Thank You!

As the year ends, I wanted to say a big 'Thank You' to everyone who has commented on my blog and to the Design Teams who have chosen my cards as Top Picks throughout the year - this card is for all of you!

 To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" cream hammer card blank
     Stitchrovia 'Sew Grateful' card kit
     DMC threads
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippet of cream hammer card

After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind a stitched square aperture that had been die cut in the centre of the card blank.  A piece of the same card was attached to the inside to cover the back of the stitching.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Kath x

Cross Stitch Rose

This Reflexions cross stitch kit was amongst the many items my neighbour gifted me earlier this year.  The kit was to make a ruby wedding anniversary framed picture, but I decided to omit the wording and stitch the rose to make a card for her birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Reflexlions 'Ruby Wedding' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Woodware corner rounder punch
     Snippet of white hammer card

I die cut a stitched circle from a piece of white hammer card and trimmed it so it was slightly smaller than the card blank before rounding the corners.  After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind the aperture and attached the panel to the front of the card.

Kath x

Happy Birthday to You

I've made this birthday card with lots of snippets and as the card is to be posted overseas I've made a stencilled background rather than a layered one to reduce postage costs.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics', My Favorite Things 'Fishtail Flags' and Lawn Fawn 
     'Happy Birthday Border' dies
     Circles Stencil (this is unbranded but I think it was a cover gift with a magazine)
     Versamark ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippets of dark blue, medium blue and pale blue textured card and white matt card 

I placed the stencil onto the front of the card blank, applied Versamark ink through the circles and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I die cut the three circles from the dark, medium and pale blue textured card using the stitched die.  These were layered and then cut in half.  I die cut the fishtail flag from a snippet of white card - cutting the first half and then moving the die to the other end of the flag so I could get a 'V' in both ends.  As the card was quite thin I glued it onto another piece of white card and trimmed around the edge.  I die cut the sentiment from dark blue textured card and attached it across the centre of the flag.  I placed the half circles onto the upper part of the card front - leaving a small gap between the two pieces so the sentiment banner wouldn't cover too much of the inner circle.  To ensure the banner lay flat across the card I trimmed another snippet of white card and inserted it in to the gap between the circles.  To finish I attached the banner across the centre.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Cold and Ice (I've used cold colours and the embossed dots look like ice)
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like It - Anything Goes (I love die cutting, especially when I've been able to make a card entirely from my 'snippets mountain'!)
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - December Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Anything But Christmas

Kath x

Happy Birthday

As I've got everything ready for Christmas, it's time to start making cards for next year and having a play with some new dies I've recently won.  This card used a lovely die from The Paper Boutique which I won in the Snippets Playground.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     The Paper Boutique 'It's Time to Celebrate', Crafts-Too 'Happy Birthday' and Tattered Lace 'Mini Butterflies' dies
     Snippets of silver mirri and pink pearlescent card

I die cut the main die from silver mirri and used the circle die to remove the centre before attaching it to the card blank.  I die cut the main die again from pink pearlescent card and inlaid the centres of the flowers and leaves.  To finish, I die cut Happy Birthday and the two smaller butterflies from silver mirri and attached them to the centre of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Something Beginning with 'B' (I have chosen Birthday, Blooms & Butterflies)
     Color Hues - Pink and Silver
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 57 (I used my new Paper Boutique die)
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 469

Kath x 

Meerkat Card

I'm on a mission to use up some of my oddments and this card uses left over threads from a Mouseloft 'Meerkat' kit.  I was given this kit in a cross stitch swap and used it to make a keyring, I've now used the left over threads to make a small notecard.

To make this card I used:
     C7 tri-fold kraft card blank
     Mouseloft Tiddlers 'Meerkat' chart and left over threads
     Snippet of cream 14 count aida

After stitching the Meerkat, I trimmed the fabric to fit inside the card blank.  I attached the fabric behind the aperture and then folded the card to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Stitching - Real or Faux
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Whimsical Flower

This lovely flower stamp is another of my charity shop finds.  Although the sentiment stamp was missing from the packet I thought the flower would be lovely to paper piece.  I made the card with papers from a new Lili of the Valley 'Pressed in Time' paper pad that Di has recently sent me - thank you Di.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Whimsical Flower - Sally Anne' and Clearly Besotted 'Fabulous Fuchsias' stamps
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Lili of the Valley ''Pressed in Time' papers
     Snippet of white matt card

I stamped the flower and sentiment onto a piece of white matt card, trimmed the panel to 4.75" square, layered it onto a slightly larger piece of green paper and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I stamped the stem and leaves onto green paper, the flower centre onto brown paper and the petals onto a pink flower from a piece of floral paper.  These were then fussy cut and attached to the image on the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 57 (my new Woodware stamp)
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x

Cross Stitch Pansy

I've not done much stitching over the last few weeks as I've been finishing Christmas cards and wrapping presents.  All is now done, so it's time to start stitching again.

