Friday 31 December 2021

Bumble Bee Notecard

Today's cross stitch notecard is made with an Anchor 'Bumble Bee' kit - this is my favourite of all the notecards.  It took a while to stitch, but I may do it again as I'm pleased with the final design.

After stitching the design I used two stitched circle dies and a snippet of dark orange textured card to make a frame.  I trimmed around the edge of the stitching and applied dots of acrylic glue to fasten it to the back of the frame before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.


Kath x

Thursday 30 December 2021

Seahorse Notecard

Today's 'Seahorse' cross stitch notecard is made with a Mouseloft Stitchlets kit.

After stitching the design I used two stitched circle dies and a snippet of blue textured card to make a frame.  I trimmed around the edge of the stitching and applied dots of acrylic glue to fasten it to the back of the frame before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.


Kath x

Wednesday 29 December 2021

Blackwork Notecard

Today's notecard is made with a small blackwork design that had been a cover gift with a magazine.

After stitching the design I used two stitched circle dies and a snippet of black textured card to make a frame.  I trimmed around the edge of the stitching and applied dots of acrylic glue to fasten it to the back of the frame before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.


Kath x


Tuesday 28 December 2021

Mini Rainbow Heart Notecard

Today's 'Rainbow Heart' cross stitch notecard is made with a design by Fandom Cross Stitchery.

After stitching the design I used two stitched circle dies and a snippet of kraft card to make a frame.  I trimmed around the edge of the stitching and applied dots of acrylic glue to fasten it to the back of the frame before attaching it to the centre of the kraft card blank.


Kath x

Monday 27 December 2021

Clematis Notecard

I've stitched this Clematis design a few times as it doesn't take too long to stitch and I love the colours of the flower. 

After stitching the design I used two stitched circle dies and a snippet of mauve textured card to make a frame.  I trimmed around the edge of the stitching and applied dots of acrylic glue to fasten it to the back of the frame before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.


Kath x

Sunday 26 December 2021

Fat Cat

This is one of the many small cross stitch designs I completed over the summer  - this is 'Fat Cat' from a design by Mouseloft.  

After finishing the stitching I used two circle dies and a snippet of dark orange textured card to make a frame.  I trimmed around the edge of the stitching and applied dots of acrylic glue to fasten it to the back of the frame before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.



I've spent time this week making some of my small cross stitch pieces into cards, so will be listing them each day this week.

Kath x

Saturday 25 December 2021

Merry Christmas

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas - wherever you are and whatever you are doing over the holiday period.

We should have been going away in our campervan for Christmas, but due to the alarming increase in Covid numbers have changed our plans and are staying at home.  Weather permitting we'll go walking over the next few days - we'll have to wait and see!

Take care and stay safe.

Kath x

Friday 24 December 2021

Rainbow Christmas Tree

As always, my final Christmas card of the year is the one I've made for Steve - this year I've made a rainbow Christmas tree.

I trimmed a piece of white card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and placed it into my MISTI.  I placed the Christmas tree on the card and lined up the two parts of the sentiment 'To a Very Special' and 'Husband' stamps.  I stamped these several times in dark brown ink to get a good deep colour and then embossed them with clear embossing powder before attaching the panel to the card front.  I stamped the tree trunk onto a snippet of wood effect paper, fussy cut it and attached it to the card.  I then coloured the baubles with red, orange, gold, green, blue and purple Promarkers before adding Glossy Accents to make then shine.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Christmas Bubble Tree' and Clearly Besotted 'Happy Birthday All' stamps
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Promarkers
     Glossy Accents
     Snippet of wood effect paper and white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Christmas
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Pick a Previous Challenge (I chose the November Colour Challenge - Rainbow)
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - December Challenge
     We Love Stamping - CAS

Kath x

Thursday 23 December 2021

Blue Bauble

A quick Christmas card today using a new die I bought to make some last minute cards.

