BEAST FRIEND

Hello.
Today I'm sharing my last holiday card of the season
and, of course, it's a Yeti. 
This is for my DH - my soul mate and 'beast friend'.

How fabulous are those background trees?
They're a wonderfully cute stamp from Clearly Besotted,
which I think will be well used next year.
After stamping the trees onto my die cut background, I simply added the Yeti,
a couple of parcels and a white embossed sentiment.

Challenge

Muse Christmas Visions.

Any Holiday Card

This challenge doesn't close til December 23rd,

so there's still time to check out the awesome entries,

get some last minute inspiration and join in the fun.

Supplies

MFT - Beast Friends / Stitched Scalloped Edge Rectangle

Clearly Besotted - Into the Woods Again

Versa Color - Laurel Leaf.    Copics

MERRIEST

Hello.
Just sharing a simple card today with an old-fashioned, wooden block stamp,
 that I've had since dinosaurs roamed the earth.
It's one of my absolute favourites.
:-)

I stamped my ForeverFriends bear onto a card panel, then masked it and added a little distress ink background.
The bear was then coloured with Copics.
I used to hold my breathe at this point - when I stamped a sentiment - as most of the time I would mess it up and drop the stamp, smudge it, or it wouldn't come out quite right,
but now, I have one of those stamping platforms and it makes things so much easier.

Lastly,  I attached my postage stamp border and then popped everything up onto a card blank with foam tape.

Challenges.

Addicted to Stamps and More 

Supplies.

Forever Friends Stamp, coloured with Copics

Avery Elle - Merriest Sentiments and Postage Stamp Die

Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hello.
Just a slight break in Christmas card production today,
for a bright and cheerful birthday card.

My inspiration came from a fabulous Laura Fedora project video,
that you can see at the Simon Says Stamp Blog

I started by covering a card panel with distress inks and some water splashes.
On another panel, I die cut my 'Happy Birthday to You' a few times.
The top and bottom of the panel just had small pieces of the letters visible, so I decided to cut these off, and actually, it allows the distress ink to show through nicely.
I used tiny pieces of foam tape to pop this up onto the distress ink background,
and then tucked in a few random sequins.

I finished by adding my Yeti, and a little, labeled message.

Challenge

Watercooler Wednesday

Supplies.

MFT - Beast Friends / Happy Birthday To You Die

Distress Inks - Festive Berries / Pickled Raspberry / Spiced Marmalade / Mustard Seed / Twisted Citron / Cracked Pistachio / Salty Ocean

Big Hugs Sentiment is Mama Elephant, Labeled Messages

HAPPY HOWL-IDAYS

Hello.
I've had dogs on the brain this week  :-)
I'm bombarded with the family wanting me to get a new puppy,
and I do want one, I'm just dragging my heels a bit,
knowing that I'm the one that has to train it and take it out every day.
It's a lot of work.

So, when I found time to craft I reached for this holiday pup :-)

I saw this card from Ashley Marcu, where she cleverly trimmed off the head and scarf from one dog, and re-attached them in a slightly different place.
This means you get 2 dogs for the price of 1  :-)
I gave this a go and it looks great.
Now I'm wondering if I have other stamps I can try this with!

My pups were coloured with Copic markers and attached with foam tape to the stamped tree background.

I die cut a large frame from coloured card to go on top of the background, and then slid the sentiment banner under the dogs paws!

Challenge

Addicted to Stamps & More

Supplies

Avery Elle - Happy Howlidays, coloured with Copics

Clearly Besotted - Into the Woods Again, stamped in Distress Ink - Iced Spruce

HAPPY PENGUINS

Hello.
Hope everyone  in the UK had a great Bonfire Night.
It was suitably chilly and muddy here and we had a lovely time -
oohing and ahhhing at the town firework display for 20 minutes,
followed by a brisk walk back to the pub.      ;-)

Today I had chance to finish up this card for the

Muse: Christmas Visions Challenge

These arctic penguins featured heavily in my Christmas cards last year,
and it was nice to get them out again and have a play.
I love them for quick cards because they stamp and die-cut easily and just need a little bit of colouring.

