Two for the price of one!

It’s not often that I make a card that covers more than one challenge at a time, but the card that I made from the 2 Sketches 4 You template this week also covers the brief to use three different shape on a card from Papertake.

This is the template from 2S4U.

you’ll notice that I’ve turned it round. and there are Circles, Squares and Rectangles on it for the Papertake challenge.


I was finishing up some old scraps of Crate Papers, so alas, my ‘Kate’ Collection is no more! There was just one largish piece and a few smaller pieces of the same paper but fortunately it was double sided. Iwas able to stamp the dart board and darts onto it using VersaMark ink and then dust it with chalks to create two more patterned papers to go with the one I already had.


Card – Craft Creations (Cream Hammer & Green)
Patterned Paper – Crate Paper, Kate Collection
Inks –Tsukineko, Staz-On (Timber Brown), VersaMark & Ranger Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Stamps – Stamps Away (Dartboard & Darts) Studio G (Alphabet)

Other BitsChipboard Numbers
Ribbon
Brads
Diamond Glaze

DCM - Give It Some Heart

Well, Friday’s here again and my intension to do lots of challenges fell by the wayside this week.



The will was there but I simply run out of time because I got side tracked a little bit when I had a contact through Genes Reunited about a link to my family tree.
This is the first time that I’ve found a true connection with a total stranger and having access to their tree has given lots more info, so I want to thank Margaret Eastwood (if you read this) and just say Thank You for giving me access to your tree and I hope we can continue sharing information about our families.

So, it’s on with the day and the main reason for my post this morning.

It’s Friday………it’s 10 o’clock (ish!) and it’s Dare Time with the Daring Cardmakers!

This week Keryn wants us to..........

Give it Some Heart

My dare for this one is the predictable, someone had to do it, theme of Valentines. Although I don't want you to feel you just have to make Valentines Day cards, feel free to make a card fitting any theme you like as long as it has a heart somewhere on it. Stamped hearts, punched hearts, diecut hearts, heart embellishments, cut from patterned paper, whatever, whenever as long as it has the right shape.

I’ve managed five hearts, spread over two cards……….it would have been six over three cards but the last one isn’t quite finished so I’ll have to update when it’s done.

Since perfecting my Cuttlebug Embossing Technique, all my cards seem to feature it in one way or another and no mater how much I try not to do it, I can’t help myself. Now everything seems to look so flat and unfinished if I leave it off so I think you can expect a lot more from me in future weeks.



Both cards were made by cutting, embossing and mounting squares on 3D foam and then the edges inked with Distress Ink.

I used a Paper Punch to cut the Hearts and run them through my Cuttlebug in an Embossing Folder. These were then mounted on top of the Squares and finished off with a covering of Lustre Wax Rub-ons.


Card Blank – Craft Creations
Patterned Papers – Basic Grey Perhaps, Phoebe & Sweet Pea Alyssa Collection
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Worn Lipstick)
Dies – Spellbinder Nestabilities, Sizzix Skittle Dee Do Alphabet

Other Bits
Ribbon
Luster Wax Rub-On’s (Amber)

Sketch Saturday #34

I’ve been a good girl and been very industrious this morning.

I’ve managed to make a few valentines cards to take into the shop, I’ve made my card ready for the Daring Cardmakers dare on Friday and I’ve also done a card from the sketch over at Sketch Saturday.
I know this one is a bit late but better late than never I always say. (Just as well because I always seem to be late!)
I really liked working with this sketch and have a feeling that it’s going to used quite a lot in future weeks.

I’ve tried to keep my card uncluttered but added texture with some embossing, using both a Cuttlebug folder and my Nestabilities. I then gave the embossing a quick rub with some Luster Wax Rub-Ons to further enhance it.
There are also some 3D elements on there too.

Card – Craft Creations,
Patterned Paper – Basic Grey, Sugared
Die Cuts – Basic Grey, Sugared
Inks –Ranger Distress Ink (Peeled Paint)
Dies – Nestabilities, Sizzix 12 border (Love, with Hearts)
Paper Punch – Woodware, Small Folk Heart (Green)

Other StuffEyelets
Luster Wax Rub-On’s ( Amber)

CPS – Pick Your Favourite Sketch

Yesterday I had fun playing with the sketch challenge from CPS.

They didn’t give us new one to work from this week, instead we had to choose a favourite past sketch, so I went for number 27.


I decided to carry on using the Daisy Bucket papers that I used for the previous challenge but this time I’ve used a collection called In The Meadow.
I love these papers, not only because of the gorgeous colours, Turquoise, Brown and Green in this case, but because the papers have a wonderful textured finish to them.