I trimmed a piece of white card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut the bauble from the centre.  I trimmed a snippet of pale gold paper so it was slightly smaller than the panel and sprayed it with Spray & Sparkle.  When the paper had dried I placed it to the rear of the white panel and attached it to the card front.  I die cut and embossed the bauble from a snippet of dark blue pearlescent card and inlaid it into the card front.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6"white matt card blank
     Xcut 'Large Ornate Bauble' die
     Snippets of white matt card, dark blue pearlescent card and pale gold paper
     Crafter's Companion Spray and Sparkle

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Winter
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - December Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 33 (my new bauble die)
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Tuesday 21 December 2021

Season's Greetings

I made this snippets card for the Christmas Draw Challenge in Pixie's Snippets Playground using snippets left over from other cards.

I die cut five stitched squares from gold mirri and five layered poinsettias from red embossed card.  I placed the card blank into my MISTI and laid the gold squares across it so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the squares and stamped the sentiment a couple of times in dark red ink and then once in a brighter red ink so it matched the colour of the poinsettias.  I attached the gold squares with Pinflair glue to give me a little 'wriggle room' so I could line them up evenly and then attached the poinsettias.  The gold centres were die cut from teeny tiny snippets of gold mirri left over from die cutting the squares - these were then attached to the centre of the poinsettias.


To make this card I used:
     DL white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables', All Occasion Dies 'Small Poinsettia' and Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves' dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Cheerful Christmas' stamps
     Versafine Crimson Red and Satin Red ink
     Snippets of gold mirri and red embossed card

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Christmas + Optional Twist Slimline
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Pick a Previous Challenge (I've chosen the March Theme Challenge - Slimline Cards)
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - December Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 418

Kath x  

Monday 20 December 2021

Golden Bauble

I made this card using an Anchor kit and although it was called a cross stitch kit it was all stitched in backstitch.  

After stitching the golden bauble I set it aside to make the frame.  I attached a snippet of gold glitter paper to a piece of white card and die cut a frame with two square dies.  I trimmed the fabric so it was slightly smaller than the frame and attached it with red super sticky tape.  I then attached the topper to the centre of the card front with more super sticky tape.


To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     Anchor Quickies 'Golden Bauble' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-Namics' dies
     Snippets of gold glitter self adhesive paper and white card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - If it's Christmassy, Link It Up
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x   

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Pink and Purple Christmas Tree

I made this Christmas card for Steve's niece - I had already made a similar card in bright colours for her brother but thought these colours were a bit more girlie.

I trimmed a piece of white hammer card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank, rounded the corners and attached it to the front of the card.  I die cut the tree from a snippet of dark purple pearlescent card and attached it to the centre.  I used smaller snippets of lilac and pink pearlescent to cut the leaves which were then inlaid into the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white hammer card blank
     Sizzix 'Trees - Leafy' die
     Woodware 'Corner Rounder' punch
     Snippets of white hammer card and purple, lilac and pink pearlescent card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - If It's Christmassy, Link it Up
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Quick and Easy
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - December Challenge
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Tuesday 14 December 2021

'Tis the Season to Prance

I made this Christmas card for one of my teenage nephews.

I stamped Rudolph onto a snippet of white card and cut it with the coordinating die before colouring it with Promarkers.  I die cut a frame from a snippet of white hammer card using two oblong dies.  I put the card blank it into my MISTI and placed the frame and Rudolph on top so I could see where to position the sentiment.  I removed the frame and Rudolph before stamping the sentiment in black ink.  The frame and Rudolph were then attached to the card with foam tape.  To finish I added Glossy Accents to Rudolph's nose.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white hammer card blank
     Clearly Besotted 'Let's Prance' stamps and coordinating die
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rrectangle STAX Die-namics
     Promarkers
     Snippets of white matt and white hammer card
     Glossy Accents

I am entering the following challenges:
     CAS on Friday - Christmas
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - If It's Chrissmassy, Link It Up
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - December Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - Christmas Characters (I've chosen Rudolph)

Kath x

Sunday 12 December 2021

Cross Stitch Nativity

This is the final cross stitch stained glass Christmas decoration I made from a design in Christmas Cross Stitching magazine.  After finishing the stitching I ironed thin interfacing onto the back of fabric, trimmed the edge and inserted into a small plastic frame.  I attached a piece of white felt to the back of the decoration and a small piece of dark blue ribbon to the top.

