Sparkly Butterfly Happy Birthday Wishes Card

This is the second birthday card I've made for my friend Jan - this one will be given to her by her hubby Alan.  Jan loves butterflies and I happen to know that she will be receiving this Penny Black 'Social Butterfly' stamp set as a birthday gift from a friend.  I thought Jan might appreciate seeing a card made with the set!

I wanted a classy and elegant look and the colour combo of Elegant Eggplant, silver and white helped with that I think.  I embossed the pearly white CS panel with the 'Splendour' embossing folder, layered that onto a mat of Elegant Eggplant CS and I added the strip of ribbon.  I layered that panel onto a mat of silver pearly CS which I glued to the front of an Elegant Eggplant 5 3/4" square card base.   I stamped the butterfly in Elegant Eggplant ink onto a piece of Whisper White CS, applied a piece of double sided adhesive sheet over the top, peeled off the backing paper and sprinkled SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter all over the piece.  I placed a plain sheet of paper over the glittered image and rubbed firmly to ensure the glitter adhered well to the double sided adhesive sheet.  I fussy cut the butterfly, glued the body flat to the card but placed Dimensionals under the wings.  I stamped the four butterfly corner images, fussy cut them and glued them in place.  I stamped, die cut and popped up the sentiment element and added a few rhinestones to finish the front of the card.

Oh my goodness, that butterfly is sparkly!  Here's a closer look.

Here's the inside of the card and the envelope flap.  I love those butterfly corners so I added those on the inside too along with a stamped sentiment and a stamped and fussy cut dragonfly.  For the envelope flap I punched circles and added a stamped and fussy cut butterfly.

 As 'Jan' is a short name I thought the sweet little oval fancy tag dies would make a suitable name label for the front of the envelope!

Hopefully, both of the birthday cards I've made for Jan will be well received!

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Social Butterfly' set, SU! 'Simply Sketched' set, Hero Arts 'Messages With Flourish' clear set
CS: SU! Elegant Eggplant & Whisper White, Centura Pearl Snow White - Hint of Silver CS, silver pearly CS
Ink: SU! Elegant Eggplant
Tools: Embossalicious 'Splendour' 6" x 6" embossing folder, Spellbinders Shapeabilities 'Fancy Framed Tags Two' die set, Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Petite Ovals' die, 1 3/4" & 2" circle punches
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, rhinestone jewels & Dimensionals

A Trio Of Triple Time Stamped Cards For A Glitter Pot Class

On Thursday afternoon I ran a Triple Time Stamping class at the Glitter Pot using the Penny Black 'Petal Party' stamp set.  Triple Time Stamping is a fab technique, really effective and is so easy to achieve!  You cut three panels (that are to be stamped on) to the size you need, use temporary adhesive to stack the three layers together and then stamp on all three panels at the same time.  As you're stamping on more than one layer it's very likely that you'll get gaps in the ink around the edges - but fear not!  You now permanently adhere each stamped panel to a mat layer - making sure to get the panels the right way round so that the stamped design marries up - and the mat layers hide any gaps, marvellous!

There's a measurement formula you can choose to follow with the triple time stamping technique to make it easier.  I'll give you my mat and stamped layer measurements and you'll see that the formula is to decrease panel sizes by 1".  

For the 'Life is Beautiful' card mat layers were cut to:
5 1/4" square
4 1/4" square
3 1/4" square

White stamped layers were cut to cut to: 
5" square
4" square
3" square 

For the 'Smiles' card a C6 sized card was trimmed to 5 3/4" tall and mat layers were cut to:
5 3/4" x 4 1/8" (to cover entire card front)
3 1/2" x 3"
2 1/2" x 2"

White stamped layers were cut to:
4 1/4" x 3 3/4"
3 1/4" x 2 3/4"
2 1/4" x 1 3/4"

For the 'Dream' card a C6 sized card was trimmed to 5 3/4" wide and mat layers were cut to:
5 3/4" x 4 1/8"
4 3/4" x 3 1/8"
3 3/4" x 2 1/8" 

