Resist

And no I'm not talking about all my chocolate Easter Eggs.  It's the theme on this fortnights Stamp Man Challenge. I've tried something very out of my comfort zone (style wise) and to be blunt....I don't like it! This isn't good... it's my Hubbies birthday card and as we are away now until after his birthday don't have time to make another one. Here's my card and a close up, please be honest with your comments as I would love to give the style a try again and any advice would be appreciated.

 

Items: 6x6 white card blank, glossy card, Big and Juicy Hydrangea inkpad, silver pen, Perfect Medium inkpad, clear embossing powder, paper flower from stash, handmade Fimo embellishment (see previous post), Paper Artsy stamp set and Alphabet stamp set (unknown make)

Less is More - Week 12

Woah, all these Bank Holidays are playing havoc with my inner clock I spent all day yesterday thinking it was Friday and I'm not sure whether I'm coming or going. I'm going to keep this short and sweet today as I have a couple of cards to share (see other post for today). I made this card on Wednesday for my little boy to give his Dad for his birthday on Tuesday but I'm only just getting a chance to post it now and thought I'd better hurry up as I hate to miss a LIM challenge. The recipe this week is 'Off Centre' a bit tricky for me as I love everything central and symmetrical, so here is my take...

I have been having a play with some Fimo to make the little embellishments. It just needs rolling out, cutting into shapes, stamping into to create a pattern, baking and finally a sweep of a Brilliance Inkpad to highlight the pattern. Quite effective if I do say so myself!

Items: 6x6 White card blank, Bazzill Bling Card (can't remember which colour), Papermania Alphabet stickers, rub on from stash, Stickles Stardust, Fimo, an Inkadinkado stamp (sorry can't remember which) and silver Brilliance inkpad.

Some more good news.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.  We enjoyed a family BBQ in the New Forest today and although tired am feeling nice and relaxed.

On a different note...through the Craftymess forum (link on my sidebar) I have become quite hooked on making ATCs, so imagine my delight when I opened my emails last night to find I have been chosen to join the DT at the new ATC Challenge Blog set up by Judie, Caro and Kim. I'm really chuffed and know it's going to be a hoot as I know a few of the other new DT members through Craftymess and they are a lovely bunch of people.

To celebrate I thought I would share one of my early attempts at an ATC that was made for the March ATC swap run by Kim over on the Craftymess forum:

Happy Easter

...to everyone and hope like me you are getting to relax a little (and here in the UK enjoy the glorious weather we are having).  No crafting for me (sad face) as we are visiting both mine and my hubby's parents this weekend but I do have a card to post that I made on Wednesday that I would like to enter into a few challenges. I was in my local Dunelm Mill shopping for house things when I spotted this adorable stamp in their newish craft section, so adorable in fact I used him that very evening to make this card.

I've tried something new for me, which is white on white and apart from the colouring on the image have just accented the card with some punched flowers and pearls (image, pearls and flowers coloured with ProMarkers to co-ordinate). I wanted to add some texture to the white background so the first white panel was made by embossing with a Swiss dots embossing folder and then glittering the dots with Stickles and the second panel was made using by scoring even lines with my Martha Stewart score board and again glittering the embossed lines.

Items:

5x5 white card blank, white card & paper from stash, X-Cut flower punch, pearls from Wild Orchid Crafts, tag from Rymans Stationers, brad from stash, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Martha Stewart score board, ProMarkers, Stardust Stickles and Image and Sentiment Stamp 'Parker the Panda' from the Hels Cuppleditch Trimcraft range.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

My Mums Craft Shop Challenges - All That Glitters

Allsorts - Sketch
I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes
Paper Sundaes - Texture
Totally Gorjuss - No Patterned Paper
Simon Says Stamp - Emboss It
Ladybug Crafts Challenge - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Spots & Stripes
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Let's Celebrate
Passion for ProMarkers - White on White

Less is More...try number two!

