Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 40

The Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 40 is to do a different shaped card and for this one I used my label one nesties to make the card base. I faffed about with this card for ages and I'm not too sure about what came out in the end!!

The WOJ image is coloured with distress inks and the edges have been pirced for extra detail.

The papers are dovecraft and I inked the edegs of all the elements with worn lipstick distress ink. The centre panel has been embossed with my swiss dots embossing folder.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White and pink card, dovecraft - amethyst
Stamp: WOJ - Mouse under hat
Colouring: Distress inks - tattered rose, worn lipstick, weathered wood, peeled paint and broken china
Embellishments: American crafts ribbon, pearls
Tools: Cuttlebug, nesties, swiss dots embossing folder, needle for piercing, sponge and water brush.
Thanks for looking x

Four in One!

I'm behind again on challenges so this card covers four of them. I have used the fabulous sketch from this week's Papertake challenge, the theme for Penny Black Week 37 is "Get Well Soon", and on both Cute Card Thursday and Charisma Cardz this week the challenge is to use an animal on your card.

The penny black image is coloured with distress inks and cut with label one nesties. The papers are from dovecraft and I have inked the edges of all the elements with worn lipstick distress ink.

The white panel was embossed with my d'vine swirl embossing folder and the sentiment was computer generated using the font lucinda handwriting.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: white and hot pink card, dovecraft - amethyst
Stamp: Penny black
Colouring: Distress inks - worn lipstick, broken china, peeled paint, spiced marmalade, weathered wood and vintage photo
Embellishments: Ribbon and charm
Tools: Cuttlebug, d'vine swirl embossing folder, nesties, water brush
Thanks for looking x

Cupcake Challenge 28 & CCT Challenge 48

There is another fabulous sketch for Cupcake Challenge 28 which I have used for this card and the theme this week on Cute Card Thursday is "signs of spring" so the daisies and the spring colours cover that one too!!

Instead of the usual white base card, I switched it around for this one and used yellow for the base and white for the layers......... I really know how to live life on the edge!!! The penny black image is coloured with distress inks and the papers are K & Co.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: Yellow and white card, K & Co - Daisy
Stamp: Penny black
Colouring: Distress inks - tattered rose, walnut stain, vintage photo, weathered wood, spiced marmalade, and worn lipstick
Embellishments: Primas, jewels, PM buttons
Tools: Water brush
Thanks for looking x

WOJ Tag Card

There is a brilliant sketch over on the Whiff of Joy Challenge Blog this week and there is also a guest designer call. I have noticed quite a few tag cards around lately which looked like fun, so I thought I'd have a go at one.

I have used a Melinda with Heart stamped image which is coloured with distress inks, a lilac whispers pen and a silver gel pen. The lush papers are from DCWV.... I love these papers, so much so, I don't want to use them!!!! and I have inked the edges with dusty concord distress ink. The dark purple panel is embossed with my swiss dots embossing folder and I have used white satin ribbon as the trim up the middle.

To keep the card closed I cut two circles with my nesties and I have attached them, along with some primas and a heart charm (which I have just noticed is wonky in the photo!!!), with a large brad, and if you swivel the circles to the side, they allow the card to open. For a bit of added detail, I have pierced around the edge of the larger circle.

Please click on the images for a closer view.

I have decorated the inside of the card with the same DCWV papers, that have also been inked around the edges, and I have used a similar layout to the sketch for the top half. I added the computer generated sentiment here instead of on the front as I didn't want to over crowd the front and I also wanted to write a few words. I used the font lucinda handwriting and I cut it out with a large nestie and I pierced the edge for extra detail. I also added three small primas to the top right with a jewel in the centre of each.

