SHC - More Christmas Cards ....

.... Morning! I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft blog post. The recent cold weather has put me in a wintery mood and I decided to make a few more Christmas cards for my stash. After all, it's useful to have a few spares. Here's my first card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Big On Christmas; Hero Arts - Color Layering Holly

Inks: Gina K - Key Lime, Grass Green, Christmas Pine, Lipstick, Red Hot, Cherry Red; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - Quilted Front Cover Plate; Hero Arts - Color Layering Holly

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Cherry Cobbler; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to Uniko Studio Challenge - USC#68 where the theme is celebrate with the option of using red and green, done. I'm also playing along with Global Design Project - GDP#319 where the theme is Christmas, and Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#32 - it's the first time I've used the Hero Arts layering holly stamps and dies!!

I used an American A6 card (6¼" x 4½"). I cut a piece of white card 5½" x 3¾" and stamped a bold sentiment in deep red ink in the centre of the panel. I used a stitched card front die to add detail to the panel and layered it on to a piece of deep red card. I adhered the whole piece to the front of the notecard. I've had the Hero Arts Color Layering Holly stamp set and dies for quite a while, and this is the first time I've used them. The holly leaves and berries are triple-step stamps and then cut out with the co-ordinating dies. I die cut extra holly leaves and berries in deep red card and layered the stamped pieces onto them. I adhered them to the front of the card and added sparkle to the berries with a clear aqua shimmer brush. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of deep red card and on the white panel added a greeting and holly for decoration.

Next, I have a couple of mini slimline cards - they work perfectly with the stamp sets I've used.

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Big On Christmas, Tiny Trees Turnabout

Inks: Gina K - Red Velvet, Tangerine Twist, Wild Dandelion, Lucky Clover, Blue Lagoon; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Delicata - Silvery Shimmer

Dies: Gina K - Master Layout 7

Accessories: White & Black Card

I'm submitting this card to Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#211 where the theme is colourful, and to Happy Little Stampers Christmas - HLSXMAS#11 where it's anything goes with the option of creating a scene (which I skipped).

I cut a piece of white card measuring 6½" x 6¼", scored on the long edge at 3¼" to make a mini slimline card. I used a stitched edge die to cut a piece of white card. I put the panel in the MISTI, positioned the large sentiment and used brushes to add ink to the stamp. I stamped each colour in turn, repeating a few times to blend the colours. I added some silver stars for a bit of sparkle. I layered the panel on black card and adhered the lot to the front of the notecard. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped a Christmas greeting and added a few more stars.

Finally, another mini slimline card - very clean and simple.

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Big On Christmas; MFT - Party Lights; Hero Arts - Color Layering Holly

Inks: Gina K - Red Velvet, Tangerine Twist, Wild Dandelion, Lucky Clover, Blue Lagoon; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Master Layout 7

Accessories: White & Black Card; Glossy Accents; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush; White Gel Pen

I'm submitting this card to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - 52CCT43-21 - where they want to see fairy lights, and to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#106 where it's anything Christmas goes.

I used the same method as outlined above to make this card. On the stitched edge die cut panel I stamped the fairy lights - the wire in black ink and rainbow colours for the lights. I added a simple Christmas greeting, layered the panel on black card and added to the front of the notecard. I added sparkle to the lights with a clear aqua shimmer brush, I used a white gel pen to add a highlight and covered the lights with glossy accents for shine. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card and on the white panel stamped a greeting a more lights.

I think that probably is all the Christmas cards that I'll be making this year - but who knows!! Thanks for staying with me. See you again next week. Take care.

SHC - Caffeine Inspiration ....

... Morning all! I'm here with my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post, and today I've been inspired by the current Autumn/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog hop. It's been such fun getting out some of my many coffee themed stamp sets. Here's my first card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Coffee Blend Turnabout; Altenew - Forever Friends, Birthday Builder; Sugar Pea Designs - The Perfect Blend; Waffle Flower - Coffee Cup Sentiments

Inks: Gina K - Sandy Beach, Kraft, Warm Cocoa, Dark Chocolate, Turquoise Sea; Versafine Clair - Pinecone

Dies: Altenew - Forever Friends

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Early Espresso; Copic Markers; Nuvo - Clear Aquashimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to Seize the Birthday - STB#227 where the toppings option is Beverages. Done!!

You all know that I love C&9's turnabout stamps and this one is extra special as it's about coffee!! I stamped the image in four shades of brown ink. I trimmed the panel to 5¼" square and layered it on to a 5½" brown square and adhered it to the front of a 5¾" white notecard. I stamped the coffee mug on white card and used the co-ordinating die to cut it out, along with three extra white cups. I coloured the stamped image and on one of the other mugs stamped the label area, coloured it with Copic markers and stamped a birthday greeting. I fussy cut out the label, adhered it to the stacked mug and added it to the centre of the card. I added some sparkle to the label with a clear aquashimmer brush. Inside the card I cut a mat layer of brown card. I kept it simple on the white panel and simply stamped a greeting and added a few coffee beans for decoration.

