Christmas is coming....

As we are still sweltering in the heat and humidity, it is hard to believe that Christmas is less than 4 months away.  I try to get ahead of the game with Christmas card making, but somehow I'm still a few short when the time comes.

Another card using the Collage Merry Christmas stamp, and also a sentiment from the Holiday Sayings set...both from Hero Arts. Heat embossing with gold embossing powder provides a lovely shine.  I've added a purchased poinsettia and some gold ribbon for a little added touch.  A bit of border with some gold pen completes the look.

Hope you enjoyed your visit, and maybe I've given you a nudge to start your Christmas cards too. 

Some challenges for my card:

Addicted to Stamps and More - #208 Holiday
Creative Inspirations - #255 Christmas in August
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
Penny Black and More - Anything Goes with a Stamp
Bizzy Bec's - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - #188 Anything Goes

Classic Christmas

Good morning everyone.  Today's another grey one, with lots of clouds and no sun, but at least it's mild with no snow....yet.   So maybe today's card will provide a little brightening!

Here, I have heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  Doesn't it show nice against the red card stock?  So there is just stamping on this one, and a bit of gold pen for the edging.

Stamps used:
Hero Arts - Collage Merry Christmas
Inkadinkado - Foliage Trails
Hero Arts - Holiday Sayings

Hope all is well with you, as you scurry around readying for the holidays.

Some challenges for my card:

Little Claire's - #64 A Special Christmas Card

Craft Stamper - Take A Technique

Sparkle N Sprinkle - Anything Goes with Glitter

Crafting with an Attitude -#10 Anything Goes

One Crazy Stamper - Christmas/Winter

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - Keep it simple

Love to Scrap - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Great Impressions Stamps - Anything Goes

That Craft Place - Christmas

Come and Get It - Anything Goes Christmas

How many days....

Good morning everyone!  Here's another Christmas card...just a little bit different.  I've heat embossed the main image then sponged over it with distress ink, before cutting it out with the fancy die.  The background papers have been edged and then stamped using the same DI.  I probably should have taken pictures before I assembled, but I think you'll get the idea.

Some supplies used:
Hero Arts stamp - Collage Merry Christmas
Inkadinkado stamp - Foliage Trails
Spellbinders die - Fleur de Lis Rectangles

I'll be off and about for a couple of days.  I'm going to see my youngest grandson in a small Christmas production...should be cute, and then I'm off to see my parents.  Just hoping the weather holds out,  Please..no snow or freezing rain!!   Take care everyone and drive carefully.

Some challenges for my card:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts - #67 Tis The Season

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - #259 Last Minute Christmas

Incy Wincy Designs - Christmas Anything Goes

Dream Valley - #97 Christmas

Crafty Cardmakers - #129 Christmas

The Artistic Stamper - Anything Goes

Card and Scrap - #87 Jul eller Nytår

Springtime Fairy

Oh, it does look like we are in for some lovely weather, finally, and my plan is to get outside and try to put things to order.  But first, I have a card to post!

I had some fun with a couple of rubber stamps this time.  First, the Silver Fairy, by Sylvia Zet of Wee Stamps.  I've coloured her with water colours, and I'm quite pleased with how the colours blended.  Next, I masked her, and stamped the background with distress ink, using the Hero Arts Dandelion Frame stamp.

As you can see, there are lots of layers, with both plain and patterned papers.  The image was cut out with my circle die, and then I rubbed around the edges wih silver metalic ink.  For the die cut mat, I used the Joy Craft Lacy Square Frame die, and it is also rubbed over with the metallic.  The only embellishments are the two little gems on the wing, for a tiny bit of sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Now I'm off to the garden and more yard work.  It's amazing, but that even feels like fun.....after waiting so long for winter to be over!  Hope your day is sunny and warm too.  Take care and enjoy.

