Little Tree

This is such a pretty little stamp and I had a bit of fun experimenting with textures and colouring.  I used the back of the clear stamp to stamp the background shape,  stamped the tree on top, then stamped on another piece of card to cut out the trunk which is on 3D foam.

Stamp:
Coloured with Distress inks

Shared on challenges:
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glitternsparkle-236-ag

Dog House

A lovely seasonal scene for a friend moving into a new home, and don't you just love this dog?  A beautiful paper with little areas of sugary texture - check out the close up.

















Paper: MyMindsEye
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz
stamped on kraft & coloured with copics
Curvy die: Spellbinders
Sentiment stamp: Marianne
Distress inks, Kindyglitz, white gel pen

Shared on challenges:
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craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper-april

Holly Birthday

Holly is going to be eight and she loves blue and requested a blue birthday card ... so nice to be decisive!


This interactive card has a hidden component to discover - the little loop tab of ribbon on the right of the label pulls out to reveal a secret birthday message.

Labels die: Spellbinders
Letter/number die: Provocraft
Image: a Day for Daisies
coloured with Copics
Ribbon, gems, Wink of Stella
Click on for a closer look.

Shared on challenges:
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cinspirations-273-one-for-girls
allsortschallenge/week-412-i-spy-B birthday, blue
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creatalicious-113-anything-goes-with-birthdays
craftypurplefrog-celebrate-little-people
lovetoscrap-96-girlz rule

Jack's Box

Have you heard of Jack-in-the-box?  Well ... this is for a little 2 year old boy called Jack and it's a box.

I took advantage of a fabulous kids paper pad with coordinating papers, cutting some of the images out and because little kids like to see their name and number I made sure they were included.

Instructions for the box are on Splitcoaststampers, called a pop-up box card.  The stars are stuck onto a clear acetate strip so they 'float'.

Paper Pad: Kaisercraft
Happy die:
Jack Dies: Sizzix
Number die: Cuttlebug
Birthday stamp: MamaElephant




Shared on challenges:
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die-cut-divas-april-birthdays
allsortschallenge-412-i-spy-B box, birthday, boy
simonsaysstamp-mondaychallenge-number
15th-april-2017-world-wide-open-design
craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper-april

Kiaora Pukeko

Pukeko is a cheeky NZ bird with red beak and legs and a large white tuft under it's tail.  It's common name is swamp hen.

Kiaora is a multi-use Maori greeting that means hello/hi, farewell, thanks, be well/healthy, greetings, good luck.

Foliage stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Bird stamp: Craft Creations
Sentiment stamp: Craft Creations
Inked edges, gold splatter

Shared on challenges:
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allsortschallenge-412-i-spy-B bird
2craftycrittercrazies -1 critters
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simon-says-anything-goes-38

Get Well Nurse

Sometimes we just need a little angel to come along and kiss it better, and maybe put on a plaster.

For this one I was experimenting with partial embossing to get a blank oval space.

DigiImage: Craftin Desert Divas
Coloured with copics
EF: Craft Concepts
Sentiment stamp: Fundamentals
Circle die: Marianne
Oval die shape: Spellbinders
Ribbon, gems, Kindyglitz


Shared on challenges:
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Circle Flowers

Check out the challenge at Come And Get It this week - it's circles!  cagichallenge

and our wonderful sponsor Bugaboo bugaboostampsteacup-flowers-1

Here I used lots of circular motifs (9 actually, not counting the flourishes, petals and all the little round holes and dots on the ribbon!), from the centre of the flowers, the doily layers, to the embossed background and the gem. 
I don't usually do fussy and fancy but this one just needed to be done like this.  Not my usual colour palette either.    ;-)


Image: Bugaboo (coloured with Copics)
Pierced circle die:
Scallop doily die: Spellbinders
Lacy doily die: Couture Creations
EF: Cuttlebug
Flourish die:
Dotty ribbon, blue ribbon, gem




Shared on challenges:
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getcreative-ch-57-use-flowers-lace
disdigidesigns/use-something-digital
15th-april-2017-world-wide-open-design

Tiny Garden

Here is a tiny garden. 
I embossed the die onto the base card, then stamped within the frame.  Such a pretty image.  I had previously stamped another card but smudged the sentiment as I was stamping, so this provided an already coloured flower head to cut out and attach with foam.  The stamp sentiment was 'you make me smile' but I only used the 'smile' bit.

