Heart of Hearts

Hi there

I shared a shaker card with you yesterday and thought I'd come back to share another one today.

This card I made for some very special friends who have recently got engaged.

I made a shaker window using a heart die which was cut from a small die cut square.  I filled the shaker with tiny heart confetti and trapped the sprinkles inside by backing with some silver glitter cardstock before mounting the panel onto a slightly larger die cut square.  The card base and uppermost square are linen cardstock but I used smooth white cardstock for the middle square.  I adhered the shaker sandwich flat to the card base and stamped the sentiment below.

Materials used:

• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Pierced Square Stax, Stitched Heart Stax
• Stamp: Altenew - Leaf Canopy 
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
• Cardstock from stash
• Accents: Little Things from Lucy's Cards - Sprinkles: Rainbow Hearts

Challenge entries:

AAA Cards - CAS Game #184 - Sketch

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #399 - Any Occasion

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #191 - Hearts

Happy Little Stampers - February Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Time Out - Challenge #181 - Photo Inspiration

Simply Create Too - Challenge #167 - Use Hearts

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend, thanks so much for popping by.

Perfectly CAS - June 2020 Challenge

Hi there

It's time for the June challenge at Perfectly CAS, I'll get straight to it with the cue word for this month...

There are lots of directions you can go in for the word 'sparkle'.  I chose diamonds as my theme which led me to making an engagement card.  I also added some sparkly elements to my design...

Although a really simple card, this one did take a little time to ensure the placement was right.  The letters were die cut from rose gold low shed glitter cardstock and I began by drawing a pencil line towards the bottom of my card base before adding the letters.  I adhered the letters slightly above the guideline to allow room to erase it afterwards.  I adhered all the letters apart from the 'C', stamped and heat embossed the ring in silver, then adhered the 'C'.  To finish I coloured in the ring with a silver pen, coloured the diamond using a very pale blue/grey ProMarker and added some final bling with a sparkle pen.

Materials used:

• Dies: Lil' Inker Designs - Mixed and Stitched Alphabet
• Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Happy Wedding
• Ink: VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Silver
• Accents: Signo Uniball pigment pen - Silver; ProMarker - Dove Grey; Spectrum Noir sparkle pen - Clear

Thanks so much for visiting.  If you pop over to the main challenge blog you will find lots of inspiration from my fellow teamies, and also there is a note from Kylie.  After this June challenge there will be a six month break.  Kylie runs many challenges as has been doing so for eight years so understandably, she is taking a well deserved break!  We will be back so please do keep a look out for more information at the end of the year.

Less is More Challenge #405

Good morning

I'm back to introduce the next challenge starting right now over at Less is More and this time we are back with a Recipe challenge.  Here is the cue card with the all important details...

so all cards have sparkle plus another from this list

sparkle + gloss

sparkle + matte

sparkle + pearl

sparkle + chalky

Our generous sponsor for this month is Visible Image and just by playing along puts you in the running for our monthly prize!

Ok, I have two sample cards for you, here's the first using the Sparkle + Gloss option...

I used a stitched die to add some background detail to the card base.  I then used a cocktail glass die and cut it out twice, once using white sparkle glitter cardstock and again using a glossy cardstock...boy, was this difficult to photograph!  The glossy cardstock is white with a pink/purple oil on water effect.  I used the glitter cardstock for the glass and inlaid the 'liquid' using the gloss card.  To finish I stamped a simple sentiment in black ink.

Materials used:

• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Stitched Strip; Xcut - Cocktail Glass
• Stamp: Clearly Besotted - Tiny Type
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
• Cardstock from stash

Next up I chose the Sparkle + Pearl option...

I die cut two squares using a pierced square die from pearlescent cardstock.  On the smaller panel I stamped and heat embossed the diamond ring in using sparkly silver embossing powder. the die cuts were adhered, the upper one on 3D foam and the sentiment was stamped and heat embossed in silver.  I added more sparkle to the diamond using a sparkle pen but was unable to catch this on camera.

