Thursday 30 April 2015

MUSE #115

Hello friends I'm just zipping through while catching up
on comments with a very quick card to share for this weeks'
Muse Card Challenge

When I saw this week's Muse girl was my fellow DT 
Chrissie from Less is More I simply had to join in.
Not only that I loved her card straight away.
All those dramatic colours oozing glamour and sizzle.

Here goes with my take on Chrissie's card and what fun it was.
I almost 'threw' every 'red' colour of Distress Ink at my card
and spritzed and flicked like crazy with perfect pearls and water.



Card Recipe:
WPlus9: Fanciful Feathers
Heat-embossed in WOW sparkle embossing powder
Uniko Studio: Peace on Earth doves - instead of a dragonfly 
Heat-embossed with the same on vellum then fuzzy cut
Hero Arts: Happy Stamp and Die set
Sheena Douglas: EF - snow but I like the effect

Here's Chrissie's card




Thanks as always for calling by and I'll catch up with
you again soon.

Sarah

Sunday 26 April 2015

A Little Sunday Trio


Happy Sunday all and hope you are enjoying a sunny crafty day.
I've 3 cards to share and I'm not entirely sure about them ... 
I'm struggling with toothache which hasn't helped my mojo today
but as I've made the effort I'm going to drop them in for a few challenges.

So first up is for a new challenge to me; having seen
a fair amount of red, white, black and umbrellas in blogland 
I had to check out what was going on!!!
 

Here's my first play over at The Challenge #31


Card Recipe:
Stamplorations: Vignette - Ever After
Clearly Besotted: Je T'aime, Baby Shower & Notebook die
(I didn't have an umbrella small enough so accented the card with red
hearts from the baby shower set & Doodlebug Twine)
My Favourite Things: On the diagonal stencil - tone on tone
to add little interest to the card base.


I've also linked this card up at the never-ending
Anything Goes Challenge at Stamplorations



Next up is to enter the Merry Monday Challenge
sorry ladies I missed last week as I couldn't find vintage
Then I found this little artpad from Lili of The Valley!
So I'm using one of their gorgeous images including a little dog.
He looks just like my own dog but mine has more black and white.


The sentiments are from Uniko Studio: Simply Said Christmas
and Peace on Each stamp sets
Design paper is American Crafts




Last one for today is a second entry to Inkspirational
where it's a space theme.


I couldn't resist inking up this 'Blast Off' set from Clearly Besotted
on a moon effect circle created with distress ink in faded jeans
then spritzed with water and perfect pearls to make a shimmer-effect.


   ]


I'd also like to link this up at Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday challenge
where it's Clean and Simple this week.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog

Ok, thanks as always for stopping by my blog
and I'll catch up with you again soon


Sarah

AAA Cards Challenge #38

Morning all, thanks for stopping by as I've details 
of the latest challenge over at AAA Cas Cards 
Our theme for this one is 
'There's a Hole in My Card'
Here's a little photo inspiration followed by my card
... I assure you if you 
look at the card front on you can see the cheeky sad face 
peeping through the camera lens!

Card Recipe:
Uniko Studio: Strike a Pose Set
TAWS: Face it - love this fun set (slightly coloured and glossed here)
Clearly Besotted: Happy Birthday sentiment set
Circle die from my stash to create the hole in the 'lens' to allow
the slightly 'glum' face to peep out! 

Before you head off to craft away please check out the 
AAA Cards Blog where there's loads more fabulous inspiration
from the Design Team.
I'd also like to link this up at Inkspirational
and my thinking is there's a fair amount of white 'space'
on my card plus there's a 'space' (hole) in my camera.
Thanks so much and happy crafting.
If I get into gear later I may have a few more cards
to share but I'm suffering with horrendous toothache :-(
Looking like a trip to the dentist might be on the 'cards'
Just hope I don't get back looking like the image at the 
base of my card!!!
Sarah

Saturday 25 April 2015

Less is More #221


Morning all. Are you ready for the latest challenge from 
Less is More

It's recipe week and we'd like to see you incorporate a 
TAG on your project.

My Dad will be 70 this summer so here's a card for him.
Although having put it together I'm not sure it'll fit 
Dad or Grandad!!! Crumbs!

He doesn't check my blog so I should be safe posting this now. 
There'll no doubt be a few additions before he receives it.


