Let Your Dreams Take Flight

I wanted to make a tag to follow the theme for this month's Tag along & ATCs 'Travel' challenge but was struggling to find anything travel related then remembered that dreams can take flight!

To make this tag I used:
     Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags' die
     Hot off the Press 'Feathers' stamps and coordinating die
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Dark brown Promarker
     Snippets of white and dark purple card, Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper and purple ribbon

I attached the snippet of Antebellum paper to white card and used the largest die to cut the tag.  I placed the tag into my MISTI and used purple ink to stamp the sentiment in the lower corner - stamping a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  I used purple ink to stamp the feather onto purple card and cut it with the coordinating die.  The feather was then attached above the sentiment.  The purple ribbon was a bit too bright so I coloured it with a dark brown Promarker so it matched the colour of the feather before attaching it to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion
     Cut It Up - Add a Sentiment
     Tag-along & ATCs Challenge - Travel

Kath x

Another Rustic Wreath

I made this card for the Christmas Kickstart 'Let's Wreath it Up' challenge using one of my favourite Christmas stamps.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Uniko 'Rustic Wreath' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green & Vintage Sepia ink
     Snippets of white matt card and turquoise matt card
     Turquoise enamel dots

I placed a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the wreath and sentiment a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  The panel was then cut with the stitched square die and layered onto a slightly larger snippet of turquoise matt card.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.  I stamped the pine cones onto another snippet of white card and fussy cut them before attaching them to the wreath with tiny foam pads.  To finish I added small turquoise enamel dots around the wreath.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     As You Like It - Favourite Season (I like all seasons for different reasons, but as a cardmaker 'Winter' is my favourite as I enjoy making Christmas cards)
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Let's Wreath It Up
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Tic Tac Toe - Challenge 276 (I have chosen CAS, Free & Any Shape Die)
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes
     

Kath x

Happy Birthday

I made this card with a lovely Sizzix flower stamp and die - I do love coordinating stamps and dies as I don't have much patience for fussy cutting!

To make this card I used:
     C6 white hammer card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics' die
     Sizzix 'Floral Hello' stamps and coordinating die
     Clearly Besotted 'Fancy Sayings' sentiment stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Promarkers
     Snippets of white hammer card and white matt card
     Altenew Crysstal Clear enamel dots
     Wink of Stells

I used brown ink to stamp the flowers onto a snippet of white matt card.  I embossed them with clear embossing powder before cutting them with the coordinating die.  I used a pink Promarker for the flowers, bright green for the flower centres and a darker green for the leaves.  I die cut a stitched oval from a snippet of white hammer card and put it into my MISTI before placing the flowers onto the circle so I could see where to position the sentiment.  I removed the flowers and stamped the sentiment with brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The oval was attached to the centre of the card blank with foam pads and the flowers attached above and below the sentiment.  I added a Wink of Stella to the flower petals and three small clear enamel dots around the sentiment.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Cut It Up - Add a Sentiment
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Challenge 276 (I chose CAS, Free & Any Shape Die - although it could also be CAS, Sentiment & Embossing)
     The Flower Challenge - Add Embellishments (I have used enamel dots)
     We Love Stamping - Flowers

Kath x

New Baby

I was so pleased when my 'Rustic Christmas' card was the winner at the CAS on Friday 'Christmas' challenge and I was invited to be Guest Designer on their 'Baby' challenge.  This is the first time I've used this 'new to me' baby die too!

