Little gifts

a little gift bag

little bag and shoe

Still away from home, we travel back tomorrow.  Pleased to say that I got a good chunk of my Christmas shopping done today (I don't have too many people to buy for).  So my thoughts are now moving to little bags and interesting wrappings.

Meanwhile, here's a little gift I made for a friend to match with the cinderella shoe.  It's a gift bag made using the latest Crafter's Companion board.  I used the same do-crafts persimmon papers that I used for the shoe.  The papers are not double sided, so after embossing and cutting out one bag shape I stuck it onto a co-ordinating sheet to make a lining.  When the glue dried I cut it out again which re-inforced the bag.  There's a few decorations (peel-offs and dew drops).  Then I added a tag and some co-ordinating ribbons.

In a way, I think this is going to be an ongoing theme for this year's Christmas gifts where I attempt to make my modest gifts extra special with decorated and personalised packaging.

Back again soon xx

Personalised Plus

the final card with inked edges, faux stitching, glitter, glossy accents and a little bow

a simple insert prepared digitally

the digital image

I am away from home for a few days, lots of fresh air and bracing walks (but I did find a wee craft stall, which I may go back to tomorrow).  Putting my feet up now, so I will quickly share the result of my digital crafting efforts.

The start of this story is in the post 'Jack and Victor'.  I made a batch of nine personalised Christmas cards (three different designs) which I completed on Sunday night.  I particularly like the 'photo real' button wreath on this design.

I started with a layout from serif craft artist then added a few digital embellishments.  Once printed I trimmed and inked edges, added some faux stitching, glossy accents on the faux buttons, beads and some of the berries and a touch of glitter on the holly.  Then I added a tiny bow.  I think the glossy accents in particular really made a difference making the card much more tactile.  I managed to design a very simple insert on serif to match the cover design.  The result is still less than 5mm so should be ok for standard letter postage.
I was happy with the final card and pleased that I had made the effort to try something different.  I've not had any feedback yet but fingers crossed.

Back again soon xx

Treats from Santa

a gift bag for some-one special

I love this paperclip

Glossy Accents transform the letters

 

Update: Going to start my Christmas shopping today.  I’ve promised myself that this year I will keep it simple because, after all, my children are grown ups (famous last words). 

It’s not a card, but here is my contribution to a Card a Day Blogging.

Inspiration: I loved the ideas in the recent Funky Hand Challenge 'Christmas is all about the kids' but couldn’t join in because my printer was poorly sick.  Now I have a new printer that can print on card too so I am very happy.  This is not for a child but it is for some-one who enjoys Christmas parcels as if she were still a little girl.  I am sure if she is a good girl, Santa will think up something nice to put in it.

• Products: Do-crafts back to basics kraft gift bag (I love these, they are so fun to decorate); Funky Daze CD for patterned paper, faux ribbon and letters; Neenah card from Crafter's Companion (the images printed beautifully on this); plain pink card from stash; glossy accents; stickles; ric rac ribbon from stash (papermania pack a few years ago); giant wooden paperclip from hobbycraft (January sale bargain); white sakura pen; papermania permanent pen (green).
• Techniques: Picked this pattern from the CD because I liked that it could be snowflakes for Christmas or fireworks or flowers whatever you want it to be.  I inked the edges with Tim Holtz worn lipstick then layered on pink card to make the crisp colours pop.  Using extra card makes the bag a bit stronger too but they are already quite sturdy.  Living dangerously instead of faux stitching I did some wiggly lines for a border.  The letters were printed from the CD too.  Then cut out.  I gave them a bit of a curve by hand, put them on 3D tape and covered with glossy accents.  Final touches were the ric-rac ribbon layered on the faux ribbon (which has a lovely knitted texture you may not be able to see) and some stickles glitter on some of the snowflakes.
• Favourites: Kraft card; inked edges; faux stitching;
• Extra bits (just because): I love the big paperclip and the colours just fit in (it’s been hiding in one of my goody boxes for ages).

