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29 February, 2016

Birthday Tick Tock

The dreaded birthday countdown made a little easier with the rest of the sentiment inside     "... and more awesome every year".

I made the painted background using distress inks, then when dry, I stencilled over using a strip of metal sequin waste.  Then I wandered over it with scribbly white gel pen.  The diecut clocks are stamped over (black clock with grey versacolor, pale grey clock with smoky grey Versafine ink).  I stamped the sentiment in navy because I didn't want it to stand out too much.  I think the three simple elements work well together.

Distress inks
Sequin Waste for stencil
Clock die: Kaisercraft
Newsprint stamp: Hero Arts
Bird die: Spellbinders
Sentiment stamp: Inkadinkadoo

Shared on challenges:
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-182-make-your-mark.html
http://casology.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/week-186-distress.html
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/qkr-stampede-challenge-180-birthday.htmlhttp://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/pile-it-on-102-paint.html

28 February, 2016

Crazy Cat

The challenge at Come And Get It Challenges this week is MONOCHROME, I hope you'll join us for a bit of fun.  Pick a colour and off you go...

What a fun Bugaboo image to work with.  This goofy cat loves a fishy treat, but of course he can't catch them because he's crosseyed!

I paper pieced this cute cat, added a bit of colouring, and sat him on an easel card.  The background is made of chevron diecut borders in a couple of shades of orange, and a couple of patterned papers set them off.    The fish are diecut from all the materials used, with the edges inked.  I used a pawprint brad to act as the stopper, pushing it through foam adhesive squares to get it standing out.  The sentiment is tied on with dark orange linen thread.







Image: Bugaboo - Goofy Hween Cat - Teeth
Sentiment stamp: Pink Petticoat
Diecut fish: Poppy Stamps
Zigzag die: Couture Creations
Circle die: Couture Creations
Scallop circle die: Spellbinders

Bugaboo image here:
http://www.bugaboostamps.com/Goofy-Hween-Cat--Teeth_p_463.html

Shared on challenges:
http://www.cre8tivehandsfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/our-first-challenge-use-digi.html
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/qkr-stampede-challenge-180-birthday.html
http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/anything-goes-challenge-28th-of-february.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-28.html
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/c-is-for-cute.html

Sending love

I love this wee stamp and I think it says everything about what home is - family and connection.
I smooshed the background with distress inks and sprayed with glimmer mists.  When dry I stamped and coloured with Reno pens.  Two odd diecut hearts in gold and white.  I tried a red heart but it took the eye away from the mailbox.

EF: Couture Creations
Stamp: Hero Arts
hearts are from stash
Distress inks, Glimmermists












Shared on challenges:
http://casology.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/week-186-distress.html
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-182-make-your-mark.html
http://addictedtocas.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-82-home.html
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-198.html

27 February, 2016

Sparkling pink



Who doesn't like a little sparkle from time to time?

I had embossed the base card a while ago with this beautiful EF, but had not progressed because I wanted it to be an elegant card and I wasn't in the mood for elegant at the time.  Is anyone else like that?

Anyway, a lovely pink sparkly leafy paper, a pink stamped inspirational sentiment with inked deckled edges, rose diecuts and sequins do elegant for me.  The dark rose and the inked edge is actually a french navy and not black as it looks in the photo, so is not so contrasty and stark in real life.

Doiley die: Nellie
Stamp: Stamp-It
Die roses: Poppy Stamps
Deckle die: Spellbinders
EF: Project life

Shared on challenges:
http://vlvsketches.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/viva-la-verve-february-sketch-2.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-345-anything-goes-option-of.html
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/AG-NO-74.html
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/week-352-sentiment-in-focus.html

Bubbles


Aahhhhhhh....  time to get all girly.

Sketch140

I turned the sketch on its side, used clouds instead of oblongs, and pearls instead of twine. I wanted to give a feeling of perfumed clouds of steam and indulgent girliness.  And aren't these colours delicious?

Image: From the Heart Stamps, coloured with Reno Pens
Cloud dies: Amy Tangerine
Round die: Spellbinders
Wavy pearls: Say It In Crystals
Paper: Freebie came with Australian Papercraft Essentials
cards scraps from stash

Shared on challenges:
http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/02/22/i-heart-card-sketches-with-a-twist-140/
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/anything-goes-challenge.html
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-187-pearls.html
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/freshly-brewed-challenge-201608-oh-so.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/february-color-challenge.html
http://www.cre8tivehandsfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/our-first-challenge-use-digi.html

26 February, 2016

Frosted butterfly


I used a technique called frosted window - a tutorial by Splitcoaststampers - by stamping the butterfly on the card, and also onto vellum; then  colouring the card and the back of the vellum with Reno pens.