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     Tonic Studios 'New Baby' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of white hammer card and pale blue pearlescent card

I used a snippet of white hammer card to die cut a stitched square.  I then die cut 'New Baby' from the centre of the panel, setting the die cut aside.  The panel was layered onto a slightly larger square of pale blue pearlescent card before being attached to the card blank.  I die cut 'New Baby' from pale blue pearlescent card and inlaid it into the panel together with the small pieces from the white die cut.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge - Challenge 14 (I have used Line G - Square Card Base, Sentiment as the Focus & Frame)
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 77 (my new die)
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes

Kath x

Home

One of my neighbours (the lady who has gifted me a lot of cross stitching items) has decided it's time to move into a care home.  It's been a big decision for her as she's lived in her flat for 50 years, so I've made this cross stitch card for her.  The design was for an anniversary card and the letters should have read LOVE, but I used a modern alphabet to change it to HOME.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Catkin & Lillie 'Pots of Love' and FloReen Studio 'Alphabet' charts
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die'namics' die
     Rustic 14 count aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of white matt card

I stitched the design and changed the letters using a modern alphabet to fit inside the flower pots.  I didn't have a rectangle die that was large enough, so used a square die cutting it twice to get the right width for the design.  I then trimmed around the edge of the frame so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  The fabric was trimmed to fit behind the frame and attached with strong tape before the panel was attached to the card front.

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

Kath x

Yet More Big Birthday Wishes

Another male card using my 'go to' die.  I do love this die as it always looks different when made with different colour card, although I must find another large sentiment die soon!

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes' die
     Snippets of kraft card, cream textured card and red glitter 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 'BIG' from red glitter card and inlaid the letters into the front of the card.  I die cut the rest of the sentiment from cream textured  card and inlaid them.  To finish I trimmed two narrow strips of cream textured card and attached them down each side of the sentiment panel.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Use Your Favourite Colour (although I don't really have a favourite colour, I do love to use red and cream with kraft card)
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 512 (oops, I forgot to take a photo of my snippets!)

Kath x

New Home Card

This card is made with more of my holiday stitching using a chart from Cross Stitch Favourites magazine.   I thought it would perfect as a New Home card for a friend who is moving to the coast.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Spellbinders Nestabilitites 'Classic Squares Large' dies
     Poppy Brenner's 'Happy Homes' chart
     White 14 count aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of white matt card

I trimmed a snippet of white matt card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  I die cut and embossed a square aperture which was the same size at the stitched area.  I then realised the squares on the aida were not true squares as the stitching was a perfect fit across the width aperture but it was one row short from top to bottom, so I had to stitch another row across the bottom!  The stitching was then attached behind the aperture and the panel attached to the front of the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - H is for Home
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

July Rudolph Day

It's time for another Rudolph Day and another die cut card (die cutting is my RD theme for this year.).  I nearly didn't have a die cut card as my old Cuttlebug made a loud 'crack' when I was making the card and the bottom roller broke away at one side.  I managed to find someone about 20 miles from me who was selling one on Facebook Marketplace so back to my die cutting!

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25 white hammer card blank
     Memory Box 'Merry Christmas Tree' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of dark blue and gold mirri card

I used the largest rectangle die to emboss the front of the card blank and set it aside.  I die cut the 'Merry Christmas Tree' from a snippet of dark blue mirri and snipped the star from the top before attaching it to the card blank.  I then die cut the star from a snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the top of the tree.  Quick and easy and my new Cuttlebug works like a dream which makes me realise my one one was on its last legs!

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Blue Christmas
     Rudolph Day - July Challenge
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean & Simple
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 511

Kath x    

Love

When I made my Have a Wonderful Birthday card, I embossed an extra panel and decided to make it into an anniversary card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lisa Horton 'Pansy Corner' 3D embossing folder
     Impression Obsession 'Love' die
     Snippets of white matt card and red pearlescent card

I trimmed the white matt card so it was the same size as the front of the card blank and placed the Pansy Corner embossing folder on top so I could see where to die cut 'Love'.  I removed the folder and cut the sentiment before embossing the Pansy Corner.  The panel was then attached to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'Love' from a snippet of red pearlescent card as I was originally going to inlay it in red, but decided I didn't like it so I inlaid the white sentiment and the small red heart.  I then die cut another 'Love' from another snippet of white card and attached it to the top.  The two small white hearts from the sentiments were than attached to the card front.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Pretty Flowers
     Can You Handle the Pressure - Anything Goes
     Cardz 4 Galz - Wedding or Wedding Anniversary
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies & Blooms (I have chosen Blooms)

