Tilda with birdcage

Hello blog friends,

I haven't posted much lately.

My holiday is over now and mom went back to Belgium last Saturday. She had a wonderful time and was feeling much better. She is still recovering from her ordeal of last January. She 's still very skinny and wobbly, but we did manage to get out to do some shopping and we also managed a short walk in the New Forest around the Knightwood Oak. I think she loved every bit of it. The weather was good to us too, it was actually hot all week.

Yes, my mom is so much smaller than me, and now my DH took this picture, which I find hilarious. I 'm standing on this tree trunk and mom is behind me looking up into the trees, making her look like a little hobbit, LOL.

This is the card I made, my take on shabby chic. The card is cut with the Wild Card cartridge of the Cricut, such a wonderful cut to work with, I think.

I decorated all 4 sides of the card, clear embossing the back and the front of the card.

I colored the image with Copics and made my own pearls with Viva pearl pen. The papers and flower dies are from Marianne Design Eline's Vintage. Check out Eline Pellinkhof 's blog, it's fabulous and sweet.

I used a Papertrey sentiment and the Spellbinders label tags.

I used a bit of Silver Ice Stickles on the flowers and Martha Stewart butterflies. The note stamp is from Papermania Boutique. The silver pearls are made with Ranger 's Liquid Pearls and do not work as well as the Viva pearl pen.

The front and back of the card are stamped and embossed with Papermania stamps. I used Old Paper Distress Ink to stain the edges.

Hope you like this card, I had lots of fun making it.

With Gratitude

Hello and with a very big thank you to Andrea Matthew for sending me the blog candy.

I now have my very first Papertrey stamps; 2 lovely sets.

I couldn't wait to try them and made a little card last night. Just adding some Basic Grey Euphoria paper and red pearls on the MS Butterflies.

I created a background paper with one of the tin type background basics stamps and embossed the little dots on them. I cut out the frame and put 3D foam behind it so it would level up with the ripe avocado saddle stitch ribbon. The center stamp is cut out out and adhered with a pop dot.

I really love these sets, especially all the lovely sentiments. There is so much to combine and mix up, I 'll be trying a few things.

Raindrops

Hello,

Not that we have had any this week, I mean raindrops...

I 'm having a fabulous time. I have a week off work and my mother decided to come over last minute.

She arrived on Friday night at St. Pancras International station with the Eurostar. I hadn't been there before and I must say I am never going there again by car. Goodness me! All the way through London to get there. Eventhough it was late evening, the traffic was hectic and the satnav couldn't keep up...

Mom 's going back on Saturday, but we are taking her up to Ebbsfleet International station. Much better.

So I haven't done much crafting, 'cause I 'm either out clothes shopping for mom or enjoying the sun in the garden.

I did manage to finish this card that I started last weekend... can you imagine?

The image is completely paper pieced, even the colored skin tones.

Supplies: Morehead stamps, Whoop De Doo paper from GCD studio, MS border punch, Marianne Design Creatables flower and border dies, Joy! Craft ribbon, Spellbinders label and deckled rectangle die, Shabby Shutters and Old Paper Distress ink, Stickles, pearls, beadcap, brad and flowerthreads.

I 'm trying to show you the design of the border die, it has little flowers embossed in every oval shape.

The stamped image is paper pieced and not colored, except for the skin tones, which have also been cut out.

Combined challenge card

Hello,
I made a little card that I was planning to enter in the Cute Card Thursday challenge: anything but square. I seem to be doing only square lately and thought; aha something for me.
Then I happened to look on the Play Date Cafe PDCC 33 where they have a color inspiration that fitted mine, only I don't have any kraft paper -which I would like to have, seems hard to get in the UK, Bazill does a kraft color but not the real deal. Wonder why no one sees the gap over here? Afraid it would be to cheap? There is after all some lovely inspiration out there with the use of kraft paper/card.
Then All that Scraps: Buttons and ribbons challenge. Just up my street, although my buttons are faux, they are brads from Making Memories.

The card is cut with the Wild Card and I used also some flowers, cut with the Cricut on white paper and colored with Shimmerz and layered. The paper is from Papermania Rose Garden. The stamps are from Crafty Secrets Couple of Cuties, die cut with Nestabilities. The second circle is stamped in 2 shades of blue with a little bubble stamp. I used Copic to color the image.

