Thursday 31 December 2020

My Five Favourite Christmas Makes in 2020

Hazel is asking for our five favourite Christmas makes in 2020 for this week's Fezzwig's Festive Challenge - the perfect challenge for my last post of the year.


These are my five favourite Christmas cards in 2020:

Christmas Flowers - I like the simplicity of this card and it was one I made several times so I could use lots of snippets.


Upcycled Christmas Ornament - I love to upcycle and this card used the front of a gold gift tag for the background of the bauble and bow, together with the flowers from a birthday card for the overlay.



Opulent Baubles - this card uses an embossing folder and stamp set that were cover gifts with a magazine.  It's another card that was quick to make, but had a lot of detail too.


Candy Canes - I have started to do a lot more cross stitch in 2020 as I find it easy to take away when we travelling in our campervan.  I enjoyed stitching these candy canes and have sold several of these cards too.



Embossed Holly - another CAS card using an embossing folder that was a cover gift with a magazine together with a lovely Clearly Besotted stamp and die set.

Kath x

Wednesday 30 December 2020

Spring Scene

I made this card using a new die I've just purchased and lots of snippets - it was a lovely change to make something other than a Christmas card!

I die cut the image from white matt card and layered it onto watercolour card before attaching it to the front of the card blank.  I used snippets of gold mirri to die cut the zigzags for the Easter eggs and used a tiny snippet of brown card to die cut the rabbit's eye.  To finish the card I added tiny pink enamel dots to the centre of the flowers.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     Die-versions Whispers 'Spring Scene' die
     Snippets of green watercolour card, white matt card and gold mirri
     Pale pink enamel dots

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Made in Minutes
     NBUS - Challenge 21
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 393

Kath x

Sunday 27 December 2020

Cross Stitch Christmas Wreath

I made this cross stitch card using a Kate Knight kit that had been a cover gift with a magazine ages ago. The kit should have had French knots for the centre of the poinsettias and the mistletoe berries but I used Mill Hill seed beads instead.

After completing the cross stitch I attached a small red ribbon bow to the top.  The cross stitch was adhered to the back of a scalloped panel of brown pearlescent card before being attached to the card.

Kath x

Thursday 24 December 2020

Another Delightful Dangles Christmas Tree

Whilst tidying the remains of my Christmas crafting I found this Delightful Dangles Christmas tree that I had already stamped and embossed.  Time to make it into a quick card to put away for next year.

I used green ink to stamp the tree and sentiment onto white card and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I trimmed the panel so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card blank, rounded the corners and attached it to the front of the card. I then used a gold gel pen to highlight the ornaments on the tree.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Delightful Dangles - Christmas Tree'
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Gold gel pen
     Stampendous clear embossing powder
     Woodware Corner Rounder punch
     Snippet of white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:     
     AAA Cards - Made in Minutes + Optional Twist - Christmas
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Use the Word Christmas
     Fezzwig's Festive Frolics - Last Minute Makes

Kath x

Sunday 20 December 2020

Hope and Chances Charity Kit - December 2020

The December Hope and Chances Charity Kit is being sold to support the Last Chance Animal Rescue.

The kit has everything to make a 'Thank You' card, other than adhesive and gems.  I know the 'Thank You' sentiment was in the bag from Christine, but I couldn't find it anywhere when I made the card so I decided to make a Christmas card.  I used my MISTI to stamp the sentiment (Woodware Festive Verse) into the centre of the panel using dark green ink to match the poinsettia leaves.

The centre panel was attached to the card with a piece of a foam sheet and I attached clear gems into the middle of the flowers. I didn't have any gold coloured gems, but thought the clear ones matched the silver matting layers.


I really like the instructions for the silver matt layer behind the fancy square.  The silver layer was cut down the centre so that it would form a shadow on both sides of the white layer.  I must remember that tip when matting and layering on other cards.

I also found the 'Thank You' panel after I had finished the card, although I think I prefer it with the Christmas verse.

