Merry Christmas Steve

This is my final Christmas card for this year and as usual Steve's card is the last one I make!  I'm entering Sparkles Christmas Challenge 'Show me a Snowman', The Male Room 'Christmas/Winter Wishes/December Celebrations' challenge, the Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes and Crafty Friends 'Friends and Family' challenge.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white silk
Stamp: Bugaboo 'Snowman Couple' digi
Colouring: Promarkers
Card: Red mirri, white silk
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Krafty Christmas'
Other: Diamond Stickles, Glossy Accents, Stampendous Fun Flock, Wink of Stella, Computer generated sentiment 'Tempus Sans ITC' font

I trimmed the snowflake paper, layered it onto red mirri and attached it to the card front.  I resized the digi and added the sentiment below before printing it onto white card and colouring it with Promarkers.  The image was then trimmed, layered onto red mirri and attached to the card front.  I added funflock to the hat, a Wink of Stella to the buttons and Diamond Stickles to the snow.  To finish I added Glossy Accents to the heart.

This is the last post on my blog this year as we're going to Cirencester in Cali on Saturday for the Christmas holiday.  I wish everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kath x

Noel

I made this card for the Cuttlebug Mania 'Anything Christmas' challenge.  I'm also entering the Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies challenge, the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes' and A Gem of a Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes'.   The card is made entirely from snippets so I'm also popping into the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Die: Pretty Quick 'Stained Glass Noel' (magazine freebie)
Snippets: Cream pearlescent, black, green, gold and red card

I folded the pearlescent card to make a  4" x 4" card blank.  I die cut the Noel panel from black card and used Stick and Stay glue to attach it to the centre of the card blank.  I then die cut the panel again from green, gold and red card and inlaid the pieces.  After I had inlaid the pieces I put a piece of plain paper on top of the die and ran it through my Cuttlebug again to ensure the the small die cut pieces were secure.

Kath x

Nativity Andy

The final Winter Wonderland challenge of the year is 'Anything Goes' and we are sponsored by Pink Gem Designs who are offering the lucky winner two single digi images or two card topper kits of the winner's chose - or one of each!  I've used one of their Card Topper Kits to make this quick and simple Christmas card for a baby boy's first Christmas.

I'm entering the Crafty Friends 'Babies/Children' challenge, Paper Creator 'Christmas/New Year' challenge, The Male Room 'Christmas/Winter Wishes/December Celebrations' challenge, Crafty Calendar Challenge 'It's Christmas' and 52 Christmas Card Throwndown 'Pick a Previous Challenge from 2012/2013 (I have chosen the May 2017 Nativity challenge).

Card blank: 5" x 5" white silk
Images: Pink Gem Designs 'Nativity Andy Card Topper Kit'
Paper: White silk
Other: Wink of Stella

I printed the topper kit onto white silk paper and attached the back layer to the card blank.  I cut out the decoupage pieces and layered them onto the card with Pinflair glue.  The sentiment was attached across the top corner of the card with a dab of glue under both ends and the middle raised from the card.  To finish I highlighted the star and snow on the trees with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Cabrini Ornament

I've had this die on my wish list for a while having seen Di's card and I've finally bought it with a voucher I won a few weeks ago.  As all the mirri card is from my snippets drawer, I'm hoping across to the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop to show Di what she 'encouraged' me to buy!

I'm also entering  the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown 'Pick a Previous Challenge from 2012 or 2013' (I have chosen the February 2012 'Red, Green & Gold' challenge), the Crafty Calendar Challenge 'It's Christmas', Die-Cut Divas 'Winter Time' and the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes'.

Card blank: 6" x 4" white silk
Dies: Memory Box 'Grand Merry Christmas' and 'Cabrini Ornament'
Embossing: Crafts-Too 'Snowflake Frame', Kars tan embossing mat
Snippets: Green, gold and red mirri, white silk card

I trimmed a piece of white card slightly smaller than the front of the card and die cut Merry Christmas from the lower section, setting aside the letters.  I then die cut the ornament from the top.  I die cut Merry Christmas from gold card, trimming the sides and lower edge. The two sections were then attached to the card front.  I die cut the ornament from gold mirri and attached the outline of the ornament.  The leaves were die cut and embossed from green mirri and the berries from red mirri, before being inlaid into the ornament.  I embossed a piece of gold card with the corner of the snowflake frame, die cut the bauble and inlaid it.

Kath x

Teddy with Penguin

This month's Christmas Cards All Year Round challenge is 'Anything Goes' which is a nice and easy challenge for the final one of the year.

