Addicted to Stamps and More #172

Hi guys

Can you believe it's time for another new challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More?!  Where do these weeks go?  Those of you that follow the challenge will know we follow a sequence of challenge themes and this week we're back with our regular theme...

Make Your Mark

You can find the challenge guidelines here.

Our Sponsor this week is the fabulous Stamporations and one lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate!

Here's my DT card...

Although I'm in desperate need of some Christmas cards right now I went ahead and made a girlie birthday card!  No idea why! lol

I stamped this lovely image from The Greening Farm and learned the hard way as, after completing my first coloured image I stamped the sentiment at the end and then dropped my stamp right over the image! Arrghhhh......so I had to start the whole thing again from scratch!

On a white cardstock panel I stamped the image and then stamped the sentiment alongside BEFORE I commenced my colouring!  I coloured the image with my ProMarkers and FlexMarkers, although I'm still struggling with my lack of blendable shades (note to self...stop buying stamps and get more markers!).  I covered the card base with some neutral polka dot paper and then adhered the panel in the bottom right corner.  

Materials used:

• Stamps: The Greeting Farm - Rain Snow Shine; Clearly Besotted - It's Your Birthday
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Coloured with ProMarkers and FlexMarkers
• Patterned Paper: MFT - Dots & Stripes Neutral

Challenge entries:

613 Avenue Create - Challenge #151 - Anything Goes

Brown Sugar - Challenge #173 - Anything Goes

Without Words - November Challenge - Winter Birthday

AAA Cards - Game #53 - Anything Goes

There's a really diverse selection of creations by my teamies this week so, if you have time, I'm sure they would love for you to visit their personal blogs.

Why not Make Your Mark and play along with us this week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Fabulous Friend

Hi guys

Well, after almost two weeks of no posts I've finally found some time to craft today.  I'm still living in a mess, and will be for about the next month while my kitchen is sorted but the majority of the dismantling and boxing up is done, so it's just a case of making a pathway amongst the chaos so I have a route from craft stash to table!

Here's what I've made today, I thought I'd have a bit more practice with my Promarkers...

I stamped the image and coloured it with ProMarkers.  I'm still struggling with blending as I don't have enough of the tones of each colour so that's my aim this year, to purchase a few more each month so I've got more options.  I then cut some patterned paper to leave a border each side of the image panel.  I then had this (not so) great idea that I'd stamp the 'fabulous' sentiment so that it flowed across the three layers.  It wasn't the easiest technique but I got there in the end.  I started by stamping it on the card base, then I used some low tack tape to hold the patterned paper in place while I lined it up and stamped it again.  And I then did this again with the top panel, only inking up as far as the 'u' so I didn't overstamp what I'd already done.  I then adhered the panels ensuring the sentiment was lined up and finished by stamping 'friend'.  I added some clear Wink of Stella to the drinks but I couldn't capture this in the photo.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Stamping Bella - Uptown Girls Victoria & Juliette; Uniko Studio - All Occasions Sentiments #3; Stampin' Up - Fabulous Phrases
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn - Let's Polka
• Coloured with ProMarkers
• Accented with clear Wink of Stella

Challenge entries:

Less is More - Week 207 - Friends

Uniko Studio - Challenge #17 - Love and Friendship

Brown Sugar - Challenge #129 - Birthday for a Girl

Simply Create Too - Challenge #77 - Happy Mother's Day (or For a Female)

I hope to get back into some kind of routine now that I can access my stash a bit more easily.  

And don't forget my Candy Giveaway which can be found here.  The link will be open until the end of January so please link up for a chance to win.  I realise that with my Bloglovin followers and my subscribers I have more than 100 lovely readers but it's difficult to gauge exactly how many as some of you use more than one method to keep up with your blogs.  I am grateful to ALL of you, whichever way you follow me and I hope I can continue to give you some inspiration with my projects.

Bye for now, see you soon :)

Bright Hello

Hi guys

I'm finally back with another card, apologies for the lack of posts this last week.

Although I've had no time for crafting I've had a real boost this week from various challenge sites where I've received some shout outs.  I can't quite believe it but its really made my week!  I've updated the details here.

So, back to today and this morning I've enjoyed making this bright and cheerful card to add to my stash, and have managed to combine a few challenges too.

