Lou's Card Creations

Hi Everyone

So this year i have been very un-organised, with presents, the turkey (not ordered one and its too late) and Christmas Cards.  So I have only made a few and in one design.

I've used matt black card for the base and matted with Kraft card.  Using watercolour card I've cut a Snowflake die, bought this on my trip to Slovenia at the Rayher shop and i love it, its by a Slovenian designer and i picked up other ones too.  Then after cutting I've embossed with the Vintage Christmas folder but you can use any snowflake folder.  The reason i love A4 folders is i can emboss large areas in one go and then cut them down, made this card so quick and easy.  Then to complete I've used a sentiment from the Greetings sentimental stamp set and added some black ribbon and a metal snowflake charm.

Happy Christmas and hope you have a fab time and good luck for 2015.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Here's a little Scruffy Little Cat Card i made for the Crafters Companion Blog Challenge in December, the theme is thank you.

Sooooooo  while i have been demoing at craft shows i have found myself eyeing up material on the stands next to us and bought some small pieces to see if i could incorporate them into my cards.

For the card i have used Kraft card as the base and matted with some purple Coredinations embossed and sanded back using the vitnage floral Hessian folder.  The image is Ashleigh from the SLC range and coloured with Spectrum Noir Markers.  Ive also used the Circle Doily die and then just added a few buttons and a metal butterfly.

Colours used areTN1, TN2, TN3, TN6, CR3,  EB1, EB2, EB3, EB5, EB8, IG1, IG2, IG6, PL1, PL3, PL5.

Hope you like it and dont forget to pop over and take part.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

A little summery card to share with you today and this is my card for the July Spectrum Noir blog challenge, which is Summer.  And you only have today and tomorrow left to enter....... July is coming to an end............

So I have used my Spectrum Noir markers and Spectrum Noir Pencils with a beautiful Skipping  image from Lily of the valley, as it reminds me of summer with her pretty summery dress on too.  My base card is Kraft card and I've matted with nitwit papers, promises and promises solids.  I bought the frame a while ago but not found a card I wanted to use them on as they are so special, so thought this was perfect and centered it over a sentiment stamped in dusty concord distress ink.  I've used white Frantage on the main image and added a few pearls and lace ribbon and finished with a very small flower die  and added a little bit of bling from Chloe.


colours used

FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1, EB3, EB8, LV1, LV2 blender, cr3, pencils 81, 89, 96 with blending solution and paper stumps

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

HI Everyone

Well I'm a month behind I must try to get up to date but the weather is just so nice.............

So July is nearly over but there is just time to enter the Challenge if you haven't already entered.

So this card is one i made using sheenas embossing folder from her taste of india range.  I've done this card twice at demo's and also at a recent workshop and everyone loved the effect.   I've used glycerine as my adhesive fort the embossing powder and its so easy. I've tried and tried with versamark and i just cant get the hang of it.

So all you need to do is using a hard brayer is paint glycerine over the roller and then transfer it to one side of your embossing folder, this one is ornate screen.  then emboss as usual through your die cutting machine, i used the reverse of some centura pearl card.  Then sprinkle with your chosen  embsossing powder, I've chosen gold.  then heat emboss to set.  Once you have done this then choose a couple of distress inks and apply with cut and dry foam.  I've used fired brick and seedless preserves.  then cut your piece of card down to fit your desired card blank.  I've used Kraft card and matted with black card.  then finished with some black ribbon and the sentiment is from sheenas Mandala stamp set, stamped in black embossing powder and cut out using tags 1.  Then to complete ive added a few drops of liquid pearls in a matching purple colour.

Hope you like it

Louise xx

HI Everyone

Card number two in two days and loving colouring in with my markers.  So yesterday my colour scheme was green and pink but I also bought some lush blue papers too at Doncaster so had to have another play.

The stamp is another Sherri Baldy stamp called Good friends but again i cant see where its for sale, it was on Create and craft but its sold out.  I've made my card base from Kraft card and matted with Maja Design Vintage Autumn Basics, its double sided so the criss cross reverse matches perfectly.  The frame is cut using a Cameo Frame and then I've cut the image out and placed her on top.  I've then added a wooden heart, banner cut in Kraft to match and just a few pearls.  The sentiment stamp is from the main image stamp set.

