Snowman

Yesterday was the last day of Tracey McNeely's 25 Days of Christmas Tags event and I'm sad that it's ending because there's been so much inspiration!

I decided to make a tag inspired by day 24. The Card Concept design team joined in with Tracey and the theme was to make a tag with a snowman. I think this fits the Clean and Layering style.

I used a free cut file from Bird's Cards (she is so generous and has amazing freebies) to cut the snowman and then added my own touches with rhinestones, buttons and DP. I has fun doing this! I added a bit of distress ink for shadows, but it's a bit hard to see in the photo.  
ETA: I'm also entering this in the Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes.
Also entering the Inspiration Emporium Monthly Challenge - Holiday theme.
ETA: I'm entering this in the Addicted to CAS challenge - codeword *Dots*.

A Festive Runway Inspired Christmas

I was inspired by the colours in the Runway Inspired Challenge and since I'm on a Christmas card kick, here's another one! Festive Friday Challenge also have pinks and gold in their inspiration photo.

The snowflake stamps are from Avery Elle and the sentiment die is from Wplus9.

ETA: I'm also entering this card in the Inspiration Emporium Monthly Challenge - Holiday theme.. and Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes.

Stencilled and Layered Stamping Tree

A very quick post to share a couple of cards I made  last week. My arm/shoulder are still playing up, so I shouldn't be on the computer, but my left hand is getting quite quick at one finger typing!

I cut a stencil with Silhouette, and stamped Hero Arts Friends background, then layered some flourishes from Kaisercraft English Rose stamp set using Shabby Shutters Distress Ink. Then I sponged over the stamping, with the stencil still in place and then went over that with Pan Pastel gold.  The stars are from Winnie & Walter Big Bang Confetti.
I'm entering this in the Craft Stamper Take it Make it challenge (use non christmas stamps) and the Merry Monday challenge(Green, Red and white). 
ETA: I'm also entering this card in the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge which is all about stamping. Also entering the Moxie Fab World Tree-mendous Tree challenge.

This is how I did the tree

This next card was made with a stencil, which is actually a  gorgeous Christmas Decoration and Color Shine Spray.

I'm entering this in the City Crafter Challenge,  Just a Word - which is to use a one word Sentiment. 
ETA: I'm also entering this in the Time Out Challenge - the theme is embossing with a twist of adding sparkle. 
I've included dry embossing and sparkle from the Color Shine sparay.

Merry and Bright and a Blog Break

Hi there! I just wanted to let you know I am taking a bit of a break from cardmaking and blogging as I have problems with my arm and shoulder.  I can hardly lift my right arm and every movement is painful. I went to the Physio a few days ago and I thought it was on the mend, but today it's worse again. So I must be sensible and stay away from the computer and craft table until it is better. I will probably need a cortisone injection next week. My priority is to get better for our overseas trip which is just over 3 weeks away.

I made this card for fun last week. Not sure if it fits any challenges, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

This was an experiment. I tried it at first with distress markers, but because the stag stamp is patterned(nordic style) , it didn't work very well,  so then I tried Twinkling H2Os. I quite like the result, but they don't blend like distress markers, so I make have to continue the experimentation.  The stag stamp is from Docrafts and the sentiment is from Kaisercraft.

I also want to remind you about this months Mixed Media Card Challenge - the challenge is Christmas with an option to include bells. You have until 25 November to enter and there is a prize from STAMPlorations!

Gelliplate Christmas

I have another Christmas card for the Craft Stamper  Take it, Make it challenge, which is to make a Christmas card using non Christmas stamps.

This card began with a bit of Gelliplate play using aqua and white paint and confetti paper.
When it was dry I used a Penny Black Dies to cut the tag and the sentiment. . The branch stamp is from Prima and the bird dies are from Impression Obsession. 

ETA: I'm entering this in the Jingle Belles challenge - the theme is *the Great Outdoors*.
I'm also entering this in the Dies R Us challenge where the theme is Anything goes using dies  (Christmas).

Silver and Watercolour

I have a quick post, because I've just realised the Hero Arts Holiday Challenge is closing.

