Elegant Rose

Firstly, I must apologise for the colours of this photo, I've fiddled around with it for ages and it still doesn't look true to life! Any way, this is my card for the following challenges:

• My Time to Craft - Elegant Rose
• Fussy and Fancy - Hearts
• Sweet Stampin - Scallops
• Secret Crafter - Hearts

I've inked the background card with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink then I've stamped with the same ink using Crafty Individuals swirls. The embossed lattice is a Quickutz embossing folder called Diamonds and Dots and I've rubbed Shabby Shutters over the top. The rose is from an Elusive Images stamp set called Harlequin Rose. I've stamped with Memento black ink and shaded with Pro Markers and added one or two dots of Glossy Accents to look like droplets of water (hopefully!).

I cut the image out with the deckle edged Nestabilities and sponged some more Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress inks around the edge. The sentiment is part of a belated birthday present from my really good friend Vic. It's a Stampin' Up set of sentiments, all in French ! I love using French associated stamps and this set I know will be used alot ! Thanks Vic ! The edge punch is a Martha Stewart and the button is from my stash and I've used alcohol ink to make it a little darker. The twine is also from Stampin' Up.

Well who stole the week end ! I can't believe it's Sunday night already. I've had a lovely two days though. I spent yesterday with my Mum and we went out for a lovely lunch, and today I've spent the afternoon with my friend Vic who was demonstrating her Stampin' Up products. If you're interested in Stampin' Up products take a hop over to Vic's blog, you'll be very welcome !

Right time for tea !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Bright Mother's Day !

I hope you've got your sunglasses on for this one ! I decided I wanted to do a card that would push me out of my comfort zone, and boy was I uncomfortable ......lol......! This is my card for the following challenges:

• Sunday Sketch & Stamp - sketch
• ABC challenge - M is for masking
• Cute Card Thursday - Bloomin' Gorgeous ( use flowers)

The paper is My Mind's Eye - Day Dream in Bloom, which set the colour scheme. The bird is by My Mind's Eye from the Bloom and Grow stamp set. I stamped it onto a post it note and stuck it over the top of the bird and then stamped over it with another stamp, from the same stamp set, in lettuce Adirondack ink. I then sponged some Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress inks around the edge after cutting it out with a circle Nestability.

The bird is shaded with Pro Markers and the swirl is a Bigz die as are the 3 flowers. I've sponged some more Distress ink around the edge of them. The edge punch is a Martha Stewart and the sentiment is a peel off which I've coloured with a peel off marker.

I started this card last night but didn't finish it as I was watching Silent Witness. Did any one see it, I spent most of the time with face behind my hands ! Can't wait for tonight's episode !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Heart and key !

This is my card for the following challenges :

• Papertake Challenge - Sketch
• A Spoon Full of Sugar - Freestyle
• Tanda Teaser - Ink it up
• Little Red Wagon - Hearts

I started with the background which is inked with Sandal Adirondack ink and then I've sponged Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the corners. I then stamped the swirl stamp, which is a Crafty Individuals stamp, in Vintage Photo. The heart and key is a Bigz die and I've inked it with Adirondack Slate ink then for the top layer I've mixed silver, gold and bronze embossing powders together and sprinkled it over the die cut so that didn't melt to a completely smooth finish. It's then mounted on a Labels 1 Nestability which has had Distress inks sponged over it before the die was removed. The stamped heart is from an Elusive Images stamp set and I've stamped it in Vintage Photo and cut out and mounted on Basic Grey paper.

The papers are all Basic Grey and I've used my new Martha Stewart edge punch. I've shaded the centre of the lock with a Faber Castell pen.

I actually managed to get home in the light last night, what a wonderful feeling that was ! I really hate the dark nights and mornings and as much as I don't want to wish my life away, roll on Spring !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Something a bit different !

This card didn't quite work out the way I wanted but I soldiered on regardless. I wanted to have a go at using my brayer to create a scene. I've been looking at Michelle Zindorf's work for ages and just wish I could create something anywhere near as gorgeous ! I brayered the background with a selection Adirondack inks and punched a circle of paper to use as a mask. The stamps are all from an Elusive Images set.

I distressed the edges with my scissors as it looked too neat !

We had a fantastic week end the weather was really good and it was really great to see my friend and her family. It's just a pity it flashes buy so quickly !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Girls, girls, girls !