Now for some challenges for my card:

Sweet Stampin - Fairies or Fantasy

Totally Gorjuss - #234 Things with wings

Natalie and Amy - #20 Rubber Stamping

Without Words - Pink and/or purple with green

Stamp and Create - Spring Colors

Whimsy Stamps - #71 Two or More Die Cuts

7 Kids College Fund - #99 Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes

Penny Black and More - Anything Goes

One Crazy Stamper - Anything Goes & an Embellishment

Fashionable Stamping - #72 Circle the Globe Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes My Craft Creations - Anything Goes

A Monochrome Christmas card

Good morning folks.  Now, I do realize Christmas is over, but winter definitely isn't.  It looks like our bit of milder weather is done with, and therefore my ice is here to stay.  Although our temps will be staying below freezing, hopefully we won't go back into a real deep freeze.  I've heard that in England the gardens are rather lush as a result of all the rain....but very soggy.  There's nothing lush or soggy out of my window....just ice and snow with a few dark bare patches.   And then, Australia is in a heat wave.  Too bad we can't climate share!

This was the last Christmas card I made for the season, and I used the Collage Merry Christmas stamp from Hero Arts.  I've stamped then heat embossed with gold embossing powder, then further dressed it up with distress ink.

The papers are from the MME Lost & Found Christmas collection, and I've added various gold accents with peel-off borders and stars, metallic pen and pearls.  The die cut snowflake also has some gold accents along with a glitter filled centre.  Lots of sparkle and shine!

Take care everyone, and if you could shoo some warm breezes this way, it would be much appreciated!  I'm heading to the stores shortly, to buy more salt.  I have to be prepared, but it sure would be nice if it wasn't needed!  (Update - no salt is available for purchase!!!)  Thanks again for visiting.

Some challenges for my card:

Winter Wonderland - Monochrome

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Emboss It

Victorine Challenge - #75 3 Layers    Challenge Winner

Fussy and Fancy - #105 Monochromatic

ABC Challenge - D is for Dazzle

Country View Crafts - Monochromatic

QKR Stampede - #70 Snowflakes and Sparkle

Scrappin All Over - #19 Christmas / New Year

Time 4 Scrap - #31 use any color with silver or gold

Oh Christmas Tree

Today's going to be a day of rest for me, and I'll be putting my feet up.  Yesterday, I made dinner for my daughters and their families (11 of us)....a first for me since my husband passed away.  Everything went well, and it was a fine family get-together.  My timing was a bit off though, as I had to do a major deep clean of the house first, after the mess created with the renovations I was doing.  Phew, thank goodness that's done, for now anyway!

So how about a card, with one of the beautiful Just Inklined Christmas images from last year, titled Fir Balls.

The ornaments have been coloured with copics and trimmed with some gold stickles, and then I used green sparkle pen for the fir branch.  It's been cut out with the Spellbinder's Labels Twenty Two die, but trimmed down so that only one edge is shaped.  Lots of distress ink for a cool nighttime effect, and then some pretty papers from MME.  The sentiments are from Hero Arts - Holiday Sayings.

So that's one more ready to go, and I guess I should get busy at that soon....I'll have to try not to leave it to the last minute!  Thanks for stopping by, here's hoping you're having a wonderful weekend.

Some challenges for my card:

Penny's Challenges - #153 Add a sentiment

Totally Papercrafts - #193 CAS - Clean & Simple

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - CAS Christmas

Creatalicious Challenges - #57 Christmas Time

Crimbo Crackers - #54 Christmas Words

Christmas Stampin' - #42 Stripes

ABC Christmas Challenge - W for Winter Wishes

A Creative Romance - Winter Blue's

Crafty Calendar Challenge - All Things Christmas

613 Avenue Create - #46 Anything Goes w/option World Peace Day

Christmas time's a coming...

Good morning everyone.  Another weekend has come around, and it looks like we are in for a couple of sunny days.  Cooler, but that's good too.

Here, I have a Christmas card using another one of the new images from Just Inklined.  This one is titled Garden Santa.  After colouring him up with my copics, and cutting him out with my Spellbinders die, I've inked the edges with DI.  Hopefully this all works together to provide a nighttime theme, because of course....that is when he will be visiting!  However, here in my part of the world, he won't find much to see in my garden!