Materials used:

• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Pierced Square Stax
• Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Happy Wedding
• Ink: VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Silver, Metallic Silver Sparkle
• Cardstock from stash

Thanks so much for joining me today.  This challenge is a great chance to have a rummage in your stash to mix and match your products, I can't wait to see what you create.

Perfectly CAS - September 2019 Challenge

Hi there

I'm super thrilled to be a member of the Design Team of a brand new challenge that is starting right now.  The 'Perfectly CAS' challenge is exactly that, all about creating perfectly CAS (clean and simple) cards by following the rule of one third. 

Our first monthly challenge is an easy one...

Here's my sample card...

I chose a lovely icy blue/lilac shade of textured cardstock for my upper panel.  I then used floral images from a stamp layering set, stamped and embossed the outline image in silver, then stamped the second layer in a blue tone to co-ordinate with the background.  After adhering the panel flat to the base, the sentiment was then stamped in the same blue ink onto a white strip and popped up on 3D foam.  I love this simple sentiment, it could be used for lots of different occasions.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Altenew - Golden Garden, Leaf Canopy
• Ink: VersaMark; Versa Color - Smoke Blue
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Silver
• Cardstock from stash

Challenge entries:

The Flower Challenge - Challenge #36 - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - September Challenge - Anything Goes with Flowers

Please do pop over to the main challenge blog, here, and check out what the rest of my fabulous teamies are sharing, they have some gorgeous examples for you.  And as this is a monthly challenge there's plenty of time to link up.  Even if you find CAS cards a little daunting, why not give it a go :)

Happy Little Stampers February 2018 CAS Challenge

Good evening, crafters

It's time for the February challenges at Happy Little Stampers, and today in particular is the launch of the CAS challenge.  Apologies for not participating in the January challenge, the flu hit me hard and I was in bed for five days over the new year break.

So, here is what we're looking for this month...

Our winner for this challenge will receive a $20 coupon to spend at the shop! Check out all the details HERE.

IF YOU USE STAMPS BY HAPPY LITTLE STAMPERS AND YOU ARE OUR RANDOM WINNER, YOUR PRIZE WILL BE DOUBLED!

Ok, here's my DT card using stamps from two HLS stamp sets...

On a white cardstock panel I stamped the column of hearts in rainbow colours, using my MISTI to ensure perfect alignment and spacing.  I stamped the sentiment in black, adhered to the base on fun foam and finished with some co-ordinating enamel dots.  Super easy!

Materials used:

• Stamps: Happy Little Stampers - Especially for You, Simply Said
• Ink: Versa Color - Cardinal, Orange, Canary, Fresh Green, Royal Blue, Violet, Pink; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Accents: Doodlebug Sprinkles 

Challenge entries:

Moving Along with the Times - Challenge #64 - Love/Valentine/Wedding/Engagement

Just Add Ink - Challenge #394 - Romance

Creative with Stamps - Challenge #23 - Heart

The challenge, along with the other HLS challenges starting over the next few days, will run until the end of February so there's plenty of time to play along.

I'll be back in the morning to tell you all about the next challenge at Less is More, please do pop back.

Less is More Week #339

Good morning, crafters

Saturday morning means it's time for a new challenge to launch over at Less is More and as there are five Saturdays in this month we have a Lucky Dip challenge for you.

But first I have some sad news.  Our lovely Sarah G is stepping down from the Design Team.  Sarah has a busy working life, so with the added pressure of design team commitments, both have become difficult to accomplish.  We're all going to miss you on the team, Sarah.  Please do pop over and wish her well :)

So, onto the challenge, here are the details...

We'd like to see paper piercing, brads, eyelets, sewing, etc.

I have two cards to share with you and for my first I am revisiting one of my designs which was ShowCASed at this very challenge back in February 2014 as well as achieving a win at Addicted to Stamps and More!  This is pretty much a blatant copy of this card, I've just changed up the colours and the sentiment...

I covered the card base with some green striped paper and cut a panel slightly smaller than the card base.  The image was stamped in black and the sentiment in pink and black.  I then affixed eyelets to take the place of some of the rings of the design.  The panel was then adhered flat to the base.