Here’s my card:


Aww, but I didn’t stop there……..

As the remains of the papers were out on my desk I thought I would have a go at doing the same as Lythan did and see how many cards I could get out of the three sheets of double sided paper.

I've used stick on gems in place of the pearls that she had but I didn’t have any rub-on’s, so instead I gave myself the luxury of a few extra bits and bobs in the way of ribbon, brads and glitter glue.
I ended up making a total of thirteen, including the CPS card and to my amazement only a couple looked anything like the cards that Lythan made.
I would recommend having at go at this at sometime.
Apart from being fun, it's it’s a great way to stock up on some cards to fall back on when you need one in a hurry.

Card – Craft Creation
Papers – Daisy Bucket In the Meadow
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Peeled Paint & Vintage Photo)
Glitter Glue – Stickles
Dies - Nestabilities

Other Bits
Brads
Ribbon
Computer Printed Greetings

Di Hickman #2 (Jan)

Only one card from me today because I’m feeling a little tied after a late night last night.

It was nothing very exciting, just a curry with some friends that I’ve not seen in a while but I have the longest distance to travel and by the time I got home it was well past midnight. What made it worse was that I had to be up early this morning, so no lay in for me either.
Still, it was worth it to catch up with old friends!

I’ve used this template from Di Hickman’s blog



and some of the lovely Daisy Bucket papers that I fell in love with after Lythan used them for a sponsored Daring Cardmaker's dare a little while back.


I coloured the stamped image with Distress Inks and I’m pleased to report that after some very helpful instruction from Eveline I think I’ve mastered embossing my Nestabilities in my Cuttlebug at last, so thanks Eveline!

Card Blank – Craft Creations
Papers/Card – Daisy Bucket Perfect Harmony, DCWV Textured Mat Stack
Rubber Stamps – Penny Black Critter Party
Inks – Tsukineko, Staz-On (Black) Ranger, Distress Ink (Dried Marigold, Worn Lipstick, Dusty Concord, Broken China & Peeled Paint)
Paper Punch – Fiskars (Threading Water Punch)
Dies – Nestabilities, Sizzix Take It Easy Alphabet
Gems – Anita’s (Gemstone Wheel)
Other Bits
Ribbon

DCM - Get Someone Eles To Make It!

Over at the Daring Cardmakers this morning we have a dare with a bit of a difference and the give away is all in the title…

'Get someone else to make it!

This week starts nice and easy...

Any card, any theme and any colour scheme of your choosing - but the catch... some one else must actually make and assemble the card for you... (with your supervision)!

Friends, relatives, or if there is no one close to hand, why not send instructions via email.

I have to admit, I panicked slightly when I saw what Jo had in store for us this week.

There was no one close to hand to help me out other that BoJangles (the cat) and after his close encounter with the Blue Highlighter a few months back (see here if you missed it) he wasn’t having any of it.


But there was no getting out of it…….Kathy came up with the idea of sending some instructions to someone else on the DT so that they could make my card for me, which is exacactly what I did in the end.
Take note…..there’s absolutely no excuse for not joining in apparently!
I made a prototype card while I was writing out the instructions and then enlisted Lythan to do the honors.
I email her the details and also sent her a little pack containing all she needed to make my card and here’s what she did.

The good thing is that my instructions must have been ok because her card is almost the same as the one that I did and it was fun waiting to see the end results.
Here's mine

As I said, Lythan also sent me some instruction and a pack of components so I could make up her card and here’s the end result.
The papers were very bright and definitely way out of my comfort zone but she has such an eye for colours and if I say so myself, the card looked great.

I never thought I'd be able to turn out a card in ‘Lythan stylie’ but it appears I just have...Yah!


For my Prototype & card made by Lythan with my instructions

Card Blank – Self Addressed Kit
Patterned Papers – Basic Grey Two Scoops
Rubber Stamps – Penny Black Critter Party (Happy Birthday) Butterfly Unknown
Inks – Color Box Fluid Chalks, Ranger Distress Ink
Embossing Powder – Fun Stamps (Clear)
Dies – Spellbinder Nestabilities

Other BitsRibbon
Gems
Vellum Tag

Tanda Teaser - Wake Up and Smell The Coffee

I’ll just finished my card for the Tanda Teaser this week and the smell of strong coffee that’s wafting around my craft room is sure to keep me awake all night. I think it will keep the person the card is for awake when they get it too because the smell is so strong I feel sure it will linger.

The idea behind the teaser was to make a background using coffee or tea to stain the paper.

