.... Good afternoon! Thanks so much to everyone who has stopped by recently to read my posts and leave me comments, I don't say it often enough, but I really do appreciate all your comments - they mean a lot to me.

I've had a fun time in my craft room today making a card for three challenges - a couple of which I haven't played for ages. Here's my card:


Stamps: Stampin' Up! - A Dozen Thoughts, Watercolour Wings
Inks: SU - Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sugarplum, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Soft Sky; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: SU/Sizzix - Swirly Scribbles, Bold Butterfly
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Soft Sky; SU DP - So Saffron; Wink of Stella - Clear; Gems

I got my parcel from Stampin' Up! yesterday with goodies from the new catalogue - I ordered the new in-colours. I think they're just fabulous and I used a couple of them on this card.

I'm submitting this card to the following challenges:

• Less is More - LIM#275 where they want us to use PASTEL colours
• Retro Sketches - RS#214 - really like the sketch
• Just us Girls - JUGS#342 - where the word of the week is BUTTERFLY

I stamped the butterfly using my MISTI to ensure that the images were all in the right place and cut it out with the matching die. I added some frosted gems to the butterfly's body. I die cut a scribble circle from some pale yellow design paper. I cut a strip of soft blue card for the top of the card and echoed the colour in the dots at the bottom of the card. I finished the front by stamping a bold sentiment and adding a few gems. On the inside I cut a mat layer of soft blue card and on the white panel added some texture stamps, but left lots of space for a message.


That's all for today. I'm off to have a coffee before heading to school to pick up Kat. See you soon.

.... Hello again!  I was busy in my craft room this weekend and late last night I finished another science themed card for a few challenges.  Here it is:


Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Scientifically Speaking; Your Next Stamp - Perfect Chemistry; There She Goes - Cutie Pie
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Riding Hood Red, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade; Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card/DP - Lucky Limeade; Copic Markers; Glossy Accents




This one is being submitted to the following challenges:

• CASology - CAS#166 - Science (two entries this week - go me!!)
• Colour Q - cQc#310 
• Retro Sketches - RS#184
• City Crafter Challenge Blog - CCCB#281 (it's another science geek theme)

.... Hi!  Back again!  Yes, I know I said that was it, but I suddenly had an idea and crafting beats ironing any day of the week.  So here's my second card for the 2015 Fall - Coffee Lovers Blog Hop:


Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Coffee Set
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Baked Brown Sugar
Dies: Die-namics - Dual Stitched Square Stax #5; WMS - Coffee Set
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU  DP - Colour Me Autumn


I've used the sketch from Retro Sketches - RS#183 - the little hearts reminded me of coffee mugs.  Yes, okay, I might be a bit addicted.  I cut the design paper slightly smaller than the card.  I used a new die to cut the square mat, added some coffee beans and a sentiment.  And then added three coffee mugs - love this folksy set.  I've done it so quickly that I've not done the inside - yet!!  That really is all for now.

.....  Hello and Good Morning!  This is the first of three posts today - it's a busy time here at Chez Frings!!!!  It's time for our new Progressive Challenge over at Sparkle and Glitter and, as normal, the first month has the theme "ANYTHING GOES", but you MUST use one of Rick St Dennis's images.  Here's my card:


Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Marsailles; CAS-ual Friday Stamps - Love Notes, Big Treble
Inks: Archival - Jet Black; Memento - London Fog; Stampin' Up! - Real Red
Dies: Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #7
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Whisper White, Brides Specialty (discontinued); Kasiercraft Doily - Secret Admirer; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear; Sakura Stardust - Silver



I think you all know that I just love Rick's gorgeous Hat Ladies and this image is brand new this year - she's tres elegant!  I printed her on white card and coloured her with Copic markers, cut her out and added sparkle to her blouse and feathers.  I kept the colours really simple - black, red and white!  I used the sketch from Retro Sketches - RS#181 for the layout.  The musical inspiration comes from CAS-ual Chic - CASCC#03 and the photo over at Cupcake Inspirations Challenge - CIC#327 gave me the idea for the doily and soft creams/greys.  The die cut banner uses some very old and treasured design paper from Stampin' Up!  On the inside I cut a mat layer of design paper and added a greeting to the white panel.  This is for a friend in the UK.


