Stamp In Style, Cut It Cute

A Shona Share!............

2012-02-08T18:01:00.000Z

Just a quick share from the last week and the weekend............

We had lovely sunshine on Friday although it was still very cold ... Our little bear loves the sun and we have to leave the back door open in the summer so she can come in and out as she pleases! We are lucky as we have the sun in out backgarden all day!

So she was being a complete pain as she wanted to keep going outside and I was up and down all day as I had to keep letting her in ... she'd go out and then just stand on the patio.........

Managed to get her in eventually ... It was so funny as Hubby was home early on Friday and she hinted to him by going to where we keep her pillow (behind a two seater settee near the window) and then looked towards the window where the sun was streaming in and then looking at him ... As soon as he'd placed it near the window she leapt on it lol!

She doesn't like her photo taken and usually deliberately looks away but I managed to snap this pic of her out of a couple I took.

And would you believe a day later...............

This is before it really came down and it came up to her belly ... bless her, it was proper snow .. powdery but compact and she was struggling trying to walk through it!

She's still on the steroids but doing well ... had her annual booster at the Vet at the end of January and he was pleased with her so she'll just have to keep taking the tablets.

Have a few ideas on the go but haven't had a chance to complete yet so watch this space!

Many thanks for looking

Hugs

On The Wings Of A Butterfly.............

2012-01-29T21:58:00.000Z

......................is my last entry of the moment for this weeks Less Is More Sketch Challenge.

This is similar to Mum's Birthday Card but I loved that one so much I had to make a version for this Challenge....

I'll let you into a little secret .... this is my favourite from the three entries.

I did have to improvise a little as I didn't want to have to cut a separate section ... I wanted the base card as one layer and just have my Butterflies flying ... it did take a little manoeuvring.

I put the card through the Bigshot with an embossing rubber mat and the embossing folder flat so I could get just the panel section (not the V Butterfly at the top) ... it did leave a bit of a mark at the side so I used my score board to make a little feature either side of the panel.

The Butterfly and Sentiment are from Stampin' Up and inked with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.

The Diecut Sizzlit/Embossed Butterflies are also from Stampin' Up.

I've embellished with different size clear gems.

Many thanks for looking

Butterfly Valentine................

2012-01-29T21:20:00.001Z

.................is my second entry for this weeks Less Is More Challenge.

Still struggling with the camera........

Hero Arts all the way again.............. but very simple this time.

Background Hero Art Flourish has been stamped with Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.

The Butterfly has just been stamped with Worn Lipstick ... Cut out and attached to the Card with Glossy Accents and embellished with little pearl gems.

Here's a slightly different view...........

I'm finding that I'm using Stamps I haven't inked for a while but need to use more often lol!

Many thanks for looking

Thinking Of You..............

2012-01-29T20:46:00.002Z

Is my first entry to this weeks 'Less Is More' Challenge Week 52 ... This week it's a Sketch!

We have to follow the Sketch exactly .. no rotating (has to be landscape) .. Rectangular .. with a side panel.

My base card is white but unfortunately I couldn't get a decent clean bright white photo no matter how I tried........ The camera just couldn't focus on all the white space today .. I'm going to have to experiment and see if I can improve for the future.

I've used Pumice Stone and Victorian Velvet Distress Inks and various Hero Arts Stamps ... 'Everyday Sayings' for my Sentiment and very small Flower ... One of the small Flowers the 4 Flowers Set and Fancy Designer Flourish for my vine.

Once I'd stamped my vine I randomly stamped my flowers.

I finished off by embellishing with little pearl gems.

I also got carried away so you will see a few more entries lol!

Many thanks for looking

Floral Frenzy and Using My New Penny Blacks..............

2012-01-29T20:17:00.000Z

The Challenge over at Penny Black Saturday this week is 'Floral Frenzy' so I just had to have a play with one of my new Penny Black Christmas Stamps ... Christmas Star!

I tried to keep it simple and let the flower do all the work.........

I coloured in two different shades of red Promarkers and also Forest Moss Distress Ink and cut out all the layers ... to finish I added some small gems to the centre.

I just had to use one of my new embossing folders ... this one is a wonderful Christmas one and didn't need any further embellishing.

To finish I just tied some string around the top layer and added the layer to my base card with foam pads.

I will have to see if I get a chance to create a few more entries before I'm back at work and too tired to do anything lol!

Many thanks for looking

That Other Card I Told You About............

2012-01-28T10:35:00.000Z

A few Posts back I created a Boys Card for the Tuesday Trigger and told you I had an idea for a Girls version............. Well I've finally finished it lol!

So I have two Family Cards sorted for this year so far...........

A BIG Girls Card ... 10 going on 16 lol!

All Hero Arts Stamps apart from the Stampin' Up! Sentiment ... Inked with Brown Memento and coloured with Promarkers ... Loads of Layers but still trying to keep it Clean & Simpelish (Just loving this style at the moment .. Have you noticed?)

Number 10 is cut out with my Silhouette and I embroidered around my shadow number to add a little detail.

Each piece has been layered with foam pads.

Love, Love this Butterfly ... I've wanted this type of butterfly for ages but already had a few Hero Arts butterflies so thought I'd make do............ until I saw the new Framelet Die/Stamp Set ... I already have the Dogwood Stamp so thought I didn't want to duplicate but at least I didn't have to cut the shape with my Silhouette before stamping ... but it's great as the Framelet version is smaller ... endless possibilities!

I've attached the Butterfly with Glossy Accents.

Here's a view to show the layers.

I've used 4 Promarkers shades and the Promarker Blender for my colouring.

Well do you think she'll like her 'Grown Up Card'?

Many thanks for looking

Spring, Spring, Spring!..........

2012-01-27T19:20:00.002Z

You know when you get a song in your head and it sticks ... Do you know your Musicals? Which one is this from lol!

This was just going to be an entry into this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is to use 'Crafty Bargains' and I managed to get hold of this cutie in The Glitter Pot Sale.

But then I saw the Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp & Show which is 'Song Title' and you know the rest lol! ... I might end up entering a few more before the week is out ... but then again I might not lol!

Unfortunately I did have good intentions but then work got in the way and when I'm on shift, because of my early start, I don't have the energy to do anything.

So here is the Card I created and it's been sitting on my desk for the last 4 days.

Quite clean and simple ... I've used an embossing folder on the back layer ... Nestie Flowers (One Stitched) ... Grosgrain White Ribbon and small Hero Arts Flowers (Centres have been Glossy Accented) ... Flowers coloured with Promarkers.

I've layered my little Penny Black Bear and coloured with Promarkers and the little Flower has a black gem in the centre.

Here's a side view to show of the layers.

I will just about get this entered into the Penny Black Challenge before the deadline.

Many thanks for looking

Just in case you were wondering....

I've edited the photos again as I wasn't happy how they appeared on the blog.

Sugary Sweet Love..........

2012-01-23T09:00:00.002Z

Still in the lurve zone lol!

This time it's sugary sweet and possibly shabby chic!

The card base has a grainy texture which I love and I've embossed a separate layer with two rounded corners to go over the main card base ... I've embossed with my new Craft Concepts 'In Stitches' Embossing Folder (loving this folder) and then I stamped into the centres with Spun Sugar Distress Ink and the Hero Arts little Heart Stamps from the 'Heart Sprinkles Set'.

I've decorated the front with a Spellbinders Label and a Love Quickutz Die (Inked with Spun Sugar) and folded chiffon ribbon into bows again and again for my decorative bow.

The large Heart is stamped with my Hero Arts Sketch Heart with Spun Sugar and I further embellished with my Filigree Flower Silhouette Diecut and one of my Fimo Handmade buttons.

Luckly I have the pale pink chiffon ribbon in 2 different widths so everything matches.

Yet another entry for the Hero Arts 'Hugs and Kisses' Challenge and 'Just Us Girls Challenge' so I'm off to place my entries.

I've just found that I've used one of the colours that will fit into this weeks Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger so of course I have to enter this Challenge too!

This is the Tuesday Trigger Challenge Picture

What do you think ... will I get away with it lol!

Many thanks for looking

Handcrafter's Heaven...........

2012-01-22T09:30:00.002Z

I'm always on the look-out for things I can photograph with my Cards and after a rummage in my sewing box I found this old cross-stitch pin cushion I decorated years ago ... the little dress-makers dummy is from ebay and is meant for a dolls house.Like my little display?

This was really difficult to photograph as the light wasn't with me even though I used my Daylight Lamp.

The base card is an ivory textured card which I've debossed with my In Stitches Craft Concepts Embossing Folder (Christmas Money Present) ... Love, Love this Folder so don't be surprised if you see it often.

My quilted base layer has been rounded on the top corners ... the base card has a Hero Arts Sentiment stamped on the bottom with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I was going for a card that made you think Quilting, Sewing, Stitching hence the Handcrafter's Heaven title.

The Needle and Scissors are Quickutz Diecuts ... haven't used these for years but they were perfect for this project ... My cord is a little crochet chain ... The Filigree Flower is one of my Silhouette DieCuts and is available here if you're interested.

This is a layer on layer on layer card and has been raised with foam pads ... I've used a Ruler Sizzix Die for the centre panel and stamped with a tape-measure stamp over the top using Antique Linen Distress Ink ... I also blended the card edges with the same Distress Ink.

Embellished with a pearl button and grosgrain ribbon to finish.

I've just found that I've used one of the colours that will fit into this weeks Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger so of course I have to enter this Challenge too!

Hope you like it and thanks for looking

Another XOXO CAS Valentine................

2012-01-21T11:12:00.000Z

Something a bit different from me ....... I keep seeing fab cards around that are squares with the corners rounded so I thought I'd give it a go.

First I created my Background using the same stamp Icons used Here (I did make the cards at the same time but I wanted to space my posts out a bit).

Then I punched out the squares with a square punch and rounded the corners ... at this point I also rounded a blank square and cut the corners on this one too ... Then came the Love Sentiment ... to finish I added my ribbon threaded handmade Fimo Heart Button.

The Squares have been attached to a blank card with foam Pads ... I also rounded off two corners on the card ... A little Christmas Bakers Twine to finish.

I again used Worn Lipstick and Fired Brick Distress Inks and Hero Arts Stamps.

Yet another entry for this months Hero Arts Hugs & Kisses Challenge and also it fits nicely into the Challenge over at Just us Girls for the Colours and the Theme.

Many thanks for looking

Butterfly Kisses - Birthday Card for Mum 2012............

2012-01-21T10:00:00.001Z

I really love this Craft Concepts 'Butterfly Kisses' Embossing Folder and just knew I had to use it for Mum's Birthday Card this year.

I'm still playing with Clean & Simple with just a little colour and dug out my SU Butterflies Set ... I also wanted to give my SU Butterfly Sizzlit/Embosslits Folder an outing as I've had it for ages but haven't used it yet.

I couldn't believe how the Sizzlit Butterflies almost matched the Embossing Folder as they have been produced by two separate manufacturers but they sit together perfectly.

My Card has a slight grainy texture to it and I've inked with Cranberry Adirondack.

