Inkspirational #35

Its time for our sketch challenge at Inkspirational. And here it is the sketch we hope will inspire you to get inky:

I decided to go for a Xmas card this week. Sitting on my craft table I had some emerald coloured material that I found in my stash. It has been there for over a week as I knew I wanted to use it for Jackie's Pantone Colour Challenge but just hadn't decided what to do with it. When I saw this sketch I suddenly knew I would die cut some baubles out of this material. If you look closely you will see it is a really thin mesh material that has gold threading through it-perfect for Xmas!

(hover over the picture and click on on the pin to save to pinterest

I have popped the middle bauble up on a foam pad to give dimension and used the 'oh gosh by golly, it's time for mistletoe and holly' sentiment stamp from CAS-ual Friday stamps to represent the thread to hang the baubles.

This month eclectic anthology are our sponsors and before you go don't forget to take a peek here at the fabulous projects the rest of our DT made earlier this week to inspire you.

Have fun and enjoy your weekend x

Addicted to CAS #21

Its time for our new challenge at Addicted to CAS and this week our hostess is the super talented Harriet. And her code word today is Music

Remember with this challenge we want to see Clean and Simple creations-lots of lovely white space! 

I had quite a few ideas for this code word but when I saw this card on the Fresh Squeezed Stamp Blog by Erin I was inspired to use my cassette tape stamp. I really had wanted to use this stamp as my hubby is transferring music from his old cassette tapes onto his mac so he can master them and burn off c.ds. He used to be in a band and this was the only way to tape music back then (yes we are old!!).

And here is my CAS music card:

(hover over the picture and click on on the pin to save to pinterest

This was fun to make and quite simple-stamping, masking and I used an impression plate for texture and popped it up on foam pads for dimension.

I used the sketch this week at Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenge

This week we are being sponsored by Paper Nest who are awarding our winner with a $25 gift voucher for their store.

I would also like to enter this into a new challenge I came across A Creative Romance. The challenge this week is CAS.

Our DT this week have come up with a fabulous bunch of CAS creations for you. Check them out here then get creating and join in the fun x

Sketch from Atlantic Heart Challenge:

Just for You

Happy Friday Eve,

Today I have a card for you that was inspired by Lori's card here at the Muse Club. I liked the layout of Lori's card and in particular the panel with the curved edges. I also wanted to make a linen coloured card for Jackie's Pantone Colour challenge (free custom design blog header to be won with Jackie's challenge)

(hover over the image and click on the pin to save to pinterest)

I found this flowered card in my stash along with these buttons and just followed Lori's layout to create this card.

And before I go I wanted to say a big thank you to the team at Casology who picked this vintage typewriter card as the winner this week. I am still doing the happy dance!

Hope you all have a great day x

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #60

Its already Wednesday and that means it is time for our new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. This week we are having a 'photo with a twist' challenge. Which means you can create anything you want, if you use an image from our sponsor Nicecrane Design ,or you can be inspired by this photo:

I decided to go with the photo this week and came up with this:

(hover over the image and click on the pin to save to pinterest)

I am sorry the photo is a little dark but I wanted to show the embossing on this card stock and this seemed to be the only way to capture it.

So obviously I was inspired by the lighthouse and did try to make a card using a free digi image of a lighthouse but with not much success. Then I had a light bulb moment (I know, bad pun!) and used these Fresh Squeezed Stamps to make my card. I do love how it came out!

What inspires you in this photo? Or perhaps you want to use an image from Nicecrane Designs-we have a freebie on our blog here, where you can also see the wonderful creations our DT have come up with this week.

I am looking forward to visiting your blogs, now go and get inky my friends and have fun!

I will also enter this into the 'cards without flowers' challenge at ABC challenges

One Layer Vintage

Happy Sunday my friends,

I made my card today for the One Layer Wednesday card challenge and the Pantone Colour challenge that Jackie Rockwell is running on her blog here. Jackie is offering the winner of her challenge a new custom designed blog header. As Jackie has already designed my blog header I am entering in the hope of winning this for a friend.
I was trying to make a card for the Emerald challenge but the more I look at my card the more I realise that it is more suitable for the 'Tender shoots' colour, so I am entering into that one. And will have another go at the Emerald colour!
I will also enter this into the vintage challenge at Addicted to Stamps Challenge

(hover over the image and click on the red button to pin it to your Pinterest board)

I have again mixed my vintage typewriter stamp with the tech talk stamp from CAS-ual Friday Stamps. I love the mix of old and new. And as this is one layer perfect for popping in the post!

