Looking forward ....

.... to a four-day week - it's St. Patrick's Day on Friday, so woohoo, four-day week and long weekend coming up.  So great - and then only another fortnight until Easter Holidays, hop, skip and jump to May Bank Holiday, June Bank Holiday and before we know, it, Summer Holidays!!!   Just like that!

I had a baby card to make for my friend - she was heading out to Canada to visit her daughter and meet her new baby grandson for the first time.  Here's what I made:

I've used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday (turned on its side) and I'm also entering the following challenges: Pink Gem Challenge ("3 Bs" - baby, blue and blobs!), Daring Cardmakers ("Take the rough with the smooth"), Cas-ual Fridays ("Off the edge") and Creative Inspirations ("Use Lili of the Valley products").

I painted a rough background with two colours of housepaint and overlaid with a sentiment printed on acetate.  I used my trusty Lili of the Valley baby stamp coloured with distress inks.  Here's a side-shot of the detail:

Recipe:

Stamp: Lili of the Valley "Baby Blanket"

Paper: MME "Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks"

Font: "Peanut Butter Cookie" - dafont.com

Die: Nestabilities "Large Pinking Circles"

Other: Housepaint, acetate, grey marker

Thanks for looking!

The one that almost ....

.... got away.  I've just realised I never blogged this make, that's because I finished it last Christmas Eve morning in a mad rush!!  It was a commissioned piece that I wasn't even sure I'd have time to make, for my daughter's friend.  He wanted it for his boyfriend, he had organised a surprise holiday as a Christmas present, and asked for a card.  I suggested a gift-box with slider card incorporated into the lid instead.  Here it is all closed up:

And with the slider opened - the gold card is for a secret greeting:

I'm entering the following challenges: Crafty Cardmakers ("Snow"), Shopping our Stash ("Let it Snow"), Creative Inspirations ("Merry Christmas"), Brown Sugar ("Anything Goes") and Daring Cardmakers ("All Wrapped Up").

And here are two further views of the top of the box with the slider closed and the inside with "surprise" tags for writing details of the gifts on, or whatever:

Recipe:

Stamps: Hero Arts "Stunning Snowflakes" background stamp,

Paper: Basic Grey "Granola" 

Other: gold e.p., gold stickles, gold ribbon from stash, navy house paint

Thanks for looking!

I am so good ....

.... at holidays!  I'm definitely in my holiday stride now - like last summer, we've been having a bit of a heat-wave, but I don't do sun, so I've been thoroughly enjoying myself loitering inside with all the windows open, pottering in the shady bits of the garden, and making a fairly respectable amount of cards, for once!!

I'm heading to the afters of a wedding this evening, and here's the card I've made for the happy couple:

I'm entering this in the following challenges: ABC Challenge ("Pearls"), Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge ("Emboss It"), Crafty Girls Challenge ("Anything Goes") and Daring Cardmakers ("Kathy's Style - I've done embossing and foliage").  The said foliage comprises 56 (yes, I counted!) punched leaves, I distressed inked the sides of them all and adhered them to a skinny heart template, then added crackle accents, pearls and stuck the whole thing down on the embossed and crackle-accented background.  Here's a closer look:

Recipe:

Punch: MS "Branch"

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug

Other: Hero Arts pearls

Thanks for looking!

My 299th ....

.... post!  I am sure there are many bloggers who've hit the 300 within a year, but as my long-time followers will know, I am a slow, slow crafter, and that means not so many posts!!  I'm going to do a little blog candy to celebrate my 300th post, hopefully that will be within the next week or so, but it's me - you never know!!

My card today is, for a change, a clean and simple one.  One of the ladies at my monthly craft club gave us each a little wooden die-cut house, and challenged us to make a new home card.  We're going to donate all the completed cards to another crafter who raises money for breast cancer charities.  So here's what I made:

 

Update 07/05 - this card was voted in the Top 3 on Sentimental Sundays - thank you!

