FLOURISHES - SANTA - I BELIEVE

I had a couple of tries to stamp this Santa and eventually settled on using sepia ink.  The holly is coloured in using a blender pen to tone the colours down.

The red paper is CM with the buttons and embroidery thread being from my stash.  Initially I pricked the border and was going to leave it plain but decided on a fine red thread to match up with the stitching on the red paper.

STAMPIN UP - TOP NOTE

Another card I found on SCS and decided to copy.  The background paper is SU as is the Top Note die used for the shoes.  I like this card for being different and not your normal Christmas card.

FLOURISHES - GERBER DAISIES

My new Flourishes stamps are really pretty and before I had a bash at colouring in the gerber daisies (which I had never heard of) I looked on Google images to see what colours they came in.

I used SU markers and a blender pen to get the desired effect and thought it would make a good sympathy card.

PUNCH ART MOUSE - TAKE 2

Yes, I know I have already posted one of these but seeing I made two I just had to share them both with you. 

MATCHBOOK - ART IMPRESSIONS GIANT SNOWMAN

I wanted to make something different and quick with the AI snowman image I had coloured in and cut out before it got damaged.  This matchbook cover was perfect and after cutting and scoring I ran the front part only through the  CB using the Swiss dot folder.  Taking a white gel pen I highlighted the dots and stuck on the image.   The inside is a rectangle piece of cardstock concertina'd at both sides.  Ideally it should fit some sort of candy and I will have to take it to the local supermarket to see what works.  One could always make the whole project bigger and put a gift credit card inside.

 STAMPARVIE - SARAH KAY - PRECIOUS MOMENTS

This was such a delightful image to colour in.  The flourishes are CB die cuts, the sentiment is SU and the background paper my usual CM.

PUNCH ART - SINGING MOUSE

I saw this delightful singing mouse on a blog and although it is similar to the reindeer I made, I just had to try it.

The head is the Christmas Ornament punch from SU, ears are CM smallest heart, mouth is Nestabilities oval, hands & feet are SU word window punch, body is a one & a half inch circle & the tail is made from creative punching using the SU wide oval punch.  The book he is holding is a Nestabilities label punch.

The green patterned paper is SU, beige backing it is CM ; green mesh is local from The Deckle Edge ; the orange is CM ; the green circle is Old Olive SU and the dotted paper is from a pad in my stash.  The card is SU Old Olive.

STAMPARVIE - TINA WENKE - MOUSE CARRYING CAKE

I wanted to make a pink, green and brown card and thought this image would allow me to do it.  The lace on the side of the card proved to be a bit of a challenge as none of my adhesives would work (and I tried everything in my drawers).  Eventually I cut another piece of the brown cardstock slightly smaller than the width of the lace and tacked the lace onto it using a fine needle and white cotton.  As the cardstock was thick I had to pierce the holes first, but at least it got to stay in place.

The icing on the top of the cake was coloured in using one of my Smooches.  The sentiment is Inkadinkadoo purchased locally and the background paper is my usual CM.  They make such wonderful paper packs just the right size for cards. 

PUNCH ART - OWL CARDS

When I saw this card on a blog I thought it was so cute.  With having to make a few cards for family and friends one weekend a while back I decided to do two of the same (something I seldom do).  Although the cards look small they actually fit into a normal card sized envelope.

The head is a SU Top Note die cut from SU Creamy Caramel cardstock, folded in half and sponged around the edges with SU Close to Cocoa ink.  The nose is a square cut in half (used a paint sample from our local hardware store).  The biggest scalloped circle is Nestabilities - the largest one.  The feet are a SU Scallop Circle punch cut into four - 2 for the front and 2 for the back. Inside the card is a plain circle covering where the feet have been stuck on and on which the sentiment is stamped.  The rear of the owl is the same as the front using only the large brown circle with the orange feet.

STAMPARVIE - GILLIAN ROBERTS - CHRISTMAS STOCKING

Took myself out of my comfort zone on this one mixing different papers.  The background papers are SU with the Nestabilities circles being CM.  The sentiment is Hero Arts and the ribbon is one picked up locally.

The Stamparvie images are such a delight to work with and the designs are so cute.

                        CHRISTMAS REINDEER GIFT BOX

Another one I saw on SCS and decided to copy.  The antlers are made on my Slice machine which I think I am finally conquering and the front and back are the SU Top Note die.  I always struggle with drawing freehand so the mouth was a bit of a challenge.  A small pot of Ranger Crackle Paint was close by so I used that as a guide and think the result was just the right amount of 'smile'.

