Cheers!

The Memory Box Challenge ends today so I'm sneaking in a last minute entry with a Kir Royale cocktail for the theme "I'll drink to that!".  I've never tried a Kir Royale cocktail, but crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and champagne sounds like a delicious combination!

I used an MFT 'Cross-Stitch Tag' die and chopped off the top of the tag to make a rectangle.  The cross stitching was done with crochet cotton. For the background I used a Memory Box 'Bubble Burst' die and the deep red mats are pearlised paper.  A Woodware sentiment was stamped using a Stampin' Up 'Cherry Cobbler' inkpad. 

I am joining in the following challenges:

Memory Box Challenge #92- I'll Drink to That!

Inkspirational Challenge #284 ~ Stitching - Real or Faux

Little Red Wagon Challenge #693 ~ Die Cuts

Christmas Embossing

A short month for the Rudolph Days February Challenge which begins today..... just four days.  

I bought this Crafter's Companion 'Follow the Star' cut and emboss folder on a recent trip to their Evesham store and it's getting it's first outing.  Another bargain buy, which I thought would be good for batch making a few Christmas cards.  I tried it using a few different colourways and I think my favourite is the last one.  The navy paper is pearlised and gives the embossing a lovely sheen.

   I am joining in the following challenges:

Rudolph Days February Challenge

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #668 ~ Christmas

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #490 - Anything starting with letter B (Bethlehem, Blue)

NBUS Challenge #47 ~ Use Never-Before-Used-Schtuff 

Triple Stamping

A Triple Stamping card today.... it's been quite a while since I last made one.  Another card to join in the Uniko 11th Birthday Celebrations.

The stamps are all from the Uniko ' Decorative Doilies - The Hands of Time' set.  I used Versafine Clair 'Paradise', 'Charming Pink' and 'Cheerful' ink pads for stamping.  The sentiment is from the Uniko 'Simply Said Clear Stamps' set.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Uniko 11th Birthday Celebrations ~ Using Uniko products

As You Like It Challenge ~ Favourite Stencil or Freestyle Background (and Why) - Freestyle background because it's unique every time

The Paper Funday Challenge #50 - Anything Goes with Optional Twist: Lots of Layers

Stamping Sensations February Challenge ~ Anything Goes without the option

We Love Stamping February Challenge ~ Anything Goes without the option

Time Out are celebrating their 9th Birthday, so I'll be joining in their celebrations too.

Time Out Challenge #232 ~ Anything Birthday Goes

Three Cards

I haven't made a CAS for a while, so I thought I'd make one today to join in with the Uniko 11th Birthday celebrations.

I inked up a Uniko Stamp from the 'Decorative Doilies - The Hands of Time' for the first time using  a Versafine Clair 'Charming Pink' ink pad.  The sentiment was a stamp from a the Uniko 'Simply Said Clear Stamps'.  I found a circle frame in my 'bits' box, used it to frame the lovely doily image and added a tiny white pearl to the middle. 

I am joining in the following challenges:

Uniko 11th Birthday celebrations ~ Use Uniko products

NBUS Challenge #47 ~ Use Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (doily stamp)

Stamping Sensations February Challenge ~ Anything Stamped without the option

We Love Stamping February Challenge ~ Anything Stamped without the option

Colorful Options February Challenge ~ Pink

Creations in Pink ~ Challenge # 55 ~ Anything Goes in MAINLY PINK

My second card is a Three Panel Card which I made after seeing a tutorial HERE.

The patterned papers and green card were all Stampin' Up snippets left over from projects from a few years ago.  The back panel is plain for the message and I fussy cut three flowers from the patterned paper to add some added interest. The sentiment was a stamp from the Stampin' Up 'Humming Along' set, stamped with Versafine Clair 'Verdant'.

I am joining in the following challenge with this card:

Snippets Playground Challenge #448 ~ Use Snippets

Double Trouble Challenge #132 ~ Fun Fold + option of Flowers

 Creative Creases Challenge #51 ~ Anything Goes with a Fun Fold

Country View February Challenge ~ Be Sentimental

My third card is very quick and easy Thank You card.

I attached the purple card, embossed with a Sizzix thank you embossing folder to the card blank.  I added three tiny clear gems to the embossed flower and the card was finished.

Corner Pop Up Cards

The Butterfly Challenge this time is 'C for Corner Pop Up Card'.  The elements for this challenge are 'Corner Pop Up Card, Checks, Coral, Citron, Crimson, Camel + a Butterfly'.  Mrs A. has put the instructions for the fold HERE.

 A friend recently gave me a Papermania paper pad she no longer wanted called 'Happy Days'. It had a stripy sheet which included Crimson, Camel and Citron coloured stripes.  There was also a sheet with Crimson and white checks, so these were perfect for the challenge.  No Coral though, so just three out of the four colours on my card.  The butterfly is a Simply Creative 'Butterfly' die cut which I cut in white.  I attached it to a piece of green card and fussy cut around the edge of the butterfly.  The flowers were made with punches.  I die cut the sentiment and red mat with Sizzix dies.