Kath x

Thursday 17 December 2020

To a Very Special Husband

My final Christmas card this year is, as always, my card for Steve.  I recently made a card as a special order for one of my customers and decided that I would make a similar one for Steve.

I die cut the 'Woodland Scene' from white card and attached it to the blue paper before trimming around the edge.  I die cut and embossed the largest stitched square from dark blue pearlescent card and the largest classic square from silver mirri card.  I layered the scene onto the silver square and the blue square.  I put the card blank into my MISTI and placed the topper in the centre so I could see where to position the sentiment stamp.  I stamped the sentiment in dark blue ink and then highlighted 'husband' with a Wink of Stella.  The Woodland topper was then attached to the centre of the card.  To finish I die cut a star from silver mirri and attached it above the deer.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Creative Dies 'Woodland Scene', Lawn Fawn ' Outside In Stiched Square Stackables' and Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Squares Large' dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Happy Birthday All' stamps
     Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Snippets of dark blue pearlescent and white matt card, silver mirri card and blue paper
     Wink of Stella

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - Y for Your Favourite Things (for me this is die cutting)
     Allsorts - Christmas
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown- Pick a Previous 2020 Challenge (I chose the April 2020 Theme - Forest and Deer)
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes

Kath x

Monday 14 December 2020

Merry Christmas Nan

This was a commissioned card I made for one of my regular customers using one of my favourite embossing folder and dies.

I embossed a piece of white card with the baubles embossing folder and trimmed around the edge so it was slightly smaller than the card blank before attaching it to the card.  The embossing folder also die cut the bauble shape.  I attached a snippet of the green paper to a piece of white card and die cut the bauble shape before inlaying it into the front of the card.  I used the separate bauble die to cut a purple layer and attached it to the card.  I then used purple ink to stamp the bow onto a snippet of orange textured card and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I fussy cut the bow and attached it to the top of the bauble.  I printed the sentiment onto green paper (the same paper I had used for the bauble), attached it to a snippet of white card before cutting it with a fishtail flag and attaching it to the top of the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Practical Publishing 'Opulent Baubles' embossing folder and stamps
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Stampendous clear embossing powder
     Snippets of green paper, white matt card, orange and purple textured card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Got to be Christmas
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Use the word 'Merry'
     Let's Squash It - Use any embossing folder and dies/fussy cutting (I've used an emboss and cut folder, as well as a die and fussy cutting)
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Sunday 13 December 2020

Cross Stitch Blue Tit Card

Another cross stitch card using a pre-loved kit that had been a cover gift with a magazine.  The completed cross stitch has been attached behind a piece of dark brown card which has a stitched circle aperture and rounded corners.

Kath x

Friday 11 December 2020

Cute Cottage Garden

I made this card for my nephew's wife's 40th birthday using a cute Lili of the Valley Art Pad image and snippets of papers.

I covered the front of the card blank with blue paper, leaving a border around the edge.  I didn't have a long enough strip of pink paper for the card so attached a snippet at the top and a snippet at the bottom of the blue panel.  I die cut the precoloured image with a rectangle die - cutting it in two halves so I could make a longer rectangle.  I attached the panel with a foam sheet to the middle of the card.  To finish I layered pink paper onto a snippet of white card before die cutting '40' and attaching the numbers to the lower edge of the panel.


To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Cute Cottage Garden' Art Pad
     My Favourite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' and Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' dies
     Snippets of Lili of the Valley 'Beach Bliss' and 'Heartfelt' paper, white card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - December challenge
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 392


Kath x

Tuesday 8 December 2020

Joy, Hope, Peace, Believe, Christmas

I've spent so long making Christmas cards for other people that I'm running short of time to make my own.  I decided to make some quick cards - perfect for a few current challenges.

I die cut the Christmas tree from red self adhesive glitter paper and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  It really doesn't get much quicker or simpler than that (although it did take ages to get all the small bits of glitter paper from out of the die!).


