Sunday 31 August 2008

Baby Boy

I thought you would like to see these 2 quick and easy simple cards which I made recently when my cousin had a little boy.

This one was for the new Mum and Dad and bubba, I used a Hero Arts elephant stamp and simply matted it onto a small card blank and used Doodlebug rub on's for the greeting.

This one was for big brother...... I have used a Sizzix die for "brother" and various rub ons for the greetings. Opps nearly forgot I also added a bit of doodling and a couple of Doodlebug sugar coated brads. He loved this card and it really made him feel like the special big brother that he is!

Thursday 28 August 2008

Sketch Saturday Challenge

I have done 2 cards for this weeks Sketch Saturday challenge. One is for one of my best buddies first wedding anniversary and the other for my Christmas box. For this one I have used the Doodlebug flower stamps, I have stamped them, water coloured them, cut them out and then using silicone glue have raised them onto the sewn stems. I have also sewn along the edges of the image and then randomly added pale pink gems onto the stitching for a different effect. The paper is Doodlebug limeade boutique stripe and this has also been stitched all the way around. The greeting was hand written........oh OK not really it was printed off the computer. Oh and before I forget, I have obviously also added some glitter for good measure! This card was made using a Whipper Snapper "NOEL" stamp, I have water coloured the image and then added glitter to the dots. I have free hand doodled around the edge of the image, card and tabs and finally added a couple of gems. I have also got glitter dots along the back black panel.

Stamp Something Challenge

This is my effort this week for the Stamp Something challenge. The theme was "Birthday" which wasn't too taxing for my drug induced brain (prescription not recreational!)

I have used this stamp before on my blog, but this card is for my aunts birthday who is a huge hedgy fan and this is my fave hedgy stamp! This time I have used a circle cutter to capture a section of the image. I have used nestabilities to cut the circle and scallop (I have had the do I need nestabilities, don't I need nestabilities argument in my head for months and I finally gave in and hubby got them for me as a cheer up prezzie!) and have used.....wait for it.....Doodlebug papers and glitter! The black dots around the dotty circle are done with black stickles as I saw the pot looking at me from the shelf and realized I hadn't used stickles for AGES so thought I would let one come out and play! The rub on is an old scrapbook house one that I have had since Bonanza 2005!

Wednesday 27 August 2008

Papertake Weekly Challenge - A Stitch In Time

This weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge is called "A Stitch In Time" it is to simply to use stitching on your project! It can be real or faux! As the sewing machine is on remand for good behaviour I went for real.

I have used Penny Black "Merry Kitty" stamp, Cuttlebug ornament embossing folder, Black & red Bazzill (which always reminds me of Minnie Mouse???), Doodlebug swiss dot ladybug paper, Prima flower, black adhesive gem, red ribbon and a metal Making Memories "Happy Christmas" eyelet greeting. I also used my little roller hole making tool (I'm sure it has a real name?) to go round the edge of the black border surrounding the stamped image! I really enjoyed making this card as Christmas is my FAVORITE time of the year, it's my birthday in September and when that is over with the Christmas carols start........YEAH

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Cute Card Thursday Challenge

This is my entry this week for the Cute Card Thursday challenge it has asked for bright colours, so I beavered away and come up with this. All well and good but it is a bright colour not colours.....I'm not sure how specific these challenges are so this is my entry with a bright single coloured card....... I have used limeade Doodlebug paper and Bazzill card, a doodling template (for the black swirls), a Hero Arts "Fabulous Birthday" stamp and a Blonde Moments funky flower stamp. The picture isn't very clear but I have clear embossed the flower and added a jet black gem in the centre. This will be winging it's way to Auntie Pat for her birthday so hopefully she likes green???

Monday 25 August 2008

Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby....ah ah ah ah ah ahhhhhhh

My mum and dad have been married for 40 years later on this year and are celebrating their ruby wedding with a massive family party. I have been working on the invitations for 2 months on and off and I have just finished them and thought you would like to see them!

They are quite simple but every gem was put on by hand and every circle (4 each invite) cut by hand (using my creative memories circle cutter). They are all complete with insert and Mum and Dad are over the moon with them. I would like to mention that not 1 Pebbles Inc rub on , Doodlebug product or Penny Black stamp was used in the making of these invitations!!!! See I can do it.