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

I die cut a stitched square from a piece of cream hammer card and trimmed it so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind the aperture and attached the panel to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Stitching - Real or Faux (I've got real stitching and also a stitched die)
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes  
     
Kath x

Under the Mistletoe

I don't often buy craft magazines as they're now so expensive, but I made an exception when I saw this Lisa Horton set of dies as a cover gift.  The mistletoe die is perfect for Steve's Christmas card and, as always, this is my final Christmas card to post this year.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' and Lisa Horton 'Under the Mistletoe' dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Happy Birthday All' stamps
     Versafine Crimson Red ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippets of white matt card, cream gloss card, green textured card and red mirri card 

I die cut the largest square from white matt card and placed it into my MISTI.   I placed the mistletoe die onto the panel so I could see where the position the stamps.  After removing the die I stamped the sentiment in red ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The panel was layered onto red mirri and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  I die cut the mistletoe from green textured card and attached it above the sentiment.  The bow was die cut from red mirri card and attached to the top of the mistletoe branch.  To finish I die cut the berries from tiny snippets of cream gloss card and attached them to the mistletoe.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - X is for XOXO (hugs and kisses)
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Less is More - D is for Deck the Halls
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 468

Kath x

Black, White and Gold Joy

I made this card using the colours of the AAA Cards Challenge - black and gold aren't colours I would normally use for a Christmas card but I was pleased with the finished card.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Joy' & My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of white and black matt card and gold mirri card

I trimmed a piece of white matt card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and then used the largest rectangle die to cut it into a stitched shape. As the die wasn't long enough to cut the panel I cut the first half, then moved the die to cut the lower part of the panel.  I then cut JOY from the centre of the panel before attaching it to the card.  I die cut JOY from black matt card and inlaid the letters into the panel, together with the middle of the O that had been cut from white card.  I die cut the fancy JOY from gold mirri and attach it to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards Challenge - Black, White and Gold
     CAS on Friday - Christmas
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas/Winter
     Less is More - D is for Deck the Halls

Kath x

Large Birthday Sentiment

I made this card for the AAA Birthday Card Challenge using a sheet paper from a lovely Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper pad which was one of the two LOTV paper pads that Di kindly sent me - thank you Di!

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Giant Happy Birthday to You' die
     Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper 
     Snippets of purple card

I trimmed a piece of the Antebellum paper to 5.25" square and layered it onto a slightly larger square of purple card.  I die cut the sentiment from the centre of the panel, setting the pieces aside before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment twice from purple card before layering them and inlaying them into the panel, together with the small pieces of the Antebellum die cut.  To finish I attached the Antebellum sentiment, offsetting it slightly to give a shadow effect with the purple sentiment.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenge - Large Sentiment
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - November Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

November Rudolph Day

It's time for the final Rudolph Day of the year and for another cross stitch card (cross stitch is my RD theme this year).  This lovely Derwentwater kit was amongst the cross stitch items my neighbour gifted me earlier this year so I thought I would make the card to send her for Christmas.

To make this card I used:
     Derwentwater 'Lantern' cross stitch kit
     Snippet of white paper

The kit was complete and contained everything to make this card.  After finishing the stitching I mounted it behind the aperture of the tri fold card and added a piece of white paper behind the stitching so the red card wouldn't show through the aida.  To finish I folded the card to the inside.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Christmas BINGO Challenge - I have used line 'G' (real stitching, rectangle and red for my 'free' square)
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Rudolph Day - November Challenge

Kath x

Fairy on Tiptoes

Whilst tidying my oddments drawer I came across this lovely Lili of the Valley topper - perfect for the Butterfly Challenge where the fairies have come out to play.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Fairy on Tiptoes' pre-coloured topper
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Wild Rose Studio 'Annabelle's Meadow' paper

I trimmed a piece of blue paper so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and attached it to the front.  I then trimmed a snippet of a different blue paper and attached it to the left side of the card.  The pre-coloured topper was cut with the stitched square die and attached to the centre.

