Wednesday 30 June 2021

Xmas Elf Gift

 


Stamper's Delights run a progressive freebie challenge on Facebook each month. If you took part the previous month you get the free image for the following month. I love taking part in these and it is especially nice when you are able to use any of their stamps as I find that helps with creativity.

 I have had this image Kawaii Xmas Elf Gift printed for a little while. When I am printing my digi stamps I like to fill the whole A4 page so quite often print a few extra images that I know I will use for future projects.

When I saw the new sketch that was posted yesterday at Tuesday Morning Sketches I knew it would be perfect for this little fella.


I coloured the image using a combination of Promarkers, gel pens and added Spectrum Noir Glitter Markers. I then fussy cut around the image and added Stickles glitter glue to the pom pom, fur trim and the gloves.

The card base is a sheet of A4 red card. I trimmed the patterned paper to fit and added some glitter ribbon. This is from B&M, it was really cheap something like £2 for 8 rolls in different colours. It is full on glitter and it does shed quite a lot so I was covered in it.... perfect Christmas card then ;) I like to add ribbon before sticking the paper to the card so you get a neater finish to the edges. This one doesn't fray but if it did then I would wrap around the back before taping to my card front.

The oval shape was die cut using an XXL Crealies die. I coloured this with a Promarker and inked around the edges with a small dry black ink pad. The image is popped up using some thin foam pads.

The elf sentiment is from Love SVG. A fellow blogger had used a fun sentiment from them and I went and had a look at the site. Boy am I glad that I did! I don't have a cutter that can do the fancy cuts but each set comes with different file formats and there are hundreds and hundreds of freebies. You can print them in colour or in this case I chose B&W. If you have a fancy electric cutter you can do that too. There are just so many creative possibilities. I think there is probably a freebie file for every occasion you could think of!

So last day of June and I was cutting it fine getting this one made in time but pleased I did. Can you believe it is July tomorrow? This year is flying....

Card Details -


Size - A5

Digital Image - Kawaii Xmas Elf Gift (Stamper’s Delights)

Digital Sentiment - Official North Pole Elf Team (Love SVG)

Dies - Crea-Nest-Lies XXL 71 Oval With Open Scallop (CREAlies)

Paper - DCWV

Colouring Medium - Promarkers, Gel Pens, Glitter Markers (Spectrum noir)

Embellishments - Stickles glitter glue



I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (in Alphabetical Order)


Wednesday 23 June 2021

Peony in Jar

 


I was a recent winner of a challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty and was invited to be a Guest Designer on the new challenge #499 which starts today. There are 2 sponsors 



There are 2 sponsors for this challenge and I have chosen to work with this beautiful image Peony in Jar  from Fred She Said Designs.



I coloured this image using Promarkers adding pencils for shading and depth and a little white gel pen to the glass jar. The image has been fussy cut and popped up on some thing foam pads.

The panel behind the image is a Create a Card Torn Panel die from Crafter’s Companion. I cut some pearlescent card which is embossed with tiny butterflies. I created a shaker panel by adding beads and sequins sandwiched between acetate and a subtle pink patterned paper.

The card front has been covered with a rose floral paper which was a magazine freebie. I added the panel at a jaunty angle and popped the peony image on. I embellished with some more sequins and some pale pink dew drops (they were originally going to go in the shaker but were too bulky)

The sentiment has been recycled from a shop bought card and matted onto some brighter pink card to accentuate the shade in the flower. Finally I added some transparent silver metallic butterfly stickers to offcuts of the pale pink paper.

This is a really pretty card and not one I would normally make all inspired by the beautiful image.

Thank you to Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge for inviting me to be a Guest Designer this time.

Card Details -


Size - A5

Digital Image - Peony in Jar (Fred She Said Designs)

Dies - Create a Card Torn Panel (Crafter’s Companion)

Colouring Medium - Promarkers, Arteza Expert pencils, white gel pen,

Embellishments - Sequins, Beads, Stickers



I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (in Alphabetical Order)








Sunday 20 June 2021

Campervan

 


At Kate Hadfield Designs there are so many fabulous sets it is really easy to get inspired to use them. There are digital stamps which you can colour, coloured versions you can scrapbook or make into digital layouts. Papers, patterned overlays and doodles galore. No matter what your skill level there are so many goodies to play with.