My Butterfly Panel is layered over the top of my base card with rounded corners as a feature.

Still sorting out my photography.

Many thanks for looking

Love Heart XOXO............

2012-01-20T22:21:00.002Z

Clean & Simple or is this Less Is More?

Well I've been playing anyway and I've also been trying to improve my photography skills (Well attempting anyway)

I take my photos at night with a Daylight Lamp but white just doesn't look right no matter how hard I fiddle about in Photoshop ... I've had a piece of satin sample fabric flying about and thought it would make an excellent alternative to a lightbox ... draped over a pole and fitted so the fabric flows I'm quite pleased with the effect ... no more magnolia wall distorting the colours.

Anyway back to the Card ............ I've used various Hero Arts Stamps, Worn Lipstick and Fired Brick Distress Inks ... Embellished with one of my Handmade Fimo Heart Buttons.

I marked out in pencil where I wanted my centre printed panel and then randomly stamped my XOXO and Heart Icons.

The large Heart was stamped next and I embellished with my Fimo Heart after having tied through a piece of grosgrain ribbon.

I rounded off just two of the corners.

Another entry for this months Hero Arts 'Hugs & Kisses' Challenge.
I've just found a Challenge over at

Many thanks for looking Just Us Girls that this fits perfectly so just had to enter!

Penny Black Christmas...........

2012-01-19T11:46:00.003Z

I'm been using some Christmas money and invested in these little beauties from Penny Black.......

Can't wait to start inking.

There is a link to each stamp in the pictures if you're interested.

I know it's the wrong time of year but I've had my eye on these for a while so I thought I'd share with you.

There is an offer at Handy Hippo at the moment where there is a 3 for 2 offer on their Christmas Shop ... Well I couldn't resist.

Are you tempted? lol!

Thanks for looking

Owl Be Back................

2012-01-15T11:42:00.005Z

............or words to that affect mentioned in my last Post lol!

More options for the Less Is More One Layer 'Birds' Challenge

After having another rummage I realised I had a little Hero Arts Owl Stamp in my stash ... hardly inked so I started by collecting together a few stamps and then I got carried away.

When I inked the first Owl I thought I'd like to create a little Card Gift Set for those occasions when you need a card straight away ... I thought this would make an excellent present.

Referring back to my Dove Post I created another version the same size as my Owl Card so the Card Set would sit together ... and then I realised that the Cards wouldn't gel.

I've added the adapted version to the Dove Post if you'd like to see what I did.

Why am I telling you all this ... well it gives you a little background (hope I'm not boring you) and it leads into what I did create.

Here is my little set of five.

Just A Note.......... is the first Card in the Set I created.

Get Well Soon....... came next .. I've added a little ribbon bandage around his foot.

Boo!.... Say no more lol!

Valentine............. Another entry for this months Hero Arts Challenge which is Love & Hugs & Kisses

And lastly ..... Just Saying Hello.

Can you tell I really enjoyed creating this little set ... and I'm really enjoying these LIM Challenges.

Which one is your favourite?

Each Card is going to have it's own envelope and I'm going to create an Envelobox to store the five Cards ... with a little simple decoration on the outside (I'll show you when it's done)

Stamps: Hero Arts Owl, Hearts, Music Background & Sentiments - Heidi Grace Flourishes (Different Stamp Sets)

Shading and colouring with Promarkers - Distress Inks and Soft Sand HA Shadow Ink.

Hope I haven't bored you with this long post .. I'd better get back to the card I was working on before I went off at a tangent lol!

Many thanks for looking

Time For A Quick Challenge Between Cards............

2012-01-14T15:30:00.003Z

...............and when I saw the Challenge over at Less Is More - One Layer Card 'Birds' this week I just had to have a rummage ... didn't think I had any Bird Stamps and I can't remember the last time this was inked.

Don't know if I'm getting the hang of this Clean and Simple look but it's certainly stretching me and making me think before I start putting things together ... I usually start with a rough concept and then it evolves as I go along ... not with this lol!

I started by stamping my Bird Mask so that when I stamped the Bird on the Card I could mask it before stamping the foliage ... Then came the Sentiment ... Lastly I used a light grey Promarker and the Blender to create shadows to give it a little dimension ... finished off with 3 very small little gem stars ... Sorry, just had to have a little embellishment somewhere and you can hardly see them lol!

I thought this might be suitable for one of those sad occasions in our lives ... we never seem to have the appropriate card available.

Here's a close-up for some detail.

Here are the Stamps used ... as mentioned some haven't been inked for a very long time.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Sincere Salutations - Denami Dove - Heidi Grace (I think it's the Flourish Cherrywood Lane)

As Clean & Simple seems to be in trend at the moment I hope I'm managing to complete passable examples.

I've just realised I have a few more Bird Stamps than I thought so I might attempt a few more entries before the deadline lol!

Just a quick add.......... this was intended for another project but didn't look right so I'm quickly adding the pic to this post ... it's slightly different to the main card photo above.

There is a little story behind this one which you'll find Here if you're interested.

Many thanks for looking

One For The Boys!..............

2012-01-13T17:30:00.008Z

......................And a Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge Entry!

I never know what to do for the Boys in our lives and I really find Cards for the opposite sex difficult to do until I saw the Challenge Photo for 'Tuesday Trigger' and I knew what I wanted to do straight away.

It's a very early Family Member Card ... not required until August but at least I'm prepared lol!

All cut out with my Silhouette ... I've inked and embossed the numbers and glued them down flat.

My second layer has been raised with Foam Pads ... I created a separate sheet so I could use it as a stencil for my Happy Birthday.

Number Six has been heat embossed with Silver Embossing Powder and put through a Cuttlebug Folder once cooled to give the effect of metal ... to finish Shadow Six and Mock Metal Six have been each attached with Foam Pads.

Here's another close-up of the Happy Birthday!

I've been experimenting with my Camera to see if I can get a sharper cleaner image to my Photo's ... I'm quite pleased with the result!

There is a Girls version (finished at last) of this to follow but I'm still working on it ... watch this space!

Many thanks for looking

Edited to add....... I've just realised that this fits nicely into some of the other Moxie Fab Challenges this week so of course I've had to enter ... I've entered this into the DieCuts and the Embossing/Debossing Challenges.

Nothing Ventured - Nothing Gained!..............

2012-01-12T22:42:00.000Z

Having attempted 'Less Is More' again and just loving the little set I created, I thought "Gift Set Good Enough To Sell?"

Here's the Love - Pinks Card & Gift Set

Close-up of the Card....

And a close-up of the Heart Embellishment....

Front View of the Gift Box

Back view of the Gift Box

Another Gift Box Front View

I love this so much I thought I'd also enter a slightly different Purple Version for the 'Less Is More' Challenge ... You'll find it Here!

Recipe List: White Linen Card - SU Stamps - Distress & Adirondack Ink - Papermania Gems - Embroidery Thread.

Hope you like what you see ... I have a couple of Love - Pinks Cards & Gift Sets available in my Etsy Shop Keepsakes Corner

Many thanks for looking

Less Is More Challenge....... Regal Purple Love

2012-01-12T19:20:00.003Z

I actually made a different Love Set to this one but when I saw this weeks Challenge over at Less Is More I thought I'd give it another attempt.

Not a colour scheme I would normally go for......

Here's is the Regal Purple Love Set ... I think I might finally be getting the hang of this style ... What do you think?

Here is a close-up of the Card .... Stamped and Stitched onto White Linen Cardstock.

A little Sizzix Die Cut Box ... Here is a view of the Front ... The Hearts have been layered with Foam Pads ... The Stitching is hand-stitched, the ends neatly glued on the inside ... The Stamped Hearts and stitching goes all the way around the box ... Heart Gems and little Gem have been added to the flowers that have been coloured.

Side view of the Box.

Recipe List: HA Lilac Shadow Ink - SU Stamps - SU Purple Marker Pen - PM Gems - Linen Card.

Many thanks for looking

Edited to add......... Also available on Etsy at My Shop 'Keepsakes Corner'

My Favourite So Far.............

2012-01-05T14:27:00.003Z

...........Musical Ruffled Flower

A little display.....

I thought I'd show the little Heart Trinket Box I found in Boots in the Christmas Gift Section .. just loved it and you can also see the little bows I created with my Silhouette....

Here's a close-up of the card

I was having a little play and stamped with my HA Musical Background first with Old Paper Distress Ink .. I then stamped with my HA Mixed Flowers using Spun Sugar Distress Ink ... Then I embossed.

I Diecut the background with a Spellbinders Die but as it was the largest one in the set, to get my background layer I had to pencil around it and cut it out manually ... I then inked the sides.

My mock fabric layer was created with a Martha Stewart Punch which I then embossed with my SU Square Lattice Embossing Folder ... The HA Sentiment was stamped with Old Paper and I cut out the width I wanted and added the stitching.

With my HA Ruffled Flower I kept it simple ... stamped with Old Paper and then used Spun Sugar and a paintbrush to give a watercolour effect ... I attached some iridescent beads to the centre with Glossy Accents ... The leafs were stamped and given the same brush treatment as the Flower .. Flower and leaves were attached with foam pads.

Butterflies were punched using Martha Stewart Butterfly Punches.

This is another entry for this months Hero Arts Challenge and also for the Challenge over at 'The Shabby Tea Rooms' which is 'Time Flies' and to use something with wings.

Browsing through Blogland I also found the Challenge 'Anything Goes!' at The Pink Elephant and also at Top Tip Tuesday so just had to enter these Challenges too!

My Top Tip would have to be to add a little hand stitching for that touch of elegance ... you know me and stitching lol!

Hope you like my latest creation.

Many thanks for looking

Would you believe............

2012-01-05T11:30:00.001Z

...........This Card is using nearly identical colours to the last Post!

I did warn you that you would be seeing quite a bit of this stamp.

I again used Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Ink but didn't spritz with water this time so the colour is richer and more defined ... on the Flowers I used Worn Lipstick Distress ink but applied it using a paintbrush and a little water so that it looked watercoloured again ... I then sprayed with Vanilla Shimmer and once dry embossed with the Mixed Flowers Embossing Folder.

Here's a close-up of the background.

The Sentiment is made from two stamps ... One is from the Little Messages Set the other from Everyday Sayings .... I've stamped them onto a scrap from a Tim Holtz Die which I then stitched around and it has been added to a Cuttlebug Embellishment Die ... before attaching the pieces together I again punched a little heart and applied Glossy Accents to the finished label.

The flower and leaves have been stamped with Versamark and White Embossing Powder and then blended with Worn Lipstick (Blending heavier in the centre) and Peeled Paint on the leaves .. Flower, leaves and label were attached with Foam Pads.

The Rick Rack braid was a happy accident and matches in real life but didn't photograph very well .. The top section of the card didn't stamp properly and I had a white gap .. I didn't want to attach a ribbon and bow and when my eyes fell on the Rick Rack it just looked right!

All Stamps are Hero Arts and this is also going to be an entry to this months Hero Arts Challenge.

Hope you like this one too .. it's a little bit different from the last one.

