SNG - Hat Lady ...

...  Good morning all!  I'm running a bit late with this post - should have been up a few hours ago, but I completely lost track of the days!  Anyhow, here's a card that I made using one of Rick St Dennis's wonderful Hat Lady images.  The ladies are so glamorous; I've made a couple of Hat Lady cards before here and here.  Here's today's card:

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - 1960 Couture Hat; Winnie & Walter - The Big, The Bold & The Happy, The Big, The Bold & Extras
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog; Stampin' Up! - Melon Mambo
Dies: Spellbinders - Petit Ovals Lg (S4-138) #5, Petit Ovals Scalloped Lg (S4-139) #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Teresa Collins DP - Far and Away; SU Card - Melon Mambo; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear

The one good thing about running late with today's card, is that I got inspiration for the layout from this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge - FMS#170.  It's a super sketch and can be ultra clean and simple, or a bit more dressed up like my card.  Like many of us, I have lots of design papers which I've been keeping safe in my stash.  One of this year's resolution is to USE the papers that I've got.

I printed the digi on white card, coloured her with Copic markers and added some sparkle to her gems with a clear Wink of Stella brush.  I cut the image out with an oval die and adhered it to a pink mat layer.  I found this elegant damask style paper and thought it would be the perfect backing.  I added a simple greeting to the front.  On the inside of the card, I cut a mat layer of pink card and on the white panel added some roses.

Rick is a fabulous artist and his digi images are a joy to colour.  If you want to see more of his Hat Lady collection check out Rick's Esty and Zibbet shops.  Before I go here are all the cards I've made - looks like I've got a theme going!!

Bye for now!

ASM & TMR - Blue Hearts ....

....  Good evening everyone.  I'm here with my card for this week's Addicted to Stamps and More! challenge.  It's Team A with you this week and the theme of our challenge is HOLIDAY.  You can pick any National holiday or even just a holiday - I've gone for Valentine's Day.  This card is also my DT card for our new challenge at The Male Room where we have a colour challenge to use SHADES OF BLUE.

Stamps: Deedee's Digis - Stitched with Love; Uniko Studio - Round in Circles
Inks: Kaleidacolour - Blue Breeze
Dies: Cheery Lynn - Hearts 'n' Gears; PTI - Wet Paint Cuts I and II
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up Card - Night of Navy; Copic Markers

ASM is being sponsored this week by Deedee's Digis and I've used one of her designs for my card.  The winner of this week's challenge will get a $15 coupon for use at her online store.  I printed these stitched hearts on white card and coloured them with Copic markers and fussy cut them out.  I made the card from navy card stock and cut a layer of white card lightly smaller than the base.  I die cut the gear heart and sentiment and adhered the white panel directly to the card base.  I coloured the white die cut gear heart with Copic markers to match the pair of stitched hearts.  I than adhered it back into place, along with the white bit for the words.  I then adhered the two stitched hearts over the top.  The card is actually quite flat, making it easy to post.  On the inside I cut another layer of white card and added a decorative border, but left a large space for me to write a message.  This one is for my stash of cards that I send to Ben.

For more inspirational using ASM's Holiday theme click this link and for TMR Shades of Blue theme click this link, my team mates have made some wonderful projects.  Do drop by and leave a comment.  Have fun!

52CCT - Theme ....

....  Hello everyone!  Can you believe we've reached the middle of January already?  Time is flying by.  However, that does mean it's time for a new challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and this week I've a theme challenge for you.  You must use

BELLS

Here's my take:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Folk Art Christmas Additions; Winnie & Walter - The Big, The Bold and The Merry
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Pacific Point; Memento - London Fog; Versamark
Dies: Memory Box - Cross Stitched Frames #3; WMS - Folk Art Christmas
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Silver Mirri Card; Silver Embossing Powder; SU Marker Pens - Real Red, Pacific Point

I've made a very clean, simple card today and used a couple of challenges.  I've used the colours from Colour Me! - CMCC#54 and I'm also submitting this to CASology - CAS#129 where the cue word is NBUS - "Never Before Used Schtuff".  If you don't know NBUS - check out Darnell's blog here. 

I started by stamping a couple of bells in Versamark, heat embossing with silver powder and then cutting them out with the matching die.  One cut out I added some colour to each bell using my aqua brush.  I stamped the sentiment directly on the card base.  I used dimensional gel to adhere the bells to the card and finished by adding this lovely silver cross stitch frame.  I used my NBUS - my new Memory Box dies for the frames.  On the inside I cut a silver mat and on the white layer stamped another bell and added a Christmas greeting.

For more inspiration using our theme of "Bells", check out the blog to see what the rest of the team have made.  I have to say that I really liked the thumbnail display last week - all those blues - looks so pretty!  That's all for now - have fun!

USC - Love and Friendship ....

.... Good Morning!  It's time for a new Uniko Studio Challenge - USC#17 and this month our theme is

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP

Here's my take on the theme:

Stamps: Uniko Studio - Pure Florals: Chrysanthemum
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Strawberry Slush; Memento - London Fog
Dies: Uniko Studio - Chrysanthemum
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Pink Pirouette; Vellum; Clear Embossing Powder; Martha Stewart Glitter - Verdelite; Copic Marker

I decided to make an anniversary card - a celebration of enduring love.  I've used a couple of challenges in the making of my card.  The Card Concept - CC#26 is celebrating its first anniversary and the graphic photo is absolutely lovely and my card is definitely clean and simple.  I used the sketch from this week's Retro Sketch - RS#148 for the layout, although I did make it a landscape card.

I cut some pink stripped paper for the background (echoing the table cloth in the photo).  I stamped the small chrysanthemum in pink on vellum and heat embossed with clear powder.  I used the matching die to cut it out.  I then added a touch of colour with my Copic marker.  I cut a small panel of white card, added a strip of double sided tape and poured on green glitter (must have sparkle on a card).  I added a simple sentiment, edged the card with the Copic marker and adhered the panel to the card.  I ran the vellum flower through my Xyron sticker machine - it's a great way of adhering vellum - no adhesive to show!  On the inside of the card I cut a mat layer in the design paper and on the white panel stamped the small solid chrysanthemum, leaving space for me to write a message.

For more inspiration with our theme of Love and Friendship - check out the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have created.  We have a special Guest Designer this week too - Lynn has made a fabulous card - do drop by and leave her a comment and for the team too - we all love comments!   That's all for now - have fun with the challenge and looking forward to seeing your creations!!

My bad!!  Not only do we have Lynn as Guest Designer but also Lucy and Kitty (sorry ladies) - don't forget to visit them too.

RSD - Progressive Challenge Team B ...

.... Good morning.  It's time for Team B to share our creations for the RSD Progressive Challenge.  The theme for the first part of the challenge is Anything Goes - you can use any of Rick's images to create a card, scrapbook page or a 3D project.  If you play along with this first part of the challenge, then next month you'll get an image from Rick to play along with the second part of the challenge - hence progressive!  As well as the free image, your project will be entered into a draw to win even more.  Don't forget to share you project on Rick's Facebook page too!  Here's my card:

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Phonecia Phlegm; Dylusions - Say It How It Is
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie
Dies: Die-namics - Rounded Banner Stax #7, Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #2
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Kaisercraft DP - Happy Snaps; Vellum; Copic Markers; Jolee's Boutique - Skulls; Martha Stewart Glitter

I had such fun colouring in this image - Phonecia Phlegm is available at Rick's Zibbet shop along with many more images.  I used the sketch from this week's MFT Card Challenge - MFTWSC#211 for the layout. 

I used Copic markers to colour the image and cut it out with my Die-namics Rounded Banner die.  The die is actually shorter than the image, but it is really easy to get dies to cut longer images - check this video from Chrissie Stokes.  I used a couple of sheets of design paper (to match the colours in the image) on the card and edged the image with an orange marker.  I found a fun sentiment to go with the image, stamped it in orange and lime, cut out the words and adhered them to a vellum fishtail banner - I didn't want to hide too much of the image.  I finished the front with a skull embellishment to match her skull earring.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of orange dotty paper and on the white panel adhered the rest of the sentiment.  This one is going into my stash.

Check out the Sparkle and Glitter blog to see what the rest of Team B have made for the Anything Goes theme.  You can see Team A's projects here.  To add your finished project to the RSD Progressive Challenge Anything Goes Part I - Click Here.

We're still in the grip of an arctic blast here in North America, but at least the sun has been shining!  Wherever you are, be safe!  That's all for now.

Cannot Espresso ....

.... Good morning!  I'm going to keep this short and sweet as the deadline for My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge - MFTWSC#210 is fast approaching.  One of my favourite drinks is coffee and I treated myself to some new dies and stamps - here's my card:

Stamps: MFT - Perk Up
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Cherry Cobbler, Baked Brown Sugar
Dies: Die-namics - Coffee Cup, Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #3; Lil Inkers - Stitched Rectangles #4
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Cherry Cobbler; Teresa Collins DP - Far and Away; Wink of Stella - Clear; SU Marker - Cherry Cobbler

I think the papers are perfect - like a nice latte!  I cut a coffee cup from white card and the holder from red card, adding the dotty star to echo the paper.  I used the fishtail dies to cut the banner, edged it with a red marker and stamped the sentiment.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of red card and stamped a simple coffee cup on the white panel - there a big space for a message from me.  I added a touch of sparkle to the cup holder - see on the detail photo.

It's a beautiful day here in Northville - bright blue skies and lots of sunshine - so much brighter than yesterday.  The downside to that is that the temperature is only -14°C (6°F)!!!  Still, I'm much rather it cold than actually snowing.  That's all for now.

Edited to add:  It seems I'm not the only one to use a coffee theme on my card - I've appear to have CASEd Erin, Cammy and Shemaine!!  Great minds think alike :)

SNG - Turtle Art ....