Stamp: Penny Black
Sentiment stamp: Hero Arts
Coloured with Copics
Die used as EF: unbranded
Kindyglitz

Shared on challenges:
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qkr-stampede-challenge-239-flowers
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Butterfly thanks

What wonderful creatures butterflies are.  As they flitter by they always give us a lift in spirits and usually we gasp with delight - 'Ahhh, a butterfly..' no matter how fancy or plain it may be.

At the moment I'm loving these colours.  The smoky blue-green with black and white is a standout for me. 



Image paper: Paper Arts
Papers: Kaisercraft
Dies: Unbranded
Sentiment: Bo Bunny
Corner punch: unbranded
Washi tape, pearl








Shared on challenges:
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happylittlestampers-april-anything-goes-with-dies

Cabbage Bunny

This is such a cute bunny and that cabbage looks so comfortable; I imagine it would be cool resting in a spring cabbage when you've had a busy day in the garden.

Image: Eureka
coloured with copics
EF: Couture Creations
Sequins, Glossy Accents

Shared on challenges:
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simonsaysstampmondaychallenge-hip hop
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addictedtostamps-237-MakeYourMark
cinspirations-272-spring-spectacular
crafty-catz-challenge-366-anything-goes with animals

White Easter basket

An Easter basket for putting those eggs in; so pretty.  I made this all in white and I guess it would look nice for wedding or celebrations of any kind.

I got the instructions from the internet.  The basket is cut with a craft knife from 240gsm heavy white card, stapled together, and decorated.  The sentiment is punched then embossed with silver.
A personal message attached to the other handle.

Die: Spellbinders
Circle punch: unknown
Sentiment: Penny Black
Butterfly punch: Martha Stewart
Ribbon, pearl, tissue, eggs

Shared on challenges:
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glitternsparkle-235easter

Lavender's blue

Do you remember that old rhyme "lavender's blue dilly dilly, lavender's green..."?
I have lavender plants ranging from blue, all the purples, to pink and I have seen green and white ones too.
I LOVE lavender, and this is a lovely drawing of it.

Image: A Day For Daisies
coloured with copics
Stitched die: unbranded
Corner punch: unbranded
Sentiment: unknown
Buttons, ribbon, Kindyglitz

I hope you can spot the tiny sparkles on the lavender heads:

Shared on challenges:
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cardsundmore-182-monochrome
trimmiescraft-411-13th-of-april-white-and-one
creativeknockouts-189-buttons-buttons
cutecardthursday-473-more-than-1-fold
fussyandfancy-185-fancy-folds-or-shaped
brownsugar-246-2papers2buttons

Springtime Cuppa

Taste a bit of springtime over at the Crafters Café and spot the DT's work: crafterscafe

My Stitch Back in Twine is one of our sponsors this time, check it out:  Mystitchbackintwine



Isn't it lovely, that first time in spring when you can take a cuppa out into the garden, breathe deeply, listen to the birds and enjoy the moment.

Image: A Stitch Back In Twine
Coloured with Copics
Border punch: Fiskars
Sentiment die: Poppy Stamps
Butterfly die: Couture Creations
Flower punch: Martha Stewart
Ribbon, gems, Kindyglitz, WofStella

Shared on challenges:
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Feel Better Cuppa

What a lovely sketchy image for our Easter/Spring flowers challenge this time at the Crafters Café here!


This wonderful image provided by My Stitch Back In Twine 274974102-sketchy flower teacup


Image: My Stitch Back In Twine
coloured with Copics
Both Label dies: cArt
Sentiment stamp: unknown
Star punch: unknown
Circle punch: Woodware
Also: gems, Kindyglitz, ribbon

Shared on challenges:
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craftycalendar-april-showers-or-spring
craftycreations-339-anything-goes
starstampz-spring easter
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disdigidesigns-spring-andor-easter-challenge
thecraftyaddicts-35-add sentiment

Hello Wag Wag

... if you come and play with me, I'll share my bone with you!   This is for a regular monthly cardswap and the theme was Animal, and  I know Alison has a terrier - this was as close as I could get.

I have had the hairy patterned paper for ages and never known what to do with it - now is the time!
I made the watercolour paper with GlimmerMists (it is shimmery) then die cut the word from it.  I stacked layers of the word then put it back into the space.  The dog &bone are stamped onto kraft card and smudged with distress ink.

