Wednesday 28 May 2014

CASE Study Challenge # 192

UPDATE: Unfortunately I spent two hours trying to get the link to work for the CASE Study challenge but it just wouldn't let me select a picture or anything. Guttered I missed out but thats what I get for leaving till the last minute!!


Talk about getting in under the wire!! I was supposed to work on this card last night but was just too tired and didn't have an idea in mind.
Another gorgeous card from Wida, the Guest Designer at the CASE Study Challenge blog. I absolutely love this card with its eclectic mix of words, papers and embellishments. I just got rather stuck because I don't usually make my cards in this style. I tried not being so 'anal' and layer papers willy nilly but it just didn't fit. 

However, while driving home from dropping the kids at school this morning I had an idea. And it wouldn't leave me alone, so with 2 hours to go, I whipped up this card:
I know it still looks like I had my 'don't get carried away' hat on but I tried! I gathered all my papers from the same 6x6 pad and hand-cut them all out. Then I grouped together stamps from the same brand, having them around the idea of 'love'.

I then alternated the papers from being stuck straight to the card-stock, to being popped up on foam squares. I made sure the middle piece was popped up first because I wanted the heart (lathered in Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents) to shine. Its not a bad card for a very anal-retentive person like myself!

The papers are all from Teresa Collins 'Save the Date', the stamps from Rosies Studios and enamel dots from Papervine.

Now back to ironing and sorting out a drawer in my desk that is so full of stuff, I can't close it anymore. Oh, why can't I just make more cards........

Take care
Shona

 

Monday 26 May 2014

Color Me.....! Challenge # 21 - Subtle

I've been challenging myself lately to try using different colours, so I thought this combo would be perfect to experiment with.
I thought these colours at the Color Me...! Challenge looked so pretty together, even though I don't use brown very often. 

I also wanted to use the sketch from the Mod Squad Challenge which has these fantastic windows down the side.
So after alot of fiddling and moving the sketch around, I came up with 20 different ideas and finally settled on this one.
I know, I've gone 'line' crazy!! I knew I wanted to do some lines in the pink colour and loved the soft blue in the windows but the blue looked very boring. And as I couldn't work out how to fit in the brown....voila! Talk about graphic!! This is my favourite card from my card marathon weekend.

The brown and blue paper are from Lawn Fawn 'Into the Woods', the pink paper from Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectics', sentiment from Rosies Studio and enamel dots from Papervine.

I'm even going to link this to yet another challenge at Less is More Challenge # 173 where they want you to use die cuts on your card. This will be my second entry.


Finally I've finished all my posts and dinner is ready. Need to sit down tonight with Peanut M&M's and catch up on my tv programmes. Nice!

Take care
Shona


 

Color Throwdown Challenge # 293

I think this is my 3rd post for the day (have lost count.....), so you can imagine I had alot of fun at my Mum's house crafting away.

I thought I would give the color combo a go for the Color Throwdown Challenge. I love light blue and green but never use orange, so this would get me out of my comfort zone...boy did it what!
 I decided to try layering the die-cut hello, as I've seen it done so well on other challenges and tutorials. I put a layer of white cardstock between the blue/green paper and the orange, seemed to break it up a bit. It was rather fiddly with the gluing but turned out okay.
I wanted to keep the card pretty clean so just added thin strips of the same papers underneath. Very simple but boy does that orange colour pop!!

The papers are from Lawn Fawn 'Into the Woods', metal die 'hello' from The Crafters Workshop and enamel dots from Papervine.

I'm also going to link this card to the Less is More Challenge # 173 where they are wanting cards that have 'dies' used on them.

One more post and then I'm done for the day. Its 5.30pm Monday here and I need to start getting dinner ready and do something with all my cold but not dry washing. My house always turns into a laundromat at this time of year, with clothes and towels hanging off everything. Thank goodness we have a good log fire so it dries overnight. Just have to be careful though of where my 'underthings' are hanging when visitors call........

Take care
Shona



 

Casology Challenge # 96

Have just received an email from the girls at Altenew to say my stamps have been shipped and are on their way. One of the sets is all about flowers and can't wait for it to arrive. All of the card challenge blogs seem to be obsessed with flowers at the moment, it certainly makes me think outside the square to take part!
So, at the wonderful CASology Challenge  blog this week, they too are looking for flowers. I spent ages pouring over all of my stamps to see if there was anything I could pass as a flower. I managed to find something but its pretty small...
This couldn't be more CAS if it tried! I found a stamp of a vine that had these tiny flowers and hearts on it. I tried to mask it so I could stamp the flowers in different colours but it wouldn't work. So, instead of stamping the whole of the vine (which was long), I used another piece of spare card to mask off so only a little piece would stamp on my card. Very simple and no where near as amazing as all the other flower cards linked to this challenge but at least I was able to try.