This is my sister's Christmas card and I'm entering the  Lili of the Valley 'Anything Goes' challenge, the Cutie Pie Challenge 'Bear Hugs' and A Gem of a Challenge 'Animals in the Snow', the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes' and Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes'.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white silk
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Teddy with Penguin' Mini Masterpiece
Die: 'Creative Expressions - From the Hear - Female Relatives'
Punch: Woodware Large and Regular Snowflake
Card: Gold pearlescent
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Sunny Side Up'
Other: Stampendous Fun Flock, Diamond and Xmas Red Stickles, Wink of Stella

I layered the red paper onto gold card and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed the precoloured image and die cut 'Sister' from the top corner before layering it onto gold card.  I die cut 'Sister' from gold card and inlaid it, then ran the panel through my Cuttlebug to ensure the inlaid die cut lay flat.  The panel was then attached to the centre.  I punched three snowflakes and attched them above the teddy and penguin.  I added Fun Flock to the penguin's hat, Diamond Stickles on the snow and Xmas Red Stickles to the centre of the snowflakes.  To finish I highlighted the teddy with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

November Rudolph Day

It's time for the final Rudolph Day of the year.  As I've used all ten images from the 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad for previous cards this year, I've made the final Rudolph Day card using some oddments from a Hundydory Christmas set to make this quick card.  I'm also entering the Crafty Friends 'Add a Sentiment' challenge, Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes', Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.

Card blank: 6" x 6" cream matt
Card: Hunkydory 'Christmas Post', red mirri
Other: Red ribbon, red nailheads

I trimmed the patterned card ensuring I kept as much as possible of the detail on the cream part of the card.  This was layered onto red mirri and attached to the card front.  The die cut sentiment was also from the same set.  I layered it onto red mirri and tied red ribbon through the hole.  To finish I attached the sentiment with foam tape and added red nailheads to the corners.

Kath x

Away in a Manger

I made this card for the Crafting with Dragonflies 'Christmas Card in Non-traditional Colours' challenge.  I'm also entering The Paper Shelter 'A Christmas Card' challenge, the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes' and The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas'.  The paper and card are from my snippets mountain so I'm also heading into the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: Little Claire Designs 'Away in a Manger' digi
Punch: Woodware Squared Corner
Colouring: Promarkers
Other: Wink of Stella
Snippets: Brown card, gold/yellow paper

I trimmed the gold paper, layered it onto brown card and attached it to the card front.  The digi stamp was resized and printed onto white card before being coloured with Promarkers to match the paper and card.  I trimmed the image to a square, punched the corners, layered it onto brown card and attached it to the centre.  To finish I highlighted the stars with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Gift Voucher Wallet

I made this wallet for a theatre gift voucher I am giving as a Christmas present.  I'm entering Crafty Cardmakers 'Anything but a Card' challenge, Sparkles Christmas Challenge 'More than One Fold', the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas'.

Dies: Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Gold pearlescent
Paper: 'Christmas Greetings' (magazine freebie)
Other: Red ribbon

I measured the depth of the gift voucher and then folded the gold card to make the wallet.  I then covered the top and bottom flaps and the back of the wallet with paper, ensuring the robin was in the bottom corner of the wallet front.  I trimmed a strip of red holly paper, layered it onto gold card and folded it around the wallet to make a belly band.  The overlap was trimmed and fastened with double sided tape.  I layered another piece of robin paper onto gold card before die cutting and embossing a pierced tag.  A snippet of red ribbon was attached to the top of the label before it was attached to the belly band.

Kath x

Quick CAS Christmas

I made this quick CAS Christmas card for the Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge 'Christmas'.  I'm also entering the Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies challenge, Crafty Friends 'Christmas' challenge and Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes'.

Card blank: 6" x 4" white silk
Die: Creative Expressions 'Contemporary Happy Christmas', Creative Dies 'Elegant Reindeer'
Embossing: Xcut 'Swirls'
Card: Red mirri, white silk

I embossed a piece of white silk card and trimmed the panel around the edge of the embossing.  This was layered onto red mirri and attached to the card front.  I die cut the sentiment and attached it to the centre of the panel with Stick and Spray.  To finish I die cut three snowflakes from the Elegant Reindeer die and attached them around the sentiment.

Kath x

B is for ...