White stamped layers were cut to:
5 1/2" x 3 7/8"
4 1/2" x 2 7/8"
3 1/2" x 1 7/8"

For the 'Life is Beautiful' card I cut three squares of white card (3", 4" and 5"), used removable tape to keep my stack of three panels in place, stamped the outline flower and stem in VersaFine Spanish Moss ink, stamped the sentiment and solid flower in VersaFine Deep Lagoon ink and then adhered the stamped panels to mat layers of Bazzill Bahama CS.  The largest blue mat measures 5 1/4" square and was glued to the front of a white 5 1/4" card base.  I then stamped two leaves and a flower on another piece of card, fussy cut them, shaped them and popped them up.  To finish off I popped up pale green Candi Dots on the flower centres.

I made the second card rectangular, starting off with an A6 sized card base which I trimmed so it was 5 3/4" tall.  After stacking the three white layers together with removable tape I stamped several outline leaf images in VersaFine Smokey Grey ink.  Before gluing the stamped panels to the aqua card mats I inked the edges with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink - which I also did for the sentiment panel.  I added the grey dotty grosgrain ribbon to the largest aqua panel before gluing the panel to the front of my card base.  I stamped three outline flowers onto aqua card, fussy cut them, inked the edges, shaped them and popped them up.  To embellish each flower centre I popped up a silver Candi Dot and then added three aqua gems to each Candi Dot.  

I took my Woodware 'Indian Summer' and 'Indian Flowers' stamps with me as I thought they would be ideal for this technique - I tried it and it was a success!  I didn't have time to make an actual card but there was enough time for the ladies to stamp their three panels.  They took the panels away with them, together with the mat layer panels I cut, so they can finish another Triple Time Stamped card at their leisure at home.  

Yesterday I stamped the 'Indian Summer' background stamp on my three panels using Memento Grape Jelly ink but that's as far as I got.  I spent some time in my craft room this morning and finished the card.  The ladies went home with purple CS mat layers but I didn't cut any for myself  so I had a rootle in my stash to find a different colour to use.  The Indian theme of the stamps prompted me to opt for a bright jewel like turquoise to go with the purple - in real life the colour is brighter  than the photo shows!  Before gluing the stamped panels to the mat layers I inked the edges with Grape Jelly ink.  I stamped a flower from the 'Indian Flowers' set in VersaFine Onyx Black ink onto the turquoise CS and heat embossed with clear powder.  I fussy cut the flower, stamped the sentiment and popped up the flower.  To complete the card I added some purple gems underneath 'Dream'.  

  

I really hope the ladies enjoyed the classes I ran on Thursday - I know I spent a fab day with them!  

Supplies for 'Life is Beautiful' card:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Petal Party' clear set
CS: Glitter Pot thick white card, Woodware white Linen Effect card, Bazzill 'Bahama' card
Ink: VersaFine 'Spanish Moss' & 'Deep Lagoon'
Tools: flower shaper & moulding mat
Embellishments & accessories: Craftwork Cards Candi Dots, 3D foam pads 

Supplies for 'Smiles' card:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Petal Party' clear set
CS: Glitter Pot thick white card, Woodware white Linen Effect card, Doodlebug 'Dragonfly' card
Ink: VersaFine Smokey Grey, Tim Holtz Peacock Feathers Distress Ink
Tools: flower shaper & moulding mat, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: Craftwork Cards 'Regal Silver' Card Candi, PaperMania aqua gems, 3D foam pads 

Supplies for 'Dream' card:
Stamps: Woodware 'Indian Summer' background stamp & 'Indian Flowers' stamp set
CS: Glitter Pot thick white card, Woodware white Linen Effect card
Patterned paper: Bo Bunny 'Turquoise' Double Dot Textured Paper (non dotty side used)
Ink: Memento Grape Jelly, VersaFine Onyx Black & VersaMagic Turquoise Gem chalk ink
Tools: heat tool, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: purple gems, 3D foam pads 

