Friday 31 July 2015

White Lightning

Hello.  Welcome.  The lovely Jenn Shurkus is celebrating 10 years of blogging and she has asked us to CASE one of her past creations.  So I had a wander through her blog and found this lovely card



And here's my CASE



I used Bazzill Vanilla for my base card and also cut a panel using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die.  I stamped the sentiment from Unity Stamp Co. Anna Girl, embosssed with white powder and did a little watercolouring with Picked Raspberry Distress ink.  The girl is Unity Stamp Co. You Are My Main Squeeze, stamped, watercoloured and fussy cut.  I added a Sizzix die cut flourish and a heart brad

Hope you like it Jenn.  Hugz

Joining the fun at
Jenn Shurkus 10th Blogiversary 
The Unity Stamp Co. Be Inspired Challenge 30 - Colour 
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - CAS 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday July 2015 - Die Cuts 
The Unity Stamp Co. Friends With Flair

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz



Thursday 30 July 2015

Therefore and Because

Hello.  Welcome.  The end of the month looms.  Again.  Where does the time go??  Wizz, another month older.   A couple of days ago I got some new fun dies from Cheery Lynn.  Have you seen their wordy beasts??  Well, that's what I'm calling them.  They call them general designs!!  Boring!!!!  Definitely need a Wordy Beasts category.  OK, so I had the elephant and the hippo and then they go and release more lovely animals so I hit the credit card with a large stick and it coughed up enough for a pig, a cow and a kangaroo.  Yippeeee.  Say hi to Penny the Pig


Fun or what!?  It's been ages since I made a tag so I made a tag.  I used the Stamplorations sketch.  I started with some Prima paper and fancy cut the top using Spellbinders Label 20 set.  I used Stamplorations Retro Circle stencil and VersaMagic Pink Petunia.  


The ripped layers are Whatman filter paper, coloured with very dilute Brusho's, stamped with Worn Lipstick distress ink and the newsprint stamp from Stamplorations Live Love Laugh set.  I added VersaMagic Pink Petunia and Gingerbread to the edges and distressed them.  The live and love are from the same Stamplorations set stamped in Colourbox Black Cherry.  The pig was cut from MME patterned paper and coloured with distress inks.  



I added some sequins, a brad and some strange string stuff. 

Joining the fun at
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 195 - Anything Goes
Stamplorations Sketch Challenge 36 
The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Challenge - Tags
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - No Ordinary Paper  laboratory filter paper
Stamplorations July Mixed Media Challenge 
Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge 
Stamplorations July Challenge - Stamps and Distressing 

Thanks for visiting.  Take care.  Hugz 

Sunday 26 July 2015

No Time Like The Present

Hello.  Welcome.  The theme this fortnight at Paperartsy is Time.  Something I never have enough of.  I loved Keren's card with the shrink plastic clocks.  CAS and fun.  Here's my take



I used the collage stamp from Paperartsy HP1103, embossed with black powder and used distress inks to colour.  I stamped a Crafty Individuals clock on black card with white paint and also made one with black shrink plastic using the same stamp.  I layered the small on the large and added a metal pair of clock pointers to cover the ones on the collage stamp.  Will try to get a better picture.  Love that little sentiment 'time changes everything'.

Joining the fun at
Paperartsy
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - CAS 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

The British On Holiday

Hello.  Welcome.  Jenn Shurkus is celebrating 10 years of blogging.  That's a lot of blog.  I usually see Jenn's lovely creations over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.   So Jenn has a fun challenge to CASE a card from her blog.  I had a little scamper back through her blog and a couple of cards caught my eye.  So I decided to CASE this one


I really liked the stripes of colour and I thought I had the perfect image.  It also reminded me about the VLVS challenge, where there are also some stripes..... 


I started by making my background using Vintage Photo for the foreground and Weathered Wood and Salty Ocean for the sky.  Not as bright as the Mermaid Lagoon and I didn't manage to get those nice lines Jenn had.  Probably the wrong type of paper, or maybe not enough water?  


I cut a panel using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die.  Starting to think my sandy beach looks a little bit more like ploughed field!!


I added a half circle coloured with Salty Ocean and added some faux stitch detail using my craft knife.  The umbrella is from Sizzix Umbrella Man, water coloured.  The dog and cake are Viva Las Vegas Stamps.  I gave him a picnic rug and pink lemonade.  I also added wink of stella to the beach for a bit of sparkle.  The sentiment is also from VLVS, stamped on white card and fussy cut.  Here's my CASE Jenn.  Hope you like it and congrats on 10 years blogging. 