I've decided I really like silver embossing combined with watercolour! I used my favourite Hero Arts background stamp and water colour paints and then used a Papertrey Ink die to make the tag. The sentiment die is from WPLUS9. The embossing folder is from WeR Memory keepers and the stag head is from Kaisercraft.
I'm entering this in the Mad about Metallics category for Hero Arts.
Speaking of metallics, I shall also enter this in Virginia's View Challenge #9 All Things Metallic.
ETA: I'm entering the Just Add Ink challenge (Just add texture theme).

Loll's 12 Tags of Christmas

I made another mixed media tag for Loll's 12  Tags of Christmas Event. It's been so inspiring seeing all the beautiful mixed media tags from Loll and her friends and I'm sad it's the last day. Luckily we still have until the 16th to enter the challenge.

This tag had a change of direction! I began by using theTim Holtz Holly  stencil and distress inks and was planning to have a bird on the tag, but then I wasn't happy with the background so I spritzed it heavily. When it was dry I liked it! I added some depth to the holly with Pan Pastels. Then I stamped the Christmas Script in versamark and rubbed  gold  PanPastel over the image.
Next I stamped the Poinsettia from Woodware stmps on white card with Memnto Luxe red and again with Versamark and rubbed more   Pan Pastel of it. I fussy cut the Poinsettia and then used a embossing tool  and foam adhesive to give it some dimension. To finish off I added the beads, the ribbon and the die cut sentiment. I also added a bit of Wink of Stella over the bloom and sentiment.
ETA: I'm entering this tag in the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge - the theme is *stamps*.

A Minty Christmas!

I've had to move my craft supplies back downstairs, because it's getting way to hot to store inks upstairs and too hot and stuffy to create.  For those new visitors to my blog, I live in Melbourne, Australia, so we are coming up to Summer.

I was playing around with some NBUS and this card just seem to make itself! I stamped the Kaisercraft image, silver embossed it and then sloshed some Twinkling H2O over it.

A bit of die cutting and dry embossing, a bow and I was done. I was inspired by the CAS inspiration from Therese at Muse Card challenge and I am also entering Virginia's View Challenge - All things metallic ( again!). I am also entering the Scrapbook Boutique Challenge - they have the cutest cupcake inspiration this month!

Silver and Blue Christmas

I pulled out a very old stamp to make my next card. I was inspired by the theme at Merry Monday Challenge which is Ornaments (silver and blue colours).

The stamp is from PSX, a company that no longer exists. I embossed the ornament and boughs in silver and coloured the image with a mix of distress ink and Twinkling H2Os trying to get a watercolour effect. The sentiment and stars are die cut craft metal from Add a Little Dazzle, left over from the Mixed Media challenge.
I'm entering this in the Merry Monday Challenge, Virginia's View All about Metallics and Simon Monday Challenge.
I just found out out the Dazzling Divas Challenge which is based on the inspiration photo or Anything Goes.
Also entering Simon Wednesday challenge 'We're seeing stars'
and Inkspirational Challenge - theme *Shine*.

Dazzling divas Inspiration 

Playing with new goodies!

I just received a new Memory Box and it is so cute. I couldn't resist using it straight away.

See what I mean, they're cute aren't they?! This is my second card in a row, without any stamping, because it cried out for a die cut sentiment. The embossing folder was a magazine freebie, the sentiment die is from WPlUS( and the gold dots is border is washi tape.

I really wanted to add some splatter, sequins, or a sprig of holly, but I decided less is more and refrained!

I'm entering my card in the CAS.ology challenge where the theme is *festive* and Virginia's View challenge which is All Things Metallic.

Homespun Christmas

Well it's beginning to feel a lot like an Australian Christmas today! Temperatures in the 30*s! So glad I'm going to be in the Northern Hemisphere for Christmas!

I was inspired by the challenge at Festive Friday to make this rustic Christmas card. The die cuts are from our WCMD weekend away (thanks Lyndal!). I'm doing a good job of using up all my bits and pieces from my unfinished projects box - yay!  The DP is all from Kaisercraft.
And yes ... SHOCK, horror - no stamping!!!!