To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Christmas Tree Greetings'
     Xcut Adhesive Glitter Sheets

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Made in Minutes + Optional: Christmas
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Pick a Previous 2020 Challenge (I've chosen the April 2020 Colour Challenge - Red & White)
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Christmas
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Quick and Easy
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes - End of Year Challenge

Kath x

Sunday 6 December 2020

Cross Stitch Christmas Angel

Another stained glass cross stitch Christmas tree decoration from a pattern in Christmas Cross Stitch magazine - this is the Christmas angel.  After finishing the stitching I ironed some thin interfacing on the back of the cross stitch before trimming it to fit the frame.  I attached a circle of white felt to the back of the decoration and a small piece of blue ribbon at the top.

 

I didn't enjoy stitching this design as much as some of the other patterns as there are a lot of half stitches, but I do like the finished angel.

Kath x

Wednesday 2 December 2020

November Card Chain Challenge

This is the card I made for the November Card Chain Challenge.  I used the Sketch Option, the Theme Option (Friendship) and the Product/Technique Option (Glitter & Aperture Card).

A friend had recently sent me a Stampin' Up 'Kerchief' card kit which I used to make three notecards.  I had used the back of the fourth card to stamp the sentiments for the notecards but had kept the embellishments which I've used for this card.

I trimmed a piece of white card so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card blank and rounded the corners.  I die cut a stitched oval from the top and then stamped the sentiment along the lower edge.  I fastened the dotted vellum behind the aperture before attaching the panel to the front of the card.  I attached two of the green leaves and two gold leaves to the blue oval and then layered the turquoise flower with foam pads.  The topper was then attached to the lower edge of the aperture.  To finish I highlighted the flower and leaves with a Wink of Stella to add some sparkle.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Stampin' Up 'Kerchief' card kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Oval STAX Die-namics' die
     Clearly Besotted 'Dandelion Dreams' stamps
     Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Woodware corner rounder punch
     White matt card

I'm not entering any challenges with this card - just sharing it as the CCC Reveal has been published today.

This is the cute card that I received from Suzanne:

Kath x

Sunday 29 November 2020

Purple Emperor Butterfly

This card was made with another small cross stitch kit I purchased as part of a pre-loved collection.  The butterfly is from a design by Jane Greenoff and is stitched onto white aida.  The finished cross stitch has been attached to the back of a dark brown pearlescent frame.

The kit had the wording 'Purple Emperor' but I chose to change it to 'Best Wishes' which seemed to fit the design better.

Kath x

Friday 27 November 2020

November Rudolph Day

It's hard to believe that it's time for the final Rudolph Day of the year - this month's card uses dry embossing and lots of snippets.

I embossed a piece of white pearlescent card with the holly embossing folder.  I trimmed around the edge of the frame before layering it onto silver mirri card and attaching it to the card front.  I used a sentiment that Di had recently sent me and attached it to a circle of pearlesclent card.  This was layered onto a scalloped and embossed circle that had been die cut from silver mirri before being attached to the centre of the card.  

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white pearlescent card blank
     Apple Blossom 'Holly' embossing folder
     Craftwork Cards sentiment
     Snippets of white pearlescent card and silver mirriI

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 391
     Rudolph Day - November Challenge

Kath x

Tuesday 24 November 2020

Angel Praying

I made this card last week using a cute LOTV precoloured image I came across when tidying a box of toppers.  I listed it on Folksy and was pleased to sell it within a couple of days..

I used a stitched square die to cut the precoloured image and then used two dies to cut a square stitched frame from silver mirri.  I then used the largest die to cut an aperture in the front of the card blank.  I attached a piece of white card on the inside of the card and then inlaid the frame and angel image.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valle 'Angel Praying' precoloured image
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' dies
     Silver mirri card and white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Santa, Elves, Angels (I've obviously chosen the angel option)
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Sunday 22 November 2020

Cross Stitch Snowman

This cute snowman had been a magazine cover gift that I had bought in a bundle of items being sold online.  In the kit the white part of the snowman wasn't stitched but I thought it looked unfinished so I've used a white thread to fill in the gaps.

