Hello Autumn Card

Hi Everyone,

Unfortunately I've not been well this week but, since I'm feeling a bit better, I decided to cheer myself up by entering the Paper Smooches Sparks October Picture Perfect Challenge. The picture had lots of autumn colours and leaves for inspiration and this is what I created. Hope you like it!:

I started off with a yellow polka-dot note card from Pebbles as my card base. Next I die cut a piece of Ranger watercolour cardstock with the scalloped rectangle die from Mama Elephants Femme Frames dies. I used Distress inks in Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed to create a watercolour background for my woodland scene.

Next I stamped the tree images from the Spring Groves stamp set and the owl image from the Spookalicious stamp set, both from Paper Smooches, onto more watercolour cardstock. I used Ranger Black Tie die ink - I'm so impressed with this ink. It gives a crisp black image and is completed waterproof (I found my Memento Tuxedo black ink bleeds with water). I also stamped the hello sentiment from Paper Smooches Gently Seasoned stamp set with the same ink and die cut it with a Paper Smooches Wordbubble Die. Next I used more disress inks in Vintage Photo, Festive Berries, Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed to colour the trees and owl. I was initially a little disapointed with the colour bleeding outside the lines of the owl but then I decided it makes him look extra cute and fluffy. 

Next I watercoloured more cardstock in various colours and die cut leaves with one of the Papersmooches Seasonal Trees Dies. I adhered everything to my card with glue dots and foam squares for dimension and finished with hemp twine and a bow.

If you want to buy any of the Paper Smooches stamps and dies I used for this project, or anything else from this awesome company, then clicking on the image below will take you to their store. Happy Crafting!

A Little Bird Told Me Card

Hi everyone,

This is the first of two cards I've made today using Create a Smile stamps. At the moment they're looking for a guest designer on their blog for March and I'm hoping they'll consider me. This card was made with my friend Gary in mind. He's having a house party for his 40th this weekend and I'm hoping this card will appeal to his sense of humour, even if it is a tiny bit dark! I used the stamps from the Friends in the Woods set from Create a Smile. The sentiments, I created using my typewriter. Half the sentiment is on the front of my card...

…and the remainder is on the inside of my card!

So to make my card I started with a 110lb Neenah Solar White Cardstock base. I added Doodlebug paper from the fruit stand 6x6 paper pad which I die cut with one of the Mama Elephant Landscape Trio dies. I then Stamped the tree branch and owl images directly onto the cardstock and coloured them with copic markers. I added leaves to the branch using the gently seasoned dies from Paper Smooches. Next I stamped the fox image onto some more Neenah card stock and coloured it, again, with copic markers. I adhered everything to my card and added washi tape and enamel dots from my stash.

Please do join in with the challenge yourselves. Clicking on the imade below will take you to the relevant blog post:

How 'Tweet It Is Card

Hi Everyone,

Well, it's been so long since I last posted on my blog that I almost forgot how to upload my photos - anyway, it's all coming flooding back to me. Without getting too dreary, the last few months have been pretty tough but I've decided to get back to what I love - making cards! I've filled up my planner with all the challenges I want to enter and all the friends and family I want to make cards for so that should keep me out of mischief in the coming weeks. 

So my first card is a valentines card I made for the Inky Paws Challenge #17 - use a heart shape. I chose to use the Tweet Talk stamp set from Newtons Nook for this card. I love how delicate the tree branches and little birdies are. I also love the different bird houses in the set.

Hope you like the card and please do let me know what you think in the comments below xx

I used Neenah Solar White 110lb Cardstock for my card base. I next chose a beautiful peice of patterned paper from the Crate Paper Kiss Kiss 6x6 paper pad. I love the woodgrain and little white hearts. I used the scalloped rectange die from the Mama Elephant Femme Frames and then created a window using a scalloped circle die from the Paper Smooches Just For You Icons die set. I covered the underside of the window with pink vellum from Cosmo Cricket and used foam tape and sequins to create a shaker element.