Ornate Frame Thank You Card

This is a card I made for my hubby Owen after he very kindly offered to collect a stamp for me from our local craft shop, the Glitter Pot.  I'd seen the Penny Black 'Ornately Framed' stamp in the shop and it was half price in the sale but I ummed and aahed about getting it.  A bargain stamp is all well and good - if you USE the bargain stamp.  Sadly, experience has shown I'm tempted to buy a bargain stamp 'cos it is a bargain but I then don't always use it!  Not a bargain then is it?!  I am trying to be more sensible in my craft purchases and so as I wasn't sure I came home without it.  I then looked at the Penny Black web site and saw a couple of cards made with the stamp and I decided I must have it after all! Owen trotted off to the shop the next day and bought it home for me.  Obviously, I had to use the stamp to make him a card!

I chose a dramatic combo of black, white and Bermuda Bay, making an A6 black card base as my starting point.  I stamped the 'Ornately Framed' image on black CS, heat embossed it with white powder, fussy cut around the frame and removed the central part of the frame.  I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment on a piece of Bermuda Bay CS, stamped a small lace border underneath and glued the piece over the top of the strip of Bermuda Bay CS I'd embossed with the 'Splendour' folder.  I popped up the frame, stacked a few silver sparkly punched hearts together and glued them over the 'o' in 'You'.  

Here's the envelope and the inside of the card featuring new favourite IndigoBlu 'Vintage Flourish' and 'Vintage Flourish Dinkie' stamps.  I am always a sucker for an elegant flourish stamp!  I punched more hearts to accent the sentiment and popped up a name label on the front of the envelope.  I'm happy to say Owen loves the card and it's still out on display well over a week after I gave it to him!

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Ornately Framed' cling stamp, sentiment from SU! 'Best Blossoms' set, IndigoBlu 'Vintage Flourish' & 'Vintage Flourish Dinkie' stamps, 'With Love' from Crafty Impressions 'Medium Everyday Messages' clear set, lace border from My Mind's Eye Remember 'Hattie' clear set
CS: SU! Basic Black, Whisper White & Bermuda Bay
Patterned paper: silver sparkly paper from DCWV 'Twinkle Glints'  CS Stack
Ink: VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black
Tools: Embossalicious 'Splendour' embossing folder, tiny hearts punched from SU! 'Owl Builder' punch, other hearts from SU! 'Heart to Heart' punch, heat tool, labels from Sizzix 'Card, Fancy Frame Flip-Its #2' die set
Embellishments & accessories: white embossing powder, black gems, Dimensionals

Inky Constellations Thinking Of You Card

I've made this card for a friend who has just undergone a hospital procedure to let her know I'm thinking of her and wishing her well.  I had very colourful inky fingers when I'd finished!  I picked up the Penny Black 'Constellations' flower stamp at my local craft shop, the Glitter Pot, for the staggering price of £1 - what a bargain!  It was in the ex classes and demo items sale section and it was missing the label from the wooden block - not a worry for me at that price!

One of the new cards on display in the shop had a sponged distress ink background and I really liked the colours they'd used - Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry and Salty Ocean.  I got out my craft mat and used an ink applicator tool to sponge the three colours onto a piece of Ranger Manila CS and after I'd blended the inks I spritzed water onto the piece and dried it with my heat tool.  I stamped the 'Constellations' three times, stamped the sentiment, trimmed the panel to size and layered onto black and Tumbled Glass mats.  I had some pretty sponged CS left over from trimming the panel to size and I stamped a few butterflies, punched them out and I placed one on the card front.  I applied Star Dust Stickles to the flowers for a sparkly finish.

I placed more butterflies inside and one on the envelope flap.

A closer view of the butterflies.  A messy technique but so very satisfying!

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Constellations', 'Thinking of You' from Hero Arts, SU! Papillon Potpourri set
CS: PaperMania white square card blank, Ranger Manila CS & Tumbled Glass Core'dinations CS, SU! Basic Black
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Tim Holtz Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry & Salty Ocean Distress Inks
Tools: Ranger ink applicator tool & applicator sponges, SU! Bitty Butterfly punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Embellishments & accessories: craft mat, Star Dust Stickles 

Spotted Winter Merry Christmas Card - 52 {C}CT Jan Colour Challenge

This week at 52 {C}CT the colour challenge features one of my favourite colour combos for Christmas cards!