I am entering the following Challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Butterfly Challenge - Fairy Time Again
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Red & Gold Bauble

I need a few more Christmas cards and made this one using some of my favourite Memory Box dies and, of course, lots of snippets.  

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics, Memory Box 'Traditional Ornament', 'Lydia
     Ornament' & 'Crisp Bows' dies
     Snippets of red pearlescent card, gold mirri and white hammer card

I die cut a stitched rectangle from white matt card then die cut the Traditional Ornament from the lower edge and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the Traditional Ornament from red pearlescent card and then inlaid this into the front of the card.  I die cut the Lydia Ornament and Crisp Bow from gold mirri card and then used Artist Tac to attach them to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Christmas Time
     Color Hues - Red & Metallic Gold
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - November Challenge
     Less is More - Anything CAS Goes

Kath x

Dragonfly Notecard

I needed a small notecard to pop in with a gift and made this one from lots of snippets.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Creative Dies 'Dragonfly' stamp and coordinating die
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versamark
     WOW Metallic Gold Sparkle embossing glitter
     Snippets of marbled paper and white matt card

I used the square die to emboss the centre of the card blank.  I attached the snippet of marbled paper to white card and then trimmed it so it was slightly smaller than the inner stitched square before attaching it to the card.   I stamped the dragonfly with Versamark onto another snippet of white card and then embossed it with the gold sparkle embossing powder before cutting it with the coordinating die.   To finish I attached the dragonfly by its body and shaped the wings.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - November challenge
     Less is More - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes

Kath x

Happy Anniversary

We arrived back home yesterday and I realised it was a friend's anniversary this week, so I used one of my favourite dies to make this quick CAS card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Peek A Boo Striped Heart' die
     Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamp
     Woodware Corner Rounder Punch
     Versafine Satin Red ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippets of white hammer card and red sparkle card

I trimmed a piece of white hammer card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and rounded the corners.  I cut the heart from the top of the panel and then placed it into my MISTI so I could see where the position the stamp.  I stamped the sentiment a couple of times to get a good depth of colour before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The panel was then attached to the front of the card.  I cut the heart from a snippet of red sparkle card and then inlaid the pieces into the heart.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - November Challenge
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 467

Kath x

We Wish you a Merry Christmas

I've recently bought this pre-loved Memory Box die - perfect for making quick Christmas cards and using snippets too.

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

I die cut the rectangle from white hammer card, layered it onto a snippet of green glitter card and attached it to the card blank.  I then die cut the 'Merry Christmas Tree' from another snippet of green glitter card and attached it to the panel.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas BINGO Challenge - I have used line 'O' (layers, rectangle and green as my 'free' square)
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Christmas Song (We wish you a Merry Christmas)
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 466

Kath x

Stained Glass Angel and Feather

Steve and I went to a stained glass workshop this morning at Seaton's Coastal Craft Collective.  It was the first time I've ever cut glass, used a grinder and used a soldering iron - Steve had done some soldering several decades ago but hasn't done much crafting so a lot of the techniques were new to him. 

The workshop started with us using plain glass to get used to cutting different shapes before we were let loose on the beautiful coloured glass to make our designs.  I chose an angel and Steve chose a feather and, unknown to each other, we chose the same colour glass.

For our first attempt, we were both pleased with the results but I'm not sure it will be a new craft for either of us.  The Craft Collective have several other workshops we're interested in doing, so hope to get more booked soon.

Kath x

May Your Christmas be Merry & Bright

I made this Christmas card for my sister using a Hunkydory decoupage floral image.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory Favourites Christmas Toppers 'A Blooming Lovely Christmas'
     Creative Expressions 'From the Heart - Female Relations' die
     Snippets of gold mirri and light green foiled card

I trimmed the light green foiled card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  I popped the decoupage layers out of the backing sheet and used foam tape to assemble the image.  I die cut 'Sister' from a tiny snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the lower corner of the card before attaching the topper above it.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas BINGO Challenge - I have used line 'I' (Square, Green, Gold, plus I've used Red as my Free square)
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Christmas/Winter

Kath x

Season's Greetings

This is another quick card made with my last sheet of vintage style backing paper from an old Kaisercraft paper pad, which I think had once been a cover gift with a magazine.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" kraft card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Season's Greetings' die
     Kaisercraft 'Christmas Collections' paper 
     Snippets of dark red card

I trimmed the paper, layered it onto dark red card and attached it to the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from another snippet of dark red card and attached it to the lower corner of the panel.   