Card Recipe:
Avery Elle: Count On It dies
Paper Smooches: Stitched Tag die
Hero Arts: Happy word die & birthday sentiment
A strip of design paper from Echo Park, plus twine and sprinkles from Doodlebug

My Dad's favourite pastime is watercolour painting of scenery mainly and 
I'm hopeless at it but wanted to show my take on water-colouring!

I'd like to enter this over at Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge
where it's Clean and Simple

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog



Next up it's a vertical tag


This adorable set (Lawn Fawn: Gleeful Gardens)
was one of my sneaky goodies I purchased at the NEC 
and I think this is the first time I've inked it up.

Card Recipe:
Clearly Besotted: Rounded Tag
Uniko Studio: A Gift for You sentiment
Mama Elephant: Stitched Landscape Trio dies 
Images coloured with Stabilo pens and glossy accents for added dimension



Last one ... I've used an almost camouflage embossed
tag to sit the flower on then a mini tag too  


Card Recipe:
Clearly Besotted: Fresh Flowers (water-coloured with distress inks)
then die-cut with matching dies & sentiment from the same set
MFT Die-namics: Stitched border dies & Sentiment strips

I'd also like to enter this card at 

      
        

Ok let's see what you come up with and remember to keep it
Clean and Simple with that lovely white space.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.
I'll be back tomorrow with the latest challenge
from AAA Cards so hope to catch you then.



Sarah

Friday 24 April 2015

Uniko Studio Challenge #20 - Reminder

Morning Friends
Today I've a little nudge and reminder for the 
Uniko Studio Challenge

The theme is - Things with Wings 
and you have until 8am GMT on Friday 1st May to link up.

Here's my 'winged' card for you.



So my New Years resolution was to enter the Merry Monday
Christmas card challenge every week to alleviate the stress
of rapid Christmas card making in December.

Guess what ... I didn't enter last week!!! 
Arrrgh! I couldn't find vintage Christmas in my stash!
So I've made one here instead ... am I forgiven?

Card Recipe:
Uniko Studio: Peace on Earth & Simply Said Christmas
Distress inks, sponged then splattered & flicked with water!
I'm hoping it looks like a winter night sky with snow at the base

Our talented Guest Designers for this month
Elaine from Craft-E-Place and Michelle from Amusing Michelle
have each produced a reminder card along with the Design Team
so please head across to the Uniko Studio Blog for full details 
and how you can win some fabulous prizes.

Thanks as always for stopping by and I'll be back tomorrow 
with the latest challenge from Less is More

Sarah

Thursday 23 April 2015

A Challenge Trio


Hello blog friends
Zipping in again with a late night post ...

As the title suggests I'd like to enter 3 challenges
with this card; Muse Card Club, CASology
Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge (Clean & Simple)



Card Recipe:
Clearly Besotted: Standalone Dragonfly die
& sentiment from Say it In Style
Salty Ocean Distress Ink - sponged, spritzed & flicked 
to create an ombre look - I hope!

As soon as I saw Marion's card at Muse I couldnt' wait
to find a little crafty time to join in. She often uses blues
and I just love these colours too. I've kept it fairly close
to her design just switched the butterfly for a dragonfly.


  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog

 

Ok I'm shutting down for tonight!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I'll see you tomorrow 
hopefully as I've a card to share for Uniko Studio. 


Sarah

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Addicted To Stamps and More Challenge #141


Hi there, it's time for this week's challenge at ATSM

GRAB OUR BADGE!

This week it's Anything Goes ... so let your hair down 
and Happy Crafting!


Here's my card using Altenew Hennah Elements coloured using a
water-colouring method with Distress Inks.
The background was created with a 'smooshing' technique
then spritzed and splashed with water for added detail!
The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted: Spring Blooms set.


Our sponsor this week is Sweet Pea Stamps and the winner will 
receive a prize of 4 digi-stamps from the store.
http://www.sweetpeastamps.com/


Before you head off to your crafty den please don't forget to check out the 
stunning creations from 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

Monday 20 April 2015

Monika's Birthday

Hello All
I've just one little card for you today and it's 
to enter a special birthday linky party for Monika

She makes some AMAZING cards and always leaves the
sweetest comments on blog posts with a super cheery smile.
She's asked us to CASE one of her card styles so I've
gone for Cute, No Design Paper & CAS although today
it's more 'layered' CAS.

Happy Birthday Monika


Card Recipe:
Mama Elephant: Pandamonium
MFT Die-Namics: Fishtail Flags Stax
My Favourite Things: Concentric Circles Stencil
Clearly Besotted: Sweet Little Sentiments

I've used my Panda stamps and sequins purchased at 
Make the Day Special Stamp Store
plus I've used their Tic-Tac-Toe board from the April Challenge HERE 
so I'm heading across there to link this card up too.