The Merry Christmas sentiment, from Hero Arts, is stamped and then heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  Then I've gone around it all with a fine black marker to make it stand out better.

Supplies used:
Basic Grey papers - Jovial collection
Spellbinders die - Labels Two
Simon Says die - Curvy Snowflake
Martha Stewart punches - Crown Punch and Pine Branch
Other items include stickles, flower and pearl centre from my stash.

Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend, and a chance to enjoy some of the good weather....while it lasts.

Some challenges for my card:

Holly Jolly Christmas - Au Natural

Sweet Stampin Christmas - Here comes Santa

Tuesday Throwdown - #164 Anything Goes

Penny's Challenges - #144 Anything Goes

Chocolate Coffee & Cards - #48 Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - #24 Anything Goes

Christmas Stampin' - #33 Cute and/or Cuddly Christmas

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Spots and Stripes

Creative Knockouts - #2 Recipe Challenge (flower,pearl,stickles) Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #142 Cut it Out

Red and White....the colours of Canada's flag

Hello again.  It's Thursday once again, so time for another challenge at Charisma Cardz.  This week the theme is to use the colours of a country's flag.

I felt this was a good opportunity to try something different, as I would only be needing the two colours.  Using the Hero Arts Elegant Weeds stamp, I've heat embossed with white embossing powder and then sponged over this with distress inks.  Now these could be weeds, but to some of us who live in the country....they are wildflowers, and in their proper place just as beautiful.

 A little a piece of lace and a sentiment to finish it off.....so elegant in a nice and easy way!

Our generous sponsors this week are:

 Prize #1

Prize #2

($10 Voucher)

Prize #3

 ($10 Voucher)

Thanks so much for stopping by, and hopefully we'll be visiting you to see your lovely entries this week!  Be sure to check out all the inspiration from the rest of my teamies over on the challenge blog too.

Some challenges for my card:

Stampotique Designers Challenge - #94 Flowers

Natalie and Amy - #8 Monochromatic

Speedy Fox and Friends - #155 WHITE Embossing Powder

Cutie Pie Challenge - #42 Clean and Simple

My Craft Spot - #95 Anything Goes

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

Bearly Mine Challenges - #82 Spring flowers

Crafty Creations Challenge - #218 No Patterned Paper

Penny's Challenges - #123 Use a sentiment

Lexi's Creations - #88 Add Lace and/or Ribbon

A One Layer Card

Good morning...at least I'm hoping it is!  This winter has been a blast....of nothing but snow and cold weather.  I'm surely looking forward to spring.  If you are spending lots of time inside crafting, perhaps you can join us this week in our challenge at Charisma.  The theme this week is One Layer Cards. 

So, as you can see....there are no added layers or embellishments.  I've used 3 different stamps with black ink, some blue chalk for shading, some glitter, and lots of doodling...all with glitter pens.  The oval shape border was created by tracing around a Spellbinder's die, while for the zigzag border I used a stencil.

Stamps used
Queen Anne's Wildflowers Silhouette - from Sweet Stamps
Butterfly from the Inkadinkado - Garden Flower set
Sentiment from the Hero Arts - Sending Smiles set

This week we have two lovely sponsors, once again with some wonderful prizes:

Prize One

(offering one lucky winner the choice of 5 Digi's)

Prize Two

 

(offering another lucky winner the choice of 5 Digi's)

I'm really looking forward to seeing your creations this week, and don't forget to check out the rest of the DT cards for more inspiration.  Have a great day!