Thanks for visiting and have a nice day.

Second Monogram card and blog candy winner

Unbelievable, but yes, I did win! I 'm the winner of the blog candy over on Andrea's blog Work in Progress. Thanks Andrea.

Do pay her a visit, she has her blog now for one year and she does make wonderful things.

She has also recently made it to the JUGS DT.

Can't wait for the candy to arrive, some goodies from Papertrey Ink. Yippie!

Now on to my card; the second one of a batch of Monogram card I am making for my sweet mother.

Kept it really simple again; some embossing, Martha Stewart border punch, Coordinations cardstock, Prima and Hero Arts flowers and vintage pink Glimmer Mist. Love that stuff.

Monogram card

This is my first attempt at a monogram card. I made this one with my mom's initials. I made the background paper with some stamps from Basic Grey.
I am not fully satisfied with them as they tend to let the ink bubble on them. I used Memento Tuxedo Black. Maybe it is because they are quite new.
I only wanted to use 3 colors to keep it soft and decided to go with black, rose and cream.

Supplies: Just Rite Special Occasion Monogram set, scalloped punch and Nestabilities, satin ribbon from Paperchase, Coordinations cardstock.

Thinking of you

Hello,

I 've got a simple card to share with you today.

I used K&Co paper Que Sera Sera paper and Coordinations cardstock so I could sand the embossing.

The stamp is from Just-Rite and allows you to choose the sentiment. I colored with Copics and Shimmerz and changed the color of the Making Memories brad with Copic and put flower bead caps behind it.

I cut the image with Spellbinders large scalloped die set, which isn't the ideal size for the stamp, but the only oval I have. Apparently the normal large oval should fit.

Wishing you a nice day.

Thanks for your helping hands

Hello,

I haven't put away my color pencils yet. I colored this Greeting Farm stamp with my aquarelle pencils and some Sakura gelpens.

The flowers are made with Spellbinders flowers creations and the sentiment is made with Just Rite stamps.

Some Basic Grey June Bug paper to brighten it all up, with some flower brads from Making Memories.

I'm entering this card in 2 challenges; A Spoon Full of Sugar: floral delight and Simon Says Stamp!: a recipe.

I folded one edge on the background paper, this idea I got from the Cardmaker's Sketch Book. I like their books and although I don't follow the CPS-blog on a regular basis, I find them very inspiring.

Hope you have a lovely day. Bye.

JUGS #36

Hello everyone,
It's been a hot and humid day. Summer has arrived here!
I've been working from 6:30 'til 15:00 today, glad not to have the shift until 18:30!!!
I came home and just had to craft a bit. Really relaxes me.
I used the sketch from JUGS #36. I made this little Hilda card from Motivet and used Caran d'Ache aquarelable  pencils in 4 shades of gray.
I've been wanting to do this technique for a while and always thought it was too difficult. But I think it's turned out rather nice. My DH said:" Ooh! It's like from an old book!" He's my biggest fan, thinks this card is for the collection and I can't give it away... Sweetie...

Supplies: Basic Grey Granola paper, Coordinations card, Cuttlebug Swiss dots, Tsukineko ink, Sakura white gel pen, Making Memories ribbon, Basic Grey dark blue buttons, light blue from autumn Leaves, Hero Arts sentiment.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. It's gonna be hotter with thunderstorms tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to a Great Friend!

Hello everyone,
I had this invitation from Inlinkz to join their very first challenge, using the color scheme to create something for a birthday and a boy.

I used Making Memories Just Chillin' papers and Coordinations card. I stamped the image from Inkadinkado on American Crafts white card and colored with Copics and used 3D glaze for the wheels and windows. The sentiment is from Hero Arts and embossed with silver powder. Some inking, distressing and embossing to make the card more manly and some metal with MM eyelets and BG brads.

I think it turned out quite nice, hope you like it too. Thanks for visiting.

Simon Says... Challenge

Use pink or blue and green and brown for this challenge on Simon Says.

This is actually my second entry for the same challenge. I certainly tried to use up my scraps with this one.