I have a few ideas for some more co-ordinating gift bags and I had better think about something for number one son too. I've just noticed that Anice at Funky Hand is celebrating her birthday by having a sale, so I might just start my Christmas shopping with a little treat for me!  Happy Birthday Anice and thank you.  Back again soon xx

Busy, Busy

It’s been a busy day for me today, but good.  I met up with number one daughter for a bit of shopping and a catch up.  More chatting was done than shopping but it was all good.  Hot topic was wedding planning for her big day next July.  I have been attempting to earn my ‘good mummy badge’ by preparing some sample wedding invites.  The colour scheme and style were as specified by the bride to be and I managed to come up with some variations (top secret for the moment) to choose from.  Can you believe all made without inked edges, faux stitching or paper flowers!  I didn’t know I had it in me.  I was allowed some layering and ribbon of the chosen colour plus a bit of restrained bling, which did work remarkably well.  I must do the ‘less is more’ thing more often.

great for storage and only £1 each

As well as coffee and toasted teacake I was treated to some real treasure.  I can share that.  Slim A4 boxes from the pound shop (they don’t always have them in stock and never in the shop nearest me) so it was great to get hold of some and especially sweet that my daughter had remembered to look for them.  They are treasure because they are great for storing stamps and bits of paper or part done projects (and they only cost a £1 each).  It was some-one at a craft event that shared the idea with me so I will share here.  When I get the little elves that will come and tidy up for me I will be sorted!

Then for added excitement she gave me this little fellow..

Santa Claus is coming to town

Lego is very popular in our family so he went down well and is now in pride of place on the mantelpiece.

Going to watch some ‘Strictly’ now for a bit more bling…back with a card soon xx

Gingerbread man meets Iris Folding

Gingerbread fun, with peel-offs on those tricky hand cut edges

It has to be a quick post from me today for a Card a Day Blogging.  I’m taking a tea break while my glossy accents dry on the 9 ‘flat’ personalised Christmas cards I am working on for a special request, and that’s just one of the things on my ‘to do’ list today.

Meanwhile, here’s one I made earlier…

• Inspiration: the idea came from Karen who runs the craft class I go to locally at Craft-ed Creations.  I have seen iris folding done many times but this was the first time that I had a go myself.  I found it very relaxing and loved this design so much that I planned to do a few more (just havn’t got round to it yet).  The design and step by step instructions can be found at Circle of Crafters.  If you check that site out it has quite a few ideas, including how to design your own iris folding images (so that’s something else on my list of ‘things to try one day!’).
• Products: As Karen provided the papers I can’t remember the brand, but I really like the effect of using patterned papers rather than plain.  In my head, I think part of the fun of this technique will be in picking co-ordinating papers (so I can see me going to Funky Hand when I get some time to do more).  It would be great for using up scraps too.
• Techniques: there is a tiny amount of white ric-rac ribbon for the gingerbread man’s icing.  This is taped down first before the paper strips go down and, as if by magic, it’s on the top when you are done and you turn it over (can you tell I’m easily impressed?).
• Extra touches: of course, I added some dots and dashes in white sakura gel pen when I was done.  My excuse is that it matches the icing (well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!).

Watch this space: I have made a start on my first Funky Hand word book, but I’ve had to set it aside to work on that special request.

Back again soon…

Jack and Victor

the real life 'Jack and Victor' - a true bromance plus digital 'extra bits' (fae means from)

And now for something completely different…

(but it's still my contribution to A Card a Day Blogging)

I was asked by some friends at the weekend to make some personalised Christmas cards that could be posted economically.  So that means all my paper flowers and extra layers are ‘oot the windae’ as they say (that’s ‘out of the window’ if you speak English).

So it’s time for me to do some digital crafting.  I had a wee play with Serif Craft Artist Professional and came up with the project above for a bit of fun.  I have so much to learn, but the scope is enormous.  It’s just a patience thing, I get impatient with technology and go back to the paper, scissors and glue! The digikits used here were 'Paper Poinsettia' and 'Yuletide Joy'.  I cheated a bit and used a sample layout plus lettering from the 'Paper Poinsettia' digikit just adding the heart frame and reindeer embellishment from 'Yuletide Joy'.

The sentiment on the real project will be ‘Greetings from Tullibody’ a local village (the one I grew up in as it happens), but I needed something to do as a practice sample. 

The picture is of Mr. Fantabulous Mayhem and his chum of over 30 years.  It’s a real bromance, they go for a pint together about once a week.  The joke is that they are not really called Jack and Victor.  Don’t know if the BBC Scotland TV programme ‘Still Game’ was aired in England much, but it’s a comedy about a pair of pensioners that have known each other for years, drink together and get in to all sorts of scrapes together.  Myself and a few other friends have been teasing them that they are the real life ‘Jack and Victor’.

the other 'Jack and Victor' on BBC Scotland

 

Watch this space: I plan to learn more about digital crafting (all those virtual embellishments what’s not to love) but I’ll definitely be heading in the direction of ‘hybrid’ crafting as I just can’t give up my ‘extra bits’ and colouring-in.  Will a card with a little ribbon still be under 6mm?

