12 Year Old Birthday

Hi there!

This is the first of my card orders that has been created for a friend. For this card I used Taylor's Sketch Challenge TESC 134:

She requested a card for a 12 year old girl who is very girly but has a love of chickens! Although this sounded challenging  I was determined to find a stamp that would be suitable and found this Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamp - Birds Make a Giant Cupcake which is totally adorable.

I started with a Vintage Cream base and layered some pink cardstock I had in my stash. This side layer uses some green cardstock with My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary paper (my favourite paper at the moment). The next layer uses Vintage Cream cardstock as the mat with the reverse side of the Quite Contrary paper . Some pearls were added to the side and some Hibiscus Burst ribbon attached. I used my Tiny Tags Cuttlebug die to create the tag and stamped the flowers and numbers in Old Olive Ink and Pretty In Pink Ink using my Simple Serif Alphabet stamps from Stampin' Up. This was attached to the ribbon with a jump ring.

The main image uses the Pink Cat Studio digi stamp - Birds Make A Giant Cupcake and this was coloured in with my Copics. This final layer was then cut and embossed using my circle nestablities and mounted on dimensionals.

The inside of the card has a layer of pink cardstock and then Vintage Cream. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Heartfelt Basics  stamp set and also uses the flower image from the Simple Serif set from Stampin Up. The flowers were scattered randomly to underline the sentiment.

Another really fun card to make - oh how I love colouring with Copics!! Very addictive! I will be back on the weekend with more.

Take care,


Supplies
Stamps: Birds Make a Giant Cupcake - digi image(PCS); Simple Serif (SU); Heartfelt Basics (PTI)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream (PTI); My Minds Eye - Quite Contrary Designer Paper; Miscellaneous Green and Pink card
Ink: Pretty In Pink, Old Olive (SU)
Miscellaneous: copic markers; corner rounder; Circle Nestablities (Spellbinders); Tiny Tags (Cuttlebug); Hibiscus Burst ribbon (PTI); Pearls (Kaisercraft); jump ring

Inkspirations and Embellish challenge

Hello,
I have another Christmas card for you today and this uses a couple of challenges. Firstly I used Makeesha Byl's Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #49:

 
I also found a colour challenge that I just had to try from Embellish Magazine using these colours:

 I knew straight away that I wanted to use Taylored Expressions Wings of Joy stamp set as it is fun to colour and also has cute whimsical Christmas images.  To keep in line with this, I took myself out of my comfort zone. I usually create cards that are simple and perhaps a classic style with very clean lines. However I thought I would try for a more shabby vintage look and I have to admit at first I thought I had made a mistake as it didn't look as crisp and clean as usual, but by the end I loved this card!!

I started out by using white for my base and adding another layer of white on top which I ran through my Cuttlebug with my Linen Impression Plate (if you click on this image the linen impression will be clearer). I then sewed a border using some linen thread. I created my own background paper by using the Guidelines Two background set with Riding Hood Red, Pretty In Pink and Vintage Sepia inks. Green rhinestones were added to the centre of each image and then this was mounted on Riding Hood Red cardstock.

The main image uses the birds from the Wings of Joy set which I stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia ink and coloured with my Copics, including some shadow with my C1 grey marker. To add an extra touch I finished off the berries and heart with Glossy Accents to give some shine.

This image was then cut and embossed with an oval nestablity die and layered on some Riding Hood Red card cut with a scalloped oval nestability die. Some chocolate chip ribbon was layered underneath this and then it was mounted onto the card. The sentiment is also from the Wings of Joy set stamped in Vintage Sepia ink and cut to make a banner. To add another vintage touch, all of the cardstock edges were swiped with Chamomile tea dye ink.

The inside of the card was kept simple with another sentiment from the Wings of Joy set and some more hand stamped background paper to finish the theme.

I have my daughter home sick with me today so I won't get much stamping done, but I do intend to disappear into my new craft room tonight when all the kids are in bed (yes after some friends' suggestions, my husband has let me take over the empty formal lounge and buy a great craft table and buffet to store all my supplies!!). I will be back in a couple of days as I have more orders for cards to be made so I will have lots to show.