After finishing the stitching I fastened the fabric behind a piece of card with a stitched circle aperture and then used foam tape to attach it to the front of the card.

Kath x

Friday 20 November 2020

Opulent Baubles

This is another card for the Christmas Kickstart Challenge and Let's Squash It challenges using one of my favourite Christmas 'Emboss, Cut & Stamp' sets.  

I embossed a piece of white card with the baubles embossing folder and trimmed around the edge so it was slightly smaller than the card blank before attaching it to the card.  The embossing folder also die cut the bauble shape.  I attached a snippet of the lemon paper to a piece of white card and stamped the bauble before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I put the bauble into the embossing folder to use the die to cut it out.  This was then inlaid into the card front.  I stamped the bow onto a snippet of purple textured card and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I fussy cut the bow and attached it to the top of the bauble.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Practical Publishing 'Opulent Baubles' embossing folder and stamps
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Stampendous clear embossing powder
     Snippets of lemon paper, white matt card and purple textured card

I am entering the following challenges:
     CAS Christmas - Non-traditional colours
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Use a Christmas embossing folder and a stamp
     Let's Squash It - Use a Christmas Themed embossing folder and stamps
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 390

Kath x

Thursday 19 November 2020

Another Blue and Silver Christmas Tree

Another quick Christmas card using lots more snippets.

I trimmed a piece of white hammer card so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card blank, rounded the corners and attached it to the card.  I die cut the tree from dark blue pearlescent card and attached it to the centre.  I used lots of teeny, tiny snippets of silver card to die cut the leaves and inlaid them into the tree.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white hammer card blank
     Sizzix 'Trees, Leafy' dies
     Woodware corner rounder punch
     Snippets of white hammer card, blue pearlescent card and cream hammer card

I am entering the following challenges:
     CAS Christmas - Non-traditional Colours
     Fezzwig's Festive Frolics - Decorate the Tree
     Less is More - Blue & Silver
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x  

Tuesday 17 November 2020

Embossed Holly

I made this embossed and stamped Christmas card for both the Christmas Kickstart Challenge and the Let's Squash It challenge.

I embossed a piece of white card with the holly folder, trimmed around the edge and attached it to the front of the card.  I used brown ink to stamp the Christmas pudding and green ink to stamp the holly onto a snippet of white card  These were both embossed with clear embossing powder and cut with the coordinating dies.  I attached the pudding to the centre of the card with a foam pad and applied Crystal Stickles to the top.  I coloured the berries with a red Promarker and added a Wink of Stella.  Once the Stickles had dried I attached the holly to the top of the pudding.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Clearly Besotted 'Christmas Pudding' stamps and coordinating dies
     Apple Blossom 'Holly' embossing folder (this had been a cover gift with a magazine)
     Versafine Vintage Sepia and Olympia Green ink
     Berry Promarker
     Crystal Stickles
     Wink of Stella
     Snippet of white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Use a Christmas embossing folder and a stamp
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Use Some Glitter
     Let's Squash It - Use a Christmas themed embossing folder and stamps

Kath x

Sunday 15 November 2020

Cross Stitch Christmas Card

Whilst tidying my craft boxes I came upon this small tri-fold Christmas card - a perfect size to use with small cross stitch designs.

The Christmas tree pattern is from an old Leisure Arts 'Christmas Stitchin'' booklet I've recently bought from ebay - there are lots of small Christmas patterns which are perfect to use with oddments of thread.

After stitching the design I trimmed the aida and inserted it into the card.

Kath x

Thursday 12 November 2020

To a Special Mum

This is the Christmas card I made for my mum using a lovely Kanban topper- I can post the card now as she doesn't read my blog!

