Sundae Funday & Gnome for Christmas

Another crafting session, and another Christmas Card & Tag and Swap Card

 

This time, we have a 'gnome' Christmas Card and a CAS Card (I struggle with CAS cards, they always look incomplete to me LOL)

 

Anyway,  here are my cards for the CraftMad Card Swap - November.

 

Card #1 CAS 

Colorado Craft Company Sundae Funday image stamped and heat embossed, then hand coloured with Copics.  Spellbinders Circle Dies and offcuts/snippets layered on the background from my stash, and a touch of bling. 

 

This is about as CAS as I get.  I did use an old FMS sketch for the layout.

Now onto Card #2 - Gnome/Snowman Christmas Card with tag.

We had a choice of Snowman or Gnome, so I chose Gnome.

I stamped up some Gnome images and coloured in with Copics, then cut them out with the matching dies.  I used some leftover strips from my previous 'white on white' card, swiped some ink over the raised bits and layered over some DP from my stash.  I layered the Gnome on a die cut Diamond Vellum, and heat embossed on the edges and the sentiment with Silver.

The Tag mirrors the layout of the card, but I used a 'Girl' Gnome this time.
 

I have really struggled to keep up with my card swaps this year - most of them have been late, very late, not something I am proud of. 

 

 

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Happy Purrthday

Another fun card for today.

 

The As You Like it Challenge asks us 'cats or dogs?'   LOL  it is definitely cats for me! 

  

 

 

Black 300gsm card base, with a marble DP.  

 

Uniquely Creative "Purrfect" cats stamped and hand coloured with Copics, then die cut, Sentiment stamped and diecut.  All elements added to cardfront with foam tabs.

 

 

A touch of bling added. 

 

A very clean and simple card for me .... not sure whether it needs something more or not :)

 

Linking with the following challenges:

  

Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays   

Allsorts Challenge #829 - Animals 

As You Like it - Cats or Dogs   Oops, too late!

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Hope your birthday is a hit!

It's time for some more birthday cards.  Making cards for friends & family always makes me happy!

 

Inspired by some of the Challenge Blogs, I have made a few birthday cards.

 

The 'records' were die cut from black cardstock twice, metallic cardstock for the lables, layered together and attached to the cardfront with foam dots.  The black cardstock is some left over 'snippets' from a heat embossing experiment that did not work - I kept it as I figured I could always use the other side ..... waste not, want not!

 

Die Cut musical elements cut from other 'left over' snippets added to front of records.  Sentiment was stamped using Versa Fine Black Onyx and die cut with a 'tag' die and attached to the cardfront with foam dots.

 

The layout of my card was inspired by the Freshly Made Sketch #620

 

Linking with the following challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches #620

Addicted to Stamps & More - #460 Die Cut/Stencil

Seize the Birthday  #276- Anything goes

Cut it Up Challenge #296 - this makes me happy

I made my own background by stamping a musical notes stamp several times with Versamark and heat embossing with clear powder.  I then ink blended with some blue inks, leaving a lighter centre area and darker around the edges.

The 'records' were die cut from black cardstock twice, metallic cardstock for the lables, layered together and attached to the cardfront with foam dots.  The black cardstock is some left over 'snippets' from a heat embossing experiment that did not work - I kept it as I figured I could always use the other side ..... waste not, want not!  and not having too much wastage makes me happy!

 

Die Cut musical elements cut from other 'left over' snippets added to front of records.  Sentiment was stamped using Versa Fine Black Onyx and die cut with a 'tag' die and attached to the cardfront with foam dots.

Linking with the following challenges:

Creative Knockouts #513 - lots of layers

Snippets Playground #472

Cut it Up Challenge #296 - this makes me happy

 

 

The above cards have been inspired by the same sketch layout  - the first one being a VERY CAS card, the second card with a bit 'more' added.   I struggle with CAS cards, I can't help but feel they are 'incomplete'  LOL

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Sorry for your loss

More time to play with my new stamps ...... this time with Altenew Paint A Flower - Poppy set.

 

 

I stamped the flower on white blending 250gsm cardstock using Versafine Clair Onyx and heat embossed with clear.  I then coloured in the flower & leaves with Distress Inks using a waterbrush.

 

For the background, I mixed up a 'slurry' of gold Delicata ink and using a brush I flicked it onto the cardfront. I picked up some of the remainder green from the leaves and flicked that too!

 

Sentiments were stamped using StazOn Ganache (not black - more of a browny/black) -- 'sorry' from HoneyBee Stamps 'Miss You Big Time' die cut 3 times, then layered together and placed on front of card.  'For Your Loss' single layer was stamped and the strip manually cut then layered with 3D foam.

 

A final touch of black hearts bling added.  The Cardfront had warped a little bit with the water colouring so I added another 210gsm layer using double sided JAC paper to add some structure, then placed that onto a Dark Maroon cardbase.

 

All cardstock in this project is from Blue Edge Crafts and the stamps were purchased from Auzz Trinklets N Crafts  I have no formal Affiliation with these stores, I include their links because I like to support Australian craft stores where I can, and I have always had a positive experience with these stores in particular!

