Chair-ish Friendship Thank You Card For Debs & Mike

This is one of the cards I made for Owen to give to friends to say thank you for his birthday gifts.  This one is for Debs and Mike who will get a chuckle from the play on words - well, they probably will groan as well LOL!  Mynnette, the co-author of the 52 {C}CT challenge blog, very kindly sent this digi sentiment to me - what a sweetheart! 

After I received the sentiment I went on the hunt for a suitable chair digi image and I found a fab freebie at Bird's Cards.  I adjusted the chair to the size I wanted and printed it out twice - once on Crumb Cake CS and again on patterned paper.  The lines didn't show up very well on the patterned paper image so I went over them with a black permanent pen.  After I'd cut out and pieced the chair together I sponged Wild Wasabi ink on the upholstery and Soft Suede ink on the woodwork.    I've popped the chair up on a simple black mat.  I tied Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon around the patterned paper panel after I'd sponged the edges with wasabi ink.  I re-sized the sentiment, printed it onto Crumb Cake CS,  cut it out with a ticket die, layered it onto a black mat and popped it up.  I placed gems in the corners of the sentiment panel to finish off the card front.

I added patterned paper and a stamped, die cut sentiment to a white panel for inside the card and I sponged the edges with wasabi ink.

I made an envelope from the patterned paper using the fab Simply Scored Diagonal Plate and I sponged all the edges.  I really love how a matching patterned paper envelope ties everything together, I think it adds such a special touch!  I stamped and die cut the frame, added a black mat piece at the top and bottom of the frame and then used an alphabet set to stamp the names.  We're seeing Debs and Mike today so they will be given the card then - hopefully, they will like it!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Sending You Love clear set, Hero Arts/Sizzix Frames with Sprigs stamp & die combo set, Hero Arts Cute Uppercase Letters clear set
Digi images:  sentiment from Mynnette Kitchen, armchair from Bird's Cards
CS: SU! Crumb Cake, Basic Black & Whisper White
Patterned paper: Kaisercraft 'Encourage' from Chapter One collection
Ink: SU! Wild Wasabi & Soft Suede, Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: SU! Simply Scored & Diagonal Plate, Sizzix Ticket Framelits die, Hero Arts Small Tag Frame Framelits die, label die from Hero Arts/Sizzix Frames with Sprigs stamp & die combo set, sponge daubers
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, gems, 3d foam pads

Snowman Wonderful Christmas Card - 52 CCT Colour Challenge

This week at the 52 CCT challenge blog we have this  fab colour combo for you.  For my blue I've used Pool Party - LOVE that colour - and I think it looks fabulous with black and white!

 Oh look - a new snowman stamp set!  What's better than a new snowman stamp set?  A half price one!  What's better than a new half price snowman stamp set?  Well, that would be a new half price snowman stamp set that matches a set you already have in your collection!   The snowflakes I stamped on the white panel background - also a half price stamp - I do love a bargain!

After stamping the snowman I cut him out, used Pool Party ink and a blender pen to colour the scarf and I coloured in the dots with a black marker.  I've added tiny black gems as eyes, sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds so my snowman has some sparkle and I've popped him up.  I die cut two snowflakes, one Pool Party and one black and I've offset them before attaching a black glimmer brad in the centre.

For the inside and the envelope I've used the snowflake background again and the smaller snowman that matches the big snowman on the front of the card.  The smaller snowman is from a stamp and die combo set so I die cut him after stamping and I've popped him up inside the card and glued him flat to the envelope flap.

OK, so you already know I love a half price bargain.  See those snowflakes and lovely sentiment?  They're from a Hero Arts clear set with an RRP of £13.95 - I got that set from an online sale recently for £3.95!  Yep, sporting a rather smug grin right now!  Hmmmm, there is that saying 'pride goes before a fall'  - I just noticed I forgot to sponge the edges of my white panel inside the card - serves me right, smugness is not an attractive quality LOL! 

This is a fab colour combo for Christmas cards so I really hope you'll play along with us at 52 CCT this week, I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!  Benefits to playing along with us?  You can get to feel a tad smug - not too much though - at adding another Christmas card to your stash!  Also - if you enter every challenge for the month and end up as our overall winner you will win a digi sentiment designed by the marvellous Mynnette!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Wonderful Christmas cling set, Hero Arts Snowman stamp & die combo set, Hero Arts Falling Snowflakes background stamp, Hero Arts Holiday Cheer clear set
CS: SU! Basic Black, Pool Party & Whisper White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Pool Party, SU! Basic Black marker pen, blender pen
Tools: Snowman die from Hero Arts Snowman stamp & die combo set, Sizzix Snowflake #23 Sizzlits die, Perfect Layers
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter, SU! Glimmer Brad, black rhinestone jewels, 3d foam pads

Birdhouse Just For You Card - Simply Stampin' Challenge #68

This week it's colour combo time at the Simply Stampin' blog and the colours are Rose Red, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla - what a nice combo!