Joining the fun at
Creative Chick 10th Blogaversary Celebration  
VLVS July Challenge - A Bit O'Vintage  I used stripes, browns, grunge, and pink
DRS Designs Challenge 184 - Stitch In Time 

Thanks for dropping by.  Incidentally, if you like the dog I have one to give away here   There's a little 'name that bloke' game associated with it.  Just my idea of fun.  Bwahahahahahaha.   Hugz

Saturday 25 July 2015

Can You See My Brain Waving?

Hello.  Welcome.  I have finally succeeded in making a card that is impossible to photograph.  Yeah, way to go.......... not.  So I have included three of the best.  Kinda, the cream of the crap as far as photographic skills go.  Although I think this one could be a challenge to the best of you.  And I am far from that!!  I think I shall hand it to my man and see if he can make a better job of it.  It's a big pity cos it's actually quite a stunner.  Hopefully you can extrapolate from the pictures.  



This is actually the best one.  It's all gold mirror card


Ooh look, a selfie ROFL


Under natural light the gold turns to silver!!!  But you can see the rhinestones!!!

I embossed my mirror card with Cheery Lynn Diamonds and Starburst embossing plate using Sizzix round diffuser plate.  This left me an unembossed round area.  I cut Cheery Lynn Happy Hippo from the same mirror card and just used his smile.  The flowers were cut using Cheery Lynn BAF#3 Embellishments.  I cut lots and arranged them around my circle and then added a few to the sentiment as well.  Then I had a brain wave and added a gold rhinestone to each flower.  I cut a frame from a different gold mirror card. 



Joining the fun at
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 194 - Silver and/or Gold
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Decorate a Circle With Flowers 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Sparkle and Shine 
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday July 2015 - Diecuts 

Thanks for dropping by. Hugz

Addendum:  Photo by my man.  Very professional LOL

 

It Was Supposed To Be Punny

Hello.  Welcome.  The lovely Becca is having a bit of a birthday bash and wants us to link up some birthday cards.  Now I don't mind helping you celebrate Becca.  What fun.  Here's Becca's mood board


Now the first thing that struck me was the chick in sunglasses.  Becca also mentions purple and teal, polka dots, fun, brights and puns.  I decided to use the Repeat Impressions sketch.  So I did this



I used a raspberry base card.  I used brushos on another piece of the raspberry card and cut using Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangle die.  


I cut a panel from Bazzill dots card using Spellbinders die and a frame in blue using the same dies.  The owl is from Unity Woo Hoo set stamped on mauve flower paper and fussy cut.  I stamped the glasses again in blue, fussy cut and added wink of stella to the rims and glossy accents.  The happy birthday is a preprinted die cut from Craft Creations.  I added some flowers cut using Cheery Lynn BAF die, coloured with wink of stella and added a teal rhinestone to each flower.  

Joining the fun at
Becca's Birthday Bash
Repeat Impressions Sketch J2215
The Unity Stamp Co. Friend With Flair
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Circle With Flowers
HIMCR 208 - Lots of Layers

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Friday 24 July 2015

It's Like Snail Mail Only Slower

Hello.  Welcome.  Life is busy and the crafting seems to have taken a bit of a back seat.  Then today, rain stopped play, or work in my case, so I am trying to catch up a little.  Since Chris, hi Chris, has received my card for this months CCC I thought I'd share it with you.


I used a raspberry base, added a layer I coloured with brusho's and then a layer of MME patterned paper I had die cut with YNS Stitching Holes die.  I decided to go with the sketch and the colours but it ended up a bit of a rainbow so I'll just claim the sketch LOL.  I cut some MME patterned paper with a sizzix die and edged them with Salty Ocean distress ink.  The Memory Box music die cut is a gift from Darnell.  Hi Darnell, thanks for the lovely die cuts.  I stamped Stamplorations large Oriole on neon card, embossed and fussy cut.  Then I arranged him so he was perching on the paper strips.  The hello is cut using sizzix alphabet dies and a few sequins to finish.

Joining the fun at
Stamplorations July Challenge - Stamps and Distressing  used distress ink
Stamping Sensations July Challenge - Feature a Creature
Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday July 2015 - Diecuts

Thanks for dropping by.  If you would like to sign up for August CCC the link is still open HERE.  If you would like to send a card to a new friend somewhere on planet earth and receive one in return then check out that link.  Oh, and we have a sponsor so one lucky participant will also have the chance to win a lovely prize.  Personally I'm in it for the snail mail, but it is nice to have that little extra bit of excitement.  Hugz

Saturday 18 July 2015

Scratch and Grunge

Hello.  Welcome.  Well it's a rainy day and I just gotta say HURRAH!!   Life is crazy busy.  So many things to do, and the weather to do them with, so I am actually relieved to have an excuse to sit and craft.  Over at A Blog Named Hero they have a wonderful picture inspiration of bright colours.  It reminded me of those scratch art papers.  You know the ones.  Bright colours covered with black wax that you scratch a picture into to reveal the colours underneath.  When you were 5.  But don't let that stop you raiding the kids art supplies.  After all, they are quick enough to raid ours.  