Thanks for looking - its so good to start this blog and know that some of you out there like looking at cards created by little old me!

Supplies

Stamps: Wings of Joy (TE); Guidelines Two (PTI)

Cardstock: White Basics, Guidlines Grid cardstock (PTI); Riding Hood Red (SU)

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink (SU); Vintage Sepia (Versafine); Vintage Duo - Chamomile (PTI)

Miscellaneous: Copic markers; Rhinestones (Kaisercraft) Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Linen Impression Plate (PTI); Chocolate Chip Ribbon (SU); Glossy Accents(Ranger); Linen Thread

A Challenge or Two

Hello!
Today I am posting a birthday card that I have created to enter into two challenges. The first Makeesha Byl's Inkspiration Sketch Challenge #48  which is a colour challenge and boy do I LOVE these colours!

The second is the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge by Karen Giron:

I had a lot of fun working on these challenges as I incorporated some handmade elements into the card also.

The card base is Kraft cardstock with a layer of Real Red matted on top. The main image uses Swiss Pixies Rosalie with Roses stamp which I stamped on Whisper White card and coloured with Copic Markers. I went over the socks and flowers with my At You Clear Glitter Pen to add some sparkle (If you click on the socks and flower images, it will be clearer). This layer was matted with Old Olive.

The square layer behind uses Kraft as a mat and a layer of Stampin Up retired paper - Ski Slope.  This paper was also used to paper piece Rosalie's dress. The vertical layer on the left of the card consists of Whisper White cardstock that has been scored at 1 inch intervals with my Scor Pal and mounted on Old Olive cardstock with one edge punched with my Lace border punch. Once these were adhered together I pierced two rows of holes down the left and cross stitched them with some red embroidery yarn.

To finish off the front I used a handmade crocheted flower using white embroidery floss. The pattern I used for this I found on Nichole Heady's blog and these are so easy to make but so effective. I then added a red button to the middle which I sewed on with green floss and the flower was then attached with Glossy Accents which is extremely adhesive.

For the inside of the card I stamped the sentiment using Blooming Button Bits stamp set from Papertrey Ink in Old Olive ink onto Whisper White cardstock and matted this onto some more Ski Slope Designer Paper.

I pierced two rows of holes along the bottom of the layers and cross stitched them again with red thread.

Its been a really busy week here as the last few weeks of term wind up for my children, and I am so glad I found the time (much to my husband's dismay!) to get these challenges completed on time. I have so much coming up with end of year dancing concerts, my youngest daughter finishing daycare as she gets ready to start prep and then just the mad Christmas rush. However I aim to be back in the next few days with another card - fingers crossed!

See you then,

Supplies

Stamps: Blooming Button Bits (PTI); Swiss Pixies Rosalie with Roses (All That Scraps)

Cardstock: Kraft, Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Ski Slope Designer Paper  - Retired(SU)

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black; Old Olive (SU)

Miscellaneous:  Copic Markers, Copic AtYou Glitter Marker - Clear; Lace Border Punch (Fiskars); Red, Green, White Embroidery Floss; 2mm Crochet Hook; Paper Piercer (Making Memories); Red Button; Scor Pal; Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Teenage Boy Card

Hello,

I kept putting it off and putting it off, but tonight I realised that I HAD to make this card for a friend's teenage son as my mum needs it tomorrow morning. I just find male cards, especially for older boys and adults sooooo hard to make. But then I just had the idea to make a pocket card as I haven't made one in ages and the ideas just seemed to flow from then. (You can click on the images to see more detail).

I started with a Kraft base and lined the front (and back) with Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday paper (sounds girly, but the paper can suit anyone), and rounded the corners. I then stamped the sentiment  from Daily Design Sentiments (Papertrey Ink) in Versa fine Antique Sepia ink and punched it out with my label punch. I then adhered this to some Kraft cardstock and carefully cut a border around the edge. I raised this up with foam adhesive.

