Hello Sunshine!

My 'Big Birthday Wishes' card was the winner of the CAS on Friday 'Dies Only' challenge and the team invited me to be Guest Designer on their 'Sunshine' challenge.  I was a little stuck with the challenge as I don't have any sunshine stamps or dies, but thought this lovely sunflower stamp would be perfect for a sunshine card.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     The Best of Cardmaking Magic 'Sunflower' stamp and die
     My Favorite Things 'Fishtail Flags' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Yellow and brown Promarkers
     Computer generated sentiment 'Harrington' font
     Snippets of white matt card

I stamped the sunflower onto a snippet of white card using brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder and cutting it with the coordinating die.  I coloured the sunflower with yellow and light brown Promarkers.  I printed the sentiment onto white matt card, using Harrington font and changing the colour to dark brown.  I cut the sentiment with the fishtail flag, elongating the die so the flag was just a little smaller than the width of the card.   I attached the flag along the lower edge of the card and flower to the left of the sentiment.

I am entering the following challenges:
     As You Like It Challenge - Clean or Fussy (it's almost always 'clean' for me - I always place die cuts and embellishments onto the card and then take something away before it all gets stuck into place!)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Not Square
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 478

Kath x

April Rudolph Day

It's time for the fourth Rudolph Day of the year - this year I have chosen a colour theme for my RD cards and they are all green and gold.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Delightful Dangles' stamp
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Pentel Hybrid Dual Metallic gold pen
     Snippet of white matt card

I trimmed a snippet of white matt card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank before placing it into my MISTI.  I used green ink to stamp the tree in the centre, stamping a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  I embossed the image with clear embossing powder before attaching the panel to the card blank.  To finish I used the gold pen to colour the 'dangles' on the tree.

I am entering the following challenges:
     As You Like It Challenge - Clean or Fussy (my favourite is always Clean & Simple with minimal layers and embellishments - if I ever try to make a fussy card I find it ends up looking too messy)
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Dry/Wet Embossed (I have chosen wet embossed for my card)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Not Square
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - April Challenge    

Kath x

Honeysuckle Cross Stitch

As the weather's seems to be improving we're starting to go away in our campervan again.  I've like to take lots of small cross stitch designs with me and these are then made into cards when I return home.  This is another card using a lovely Carolyn's Garden cross stitch kit (I do love these floral designs) - this was one that I bought preloved with chart and leftover threads.

To make this card I used:

     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     Carolyn's Garden 'Honeysuckle' cross stitch kit
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippet of white hammer card

After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind a stitched square aperture that had been die cut in the centre of the card blank.  A piece of the same card was attached to the inside to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Cute or Floral (and why) - it is always floral for me, whether that is stamping, die cutting or stitching these lovely Carolyn's Garden cross stitch designs
     
Kath x

Big Birthday Wishes

I made this card for a friend's birthday using my 'go to' die for male cards.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes' and Xcut 'Nesting Stars' dies
     Snippets of kraft card, blue matt card and red sparkle card

I trimmed the snippet of kraft card so it was slightly wider than the die and cut the large sentiment from the centre before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from snippets of blue matt card and red sparkle card and inlaid them into the front of the panel.  I trimmed two narrow strips of red sparkle card and attached them down each side of the sentiment panel.  To finish I die cut three small stars and attached them to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Cardz 4 Guys - Navy, Kraft & Red Colour Challenge
     CAS on Friday - Dies Only
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - For a Man or Boy

Kath x

Wild Pansy

I've spent some time this afternoon making cross stitch designs into cards - this is my favourite and uses a Carolyn's Meadow kit from Serendipity Designs.  

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     Carolyn's Meadow 'Wild Pansy' cross stitch kit
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippet of white hammer card

After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind a stitched square aperture that had been die cut in the centre of the card blank.  A piece of the same card was attached to the inside to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Go Get 'Em Tiger!

I made this card for my father-in-law's birthday- I've been told he likes these 3D cards as they're quite tactile and he also likes the bright colours.  