Supplies: Marianne Design Vintage paper, DCWV card, Copics and Whispers, Stickles, Plantin Schoolbook for hearts and label, Hero Arts sentiment stamp, Martha Stewart border punch.

Vintage for City Crafter Challenge week 6

Hi everyone, I made a vintage inspired card for CCCB # 6. You have to follow a card recipe: 1 ribbon, 2 papers and 3 flowers.
I used an image from Shabbychicpapirskatter and printed on American Crafts card for some more texture.

Supplies: Coordinations  beige card, Marianne Design Vintage papers, white flowers from Kaisercraft, Glimmer Mist in Sand, Pearl, Moonlight and Marshmallow, Blingz in December Sky to color the flowers, Versamagic ink in Wheat, Sahara Sand and Mango Madness for inking the edges, lace from John Lewis, Papermania pearl colored yellow with Copic, Yellow brads from Doodlebug, gold leaves.

Let's Celebrate

Hello,
Time is flying again and I'm finding it hard to find some valuable crafting time. The ideas are coming, but time is running.

I managed to make this 3 inch accordion card.

I was planning to make a pop-out gift box with my Gypsy, but it did't turn out the way I wanted it to. So I saved my Crafty Secrets stamped images for this card. I LOVE Crafty Secrets stamps and this Bugs Life is quite a funny set.

I didn't use any designer paper, but sprayed a white sheet of paper with Glimmer Mist Vintage Pink. for the background.

Supplies: American Crafts white card, Memento ink Tuxedo Black, Ranger Vintage ink Rosebud, Versamagic Sea Breeze, Copics, Shimmerz and Blingz, Glimmer Mist Tea Rose for the flowers, Basic Grey buttons, Papermania pearls.

I 'm entering this card in Cute Card Thursday and Simon Says Challenge.

It was a bit hard to get the whole card in one shot.

Hope to get a bit more time to craft soon. I would like to prepare a mini book for our coming summer holiday. Thanks for visiting, have a nice day.

Gift box and birthday card

Hello there,

This post is a bit picture heavy as I 've made 2 items for a friend's birthday.

I'm a bit in a hurry, because I still need to buy the giftcard and I need to give it to her today. Monday is her birthday, but I won't be seeing her 'cause she's flying out to the Philipinnes for 3 weeks. Today she's at work so I 'll go and catch her there.

This is the card; the sentiment is from Woodware stamps. I cut all the die-cuts in white American Crafts card and chalked the colors on them. To seal the colors I used Pearl Glimmer Mist which also gives it a nice shine.

Blue paper is from K&Co and pink papers from We R Memory Keepers Tiffany's pad.

Lid of the box; the flowers are cut with Spellbinders Shapeabilities Flower Creations on recycled cotton paper. They had the same color treatment as above. The gems are from Doodlebug, pearls from Papermania.

The sentiment and other cuts are from Create A Critter.

The front side of the box.

Right side.

The back.

The left side.

All items together.

The only Copic used, is the red for the cherry which has also been glazed. Some small round and heart gems are from the 99p store.

I'm off now to the shops to get a gift card, might stop in TKMaxx. My favourite store. I'm always in for a bargain.

I only paid £19.99 and it has all these stamps from Autumn Leaves in it, plus an amethyst ink pad, plus a book by Autumn Leaves. The bonus item was a pack of  plain tags from Paper Reflections. I thought it was super! Only mistake I made was that I thought I would have the same stamps as on the picture. The box was sealed in the shop, but I still have a good deal; a calender set, sentiments, flourishes, spring stamps, baby stamps, flowers.... Very good! I'm off to the hunt, Bye! 

Splash!

Hi,

I'm into Create A Critter! Love, love, love all the funny little creatures.

I made this little girly whale card with the help of the Gypsy to create the exact sizes I wanted for my image and background.

Supplies: Papermania Rose Garden paper, Coordinations cardstock, Sakura gelpens, ribbon from stash and paper rose.

Isn't she cute?

Hey Gorgeous, Relax

Hello,
It seems to have been a while since I posted. Busy week as usual. I can't believe I'm already dreaming of my next annual leave in June, still 5 more weeks though, sigh...
I did manage to squeeze my card in for the CCC week4. Lovely colors Heather has chosen for this week's challenge.