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Butterfly Challenge ~ C for Corner Pop Up Card (Card Fold, Theme, Crimson, Camel, Citron + Butterfly)

Allsorts Challenge #716 ~ Anything Goes with the option of Wings

Creative Knockouts Challenge #488 ~ Birthday Wishes

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #490 - Anything starting with letter B (Blooms, Butterfly)

Double Trouble Challenge #132 ~ Fun Fold + option of Flowers

 Creative Creases Challenge #51 ~ Anything Goes with a Fun Fold

This really is an easy fold, so I made a second card.  This time I made a card that would be good for a masculine card.

The papers are from a paper pad I bought from The Range.  I use the leopard patterned paper on all the panels, except the one with sentiment.  I used one with just leaves on for this panel.

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Make My Monday Challenge #194 ~ All Creatures Great and Small

80th Birthday Card

Welcome to my two latest followers, Ellie and Barbara.  I hope you stop by my blog again soon.

Anyone else still getting genuine comments going into their Blogger spam folder? I get a few most weeks, but today one appeared for the first time written in August 2020!

A friend celebrated a big birthday today and this is the card I made for her.  I knew she wouldn't want her age on the card, so I tactfully left it off.  😉

The cross stitching was done on a Marianne Design 'Cross Stitch' die cut and cut into a square with a Memory Box 'Stitched Square Layers' die.  The other layers are Lisa Horton's 'Scalloped Layered Squares' die cuts.  I die cut a pink strip to go across the bottom with a Memory Box 'Stitched  Country Borders' die.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Beautiful Blossoms Floral Challenge #2 ~ Flowers and Mood Board

Creations in Pink Challenge # 55 ~ Anything Goes in MAINLY PINK

Shopping Our Stash -Week 490 ~ Anything starting with letter B (Bloom)

With Sympathy

Our friends lovely dog sadly passed away at the weekend and this is the card I made for them.  I decided not to add a sentiment on the front of the card, but write a message of sympathy inside.

The background was embossed with a Creative Expressions 'Pawprint Lattice' embossing folder. The heart is a die from the Spellbinders 'Pawing Around (Dog)' set with plain cream card behind.  I didn't have a slightly larger heart die, so I cut the green heart by hand.  The ribbon in layered on a green strip of card.  

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 715 ~ A/G with option All about Hearts

Can You Handle the Pressure? Challenge ~ Anything Goes With A Twist of Hearts

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #192 ~ Include One Heart or More

Cut it Up Challenge #271 ~ Have A Heart

Valentine's Day Card

Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️

A Valentine card for my hubby.   As we will be having a romantic evening watching our football team,  I made the card in the team colours of blue and white.  If I'm really lucky, I may be treated to a pasty or a bag of chips! 😂

I rarely use stitching on a masculine card, but I thought this stitched design wouldn't look too feminine if I kept the rest of the card fairly plain. I used a Marianne Designs 'Cross Stitch Heart' die set and the cross stitching was done with crochet cotton. I made the easel card with two dies from the Lisa Horton 'Nested Hearts' die set.   The layered sentiment is raised up on foam pads and I added a small punched white heart.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge #715 ~ A/G with option All about Hearts

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #192 ~ Include One Heart or More

Cut it Up Challenge #271 ~ Have A Heart

Crafty Gals Challenge #240 ~ Add a Heart

Double Trouble Challenge #131 ~ "Love Is In The Air"

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 667 ~ Love / Valentine

Creative Knockouts Challenge #487 ~ Love Is In The Air/Valentine's Day

Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #315 ~ Valentine for a Guy

Especially for anyone missing a loved one today. 

A couple of CAS 'Thank You' cards, I hope one has arrived at its destination.

The sentiment is a Memory Box ' Grand Thank You' die cut.  I punched the bottom edge with a butterfly border punch kindly given to me by Mia (Craftartista).  I used the border punch again in a snippet of yellow card and inlaid the butterflies in the apertures.  I added three more butterflies in the top corner and and drew flight paths with a fine liner pen.  I actually put the card to one side planning to bin it because I felt the words were too high, but the following day I added a yellow strip which gave it a more balanced look.

The second card has a more simple look.  I positioned the 'thank you' lower down and decided not to inlay the butterflies this time.  I saved the butterflies from the first card and positioned them flitting around the top of the card.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Country View February Challenge ~ Be Sentimental

Creative Fingers Challenge #248 ~ Anything Goes

Anniversary Card

An anniversary card I made for friends celebrating their wedding anniversary.

