Joy Fold Card

A Joy Fold Card I made today to join in with a few challenges.

The Penny Black 'Sweetheart' stamp was stamped with Memento 'Tuxedo Black' and I coloured the image with Ultra Fine Sharpies.  The embossing was done with a Couture Creations 'Fireflies' e/f and the sentiment is from the Happy Little Stampers 'Dandelion Wishes' set of stamps.  The card is kept closed with a pink butterfly brad.

This photo shows the card open, revealing the space to write the message and a few punched butterflies.  I'll be sharing my card over in The Playground as I used lots of blue and white snippets on my card. 

I am joining in the following challenges:

Stamping Sensations July Challenge ~ The Earth Laughs in Flowers 

Penny Black and More! July Challenge ~ Summer Colours

Butterfly Challenge #126 ~ Joy Fold Card + Butterfly

Pixie's Snippets Playground  Challenge #357 ~ Use Snippets

Simon Says Challenge ~ Bright and Cheerful
Inkspirational Challenge #192 ~ Word Prompt- Fold

Thank You

I won this fabulous die recently as part of a blog candy prize over in Kath's blog Handmade by Kath.  This is the Thank You card I made for Kath.

The die is from the Spellbinders 'Decagon View Kaleidoscope' set of dies.  I layered the green die cut on a yellow mat and hand cut the mat leaving a narrow border.  The sentiment is stamped with Versafine 'Onyx Black'.   I added three yellow pearls in the corner and tiny white pearls around the inside of the die cut.

I am joining in the following challenges:

HLS July Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Rudolph

Welcome to my new follower, Nancy of Scandinancy Creates.

It's been SO hot today, but I did manage to make a Christmas card first thing this morning before the temperature began to rise too much. 

The red background was embossed with an Embossalicious 'Nordic Christmas Card' e/f.  I used a Poppystamps 'Let it Snow Channel' die and backed the white die cut with a strip of the plain red card.  The reindeer is a Memory Box 'Leaping Deer' die cut and the snowflake is from the Memory Box 'Twilight Snowflakes' set of dies.  For some added sparkle I added  tiny clear gems to the middle of the large snowflake and the 'O/snowflake' in the sentiment. 

I am joining in the following challenges:

July Rudolf Days Challenge ~ Anything Christmas

Poppystamps Challenge #58 ~ Animal Kingdom

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #196 ~ Christmas in July

Shopping Our Stash #400!! ~ Christmas in July
CHNC Challenge #447 ~ Anything Christmas Goes + Optional use a die or punch
HLS July Anything Goes with Dies Challenge
HLS July Christmas Challenge ~ Anything Goes + Optional - Sparkle

Silver Snowflake Charm

I made a quick CAS Christmas card today to join in with a few challenges.

I die cut two squares using Memory Box 'Postage Square Layers' dies.  After layering the blue one at an angle over the white one, I cut a square blue mat slightly bigger to form a narrow border.  I have no idea where I got the silver snowflake charm from - it's been in my little box of charms for ages.  It's really pretty with a tiny gem in the middle which adds a little sparkle.  The sentiment is from a Papermania set of stamps, stamped with Versafine 'Majestic Blue'.  To finish off my card, I used my scoreboard to score a few lines across the top and the bottom of the card.

I am joining in the following challenges:

CAS Christmas Card Challenge ~ Snowflake

Allsorts Challenge - Week 529 ~ Charms

Shopping Our Stash #400!! ~ Christmas in July

CHNC challenge #447 ~ Anything Christmas Goes / Optional - use a die or punch

HLS July Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

HLS July Christmas Challenge ~ Anything Christmas Goes + Optional - Sparkle
Craftys Gals Corner Challenge #196 ~ Christmas in July

Alcohol Lift

I had a really busy couple of days last weekend.  I spent all day on Saturday with local craft group.  It's the first time I've joined them as it usually clashes with another craft group I belong to.  We all did our own thing and I decided to have a really inky day.  Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to avoid anything messy inky, but I wanted to make a few different backgrounds and also try a 'new to me' technique.  On Sunday my hubby and I enjoyed a day at the Bristol Harbour Festival.  I'll post a few of photos at the end of this post.

Here are just a few of backgrounds I made using Pixie Powders, Distress Oxide Inks, alcohol inks and a few stencils.  I should have remembered to put on the gloves I took with me and perhaps my fingertips wouldn't have stayed blue for a couple of days. 😉

The technique I really wanted to try was Alcohol Inks/Alcohol Lift after seeing it on the CAS Stencil Challenge.  I used various green and blue alcohol inks (I forgot to make a note of which ones) on glossy photo paper and let it dry.  I laid a stencil with random tear drop shapes over the top of the card.  I didn't have a spare dauber, so I put some of the alcohol blending solution onto a piece of kitchen roll and dabbed it through the apertures in the stencil.  I was quite pleased how it turned out for a first attempt.  The white frame was made with a couple of Spellbinder Nestabilities dies.  The flower is a Memory Box 'Fuchsia Sprig' die cut and the sentiment is from the Happy Little Stampers 'Dandelion Wishes' set of stamps.

