Peppermint candy ....

.... Today I'm sharing the last of my family's Christmas cards - this is the one I made for our daughter, Kathryn.  Since moving to the States Kathryn has discovered peppermint candy in Ghirardelli Squares - and she loves it!  I've combined two challenges to make Kathryn's card:

• Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - WMSCCC10-12 - theme is pink
• Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#3 - cue word "SWEETS"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Candy Jar Christmas Fillers, Candy Jar Fillers, Candy Wagon, Compact Sentiments, Compliments of the Season II

Inks: Distress - Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint; Versamark; Stazon - Jet Black; Memento - London Fog

Dies: Spellbinders - Labels 20 (S5-026) #3 & 4; Opera Tags (WMS-DT#1)

Accessories: Pink Mulberry Paper; Doily; Cosmic Shimmer Spray - Golden Mint, Silver; Stampin' Up! - Fancy Brad; SU Design Paper - Melon Mambo; Papermania - Christmas Carol Silver vellum; Silver Embossing powder; SU - Glitter; Acetate

This is a vision in pink!!  For the background I used some mulberry paper - love the texture at the edges.  The doily is from my local supermarket, I sprayed it with Cosmic Shimmer in Golden Mint and Silver to give shimmer and colour.  Next I stamped the candy canes in Versamark and embossed with silver powder.  I did several sets as I wanted extra canes.  I used distress inks and my aquapen to paint the canes, adding glitter to some.  I used the medium Labels 20 die to cut dark pink and vellum layers.  I used Stazon on to stamp the jar onto the vellum (much clearer impression) and also on to the acetate.  I attached the candy canes to the label.  Next, using a sharp scalpel, I cut along the jar side outline on the label base and inserted the acetate jar.  Next I stamped the sentiment onto a small vellum label and attached it to the card. I finished off the front with a candy cane, brad and tag.

For the inside I cut a mat of holographic pink card and some white card onto which I stamped the candy wagon and Christmas sentiment.

This card completes all twelve cards for the Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge.  I fell behind a bit, but caught up at the end.  Lynn - thanks so much for organising the challenge - it's been such fun.

We've had a super time with my in-laws, the time has flown by, and today we head south to Hampshire to spend a few days with my Mum and her family.  If you're travelling - take care.  See you soon.

Vintage green ....

.... this card is for a very special person - for my best friend, my soul mate, my husband - it's for Jonathan.  The last challenge in the Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - WMSCCC12-12  is to use the colour green.  Jonathan's favourite colour is green - so it's perfect.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Bright Season, Compliments of the Season II; Yonder Star Background
Inks: Versamark; Stampin' Up! - Old Olive, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, So Saffron; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Mega Classic Scalloped Ovals Lg (S5-024) #4, Mega Ovals Lg (S5-023) #4
Accessories: Stampendous - Frantage Embossing Powder Aged Hunter; Gold and green card from stash; Own embossing powder

Jonathan is the light of my life - I love him to bits!  So I thought the large hanging lantern would be the perfect image for my card.  I found some olive shimmer card in my stash (no idea where I got it) and stamped the Yonder Star background on it in Versamark.  I embossed the whole image with Frantage embossing powder in Aged Hunter - a sort of antique green with gold/black/silver flecks - it looks wonderful.  I mounted that onto some satin gold paper and the whole lot onto a cream card base.  I stamped the large lantern in Versamark onto cream card and embossed it with my own embossing powder mix - a blend of black, silver and gold - giving a gunmetal finish.  I used a scalpel to carefully cut out the "window" panels and then adhered the lantern to some acetate.  I stamped the lantern onto more cream card and used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the candle, flame and light glow.  I used the mega oval to cut out the die and mounted it onto a scalloped gold oval.  I finished off by attaching the acetate lantern with dimensional tape and adding a small bunch of holly at the chain.

I kept the inside of the card really simple - a gold/green shimmer card for the base and cream card onto which I stamped "for you".

Christmas is a day for family traditions - our day starts with cooked breakfast and Bucks Fizz (for the adults).  After breakfast we gather in the living room and Christmas presents are handed out.  Whatever your traditions are - enjoy the day.

Merry Christmas ...

