Bunny Out Of The Hat Trick

Hello.  Welcome.  Can you believe January is over already!!??  Gosh, doesn't time fly when you're having fun!  You are having fun aren't you??  Hee hee.  I've used the Your Next Stamp sketch and Darling Diva Jade stamp to make this fun card.  Spot the bunny!  I think he got tired of waiting to be pulled out of the hat and decided to crash the party. 

I coloured Jade with promarkers and added WOS to her gloves, shoes and hat.  I used Cheery Lynn Tiny Bubble Border cut from white card and a red foil card for the base.  

Joining the fun at
Your Next Stamp Challenge 6 - Sketch
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 169 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly- Take Your Pick Week - Warm Colours  

Thanks for your visit.  Have fun.  Hugz

The Decision Made

Hello.  Welcome.  Over at The Craft Barn they are doing a calendar challenge, with other fun in between.  Two years ago I completed this calendar, also in response to a challenge set at The Craft Barn.  I gave this one as a Christmas present and it was very well received.   Looking back, I have decided I really liked the heart mini book format.  It's a good size, not too big or too small, and I like that it is free standing.  So at the risk of starting a tradition I decided to use the same format.  Actually fitting for the time of year..........

The themes for January are Aqua and Snowflakes.  Here's my snowflake stamped and embossed aqua card cut into shape using Sizzix scalloped heart dies.  

I cut Die-namites Festive Owls and Floral Deer from textured black card.  The owls are usually close together but I wanted to put one on each of my calender pages so I cut them apart and cut some extra foliage to fill in the gap.  I backed them with vellum.  I coloured the beaks orange.  I was going to add some more colour to the eyes and breast but decided they looked pretty cool as was.  I added the deer.  The calender tab I printed out using the link provided by The Craft Barn.  I inked the edges of my pages with black archival, punched some holes and added my book rings.  

I like the semi-translucency of the vellum.  You can see a shadow of the embossed snowflake through the owl on the left.  

Joining the fun at
The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge - January
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge - Hearts 

Thanks for visiting.  Have a great weekend.  Hugz

Thoughts on Men And Trees

Hello.  Welcome.  Well, as I promised no CAS projects today.  A birthday gift I made for my very good friend Elin.  I was fairly certain it would be well received.  We had seen this saying on a sign in a shop and had found it very amusing.  

I started by brayering yellow, orange and ocher paint onto a piece of card.  

Then I added red and black using a old credit card to make some swipes and lines.

I stamped Unity Stamp Co Chicken Wire background, There Was a boy, sentiments from Owl pals and Crafty Individuals Tea Tree onto white tissue paper.  If you are doing this technique use white, it keeps the colours clean, and you want the thin stuff without a wax coating.  I coloured my boy on the back using paint markers and then stuck him and lots of other bits of stamped tissue all over

I printed the sentiment on the computer and snipped it up.  I've inked the word edges to give shadow and definition.  

A black frame to finish. 

Joining the fun at
Unity Stamp Co. Friday Friends With Flair
Stampotique Designers Challenge 180 - Painted Background
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

and a Snowflake On Top

Hello.  Welcome.  I must apologise cos I said it was just a phase but here I am again going all CAS crazy again.  And Christmas!!   I hardly made a Christmas card last year and now I seem to be jingling all over.  I was over checking out Penny Black's Simplicity site and they have decided to have a challenge.  Ooh, more CAS loverlyness.  So I inked up this Wonder Collection set I got with a magazine before Christmas and never used!!  NBUS

I inked up the tree with Pine Needles distress and stamped in the middle of the card.  Then I used a brush to extend the ground to the edge of the card.  I stamped the sentiment from the same set in the same ink.  Finally I stamped a tiny Lawn Fawn snowflake at the top of the tree and embossed in gold.

Joining the fun at
Penny Black Simplicity Challenge
One Layer Christmas Challenge 2 - Snowflakes
CHNC Challenge 213 - Joy to the World
Rudolph Days Challenge - Anything Christmas 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Penny Black Saturday Challenge January - New 

Thanks for dropping by.  Back soon with something that is definitely not CAS.  But you can't see it until the birthday girl has unwrapped it LOL.  Hugz

Tiger Tiger Burning White

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi and hello to Karen who has joined the merry following.  So glad to have you along.  Hugz all round.  

Over at Mark's Finest Papers the challenge this week is Only White.  Always a good one to stretch the creative muscles.  I decided to do some stamping.  Uhhh, yeah right.  How did that work for me??  Pretty well I think.    

