Cream and Black Cat Easel Card

A card today which I made recently for a card swap.  The recipient loves cats, so this was a starting point for my card.  The card is cream, although it looks for white in the photo.  It's so difficult taking photos in the dull weather, I think I need to get a light box so my photos show the true colours.  Any recommendations gratefully received! 😊

I started with a 6" x 6" square cream card blank to make my easel card.  I used a Creative Expressions 'Pawprint Lattice' embossing folder for the background.  I die cut two cream Memory Box 'Stitched Square Layers' die cuts and hand cut a black mat inbetween the two sizes of the squares.  After layering them together, I added a Spellbinders 'Pawing around (Cat)' die cut.  The cream and black cat ribbon was attached over a strip of black card and raised up on foam tape so the easel card stands up.  The sentiment was a stamp from Happy Little Stampers 'Birthday Friends' set. 

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge Week 609 ~ Four legged friends

Country View January Challenge - Squares

Memory Box Challenge #68 ~ Hearts

HLS January Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Dream Valley Challenge # 240 ~ Our 4 legged Friends

Let's Squash It Challenge #4 ~ Use an Embossing Folder and an Animal

On track with my Christmas cards

I joined in a recent challenge to make a selection of cards using just one sheet of 6 x 6 patterned paper, cutting the paper following the template.  So I could get well ahead of my Christmas cards for next December, I decided to make six Christmas cards.  For this set of cards, I more or less CASE'd the designs for the challenge. I added some plain white card, stamps and twine.

I decided to make a second set, this time using my own designs.  The patterned paper was cut using the same template and I used a die, punches, stamps and white and gold card.

 

So.... that's another 13 Christmas cards made for next Christmas.  Two of the cards are embossed with Christmas text which you can see if you click on the photo.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Rudolph Days January Challenge

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge # 526 ~ Anything Christmas Goes

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper January Challenge

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #397 ~ Christmas

I have a few Christmas presents for friends still to deliver.   Due to the pandemic we haven't been able to meet in person.  I made some tags today to add to the presents and plan to post the parcels this week as I have no idea when the lockdown here will be lifted.

 

Valentine Card

A recently bought a couple of the lovely Woodware Gnome stamps and I decided to make this one into a Valentine card for my hubby.  He doesn't look at my blog, so hopefully I'm safe to post it now on my blog.  My hubby took me to Iceland for a surprise holiday a couple of years ago and there were gnomes everywhere, so I thought this would be an appropriated image to use for his card.

This stamp is called 'Valentine Gnome' but I think it would also be useful for engagement and anniversary cards.  I coloured the gnomes with Promarkers.  I wanted to make a bridge card, but instead of the 'bridge' covering up the heart panels, I made it shorter and attached it to the inside panels and added the layered sentiment on top.   For the side panels I used a Memory Box 'Heart Waterfall' die through the card base and added a strip of red card behind.   

I am joining in the following challenges:

Memory Box Challenge #68 ~ Hearts

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use never-before-used-schtuff (Gnome stamp)

Stamping Sensations January Challenge ~ Favourite Stamps

Craft Rocket Challenge #77 ~ For the boys/men

HLS January Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Little Red Wagon Challenge # 585 ~ Die-Ing To Get Crafty

Passion for Markers Week 575 ~ Anything Goes

Another Gap Card

I made a card for the Butterfly Challenge HERE, but the card below was the first one I made for the challenge and I didn't like it.  I took it apart, removed all the gold glitter card, replaced it with a gold shade of yellow and put everything back together, tweaking the design a bit.  I'm still not sure that I like it, but I thought I'd share it on my blog anyway.   I’m not sure why I don't like it, perhaps it's because I think there is too much green on it.

The front of the card was embossed with a Lisa Horton 3D 'Cubes' embossing folder' - a NBUS folder I used for the first time. The butterfly is an old Spellbinders die which comes in two parts and the die cuts are layered together.  The flowers were made with punches.  I added a few pearls, colouring the yellow ones with a gold Promarker.  A sheet of green and white gingham paper was attached to the inside and a layered sentiment on the front of the card. 

