Dreaming of a White Christmas !

This is my card for the below challenges :

• Daring Card Makers - I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
• Little Red Wagon - Buttons
• Allsorts - Buttons
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Punch happy
• Sophisticat - Snowflakes and Sparkle

I stamped the Papermania snowflake with Adirondack Stonewashed ink, then stamped it again without re-inking onto some white card stock. The snowflakes are punched from white card using a Martha Stewart punch, then I've added some Stickles for a little bit of sparkle. The centre stamp is also a Papermania stamp and I've stamped it in Midnight Blue Stazon and cut out with a circle Nestability and mounted onto a scalloped circle Nestability. I've used a Versamark pen around the edge and sprinkled with some Ranger glitter EP.

The button has been threaded with some silver thread and stuck to the centre with some silicone.

I had a text very early this morning from my sister, her friend has just had a baby girl. So I know what I'm making tonight ! I'd better get going as she wants it for tomorrow !

Thanks for looking

Sue

OCC sketch challenge

This is one of the sketch challenges over at Our Creative Corner. I say one as there are 2 challenges each week, one on a Thursday and one on a Saturday. This is the Thursday sketch challenge.

I've inked the background card with Adirondack Lettuce ink and then rubbed Pesto just around the edges. I've stamped the holly with Pesto too, the stamp is from an Artemio set. The stars are from the same set and I've stamped them with Adirondack Noel ink, cut out with circle Nestabilities and mounted onto gold pearlescent card using a scalloped Nestability. The sentiment is a Clarity stamp and I've stamped it in black Memento ink. I love the swirls on this stamp, it is one of my favourites.

Well I can now say that I've started my Christmas shopping ! It wasn't that busy in town today, and my sister and I managed to get most of what we wanted. I say most as when we'd come home we realised we were supposed to get a birthday present for my niece's birthday on Thursday and we'd forgot ! We had a list too !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Vintage Partridge !

This is my card for the following challenges :

• Passion for Pro Markers - Any colours plus vintage
• My Time to Craft - Very Vintage
• Tanda Teaser - Musical Christmas (thought the words covered this !)
• Papertake - Christmas Crackers - open challenge

The main image and the text are from a Paper Artsy set of stamps. I stamped the bird with Memento black ink then shaded with Pro Markers. I stamped the words over the background card and the bird piece of card to give a little dimension. The background card has ben stamped with one of the pears in Antique Linen Distress ink and I've sponged Distress ink around the edge and also Adirondack Cranberry ink. The vintage paper is a download from Miss Cutie Pie, if you like your vintage images then you must visit this site ...they are gorgeous ! The Christmas ticket is also a download from the same site. I must say a big thank you to Sheila (aka ManicStamper) as I found the link to this wonderful site on Sheila's blog.

The pears were also stamped with black Memento ink and shaded with Pro Markers. The snowflakes are punched from some inked card using a Martha Stewart punch. I cut the pears out and added Glossy Accents to one of them, I also added a dot of GA to the bird's eye.

Sorry no blog post last night but we went into the village as it was the official switching on of the lights. They'd got a snowmaking machine this year which added a little to the atmosphere. I always think that once the lights in the village have been lit the Chrismas season has arrived. I'd better start thinking about doing some Christmas shopping now !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Christmas pudding !

This is my card for the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge. The main image is a Clarity stamp which I've stamped with black Memento ink then shaded with Pro Markers. I stamped the top holly leaves again and shaded them with Pro Markers, cut them out and then covered them in Glossy Accents. I've inked around the edge with some Distress inks and mounted it onto Bazill card. The sentiment is from an Elusive Images set and I've stamped it with Peeled Paint Distress ink. The papers are by Basic Grey.

For some reason the colours have come out better on the close up ! I have to say I really love this stamp.

It's turned really cold today, but at least the rain seems to be giving us a break and especially for those poor people who have been flooded.

Thanks for looking

Sue

Charisma sketch

This is my card for the Charisma Cardz sketch. The main image and the 25 Dec are both from a Tanda Stamps set. I've stamped them with black Stazon and mounted onto black card. The background paper is Basic Grey as is the spotty green paper.

