Fusion Challenge Hedgehog

Some of the Golden Oldies seem to be top of the ink pile this week. Playing along with the Fusion challenge blog, I found the only hedgehog stamps I own.

I paired the stamp with some old Crate Paper I've been hoarding forever too. The sentiment is a very recent addition though!

Stamps: Penny Black Critter Party, MFT It's a Mice Time To Celebrate
Ink: Stazon Jet Black; Stampin Up Early Espresso, Soft Sky, Lemon Lime Twist
Cardstock: Stampin Up Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Other: Zig Clean Colour Markers, Crate Paper paper

CAS Game 140

Crafty time has been almost non-existent recently, but I managed to create a card for the recent challenge on AAA cards.

                                                      

I dusted off some old stamps and unearthed my neglected Twinkling H2Os to create the bright panel. It's technically more than a third of the space but embraces the spirit of the challenge hopefully.

Not a brilliant photo either as the gold embossing looks rather brassy and those colours don't twinkle! That's what happens when you are last minute and have to take photos at night!

Stamps: Elusive Images Oriental Bookmark

Ink: Versamark

Other: Twinkling H2Os, gold embossing powder

Hello again!

I thought my blog needed a little bit of love after being abandoned for so long! I was inspired by the latest Color Throwdown challenge of using blue, grey and green  CTD527 and actually managed 2 cards within the timeframe of the challenge! Simple cards but my first crafting of the year.

The first one uses the Masculine Motifs stamp set by Papertrey Ink and Stampin Up cardstock, ink and paper.

The second is still simple but has a different feel to the first one. I've used Distress Oxide inks to create the background, sentiment by Visible Image, and Nuvo drops to add a little interest. I messed about with the drops too much so they're not perfect but Hey! it's done now :)

Exciting news from Stampin' Up!

Yay! Stampin' Up! are releasing their very own stamping platform! This is a fabulous tool to help you with your stamping if you have dexterity issues holding a wood-mount stamp or acrylic block. It's also fabulous for batch-making a particular card as the image will be in the same position EVERY time.

Here is a YouTube video explaining a little bit more about the Stamparatus.

Stamparatus YouTube video

The Stamparatus will be available to pre-order during 3 seperate reservation windows. It is hoped that staggering the orders like this will avoid the item going on backorder. Reservation quantities are while supplies last only.

RESERVATION WINDOWS	AVAILABLE TO SHIP
16–30 November 2017	Approx. 1 February 2018
5–30 December 2017	Approx. 19 March 2018
15–30 January 2018	Approx. 15 April 2018

Please get in touch if you have any questions or need help with your pre-order!

PS I have some cards to share when I can get some photos taken!

For the non-romantics

I had planned to make this card as a Valentine's Day card, but didn't get it finished in time. I thought it was ideal for those romantics in life who hate slushy sentiments!

A card base of Crumb Cake cardstock, some black Urban Underground speciality DSP and a panel of Whisper White cardstock (embossed with the Hexagons dynamic embossing folder) provides the background. Sentiments from the Nailed It stamp set have been embossed in white onto Basic Black cardstock, then die cut using one of the dies from the Build It framelits set. Another die from this set has been used to cut the saw from silver foil and Soft Suede cardstock. I even added some cute little silver nails to the bottom sentiment panel!

I'm really sorry to post this after some of the retiring items sold out so quickly - I really thought this suite would carry over to the Annual catalogue :( I think I'll be hanging onto mine for a long time to come, those pesky men are hard to cater for!!

Delicate details dragonfly

Here's a card made using one of the items you could earn for free during the Sale-a-Bration promotion, the Delicate Details stamp set. I have used the emboss resist technique for the background - the stamps have been embossed using Versamark and white embossing powder onto Whisper White cardstock, then Soft Sky ink has been sponged over the top. The ink has been added gradually to produce an ombre effect - i.e. strong colour fading in intensity as it moves down (or up!) the page. A black mat provides definition against the Soft Sky cardbase.

The dragonfly has been stamped in black Stazon ink onto vellum cardstock, then cut using the corresponding die. I added Soft Sky and Marina Mist ink to the back of the dragonfly, then glued the body to a white dragonfly base. I also added some Wink of Stella to the wings, hopefully you can see a bit better in the photo below.

The sentiment, from Birthday Blooms, has been stamped using black Memento ink onto Whisper White cardstock which has then been cut using a stitched circle die. 

Dino-riffic Dijon Dinosaur!

Now there's a tongue twister to get your teeth around! Luckily the card it represents is nice and easy :) This would be great for any creature-loving kids (like my great-nephew, who is obsessed by dinosaurs) and it's easy enough to add a die cut number on there to make them feel extra special.

I have used one of the papers from the Urban Underground speciality DSP pack for the background, with a black mat on a card base made from thick Whisper White cardstock. Check this paper pack out - there are some fabulous designs, great for the men in our lives but also to bring a little touch of class to a project.
I used the No Bones about it stamp set to create the cute dinosaur, stamped in Basic black and Delightful Dijon inks. The sentiments have also been stamped in Basic black, one onto the paper and another onto a circle of Whisper white cardstock matted onto a circle of black cardstock and adhered to the card using dimensionals to create some depth. 

