Christmas Card Club - "Anything Goes"

Good afternoon all.

I'm late on parade today for our little Christmas Card Club showing. Sylvie has set us an easy one of "Anything Goes" this time...how come the mind goes suddenly blank when faced with such endless possibilities!

Apologies for the photo but this was the best I could manage today :(

A fairly simple WOW using a magazine freebie die, silver stickles and a sentiment from Stamping all Day which has been heat embossed with silver EP.

If you'd like to see what the other girls have created you'll find their links on my sidebar.

{Mixed Media Tutorial} A Design by Default

Good evening all.

I'm up at STAMPlorations today with what will be my final tutorial for a while.
I'm taking a little break whilst we get the new sun room built and finished, do the final preparation for no 2 son's wedding in August then hopefully hubby and I will fit in some travelling....possibly back to New Zealand in the New Year but a definite trip to John O Groats combined with the North Coast 500 in late summer or early autumn.

Today's project is a remake of a small canvas board.
This was one of those projects which caused joy and despair in equal measures but finally came through! To see the processes pop over to STAMPlorations, I hope I've inspired you to use your stencils.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Stencil Sunday #99 + June Mixed Media Challenge

Good afternoon all.

Another month flown in and time once more to encourage you to partake in our Mixed Media challenge over at STAMPlorations.

I've made a gift tag for a little girl this month. Using one of the Luggage Tags Nesting dies cut from white linen card and randomly coloured with Distress Inks, I applied the Prisms stencil and sprayed with water to give a ghosting effect then decided to emboss it to enhance the effect. 

Using stamps from the Mixed Media Elements set I added some detail to the background. Image and sentiment are from the Tweet Love stamps and coordinating die set. Tag was finished with some stencilled stars using Oh My Stars and ribbon from my stash.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

We do hope you can come and join us this month...remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

Christmas Card Club - "Mistletoe and Wine"

Good morning all.

I've been enjoying the lovely weather this last few days having completed the wedding invites at the beginning of the week....phew!! Just need to get them all delivered now. Pity the weather had to break for the Bank Holiday weekend but at least it's still warm.

Another fortnight has been and gone and it's once more time for the Christmas Card Club to show their wares. Rita has set us the theme of "Mistletoe and Wine" this time...I struggled a little with this one as I didn't have much in the way of relevant stash but I managed this:

The cute little image and sentiment is from a Crafter's Companion set, stamped onto waste card and fussy cut....after stamping the bird upside down on the card itself!!! Backing card is from Dovecraft, which has been in my stash forever. The running stitch die is from STAMPlorations.

If you'd like to see what the other girls made you'll find their links in my sidebar.

Stencil Sunday #96

Good afternoon all. 

My turn once more over at STAMPlorations to inspire you to use your stencils. Today I have a tag to share with you.

I started by using one of the new stencils Prisms as a stamp....I inked it up with embossing ink, flipped it onto my card stock and used my brayer to ensure a smooth transition of ink. The piece was then heat embossed with white EP which provided a resistance to the DI inks I used to colour it. I added some texture to the background using a stamp from the Mini Mixed Media Backgrounds set. I then cut a tag shape using Luggage Tags Nesting Dies. The bird and sing sentiment from Trendy Birds 2 were stamped onto tissue paper and heat embossed before being adhered with gel medium. Hello Sunshine was added along with a pearl and some raffia to finish things off.

You've still got plenty of time to join our May Mixed Media challenge...just remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Christmas Card Club - "Card based on a Christmas Carol"

Good morning all.

Sorry I'm largely absent at the moment, there don't seem to be enough hours in the day. The wedding invites are almost there and most of the organisation for the day is in hand but the date is rapidly catching up on us!! I also seem to have a never ending stream of birthdays and anniversaries over the next few weeks and another new arrival due next month...best get my butt into gear!!

It doesn't seem like two weeks since our last outing at the Christmas Card Club but the schedule says it is! This week Christine has asked us to "base our cards on a Christmas Carol".

A root through some very old stock produced this topper from (I think) Kanban which simply matted and layered on some vellum and gold mirri makes a very simple DL card. It evokes several Carols...While Shepherds watched, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manager, Once in Royal David's City but I'm going with my absolute favourite Oh Holy Night.

If you'd like to see what the other girl's have produced you'll find their links on my sidebar.

Stencil Sunday #95 + May Mixed Media Challenge

Good afternoon all.

Another month flown by so time once more to inspire you use your stencils and join our Mixed Media Challenge at STAMPlorations. I have a couple of upcycled boxes to share today which I filled with some crafting goodies to give to our former neighbours two little girls for Easter.

Both boxes are slightly larger than A4 in size and after painting the lid I've added some backing papers which I've had for ages...gorgeous papers but A4 isn't much good for cardmaking!

The first box uses an edging stamp from the Scribbly Splattery Grunge set, then I used Sparkle Medium through the Flutters and Splatters (large) stencil...the box was finished with the top layer of the Flutter Zen 2 layering die and some gold liquid pearls.