I got my knickers in a twist with this card as I was doing it for the Passion for Pro Marker challenge, and it wasn't until I'd stamped and shaded with the Pro Markers that I realised I was looking at the wrong challenge ! Fortunately, the challenge this week still works...phew ! So, the challenges that I'm putting this card in for are:

• Passion for Pro Markers - Any colours with the theme of 'Girls, girls, girls'
• A Spoon Full of Sugar - Lots of layering
• Creative Card Crew - Punch it
• Quixotic Challenge - Ink up an old stamp (main image)
• One Stop Craft Challenge - Fancy edges or corners

The main image is a Clarity stamp that I've had for years, so fitted with the ink up an old stamp. I've stamped it with black Memento ink then shaded with Pro Markers. My Bigz dies arrived earlier this week so this is my first card using them. The background paper is My Minds Eye, which is from the pad of freebie papers that came with the Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine this month - fab !

The other paper is by Basic Grey and the flower is also one of my new Bigz dies and I've touched the edges with a brown Brilliance ink and the brad is a Marah Johnson. The edge punch is Fiskars.

I'm really excited about this week end as we're going to see my best friend tomorrow and her family, which includes my god daughter. I've not seen them in months as they live on the south coast, also my friend and I have both had birthdays recently, so we've got a scummy meal planned (that's the diet out of the window!).

Thanks for looking

Sue

The World's Your Oyster !

This is my card for someone's birthday, but I won't mention who as I'm not sure if they will see it on my blog. It's also for the following challenges :

• Cupcake Craft Challenge - sketch
• Colour Create - Kraft, blue and white
• Crafty Creations - Textures ( dry embossing, glossy card stock, heat embossed onto dry embossed card)

The background card was inked with Adirondack Stonewashed ink and I stamped the image, which is a Tanda Stamp, in the same ink. The paper is Basic Grey which I cut out with a circle Nestability. I used Denim and Latte alcohol inks on the glossy card stock then stamped over the top with black Memento ink. The image is from a Rubbadubbado stamp set that I've had for years, and I still love it !

The two side strips of embossed card have had Versamark ink applied to them then clear EP. I've left this card quite simple as it's for a man and I don't think they appreciate swirls !

Well I've had a good day today as my long awaited Bigz dies that I ordered in the Sizzix sale arrived today and also I won last week's challenge over at Creative Card Crew ! Think I'll do the lottery tomorrow while I'm on a roll !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Cool Cats !

This is my card for the following challenges :

• My Time to Craft - Cool Cats
• Tanda Teaser - Touch of Lace (paper lace)
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Sketch

The main image is a Whipper Snapper stamp that I bought ages ago for a card order, and I have to be honest I've not used it since ! I stamped it with black Memento ink and then shaded with Pro Markers. I cut it out with a circle Nestability and sponged Distress inks in Antique Linen, Scattered Straw and Vintage Photo around the edge before removing the die. The sentiment is from a Papermania set of stamps and I've cut it out with Labels 6 Nestabilities and again sponged Distress inks around the edge before removing the die. The papers are Basic Grey and I've stamped onto the background with a Crafty Individuals stamp in Vintage Photo. The paper lace has been made with a Fiskars edge punch.

The pearls are coloured with a Pro Marker and the buttons are from my stash.


Well that's Monday over with, and my cold is starting to disappear. We're off out for a curry tonight so that should sort out my sinuses !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Collage in Pink and Grey !

This is my card for the following challenges :

• Papertake Challenge - Sketch
• Crafty Angels - Can you feel it (embossing)
• Hand Full of Stamps - Polka Dot Love
• Cute Card Thursday - Pink and Grey
• Polka Doodles - Love

I started by masking off different areas of a piece of white card and stamped with various stamps including Elusive Images, Basic Grey, Craft Stamper free stamp and an unknown music one that I've had for ages. I used Versafine Smokey Grey and also Adirondack Slate ink. I used a Brilliance ink pearl drop to touch some pink ink onto the rose and the heart. The polka dot paper is a Pink Petticoat paper download. The horizontal piece has been put through my Cuttlebug using the Victoria embossing folder then I've rubbed the pink Brillliance ink over the top. I hadn't got any grey card so I inked some white card with Adirondack Slate ink. The word is from an Elusive images that I masked off so I could just stamp the one word.