It's late and I should be in bed by now and it will be sod's law that my little one will wake up ridiculously early tomorrow morning but I fancied a a hot choccy to relax me and I thought I would quickly share my second attempt at this weeks 'Acetate' challenge over on Less is More. I'm still not sure about my first attempt, but this card is much more me. It came about completely by accident, I wont bore you with the whole story but the flower shape was me using the acetate to glue on top of rather than get my desk messy, so I dipped the gluey piece of acetate in some glitter, added some Swiss Dots Bazzill card as a base, a sentiment, a button  and voila...

Items: Yellow Swiss Dots Bazzill card, scrap of acetate, yellow glitter, PVA glue, sentiment (freebie with a magazine but can't remember which), Stazon black inkpad, button from stash and yellow Copic Spica pen.

Some exciting news...

...I've been picked to join the DT at Critter Sketch Challenge Blog. Woohoo! I'm so chuffed, I can't wait to get started. I'll be part of their 5th design team and my term will run from the 2nd May to 26th September! The DT is split into two groups and I'm in Group #2 so my first post will be on Monday 9th May.

Critter Sketch Challenge Blog have some wonderful sponsors lined up along with a monthly give a way and if you participate in all four challenges for the month, your name will be tossed into the hat four times for a chance to win. The more you play the more chances you have to win.

Please hop across and take a look at the blogs of my fellow DT members 

Georgia

Karen

Lucianna

Kiehn

Sandye

Jacki

Dalia

Less is More - Week 11

This week it's acetate...something I use a fair amount of......but eek......acetate with out all my usual bling and embellishments! Now this is my first attempt and I'm not sure I like it but I'm going to be brave and share it anyway. Also, how difficult is it to photograph acetate??!! The light here is never that great for taking pictures and added to that I kept getting my reflection in the card..lol.

I covered my acetate with alcohol inks, then stamped a flourish stamp onto it with Stazon and before the ink dried wiped it with a piece of kitchen towel, thus removing the alcohol ink. I then layered this panel on some dark card with an aperture cut out to highlight the colours/pattern and fixed with brads. Lastly I stamped and embossed a sentiment on the same dark card and added to the front.

Items: 5x5 cram card blank, acetate and maroon card from stash, circle nestabilities, sentiment stamp from Pink Gem, Jewelled Flourish stamp from Inkandinkado, Papermania Brads, WOW Gold Sparkle embossing powder, Perfect Medium ink pad, Stazon ink pad Timber Brown and Alcohol Inks Lettuce, Meadow and Espresso.

Maybe it because I went outside my comfort zone on the colours, not sure can't put my finger on it, maybe I just don't like it. I think I'm going to have another attempt...as I love the challenge.

And another one...

It's the end of the week and a few early mornings with my little boy have caught up with me so I'm off to bed soon but I just wanted to share another card I made. I'm trying to build up a stash of birthday cards for hubby to sell at work, so I've been combining that with doing a few challenges.  This is the sketch I followed for Sketch Saturday:

I rotated the sketch 90 degrees anti-clockwise and here's my card:

Items: 6x6 white card blank, DP from a Love Mat Stack in my stash (sorry can't remember the make), Lili of the Valley stamp, Hobbycraft sentiment stamp, Papermania Gems, Pearl stars from Wild Orchid Crafts, Lace and lace flowers from local sewing shop, Nellies Multi frame dies, nestabilities, ProMarkers, Stickle.s and Copic Spica Pens

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

My Mums Craft Shop Challenges - Anything Goes (also their very first challenge)

Sketch Saturday - Sketch

Lili of the Valley - Happy Birthday

Totally Gorjuss - Fluffy
Ladybug Crafts Challenge - Celebration
Incy Wincy Designs  - Flower Frenzy
Papertake Weekly - Truly Dimensional

A Spoon Full of Sugar  - All Creatures Great and Small
My Time to Craft - On the Spot
Passion for ProMarkers - Make Your Own Embelishments (hope this qualifies as my flowers were made by cutting up a length up lace and adding a gem to the centre)