I used my Stampies Mothers set. They are Dutch and my mom bought them for me. I actually didn't like them at first, but they stamp well and the images are growing on me.
I also got my Gypsy yesterday and Create a Critter cartridge. I started playing with my Gypsy and made the embellishments for the card with it. I must say I am really pleased with this machine. It's gonna take a while before I can work with it effortlessly, but so far... thumbs up! Thanks to my DH or I might not have bought it. He is in to gadgets and has PSP and DS XL, so maybe he thinks this is my PSP now...LOL.

Supplies: We R MemoryKeepers paper Tiffany's, Coordinations brown cardstock, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Storybook for flowers, leaves and flourishes, Gypsy font for the sentiment, Making Memories lace, Stickles stardust, pink pearls.

I welded the letters together with the Gypsy and adjusted width and height of the flourishes. I might be quite expensive, but so far it's worth the money.

A Smile is the shortest distance between two people

Hi there,
I hope everyone is fine and enjoying their Sunday. I managed to finish my card for The Play Date Cafe PDCC28.

I liked the colors for the challenge and thought of a stylish engagement card to congratulate some friends.
On the next picture is the size of stamp and shrinkplastic I used. For me it worked best with VersaMagic and not Memento ink, which dried slower and stained. Coloring on the plastic is a bit like on fabric; it tends to run, so you need to stay away from the edges and use minimal pressure/contact with the nib. Also use light colors, 'cause they darken when shrunk.

My first attempt, curled a bit, smudged the image and the hole I punched with the Cropadile became too small. The image shrunk to 1 inch height. I made another one for the card and colored less. Sorry for the dirty mat, which is now wharped from my heating tool. You do need a heat resistant mat. It's on the wish list...

Supplies: I used a cut from the lovely Sweethearts cartridge, paper from Basic Grey Sugared and Porcelain pads, American Crafts cardstock, Plantin Schoolbook cuts all my background squares and rectangles, Cuttlebug swirl emboss file, Prima flowers, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Vintage Pink and Marshmallow and Pearl, sticky pearls from SIL Craft, Paperchase ribbon, Hobbycraft lace, Shrinkies white shrink plastic, Inkdinkado stamp, Copics, Anita's 3D glaze, Viva salmon pearl pen, white Sakura gel pen and black ribbon from stash, Tsukineko ink.

My finished card:

And a close-up of my second Shrinkie charm;

Hope you like it and thanks for visiting.

D for drum

Another little boys' card for my stash. I made it for 2 different challenges: City Crafter Challenge and The Shabby Tea Room. For the first challenge it had to be a tag and for the second, you had to use bling.
Well, that's that, although I 'm not sure if it had to be a more shabby look.
The little boy image on the tag is from the web, but I cannot remember what the site is called. I saved a few of their flash cards too.

Supplies: June Bug Basic Grey paper, Distress Ink in Tea Dye, Basic Grey buttons, K&Co chipboard D, Doodlebug Glitter, little letter stickers and ribbon from stash, Plantin Schoolbook for cutting the squares and scallops.

Second post of the day and TESC #111

Hi,
This is the card I made for the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge. I love Taylor's blog and her designs and this is the second time I am participating.
I used the Paisley cartridge again to make the giraffe. -not sure how he gets to hold a lemon branch in his mouth, but it's fun-.
The stamp is from Inkadinkado Boxed Wishes set.

And this is my card:

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, Sizzix Little Sizzles paper, Martha Stewart border punch, Copics, Tsukiniko Jumbo Java, Basic Grey brads, ribbon from Hobbycraft, corner rounder punch.

Enchanted frog

I 've been busy playing with my Paisley cartridge. I couldn't resist cutting out the frog.
Then I remembered I had a little stamp that came with the Craft Stamper magazine. So I put the 2 together to make this fairytale card.
I used a little key stamp to make a charm, glazed and distressed it and hung it on a mini pin with some beads.
Now just hope the little fella finds his princess and that he is charming enough for her to kiss him...

Supplies: DCWV ,Papermania and American Crafts cardstock, Sizzix Little Sizzles paper, Martha Stewart border punch, 3D foam pads.