I wanted to use the Tiger stamps I was lucky enough to win in the MFP Speedy TV Oriental Sketch Challenge.  Isn't he gorgeous!!   I stamped, embossed with white and fussy cut.  I wanted a tiger stripe background and my Sizzix Woodgrain embossing folder worked pretty well I think.  I embossed a piece of white card and then cut it with my Sizzix ATC die.  I added the tiger and also the word Tiger from the same set, again embossed with white powder and with seriously distressed edges.  

Joining the fun at
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 246 - Only White 
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday January 2015 - New  the stamps are new schtuff
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for dropping by.  I really cherish all your comments so be brave, stop lurking, and leave a little love.  Oh and if you are wondering if I am turning into a CASaholic with white tendencies, be assured it's just a phase I'm going through.  Bwahahahahahahaha.  Hugz

Artistic License Required

Hello.  Welcome.  I seem to be having another CAS moment.  Well, I'm trying........  Over at Addicted to CAS the challenge is World and Unruly Paperarts want Global Traveler, so I combined the two.....

I used Sizzix Travel Signs embossing folder and then die cut the globe using Sizzix movers and shapers die.  I have paper pieced using MME papers and used my gold pilot pen for the stand.  Then I added an albatross.  See, there you were thinking it was a seagull, but no, definitely an albatross.  This is a Crafty Individuals stamp, stamped and fussy cut, representing my global traveler.  

Joining the fun at
Unruly Paperarts January 2015 RAQ - Global Traveler
Addicted to CAS Challenge 55 - World 
Tando Creative - Things with Wings
Scribble and Scrap Challenge 36 - Anything Goes 
Love To Scrap Challenge 46 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for your visit.  Hugz

Snow Simple

Hello.  Welcome.  I had fun making this one layer Christmas card with a layout inspired by Rocky's card at CASE-ing Christmas.  Loving these quirky snowguys. 

I cut the squares in a piece of scrap card to use as a mask.  I laid the mask on the white card and stamped the three snowmen.  These are Panduro stamps I had for Christmas and it's their first outing.  Then I masked the snowmen and sponged Stormy Sky, Salty Ocean and Faded Jeans distress into the squares.  Then I stamped with two tiny snowflakes from Lawn Fawn and embossed with silver embossing powder.  The sentiment is Stormy Sky sponged through a Dreamweavers stencil

My happy snowguys joining the fun at
Rubber Dance January Colour Challenge - Frosty Blues
One Layer Christmas Challenge 2 - Snowflakes
CASE-ing Christmas Challenge 4
Vintage Stamping Challenge #28 - New Year, New Stash
CHNC Challenge 213 - Joy to the World

Thanks for your visit.  Hugz

Have a Little Heart

Hello.   Welcome.  Another quick little project using Sizzix/Hero Arts Postage set. 

I started with a red deckle edge card.  I cut a white layer using the straight die from Simon Says Stamp bundled stitched die set.  The heart is cut using a die from the same set.  I stamped the text stamp from the Postage Stamp set using Barn Door distress ink and then used the dies in the same set to cut the frame.  

A close up of the stamping, frame and heart.  Love the stitch detail.  

My little valentine joining the fun at
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Have a Heart
Time Out Challenge 23 - Valentine's Day with Hearts
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday December 2014 - Love
Uniko Studio Challenge 17 - Love and Friendship 
Scribble and Scrap Challenge 36 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Simply Friends

Hello.   Welcome.  Over at CASology the theme is friends. 

I stamped the Crafty Individuals sentiment on a white card, masked and stamped DRS Designs Jimbo and the Gang.  CAS

Joining the fun at 
CASology Week 130 - Friends
Scribble and Scrap Challenge 36 - Anything Goes 
Uniko Studio Challenge 17 - Love and Friendship 
Love to Scrap Challenge 46 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for your visit.  Hugz

Fishcake Friday

Hello.  Welcome.  I was working on a little something when Mr Postman arrived with happy mail and I got all distracted.  A set of Nutcracker stamps I was lucky enough to win in a blog hop over at Mark's Finest Papers.  I haven't joined in the Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge for a few weeks so I decided I had to ink these up and make a fun card

The challenge this week is to make a rainbow so after I stamped and coloured my Nutcracker I fussy cut him and mounted him on rainbow corrugated card.  Then I added a stamped Hero Arts greeting which I coloured in a rainbow of distress colours.  I think this will be a perfect card for a male friend.  A nutcracker is not just for Christmas.........

Joining the fun at
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 245 - Make a Rainbow
CASology Week 130 - Friend 
Fashionable Stamping Challenge #89 - Something New 
Uniko Studio Challenge 17 - Love and Friendship 
Love to Scrap Challenge 46 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Lovely Day For A Picnic

Hello.  Welcome.  A big happy hi and hello to Rosie who has joined my little band of followers.  I really appreciate your support.  Hugz all round.