For the bottom half, I used Melinda's heart which is coloured

as per the image on the front of the card and I layered it onto lilac card. Again, I cut a large circle using my nesties so I had a space to write a greeting and I have also continued the piercing detail around the edge.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White, lilac, purple card, DCWV - Pocket Full of Posies
Stamps: WOJ - Melinda with Heart, Melinda's Heart
Colouring: Distress inks - Walnut Stain, dusty concord, weathered wood and tattered rose, lilac whispers pen and silver gel pen.
Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Primas, Brad, jewels, charm, silver stickles (wings)
Tools: Cuttlebug, nesties, swiss dots embossing folder, water brush.
Thanks for looking x

With Lots of Love....

There is another fabulous sketch on Friday Sketchers this week which I have used to base this card on. The theme for My Time to Craft Challenge 49 is pink and brown and Roses on Paper has a theme of "Love & Friendship" so it fits for both of those challenges too.

I love pink and brown as a colour combo, but I can never seem to make anything I like when I use it.....but.... I do quite like this one!

The sarah kay image is coloured with distress inks and I have inked the edges of the dp, the small prima and the computer generated sentiment with tattered rose. I've just kept the card quite simple as I think this image is so pretty and I have embellished with pearls, primas and a charm.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: Cream and brown card, paper from stash
Stamp: Sarah Kay - Rose's garden
Colouring: Distress inks - vintage photo, walnut stain, weathered wood, tattered rose, peeled paint, worn lipstick and weathered wood.
Embellishments: Primas, spacer, charm, pearl brad, pearls
Tools: Cuttlebug, nesties, water brush
Thanks for looking x

Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 39

Challenge 39 on a Spoon Full of Sugar is a brilliant sketch that has been done by Debbie and it's a nice simple one..... I think that says a lot about me!!!!

The Penny Black image has been coloured with distress inks and the papers are from the dovecraft glamour range. I inked the edges of all the dp and card with worn lipstick distress ink and I embossed the pink panel using my d'vine swirl embossing folder.

The sentiment was computer generated using the font segoe script and I finished off with a charm and some primas.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White and pink card, dovecraft - glamour range
Stamp: Penny Black
Colouring: Distress inks - faded jeans, tattered rose, worn lipstick, vinatge photo, walnut stain, fired brick and peeled paint. Silver gel pen
Embellishments: American crafts ribbon, charm, pearl brad, spacer, primas
Tools: Cuttlebug, D'vine swirl embossing folder, water brush
Thanks for looking x

A Little Yummy...

Some more packages were waiting for me at the post office today, one of which contained my labels one nesties.....Yippeee!! So I set to work straight away and made a card and a matching chocolate bar holder (don't really know what else to call it!)

The theme this week on Stamp Something is chocolate and I think (hopefully) I have just made these in time for the challenge, and on Papertake this week you had to make a matching set, so these fit the bill for that too!!

I was lucky enough to win this SU set called Yummy from Jeanette.... these stamps are the first SU products I have and I was very impressed with the quality. Unfortunately my budget at the moment doesn't stretch that far.....so many things I want, but so little money..... so I will have to wait a while before I can get some more SU stash.


Anyway, back to the matter in hand.... The yummy set of stamps was perfect for this and I used my whispers pens to ink the stamps. The designer paper is dovecraft from the aquamarine range and the aqua coloured paper is just plain paper that I got when I started crafting (but have never used!)

I designed the chocolate bar holder myself, although I'm sure there are many out there that are similar or better! To make the chocolate look a bit more attractive I wrapped it in designer paper so that it all co-ordinates.

For the card I used my nesties, but I had to turn the second layer from the top as I didn't have enough DP left to cut the next largest nestie.... well we do have to improvise from time to time!!! I finiahed the card off with a small white bow and a heart charm. Thanks for looking x

Penny Black Week 36

I managed to make a card for this week's Penny Black Challenge which was to use a sketch that was done by Natalie.

I have some penny black cat stamped images that are very neglected so I decided to use one for this card..... and very cute he is too!!... or perhaps it should be a she beacuse of all the pink??!!

