Spread your Wings and Fly

I've made another butterfly card.  This one is made with a large Uniko stamp that was part of an old Papercraft Society box and I've used the colours from the current AAA Cards colour challenge.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     Papercraft Society 'Box 51 Uniko' stamps and coordinating die
     Versafine Smoky Grey ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - BV02, RV02, V 12 & YR00
     Snippet of white matt card

I used grey ink to stamp the large butterfly onto a snippet of white matt card before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The butterfly was then cut with the coordinating die before being coloured with four Copics to match the challenge colours.  I placed the card blank into my MISTI and put the butterfly onto it so I could see where to stamp the sentiment.  I removed the butterfly and stamped the sentiment with grey ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  To finish I attached the butterfly along its body and shaped the wings.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Colour Challenge
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I've used ink and Copics)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Cut It Up Challenge - Something with Wings
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes + Twist of Colour an Image
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Moving Along With The Times - One or More Butterflies
     Simply Clean & Simple - Things That Fly

Kath x

Birthday Butterflies

I was pleased to see my Honesty Heart card was one of the Top Three at the Pearly Sparkles Challenge and I was invited to be Guest Designer on a future challenge.  As I love making cards with butterflies, I chose the 'One or More Butterflies' challenge.  My card has six butterflies - four on the paper and two die cut from grey card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Giant Happy Birthday to You' and Creative Expressions 'Finishing Touches - Dainty Butterflies' dies
     BoBunny 'Isabella' paper
     Grey pearlescent card

I trimmed the pink paper to 5" x 5" and layered it onto a slightly larger square of grey pearlescent card before die cutting the sentiment from the centre.  I set the sentiment and small pieces aside and attached the panel to the centre of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment twice from grey pearlescent card, the first sentiment was inlaid into the card together with the small pieces from the pink paper sentiment.  I attached the second grey sentiment on top to give some dimension.  The paper sentiment was attached slightly offset to give a shadow effect.  To finish I die cut two small butterflies from grey card and attached them above and below the sentiment.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Challenge - Anything Birthday Goes
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - A for Air (my card has butterflies)
     Moving Along With The Times - One or More Butterflies
     Seize the Birthday - Primarily Pink

Kath x

April Rudolph Day

It's time for the fourth Rudolph Day of the year and another Christmas card with a main stamped image (stamping is my RD theme this year).  This card uses one of my favourite Funky Fossil stamps - perfect for masculine Christmas cards.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white card blank
     Funky Fossil 'Joy' stamps
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - E35
     Gold and silver gel pens
     Snippet of gold foiled kraft card

I trimmed the snippet of kraft card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank before attaching it to the front of the card.  I stamped the wreath with brown ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then used the largest stitched circle die to cut around the image.  I coloured the pine cones with a light brown pen, the letters and berries with a gold gel pen and the snowflakes with a silver gel pen.  I attached the wreath topper to the centre of the card.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used ink, a Copic and gell pens)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Cardz 4 Guyz - Clean & Simple
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes + Colour an Image
     Rudolph Day Challenge - April Challenge

Kath x

Hello

I've followed Jane's Lead at the AAA Cards Challenge to make another note card for my card box - this one uses lots of tiny snippets of textured card 

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Fishtail Flags' and Altenew 'Simply Hello' dies
     Snippets of white matt card and Papermania textured card  

I die cut lots of fishtail flags from different colour snippets of textured card using the smallest die.  I attached these to a strip of white card using glue so I had a little 'wriggle room' to line up the strips.  When they had dried I used the largest fishtail flag to cut the edges of the strip.  This panel was then attached to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'hello' from another snippet of white mat card and attached it to the card using glue for the 'h' and foam pads for the rest of the sentiment so it lay flat across the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards Challenge - Follow Jane's Lead
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Simple or Fussy (it's always simple for me, CAS cards with lots of white space are my favourites as I just don't do 'fussy')
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Die cuts/Punches (I have used die cuts)
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 530 (oops, I forgot to take a photo of my snippets!)

Kath x

To a Deer Friend

I made this tag with my latest charity shop purchase - a cute Rudolph stamp and die set.

