Merry Christmouse!

Time for a Christmas Card and matching tag!

 

I had a colouring in session with some of my LOTV Christmas digital stamps.  I have had these digital images since 2021/2022 and I don't think I have used them yet :( 

 

I used my computer to place the two LOTV graphics 'Christmouse Pudding' & 'Christmouse Decorations' along the bottom of an A4 page for the cardfront.  The sentiment graphic was then placed below it.  

 

For the Tag, another copy of the 'Christmouse Pudding' was placed at the top of the A4 page and resized, with a portion of the image removed, leaving just the mouse with the pudding.  A sentiment graphic was then positioned below it.

 

 

 

Once the graphics were printed, I then set about colouring it in with Copics, finishing with Kindy Glitz.

 

Slimline/DL sized card was made with Red leathergrain cardstock, and completed cardfront attached to cardbase.

 

The Tag was hand cut to suit, then a red ribbon added.

 

 

 I had lots of fun making this set :)  Now to get on with some more cardmaking!

 

Linking with the following challenges:

Critter Crazy Challenge CCC101 - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts - #551 Sparkle & Shine 

Neglected Stuff Challenge 8/25

  

 

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.

So Happy I'm Sixty ...

Time for another card   ......

This one is for my Sister-in-Law Sharon .... it's her 60th birthday

 

I got out my Alpha dies and cut a series of letters in white cardstock with 3 layers each, then I cut a selection of  'special' letters in gold.   Letters were set aside while I worked on the background.

 

For the background, I stamped some 'fireworks' in strategic positions on a black square cardfront in VersaMark and clear heat embossed, then attached to the 300 gsm white square cardbase.

 

'So Happy I'm Sixty' was strategically placed and attached to cardfront with foam tape.  Some of the letters were a bit fidly, but it is so worth it!

 

I was able to use my new T-square ruler to line up all the letters - I really don't know why I waited so long to get me one of these rulers, but I am so glad I did now.

 

 

Finished off with a sprinkling of gems.  

 

As You Like It Challenge asks us which is our favourite .... gems or pearls?  I would have to say gems!  I do use Pearls, but only occasionally (usually for a wedding card).

 

Time Out Challenges #280 is Fave thing to do in January - for me it is spending time in my craft room with the cricket on (or a fave movie) in the air conditioning as it is usually far too hot to go outside.

 

Creative Inspirations asks us to use something 'new' - my new T-square ruler.

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Knockouts challenge #539 calls for 'Something to say' - use a sentiment - I think the card says it all!  LOL

 

Simon Wednesday Challenge is asking for something 'funny/punny' - I think my card fits the bill!

 

 

Items Used:

STAMPS:  Sugar Pea Cheers to You

DIES:  Amazon Alpha Dies

INK:  VersaMark

CARD STOCK:  Blue Edge Crafts Cardstock – White/black 300 gsm, White Linen 250 gsm, matte gold

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Blue Edge Crafts Bling/Gems

TOOLS:   Cuttlebug, Print Blocks Emboss It Heat Tool, T-square ruler

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.

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Everything

Here is another card I made recently with the abundant supply of alphabet letters I die cut the other day!

 

I die cut a series of letters out of Plaid DP and layered onto white cardstock for dimension. 

I used my new 'T square' ruler to align the letters, before affixing with foam tape to red background cardstock.  Gold Peel Off stickers were randomly added to the background, 'Merry Everything' sentiment stamped on 210gsm white cardstock, cut out and added to red background with foam tape.  The background was then affixed to a white A6 300gsm cardbase.

 

AND .... we have another 'dancing' Santa :) stamped on 210gsm white cardstock and hand coloured with Copics, fussy cut with scissors, highlighted with Dimensional paint, then affixed with a wobble (see video below).