I made this card for the Lili of the Valley Challenge 'B is for ...' and I have chosen Bear, Balloons, Baby, Boy, Blue and Bronze!  I am also entering Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Patchwork Bunch of Balloons' Mini Masterpiece & 'General Sentiments'
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Squares Large', 'Lacy Squares' & 'Classic Scalloped Circles Large
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Colouring: Promarker
Card: Bronze mirri
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Bear Necessities'

I trimmed the blue paper, layered it onto bronze mirri and attached it to the card. The precoloured image was already die cut, but I used the embossing mat to emboss the edges before attaching it to a die cut and embossed Lacy Square.  The image was then attached to the centre of the card.  To finish I cut around the edge of the Baby Boy sentiment, attached it to a scalloped embossed circle before attaching it to the card with foam tape.

Kath x

Rudolph Tag

The new Winter Wonderland challenge is 'Tag You're It' and we want to see either gift tags or tags on cards.  The challenge is sponsored by Crafty Ribbons who are offering the lucky winner a £10.00 voucher to spend in their store.

I've decided to make a tag using snippets of card, paper and ribbon so I'm heading to the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  I'm also entering the Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge 'Tags', the The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas' and Crafty Friends 'Christmas' challenge.  This is a scheduled post so I'll link to these challenges when I get home from work this evening!

Dies: Creative Dies 'Elegant Reindeer' (magazine freebie), Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags', Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Snippets: Blue snowflake paper, white matt card, dark brown, gold and white pearlescent card, red mirri 
Other: White satin ribbon

I attached the blue snowflake paper onto white card and then die cut and embossed the largest tag.  I die cut the reindeer from dark brown card and attached it to the bottom of the tag.  I die cut it again from gold card, attached the antlers and inlaid the swirl.  I then die cut three snowflakes from white pearlescent card and attached them around the reindeer.  The bow was die cut from red mirri and attached to the reindeer's neck.  As I didn't have any very small red gems for Rudolph's nose, I die cut the Memory Box holly berries from red mirri and used one of them - the perfect size!  To finish, I threaded the white ribbon through the hole in the tag and trimmed the ends.

Kath x

Thank you

I found this lovely piece of Tattered Lace paper in the bottom of my paper drawer and thought it would be perfect for my quick Thank You card.  I'm entering Crafty Cardmakers 'Thankful' challenge, the Cuttlebug Mania 'Thanks' challenge and Die Cut Divas 'Thanks' challenge.

Card blank: 6" x 6" kraft
Die: Cheery Lynn ' Thank You 2'
CardL Purple matt
Paper: Tattered Lace: Purple floral paper (magazine freebie), white printer paper
Other: Wink of Stella

I trimmed the paper to a square and layered it onto slightly larger piece of purple card.  I die cut the sentiment from the top corner, keeping all the pieces to inlay.  The panel was then attached to the card front.  To ensure the sentiment was the same thickness as the card and paper on the card front, I attached a snippet of purple card to white printer paper and then die cut the sentiment.  The sentiment and pieces I had put to one side were then inlaid into the card.  To finish, I highlighted the purple matt and the sentiment with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Bargello Merry Christmas

A big thank you to Di for inviting me to be her Guest Designer at the fabulous Snippets Challenge - I love this challenge as it's a way of trying to keep my snippets mountain under control!  Amongst my many snippets I always seem to have a lot of thin strips so I've used some of these for the bargello background on my card.

I'm entering Crafty Friends 'Christmas' challenge, the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes', The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas'.

Card blank: 7" x 7" cream matt
Dies: Creative Expressions 'Contemporary Happy Christmas', Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Ovals Large' & 'Lacey Ovals'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Other: White printer paper
Snippets: Lili of the Valley 'Woodland Wishes' Paper, cerise mirri and cream matt card

I trimmed eight different paper strips to 2cm width and glued them across a piece of white printer paper, ensuring the edges of the papers touched.  I then cut strips of various widths and laid them onto the table until I was happy with the 'V' patter.  I then glued them onto another piece of white printer paper.  I trimmed the finished design into a square before layering it onto a slightly larger snippet of cerise mirri card and attaching it to the centre of the card.  If you've never tried the bargello technique, there's a good tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers.

I die cut and embossed a cream oval and die cut 'Happy Christmas' from the centre.  This was layered onto a die cut and embossed Lacey Oval.  I then die cut 'Happy Christmas' from cerise mirri and inlaid it.  To ensure it was nice and flat I put a piece of white paper on top of the panel and ran it through my Cuttlebug again.  The finished panel was attached to the centre of the card with foam tape.

Kath x

Winner of LOTV Art Pad Giveaway

Thank you to everyone that left comments for the LOTV Art Pad Giveaway.  The lucky winner is:

Valerija

Congratulations to Valerija - please email me (kmbuckell@btinternet.com) with your address and I'll post the Art Pad as soon as possible so you have plenty of time for making Christmas cards!