The main image is really detailed so I hope you can see it a little better on the close up shot. The 25 Dec is cut out with Nestabilities and I couldn't resist sponging some Antique Linen Distress ink around the edge. The ribbon is some more of my favourite from the local shop. This was quite a simple card to make but it looks quite effective in real life.

I'd better get a move on as the closing time for this challenge is 9PM !

Thanks for looking

Sue

2 for the price of one !

This card isn't for any challenges, it is a card I made for my niece's birthday yesterday. The background was inked with Antique Linen Distress ink then I stamped with a Debbi Moore stamp in the same colour. The main images are by Crafty Individuals and I've sponged some Antique Linen around the edge of them before mounting onto black card.

The gorgeous brad is another from Marah Johson Creative Imaginations. I was really pleased with this card so thought I would share !

This card is for the Our Creative Corner sketch challenge this week. I have to say that it didn't quite work out as planned but I'd committed myself and couldn't take it apart, as I decided I didn't like the wreath, but never mind ! The background is inked with Stonewashed Adirondack ink and I punched a large circle and held it on the card while I inked it. The moon stamp is from a Katzelkraft set of stamps. The house was put through the Cuttlebug using the Distressed Stripes EF. I then rubbed some Distress inks over the top. The edge punch is a Martha Stewart and I've added the red gems for some sparkle. The door is a punched shape, again inked with Adirondack Stonewashed ink. The window is a square piece of white card, then I've hand drawn the detail and chalked it. The beautiful snowflake is punched with my new Martha Stewart punch from glitter card. I've added some puffy paint to the roof for snow, and wish I'd not stuck the wreath on but hind sight is a wonderful thing !

Another dark day today, I suppose we need to get used to it at this time of the year, but I always seem to struggle with it. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the weather keeps to what the forecast is saying as the lights in our village are being put on, on Friday. There's a street fair too and it's always such a shame when the weather is wet. Fingers crossed !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Winter Sports !

This card is for the Tanda Teaser - Winter Sports and for the Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge. The main image is from a Tanda Stamp set. I've stamped it in black Archival ink then cut it out with a square Nestability and kept the outer frame. I've then mounted the centre on foam pads.

The papers are all Basic Grey and the sentiment, which is from a Katzelkraft set, is stamped with Adirondack Denim ink

This is a quick post tonight as we're going out to see my nieces as it's her birthday today. Hope there's birthday cake !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Let it Snow !

This is my card for the following challenges :

• Mojo Monday - Sketch
• One Stop Challenge - Snowflakes
• Three Clovers Designs - No red or green
• Daring Card Makers - The First Letter - use three things that begin with the first letter of your first name. ( The third one I've bent the rules a bit as it's the sentiment!)

The main image is from a Paper Artsty set of stamps and I've used the resist technique with Adirondack ink in Stonewashed. I've also used the resist technique on the snowflake background. The stamp is a Papermania Duo stamp and I've used Stonewashed ink again and mounted them both onto Bazill card. The sentiment is from a Tanda Stamps set that I've stamped with Versamark ink and chalked over the top.

The snowflake is a Quickutz die that I've used one glitter card. I'm not a big fan of glitter card but it did seem to fit the spot.

Well the disaster of the kitchen flooring was solved today as the fitter turned up and fitted the right one. It looks really good too !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Break from Christmas !

This is my card for the Friday Sketchers challenge and is also a birthday card for my eldest niece. She's at university doing a graphics design course so I thought this stamp was perfect her. The stamp is a Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous one which I bought a few years ago, so it was great to get it out and dust it off. I've cut it out with Labels 8 Nestabilities and sponged Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Inks around the edge before removing the die. The background square was inked with the same Distress Inks and then I've stamped over the top with Crafty Individuals stamps in black Archival ink. I've sponged some more Distress Inks around the edge of the card too.

