Tuesday 27 August 2013

Cuttlebug Mania Tuesday - Anything Die Cut

It's the last of our Anything Goes challenges at Cuttlebug Mania and this week it's Anything Die Cut.

For my card I've used the Die-namics stamp & die set called Sew Nifty. It has 5 dies, 4 image stamps and 11 sentiments all on a sewing theme. I've used a kraft card blank and the backing paper is from the Papermania Happy Days paper pad. The backing paper is layered onto a piece of teal card and then pierced around the edge and for faux stitching I've joined the holes with a teal stardust pen. The sewing machine is stamped onto a scrap of the backing paper with Vintage Sepia Versafine and cut out with a Nesties label die. The mannequin is stamped onto kraft and then onto the backing paper. I've cut around the dress part and matted it onto the kraft. The cotton reel is stamped onto kraft. I was going to add some twine to it but decided to use it for the sentiment so I've added  some to the die cut scissors. The buttons are cut from scraps of teal card with the Sizzix Sweet Buttons Embosslits die


So now it your turn. I hope you can join in with the last of our Anything Goes challenges at Cuttlebug Mania

Recipe:
Cuttlebug machine
Die-namics Sew Nifty Set
Sizzix Sweet Button Embosslits
Nestabilities Labels 8
Papermania Happy Days backing paper
Versafine Vintage Sepia
Sakura Stardust Sky Star (725)
Card and twine from my stash

Sunday 25 August 2013

Second Try at Emerging Colour Challenge

Or maybe it should be first as this is the first piece that I made for the challenge at The Technique Twist. I didn't like it because the original piece was the size of the main card. I decided to cut it down and it looks much better as a topper. I've followed this layout from Tuesday Morning Sketches


I stamped the background stamp (Friendly by Stampin Up) with Seedless Preserves Distress Ink and then stamped the butterfly with Versamark and embossed it with clear powder. The stamp is from the Chocolate Baroque Tangles Garden set and is the smallest of the three butterflies in the set. I've then gone over it with Dusty Concord and Victorian Velvet Distress inks and added some ,ore Seedless Preserves around the edges. I wanted something lighter for the background and found this piece but I'm not sure what make it is. I didn't want to add another layer of card so I've used the DI around the edges to frame it. I've used a piece of dusky pink card from my scraps folder and cut it into the flag shape and embossed it with a butterfly embossing folder (not sure of the make as it was a freebie with a magazine). I've gone around the edges and over the embossing with Seedless Preserves. The sentiment is by Lily of The Valley, stamped onto scrap card, cut out with a Marianne tag die and coloured with DI. Some ribbon (from a jumper) and Card Candi to finish. I also popping this over to Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground - why not pop over and see what the other inmates playmates are up to





The Perils Of A Tidy Crafter

I am not a tidy crafter - never have been and never will. I'm quite happy working in the tiniest space often resorting to my lap when everywhere else is full. However, I do occasionally get to the stage where everything is cleared out, sorted and put back in their proper place. This morning was one of those times.

I've just found the Technique Twist challenge blog and they're current challenge is to use the Emerging Colours technique. There is some lovely inspiration there so I thought I'd have a go. My first two efforts didn't work for me so I've put them aside until I work out how I can use them. From these first two I've realised that the choice of stamps and colours is important and I'm more happy with the third one. However, I had just finished the main piece and was deciding what card to mat it on when OH came home. I went down to see him and we had a little chat then back to my craft room and there it was - gone! It's ridiculous - my desk was more or less clear when I started this morning so there is very little it can be hiding under but it's nowhere to be seen. Of course I can find the first two but they're staying in the to use pile so there was nothing for it but to start again.

I've blended Tumbled Glass and Scattered Straw Distress Inks randomly over a square of card. I then stamped the Sanded background stamp by Stampin Up with Broken China DI and remembered to dry it with a heat gun. I've then used the balloon from Indigo Blu's Grand Tour III set and stamped with Versafine and added clear powder (on my first attempt I didn't dry the background so the powder stuck to the damp Distress Ink!). I've also used the compass from the same set and again stamped and embossed it down the right hand side. The next step was to go over the whole piece with Broken China ink and the images just pop out. I've stamped the sentiment (from Tim Holtz The Journey set) in Broken China and coloured some white paper string with the Scattered Straw. The charm was from my stash and I've stuck the string and ring with silicone so that the charm stays at the top but still moves





I love this technique - how the original colours show through and how the background stamp is still visible even though I've blended the same colour ink over it. Now, where's the original!