Kath x

Thursday 9 December 2021

Merry Christmas Mum

I had made a cross stitch Christmas card for my mum, but as she has recently told me she doesn't like cross stitch cards I thought I'd better make another card for her!  

I attached a piece of gold mirri card to the front of the card blank, leaving a small border around the edge.  I then cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the mirri and placed it into my MISTI.  I lay the tree stamp, 'Merry Christmas' and 'Mum' stamps onto the card and stamped them several times with dark green ink to get a good depth of colour.  I then embossed the tree and sentiment with clear embossing powder.  I used a gold gel pen to colour the decorations on the tree before attaching the panel to the gold mirri.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Delightful Dangles - Christmas Tree', Clearly Besotted 'Cheerful Christmas' and Clearly Besotted 'Happy Birthday All' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Gold gel pen
     Gold mirri and white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes with CAS option
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x  

Monday 6 December 2021

JOY

I'm still trying to catch up with making Christmas cards as well as using as much as possible from my snippets mountain.

For this card I embossed a piece of white card and trimmed around the edges before layering it onto a piece of red embossed card and attaching it to the card blank.  I die cut JOY from red card and attached the 'J' and 'Y' to the centre of the panel.  I die cut three poinsettias from red card, layered them and attached them to the centre of the card.  To finish I die cut seven small gold dots and attached them to the centre of the poinsettia.

To make this card I used:   
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Joy', All Occasion Dies 'Small Poinsettia' and Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves'
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder
     Snippets of dark red embossed card, white matt card and gold mirri

I'm not entering any challenges with this card as I CASEd it from Darnell's JOY card in her Christmas Parade - thank you for the inspiration Darnell!

Kath x

Sunday 5 December 2021

Nativity Bauble

Another Christmas card made with more snippets and a magazine cover gift die.

I trimmed the green paper, layered it onto gold mirri card and attached it to the card blank.  I die cut the Nativity bauble from dark blue pearlescent card and attached it to the panel. I then die cut the swirl bauble and a large star from gold mirri before attaching them over the top of the Nativity scene.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Memory Box 'Nativity Bauble' die (magazine cover gift)
     Snippets of dark blue pearlescent card, gold mirri and Funky Fossil 'In To The Blue' paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Use a Die
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Wednesday 1 December 2021

Cross Stitch Bethlehem

This decoration is made with a cross stitch pattern from last year's Christmas Cross Stitch magazine.  After finishing the stitching I ironed thin interfacing onto the back of the fabric, trimmed the edge and inserted it into a small gold plastic frame.  To finish the decoration I attached a circle of white felt to the back and a small piece of ribbon to the top.


Kath x


Tuesday 30 November 2021

Christmas Eve Night

I've another Christmas card today - made entirely with snippets.

I die cut the Christmas Eve scene from dark blue pearlescent card and attached it to a snippet of pink and blue paper. I trimmed the paper around the edge of the die before attaching it to the card blank.  I then die cut the moon from a snippet of gold pearlescent card and inlaid it into the scene.

To make this card I used:
     5.25" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     Cottage Cutz 'Christmas Eve Night' die
     Snippets of dark blue and gold pearlescent card, Funky Fossil 'In To The Blue' paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Christmas Snippets
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 417
     Winter Wonderland - For a Child

Kath x

Monday 29 November 2021

November Rudolph Day

For various reasons I've missed most of the Rudolph Day challenges this year, but thought I must make an effort to join in with the final challenge of the year.  My theme for this year's Rudolph Day cards is 'Upcycling' so I've used the front of a card I received last year to make this super quick card.

I die cut the front of the card, layered it onto a snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the front of the card blank.  This card was so quick to make it felt like I'm cheating!

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Upcycled Christmas card
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of gold mirri card

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

Kath x

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Jack, Patch and Puss

I made this cute Christmas card for my great-niece using an old Lili of the Valley Art Pad image.