And now, for some fun challenges for my card:

Sweet Stamps - #105 Sweet & Simple    Challenge Winner

Allsorts Challenge  - #194 Things with Wings

Pan Pastel - #7 Just Two Colours

Created with Love - #29 Things that Fly

Love to Create - #53 All That Glitters

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

Penny's Challenges - #115 Anything Goes

Forever Friends - #55 Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers  - #85 Blooming Images

My Craft Spot - #87 Flowers

Happy Anniversary ......Wishes

Good morning everyone.  It's time again for another fun challenge at Charisma Cardz, and here we go with my DT submission.  This week, our theme is Happy Anniversary.......and I've gone with a nice spring feel.  (Which is my wish....of course!)

 I've played with a couple of stamps from Hero Arts, called Elegant Weeds,  embossing them with clear embossing powder before colouring.   A little sparkle was then added to the one on the right.   The butterfly is a gold peel off sticker on velum, and the sentiment (from Stampabilities) is also heat embossed, this time with gold.

Today's challenge is being sponsored by the wonderful folks at

 

and

(4 Digis of the winners choice)

 

We really hope that you get a chance to enter this week, as we always like to visit your blogs and see your projects too!  And, if you are looking for inspiration, be sure to check out what the rest of the DT has created!

My craft room isn't getting much use lately, as life is very busy with appointments and all the other issues that arise when someone is not well.  Thank you for all your well wishes, and hopefully my hubby will be coming along better real soon.

Now, a few challenges for my card:

Bunny Zoes Crafts - #21 Celebrations

Allsorts Challenge - Free and Easy

Sassy Cheryl's - #102 No Designer Paper

Karen's Doodles - #98 Celebrate

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - #54 Spring is in the Air

Stampalot Challenge - In the Garden

Silhouette Grass

Hello there!!  We had a major day of rain today.  Every time that I had to go out, the skies opened and it positively poured.  Not complaining though....nice break from the heat, and we really need the rain.

So how about a nice and easy, or my version of a CAS card.  Here I've used a large stamp from Hero Arts, called Silhouette Grass.  I've inked the stamp using green and brown DI.  After stamping the image, I've used blue, orange and green DI to sponge in the background, giving it a soft summer feel.  A bit more to the edges with some brown and its almost all done.  When finished, I spritzed it with a fine mist of water for a slightly different look.   Just a butterfly and a corner piece for embellishment, a layer of brown and a simple stamped sentiment finish it off.

Sometimes its just nice to make a card that finishes up so quickly.  If you have any questions, just leave them in a comment, and I'll definitely get back to you.  Thanks so much for visiting.

Some challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me Challenges - #46 Anything Goes

Fashionable Stamping - #1 Anything Goes

Cards for Men - #16 Clean and Simple

Stampalot Challenge - Whatever You Fancy

Sundays with Crissy - #20 Keep It Simple Stamper

Christmas (card) in July...

Good morning!  Has anyone noticed how many challenges are out there for Christmas in July?  We are in the middle of a significant heat wave at the moment, but even the stores have promotions going for this same theme.  Seems like a crazy idea, so what the heck.....I too jumped in with a card!

 

This was a quick little number, using a stamp from Hero Arts which doesn't appear to be available anymore.  This was one of my little must have purchases that then got lost in a drawer......how could that be?  I've stamped with brown ink and then treated the edges to a fancy 'cut and colour', giving it a distressed look.  Using some DP from last year's Basic Grey Jovial line, I think I've actually achieved a vintage look.  Not a style I go with too often, but it works with this stamp.  Not many embellishments, but I did add the gold filigree corner piece, which  is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

You might see this stamp again before Christmas, because I've thought of another idea I might try!   Or maybe I'll dig out another stamp .... that might be lost in the drawer. (lol)

Have yourselves a nice day, and stay cool!

Some fun challenges:

Stamp Something - Christmas in July Somethings

CES Challenges - #45 Christmas

Paper Sundaes - #78 Christmas in July

The Crazy Challenge - #76 Christmas in July

Tuesday Throwdown - #58 Something Metallic

2 Sisters Challenge - #48 Christmas in July

Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog - #64 Xmas in July

ABC Christmas Challenge - O is for Older Image

Craft Us Crazy - #13 Anything Goes

Allsorts Challenge - #111 Free and Easy

Woodland Beauty

Hello again!  I'm on a roll.....trying to get a few cards done up.  I'm using up some images that I coloured earlier, but which sat on my desk for a while when I ran out of ideas!  Does anyone else have this problem? 