This little dragonfly and sentiment are from a stamp set I recently purchased from eBay.  I chose some bright patterned paper from a retired Stampin' Up set and coloured the dragonfly with co-ordinating ProMarkers.  I wanted to fussy cut the dragonfly and sit him on top of the circular die but his antennas posed a problem!  So I stamped him once and cut him out with a circular die, keeping the antenna and tail within the circle.  I then stamped him a second time, coloured him in and then fussy cut him out, cutting these parts off, before adhering the coloured image over the top, with his wings protruding off the edge :)

I added some definition to the paper by framing it with some coloured cardstock, and rounded the bottom corner of the card to echo the circular die and curved sentiment.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Stampendous - Doodle Wings
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Die: Xcut - Nested Circles
• Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up - Summer Smooches
• Cardstock: Papermania Premium Textured Cardstock (colour); white cardstock from stash
• Tools: Fiskars - Corner Edgers

Challenge entries:

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #30 - New (I have used a new stamp set)

CASology - Week 79 - Contrast (I have used bright contrasting colours which also contrast with the white)

Addicted to Stamps and More - Clean and Simple

Less is More - Week 156 - Sketch

Thanks so much for visiting today and as always for your lovely comments and support.  Have a lovely Sunday whatever you're up to :)

Bubbly Bears

Hi guys

Firstly, I want to thank everyone for the lovely comments left following my recent showCASe at Less is More for this card.  I was absolutely gobsmacked to be chosen for the Top 3 by Chrissie and Jen, so thank you SO much ladies for starting my 2014 with a big smile on my face! :D xxx

I've had lots in my diary this week so after a week of no crafting I've finally found the time this morning to make a card.

I thoroughly enjoyed doing a bit of colouring with my ProMarkers, its so therapeutic.  My colours are still a bit limited but I managed ok with what I had for this one.  I also inked up a stamp I bought a while ago but have never used.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Stampavie (Penny Johnson) - Bubbly Bears; Stampin' Up - Fabulous Phrases
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black
• Coloured with ProMarkers
• Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants - Country Boutique
• Cardstock: Papermania Premium Textured Cardstock (brown); base card from stash
• Button: Creative Expressions - Wood Buttons
• Glitter Glue: Stickles - Star Dust
• Jute twine from stash

Challenge Entries:

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #77 - Make Your Mark
CASology - Week 77 - Bubbly
Crafty Cardmakers - #107 - Bear With Me
Crafty Creations - Challenge #254 - Something to Drink
I Love ProMarkers - Challenge #201 - Add a Bow
Crazy for CAS - Challenge #35 - Chevrons
Passion for ProMarkers - Challenge 229 - Clean and Simple
Freshly Made Sketches - #118

That's all from me today.  Thanks so much for popping by.  There are so many great challenges around at the moment so I'm hoping to be back again very soon with more to share.

Have a great Sunday!

Cosy Snowman

Hi guys

I'm back today to share my final card this side of Christmas, having now tidied away my crafty mess for the second time!

This is the card I made for my chap and I'm really pleased with how this one turned out :)

I stamped the snowman image and coloured him in using ProMarkers and FlexMarkers before die cutting using a circle die.  I then used a smaller die from the same set of nested dies and stamped the first sentiment.  I then stamped a piece of background cardstock with a cluster of snowflakes stamp and the second sentiment.  I popped both die cuts up on 3D foam before tying some twine around the whole panel and attaching a heart button.  The whole panel was then adhered to the card base.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Penny Black - Sweet Snowman; Marion Emberson Designs - Sparkling Christmas; Personal Impressions - To My... (Sue Dix)
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black; Versafine - Onyx Black; Versa Color - Polar Blue
• Coloured with ProMarkers and FlexMarkers
• Dies: Xcut - Nested Circles
• Twine: Doodlebug - Brights Selection
• Button: Craftime Additions - Country Love

Challenge entries:

A Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes

Charisma Cardz Challenges - Anything Goes

Dream Valley - Christmas

Paper Pretties - Let It Snow

Passion for Promarkers - Include a Sentiment

Sketch Saturday - Anything Goes - Any Sketch: I chose #272

So now I take this opportunity of wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and very best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year - but hopefully I'll be back with more to share before 2014 makes an appearance!

Bye for now...I'm off to open the Baileys! :)

Sketch Saturday #282 - Guest Designer!

Hi guys

Welcome back to new challenge at Sketch Saturday and I'm really sad to say this is my last week as Guest Designer.  I've had a brilliant time creating my cards throughout October and I want to say a massive thank you to Lizy of Lizy's House of Cards for thinking of me and inviting me to be part of the team - THANK YOU!

Before I share this week's sketch I wanted to remind you that there's still time to link up for a chance to win some fabulous candy at Sketch Saturday.  To celebrate reaching 2000 followers they are offering multiple prizes to say thank you.  You have until 31 October so what are you waiting for? 

So, on to this morning's sketch and what a fabulous design this is, I really love this one...

And here's my card.  I had great fun having more practice with my Promarkers...