To make this card I used:
     7" x 7" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Into the Wild - Go Get 'Em Tiger!' Deco-Large topper and card
     Creative Expressions 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday' die
     Snippet of gold mirri

I trimmed covered the front of the card blank with the plain side of the backing card (the rest of the card is now in my Hunkydory drawer for future use).  I used foam pads to assemble the decoupage layers before attaching the panel to the left side of the card.  I die cut 'Happy Birthday' from a snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the lower corner of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Pearly Sparkles - For a Man or Boy
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Black, White and Orange Hello

I made this card to send to Daja for the March Card Chain Challenge.  I used the Colour Option (Black, White & One Colour of Your Choice - my choice was orange) and the Theme Option (Friendship).

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Altenew 'Simply Hello' and Tattered Lace 'Mini Butterfly' dies
     Forever in Time 'Vintage 2 Perfect Prints' paper
     Snippets of white matt card and orange card (oops, I forgot to take a photo!)

I trimmed a piece of black and white paper to 5" x 5", layered it onto orange card and attached it to the card blank.  I die cut 'hello' from snippets of both orange and white card, the white die cut was attached to the orange 'hello' creating a shadow effect and attached to the top corner of the card.  I die cut two small butterflies from white card and two from orange card.  The white butterflies where layered onto the orange butterflies and attached to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 477

This is the lovely card I received from Jeanne:

Kath x

Another Clarissa Bubble Bloom

I stamped this image when I made my Clarissa Bubble Bloom card - I usually stamp an extra image in case I make a mess of the one I'm working on!  As I'm trying to clear my oddments drawer it's time to make a quick card for a friend's birthday using some of her favourite spring colours.

To make this card I used:

     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Bubble Bloom - Clarissa' and Clearly Besotted 'Fabulous Fuchsias' stamps

     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Promarkers
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Glossy Accents
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card and dark brown textured card

The flower and sentiment had been stamped onto white card using brown ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I coloured the flowers with lilac and yellow Promarkers and the leaves with a green Promarker.  The panel was trimmed, layered onto dark brown card and attached to the card blank.  I added Glossy Accents to the purple and yellow circles and a Wink of Stella to the leaves.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Keep it Simple
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - All Occasions
     Seize the Birthday - Spring Floral
     Stamping Sensations - Spring
     We Love Stamping - Feminine

Kath x

Sunshine Meadow Birthday

I made this card for a friend's Spring birthday using Hunkydory 'Sunshine Meadow' toppers and card - these were in the Hunkydory Premium Magazine I was gifted earlier this year.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Sunshine Meadow' card, toppers and card insert
     Tattered Lace mini butterfly die
     Snippet of gold mirri

I trimmed the backing card to 5.25 x 5.25", layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I attached the large floral topper to the left side of the card and used a foam pad to attach the sentiment topper to the lower edge.  To finish I die cut two tiny butterflies from gold mirri and attached them to the large topper.  The set also included coordinating inserts which added the perfect finishing touch to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - All Occasions
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Celebrate
     Seize the Birthday - Spring Floral

Kath x

Cross Stitch Thank You

My neighbour has gifted me another large bag of cross stitch items, so I made this card for her.  The card uses both a cross stitch kit and a card blank that she has given me.

To make this card I used:
     Craft Creations 6" x 4" aperture card blank
     Permin 03-6338 cross stitch kit
     Hobbycraft 'General Greetings' stamp
     Versamark ink
     Wow Metallic Gold Sparkle embossing powder

I used Versamark ink to stamp 'Thank You' below the aperture and embossed it with gold sparkle embossing powder.  After finishing the stitching I trimmed the fabric and mounted it behind the aperture and secured the card behind the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Easter Blessings

This is another quick Easter card made with card and toppers from my 'Hunkydory' oddments drawer.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Sweet Treats' toppers and card
     Snippet of gold mirri