The ribbon is from my stash as are the silver hearts.

I've had another day in doors today, I didn't get up too early either. It has been quite bright here today so that's a big improvement. Fingers crossed the commute in the morning will be better than the last couple of weeks.

Thanks for looking

Sue

Cupcake Birthday !

This is my card for the Winter Wonderland challenge which is a sketch. I've rotated the sketch as I couldn't get my head round it the right way up for some reason ! The cupcake stamp is a Craft UK stamp which has been stamped with black Memento ink then shaded with Pro Markers. I've used a Labels Nestie to cut it out and mounted onto Bazill card. The piece of card along the bottom has been put through my Cuttlebug using the Divine Swirls embossing folder which I inked on the inside with Brilliance ink. I then sprayed it with Marshmallow Glimmer Mist. I've used a Labels 8 die for the piece behind this which I've cut from Basic Grey paper and sponged some Vintage Photo Distress Ink around the edge. The background paper is also Basic Grey and I've stamped it with a Crafty Individuals stamp using Vintage Photo again.

The sentiment is also from the same Craft UK stamp set, again stamped with Vintage Photo. The flowers are punched and the pearls have been coloured using a Pro Marker. I then gave it another spritz with Marshmallow Glimmer Mist, which unfortunately hasn't shown up on the photo, but has added a sparkle to the whole card.

Well I've not put one foot outside today as not only has the weather been awful, I'm also full of cold. It's very tricky looking down when your nose is capable of the gold medal in running ! Fingers crossed it will have dried up a little by tomorrow....famous last words !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Hearts galore !

This is a little bright for me, but I love the MME papers so I went with the colours ! This is also my card for the following challenges :

• Secret Crafter - sketch (the bow is the sentiment)
• Charisma Cardz - Any thing new ( the stamp is from a new set)

I cut the ovals using my Cricut then stamped the word Love from my new Elusive Images stamp set. I then sponged Antique Linen, Scattered Straw and Red Brick Distress Ink around the edge.

The hearts are cut using a Quickutz die and the ribbon for the bow is from my stash.

It's started to thaw ! Woohoo ! I never thought I'd be so glad to see rain forecast, how sad is that ! I've worked from home today as this morning the roads were like glass again. Let's hope we can all get back to some normality, I'm sure I'm not the only one !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Happy Birthday to you hoo !

This is just a quick post as I'm going to brave the elements and go to the pictures with my sister tonight. This card is for the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday - sketch
• The Pink Elephant - Birthday
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Birthday

The owl stamp is another free one from the Craft Stamper magazine. I've sponged Distress inks in Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint around the edge. I've then stamped the leaf stamp, which is from an Elusive Images set, in Shabby Shutters. The owl was stamped with black Memento ink and then shaded with Pro Markers. The papers are MME Bloom & Grow and the swirl is a Sizzlit Scribbles die. The border punch is a Fiskars punch.

The buttons are from a bag that I bought from the local craft shop.

Right just time to get changed and go !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Die Cut Dreams GDT card - Coffee & Cream

This is my card for my second, and final, week as GDT over at Die Cut Dreams. The challenge this week is Coffee and Cream, make sure you pop over and check out the DT creations, they're fab ! I'm also putting this card in for the following challenges :

• ABC Challenge - 'L' is sfor layering
• C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Resist technique

I started by making the background by stamping the image, which is from an Inkadinkado set, with Versamark and clear embossing it. I then inked over the images with Sandal Adirondack ink and some Archival Sepia ink. As the images are clear embossed you can then rub the ink off so the image shows through. The Eiffel Tower is a Clarity stamp, stamped with Archival Sepia ink and I embossed the bottom part of the card with the Victoria embossing folder. I rubbed some more Sepia ink over the top to highlight the embossing. The swirl is a Crafty Individuals stamp, stamped with Sepia ink. The main image is a favourite stamp of mine, and is by Crafty Individuals too.

I've stamped it with Sepia Archival ink then cut around the edge with some Deckle scissors, and did the same to the Bazill card it's layered on to. The brad, which doesn't show up too well on this photo, is a Marah Johnson and the buttons are from my stash.