The brad is by Marah Johson Creative Imaginations which I picked up from The Craft Barn. I absolutely love them and are using them sparingly ! The flower is a Sizzix Die which I borrowed from my friend Vic, I think I may need to make a purchase !

Well what a dark and dismal day today has been. I thought I would be able to take a photograph in daylight for once, but I still had to put the light on to take it. I've also waited in all day for a man to come and fit some flooring in our kitchen. When he turned up at 4.45PM, he'd got the wrong one ! There's going to have to be some fast talking by someone tomorrow !

Thansk for looking

Sue

Tis the Season !

This is my card for two challenges, Papertake challenge - sketch and Colour Create - Red, Green and White. The tree is from an Elusive Images set as is the sentiment. For the middle square I've used a Paper Artsy stamp and sponged Distress Inks in Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint. The background is stamped with the holly stamps from an Artemio set of stamps and I've sponged Red Brick Distress ink around the edge.

I've added dots of red Stickles to the tree for some sparkle. I've also sponged some Distress Inks around the edge of the sentiment.

This card turned out better than I thought as I was determined to make a card in less than an hour !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Christmas Post Card

This is my card for the Our Creative Corner challenge of a Post Card. I didn't have a Christmas Post Card set so had to improvise ! The border is from a set of Tanda Stamps and was the perfect size, I stamped it with Olive Stazon ink. The swirls and the small holly stamps are from a Stampendous set, the word Postcard is from an Elusive Images set and the postage stamp outline and postmark is also from a Tanda Stamps set and I stamped them all in Smokey Grey Versafine ink. I then sponged some Antique Linen and Scattered Straw Distress Inks around the edge. The background paper is Basic Grey and I've stamped the holly from an Artemio set of stamps in Olive Stazon in the corners. The main sentiment is from a Paper Artsy set of stamps and I stamped it with Cranberry Adirondack ink.

I picked up the Christmas tree ribbon brads from the local craft shop and I thought they were the ideal embellishment. I added a few drops of red Stickles for some glitter.

It's been really windy here today, I had to pop out of the office this afternoon just to my car and I nearly took off ! Images of Mary Poppins flashed across my mind ! I had a 'planning' meeting with my friend Sarah today for our stall, which is fast approaching. I felt quite good afterwards as we've both made quite a few cards now, so we should have enough to put on the stands. I just hope people dig deep in their pockets and buy them !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Christmas sketch

This is my card for the Stamp Something challenge. The main image is from a Katzelkraft set of stamps which is stamped in black Versafine ink. I've cut it out with Labels one Netabilities and then sponged some Distress inks around the edge before removing the die. I've then highlighted parts of it with my white Inkssentials pen. The background is white card which has been sponged with Adirondack Lettuce ink then I've stamped over the top with the tree stamp from an Artemio set and also a snowflake stamp from the same Katzelkraft stamp set.

The papers are Basic Grey and I've punched the snowflakes from Basic Grey paper and the swirl is a Sizzlit die.

Well another wet and windy today, so I'm thankful that I'm home now and not got to go out in it again.

Thanks for looking

Sue

Bit of stitching !

This is a card that I made for an order and also it fits with the Quixotic challenge of Stitching. The main image is a bit different for me as the details I was given for the card was for a 'funny' fisherman. I found this image with a little help from my friend Vic, over at the DigiStamp Boutique. He's been shaded with Pro Markers and cut out with Labels 8 and I've sponged some Adirondack Stream around the edge before removing the die. The paper is Basic Grey mounted onto Bazill card and I've stitched around the edge. The numbers are cut using my Olivia Cuttlebug alphabet and the sentiment is done on the PC.

I spotted this ribbon at a local craft shop at the week end it was the perfect colour, so had to have !

I had some really good news today, I won the Creative Card Crew challenge ! It's the first thing I've won from a challenge, woohoo !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Merry & Bright !

