Metallic Birthday

Hi there Crafty Friends.  I'm having a bit of a Mojo problem at the moment, but I'm heading to our Beach House tomorrow for some solitude and to escape germs from both my boys. So I'm sure I'll get back in to crafting again. In the meantime I'm sharing some previously made, but not shared cards.

I really love neutral colours of Alcohol Inks, especially when paired with a metallic colour. This time I used Rose Gold and die cut a matching sentiment from metallic cardstock.

Dies: W& W 'Celebrate', SSS Leaf

I'm sharing at the following challenges:-

Anything Goes

Favourite die Shape (I love adding die-cut foliage to artsy backgrounds)

                         Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

THE CARD CONCEPT #190 Lucky Charm

 Hello there Crafty Friends! It's time for another challenge at The Card concept. The theme is Lucky Charm and we have a beautiful photo to inspire your creativity.

I used some old stamps from Kaisercraft and a gorgeous die from Simon Says Stamp for the butterfly.

I was inspired by the colours and the foliage in the Inspiration photo to create a Clean and Layered card. 

Remember, an inspiration photo is exactly that- a starting point for inspiration. Will it be the colours, the overall theme, the texture, the actual items and/or something else that will inspire your card? 

I hope you'll visit The Card Concept Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the team has created and will be inspired to play along in the challenge with us. 

Choose a design style (or combine styles), create a card, and in your blog post, let us know what inspired you from the photo, what style and/or styles you chose and don't forget to display our inspiration photo and link back to our challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

CAS MIX UP AUG'22 REMINDER

 Hello there! I'm just popping in to remind you about this month's  CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Mixed Media themed challenge. Nancy is our host and the prompt is 'Emboss Resist'. 

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Nancy as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple, include stamping and one other Mixed Media element.

I stamped 2 different background stamps and embossed with white embossing powder. I used various inks, Nuvo and Cosmic Shimmer Powders. The gorgeous die-cut leaf is from SSS. 

You can find more inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog from our DesignerTeam.  We hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS Mix Up (Aug '22)

  Hello there.  It's time for a new CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Mixed Media themed challenge. Nancy is our host and the prompt is 'Emboss Resist'. 

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Nancy as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple, include stamping and one other Mixed Media element.

I stamped the rose several times on white card-stock and embossed with Pearl Embossing Powder. 

Then i smooshed the card on a mix of Distress Inks and Nuvo Shimmer Powder. I added a bit more powder and used a brush to blend a little. This is one of my fave Nuvo colour combos. 

You can see more from our fabulous Guest Designer  Brenda from Inked to Inspire and the rest of DT at the CAS Mix Up blog and I hope you'll join us in the challenge. 

                    Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

52 CHRISTMAS CARD THROWDOWN may '22 SKETCH

 Hi Crafty Friends.  Tracey is our host for April at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown Challenge. The first challenge of the month is always a sketch challenge.  Here is Tracey's sketch for this month. I thought this sketch was a perfect opportunity to use some patterned paper. I hope you'll join us!

I think the paper is from Kaisercraft, as is the wooden sentiment. The die for the gorgeous foliage is from Simon Says stamp.

I hope you like my rustic take on the sketch:)

You can stretch this out, or use different shapes, as long as we can see the basic sketch in your card.

I hope you'll visit the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown blog to see what our fabulous  Design Team have created with this sketch. Looking forward to seeing your cards in the gallery:)

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS MIX UP OCT REMINDER

 Hello there! I'm just popping in to remind you about this month's  CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Mixed Media themed challenge. Bonnie is our host and the prompt is 'Botanical Prints'. She wants us to find leaves, flowers, ferns etc from our garden and use them to make our cards. 

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Bonnie as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple and include one other Mixed Media element.

Last time I pressed leaves with the Big shot and this time I used my Geliplate to make some prints with foliage from our garden.  I made lots of prints and this one is the most CAS.

1. Using a brayer I applied paint to the Gelliplate and then placed the cutting from a Jacaranda Tree* over the paint. 

2. Then I used scrap paper to remove paint from around the fern, pressing carefully to get between the fronds.  

3. Next I removed the fern from the Gelliplate

4. Carefully laid the paper over the image and pulled the print

5. When dry, I adhered the print to backing card and die-cut circle, sponging Distress Ink around the edge

6. Stamped sentiment. cut edge with circle die and attached to panel.

7. Die-cut Butterfly and adhered to card.

8. Embossed background

9. Mounted circle and embossed panel to base card

10. Added touch of bling - Phew - finished!

STAMPS: Stamplorations Life is Sweeter

DIE: SSS Butterfly; Lil Inkers Nesting Circles

*This is the tree ...

You can find more inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog from our Guest Designer, Izzy and the rest of the team.  We hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

Oh Happy Day!

 Here is another card to  celebrate AAA Card Challenge reaching  their milestone of 200 Games. Well done! I love your challenge and the inspiration you share each challenge!

I used Zig and Karin Markers to colour the Rainbow. My white space is black:)

Die: Simon Says Stamp Rainbow Card Die

Stamp: Taylored Expressions Over the Rainbow

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS Mix Up JUL '21

 Hello there Crafty Friends. This month is a Mixed Media themed challenge. Coni is our host and the prompt is 'ACOHOL INK on VELLUM'. There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog. Please be sure to keep your card designs Clean and Simple and include one other Mixed Media element.

I was excited to play  with some new Alcohol Inks from Couture Creations. The colours are amazing and the white is glittery.  I backed the vellum with some design paper, which is very subtle, but looks good IRL. 

Stamps: Newton's Nook

Die: SSS Butterfly, not sure about the frame.