Cornelia's Muse Card

I followed Cornelia's overall layout, with a bold sentiment at the bottom and 3 main stamped elements.
I tried hard to get my letter die cuts to spell out 'Christmas' along the bottom, but they are just a tiny bit too big to fit on, so I ended up stamping my 'christmas' with individual letter stamps.

Supplies
Mama Elephant - Arctic Penguins / Labeled Messages
MFT - Well Connected Alpha / Stitched Scallop Rectangle Die
Lawn Fawn - Stitched Hillside Border.
Copics. Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass

WE THREE GINS

Hello.
I'm just having a little play today with an older Clearly Besotted set.
I saw this quote on a Christmas jumper and thought I would
try it out on a card.

I stamped and die cut my cocktails, then attached them to a piece of water colour paper with foam tape.
Not sure why that paper shows up grey in the photo - IRL it's white!
I smooshed some distress ink onto an acrylic block and added a little water, then painted round my glasses. I wanted to go for bold colour so I added very little water.
Hmmm...   this is one of those cards that definitely looks better in your hand than it does in the photo.

Challenge

CAS on Friday #120

Numbers

Supplies

Clearly Besotted - Raise A Glass

MFT - Stitched Scallop Border Rectangle

Distress Ink - Festive Berries / Salty Ocean / Mowed Lawn

CHRISTMAS BOUQUET

Hello.
I'm out of my comfort zone today with a Christmas card for my Mum.
She likes more traditional type cards with the usual reds, greens and golds,
so those are the colours I went for here when building up my bouquet of anemones.

I began by stamping 'Mum' onto a piece of card.
Then, I stamped and gold embossed a selection of flowers and leaves from the WPlus9 modern anemones set.
I coloured the larger blooms in shades or red, and the leaves in greens.
For the smaller blooms I used a little grey shading and went over it with a white Wink of Stella brush.
This looked great when it was wet, but when it dried the glitter just disappeared, so I ended up going over it with a small glue pen and sprinkling on my favourite Diamond Dust glitter.

IRL this is really pretty and sparkly.

I arranged my blooms and leaves on the card piece and attached them with foam tape for some 3D effect.
Finally I attached the scalloped frame around the edge and stuck the whole piece to my card base.

Challenge

Addicted to Stamps and More

Supplies

WPlus9 Modern Anemones

MFT - Well Connect Alphabet and Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frame

Copics.  Diamond Dust.  Wow Gold Embossing Powder.

SNOW IS FALLING

Hello.
Ooh, it's been almost 2 weeks since my last card -
I think I've had Yeti burnout ;-)

Hopefully I'm back on track now, with this card for the
Watercooler Challenge
This week's theme is 'All About Christmas'

I began with a distress ink background and a piece of scalloped edging for my snow scene.
Then I added a wide frame. I did make this card with a grey frame too, but found that the black makes the colour pop more.
I added my Yetis, trees and footprints popped up on foam tape, and finished with a cute sentiment.

Watercooler Wednesday

Supplies.

MFT - Beast Friends, coloured with Copics, Stitched Scallop Basic Edge

Distress Ink - Salty Ocean

Lawn Fawn - Stitched Rectangle

Sentiment - Mama Elephant, Labeled Messages

WARM YETI WISHES

Hello.

Today I'm back with my Yetis, and playing along at Muse Christmas Visions.
Chriss' card is so cute that I've stuck with her overall design, just put my own spin on it.

• take a rectangle of card, die cut the falling snow and add distress ink
• attach a stitched hillside border piece to the bottom and the scalloped border around the edge.
• stamp, die-cut and colour the Yetis and accessories. Attach with foam tape.
• die cut a speech balloon, stamp the sentiment and heat emboss with white powder. Attach with foam tape.