I stamped the flap of the card with  a stamp from Around and About Sentiments from Papertrey Ink using Versamark Ink.

The inside of the card uses Vintage Cream csardstock and I stamped A Little Argyle background stamp from Papertrey Ink in Antique Sepia across the top. I adhered some more Girl Friday paper to continue the theme and then used the Birthday Basics set from Papertrey Ink to add my message. I finished off by threading a chocolate button with twine and adhering it to the top with Glossy Accents.

I am actually really pleased with the result of this card, which is not usually the case with male cards that I make.  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend and I will be back with a challenge card soon.

Supplies
Stamps: Birthday Basics (PTI), A Little Argyle (PTI), Around & About Sentiments (PTI), Daily Design Sentiments (PTI)
Cardstock: Kraft (SU); Vintage Cream (PTI); Girl Friday - Tuesday (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Antique Sepia (Versafine); Versamagic
Miscellaneous: Argyle Impressions Plate (PTI); Curly Label Punch, Twine (SU); Chocolate Button

Teenage Birthday

Back again!

I can't believe I have added two posts in 24 hours - but having a deadline to meet with this card quickly got me into gear. A friend of mine asked me to make a card for her teenage niece who is not overly girly. I really struggled with this as I am always quick to add pretty flowers and bows to most of my cards. I also didn't really have a stamp tailored to teenage girls - most of mine are perfect for the younger age bracket. So I decided to give digital stamps  a go and came across this excellent site - Digi Stamp Boutique and found this Sammie image which I loved. The great thing about digi stamps is they are super cheap and they are available straight away to download. They can also be enlarged/reduced to suit the card.

I used White Basics cardstock for the base and used Kraft as my mat. I used Lucky In Love Paisley and Stripe designer paper by Scrapworks for the front, using one side for the top and the other for the bottom and some old Purely Pomegranate ribbon was used to cover the join.

The image was printed on White Basics cardstock and I paper pieced the bags and shirt with the same designer paper. The rest of the image was coloured with Copics. I matted this image on Kraft card and added a row of pearls along the bottom. The sentiment from Birthday Basics -Papertrey Ink was stamped in Memento Black ink onto Kraft cardstock and folded/cut to create a banner. A single matching pearl was added to each end.

A layer of Kraft cardstock was added to the inside and the message again stamped in Memento Black ink using the Birthday Basics set. Two strips of matching designer paper was added to the bottom. I was really pleased with the outcome of this card as I love how effective paper piecing can look and match the image in with the card elements.

Now to tackle the dreaded teenage boy card!! I'll be back in a day or two with the result.

Thanks for looking,



Supplies
Stamps: Sammie (Digi Stamp Boutique); Birthday Basics (PTI)
Cardstock: Kraft (SU); White Basics (PTI); Lucky In Love Paisley/Stripe DSP (Scrapworks)
Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black
Accessories: Copic Markers; Pearls (Kaisercraft); Purely Pomegranate Ribbon - retired (SU)

Inkspirations Challenge #47

Hello,

Today I am participating in Keesh's Inkspirations Challenge #47 which is a sketch challenge. Sketch challenges are my favourites as I am not using the same old reliable sketches that I often turn to. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am very happy with the result. Unfortunately my camera didn't capture the colours  as well as they look IRL (the holly doesn't look this patchy) but nevertheless, here it is:

Firstly I used Scarlet Jewel as my card base and added a layer of Vintage Cream. I ran the cream layer through my Cuttlebug with my Linen Impression Plate from Papertrey Ink and inked the edges slightly with Chamomile Tea Dye Ink. I then added a strip of Old Olive cardstock with 3 silver rhinestones. I used some retired paper from Stampin Up to create my pink layer and covered it with Scarlet Jewel ribbon.

The cream layer for the main image was first stamped very lightly using Chamomile Ink and Background Basics Text Style II. The holly image was stamped using Holiday Button Bits from Papertrey Ink in Old Olive and clear embossed, then the edges of this layer were also inked with Chamomile ink.

