A Day in the Park

The Poppystamps Challenge this month is 'A Day In The Park'.  Is there anything better in the park than children playing outside in the fresh air?  So that's the theme of my card.

I inked the sky using an Inkduster and an Adirondack 'Sailboat Blue' ink pad.  The hills were die cut using two of the Memory box 'Wide Open Spaces' dies and I embossed the bottom grass to add some texture.  The fence is Poppystamps 'Picket Fence' which I cut out twice and joined the die-cuts together to make the fence the length I needed.  I stamped the Paper Nation 'Football Boy' and coloured the image with Promarkers, before cutting it out and attaching with foam tape to add dimension. Tiny punched flowers finished my scene.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Anything Goes
Repeat Impressions WIW July Anything Goes Challenge 

Poppystamps Challenge #10 ~ A Day In The Park

Man Tree

A masculine birthday card today.

The stamp is Little Claire's 'Man Tree', which I stamped with a Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad. I coloured the image with Promarkers and a couple of Stabilo fine pens for the very thin parts of the design.  The image was stamped on a snippet of white card and die cut with a Memory Box Stitched Rectangle die.  The patterned backing and matting papers are all by Anna Marie designs.  My card is finished off with a few Card Candi.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge # 81 ~ Something beginning with T (tree, tennis ball, tee, trainers and text)

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 187 ~ Used white snippet for the image

City Crafter Challenge Blog Week 272 ~ Create a Masculine Birthday Card

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper June 2015 Challenge ~ Use Patterned Paper

New Home

My 90 year old aunt has recently moved into sheltered accommodation, following a bad fall a few months ago, when she broke her hip.  Here is the card I made for her today.

I used a Woodware house punch to punch snippets of different coloured card and arranged the houses in a line along a Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside border die cut.  My inspiration came from the Lawnscaping Challenge, 'COLOR, inspired by the rainbow' and the photo below I took recently by the harbour in the city centre where I live, where there are a row of houses in all the colours of the rainbow!  

For those people who read my post HERE about the Shaun the Sheep trail, my daughter and I finally found the last of the 70 Shauns in Bristol yesterday.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Less is More Week 234 Recipe ~ Snippets

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 187 ~ Use snippets
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge ~ CAS

Lawnscaping Challenge ~ COLOR, inspired by the rainbow

Bagpuss

What a difference a day makes!  Warm and sunny yesterday, then cold and rainy today.  A good excuse for escaping to my craft room to make a card for the Less is More challenge, which this week is to use snippets.  Chrissie is celebrating a special birthday today - 70 years young, and the guest designer is none other than Di, the snippets queen from Pixie's Snippets Playground.  

I decided to use a smaller Bagpuss stamp today, you can see the larger one HERE.  I cut the paw print border with a border punch on a piece of white card, then stamped the image and sentiment.  Bagpuss is rather magical, so I thought this was a fitting sentiment to use.  I coloured the image with a pink and clear Wink of Stella glitter pen, to give a bit of sparkle.  However, Bagpuss is pink and cream and the cream stripes were too white, so I went over the white with an ivory Promarker and the glitter still came through.  Phew - not the disaster I thought it was going to be!  A snippet of pink card was attached down the left-hand side of a card blank and the decorated white card attached over the top.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Less is More Week 234 Recipe ~ Snippets

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 187 ~ Used pink snippet
CASology Challenge - Week 156 ~ Line (line of paw prints)
HLS July CAS Challenge ~ Stamping
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge ~ CAS

Christmas in July

It's the 25th of the month, so time for another Rudolph's Days challenges.  The challenge from the 25th until the last day of each month.

I used a really old Anita's stamp, which I don't think I've ever used before.  I coloured the image with Promarkers and a gold Wink of Stella glitter pen to give a bit of sparkle.  I punched the holly leaves and added tiny shiny pearls for the berries.  The snowflake embossing folder I used for the background is by Crafters Companion and is matted on dark green card.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:
July Rudolph Days Challenge ~ Make a Christmas Card
Crafty Boots Challenge ~ Christmas in July

A blast from the past.......

I was sorting out my rubber stamps, trying to find the best way to organise them, when I came across this long-forgotten Bagpuss stamp.  I'm not sure if it was shown in the US, but Bagpuss was a popular children's televsion programme in the UK, back in the 1970s.  

