Thank You

As the year ends, I wanted to say 'Thank You' to everyone who has commented on my blog over the past year.  Also many thanks to the Design Teams who have chosen my cards as Top Picks and those who have invited me to be a Guest Designer.  This card is for all of you!

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white linen card blank
     Durene Jones 'Thank You' cross stitch chart (from Cross Stitch Favourites magazine)
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     14 hpi white aida
     DMC threads  
     Snippet of white linen card

After stitching the design I trimmed around the fabric so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  I die cut an aperture in the front of the card blank and used Artist-tac to attach the fabric behind the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white linen card to cover the stitching on the inside of the card and attached it with strong tape and Artist-tac.

I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Kath x

A Tea-riffic Day

I've not done any crafting over the last few weeks, but I have tidied my craft drawers and found these floral tea cups from a Hunkydory Deco-large set.  I usually only use half of the layers in the Deco-large sets as I find them too bulky if I use all of the layers and these were left over from another card I made.  I thought they would be perfect for a quick birthday card for a friend who's always drinking tea!

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Spring is Here Deco-Large - A Tea-riffic Day' topper and backing card
     Creative Expressions 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday' die
     Snippets of gold mirri card

I trimmed the corner of the backing card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card front.  I used foam pads to build the teacups decoupage and attached them to the corner of the card.  To finish I die cut the sentiment from another snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the corner of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes     
     First Cup Challenges - Anything Beverage/Drink Related

Kath x

Steve's Christmas Card

As always, the final Christmas card I post is the one I've made for Steve.  This card uses a pre-loved 'Mistletoe' stamp, die and stencil set I've recently bought to make his card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     Crafter's Companion 'Mistletoe' stamp, die and stencil set
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' and Crafter's Companion 'Gemini Expressions - Husband' dies
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics BG10, R27, R29 & YG67
     Glossy Accents
     Snippet of white matt card and red pearlescent card

I used black ink to stamp the mistletoe onto a snippet of white matt card before embossing it with clear embossing powder and cutting it with the coordinating die.  I used the red Copics to colour the bow and green to colour the mistletoe leaves.  I placed the stencil on top of the coloured image and used the pale blue Copic to colour the berries.  I removed the stencil and then added Glossy Accents to the berries and left it to dry.  I used the largest stitched square die to emboss the front of the card blank and die cut 'Husband' from a snippet of red card.  I attached the mistletoe with foam pads and placed 'Husband' in the corner of the embossed square.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Pick a Previous Colour Challenge (I have used the May colours - Red & Green)
     AAA Cards - Anything CAS Goes
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas
     Allsorts - New (I have used a 'New to Me' stamp, die and stencil set)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Little Red Wagon - Christmas Card
     Simply Clean & Simple - Reds and Greens
     The Male Room - Christmas Colours (Red & Green)
     Tic Tac Toe - Challenge 285 (I have chosen the middle line across - white, free & square)

Kath x

Festive Gnome Decoration

This Festive Gnome had been a cover gift with a magazine, although I bought it from a charity shop and stitched it over the summer.

To make this decoration I used:
     World of Cross Stitching 'Festive Gnome Bauble' kit
     Green and red twine

I stitched the gnome on the plastic canvas in the kit and trimmed around the edge when I had finished the stitching.  I used the same colour threads as the cross stitch to stitch the back seam.  Before I finished stitching the back of the gnome I knotted a piece of twine to make a loop and inserted the knot in the rear of the gnome before continuing to stitch the back and make him ready to hang on our Christmas tree.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like it Challenge - Festive Creations

Kath x

Oldie But Goodie

This is another quick card that I've made for the Cut It Up 'Oldie but Goodie' challenge, using a Memory Box die that I bought back in 2015 and is still one of my favourites.