I found a very useful tip on Inspirational about continuous embossing and I used this technique on my background card using my swiss dots embossing folder.

The papers are floral doodle, which are something else I haven't used for ages either! I punched the flowers with my retro flower punch and I ran them through the cuttleug too.

Supplies:
Paper/card: White, black and Pink card, Floral Doodle
Stamp: Penny Black
Colouring: Distress inks - weathered wood, tattered rose and black soot.
Embellishments: American crafts ribbon, jewels
Tools: Cuttlebug, swiss dots embossing folder, retro flower punch
Thanks for looking x

Ismaki - Thank You Card

Morning ladies! I needed a thank you card and for this one I have used this week's sketch from Ismaki. This is another new challenge blog for me, but they have some great sketches over there and I will certainly be back. Also this week there was the option of using pink and blue, which I had every intention of doing, but some how grey and pink took over!!!

I have used the Sarah Kay stamp - Rose's Garden and it is coloured with a combination of distress inks and whispers.

The papers are by Laura Ashley which were from a blog candy win and I have used my d'vine swirl embossing folder for the pink panel. The sentiment was done on my computer using the font lucinda handwriting.

I simply decorated the inside as I need plenty of space to write. I just used the top half of the sarah kay stamp and it is coloured as per the front image. I cut it out with my nesties and layered it onto a pink circle.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White and pink card, laura ashley paper.
Stamp: Sarah Kay - Rose's Garden
Colouring - Distress inks - vintage photo, weathered wood, tattered rose, worn lipstick, walnut stain, broken china. Whispers pens - brown, greens, yellows.
Embellishments: American crafts ribbon, primas, pearl brad, jewels
Tools: Cuttlebug, nesties, d'vine swirl embossing folder, water brush
Thanks for looking. x

WOJ Ch 18, Secret Crafter Ch 19 & Sketch 2

This is a birthday card for one of my friends and it covers two challenges. The first one is the Whiff of Joy Challenge 18 where the theme is a recipe of three papers, two flowers and one button or brad and the other challenge is Secret Crafter Challenge 19 where the theme is spring.

I have used my new WOJ stamp "Mouse under Party Hat" which I think is uber cute! and I have coloured him with distress inks.

The papers are from K & Co and they are nice spring colours to fit with the secret crafter theme. The sentiment was done on my computer using the font tempus sans itc.





I had another play around in photoshop and created this sketch which I based my card on. Please feel free to use it, and if you do, can you please let me know as I would love to see what you create.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White and yellow card, K & Co - Sparkly Sweet
Stamp: WOJ - Mouse under Party Hat
Colouring: Distress inks - tattered rose, weathered wood, broken china. Yellow and orange (ish) whispers pens.
Embellishments: Primas, jewel, pearl brad
Tools: Water brush

Thanks for looking x

Valentine Gifts

I'm back again for my second post of the day and as I said earlier, its going to be a long one....so are you sitting comfortably!!

Valentine's day is approaching, as I'm sure you are all aware, and my boyfriend and I don't usually buy each other individual gifts, instead we treat ourselves to something that we both enjoy...... eg. wine and chocolates..... yum!!

So as this is my first year of crafting for Valentine's day I thought I would make some little gift boxes to put them in.....however I did make one huge error which I will tell you about along the way!!! Katherina has set a challenge of valentine's gifts on her blog, so here are mine!




I had to make a card to go with everything... obviously! I had a stamped image of Melinda holding heart from some blog candy a while ago and I have just bought the heart accessory stamp, so they were perfect to use on this project.

I used the sketch from this week's Papertake challenge and I coloured the image with distress inks. I have added a little red stickles to the heart and some silver stickles to highlight her wings.

The paper was received in some other blog candy and I have embossed the silver panel with my d'vine swirl embossing folder.

This card also fits for ABC's challenge this week.


The sentiment was done on my computer using the font lucinda handwriting and I embellished with three small pearls, prima flowers, charms, a spacer and a pearl brad.