Kath x

Gingerbread Woman

This month's Christmas Cards All Year Round challenge is 'Candy or Gingerbread'.  I'm entering Crafty Friends 'Cute' challenge, the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes' and The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas'.

Card: 7" x 7" kraft
Image: Craft Creations 'Gingerbread Woman' die cut decoupage sheet
Card: Red mirri, kraft
Paper: Holly glitter (magazine freebie)
Other: Red nailheads

I trimmed the holly paper, layered it onto red mirri and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed the image, layered it onto red mirri and kraft card before attaching it to the centre of the card.  I then assembled the die cut decoupaged pieces using Pinflair glue.  As the paper is quite thin I hadn't noticed that there was something stuck underneath the lower corner of the image, so I added some nailheads to cover the crease and more to the top corner to balance the image.

Kath x

October Rudolph Day and LOTV Art Pad Giveaway!

This is the tenth Rudolph Day of the year and my final image from the Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad. I'm also entering Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Traditional Colours, The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas' and Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes'.

I've enjoyed using this 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad to make quick cards for the Rudolph Challenges and have an Art Pad to give away to one of my followers.  To find out how to win this Art Pad, please scroll to the bottom of this post.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad
Card: Dark green matt
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Classic Christmas'
Other: Card Candi 'Vintage Berries Gold', Wink of Stella

I trimmed the red Christmas tree paper, layered it onto green card and attached it to the card front.  I then attached a strip of green Christmas tree paper across the card, ensuring the pattern matched.  I trimmed the pre-coloured Art Pad image, layered it onto green card and attached it to the left side of the card with equal margins on the top, bottom and left side.  To finish I highlighted the Christmas tree baubles with a Wink of Stella and attached three Candi to the top corner using Pinflair glue.

If you would like to win the Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad, this is what you must do:
1. Be or become a follower of my blog
2. Add the photo to your sidebar and link back to my blog
3. Leave a comment below before 23:59 GMT on Tuesday 31 October

I will choose a winner at random and publish the details on Wednesday 1 November.

Kath x

Happy Birthday To You

I made this card for my niece's husband's birthday using one of my favourite large stamps.  I'm entering A Gem of a Challenge 'Spots and/or Stripes or Halloween' (I've obviously gone for the spots option), Seize the Birthday 'Anything Goes' challenge, Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: DL white matt
Stamp: Woodware 'Happy Birthday to You'
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia
Colouring: Sakura coloured pencils
Card: Brown and white matt
Paper: Hot off the Press 'Floral Ultimate Pack'
Other: Brown star button, brown/cream baker's twine

I trimmed the spotty paper and covered the front of the card blank. I stamped the sentiment and stars onto white card and coloured the 'Happy' with shaded of green, blue and beige coloured pencils.  The sentiment was trimmed before being layering onto brown card and attached to the front of the card.  I knotted baker's twine through the star button and attached it with Pinflair glue.

Kath x

Christmas Flowers

The new Winter Wonderland challenge is 'Christmas Flowers' and we are sponsored by Little Claire Designs who are offering the lucky winner three digi stamps of their choice.

I'm entering the ABC Christmas Challenge 'U for Unlimited (or anything goes), the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes' and The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas'.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: Little Claire 'Poinsettia' digi
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Standard Circles Large and 'Classic Scalloped Circles Large'
Punch: Woodware Corner Rounder
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Colouring: Promarkers
Card: White silk, red mirri
Paper: Wild Rose Studio 'Painted Poinsettias'
Other: Wink of Stella, red nailheads

I trimmed the poinsettia paper, layered it onto red mirri and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed a strip of holly paper, layered it onto red mirri and attached it across the card.  I resized the digi and printed it on white card.  This was die cut and embossed before being coloured with Promarkers.  I layered the image onto a red die cut and embossed scalloped circle and attached it to the centre of the card with Pinflair glue.  To finish I highlighted the flowers with a Wink of Stella and added nailheads to the top and bottom corners.

Kath x

Celebrate

I made this anniversary card for The Flower Challenge 'Use your Favourite Flower' 1st birthday challenge.  I love all flowers, but roses are one of my favourites and I have used a roses die and heart paper for my card.  There are some fabulous prizes this month at the Flower Challenge and I would love to win a 'Dies to Die For' voucher if I'm one of the lucky winners.