 To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Memory Box 'Sparkling Tree Tile' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Our Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of white matt card, dark patterned paper and gold glitter card

I die cut the snippet of white matt card using the largest rectangle die - as the die wasn't long enough I cut the first half of the die before moving it down the card to cut the second half.  I then die cut the tree from the centre.  I used Artist Tac to attach a snippet of green paper behind the aperture before attaching the panel to the card blank.  I die cut the small tree baubles from snippets gold glittter card and inlaid them into the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     As You Like it Challenge - Festive Creations 
     Cardz 4 Galz - Christmas Sparkle
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - If it's Christmassy, Link It Up
     Cut It Up - Oldie but Goodie
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 521

Kath x

Joy Hope Peace Believe Christmas

I've not crafted for a couple of weeks as my sister died suddenly and unexpectedly at the end of last month.  However, I've just written my Christmas cards and found I was a few short so I've made some cards this afternoon.  This one uses one of my favourite dies to make a quick CAS card for a friend who decorates her home in red and gold for Christmas. 

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white linen card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Christmas Tree Greetings' die
     Snippets of red glitter card and gold mirri

I die cut the Christmas tree from red glitter card and attached it to the card blank.  I then used a tiny snippet of gold mirri to cut the star and inlaid the pieces into the top of the tree.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Addicted to Stamps and More - Christmas
     As You Like It Challenge - Festive Creations
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - If It's Christmasssy, Link It Up
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Christmas/Winter
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes

Kath x

November Rudolph Day

It's the eleventh Rudolph Day of the year and another die cut Christmas card (die cutting is my RD theme this year).  To make this card I used a Creative Dies die that had been a cover gift with a magazine back in 2016 and is still a favourite of mine.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white linen card blank
     Creative Dies 'Festive Scene' and Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Standard Circles Large' dies
     Snippets of blue pearlescent card, gold mirri card, Marianne Design 'Snow Paper', thin white card and blue paper

I die cut a circle and the Festive Scene from snippets of blue pearlescent card and attached the scene onto the backing circle.  I attached the blue paper onto thin white card (to make it the same thickness as the rest of the card) and then die cut the sky and inlaid this into the scene.  I die cut the snow from 'Snow Paper'  and the windows from gold mirri card.  These pieces were then inlaid into the Festive Scene.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Gold, Silver or Glitter (gold is my favourite as I love the warmth it adds to a card.  I'm not a fan of glitter although I do like this 'Snow Paper' to create snowy scenes)
     CAS on Friday - Christmas
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge - I have used Line 'O' (CAS, No Stamping & Free)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas/Winter
     Moving Along with the Times - Winter Wonderland
     Rudolph Days - November Challenge
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 520

Kath x 

Folk Art Christmas Stocking

This design was from a folk art selection of designs by Sue Page.  The stocking should have been an ornament hanging from holly (similar to my Folk Art Cross Stitch Christmas card) but I just stitched the stocking so it would fit inside the aperture of this tri-fold card.

To make this card I used:
     C6 cream tri-fold card with oval aperture
     Sue Page's 'Folk Art' chart from Christmas Cross Stitch Favourites magazine
     14 hpi rustic aida
     DMC threads

This was another quick card to assemble as once the stitching had been completed I trimmed the fabric before attaching it to the rear of the aperture.  The card was then folded over to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - X is for X-Stitch
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Festive Wear

Kath x

Flourish Reindeer

I love this Flourish Reindeer die - the curly antlers make it perfect for this month's Christmas Kickstart Challenge 'Just Add Antlers'.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Impression Obsession 'Flourish Reindeer' and 'Hills'  dies
     Funky Fossil 'Snow is Falling' stencil
     Versamark ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippets of white matt card, broze mirri card and teeny tiny snippet of gold mirri

I used the Versamark ink to stamp the snowflakes onto white matt card before embossing them with clear embossing powder.  The panel was trimmed, layered onto broze mirri card and attached to the card blank. I die cut a hill from another snippet of white card, trimmed it and attached it to the bottom of the card.  I die cut the reindeer from bronze mirri and attached it to the front of the card.  To finish I die cut the reindeer's eye from a snippet of gold mirri and inlaid it.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Christmas Cards
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Run Run Rudolph
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Just Add Antlers
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Happy New Home

