PI ~ sending some happy mail

Hello!  Here's the first of only 2 cards from me this week (afraid this 'more work' malarky has no consideration for crafting & blogging - sorry!).  After making this apple card it got me wanting to try more shaped cards so had some fun trying to come up with a mailbox shape (US style) to go with this cute PI girlie (available to pre-order here if you're quick).

Hope you like it!  Here's a shot of it with the arm bit folded down to fit in envelope :)

Ooooo and I was well chuffed when I found out the apple card I mentioned was picked for the MFT blog's 'favourite finds' today :D  Something to brighten this dark wet day - what happened to the spring weather?!

Stash:

Stamps: 'happy mail' ~ Pure Innocence by MFT

Colouring: Copics, dress & mailbox paper pierced

Paper: Papermania 'Rose Garden'

Tools: EK Success edger punch, pinking scissors, postage stamp punch

Others:  mailbox shaped cardbase (just rounded off a 5x7 card base and added arm bit with a brad), lots of faux stitching & doodling

That's all for now, see you Thursday for my CCT card.  Thanks for visiting & any comments you may leave - always love & appreciate them.

WoJ - 'In search of spring'

Hiya, here's the other card I made, just for fun (well, it was supposed to be for the WoJ challenge when it was 'Easel cards' but I'm way too late for that one!).  The image is called 'in search of spring' which is very apt for the weather around here, hope it stops raining soon!  Wanted to try using different shaped base for an easel card and ended up with this dinky thing (used the largest die in the scallop oval nesties).  Not much else to say about this one really, just added some flowers and sentiment and job done.

Stash:

Stamps: 'In search o f spring' Norma Fickel  gnome range from WoJ. sentiment from CC designs set

Colouring: watercoloured with distress inks

Paper: scraps from DCWV 'citrus stack'

Tools: petite scallop oval nesties, MS hydrangea border & flower punch

Others: pearl brads, flowers, flatbacked pearls

Well, I've exhausted all my cards for now so I'll see you all next week sometime.

My fabby spring pixie kit from CC Designs landed today :D (fab service as always) which has somewhat consoled me for not being able to get to any of the NEC shows or the big Ally Pally show (1 of the few things I miss from moving away from London!). So hoping I'll get round to inking those up soon inbetween work and getting some more DT stuff done.  Have a lovely weekend (don't forget the clocks go forward!)

CCT dimensions ~ A+

Hello, hope you're all having a good week so far.  It's CCT time again and this week we want to see 'dimensions' so I've gone with good old decoupage which looks great in the flesh but not very obvious in photos.  I've used another cute PI stamp (available here and I know there will be more new ones in stock soon - can't wait!)  She's been stamped out 4 times and then cut out various bits before layering her up with foam pads. (see photos below for better view of the layering & depth).

The apple shaped cardbase was just hand drawn by me and cut out by hand, then covered in DP and added a little green stalk on top  (it should really be higher but it needs to be at that level so that it'll fit in a 6x6 envelope!)  It opens up so it's hinged at the top, either side of the stalk.

Here are some shots from the side to show you the layers.  Don't you love that ruler button?! I knew they'd come in handy some day.  That and couple of gold star brads was all the embellishments I thought it needed.

Stash:

Stamps: 'you make the grade' - Pure Innocence for MFT  The A+ is a separate stamp, so could be left out for your own message on the board 

Colouring: Copics (not often I use '100 black' colour but it's fab for blackboard - I intentionally kept it streaky when colouring so it looks like the chalky streaks left on a real blackboard ;D)

Paper: Cosmo Cricket 'boyfriend' mini deck - I think the name of this pad is misleading as the patterns in it are fab for school themed cards

Tools: good old scissors, scallop/circle punch and fiskars border punch, EK spiral edge punch

Others: ruler button, gold star brads, lots of foam pads, faux stitching with tracing wheel & black fineliner pen

Well I hope  you like it.  Hubby did, although he then said she looked like me . .hmmm big slaphead & beady eyes?! LOL although if I showed you old school photo of me you'd probably agree :D

I've got 1 more card to show you but will leave that for later tonight or tomorrow after I've taken photos etc. Thanks for visiting.

