Metallic Christmas ....

..... Morning all - I've a card for this week' Do You Stack Up? - DYSU101 challenge - where we have to include Gold and Silver.  The challenge deadline is today, so I'm quite late submitting my card.

Stamps: Chocolate Baroque - Holly Leaves
Inks: Versamark; Distress - Evergreen Bough
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 17 (S5-025) #6
Accessories:  Gold and silver embossing powder; Black card from stash; Craft Work label sentiment

This is a really quick and easy card to make and I really like the effect you get combining different embossing powders.  I started by stamping the image in Versamark and adding the gold and silver powder, heating and then cutting it out with the beautifully ornate Labels 17 die.  I sponged on some colour around the edge of the card base and then, using the same colour, stamped the image directly onto the card base.  I finished off with the sentiment label which I coloured to match the background.  This looks very dramatic but is quick and easy enough to mass produce.

Before I go I'd like to welcome Anne-Elise - thanks for joining me.  That's all for now - I'm off to the hairdresser to get my hair cut - ready for Christmas and the New Year.  It's only two weeks to go!!!  Take care, see you soon.

O Christmas Tree ....

....  Hello - I hope you all had a super weekend - ours was great fun, and the house is starting to look quite Christmassy!!!  I've another Christmas card to share with you this morning, made for the following challenges:

• Freshly Made Sketches - FMS64
• Colour Throwdown - CTD221
• Jingle Belles - JB12:25 - Anything Goes

Stamps: Just Rite - O Christmas Tree; Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season II, Ornate Ornaments
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake
Dies: Spellbinders - Nested Pennants (S5-028) #3, Edgeabilities Classic Triple Scallop (E8-003)
Accessories:  Design Paper - Hot off the Press - Forever Christmas; SU Card & DP - Crumb Cake, Gumball Green; Clear embossing powder; Cream lustre card

I got the HOTP design papers free with a UK craft magazine (can't remember which one) and I found this gorgeous scroll paper in the stack - perfect for this challenge.  I cut a mat in Gumball Green, adhered the scroll paper and attached them both to the Crumb Cake card base.  I cut a smaller panel in Crumb Cake card and randomly stamped snowflakes in Crumb Cake ink to give a subtle tone-on-tone effect.  I stamped the Christmas tree in Versafine, heat embossed with clear powder, cut out with the Pennant die and used my aquabrush to paint on Red Riding Hood in the scroll.  I cut the lovely border in Gumball Green attached it to the SU design paper, cut it to fit the card and then rounded the top corners.  I finished off with a simple sentiment (fabulous font).

For the inside I cut another piece of the scroll design paper onto which I layered some cream lustre card.  I stamped the sentiment in Riding Hood Red - love the scroll detail which goes so well with the scroll design paper.

I'm having lots of fun finishing off my Christmas cards - only nine left to go.  Then I need to make several birthday cards - I think I may have mentioned that January has lots of family birthdays.

That's all for now.  It's a busy week - a couple of my friends are going back to the UK for Christmas and we're getting together for a girls lunch before they go.  And today I'm off to school for lunch duties.  It's a really good way to get to meet some of Kathryn's friends - they even come and talk to me now!   See you soon.

Christmas tree ....

.... Just a quick post - no card, but we have got our tree up!  We couldn't put up the big 9 foot tree - it was too wide for where we wanted to put it.  So we've used out 6½ foot tree instead - it's very pretty - decorated with lots of lights, tinsel and baubles.  Some of the baubles are shop bought, some are ones I've made and some were made by the children.  So pleased to have it up.  Here are a few photos:

I made this decoration last year - it survived the trip over!!

Decorated by Jonathan and Kathryn - lots of lovely sparkle!!

A couple of close ups showing decorations made by me and the children!

That's all for now.  See you tomorrow!

Christmas sparkle ....

... Wishing you a good Sunday morning!!  I was really busy yesterday and got another Christmas card made - only about ten more to do then I've finished for this year!!!!  I've used three challenges in the making of this one:

• CASology - CAS21 - where the cue word is SPARKLE
• Addicted to CAS - ATCAS2 - where the theme is BAUBLES
• Dynamic Duos - DD32 - monochromatic pinks

 

Stamps: Papermania - A Christmas Carol Baubles; My Favourite Things - Seasonal Sentiments

Inks: Memento - London Fog; SU - Rose Red

Accessories:  Stampin' Up! Card - Rose Rose, Pretty in Pink; Glitter and gems and card from stash

This card really is very quick and simple to make.  I cut a couple of mat layers in the two shades of pink and adhered them to the card base.  I stamped this gorgeous branch of baubles in London Fog on plain white card and coloured the baubles with Promarkers.  I kept it simple by doing all the baubles pale pink with a touch of dark pink for the accents.  I finished off with lots of sparkle in the form of glitter and some gems which you can see in the picture here.  I've had this stamp for several years and I think it always makes such an elegant card.  For the inside I cut a mat in pale pink and white and stamped the sentiment in Rose Red.

