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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy New Home

I stitched this design for one of my neighbours who is moving to another flat within the next couple of months.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white linen card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackable' die
     Maria Diaz 'New Home' chart (from Ultimate Cross Stitch Cards magazine)
     14 count white aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of white linen card

I used the largest die to cut an aperture in the front of the card blank.  After stitching the design I trimmed the fabric before attaching to the rear of the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white linen card and attached it inside the card to cover the back of the stitching.

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

Kath x

Peace and Joy

I made this CAS Christmas card with one of my favourite Uniko stamps using the colours from the current CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Rustic Wreath' stamps
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Versafine Olympia Green ink
     Crafts-Too small flower punch
     Small red enamel dots
     Snippets of white matt card, gold sparkle card and red mirri card

I placed a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the wreath and sentiment with green ink.  The panel was then cut with a stitched square die, layered onto a snippet of red mirri card and attached to the card front.  I punched eight small flowers from a snippet of gold sparkle card and attached them to the wreath.  To finish I added small red enamel dots to the centre of each flower.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Christmas
     CAS Colours & Sketches - Colour Challenge (Real Red, Shaded Spruce and Gold)
     Daisy Chain Challenges - Christmas/Winter
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Stamping Sensations - Christmas
     We Love Stamping - Anything Christmas    

Kath x

Christmas Candle

It's another horrid wet day - perfect for staying dry indoors and making some Christmas cards.  This card used a lovely Paper Artsy stamp I won last 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 - BG10, E08, E33, E35. RV21, V17, Y08, YG67, YR04 & C-1
     Diamond Stickles
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of white matt card and dark brown 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 brown pearlescent card and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  I highlighted the baubles with a Wink of Stella and added Diamond Stickles to the twiggy branches.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Christmas Cards
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas/Winter
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - Christmas
     Stamping Sensations - Christmas
     Try It On Tuesday - Get Ready for Christmas
     We Love Stamping - Anything Christmas

Kath x

Penguins for Annie and Sam

I made these cards for my great niece and my youngest great nephew using a lovely Christmas alphabet by Rhona Norrie.

To make these cards I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blanks
     Rhona Norrie 'Penguin Playtime' cross stitch charts
     14 count white aida
     DMC threads 
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippet of white hammer card

I stitched the penguins onto white aida - both initials should have been stitched in green but I changed the 'S' to a red initial so they were slightly different.  I used the square die to cut the outside of the frame and then used the circle die to cut the aperture.  I trimmed the fabric so it was slightly smaller than the frame and used double sided tape to attach it to the rear.  The panel was then attached to the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Critter (I love penguins and have done so since being taken to the zoo as a child and seeing their funny walk - they always make me smile)
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

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

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 my niece'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

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

Happy Anniversary

I've used a lovely Uniko 'Ink & Flip' stencil to make this anniversary card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Uniko 'Ink & Flip Geometric Heart Layering Stencil'
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Hobby Art 'General Greetings' stamp
     Distress Inks - Ripe Persimmon & Worn Lipstick
     Versafine Onyx Black ink
     Woodware 'Heart' punch
     Snippets of white and black matt card

I used Ripe Persimmon ink to stencil the heart onto a snippet of white card.  I cleaned the stencil and flipped it to stencil it again with Worn Lipstick.  I then fussy cut the heart and set it aside.  I cut a snippet of white card with the largest stitched die and placed it into my MISTI before laying the heart onto the panel so I could see where to place the sentiment.  I removed the heart and stamped the sentiment with black ink.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.  I attached the heart above the sentiment with foam pads.  To finish I punched two tiny hearts from black card and attached then to the stencilled heart

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils (I've used both)
     Allsorts - Stencils/Masks
     Alphabet Challenge - H for Heart
     As You Like It Challenge - Clean & Simple or Fussy & Fancy (my favourite is always CAS with lots of white space on my cards - if I try to make a fussy card they always seem to look messy)
     CAS on Friday - Use a Stencil
     Krafty Chicks Challenge- CAS
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes

Kath x 

Happy Birthday to You

I needed a  card for a forthcoming male birthday, so have used some snippets and one of my favourite Lawn Fawn dies.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Giant Happy Birthday to You' die
     Snippets of silver mirri card and turquoise card

I trimmed the snippet of turquoise card to a square and die cut the sentiment from the centre.  The panel was then attached to a slightly larger square of silver mirri card and attached to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment twice from more snippets of silver mirri and inlaid them to the front of the card blank, together with the small pieces of the turquoise die cut.  To finish I attached the turquoise sentiment, offsetting it slightly to create a silver shadow.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenge - Masculine
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Cut It Up - Happy Birthday
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

Cross Stitch Anemone

I made this card to send to a neighbour for her birthday - she is the person who has gifted me lots of cross stitch items so I always stitch a card for her.  

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

I used the stitched square die to cut an aperture in the centre of the card blank.  After stitching the flowers I mounted the fabric behind the aperture and then added a piece of white card on the inside of the card blank to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Feminine or Masculine (I always prefer making feminine cards, especially cross stitch cards as I love to stitch pretty flowers)
     Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes

Kath x

Love

Whilst looking through my 'Antebellum' snippets I came across a heart I had die cut but not used.  As it's got music on it, I thought it would be perfect for the Allsorts 'Romance and/or Music' challenge.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Hearts' and  Lawn Fawn 'Scripty Love' dies
     Snippets of white matt card and Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper

I trimmed the white card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut the heart from the centre.   The Antebellum paper had been attached to a snippet of white card before the heart had been cut.  I inlaid the heart into the panel and attached some washi tape to hold it in place.  I then die cut 'love' from the lower edge of the heart.  The panel was then attached to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'love' four times from more snippets of white card.  I layered the four white sentiments with the one cut from the panel on the top.  These were then inlaid into the card front.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils
     Allsorts - Romance and/or Music
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Hearts
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Love is in the Air
     Simply Clean & Simple - Love and/or Hearts
     Try It On Tuesday - Romance
    
Kath x  

You are the Love of my Life

I've had this Tattered Lace die for a while and thought it would be perfect for this month's Love, Hearts and Valentine challenges.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Tattered Lace 'Floating in the Air Love' and Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' dies
     Snippets of red pearlescent card and red glitter card

I used the largest stitched square die to emboss the front of the card blank.  I die cut the heart panel from red pearlescent card and attached it to the embossed panel on the front of the card.  I used lots of snippets of red glitter card to cut the hearts which were then inlaid into the panel.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils
     Allsorts - Romance and/or Music
     CAS on Friday - Valentine
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Hearts
     NBUS - Challenge 71 (my new Tattered Lace die)
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Love is in the Air
     Simply Clean & Simple - Love and/or Hearts
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 499
     Try It On Tuesday - Romance

Kath x