Michelle's Fab Blog Candy at the Card Grotto

The sweet Michelle is offering fabby blog candy over at her Card Grotto to celebrate her 2nd Blogoversary. Wow, it's a great giveaway! Gorgeous card creations to look at too!

Click here to visit the Card Grotto - the page will open in a new window.

Squares Stamp With Us Recipe Challenge Card

This card was made for this week's Stamp With Us challenge. This was a recipe challenge where you had to use two patterned papers, one ribbon and some hardware. I have some SU! Hodgepodge Hardware I got in a share but haven't really used it so this challenge was just the push I needed! Click here to visit the Stamp With Us blog and see the recipe challenge - the page will open in a new window.

One of the sketches I used in the recent Splitcoast Stampers Dare to Get Dirty challenges for my owl thank you card was fresh in my mind so I used that. On this card I substituted a square central image for the circle.

Nestability dies were used to cut all my squares. I used two different papers from the SU! Sweet Always DSP pack. I stamped the Fresh Cuts image in Old Olive and have sponged on some Pumpkin Pie ink. I chose the square hardware frame to use and I've attached two Felt Fusion flowers with a brad. I threaded Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon through the holes of the frame and tied this round the image with a knot. I then secured the frame with brads through the holes. Blimey, it was a tad tough getting the brads through the ribbon and CS! I've used Pumpkin and Chocolate brads from Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts in the USA - they sell brads that match the SU colours.

The central square image is popped up with 3d foam tape. To finish off the card, I added Pumpkin Pie photo corners. I don't quite know why I went with rather autumnal shades, it's a gorgeous sunny day here in Sussex!



Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Fresh Cuts set
CS: SU! Whisper White, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip & Pumpkin Pie
Patterned paper: SU! Sweet Always DSP pack
Ink: SU! Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie
Tools: Plain square Nestability dies, Sizzix Sizzlits Photo Corners #2 die
Embellishments & accessories: Square SU! Hodgepodge Hardware frame, SU! Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, SU! Felt Fusion flowers, Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts Pumpkin and Chocolate brads, 3d foam tape

Hope the sun is shining for you too!

Dare to Get Dirty - Birdhouse Hello Sketch Card

This is my last 2009 Dare to Get Dirty challenge card. I'm happy I got to participate in a few of them this year after missing out in 2008. I love square cards and One Happy Stamper's DTGD sketch is a fabby square sketch. You can keep things fairly clean and simple like I did with this card or dress it up a bit more. I'll be using this sketch again for sure!

Click here to see the sketch - the page will open in a new window.

The colour scheme was chosen after I'd picked my patterned paper, the lovely paisley design from the Basic Grey Sultry collection. I've lightly sponged some distress ink on the white circle. To finish off the card I added a Prima flower with a clear crystal centre and 3 Chocolate Candy Dots.



Supplies:
Stamps: Inkadinkado Birdhouse Flourish, sentiment from Hero Arts
CS: SU! Whisper White & Old Olive
Patterned paper: papers from Basic Grey Sultry 6" x 6" pad
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip & Old Olive
Tools: Circle Nestability dies
Embellishments & accessories: Prima flower, clear crystal, Pebbles Inc. Chocolate Candy Dots

Let It Snow Sketch Card

I really liked the look of the sketch on today's sketch challenge on Splitcoast Stampers so I decided to play along - and add another Christmas card to my stash. I thought it was a great sketch for using patterned paper - especially double sided like the Pebbles Inc. paper I used here. Click here to visit the Sketch Challenge 239 thread on Splitcoast Stampers (the page will open in a new window).

I used a Go Kreate Frame Pointy #1 die for the image (LOVE that shape!) and my tall rectangle Nestie dies for the patterned paper and olive mats.

The image was coloured with watercolour pencils and I've added Stickles to the snowman's nose and glitter to the bottom of the letters. I lightly sponged blue ink on the main image panel and ran the ink pad round the edge of the shape too. The main image panel and the snowman head are both popped up with 3d foam tape.



Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Big On Christmas set
CS: White CS, SU! Not Quite Navy and Old Olive CS
Patterned paper: double sided Pebbles Inc. Snow Fun Tiny Flakes/Stripe
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, SU! Bashful Blue
Tools: Watercolour pencils, Go Kreate Concentrics Frame Pointy #1 die, tall rectangle Nestabilities dies, XCut mini snowflake punch, 1/16" hole punch
Embellishments & accessories: Crystal ultrafine glitter, Orange Peel Stickles, 3d foam tape

CAS Flower Note For You

Today's CAS challenge on Splitcoast Stampers was to follow a sketch based on a card Krystie Lee made. Click here to visit the CAS challenge thread.

I stamped the flower and leaves and cut them out. The leaves are glued flat but I've popped up the flower with 3d foam pads. I used square Nestie dies for my mat and layer.

The patterned paper is from the gorgeous My Mind's Eye Bloom and Grow collection - as is the sheer ribbon. I was so happy to find inks that went with the paper - and delighted to find the metal embellishment that I put in the centre of the flower. You just never know when a long hoarded embellishment from a pack in your stash will be just the perfect thing!



Supplies:
Stamps: My Cute Stamps 'Spunky Nature' clear set, sentiment from SU! Sweet Little Sentiments set
CS: White CS, SU! Old Olive
Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow 6" x 6" pad
Ink: ColorBox Celadon and Moss Green, SU! Pumpkin Pie
Tools: Square Nestability dies
Embellishments & accessories: My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow Ribbon Set, PaperMania self adhesive metal embellishment, 3d foam pads

Dare to Get Dirty - Snowman Joyous Christmas

This card was made for the Dare to Get Dirty Paper Tole challenge. The Paper Tole technique involves stamping parts of the image more than once, cutting them out and popping those parts up so you get dimension.

I {{{{heart}}}} this snowman stamp muchly! He's guaranteed to raise a smile I think! I always sign my blog posts with signatures that were made for me a few years ago by a bunch of talented gals on the eBay Community forums, the Pink Devils. Su made me a signature with this snowman included and I recognised the style as Penny Black but I never came across the stamp in a shop or online - until I visited Dick Robinson's HMStamps website. I emailed him and he told me the stamp was retired but that he might be able to get it for me. I did a happy dance around the room when he said he had actually got the stamp for me LOL!

I coloured him using Coloursoft pencils and Zest-It and added Stickles to the holly berries, nose and star. The hat, scarf and star are all popped up with 3d foam pads.

The snowflake strip at the bottom is grosgrain ribbon which was a gift from the sweet Michelle at the Card Grotto.



Supplies:
Stamps: Brush Snowman by Penny Black, sentiment from Hero Arts
CS: White CS, SU! Basic Black
Ink: Black StazOn for the snowman, VersaFine Onyx Black for the sentiment
Tools: Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Zest-It natural solvent, stumps, Woodware small snowflake punch
Embellishments & accessories: Xmas Red, Orange Peel and Yellow Stickles, snowflake grosgrain ribbon, clear Swarovski crystal

I know it's a bit early for snowy images but here is the signature Su from the Pink Devils made for me.

Dare to Get Dirty - Owl Thank You

Another card made for two Dare to Get Dirty challenges - the Born to be Wild challenge (make an animal themed card) and a sketch challenge. I really loved this sketch I definitely will use it again! This card will go to my friend Robin to say thank you - along with some of his favourite tipple!

I stamped the woodgrain stamp on Creamy Caramel CS using caramel ink and cut it out with a circle Nestie die. The owl and sentiment are both popped up with 3d foam pads. I've used different papers from the SU! Old Olive Prints DSP pack for the squares. To finish I added yellow gems for the owl eyes.



Supplies:
Stamps: Owl from Inkadinkado Birds Galore set, Designer Woodblock by Hero Arts, sentiment from Hero Arts Clear Design Thank You Messages set
CS: SU! Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive
Patterned Paper: SU! Old Olive Prints DSP pack
Ink: SU! Creamy Caramel, VersaFine Vintage Sepia
Tools: Square Nestability dies, circle punches
Embellishments & accessories: yellow gems, 3d foam pads

Dare to Get Dirty - Cake Birthday Wishes

A card made for two Dare to Get Dirty challenges - the Good Enough to Eat! (make a food related card) and Colour Combo challenge. The colour combo was Real Red, More Mustard and Bashful Blue. Hmmmm, I'm definitely not a fan of mustard so I thought I would go outside my comfort zone and take part in this challenge! Can't say I'm convinced by this colour combo now I've done it either LOL!