I stitched this design for one of my neighbours who is moving to another flat within the next couple of months.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackable' die
     Maria Diaz 'New Home' chart (from Ultimate Cross Stitch Cards magazine)
     14 count white aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of white linen card

I used the largest die to cut an aperture in the front of the card blank.  After stitching the design I trimmed the fabric before attaching to the rear of the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white linen card and attached it inside the card 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

Peace and Joy

I made this CAS Christmas card with one of my favourite Uniko stamps using the colours from the current CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Rustic Wreath' stamps
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Crafts-Too small flower punch
     Small red enamel dots
     Snippets of white matt card, gold sparkle card and red mirri card

I placed a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the wreath and sentiment with green ink.  The panel was then cut with a stitched square die, layered onto a snippet of red mirri card and attached to the card front.  I punched eight small flowers from a snippet of gold sparkle card and attached them to the wreath.  To finish I added small red enamel dots to the centre of each flower.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Christmas
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Colour Challenge (Real Red, Shaded Spruce and Gold)
     Daisy Chain Challenges - Christmas/Winter
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Stamping Sensations - Christmas
     We Love Stamping - Anything Christmas    

Kath x

Rustic Christmas Tree

I love this Uniko stamp as it's perfect for making quick CAS cards.  There are several small ornaments in the stamp set, but as I'm not a fan of fussy cutting I prefer to add enamel dots to the tree. 

To make this card I used:
     C6 white card blank
     Uniko 'Rustic Christmas' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Turquoise enamel dots

I placed the card into my MISTI and laid the tree and sentiment stamps onto it before stamping them with dark green ink, stamping a couple of times to get a good depth of colour, and then embossing them with clear embossing powder.  To finish I added some small enamel dots to the tree.

I am entering the following challenges:
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Embellishment (I don't use many embellishments, but I do like enamel dots as they add interest without being too fussy on CAS cards)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas/Winter
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Simply Clean & Simple - Holidays/Winter
     Try It On Tuesday - Get Ready for Christmas

Kath x

Christmas Candle

It's another horrid wet day - perfect for staying dry indoors and making some Christmas cards.  This card used a lovely Paper Artsy stamp I won last year.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Paper Artsy 'JOFY Christmas Candle' stamp
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer clear detail embossing powder
     Copics - BG10, E08, E33, E35. RV21, V17, Y08, YG67, YR04 & C-1
     Diamond Stickles
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card and dark brown pearlescent card

I stamped the Christmas candle onto a snippet of white card before cutting it with the stitched square die.  I coloured the candle with Copics, layered the panel onto a snippet of dark brown pearlescent card and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  I highlighted the baubles with a Wink of Stella and added Diamond Stickles to the twiggy branches.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Christmas Cards
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas/Winter
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Stamping Sensations - Christmas
     Try It On Tuesday - Get Ready for Christmas
     We Love Stamping - Anything Christmas

Kath x

Folk Art Cross Stitch Christmas

This is one of the many designs I've stitched over the summer - perfect for a Christmas card for my niece and her partner.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" dark red matt card blank
     Sue Page 'Folk Art' chart from Christmas Cross Stitch Favourites magazine
     My Favorite Things ' Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     14hps Rustico aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of dark red matt card

After completing the stitching I set trimmed around the edge of the fabric so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and then used Artist Tac to attach it to the front of the card. I trimmed a snippet of red matt card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank for the frame.  I didn't have a rectangle die that was large enough, so I used a square die and cut the first half of the aperture then moved the die to the lower edge of the card to cut the rest of the aperture.  This was then attached over the fabric with strong tape.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - X for X-Stitch
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Try It On Tuesday - Get Ready for Christmas

Kath x 

Leafy Christmas Tree

I made this card for the current CAS Colours & Sketches 'Colour' challenge using an old Sizzix die and lots of snippets.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Sizzix 'Leafy Trees' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of white matt card, green textured card, red and gold pearlescent card

