Clarity Spooky Tree

Goodness, two posts in two days!  I don't manage that very often!  I have used a fabulous club stancil by Clarity Stamp for this card - I think the tree looks kind of spooky!  I only used the top half of the stencil, the bottom is a really cool design too!  I am a member of both the Clarity stamp and stencil clubs - its so worth it!  I love waiting for my package to arrive each month.

The background is painted with Spectrum Noir Aqua Tints from the Brights set then sprayed with Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist.  I let the Glimmer Mist pool so it would take out some of the colour to give a bleached effect.  The stencilling is done with Black Soot Distress Ink and I also inked the edges with the Black Soot too.  The little flowers are cut with a cute die, I can't remember the make - if you would like to know, let me know and I will find out.  I am sure I have the package but can't find it at the moment.  The centres of the flowers are tiny pink pearls.  Happy Birthday is a Clarity stamp.  I masked each word and stamped them separately.  I added the string round the top cause it looked a bit bare.  The blue is actually a lovely purple but it didn't come out in the photo, sorry.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Clarity Stamp - Trees
That's Crafty - Anything Goes

Both these challenge blogs are worth a look, as are their online stores - they both sell awesome craft stuff!

Thank you for visiting me - I appreciate it so very, very much!  Have a fabulous New Years Eve and see you next year!  Take care! Christine xxx

Snowy Days

My first Christmas card ready for 2015!  I am getting ahead of the game! It could be used for a winter birthday card I suppose but I am going to keep it for a Christmas card.

The scene is made by using Hobby Art clear stamp set Woodland Glade and the words are from Christmas Post.  The stamping is done with black Versafine embossed with clear powder.  I used Distress Inks Chipped Sapphire, Salty Ocean and Black Soot for the sky and a little Black Soot round the edge and a touch of blue on the snow.  There is loads of dries white glue and glitter for the snow.  The base card is a lovely dark blue but it looks quite black in the picture, sorry!

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Hobby Art - Winter
That'ts Crafty - Anything Goes

Please pop over to these fab blogs and have a look!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas!  Thank you for visiting me - I really appreciate it loads and loads! Take care. Christine xxx

Santa

I have been a very bad blogger lately - not posting or visiting - I am so sorry!  I have been finishing my Christmas card making, writing and other Christmas stuff which I find quite difficult since I have had ME/CFS. All done now though so slowly getting back to the land of the living!  Here is one of the more simple cards I made and I think one of my favourites!  Although saying that, I have really liked all the Christmas cards I have made this year - usually I make them all quite similar but this year I have done a variety - much more fun!  Last year I only managed a couple so I am pleased I managed them all this year.

I don't know who makes the gorgeous Santa image as I had some of these images from a stamp I borrowed from a friend a few years ago - I must look for it myself cause I love it!  I cut it out with the awesome Spellbinders die, matted on red card then popped on the centre of the card base.  I added some glitter and that was that!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Buckwells Crafty Challenge - use Red

That's Crafty - Anything Goes

These are both fabulous challenge blogs and definitely worth a visit!

Thank you so much for visiting and sticking with me - I really appreciate it so much!  

Take care. Christine xxx

Christmas Tryptich

I have made another Christmas card - blue and white this time.

I have to say, I really like how this one turned out!  I started with the fabulous die cut in the centre using the cutting edge only from the Spellbinders Elizabeth Border Strip.  I left the die in place and inked through with Tumbled Glass and Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks - the background is inked up the same.  The trees and the sentiment are stamped in Versafine and embossed from behind with white detail powder.  The tree is from Creative Expressions Singles by Sam Poole Christmas Trees and the sentiment is from TCP Studios Holly Jolly Clear Set. The die and background are sprayed with Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist and I dotted all over with a White Gel Pen to create the snow.  The corners are made with Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Die ATC and Corners.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Artful Times - Tryptich
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Both these challenges are fabulous - please pop over and have a look and see.  Artful Times especially needs your support - the numbers of entries have been dropping off!  I don't know why - its a fabulous challenge blog!

Thank you so much for visiting me - I appreciate it so very much!  Take care.  Christine xxx

First Challenge for HobbyArt

Over at HobbyArt they are having their very fist blog challenge - its Poppies/Remembrance.  I really wanted to enter and, as usual am running out of time, so made a very simple card using the HobbyArt Poppies Scene It clear stamp set.

The images are stamped with black Versafine and embossed with clear powder then coloured in with Spectrum Noir coloured pencils.. I added clear Wink of Stella to everything and Glossy accents to the three main flowers.  The white die cut is Spellbinders but I don't know what set (sorry) as a friend gave it to me. Sorry about the glare - my photo skills are pretty much non-existent!

Please have a look at HobbyArt Blog and see the fab DT makes and the other entries which are awesome and much more elaborate than mine!

Thank you for visiting me and have a lovely Sunday. Take Care. Christine xxx

Birds in the Trees

This months challenge over at Buckwells Crafty Challenge is to use ribbon.  Here is my entry.

The background is made using Distress Paints and water on glossy card - I think the colours were Picked Raspberry, Spun Sugar and Weathered Wood.  I also used cling film to add texture.  The main image is Birds in the Trees wooden stamp from Memory Box and the sentiment is a Penny Black wooden stamp.  All the stamping is done with black Archival.  Four black stones, some matting and layering and ribbon added on each side of the large black mat to match the pink are the finishing touches.  The pink ribbon has a touch of silver along the edges.  This is another of those stamps I have had for ages and never used and I love it!

If you can, please hop over to Buckwells  and have a look at all the fabulous DT makes and other entries.

