Saturday 28 February 2015

A Sparkling Christmas Card


Happy Saturday evening all - does anyone watch The Voice?
I love it and just been gripped to the TV for the first live battles of this season!

THEN...
Suddenly realised I intended to post this card I made earlier for a couple of challenges.


I've used the sketch from this week's CAS(E) This Sketch challenge
and I'd also like to enter the Merry Monday Christmas Card challenge
where this week's theme is 'stars'


Card Recipe:
Memory Box: Cosmic Stars die
Clearly Besotted: Christmas Word Die (mounted on 3 layers plus glitter card)
'Happy' sentiment also Clearly Besotted from the Happy Birthday set
To finish a couple of star gems from my stash

Ok I think it's bedtime for me now but I'll be back tomorrow
with some exciting snippet of news to share! 
I do hope you'll pop back then.


 
Sarah

Less is More #213


Hi There ... have you got that Saturday morning feeling?
Ready for a new challenge from Less is More?

Ok so this week is 'recipe week' and we'd like CAS cards showing
'This Makes Me Happy!'

Personally I could make cards with this theme until the cows come home!
There's so many wonderful happy things out there ... but 
I've limited my examples to three: coffee, cake and my pet dog 'Cookie'.


Cookie looks nothing like this but it is his birthday next week 
and he'll be 8 years old so I decided to do this card for him.
He's completely spoilt and loves finding that
little spot of sunlight to warm him whilst he dozes!
This is where I found him when I got in from work this week ... on the back of the sofa!


Card Recipe:
Paper Smooches: Chubby Chums
Derwent: Inktense Pencils
Clearly Besotted: Happy Birthday Sentiment set
Mama Elephant: Index Card dies & Sizzix Circles

I'd also like to enter this card over at Freshly Made Sketches



Love my coffee and can't resist nipping in Costa Coffee
whenever I'm passing so here's my coffee inspired card.


Card Recipe:
MFT Die-Namics - Coffee Cup dies
Paper Smooches - Dots & Dashes Dies
Clearly Besotted: Good Times sentiments
Design Paper: Doodlebug and co-coordinating sprinkles

It's an 'Anything Goes' week at Simon Says Stamp so I'm heading
over there to enter this card in their Wednesday Challenge blog.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog


Last one and what could be better to accompany the coffee but CAKE!


Card Recipe:
MFT Die-Namics - Blueprints 15
Mama Elephant - Index Card dies
Clearly Besotted: Sweet Little Sentiments (heat embossed in WOW bronze metallic)
Dotty Stencil - sorry don't know who makes it
Mini cup cake - sent over the pond by my super Crafty American Auntie

The challenge this week at CASology is 'Mini' so I'm heading 
across there to 'share' my mini cupcake!


We had another bumper week last week with the 'wings' challenge
so thank you all for your wonderful inspiration and I can't wait to 
see what makes you all happy this week.

Thanks as always for stopping by and happy crafting.

Sarah

Friday 27 February 2015

Uniko Studio: Challenge #18 Reminder


Hi Blog buddies I'm back with a gentle reminder 
as there's still time to enter the current challenge over at

It's a birthday themed one and isn't that what we are best at?
So don't delay, craft away, link up and play!



Card Recipe:
Uniko Studio: Beautiful Blooms II, Simply Said Birthday
& Classic Numbers
Doodlebug: Design Paper
Gems from Papermania and a Winking of Stella to the flowers

Don't forget to pop over to the Uniko Studio blog for more inspiration 
from the Design team

We also have a fantastic Guest Designer this month too
Tracy (In My Creative Opinion)

Please stop by their blogs and leave some encouraging feedback


Grab button for Uniko Studio Challenge


Here's the challenge details you need to be in with a chance of winning ...

The DT will select a winner who will receive a £20 Gift Voucher
for Uniko Studio plus an invite to Guest Design for our next challenge.

The DT will also choose a Top 3 and each will receive a £5 Gift Voucher.

It's not essential but if you do use a Uniko Studio stamp then your card
will be entered into a randomly selected draw to win a £10 Gift Voucher.


Thanks as always for stopping by and looking forward
to more crafty inspiration from you this week.

I'll be back tomorrow morning with my Less is More
post and another new challenge for you to get your teeth into.


Sarah

Thursday 26 February 2015

Silly Faces


Evening All and I'm happy you've stopped by my blog 
as I've a super silly card to share!

It's to enter at the MUSE card club and as it's an 'Anything Goes' week
I'm heading over to the Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge too.