I kept the inside of the card nice and simple, using the same paper as I did on the front. I coloured the melinda's heart stamp in the same way as I did on the outside and embellished it with red stickles.





This is a close up of the gift box I made for me to match the card. I have used my nesties (once again!) and I have coloured and stickled the melinda's heart stamp as per the card.

I used my d'vine swirl embossing folder once again on the cream layer and I have pierced the outer egdes of both of the red layers. The paper around the side of the box is the same as the paper I used on the card. I finished off with three red pearls, although they do look a bit funny in the light.

I have never made a box like this before and I can tell you, it was a mission!!! However, I am pleased with the end result and I will have a go at making another soon.



This is the box I made for Jeff. I found a tutorial on SCS and adjusted the measurements so I could fit some chocs in..... and here is my error..... I can fit more chocolates in Jeff's box than I can in mine!!!!! How did I make that mistake???!!!!

I have the same theme of the d'vine swirl embossed panels but I have gone for a boyish blue on this one. I water coloured melinda's heart with whispers pens and I coloured the small hearts in with a silver gel pen. I matted it onto a silver scalloped circle and they are fixed to the box with foam pads along the bottom half of the circle so the lid can tuck behind the top half and it keeps it closed. Finally,
I embellished with two small cream pearls.




The bottle of Champagne that we have treated ourselves to has a nice green and gold box, so for the tag I used a green and gold theme. Once again melinda's heart has been watercoloured with whisper's pens and embellished with gold stickles. It is layered onto a gold circle made from mirrored card and the green background has been embossed with my d'vine swirl embossing folder.

The sentiment was done on my computer and I embellished with two small jewels. Instead of attaching ribbon of some sort, I made a small envelope for the tag to go in and once again, I embossed the flap with, yes you've guessed it, my d'vine swirl embossing folder!

Tag You're It Week 45 has a love theme and My Time to Craft Challenge 48 has a Gold theme so this tag fits the bill for them both.

So if you are still here, thank you for sticking with me through this mammoth post. I was going to put some pictures on of the boxes open with the chocolates inside, but I think there are more than enough pictures as it is!!! Each element of the project is different but I have tried to keep the same theme of hearts, swirls and pearls throughout so that they all match together. Thanks for looking x.

Love and Romance

Morning all, this is just a quick post as I will be back later with a long one! For this card I used the fantastic sketch from Sketch Saturday and both the Penny Black and Kaboodle challenges have a love/romance theme this week.

When I saw this week's sketch on sketch saturday I was thrilled as it was yet another opportunity to whip out the nesties!!! Brilliant sketch too, simple but so effective and I will be using this one again for sure.

The penny black image is coloured with distress inks and the papers are kaboodle downloads. I used my swiss dots embossing folder to carry the spotty theme through from the background paper.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White and pink card, Kaboodle - Party Picnic
Stamp: Penny black
Colouring: Distress inks - vintage photo, walnut stain, broken china, worn lipstick, tattered rose and dusty concord. Green whispers pen.
Embellishments: Jewels
Tools: Cuttlebug, nesties, swiss dots embossing folder, water brush

Thanks for looking x

Secret Crafter Challenge 18

Morning girls. Firstly apologies for the bad picture, you ladies in the UK are complaining that the dull days are playing havoc with your photos, but I'm complaining about the sun playing havoc with mine!!!

This altered jar is for the Secret Crafter Challenge 18 where the theme is recycling. I set aside this jar a while ago, but never got around to doing anything with it, then just yesterday I remembered it so here we are. I've never altered anything before so this was something new for me.

