Happy New Year !

Well I hope every one has had a fabulous Christmas and not eaten too much (is that possible ?)....lol..

This card is for the following challenges -

• Cupcake Craft Challenge - A time to Celebrate
• Creative Card Crew - Anything goes
• Stampavie and more - Happy New Year 2010
• Cute Card Thursday - Happy New Year
• Daring Cardmakers - New Beginnings

I've made these cards for my family, I sent then New Year cards last year and I've decided that I'd like to do it again this year too.

I started by stamping the background white card with a Hot off The Press stamp from the Winter Swirls set and embossing it with silver EP. For the main image background I used a cog stamp from a Paper Artsy set called Clocks 5. I stamped with grey Versafine first onto scrap paper then onto the card so it was really faint. The main image is from a Katzelkraft set and has been stamped with black Stazon. I then stamped the swirl over the corners with black Stazon too.

The sentiment is from the same Katzelkraft stamp set, and I masked off the word Janvier and stamped it separately, both are stamped with black Stazon. I then cut them out with a Labels 8 die and then went round the edge with a Versamark pen then embossed with silver EP. I added a black brad where the clock hands join and some stickles on the dots around the hands. The sentiment loosely translates as - ' May the New Year bring you joy and happiness'.

We had a fabulous week away, and what made it even better was there was snow for the whole week. I can't believe how quickly the week passed, at least I'm not back at work until next week so have a few days to play in my craft room !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Happy Christmas !

This is just a quick note from a very cold and snowy North Yorkshire Moors cottage, to wish all of my visitors and followers a very Happy Christmas ! I wasn't sure if I would be able to get online while we are away, but isn't technology fab !

Hope you all have a fabulous time !
Sue
x

She passed !

This is a card I made for one of my niece's who passed her driving test. I have to say that it wasn't a forgone conclusion so we were all really pleased for her. The main image is a PC image as is the sentiment, which is cut out with a Nestabilities Fancy Tag and Slate Adirondack ink sponged over it before the die was removed. The stripey paper is My Minds Eye.

Well done Megan !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Yuletide wishes !

This may be my last card for a few days as we're going away tomorrow until next week end. We've done all our food shopping this morning so just need to pack now !

This card was a quick one that I made for my boss, it also fits in with the My Time to Craft challenge of Yuletide Wishes. The sentiment is a Clarity stamp cut out with a Nestabilities Labels die and sponged with Distress inks before removing the die. The papers are Basic Grey and the corner stamp is from an Elusive Images set, stamped with Lettuce Adirondack ink. The small holly leaves are gold peel offs and I've added some red Stickles.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and that Santa brings you lot of fab things. I may get online during the week, but the signal where we're going is very hit and miss, they've also had a fair bit of snow too !

Thanks for looking

Sue

It's cool to be square !

Just when I thought I'd finished all my Christmas cards a friend from work asked me if I could make one for her sister and husband. I'm also putting it in for the following challenges :

• Tanda Teaser - It's cool to be square
• C.R.A.F.T challenge - Free for all

The main image is one that I really love and is a Clarity stamp. I've stamped it with Memento ink and shaded it with Pro Markers. I've stamped the image again then cut out both lots of holly and coated the top leaves with Glossy Accents. The bottom leaves are just stuck directly on top of the original image so that it is slightly raised.

The papers are all Basic Grey and I've added some red Stickles to the holly berries. The words are gold peel offs.

I've had a lovely day today as I didn't have to get up as early and I even had time for some breakfast ! I also met up with a friend this afternoon for a catch up, which was great. I still need to wrap presents so tomorrow is the day !

Thanks for looking

Sue

All things bright and beautiful !

This is a card I've made for my sister for a colleague who is leaving the place where she works on Friday. I decided to go very bright, which for me is a real change ! This is also my card for the Daring Card Makers challenge of Going Dotty. The papers are My Minds Eye and the main image is a Katzelkraft stamp. I've stamped the background card with a free stamp from a Craft Stamper magazine using Versamark ink then chalked over the top.

I've then added a gem to the centre of each flower. The ribbon is from my stash.