It seems blogland is in the Valentines mood.  Hearts all over the place.  Here's a few more LOL

I cut a panel with Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die and embossed with Docrafts hearts embossing folder.  I cut a piece of pink tissue which has flock hearts on it using Cheery Lynn English Tea Party angel wing.  I stamped the racoons from Unity Stamp Co. Sweets for my Sweet set onto card, coloured and fussy cut.  I added a burlap picnic mat and the racoons.  I fussy cut some of the flock hearts and added those to the embossed background.

Joining the fun at
Uniko Studio Challenge 17 - Love and Friendship
Time Out Challenge 23 - Valentines/Hearts
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 168 - Sweethearts 
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday December 2014 - Love
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Have a Heart
Unity Stamp Co. Friends With Flair 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Silver Lady

Hello.  Welcome.  Over at PaperArtsy the theme for the next few weeks is shiny stuff.  Now I love working with metal foil.  It gives such stunning results.  I admit to getting frustrated when it gets marked and it is a major challenge to photograph, but generally I love it.  I was taken with Keren's post where she starts by making a card with painted metal.  Whilst waiting for paint to dry I looked at her second card.  Love the stamped image and stitch detail and came up with this......

I cut the metal using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die.  I don't have stazon so I stamped Winter Wonderland Plate 6 using versamark and embossed with black embossing powder.  I used a paint brush around the edges to soften the lines before I heated the powder.  I was going to add some more stitch detail like Keren did but decided it didn't need.  I mounted on a green pearlescent card base and added three wood stars.  

Joining the fun at
PaperArtsy

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Two Little Boys

Hello.  Welcome.  With the end of the year a few challenges I followed finished so I have been looking around for some new places to play.  The inspiration photo over at Time Out Challenge caught my eye.  I liked the wood panel with the greeting and the patterned cushions and was inspired to make this card

I cut a panel from wood effect paper using the stitch detail rectangle die from Simon Says Stamp.  I stamped Whipper Snappers Rocking horse on MME patterned paper, embossed with black embossing powder and fussy cut.  I added some WOW white puff embossing powder around the saddle and coloured the mane, tail, saddle and reins with sharpies.  The rockers were coloured with Henna Promarker.  I cut the howdy using sizzix dies from dark wood effect paper. 

Joining the fun at
Time Out Challenge 22 - Photo Inspiration
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - It's A Guy Thing
Stamping Sensation January Challenge - Dies and Punches
Tando Creative Challenge - Wk 3 Anything Goes

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Cosmic Cow Meets Beef and Chicken

Hello.   Welcome.  Was going to stun you with witty repertoire but lots of pictures to share so lets get on.....  Here are my week 15 cards for Claudine's Altered Playing Card Challenge.  If you would like to see what Claudine did go HERE.  Claudine started by adding black and white embossing paste through masks to her cards

I made a mask using Simon Says Stamp Luminary Circles die and used Dreamweavers black embossing paste.  I used a Prima mask and grunge paste on my second card.

I spritzed with Ariondack Meadow Color Wash and a homemade blend of gold shimmer spritz and caramel reinker.  Hope you can see the sparkle.  I love how it pooled around the embossed circles.

I stamped, coloured and fussy cut Penny Black's Skip and Romp.  The whole image was too wide so I had to perform a chickenectomy.  Don't worry.  The amputated chicken survived and is recovering nicely.  I added some spotty paper tape and then scribbled some daisies in the sky!!  Flowers falling from heaven?  These were inspired by the daisies on the Penny Black stamp.  I coloured with my white gel pen, which promptly went greenish!!  A perfect blend.......

I sprayed my second card with Dylusions After Midnight and Polished Jade.  Oops, a little heavy on the After Midnight!!  I let it dry a bit then blotted it with a tissue.

I added some white and black outlines to my embossed shapes.  I stamped Penny Black's For A Spin on white card, coloured and fussy cut.  I had stamped the image on the card, but it didn't work very well, so I drew in the spoke details.  It was floating around a bit so I added some die cut cloudy shapes.  Ooh, Cosmic Cow on a bike LOL

What a pair!!!  I am so loving this challenge.  Claudine, you inspire me to madness.  Hugz

Joining the fun at
Claudine's Altered Playing Card Challenge Week 15 
Penny Black and More January Challenge - Stencils, Masks and Embossing Folders 
Stampotique Designers Challenge 178 - Color Splash

Thanks for dropping by.  If you were really keen, I apologise for the technical problems.  If you don't know what I'm talking about Phew!!   Hugz

Life On The Ocean Waves

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi and hello to Bonnie.  Glad to have you along.  Hugz all round.  Woke up this morning to sunshine.  Wow, that's a rare thing.  Rushed out, only to nearly end up on my rump!  Sunny but cold!  That was as unexpected as the sunshine!  I know it's winter but it's been pretty warm here.  I think cold and sunny does top grey and wet so I shall just enjoy it while it lasts.  