The sentiment is from Kaisercraft 'True Friendship'. The flower stamp is from Fiskars.

Have to come back to this challenge and have a really good look at all of the linked cards. Some people are so amazing with their colouring and stamping skills, I really admire them. Hopefully I can be half as good as them one day!!

Take care
Shona

 

Muse Challenge # 68

Freezing cold here this morning and not going to get any warmer as the day goes on. Perfect day to do some blog posts and bake some cakes.
This week at the Muse Challenge blog, we had this beautiful card to use as our inspiration. I still don't have any flower stamps (but some are on their way.....) so had to look through my stickers to see what goodies I could find.
I loved the colour of the chevron pattern on Marion's card and managed to find paper very similar. I wanted to bring in the colour of the flower as well, so thought this other patterned paper would cover all the colours at once. A couple of cute little heart stickers and flower, and there we go!

Both papers are from Teresa Collins 'You are my Happy', the sentiment from Rosies Studio and the stickers from Echo Park.

A few more cards to post and then will rug up and take the dogs for a walk. Maybe if I walk really fast it will warm me up a bit!

Take care
Shona


 

Sunday 25 May 2014

Cure for the Monday Blues Challenge # 18

What a busy weekend I had with my Mum. She has had surgery on both of her hands so I was 'on hand' to help her with everything (luckily not quite 'everything'.....). And since she didn't want to go far and just rest, I was able to keep her company and make lots of cards at the same time....perfect!

As you can see, the inspiration photo for the Cure for the Monday Blues challenge is very white with gorgeous light wood and lots of tiny holes in the back board. I love cards with lots of white but for some reason I really struggled with this one. It wasn't until I looked at this photo for the billionth time last night, that I finally had some ideas.


Looking closely at the photo I knew I wanted to show the pegholes in my card somehow and also the wood colour. I also noticed that there is a piece of acetate hanging from the backboard with mustard coloured printing. And on the desk is a black note pad holder where the paper was bright yellow. All of these elements swirled around in my head until I came up with this design.

I'm 85% happy with it but just wish I had the crafting products i.e. stamps, embossing tools, metal dies etc, to have finished it perfectly.

The background paper is from Teresa Collins 'Save the Date', the arrow paper from Teresa Collins 'Memorabilia'. The sentiment is from CAS-ual Fridays 'Shenanigans' and the enamel dots from Papervine.

I have so many more cards to post but will do that tomorrow after I re-take the photos in a better light (my Mum's house is very dark...). And its now midnight (Hello Monday!) so really should go to bed and get ready for the early rise for school. 

Take care
Shona

 

Friday 23 May 2014

CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge # 76

(UPDATE: Just went to link this to the challenge and found out it had closed a few hours ago....silly me!! So I'm going to link this to the challenge at Addicted to Stamps #96 where their theme is 'Anything Goes')

Its been a busy few days here but managed to fit in a card very late last night. I always love the sketches at CAS(E) this Sketch.
They are so simple and yet there are so many different ways you can interpret them, which you can see with all the linked cards.
How I wish I had a big hexagon die! Decided to stamp what I could and try hand cutting some shapes.
For someone that doesn't usually use yellow and black, this is now my 3rd card in this combo in two weeks....maybe I was a bumblebee in a former life..... I wanted to use stars, so stamped the small solid ones in pigment ink and the bigger hollow stars in dye ink.  I then stamped the large star in silver, cut it out by hand (I need better scissors!) and covered in Wink of Stella.

It was lacking some sparkle so decided to add some clear rhinestones for bling. Its funny but I only just noticed that one of them fell off  before I took the photos...oops.....

The paper is from Teresa Collins 'Save the Date'. All of the stamps are from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments'. Rhinestones are from Kaisercraft.

I'm off to my Mum's tonight for the weekend. She had surgery on both of her hands on Wednesday and went home yesterday. Will lug all my craft stuff with me so can make some cards in-between helping her out.