So I embossed my scratch art paper using the embossing folder from Sizzix/Hero Arts Flourish set.  Looks pretty cool just like that!  But now I want to remove the black from the raised areas so I decided a bit of sandpaper would be just the thing!!!



OK, so it worked, and it's pretty wow!, but I did rub a bit too hard and deep in places!!  These fab colours are also holographic, although that isn't showing in the picture, but they look pretty good, despite the grungy appearence.  



I hated covering up the gorgeous background, and figured it was so bright most things would get swamped, so a large sentiment was in order.  After a bit of thinking I decided to remove all the black from a piece of the scratch paper and black heat emboss my sentiment.  Got this lovely Something Wonderful sentiment set from Rubber Dance and this one fitted perfectly.  I cut the sentiment panel with Spellbinders Labels 21 and also decided to cut my card the same shape.  I took a bit off the bottom so it stands and also removed the circle sticky outty bits on the sentiment panel.  They looked too empty and it lets a bit more of the gorgeous background show through.  Then I went around the edges of the card and panel with more black embossing powder.  Incidently, don't heat your scratch paper too much cos that colour layer is plastic and may melt.  How do I know that???  ROFL

Joining the fun at
A Blog Named Hero - Photo Inspiration Challenge
Tando Creative July Colour Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Get in Shape 
Penny Black and More Challenge - Anything Goes with a Sentiment

Thanks for dropping by.  Off to check the chicks aren't getting too wet.  Oh yeah, the chicks......



Took this about a week ago.  Wildlife photography not my strong point.  They move so fast.   Proud mother and crazy chicks.  One of the black ones is out of picture.  The yellow ones are starting to feather up nicely.  Will be interesting to see how they turn out.  Hugz

Friday 17 July 2015

Beach Babe

Hello.  Welcome.  Have you seen the lovely beach themed stamps over at Rubber Dance?  The first time I saw the Take the Plunge set I thought the girl would look great sitting against that cool beach rules notice.  



I wanted to keep it simple, although the blue did become a little more extensive than my original plan LOL.  I used a cream base card.  I stamped the girl with Archival Potting Soil ink, masked and stamped the bye-laws notice.  Then I used Distress Salty Ocean on her towel and watered it down to do the sky/sea.  

Joining the fun at
Rubber Dance July Challenge - Vintage White, Forgetmenot Blue, Cinnamon Brown
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Words as the Background
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes 
OCS July Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Thursday 16 July 2015

Alabaster and Marble

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi and hello to my newest follower Kim.  So lovely to have you along.  I really appreciate your continuing support and encouragement.  Big hugz all round. 

Life is busy busy and crafting is really taking a backseat at the moment.  I have managed to find some time tonight to make a white on white card for the Cheery Lynn challenge.   I am really hoping I might get lucky this week cos they have just released some new dies and I gotta get me a kangaroo and a pig.  Everything crossed......



I used Cheery Lynn English Tea Party angel wing to cut my shaped card base.  I added Cheery Lynn English Tea Party Doily and Tiny Bubbles Border.  I cut Cheery Lynn Stone Dragon three times and layered them to get some extra dimension.  I cut Stone Dragon two more times to get that lovely little pierced piece on the base, which I added to either side of the bubbles border.  I used a die cut sentiment which, along with a lovely card, my CCC friend Robyn sent me last month.  Thanks Robyn.  

Joining the fun at
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 193 - White on White
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Get in Shape
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Crafting Musketeers Challenge 27 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Saturday 11 July 2015

Blue Dancer

Hello.  Welcome.  The House That Stamps Built wants white plus one.  I used the YNS sketch and it all went together something like this



I stamped the girl from Unity KOM 11/13 and embossed in white.  I cut a circle mask and sponged with Faded Jeans distress inks.  I also sponged the Faded Jeans ink on the detail of the girl and around the edge of the panel.  I cut the white base card with Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle die and also added stitch detail to the top and bottom of the blue panel.  I added a strip of ribbon and cut Cheery Lynn Southern Charm Valance in white and added part of it to the ribbons.  Then I decided it needed some bling so I used clear Wink of Stella on the circle and glossy accents to the heart.  