I probably won't send it to anyone, unless I need a last minute card. 😉   I'll share this card in the Butterfly Challenge as I've included all the elements and the NBUS challenge as I've used this embossing folder for the first time. 

I am joining in the following challenges: 

Butterfly Challenge #150 ~ G for Gap Card (All elements)

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use never-before-used-schtuff

Twofer - Flowers

The theme of the Twofer Challenge this month is 'Flowers'.  Two cards with different designs, for two different occasions, using the same die, stamp or stencil.

 

The flower die I used on both cards is the Memory Box 'Splendid Poppy Stem'.  It's a NBUS die, so I'll be able to share it over in Darnell's NBUS challenge. 

I am joining in the following challenges with this pair of cards:

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use never-before-used-schtuff

Twofer Card Challenge #34 ~ Flowers

For my first card I made a Tower card, which are so much easier to make than they look.  It measure 6" by just under 6" when folded flat.  I made it just under 6" wide so it will fit in a standard envelope. I used a Lisa Horton 'Padded Quilt' embossing folder for the background.  The die cuts on the side panels are Memory Box 'Latchette Border'.  The sentiment from the Stampin' Up 'Humming Along' set of stamps was stamped with Versafine Clair 'Paradise'. 

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 607 ~ Something New (Poppy die)

HLS January Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Little Red Wagon Challenge Challenge # 585 - Die-Ing To Get Crafty!

The Flower Challenge #52 ~ Embossing Heat or Dry

For my second card I used on of the dies from the Lisa Horton 'Stitched Layered Rectangles' set and layered it on the card blank.   I die cut the Memory Box 'Spendid Poppy Stem'  twice in white and layered one of top of the other to add some dimension.  Before attaching it to the card I coloured it with pale Promarkers.    The sentiment is a stamp from the Stampin' Up 'Painted Glass' set and stamped in Versafine Clair 'Morning Mist'.  I finished off my card with three pale pink pearls.

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge ~ Pearls and/or Gems

Unicorn Challenge #61 ~ Clean and Simple

Sunflower Gap Card

Another sunflower card today.  This time a gap card to join in with the Butterfly Challenge.   The challenge is onto the letter 'G' for ...... Gap Card/ Gingham/Geranium/ Granny Smith/ Gold+ Butterfly.  This is my second attempt at making a card for this challenge. The first one may land up in the bin as I wasn't happy with the finished card.  I used gold glitter card and I didn't like it with the pink and green.  The card is currently pieces where I took it apart.  If I manage to rescue it, you might see it in a future post.  On this card I used a gold shade of yellow - it's the same colour as my gold Promarker so I hope this counts as gold.

I used the same Lisa Horton 'Sunflower' 3D embossing folder that I used on a previous post and I fussy cut the whole flower again.  This time I lightly inked the sunflower with 'Dried Marigold' Distress ink.  The leaf was a Creative Expressions 'Petite Vinery' die cut and the flower was layered on two Memory Box 'Stitched Circle Layers' die cuts. I used the Lisa Horton 3D embossing folder 'Padded Quilt' for the top and bottom of the front of the card.  I covered the inside of the card with a sheet of SU gingham paper.  I used just a little bit of Geranium Pink for the punched butterfly and a tiny white pearl was added to the body.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Butterfly Challenge #150 ~ G for Gap Card (All elements)

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper January Challenge

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Layer It Up

Grey, Red and White

A card today using another one of my new embossing folders.