 

 

Not much explanation required for this one.  I chose the patterned paper first and then coloured my image, this one is from The Greeting Farm, using similar colours to co-ordinate.  The white cardstock panel is popped up on 3D foam for some dimension.  I finished with the sentiment banner, some buttons and twine, and some glitter glue.  No Christmas card is complete without a little bit of sparkle!

 

Materials used:

• Patterned Paper: Dovecraft - Christmas Blues
• Stamps: The Greeting Farm - Rain Snow Shine; Clearly Besotted Stamps - Modern Christmas
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Coloured with ProMarkers and FlexMarkers
• Buttons: Stampin' Up - Designer Subtles Collection
• Die: MFT - Fishtail Flag Stax
• Glitter Glue: Stickles - Star Dust
• Jute twine from stash

 

Click here to visit the Sketch Saturday challenge blog to see what fabulous cards have been created by the Design Team.  And while you're there, don't forget to follow and link up for a multiple chance to win some fantastic prizes.

 

Have a lovely weekend and I hope to be back very soon.

 

 

You Make Me Smile

Morning fellow crafters

Firstly, I'd like to say a massive thank you for all your wonderful comments following my Less is More August win and my challenge win at Addicted to CAS.  To achieve both of these has left me gobsmacked and to receive such lovely comments from so many talented crafters is so overwhelming, so THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH :) xx

So, now on to today's card.  I'm not usually online at this time on a week day but I've had this week off and woke up early this morning so had an idea for a card to fit a few challenges, using a stamp I've had for a long time but never inked up. 

This little mouse is so cute and only involved a small amount of colouring.  I'm still getting to grips with my Promarkers and Flexmarkers and still only have about one third of the colour collection which does sometimes limit me with more complex images.  I definitely need more practice with blending and certainly need more markers within the same colour groups and tones.

The sentiment and the mouse are from the same set by My Favorite Things.

I was going to use brown markers initially but the colours I have don't blend together too well so I decided on greys as I have four from the same colour group.  And using the good tip I've picked up from around blogland, I outlined the image with pale blue to make it stand out, this time I used Aquamarine.  It really does make such a difference.

I popped the circle and the tag up on 3D foam and kept the rest of the card simple, just finishing off with a couple of gems.

Materials used:

• Stamp: My Favorite Things - Millie the Mouse
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black
• Coloured with: Flexmarkers - Blue Grey 1, 2, 3 and 5, Aquamarine; Promarkers - Pastel Green
• Dies: Xcut - Nested Circles; Clearly Besotted Stamps - Tag Along
• Cardstock: Kanban - Superior Stamping Card; Stampin' Up - Pool Party; card base from stash
• Gems: Papermania - Glazed Gems (Iridescent)

The challenges I'm linking up to this time are:

Crafty Cardmakers #101 - Cute and Furry

 

Passion for Promarkers Week 218 - Theme 'Lot of Legs'

 

Less is More Week 139 - Sketch

 

 



On a separate note, I had a little play the other night and created a new blog header and watermark for my photos.  I'd love to hear what you think.  I've kept the colour scheme the same as before but recreated both of these using PicMonkey.  If, like me, you don't have any photo editing software this is a great free online photo editor.  To access some of the functions you have to sign up but plenty of it is free, as were all the elements I used.  I was unsure of how to achieve some of what I wanted to create but a little Google search solved my problems and there are quite a few blogs out there containing tutorials with step by step instructions.

That's more than likely all from me today, this is the first day of my week off that its not raining (so far anyway!) so I'd like to get out and about a bit and not waste the day.

If I'm not back later today I'd love it if you'd pop back tomorrow when I'll be sharing some exciting news! :)

Have a lovely Friday whatever you're up to and I'll see you soon.

New Home

Hi there

I'm back to share a card I've made for my brother and his girlfriend who get the keys to their new home tomorrow.  I'm hoping he'll be far too busy packing boxes to be looking at my blog but I needed to link it up now to catch a couple of challenges in time! 

I'm really starting to love making CAS cards more and more and my recent purchases of buttons and twine are starting to make a regular appearance on my latest cards too :)

 

 

 

Materials used:

• Stamps: Pink Petticoat - name of set unknown (free with publication); Woodware - Home Sweet Home (sentiment)
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black
• Promarkers/Flexmarkers: Satin, Tan, Poppy, Grass and Blue Grey 3
• Dies: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Tag Along; Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Ovals Large and Classic Scalloped Ovals Large
• Button: Stampin' Up - Designer Very Vintage
• Cardstock and twine from stash

 

Hopefully they'll be happy in their new pad, I'll be round there on Saturday being nosey helping them settle in :D

 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

 

Addicted to Stamps and More #62 - Make your Mark

CAS on Sunday #16 - Welcome Home

Cute Card Thursday 286 - Hip to be Square

I Love Promarkers #185 - 3 Different Shapes

 

Muse # 34

I used the new home theme, the tag and twine as my inspiration from this week's muse...

