Shopping, Not Dropping

This is a lovely feminine card, that would suit Mother's Day just as well as birthday.

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Sew-Nice Mice!

These cute little Mices were just "sew" nice, that I couldn't resist them, especially when paired with my Mannequin die set! 

Card Recipe:
Stamp: Crafter's Companion
Colouring Mediums: Memento Rich Cocoa Ink Pad, Promarkers, Distress Ink Pads (Antique Linen and Pumice Stone)
Paper and Card: Stardream, My Mind's Eye, Neenah
Tools: Tonic Studios Layering Squares and Scallop Layering Squares Die Sets, MannequinTag Die, Grand Calibur
Embellishments: Lace, Double Satin Ribbons, Spool Button, Lace Doily, recycled MOP Button, Metallic Thread, flat-back pearls, hand-made Pearl Hatpins
My main image is Sewn with Love Makey Bakey Mice from Crafter's Companion, stamped onto Neenah card, and cut out with the oh-so-useful Tonic Layering Square dies using the off-the-edge technique so that the upper-most mouse and the top of the stamped mannequin poke off the top of the die cut edge. I coloured the image with Promarkers, paper-pieced the mannequin body with an off-cut of my patterned paper and then ink-dusted the edge of the image with a combination of Antique Linen and Pumice Stone Distress Inks.

Those mices do look industrious in their activities!


I echoed the patterned paper piecing technique on my Mannequin Die Cut (one of my favourite dies of all time), and embellished the neckline with flat-back pearls.  

My mats and layers are some lovely My Minds Eye papers that I've had in my stash for quite a while, all cut with the new Tonic Studios Layering and Scallop Layering Squares Die Sets.

I colour-matched my double satin ribbon by colouring two different widths with Promarker Pens, before weaving the narrow length through the top edge of a piece of lace.  I do love this effect, it's a bit of fiddle to do but worth the effort.


It's always great when you have the right embellishments already in your stash to accent your card, such as this lace doily which I topped with a MOP button recycled off an old shirt.  

I've had the wooden thread spool button in my button box for about 10 years, and I wrapped some coordinating metallic thread around.  I always make my own hatpins (I have a tutorial on making decorative hatpins here) and am happy when my card lends itself to using them as an embellishment.

This card was a Top Pick in the following challenge (Thank You!):
Crafting for all Seasons - For the Girls

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Annabel & Friends Birthday Card

Hello, today’s card is for a little girl on her birthday and what could be more perfect than Kanban's Annabel with friends!   I've used a number of techniques on this card, can you spot them all? Look for:

Paper piecing  with stamping● Paper piecing  with die cuts ● Die Cutting ● Stitching ● Punches  ● Spritzing ● Accenting ● Stamping ● Colouring ● Ribbon Layering ● Hat Pin Making!

Card Recipe:
Stamp: Kanban
Colouring Mediums: Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink Purple, Memento Black Ink, Promarker Pens, Cosmic Shimmer Mist
Paper and Card: Deja Views, Textured, Joanna Sheen's Elegance Satin
Tools: Tonic Studios Love Arch Square Die Set, Tonic Studios Love Arch Border Punch, Tonic Studios Maria Butterfly Die, Tim Holtz Ruler
Embellishments: Organza sheer ribbon 10mm, May Arts Printed Sheer Ribbon, hand-made pearl Hat Pins

For my main focal image, I stamped Annabel onto Elegance Satin card using Memento ink.  I then stamped small offcuts of patterned paper with various elements of the stamped image (the doggie's bow, the teddy and Annabels, dress, cardigan and boots).  After colouring the main image with promarker pens, I cut out these extra elements and paper pieced them onto the image.

You can also just see the little die-cut heart, from the Love Arches Die Set, which I topped with a tiny mother-of-pearl heart button.

Then for a quite different effect, I used paper piecing again but this time using die cuts.  Using my Tonic Studios Maria Butterfly Die, I cut the out the entire die using textured mauve cardstock.  Then using offcuts of patterned paper, I cut the die again but only the flowers.  I then inset the patterned paper pieces into the main die.  Tweezers are a great help at this point!

To create the background layer, I used Tim Holtz ruler to pierce around the edge and then hand-stitched with white thread.  You just be able see that I also misted the entire background with Cosmic Shimmer Angel Mist, which givess any matt paper into a beautiful shimmery finish.  I also misted the small die cut heart in the above picture.