Rose Red

going for a vintage story book feel (I've tried to capture the highlights in this photo)



can't help but love those big eyes

I love this sentiment too

there's a bit less glare on this photo

 

 

Update: Here it is.  My very first Saturated Canary creation.  This will be my contribution to A Card a Day Blogging.

I am also going to enter the Saturated Canary Challenge Fairytales.

Inspiration: I’ve been admiring other people’s Saturated Canary creations for months now, but while my printer was out of order it was just too awkward.  It’s almost too difficult to choose an image to start with as they are all gorgeous.  I had already downloaded Rose Red and I knew I had red bits and bobs in my stash so I jumped in and started to play.  I had read the fairy tale as a child in a ladybird book (is that just a UK thing?) but I couldn’t remember the story so I checked it out on-line.  Rose Red and her sister Snow White (no not that one) live in a cabin in the woods.  They are kind to a big old bear in the winter.  Later when an evil dwarf threatens to kill them the bear comes to their defence.  On the demise of the dwarf the bear turns into a Prince (it was all just an evil spell you see).  Any who, that made me think the perfect sentiment would be ‘Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle’.  

• Products: Saturated Canary ‘Rose Red’ digital image; Keepsake ‘Once Upon a Time’ embossing board (it had to be for a fairy tale) and stand template (Glitter Girls); Neenah card (Crafter’s Companion); Tim Holtz core’dinations Traditional Christmas card; Papermania Portobello Road collection (for the gingham paper); IndigoBlu sentiment stamp; Rich Cocoa Memento ink; Copic pens; sakura pens; papermania permanent pens; green floral trim from stash (papermania a few years ago); Tim Holz metal pin; butchers twine; fabric roses and bows from stash (create and craft years ago); white fine line peel offs; glossy accents; stickles and Anita’s tiny gems (added to corner of sentiments).
• Colouring: Image printed on Neenah card and coloured with copic pens.  This was the first time I have printed on card (my new printer loads from top) and I was chuffed to bits with how well it worked.  The image was a real pleasure to colour.  I hope I’ve done the hair justice as the hair is just amazing on Krista’s images.  I’ve used copic colours C1, C3, C5, C7 and touch 100 and I’ve added some extra highlights in black, white and silver with sakura (for white) and other fine-liner pens.  For the lips I’ve added a touch of a gelly roll pen (I don’t imagine they had lip gloss in the cabin in the woods but I just couldn’t resist!).  The final touch was adding glossy accents to eyes.  The sentiment is hand stamped with memento ink.  Background coloured with B000 and little dots and blended with blender pen.  I have also used my Tim Holtz gadget to give some torn edges to these images before I attached to the book. I was thinking an old torn story book that comes to life and flowers start to grow from the pages...a miracle.
• Book:  The ‘pages’ of the book were embossed on the board then sanded to bring out the inner colour.  The spine is stuck with extra sticky tape, with 3D tape between pages to build up dimension.  A few peel-offs and dots and dashes added to edges of pages for extra effect.  I was thinking of traditional European costumes with lace and gingham when working on this.
• Favourites: Faux stitching; lots of layers; paper flowers.
• Extra bits (I do just love my extra bits): The red roses had to be the main player but I thought I needed a little green to break up all the red and white, so I added the green trim and green leaves which tie in with the green leaves in the main image.  The paper roses and leaves are made from torn core’dinations card (oh the fun I had) with a little stickles for frosty dew.  They looked a little stark so I added the material flowers (from one of my magic stash boxes) which I love because they are a lovely rich red like the dress (copic colours R24; R27; R29 & touch R59 by the way).  Oh, and the Tim Holtz pins says ‘secrets’, well the bear did have a big secret didn’t he?

Hope you like, back again soon xx

Homemade Holly

I was pleased with my homemade holly

I’ve been playing at colouring-in again, but it’s not quite finished yet, so my share for A Card a Day Blogging is something I completed at the weekend.

It’s another card made from Papermania’s Henbury Lane paper collection.  Of course, I’ve done some inked edges and my favourite layers and dots and dashes.  For the sentiment I've used the letter tiles I got in WH Smith last year (I think they go well with the kraft card used for the base card).

I'm going to be brave and enter this card into the following challenges:

CHNC Challenge 99  Use something more than 6 months old
Victorine Challenge 47 Any-thing Christmas
Let's Craft and Create Getting Ready for Christmas

Holly: I thought the card needed that little something and I didn’t have just the right thing in my stash.  I saw a sweet die on-line but it was sold out.  So it was thinking cap time again.  I drew some holly freehand on dark green card with a gold pen.  I curved the holly with a bone folder then covered with glossy accents.  Then for the berries, I scrunched up some red paper for a 3D effect but it just didn’t look right.  So I went with something simple.  Three berries punched from red card with an ordinary hole punch.  I’ve added a few white highlights with my sakura white gel pen then added more glossy accents.  When the holly and berries were dry I stuck them on to the card with 3D glue gel, keeping a bit of height and shape.  I was quite chuffed with myself when it was done.  Hope you like it too.