Enjoy the rest of your day x

Muse #31 and Colouring Flowers!

Today my card was inspired by Marion's at the Muse Club. I loved how Marion had used masking and stamping to create the floral image and used these ideas to create my own interpretation of this:

(hover over the picture and click on on the pin to save to pinterest)

I have coloured the middle flower using copics. I have tried to blend the colours as instructed and encouraged by my blogging friend Nonni. I am slowly getting a bit better with this technique but lots of practice needed! I really wanted this flower to stand out so I raised it on foam pads to give it dimension. The background flowers have just been masked and stamped off to give the faded look. 

And here is Marion's card that inspired me to get colouring!

Inkspirational #34

Its time for my Weekend Warrior post at Inkspirational and this week we have this wonderfully romantic card by Marina for you to CASE.

I was inspired by the bold lettering and was going to go for a Love theme but as I started create another idea came into my head......I would make a card that I could use as a love card or for a number of other reasons-congratulations, Happy Anniversary etc. 

I did this by combining my Tech Talk CAS-ual Friday Stamps with a sentiment and heart from a Fresh Squeezed Stamp set. 

I stamped the heart directly onto the card base then stamped another one and covered it with glossy accents, fussy cut it and mounted it on a foam pad to give dimension.

This month Eclectic Anthology are our sponsors.

Before you get inky don't forget to take a look here at the fabulous projects our DT have come up with.

I am also going to enter this into the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments-anything but a Birthday card

Happy Campers Crafts Collective-use a stamp

Have fun x

Floral Friday.

Hello fellow crafters,

I decided to play along again this week with the One Layer Wednesday challenge. This week it is one stamp, one ink and one sentiment. I really liked the stunning simplicity of Heather's card and decided to case it. I went for different colours and a different stamp but used the same masking technique she did.

(hover over the picture and click on on the pin to save to pinterest)

Here I have used Mocha brown ink and a Hero Arts stamp.

I am also going to enter this into the 'Floral Fantasy' challenge at CAS on Sunday

Enjoy your Friday x

Addicted to Stamps and More #59

Happy Wednesday and today it is our CAS challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. That means we want to see clean and simple designs. This week we have a little twist as well-if you use an image by our fabulous sponsor Nicecrane Designs your project doesn't have to be CAS, you add lots of layers, ribbons, bells, whatever you fancy!

Although my card has some colouring, heat embossing and paper piecing, I have still gone CAS.

I have heat embossed the sentiment, paper pieced the teabag and coloured the teacup. All of the stamps are from Fresh Squeezed Stamps.

This week our winner will receive a $20 gift voucher from Nicecrane Designs. Check out the store here.

Our DT have some wonderful projects for you today so please do take a peek at our blog to be inspired. Then it is your turn to get creating and join in the fun!

I am also going to link this up to Jackie's Pantone Colour African Violet challenge (you can win a new custom designed blog header) and the CAS challenge at Artistic Inspirations.

I Miss You!

I am popping in quickly to share with you a card I have just made for the 'Paper' Challenge at Casology. I have missed playing this challenge for a few weeks as I just couldn't get the right idea for any of the code words. But as soon as I saw this week's 'paper' I had an idea and off I went to create this card:

I heat embossed this vintage typewriter and had fun teaming it up with my new 'tech talk' stamps from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. I have had fun with this set of stamps cutting them to create my own words out of the various stamps-all it takes it a bit of imagination and a good pair of craft scissors!! I decided to pop the techy 'u' on a strip of the kraft card to give added dimension.

I used a craft knife to cut a slit in the top of the typewriter so I could slip in my stamped note paper. I love the way this turned out-vintage mixed with our modern techy world!

See you tomorrow for my very British card for our next challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More

Lemon Zest Chevrons.

Happy Sunday my friends,

Hope you are all having a fun Sunday. I am here to share with you my card for Jackie's Pantone Colour challenge. By taking part in this challenge you could win a custom designed blog header by Jackie. Check out the details here.
Today I have made a card for the 'Lemon Zest' challenge and decided I would case the card Jackie made for this challenge.