To make this card I used:
     Practical Publishing 'Festive Friend' stamp and die set
     Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags' die
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - C-3, E31, E33, E37, R20 & R27
     Stampendous Fun Flock - Cotton Ball White
     Snippets of white hammer card and white matt card
     Brown baker's twine

I die cut the largest tag from a snippet of white hammer card and embossed the edges.  I placed the tag into my MISTI and used black ink to stamp the sentiment along the lower edge before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I used black ink to stamp Rudolph and his hat onto a snippet of white matt card.  These were embossed with clear embossing powder before being cut with the coordinating dies.  I coloured Rudolph before attaching him to the tag.  I coloured the hat and attached it to Rudolph's head before applying fun flock on the rim and pompom.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - H is for Hat
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - H is for Hat
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Dies/Punches
     Tag-along (and ATCs) - Anything Goes
     Try It On Tuesday - Make it Cute

Kath x

Flower Notecard

I like to keep a few small notecards in my card box and I made this one with a flower stamp that was a cover gift with Craft Stamper magazine many years ago.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Craft Stamper 'Flower' stamp
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - Y08, Y15 & YR04
     Snippets of white matt card 

I embossed a stitched square in the centre of the card blank before setting it aside. I put a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the flower several times with brown ink to ensure a good depth of colour.  I then embossed the image with clear embossing powder before colouring it with Copics.  I fussy cut the flower and attached it to the centre of the card blank with foam pads. 

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Springtime
     Alphabet Challenge - Y is for Yellow Flowers
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     CAS on Friday - Botanical
     Daisy Chain Challenge - No Design Paper
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes
     Stamping Sensations - Inspired by Nature
     We Love Stamping - Spring

Kath x

Birthday Hare

I've recently bought IndigoBlu's latest magazine box kit.  I don't normally buy these kits but this one had some lovely animal stamps - this hare was perfect for a birthday card for one of my nephews.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     IndigoBlu 'Mixed-media Special 11' magazine box kit
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Copics
     Snippets of white matt card, brown matt card and green paper

I used brown ink to stamp the hare onto a snippet of green paper before trimming it, layering it onto a slightly larger piece of brown card and attaching it to the front of the card blank.  I coloured the hare with several Copics in Earth shades.  I stamped the sentiment onto another snippet of white matt card, fussy cut it and attached it to the front of the card with foam tape.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion
     Allsorts - It's Springtime
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Birthday
     Little Red Wagon - M is for Masculine
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Ed Hedgehog

I won this cute hedgehog cross stitch kit in a giveaway group and thought it would make a great birthday card for a young member of the family.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     The World of Cross Stitching magazine 'Country Companions - Ed Hedgehog' cross stitch kit
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Woodware Round Corner punch
     Snippet of white linen card

After stitching the design I set it aside and made a frame from a snippet of white linen card.  I trimmed the card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank, rounded the corners and die cut a stitched circle from the centre.  I attached the stitched design behind the aperture and then attached the panel to the front of the card.

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

Kath x

March Rudolph Day

It's time for the third Rudolph Day of the year (where is the time going?) and another card with a main stamped image (stamping is my RD theme this year).   

To make this card I used:
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Paper Artsy 'JOFY Christmas Candle' stamp
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer clear detail embossing powder
     Copics - B05, B29, C-5, E35. E50, E57, V17, Y08, Y15, YG67, YR04 & YR07
     Diamond Stickles
     Snippet of white matt card and dark purple pearlescent card

I stamped the Christmas candle onto a snippet of white card before cutting it with the stitched square die.  I coloured the candle with Copics, layered the panel onto a snippet of dark purple pearlescent card and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  To finish I added Diamond Stickles to the twiggy branches.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge - Board 18 (I have used Line I - Christmas, Free & Stamping)
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     Rudolph Day - March Challenge
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x

Easter Blessings

I've not had much time for crafting this week but have used a few Hunkydory oddments to make a quick Easter card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Easter Wishes Card Collection - Easter Blessings' card and topper

     Snippet of gold mirri

I attached the yellow frame onto the pink backing card using foam tape ensuring the squares were lined up.  I then trimmed around the edge of the frame, layered the panel onto gold mirri and attached it to the card blank.  The cute topper was attached to the centre of the frame with foam tape.  Quick and easy!

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Spring
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Little Red Wagon - Signs of Spring
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Sparkles Monthly Challenge - It's Springtime
     Try It On Tuesday - Spring

Kath x

Christmas Deer

I've come across a few small images in my 'oddments box' and they're perfect for making a few quick cards.  

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white matt card blank
     Deer image (make unknown)
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics die
     Small orange gems
     Diamond Stickles
     Snippet of orange card

The image had been trimmed and was attached to a slightly larger square that had been die cut from orange card.  The deer was highlighted with small orange gems and Diamond Stickles before being attached to the centre of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - G for Gems
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Out of the Woods
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x  

Hello Spring

I made this card with a 'new to me' stamp I've recently bought - perfect for a cute Spring card.