I die cut the precoloured image with a stitched rectangle die and set it aside.  I had a snippet of  'Ho, Ho, Ho' paper that was from an old Making Cards paper collection.  I attached the paper to a piece of white card, trimmed it so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and then die cut a stitched rectangle from the centre.  To finish I inlaid the topper into the frame.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Jack, Patch & Puss' Art Pad image
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of white card and  Making Cards 'Christmas 2019' craft paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     Cutie Pie Challenge - Anything Cute
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Winter Wonderland - For a Child

Kath x

Monday 15 November 2021

Happy Holidays

Another Christmas card from me today using one of my favourite Funky Fossil stamps.

I had got a die cut circle in my snippets folder - made for a project and not used - which was a perfect size for this wreath stamp.  I used brown ink to stamp the wreath into the centre of the circle and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I coloured the pine cones with a light brown pen and the letters and berries with a red pen.  I attached the wreath topper to the centre of the card with a circle of a thin foam sheet, cut slightly smaller than the circle of white card.  To finish I used Diamond Stickles on the small dots around the wreath.

To make this card I used:   
     5" x 5" white card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Funky Fossil 'Joy' stamps
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Copics - R23 & R29
     Diamond Stickles 

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to CAS - Circle
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Something Beginning with U, V or W (I've chosen W for Wreath)
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Sunday 14 November 2021

Christmas Puddings

I'm now hopefully back in blogland after our summer of campervan travels, Steve's heart attack (thankfully he's making a good recovery), and a kitchen and bathroom refit.  As I've not done much crafting over the summer I'm behind with my Christmas cards so have made seven cards in this simple design - perfect for the current ABC Christmas Challenge.

I used lots of snippets of white card to make these quick cards - although I still have lots left!  I embossed the holly frame onto some of the larger pieces of card, trimmed around the border and attached them to the centre of the card blanks.  I stamped the Christmas puddings with brown ink and the holly with green ink onto lots of smaller pieces of card.  I then used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  I added Diamond Stickles to the top of the puddings and when they had dried attached them to the centre of the cards with foam tape.  I coloured the holly berries with a bright red pen and added a Wink of Stella before attaching the holly to the top of the puddings.


To make these cards I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card 
     Clearly Besotted 'Christmas Pudding' stamp and dies
     Apple Blossom 'Holly' embossing folder
     Versafine Vintage Sepia and Olympia Green ink
     Copic Ciao - R29
     Diamond Stickles
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white card

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - X for Xerox
     Allsorts - Christmas
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Christmas Snippets
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - November Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 416

Kath x

Friday 1 October 2021

Life's Curved Ball

We've had a fabulous summer since Steve took early retirement and have spent almost three months travelling in our campervan.  We arrived home last Saturday after a month long trip travelling around Norfolk and had planned on a quick turnaround before heading off to see our families.  Then life decided to throw us a curved ball and Steve had a heart attack on Sunday.  Thankfully the paramedics got him to hospital quickly and the amazing CCU team removed the clots and inserted a stent.  He's back home now and is starting the long road to recovery.  He keeps telling me the upside of us not going away is that I can do some crafting so I hope to be back in blogland within the next few weeks when our life settles down!

Kath x

Thursday 29 July 2021

Fabulous Fuchsias

I made this gift tag for my sister's birthday present using lots of snippets and a set of new to me 'pre-loved' stamps.

I covered a piece of white card with a snippet of cream paper and die cut the tag. I put the tag into my MISTI and stamped 'sister' in the lower corner -stamping a couple of times to get a good deep colour before embossing it with clear embossing powder. I stamped the flower with purple ink and the leaves with green ink before embossing them with clear embossing powder and cutting them with the coordinating dies.  I attached the leaves across the tag and trimmed the stem on the right side so it was flush with the side of the tag.  The flower was attached with a foam pad.  To finish I threaded a snippet of white ribbon through the top.

To make this card I used:
     Clearly Besotted 'Fabulous Fuchsias' stamps and coordinating dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Happy Birthday All' stamps
     Versafine Imperial Purple and Olympia Green ink
     Cosmic Shimmer clear detail embossing powder
     Snippets of white card, cream paper and white ribbon

I am entering the following challengs:
     Allsorts - Feminine/For a Lady
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - July Challenge
     NBUS - Challenge 28 (my fuchsia stamps and dies)
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 408

This will be my last post for a while as we're heading off in our campervan again.