Have a good evening and thank you so much for visiting me.  Take care.  Christine xxx

Rudolph Day November 2014

Its the last Rudolph day this year - I wish I had started joining in earlier!  Its fabulous fun!  Its Sarn's last time hosting this challenge - she has been wonderful!  I will certainly be joining in next year with ScrappyMo. Here are my two cards:

Both cards are made the same way - I used a Cuttlebug bauble die to cut the shape out of the white card then I popped the white card over some patterned paper so the paper shows through the bauble shape and around the edges then matted over some more white card then on the base card.  The Snowflakes are cut with a Sizzix die, the ribbon with a Crafters Companion Die'sire Die and the sentiment is from a Hero Arts clear set called Snowman Christmas.  I also added a few shiny stones for bling.

If you want more of a Christmas fix - head over to look at what Rudolph Day has to offer!

Thank you very much for visiting me!  I love it which you do and really value your comments!  Take care.  Christine xx

Bringing Home the Tree!

This is a really quick post or I am going to miss one of the challenges I want to enter!

This gorgeous, gorgeous stamp is by Clarity and I absolutely love it!  The sentiment is Clarity too.  They are both stamped with black Versafine and embossed with clear detail powder.  The mats are made using Spellbinders dies and the background card is embossed with a mask to look like snow and I painted all the dots with clear Wink of Stella.  I added lots of white glitter to the main image and around the white edges and the snowflakes are silver sequins.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Clarity Stamp  - Travel
Ink on my Fingers - To use Black
A Little Bit Crafty - Clean and Simple
Time Out Challenges - Embossing and Sparkle

These are all fabulous blogs, please pop over and have a look!

Thank you so much for visiting me - your visits and comments are appreciated so much!  Have a lovely weekend and take care!  Christine xxx

Artful Times Challenge 68

The Challenge over at Artful Times this time is to use part of a newspaper, magazine or book.  I didn't have a chance to make a new card for this challenge and am running out of time but luckily I remembered I didn't do a post for my husband's birthday card from earlier in the year which fits in with the challenge.

Darren loves reading so this large Sheena Douglass stamp was perfect!  I stamped with black Versafine and embossed with clear powder then coloured the books with Promarkers and stamped little sentiments on the book spines and added a few little gold hearts.  I think I added some gold embossing too here and there. The backgrounds are stamped with a Sheena crackle stamp to age everything along with a bit of distress ink. The hexagons are cut from pages of an old (and falling to bits) crime novel - Darren's favourite style of book.  They are cut with sizzix dies and the little wooden hearts are from my stash.  The large one was already red and the small ones I coloured with a Promarker.

Please pop over to Artful Times for a peek, it will be well worth it and they would love your support!

Have a lovely evening and thank you so much for visiting!  Take care.  Christine xxx

Blue and Silver Christmas

Another Christmas card for the box!

Its another one of my inky backgrounds - Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Sky and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks.  I sprayed water through a stencil to add some interest and also sprayed over with Dazzling Diamond Glimmer Mist.  The snowflakes are from a set called Must Love Snowflakes by Casual Fridays and some were stamped in Distress Inks and some with silver pigment ink embossed with silver detail powder.  The sentiment is from Hobby Art Christmas Post and is stamped with Majestic Blue Versafine embossed with clear powder then coloured in with True Blue Promarker.  I added dots of silver Stickles to finish it off.

I would like to enter the following challenge:

Scrapology - Blue and Silver Christmas

I am a bit near to the close of the challenge!  I am always doing that!  Please pop over and have a look at the fab entries and DT makes - its definitely worth it!

Have a lovely weekend and thank you so much for visitng me - I haven't been around to visit much again, sorry!  Will be catching up this weekend.  I appreciate your visits and comments so much! Take care!  Christine xxx

Poppy Heart

Hello!  Thank you so much for visiting me!  Today I am sharing a card made with IndigoBlu stamp Poppy Heart - the Dinkie version - I just love it!  Its the first time I have used it!  I am aiming to use all my unused stamps.  It may take sometime!

The stamping is all done with black Versafine embossed with clear powder and water coloured with Distress Inks.  The colours I used are Fired Brick, Festive Berries, Mustard Seed, Pumice Stone and Peeled Paint.  The main image is stamped, painted and mounted on Spellbinders die cuts and I masked off the strip to do the stamping then painted the strip and did a squiggly line down the sides with a black micron pen for definition.  The swirl is cut using the Daisy die set from Sweet Dixie and I added some black stones for a bit of sparkle.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Artful Times - Poppies
IndigoBlu - Magical Masking
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
A Little Bit Crafty - Clean and Simple

These are all fabulous challenges - definitely worth a visit!

I really appreciate your dropping by and would love it if you would leave a comment!  Thank you so much!  Take Care.  Christine xx

Quick and Colourful

I was playing today and made this simple quick and colourful card.

The background is another one of my inky backgrounds - Ripe Persimmon, Wild Honey and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks.  The stamps are by Lavina and were free with a magazine.  The toadstools are stamped in Versafine and embossed with clear detail powder and the stars are just stamped but not embossed.  The image is cut out with the second largest of the Spellbinders Nestabilities Romantic Rectangles Two and I have added ultra fine glitter for sparkle.  This was a very quick little card to make and I think I could use it for a birthday, thank you or whatever really.  I could add a little sentiment to the front too if I wanted.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Lavinia Challenge 10 - Autumn Colours
Buckwells Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

If you have the time, please pop over to these fab blogs for a peek!

Thank you for visiting me - I love it when you do!  I will be visiting blogland tomorrow to catch up with everyone.  Take care.  Christine  xxx

October Rudolph Day

Two more Christmas cards done!

Both are done with the fabulous Penny Black tree - I think it was from last year but I am not quite sure, sorry.  The sentiment is from a Christmas set from InkyDoodles.  Both were stamped in black Versafine and embossed with clear powder.  The backgrounds were achieved with various colour Distress Inks and water. I added some gems, pearls and a few mats and layers and they were finished!  I really love making Christmas cards which is just as well, I still have lots to make!

