Good morning and welcome to the blog today.

My card today is one for the men folk. Another simple card using backgrounds I had gathered in my box for just this purpose. 😃

There are just some days when the old mojo has gone on holiday that you only want to mess about and play. The backgrounds on this card were made using Distress Oxides and I apologise that I don't have the colours to hand for the larger piece.

The small piece was done with Faded Jeans, Cracked Pistachio and Fossilized Amber.

The background was embossed with a new 3D folder from Crafter's Companion and I just love the effect. I embossed two sections diagonally and left a centre panel flat.

I've edged it and lightly inked the surface using Walnut stain distress ink on an applicator.

The front piece was done using oxides and acetate. My new favourite way to apply inks to a surface.

I added ink by pressing the ink pad firmly onto to the acetate and spritzing with water. 

 I dragged the acetate over the card diagonally to get this effect.

I've used water colour card stock -  200gsm cold pressed as recommended by my teamie Jen Kray.

Water Colour Studio Pad

The stamps are from a set by Hunkydory that I've had in my stash for ages.

I've also used staples to attach the layers for a wee change.

I roughly cut the banners and added Nuvo drops in Dark Walnut to finish.

I'm gathering up quite a few of these simple cards for my charity box so I'll soon have enough to make a trip to the shop.

Thank you for joining me today.

Have a good one! 

Good morning and welcome to the blog today.

I treated myself to the Sheena One day special on Hochanda. I just loved these floral images and coupled with the matching dies, well, what's not to love. 

My first card used the smaller floral image from the 'Adorable Anemone' stamp set.

I was just 'test' stamping to make sure I hadn't cut off any important bits of the stamp when I was preparing them. It's been a while since I did that particular job. LOL

The sentiments are bold and make a real statement on your card.

This is a 6 x 6" card blank from Anna Marie Designs.

I've used Tonic Studios new alcohol markers in the Coral Reef and Irish Clover sets.

I've backed the image using Craft Perfect Avocado Green and Clementine Orange. 

I also used my Tonic Glitter Gloss pen over the flowers to give them a little sparkle. 

I really enjoyed playing with these stamps and dies and trying out the different colouring media.

Thank you for joining me today.

Have a great weekend! 

Tip

I have fairly painful hands and wrists so I was finding that cutting the rubber stamps apart was a bit of a challenge. I tried several pairs of scissors including ones designed for the job but it was heavy going. I then thought I'd try my Tonic spring cut scissors. Success! They cut through the rubber like a knife through butter. So if you have issues with this job it might be a good suggestion to give these a try. :) 

Hi! I'm back with another foiled card but just the sentiment this time.

I wanted to see if it would take on water colour card and I was well pleased with the result.

I stamped an image from the Perfect Peony stamp by Stacey Barras from Crafter's Companion onto water colour card stock also from CC.

I used my Aqua Blend pencils to colour the image. 

I have a bit of a ways to go before I get to grips with water colouring though most people make it look so easy. LOL

I used my Ultimate Crafts sentiment in the Go Press machine not sure of how it would react with the card stock but I was really pleased with the result.

It's why I bought the machine in the first place - I've always wanted to be able to foil greetings into the card and this leaves a lovely letterpress effect. 

I matted and layered the image onto toning card stock, embossed the backing piece with a Sue Wilson pinpoint folder for added texture and added some sequins and a bow to complete the card. 

Thank you for joining me today.

I'm sure I'll have more experiments with the Go Press to share - I know I have quite a stock of trial bits building up so you never know what will be next. LOL 

Have a great day. 

Good afternoon and welcome.

This one is a long post - just saying! :) 

I received my Downton Abbey CD and embossing folders with a selection of dies the other day and just had to have a wee play.

I was very disappointed that my CD wouldn't open with the built in interface but after a few queries and lots of help from Joannie on the Joanna Sheen forum I got it running properly.

A big Mwah! to Joannie.

It's always a bit of a puzzle which papers to use for which elements so this first one is a mixture - the image is on photo paper, the sentiment on 300gsm card stock and the papers are printed onto Crafter's Companion satin finish printer paper.

I've used Papermill ivory card stock for the base and layers and gathered twigs distress ink to ink through the dies.

I've embossed the green paper with a Sue Wilson folder - Star Swirls and highlighted the design with Viva Decor Inka Gold in Indian Gold and Old Silver.

I've used some antique linen distress ink on the sentiment as that was printed onto white card stock and I wanted to tone it down a little.  

You can see the design pop better on this pic. 

 The image is the second one on the sheet that I printed and I think the papers I've chosen bring out the background quite well.

I've used the bow die again and the feather brooch die to add interest. 

Hopefully this pic will let you see the texture on the plain paper better.

My next two cards are for the men in my life.

I loved the rich papers and the embellishments - the ribbons and buttons were just what was needed.

I've use one of my Tonic topper dies for the background on the image and it was a perfect fit and match for the theme. 

The second of my male cards uses elements from the card companion section of the CD.