Saturday 23 August 2008

Hedgy Thanks On It's Way To The USA.....

This is a little card I have made for a friend who has just visited from sunny California, before arriving she asked if I wanted anything!!!! HELLO the whole of "Michaels" please! Bearing in mind she is one of those people who's name we dare not mention (that's right a "NON CRAFTER") she said she would try her hardest to get me something nice! She got me loads of US card and scrapbook magazines and a great hints and tips dictionary which covers every technique I can think of. She really spoiled me and so I thought I had better make a card as a thank you. I have used a Penny Black clear stamp from the love set, Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder, Doodlebug glitter and Pebbles inc rub-ons, pretty much the same ingredients I use for most of my cards.......I must try harder to think outside the box......I must try harder to think outside the box....if I say it enough it may just happen!

Friday 22 August 2008

Sketch Saturday Challenge

This is Sketch Saturdays card sketch for this week. This is my twisted version of the sketch. I have used Stampin Ups "Unfrogettable" stamp set, Doodlebug paper, prima flowers, black adhesive gems and Bazzill Card. I even let my sewing machine out of the bag for this one! It behaved quite nicely so I may let it out again......unless it was lulling me into a false sense of sewing machine security and next time I let it out it will go back to mushing up card and fingers!

Thursday 21 August 2008

Friday Sketchers Challenge

This is my attempt at this weeks Friday Sketchers Challenge . I'm not very happy with it if I'm honest but I thought I would upload it as it took me ages!

The challenge was to make a card/project using the following sketch. Pop over and have a look at the design teams work, they are FAB.

I have used a Hero Arts elephant stamp with a Doodlebug backing paper, mounted on pink Bazzill and silver mirri card. The gems were all stuck on by hand and I would have liked them a little higher but I'm NOT starting again! The elephant is raised using silicone glue, which I have only just discovered and LOVE it! I always thought that it would be too messy but it isn't at all and it really allows you to shape what your are attaching. I'm not really happy with the greeting , it needs a little something, I get the feeling I may be adding a touch of glitter..... I never learnt that whole less is more thing!

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Penny Black Saturday Challenge.....Ribbons

Here is my effort for this weeks Penny Black Challenge. The only rule was to use ribbon and at least one Penny Black image.

I have used "Trail By The Tail" Penny Black stamp, this is the first time I have used it and am really pleased with the results. I have added some glitter to the bouquet (of course!) and have stamped onto 350gsm watercolour paper.

I have edged my stamped image and all elements of the card with a black chalk ink, even the bow. The ribbon tags have been attached with eyelets and the imaged section has been added to the card using 3d foam tape.

These colours are a little more muted than I would normally use but I love the SEI dotty paper and have been waiting to use it for ages!

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Happy Birthday To Ewe......

One of my best friends is coming to see me today so I thought I would show you the card I have made for her husbands birthday.
I have used the Penny Black stamp called "Plimsoll Pete" with some peel offs and rub ons. Nothing too technical, just neat and sweet. I have used some Doodlebug sequins though and a touch of glitter! (I can't help myself doodlebug and glitter call to me.....)

Monday 18 August 2008

Cute Card Thursday Challenge........

This is my entry for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge the theme for the challenge is soft furnishings you could use fabric, ribbon, stitching, buttons etc, anything you can find on the soft furnishings in the home ie curtains, cushions, sofas etc. As you can see from my entry I have used ribbon and a bow! It has taken me 6 years to master tying a bow! How sad is that? I have finally mastered it now and often sit and bow for the sake of it! I have used a Whipper Snapper stamp called "Birthday Birdy" and the Cuttlebug "Birds & swirls embossing folder. My inspiration for using a folder in this way came from Sue Nelson and her Heart Prints gallery, she is very clever with her cuttlebug folders, a real inspiration, her gallery can be found here.

Sunday 17 August 2008

Two For The Men.....