Today started off badly as I got stuck in traffic on the way to work and I don't seem to have caught up all day. Then to top it off my lap top had been playing up so I'm writing this very quickly !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Possibly the last Christmas card ?

This is a card I've made for my Mum, she's been to France with us several times so I knew she would love the french wording. I'm also putting it forward for the following challenges :

• The Pink Elephant - Winter and/or Christmas


• Sophisticat - Christmas

I stamped the main image, which is from a Katzelkraft set, with Archival black ink onto Basic Grey paper. Then I stamped the snowflakes around the edge with Versamagic ink, Aloe Vera. The background paper is also Basic Grey and it's mounted on Bazill card.

The sentiment was also stamped with Archival black ink then I cut it out with a Fancy Tags Spellbinder die. Before removing the die I chalked over the top and rather than throwing away the off cuts I used them in the corners of the green Bazill card. The green Bazill card has been embossed using the Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder.

I've had a really lovely day today, not only because I've won a GDT spot on Die Cut Dreams, but also I've spent a very relaxing afternoon, having afternoon tea at a local hotel. It's a really old building and they've decorated it beautfully and we sat in front of the fire eating small sandwiches and cakes. Then to top it all off I've just discovered that I've won Carols Mini Advent Candy for yesterday !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Exciting news !

This is just a quick post as I'm on holiday today and have just sneaked online before going out. I've won a Guest Design Team spot over on Die Cut Dreams ! This is the first GDT spot I've won ! Happy Christmas to me !

Woohoo !

Sue

Silver Trio !

I've made these cards for an order for a lady at work, I'm also putting them forward for the following challenges :

• Tanda Teaser - Nice and Narrow
• A Spoon Full of Sugar - Monochrome
• Cute Card Thursday - Sew Beady
• Our Creative Corner - Christmas

The request for the cards was to keep it to silver and white, which when I started, was quite difficult as I kep reaching for coloured papers !

The card for 'Mum' was quite simple and amazingly enough has no stamping on it ! The beads are from a bracelet that broke and I kept the beads. I've used Nestabilities to cut out the shapes for the sentiments and the snowflakes are punched using a Martha Stewart punch. The ribbon is some that I had left over from last year.

The card for 'Sister' was also quite simple and again no stamping ! Just simple layering and matting and some ribbon added over the corners.

So when I got to the third card I had to get my stamps out ! The card is stamped with a Winter Swirls Hot of the Press stamp with Versamark and embossed with silver EP. The words are all stamped with Versamark and embossed with silver EP too. The charms on all three cards are from toppers that I've taken apart.

We now have our turkey safely tucked up in our freezer ! We also had a very nice stroll around Trentham Gardens in Stoke, there was a really lovely Christmas atmosphere. I couldn't believe how lucky we were as when we came out there were cars queueing for miles !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Christmas Bells

This is my card for the Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge, it's one of two cards I'm making for an order. To find cards with 'Step' on is really difficult, in fact impossible, and finding peel offs is just as hard ! The main image is a Serendipity stamp that I've stamped with black Memento ink and shaded with Pro Markers and sponged some Distress inks around the edge. The background paper is Basic Grey and it's mounted onto Bazill card. I've embossed some white card with the Victoria embossing folder and then chalked it. The tag is from the Fancy Tags set and I chalked it before removing the die.

The peel offs were coloured with a Peel off pen and so were the pearls.

Just need to make one more card and I'm right up to date with my orders. Suppose I'd best start to wrap presents then. I can't believe we've only got one more week till we break up !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Favourite colours

This is my card for the following challenges :

• The Pink Elephant - Favourite Colour Combo
• Crafty Calendar - Winter Sparkle
• Papertake Challenge - Red and Green must not be seen
• Creative Card Crew - Gold or Silver
• Three Clovers - Blue, white, silver holiday card
• Stamp Something - Winter Wonderland

I started by stamping the sentiment with Versamark and embossed with silver EP. I then cut it out with a Spellbinders Fancy Tag die and mounted onto foam pads onto the paper - sorry I don't know who it's by. The snowflakes are punched from white card using a Martha Stewart punch and I've added a gem to the centre for some winter sparkle. I've kept this card quite simple for me so the rest is just layering with silver pearlescent card.