I've coloured the image with Coloursoft pencils and blended with Zest-It. I added yellow Stickles to the candle flame. Rectangle Nestie dies were used for the mat and layers. The diamond border at the bottom on the Real Red strip was made with the Sizzix 'Ribbons' Hello Kitty Decorative Strip die and I added some Candy Dots.



Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous 'Patisserie', sentiment from Hero Arts Clear Design Birthday Wishes set
CS: Elzybells smooth white CS, SU! Real Red, More Mustard and Bashful Blue
Ink: Black StazOn, SU! Real Red
Tools: Plain and scalloped rectangle Nestability dies, circle punches, Sizzix 'Ribbons' Decorative Strip die, Derwent Coloursoft Pencils, Zest-It natural solvent, blending stumps
Embellishments & accessories: Yellow Stickles, Pebbles Inc. Baby Blue Candy Dots

Dare to Get Dirty - Coneflower Thanks So Much

Made for the Dare to Get Dirty Black and White and Red All Over challenge. We were to make a black and white card with just a touch of red. I've CASEd the design from a set of fab cards I saw in 2007 made by Flaxychick in the Splitcoast Stampers Dirty Dozen gallery. I've also borrowed the layout from a card we made at one of Joanne's Stamper's Ten Make and Take evenings.

I stamped the petals on a page from a gardening magazine and stuck them to white card before trimming them. I've glued the points under the cone flat but I've popped the bottom of the petals up with 3d foam pads.

The sentiment frame is popped up also. To finish off the card I added Pebbles Inc. Black Candy Dots to the card corners.



Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Pick a Petal and Sincere Salutations sets
CS: White CS, SU! Basic Black and Real Red
Ink: Black StazOn, SU! Real Red
Tools: SU! Ticket Corner punch, 1" circle punch
Embellishments & accessories: Black ric rac, black and white stitched ribbon, Pebbles Inc. Black Candy Dots, 3d foam pads

Dare to Get Dirty - Sheer Butterfly Birthday Wishes

As soon as I saw Krystie Lee's Clearly Creative DTGD challenge I knew I had the perfect item in my stash to use! You had to use something transparent, clear or sheer. I bought a pack of Craftwork Cards Sheer Delights months ago and have never used one - shame on me! The pack contains sheer acetate birds and butterflies. In addition to using a sheer butterfly I decided to use other neglected items from my Craftwork Cards stash - love that yummy Marshmallow and Cappuccino colour combo!

This card also fit the Flap Your Wings challenge (to use winged things) and the Tie One On! challenge (to use ribbon) so I was able to combine three challenges with this card.

I stamped the flourish stamp on the butterfly using white StazOn ink and then I scored lines either side of the butterfly body so I could bend the wings up a bit. It's always challenging working with acetate items, especially when it comes to attaching them to cards and I decided to tie the butterfly on with ribbon. I punched two holes both in the butterfly body and the Cappuccino scalloped square and then tied the butterfly on with pink grosgrain ribbon tied in a bow. I added some pink Swarovski crystals randomly on the wings 'cos you know I love sparkle!

I made the card by using two Craftwork Cards scalloped squares. I embossed the front square with the Sizzix 'Butterfly Dance' Texture Plate. I like to use these when the Cuttlebug folders are too small but the impression isn't as deep. Before I embossed I added a shim to my Big Shot sandwich and spritzed the CS with water and that seemed to help give a better impression. I then scored a vertical line on the back square and glued that piece to the front square and voila, the card stands up for display.

The corner accents are Craftwork Cards Candy Dots and the sentiment is a CC Birthday Message Circle which I offset on a punched circle shape. The Cappuccino panel and the sentiment circle are both popped up.

Well, that's it for today, I'll tackle more DTGD challenges tomorrow. Hope you're enjoying the weekend as much as I am!



Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts DesignBlock Flourish
CS: Craftwork Cards Marshmallow
Ink: Cotton White StazOn
Tools: Anywhere hole punch, SU! 1 3/8" circle punch
Embellishments & Accessories: Craftwork Cards Scalloped Squares in Marshmallow and Cappuccino, Craftwork Cards Sheer Delight acetate butterfly, Craftwork Cards Birthday Message Circle, pink grosgrain ribbon, pink Swarovski crystals, 3d foam tape and pads

Dare to Get Dirty - Sweet Little Bird Card

This sweet little bird shaped card was made for the Dare to Get Dirty Anything but Average! challenge where you had to make an unusual sized or shaped card. I love my Spellbinders Nested Birds dies and I wondered if I could make a bird shaped card. I started off by cutting out two of the largest birds in white CS. I scored a vertical line at the tail end of the back card and glued this piece to the front card - hooray, the card stood up!

I then cut another bird in Bloom & Grow paper, sponged on some distress ink and glued this to the front bird. I die cut the medium sized bird in contrasting paper and cut off the beak and tail to get a wing shape. I added more distress ink and glued the top of the wing flat but popped up the bottom with 3d foam pads for some dimension. I cut the sentiment out with a Label Trio die and have tucked this behind a popped up punched flower shape. For the bird's eye, I've used a Pebbles Inc. Chocolate Candy dot - I love those things!



Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment is from the SU! Pocket Silhouettes set
CS: White CS
Patterned Paper: Various papers from the My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow 6" x 6" pad
Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia and Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink
Tools: Spellbinders Nested Birds dies, Spellbinders Label Trio die, EK Success medium retro flower punch, 1/4" circle punch
Embellishments & accessories: Pebbles Inc. Chocolate Candy Dot, 3d foam tape

Daring to get dirty!

I'm a member of the Splitcoast Stampers fan club. Every year SCS has an event where the past and present Dirty Girls (the members of the Dirty Dozen) host and take part in 'Dare to Get Dirty' challenges as a thank you to fan club members. I took part in 2007 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Last summer my mojo took an unauthorised and extended leave of absence so I didn't take part. I was determined to do some of the challenges this year!

My craft room looks like a bomb has gone off and I'm exhausted now - but I had great fun today. I'll be catching up with some more Dare to Get Dirty challenges over the next few days as I think the deadline for uploading is 1st August.

This first card is a two-fer - as in two for one - as it fits two challenges, the Cut It Out and Taken with Texture challenges. For the Cut It Out challenge we were to use die cuts or punches and for the Taken with Texture we were to use well, texture LOL!

I am loving the Victoria Cuttlebug embossing folder and it just gets better when teamed with Coredinations Whitewash paper - add in my fave Go Kreate and QuicKutz flower dies and I'm one happy crafter LOL!

After embossing with the CB folder, I scuffed with ultra fine sandpaper and then used the Coredinations Dust Buddy cloth to get rid of the dust and debris - it's fab, it cleans up a treat! I also added more texture in the form of those gorgeous felt SU! Flower Fusion blooms. I've attached them to the die cut flower with a gem brad. The frame die cut shape with the sentiment on is popped up with 3d foam pads.



Supplies:
Stamps: SU! One of a Kind set
CS: SU! Old Olive and Rose Red, Coredinations Whitewash 6" x 6" pad
Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia
Tools: Go Kreate Concentrics Frame Pointy #1 die, QuicKutz Revolution flower die, Ellison Window Cuts frame die
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Flower Fusion felt flowers, SU! Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, gem brad, 3d foam pads

Stamper's Ten Make and Take Cards

These are the cards we made at Joanne's S10 Make and Take evening. Another great evening, I really enjoy it!

The first card is a gatefold card. The butterflies were stamped in Brocade Blue ink and coloured with a So Saffron marker. I scored lines either side of the bodies so the wings can pop up a bit. Joanne gave us a fab tip for adhering the butterflies - she told us to glue the bodies down flat but to put a 3d foam pad underneath the wings without removing the backing paper so that the wings always stay popped up.




This pic shows how we decorated the inside of the card.



I love the pastel shades of this next card. We used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the vine repeatedly across the white panel. The flowers were punched with the Three For You punch and we then used the round end of an embossing stylus to add some shaping. Tiny pearls were glued to the flower centres. We used the Scallop Edge punch on the bottom of the white panel and we scored two decorative lines either side of the ribbon. The strip of patterned paper at the bottom is from the Tea Party DSP pack.