I was inspired by the design and stunning colours of Shona's card
but if I'm honest I've used one too many hearts in the last few weeks
so decided to go for a change as I love these silly faces
from The Alley Way Stamps and I don't use them enough!



Here's Shona's card:


I stamped the images in Versafine Onyx Black ink then heat set 
with Ranger clear embossing powder. Using the back of a circle stamp
I used Versa-magic chalk inks to create the face shape and these
are also heat embossed; this time with Hero Arts Clear sparkle.

The sentiments are from Uniko Studio: All Occasion Sentiments
and Clearly Besotted: In the frame. The panel is mounted on funky foam
with a few Doodlebug sprinkles for added interest.

Ok that's all for today but I'll be back tomorrow morning with
a little challenge reminder for Uniko Studio as there's still time to enter.
It's a birthday theme so easy peasy.

Off to catch up on some commenting now.


Sarah

Tuesday 24 February 2015

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #133

It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More 
and this week we are looking for your 

HOLIDAY cards and our sponsor this week is STAMPlorations
prize is a $10 gift certificate

Here's my card using a stamp from this week's sponsor: Christmas Flower
 which I was very lucky to win recently from Muse Card Club



Card Recipe:
Christmas Flower stamp heat embossed in WOW pale gold EP
image coloured using sponge daubers and distress inks in 
barn door & mowed lawn with a sentiment from the same STAMPlorations set.
To finish I've added red pearls to the centre of the flowers and a 
wrap around of green metallic cord.


Before you head off to your crafty area don't forget to check out the 
stunning creations by the rest of the ATSM Design Team 
 


Hope you find some time to join in and I look forward to seeing your fabulous cards 
Thanks for stopping by and see you soon


Sarah

Saturday 21 February 2015

2 for 1 Christmas cards


Yes it's a bit of a fluke! 
Two Christmas cards to share in one day - every one helps though!

First up is to enter the current challenge at Merry Monday
Have Santa on the card

Now have tipped my stash 'upside down' I couldn't find a single
Santa image ... a couple of digi stamps but nothing else.
Then I found this cheeky image (no idea where it's from - had it forever!)
 and I'm hoping I won't be thrown off the challenge for using Santa 'upside down'



Card Recipe:
To begin with I stamped the image and heat embossed then masked
to allow me to ink up  my card panel using distress inks.
I spritzed with water and perfect pearls to create a 'snowy' sky -
with some pretty hefty dollops of the white stuff!
Coloured my chimney with Derwent Coloursoft Pencils 
they created a 'roof-effect' shape with white cardstock with glitter added to the edges.
The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted: Naughty or Nice?


I've used a Mask to create this card so I'd also enter a second card 
at Addicted to CAS




My next Christmas card is to enter over at Muse Card Challenge
and here's my take on Marion's wonderful card

 

Here's Marion's card


Card Recipe:
Paper Smooches: Blessed Christmas stamp set
plus Winnie & Walter: Big Bang Confetti
I stamped the images in Versamark then heat-embossed
with Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
before inking the panel in Salty Ocean Distress Ink
Using a photo frame die from MFT Die-Namics I inset the inked panel
and added a sentiment from the Paper Smooches set.
The whole panel is then mounted on 3d foam for added dimension.


Just realised I've used 'embossing' on this card (well both) 
which means I can hop across to 
Happy Little Stampers - February Challenge.



Ok that's all from my craft desk for today and hope
you are enjoying the weekend.
Thanks for stopping by.

Sarah

Less is More #212

Morning all, I'm here with the latest challenge from 
Less is More

BUT
First of all I must thank you all for your wonderful comments on my blog
this week and particularly your feedback on inlaid dies v one layer cards.
Lots of interesting food for thought - thank you so much.

So this week is Theme week: WINGS

There's loads of options but I've gone for some pretty obvious ones;
and I've no doubt you crafty folk will thrill us with some superb ideas over the week!


For this one I masked a rectangular panel on my card front before blending 
distress inks in Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade & Squeezed Lemonade
Butterfly Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Elegant Butterflies
Sentiment: Clearly Besotted - Sweet Little Sentiments
Gems are from Papermania - just for some added sparkle!

I'd also like to enter this card at
  Addicted to CAS where the Codeword is MASK






Using more distress inks (picked raspberry, seedless preserves & barn door)
I inked an off-cut of watercolour cardstock then spritzed with water
to allow the colours to blend together. Once dry I die-cut the dragonfly
which is a standalone die set from Clearly Besotted, layered 3 times with the 
intricate elegant cut out dragonfly on top. The same watercoloured panel 
is used to create the 'corner' pieces surrounding the front card panel.

