Monday 30 April 2012

Feeling blue about my green

I've got another of my new LOTV images inked up tonight and am sharing my card.  It's my wedding anniversary later this month and I needed a card that wasn't featuring cute bears ... So I opted for a cute couple of kids instead!!!   Hubby doesn't 'do' cute.  Unfortunately for him, I do !!!

I chose some masculine colours though, and reluctantly steered away from pinks and lilacs (I'm still twitching from the withdrawal symptoms!).  But I did manage to sneak in a couple of pearls and some seam binding.  Other than that, it's bare!!

Unfortunately I'm not very pleased with the end result.  I don't think my colouring has done the adorable image any justice, and I'm not a great lover of green.  But I liked the papers and picked them before I coloured the image.

I might have to have another attempt before our anniversary (plenty of time as it is 3 weeks away still) so watch this space ...

Anyway, here's today's attempt.  Be gentle with your comments.



Check out some of my cards available to buy on my eBay listings
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Card Recipe:
  • Image - Ride with Me from LOTV
  • Sentiment - My own 
  • Papers - First Edition
  • Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
  • Nesties - Lacey circles
  • From my stash -  Pearls, Seam binding
I've been inspired by:
Happy Crafting

Sunday 29 April 2012

Close Your Eyes

I've made a card just for fun today, such a rare event, but the weather is awful so I've not even stepped foot outside the door at all.  After I'd got the household chores out of the way, I set myself up at my craft desk and settled in for the duration!

This is what I've come up with.  I recently caved in and purchased a few more of my favourite rubber designs from LOTV.  This one is 'Close your eyes' and it is so sweet.  I can see I'll be using this one quite a bit.

I am also trying a different technique to emboss the top panel of my nestie cut outs. I previously ran them back through the machine using the tan embossing mats, but occasionally the die cut seemed to move slightly on this run through, and I'd get a mark around the edge of the cut.  So now I'm embossing the panel by hand using a dry embossing tool, running it around the inside of the die cut.  It works perfectly every time, and is just as fast.



This card is available to buy on my eBay listings

eBay


Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy Crafting

Friday 27 April 2012

Beach Babe

There is a new release and freebie today at StampFairy called Molly Beach so I've made a summery card  using one of the cute new digis and the freebie.  I've kept the design of the card quite simple as I wanted the image to be large in relation to the card size, which meant there was not much room for my usual array of embellishments!  I cut Molly out separately and raised her up on foam pads for some texture. The yellow panel is also raised up from the card on foam pads.




This card is available to buy on my eBay listings

eBay


Card Recipe:
  • Image - Molly Beach from StampFairy & The Stamping Boutique beach background
  • Papers - First Edition Hideaway
  • Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
  • From my stash -  Glossy Accents & Glamour dust, Gems
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:
    Happy Crafting

    Tuesday 24 April 2012

    Cupcake Box

    This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is to create anything but a card.

    I've used a tutorial I found last week on Stempeleinmaleins for a cupcake / muffin box.  I used it to contain a huge Bathsoap in the shape of a cupcake, which is decorated with frosting and topping etc just like a real cupcake.

    I used citrus colours to match the cupcake wrapper too.


    The tutorial was really easy, and it creates a gorgeous sturdy box shape.  
    I guess you could also easily resize it if you wanted too.





    The only thing I would change if I was to make it again is that I think it looks much better in coloured base card, whereas I used white, which I was not so happy with.  

    Oh well, I'll know for next time!




    Box Recipe:
    • Papers - First Edition Hideaway Embossed Glittered papers
    • Nesties - Fleur de Lis Squares
    • From my stash -  Ribbon, Embroidery thread, Acetate, Chalk ink
    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.

    Friday 20 April 2012

    Soccer Barry

    There is a new release and freebie today at StampFairy called Barry Soccer, so here's a little shaped card made with one of the newly released images.