Today's card is for the Sassy Studio Design Challenge and is my GDT entry.  They've asked for no DP, so I've used the Dandelion Frame stamp from  Hero Arts to make a background, which I have then sponged with yellow and green DI.  The lovely little lady, Belle Honey has been coloured with Prismas, cut out in part with a Nellie Snellen die, and edged with gold stickles.

The idea for the layout came from this week's CAS sketch at Midnight Madness.  It's very simple, and lets the images do all of the work.

Bits of sparkle have been added to the background, as well as some tiny blue sparkly flowers for some contrast.  Note the butterfly, which I picked up on my travels and the bit of gold ribbon to break up the black.  The sentiment is a gold peel-off, perfect against the black.

My intention, was to create a woodland scene, darker to the outer edges while the lady image is captured in the light through the foliage.  Just call me crazy!  lol

Have yourself a wonderful day, and thanks so much for visiting.

Some other challenges I will enter:

Stamp Scrap and Doodle - What is on Your Desk Right Now?

Catch the Bug - June Anything Goes Challenge

Birthday Sundaes - #12 Anything Goes Birthday Card

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #114 In the Garden/Outdoors

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Truly Scrumptious - #58 Summer Sparkle

Bearly Mine Challenges - #12 Everyone's Favourite - Anything Goes

Scrap-Creations - Happy Birthday

Emerald Faeries - #2 LOTS OF BLING Crafts and Me Challenges - #38 Stamp Something

Patiently Waiting.....

What a lovely day we are having.....lots of sun and a wonderful breeze....the type of weather where you like to go and work in the garden.  I'm hoping by weekend I'll be ready for the garden centre, but my poppies are already established and now I'm just waiting for the blooms!   But in the meantime.......

How about a card, made with the Poppy Background stamp from Hero Arts.  For this stamping technique you apply a number of different DI to the stamp before you stamp and you also need to use a glossy cardstock.   A very simple card to make, and a different look everytime.  The sentiment is computer generated, printed directly on the card before adding the image and trims.  And of course, there has to be a butterfly!

I hope you too, are having a wonderful day, and get the opportunity to enjoy this season's pleasures.  Thanks for visiting and happy crafting.

Some challenges for more inspiration:

Sir Stampalot Challenge - picture inspiration

By the Cute and Girly - In the Garden

Crafter's Companion - #13 HERE COMES SUMMER

Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight Challenge - Challenge yourself to something new

Fab & Funky Challenges - #75 "What'eva" challenge

A Spoon Full of Sugar - #154 Flower Power

Butterfly Birthday Wishes

Hi folks, hopefully I'm back!  I've been somewhat busy lately with plenty of company, grandkids and lots of numbers!  Working during the day on financials doesn't leave me with much mojo in the evenings, soooo I'm going to switch it all around.  Seeing as I work from home, I'm going to craft in the daytime and work in the evening.....  We'll see how it goes!

For this card, I've made the DP using brown ink and the Antique Flower background stamp from Hero Arts.  Then I've sponged with two colours of distress ink, orange and blue.  Using black ink, I've added the Butterfly Scroll stamp from Inkadinkado.  The outer edges of the card blank are also sponged with the same blue DI, and then, just a silver peel-off border and four gems for the corners.  Nice and simple to make!

Hopefully you can take away something different from this post, and check out these challenges for some more inspiration.   Thanks for your visit and lovely comments, and be sure to have yourself a wonderful day!
Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight Challenge - make your own designer papers

Pear Tree Designs -#41 Happy Birthday

Everybody-Art-Challenge - #134 Happy Birthday

Craft Us Crazy - Celebrate Good Times

Lollipop Crafts - #31 Butterflies

Little Red Wagon - #73 Butterflies