LOTV Easter Bunny

Here's another Easter card, this time using one of the fabulous stamps from LOTV (I love them but just haven't got round to using them all yet!).  This bunny with the daffs is just perfect for this time of year and I thought he'd look cute as an easel card as it looks like he's jumping over the daffs and the fence I put behind him :)

Didn't want this too girly so kept the flowers off and just added a few pearl and gem accents.  Tried to take couple of shots to show you how it looks from side and also when it is folded flat (click for larger view).

Stash:

Stamps: bunny~ LOTV, sentiment ~ magnolia from last year's easter collection

Colouring: Copics, then stickles over the daffodils for bit of sparkle

Paper: Old DCWV spring stack

Tools:Blossom nesties, MS fence border punch

Others: 2 yellow flatbacked pearls, 2 green flower gems

Well, hope you're all having a good start to the week.  The sun's come back out and it's staying lighter for longer which is a good sign.  I'm actually working tonight and I'm going to be needed more at work from now on, so my craftiness will be hampered and my blogging will get less frequent.  However I will try to post at  least once (my Thurs CCT card) or twice a week.  Will see how it goes, so don't desert me o.k?!

Spoonful ~Happy Easter

Oh, look, it's another PI girlie, what a surprise!  but at least I've coloured her ALL in, and not done any paper piercing this time ;)  I promise my next card will be non PI! 

Thought I'd try and do some challenges and spoonful of sugar was perfect with 'Easter'!  Although I think she would make an 'egg-cellent' card for other occasions too (sorry, couldn't help myself!)  Kept it nice & simple and cheery colours for spring (need it today, it's all grey and horrible outside)

Stash:

Stamps: 'Basket of Eggs' ~Pure Innocence by MFT

Colouring: Copics (stickles in her heart bow and have used clear glaze pen to give her shiny eggs and patent leather shoes :D)

Paper:old DCWV 'spring stack'

Tools: MS around the page border set for the pink mat, Doily deep border punch for the white strip, Nellies Multiframe rectangle, scallop circle punches for sentiment.

Others: faux stitching with my tracing wheel and fineliner pens, pink gems, ribbon

Working tonight so probably no more creations to share until next week.  So have a super duper weekend and I'll see you all sometime then.

 

PI Fairy Girl ~ have a magical day

Here's another adorable Pure Innocence stamp.  I am loving make quick simple but sweet cards with these.  So simple that I think it's all pretty self explanatory :) and yes, I've paperpierced her dress again - can't seem to stop doing that with them!  Only thing you can't see from the photo is the cicular image has been raised on foampads so more depth to it in the flesh.

Stash:

Stamps:  'Fairy Girl' Pure Innocence by MFT

Colouring: dress paper pierced, rest Copics

Paper: from my scrap pile but think it's DCWV 'Sweet' stack and 'Nana's Nursery'

Tools: Nellies multiframes circle, Fiskars apron lace border punch

Others: stickles, gems, faux stitching

O.K 2 posts in 1 day is more than enough from me - don't know what's wrong with me, best go for a lie down LOL. (If you were expecting to see my CCT card it's the one under this post.)

CCT ~'Bee Happy!'

CCT theme this week is 'Anniversaries' as it's Caz's 21st wedding anniversary today and she is very generously hosting this week's prizes too.  So be sure to hop on over for all the deets and wish her a happy anniversary (but not before you've finished here!)

I've used another of the sweet images from WoJ's latest release as I thought they were perfect for ananniversary card (seems Katharina had the same idea too ;) ).  Gave my Copics a rest and watercoloured them with a mixture of distress inks (my yummy new colours finally arrived) and twinkling H2Os.  Also used the fab sketch over on Friday Sketchers.

I made the mistake of colouring in my image and then cutting it out with a nestie shape which I then didn't like at all but didn't want to recolour another one.  So I salvaged it by cutting out the cute couple and making them 3D on another one I stamped out.  The background is mixture of spritzing on glimmer mists and randomly swishing some distress colours - I loved how it turned out (and as with all my experiments, doubt I can repeat!)  Here's a close up to show how lovely it shimmers when the light catches it all.