I'm entering this into the following challenges: Brown Sugar ("Anything Goes"), Daring Cardmakers ("3 elements" - mine are flowers, leaves and thread), Sentimental Sundays ("Clean and Simple"), Created with Love ("In the Garden"), Fab N Funky ("Paper Piecing"), CAS-ology ("Garden").

I made the simple little scene by shaping pretty floral paper and adhering to a punched circle, then I popped the house on top.  I didn't have baker's twine in the right colours, so my daughter and I twisted two enormously long strands of navy thread and one strand of grey together again and again to make this custom twine.  Here's a close-up of the detail:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Persimmon",

Font: Cheddar Jack - www.dafont.com

Other: Wooden house, grey and navy thread

Thanks for looking - don't forget to keep an eye out for my 300th post!!

Happy Hallowe'en ....

.... to everyone.  I'm posting a very quick post - Jed and I are about to go and carve pumpkins (I'll put up pictures of them tomorrow), bit under time pressure, so I'll get to my card.  It's a Hallowe'en birthday card for Jed's friend - his party was last night.  Again, I was under time pressure, then the crackle glazed bat didn't dry properly, then it was too dark to get good pictures (and so the excuses roll on!).  Here's what I made:

 

I used the sketch from last week's Deconstructed Sketches and I'm entering the following challenges too: Daring Cardmakers ("Spooky Birthdays"), Simon Says Stamp ("Anything Goes"), Crafty Creations ("Make it Yourself"), Card Crafters Circle ("Autumn Splendour") and Totally Gorjuss ("Spooky").  I made the letters from the birthday boy's name, and I also made a spring-loaded bat!  I glued several layers of black cardstock together, drew and cut out the bat shape, then liberally coated it with crackle accents.  Then I swanned off for lunch with some friends, confident that when I came back, the bat would be both dry and crackled. BUT, it wasn't!  Eeeek - what to do?  So I put it in the hotpress for another hour.  No difference.  Then I took a heat gun to it.  Eeeek - dry but blistered.  So, as time had run out, I stuck two googly eyes over the worst blisters, attached the spring (from an old notebook spine) and called it a day!!  Here's a terribly lighted side-shot of the bat:



Recipe:

Papers: Cosmo Cricket "Matilda" and Rusty Pickle "Costume Party"

Other: Computer generated font, googly eyes and spring from stash

Thanks for looking - for those who enjoy Hallowe'en - have a fun evening!!

Loving the autumnal ...

... colours around at the moment - it's my second favourite season after winter - and I got to use lovely autumn colours for my DT entry this week on Sentimental Sundays - we're celebrating Calypso's birthday all this month, with oodles of sponsors, and this week, our challenge is "Happy Birthday - Sentiments Only". 

I had a lot of fun with this challenge.  I made a 50th birthday card for one of my colleagues in school - we were at his fancy dress party (70s theme!) last night - almost all the guests dressed up, going to great effort to do so - a great night was had by all!  This is what I made for the birthday boy:

Update 21/11/13 - Jen has picked this card as one of her favourites on Deconstructing Jen - thanks so much, Jen!

I used the sketch from this week's Deconstructed Sketches, and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: ABC Challenges ("W is for words"), Papertake Weekly ("Two by Two" - I've got two numbers and two banners"), Daring Cardmakers ("Birthday Banners and Bunting") and City Crafter ("Trick or Treat or use Orange as main colour").

I made up the sentiment on the computer and printed it onto kraft paper.  Printed the name once more, glossy accented it and popped it up for dimension.  Here's a side-shot.

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Carte Postale" and Tim Holtz "Destinations"

Other: Cuttlebug "Tiny Bubbles" embossing folder, Doodlebug brads, glossy accents

Thanks for looking!

A special surprise ....

Happy Birthday, Calypso!

 

Calypso is having a birthday today!  We are so excited to share with you a Surprise Birthday Blog Hop!!!  Every stop along the hop has a surprise birthday card or project for Calypso created by members of two Design Teams... 

Sentimental Sundays and Scribbles Designs.

