A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies

Today's card may look a little familiar as it is a revamp of a card I did for my sneak peak of the new Tonic Studios Verso Dies.  The card was perfectly fine, (you can see it here) but I'd made it very quickly for the launch, and felt it needed something more. So, I did some titivating and now it's great for my fortnightly Design Team card for An Oldie But  A Goodie Challenge.  This fortnight our theme of Butterflies has been chosen by the lovely Natali.

Card Recipe: 
Stamp: Kanban Spring Trees & Butterflies
Colouring Mediums: Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink , Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink Pad
Paper & Card: Tonic Studios, Stardream, Textured Pearl
Tools: Tonic Studios Gothic Border Verso Die Set, Tonic Studios Gothic Border Punch, Tonic Studios Butterfly Srip Punch, Grand Calibur

Embellishments: Rhinestone Crystals, Glitter

To make this card, I die cut the mat from a lovely sheet of patterned card from the Butterflies Beautiful using the largest die pair from the Gothic Border Square set. I then stamped my Kanban tree image onto the mat with Encore Ultimate Metallic ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I inked around the edge of the mat with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink, to emphasise the Gothic Border and added a few accent crystal rhinestones.  In my original card, I didn't do anything more with this mat other than to mount it onto the background card layer.

However, when I went back to revisit it, I thought I would turn it into a Butterfly Tree.  To do this, I took a selection of card offcuts in a variety of colours.  Then I applied double-sided adhesive, covered them with glitter and used the Butterfly Strip Border to punch out a kaleidoscope of tiny butterflies.  The butterflies are  normally the waste from punching out the Butterfly Border Strip but these tiny flights of fancy were the perfect size to transform my stamped tree into a Butterfly Tree.  

For a little difference, instead of mounting my stamped image proud of the card front, I actually inset it by raising the surrounding layer on foam pads, and the new Tonic Studios Verso Dies are perfect for this technique.  I think it gives an interesting dimension to the card.

Finally, I cut a 4.2cm strip of coordinating card and punched both sides of it with the Gothic Border punch, before decorating with more rhinestones.

Please pop over to the main Oldie But A Goodie Challenge Blog to check out the gorgeous inspiration from my lovely DT buddies. To enter the challenge yourself, you can make anything you like Card, ATC, L/O etc as long as it fits in with the theme and that you use something on your project that is over 6 months old.  We're also sponsored for this challenge by Bugaboo Digi Stamps so there is a lovely prize up for grabs too.  My "oldies" are all my card stock, stamp, glitter, crystals and ink pads.  I'm sure you've also got lots of stash to use up too!

 

Thanks for popping by to see me today - you are always welcome - and I always look forward to reading any comments you may leave.

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Another Tonic Sneak Peek - Star Box Die

As soon as I received my Star Box Die, I thought about doing a wreath-style card (I do like this style of card, I made a snowflake wreath card last year).  

Although I wanted to use the die-cuts on a card rather than as a 3D box, I still wanted them to have dimension.  So I trimmed away the flaps that give the box depth (super easy, even if you are scissor-challenged), and scored through each point of the star, folding to give it valleys and hills.

I edged the stars with a glue pen and added some glittery sparkle, and topped each star with a coordinating button.

This pretty Kanban Filigree Bell Ornament Stamp was the perfect partner to my star wreath.  I stamped it in red ink and heat embossed it with red tinsel embossing powder.
















The final finishing touches included a lovely aqua satin ribbon bow and some sequins and rhinestones randomly sprinkled around the wreath.  My wreath-shaped card blank was cut using my Cameo Silhouette with the extra long cutting mat.

Don't forget to tune into Ideal World on Friday at midday and Create and Craft at 7pm and then again on Saturday at 5pm to see these dies and more! More details at Tonic Studios.

Card Recipe: 
Stamp: Kanban
Colouring Mediums: Pigment Ink Pad
Paper & Card: Paper Adventures, Elegance Satin, Stardream
Tools: Tonic Studios Star Box Die Set, Silhouette Cameo, Grand Calibur

Embellishments: Double Satin Ribbon, sequins, buttons, rhinestones

 

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Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Star Box & Christmas Cracker Dies!