After a couple of failed attempts and stained Brown fingers I eventually reached for my Cuttlebug embossing folders.



I ‘painted’ the coffee solution onto the folder and then placed my White paper into it and run it through my machine. I then run my iron over it to dry it out quickly so I get on with it……I always was impatient!

Next I used the clear Papermania stamps ‘Spring Burst’ to stamp the flower and layered it together with round Nestabilities on 3D foam.


Papers – Basic Grey (Sugared)
Stamps – Papermania (Spring Burst) Whispers Words, (Birthday Wishes)
Inks – Tsukineko, Staz-On (Timber Brown) Ranger, Distress Ink (Vintage Photo & Worn Lipstick)
Punches – Fiskars (Threading Water Punch) Woodware (2inch Circle)
Dies – Nestabilities (Small Scalloped Circle)
Gems – Anita’s (Gemstone Wheel)

Other bits
Ribbon

2 Sketches 4 You - Sketch #17

Well, this is my first go at a template from the 2 Sketches 4 You blog and I’m pleased to say that it was quite a straight forward one to follow.

Uncomplicated is good, right!



I’ve used the Happy Birthday and Birthday Cake dies that I brought from the Ellison’s sale, and also my square Nestabilities.
I’ve been having a go at embossing with the Nesties but at the moment I don’t seem to be having a lot of luck. It is leaving an impression but not a very sharp one, so I don’t think I have the sandwich quite right for my Cuttlebug.
If anyone has any advice on this it’ll be gratefully received I can tell you, because it’s getting very frustrating.

Anyway, here’s my card.


Card – Craft Creations
Patterned Papers – K & Co, Studio K
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Faded Jeans)
Dies – Sizzlets (Birthday Cake & Happy Birthday), Spellbinder (Nestabilities)
Pens- Staedtler Triplus Fineliner (Black)

Other BitsTiny Star Gem
Diamond Glaze

Peel-Off's

Papertake - Sketch #6

This morning I’ve had a go at Monday’s template on the Papertake blog.
It wasn’t until I came to upload my card, I realised that I’m still seeing spots from last weeks challenge but at least I’ve managed to do these ones a different colour. Lol!

This is the template.




My card has a nautical theme and while I was looking through some of my old paper collections I came across some Basic Grey that reminded me a little of port holes, which was perfect.

Here’s my effort.


Card Blank– Craft Creations
Papers – Basic Grey Hampton Collection
Rubber Stamp – Inkadinkado
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Vintage Photo), Tsukineko StazOn (Timber Brown)
Pencils – Prisma Color
Pens- Staedtler Triplus Fineliner (Brown)
Dies – Nestabilities, Sizzix Alphabet (Hunky Dory)

Other Bits
Large Brad
Charm

CPS #99

I decided to try something a bit different when I made this card, following the template from CPS


I wanted to have a go at a postage stamp effect, using the little Cuttlebug die that I’ve had for a while, (but never used) and I must admit that it took me a couple of goes to get it right but I’m quite pleased with the over all effect.
It was the positioning of the pieces that was causing me the problems but once I had it sussed it the stamping and chalking was a breeze.
The template is in there by the way………it’s just not easy to see because of the colour of the papers that I’ve used.

Card – Craft Creation
Papers – Basic Grey, Hang 10 & Memory Stor (Costco Kit)
Inks – Tsukineko, Staz-On (Timber Brown) & VersaMark, Ranger Distress Ink (Faded Jeans)
Stamps – Tanda Safari Set 1(Lion & Trees) Whispers Words (Happy Birthday)
Chalks – Redicut decorating Chalks

Other Bits
Eyelets
Fibres

Sketch Saturday #33

A friend of mine has asked me if I would make a card for her mum’s 70th birthday next week end. The only thing that she specified was flowers so it's given me the opportunity to use my most favourite stamp in the world, Rubber Stampede’s Hydrangea.

I think this is a beautiful stamp and it doesn't seem to matter what medium you use to colour it, it always looks special.

On this occasion I've dusted off my Twinkling H2o’s, which I’ve not used for a while and had a go at the new template from Sketch Saturday.

Card – Craft Creations,
Patterned Paper – Basic Grey, Sugared
Rubber Stamp – Rubber Stampede, Hydrangea
Inks –VersaFine (Black) Ranger Distress Ink (Peeled Paint)
Paint – LuminArte – Twinkling H2O’s (Fuzzy Peach, Poppy Red & Moss Green) Cosmic Shimmer (Golden Mint)
Dies - Nestabilities

Other Stuff
Brads
Gold Edged Ribbon
Silk Hydrangea Flowers
Computer Generated Greeting

Di Hickman #1 (Jan)

This doesn’t happen very often but to my surprise this is my second post today!!