Kath x

Rustic Wreath

This wreath stamp is one of my Christmas favourites, although this is the first time I've stamped the pine cones as I normally just add holly berries.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Uniko 'Rustic Wreath' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green, Crimson Red & Vintage Sepia ink
     Snippets of white matt card and red pearlescent card
     Wink of Stella

I placed a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the wreath and sentiment a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  The panel was then cut with the stitched square die and layered onto a slightly larger snippet of red pearlescent card.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.  I stamped the pine cones onto another snippet of white card and fussy cut them before attaching them to the wreath with tiny foam pads.  To finish I used red ink to stamp the holly berries around the wreath.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Merry-go-Round (My circles are the wrreath and holly berries)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Uniko - 12 Days of Christmas
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x

Cross Stitch and Blackwork Card

I stitched this design when I was on holiday and really enjoyed stitching it as it combines my love of cross stitch and blackwork.  After completing the stitching I made it into a card for a friend's birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Lesley Teare's 'Blackwork Beauties' chart 
     White 14 count aida
     DMC Threads
     Snippet of white matt card

After finishing the stitching I washed it to remove the creases from the fabric and ironed it on the reverse.  I die cut the largest square die from the centre of the card blank front and attached the stitching to the rear of the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white card so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card and attached it 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
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Blooms & Butterflies (I've chosen Birds & Blooms)

Kath x

Snippets Gift Tag

This cross stitch parcel was another piece of holiday stitching and used snippets of perforated paper and threads - perfect for making into a gift tag with more card and paper snippets.

To make this tag I used:
     Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags' die
     Catkin & Lillie 'Mini Presents' cross stitch chart
     DMC red, green and black threads
     Snippets of white card, Wild Rose Studio 'Painted Poinsettia' paper and perforated paper

I attached the paper to the white card and die cut the middle size tag before embossing around the edge.  After stitching the cross stitch present I used a sharp pair of scissors to trim around the stitching and used strong tape to attach the present to the tag.  To finish, I used more oddments of the same red and green threads to attach to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Non-card Crafting Project (I always use recycled brown paper to wrap presents so like to make colourful tags for them - this one also has a cross stitch element which is my other favourite craft)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas in July
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 510
     Tag-Along (and ATCs) - Anything Goes

Kath x

Red Boat

I bought this lovely Permin cross stitch kit for just 75p from my local charity shop.  After stitching the design Steve said how much he liked it, so I made it into a card for his birthday (which was whilst we were away last month).

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Permin 'Red Boat' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of grey pearlescent card

After finishing the stitching I washed and pressed it as the fabric had some deep creases from being folded in the packet.  I trimmed a piece of grey pearlescent card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and cut a stitched square from the centre.  I attached the fabric behind the aperture and then onto the front of the card blank.

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

Kath x

Rustic Christmas

We've been back from our latest travels for a couple of days and everything is now clean - ready for us to go away again in a couple of weeks. So, it's now crafting time!  

To make this card I used:
     C6 white card blank
     Uniko 'Rustic Christmas' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Red, pink and 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.  I then added some small enamel dots to the tree.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - O for One Layer Card
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     CAS on Friday - Christmas in July
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas in July
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Little Red Wagon - Christmas in July
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean and Simple
     Uniko  - 12 Days of Christmas

Kath x   

Enjoy You Day Gift Tag

I made this gift tag for a friend's birthday present.  I love making gift tags so am pleased to see a new challenge - Tag-along and ATCs (although I did miss their first challenge last month!).