Because it called for a foam tape layer I decided to go the whole hog and turn it into a shaker card as well, though the frosting of the vellum gives the sequins and stars a gentler, more subtle sparkle. 
The oval frame  is diecut from glitter card and it really sparkles but I can't get it to show up in a photo.











Stamp: Hampton Art, coloured with Reno Pens
Wish die: Sizzix
2 oval dies: Spellbinder
EF: Cuttlebug
Various sequins and stars







Shared on challenges:
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/february-challenge-anything-goes-with.html
http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-178-shake-rattle-roll-week-2.html
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/glitter-and-sparkle.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/add-little-sparkle-to-your-life.html
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/february-challenge-anything-goes.html

Birthday Moo



I used a Tuesday Morning sketch, and a  Bugaboo bingo grid for this card.  I love black and white and a colour - this time it's pink!




The sketch is a classic, simple with plenty room to create.







I used the pink-flower-bugaboo image line of bingo.




Image: Bugaboo Pretty Cow, coloured with Reno pens
Diecut label one: Spellbinders
Flower punch: unknown, no brand
Stamens punch: L-Em Com
Sentiment stamp: Fundamentals
Card, paper, gem from stash
White gel pen: faux stitching

24 February, 2016

Butterfly wood

This was inspired by the photo challenge at Time Out:

I thought the crisp black and white with the wooden floor was stunning, so came up with this.  The sentiment is white embossed; the butterfly is stamped directly onto the wooden paper using Versafine ink; the string represents the softness & textile-fibre aspect.


Butterfly stamp: Hampton Art
Sentiment stamp: Rosie's
EF: Kaisercraft

Shared on challenges:
http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-50-home-sweet-home-photo.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/anything-goes-challenge.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-345-anything-goes-option-of.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-28.html
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-176.html

19 February, 2016

Merci with wine

Yes Sir, I like a little wine and baguette.
Merci monsieur, J'aime un petit vin et une baguette.

To start with I smooshed several yellow distress inks to make a spot for him to stand in,  coloured his eyes melted-chocolate colour, then I paper-pieced monsieur's beret, scarf and baguettes.
Washi tape in stripes and dots to go with the paper, which has a faux stitching frame drawn on in white gel pen (it shows up better in real life), and a tiny stamped tag tied on.  The backing paper is a sharp lime green in real life.
Sketch139
Crafting by Designs TicTacToe - it actually has two different lines!  tag-free-stitching, and word-washi-stitching.

Image: From the Heart Stamps
Wineglass stamp: Clear Choice
Washi tape and twine
papers and card from stash

Shared on challenges:
http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/02/15/i-heart-card-sketches-with-a-twist-139/
http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/129-in-stitches-paper-shelter.html
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/309-something-to-eatdrink.html
http://www.craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/tic-tac-toe.html
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-181-anything-goes.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/lets-get-sentimental-challenge.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-9.html

Hello Bunny

"Hello Bunny"...  "Hello sweetie"...

Isn't this cute?   I just got this image.   I coloured the image with Reno pens, diecut it, then layered papers and lace.  Pastels are not my usual mode, but this was just right.















Image: From the Heart Stamps, Hello Bunny
Die: Spellbinders, Lg deckle rectangles
XOXO stamp: Heidi Swapp HS01125
Lace and ribbon from stash

Shared on challenges:
http://mojomonday.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/mojo-monday-435.html
http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-25-girly.html
http://creationsnz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/hello-bunny.html
http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/i-heart-you.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/lets-get-sentimental-challenge.html

18 February, 2016

Birthday Bird

B is for Bird!
I think this is the simplest and cutest drawing of a chickie bird!  Can't get better than this one.

I printed a big image, coloured it with Reno pens.  Then printed the computer sentiment.  I diecut the corners (so they look pecked) and made a tag, tying a gorgeous crinkly change-colour ribbon in the corner.  I drew some chickie footprints and smudged ink over them, then inked the edges of the tag.


Image: Bugaboo
Die: Sizzix
Computer sentiment font: chicken scratch!!!

Shared on challenges:
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/february-theme-challenge.html
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/b-is-for-b-you-pick.html
http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/anything-goes-challenge-14th-february.html


17 February, 2016

Wild grasses


I find that one layer cards are quite tricky.  This is two stamps on a blue card, using the play between the two subjects to stimulate interest.  The butterfly is gold embossed.   I reckon you could use this for anything at all - sympathy, man, thinking of you, get well .....