I have made 4 of these for the neighbourhood children at Christmas.  Not too sure what will go inside the box but Cindy suggested using some brightly coloured tissue paper visible from the sides.  Thought that was an excellent idea.

                ART IMPRESSIONS - SCRATCH

This is one of my favourite stamps for a middle aged male card - just love the boep !

I tried a new watercolour paper made mostly from bamboo and it is thicker than my normal one which I tend to struggle with.  The result was impressive as it was super absorbent.

The red background paper is SU Real Red with the striped paper being an odd scrap from my stash on which I used the SU scalloped edge punch.  I sponged the background with a Ranger Distress Ink and was pleased with the finished effect.

                           CD PHOTO CUBE PROJECT

Recently received a mail advising of a workshop making this project.  As I am unable to go I decided to have a bash at it on my own and was delighted with the result.  The base is a bit of a problem, but I am working on it. 

We have loads of old CD cases from computer backups no longer needed and in no time at all I had taken the insides out, unhinged the cover and swung it around and assembled all 4 which clipped into each other.  I dug out some old family photo's (yes, Debs, it really is you, think you are about 19) and used some new CM paper which I had just bought.

The cube sits on my craft desk full of work in progress.  Every couple of days I turn it around and smile.  They might not be the most flattering photo's but they bring back so many memories !

   

STAMPIN UP - GIFTS OF JOY

Instead of starting from scratch on a card I decided to look in my container for toppers I had already stamped and made.  I tend to make a whole lot and forget about them.

The green paper and ribbon is from SU with the rust colour being CM.  The snowflake punch is also CM and the sentiment is SU.

 SARAH KAY - ELODIE IN HER GARDEN

This is one of my new stamps from Stampavie, designed by Sarah Kay.  The papers are all CM, the labels are the usual Nestabilities, the Scallop edge punch and sentiment are SU with the ribbon and lace being from my stash.

I raided my sewing box the other day and was amazed at the treasures hiding there.  Found some lace that must be at least 20 years old so would probably be classed as vintage as well as some amazing buttons.

STAMPIN UP - HOLIDAY LINEUP

Sometimes keeping simple is all that is required.  My SU Holiday Lineup stamps are getting a lot of use and I when I spotted a card with the snowmen all coloured in blue, I thought it was a good idea - simple and uncomplicated.  As can be seen, I am new to paper tearing and decided to wet it with a paint brush along a line, then tear it.  I think my hands and fingers are too small as I struggle to get it right.  Perhaps I should try one of those jagged rulers next to see how that turns out !

       

 HALLOWEEN TREAT HOLDER    

 I made these Halloween candy bar holders in preparation for our young neighbour and his friends when they knock on the door on the 31st.  The challenge was to get the right candy bar and I eventually settled on a peanut butter one as it was the perfect size and my husband hates peanut butter !  That way I knew they would last until Halloween !   I cut 3 holders lengthways  from an A4 piece of black cardstock, scored it, punched holes for the ribbon (which I looted from the gift packs at a conference we recently went to).   The opening for the candy bar is made with  SU word window punch.  The images are SU Twick or Tweet set and the rear side spider and bat are Cuttlebug dies.  Think I will have to lightly glue the flap shut, but will have to ask the advice of our young neighbour first.

SMALL GIFT BAG

A while back in Merrypak I came across these white paper packets and remembered I had seen a tutorial using them cut down to a smaller size.  Being Merrypak I had to buy in bulk and after making 2 of the small bags wondered just what I would do with the rest.  Anyway, I recently saw a picture using the whole bag on SCS and decided to make my own version.  I covered the bag with cardstock and then used CM paper front and back.  The hedgie image is from a Penny Black stamp set and I used Nestabilities for the circles.  The handle is a stroke of genius even if I say so myself !  It is using Nestabilities labels dies - the 2 largest sizes.

I usually make a project like this a couple of times before I get it right, tweaking things along the way, but this is my first go at it and I am quite pleased with the outcome.  It would be the perfect bag to use for a pair of socks or a couple of  liquid soaps.

      

ART IMPRESSIONS - RETIREMENT CARD

Was asked to make this card for a retirement of a colleague.  The main stamp is Oscar (in the recliner) with the other AI stamps being the bookshelf, mat, stool and washing basket.  The chair is from one of the SU sets but it had a pot plant sitting on it.  I coloured the back & seat area on the stamp with a black marker (leaving out the pot plant), stamped it on the patterned green paper and paper pieced it onto the chair.  The cat is from a Penny Black stamp set and the clock is a CM sticker.  The background papers are CM with the 'carpet' being a plain paper on which I used a speckled SU wheel to make it more realistic.