I didn't have a piece of gold mirri large enough for the card front, so I trimmed two smaller pieces and attached them across the front of the card.  I trimmed a piece of floral paper which matched the colours and flowers of the topper and layered it onto the mirri.  I trimmed a gold patterned strip from the edge of the topper sheet and attached it across the card to hide the join in the mirri.  The precoloured topper was then attached to the centre of the card with a foam sheet.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" ivory matt card blank
     Kanban 'Decadent Christmas' topper
     Snippets of gold mirri and Making Cards 'Christmas 2019 Craft Paper Collection' paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - X for Xtra Special (the card for my mum)
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Family and Friends
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x 

Tuesday 10 November 2020

Delightful Dangles Christmas Tree

I made this card for the Less is More Colour Challenge. I chose the non-traditional Blue and Silver option so it also fit the current CAS Christmas Challenge.

I used blue ink to stamp the tree and sentiment onto white card and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I trimmed the panel so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card blank, rounded the corners and attached it to the front of the card with a foam sheet. I then used a silver gel pen to highlight the ornaments on the tree.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Delightful Dangles - Christmas Tree'
     Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Silver gel pen
     Stampendous clear embossing powder
     Woodware Corner Rounder punch
     Snippet of white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     CAS Christmas Challenge - Non-traditional Colours
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes 512
     Less is More - Colour Challenge - Blue & Silver or Red & Gold


Kath x   

Sunday 8 November 2020

Cross Stitch Stained Glass Bell

This is another of the stained glass cross stitch Christmas decoration I've made using a pattern from a Christmas Cross Stitch magazine.  

After completing the cross stitch I ironed some interfacing on the back of the aida before trimming around the edge to fit the plastic frame.  These frames only had a piece of cardboard at the back so I attached white felt to make the back of the decoration look neater. 

To finish the decoration I added a small piece of red ribbon to the top.

Kath x

Thursday 5 November 2020

Advent Swap Labels

I'm taking part in an Advent Swap this year and have used lots of snippets to make the date labels for my gifts which all contain small gifts, most of which are cross stitch related items.

I die cut and embossed small scalloped circles from snippets of gold pearlescent card.  I then die cut and embossed small circles from dark purple pearlescent card and attached them to the scalloped circles.  I die cut the numerals from the snippets of gold pearlescent card left over from making my snippets circles and attached these to the discs.

And these are the finished parcels ready to be posted.

To make these labels I used:
     Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Standard Circles Large' & 'Classic Scalloped Circles Large' and Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' dies
     Snippets of gold and dark purple pearlescent card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Fezzwig's Festive Frolics - Anything But a Card
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 390


Kath x  

Wednesday 4 November 2020

To a Very Special Sister

This is the Christmas card I made for my sister - I can post it now as she doesn't read my blog!

I covered the front of the card blank with dark red holly paper, leaving a border around the edge.  I die cut the precoloured image with a stitched rectangle die, leaving enough room at the bottom of the image for the sentiment.  I placed the die cut topper into my MISTI so I could line up the two sentiment stamps before stamping them in red ink.  The topper was then attached to the left side of the card.  I die cut the heart from both dark grey mirri and dark grey pearlescent card , before attaching the mirri outline and pearlescent centre to the lower corner of the card.  To finish I highlighted the image with a Wink of Stella.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley ''Tis the Season' Art Pad
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' and Creative Expressions 'From the Heart - Female Relations' dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Happy Birthday All' stamps
     Versafine Crimson Red ink
     Wild Rose Studio 'Annabelle's Christmas' paper
     Snippets of dark grey mirri and dark grey pearlescent card
     Wink of Stella

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - X for Xtra Special (a card for my sister is Xtra Special)
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Family and Friends
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Something Beginning with 'H' (I've used a heart)

Kath x

Sunday 1 November 2020

Cross Stitch Dove

I've made several of these stained glass cross stitch Christmas decorations - using a pattern from a Christmas Cross Stitch magazine.  After completing the cross stitch I ironed some interfacing on the back of the aida before trimming around the edge to fit the plastic frame.  These frames only had a piece of cardboard at the back so I attached white felt to make the back of the decoration look neater.