The background was embossed with a Sue Wilson 'Hearts on a String' embossing folder.  The heart is from the Spellbinders 'Lace Hearts' die set.  I backed the heart with a plain piece of white card and raised the heart up with foam tape.  I punched a small red heart to put in the middle of the larger one.  I added two strips of ribbon, layered on red card and put a layered sentiment, raised up with foam pads.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 715 ~ A/G with option All about Hearts

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #192 ~ Include One Heart or More

Cut it Up Challenge #271 ~ Have A Heart

Crafty Gals Challenge #240 ~ Add a Heart

SOS Challenge #489 ~ Love Is In The Air

Birthstone Challenge #1 ~ Anything Goes with Garnet & Amethyst Colours

Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge ~ Anything Goes With A Twist of Hearts

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #196 ~ Heart, Free, Die Cut

Double Slider Card

The Butterfly Challenge this time is 'D for Double Slider Card'.  It's a card style I haven't tried before, but I wanted to give it a go.  Mrs A has put the instructions HERE.  I should have paid more attention to the instructions as my slider parts were too near the double-sided tape on my first card and wouldn't slide.... so it went in the bin.  This is my second attempt using the card shape, die cut, dandelion (pearls), denim and a butterfly.

The butterfly is a Sue Wilson 'Majestic Monarch' die cut and is layer on a white piece of card embossed with a Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' embossing folder.  I added a few tiny yellow pearls in the corners.

The card stands up as a tent fold.

When the ribbon is pulled, both panels appear.

This little video shows how the card opens.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Butterfly Challenge #177 ~ D for Double Slider Card (Card Shape, Denim, Dandelion, Die Cut and Butterfly)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Fun With Dies

The Paper Funday Challenge #50 ~ Anything Goes with Optional Twist: Lots of Layers

Special Birthday

I made this card a little while ago and I have been saving it until this week for a special birthday.  One of the neighbours in our Close celebrated her 90th birthday yesterday.  As she said she didn't want a fuss for her birthday, I decided not to put an age on the front but wished her a Happy 90th Birthday in the message inside instead.

I made the card with a variety Sue Wilson dies and the purple card is pearlised.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Fun With Dies

The Paper Funday Challenge #50 ~ Anything Goes with Optional Twist: Lots of Layers

Country View February Challenge ~ Be Sentimental

Birthstone Challenge #1 ~ Anything Goes with Garnet & Amethyst Colors

With Love

A card I made for a young lady who loves horses.

I used a Marianne Designs 'Cross Stitch Heart' die set and the cross stitching was done with crochet cotton.  The background was embossed with a Lisa Horton 'Padded Quilt' embossing folder. I layered a strip of stripy ribbon over a purple mat and attached the finished heart with foam pads.  The horseshoe was punched and tiny grey pearls added.

I am joining in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - Week 714 ~ Anything Goes with the optional theme of I love...... cross stitching

Double Trouble Challenge #131 ~ Love Is In The Air

Get Creative Challenge #118 ~ Hearts

We Love to Create Challenge #1 ~ Anything Mixed Media Goes

Inkspirational Challenge #282 ~ Moodboard - Heart shapes

Birthstone Challenge #1 ~ Anything Goes with Garnet and/or Amethyst Colours

Through the Purple Haze Challenge #201 ~ Anything Goes

As You Like It Challenge ~ Favourite Colour and Why..... Purple is such a bright and cheerful colour and there are so many beautiful shades.

Two Gift Card Holders

Welcome to Dena of Stampin' Mim, thank you for being my latest follower.

Two friends are celebrating special big birthdays.  As part of a group of friends we are giving a joint present of vouchers.  I was asked to make two cards to put the gift cards in.

The first one is for a friend who loves gardening so I decided on a floral theme.  The patterned paper in from an old Papermania paper pad.  The flower was made with dies from the Sue Wilson 'Passion Flower' set and I added a few lilac gems.

The front splits in two and the bottom half is attached to the back of the card to create a pocket.  We put a garden centre voucher in the pocket.

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Crafty Catz Challenge #623 ~ Anything Goes with optional twist of Female Birthday

The Paper Funday Challenge #50 ~ Anything Goes with the Optional Twist of Lots of Layers

The same style was used for my second gift card holder.  This time the gift card will be given to the birthday girl when we all go for Afternoon Tea to celebrate her birthday.

The patterned paper was from a Dovecraft paper pad 'Cupcake Boutique'.  The cupcake was made with a Stampin' Up punch using snippets and layered on a white die cut circle, another snippet.  I embossed the 'icing' with a Cuttlebug 'Tiny Bubbles' embossing folder, raised it up on foam pads and added a red pearl 'cherry'. 

Before making the pocket ready for the gift card, I decorated the inside back panel with red card embosssed using a Cuttlebug cupcake embossing folder.

I am joining in the following challenges with this card:

Inkspirational Challenge #282 ~ Moodboard - baked goodies and cups

Snippets Playground Challenge #447 ~ Use Snippets

Allsorts Challenge Week 714 ~ Anything Goes with the optional theme of  I love... Cupcakes!

Last week my hubby and I enjoyed a few days away in beautiful Stratford upon Avon, the home of William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare's birthplace.

Royal Shakespeare Theatre