To keep the cat theme, I used a Creative Expressions 'Pawprint Lattice' embossing folder and a pawprint border punch. The image was coloured with Promarkers and was die cut with Memory Box Stitched Squares.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:
Stamping Sensations July Challenge ~ Feature a Creature
Penny Black and More July challenge ~ Anything goes with a sentiment
Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 186 ~ Used turquoise snippets
Bizzy Bec's July Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Butterfly Charm

Two new followers to introduce today, Barb of Barb's Faraway Cards and Evalila of Constantly Crazy.  Thank you for following my blog.

The Butterfly Challenge this fortnight is 'Butterflies + T is for Talisman'.  I found a tiny butterfly charm in my stash, so decided to use this as my Talisman.

I love using this Sunflower Rosette cArt-Us Lacé Die.  It always reminds me of how I first got into cardmaking, when I bought a Lacé template which I had to cut by hand with a craft knife.  It was very similar to this die, but these dies do all the work for you!  The butterfly is attached with white crochet cotton.  I find the easiest way to make a hole, without bending the card, is to use a 1/16th inch single hole punch.  I also make holes for brads this way, as it is so much better than using a pokey tool.  All the pink and silver card used were snippets, so I'll be sharing my card over in the Playground.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:
Butterfly Challenge #35 ~ Butterflies + T is for Talisman
Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 186 ~ Use snippets
Bizzy Bec's July Challenge ~ Anything Goes

WOYWW 320

It's Wednesday again, that means it's time for WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday).  I've haven't had time to touch my workdesk since last Saturday - so this is how I left it then.

There are few cards for challenges done last week, yet to be packed away.  The one at the front was going to be for a card making challenge to include beach huts and turquoise.  However, before I started making the card, I realised the challenge wasn't for card at all, but a calendar page! Oops!  As I'd borrowed the stamp,  I made a card for the current Less is More challenge instead.  The box of Brushos remain unopened - hanging my head in shame!  I must get round to using them.

The reason my workdesk has been neglected for the last few days, is because my home city held its annual Harbour Festival at the weekend.  It was perfect weather. 

We combined it with the Shaun in the City fundraising event which on until the end of August.  Seventy decorated 'Shaun the Sheep' are situated around the city, with trails to follow to find them all.  During Sunday and Monday, and walking for miles,  my daughter and I managed to find sixty-one of them.  Just a few more to find in the next few weeks!

Well, that's about it for today.  Enjoy the rest of the week!

Life's a Beach!

Today's card is has a summery feel and as I'm posting this, the black clouds have just disappeared here and the sun and blue skies are starting to make an appearance.

I borrowed this stamp from a friend to make a card for a 'beach huts' card challenge, but when I checked the challenge again, it wasn't for a card at all, but a calendar page.  That will teach me to read the criteria more carefully next time!  However, when I saw that the challenge on the Less is More is 'Life's a beach!', I decided to use the stamp anyway and make a card.  The beach huts were coloured with Promarkers and a gold Wink of Stella glitter pen was used for the sand.  I used a Memory Box 'Oceana Border' die for the waves.  

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Less is More - Week 233 ~ Life's a beach!
Happy Little Stampers CAS - July 2015 ~ Stamping
Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 186 ~ Used turquoise snippets
Penny Black and More July challenge ~ Anything goes with a sentiment
Bizzy Bec's July Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Cupcakes

Welcome to my two new followers.  Sharyn of  My Crafty Place and Margot of Handmade by Margaretha. Thank you both for following my blog.

The CASology challenge this week is 'Cupcake'.

The cupcakes stamp was part of a set which came as the free gift with a magazine some time ago.  I coloured the image with Promarkers and Wink of Stella glitter pens, which gave a bit of sparkle.  The image was die-cut using a Memory Box Stitched Rectangle die.  The background is embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

CASology Week 155 ~ Cupcake

Fleur

The Lavinia Stamps Challenge this month is 'Add a Flower or Flowers'.

I decided to use the lovely 'Fleur' Lavinia stamp, which I 

stamped with an Onyx Memento ink pad and coloured in with Promarkers.  I die cut the image and matting card with  Memory Box Stitched Rectangle dies.  The pink border is punched with a Martha Stewart punch, which is attached to the front edge of the card.  To make sure the little pearls don't come off, as they are over a little hole, I attached small circles of the pink card behind each one at the back of the border, with wet glue.  The embossed, punched flower finishes off my card.

This photo shows the card open.  

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Lavinia Stamps Challenge # 7 ~ Add a Flower or Flowers

Little Claire's Monthly Stamp Challenge # 59 - 'In Bloom' 

Bizzy Bec's July Challenge ~ Anything Goes

WOYWW - Week 319

After being nosey for quite a while, seeing the workdesks of  other bloggers, I decided it's about time I joined in the WOYWW!   This week has been a busy week, with lots of cards needed for friends and family.  Some are still on my desk ready to be posted or delivered later this week.