This was then matted on Scarlet Jewel Cardstock and the buttons sewn on with twine. The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink and matted with an Old Olive circle and raised up on dimensionals. All edges of the layers were also lightly distressed.

I matted the cream layer on the inside of my card onto the retired Stampin Up Designer Paper and stamped the Merry Christmas message in Chocolate Chip ink. A smaller holly image was stamped oin the corner and rhinestones added to the centre.

My stash of Christmas cards is steadily growing now and its time for me to move on to a couple of birthday cards that people have ordered for teenagers!! Now that will be a challenge in itself!!

Back soon to show you what I come up with!!

Supplies
Stamps: Holiday Button Bits, Background Basics - Text Style II (PTI); Tags - Christmas (Elzybells retired)
Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Vintage Cream (PTI); Old Olive, Bella Rose DSP-Retired (SU)
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Versamark (SU); Vintage Tea Duo (PTI)
Miscellaneous: Scarlet Jewel Ribbon, Scarlet Jewel Buttons, Linen Impression Plate (PTI); 1" and 1 1/4" circle punch, clear embossing powder (SU); Silver Rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Christmas Fun and a Birthday Card

Hello,

I have a few cards to post today as it has been a busy week in our household. On Friday night I invited some friends over and did a cardmaking class with them, helping them create some Christmas cards for their collections. We had an absolute blast with heaps of laughs and it was so nice to share this fantastic hobby with friends for a change as I am a bit of a loner when it comes to making cards. The two cards that we made are below.

The first card focused on stamping our own background paper which was heaps of fun for everyone. Then on the second card we used my Copic markers to colour the stamped image. I am still trying to perfect the blending techniques with these markers, but its lot of fun along the way!

I also mentioned in an earlier post that I would add a photo of my son Harry's 7th birthday card and I have finally remembered! I used a Pumpkin Pie card base and then matted some So Saffron and Bashful Blue cardstock together and sewed these layers together. The image is from Penny Black called Bubbly and was stamped with Memento Ink and coloured with my Copics. I stamped the balloons a second time, popped them up with pop dots and coated them with a layer of Glossy Accents to add some shine (unfortunately its not too clear on the photo), Once all these layers were adhered to the base, I used my paper piercer to pierce around the edge of the card.

Lastly, my son Harry has begged and begged for me to post one of his creations on my blog as he loves to sit and stamp beside me and even has his own cardmaking stash. Its so lovely that one of my children is as keen about stamping as I am.

I hope that you all have a great week ahead and I will be back in a couple of days with a card for Keesh's Inkspiration Challenge.

Supplies

Holly Jolly Christmas

Stamps: A Rhonna Christmas (Autumn Leaves); Guidelines II, Holiday Button Bits (PTI)

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue (SU); Stampers Select White, Guidelines II Grid Sheets(PTI)

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy (SU)

Miscellaneous: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug); Circle Nestability (Spellbinders); Riding Hood Red Ribbon (SU);Silver Rhinestones(Kaisercraft)

Joy

Stamps: Wings Of Joy (TE)

Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Ski Slope DSP (SU-Retired); Stampers Select White (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black

Miscellaneous: Apron Lace Punch (Fiskars), Copic Markers, Red Ribbon, Snowflake Punch (Marvy), Snowflake Embellishment

Its Your Day

Stamps: Bubbly (Penny Black)

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Bashful Blue (SU), Stampers Select White (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black

Miscellaneous: Copic Markers, Paper Piercer(Making Memories), Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Inkspirations Challenge #46

Hello again!

I am posting yet another Christmas card and  I have made this for Makeesha Byl's Inkspirations Colour Challenge #46. The colour combo is not really traditional Christmas colours, but I love to think outside the square when it comes to Christmas cards:

The base of my card is So Saffron and I rounded the corners on the bottom. I then cut a strip of Baja Breeze cardstock and punched one side with my Apron Lace Border Punch (can you tell that I love this one??). I layered some Bella Bleu designer paper from Stampin' Up which is now retired and some red ribbon I had in my stash. I also adhered Scor-Tape along one side and sprinkled it with glitter. The sentiment is from the Wings of Joy set from Taylored Expressions and some silver rhinestones were added beside it.