I've taken a close up of Marsailles Chapeaux so that you can see the shimmer on her blouse and feathers.


Do visit our blog to see what the rest Rick's Elite DT have created for you.  Do play along, Rick has a huge selection of images available at his Zibbet shop, or you can shop at Esty.  Team A posted their projects earlier this month - click here to see what they made.  See you later!

.... are falling!  Well, not quite yet!!  Although it does feel distinctly autumnal here in Northville today. It's only 19°C (that's 66°F for my American friends) which is considered nice and warm in the UK, but not so much here.  So as it's getting towards that time of year, here's my first Thanksgiving/Autumn themed card of the year:


Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Gently Falling, Seasonally Scattered
Inks: SU - Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Marina Mist; SU Card - Marina Mist; Martha Stewart Border Punch - Leaves; String


 I've used three challenges making this card:

• CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#138 - love these colours
• Retro Sketches - RS#178 - for the layout
• Just Us Girls - JUGS#307 - photo inspiration - autumnal leaves

I cut a panel of blue design paper and adhered it flat to the card.  I cut the white panel slightly smaller and punched the bottom edge with falling leaves.  I then stamped leaves randomly over the panel.  I used the rock and roll technique to add different colours to the edge of the leaves and also used the second and third impressions to give lighter leaves.  I wrapped some string around the panel and used dimensional tape to adhere it to the card.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of blue card and stamped a bold sentiment on the white panel.


My desk is right by the window, which is super on a bright sunny day, but I've just looked out to see that it's finally started raining.  It's not heavy but it is dull.  However, the plus side is that I don't feel like going out, so I might just head back into my craft room and play some more.  Of course, I could do the ironing - NO!!!  That way lies madness :)

.... Hello again!  I did do some house stuff - honest!!!  But I decided to take a short break as this idea has been buzzing round my head since I got up, and I just had to make the card:


Stamps: Avery Elle - Bonjour
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Strawberry Slush, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Avery Elle - Bonjour
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Kaisercraft DP - Oh So Lovely, Blue Bay


Two of my favourite challenges have extended the deadlines on their recent challenges - which is good for me as I can play along!!  I've used the sketch from Retro Sketches - RS#165 and the yummy colours are from Colour Q - cQc#292.  I stamped the outline image of the macaroon four times in black and then over stamped each one with the solid image to create four different colour macaroons.  I cut them out with the matching die.  I found some design paper in my stash that is close to Strawberry Slush and I cut a piece slightly smaller than the base to cover the card.  Then I found this lovely green paper - I used a border die to cut the fancy edge and adhered it to the card.  I cut a strip of white card, attached it to the card and adhered the macaroons.  I finished with a sweet sentient.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of the green design paper and stamped a small macaroon on the white panel.


You know when you have an idea in your head, and sometimes it doesn't quite work out, well this is NOT one of those times.  This is exactly what I had in my head!!

And now I suppose I'd better get back to the ironing - it won't magically do itself!  See you tomorrow!

....  Morning all!  I do hope you're all enjoying your Easter holiday.  Today's card is for another holiday altogether - and posting it now means it's late!


Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Voodoo Skull Man; Impression Obsession - Hand Over the Candy
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Pumpkin Pie; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Square Swatches (S4-342) #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Graphic 45 DP - Steampunk Spells; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella; Cuttlebug EF - Skeleton Skull; SU Punch - Scallop Oval


This Voodoo Skull Man is such a fun character - he's not very, very scary, in fact I think he's kinda cute!  As always, if you'd like to get him for your own collection you'll find him at Rick's Zibbet shop along with a huge collection of other images too.  I coloured him with Copic markers and added some sparkle too.  I carefully cut him out with a scalpel  (easier to get to the inside bits) and edged the image with a black marker.  I used the layout from last week's Retro Sketches challenge - RS#158.  I cover the card with design paper.  I die cut a spiky square from white card, which I then embossed and used an orange pad to highlight the details.  The quote that comes from the Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland where the White Rabbit is looking at his watch.  But I think it works for Voodoo Man who is obviously running as he's late for Halloween.  Well, it was last October!!  Or he could be very early.  On the inside I cut a mat of design paper and added some decorate to the white panel.


