MOTIVET - MORRIS SKIING

I made my first Xmas card of the year for a challenge which stipulated 2 layers, 3 buttons and glitter.  As it was my first challenge ever I thought it was one I could cope with.

The background paper was bought locally at The Deckle Edge, the background stamp is Magnolia Winter Night Background. the buttons and embroidery thread are from my stash and the border punch is an EK Success one.  The skiing moose is Morris from Motivet and he is stuck on with thin dimensionals to raise him off the background just a little.

The background stamp is coloured in using Copics, however, I messed up the mountains and ended up paper piecing them.  Quite a mission, but I thought it was worth it.  The moose is coloured in using SU crayons and the glitter part is Diamond Stickles on the rim of his hat.

PUNCH ART BUNNY

As per usual, I cased this idea from another blog.  Yes, I do sometimes have original ideas but it is just so much easier to look at other people's work for inspiration.  Anyway, the background houses are a SU wheel, the fence is from my Slice machine, the grass is a MS Icicle border punch (trimmed) and the leaves and flowers are from my stash.  The rabbit is made with SU punches and Nestabilities (the ears). 

  STAMPIN UP - FOREST FRIENDS

This card was originally white, sponged with Tattered Rose distress ink and stamped with a Hero Arts bamboo image.

The layers of papers are from bottom to top, CM, SU Close to Cocoa using the SU Top Note die, a pink paint swatch (picked up free from the local hardware store) with a design cut from the Slice and a Nestabilities Circle cut from white cardstock.  On the circle I took another circle I had cut from the Slice and used it as a template to sponge on the inside with distress ink.  Then the deer was stamped onto the circle.  It seems rather long winded but this card had been sitting on my craft table for quite a while giving me the chance to tweak it a couple of times.

MILK CARTONS & HOLDER

This template was given to me and I was thrilled it turned out so well.  I used a locally obtained brown and yellow cardstock for the holder and cartons and CM papers (all from the same pack that is why they go so well together) to decorate it with.

The scalloped circle on the holder is SU as is the swirly image.  The sentiment is Penny Black.  On the cartons I sponged all the sides with Distress Ink and glued the papers on before assembling them.  On the top of the cartons I used an EK Success border punch with co-ordinating papers.  The labels are SU scalloped oval and plain oval and the wording is using a magnetic alphabet I have - think it is a Making Memories one.  I then punched 2 holes through the top and fed the raffia through.

When needed I plan to get some chocolates and nuts, put them into a celphane packet and pop them into the boxes.  The project can also be duplicated by making 2 holders and 4 milk cartons.  You can then glue the 2 holders back to back thus making it more stable as my ones need to be supported from underneath when you pick it up.

GINA K DESIGNS - TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE

This could well be me in a couple of years time !  I coloured in the image using Smooches and Copics and then cut it out.  The frame is from a my Slice and the papers are from my stash.

I recently went on a flower buying spree so decided I better start using some of them on my projects, hence the flowers.  Not too sure where the sentiment came from.

GINA K. DESIGNS - STAMP TV - MEMORY KEEPER

After watching a 2 part video on how to construct this project I knew I had to give it a go.  It is a quick and easy box to make and perfect to keep photographs in until you are ready to scrapbook them.  Gina even offered a free template to download for a card you can use to journal relevant info on the photo's.

The main colour is SU Old Olive and the dotted paper is also SU.  I used Nestabilities labels in Old Olive and a yellow cardstock I buy in bulk.  I then punched out a SU scalloped oval and a normal oval.  The dolphin is from SU Silly Sealife and is coloured in using Copics which I think I am finally getting the hang of.

HIGH HOPES - BUBBLE FUN

This stamp is from a new company in the US and I was a bit disappointed that their stamps arrive on a thin rubber sheet.  Luckily I had the foam backing which I could stick it onto.

Anyway, that aside, the stamp is cute and I do like their images.  I used Nestabilities petite scalloped circles and the Fleur de Lis pendant (yet again) to layer the image onto.