This is my card for 2 challenges, Charisma Cardz - Merry and Bright and Secret Crafter - Four Seasons. I started by inking the background card with Adirondack Stonewashed ink, then drawing a sanding block across it to distress the edges and also the card itself. I then stamped onto it with the same ink using a snowflake stamp from one of the Papermania Duos ( I love these stamps !). The word Merry is from a Stampendous set called Mega Merry. I've stamped it with Versamark onto blue Bazill card then embossed it with a Ranger embossing powder that has glitter in it. I've then cut out all of the letters and and stuck them to a piece of white card stock, raising the 'M' on foam pads. The swirls are from a Hot off the Press stamp set called Winter Swirls and I've stamped them in Denim Adirondack ink and highlighted with my white Inkssentials pen. The 'and bright' stamp is also from the same set and I've stamped with the same ink and highlighted again. I have to say I'm quite proud of my bow ! It took me ages to get it right especially tying 3 pieces at the same time !

The brads are by Woodware I think, sorry I've not got the packet any more ! I started out really not liking this card but now that it's finished I love it !

If ever there was a Monday when I really did just want to turn over and go back to sleep it was this morning. It was raining so hard, I could hardly see the car in front of me on the motorway. Never mind it's all down hill from now ! ( she says ....)

Thanks for looking

Sue

Tag it !

This card is for 3 challenges, My Time to Craft - Tags So Much, C.R.A.F.T challenge recipe of 1 ribbon, 1 tag, 1 sentiment and Winter Wonderland - St Nicholas . I stamped the main image on cream card stock and then sponged some Antique Linen Distress Ink around the edge, cut it into the shape of a tag and added the ribbon. I stamped the sentiment, which is from a Tandastamp set, onto cream card along with the snowflake, which is from a Habico stamp set, in Smokey Grey Versafine ink. I then chalked over the top and mounted onto Sandylion paper. I stamped down both sides with Versamark, with a border stamp from Tandastamps. I then chalked over the top.

The photo's, as usual, don't do the colours justice, especially the ribbon as it's a gorgeous colour.

I've had quite a productive day today, though still not done as much as I'd wanted. I always seem to get involved and what starts out as a simple card takes me hours ! Love it though !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Seeing double !

I have never been very good at making more than one card in the same design, as I get bored very quickly ! So this is a rare sight ! This is my card for the Our Creative Corner challenge which is a sketch, they've also got a DT call out at the moment and will be using all the entries throughout November to make up their minds. So if you're interested hop over there ! The stamps are by Artemio and are a 'naughty' purchase I made this morning at the craft shop in the village. She doesn't stock a huge selection of stamps..... but that makes life easier as there's only the problem of which ones to choose with more choice !

I started by getting out my Distress inks and Adirondack inks and inking the white card stock. I then stamped the word Noel in black Versafine and added two black gems. For the two side panels I stamped the tree twice but used a different ink each time, Lettuce Adirondack and Shabby Shutters Distress ink.

I added the little christmas tree embellishment to the ribbon instead of tying a bow and used my white Inkssentials pen to add some highlight to the bottom panel. The background paper is Basic Grey and I've punched the snowflakes from the same paper.

I've been really cosy today as I've not had to go any where and listening to the wind and rain I am so glad about that ! 'C's been at work all day and he's now in the kitchen cooking my tea, so I think I'd better sign off and lend a hand. It's smelling wonderful !

Thanks for looking

Sue

3 Wise Men

This is my card for 3 different challenges, A Spoon Full of Sugar - Create a Scene, Secret Crafter - Easel Card and Our Creative Corner - Inspirational Photo. Firstly I made a template for the shape of the card by hand drawing the shape I wanted onto a piece of folded paper. I then drew around it onto the card and cut it out. Then I got very inky ! I used several different colours of Adirondack inks and applied them to glossy card stock with cotton wool. I then stamped the star, which is a Clarity stamp, in black Memento ink. I stamped the 3 wise men, which are from an Elusive Images set, in the same ink and then stamped them again onto a Post It note. I cut them out and used it to mask the first image so I could stamp again around the wise men. The base was made in the same way with glossy card stock and Adirondack inks. I've then threaded some ribbon through a ribbon brad and stamped the sentiment onto a piece of scrap card left over from the bigger pieces.