I've inked up a new Penny Black stamp I got half price in a sale at my LSS - I do love a bargain!  I inked the stamp with VersaMark, stamped onto Whisper White CS and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I then added Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant inks to the panel using sponges.  I switched to a sponge dauber to edge the panel with Eggplant ink.  You can't tell from the photo but I added some shimmer to the panel by spritzing it with silver glimmer mist.  I layered onto a metallic silver mat, added some ribbon and layered onto an Elegant Eggplant mat.  I made a 5" x 7" white card base, attached the fishtail flag sentiment banner to the panel with a silver brad, glued the panel to the card and used Dimensionals to pop up the banner.  I die cut two more fishtail flag banners to make a decorative element, attached them together with silver brads and glued the element to the card to finish off the front.

For the inside of the card I stamped and die cut a layered sentiment banner.  I then added a punched snowflake with a silver nailhead centre.  I used the same snowflake punch and circle punches for the element on the envelope flap.  

I do hope you'll play along with us at 52 {C}CT this week using this lovely combo, I'd love to pop by your blogs and check out what you've made!  The DT call is still going on too so if you want to apply for a spot on the team you'll need to get your entries in!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Penny Black 'Spotted Winter', 'Merry Christmas' from SU! 'Owl Occasions' set, inside sentiment from Hero Arts 'Very Merry Christmas' clear set
CS: Craftwork Card Softies 'Alabaster', SU! Elegant Eggplant & Whisper White, Canford silver CS
Ink: VersaMark, SU! Pale Plum, Perfect Plum & Elegant Eggplant
Tools: MFT Fishtail Flags Stax die, Sizzix Banners die, X Cut snowflake punch, circle punches, sponges & sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: Tattered Angels Silver Glimmer Mist, SU! Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, silver brads, silver nailheads,Dimensionals

Pearly Lace Butterfly Thanks Card

This is the card I posted off to Michelle at the Card Grotto to thank her for the lovely Christmas gifts she sent me.   The 4" square card base was made with Rich Razzleberry CS.  I used a pretty lacy butterfly stamp which I inked in VersaMark and then heat embossed with Rubellite pearly embossing powder - it gives a gorgeous pearly effect!  I stamped and embossed again, cut out the butterfly and added some colour by brushing lightly with Pretty in Pink ink and a wet paintbrush.  I glued the butterfly body flat but popped up the wings.  I used Petite Oval Nestie die to mat and layer and the Word Window punch for the sentiment.  I layered the Word Window shape onto the beautifully shaped Bistro Label die - one of the gifts from Michelle!  I added some sparkle by way of a few rhinestone jewels.

I cut a Very Vanilla panel for inside the card, added a stamped flower spray and a sentiment cut out with the SU! Modern Label punch.

I stamped a flowery image in the corner of the envelope and added a name label to finish off.  

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Flight of Thread' cling set,  'Thanks' from SU! Live Your Dream set, inside sentiment from SU! Sweet Little Sentiments set, Kanban Spring Blooms clear set
CS: SU! Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink & Very Vanilla
Ink: VersaMark, SU! Rich Razzleberry & Pretty in Pink
Tools: Petite Oval Nestabilities dies, Memory Box Bistro Label die, SU! Word Window & Modern label punches
Embellishments & accessories: Stampendous Rubellite PEARLustre opaque embossing powder, SU! Rhinestone Jewels, Dimensionals

January 2013 Card Group Projects

Today was our first card group 'crafternoon' of 2013.  I designed 3 cards for the ladies to make and each card features one of my recently acquired crafty goodies! 