Joining the fun at
Repeat Impressions DCC78 - White Plus One Color 
FSC Challenge 100 - Glitz and Glamour 
YNS Challenge 18 - Sketch 
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 191 - In Stitches
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 270
Unity Stamp Co. Friends with Flair

Thanks for your visit.  Hugz

Friday 10 July 2015

In The Eye Of The Tiger

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi and hello to Larisa.  Woo hoo number 100.  Should we celebrate??  Well, actually I realise that I probably do have a few more than 100 followers but since I haven't really worked out how to work out who's on bloglovin' or email I'm just really looking at my google friends connect folks.  But I love you all and appreciate your support.  Hugz   

Well, I had great fun with the cut away embossing technique, and the tiger that didn't get into the last project has been staring at me all afternoon so I figure I'd better play again.  



What a gorgeous kitty!  I used a sizzix embossing folder on some bronze card.  I love this cos it's got a black core and I sanded in places to expose that.  I used a zig zaggy border punch and adhered to a brown card base.  The tiger was stamped on Prima patterned paper, embossed and fussy cut.  The sentiment, from the same Marks Finest Paper Tiger set was stamped and embossed with weathered wood powder.  But we didn't like that so we stamped again and used black embossing powder.  Not bad, and I like the little highlight.  A few black sequins and Tiger is a happy kitty.  

Joining the fun at
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 269 - Cut Away Embossing 
Penny Black and More Challenge - Anything Goes with a Sentiment 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Furry Friends 
Stamping Sensations July Challenge - Feature a Creature

Thanks for dropping by.  Talking of giveaways I have a tinsy tiny name that bloke competition at THIS POST.  Also, just in case you are interested, the August Card Chain Challenge sign up is on and it's worth checking out.  If you would like to make a card to send to a new friend, or maybe an already friend, and also like to get an old style snail mail card CHECK THIS OUT.  You'll be happy you did.  CCC is a blast.  Hugz

Go Your Own Way

Hello.  Welcome.  Friday again!  Where does the week go?  Must admit I have been crazy busy doing stuff much less fun than craft, but have grabbed a few minutes, OK, maybe an hour, to make a little something.  This one kinda built itself.  Wouldn't that be nice if they all built themselves!!  Then I could be sitting out in the sun, sipping a long cool drink with an umbrella in it.  Alas, I was needed for clipping and sticking, and I'm still not sure it doesn't need a tiger........



This is my base card.  I'm going with the Rubber Dance challenge colours of cinnamon brown, forget me not blue and antique white.  This is my F-m-n blue card base.  I ran outside and checked with the plant and IRL it's pretty close.  But when I laid my cinnamon layer on it was too abrupt so I hit the blue with some gesso.  Oh, now it looks like sky.....


So here's my cinnamon layer.  I made this by embossing a piece of handmade off white paper with Sizzix Bricked embossing folder.  Then I coloured with distress inks, frayed burlap, ripe persimmon and old paper.  I just kept adding til it looked right.  Then I cut with a Spelbinders border die.  



It looked like sky behind an ornamental wall so I used Stamplorations Some Birds stencil and sponged white acrylic.  



I added a piece of lace on the rhs and a piece of string on the lhs.  I stamped the sentiment from Marks Finest Papers Tiger set and embossed with white powder.  I also added some white embossing powder along the hanging wall.  As I said, there might have been a tiger but he seems to have wandered off....  

Joining the fun at
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 269 - Cut Away Embossing
Rubber Dance July Challenge
We Love 2 Create Challenge 14 - Anything Mixed Media 
That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes Mixed Media 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Thursday 9 July 2015

Take A Sip

Hello.  Welcome.  I haven't had much time to craft but I saw this scrap of brusho background on my desk and this cute stamp from Unity and I decided to make a little something.  An ATC sized something.  



I used a yellow base.  I added a piece of brusho coloured paper which I stamped with the flower from Unity KOM 11/13.  I stamped Unity Best Friends (coffee girl) on yellow card, embossed with red powder and fussy cut.  The sentiment is a Prima rub-on. 

Joining the fun at
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Coffee or Tea 
Unity Stamp Co. Friends With Flair
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday - Refreshment

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Cupcake Topper

Hello.  Welcome.  I found the Colour of Summer 5 a couple of weeks ago but haven't managed to make anything and join the fun.  This weeks colours are green + green + pink, and I didn't have a clue.  Then earlier tonight, whilst looking for a bright colour paper to stamp on I had a bit of a revelation.