We have  the incredibly talented   Hannelie   as our Guest Designer this month and you can see her card  and more inspiration at our blog.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

52 Christmas Card Throwdown (June Theme )

 Hi there Crafty Friends. It's time for the 3rd challenge of June for 52CCT with Tracy as our host.  She wants to see Gnomes on our  Christmas cards. This always makes me happy:)

I pulled out my fave SSS Gnome die for the occasion. I chose some glittery papers to give it a festive feel!

First of all I made the background using an embossing folder and Distress Oxide ink. Then I die-cut the tree frame and mounted on the background with dimension tape  and then on the black card base. 

My next step was to die-cut the gnome and also the birds. 

The sentiment was stamped with white ink and white embossed on black card. 

I strategically placed the birds and sequins. 

I hope you believe:)

Dies: SSS Large Gnome; Hello Bluebird Winter Woods Overlay; IOS birds

Embossing Folder: Stampin Up

Stamp: Memory Box Typewriter Holiday Elements

I hope you'll visit the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown blog to see what the rest of the team created with these colours and then be inspired to join in the challenge!

I'm also sharing my card at the following challenges:-

The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge #96 (ATG)

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

Penny Black Saturday Challenge (June 21)

 Well hello there! It's the first Saturday of the month, so we have a new challenge at Penny Black Saturday Challenge. This month our theme is 'ANYTHING GOES' or the twist 'Fussy & Fancy'.

Well I finally got my hands on this stunning stamp so I couldn't wait to ink it up!

I used Karin Markers for all the stamping, watercoluring and the wash. However  I stamped it again with Versamark and clear embossed, before I did the wash, so it wouldn't bleed too much. Can you see that I also randomly stamped some script on the background for a bit more interest. 

Stamp: Penny Black Captivating; Background stamp from Kaisercraft

Die: Kaisercraft Square die; Simon ?says Stamp Sentiment

                            The prize for this challenge is provided by our generous sponsor

Prize - $20 voucher!

If you'd like to be considered for a guest designer spot for a future challenge, please add 'GDT' after your name on the link-up...and remember to check back to see if you've been chosen!

 You can see more inspiration from our talented Guest Designer and the rest of the DT at our blog. I hope you have the opportunity to join in our challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

Pastel Flowers and Yellow & Grey Rose (Karin Markers)

 Hi there. I have a couple of cards to share today using my new Karin Markers.

The first card I used. the markers to make a watercolour card...

I stamped the floral image with a well inked Delicata Gold stamp pad and then embossed with a new aquisition, Distress Embossing Glaze (Antique Linen).  I love the way the gold sparkles under the transluscent embossing powder.  I added a touch of the Karin Marker colour and blended with a Silver Brush and water.

Stamps:Gina K Timeless P:oppies  ; Altenew Thinking of You

I'm sharing at...

In the next card I used the markers to shade each layer of the flower die-cut...

The flower and leaves are from various Altenew layered die sets. The pepaer is from Kaisercraft and American Crafts.  The sentiment is from SSS.

I'm sharing at the following:-

The verdict: I'm loving these markers. I still love my Zigs, but because I frequently use my favourite colours, they seem to dry out quickly. It's nice to have new colours with the Karin Markers and it will be interesting to see how long they last. I'll let you know. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

Baby Bundle

 I need to build up my supply of baby cards, so I'm playing at the Less is More Challenge again.  This one is a no stamp card. I always feel like somethings missing when I don't stamp on a card, but I really felt the die-cut sentiment looked best.

I die-cut the stork and sentiment with watercolour paper and the beak and legs are lightly coloured with Zig Marker (Vanilla).  The die-cut bundle and hearts were from a scrap of patterned paper.

The yellow card base was embossed with the rectangle die.   

Dies:Magnolia Stamps DooHickey Stork; SSS sentiment; MFT Peekaboo rectangle

I'm sharing my card at the following challenges:-

Yellow card base is very different from my normal style.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

Guest Design for 52 Christmas Card Throwdown

 I am so thrilled to be Guest Designer for 52 Christmas Card Throwdown again this week - I'm so excited! It's a sketch this week and I knew immediately I wanted to use the new (to me) gnome die from SSS.

I used co-ordinating paper from DWCV for the background and the gnome.  I inked the edges of the paper panel to create definition. 

Stamp: Apple Blossom Gnome for Christmas. 

Die: SSS Gnome (sssd112037)

I really enjoyed making this. Having a co-ordinating paper pad makes it so easy. 

I hope you'll pop over to the  52 Christmas Card Throwdown blog to see what the Design Team have created and will be inspired to join in the fun. 

I'm also sharing at the following challenges:-

MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

Anything Goes

SIMON SAYS STAMP WEDNESDAY CHALLENGE

Anything Goes

                                  Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

Gnome for Christmas and Polar Bear

It's officially 6 months until Christmas! I suspect it will be very different this year, but that's even more reason to make and send more cards!

I love this stamp set! You can mix and match the elements to make the gnome with various expressions and accessories.  

Stamps: Apple Blossom 'Christmas Gnomes'

Dies: SSS 'Birch Tree Window'

Cutplorations 'Stiched Rectangle'

PP: Kaisercraft

I'm sharing at the following challenges:-

Faux Stitching for me

My next card is using a new(ish) stamp which I thought would be great for Masculine cards.

I combined the Polar Bear stamp with the Penny Black mountains.

Stamps 

****All Creatures Great and Small****

Stamps: Lesia Zghada Stamps 'Polar Bear'; Penny Black 'Season's Marvel'; Inspired by Stamping (sentiment)

                                             Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)