We Love Stamping July 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. 

Emma has chosen our theme this month:

**Sun, Sea, Sand**

OR

**Anything Goes**

My fishy stamp set this time is from Woodware and it is called swimming fish. I stamped and heat embossed the 3 fish, fussy cut them and coloured them with Gelly Roll sparkle pens (I seem to be into them at the moment!). I made the background with a stencil by The Crafters Workshop and some sticky mat glue and gilding flakes. I thought it was a complete mess at first, but decided to stick with it and use it for a background for the fish. I think it adds to the quirkiness of the fish.

I used a sentiment ready made in my stash. It is a hotfoil plate by Alex Syberia as used on my fist DT card this month. The stencil was 6x6 so I used the left over bit on the insert.

I think this card is quite quirky. I wasn't too happy at first, it is quite different for me, but it is growing on me. I didn't like the way the gel pen marks show, but then I thought perhaps it would make a good card for a child. Then I was happy.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month we have a lovely set from Lisa Horton Crafts called Petal Flourish bundle, embossing folder and coordinating stencils. 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 that stamping (including digi) is featured somewhere your card. 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 30th July.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I am also sharing this at:

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

We Love Stamping July 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.

Emma has chosen our theme this month:

**Sun, Sea, Sand**

OR

**Anything Goes**

This theme is definitely not one of my favourites, but I had a search through my stamps and found 2 sets that including fish. So I decided that they would be my theme for both my DT cards this month. The stamp I have used today is called something fishy by Pink Ink Designs. In addition to the stamp it has 2 matching dies so the fish can be cut out.

I started by heat embossing the stamp onto some Strathmore vellum paper. I masked the edges and then used Catherine Pooler inks to watercolour the background. When it was dry I spritzed it with silvery cosmic shimmer spray and coloured the frame with a Gelly Roll sparkle pen. I stamped and heat embossed the image again so I could cut out the fish. They were also coloured with my sparkle pens and stacked before adding to the panel. The sentiment was already made and is from an Alex Syberia hotfoil plate.

The finished card has a lovely shine and sparkle. I am so sorry that you can't see that in the photos.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month we have a lovely set from Lisa Horton Crafts called Petal Flourish bundle, embossing folder and coordinating stencils. 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 anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 30th July.

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 a Stencil

Today I am sharing a card that I am really happy with. I think it is proving to be one of my favourites, and as I have seen several challenges using stencils, I thought it was time to share it. I suspect it has that favourite status because it's green!

I have used a circular stencil by Funky Fossil and embossing folder by Spellbinders, Gina K texture paste and a circular thank you die by Dress My Craft, which was a lovely gift. I hadn't used my various pastes for a long time so I had a little session and discovered that this gina K paste takes water very well. It had got a bit dry so I added some water and it became lovely and smooth and went through the stencil perfectly.

I cut out the stencilled panel with a circular die and also used the same die to cut out the centre of the background panel before I embossed it. I didn't want to cover up the stencilled area too much so I used some vellum behind the thank you die, just to help the words stand out. I used some green ink through the stencil for the insert and envelope, which you can just see in the first photo.

I am sharing this at:

Just us girls week 782 - Die week. Unfortunately I missed stencil week, but I have used 2 dies on this card and the flowers are summer things.

Stencil Fun July Challenge - Anything Goes

NBUS #76 - The thank you die is NBUS

Darnell's Ideas Challenge - Week 5 stencils

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

June Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Today is 2nd of the month so time for the Card Chain Challenge big reveal. This month 19 card makers took part and I sent my card to Wendy in Ireland.

This month I used the sketch (unusual for me), the theme options of gingham, something begining with TU (tulip), friendship and the technique option of rip it up. I can't quite believe it myself, but I actually have torn edges on my card, albeit quite neat ones!

I made my panel with 3 pieces of card. I tore the edges of the gingham and plain green card and tucked the white debossed leaf piece in behind the torn edges. The tulip die (a gift from Gundi) was cut from a gelli print panel which had gold paint on it. I backed it with vellum and used left over bits to cut the sentiment (a Concord & 9th die).

I think this is a bit different for me and I rather like it. I am glad Wendy did too.

I was very lucky to receive this gorgeous card from Mia in Greece. It's a beauty, thanks Mia.

Of course Mia being Mia, I didn't just receive a card, but a whole parcel of goodies. Double thanks Mia.

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.