I used the largest rectangle die and a snippet of white card to cut the panel.  As the die wasn't long enough I cut the first half of the rectangle and then moved the die to cut the second half.  I then cut the tree from the centre before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I cut the tree from a snippet of green textured card and inlaid it into the panel.  The tree was cut from snippets of red and gold pearlescent card and the leaves inlaid into the tree.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Christmas Cards
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Colour Challenge (Real Red, Shaded Spruce & Gold)
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge - Challenge 16 (I have used Line O - CAS, No Stamping & Free)
     Simply Clean & Simple - Holidays/Winter
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 519
     Try It On Tuesday - Get Ready for Christmas

Kath x

Whimsical Flower Arrangement

I made this card with a 'new to me' Altenew stamp and coordinating die set.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Altenew 'Whimsical Flower Arrangement' stamps and coordinating die
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Details embossing powder
     Promarkers
     Snippet of white matt card

I used brown ink to stamp the flowers onto a snippet of white matt card before embossing them with clear embossing powder.  The flowers were then cut with the coordinating die before being coloured with Promarkers.  I used a stitched circle die to cut another snippet of white card and put it into my MISTI.  I laid the flowers onto the circle so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the flowers and stamped the sentiment with brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The circle was attached to the centre of the card blank before the flowers were added using foam pads.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Due Cuts and/or Stencils (I have chosen die cuts)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Cardz 4 Galz - Colouring (I have used Promarkers)
     Cut It Up - Thankful, Grateful, Blessed
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean and Simple
     The Flower Challenge - Thanks

Kath x   

Mini Mittens

These cute mini mittens were some more of my holiday stitching - they were stitched with a free pattern from Catkin and Lillie.

To make this card I used:

     5" x 5" cream hammer tri-fold card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Catkin and Lillie 'Mini Mittens' cross stitch chart
     14 hpi rustic aida
     DMC threads

I stitched the mittens onto a small piece of rustic aida and set the finished stitching aside.  The aperture in the tri-fold card was slightly too small, so I used the stitched square die to cut the aperture to the right size.  The fabric was trimmed and attached behind the aperture before folding the panel across the inside of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Festive Wear
     

Kath x

Christmas Pudding

A friend was telling me how much she loves Christmas pudding, so I thought this Clearly Besotted stamp set would be perfect for her Christmas card.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white linen card blank
     Clearly Besotted 'Christmas Pudding' stamp and coordinating die set
     Clearly Besotted 'Cheerful Christmas' sentiment stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia and Olympia Green ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Red Promarker
     Diamond Stickles

     Snippet of white matt card

I used brown ink to stamp the Christmas pudding onto a snippet of white card and used green ink to stamp the holly before embossing them with clear embossing powder.  These were cut then with the coordinating dies.  I placed the card blank into my MISTI with the pudding in the middle so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the pudding and stamped the sentiment with brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I attached the pudding with a foam pad and applied Diamond Stickles to the top.  The holly berries were coloured with a red Promarker and the holly was then attached to the top of the pudding.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Uncluttered
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas
     Stamping Sensations - Christmas
     We Love Stamping - Anything Christmas

Kath x

Penguins for Annie and Sam

I made these cards for my great niece and my youngest great nephew using a lovely Christmas alphabet by Rhona Norrie.

To make these cards I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blanks
     Rhona Norrie 'Penguin Playtime' cross stitch charts
     14 count white aida
     DMC threads 
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippet of white hammer card

I stitched the penguins onto white aida - both initials should have been stitched in green but I changed the 'S' to a red initial so they were slightly different.  I used the square die to cut the outside of the frame and then used the circle die to cut the aperture.  I trimmed the fabric so it was slightly smaller than the frame and used double sided tape to attach it to the rear.  The panel was then attached to the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Critter (I love penguins and have done so since being taken to the zoo as a child and seeing their funny walk - they always make me smile)
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Flower Power #12