 



 

 

Thanks so much for visiting and I'll be back very soon with more to share.

 

Until then, take care

 

 

Less is More Week 126

Hi there

Apologies for being a bit quiet this week, I just haven't been able to find the time to make any cards but I wanted to make at least one before the week was over so I decided to have a go at this week's challenge at Less is More before the challenge ends tomorrow.  The very talented Hannelie of Desert Diva is a Guest Designer this week, so if you're not familiar with Hannelie's fab designs go take a look here, you won't be disappointed.

The trigger word this week is SAND.  At first I drew a blank but then I remembered a stamp set I recently acquired free with Creative Stamping magazine.  The set is by Clear Impressions and features some seaside designs.

I decided to create a beach scene, why, I really don't know!  This is not in my comfort zone AT ALL!  So I found myself reaching for my chalks which have been abandoned of late and this is what emerged...

To be honest, I absolutely hated this when I first completed the chalking and stamping!  I was using a larger piece of white card to chalk the background and it looked a bit of a mess.  I then cut it down to size before deciding where to place the sentiment and by the time I matted and layered it which framed the whole picture, its now starting to grow on me a little.  I coloured the deck chair with FlexMarkers.  Initially I was just going to put it aside and not share it with you guys but then I thought 'hey, a challenge is a challenge' so here it is.

Materials used:

• Chalks: Craf-T Products - Decorating Chalks
• Stamps: Clear Impressions
• Ink: Impress: Jet Black
• Coloured with FlexMarkers
• Cardstock from stash

As always, thanks for visiting today and hopefully I will have more cards to share with you over the weekend :)

Take care

Birthday Girl

Hi guys

Just a quick post tonight to share a card I've made using a stamp from a set I recently bought by The Greeting Farm.  I seem to be doing a lot of flowers and butterflies lately so I thought I'd try something different.  This also gave me any chance to practice with my ProMarkers and FlexMarkers again.

Here is my card...

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Addicted to CAS  - Teenager
I Love Promarkers - Pink & Blue
Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes

Materials used:

• Stamps: The Greeting Farm - Rain Snow Shine; sentiment from unknown brand set
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black;
• Cardstock: Kanban - Sherbert Pips; white card from stash
• Coloured with ProMarkers and Flexmarkers
• Ribbon from stash

Thanks for visiting, I hope to be back with more soon :)

Take care

To My Brother

Hi guys

I'm here today to share a card I made for my brother's birthday.  I couldn't upload it until now in case he saw it (like he's going to be interested in cardmaking and view my blog anyway!!!)

I used one of my new Wild Rose Studio stamps and thought I'd have some more practice with my ProMarkers and FlexMarkers.  They are all mixed up in a box at the moment so its a nightmare to go through them and find colours that blend although I may have found an inexpensive solution in my hunt for marker storage.  I'll update you soon if it works! :)

Anyway, on to the card, and apologies again for the photography, I'm still trying to find an ideal spot to get the best light...

 

 

My bro probably won't be happy with the tubbiness of this little guy but I thought he looked quite similar! And anyway, he should be pleased as I've given him more hair! :)

 

I didn't want to overload the outside of the card so I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment on the inside.

 

I really struggle to make masculine cards with what I have in my stash so I thought this would be a good time to enter the latest challenge over at The Paper Players where the brief is to make a CAS masculine card.  I'm quite pleased with my colouring effort on this one so I'm also entering it for the I Love ProMarkers challenge which this week is 'Anything Goes'.

 

Materials used:

• Stamps: Wild Rose Studio - Time for a Pint; Personal Impressions - To My... (Sue Dix)
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black
• Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Reverse Wonky Rectangles; MFT Die-namics - Fishtail Flag Stax
• Cardstock: Southfield - Premium Pure White Card 200gsm; Card base from stash
• Design Paper: Hot Off The Press - Cardmaker's Ultimate Pack (Floral)
• Coloured with ProMarkers and FlexMarkers
• Dew drops from stash

 

Thanks for popping by, I made another card for another challenge last night so I'll be back with that in a while once I've photographed it.

 

TTFN :)

 



CAS(E) this Sketch #28

Hi there

I've only ever entered one challenge over at CAS(E) this Sketch so when I saw this week's sketch I wanted to have a go as I love the layout.