This small accented circle from Tonic Studios Love Arches Die set is just the perfect size for a sentiment and makes a lovely change from a standard scalloped circle.









Here's one final look at this little girl's birthday card

Hope you like this; do leave a comment and let me know what you think.

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Altered Christmas Cannister Tin

It's new challenge time over at an Oldie But A Goodie, but before I get onto the new challenge, can I just say thank you to all the wonderful crafters who entered my Dies and Punches challenge.  With well over 200 entries, I think it's been our biggest response ever!  If you pop over to an Oldie But Goodie to see this fortnight's challenge, you'll see the winner of the fantastic prize from Tonic Studios and the top picks.

I partake in a Secret Santa Swap on a craft forum and I always use it as an opportunity to do something a bit different from a card.  This project alters a canister of Biscotti Biscuits into a really feminine festive treat.   


So this was a perfect project to showcase the current challenge at an OBAG, which is a BINGO grid and I've chosen Ribbon, Pearls and Glitter. The "oldies" on my project include stamp, DCWV paper and card, lace, ribbon, crystals, charm, pearls, beads, promarker pens, ink and more!

I've also used a number of techniques including

Paper piecing ● Ribbon threading ● Fussy Folding ● Digital Die Cutting ● Manual Die Cutting ● Glittering ● Spritzing ● Charm Making ● Inking ● Accenting ● Decoupage ● Chalking ● and Lace Colouring 

Project Recipe:
Stamp: A-may-zing Crafter's Companion
Colouring Mediums: Memento Black Ink Pad, Promarker Pens, Cosmic Shimmer Mica Mist, Peebles Inc Chalk
Paper and Card: DCWV, Sateen Elegance
Tools: Spellbinders, Grand Calibur, Silhouette Cameo
Embellishments: Lace, Organza Ribbon, Double Satin Ribbon, rhinestone crystals, glitter, eye-head pin, glass and pearl beads, silver-tone charm.

There are quite a few stages to altering this canister, so I'll take it step-by-step.

Step 1 - Altering the Cannister Tube

I choose as my inspiration an absolutely gorgeous sheet of DCWV Christmas Glittered Card Stock that came in a QVC TSV year's ago - I loved both the beautiful images and the striking combination of black, magenta pink and white colours.  I carefully measured the height and diameter of the cannister twice before cutting, with only 1 sheet of this lovely card, I couldn't afford any mistakes.  I used Collall glue to adhere the sheet of card to the cannister.

To make the trimmings, I first coloured a piece of lace with one of my Promarker pens. Although I had used Cerise on my stamped image (see step 3), when I tested that on a small piece of lace, it looked to neon for my taste, so I used a softer pink instead.  I then threaded a narrow band of 3mm black double satin through the lace.  

Finally, I layered this onto the top and bottom of the cannister, starting with a wide band of black organza, and topped this with the lace threaded with the black satin.  On the top trimming band, I added a triple bow made from more wide black organza and 15mm magenta double satin.  Finally, using a eye-head pin, I created a hand-made pearl and crystal drop with snowflake charm.

Step 2 - Altering the Cannister Lid

I chose a cannister where the lid went inside the tube rather than fitting over the top.  This helps when doing an altered project as once you've added the extra papers and trimmings to the tube, the original lid may no longer fit if it needs to go over the outside of the tube.  If you are altering something like a Pringles canister, you may need to make a completely new lid to fit over the extra thickness of the tube once altered.

I used an origami fold to create the outer circle of the lip topper.  This is made by fancy folding 8 circles (in 2 patterns) and then adhering them to a scalloped base.  It would have been preferable to have had double-sided paper for this element but more coordinating papers were single-sided, so I colour-washed the back of the black patterned paper with a very pale shade of pink with a FlexMarker pen. 

On top of this layer, I added a layered Spellbinders Poinsettia and hot pink rhinestone  crystals.  Finally, I spritzed the whole lid with Cosmic Shimmer Mica Mist to give it a subtle shimmer.



Step 3 - The Stamped Topper

I love this sassy boot stamp made by Crafter's Companion in conjunction with Nigel May and have been itching to use it since I bought it in a sale in the New Year.  I started by stamping the image onto a piece of Elegance Satin stamping card.  I also stamped the image onto hot pink textured card, and patterned paper.  Using the paper piecing technique, I layered together the different cards and papers to create the boot.  I then coloured the rest of the image with a promarker pen before adding glitter accents and tiny rhinestone crystals. Finally, I chalked around the image and also spritzed it with Cosmic Shimmer Mica Mist.