I trimmed the snippet of card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I attached the cake topper to the centre of the card and then used small foam pads to attach the 'Easter Blessings' topper to the lower edge of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Keep it Simple
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Sparkles Monthly Challenge - Sweet Treats

Kath x

March Rudolph Day

Is time for the third Rudolph Day of the year - where is the this year going?  It's probably flying by as we've been away in our campervan again!  I've made another green and gold card for RD as this year's theme is a colour challenge and all my cards will be green and gold.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Sizzix 'Trees, Leafy' dies
     Snippets of white matt card, dark green textured card and gold glitter paper

I trimmed a piece of white matt card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and cut the outline of the tree from the centre before attaching the panel to the card blank.  I die cut the tree from a snippet of dark green textured card and inlaid it into the panel.  I used smaller snippets of self-adhesive gold glitter paper to cut the leaves which were then inlaid into the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Keep it Simple
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Get your Grinch On
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - March challenge

Kath x

Butterfly Birthday

I made this card using lots of snippets and the colours from the Butterfly Challenge.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics', My Favorite Things 'Fishtail Flags' , Lawn Fawn 'Happy Birthday Border' and Creative Expressions ''Finishing Touches - Dainty Butterflies' dies
     Crafts-Too 'Dandilion Time' embossing folder
     Snippets of dark green, dusky pink, daffodil and damson textured card and white matt card  (one piece of white card isn't shown in the photo as it was a last minute decision to emboss the background)

I embossed a piece of white matt card with the 'Dandilion Time' embossing folder, trimmed around the edge and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the three circles from the dark green, dusty pink and daffodil textured card using the stitched die.  These were layered and then cut in half.  I die cut the fishtail flag from a snippet of white card - cutting the first half and then moving the die to the other end of the flag so I could get a 'V' in both ends.  I die cut the sentiment from dark green textured card and attached it across the centre of the flag.  I placed the half circles onto the upper part of the card front - leaving a small gap between the two pieces so the sentiment banner wouldn't cover too much of the inner circle.  To ensure the banner lay flat across the card I trimmed another snippet of white card and inserted it in to the gap between the circles before attaching the banner across the centre.  To finish I die cut two small butterflies from the damson card and attached them above and below the sentiment banner.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Butterfly Challenge - D for Decoupage/Die Cuts (I have chosen the first option and have used four colours from the colour wheel together with die cuts and my butterflies)
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 476

Kath x

Spring Lambs

I have a drawer of various Hunkydory card snippets and toppers, they're always perfect for quick cards and our families like the cards I make with them.  I used these oddments to make my mother's Easter card.  

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory green foiled backing card, lambs and sentiment toppers (as these were in my oddments drawer I don't know the name of the collection)
     Snippet of gold mirri

I trimmed the green foiled card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  The lamb topper was attached in the centre of the card with the 'For You' topper attached to the top corner.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Cardz 4 Gals - Use Some Green
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Animals
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Make my Monday - Spring, Flowers, Weather, etc (I have chosen Spring lambs)
     Try It On Tuesday - Spring

Kath x

Penguin Love

I made this card for the Christmas Crafts All Year Round 'Arctic/Antarctic Animals' challenge.  At first I didn't think I had any suitable images, but then came across a cute Christmas card in my 'upcycling box' which has penguins on it.  Although they are flightless birds, some of the design team have used penguins so I guess they will fit the challenge.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Upcycled Christmas card
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippets of white hammer card and white matt card

I cut a piece of white hammer card and white matt card so they were slightly smaller than the front of the card blank and die cut the stitched square from the middle of both pieces of card.  These were layered and attached to the front of the card blank.  The Christmas card was a large 3D card, but I took it to pieces and die cut a square of the backing card and inlaid it into the aperture.  I then die cut around the base of the penguins (they were already fussy cut around the top) and inlaid them into the base of the aperture.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Arctic/Antarctic Animals
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Hello

I made this card to send to Jo for the February Card Chain Challenge.  I used the Colour Option (Lemon, Lime and Sky Blue), the Theme Option (Flowers and Friendship) and the Technique Option (Stencil).

