Saturday 30 July 2011

A poor attempt at Vintage

There is a new challenge today at One Stop Craft Challenge, and the theme is Vintage.

Now vintage is just not my usual style and I really struggled.  I used Victoria & Albert papers, lace, seam binding, tore the edge of the image panel, inked up the edge, and added some coffee and cream coloured flowers, but I'm still not sure I pulled it off.

Anyhoo, I've had some extra fun this week as I also had another play with my cute little fabric bags from the talented Sandy at Hugs & Holidays.  She's such a lovely lady, so please go and check out her etsy shop, plus she has been inspiring me to ink up my stamps on some fabric again, so I've come up with this little creation!!!

Isn't she cute !!! I also stamped and coloured the same image on the back of the bag, but didn't put any flowers or buttons on the reverse.

Here's the card and baggie:



Here's the baggie on its own: 



Here's the back of the baggie :



And here's a close up of the image, all glittered up :



I love this new stamp from LOTV which arrived this week.  I really wish they would stop sending me these free samples though the post (shhhh, that's what I tell my hubby now when another new package of lovely stash drops on the doormat !!!  Although I'm not sure he believes me any more, 'cos LOTV would appear to have made a similar "mistake" last month too.  And possibly the month before.  Oh dear.  But their images are just soooo cute I can't help myself.  They just seem to move themselves into my cart on their own, saying 'buy me, buy me pleeeeeease' !!!).

I think it looks even better on the fabric bag, really soft, especially with the matching card (Sandy's idea to make a matching card & bag!! Thanks honey, there will be many more samples to come yet !!!).  I stamped it and coloured it (being careful not to get too near the edges 'cos the colour bleeds quite a bit), and then glittered her dress and flowers.  I then shaded in the sky a bit, and added some gorgeous crotchet flowers and leaves in the most softest wool.  My other embellies were some buttons (with soft wool ties), liquid pearls, and some lace with woven-in seam binding.  I added buttons to the centres of the flowers and stitched them on by hand.

Because I wasn't altogether happy with my Vintage card creation attempt, I made another little card too (not vintage this time, but one I was a bit happier with by the end).  I think it matches the baggie a bit better too.


Card Recipe:
  • Image - LOTV and Magnolia birds
  • Plain, undecorated baggie - Hugs & Holidays
  • Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
  • Papers - Victoria & Albert (card 1)
  • Colouring mediums - Promarkers, Copics, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks.
  • Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
  • From my stash - Pearls, lace, ribbons, stickles, liquid pearls, crotchet flowers, buttons, wool, charm
Please pop on over to the One Stop Craft Challenge to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

On the Farm

There is a new challenge today at 2 Sisters Challenges, and the theme to play along with this week is 'On the Farm'.  Yep, I'm back to my pinks, plus it gave me a chance to play with my old faithful Penny Blacks; the images that started me stamping in the first place !!!


Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the 2 Sisters Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Gerda's Virtual Birthday Party - Blog Hop at Stamp Fairy

It's a VERY special day at Stamp Fairy because today is .....

Gerda's 30th Birthday

Happy 30th birthday, Gerda.  I hope that you're suitably dressed for your party? (and not still wearing your PJ's !!).  

Put that bowl of breakfast cereal down, push aside that 'wake-up' coffee, and get yourself in that party spirit, girl !!  Cos IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY !!!  YIPPEE !!!

The teamies at Stamp Fairy are celebrating by throwing you a surprise Virtual Brithday Party! 

Today's your day, so ........

LET'S GET ON WITH THE PARTY !!!

Grab yourself a glass of champers, put on your dancing shoes, and come on in and join the party with us !!

If you have arrived here from the super talented Celine's blog, then you're in the right place.  If not, make sure you start at the beginning of the Party which is the 'party invitation' at Stamp Fairy World blog.

By now you should be well and truly in the party spirit, as my lovely teamies have set up the party from the start; from Jackie's invitation to getting your party frock on; Deanne and Dora blew up the balloons, Lelia brought flowers for birthday girl, Carissa provided the music, Lisa showed you some moves on the dance floor, and Celine has poured the drinks.

So what comes next in a party ???   Well, I think it is about time for ...

BIRTHDAY  GIFTS !!!

So it's my turn to reveal my project, which is the birthday present.  I've made a little birthday box out of card, and adorned it with 8 (yes, 8) different Stamp Fairy characters, and some pretty pink embellishments  (Gerda, I hope you like the colour pink, cos you'd better prepare to overdose on the stuff !!!). 

