It seemed like a good idea at the time ...

This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is stitching which is something that I've been wanting to do for ages.  I've seen it on some fab cards, especially my talented Stampfairy teamie Deanne, who uses stitching on most of her awesome creations.  Pop over to her blog if you want to see some stunners using stitching!

If you want to know how to get started, Janette has also written a fab tutorial on the  Top Tip Tuesday blog today.  I've only just got my sewing machine (well I've had it a couple of months but I've not had much time to play with it yet), so I'm still working out what all the dials and knobs do (and usually getting the dials for stitch width / length the wrong way around).

I should really have started with something easy, huh. Walk before you run, right?  Ha ha, not me !!  Making the fancy tag shape seemed like a good idea when I started out, but was a BIG mistake considering I was going to have to stitch around it (I had forgotten the requirement for stitching when I decided what I was going to make).

Well, who wants an easy life, right !!!

Despite the fact that it took me flippin' ages to sew around, I was really pleased with the end result. It is big too, about 18cm (7") tall, so I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with it now!

What do you think?

I used Sakura stardust pens on her wings, so they really do sparkle. And the seam binding was a bit pale, so I gave it a little bit of treatment with my copics to darken it up a bit!  You can see the seam binding at the top of the tag is a different colour - well that is the original colour cos I forgot to colour that bit!!.  The bow on the bottom is the same stuff, but after the copic retouch!

I've also made a matching card in a fancy shape.


Both the items in this posting are available on my eBay listings

And finally, the picture below of them both together shows how big this tag is ! ...

Top Tip Tuesday have some fab prizes this week, check out the sponsors below:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Whispy from Saturated Canary
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Swirl - Magnolia Leaf & Swirl set
• Tag template - Krea Teja Freebie Download (bottom right pdf "Workshop Patterns Label")
• From my stash -  Pearls (coloured with copics), ribbon, seam binding (also coloured with copics!)

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:

• Saturated Canary - Not a square 
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Die-ing for a Challenge - Anything with dies
• Sparkles - Things with wings

Happy crafting.

Just for Fun - Pretty Molly

I had such fun making the Centre Step Card last week, that I decided to make another one with sweet little Molly from Stampfairy.  With most of my shaped cards, I like to keep the embellies to a minimum, but seemed to still manage some die cuts, pearls, stickles, ribbons, bow and flowers on this one !!!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Molly Throughout the Year (October) from StampFairy.com
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Pencils & Sansodor and Copics
• Dies - Leaf & Swirl die from Magnolia
• Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash - pearls, Anita's ribbon, stickles

I've been inspired by:

• Die-ing for a challenge - Anything goes using a die
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Delightful Challenges - Use Pattern paper
• Stampin' for the weekend - Bingo (Ribbon & bows, Glitter, Flowers) 

Happy crafting.

Linda Spring

There is a new release today at StampFairy called Linda Spring so I couldn't resist making a project using one of the cute new digis.

I made a little wallet for putting a post-it note pad inside, and added a tag, my image, some embroidery thread in 3 shades of green and some pearls.  I'm not really pleased with my colouring on this image, I've not got the dress pleats quite right, but the shading on the actual bear's face and legs are ok, it is just the dress I'm disappointed with.  "D-, must try harder" LOL !!!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Linda Spring from StampFairy
• Sentiment - Typed
• Papers - First Edition Summer Breeze
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Tag - Magnolia
• From my stash -  Pearls, ribbon, embroidery thread, post-its!

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• There's Magic in the air - All Critters Great and Small
• Papertake - Get Krafty
• Truly Scruptious - All Creatures Great and Small
• CMC Challenge - Bold bright colors
• OSAAT - Digis

Happy Crafting

Bedtime Reading

I've got another 'just for fun' card to share with you today.  This time I've got another image from Krista Smith, the beautiful Books and Bedhead.   I'm not really sure I've got the colouring of her hair quite right on this first attempt, so may have to have another try again soon.    I coloured the light bulb with Stardust pens so it really sparkles.

