SHC - Squeeze the Day

... Hello! I'm here with my post for Seven Hills Craft. I've only one card to share today and I had such fun making it:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn - You're the Zest

Inks: Gina K - Dusty Rose, Sandy Beach; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Lawn Fawn - You're the Zest

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Lawn Fawn Stencil - Clover Background

I'm submitting this card to Color Throwdown - CTD#730 - such pretty colours, and to Inkspirational - INK#283 - where they want us to use stencils.

I've had the lemon stamp and die sets for a while and I thought it was about time to use them. I stamped three lemons, coloured them with Copic markers and cut them out with the matching die. I used a two-step stencil to make the background. I used pink ink on the first layer and soft sand on the second layer. I concentrated the colour towards the middle of the card, and allowed it to fade out towards the edges. The stencil is called 'clover background', but I think they look like clusters of little hearts, especially in these colours!!! I glued the lemons on the card and added a sentiment. I've not decorated the inside as I'm sending this to our daughter Kat. Kat likes a pun, so she'll enjoy this card.

That's all for today. I'll see you again soon.

SHC - Die Cut Love

... Morning!! I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft blog post. I've only got one card to share with you today and it came together quickly as I used scraps left-over from previous crafting sessions. Here's my card:

Stamps: C&9 - Just the Ticket, Perfect Matchbox, Love Lines Turnabout

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Key Lime, Turquoise Sea, Blue Denim

Dies: C&9 - Love Quilt Top, Double Stripe Card Front

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Pacific Point, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Yellow; SU DP - Daffodil Yellow

I'm submitting this card to Cardz 4 Guyz - G4G#315 where they would like us to make a Valentine's card for a guy - done!

I used left-over bits from my stash for this card. I found two large pieces of card, adhered them together and die cut a stitched pattern into the piece. I then used the Love Quilt top set to die cut a deckle-edge square with the word 'love' stitched into the panel. I had a scrap of card with the Love Lines pattern stamped on it and cut out the letters ' L, V, and E' from it. I used a scrap of yellow design paper for the heart. I then carefully glued the pieces onto the square panel and added the complete piece to the front of a 5¼" square white note card. I finished the front by stamping a greeting above and below the die cut panel. For the inside, I cut a piece of yellow card for the mat layer, and on the white panel I stamped a dotty heart in yellow and added a sentiment.

And that's it! All done in about half an hour. This is for Jonathan - he'll have two cards on Valentine's day - but he's worth it!!

Bye for now, see you again soon.

SHC - Love Lines Options

.... Hello! I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft blog. Grab a coffee (or tea if you prefer) and join me. I've got six cards to share with you today. The main image on them all is a new Turnabout stamp from Concord & 9th - Love Lines - it's part of the Valentine release, but it's so much more versatile. The stamp consists of an double turnabout - so you can make a complete background, an outer frame, and an inner pattern. Here's my first card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Love Lines Turnabout; The Greetery - Sentiment Suite - Thinking of You

Inks: Gina K - Soft Stone, Stormy Sky, Slate, Black Onyx; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - Just Saying

Accessories: White & Black Card; Vellum; C&9 - All-in-One Turnabout Jig

I'm submitting this card to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#72 where it's always 'anything goes'.

If you've not used a Turnabout stamp, Concord & 9th have a super video on their blog to show you how. I used both parts of the turnabout image to create a complete background in greys and black. I layered the piece onto a black mat and added it to a 5¾" white square note card. I finished the front by adding a die cut greeting. The die cuts both shadow and words, I did the shadow in vellum and the words in black card. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card and on the white panel I stamped a sympathy greeting along with a simple grey flower.

Next is a card I've made for my son, Ben:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Love Lines Turnabout, Friendship Garden

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Key Lime, Turquoise Sea, Blue Denim; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - Just Saying, Double Stripe Card Front

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Granny Apple Green; C&9 - All-in-One Turnabout Jig

I'm submitting this to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#47 - Love Lines is brand new, and this is the first time I've used the Just Saying dies.

I made this a bright card using blue, teal, green, and yellow. I added extra interest to the background using the double stripe die which cuts stiched lines into the background. I adhered the panel to the front of an A2 (US size) green card. I added a die cut greeting - the shadow cut from black card and the words in green to match the note card. I cut a piece of white card for the inside and simply stamped a greeting and branch image in the bottom corner. I edged the panel with a blue marker and adhered the panel to the note card.