Stash:

Stamps: 'Mr & Mrs foxglove' WoJ

Colouring: Watercoloured with distress inkpads & twinkling H2Os

Paper: MME 'Bohemia' I think

Tools: MS around the page punch set 'Irongate' I think it's called (love this one), branch & Frond punches, hydrangea border punch (just about see it down the middle behind main image)

Others: Flowers including the lovely little pink ones from Wild Orchids, ribbon, pearls

That's all from me for now, so have a lovely Thursday.  I'm umming & ahhing whether to get the Magnolia spring kit (think last chance today) or the fab new CC Swiss pixie kit.  I'm leaning towards the pixies but then what if the Magnolias a good one?!  Nightmare for someone as indecisive as me (I really shouldn't get either but can't see that happening - it's a miracle I'm not getting both LOL) . . hmmm. . .

 

MFT Pure Innocence ~ ". . .Whee!"

Oooooo look what Silly Monkey have in stock now, yup the ultra cute Pure Innocence stamp range by MFT (My Favourite Things). 

I just fell in love with this cutie pie when I first came across her a few weeks ago on some of the US blogs but Bryony has them in stock in the UK now, so you don't have to wait for them to cross the pond like I did! (I know how impatient we can get whilst waiting for our goodies heehee).  I also know these have been flying off the shelf  in the states, so you'd best be quick.

I love all the sentiments that comes with each set and in particular this one- "start the day with 'whee!'" just puts a smile on my face just saying it :)  so had to use her straight away & make an Easel calender card for myself.  I just forgot how difficult it is to try and get a decent photo of it all!

The peachy paper behind her actually has cloud pattern on it which I thought was perfect for this but I've pretty much covered it all by the time I'd finished it all, D'oh!  I paper pierced her little dress (I think this range is fabulous for paper piercing - another reason why I prefer ink & stamps over printed digis.  I know you could print onto DP too but would be too much phaffing for my liking)  I just doodled a wooden board around the sentiment and sponged it to look a bit weathered and then stamped out the tree bit again and cut out to use as tufts of grass either side of the calender but not sure if I've managed to include that in the photo.  Think you can just about see the one on the right!

Anyway, shall leave you with a couple more shots of my card.  You'll be seeing a few more of this girlie on this blog that's for sure.

one with the card close flat just so you get to see a bit more of the fab DP (it's acutally more peachy pinks & creams and not as yellow in real life)

Stash:

Stamps: ' start the day with whee' Pure Innocence by MFT 

Colouring: Copics and paperpierced her dress

Paper: Cosmo Cricket 'Nutmeg' mini deck

Tools: Blossom Nestie, MS fence border punch, butterfly punch

Others: Brads, flatbacked pearls, calender

Thanks for dropping by. Hope to see you Thursday for my CCT card.

WoJ release day ~ spring/Easter Norma Fickel collection

It's release day today for these gorgeous spring/easter stamps by Norma Fickel

I've used 'Mother & Child' for my card today which I thought was very appropriate seeing as it's Mother's day tomorrow in the UK.  However, this sweet image can be used for lots of occasions I think.  The sentiment is from a Basic Grey mini stamp set (from their Delta range)

I've embossed the yellow cardbase with my Scor-pal to give it a quilted look and then just doodled over the lines with a white & orange pens.  Papers are from DCWV 'citrus stack' again (notice how I seem to make couple of cards with the same paper? it's the only way I use up big bits of scraps from previous cards - if I don't use them soonish they just pile up in a stack and then gets so out of hand I just need to chuck it out .. I have a pile nearing that stage, just staring at me now :o)  Everything else my normal M.O - Copics, lots of MS punches, star nesties, flowers & stickles.

Here's a closer shot of the image

and I've used this cute circular stamp on the inside . .

this isn't for sale on the WoJ site but is a free gift when you spend over certain amount - €50 I think

Well, that's all from me this week I think, so have a lovely weekend and a lovely mothers day for all you mums out there ... as L'oreal says .. 'cos you're worth it' ;).

CCT with WoJ: 'Celebrate . . Spring'

It's CCT time again and I can't quite believe that I've been saying that for 2 years now!  Yup, CCT is 2 years old today - how time flies! I've been part of this lovely group of crafty ladies since the start of it and it's been an honour and a pleasure - thank you ladies, it's been a blast - long may it continue :).