Kath x

Tuesday 27 July 2021

Chocolate Box Christmas Tree

I missed last month's Rudolph Day as we were away in our campervan, but have made a quick upcycled card (upcycling is my theme this year) for this month's challenge.  This card is made with the patterned card from the top of a box of Waitrose chocolates.

I trimmed the purple and gold card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and attached it to the front.  I trimmed a piece of white hammer card and die cut the Christmas tree from the centre - setting it aside as I wanted to use the leaves.  The panel was trimmed and attached to the card.  I die cut the Christmas tree from the purple and gold card before inlaying both the tree and white leaves.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white hammer card blank
     Sizzix 'Trees, Leafy' die
     Upcycled Waitrose chocolate box
     White hammer card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - July challenge

Kath x

Saturday 24 July 2021

Birthday Wishes Just For You

Before heading off on our last campervan 'adventure' I bought a pack of Hunkydory Deco-Large 'Flourishing Florals' to take with me.  We don't have much room to take many crafting items, but these fit into a small box together with my Pinflair glue and a few tools.  I made all the decoupage toppers whilst away and now have a drawer full of pretty floral images to make into cards.

I trimmed a piece of the co-ordinating card, layered it onto silver mirri and attached it to the card front.  The floral decoupage topper was attached to the centre of the card and a small sentiment topper attached to the lower corner with Pinflair glue.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Flourishing Florals Deco-Large - Purple Petals' card, base layer, decoupage flowers and sentiment topper
     Silver mirri

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

Kath x

Friday 23 July 2021

Happy Birthday

I made this card for my youngest great-nephew's forthcoming birthday.  As I haven't made any cards for a while it took my longer to find everything than it did to make the card!

I trimmed a piece of pale blue paper and layered it onto brown paper before die cutting an oval from the left side and placing it into my MISTI.  I stamped the sentiment with dark brown ink and then attached the paper to the card front.  I die cut the precoloured LOTV Art Pad image with an oval die and then die cut a number '5' on one of the sails before inlaying the topper into the card front.  I attached a small snippet of brown paper to a piece of card before die cutting '5' and inlaying it into the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Action Time' Art Pad
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics' and Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' dies
     Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamps
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Lili of the Valley 'Bear Necessities' and 'Enchantment' papers

I am entering the following challenges:
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - July Challenge
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Thursday 15 July 2021

The Harbourside

We're back from the first of our adventures in Zebedee following Steve's retirement, although we have plenty more trips planned for the rest of the year.  This is the card I made for Steve's 60th birthday using a Hunkydory Deco-Large card kit.  He loves visiting seaside harbours so I thought the image would be perfect for him.

I trimmed a piece of the backing card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I removed the decoupage layers from the backing sheet and layered them with Pinflair glue.  After the glue had dried I attached the topper to the centre of the card.  To finish I die cut 60 from gold mirri and attached the numbers to the lower corner of the card.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" cream matt card
     Hunkydory Deco-Large 'The Harbourside' backing card and decoupage
     Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' die
     Gold mirri

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Masculine
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Friday 28 May 2021

Life Begins at Retirement

Although Steve's actual retirement date is his birthday next month, today is his final working day so I've made this card for him.  Hopefully he will have lots of 'me time' in his retirement as well as many adventures in Zebedee.  

I attached dark blue paper to a piece of white paper and trimmed it so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  I die cut a stitched circle from the centre and rounded the corners before attaching it to the front of the card blank.  I put the precoloured image into my MISTI and lay the circle die on top so I could see where to stamp the sentiment.  I removed the die and stamped the sentiment before die cutting the image.  The circle was then inlaid into the aperture.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Vintage Boys' Art Pad
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics die
     Practical Publishing 'Stamps for All Occasions' stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Lili of the Valley 'Father Knows Best' paper
     Woodware Corner Rounder punch

Our first adventure in Zeb starts on Monday and we're going to be away for several weeks so I won't making any new posts until mid July.  I'm not sure how much commenting I'll be able to do either - that all depends on the weather and the wifi signals on our campsites.

