And the birthdays ....

.... keep piling up!  My stepmother and a good friend of mine both have birthdays this week - I usually make a different card for everyone, but this time, time was against me and I made duplicates of the same design for them (well, their names I changed!!).  Here's what I made:

I used last week's Mojo Monday sketch, and I'm entering the following challenges: Cute Card Thursday ("Blue and Green"), Totally Gorjuss ("Die Cuts/Punches"), Creative Card Crew ("Girly") and Party Time Tuesdays ("Anything Goes").

I made a little scene using one of an old Hero Arts set - the stamp is actually supposed to be a leaf, but I always turn it into a tree.  I stamped, covered in contact and cut out some extra little leaves to add a bit of dimension.  Here's a closer look at the image:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Marjolaine"

Image: Hero Arts "3 Designer Leaves"

Die: Nestabilities "Lacy Circles"

Fonts: "Coneria Script" and "Precious" - www.dafont.com

Other: ribbon from stash, contact

Thanks for looking!

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!!

Easy to know ....

.... that I'm back in school - the house is in tatters, the laundry is backed-up and there's dust on the desk in the craftroom!!  I haven't yet managed to get up at my target time of 7am, keep lounging on 'till about 7.15/7.20 or so and then rushing around like a mad thing trying to get to school on time.  Sigh - even though it's Autumn and I love Autumn, I just hate September!!

Had a nice day on Saturday - I went to a crop and made this card:

 

Update 03/10/13 - 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 Sketch and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Party Time Tuesdays (colour challenge) and Totally Gorjuss ("Stripes").  I used a stamp that my craft friend, Fiona, lent me - wrote the name down somewhere but I can't find it.  Here's a side shot of all the layers.

And here's something else I made.  We were staying in a relative's house down in Wexford at the end of August.  After such a beautiful summer, the hedgerows were groaning with ripe blackberries, so we picked loads and, combined with apples from our garden, I made blackberry and apple jam.  Here's some of the jars all prettied up and ready for gifting:

Recipe:

Papers: Crate Paper "Lemongrass"

Stamp: Will find out and add!

Punch: EK Success "Threading Water"

Other: Hairy string, crackle accents

Thanks for looking!

Top o' the Morning ....

.... to you!  It's St. Patrick's Day, or Paddy's Day, whichever you prefer, here today.  And of course, the weather is horrendous - cold, windy, rain and sleet - classic St. Patrick's Day weather!  We are not going into town to the parade, not my favourite thing at the best of times and in this weather, no thank you!

It's time for another Sentimental Sundays challenge, and this week, it's "Anything Goes".  Our prize sponsor is Redonkulus Designs and our lovely Calypso and her husband, Patrick, have also contributed prizes.  One of the prizes will be for a randomly-picked commenter, what a nice idea.

My card has, again thanks to the yukky weather, photographed really darkly.  Here's what I made:

I used a sketch from Deconstructed Sketch and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Crafty Cardmakers ("Masculine Birthday featuring technology or a gadget"), Simon Says Stamp and Show ("Shabby Chic"), and Totally Gorjuss ("Something Old" - mine is the Mini stamp, it was one of the first stamps I bought back in about 2005).

I went all Tim Holtz-y on this card, using Destinations papers, and the tag was coloured by spritzing water onto swipes of distress ink and then mashing the blank tag about in the ink.  I repeated a few times, between drying sessions, and it came out really shabby which is what I hoped for!  The gears and sprockets have been copper heat-embossed.  Here's a side-shot of the dimension:

Recipe:

Papers: Tim Holtz "Destinations"

Stamp: "Mini" by Blade Rubber Stamps

Die-Cuts: Nestabilities "Sprightly Sprockets" and "Labels 21"

Other: Copper embossing powder, Doodlebug brads, twine

Thanks for looking!

If at first you don't succeed ....

.... curse a lot, have a tantrum or two, oh - and try, try again!

That's what happened when I was making my first spinner card - none of the tutorials I read mentioned that coinage is not keen to be glued together with a spacer in the middle!!  The blasted things kept coming apart every time I tried to assemble the final piece.  But I had to persist, 'cos it was my son's birthday card, and I had it in my head exactly how it should be.  Here's the completed card:

I'm entering this into the following challenges: My Time to Craft ("Men Only"), Totally Gorjuss ("For the Men") and Creative Card Crew ("Birthday").

I didn't use any patterned paper on this card.  I stamped the cloudy sky, adding a couple of extra popped up clouds for dimension, drew and coloured the crowd, printed the sentiment, hand-cut the grass edge, stamped the little guy and then masked a Manchester United footy jersey for him.  Here's a side-shot of the layers:

Recipe:

Stamps: Basic Grey "Frog Boy" and  Hero Arts "Design Block Clouds Background"

Colouring Medium: Pro Markers

Other: Googly eyes, glossy accents, four cents!

Thanks for looking!

One door closes ....

.... another one opens!!

I was sad when PaperPlay finished - I so liked being on the DT - especially when my mojo was in need of a kick in the pants, nothing like a deadline to spark something!!