Thankfully, this card is not needed right now, so it will go in my 'stash' ready for when I do need a sympathy card.

 

--oo0oo--

 

Linking With the following challenges:

 

Inspiration Station #45 - I was inspired by the flowers on the window sill

Cardz4Galz #190 CAS  - A clean and simple card (well, clean for me LOL)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Fabulous Flowers

PRODUCTS USED

• Stamps/Dies:  Altenew Paint A Flower: Poppy, HoneyBee Stamps 'Miss You Big Time'
• Inks:  Versafine Clair Onyx, Distress Inks, StazOn Ganache, Ranger Embossing Powder
• Tools:  Cuttlebug, Couture Creations Precision Stamp Press, Couture Creations Mini Guillotine Trimmer, Couture Creations Mini Score Board, Heat Tool
  
• Cardstock:  250gsm Blending Cardstock, 210gsm white cardstock, 300gsm Coloured Cardbase

 

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Happy New Year!

It's really hot here in Adelaide today, so I am inside playing in the Craft Room.

 

I made a Happy New Year card ........  something fun and light-hearted to lift the spirits!

 

I started with a freebie digital image from Gerda Steiner and played around with colouring it, then I added some Dimensional Magic to the stars, some Kindy Glitz to the hats & scarves.  I printed 'Happy New Year' with the laser printer, then foiled it in Gold (it doesn't show up very well in this photo, but it is really shiny!)

Cardfront was then mounted onto black 250gsm card .... simples!  No layers, no flowers, clean lines.

 

Inspired By challenge is 'happy new year' and it has gold bits in the photo

 

Also, sharing my card with the artist, Gerda Steiner :)  This image was great to work with, I will have to have another look at what else is available :)

 

This card is also a card for Creative Crafters Challenge on Facebook :)

 

Linking With the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge Blog - Week 708/9 - CAS

Inspired By Challenge  - photo

Items Used

Cardstock:  white & black cardstock

Stamps:  Digital Stamp Gerda Steiner Designs

Tools:

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Be Merry

It's beginning to feel like Christmas now - just the last lot of Christmas Cards to send out and some final food shopping on Wednesday, and I am done!  Looking forward to celebrating with family on Christmas Eve.

 

  

 

The Christmas Craft Creations current Challenge theme is 'Gnomes' which gave me the starting point for my card.  

 

 

The Perfectly CAS style (using 1/3rd or less) is a challenge for me and I hope I have pulled it off.  'Happy Holidays' is the theme for Cupcake Inspirations 

 

I stamped one of the Gnome images from Stampendous Holiday Gnomes and hand coloured with copics, then die cut twice and layered.  Gold cross grain ribbon was attached to card topper, image placed on top with foam dots and some blingy holographic snowflake stickers added. Card topper was then mounted onto dark blue cardstock.

 

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy, Safe & Prosperous New Year.

Cheers!

Linking With the following challenges:

Christmas Craft Creations - December: Gnomes

Perfectly CAS - #34 Christmas

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #559 - Happy Holidays

Items Used

Cardstock:  white, blue

Inks: Copics, Versafine Claire

Stamps:  Stampendous Holiday Gnomes

Tools: Cuttlebug

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Merry Christmas

not long to go now ............. and it will be Christmas Day!

Today's card is a CAS card ... well, CAS for me LOL

Two Gingerbread Characters stamped with StazOn, coloured in with Copics and highlighted with Kindy Glitz & scattered stars.

I spied the Gingerbread people in the background of the Peace on Earth Christmas challenge and it fits in with the current AAA Cards Challenge :)

 

The 'Merry Christmas' sentiment is from an unknown Stampin Up set.  I bought a heap of loose SU stamps from Marketplace.  If anyone can let me know which set it belongs to, that would be great!

Linking With the following challenges:

AAA Cards - Game #229 - small & few & baked goods

Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #47 - Anything Goes

CAS on Friday - #245 - Greeting Card

Peace on Earth Christmas - Photo Board

Items Used

Cardstock:  200gsm white cardstock

Inks:  StazOn

Stamps:  Stampin Up 'Merry Christmas', Gingerbreads unknown brand

Tools:  Copics

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

With Sympathy

Sympathy cards are always hard to make, but sometimes, the challenge blogs can help with inspiration.

One of my camera club friends, Donna, passed away unexpectedly ..... she was only 64.  I needed a card for her partner & soulmate Michael.  Donna had a wonderful laugh, always greeted everyone with a smile and will be sorely missed.

I experimented a little bit with this card.  I used a Spellbinders Die as a stencil - not the die cut, the actual metal die.  I quite like how the slight overflow on the edge of the die creates a white frame without adding extra layers.  I also kind of like that the blue looks like sky with the dandelions blowing in the breeze :)  so it fits with the Just Add Ink challenge of Day/Silhouette.

Linking with:

Addicted to CAS: #232 - Sympathy

Happy Little Stampers October Stencil Challenge

Just Add Ink #627 - pick 2 - Day/Night/Silhouette

Less is More #476 - use a stencil

Cardstock:  Leathergrain 300gsm cardstock.  