...  I'd like to wish all my crafting friends a very Merry Christmas!!  Have a wonderful time.

Last year's Christmas Tree!

Follow Yonder Star ....

.....  I've CASEd Jean Martin's card and gone for a western feel with my Christmas card for Ben.  I've actually managed to combine four challenges in the card:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC128 - sketch designed by Kim Duran
• Colour Q - cQc168
• Charisma Cardz Challenge - CCC50 - theme is Santa coming to town
• Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - WMSCCC11-12

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Woodgrain, Midnight Feast, Way Out West, Back in the Saddle, Sheriff, Santa's Coming to Town, Yonder Star

Inks: Stampin' Up! - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Bashful Blue; Versamark

Dies: Spellbinders - Lacy Squares (SS4-295) #2

Accessories:  WMS - Twine, Card from stash; Embossing powder

I turned the sketch through 180° as I wanted the Sheriff Star to look like it's high in the sky with the other stars - this fits the theme for November's WMSCCC of having a source of light in the card design.  I stamped the Sheriff's star in Versamark and embossed with my own blend of powder (black, gold & silver) giving a slightly gunmetal finish and then I cut it out (very easy).  I stamped the background to look like wood (love the large woodgrain stamp).  Then I stamped the blanket stamp in Real Red and Bashful Blue to make the vertical panels.  I decided that I'd put the Santa cameo in the centre of the Sheriff star.  I stamped the image in Cherry Cobbler (one of the new SU pads, so very juicy) and triple embossed with clear powder to give an enamel finish.  Once cool, I cut out the cameo and attached it to the star.  At this point I deviated from the sketch a bit to add the sentiment.  The box comes from one of the images in Back in the Saddle and the sentiment from Yonder Star, I mounted it on a small scalloped square, attached some twine and let it hang from the star.

For the inside, I cut two layers the bottom in Bashful Blue and the top in white.  I stamped the outline star in Crumb Cake (second impression so that the image is a bit more subtle) and then the fabulous sentiment in Cherry Cobbler.

Ben really likes cards with lots of layers and details - I think this fits the bill!

Today's the last chance to get to the shops and get any presents - we're off to town this morning to get a few bits.  Bye for now.

Circle crazy ....

.... Hi - this is another in my series of scheduled posts.  I've used the sketch from the current Clean & Simple Stamping Challenge - FTL221.  I really like the graphic layout on this one and have opted to make a guy card.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Boy Basics: Game On, Boy Basics: Simple Circles, Grunge Me; Stampin' Up! - Itty Bitty Banners
Inks: SU - Midnight Muse, Marina Mist, Gumball Green, Certainly Celery
Dies: SU - Framelits - Bitty Banners
Accessories:  Cuttlebug EF - Rellie Rave, SU Card - Gumball Green; SU - 1" circle punch; White Lustre card

I've been totally faithful to the sketch. I cut a mat of Gumball Green card onto which I adhered the white card which I embossed with Rellie Rave - love those funky circles.  I stamped each circle in a different colour and used my 1" SU punch to cut them out.  The birthday sentiment is from Itty Bitty Banners and was cut with the coordinating die.  I carried the circle theme to the inside of the card, stamping some grungy circles and then made the sentiment by combining a couple of stamps.  Sorry the photo is a little blurred, wouldn't focus properly!!

I'm really pleased with this card and I think it'll be a hit with the recipient!!  That's all for today.  See you soon.

Christmas stars ....

.... The last weekend before Christmas - this month has simply flown by!!  This card is for this week's CASology - CAS24 challenge where the cue word is STAR.  My card has a few stars!

Stamps: Stampin' Up - More Merry Messages
Inks: SU - Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  SU Design Paper - Be of Good Cheer: SU EF - Delicate Designs; SU Card - Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Silver Glitter paper

I'm cheating a bit, this is a scheduled post as today is a very busy day for me - we're off to the UK for Christmas with the family.  I made this card at a recent Stampin' Up! party hosted by Karin Menghini - it's Karin's design.  It fits with the challenge - these little silver stars are so pretty, so sparkly!!

I had an email yesterday to say that I'd won My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge - MFTWSC102 with my bit shabby, bit vintage card - here!  Absolutely delighted!!  Thanks guys a great early Christmas present.