The background paper is CM and the sentiment stamp is a Penny Black one which I seem to be getting a lot of use out of lately.

  STAMPARVIE - PENNY JOHNSON - BUTTERFLY BEAR

When I stamped and coloured this image it was very plain so I decided to jazz it up with a few Nestabilities.  The image is cut out with the Petite circles scalloped die, then comes the Fleur de Lis die and finally we have the scalloped square.

The background paper is CM and the label was made on the Slice.  I think the sentiment is a Clear Dollar one.

 ART IMPRESSIONS - MAUDE

I've had these stamps for a while now and thought they needed to be used.

The background paper is CM and I used Nestabilities labels to cut both papers out.  The image is coloured in using SU markers.

Can think of a couple of ladies who could get this card for their birthday !

VALENTINE HEART BOX

I saw this cute box on a blog and decided to copy it (something I'm rather good at !).  The hearts are all Nestabilities and for this project I used the largest and 3rd largest sizes.  The Valentine's stamp is a SU hostess set called Holiday Best and the flowers underneath on the largest red heart are from an Inkadinkado stamp set.  The box sizes are 1 x 4 and one eighth inch square and 1 x 4 inch square, both scored at 1" on all sides.  The larger of the boxes goes on the upper side.

I'm so proud of my bow which I made with my new Bow Easy.  Either you can make bows or you can't and I fall into the latter category with it always being very much a hit and miss affair.  With the Bow Easy (don't I sound just like the Shopping channel ?) my bows are consistently good, once I fathomed out the instructions and watched others on You Tube !

STAMPARVIE - PENNY JOHNSON - TEDDY WITH FLOWERS 

Just love this Penny Johnson image, but then again, I am a teddy bear fan.

I stamped the image onto watercolour paper and coloured it in using SU and Tombow markers.  I then used a Nestabilities label die to cut out the image.  Leaving the die on after embossing I used Tattered Rose (my favourite at the moment) distress ink to sponge on a border.  The pink die just peeking out is also Nestabilities, Fleur de Lis which I just love and it is fast becoming my favourite die.

The background paper is SU.  Not sure about the pink paper - I think it was bought in bulk from the local stationers.

CLEAR DOLLAR STAMPS - CUTE CRITTERS

The Cute Critter stamp set which arrived with my last parcel from the States is very sweet.  I stamped out a couple of the ducks, coloured one in in yellow then decided I did not like it.  I then experimented with grey on the other ducks and thought they looked better.  All 3 were left on my craft table and with moving things around they landed up in the position which I ended up with on the card.  I thought it was quite cute !  Must have been the inspiration fairy who did it !

The sentiment is from an Inkadinkado set.

GINA K DESIGNS - VALENTINE'S DAY HEART BOXES

This box design pattern was purchased from the Gina K site and is one of those really easy projects  to knock up a whole lot at a time.

Instead of using patterned paper to print out the design on, I choose to use plain and then cut small squares of patterned paper to decorate it.

I used Nestabilities hearts - classic and scalloped - to cut out on the front of the box and popped acetate to complete the window.  I also cut out a heart to put onto the top - remember to glue only on the left hand side to allow the box to be opened.

  SIMPLE CONGRATULATIONS    CARD

This plain and simple card is made with a CB die for the flourish and a large Nestabilities label using a sentiment from the Hero Arts 'Everyday Say' stamp set.  The background paper is CM.

The deckle edged card is one I bought years ago from a UK company but for the life of me, I cannot remember which one.  It makes such a change from the normal straight edged cards.

             COLD GIFT PACK - PENNY BLACK TEDDY & COMPANY

The cardstock used for this project is SU Old Olive and I also used SU papers and border punch for the front decoration.

The Penny Black stamp is coloured in with Tombows for the teddy, on his jacket I used Smooches and for the flowers & grass, my SU markers.  I used Nestabilities labels to layer the image onto the patterned paper.

Inside I stuck down the pack of tissues with about 5 glue dots and for the lip ice I used the Crop-a-dile to punch 2 large holes a few mm's apart to thread the ribbon through.  As the ribbon did not hold the lip ice firmly in place I used 2 dimensionals (top and bottom of the lip ice) to adhere it to the cardstock.