Less is More - Week 10

Just a quick post from me this morning as I have to get Elliot ready to go out, we're heading into town to meet my hubby and some of his work friends for lunch. Last night I had a go at this weeks Less is More challenge which is a one layer card with the sentiment being the focus. I really enjoyed having a go at this as it gets you thinking and with so little on the card there isn't room for any 'Happy Accidents'. I made my card by stamping and embossing the Happy Birthday in black and then used some scrap card and my circle nestie to make a mask and then through this sponged Versa Magic ink and stamped a butterfly background in distress ink...

 

Items: A6 white linen effect card blank, sentiment stamp Hobbycraft own brand, butterfly stamp from Inkwell Stamps, ink pads: Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Pixie Dust Versa Magic, Black Versa Color, Black Detail Embossing Powder and circle nestabilities. 

I'm wishing now that I had used a dark pink embossing powder rather than black as I think it looks a little harsh, but I was worried that the pink powder I had was a little garish compared to the subtle pinks used behind the sentiment. What do you think...be honest!

Sweet Stuff

Wow! I can't believe it's Thursday already, where is the week going? I've had family to stay so haven't been able to get crafty for a few days, but last night I managed to have a play. When I was rummaging through my stamp boxes I came across a lovely little Sugar Nellie stamp that I've had for quite a while but haven't actually inked up. Also a good excuse to have a go at the current challenge over on The Sugar Bowl where the theme is Green and Purple with this lovely sketch to follow:

Sometimes I feel a little restricted when I have a sketch to follow, it seems to quash my mojo somehow, but this was a great sketch to follow and I'm really pleased with my card:

Items: 6x6 white card blank, DP Pink Petticoat, Nellie's multi frame die, nestabilities, Papermania pearls, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Sentiment from Little Claire, ProMarkers, Liquid Pearls, purple and green card from stash, stardust stickles, Memento Tuxedo Black Inkpad and Versafine Imperial Purple Inkpad.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

The Sugar Bowl - Sketch and Purple & Green

My Mums Craft Shop Challenges - Anything Goes (also their very first challenge)

Simon Says Stamp - Card for a Child

Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Pearls
Ladybug Crafts Challenge - Celebration
Incy Wincy Designs  - Flower Frenzy
Papertake Weekly - Truly Dimensional

Critter Sketch Challenge Blog

The Critter Sketch Challenge Blog are having a DT call.  Here is the card I made for my application.  I used an image from Robyn's Fetish and I knew straight away I wanted to try and paper piece the dog and 3D the flowers. To start with I paper pieced the dog on coloured card but he looked flat so I added colouring and shading with my trusty ProMarkers and a a blue copic spica pen for sparkle on his eyes, I also layered up his paws and watering can for a 3D effect but the lighting wasn't great when I took the photo and it doesn't show very well.

Items: Digi Image 'Peter Da Puppy' from Robyn's Fetish, DP My Minds Eyes 'Wild Asparagus' 8x8 paper stack, Sentiment from Pink Gem Designs, Cuttlebug embossing folder, X-Cut flower punch, liquid pearls, ProMarkers, Copic Spica Pens, Spun Sugar and Antique Linen Distress Inkpad, green ribbon from stash, 6x6 white card blank and Go Kreate frilly die.

New Challenge Blog

New challenge blog Divas by Design will be having Bi-weekly challenges and the first challenge opens at 9am Wednesday 4th May.  See the post here as they are also offering candy and are looking for 5 DT members.

Not sure what you call it...a cone card??

Just got back from Waterbabies with Elliot and we're both worn out (not helped by the fact he was awake at 5:30am this morning) so while he's down for his nap I thought I'd pop my feet up with a cuppa and blog another card I have made. I have been a busy girl this last week and I'm managing to get ahead of myself...doesn't usually happen lol. This is the card I've made for my Brother-in-Laws birthday (it's not till the 12th April...see what I mean that's a whole week ahead of myself). There were a few challenges I wanted to have a go at and I think I managed to combine them quite well....let me know what you think.