I love these pretty Flower Power stamps from Uniko and this Christmas stamp is the final one in the collection.  The flower is the same size as Flower Power #1 so I can use my coordinating Flower Power dies too.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white linen card blank
     Uniko Flower Power #12 stamps 
     Uniko Flower Power #1 die and leaf die
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Olympia Green, Crimson Red and Satin Red inks
     Pine Promarker
     Small dark red enamel dot
     Snippets of white hammer card and white matt card

I used green ink to stamp the leaves onto a snippet of white matt card and cut them with the coordinating die before colouring the holly centres with a green Promarker. I placed another snippet of white matt card into my MISTI and stamped the flower centre with Satin Red ink.  I then stamped the flower outline with Crimson Red ink before cutting the flower with the Flower Power #1 die.  I used the largest rectangle die to cut a snippet of white linen card before placing the panel into my MISTI.  I laid the flower and stem onto the panel to see where to position the sentiment and then stamped the sentiment with green ink.  The panel was attached to the centre of the card blank with the stem attached to the left of the panel and the flower attached with a foam pad.  To finish I added a small dark red enamel dot to the centre of the flower.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Quick Card
     ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Uncluttered
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes

Kath x

October Rudolph Day

It's time for the tenth Rudolph Day of the year - just one RD before Christmas!  I've made another die cut Christmas card as die-cutting is my RD theme this year.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Creative Dies 'Woodland Scene' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of dark brown pearlescent card, white matt card, gold mirri and light brown swirl paper

I die cut the woodland scene from dark brown pearlescent card and removed the small tree from the bottom of the die as I prefer the scene without it.  I layered the die cut onto a snippet of light brown paper and set it aside.  I used the largest die to cut a square from the snippet of white matt card.  The woodland panel was then layered onto the white square and attached attached to the centre of the card.  To finish I die cut the two largest stars from gold mirri, layered them and attached them above the deer.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Quick Card
     AAA Cards - Anything CAS Goes/Monochrome
     ABC Christmas Card Throwdown - U for Uncluttered
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Masculine
     Rudolph Day - October Challenge
     Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Non-traditional Christmas Colours

Kath x

Another Butterfly Birthday Card

When I stamp and/or emboss card fronts, I usually make an extra one in case I mess up the one I'm working on.  This card uses the second card from when I made my World Cardmaking Day card, although I changed the butterfly to one of my 'old favourites' and added some enamel dots.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Cardmaking Magic 'The Best of Cardmaking Magic' butterfly stamp & coordinating die   
     Uniko 'Birthday Wishes' sentiment stamp
     Creative Expressions 'Clean and Simple - Zig Zag Border' die
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Yellow and green Promarkers
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Altenew Crystal Clear enamel dots
     Snippet of white matt card and white paper

I used the Zig Zag border die to emboss a strip across the top of the card.  I stamped the butterfly onto a snippet of white card using purple ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder before cutting it with the coordinating die.  I then coloured the butterfly with yellow and green Promarkers.  As the colour had leached to the back of the butterfly, I die cut another butterfly from white paper and glued it to the back.  I placed the card into my MISTI and stamped the sentiment with purple ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I shaped the butterfly's wings and attached it to the embossed strip along its body.  To finish I added four clear enamel dots.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Cut It Up - Add Embellishments (I have added enamel dots)
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Joy, Hope, Peace, Believe, Christmas

 I made this card using one of my favourite Christmas tree dies - perfect for making quick CAS cards.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white hammer card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Christmas Tree Greetings' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of green and gold mirri

I used the largest rectangle die to emboss an outline on the front of the card.  I die cut the Christmas tree from green mirri and attached it to the front of the card with Artist-tac.  I then used a tiny snippet of gold mirri to cut the star and inlaid the pieces into the top of the tree.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Uncluttered
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Traditional Christmas Colours (I have chosen green and gold)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything Goes

Kath x

Peony Posy Birthday

I made this card for my mother-in-law's birthday using a similar design to the card I made for a friend's 70th Birthda, although this card was made with a 7" x 7" card blank so is slightly larger.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 7" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory Deco-Large 'Peony Posy' card and topper
     Creative Expressions 'From the Heart - Female Relations' and Tattered Lace 'Mini Butterfly' die
     Snippets of gold mirri

I trimmed the backing card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  I layered the peony posy elements with foam tape and attached the topper to the front of the card - I didn't use all of the layers as I find the cards too bulky if all the layers are used.  To finish I die cut 'Mum' and two small butterflies from gold mirri before attaching them to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies, Blooms (I've chosen Butterflies & Blooms)

Kath x

Pansies Cross Stitch Card

I recently bought this lovely cross stitch kit to make into a birthday card for a friend who loves brightly coloured pansies.