The 3D embossing folder is Lisa Horton's 'Padded Quilt' and I love the deep texture of the design.  The patterned paper is from an old Dovecraft paper pad.  The butterfly is made from Memory Box 'Pippi' and 'Isabella' die cuts and layered on Memory Box 'Stitched Circle Layers' die cuts.  The flower was made with punches and raised up on a foam pad.  I used a Creative Expressions 'Windswept Grasses' die for the leaves. I might add a sentiment in the top right hand corner, I'll decide when I know who is going to receive the card, although I think it looks okay as it is.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 607 ~ Something New (Embossing folder)

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use never-before-used-schtuff (Embossing Folder)

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper January Challenge

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Layer It Up

Moving Along With the Times #Challenge 126 ~ New (Embossing Folder)

Shopping Our Stash #436 - What's New With You? (Embossing folder)

Embossed Sunflowers

If you haven't already done so, please read my previous post HERE.  It relates to fraudulent transactions on bank accounts.

A sunflower card today, using a new embossing folder for the first time.

The Lisa Horton's 'Sunflower' embossing folder is a 3D one and embosses beautifully.  I used the  e/f with white card for the background. Using a snippet of yellow card,  I embossed just the middle flower, then fussy cut it.  With a tiny snippet of brown card, I embossed just the centre of the flower, fussy cut the cirle and attached it to the yellow flower.  The yellow flower was raised up on foam tape.  The sentiment from the SU 'Humming Along' set of stamps was stamped with Versafine Clair 'Acorn'.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge Week 607 ~ Something New (Embossing folder)

The Flower Challenge #52 ~ Embossing Heat or Dry

Moving Along With The Times Challenge #126 ~ New (Embossing folder)

Shopping Our Stash #436 - What's New With You? (Embossing folder)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Layer it up

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use never-before-used-schtuff

Word Art Wednesday - Weeks #473- #474 ~ Anything Goes

WARNING - PLEASE READ

Please check your bank account statements.  'Destination Athlete' are fraudulently attempting to take money from bank accounts, often for small amounts.  Ours was for just 23p, but another friend's was $94.  It's happened to at least five other friends over the last few days, all crafters.   

Purple and White

A CAS card to share today in my favourite colour combination of purple and white.

I used a Sizzix 'Botanical Mask die', using white cards and layered over purple card.  The sentiment is a stamp from the SU 'Humming Along' stamp set, stamped in purple.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 606 ~ Favourite colour (Purple)

Unicorn Challenge #61 ~ Clean and Simple (CAS)

HLS January Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

As the card was so quick and easy to make, I also made similar cards in black and white.....

..... and pink, green and red.

Thank You

I needed to make some thank you cards this week, so I CASE'd a card I made sometime last year, this time using my favourite colour combination of purple and white, tweaking the design a bit.

I bought a pre-loved set of SU stamps 'Petite Petals' recently as I already had the matching punch.  I used two of the flowers and stamped them with Versafine Clair 'Monarch' and punched them out.  I added tiny green circles of card to the centres, which were the waste from another die cut.  The flowers are raised up on foam pads.  I embossed a strip of purple card with a Couture Creations 'Great Zane' and layered it on a strip of plain green card.  Everything, apart from the card blank was snippets, so I'll be popping over to The Playground to share my card.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 606 ~ Favourite colour (Purple)

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #394 ~ Use Snippets

We Love Chocolate Baroque January Challenge ~ Feminine

My Time to Craft Challenge #448 ~ Thank You

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use 'never-before-used-schtuff' ('New to me' stamps)

Simply Create Too Challenge #166 ~ Favorite Color Combo! (Purple and White)

The Flower Challenge #52 ~  Embossing Heat or Dry

 

Positive Thoughts

Welcome to my new follower.  Please leave a comment on my blog so I can follow your blog too. 

I made this card for a friend who is shielding during the pandemic.  I can't begin to imagine what it's like to be shielding for so long.  It's hard enough being in another lockdown, but at least my hubby and I can go out for a daily walk or to shop for food.

The Memory Box 'Bubble Burst' die is a pre-loved one I bought recently and this is the first time I've used it.  I used the die on a white piece of card and layered it on a purple mat.  The three circles at the top are the waste from another die.  The sentiment, from the SU 'Positive Thoughts', was stamped in purple, layered on a purple mat and raised up on foam pads.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 606 ~ Favourite colour (Purple)

Moving Along With the Times January Challenge #126 ~ New ('New to me' die)

CAS on Friday Challenge #196 - Feel Better!