I'm also entering Sparkles Monthly Challenge 'Die Cuts or Punches', As You Like It Challenge 'Choose Ribbons or Flowers and tell us why' (I've obviously used both on my card - flowers are my all time favourite but I also like to use ribbon to make small bows, especially around the flower stems on this card) and Crafty Friends challenge Anything Goes'.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Dies: Wild Rose Studio 'Rose Bunch, Poppy Stamps 'Celebrate'
Card: Dark green mat
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Heartfelt', Making Cards magazine 'Dino-mite for Boys' (magazine freebie)
Other: White ribbon, Wink of Stella

I trimmed the heart paper ensuring the hearts were along the left side and bottom of the paper, layered it onto green card and attached it to the card front.  I die cute the Rose Bunch and Celebrate from dark green card and attached them with Stick and Stay.  I die cut the rose flowers from the darker sections of the Dino-mite paper and attached them to the green die cut.  I covered the roses with Wink of Stella and also highlighted the hearts on the backing paper.  To finish I made a small bow from white ribbon and attached it around the rose stems.

Kath x

My first LOTV image

The first LOTV images I had were magazine freebies and I made some Easter cards with them.  I loved the bunnies so much I bought the 'Spring Bunny with Daffodils' Mini Masterpiece images and have used one of the larger images to make this card for the Lili of the Valley 'Retro' challenge. I'm also entering the Crafty Friends Challenge 'Anything Goes', Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Spring Bunny with Daffodils' Mini Masterpiece
Punch: Woodware 'Inverted Corner'
Card: Purple pearlescent
Paper: The Hobby House Wee Stamps 'Decoupage Card Kit' (magazine freebie)
Other: Gold nailheads

I trimmed the paper, layered it onto purple card and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed the pre-coloured image and punched the corners before layering it onto purple card and attaching it to the centre of the card.  To finish I attached gold nailheads in the inverted corners.

Kath x

Umbrella and Roses

I made this quick card to send to a friend with a small gift.  I'm entering Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge and as the paper and card are from my snippets mountain, I'm also in the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Cute Cottage Garden'
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Squares Large' and Lacy Squares'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Other: Wink of Stella
Snippets: Dark red matt card, Lili of the Valley 'Timeless Victorian' paper

I trimmed the paper, layered it onto red card and attached it to the card front.  The pre-coloured image was die cut and embossed before being layered onto a die cut and embossed Lacy Square.  This was then attached to the centre of the card.  To finish I highlighted the roses with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Happy Christmas

It's time for a new challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round and this month we want to see 'Monochromatic Brown Shades'. I'm entering the Alphabet Challenge 'O for Oval', Allsorts 'Sentiment in Focus', The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas' and the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes'.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white matt
Dies: Creative Expressions 'Contemporary Happy Christmas', Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Ovals Large' and 'Lacey Ovals'
Punch: Woodware regular snowflake
Card: Dark brown and white matt
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Krafty Christmas'
Other: Papermania Transparent Shimmering Dots 

I trimmed the snowflake paper, layered it onto the brown card and attached it to the card front.  I die cut and embossed a white oval and layered it onto a die cut and embossed dark brown lacey oval.  This was attached to the centre of the card.  I die cut the sentiment and placed it in the middle of the oval.  To finish I attached three small snowflakes around the sentiment and attached shimmering dots to the centres.

Kath x

Birthday Wishes

This is another card I've made for Darnell's NBUS Challenge using a NBUS stamp I've had for a while but never used before.  I'm also entering the Alphabet Challenge 'O for Oval', A Gem of a Challenge 'Birthday Card' and Seize the Birthday 'Anything Goes' challenge

Card blank: 6" x 4" white silk
Stamp: Impression Obsession 'Girl Swing', Woodware 'Salutations'
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Ovals Small'and 'Classic Scalloped Ovals Small'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Card: Black matt
Paper: Wild Rose Studio 'Blackberry Lane'

I stamped the sentiment in the lower corner of the card and then die cut and embossed a scalloped oval above it.  I die cut a scalloped oval from a piece of black card and attached it to the rear of the scalloped oval.  I stamped the girl onto a piece of wildflower paper and attached it to the rear of the aperture.  To finish I covered the inside of the card with a piece of white card to cover the papers and card.