I next stamped the birds and tree branch images from the Tweet Talk stamp set onto Neenah Soar White Cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloured thim with Copic Markers. I stamped the bird house onto a scrap of the Kiss Kiss paper. I fussy cut the images and adhered them to the card with liquid glue and glue dots.

 I typed the sentiment onto a scrap of white cardstock using my new toy - a vintage 1960s typewriter which I adore! The sentiment was inspired by the Marvin Gaye song How Sweet It Is (to be loved by you) which is one of my favourite Motown songs. To complete the card I die cut some hearts from the remaining pink vellum with the Simon says Stamp Mini Hearts Dies.

Clicking on the image below will take you to the Inky Paws Challenge post where you can see he design teams inspiring cards as well as all of he amazing entries:

You're My Dreamboat Card

Hi Guys,

Long time no see! I decided to try a new challenge this week and I opted for the Casology Sea Challenge. I live by the sea and some of my favourite creations have had a nautical theme. I had hoped to try making some more Christmas cards but, as usual, I'm avoiding what needs to be done, and I've gone for a valentines/anniversary card instead. Oh well...I'll get to the Christmas cards eventually - enjoy!

 

 I used paper from the 6x6 Let's Polka paper pad from Lawn Fawn. I die cut the wave-shaped edge using a Mama Elephant die and used one of the Landscape Trio dies, also from ME, to create the insert. Next I made an origami sail boat from a peice of music manuscript. I added inlaid die cut hearts using a Simon Says Stamp die and dreamy cloads cut from vellum using a Paper Smooches die. The sentiment was stamped using a mini alphabet stamp from a local stationary store. I adhered my design to a crisp white cardstock base made with Neenah 110lb cardstock, to frame it.

 Here's close-up of my origami sail boat and inlaid hearts:
 

 

 Clicking on the image below will take you to the challenge post on the Casology blog:

Suns{Hi}ne Card

Hello again,

This is my second Paper Smooches card for this week and I'm entering this one into the Paper Smooches Sparks October Picture Perfect challenge. I was realy excited when I saw the inspiration photo because the colours reminded me of my favourite paper collection at the moment - Fresh Cut from Basic Grey. I picked out the pink colours in the main image for this card, from the Paper Smooches Royal Cuteness stamp set. Hope you enjoy seeing the finished card:

I made the base of this A2 size card from Neenah 110lb card stock. I then die cut a scalloped rectangle of cardstock using one of the Femme Frames dies from the Mama Elephant set. I then adhered peices of patterned paper from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut 6x6 paper pad over the top in a starburst design.

To create the focal point for my card I first die cut pieces of vellum and white silk paper using the Paper Smooches Clouds dies. I then layered these onto my card with images from two Paper Smooches stamp sets. The sun image is from the Spectrum stamp set. i stamped this onto white cardstock using Blushing Bride Ink from Stampin' Up. I then stamped the castle image from the Royal Cutenes stamp set using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I coloured the image using Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut it. I adhered all the peices using various thicknesses of foam pad to create a castle in the clouds effect.

Next I cut a one inch thick strip of vellum and stamped the Sunshine sentiment from the Spectrum stamp set onto it using Avery Elle white Pigment ink. I sprinkled over Wow! Sparkle embossing powder and heat set it.

To complete my card I added 6mm and 4mm Sparkling clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and added subtle shimmer to the sun and castle with my Zig Clear Wink of Stellar Pen. 