 

 

I have really enjoyed making this selection of Christmas Cards, even though the lettering took way more time than I expected to LOL

 

Linking with the following challenges:

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #93 - Anything Christmas

As You Like it Challenge - Anything Christmassy

Creative Knockouts #536 - Time to be Merry 

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.

Thanks so Much

Having another play with my new Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms dies ..... 

 

I am really enjoying playing with these dies and die cuts.

 

 

 

I started with rummaging through my offcuts/snippets ..... and made a selection of colours that I thought might work well.  I die-cut the flowers and leaves multiple times in multiple colours and then set about making up various combinations of flowers, stems and leaves.

The background is left over from a previous card - I think that might be the last of the gorgeous dark blue. I used the Waffle Flower A6 Layers die to cut the cardfront to the perfect size.  

Playing with the layout is lots of fun. 

 

A final touch of bling added randomly around the card ...... if you call playing with the positioning for a good 5 minutes before deciding on final layout random LOL

 

I am really pleased with the way this card turned out .... especially considering it is made entirely with snippets/offcuts (except the white 300gsm cardbase).
 

Linking this card with the following challenges:

Snippets Playground Challenge $493

My Time to Craft - #547 - Thank You 

The Flower Challenge #97 - Thanks

Creative Knockouts #534 - Thankful

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.

Thinking of You

I was in need of a Sympathy Card this week ..... a dear family friend had passed away.

 

Serendipitously, I had been playing with some new #Altenew inks that had arrived in the mail from Auzz Trinklets N Crafts just a few days earlier.  I stamped up some lavender flowers using the Altenew BAF Lavender set and die cut several layers, glued together to add dimension.  I tied 2 lavenders together with some gold twine and glued them together.  For the background, I used a single lavender stamp, and Altenew 'Wisteria' Crisp Dye Ink - stamping several times, then adding some 'splatters' using a few other inks.  I then stamped 'thinking of you' using the Altenew 'Permanent Black' Crisp Dye Ink at the bottom of the cardfront. 

 

 The layered lavender flowers were added to the cardfront using 3D foam tabs, and a final touch of 'bling' added with some randomly placed pearls. Linking with the following challenges:Creative Knockouts #515 - die cuts/stencils/punches Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #14 - Anything Floral
#Altenew, #AltenewChallenge, #caughtbyaltenew,
 

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.

Thinking of You ......

Hi everyone, thanks for stopping by and reading my latest post!

I have needed a few Sympathy cards of late ...... such a sad time for some of my friends and their families.  Over the next day or so, I will be sharing some of the sympathy cards I have made.

 

One of my friends I have known since about 1975, Gavin, recently passed away.  It was a bit of a shock, as he was only 66, but he had been experiencing some health issues of late.  

 

This card will be for his ex-wife, Deb.  Even though they were no longer married, they remained on good terms.

 

For me, the loss of an old friend hurts, but knowing he is no longer in pain is a source of comfort.

 

Altenew Build-a-flower Coneflower images were stamped in layers, with the outline being stamped with Versafine and heat embossed with clear, then die cut with matching dies.  Using my Couture Creations Stamping Platform really helped with aligning the images.

 

Background was made by masking off the outer edge of cardfront and using a blending brush.  Water droplets were splattered to create some texture.  

Stampin Up 'Thinking of You' sentiment stamped directly onto cardfront with Versafine Onyx Black.

Cardfront was then trimmed and mounted onto cardbase using 3D foam tape.

Flowers were attached to cardfront with 3D foam squares. 

 

I am loving using these #Altenew stamps & dies

 

Linking With the following challenges:

The Flower Challenge #84 Use a Die

Creative Knockouts #502 anything goes

Cardz4Galz #207  Leaves

Tic Tac Toe #225  Diagonal top left to bottom right

ITEMS USED

Altenew Build-a-flower Coneflower Stamps & Dies, Inks, VersaFine Onyx Black, Clear Emboss Power, Stampin Up 'Thinking of You' stamp, Couture Creations Stamping Platform

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.

