Craftlandia 24

Today I am joining the lovely Mia for Craftlandia 24. Our theme this time is Fairy Tales and our sponsor is Ghecko Galz. The prize is a very generous $25 to spend in the Etsy Store.

I chose my image from a set called Wonderful Wonderland

I couldn't resist this wonderful flamingo as my central image. I know that in Alice in Wonderland the flamingos are used as croquet mallets, which is very challenging for poor Alice. This flamingo looks very regal with his crown. I printed the image onto glossy photo paper and then framed it with some gold ric rac ribbon. I decided to mount it onto a glossy black card panel and used the checker board die (from Craft Addiction UK) as a background. I like the way it matched in with the picture background. The panel was mounted onto a 7x5 card base and a white die cut sentiment (Concord & 9th) finished it off.

I used another die cut as a stencil to decorate the insert and the envelope flap.

What do you think? I hope you like it and will find to join us for Craftlandia 24 where the theme is Fairy Tales and the prize if from Ghecko Galz

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping September Reminder

Today is the 18th so time for a reminder for the current challenge over at We Love Stamping. The challenge where we love to see you using your stamps. 

Mervi has chosen our theme this month:

**Make it Cute**

OR

**Anything Goes**

This is my second attempt at 'cute'. This time I found a Penny Black stamp set called smiling. It features these rather cute little bears (just realised that my first card featured bears too). This cute little bear was stamped and clear heat embossed and coloured with alcohol markers. I used sparkle pens on the flowers to give some shine.

I used some nesting oval dies to cut the image and a mat, then I spent some time working out what to do for the background. I eventually decided on this thin plaid die by concord & 9th. I cut it from glossy black card stock, backed it with some pale green coated card and then mounted it onto a deep purple coated card base.

The sentiment (from the same set) was stamped and heat embossed in white onto the same black coated card. I managed to get a few little dots of white where I didn't want them so I used some silver gems to cover the worst. A few little black gems finished it off.

I stamped the envelope and the insert with other images from the set.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month there are 2 prizes of 2 House Mouse stamps. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anything goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 1st October.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I am also sharing this at:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - September Anything Goes

The Dream Factory #143 - Anything goes in mainly purple

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping September Challenge

Today is the first Sunday of the month so time for a new challenge over at We Love Stamping. Where we love to see you showcase your stamping.

Mervi has chosen our theme this month:

**Make it Cute**

OR

**Anything Goes**

I am afraid this is another theme that is out of my comfort zone. I don't often do cute, but I remembered that I had a set of rather cute bear stamps by Sunshine and Bee Designs. I also had a friend who was celebrating her 80th birthday, so decided to see if I could bring them together for that. This is what I made:

I stamped and clear heat embossed the bear before colouring with alcohol markers and fussy cutting. The star dies are from Craft Addiction UK and for the large star you get both the cut in and cut out dies. I cut into the white square panel and then laid the cut out star on top. I backed it with some orange card and then I used black to add another thin mat.

 The little flower that the bear is holding was also clear heat embossed and fussy cut. It was coloured with a sparkle pen so it shines in the right light. I cut a little slit in the bear to poke the flower through. The 80 is cut from glitter card and the other small stars are from the same die set. I used the seated bear for the insert and stamped the message "I picked this flower for you" onto another star that I coloured with gold sparkle pen. I also stamped the envelope.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month there are 2 prizes of 2 House Mouse stamps from Oakwood. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anything goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 1st October.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

Fun With Stencils

I recently purchased the bitty botanicals stamp and stencil set from The Greetery even though I am not supposed to be buying anything at the moment. Somehow I clicked onto the website of one of their UK stockists and I just couldn't resist it. Oh well, at least I got on and used it immediately.

The set consists of a cling rubber stamp for the plants and a stencil for the flowers. There are matching die and stencil sets called diamond ribbons, that I also bought. Once I had stamped and inked the flowers I used the stencil with old paper distress ink to create the background. I also inked the edges. The ribbon bows were cut from white card and coloured with the same ink as one of the flowers, CP flame, I think. The sentiment is by Altenew, the paper was inked with CP martini ink and the letters inlaid. I used some of the other stencils to decorate the insert and envelope.

A while after this card was made, I noticed a rather strange mistake. I have no idea how I did it, but it remains on the card and I hope it isn't too noticeable. Seen it yet? The ribbon die above the sentiment is put on back to front so the rough back of the die cut is on display! I hope the recipient (whoever that might be) doesn't notice.