I don't know what the problem is with the estate where I work but this morning was chaos again ! Fortunately, as I'm an early bird, I missed it all but it's incredible how long it took some poor folks. I don't know about you, but I'm getting bored now with talking about the weather ! It needs to thaw so we can get back to some normality. Ok rant over ! :-)

Thanks for looking

Sue

In the mood for love !

As Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and I've agreed to do another stall at work, I thought I'd better make a start on some cards ! This card is also for the following challenges :

• Passion for Pro Markers - Use any colours, sketch and theme of love
• A Spoon Full of Sugar - Hearts
• Crafty Creations - Black, white and one other colour

I started by stamping the main image, which is another free stamp from a Craft Stamper magazine, with black Memento ink then shading with Pro Markers. I then cut it out with a circle Nestability and sponged some Versafine Smokey Gray around the edge before removing the die. The stamped hearts and the sentiment are from a new set of Elusive Images stamps that I had for Christmas. I've stitched around the edge and then sponged some more Smokey Gray ink and also swiped the ink pad across the edge of the card. I've used the hearts Cuttlebug embossing folder with white card and rubbed the Smokey Gray Versafine ink across the top.

I stamped the Crafy Individuals swirl stamp with Brilliance Moonlight White ink then also used a white Inkssentials pen to highlight some of the stamp. There's not as much showing as I'd hoped, but I'd gone too far to start again !

Well we had a bit of a bumpy start to the day as my Mum rang first thing in a state of panic as a water pipe had burst ! So we dashed over there and spent most of the morning sorting that out. Fingers crossed that nothing else will burst ! We've had one or two snow 'flurries' today so fingers crossed for the morning ! Hope you all have safe journeys if you have to go out.

Thanks for looking

Sue

Happy Birthday Jean !

Firstly, this card is for 'C's Mum, as it's her birthday tomorrow, but it's also for the following challenges :

• Charisma Cardz - Brown, pink, cream and toffee
• Quixotic Challenge - Hot Chocolate (colour combination)
• Cute Card Thursday - All new ( new stamp)
• Sophisticat Challenge- Fancy Borders

The main image is from my new set of Elusive Images stamps. I've stamped it with black Stazon then used watercolour pencils and added some white dots using a uni-ball pen. I've sponged some Antique Linen and Scattered Straw Distress Ink around the edge, then stamped the sentiment with black Stazon. I've mounted this onto some toffee coloured Bazill and then onto brown card stock.

The paper is Basic Grey and the edge punch is by Fiskars.

Well we've made it to Friday, this week felt like it would never end. It's still really cold but the roads where we are, are OK. I don't think we'll venture far over the week end, hope you're all keeping warm !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Distressed !

No not me, the card ....lol........As you've probably gathered I love my Distress inks ! So when I saw the challenge over at Creative Card Crew it put a smile on my face as their challenge this week is Distressing. This card is also for the Stamp Something challenge which is New Somethings, and is to use any new stash. The new stash I've used is the main stamp which is from an Elusive Images set that my eldest niece, Nikola, bought me for my birthday. Cool heh !

I started by painting some white card stock with Vintage Photo Distress Ink then I stamped the image with the same ink and also the sentiment, which is from a Woodware set of stamps. I distressed the edges with my scissors then sponged some Vintage Photo around the edge to darken it. I did the same to the card the birthday definition is stamped on. The papers are My Minds Eye and I've distressed them too with my scissors and some Vintage Photo ink.

I used my Mum's trusty sewing machine (hopefully she won't want it back too soon!) to sew around the edge and the swirls are a Sizzlet Scribbles die.

I really enjoyed making this card as I could get covered in ink ! Good job it comes off..eventually !

Well another cold and snowy day. I didn't venture out today I worked from home, I shall have to go out tomorrow though so I'm hoping we don't have any more snow in the next 24 hours.

Thanks for looking

Sue

New home

This is my card for the following challenges :

• By the Cute and Girly - New, i.e. house, job, etc
• Secret Crafter - New Beginnings
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Polka Dot Fun
• Papertake Weekly challenge - New Beginnings
• Crafty Calendar Challenge - Keeping warm ( use warm colours)
• Stampin' for the Weekend - New Beginnings

I started by masking the tree on the stamp, which is a free stamp from a Craft Stamper magazine, and then stamping it in Archival Sepia ink, and then removing the mask and stamping the centre image with black Memento ink. I then stamped it again and shaded it with Pro Markers and cut it out and mounted it on to foam pads. I sponged some Distress inks around the edge and then used a La Plume pen to add the faux detail. The papers are all My Minds Eye, which I have to say I'm rather hooked on at the moment !

