Sunday 31 May 2015

Remember This

Hello.  Welcome.  A busy day here today.  Finally spring, tomorrow summer LOL.   The last day of May already.  Juggling a bit of craft with gardening and taking care of the animals.  Here's the May pages of my heart shaped calendar for The Craft Barn Challenge.  This month the theme was Magenta and Flowers and I came up with this.



I have used plain card for my base cut using Sizzix Scaloped heart die.  I decided to go with the Rubber Dance Challenge colours so edged the hearts with Butterscotch paint.  I used Dreamweavers yellow embossing paste and Stamplorations Happy Flower stencil.  I stamped Unity Stamp Co. Beach Girl and watercoloured her.  I stamped Rubber Dance Stamps sentiment from the Happy Dance set in purple on yellow patterned paper. 




'Go Where The Music Takes You'  Good idea......

Joining the fun at

Thanks for dropping by.  Off to enjoy the sunshine.  Hugz

Friday 29 May 2015

It's a Twofer

Hello.  Welcome.  The craft room clear up continues.  I'm even thinking I may take the plunge and link up with WOYWW (What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday), which I always said I would never do LOL.  Mostly cos it has always been so difficult to see where the desk actually was!!  Whilst sorting and cleaning the postman called and delivered some happy mail.  Ooh goody, goodies!!  New stamps from Stamploration.  Well, dusting must wait, let's get inky.......

Yesterday I was over at Timeout where they want us to CASE a lovely card by Deepti.  I was struck by an idea to go black on black and came up with this



I was playing about with layers until I had a eureka moment.  I cut my black card base using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die.  Then I stamped Stamplorations large Black Hooded Oriole and sentiment with Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder.  To get my white break I got busy with the craft knife.  I scratched away the black card surface to expose the white core.   Gotta love a contrasting core. 

Joining the fun at
Time Out Challenge #32 - CASE With Your Own Twist
Addicted to CAS Challenge 64 - Animal
Stamplorations May Challenge - Stamps and Leaves pine needles are leaves aren't they??
Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge 
Addicted to Stamps Challenge 146 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for your visit.  I really appreciate the time you take to drop by.  Don't be shy, leave a little love.   Hugz

Add a Little Jingle

Hello.  Welcome.  Just a little something to flex the mojo.  I've used Stamplorations sketch to make a non-traditional Christmas card.  



This was one of those impossible to photograph projects!!  Too much shine and not enough contrast.  Looks good in the real though LOL.  I cut a pale blue card base using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle.  I stamped my border using three stamps from Stamplorations Mixed Media Grunge set and embossed in silver.  I also embossed the edges of the card.  I cut a stencil using Spellbinders star die and added Imagination Crafts Silver Sparkle Medium.  The sentiment is a silver sticker.  

Joining the fun at
Stamplorations Sketch Challenge 34 
Papertake Weekly - Take Your Pick I picked glitter
CHNC Challenge 230 - Use Something Diecut or Punched
OLCC Challenge #10 - Stars
Rudolph Days Challenge - May 
Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge 
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Holidays 

Thanks for you visit.  Hugz

Thursday 28 May 2015

Reorganised Chaos

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi and hello to Ryouma.  Welcome to my happy little following.  So glad to have you along.  Thanks to all my followers for your continued support and encouragement.  Hugz all round.

I don't seem to be finding much crafting time at the moment.  Today I decided a tidy up would help matters, but after clearing my desk I came to a grinding halt as regarded the best set up for reorganisation.  So the desk is clear but the floor if filled to overflowing and beyond.  Can a floor overflow!!???  I decided to just shut the door and am hoping it will all become clear in the morning.  No, I'm not expecting Rumpelstiltskin!!  I am just hoping I will get overnight inspiration.  Maybe I will dream the solution!!!!   So I have decided to share my May CCC card with you since it has arrived safely with Vickie.  Hi Vickie.  If you don't know about CCC check it out HERE.  Sign ups for June are still open.  Join the fun.



I followed the CCC May Sketch and colours.  I used Cheery Lynn Designs Eloise Elephant.  She is spouting rhinestones.  The wishing you... is part of a Crafty Individuals stamp and the ground was made using a stamp from Stamplorations mixed media grunge set.  

Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 186 - Anything Goes 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Addicted to CAS Challenge 64 - Animal 

Deborah will post the full reveal on 1st June HERE.  Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Wednesday 27 May 2015

Fifi Says Thanks

Hello.  Welcome.  A difficult thing about having animals is finding someone to look after them when you are away.  So if a friend is crazy enough to say yes it's always nice to show you appreciate it with a gift and a thank you card. 