There is a reason for it though……..I needed something to take my mind off my sore gums because I’ve just got back from the dentist. To distract me I decided to have a go at this weeks template from Di Hickman.

Di made a great suggestion on her blog.
If every time we do one of her templates we also make a Christmas card at the same time, come December we will have a nice pile all ready to post.
I would love to be able to say yes, I’ll do that, but I just know it’s not going to happen. Still you never know, now the seed has been planted I might just make the odd one or two, so watch this space. (But not this week!)

Anyway, here’s Di’s sketch for this week.


I loved the idea of having a scalloped edge along the bottom of the card and I’ve never done that myself before so I decided to give it a go.


Card Blank – Old Self Addressed Kit
Papers – Basic Grey, Sugared
Stickers – Basic Grey Sugared (Scalloped border & Flower)
Rubber Stamps – Rubber Stamp tapestry, nature Plate 4 & Pottery Garden
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) Color Box Fluid Chalk (Rouge)

Other Bits
Ribbon
Gems

DCM - Tis the Season.......to Recycle!

It’s been another one of those weeks full of doctor’s, dentist’s, and vet’s appointments again but I’ve still managed to fit in some time for my card making and a card for this weeks Daring Cardmakers challenge.

'Tis the Season.......to Recycle!

We'd like you to do your bit for the planet and make a card using some recycled items.Yes, we know we've done similar challenges in the past, but some things are good to revisit and this is one of them - it gets us looking at stuff we might be throwing away and asking ourselves if there's some card-making mileage to be had from it.And besides, it's FREE! If you can use something rescued from Christmas rubbish (scraps from cards, decorations etc) - then you get double points! lol

It's double points for me then!!

We had some beautiful Gold sparkly Christmas Crackers this year and I managed to hold on to a piece of one of them just in case we had a dare to recycle something from Christmas…….very prudent it would seem!

I also kept some lovely sheer ribbon with satin edges that one of my pressies was tied with and have managed to incorporate both in my card.

I think my card has a bit of a Vintage feel to it, with some embossing, inking and torn edges adding to the layered look.


Card – Craft Creations Embossed Linen
Papers – Basic Grey Sugared
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Dies – Ellison, Tipsy Hearts

Other BitsRecycled Gold Glittery card
Recycled Ribbon
Eyelets
Paper Flowers
Computer generated greeting

Papertake - Seeing Spots

It’s been a while since I had a go at one of the Papertake challenges but as I still have a few cards to make today it seemed like a good idea to give it a go this week.

They want to see spots before their eyes, so I’ve searched out spotty paper (still old stash); spotty ribbon and I’ve even made some spots of my own so I think I have it covered!

Card Blank– Old Self Addressed Kit
Patterned Paper – All My Memories Studio Collection
Rubber Stamp – Stick’n’Stamp (Flower Border) Penny Black (Happy Birthday) Scrappy Cat (Flower Heads)
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Peeled Paint) ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Wisteria)
Pencils – Prisma Color

Paper Punch - Woodware (small circle-Orange)

Other Bits
Ribbons
Stick on Gem
Brads

CPS #98

I’m still being good and using up the remains of some of the old paper collections that I have lying around and some old card blank too.

Today I’ve used the new template from CPS




and made a birthday card with another of the Hampton Arts stamps from my ebay bargain and played a bit with my distress inks.


Card – QVC Christmas Kit (from 2007)
Patterned Papers – Crate Paper, Hampton Collection
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Antique Linen, Faded jeans, Tattered Rose) Color Box Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Rubber Stamps -Hampton Arts
Embossing Powder- FunStamps (Clear)
Shape Cutter – Creative Memories (Ovals)

Other BitsBrads
Photo Anchors
Fibres

I've just realised as I was writing this that the maker of the stamp I've used and the name of the collection of papers are both Hampton. It certainly wasn't done intentionally....how strange!

Sketch Saturday #32

I really loved the template from Sketch Saturday this week and couldn’t wait to get going with it but I had to be patient until today when I knew I would have time to play.


I had to make sure I had plenty of time because I wanted to try a new stamping technique called Split Negative.
For this you have to stamp two images, one on light card with dark ink and the other on dark card with light ink and then you cut them in half and piece the opposite images back together again.
If you get it right you end up with two toppers for your cards, which alas I didn’t, hence I only have one card to show you but practice makes perfect and I’ll definitely be having another go at this.