It may be the hottest week for 9 month's but in Dips' house, it's getting all festive.  Why's that - because I've been having a play with Tonic Studios brand new range of Christmas Dies, want to have a peek?

The Christmas Cracker Die is brilliant, as well as the cracker die, it comes with 3 fabulous Festive phrases dies - so useful for all your Christmas projects, and I've used the Merry Christmas phrase (separated) on the cracker .  I've also teamed this cracker die with two other Tonic Studio products, the obvious one is the new Gothic border punch, but can you guess how I made the base of the bauble topper?  I used the bird cage door from the Bird Cage Die.

I have so many ideas of how to use this three-dimensional Star Box ornament die. The die itself comes with coordinating medallion dies, which can be used with the star box or separately.

Update: I've had several questions on dimensions on this.  The Die cuts a shape that is 18cm long but this is before you concertina-up each end. As you can see, I extended my cracker with the Gothic border.  Without this, my cracker would be about 15.5cm long, and with the borders, about 18.5 cm long.

To make the rosette toppers, I cut a strip of patterned paper and scored it every 5mm on my score board, folded it concertina style and stuck the ends together.  I then pushed this down to form a round and stuck it to either a circle (on the star box) or the bauble that I made (on the cracker).  I then topped it with a cinnamon stick, some evergreen spruce, a satin ribbon bow and a little charm.  The charms were actually silver-tone, but I covered them in versa-mark ink followed by pearl gold embossing powder and heated them, it worked like, well, a charm!

Don't forget to tune into Ideal World on Friday at midday and Create and Craft at 7pm and then again on Saturday at 5pm to see these dies and more! More details at Tonic Studios.

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Pretty Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes

Little baby Lucia came to visit the other day, so what better way to celebrate than with these pretty strawberries and cream cupcakes (which, with Wimbledon approaching, is UK-summer in cupcake form).

Cake Topper Recipe:

Paper & Card: K&Company Sparkly Sweet, pink pearlescent, white textured
Tools: Silhouette Cameo

Embellishments: double satin ribbon 10mm, wooden toothpicks

I used my Silhouette Cameo to make these toppers, cutting the scallop circles and elephant ears in pink pearl card, the circle in white textured card, the elephant in glittered K & Company Sparkly Sweet designer card.  I cut twice the number required of scalloped circles so that I had a front and back.

To ensemble, first make the top layer, stick the ear onto the elephant with PVA glue then use small foam pads to elevate it off the white circle layer.  Use PVA glue to stick the white circle to a pink scallop circle.

Then, attach 3 large foam pads to the back of one of the scallop circles, remove the paper covers and smear each pad with a glue stick.  This means that the pads will have some manoeuvrability when you need to align the two scallop circles together.  Apply a generous blob of PVA glue and place in a toothpick.  Add your topper layer and fiddle to align properly.  Leave aside to dry fully (I left mine overnight).  Finally, tie a small amount of pretty satin ribbon at the top of the toothpick and trim.  

Ta Da – the prettiest little toppers that make any cupcake party-ready!  However, I recommend my delicious Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes - they are light and tasty, here's the recipe.

Challenges I would like to enter are:
Allsorts Challenge - Time for Tea
Divas by Design - Happy Birthday
Thanks for popping by to see me today - you are always welcome - and please do let me know if you like these by leaving a comment.

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Poker Face Saucy Birthday Card

As soon as I saw this Poker Face Stamp, I knew I had exactly the right embellishments and papers to go with it (from a very old Kanban Men's Kit that I had unused in my stash). So, this mixture of old and new made the perfect match for my fortnightly Design Team card for An Oldie But  A Goodie Challenge and I couldn't wait to use it.  This fortnight our theme has been chosen by the lovely Helen, so get your needles primed, as the theme is Stitching. 