Of course I didn't stop there, I also made a card using the cover plate ribbon die:

The set also has a matching die for the stamp. I don't have that yet, but hope to receive it soon. I just thought there are so many possibilities with those little flowers that I had to get hold of it.

This time the sentiment die is from a set by A Pocket Full of Happiness called framed flowers. The brand is new to me and is now stocked in the UK by Seven Hills Crafts.

I have another busy time coming up, so apologies if I don't manage to keep up with my commenting.

I am sharing the first card at:

Just Us Girls #790 - Stencil Week

September Stencil Fun Challenge - Optional Theme Nature

NBUS 78 - Everything except the sentiment on the first card is NBUS

Addicted to stamps and more #500 - Stencils and die cuts

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

August Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Today is 2nd of the month so time for the Card Chain Challenge big reveal. This month 26 card makers took part and I sent my card to Gail in Norway.

I used the colours, layout and also used the theme of friendship and the product/technique options of stencilling and paint.

I started by choosing my colours (all Catherine Pooler, but I can't remember which ones) and inking them through a Uniko ink and flip stencil called delightful diamonds. Then I used one of my Craft Addiction slatted hexagon dies to cut out the centre of the panel. The hexagon was backed with a piece of orange card and mounted onto the embossed background (Spellbinders). I trimmed the panel and inked the edges. I am pretty sure that colour is flirty fuchsia (one of my favourites). The leaf die was painted with iridescent gold acrylic paint by Golden. It has a lovely shine in real life. The sentiment is foiled and was already in my stash.

Having cut the centre out of my stencilled panel I was left with the remaining bit so cut another hexagon from white card and inlaid the pieces left from the first card. The die cut leaf was enclosed in a previous CCC card. I am so sorry that I can't remember who it is from, but I inked it with my dark ink (possibly sangria) and added it to my card front. The sentiment die is from Altenew and I used one of the smaller hexagon dies (there are 4 in the set) for the insert.

I got 2 for the price of one. 

I was very lucky to receive this gorgeous card from Daja in Germany

If you would like to take part in the next card chain challenge, you have until 6th to sign up here

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

So Many Stars

Today I thought I would quickly share this card I made for my grandsons 12th birthday back in March. I have quite a large collection of cards that I haven't shared yet and when I saw the topping for the current seize the birthday challenge I realised it was time for this one to see the light.

Whilst I made this card, I can't really claim any credit for the design. I think I found it on pinterest, but have been unable to find it again, so my apologies to the designer. I have used one of Tonic Studios Stamp Club stamp and die sets called shoot for the stars.

I don't have any large number dies so I cut the numbers out of vellum with my scan n cut. It was very pleased to be used, as it mostly sits on my shelf gathering dust!

I followed this tutorial by  Sarah Trebilcock to create the pop up element inside the card. She uses butterflies in her example, but it was simple to use stars instead. I die cut loads of stars in blue and yellow card and had fun arranging them on acetate strips so that they jump up when the card is opened.

Seeing the no flowers theme made me realise how the vast majority of my cards have at least one flower on them. I am conscious that I have only been posting my DT cards and my cards for the card chain challenge recently. Just doing that seems to eat up all my available time. As time has gone on I don't seem to have got any quicker and life still seems busy.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping August Reminder

Today is the 18th so time for a reminder for the current challenge over at We Love Stamping. The challenge where we love to see you using your stamps. 

I have chosen our theme this month:

**Flowers**

OR

**Anything Goes**

This card uses one of my new Uniko stamp sets called originally organic flower garden. I blended the background and then stamped and clear heat embossed the flowers and leaves, but before I did all that I chose my colour palette from my new colour cubes (bought with birthday money). I knew I didn't really need them, but when I saw they were being stocked by AALL & Create in the UK, I couldn't resist. Now I have them I need to use them and I do have to say that it has made choosing a colour palatte a whole lot easier.

All though I say it myself, I think I did a pretty good job of matching the colours in this one and I am pleased with how the finished card looks. The leaves and flowers have been coloured with Gelly Roll sparkle pens and I splattered a little water on the background to give a little texture. The frame die is by AALL & Create.

As usual I put a little decoration on the insert and the envelope using the additional stamps from the same set.