Many thanks for looking

One Stamp .... Endless Possibilities!.........

2012-01-04T22:31:00.001Z

................and my first Post of 2012!

Just a warning with the title .... this Stamp bought with some Christmas money is being used a lot so I hope you don't get bored lol!

I'm also back to the 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink' lol! ... No Stitching but my attempt at 'Clean and Simple/Less Is More has gone out of the window ... not gone it will be attempted again....

Which stamp is it you ask? .... Well it's the Sizzix/Hero Arts Mixed Flowers & Embossing Folder ... I've made quite a few cards but I will have to space them out otherwise I'll get a smack from the Hero Arts Fickr Site for uploading too many cards at once lol!

Here is my first creation......

I started by brushing Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Ink over the Stamp and then spritzed with water to create a watercolour effect ... When dry, I embossed with the Embossing Folder and then used Spun Sugar Distress Ink which I smooshed into my Tonic Glass Mat and spritzed a little water next to it so I could paint in the petals ... I then spritz over some Vanilla Shimmer (Love this stuff) and finally to finish I added a dot of Rangers White Opal Liquid Pearls in the centres.

The Ruffled Flower (A Christmas Present) was stamped with Versamark and White Embossing Powder and then I blended Spun Sugar Distress Ink but added extra blending in the centre to mirror my Background ... also each section was Vanilla Shimmered ... the flower centre was then dotted with Opal White Liquid Pearls.

The Tag is made with a Sizzix Thick Cut Tag Die and I rounded the bottom corners with my corner rounder ... I cut two and blended some Spun Sugar on the bottom one ... the top tag was stamped with 'Hello from the Heart' with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink and finally I punched out the little heart before sticking the two tags together ... then I again Vanilla Shimmered.

All stamps are Hero Arts and I'm entering this into this months Hero Arts Challenge which is 'Love & Hugs & Kisses' ... 'Hello from the Heart' as my sentiment just seemed to fit.

The Sentiment is from an old Messages Set ... I was looking for something earlier at Bladerunner Stamps and saw that they were still offering this for purchase .... you will probably have to contact them so the reference is LL807 Messages if you're interested (they've changed the website so are only showing more recent stamps and I had to trawl through many, many pages before I saw it) ... It's a very versatile set with 18 little Sentiments.

Many thanks for looking

Hugs

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-31T23:57:00.001Z

I would like to wish everyone a

Happy & Healthy New Year!

Best Wishes for 2012

Recycling A Mistake..........Hope!

2011-12-30T22:02:00.004Z

If you haven't visited me before you won't be aware that I have been struggling recently with Less Is More.

This card is an idea I had which didn't work following Less Is More guidelines (I tend to embellish/layer and stitch a lot ... I also love texture!) so it was out of my comfort zone ... The Challenge Card is Here if you want a peek.

This was the Less Is More Reject which just didn't look right but I tried to salvage and this is the result.

Just so you know the mistake is under the layer ... amazing what you can do with a Spellbinders Die lol!

So the Background was stamped with my Stampin' Up! Hope Set, Shimmer Spritzed and embossed with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (I think it's Victoria but I'm sure you'll let me know if it isn't) .. I embossed it and then flattened it again through the Bigshot so the embossing wouldn't be deep so there would only be a little texture.

As I had to cover the original mistake this layer was stamped first using the Hope Set and Hero Arts Soft Sand Shadow Ink Pad ... I also stamped the Butterfly underneath as a shadow.

A little stitching around the edge of the Spellbinder embossed layer and once I attached the Butterfly (Worn Lipstick Distress Ink) I added the pearls.

Here's a close-up of the Martha Stewart Punched Butterfly ... the gems have been added to stick the Butterfly to the Card but I also added some strands of cotton on the back and secured with Glossy Accents to make sure it wouldn't fly anywhere lol!

Trying to show you the Shimmer ... Unfortunately the photograph looks a little bit yellow as the camera didn't pick up the Shimmer very well.

Well which is your favourite ... my Less Is More Option or this one.

I've also entered this into the Simon Say Stamp Challenge Blog which is 'Anything goes!'

Many thanks for looking

Less is More Continued.........Wish!

2011-12-30T22:00:00.001Z

I would like to thank Marrigje who had me thinking outside the box on this one and gave me the idea and inspiration to create my next card for the Less Is More One Word Challenge.

Still using my Metallic Silver and Teal Colourway .. I really enjoyed this one and it came together quite quickly.

I already had some pre-cut Sizzix Scallop Cards so I first of all added the Tim Holtz Wish Word Cut and then carefully placed the Snowflake I wanted as I had to cut it separately ... the Die is Here so you can see how carefully I had to cut.

Then I stamped the Stampin' Up! Serene Snowflakes ... Spritzed with Vanilla Shimmer and again embossed with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder.

The Gems were then added.

Another view and a peek at the inside ...... Yes I stamped a Snowflake on the inside using my Stamp-a-majig so that when you close the card the Snowflake is in the correct postition.

Many thanks for looking and thanks again for Marrigje for giving me the inspiration.

I've also entered this into the Simon Say Stamp Challenge Blog which is 'Anything goes!'

Less Is More...............Hope!

2011-12-30T21:58:00.002Z

Well, not letting it beat me I thought I might have another go at the Less Is More One Word Challenge ... As you probably know this is not a theme I usually go for as I struggle (I like everything but the kitchen sink lol!) and it is very much out of my comfort zone.

So I made one card which will follow after this post (it's the same colour scheme as the previous post so I thought I'd better post something different first).

This is the third attempt ... the first went in the bin ... the second didn't look right so has been recycled and embellished a bit more (this is the idea I had in my head to begin with but will not be acceptable for the Challenge ... It will be Here when I've sorted out the post and link)

So I'll now stop my waffling and show you the card lol!

The Card Shape is created with a Sizzix Die ... The stamp set is Stampin' Up! Hope and I think it was from the last Mini Catalogue ... I just loved this set when I saw it and part of the price of the set went towards Cancer Research which is another reason I had to get it.

I've used Brushed Corduroy and Worn Lipstick Distress Ink ... I then sprayed with Vanilla Shimmer Spritz and punched the Martha Stewart Butterfly ... I had to add the Pearls for a little embellishment but also to secure the punch Butterfly to the Card.

Here's a little close-up to show the Shimmer ... and it's got one word so I'll give myself a pat on the back lol!

Thanks for looking

No Matter How I Try................

2011-12-27T23:39:00.000Z

............... I ~~won't~~ can't do Clean & Simple.

I see some gorgeous creations out in Blogland but as hard as I try when I attempt to try my hand at Less Is More I just can't get my card to look right.

I thought I'd have a go at the Less Is More Challenge which is to use "Just One Word"

I used my lighter stamped HA Fabulous Flourish Card (the reject from my Snowflake Set using the Play Date Cafe Inspiration Challenge Photo)

All on one layer ... one flat card which is unusual for me ... I overstamped with SU Snowflakes and stamped one of them in teal ink .. and then numpty that I am I stamped a Sentiment using more than one word ... Doh!

I sprayed Vanilla Shimmer over the top and then embossed with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder ... just had to have a little texture ... Lastly came the gems.

So this was my first attempt!

So I had another go.............

Using one of my first Hero Arts Holiday Stamps I stamped my Peace Snowflake four times with Silver Metallic Ink ... My SU Snowflake was stamped in Teal again ... Vanilla Shimmer, Kars Embossing Folder and a gem added again and to finish a little bakers twine.

Still not sure so I had another go...........

This time I used my Hero Arts Pine Bough stamped in Silver Metallic Ink added some SU Snowflakes and my Hero Arts Delight Sentiment (One Word lol!) ... Snowflake Embossed and Vanilla Shimmer added again and the gems to finish.

And before I knew it I had created a little Set.........

Another entry for this months Hero Arts Challenge as well as a couple of options to enter into the Less Is More Challenge.

Well I suppose the saying goes that if you don't succeed Try, Try Again so I might attempt Less Is More again ... Hopefully they will allow my entries.

Many thanks for looking

A Challenge Missed............

2011-12-27T22:24:00.001Z

.............but the inspiration image over at The Play Date Cafe caught my eye and I just had to have a go.

I've used Metallic Silver in my card instead of Black.

I had an idea what to use straight away but I'm not sure if I like it now as I think I lost something in translation from what I envisaged to what actually appeared on the card.

I stamped my HA Fabulous Flourish a few times with Metallic Silver Ink and decided to make a set of two Cards (the third image stamped too light but that's another Post lol!)

Here is a close-up of the card.

The Snowflake is made using Sizzix Dies ... I inked the teal layer with an old ink pad ... The top Snowflake layer has been stamped with an SU Snowflake Stamp ... I have I then sprayed with Vanilla Shimmer Smoosh Spritz ... attached the pieces together with foam pads and attached the gem.

After stamping the background of the card with my HA Fabulous Flourish, I then stamped the HOTP 'Tis the Season' with the Teal Ink .. Then I sprayed with Vanilla Shimmer and once dry embossed with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder ... lastly I attached the gems.

Unfortunately it hasn't photographed well so you can't see the lovely Shimmer.

I'm also going to enter this into this months Hero Arts Challenge.

Many thanks for looking

My Favourite Cards 2011......

2011-12-27T14:11:00.002Z

Well I missed a few months for 2011 and in some months I had quite a few posts so here are my Favourites for 2011 ...

January

February

March

April

May

Then I had a little break..................

August

September

So many favourites ... makes up for my lack of posts in June and July

October

November

December

oops ..... I missed one

How could I forget Hubby's Christmas Gift Card lol!

Well that's my little recap of 2011 ... I hope you've enjoyed my little browse through my favourites .. The link to the original post is included in the picture if you want to view more details.

If you could leave me a comment I would love to know which ones you like the best from my little selection.

Thanks for looking

Santa Pocket Gift Card for Hubby.........

2011-12-25T20:27:00.000Z

Just a quick post to show the Gift Card I made for Hubby which I can share with you now.

I also thought I could enter this into this months Hero Arts Challenge.

I changed it slightly from the Hero Arts Gift Card featured by Shari and didn't follow the dimensions in the video.

The Trees sit into a little pocket so I can change this for next year lol!

I folded my pocket section first then I roughly worked out where I wanted my main fold and where I was placing my Santa and used the excess card (out of A4) to create my front little pocket.

Then I stamped using Hero Arts Florentine Pattern with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink and Big Holiday Words with Hero Arts Soft Sand Shadow Ink .. I stamped the pocket section and background with the Florentine Pattern and the lower front section with the Big Holiday Words ... I masked off the each section as I stamped.

I then spritzed with Smoosh Spritz Vanilla Shimmer ... Can you see the shimmer.

The Hero Arts Holiday Cheer Trees have been stamped using Shabby Shutters Distress Ink and also spritzed with the Vanilla Shimmer ... I then just slotted them into the little pocket.

My Hero Arts Santa and Wink Reindeer are left over from a previous project here.

I punched out the border on the front flap before assembling together .. the Punch is one by Fiskars.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas Day.