Supplies for the butterflies gatefold card:
Stamps: SU! Touch of Nature and Sincere Salutations sets
CS: SU! Whisper White, Brocade Blue and So Saffron
Ink: SU! Brocade Blue and So Saffron marker
Tools: SU! Ticket Corner punch, small circle punch, 3d foam pads

Supplies for the little flower vine card:
Stamps: SU! Fresh Cuts set
CS: SU! Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron and Almost Amethyst
Patterned Paper: Tea Party DSP
Ink: SU! Certainly Celery
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Three For You flower punch, embossing stylus, trimmer to score the decorative lines
Embellishments: Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, tiny pearls

Happy Feet Hello

Wow, this colour combo sure is bright and vibrant and I wouldn't have put it together myself! Today's CAS (Clean and Simple) challenge on Splitcoast Stampers was to make a turquoise, orange and yellow summer card. That's the great thing about challenges, they sometimes make you go outside your comfort zone.

The flip flops are popped up with 3d foam pads for dimension and I've added tiny clear crystal gems to bling them up a little.



Supplies:
Stamps: Hello! from Hero Arts Hello Birdie Sparkle Clear set
CS: Textured white DL sized card blank, white CS, SU! Barely Banana, Pumpkin Pie & Tempting Turquoise
Ink: SU! Tempting Turquoise
Tools: QuicKutz Flip Flops 2" x 2" die, Sizzix Decorative Strip Hello Kitty 'Ribbons' die, square Nestability dies
Embellishments & accessories: Clear self adhesive gems, 3d foam pads

Hope you're having a happy day!

Butterflies Ruby Wedding Anniversary Card

Ruby Wedding Anniversary cards are like buses for me - I don't make a Ruby Wedding Anniversary card in over a year and then 3 come along at once! This is for our friends Jan & Alan.

The card was made with SU! Ruby Red CS and measures 5 3/4" square but I cut 1 1/2" off the right hand side of the card front. I used Bittersweet decorative papers from Basic Grey. I then got busy with my corner rounder punch. The stamp is Heart Winged Butterfly from Hero Arts, I thought it was perfect for an anniversary card and Jan loves butterflies! I stamped it in SU! Chocolate Chip ink on two different coloured papers and cut both out - minus the antennas. I've scored lines either side of the bodies so I can fold the wings up. Rhinestone Stickles add some sparkle on the wings.

I printed the sentiment from the PC using the RGB codes for SU! Ruby Red and the Formal436 BT font. I've knotted some embroidery silk through the heart shaped red button next to the sentiment. To finish the front, I added candy dots on the image panel.



I used my QuicKutz heart die to decorate the inside of the card and the envelope. I added some punched flowers with crystal centres to the inside. Tiny crystal hearts have been added to all the die cut heart shapes.

I do hope Jan & Alan like it!



Supplies:
Stamps: Heart Winged Butterfly by Hero Arts, sentiment on the inside of the card is by Stampendous
CS: SU! Ruby Red
Paper: Various papers from the Basic Grey Bittersweet 6" x 6" pad, white printer paper for insert
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip & Ruby Red
Tools: Square Nestabilities dies, Corner Rounder punch, QuicKutz heart die, EK Success small flower punch
Embellishments & accessories: Rhinestone Stickles, red heart shaped button, embroidery silk, clear self adhesive round & heart shaped gems, Pebbles Inc. Chocolate Candy Dots, glue dots

Alan's Birthday Card & Money Holder Card

It's Alan's birthday next week and I've made this card and a small square money holder card for him. I based the birthday card layout and colour scheme on a masculine birthday card I made last year. The card measures 5 1/2" square. I've used the SU! Touch of Nature stamp set - very kindly loaned to me by my friend Jan.

I followed the Faux Wood Frame tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers - but I used a woodgrain stamp rather than inking CS and using the distressed stripes Cuttlebug folder 'cos I don't have that one. Click here to go to the SCS tutorial.