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Stamping for Pleasure - Rudolph Day
Buckwells Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

Please visit these fab blogs and have a peek at the DT makes and other fab entries.

Thank you for visiting me, I so appreciate it!  Have a lovely day.  Take Care.  Christine xxx

Arty or Messy!

I am not sure about this card!  I do a lot of inky stuff but I don't know if this one is arty or just plain messy!  I really enjoyed making it so thought I would post it anyway and it fits in with a couple of challenges too!

The stamps are by Clarity Stamp and I started by stamping them in clear Versamark and embossed with white detail powder.  I water coloured them using Brushos, I opened them for the first time today.  When dry, I painted the images with a Versamark pen and embossed with clear powder.  I did this twice so all the leaves are nice and shiny (you can't really see it in the picture but they really shine also the colours overall are a lot brighter!).  After this, I sprayed the page with water and dropped the dry powder Brushos on - I love the effect.  I softened it with a babywipe in the centre but left it more textured elsewhere.  I mounted the piece on a brown base card.  Arty or Messy - hmmmm!  I really don't know if I like it or not!  My husband does!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Clarity Stamp Challenge - Seasons (I went for Autumn)
Artful Times challenge - Green

Thank you for visiting me - I appreciate it so very much!  I will be visiting you when I can - again, sorry its not as often as I would like at the moment and thank you for sticking with me!  Take care. Christine xxx

Lavinia Fairy

I love this Lavinia fairy stamp and it was free with a magazine!  Amazing!  I combined it with some other Lavinia stamps too.

The background is various Distress Inks, water and Glimmer Mist.  All the stars are made with Dusty Concord Distress Ink and a Splodgeaway mask.  The stamping is done with Black Adirondak and the flowers are made with a white sheer ribbon which has been coloured with Distress Inks and water then I cut little circles and heated them until they started to crinkle up.  I then stuck the layers together with Glue Dots and added a pearl in the centre. The fairy dust being sprinkled by the lovely fairy is Liquid Pearls.  I mounted the picture straight on a purple card.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Lavinia Stamps - add some Ribbon - I have never entered a Lavinia challenge before!
Scrapology - anything goes.
Buckwells Crafty Challenge - anything goes - this is a brand new challenge blog.

Please hop over to these fabulous blogs, you will be so glad you did!

Thank you so much for visiting me,  I really appreciate it!  I hope you have had a lovely weekend.  I am looking forward to tomorrow. My Daughter, Son-in-law and Granddaughter Freya are visiting - I can't wait!  Take care.  Christine xxx

Flower Stem Silhouette

The main image on this card is the Clarity Flower Stem which is one of the New Designs Club stamps and I adore it!   Its such a striking image and a gorgeous shape. The edging is done with another New Designs Club stamp - Round Tree.

I stamped the main image with black Archival and embossed it with clear embossing powder. The edging is stamped with Archival but not embossed.  The backgrounds are made up of Salty Ocean, Picked Raspberry and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks which have been swiped on my craft sheet then the card dragged through, dried then dabbed in again, the colours are watered down a lot to give a soft look.  I added a bit of stencilling then used the same DIs round the edges.  A black mat and a black base card and it was done!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Clarity Stamp Challenge - Nature
Scrapology - Anything Goes

Its definitely worth you having a peek at these fab challenge blogs, there is such fabulous stuff to see!

Thank you so much for your visit - its so cool that you popped by!  Take care, Christine xxx

Darnell's NBUS Challenge No. 2

Over at the fabulous Darnell's blog its the second NBUS (Never Before Used Stuff) Challenge.  I am a bit late entering, it finishes really shortly!

I have used the fabulous Jofy singles stamp - I just love it!  Its brand new, never opened before.  I stamped the images on inky backgrounds and embossed with clear powder.  Then stamped again and cut out just the star in each colour and stuck them on the opposite colour background.  I added a bit of extra colour round the edges of the stars and the frames with a slightly darker shade of Spectrum Noir Pencils followed by clear Wink of Stella just on the Stars.  The Sentiment I have had for ages, not sure of the make but I am pretty sure I haven't used it before.  A few little pearls and that's it!

These are the challenges I would like to enter:

Darnell's  - NBUS
Stamping for Pleasure - Rudolph Day
Scrapology - September Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Please pop over and have a look at these fabulous blogs - they are all so cool!

Thank you so much for visiting - I appreciate it so much!  Take care.  Christine xxx

Guest DT Card for IndigoBlu

Recently I was lucky enough to win the IndigoBlu challenge - I was so pleased and even more pleased when I realised that part of the prize is to be Guest Designer for the new challenge which starts today!  The challenge is to use a sketch, something I have never done before.  You can join in the challenge and see the fab DT makes here.  Its great fun!  I missed the last one unfortunately, I will try not to do that again!  You can win a fab prize of a choice of IndigoBlu stamps - the ones I chose are gorgeous and the quality is always awesome!

I used the amazingly fabulous IndigoBlu Blazing Poppies stamp but decided not to go with red. The backgrounds are achieved using Milled Lavender, Scattered Straw and Seedless Preserves Distress Inks, chicken wire sequin waste as a mask along with the Best Wishes and corner stamp from IndigoBlu Nottingham Lace. The swirl in the top left is from a mixed sheet of IndigoBlu stamps I bought at a show.  The main image is painted with the same Distress Inks except for the leaves where I used a Promarker.  The two larger butterflies are die cuts, the centres of the flowers are sequins with a little seed bead added.  I coloured the ribbon with Seedless Preserves Distress Ink and water and added a dazzler to the centre which I coloured with a coordinating Promarker.  The embossing on the black card is done with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  To add a bit of sparkle, the flowers and butterflies are painted with clear Wink of Stella.

Its a bit scary having my card on the IndigoBlu blog with the DT samples as theirs are always so awesome and professional!  Its a real honour though - Thank you so much IndigoBlu!

