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 Details 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 as 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

Francesca's Card

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

Live Life in Full Bloom

I have several Uniko Flower Power stamp sets and have just bought this new set in their recent sale.  I made this card using the colours from the current CAS Colours and Sketches colour challenge.

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Flower Power #10' stamps
     Uniko 'Flower Power #1-6' die (to cut the leaves)
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitches Rectangle STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Majestic Blue and Olympia Green ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics - B29, G29 & RV29
     Snippets of white matt card

I used blue ink to stamp the flower and green ink to stamp the leaves onto a snippet of white card.  These were embossed with clear embossing powder.  I cut the leaves using the die from the Flower Power #1-6 die set and fussy cut the flower.  I used the green Copic to colour the leaves and centre of the flower, blue to colour around the flower centre and red for the flower petals.  I die cut another snippet of white card using the largest rectangle die and placed it into my MISTI before laying the flower onto the panel so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I stamped the sentiment with blue ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then attached the panel to the front of the card blank.  The leaves were attached to the left of the sentiment and the flower attached above the stem with a foam pad.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Anything CAS Goes
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     CAS Colours and Sketches - Colour Challenge (Cherry Cobbler, Secret Sea & Old Olive)
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything New (I have used my new stamps)
     Simply Clean & Simple - Use Something New (I have used my new stamps)
     Stamping Sensations - Something Beginning with B (I have chosen Bloom and blue ink)
     We Love Stamping - Something New (I have used my new stamps)

Kath x

More Big Birthday Wishes

I was so pleased when my 'Whimsical Flower Arrangement was voted a Top Cut at the Cut It Up Challenge and I was invited to be Guest Designer on a future challenge.  I chose the 'Use Your Favourite Die/Set' challenge and have my used favourite 'go to' die for making male cards - this one is for a neighbour's milestone birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes', Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' and Xcut 'Nesting Stars' dies
     Snippets of kraft card, red glitter card and cream textured card.

I cut the large sentiment from kraft card and trimmed down each side so it was slightly narrower than the card blank and then attached the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'BIG' from a snippet of red glitter card and inlaid the letters into the panel.  The rest of the sentiment was die cut from a snippet of cream textured card and inlaid into the panel.  I trimmed two narrow strips of cream textured card and attached them down the side of the panel before trimming the ends.  I die cut two small stars from cream textured card and attached them towards the top of the card using small foam pads.  I die cut a slightly larger star from red glitter card and and '80' from cream textured card.  The numerals were attached to the star which was then attached to the card with a foam pad.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Alphabet Challenge - S is for Square (I have used a square card blank)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Use Dies
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 523

Kath x

Eat Drink and Be Merry

I had a rush to finish all my Christmas cards last year, so am determined to make more during the year so the same doesn't happen this December.  This card uses a lovely Clearly Besotted 'Christmas Pudding' stamp and die set - perfect for the current ABC Christmas Challenge 'Y for Yummy'.

To make this card I used:
     4" x 4" white linen card blank
     Clearly Besotted 'Christmas Pudding' stamp and coordinating die set
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     Versafine Vintage Sepia and Olympia Green ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Red Copic
     Diamond Stickles
     Glossy Accents

     Snippet of white matt card

I used brown ink to stamp the Christmas pudding onto a snippet of white card and used green ink to stamp the holly.  I embossed them with clear embossing powder before cutting them with the coordinating dies.  I embossed a stitched square in the centre of the card before placing the card blank into my MISTI.  I laid the pudding in the middle of the stitched square so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the pudding and stamped the sentiment with brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I attached the pudding with a foam pad and applied Diamond Stickles to the top.  The holly berries were coloured with a red Copic and then highlighted with Glossy Accents before being attached to the top of the pudding.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Anything Goes
     ABC Christmas Challenge - Y for Yummy
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes
     Allsorts - Anything Goes   
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything Clean & Simple

Kath x

Red Clover Card

This design is from Carolyn's Meadow by Serendipity Designs and is another recent charity shop purchase.  I enjoyed stitching this lovely design which I've made into a birthday card for a friend.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Serendipity Designs 'Carolyn's Meadow - Red Clover' cross stitch kit
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     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 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 chosen blooms)

Kath x

Floral Tag

I made this tag for the Tag-along (and ATC's) 'Love and Romance' challenge using lots of snippets of card and ribbon.