I used Sizzix poodle die and paper pieced with some fluffy material.  The background is blue watercolor paint on a pink pearl card and I used Stamplorations Shutters stencil and black ink.  The sentiment is Hero Arts. 

Joining the fun at
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stencil It 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Thank You 
A Blog Named Hero Challenge - New  the stencil is new and the background technique was a bit experimental as well LOL
Scribble and Scrap Crafts Challenge 45 - Anything Goes
STAMPlorations Stencil Flash Linky Party 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Friday 22 May 2015

Hoo Loves Flowers

Hello.  Welcome.  I made this card using the Unity challenge sketch and Unity stamps.


I cut my hot pink base card using Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangle die, masked the edge and stamped with Unity Chicken Wire background stamp.  I cut another panel with the stitched die and inked the edges with Seedless Preseves distress ink.   I stamped the owl, one of my favourite Unity stamps, the sentiment and the small flowers.  I doodled the frame around the sentiment and added some colour using distress stains.  

Joining the fun at
The Unity Stamp Co Challenge 28 - Sketch
The Unity Stamp Co. Friends With Flair
Rubber Dance May Colour Challenge 
Stamping Sensations May Challenge - Flower Power
FSC Challenge 98 - Old Favourites 
Penny Black and More May Challenge - Dies and Punches

Thanks for your visit.  Hugz

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Phil Ate List Birthday

Hello.  Welcome.  Yesterday was a happy mail day.  I got a grab bag of stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps.  All the way from Las Vegas!  And a pink flamingo LOL.  I have been thinking about getting one of their lb's of rubber for a while and finally took the plunge.  I mean, pays your money, takes your chances.  Plenty good reviews on their website, and the negative ones are worth a look too ROFL  I was expecting lots of little stamps but most of these puppies were large part of sheets with diverse themes.  Cute to bizarre, small to large.  Some I'm not sure I'll use, although one of those got stamped tonight, but didn't make it into this project, so you never know.  This one caught my attention from the off and it gave me an idea.

 
I stamped VLVS Stamp Dispenser onto red metal, embossed with black embossing powder and fussy cut.  I cut a black base card using SSS stitched rectangle die and added black and white metal inchies.  I added the stamp dispenser.  Then I stamped MFP Happy Birthday from the Tiger set on white metal sheet, embossed and cut using Sizzix postage stamp die.  A perfect card for the philatelist in your life.  

Joining the fun at
VLVS May Monthly Challenge I used the colours
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 262 - Make a Background with Inchies

Thanks for dropping by.  Off to drink hot chocolate and party til midnight.  Hugz

Monday 18 May 2015

A Little Chickie Told Me

Hello.  Welcome.  



What a cute chickie!  I cut my card base using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die.  I cut a circle in a piece of paper and stamped with Hero Arts Flourish stamp and Cracked Pistachio distress ink.  The happy chick is from Simon Says Stamp Party Animals set.  

Joining the fun at
A Blog Named Hero - Challenging You to Keep It Clean
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Brand Product
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Color Swatch
DRS Designs Challenge 174 - Birds & Bees 
Happy Little Stampers - Die Cuts/Punches 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Sunday 17 May 2015

Huntin Buntin

Hello.  Welcome.  AAA Cards is having a 1st Birthday Extravaganza.  Happy Happy to you.  Luckily this guy had just one candle in his cupcake. 



I cut a panel using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die and coloured it with brusho's.  I added the goat from Simon Says Stamp Party Animals coloured with watercolours.  The bunting is cut from DCWV patterned paper.

Joining the fun at
AAA Cards Game 39 1st Birthday Extravaganza Party
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Brand Product 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Color Swatch 
Happy Little Stampers - Die Cuts and Punches 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Saturday 16 May 2015

An Elephant Remembers

Hello.  Welcome.  Been having some challenges this evening making roses.  Obviously I need some more practice.  Finally got the hang so here's a spring happy birthday elephant



My background was created using Dylusion Jade spray.  All the dies are Cheery Lynn; Eloise the Elephant, Small Tea Rose and Birthday.  

Joining the fun at
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 184 - Roses
Mynn's Birthday Bash Celebration  Happy Birthday/Blogaversary Mynn
Our Creative Corner - April Showers Bring May Flowers 
Crafting Musketeers Challenge #25 - Use a Die Cut Happy 2nd Birthday
Scribble and Scrap Challenge 44 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Tweetings

Hello.  Welcome.  A very quick post using the Stamplorations sketch.