For this card I wanted to use the Campervan stamp from the Island Paradise Stamps set. I absolutely love campervans and this is the perfect VW retro style one. We went to Brighton a few years ago and it just so happened there was a VW rally on at the same time. There were so many enthusiasts who had their vans on display on the seafront and it was truly wonderful to see so much colour and how happy they were to share all their hard work. My favourite was a bright yellow one.


I have had the image printed for a few weeks and when I saw the current sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge I just knew it would be the perfect layout for it. This is quite a CAS card for me as there are very few elements and layers to it. Not sure if others would class it as CAS though? I would be interested in knowing what your thoughts are as to whether it is or not as I am never sure myself.


The image has been coloured with Promarkers, a Sharpie silver marker for the chrome elements and a pale grey pencil to add some shading to the windscreen. I fussy cut the image and popped it up on foam squares to add dimension. The headlamps have been accessorised with gems

The paper is from DCWV and has encapsulated glitter on the white lines so it has a bit of subtle sparkle. I placed it at an angle and trimmed to fit. Finally I added a silver peel off sticker sentiment. This is the perfect card for cool dude and could be made in so many different styles and colours just like the glass mat I use on my desk. It feels like it has a summery beach vibe with the fresh colours and that has given me another idea for a surfboard......


One of the most fabulous things about being in this Creative Team is that we have free rein to make anything we want to using the sets in the shop. This is amazing for inspiring creativity as there are so many amazing packs to play with. I feel very, very lucky to be able to have this opportunity.


Over at Kate Hadfield Designs there is lots going on. Kate is really generous with her freebies which are readily available. If you sign up to the newsletter you get access to an extra subscriber area the Doodle Den where there are loads more freebies. There is a gallery full of projects by the Creative Team and customers and so much inspiration for crafters and teachers. I would highly recommend you pop over there and join in the fun.



Card Details -


Size - 4.5 x 6.5”

Digital Image - Campervan from Island Paradise Stamps (Kate Hadfield Designs)

Paper - The Glitter Stack (DCVW)

Colouring Medium - Promarkers, Sharpie silver marker, Arteza Expert Pencils

Embellishments - Gems, peel off stickers



I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (in Alphabetical Order)


Saturday 19 June 2021

Grace's 30th Birthday

 


Today is my next door neighbours 30th Birthday and I wanted to make a special card for this special birthday.

I had seen this image on Instagram and it was the inspiration to try something similar using bling to emulate the cascade of champagne from the bottle. Unfortunately I cannot find the image on Instagram now to link back to the photo. I find it so annoying that it is so very difficult to go back to an image if you don't know who the original poster was :(


I used 2 shaker die sets from Crafter's Companion Prosecco Celebration & Let's Make Cocktails. These were cut from some silver holographic card with little stars on it and the background layer was black so that the beads and sequins would be a nice contrast to it.

I used an 8" square blank and created layers using a really old paper from HOTP matted onto a plain black. I positioned the bottle and glass shaker elements and then added various sizes of clear gems, gold and silver pearls and sequins to make the 'liquid'

Using the Spellbinders Lacey Squares Nestabilities dies I cut another piece of the holographic card and then layered a square of the black paper onto it. I added peel off stickers for the sentiment and used some glittery foam stickers to add the name, number and a G onto the bottle label.

The finishing touch to the front was to add lots of little star gems.



The inside of the card was decorated with some patterned card that I got from The Range a while ago. I spotted on a shelf these A4 file dividers. I was drawn to the patterns and you get the three shown in the image below for only £1. They are intended to hold A4 paper and are double sided. Effectively for £1 you get 6 sheets of really strong card and 2 of them have gold foiling on them. There were only 2 packs so I grabbed them both. They are so strong you could easily use it to make an A4 or 8" square card base so I will have a look out for more next time I visit there.

I then added a large square of black card to write on. This was die cut using a XXL Crea-Nest-Lies die. This one goes upto 13.5cm in size which was perfect to give me space to write a personal message with a silver gel pen.


The birthday girl has gone away for a few days and will be having the mother of all parties with friends and relatives and her new cute little French Bulldog and I know she will have a wonderful time.