So I'm really excited to have been asked to join the DT of Sentimental Sundays - Calypso runs a large and very international team of crafters and I'm chuffed to join them and look forward to lots of fun challenges.



Today is the first challenge in which I've joined the team, and it's called "Thank You (plus a sentiment)" - we are sponsored by Sweet 'n Sassy

Here's the card I made as my DT sample:

 

I used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday and I'm also entering this into Totally Gorjuss ("Flowers"), Moving along with the Times ("Bling") and Creative Inspirations ("Anything Goes with Flowers").

 

Sorry about the bad lighting, it's been very dark and rainy here, so I've had to perform miracles with photoshop to try and get something approaching the real colours!!  When I was taking this side-shot, the sun, with a rainbow, came out briefly (see it streaking along the top!!) but it was so bright that it washed out the colours when I took a shot from the front!!  Anyway, here are the layers:



Recipe:

Papers: Echo Park "Times and Seasons"

Stamp: Hero Arts "Peeking Posies"

Punch: Fiskars "Threading Water"

Other: Ribbon from stash, Hero Arts gems, stickles, distress stickles, needle + thread.

Thanks for looking!

 

Are you ....

.... a resolution-maker?  I'm not, especially at New Year - I think it's unrealistic!!  So as I was making the card I'm about to show you, and thinking idly to myself "Wow, my output is increasing, wouldn't it be great to make lots of cards and do lots of blog posts this year", I quickly slapped myself (metaphorically!) on the wrist!!  Step away from the resolutions!!!  I do have some good crafting news to share shortly (not sure when it's shareable), so watch this space!

Anyway, I was at a crop yesterday, and made almost a whole card, which I then finished when I got home.  Here's what I made:

 

I used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday, and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Totally Gorjuss ("Spotty"), Our Creative Corner ("Shabby Chic"), Totally Papercrafts ("Ribbon") and Moving along with the Times ("Floral Delights").

 

I used a Papertrey Ink stamp set that my friend, Anne, brought back from a trip to Cincinnati, layered, scrunched, inked and distressed for good measure!!  Here's a side shot, showing the layering:

 

 

Recipe:

Papers: Cosmo Cricket "Everafter"

Stamps: Papertrey Ink "Simple Sunflower"

Die: Nestabilities "Lacy Circles"

Other: Ribbon from stash, glossy accents.

 

Thanks for looking!

 

Second and ....

.... last Christmas card.  I made another one, my daughter was dropping a box of Roses around to the place she worked last summer, and she wanted a card to go with it.  So I had to pull out all the stops (hee hee!) and make one.  Here's what I made:

I used the sketch from this week's Deconstructing Sketches, and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Basic Grey Challenges ("Anything Goes"), Totally Gorjuss ("Easy Does It"), Sentimental Sundays ("Focus on the Sentiment") and Card Crafters' Circle ("It's Christmas").

I bought some jingle bells (all the way from Hong Kong!) to use on a few hand-crafted presents (will post after the big day, when all have received them) and then last week was picking up some stuff in the local hardware store when what did I see but some discounted jingle bell ornaments.  So I got them and now they are being used everywhere, including on this card (makes it a bit hard to fit in the envelope, though!).  Here's a side shot:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Nordic Holiday"

Other: Ribbon from stash, red mesh from bouquet of flowers, baker's twine, jingle bells!

So are we all ready for Christmas?  I was very late getting started this year, but a few highly focused shopping sessions the week before last sorted almost everything.  I cycled down to the shopping centre early this morning to pick up a couple of final items and the place was mobbed - it was like the day before the Apocalypse or something.  Don't you love being one of the ones who's not in a panic in the midst of all that - it's a lovely smug feeling!!!

Best wishes to one and all for a lovely and peaceful holiday!

Too close to ....

.... Christmas for non-Christmas crafting!  My friend's son has his 6th birthday today, and I am ashamed to say that today is only the second time I've managed to make a birthday card for him (last year being the first!).  Most of his relatives combine birthday and Christmas pressies, so I was determined to make a separate birthday fuss of him!!  Here's what I made:

I do think some red stitching around the outside of that lovely teal spotty paper would have been lovely, but no time.   I used the sketch from this week's Deconstructing Sketches and I'm also entering this into Totally Gorjuss ("For someone special").

Here's a side view of the layers - see the googly eyes I added to the orange sticker?  I love googly eyes!

Recipe:

Papers and sticker: Cosmo Cricket "Lil Man"

Number: Pink Paislee

Other: American Crafts eyelet, googly eyes, baker's twine

Thanks for looking!

Brief? What's a ....

.... brief?  You know how I can't do "themed cards"?!!  I laughed when my friend asked me to make a card for her brother-in-law's 60th birthday.  She told me his name and age (obviously!), and then went on to say he likes Jags, Man Utd., and what his job is.  I asked her who did she think I was and said she'd get the name and the age on the card!!!  I did add a little car paper and red/white colours (among others), though!  Here's what I made:

I used the sketch from this week's Deconstructing Sketches, and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Simon Says Stamp and Show ("Favourites" - mine are BG papers and stitching), Stamp with Fun ("Three Papers") and Totally Gorjuss ("Traditional Christmas Colours").