Sunday Sketch & Stash Week 171

Carole has come up with the great layout for this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp



For my card I’ve used this cute image from Robin’s Fetish called Sunflower Smiles. It’s such a happy image and I’ve coloured it with Promarkers and matted it onto green card. The sentiment is by Inkylicious called Summer Breeze and I’ve stamped it with black Versafine and embossed with clear powder. I’ve then cut it with a Marianne die and coloured through the die with Pan Pastels. The backing paper is from a K&Co pack and I’ve gone lightly around the edges with green Pan Pastel. Some ribbon from my stash tied with a “Jane Gill” bow

I’m also entering this into the following Crafty Cardmakers Challenge– Fun in the Sun


I've followed the sketch for this but I know I'm going to have to add gems to the other corners as they look like they've dropped off to me

Saturday 24 August 2013

House Mouse Liquid Refreshments

The current House Mouse challenge is Liquid Refreshments. There are so many of these little micies that could be used for this on the CDs but I found this image on the Christmas/winter disc. There is a gorgeous matching paper but I must use some of the many papers I already have and this one is from the First Edition Love Letters pack. I'm pretty sure if I made 5 cards every day for the next 10 years I wouldn't be halfway through them so I really need to stop letting them jump into my basket. The tea cup and saucer is a Marianne die set and I've just added a ribbon, flowers and gems so another one for the charity box


Friday 23 August 2013

Sketch Saturday and Hunkydory

I've been sorting through my stash and I can't believe how many topper sheets I've got so I've decided I must use at least some before I buy any more. I've used an image from the Fairy Treats collection and followed this layout from Sketch Saturday

The bottom backing card is from the same Hunkydory set and the square of pink card is from my stash. The topper pops out from the surrounding piece so I've stuck this down and added the ribbon and bow before putting the central piece on top with foam pads. The mini tags are by Stampin Up and I've just added some gems to finish


Thursday 22 August 2013

Technique Time Tuesday - Smackin Acetate Take 3

When I made my pink/purple card for the Technique Time Tuesday challenge I punched a piece out of the scrap for the greeting and it gave me this idea. It's brilliant how one thing leads to another especially when the technique is new to you. For this card I have followed the layout at Sketch & Stash


I've used So Saffron, Daffodil Delight,Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise and Bashful Blue Stampin Up Markers to make the background and then cut out three pieces with the smallest Nestabilities Label 8 die. I've then turned these pieces around and stamped the images from my new Stampin Up Postage Collection set. The main piece of the card is stuck to a piece of turquoise card and the small pieces stuck back on with foam pads. Because I have turned them, they stand out more. I've then taken strips of light green and light yellow card and stamped the bike and car with Vesamark and embossed with clear powder. The central panel is cut from turquoise card and embossed with the Cuttlebug hot air balloons folder although most of this is hidden. I added the gems as shown on the layout but it didn't look right so I've moved them to the corners of the image


If you want to have a go, Mynnette has done a brilliant video here and there's still time to enter the challenge

Wednesday 21 August 2013

CD Sunday - Add A Number

The challenge this week at CD Sunday is to add a number to your card. I was looking at my House Mouse CDs and came across this cute image of the little micies playing with a jigsaw and as the box had 100 on it, I thought it would be perfect.

I wanted a backing paper with jigsaws on but couldn't find one so I've made and embossing "folder" using a little Woodware punch. It was a lot easier than the paw print folder I made previously.

This is the" folder"

And this is the embossed and de-bossed effect

 

I've recently cut down some A4 card sheets to make square card blanks so I've lots of white snippets to use up and this is perfect for that.

I've embossed some Coredinations and sanded it down a little to show the design better. The sentiment from Stampin Up's Petite Pairs set and is stamped on an Ellison Thick cuts puzzle die cut from another snippet so I'm popping this over to Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground 



I was sure I had entered this at CD Sunday but when I went to look it wasn't there even though I had refreshed the page so I can only assume I've entered it somewhere totally inappropriate!

Tuesday 20 August 2013

New Baby

This weeks challenge at Docrafts is Congratulations so I've made a new baby card. I've used the Forever Friends New Baby Ultimate kit so the backing paper, image and sentiment all came from that. I've matted the image onto a doily and added some ribbon. I'm also entering this into the Cutie Pie Anything Goes challenge as I think these Forever Friends bears are so cute


I've just noticed the bow looks a little wonky so I'll try and get a better picture tomorrow

Cuttlebug Mania Tuesday - Anything Manly

It’s still anything goes month at Cuttlebug Mania and this week it’s anything Manly. For my card I’ve used the Marianne car die (LR0197). I’ve used the bottom of a tin foil tray and stuck it to some card for strength before running it through the Cuttlebug. I’ve then matted it onto some Spellbinders Labels 4. For the main background panel I’ve used the Crafty Individuals stamp Tags and Tickets (CI-239). I’ve kept this stamp whole for use as background but you can also use the individual elements by masking. I’ve stamped it in Versamark and used a fine silver embossing powder which shows the detail on the stamp. I’ve layered this onto silver mirror card. The right panel is a piece of graphite coloured card embossed with my favourite folder for men – Cuttlebug’s Diamond Plate. I’ve cut the card shorter and added some Card Candi above it for interest.