Spectrum Noir Markers  used  FS1, FS3, FS4, TN1, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1, EB3, DG2, IG1, IG3, IG5, IG7, IG9, IG10, True Black, IB1, IB2, IB3, GB1.

Spectrum Noir Pencils used 15, 108, 96, 89, 71, 04,119

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Its been a while since I made a card and I've lost my inspiration and cant think of anything to make really.............  so today I thought I would have a go and used a lovely pink flowery paper i bought while at the Doncaster crafty show last week.  This stamp is called start with a smile and I bought it from create and craft a few weeks ago.  its sold out though and I cant find it anywhere else to link to it, sorry.  The presenter on create and craft was using our Spectrum Noir Markers too so i thought i would have a go.  Colours listed below, with the addition of the Spectrum Noir Pencils I have used too.

The card base is made using Kraft card and ive matted a Pion card stock, called my precious daughter, baby doll onto plain white card.  The green card is from a a Nit wit pad called Beach Bliss and ive used a My freind sentiment from Lily of the valley.  Ive added a few brads and rose lace and diestreed the edges with frayed burlap distress ink, this is also added to the wooden butterflies too.

Pens used, FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1, EB3, EB5, CG2, PP1, PP3, BG7, BG5, blender pen
Pencils 41, 90,89,57,92

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

I coloured the lovely Ashleigh while demoing at the Bolton show a few weeks ago and have just made it into a card.  As I've added my favourite tags i was hoping it may give you inspiration so you can enter this months challenge while there is still time.

For the card base I've used Kraft card and matted onto watercolour card, the patterned paper is from a nitwit paper pad called country lady and I've distressed the edges.  The two tags are made using scalloped tag dies and then I've added some Hessian tape a few pearls and a beautiful embellishment i also bought at the Bolton show from Chloes stand, called daisy pearl.  the distress ink colour used is gathered twigs.

Spectrum noir makers used
FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1 EB2,EB3, EB5, IG2, IG4, IG6, IG8, DG2 and DG4, LY2

To enter the challenge follow this link

Hope you like it.

Louise

Hi Everyone

Just sharing with you today I card I have forgotten to blog about as it was shared on the Spectrum Noir Blog in February.

I found this stamp Alva Colour while browsing the web and treat myself at Christmas time I think on the Bunny Zoe website. I just love fairies and I think this goes back to when my sister and I read about the young girl who had photographs of fairies at the bottom of her garden, which of course all turned out to be fake.   It was one of the first sites I found when starting to make cards and I love it, there's so much to choose from.  The spectrum noir markers used are all listed on the blog and my card base is using, Kraft cardstock.  I've matted onto coredintations card and then used a sheet from a paper pad, Country Lady, Margaret and I shared a pack when we visited the NEC last year, so its a good way to feed my paper addiction but not have so many in my collection.  The roses and leaves are made using the same papers and card using Bitty Blossoms dies and the borders are Damask accents.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

This months Crafters Companion Challenge blog has changed and its all run via facebook, click here for information on how to enter.

So I really had to make a card using the fab new Create a card Dies, they are coming back soon  I promise and I've used our fab quilling dies. I just love these too.  I've used Kraft card as the base and then matted with Neenah card underneath the patterned paper from my stash and used the Enchanted create a card die.  I've stamped using a sentimental Memories are made  stamp set in pumice stone distress ink.  The flowers are made using the Dahlia quilling die and then I've cut leaves in Kraft card to match using Leaf 1 and then scored veins using the Springtime treat board.  Then to finish I edged with the pumice stone distress ink around the patterned card and also the petal tips, then finished with pearls in different sizes.

Oh and are you loving the new Crafters inspiration magazine.  I was away on my hols when it was released and had a really busy first week back at work so I've just browsed through it this morning.  I have to say Louisa has done a fab job it contains lots of stunning cards and projects by a lot of the team at CC and DT members.  Amazing well done everyone!!!



Dont forget to pop along to the challenge and take part.

Hope you like my card.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

For the month of march the spectrum noir blog challenge has been green, something to do with a certain St Patrick i think.