Inside the card I used SU sentiments.  All the stamped images on the front were stamped on watercolour paper, coloured in and cut out.

STAMPIN UP - HOLIDAY LINE UP

Another easy card to make. The top section was run through the Cuttlebug - Swiss dots embossing folder.  The middle is a border embossing folder on which I highlighted the dots with a white gel pen. The image is SU Holiday Line Up which is a long stamp and I had never thought of using only part of it in this way before I saw something similar on one of the craft sites.  The sentiment is also SU.

PENNY BLACK - TINY WISHES

This is another idea I took from Splitcoast Stampers using SU paper for the background.  I am not usually a lace fan but thought it looked good on this occasion.  The flowers are die cut and embossed with Nestabilities as are the oval shapes.  Once the paper has been chosen (always a challenge for me) it was a surprisingly easy card the make as the image was quick to colour in and the rest was easy to assemble as I had a picture to follow.

PENNY BLACK - CRITTER PARTY

This is an unusual card in that you use a normal card, on the front you cut down the score line and then cut horizontally.  I decorated the front with CM papers using a couple of different flourish stamps to liven it up a little.  The labels are Nestabilities and the sentiment is Inkadinkado (I think).  The inside of the card was decorated and the brads holding the hinges were affixed before I stuck the inside section down.  The card is closed with the hinges and to open it  the recipient has to undo the hinges.  It is just another idea for a card which is easy to decorate and it makes it a little different.                                         

REINDEER PUNCH ART

When I saw this card on Splitcoast Stampers I just knew I had to try and copy it.  I have never seen such an animated reindeer and am really pleased with the way it turned out.  Should you want to try it I have the recipe as to what punches have been used.  The only problem I had was with the antlers and eventually settled on the bows from a Sizzix die (Gift Box #2).  The Xmas tree is a Michael Strong stamp which I popped onto rises.  The music notes stamp is a local one I have had lying around for ages and not used which proves you should never get rid of any stamps as you don't know when you might find a need for them !

MOTIVET - DORALINE & DEXTER, BRIDE & GROOM

This is one of the nicest wedding stamps I have.  The background papers are a copper colour & free apricot colour paper from a magazine with the image being stamped on watercolour paper cut out with Nestabilities labels.  The ribbon was off a gift I received and the stickers are from my stash.  I also sponged the watercolour paper with a matching colour ink just to finish it off.

CHRISTMAS TAGS

These tags have been made over the past couple of months from spare images I have stamped.  The rectangle tags are all SU images (snowmen and elves) and these I hand cut.  The balance of the tags are from various dies using Penny Black images.  All the edges are sponged.

CLEAR DOLLAR - CHARLIE FROLIC

Another idea I loaned from Splitcoast Stampers.  I used a blue card, layered brown and then the patterned orange and brown paper.  I then used Creative Memories circles to cut out the brown and orange circles and ran the orange paper through a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The ovals are Nestabilities and the leaves are 3 different types of small leaf punches (I always knew they would come in handy one day !) with the first layer stuck directly onto the paper and on the second layer I used rises to give a layered effect.

CLEAR DOLLAR - MY LITTLE BALLERINA

The stamp is really easy to colour in and a bit tricky to cut out, but worth the end result.  The yellow background paper is CM with the blue, yellow scalloped circle and blue dot circle all from SU.  The stars are from the Martha Stewart christmas stars border punch and the sentiment was done on computer as, believe it or not, I did not have a stamp with the wording I was looking for.

STAMPIN UP - HOLIDAY LINE UP

I always find it fun to colour in a longish stamp.  The idea is to lay out all the markers first to see which colours match which is a lot easier than making it up as you go along.

The background papers are all CM, the sentiment is SU done in Old Olive ink with the surround sponged also using Old Olive.  The gold sticker strips surrounding the stamped image just finishes it off.

MOTIVET - DORALINE AS A NURSE

I am not one for sending too many Get Well cards but thought this Motivet stamp could be used for all ages.  I used a normal white Merrypak card and the mesh paper placed on top is from The Deckle Edge.  The sentiment is Stampin Up and the image has been cut out using two different Nestabilities Labels dies.

CLEAR DOLLAR - PLAYFUL PIXIES

A Clear Dollar stamp just perfect for a little girl.  I used Twinkling H2O for the tutu, Stickles for the wings and gray crayon with an aqua painter for the mouse body.  The background is Creative Memories paper with faux stitching, the sentiment my usual Stampin Up (yes, I know I use it a lot but I really like it).