Grasses stamp: Indigo Blu
Butterfly stamp: Hero Arts

Shared on challenges:



http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.be/2016/02/challenge-198.html
http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.fi/2016/02/time-out-challenge-49.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/february-theme-challenge.html
http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/challenge-81-bloom.html
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-181-anything-goes.htmlhttp://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-87-design-team-call.html

Cheerful cup

I hope this picture cheers all those of you stuck in the middle of winter!  This one's for you!

We don't need it, we are basking in 30deg C temperatures trying to keep cool, and I bet you wish you were here.  ;-D

I coloured the image, then took a tiny flower stamp and stamped all over the clothes, masking as I went. I raided the stash for coordinating scraps of papers and cut them different widths, then bannered the end; they are stapled on higgledy-piggledy with my cute pink staples.




Image: From the Heart Stamps, coloured with Reno pens
Flower stamp: Hero Arts
Sentiment stamp: Stampendous
Snowflake die: Impression Obsession
Kindyglitz


Shared on challenges:

http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/02/01/free-stamp-of-the-month-february-2016/
http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/week-399-with-simon-says-stamp.html
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-181-anything-goes.html
http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/anything-goes-challenge-14th-february.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-9.html

Love in a pocket

I made this one for my husband who loves getting cards from me.   One tag has a cartoon drawing on it of a box of fries and a hamburger that says "we go together like ..."  and the other tag has some hearts and arrows and a personal lovey-dovey message from me.   Inside the card it says "love you to the moon and back".  The tags could be used for a bookmark.  I'm sure you'll agree it's quite manly; it reminds me of those multiple pockets in the front of carpenters aprons!

The fold is the double diagonal pocket card from Splitcoast Stampers.  It uses double sided paper and is simple with a few folds and cuts.  I ran two gold peel-off strips across the front to accentuate the diagonal and lead to the heart, matted a panel topper and added the gold diecut heart.

Diecut heart: Provocraft (I have had it for years and don't know what it's called, there is nothing written on it, but I think it might be concentric hearts?)  I used only the centre one.
Printed Panel: Unknown, from stash
Paper: Unknown, from stash
Flourish stamps: Hero Arts
Diecut ends of tags: Spellbinders Labels One

Shared on challenges:
http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/i-heart-you.html
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/challenge-175.html
http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/crafters-cafe-challenge-143-love-is-in.html
http://getcreativechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/ch-32-must-include-hearts-winners-of-ch.html
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-412-sweet-valentines.html
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/AG-NO-73.html
http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-62-love-letters-andor-hearts.html

16 February, 2016

Congratulations

Love cards come in many forms - funny, cute, pink or  red, pretty, and elegant.  I made this one for a silver anniversary, but it could be for an engagement or a wedding or similar occasion.

Basically, the top panel is linen card with rose ribbon trim  and satin ribbon wrapped around (made big enough for three roses).  The edge of the embossed panel is edged in versamark ink then silver embossing powder, and the sentiment is silver embossed.  The hearts are purchased.  I like the touch of silver, it seems to enhance the white areas.



Embossing folder: Cuttlebug
sentiment stamp: Whisper Words/Docrafts
Other: from stash

Shared on challenges:
http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/crafters-cafe-challenge-143-love-is-in.html
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/challenge-175.html
http://getcreativechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/ch-32-must-include-hearts-winners-of-ch.html
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/AG-NO-72.html
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-412-sweet-valentines.html
http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/monthly-blog-challenge-66-love-and.html


Red

One of my favourite colours is red, the other is blue... hmmm and some greens ...

Anyway this card is red red red!

And it's a true one layer! and CAS!


Skyline Stamp: Hero Arts
Splot stamps: Stampin'Up
Sentiment is computer printed



Shared on challenges:
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.be/2016/02/challenge-198.html
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-one-layer/
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.be/2016/02/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-264.html
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/cas-clean-and-simple.html

Awesome Gentleman

I like using black and white images with just a touch of colour, whether its lipstick or a woodgrain hat.
ADFD has a challenge - use wood - and because I like doing things out of context or with a surprise element, I made his hat wooden (not that he's a blockhead or anything!), and went for manly textures and colours:  chocolate brown and rust colours, animal skin and linen, and of course woodgrain.




(Click on pic to see detail)

Image: A Day For Daisies
Die ovals: Spellbinders
Die chevrons: Couture Creations
Punched border: Martha Stewart
Sentiment stamp:
Woodgrain paper: DCWV All About Boys stack

Shared on challenges:
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/stella-says-sketch-challenge-403.html
http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/take-two-february-2016-club-kit.html wood
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/AG-NO-72.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-27.html
http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.ca/2016/02/anything-goes-challenge-14th-february.html

14 February, 2016

Love is in the air

Love is in the Air is the theme on our Come And Get It Challenge this week, with All Dressed Up as our kind sponsor.  Come and join us?