The jar originally had some red beans in it and after several thorough washes it was ready to alter. I used my nesties for the top and the small penny black image is coloured with distress inks and whispers. I embossed the pink layer with my d'vine swirl embossing folder and I used ribbon to hide the edges of the lid. Both the green layers have been pierced for a bit of extra detail. For the sides I simply layered green and pink card and some DP but you can't really see this too well in the picture.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: Green and pink card, paper from stash
Stamp: Penny black
Colouring: Distress inks - vintage photo, tattered rose, and worn lipstick. Green whispers pen.
Embellishments: Ribbon
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nesties, d'vine swirl embossing folder, needle
Thanks for looking. x

Tag You're It Week 44

Over on the Tag You're It challenge this week there is a sketch to follow that has been done by the ever so talented Kath. I love doing sketches, particularly on tags.... I think I like the daintiness.....strange I know!!

Well, onto the tag. The papers were a free download and I made the sentiment on my computer using the font Lucinda Handwriting. I stamped the forever friends cupcake stamp three times and they are all coloured with distress inks. The top image is raised on foam pads to add a bit of dimension. Instead of ribbon, I used a little (ever so cute) peg to attach it to a pressie.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White and yellow card, download from printable heaven
Stamp: Forever friends
Colouring: Distress inks - fired brick, vintage photo and weathered wood
Embellishments: Peg and jewel
Tools: Water brush
Thanks for looking x

There is a new release of Whiff of Joy stamps due out on the 14th February and Katherina is giving you the chance to win the whole collection, so go and check our her blog here.

ABC....ZZzzz

One of my friends has just recently had a baby and this is the card and matching tag I have made for their new arrival. The challenge this week on ABC is ZZZzzz for sleeping and this card fits perfectly with that, although I doubt my friend and her hubby will be getting much sleep.

Both images are Penny Black and they have been coloured with distress inks. The lovely paper was a download from Chris's blog and it just goes so well on this card and tag(thanks very much Chris!).

I used my nesties to cut the circles (loving them!) and I pierced around the edges of the outer circles on both the card and the tag for a bit of extra detail. I used my swiss dots embossing folder for the panel across the middle of the card and I embellished with buttons and jewels.

For the inside of the card I used the same papers that I used on the front and I printed the sentiments off on my computer using the font Lucinda Handwriting (my new favourite).

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White and blue card, download from Chris
Stamps: Penny black
Colouring: Distress inks - vintage photo, walnut stain, tattered rose, weathered wood, broken china
Embellishments: PM buttons, jewels
Tools: Cuttlebug, nesties, swiss dots embossing folder, water brush.

Thanks for looking x

Pink Hippo

Well, joy of joys...I went to collect our mail at lunch time and found my circle nesties, swiss dots and d'vine swirl embossing folders had arrived ..... Yippeee! I came straight home to inspect my much awaited nesties and give them a whirl. I now, finally have something to cut circles with so that's what you'll be seeing in the near future all over my cards..lol

This card is for three challenges, Secret Crafter Challenge 17 is at the zoo, Penny Black week 34 challenge is to make a circle card and finally this week's Cupcake Challenge is to use the colours white, pink, plum and lilac only - on the challenge they have named the exact SU colours, but I don't have them so I have just used as close as possible.

For the card I used my new nesties, obviously, and I coloured the penny black image with whispers pens. I used my swiss dots embossing folder on one of the layers and on the two white layers I pierced around the edges for a bit of extra detail. The top two layers are raised on foam pads for a bit of dimension and I finished off with three flat backed pearls and a bow.

Supplies:
Card: White, purple and lilac card

Stamp: Penny Black

Colouring: Whispers pens and blender pen

Embellishments: American crafts ribbon, pearls
Tools: Cuttlebug, nesties, swiss dots embossing folder, needle

Thanks for looking x

Summer Hearts & Flowers

I'm a bit behind with the challenges this week so this card is for four of them. The theme this week on Stamp Something is summer, I used the sketch from Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 37, for this weeks Papertake challenge you have to use hearts or flowers and finally Cute Card Thursday is to use something metallic on your card.

