Ho Ho Ho

I take part in a couple of 'Secret Santas' each year and like to make a small Santa card to enclose with my present - this Mouseloft design is perfect for this year's SS.  I had been gifted the chart and left over threads which I matched to some of my own threads to stitch the design.

To make this card I used:
     4.5" x 3.5" red tri-fold card with circle aperture
     Mouseloft 'Ho Ho Ho' chart
     14hpi cream aida
     DMC threads

After stitching the design I trimmed around the edge of the fabric and mounted it behind the aperture before folding the card behind the stitching to cover the back of the design.  Simple!

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Santa in September
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x   

Kath x

Heartfelt Thanks

I spent some time today making a lot of autumnal leaves, some of which I've used to make this thank you card.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics' die
     Clearly Besotted 'Fall Flowers' stamps and coordinating dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Fancy Saying' stamps
     Versafine Crimson Red, Smoky Grey, Toffee & Vintage Sepia
     Distress Ink Ripe Persimmon
     Snippets of white hammer card

I stamped the leaf outlines onto snippets of white hammer card - stamping them several times in various shades of brown, red and orange inks.  The leaves were cut with the coordinating dies and set aside.  I then used the largest die to emboss an oval in the front of the card blank.  I placed the card into my MISTI and stamped the sentiment with dark and light brown ink to give the same shades as the leaves.  I attached the small leaves directly onto the front of the card and then attached the large leaf with a foam pad.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used inks)
     Allsorts - Trees, Leaves and Plants
     Alphabet Challenge - K for Keep it Simple
     Cardz 4 Guyz - Autumn/Fall
     CAS on Friday - Fall
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean and Simple
     Stamping Sensations - CAS
    
Kath x

Happy Christmas

I enjoyed using the CAS Colours & Sketches sketch for my birthday card so thought I would use the same sketch for a Christmas card.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Memory Box 'Traditional Ornament' and 'Lydia Ornament' dies
     Woodware 'Delightful Dangles - Christmas Tree' sentiment stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Sizzix 'Dots' embossing folder
     Snippets of white matt card, dark brown pearlescent card and gold mirri

I trimmed a snippet of white card to a width of 1.5cm and cut it slightly narrower than the card blank before embossing it with the dots embossing folder.  I placed the card blank in my MISTI with the embossed strip on top so I could where where to place the sentiment.  I removed the strip of card and stamped the sentiment with dark brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I then attached the embossed strip above the sentiment.  I die cut the Traditional Ornament from dark brown pearlescent card and the Lydia Ornament from gold mirri.  The fancy die cut was embossed before being layered onto the brown ornament before being attached to the embossed strip.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - K for Keep it Simple
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Sketch Challenge
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean and Simple
     

Kath x   

Bees & Best Wishes

I made this tag to attach to a friend's birthday present as she is a lover of any type of insect.  The honeycomb card has been in my snippets drawer for years, but was perfect for this tag.  I also used a 'new to me' Stampin' Up tag punch that I first saw on Sarn's blog and have recently found at a very reasonable price on Vinted.  

To make this tag I used:
     Stampin' Up ' Scalloped Tag Topper'  punch
     Crafter's Companion 'Sweet Florals' and Uniko 'Simply Said Blocks II' stamps
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Gold Promarker
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card, honeycomb card and gold ribbon

I trimmed the edge of the honeycomb card so it was 2" wide and then punched the tag topper.  I trimmed a snippet of white matt card to 2" and punched the tag topper before layering the two so the back of the tag would be flat for me to write my message.  I stamped the bees and sentiment onto more snippets of white card using black ink and embossing them with clear detail embossing powder.  I fussy cut the bees and coloured the bodies with a gold Promarker and added a Wink of Stella to the wings.  The bees and sentiment were then attached them to the tag with foam tape.  To finish I tied a snippet of gold ribbon to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used ink and a Promarker)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge (I have used Line N - Tag, Free & Stamped Phrase)
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 515
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Tag-along (and ATCs) - Things with Wings

Kath x

Santa and Presents

I stitched this design when we were away earlier this year - the cute Santa is perfect for the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge 'Santa in September' challenge.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Durene Jones 'Santa' cross stitch chart from Cross Stitch Favourites magazine
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched  Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     14hpi white aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of green textured card

After completing the stitching I set it aside to make the card.  I didn't have a snippet of red card large enough to make the front of the card, so chose green instead.  I trimmed the card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut a stitched aperture from the centre.  I attached the stitching to the back of the aperture and then the panel to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Santa in September
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Snowflake Serenade