That's all for now - we were going to put our tree up last weekend but didn't get around to it - but today's the day!  Will post pictures later.  Have a good one!

Christmas blues .....

..... Good afternoon - it's very dull and grey in Northville today - a perfect excuse to stay indoors and play!  Jonathan has just finished a photo shoot at the house, Kathryn has done some homework and is now playing and I've made a card for the following challenges:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC127 designed by Teresa Kline
• Colour Q - cQc166
• Addicted to CAS - ATCAS2 - theme word Bauble
• Just Us Girls - JUGS166 to use embossing on your card

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Ornate Ornaments
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Pool Party; Versamark
Dies: Spellbinders - 2010 Heirloom Ornaments (S4-283) #5
Accessories: Martha Stewart - Ornament Punch; Cuttlebug EF - Winter Wonderland; SU Card - Midnight Muse; White Lustre Card, Silver embossing powder

I got my new WMS sets yesterday and I had to play with the wonderful ornate ornament stamps - the large stamp is stunning.  Claire showed us how easy it is to colour here.  My card is not entirely original - Teresa used the same one on her card, but our cards are totally different.  So versatile.

I stamped it in Versamark and embossed with detail silver powder, then I painted with my aquabrush.  I don't have Cool Caribbean so used Pool Party on the stripes with Pacific Point and Tempting Turquoise for the fancy scrolls.  I used Midnight Muse to stamp the sentiment on the ornament and the verse inside the card.  I made the card base from Midnight Muse card.  The white panel was cut to fit the card, the bauble edge was made using my Martha Stewart ornament punch and then it was dry embossed in my Bug!  I finished off with a double bow - white striped organza and turquoise organza both from my stash.  For the inside I simply stamped a bold sentiment.  Here's a close up of the ornament and embossed snowflakes.

I had such fun making this card.  I think you'll be seeing a variation on this card very soon.  Hope you all have a super weekend.  See you soon.

Sweetest birthday wishes .....

.... I'm running very late with this card - it's for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC126, designed by Iwona Palamountain.  It's such a versatile sketch and I would have had my card up earlier, but I've not been feeling great this week! But I've made it and I'm loading it now - details will follow:

Stamps: WMS - Half Pint Heroines, Earth Angel, Opera Tags, Compact Sentiments

Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed; Versamark

Die: Spellbinders - Labels 25 (S5-077) #2; Opera Tags (WMS-DT#1); Cuttlebug - Hippie Chick Alphabet

Accessories: Blue paper (from India); Yellow patterned paper from scrap pile; Promarkers - Warm Grey 1 - 5, Soft Peach, Peach, Mango, Cinnamon, Chestnut, Satin, Baby Pink, Cyan, Aquamarine, Blush; Gems and card from stash

This card is for a special girl who will be 12 very soon.  I stamped the elephant twice onto white card and coloured with Promarkers, once onto the blue swirly paper and yellow patterned paper and then did a lot of cutting out!!  Then I layered up the elephant adding gems at the tassels and along the edge of the3 basket.  I stamped the little girl's head and dress and coloured with Promarkers and cut her out.   I cut out a panel of the blue paper and attached it to the card base.  I stamped the birthday sentiment onto white card, cut it out with Labels 25 and while in the die added some colour - sort of suggesting the sun!  I stamped a couple of clouds - one behind the blue and one to go on top.  I finished off with this gorgeous Opera Tag which I stamped in Versamark, embossed with gold and then added the number 12, I completed the tag with some twine from my stash.   

For the inside I used Promarkers to make the blue frame and then used several of sentiments in the Half Pint Heroines set and the birthday greeting from Earth Angel.  Here's close up of the elephant and sweet little girl showing the dimension.  I used the CR84FN45 colours - blue, orange and yellow - they seemed appropriate with the elephant!!  

Card is now in the post and should get to the UK in time for the young lady's birthday.  I had such fun making this card - the elephant is just fab!

The postman has just delivered my new Waltzingmouse stamps - they are absolutely super.  Off to play now.  See you soon.

The Mouse is in America .....

... Morning - just a quick post!  Are you a fan of Waltzingmouse Stamps?  Do you live in the United States? If so, you will be delighted to know that Claire and her team can now ship stamps direct from the US.

Stamps currently available via US shipping

Claire would love us to spread the word far and wide!  And she's running a competition too - the prize is $100 store credit - just imagine how many sets you can get for that!!!!  So spread the news via your blog, Facebook, Twitter or jungle drums!  Then go to this page on Claire's blog and leave a comment about how you've spread the news. You will be entered into the draw - deadline is midnight Friday 7th December.  

