Friday 31 July 2009

**New Kid In Town**

La-La- Land Crafts are a new stamp company and they are about to launch their first release of stamps ... check HERE for the sneaky peeks of some real cuties.
There is also a DT Call so if you want to be in at the beginning of a whole new stamping adventure , then pop over and get your application in quick. There is some fabulous blog candy on offer too including some of the new release stamps ... so what're'ya waiting for ???
Good Luck!

Wedding Card Box and 2 Challenges

I still have to personalise the wedding card box ... silly me ran out of A4 silver mirri card ... but it's as good as finished so thought I'd show you before it gets sent off.
It was made using a sheet of silver mirri card for the base and a sheet of double sided card forms the lid because I thought a mirri card lid might be a bit overpowering.
The edge of the lid was scalloped using a corner punch with the guide removed and then I added some sparkly decorative lace around the sides and knotted some pink satin ribbon for decoration.
Sorry the sparkle isn't showing in the photo but trust me, it looks lovely.

The 2 heart shapes were cut freehand from the remnants of that gorgeous floral embossed paper and they have been mounted onto silver mirri card and cut out leaving a narrow border. Silicon glue has been used to attach them.

The Pink Elephant Challenge #25 is a sketch this week and I can see me using this layout a lot 'cos it's so easy to follow.
The image and sentiment are free digi downloads from Whimsie Doodles ... don't you just love that cute wee face?
I've used Sakura Pens for colouring and they have a lovely subtle sparkle effect when dry.
A black fineliner was perfect for the doodling and 'faux stitching' with teeny weeny Making Memories brads and Prima flowers adding the decoration.

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #10 is to use a digi image so this fits in perfectly and I must admit that I've amazed myself for managing to combine challenges this week, 'cos I usually find this very difficult.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Wedding Card

My young nephew is taking the plunge next month and getting married, so what better excuse for indulging in a touch of luxury ... or at least something that looks a little luxurious, even if it isn't really.
I decided to sacrifice a sheet of really pretty lace effect embossed paper which, if I remember rightly, was bought in a sale.
It's one of a pack of 5 different coloured papers and they really are fabulous. I have stroked them several times since I bought them, but never actually cut any ... until now!
A gatefold card was created from an A4 sheet of double~sided cardstock and 2 panels were cut from silver mirri card, slightly smaller than the front sections. Then I cut 2 slightly smaller panels from the floral embossed paper and attached it to the mirri card, leaving another narrow border.
A length of pale pink satin ribbon was firmly adhered to the lower section of each front opening before the completed embossed panels were placed on top with foam pads.
White pigment ink was used to stamp the Anita's Bride and Groom image onto another piece of doublesided cardstock and this was then covered with holographic embossing powder before being heated with a heat gun.
When the light hits the image it sparkles beautifully ... as you can hopefully see in the close up.

This was then cut with rotary trimmer, before being matted onto silver mirri card. A further piece of the same cardstock, (cut with a decorative blade this time), and a final layer of mirri card make up the front overlap section.

Inside, I once again layered up silver mirri card and cardstock before adding an appropriate quote sticker and a decorative header made up from the offcuts of paper and ribbon.
"Waste not ... want not" as my mother used to say.


I have made a matching box, (which I'll show when it's dry), and will include a matching gift card envelope to hold our gift to the happy couple.

Coincidently, this week's Cardvaarks Challenge theme is Baby or Bridal Shower, so this will be my entry.
The DT samples and the standard of entries are amazing so if you're looking for inspiration at all then take a gander ... you won't be disappointed.

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Tropical Bird & Christmas

Don't worry folks ...
... not on the same card!

This cute little image was a free download from PolkaDoodles but unfortunately I'm too late to enter their challenge despite the extended deadline ... the week just ran away with me I'm afraid.
I used my trusty Whispers Brush Markers to colour the image and added a touch of narrow lilac ribbon and some 'faux stitching'. Click the photo to see the detail.
The pretty papers and the epoxy sticker were from a scrapbook pack bought at our local Poundland ... a great bargain as there was loads of goodies crammed in the pack and decent quality too.

The Christmas cards are following Fab's Christmas Challenges from the beginning of the year in an effort to catch up, (with the intention of having a tidy wee pile ready and waiting before December).
I may not do them all in order but these are the first 2 from January.

Fab's Challenge #1 ~ Ice Blue & Sparkle
The papers were included in a RAK from my mega-talented friend Tiggertastic, (if you visit her blog you will see what I mean!), and the snow scene image was recycled from one of last year's cards and matted onto silver mirri card.

The extra sparkle was added using a Quickie Glue Pen and glitter.