Here is my case using water colour paints directly onto PTI chevron stamps.

This is a fun technique to try. You really feel like you are painting and it is very relaxing. I followed the same layout as Jackie and just changed the stripes to 3 lines of different sized chevrons and repeated this 3 times. I added these cute little butterflies with the gems. I like the kinda messy, arty feel to the final look. I managed to find some lemon card in my stash for the base.
I am also going to enter this into a new to me, challenge site, I came across Keep it Simple. They are having a chevron challenge. And the twine challenge at Drunken Stampers

And here is Jackie's card:

Inkspirational #33

It is time for my Weekend Warrior Post at Inkspirational and this week we have this photo to inspire you:

I have done a CAS take on this photo being inspired by the letters and the colouring in the photo.

I have used the tech talk stamps from Cas-ual Fridays stamps. I made this for my Brother Stuart and figured if he couldn't work out the text my nephew could help him out!

This month we are being sponsored by Eclectic Anthology and the monthly winner will receive a $30 gift voucher for their store.

Check out the great projects our DT have made for this challenge here. And then I am hoping you will join in the fun x

I will also enter this into the CAS challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.

And the 'Anything Goes' Birthday challenge at Seize the Birthday

Addicted to CAS #20

This week at Addicted to CAS our hostess is the super talented crafter Florence and she has chosen for her code word HOLIDAYS

We all love our holidays and you can go in lots of directions with this. You might immediately think of the sun, sea and sand or you might go for a winter ski break and don't forget Christmas is just around the corner!!

I wanted to go the sun, sea and sand route but then Mr Postie arrived with my new London Scene Diecuts and I was itching to play with them, so I have gone with the journey to the Airport. Callum and I usually fly really early in the morning so have to get a taxi to the airport. Here we are in our London black cab on the way to the sun. (yes, I know cabbies don't have luggage on the roof these days but I would love a bright pink case!!)

Our sponsor this week is Delicious Doodles and our winner gets to choose 4 digi images of their choice.

The DT this week have come up with some great Holiday projects for you and it is worth popping over to our blog here to be inspired.

Then it is your turn, just follow our code word and remember only CAS cards for this challenge.

I will also be entering this into the 'travel/bon voyage' challenge at Milk Coffee Challenges

Tech Talk!

Today I have been playing with a new stamp set that my cousin Lynn gave me as a pressie when she recently came to visit me here in London. Lynn is one of the fab DT Girl Fridays for Cas-ual Friday Stamps and this tech talk stamp set from Cas-ual Fridays is one Lynn knew I wanted. What a lovely surprise for me!!

So today I have had fun playing with this to make this card:

I had been wanting to make a card for the challenge this week at OLW, to be inspired by pinterest-like we really need another excuse to spend hours on pinterest!! And yesterday I was browsing for some inspiration to make a 'new home' card and came across this picture:

This got me thinking about my new stamp set and then today I saw the colours of this weeks Cas-ual Fridays challenge-orange, aqua and green-and decided to use my orange and blue heat embossing powders for this CAS one layer card. I went with a 'oops I'm sorry' card as I expect we all need these at some point. And as hubby is a techy I thought I would keep this in my stash for him!!

I made a second version of this card with a smiley face from a Fresh Squeezed Stamp set. I think I like the first one best....what about you??

I am also going to enter this into the 'new stamps' challenge at Alphabet Challenges

Do come back tomorrow to see my next card using the tech talk set and enjoy the rest of your Friday x

Addicted to Stamps and More #58

Time for our new challenge at Addicted To Stamps and More. This week is our colour challenge but with a little twist! Our twist being that if you use an image from our fabulous sponsor Nicecrane Designs you don't need to follow the colours. On our blog you will find a freebie from Nicecrane Designs or check out the store here.

Our Colours this week are:

I do like these colours but thought I would go with a background set of images I have from Nicerane Designs called Stunning Nature. And here is my card:

I re-sized this image and printed it out on plain white card. I covered it in acetate and added some glossy accents where there are raindrops on the picture. Then used an embossed card base to place the image. It was so hard to photograph it so you could see how cool the raindrops look IRL. This was something different for me and a bit of an experiment but I loved how it turned out. I sent it to my Mum and Dad as a thank you for everything they do for me. And they told me they thought it was gorgeous (still, I guess they would!)