Thank you so much to you too for visiting me!  I appreciate it so much and love it when you leave me a comment.  Have a lovely Sunday and take care! Christine xxx

Bev's Birthday!

Today it is Bev at Happy Dance Blog's birthday!  Yo, Happy Birthday Bev!  Darnell is hosting a blog party and Ardyth has the Linky.  Thank you ladies!

I love this stamp!  Its Penny Black, Tweet Wishes.  I stamped it with black Versafine and embossed with clear powder.  Coloured with Promarkers.  Cut out the image with a Spellbinders die and inked through with a Distress Ink.  Added the sentiment and I was done!

Sorry this is a quick post, struggling with Hubby's hospital appointments etc. at the moment.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

A Little Bit Crafty - Distress it - I have used Distress Ink so I hope it qualifies!
Scrapology - Anything Goes.

Please visit all the blogs mentioned in this post if you have the time, you will see some awesome work!

Thank you so much for visiting me.  I absolutely love it when you do!  Take care.  Christine xxx

Clarity Feminine

Over at Clarity Challenge Blog the theme is Feminine.  Here is my effort - just in time!  Its the last day.

I chose the background from a pile of Gelli plate prints I had made - the dress is decoupaged from the same sheet.  The lovely lady is Rosie by Clarity and she is stamped in Black Archival.  Around the edge I stamped the leaves from the Clarity Birdhouse stamp set.  The Happy Birthday is a die that came free with a magazine and the little flowers are a fab die which is loads of teeny tiny flowers.  I added pearls then coloured Rosie's hair and shoes with coloured pencils, shaded under her feet with a Distress Marker and it was finished.  I would have coloured her hair and shoes with Distress Markers if I had the right colours.  I must also confess that the sentiment wasn't supposed to be there but I had an ink accident that I needed to cover up but I actually quite like it!

Please pop over to The Clarity Challenge Blog and have a look, its fab!

Thank you so much for visiting me, I really appreciate it loads and loads!  Have a lovely Sunday.  Take care.  Christine xxx

Christmas in July

The Challenge over at IndigoBlu is Christmas in July - the perfect time to use the fabulous Stag Cliffhanger stamp for the first time!

The background is coloured using Stormy Sky, Dusty Concord and Scattered Straw inks along with the moon and hills masks by Clarity.  The wonderful stamp by IndigoBlu is stamped in Black Archival and I used the tree to edge the scene.  I added 'snow' with dries white glue and Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Sparkles and used Quickie Glue Pen and the sparkles on the tree and edging.  The last thing is Card Candi dotted with 'snow'.  I didn't use any extra layers as I didn't think it needed it.

I nearly forgot I also would like to enter this into the Stamping challenge over at That's Crafty.

Please pop over to see the amazing DT makes and the other entries over at IndigoBlu and That's Crafty

I hope you have some nice plans for the weekend - I am seeing my Son and his girlfriend along with my Daughter and Granddaughter tomorrow.  I am really looking forward to it!

Thank you for visiting me, I really appreciate it loads and loads!  Take care, Christine xxx

Never Forget

It was our tenth anniversary yesterday and this is the card I made for my wonderful husband, Darren.

Its not a traditional anniversary card, not a heart in sight!  It was the sentiment 'Never Forget I Love You' that came with the fab Sheena, A taste of India set of stamps which made me decide this was the card to make. The black stamping is Versafine embossed with clear powder.  The elephant and leaves are coloured with Promarkers and its head gear and blanket are painted with matching Distress Inks to the background. The background piece of card has been inked then a Taste of India embossing folder inked with Encore Metallic Gold Ink on the flatter side then the card embossed through the Cuttlebug then heat embossed with Gold detail powder.  The numbers and letters are by Clarity and the stones are from my stash.  I have also added gold Gilding Wax around the edges. Distress Inks used are Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey, Fired Brick and Picked Raspberry.  My photo is not very good - the card looks more vibrant and the stones, gold embossing and wax all shine.

I  would like to enter the following challenges:

That's Crafty - this challenge is all about using stamps.
Paper Players - this is a colour challenge - my colours are darker versions so |I hope it qualifies!
Papertake Weekly - this one is Anything Goes.

Please visit these Challenge blogs to see what they are all about and to see the fab DT makes and other brilliant entries

Hope you are all having a good weekend.  If you are in England, I am guessing you may have rain today - its throwing it down and thundering here in Bournemouth.  I am hoping to spend some time crafting today - haven't managed much lately!

Take care and thank you so much for visiting me, I really do appreciate  it so very very much!  Christine xx

First Try With Peg Stamps

I was watching Create and Craft this morning where the products being demonstrated were by Card-io stamps.  They specialise in peg stamps.  I have had several sets for ages and not really used them and was inspired to play!  Here is my first attempt using them.

The set I used is Oriental Blossom and the inks are various colours of VersaColour along with Coffee Archival.  The sentiment is a an old wooden Penny Black stamp which is one of my favourite birthday stamps.  I added a little Glamour Dust for sparkle.  I will be using my peg stamps a lot more now, they are definitely addictive!  I need lots more sets too!

I would like to enter this into The Crafting Musketeers challenge which is 'Summertime'.  Please hop over and see the DT fab projects and other entries.

I hope you are having a fab weekend.  Thank you so much for visiting me, I appreciate it so very much!  Take care! Christine xx

Its a Hoot!

Firstly, I would like to apologise for being out of Blogland for which seems like ages!  Its due to mine and my husbands health problems.  Things are a bit difficult so I haven't been crafting hardly at all or paying blog visits.  I am so very sorry!

Here is a card I made a while ago for my Father-in-law's birthday.