I've used the Motor vehicle die cut from ribbed black card stock and chipboard (no problem getting through that) and made a sturdy embellishment for the card. It's highlighted with Viva Decor Inka Gold in Indian Gold and Old Silver. I've used the Elegant Border die inked with gathered twigs distress ink cutting off the two ends and turning them round. I just love the effect of the Fleur de Lys embossing folder on the buff card stock (Papermill). I've inked that also with the gathered twigs DI. 

The buttons are glazed with Glossy accents to finish.

Phew! there you are. It's taken nearly as long to write the post as make the cards but I hope you enjoy them.

Have a super day!

Hi! Welcome along to Friday on the blog.

I've another sample from the Tonic Studio 'Idyllics' collection to show you today.

I've resized my flap card to a larger 8 x 8" format so that I could use the complete strap die from the Diamond Trellis die set

Card stock - Centura Pearl 16 x 16" Crafter's Companion; Antique gold from Anna Marie designs

Tonic - Diamond Trellis Idyllic die set; Layering scallop squares; 

Assorted butterflies and Petal Pairs flowers;

Mum from the Family Members die set and Happy Birthday sentiment from the Everyday sentiment die set

Hope you enjoy this one today. I had a lot of fun making it.

Have a super day!  :) 

Hi and welcome today.

I'm sure you have already read my update on the cycle race. Jonny made it - 90 miles! Phew! even the thought makes me sore. Well I am equally delighted to report that Karen completed her stint in the Belfast marathon today and is one tired but happy bunny. What a week end for them and well done too.

Onto today's very plain card. I had these papers printed out and lying in my odds and ends box. We all have one of those don't we? 

I added the Hero Arts silhouette grasses stamp in gathered twigs distress ink which I then embossed with clear ep. The sentiment is a freebie from the DoCrafts Creativity magazine which got the same treatment.

I've used a Crafter's Companion plaid Embossalicious folder for the bottom panel and inked the pattern to make it stand out a little. The buttons are from Basic Grey. All in all a very simple card but it might do a dad who likes bird watching! You know the sort of bird watching I mean. Steady on now. :) LOL

I hope you have had a great bank holiday. We've certainly had a busy one that's for sure.

Take care and I'll see you soon.

I've made about nine other Father's day cards using my Hunkydory Fan-tash-tique kit but forgot to take pics before I added inserts and packed them up. Oops!  Maybe next time. 

Welcome to the blog this morning. What a dreadful, cold and miserable day! My thoughts go out to those who are in the deepest misery with flooding and gale force winds to contend with as well.

My darling GS Jude is undergoing an operation today. He's in the theatre as I type. If you are a praying person I would ask for your prayers for him, that all goes well and that he recovers quickly.

Thank you.

In my quest for projects for my Tuesday girls, I came across this wee card in a box idea.

I've used it for baby cards but the ideas for this format are endless. :)

Images - Stamping Up 'Wild about you' stamp set

Papers - old ones from my stash 

Sentiment - Crafter's Companion Bebunni

My thanks to Jo for the tiny sequins that I used on the banner

Big & Juicy inkpad -  Soothing Sunset

Papers - K & Co

Sentiment - Papermania

Spellbinder star dies

Big & Juicy inkpads - Hydrangea, Waterfall

These wee cards are totally addictive so I'm off to make a few more!

Thank you for joining me today. Keep safe and warm. :)

Hi and welcome to the blog today.

I thought I would do a baby girl version of the BeBunni card I made the other day. I've kept it simple and plain with few embellishments. I think that's the way I'm headed. I love to look at cards that simply just don't have any more room for any more embellishment and marvel how those ladies put them together, but it isn't really me.

This one, however, is veering towards CAS! :)

The card is a 6.75" square so that the stamped image has a bit of room - it is a large stamp. 

BeBunni - Baby stamp - Crafter's Companion

Papers from stash - (no idea where they came from)

Sentiment - part of the stamp set

Tonic - dotty border punch

Tiny bows - from a Quikutz wreath die set

Heart - Sizzix die

The image is coloured with Prisma pencils

I've kept the image flat on the card but I think it looks better slightly raised. It's difficult to compromise but you have to consider how much cards cost to post these days, so now and again I give in and make a 'flat' one. :) 

Thanks for dropping by today. I hope you have a super Tuesday. I've some friends coming round this evening to have a crafty time so I'm really looking forward to that.

See you soon!

Hi and good afternoon. I've been missing in action for a few days but such busy ones!

Today I found a little time to make a quick baby card using one of the cute BeBunni images from Crafter's Companion.

I had been making up kits earlier this week as I've invited a few friends round to have some crafty time and I have to say after a very long break, I'm really looking forward to it again. I used this Stamping Up designer paper for the kits and this was the remnant that I didn't want to waste.

Image - 'New Arrival' Bebunni - Crafter's Companion

Stamping Up paper

Cuttlebug embossing folder

Pearl blue Promarker for edges

Prisma pencils for colouring

Balloon die - Sizzix

The image is coloured with Prisma pencils

It doesn't show up in the pic but the insert is half embossed using the baby embossing folder, leaving the other half for the greeting.