Best Wishes and thanks for looking

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas........

2011-12-24T13:50:00.001Z

My little bear Shona and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

I hope Santa brings you all you wish for.

Just a quick recap......Hobbycraft Basic White Card.

2011-12-21T17:04:00.001Z

Don't know if you read my Post Here about Hobbycraft Basic White Card but just to let you know I had a response back from them straight away on Monday.

They thanked me for bringing this to their attention and would be passing the info on to the buyer and could I send examples of the original and the new card.

So this is going in the post so they get it first thing in the New Year so I'll let you know if they get back to me once they receive the examples.

Thank you to the ladies who answered my request about any other Basic Card Suppliers in the UK I will be sorting my stock in the New Year.

Many thanks for looking.

Hugs

Mum & Dads Christmas Card 2011............

2011-12-20T21:41:00.001Z

This is the card I've created for Mum & Dad this year ... of course it had to feature a Westie so of course I just had to use one of my Shona Westie Doodles.

I've incorporated my Shona Westie Digi Doodle into a Step Card to cut and print with my Silhouette.

I must admit I was getting frustrated with it at first as I couldn't get the Silhouette to read the Registration Lines but eventually with the help of the Silhouette Flickr Group I was able to sort it out ... Thank goodness!

Can you see that gorgeous shimmer ... I managed to spray Smoosh Shimmer on just the stamped background and sprayed the Snowflakes separately ... I wasn't sure if it would manage to photograph to show the sparkle.

So here is what I did and used.........

I first printed my Shona Westie Doodle through my Silhouette Studio Software (All was sorted out originally in Adobe Illustrator) Then I cut out the Card and image in the Silhouette.

I also created a Westie Mask to place over the card ... I then stamped the background using my HA Big Holiday Words and HA Soft Sand Shadow Ink Pad ... I stamped the ground under the Westie in Grey Memento Ink.

I then cut the Sizzix Snowflakes ... The Kraft ones are actually cut from the inner section from Christmas Wrapping Paper ... recycling lol! ... With the White ones I used my Stamp-a-majig and SU Serene Snowflakes Stamp Set with HA Soft Sand Shadow Ink ... once glued together I sprayed with Smoosh Spritz in Vanilla Shimmer ... At this point I also carefully sprayed the background over the HA Big Holiday Words and dried with a heat tool.

Just the background was embossed with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder and I hand embossed the side sections at the front of the Westie by pressing the embossing folder at just the sides.

Then came the Westie colouring in .... I used Promarkers and a Gold and White Gel Pen ... Lastly I stamped a HOTP Merry Christmas and a larger SU Merry Christmas Sentiment on the back of the card and attached my Sizzix Snowflakes.

It's a gorgeous shimmery Card ... even though I say so myself lol!

I've just noticed that this might fit into the Challenge over at the Shabby Tea Rooms if I can get away with the HA Big Holiday Words as newprint and my Snowflakes as Stars.

Many thanks for looking

Hobbycraft Make It! Basic White 210gsm Card...........Don't Bother!

2011-12-18T16:53:00.001Z

Just a quick share as I'm not really impressed with Hobbycraft and don't want anyone else to be caught out like I have.

I used Hobbycraft Make It! Basic 210gsm A4 50 Sheets of White Card for most of my projects as it's cheap and not a bad weight (or so I thought) and as I cover most of my cards in ink and stamps.

I usually pick up a pack when I'm near a Hobbycraft so I've always got some and have two pack in waiting ... I just finished one pack and cut out a Diecut Card but wanted to cut another as a spare .. when I opened one of the new card packs I thought the card felt smoother, looked whiter and was a great deal lighter but cut a second card anyway ... I then took both to my husband but didn't say anything until he had one in each hand and then I told him that it was supposed to be the same card ... he confirmed straight away that one was definitely lighter and they were not the same quality and he isn't a crafter by any stretch of the imagination ... before starting to type this post I had both cards in my hand in front of the laptop screen and you can see through the card from the new pack.

Unfortunately the packs are sealed when you buy them so there is no way to check before purchase ... I now have two card packs that I can only use as embellishment card but not for the card base (I like to use the same card for both so there isn't a white variation which you get if you use different batches and manufacturers of card ... the nice thing about the original Hobbycraft Card was it was fairly white which was consistent between packs and the weight was sufficient to make a card which doesn't exist anymore) .. when you hold a sheet of the original card (I have one that is printed incorrectly) and the new card, the new card bends over while the old card stays rigid.

I have contacted Hobbycraft and see what they have to say ... If I get a reply ... You can guess I am not very impressed, it isn't as if it was a faulty batch as the two packs I have were bought at different times (possibly months between purchases and the packaging is exactly the same)

So buyer beware as it seems this is another company who are trying to reduce costs and product/weight but still retain their profit margin as the price and quantity are the same and trying to fob of the customer with inferior product.....

I will be buying my basic card from The Paper Mill in future ... unfortunately they can't always quarantee the white shade and it isn't very white but at least I will have a better weight of card.

I hope this helps anyone in the UK who buys this basic Hobbycraft card who haven't bought any for a while so you can save your money.

I would be interested if anyone knows of any other 210gsm to 250gsm Basic White Card suppliers in the UK.

Has anyone used the Centura White Card featured on Create & Craft and how would you rate it?

Hope I haven't bored you with this long post but I had to share.

Many thanks

Edited 19.12.11..... Many thanks for the info ... I'd forgotten about Craftwork Cards and I'll look into the Neena Card.

Reindeer Christmas Card Set........

2011-12-17T21:43:00.000Z

........................... Which fits nicely into this months Hero Arts Challenge!

I just love the Hero Arts/Sizzix collaboration of Stamps and Framelet Die Cuts and this little Set just fell through my letterbox lol!

I hope you can see clearly what my card set is like ... unfortunately the pic of all the cards doesn't do the set justice but I have split it to photograph so you can get all the details.

There are two versions in the set ... the first close up is the Blue Version.

I've created a new Step Card with my Silhouette so I could have my Trees on a separate stage and my Reindeer in the foreground.

My Red Set...........

One of each....

Here's an even closer pic of one of the Blue options.

And finally the Red Version of my Prancing Reindeer.

So just a quick run down of what I did and what I used.....

I first worked out my Silhouette Step Card and cut it out ... Then I stamped the background with my HA Florentine Pattern using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink ... Once dry I stamped my Holiday Cheer Sentiment with Broken China Distress Ink and added the ground for the standing Reindeer and set the Card piece to one side.

Then I stamped my Trees and Snowflakes with Broken China and Shabby Shutters Distress Ink and cut them out with the Framelet Dies.

Now came my Reindeers ... I used two of my Earth Elements Stampin' Up! Markers Red & Petrol (not the correct shades as I don't have them to hand) and inked up the jumper sections ... the rest was inked with my Black Memento Marker Pen ... once dry I used the Framelet Die to cut them out.

I attached Foam Pads to the back sections of the Die Cuts where I was going to attach them to the card.

Now back to the Card itself ... I passed the background section through my Bigshot with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder and then passed it through the Bigshot again this time embossing the lower section ... I then folded my Dash & Gap lines and attached my pieces.

I stamped a Merry Christmas Sentiment on the back Step Section of the Card and created a little base which has been stuck to the very first step so the steps of the card don't spread out too much.

Many thanks for looking

A Touch Of Frosting.........Not A Card Or A Tag!

2011-12-04T21:00:00.001Z

.......................it's a Decoration!

Well as you know from a couple of Posts ago I managed to find another Sizzix Snowflake Thick Cuts Die and couldn't wait to play with some Mountboard ... I've also been waiting patiently for a retired Sizzix Branch Die I found on Ebay ... brand new and it only cost a little more than if I had found it here in the UK, in fact the p+p and actual cost were roughly the same (I usually buy my Dies from Cutting Edge Crafts and they're brilliant as the don't charge p+p) ... There were two when I spied them from two different USA suppliers and they were only pennies between them but I've been bitten before when I ordered from the USA with customs charges so didn't take the plunge straight away ... I'm pleased to say I didn't get any customs charges although the delivery did take a while.

I already had this idea in my head and couldn't wait to play when it eventually arrived last Wednesday ... I had already collected my other bits and pieces together so it was full steam ahead.

This is a section of the Retired Sizzix Branch ... do you recognise it? ... It's featured on one of the Large Sizzix Tag Dies.

Snowflake A

Snowflake B

Closer View.......

So what did I do?.........

Well firstly I took my Tim Holtz Baroque and Mini Baroque Dies ... I cut the background panel first and then embossed with my Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder which I inked with Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Chipped Sapphire and Faded Jeans and sprayed with water so the colours merged ... where the ink soaked into the white snowflakes I sanded so they popped more.

Once the ink was dry (I helped a bit with the heat gun) I then embossed again using my Tim Holtz Gridlock Texture Fades Embossing Folder and used Tim Holtz Rock Candy Stickles and Rock Candy Crackle and once this was dry and still not having enough sparkle I added further glue and some Iridescent Glitter in patches.

After adding the stitching to the Baroque Frame I followed the same technique as above ... the Snowflakes and Branch were also treated the same way.

I managed to find the clear dew-drops courtesy of Kath who gave me the link to a fabulous Shop 'The Ribbon Girl' ... You'll find some great crafty bits there!

I attached the Frame to the Background with Claudine Helmuth's Multi Mat Medium ... the other die cut items were attached with silicone glue and the dew-drops were attached with Ranger Glossy Accents.

Here's a slightly different view........

I see a possible Card and Gift Box ... Watch this space lol!

Many thanks for looking ... Hope I haven't bored you with a long Post.

I Can't Believe...........

2011-12-04T20:55:00.001Z

................................it's the second Advent Sunday already.

I really don't know where the time is going and this year is nearly over.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas preparations.

Many thanks for looking

Excuse me while I VENT!...........

2011-11-28T21:33:00.000Z

I've just been browsing the net looking for something and am infuriated ....

Why, why do people think it is acceptable to Stamp Black & White Images and then sell them on Ebay ... Don't they know they are infringing Copyright? Do they care? Why are Ebay not policing this?

The Stamp Companies would be amazed how much this goes on ... Some people are selling sets of 10 Penny Black Christmas images ... They are taking money away from the Stamp Companies and the Artists.

Sorry it makes me really angry and it is a problem that Digital Artist are also encountering .... IT'S STEALING AND IT'S NOT NICE!

Vent over ... I'm off to bed!

First Came This................

2011-11-28T19:43:00.000Z

Just a quick share ..... To those of you not in the know.............. I love Thick Cut Dies and Mountboard lol!

I managed to aquire this Sizzix Die a number of years ago but it's been the only Thick Cut Snowflake I've been able to find until last week and believe me I've been looking ... It's great to layer Thin Cut (Spellbinders/Quickutz) Diecut Snowflakes over the top of it but I like to cut thicker materials.

Your probably saying 'Silly Woman getting so excited over a Die' but I found this ... the only one available when I searched the internet and only £6.99 no p+p well the card couldn't get out of my purse quick enough.