I'll be posting more of these stained glass decorations over the next few weeks.

Kath x

Thursday 29 October 2020

October Rudolph Day

October has flown by and it's time for the tenth Rudolph Day of the year.  My Rudolph Day theme this year is 'embossing' and this card uses dry embossing on the frame.

I trimmed a piece of white hammer card to a square and die cut a circle from the centre before embossing the panel.  A snippet of floral paper was attached behind the aperture before it was layered onto a dark red mat and attached to the card front.  I die cut the sentiment twice from dark red card, layered them and added them to the bottom of the card.  

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' and Creative Expressions 'Festive Mini Expressions - Stacked
     Happy Christmas' dies
     Creative Expressions 'Sparkle Squares' embossing folder
     Making Cards 'Christmas 2019 Craft Paper Collection'
     Dark red and white hammer card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Festive Florals
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - October Challenge
     Rudolph Day - October Challenge

Kath x

Sunday 25 October 2020

Just Wanted to Say ...

A friend sent me a Stampin' Up 'Kerchief' card kit as a RAK swap, and I used three of the turquoise cards to make these notecards.  I followed the design in the card kit, except for the sentiment and I didn't use the twine on the floral panel either.

The sentiments were stamped onto the back of the fourth blue card before being cut with a flag tail die.. 

This is the first Stampin' Up card I've used and enjoyed making something a little different.

Kath x

Thursday 22 October 2020

Hello

Today's card is a quick notecard using a few snippets from my ever increasing snippets mountain.

The pretty butterfly paper was trimmed so there was an equal border around the edge, this was layered onto pale green card and attached to the card front.  The sentiment was die cut from another snippet of pale green card and attached to the top of the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Altenew 'Simply Hello' die
     BoBunny 'Isabella' paper

     Pale green textured card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Butterfly Challenge - E is for ... (I used Eau de Nil & English Rose, plus butterflies)
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - October Challenge
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 389

Kath x

Sunday 18 October 2020

Hope and Chances Charity Kit - October 2020

The October Hope and Chances Charity Kit is being sold to support the MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association).  Christine had sold out of the kits as soon as they were listed, so she made some more and I was able to buy a couple of kits for some 'special' cards this Christmas.  The new kits that were for sale didn't have the sentiments, but Di very kindly sent me a pack of Craftwork Cards sentiment which are perfect for this card.


The card was made following Christine's instructions, the only things I added were a Wink of Stella to the poinsettias and Papermania shimmering dots to the centres of the flowers.

Kath x

Wednesday 14 October 2020

Pink Christmas

I made this card for the Jingle Belles challenge who are dreaming of a Pink Christmas in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.    

I layered pink and silver snowflake paper onto cerise mirri card and attached it to the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from cerise mirri card, trimmed the edges and attached the sentiment across the lower edge.  I then die cut Christmas from silver mirri card and inlaid the letters into the sentiment.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 7" white matt card blank
     Memory Box 'Grand Merry Christmas die
     Cerise and silver mirri card
     Pink and silver snowflake paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Pink Christmas
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Jingle Belles - I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

Kath x

Friday 9 October 2020

Rockin' Robin

Today's card is a cute CAS Christmas card for a few challenges.