Love You ......

It's that time of year for us ........ we celebrate our 41st Wedding Anniversary on 13th February, and of course, 14th February is Valentines Day  ... 

 

Here is the Anniversary/Valentines card I made for Mr Fixit

 

On the inside of the card it says "I think I will keep you!"

 

Sentiment (font: Finesse) printed with laser Printer, the heart shape was foiled in Red with the MiniMinc.  Centre panel was die cut with Spellbinders, then background was ink blended with a brush using Distress Ink (Candied Apple) while still inside the die, giving another border effect, without adding an extra layer.  

Centre panel was then layered onto red cardstock, then mounted onto black leathergrain (300 gsm) cardbase using foam dots.

Red Gems and Black Bling hearts added as a finishing touch!

There are so many challenges with a 'love' theme at the moment :) it is a real love fest out there!

 

The 'InspiredBy' challenge inspired the placement of the two overlapping heart shapes I used.

The 'Inspiration Station' challenge inspired the use of red hearts.

The 'TicTacToe' challenge, I chose Across Middle Row: Red/Free/Love Sentiment 

The 'Try it on Tuesday' challenge theme is 'all you need is love' ......

 

-oo0oo-

 

Linking With the following challenges:

Try it on Tuesday - All You Need is Love

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #196

 

Inspiration Station - Photo Inspiration (inspired by the Red & Hearts)

Cut it Up #271 - Have a Heart

Inspired by Challenge - Hearts

 

Creative Knockout - Love is in the Air

Cardz 4 Guyz - valentine for a guy

Allsorts Challenge #715 Anything goes with hearts

ITEMS USED

Stamps/Dies:  Spellbinders large rectangle Die

Inks: Distress Ink Candied Apple

Tools:  Cuttlebug, blending brush, Heidi Swapp Mini Minc

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.

Thanks .... So Much

Am loving the hot weather ....... NOT    LOL 🤣🤣

We have solar panels and while the sun is shining, at least it is covering the electricity bill so we can freely use the air conditioning, and over the last few days, we needed it!

So while it was too hot outside to do anything, I was supposed to be tidying up my craft room, but I got distracted and made up a card!

 

 

I came across some very old handmade papers that I have had since I first started cardmaking in 2003 and as I 💖 Purple, I just HAD to have a play!

 

The card came together in a matter of minutes ..... don't you just love it when that happens!

 

I had a stamped element left over from a previous play date - a flower from the SU Hand Penned Petals which had been heat embossed using white ink AND white embossing powder - and was coloured in using Distress Inks & blending brushes.

The flower element was mounted onto a gorgeous die-cut that I received in a Swap (my 'something new' for the Creative Inspiration Challenge), then that was mounted onto the purple handmade paper (my 'something old'), which had been mounted onto the white cardbase.

 

 

Sentiments 'thanks' (from Honey Bee Stamps Bitty Buzzwords) was die cut from scraps in black & white, layered & mounted with 3d foam dots to background.  'so much' (from Honey Bee Stamps Miss You Big time) was stamped in StazOn black onto white cardstock scrap pieces, then mounted onto front of card.  It pays to keep all those smaller scrap pieces!

 

I am really pleased with how quickly this card came together. 

 

This one will go in my stash for future use :)

I am linking with a few newly discovered challenges for this card, as well as one of my Fave Challenge blogs, Cut It Up :)

Birthstone Challenges BSC#1 - Anything Goes (Amethyst)

Creative Knockouts #485 Anything Goes 

Cut It Up Challenge #269 - Anything Goes (with a die cut)

Creative Inspirations - January - Something Old, Something New

Items Used

Cardstock:  White 250gsm, purple handmade paper

Inks:  Distress Inks, Memento White Versamagic, White Embossing powder, StazOn

Stamps/Dies:  SU Hand Penned Petals, HBS Miss You Big Time, HBS Bitty Buzzwords

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.