I've used my new Sizzix stamp and die set I bought with gift voucher I won in the Snippets Playground in January.  There are lots of options with this set and I can see it becoming a favourite this year.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Sizzix Framelits 'Floral Hello' stamp and die set
     Funky Fossil 'Woodgrain Background' stencil
     Versafine Vintage Sepia and Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue inks
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Yellow and green Promarkers
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card, green and blue textured card

I die cut the 'hello' square from green textured card and the lower section from blue textured card and set them aside.  I used blue ink and the woodgrain stencil on a snippet of white card before trimming it so it was slightly smaller than the green 'hello' square.  I layered the green square onto the stencil background and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  I trimmed around the blue 'hello' and attached it over the green panel, offsetting it slightly.  I used brown ink to stamp the flowers onto a snippet of white matt card embossed them with clear embossing powder.  The flowers were cut with the coordinating dies before being coloured with yellow and green Promarkers.  To finish I attached the flowers to the 'hello' frame and highlighted them with a Wink of Stella.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Spring (the colours remind me of Spring)
     CAS on Friday - Hello
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 60 (I have used my new Sizzix stamp and die set)
     
This is the lovely card Linda sent to me:

Kath x

Steve's Anniversary Card

It's our wedding anniversary next week and this is the card I made for Steve.  The lovely green paper has gold foiled swirls and hearts and was in a wallet of mixed craft papers I bought in a charity shop last year, unfortunately it doesn't show too well in the photograph.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Hearts' and Crafter's Companion 'Gemini Expressions - Husband' dies
     Snippets of green and gold heart paper, gold mirri and white matt card

I trimmed the white card to a 5" x 5" square and die cut the heart from the centre before embossing the edge of the heart with my tan embossing mat.  I layered the panel onto a snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the front of the card.  I die cut the heart from the green and gold paper before embossing the edge and inlaying it into the aperture.  I die cut the husband background from a tiny snippet of gold mirri and husband from a snippet of the green paper - these were layered and attached to the bottom of the heart with a narrow strip of foam tape.

I am entering the following challenges:
     As You Like It Challenge - Feminine or Masculine (and why) - I normally prefer making feminine cards but I enjoy making cards for my OH - making masculine cards takes me out of my comfort zone!
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Celebrate
     The Male Room - Valentine/Use a Heart

Kath x

Santa

This is another quick Christmas card made with an image that has been upcycled from one of last year's Chriatmas cards.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" kraft card blank
     Upcycled Christmas card
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' and Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Season's Greetings' dies
     Snippets of dark red card

I used the stitched rectangle die to cut the front of the card, moving the die to ensure I had Santa, the rabbit and present on the die cut panel.  This panel was then layered it onto a snippet of dark red card and attached it to the card blank.  To finish I die cut the sentiment from a small snippet of dark red card and attached it to the top of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:

     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Christmas with the Cuties - Santa and/or Snowman
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Use Kraft Card

Kath x 

February Rudolph Day

I'm so pleased to see the Rudolph Day Challenge will continue as Helen has kindly taken over the reins from Maureen - so, it's time for the second RD of the year.

I like to have a theme for my RD cards and this year I've chosen a colour theme - all my cards will be green and gold.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Creative Dies 'Partridge in a Pear Tree' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Funky Fossil ''In To The Blue' paper
     Snippets of white matt card, gold shimmer card and bright green mirri

I trimmed the white card to 4.25" x 4.25" and die cut a circle in the centre.  I layered the panel onto a piece of green paper and attached it to the front of the card.  I die cut the partridge from a snippet of gold shimmer card and attached it inside the aperture with Artist Tac.  I die cut the partridge again from snippets of green mirri and inlaid the pears, leaves and partridge details into the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Things that Fly
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Out on a Limb
     Rudolph Day - February Challenge
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 474
     