I stamped the dancing robin and hat onto white card and used the coordinating die to cut them.  These were coloured with Promarkers and a Wink of Stalls added to the robin's red breast and the hat.  I then die cut a frame from two stitched rectangle dies.  I placed the card blank into my MISTI and laid the frame and dancing robin in the centre so I could see where to position the sentiment.  I removed the frame and robin before stamping the sentiment - stamping it a couple of times so I got a good coverage on the embossed card.  I attached the frame with thin foam tape, the robin with double sided tape and the hat with a foam pad.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white embossed card blank
     Clearly Besotted 'Rockin' Robin stamps and coordinating dies
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics'
     Versafine Black Onyx ink
     Promarkers
     Wink of Stella

I am entering the following challenges:
     CAS Christmas - Christmas Birds
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Moving Along with the Times - Animals and/or Birds


Kath x

Thursday 8 October 2020

True Love

I made this card for a friend's anniversary using the current sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  

I attached a piece of pink paper to the front of the card blank, leaving a small margin around the edge.  I trimmed a snippet of dark pink card into a strip and attached it across the lower edge.  The precoloured LOTV image was die cut with a stitched rectangle die and I attached another snippet of white card behind it so it lay flat across the strip of dark pink card.  I die cut the heart from both silver mirri and silver glitter card, inlaying the glitter into the mirri outline and attached it to the lower corner of the image with foam tape.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 7" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'True Love' Art Pad
     My Favourite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' and Creative Expressions 'From the Heart - Female Relatives' dies
     Snippets of Lili of the Valley 'Heartfelt' paper, dark pink and white matt card, silver mirri and silver glitter card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - October challenge
     Freshly Made Sketches - Sketch 456
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 388

Kath x

Sunday 4 October 2020

Cross Stitch Gift Tags

I bought a copy of World of Cross Stitch magazine to take on holiday and the cover gift was a kit to make some gift tags - perfect for holiday stitching.  

The kit contained one piece of aida which needed cutting to make the tags, but I've tucked that away for a larger project and used lots of snippets of fabric for these tags.  


The shaped tags were also included in the kit, but I need to buy some ribbon as I didn't like the ribbon included in the kit.

Kath x

Tuesday 29 September 2020

September Rudolph Day

I had made this card for Rudolph Day before going on holiday so I could ensure I didn't miss this challenge.  This card incorporates dry embossing - embossing is my RD theme this year.

I trimmed the edges of a snippet of dark blue pearlescent card and embossed the snowflakes.  I rounded the corners before attaching it to the card blank.  I die cut 'Let it Snow' from a snippet of white matt card before embossing it and attaching it to the centre of the card.  To finish I added small turquoise metal nailheads to the snowflakes on the die cut sentiment.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Let it Snow' die
     Darice 'Snowflake Background' embossing folder
     Kars tan embossing mat
     Woodware Regular Corner Rounder punch
     Snippets of dark blue pearlescent and white matt card
     Turquoise small metal nailheads

I am entering the following challenges:
     Rudolph Day - September Challenge
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 387

Kath x

Tuesday 8 September 2020

Hello

I've not had much time to craft over the last few weeks so any cards I've made have been quick, snippets cards and this notecard is no exception.

I trimmed the paper, layered it onto green pearlescent card and attached it to the card front.  I then die cut a butterfly and 'hello' from green pearlescent card and attached these to the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white hammer card blank
     Memory Box 'Kaleidoscope Butterfly' and Altenew 'Simply Hello' dies
     Snippets of green pearlescent card and Funky Fossil 'In To The Blue' paperI

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
     Crafty Cardmakers - Things with Wings
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 386

This is my last post for a few weeks as we're heading off to Cornwall for in our new campervan Zebedee.

Kath x

Sunday 6 September 2020

Cross Stitch Anemones

I bought this lovely Carolyn's Garden 'Anemone' cross stitch kit a while ago and have enjoyed stitching these pretty flowers.  The kit has only full cross stitches and backstitch, so is perfect to stitch whilst watching television in an evening.  

After completing the cross stitch I trimmed around the edge and made a die cut frame from dark green card before attaching it to a white hammer card blank.


I've just purchased some more Carolyn's Garden cross stitch kits from a Facebook Cross Stitch group and am looking forward to making more cards with them.

Kath x

Thursday 3 September 2020

Winter Wonderland

I realised that I haven't joined in the current Snippets Challenge so found some time this afternoon to make a quick Christmas card.