Muse Christmas Visions

Inspiration card from Chriss Blagrave

Supplies

MFT - Beast Friends. Sentiment from Deer Friends. Stitched Scallop Edge Die

AveryElle - Falling Snow Die    Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass

Speech Balloon Die - Clearly Besotted   Copics

WINTER WOODLAND

Hello.
I stepped away from the Yetis today, to make this little woodland scene.

This is a stamp set I've had for a few years, but I think using distress inks with it
has given it a new lease of life.
It's a good reminder to me, not to neglect my old stash.

I began with my die-cut rectangle and stamped the trees, embossing them with clear powder, and then adding a distress ink background.
Then, I added the hillside border and my stamped and die-cut animals.
Luckily there was just enough room to squeeze in my sentiment.

Challenges.

Addicted to Stamps and More

Supplies.

WPlus9 - winter woodland.   Lawn Fawn - stitched hillside border.

MFT - stitched scallop edge rectangle.  Distress Ink - tumbled glass.

Hero Arts - strawberry ink.

ARE YOU YETI FOR CHRISTMAS?

Hello.
This weekend my mojo went into hiding, so I looked around for a sketch to help me out.
I found one over at Seven Hills Crafts.

After lots of playing with shapes and die cuts,
 and several attempts being binned  filed,
I finally came up with this pretty straightforward take on the sketch.

I added some distress ink to one side of a card rectangle.
I had intended this background to be much paler, but somehow I'd mixed up the lids on my distress inks (salty ocean and tumbled glass).
I didn't want to waste the darker background (I am from Yorkshire!) so I just went with it :-)
I took another rectangle piece, die-cut the circle on the edge, and attached it over my inked piece with foam tape for some added depth.
Then I added my scalloped edge, the embossed sentiment and my Yeti and trees, finishing with a few scattered sequins.

Challenge

Seven Hills Crafts

Supplies.

My Favorite Things - Beast Friends, Stitched Rectangle Scalloped Fram

Copics. Distress ink - Salty Ocean.  Spellbinders Circle Die.

White Embossing Powder.   Sequins.

MERRY AF

Hello.
Here's my family at Christmas.
Me, my hubby, our 2 daughters and their partners - in Yeti form :-)

To get my Yetis in a party mood I've added some party hats, a bow tie,

and mugs of gin. Ha Ha.

Challenges.

Addicted to Stamps and More

My Yetis are coloured with Copics.

ABC Christmas

U for Unlimited, V for Vibrant.

I think these Yetis are vibrant, and of course they have unlimited gin.  :-)

Supplies

MFT Beast Friends

Lawn Fawn - Stitched Rectangle, Violet's ABCs

Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass.     Copics    Glossy Accents

Hats and Bow Tie from WPlus9 Unforgettable

MERRY AND BRIGHT

Hello.

I'm sharing a quick and simple card with you today, for the
CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.

I began by adding some distress ink and water drops to a card panel.
When this was dry, I stamped my sentiment and then attached the scalloped edge frame.
I die-cut my Yeti, coloured him with Copics and a touch of glossy accents on the fairy lights.
Then he was popped up with foam tape.

The most time consuming part of this card was deciding where those sequins should go  :-)

Challenges

Supplies
MFT- Beast Friends, Scallop Edge Frame
Lawn Fawn - Violet's ABCs       Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass
Avery Elle - Merriest    Copics.     Glodssy Accents.

FA LA LA LA LLAMA

Hello.
This week I sat down to make another Yeti card
 (are you sick of them yeti) :-)
but then I spied an abandoned llama on my desk -
and decided to put him to good use.

Here he is delivering presents.

I die cut a rectangle - IRL this has a stitched edge, but for someone reason it gets lost in my photos.
Then I attached a scalloped edge piece at the bottom and stamped my sentiment.
The background was sponged with distress ink and some water drops.

My Llama is coloured with Copics and I used the parcels from my MFT Yeti set as Christmas presents.
I also found a little scarf from a WPlus9 winter set, that fit him perfectly.

Challenge

Addicted to Stamps and More

Supplies.