I had a shuffle through my stamps and decided to use a stamp set I've had for years, it was one of my very first stamp purchases and hasn't seen the light of day since I've been blogging.  Its the Perfectly Clear 'Window Box' set by Stampendous.  I combined this with a few extras (hearts and sentiment) from a couple of my sets from Clearly Besotted Stamps and came up with this card.

 

This is the fabulous sketch we were given to work with...

I stamped the images using Impress ink then coloured with Promarkers.  I then had my first experience of using Glossy Accents...wow, I'm addicted, this stuff is fantastic!  I used this to highlight the hearts and then added some black gemstones to the flower centres.  I framed the card on a black mat to bring it all together.

Materials used:

• Cardstock: Crafters Companion - Neenah Classic Crest Card; Card base and black card from stash
• Stamps: Stampendous - Perfectly Clear 'Window Box, Clearly Besotted Stamps - Many Thanks (hearts) and Paired Up (sentiment)
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black
• Promarkers: Poppy and Cocktail Pink
• Accents: Ranger - Glossy Accents; Hobbycraft - 3mm Adhesive Gems

Right, I'm now starving as I got into crafty mode as soon as I came home from work and haven't yet had my tea!  Off to raid the kitchen :)

Thanks for popping by and as always I really appreciate any comments :) xx

New Home

Me again!

Back to share the last of the three cards I made for a friend's order.  This is very CAS as requested and was pretty quick to put together.

I'm really limited with new home bits and bobs, this is my only appropriate stamp!  I feel some shopping is required very soon!

I stamped the image with a dye ink as I wanted to use my ProMarkers to colour it in.  I die cut the image panel and a larger piece of green card using dies from the same set and then wrapped and tied twine around the image panel before matting and laying onto the card base.  That was it, easy peasy :)

Materials used:

• Stamp: Katie & Co - New Home (wood mounted stamp)
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black
• Cardstock: Papermania - Premium Textured Cardstock (green); white cardstock from stash
• Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Rectangles Large
• Twine: Doodlebug - Green from Bright Assortment
• Coloured with ProMarkers

That's it from me tonight, thanks for visiting an please leave a comment, I always love what you have to say xx

Muse Challenge #4

Hi guys

Just a very quick post from me tonight to show you a card I am entering into Challenge #4 over at the fab Muse blog. 

Here is my interpretation of this week's card...

 

 

and a closer view...

 

 

 

I was drawn to the colour scheme although used muted, softer hues and also took inspiration from the vertical lines and white space.

 

I stamped and coloured the image directly onto the card base and then used a border punch to edge some pale green vellum which I then used as an overlay, adhered to the rear edge of the card fold.

 

This is the lovely Muse card designed by Therese Calvird, from which we were to draw our inspiration...

 

 

 Materials used:

• Stamps: Wild Rose Studio - Flower Doodles stamp set
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black
• Promarkers: Orchid and Soft Green
• Vellum: Anita's Plain Pastel Vellum Pack
• Punches: Hobbycraft - Ribbon Camomile; Dovecraft - Daisy Corner
• Gem: Papermania - Glazed Gems (Iridescent)

 

 

Thanks as always for visiting today.

 

Neet x

 

Muse Challenge #3

 

Hi guys

I've no idea why I'm up so late tonight but I was feeling crafty so decided to have a go at the latest challenge over at the Muse Card Club.  For these challenges we are asked to draw inspiration from a card created by one of the Muse designers.  This week's card is designed by Laurie Willison and after our dull and dreary winter I really love the cheery Spring feel of this card.

The first thing that sprung into my mind was that I wanted to make a gate-fold card. 

I took my inspiration from the panels and the Spring colours.  I wanted to include a Spring floral so I decided to use a tulip stamp.

This is what I came up with...

 

 

 

 

 

 



I used an Impress inkpad in Jet Black to stamp the tulip but decided it would probably be too harsh so this was the second impression I took.  The sentiment was from a clear stamp set so I curved it to follow the contour of the leaf.  The whole card turned out a lot brighter than I intended, but now that I think about it tulips are actually bright yellow not a soft yellow so I've changed my mind and like the final result.

Materials used:

• Cardstock: Papermania - Tall Gate-fold card; Green embossed cardstock from stash (unsure of brand); Kanban 300gsm Brilliant White Cardstock
• Stamps: Anita's - Tulip (wood mounted); Marion Emberson Designs - It's all in the Words set
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black, Versafine - Onyx Black
• Coloured with FlexMarkers
• Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Rectangles Large
• Ribbons and gems from stash

Thanks for visiting, I really to appreciate you taking the time.

Right, I'm off to bed!

Neet x