Here's my challenge card and you can find more on the blog page.  I've used the Soar stamp from the Rachelle Anne Miller range and coloured her with Spectrum Noir markers.  The colours used are listed below.  The papers are from my stash and i matted them with Kraft card.  i made a couple of tags using my Favorite tags dies.  Then added a button and a few flowers.


blender, TN7, TN4, TN3, TN2, TN1, EB3, FS4, CT1, CT3, CT4, CG4, CG3, CG2, CG1, CR3, EB1

There's only today and tomorrow left so hurry if you would like to enter.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

I cannot believe the last time i posted was 1st February, that must be the longest time ever for me............  I know i know its the old reason I've been so so so busy.  But i am still making cards and this one is for the crafters Companion blog challenge for March, Monotone.

So..........  i couldn't resist a new Rachelle Anne Miller stamp brand new this month from Crafters companion this one is called Squeeze.  I've chosen very pale mauve colours for the main card and matched this colour scheme into the lovely image too, with my spectrum noir pens.  I've used watercolour card for the base and last weekend i helped out in retail packing in the cc warehouse, which might've been a good idea before i started looking on the shelves to see what i fancied.  so i ended up buying lost more stash and the paper on the card below is from a six by six paper pad by Wild Rose Studios, called Antique Library.  I've matted with Kraft Card card and then added a couple of paper roses to match and then sewn it all together.

Colours used,

TN7, TN4, TN3, TN2, TN1, EB3, FS4, CR3, EB1, EB2, BG1, BG2, HB1, HB2.

I've just got back from a demonstrator training event which has run over the last 3 days that Leann and I delivered and its been absolutely brilliant (yep that's my opinion) i've met lots of lovely crafters who are all willing to become our demonstrators and both Leann and i will be getting back to them soon with details.

The back to work tomorrow but on weds night I'll be off to the Hobbycraft show at the NEC Birmingham for 4 days.  I'm looking forward to seeing what new stuff there is, although i don't need one single thing, but i cant resist a little look just in case.  Dawns coming with me too so i should have some photos to share.

Hope you like it and pop over to take part as you may just win a prize.

Louise xx

Hello Everyone

Wow i slept until 11.30 am this morning and that is just not like me at all so i must've needed a rest, although it has been a really busy week..  I had a great time at Birmingham with all the fab team from Crafters Companion.  Margaret and I helped out on the stand on Thursday and Margaret was the Queen of embossing folders, while i helped with customers.  It was really great meeting lots of CC fans and then Margaret and i shopped all day Friday.  We arrived not long after 9am and didn't leave until 4.  The night before i had said to Margaret i really thought we wouldn't be long and that it maybe be about 1 or 2 at the latest but we got so engrossed in dies, and ribbons, and sparkly embellishments and card etc etc.  I'm sure you know what its like and she never curbed my spending, nor i here,  in fact we were like partners in crime until it got to about 3 then i think we both felt a little guilty with how much we had spent.  never mind there are worse things to worry about.  Margaret and i have got a few things to share and i also shopped for Leann, she gave me a budget and i stuck to it.  (i wouldn't have dared not to, she's a bit scary when she wants to be, ha ha).

So yesterday i couldn't craft with my new stash as i had a demo at Lambton park garden centre at Chester le street.  I know i always say this but it really was a great day and the time just flew by.  The shoppers were all lovely as were the staff, Eileen and lath who supplied me with my builders tea.  Lovely lovely day but its sad as its closing at the end of June.  Next Saturday I'm at Frankie's and cannot wait for that too.

Ok onto my card and today i have used a swalk image that i have tried to achieve a quite toned down and vintagy look (if thats a word).  I've used my new Kraft card from Anna Maries designs stand.  I've use the a little kiss  image from swalk and used backing paper from the paintbox poppets cd using the colouriser.  I've also distressed the paper using vintage photo distress pad and added this to the image too before taking the die off.  I've coloured with my spectrum noirs using TN3, TN2, TN1, FS8, TS2, FS1, EB3, EB2, EB1, CT2, LG2.   The lace and velvet ribbon is also from Anna Maries Designs but i cannot find this on her website. Both Margaret, leann and I have one in each of the 5 colours so i'm sure you will be seeing it pop up on our cards regularly.I have cut the photo corners using my e-craft with my laina lamb office essential sd card.     I've had flowers on flowers off, pearls nearly on but decided to leave it with a whimsy sentiment as i think that's enough.