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Use It Up (I used my last sheet of paper from a paper pad)
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Happy Birthday to You

When Sarn sent my prize from the Snippets Playground she also included a piece of her autumnal gelli print which I've used to make this card - thank you Sarn!

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Giant Happy Birthday to You' die
     Sarn's autumnal gelli print paper
     Snippets of brown card

I trimmed a piece of the gelli print paper to a 5" square and layered it onto a slightly larger square of dark brown card.  I die cut the sentiment from the centre of the panel, setting the pieces aside before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from dark brown card and inlaid it into the panel, together with the small pieces of the gelli print die cut.  To finish I attached the gelli print sentiment, offsetting it slightly to give a shadow effect with the brown sentiment.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

October Rudolph Day

It's time for another Rudolph Day and another cross stitch Christmas card (cross stitch is my RD theme this year).  This cute 'Skating Snowman' is from a design by Mouseloft.  I have stitched this design in 2022 and had enough threads (except for white) to stitch it again.  This time I used some aida that I received in a giveaway which is blue with white spots, making it perfect for a snowy background.

To make this card I used:

     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Mouseloft 'Skating Snowman' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics'  & 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' dies

     Snippet of white matt card and pale blue aida

I used a snippet of white matt card to make a frame for the stitching, using the square die for the outer edge and the circle die for the aperture.  After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind the frame and attached it to the card.  

I am entering the following Challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - October Challenge

Kath x

Merry Christmas

I was sorting through my snippets box and found a piece of winter scene paper that was perfect for this quick Christmas card as well as a snippet of green card for layering the panel.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Clearly Besotted 'Let's Prance' stamp and coordinating die
     Clearly Besotted Cheerful Christmas' stamp
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Memento Tuxedo Black & Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Promarkers
     Snippets of winter scene paper, white matt card and green matt card

I cut the winter scene paper with a stitched square die and placed the panel into my MISTI before stamping the sentiment with blue ink.  I layered the panel onto dark green card and attached it to the card blank.  I used black ink to stamp Rudolph onto white card, cut him with the coordinating die and then coloured him with Promarkers.  To finish I attached Rudolph to the card with small foam pads.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Use It Up (my winter scene paper and green card)
     Addicted to CAS - Dies Only
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - For a Male
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - October Challenge

Kath x 

Christmas Woodland Scene

This die is another of my old favourites and, again, it was another cover gift with a magazine several years ago.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Creative Dies 'Woodland Scene' die
     Clearly Besotted 'Cheerful Christmas' stamp
     Memento Paris Dusk ink
     Snippets of white matt card, blue and silver star card and silver mirri

I die cut the 'Woodland Scene' from a snippet of white card and removed the tiny tree that was to the left of the deer as I always feel it makes the scene too cluttered.  I placed the panel into my MISTI and stamped the sentiment in the lower corner using blue ink.  I used Artist Tac to attach the die cut to a snippet of blue and silver card and then trimmed around the edge.  The panel was then layered onto a slightly larger snippet of silver mirri before being attached to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - Use It Up (I have used snippets of card)
     Addicted to CAS - Dies Only
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - October Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Kraft and Red Bauble

This 'Opulent Baubles' set was a cover gift with a magazine several years ago and is still one of my favourite emboss, cut and stamp sets for CAS cards.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" kraft card 
     Practical Publishing 'Opulent Baubles' embossing folder and stamps
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippets of kraft card, red paper and red textured card

I embossed a piece of kraft card, trimmed around the edge so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and attached it to the front.  I used black ink to stamp the joy bauble onto the red paper and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then used the die from the embossing folder to cut the bauble before inlaying it into the front of the card.   I stamped the bow onto a snippet of red textured card using black ink and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I fussy cut the bow and attached it to the top of the bauble with a small foam pad.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Add Some Texture
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - October Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 465
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Brown & Red Colour Challenge

Kath x  

Another Christmas Rose

I made this quick card with a piece of the backing card that was left over from making yesterday's Christmas Rose card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank     
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Season's Greetings' die
     Snippets of Hunkydory 'Christmas Rose' backing card and gold mirri

I trimmed the backing card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  I cut the sentiment from gold mirri and attached it to the top of the card - quick and simple!