Kath x

Just for You

I made this card for Darnell's NBUS Challenge using a NBUS paper pad from Heartfelt Creations.  I was given the pad last year and have never used - I think it's because it's a 12" x 12" pad so is in a drawer and not with my other papers and I forget about it!  I'm also entering Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white matt
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Standard Circles Large', 'Classic Scalloped Circles Large'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Dark brown matt
Paper: Heartfelt Creations 'Wildwood Cottage Collection'
Other: Brown brad

I trimmed the brick paper, layered it onto brown card and attached it to the card front.  I die cut and embossed the fairy house from another sheet of paper and layered it onto a brown die cut and embossed scalloped circle.  This was then attached to the centre of the card.  I fussy cut the sentiment, pushed the brad though the hole and flattening the legs.  The sentiment was then attached to the card with Pinflair glue.

Kath x

September Rudolph Day

It's time for the September Rudolph Day and I've used another image from the Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad for my quick card.  I'm also entering the ABC Christmas Challenge 'T for Trio' (I've used a trio of colours and a rio of stars), the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes', The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas'. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'For a Male' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage'
Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Stars'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Dark blue pearlescent
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Trimmings'

I trimmed the red and green papers and attached them to blue card, ensuring the lettering matched, this was then attached to the card front.  I trimmed the image slightly before layering it onto blue card and attaching it to the left side of the card. I die cut and embossed three small stars and attached them to the top of the card to balance the image.

Kath x

Snowman Trio

I made this card for the ABC Christmas Challenge 'T for Trio' (I've used this cute precoloured digi stamp of a Snowman Trio).  I'm also entering The Paper Shelter 'Make it Digital' challenge, the Paper Creator 'Simply Christmas' challenge, the  Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes' and The Merry Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes + Christmas'.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: Imagine That 'Snowman Trio' digi
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Labels One', 'Decorative Labels One
Punch: Woodware Squared Corner
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Dark blue matt, white silk
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Frosty Christmas'
Other: Wink of Stella

I trimmed the paper, punched the corners and layered it onto dark blue card before attaching it to the card front.  I resized the precoloured digi stamp and printed it onto white card.  This was die cut and embossed before being layered onto a dark blue die cut and embossed decorative label.  The snowmen were highlighted with a Wink of Stella and attached to the centre of the card with foam tape.

Kath x

Winter Penguin Trio

I made this card for the Bugaboo Stella Says Sketch Challenge.  I'm also entering the ABC Christmas Challenge 'S for Sketch and T for Trio' (my card uses both letters - the Bugaboo sketch and a trio of penguins), Paper Creator 'Simply Christmas', Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Use Three Different Patterned Papers' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  The paper and card are from my snippets mountain, so I'm also heading into the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk
Stamp: Bugaboo 'Winter Penguin Trio' digi. Hot of the Press 'Christmas Wishes' (magazine freebie)
Ink: Versafine 'Vintage Sepia'
Colouring: Promarkers
Card: White silk
Other: Diamond Stickles, Wink of Stella, Sakura Gelly Roll Clear Star pen
Snippets: Gold card and patterned papers

I attached blue snowflake paper to the left side of the card blank.  I resized the digi and printed it onto white silk card before trimming it and colouring the image with Promarkers.  This was then layered onto gold card before being attached to the card.  I stamped the sentiment below the image and highlighed it with the Sakura Gelly Roll pen.  I cut three fishtail banners and attached them along the top edge.  To finish I highlighted the penguins' clothing with a Wink of Stella and applied Diamond Stickles to the snow.

Kath x

Happy Winter

The new Winter Wonderland challenge is 'Wrap it Up' and this can refer to wrapping presents, warm clothes or any other interpretation!  We are sponsored by Sasayaki Glitter who are offering the lucky winner a digi stamp of their choice.

I'm entering the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes',  Christmas Card Challenges 'Anything Goes', Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: Sasayaki Glitter 'Happy Winter' digi
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Standard Circles Large' and 'Classic Scalloped Circles Large'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Colouring: Promarkers
Card: Moss greeen matt, white silk
Paper: Making Cards 'Blusher the Reindeer' (magazine freebie)
Other: Papermania Merry Christmas ribbon, Stampendous Fun Flock, Diamond Stickles, Wink of Stella

I layered spotty paper onto green card, ensuring the circles matched down the join and wrapped ribbon around the top corner.  This panel was then attached it to the card blank.  I resized the digi stamp and printed it onto white card.  This was die cut and embossed before being coloured with Promarkers.  The image was layered onto a green scalloped and embossed circle before being attached to the centre of the card.  I added Fun Flock on the girl's hat, a Wink of Stella on the clothing and Diamond Stickles on the snow.