Kath x

Tuesday 25 May 2021

May Rudolph Day

It's time for another Rudolph Day - I can't believe that another month has flown by.  My Rudolph Day theme this year is 'Upcycling' so this is another card with an upcycled image from a Christmas card I received last year and a gold frame made from an old birthday card.

The Christmas card had got three angels on the front and I used a stitched rectangle die to cut this angel from the left side (I also cut the angel from the right of the card to make another Christmas card). The gold die cut stitched frame was from an old birthday card.  The frame was attached to the card and the angel topper inlaid into it.


To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white hammer card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Upcycled Christmas card and birthday card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - May Challenge

Kath x

Monday 24 May 2021

Christmas Choir

This card is made with another Hunkydory Deco-Large topper which was amongst some preloved cardmaking items I've recently bought.

To make this quick card I layered the main image onto silver mirri and then onto red patterned paper before attaching it to the front of the card blank.  The images in the Deco Large kits are die cut so I removed them from the backing sheet and trimmed any small 'pips' around the edge before using Pinflair glue to add the decoupage layers to the card.  There were some small sentiments with the toppers pack but I chose to leave the card without a sentiment.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt ard blank
     Hunkydory 'Christmas Choir Deco-Large' topper
     Snippets of red patterned card and silver mirri

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Use Some Silver
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Sunday 23 May 2021

Whale Cross Stitch Keyring

I made this keyring with a mini 'Whale' cross stitch kit that I've recently purchased as part of a preloved selection of cross stitch items.  The design is by Graphworks.


After completing the stitching, I trimmed around the whale and inserted the fabric into an acrylic keyring.  I cut a small piece of white textured card to fit behind the stitching before clicking the two part of the keyring together.

Kath x

Saturday 22 May 2021

Thank You

I've recently bought some Hunkydory 'Flourishng Florals' Deco-Large images to put in my crafting box when we go away in our campervan.  Most of the designs are quite delicate but I love this vibrant design which is perfect for Allsorts '12th Birthday - Anything with Bright and Sunny Colours' challenge.

I trimmed the gold from around the edge of the main image and layered it onto gold mirri as I wanted to add an extra layer.  I then removed the decoupage layers from the backing sheet and used Pinflair glue gel to build the image.  I trimmed one of the sentiments to cut out 'Thank You' before layering it onto a tiny piece of gold mirri and attaching it to the corner of the topper with a small piece of foam tape.  Once the glue gel had dried I attached the topper to the card blank.


To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" cream hammer card blank
     Hunkydory 'Flourishing Florals - Retro Radiance' Deco Large
     Gold mirri


I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - 12th Birthday - Anything with Bright and Sunny Colours
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Tuesday 18 May 2021

Enjoy your Special Day

I've recently been very fortunate to win two Chocolate Baroque stamps from the Allsorts Challenge - they're both lovely but this one is my favourite.  The stamps have lovely fine etched details which stamp beautifully.

I placed a piece of white hammer card into my MISTI and stamped both the floral panel and the sentiment in brown ink.  As I was stamping onto hammer card I stamped several times to get a good depth of colour.  I coloured the shaded parts of the roses with an orange pencil and then the rest of the flowers with a yellow pencil.  The leaves were coloured with two shaded of green.  I then gently rubbed the side of the tip of a pale pink pencil across the netting to give a slight colour behind the flowers.  I used a corner rounder punch to round the corners of the panel before attaching it to the card blank.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Chocolate Baroque 'Floribunda Net' and Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamps
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Faber Castell Colour Grip coloured pencils
     Woodware Corner Rounder punch
     Snippet of white hammer card

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenge - Happy Birthday
     AAA Cards Challenge - Happy Birthday
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 26 (using my new Chocolate Baroque stamp)
     Seize the Birthday - Make it a Bouquet
     We Love Chocolate Baroque - Bright Sunny Colours

Kath x

Monday 17 May 2021

Pretty Girl

I made this card following the Less is More sketch and used the image from the cover of an old Lili of the Valley Art Pad.