Now, this is not the usual state of my workdesk.  When I tried to make my last card yesterday, there wasn't any workspace left, which happens often, so I had to have a blitz before I could begin!  This is how I left it last night.  I saw a challenge recently to make a beach hut themed card, so I borrowed some beach hut stamps from a friend last weekend and the stamps are on my workdesk ready to get some inspiration.  I hope I haven't missed the closing date! There's a box of Brushos too, which have been there for some time as I've been plucking up the courage to use them.  I'm not really an inky person, but I love the effect they make, so I'm planning to have a play some time soon.  I've got my rubber gloves prepared!

For anyone reading this who has not heard of WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday) you can find out all about it HERE and if you're nosey like me, perhaps you'll join in too. (Actually, it looks like a lovely group of blogging friends. :-)  )

Not another grey hare!!!

Last post for today, I'm slowly catching up on the cards I need to make following my little holiday.  The challenge on the Less is More blog is a one layer, masculine card.  Hmmm... not as easy as I thought, but this is what I came up with.

I've used this stamp a few times in the past, but never on a CAS card.... and I only use it for men who won't be offended by the sentiment!  LOL!  The Woodware stamp is called 'Bad Hare Day!'.  The image and sentiment were stamped with a Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad and the image was coloured in with Promarkers.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Less is More Challenge - Week 232 ~ One Layer, Masculine

Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge # 79 ~  No Designer Paper

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Furry Friends

Stamping Sensations July challenge ~ Feature a Creature

Penny Black and More July challenge ~ Anything goes with a sentiment

Reach for the Stars

My second card today is a masculine 'Good Luck' card.

I love using this Inkadinkado stamp for good luck cards.  I bought it many, many years ago, as the sentiment is just perfect.  It also reminded me of the S Club 7 song, 'Reach for the Stars', which we sang every week when I was a teacher of 4 - 7 year olds, to remind children to reach for their goals.  So, back to my card.... I stamped the image/sentiment using a Versafine 'Majestic Blue' ink pad and coloured the moon with a gold Wink of Stella glitter pen. The frame was made using two of the dies from the Lil' Inker 'Stitched Mats: Dual Stitched Squares'.  The embossed background has stars in the crossovers of the lattice pattern, although it hasn't come out very clearly in the photograph.  Isn't it strange what makes you buy crafty things?  I visited a new craft shop earlier this year and was tempted by this embossing folder by Couture Creations 'Grand Jo Jo'.  My great nephew calls my daughter Joanna, 'Jo Jo', so I soon as I saw what the folder was called, my mind was made up and I popped it in my basket!

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

That's Crafty - Wish Upon a Star Challenge ~ Include Stars

Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge # 79 ~  No Designer Paper
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #267 ~ Inspired by a Song (Reach for the Stars)

Penny Black and More July challenge ~ Anything goes with a sentiment
Crafty Boots Challenge ~ Stars or Stripes

Musical Retirement

A teacher I worked with at my local Infant School is retiring from full time teaching on Friday.  She intends now to work a day or so a week teaching music, so a 'Semi-Retirement' card is in order.  As music is her passion I made this card for her with a musical theme. 

I wanted to keep the design fairly CAS and I used the colour scheme of black, white and matt silver. I've had my eye on this Memory Box 'Party Music' die for some time now after first seeing it on Jane's blog and knew it would be just what I needed for this card. Thanks for enabling me, Jane!   The embossing folder is Crafts-Too 'Music Notes'. Originally I planned to make the card landscape, but because of the size of the embossing folder, it worked out better this way.  I still needed to have a join in middle as the embossing folder wasn't long enough, so I covered the gap with a black and silver strip.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 185 ~ Used silver and black snippets

Retirement

My second card today is a CAS card for an ex-colleague who is retiring this week, after many years as a Teaching Assistant and Dinner Lady in the school where I used to be a teacher.

The embossing folder I used for the background is an old Papermania one, I think. I added a few small punched hearts to the biggest heart flowers.  The butterflies are double layered in lilac and white. The top white butterflies are embossed with a Swiss Dots embossing folder and just attached by the bodies to make the wings stand out.  I finished them off with purple gems.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Butterfly Challenge #34 ~ Butterflies + G is for Gems

Anniversary Cats

This is the third outing in four days for this Frantic Stamper 'Love Cats' die, but it's perfect for a wedding anniversary card I need this week.  It was a bargain buy recently for just over £3.... just the cost of a cup of coffee ;-) , so I've already got my money's worth out of it! 