A while ago I found a UK store called Elzybells which I fell in love with as their images were sooo cute, but unfortunately they closed recently. I managed to pick up a few stamps before they closed and one of my favourites is this Mark and Ella image which I stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock. I had a lot of fun colouring it with my Copics. I need a lot of practice with my blending, but its fun all the same. To give my images some depth, I always outline with a light grey Copic Marker which just helps it to pop off the page a little.

I matted the image on some Ruby Red cardstock as I don't have Poppy Parade yet. To add some dimension to the image, I used my Glossy Accents on the snow, snowflakes and beanies and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds glitter over this. The photos don't really do the glitter justice, but if you click on the image it will be easier to see.

To finish off the front, I punched a large snowflake and then pressed it into my Versamark Ink pad. I then sprinkled on Heat and Stick powder, set it with my heat gun and sprinkled on some glitter which I again heat set. I attached a red button to the middle of my snowflake using red thread.

To finish off the inside, I matted some Very Vanilla cardstock on Baja Breeze card and used a small snowflake image from Stampin Up's Short and Sweet set along the bottom with Baja Breeze ink.

A coordinating sentiment from Wings of Joy was stamped with Riding Hood Red ink and then some rhinestones were added for the finishing touch.

I so enjoyed creating this card - these challenges from Makeesha are great for giving me that starting point to try something new each time. Now all I need is to save up for a new SLR camera which I am aiming for and I will be set. If anyone has a camera they recommend, can they leave a comment to point me in the right direction? Thanks so much for looking and I'll be back soon.

Supplies

Stamps: Mark and Ella (Elzybells); Wings of Joy (TE); Short and Sweet (SU)

Cardstock: So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu retired DSP (SU)

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze (SU); Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark

Miscellaneous:Mega Snowflake Punch (Marvy); Scor-Tape; Copic Markers; Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars); Glossy Accents (Ranger); Red Ribbon; Red Button; Red Thread; Rhinestones (Kaisercraft); Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU)

TCP Tuesday 132

Hi again!! I couldn't resist participating in this week's The Cat's Pajamas Tuesday challenge when I saw the lovely colour combo:

I absolutely love orange and pink together but thought it would be an extra challenge with red thrown in. I have to admit I struggled at how best to add in the red, but I am quite happy with the outcome.

I made the base with white cardstock and stamped the sentiment and basket from Papertrey Ink's Vintage Picnic Set. The bottom corners were rounded with my corner rounder. I scored the front of the card base with my Scor Pal and then attached a layer of Real Red cardstock which was punched with my Apron Lace border punch. I added a layer of glittered tangerine paper from Doodlebug Designs and tied some Hibiscus Burst Polka Dot Ribbon beside this. The layer was finished off by adding some pink pearls.

I coloured the basket and flower image with Copic Markers and popped up 3 of the flowers with dimensionals and a second layer to give the image extra dimension. The basket image was then matted on Hibiscus Burst cardstock.

To finish the inside of the card, I stamped the message with Papertrey Ink's Birthday basics set. A smaller flower image from the Vintage Picnic set was added beside this and coloured with Copics. The inside layer was then matted on Real Red cardstock. (This has been adhered straight in the card, but when photographing, it was difficult to fold over due to the layers on the front).

I really enjoyed this challenge and will definitely be using this colour combo again. Thanks for visiting!

Supplies
Stamps: Birthday Basics, Vintage Picnic (PTI)
Cardstock: White Basics, Hibiscus Burst (PTI); Real Red (SU); Tangerine (Doodlebug Designs)
Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black
Miscellaneous: Scor-Pal, Hibiscus Burst ribbon (PTI), Apron Lace Punch (Fiskars), Pink Pearls (Kaisercraft), Copic Markers, Dimensionals (SU)