The charm is from a topper that I took apart and I've attached it to the back of the tag, and glued an organza bow to the front.

Well that's another week done, and I've just about done my Christmas shopping but I still need to wrap everything. Still got more cards to make, but that shouldn't be too much of a hardship....lol.....

Thanks for looking

Sue

Sage and Onion !

This is another card I've done for an order and I'm also putting it in for the Die Cut Dreams challenge of Sage and Onion colour challenge, and also for the Charisma Cardz challenge of Dreaming of Summertime. I started by stamping the main image, which is from the Physalis Katzelkraft stamp set, with Versamark onto glossy card and embossed it with white EP. I then sponged Adirondack Sandal ink all over the card and around the edge using Butterscotch. I stamped the image again using Pesto and once more using Brilliance Thyme ink. The butterfly is from the same set and was stamped with Archival black ink. The sentiment is from a Tanda Stamps set and is stamped with Pesto mounted onto some cream and then green Bazill card. The dark colour hasn't shown up too well, but it is just the colour of sage leaves.

I stitched around the card using my Mum's trusty sewing machine and mounted onto some more of the yummy green card. I thought the main image reminded me of cow parsley, which led me onto thinking of Summer.

Well I'm still recovering from a late night (after 9PM !) last night as I went out for a meal with work. I have to say I haven't laughed that much in ages and my throat was really aching by the end of the night. No doubt it will be an early night tonight !

Thanks for looking

Sue

We Three Kings !

This is a card that I've made for an order, the request was to make it religious. It also fits with the Creative Card Crew challenge of Christmas and also for A Spoon Full of Sugar which is Non Traditional colours (no red or green). I started by inking the background card with Adirondack Stonewashed ink then I stamped the 3 kings, from a Habico set, in Versafine Smokey Grey. I then inked some glossy card with the same ink and also Denim ink. The star, which is a Clarity stamp, and words, which is an Elusive images stamp, are stamped in black Archival ink and I've highlighted the star with a white Inkssentials pen.

The star on the words is a gem and the ribbon is silver organza with some silver cord.

Well today was the day for my stall at work. It went quite well and we've managed to raise a good sum for Macmillan Support. My friend and I are now planning for our next stall which we think will be in time for Valentine's day. Looks like I'll be buying lots of red card !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Thank You in Sepia !

This is my card for the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week and it also fulfills an order that I needed to do. The challenge is 'Say it in Sepia' , which is one of my favourite colours to work with. First of all I inked some cream card with Distress Ink Antique Linen. The stamps are from the Physalis stamp set by Katzelkraft and I've stamped using my Sepia Archival ink. The swirls are a Sizzlet die cut from brown Bazill card and the sentiment is a gold peel off.

The butterflies were punched from DCWV card, the punch is one from a set I bought from Create and Craft years ago and I think this is the first time I've used it ! You just never know when things will come in handy !

We've had a lovely day today as we've been to my sister's, along with the rest of the family, for a bite to eat and to draw our Secret Santa. I have to say it's not really that secret as, as soon as the names were pulled from the Christmas stocking everyone was giving clues to who they were buying for...not quite the idea ! We've also put our Christmas tree up.....and no the lights don't work properly !

Thanks for looking

Sue

2 little boys !

I made these two cards for two special little boys, Zac and James,who are the son's of two special friends. Unfortunately, I don't get to see James very often as my friend lives on the south coast. Zac's birthday was yesterday and James' birthday is tomorrow, but I feel fairly confident that James' parents won't look on my blog. I decided to have another go with digi images and these fab images are from Mo Manning's Digital shop and I've shaded them with Pro Markers. I also used my water colour pencils on the hair to add some texture. I've then cut the image out using Labels 8 Nestabilities and drew around the edge of the largest die and cut it out to create 3 layers.

I printed two of this image so that I could cut out the the little number plate on the car. I then turned it over and wrote Zac's name on it and drew around the edge with the same black pen. The paper is Basic Grey and the number is cut using the Olivia Cuttlebug alphabet. I cut a circle using Nestabilities and before removing the die sponged the centre with Antique Linen Distress ink.