And the best thing .... it fits with my original Die so I can do this......

And this.............

Oh the possibilities are endless ........ watch this space lol!

Many thanks for looking

Hopefully Madam will allow me to post again soon.

p.s. Just to state I've only added my logo so the photos can't be used elsewhere ... I didn't Design the Dies.

Ashamed to say................

2011-11-28T18:07:00.000Z

............this has been sitting on my desk for months (possibly May) waiting to be finished....

I had intended to Diecut some scissors and a needle to attach to the bow but as it's been flying around for so long I'm thinking it's done and I'll sort the loop out so I can hang it on the wall.

It's all made using 2mm Mountboard ... and Diecuts ... If you've visited me before you know my passion for Thick Cut Dies and Mountboard lol!

Using all Hero Arts Stamps and Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies (excluding the Sizzix Frame and Wiggly Squares) I stamped with Versamark and then applied White embossing Powder and heated ... I then blended Distress Ink over the background (I think I used Antique Linen but it's so long ago I can't remember lol!)

I then stitched around the Background .... I know, I know but I just had to include some stitching somewhere ... it is a Textile Wall Hanging.

My Fabric Swatches have been stamped on Calico with a Christmas Red Encore Fabric Ink Pad ... It turned out lighter on the fabric but is a lovely pinky colour ... I then glued this onto Mountboard and Diecut the pieces with my Sizzix Wiggly Squares.

To finish I used my Tim Holtz Sewing Mannequin in layers again with Mountboard ... For the Body I again used Calico with a Hero Arts Stamp and layered this onto a second cut shape which I first stamped with my HA Woodgrain and Adirondack Brown Ink and Embossing Powder and then I blended Walnut Distress Ink over the top.

If you visit my Flickr Site please feel free to add the correct HA Ref Tags if you recognise the Stamps I've used ... There are a lot of them lol!

Many thanks for looking

Get Well Soon........

2011-11-28T17:44:00.000Z

I had to create a quick Get Well Soon Card last night as Hubby's Auntie has been rushed into Hospital with Gallstones ... She's been paying into Bupa for years but she was rushed to an NHS Hospital and as she didn't have proof with her they wouldn't do anything. My Father-in-law had to rush down to sort it out yesterday lunchtime and is stopping down there a few days ... you can imagine the panic ... We live in the Midlands and Auntie lives in Woking which is quite a distance away.

So the Card is going in the Post tonight hopefully to be received in Woking tomorrow so my Father-in-law can take it into Hospital for us ... hopefully it will cheer her up a little.

I've used mainly all Stampin' Up! products on this one ... Vintage Vogue Stamp Set ... Sincere Salutations Stamp Set ... SU Embossing Folder and Inks ... Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies for the Frame Section.

Close-Up of the centre panel.

I used a small Punch for the Flower Centres and Pebeo Chocolate Brown to dot the insides.

I really loved this set when I saw it but haven't used it very often.

Many thanks for looking

Just a Quick Update.........

2011-11-28T16:11:00.001Z

........................Before I begin!

Madam Sholay aka The Bear seems to be doing better and is now on her tablet every other day.... We had some sleepless nights but she seems to be settling okay at night as well now ... Although we are listening out constantly to hear any difference to her breathing, she is sleeping some nights without any proplems.

At first it was a nightmare and she was panting most of the night from 1:00 onwards for hours ... we have the heating turned very low in the bedroom and it's thermostatically controlled so comes on about an hour before I get up for work (3:30) when I'm on shift.

You can imagine Hubby and I were very short fused due to lack of sleep but making allowances for her and trying not to be horrible to each other.

In the end I gave her a clip to see if this would stop her overheating at night ... the pic below is pre-clip ... I intent to bath her before Christmas but I don't want to overstress her.

I finally managed to get into my Craftroom today ... here she is under my desk.....

And here she is pretending to be asleep but you can just see she's keeping her eye on me lol!

I had to make a quick Card yesterday evening while Hubby sat downstairs with her info to follow in the next post which is why I had the opportunity to get upstairs to take photos today.

Many thanks for looking

I'm Still Hereeeeeeee!

2011-11-11T16:30:00.001Z

Just a quick post to tell you I'm still here.....

Sorry I haven't been in the mood to blog lately or do much of anything else as I have worries over my little Fur Baby Bear Shona who was 14 last month and has been causing us some concern since the middle of last month so it's loads of cuddles on the sofa at the moment.

Shona Bear Taken: 07/11/2011

She is still bright eyed and bushy tailed and bouncing around but has a funny breathing problem now and again which is causing us some concern ... The vet thought at first that it was a virus as she had a dog with similar problems the same morning we took Shona to see her ... The vet examined her and her heart and lungs were fine she so she had a weeks course of antibiotics to stop any infection but is now on a course of steroids which seem to be working but we are reducing the dose gradually but she might need to take them all the time ... When she was younger she used to breath like this when she pulled to hard on her collar but it seems to happen now if she is too excited so we are trying to keep her as calm as possible ... Typical Westie she still likes to bark at people walking their dogs past our front window.

As I mentioned she isn't showing she's in any pain ... no signs of being lethargic ... Eyes are bright ... Ears look normal ... Eating normally ... bodily functions normal ... it's just the funny breathing now and again ....

She's had the steroids before to calm her system when she's had a reaction to something ... Having a Westie we know the things to look out for with this breed.

The vet also checked to make sure her nose was clear but if she has anything in her throat they will need to sedate her which is dangerous at her age as she may not survive the anaesthetic even though her heart is strong ... the vet also said they might not be able to find anything which means we could lose her and have managed her condition with medication ...

So I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the steriods when we keep them to a lower dosage will keep the problem under control.

I'm doing a lot of lap crafting ... knitting, sewing etc so I can have her cuddled next to me ... I must admit I haven't had much mojo for anything else.

My Blogging is probably going to be a little sporadic so I hope you'll bear with me as it might not be very often ... sorry for sharing but I thought I'd best let you know why I haven't been around much.

I hope you'll keep your fingers and toes crossed for my little old lady.

Keeping It Soft & Simple.............

2011-10-10T17:22:00.001+01:00

I was going to cheat as I needed a card for a 75th Birthday for today ... I had intended to pick one up from the supermarket but then I saw what was on offer and the price and decided I wasn't going to spend money on what I could create myself ... I already had an idea in my mind so out came the Silhouette and this little gem was created.

I'm really loving my Silhouette at the moment ... can you tell lol! ... I'm also going through a Step Card phase.

View from the top

I've used my HA Florentine Pattern with Memories Soft Vanilla Ink Pad for the background.

The reclining image is 'Kickin' by Penny Black and fits perfectly as the Birthday Girl is going on Holiday tomorrow ... she won't receive this until her Birthday which is while she's away ... it's hidden in her hubbies suitcase until then.

The number 75 is cut with the Silhouette and I've embossed the back layer with my new SU Embossing Folder ... (can't think what it is at the moment) ... I brayered the front layer with the Soft Vanilla Ink Pad.

Here's the Side View.....

Corners have been chomped with my Zutter Corner Chomper.

The Sentiment at the bottom is from a HA Set.

Inside I've stamped 'Happy Birthday' and SU's 'More Candles the bigger the Wish'.

The Penny Black 'Kickin' Image has been coloured with Promarkers and I dotted the flower centres with my chocolate brown pebeo.

Before I decided to cheat I was intending to make a card to enter into this weeks Penny Black Challenge 'Age Is Just A Number' but as I'm now not cheating I can enter this now lol!

Many thanks for looking

Penny Black Saturday Challenge... Monochromatic ... Pumice & Pinks....

2011-09-27T20:51:00.000+01:00

I thought I might have another go at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge of Monochromatic again ... hopefully I can get away with the shades of claret to pink with just a hint of Pumice.

I've used the HA Florentine Pattern Stamp inked with HA Soft Sand Shadow Ink for the background ... Over stamped with the HA Musical background in Pumice Distress Ink and stamped HA Snowflakes over the top in Pumice and Victorian Velvet ... the edges and background sections have been lightly touched with the blender with both Distress Ink shades.

I then coloured in the stamped Penny Black Santa Quartet and coloured with Promarkers (Winter Set and Burgundy and Blender Pen)

The whole card was then embossed with my Snowflake Embossing Folder.

I then rounded the first step with my corner rounder punch on both sides.

If you'd like to compare and see which version you like best the first Try-Out was here

I think I might make this my last entry for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge as well as I quite like this option and it is using a DieCut.

Many thanks for looking

No It's Not Deja Vu!.......Santa & Wink Step Card 2.....

2011-09-27T20:06:00.001+01:00

Here is the Front View of the Hero Arts & Wink (with a bit more thought) Step Card...

The Village Scene is a slightly bigger version and I've stamped my Sentiment before embossing with my Snowflake Embossing Folder.

Individual Hero Arts Snowflake Stamps for the Background ... Stamped with Versamark and then Embossed with White Embossing Powder ... I then over stamped again with my HA Flourish Background and white ink pad

Here's the Side View so you can see the detail

Wink with a little Bling!

View from the Top....

As this has a little Bling it will go nicely into the Lily Pad Monthly Challenge which is Simon Says Stamp Presents a Bling Challenge ... I think I must have a thing for Simon Says Stamp ... I can't remember ever entering one of their Challenges and this month I've entered two.

Hope you like this version and many thanks for looking

Still Stepping!........

2011-09-27T19:23:00.001+01:00

This is another Step Card ... Worked out in advance so I could cut it on the Silhouette and then stamp after.

I wasn't sure about this first of all ... I spent ages colouring in the Penny Black Santa Quartet (new addition but old/brand new stamp and managed to get it quite cheaply on ebay) and really liked how it turned out and then I made a mess of the background ... it went wrong and didn't look right so I had to adapt and then I didn't like it.........

It's been sitting on the desk as I did something else ... it's growing on me but I'm still not sure.....

I've used various Hero Arts Stamps on the Backgrounds and for my Postage Stamps ... collected over the years but they still sit well together ...

Here's a close-up of the Santa's ... I used Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink on the Background.

The Corners have been rounded with a punch again.

Many thanks for looking

I'm tempted to enter this into the Simons Says Challenge again but I don't want to push my luck lol!

Penny Black Snowy Challenge Card......Monochromatic!

2011-09-27T18:49:00.000+01:00

After having a play with my Hero Arts Step Card and then seeing the Monochromatic Challenge over at Penny Black Saturday this week and also Kath's Card, it inspired me to create my Snowy Step Card.

I worked out where I wanted Snowy to be on the Card first and then created the DieCut for my Silhouette ... Snowy has been positioned and stamped using my Stamp a majig again and a Chocolate Memento Ink Pad ... I also created a DieCut for my Penny Black Filigree Tree Stamp and cut and stamped that separately.

Here's the Side View

The background has been stamped with Chocolate Memento, Hero Arts Music Stamp Background and a HOTP Christmas Sentiment ... I embossed the SU Snowflakes in White and then used Brushed Corduroy and Rusty Hinge over the Card edges and over some of the background ... The Same colours were used on Snowy and the Filigree Tree.