I was lucky to win this lovely 'Snowflake Serenade' stamp set in the Uniko 'Christmas in July' challenge and teamed it with my 'Big Bold Wish' stamp and die to make this Christmas card.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Snowflake Serenade' stamp
     Uniko 'Big Bold Wish' stamps and coordinating die
     Versafine Majestic Blue and Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue inks
     Woodware Snowflake punch
     Snippets of white matt card and silver mirri

I trimmed a piece of white matt card to 6.25" x 4.25" and stamped the large snowflake stamp in pale blue ink.  I stamped 'wish' onto a snippet of white matt card, stamping several times to get a good depth of colour before cutting it with the coordinating die.  I die cut the 'wish' outline from a snippet of silver mirri and layered the two die cuts.  I placed the snowflake panel into my MISTI with 'wish' in the lower corner so I could see where to stamp 'Make a'.  I removed the die cut and stamped the rest of the sentiment in dark blue ink, stamping a couple of times so the letters had the same depth of colour as 'wish'.  I then layered the panel onto silver mirri and attached it to the card front.  I attached 'wish' to the lower corner but didn't think the card looked balanced, so I punched three small snowflakes from another snippet of silver mirri and attached them to the upper corner.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used inks)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Stamping Sensations - CAS or Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 514
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x

Summer Garland Card

When I make a paperweight for my mother-in-law last year, I originally stitched the design onto 18hpi aida.  This was too small for the paperweight so I put the design into my 'finished cross stitch' drawer and stitched it again on 16hpi for the paperweight.  I've recently been gifted a lot of tri-fold card blanks and this small red card had the perfect size aperture for the small design.

To make this card I used:
     4.5" x 3.5" red tri-fold card blank
     Framecraft 'Summer Garland' cross stitch chart
     18hpi cream aida
     DMC threads.
     
To make this super quick card, I trimmed the fabric and attached it to the rear of the aperture before folding the card over to cover the stitching.  I've plenty more designs in my 'finished cross stitch' drawer so need to make them into cards too!

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Layered or Flat (definitely flat for me as they are cheaper to post and also fit my CAS style and my cross stitch designs)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Cardz 4 Galz - Stitching, Real or Faux
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x 

Happy Birthday to You

I made this card for a friend's birthday using the current sketch at the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'English Country Garden Butterflies' stamp and coordinating die
     Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamp
     Memory Box 'Wicker Panel' die
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Promarkers    
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white card

I die cut the Wicker Panel from a snippet of white card and attached it across the front of the card.  I used purple ink to stamp the butterfly onto another snippet of white card and embossed it with clear embossing powder before cutting it with the coordinating die.  The butterfly was then coloured with Promarkers - cream and two shades of green. - with the green areas highlighted with a Wink of Stella.  I put the card into my MISTI and placed the butterfly onto it so I could see where the stamp the sentiment.  After removing the butterfly I stamped the sentiment with purple ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  To finish I shaped the butterfly's wings and attached it to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Birthdays
     Alphabet Challenge - K for Keep it Simple
     As You Like It Challenge - Layered or Flat (flat are my preferred type of cards as these fit my CAS style as well as being cheaper to post)
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Sketch 
     Moving Along with the Times - Butterflies and/or Dragonflies
     Simply Clean & Simple - Birthdays
     Stamping Sensations - CAS
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes
     

Kath x

Fuchsias Cross Stitch Card

I've recently been gifted a Fuchsia cross stitch kit to make a scissor keep.  As I didn't want to make the scissor keep I stitched the flowers to make into a card.

To make this card I used:

     5" x 5" white linen card blank
     Textile Heritage cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of white linen card

After finishing the stitching I set it aside.  I die cut a circle in the centre of the card blank and trimmed the fabric before attaching it to the rear of the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white card so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card and attached it to the inside of the card to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Cardz 4 Galz - Stitching, Real or Faux (I've obviously chosen the real option)
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Just Wanted to Say ...

My hairdresser is retiring and selling her business, she's also having a long-awaited operation this month so I've made this card for her and her daughter when I go for my final hair cut with them.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     Spellbinders Designer Series 'Framed Floral Card Front' & My Favorite Things 'Fishtail Flags' dies
     Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamp
     Versafine Deep Lagoon & Vintage Sepia ink
     Snippets of white matt card and Polkadoodles 'Fourini' paper

I used both the floral panel and the frame to cut a snippet of white matt card.  After removing all the small pieces from the panel I attached a snippet of turquoise and pink paper behind the panel before attaching it to the front of the card blank.  I used Deep Lagoon ink to stamp the sentiment onto another snippet of white card, but as it was too bright I stamped it again with brown ink to make the colour a bit deeper.  I then used the fishtail flag die to cut the sentiment, moving the die slightly to make the flag a little shorter.  To finish I attached the sentiment to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes

Kath x

Sailing Boat

This sailing cross stitch was another charity shop find and was originally a cover gift with Cross Stitcher magazine.  It was just the right size for this card blank that was among the craft items I've recently been gifted - a perfect birthday card for a friend who loves to sail.