To make this tag I used:
     Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags' die
     Sentimentally Yours 'Magazine Box Kit #12' rose stamp and coordinating die
     Clearly Besotted 'Mini Calligraphy' stamp
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Promarkers
     Snippets of white mat card and Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum paper
     Yarn (upcycled from a tag Brenda sent me with a prize)

I attached the snippet of paper onto white card before die cutting the largest label and embossing around the edge.  I stamped the rose onto another snippet of white card and cut it with the coordinating die before colouring it with Promarkers.  I placed the tag into my MISTI and laid the rose onto it so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the rose and stamped the sentiment with black ink before attaching the rose to the tag  To finish I fastened the yarn to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Tag-Along (and ATCs) - Anything Goes
     We Love Stamping - Nature

This is my last post for a few weeks as we're heading off on our travels again tomorrow.  

Kath x

Have a Wonderful Birthday

I've not had much crafting time this week as we're getting ready for our next campervan 'adventure' but I did make some time to make a birthday card with a new Lisa Horton embossing folder I won in the Allsorts challenge.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 7" white matt card blank
     Lisa Horton 'Pansy Corner' 3D embossing folder
     Uniko 'Sentiments Outlined' stamp
     Tattered Lace 'Mini Butterfly' die
     Versafine Spanish Moss ink
     Green textured card and white matt card

I trimmed the white matt card to a 5.75" x 5.75" square and embossed the Pansy Corner.  I placed the panel into my MISTI and stamped the sentiment in green ink.  The panel was then layered onto green textured card and attached to the card blank.  To finish I die cut two tiny butterflies and attached them to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to CAS - Floral
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Type of Embossing (I use both wet and dry embossing, but dry embossing is my favourite as I feel it adds texture to a card whilst still keeping it CAS)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     CAS on Friday - Embossing
     Sparkles Monthly Challenge - Flowers
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Blooms & Butterflies (I have used blooms & butterflies)

Kath x

Happy Birthday to You

I was delighted when my Merry Christmas Tree was a winner of the Cut It Up Challenge and I was invited to be Guest Designer on the 'Anything Goes' challenge.   I decided to make a birthday card for one of my nephews, using my favourite birthday die for male cards.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics', Lawn Fawn 'Giant Happy Birthday To You' dies
     Sentimentally Yours 'Premium Magazine #12' paper and airplane die
     Snippets of turquoise pearlescent card

I attached a piece of airplane paper to a piece of printer paper to make it a bit stronger and then die cut a square.  As I didn't have a square die of the right size, I used the largest rectangle die to cut the first half, then moved the die to the correct size and cut the other half.  I then die cut the sentiment from the centre, setting the sentiment and all the small pieces to one side.  I layered the panel onto a slightly larger square of turquoise card and attached it to the card front.  I used more snippets of turquoise card to die cut the sentiment twice, these were layered and inlaid into the card front, together with the small pieces from the patterned sentiment.  The patterned sentiment was attached, offsetting it slightly to create a shadow.  To finish I die cut two small airplanes from turquoise card and attached them to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenge - Anything Birthday Goes
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Cross Stitch Poppy Card

I took some cross stitching with me when we went to Anglesey, and this is one of the designs I completed.  I made it into a birthday card for a friend who loves poppies.  

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Carolyn's Garden 'Poppy' cross stitch kit
     Snippet of white hammer card

After completing the stitching I mounted it behind a stitched square aperture that had been die cut in the front of the card blank.  A piece of the same card was attached to the inside of the card to cover 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
     Sparkles Monthly Challenge - Flowers

Kath x

Final Action Time

Whilst tidying my craft drawers earlier this year I found another LOTV 'Action Time' Art Pad image (I thought I had used them all!) as it was a precoloured image it was perfect for a quick birthday card for my youngest great nephew.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Action Time' Art Pad image

     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics' and Creative Expressions 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday' dies
     Wild Rose Studio 'Man About Town' paper
     Snippets of grey pearlescent card and white paper