I decided to have a go at making a mini-slimline card:

Stamps: Altenew - Forever Friends; Sugar Pea Designs - The Perfect Blend

Inks: Gina K - Cherry Red; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark

Dies: Altenew - Forever Friends; Gina K - Master Layout 7

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Real Red; Nuvo - Clear Aquashimmer Brush; Lawn Fawn - White Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Just Us Girls - JUGS#610 where it's Trend Week and that is to make a mini-slimline card.

I cut a piece of white card 6½" by 6¼", and scored it at 3¼" on the longer edge to give a card 3¼" x 6¼". I used a stitch edge die to cut the white panel on to which I stamped the word 'coffee' and a verse in red ink. I layered the stamped panel on red card and adhered it to the notecard. To finish the front I stamped a coffee mug on white card and on red card. On the red mug I stamped a row of hearts in Versamark ink and embossed with clear powder. I fussy cut the red label, adhered it to the mug and used dimensional pads to add it to the notecard. I finished the front with a bit of sparkle inside the hearts. Inside the card, I kept things very simple. I stamped a row of red coffee beans and added a fun greeting.

My final card is ultra clean and simple:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Coffee Blend Turnabout; Sugar Pea Designs - The Perfect Blend; MFT - Itty Bitty Basics, Coffee Break

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

Dies: MFT - Square Stax Set 1 #1

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Bermuda Bay; Copic Markers; Glossy Accents

I'm submitting this card to AAA Cards - AAA#203 where they want us to keep everything, including the sentiment, in a one-inch space. I think my design also fits with the optional twist of masculine theme.

I stamped the Coffee Blend turnabout image once in black ink and used a square die, slightly under an inch, to cut out the mini coffee mug. I found a tiny 'hello' that fit perfectly by the side of the mug and stamped it in green ink. I layered the tiny square on to some scrap green card and cut it to exactly one-inch square. I adhered the square towards the top of an A2 notecard. I coloured the heart and added some shine with Glossy Accents. Inside the card, I kept things equally clean and simple. I stamped a fun greeting in green ink and added some coffee beans for decoration.

I had lots of fun making these coffee themed cards. 

I'm so pleased that I've been able to join in with the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - it's been a while!! That's all from me today. Keep safe. See you soon.

SHC - Birthday Rose ...

... Hi. It's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. Today I've a pretty, feminine birthday card to share:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Painted Rose; Altenew - Birthday Builder; Avery Elle - Inside Birthday Greetings

Inks: Gina K - Peach Bellini, Sweet Mango, Tangerine Twist, Tomato Soup, Warm Cocoa, Dark Chocolate, Charcoal Brown; Versamark; Versafine Clair - Acorn

Dies: C&9 - Confetti Card Die, Quilted Card Front Cover

Accessories: White Card; GK Card - Tangerine Twist; Lawn Fawn - Gold Embossing Powder; Shimmer Spray

I'm submitting this card to Color Hues - CH#29 where they want us to use orange and brown.

This was fun to make. I used orange card to make the base note card. I used a pinked edge die to cut out the panel of white card and added the quilt detail with another die. I adhered the panel to the front of the note card. I stamped a birthday greeting in the bottom corner of the panel. Next I stamped the large outline rose in Versamark ink onto water colour card. I embossed the image with gold powder. I spritzed with water and used a brush to add several shades of orange and brown inks to the rose. I allowed the water to do its magic and blend the inks, and once dry, I fussy cut out the rose. I spritzed the finished image with a gold shimmer spray - you can't see it much on the photo, but it's fabulous in real-life. I used dimensional pads to add the rose to the card.

Inside the card, I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the base. I stamped the outline rose in pale orange ink and added some birthday greetings with brown and dark orange inks. 

This card was made for Tara - it was her birthday on Monday and, while it was most certainly late getting to her, Tara should have received it by now. I hope you had a super day.

That's all from me for now. See you soon.

SHC - Masculine Birthday Card ...

... Hello, it's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. This week I have a masculine theme birthday card:

Stamps: Altenew - Birthday Builder; Concord & 9th - Birthday Stacks

Inks: Gina K - Turquoise Sea, Jelly Bean Green; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Dies: C&9 - Stitched Strip Card Front, Say Thanks

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Pacific Point, Costal Cabana, Pear Pizzazz; Sakura Stardust Pens; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this to Seize the Birthday - STB#226 but I'm not playing along with the topping, I'm just doing Anything Goes Birthday.