To make this card I used:
     4.25" x 3" white matt card blank
     Newton's Nook 'Hello Spring' stamp
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - E11, RV10RV21, V12, Y08 & YG03
     Snippet of white matt card and purple textured card

I used brown ink to stamp the image onto a snippet of white card and then embossed it with clear embossing powder, before colouring it with Copics.  I used a stitched rectangle die to cut a panel which was layered onto a slightly larger snippet of purple textured card and attached to the card blank

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - 1 + 1 Challenge (I added 'Colours' to my Spring card)
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Spring
     Little Red Wagon - Include an Animal
     Stamping Sensations - Spring
     We Love Stamping - Wildlife (I've a cute rabbit on my Spring card)

Kath x

To a Very Special Husband

I made this card for Steve as it's our wedding anniversary today.  I used more hearts from the John Next Door die set I won last year.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     John Next Door 'Honesty Heart' dies  
     Clearly Besotted 'Happy Birthday All' stamps
     Versafine Crimson Red ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Snippets of white linen card, red pearlescent card and red mirri card (sorry, I forgot to take a photo of my snippets)

I trimmed a snippet of white linen card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut the stitched heart just above the centre before placing the panel into my MISTI.  I laid the two sentiment stamps onto the panel ensuring they were straight before stamping them with red ink and embossing them with clear embossing powder.  I placed the panel onto a slightly large square of red pearlescent card and placed the stitched heart between the two layers so I could see where to die cut the stitched heart on the backing panel - this was to ensure that the two layers that were to be inlaid would be flat on the front of the card.  I removed the white panel and die cut the stitched heart before layering the two panels and attaching them to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the stitched heart from red mirri and inlaid it into the front of the card, ensuring the edges were flat.  I die cut the fancy heart from red pearlescent card and inlaid in into the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Cardz 4 Guyz - Monochrome Colour Palette
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 527

Kath x

Mother's Day Card & Tag

I made this card and tag for my mother for Mother's Day.  Although these Hunkydory card and toppers are not my preferred style of crafting, my mother likes them so I chose this pretty spring design for her.  

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Heartfelt Wishes' backing card and topper
     Creative Expressions 'From the Heart - Female Relations' die
     Snippets of gold mirri card

To make the tag I used:
     Hunkydory 'Heartfelt Wishes' backing card and topper
     Creative Expressions ''Pierced Tags' die
     Snippet of gold ribbon

To make the card I removed the base layer and decoupage pieces from the backing card and used foam tape to layer the images.  I didn't use all of the layers as I find it makes the cards too bulky, so put some of them aside to make a matching gift tag.  I trimmed the backing card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the front of the card blank before attaching the decoupaged topper to the centre.  To finish I die cut 'Mum' from gold mirri and attached it inside the floral frame.

To make the matching tag I die cut the largest tag using a snippet of the backing card before embossing around the edge.  I attached a small sentiment topper to the left side of the tag and decoupaged layers to the right side.  I finished the tag by adding a snippet of gold twine.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - V for Volume (I have used decoupaged layers to give my card dimension)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Mixed Colour Florals
 
Kath x

Honesty Heart

I've made this anniversary card with a heart die I won in a challenge last year and some lovely design papers I won a few weeks ago.  

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     John Next Door 'Honesty Heart' and Poppy Stamps 'Celebrate' dies
     AALL & Create 'Spectrum Splash' papers
     Snippets of white linen card and purple pearlescent card.

I trimmed the white linen card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut the floral heart from the centre before layering it onto purple pearlescent card and attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the heart from the 'Spectrum Splash' paper and inlaid the pieces into the front of the card.  To finish I die cut the sentiment from another snippet of purple pearlescent card and attached it to the lower part of the heart.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes
     As You like It Challenge - Favourite Main Colour (my favourite colour is purple, closely followed by deep pink, these are my favourites both for crafting and my clothes!)
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Love is in the Air
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Something New (I have used my new die set and DP papers)
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Hearts  

Kath x

February Rudolph Day

It's time for the second Rudolph Day of the year and another Christmas card with a stamped image (a main stamped image is my RD theme this year).  This lovely Woodware stamp was in the Christmas prize bundle I won in the Snippets Playground.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Woodware 'Bubble Bauble and Bow' stamp set\
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - B32, G02, G05, RV23, V12, V15, Y02, Y15, YG06 & YR00
     Woodware 'Corner Rounder' punch
     Glossy Accents
     Wink of Stella
     White matt card

