Happy Birthday Liam!

Another family birthday, this one for the Nephew, Liam.

 

I made the card using his favourite football team colours - Port Adelaide (Black, White & Teal)

 

I have wanted to try the 'split circle' technique for quite some time and I figure now was a good time to try.

 

I made a background using Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder and splattered with Distress Inks, then cut the cardfront with Waffle Flower A6 layers die.  I diecut several different size Spellbinders circles from offcuts of black, white & teal cardstock and set out having a play.  I discovered that cutting a circle in half is not as easy as it sounds  LOL but I managed. 

 

Circles were cut, glued together then arranged accordingly, but I made a mess with the ink somehow, hence the 'extra' bit to the left of the 'Happy Birthday' to cover up a blob.  Happy Birthday sentiment is from Stampin' Up, Voila! stamped onto another circle, then positioned accordingly.

 

Birthday balloons were cut from teal and placed on the cardfront. (unknown brand, bought at an Op Shop)

 

Cardfront was then attached to a 300gsm white card base.

 

I was not completely happy with the card, but time was against me.  I think I will have another play with these split circles at some stage in the future and see what I can come up with.

 

 

Linking with the following challenges:

 

 

 

AAA Birthday #76 - Sports (Fave Sports team colours)  Not sure if this qualifies or not, but will give it a shot!

Seize the Birthday #311 - no flowers

Snippets Playground #513 -  offcuts of black, teal & White

All Sorts Challenge #830 - I Spy with a "B" - Balloons 

 

 

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.

Hello, Thanks so much

More time in the craft room recently :) yay!!

 

Another selection of cards for my swap group. 

 

For May, we swap 2 cards of our own choice ......   easy right?   I was happy to make a start on the cards early in the month, but things got in the way and the cards were delayed in getting to their partner.

 

Anyway, here are my cards.

 

Card#1 

This is an Altenew stamp & die set - Wild Flora (2020) - flowers were stamped with Versafine Onyx Black and heat embossed with Zing Clear embossing powder.  I hand painted the flower & leaves using Altenew Inks.

 

I made the background using a stencil with a blending brush and lightly blended using Altenew Ink in the centre.  When mounting the background onto the matt, I thought it got a little lost, so I ink blended the edges as well, and added a few splatters.  I then die cut the sentiment twice from black and layered onto the background.  

 

The background was cut using Waffle Flower A6 layer dies and layered onto an A6 300 gsm White Cardbase.  

 

The flowers and leaves were then positioned on the front in a pleasing manner with foam tabs to add dimension.

 

 

Linking this card with a few challenges

Retro Rubber Challenge #257 - Stamp set from 2020 - using right column Stencil, coloring, die cut

Triple B Challenge: June 2025 - use Blooms

 

 

 

 

Card#2

 

I came across some elements set aside from a previous crafting session and thought it was perfect for the swap.  Flowers were stamped with White ink, and heat embossed with White embossing powder, then the flower & leaves were ink blended using brushes.

 

The flower element was mounted onto a gorgeous die-cut that I received in a Swap many years ago, then that was mounted onto the purple handmade paper, which in turn, has been mounted onto the white A6 300gsm white cardbase.

 

Sentiments 'thanks' (from Honey Bee Stamps Bitty Buzzwords) was die cut from 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. 

 

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, To Someone Special

More time in the craftroom saw me playing with a new to me card style - a 'Fun Fold Tower Pinwheel card'.

 

Card#1

This card was part of the February swap for Craft Mad Swappers - and once again, I was so very late in making my card, and sending it.

 

I really struggled with the design aspect of this card - ultimately working out 4 'cardfronts'  LOL

Altenew stamps stamped & heat embossed, watercoloured in with inks and cut with matching dies, Sentiment 'thanks' diecut in black, with the shadow in white, and attached to 'front' with foam tape. 

 

Inside section to write a personal greeting.  Altenew stamped inside the card.

Once a 'design' came to mind, then it was just a matter of 'fudging' the dimensions.  Kaisercraft Butterflies stamped on another panel on the inside.

More Kaisercraft Butterflies stamped on another panel on the inside.  I can't say it was my finest work, but I am glad I took the challenge and didn't let it defeat me.  Although I can say that the 'Fun Fold Tower Pinwheel Card' was most definitely NOT FUN and will not be on my 'to do list' again!

 

Card#2

The next swap card, was quite easy - we had to use something from our Secret Santa present.  I chose the gorgeous sequins & sprinkles to make a shaker card.

 

Penny Black hedgehog from 'Party Time' stamped and coloured in with Copics.  Balloon diecut positioned and cut out to make the shaker part. Finished off with a cute little bow that has been in my stash for a very long time!

 

And of course, the 'Thank You' card I make for all my swap partners - the die cut of the die cutting machine is actually on the inside of the card :) 

 

Linking Card #2 with the following Challenges

Addicted to Stamps & More #488 - Birthday

Allsorts Challenge - #818 Clean & Simple

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - March Anything Goes

 
 

 

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.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary

Here is a card I made for my sister for her 50th Wedding Anniversary.