Items: Bazzill Bling card 'Blue Eyes', Papermania White Card, Cuttlebug 'Happy Birthday' Embossing Folder, Crafters Companion Popcorn the Bear Stamp Set, Papermania Gems, Image coloured with ProMarkers, Side Balloons coloured coloured with Copic Spica Pens, Sentiment on reverse by Pink Gem designs, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink, black embossing powder from stash.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
I Love ProMarkers - Emboss It (light's is really bad and embossing on white only just shows on the big picture)
Cards for Men - Embossing
MAWTT - More than one fold but not an easel
OSAAT - 3D
Critter Challenge Blog - Fancy Fold

Spring

I had such a lovely crafty weekend, got some chores done this morning and whilst Elliot has his afternoon nap thought I would take the opportunity to blog my second Mothers Day card, this time it's the one I made for my Mum.  I've used one of my new LOTV stamps that I picked up at the NEC using the lovely LOTV gift voucher hubby had bought me for my birthday. I really like this image, the beautiful bunch of flowers means it can be used on so many card occasions...

Items: LOTV Rosie Posy Stamp, Sentiment Stamps -Woodware Clear Stamp Set - Family Christmas, DP Docrafts Forever Friends, Pearls and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, green card from stash, tag from Rymans stationers, Brad from Papermania, Butterfly charm from Mei Flower, Lace from local sewing shop, ProMarkers used to colour image, white 6x6 card blank.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Lili of the Valley - Spring
One Stop Craft Challenge - Spots & Dots
Paper Play - For Mum
Paper Sundaes  - Spring Blossoms
Secret Crafter - Butterflies
My Time to Craft - Mum's the Word
Stampin for the Weekend - For Mum
Creative Inspirations - Mothers Day/Mum
Crafty Calendar - April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers
Sarah Hurley Challenges  - Mum's the Word

Just Magnolia...

It's late on Sunday now and I've had a lovely weekend and Mother's Day. I've made a few ATC's, a few cards, tidied up some of my stash and had a general play with the goodies I picked up last weekend at the NEC.

This is the card I made for my MIL, I've used one of my fave Magnolia stamps Bumblebee Tilda which I bought from Funkykits (link in my sidebar).

Items: Magnolia Stamp 'Bumblebee Tilda', Sentiment Stamps -Woodware Clear Stamp Set - Family Christmas, DP My Minds Eye 'Bloom & Grow, Papermania Buttons, green and white card from stash, tag from Rymans stationers, MS Zig Zag Border Punch, Seam Binding from Ribbon Girl, ProMarkers used to colour image and seam binding, white 6x6 card blank.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Just Magnolia - Anything goes and buttons
Passion for ProMarkers - Bugs
Crafty Sentiments - Mothers Day
One Stop Craft Challenge - Spots & Dots
Catch the Bug - Anything goes
Dream Valley - Things with Wings
Paper Play - For Mum
Sarah Hurley Challenges  - Mums the Word

OMG addictive or what?

I’m taking part in the ATC swaps over on Crafty Mess, and I love it! I’ve not really made proper ATC’s before just things that look a bit like them…lol…where I have tried out techniques to see what I like/what works before using it on a card. Last night I made a start on my ATC’s for the April Swap where the theme is ‘Girly’, one down two more to go, and I can’t wait to make the others later on today.  It’s a great way of using up scraps, trying something new and generally just getting inky and having a play.

Here are some pictures…the quality isn’t great as the light was really bad:

Let me know what you think.

Eye Candy

ATS have some really great new images coming out soon….shame I have put a hold on my craft spending, but I might just have to treat myself to this cute little fella called Tulip Monkey:

Please click on the picture to hop over to the ATS blog and see this and all the other gorgeous creations by the design team…..so much inspiration and so many things to add to my wishlist.