Clicking on the inspiration photo below will take you to the challenge post with all the other great entries and, on course, amazing inspiration from the Paper Smooches Sparks Design team:

Clicking on the Paper Smooches badge below will take you to the Paper Smooches website where you can buy all their awesome stamps and dies:

You're Swell Card

Hi guys,

Well I'm on a bit of a roll now I'm back to crafting and I just loved making this nautical-themed card. I used one of my favourite stamp sets from Paper Smooches - Surf n' Turf - as well as lots of twine and eyelets. Hope you like it. Please let me know what you think, I love reading your comments:

I used Ranger watercolour cardstock as my card base. I created the background with Peacock Feathers and Festive Berries Distress inks. I stamped the whale image from the Surf n' Turf stamp set onto some more watercolour cardstock and coloured this with Salty Ocean Distress ink. I fussy cut the image and adhered it to my card with foam squares. I also stamped the "you're swell" sentiment from the same stamp set. I used a white gel pen to add interest to my card.

I used Lawn Fawn natural twine to create a pattern on my card and outlined this with Peppermint twine, also from Lawn Fawn. I also used the peppermint twine to add a bow to my card.

I added gold detail to my card firstly using my Crop-a-dile and some eyelets. I also stamped the tiny anchor image from the Newton's Nook SEAsons Greetings stamp set onto my card using Versamark ink. I then sprinkled over Papermania gold emboccing powder and heat set this. I completed my card by rounding two of the corners with my corner chomper to create an asymetrical look.

Let's Have a Party Card

Hi Everyone,

Well I'm so glad to be back to making cards after a pretty rubbish couple of weeks, with exams and then getting sick - like I said, rubbish! So I'm back and starting things off with this cute birthday card made for the Lawnscaping Patterned Paper Challenge. I used stamps from the Lawn Fawn Monster Mash stamp set as well as lots of bright patterned paper from the American Crafts #Summer 6x6 paper pad:

I used a Pebbles blue polka-dot notecard as the base for my card. Onto this I layered a scalloped rectangle of white card stock, cut using one of the Mama Elephant Femme Frames dies. I then layered a  piece of woodgrain paper from the My Minds Eye Necessities Wood 6x6 paper pad. I die cut a stitched rectangle of this using the largest shape from the Lawn Fawn Small Stitched Rectangles set. I used strips of washi tape to add interest to the background. I used a red woodgrain washi from Freckled Fawn and a yellow striped washi from my stash.

I stamped each of the monster images from the Lawn Fawn Monster Mash stamp set onto various papers from the American Crafts #Summer 6x6 paper pad. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamps my images. I then fussy cut them and adhered them to my card with foam pads. I die cut the balloons using a Paper Smooches die and stamped letters from the Lawn Fawn Claire's ABCs set to spell out party. I adhered the baloons to my card with foam tape. I used Lawn Fawn Natural Twine for the balloon strings.

The red flag in the top left corner is cut from a scrap of patterned paper. I stamped the "let's have a" sentiment from a selection of words from the Lawn Fawn Cozy Christmas stamp set.

Click on the image below to go straight to the Lawnscaping Challenge post with all the great entries and inspiration from their amazing design team:

Hi There Pelican Card

 Hey Guys,

My latest project is a simple notecard for any occasion. I made it for the Make The Day Special September Sketch and Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes Challenges. I used lots of white space, distress inks and the Paper Smooches Surf n' Turf stamp set to create it. I just love the little pelican with his wonky eyes, and I was so pleased I could let him take centre stage on this card - hope you enjoy it xx

I started with a plain white A2 notecard from Papermania. I then die cut a piece of ranger watercolour paper using the scalloped rectangle from the Mama Elephant Femme Frames set - I love how this die is the perfect size for an A2 card and the scalloped edge just adds a subtle prettiness to a card! To create the background to my design I simply mixed Peacock Feather and Salty Ocean Distress Inks with a litle water and flicked them over he watercolour paper with a paintbrush. Next I wrapped a peice of Lawn Fawn Natural Twine around the paper and adhered it to the card base with foam tape.

The circle behind the Pelican was punched from another piece of watercolour paper using my Fiskars 2 inch circle punch. I created a watercolour effect using water and more Salty Ocean and Peacock Feather Distress Inks. I allowed the colours to blend a little before drying with my heat gun. I adhered this to my card with more foam tape and stamped the "hi there" sentiment from the Lawn Fawn Critters on the Savanna stamp set using Versafine ink.