Over at High Hopes Stamps the challenge is Furry Friend so I inked up this fun Andy and Patch stamp and went CAS.  

I stamped Andy and Patch on a piece of card and coloured using watercolour pencils.  I used a black sharpie on the frame and cut out my image.  I masked the card and used Dreamweavers Waves stencil sponged with Stormy Sky distress ink then added the stamped image. 

Joining the fun at
High Hopes Stamps Challenge 249 - Furry Friends
Unruly Paperarts January 2015 RAQ - Global Traveller sailors are global travellers, also inspired by the waves in the photo. 
Addicted To Stamps Challenge 127 - Make Your Mark
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - It's a Guy Thing 
Penny Black and More Challenge - Stencils, Masks and Embossing Folders 
Cosmic Strawberry Colours Challenge 9 

Thanks for your visit.  Hugz

Butterfly Post

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi and hello to new followers DL.ART and fun stamping.  So glad you could join my happy little band.  Hugz all round.  

Over at A Blog Named Hero they want us to use small stamps to make a background.  What a fun idea.  So I had a think and came up with this

I used Sizzix/Hero Arts Postage Stamp set and Mustard Seed distress ink.  I cut a panel using the large die from Simon Says Stamp Bundle of Stitched Shapes and stamped the butterfly and grid.  Then I used the small butterfly stamp to stamp the background.  I cut a frame using the die in the Postage set and added it around the butterfly and grid.  I mounted the panel on a yellow base card and used the straight die in the bundle of stitched shapes to add the stitch detail top and bottom.  I liked this so much I did something I rarely do.....

I made it again using Worn Lipstick

Salty Ocean

Mowed Lawn

Frayed Burlap

Hey, 5 for the price of 1.   And they were quick makes!!  Another unusual thing for me.  

Joining the fun at
A Blog Named Hero Challenge - Use Small Stamps
Stamping Sensations January Challenge - Dies and Punches
Vintage Stamping Challenge #28 - New Year New Stash the postage stamp set and the stitched dies are all new stash.
Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Soft Scarf 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Milo de Milo

Hello.  Welcome.  It's a new year and over at PaperArtsy they have jiggled it all around for a new look and feel to the blog.  The challenge this fortnight is fragile papers and there are loads of inspirational posts.  I was particularly taken by Clare's tags using coloured tissue paper.  

I didn't have coloured tissue so I got out the dylusion inks and made my own.  Then I stuck ripped bits on two white tags. 

I covered with white acrylic then wiped it back through a stencil using a baby wipe.  I used Memory Box Honeycomb and A Touch Of Bamboo masks

I stamped with black archival and JOFY 34.  The lady is from Winter Wonderland Plate 6 stamped on white and fussy cut.  I decided to leave my images uncoloured.  

I added some hand written words and a wool tie

I stamped with Prima Chickenwire stamp on the second tag and added the boy from Kids Plate 3.  He doesn't have arms and I thought he looked a bit lost with so abrupt edges in the middle of the tag so I added some side pieces stamped with the chickenwire stamp.  Not sure he looks less strange but......

Another hand written sentiment

and some wool in blokey colours

Liking these very much

Joining the fun at
PaperArtsy - Fragile Papers

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Hogs and Kisses

Hello.  Welcome.  I treated myself to Simon Says Stamp Birthday Farm Animals and went whole hog and got the matching dies.  I have admired these from afar since their release.  They are so cute.  So here's the pig on his first outing with me.  I have replaced his balloon with a heart shaped one and decided he didn't need his party hat either.

I used the STAMPloration sketch for my layout.  I added a strip of tissue paper that has these fuzzy hearts embossed on it, added the pig and a couple of small red foil hearts.  The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Sugar Rush set which I stamped on the same paper tape as I used to ground the pig.