The second box uses the same stencil and die as the first but this time I have used texture paste and stickles.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

We do hope you can come and join us this month...remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

Card Chain Challenge April Reveal

Good morning all.

Today sees the reveal of the April Card Chain Challenge. Click on the link to find out more information and to see all the cards which were exchanged last month.

I sent this card to NanaConnie in California and in return received one back from Sara in Missouri.

Dies from Winnie and Walter, Spellbinders, Lawn Fawn and STAMPlorations. Sentiment if also from STAMPlorations.

{Mixed Media Tutorial}

Good evening all.

My turn today to share a Mixed Media Tutorial over at STAMPlorations...and inspire you get get those stencils out and put them to good use. Today I'm sharing an altered bottle with you all...I hope you enjoy!

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Stencil Sunday #94

Good afternoon all.

This is my second post today, you'll find my Christmas Card Club post here.

I'm up on the STAMPlorations blog today with some inspiration to help you put your stencils to good use.

I'm sharing a small canvas board today.

I started by sticking a page from a book to my blank canvas then gave it a quick wash of gesso. Using the Bloom Boldly stencil and texture paste I added the design and once completely dry I reapplied the stencil and used Gelatos to add some colour. Bloom & Grow Phrase die finishes it off.

A close up to show the page in the background.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

We do hope you can come and join us this month...remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

Christmas Card Club - "Nativity"

Good morning all.

Mary set the very traditional theme of "Nativity" for our Christmas Card Club project this time. A quick scout through some decoupage folders on the computer and I came across this cute little image from Cuddly Buddly.

Nothing else was really needed except the base card!

If you'd like to see what the other girls made you'll find their links in my sidebar.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party - Reminder Post

Good afternoon all.

Just a quick reminder of our linky party over at STAMPlorations, lots of new inspiration on the blog today. To link up your own projects see the post here.

A card made for a friendly exchange...mat layers made with dies from Spellbinders and Lawn Fawn and the Hi die from Winnie and Walter is inlaid to the upper mat.

The Flutter Zen 2 layering die was used to make the butterfly and the sentiment is from the Trendy Butterflies 2 stamp set.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party - Reminder Post

Good afternoon all.

Just a quick reminder of our linky party over at STAMPlorations, lots of new inspiration on the blog today. To link up your own projects see the post here.

Trying to get ahead with some birthday cards here...background is made with DI Oxides, mat dies from Spellbinders and Lawn Fawn. I've used the Spring Flower layering die...cut from the mat then re-inserted and the Dragonfly layering die...using some waste background to cut the solid layer. Sentiment is from the Party Time stamp set.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Christmas Card Club - "Humourous"

Good evening all and a Happy Easter.

Val (aka Mrs A) set us the task of producing something "Humourous" over at the Christmas Card Club today....I'm running late here but finally got a card made.

I was a bit stuck with this one but finally remembered this image on Joanna Sheen's Messy Rabbit Christmas CD.....simply layered up and a customised sentiment added. The image was decoupaged and I'll probably add some layers once I get a few minutes to spare.

We've had a busy weekend with visitors and demolishing the conservatory...I need to get a batch of wedding invites made and I'm trying to get ahead with birthday cards and DT work...it's all go!!! I also gained a great niece yesterday, a lovely surprise on my Mum's birthday...Isla Elizabeth weighed in at 7lb 61/2oz, Mum and baby both doing well and back home within about 6 hours of the birth!!!

If you'd like to see what the other girls made you'll find their links on my sidebar.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party - Reminder Post

Good afternoon all.

Just a quick reminder of our linky party over at STAMPlorations, lots of new inspiration on the blog today. To link up your own projects see the post here.

A birthday card to share today. I made a smooshed background with three shades of DI Oxides and die cut the base of the Flutter Zen 2 Layering die from it. Mat dies are from Spellbinders and Lawn Fawn. I stamped part of the Butterfly Row and the sentiment from Celebrate Artsy using one of the background colours.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party

Good afternoon all.

STAMPlorations are hosting a Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop and Linky Party and you have the rest of the month to join in with us. Time to dust off all those butterflies, dragonflies and birds...or anything else with wings and link up your projects.

I have an A4 canvas board to share today. After priming the board with gesso I used gelatos to colour the background, then positioned the mask and used crackle paste over the top blending it smoothly into the board. Once dry I added a little colour to the crackle paste and lots more colour to the background. Various stencils were used with texture paste (sunshine), Radiant Gel (butterflies) and black lava texture gel (birds). I discovered one of my nesting circles dies was an exact match for the sunshine stencil so added the photos of my kids. Finally added the butterfly die cut...love how the intricate die cuts beautifully without needing shims etc (using an SP Platinum).

Stencils used: Clouds, Some Birds, Flutterby

Mask: My Sunshine

Stamps: Butterfly Row

Dies: Hello Sunshine, Flutter Zen 2 Layering dies

Eldest son Gary at about 18 months on his first bike, younger son Mark at about 18 months.

Daughter Lora about a year old...and the beautiful butterfly.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.