Calypso keeps all of us so organized; is such an inspiration to all of us and also is right there with unfailing support and compassion for any of the team members. Her talents abound and we adore her!

Please join us in the (surprise) Birthday Hop for Calypso 

and stop by her blog at the end to wish her Happiest of Birthdays! 

Happy Birthday, Calypso!

Here is my card:

Now head on over to Karolina's blog for the next project!

Be sure to comment on the Birthday Hop post on one or both blogs 

Sentimental Sundays and Scribbles Designs.... 

one person will be randomly chosen (on October 8th) from all comments collected from both blogs to receive a prize in the mail. The prize will be sent to you and we welcome you from anywhere in the world you reside in!   

Here's the lineup in case you get lost 

(Make sure your last stop is CALYPSO so you can wish her a Happy Birthday!)

We'll start with Angi of Sentimental Sundays

Doreen of Sentimental Sundays

Vicky of Scribbles Designs

Jennifer of Scribbles Designs

Archana of Sentimental Sundays & Scribbles Designs

Deanna of Scribbles Designs

Sharla  of Scribbles Designs

Julie of Sentimental Sundays

Karolina of Sentimental Sundays

Lisa of Scribbles Designs

Cely of Scribbles Designs

Sam of Scribbles Designs

Tracey of Sentimental Sundays

Nick of Scribbles Designs

Sandy of Sentimental Sundays & Scribbles Designs

 

(Your last stop is CALYPSO so you can wish her a Happy Birthday!)

 

Calypso 

I have to show you this picture of my cheeky cat, Jess, who wouldn't get out of the way while I was taking the picture of my card - she kept jumping on the chair and sniffing the card, thus knocking it over.  So here she is looking evil and about to strike!!

 

Recipe:

Paper: Glitz "Afternoon Muse"

Stamp: Kraftin' Kimmie "Francesca"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Punch: EK Success "Binding Edge"

Other: Glossy Accents, Dymo label maker

 

I used the sketch from last week's Deconstructed Sketch and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Kraftin Kimmie ("It's your birthday"), Daring Cardmakers (colour challenge), Moving along with the Times ("Anything Goes"), Cute Card Thursday ("Signs of Distress") and Simon Says Stamp ("Going Dotty").

 

Thanks for looking - and enjoy hopping!!

 

It doesn't seem ....

.... like a year since our little godson, Matthew, was born - but we attended his first birthday celebrations yesterday afternoon.  The birthday boy revelled in all the attention, smiling for the cameras, doing all his cutest performances and generally wowing all his admirers!!!

Our challenge on Sentimental Sundays this week is "Happy Birthday", so my card for Matthew is also my DT sample. 

This week's sponsor is:

Birdie Brown Store

Birdie Brown Challenge Blog

Donating: 3 digital images, winner's choice

Here's my card:

 

I'm entering the following challenges: Mo's Digital Challenge ("Goodbye Summer"), Card Crafters' Circle and Shopping our Stash ("For the Boys"), Daring Cardmakers ("Heavy Metal"), The Ribbon Girl ("Use numbers"), Party Time Tuesdays ("Anything Goes") and Make it Monday

I used a cute Mo Manning image that looks really like Matthew - the little chubby hands and cheeks, unruly hair and nappy sticking out the top of his trousers!!  Here's a close-up:

 

Recipe:

Papers: Fancy Pants "The Daily Grind"

Image: Mo Manning "Birthday Surprise Boy"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Ancient brads from stash, Fancy Pants ribbon, handmade number and letters

 

Thanks for looking!

 

Think it's about time ....

.... we had some good spring light around here, I'm getting a bit tired of shockingly lit photos!!  I don't often make identical cards (apart from the Christmas production line!), but I needed two sympathy cards in a hurry.  Of course, while I was merrily making the cards at a crop yesterday, the sun was blazing away outside, and when I was taking the pics today, it was a dull grey day!  Here's what I made:

I used a Mojo Monday sketch from a few week's back, the three circle layout suited this card.  I'm entering it in the following challenges: My Time to Craft ("Embossing"), Daring Cardmakers ("March colour combo") and Simon Says Stamp ("Anything Goes").