That's all for today.  I do have a number of posts scheduled over the coming week, and hopefully I'll add some pictures from our trip too!  See you soon.

We've had snow ...

... Hi - hope everyone is well - it's been a really busy day here.  I've finished all the ironing and tomorrow we pack!!  We had our first significant snowfall today too - only about an 1" on the ground and probably not going to hang around for long, but it looked very pretty.  And this evening with Christmas lights on various houses in the area - it looks so festive.  This morning I took a photo of our back garden through my craft room window - so nice to be in the warm :)

I don't have a card to share with you today - I've been busy getting various birthday cards made to take to the UK - you'll see them soon.

Since moving to the States, I've come to use Facebook a lot!  Over the last couple of days I've seen several posts all based on the idea of a Gratitude Jar.  The idea is to start the year with an empty jar, and as the year progresses fill it with notes about all the good things that happen.  Then on New Year's Eve you can empty the jar and see what a fabulous year you've had.

Photo Credit

I really like this idea and have already got my empty jar on my desk - I'm going to decorate it when I get back after Christmas.

That's all for now - I think it's time to sit back and chillax!!  And maybe catch some TV.  Bye for now.

Anything goes ....

.... that's the theme over at this week's Do You Stack Up - DYSU#103 challenge - so this obviously fits.   I've been busy making cards to catch up with the Waltzingmouse Stamps Christmas Card Challenge and this card is for May, where the challenge was to incorporate a chipboard element.

Stamps: WMS - Woodgrain, Christmas Cottage, Vintage Christmas Background, Vintage Garden Seed Packet
Inks: Distress - Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss; Stampin' Up! - Whisper White Craft; Stazon - Jet Black
Dies: Memory Box - Grand Maison Window
Accessories: Scrap chipboard; SU - Diamond Dazzles; Uniball White Pigment Pen

It has taken a good long while to come up with something for the May challenge - but I've seen a number of cards using this window frame and as I recently treated myself to the die, I thought this would be a good opportunity to use it.

I made the window frame from some scrap chipboard that came with some stamps - it took quite a few passes through the Grand Calibur to cut through the card, but it worked.  I rubbed some Whisper White craft ink across the card and rubbed it in to give an aged effect.  I made the background resemble a lounge wall.  I masked where the frame would go, stamped the Vintage Christmas background.  I protected the "wallpaper" and brayered the bottom of the wall with Antique Linen and then over stamped with the woodgrain background to make some wood panel.  I masked off the background and then stamped the snowman and trees and created the scene.  I stamped the snowman and trees again on white card and coloured them with Promarkers, cut them out and glued them in place.  I finished off with some glitter and snow and the sentiment which I stamped in Stazon to give a really crisp image.

I know that the sentiment says "Thank You", but this card is both a thank you and Christmas card for a friend who allows Jonathan and I to stay at her house when we visit.

I don't quite know how it has happened, but I'm ahead of myself!!  So much so that I've had time to play in my craft room - hence this card!!  I only have three more of the Waltzingmouse Christmas Card challenges to do - but you'll have to wait until 26th December to see them :)

That's all for today - keep safe.  Hey!!  I just realised that this is my 1000th post!!!!

Anniversary Wishes ....

Good morning!  I had a super day yesterday - lots of washing done, now it's just the ironing :))  I also managed to find time to play in my craft room.  I've made this card for two challenges - they seemed to go together perfectly:

• Less is More - LIM98 - theme to make an Anniversary card
• Dynamic Duos - DD33

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Musical Backgrounds, Big Day Additions; Say It with Style

Inks: Stazon - Jet Black; Distress - Antique Linen; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Textured gold paper, black & white card from stash; Cuttlebug EF - Swiss Dots

The colours for this week's Dynamic Duo are perfect for an anniversary card and I combined them with white to make a clean, simple and elegant card.  I cut mat layers in gold and black and a top layer of white card.  There is an option to include a musical theme on the Dynamic Duo challenge, so I stamped a couple of musical staves in Antique Linen, almost like a soft gold.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the simple, elegant sentiment - love, love this font!  To add some interest I embossed the top layer with Swiss Dots.  I kept the inside equally simple with a lovely sentiment.  