I love shaped cards, and try to make them whenever I have time to be more creative.  I admit that I really like this card.  After yesterday's break from my traditional designs, this one is soooooo my style.  I love the pretty glittered papers, pink & brown colour scheme, and despite the image taking up most of the card space, I still managed to sneak in some flowers and pearls.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Books and Bedhead by Saturated Canary
• Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Nesties - Lacey circles & Grand Labels 1
• Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Pearls, ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card - Flower Power
• Saturated Canary - Not a square
• Crafty Catz - Favourite Things (shaped card, pink, flowers)
• OSAAT - Digi
• The Ribbon Girl - Pink Brown & Cream
• Paper Sundaes - Birthdays
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Pink & Brown with ribbon
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.

100 Today - Birthday Card

My next door neighbour is 100 today, so I've made her a little card. She's having an open house this afternoon with tea and cake, but it finishes at 6pm and unfortunately I don't think I'll be home from work before then.  :0(

This card is really different for me as it has no image.  I admit that I was a bit stumped for inspiration, but a search on Google unearthed a really pretty card made by Amanda, and it seemed perfect, so I made my own version.  I think mine is a bit of a pale imitation of Amanda's, but not too bad (especially considering I had to make this card in super quick time, because I didn't realise it was her birthday tomorrow until earlier this evening!)

The sentiments are typed, printed straight onto the pretty paper in brown font to match the colour scheme.  Unfortunately I can't remember what the papers are.  They were bits I've had for ages and don't have the front page any more.  I also didn't quite have enough paper to cover the top half of the card either, so I used two strips, and covered the join over with a length of ribbon.  (I actually use this trick quite a lot when I use scraps of paper, but shhhh, don't tell anyone !)

Finally I added a brown flower, some leaf die cuts, and some pretty pink pearls in the corners.

Card Recipe:

• Sentiments - Typed
• Papers - Can't remember, can anyone help me with this one?
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Cherry Blossom  - Wild Orchid Crafts
• Border punch - Martha Stewart Lace Doily
• From my stash -  Dark brown ribbon, Marianne leaf die, pink pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Delightful Challenges - Use your scraps (papers)
• Paper Sundaes - Birthdays
• Sentimental Sundays - Let's get Sentimental (focus on sentiment)
• The Ribbon Girl - Brown pink and cream
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Brown and Pink with ribbon
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Bunny Zoe - Celebrations
• OSAAT - No image

Happy Crafting

Whoops, I forgot the embellies !!!

StampFairy are sponsoring Birthday Sundaes today, and so I've made a card to support the challenge.  The theme is Stair Step Cards, so with a fancy fold shape, I've kept my card quite minimalistic in terms of embellishments (ie none, apart from a few die cuts!).

Card Recipe:

• Image - Molly Throughout the Year (April) from StampFairy.com
• Sentiment - Typed font
• Papers - Shabby Princess
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Corner & Fence Dies - Memory Box

I've been inspired by:

• Die-ing for a challenge - Anything goes using a die
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Allsorts - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.

Just for Fun - Nevaeh

It is rare that I get to create just for fun, but this afternoon it has been peeing down with rain, so after a brief trip out this lunchtime where I got soaked (too windy for an umbrella), I settled at my craft desk to dry out and decided to make something 'just because'!!

It is quite a simple card, but I love creating shaped cards, so decided to use a pretty paper and a lovely teal and brown colour scheme.  I decorated the inside to match, and added some pearls and a sparkly bow.  Other than that, it is quite plain (for me).  Well the paper was glittery, so I didn't want to cover more of it up with embellies, because the image was fairly big (well I just had to print this beauty out quite  large, just to do her justice).  Isn't she pretty!  I love her sad, puppy-dog-eyes expression.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Nevaeh by Saturated Canary
• Papers - Isabelle Glittered Papers by First Edition
• Nesties - Spellbinders Label 18 and Go Kreate large scalloped circles
• Colouring - Copics & Sakura Stardust gel pens
• Ribbons - Fantastic Ribbons
• From my stash -  Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Saturated Canary - Not a square
• Creative Inspirations - Brown, Blue, Cream
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Colour scheme
• Totally Papercrafts - Ribbon / Bows
• Die-ing for a Challenge - Anything Goes (with dies)
• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• OSAAT - Anything Goes
• Crafter's Companion - Anything goes

Happy crafting.

Springtime Clemantine

There is such a CUTE new release today at StampFairy called Clemantine Spring.  She is sooooo adorable, so how was I meant to resist making a project using one of the cute new digis.