 I  decided to make a birdhouse shaped card as it's been a long time since I made one. I started off with a 4" square Crumb Cake card base and I covered the entire front with woodgrain paper from the Well Worn DSP pack.  For the roof I cut a 3 3/4" square of Soft Suede CS, cut it in half diagonally, embossed it with the Square Lattice folder and added the vanilla punched trim.  I had to cut the point of the roof off  so the card will fit into a 6" square envelope.  I love those posh wooden birdhouses that have a finial on the roof top so I added one to my card version!  I punched 1" circles from CS and the woodgrain paper, stacked a few together and glued it on.  I then got busy punching using the Bird Builder and Itty Bitty flower punches.  I stamped the vine stamp from Vintage Vogue a couple of times on the bird, sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink added the wing and a  jewel eye.  I used the 1 3/8" circle punch for the hole, added my leafy sprigs and the flowers and popped the birdie up.  More leafy sprigs and flowers went on the roof and each flower centre got a jewel.  For the sentiment I thought it would be fun to hang a sign on the birdhouse!  I punched the 'Just For You' out with the plain oval punch, punched a tiny hole and tied the oval to the trim by threading linen thread through the holes and tying a knot.

Just some simple sponging and stamping on a Very Vanilla panel inside the card.

I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to position my row of Vintage Vogue vines across the bottom of the envelope and added a label with a Rose Red mat to finish off.  I do hope you'll play along with us at Simply Stampin' this week and create something with this lovely colour combo!  Don't worry if you don't have the exact colours as we allow you to substitute - plus we accept email entries if you don't have a blog.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you make!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Vintage Vogue, Four Frames & Ovals All sets
CS: SU! Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Rose Red & Very Vanilla
Patterned paper: SU! Well Worn DSP
Ink: SU! Crumb Cake, Soft Suede & Rose Red
Tools: SU! Bird Builder, Eyelet Border, Decorative Label, Itty Bitty flower, plain oval & various size circle punches, SU! Square Lattice embossing folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Linen Thread, Jewel Rhinestones & Dimensionals

Blue Birthday Blooms Shaped Edge Card

I really like cards with shaped edges and the SU! Edgelit dies are fab for that - using the matching embossing folder to add the embossed detail is such a lovely finishing touch too!  I made the A6 base card with Night of Navy CS, die cut and embossed the edge and glued a strip of Pool Party CS to the back panel of the inside of the card.  I stamped a flower from the Mixed Bunch set three times - twice with Night of Navy ink onto Pool Party CS and once with Pool Party ink on white CS.  I punched the blooms out and popped them up on the card.  I made my own dimensional embellies for the flower centres by punching 3/4" CS circles.  I glued three circles together to form a stack and then applied Crystal Effects to get a raised glossy look.  I then added sparkly jewels to the centre.  I stamped the sentiment, cut it in half, glued it to the card and added more jewels around the words to finish off the front.

 

Here's the inside and the envelope decorated with stamped and punched shapes.  What a lovely combo Pool Party and Night of Navy makes together with crisp white!

We had a day out in London yesterday soaking up some culture - and getting soaking wet in the rain!  We saw the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art and then saw the BP Portrait Award 2012 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.  We were absolutely blown away by some works we saw and, quite frankly bemused beyond belief, at some others!  It made for a very interesting and amusing time anyway! Our tickets to the RA show included afternoon tea in the restaurant - it was delicious and included a glass of Pimms - lovely!  The Royal Academy is directly opposite to Fortnum and Mason so we popped in there for a spot of light shopping - couldn't afford more than that LOL!  We looked at some greetings cards while we were in there - £12.95 each - thud!  The portrait exhibition was brilliant, unbelievable talent on display and entry is free - couldn't be better!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Mixed Bunch & Curly Cute sets
CS: SU! Night of Navy, Pool Party & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Night of Navy & Pool Party
Tools: SU! Blossom, 3/4" & 1" circle punches, SU! Adorning Accents Edgelit die & matching embossing folder
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Crystal Effects, jewel rhinestones, 3d foam pads

Gingko Leaves To My Husband Card

Yesterday was my hubby Owen's birthday.  He loves black on cards and I decided to pair it with vanilla for his birthday card.  I stamped the wood grain, layered onto black and vanilla mats and added the sentiment.  I got the sentiment set recently, it's a Tinchies clear set made by Personal Impressions and includes 'To my', 'husband', 'boyfriend' and 'brother' wording stamps.  Now I definitely won't be using the 'brother' and 'boyfriend' words but I still bought the set for the 'husband' 'cos the set was only £1.19, what a bargain! I used Memory Box label die shapes to mat and layer the sentiment and added copper brads. I used the gorgeous PaperTrey Ink Harvest Berries stamp set and matching dies for the leaves.  I die cut the leaf sprigs first, stamped the images on the die cut shapes using VersaMark ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder so the leaf detail is raised and shiny.   It gives a very subtle effect, but it's lovely when the light catches it and you see the shine.