To make this card I used:
     Orchidea 'Pansies' cross stitch kit
     14 hpi white aida

The kit came with printed aida as well as a chart, but I chose to use my own aida as I'm not keen on stitching on printed fabric.  After finishing the design, I trimmed the fabric and used double sided tape to attach it behind the aperture.  The card was then folded over the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies, Blooms (I've chosen blooms)

Kath x

World Cardmaking Day

I made this card for the Uniko 'World Card Making Day' challenge using stamps from two 'new to me' Uniko stamp sets and following the sketch at AAA Cards.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'English Country Garden Butterflies' stamp and coordinating dies
     Uniko 'Birthday Wishes' sentiment stamp
     Creative Expressions 'Clean and Simple - Zig Zag Border' die
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Orange and purple Promarkers
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippet of white matt card

I used the Zig Zag border die to emboss a strip across the top of the card.  I stamped the butterfly onto a snippet of white card using purple ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder before cutting it with the coordinating die.  I then coloured the butterfly with orange and purple Promarkers.  I placed the card into my MISTI and stamped the sentiment with purple ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder (the sentiment stamp had been cut by its previous owner which made it fit the bottom of the card better).  To finish I attached the butterfly to the embossed strip.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Sketch Challenge
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Square or Not (6" x 6" square cards are my preferred card size as I feel they suit my CAS style.  I do sometimes make smaller square cards and occasionally a C6 card, but 6" x 6" is my favourite)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Birthdays
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything Goes CAS
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies, Blooms (I've chosen the butterflies option)
     Uniko - World Card Making Day 2025 with Uniko

Kath x

Ho Ho Ho

I take part in a couple of 'Secret Santas' each year and like to make a small Santa card to enclose with my present - this Mouseloft design is perfect for this year's SS.  I had been gifted the chart and left over threads which I matched to some of my own threads to stitch the design.

To make this card I used:
     4.5" x 3.5" red tri-fold card with circle aperture
     Mouseloft 'Ho Ho Ho' chart
     14hpi cream aida
     DMC threads

After stitching the design I trimmed around the edge of the fabric and mounted it behind the aperture before folding the card behind the stitching to cover the back of the design.  Simple!

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Santa in September
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x 

Heartfelt Thanks

I spent some time today making a lot of autumnal leaves, some of which I've used to make this thank you card.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics' die
     Clearly Besotted 'Fall Flowers' stamps and coordinating dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Fancy Saying' stamps
     Versafine Crimson Red, Smoky Grey, Toffee & Vintage Sepia
     Distress Ink Ripe Persimmon
     Snippets of white hammer card

I stamped the leaf outlines onto snippets of white hammer card - stamping them several times in various shades of brown, red and orange inks.  The leaves were cut with the coordinating dies and set aside.  I then used the largest die to emboss an oval in the front of the card blank.  I placed the card into my MISTI and stamped the sentiment with dark and light brown ink to give the same shades as the leaves.  I attached the small leaves directly onto the front of the card and then attached the large leaf with a foam pad.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used inks)
     Allsorts - Trees, Leaves and Plants
     Alphabet Challenge - K for Keep it Simple
     Cardz 4 Guyz - Autumn/Fall
     CAS on Friday - Fall
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean and Simple
     Stamping Sensations - CAS
    
