Our village church in the mist

Our village church in the mist

Friday 20 December 2013

Tipsy Owls

I made this card for a Boxing Day challenge, I thought I'd go for a funny theme, and as Owls are always popular this came to mind !  The owls are Studio Light die cut decoupage, bought from Creata, and the other items used are Creata backing paper, mirror card and kraft card, which I put through a ribbler to get the corrugated effect.


Creata Sketch Challenge

Here's my entry into the above challenge, and here's the link http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/



Items Used
 
Creata backing card
Creata mirror card
Kraftyhands topper
Doiley
Sentiment
Butterflies (waste from a die)
 


Friday 6 December 2013

Creata Challenge - For a Princess

I made two cards for the above challenge and couldn't decide which I liked best, so I'm entering them both !  Here's the link http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/



I used Promarkers to colour her in with, and cut the end section from a border die and added some gems to create a little tiara for her.  The little green embellishments down the side are the push out pieces from the die.  Waste not, want not !  The two flowers were originally cream coloured but I used my Promarkers to make them correspond with the colour palette.

Items Used
 
Creata backing paper
Creata mirror card
Joy die
Paperbabe digi
Gems, feathers, sentiments and flowers
 
 

I used Promarkers to colour her in with, and chose lemon and grey to make a change from pink for a princess !
 
Items Used
 
Creata Easel Card
Sherri Ann Baldy digi
Glittered card from stash
Creata charms
Peel off sentiment
Gems

 


Saturday 23 November 2013

Creata Colour Palette Challenge

Here are two cards, both made for the above challenge, here's the link to the challenge http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/



Items Used
 
Creata Parchment Aperture card
Creata horse stamp
Creata flower, butterfly and bee stickers
Joy flourish die
Creata mirror card
Gems, pearls and punched out flowers



 
Items Used
 
Creata backing paper
Pearlescent card
Background stamp, heat embossed, and inked with TH distress inks, Spun Sugar and Squeezed Lemonade
Creata metallic effect corners
Flowers, gems and butterfly
Sentiment
 
 
 
 

Sunday 17 November 2013

Fireworks/Bright Colours challenge

Over in Kerrie's Kraft Korner there's been a challenge with the above theme.  I entered with the following card.  I dusted a pre embossed card with TH Black Soot distress ink, then added a pink frame, which had been hanging around for ages (I knew I'd find a use for it at some point !), then I used a knitted flower (sent to me by Mo Harvey in a swap) as a centrepiece and added an assortment of little punched out flowers around the edge.  I used a couple of flower pins and gems, with a black peel off sentiment to finish.  In a way it's a card made using scraps, as the pink frame was a scrap left over after punching out a shape and the flowers are punched out from scraps of card.


Gilding flakes

I entered a challenge recently where you had to use your favourite things.  Well, I like gilding flakes, but don't use them as often as I should so I had a go and used them with the Pom Pom snowflakes stamps by Phill Martin, but I made them into flowers.  I used Creata paper and paper ribbons and gems, and am pleased to say I won a stamp for my efforts !  Here's the card.


Friday 8 November 2013

Creata Challenge...Three types of paper

Here's my entry to the above challenge.  I used Tattered Lace Owl dies and Creata orange mirror card, together with two different papers from the Creata Craft Deco paper packs, and a sheet of purple glittered card from one of the Creata paper pads.  I also used the Creata purple metallic rub-ons and some gems, plus a couple of peel off greetings.  Here's the link to the challenge
http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Thursday 17 October 2013

Sunny day

Well, the 17th October and we have a brilliant blue sky and sunshine, how lovely for this time of year, and very welcome after the last few days of cloud, wind and rain.  I'm just adding a few of my recent card makes, hope you like them.

This one was made using Creata decoupage, and an EK Success punch to cut out the flower borders.

 
This one was made from a Debbi Moore magazine (free gift from C & C).
 
 
This one was made using various Design House images from a Making Cards magazine, I heat embossed each one using clear embossing powder.
 
 
This one was made using the free gift of a reindeer stencil and paper pack from Card Making and Papercraft magazine.
 
 
 
 
 


Saturday 12 October 2013

Creata Challenge - Anything but a Card

I had to have a think about what to do for this challenge, and I came up with a wall hanger, decorated with Creata Flower Forming flowers and butterflies.  I'd bought the sheets but hadn't got around to having a go so this was the perfect time to try it out.  I am quite pleased as it's my first effort.  I also added some little Creata cats faces (I am a cat lady !), and some feathers and gems, with a loop of ribbon to finish off.  I've hung it up in my craft room.