I have a thing for lace stamps, not sure why 'cos I don't buy lacy clothing or soft furnishings - but I'm always drawn to lacy stamps for some reason.  The gorgeous SU! Gossamer Lace stamp set went on my wish list as soon as I saw it in the catty and I received it as a Christmas gift.  I stamped it in Crumb Cake ink, cut it out with a circle Nestie die and layered the circle on a Primrose Petals Labels One die cut shape.  I then used my SU! Floral Fusion Sizzlits die to cut a Pretty in Pink layered flower to go in the centre of the lace stamp.  I sponged Primrose Petals ink around each flower layer and added some shaping.  I die cut a couple of Lucky Limeade leaves, sponged the edges of those with Old Olive ink and added a pearl to the flower centre.  I stamped the 'Just for you' onto Pretty in Pink CS and punched it out with the SU! Modern label punch and tucked it underneath the flower.  At the bottom of the card I added a strip of Primrose Petals CS and a Crumb Cake scalloped border cut out using an SU! Finishing Touches Edgelits die.

 
Card two features my new lantern die.  I sponged Scattered Straw and Wild Honey distress inks onto a piece of Very Vanilla CS, cut out a lantern from black CS and glued the vanilla piece behind the lantern.  I stamped the sentiment and then punched the tiny Daffodil Delight flowers.  I added some shaping to the flowers and placed a gem in each flower centre.

Inside I stamped a sentiment and added more flowers.  I thought the 'Wishing you brighter days' wording was perfect to use with the lantern!

Onto card three and it's back to lace!  I saw the Penny Black 'Flight of Thread' cling stamp set a while ago, loved it but didn't buy it.  After Christmas I saw it in a sale at half price so I just had to buy it then!  The set has a bird, butterfly and it's lacy - and it was reduced to £4.40 - what's NOT to love?!

I inked the stamp in Early Espresso and stamped onto Very Vanilla CS and also onto a piece of Pool Party CS.  I trimmed the vanilla panel to fit on the Pool Party A6 card front, sponged the edges with Island Indigo ink and glued it to the card.  I used inks and a blender pen to add a touch of colour to the image.  I cut out the Pool Party bird, sponged on some Island Indigo ink and popped the bird up.  Lesley went one step further and stamped the wing on Pool Party CS, cut it out, sponged it with Indigo ink and popped the wing up as well - which looked great I must say, and I will now be adding a popped up wing to my card!  I then added Early Espresso photo corners to finish.  I didn't want to cover up any of the image so I've left off a sentiment.  I'll add a sentiment to the inside of the card later on, depending on what occasion I use it for - or I'll keep it to use as a note card.  

I think I was kind and eased the ladies gently into the new year.  I didn't give them anything too tricky to do today, just some straightforward stamping, punching and die cutting.  I feel that two step stamping may well feature next month so the dreaded Stamp-a-ma-jig will make an appearance!  I always get groans when they see that LOL!

Here's a photo showing the card with the addition of a popped up wing - just a small thing but it makes a big difference - thank you Lesley!

Supplies for flower just for you card:
Stamps: SU! 'Gossamer Lace', Waltzingmouse Stamps 'Say It With Style' set
CS: SU! Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals, Pretty in Pink, Lucky Limeade & Very Vanilla
Ink: SU! Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals & Old Olive
Tools: Circle Nestie die, Labels One Nestie die, SU! Floral Fusion Sizzlits die, Memory Box Tender Leaves die, SU! Modern Label punch, SU! Finishing Touches Edgelits die, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: Pearl Jewels


Supplies for lantern card:
Stamps: Hobby Art 'Sentiments' clear set
CS: PaperMania cream A6 card blank, SU! Basic Black, Daffodil Delight & Very Vanilla
Ink: Tim Holtz Scattered Straw & Wild Honey Distress Inks, Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Marianne Creatables Lantern die, flower punch from SU! Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, sponges
Embellishments & accessories: Rhinestone Jewels


Supplies for lacy bird card:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Flight of Thread' cling set
CS: SU! Pool Party, Early Espresso & Very Vanilla
Ink: SU! Early Espresso, Island Indigo & Wild Wasabi, blender pen
Tools: SU! Photo Corners punch, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: Dimensionals