Next, back to my colouring-in…

More snow and beatrix potter

extra snow with peel off waste and a little metal santa charm

mmmm...chocolate cake = love

Here's a couple of cards I finished yesterday but didn't get around to posting.  I'm going to share them for  A Card a Day Blogging.  I had done the cards a few weeks ago, and they are similar to my previous beatrix potter efforts.  I had set them aside as I felt they needed a little something to make them different.

Yesterday, I had a dig around in one of my little boxes and found these christmas metal charms. I added them with a little butcher's twine.

Update: Mr Fantabulous Mayhem and I had a super night at a friend's house on Saturday night.  Good friends really do make such a difference in life.  I am all set for a busy week ahead.  I now have a new working printer which means I can do a whole lot of new projects.  I'm all excited.  I've got a technical challenge too, I've been asked to make some personalised Christmas cards that are flat for posting.  It'll be a challenge for me as I do so like to add 'extra bits', but I have got a few ideas to add faux embellishments but I will need to try to get the computer-ma-bob to do what I want it to.  So watch this space...

Now for a cup of tea and getting on with all those fun new projects..

Golden Wedding

sunglasses on for this one - hope you like flowers

a card like this needs a box

Update: Well here it is, one of the very ornate cards I have been working on.  I’ll make it my card for Card a Day Blogging.

Inspiration: A special request.  I wanted to go to town and make a wow factor gift.

• Products: ‘Once Upon a Time’ Keepsake Board; plain mirri board and matt gold card from create and craft pack; centura pearl card; Hunkydory extra special mirri (with polka dots); fine line peel offs; cream and shimmery golden brown thick paper from stash and local shop (for flowers); Hunkydory foiled acetate; Spellbinder and Marianne dies and punches for flowers; Cheery Lynn die for mini swirl; x-cut die for heart on box; bling by Stamps by Chloe, plus stickles and glitter; few brads and gold ribbon from stash.
• Techniques: Layers of ‘book’ embossed on board edges inked and trimmed with peel off.  Spine of layers stuck down with extra sticky tape, layers have 3D tape between pages to build up shape.  After that it’s all about the decorating.  Some of my favourite hand-made flowers stuck down with glue gel.  I enjoyed mixing it up with different shapes and sizes for flowers like a real floral display.  Although I was aiming at the wow factor the card was a bit ‘too gold’, so I tried to use the flowers to tone the card done a bit.  Hoping for opulent but still tasteful.  I’ve had some positive feedback, but realise that this sort of card is only for special occasions and even then not for every-one.
• Favourites: Inked edges (with Tim Holtz vintage photo ink of course); lots of flowers but not much room for faux stitching but I did manage a little bit on the sentiment tag.
• Sentiment: I’ve used a simple ‘Happy Anniversary’ stamp from Stamps by Chloe, but added some hand written words hidden in the flowers.
• Extra bits (it’s all about the extra flowers here): Plenty of paper flowers added each with a touch of bling.  I've added some gold ribbon and lace too. There are also a few random leaves, these have been cut free hand, a few of them have special words like ‘Love’, ‘Cherish’ and ’50 years’ as well as the couple’s names.  These have been tucked in under the flowers with a little ‘blob’ of glue gel.  The other ‘extra bits’ are the stand and box.  The stand is made from a Glitter Girls template in mirri board and decorated with peel-offs.  It works a treat for displaying the card.  The box is made from centura pearl A3 card and decorated with foiled acetate, peel offs, ribbon and a heart.

More Henbury Lane

the big poinsettias were part of the packaging

Just a cheeky wee post today.  It's a variation on a theme, another card made with do-crafts Papermania Henbury Lane collection.

It's similar to yesterday's post.  It's got my usual dots and dashes and inked edges plus a wee bit of glitter ribbon from my stash. 

The packaging on the paper packs was so cute I had to have a go at using it, so I cut out the big poinsettia at the side, built it up with glue gel and added some very fine lime green glitter.  I hope you think it works.

Watch this space: I've finally completed the two anniversary cards I have been working on.  I need to stand back and hope they will be liked.  I need to take photos, and will post once they are in the right hands but I have to warn you that they are decorated within an inch of their life...