Items used
 
Creata Flower/Butterfly Forming sheets
Creata decoupage cats faces
Feathers
Gems
Ribbon and hoop for base
 
 
I was really impressed with the shine that appears on the flowers, leaves and butterflies, and took some close ups to emphasise how lovely they look.


 
I hope you like them, here's the link to the challenge http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Sunday 29 September 2013

Creata Challenge - Colour Inspiration

Here's my entry into the above challenge, and here's the link http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
I used the Creata jigsaw embossing stencil on the blue and orange mirror card, then cut out sections to join it up, and then cut out some spare pieces as added embellishments.


 
Items Used
 
Creata mirror card
Creata Kraft card
Creata Jigsaw embossing stencil
Shoes Pyramage (Nancy Watt)
Stamped sentiment, heat embossed
Gems
White card blank

Sunday 22 September 2013

Handbags Galore !

This is a card I made for a "Handbags" challenge.  I used Creata kraft card and backing papers, and paper pieced the bags using a selection of stamps.  I also used a doily from Wild Orchid Crafts and an EK Success border punch.


Zentangle Owl

This is one of Sam Poole's stamps, which I embossed with two bright colours, and teamed up with Creata backing paper.


Scrapbook Stamp Society "Purple" Challenge

I entered this card into the above challenge.  The decoupage flower design is from one of Creata's decoupage books.  I had some die-cut butterflies (from Lakeland...shame they stopped doing crafty stuff !), and I doubled them up and added corresponding coloured gems along the body.

Stamps by Phill Martin

I made this card using a Kanban topper, and tore some card to get a waves effect.  It was for a friend of my husband who was in hospital, he owns his own boat so this was just right.  I used one of Phill Martin's new stamps for the sentiment, it was perfect as I didn't want to just put Get Well Soon. 



Three quick challenges

There were three 24-hour challenges on the Carley and Creata FB group this weekend.  The themes were "Something Scottish", "Bells" and "Saucy".  Here are my entries....it gets you thinking when you take part in challenges like this, for instance, for the "Saucy" one, I knew I had some Mary Rahder decoupage somewhere, so had to have a rummage to find it, otherwise it would have stayed where it was, not totally forgotten about, but not being used either !

I apologise for this, I hand drew the thistle as I had nothing else that fitted the bill !

This one got me doing iris folding, something I haven't attempted in a while...

And here's the Mary Rahder decoupage...I didn't layer her up as time was against me, but I think the designs work well on a single layer, and it will go through the post at no extra cost !

Monday 16 September 2013

Creata Challenge - Special Occasion

Here's my entry into the above, maybe not a conventional Special Occasion like a birthday or anniversary, but I took the idea of a certain time when you need a special few words from someone so you know you aren't on your own, hence the sentiment. The link to the challenge is http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/




Items Used
 
Creata Easel card
Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink
Creata metal embellishment
Dotty ribbon
Various flowers, including some punched from Creata kraft card
Gems


Monday 9 September 2013

My Besties UK Challenge and 4kraftygirlz Challenge

The theme this time for the My UK Besties challenge is to use three things starting with the letter B.  I have chosen brads, buttons and bows.  The link to the challenge is
http://mybestiesuk.blogspot.co.uk/
I have also entered it into the 4kraftygirlz "Anything Goes Challenge"...the link to that one is http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/


 
Items Used
 
Bo Bunny backing paper
Lil Muffy Mopsy Bestie
Whisper pens
Copper mirror card
Brads
Buttons
Bows
Gems
Sentiment tag


Wednesday 4 September 2013

Katie

Here's my first use of the Katie Kisses stamp from Visible Image.  I used promarkers to colour her in with, and here's something I shouldn't admit to....when I stamped it, there was a cat hair on the stamp which left a fine line on her hair on the right side as you look at it...so I stamped an extra couple of butterflies, and layered them up, and stuck them on the line !  There, now you know :o)

Monday 2 September 2013

Tulips from Amsterdam

I made this card using Creata decoupage and stamp, with tulips as the theme, and as Creata is a dutch company I thought I'd throw in the Amsterdam link !  I coloured the stamp with Whisper and Promarker pens.