I cut out the image with a spellbinders label die and created the matching narrow mat on my Silhouette Cameo using the trace technique.



Here's one final look at this Altered Christmas Canister:














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Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square & Bauble Tag Die

HoHoHo - would you like to see what Santa's delivered early to Tonic Studios Towers? It's their new Elegant Vine Square Die Set which I've used with Bauble Tag Die, combined with the Antique Frame Tag Die.  

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Joanna Sheen House Mouse, Kanban
Colouring Mediums: Promarker Pens, VersaMark, Encore Metallic Ink Pad, Peebles Inc Chalks
Paper & Card: Stardream, HOTP, Mirror, Glitter
Tools: Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square Die Se, Bauble Tag Die, Antique Frame Tag Die,  Grand Calibur
Embellishments: Sheer Ribbon, Crystal Button, Jingle Bell,  crystal beads, pearls, pins, brads, eyelet

As I've admitted previously, I'm not really a Clean & Simple (CAS) card-maker, I really enjoy using lots of different techniques and effects on my cards, and this one includes the following (can you spot them all?): 

Paper piecing ● Ribbon threading ● Stitching ● Dry Embossing ● Stamping (digital and traditional)●  Manual Die Cutting ●  Eyelet Setting ●  Masking ●  Accenting ●  Decoupage ●  and (of course) Hat Pin Making!

So let's have a closer look at some of these.  To create the focal point, I used a Joanna Sheen Digi-stamp which I resized to fit onto my tag.  I printed the image out three times, twice onto Elegance Satin stamping card and once onto a small piece of patterned HOTP paper. I coloured the image in with Promarker pens, decoupaged the mouse, then cut out and paper-pieced the ribbon from the patterned paper.  Then, I masked the image, chalked the tag with shimmery Peebles Inc chalks and rubber stamped small snowflakes all over the background using the gorgeously rich Encore Metallic ink pad in purple.  Finally, I printed the Merry Christmas sentiment onto an offcut of stardream card, with I die cut using the tag element from Antique Frame Tag die set.  The tag has been mounted onto the new Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square, and I used a craft knife to cut into each side of the tag so that I could thread my sheer ribbon through it.

Do you like my bling-tastic ribbon embellishment charm? I've had some glittery Jingle Bells in my stash for ages, and I attached one to the crystal button using jump rings before stitching it to the ribbon bow.  I made the hatpins myself and if you'd like to have a go, take a look at my Tutorial on More Decorative Hatpins.

I love to know who's visited my blog, so why not leave a comment and tell me what you think of this card, it would be much appreciated!

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April Showers

The current challenge at an Oldie But A Goodie challenge is the very apt April Showers, and that’s the inspiration for this cute Umberella Card.

Card Recipe:
Stamp: Hunkydory
Colouring Mediums: Memento Cocoa Ink Pad, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: My Minds Eye, pearlescent card from stash
Tools: Tonic Studios Trellis Wall Die, Pick of the Bunch Punch & Stamp Set, Silhouette Cameo, Grand Calibur
Embellishments: double satin ribbon 5mm, crystals, pearl-ended stamen, buttons

To make this card, using my Silhouette Cameo, I cut the umbrella-shaped card base from pearlescent cardstock, with accents cut from double-sided My Minds Eye card.

I stamped the Hunkydory image three times, twice onto plain cardstock and then also onto offcuts of the My Minds Eye card. I then paper-pieced the layers together, combining using fussy cutting patterned card for the umbrella and flowers alongside colouring the main element of the image with Promarkers pens. Love the tiny baby penguin picnicing with the Hermoine Hedgehog!  Tonic Studio’s Trellis Wall Die provided the perfect backdrop for my finished stamped image.

Finally, I embellished the card with flowers created using the sepal punch from the Rose Pick of the Bunch Punch & Stamp Set. I stitched a recycled mother of pearl heart button to my satin bow. The little basket is a button that I’ve had in my stash for about 10 years!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Love to Create - Bingo (Flowers, Die Cut, Ribbon)

Hope you like this; do leave a comment, I always appreciate them!