Now I know that these are very simple and are hardly going to tax a crafters brain but like the rest of the crafting nation I really struggle for men's cards. These are a total cheat as even the Paper/Jolly Nation decoupage is die cut. Sometimes quick and easy is what suits, we haven't all got hours to spend per card which is why I thought I would hang my head in shame and show you these cards that I made for 2 male relatives in under half an hour! As you can see all I have done is matted them onto co-ordinating patterned papers (old Sizzix pad came in handy again!) and matted again onto co-ordinating cardstock then doodled a black line around the edge of the cardstock and doodled dashes around the edge of the patterned paper. Finally I added a small black greeting peel off.

Saturday 16 August 2008

Helen'n New Home Card

This is a card that I made a few weeks ago for my friend Helen who had just moved. (that was lucky otherwise she would have wondered why I sent a new home card!)

I have used one of my favourite Penny Black stamps called "Cheesecake Express", I love it because you can use it for any occasion and can suit everyone! I have coloured in with watercolour pencils (as usual). It has a diagonally cut front panel which is secured by my little gem encrusted tab (which I made with a circle punch). I have used Doodlebug rub ons for the greeting and Prima flowers and gems to embellish. The paper was a really old one that I have been stroking and admiring for a couple of years, there comes a time when all favorite papers have to meet my Fiskars trimmer and to make it easier for me and the paper I always use my faves for someone special!

Friday 15 August 2008

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Well I'm on a roll today, challenge number two! I always love the cards on the Penny Black Saturday challenge blog and here is my first offering! Not quite design team standard but I really enjoyed making it.
You had to create a card from this sketch, I have used sketches for scrapbooking before but never card making so this was a first for me. As you can see I have flipped it round to create my card.
I have used a Penny Black stamp from the T for Transparent set "Bubbly" and a Pebbles inc rub on greeting, Heidi Swapp adhesive gems, mini Prima flowers and a Doodlebug button. The bow in the Doodlebug button is used from shaving a tiny piece of the pink card and using that, I like things to match and this is a great way to do it with buttons.

My Time To Craft Challenge

I have decided that due to having some time on my hands at the moment I would enter some challenges, I love looking at the challenge blogs and am excited to join in. This is my effort for the "My Time To Craft Challenge" The theme is cats which for those who know me is right up my street..... I have used the "Diamonds Are Forever" Penny Black cat stamp and have used gems to embellish the collar. I have used limeade Doodlebug glitter for the edging and limeade sugercoated and plain brads for the flower centres. I know that all cool crafters are supposed to hate peel offs...... but I use these small greetings quite a lot so guess that pops me in the uncool bracket!

Thursday 14 August 2008

Would you like to swing on a star......

This is a card that I made for my friend Tracy for her birthday last month, I have been taking pics of all my cards for a while now in preparation for my blogging!!!! So at least for the first week or two there will be lots of posts! I have used a Penny Black stamp which I think is called "Cat On The Moon"

I actually got my sewing machine out for this one. I love the effect that sewing on cards gives but hate hand sewing and seem to fight with my sewing machine every time I let it out the bag! In the past, on more than one occasion, I have just been about to finish a card and I have sewn the blighter together!!!!!! Now I sew a front panel and add it to the card so that I don't risk sewing them together and wasting all that time!

Again I have used Doodlebug brads and glitter, I wish you could add glitter to blogs that would be much more effective as my photography skills don't do my glittering any justice!

The stars are just some eyelets and I have added some yellow thread to add some dimension.

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Birthday Card For Lou Lou

After umming and ahhhing over having a blog for what seems like ages I have finally decided to give it a go, all my crafty friends seem to have one and I love blog hopping so I thought I would join in with the fun! Well I suppose we all have to start somewhere, so this is it, card number 1! I have used the "Poppy Fields" Penny black hedgehog stamp and have coloured it in with watercolour pencils. (I love using the watercolour pencils as I seem to have more control over the depth and distribution of colour, I have tried copics, prismas, H20's you name it I've tried it but always come back to my trusty watercolours. I suppose it's whatever floats your boat.) The greeting is a Pebbles Inc rub on and the paper is REALLY old and think it was from an old Sizzix pad I had knocking about. The flower was just a large red paper flower and I popped a black Doodlebug sugar coated brad in the centre and some dots of black Doodlebug glitter around it to try and make it look poppy-ish? It is stamped onto Watercolour paper and the card blank is also made out of watercolour paper, an expensive way to do it but the colours and textures then match perfectly which helps me with my anal tendencies!