That's it for now - see you soon.

....  Morning!  It's rather dull, grey and wet here this morning - very miserable outside, but we need the rain!  I was going through various challenges that get posted this morning and I suddenly realised that I hadn't done my post for today.  This morning's card is bold, bright and lots of fun - a complete contrast to the dull grey outside my window:


Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Euro Clown TrOuPe; The Craft's Meow - Life is a Carnival
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Grey Flannel
Dies: Die-namics - In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangles #3
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Strawberry Slush; Cosmo Cricket - Delovely; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear


Rick has a wonderful collection of Euro style images, and I absolutely love this image of Euro Clowns.  I think they look a bit startled and a bit wide eyed, but they are really fun to colour.  You can find this image, and many more, at Rick's Zibbet and Esty shops.  I printed the image twice as I wanted to create a little depth by layering the two smaller clowns.  I used Copic markers to colour, cut the images out with a scalpel and then adhered the two smaller guys on top!  There's only a bit of dimension, but it's enough.  I added lots of sparkle to the image with my Wink of Stella brush - and you can actually see it in the photo.  I used the layout from this week's Retro Sketches - RS#157 challenge.  I found this wonderful rainbow striped paper (reminds me of barcodes) in my stash and used it to cover the card.  I die cut a panel of white card with my new die (love the diagonal stitched effect), adhered it to the card and then added my clown troupe.  I finished the front with this fun, bold sentiment - seemed entirely appropriate.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of bright pink card and on the white panel stamped another carnival image and sentiment - lots of space for a message too.


I told you yesterday that I'd had my hair cut.  Well Jonathan got home last night - he'd not had any advance warning that this was happening - we hugged, kissed, chatted and generally caught up with how his day had gone.  I was smiling at him and just said "So?"  Jonathan's face was a picture, he says "You've had your hair cut?", and yes, it was a question.  I think I could have gone for green hair and he still wouldn't notice!!  Love him very much.  That's all for now - I think I'm going into my craft room, certainly not venturing outside today - it's absolutely pouring!!!  See you soon.

Edited to add:  If you're a fan of Rick's work I thought I'd let you know that we have a DT Call on at the moment.  We are looking for a number of enthusiastic and creative folk to promote Rick's art on Facebook.  Full details can be found here.

.... Hello!  The weather here this week has been absolutely gorgeous with blue skies, sunshine and above freezing temperatures.  While it's not officially spring for a week or so, it certainly feels like it around here.  So I decided to make a fresh, spring style card:


Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Love is Kindness
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog
Dies: Die-namics - Happy Hellos
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Wild Wasabi, Basic Black; SU DP - Wild Wasabi; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear; Doodlebug - Sprinkles; WeRMemory Keeepers Twine - Citrus; Cuttlebug EF - Geometric Circles


The colours, YELLOW and GREEN, are from this week's Less is More - LIM#214 - so fresh.  I'm so glad I got to make a card for the challenge.  The layout is based on the sketch from Retro Sketches - RS#156.  I adore tulips, such simple yet elegant flowers and I do like this stamp.  I stamped onto white card, coloured the image with Copics and then spent a while fussy cutting it out - so worth it! I embossed a panel of white card, cut it down and adhered some design paper behind.  I cut a length of citrus twine and put this behind the image which I adhered with dimensional gel.  I finished the front with some yellow enamel dots and a die cut sentiment.  To make the sentiment I die cut two green and one black, and slightly offset the black die cut to create a shadow effect (seen this technique on quite a few cards). On the inside is a mat of green card and on the white panel I stamped another bunch of tulips in pale grey and added a touch of colour to the blooms.


I added a touch of sparkle to the tulips with my Wink of Stella brush - you can't really see it in the photo, but it is very pretty!

Last night, Jonathan and I went to Northville High School to see a Choir Concert.  The 7th, 8th Grade and senior school choirs were all performing - it was a super evening.  Kathryn goes up to the High School in September and one of her electives is Varsity Choir, she actually got a letter from the school encouraging her to pick Choir!  There were a couple of spectacular singers in the High School section.  Kathryn is really keen to get there!  That's all for now.  See you soon.