I stamped the woodgrain stamp on Creamy Caramel CS with Close to Cocoa ink and cut a frame using square Nestie dies. After making the mitred corners, I swiped Chocolate Chip ink on all sides of the frame pieces. I cut a large plain caramel square and have glued my frame pieces onto that and then nested my bird image inside the frame.

The bird image was coloured with SU! Watercolor Wonder Crayons and I also sponged on some distress ink and stamped the speckles. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the leafy background images and a CB folder for the caramel textured strip. I added a thin olive strip for a contrasting pop of colour. The half circles are punched 3/4" circles glued to the inside front of the card so only half show on the card front. A Nestability Label Trio die was used for the sentiment.



I had a faux wood square left over from making the frame so I used that on the small square money card holder - it measures 4 1/4" square. I coloured the plums image using the crayons again and trimmed it. I then added the sentiment oval, photo corners and the olive dots. On the inside of this card I have used the SU! Slit Punch so I can tuck a banknote inside.



Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Touch of Nature set & sentiment from Wow Flowers set, speckle stamp from SU! Itty Bitty Backgrounds set, Hero Arts Designer Woodgrain Design Block stamp - SU! Oval All set for sentiment on money holder card
CS: SU! Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip
Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia, SU! Close to Cocoa & Chocolate Chip, Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks
Tools: SU! Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder crayons, square & Label Trio Nestabilities dies, Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug embossing folder, Sizzix Sizzlits Photo Corners die, SU! plain oval punch, SU! 3/4" circle punch, SU! Slit Punch, handheld 1/4" circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Embellishments: Antique brass finish brads

Cuttlebug Be Inspired Challenge #40 Card

I checked out my friend Dawn's blog today and found a link to a Cuttlebug sketch challenge. I couldn't resist playing along with my new fave CB folder and the negative inking with Perfect Pearls technique. Click here to visit the Cuttlebug Challenge blog and see the Countdown to CHA Be Inspired #40 challenge.

Here is the sketch:



I decided to make a rectangular card instead of square. Before embossing my Elegant Eggplant CS, I inked the Victoria CB folder with VersaFine ink. After that, I brushed on Blush Perfect Pearls - the CS is SO shimmery, it's a gorgeous effect! I'm a bit precious about my new folder so I washed it in warm soapy water immediately to avoid ink staining. It's as good as new now!

I used Marvy pens to ink the dandelion stamp. The corners were shaped with the SU! Ticket Corner punch. I've popped up the olive panel with 3d foam tape. I tied two ribbons round the card and have tucked the sentiment circle behind the ribbon. To finish, I've added green Candy Dots and pearls.

I really enjoyed this sketch and I'm glad I found the Cuttlebug challenge blog, I'm looking forward to taking part in more challenges. This is one of my fave colour combos and I'm pleased with how this card turned out.



Supplies:
Stamps: Dandelion by Hero Arts, sentiment from SU! Best Yet set
CS: SU! Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive & Whisper White
Ink: Marvy Le Plume II Jungle Green & Eggplant marker pens, SU! Old Olive, VersaFine Onyx Black
Tools: Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder, Nestability rectangle dies, SU! Ticket Corner punch, 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" circle punches,
Embellishments: Blush Perfect Pearls, Anita's olive ribbon, SU! Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Pebbles Inc. Spring Green Candy Dots, Mark Richards self adhesive pearls

Stamper's Ten June Challenge Card

Joanne, my SU! demo, always gives her Stamper's Ten group members some bits and pieces every month and challenges us to make a card with them. In June we got the flower element (pre shaped and assembled, yay!), Real Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue CS, a piece of Summer Picnic DSP and Real Red grosgrain ribbon. I didn't use my Bashful Blue piece of CS.

I used my fave new Go Kreate Frame Pointy #1 dies - I can't stop using them! - for the DSP and Pumpkin layers. I punched an Olive circle to mount the flower element on. Before attaching the flower, I arranged the ribbon and glued on a die cut leaf shape. I used my DEET tool to add veining to the leaf.

The three flowers were made using the smallest flower on the Boho Blossoms punch. I've used an embossing tool on a moulding mat to add shaping to the flowers and then I've popped on clear crystal centres. I've used my Ellison Frame die for the sentiment - I think it goes with the Go Kreate die shapes beautifully!