The paper is from dovecraft retro flowers range which has nice bright summer colours but I do find some of the papers a bit on the busy side!! For the embossed panel I used my stylized flowers folder and the penny black image is coloured with distress inks.

The floral paper, the two flowers and the heart shaped jewel cover the papertake hearts and flowers elements, the metal brad and spacer covers the metallic element for CCT and hopefully the card looks fairly summery for stamp something!

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White, pink and yellow card, dovecraft retro flowers
Stamp: Penny black
Coloring: Distress inks - vintage photo, walnut stain, weathered wood, broken china (background), worn lipstick and tattered rose. whispers - green and blender pen
Embellishments: primas, jewel, pearl brad, spacer
Tools: Cuttlebug, stylized flowers embossing folder, water brush
Thanks for looking x

Sketch Saturday Challenge 36

My boyfriend's birthday is approaching and this is the card I have made for him. The image is a bit cute but it will just have to do!!! I don't have any appropriate stamps for boys (nightmare!) and to be honest if it wasn't for some blog candy winnings and some male themed sticky ribbon that was a christmas present - I wouldn't have anything!!!

I always struggle with male cards as I always want to add something else (like a pretty flower, but I can't!) and I always think mine look dull and boring...but I'm quite pleased with how this one has turned out. I used the brilliant sketch from Sketch Saturday and I will certainly be using it again for a male card as all the little tabs around the image added just that extra bit of detail so I don't think this one looks dull!!

Supples:
Card/Paper: White, orange and navy card, paper from blog candy winnings
Stamp: Penny Black
Colouring: Distress inks - walnut stain, vintage photo, black soot, broken china and spiced marmalade
Embellishments: brads, PM Sticky ribbon
Tools: Cuttlebug, paisley embossing folder, water brush and corner rounder punch
Thanks for looking x

Friday Sketchers Sketch 37

My sister's birthday is approaching and I have made her this card to match the tag that I made for her prezzie (the black and white tag a few posts down). I have wanted to make a black and white card with one coloured element for a while - thought I'd take a bit of a gamble but I think it worked out ok!

I used the fabulous sketch from Friday Sketchers, the Whiff of Joy image is coloured with distress inks and the papers are dovecraft.

I didn't have a black flower so I found a pale prima and coloured it with a black whispers pen - it turned out really well and it looks like it has a velvety texture. The embossed panel was done with my stylized flowers folder and I used pearlescent card so it has a nice sheen.




For the inside I used the same dovecraft paper and I embossed another piece of white card with the same embossing folder I used for the outside.

The flourish and the sentiment are both from studio g and they are stamped with black stazon.

Supplies:

Card/Paper: Black, white and pearlescent white card, dovecraft amethyst range.
Stamp: WOJ - Melinda reading book, studio g
Colouring: Distress inks - black soot and fired brick, black whispers pen
Embellishments: american crafts ribbon, primas, spacer, pearl brad, jewels, silver stickles (wings)
Tools: Cuttlebug, stylized flowers embossing folder, water brush
Thanks for looking. x

Purple Thank You Tag

The theme this week on Tag You're It is to use the colour purple and on Cupcake Challenge 24 you had to use 3 pieces of card, 2 embellishments and 1 ribbon - harder than I thought as I kept wanting to add extra bits!! Also the theme this week on Dutch Dare Challenge 33 is to create a thank you card but I hope my tag is ok!?

This is the second attempt at this tag, my first one involved me distressing all of the edges but I just can't get away with it. I think distressed edges look fantastic on everyone elses projects but I just can't seem to get it to work for me, so that's it - only clean lines in the future!!

Supplies:
card/Paper: White and lilac card, dovecraft amethyst range
Stamp: Penny Black
Colouring: Distress inks - vintage photo, dusty concord, weathered wood and tattered rose
Embellishments: Prima flower, brad, ribbon and jewel
Tools: Cuttlebug, water brush, thanks embossing folder, hole punch
Thanks for looking x