Hangin' Out At The North Pole!

My Taylored Expressions stamp set arrived this week just in time for me needing a 'W' for the Christmas ABC Challenge (washing line!) over on Docrafts. 

I've coloured the images with Promarkers and did the background with Memento Ink (using a brush to dab on)

Looking at the photo now I think I will need to 'touch up' Santa's belt - hasn't stamped as solid as I would've liked.

xxx

Black, Red and Gold Christmas Card

This is another card for the Christmas ABC Challenge over at Docrafts - this one is 'V'. I have used velvet card to mount the greeting on to. The greeting is a Dreamweaver Stencil which I dabbed glue through then gilding flakes.

Other than that, I used a Martha Stewart double loops punch and some black corrugated cardstock.

xxx

Daily Christmas Challenge - 'S' for Snow

Another card for Ginny's ABC Challenge over on Docrafts - this one is 'S' for Snow.

It's made with some of my purchases from SECC show at the weekend - a Memory Box Snowflake border die and a Woodware stamp.

The border has been cut using silver mirror card (hard to photograph) and the image coloured with Promarkers (and a bit of glitter glue).

The greeting is from Craftwork Cards.

xxx

Daily Christmas Challenge - 'H' for Holly / Less is More Challenge week 38

Another card for Ginny's Docrafts challenge - the letter is now 'H'.

I decided on 'Holly' and this is the result - inspired by this month's Papercraft Magazine.

I'm also entering it in the 'Less is More' challenge which is for Polka Dots.

The holly and greeting stamps are from Anna Griffin.

xxx

Another Christmas Challenge Card.........this time G is for..........

Again, this card is for the Docrafts ABC challenge - today it is the letter 'G'.

I have gone for 'Gilding or Glitter'

I used a Cuttlebug snowman die and cut out some double-sided adhesive. Gilding flakes were applied to the body and black glitter to the hat.

Stamped greeting from Inkadinkadoo (??)

xxx

Another Christmas Challenge Card.........

This is another card made for the Christmas ABC Challenge over on Docrafts - today is the letter 'E'. I have gone for 'envelope'!!!! Not a very Christmassy word but it was either that or embossing!

It is made with Bo Bunny's Tis the Season papers - the background is one of their cut-outs!

I made the little envelope and popped a mini-card in it with some trees cut out of the same range of papers and a rub-on greeting.

Off to get ahead with the challenge now - struggling with ideas for K!!!!

xxx

Christmas Challenge Card

Hello everyone!

I made this card after being inspired by 'Papercrafts' magazine. Over on Docrafts we're having a Christmas ABC challenge and this is my day 2 card - 'B' for belt.

It's very simple - just some red paper, white glitter card, textured black card and gold mirror card. The white glitter card has ben trimmed with some fancy scissors.

Might end up doing a few of these to send this year.

xxx

Less is More Challenge - week 34

Another Christmas card - this time the 'Less is More' challenge is a sketch.

I was a bit rushed this afternoon to come up with something and take the photo before the daylight fades.

Not sure I am entirely happy with the result - embossing is a bit messy and I think it would have looked better with a straight edge card but .................!!!

I used Stampin' Up stamps - coloured with embossing pens (think my green one is a bit dry) and then used some clear embossing powder. 

Enjoy the weekend!

xxx

Less Is More Challenge - week 33 (Entry No.3)

Another quick entry for the 'Less is More' challenge blog to help them on their way to 1000 entries.

The ribbon tree stamp is from Woodware - coloured with promarkers and some added glitter. 

Greeting and Card Candi from Craftwork Cards.

xxx

Less is More Challenge - week 33 (Entry No.2)

As the 'Less Is More' challenge blog is trying to get to 1000 entries this week I thought I would have another shot. This is a birthday card I made for my Sister-In-Law.