Design a Postcard

I belong to a few groups on Facebook, and one of them does monthly swaps, where you pair up with another member, and then swap an item you've made, following a theme set by the Admin of the group.  The August theme was to design a postcard you would send, and this is what I came up with.



I used Hunkydory Adorable Scorable card for the card blank, with My Mind's Eye backing papers, Kanban stamps and Faye Whittaker chipboard shapes.  I made the little windmill using a cocktail stick and a design cut from a magazine freebie, and added a splash of colour using Whisper pens.

Creata Challenge # 9 - Sketch

Here's my entry into the above challenge.  I decided to go for a musical theme and cut some little musical notes out to try and give a sense of movement while Phoebe is dancing !  Here's the link to the challenge: http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

 
 
 
Items Used
 
White Card blank
DCWV backing paper
Creata mirror card
A piece of card coloured with distress inks
Glamoureyes digi stamp (Phoebe)
Creata metallic purple rub-on
Bazzill border strip
Peel Offs
Glamour Dust
Promarkers
X-cut multi punch
Faded Jeans and Spun Sugar distress inks
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday 31 August 2013

I love Paris

Here's a card I made for a friend, Phill Martin...he has his own craft shop, Honeypot Crafts, and is a regular guest on Create and Craft.  I've only met him once, at the GBCF this year,  but feel like I've known him for ages ! He had recently come back from Paris, so I thought he would like this design.  I used a Stampendous stamp, heat embossed on Creata kraft card, and mounted on Creata mirror card and backing paper, which I had distressed with ink around the edges, (Vintage Photo I think).  I used some jute twine to add a bit of texture and interest to the design.  Thanks for taking the time to look, I really do love Paris, we've been there three times, and I'd love to go back sometime !

Saturday 24 August 2013

My Besties UK challenge

Here's my entry into the above challenge, where the theme this time is Circles.  Here's the link to the challenge  http://mybestiesuk.blogspot.co.uk/



Items Used
 
Creata backing papers
Creata mirror card
My Besties digi image
Prima flowers
X-cut scalloped dies
Leaf die
Woodware small circle punch
Pro and Flexmarkers
Gems
 
 









Thursday 22 August 2013

4.55 am....

Well, I'm just not tired, and it's now almost 5 am...so I thought I'd have a look at my blog and see who has visited :o)  I am enjoying keeping this up to date, I did let it go for a while, but am getting involved in card challenges now, which is linked with blogging, so it's got me involved again.  Thanks to all of you who have visited me and become a follower, here's a card I made recently for a card swap, where the theme was travel.  I used a Kanban topper, She Art sun and papers from Making Cards magazine.

Monday 19 August 2013

Meet Charley !

We have been feeding a stray cat for the past few weeks, he had been coming in and eating, which spooked our other four cats, so I started leaving a plate of food at the end of the garden.  Then one day he appeared behind me.  He's very friendly, a real chunky cat too, not been neutered, but he did have a collar on, but no tag.  I removed that as it was a bit tight and not the quick release kind so I was concerned he might get caught up.  We took him to our vets about 4 weeks ago to see if he had been micro chipped, but he hadn't, so we asked in the village and put 5 posters up, but have heard nothing.  He has gradually moved in, and is here 75% of the time.  He sits in an armchair in the conservatory.  We've wormed him as he was eating and eating, and I also put some Frontline on him over the weekend.  We wonder how old he is, but it's difficult to tell.  Our other cats are still wary, but they seem to be jogging along together.  Here's a couple of pics of him.

Sunday 18 August 2013

Creata Challenge # 8 - Circles

I made this card to enter into the above challenge.  I received some Creata festive papers in a prize I won recently so thought this was the ideal time to use one !  After colouring in the image I used a scrunched up tissue to dab some distress inks in the background, just to break things up a bit.  Here's the link to the challenge:-  http://creatachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/    




Items Used
 
Creata Kraft card
Creata backing paper
Creata flock rub-ons
Green mirror card die cut topper
Digistamp Dreams digi image
Flex and promarkers
Vintage Photo and Faded Jeans distress inks
Papermania gems
Peel Off sentiment
Silver and Gold Glamour dust

Saturday 17 August 2013

Citrus challenge

I made this card today for the challenge being run by Michelle in the Creata group. The theme is Citrus, and for a while I wasn't sure what to do, but then I decided to colour in a Bestie digi of Carley, and went from there.  The backing paper and butterfly are from the Creata range, the flowers are ones I punched out from scraps of card, I keep them in a bag ready to use, and the ribbon and gems are from my stash.  I made the circular sentiment and used orange stickles for the butterfly trail to add a sense of movement.