Card Details -


Size - 8” Square

Dies - Crea-Nest-Lies XXL 70 (CREAlies), Lacey Squares Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Prosecco Celebration (Crafter’s Companion) Let’s Make Cocktails (Crafter’s Companion)

Paper - Cardmakers Classic Creative Pack (HOTP) & Noteworthy File Dividers (The Range)

Embellishments - Gems, sequins, beads, pearls, star gems, peel off stickers, glitter foam letters & numbers (Poundland)




Friday 18 June 2021

Father's Day

 


My Father in law is crazy about golf. I saw this topper set on the Hunkydory site months ago and thought it would make a great card. It is called Live, Love, Golf and you get an A5 die cut topper sheet, An A4 Base card and an A4 sheet of decoupage to complete the topper. It is no longer on their website but several sites still have stock.

He is also very, very proud of his garden. It is pretty big and he spends a lot of time working in it and the lawn is his pride and joy. 

Imagine That Digistamps has a great set this month Lawn Ranger which we have had for free in the DOTM Progressive challenge. Alternatively you can purchase it for a reduced price HERE. You get loads of images and sentiments and it is a really great set.



I wanted to try and incorporate both themes into the same card. I have recently made a tri fold card and though that might work well. I have made a lot of cards for him over the years and try to make them different. He hasn't had one of this style before.

I joined two 5.5" square cards together to create the base. The front and back section have been covered with some green paper. The topper has a gold border around it so I used some peel off stickers to add an edge to the card base to match. The topper is perfectly fine to use in it's own but you can also use the decoupage sheet on the image. This make the front of the card quite thick as in some places there are 5 layers. That was a lot of foam pads and small cuts required and took ages to do but the results are worth it. You can see the dimension better in the last image.

The middle section of the card was covered with the card from the Hunkydory pack. A layer of gold card frames the scene I created using an image and sentiment from Lawn Ranger.

Unfortunately the bane of Dad's life is squirrels digging up his lawn and burying their nuts so I thought it would be a little fun to add Happy Squirrel from Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez. This scene has been coloured with Promarkers.



For the final section I added a frame which was the 'waste' from the diecut panel. The sentiment is from Lawn Ranger and has been die cut with a CREAlies scalloped border die.


The image below shows the card opened up so all panels are visible. I showed it to my hubby and he said it looks like it took a long time to make and he wasn't wrong..... but he likes it so is a happy customer


Card Details -


Size - 5.5” Triple Fold

Digital Images - Happy Squirrel (Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez) & Lawn Ranger set (Imagine That Digstamps)

Colouring Medium - Promarkers

Decoupage Topper set - Live, Love, Golf (Hunkydory)

Dies - Crea-Nest-Lies XXL 70  (CREAlies)



I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (in Alphabetical Order)





Tuesday 15 June 2021

Christmouse Caroller

 


Over at The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up it is the midway point of our challenge. That means it is the turn of the Merry Maidens to share some more fabulous Christmas cards.


This paper pack Merry ChristMOUSE designed by Decosse's Dynamite Doodles is up for grabs to the lucky winner who follows the optional twist to feature a mouse on your card.



The Sponsor for this challenge is Hetty Clare Art who is offering the fabulous prize of 2 digital images from their store.


The image I have chosen to work with is Christmouse Caroller.
I thought it would make a great scene and when I saw the Starry Sky paper in the Merry ChristMOUSE pack I knew it would be absolutely perfect.

I coloured the image using Promarkers and a gold metallic marker and fussy cut. I added some Stickles glitter glue to the snowdrift and the fur trim on the hat.

I printed the digital paper onto glossy photo paper. I find the colours always come out so much better than using a matte cardstock. This paper was simply added to the card blank leaving just a thin white border.

I created a snowdrift at the bottom using some really glittery thick paper and cut this in a rough wave shape. This allowed me to place the mouse image in a dip popped up on some thin foam pads. The Christmas tree is a sticker.

The sentiment is a cardstock sticker and in the background there are an assortment of snowflake stickers and little dots of silver glitter glue to add some sparkly stars.

I do hope you will take part in our challenge and look forward to seeing your creations.

Card Details -


Size - 5.5” Square

Digital Image - Christmouse Caroller (Hetty Clare Art)

Digital Paper - Merry ChristMOUSE (Decosse’s Dynamite Doodles)

SentimentForever Friends cardstock sticker (Docrafts/Papermania)

Colouring Medium - Promarkers, Metallic gold marker

Embellishments - Stickles Glitter Glue, white snowflake stickers (Stickopotamus), Forever Friends Clear snowflake, tree & sentiment stickers (Docrafts/Papermania)



I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (in Alphabetical Order)