The cute owl stamp is Hoot designed by Sam Poole from Creative Expressions and the sentiment is from the same set.  He is stamped in Coffee Archival, embossed with clear powder and coloured with Promarkers.  The bark background is made using a Creative Expressions embossing folder rubbed over with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The hole is punched out and brown card added behind.  The branches are cut with Spellbinders Cherry Blossom die.  I hand cut the banner, added some brads and Card Candi coloured to match and job done!

Thank you for visiting me.  I can't tell you just how much your support means to me!  Tomorrow I will start visiting as many blogs as I can manage.  Take care and have a good weekend. Christine xxx

Butterflies for a Friend

I don't very often use patterned paper but I really must start as I have loads - so here is a card I have made using a lovely 6 x 6 sheet that came from a Pink Paislee set that was free with a magazine ages ago.

The three larger butterflies and sentiment are stamped with coffee Archival Ink and embossed with clear powder onto another sheet of paper from the same book which matches perfectly.  I stamped the butterflies on the original paper and glued the cut out ones over the top and added some shimmer with clear Wink of Stella.  The background card and sentiment mat are brown card from my stash and the little round butterfly embellishment on the sentiment came with the paper.  I really love the paper and didn't want to cover too much of it up especially the detail in the bottom left corner and the bee in the top right corner.  The two larger butterflies are Flying Colours by Sheena Douglas and the smaller one is from Little Claire.  The sentiment is by Creative Expressions.  I have used the paper collection and all the stamps for the very first time even though I have had all of them for ages!  I would like to enter the following challenges:

Mr friend Darnell has a wonderful blog and has hit over 500 followers and to celebrate is hosting a NBUS challenge with friendship as the theme.

I just had to join in with that - I went a bit mad with the NBUS stuff!  I am so guilty of buying things and then not using them!

Hels fabulous blog hosts Sunday Stamper and this weeks is to use 'pretty paper' so I had to join in this one too!

Summer of Colour where the theme is Coral and Teal with a splash of White. I hope the white in the butterfly wings is enough.  Thank you to Vickie for pointing this challenge out to me.  I hope I am not too late!  I have added this challenge at the last minute cause I didn't know it was there!

Thank you so much for visiting me, I really really appreciate it!  Have a lovely weekend and take care! Christine xx

IndigoBlu Monochromatic

The challenge over at IndigoBlu this time is Monochromatic.  Here is my simple offering.

I used the absolutely fabulous IndigoBlu stamp Elizabeth Bennet!  In the past I have always coloured the image in but this time I have stamped it on pale blue card with Versamark ink and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer embossing powder Lagoon Lilac Aurora.  The flourishes on the background are stamped with Royal Blue Versacolour again on blue card and I added thin white layers just to lift it a little.  Its a very simple card but the image is so stunning that I decided to leave it alone this time.

If you can, please pop over and see the DT makes and all the other entries - every one of them is fab!

Thank you so much for visiting me.  I really appreciate it!  Your visits and comments mean so much.  Take care.  Christine xx

Quote & Lyrics Challenge Mountain/Mistake

The Craft Barn Quote and Lyrics challenge this time is Mountain/Mistake - I went for Mountain as I could choose lyrics from the amazing Loretta Lynn's album Van Lear Rose which was recorded in 2004 and was produced by Jack White - its an awesome country album! Definitely worth a listen.  The track I used is 'High on a Mountain Top' its a happy and fabulous song.  The full chorus is:

High on a mountain top, we live, we love and we laugh a lot.
Folks up here know what they got,
High on a mountain top, high on a mountain top.
Where the rest of the world's like a little bitty spot.
I ain't coming down no never I'm not
High on a mountain top, high on a mountain top.

My mountain is made from pretty pattered paper to go with the happy song!  The people are from Vintage Photography stamp set by Creative Expressions, single tree and birds from Clarity Stamp and the trees along the bottom are a really old wooden stamp.  I used Mown Lawn, Vintage Photo and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink and Adirondak Stonewashed along with Clarity cloud and sun masks and orange rafia.  Sorry I haven't been around much lately, I know I am always apologising but I really am sorry! I will do my best to visit you when I can.  Have a lovely weekend and take good care of yourselves! Christine xx

Quote & Lyrics Challenge Music/Passion

The Quote and Lyric Challenge over at The Craft Barn is Passion/Music.  I went for 'music' and chose a song by Abba - 'Thank You For The Music'  which was first released on  Abba, The Album in 1977 and then as a single in 1983.  I am sure I will not be the only one using this fabulous song for the challenge!

The background is Raspberry, Watermelon and Snow Cone Gelatos which I used in the same way as DI's in this instance, mixing with water on my craft sheet and dragging the tag through etc.  Then I embossed with Spellbinders M-Bossabillities Music then went over the raised areas with Treasure Gold.  The music and notes are shapes from Tando Creative and I coloured them with Seedless Preserves Distress Stain then added more Treasure Gold.  The lyrics are written on card coloured the same as the background and the mat is white card coloured with the Distress Stain.  The ribbon and pearls are from my stash.

If you can, please hop over and see the brilliant DT makes and fab entries at the Craft Barn. I am off to stay with my Daughter and Son in Law for a few days so lots of time to cuddle my litte Granddaughter Freya, yippee! Will try and catch up with you while I am there, I haven't been able to manage many visits this week, I am so very sorry!  Thank you so much for visiting me - I appreciate it so much!  Take Care.  Christine xx

Clarity Challenge - Only Words

The Clarity Challenge for May is all about words.  I have been a bit boring and used 'Happy Birthday' - not the most inspiring words but the most used of any I would think!