I really do love this set of images and have another card using these to share with you in a few weeks. Our DT have some really great projects to inspire you this week. Take a look at these here then join in the fun.

Here is the image set:

Retail Therapy!

We all love a bit of retail therapy and my niece Chloe is no exception. It is her Birthday in a few weeks so my card today is for her.

I made myself the challenge this week of getting out my new copic markers to practice some colouring skills. My blogging friend Nonni has been advising me on colouring techniques etc and I finally got down to having a play. I was mainly focused on trying to get the hair blending and skin tones right. This was my 4th attempt but I have to say, although colouring is not my favourite kind of card making, it is relaxing and quite fun to try something new.

I am hoping Nonni has some feedback for me (hint, hint Nonni!!)

I still had to go with a CAS basic design. I just couldn't bring myself to add lots of embellishments and DSP! I like the clean look of it and I really would love those boots. Colouring does time but really does have a calming effect.

I am going to enter this into the following challenges:

MilkCoffee Challenge-show your colouring skills (this is my second entry, the first one being pre-my new copics!)

MarkerPOP blog-anything goes

Have a great day x 

Happy Monday.

Another week begins and I hope it is a happy one for us all!

I have another entry for the challenge at Fusion and also a card for the Pantone card challenge Jackie Rockwell is having (you can win a custom designed blog header if you enter this one!). This is for the Dusk Blue challenge and I am  hoping I get away with my pop of yellow.

First my card then I will tell you where my inspiration came from:

The idea started with the chalkboard on the fusion photo. But I am not a fan of the chalk board card trend so decided to go with this B&W HB stamp from Fresh Squeezed Stamps (actually all these stamps are from FSS). I then looked around my craft table and saw this blue frame that I had heat embossed the other week to go into Jackie's challenge and the Muse challenge that was hosted by my cousin Lynn. I didn't get around to it and is has been sitting on my desk waiting to be used. As Lynn is on the DT for Fusion it seemed appropriate to use it for this card.

I decided to case this card I made a few weeks ago. Jackie gave me a few design tips on how to improve on this card.........can you see them Jackie?

The little flower is added as I have combined the sketch and the picture for Fusion.

Before I go I wanted to share a photo of Lynn and myself in London just after we had been to see Matilda. Lynn is back home now and I miss her already x

And one when we met up with Aimes in Covent Garden. We had not met Aimes before IRL just blogland. So our crafting world came together IRL and virtual friendships transported to reality!! Have you met any virtual crafting friends???

Happy Stamping x

       

You're Great!

Happy chilled Sunday my friends,

My card today is for my very dear Uncle Tony. I realised it his Birthday this week and didn't think any of the cards in my stash really suited him. I wanted to have a card with a sweet sentiment on the front as he really is great and I don't tell him enough.

So here is the card I must get in the post today!

This card was initially inspired by the challenge at Fusion. It was the sweet sentiment on the front of the picture that got me thinking but I didn't a stamp the shape I wanted. I decided to use the wood frame, the bright colours of the green and purple flowers as inspiration and this turned into a kraft base and the colours of the checked stamp and green card stock lines. Very different than my initial idea but I guess this is how inspiration works.

I got the layout from Seize the Sketch doing my own CAS version.

I will also enter this into the new challenge The Male Room and the kraft challenge at Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Here is the Fusion inspiration:                And the Seize the Sketch layout:

              

Inkspirational Challenge #32

At Inkspirational this week it is our colour challenge and these are the colours we are challenging you with:

And my card using these colours:

I used light pink ink to sponge some card stock. I then ripped up some post it notes to mask off an area to stamp the text. I really wanted this to be on a white card base but the kraft really seemed to work the best.

This month Eclectic Anthology are our sponsors and our monthly winner will receive a $30 gift voucher to spend in their store!

Now it is your turn-you have until Tues 6pm CMT to play along and don't forget to pop over to take a peek here at the super projects are DT have created for you.

Have fun x

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #57

Wednesday means it is time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. And this week is 'Make your Mark' challenge. Your entry must include use of some kind of marker-promarkers, crayons, pencils, water paints etc.

I tried something different this week. I had a go at the defined watercolour technique. Check out this video here to learn more about this technique.  I had so much fun doing this and ended up covered in paint but happy!