I cut a card base using the stitched rectange die from Simon Says Stamp Bundle of Stitched Shapes.  I've used Stamplorations Sketched Blooms and Small Bird stamp sets.

Joining the fun at
Stamplorations Sketch Challenge 33
Stamplorations - Anything Goes Challenge
Fashionable Stamping Challenge 97 - Things With Wings
Addicted to CAS Challenge 63 - Birds 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge -Simon Brand Products

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Friday 15 May 2015

Oh I Do Like To Be

Hello.  Welcome.  Maybe Tiger Boy was the card that broke the creative block.  Come one, come all I say.  Over at Crafty Individuals the theme is 'It's Music to my Ears'.  



I've made a one layer CAS card.  One layer?  What's that white round your images then?  Ahhh, well,  ummm, see I had a bit of ink on the edge of my stamp and when I stamped the sentiment there it was.  Arrrggggg!  No longer clean.  So I tried to remove it but this lovely MME card has a white core, so there was a white spot!!  Double arrrrggg!  So the brain cell struck on the idea of scratching off a bit more around the sentiment.  I liked that so I went around the bird as well.  Then I decided it needed a border and mounted it on a card base, so not one layer at all really ROFL.  The stamps are Crafty Individuals from CI 272 and CI 344.  Oh, and if you are wondering where the music comes in it's the first thing I think of when the sea is mentoined.  The sound of waves, gentle whispers to mighty roars and the sound of seagulls crying.  As it says, 'the voice of the sea speaks to my soul'

Have a lovely day.  Hugz

Joining the fun at
Crafty Individuals May Challenge - It's Music To My Ears
CASology Week 146 - Music 
Addicted to CAS Challenge 63 - Birds
Fashionable Stamping Challenge 97 - Things With Wings
Scribble and Scrap Challenge 44 - Anything Goes 

I Want To Be

Hello.  Welcome.  It looks like spring has finally come, although it's still a bit cold, and I am too busy to get in the craft room.  When I do the list looms and Mr Mojo is all but scared away.  But then I visited Stampotique!  Do you ever get inspired and an idea leaps straight into your head?   I call this a eureka moment.  As to whether the project I see so clearly actually works, or even resembles my dream, well, that's another matter.    The Stampotique challenge is put an animal head on a human body.  Spooky.  But I knew exactly which head I would use.  The body was another matter......



The challenge at Marks Finest Papers is to used angled paper strips.  This suited perfectly cos I wanted a stripey background.  I used an orange base stamped with Stamplorations Mixed Media Grunge stamps and then added strips of black paper.  This is handmade paper and it has a matt core covered with a glossy embossed layer.  I worked my black archival ink pad around the edges to give a grungy/shabby look.  



Meet Tiger Boy.  I stamped the large tiger from Marks Finest Paper Tiger set onto Basic Grey patterned paper and fussy cut.  The body is Dylusions Couture Collection stamped on Prima pp and coloured with sharpies and promarkers.  The logo on his shirt is an Imaginisce stamp that reads 'Don't Feed The Animals'.  Sounds cruel to me, and boys are always hungry, so feed away



I mounted my stripey panel at an angle on a piece of the black embossed paper and then went a bit mad with the sandpaper, distressing the glossy layer away around the edges of the base and the panel.  I mounted on an orange base card leaving only a very thin border. 

Joining the fun at
Stampotique Designers Challenge 195 - Human With an Animal Head
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 261 - Use Strips of Paper at Angles
Time Out Challenge 31 - Grunge, with the option of embossing
Flonzcraft Challenge 32 - Shabby Chic
OCS May Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you are having a wonderful Friday.  Hugz

Tuesday 12 May 2015

If I Had A Penny

Hello.  Welcome.  I was waiting for paint to dry and this embossed panel caught my eye.  I decided it would make a lovely simple Mothers Day card and also get a UFO (un-finished object) off my desk LOL.  



This is Couture Creations Butterfly Hugs embossing folder.  I used the de-bossed side and coloured with Scattered Straw distress ink.  By using the debossed side the ink colours the background and leaves the image white.  I think it gives a more subtle look.  I mounted on a gold base card and added a Unity sentiment layered on the same gold card. 