Background:  Distress Inks - Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet blended with brushes.

Dies:  Spellbinders Deckled Edge  

Stamps:  Dandelion stamped in Versafine Onyx Black & heat embossed with clear embossing.  With Sympathy Ultimate Crafts Ooh La La - Happy Lives stamped with StazOn black.

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Happy Anniversary

It will be the Niece & her husband's 11th Wedding Anniversary on 22/10/22.

I struggled to come up with an idea for their card ..... it didn't help that I miscalculated the date and thought it was their 13th Wedding anniversary so my initial ideas and thoughts have been filed away for when they do celebrate the 13th!

I have had some miniature mulberry paper flowers in my stash for absolutely ages.   I came up with this Clean & Simple design

11 roses tied together with an organza ribbon and a metal heart embellishment.   Happy Anniversary sentiment is a peel off sticker, all mounted on Kraft card which I have also had in my stash for ages .... I accidently ordered some when I didn't know what it was ;) but I am glad I have it now.

Actually, all of these items have been in my stash for as long as I can remember .... I initially got the metals hearts for my beading but never actually got around to using them.

Linking with:

NBUS - #43 - Kraft Card & Metal embellishment

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Just for you Sweet Friend

One of my friends is going through a bit of a rough patch - they say it hits in 3's and for her it has.  She recently lost two old friends close together and she is now facing a health issue herself.  

I feel there is not a lot I can do, but I can let her know she is in my thoughts and I am here if she needs me.

I am still experimenting making my own backgrounds and on the CAS Colour & Sketches challenge blog, the colours for the current challenge really appealed to me.

It's not exact colours, but close ... sort of .. Stampin'Up Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa Candied Coral

The background was made using 3 colours with a wide stroke of a paint brush giving them an 'ombre blend'.  The Dandelion and sentiment have been stamped in Ganache by StazOn.  Mounted with 3d foam onto a black cardbase, with just a touch of bling added.

I kind of like it :)  

Linking with:

CAS Colour & Sketches - #468

Happy Little Stampers - Blend (Ombre Blend)

Addicted to CAS - #219 Friendship

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

A Touch of Red

Here are 2 cards from my recent swaps with my Card Swap Group - A Touch of Red and an Open Swap.

I didn't read the brief correctly for the 'A Touch of Red' and made just a 'Red & White' card   DOH!

But then I realised that it would be OK, as I could use it for the 'Open Theme' swap - winner winner!

So here are my cards.

CARD #1

White cardfront embossed with Provo Craft 'birthday' folder (one of the first embossing folders I got when I bought the Cuttlebug back in 2008!)  'happy' & 'birthday' sponged red to highlight.  Balloon die cut 3 times from red cardstock, layered then attached to cardfront.  Red gems to finish off, then cardfront mounted to Red Leathergrain card base.

CARD #2

White cardfront, run through Cuttlebug with Spellbinders M-bossabilities folder ES-014.  'hello' die cut 3 times from red cardstock & layered and added to cardfront.  Gem brad used to attached red paper flower, then cardfront mounted to white cardbase.

Linking with:

CARD#2 - Perfectly CAS: #25 - Die Cuts

CARD#1 - Make the Cards Challenge: #50 - Embossing Folder

Stay safe everyone!  Tell your family & friends you love them!

Let it Snow

Cut It Up - Guest Designer Spot #2 - Snowmen - February 25

Here is a card for my 2nd Guest Designer Spot for Cut It Up.  This particular challenge is sponsored by OddballArtCo and I have used Silly Chilly Stan #138 for my card.

I resized Silly Chilly Stan to fit on a DL size cardstock and printed with a Laser printer and hand coloured in the scarf & nose with watercolour pencils.  The sky/snow was sponged using a mixture of a few different 'blues'.

Lawn Fawn 'Let it Snow' sentiment from Magic Holiday stamped with StazOn Ganache and die cut with the inner circle of the large snowflake from the Magic Iris Snowflake Add On.  The Snowflake was die cut from some 'textured handmade paper' I have had in my stash for as long as I can remember .... just waiting for the perfect opportunity.

The sky looked a little bare, so I stamped some extra snowflakes with Stampin Up 'Snow Swirled' with 'Not Quite Navy' and added a touch of Kindy Glitz.  I also used Kindy Glitz at the bottom of the card to indicate snow on the ground - I am not entirely sure that idea was successful, but I can live with it.

I would like to link this card with a few challenges:

Happy Little Stampers' current challenge is Snowflakes, and whilst this card may be 'borderline' CAS, I will link it with Addicted to CAS anyway :)  and, the Peace on Earth Christmas challenge provided this really great picture for inspiration

The snowman and all the snow caught my attention :)  Living in Adelaide, we rarely get any snow, so I often dream of what a White Christmas would look like!

I am really quite pleased with how this card turned out and will be added to my 2022 Christmas Card Stash!

Thank you to Evelyn from the Cut It Up Challenge for asking me to be a Guest Designer, I really enjoyed myself!

linking with

Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Snowflakes

Addicted to CAS - #214 - Snowflake

Peace on Earth Christmas: Challenge #10