I die cut the Winter Wonderland scene from white hammer card and attached it to a snippet of blue paper which I thought looked like a wintery sky.  I die cut a frame from gold pearlescent card as I wanted to inlay the scene, but then found the scene was slightly too big to inlay into the frame.  Rather than try and trim a smidgen from the edges I used the stitched die to cut it to the same size as my frame.  The frame and scene were then attached to the card.  To finish I used gold card to die cut one of the stars from the scene and attached it above the deer.


To make this card I used:  
     5" x 5" white hammer card
     Creative Dies 'Winter Wonderland' and Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' dies
     Snippets of gold pearlescent card, white hammer card and Funky Fossil 'In To The Blue' paper


I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - S for Snowy
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - At Least Two Things Starting with 'S' (Snow & Star)
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Something Beginning with 'S' (Star)
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 385

Kath x

Wednesday 2 September 2020

May all your dreams come true

I made this card to send to Elena for the August Card Chain Challenge using the Theme Option (Pets & Friendship) and the Product Option (Vellum).

I trimmed a piece of embossed paper so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and set it aside  I trimmed a piece of vellum before stamping and embossing the sentiment along the lower edge.  I wrapped the vellum around the lower edge of the embossed paper before attaching it to the card.  The precoloured Lili of the Valley Art Pad image was die cut with a stitched circle die and attached to the centre.


To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Best Friends' Art Pad
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Clearly Besotted 'Dandelion Dreams' stamps
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Stampendous clear embossing powder
     Embossed paper (make unknown as it was a charity shop fine) and vellum

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Going Round in Circles
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - September Challenge

This is the lovely card I received from Jo:


Kath x

Tuesday 1 September 2020

'Tis the Season

I've not had much time for crafting over the last few weeks as we've been getting ready for our new campervan on Friday as well as reorganising our spare room.  This afternoon I found some time to use up a few more things from y 'bits 'n' bobs' box.

I had already die cut an oval in the front of this card blank, so I covered the back of the aperture with another piece of the same card.  I die cut the precoloured Lili of the Valley image and inlaid it into the aperture.  I highlighted the girls' clothing with a Wink of Stella and added Diamond Stickles for the snow to give lots of sparkle.  To finish I attached enamel nailheads to the corners of the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" red embossed card blank
     Lili of the Valley ''Tis the Season' Art Pad
     My Favorite Things 'Inside and Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics'
     Red embossed card
     Metal nailheads
     Diamond Stickles
     Wink of Stella

I am entering the following challenges
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Use at Least Two Things Beginning with 'S' (Snow and Scarves)
     Christmas with the Cuties - Bling it On
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Somthing beginning with 'S' (Snow or Scarves)


Kath x   

Sunday 30 August 2020

Cross Stitch Inchie

I recently took part in a cross stitch 'Inchie' swap and this is the gift I sent to Aileen.  I've previously used this bow pattern for a Christmas tree ornament which was stitched on 14 count aida.  By switching my fabric to 18 count aida I was able to trim around the bow and fray the edges to make an inchie.

I layered the finished cross stitch onto a die cut red square and then attached it to a cork backed notebook I bought from a local shop.



Kath x

Thursday 27 August 2020

Wildwood Cottage Birthday

I made this card for a young girl who loves fairies - the paper is so pretty I kept the card very simple.

The paper was from a 12" x 12" pad - I trimmed it to a 6.25" square, layered it onto purple card and attached it to the card front.  I then die cut 'Happy Birthday' from the purple card and attached it to the card.   Like I said, I kept it simple!

To make this card I used:
     7" x 7" white matt card blank
     Heartfelt Creations 'Wildwood Cottage Collection' paper
     Crafts Too 'Happy Birthday' die
     Purple pearlescent card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - August Challenge
     Cutie Pie Challenge - Hip to be Square
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes 198

Kath x