To make this tag I used:
     Creative Expressions ''Pierced Tags', Creative Expressions 'Finishing Touches - French Marigold' and Sizzix 'Floral Hello' dies
     Snippets of white hammer card, white matt card, red glitter card and red ribbon

I die cut the largest tag from a snippet of white hammer card and used my embossing mat to emboss around the edge of the tag.  I die cut three different size flowers and two large leaves from white matt card.  The flowers were layered and attached to the lower edge of the tag with the leaves tucked underneath the flower.  I die cut a small heart from red glitter card and attached it to the centre of the flower.  To finish I attached a red ribbon bow to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes
     Cut It Up Challenge - Anything Goes
     Little Red Wagon - Use the Force (I've used die cutting and embossing)
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Moving Along with the Times - Use Stencils and/or Dies (I have chosen dies)
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 552
     Tag-along (and ATCs) - Love and Romance

Kath x

Thank You

As the year ends, I wanted to say 'Thank You' to everyone who has commented on my blog over the past year.  Also many thanks to the Design Teams who have chosen my cards as Top Picks and those who have invited me to be a Guest Designer.  This card is for all of you!

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white linen card blank
     Durene Jones 'Thank You' cross stitch chart (from Cross Stitch Favourites magazine)
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' die
     14 hpi white aida
     DMC threads  
     Snippet of white linen card

After stitching the design I trimmed around the fabric so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  I die cut an aperture in the front of the card blank and used Artist-tac to attach the fabric behind the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white linen card to cover the stitching on the inside of the card and attached it with strong tape and Artist-tac.

I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Kath x

A Tea-riffic Day

I've not done any crafting over the last few weeks, but I have tidied my craft drawers and found these floral tea cups from a Hunkydory Deco-large set.  I usually only use half of the layers in the Deco-large sets as I find them too bulky if I use all of the layers and these were left over from another card I made.  I thought they would be perfect for a quick birthday card for a friend who's always drinking tea!

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Hunkydory 'Spring is Here Deco-Large - A Tea-riffic Day' topper and backing card
     Creative Expressions 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday' die
     Snippets of gold mirri card

I trimmed the corner of the backing card, layered it onto gold mirri and attached it to the card front.  I used foam pads to build the teacups decoupage and attached them to the corner of the card.  To finish I die cut the sentiment from another snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the corner of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes     
     First Cup Challenges - Anything Beverage/Drink Related

Kath x

Steve's Christmas Card

As always, the final Christmas card I post is the one I've made for Steve.  This card uses a pre-loved 'Mistletoe' stamp, die and stencil set I've recently bought to make his card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     Crafter's Companion 'Mistletoe' stamp, die and stencil set
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' and Crafter's Companion 'Gemini Expressions - Husband' dies
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Copics BG10, R27, R29 & YG67
     Glossy Accents
     Snippet of white matt card and red pearlescent card

I used black ink to stamp the mistletoe onto a snippet of white matt card before embossing it with clear embossing powder and cutting it with the coordinating die.  I used the red Copics to colour the bow and green to colour the mistletoe leaves.  I placed the stencil on top of the coloured image and used the pale blue Copic to colour the berries.  I removed the stencil and then added Glossy Accents to the berries and left it to dry.  I used the largest stitched square die to emboss the front of the card blank and die cut 'Husband' from a snippet of red card.  I attached the mistletoe with foam pads and placed 'Husband' in the corner of the embossed square.

I am entering the following challenges:
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Pick a Previous Colour Challenge (I have used the May colours - Red & Green)
     AAA Cards - Anything CAS Goes
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas
     Allsorts - New (I have used a 'New to Me' stamp, die and stencil set)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Little Red Wagon - Christmas Card
     Simply Clean & Simple - Reds and Greens
     The Male Room - Christmas Colours (Red & Green)
     Tic Tac Toe - Challenge 285 (I have chosen the middle line across - white, free & square)

Kath x