Next is a Valentine's card - but not in pinks/red - this is more masculine:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Love Lines Turnabout, Just the Ticket, Perfect Match

Inks: Gina K - Ocean Mist, Blue Lagoon, Blue Denim, Stormy Sky; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Basic Grey; C&9 - All-in-One Turnabout Jig

I'm submitting this card to Global Design Project - GDP#379 where the theme is 'love'.

I used a stitch-edged die to cut out the white panel, added a greeting in dark blue at the bottom and then layered it onto a black mat. I adhered the whole piece to the front of an A2 grey note card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped a dotty heart and added some fun sentiments.

Next, is a more feminine version of the central pattern and I've made this for my mum:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Love Lines Turnabout, Hello Wishes

Inks: Gina K - Innocent Pink, Dusty Rose, Lovely Lavender, Medium Lilac; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - Simply You

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Highland Heather; C&9 - All-in-One Turnabout Jig

I'm submitting this card to Inkspirational - INK#282 where they have a moodboard where the theme is 'love/Valentine, but with other options too'. I've focused on the love theme.

I used a wide scallop stitched-edge die to cut out this panel - it's so pretty. I adhered the panel to the front of a lilac A2 (US size) note card. I finished the front by adding a die cut greeting. On the white panel inside the card, I stamped a simple greeting and flowers.

I decided to make a card for my daughter, Kat, too - this time I used the outer frame of the Turnabout stamp:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Love Lines Turnabout, Hello Wishes, Friendship Garden

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Sweet Mango, Passionate Pink, Coral Reef; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 1

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Melon Mambo; C&9 - All-in-One Turnabout Jig

Using the outer part of the Turnabout stamp give a central open space, perfect for a large greeting. I stamped this lovely message in bright pink ink. I cut the panel with a die and layered it onto a black mat. I added the whole piece to the front of a bright pink A2 note card. On the white panel inside, I stamped a sentiment and flower - I left a big space for my own message.

My final card is a Christmas card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Love Lines Turnabout, Festive Phrases, Fa La La Fringe Tree

Inks: Gina K - Lipstick, Jelly Bean Green, Lucky Clover, Key Lime; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Poppy Parade; C&9 - All-in-One Turnabout Jig

I'm submitting this one to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#132 where the theme is always 'anything Christmas goes'. So happy to join in with this challenge again.

I stamped a bold black Christmas greeting in the opening, layered the panel onto bright red card and added it to the front of a 5¾ white square note card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of red card and on the white panel stamped a simple bold greeting and red stars.

I had such fun making all these card. They show just how versatile Turnabout stamps are - and they come together so quickly. Once set up in my MISTI, I like to stamp multiple backgrounds and keep them in my stash for future use.

That's all from me today. Thanks for sticking with me. See you again soon.

SHC - One Background - Four Ways

... Hello again! I'm beginning to get back into card making - so many birthday cards needed this month. I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft blog post. I've used one background stamp - four different ways. Here's the first card:

Stamps: Altenew - Woven Stripes, Just a Number, Birthday Builder; Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold Majestic Moth

Inks: Gina K - Soft Stone, Keylime, Blue Raspberry, Sea Glass; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies: C&9 - Confetti Card Die

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Pear Pizzazz; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder; Nuvo - Clear Aquashimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to Seize the Birthday - STB#253 - I'm using the toppings option - 'winged things'.

I made an A2 note card using green card from my stash. I put the Woven Stripes stamp into my MISTI and masked off sections, I stamped the panel in four colours. I used a scallop edge die to cut out a piece of the panel and glued it to the note card. I stamped a simple birthday greeting in the bottom corner of the panel, along with a dragonfly above. I stamped the dragonfly again on white card, coloured it with Copic markers, restamped in Versamark ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I then carefully cut out the dragonfly, edged it with a black marker and glued it to the note card. I finished the front by adding some shimmer to the dragonfly with a clear aquashimmer brush. I cut a piece of white card for the inside, I stamped a fun sentiment and another dragonfly.