The background is Spiced Marmalade, Squeezed Lemonade and Mustard Seed Distress Inks which have been dragged on my craft sheet, spritzed with water then the card swooshed through it.  I then dropped handfuls of water on it, dried it then dabbed it in the remaining ink.  The words are stamped using the Clarity Letter Box kit with Black Versafine and embossed with clear powder.  I then masked the letters off with Clarity masks and dragged Spiced Marmalade Ink outwards from the masks to frame the letters. Then stamped the animals and birds from the Clarity English Garden Elements, again with Versafine embossed with clear powder - I embossed these silhouette images from behind so the shine was really smooth.  A bit of layering finished it off on the black card base then I added the black pearls.  If you get the chance, please pop over to Clarity and see the fabulous DT projects and all the brilliant entries.  Thank you so much for visiting me.  I will pop over and see you as soon as I can.  I really appreciate your visits and support!  Take care. Christine xx

Quote and Lyrics Challenge Unique and Fame

Its time for The Craft Barn challenge again, it comes round so quickly and I am getting my entry in on the last day!  I went for 'Unique' and chose the song 'Crucify your Mind' by Rodriguez. He is an American folk singer who released a couple of albums in the early 1970's without much success.  His story though is remarkable.  Unknown to him, his music became hugely popular and influential in South Africa but the rumour was that he had committed suicide.  He was rediscovered alive and well and has made an amazing comeback and his story is told in a documentary film called Searching for Sugerman which was released in 2012. If you get the chance, its worth seeing - I loved it and his music is fabulous.  I have seen him live too which was amazing!

I am also entering my tag into Hel's Sunday Stamper which is to use Pink.

The chap with his unique look is from Vintage Inventor by Creative Expressions.  He is stamped with black Versafine, embossed with clear powder and coloured in with paints and Promarkers.  The roses on his top hat are from Wild Orchid Crafts.  The birds are Sizzix dies and the background is inked with Picked Raspberry and Spun Sugar Distress Paints and water and then embossed with the Cuttlebug Chicken Wire folder.  I have edged the tag and lyrics with black paint and added a bit of Treasure Gold to the embossing. The ribbon is from my stash along with the wire and bead for his earring.
If you have a chance, please pop over to The Craft Barn and Hel's Blog to see all the fab projects.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.  Thank you so much for visiting me, I really do appreciate it lots!  Take care. Christine xx

Spring Is In The Air

A bright spring card for a lovely sunny morning!

I love these words, they come from a fabulous stamp set from IndigoBlu called Nottingham Lace and they are stamped in Versafine and embossed with clear powder on a Spellbinders circle die highlighted with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink.  The scallop circle is also Spellbinders.  The background embossing is done with a free embossing folder that came with a magazine.  The flower edge punch is Martha Stewart. Roses are Wild Orchid Crafts and the little corners on the top corners are made with Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers ATC and Corners Die.  I dotted Stardust Stickles on the roses for a bit of sparkle.  I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

IndigoBlu - More than Words
That's Crafty - Spring is in the Air
A Little Bit Crafty - Flower Power
Scrapology - Freebies (embossing folder)

All these challenges are fab fun and have wonderful Design teams and are definitely worth you popping over and having a look and maybe joining in too!

I have to apologise again for being very bad at my visits to everyone.  My hubby and I are both still struggling with our health which is making everything very difficult.  Thank goodness for crafting to keep me sane although I can't manage to do very much of it at the moment! It cheers me up loads when you come to visit though - thank you so much!  Have a lovely day, whatever you do.  Take care.  Christine xx

Quote and Lyrics Challenge - Knowledge/Hurt

The Craft Barn challenge this time is Knowledge and/or Hurt - I chose 'Hurt' and used lyrics from the song Farewell is a Lonely Sound which was recorded by Jimmy Ruffin in 1970 - its a sad but lovely song. Ooh I must just say 'Thank You' to The Craft Barn and Mr Random thingy as my last tag came up as the winner and I won £20 to spend! How cool was that!  I have bought some Gelatos as I have so wanted to try them - will show you the results when I have had a play!

Anyway, here is my tag.

The stamp is Uptown Girl Sunny and Stylish by Stamping Bella and she is coloured with Promarkers.  The case is stamped on brown card and paper pieced and I have added Glossy Accents to her glasses.  The background is Evergreen Bough and Shaded Lilac Distress Inks and the question mark stamp is from the Clarity number set. The ribbon is dyed with the same inks. My tag is very simple but I think the stamp and words say it all. Please pop over to the Craft Barn and have a browse through the other fab entries and the brilliant DT projects.  I hope you have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend and are planning on doing something nice.  I am hoping to do some crafting and have a play with my Gelatos!

Thank you so much for taking the time to pop by my blog - its so lovely to see you!  Take care.  Christine x

Leafy Swirl in Green

I love these Leafy Swirl stamps by Clarity - they are just gorgeous!

The backgrounds are Pine Needles and Evergreen Bough Distress Inks.. I put some ink on my craft mat, sprayed the ink and card with water and dragged the card through.  Sprayed with water, dried then dabbed in the leftover ink.  I edged with the Pine Needles to create a dark frame.  The main image is stamped with Emerald Archival and embossed with clear powder from behind so it is like glass.  The smaller Leafy Swirl has been stamped twice on the background card with the same ink but not embossed.  I layered it all on some white and dark green card, added some pale green pearls and it was finished.

I would like to enter this into the April Challenge over at The Clarity Stamp Challenge which is Monochrome - using varying shades of one colour.  Please pop over to see the fabulous DT makes and the other cool entries!  Its really lovely to know you have visited and I love to read your comments - thank you!  Take care. Christine xx

Live, Laugh, Love.

Hello, I hope you are having a lovely day and I hope the weather is better for you than it is here, its raining and cloudy.  Not that it worries me, I will be up in my craft room later, playing, so I will be quite happy!

The tag is made using Sizzix die Super Scallop Crescent.  I stamped round the edge using a free stamp that came with Craft Stamper which was designed by Visible Image - the words are from the same stamp set. I embossed the tag with Creative Expressions Brick embossing folder.  The words are stamped with black Versafine and embossed with clear powder.  The flourish is Mini Flourish Movers and Shapers die by Sissix and the little red heart is made using a punch.  Cosmic Shimmer Texture Paste has been used for the background through a Special Touch mask and bakers twine to finish.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Visible Image - Tags - I hope this qualifies as I used free stamps designed by Visible Image.  I do have other wonderful Visiible Image Stamps but wanted to use this set.