The flower stamps are from Stampendous and they are coloured with Promarkers (a bit of glossy accents and glitter added too!). Linen base card again with the lines scored using my Martha Stewart board. The greeting is a Letraset rub-on. Anita's mini-gems added under the greeting.

xxx

Less is More Challenge - week 33

This morning I decided that I needed to use up some of my card offcuts - I've been making quite a lot of square cards recently using sheets of A4 linen card which leaves a band of card. I usually use these to test colours/stamps etc but today I thought they would make quite a nice small card.

Using some double sided adhesive sheets I diecut some baubles (Cuttlebug dies), stuck them onto the card and then added the gilding flakes. I added some gold peel-off hangers and stamped the Paula Pascual greeting.

I have entered this into this week's 'Less Is More' challenge which is 'Anything CAS Goes'.

Might have another go later and help them reach their target of 1000 entries.

xxx

Less is More Challenge - week 32

I enjoyed last week's challenge at the 'Less is More' challenge blog so I decided to have another shot this week. This week's challenge is a 'One Layer Card entitled seeing double". In other words they want two of something. I've had these pumpkin stamps for a while now and never used so I dug them out and here is the result...............

The stamps are from Hero Arts and I coloured them with Promarkers and printed the greeting as I don't seem to have a 'Thank You' stamp.

If I was to do it again I wouldn't stamp so close to the edge - wooden stamps are tricky to place!!

xxx

Another Card Using Alcohol Ink

I enjoyed using the alcohol inks on metal with my last card so I decided to have another shot whilst I had all the bits and pieces out. Again, I used the red, yellow and gold mixative on the metal and embossed the metal sheet with a Papermania Christmas Tree folder which came free with a Docrafts magazine last year.

The card is only about 5 inches high - so I couldn't add a great lot more other than just to mat it on black and red mirror card and add some tiny red gemstones.

'Less is More' Challenge - week 31

Having another go at the 'Less is More' challenge - this time it is week 31 and the theme is Metallic. I remembered I had bought a pack of square aluminium sheets (about 4 inches) so I got my alcohol inks out.

I used the red, yellow and gold mixative and dabbed them over the metal. Then I used a scalloped square punch to cut the shapes out and embossed them with my Cuttlebug snowflake folder. Initially I highlighted the raised bits with Distress Ink but then I realised that it wouldn't dry properly so I wiped it off and used my crimson Promarker instead. I attached them onto a strip of textured black card then onto a square linen card. The greeting is from a Paula Pascual set.

Apologies for the photography - it's a really dull day today. Might try again tomorrow.

'Less is More' Challenge - week 30

Needed some inspiration this week so had a look at the 'Less is More' challenge blog. Week 30 is 'Take three challenges' so I went for -

Shades of Blue (week 22)

One layer - use ink (week 28)

Tall Card sketch (week 8)

I used some of the Anna Griffin Christmas stamps, bought from the recent QVC craft day, stamped onto pearl card and coloured with Promarkers. I'm hoping it fits all 3 of the challenges - wasn't sure what 'use ink' was but I have used ink to stamp. There may have been more to it??

Wedding cards

I saw this idea on somebody's blog a few weeks ago but I can't remember where - if you know let me know so that I can link to it. Anyway, I loved the simplicity of the design and decided to have a go as we have a couple of weddings to attend.

They are very easy to make - just some base card layered up. The cake is made with 3 rectangles with the corners rounded and then embossed using a Stamping Up embossing folder. Some ribbed card added to the base of each layer and some punched out flowers with tiny adhesive gems. I'm hoping the colour will match the colour chosen by the brides for their flowers/bridesmaids.

Have a great weekend!

Fiona x

'Less Is More' Challenge week 24

Been a few weeks since my last post - been a bit busy with work/holidays.

Decided to start back by entering week 24 of the 'Less is More' challenge. The theme this week is circles. As usual I am trying to get on with my Christmas cards so here is the result -

I used a Cuttlebug die for the snowman and a Martha Stewart punch for the edge. My dilemma came with the greeting (from Craftwork cards) - add or don't add???? In the end I went for it but personally I think I would have preferred it left off. Let me know what you think.

Birthday Card

This is a very simple birthday card - I bought some wooden flowers at Dawn Bibby's shop (not sure of the brand) and covered them in glitter.