The Pelican image was stamped onto Neenah Solar White Cardstock using Black Licorice Hybrid Ink from My Favourite Things. I stamped the image a second time onto paper and pussy cut this to create a mask. I then used the log from the Lawn Fawn Critters in the Forest set to create something for my pelican to stand on. I coloured both images with Copic Markers in shades E35, E37 (wooden post), Y02, Y06 (beak and legs), Y00, E00, 0 (body) and BG10, 0 (eyes). I've only just started a collection of these markers which I hope to build on over the next few months. I've also booked myself into the online Copic Marker class with Jennifer McGuire and K Werner so that I can really get the most out of them! 

Next I fussy cut the image and added a piece of natural twine tied into a bow. I adhered this to the card using more foam tape and my card was finished.

Here's a close-up of my Copic Marker colouring:

Clicking on the image below will take you to the Make The Day Special Challenge post and all the other great entries:

Clicking on the next image will take you to the Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes Challenge and all the amazing entries there:

You can get to the Paper Smooches store by clicking on the link below:

Happier Than a Pig in Poop Card

Hello everyone,

So this week I've taken the plunge and gone for a more professional look to my photographs. Rather than taking the photo on a shelf in my craft room (and having to rely on the pretty dismal British weather to provide enough light!) I bought daylight lamps and made a light defuser box. I'm really pleased with the improvement in image quality so far and I'm sure I will achieve even better results with a bit more practice. Anyway, I hope you like the card and that you're able to see what I've been up to that little bit clearer now.

My card base was cut from a peice of Neenah Desert Storm cardstock. Next I layered a peice of pink heart patterned paper from the Dear Lizzy Daydreamer collection 6x6 paper pad. I used a thin strip of coordinating paper from the same collection to die cut a scalloped edge which I adhered to the top of the first peice of patterned paper. I used a Paper Smooches scalloped edge die from the Borders 2 set. 

Next I trimmed a small piece of Ranger Watercolour paper and die cut the top edge with the notebook paper edge die, also from the Paper Smooches Borders 2 set. I wanted to create a messy watercolour background to make it look ike the pig had been splashing around. I did this using Vintage Photo Distress Ink and plenty of water. I dried the backgrond with my heat gun and adhered it ti the card using foam tape, to create dimension. 

I stamped the happy little pig image from the Green Acres stamp set by Paper Smooches, twice onto patterned paper using Hero Arts Mid-tone ink in Cup O' Joe. I then fussy cut the images and paper peiced them, using the second image to add dimension to his nose. I adhered the images to the background using foam tape.

Next I trimmed a strip pf wood grain patterened paper from my stash and die cut he top edge once again with a die from the Borders 2 set. I used the stamp edge die to create the look of fencing. I then die cut three small hearts from the patterened paper using the Simon Says Stamp Mini Hearts die. I adhered the patterened paper to the card with foam tape.

The word "happier" was die cut using my Cricut Explore and adhered to the card using silicone glue. The remainder of the sentiment was stamped using a "create your own" label stamp from staples. I really love the tiny font and how I can quickly and esily create any sentiment I like.

I completed the card using several pink sequins from the Neat & Tangled Spring Mix sequins. I also used a couple of 4mm Sparkling Clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

Clicking on the image below will take you to the Paper Smooches Sparks August Anything Goes challenge:

And clicking on the image below will take you to the fabulous Paper Smooches website:

Cheer Up Grumpasaurus Card

Hey Guys,

I made this card for my Vicar who has been a bit sad recently. I really love the sentiment from the Paper Smooches Cuteasaurus stamp set and I thought it would be perfect for this card. I wanted to enter the card into this weeks Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge and the design is inspired by their photo.