I can't get over how mild it is at the moment - everyone has been telling me that "normally" we'd have had snow by now - and stuff that sticks too!  But not yet - and I'm hoping it stays off for a while longer.  Anyway, that's all for now.  See you soon.

Noel Trio ....

.... Okay, I know I said I wouldn't be posting as often as normal, but I need my crafting fix :)))  And this one was so quick and easy - it's a tiny card, only 4 1/8" × 2 7/8" (10.5 × 7.5 cm).  It's a little gift tag for a Christmas present and it fits the following challenges:

• Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC161
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU102 - theme is Christmas
• CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS9 - I turned the sketch upside down
• Charisma Cardz Challenge - CCC49 - theme is Christmas cards

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Trees (FRCL045)
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Gumball Green; Distress - Festive Berries, Picked Raspberries
Accessories: Clear embossing powder; SU - Diamond Dazzles; Card from stash

I know this is not an original idea (there are several variations of a trio of trees on the CTS blog), but it is just perfect for the challenge and I got to use a set of stamps that I'd forgotten I had.  Love the Art Deco feel to the design.  I stamped the image in Versafine and embossed with clear powder which makes painting so much easier.  I used Gumball Green to do the trees - gives lovely shading, and for the tinsel I used Festive Berries and Picked Raspberries.  I added a touch of glitter to make the tinsel sparkle.

That will be all for today - still lots of washing and ironing to sort out.  Hope you all have a good day!  It's another very mild December day - no sign of snow just yet!!  Bye for now.

A bit vintage, a bit shabby ....

... Afternoon all!!  Wow, I've had a busy morning - lots of washing to sort out before the holiday break.  But while it's drying I've had time to play and make a birthday card.  It's a bit vintage, a bit shabby - at least I think it is!  I made it using the sketch for this week's challenge at  My Favourite Things - MFTWSC102.

Stamps: My Favourite Things - Gift Card Greetings: WMS - Flourishes: Dots & Scallops; SU - Happiest Birthday Wishes; PTI - Grunge Me
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Distress - Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Broken China
Dies: Die-namics - Vertical Gift Card Pocket, Fishtail Layers STAX
Accessories:  Kaisercraft Design Paper - Periwinkle; SU - Vintage Brad; Lace from Stampeddlar

I had such fun making this card.  I got the Kaisercraft paper a few weeks ago - they are so beautiful, and just right for a special birthday card.  Love this gift card pocket; so easy to make with the die. Before folding I added some colour to the inside of the pocket and stamped a pattern - but it's so subtle you can't really see it!!  The little tag came in the paper stack - I simply added the date and a pretty brad.  Love this pretty lace too.  Apart from the sentiment on the gift card pocket, the only stamping is on the panel behind - I shaded with distress inks and added some flourishes.  Here's are a couple more photos - one with a card in the gift pocket (not the one that will actually be sent) and one of the inside.

I might not be posting as regularly as normal - it's getting really busy with all the holiday preparations.  We'll be spending Christmas with the family in the UK - so I've lots to do before then.

Before I go, I must say thank you to all those who have left such lovely comments recently.  I've been very bad in replying - but I read each comment and value them all.  Thanks.  See you soon.

Sew special ....

... Good evening - I'm very late posting today, but I've had a good excuse - I've been sorting out my craft room.  I got my new Stampin' Up! ink pads - they are just fantastic, so juicy!!  I treated myself to the SU storage unit and I had to assemble it (very easy) and then put in the pads - so nice to have name labels for the pads too.