That's Crafty - Black and white with a splash.

Scrapology  -  Freebies.

These are all fabulous challenges so if you could, please visit the blogs and see the fabulous Design Team projects and wonderful entries.

Thank you so much for visiting me - I really appreciate it - your visits and comments really give me a boost and your blogs really inspire me!  Take care.  Christine xx

Quote and Lyrics Challenge Change and Truth

I can't believe I haven't managed to post since my last Q & L entry, time goes by so quickly!  We had to choose between Change and Truth for the Craft Barn challenge - I chose 'Change'.  I used lyrics from Changes by David Bowie.  The song was originally released on the Hunkydory album in 1971 and then as a single in 1972.  Changes didn't do too well in the charts but is an iconic David Bowie song and seems to signify the ever changing person he is.  His music, appearance and personality have changed so much throughout his career.  I think he is awesome!

The background is brayered with Salty Ocean, Picked Raspberry and Mown Lawn Distress Inks (I decided it needed to be bright for Mr B!). I added drops of water and some pearl Glimmer Mist and when dry ran it through my Cuttlebug using the clock embossing folder which I think is Creative Expressions.  I highlighted the embossed areas with Distress Inks.  The pictures are downloaded and printed from the internet and are all album covers ranging from late sixties to mid nineties. I covered each image with versamark and embossed with clear powder so they look like record sleeves.  You can't see the shine in the photo unfortunately.  The ribbon looks more delicate in the picture than it is in real life.  Its white sheer ribbon coloured with Distress Inks.  I deliberately left the heat gun on the ribbon too long so it would curl up as I didn't want it drooping over the pictures.

If you can, please hop over to the Craft Barn and see the other amazing entries and DT projects and maybe join in - its a really fun challenge!

Thank you so much for visiting me, I really do appreciate it!  I will be popping round for a catch up a bit later today.  Have a lovely day - I hope the weather is as nice for you as it is here in Bournemouth.  Take care. Christine xx

Quote and Lyric Challenge: Flower & Travel

The Q & L Challenge at The Craft Barn this time is Flower and Travel - I went for Flower.  I always choose lyrics but although this time I have chosen a song title, Forest Flower, there are no actual lyrics. Its by Charles Lloyd who is a jazz saxophonist and was recorded in 1966 by the Charles Lloyd Quartet at the Monterey Jazz Festival.  Its in two parts - Sunrise and Sunset.  Its quite progressive jazz and I am listening to it while I am typing and its cool!  My husband thought of it - he really knows his music!

I love any excuse to use this tree stamp, its from a Lavinia Stamp set I bought from QVC and comes with the bare tree and then flowers, leaves and snowflakes all separate so very useful indeed! I did the background first using Chipped Sapphire and Dusty Concord Distress Inks with water drops and Abominable Snowman Glimmer Mist.  The sun is Squeezed Lemonade and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks.  The stamping is with Black Archival - some of the flowers are solid and some are open so I coloured the open ones with black archival pen so it was all in silhouette.  The stones on all the flowers are Anita's and I glued them on with Cosmic Shimmer PVA.  The ribbon is from my stash and the wooden heart at the top was free with a magazine and I coloured it with a Promarker and added the stone.

If you can, please pop over to The Craft Barn for a peek at the DT makes and other fab entries. Thank you so much for visiting, it means so much!  Have a lovely weekend and take care. Christine xx

Rose Blush Stamp

I absolutely love the new Rose Blush Stamp by IndigoBlu and I knew straight away it was perfect for my Mum-in-Law's Mother's Day card.

The background is Picked Raspberry and Shaded Lilac Distress Inks, water and a touch of Glimmer Mist.  Its very delicate as I wanted the main image to really stand out.  The image and the letters are coloured with the same inks using a paintbrush and water then I went over them with clear Wink of Stella..  The stamping is done with Versafine and clear powder.  The alphabet I used is by IndigoBlu and is from the Circus Alphabet and the butterfly is punched card covered with the Wink of Stella.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
IndigoBlu - Spring Blossom's
That's Crafty - Inky Antics (I have already entered this one twice but you can enter upto three times so I couldn't resist!)

If you have time, please pop over and have a look at these fab challenge blogs.  Thank you so much for visiting me, I really appreciate it.  I will try and get round when I can.  Sorry its not often enough, my Hubby and I both have ongoing health problems which are making things a bit difficult!  Take care.  Christine xx

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mum's out there!  Have a lovely day with lots of treats!  My card isn't actually a Mother's Day card but could be used for one.

I started by masking the outside of the white panel with stencil tape then inked with Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry and Salty Ocean Distress inks.  I used a Special Touch mask and inked through with the same inks to create the background flowers then spritzed with Glimmer Mist and dried with a heat gun.  After removing the tape, I stamped the Clarity Cow Parsley and Sentiment in Versafine and embossed with clear Detail Powder.  I also drew a wobbly line round the inking with a silver Stardust Sakura pen.  I matted on black, then a piece of card inked with the same DI colours, then a 7 x 7 black base card and added some pink pearls in the corners.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Clarity Flower Power
That's Crafty Inky Antics

Please pop over to see the Design Team projects and other cool entries.  Thank you so much for visiting me, I appreciate it so very much!  Have a lovely day and take care! Christine xx

Dream

I am getting messy again with this one after my very clean and simple card last time!  