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge -  U for Use It Up (I used the card left over from a previous card)
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes

Kath x

Christmas Rose

Although I've not done much crafting lately, I've found time to tidy my craft area as I seem to have accumulated a lot of 'oddments' that need to be used.  This card is made with a Christmas Rose Deco-Large kit that I bought last year - I had assembled the decoupage flowers but not finished the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Christmas Rose Deco-Large' kit
     Gold mirri

I cut a piece of backing card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  I layered the base of the decoupaged image onto gold mirri and attached it to the centre of the card.  The decoupage layers of the flowers had been removed from the backing sheet and  assembled with foam pads - the panel was attached to the centre of the card. .

I am entering the following challenges: 
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Happy Birthday

I made this card with a lovely floral stamp and one of my last pieces of Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper which was just the right size for this card (I wish I could find another pad of this lovely paper!).

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     IndigoBlu Premium Magazine 'Mixed Media Special 7' floral stamp & Clearly Besotted 'Fancy Sayings' sentiment
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Purple, green and gold Promarkers
     Snippets of Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper and purple textured card

The paper was the right width for this card and I trimmed a strip from the top so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  I placed the paper into my MISTI before stamping the flowers and sentiment in black ink.  I used a purple Promarker to colour the flowers, gold for the flower centres and green for the leaves.  The paper was then layered onto a slightly larger snippet of purple textured card before being attached to the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - N for Nature
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 464
     We Love Stamping - October Moodboard (I have used purple, green and flowers)

Kath x

Just a Note

I've not had much time for crafting this week as we've spent time setting up a new laptop as our old one had 'died' on us - we've also been getting ready to go away in Martha tomorrow.  I did have time today to make this quick notecard using a new (to me) die I've recently purchased.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" cream matt card blank
     Tonic Studios 'Treble Clef' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die'namics' dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Fancy Sayings' stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Snippet of dark brown card

I used the die to emboss a rectangle in the front of the card blank and placed the card into my MISTI.  I die cut the Treble Clef from a snippet of dark brown card and laid it inside the embossed rectangle so I could see where to stamp 'Just a Note'.  I removed the die cut and stamped the sentiment several times to get a good depth of colour to match the die cut.  I then used Artist Tac to attach the Treble Clef inside the frame.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - M for Monochrome
     Less is More - Music
     NBUS - Challenge 55 (my new Tonic Studios die)

Kath x   

More Season's Tweetings

I made this Christmas card with the snippets of backing card and mirri left over from my Season's Tweetings card.

To make this card I used:
     DL white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Season's Greetings' die
     Snippets of gold mirri card and Hunkydory 'Season's Tweetings' backing card

I trimmed snippet of card with the robin image (I had used the other side of the A4 card with the floral border for my previous card), layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from another snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the top corner of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 463

Kath x

September Rudolph Day

It's time for the eighth Rudolph Day of the year and another cross stitch Christmas card (cross stitch is my RD theme this year).  This is the final design from the Vervaco cross stitch kit I purchased earlier in the year (Rudolph and Hearts were the other designs in this kit - Rudolph was my favourite to stich!).

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white hammer card blank
     Vervaco Christmas card kit (PN-0154080)
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of white hammer card

I made my own card aperture card blank for this card as the ones in the kit were too flimsy.  As I didn't have the right size die to cut the aperture, I used a rectangle die that was the correct width but a little too short.  I cut three quarters of the aperture, then moved the die down the card to elongate the aperture and cut the remainder.  I trimmed around the edge of the panel so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  After completing the stitching I fastened it behind the frame and then attached it to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - September Challenge

Kath x

Season's Tweetings

I bought this Hunkydory Deco-Large kit to make my mother's Christmas card as she likes these decoupaged cards.