I used brown ink to stamp the bauble and sentiment onto white matt card.  The panel was then trimmed so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and the corners rounded.  I used Copics to colour the bauble, bow and leaves before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  To finish I applied Glossy Accents to the baubles and a Wink of Stella on the bow.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make your Mark (I have used Copics)
     Allsorts - Embossing (I have used wet embossing for my image and sentiment)
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Something New (I have used my new Woodware stamp)
     Rudolph Day - February Challenge
     Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Baubles

Kath x

Flower Power Birthday

I've not had much crafting time lately as we're in the middle of a flat renovation, but I made some time this afternoon to make this CAS card for a friend's birthday next week.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white linen card blank
     Uniko 'Flower Power #10' flower and leaf stamps
     Uniko 'Flower Power #2' sentiment stamp
     Uniko 'Flower Power #1- #6' leaf die
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stiched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Imperial Purple and Olympia Green ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - V12, Y02, Y08 & YG03
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card and white linen card

I stamped the stem and leaves onto a snippet of white matt card using green ink and the flower with purple ink before embossing them with clear embossing powder.  I used the die to cut the leaves and fussy cut the flower before colouring them with Copics.  I die cut a snippet of white linen card with the rectangle die before placing it into my MISTI.  I put the flower and leaves onto the panel so I could position the sentiment stamp.  I removed the flower and stamped the sentiment with green ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The panel was attached to the front of the card blank.  The leaf was attached to the left side of the panel and the flower was attached with a foam pad.  To finish I gave the flower and leaves a Wink of Stella.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark (I have used Copics)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Seize the Birthday - CAS with Dies
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 526
     Uniko - 14th Birthday Card Linky Party

Kath x

Ruby Rose Cross Stitch

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.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like it Challenge - Cute or Elegant (I prefer making elegant cards, especially using floral or butterfly images, although I do make some cute cards for younger members of the family)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies, Blooms (I have chosen the blooms option)

Kath x

The Harbourside

I've recently bought some Hunkydory 'oddments' in a charity shop and this part-used Deco-Large kit was in the packet.  I made a similar card for Steve's 60th Birthday a few years ago and have made this one for a friend's birthday next month.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card
     Hunkydory Deco-Large 'The Harbourside' backing card and decoupage
     Gold mirri

I trimmed the backing card layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the front of the card blank.  Some of the decoupage images had been removed from the sheet, which is fine as I don't use all the layers as I find it makes the cards too bulky for posting.  I removed the remaining images and chose which ones I would use before layering them with foam pads.  The topper was then attached to the card.  To finish I attached a small sentiment topper to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Birthday Succulents

I bought this lovely Uniko 'Happy Succulents' stamp set in their January sale and made a birthday card with one of my favourite sentiment stamps which was still on my desk after making my butterfly card yesterday. I used the CAS Colour and Sketches colours for the succulents.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Happy Succulents' and 'Birthday Wishes' stamps
     Versafine Deep Lagoon ink
     Copics BG15 & G21
     Snippet of white matt card

I trimmed the white card so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card before putting it into my MISTI.  I placed the succulent and sentiment stamps onto the panel and stamped them with Deep Lagoon ink before embossing them with clear embossing powder.  I coloured the panel with Copics before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Embossing (I have used wet embossing)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Colour Challenge (Pretty Peacock, Pool Party & Soft Seafoam)
     Moving Along with the Times - Floral
     Simply Clean & Simple - Greenery
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes (I was going to choose the Favourite Stamp option as I love all my Uniko stamps!)
     Uniko's 14th Birthday Link Party - Birthday Card with Uniko Products
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x 

Happiest of Birthdays to you!

I always stamp extra images when making cards and this butterfly was stamped last weekend when making my Sympathy card.  The bright butterfly is perfect to celebrate Uniko's 14th Birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'English Country Garden Butterflies' stamp and coordinating die
     Uniko 'Birthday Wishes' sentiment stamp
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Verafine Imperial Purple ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - V17, Y02 & YR07
     Altenew Crystal Clear enamel dots