I've also attempted some stitching (inspired by my fabulously talented teamie Deanne)  I'm quite pleased with the result, but will have to experiment more, methinks !!!

Tip : I didn't have pearls in the same colour to match my card, so I coloured some pale cream ones with my copics, let them dry and voilà!!!  Perfect match !!

Finally, I have tried Flower soft for the first time ever.  And doesn't that stuff just get everywhere!!!  Eventually some stayed on the card, and looks kind of cute too!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Clemantine Spring from StampFairy
• Sentiment -  Clemantine Spring Freebie from StampFairy
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Lacey Ovals
• Cherry Blossom - Wild Orchid Crafts
• Border punch - Martha Stewart Lace Doily
• From my stash -  Glossy Accents,  pearls, ribbon

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• Incy Wincy - Recipe
• I Love Promarkers - Nature
• Crafters Companion - Anything Goes
• Stampalot - In the Garden

Happy Crafting

Have a Magical Day

This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is Mystical & Fantasy.  We're sponsored by 3 fab companies, one of which is my beloved StampFairy so I'm delighted to be able to dig out one of my digis, and of course it had to be Barry Bear !!

I've followed today's fab J-Fold tutorial from Elaine on the Top Tip Tuesday blog and I must say that I'm rather pleased with the result.    Plus, (and it is a bit plus as far as I'm concerned) I've managed to use some gorgeous purples, which I've missed a bit with all the pinks I've used lately on the Valentines projects.  Ahhhhhh, I'm feeling better now I've had my purple fix !!! LOL  Hope you like my card.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Halloween (without the pumpkin!) from Stampfairy
• Sentiment - Typed
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• From my stash -  Pearls, Glossy Accents

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:

• MAWTT - Cute Critters
• Allsorts - Free and Easy
• Sweet Stampin' - Clean & Simple
• OSAAT - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.

Bee My Honey Bear

There is a new release and freebie today at StampFairy called Barry Bee, and I loved him sooooo much that I decided to use two images from the set on today's project.  I think these are just the cutest images.

Front :

Inside :

A close up of the inside image

Barry's body is coloured with my Stardust pens:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Bee from StampFairy
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Labels 3, Grand labels 1,
• 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Ribbon, pearls

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• The ABC Challenge - In Pairs (2 images)
• Stampalot - In the Garden
• Charisma - Things with wings

Happy Crafting

Christmas Bunny Gift Bag

StampFairy are sponsoring The ABC Christmas Challenge today, and so I've made a card to support the challenge.  The theme is C for Charming and I've used Clemantine Winter 1 and decorated a huge gift bag.  Seriously, this is a BIG bag.  It is over 12" tall !!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Clemantine Winter 1 from StampFairy.com
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• Snowflake Dies - My Favourite Things
• Ribbons - Fantastic Ribbons
• From my stash -  Seam binding, pearls, pearl brad, snowflake charm, glitter glue, snowflake foam stamp, snowflake punch

I've been inspired by:

• Craft Your Passion - No Patterned Paper (OK to stamp my own)
• Pollycraft - Chill Out
• Allsorts - Free & Easy
• Papertake - Anything Goes
• Delightful Challenges - Punches and Dies

Happy crafting.

Toby - Colours of Love

StampFairy are sponsoring CMC Copic Challenge today, and so I've made a Stampfairy card to support the challenge.  The theme is Colours of Love and I've used Toby Love Notes.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Toby Love Notes from StampFairy.com
• Sentiment - Part of the image
• Papers - Summertime Designs
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, 
• Nesties - Labels 3, Go Kreate Scalloped Circles
• 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Stickles, pearls, ribbon, Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Wild Orchid Challenge - Creature Comforts
• Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Animals
• Paper Sundaes - Valentines

Happy crafting.

Molly with heart border

There is a new release and freebie today at StampFairy called Molly and Sam in Love so I couldn't resist making a project using one of the cute new digis.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Molly and Sam in Love from StampFairy
• Papers - First Edition Papers Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Ribbons - Fantastic Ribbons
• Border die - Memory Box Cherish border die
• From my stash -  Heart brad, heart charm, glossy accents, glamour mist

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• Fussy & Fancy - Polka Dots
• Allsorts - Hearts
• OSAAT - Use a digi
• Paper Sundaes - Valentines

Happy Crafting