That’s my card so why not pop over to Cuttlebug Mania and join in our Manly challenge – anything from babes to men




Sunday 18 August 2013

Round & Round

There's a new challenge at Less Is More this week called Round and Round. For my card I've used a computer generated text and a record stamp from the Darkroom Door Music set. I did stamp the record straight onto the card with Versafine but felt it needed a little lift so I've stamped it again on a piece of scrap card and stuck it on with silicone. I've layered it onto a square of black card then onto the card base so a very quick and easy card.


I'm also entering this into Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground where Miss was given a lovely present last week of a candle jar lid to stand her card on. I too have been looking for one since I saw the very talented Bev Rochester use one to show her cards on her blog but I've never been lucky enough to find one. However, while in Pounland on Friday I got this little set of two Lily Lights which just about work.


Although nowhere near as pretty, they do light up and change through a range of colours. I'm going to have a play and try some alcohol inks on one of them



Friday 16 August 2013

Technique Time Tuesday Take Two

This is my second entry into the Technique Time Tuesday challenge this month and the technique is Smackin Acetate. For this card I've used Perfect Plum,Regal Rose and Pretty In Pink Stampin Up markers. I used cheap photo paper from Poundland and let it dry completely before cutting into panels and stamping the Pocket Silhouette stamps with Stazon. I've matted them onto scraps of black card and used a black card base with some patterned paper behind. I've added a black border cut with a Dienamics die. The sentiment is by Stampin Up, stamped onto a scrap of the ink coloured card and cut with punches. I'm also entering this into Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground (sorry I'm late Miss)


Thursday 15 August 2013

Simple Numbers

It's One Layer week at Less Is More and the challenge this week is to have at least one number on your card. For my card I've used a Kaisercraft vintage stamp called Believe. I've stamped it with black Versafine and embossed with clear powder then added some colour using Ultramarine and Turquoise Pan Pastels. I love these Kaisercraft collage stamps and they make very quick cards


Tuesday 13 August 2013

Cuttlebug Mania Tuesday - Anything Embossed

It's Anything month at Cuttlebug Mania and this week it's Anything Embossed. I must admit I struggled a bit with this and put together four cards but finally came back to the first which was also the simplest. I've embossed a piece of white card with the Cuttlebug Clockworks folder but using a Tim Holtz Embossing Diffuser so that I had a flat area to stamp the sentiment on. I've gone over the embossing with Old Paper Distress Ink and then added some Brushed Corduroy on top. The sentiment is from Stampin Up's Sense Of Time set and stamped with the Brushed Corduroy ink. I've added some string to hang the charm fwhich was a freebie with Crafts Beautiful magazine a couple of months ago. It was a silver colour but I've added some brown using alcohol inks. The panel is the matted onto brown card

This is such an easy challenge so why not have a go and don't forget to tell us how you have used your Cuttlebug (or other manual machine)


Cuttlebug Clockworks Embossing Folder
Tim Holtz Embossing Diffuser
Stampin Up Sense Of Time stamp set
Distress inks - Brushed Corduroy and Old Paper
Charm from Crafts Beautiful
String from the garden shed

Monday 12 August 2013

The Dreaded Peel Offs

The forum I belong to has a challenge each month and this month we have to have a peel off somewhere on the card! I thought I had got rid of all mine but then came across a QVC kit which has black peel offs and the coloured background papers. I've followed this sketch from Crafty Musketeers but turned it anti clockwise


I've put the peel off onto the coloured paper and cut around it and layered it onto card. For the main background I've used Pan Pastels to mimic the colours on the image. I've also embossed some card with the Cuttlebug Mesh Texture embossing folder which to me looks a little like elephant skin. Three black gems finish the card


Sunday 11 August 2013

Quick & Cute

The challenge at CD Sunday this week is Quick & Cute and I'm combining it with the Joanna Sheen challenge which is Embossing. When I see these challenges come up on Bloglovin, I get an idea of what to do and often print the images and then get distracted by something else and the card doesn't get made. So this week, I've got down to it again and made the card straight away.

I've used this cute image from the Quilt section on Giordano's Puppies & Kittens CD and cut and layered it with Nesties. The backing paper is from the pile of loose sheets on my desk which is finally getting a little smaller. I've embossed the lower card with the Boofle Patchwork folder to match the quilt in the picture. Some flowers, flourishes and gems to finish a very quick card.


Sunday Sketch & Stamp Week 169

It's Anne-Marie's turn to give us a sketch this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp and this is the design she has come up with


For my card I've used some backing paper from a pas I got when I was in the Netherlands a few years ago. I've used the trimmings of this the other way for the strip on the left. The image is by Stampin Up and I've stamped it and pulled some of the ink in with a blender pen.The greeting is also by Stampin Up using their Itty Bitty Banners and matching die. Some bakers twine and nailheads to finish


Would help if I added the card!