Blue Butterfly Thank You Kickstand Card

Michelle sent me this gorgeous Penny Black butterfly stamp and some pretty pearls for my birthday.  What an absolute sweetheart!  I just had to use my new goodies to make her a thank you card!  I've made an A6 size kickstand card.  The back panel was made with Pacific Point CS, a mat layer of Very Vanilla CS and a layer of Blueberry Crisp patterned paper.  For the kickstand part I used Crumb Cake CS and added a vanilla punched lace border.  I stamped the butterfly in Soft Suede ink on a separate piece of Very Vanilla CS and applied colour by sponging Marina Mist, Pacific Point and Not Quite Navy inks over the image.  I cut the butterfly out and then spritzed it with Perfect Pearl mist so it has a beautiful shimmer.  I've mounted the butterfly onto a Very Vanilla panel so it shows up well - I applied glue just to the body, folded the wings up a tad and placed Dimensionals with the backing paper still on under the wings.  A sentiment and some pearls finished off the card front.

 

I cut a Very Vanilla panel for inside the card and stamped along one side with a stamp from the Razzle Dazzle set which matches the patterned paper.  I stamped in Pacific Point ink after stamping off and sponged the edges with Not Quite Navy ink.  I stamped the Razzle Dazzle stamp again on the envelope flap.

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Soft Wings' Slapstick stamp, SU! Thank You Kindly & Razzle Dazzle sets
CS: SU! Pacific Point & Very Vanilla
Patterned paper: SU! Blueberry Crisp DSP
Ink: SU! Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Pacific Point & Not Quite Navy
Tools: SU! Lace Ribbon Border punch, Perfect Layers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge daubers
Embellishments & accessories: Perfect Pearls 'Perfect Pearl' Mist, pearls, Dimensionals

Pearly Flamboyant Floral Best Wishes Card

If you asked me what my favourite stamp images are I would have to say flowers.  I also love flowery papers, dies and punches - well, any card making product or embellishment that is flowery really LOL!  A close second would be butterflies.  Hmmmm, or would it be flourishes?  Anyway, I find it hard to resist beautiful flower stamps and I fell - fell very hard - when I saw the Penny Black 'Flamboyant' stamp.  Oh my word, gorgeous!  I was on a quick trip to the Glitter Pot, all I needed was to pick up a brick embossing folder to send to someone in the USA.  As the shop is a quick walk from where I hold my card group I left the ladies for a few minutes while I went to get the folder.  I should wear blinkers, I really should!   I just happened to walk past the 'new in' display and before I knew it that stamp was in my hands!  The ladies at card group think the stamp is gorgeous as well - I may let them play with it next month!

My first inking of it didn't go well I have to say.  I decided to ink it with different coloured markers but after I'd stamped it I really didn't like it - I'd not chosen the colours wisely! I cleaned the stamp and was so impatient to get stamping again I really couldn't face the tedious job of markers again.  This time I opted for a quicker and easier way to apply colour.  I inked the whole image with Tumbled Glass ink and then added Broken China and Peeled Paint inks with sponge daubers.  I then spritzed the stamp with Perfect Pearls mist and stamped onto watercolour paper.  Ah, much better!  I then stamped my Linen background stamp over it in Antique Linen ink and then distressed and inked the edges.  I popped some pearls on the corners, stamped a sentiment on my Old Olive card and attached the panel at a jaunty angle.

Here's a close up photo showing the linen over stamping and pearly shimmer.

For the inside and the envelope I simply stamped the image in Peeled Paint ink.  I stamped the Linen background and sponged the edges of the Very Vanilla panel as well.

I really like the image just stamped in one colour - I have a hankering to try it in black next.

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Flamboyant', Best Wishes from Hero Arts Luscious Frames clear set, SU! Linen bg stamp
CS: SU! Old Olive & Very Vanilla, watercolour paper
Ink: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Peeled Paint & Antique Linen Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Adirondack Espresso
Tools: Tim Holtz edge distressing tool, sponge daubers
Embellishments & accessories: Perfect Pearls 'Perfect Pearl' mist, blue pearls

Black & White Just A Note Card - CAS-ual Fridays CFC #36 Challenge

I came across the CAS-ual Fridays Penguin Suit challenge this weekend.