The Corners have been rounded with a corner punch and I embossed the background with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder.

View from the top

I used Opal Pearls on the Christmas Tree, Snowy's Front and sections of the background.

Well as it's all DieCuts I just have to also enter this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge for DieCuts/or Punches.

Well from not entering any Challenges for ages I've gone overboard a little now lol!

Many thanks for looking

Hero Arts Christmas & Silhouette......

2011-09-27T17:33:00.001+01:00

I managed to acquire another little bargain on Ebay ... I think this one was £5.50 and it was for all three of the Hero Arts Santa Stamps to create his body.

As I looked at the pieces ready to assemble I had a little brain wave ... I had been after the Hero Arts Wink Reindeer but hadn't invested in it yet so as I looked at my coloured hand cut out Santa I decided I wanted him as my focal point but he needed Wink to sit with him (my excuse anyway lol!)... further thought on the matter and after trying to cut out Winks antlers (trying being the word ... and giving up) I called myself a few names before I thought 'Silhouette!'

Then I thought Step Card and instead of using a stamp for a village scene background (which I haven't got) I quickly drew a Village and cut it out and designed the Step Card Layout so I could create a version of the above Card ... The above Card being my Try-Out!

Santa and Wink have been stamped over the DieCut using my Stamp a majig for positioning and coloured with Pantone and Promarker pens ... I used a Pebeo Pen for Winks nose.

The pieces have been glued together with silicone glue.

Here's the side view ... The Background has been stamped with my SU Snowflakes ... Inked over the top with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and then when dry I embossed with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder ... The Village Scene was Diecut and embossed separately.

Here's the view from the top ... I forgot to add my Sentiment so this had to be a little add on label with a little ribbon to finish.

Hope you like my little Try-Out ... just to warn you so you won't have deja vu when you see the newer version.

As this also fits the Simon Says Stamp Challenge I just have to enter this one too lol!

Many thanks for looking

My 1st Christmas Card of the Year 2011.........

2011-09-27T16:34:00.000+01:00

Still think windows .... hope it fits in!

This is my 2nd entry for this months Hero Arts Challenge.

Using my Sizzix Scallop Card Die I stamped in White embossing powder and then used Antique Linen Distress Ink over the top to give the card a lovely soft antique look ... I then embossed with my Kars Snowflake Embossing Folder to give a little texture ... then I stitched (of course ... back to my old ways lol)

I then cut out my window with my Tim Holtz Dies ... now I'll let you into a secret if you think 'Oh, I want to do the same!' ... I had to sand off the edges of the Mover & Shapers Mini Labels Die to make it fit inside the larger Die ... It hasn't ruined it but without a little percussion adjustment it wouldn't fit ... If you want to cut the same window in one go you will have to do the same.

The window DieCut was then stamped with Hero Arts Soft Sand Shadow Ink and my Hero Arts Magical Swirls Stamp ... then I stitched again.

My used my Stampin' Up! Pine Cones Stamp for the centre focal point ... coloured with Promarkers and SU Markers I then punched out using my Scallop Circle SU Punch and used a Japanese hole punch to punch out the little holes ... the circle behind is a Spellbinder Circle which I inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

All Items have been attached with silicone glue to make everything POP!

I'm also going to enter this creation into the Simon Says Stamp Challenge to use DieCuts/or Punches and of course into this months Hero Arts Challenge

Many thanks for looking

Busy In The Background!..........

2011-09-27T16:09:00.000+01:00

Well I have been busy in the background although I haven't posted for a while ... Be Warned! ... I might just overload you a little lol!

I found this fabulous Hero Arts Fashion Blooms Set on Ebay ... in fabulous condition, hardly used and I managed to acquire for a fiver ... you should know me with bargains by now lol!

The Background is also a Hero Arts Stamp which has been inked with Hero Arts Soft Sand Shadow Ink as a subtle effect ... Fashion Blooms have been coloured with Pantone and Promarkers and I used the Blender Promarker to Blend.

The Sentiment is from Stampin' Up! and it's stamped on the inside of the Card ... Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies make an excellent frame and I just had to add a little stitching ... everything attached with silicone glue to make all items pop.

I made this to enter into this months Hero Arts Challenge which has a number of options to choose from and my selection was to make a window Card.

As it's also using DieCuts I thought I'd also enter this one into the Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog which is Use Dies/or Punches.

Many thanks for looking

Having Problems Leaving Comments?.....

2011-09-16T14:31:00.001+01:00

When you try to leave a Comment with Blogger but are already signed in and Blogger isn't recognising you or your ID ... Is it asking you to sign in again?

If you are having an issue with Blogger and Comments this might help as I also had the same problem.

I have a PC and this solved it for me.

I've tried to describe this as simply as possible if you are not Computer savvy.

Go to Start

(Microsoft Icon at far left bottom corner of your desktop)
At Pop Up Menu at Side you will have two columns.
Scroll Down the right column and you will find Control Panel.

Click on Control Panel

New Window opens

Select the network and internet settings.

New Window again.

Select Internet Options

New Window opens again showing Internet Properties

Select Delete on the Browsing History

Another New Window

Here you will see ticked boxes ... the Top Box is the Preserve Favourite Website Data ... Untick this box and select Delete at the bottom.

When you sign in to Blogger again make sure the Stay Signed In box is unticked ...

Unfortunately this will mean you will need to sign in again everytime you switch your computer on but at least you know you have to log off safely.

Hope this helps.

A Gift Box & Card Using Stampin' Up! & Hero Arts.........

2011-09-13T15:59:00.001+01:00

Just a quick share showing another Card & Gift Set using Stampin' Up and Hero Arts Stamps.

The Card....

The Gift Box.....

The alternative Card.......

As you've noticed I haven't been around much lately but I will try to post when I think you'll find something interesting lol!

Take care and thanks for looking.

Just to let you know........

2011-09-13T15:45:00.001+01:00

If you missed out on my little Halloween Freebie from last year I'm offering it again over at DieCuts & Doodles.

If you would be so kind as to leave me a comment on the DieCuts & Doodles Post I would be grateful.

Many thanks for looking

Festive Creating with Tim Holtz ~ Little Robin & Holly Bauble......

2011-08-17T19:09:00.000+01:00

No: 3 in my little set so far ... this is Little Robin & Holly Bauble.

To see No:1 and No:2 please click on the number link to take you to the other Baubles in the set.

I've used the same techniques as in the other two and everything has again been sealed with Claudine Hellmuths Studio Matte Multi Medium ... hopefully this will make them last.

Unfortunately I didn't set the camera correctly in this one so the flash went off .... I thought I'd show you anyway as te colours show up a little richer.

Hope you enjoyed my little share ... as I create more I'll post as an when.

Many thanks for looking

Festive Creating with Tim Holtz ~ Poinsettia Little Robin Bauble..........

2011-08-17T18:51:00.000+01:00

This is my second little creation ..... Poinsettia Little Robin!

My intention is to make a full set to scatter over my large Christmas Tree so this is No: 2 so far....

Incorporating the same colours and techniques from the first one Big Robin & Holly Bauble Here ..... this time I wanted to create a Poinsettia as my main feature.

The main Bauble has been embossed and painted the same way as the Big Robin & Holly Bauble ... I also used the same technique on the Robin and sealed everything with Claudine Hellmuths Studio Multi Matte Medium.

The Poinsettia and Leaves were cut from red and green card and my Thick Cut Poinsettia Sizzix Die and I then embossed using a Cuttlebug Spot Embossing Folder ... I embellished the Poinsettia centres with a little beading and wire work.

String for the bow and hanging loop to tie it all together lol!

Many thanks for looking

Festive Creating with Tim Holtz ~ Big Robin Holly Bauble ............

2011-08-17T18:30:00.007+01:00

I just love the versatility of the Tim Holtz Dies and thought I'd have a play using a number of different Dies to create a few Christmas Keepsakes.

I wanted them to be sturdy and hopefully last the ravages of time so used some mountboard (approx 3mm depth) to create my Christmas Decorations ... This is the first one using a number of different Tim Holtz and Sizzix Dies ... I had to go in the attic for the little Christmas Tree to show it off at its best.

I've used acrylic paint and Distress Inks and used Claudine Hellmuth Studio Matte Multi Medium over the top to seal ... the Bauble Die has been embossed with Tim Holtz's Wood Embossing Folder to add texture.

The Holly is made using a Martha Stewart punch and green card ... I've just added gems as berries.

To finish off I've embellished with a string bow and hanging loop.

I've made a few options so I'll upload them individually.

Many thanks for looking

Another Quick Shona Share! .... It's the Pillow Thief!....

2011-08-16T15:43:00.000+01:00

Just had to share a couple of pics of the bear

This is/was mine .... She's not sharing ..... One of those fab polystyrene filled pillows ... lovely to lounge on (if I get the chance) ... she is currently lounging on it beside me with her bum wedged against mine as I type.

I don't know if I've mentioned before but she is a 'Sun Worshiper' ... This large dog bed/pillow was bought especially for outside but we thought it was going to be a waste of money as she wouldn't go on it ... that is until Lilly visited and she couldn't get on it quick enough just in case Lilly tried it out.

It's not in its usual place as it is later in the afternoon when I took this and the sun had moved ... she hinted until I moved it ... what a face ... butter wouldn't melt lol!

You can just see a peek at the straw mat I knitted to go underneath it ... I got the idea from C&C Extreme Knitting ... String and Needles from Hobbycraft and because it was large needles with the string knitted double it didn't take long (didn't cost as much as on C&C either).

Final Pic .... This was originally mine ... if I'm on it she'll share it .... she's the first on it as soon as it's put up ... it's a fight between myself, hubby or Shona whose going to use it first .... look who won this time!

Hope you enjoyed my little Shona Share between Crafting bits and pieces.

Many thanks for looking

Card for a Nephew..............

2011-08-16T09:00:00.010+01:00

Struggling I went through my pre-made Topper Box to see if I could use any of the Toppers I made ages ago and luckly I had this little bear with his television and game console controller that I'd made for a 5 year old ... I used to make Toppers which I sold on Ebay ages ago and I had a few left over that I never put up for sale (I've got a slightly different one for a 6 years old but I don't think I'll get away with that for next year lol!)

Close-up of the Topper

I used a pre-made Turq Card ... Cut a Black layer (Embossed with a Snowflake Embossing Folder by Kars to give some texture) ... Die Cut some Sizzix Stars which I embossed with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (I stamped my Sentiments before embossing) ... a quick flick of my blending tool around the star edges ... a little doodling around the stars and black layer ... attached with silicone glue and it was done.

Happy Birthday Sentiment inside but I think he was more interested in the contents .... his mum was going to get him some cricket equipment for us as our present but didn't manage in time so asked could we include money instead ... I asked if he was going to put it in his money box ... his reply ... I'm putting it in my bank account .... that put me in my place lol!

He did say 'Thank You' straight away.

Many thanks for looking

Holiday Photos ... Cornwall but not at its best!............

2011-08-15T12:13:00.001+01:00

Before I sign off for today I just thought I'd share a couple of Holiday Photos with you........