The butterflies are from an X Cut border punch with little pearls added for interest.

I'm so glad it's Friday. It seems like it's been a long week though a productive one.

Have a super weekend whatever your plans and hopefully I'll see you soon in Blogland. :) 

Good afternoon. :)

You would not believe how long it took me to photograph this card today. I just couldn't get it right and even now it could be much better but that's Centura Pearl for you - I find it impossible to get a good pic with the built-in sheen distorting the light so much. I would really value any tips you may have on getting a good result. :)

Now you will recognise this card as it's a remake of one I did earlier. I wanted to make this for my daughter and her hubby for Christmas but the 6 x 6" format was just too small. In fact I'm getting pretty tired of it now and I really fancy a change. What a pity I have such a stock of them still to use up! I still love square cards but I'm thinking 7 x 7" or 8 x 8" to make more of a statement.  

Anyway, after all that preamble, the reason for posting this today was to show you how simple it is to convert to a bigger sized card. This one is 7 3/4" square.

I started out by cutting the front of the smaller card and trimming it neatly.

I matted and layered some holographic card and more centura pearl as the backing. 

I debated whether to emboss the larger piece but decided it would make the card too fussy and instead I took one of my grand Spellbinder squares and embossed that to form a frame round the main part - so simple but I think quite effective. 

I ended up taking the pic against a black background to help see the edges of the card. The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards. 

I was hoping for a clear pic on the embossed frame but this is the best I could manage so I hope it's clear enough.

Sorry I haven't been posting the past few days but I've been up to my eyes doing stuff for the girls and making tons of Christmas cards. I'm still wading my way through the huge Hunkydory blockbuster I bought ages ago and I don't think you would appreciate seeing endless versions of these day after day. 

Hope you are looking forward to a great week end. We're looking after the boys and I know we will be having a lot of fun and laughter in the process.

Take care and I'll see you soon!

Good morning. Hope you are well and having a great start to the week, or should I say midweek. :) The days just fly by and in no time we will be sorting out Christmas presents and planning the menus for our family get togethers. 

I received a die this week that I've had my eye on for ever. I didn't want to pay £20 for it so I kept an eye out until I found it at a reasonable price and nabbed it for my collection. 

I've popped a picture on rather than try to describe it. As I was playing with it I quickly realised I could get a lot more out of this one die than just cutting it in one piece. This is not news to those of you who own it I know but it was fun cutting it up.

I've also put a piccy on that shows my cutting up so far. You could still use the lattice portion as just an open scallop edge if you wanted to. It's a beautiful die that cut like a dream in my Big Shot Pro. I can see me using it in all sorts of ways in the future. 

I've labelled the 'borders' in the pic. The little arches remind me of tiny windows too, or if you cut the sections up you could make a flower from them. I've used the single segments from Section 3 to make this stylised snowflake for a simple Christmas card. 

The centre motif is from my new Spellbinders Delicate Doilies die set and the greeting from the Tonic Christmas Cracker set.

The embossing folder is from the Embossalicious range at Crafter's Companion - Star of Wonder

A close up of the 'snowflake'  I've used Art Institute crystal glitter to add a wee bit of bling

A very simple card using much the same ingredients but this time the motif has been used to make baubles. The sentiment is from Crafter's Companion

The ink is Memories Cherry Red and actually doesn't look that pink!

The card stock I've used for embossing is Centura Pearl silver white

I know that anyone who already owns this die has probably found a dozen more uses for it but I enjoyed myself just trying out the obvious.

Have a good one and I'll catch you soon!

Hi! I don't mind telling you that today's card has taken an age to do. I spent the better part of a couple of hours colouring the image and then today turned the craft room upside down looking for papers to match! :)

I found what I was looking for eventually so this is it.

Digi image - Rowan Fairy - Wee Stamps

Papers - DaisyD  - Attic Heirloom

Corner and linking stamps - Basic Grey - Insignia

Flowers, ribbon from stash

Ivy leaves die - Die'Sire - Crafter's Companion

Viva Decor Inka Gold - Lava Green, Lava Red

The image is coloured with Promarkers

Skin - soft peach, oatmeal, blush, baby pink

Berries - burgundy, red, lipstick red

Leaves - forest, bright green, lime zest

Branch - walnut, burnt sienna, caramel

Clothes - grass, apple, meadow green

Wings - antique white, light fawn (FM's)

Hair - umber, burnt sienna, caramel, sandstone, daffodil bloom

The inside of the card is simply decorated to blend with the front.

I've punched the leaves with a birch leaf punch out of corrugated brown packing material. I then coloured them with Inka Gold in lava green and lava red for a more autumnal feel.

The ivy leaves were cut from red paper and I've brushed them lightly with lava green Inka Gold to leave a lovely sheen.

A sideways view to show the layers

I hope you like this one today, I love it and I have a feeling I won't be easily parting with it. :)

Have a great week, thank you for calling in. 

:)

I've entered this into the Crafty Little Fairies 'Autumn Colours' challenge. (Thanks Marianne!)