More Clearly Besotted stamps used: With a Flourish,
Building Blocks & Sentiment from Spring Flowers
To finish mini silver pearls from Hobby House.

Ok that's all from me so I'm handing the baton to you and
hope you enjoy a crafty week.

Catch up soon


Sarah

Friday 20 February 2015

Uniko Studio: Challenge #18


It's time for another Challenge at Uniko Studio 
and in line with the latest 'Birthday' release stamps you may guess the theme!

BIRTHDAYS

and we all love those so come on join in and have some fun.

This year I've a few 70th birthdays to prepare cards for so here's 
the first one for my M-I-L from the kids.


Card Recipe:
Uniko Studio: Balloon Bash, Classic Numbers
& Strike A Pose (previously released)
MFT Die-Namics fishtails flags


Grab button for Uniko Studio Challenge

You won't want to miss out on any super duper inspiration from the 
DT so please check skip over HERE for more details

We also have the amazing, super talented, wonderful 
Tracey McNeely of In My Creative Opinion guest designing this month
so please pop across and see her take on the challenge.

Here's the challenge details you need to be in with a chance of winning ...

The DT will select a winner who will receive a £20 Gift Voucher
for Uniko Studio plus an invite to Guest Design for our next challenge.

The DT will also choose a Top 3 and each will receive a £5 Gift Voucher.

It's not essential but if you do use a Uniko Studio stamp then your card
will be entered into a randomly selected draw to win a £10 Gift Voucher.

Thanks for stopping by and I'm so looking forward to seeing 
your creations. We had such a wonderful response to last month's 
challenge so lets see if we can beat it this time. 


Sarah

Thursday 19 February 2015

Uniko Studio: Mini Blog Hop & Farewell Nath


Hi there, today I've a bonus card to share using the latest release sets from 
Uniko Studio as I'm taking part in an additional mini blog hop.

Sadly some of the Design Team didn't receive their stamps in time to 
join the recent introductions and release day posts so this is a 
special mini blog hop to allow them to showcase their designs, 
and talents using the new sets.

It's also a sad farewell as N@Ali is leaving the design team this month.
Since I discovered Uniko Studio Nath has always been a constant
source of inspiration with her fabulous creations using the sets.
She'll be so missed but we wish her well in her new ventures.

Here's my card using the Beautiful Blooms II & Simply Said Birthday sets


I've been wanting to have a go at inking in white on kraft  followed by 
colour inks for ages and guess what ... yes!
The uber-talented Jennifer McGuire posted a video this week 
showing this very technique. If you missed it you can catch it HERE

I used Hero Arts White pigment ink with the outline image
then Derwent Coloursoft pencils to create some detail to the petals.
Although I've used this layout before (adhered panel to top left corner)
Jennifer's card revitalised this layout for me so couldn't resist using it here.

I'm sure you'd like to see what the other designers taking part have been up to 
so please check out the Uniko Studio blog for more details ...

Sarah (that's me)

Thanks as always for stopping by and hope you enjoy some crafty time.
I'll be back tomorrow with the latest Uniko Studio Challenge 
so I'd love you to pop back then.

Sarah

Danger ... Sun shades needed!


Hi there, it's really late but I'm away all day tomorrow and wanted
to post this card to enter the AAA Card Challenge & CASology challenges.





   

Card Recipe:
Memory Box: Wave stencil inked vertically
Clearly Besotted: Birthday Word Die
plus Balloon strings & 'Happy' from Laugh Out Loud stamp set
Balloons: handmade stencil using Paper Smooches Dies
Memento Ink - Tangelo
Panel mounted on 3d foam for added dimension then onto a black cardbase.
(fingers crossed this still counts as Monochrome)

Right must dash ... bedtime.
Thanks for stopping by and see you soon

Sarah

Sunday 15 February 2015

Sunday Challenge Combo


Hello friends I've a couple of cards to share with you today
for challenges I've neglected recently :-( 
sometimes there's just not enough hours in the day to enter them all.

The first card is to enter at this week's Muse Card Challenge and CAS on Sunday
Although I love Michelle's work I honestly couldn't get my head around
her Muse card this week and I've been racking my brain constanly!

Then ... a little lightbulb moment when I popped over to CAS on Sunday.
It's a 'chevron' themed challenge so I zapped some inspiration from
their AMAZING DT.