I attached the plaid paper to a snippet of white paper to give it some strength before die cutting an oval from the left size of the panel.  The panel was layered onto a slightly larger square of grey pearlescent card before being attaching it to the card blank.  I die cut the Art Pad image with the same oval die and inlaid it into the front of the card.  I die cut the sentiment from a snippet of grey before attaching it to the lower corner of the card.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenge - Anything Birthday Goes
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - For a Child
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Boys/Men
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Masculine

Kath x

May Rudolph Day

 It's time for the fifth Rudolph Day of the year and another die cut Christmas card (die cutting in my RD theme this year).  For this card I've used one of my 'old favourites' which is perfect for making quick CAS Christmas cards.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white hammer card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Joy' & My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of white hammer card, black matt card and cerise mirri card

I die cut a rectangle from white hammer card and then die cut the plain JOY from the centre.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.  I die cut JOY from black matt card and inlaid the letters into the panel, together with the middle of the O that had been cut from white card.  I then die cut the fancy JOY from cerise mirri card and attached it to the card over the black letters.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Use Die Cuts or Punches (I've chosen the die cuts option)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Black and White Plus One Colour (I have chosen cerise)
     Rudolph Day - May Challenge
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean & Simple
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 507
     Try It On Tuesday - Keep it Simple (I've chosen to make a Clean & Simple card)

Kath x

Happy Birthday Allison

Although I've not done any papercrafting whilst we've been away, I have spent time in the evenings with my cross stitch.  I stitched this card for my brother-in-law's partner for her 60th birthday using a lovely design by Celebrate in Cross Stitch.

To make this card I used:
     Celebrate in Cross Stitch 'Happy Birthday' card kit

The kit contained everything to make this celebration card, including a trifold card and envelope.  There was also an alphabet and numerals so the card could be personalised.   After stitching the basic design I used some graph paper to plot the name and numerals before adding them to the card.  I don't normally wash the small cross stitch pieces that I make into cards, however, this finished cross stitch was too large for the aperture in the card.  The instructions said this may be the case and that washing the design would shrink it slightly so it would fit the aperture and thankfully it worked.  I attached the stitching behind the aperture and folded the side over to cover the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Try It On Tuesday - Keep It Simple (this card was simple to make as everything was included in the kit)

Kath x

April Rudolph Day

It's the fourth Rudolph Day of the year and another card using die cuts (die cutting is my RD theme this year).  I used a poinsettia die and lots of snippets to make this CAS Christmas card.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics', All Occasion Dies 'Small Poinsettia' & Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves'
     Snippets of red pearlescent card, white hammer card and gold mirri card

I die cut a square from white hammer card, layered it onto a slightly larger square of red pearlescent card and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  I die cut and embossed the three different size poinsettias from red pearlescent card, layered them and attached them to the centre of the square.  To finish I die cut holly berries from gold mirri card and attached them to the centre of the poinsettia.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Alphabet Challenge - P for Poinsettia
     As You Like It Challenge - Clean & Simple or Fussy & Fancy (it's always CAS for me - if I try a fussy card it always seems to look messy)
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Positively Poinsettias
     Rudolph Day - April Challenge
     Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Christmas Foliage

This is my last post for a few weeks as we're off on our travels on Sunday.  We're starting with a visit to our families, then a couple of days at Portmerion before heading to Angelsey for three weeks.

Kath x

Cross Stitch Red Poppy

This lovely RTO cross stitch kit was another charity shop fine - a 75p bargain!   This is the first RTO kit I've bought but it was a joy to stitch as it was very good quality and contained Zweigart fabric, DMC threads and John James needle.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     RTO 'Poppy' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics die
     Snippet of white hammer card

After completing the stitching I washed it to remove the creases in the fabric and set it aside.  I used the stitched square die to cut an aperture in the front of the card blank.  I trimmed the fabric and attached it to the inside of the aperture.  To finish I used a snippet of white hammer card on the inside of the card front to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Little Red Wagon - Make it Sew (I've used cross stitch and a stitched die)