Seasonal Swirls

I just had to add extra bits to this yummy Henbury Lane collection

Update: Today I have been busy cutting out flowers for another project but cannot share that one just yet.  I’m on to my second bottle of cough medicine, but before my next Lemsip here’s my card for Card a Day Blogging.

Inspiration: I really have found it very inspiring looking at other people’s blogs and attending card making classes at my local shop.  I do still like adding my favourite extra bits but it is great having a fresh outlook on my crafting (only down side is that my wish list of things I am going to try is getting longer and longer!).  The first class I went to at my local shop Craft-ed Creations  we got a pack of goodies that included the papers I have used here.  I found getting ideas from other crafters made me look at the papers in a different way and I came home full of ideas of things to do with my stash.  This is one of the cards a came up with.  The lime green is not the first colour I think of for Christmas but I think it works really well with other traditional Christmas colours.

• Products: Papers and topper from do-crafts Henbury Lane Collection; plain red and green card; Marianne Dies for swirls; Flower handmade using punches; ribbon from stash; glamour dust; peg and heart shaped brad from stash; Glossy Accents; letter tiles from WH Smith.
• Techniques: Mat and layering in contrasting colours with dots and dashes added.  Flower made from punched shapes glued together covered in glamour dust, centre is glue gel covered in glitter.  The leaves are hand cut from the kit and covered with glossy accents to look suitably evergreen.  Swirls are cut using the dies and stuck down with glue gel, I’ve left the ends unstuck for a more dimensional effect.
• Favourites: Dots and dashed with sakura white opaque gel pen and papermania permanent pens.
• Extra bits (because I love them so): I thought the wreath looked a little empty so I added the heart hanging on a pleat made with some glittery ribbon in my stash and added the little peg.  The little letter tiles were bought from WH Smith (I’ve ran out of ‘E’s so spelled JOY rather than NOEL!).

I’ve got a few more cards to share made with papers from this collection, but I’ll try to mix it up to keep them different.  Now time for that Lemsip...

Happy Anniversary

At Last



Sentiment: Life is a Journey Love is what makes that journey worthwhile

It’s all about Wedding Anniversaries for me this week.

It was my first Wedding Anniversary at the week-end.  Mr Fantabulous Mayhem and I have been together for years.  He was a forever bachelor and I was once bitten twice shy but we finally admitted that we couldn’t imagine life without each other.  We went down the aisle to ‘At Last’ by Etta James, much to the amusement of our guests.

Meanwhile on the crafting front I am busy making a Golden Wedding card and a first wedding anniversary card.  Both are requests from friends, so I am really keen to make a good job of it.  For my contribution to A Card a Day Blogging I thought I would share the Anniversary card I made earlier this year for my mother and father in law.  They are the loveliest couple and having the toughest of years.  They do have a sense of humour and a little red car, so I made this cute little 3D card from Hunkydory.

Unable to leave things as they come I’ve added some brads for tail lights and glossy accents here and there.  There’s also some extra bits tied to the bumper as they do in the movies.  I do hope Mr Fantabulous Mayhem and I will be a happy little old couple like this one day.

With my chesty cough keeping me company it’s back to crafting now. xx

 

A touch of Cinderella

A shoe Cinderella would be proud of

lots of fun decorating

I’ve missed the last couple of days blogs.  I’ve got a horrible chesty cough but I’m still crafting, just havn’t quite got around to writing the descriptions for the blog.

Any who, here’s the amazing shoe that we made at the craft class at ‘Craft-ed Creations’ on Saturday.

The shoe is made from a template by Sandra Wright at The House of Zandra.

The papers used were from the Persimmon Collection by Papermania.

It is a bit tricky to make, not exactly difficult, but you do need to take your time and be patient putting it together.  We used a mixture of glue and extra strong tape to put it together.

Extra bits added: some ribbon from the Persimmon collection; a little plain navy ribbon; Purple Dew Drops from Papermania; a few fine line peel offs around the edges; some glossy accents added to the toe and the heel to re-enforce a little and for a ‘patent’ effect.

Back again soon xx

Gingerbread Fun

More Gingerbread Fun

Update: I’m just back from my local craft shop 'Craft-ed Creations' where we had another class this morning.  It's heaven for me, crafty goodies, good company, tea, biscuits and even a lesson on labradoodle romance!  I’m super excited because with Karen's guidance we made a 3D shoe and we have lots of other goodies home to play.  I’ll share later when I have finished trimming but meantime I had better do my contribution to A Card a Day .

Inspiration: The idea for this card also came from Karen at the craft class.  I enjoyed the one I did at class a couple of weeks ago so much that I’ve done another one, this time it’s Mr Gingerbread on a rolling pin.  Attempting to have a theme ‘the same but different’ for December cards.