Beware, picture overload coming up ..... LOL

Here's the first views showing it from 2 corners, with the little pairs of characters.  I've also glittered something on each panel too, to give it some extra sparkle, but it's not showing up very well on the images.  Doh !!!




Now here is each of the 4 sides in their full glory !!!

Freebie Bunnies (glittered flowers):


Panda Paul Bamboo (glittered bamboo):


Donny Ladybug (glittered hats/wings):


And of course, Lenny (glittered bubbles and hat):


I lined the inside of the little box, and punched a pretty lacy border :



And finally, here's the lid, which I've lined and embossed inside  ......




..... and decorated with pink seam binding, pink flower with pink stamens, pink tag and (you've guessed it) pink pearls. 




To Win ...

If you want to win your choice of 1 image from any of the 8 fantastic characters that I've used on my project, then please leave a comment, specifically wishing Gerda, the birthday girl, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY (so I know you're here for the hop).  

A winner will be drawn from all the qualifying comments after the hop ends on Monday 1st August.  Make sure you include your email address on your comment so we can contact you if you win.  Winners will be notified later in the week.

What's next ?

Carry on hopping through the party, The lovely Tracey is next so hop along to her blog to see what is next on the party agenda.  


Be careful you don't have too much bubbly to drink too soon though, otherwise you'll not make it through to the end of the party.  A couple of the girls have birthday cake (yummy) so make sure you don't miss out on that !!!!!!   LOL.

Project Recipe:

Friday 29 July 2011

Christmas Barry

Despite being July, this is my third Christmas card of the week, but I couldn't resist as there is a new set of digis being released at Stamp Fairy, and today we get to showcase the first images of Barry the fuzzy bear at Christmas.

I've made a little card from one of the newly released images of Barry, which is Barry with a little snowman.  I don't know how I managed it without realising, but I've flipped the image when I printed him, though he still looks great.  I've kept it really simple, so it is suitable for a man's Christmas card.

The Stamp Fairy freebie this week is a "splat" so pop on over to Stamp Fairy to grab the freebie, and to have a look at the new releases.



Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to Stamp Fairy to see the newly released Barry "Fuzzy Bear" digi images.  Here is a preview of the full set:


I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Monday 25 July 2011

'Easel' yourself into Christmas in July !!

Yippee - I've got a lovely new mini laptop.

In reality, hubby has been bleating on about this thing for months, since one of his students got one and showed him how "incredible" it is.  He then came home to tell me how much he we needed one too and I had to persuade him realise that we really didn't need to trade up, as he'd only just bought a new one and I've got one supplied by the office to enable me to work out of hours (very thoughtful of them !!!).

Anyhow, when hubby saw a 'not to be missed' deal he decided to persuade me to get it for him myself, because it would be just perfect for him me.  So I reluctantly pandered to his desires and let him order it with my credit card, suspecting that I probably wouldn't get to see much of it as soon as he got his hands on it, but it would keep him happy.

However, he got bored of it after 3 hours of putting in software activation codes and soon went back to his large laptop.  So it's MINE !!!  And I admit it's flippin' lovely!!!   So I'm happy.  Until next week when he says that he's taking it away with him for his visit to see his folks "up North" - but he's kindly said that I can use his laptop while he's gone.  For now though, I'm making the most of it.

Anyway, I suspect  you're really here because there is a new challenge today at Stamp Fairy Challenge Blog, and the theme to play along with this week is Christmas in July, but with a twist ...  it has to be an easel card too!

I've decided to try something that I've not done before, which is a twisted easel, and it was actually really easy.  However, I don't really feel happy with the card; it just feels unfinished, or possibly not thoughtfully laid out. There is something about it that I'm not happy with.  But since I love the cute images of Al the Penguin, love the pinks and blues, love the glittered snowflakes and the cute 'falling snow' papers, I gave up trying to alter it any more. So here it is.




Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the Stamp Fairy Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

There is also a new release out today, Lenny Back to School. Here's a preview of the new images to whet your appetite.

Don't forget there's a sale on at StampFairy too, 50% off to celebrate Gerda's birthday later this week.


I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Shake it baby !!!

There is a new challenge today at Incy Wincy, and the theme to play along with this week is Shaker Cards.  I've kept it quite simple too, not to many embellishments (mainly cos I ran out of room) but I think the fancy nestie, a few pearls and lots of shaker glitter are enough.

We're sponsored by Karen's Doodles who have kindly supplied some digi images for the design team to showcase.



Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the Incy Wincy challenge blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Saturday 23 July 2011

Stacy's Doodles

There is a new challenge today at 2 Sisters Challenges, and it is a nice and simple, Anything Goes!!

We're sponsored by our very own Stacy who is setting up her new store The Crafting Boutique.  It's still being set up, but you can win the two digis that we're showcasing today.  They are actually two separate images, but I couldn't decide which one to use, so I used both!!!



Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the 2 Sisters Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Friday 22 July 2011

In the Jungle

There is a new release today at Stamp Fairy, and we have a brand new character to introduce called Lionel.   I also found this and thought it was quite apt for today !!!  I won't believe anyone who tells me they don't start swaying to this song !!!



Anyhoos, I've made a little card from one of the newly released images and the Stamp Fairy Friday Freebie (a matching sentiment) to share with you.


Here's a close up of Lionel, isn't he lovely!


Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to Stamp Fairy to see the newly released digi images.  Here's a preview of the full set:


I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Shaped card addiction ?

Ok, I think I'm a bit addicted to shaped cards, as I've got another one today.  I've just got some Go-Kreate large scalloped circle dies, and so I'm making sure that I getting lots of use out of them!!

This is also an unusual post as it is not for any design team.  It seems ages since I made a card without a deadline !!!  Anyway, this is the result.  Hope you like it.



Card Recipe:
  • Image - Magnolia Tilda
  • Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
  • Papers - Summertime Designs
  • Colouring mediums - Promarkers, Copics.
  • Nesties - Go-Kreate 160010 Large Frames Scalloped Circles (for cardbase)
  • Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
  • From my stash - Pearl, lace, seam binding, stickles, liquid pearls
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Shapes

There is a new challenge today at Top Tip Tuesday, and we're challenging you this week to create a shaped card.

We're sponsored by The Emerald Faeries Garden Online Store who have kindly supplied some digi images for the design team to showcase, and also Stamp and Create who have supplied a $25 prize.


Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Monday 18 July 2011

Aqua-licious

There is a new challenge today at Stamp Fairy Challenge Blog, and the theme to play along with this week is a colour challenge - Aqua, Melon and Kraft.  Unfortunately my photo makes the backing paper look a little less pink than it actually is, but the paper is just so dainty and pretty, hopefully you'll forgive my lack of  photographic skills !



Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the Stamp Fairy Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

There is also a new release out today, and a brand new character; Barry, the Fuzzy Bear.  Here is the preview of Barry Balloons:



I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Seeing Red

There is a new challenge today at Incy Wincy, and the theme to play along with this week is Black & White + 1 Colour.  Can you guess which colour I've opted for? LOL

We're sponsored by Sassy Studios who have kindly supplied some digi images for the design team to showcase.



Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the Incy Wincy challenge blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Sunday 17 July 2011

Happy Birthday, Samantha !!!

I wanted to make another shaped card today, as I'm really loving the change from making standard square cards.  So I've used my brand new grand nesties, and just left a slither of folded card outside the die, to enable it to open as a card base.

This is also a special post for my Stamp Fairy and Top Tip Tuesday teamie, Samantha, whose birthday is TODAY!!   Please stop by her blog too and wish her a fab birthday!

So here's my card for today, and Happy Birthday, Samantha;   This one's especially for you, honey!!


Card Recipe:
  • Image - Linda Cheerleader from Stamp Fairy
  • Papers - Summertime Designs
  • Sentiment - One of my own created especially for this card
  • Nesties - Grand Nesties Label 1 (card base), Labels 16 (image), Lacey Circles (sentiment)
  • Colouring mediums - Copics & Promarkers
  • Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
  • Butterfly - The Works book shop
  • From my stash - Pearls, Stickles (and lots of it!)
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Saturday 16 July 2011

Sketch Time

There is a new challenge today at One Stop Craft Challenge, and the theme to play along with this week is a fab sketch by our very own Val.

We're sponsored by Sassy Studio who have kindly supplied some digi images for the design team to showcase.



Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the One Stop Craft Challenge to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

Christmas in July?

There is a new challenge today at 2 Sisters Challenges, and the theme to play along with this week is Christmas in July.

We're sponsored by The Crafty Pad who have kindly supplied a digi image for the design team to showcase.


Card Recipe:
  • Image - The Crafty Pad
  • Colouring mediums - Promarkers and Copics.
  • Embossing folder - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
  • From my stash - Liquid Pearls, Stickles, Snowflake Punch, Peeloff sentiment
Please pop on over to the 2 Sisters Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.