I have used the 'watercolour wonder' stamp set from PTI and the sentiment stamp is from Fresh Squeezed Stamps.

I used a small travel set of watercolour stamps I was given as a gift and memento inks. I would urge you to give this a try, I felt really arty doing this...........we can all fool ourselves!!

This week as a prize to the winner our DT are offering the following 2 image sheets from the the fabulous Nicecrane Designs.


                       

If you are not aware of Nicecrane Designs please take a peek at the store here. And here is a note from the owner Ignacio:

I have been a Photoshop Instructor for more than 6 years ago,,,,,, and I love Graphic Design ,,,,,,,it is my passion,,, I love anything about Graphic Design, new techniques, software and tips and tricks. I am also  FAN of Japanese Culture , especially about Ukiyo-e and Washi craft,,,,,and I love Japanese Origami,,,,,,

Nice to meet people from different countries to share hobbies and practice my English.

And don't forget to pop over to our blog to check out here what how our DT have 'made their mark' to inspire you.

Now it is your turn to get inky x

Time to shop!

Happy Sunday my crafting friends,

Today I have a card for you that was made for a friend's Birthday. I was in the mood to do some colouring and decided to have a go at doing a 'case' of this of my blogging friend Nonni. Nonni is an expert at colouring and has been advising me on which markers to purchase etc. I have just received some new markers but I actually did this card before these arrived. So I am hoping my colouring skills will soon improve.

I love this stamp and sentiment-so perfectly girly. I have not only coloured here but I have used patterned paper!! I am not sure what came over me!

Now I have my new markers I am hoping to learn how to blend colours for hair and skin etc so am on the hunt for some digis.

I am going to enter this into the following challenges:

Polkadoodles-Birthday Girl

MilkCoffee Challenges-show us your colouring skills

Crafts and Me-anything goes

And here is Nonni' card:

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday x

Inkspirational Challenge #31

Hello again, I know, 2 posts in one day!!

I have named today 'Sunshine Saturday' as both my cards today feature the sun plus I am celebrating my first day as a a member of the DT at Addicted to CAS! Just scroll down to this my card for this challenge.

This post is for our 'Anything Goes' challenge at Inkspirational.  You still have until Tuesday 6pm CMT to play along and be in for a chance to win a $12 gift voucher from A Day for Daises.

Here is my sunshine card:

I had a lot of fun making this card. I used the 'Weather Through' stamp set from Fresh Squeezed Stamps and used a variety of different orange and yellow inks to stamp the sun rays. If you look closely you will see that 3 of the rays are actually heat embossed using the orange embossing powder I used on my card earlier today.

This card is sitting on our mantel piece and it really makes me smile when I walk in the room! I just love all the vibrant colours-perhaps I should just keep it and pull it out on those days when I need a reminder that all is not so bad!

I hope you join in the fun at Inkspirational and please do pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the DT have made this week to inspire you.

Happy stamping and enjoy 'Sunshine Saturday!!'

Addicted to CAS Challenge #19

I am naming today, 'Sunshine Saturday', as I have some sunny news for you plus 2 posts both featuring sunshine cards!

The news I have been waiting to share with you.........I have joined the DT at Addicted to CAS. When Kylie the challenge owner asked me to join the team I was amazed but extremely honoured to be joining such a super talented team of Ladies! Many of you will know that I love making CAS cards so this DT spot is a wonderful opportunity for me. So a huge thank you to Kylie

This challenge is every 2 weeks on a Saturday and at each challenge there is a code word to inspire you. This week our host is the super talented Sue and she has chosen the following code word:

A perfect word for this time of the year. I had lots of ideas and in the end decided to go with the sun!

I have used my much loved  Fresh Squeezed Stamps and heat embossed the sun rays with orange embossing powder. I love the orange with the kraft.

Our DT have some stunning CAS inspiration. Take a peek here and then get crafty. I can't wait to check out your blogs for my first few weeks at Addicted to CAS.

This week our sponsor is the fabulous Inspired by Stamping. Our winner will receive a $20 gift voucher from their amazing store. Check out all the fabulous goodies you could choose from here, this should be plenty to inspire you!

I will also enter this into the Buttons Challenge at Cas-Ual Friday and the 'nectarine' card challenge at Jackie's blog-check out the details here for a chance to win a free custom designed blog header.

Have fun x