Also, last night I took my 9yr old daughter shopping for some crop tops. She is unfortunately developing early (exactly like myself, I had my first bra when I was 10yrs) and feels very self conscious. We had a great time choosing pretty designs and getting the fit just right. Seems just like yesterday I was holding her in my arms as a baby....I'm not ready for her to grow up yet!!!

Take care
Shona



Wednesday 21 May 2014

Less is More Challenge # 172

I'm sitting in the sun while typing this, so hopefully I don't fall asleep mid-post....

I've started joining in at the Less is More Challenge. This weeks theme was 'Flowers'. Everyone seems to have flowers as the inspiration in their challenge blogs lately, so thought I had better purchase some. 

I stayed up till 1am this morning (Wednesday 21st May) so not to miss out on some Altenew stamps. This is a brand new company and their first stamps were so popular, they seemed to sell-out in days. So hopefully I will be using some fantastic new stamps in a few weeks.
I'm such a dill sometimes. I was so stuck on the idea that I had no flower stamps or dies, that I didn't even think about flower patterned paper! Duh!! I decided to make some 'windows' and showcase this gorgeous floral pattern.

The paper is from American Crafts 'My Girl', sentiment is from Rosies Studio and enamel dots from Papervine.

I'm also going to link this card as my second entry to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #131. Their theme is 'One third', which means using 1/3 of the card and having things in 'threes' like three windows and three enamel dots.

Need to move out of this sun before I melt. Phoebe has been home today. Said she needed a 'mental health day'. I never needed one of those when I was 9yrs old. So she has been reading and relaxing while I race around cleaning, vacuuming etc. Wonder how we would get on if we had a 'Freaky Friday'??

Take care
Shona

 

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge # 131

Beautiful, sunny day here again. Almost like Summer has come back so hopefully this means we will have a mild winter. Fingers crossed!

I'm terrible at leaving things to the last minute and thought it was about time I entered a card into the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge.
I really liked the idea of using just 1/3 of a card but as usual had a hard time finding a stamp or die I could use 3 times.

 So this time I when thru my hand punches and decided on the heart and circle. I was just going to stamp in the middle and then inlay some patterned paper into the hearts but found out that using the punch doesn't make the edges clean enough to neatly in-lay. So I used the heart stamp as I thought they went with the sentiment. Simple and sweet!

The sentiment is from Rosies Studio, the heart stamp from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments' and enamel dots from Papervine.

One more card to post and then hopefully I will get the call to pick up my Mum. She is having surgery on both of her hands today so is staying with us for two nights and then I will stay with her over the weekend. She was very nervous about it all so really hope she is feeling okay.

Take care
Shona


Tuesday 20 May 2014

CASE Study Challenge # 191

A very brisk start to the day today, definitely feeling like Winter is getting closer and closer. I'm certainly a summer person but there is nothing like coming home at the end of the day, putting on my pj's and snuggling with the kids by the fire.

Over at the CASE Study Challenge Wida Millar is the Muse for the month of May. We had another stunning card of hers to give us inspiration.
This is so gorgeous and love the flowers, especially the way they pop in red. As you all know I don't have any flower stamps or dies (or butterflies!), so this was a bit tricky.
I wanted a different way to represent the 'thankyou' die cuts, so decided to die cut the 'hello' and just place white card stock behind it. Also if you look closely behind the flowers, you will see there are a few circles in green, teal and red. I made these the focal point of the card (popped up on foam tape) and think I even used the same blue paper! Its incredibly simple but hopefully you will see her card somehow represented in mine.

The 'hello' metal die is from The Crafters Workshop. The green and red papers are from Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' and the teal paper from Echo Park 'So Happy Together'.

Back to domestic chores...washing out, vacuum up tonnes of blonde dog hair and new sheets on the beds. Wish I could click my fingers and have it all done so I could sit down and craft....oh well, dreams are free...thank goodness!!

Take care
Shona

 

Monday 19 May 2014

CASology Challenge - Week 95

One more quick post before I run out into the sunshine! I really loved all the designer and challenge entrant cards at the Casology Challenge this week, as their inspiration was:
As many of you will know, I don't have many stamps or dies so try to make do. Thank goodness I had 'splashed out' the other week and purchased some new metal dies.

Its not the most original idea for a card but tried out something new while making it. Seems I don't have many 'grey' coloured papers, which I wanted for my cloud. So, I used my Mama Elephant 'Smoke' ink pad and smooshed it all over a piece of white cardstock....it was perfect! I love how it has light patches and isn't perfect. It was fun!! I also put some blue paper behind the rain drops. I've been doing alot of inlay die-cutting of late, so stayed away from that this time.