I stamped the butterfly with purple ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder before cutting it with the coordinating die.  I coloured the butterfly with orange, purple and yellow Copics.  As the colours had bled through to the back of the butterfly I die cut another butterfly from white paper and attached it to the back to cover the ink before setting it aside.  I used the largest die to emboss a stitched circle in the centre of the card blank.  I put the card blank into my MISTI and placed the butterfly onto it so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the butterfly and stamped the sentiment with purple ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I then attached the butterfly to the top of the circle, attaching it by its body and shaping the wings.  To finish I placed three clear enamel dots inside the circle.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Embossing (I have chosen wet embossing for my butterfly and sentiment)
     As You Like It Challenge - Cute or Elegant (my favourite is elegant, especially using flowers and butterflies, although I do sometimes make cute for the younger members of the family)
     Simply Clean & Simple Challenge - Anything CAS Goes
     Seize the Birthday - CAS + Dies
     Uniko's 14th Birthday Linky Party - Birthday Card with Uniko products

Kath x

Wishing You Strength Today

I dislike making Sympathy cards when I need them and prefer to make a few and keep them in my card box.  This card uses one of my favourite butterfly stamps and a lovely sentiment.

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Uniko 'English Country Garden Butterflies' stamp and coordinating die
     Practical Publishing 'Stamps for All Occasions' sentiment stamp
     Verafine Imperial Purple ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - BV02, G00 & E51

I stamped the butterfly with purple ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder before cutting it with the coordinating die.  I put the card blank into my MISTI and placed the butterfly onto it so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the butterfly and stamped the sentiment with purple ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I attached the butterfly body to the card with glue and put small foam pads under the wings to hold them away from the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - U is for Uplifting
     CAS on Friday - Anything Goes
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes
     Stamping Sensations - Favourite Stamp (I love butterflies and this Uniko stamp is one of my favourites as I also have the coordinating die)
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes
     
Kath x

Bluebells Cross Stitch Card

These bluebells are a design from the Carolyn's Garden series by Serendipity Designs.  I stitched the design last year, but have only just made it into a card for a friend's spring birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Carolyn's Garden 'Bluebells' cross stitch kit
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippet of white 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 am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies, Blooms (I have used Blooms)

Kath x

Retro Reindeer

I was fortunate to win a mystery prize bundle of Christmas goodies in the Snippets Playground and this cute Retro Reindeer was in my package.  The set not only included the stamp but a coordinating die too - perfect for me as I'm not a fan of fussy cutting!  The sentiment was also from another stamp set I won, the main image will appear on my blog soon!

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Crafter's Companion 'Retro Christmas - Reindeer' stamp and coordinating die
     Woodware 'Bubble Bauble and Bow' sentiment stamp
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die.
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics
     Snippet of white matt card

I used a stitched circle die to emboss the front of the card blank and set it aside.  I used brown ink to stamp the reindeer on a snippet of white card.  This was embossed with clear embossing powder before being cut with the coordinating die.  I put the card blank into my MISTI and placed the reindeer onto it so I could see where to stamp the sentiment.  I removed the reindeer and stamped with sentiment with brown ink.  The sentiment didn't stamp too well on the embossed circle, so I filled the gap with a brown Copic before embossing the sentiment with clear embossing powder.  To finish I coloured the reindeer with Copics and attached it to the front of the card with foam pads.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - A for Anything Christmas
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes + Embossing (I have used wet embossing)
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

Floral Wellies

Steve bought me a Cross Stitcher magazine for Christmas and this lovely cross stitch design was the cover gift.  

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Susan Penny's 'Token of Love' cross stitch kit from Cross Stitcher magazine
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Snippet of dark pink textured card

I stitched the design using the fabric and threads in the kit.  The completed stitching should have been patched onto the front of a patterned card blank that was included in the kit, but I chose to make a frame instead.  I chose a snippet of card to match the pink flowers, trimmed it so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut an aperture in the front.  I used strong tape to attach the stitching behind the aperture and then attached the panel to the front of the card with Artist-Tac.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Blooms or Butterflies (I have chosen Blooms)

Kath x

January Rudolph Day Guest Designer

I was so pleased when my 'November Rudolph Day' card was chosen as one of the Top 3 in the Rudolph Day Challenge and Helen invited me to join her as Guest Designer on a future challenge.

In recent years I have had a theme for my Rudolph Day cards.  In 2017 I used images from a Lili of the Valley Art Pad, in 2018 my cards were 4" x 4", in 2019 all cards had a Christmas tree on them, in 2020 I used wet and/or dry embossing on my cards, in 2021 I used something that had been upcycled, in 2022 I used something that had been a cover gift with a magazine, in 2023 all my cards were cross stitch designs, in 2024 they were all white, green and gold and finally last year they all had at least one die cut on them.  My theme this year is stamping and each card will have one main stamped image.

This card uses a lovely Uniko background stamp - it had been out of stock before Christmas but I was able to buy it in Bev's New Year sale, so got myself a bargain!