After I'd finished that I decided to make a birthday card for someone who is sew very special to me :)  I used the sketch from this week's Freshly Made Sketches - FMS65 for the layout.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess set - discontinued); Die-namics - Sew Nifty
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Rich Razzleberry
Dies: Die-namics - Sew Nifty, Fishtail Flags STAX
Accessories: SU Design Paper - Sycamore Street (see below); SU - Sycamore St Button & Ribbon set; SU  Card - Rich Razzleberry; SU Marker - Tangerine Tango; SU Diamond Dazzles; SU/Sizzix Embossing Folder - Fancy Fan; Thread and card from stash

I had lots of fun with this card.  I cut a panel of Rich Razzleberry and some pretty design paper (Pool Party) which I embossed with the Fancy Fan folder and attached them to the card base.  I cut a couple of fishtail tags and stamped this lovely sentiment onto the white tag, and attached them to the card.  I stamped the tape measure and thread spool onto white card, cut them out and then added some glitter to the tape measure.  I used the die cut to cut the dress form and then stamped the image, added some sparkle and mounted to the card with dimensional tape.  I finished off by added a fancy button and some thread around the spool.  The thread started off white; I coloured it with my SU Tangerine Tango marker pen - so easy!!  I kept the inside really simple - with one of my favourite birthday sentiments - love the font!!

I've finally started my Stampin' Up! business and one of the great benefits of being a demonstrator is that you can pre-order from new catalogues - and I did!!  This card gives you a sneak peek at some design paper that will be in the up-coming "Sale-a-bration" leaflet which runs from 22nd January to 22nd March 2013 - contact me for details.

Stampin' Up! have a Clearance Rack running at the moment - click HERE to start shopping.  There's paper, punches and stamps too!  Have fun!!

Finally, I'd like to welcome a new follower - Hi Jocelyn - so glad you joined me.  That's all for now.  Got to tidy up and get dinner made.  See you tomorrow!

Crossword birthday ....

.... Good morning to you all - it's quite foggy here in Northville this morning!  I've a birthday card to share with you today - nice to make something different to Christmas :)  It's also a "Sneak Peek" at one of the new Stampin' Up! sets available in January (contact me for more information).  I used two challenges to make the card:

• Colour Throwdown - CTD222
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL220

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Cross My Heart (Available January 2013), Medallion; Uniko Studio - Wonderful Washi
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Bashful Blue, Pacific Blue, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Making Memories Ribbon, Clear embossing powder, Card from stash

The CTD graphic has the most fabulous photo and I just had to use the Medallion stamp to suggest a huge sun!!  I was very faithful to the sketch, expect I turned it round as it fit better with my design.  I attached some thin black ribbon and stamped two of the Washi images in shades of blue.  The crossword puzzle birthday sentiment is the "SNEAK PEEK" of Stampin' Up! Cross My Heart set which is available in the new Spring catalogue in January.  I just love this image!  I stamped it in Versafine, embossed with clear powder and then fussy cut it out and adhered with dimensional tape.  I finished off with a few gems for sparkle.

As you can see - I've signed up with Stampin' Up! - there really is such a lot coming out in the new catalogue - and you'll see a few more sneak peeks here.  If you're interested in ordering anything - contact me!!

That's all for now - we're off out today to see The Hobbit - will give a review later.  Have a good day!

Gifts of love ....

.... Good Wednesday morning to you all - it's absolutely beautiful here today.  The sun is shining, the skies are blue and it's really cold!  I've another Christmas card to share with you today made with the following challenges in mind:

• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC81 - where the team would like us to use twine on our card
• CASology - CAS23 - where the cue word is "GIFT"
• Colour Q - cQc167 - with some super festive colours

Stamps: CAS-ual Friday Stamps - Happy Kiss-mas; Stampin' Up! - More Merry Messages
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; SU - Always Artichoke; Distress - Bundled Sage
Accessories: SU Design Paper - Real Red, Everyday Enchantment (Lucky Limeade); SU Card - Real Red, Lucky Limeade; White Lustre card ; Martha Stewart Glitter - Garnet, Coarse Crystal; Twine from CAS-ual Friday Stamps

I've finally got around to inking up these super stamps from CAS-ual Friday!  I stamped the middle bunch of mistletoe in Always Artichoke and the ones either side in Bundled Sage (don't have Sage Shadow).  I added the twine to the middle bunch - it's actually recycled from the packaging I got with these stamps - and a touch of glitter too.  I stamped a very simple sentiment directly onto the card base and surrounded it with lots of parcels - all containing love and best wishes for Christmas!  I stamped some parcels directly on to the card and cut the others from plain card and design paper.  I finished off with coarse crystal - suggesting snow piling up around the gifts.

That's all for now - got to put on some washing!!  Hey ho!  See you soon.