I've used Metal/Metallics: twine
Bling/Sequins & Feminine


Edit: Just casually floating round blogland and noticed
Virginia's View challenge is all about layers and dimensions
so I'm popping my card over there too.


Thanks as always for calling by and catch you soon.
Sarah

Sunday 19 April 2015

A Sunday Bumper Post


Happy Sunday blog pals. 
I've got a bumper post of cards for you today so hope you'll stay with me.
Lots of cards that I was finishing off in the last few days and now
need posting before the challenges close! 


First up is to enter at Time Out Challenges and LOVING rainbow
colours meant I couldn't wait to take some time out to play along.
I think this will fit in over there as it's inspiration on words this week ...

'You can't make a Rainbow without a little Rain'


Card Recipe: 
Simon Says Stamp: Rain drops stencil inked with Ranger Dye Inks 
along with the coordinating rainbow at the bottom
Mama Elephant: Stitched Landscape Trio dies (mounted on 3d foam)
Inkadinkado: Kid Quotes (just purchased from Jen @ Tiny Blue Butterfly)
There's some really cute sentiments in this set all written by children this one by Alyssa Knight (12) 
I loved Bev's addition of rainbow gems HERE so couldn't resist adding a few too. 


I'd also like to drop this in at Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge
as the theme is 'Make Your Own Background'

Grab Our Badge!   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog




This card is to enter the 'Sweet' themed challenge at CASology
It's the first time I've inked up this gorgeous set from 
Clearly Besotted: Simply Scrumptious
Aimes and Debby (CBS DT members) provided brilliant showcases 
with this set HERE and HERE - where my inspiration came from.


I started by sponging Tumbled Glass Distress ink to the 
card, to add a sky effect, then inking my stamps off on paper first
to create the lighter shade onto my card panel.
To finish some gems and glossy accents.




When I saw the photo inspiration at The Card Concept I simply had to
join in. The patterns, shapes and colours are just fabulous and I was immediately 
drawn to the curtains as I've a similar Design Paper, used here from Hobbycraft. 



Card recipe:
Hero Arts: Stamp & Die Happy birthday set 
I love this die - can you tell! I've die-cut it in black and pink with the 
black piece ever so slightly off-set from the pink.
The birthday sentiment is from Uniko Studio: Simply said Birthday
with Meiflower gems and Doodlebug Sprinkles to finish


I think my style is Clean & Simple but perhaps Clean & Layered today.
I've combined it with the sketch from this week's Freshly Made Sketches.


  



This card is for this week's Muse Card Challenge and I almost
didn't post it BUT hubby said he rather liked it so on that basis here it is!
In fact I've tried numerous attempts at this with water-colouring
and more water-colouring but nothing was working!



Michele has really tested us with her fabulous card this week.
In the end I inked the backdrop with Faded Jeans Distress Ink adding
Clearly Besotted: Simple Silhouettes & Sweet Little Sentiments
Lawn Fawn: Gleeful Gardens - Curved & Stitched border

Here's Michele's fantastic and utterly gorgeous card




Are you still with me?
Hope so as this is the last one ....


This one is to enter over at Inkspirational and those ladies have had
me tearing my hair out with this one!!! This is one TOUGH challenge.
 I tried to use inspiration from the DT and fellow entries to the challenge 
along with the photo of course but I didn't want to use Easter eggs.


Here's my thought process and tools used

Kraft coloured background to replicate the photo background colour
Bubbles stencil from Stamplorations instead of egg shaped - inked to resemble 
duck-egg blue using Peacock Feathers Distress Ink also splattering in this colour
to show the markings on the 'eggs'. MFT Die-Namics Pierced Rectangle dies to cut a frame 
rather than individual compartments in the photo.

Grrr! No focal point! I've gone with a butterfly ... it's got wings!
I think one of the eggs has a gold shimmer, hence the gold accents using
metallic twine (nest material perhaps) and Clearly Besotted Butterfly Duo
die-cut in card, vellum and gold glitter card.
The sentiment is from Uniko Studio: A Gift For You
'Just for You' Sandie as you 'nudged' me to enter this challenge.


I think this will have to go down as my longest post EVER!
Thanks so much if you've got here without a nap whilst reading.
I'd love your comments and thanks as always for stopping by my blog.

Off for a lie down now but catch you soon.



Sarah