This is a fun card to make. I cut three pieces of coloured card to fit on the cover plate and ran them through my Big Shot. The die cut a spaced out, double stitch pattern diagonally across the card. I decided to cut out the strip of stitching and make my own background pattern. I adhered the thin strips diagonally across a piece of copy paper, and then adhered the whole panel at the bottom of an A2 note card. Next I stamped some birthday pennants across the top of the card and coloured them with Copic markers to match the cardstock. I used glitter pens to add small details to the pennants. I finished the front of the card with a large speech bubble. I die cut a white bubble, stamped the greeting inside, and layered it onto a black shadow piece of card. I made the shadow by drawing round the outside of the bubble die and cutting it out. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped more birthday pennants and a birthday greeting in coloured ink.

I have some die cut pieces of card left, but ran out of time to make more cards. Perhaps I'll share them next week. That's all for now. See you again soon.

SHC - Halloween Stars ....

.... Morning! It's the last week of October, and the last day of the month is my very favourite holiday of the year - Halloween. My card for this week's Seven Hills Craft blog post is a non-traditional Halloween card. My mojo has gone AWOL and I've been browsing the 'net' for ideas. My card has been inspired by one designed by Therese Calvird - I changed the layout from portrait to landscape, change the theme, the colours and my card is layered. Here's the card:

Stamps: Altenew - Halftone Stars; Lawn Fawn - Celebration Scripty Sentiments, Scripty Autumn Sentiments, Happy Add On: Family

Inks: Gina K - Sweet Mango, Tangerine Tango, Key Lime, Lucky Clover, Lovely Lavender, Wild Lilac; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: C&9 - All the Letters

Accessories: White & Black Card

I'm submitting this card to Inkspirational - INK#250 where they want to see cards for Boys or Men.

I stamped my own background using the halftone stars in Halloween colours of orange, green and purple. I stamped a piece of card bigger than I needed and once I'd selected the area I wanted, but the panel to size. I used dies to cut out the word 'Halloween', along with three more sets in black card. I layered black letters together and finished with the patterned letter on top. I stamped the word 'happy' in bold black ink above the die cut word, and adhered the panel to a black mat layer. I added the whole piece to the front of an A6 (US size - 6¼" x 4½"). I used the inlaid die technique to inlay the letters.

Inside the card, I cut a black mat layer and on the white panel I stamped three stars to match the front of the card. I created the sentiment by using stamps from three Lawn Fawn sentiment sets - I like mixing things up!!

I took a close-up photo of the inlaid letter dies - you can clearly see the depth given with the black layers.

This card is for our son - he like Halloween too, but he's not into cute at all. So I was very happy to come up with a non-traditional Halloween card for him. That's it from me today. Thanks for stopping by. See you again soon.

SHC - Mum's Birthday Card ...

... Morning! It's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. Today's card is very special - I made it for my mum. Mum was 82 years young on Monday. We celebrated by going to the local garden centre for lunch and to get more plants for mum's garden. Here's the card:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - In Bloom; Altenew - Just a Number

Inks: Gina K - Peach Bellini, Sweet Mango, Tangerine Twist, Innocent Pink, Dusty Rose, Lipstick Red, Key Lime, Jelly Bean Green, Fresh Asparagus, Warm Cocoa, Dark Chocolate; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Accessories: White Card; Gina K - Black Onyx Card; Cosmic Shimmer Mist - Candy Pink, Rich Gold; Sakura Stardust Pens; C&9 - In Bloom Stencils Pack

I'm submitting this card to Addicted to Stamps and More - ATSM#416 where it's make your mark, and to Seize the Birthday - STB#225 where the topping is to use a Stencil.

This is a large card measuring 7¾" square. I started by cutting a piece of white card to 6½" square and using my MISTI, I stamped the large floral and leaf image from In Bloom in a soft grey ink. Next I used the matching stencil pack to add colour to the image. I taped on the flower stencil (masking off the additional bits that I wasn't using) and used pink and orange inks to colour the flowers. I started with the lightest shades and built up to the darkest. I changed to the leaf stencil and coloured the leaves green and the stem brown. Next I placed the complete leaf and flower mask over the coloured image and spattered pink and gold shimmer spray over the flowers. Once dry, I put the image back into the MISTI and restamped with a bold black ink. I added more sparkle to the image by colouring the stripes on the flowers and leaves with glitter pens. I used dimensional tape to adhered the finished panel to a black mat layer, and added the whole lot to the front of the card.

Inside the card, I cut another mat layer of black card. On the white panel, I stamped the large floral image in soft grey and added a bold birthday greeting in black ink, along with a fun sentiment in red ink.

Here's a close up of the flowers showing the added sparkle from the glitter pens:

As this was a special card for mum's 82nd birthday - I decided to decorate the envelope too. I stamped a partial impression of the large floral image on the front and added a couple of flowers on to the flap at the back of the envelope.

That's all from me today. Thanks so much for stopping by. Keep safe and I'll see you again next week.