Kath x

Retiform Christmas

I was so pleased when my Snowman Cross Stitch Card was a winner in the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown 'Sewing' challenge and thank you to the team for inviting me to be a Guest Designer on their Retiform challenge.  This is a new technique for me, but thankfully there are plenty of tutorials available online!  The technique took me right out of my comfort zone, but after several practice attempts I was reasonably happy with the final result.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card
     Hot off the Press 'Christmas', Making Cards 'Essential Christmas Stamps' and Uniko 'Rustic Wreath' stamps
     Versafine Spanish Moss and Vintage Sepia inks
     Snippets of white matt and brown textured card

I trimmed a snippet of white matt card to 6¼ x 4¼".   I used a scrap of card and post-it notes to mask various parts of the card before using the green ink and a blending tool to create the grid.  Once I had made the grid I wiped the blending tool across the rest of the card to lightly colour the background.  I used various small stamps and brown ink to stamp the images - masking the areas around the grid so I could stamp some of the images over the edge.  Once I had finished the grid I layered the panel onto brown card before attaching it to the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Stamping Sensations - Animals, Birds or Creatures (my card has a reindeer)

Kath x

Chloe Stem Birthday

I was over the moon when my Happy Birthday Butterfly won the Seize the Birthday 'Kraft and Another Colour' challenge.  Thank you to the team for inviting me to be Surprise Party Guest on the latest challenge 'Use Red as the Main Colour'.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Memory Box 'Chloe Stem' and Creative Expressions 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday' dies
     Xcut 'Small Polka Hearts' embossing folder
     Red sparkle card and white matt card

I embossed a piece of white card with the Polka Hearts.  This was trimmed, layered onto red sparkle card and attached to the card blank.  I die cut two Chloe Stems and one Happy Birthday sentiment from snippets of red sparkle card.  The flower stems were attached to the left side of the card with the sentiment in the lower right corner.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Challenge - Hearts
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Add a Heart
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - All Occasions
     The Flower Challenge - Add a Heart 

Kath x

Pink and Red Heart

This lovely heart stamp was a cover gift with Craft Stamper magazine several years ago and is perfect for a CAS anniversary card.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Craft Stamper 'Heart' stamp
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versafine Satin Red ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Pink Promarker
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card and red sparkle card

I put a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the heart several times with red ink to ensure a good depth of colour.  I then embossed the image with clear embossing powder before colouring the heart with a pink Promarker.  I die cut the panel, layered it onto a snippet of red sparkle card and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  To finish I added lots of Wink of Stella to the pink heart.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Pink
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Add a Heart
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Moving Along With The Times - Love Hearts
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Love/Have a Heart
     Sparkles Monthly Challenge - Hearts and Flowers
     We Love Stamping - Romance

Kath x 

21st Birthday Card

I made this card for one of the young men in our family for his 21st birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Turned 21' stamp
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper, dark purple mirri card and thin white card

I attached a snippet of paper onto a piece of thin white card and placed it in my MISTI so I could position the stamps as there are two separate stamps in this set.  I stamped the image several times with purple ink to get a good depth of colour and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then cut the image with the largest stitched die.  I layered the card onto a snippet of purple mirri and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  To finish I highlighted the small '21' with a Wink of Stella.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Anything CAS Goes + Optional Twist: Birthday
     CAS on Friday - Male/Boy
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x

Jenny Bear Birthday

As part of my frugal crafting year, I'm determined to use everything in my oddments box and this lovely Jenny Bear image was at the bottom of the box - my last image from an old LOTV Art Pad.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Jenny Bear' precoloured Art Pad image
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics' and Creative Expressions 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday dies
     Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper
     Snippets of green texured card

I trimmed the lovely pink Antebellum paper and layered it onto green textured card.  I die cut a stitched oval from the left side of the panel before attaching it to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the Jenny Bear image and inlaid it into the panel.  I die cut two 'Happy Birthday' sentiments, layered them and attached them to the lower edge of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Pink
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Flowers
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes     