Supplies:
Stamps: sentiment from the SU! One of a Kind set
CS: SU! Old Olive, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie
Patterned Paper: SU! Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip
Tools: Go Kreate Frame Pointy #1 dies, Sizzix Sizzlits Leaf #3 die, Ellison Window Cuts Frame die, Woodware 2" circle punch, SU! Boho Blossoms punch
Embellishments: Flower element made by Joanne, clear crystals

Penny Black Mice Ruby Wedding Anniversary Card

This is the second of three Ruby Wedding Anniversary cards I need to make. This one was made for Alan to give to Jan. My sweet friend Dawn from the USA recently sent me some RAK images and this cute Penny Black mice image was among them. Thanks so much Dawn, it was perfect for this occasion! I know Jan adores Penny Black images - and this one in particular! I've coloured it with Coloursoft pencils and Zest-It solvent but I've also added a small amount of brown Twinkling H20's paint to the mice - a colouring tip from Dawn. I made the sky and ground with chalks and added glitter to the rose. The heart on the tag is a tiny die cut shape. The caramel layer is popped up with 3d foam tape. On the photo corners I've added ruby red Swarovski crystals.

Square Nesties were used for my white and red squares. I've used my gorgeous new Cuttlebug 'Victoria' folder on the red squares. SU! plain and scalloped oval punches were used for the sentiment which I printed from the PC. I used the RGB colour codes for SU! Real Red and the font is Bauhaus Std Medium. This is a symmetrical layout and I've used different shapes here, I thought maybe squares, rectangles and ovals may be too much, but I like how this card turned out. I hope Jan and Alan approve too!



This pic shows how I decorated the inside of the card and the envelope.



Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Long Stem Cuties', 'with love' on the inside of the card is from the SU! Yummy set
CS: SU! Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White & Old Olive
Ink: Black StazOn, SU! Real Red
Tools: Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Zest-It natural solvent, square Nestabilities dies, Victoria Cuttlebug embossing folder, Sizzix Sizzlits Photo Corners and Hearts, Stars & Tags dies, SU! plain and scalloped oval punches - for the inside & envelope - SU! oval punches, QuicKutz Heart die, EK Success flower punches & Sizzix Decorative Strip Ribbons die, small heart punch
Embellishments: Ruby red Swarovski crystals, Crystal ultrafine glitter, 3d foam tape

Cuddly Buddly Ruby Wedding Anniversary Card

I made this Ruby Wedding Anniversary card for Carol & Robin. Cute bears are not normally my thing but Carol loves cute stuff, especially teddies so I thought this image was perfect. I coloured it using Coloursoft pencils and Zest-It solvent - but I used a Koh-i-noor metallic gold pencil for the cork on the champagne bottle.

Nesties were used for the image and layer. I embossed the white circle and then ran Stickles Crystal glitter glue around the edge. The red layer was popped up. White candy dots were added to the red Nestie shape. The embossed swirly background was made with a Sizzix Texture plate. I like these for larger square cards where CB embossing folders are not big enough - although you don't get quite as deep an impression.

I printed the sentiment from the PC using the Hardwood LP Std font and the RGB colour codes for SU! Real Red. I added a die cut heart to the sentiment. EK Success flower punches and Sizzix Decorative Strip die cuts were used to decorate the envelope.



Supplies:
Stamps: Celebration Bears from Cuddly Buddly
CS: SU! Real Red and Whisper White
Ink: Black StazOn
Tools: Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Zest-It natural solvent, Circle and Labels Three Nestabilities dies, Sizzix Ivy Flourishes Texture Plate (from Texturz Kit #19), EK Success flower punches, Sizzix Decorative Strip Ribbons die
Embellishments: Red & white spotty ribbon from the Glitter Pot, Pebbles. Inc white Candy Dots, Star Dust Stickles, 3d foam pads

Cupcake Pocket Stamp With Us Challenge Card

This weeks challenge on the Stamp With Us blog is to make a childrens card. You can find this fun Stamp With Us Theme Challenge here.

I've made a cupcake pocket card. I made a pot of flowers pocket card recently at a class at the Glitter Pot and I got the idea to make a cupcake one then - so huge thanks to Joanne for the inspiration!