Materials used:

• Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn - Let's Bokeh in the Snow
• Stamps: Marion Emberson - On Your Special Day; Altenew - Celebrate
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versa Color - Opera Pink
• Eyelets from stash

Challenge entries:

The Color Throwdown - Challenge #453

House of Cards - July Challenge - Stripes and/or colours
Just Us Girls - Challenge #404 - Something Old and/or Something New (a new version of an old design and the eyelets in my stash are really old!)

For my second card I did some paper piercing as well as using a pierced die...

I started by stamping the ring in VersaMark and heat embossed in platinum.  I then added the pierced heart detail using a paper piercing template.  I die cut this out with a pierced square die and mounted it onto my card base using 3D foam.  I coloured the gemstone with a pale blue Zig marker and added some shimmer to the whole ring with some clear Wink of Stella.  The sentiment was stamped below the panel in black.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Happy Wedding
• Ink: VersaMark; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Platinum
• Die: MFT Die-namics - Pierced Square Stax
• Pierced heart using Stampin' Up Paper-Piercing Pack Essentials
• Accents: Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker; Wink of Stella - Clear

Challenge entry:

STAMPlorations - Summer CAS Card Challenge

This might be an opportunity to revisit some oldie but goodie techniques so why not play along!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Less is More Week #294

Hi guys

At Less is More this week we have a new Theme challenge for you and on your creations we would like to see...

Diamonds

I will admit, I really struggled with this one as my stash wasn't very forthcoming at all!  I was going to go with some geometric stamps then I thought I was sure I had a stamp of a diamond ring somewhere.  After going through my entire stash of stamps I realised the only ring stamps I had were wedding rings so I had to improvise.

Here's my card...

On some black cardstock I stamped an outline circle image and then heat embossed with some sparkly silver embossing powder.  At the same time I created a second one with normal silver powder but I preferred the added sparkle.  I die cut this with a pierced square and then matted it onto a slightly larger pierced square cut from white cardstock.  I added a lovely sparkly clear gemstone to the ring and then adhered the stacked panel to the cardbase.  A black sentiment was then stamped underneath.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Happy Little Stampers - Mix Mash; Clearly Besotted - Mr and Mrs
• Ink: VersaMark; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Embossing Powder: Wow - Metallic Silver Sparkle
• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Pierced Square Stax
• Cardstock and gemstone from stash

Challenge entries:

CAS-ual Fridays - Challenge #156 - Dimension and Bling

STAMPlorations - September Challenge - Theme & Sketch (I've used both)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Clean and Simple

My teamies have created some great projects this week to give you some inspiration so please pop over to the challenge blog and click on the links to each of their personal blogs.

We're looking forward to seeing your creations in the gallery this week.

Less is More Week 277

Good morning

There's a new challenge just starting over at Less is More and this time we have a Theme for you.  We'd like you to include on your creation...

Something that Pops / Bangs

I had lots of ideas for this one but nothing much of help in my stash.  I did however manage three samples for you although not overly happy with two of them.  Once again, the last one I made is my favourite, this firework card.

Super simple to make.  I stamped the fireworks in three colours (the majority of which are actually stamps from a dandelion set!), added the sentiment in black and simply adhered the panel to the card base on 3D foam.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Dandelion Dreams, Window Dressing and It's a Celebration
• Ink: Versa Color - Opera Pink, Boysenberry and Mountain Lake

I'm going to link this one up over at Time Out Challenges to continue on with Sandie's birthday celebrations where the theme is CAS with the option of using purple.

I wanted to make a card featuring a Christmas cracker but was sure I didn't have any cracker images in my stash until I spotted this teeny one.  I'm not overly happy as it's not an image of it actually bursting but you get the idea!