....  Good morning!  I think many of you know that I like the turtle images drawn by Rick St Dennis and I've got another to share with you this morning.  This is a fun guy - he likes to get inky and messy - a bit like most of us!!

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Artemis The Sunday Painter; Stampin' Up! - Work of Art; Stamp free with Stamp Crafter
Inks: SU - Strawberry Slush, Bermuda Bay, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wisteria; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Squares Lg (S4-126) #7, Lacey Squares (S4-295) #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Copic Markers; Sakura Glaze Pen

I printed Artemis on white card and coloured him with Copic markers and Sakura Glaze pens; if you like him you can find him on Rick's Zibbet shop where you can check out even more of Rick's images.  I cut out the finished image with a square die.  I coloured some white card to match the turtle's body and die cut the lacy square for a mat layer.  I added splodges of colour to the corners of the card and stamped on words that seemed absolutely perfect.  The words come from a stamp that I got free with the Stamp Crafter several years ago.  On the inside of the card I stamped the colours again and finished a fun sentiment.

I've got a bit of a dull day planned today - I've got to call several different medical insurance companies to sort out some bills - I can't think of a duller way to spend the day!  But it has to be done.  I do hope you have a better day.  Take care - see you tomorrow!

You make me smile ...

....  Good afternoon!  I do hope you're all having a super weekend.  Ours has been good fun.  We've been out to the Plymouth Ice Festival yesterday afternoon and this morning, and today I've been into my craft room to play!  First of all a card I made today for a friend in the UK:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Eat Cake
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Blushing Bride; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Kaisercraft DP - XO; Wink of Stella - Clear and Silver

I used the inspiration photo from the current Fusion Challenge - FUSION#25 to create this card.  The elements I took from the photo were the peach/pink colours, the chalkboard background and the cake.  I covered the base of the card with some pretty design paper echoing the flowers in the photo.  I used the Eat Cake set to create a yummy (and calorie free) birthday card which I fussy cut out.  The big chalkboard sentiment is also from the paper pack and I finished the front with a stamped sentiment.  This card is going to be a bit late (I really must get my cards off earlier).  On the inside I cut a mat layer in the same design paper and on the white panel added a fun greeting and another little cake!

I told you earlier that we've been out to the Ice Festival in Plymouth.  We all went out yesterday afternoon to see the ice carvings - we left it late to warm up a bit!  As it was, it was still about -17°C (1°F) and felt quite a bit colder as there was a wind!!  Despite that, there was still quite a crowd, which made taking photos a challenge.  However, here's one of a carving in front of a bar taken yesterday afternoon:

The light yesterday was really bad - so grey and overcast, I added a bit of colour to the image.  I'm glad I took this yesterday, as we found the carving in pieces this morning.  Jonathan and I woke early and decided to go back this morning and try to get some more photos.  Many of the carvings are illuminated and you really only see that when it's dark.  This one was taken about 7.45am this morning:

It was still really quite dark at 7.45am and the purple light behind this eagle looked beautiful.  I've simply cropped the image and added a frame - otherwise, it's straight from the camera without any fancy editing!  I'm going to finish the rest of the photos later this afternoon and will add a link if you want to see them.  I have to say that it was much warmer today - a mere -7°C (19°F) and no wind - a big improvement!  That's all for now.

52CCT - Colours .....

...  Good morning all.  I think when I picked the colours for this week's 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown challenge, I was expecting to have lots of snow around.  And that's exactly what it's like.  We're having a real arctic blast of winter here in America.  I shovelled 3" of snow off the drive yesterday and at the time of writing this post (Friday afternoon) we've had a bit more snow - but the skies are blue and the sun is shining.  What are the colours?  You have to use  

Shades of Blue  

and this is my card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Frame It
Ink: Kaleidacolor - Blue Breeze
Dies: Spellbinders - Petit Oval Sm (S4-140) #6, Scalloped Petit Ovals Sm (S4-141) #6
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Blue Mirri Card; Blue Glitter Paper; Cuttlebug EF - Winter Wonderland; Martha Stewart - Snowflake Punch; Wink of Stella - Clear

I got the inspiration for my Cupcake Christmas tree from the graphic for this week's Merry Monday - MM#140 challenge which is to use snowflakes on your card.  I stamped lots of little cupcakes in shades of blue, used my aqua pen to drag the ink in and give a hint of colour to the case and icing and then fussy cut them all out.  I then layered them up to create a Christmas tree.  I added clear Wink of Stella to all the icing and used an oval die to cut out the tree.  I layered this onto blue metallic card.  To add interest I embossed some white card with more snowflakes, layered it onto blue metallic card and then direct to the card base.  I finished the front with a dark blue glitter snowflake to go on top of the tree.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of blue glitter paper and on the white panel added a few more cupcakes and a simple greeting.  I took a close up of the cupcakes so that you can see the sparkle.

 

For more inspiration using all the BLUES check out the cards from the rest of the team - they have created some wonderful cards.  Have fun!