I'm not sure of the make of the brick embossing folder as there is no name on it.  I tried cutting the wall straight with a guillotine, but it didn't look right, so I cut it with scissors following the contours of the bricks.  The heart backing paper is from an old Do Crafts paper stack.  I knew I wanted to use the Poppy Stamps 'Antique Lamp Post' die, but it was too short.  With a bit of creative cutting to add an extension, I made it the height I wanted.  Three Die-namics 'Fresh Cut Grass' die cuts were added to the bottom of the wall.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Furry Friends

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 185 ~ Used red and black snippets

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July challenge

Bizzy Bec's July Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Happy Birthday

Two birthday cards needed this week, one for my cat-loving daughter and one for my brother who's a DIY expert.

I used a Memory Box 'Grand Happy Birthday' die on both cards.  The embossing folder for my daughter's card is by Creative Expressions 'Pawprint Lattice'.  This is the second time this week I've used my new Frantic Stamper 'Love Cats' die and it has already become one of my favourites.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 185 ~ Used purple snippets

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Furry Friends

Bizzy Bec's July Challenge ~ Anything Goes

The embossing folder used on this card was Crafts-Too 'Tools'.  The mirror card tools were cut using Memory Box 'Handy Man Tools' dies.

Love Cats

A very CAS red, white and blue card this time.

I used a Frantic Stamper 'Love Cats' die to cut out the cats in navy blue.  The hearts are the waste from a Memory Box 'Heart of Hearts' die.  I stamped the sentiment using Versafine 'Majestic Blue'.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Less is More - Week 231 ~ Red White and Blue
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Furry Friends

Rugby Fan

A masculine card today for a huge rugby fan.  

The stamp is by Creative Expressions and the image was coloured in with Promarkers in the team colours.  I used Memory Box Stitched Rectangle dies to mat and layer the image and attached a Die-namics grass die cut along the bottom to add a bit of texture. The embossed background was done using a friend's embossing folder she had as part of the Big Shot Plus package.  I'm not sure that it's available to buy separately, which is a shame because it's lovely, especially for masculine cards, as it's not so delicate as the Swiss dots embossing folders.  

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 184 ~ Used green snippets

Tree of Wonder

Another red, white and blue card today.

The die cut is Memory Box 'Tree of Wonder'.  I used a Sue Wilson's 'Linear Leaves' embossing folder for the background.  Three small white pearls finished off my card.

I would like to enter me card for the following challenges:

Outside The Box Memory Box Challenge #2 ~ Red, White, Blue

Wedding Card

I made this wedding card for my friend's daughter who was married at the weekend.

The heart die is Memory Box ' Heart of Hearts', which I matted on red pearlised card, die cut with a Spellbinders 'Lacey Squares' die.  The background is embossed with a Swiss dots embossing folders and I added two little white pearls next to the sentiment.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge ~ Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs or Spades

Balloon Ride

A CAS red, white and blue card today.

The panel on the left was made with a Die-namics 'Peek-a-Boo' die, backed with red and blue strips.  The hot air balloon is part of a set of four, but I'm not sure of the make.  I used Memory Box 'Puffy Clouds' dies for the sentiment.  The clouds and hot air balloons were attached with foam pads to give dimension.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Less is More - Week 231 ~ Red White and Blue

Country View July Challenge ~ On Your Travels

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ We're Going Dotty

Congratulations!

Welcome to my latest follower, Margot of 'Handmade by margaretha'.

I've been cat sitting for my daughter while she's been having a well-deserved break before starting her new job.  Then we spent a few days in our caravan in North Devon, a beautiful part of the UK.  So, my blog and visiting other blogs has been neglected for the last week or so as the Internet connection was very hit and miss.  However, I did manage to take a small craft box and fit in time to make 82 Christmas cards of the design HERE over a few evenings. Thanks Jane for suggesting that I make them in different colour combos so I didn't get bored mass producing them.

Today's card was made just before I went away, but I didn't get a chance to post it until now.  It's for a friend who has a new job and loves butterflies.

I used a Memory Box 'Sylvan Corner' corner butterfly die.  The champagne glasses were cut with a very old Sizzix die.  I added tiny circle glitter stickles to give the effect of the champagne popping.

I would like to enter my card for the following challenges:

CASology -Week 153 ~ Pop

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 184 ~ Used blue snippets