I stamped the little cracker in VersaMark before heat embossing in gold.  I then masked it to stamp the bursting image behind in silver. I then stamped the sentiment, also embossed in gold before die cutting with a pierced square die.  The cracker was coloured with ProMarkers and I used a co-ordinating cardstock to frame the square before adhering to the card base on 3D foam.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Arctic Animals (cracker), Little Elves (sentiment), Dandelion Dreams
• Ink: VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Gold Rich
• Die: MFT Die-namics - Pierced Squares
• Coloured with ProMarkers

I loved the idea of this card but don't love the end result as it didn't translate how I saw it in my head.  Two for one on this one though, the champagne popping and someone has obviously popped the question for there to be an engagement! Go me lol!

I started by die cutting the heart from a piece of red cardstock and gently marked with a pencil where this would sit on the card base. Next I stamped the sentiment and the bottle, which I fussy cut as I didn't want the white edging left by the co-ordinating die.  I placed the bottle roughly where I wanted it and then masked a section of a stencil to create the bubbles.  The bottle was then popped up on 3D foam.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Mr & Mrs, Je T'aime
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versa Color - Silver, Atlantic
• Stencil: Dutch Doobadoo - Wavy Stripes
• Coloured Cardstock: Papermania

My teamies have made some great cards this week so please do pop over and visit their personal blogs.  I'm sure you'll come up with some great ideas which will be translated much better than my cards this week!

Congratulations on your Engagement

Hi guys

Well, until today my week off has seen very little sunshine, but today the sun finally came out so we made the most of it and got out and about.  We travelled up the coast to Seaton in East Devon and had a little trip on the Seaton Tramway where electric trams take you from Seaton to Colyton alongside the River Axe estuary and through the nature reserves in the Axe Valley.  A little later we drove along the coast to Beer and had a little wander around the shops.  Its a shame we had to use the cliff top car park, that just proved how unfit I really am!!  Phew, that was very hot and hard work!!

Anyhoo, getting back to some craftiness, I wanted to share a card I made last night ahead of an engagement party we are going to tomorrow evening, one of my chap's friends recently popped the question :)

This is only the second time I have used pages from this paper pad and I really love the neutral shades.  I scored double horizontal lines above and below the strip of patterned paper and then used some dies to cut out the hearts from other pages in the same pad.  I used two different stamp sets from Clearly Besotted for the sentiments and decided to use Charcoal ink on this one instead of black and I think it works much better with the neutral tones of the paper.  My only annoyance with this card is that the pattern can be seen through the ribbon, oh well, you can't win 'em all eh!  On the other hand, I love my bow, makes a change for me to create a half-decent one! :D

Materials used:

• Cardstock: Base card from stash
• Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Designs - Country Boutique
• Dies: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Love Hearts collection
• Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Framed Sentiments and Baby Love sets
• Ink: Versa Color - Charcoal
• Ribbon and gems from stash

That's all from me today.  I have an afternoon and evening on my own on Saturday so hopefully I will be able to fit in some crafty time and therefore be back on Sunday to share some more creations with you.

As always, thanks for visiting and I hope you are having a lovely week whatever you're up to :)

Bye for now

 

Weight Loss Update:

So far I've managed to lose 7.5 lbs in 4 weeks, not bad considering July was a busy month for socialising.  I've been eating out a fair amount this week too, it is my holiday after all, but I don't think I've done too much damage, Monday morning will reveal all :-/

 

Congrats on your Engagement

Hi guys

Back with the second card I made last night for an order, a CAS card for an Engagement.  I knew exactly which stamp sets to grab for this one, two sets by Clearly Besotted Stamps.  All of Stephanie's sets are fabulous, some with matching dies, so take a look if you've not visited her site before.  You won't be disappointed! :)

 

 

I got a bit carried away with the stamping and perhaps used too many colours on the main image so I decided to keep the rest of the card white apart from the sentiment.  The birds and the 'congrats' were stamped in silver to add a little more interest.  I die cut the image with a circular die and popped this up on 3D foam.

 



Materials used:

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - 'Paired Up' and 'Framed Sentiments'
• Ink: Versa Color - Canary, Green, Rose Red, Silver; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Die: XCut - Circle Nesting Dies

Back in a mo! :)