Simply Create Too Challenge #166 ~ Favorite Color Combo (Purple and White)

HLS January Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Simon Says Monday Challenge ~ Use a New/Unused Product ('New to me' die)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ New ('New to me' die)

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use never-before-used-schtuff

Happy Birthday

We're in another lockdown in the UK, not the start we all wanted for 2021 but at least the vaccines are being rolled out here, so hopefully there is some light at the end of the tunnel.  

A masculine card today for a friend who will be celebrating his birthday this month.

I followed a sketch for this card, something which still takes me out of my comfort zone.  The patterned paper was from a Dovecraft 'Blue Skies' paper pad.  I used a Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' e/f for the embossing.  The navy blue dots are the waste from a die cut used on another project.  I die cut the yacht with a Poppystamps 'Marina Sailboats' die.  The sentiment is stamped in navy blue with a stamp from the Happy Little Stampers 'Wish You Were Here' set of stamps. I raised the layered image/sentiment up on foam pads. 

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 605 ~ Anything Goes

Poppystamps Challenge #76 ~ Monochrome

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #1 2021 ~ Anything Goes 

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper January Challenge

Craft Rocket Challenge #77 ~ For the boys/men

Butterfly Bunny

It's the first Saturday of the month and time for the first Crafty Calendar Challenge of 2021.  The theme this month is 'Make it Cute' and our generous sponsor is All Dressed Up.

Our sponsor kindly supplied the DT with digi stamps and I chose to use the 'Butterfly Bunny' digi stamp, which I coloured with Promarkers.  I die cut the image with a Memory Box 'Stitched Rectangle Layers' die.  All the pattern paper is from Limetree Craft.

The Crafty Calendar Challenge runs until January 28th, so plenty of time to join in the challenge and perhaps win a prize from 'All Dressed Up'.

I am joining in the following challenges:

All Dressed Up Challenge #112 ~ Anything Goes with an ADU image

Allsorts Challenge Week 605 ~Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin' Challenge ~ New

2 Crafty Critter Crazies January Challenge ~ Include a Critter

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper January Challenge

Creations in Pink Challenge # 29 ~ Anything Goes in Mainly Pink

Sewing card

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

Happy New Year to anyone visiting my blog.  Like many people, I'm glad to see the back of 2020.  It has been a tough year for our family, but if it wasn't for our amazing NHS saving the life of our daughter in the summer, things could have been so much worse.  Let's hope that 2021 turns out to be a better year for us all.  If you're still looking for your crafting mojo, there's an idea I'd like to share at the bottom of this post.

This is a card I made for a friend who is celebrating her birthday today.  She teaches adults and children to sew, so I thought this would be an appropriate design.

 

I used an Embossalicious 'Button Box' embossing folder for the background on the top of the card..  The Memory Box 'Grand Happy Birthday' die cut was layered over the top.  I always stick a plain piece of card behind the 'birthday' letters as it looks neater.  All the silver mirror card die cuts were from a Spellbinders 'Sewing Elements' set of dies.  I've never used the dressmaking dummy die before, so I'll be off to share my card in Darnell's NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) challenge.  I'm planning to use more of my NBUS in 2021..... well, that's my plan!

I am joining in the following challenges:

NBUS Challenge #22 ~ Use some never-before-used-schtuff

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge #1, 2021 ~ Anything Goes

A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge #131 - Anything Goes

Finally, an idea for keeping my crafting mojo going in 2021, which I saw on a local crafting Facebook page today.  The idea is to print out the chart below and colour in each day I manage to do craft, however much or little.  Hopefully this will encourage me to do some crafting as often as possible and I can look back on December 31st to see how successful I was.  I think the chart was orginally designed to record a daily workout, but using it for crafting is so much more fun!  So..... are you up for the challenge to try and craft every day?