 

Using the Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms die set, I cut out a number of elements in Gold and white and set about making up some flowers.  The gold cardstock is some that I have had for quite a while now (read really old) and the last of it was in my 'offcuts' tray.  Some of the white pieces were left overs from my tray too!  This is my 'old' element for the Creative Inspirations Challenge.

I am finding the Be Bold Blooms die set is excellent for using up the smaller leftovers/snippets.

 

 

For the background, I embossed a 210gsm white cardstock with ProvoCraft 'Victoria' embossing folder and cut to size using Waffle Flower A6 Layer dies, then mounted the background onto a 300gsm white cardbase.

 

I used my computer to print up the sentiment using my laser printer, then foiled it using the Mini Minc & gold foil.  I then diecut the sentiment with one of my stitched circles dies. I am kinda pleased with how the sentiment turned out!

Sentiment was mounted to cardfront using 3d foam and then I played with the layout and layering of the flowers until I was happy with them, and finally placed some gems randomly around the cardfront.

 

I must say, I am really pleased with how this card turned out - all in all, a great afternoon crafting session!

 

Linking with the following challenges:

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations: January challenge 'old/new' 

Snippets Playground Challenge #497

Cut it Up Challenge #320 - anything goes

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 Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday

It's time for the in-laws birthday & anniversary celebrations.

 

Card#1 - Birthday card for Sister-in-law Rosa

I had a play with my Uniquely Creative Cake Builder Stamp & Die Set.  Cake elements were stamped on 210 gsm cardstock in Versafine Ink, hand coloured with watercolour pencils and cut out with matching dies.

 

The background stamp is Couture Creations 'Star Burst' stamped on 210 gsm cardstock with Versamark Ink and heat embossed with Holographic Embossing Powder that I have had in my stash for as long as I can remember - I don't use it very often, as it doesn't always stick very well, and tiny specks of glitter come off if you handle it too much :( The background was trimmed to make the cardfront, then added to 300gsm cardbase using foam tape. 

 

The cake elements were then layered strategically on the cardfront with a combination of foam tape & double-sided tape for added dimension.

 

Linking Card#1 with the following Challenges

AAA Birthday #68 - Lovely Layers

 

Allsorts Challenge -Week 812/3 - use your dies

Card#2 - Wedding Anniversary Card

I used up some more of the gorgeous Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms die-cuts I had pre-cut in a previous crafting session.  I am loving this Blue/Yellow/White combination.

 

Card#3 - Birthday Card for brother-in-law Greg

I had some fun cutting out records and squares from my stash of colour cardstock and placing in a fun layout.  I love the sentiment .....

 

Linking Card#3 with the following Challenges

AAA Cards #280 - sketch - I have rotated the sketch

 

 

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.

Merry Christmas

Here are a few Christmas Cards I have made recently.

In a recent post, here, I shared that I needed some new Cuttlebug Plates as my old ones had cracked.

Well, I put the new plates to the test and they performed beautifully!

 

I made up two DL size cards for something different!  (which is two-thirds of an A4 sheet)

 

Card#1

 

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, along with a mulberry paper poinsettia.  The background was then affixed to a white DL size cardbase.

Card#2

Again, I used my new 'T square' ruler to align the letters, before affixing with foam tape -- oops, the 'a' has a bit of a 'lean' LOL.  Gold Peel Off stickers were randomly added to the red background cardstock, then affixed to a white DL size cardbase. 

 

 

 

 

AND .... we have a 'dancing' Santa :) stamped and hand coloured with Copics, fussy cut with scissors, highlighted with KindyGlitz, then affixed with a wobble (see video below).

 

 

Must go, I have more Christmas cards on my to do list!

 

Linking Card #1 with the following challenges:

Cardz4Guyz Challenge #362 - Holiday/Christmas Tag/Card 

The Male Room #193 - Anything Goes

 

 

Linking Card #2 with the following challenges:

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #93 - Anything Goes - If it's Christmassy link it up! 

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #167 - Feature a Christmas Song or Carol - I am not so much into Christmas Carols, but I love Slade's 'Merry Christmas Everyone'  LOL  The song was released in 1973 and I play it nice and loud whenever I can :)

Cut It Up Challenge #319 - Use more than one die cut - well I think I got that one covered.  I confess, I didn't think making up the word Merry Christmas would be so fiddly, and take as long as it did!

ABC Christmas Challenge Y - Favourite Color - My most fave Christmas colour is Red combined with gold!

 

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.

Cuttlebug down!

I had a bit of a calamity a few weeks ago ...... my Cuttlebug C Plate cracked 

 

**insert sad face**

 

.... then the more I used it, the more it cracked, then finally it became unusable. 

 

**insert very sad face** 

 

So the search began to find a replacement plate .... 

 

**insert surprised face**

 they don't make Cuttlebug any more!!! ...  

 

I have had my Cuttlebug since about 2008 and it has been the most reliable crafting tool ever!  I was absolutely astounded to see the price of replacement machines on the market now!

Thankfully, I was able to find a replacement set of plates on Amazon, so I took the opportunity to replace my B Plates too, as they were quite worn and had a definite 'bow' to them.

 

Shiny new plates!

 

Now back to my cardmaking ..... I need to pull my finger out for Christmas Cards.

 

 

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.