Lovely Cornwall but unfortunately the weather wasn't always lovely ... we did have a great time though and the dogs loved it on the beach.

The bears on the beach .... made a brilliant Postcard sent using an iphone App.

St Agnes with Surfers ... but no relations lol!

St Agnes Main Street.

Newquay ... I bet it's rough in the Winter brrrrrrrr.........

These were from my phone so I'll share a few from my camera when I've sorted them out.

Many thanks for looking

Birds & Butterflies Gift Box............

2011-08-15T11:41:00.000+01:00

At the end of May I created an ATC Birds & Butterflies Card as part of the Hero Arts Monthly Challenge ... well I loved the Card so much I intended to create a little Gift Box to go with it ... well here it is using the same elements I used on the Card

Close-up of the front.

Close, Close-up of the Sentiment.

Side view.

Back view.

Well I'm off to create a few more Posts ... trying not to overwhelm you all at once so I'll stagger these over a few days lol!

Many thanks for looking

Hero Arts Goodies .... You know I love a Bargain!........

2011-08-15T11:26:00.000+01:00

You just know I love, love a bargain ................ well would you believe I found this little lot in a clearout craft bin in my local craft shop! ..... All Hero Arts .... How much did I pay for this little lot you ask .... well you'd better sit down .... I paid the princely sum of just ................. £13.00

and this little gem was included in the above .... not Hero Arts but it just said 'Buy Me' too!

Haven't inked them up yet but I just couldn't resist this little lot for that brilliant price.

Watch this space!

Many thanks for looking

Fathers Day Goodies......

2011-08-15T11:17:00.001+01:00

I'm really enjoying creating my little Card and Gift Sets so I just had to make a set for Dads Day.

Tried to keep it simple and manly (as you are aware Men's Cards are not my favourite thing) and just used an embossing folder and Adirondack Slate Ink for that metal feel ... Sentiments are from Cuddly Buddly and the punched bits and pieces are using Stampin' Up! Punches.

What was inside you ask? ...... Chocolate and don't laugh .... from his express instructions before last Christmas he didn't want any Gadgets ... and then he went on a quick break away with my mum and auntie (who both had DS's) in November and peered over their shoulders all the time so mum surprised him at Christmas. .... No mention was made of NO gadgets and as I had already charged it he started playing as soon as we finished eating (Battery needed charging overnight lol!)

So back to his Fathers Day Gift ... what did he get? .... Cradle of Rome/Cradle of Egypt Jewel Quest.

My Auntie came for a visit for his birthday ... I laughed to myself when I popped in as they were all sitting with their heads down playing ... All in their 70's like big kids lol!

Many thanks for looking

I'm a really, really, really BAD Blogger!.........

2011-08-15T10:59:00.002+01:00

Well it's an age since I last posted ... have you missed me?

With Blogger having issues it only sorted itself out in the middle of last month ... I didn't have a toolbar within the New Post section so couldn't upload pictures or change anything.

I haven't been idle though ... I have been creating a few things ... started a new hobby .... had a holiday ... so hopefully I can keep those of you who've stuck with me entertained lol!

Managed to catch this photo of Shona on my phone so I just had to share!

Don't you just love that wagger .... pure fluke!

Birds & Butterflies ATC Card.....

2011-05-26T23:58:00.002+01:00

This is my final entry for the Hero Arts Challenge this month ... hopefully it will still qualify as the Cherry Blossom is a Rubber Stampede but it went so well together with the HA Envelope Pattern.

Why Birds and Butterflies you ask? ... Well the Sizzix Card Section was first stamped with Versamark and the Cherry Blossom Stamp and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder ... I then used my Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls Embossing Folder.

The Card background has been stamped with a Lavender Pigment Ink Pad and the Envelope Pattern ... I then brushed the edges of the Card with the same Ink Pad.

The Blossom on the top layer of the ATC was stamped with Versafine Black and coloured with a Dark Pink and Lavender Watercolour Pencil (After adding water and leaving to dry) I added the grey shadow with a Promarker Pen ... I used the Lavender Watercolour Pencil on the back ATC layer and added water.

Recipe List:

Stamps: HA Little Messages ~ HA Envelope Pattern ~ Rubber Stampede Cherry Blossom

Inks: Black Versafine ~ Versamark ~ Lavender Pigment Ink Pad

DieCuts: My Rounded ATC Digi Download (See my Templates) ~ Sizzix Scallop Card

Other Bits: Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls Embossing Folder ~ Butterfly Punch ~ Dk Pink and Lavender Watercolour Pencils ~ Light Grey Promarker ~ Purple Ribbon

To finish I added a HA Little Message and Punched Butterflies.

I see a possible Gift to go with this one so don't be surprised if you see something soon lol!

Many thanks for looking

Edited to Add....... I've created a little Gift Box to go with the Card HERE if you're interested.

Last Couple Of Uploads For HA ATC Challenge.......

2011-05-26T23:27:00.000+01:00

Another ATC Card for this months Hero Arts Challenge using HA 3 Dotted Flowers, HA Wallpaper Flowers and HA Large Plaid Pattern.

The Wallpaper Flowers was stamped with a Red Ink Pad and then coloured with a Red Watercolour Pencil which turned to pink when I added water ... I used the same pencil on the ATC back layer and again added water ... The same technique was used on the 3 Dotted Flowers and I added a little Pink Gem to the centre.

The Card was stamped with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and the HA Large Plaid Pattern Background ... I added a Pink Ribbon to finish!

I just need to add a small tag to the Ribbon Bow for Birthday, Thank You etc......

Recipe List:

Stamps: HA 3 Dotted Flowers ~ HA Wallpaper Flowers ~ HA Large Plaid Pattern

Ink: Red Ink Pad ~ Worn Lipstick Distress Ink

DieCuts: My Free Rounded ATC Digi Download (see Templates)

Other Bits: Pink Gem ~ Pink Ribbon ~ Red Watercolour Pencil

Many thanks for looking

CR84FN29 Colour Challenge.......

2011-05-26T22:51:00.000+01:00

Well I finally managed to upload my Photo into my Post ... How you ask? I'm using Internet Explorer!

Well back to the CR84FN Challenge for this week ... I'm just getting in with the skin of my teeth and with my Blogger Issues I didn't think I was going to be able to share.

I first of all created the ATC using my Free Rounded ATC Digi GSD Template ... I stamped the top layer with my HA Florentine Pattern Background with Soft Sand Shadow Ink ... I then stamped with my HA Art, Life & Beauty Stamp with Vintage Sepia Versafine and I then coloured over the larger words with my Lavender Watercolour Pencil which I then washed with water ... The HA Butterflies were then again stamped with Versafine and coloured with Lavender and Purple Watercolour Pencils (again washed with water)... I then used Glossy Accents on the Butterflies.

For the Background of the Card I've stamped the HA Magical Background with a white ink pad onto textured Kraft ... I embroidered the edge of the Card mirroring the stitch effect on the ATC.

Recipe List:

Stamps: HA Papillons ~ HA Art, Life & Beauty ~ HA CG211 Magical Background ~ HA S5458 Florentine Pattern

Inks: HA Soft Sand Shadow ~ Vintage Sepia Versafine ~ White Ink Pad

DieCuts: My Free Round ATC Digi Download

Other Bits: Embroidery Thread ~ Glossy Accents ~ Lavender & Purple Watercolour Pencils ~ Purple Ribbon

Many thanks for looking

Flourish Gift Choc Box......

2011-05-20T14:53:00.000+01:00

Warning! ... Long Post with lots of Pictures lol!

This is my amended version of my Silhouette Choc Box (The original is HERE) ... very 'Girly Shabby Chic!' and a matching Card using my Sizzix Scallop Card Die ... You can't see the Card background very well so I've tried to show it better with a later pic.

This is the full view of the Card ... and to show it even better.........

I've used 3 different colour Brilliance Ink Pads which have a lovely shine and the background ink is Cream ... it looks beautiful in real life....

The Roses have been created with my Sizzix 3D Roses Die and I've embellished them with 2 sizes of leaves punches ... Of course I had to do some stitching.

Here's the Choc Box .... I've used the cut out window from the inside to decorate the outside ... There are 3 window options in the Template ... Oval, Fancy and a Rounded Rectangle.

And a Pic of the inside with Acetate Window ... As mentioned in the previous post the Choc Bars are from Lidl and fit perfectly inside the Box ... They are wrapped in silver foil with the outer label so I just carefully removed the outer label and embellished.

And here is the whole package.....

As the Card wouldn't fit into an envelope due to the height I also made a Silhouette Box to hold the Card.

And finally.........

I made the Choc Box Template so it cuts out in one piece on an A4 piece of Card so I had a play and reduced it down and managed to fit 2 on A4 ... Great little Favour Box or how about a little Gift at Christmas used instead of a Place Card!

Recipe List:

Stamps: HA Flourish Background ~ HA Leaf Flourish ~ Happy Birthday Sentiment ~ With Love Sentiment ~ Stampin' Up! Flower.

Inks: Cream - Beige - Copper Brilliance Ink Pads ~ Worn Lipstick Distress Ink

DieCuts: My Choc Box DieCut Digi Download ~ My Card DieCut ~ Sizzix Card ~ Sizzix 3D Roses

Other Bits: Leaves Punches ~ Martha Steward Butterfly Punch ~ Martha Steward Border Punch ~ Stampin' Up! Punches ~ Embroidery Thread.

Many thanks for looking

Embossing, Debossing, Embossing............

2011-05-20T11:08:00.001+01:00

I saw Lin use a technique the other week that intrigued me ... instead of just stamping onto white and then just embossing the card, you first stamp the image ... cut it out ... then stick it to your card before embossing to give a little bit more dimension ... I thought I might take it one step further and stamp my background with my HA Italian Poetry Stamp first ... I'm really loving this embossing folder from Craft Concepts.

I then took my central panel, punched it with my Martha Stewart Punch on both sides and then debossed it with the same embossing folder ... to finish I threaded though some red ribbon.

And finally I attached my little matching ATC ... embellished with Chiffon Ribbon, a Stampin' Up! Sentiment and punched Jewellery Tag and finished with a gem HA Flower.

Lots and lots of texture but only a small amount of colour!

If you haven't visited before and have a Silhouette please help yourself to my GSD ATC Files so you can easily play along with the this months Hero Arts Challenge.

Recipe List:

Stamps: Hero Arts 4 Flowers ~ Stampin' Up! Sentiment

Inks: Faded Jeans Distress Ink ~ Red Fabric Ink Pad

DieCuts: My ATC Digi Download

Other Bits: Craft Concepts Budding Vine Embossing Folder ~ Red Gem ~ Stampin' Up! Jewellery Punch ~ Martha Stewart Punch ~ Chiffon Ribbon ~ Embroidery Thread

Many thanks for looking

Making A Great Team! ~ Hero Arts & Stampin' Up!.....

2011-05-19T22:47:00.000+01:00

I may not be Posting but I'm still playing lol!