Here's a side-view of the card, followed by a close-up of the heat-embossed stamp:

Recipe:

Papers: Cosmo Crickets "Everafter"

Stamp: Hero Arts "Dandelion"

Other: Doodlebug brad, Clear embossing powder

Thanks for looking!

Happy Valen....

...birthday!  My daughter's best friend is 17 today, so her pals have planned a "Valenbirthday" for her.  They've bought 17 packets of love heart sweets (yum, I love those), love heart jewellery, a tub of heart jelly sweets, and they are sneaking into her house this morning to make heart shaped pancakes for her breakfast.  They asked me to make a card and here's what I ended up with:

I used bright happy colours and lots and lots of hearts!  I've used the sketch from this week's Sketch and Stash (and an old but never inked Lili of the Valley stamp and some new baker's twine).  I'm also entering the following challenges: Bunny Zoe's Crafts ("Celebration"), Daring Cardmakers ("Pretty Hearts and Paper Doilies"), Fussy and Fancy Friday ("With all my Heart"), Our Creative Corner ("Best Friend" and I've got flowers on the pp, hope that counts) and Totally Gorjuss ("Lurve"). 

Here's a closer look at the image, I found her skirt really difficult, the fold lines just don't look right.  Oh well, it'll do!!

Recipe:

Papers: October Afternoon "Modern Homemaker"

Image: Lili of the Valley "Maisie Two Balloons"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Punch: MS "Valentine Lace"

Other: Baker's Twine, Doily Heart, seam binding, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

My first challenge ....

.... for Creative Card Crew!!   This week, the theme is "cute and girlie" and we're sponsored by the wonderful MelJen's Designs - I think everyone in blogland must now be aware of her lovely digi stamps, with their distinctive swirls.  Check out what the other CCC girls have made - all gorgeous stuff!

I have tried and tried to use digis, but no matter what I do, my printer is not complying and when I try to colour, I am not happy with the results no matter what medium I use.  I found a site last night that recommends washing the printed image under the tap to remove some of the excess ink, has anyone tried that?  I'd love to know if it is worth a shot.

Anyway, moan over, back to my card:

I've also entered this in this week's Sugar Bowl (DIY - participants can use whatever past sketch they wish - I've gone for No. 30), Daring Cardmakers (It's a Girl Thing), Paper Sundaes (stitching) and Basic Grey Challenges (stitching).

I used this beautiful Sugar Nellie girl by Leanne Ellis and coloured with distress inks - love the soft pinks and greeny/blues of the BG Olivia papers, my favourites at the moment, I think.  I stickled bits of the image and used glossy accents on the leaves, particularly on the ones I cut out, to strengthen them.  Here's a close-up:

Recipe:

Stamp: Leanne Ellis "Belle Flower" for Sugar Nellie

Papers: Basic Grey "Olivia"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Doily and ribbon from stash, stickles, glossy accents, needle + thread

Thanks for looking - and don't forget to enter my blog candy (click here) - only 6 days left!!!

Big Girl ....

.... Colouring!!  I went to a workshop last week, where the lovely Mina was teaching how to colour with Distress Inks.  I've been itching to try this technique for a while, and I really enjoyed the class.

I sat down to make a card for yet another friend who is about to turn 50, and is a real girlie-girl, so I decided I'd do a Gorjuss Girl card for her, using the Distress Ink technique.  I had great fun colouring, and it's amazing what tiny quantities of ink are needed - very economical!!!  Here's my card:

I used this week's lovely sketch from Friday Sketchers - really nice to work with.  I'm also entering this into Totally Gorjuss (use a Gorjuss Girl!), Daring Cardmakers (Die-Cuts - I've used die-cut ribbon), A Spoon Full of Sugar (Happy Birthday) and The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge (Distressing).