The cloud and raindrop die's are from Spellbinders 'Inspire' range. The sentiment is from Kaisercraft 'You!', enamel dots from Papervine and blue paper from Echo Park 'So Happy Together'.

Now I'm off to run in the sunshine with my 2 large wet and shaggy dogs. Bliss!

Take care
Shona
 

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #95

Finished my vacuuming, now time to post another card. I decided to join the challenge at Addicted to Stamps
this week as I don't think I've joined in before and I thought the photo inspiration would be a real challenge for me!
Isn't this gorgeous?!! This was a real brain strain for me as I:
- don't have any bird stamps
- don't have any flower stamps
- don't have any branch/tree stamps
- don't even have any brown ink
I could have just made a card in pink and brown but wanted to try something different.

Then I remembered my tiny stash of Xmas stamps, so came up with this:

I have one set of Xmas stamps from Lawn Fawn and in them there are these two cute little birds. So I paired them up with the heart and laurel branch...voila! Its very simple and no where near as incredible as the other cards linked to the challenge but its all stamped, which for me is quite amazing.

Birds, heart and laurel branch from Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love', sentiment stamp from Kaisercraft 'You!', pink paper from Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectic' and enamel dots from Papervine.

Stunning sunny day here today. Have one more card to post, then off to walk the dogs in the sun. Also need to desperately clean my car today but will leave that till AFTER the walk....you can imagine the mess that 2 large, wet Golden Retrievers can make!!!

Take care
Shona




















 

Muse Challenge #67

I've discovered a new challenge that I thought looked really exciting. Each week they will show a card made by one of the designers or a guest designer and your asked to do your interpretation.  The only things they ask of you is that you:

  • Use the Muse card as inspiration, explain your interpretation and link back to Muse.
  • Provide supportive comments to at least 3 of your fellow member’s submissions. 
  • Vote for 3 of your fellow member's submissions that you find inspiring.
I thought this sounded really interesting and supportive of everyone participating, so thought I would give it a go!!

I love the Muse Challenge card this week as it was one of the techniques taught in the latest Online - Clean and Simple 3 Card Making Class.


I haven't tried this 'Graffiti' technique since the class, so wanted to try it again.

 
I wanted to base the card around a birthday but the only biggish word die I have is 'hello', so I used glitter paper for the die-cut and chose all word stamps that could be used for a birthday/party/celebration. I realised though that by choosing the glitter paper, I couldn't stamp my words over the die cut. Will remember that for next time.....

The glitter paper is from DCWV and all of the sentiments are from Rosie's Studio.

Off to vacuum now. The house is always in such a state after the weekend but I know that everyone had a good time running around, so its worth it!

Take care
Shona





Thursday 15 May 2014

Retro Sketches Challenge # 114

Over at the Retro Sketches Challenge they had a fantastic sketch that I loved straight away.
I had fifty million ideas for this one floating around in my head (no wonder I can't remember my own name half the time....) but this one came to me while looking through my stamps.
I haven't used my Glossy Accents for weeks, so thought it was about time I gave it a run. An extremely simple card and didn't even use any enamel dots which is very rare for me. I basically just stamped the heart, used my Wink of Stella and then covered in the Glossy Accents. The hearts were then popped up on some foam tape. Done!

The heart is from Lawn Fawn 'Woodgrain Backdrops' and the sentiment from  Simon Says Stamps but I don't know which set its from as I bought it second hand.

I'm also going to link this with the challenge at CAS On Sunday #33 as their sketch was quite similar.

The dogs are sitting right beside me, begging to get going for a walk. I'm starving but I don't think they will let me eat. Have to change my route today as Bella found a lovely dead rat in the grass and rolled all over it. You can imagine the lovely smell I had to drive home with yesterday....yuck! Thank goodness my children don't do that sort of thing too!

Take care
Shona



 

Less is More Challenge # 171

It was 0 degrees (celcius) here this morning and our first freezing cold start. Was very hard to get moving and we were nearly late for school. But now the sun has broken through and its getting warmer. Just in time for me to walk the dogs!

At the Less is More Challenge this week, their theme is 'One Layer Thank You Cards'. Perfect time for me to try out my new word dies I purchased a few weeks ago.
For some reason while driving back from gymnastics last night, I kept picturing this card in my head. Who knows why, so decided to try it out. It was extremely fiddly with all the in-lay die cutting but love how it turned out.