• Main Products: 3D decoupage sheet from Craft Creations Ltd; stepper card from Karen’s shop; Do-crafts Forever Friends Retro Collection for the striped paper to match the old fashioned rolling pin.
• Techniques: The decoupage was die cut, I just trimmed the pips.  The shapes were quite simple so I used 3D tape rather than glue to build up.  I did use some 3D glue gel on the holly sprigs to get a good curve.  I added a touch of glossy accents on the holly leaves and faux button too.  I’ve added a little bit of hidden card re-enforcement so that my added decoration doesn’t make the stepper card go the way of Bambi.
• Favourites: Inked edges; faux stitching with sakura gel pen; extra bits.
• Sentiment: The little chipboard ‘Happy Christmas’ came as part of a freebie in Card making and papercraft magazine.
• Extra bits (you need extra bits in your life): polar white flower soft icing sugar of course.  I had a little bit of checked ribbon leftover from a do-crafts pack so I added that as I thought it was a good contrast.

As you may have noticed I have had a wee go at making the layout of the blog look a bit better.  I'm learning all the time so there may be more changes to come if I can figure out how to do things.

Back again soon xx

Happy Birthday Dad

Masculine

A boy and his Dad

Update: It’s a ‘Here’s one I made earlier’ contribution from me today. I wonder what every-one else has done for Card a Day Blogging ?

Inspiration: I wanted to make a proper ‘manly’ card for my father in law’s birthday earlier this year. He’s in his seventies and likes a wee dram (whisky), a bit of gardening and like most Scottish men watching football.  I decided on a retro football image inside and a tool shed look on the front.  I do have a weakness for images that evoke memories and feelings and the ‘Remember when’ range from La Pashe certainly does that, especially the images in sepia tones.  I can just imagine this as my husband when he was a wee boy, standing with his Dad (may be not 100% accurate but it has the right feeling).

• Products: La Pashe ‘Remember When’ 3D decoupage; Tim Holtz papers and stickers; newsprint vellum from stash; plain dark green card; a plain tag; a few peel off stickers.
• Techniques: the base card is A5 with a fancy edge from a score board; 3D decoupage curled and built up with 3D glue gel.  I made this the inside of the card and personalised the football ground by adding ‘Alloa’ our local town to the stand.  Then I used the Tim Holtz paper and stickers to make a random collage of ‘manly bits’ on the front and inside front.  I cut adverts from the newsprint vellum and scrunched up and inked before adding to the collage.  The letters that look like old printing blocks have been used to spell out Dad on the front and the message inside, the other sentiments are from the La Pashe sheet.
• Favourites: Inked edges; extra details inside card.
• Extra bits (just because): I just kept adding the Tim Holtz bits in a random fashion and a ribbon too (can't think why).  I’ve added a few peel off corners, dots and lines, oh and a wee dog on the back.

Fairy Wishes

Fairy hopes and wishes




I love the sentiment: may all your wishes and dreams come true

Update: This is my card for a card a day blogging.  See who else is joining in here: http://bloggingacad.blogspot.co.uk/

This is the first fairy card I have shared on my blog.  It probably won’t be the last as I like fairies so much that I decorate my Christmas tree with them (but that’s a story for another day).

Inspiration: I’ve been experimenting with something I’ve never done before trying to make my own random backgrounds with shimmery stuff.  I’ve seen a number of people demonstrating this sort of thing and I’ve wanted to have a go for ages as it looked so yummy.  I finally got around to it last night and I have to say I loved it but I still think I could do with a lot more experimenting to practice all the different techniques.  I've also been inspired by cards I've seen on Joanna Sheen's challenge blog.  I'm a bit late for the current challenge but may be next time.

• Main products: Joanna Sheen Silhouette Stamp Fairy Whispers JS324; memento ink; Luminarte Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist (Spring Blossom, Key Lime, Ocean Wave, Pewter & Autumn Leaf); centura pearl card; black card; black fine line peel –offs; stickles; spellbinder scalloped oval and flower; papermania black permanent pen; sakura white gel pen.
• Techniques: The backgrounds were made by painting the card randomly with different colours of the Shimmer Mists.  Some I added splodges to, some were sprayed with shimmer mists and some I tried sprinkling with salt.  Last night they looked a bit hit or miss but when it came to making the card today it was just a matter to choosing to cut out the bits I liked the look of.  After stamping the fairies it looked a bit too ethereal so I went over the image with a permanent black pen and added some highlights with my trusty companion the sakura white gel pen then added stickles on the fairy wings.  I’ve used black card for a bit of layering to bring out the silhouettes and mounted on a 15cm square black card then added black peel-offs to make a border.
• Favourites: dots and dashes; used some extra bits of card to make the inside of the card interesting.
• Extra bits (because I love them so): the leaves behind the spellbinder flower are hand cut freestyle from some of the scrap card to match and shaped by hand and the centre of the flower is a blob of pinflair glue gel sprinkled with some fine pee wee glitter (I’ve seen a couple of people do this on TV).