I am joining in the following challenges:

July CAS Stencil Challenge ~ Alcohol Inks/Alcohol Lift

Country View July Challenge ~ Blues and Greens

CAS on Friday Challenge #162 ~ Use a stencil

CAS Mix Up July Challenge ~ Alcohol Lift/Stamping/Die Cutting

Here are a few photos taken at the Bristol Harbour Festival last weekend.

There were many boats to see.....this is a replica of The Matthew.

One of the many musical groups.

A demonstration of dogs trained to rescue people in the water.

Even a shower wasn't enough to stop musicians!

Fun things to entertain children.....

.....and some amazing circus acts.

Twofer

The Butterfly Challenge this fortnight is up to the letter 'I', with the card shape being 'Impossible Card'.  I haven't made this style of card for a while, so when I was in our caravan in North Devon a few days ago, I decided to make one to join in the challenge.   As my card had lots of flowers, I thought I'd make a second card so I could join in the Twofer Challenge. The theme of the Twofer Challenge this month is 'Garden' - two cards, for two different occasions, with two different designs, using the same stamp, die or stencil. (As I didn't have any flower dies with me in the caravan, I checked the rules for the Twofer Challenge that a punch can be used instead of a die.)  

I am joining in the Twofer Card Challenge #18 with this pair of cards.

I started with a 6" x 6" piece of white card so the Spellbinders scalloped circle die cut would fit.  Instructions for making Impossible Cards can be found on the Butterfly Challenge blog HERE. The butterfly is a new purchase, a Simply Creative 'Butterfly' die.  I haven't seen this range of dies before, but at only £1 it was certainly a bargain.  The patterned paper is from a old paper pad that I think came with a magazine.  I embossed the lilac card with a Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' e/f. The sentiment is from a Papermania set of stamps, stamped with Versafine 'Onyx Black'.   I finished off card with two punched flowers with white pearl centres.

The is a side view of the card.

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Butterfly Challenge #125 ~ I for Impossible card

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge ~ Things with Wings

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July Challenge

Sisterhood of  Crafters Challenge ~ Birthdays

My second card uses the same flower punch.  I made the panel with a Memory Box 'Ringo Tile' die.  I added five lilac punched flowers with black pearl centres.  The sentiment is from the Happy Little Stampers 'Dandelion Wishes' set of stamps, stamped with Versafine 'Onyx Black'.

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Allsorts Challenge Week 528 ~ CAS

HLS July Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #449 ~ Add Pearls / Gems

Celebrate!

I made this CAS card with a few challenges in mind.  This card will be put in my box of ready-made cards and I thought it would be suitable to celebrate an anniversary,  engagement or wedding.

I used an Xcut 'Polka Hearts' embossing folder and attached a red, embossed strip to the inside of the card.  I cut a thin strip of the embossed card and attached it to the left-hand side of the card front.   The sentiment is from a Papermania set of stamps, stamped with Versafine 'Onyx Black'.

This photo shows the card open.  As the red card was from my snippets box, I'll be sharing my card over in The Playground.

I am joining in the following challenges:

1. Less is More Challenge #399 ~ Celebrations

2. Allsorts Challenge Week 528 ~ CAS

3. Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #356 ~ Use snippets

Thank You

A quick CAS 'Thank You' card today.

I used a Memory Box 'Grand Thank You' die with slightly textured navy blue card.  Before attaching to the white card blank, I backed the 'you' with yellow card.  The flower was made with punches, using the same yellow and navy blue card.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 528 ~ CAS

Make My Monday Challenge #100 ~ Thank You

Yellow and Black

A simple card today using up lots of snippets.

I layered two strips of yellow and white dotty paper over a black mat.  The black butterfly die cut was layer over a white stitched square.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Dream Valley Challenge Challenge # 205 ~ Use the Colours Yellow and Black

Simply Create Too Challenge #151 ~ AG/Opt Twist - Use Patterned Paper

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #237 ~ Dies or Punches

Use Your Stuff Challenge #366 ~ Birds, Bees, or Butterflies

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge ~ Things with Wings

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July Challenge

Barbecue Time!

We were invited to a barbecue on Saturday and this is the Joy Fold card I made to thank the hosts.  

The image is from Digi Stamp Boutique, 'BBQ Stan' and coloured with Promarkers.  The hexagons are all Memory Box 'Stitched Hexagon Layers' die cuts.  The patterned papers are from Anna Marie Designs. The card is kept closed with a brad.

This photograph shows the card open, revealing a pair of barbecue tongs made with a die from the Sue Wilson 'King of the Grill' set.