I now have an online shop so if there's anything you like, just follow the link highlighted and shop from the comfort of your armchair! There's also a link at the top of the page. Thanks :) 

Take care, Claire xx

SAB balloons

Here's a pretty simple card using some of the Sale-a-Bration items from this year. A background of the Sale-a-Bration (SAB) Perfectly Artistic paper on a white card base, with a circle of the balloon paper featured in the Birthday Bouquet papers (Spring catalogue) which has been sponged around the edge with pool party ink. The birthday sentiment has been stamped in black ink onto white cardstock, and the 'to you' part stamped in pool party. This has then been cut using a die, and a little banner added that was made using the banner punch, washi tape and a candy dot. A few more candy dots have been added to the top right of the card for balance (though they look rather askew in the photo!)

Stamps: Perfect Pairings (SAB)
Ink: Basic Black, Pool Party
Cardstock: Whisper White (thick and standard)
Other: Birthday Bouquet DSP, Perfectly Artistic DSP (SAB), It's My Party Washi tape, Lots of Labels framelits, Banner punch, Candy Dots (subtles and neutrals)

Happy Spring!

I spent last weekend helping my friend Bev from Uniko with her stall at the Happy Stampers festival at Port Sunlight. What a fabulous time we had! The other stall holders were very friendly, the people visiting the stall were so enthusiastic and the general atmosphere was fabulous - quite crowded but with none of the pushing and shoving I've experienced at other papercraft shows. Sarah and Lindsey from the Uniko design team were also there to help out, so we managed to talk crafting even while we were 'working'! - it was lovely to meet you both :) I'm hoping that my mojo has been given a good kick up the rear and that I will update my blog more often, but don't hold your breath, LOL!

                             

Some crafty goodies did fall into my basket while I was there but I'll show you how I used them another time. For now, I'll stick with some Stampin' Up retiring products. I've used some of the lovely and bright Cherry on Top DSP as a background for the balloons, with the sentiment stamp from Amazing Birthday inked using markers  for the multi-coloured effect. The balloon strings are silver metallic thread, held in place with a candy dot.

Stamps: Amazing Birthday

Ink: Watermelon Wonder, Crushed Curry, Tip Top Taupe, Cucumber Crush, Bermuda Bay

Cardstock: Whisper White (thick and standard), Tip Top Taupe, Watermelon Wonder, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay

Other: Tags and Labels Framelits, Balloon Bouquet punch, Silver metallic thread, Candy Dots (brights)

'Tis the season....

....to remember how to log into my blog, it's been so long that I'd forgotten how! I've even got a card to share with you! Ta-da!!

Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye so I'm getting started on some cards. I wanted the pretty poinsettia designer paper to be the main focus of the card so kept the layout fairly simple. The DSP sits on a mat of silver glimmer paper for a bit of sparkle, as does the sentiment tag. The background looked a bit bare so I used the hardwood stamp and mossy meadow ink to create a bit more interest. A bow of cherry cobbler seam binding ribbon (sadly now retired ;( ) finishes off the card. Don't forget, if you haven't got ribbon in the colour you need then you can use your inkpads to colour your white ribbon!

Products used (Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated):

Stamps: Embellished Ornaments, Hardwood BG
Ink: Mossy Meadow, Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Mossy Meadow, Whisper White
Other: Season of Cheer DSP, Silver Glimmer paper, Tags and Labels framelits, Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon (retired)

Hip hip hooray, a card!

Wow, where is time going? I have some cards to show you, but never seem to get time in daylight to take a picture. Here's one of the older ones, sorry for the picture quality but it's been taken on my phone.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps: Hip Hip Hooray (from Hip Hip Hooray card kit), Gorgeous Grunge
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Sahara Sand
Cardstock: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Sahara Sand
Other: Moonlight Designer Paper Stack, Chalk Talk framelits. dimensionals.

For sale

I am having a clearout of neglected craft items - please see my For Sale page and contact me if there's anything that takes your fancy!

Twins!

My good friend Bev has just given birth to twins! In honour of this very special occasion, I am taking part in a blog hop organised by her design team over at the Uniko Studio blog. Bev knew she was having twin boys and when I found out, I just knew that this gorgeous little stamp would have to feature on her card! If Noah knew that things are better in twos, then who is to argue?! Plus it's an excuse to get colouring again, though I definitely need some more practice ;)

Crumb cake base and embossed layer (though that is hard to see from this photo), with a layer of Bashful Blue DSP in between. (I used bashful blue rather than soft sky so I had some co-ordinating ribbon!) The ark has been stamped in black Stazon on watercolour paper, then coloured using various inks and markers. I sponged a little blue ink round the edges to soften. The sentiment has been created using the Alphabet rotary stamp, and the words snipped out. The blue taffeta ribbon  has been adorned with, of course, 2 ribbon knots.