The buttons are from a mixed bag I bought from a local craft shop and the sentiment is a peel off that I've shaded with a peel off pen and sponged some Shabby Shutters Distress ink around the edge.

It's been another chaotic day today with the weather. I managed to get to work but then the snow started to fall and it started to get very thick. So I came home early which was a little tricky as cars were sliding all over the place ! Just have to wait and see what it throws at us tomorrow !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Back to school GDT card

This is my first GDT card for Die Cut Dreams ! The challenge this week is Back to School, make sure you hop over and check out all of the DT creations as they're fab !

The main image is a Serendipity stamp, stamped in Archival Sepia ink then I painted them with Distresss and Adirondack inks. I layered it onto some Bazill card and then threaded some tapestry thread through the card. The 'lines' are made from some ordinary note paper and I punched holes down the side with my Crop o dile and then used a paper piercer to rip the paper, as if it had been pulled out of a note book. I used Doodlebug letter transfers for the words and sponged some Scattered Straw Distress Ink over the top. The background layer is a page from a book and I've painted it with Vintage Photo Distress ink. This is all mounted onto some My Minds Eye paper.

I added a brad to the centre of the flowers and the buttons for interest on the gros grain ribbon. I have to say I wasn't quite sure where I was going when I started, but I quite liked where I ended up !

Well the weather didn't disappoint this morning, I was really lucky as I travel really early so missed all the chaos, but some poor souls were stuck in traffic for hours. Having seen the weather report for the rest of the week if you don't have to travel then I would definitely stay at home ! Unfortunately, I will be one of the unlucky ones and will have to go out in it, wish me luck!

Thanks for looking

Sue

Mine's a pint !

I've made this card for my brother in law's birthday which is on Thursday, he doesn't look at my blog so I'm safe ! This card also fits with the Papertake challenge which is a sketch. The main image is from a new Personal Impressions set I bought last week, stamped with black Memento ink then shaded with Pro Markers. I then cut it out with a Nestability and mounted it onto Bazill card. The stripey paper is Basic Grey, again mounted onto Bazill card. The bottom piece of card has been put through my Cuttlebug using the Distressed Stripes embossing folder that I inked in the inside. I then sponged Vintage Photo Distress ink over the top.

I painted some white card with the Vintage Photo Distress Ink then stamped the Hero Arts Birthday Definition stamp over the top and cut out with the same Nestability.

It's been a beautiful day today and we did venture out for a walk. I do love to walk when it's frosty and cold, though I have to say it was good to get back into the warm !

Thanks for looking

Sue

Pretty as a Peacock !

Happy New Year to everyone ! First of all I wanted to share the above plaque that I bought while we were away last week. I thought it was rather apt for a crafter ....lol..... !

So, my first card in to the New Year is for the following challenges :

• Tanda Teaser - Pretty as a Peacock (use peacock colours)
• C.R.A.F.T challenge - Thank you
• Winter Wonderland - Thank you
• The Pink Elephant - sketch

I started by inking a piece of card with Lettuce Adirondack ink. I then used a stamp from an Elusive Images set (a birthday present from my niece yesterday!) which was stamped with black Archival ink. The green paper is My Minds Eye and the purple is Basic Grey. I inked the inside of the Victoria embossing folder with Versamagic Eggplant ink and embossed some white card.

The word was stamped with black Archival ink then cut out with a Nestability and I sponged some Teal Stazon ink around the edge before removing the die. I stamped the small thistle onto shrink plastic and coloured the reverse with Pro Markers before shrinking.

The pearls were coloured with a purple peel off pen.

In true blogging style I have still posted this card even though I don't really like it. I just couldn't seem to get what was in my head onto card !

Well we had a quiet night last night, it's also my birthday on New Year's Eve so to try and go out is an absolute nightmare ! I gave up a long time ago on that one ! We ate well and had a bottle of fizzy so it was a lovely evening. I hope everyone didn't wake up with too sore a head this morning !

Thanks for looking

Sue