I am joining in the following challenges:
Memory Box Challenge #51 ~ Striped Cards
Allsorts Challenge - Week 527 ~ Summer Fun and/or Sports
Simply Create Too Ch. #151~ Anything Goes - Opt Twist Use Patterned Paper
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #447 ~ Stars and/or Stripes
The Male Room Challenge #114 ~ Multiple Layers
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Stars and/or Stripes
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #237 ~ Dies or Punches
Make my Monday Challenge #100 ~ Thank You

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Christmas in July

The Crafty Calendar Challenge begins today with the theme 'Christmas in July'.  We are sponsored by Dr. Digi's House of Stamps who have kindly supplied the DT with images to use.

I chose to use the 'Naughty or Nice?' digi stamp for my card and I coloured the image with Promarkers.  I used Memory Box 'Stitched Rectangle/Square' and 'Postage Rectangle/Square Layer' dies.  The patterned paper is from an old paper pad. I finished off my card with a Memory Box 'Twilight Snowflake' die, cut in white glitter card to add a little sparkle.

The challenge ends on the 28th July and Dr. Digis' House of Stamps have generously offered some of their super digi stamps to the randomly chosen winner.

Please pop over to the Crafty Calendar Challenge to see all the beautiful Christmas themed creations the the DT have made this month.

I am joining in the following challenges:

CHNC challenge #445 ~ Anything Christmas Goes -

Optional theme: for a man or boy

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July 2019 challenge

Simply Create Too Challenge #151- Anything Goes/Opt Twist Use Pattern Paper

Kitty Bee Designs Challenge #146 ~ Christmas in July

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #348 ~ Holiday

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #237 ~ Dies or Punches

OLC - Spots

The current Less is More Challenge ends today, so I'm sneaking in a last minute entry.  This fortnight it's the dreaded One Layer Card and has the theme 'Spots'.  We arrived home yesterday from a wonderful week or so in sunny North Devon, so I just had time today to make a card for the challenge.

I started by creating a 'hill' along the bottom of the card with a spotty stencil and Distress Ink.  The image and sentiment are from the Stampin' Up 'So Hoppy Together' set of stamps, stamped with Memento 'Tuxedo Black'.  The image is coloured with Promarkers.  I thought this would be suitable for a Good Luck card.

I am joining in the following challenges:

 Less is More Challenge #398 ~ OLC Spots

Christmas in July

I was delighted to be invited to be Jo's Guest Designer for her July challenge over on her Tales from the Craft Room blog.  The theme this month is 'Christmas in July'. 

I used a Bugaboo 'Reindeer Peeker' digi stamp, which I coloured with Promarkers.  I thought it would be fun to have Rudolph poking his head around the wall of a house.  The embossed Core'dinations card was sanded to give the bricks a distressed look.  I used a Poppystamps 'Small Madison Window' die, which I cut in white and then again in grey so I could inlay the window panes. 

It's never too early to start making Christmas cards, so I hope to see lots of your Christmas creations over in the Tales of the Craft Room challenge.

I am joining in the following challenges:
ABC Christmas Challenge ~ N - No peeking and O - Ornament (Hope my card covers both of these themes)
Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #348 ~ Holiday
Scribbles Designs Challenge #78 ~ Make it Square
SheepSki Designs Challenge #28 ~ Early Christmas/Winter

Crafty Friends Challenge #113 ~ Things Beginning With 'B' (Bricks, Baubles, Bells)

Chimney Sweep

Last Saturday I posted a card that my great nephew made for his Dad.  His Dad is a chimney sweep, a job he loves, so I thought I'd make him a chimney sweep themed birthday card.  I remember seeing a Little Claire Designs chimney sweep rubber stamp a few years ago, which would have been perfect, but I don't think Little Claire Designs are trading anymore and I couldn't find a chimney sweep stamp or digi stamp anywhere online.  Eventually I came up with the idea of finding a free children's colouring page online, which I resized and printed onto white card.

The image was coloured with Promarkers and layered on a green mat.  The patterned papers are from Anna Marie Designs.

I am joining in the following challenges:
Passion for Promarkers - Week 500 ~ Make it Square
The Male Room Challenge #114 ~  Multiple Layers
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July Challenge
The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge ~ Any Occasion

A Hug in an Envelope

Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment on my last post for my great nephew.  He was bowled over when I showed him all the comments.

 A very quick CAS card today for someone in need of a hug in an envelope.

I used a butterfly die from The Works with purple card.  The  patterned paper is from a Dovecraft paper pad.  I added a computer generated sentiment, layered on a rectangle of purple card.... and the card was finished.  

I am joining in the following challenges:

Butterfly Challenge #124 ~ Butterfly and Heliotrope

Crafty Cardmakers #237 ~ Dies or Punches
Make My Monday Challenge # 99 ~ Begins with the letter B (Butterfly)
Crafty Friends Challenge #113 ~ Things Beginning With 'B' (Butterfly)
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #194 ~ Polka Dots and/or Stripes
Little Red Wagon Challenge # 503 - Much Ado About Nothing!
Moving Along with the Times Challenge #100 ~ CAS