So, the theme for this week is 'celebrations', whether it be birthdays, weddings, congrats, it's up to you.  I've gone for a spring theme to go with the lighter sunnier weather we've been having, plus I just had to use this cute image ;)

Isn't she adorable?  She's a sneek peek of the new spring/Easter collection by Norma Fickel  from WoJ, which will be released this Sat (13th March).

Now I know there are lots of yummy new releases currently doing the rounds but I think you're gonna have to find room for some of these, don't you?! (believe me I know! - I've been trying to 'not know', as I'm on a budget at the moment and it's killing me, stamp addict that I am LOL . . no, I haven't gone cold turkey, don't be silly as if! I've just been a little more restrained than usual and got a 'few' of each rather than my usual whole lot :D)  Here's a close up of her with her little lamb - I've added regular stickles to the daffs but a distressed stickles in rock candy on the little lamb (wanted a bit of texture and this was less phaffing than getting the old flowersoft out and a bit more delicate)



Stash:

Stamps: 'girl & her lamb' by Norma Fickel ~WoJ release date Sat 13th March. sentiment from CC Designs spring kit set

Colouring: Copics which touch of prismacolor pencils for subtle shading

Paper: DCWV citrus stack, blue & red cardstock

Tools: Nellies rectangle multiframes, MS chrysanthemum punch, mini flower punch in centres

Others: garden twine, coloured staples, faux stitching

Well I hope that's made you feel all springy now :)  I'm off to go colour in some more of these cuties and maybe fit in a bit of housework too but, I'm not making any promises. . about the housework, anyway!  Thanks for dropping by.

WOJ: Easel Card, with 3D aperture scene

I made this 3D aperture scene card for the WoJ Inspirations & tutorial blog.  

If you would like to see the full card with details of how I made it, please click here and let me know what you think :)

I'll be back tomorrow with sneek peek of some WoJ spring gnomes :)

paper pierced party girls

Hello & a happy Sunday!  It's been a glorious if still a tad chilly, sunny day today and feels like spring might just finally be around the corner.  Hope you've all enjoyed the sunshine.

Inked up a couple of cute stamps I got from Silly Monkey's at the weekend and as I still had the scraps from my last card out thought I'd put them to good use and did a spot of paper piercing.  Which just so happens to be the theme over on ABC challenge :)  Lots of paper pierced bits on this; the top and ribbon on the girl standing, the t-shirt, trouser cuffs and balloon on the sitting girl.

The cutie sitting down in front is raised on foam pads which you might be able to see on the photo below

Stash:

Stamps: 'Party Emma', 'Balloon Emma' ~ CC Designs, Silly Monkeys, sentiment  from Basic Grey Delta series of mini stamps

Colouring: Copics on any bits not paperpierced

Paper: MME - left over bits from my card below, red & blue card, glitter card for the balloon and ribbon paper paper piercing

Tools: MS around the page looped hearts punch - love this punch especially as you can use all the 'waste' punched out hearts too, which I have done for the hearts on the corners of my card, flower punch

Others: stickles, adhesive gem dots in the centre of the flowers

Right, that's all until mid week I think as I've got a WoJ card I'm working on but that's for Weds and then I've got other 'stuff ' to do and it's hubby's day off tomorrow etc, etc . . So until then,

WoJ~ 'love blooms . . .'

Here's a card using stamps from the WoJ '#1 store stamp kit' and I've taken part in a couple of challenges (the old mojo needed a kick start ;)).  So this is using the sketch over on SWF and PTW wants to see buttons, bows, brads & bling (no buttons on mine though !)

I couldn't resist adding in that little metal spade charm :) 

Stash:

Stamps: image & sentiment stamp both from WoJ store stamp kit  only available via WoJ retailers (not direct)

Colouring: Copics & some distress inks for stamping and sponging around edges

Paper:MME Bohemia paper pad

Tools: various MS, EK success and fiskars border punches, nellie flower & embosser punches

Others: pearl brads, ribbon, metal charm, Sakura stardust pen for bits of shimmer in her blouse and her hair ribbon

Have a great evening.