Next is a card for Ben's grandmother:

Stamps: Altenew - Woven Stripes, Just a Number, Enchanting Beauty, Sentiment Strips 3

Inks: Gina K - Powder Blue; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark; Memento - Angel Pink

Dies: Altenew - Just a Number, Enchanting Beauty

Accessories: White & Black Card; Watercolour Card; Brusho - Cobalt Blue, Violet, Rose Red; Silver Mirri Card; Silver & White Embossing Powders; Vellum

I'm submitting this card to a new challenge - Birthstone Challenges - BSC#01 - January (Garnet) and February (Amethyst).

This time I stamped the Woven Stripes image in Versamark on watercolour card and heat embossed with white powder. I sprinkled Brusho crystals onto the panel, spritzed with water and allowed the colours to flow and blend. Once dry, I trimmed the panel and layered it onto a black mat layer. I glued the whole piece to the front of a note card measuring 6¼" x 4½". I stamped the leaf image in Versamark onto vellum and heat embossed with silver powder. I used the matching die to cut out the leaf and adhered it to the panel. I finished the front with a die cut birthday greeting. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card and on the white panel I stamped the leaf image in pink and added a birthday greeting.

Next up is a clean, simple card:

Stamps: Altenew - Woven Stripes, Just a Number, Sentiment Strips 3, Half-tone Stars;

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Red Hot, Lucky Clover, Blue Raspberry, Medium Lilac; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Accessories: White & Black Card

I'm submitting this one to The Male Room - TMR#170 where the theme is 'galaxy and/or stars'. I've not played along with this challenge for a long while, so it's good to play along.

I stamped this background in several colours - using my MISTI and masking off areas. Once stamped, I cut the card in half along the long line of the biggest set of stripes. I turned one section and glued it to the bottom of an A2 white note card and trimmed off the excess. I then added a thin strip of black card above. I finished the front by stamping a simple birthday greeting and adding several stars stamped to match the colour of the stripes. For the inside, I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the note card. I added two more portions of the Woven Stamp panel at the corners and edged them with a black marker. I finished by adding a fun sentiment and a few more stars.

For my last card, I simply stamped the Woven Stripes background directly on the card:

Stamps: Altenew - Woven Stripes, Just a Number, Sentiment Strips 3; C&9 - Triple-Step Hooray

Inks: Kaleidacolor - Blue Breeze; Gina K - Powder Blue, Ocean Mist, Blue Raspberry; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Accessories: White & Black Card

I'm submitting this card to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#72 where it's always 'anything goes'.

I used my Kaleidacolor ink pad to stamp this background - I love the ombre effect you get with these ink pads. I stamped the three-step word 'hooray' on white card - it's very easy to line up these stamps. I then cut out the word and layered it onto a black mat and adhered it to the front of the card. I finished the front by stamping one of the smaller sentiments from Triple-Step Hooray in bold black ink, trimmed it to size and used dimensional pads to adhere it to the card. On the white panel inside, I stamped a birthday greeting and some stars.

That's all my cards for today. I'm so pleased to be making cards again. I need to replenish my own card stash. See you soon. Take care.

Playful Penguins

.... Hello! It's been a busy day, but I managed to get a couple of hours to play this afternoon and I made a start on my Christmas card stash for this year.

Stamps: Gina K - Playful Penguins, Peace Love & Joy

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark

Dies: Gina K - Playful Penguins

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Smokey Slate, Night of Navy; Pinkfresh DP - December Days; Copic Markers; White Embossing Powder; Pinkfresh - Enamel Dots

I'm playing along with three challenges - Color Throwdown - CTD#726 - navy, grey & white, Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#569, and Cupcake Inspirations Challenge - CIC#560 where the theme is 'winter fun'.

I used grey card from my stash to make an A2 landscape top-folding card. I found the text design paper in my stash, trimmed it to size and adhered it to the card. I used my MISTI to stamp the two cute penguins on white card. I took them out, coloured them with Copic markers, returned the image to the MISTI and restamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink - it gives such a clean, crisp line. I used the matching die to cut out the penguins. I found a strip of navy card onto which I stamped a greeting in Versamark and heat embossed with white powder. I added the strip to the card, put the penguins on top and finished by adding three blue enamel dots. For the inside, I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the note card. I stamped a greeting and verse and added another penguin. I coloured it with Copic markers and restamped - slightly out of register, so the penguin looks very 'happy'!! I edged the card with a blue marker and adhered it to the note card.

I'm so pleased to have finally made a start on this year's Christmas cards. I need about 100 to send out, so a few more to go. That's all for now. See you soon.