You have to make a black and white card - no other colour allowed, not even a smidgen.  I love black and white cards and I had the perfect stamp in mind - on loan from my crafty friend Lesley - so I had to join in.  I started off by stamping the image, trimming it and mounting to a black layer.  I then stamped the sentiment in the bottom corner of my 5 1/4" square card blank, added the image panel, added black grosgrain ribbon tied in a knot and rounded the right hand corners.

 Inside I stamped just a part of the stamp in the bottom corner.  Lastly I added a circle element to the envelope flap.

I really don't think you can go wrong with a black and white card, they seem to come together quickly, especially if you keep to a CAS design.  I found after making this card I was really keen to make another one so stay tuned for another post today with another card for the CFC #36 challenge!

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Berry Red, Snow White', sentiment from Waltzingmouse Stamps Say it with Style clear set
CS: PaperMania square white card blank, SU! Basic Black & Whisper White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, 1 1/2" & 1 3/4" circle punches
Embellishments & accessories: black grosgrain ribbon

Snow Globe With Santa & Snowman Card

I've wanted to make a scene inside my snow globe stamp that included Santa and his sleigh flying across the moon for some time and I finally got round to making it happen.  I stamped the globe on white CS first, added a circle as a mask for the moon and sponged blue and purple inks inside the globe.  I masked off the Santa and sleigh stamp so that I only had 1 reindeer in my stamped image.  I stamped the small snowman, coloured him in, cut him out and glued him inside the globe.  I stamped the globe base on a piece of Crumb Cake CS, cut it out, sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink and popped it up.  I added some punched silver glitter stars and some glitter jewels to the bottom of the globe.  The snow globe is popped up on the card.  I've added a stamped sentiment, punched photo corners and stars, a CS strip and some ribbon to finish off the front.

I've added an oval sentiment piece inside with some more punched silver glitter stars and I stamped snowflakes on the envelope flap.

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'Sending Love' (snow globe), All Night Media Santa & Sleigh, snowman from Hero Arts, 'Merry Christmas' from SU! Four the Holidays set, inside sentiment from Stampendous Christmas Wishes clear set, PSX Snowflake Medley
CS: SU! Riding Hood Red, Marina Mist, Basic Black, Crumb Cake & Whisper White, Doodlebug silver glitter CS
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Riding Hood Red, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy & Elegant Eggplant
Tools: SU! Photo Corners punch, star punches, circle punch, Petite Oval Nestabilities die, sponge daubers
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon, Cosmic Shimmer Iced Crystal Glitter Jewels, 3d foam pads 

 

Two Cards Made With New Stash

What's better than new stamps?  New half price stamps!  I went to the Glitter Pot the other day and picked up a few things in the summer sale.  I used some of my bargains to make this first card for Alan to wish him well following his spell in hospital.  The leaves are from a clear set and the scallop circle is a cling stamp - both Hero Arts and both 50% off.  For the sentiment I used a die from the Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 3 set and I got that at 25% off. 

I started off with a Chocolate Chip side opening landscape A6 card.  I stamped the scalloped circle in Baja Breeze ink, cut it out with a plain circle die and matted it on a larger Old Olive circle.  I stamped the leaves and cut them out.  After stamping the Best Wishes on the tag die I threaded it onto a strip of Old Olive CS and glued the strip to the card.  I threaded thin Baja Breeze CS strips through the holes of a brown button and attached that to the card with a glue dot.  I then rounded the top right corner.

For the inside of the card I stamped a cluster of leaves at the bottom of a white panel.  I stamped the ginkgo leaf on the envelope flap to finish off.  I LOVE this leaf set, the images are so realistic and detailed!

Next I made a BRAK card using a half price Penny Black cling background stamp.  Oh my goodness, this is a beautiful stamp and it cost under £4 - a fab bargain!  I stamped the background on Very Vanilla CS using Elegant Eggplant ink, trimmed the panel and sponged the edges.  I die cut another ribbon tag and threaded it onto a length of Old Olive grosgrain ribbon which I taped to the back of the vanilla panel which I glued to my Old Olive card base.  I put a charm brad in the centre of an Old Olive felt flower and attached that to the tag.  I stamped and punched the sentiment element, popped it up and then added the decorative corners.  This background is so gorgeous I didn't want to cover it up too much.