Card – Craft Creations,
Patterned Paper – Crate Avenue
Inks –VersaMark pad, Color Box Fluid Chalk (Ice Jade)
Rubber Stamps – Hampton Arts (Flower), Whisper Words (Birthday Wishes)
Embossing Powder – Funstamps (Clear) Personal Impressions (Opaque White)
Dies - Nestabilities

Other StuffLarge Brads (American Crafts)
Ribbon

Sketch Saturday #31

Last Saturday’s challenge from Sketch Saturday was to make a card using our own choice of template from previous weeks.

I decided to go with the template 28 from the 6th December

and made this birthday card for my cousin’s birthday next week….it’s ok to say that because I know she’ll not see this.

I’ve used some more of my new crafty Christmas pressies on this one, a set of Tapestry stamps, ‘Spring Offerings’, which was from my friend Sharon and a Fiskars ‘Threading Water’ punch which was from my dad.
I also received two new Embossing Folders and a set of Christmas stamp from my good friend Lythan and a Stamper’s Ten book from my brother, so wasn’t I a lucky girl this Christmas!

Card – Craft Creations, Linen Embossed,
Dies - Nestabilities
Inks – Versa Color (Sky Blue, Lagoon Blue, Lapis Lazuli, Heliotrope & Chateau Gray)
Rubber Stamps – Rubber Stamp T tapestry ‘Spring Offerings’, Whispers Words ‘Happy Birthday’
Glitter Glue – Stickles

I’ll also show you the design I used for my Christmas cards this year, seeing as I forgot to put them on here. They were all like this or variations along the same lines.
Again I’ve used Tapestry stamps but this time I’ve used pegs from two different sets, Poinsettia Wreath and Tiny Grape & Holly Border.
That’s the nice thing about these stamps, you can use any different combination and they will always go together. They also guarantee that whatever sets you buy you will never double up on any of the pegs, so the possibilities are endless!
I’ve stamped using Versa Color inks in Green Tea, Olive & Burgundy and added highlights of Encore Metallic Gold and a touch of Burgundy Stickles glitter glue.

The start of another 'Crafty' year

So what happened to 2008?

I think I must have blinked and missed it….well that’s what it feels like anyway!

I can’t believe that another year has passed us by in a flash, but I suppose I’m just going to have to except that it really is 2009, so ...........................

Happy New Year Everyone

I hope you all have a healthy, happy

and an even craftier one than last year

The Daring Cardmakers have kicked the new year off to a good start with their first dare of 2009.

Giving Thanks

We bet you're now ready to put away all that Christmas stash, at least for a while - but there's something which must be done before the present-giving season fades into memory, and that of course, is to say Thank You properly for all those gifts we so enjoyed opening.So this week's Daring Cardmakers task is to get those Thank You cards made and sent - see how we like to help you get things done (hehe)?Anything goes this week as long as that all-important Thank You" message is there.

I thought I would say ‘Thank You’ in flowers.
I started by cutting a rectangle, shaping the corners and then, using a Rosewood coloured Marvy LePlume pen, wrote the words ‘Thank You’ very lightly in the centre.
Next I stamped over the writing using one of the three new sets of Tapestry stamps I was lucky enough to get for Christmas.
The set I’ve used for this was a gift from my Dad. It’s called Porcelain Bouquet and is really delicate and pretty.
On a separate piece of card I stamped the vase of flowers, still using the same set of stamps and cut it out using an oval Nestabilities die.
To finish the panels I’ve chalked over them and around the edges in shades of Pink.

Now to the main card blank.
I edged a White card using a clear border stamp from another of my new sets and added some Pink flowers before chalking around the edge of the card in shades of Green.

I finally attached the ‘Thank You’ flat onto the card and the oval vase panel on 3D foam and added three small Pink brads for the finishing touch.


I didn't stop there though........oh no!

I knew I would be needing more than one Thank You card so I decided to make this little set of tag cards too. It also gave me the opportunity to be true to one of my New Year’s Resolutions………..…use up my old stash!
These tag cards were the leftovers from an old Self Addressed kit and they’ve been hanging around in a box for ages (that should actually say 'years' but I’m too embarrassed to own up to that!)

The front of each tag has been embossed using different Cuttlebug embossing folders and the edges inked with Green (Peeled Paint) Ranger Distress Ink.

The vase of flowers and Thank You stamp are both from Hampton Arts, my bargain buy from ebay just before Christmas. 100 unmounted stamps for a little over £10.......not bad err!
I’ve stamped them with Black Versafine and then chalked each image to match the colour of the tag before mounting them on a mat of white card using 3D foam.
I then finished each tag off with some coordinating ribbon.