Oh and I have a tree in my card, so I can enter the Moxie Fab Tree-mendous Challenge!
ETA: I'm entering this card in the Scrapbook boutique Challenge.

A Quick Christmas Tag

A quick post and a quick tag!

I stamped this cute deer when we were away for WCMD and I found it in my un-finished stash. So I coloured it with copics,  stamped the sentiment,  die cut the tag and added the ribbon - voila!

I was wondering where the red glow in the photo was coming from and as I am typing, I've just realised I'm wearing a red top - doh!!

I'm entering this in the  Addicted to CAS challenge - code word *Tags*.

Christmas Bauble

What a productive day I've had today! This is my 3rd post! This time I would like to share a card I have made inspired by this amazing water colour print I saw on Pinterest.

I used a Winnie & Walter circle stamp from  A Tree for all Seasons and distress inks to stamp the bauble (ornament).
When it was dry, I stamped some bling from W&W Big Bang Bling on the bauble and used sticky powder to add the glitter.
The foliage is from an Inkadinkado Branches cling stamp set. The top of the bauble is from a Spellbinders set. The sentiment is die cut from a foil sheet. 
I'm entering this card in the Craft Stamper Take it, Make it challenge, Virginia;s View and Simon Monday Challenge, which is to use  an *Ornament*.

Another Christmas Tag - Mixed Media

I am really enjoying all the wonderful inspiration from Loll and her friends over at Stamping with Loll. She has a 12 tags of christmas event and a challenge to go with it! So I've made another tag with a wooden deer that's been lying around in my stash for a year or so! In fact it got broken, but I'm hoping you won't notice, which of course you will now that I've told you!

I used a stencil and memento Luxe ink for the red dots and 2 background stamps with Hero Arts black ink for the script.
I coloured the deer with a Posca Gold Paint pen, but wasn't happy, so then added Pan Pastel.
I'm entering this in Loll's challenge and Virginia's View Challenge#9 All Things Metallic.

ETA: I'm adding this to the Premium Craft challenge #26 PanPastel Add some Bling.

Scribbly Bird Christmas

I pulled out one of my favourite bird stamps to make a another card for the Craft Stamper Take it, Make it Challenge which is to make a Christmas card using non-Christmas stamps.

The bird is from Dina Wakely's Scribbly Birds set - I REALLY love this bird! I coloured it with watercolour pencils, Big Brush markers and Copics.  I used Enamel Accents for the eye.  I cut the holly from green card and coloured it with Big Brush marker and then added the berries with glossy accents.  The sentiment is from Winnie & Walter The Big, the Bold and the Happy.

ETA: I would also like to enter the Addicted to CAS challenge code word *Tag*.

Christmas card with Non Christmas Stamps

 Hi there - another Sunday is upon us! Today I'm feeling a bit strange, because my 14 yo son has just departed for a 3 weeks trip with School to Cambodia and Laos. I'm very excited for him, but it will hard not being able to have contact him. They do have a trip blog, but if I know Lochie, he is not one to get caught in a photo!

This morning I've made a card for the Take it, Make it challenge at 

the Craft Stamper blog. The challenge is to make a Christmas card with non Christmas stamps.

So as you can see I went for an artsy look. I used Hero Arts Brush Strokes stamps and distress inks for the tree. The star is From Winnie & Walter It's a wonderful Pennant. The sentiment is made with a WPLUS9 die. The baubles are made with Liquid Pearls. The red panel was stamped with an old Hero Arts stamp and then I went over the stamping with Pan Pastel.
The base card was embossed with my new favourite folder from We R Memory Keepers.

I'm also entering this in the Hero arts Holiday Cards challenge - Anything Goes and the Moxie Fab Tree-mendous Trees Challenge.

A Christmas Tag

A quick post to share another tag for Loll's 12 Tags of Christmas Event. If you haven't seen it, you should pop over because there is so much beautiful inspiration from Loll and her guest designers!

the tag was out of my unfinished stash that I made on WCMD. I used a WPLUS9 background stamp and various distress inks. The deer is made with a WPLUS9 die. The sentiment is an oldie from Kaisercraft and I stamped in black and clear embossed.