Half way through this project I thought I was making a bit of a mess of it, but in the end I was happy with the final result.  I hope you like it too, it has a real shimmer which you can’t really see in the photo.

 

Button up - it's cold outside

Humphrey looks so cosy in his duffel coat

Using up scraps to decorate the inside of card

Update: Mr Fantabulous Mayhem has a day off work today (he works shifts).  I had hoped to do lots of practical things in the home today with his assistance but it just hasn’t happened, and I’ve not got much crafting done either!

Inspiration:  I was reading on facebook about a friend taking his wee boy to a fireworks display and this image came to mind.  I know it’s an elephant but it makes me think of being wrapped up warm when I was a child and again when I did it with my children.  I am a bit of a big softie when it comes to art work that evokes memories.

• Products: This topper and the paper on the front of the card were part of the free gift in the Crafter’s Companion Inspiration magazine.  It’s from the Humphrey’s corner range and has a lovely hand drawn feel.  Kraft card and red card from stash; the green starry paper on inside is from the Papermania Henbury Lane collection; glossy accents; glamour dust; the chunky red and white twine is by Papermania; snowflake stickers from daisy and dandelion range.
• Techniques: Mats and layers, pyrimage(? not sure of spelling) and faux stitching and a jaunty angle thrown in.  I’ve added the glamour dust on the frosty leaves and spider’s web with a Quickie glue pen by Sakura.  There is a touch of glossy accents on his wellies and the berries in the background.  Snowflake stickers added randomly.  I’ve curled the edges of some of the backing paper for something a bit different.  I have been trying to use up little bits of card and paper by decorating the inside of cards as I go.
• Favourites: Kraft card; 8” by 8” card; inked edges; faux stitching; extra details inside card.
• Extra bits: Buttons (from an old cardigan) with a knot in the red and white twine, stuck on with 3D glue gel.  I sometimes like twine to unravel but this time I wanted a tidy knot so I put a tiny touch of PVA glue on the ends o stop fraying.

Watch this space: I’ve got a card to share tomorrow that has nothing to do with December.

Work in Progress 2

My work in progress sparkles

I'm afraid it's another work in progress day from me.  I've got three shepherds, a gingerbread man, an elephant in a duffel coat and lots of litte creatures from Mulberry Woods all lining up for their big moment just needing a little something or other.

Last night I sat down to Downton Abbey and did some inking edges and adding stickles to the Mulberry card kit from Crafter's Companion.  I am trying to get a bit of a production line going for the December event but still want to add a little bit extra.

The kit is lovely quality but being me I wanted to make each card a little bit different so I have a few ideas but haven't yet got it done.  I'll share when I get my act together. Meanwhile I've got a lovely tray of sparkliness to share.

Queen for the Day

Old Photos on envelope and Queen for the Day on card front

Inside of card with Kanban bits and hand written journaling

Update: I’m having a bit of a duvet day today, doing some preparation for December cards (cutting pips and inking edges).  That doesn’t make a very interesting blog post so I thought I would share a card I made in the summer that I am particularly fond of.

Inspiration: As part of Elizabeth II’s coronation celebrations, my mother in law was crowned the Queen of the Gala in her local town (Clackmannan) when she was twelve.  She is having a tough year so we wanted to make a bit of a fuss of her for no particular reason.  So at the time of Elizabeth’s Jubilee celebrations I made a Queen for the day card and we got her some treats.  The card borrows from scrap booking quite a bit with some old photos of the crowning ceremony, unfortunately the photos we had were not very clear but there is bunting and they have a lovely vintage feel.  Can you see the horse and cart that has been decorated as her carriage?  I think it’s so romantic.