I die cut the girl from the front of the Art Pad.  The first cut was down the right side of the image to remove the Art Pad number.  I then lined up the die along the stitched outline ensuring the frame from the Art Pad cover was removed down the left side.  The topper was layered onto the reverse side of a snippet of card from my 69th and Market Art Pad (the reverse side of the papers are a more solid colour than the patterned fronts).  The panel was then attached to the upper edge of the card blank.  I stamped the sentiment onto another snippet of the same pink card and die cut it with a circular die.  The sentiment was attached to the lower corner of the topper with a foam pad.



To make this card I used:
     7" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Pretty Girls' Art Pad (the image from the front cover)
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' and 'Inside & Out Circle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Practical Publishing 'Stamps for All Occasions' sentiment stamp
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Snippets of 49th and Market 'Vintage Artistry in Blush' paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenge - Happy Birthday
     AAA Cards Challenge - Birthday
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Less is More - Sketch 26

Kath x

Sunday 16 May 2021

Cross Stitch Bow Card

Last week I posted a cross stitch heart card - this bow is from the same pattern and uses the same colours and fabric as the heart.

After stitching the bow I frayed the edges of the fabric before layering it onto red mirri card and attaching it to the centre of the card blank.


Kath x

Thursday 13 May 2021

Happy Birthday to You

I made this card following the new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches although I chose to rotate the sketch for my card.

I die cut a snippet of white card to make a fishtail flag, cutting it from each end to elongate the shape. I placed the flag into my MISTI and used black ink to stamp the sentiment along the lower edge before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The flag was then attached along the lower edge of the card.  I used black ink to stamp the flowers onto gold textured card and the leaves onto green textured card.  These were embossed before being cut with the coordinating dies.  I coloured the decoration on the flower with a green Promarker and green sparkle pen.  The leaves were attached directly onto the flag and the flower was attached with a foam pad.

To make this card I used:
     8.25" x 4" white matt card blank
     Lil'inker Designs 'Modern Mehndi' stamps and coordinating dies
     My Favorite Things 'Fishtail Flags' dies
     Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamps
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Lush Green Promarker
     Spectrum Noir Soft Jade Sparkle pen
     Cosmic Shimmer clear embossing powder
     Snippets of gold and green textured card and white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenges - Happy Birthday
     AAA Cards - Up to One Third
     Freshly Made Sketches - Sketch 485
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 402I

Kath x

Monday 10 May 2021

Winter Wonderland

I made this card using a lovely Hunkydory Deco-large topper which was part of a preloved pack of goodies I've recently purchased.

I trimmed the green floral paper, layered it onto silver mirri and attached it to the card front.  The Deco-large toppers are die cut, so I popped them from the carrier card and used Pinflair glue to layer the image.  Once the glue had set I attached the decoupaged panel to the centre of the card.  The small 'Festive Wishes' sentiment is also from Hunkydory (although as it was from my oddments box I don't know the name of the topper sheet it was from) and this was attached to the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Winter Wonderland Deco-Large' toppers
     Hunkydory 'Festive Wishes' topper 
     Kaisercraft Christmas paper 
     Silver mirri card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Sunday 9 May 2021

Cross Stitch Heart Card

I've made several of these small cross stitch hearts - stitched in different shades of pink and red thread on a cream coloured aida with a gold thread running through it.  I have made some of the hearts into keyrings and others have been made into cards.  

For this card I frayed the edges of the fabric before layering it onto red mirri card and attaching it to the centre of the card blank.

Kath x

Tuesday 4 May 2021

Hello (again!)

I made this card to send to Mia for the April Card Chain Challenge.  I used the Colour Option (Walnut, Lavender and Jade), the Theme Option (Friendship) and the Product/Technique Option (Die Cut).