I actually had the idea to make a fun party bird for the Stamplorations birhday linky party.  So I found this two tone green patterned paper and stamped Stamplorations Large Hooded Oriole on hot pink card and embossed with black powder.  I stamped Stamplorations cupcake from the Sugar Rush set, embossed with white powder and added glitter glue.  I fussy cut the bird and added him to the cupcake.  Surprisingly I had a number of hot pink embellishments that matched the card colour.  I chose a satin fabric star and added sizzix party die cut from the same base card.  A few clear sequins and a hot pink base and he's ready to party.  

Joining the fun at
Stamplorations Birthday Linky Party 
Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge
The Summer of Color 5 - Week 5
Addicted to Stamps Challenge 151 - Anything Goes 
OCS July Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Don't forget to check the previous post for a tiny fun giveaway LOL.  Hugz

A Guy Named BORIS + Win a Dog Drinking Lemonade

Hello.  Welcome.  A couple of weeks ago I was over at Claudine's blog looking at her altered puzzle pieces and I started a couple of my altered playing card backgrounds based on this post.  Then they got lost on my desk.  Today Claudine posted two more puzzle pieces HERE and I was inspired to dig out my part finished cards and get them finished.  



I started by painting this one with black acrylic and stenciling in white acrylic through Stamplorations Flutterby stencil.  Then I filled the wings with iridescent glitter glue.  Yummy


I doodled around the edge with my white gellyroll pen and stamped and embossed the celebrate sentiment from Stamplorations Celebrate Artsy set.  



For my second card I stained the gessso with distress Frayed Burlap.  I die cut patterned paper with a sizzix die and added it to my card.  



This was another thing I started a while ago and couldn't work it out.  I made these eyes using Stamplorations Celebrate Artsy and Retro Mod shapes sets and various embosssing powders.  



I couldn't find a puzzle piece the right size so I cut my own, painted it yellow and added some wool as mad hair.  The overalls are painters tape with some gelly roll doodles.  I added a 'B' to his overalls cos he looks like a .......   Well, I haven't decided, but definately somebloke with the initial B.  Maybe you can help me??



So, my two cards.  Only 2 more and the jokers and my pack will be complete.  Hurrah

Now, on to the problem of a name.  Leave a comment with your best suggestion of blokes name beginning with B and I will pick my favourite.  I have already discounted Bob, so forget that.  Also, I will be picking my favourite so please check no-one has already suggested your choice.  As a thank you for playing along I will send my favourite pick a unmounted rubber stamp from VLVS.  I have a double of this one and the small umbrella from the same plate.      I chose BORIS.  Thanks for playing along ladies.   

Joining the fun at
Stamplorations 2nd Birthday Linky  - inspired by bright masks on dark backgrounds
Stamplorations - Anything Goes Challenge 
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Something to do with Playing Cards 
Stamplorations Mixed Media Challenge - Use a Stencil, No Cards
Addicted to Stamp Challenge 151 - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Friday 3 July 2015

Glitter Party

Hello.  Welcome.  Hope you are having a wonderful friday.  Any plans for the weekend?  We have been invited to a BBQ tomorrow.  Hope this hot, hot weather holds.  I am joining a few challenge with this ATC.  I've used Waffle Flower colours, and MFP wanted us to sponge our own stripes.  What fun



It's not the best picture!  I had a glitter glue moment.  It was a big moment!!  I used a yellow ATC and sponged Distress Cracked Pistachio using two post-it notes as masks.  Then I stamped and embossed Crafty Individuals Puffin on teal card and cut a sizzix Party from the same card.  I added some irridescent glitter glue to the sentiment and the puffin's beak and a few gold sequins.   Then I decided it needed a little more and covered the whole thing, sans Puffin, in the glitter glue.  Then I thought, 'how you gonna get a photo of all that blingyness now then??!!'   

Joining the fun at
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 268
Waffle Flower Challenge
The Craft Barn Weekly Challenge - Stars or Stripes
Crafty Individuals Challenge - Face Value

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Thursday 2 July 2015

Cards For Friends

Hello.  Welcome.  This is the card I made for the June CCC challenge and sent to Mrs A in the UK.  Hi Mrs A. 



I used a raspberry base card and brusho's on the background layer.  I paper pieced Unity's Anna Girl with dotty DCWV paper and added a twist of florist wire and some sequins.  The sentiment is from Unity Swagger set. 

I received a lovely card from Robyn in Australia.  Thanks Robyn.  
To see the full reveal for June go HERE
What are you waiting for??  Join the fun.  
There's still time to sign up for the July CCC HERE

Thanks for dropping by,  Hugz

Joining the fun at
Unity Stamp Co. Friends With Flair
OCS July Challenge - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps Challenge 151 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - We're Going Dotty