The metal die is from Spellbinders 'Inspire' and enamel dots from Papervine.

Have one more card to load up and then off to the riverbank. I just wanted to mention too that I've had so many lovely comments from people lately, everyone sounds so nice and offer so much support and encouragement. I'm so glad I decided to become a part of this crafting community, really gives me a confidence boost and love that I'm able to do the same for others.

Take care
Shona
 

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Just Add Ink - Sketch Challenge # 214

Yippee, I did manage to sneak in a bit of crafting this afternoon, so have another card to post. I'm trying to do this quickly before we race off to Phoebe's gym class.
I discovered the Just Add Ink Challenge Blog yesterday on someone's blog. They seem to be based in Australia so its nice to enter a challenge closer to home. 

I had in my head which paper I was going to use for my card but after cutting it out it was completely wrong, so this is my 2nd attempt.
I don't think I've ever had so many spots on a card before! I found this paper and thought it would make a perfect birthday card for a child. I hand-cut the paper pieces and popped them on foam tape to give them some height. After stamping the sentiment in pink I gave it a whirl with my Wink of Stella. I then went CRAZY with my enamel dots. Spottilicious!!

The paper is from My Minds Eye 'Happy Day', the sentiment from CASual Fridays 'Shenanigans' and the enamel dots are from Papervine.

Phoebe has gym from 5.30pm to 6.30pm today. Its too far from home to drop her off, so Max and I hang around and he practices his amazing trampoline tricks. He is a future Cirque de Soleil star. Phoebe is a natural actress so she is a future moviestar. Imagine all the free tickets Dave and I will get in our old age!!!!!

Take care
Shona




 

CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge #73

Another quick post today before I get stuck into my washing and cleaning. Would much rather be making cards!!!!
I really like the sketch for this week at CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge and knew straight away how I wanted to do my card.

I love this heart die-cut and decided to go with a pink theme. The heart is an inlayed die-cut so the front of the card is still one layer. I decided to do stamps across the card (instead of paper or ribbon) and kept the ink to the same colour. To represent the squiggly lines I did enamel dots instead.

The metal die is from CASual Fridays and the pink paper from Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectic'. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamps 'Tag Sayings' and the heart stamp from Lawn Fawn 'Into the Woods'. The enamel dots are from Papervine.

I showed my Mum this card and she loved it. Said it was 'very clean and modern'. Since I've just given her a card for Mother's Day, I will tuck this away to give to her another time. She loves my cards but also knows how much it costs to buy all the products, so she displays the cards for a few weeks and then picks off any dots or brads and gives them back. Thats my Mum, nothing goes to waste!!

Take care
Shona
 

CASE Study #190

I took a break from card making on Sunday and Monday night, caught up with myself and a few other jobs and last night got back into the swing again.
Wida Miller is still the Muse over at the CASE Study Challenge and the above card was our inspiration for this week. Its so clean, modern and stunning I was a bit worried about trying to make a card even slightly like this but have given it a go.
I still don't have any flower stamps or dies but really wanted to capture the flower die-cut on my card. My tiny hexagon paper is to represent the similar paper within the frame. I don't seem to have any dark grey paper so used some chalkboard paper to represent the grey frame.

The chalkboard paper is from Teresa Collins 'Memorabilia and the hexagon paper is also Teresa Collins 'Save the Date'. The sentiment is from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments' and enamel dots from Papervine.

I'm also going to link this card to the Fusion Card Challenge where their theme is black and yellow. This will be my second entry.

One more card to post before I get stuck into my housework. No gardening today as its raining and rather cold but I do have another challenge I want to enter and it ends tonight so may be able to slip in some 'card time' today...hope I don't get caught!!

Take care
Shona

 

Sunday 11 May 2014

CASology: Week 94 'Metal'

My goodness I have done a few posts lately, you will be getting sick of me and my frantic card making. I'm sure my brain will start slowing down soon and I'll be back to struggling for ideas.
As you can see, the theme at CASology: Week 94 is 'Metal'. When I saw this word I immediately wished I had a heat gun and gold embossing powder but as I don't, once again I had to have a look thru my supplies for inspiration.
Recently on the Mama Elephant blog, I saw an amazing card by JJ Bolton (Here) and I fell in love with it. I wanted to try it out for myself (with a few tweaks) and see if I could get it to work.