Joining the fun at
Die-Versions Blog Hop and Mothers Day Card Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Le'ts Get Sentimental
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday April 2015 - Yellow
OCS May Challenge - Anything Goes
Unity Stamp Co. Friends With Flair 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Saturday 9 May 2015

Traditions In a Foreign Land

Hello.  Welcome.  We have already celebrated two Mother's Day's this year, one for Norway and one for the UK.  It seems tomorrow it's the turn of America.  So Happy Mothers Day to mums in America, and Happy Day to everyone else. 



I used Bazzill cardstock for my base card and added a layer of Docraft patterned paper cut with Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die.  I cut some strips of candy stripe pink paper that had cute little glitter dots on it.  I cut the aperture and added Curious Corrin.  I have stamped her on patterned paper and, looking at her now, she looks a bit like she has a strange skin complaint.  Ah well.....  The sentiment is a Unity stamp.  

Joining the fun at
Winnie & Walter with Pinkfresh Studio iNSD - Card Sketch
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 261 - Use Strips of Paper at Angles
Penny Black May Challenge - Dies and Punches
Die-versions Blog Hop and Mothers Day Card Challenge 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Cchallenge - Let's Get Sentimental
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Friday 8 May 2015

Portrait of Hermione

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi and hello to Patti J who has joined my happy following.  So lovely to have you along.  A extra big hug to you and all my lovely followers.  Hugz

It was a very happy mail day today with some of the latest releases from Cheery Lynn dropping into the mail box.  I couldn't resist these dies.  Luckily I was the challenge winner a few weeks ago so I had a few free dollars.  Thanks Cheery Lynn.  



Meet Happy Hippo.  So cute.  The colour scheme is courtesy of the Pinkfresh Studio, who in collaboration with Winnie and Walter, are having a fun celebration of National Scrapbook Day.  I used an aqua card base and added some Salty Ocean distress ink smudges.  I cut Cheery Lynn Celtic Fire Oval frame and backed it with a piece of harlequin embossed neon pink card. I added some Salty Ocean, but of course pink + blue = purple, so I flipped it over, used white ink then Salty Ocean.  A bit darker than I wanted but it's still blue.  I cut Cheery Lynn Happy Hippo from aqua and pink card and paper pieced.  I added sapphire blue rhinestones for the eyes and some neon pink photo corners.  

Joining the fun at
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 183 - Lots of Layers
Pinkfresh Studio Color Challenge - Aqua, Gold, Neon Pink
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Let's Get Sentimental 
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Words 
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes 


Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Wednesday 6 May 2015

Scream or Sing

Hello.  Welcome.  Supposedly humming is good for you.  If you do prolonged humming it is supposed to set up vibrations at the cellular level that are good for the body.
1 2 3 hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

There, doesn't that feel better.

I started playing with my giant chocolate chip stamp from DRS, but my vision wouldn't become reality, so I set it aside and grabbed some pre-stamped images to fussy cut.  Somehow the chocolate chip ended up on Corrin's head and a card is born. 


I used some kraft card and cut a base using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die.   I stamped DRS Spooky Eyes Background and embossed with black powder.  This was when I was working on Plan A, but they kinda fitted into the madness so I thought I use them.  I added Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain distress inks through Memory Box Shine stencil



Ain't she just bootiful!  I stamped Curious Corrin on Prima Something Blue pp and coloured with watercolour pencils.  I stamped my DRS Giant Chocolate Chip with Versamark on brown card, clear embossed and fussy cut.  I added some ribbon and a bow and Corrine said it looked fab.  She says if she gets hungry she will be able to eat her hat.  She's sporting a black rhinestne necklace and glossy accent spotted dress.  I used Sizzix Movers and Shaper stamp die to cut the stamp and hand wrote 'Chocolate Understands' because I didn't have a stamp small enough and I really believe it does.  

Joining the fun at
DRS Designs Challenge 172 - Put it in Neutral
Stampotique Designers Challenge 194 - Stencils
Unruly Paperarts May RAQ - Food Glorious Food especially Chocolate Chip Day
Penny Black and More May Challenge - Dies and Punches
OCS May Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Off to gets some understanding.  Hugz

Monday 4 May 2015

Hot Pink and Cool Blue

Hello.  Welcome.  Just a quick post to share the card I made for April CCC and sent to Marga in Spain.  Hi Marga.  If you don't know about Deborah's Card Chain Challenge you can check it out HERE



I used the sketch option and played with my blue brusho's.  Pleased with the background.  More luck than judgement.  Still not sure if it's better to spray first and sprinkle, or sprinkle and spray.  And is it less is more or is more better??  I've used my Simon Says Stamp stitch dies for the card, layer and also the little tag.  The sentiment and the butterfly are Unity stamps and the moth is PaperArtsy.  I believe this may be my first successful use of sequins.  Yeah.  