MFT - Beast Friends, Llama Love, Stitched Scallop Basic Edges

Lawn Fawn - Stitched Rectangle, Violet's ABCs

Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass

WPlus9 - Winter Woodland

THIS MIGHT BE GIN

Hello.
Hubby and I have just had a much needed week off.
It's been lovely, and we have thoroughly chilled out, but now I am happy to get back into my craft room, and play with my Yetis :-)

Here's a little, gin drinking Yeti for you ...

You may have noticed that I use my scalloped edge dies a lot,
so I have splashed out on this other set, where the scallop is on the inside.
Cute, yeah?

I stamped my sentiment, and then distress inked a little background.
If you do it in this order, you need to cover your sentiment when you sprinkle the water drops on. Any water that gets on the stamped letters can make them run.
I learnt that the hard way!

I stamped and die-cut my Yeti (and accessories) coloured them with Copics, with a sprinkling of my favourite Diamond Dust on his hat, and the mug,
then popped him up with foam tape.

Challenge

CAS on Friday

#117 Dies

Supplies

MFT - Beast Friends / Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frame

Lawn Fawn - Violet's ABCs

Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass

Copics.   Diamond Dust.

I LOVE PUMPKIN SPICE

Yay!
It's pumpkin spice season.

That also means, that it's time for the

             My Favourite Things 2017 Card Design Superstar Contest.

Eek! There are some great prize opportunities, so check it out.

This is the first year I've felt brave enough to enter.
But, you've got to be in it, to win it, right?

Here's my card for the Clean and Simple Category.

My girls and I do a little happy dance when Pumpkin Spice is back on the menu.
So, I thought I would team up this little, coffee drinking Yeti, with some autumn colours.

I die-cut my scalloped edge rectangle, sponged on some distress ink, and added a few water drops.
Then, I stamped my sentiment. This was my second attempt.
The first one just didn't look quite right, and then I realised I had stamped the 'm' upside down  :-)
I stamped and die cut my Yeti and trees, coloured them with Copics and attached them with foam pads.

My Favourite Things 

Supplies

My Favourite Things - Beast Friends / Stitched Scallop Edge Rectangle / Well Connected Alphabet

Distress Ink - Mustard Seed.     Copics

YIPPEE KI-YAY

Hello.
Merry Monday has a great challenge this week.
They want to see you inspired by your favourite holiday movies.
I LOVE Christmas films - Love Actually, Elf, National Lampoon...
but my favourite has to be Die Hard.
Yippee Ki-Yay!  :-)

I stamped my sentiment onto the scalloped edge panel, and then sponged on some distress ink, for a snowy background.
I die cut my Yeti, trees and accessories, coloured them with Copics and attached them with foam pads.
Arghh! I forgot to add the exclamation mark to my sentiment, and I knew I would muck it up if I tried to add it last thing, so I left it off.

Challenge

Merry Monday

Supplies

MFT - Beast Friends, Stitched Scallop Edge Rectangle, Well Connected Alphas

Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass

Copics

HAPPINESS IS...

Hello.
Do you think you could make all your Christmas cards with just one stamp set?
What would you choose?
I would go for these cute Yetis. I'm having so much fun with them.
Here's another one for the pile.

I stamped my sentiment onto the scalloped edge die-cut, and then added some
distress ink in the centre, sprinkled with water drops.
I stamped and die-cut my Yeti, and coloured him with Copics.
To make the fairy lights stand out a bit more I added a touch of glossy accents,
then I simply attached my Yeti with a foam pad.

I'd like to enter this for the challenge at

Penny Black and More

where the theme is 

****Get Ready For Christmas****

Supplies.

MFT -  Beast Friends and Stitched Scalloped Edge Rectangle

Lawn Fawn - Violet's ABCs

Distress Ink - Fossilized Amber

Copics / Glossy Accents

ARE YOU YETI FOR CHRISTMAS?

Hello.
I really need to get cracking on my Christmas cards.
Do you know there's only 15 weeks to go?

Here's another 'Yeti' card for the pile.