Kath x

Smile and Be Happy

I made this card following the sketch at Wendy's Crafty Crafts Facebook group.  I'm also entering Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge as well as a visit to the snippets playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk
Stamp: 'From the Heart Sentiment Stamps' (magazine freebie)
Ink: Versafine Crimson Red
Snippets: Lili of the Valley 'Sunny Side Up' paper, thin white card

I glued snippets of paper onto thin white card to make them easier to weave.  I trimmed the strips and attached them to the card blank following Wendy's sketch.  To finish I stamped the sentiment in the lower corner.

Kath x

Greetings of the Season

This month's Christmas Cards All Year Round challenge is 'Leaves'.  I'm entering the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes',  Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes', Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra 'Anything Goes as Long as It's Christmas', and Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white silk
Image: Making Cards 'Christmas Special 2016' (magazine freebie)
Stamp: Paper Smooches 'Joyful Greeting'
Ink: Versafine Crimson Red
Card: Dark red matt
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Trimmings'
Other: Wink of Stella

I trimmed the green paper, layered it onto red card and attached it to the card front.  The pre-coloured image was trimmed, layered onto red card and attached to the left of the card blank, leaving the same width border on the top, bottom and left.  I stamped the sentiment and a small heart onto a scrap of paper from the same sheet of images (so it was the same white), trimmed it, layered it onto red card and attached it with Pinflair glue.  To finish I highlighted the image and sentiment with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Mr & Mrs

I made this card for a friend's wedding - I kept the design simple as there is so much detail on this lovely die cut.  I'm entering Die Cut Diva's 'Anything Goes for August' challenge,  Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies challenge and Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Die: Taylored Expressions 'Mr & Mrs'
Card: Gold pearlescent
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Baskets and Bunnies'
Other: Diamond Stickles, White Candy BonBons

I attached the die cut to the corner of the sheet of pink paper, where the colour was most intense, using Stick and Spray.  I trimmed the paper around the edge of the die cut and attached it to the card blank leaving an equal white space around the top, bottom and left side of the card.  I then trimmed the right side of the card blank.  To finish I filled the centre of the hearts with Diamond Stickles and added white BonBons to the centres of the large flowers.

Kath x

August Rudolph Day

It's time for another Rudolph Day and, once again, I've used another image from the Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad.  I'm also entering the ABC Christmas Challenge 'P for People, Q for Quick, R for Red' (I've chosen Q for Quick and R for Red), Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes'. The paper and card are from my snippets mountain, so I'm also heading into the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card blank: 6" x 4" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage'
Other: Wink of Stella
Snippets: Dark red card, Wild Rose Studio 'Painted Poinsettia' paper

I trimmed red card so it was slightly smaller than the card front and attached snippets of holly paper to the top and bottom.  I trimmed the image, layered it onto red card and attached it across the centre.  To finish I highlighted the leaves and berries with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Happy Birthday Josh

I made this card for my eldest great-nephew for his 15th birthday.  I'm entering Sparkles Monthly Challenge 'Birthday', Seize the Birthday 'Anything Goes' challenge, Crafty Friends 'Anything Goes' challenge and Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: Lili of the Valley 'Oliver - Texting' digi
Card: White silk, dark grey matt
Paper: Hot off the Press 'Floral Ultimate Pack'
Other: Computer generated sentiment 'Tempus Sans ITC' font

I trimmed the denim blue paper, layered it onto grey card and attached it to the card front.  I then added a strip of spotty paper across the lower section.  I resized the digi and printed it onto white card before colouring it to match the colours in the paper.  The image was trimmed, layered onto grey card and attached to the left side of the card.  I printed the sentiment, trimmed it, layered it onto grey card and attached it to the right of the image with Pinflair glue.

Kath x

Santa Mouse

The new challenge at Winter Wonderland is 'Embossing - Wet or Dry' (I've gone for the 'dry' option). We are sponsored by Stamping Studio who are offering the lucky winner one image from each of their artists.

This is a scheduled post as we're still on holiday in Cali in Pembrokeshire.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: The Stamping Studio 'Santa Mouse Pre-Coloured' Digi
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Squares Large' and Lacy Squares
Embossing: Creative Expressions 'Sparkle Squares', Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Red matt, white silk
Other: Spray and Sparkle, Computer generated sentiment 'Kirsten ITC' font

I embossed a piece of white card, before trimming it to a square, layering it onto red card and attaching it to the card blank.  I resized the pre-coloured digi stamp and added the sentiment. The image was die-cut and embossed before being sprayed with Spray and Sparkle.  This was then layered onto a die cut and embossed Lacy Square.  The image was attached to the centre of the card with foam tape so it stood away from the embossed background.