Kath x

Get Well Wishes

I've been having a play with my new Uniko Flower Power stamps and made this Get Well card for a friend who's not feeling too good at the moment.  These Flower Power stamps are currently my favourite stamps as they suit my CAS style - the sentiment stamps also stamp really well, even on hammer card.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white hammer card blank
     Uniko 'Flower Power #4' & 'Flower Power #6' stamps & coordinating dies
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia, Olympia Green and Habanero ink
     Snippets of white hammer card and white matt card

I green ink to stamp the leaves onto a snippet of white matt card and cut them with the coordinating die.  I used brown ink to stamp the flower outline onto another snippet of white matt card and then stamped the solid flower onto the top with orange ink, before cutting the flower with the coordinating die.  I die cut a snippet of white hammer card with the largest stitched rectangle die and placed it into my MISTI.  I placed the sentiment along the lower edge of the panel and the flower outline in the top corner before stamping them with brown ink.  The panel was then attached to the front of the card blank.  I attached the leaves to the card and then used a foam pad to attach the flower.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Stamping Sensations - Animals, Flowers and Birds
     Uniko April Challenge - Flowers
     We Love Stamping - Favourite Stamps 

Kath x

Happy Anniversary

I've used a lovely Uniko 'Ink & Flip' stencil to make this anniversary card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Ink & Flip Geometric Heart Layering Stencil'
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamp
     Distress Inks - Ripe Persimmon & Worn Lipstick
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Woodware 'Heart' punch
     Snippets of white and black matt card

I used Ripe Persimmon ink to stencil the heart onto a snippet of white card.  I cleaned the stencil and flipped it to stencil it again with Worn Lipstick.  I then fussy cut the heart and set it aside.  I cut a snippet of white card with the largest stitched die and placed it into my MISTI before laying the heart onto the panel so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the heart and stamped the sentiment with black ink.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.  I attached the heart above the sentiment with foam pads.  To finish I punched two tiny hearts from black card and attached then to the stencilled heart

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils (I've used both)
     Allsorts - Stencils/Masks
     Alphabet Challenge - H for Heart
     As You Like It Challenge - Clean & Simple or Fussy & Fancy (my favourite is always CAS with lots of white space on my cards - if I try to make a fussy card they always seem to look messy)
     CAS on Friday - Use a Stencil
     Krafty Chicks Challenge- CAS
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes

Kath x 

Merry Christmas Tree

I've had this Christmas tree die for a while, but this is the first time I've used it.  I thought it would be perfect for a quick CAS Christmas card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     Impression Obsession 'Merry Tree' die
     Snippets of kraft card and white matt card

I trimmed a snippet of white matt card to 5" x 5" and then a snippet of kraft card to 4.75" x 4.75".  I die cut the Christmas tree from the kraft card before layering it onto the white card and then attaching it to the card blank.  I die cut the tree again from a snippet of white card before inlaying the white tree and the small infill snippets of kraft card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Kraft and White
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils (I've used die cuts)
     Alphabet Challenge - C for Christmas Tree
     As You Like It Challenge - Clean & Simple or Fussy & Fancy (my favourite is always CAS - if I do make a fussy card I'm never happy with it as they tend to look messy!)
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Rockin' around the Christmas tree
     Cut It Up Challenge - Starts with a 'C' (I've chosen Christmas)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     NBUS - Challenge 73 (my new, to me, Christmas tree die)

Kath x   

Framed Floral Card

This is the first time I've used this lovely Spellbinders die that I won earlier in the year and I can see it becoming one of my favourites.  I've used my new die with some snippets to make a small notecard.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     Spellbinders Designer Series 'Framed Floral Card Front' & My Favorite Things 'Fishtail Flags' dies

     Sizzix Framelits 'Floral Hello' stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Snippets of white matt card and Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper