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Lilacs in Ivory & Grey

This PSX Lilac stamp is one of my all time favourites, I could easily use it almost all of the time.  However, this time I’ve rung in the changes with colour scheme. Instead of the obvious lilac and lavender tones (and I do love those colours too), I’ve gone for ivory, grey and crystal. The card also features a number of different techniques, including:

Paper piecing ● Decoupage ● Distressing ● Embossing ●  Digital Die Cutting ●  Manual Die Cutting ●  Glittering ●  Flower embellishing ●  Accenting ●  and (of course) Hat Pin Making! 

Card Recipe:

Stamp: PSX Botanical Lilac

Colouring Mediums: Memento Ink Pad London Fog, Promarker Pens

Paper & Card: K&Company Elegance Shimmer, Stardream Opal
Tools: Spellbinders, Silhouette Cameo, Grand Calibur, Creative Expressions Embossing Folder

Embellishments: Berisford satin picot ribbon 10mm, hand-made beaded Hat Pins, crystals, pearls, mulberry flowers

To make this card, using my Silhouette Cameo, I cut the card base and butterfly base from stardream cardstocks. I also cut the flourish background, flourish border and butterfly on K&Company Elegance Shimmer. 

I then embossed an offcut of stardream card through my Grand Calibur using my new Tied Together embossing folder.  Once embossed, this offcut was paper-pieced together with an offcut of coordinating K&Company Elegance Shimmer patterned paper and the join was covered by a strip of picot edge satin ribbon, then die-cut with Spellbinders Labels 1. 

I stamped my image with Momento London Fog and this was also cut out with a Labels 1 die.  I have a really great tip for cutting smaller filigree shapes on the Cameo. I shrink the whole shape to the size that I want, then ungroup the image and use the outline tool to increase the size of the smaller filigree elements so that they enlarge and cut cleanly.
 

To accent the card, I inked edges with promarker pens, which I also used on the butterfly filigree layer and the mulberry flower edges and stamen.  The stamped image, flourish border and filigree were flittered with glue pen and crystal glitter.  I accented various pieces with flat-back pearls and rhinestones.

This card was shortlisted in the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge - Flower Power

 I ♥ ProMarkers - Layer it Up

Joanna Sheen Challenge - New Beginnings

Love to Create Challenge - Three Favourite Colours (ivory, grey and crystal silver)

Hope you like this; do leave a comment if this has pleased you.

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Damask Diva - Shaking her tail feathers!

Oh-La-La – this is a very theatrical card for a work colleague who is involved in Amateur Dramatics! There are lots of layers creating texture and, I hope, interest.

Card Recipe:

Stamp: Kanban
Colouring Mediums: Brilliance Black Pigment Ink, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: DCWV, Centura Pearl Ivory, Stardream Black, Neenah stamping card
Tools: Silhouette Cameo, Spellbinders, BigShot Pro, The Crafter’s Workshop Mask
Embellishments: Feathers, Mulberry Gardenia, Cherry Blossoms & Rose Bud flowers, Satin Edge Sheer Ribbon 25mm, hand-made beaded Hat Pin, Crystals


I started this card making good use of my Silhouette Cameo; I made the A4 shaped card base (this is one of my favourite techniques now I have the extra long cutting mat) from Black stardream card along with the scroll frame and key. I used the mat tool to cut mats for the scroll and key from centura pearl, and I then embossed both of these in my Big Shot Pro with a 12” Crafter’s Workshop Mask.

My image is from Kanban’s Damask Divas stamp set and is one that I really love, stamped in Brilliance Black and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I couloured the main image with Promarkers, but I also stamped the bodice onto an offcut of flocked DCWV card and cut this out. To this, I then attached a fibre thread as the lacing and black feathers at the base, then mounted the bodice to my main image. I cannot lie, this was very fiddly to do, but I was pleased with the effect!


To ensemble, I mounted the scroll frame and scroll key onto their respective embossed mats and decorated with rhinestone crystals. I threaded a lovely wide cream satin edge sheer ribbon around the card base, and mounted up all the layers. The stamped image was mounted onto the paper-pieced mat, and this was mounted onto the card, ensuring that the picot edge ribbon on the mat aligned with the same ribbon on the card. The card was finished with mulberry flowers, a hand-made hat pin and ribbon bow.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge - Girls, girls, girls


Hope you like this; do leave a comment if this has pleased you. Pin It Now!