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz
Coloured with Copics and Distress inks
Corner punch: unbranded
Hairy PPaper: DCWV
Die: Sizzix/Tim Holtz
White gel pen, WoS


Shared on challenges:
catchthebug-challenge-raining-cats-dogs
craftyfriends challenge-55-animals
sirstampalot-april-anything-goes
brownsugarchallenge-245-anything-goes
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qkr-stampede-challenge-238-easter-cards-agoes
lilpatchofcraftyfriends challenge-55
craftingbydesigns-anything-goes-challenge-april
2craftycrittercrazies challenge-1-critters
1st-april-2017-classic-design-team-open

Easter baskets

I wanted to make something for the  grandchildren so I googled woven easter baskets and found lots of ideas, but I just loved these because they display the eggs so nicely and  are simple to decorate.


I made mine with 10 x 1/2 inch strips of card and wove a mat, then you gather up the ends and staple.  It's harder than you think - the mat falls to bits while you're trying to hold it! but by number three, you start to get the hang of things.   ;-D
If you want bigger baskets just use more strips or make them wider.




Stamp: Hero Arts
Flower punch: Martha Stewart
tulle, tissue, Stickles, distress inks (edge of flowers).




Shared on challenges:
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craftycreationschallenges 338-anything-goes

Bunny's Birthday

A real Easter-born spring Bunny! 
Here is a side stepper card for a special real-life Easter Bunny's birthday.  I thought it would be nice to have some friends along for the mischief.
Bunny was born at Easter but won't have another Easter birthday for a long time.  Happy Birthday Bunny.

Image: Penny Black
coloured with copics
Happy stamp: unbranded
Birthday stamp(embossed): Hastings Rubber Stamps
Oval Doily die: Marianne
Oval die: Spellbinders
Grass die: Impression Obsession
Little daisies: drop outs from something else.
Also: Enamel Accents

Shared on challenges:
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starstampz-fun-folds-challenge
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qkr-stampede-challenge-238-easter-cards
alohafriday 92-easter
pennyblackapril-challenge-all-things-spring
craftyfriends -55-animal or birds
ooh-la-la-creations-226-birthdays
simonsaysstampmondaychallenge-hiphop

Magnificent Magnolias

Curvy and fabulous magnolias show themselves in spring and what a show they put on while they have their brief spring fling in their new dresses.

One layer card:
Stamped, coloured with copics.
Image stamp: Hero Arts
Sentiment stamp: Heidi Grace
Gold metallic pen, white gel pen



Shared on challenges:
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Spring Garden

Come And Get It Challenges design team celebrates Spring and Easter this week, do join us: cagichallenge

I used an image from our sponsor Fred She Said: 
fred-she-said-store-daisies-ladybugs

I printed the image twice so I could 3D the ladybirds, then covered them with Glossy Accents - they look so glamourous.  The sentiment is stacked chipboard with the top layer the gingham of the mat.


Image: Fred She Said
Coloured with Copics
Die sentiment: Lawn Fawn
Glossy Accents, KindyGlitz


Shared on challenges:
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Friends Teacups

Friendship.
There's nothing better than a cuppa with friends ... unless its a glass of wine!  And that's one of the reasons tea is called the cup of cheer, it warms the heart and makes you smile. 


Sometimes my daughter (who lives a couple of hours away) and I have a cuppa together on the phone, just like we would if we were together.

I diecut the teacups and paper pieced with various toning papers.  I love this smoky-blue-green colour so much, I think I'll paint my room this colour...very French looking with the white.

Die: Poppy Stamps
Sentiment stamps:  Avery Elle






Shared on challenges:
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addictedtocas-108-smile
modsquadchallenge-ya-wanna-piece (I hope paper piecing diecuts counts?)
addictedtostamps-challenge-236-anything-goes
15th-march-2017-world-wide-open-design-challenge
paper-sweeties-challenge-april-2017 the stacked layers , white china,  pale blue items. 
addictedtostamps-challenge-236-anything-goes
15th-march-2017-world-wide-open-design-challenge

Hoppy wishes

Oh my goodness it's Easter bunny time again! Doesn't he look surprised at how fast that came around?

My grandchildren always like to get real mail, so any opportunity ...  and I like a clean fresh spring look, so here goes ...





Image: Eureka
Coloured with Copics
EF: DoCrafts
Sentiment stamp: Pink Petticoat clear
Eggs, cut from patterned paper, 3D foam
Silver Sharpie pen
Tulip Puffy 3D Paints (tail)
Tulip Puffy is a tube fabric paint that you leave to dry for 24 hours then heat and it puffs up, but it works great on paper too!  (It makes great bunny tails and Santa beards)  I found you can heat it straight away but it is a better result left for a couple of hours.