I then stuck them with silicone glue onto circles of linen card and layered them onto blue card cut with nesties (small scallop). The greeting was a rub-on from Letraset.

xxx

Quick Christmas Card

A very simple Christmas Card following a sketch in Paper Crafts magazine - the stamp is a Kars one, coloured with Promarkers. Circles cut with nesties and vertical band edged with a Martha Stewart punch.

The curved edge was a bit of an experiment with scalloped scissors and the sentiment from Inkadinkadoo.

VERY simple!!

Loving the linen card.............(& Less is More)

Just a quick post today - trying to get ahead with Snoflake's challenge over on Docrafts. I used my lovely linen card for this one - great when there is a lot of 'white space'. The stamps are from Penny Black - the trees are paper-pieced with green card. Sentiment from Craftwork cards with stamped hanging stars underneath.

Thanks for looking!

xxx

PS Have just decided to enter it as a second card in the 'Less is More' challenge!

Less is More - week 9

The challenge this week at 'Less is More' is a 'Touch of Red' - this means only one thing to me ................... Santa Claus!!!!!

I've used an Inkadinkadoo Santa stamp, Martha Stewart snowflake punch and Paula Pascual stamped greeting. Hope it fits the challenge!

xxx

Stampin' Up! Class

Yesterday my friend and I went to a Stampin' Up! class - really enjoyed ourselves and it was great to meet other crafters. We worked on 4 projects - 3 cards and a hexagonal box. We learnt some new techniques which was great. This is the first project - the hexagonal box.

Wish I'd put the band around the box in the middle but ........... you learn from your mistakes!!

The flower on top had a twisted ribbon middle - I need more practice on that!

We then worked on 3 cards - which could be adapted for any occasion really.

 For this one we made the little flowers from rolled up paper - surprisingly easy.

This one incorporated one of the lovely new embossing folders from SU. 

Loved the little butterfly stamps - so versatile.

Well that's me for another post - back soon.  

xxx

Mother's Day Card

I liked the sketch for the Less is More challenge that I used it again (with a little bit of change) to make a Mother's Day Card. The greeting is from Paula Pascual's 'Filled with Flowers'. Can't remember where I bought the flowers - I coloured a couple of them with Promarkers.

Off to my first Stamping Up class tomorrow so will be back with my efforts tomorrow night or Sunday.

xxx

'Less Is More'

I've never entered a blog challenge before and have been keeping an eye out for one that could start me off. Through some other blogs I came across the Less Is More challenge blog - week 8 is a sketch challenge so I'm having a go!!!

My card uses some of the products I used in my previous card so I won't list the details. Now off to see if I can link to the challenge!

xxx

Snowmen!

I bought this Stampavie stamp (A Magical Christmas) from a stand at the SECC - this is the first time I have had a go with it. 

The background paper is SEI (Winter Song) layered with a piece of red velvet paper. I coloured the image with Promarkers - I will probably add a touch of glitter later! The white snowflakes were from Imaginisce and the red one is a felt one purchased at John Lewis - all held together with a big red brad. Sentiment and Card Candy from Craftwork Cards.

Thanks for looking.

Fiona x

Simple Christmas Card

I made this one last night but the light wasn't good enough to photograph. It's a very easy Christmas card for Snoflake's challenge over on Docrafts.

All the stamps (including the snowflake background and sentiment) are from the 'Christmas Characters' set from Inkadinkadoo - a bargain in Hobbycraft's sale in January! Coloured with Promarkers then punched out and mounted on red card cut out with nesties.

Simple!

xxx

My FIRST EVER Tilda card!

When I first started card making I have to confess to not liking the Tilda stamps .................. but then I saw this stamp in Teresa's gallery over on Docrafts and I decided that I quite liked it. Teresa helped me track it down and this is my first attempt using the stamp.