To make the pocket I cut Choc Chip CS to 18 x 10.5 cms and scored at 9 cms. Then I trimmed 1.5 cms off both sides at an angle. (For imperial measurements I would cut the CS at 7" x 4 1/4" and score at 3 1/2" and cut 9/16" off each side at an angle). I stuck down the pocket sides only with narrow red liner tape. I then covered the front with a piece of striped Sweet Always DSP cut to size. The ric rac is Regal Rose CS cut with the Sizzix 'Ribbons' Decorative Strip die - the die is part of their Hello Kitty range. I then tied round some Choc Chip grosgrain ribbon and added a sentiment circle. The sentiment is a Hero Arts clear stamp and I cut it out with a 1 1/2" circle punch and layered it onto a 1 3/4" circle. The circle is popped up.

This pic shows the pocket and insert separately.




For the insert, I used my Coluzzle Circle Companion template to cut a 10.5 cms (just over 4") Regal Rose circle which I cut in half. The message piece measures 10 x 6.5 cms (4" x 2 1/2") and is sandwiched between the two half circles. I embossed the front half circle with the D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder and then I've added die cut cherries, 1/2" punched circles as chocolate drops and metallic silver Dew Drops - I thought they looked like those silver confectioners balls! I've added white gel pen highlights and the cherries are popped up with 3d foam pads. The sentiment is from a USA SU! stamp set (Sweet Little Sentiments) that my super sweet friend Dawn sent me. It was absolutely perfect for this card - thanks Dawn, {{{{hugs}}}} to you! I added a small punched flower and rounded the corners of the insert to finish.

Supplies:
Stamps: It's Your Birthday from Hero Arts Clear Design Birthday Messages set, Celebrate One Cupcake At a Time from SU! Sweet Little Sentiments set
CS: SU! Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White and Very Vanilla
Patterned Paper: SU! Sweet Always DSP pack
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip and Regal Rose
Tools: various circle punches, Corner Rounder punch, EK Success small flower punch, Coluzzle Circle Companion template, Sizzix Sizzlits Cherries die, Sizzix Decorative Strip Ribbons die, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls embossing folder
Embellishments: SU! Choc Chip grosgrain ribbon, Robin's Nest Metallic Silver Dew Drops, 3d foam pads

Owen's Birthday Card & Money Holder Card

I used a few of my new goodies to make these cards for Owen's birthday. This is the first time I've used SU! Kraft CS and I really like it. I'm just peeved that we can only buy it in a mixed pack of neutral CS, I really wish we could buy whole packs. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed we get that in the new catty!

For the card, I used embossed DP from the My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow 6" x 6" pad and I cut it out with a Go Kreate Pointy Frame die. The leaf behind the ribbons and buttons is a die cut shape from the MME Bloom & Grow Decoupage pack. I'm not sure why they've called it a decoupage pack as it's not strictly decoupage - just floral themed die cut shapes. I've sponged distress ink onto the frame and leaf shapes. The large brown button was tied on to the Very Vanilla ribbon and I added 2 further buttons with linen thread put through the holes. I stamped the tree and trimmed it and I've popped that up with 3d foam pads.



For the front of the money holder card, I used a cream A6 card blank and used the Go Kreate Pointy Frame dies again. OK, so I know a flower is not very masculine - but I liked the hearts going around the edge and I knew Owen wouldn't mind a flower LOL! I sponged Choc Chip ink around the flower and leaf and the flower is popped up with 3d foam pads.



For the inside of the money holder card, I used my SU! Slit Punch so I could slot the banknotes into the slit. Then I used my SU! plain and scalloped oval punches for the sentiment.



Supplies:
Stamps: Splendor (tree) by Penny Black, Birthday Wishes is from SU! Wow Flowers set, To You from Me is from SU! Best Yet set and With Love is from the SU! Yummy set
CS: SU! Kraft and Chocolate Chip
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow 6" x 6" pad and Decoupage Pack
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Peeled Paint and Tea Dye
Tools: Go Kreate Frame Pointy #1 dies, SU! circle punches, SU! Slit Punch
Embellishments: Buttons, linen thread, SU! Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, 3d foam pads