I guess we all get locked into thinking 'love' cards need to be red or pink, well - how about black and gold?  I think it looks sophisticated and classy.

I coloured this image with a metallic marker pen, then coated the hearts with Glossy Accents (they got two coats and are quite raised). The gorgeous leafy frame is diecut from quilted heart paper and matted onto metallic gold card with a slim border, then onto a stripey base card with a scalloped edge. The Love sentiment is cut in gold mirror card, and a tiny gold stick-on metal heart too.








Image: All Dressed Up, get it here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/153922607/amore?ref=shop_home_active_9
Diecut leafy frame: Poppy Stamps
Love diecut: Couture Creations


Entered in challenges:
http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/challenge-86.html
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-412-sweet-valentines.html
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/february-challenge-love-is-in-air.html
http://inkychicks.blogspot.fi/2016/02/challenge-62-love-letters-andor-hearts.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/dies-andor-punches.html
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-308-hearts.html
http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/love-love-love-challenge-177-week-2.html
http://open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/monthly-challenge-2-lovevalentine.html

13 February, 2016

Sending Happy

Hot dog, it's cold!

I'm sure you've all heard the saying "it was a three dog night"?  We had over 30 deg C again today and very high humidity so it was a two ice cream day!

The sentiment 'sending happy thoughts' seemed so appropriate for this image, because anyone who has had anything to do with dogs will know that almost anything makes them happy!     The ice creams featured are chocolate chip and pistachio.   Oh YUM!  I think this would be a pretty good card for a male too.


Image: Bugaboo, coloured with Reno pens
Sentiment stamp: unknown
Scribbles Diecut: Dienamics
stripes cut with wavy blade
Kindyglitz, Glossy Accents



Shared on challenges:
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/stella-says-sketch-challenge-402.html
http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/128-furry-friends-digital-delight.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/challenge-8.html cute n cuddly
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/qkr-stampede-challenge-178-yummy-yummy.html

10 February, 2016

Bloom

This is another of those EF stamped backgrounds, dried, spritzed with gold, then the flower double stamped over - once in colour, once in smoky grey (the tendrils I drew in freehand).
I like these cards because you can send them for no reason at all!  It just lets someone you love know you think about them.


EF: Sizzix -Gridlock
Flower & stem stamp: Kaisercraft
Sentiment: Unknown brand

Shared on challenges:
http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/challenge-81-bloom.html
http://www.happylittlestampers.com/2016/02/hls-february-cas-challenge_3.html
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=4163
http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.fi/2016/02/time-out-challenge-49.html

09 February, 2016

Love Tickets

This one is a bit of fun.  I found these tickets and used them as a starting point.
I used the diagonal line  Love-Paperclip-Sketch for the tic-tac-toe challenge.




All papers: Crate Papers
Tickets & pink heart strip: Scrapbook Printables
Paperclip, pink staples, Kindyglitz



Shared on challenges:
http://tictactoechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-three.html
http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/anything-goes-challenge-with-blog-hop.html
http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/127-love-is-in-air-all-dressed-up.html
http://www.wheretheheartischallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/challenge-6.html
http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-2-lets-quirky-use-red-or-pink.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.de/2016/01/challenge-84-love-is-in-air.html
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-412-sweet-valentines.html

Pansy Watch

Live Laugh Love flowers; Pansies are also known as Hearts Ease.  They were used as a herbal remedy in olden times for heart problems, inflammations, asthma, eczema, gout etc.
This is based on the verve sketch:


I chose a lacy circle and an embossed horizontal band, so that the pansy papers would be the focus. Edges are inked.

All Papers: Couture Creations (Hearts Ease)
Sentiment stamp: Indigo Blu
Diecut: Couture Creations
EF: Spellbinders

Shared on Challenges:
http://vlvsketches.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/viva-la-verve-february-week-1-sketch.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-27.html
http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.fi/2016/02/time-out-challenge-49.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/dies-andor-punches.html

08 February, 2016

Sparkling white

Sparkling white is not just for wine - an all white love and romance card trying for CAS.

The background card is embossed and a sentiment die cut in the bottom corner.  The cut out piece is put back in.  The die cut heart is sprayed with adhesive, pressed in glitter, then when dry, sprayed again and stuck on the background.  I debated for ages whether to add more and chose a simple clear gem to anchor the heart.



EF: Heidi Swapp
Heart die: Couture Creations
Sentiment die: Paper Smooches
Glitter: Hero Arts



Shared on challenges:
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/happy-5th-birthday-less-is-more.html white on white
http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/love-marriage-anniversaries.html
http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/challenge-62-love-letters-andor-hearts.html