Thursday 25 July 2013

Ink it Up

 Finally, I have got my hands on some of the awesome stamps and dies from Clearly Besotted.
I placed an order last Thursday and they dropped through my letter box the very next day.
How's that for service?
Here's my first make with them...

 

 I did come across a couple of problems with them.
1. My stamping was awful - I only have a few coloured ink pads and they are about 100 years old.
2. After stamping the image I found it impossible to line up the die over it, for a perfect cut.

BUT...
1. I have ordered some juicy new stamps - Memento Dew Drops (shhh, don't tell hubby)
2. I found a fab video tut, by Michelle Short showing how to make a little template, 
to ensure a perfect die cut every time.
Problems solved :-)


I hope you like my brighter, more cheerful take on a 'thinking of you' card. 
This is for a blogger friend who has been taking a little time out.

Challenges
Muse -  I cased Tracey's card, substituting my stamps for the flowers she used, 
but sticking to the same layout and colours.
Papercrafting Journey - Punches and/or die cuts
Papertake Weekly - Dies and/or Punches
Aud Sentiments - With Sympathy or Thinking Of You Sentiment


  • Clearly Besotted Stamps - Home Sweet Home
  • Matching Tree & House Die
  • Sentiment Stamp - Cearly Besotted 'Time To Relax'
  • Dew Drops
  • Nested Pennant Die

Thursday 18 July 2013

I {heart} you a ton

It's our Wedding Anniversary on Saturday - 28 years!   
Eeek!    
I was very young when I got married....lol***

Here's the card I made for hubby...


I dug around in my box of stamps and discovered a neglected set, from Simon Says Stamp.
It's called  Elephant Love, and the elephant and sentiment were perfect for what I wanted.
I played around with papers for ages, trying different combinations of pinks and reds, but nothing seemed to work and the little elephant didn't stand out like I wanted. In the end I found this scrap of grey digi paper and used some stripey, red ribbon to add a splash of colour.
The Memory Box landscape die helped to create a little scene - despite my house being a tad lopsided :-)


Challenges.
Crafty Ribbons - CAS plus ribbon
Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes
Ladybug Crafts - Favourite Embellies. My fav embellie is ribbon, but little gems and dew drops run a close second.
Challenges4Everybody - Anything Goes
Anything Goes Challenge
 
  • Stamps - Simon Says Stamp, Elephant Love
  • Digi Paper - Grey Chevron from DDE's Digitally Smitten Kit
  • Memory Box Landscape Die
  • Striper Ribbon
  • Adhesive Gems

Friday 12 July 2013

100 ! Somebody get more candles!

Woohoo... it's Friday and the sun is shining.
I hope you have some great plans for the weekend.
I plan to laze in the garden, drink melon margaritas and eat deli food.
No cooking allowed ;-)

This week I was asked to make a 100th birthday card, with a flower theme.
Eek! You know I can't 'do' flowers.
Then I remembered my LOTV art pad... easy peasy :-)



The art pads are fantastic for us 'florally challenged' crafters and, because they are pre-coloured, they make a super quick card.
I spent more time playing with glitter here than anything else. :-)


The image and sentiment are attached with foam pads, to give it all a bit more interest.
I wish the camera picked up the colours and sparkle better. 
IRL the chevron DP is a very pretty, pale pink (Blossom) and the glamour dust (my favourite glitter) catches the light beautifully.
 

Challenges.
My Mum's Craft Shop - Just For Girls
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Pink & White
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Birthdays
Creative Craft - Numbers
LOTV - Pretty In Pink
Lili's Little Fairies - Happy Birthday


  • DP - Pink Petticoat, Chevron in Blossom
  • Lili of the Valley Art Pad, Flowers
  • Spellbinders Nestie Dies, Circles, Lacey Circles
  • Craftwork Cards Round Sentiment
  • Memory Box Numbers Dies
  • Lace, Baker's Twine 
  • Glamour Dust


Wednesday 3 July 2013

You are my sunshine...

I am jealous.
My dd Maria is going to Ibiza.
Whilst she is lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun, and sipping Margaritas,
I will be hugging the radiator, in my flannel PJ's, drinking hot chocolate.
Summer has still not arrived in the North East.

How do you approach your card making? I am pretty regimented; it's the Virgo in me ;-)
I like a definite plan, or a sketch to follow. So this was somewhat of a departure for me.
I printed out my image, and some papers and elements from a digi kit and just played around with them - cutting and layering until my card took shape.
I admit, most of the embellies never made it to the card (I was just not sure where to add them), but hopefully this style will get easier, with a little practice.


The image is coloured with Copics (why is it you never have exactly the right shade you need?),
and I sprinkled on some glamour dust. Very pretty IRL  :-)

I apologise in advance to those of you that get this song stuck in your head!
 

Challenges.
Less Is More -  Sand. (Hmmm... is this CAS enough? I'm not sure - it's probably borderline, but just delete my entry ladies if it's too much - no probs)
My Mum's Craft Shop -Just for Girls
Lexi's Creations - Summer Holidays
Incy Wincy Designs - Summer Lovin'
Paper Makeup Stamps - Vacation
Deap Ocean  - On the Beach
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon