All White Christmas Cards - 52 CCT Colour Challenge

This week at the 52 CCT blog the colour challenge is to make all white cards.  Lovely - white on white cards are always so appealing to me!  You do need to keep your hands clean though if you want to keep your card pristine!

I embossed a piece of white CS with the Sizzix 'Snowflake & Snowballs' embossing folder, trimmed it to size and adhered it to the front of an A6 white card.  I really wanted to keep my card an all white affair and not use any ink at all but that poses a problem if you want a sentiment.  However, I remembered that I have a Crafts Too 'Small Alphabet' embossing folder so I used that to make my 'Merry Christmas'.  I punched out the embossed letter circles (the Woodware orange 5/8" circle punch is the perfect size) and glued them to the card.  In order to fit 'Christmas' onto the panel I had to arrange the letters haphazardly.  To finish off the card front I added pearls to the embossed snowflake.

 For the inside of the card and envelope I used a snowflake Cut 'n Emboss die.

 

Hmmm, it seems as if my Christmas embossing folder collection has grown more than I'd realised!  I thought this all white challenge was the perfect opportunity to use a couple more folders to make a second white on white card - but I have also used some silver on this one.  I embossed white CS with the 'Snowflake Banner' folder, trimmed the panel to size and added some white organdy ribbon.  I used another folder and cut out just one bauble from the embossed design.  I added a rhinestone brad and a couple of jewels and popped the bauble up.

I stamped a sentiment, heat embossed it with silver powder and used circle punches to mat and layer it.  I've added small punched snowflakes and put a larger punched snowflake on the envelope flap.

I do hope you'll join in with this all white challenge, I'm looking forward to seeing your cards!  Don't forget there is a DT call on too - please don't be shy, apply for a spot on our friendly team!

Supplies for Merry Christmas card:
Stamps: None
CS: PTI white CS
Ink: None
Tools: Sizzix 'Snowflake & Snowballs' & Crafts Too 'Small Alphabet' embossing folders, Woodware 5/8" circle punch, Ellison Design Snowflake #1 Cut 'n Emboss die
Embellishments & accessories: pearls

Supplies for bauble card:
Stamps: sentiment from Penny Black
CS: PTI white CS, SU! Brushed Silver
Ink: Encore silver pigment ink
Tools: Crafts Too 'Snowflake Banner' & PaperMania 'Baubles' embossing folders, 1 3/4" & 2" circle punches, Woodware small snowflake punch, XCut snowflake punch
Embellishments & accessories: silver EP, SU! white organdy ribbon, rhinestone brad, rhinestone jewels, 3d foam pads

Royally Regal Best Wishes Card - Simply Stampin' Challenge # 63

Over at the Simply Stampin' blog this week we have a 'Royally Regal' theme challenge for you.  I have to say I loved all the Jubilee celebrations, it made me feel so glad to be British!  Actually, thinking about it, I can't truthfully say I loved ALL the Jubilee celebrations - I could have quite done without Grace Jones and her hula hoop at the concert!  Anyway, for my card I opted for a simple colour combo of Regal Rose and Very Vanilla and tried to produce a classy and elegant card design.  The card measures 5 1/4" square.  I stamped the Medallion, added a Regal Rose circle and then a popped up vanilla scalloped circle.  I stamped and cut out three flowers from the Everything Eleanor set and popped those up.  I stamped the 'Best Wishes' and added a punched border.  The Queen is very rarely seen without pearls so I had to add some pearl gems to make my card truly regal!  I then added some subtle glamour by spritzing the entire card front with Champagne Mist shimmer paint spray.

Here's the inside of the card and envelope. The flower inside the card is popped up.  I inked the plaque but stamped off once first before stamping it on the envelope.  I popped one flower up.  I'm quite happy how this card turned out, the combo is summery and made me think of eating strawberries and cream.  How lovely to wear a pretty pink and cream floral frock and enjoy a tea party with the Queen in the grounds of Buckingham Palace - well, I can dream LOL!

I do hope you will join in with this week's challenge, one so wants to come and see your delightful royally regal offerings!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Medallion, SU! Everything Eleanor & Sincere Salutations sets
CS: SU! Regal Rose & Very Vanilla
Ink: SU! Regal Rose
Tools:SU! Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border & 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punches, Circles #2 die
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint made into an alcohol spritz spray mist, pearl jewels, Dimensionals

June 2012 Card Group Projects

These are the three cards we made at card group this month.  It had been a while since we'd done any two-step stamping so I thought it was about time we had a go at that again.  There are a few grumbly mutters about two-step stamping - I don't think the Stamp-a-ma-jig is a fave tool - but the ladies all love the pretty flowers they make as the end result!  We used the Greenhouse Garden set and I think this set is more forgiving in that it's not essential to have the outline stamp lined up absolutely perfectly.

The A6 card base was made with Pale Plum CS and I added Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White as my colour combo.  Three two-step flowers were stamped direct to the Whisper White panel and then two were stamped separately, cut out and popped up.   I stamped three of just the solid smallest flower in Razzleberry, cut them out, shaped them a bit and glued them to the panel.  Pretty details were added with a punched border and some ribbon. 

For card two I used the paper piecing technique for this bright and breezy kite card.  The image was stamped direct to the card front and then stamped again onto patterned papers.  After cutting out the clouds I sponged the edges with Marina Mist ink.  The kite parts are popped up. 

I saw this little kite Snag 'em stamp at the Glitter pot for just 99p and thought it would be great to use with my kite and clouds stamp.  I stamped it inside with a sentiment to finish off the card.

Our last card was a simple one layer stamped and spritzed card.  I love the Stampin' Up! Inspired by Nature stamp set and it's been on my eBay wish list for a long time.  I got the set just recently and I was so happy to ink up the coneflower stamp!  I used markers and stamped the image direct to the card.  I then stamped the sentiment and rounded the top corner.  To finish off I spritzed the whole card front with gold Perfect Pearls mist.  A nice, easy CAS card for the ladies to finish off with after the rigours of two-step stamping!

Supplies for Best Wishes card:
Stamps: SU! Greenhouse Garden set, Best Wishes from Hobby Art
CS: SU! Pale Plum, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry & Whisper White
 Ink: SU! Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry & Lucky Limeade
Tools: SU! Eyelet Border punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, embossing tool and moulding mat
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Rich Razzleberry dotted grosgrain ribbon, SU! white baker's twine, 3d foam pads

Supplies for it's your day! card:
Stamps: Paper Smooches Cut Loose clear stamp, Imaginisce Snag'em kite clear stamp, SU! Happiest Birthday Wishes set
CS: PaperMania A6 white card blank
Patterned paper: Bo Bunny Powder Blue Double Dot, Echo Park Little Girl papers
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Marina Mist, SU! Marina Mist & Pixie Pink markers, blender pen
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig
Embellishments & accessories: 3d foam pads

Supplies for Thinking of You card:
Stamps: SU! Inspired by Nature & Sincere Salutations sets
CS: PaperMania square cream card blank
Ink: SU! Early Espresso, SU! Wild Wasabi, Summer Sun & Close to Cocoa markers
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper
Embellishments & accessories: Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold mist

Best Wishes To You Flower Stem Card

I am always drawn to flower stamps and with this Woodware clear set I really liked how the sentiments form the flower stems.  There are 3 flowers in the set, the best wishes one I've used on this card, then there's a happy birthday plus a thank you.  I'm thinking a set of cards using all 3 would be a great idea, that's been added to my 'to do' list!

I used a favourite layout, it makes putting a card together so quick and easy!  After adhering the fishtail flag I punched a flower, sponged the edges, did some shaping and added a gem.  I stamped on Whisper White CS and coloured with Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade inks and a blender pen.  I stamped the flower head separately, cut it out and popped it up.  I added an olive gem to the flower centre and 3 more to the white panel.  

There are a couple of flower pots included in the stamp set and I thought I'd put a potted flower inside the card along with a sentiment.  I was chuffed to find that the pedestal from the SU! On a Pedestal set was the perfect size to stand the pot on!  I used punches for the element on the envelope flap.

Supplies:
Stamps: Woodware Three Flowers clear set, Hero Arts Fabulous Birthday, SU! On a Pedestal set
CS: PaperMania white A6 card blank, SU! Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral & Whisper White
Patterned paper: SU! Calypso Coral paper from In Color DSP stack
Ink: SU! Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral & Really Rust, Memento Tuxedo Black, blender pen
Tools: MFT Fishtail Flag Stax die, Woodware flower punches, SU! Boho Blossoms punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Perfect Layers
Embellishments & accessories: olive crystal gems, 3d foam pads

Snowflake Ornament Card - 52 CCT Sketch #6 Challenge

I was so glad when my friend Kelly told me about the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown blog.  Every year I've said I'm going to get organised and start making my Christmas cards early in the new year - but I've never managed it!  I thought taking part in the 52 CCT blog challenges would be the perfect nudge for me to be prepared and have my cards made in plenty of time.  With my unsuccessful track record in this area though,  I did wonder if my enthusiasm would perhaps fizzle out!  Jacqueline and Mynnette have made the challenges so interesting and fun though that I've been really enjoying taking part each week.  I love that my Christmas card pile is steadily growing and I also love that I'm using Christmas goodies from my stash that in all likelihood would have remained neglected.  It's SO nice to get inky with old favourites as well as with my new stuff!

So I was already very happy with the 52 CCT blog - and then I was asked to join as a Design Team member!  I was absolutely chuffed to bits to be invited and, of course, I said yes!   So now I have another incentive to keep those Christmas cards coming.  It feels great to be part of the 52 CCT team and to know I will definitely be ready with my Christmas cards this year!  Huge thanks to Jacqueline and Mynnette for inviting me and for the warm welcome!

So, onto my first Design Team card.  This week's challenge is a great sketch.  I may have to try a card with the sketch rotated, I think it would work well either way.

One of my favourite colour combos for Christmas cards is deep purple, white and silver, I think it's so elegant.  A perfect choice I thought to go with one of my all time favourite stamps - the 'Snowflake Ornament' made by All Night Media.  This gorgeous stamp is a real oldie but goodie, it's been in my stash for many years but I still love it and I will never part with it!  I stamped the ornament in Elegant Eggplant ink and cut it out using a Sizzix Ticket Framelits die.  I mounted that onto an Elegant Eggplant rectangle and added a rhinestone brad to the ornament centre.  I attached some Eggplant ribbon to a Brushed Silver CS square and then adhered the square to a 5 7/8" square Elegant Eggplant card base.  I then added some small punched snowflakes with rhinestone gem centres and I added larger gems to the ticket corners.

I stamped a lovely Stampendous sentiment inside and added a snowflake circle element to the envelope to finish off. 

I do hope you'll join in this week's challenge and make a card using this great sketch  layout  - I'm looking forward to seeing what you create!

Supplies:
Stamps: All Night Media 'Snowflake Ornament', Stampendous 'Snow Brackets', SU! Snowflakes set
CS: SU! Elegant Eggplant, Brushed Silver & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Elegant Eggplant
Tools: Sizzix Ticket Framelits die,  Woodware small snowflake punch, 1 1/2", 1 3/4" & 2" circle punches
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, rhinestone brad, rhinestone jewels

Buttons Thank You Card - Simply Stampin' Challenge #62

Over at the Simply Stampin' challenge blog we have a colour combo challenge for you this week.

It's good to be challenged and go outside of your comfort zone - that's what I kept telling myself anyway LOL!  I have to come clean and say I did find this combo very challenging until I found a method that worked -  to use only vanilla CS and just ink in the other colours.  That worked for me after a few attempts that used coloured CS which I wasn't at all happy with.

I made a side opening A6 size Very Vanilla card, stamped the sentiment and then added score lines with my fabby new tool, the Simply Scored.  I then stamped, punched and fussy cut a load of buttons - I did go a bit button barmy LOL!  I glued most of the buttons flat but popped a few up.

More buttons on the inside and envelope finished everything off.

Please do give this challenge a try, I'd love to come and see what you make with this interesting colour combo!  Don't forget, you can substitute similar colours if you don't have the exact SU! colours listed.  If you don't have a blog you can send an entry by email - we're a very flexible bunch you know!  We just ask that you use one main SU! product in your project - a stamp, punch, die or patterned paper, for example.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Button Button & Curly Cute sets
CS: SU! Very Vanilla
Ink: SU! Tangerine Tango, Cherry Cobbler & Tempting Turquoise
Tools: SU! 3/4" & 1" circle punches, SU! Simply Scored
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Dimensionals

Sparkly Butterfly Happy Birthday Card

I made this card using a technique I learned many years ago - using embossing paste with a stencil.  It seems that stencils and pastes have become trendy again as I'm seeing the supplies in the shops!  A while ago there was a demo day at the Glitter Pot and Alex had made some fab cards using the paste and stencils and it made me want to try the technique again.  I haven't kept my brass stencils but I knew I still had some paste somewhere in my stash.  I came home from the Glitter Pot with a couple of new stencils - obviously, the gorgeous butterfly stencil was a 'must buy' for me! 

I taped the stencil just at the top to a piece of black CS - that way you get a hinge to lift up the CS after you've applied the paste.  I spread translucent embossing paste through the stencil, sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds all over the design and carefully lifted off the stencil.  I rinsed off the stencil straight away to remove the paste and glitter, gave it a wash in warm soapy water and left it to dry.  I then placed my glittered panel on a sunny windowsill and waited impatiently for it to dry.  Then I cut the panel to the size I wanted,  mounted it to a white mat, wrapped ribbon around and tied on a sentiment tag.  I mounted the panel to a black square card base.  I added some more sparkle by way of a gem as the dot over the i in 'Birthday' on the tag and then I added more gems to the ribbon.

Some simple monochrome stamping finished off the inside and envelope. 

Supplies:
Stamps: 'Happy Birthday' from SU! Elementary Elegance set, Hero Arts 3 Butterflies stamp & die combo set, inside sentiment from Hero Arts Yummy Treats clear set
CS: SU! Basic Black & Whisper White
 Ink: SU! Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Imagination Crafts 'Butterfly Delight' stencil template, circle punches
Embellishments & accessories: Dreamweaver translucent embossing paste, SU! white organza ribbon, white baker's twine, Dazzling Diamonds, Rhinestone Jewels