The main image is from a clear set by Debbi Moore - there are four similar images in the set and I had forgotten how fab they are.  This is the second time I have used one recently.  The 'Dream' sentiment and the danglers are clear stamps by Inky Doodles, the 'Happy Birthday' is a Penny Black wooden stamp and the extra little background stars are Lavinia.  The background is made using Spun Sugar, Weathered Wood and Picked Raspberry Distress Paints -  Iced Spruce and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink, water, Glimmer Mist and a Special Touch mask.  I never really use bows but dug out my bow maker and used it for the first time!  Its not the best bow in the world but with the jewel brad added, I quite like it!  

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

'Dream' is the theme at Hel's fab blog and 'Inky Antics' is what That's Crafty are looking for.  If you have the time, please pop over and see the amazing samples and other brilliant entries.  

Thank you so much for visiting me, I appreciate it loads and loads!  Have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing.  Take care.  Christine xx

Visible Image Favourite Stamp challenge

Having to choose a favourite stamp from a selection is very hard!  The Visible Image Challenge for March is to do just that!  I chose this fabulous car as its so useful for male cards and its such a cool image!

Its quite a clean and simple card, I think the image speaks for itself.  Its stamped in Black Versafine and embossed with clear detail powder.  I heated it from the reverse so the embossing was really smooth.  Its matted using a Sizzix die, the arrows on the base card are from a Tim Holtz set and again are stamped in Black Versafine and embossed with Clear Powder heated from the reverse.  An addition of some Card Candi and it was done!  Please pop over to Visible Image and see the DT makes and other fab entries.  I think their stamps are brilliant quality, the ones I have stamp out perfectly.  I really appreciate your visit to my little ole' blog - thank you so very much!  Take care.  Christine xx

Quote and Lyrics Challenge - Art and/or Road

The current challenge at The Craft Barn is Art and/or Road - I went for Road and chose the song King of the Road written and originally recorded by country singer Roger Miller. Its another song I love! Definitely a theme with this challenge so far - I always go for the first song that pops into my head that fits and its always one I love!  The song is about a hobo who, in spite of being a 'man of means by no means' is happy with his freedom and way of life.  My tag features no hobo but a happy cat instead!

The background and trees are done with Distress Inks.  The smug looking cat is stamped in black Versafine and embossed with detail clear powder then coloured with Promarkers.  The crown is done in the same way but on separate card and stuck onto the main image.  The cat and 'cattitude' come from an old clear stamp set that I think I bought from Lakeland when they used to sell craft products.  The square letters are from a big set of embellishments I have also had for ages.  The ribbon is from my stash.  This is a very simple tag but I love the cat who looks like he is strutting up the road as if he owns it!  Please pop over to the Craft Barn if you would like to see the DT projects and other fab entries.  Thank you so much for visiting me, it means so very much to me! Christine xx

Surprise! - Happy Belated Birthday to Anita

My card today is for Anita who has an amazing blog, My Papercraft World. Anita is an inspirational crafter and a wonderful blog friend who gives so many of us oodles of support.  We missed her birthday cause she kept it quiet so Bev at Happy Dance has organised this belated birthday party and Darnell at djkardkreations is hosting the Linky party.  Bev and Darnell's blogs are wonderful too!  Well Anita, here is my card for you - I really hope you like it!

To create the coloured strip, I inked through a section masked off with stencil tape.  I used Squeezed Lemonade and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks, splashed with water then stamped with the Spiced Malmalade, not re-inking each time for contrast.  The leaf stamp is from a Sheena Douglass set Only Words - Heart.  I then removed the tape and stamped the Clarity Stamp Edelweiss with black Versafine and embossed with clear detail powder.  I coloured it in with a combination of Distress Inks and Promarkers then went over the image with clear Wink of Stella for sparkle. The sentiment is by Hobby Art.
I just want to say 'THANK YOU' Anita for all your inspiration and support. It means a lot! I hope you enjoy your belated party! Happy Birthday!!!  Luv' Christine xxx

I think this card is suitable to be entered into the Clean and Simple Challenge over at The Paper Players. I just spotted this challenge at Darnell's blog!  There are some cool DT cards and other fab entries.  Pop over and have a look!  Also it fits in with this weeks Sunday Stamper Week 299 at Hel's Fab Blog which is 'Happy'.  I think this card qualifies as to me, its a very happy flower, its a happy birthday card and the colours scream happy to me too!  I hope Hels agrees!  xx

White, Red and Gold Christmas Card

I hope you all had a fab weekend!  This is a very quick post as my Daughter and Granddaughter are due any minute and I can't wait to see them!  The monthly challenge over at IndigoBlu is 'Going for Gold'.  I decided to make a start on my Christmas cards so this is what I made.

I used the fabulous Baubles Flourish from IndigoBlu.  Its stamped in gold pigment ink and embossed with Gold detail powder.  I covered most of the stamp up with masking tape and inked it up, them removed the tape before stamping to get the single ornament.  The sentiment is a topper I have had for ages.  A bit of mat and layering, Treasured Gold gilding wax round the edges and a few stones and job done!  Thank you so much for visiting.  If you can, please pop over to IndigoBlu to see the other entries and amazing DT makes.  Bye for now and take care!  Christine xx

Quotes and Lyrics Challenge Marriage and Age

The challenge at The Craft Barn this time is Marriage and Age, I went for Marriage.  The song I chose was Love and Marriage by Frank Sinatra first recorded in 1955.

The background is Peacock Feathers, Shaded Lilac and Dusty Concord Distress Inks along with A Special Touch heart mask, Creative Expressions Heart Stamp with a bit of added Treasured Gold and Pearl glimmer mist.  The horseshoe is from a Wedding stamp set from Joanna Sheen and the horse and carriage is from Stamp it Australia - Birds and Butterflies.  The ribbon, hearts and flowers are from my stash.  If you can, please pop over to The Craft Barn to see the other fab entries and DT projects.  Thank you for visiting me, I really appreciate it!  Take care and have a lovely weekend.  Christine xx