I used the background stamp again to make strips for inside the card and for the envelope.  I inked the sentiment stamp with Old Olive and Elegant Eggplant markers.

Supplies for Best Wishes card:
Stamps: Hero Arts Leaf Prints clear set, Hero Arts Striped Circle cling stamp, Best Wishes from Hobby Art
CS: SU! Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Baja Breeze & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso & Crumb Cake
Tools:  Circle Nestabilities dies, die from Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 3 set, Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper
Embellishments & accessories: button, 3d foam pads

Supplies for Birthday Wishes card:
Stamps:  Penny Black Majestic Composition cling background stamp, Birthday Wishes from Hero Arts Birthday Messages clear set, inside sentiment from Hero Arts
CS:  Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant & Very Vanilla
Ink: SU! Old Olive, SU! Old Olive & Elegant Eggplant markers
Tools:  die from Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 3 set, SU! Modern Label punch, Sizzix Decorative Corner Sizzlits die, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, SU! Felt Fusion felt flower, DoveCraft charm brad, 3d foam pads

More June 2011 Card Group Cards

These are the other two cards we made at our June card group meeting.  The first one is a CAS one layer card using two gorgeous Agapanthus images from a clear Stampendous set plus a newly purchased birthday sentiment stamp - love that font!  I've used  Memento inks for stamping, I rounded the card corners and added some bling to the large flower centres.

I then stamped more flowers and another sentiment inside.  I used Memento teardrop ink pads so I was easily able to add two colours of ink to the sentiment stamp by inking the rubber with the pointed end of the pad.

The last card shows that my love affair with two step floral stamp sets continues!  This time I've used the Pretty Peony set.  The card started off as a side opening Pretty in Pink A6 size card but when I decided to have the oval piece go above the top of the card I trimmed 1" off the bottom.  I embossed the front with the Victorian Fleur folder.  I stamped the solid flowers in Pretty in Pink ink and the outlines in Melon Mambo ink - stamped off once.  I used Certainly Celery and Old Olive for the leaves.  After stamping the sentiment I cut out the ovals using Nestie dies.  After adding an Old Olive patterned paper strip plus a narrow black strip I popped on a Melon Mambo butterfly cut from the Beautiful Wings embosslits die.  I've adhered pearl stamens to the back as antennae and added a large pink gem to the body.  To keep the wings popped up I've placed half a dimensional with the backing paper still on under each wing.  The last thing to add was the bright pink satin edged sheer ribbon.

Now I know there are some ladies that might not love the two step stamping technique as much as I do - so I'm offering a simpler stamped alternative.  Here I've used the Penny Black 'Golden Leaves' stamp inked with Old Olive ink and a Happy Birthday sentiment.  Only one colour of ink for the image and no Stamp-A-Ma-Jig needed - simple!  I have to say I think the two step stamping is worth the effort though!

Supplies for agapanthus card:
Stamps: Stampendous Agapanthus Thank You clear set, Hobby Art Happy Birthday, inside sentiment from Hero Arts
CS: Anita's A6 white card blank
Ink: Memento Summer Sky, Danube Blue, Lulu Lavender & Grape Jelly
Tools: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper
Embellishments & accessories: coloured gems from Anita's gem wheel

Supplies for peony card:
Stamps: SU! Pretty Peony set, sentiment from Penny Black (alternative card uses Penny Black Golden Leaves stamp & Hobby Art sentiment)
CS: SU! Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Basic Black & Whisper White
Patterned paper: SU! Old Olive Prints Designer Series Paper pack
Ink: SU! Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery & Old Olive, VersaFine Onyx Black
Tools: Petite oval Nestabilities dies,  SU! Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, PaperMania Victorian Fleur embossing folder, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Embellishments & accessories: Satin edged sheer ribbon, KaiserCraft large pink gem, pearl stamen, SU! dimensionals