I stamped her in Memento black ink and coloured her with Promarkers. The 'figgy pudding' sentiment and Christmas Pudding are stamps from a Woodware set I bought a couple of years ago. Backing paper and circle greeting (doesn't show up very well in the photo - it's gold with red writing) from Craftwork cards. I bought the flowers in Florida - think they are Prima ones. I coloured some of them with Promarkers and left the others white - secured with a brad.

Love to know what you think.

Fiona xx

Christmas Card

Finally got round to playing with some of my SECC goodies. I made this card for Snoflake's challenge over on Docrafts.

I used the Woodware Patch Christmas clear stamp set - lovely stamps with lots of little extras like parcels, bows, stars, greetings, edges etc.

First of all I used my new nesties to cut the aperture in the card. I then stamped the tree, parcels, bows, star and coloured them with Promarkers before cutting out. I stuck the tree and some parcels on the inside of the card and the remaining parcels around the aperture on the front. I added some faux stitching around the aperture.

Not sure whether I will put a greeting on/in the card - don't want to make it too cluttered.

Thanks for looking!

Glasgow SECC

What a lovely day my friend and I had at the Hobbycrafts show in Glasgow. It literally took us the whole day to walk round the stands. Lots of lovely ladies doing demos - Barbara Grey was amazing - and everyone was so helpful when asked questions.

Here are my purchases (didn't think I'd bought so much!!).

We managed to get a great deal on the nesties (4 for £50) as I needed two sets and my friend needed them too. Lili-of-the-Valley also had an offer when buying four stamps so again we clubbed together.

Quite a few £1 bargains too - the circular Christmas brads, gemstones, frames, Craftwork Cards diecuts and Dovecraft swirly stamps. Off for a play now! Results will follow soon.

More close up photos........

Flowery Birthday Card!

This morning I've been making a birthday card for a fellow Docrafter (can't say who!!!). I've been using Paula Pascual's 'Filled with Flowers' stamps with Memento Inks.

I don't do 'random' very well - I like straight lines and everything lined up - so with this one I was trying to achieve a random background (think I achieved this?) and the larger flowers were meant to be random but I couldn't help myself and put them in a block of four with the sentiment.

Looking at it now I think I may add a couple more of the tiny flowers in the top right and a couple of gemstones.

Have a great weekend - I'm off to Glasgow SECC tomorrow for the Hobbycrafts show. Will report back.

xxx

Alcohol Inks

Received my QVC parcel on Friday - I bought the TSV of Tim Holtz alcohol inks etc. Decided to have a play this afternoon and this is one of the results ...................

Completely different to anything I have done in the past - I used the red and yellow inks with a touch of the gold then stamped over the top with the archival ink stamp pad with Inkadinkado stamps.

Found the stamping tricky as the surface is very glossy and therefore slippy.

Off to try the shrink plastic now ..................!!!!!!

Thanks for looking. x

Christmas Trees

At last I've found some time to make another card - trying to keep up with Snoflake's challenge over on Docrafts (one Christmas card a week)

I bought the tree stamp from Hobbycraft in their sale - it is by Kanban and in a set with other lovely trees and owls; really an all year round set not Christmas. They are stamped in green memento ink then trimmed down and covered in a sheet of double sided adhesive. I then added some Anita's tiny gem stones to the adhesive followed by a sprinkling of glamour dust.

They are then matted onto red mirror card - the striped paper is from Imaginisce.

Finished with a Paula Pascual circular greeting stamped in green and snoflake stamped in red with some more gems attached.

Thanks for stopping by - have a great weekend.

Another 'Snowy' Christmas Card

Loving this little stamp - made this card for the Christmas Challenge over on Docrafts

This time I used blue tones using Promarkers and a bit more bling!!

I love these Snowflakes - I bought them in Florida and have layered them up and secured with a brad.

The paper was just odds and ends from my stash (I think the patterned one is Dovecrafts from a couple of years ago). 

Enjoy the weekend!!

My favourite stamp

This is my favourite stamp at the moment - Penny Black's 'Snowy'.

A very quick card using Promarkers to colour and highlight.

Bought the snowflakes in Florida.

Craftwork cards circular sentiment.