Saturday 10 August 2013

A Balanced Diet

The challenge at Anything Goes this week is Coffee Break or Food. For my card I've gone with the food side and used this stamp by Bild Malarna called Mrs Diet. I've coloured her with Promarkers and cut her out with a Marianne Design die. The papers are scraps from my stash and the leaves are cut with scraps too.


Thursday 8 August 2013

Flying Mice

I love these cute mices from the Joanna Sheen House Mouse CD. They really look like they're having fun. For the background I've used a Stamposaurus leaf mask with Versamark through the design and embossed with pink crystal embossing powder - it's really glittery but it doesn't show well in the picture. Some ribbon and a Craftwork Cards sentiment to finish.

I'm entering this into the following challenges
CD Sunday - Tansportation
House Mouse - Heat Embossing



Wednesday 7 August 2013

Capsule Collection Dragonfly

The challenge at Docrafts this week is to use their Capsule Collection to make a card. I was lucky enough to win some lovely Capsule Buttons in last weeks challenge but I've gone for a softer effect for this card so I'll use them another day. For this card I've used some backing paper from the Jesse Edwards Parkstone Pink collection and the Big Bloomers flower is from the same collection. The large brad in the centre of the flower is from an older Capsule Collection The image is a dragonfly from the Urban stamps collection. I've masked the smaller two dragonflies off so it would fit into the oval and embossed it with pink crystal powder. The sentiment is from a Woodware set cut with a Stampin Up punch and added a couple of gems

I'm also entering this into the C.R.A.F.T. challenge which is Monochromatic and the challenge at That Craft Place which is also Monochrome




Tuesday 6 August 2013

Technique Time Tuesday Meets Less Is More

There's a great new technique at Technique Time Tuesday called Smackin' Acetate. I wanted to do something other than flowers so I've combined it with this weeks challenge at Less Is More which is to use this picture for inspiration



For my card I've followed the video tutorial at TTT and used some Stampin Up markers (So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake & Soft Suede) on acetate, spritzed it with water and laid onto my card. I've then stamped the trees from Lovely As A Tree by Stampin Up with Timber Brown Stazon and matted it onto a scrap of brown card. The sentiment is by Personal Impressions stamped in Vintage Sepia Versafine.
I'm also entering this into Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground


A very simple card and I know I'll be using this technique a lot.

Cuttlebug Mania - Girly

I'm not much of a girly girl so for this weeks Anything Girly challenge at Cuttlebug Mania I've gone with the easy option of flowers and used the lovely freebie by this weeks sponsor Clearly Digi Stamps. I've coloured the image with Promarkers and cut it out with Nesties.

I found the bright orange and green paper in my stash and wanted to tone it down so I added a white embossed panel to the left. It still looked too bright so I went outside and picked a couple of cosmos flowers that OH has planted in the front garden


I've laid the petals out on a piece of watercolour paper


covered with a piece of kitchen towel and run it through the Cuttlebug and this is the result


I love how the bright colours have transferred to the paper just like magic. I also tried it with a dahlia which gave a subtle leaf like effect and some lobelia which gave a lovely soft effect.

I've then trimmed it to size and put through the Cuttlebug again with the dragonfly embossing folder to match the cute one in the image. A simple sentiment and my card is finished


A close up of the final embossed panel






Monday 5 August 2013

It's colour week at Colours & Sketches and this is the colour scheme that we have to work with



They're not colours I would have put together but the design team have made some lovely cards so I thought I'd have a go. I've used this layout at Friday Sketch for my card


I've used the Stampin Up Hopeful Thoughts set using my marker pens to ink the two stamps. I only had some scraps of Melon Mambo card so the main colour is Old Olive. Some white ribbon and some pink gems to finish


Sunday 4 August 2013

Gift Card Holder

The challenge at My Craft Spot is to make a gift card holder. I've used this sketch at Seems A Little Sketchy for the front


I've used some pretty pink paper that's been say on my desk for ages and a cute Lily Of The Valley Wild Rose Studio pre-coloured image which I cut with Nesties. The grass strip is cut with a Martha Stewart punch and I've added a ribbon across it. The flourish is by Marianne Design and the flower is from my stash. The sentiment is from a box I found in my cupboard which I had totally forgotten about.


On the inside, I have used some more of the pink paper and some green to make the card holder. Stripes of these papers were added to the envelope that holds the gift card (I didn't have a gift card so used a Matalan card that was to hand). The sentiment is from a Stampin Up set called Say It With Scallops

I'm also entering this into the following challenges

Addicted To Stamps - Anything Goes
Polka Doodles - Birthday Girl



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