The original idea for this project was found on Stampin Inspirations by Maria's blog.

PENNY BLACK - TINY WISHES

Scratching through my leftovers I found an embossed orange half circle and the ideas flowed from there.  For the background paper I smooched and swirled 3 Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers - Butterscotch, Expresso and Terra Cotta - onto a piece of sand coloured cardstock.  The sentiment is a CB die, the die cut the hedgie is standing on is a BossKut one with both stamps being from Penny Black's Tiny Wishes.  The border punch used is from EK Success.

The cutting out is the hardest part but since using readers instead of my normal glasses, I no longer need the magnifying glass.

PUNCH ART CUPID (from the rear)

Ok, as the title reads, this cupid being viewed from the rear.  I got the idea from Ellen Kemper over at http://blinkthinkink.blogspot.com/ and decided to tweak it a little.

When I showed DH he immediately said 'you can't put that on a card' & 'where is his face'.  I was at a bit of a loss as I could not see what he was trying to get at.  Then he says 'he's rather obscene, isn't he !'  The penny dropped - he thought it was cupid from the front that that his arrow case holder was his ... (well, you know what I mean) !  Got a good chuckle out of that one !

Anyway, my middle aged cupid (from the rear) uses the SU ornament punch for his head, scallops for his tufts of hair, large CM large heart for his behind (partly scored for the cheeks), wings are the next size down CM heart, hand and legs / feet are a CM primitive heart.  The arrow case is SU word window and the arrows are cut from the Slice.  All the pink parts have been sponged with a pink ink.

PUNCH ART - ALI BABA

This punch art figure is my own creation.  I had a couple of large vases stamped out and was looking to use them.  After all the Father Xmas figures I made at the end of last year I decided on an Arabian theme using the same concept and just went from there.  I used my Slice for his shoes, waistcoat and waistcoat decorations.  The face is one of the Peachy Keen stamps.

Details of my Ali Baba :  turban - SU ornament punch ; decoration on turban - small ovoid ; hair - SU scallop oval cut down ; face - circle ; ears - small ovoid again.  For the body I cut his arms using a combination of oval punches from SU ; hands are a hand punch ; pants - SU oval ; legs - SU word window.

The background paper is from CM, the jar stamps are Stampendous - Bold Vase, scalloped photo corners are EK success and the fancy scroll is a new CB die I recently purchased.

BOSSKUT BEAR DIE

I have a couple of BossKut dies which are wafer thin and can be used in the Cuttlebug using the A, C & B plate sandwich.  The bear has been teamed up with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and sentiment.  The papers used are all from offcut packs bought from the Deckle Edge.  I did not like the eyes on the die so took the smallest eyes in my stash and stuck them on.

Apologies for the picture not being too bright but the flash on my camera is not working.  Have been out and bought a bigger flash so hopefully the next batch of photo's will look a bit brighter.

CUTTLEBUG EMBOSSING FOLDER

The background on this card is a Cuttlebug embossing folder with the sentiments also being a CB die.  The circles are Nestabilities and the booties are a BossKut die.

CUTTLEBUG EMBOSSING FOLDER TECHNIQUE

This is a technique I saw on Stamp TV presented by Gina K.  It involves using a Cuttlebug embossing folder (one that is not too fussy) and a Memento dye ink pad.

Ink up the debossed (the top) side of the embossing folder, pop the cardstock in and run through the Cuttlebug.  The folder can then be rinsed under the tap to clean the ink off.

Pop onto a card with a sentiment - I used a SU punch and stamp on this card.

It really is so easy and very effective.  I did try it on the Paisley folder with not much success but then I only put it once through the CB whereas with this one I rolled it through twice.

CLEAR DOLLAR - CHARLIENE APRIL SHOWERS

I do love the Clear Dollar horse stamps.  On this one I did paper piecing on the brolly and wellies and coloured in the balance with my usual combination of markers. 