Kath x

Blue & White Opulent Bauble

I made this card with the colours of the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge.  This embossing folder, die and stamp set was a cover gift with a magazine ages ago and is still one of my favourites for quick CAS cards.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Practical Publishing 'Opulent Baubles' embossing folder and stamps
     Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippets of white matt card, white paper, blue paper and blue textured card

Snippets of white matt card, blue paper and blue textured card

I embossed a piece of white matt card, trimmed around the edge so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and attached it to the front.  I attached the blue paper to snippets of white printer paper to make it the same thickness as the embossed card.  I used blue ink to stamp the bauble onto the blue paper and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then used the die from the embossing folder to cut the bauble before inlaying it into the front of the card.   I stamped the bow onto a snippet of blue textured card using blue ink and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I fussy cut the bow and attached it to the top of the bauble with a small foam pad.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - White & Blue
     Christmas Craft Creations - Stencils or Embossing Folder (I have chosen embossing folder)
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Out on a Limb
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 473

Kath x

Christmas Cats and Dogs

I made this card for the ABC Christmas Challenge 'C for Cats and D for Dogs'.  One of my friends likes cards with cats and dogs so when I received this card at Christmas last year I kept it to upcycle into a card to send her next Christmas.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" cream hammer card blank
     Upcycled Christmas card
     Lawn Fawn - Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Gold mirri

To make this quick card, I cut the front of the card with the largest stitched square, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - C for Cats & D for Dogs
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Sparkle and Shine at Christmas Time

I made this card using one of my 'old favourites' - a Woodware stamp my OH bought for my birthday in 2014!  The card uses the colours from the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Woodware 'Bubble Bloom - Festive Tree' stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Promarkers
     Glossy Accents
     Snippet of white hammer card     

I trimmed a snippet of white hammer card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and placed it into my MISTI.   I used brown ink to stamp the tree and sentiment before embossing them with clear embossing powder.  I used red, gold and turquoise Promarkers to colour the baubles on the tree before attaching the panel to the front of the card.  To finish I added Glossy Accents to the baubles to make them shine.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - A for Anything Goes
     As You Like It - Digi or Physical Stamps (my favourite is physical stamps - partly because my printer isn't very good at printing digis but mainly because I love to use my MISTI and inks to stamp and emboss images, like on this card)
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Colour Challenge (Poppy Parade, Crushed Curry & Tahitian Tide)
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Out on a Limb
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Krafty Chicks - Christmas
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
 
Kath x

Fuchsia Note Card

I made this note card with another charity shop find - this is a brand new Two Jays stamp that I came across a while ago but this is the first time I've used it.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     Two Jays Stamp Co 'Fuchsia' stamp
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' and 'Hello Border' dies
     Memento Tuxedo Black ink
     Green, lilac and yellow Promarkers
     Snippets of purple textured card and light green paper

I used black ink to stamp the image onto a snippet of light green paper and cut it with the largest stitched square.  I used the green Promarker to colour the leaves, the lilac to colour the flowers and the yellow for the flower centres.  I layered the panel onto purple textured card before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.  I die cut 'hello' from purple textured card and attached it across the bottom of the card - trimming the edge of the border to fit inside the purple matt layer.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Flowers
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Stamps
     NBUS - Challenge 59 (my new stamp)
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Try It On Tuesday - Hearts and/or Flowers (I chose the flowers option)
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x

Happy Birthday Butterfly

I made this card using the current AAA Cards sketch and the Seize the Birthday colour challenge.  I used more of my new 'toys' I bought with my recent prize from the Snippets Playground.  This card uses the largest butterfly in the Dainty Butterflies set (I used the smaller ones in my Butterfly Birthday card) as well as my Stacked Happy Birthday die (I bought the Season's Greetings stamp before Christmas and used it so many times that I thought the Happy Birthday stamp would be equally useful).