Here's a side-show of the layers and stuff!

Recipe:

Papers: MME "Holly Jolly" and BG "Oliver" and "Wander"

Other: Handmade tags, circular numbers, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

Howzat ....

.... another card done!!

This one is for my brother - the cricket-playing one.  Here's what I made:

I used a cute Lili of the Valley cricketer image, but given that my brother ain't so cute, I tried to come up with something different to add to it, and I'm very chuffed with how it worked out.  Here's a side shot of my spring-loaded cricket ball:

I used the sketch from this week's Totally Gorjuss, and I'm also entering this into the following: Papertake Weekly and Lili of the Valley ("Anything Goes"), Kaboodle Doodles and Shopping our Stash ("Masculine") and Crafty Cardmakers ("Distress It").

Here's a closer look at the image.  Doesn't the little guy look nervous as that giant cricket ball comes hurtling towards him?!!!

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Oxford"

Image: Lili of the Valley "Cricket"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Spring from an old notebook, needle + thread, twine

Thanks for looking!

Nothing like a ....

.... commission to get me off my butt and up to the craftroom!!  I'm sorry for being such a completely useless blogger, but there's a reason for it - I've also been a completely useless crafter!!  No reason really - although if I was looking for excuses I could mention that my son's travails have continued - two weeks ago it was x-rays and crutches - last week he had to have a tooth extracted.  Ah yes, 10 year old boys and toothbrushes - a match not made in heaven!!

So, back to the non-crafting - when one of my colleagues asked me to make a card for her mother's birthday, I said "weeeeeeeeelll, oh alright, maybe, let's see how the weekend goes" and other lame statements - and then I made this:

I like using BG papers to boot me out of a creative slump, especially Urban Prairie - love those colours.  I'm entering this card into the following challenges: Basic Grey Challenges, CES Challenges, Bunny Zoes Crafts and Wild Orchid Challenge all have "Anything Goes", Simon Says Stamp ("Sweet Tooth") and Totally Gorjuss ("Pink and Green").

Here's a close-up of the Pure Innocence cutie I used on the card:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Urban Prairie"

Stamp: Pure Innocence "Birthday Princess"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Die Cuts/Punches: Nestabilities "Lacy Circle", MS "Branch"

Other: Wild Orchid flowers and other flower from stash, pearls, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

Spring forward....

.... fall back!  That kind of describes my crafting these days, it's all long spells of inertia followed by manic bursts of activity, usually triggered by family birthdays!  I had two friends' birthdays this week, one female and one male, and I decided to make things easier on myself by using the same sketch for both cards.  I made one card yesterday, and then I was at a crop today and made the other (and dropped it to the birthday boy on the way home, talk about last minute!). 

The sketch is this week's Mojo Monday - I like the elements, especially the pennant shape.

So here is my lady card:

And the man card:

I've also entered them into the following challenges: Totally Gorjuss ("Anything Goes with a Button"), Craft Your Passion and Papertake Weekly ("Anything Goes"), ABC Challenge ("Kraft") and Crafty Creations ("Stripes").

Here are some side-shots of the dimension and tags on the cards:

Recipes:

Papers: MME "Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks" and "Stella Rose Hazel", BG "Jovial"

Dies: Cheery Lynn "English Tea Party Doily Die" and Nestabilities "Pinking Circles"

Punch: MS "Doily Lace"

Other: Buttons and ribbon from stash, needle + thread

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!

A whiter shade ....

.... of white.  We had to go back to school today, sob sob weep wail!  Had completely forgotten what 7am looks like (answer: not very nice!), having not seen such an disgustingly early hour in two whole months! 

My daughter went back to school on Tuesday, looking very smart in her new senior jumper.  Son and I were waving her off at the front door, and he turned to me, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye, and said "they grow up so fast!".  OK, grandad!!!

I had a few crafting buddies over on Monday for a last hurrah, and I made an all-white card.  A first for me, was almost going to cave and add coloured stitching, but I stayed strong and this is what I ended up with:

It was so hard to photograph, the sun was out today and the white kept sort of disappearing into itself, so I ended up taking pics in a shady corner!!  This card would work for this week's PaperPlay Challenge, which is "Make your own Flowers", but it's not my team's turn.  So I am entering My Time to Craft ("In Full Bloom"), Moving Along with the Times ("Handmade Flowers"), Creative Card Crew ("Anything Goes") , Totally Gorjuss ("As you Like it") and Charisma Cardz ("Anything Goes").

I made handmade rolled roses for my card - distressing along the edges before I rolled them which looks much nicer, I think.  I stickled them for added interest.  Here's a closer look:

Recipe:

No patterned papers, no image, no ink!

Other: Nestabilities Lacy circles, MS branch punch, diamond stickles, doily, pins, ribbon from stash, needle + thread.

Thanks for looking!