Surely distress inks were made just for snowy backgrounds ;-)
I love how a few drops of water can give such a pretty effect.
Here, I've gone for a lilac background and then just popped up my images with foam pads.
A simple, but (I think) pretty card.

Challenges.

Addicted to Stamp & More

Supplies.
MFT - Beast Friends / Stitched Scalloped Edge Rectangle Die
Distress Ink - Shaded Lilac.     Copics.

JOY

Hello.
Hooray! It's September. My favourite month,
and time to get out my glitters and sparkle, and make a start on my Christmas cards.

My budget is tight right now, but I just couldn't resist these Yetis from MFT.
Cute, yeah?

I took my die-cut panel and sponged on some distress ink, then used a brush to add some water drops.
I love how this gives a snow effect background and I'm definitely going to try this with some of my older stamps,  to give them a more updated look.
I finally added my copic coloured Yeti and the letters - all popped up on foam pads.

Challenge

Merry Monday

Supplies

MFT Beast Friends / stitched scalloped edge rectangle / stitched alphas

Distess Ink - Tumbled Glass.    Copics

PRETTY IN PINK

Hello.
Hubby was out with the boys last night, which meant I could spread out
my inks on the kitchen table and absorb myself in some water colouring.
I thought I'd done a pretty good job, until I looked at my blooms this morning -
not great, and I really wanted more pink, less red!!
Next time I need to set up a much better light, so I can see the colours more.

Muse Card Club Challenge

Inspiration from Cat Craig

I pretty much followed Cat's gorgeous overall design.

I would love to get my hands on one of these flower bouquet stamps,

but until I do, my blooms have to be die cut and added separately.

I know I could mask them, but that would take me forever ;-)

I added glitter paper to just the top of my flower panel,

and my sentiment is popped up on foam pads.

Wplus9 Modern Anemones

Mama Elephant Labeled Messages

MFT Stitched Scalloped Edge Rectangle

Distress Ink, Foss.Amber / Fired Brick /Pick Rasp /Evergreen Bough / Mowed Lawn 

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

Hooray!
It's September.
This time last year I was getting ready for my youngest daughter's wedding.
We had an amazing time.
The wedding was on the Thursday, and on the Friday we all moved into a little cottage, next door to the village hall. We decorated the hall and marquees ready for the blessing and merriment on Saturday.
Then had a hung-over clean up on Sunday afternoon ;-)
It was perfect.

Oh, did you come here for the card :-)
Here it is ...

I die-cut my panel and then stamped the sentiment, embossing it with gold powder. IRL the embossing is really pretty.
Then I stamped the blooms and leaves in distress oxides. I LOVE how beautifully these inks stamp.
Finally I added a few gold sequins.
I really like how this turned out. A modern card for a modern couple.

Challenges

Watercooler Wednesday

Supplies
Wplus9 - Feathers and Florals
Dsitress Oxide Inks
Lawn Fawn - Violet's ABCs
MFT - Stitched Scallop Edge Rectangle

FILL YOUR TUMMY WITH CAKE

Hello.  Phew, I can exhale!
It's my last week as Guest Designer for the SSSWednesday challenge.
I hope you've enjoyed seeing my cards and playing along - I have had a blast.
Thank you to all the Simon Says team for having me and being so welcoming, and special thanks to the lovely Lols for her amazing support and encouragement  xxx

Don't forget, if you join in the fun you'll be in with the chance of winning a
$50 gift voucher to spend in the store.
We all love a shopping spree, right?

Here's my card for this week's challenge,

where the theme is ....

ANYTHING GOES

Easy right?

This week we are showcasing Hero Arts.
If you have some of their goodies we would love to see them,
but you can enter with any supplies you have.

I love stamp sets that have all the little extras to complete your card.
This little monster comes with, the cake, the candle, the hat, the bow tie, various sentiments AND the dies.
Hero Arts Eat Cake All Day

I've coloured him with Copics and popped him up on foam tape.

For the background I've used MFT's stitched scalloped edge rectangle,
stitched scalloped basic edge die , and their calm and cozy chevron dp.