 

 

Card Recipe: 
Stamp: Crafter's Companion Frou Frou Poker Face
Colouring Mediums: Memento Black Ink Pad, Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: HOTP, Neenah, Stardream, Kanban, Linen
Tools: Tonic Studios Love Birds & Scrolls Die Set, Tonic Studios Doily Strip Punch, Grand Calibur

Embellishments: Double Satin Ribbon, Glossy Accents, Kanban die cuts, Bramwells Crafter's Cord

 

To make this card, I stamped the main image twice onto Neenah Classic stamping card, but I also stamped the pouffe onto a piece of HOTP striped paper.  I cut this out and layered it over my base image.  Then I decoupaged the lady over the top of both layers.  The image is, of course, coloured with Promarkers, and then I distressed around the image with Antique Linen ink pad.

I printed the birthday sentiment and the Oscar Wilde quote out from my computer, and mounted the former onto the Scroll die cut from the Tonic Love Birds & Scrolls Die, and the latter onto one of the card die cuts from my Kanban playing cards topper sheet.

I stitched around both main mat layers with using my Tim Holtz Pricking Ruler and Bramwells metallic Crafter's Cord.  I also used the versatile Love Birds Die Set for the scalloped heart tucked behind the main image.  After I had die cut it from red linen cardstock, I used a craft knife to trim away the love birds to reveal a lovely heart.  You may just be able to see that I accented the embossed heart at the top with glossy accents.

I choose my colour scheme to co-ordinate with the Kanban Playing Card backing paper, a very sassy Red Linen cardstock and a hot, summery Gold Stardream pearlescent card.

Please pop over to the main Oldie But A Goodie Challenge Blog to check out the gorgeous inspiration from my lovely DT buddies. To enter the challenge yourself, you can make anything you like Card, ATC, L/O etc as long as it fits in with the theme and that you use something on your project that is over 6 months old.  My "oldies" are all my paper and card stock, colouring mediums,  ribbon and thread.  I'm sure you've also got lots of stash to use up too!

Challenges I would like to enter are:
Crafts & Me - Something Old (Everything apart from Dies and stamp are over 6 months old)

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

 

Thanks for popping by to see me today - you are always welcome - and I always look forward to reading any comments you may leave.

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Sneak Peak - Tonic Studio's New Verso Range!

Oh, how exciting - Tonic Studios are launching a brand new range of co-ordinating Dies and Punches as a Four Day Deal on Create & Craft on Monday!  I've been having a play with the Gothic Die Set and matching Gothic Border Punch, want to have a peek?

The Verso dies contain 5 dies in each set and allow multiple combinations of designs to suit your project.  Each Verso Die Set has a co-ordinating Simplicity Pattern Punch, allowing you to create beautiful repeatable borders and strips, especially as these punches can go through even 400gsm heavyweight card.  Being Tonic, these dies and punches are an absolute dream to use (no fiddling around with wax paper etc).

On my card, I used the largest medallion die and matching outline die.  I punched the border by cutting a 4.2cm wide strip of card and punched both sides to create this strip, which I then decorated with rhinestones.

Here's a final look as this gorgeous die set.  Don't forget to tune into Create and Craft at 8am on Monday 10th June to see the launch of these gorgeous dies.

More details at Tonic Studios.

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Father's Day Gift Tag & Bottle Tag Set

With Father's Day looming, I've made this matching gift tag & bottle tag, to fully co-ordinate with my Bunting & House Mouse Father's Day Card.

Project Recipe:
Stamps: Joanna Sheen House Mouse, LOTV sentiment
Colouring Mediums: Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink Purple, Memento Cocoa, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: DCWV, Conqueror, Elegance Satin, Textured Pearlescent
Tools: Tonic Studios Butterfly Beautiful Die Set, Grand Calibur, Spellbinders, Silhouette Cameo
Embellishments: Creative Expressions Bakers Twine, Button, Brads, Beads, Wire

To make the Bottle Tag, I created the base shape on my Cameo Silhouette, by merging a circle and rectangle, and then adding another circle, I then used the offset tool to cut out the patterned paper layer. 

I echoed elements from my Father's Day card by using the same Tonic Studio's label die shape and another House Mouse Stamp from the same set as the card.  It tickled my sense of humour that the House Mouse was giving a present of Cheese as a gift on my Bottle Tag - making it a Cheese & Wine Tag (boom, boom!  Ok, pretty "cheesey" joke).  I made the little "Dad" embellishment with some yonks-old alphabet beads, a couple of glass spacer beads and some pretty lilac wire that I twizzled.  I stitched on th button with Baker's Twine using a pretty hefty darning needle.