I've added 3 black gems for detail and also some stickles to the star. Both pieces are mounted onto Basic Grey paper. The colours are a little different to the real life article, and I've also discovered that trying to photograph glossy cardstock is a nightmare !

It's absolutely throwing it down at the moment. I love listening to the rain when I haven't got to go out in it.....shan't be too happy if it's still doing it in the morning though !

Thanks for looking

Sue

I believe in Angels !

This is my card for the Passion for Pro Marker challenge, which is to use any colours and use a sketch, and also for the SophistiCat challenge which is wings. The main image is from a set of Creative Expressions stamps, which I bought as I always get an order for Christmas cards with angels on. She's been stamped in black Memento then shaded with just about all of the yellow shade Pro Markers I have, think I'll need to add some more shades to my Christmas list ! I've then cut her out with circle Nestabilites. The papers are Basic Grey and I've stamped the sentiment with Peel Paint Distress ink.

I've added some gold stickles for some glitter but I'm not sure the camera's picked it up. I spent ages tonight playing around with the colours and I don't think it's come out any better than when I don't do any thing !

My friend really loved her card, and to me that's what crafting is all about. It put a smile on my face as well as hers. Aren't I soppy !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Thank you !

This card is not only for three different challenges but also for a special lady at work who has been a great help over the last few months. I'm pretty sure she won't look on my blog tonight...fingers crossed ! The challenges are The Pink Elephant challenge - Be Thankful; Mojo Monday - Sketch; and the last one Creative Card Crew - Doodles. I started by embossing some white card stock with the Victoria Cuttlebug embossing folder. Then I rubbed some Viva Metallic paint over the top in Pistachio, Olive and Copper. I also used a white Inkssentials pen to doodle over the top of the paint, I think you can just about see it on the photo. The sentiment is a Serendipity stamp, which I've stamped using Peeled Paint Distress Ink, I've embossed half of the card with the Victoria embossing folder and rubbed the same metallic paint over the top. I've added some faux stitching around one corner and highlighted some of the text with the Inkssentials pen. I've also sponged some Distress ink around the edge. The flower is from a Katzelkraft set which I've stamped with Memento black ink and shaded with Pro Markers. I cut it out with a circle Nestability and while the die was still on the card sponged some ink around the flower. I've highlighted parts of the flower with the white Inkssentials pen too.

I was hoping this photo would show how the metallic paint shines, but it doesn't look like I've managed it, so you'll just have to take my word for it ...honest !

Why is it when you have a few days off from work it takes all of 5 minutes to feel like you've never been away ! Oh well here's counting down to our next break, only problem is that will be Christmas !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Catching up !

Well after a very relaxing week end, I was itching to get back in my craft room. So, this card is for the below challenges:

• Colour Create - Blue, Silver and White
• Susie's Sassy Challenge - Christmas
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Easel card
• By the Cute and Girly - Winter Wonderland
• Winter Wonderland - sketch or pantomime ( I went with the sketch)

The main image is from a set of Paper Artsy stamps and I've been itching to use it since I bought it a couple of weeks ago. I stamped it with black Memento ink then shaded the hat, scarf and gloves with Pro Markers. I added some white Inkssentials to the circles on the hat and sponged some Stonewashed Adirondack ink around the edge after cutting the image out with Nestabilities 8. The silver card has been embossed with the snowflake embossing folder in my Cuttlebug and then cut out with Nestabilites 8. The background papers are Basic Grey and I've used my Mum's trusty sewing machine to stitch around the edge. The sentiment is from the same set of stamps and I've stamped it in Ocean Depth Versamagic and sponged some of the same around the edge of the card too.

I've folded the ribbon and used double sided tape to hold it in place then added a brad in the centre before sticking everything down.