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" kraft card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Clean and Simple - Zig Zag Border', 'Finishing Touches - Dainty Butterflies' and 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday' dies
     Snippets of kraft card and turquoise matt card

I used a snippet of kraft card to cut the zig zag border before attaching it to a 5" x 5" square of kraft card.  This was layered onto a slightly larger square of turquoise card before being attached to the front of the card blank.  I used snippets of turquoise card to cut the butterfly and sentiment and then attached to them to the card front.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Sketch 258
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 59 (my butterfly and sentiment dies)
     Seize the Birthday - Kraft and Another Colour (I chose dark turquoise)

Kath x

Poinsettia Greetings

I made this card using the current sketch at CAS Colours and Sketches using my lovely Sparkling Poinsettia stamps and dies I won in a challenge at the end of last year.

To make this card I used:
     C6 cream matt card blank
     Heartfelt Creations 'Sparkling Poinsettia' stamps and coordinating dies
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Season's Greetings' die
     Crafts-Too 'Twinkle' embossing folder
     Versafine Crimson Red ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Pentel Hybrid Dual Metallic gold pen
     Snippets of cream matt card and red pearlescent card

I embossed a snippet of cream card, trimmed it so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and then cut it at a diagonal before attaching it to the card blank.  I stamped the poinsettia flowers onto red pearlescent card using crimson red ink and embossed them with clear embossing powder before cutting them with the coordinating die.  I layered three petals and attached them to the centre of the card.  The centre was coloured with the gold metallic pen.  I die cut the sentiment from another snippet of red card and it to the bottom of the card.,

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - A for Anything Goes
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     CAS Colours and Sketches - Sketch 527
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x 

Hello

I made this card to send to Arlene for the January Card Chain Challenge.  I used the Colour Option (Aqua, Slate & Amethyst), the Sketch Option and the Theme Option (Friendship).

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lil'inker 'Modern Mehndi' stamps and coordinating dies
     Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Ovals Large' and Lawn Fawn 'Hello Border' dies
     Sizzix 'Dots' embossing folder
     Versafine Onyx black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Dark grey Promarker
     Woodware corner rounder punch
     Snippets of white matt card, purple and grey textured card, and Funky Fossil 'In To The Blue' paper

I trimmed the white matt card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and rounded the corners.  I die cut an oval from the upper part of the panel and used my embossing mat to emboss the edge before attaching it to the front of the card.  I die cut an oval from a snippet of aqua paper before embossing it with the dots embossing folder and inlaying it into the oval on the front of the card.  I used black ink to stamp the flowers onto purple textured card and the leaves onto grey textured card.  These were embossed with clear embossing powder before being cut with the coordinating dies.  I coloured the middle of the flower with a dark grey Promarker before attaching the flower and leaves to the the left side of the oval.  To finish I layered two snippets of grey textured card and die cut 'hello' before attaching it across the bottom of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes

This is the lovely card I received from Alice -

Kath x

Butterfly Birthday

I made this card for the Butterfly Challenge using a lovely Creative Expression butterfly die set which was one of the items I purchased with the gift voucher I won in the Snippets Playground last month.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Giant Happy Birthday to You' and Creative Expressions 'Finishing Touches - Dainty Butterflies' dies
     Polkadoodles 'Fourini' paper (my last floral sheet from this lovely paper pad)
     Burgundy pearlescent card

I trimmed the floral paper to 5.25" x 5.25" and die cut the sentiment from the centre, setting the sentiment to one side.  The paper was layered onto burgundy pearlescent card and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment twice from burgundy pearlescent card, the first sentiment was inlaid into the card, together with the small pieces of from the paper sentiment.  The paper sentiment was attached to the top of the second burgundy sentiment to give it some strength before being attached to the card, slightly offset to creative a shadow effect.  To finish I die cut two small butterflies from burgundy card and attached them above and below the sentiment.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Butterfly Challenge - B for Birthday (I have chosen the first option and have used the colours Baby Pink, Bud Green, Burgundy and Buttermilk plus Birthday Wishes & Butterflies)
     Make My Monday - Use your Patterned Paper
     NBUS - Challenge 59 (my new butterfly dies)
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x