If you would like to sign up for the May exchange go HERE
If you would like to see all the cards sent around the  planet in April go HERE

This post is being linked to Friends With Flair.  Be sure to leave a comment.  Every week Unity draws a winner from a comment on one of the linked blogs.  Last week they drew a comment from my blog and the lucky winner was Michele Henderson.  Congrats Michele.

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Joining the fun at
OCS May Challenge - Anything Goes 
Winnie & Walter INSD 2015 - Product Challenge - Sequins
FSC Challenge 97 - Things With Wings 
Unity Stamp Co. Friends with Flair 

Sunday 3 May 2015

Conversations With Birds

Hello.  Welcome.  I had such fun making this card.  I saw this sketch over at WOW! Embossing Powder Challenge
and lovely colours over at YNS 
and came up with this



I've used the pink, blue and blank cheque (I went with a dark cream) colours.  I cut my base card using Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangle die from dark cream card and added Old Paper and Frayed Burlap distress ink.  I cut my panels and stamped words from Stamplorations Bloom Sketches in Salty Ocean and Worn Lipstick.  I edged the panels with the same ink colours and clear embossed the words and the inked edges.  I stamped the birds from Stamplorations Small Birds stamp set, embossed in black and coloured with Brusho's.  

Joining the fun at
WOW! Embossing Powder May Sketch Challenge 
Your Next Stamp Challenge 13 - Colours 
FSC Challenge 96 - Lovers
Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge 
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Words 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Saturday 2 May 2015

Black Hearts and Lace

Hello.  Welcome.  Lovely sunny day today.  I shoud be out doing some gardeney things but I was intrigued by this weeks challenge over at MFP.  So I thought I'd give it a go.  



The challenge is to make your own ric rac.  A tutorial is HERE.  I got out the Scor-pal and decided to go hot pink and black.  I am sure there is a die out there somewhere which would do a tidier and quicker job, but actually I like the texture all those little score lines give.  And it was kinda therapeutic doing all that scoring and cutting.  And of course we don't all have a die cutting machine.  I admit to being tempted to save the triangles as, yes, I am sure they could be used on a future project, but my desk is so full of UFO's I bit the bullet and added to the global waste mountain.   



Then it went a bit vintage?!?  Gothic ?!?  Can you have hot pink vintage?  OK, forget giving it a name. I stamped Flonzcraft Gibson Girls stamp on lilac paper.  Then added some purple for her and blue for him watercolour tints.  I was just going to add lace but this black heart ribbon fell on my head, yes really!!, so I figured it wanted to join the party.  The love is a Stamplorations stamp from the live love laugh set.  This is going to be a tag for a bridal gift.  Hope she likes it.  And the gift LOL

Joining the fun at
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 260 - We're Making Rick Rack 
FSC Challenge #96 - Lovers
Scor-pal More Than One Score Challenge 15 - Mothers Day/Special Lady 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Crafty Ribbons Challenge 118 - Anything Goes with Ribbon 
Winnie & Walter INSD 2015 - Create Your Own Background 

Thanks for dropping by.  Off to take advantage of some last minute sunshine.  Hugz

Friday 1 May 2015

Circus Ring

Hello.  Welcome.  Went a bit crazy yesterday didn't I??  Wow, that's a personal record.  5 posts in one day.  Nothing like a deadline to get things moving right along LOL.  So, how has your day been??  Happy 1st of May.  Hope the month has started sunny for you.  Over at Marks Finest Papers this week the challenge is only use the center.  So here's my idea using a stamp from MFP lovely Tiger set.



As you see I am still in neutral mode.  I stamped the tiger and embossed with black embossing powder.  Then I water coloured the background and cut out using Spellbinders Decagon dies.  I cut the same size in black and offset it behing the tiger panel.  You might just be able to see the corners peeking out.  Then I cut the largest decagon in black to frame my tiger.  Mounted on a grey base and black edging and smudging to finish.  

Joining the fun at
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 259 - Only Use The Center
DRS Designs Challenge 172 - Put it in Neutral 
Papertake Weekly - Take Your Pick white + 1
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 
OCS May Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Take care.  Hugz