    This card is available to buy on my eBay listings

    eBay



    Card Recipe:

    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 :


      Happy crafting

      Saturday 14 April 2012

      Lisa's Celebration Card

      I wanted to make a card for a sweet lady who has recently been promoted.  It is also her birthday on Monday, but I wanted this card to be a celebration card for her promotion.

      I've used lots of my favourite things on this card; a Stampfairy image of a little cheerleader bear (I thought this was quite appropriate for a celebration),  a fancy shape, some glitter, pretty papers, pearls and flowers.

      As with most of my favourite cards, I got carried away and decorated the inside with a complementary image of Linda Cheerleader bear sitting down (maybe she's worn herself out with all that jumping around!).

      I even made a custom sentiment just for this card.  Hope she likes it!!!




      Card Recipe:
      I've been inspired by:
      Happy Crafting

      Friday 13 April 2012

      There's something fishy going on with Barry

      Just a quick post from me today, but I wanted to let you know that there is a fishy new release and freebie today at StampFairy called Barry Fishing.

      I've used one of the new digis with aqua colours and swirly papers to complement the watery theme.




      This card is available to buy on my eBay listings

      eBay



      Card Recipe:
      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:
        Happy Crafting

        Tuesday 10 April 2012

        Toby Box in a Bag Tutorial

        This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is Spotty Dotty.  I've made a box in a bag using cute Toby bear from Stampfairy, and I've also done a tutorial on how to make this bag which I'm sharing with you too.

        You can make these bags to any dimensions that you want, but I've made my finished gift-bag 6 inches (15 cm) wide and 2 inches (5 cm) deep so that it is suitable to hold my cards, which are about 5 inches (12.5 cm) square.

        Here's my finished gift-bag so you can see what we're aiming for !!


        Ok, firstly let's look at the supplies you're going to need:

        1. Thick card for the 'box' base size 19cm x 9cm (dark blue in pic)
        2. Patterned papers (I've used 2 pieces each 25cm x 15cm which means you can get both out of a 12" x 12" square scrapping page if you want)
        3. Tabs for the handles (see later if you don't have these as I cheated for mine !)
        4. Decorations - ribbon, brads, embellishments, border punch (for base strip)



        Let's get started !!

        Step 1 :
        Score your base card 2cm inside each edge as shown in the picture below.
        Cut 2cm on the scoreline on the longer edge (the short scoreline shown in red below)


        Step 2 :
        Glue the tabs that you've just cut and fold them inwards,
        so that the glue sticks to the inside of the longer edges
        This should leave you with a shallow box shape which is your desired size
        In my case this is 15cm x 5cm


        Step 3 :
        Because I am using 2 sheets of patterned paper, I allowed for some overlap.
        Therefore, starting on the shorter edge, using double sided tape, stick the patterned paper along the base of the box and wrap it around each side.
        In my case, being 25cm, it has wrapped around 3 sides
        (ie the 5cm short side + 15cm long side + 5cm other short edge)


        Step 4 :
        Wrap the second piece of patterned paper on the other side, starting at the short side again, so that it wraps around the short side, long side, and other short side.
        Both short sides are therefore overlapped and double thickness.

        Tip : You could use one long piece of patterned card, or stick your two pieces together to make one long piece before you start sticking it to the box base if you prefer.

        Below shows the finished basic box in a bag shape.
        You can just see the darker base box in the bottom of the bag.



        Step 5 :
        Put 2 tabs on each side of the top (to attach your handles to)
        In my case, I didn't have tab die cuts so I cheated (see below)
        Try to get them evenly spaced from each side, and the same distance apart front and back.

        Tip :
        Ok so I didn't have a tab cutter, but I did have a Quickutz tag die.
        I folded a piece of the matching card in half using a bone folder to get a nice crease.
        I then placed the folded edge half way into the die, and cut !!!
        You can see the result still in the die (I removed the excess card) on the picture below.
        Then I rounded the corners of the folded edge.
        Not bad, huh !!!


        OK, back to business ...