The grass is a wash using SU Certainly Celery ink and an aqua painter which was then stamped with AI teeny grass.  The trees are SU Lovely as a Tree, the clouds are AI and the raindrops (yes, I did go a little overboard here) are Clear Dollar.  The sentiment is SU on a background paper from CM and the card is one I bought ages ago from a UK company.

SWEET TREAT BASKET - GINA K. DESIGNS

This has to be one of the easiest and quickest gift baskets I have made.  It is also the biggest with plenty of space to pop a gift into.

The design was found on the Gina K. Designs website but when I went back to look for it again I could not find it.  Anyway, you cut a square of 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches, score at 2 inches along all 4 sides and cut down the score line to the next score line on 4 opposing corners (not sure if that makes sense but it is normally how you would make a box).  The handle is 11 inches x 1.5 inches.

You will be able to see how the basket is assembled - make the box part up first, attach the handle - I used a couple of brads (one for each side of the handle) - lastly attach the ovals or circles on the box part only as the handle needs to be free moving.  I used Nestabilities scalloped ovals and Hero Arts stamps.

XMAS STOCKING GIFT CARD HOLDERS

Saw this template on the internet and decided to give it a go.  I have made 3 for Xmas this year and have put money instead of a gift card into each of them.  They are quite cute and fit into a square envelope.  If they were going to be hung on a Xmas tree I would have punched a hole on the top right hand side of the red flap, reinforced it with eyelets and put a piece of ribbon through it.

This will be my last Xmas post for the year.  Best wishes to all for the festive season, and to those travelling, take care and be safe.

PEACHY KEEN - WINTER PEEKERS & PHRASES

This is the second card done with my made up penguin.  This time I added a couple of snowflakes to match the pink stripe in the scarf.

The sentiment is a Hero Arts one and the label punch is SU Word Window.

PUNCH ART - SANTA IN CHIMNEY

Not too sure if I like this one or not.  The photograph was not taken in optimun light and is not great.  The chimney is made using the Fiskars hand squeeze brick punch adhered onto card stock then trimmed and the sack of presents is hand cut - I took a bit of cotton wool and stuck it underneath to puff out the bag.  My creative consultant (aka husband) advises for the next one I should make the chimney smaller and I think I will use the Nestabilities squares to see how that fits the bricks.

PEACHY KEEN - ICE SKATING PENGUIN COUPLE

Another adorable penguin stamp (yes, I like penguins !).  Again I cut out the image and popped it onto an iceflow - think it might be a Dee Greunig stamp.  Just had to try my other Martha Stewart corner and edge punch and seeing I actually read the instructions and watched the You Tube clip, I was able to use the corner punch on the front of the card.

SANTA GIFT BAG

Instead of trying to wrap up 2 liquid soaps for a gift, I decided to use one of the Merrypak paper bags again.  This time I covered it in SU Old Olive, topped the front with SU christmas paper, popped on one of the Santas I had made and added a sentiment which I had already stamped but not used, so have no idea which stamp set it came from.  The handle was cut from Nestabilities labels.

PEACHY KEEN - SNICKERDOODLE GIFT ELF

Another Peachy Keen stamp.  I cut out the image and put it onto a mat on which I used the Martha Stewart corner and edge snowflake punches.  The secret to using these punches successfully is to take note of the size paper to be used as instructed on the insert (that would be the one I threw away and had to dig out of the recycling !).  The beige scalloped edge background paper is CM.

PUNCH ART - SANTA IN CHIMNEY

The chimney is made with Fiskars brick squeeze punch - I think my bricklaying skills are not too bad !  The top of the chimney is an embossed paper.  Santa's legs and arm are SU Word Window punch with his hand being a cloud punch. 

The blue background paper is from our local store, The Deckle Edge, and I used my new Martha Stewart corner and edge snowflake punches liven the card up.  The dotted ribbon is also local and I glued on a couple of white snowflakes (the byproduct of the snowflake edge punch) to finish it off.

The sentiment is Hero Arts with the punch being from SU.