I cut a section of the front of my card off and cut out the spotty paper to replace it. I then washi taped it from behind and die cut the 'hello' across the seam. I also die cut 'hello' from a piece of gold cardstock. I glued a strip of white cardstock behind it, stuck in the gold hello and then spent FOREVER sticking back all the paper pieces around it. It was painstaking and its not perfect but I'm so glad it worked out.

The spotty paper is from Teresa Collins 'You Are My Happy'. The 'hello' die cut is from The Crafters Workshop. The sequins are from The Warehouse and enamel dots from Papervine.

I desperately need more 'word' metal dies. For Mother's Day my children made up a voucher for me 'To Buy Craft Stuff off the Internet' and on the back it said 'Dad will pay for it'. So gorgeous and so thoughtful. They know how much I'm enjoying my crafting and they get to use all the products too, so its all good. 

Take care
Shona

 

Colour Me! Challenge #19 - Monochromatic

I've had a wonderful Mother's Day. I had planned to spend the day making cards but it was too sunny to stay inside and lovely to hang out with the kids. So I'm taking tonight off from making cards, will do a few posts and then relax with a movie and Peanut M&M's. Heaven!
As you can see from the photo, the lovely people at the Colour Me...! Challenge Blog chose red and white for the inspiration this week. Red isn't a colour I instantly think of for cards so it was a bit of a challenge for me but after looking through my small stamp collection, I had an idea.

I found that I had three different sizes of heart stamps and could have them trailing across the card getting smaller and smaller. They would also represent all the 'millions of little things' in the sentiment.

The largest heart stamp is from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments', the slightly smaller heart stamp is from Lawn Fawn 'Into the Woods' and the smallest from Simon Says Stamps 'Tag Sayings'. The sentiment is from Kaisercraft 'True Friendship' and enamel dots from Papervine.

I'm also going to link this card to the Addicted to CAS Challenge #38 where their theme is 'Off the Edge' as my hearts start and finish off both card edges. And will also link as my second card to the Lawnscaping Challenge #81 where they want you to 'Create a Background using Stamps'.

One more card to post and then its movie time....yay! Just hope my husband hasn't discovered my M&M hiding place and all I find is an empty bag......

Take care
Shona
 

Cure for the Monday Blues Challenge # 16

Happy Mothers Day everyone!! Its a beautiful sunny day today and I was greeted this morning with gorgeous cards and gifts from my children. It has been a relaxing day so far, with a walk by the river shortly, followed by a pedicure from Phoebe. Bliss!

Taheerah at Cure for the Monday Blues has found yet another gorgeous photo from Pinterest. I knew exactly what I wanted to do as soon as I saw it.
I love the triangles on the bedspread and knew I had to have them on my card. I really wish I had some triangle stamps but since I don't, paper piecing was my next option. I basically cut 1inch squares out of the paper and then into triangles. I spent ages putting them in different patterns and shapes before deciding on this one. I love it!

The pink paper is from Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectic', the sentiment is from Simon Says Stamps 'Tag Sayings' and enamel dots from Papervine and Teresa Collins.

I was a busy bee again last night making cards till 2.30am this morning, so have two other cards to post. Think I will go out and enjoy the sunshine first and post later. Enjoy your Mother's Day!!

Take care
Shona


 

Saturday 10 May 2014

Paper Crafts Connection - Gallery Idol 2014

Isn't fate a wonderful thing?? Last night I finally got out my box of washi tape as I was determined to create a card using some of these gorgeous patterns. I didn't have a challenge in mind, I just wanted to use them instead of them just sitting there. I took some photos of the card this morning and was going to post on my blog tomorrow.

Well, I was just reading an blog update email from Jeanne Jachna at A Kept Life, and she mentioned a challenge she was entering. Paper Crafts Connection is running a Gallery Idol challenge. Runs along the same lines as American Idol where at this stage there are 'Open Auditions' for cards. 20 cards will eventually be chosen to go onto the next stage etc, etc until there is one winner.

I've never heard of this challenge before and when I read that the 'Open Auditions' call for cards using 'Washi Tape', I thought I need to enter!!
I went with a Teal/Gray theme so that it linked in with the sentiment. I basically just alternated the different colours straight on to my cardstock. I stamped the sentiment in Mama Elephant 'Smoke' and applied Wink of Stella to the 'Happy'. I even managed to find some enamel dots that matched the colour of the hearts in the 'cloudy sky' washi tape.