Just be aware that as this is a new operation, not all stamps are available through the US shipping - you should see this logo if the stamps can be sent from the US.   Be sure to let Claire what else you'd like to see on the US shipping list!

As a newish arrival to the US - I am so delighted that Claire has started this service - not waiting a couple of weeks anymore - just a few days instead!  It was great getting the November bundle three days after ordering - thanks to the team.

That's all for now - I'll be back later with a card or two!  And the fog has finally lifted - it was so miserable yesterday.  Today will be better - wet, but at least we'll be able to see ;)

Merry Christmas ....

... Morning All!  We've got what I'd call a really soft focus morning here in Northville - the fog is so thick that I can only just see across the road!!!  According to the weather team it should lift by this afternoon.  So no guilt for spending an hour in my craft room this morning.  I've made another Christmas card for the following challenges:

• Less is More - LIM96 - colour recipe to use RED and GREEN
• Dynamic Duos - DD31 - to use Certainly Celery and Real Red
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL219

Stamps: Stampendous - Snow Spindle Bold (SSC111); Stampin' Up! - Contempo Christmas

Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; SU - Real Red

Dies: Spellbinder Edgeabilities - Triple Scallop (E8-003)

Accessories:  SU Card - Certainly Celery; Martha Stewart Glitter - Garnet; White Lustre card - Stampeddlar

This really is a CAS card - I stamped these lovely trees onto a white panel and attached the pretty scallop.  I added just a touch of sparkle to the tree with berries.  I finished with simple sentiment in red - it was originally stamped directly on the card, but wasn't straight!!!  Do I stamped it again, fussy cut it out and gave it a little dimension.  The stamp set is called Snow Spindle and each of the trees above is actually a single arm of a snowflake.  The idea of the set is to make mega snowflakes!!  But I think they are perfect for Christmas trees.

That's all for now - I have a huge pile of ironing waiting upstairs - I didn't get round to it last week - naughty me ;)  So I think I'd better get it done!  See you later.

CR84FN68 - May your Holidays Sparkle ....

.... Can you believe it's December!!!  Where has this year gone?  The up side is that it's time for my second card with our gorgeous CR84FN68 colours of burgundy, grey (silver) and cream.

Stamps: My Favourite Things - Seasonal Sentiments: Stampin' Up! - Serene Snowflakes
Inks: Versamark; Stampin' Up! - Bravo Burgundy
Die: Memory Box - Winterland Tree
Accessories:  SU Card - Bravo Burgundy; Cream lustre card; Silver embossing powder

I cut a panel of Bravo Burgundy card onto which I stamped the sentiment and a variety of snowflakes in Versamark and then heat embossed them all with silver powder.  I then mounted the panel onto a cream card base.  I cut the pretty scroll tree with my new Memory Box die (it's been out for a while, but I only just got it).  A tip when cutting with such an intricate die is to use a piece of wax paper between the card and die; it makes getting the little bits out so much easier.  For the inside I simply stamped a bold Christmas sentiment.

Photo Credit

For more inspirational cards from the team either click on the links in my side bar or go directly to the CR84FN blog.

Edited to say that you have plenty of time to play along with these fabulous colours - the challenge has been extended and now closes on Wednesday 12th December.  And check out the CR84FN blog to see details of a prize - you must make sure to follow the guidelines! 

We are taking a break for the rest of the month for the holiday season - not only do we have to prepare for Christmas, but we want to have time to join in all the fun and games too!  We'll be back on Sunday 30th December with CR84FN69.

Good time and bad ....

... Good Saturday morning - what are your plans for the weekend?  We plan to put up our Christmas tree - I think we might be late around here - there are several up already.  I still have some Christmas cards to make so I'll be spending time in my craft room.  Jonathan has a couple of photo shoots planned and Kathryn has some homework that needs to be done (I'll be around to help as needed)!  We're going to be busy!!  So here's a card I made yesterday for a few challenges:

• CASology - CAS21 - where the cue word is "TIME"
• CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS7
• Colour Throwdown - CTD220

Stamps: Uniko Studio - Time
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Cherry Cobbler, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Cuttlebug - Clockworks EF; Cream Lustre card from Stampeddlar

I was going to make a card for New Year celebrations, but while browsing through my stamp catalogue, I found this sentiment and decided to use that on a card.  I've been watching several U-Tube video showing the letterpress technique and thought I'd have a go.  I inked up the Clockworks EF with Tempting Turquoise and Lucky Limeade and carefully placed my card.  Then I ran it through the bug.  Opening the folder I discovered that the card had slipped a bit - but I actually like the rather distressed look, so I kept it.  I selected the image I wanted - see the clock face - and then cut panels.  To make the little accent border I used the ornate clock face hand.

I might be back later today - depends how well I get on in my craft room and how much support Kathryn needs.  Have a good weekend!