Butterfly Window Birthday Wishes Card - Less Is More Challenge

This weeks LIM challenge theme is butterflies - yay, I love butterflies! I've bought new butterfly goodies from SU! recently which means the older butterfly stuff in my stash gets neglected which is a shame.  So I chose to use my Cuttlebug butterfly die as I haven't used it in ages.  But I also used my new Marianne flower frame circle die, I love mixing old and new items!

My card measures 12 cms square.  I used Marina Mist CS for the base and die cut the embossed flower frame using Rich Razzleberry CS.  I then cut a circle window out of the card front and glued the circle frame over the window.  I cut a square panel of Whisper White CS to go inside the card and stamped the Bella Toile background stamp with Marina Mist ink, stamping off twice first.  I stamped the Bella Toile stamp on Marina Mist CS with Razzleberry ink, die cut the butterfly and sponged the edges with Razzleberry ink.  I scored lines either side of the body to pop the wings up and attached the butterfly to the inside of the card with a line of mini glue dots fixed just along the body.  I've put half dimensionals with the backing paper still on under each wing so they'll stay popped up.  I stamped the sentiment and the finishing touch was to add the pearls.

I then stamped the Bella Toile stamp in Marina Mist ink on the envelope flap.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Bella Toile background stamp, sentiment from Hero Arts Birthday Wishes clear set
CS: SU! Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Marina Mist & Rich Razzleberry
Tools: Cuttlebug butterfly die, flower frame die from LR0152 Marianne Creatables circles dies set
Embellishments & accessories: self adhesive pearls, SU! Dimensionals

Butterflies Bisque Pottery Birthday Card

I saw a video showing the Bisque Pottery technique on Diana Gibbs' blog, click here to go to the blog post.  You brayer the inside of an embossing folder with Crumb Cake ink and then emboss a piece of Whisper White CS.  It looks fab on Very Vanilla CS too.  Wow, I LOVE how it turns out and I couldn't wait to try it out.  I didn't have the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder at the time so I used the Cuttlebug 'Victoria' folder instead.  I didn't want to cover up the embossing too much with mat layers so I thought die cut butterflies would be ideal.  I do love the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die and I'm so happy I got it as a birthday gift.

I used striped glittered paper for the largest and smallest butterflies and for the middle one I used Razzleberry CS that I embossed with the Victoria folder.  I've added a pearly stamen doodad behind the large butterfly as antennae.  I then made a faux button for the centre of the butterfly using the Button, Button set and circle punches.  I pierced the button holes and threaded a strip of white CS through the holes.  I've popped Dimensionals under each layer of wings.  I love the new SU! Decorative Label punch and I decided to layer two part cut shapes for the sentiment.

I punched a Martha Stewart butterfly for the envelope flap and also decorated inside the card.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Wow Flowers & Button, Button sets, Hero Arts Fabulous Birthday
CS: SU! Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive & Whisper White
Patterned paper: BoBunny Jazmyne Mist
Ink: SU! Crumb Cake & Rich Razzleberry
Tools: Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder, SU! Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, SU! Decorative Label punch, SU! Photo Corners punch, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, circle punches, brayer
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Old Olive satin ribbon, pearl stamen doodad, SU! Dimensionals

CAS Winter Bird Birthday Wishes BRAK Card

The snow is still here causing disruption.  I've had to cancel my monthly card group and I'm hoping to reschedule it for next week.  I'm really not liking this cold!  I keep wanting hot buttered crumpets and hot chocolate but the low GI diet doesn't allow that!



At least I can get some card making done.  This is a simple wintery Birthday RAK card I've made to send to the USA for a December birthday.  The card is a side opening A6 size made with Rich Razzleberry CS.  The bird embossing folder is from the Cuttlebug 'Winter Wonderland' set of folders.  I've embossed the folder on Core'dinations Amazon CS and then scuffed over the embossing with ultrafine sandpaper.  I've highlighted the snowflakes, branches and pine cone with glitter so there's a lovely sparkle to the card.  I've always loved berry and olive green together, this is definitely one of my all time fave colour combos!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Sincere Salutations set
CS: SU! Rich Razzleberry & Very Vanilla, Core'dinations Amazon
Ink: SU! Rich Razzleberry
Tools: Bird folder from Cuttlebug 'Winter Wonderland' embossing folder set, SU! plain and scalloped oval punches, X Cut corner rounder punch
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Rich Razzleberry dotted grosgrain ribbon, Crystal ultrafine glitter, ultrafine sandpaper

Two Simple Sparkly Seasonal Cards

A couple of non stamped seasonal cards using Cuttlebug folders and glitter.  The two folders I've used for these cards come from a set of six called Winter Wonderland.  I was inspired by cards I saw on display at the Glitter Pot when I visited for their demo weekend last Saturday and Sunday.  The sparkle makes all the difference to these simple cards.  They're fairly quick to make so good to mass produce and being flat, they'll be nice and easy to post too.