Joining the fun at
Allsorts Challenge Week 293 - New and Cute
STAMPlorations Sketch Challenge 25
Stamping Sensation January Challenge - Dies and Punches 
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday December 2014
DRS Designs Challenge 157 - Inspired by Colour

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you have a great day.  Hugz

No One In Their Right Mind

Hello.  Welcome.  I have been working on a project with tissue paper, colouring my own, when a reminder for CASE-ing Christmas sent me in a white on white direction.  Uhhhh, yeah, right!!  Of course, you have immediately realised the problems inherent in switching between these two projects.  Messy crafter thought it was a good idea.  For a short time.  Then white on white became blue and white!!  LOL

I used Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder on the background layer.  I fussy cut three pennants in different sizes and added some stich detail using my craft knife.  The snowflake is Cheery Lynn Snowflake 2 which I cut twice.  I left the negative shapes in place on the lower one.  I added highlights with Stormy Sky distress inks. 

Joining the fun at
CASE-ing Christmas Challenge 2
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 167 - Snowflakes
Dies R Us Challenge 18 - Embossing Folder
Die Cuttin Divas Challenge 198 - Picture Challenge 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope to be back soon with tissue magic.  Hugz

All About Cats

Hello.  Welcome.  You may know, or maybe not, that I am taking part in Claudine's Altered Playing Card challenge.  We all took a pack of playing cards, some people are doing two packs, and are making them more arty under Claudine's crafty guidance.  I did have plans to take some group photo's of my pack but since I am currently peddling fast to try and catch up I haven't got there yet.  Best plans and all that.  Anyway, here we are on week 16.  OK, I'm on week 16, with week 15 still in the wings, and Claudine is on week 18.  So not too bad........

Claudine's week 16 cards can be found HERE.  This week Claudine was using the same technique for her backgrounds.  So I painted one card pink, left the other white and added tissue I had stamped with Kaisercraft Graffiti stamp.  Well scrunched for  added texture. 

Then I took a girl stamp and decided the best thing was to stamp on tissue and then stick it on the inky background.  

I used Unity Stamp Co. Nancy Girl (new).  I coloured her with galaxy markers which give a nice painty effect but they will obliterate your stamp lines.  The joy of stamping on tissue is you colour on the back and when you flip it over the stamp lines are still all totally visable.  Result!!  One thing about colouring on tissue is go gentle or you will make holes!!  LOL.  I added glossy accents to the hearts.  I stamped part of the sentiment from the same set onto yet more tissue and glued that sucker down.  Layers and layers and layers.  Aren't those cats cute!!  

It gets a bit long winded from here cos for my second card I couldn't find a stamp I liked.  Cos like I don't have many to choose from ha, ha ha, hahahahahahahaha.  Anyway, I had been playing with Wendy Vecchi gold embossing paste for another project, yet to be shared, and decided to go with that.  And cats.  So I grabbed my Dreamweavers Retro Cat Sitting stencil and away to go.  

This is the second time I have used this embossing paste and the results weren't exactly what I was expecting.  What was I expecting??  Don't know really!!  Ha.  Maybe it's because the background is black and white I could appreciate some characteristics of this product I hadn't really noticed the first time I used it. I didn't like the cat at first.  It seem a bit invisible cat so I went round with a black sharpie, not so easy with all the tissue texture, and also filled in the eyes and nose.  Much better.  Maybe you can't see that so well cos some idiot stuck a watermark across cat's face!!

The paste is semi-opaque.  I thought it would be opaque.  Look you can see the background lines under cat's body.  

But if you change the angle it's wow.  This is not a flash photo.  I just altered the angle of the card so it caught the light differently.  Bling!!  What a great fun product.  

I found a sentiment I liked in Unity Stamp Co. I am Woman set.  Stamped, distressed, inked and winked.  I decided a needed a shadow on the RHS so I did some creative inking.  Then I wanted some stars.  More dilemmas, til I found some little wooden ones and decided to try out the Wendy Vecchi silver embossing paste (new), bought at the same time as the gold because I can never decide.  Silver? Gold? Silver? Gold?  Both!!  

I patted the paste on the stars pretty thick and then messed about with it til I was happy with coverage and texture.  I can't tell if this is also a semi-opaque product but it looks pretty opaque on the wood.  Will let you know if I find out different.  Or maybe you can tell me if you know.  Maybe I'm the only one on the planet that's hasn't played with this!!

So there they are.  Same background, different cat. 

Joining the fun at
Claudine's Art Corner- Altered Playing Card Challenge Week 16
Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes 
Fashionable Stamping Challenge 89 - Something New
Unity Stamp Co. Friends With Flair  

I am also going to join the embossing paste cat card over at Make Art Challenge 1 - Embossing Paste

Thanks for your visit.  Sorry this was a bit long.  Hope you survived.  If you want to see my other playing cards click on the label Altered Playing Cards and you will be able to see all my other posts without wading through the whole blog LOL.  Hugz