The gift tag was made from the same Tonic Studio's label die shape, layered up and folded in two.  Again, echoing the main card, I used the same Happy Father's Day stamp, but reversed the colours on the cardstock so that the tag shape was cut from yellow textured card and the stamp mat in lilac.

So, this Gift Tag and Bottle Tag co-ordinate perfectly with my Father's Day Card:

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

ABC Challenge - Open
Anything Goes - Father's Day

Cards For Men - Dad

Craft-room Challenge - Use your Scraps
Crafts & Me - Something Old (Everything apart from Label Die is over 6 months old)

Creative Card Crew - Punches/Dies

CountryViewCrafts - Die Cuts

Fashionable Stamping - Tag Time
House Mouse & Friends - Father's Day
 I ♥ ProMarkers - All Stitched Up
Love to Create - Father's Day
Paper Crafting Journey - Masculine Cards

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Pile it On - Stripes and/or Plaid

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Masculine with Ribbon or Trim

Simon Says Stamp - Father's Day
Simply Create Too - Father's Day

I hope that you like my Father's Day projects, let me know what you think, I love to read your comments!

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Bunting & House Mouse Card for Father's Day

One of the things I love about House Mouse stamps is that they are so versatile, you can use them for cards for men, women and children. As my Dad rather enjoys all my baking, this cupcake house mouse image is perfect for this year’s Father’s Day Card!

Also, I’m really chuffed to report that I amonce again appearing as Guest Designer on this Sunday’s new challenge over on the lovely Joanna Sheen’s Challenge Blog. I the new theme is spots and stripes, and this is the card I’ve designed for my guest slot!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Joanna Sheen House Mouse, LOTV sentiment
Colouring Mediums: Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink Purple, Memento Cocoa, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: DCWV, Conqueror, Elegance Satin, Textured Pearlescent
Tools: Tonic Studios Butterfly Beautiful Die Set, Tonic Studios Doily Strip Punch, Grand Calibur, Spellbinders, Sewing Machine
Embellishments: Creative Exprerssions Bakers Twine, Button, Brads

To make the “DAD” Banner, I used the smaller label die in the Tonic Studios Butterfly Beautiful Die Set and cut out three labels in textured pearlescent card and three more in patterned paper. I trimmed down the outer edge on the patterned paper die cuts so that they created a perfectly sized mat for the card labels, and layered them together. I then scored the top of each of these labels and threaded them onto some Baker’s Twine, before securing with a brad, to create a bunting.

I threaded another piece of Baker’s Twine through the border I cut from my Tonic Studios Doily Strip Punch. I love this punch, it’s just perfect to lace through with ribbon or, in this case, Bakers Twine.

My image is from the House Mouse Ice-Cream stamp Plate, stamped with Memento Cocoa Ink, coloured with Pro-Markers and decoupaged. I also used a Promarker to create the Polka Dot pattern on the cup-cake wrapper, to nicely echo one of my patterned papers.

I've also being trying to get to grips with my Sewing Machine.  It was a birthday gift about 6 years ago, but I am very challenged in the sewing dept :( and after a disasterous first go, gave up.  However a lovely crafting friend has inspired me to have another go, so I used the machine to accent this card.  I will get better, but at least I've had a go!









I am entering this card into the following challenges:
ABC Challenge - Open
Cards For Men - Dad
Craft-room Challenge - Use your Scraps
Creative Card Crew - Punches/Dies
CountryViewCrafts - Die Cuts
CutiePie Challenge - 3-2-1 (3 tails, 2 mice, 1 sentiment)
LEJ Designs - Celebrate
Paper Crafting Journey - Masculine Cards
Passion For ProMarkers - Add Ribbon, Lace or Twine
Pile it On - Stripes and/or Plaid
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Masculine with Ribbon or Trim
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Simply Create Too - Bingo (O)

Do let me know what you think of this card, I love to read your comments! Pin It Now!