Shared on challenges:
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glitternsparkle challenge-233- pastels
deepocean challenge-152-easter
cardsundmore-181-easter
cinspirations-272-spring-spectacular-easter
carabbiemoments-115 AG/Easter
disdigidesigns-add-some-texture (EF, bunny tail)
cutecardthursday -472-easter

Reach for Rainbows

I think this image is wonderful and such fun to play with.  Can you imagine how wonderful it would feel to be flying inside a rainbow?  Whheeeeeee ...

Firstly I made the background using watered distress inks. Stamped the silhouette wildflower garden, and paper pieced the cat-kite, shading the cat with sponged distress inks.








Image: Ikes World
stamp: IndigoBlu
Distress inks
White gel pen (eyes)





Shared on challenges:
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timeoutchallenges-80 rainbow
cutecardthursday-471-warm-colours,tones
qkr-stampede-challenge-237-up-up-away
happylittlestampers-april-watercolour-challenge
modsquadchallenge-ya-wanna-piece
ikesworld-challenges-85-anything-goes/garden
2craftycrittercrazieschallenge-1-creature
15th-march-2017-world-wide-open-design

A Rainbow of Butterflies

I know it's usually called a flight of butterflies but I reckon a rainbow of butterflies is more descriptive. I like the transformation idea here too.

I made the rainbow using watered down distress inks on card, then die cut.  The card is really a dark blue but looks almost black in the photo (maybe because its artificial light?).

Butterfly die:
Border punch: Fiskars
Ribbon, gems


Shared on challenges:
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cutecardthursday-471-warm-colours tones
timeout challenge-80 rainbow
craftyfriendschalllenge-54-B is for ... butterflies,blue
happylittlestampers-april-watercolour-rainbow
simonsaysmondaychallenge-rainbow

Special person, special flower

The starting point for this was the beautiful patterned paper/card in lovely pastel colours;  I made it into a base card. I've had it in my stash for ages and used it in cards, but never as a card.

I used a Mojo Monday sketch for the design.  While reorganising my die collection I re-discovered a hexagon die I'd forgotten about, and tried out a new freebie layered stamp'n'die set.  Card edges inked.  The flower is also spritzed with silver Shimmer spray, and the stamped sentiment is stamped in grape and heat embossed with silver (I thought), but maybe it was clear (it's come out a purpley silver) ...weird.


I took a close-up to try and capture the subtle shimmer:

Patterned Card: Heidi Grace

Image stamp & die, sentiment: Altenew

HexDie: Couture Creations
Silver Shimmer, gems

Shared on challenges:
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cuttlebugmania-mother
southerngirls-156-dies
alohafriday 91-spring-cleaning hex die, patterned card

glitternsparkle-233-use pastels
pixies-snippets-playground-week-275
creatalicious -112-anything-goes-with a flower

Chocolate Understands

Humour is the theme for this challenge at crafterscafe - come and join us for a bit of fun.

Super sponsor Scribbles provided the fun image:

scribblesdesigns 129-carla-diet-queen-diva

Health Warning:  don't try this at home!  There has been a recent spate of people killed by falling scales.  (Note: chocolate is much safer.)


I coloured the image, sponged some of the background & tag, then framed it.  I placed it wonky, just because I liked it that way, plus sometimes when you're lying on your back the world goes a bit woosy.    Apart from every girl needing a bit of bling, I don't think it needs anything else.



Image: Scribbles.
coloured with Copics
Frame & tag dies: Avery Elle
Sentiment from net
Ribbon, gems, distress ink

Shared on challenges:
glitternsparkle challenge-232-female
lovetoscrap-96-girlz-rule
tuesday-throwdown-336-sparkles
ikesworld-challenges-85-anything-goes
craftycreations -338-anything-goes
creativeknockouts-187-anything-goes

Joyeux Anniversaire (Happy Birthday)

I made this for our French teacher.
The image is stamped and paper pieced; the sentiment is ghost stamped (my first attempt at this).
I made the rose using the pinecone die from Tim Holtz, and the leaves are a punch & press.

Image stamp: Cardmaking & Papercraft
Sentiment: PaperXtra
Pinecone die (Rose): Tim Holtz/Sizzix
Leaves (2 punches): unbranded
Corner punch: unbranded
Ribbon, gems

Shared on challenges:
glitternsparkle-232-female
incywincydesigns happy-birthday
trimmiescraft-409-create-embellishment (flower/leaves)
cinspirations -271-anything-goes
creativeknockouts-187-anything-goes