I stamped a sentiment and more leaves inside. 

Yet more leaves and a label on the envelope finished everything off.  It did occur to me after I'd finished that maybe the card was a tad gloomy and was perhaps more suited to a sympathy card rather than a birthday card.  Anyway, I am pleased to report that Owen loved the card - and it also got the thumbs up from our friends Debbie and Mike, phew!

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI Harvest Berries clear set, Tinchies 'To my' clear set, Woodware Special Wishes clear set, SU! Four Frames set
CS: SU! Basic Black & Very Vanilla
Ink: VersaMark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: PTI Harvest Berries die set, Memory Box Bistro Label & Chadwick Label dies, SU! Decorative Label punch
Embellishments & accessories: clear embossing powder, copper brads, 3d foam pads

The cat in this signature picture looks a lot like Tucker, our older cat - Tucker had the same white tippy tail but he also had a black smudge on his pink nose.  Sadly, our Tucker boy is no longer with us as he passed away last week. He was a very affectionate cat and I will certainly miss his head bumps on the chin and his lovely, deep, rhythmic purr.  He's now at rest in a warm, sunny spot in our garden.

Flower Panel Thinking Of You Card - Simply Stampin' Challenge #67

It's sketch layout time again at the Simply Stampin' challenge blog - and it's another winner!

I used the SU! Bordering on Romance set and a fave eggplant and olive colour combo - with some plum and white thrown in.  I made my 5 3/4" card base with Elegant Eggplant CS, punched a white lace strip for the centre and added two strips of Old Olive dotted scallop ribbon.  I cut a white Label Framelit shape and I used markers to colour the 'Thinking of You' with olive and eggplant inks.  I stamped the floral images onto watercolour paper, coloured with inks and a blender pen, added some white gel pen highlights and fussy cut all the images.  I stamped and coloured the three flowers from the largest image separately and popped them up after cutting them out.  I matted the label shape onto Perfect Plum and Old Olive layers and added rhinestone jewels to the label and the flower centres.

For the panel inside the card I punched an eggplant lace strip, placed 1"punched olive circles behind and added punched white Itty Bitty flowers with jewel centres on top.   For the envelope flap I stamped and coloured the floral sprig and used Label Framelits dies to mat and layer.  Now it's over to you, go and check what the other DT members have made and then go and get inky and join in with our sketch, I'd love to come and see what you create!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Bordering on Romance & Sincere Salutations sets
CS: SU! Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Perfect Plum & Whisper White
Ink: Black StazOn, SU! Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum & Old Olive, blender pen, white gel pen
Tools: SU! Labels Framelits dies, SU! Lace Ribbon Border, 1" circle & Itty Bitty Shapes flower punches
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Old Olive Scallop Dots ribbon, rhinestone jewels, Dimensionals

Christmas Village Happy Christmas Card - 52 CCT Sketch #7 Challenge

This week at the 52 CCT challenge blog we have this fab sketch layout for you to work with.  Very versatile, this will work for portrait, landscape, rectangular or square cards and it can be CAS or kicked up a notch - totally up to you!  Please check out the cards the other Design Team members have made to inspire you - as well as Jacqueline and Mynnette there are some new girls joining this week and I'm sure they'd love it if you visited their blogs!

I kept it simple with this card design using my treasured, much loved, PSX Christmas Village stamp.   This is one of my oldest stamps and I will NEVER willingly part with it!  I stamped the image onto Whisper White CS using Cherry Cobbler ink and then I added seasonal sparkle to the roofs, trees and snowy ground with glue and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I matted the image panel onto Baja Breeze and Cherry Cobbler layers and added silver brads to the corners.  I stamped the one line sentiment onto Baja Breeze CS and cut it into two pieces before gluing it to the panel.  For my background panels I cut a piece of Baja Breeze CS, embossed it with a snowflakes embossing folder, brayered Baja Breeze ink over the embossing and cut the piece into three strips.  I've popped up the image panel over the embossed panels with 3d foam tape.

You know by now that the inside of my cards and envelopes have to be decorated too!   Stamped snowflakes and a lovely sentiment for the inside of the card and a snowflake embossed strip for the front of the envelope finished things off.  I hope you'll play along with us and make a card using this layout, I'd love to come and see how you interpret it! 

Supplies:
Stamps: PSX Christmas Village & Snowflake Medley stamps, Personal Impressions Christmas Messages clear set, Hero Arts Holiday Cheer clear set
CS: SU! Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Cherry Cobbler & Baja Breeze
Tools: Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder, brayer, square Nestabilities dies
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter, silver brads, 3d foam pads