Kath x

Happy Christmas

I enjoyed using the CAS Colours & Sketches sketch for my birthday card so thought I would use the same sketch for a Christmas card.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Memory Box 'Traditional Ornament' and 'Lydia Ornament' dies
     Woodware 'Delightful Dangles - Christmas Tree' sentiment stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Sizzix 'Dots' embossing folder
     Snippets of white matt card, dark brown pearlescent card and gold mirri

I trimmed a snippet of white card to a width of 1.5cm and cut it slightly narrower than the card blank before embossing it with the dots embossing folder.  I placed the card blank in my MISTI with the embossed strip on top so I could where where to place the sentiment.  I removed the strip of card and stamped the sentiment with dark brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I then attached the embossed strip above the sentiment.  I die cut the Traditional Ornament from dark brown pearlescent card and the Lydia Ornament from gold mirri.  The fancy die cut was embossed before being layered onto the brown ornament before being attached to the embossed strip.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - K for Keep it Simple
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Sketch Challenge
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean and Simple
 
Kath x   

Bees & Best Wishes

I made this tag to attach to a friend's birthday present as she is a lover of any type of insect.  The honeycomb card has been in my snippets drawer for years, but was perfect for this tag.  I also used a 'new to me' Stampin' Up tag punch that I first saw on Sarn's blog and have recently found at a very reasonable price on Vinted.  

To make this tag I used:
     Stampin' Up ' Scalloped Tag Topper'  punch
     Crafter's Companion 'Sweet Florals' and Uniko 'Simply Said Blocks II' stamps
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Gold Promarker
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card, honeycomb card and gold ribbon

I trimmed the edge of the honeycomb card so it was 2" wide and then punched the tag topper.  I trimmed a snippet of white matt card to 2" and punched the tag topper before layering the two so the back of the tag would be flat for me to write my message.  I stamped the bees and sentiment onto more snippets of white card using black ink and embossing them with clear detail embossing powder.  I fussy cut the bees and coloured the bodies with a gold Promarker and added a Wink of Stella to the wings.  The bees and sentiment were then attached them to the tag with foam tape.  To finish I tied a snippet of gold ribbon to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used ink and a Promarker)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge (I have used Line N - Tag, Free & Stamped Phrase)
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 515
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Tag-along (and ATCs) - Things with Wings

Kath x

Santa and Presents

I stitched this design when we were away earlier this year - the cute Santa is perfect for the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge 'Santa in September' challenge.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Durene Jones 'Santa' cross stitch chart from Cross Stitch Favourites magazine
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched  Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     14hpi white aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of green textured card

After completing the stitching I set it aside to make the card.  I didn't have a snippet of red card large enough to make the front of the card, so chose green instead.  I trimmed the card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut a stitched aperture from the centre.  I attached the stitching to the back of the aperture and then the panel to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Santa in September
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Snowflake Serenade

I was lucky to win this lovely 'Snowflake Serenade' stamp set in the Uniko 'Christmas in July' challenge and teamed it with my 'Big Bold Wish' stamp and die to make this Christmas card.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Snowflake Serenade' stamp
     Uniko 'Big Bold Wish' stamps and coordinating die
     Versafine Majestic Blue and Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue inks
     Woodware Snowflake punch
     Snippets of white matt card and silver mirri

I trimmed a piece of white matt card to 6.25" x 4.25" and stamped the large snowflake stamp in pale blue ink.  I stamped 'wish' onto a snippet of white matt card, stamping several times to get a good depth of colour before cutting it with the coordinating die.  I die cut the 'wish' outline from a snippet of silver mirri and layered the two die cuts.  I placed the snowflake panel into my MISTI with 'wish' in the lower corner so I could see where to stamp 'Make a'.  I removed the die cut and stamped the rest of the sentiment in dark blue ink, stamping a couple of times so the letters had the same depth of colour as 'wish'.  I then layered the panel onto silver mirri and attached it to the card front.  I attached 'wish' to the lower corner but didn't think the card looked balanced, so I punched three small snowflakes from another snippet of silver mirri and attached them to the upper corner.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used inks)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Stamping Sensations - CAS or Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 514
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x