Fab's Challenge #2 ~ 3D Embellishments
The HoHoHo paper was included in a free download from Funky Fairy's Inspirations and the blue glitter paper was included in the Pick'n'Mix selection from The Works.
The embossing was created using the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder and the Santa embellishments were from a very old QVC kit, simply mounted with foam pads onto mirri card circles.
Like the majority of crafters everywhere, I'm having to tighten the belt quite a lot, so will probably be using up loads of old shopping channel kits between now and Christmas ... (much of which, to my shame, is still in boxes untouched) ... and I will be being much less impulsive about new purchases ... for a while anyway.

Friday 24 July 2009

Funky Flowers

Another First Time Challenge for me today!
Over at Funky Fairys Challenge Blog the theme is "Girly" this week.
I have intended to join in with these challenges for a while but kept forgetting to replace the colour cartridge in the printer ... not particularly clever when you want to print off downloads ... DUH!
However ... all is now sorted.
The challenge rules state that you use at least one Funky Fairy's item in your project but as they offer loads of really cool 'freebies' on their website, that makes it very easy.
In fact the only thing I've added to this card is the card blank, some coloured card for matting, a tiny black birthday peel off and a bit of 'faux stitching' ... all the papers are Funky Fairys downloads and all of them were free!!
Just thought I'd mention that they are looking for projects for their webshop gallery so if you're interested in being featured, pop over and check out what you have to do ... and you may as well join in the challenge while you're there.

Thursday 23 July 2009

Sporty Dufex

I'm slowly but surely using up the Sporty Dufex Decoupage which has been languishing for so long in my drawer. YAY ME!
Here's another card where simple matting and layering of coloured cardstock was used, some of which was embossed using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, but my point is there's not even a sniff of patterned paper. Sometimes it's just not needed.
I think this particular folder is a firm favourite with many hundreds, if not thousands of crafty creators worldwide because it is just so effective.


I had a wee accident with a stray black inkpad on the bottom right corner ... tut tut tut ... so just cut it away at an angle rather than 'faff about' trying to fix it.
Bish! ... Bash! ... Bosh!
Job Done.

Christmas Quest

Continuing in my quest to be prepared this year with Christmas cards, I followed Fab's Christmas Challenge #29 and dug out last year's festive peel offs.
This really was quite a challenge for me as I usually tend to only use text peel offs on my cards.
Mainly because I seem to have a bit of a mental block when it comes to doing anything else despite having seen many fabulous techniques with peel offs on TV and in cyberland.
As is often the case with me, knowing what to do is one thing ... actually DOING it ... well that's something else!
I kept my card simple using black and white cardstock with a dash of silver bling.
I used the last remnants of some lovely silver glitter card (which is wonderful as it doesn't cast sparkly bits everywhere) and a smidgeon of silver holographic mirri card behind the greeting.
The diamond shapes at the bottom are actually self adhesive felt patterns from Prima to which I added some silver star peel offs and a black permanent marker was used to colour some mini stars.
Whilst the finished result is not particularly exciting or creative, it IS another addition to my 2009 Christmas Card Collection ... so another step closer to my goal.

Tuesday 21 July 2009

Anniversary Love

The weather today has been absolutely shocking so we didn't need much persuasion to stay at home warm and dry.
Naomi just invited a couple of friends round for a few hours of girly time so I took advantage and escaped to my crafty corner to make this card to enter into Moving Along With The Times Challenge #4 which is another new one for me.
It was a Sketch Challenge with Wedding/Anniversary theme as an additional option.

The foiled image and sentiments are from my recycle box, double matted onto silver mirri card and then pale lilac doublesided cardstock from Papermill.
The small silver hearts punched from the mirri card were used as embellishments.

Fabulous At 40

A very dear and special friend celebrates this landmark birthday tomorrow so I hope she likes her card.
I used an image from my Vintage folder and adjusted the colour in PSP (Paint Shop Pro) before adding the text on a curve.
I chose these lovely soft pink and green papers from K. & Co. which have been matted onto burgundy cardstock and gold mirri card.

The base card is an A4 sheet of leather effect textured burgundy card and is very sturdy so doesn't warp or bend when you add weighty layers or embellishments.
Adhesive pearls were added as accents and a hint of ivory braid ribbon are the finishing touches.
I'm undecided whether to add a few flowers ... will I? ... won't I? ... but just in case, I have some paper roses on standby.

Monday 20 July 2009

Bright and Funky Christmas

I'm being quite good at making little contributions to my Christmas Cards 2009 stash and thought I'd have a go at using some bright colours maybe not usually associated with Christmas ... hence the pink, blue and green combination.
The funky patterned paper is from last year's stash and is by PaperArtsy and the stamp is from Papermania Joyeux Noel collection.
I stamped the image onto white card using the Brilliance DewDrop Pink Pearlescent ink pad which was then embossed with holographic embossing powder for added shine. The cardstock is all good quality, bought from Papermill's Pick'n'Mix selection when I last visited their shop in Tillicoutry way back in January.