For the Let It Snow card I've made a side opening A6 size card.  I've embossed the swirly snowflakes (I LOVE this folder, it's gorgeous!) on  Harborside Core'dinations CS and scuffed the embossing.  I've then added pale blue glitter.  The Let It Snow is a Sizzix Sizzlits die cut shape.  I've added an aqua gem to the dot over the i.

For the baubles card, I've made an Elegant Eggplant A6 card and embossed the baubles (another gorgeous folder!) on Wisteria Core'dinations CS and scuffed the embossing.  This time I added crystal glitter.  The sentiment is a rub on, it's been ages since I've used rub ons and I still have quite a few in my stash!  I've added a purple crystal to the central bauble.

Supplies:
Stamps: None
CS: SU! Whisper White & Elegant Eggplant, Core'dinations Harborside & Wisteria
Ink: None
Tools: Cuttlebug Winter Wonderland embossing folder set, Sizzix Sizzlits Let It Snow die
Embellishments & accessories: Pastel blue and crystal ultrafine glitter, Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, Pebbles Inc. Merry Christmas rub ons, gems

Embossed Frame Bird Thank You Card

This is my first card using the lovely Cuttlebug Flourished Frame embossing folder I recently bought. I kept things very simple. The card base was made with SU! Pale Plum CS - this folder suits A2 size cards better than A6 so my card measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I stamped the image twice, once in green ink and then again in eggplant ink and I cut the eggplant bird out and I've popped it up. A stamped sentiment and some bling to the corners of the white panel finished the card!



Supplies:
Stamps: Inkadinkado Birds Galore clear set, SU! Thank You Kindly set
CS: SU! Pale Plum & Whisper White
Ink: VersaMagic Tea Leaves & Eggplant chalk inks
Tools: Flourish Frame Cuttlebug embossing folder
Embellishments & accessories: Crystals, 3d foam pads

All White Butterflies Card

I've always been intrigued by all white cards and I've been meaning to make one for ages. I was inspired by this lovely card on Splitcoast Stampers made by jaydekay - if you click the link the page will open in a new window.

The card measures 5 3/4" square. I used three different Cuttlebug folders for the texture on the card. The topmost layer is popped up. The butterflies were made using the Craft Tonic Multi Detail butterfly punch. I placed both butterflies on a moulding mat and ran an embossing stylus down both sides of each body so the wings would pop up a bit and then added clear crystals to the bodies. To finish off the card I tied white satin ribbon round the card in a knot.

I really like how the embossing adds dimension and texture and I may just try another variation in a different colour at some point.



Supplies:
Stamps: None
CS: Glitter Pot white CS
Ink: None
Tools: Swiss Dots, D'vine Swirls and Victoria Cuttlebug embossing folders, Craft Tonic Multi Detail Butterfly punch
Embellishments & accessories: White satin ribbon, clear crystals, 3d foam tape

CAS Chocolate Chip Mint Butterfly

This card was made for the CAS58 Chocolate Chip Mint colour challenge on Splitcoast Stampers where we had to use any shades of green and brown plus white or cream. I went to a craft shop on Tuesday and found this gorgeous green patterned CS, it's really thick so is ideal for card bases and has a white back so perfect for writing your message inside too!

The card is a standard A6 size. Before stamping the sentiment on the white CS, I stamped the flourish background stamp in SU! Certainly Celery ink, having stamped off once first. I die cut the butterfly from Chocolate Chip CS and embossed it with the Victoria Cuttlebug folder. I then swiped my VersaMark pad over the raised embossing and heat embossed using clear powder to get a nice glossy look to the raised parts.

I scored lines down both sides of the butterfly body so I could fold the wings up a tad. I also put half a foam dot under each wing - with the backing paper still intact, which ensures the wings will stay popped up even after being in the envelope. To finish off, I added green crystals to the butterfly body.



Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Design Block: Flourish background stamp, Hero Arts Lots of Wonderful
CS: Kanban green Deco Milano Card, SU! Whisper White & Chocolate Chip CS
Ink: VersaMark & SU! Chocolate Chip
Tools: Cuttlebug butterfly die, Victoria Cuttlebug embossing folder, heat gun
Embellishments & accessories: Clear embossing powder, green crystals, 3d foam pads

Flower For You Card for SCS F4A1 Challenge

Friday's Splitcoast Stampers challenge used to be a Limited Supplies challenge. This week they've started a new one, the Free for All challenge. Today's F4A1 was Textures, Colours and Patterns. You had to use texture, a colour you don't normally use and the optional part was to include patterned paper. I'm still suffering a lack of mojo so I thought a challenge might do me some good!

I used my new Rellie Rave CB folder, ribbon, a shell button and domed candy dots for texture, Old Olive patterned paper and the colour I don't normally use is Cameo Coral.

The card measures 5 3/4" square and was made with Ruby Red CS. I used the same layout that I used for Owen's Valentine card. The leaves were made with a Sizzlits die and the flower is a Cuttlebug die. The Ruby Red square and the flower are popped up. I stamped the sentiment on the bottom of a punched out circle shape to echo the circles in the embossed panel. Hmmmm, I'm still not keen on Cameo Coral!



Supplies:
Stamps: SU! One of a Kind set
CS: SU! Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Kraft, Chocolate Chip & Old Olive
Patterned paper: SU! Old Olive Prints Designer Series Paper pack
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip
Tools: Rellie Rave Cuttlebug folder, square Nestabilities dies, SU! Little Leaves Sizzlits die, Cuttlebug 2" x 6" Flowers die, circle punches
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Choc Chip grosgrain ribbon, shell button, Pebbles Inc. Chocolate Candy Dots, 3d foam tape

CAS Butterfly Note Card

I haven't made a challenge card this week and one of my New Year resolutions was to take part in more challenges. As Owen is glued to football on TV (romantic on Valentine's Day huh?!) I checked out today's Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. You check out the gallery of the featured stamper and CASE a card but you must change 2 or more things. Today's featured stamper is HamiltonGal, she has a wonderful gallery. I chose this card to CASE - the page will open in a new window. I really like how she stamped an outline stamp in a coloured ink without colouring it in. I changed the colour, theme and I flipped the layout to landscape. Instead of layers for my circle, I've stamped a frame and I added a butterfly charm to the ribbon instead of a clip.

I knew this card would allow me to show off my fab new butterfly Cuttlebug folder. Yep, my love affair with butterflies goes on - as does my love of pink LOL!

I made this card 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" to better accommodate the size of the embossed piece - and the card still fits in a C6 envelope. I embossed Pixie Pink CS with the Jules Jewells Cuttlebug folder. I think it's meant to be used in portrait format but I think it also looks great in landscape. The frame stamp is from Waltzingmouse Stamps and the butterfly and trail are from Hero Arts.

As there is no sentiment on this card I shall keep it in my box and use it as a note card.



Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Designer Butterflies clear set, Waltzingmouse Stamps Vintage Circles Small clear set
CS: Glitter Pot white CS, SU! Pixie Pink
Ink: SU! Pixie Pink & VersaFine Smokey Gray
Tools: Jules Jewells Cuttlebug folder, circle Nestability die
Embellishments & accessories: White grosgrain ribbon, butterfly charm

Bird Thank You Card For Mo

Mo, a lovely lady from my card group, got a Bird Call Cuttlebug embossing folder as a gift but she already had that one so she very kindly gave her duplicate to me. I thought I'd use the folder to make a little thank you card for her.

I make a lot of square cards from A4 size CS so I have lots of strips in my scraps. I thought I'd make another scrapling card using one of the strips with an element that extends off the side so it will fit in a C6 envelope. The strip was a full A4 in length and I trimmed it slightly so it is 3" wide.

I embossed a piece of Core'dinations paper with the folder, scuffed the embossing with ultrafine sandpaper, cut it out with a circle Nestie and cut out a couple of mats. I used Black Magic Core'dinations paper that has a pale pink core which matched my Pretty in Pink card base. I stamped the sentiment and added a Prima flower to the ribbon I tied in a knot around the card. Then I added teeny tiny butterflies with crystal centres and some black candy dots to finish the card.



Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Design Thank You Messages set
CS: SU! Pretty in Pink & Rose Red, Black CS, Core'dinations Black Magic Potion No. 9 pad
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
Tools: Bird Call Cuttlebug embossing folder, Circle Nestabilities dies, Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly punch
Embellishments & accessories: Black grosgrain ribbon, Prima flower, pink crystals, Pebbles Inc. Black Candy Dots, glue dots

Felt Flowers Trio Card

Today's CAS challenge on Splitcoast Stampers was a sketch layout inspired by this card - the page will open in a new window.

I made my card a 5 3/4" square rather than a rectangle. My flowers are made with felt - I've had some felt in my stash for ages and have hardly used it so I thought it was high time it had an outing! I used 2 Cuttlebug flower dies to cut them out and I ran them through my Big Shot as the flowers didn't cut out cleanly when I used my little Sidekick. I used craft felt which is quite thick and stiff, not soft like normal felt so I think it's tougher to die cut. I've joined the flowers together with gem brads and adhered them to the card with glue dots.

At the bottom of the card I've added Bashful Blue striped ribbon with a flat bow glued on top, a strip of Bashful Blue prints patterned paper and a strip of Night of Navy CS. I opted to stamp my sentiment on the patterned paper.



Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts
CS: Glitter Pot Smooth White CS, SU! Night of Navy
Patterned paper: SU! Bashful Blue Prints Designer Series Paper pack
Ink: SU! Night of Navy
Tools: Cuttlebug Scribble Flower set of 2 dies
Embellishments & accessories: Thick craft felt, Making Memories gem brads, glue dots

Snowflake Easel Card - November 2009 Card Group Project

This is one of the cards my card group will make on Thursday. As with all my easel cards so far, I cut CS to 11" x 5 1/2" and scored at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2" and used a 5 1/2" square piece for the front. I must make a rectangular easel card soon!

The blue cardstocks are both by Bazzill and the patterned papers are by Doodlebug. The snowflake was made using the Cuttlebug snowflake die. I added a blue star gem and have popped the snowflake up. I embossed the paler blue square with my new Crafts Too snowflakes embossing folder. Crafts Too have just bought out a small range of folders that are A6 sized, so they're perfect for UK standard rectangular cards whereas the Cuttlebug folders fit the US A2 size cards.

Again I used a sentiment on a scalloped oval punched shape as my 'stop' to keep the card front in place. The scalloped oval is popped up. For the corner elements on the front panel, I die cut a square Nestie shape and cut it into quarters. I added punched snowflakes with blue gem centres to finish.

I hope the ladies enjoy the easel cards as much as I do, I love them!



Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment from SU! Best Yet set
CS: Bazzill Doodlebug in Blue Jean and Bluebell, white CS
Patterned paper: Doodlebug Whimsical Winter Asterisks & Blue Jean Boutique Stripe
Ink: Encore Silver pigment ink
Tools: Square Nestabilities dies, Cuttlebug snowflake die, Crafts Too snowflakes embossing folder, Woodware snowflake punch
Embellishments & accessories: Blue round gems and blue star gem, 3d foam pads
Happy Halloween, have a spooktacular time!

Snowflake Joy - with a surprise!

It was Messy Day yesterday - a few friends got together from 10 'til 4 to craft the day away. No interruptions or distractions, just a fab opportunity to get a few Christmas cards made. The CDs go on and we sing along as we craft - great fun!

I made a few more CAS Sparkly Village cards but this card is a new design I made yesterday using die cuts and punches. I made two of these to add to my Christmas card stash.



And when you open the card you get a surprise...



...pop up gift. I used my two new bargain Sizzix dies here, the Gift #2 Originals die and the Pop Ups Bigz die. I got them both at 75% off - fab! Every Friday Sizzix UK announce their special weekly offers - they run monthly special offers too - and it's well worth checking out.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment from SU! Best Yet set
CS: Craft Creations white hemp textured card and CS, SU! Real Red & Old Olive CS
Patterned paper: SU! Old Olive & Ski Slope DSP packs (thanks to Jan for the Ski Slope paper!)
Ink: SU! Real Red
Tools: Cuttlebug snowflake die, QuicKutz joy die, Pop Ups Bigz & Gift #2 Original Sizzix dies, SU! plain and scalloped oval punches, Woodware snowflake punches
Embellishments & accessories: Clear crystals

CAS Masculine Thank You

Today's CAS challenge on Splitcoast Stampers was to make a masculine card - my least favourite cards to make so definitely a challenge for me!