Silly, daft and bonkers !

Recently Caroline, one of the DT members in the Creata group ran a challenge with the above theme, and this is what I came up with....using Creata kraft card, with a heat embossed stamped image, (Inkadinkadoo I think), and cakes and fruit cut from Creata backing papers, with a yellow ink distressed doily.  I was runner up in this challenge and Caroline sent me a lovely selection of goodies and one of her own cards, pics attached.



Holidays

I made this card for a challenge run by Michelle in the Creata Group.  The theme was holidays, and I used a Faye Whittaker decoupage design, with Creata blue checked card and kraft card, with some freebie papers from a magazine.  I was really pleased to hear I won the challenge, and my prize was a Hooch necklace and an angel charm, which I've put on my Pandora bracelet.  I've attached some pics so you can see.



Thursday 15 August 2013

Little Claire Challenge

Here's my entry for the above challenge where the theme is Anniversary/Wedding.  I love all Little Claire products and have been meaning to have a go at one of their challenges for a while and have finally got around to it ! I curled the edges of the patterned paper, then stamped the image, cut the topper shape using the Spellbinder die, shaded around the edge with distress ink and coloured the image with Whisper pens.  Then I used the little butterfly to stamp in each of the corners.
Here's the link to the challenge:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/little-claire-monthly-challenge-35_13.html


                                                                Items used

                                                          White card blank
                                                  Pink Papermania cardstock
          Black flower d/s card (from a swap I was sent, so I don't know the make !)
                                                           Spellbinder die
                                                    Spun Sugar distress ink
                                    "The Smile I Bring" Little Claire stamp set
                                                           Whisper pens
                                                  Black sentiment peel offs

Storage folder # 2

I made a folder recently to send as a swap gift in a group I belong to.  The idea came from a tutorial from one of the DT members of the Creata group, and this is the second one I've made.  I used Creata kraft card and vintage decoupage, red mirror card die cuts, sequin mesh, ribbon and glittery flourishes and dots.  Also used an EK Success scallop punch and a Martha Stewart flower border punch.  I added a few crafty bits and pieces, including two sections of matching kraft card wrapped around with Baker's twine and ribbons.



The view from our field

The view from our field

Decoupage Delights

Decoupage Delights

Moonflower

Moonflower

Faery Ink

Faery Ink

Lunagirl

Lunagirl

Digital Scrapworld

Digital Scrapworld

Nikki Burnette

Nikki Burnette

Lemon Shortbread

Lemon Shortbread

Julia Spiri Designs

Julia Spiri Designs

Paper Nest Dolls

Paper Nest Dolls

Polkadoodles

Polkadoodles

Sweet pea Designs

Sweet pea Designs

The East Wind

The East Wind

Lacy Sunshine

Lacy Sunshine

Art by Miran

Art by Miran

The Paper Shelter

The Paper Shelter

Toni Arthur logo

Toni Arthur logo

Monogram

Monogram

Tribe quote

Tribe quote

Vince

Vince

Great Challenges to be found here !

Great Challenges to be found here !

Shades

Shades

Awarded this for my Sewing Machine card

Awarded this for my Sewing Machine card

Lazy

Lazy
crop image

Ditzie Designs logo

Ditzie Designs  logo

KKK Christmas decoration badge

KKK Christmas decoration badge
Visible Image

My challenge entry got Top Pick rating !

My challenge entry got Top Pick rating !
Creative Studios by Sam Poole

Trimmies Rule !

My card featured on Little Claires Blog

My card featured on Little Claires Blog
Mr Darcys Christmas Post !

Another card featured on Little Claire's Blog

Another card featured on Little Claire's Blog
Embossed and distressed !

Used Lili of the Valley image sheet for this one

Used Lili of the Valley image sheet for this one
One for the cattery

More cute kitties

More cute kitties

Non-pyramage pyramage !

Non-pyramage pyramage !
What a cutie this little chap is !

Patchwork Kingdom rocker card

Patchwork Kingdom  rocker card
Made for Mollie on her first day at secondary school

My first shaker card

My first shaker card

A little book I made at a workshop !

A little book I made at a workshop !


Adjustable photo frames

Adjustable photo frames
Made using one sheet of 12 x 12 paper, some brads and a piece of ribbon



Post Pals - Putting a Smile on Childrens Faces