Our prize this month is a £25 store voucher from Personal Impressions (inc pps, winner meets costs of any additional spend). Personal Impressions is one of the UK’s leading brand managers/wholesalers/distributors in the arts and crafts industry, specialising in mixed media, papercrafts, card-making, scrapbooking and journaling. PI are proud to represent over 70 brands from global, recognisable brands to small, niche and new.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 3rd September.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I am also sharing this at:

Allsorts Week 830 - Something beginning with B - blooms

Beautiful Blossoms #32 - Mood Board

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping August Challenge

Today is the first Sunday of the month so time for a new challenge over at We Love Stamping. Where we love to see you showcase your stamping.

I have chosen our theme this month. There are no prizes for guessing what I chose:

**Flowers**

OR

**Anything Goes**

My star of the show flower is a stamp by Altenew called wonder flower. I stamped and coloured it with watercolour markers and after cutting it out with the matching die I clear heat embossed it all over, giving it several coats so it was lovely and shiny. I then stacked it 3 times. The sentiment stamp is by Uniko from their simply said stamp set and I gave it the same treatment as the flower.

The frame is a press plate and matching die from Pinkfresh studio called decorative frames. I discovered that it is one of those where it is quite a challenge to get the die lined up properly, but am hopeful that the misalignment is not really noticeable!

To make the background I cut a piece of grey card to fit inside the largest frame and masked the edges. I then used some Simon Hurley  solar Paste (crocodile tears) through a petal stencil by Sweet Dixie. This was my first time using solar paste and I really like it. It goes on really smoothly and has a wonderful shine. It also picks up the colour of the underlying card whilst retaining the subtle colour of the paste. Very clever.

For the insert I used the press plate with memento London fog ink. you can see it in the first photo.

Our prize this month is a £25 store voucher from Personal Impressions (inc pps, winner meets costs of any additional spend). Personal Impressions is one of the UK’s leading brand managers/wholesalers/distributors in the arts and crafts industry, specialising in mixed media, papercrafts, card-making, scrapbooking and journaling. PI are proud to represent over 70 brands from global, recognisable brands to small, niche and new.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 3rd September.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

There is a lot happening in my life at the moment so I shan't be around so much on line. My apologies if I miss some posts. I hope that normal service will resume in a week or so. Today I am heading to Birmingham to my daughters house and will visit the Festival of Quilts at the NEC on the way. On Monday I will be driving to Felixstowe with my grandkids for a few days stay in a caravan by the sea. I am really hoping that the weather stays fine.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

July Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Today is 2nd of the month so time for the Card Chain Challenge big reveal. This month 21 card makers took part and I sent my card to Brenda in the UK.

I used the colour option, the product of mirror card and the theme of friendship.

I have recently purchased some of the slatted shape dies from Craft Addiction UK. I have to say that they are really good value and quite addictive. The turquoise and olive are Catherine Pooler colours and the smoke is some grey card by Concord & 9th.

I started by cutting my grey card to size. I am still using up some ready made square card blanks. This one is just under 6 inches square. I cut the central square from the grey card before embossing it with a Spellbinders folder. I cut a piece of white card with the slatted die and then coloured it with the turquoise ink. I then inked the cut out white strips with the olive ink and wove them between the turquoise strips. This was rather fiddly and a pain to get even, but I stuck with it. The square was backed with some silver mirror card. The little doily die is by My Favourite Things. I inked one with the olive ink.

The sentiment is a die by Altenew that I cut from the grey and backed with mirror card. On the first photo you can see the insert. I cut 2 slatted square inked them with turquoise and olive and then rotated one 90 degrees. Much easier than weaving but not quite the same effect.

I was very lucky to receive this gorgeous card from Chris in Illinois. Isn't it a beauty? Thanks Chris.

Here it is closed:

 

 and open:

If you would like to take part in the next card chain challenge, you have until 6th to sign up here

On the 31st July, I made my annual trip to the RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show and thought I would share a couple of photos with you. If you ever get a chance to visit the RHS Gardens they are well worth it and even better when there is an event with loads of stalls. Of course I had to buy one or 2 things, but thankfully didn't break the bank.

This is an Aeonium Halloween, what a beauty.

This is a view of the dry garden, which covers a hill with a cafe at the top. The photos make it look like quite a grey day, but it was actually really warm and the sun kept coming and going.

I will be back tomorrow with my August we love stamping post.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it.