The card base is a Pebbles notecard from their Garden Party Collection. I then die cut a piece of vellum using the scalloped edge frame from the Mama Elephant Femme Frames set. Next I used the inner frame from the same set to create a stitched rectangle of Neenah Solar White cradstock. I stamped the Hero Arts Galaxy wood block stamp with Stampin' Up Smokey Slate ink onto this. I then used a piece of woodgrain paper from the Dear Lizzy Daydreamer 6x6 paper pad and die cut it into to a speech bubble using the Mama Elephant Speech Trio dies. I die cut some tiny heart shaped windows into it using  Simon Says Stamp Mini Heart Set Craft dies and stamped the sentiment from the Paper Smooches Cuteasaurus stamp set in Hero Arts Charcoal ink. The dinosaur images are from the same Paper Smooches set as the sentiment and i stamped and paperpieced them using more 6x6 paper from the Dear Lizzy Daydreamer collection. The flowers that the dino on the right is holding are tiny images from the the Mama Elephant Honey Bunny stamp set which I painstakingly stamped and cut from scraps of pink patterned paper - good job I enjoy fussy cutting! I adered each of the layers with foam tape to create dimension and completed the card with twine from my stash and 4mm and 6mm Sparkling Clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

I tried to take as much inspiration from the Paper Smooches photo as possible. The colour scheme of pale pink, pale aqua, white and grey is taken from it. I also used pink flowers and woodgrain inspiried by the wooden paintbrushes. The sparkling clear sequins were inspired by the glass jars and bottles.

Below is the photo that inspired my card. Click on it to go straight to the challenge post on the Paper Smooches Sparks website:

Clicking on the Paper Smooches badge below will take you straight to their website where you can buy all their awesome stamps and dies:

Under the Sea Pop-Up Card

Hi Guys! 

So, my card this week is another pop-up (definately my favourites to make!) and I decided to go for an under the sea theme. My inspiration for the card was the Make the Day Special challenge for the Month of August. I used the blues, reds and oranges from colour pallete A as the basis for my design.

Firstly I started with a Papermania white note card. For the inside of the card, I adhered patterned paper from the Basic Grey Fresh Cuts 6x6 paper pad - one had a wave design and the other was a coordinating blue watercolour pattern. The layers for my pop-up design were created using acetate. I used Spectrum Noir pens in several shades of blue and aqua to create a wavy pattern on the acetate, and then I drew small circles onto this with the blender pen to create the look of bubbles. Lastly I flicked white ink over the acetate to create the look of more bubbles. I used the the Mama Elephant Lanscape Trio die to die cut three layers of acetate at different heights. Next, I stamped images from the Paper Smooches Surf and Turf stamp set onto Neenah Solar White card stock with `memento Tuxedo Black ink. I coloured the images using Spectrum Noir pencils and blendinh soluion and added freckles with a Uniball white gel pen. I fussy cut the imges and adhered them to the acetate layers using silicone glue for extra dimension. I cut sea weed from a peice of green chevron paper from the Dear Lizzy Daydreamer 6x6 pad and adhered this to the acetate, also with silicone glue. Next, I used red line tape to adhere the acetate to the card. I added sequins from my stash and a sentiment, also from the Surf and Turf stamp set and the inside of my card was complete.

These pictures shows the layers of acetate in my design. The pop-up mechanism is created using small peices of acetate as spacers between one layer of acetate and the next, meaning that when you open the card the layers pop-up too.

I kept the front of my card simple, as I always do with my pop-up designs. I used a piece of watercolour paper and Tim Holtz distress inks in Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers to create the watercolour effect in the corner. The sentiment is from the Surf and Turf stamp set by Paper Smooches. I used Versafine ink to stamp it onto Neenah Solar White card stock. The whale image was also from the Surf and Turf stamp set and I coloured it with Spectrum Noir pencils and blending fluid. I adhered the sentiment and image over the watercolour using foam pads to create dimension. Finally I added a couple of sequines from my stash to complete the look. 

I would like to take part in the Make the Day Speacial August challenge (colour scheme A):