The next thing i have to look forward to, as well as frankies,  is the colouring day at the Aston hotel on Friday, so i am really looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Last week i spent a very productive night with the lovely Claire Lesley Hamer having a crafty night in.  She also cooked me a lovely tea and I'm actually surprised we even got anything done at all.  We usually plan to and then just sit and chat.  However last Monday i got the chance to play with some of her gorgeous papertrey ink ink stamps that she brought back from her recent trip to the US of A.  The stamps and dies don't look very much to begin with just have a look at some of their finished samples and you can see just what you can do with these little stamps sets.  I've copied a link to one area of their ideas gallery but be warned you may regret looking at them as they are fab.   To look at the ideas for each stamp set just go into the stamps and select the range you want to look at and in each set there will be a link to the ideas gallery.  It kept me occupied for hours. They have stamps and dies to match in lots of lovely cute sets.  The sentiments are also fab and i loved using them.

The one above i made and we really just sort of copied from their design team blog but i just loved the simplicity of this card.  Claire managed to make 4 in between tea and chatting and i finished none.  However it wouldn't have taken much more time as i had all the bits prepared and just had to stick them together.  so i've  finished them now and i made boy cards and Claire made the girls.  I talked her into giving me a girl card which i have added below.

Hope you like them both.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

I've been busy with my Crafters Companion ultimate pro and the advanced construction technique dvd   I used to be a plain 6x6 inch card maker but since using the ultimate i cannot stop making things.  I love it.  For anyone out there please let me put your mind at rest that i never always felt this way and it was really just about me using it more and more and becoming more practised in using it.  it really didn't tkae me long though just a couple of days of trying different things.

Today i have made a drawer easel card from the DVD and also used an image from the Fairyopolis Decoupage packs.  The background paper is from the fairyopolis 12x12" paper pad  and they are all stunning and compliment the fairy images perfectly.   I just love fairies and have done since i was a child.  My older sister and i had the original books and used to copy the fairy drawings and colour them in on Sunday afternoons.

   The card used to make the drawers and flowers is coredenation all in the family, grapes.  I have embossed the card using the ultimate pro embossing board springtime sweets and cupcake treats and if you have seen some of my other posts you will see it is a favourite of mine for the flowers you can create. The two matting and layering circles are from the same board and again were very easy to do and i have distressed the card with the sand it gadget.

The only extra things i have used are some purple ribbon and some brads for the drawer fronts and for the flower centres.  The tag is embossed form the same board as the flowers so no need for more expensive die cut templates.  The with love sentiment is also from the fairyopolis range, fairyoplis 6x12" rub ons .  i gave up trying rub ons a while ago as they never seemed to work for me but again the quality of these from CC is fab. It worked first time.  Oh and nearly forgot I've used iridescent spray and sparkle on the fairy wings but the photo doesn't do it justice.

Hope you like it.

Louise

Hi Everyone

Ok no colouring at all for a few days, just so busy with work  So I'm adding a box I made a couple of weeks ago for my ultimate demo day and am also adding a card grace made last Sunday as she really liked mine.   

The box i made with coredenations card stock from crafters companion, in fact everything i have used to make this box is CC apart from the glitter on the flowers.  I embossed the flowers on one of the ultimates embossing boards and 3d'd them as the lovely Claire Hamer showed me.  I loved the effect and knew i would use it on a project as soon as she showed it to me.  Its very simple, just emboss a flower shape, sand it to get the distressed effect on the coredenations and then cut from one edge of the petal into the centre, overlap one petal over another and glue.
 

I've used collal gel to glue everything as its also good as a flat glue and also embossed the edge again using the ultimate, cut round to achieve a decorative edge and again sanded it.
And the card below is one of Grace's, she loves the Humphrey decoupage and she did everything on here.  She built the decoupage image and chose this one because on the Humphrey POW, Leann said hello on the show with Nigel and then Nigel got Grace mixed up with a cat.  Grace was not amused at this but loved it when everyone was shouting hello to her.

 As you can see everything is not perfect, a fe wobbly lines and the matting and layering is not perfect Just as  mine isn't.  I obviously explained to grace where to score the lines while reading from the booklet and helped her a little with the folding but after that it was her.  She chose the colours too from the cd.  The whole card is 100% CC, centura pearl, corednations, Humphrey decoupage and backing paper from the cd and collal glue again.

Thanks for looking,

Louise and Gracie xx