All of the washi tapes and enamel dots are from Papervine. The sentiment is from Kaisercraft 'Happy'.

I connected my card to the Flickr group (which was a challenge in itself!!) and looked through the other entrants cards. I certainly don't expect to get anywhere as the other cards are truly amazing but look forward to following the adventure of the 20 finalists.

Back to card making. Need to finish my card for the Cure for the Monday Blues Challenge #16 and also need to make a Mothers Day card. 

Really looking forward to Mothers Day tomorrow as the kids have been busy the last couple of days making cards for me and organising gifts with Dad. I bought some plants today for my Mum that I knew she really wanted and also her favourite nougat. Can't wait to see the big smile on her face!!

Take care
Shona
 

CAS(E) this Sketch #75

This is my third post for the day, you will be getting sick of me!! Will have more posts tomorrow as I have a few cards to finish off and haven't made a Mother's Day card yet for my Mum. Want to take my time with it so its perfect!
This is such a sweet sketch so decided to do something pretty and girly.
 Yes, I'm afraid I couldn't stay away from my acetate for very long. I wanted to try a different type of shaker card. This one doesn't have any foam tape in between the acetate, so its just the two pieces of acetate with the sequins sandwiched in-between. I happened to find these flat, square sequins that would be perfect for this shaker.
You can see how thin the shaker is, which makes it easier to post. And as I made the shaker see-through, I stamped the sentiment on the inside.

The papers are from Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectic'. Enamel dots from Papervine, sentiment from Sullivan's and sequins from Doodlebug Design.

Dying to finish off a card I started last night but by 2.30am this morning my hand/eye co-ordination wasn't so flash and needed to do some careful paper piecing. Luckily my craft supplies are still all over the dining room table (which is in our lounge room), so I can be part of the family action while crafting away....

Take care
Shona




 

Lawnscaping Challenge #81

My second post for the day. Off to the skatepark with Max shortly so thought I better get this posted incase I forget or break an arm....

 Unfortunately I don't have many Lawn Fawn stamps so had to use another brand. I'm hoping to get some very soon though......fingers crossed for Mothers Day....
A very simple card but you know me, the simpler the better! I tried to stamp the clouds in lines going across the card. For the sentiment I was inspired by the wonderful Anita from My Papercraft World. I don't use yellow very often, so when I saw Anita's last two stunning cards in shades of yellow, I thought I would give it a go. I think yellow is also a happy colour, so thought it would go well with the sentiment.

Unfortunately I don't know where the cloud stamp came from, was purchased second hand. The sentiment is from Kaisercraft 'Happy' and the enamel dots are from Papervine.

Have decided I'm going to add this card to the Fusion Card Challenge as well. The colour inspiration is yellow, black and white.

One more card to post before I embarrass myself at the skatepark. Thankfully Max is only 7yrs old and likes to see me skate, can't imagine that will still be the same in a few years....

Take care
Shona

 

Retro Sketches Challenge # 113

I should have a two week break more often....I can't stop making cards!!! I think about card designs 24 hours a day and I'm always itching to get started. Must be developing OCMD - Obsessive Card Making Disorder!

One of my favourite bloggers Kim Heggins of Cards, Cupcakes and Kim is the Retro Sketches 'Headliner' for this month. She is the most incredible card designer and such a lovely supporter of mine, I just have to participate in all the challenges this month.

The sketch for this week was brilliant:
I had an idea for some glitter paper but it just didn't work out as I expected. So after playing around for an hour, this was my new idea:

A few weeks ago I found some We R Memory Keepers Journal Cards and this particular box had cards that were die-cut in different shapes. Because I don't have many metal dies, I thought these might help me out until I can build up my die collection.

I had another sentiment that I wanted to stamp in the speech bubble but when I came to do it, it didn't stamp properly. I hadn't realise that the cardstock isn't flat.  So this is why I have the sentiment popped up on another piece of paper. 

I also wanted to enter this into the 'Less is More' challenge miss out by a few hours (silly me!). I still love it though and was going to add more colour embellishments but didn't want to ruin all the lovely green.

The papers are from Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectic', sentiment from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments' and enamel dots from Teresa Collins.

I'm sitting here at 11am Saturday morning in my pyjamas. Dave has taken Max for a bike ride and Phoebe spent last night with Nana, so have been pottering around. Better go get my 'A into G'. 

Take Care
Shona