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25 white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Background Blocks Christmas Scramble' stamp
     My Favorite Things ' Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copic Ciao - B05, B23, BG15, R17, RV21, V17, Y08, YG67 & YR07
     Wink of Stella
     Snippet of white matt card

I used black ink to stamp the image onto a snippet of white card and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I die cut the panel with the largest rectangle die and then used nine different coloured Copics to colour each letter.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card.  To finish I applied a Wink of Stella to the letters.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge B for Bright
     As You Like It Challenge - Favoiurite Occasion (my favourite occasion for crafting is definitely Christmas and I tend to make far more cards than I need for the occasion)
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything New (my new Uniko stamp)
     Little Red Wagon - K is for Keep it Simple
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     We Love Stamping - Something New (I have used my new Uniko stamp)

Kath x

'Tis the Season to be Jolly

I made this Christmas card for the AAA Cards Challenge 'Follow Francesca's Lead'.  

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Clearly Besotted 'Let's Prance' stamps and coordinating dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Cheerful Christmas' sentiment stamp
     Memory Box 'Wicker Panel' die
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics
     Snippets of white matt card

I embossed a strip across the card with the Wicker Panel die and then placed it into my MISTI.  I used black ink to stamp the sentiment underneath the embossed strip and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  The reindeer were stamped in black ink onto snippets of white card and embossed with clear embossing powder before being cut with the coordinating die.  The reindeer were then colourd with Copics before being attached across the embossed strip with foam pads.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards Challenge - Follow Francesca's Lead
     ABC Christmas Challenge - A for Anything Christmas
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Occasion (my favourite cardmaking occasion is Christmas and I tend to make far more cards than I need)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean and Simple

Kath x

Sail Away

I was so pleased when Steve's Christmas card was a Top 7 at the Allsorts Challenge and I was invited to be Guest Designer on the 'For Men or Boys' challenge.  I made this card for a friend's forthcoming birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Clearly Besotted 'Sail Away' and 'Modern Calligraphy' stamps and coordinating dies
     Impression Obsession 'Ocean Border' and Clouds' dies
     Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Cosmic Shimmer clear embossing powder
     Copics
     Snippets of blue textured card, white matt card and pale blue vellum

I cut two pieces of white card slightly smaller than the front of the card and die cut a stitched circle in the centre of both pieces (I used two layers of card so the inlaid scene would lie flat inside the aperture). I layered the panels before attaching a piece of pale blue vellum to the rear of the aperture and attaching the panel to the card front,  I die cut two waves from snippets of blue textured card and die cut the bottom of each with the stitched circle so I could inlay them into the aperture.  

I used dark blue ink to stamp the sailing boat onto a snippet of white card.  This was coloured with Copics before being cut with the coordinating die.  I attached a tiny snippet of white card to the back of the sails and then slipped the bottom of the boat between the two waves - the tiny piece of card on the back of the sails made the boat stand out from the vellum background.  

I took the 'Happy Birthday' sentiment and masked the 'birthday' before stamping 'happy' onto a snippet of white card and then embossing it with clear embossing powder.  This was die cut with the medium cloud die.  I also die cut a small cloud from another tiny piece of white card.  I stamped 'birthday' onto white card and embossed it before using the coordinating die to cut the sentiment.  I then cut two more sentiments from more snippets of white card - these were trimmed down and attached to the back of the stamped sentiment so it would lie flat across the aperture.   The clouds and 'birthday' were then attached to the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes
     Addicted to Stamps and More - Birthdays
     Alphabet Challenge - S is for Square
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Use Dies
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Happy Holidays

I love this Funky Fossil stamp as it's perfect for CAS Christmas cards.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white card blank
     Funky Fossil 'Joy' stamps
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - E35
     Gold and silver gel pens
     Snippet of gold foiled kraft card

The snippet of kraft card was 1.75" wide and I trimmed it to the width of the card before attaching it across the centre.  I stamped the wreath with brown ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then used the largest stitched circle die to die cut around the image.  I coloured the pine cones with a light brown pen, the letters and berries with a gold gel pen and the snowflakes with a silver gel pen.  I attached the wreath topper to the centre of the card across the strip of kraft card.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - A for Anything Christmas
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - S is for Square
     As You Like it Challenge - Favourite Occasion (although I enjoy making cards for many occasions, Christmas is my favourite and I make more Christmas cards than I need to send!)
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge - Challenge 17 (I have used Line I - Square, Layers & Stamped Image)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x