they will have received it by now.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Sassy Salutations, Something for Baby, Stacks of Wishes
Inks: SU - Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue
Dies: SU/Sizzix - Baby's First Framelits
Accessories: White Lustre Card

I've made a very clean, simple card, a contrast to the one I made for the baby shower (see below).  I used my new SU set - Something for the Baby - the onesie is so cute, but the colours are both discontinued, which is a shame!  I stamped the sentiment directly on to the card base and the onesie on some scrap and then die cut it.  I adhered the die cut with dimensional tape.  On the inside (which I forgot to photograph) I stamped a sweet verse.

This was the card I made for the Baby Shower, full details are here.  That's all for now - see you soon.

52CCT - Sketch ...

....  Hello all!  Can you believe it's already June!!!!  Where is this year going?  Our host at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown this month is Louise.  As always the first challenge of the month is a sketch and this one is lots of fun.  Feel free to adapt the sketch a bit - make it square, use any shape in the middle, but we must be able to see the basic sketch in your design.  I'm glad Louise said that, as I've played with the sketch a bit!!!  Here's my take:

Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy - Owl Be Home 4 Xmas
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Wild Wasabi
Dies: Memory Box - Glowing Candles
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Winter Frost; SU Card - Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz; Silver Mirri Card; Copic

As you can see I did play a bit with the sketch, it's upside down and there's no sentiment or ribbon, but I don't think it needs either of them.  I used this week's Merry Monday - MM#111 challenge for the colours - to use aqua, white and a splash of colour(s).   I've been itching to play with my new die - I've seen many fabulous cards using the die and just had to play with it.  I covered the card base with a sheet of design paper - love the geometric snowflake pattern.  I used silver mirri card to make the parcel ribbons (the sketch reminds me of a parcel).  I cut a panel of white card and die cut the candle trio and then I repeated the die cut using silver mirri card, aqua, green and yellow card.  I used the inlaid die technique to create the image and I'm delighted how well it turned out.  I added a touch of sparkle to make the veins on the holly leaves and used my Copic marker to add the holly berries.  I adhered the image panel with dimensional tape, but the great thing is that the card is still quite flat and will go through the post easily!!  On the inside I cut a couple of mat layers in silver and the design paper and on the white panel I stamped a simple sentiment.

Our Guest Designer this month is Marie from NJ Stamping Queen - for more inspiration using the sketch check out the fab card she's made, and see the lovely cards from the rest of our talented team.

It's so nice getting back into my normal routine and be back to making some cards!!  Today the weather forecast is gorgeous, which is good as we are all off to a photo shoot today - a pool party with lots of super models!!  That's all for now, have a great weekend.

Sparkle and shine .....

.....  Good afternoon!  It's absolutely beautiful here today - makes up for the very dull and wet day yesterday.  I've been having lots of fun in my craft room and I've a very simple card to share with you today.

Stamps: Sweet Stamp Shop - Sparkle and Shine
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Copics; Wink of Stella Clear

It's been a while since I played along with these challenges, so it's fun to take part again.  I've used the theme of shine from CASology - CAS#98 and the colours from Colour Throwdown - CTD#295.  I immediately thought of sunshine for the cue word, but going through my stamps I found these new ones from Sweet Stamp Shop and decided to make sparkly, shiny gems instead!!  The card is effectively a one-layer card.  I stamped the gems onto scrap white card, coloured them with Copics and then added smoe sparkle with my Wink of Stella pen.  Then I cut each gem out and adhered them to the card base.  I finished with a fun sentiment.  As far as I'm concerned, you can NEVER have too much bling!!! 

I think you can see the shimmer and sparkle in the main photo, but I think the one above really shows how much these gems sparkle!!!

That's all for today - I'd better do some house stuff.  This evening we're off to see Kathryn in her school choir - it's the end of term show and I can't wait to see it.  Bye for now!

ASM - Holiday .....

.... Hi!!  I'm beginning to get back to my normal routine now that Mum is back in the UK, it's nice, but I miss her!  Anyway, it's time for our Holiday theme challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  Your project can be based on any holiday - Christmas, New Year, Easter and I've gone for Father's Day which is in a couple of weeks' time.

Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy - Daddy Owl; Uniko Studio - Background Builders: Squared
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Costal Cabana
Dies: Dare 2B Artzy - Owl 2
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Baked Brown Sugar; Copics; Clear Embossing Powder

I've used the layout and colours from this week's CAS - Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#76.  I think I might have mentioned that I rather like owls!  Well I found this super cute owl from Dare 2B Artzy and decided it would be perfect for a Father's Day card.  I stamped the image in Versafine, embossed with clear powder, coloured with Copics and then die cut with the matching die.  I made the horizontal panel from my new background builder set, stamping in both the red and aqua and layering onto brown card.  I finished the front by stamping a simple sentiment.  On the inside white panel I stamped a couple more square borders and a lovely sentiment!

Our sponsor this week is StampArt Design and the winner of the challenge will receive 5 free digi images from Kathryne - and they are fab!  For more inspiration with holiday theme cards, check out the cards from the rest of the team.  Bye for now!!

WMSFC - Sketch .....

.... Hello everyone!  I'm sorry this post is rather late, but I'm only now beginning to get back to my normal routine after spending 5 weeks with my Mum here!  We had such a great time, but my crafting did rather fall by the wayside!!!  Anyway, as they say, better late than never!  Our challenge at Waltzingmouse Fanatics is sketch for you to play with.  I have to admit that it did make me think a bit, but here's what I made:

Stamps: WMS - Compact Sentiments, Playful Pinwheels, Vintage Labels 25, French Country
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Tangerine Tango, Bermuda Bay
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 25 (S5-077) #4; Gift Card It Die
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Copics; Vellum; Cuttlebug EF - Swiss Dots; Wink of Stella Brush Clear

I used the lovely bright colours from Colour Q - cQc#243.  I stamped the border image from French Country and coloured it with Copic markers, cut the length to fit and then rounded the corners.  I stamped this stunning frame in Bermuda Bay and cut it out with the matching Spellbinder die.  Next I used my Gift Card die to cut the vellum rectangle and embossed it with the dotty pattern.  I coloured the reverse with Copic markers.  I finished the front with a fun windmill (pinwheel).  I stamped the image twice and used the little filler stamps to colour it.  I cut out both layers and adhered the top layer with dimensional tape, I also added some sparkle to the top layer using the Wink of Stella brush.  I finished the windmill by adhering it to a stick.  I finished with a bold thanks sentiment.  Here's a close up of the centre of the windmill - you can see the glitter shimmer really well.

You have plenty of time to join in with our Waltzingmouse Fanatics challenge, the deadline for submission is Thursday 12th June, 8.00pm GMT (3.00pm EDT).  There are a couple of  requirements, one is that your project uses the sketch and the other is that you must use at least one Waltzingmouse image, sentiment or digi on your project.  Can't wait to see what you make!

That's all for now.  I'm off back to my craft room to play - so much to catch up on.  See you soon.

Wedding request ....

... Afternoon all!  Sorry it's been a while, but I've been making the most of my Mum's last week here with us.  Mum asked if I'd mind making a card for her as a friend of hers is getting married in August.  Such a silly question, of course, I don't mind making a card - I hardly need an excuse to play!! 

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - You're Lovely; Kanban - Lace; Cas-ual Friday Stamps - Heart Beats; PTI - Wet Paint
Inks: Versafine - Smokey Grey; Memento - Peanut Brittle; Versamark
Accessories: Cream Lustre Card; Gold Matt Mirri Card; Gold Perfect Pearls; Gold Wink of Stella Brush

I've gone for a very clean, simple and elegant card.  One of Mum's favourite stamps is the WMS dress which I've used on a several other wedding cards.    I cut a layer of matt gold mirri card and adhered a panel of cream card on top.  I stamped the sentiment at the top of the card.  I made the dress by stamping the image twice, once on plain cream card and the second time onto card that I'd stamped with the lace.  I stamped the lace in Versamark and then added gold Perfect Pearls to pick out the lace pattern.  I cut out both images, adhered the lace dress onto the base and finished the dress with some gold sparkle on the collar and shoulders.  I adhered the dress to the card with dimensional tape.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of gold card and stamped a bold, but simple greeting.

That's all for now.  See you soon.