I think it may just about qualify as my very 1st entry into Fab's Big Christmas Cards Challenge #28 as the theme is Bright and Funky.
I've decided to work my way through the previous challenges over there, (slowly no doubt but no matter LOL), to see how many I can complete before December ... just as a personal motivation exercise and challenge.
Wish me luck!

Buttons and Bows 2

I think I prefer this card as my entry into the Kaboodle Doodle Challenge #9 of Buttons and Bows.
The patterned paper is from Dovecraft 'Hint of Pink' 12" x 12" pad and has been layered onto very pale pink textured card which has been 'Swiss Dotted' just down one edge.
The silver holographic 'Friend' was from my recycle box and was cut with decorative scissors before mounting onto silver mirri card.
Flourescent pink ribbon was then wrapped around before mounting it onto the paper panel with foam pads and adding a black polka dot ribbon. Had a good rummage through my button tin and found 3 matching black buttons for the side edge.
The small message stamped at the bottom right is from Hero Arts which just fills that narrow strip of white space, whilst a Dovecraft Fantasy sticky ribbon does likewise at the top.

Thursday 16 July 2009

Sporty Uncle

Found time this afternoon to make a card which qualifies for both The Pink Elephant Challenge #23 which is a Colour Challenge using Red, Light Blue and Darker Blue and Carol's Sketch Fun Challenge #10

I opted to use up some more of the Dufex Sporty Decoupage Kit that's been hiding in my stash for ages and which was purchased from one of the shopping channels many moons ago.
The red card was embossed with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots folder and the scallop edge was achieved with a small circle punch.

Buttons and Bows

The latest challenge at Kaboodle Doodles is Buttons and Bows and the prize up for grabs is a fabby selection of ribbons ... and as I absolutely lurrrrrve ribbons of any kind, I couldn't resist and just had to play along.

Now I'm not sure whether multiple entries are allowed over at Kaboodle Doodles but I made 2 cards this morning and can't make up my mind which I prefer.

On the purple card I've used button brads as the flower centres and on the multi coloured card I've drawn a sweet smile with a white gel pen ... can you see it?


The uncertainty could be because I'm not entirely happy with either of these 2 cards so there's a very good chance that they may well be 'gazzumpped' in favour of something else if I have time before the deadline.

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Christmas Meeces

The challenge at Creative Card Crew #19 this week is to 'Create A Scene'
I'm a bit long in the tooth to be throwing a tantrum in public so I made this card instead .. tee hee.
The cute mice and sentiment stamps are from the Crafter's Companion range and were offered free from a magazine provided I paid the P+P.
Sounded like a good deal to me!
The background scene is from one of the Crafter's Companion CDs which are designed specifically to be used with these cute stamps.
It has been decoupaged and then blinged up with the use of glitter glue across the branches.
Whispers Brush Markers were used for colouring (as per usual) and then Decoart Glistening Snow Writer gives some sparkle and dimension to the meeces clothes.
If you click on the image it wil show the sparkly details more clearly.

Another one for the Xmas 2009 collection.

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Cute Birthday Bear

Here's another Challenge card and this time it is for Carol's Sketch Fun Challenge #9 if I haven't missed the deadline.
I raided my recycling box again for this card by 'stealing' a cute bear image and the purple glitter heart.
The purple pearlescent background card was embossed with the Cuttlebug Happy Birthday folder and I'm hoping this will count for the sentiment as there wasn't room for a seperate greeting after the adhesive flowers were added. (Hmmmm ... I know they look peach coloured but they are actually pink ~ weird).
The sentiment inside is from an Inkadinkadoo stamp set. The pretty heart paper is part of a pack of scrapbook papers bought at Poundland last year sometime ... total bargain as there was loads in the pack.

Now ... I'd better get myself over to Carol's Sketch Fun Challenge double quick before the deadline.

Fairy Friends

Check out this cute Stamposaurus Fairy Princesses stamp.
Aren't they the sweetest? Couldn't wait to break them out of their plastic wrapper and ink them up.
I also took the opportunity to use one of the Penny Black Salutation sentiment stamps which I won from Ann's blog candy recently.
Thanks again Ann ... I love them!

Here's the list of ingredients used:
Black Stazon Inkpad
Whispers Brush Markers

Pink Brilliance Pearlescent Ink pad

White DL Card Blank
Pink Textured Cardstock

Woodware Ornate Punch
Papermania Patterned Paper ~ Flowery
Penny Black Stamp ~ Salutation
Gold Mirri Card
Non Fray Floral Ribbon

Adhesive Gems

Sunday 12 July 2009

Paper Piecing

Where on earth do the days go??
I'm sure someone is stealing them from me when I'm not looking!