• Products: Kanban Cool Britannia/Jubilee kit; 8” by 8” kraft card blank (I love kraft card but I think it works particularly well with the vintage photos); some paper and ‘Queen for the day’ stamp from ‘Simply Homemade’ magazine; red card from stash; some bling and butcher’s twine from stash.
• Techniques: The toppers and background card from Kanban did most of the work for me setting the scene.  The bunting ties in nicely with the bunting in the background of the old photos.  I’ve framed the photos with some red card and some dots and dashes.  I’ve added some hand written journaling.  I understand from the TV tips by Mel Heaton and Rosemary Berry that this is very important in scrap booking.  As yet I have not done a 12” by 12” scrap book page (that will be changing soon though), but I really like making personalised cards like this.  My husband is a very typical Scottish man and doesn’t do talking about feelings, so in a way this is a gift to him too, to express the feelings he can’t say himself.
• Favourites: Kraft card; faux stitching; extra details inside card and matching envelope.
• Extra bits (I love extra bits): Bling here, there and every-where.  I’ve coloured the union jack in the background of one of the photos.  Clever people can do this sort of thing digitally but I just did it with a red pen and a blue pen.  I like this sort of effect.

Watch this space: Trying to alternate between December cards and other requests.

Snow Blizzard

This wee man looks just like my son aged three.

work in progress - stickles + glossy accents added to die cut greenery looks like frost and makes shapes stronger

Update: Going out tonight so I better get a move on.

Inspiration: I was drawn to this image because of the colours and the little boy’s happy face.  It was only when I got it home and started working with it that I realised I have a photo of my son building a snowman aged about three in a very similar looking snow suit.  He was so cute.  I would share the photo but the 29 year old man he grew into would kill me!  Perhaps you can see something in every-thing if you look long enough or perhaps my wee boy was way at the back of my mind and that is why I was drawn to the decoupage sheet.

Products: 3D decoupage sheet by Craft Creations Ltd ; backing papers from Papermania Henbury Lane collection; plain card from stash; stepper card from my local shop ‘Craft-ed Creations’.

Techniques: Decoupage layers done with foam tape (I ink the edges first is that a bit OCD?); bit of colour added with backing papers; image highlighted with glossy accents on helmet (and faux buttons at side).  Stickles and polar white flower soft for snow.  I got a bit carried away with the snow so it turned into a bit of a snow blizzard.  I re-enforced the steps with a little card bridge underneath (not seen).

Favourites: Inked edged; layers; faux stitching in black (papermania permanent pen) and white (sakura gel pen).

Extra bits (I love extra bits): Used my new Marianne die LR0126 to make little sprigs of Christmas tree.  I’ve added stickles to look like frost and a few berries (from Chloe’s stamps) and stuck it on with a blob of Collall 3D glue.

Watch this space: more Christmas to come and a few Anniversary cards requested.  Sorry the picture could be better.

More Beatrix Potter

More fun in the snow

Taking a short cut with the blog today so that I can do more crafting.  This is another ‘work in progress’ to add to the ‘done’ pile.  I’ve added the snow flake this morning.  Details are very similar to last night’s late post about Peter rabbit.  Done this one with a bit of a jaunty angle.

Ok crafting…here I come...

Peter Rabbit - Cuddles from Mummy

Nothing better than a big warm Mummy cuddle

Update: Stayed up too late last night watching scary movies, then couldn’t get to sleep…this morning inspired by a new month I tried to tackle my ‘work in progress’ mountain.  Top of my list was cutting out snowflakes to add to quite a few projects.

Inspiration: Peter Rabbit who reminds me of holidays in the Lake District.  I also love the story of Beatrix Potter who made a life for herself following her passion in a time when women were expected to know their place.  This particular image is a favourite of mine because it looks like a really good warm mummy cuddle.

Products: Crafter’s Companion/Hunkydory (A Winter’s Tale kit) Peter Rabbit topper; Joanna Sheen gingham paper; Kanban Kandy Kore card; Holographic card from stash; white lace & border peel offs from stash; brad (WH Smith January sale); Spellbinders Snowflake die.

Techniques: Lots of mats and layers with main topper raised with 3D foam pads; Kandy Kore card embossed and sanded; edges distressed with Tim Holtz tool; used the waste from the white peel-offs to add extra snow.  I tried to follow Mel Heaton’s scrap booking tip for the colours to mat and layer with so my first layer behind the topper is the colour of the rabbit fur so that your eye is drawn to the rabbits rather than Peter’s jacket or the scenery (this may be an old tip but it was new to me).

Favourites: inked and distressed edges.

Extra bits (because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits: Spellbinders snowflake cut from different shades of core’dinations Core couture card, plus brad.  I’ve stuck it on with a good blob of Colall 3D glue so that is sits over the topper.

Watch this space: Mr. Fantabulous Mayhem has promised that I will have a working printer soon.  I hope so as there are loads of projects it could help with, including a matching insert for this card and the Funky Hand challenge.  Meantime, I’m going to wrap up warm and play at Christmas (I have a lot of work in progress to finish).