I used brown ink to stamp the flowers onto lavender textured card and the leaves onto jade textured card, stamping them a couple of times to get a good depth of colour before embossing them with clear embossing powder.  I then used the coordinating dies to cut the flowers and leaves and highlighted the pattern on the flowers with a brown Copic pen.  The two smaller flowers were attached directly onto the card and the larger flower was attached with a foam pad with the leaves tucked underneath the flowers.  I die cut 'hello' from dark brown textured card and attached it to the lower corner of the card.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lil'inker 'Modern Mehndi' stamps and coordinating dies
     Altenew 'Simply Hello' die
     Copic E25 pen
     Snippets of dark brown, lavender and jade textured card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Clean and Simple

This is the lovely card I received from Gundi:

Kath x 

Sunday 2 May 2021

Cross Stitch Cat on Pile of Ironing Card

This is the third Mouseloft cross stitch kit I received in the Easter cross stitch swap.  This one is called 'Perfect' which I made into a small card for a cat loving friend.

After completing the stitching I trimmed the fabric and frayed the edges before layering it onto a small piece of white card and then gold card.  

Kath x

Wednesday 28 April 2021

Hello

I needed to make a few more notecards and used the last snippets of my 49th and Market 'Vintage Artistry' paper pad.  

I had made another card with the top section of the paper, so used the Curved Border die to cut the largest shape possible from the remaining paper.  After die cutting, I embossed along the edge of the curved border.  I die cut 'hello' from the paper, setting the pieces to one side, before attaching the paper to the lower corner of the card blank.  I die cut 'hello' twice more from more snippets from the same pad - the papers have a coloured core so I wouldn't get a white edge when stacking the sentiment.  I inlaid one 'hello' together with the small snippets I had set aside before layering the other two sentiments.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank 
     Spellbinders Borderabilities 'A2 Curved Border' and Altenew 'Simply Hello' dies
     Kars tan embossing mat
     Snippets of 49th and Market 'Vintage Artistry in Blush' paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - April challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - April challenge
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 401

Kath x

Tuesday 27 April 2021

April Rudolph Day

It's time for the fourth Rudolph Day challenge of the year - I can't believe how quickly time is flying by.  As my RD theme this year is 'Upcycling' I've used a tiny Rudolph image and some red shiny card that have been upcycled from two Christmas cards.

I die cut the Rudolph image with a stitched die and then layered it onto a shiny red square that had been die cut and embossed around the edge.  The tiny topper was then attached to the centre of the card.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white hammer card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' and Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Squares Large' dies
     Kars tan embossing mat
     Tiny Rudolph image and shiny red card (upcycled from two Christmas cards)

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Fezzwig's Festive Frolics - Oh Deer
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - April challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day Challenge - April challenge

Kath x  

Sunday 25 April 2021

Cross Stitch Vintage Car Keyring

This Mouseloft 'Vintage Car' cross stitch kit was another gift I received in the Easter cross stitch swap.  After stitching the car I trimmed around the edge of the design and placed it inside an acrylic keyring.

Kath x

Wednesday 21 April 2021

Thinking of You

Today's card is another 'Thinking of You' card - it's probably a sign of the times but I sold this card as soon as it was listed on Folksy.

I die cut the Prim Poppy from white card and coloured it with a red and green Promarker.  I put the card blank into my MISTI and lay the poppy onto it so I could see where to position the sentiment.  After removing the poppy I stamped the sentiment a couple of times to give a good depth of colour.  To finish I then attached the poppy to the card.


To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Memory Box 'Prim Poppy' die
     Clearly Besotted 'Fancy Sayings' stamp
     Versafine Olympia green ink
     Red and Dark Green Promarkers

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to CAS - Flower
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Tuesday 20 April 2021

Vintage Boy

A friend saw the 'Vintage Boy' birthday card I recently made and asked me to make one for her father.  I didn't have the same image, but I used another image from the Art Pad.

I die cut the precoloured image with a rectangle die, die cutting from both ends so I could elongate the shape.  I then die cut 'DAD' from the upper corner and set the pieces aside.  I trimmed a piece of wood effect paper so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and attached it to a thin piece of white card.  I then die cut an elongated rectangle from the centre, ensuring it was the same size as my topper.  I attached the frame to the card and inlaid the image.  I die cut 'DAD' from a snippet of the wood effect paper and inlaid it into the card.




To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Vintage Boys' Art Pad image
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' and Creative Expressions 'From the Heart - Male Relations' dies
     Papermania 'Capsule Elements - Wood' paper
     Snippets of white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     The Male Room - Wood

Kath x