I have to say we've really enjoyed our week end away, it's been so quiet and peaceful, we were finding it hard to stay awake ! The countryside up in the North Yorkshire Moors is beautiful and we were quite reluctant to come home. We stopped off in York on the way home which was lovely as the sun has been out all day. We also had to stop off at a car wash as the lanes around the cottage were really muddy and you could hardly tell what colour our car was !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Partridge in a Pear tree

This is my card for two challenges, Papertake Weekly challenge which is a sketch and Creative Card Crew which is ribbon and gems. The background tree is a Katzelkraft stamp which I've stamped onto Basic Grey paper using Ocean Depth Versamagic ink and I've then used a Inkssentials white pen to highlight certain bits of it and then added the gems. The text and pears are both from a Paper Artsy set of stamps. The pears have been shaded with Pro Markers and one of them has been covered with Glossy Accents. I've sponged Distress Inks in Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint around the edge of both and then mounted them onto Basic Grey paper.

I think you can just see the Glossy Accents on the above photo, it wasn't quite dry which is why it isn't shining as much as it should.

Well I'm hoping I've set this post up correctly as we are in our cottage in front of the open fire somewhere in Yorkshire.

Thanks for looking

Sue

Those boots were made for walking !

Sorry about the title I couldn't resist ! This is a card I've made for my sister to give to a male friend who's into walking as well as being for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I managed to track down the boots image at the Digi Shack. I've shaded them with Pro Markers and then cut them out before applying some Viva Terra in Sahara, drying it with my heat gun which causes it to bubble slightly, then rubbing some Kaiser acrylic paint in Raw Umber over the top. I was quite pleased with the effect of mud that it gave. The map paper is from a very old K&Co pad which I've used Nestabilities One to cut it out and mount on to Bazill card. I've used the Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug embossing folder on the side piece of card and rubbed Distress Inks over the top. I've then stitched the card and paper together using my Mum's sewing machine no less ! She got really excited when I asked to borrow it, I don't think this is quite what she had in mind though!

The numbers were made using the Olivia Cuttlebug aphabet and I've sponged some Distress Inks over them too.

Well we've not heard many fireworks tonight, I thought they would still be banging. As usual it's been a miserable night fot it too, it's not stopped raining here at all. That's us finished for the week now, we're off up to Yorkshire for a long week end. Can't wait !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Jingle Bells !

This card is for 3 challenges, Truly Scrumptious who provided a wonderful sketch and also a recipe of 3 flowers, 3 brads and 3 gems; Winter Wonderland which is Jingle Bells and My Time to Craft, So Many Scallops. The main image is a Serendipity stamp that I've shaded with Pro Markers and sponged Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Inks around the edge. The small circle has been stamped with a Papermania Duo stamp then cut out using a circle Nestability and mounted onto a Scalloped Nestability. I also sponged some ink over the text. The flowers are a Quickutz die and I've cut them out of Basic Grey paper and added gems to the centre. All of the papers are Basic Grey, I do love how they all blend together. Then last but not least I've added 3 brads.

It's rained really hard here today and has also been quite cold. I'm keeping everything crossed that it will stay dry at least, for the week end. We're both really ready for a break, I just wish it was longer than the 4 days, but then again I shall be itching to get back to my craft room !

Thanks for looking.

Sue

RSS challenge

This is my card for the above recipe from Ready Steady Stamp. I love lilac on a Christmas card just as much as I love the traditional colours of red and green.

The main image is from an Elusive Images set that I've stamped in black Stazon on to mount board. I've then chalked over it and then triple embossed it with thick embossing powder and popped it into the freezer ! After 30 minutes in the freezer it cracked beautifully. I then stamped the background with a snowflake stamp which is from a Papermania Duo and then I've chalked over the top. I've added some highlights to the snowflakes using an Inkssentials white pen. The letter 'C' started life as a yellow and blue letter from a K&Co set of chipboard letters. I've used silver embossing powder on it and on the 3rd layer before it cooled I stamped into it with a Rubber Stampede text stamp.

The ribbon is 2 different sorts and the bow is the same two ribbons plus some silver cord. This is a little bit different for Christmas but I quite like it !

Today has gone so quickly, I've been on a course all day learning how to Speed Write. It's been really interesting and I now keep wanting to shtn al my wds !

Thanks for looking

Sue