To make the cards I used:
     7" x 7" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Season's Tweetings Deco-Large' set
     Creative Expressions 'From the Heart - Female Relations' die
     Snippets of gold mirri card

I trimmed the backing cardstock from the set so it was slightly smaller than the card blank, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  I used foam pads to layer the elements for the robin topper and when complete attached it to the left side of the card.  I die cut two 'Mum' words from snippets of gold mirri.  The two die cuts were layered to give more depth and attached to the lower corner of the cards.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - For a Female (this is my mum's Christmas card)
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
   
Kath x

August Card Chain Challenge

I made this card to send to Michaela for the August Card Chain Challenge.  I used the Colour Option (Sage, Greenbean & Kumquat), the Sketch Option, the Theme Option (CAS & Friendship) and the Product/Technique Option (Stencil)

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lil'inker 'Modern Mehndi' stamps and coordinating dies
     Crafter's Companion 'Sweet Florals' stamps
     Funky Fossil 'Stacked Lines' stencil
     Versafine Olympia Green & Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Green Promarker
     Snippets of light orange and pale green textured card

I placed the stencil on the card blank and laid the sentiment on top so I could see where I wanted the line across the card.  I added strips of washi tape across the stencil leaving a narrow gap in the centre.  I removed the stamp and used green ink with the stencil to make the row of small lines across the card.  I removed the stencil and washi tape before placing the card into my MISTI.  I stamped the sentiment in brown ink in the lower corner of the card and then embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I stamped the large flower onto a snippet of light orange textured card and the leaves onto snippets of  light green card.  These were stamped with brown ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I highlighted the centre of the flower with a dark green Promarker before cutting the flower and leaves with the coordinating dies and attaching them to the lower edge of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Less is More - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes

This is the lovely card I received from Linda:

Kath x

Quick Christmas Card

I'm behind with my Christmas cardmaking, so have spent an afternoon making some cards - this quick card is perfect for the ABC Christmas Challenge 'Q for Quick Cards'.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Christmas' die
     X-cut 'Swirls' embossing folder 
     Snippets of white matt card and red mirri card     

I embossed a piece of white card with the 'Swirls' embossing folder, trimmed around the edge and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from both white matt card and red mirri card, layered the purple onto the white sentiment and attached them to the centre of the panel in the embossed frame.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Embossing Folder
     ABC Christmas Challenge - Q for Quick
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 461

Kath x

Cross Stitch Parrot

This Mouseloft Parrot is made with a cross stitch kit I found in a charity shop when we were away in our campervan.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" cream hammer card blank
     Mouseloft 'Parrot' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of cream hammer card

After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind a stitched circle aperture that had been die cut in the front of the card blank.  I added a piece of the same card behind the fabric to neaten the inside of the card.

   

Kath x

August Rudolph Day

It's time for another Rudolph Day and another cross stitch Christmas card (cross stitch is my RD theme this year).  This cute 'Reindeer' is from a design by Mouseloft - a perfect design for Rudolph Day!

To make this card I used:

     4" x 4" cream hammer card blank
     Mouseloft 'Reindeer' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics'  & 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' dies

     Snippet of cream hammer card

I used a snippet of cream hammer card to make a frame for the stitching, using the square die for the outer edge and the circle die for the aperture.  After completing the stitching I mounted the design behind the frame and attached it to the card.  

I am entering the following Challenges:
     Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - August Challenge

Kath x

Happy Birthday to You

It's a horrid wet afternoon, so I've had some crafting time and made this card for my nephew's birthday using lots of snippets.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Giant Happy Birthday to You' die
     Snippets of brown matt card and Hunkydory 'Up & Away' backing card (I'd already used the rest of the kit for another card)

I trimmed the 'Up & Away' card to a square and cut 'Happy Birthday to You' in the sky, setting the sentiment and all the small pieces to one side.  The panel was layered onto brown matt card and attached to the card blank.  I cut the sentiment twice from oddments of brown card.  One sentiment was inlaid into the front of the card, together with the small pieces from the sky sentiment.  The second brown sentiment was attached on top to give depth before the blue sky sentiment was attached slightly offset to create a shadow effect.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Challenge - Anything Birthday Goes
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Boys/Men
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 460

Kath x

Upcycled Cross Stitch Card

Whilst we were away in Yorkshire I took the opportunity of visiting some charity shops and came across this lovely cross stitch design which had been made into a small picture.  The picture frame was very tatty and it was thrown into a box with lots of other 'oddments' probably soon to be finding its way to a landfill site.  It seemed a shame that someone's lovely stitching wasn't being appreciated so I bought it for .99p, removed the cross stitch from the frame and carefully washed it before making it into a card.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" cream hammer card blank
     Upcycled Cross stitch (design unknown) from charity shop
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippet of cream hammer card

I trimmed a piece of cream hammer card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and cut a stitched square aperture in the centre.  The fabric was trimmed and mounted behind the aperture before being attached to the front of the card blank

Kath x