Kath x

Merry Christmas Penguins

This month's Christmas Cards All Year Round challenge is 'Yellow (a little or a lot)' and I've gone for the 'lot' option!  This is my last card for a couple of weeks as we're going on holiday tomorrow with Cali.

I'm entering the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes', Christmas Card Challenges 'Anything Goes', Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Merry Christmas Penguins' Mini Masterpieces
Dies: Cheery Lynn 'Snowflakes Set 2'
Card: Brown Matt
Paper: Making Cards 'Launching Christmas' (magazine freebie)
Other: Diamond Stickles, Wink of Stella, gold nailhead

I layered the paper onto brown card and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed the square, pre-coloured image into a rectangle, layered it onto brown card and attached it to the centre.  I highlighted the penguins with a Wink of Stella and added Diamond Stickles to the snowline.  To finish I added a die cut snowflake to the corner with a gold nailhead in the centre.

Kath x

Happy 1st Birthday

I made this card for my youngest great-nephew who will soon have his first birthday - it certainly doesn't seem a year since he was born!  I'm entering Crafty Cardmakers 'Lots of Layers' challenge, Seize the Birthday 'Anything Goes', Crafty Calendar Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Toddlers' Art Pad
Dies: Memory Box 'Classic Numbers', Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Stars'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Dark blue pearlescent
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Bonnets and Bows' and Making Cards 'Blusher the Reindeer' (both magazine freebies)

I layered yellow star paper onto blue card and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed the pre-coloured image to a square, layered it onto blue card and set it aside.  I trimmed blue paper and card to the same size as the image square before attaching it at an angle on the card front.  I then layered the image on top.  I die cut and embossed a blue star and die cut a number '1' from the centre.  I die cut another '1' from the white card I had cut from the side of the image and inlaid it into the star.  This was then attached to the card front.

Kath x

July Rudolph Day

As we're dashing towards Christmas, it's time for the July Rudoph Day Challenge.  I've used another image from the Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad for this super quick card.

I'm entering the Cardz 4 Guyz 'Christmas in July' challenge, Christmas Card Challenges 'Photo Inspiration' (I've used the colours), Crafty Calendar Challenge 'Anything Goes', Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white matt
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad
Card: Dark red matt
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Classic Christmas'
Oher: Dark red nailheads, Wink of Stella

I layered dark green paper onto red card and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed the pre-coloured image, layered it onto red card and attached it to the centre.  I highlighted the berries, bow and pot with a Wink of Stella and added dark red nailheads to the top and bottom of the image.

Kath x

A Star is Born

Our new challenge at Winter Wonderland is 'Use a digi image' and we're sponsored by All Dressed Up who are offering the winner two digi stamps.

I'm entering Die Cut Divas 'Christmas in July', Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Use a Die Cut', Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes' Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge 'Die Cuts' and Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies challenge.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk

Stamp: All Dressed Up 'A Star is Born' digi

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Standard Circles Large' and 'Classic Scalloped Circles Large', Xcut 'Mini Star'

Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat

Colouring: Promarkers

Card: Gold pearlescent, white silk

Paper: Marianne Design 'Wintertime'

I trimmed the blue paper, layered it onto gold card and attached it to the card front.  I resized the image and printed it onto white card.  I die cut and embossed a circle before colouring the image with Promarkers.  This was then layered onto a die cut and embossed gold scalloped circle and attached to the centre of the card.  To finish I die cut stars and attached them to the corners of the card.

Kath x

Happy Christmas

I made this card for the Dies R Us 'Use a Die Cut Sentiment as the Focus' challenge.  As I'm on a mission to use my snippets mountain, I'm heading to the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  I'm also entering Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 'Use a Die Cut', Crafty Cardmakers 'Lots of Layers', ABC Christmas Challenge 'O for Old' (I used old dies and papers), Die Cut Divas 'Christmas in July' and Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 'Anything Christmas Goes'.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk tent fold
Dies: Creative Expressions 'Contemporary Happy Christmas', Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Ovals Large' and 'Lacey Ovals'
Embossing: Crafts-Too 'Twinkle' embossing folder
Snippets: Gold pearlescent and whilte silk card, patterned paper

I trimmed the paper, layered it onto gold card and attached it to the card front.  I die cut a Lacey Oval and sentiment from gold card and set them aside.  I die cut an oval from white card and then die cut the sentiment from the centre.  I attached double sided tape to the rear of the oval and inlaid the sentiment before embossing it with the Twinkle folder.  The sentiment was layered onto the Lacey Oval and attached to the centre of the card.

Kath x