This wonderful little Silhouette Sentiment Stamp Set is by Stampin' Up! (Hostess Set) and features these lovely little Flower Silhouettes and some lovely little Sentiments ... I've used just the Flowers as they were made for ATC's (just the right size) and teamed them with my Hero Arts Envelope Pattern (made for each other) ... Hopefully Hero Arts will still let me enter it into the Challenge this month.

Here's a close-up of the Card so you can see more of the detail ... The Butterfly made from a Martha Steward punch coloured with Walnut Stain ... The Flowers stamped with Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks ... Wrapped with Hemp Twine which has been tied in a knot.

The wonderful Sentiment is from a Butterfly Stampin' Up! Set ... and the HA Envelope Pattern just sets everything off!

And I'm loving my new Sizzix Carry All Box Die which makes an excellent little Gift to go with the Card.

Little close-up of the front with a little Nestie Embellishment ... I think the ground stamp is an old stamp I have from A Stamp In The Hand but don't quote me on it as I'm not sure lol!

Recipe List:

Stamps: Hero Arts Envelope Pattern ~ Hero Arts Messages ~ Stampin' Up! Silhouette Sentiments ~ Stampin' Up! Butterfly Set Sentiments ~ A Stamp In The Hand (I think) Sand

Inks: Walnut Stain - Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks

DieCuts: My ATC's Digi DieCuts ~ Sizzix Carry All ~ Nesties

Other Bits: Grosgrain Polka Dot Bow ~ Hemp Twine

Many thanks for looking

Blogger Issues, ATC and Hero Arts Challenge........

2011-05-19T21:55:00.000+01:00

Well I'm still in that awful mode which keeps coming an going (I wish I could snap out of it)... this has been sitting on my desk since last week ... unfortunately with Blogger having its problems/issues last Friday I wasn't able to Post this in time for the CR84FN Challenge ... and promptly lost interest again.

It does however also fit into the Hero Arts Challenge this month which is to use Flowers, ATC's and Colouring Pencils ... I've managed to cover all options with this card and really enjoyed using Colouring Pencils again as it seems ages since I last used them.

A little close-up of the ATC ... I used a White and Pale Pink Karisma Pencils (I'm so disappointed that they don't make these anymore ... they blend so perfectly) Unfortunately they kept the cheaper Prismapencils but the Karisma are far more superior.

I inked up the Embossing Folder with Slate Adirondack which gave me a lovely distressed embossed background ... the Stamps have also been inked with Slate Adirondack.

I've used my two layer ATC Digi DieCut (If you have a Silhouette and haven't made ATC's before please take a copy of my template if you'd like to have a go)

Recipe List:

Stamps: Hero Arts 3 Dotted Flowers ~ Hero Arts Wallpaper Flowers

Inks: Slate Adirondack ~ Worn Lipstick Distress Ink

DieCuts: My ATC GSD Digi DieCut ~ Sizzix Scallop Card Die

Other Bits: Chiffon Ribbon ~ Gem Brad ~ Embroidery Thread ~ White & Pink Karisma Pencils ~ Craft Concepts Budding Vine Embossing Folder.

Many thanks for looking

Clean & Simple ~ Makes A Change For Me............

2011-05-12T14:43:00.003+01:00

The full display of my little Gift Set ... I seem to be creating Gifts with matching Cards at the moment ... just a little something extra to show I care.

I actually created the Card after I created the Choc Box Gift that went with it lol!

More detail on the Choc Box later but first the Card ... Simply Stamped with a Brilliance Ink Pad, Hero Arts Stamp with a Stampin' Up! Sentiment with a little chiffon ribbon embellishment ... finally a little punched detail at the corners.

The chiffon ribbon has been threaded through and tied in a double bow.

The Box is one of my Silhouette creations ... this was my prototype and it's changed slightly but when you open the front flap you see the goodies inside....

A little acetate window (3 different window shapes to choose from) and inside it fits 3 (well 4 at a push) small Lidl Chocolate bars Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...... lol!

Recipe List:

Stamps: HA F5243 Elegant Brocade ~ HA S5264 Antique Flower Background ~ Stampin' Up! Sentiment.

Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson

DieCuts: My Silhouette Chocolate Box DieCut

Other Bits: Chiffon Ribbon ~ Japanese Hole Punch

Many thanks for looking

Hero Arts ATC Challenge........

2011-05-11T22:25:00.000+01:00

One of the options for the Challenge over at the Hero Arts Blog this month is to make ATC's ... I haven't made any for years but thought I'd make mine so I could incorporate them into a Card ... Great fun and I think you'll be seeing lots going forward.

If you haven't made any ATC's before and have a Silhouette and would like to have a go I've made my GSD Files available for you to download ... One ATC has rounded corners ... One is a straight forward ATC ... Just go to my Template Tab to click the Pic of the one you want to download ... Feel free to take both if you want!

I planned roughly what I was going to do so I could stamp the Grass Silhouette onto the ATC Layer and Card at the same time ... I then stamped over the top of the ATC Layer with Versamark and White Embossing Powder ... the Card was then stamped with my HA Envelope Pattern ... Over stamped with Versamagic and my HA Italian Poetry and embossed with White Embossing Powder.

I then used Distress Inks and water splatters to colour my ATC Layer ... Finished off with my Tracing Paper and White Embossing Powder Butterflies and a Grosgrain Ribbon ... Layered with my Stitched ATC and added to its place to finish the Card.

I loved the look on the ATC so much I thought I'd decorate a little Gift to go with the Card.

I've been after the Sizzix Carry All Box for ages and after a great deal of searching I managed to find one ... long saga ... won't go there but suffice to say I love this little Gift Box and I can see that I'll use it again and again.

Here's a close-up ... I used the same technique as on the ATC and the decoration goes all the way around the box and under it lol!

Close-up of the Butterfly Embellishment.

Just a view of the side of the Gift Box.

Recipe List:
Stamps:    HA 'Silhouette Grass' ~ HA 'Envelope Pattern' ~ HA 'Italian Poetry Background' ~ HA 'Papillions'
Inks:    Versamagic Jumbo Java ~ Versamark ~ Distress Inks.
DieCuts: My Silhouette ATC Digital DieCuts ~ Sizzix Carry All.
Other Bits:    Stampin' Up! Punches ~ Grosgrain Ribbon ~ White Embossing Powder ~ Tracing Paper ~ Embroidery Thread.

Hope you have fun creating your own ATC's

Many thanks for looking

Hope you're not feeling too neglected.......

2011-05-11T22:02:00.000+01:00

I seem to be going through a phase at the moment again where the mojo comes and goes and unfortunately I will admit to not being bothered to Post (So big thanks to my Followers for sticking with me and having patience) ... I don't know if anyone else feels like this sometimes ... Unfortunately when I do I find I need to step back, reevaluate why I craft and try not to be overwhelmed or in competition with others but just craft for fun without it becoming a chore.

That being said I've had a little break ... have been busy in the background and as the Challenge over at the Hero Arts Blog this month has ATC's as one of the options, I've been playing.

If you have a Silhouette and would like to play along please feel free to download my ATC GSD Files.
I've created two options ... One ATC with Rounded Corners ... One Standard ATC.

The File has 9 ATC's ready to cut with a 2nd Layer Option ... You will need to delete the Fronts before cutting and then open the File again to cut the 2nd Layer or else you will get just a Frame.

Just click on the Picture Links to go to the Download Page ... I will also place the Links in my Template Menu Tab.

Hope you've forgiven me for my absense.

Many thanks for looking

One For You & Eight More Too..............

2011-04-25T10:58:00.000+01:00

As shown on my Happy Easter Greeting this is the Bunny Carrot Card Cake I made for my family.

I used my Silhouette Cake Slice Box Template and Pearlescent Brown and Cream Card.

Closer view of the Cake Slice ... Embossed with my Snow Cuttlebug Embossing Folder.

Closer view of my Bunny Body Topper Template.

All the Goodies inside.

Another view.

Recipe List:

DieCuts: My Silhouette DieCuts - Cake Slice Box ~ My Silhouette DieCuts - Bunny Body.

Other Bits: Pearlescent Card ~ SU Scallop Circle and Circle Punch ~ Quickutz Carrot Die ~ SU Earthtone Brown Marker ~ Cuttlebug Snow Embossing Folder - 3mm Brown Ribbon.

Many thanks for looking.

Just A Pop Of Colour.......

2011-04-24T21:28:00.001+01:00

Still playing with my favourite Hero Arts Flower Swirl Vine Stamp and that little Flower Stamp that goes with it ... just magical lol!

I've layered the flower with silicone glue so that it stands out.

I've used it with an SU Sentiment and Butterfly ... don't you just love that Sentiment!

Recipe List:
Stamps:    Hero Arts Flower Swirl Vine ~ Hero Arts Small Magical Flower ~ Stampin' Up! Sentiment & Butterfly.
Inks:    Black Versafine ~ Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.
DieCuts:   Sizzix Scallop Card ~ Tim Holtz Labels.
Other Bits:   Embroidery Thread ~ Chiffon Ribbon ~ Black Gems ~ Promarker.

Many thanks for looking

Happy Easter Everyone......

2011-04-24T20:09:00.000+01:00

I've been Card Baking again ... this time it's a Bunny Carrot Cake ... filled with Easter Goodies for the family.

And a quick matching Card.

Hope everyones had a lovely day.

Many thanks for looking

p.s. Info on the cake to follow.....

Another Version of '3 Little Chicks In A Row'..........

2011-04-18T10:00:00.001+01:00

Well sorry if I've bored you with all the Easter Cards ... If I have you will be glad to know that this is the last one for this year lol!

I had rather a lot to send this year so I tried to keep them along the same wave length.

As you've probably noticed this is a slightly different version of a previous card ... I had to adapt it slightly to send it overseas so it couldn't be too thick .... Flat layers ... a first for me lol!

The original card was Here! .... I used the other Tim Holtz Sizzix Label on this one and a different type of ribbon in white instead of yellow.

Before my mojo left me (the reason I haven't blogged for a while) I started on another Wall Hanging Project ... Hopefully I will get inspired to finish it and share it with you!

Many thanks for looking

Another Easter Card ~ Not Many More To Go...........

2011-04-18T09:30:00.002+01:00

Taken outside this time ... Quite like the lighting as long as the sun is shining lol!

I'm loving my new Easter Doodles and the HA's New Flower Swirl Vine ... have you guessed! ... It seems to be featuring many times on my Easter Cards.

Coloured slightly differently this time ... I've used Yellow and Orange pencils this time ... the add on flowers are from a Stampin' Up! Hostess Stamp Set and I've used the punch that they were made to compliment.

Recipe List:

Stamps: My Digi Doodle Artwork - 'Easter Parade - Easter Baby Chick & Aop's ~ HA Flower Swirl Vine ~ SU Hostess Stamp Set.

Inks: Scattered Straw Distress Ink.

DieCuts: Spellbinder Wizard.

Other Bits: Colouring Pencils ~ Embroidery Thread ~ Ribbon ~ Leaf Punch ~ Japanese Hole Punch.

Many thanks for looking