Here's Michelle's card

 For your blog
Card Recipe:
Uniko Studio: Balloon Bash
Clearly Besotted: Happy Birthday sentiment set
MFT: Chevron Stencil
Distress Inks in Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers & Evergreen Bough


Next up is to enter at ColourQ 


My cousin gets married next month but I'm not sure if these colours
are too garish for a wedding card. Basically I 'needed' this colour red
for the love word die on another card and die-cut the centre but then 
thought it was too nice a shape to discard and this is what happened!

Card Recipe:
Uniko Studio: Flower Power #3
Clearly Besotted: Bridal Bouquet sentiments
Lawn Fawn: Love word Die
Impression Obsession: Heart Die - using the spare hearts
I coloured them black, winked with stella then drizzled with glossy accents
The red die cut panel was a freebie from Dies to Die for


Ok that's my lot for today but hope to see you in the week.
It's half term in the UK so no work for the week but it always 
flies by and never enough crafting done! 

Thanks for stopping by and have lovely evening.

Sarah

Saturday 14 February 2015

Less is More #211

Hi there ... whoosh! I think I've lost a week!

I cannot believe it's Saturday already and time for another challenge
at Less is More

First of all a HUGE thanks for all your FABulous entries
in the birthday challenge you certainly pulled everything out of the bag.
It's much appreciated having so many followers of the LIM challenge
and great to see your happy faces as you comment on each others cards.
Well done - prize winners will be revealed soon.

So onto this week and it's the turn of the 
ONE layer card - with a LOVE theme

Now I don't want to be a party pooper but I'm slightly fed up of all
these hearts, hugs and love cards - seems to have been everywhere
since I put the Christmas tree away! So at last today is Valentine's Day
and yippee we can move onto something else from next week!
So if you don't want to get all loved up and slushy you can skip the
hearts as I have in this one (well almost)!

Edit: it seems I may have inadvertently stretched the boundaries / cheated
on this one layer card as my inlaid die is supported with a 'layer' of tape at the back.
 I couldn't wait to use this new die but perhaps using it as a stencil 
and inking through would also create a similar effect without cheating! 
Do hope you'll forgive me for leading you all astray.

Would love to know your thoughts on this.


If you follow my blog regularly you may notice I've 
got a bit of an obsession for rainbows at the moment ... think it's 
the lack of sunny spring-like weather in the UK!

I get lots of inspiration from Laura Bassen with her super 
rainbow-effect / colourful creations eg. HERE
plus another video I watched this week by Julie Ebersole
which gave me the idea for this card.

Card Recipe:
Lawn Fawn: LOVE word die (inlaid)
Sentiments: Clearly Besotted - Say it in Style
Uniko Studio: Simply Said - Birthday
Uniko Studio: Heart Confetti from Balloon Bash
Inks: Ranger Dye Inks (new purchase and I love them)

Thanks to Jennifer McGuire HERE for introducing them ... 
that lady has lots to answer for - including my bank balance!!!

I'd also like to enter this card at CASology
where it's all about LOVE over there too!



Oh no it's another slushy one ... My hubby has so many valentine's cards 
from me this year he doesn't know what's hit him or what's up with me!

I couldn't resist inking up this set from Clearly Besotted
and can't believe I haven't already done so - I've been in a dreamy state 
over it and daren't spoil it by inking it up! Anyone else have this issue?

Card Recipe:
Clearly Besotted: In Print & Build a Bug
MFT Die-namics: Coffee cup & Blueprints 15 (hearts)
I made my own stencil from these sets and inked up 
with Gold Delicata ink then heat embossed with Ranger Clear EP
The bees wings are winked with stella; with 2 pearls from Hobby House for eyes.

I'd like to link this one up at Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge
where the theme is: All Creatures Great and Small



Last one for today and this time it's to link up at 
Merry Monday - Candy Canes
CAS(E) This Sketch

 
Card Recipe:
Clearly Besotted: Naughty or Nice?
Uniko Studio: Simply Said - Christmas
Doodlebug: Sprinkles & Pearls from Hobby House


I've used the candy canes from the CBS set to make hearts
and wish I hadn't ... it has taken ages with many duds in the rubbish
despite trying it out on scrap first. This was my final attempt and I'm 
not entirely happy with it but ran out of time to make anything else!

   

Ok over to you now and looking forward to more superb 
creations from you over the week.
Thanks as always for stopping by and catch up with you soon.
Sarah