        Step 6 :
        Attach your ribbon handles, I've used brads pushed through the tabs.
        (make sure both handles are the same length !!!)

        I've also cut a long strip of matching card and punched the edge with a pretty border design. Then I've wrapped this all around the base of the card, making sure the joins are at the side where they won't be seen as much from front or back.



        Step 7 :
        Now comes the fun part ...
        I've added an image (Toby Everyday Angel from our sponsors Stampfairy), backed with matching card.
        I've used embellies in complementary colours, and of course some glitter.
        I think that last part (the glitter) is compulsory !!!

        The sentiment is actually 'confetti' from a wedding I attended
        (I knew a small handful would come in useful sometime)


        And don't forget the back of your bag.
        I added just a little bit of decoration in the form of a heart die cut, so that it is still cute from the rear!


        I hope you enjoyed the tutorial, and hope that some of you will use it to make something dotty for our challenge this fortnight.

        I look forward to seeing your creations.

        Bag Recipe:
        • Image - Toby Everyday Angel from Stampfairy
        • Sentiment - Confetti
        • Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
        • Nesties - Labels 3
        • Dies - Quickutz tag, Memory Box Heart
        • Punch - Martha Stewart Doily border punch
        • Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
        • From my stash - Brads, butterfly, ribbon, 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.

        We're sponsored by

        Photobucket

        I've been inspired by:
        Happy crafting.

        Monday 9 April 2012

        Purple Dragon

        I've made a birthday card for a sweet friend who is 40 today.

        Happy birthday Leyla. This one's for you !!!

        ps - I hope you like purple!


        Card Recipe:
        I've been inspired by:
        Happy Crafting

        Friday 6 April 2012

        Molly Balloons

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




        This card is available to buy on my eBay listings

        eBay


        Card Recipe:

        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:
          Happy Crafting

          Monday 2 April 2012

          Easter Pastels

          Woohoo.  I've been allowed to play along as a guest designer for the Incy Wincy Challenge blog, where I used to be one of the DT members.  I'm sooooooooo delighted that I got a bit carried away and made 2 cards !!!!

          This week the theme is Easter and Pastel colours.  Our sponsor is Care2Stamp and they sell the most gorgeous range of stamps from the likes of Wild Rose Studio, Whimsy Stamps, Your Next Stamp, CC Designs and Popcorn the Bear.

          Like I say, I got a bit carried away and made 2 cards, both using Wild Rose Studio images.  The first one uses Milton with Lily and the second one is Fergus with Bouquet.

          I'm not so sure that the first one entirely fits the bill of the pastel colours, but as I made it, I thought I'd share it with you, and I just loved the image so much.  I hope you agree!






          Please see my cards for sale, available on my eBay listings :

          eBay




          And look what I get too !!!!  How fab, my very own badge !!  I feel officially part of the team (OK, it is just for a week, but it's still my very own "designer's" badge)



          Pop on over to the Incy Wincy Challenge blog to play along with the challenge this week. I can't wait to see all your creations.

          Card Recipe:
          I've been inspired by:
          Happy crafting.

          Sunday 1 April 2012

          Just for You

          I'm moving departments at work on Monday and will be working with a completely new group of people.   Friday was the last day in my old job, and there were a few people who I really wanted to thank individually for their support to me during the last 15 years that I've been at the same firm.  Even though I'm only moving offices, and not actually leaving the company, it is a big change for me, and I will miss working closely with many of the friends I have made over the years.

          I made this card as a 'thank you' to my lovely secretary, Emma, who has been a fantastic support for me,  as well as being a valued friend.  I have always known that I have been spoilt having her supporting me, and I expect that I will only really understand everything she did for me now that I can no longer expect to rely on her.


          Card Recipe:
          • Image - Milton from Wild Rose Studio
          • Papers - First Edition paper pack
          • Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
          • Nesties - Labels 3, Go Kreate large scalloped circles (card base)
          • 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
          • From my stash -  Pearls, Glossy Accents
            I've been inspired by:
            Happy Crafting