Here's a close-up of my colouring:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey Urban Prairie

Stamp: Gorjuss Girl "Sent with Love"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks.

Other: BG Buttons, Needle + thread, ribbon sent to me by Elisa (thanks, hun!)

Thanks, Mina - I hope I've done your tuition justice!!!  Everyone else, thanks for looking!

Read ....

.... All About It!!! That's the name of my challenge this week on PaperPlay Challenges, and it's quite apt really. I had great intentions of making lots of things, but I got into a bit of a reading frenzy instead and spent several evenings sitting on the couch in front of the telly, book(s) in hand.

Anyway, back to the challenge:

"I want you to use some form of booktext, for example: vintage booktext, script background stamp, newspaper text."

Here's my DT sample:


I didn't have time to do any colouring, so went for some solid stamps, which I heat embossed with gold sparkly powder. Then I went mad distressing everything!!!

I'm also entering it into this week's Daring Cardmakers, the challenge this week is "scraplings", in other words, cards made with narrow off-cuts from scrap cardstock.

Thanks for looking!

Done and ....

.... dusted. Yup, got the teenage nephew's card finished!!!

It's for this week's PaperPlay challenge, set by Kate, and it's a recipe:

For this weeks challenge I'd like you to use this recipe for your project:
2 Patterned Papers
1 Ribbon
3 buttons
Add some creativity and mix it all together!

.

I'm ashamed to admit that, yet again, I didn't read it properly, and I only have two buttons on mine. Can't think why this keeps happening - in real life, I'm a dotter of Is and a crosser of Ts!!!

.

I'm also entering this card in this week's Daring Cardmakers - they're looking for cards using kraft cardstock (which I love!!).

And also Quixotic Challenges, this week they're looking for stitching. All my cards these days have stitching, I love the look it gives on cards. I really need to get into machine stitching, though, 'cos all that hand-stitching takes so bloomin' long!!!

Back soon with ..... cards for girls!!!! Woohoo!!!!

Thanks for looking!

Blue and Green ....

.... should never be seen!

That's the title of this week's Daring Cardmakers challenge. I haven't had a chance to do one of their challenges in a while and I enjoyed this one.

The leaves of the ferns have been stickled so it's a little bit glittery in real life. Oh, I'm looking at the image again and I can see the glitter - usually doesn't come up in photos.

Thanks for looking!

Supersize ....

.... Me!!

No - not ME, it's the title of this week's dare from Daring Cardmakers :

This week Lythan wants your help through this dare...
"SUPERSIZE ME! I have loads of enormous paper flowers that I have bought and never used. So I want to see some really big embellishments on your cards. Bonus points for outsize blooms!"

Well, I get no bonus points, as I haven't used flowers at all - I don't think the 7-year old boy who will receive this card would appreciate them one bit!!! I have, however, used an giant cog (or is it a gear, or maybe even a sprocket?).

Thanks for looking!

Still Keeping Up With ....

.... the Daring Cardmakers!

Lythan set the dare this week:

"I just love, love, love patterned paper so this week I dare you to join me in Patterned Paper Passion. I want to see 3 different patterned papers on your card. And to be extra daring, why not see if you can use 3 different lines of paper!"

I started working on this card, for a friend's daughter, a few weeks ago at a crop. It's like one I made for my teenage daughter last year (only her's was black and grungy with a metal ballchain - you get the idea!). I decided to use all different PPs to finish this off when I read the dare. I've used paper from Doodlebug, Love Elsie, BG, and one other I don't know. The dangling number 7 is Doodlebug Sugar Coated card with a glitter-stopping coat of Glossy Accents.

'Tis the season ....

.... to recycle.

This week's Daring Cardmaker's challenge:

"We'd like you to do your bit for the planet and make a card using some recycled items."

I had already made this card last week, using Amazon packaging for the kraft bits, and a ribbon from a clothes label, bang on the brief, I think.

What's really funny is that Sue, one of the DCM DT, used the same background paper for her card.