So welcome to the world Josh and Ben, and congratulations to Mr and Mrs Bev ;) on the safe arrival of your double bundle of joy. Can't wait to meet them - at least with twins, there will be no fighting over cuddles between me and Kerry !

Products used: (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated)

• Stamps: Two by Two (retired), Alphabet Rotary stamp
• Ink: Black Stazon, various SU inks and Copics (non-SU)
• Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue (retired), watercolour paper
• Other: Decorative Dots embossing folder, Bashful Blue taffetta ribbon (retired), Bashful Blue DSP (retired). 

Hello.....

Wow! a whole year between posts. Crafting has taken a bit of a back seat in the last 12 months for various reasons that I won't bore you with. I had actually planned to take photos today of the cards I have made recently and start posting again, but unfortunately I had to take our eldest dog to the vets. We have had him for 17 years and his health hasn't been brilliant lately, but his breathing had become more laboured and it was time to let him go. Run free at the rainbow bridge Cu, we will miss you so much.

Hopefully I will post again soon with goodies from the NEW Stampin' Up catalogue :)

Best of Butterflies

Here's the next instalment in the 'Best of' series of stamp sets - butterflies. As before, some well loved stamps from older stamp sets, and one never-seen-before stamp.

Hooray!

New stamping goodies are in the building!! Quick post with a few cards I've not yet blogged, then off to play LOL!

Products used (all Stampin’ Up! unless otherwise stated):

• Stamps: Wishes Your Way
• Ink: Basic Black
• Cardstock: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
• Other: Brights Designer Paper stack, Cloudy Day embossing folder, Pinwheel Sizzlits die, Adorning Accents edgelit, Marina Mist 3/8” striped organdy ribbon, cocktail stick (non-SU!)

Products used (all Stampin’ Up! unless otherwise stated):

• Stamps: Blooming with Kindness
• Ink: Midnight Muse
• Cardstock: Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit
• Other: Print Poetry Designer Paper stack, Honeycomb embossing folder, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Extra Large Oval punch, Gumball Green 3/8” stitched satin ribbon, Pearl jewels, dimensionals.

Congratulations!

I really should be careful about my next few posts - my sister got engaged the day I posted my Love hearts card! No forewarning, and of course I had to make a completely different card once I knew the recipients!! I didn't get a picture of that card, but Congratulations to Suzanne and Chris on their engagement xxx

(Guess that means I'd better steer clear of baby cards for a while ;) )

New catalogue time

Hooray! You can now order from the new Stampin' Up! catalogue! As a demonstrator, I could order from a selection of new products before the catalogue went live, but unfortunately my car had other ideas. The repair bill meant that all I got on pre-order was the new in-colours :(  I'm happy to report that they are fabulous! - they remind me of retro ice cream parlours, with names to match. Here they are:
 

I've got a few cards to post, but haven't been able to get photos yet. That will be my job while I wait for Mr Brown to deliver my proper order of new goodies :)

Love hearts

I fell in love with the Artisan embellishments kit in the Spring catalogue and to my shame, have barely looked at it! Summer is wedding season so I thought I’d make a romantic card that could be used for a wedding, anniversary or any ‘love’ occasion.

I started with a crumb cake cardbase and a piece of the poetry print paper stack layered onto a vanilla cardstock mat. I pleated the pink (primrose?) seam binding from the kit across the designer paper then added some of the gorgeous vanilla flower trim. I gently sponged some primrose ink around the edges of a paper doily, and some crumb cake ink across the middle (to tie in with the DSP). I stamped the heart in primrose petals ink onto the corresponding cardstock, then cut it with the matching framelit. The smaller heart has been stamped in crumb cake onto vanilla cardstock before cutting. The love sentiment has been added in primrose ink, along with several pearls and a little crumb cake heart (cut using the owl punch)

Products used (all Stampin’ Up! unless otherwise stated):

• Stamps: Hearts a Flutter, Pennant Parade
• Ink: Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake
• Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Primrose Petals
• Other: Print Poetry Designer Paper stack, Artisan embellishment kit (seam binding), Vanilla Flower trim, paper doily, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Owl builder punch, Pearl Jewels, dimensionals.

and another

Here’s a card I made for a friend’s birthday back in May. It’s a ‘stepped-up’ version of the card I posted yesterday, with various little additions. 

I’ve added a layer of celery cardstock underneath the designer paper, and used one of the adorning accents edgelits to create a fancy border on both layers. Pink and celery inks have been sponged around the flower image to make it ‘pop’, and a little pink flower button and several pearls added for further interest. There is a layer of pink taffeta ribbon underneath the black ribbon. The sentiment has been embossed in black on vanilla cardstock and added to a scallop oval of black cardstock, along with a little pink punched flower with pearl.

Products used (all Stampin’ Up! unless otherwise stated):

• Stamps: Just Believe, Petite Pairs
• Ink: Versamark, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
• Cardstock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery
• Other: First Edition Designer paper, Black embossing powder, black 1/4” taffeta ribbon, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon (retired), Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Itty Bitty shapes punch, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Pretty in Pink button, Pearl Jewels, dimensionals.