To make this card I used:
     4.75" x 3.5" dark blue tri-fold card with circle aperture
     Cross Stitcher magazine 'Sailing' cross stitch kit

To took a while to stitch this design as it's a long time since I've stitched on evenweave, but I did enjoy the challenge!  After completing the stitching I placed the stitching behind the aperture.  As I didn't want the dark blue to show through the fabric I attached a piece of white paper to the inside of the card before folding it over the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Masculine
     Little Red Wagon - G is for Gentleman
     Try It on Tuesday - Going Round in Circles

Kath x

Happy Christmas

I stitched this card for the Christmas Kickstart 'Let's Wreath It Up' challenge using a kit that had been a magazine cover gift.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white linen card blank
     Debra Page 'Happy Christmas' cross stitch kit (from Cross Stitch Card Shop magazine)
     White DMC thread
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Snippet of white linen card

I stitched the wreath using the chart in the kit.  The white flowers should have been left unstitched, but I used some oddments of white thread to fill in the flowers .  It took a bit longer to finish the design but I thought it looked better.  I trimmed a snippet of white linen card so it was slightly small than the card blank and die cut a stitched circle from the centre.  The fabric was attached to the back of the aperture and the panel was then attached to the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Let's Wreath It Up
     Little Red Wagon - Circle of Life
     Try It On Tuesday - Going Round in Circles (I have used a circle aperture and wreath)

Kath x

August Rudolph Day

For one reason and another I've not done much crafting over the last couple of weeks, although I have been tidying my craft drawers to make room for a lot of cross stitch items I've been gifted.  During my 'sort out' I came across several embossed panels and some die cuts which I had made for cards and not used.  One of the panels and some letters were perfect for making this quick die cut card for Rudolph Day (die cutting is my RD theme this year)

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Joy', All Occasion Dies 'Small Poinsettia' and Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves' dies
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder
     Snippets of white matt card

The panel had been embossed and I trimmed it around the edges before attaching it to the front of the card.  The letters had been die cut from white card and I then die cut the poinsettia and holly berries from another snippet of white card.  The poinsettias were layered with the holly berries attached to the centre.  I layered two 'J' and two 'Y' letters so they would be more prominent in the centre of the embossed panel.  I placed the letters and poinsettia onto the card to ensure they were evenly spaced before gluing them into place.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     ABC Christmas Challenge - Q for Quick
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Cut It Up - Anything Goes
     Rudolph Day - August Challenge
     Tic Tac Toe - Challenge 277 (I have chosen Letters, Free & Rectangle Shape)

Kath x

Let Your Dreams Take Flight

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Another Rustic Wreath

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Happy Birthday

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

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

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

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

Kath x

New Baby

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Home

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Yet More Big Birthday Wishes

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

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes' die
     Snippets of kraft card, cream textured card and red glitter card

I trimmed the snippet of kraft card so it was slightly wider than the die and cut the large sentiment from the centre before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'BIG' from red glitter card and inlaid the letters into the front of the card.  I die cut the rest of the sentiment from cream textured  card and inlaid them.  To finish I trimmed two narrow strips of cream textured card and attached them down each side of the sentiment panel.  

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

Kath x

New Home Card

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

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

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

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

Kath x

July Rudolph Day

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

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

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

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

Kath x    

Love

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Rustic Wreath

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Cross Stitch and Blackwork Card

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

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

After finishing the stitching I washed it to remove the creases from the fabric and ironed it on the reverse.  I die cut the largest square die from the centre of the card blank front and attached the stitching to the rear of the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white card so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card and attached it to the inside to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Blooms & Butterflies (I've chosen Birds & Blooms)

Kath x

Snippets Gift Tag

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Red Boat

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Rustic Christmas

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

To make this card I used:
     C6 white card blank
     Uniko 'Rustic Christmas' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Red, pink and turquoise enamel dots

I placed the card into my MISTI and laid the tree and sentiment stamps onto it before stamping them with dark green ink, stamping a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  I then added some small enamel dots to the tree.

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

Kath x   

Enjoy You Day Gift Tag

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

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Have a Wonderful Birthday

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Happy Birthday to You

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

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

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

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

Kath x

Cross Stitch Poppy Card

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

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

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

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Sparkles Monthly Challenge - Flowers

Kath x

Final Action Time

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

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

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

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

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

Kath x