For this card I embossed a rectangle on the front using a Nestability die - I've been meaning to try this technique for ages. I really like how it adds just a subtle little something to a card - and it can look very elegant.

I inked the tree stamp with Marvy markers, stamped the sentiment and cut out the shape with a Nestie die. The green strip has been embossed with a Cuttlebug border embossing folder and I added a thin sentiment strip above that. The embellishments are self adhesive Pebbles Inc. Candy Dots - I love them!



Supplies:
Stamps: Three Designer Leaves set, 'thanks so much' from Thank You Messages clear set and You're a Great Friend - all by Hero Arts
CS: SU! Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla, Bazzill Saguaro
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip and Marvy Le Plume II markers
Tools: Rectangle Nestabilities dies, dotty Cuttlebug border embossing folder from Just My Type set
Embellishments: Pebbles Inc. Chocolate Candy Dots

Six Cards for Kevin

These are cards my good friend Kevin asked me to make for him. I'll be seeing him very soon as I'll be staying at the beautiful house in the Cotswolds for almost 3 weeks. My hubby Owen is coming too although he will be there for only 12 days. Both of us can't wait!

We will be celebrating our Silver Wedding Anniversary while we're away - wow, that makes me feel old! George Michael was at Number One in the charts with Careless Whisper on 31st August 1984 - but it could have been much worse, it could have been Black Lace with Agadoo! Owen worked in a record shop and we were both young enough to care about what was in the charts. I'm not sure either of us will know what the number one single in 2009 is!

The first two cards are made using Fresh Cuts note cards from SU! and the Fresh Cuts stamp set. I cut off the front of the note cards, stamped the images in Old Olive ink, trimmed them and these are popped up with 3d foam pads over some Lasting Impressions Cotton Candy dotty paper. The brads are also Cotton Candy by Lasting Impressions. I added a pink button tied with linen thread to the centres. The cards measure 4" square.



The next two cards are based on a bright 'take care of yourself' card I sent to a friend earlier this year. I used the 'a note for you' sentiment instead on these cards. I used SU! Whisper White, Barely Banana, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Taken with Teal and Certainly Celery CS on these cards. The flowers were made with EK Success punches. The large flowers have 1/2" circles as centres and the small flowers have crystal centres. The sentiment is from the SU! Sweet Little Sentiments set and is cut out with a Spellbinder's Label Trio die, mounted on a strip of Certainly Celery twill ribbon. The large teal flowers on both cards are popped up with 3d foam pads. These cards are A6 sized.



The last 2 A6 sized cards are the same as the very first card I blogged about here (the page will open in a new window).



I do hope Kevin is pleased with them - I just can't wait for next Saturday when I can deliver them in person!

Pot of Flowers for Kevin & Peter

I was telling Kevin and Peter about the card classes I was going to attend at the Glitter Pot and was trying to describe a pot of flowers pocket card. In the end I said it would be easier for me to make one and send it to them! This was to say thank you for the lovely flowers they sent to me.

When I made my card at the class I forgot to emboss the pot so I made sure to do that on this card and used my new Diamond Plate Cuttlebug folder. I used the Threading Water punch to add a scalloped edge to my pot. I followed Joanne's technique of sandwiching the notecard piece between two half circles and then attaching the flowers to the front half circle. Joanne has a flower pot card tutorial on her blog so click here to view it - the page will open in a new window.

SU! Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive and Taken with Teal cardstocks and the 5 Petal Flower punch were used to make the flowers and leaves. I used a DEET tool on a moulding mat to add lines to the punched flowers and silver Dew Drops were added to the centres. All the flowers are popped up with 3d foam pads. The sentiment was cut out with a Spellbinders Label Trio die.



This pic shows the pot and insert separately.



This pic shows the half circle at the back of the card.



Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment from the SU! Sweet Little Sentiments set
CS: SU! Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal, Sahara Sand & Old Olive, Bazzill Sienna
Ink: SU! Tempting Turquoise
Tools: Diamond Plate Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU! 5 Petal Flower punch, Fiskars Threading Water punch, small circle punch, Spellbinders Label Trio die, Coluzzle Companion Circle template, DEET tool
Embellishments & accessories: Silver Robin's Nest Dew Drops, turquoise ribbon, 3d foam pads

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

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