I used both the floral panel and the frame to cut a snippet of white paper.  After removing all the small pieces from the panel I attached a snippet of turquoise paper behind the panel and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I used brown ink to stamp the sentiment onto another snippet of white card and then cut it with a fishtail flag - moving the die so I could shorten the length of the flag.  The flag was then attached to the top of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils (I've used two dies)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Not Square
     NBUS - Challenge 73 (I've used my new Spellbinders die)
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 504

Kath x

Merry Christmas Poinsettias

I enjoy stitching small designs and have a drawer with lots of small pieces of cross stitch waiting to be made into cards. I've spent a few hours today making some of them into cards.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     Christmas Cross Stitch Favourites 'Poinsettia' cross stitch chart by Debra Page 
     Snippet of aida
     DMC threads
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of white matt card

I used the chart in the magazine to stitch the lovely poinsettias.  To make the frame I used the rectangle die on a snippet of white card  My rectangle die was the correct width (one block wider than the stitched frame) but was too deep so I cut the top half of the frame and then moved the die so it was the correct depth before cutting the lower half.  I then trimmed the frame so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  The stitching was attached to the rear of the frame and then to the centre of the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Cute or Floral (it's definitely floral for me as I love flowers and floral designs are my favourite to stitch)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Positively Poinsettias
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Christmas Foliage

Kath x

Sending Hugs

I was lucky to be the winner of the Uniko 13th Birthday Linky Party and received an eGift code. I chose to spend my prize on two sets of Flower Power stamps and coordinating dies.  The pretty flower and lovely sentiment were perfect for this notecard for a friend who's having a difficult time at the moment.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Flower Power 1' (sentiment) and 'Flower Power 6' (flower and stem) stamps and coordinating dies
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Spanish Moss and Habanero ink
     Snippet of white matt card

I used the stitched square die to emboss a frame in the centre of the card blank and then placed it into my MISTI to stamp the sentiment in green ink in the lower corner. I used orange ink to stamp the flower onto a snippet of white card and the green ink to stamp the stem and leaves.  These were cut with the coordinating dies.  I attached the stem onto the lower corner of the embossed frame and attached the flower with a foam pad.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion
     Allsorts - Spring Flowers
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Feminine
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes
     Stamping Sensations - Flowers

Kath x

Big Birthday Wishes

I needed another male card and used my 'go to' die for masculine cards - I also used lots of tiny snippets, including my last piece of this lovely blue and gold pearlescent marbled paper.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes' die
     Snippets of kraft card, cream matt card, gold pearlescent card and blue and gold marbled paper (sorry, but I forgot to take a photo of my snippets!)

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 attached the snippet of marbled paper to cream card and die cut 'BIG' before inlaying the letters into the front of the card.  I die cut the rest of the sentiment from gold pearlescent card and inlaid them.  I then inlaid the small pieces of kraft card into the letters.  To finish I trimmed two narrow strips of gold pearlescent card and attached them down each side of the sentiment panel.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Birthday
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 503

Kath x

Iris' Card

Although I've not done much papercrafting over the last few weeks as we've been away in our campervan, I have stitched a lot of small designs which will be made into cards.  I always take a few of these small designs away with me for when I want a change from reading a book!

The lovely floral design is from Carolyn's Garden by Serendipity Designs - another of my charity shop finds - and will be a birthday card for my friend Iris.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Carolyn's Meadow 'Iris' cross stitch kit
     Small piece of white aida 
     Extra DMC threads to match colours in kit
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippet of white hammer card

The kit has been started but the stitching didn't look like mine, so I used a small piece of white aida and some extra threads to stitch the design from scratch.  After completing the stitching I mounted the fabric behind a stitched square aperture that had been die cut in the front of a 6" x 6" white hammer card blank.  A piece of the same card was attached 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 (I love to make floral cards - whether stamped or stitched - mainly because I love flowers and gardens. - although I do make cute cards for the small people in my family)     
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x