I have to tell you that I really enjoy playing along with the challenges but time restrictions mean I don't always get a chance. However, I particularly wanted to join in with Simon Says Stamp Paper Piecing Challenge as I'm a "paper piecing virgin" ... or should I say WAS !!

I PaperPieced these 2 adorable characters using the Woodware Patchwork Giraffes stamp ... isn't it a cutie??
It was stamped onto both plain white card and then again onto patterned paper from Paper Cellar 'Spring' 6" x 6" pad.

I then doodled around the edge of the image with a black fineliner and added fringed strips of paper grass from the paper leftovers, before adding a few floral adhesive gems and a sentiment decorated with green gingham ribbon.
Just hope I'm not too late to join in this week.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Mum In A Million

How many crafters out there have a collection of cards which have been 'donated' by friends and loved ones for you to recycle? Most of you I bet.
I have a box which was almost overflowing so decided tonight to have a rummage and remove what I thought were the useable bits whilst watching a documentary on TV.
Multi~tasking ... whatever next??!!
With the exception of the card blank, (which incidently is a pearlised pastel pink), some silver mirri board and adhesive gems from my stash for an added bitta' bling, this card was made using only 'recycled' bits cut out from some of those cards.

Kaboodle Doodle Challenge #8 is a sketch this time, so I used that as a guide for the layout.
The gorgeous pink ribbon has a Birthday Wishes sentiment tag attached with tiny pink string pearls.

Now ... the question is ... will I ever actually get to the bottom of my 'recycle box' ... ???
... very, very doubtful methinks!

Tuesday 7 July 2009

Ribbon Tree

We crafty bodkins all love ribbon ... don't we?
Of course we do!
... and I often think a card isn't properly finished without a bit of ribbon somewhere.

The Creative Card Crew Challenge #18
is to use ribbons ... so I have done exactly that!
I saw this idea for a Ribbon Tree last Christmas, both online and in a couple of magazines, but never got around to trying it out for myself.
So this year I am ahead of the game ... albeit a year later than everyone else ... and have made a mini sized version to put on my first Christmas Card 2009.
WHOO HOO !!

Obviously this will be a hand delivered card as it is far too 3-dimensional for the increased postage costs in UK, but I have a feeling several of my friends may get one of these to display on their mantlepiece this year ... 'cos I kind've like it!

Now I may be pushing my luck a wee bitty but I think this card also qualifies as an entry to The Pink Elephant Challenge #22 as they are looking for Stars and Strips on projects this week. There are some stars on the background paper ... see them ? ... and strips of ribbon make up the tree.
Jobs A Good'Un!

Monday 6 July 2009

SKOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!

Yes ... the kids have started their Summer Holidays and that means less time online for me for the next few weeks. However I hope to be dotting around now and again and intend to fit in some blog browsing whenever possible so won't be totally AWOL.

I have a couple of cards to show today ... the 1st one was made for my Uncle who celebrated his 80th Birthday last week.
I used DCWV Card Kit stack and added a Dufex Cricket Decoupage from my stash to the front.

The 2nd card is my entry for Simon Says Stamp Challenge which is a Colour Combination using the lovely summery colours of Lemon, Orange, Apple Green and Pink ~ how mouthwateringly fabbylicious!
I've used a sheet from the lovely Papermania Springtime Papers and matted it onto pink Papermania Textured Cardstock.
A slim strip of the same pink card was mounted across the front with a strip of narrow yellow ribbon tied to one side. The simple greeting was a magazine freebie and I've double matted it onto green card and then a square of pink funky foam to add some dimension.
Simple ... cute ... and summery! Another perfect addition to the Grab'n'Go Box.

Wednesday 1 July 2009

Cupcakes

Have you noticed that cupcakes are all the rage at the moment?
These 2 cards are another offering for the very worthwhile project run by Post Pals and will be accompanying small gifts to 2 very special children later today, in the hope that it will bring a smile to their faces for a while at least.
If you would like more information about this project then click the Post Pals link above or the icon on my sidebar.


Simon Says Stamp is this week encouraging us to make multiple cards and projects for their Happy Mail Challenge and so if you want to join in then pop over there and show your support.

Bubbly Scrumptious are running a Cupcake Challenge throughout July so these are perfect for that and there is a fabulous prize on offer there too worth ... wait for it!!! ... approx £75.
EEEK!!
Unbelievably generous.
To check out the rules properly, click on the links above or the cute wee blinkie that's flashing on my sidebar.
As I have no cupcake stamps or templates ... how sad am I? ... an oval scallop punch was used to create the topping from some button printed cardstock and this was inked around the edges. The cases were simply cut from blue gingham card and then foam pads were used to adhere them to the card.
Buttons and a teeny bit of ribbon provide a smidgeon of decoration and a simple greeting finishes them off. Doesn't get much quicker or easier than that.