This is also a Mo Manning image again shaded with Pro Markers. I used my watercolour pencils again on the hair to create some texture. I've used Labels 8 to cut the image our and drew around the largest die to create the third layer. The paper is Basic Grey.

I've used the same alphabet for the number and sponged Adirondack Stonewashed over the centre of the circle Nestability. I used two ribbons as I didn't have the blue I wanted but thought the two together worked well with the colour scheme.

I really enjoyed making these two cards, not only because they are for two special little boys, but I've used lots of my Pro Markers that I've not used before. Amazingly enough I was still lacking in one or two colours, so have put them on my Christmas list to Santa ! Fingers crossed !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Quick Christmas Tree !

This is a quick card I made tonight as I'm absolutely wacked and finding it hard to keep my eyes open at the moment ! The card fits with the challenge over on the Secret Crafter challenge which is Christmas trees. I embossed some Bazill card with the Cuttlebug Lace Tree EF then I rubbed some Viva paint in Pistachio over the top so that it would stand out a little. It's then layered onto more Bazill card and I added some gems for a little sparkle.

This photograph hasn't worked out too well, and if you squint it looks like a snooker table ...lol..!

I think I'm going to have a bit ot TV time now then slope off to bed for an early night. Got lots to do tomorrow including more Christmas shopping, so will have to be up and about early again. Roll on 2 weeks when we've got 2 weeks holiday ...yay !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Birthday Cupcake !

This is another card that I've made for my niece's birthday, which is today ! I love the size of these cup cake stamps by Craft Uk and it really gives you chance to have a good play with the Pro Markers. So I stamped with black Memento ink then I took absolutely ages to shade it with Pro Markers! When I was eventually happy I cut it out with a rectangle Nestability and mounted onto a scalloped rectangle. The paper is Basic Grey and I masked off one of the words so that I could stamp them underneath one another instead of them being side by side. The background is Swiss Dots Bazill card and I've stamped the Crafty Individuals swirl stamp on the opposite corners with Brilliance ink and also rubbed some of the same ink over the top of the card.

We did our Secret Santa today at work, which I'm always a little dubious about, but I was pleasantly suprised as I received a beautiful, big cup and saucer. I don't drink coffee or ordinary tea, but I do like a big mug of herbal tea so this cup was right up my street !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Birthday handbag !

Well I've had a lovely day today, it's just a shame it's over so quickly ! I've managed to catch up with some card orders, which is great. Still some more to do but will get those done at the week end. This card is for one of my niece's, whose birthday is tomorrow, from her Mum. The main image is another from Sketching Stamper digi images. I've shaded it with Pro Markers and then I've stuck the small gold beads over the detail on the front. The brad is one of my precious Marah Johnson brads. I've sponged some Distress ink around the edge and mounted it onto Bazill card. The spotty paper is My Minds Eye, I don't know who the handbag paper is by, sorry.

I've just added peel offs for the sentiments, normally I would have left it without one but my sister had asked for 'Daughter' to be put on it.

I popped into town first thing today, I didn't buy any Christmas presents but at least I've got some ideas now. Looks like I'll be making another trip in on Saturday !

Thanks for looking

Sue

It's a girl !

I've made two cards for my sister's friend as my Mum wants to send her a card as well. The first card fits with two challenges, Papertake's fab sketch and The Pink Elephant challenge - Colour Me Wonderful (use your favourite colouring medium). The image is from a Joanna Sheen set of stamps, stamped with black Memento ink then shaded with my favourite colouring medium - Pro Markers ! It was a close run between them and my H2Os, but my Pro Markers just pipped them to the post ! I've cut it out with Labels 9 Nestabilities and then mounted onto Bazill card. The background card was put through my Cuttlebug using the Victoria embossing folder and I inked the inside first so that the card is slightly shaded.

The little charm was a gift ftom my friend Vic and it just suited the card perfectly !

The main image on this card is a Sketching Stamper digi image which I thought was gorgeous. It's shaded with Pro Markers too and cut out with a circle Nestability. The background is a piece of white card put through the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots EF.

The detail on these images is fab. The larger circle was cut out with my Cricut.

I'm running a bit late tonight but I've taken tomorrow off to catch up with everything. I've got a list as long as my arm !

Thanks for looking

Sue