Friday 31 October 2014

Dotty fun

I wanted to join in with this 52CCT challenge but I don't have any enamel dots!
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The DT gave a few ideas so that got me thinking.
I tried a few including cutting out tiny circles but that was fiddly and not very accurate. I didn't have the right punches and my circle cutter only cuts large.   
Eventually I tried stamping with a tiny round stamp and then adding Glossy Accents. 
This is what I made first:
 I like the  green and pink colour combination but decided that it wasn't at all Christmassy. Even with a Christmas greeting. I think I'll make it into a birthday card.
Then I made this with the holly:

Decided I preferred it without:

and then changed my mind again. Still, I have two cards now! I might add some holly to this.

 The trouble with glossy accents is that you have to walk away and let them dry FOR A LONG TIME, preferably overnight, so every time I changed my mind there was more drying time! They really do look like fairy lights though. The hardest thing was drawing the lines.  

I don't expect to be judged against everyone who has properly used enamel dots but I wanted to have some dotty fun.
Do give me your opinions on how these have turned out. Holly or no? And what to do with the top one. I tried to leave it really plain but it looked wrong so I added the embossing and then the paper and then the silver cord. 
                                                          

Friday 17 October 2014

Two grasses

This card turned out just as I envisaged. I hope you understand, that never happens!

I wanted to get away from Christmas for a bit and my Mum came and took all my ' thinking of you' cards recently. 
I have a little bit of gold embossing on the grass heads. I was a little heavy handed with it, I just wanted a touch but it gives a nice sheen. 
I'm entering it into the Less is More challenge. One layer card to include Two of something. 
Please forgive me the ribbon. I had an ink splodge which I needed to cover. I was quite cross, I'm getting so much better and haven't done that for a while. 
So one layer - two grasses. 
Stamps - Inkylicious
Sentiment - Kanban

Thursday 16 October 2014

Jolly stockings

A quick post to show this chrismtas card for the 52 CCT colour challenge:
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  Really pretty colours but unusal for Christmas, they give a more contemprary look. The cards from the design team are fabulous.


Of course nothing is quick when you are in a hurry. I should be going to work instead of fiddling about here. Thanks for calling by, see you soon.
All stamps are Inky Doodles. I can't stay away from them for long!                                                 

Wednesday 8 October 2014

I love Card-io stamps

I'm sure I've mentioned before that Card-io Majestix were the first stamps I came across online although they were not the first ones I bought. (Inkylicious- still love them too). They are so small and mix and match so well, it's hard to go wrong with them. I have a few sets now but always want more.
I made this card very quickly. It takes me back to the reason I started stamping which was all about foliage, flowers and inking. I sometimes get carried  away with challenges and make thing which are not really me. On the other hand it is good to try out ideas and challenge yourself to try new ideas.
I'm pleased with this one. I added black stickles in the centres of the flowers.
I'm enjoying making Christmas cards without any of the pressure of Christmas going on in the background. I am completely detached from the drama and stress and just enjoying the creative process. So even though I started late, compared to many of you, I have a good stash already and we are just into October. 
I made this for the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown October sketch.                                               

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What I still haven't learnt - patience. Add Your Stickles Last and Walk Away Until Dry - Properly Dry!
Stamps : Card-io Majestix and one leaf from Kanban. 
Sentiment: Lost in the mists of time.
Inks Adirondaks Meadow and Cranberry
Stickles

Monday 6 October 2014

Autumn's Bounty

A night of wind and rain and the pavements are covered in wet leaves of many beautiful colours. I always want to collect them but, of course, they don't keep. The season is beautiful and I don't need much encouragement to use these colours and themes on a card. 
This one came together very quickly. I stamped the wreath on hammered card and then cut out a few extra leaves and added a splash of Glossy Accents. Then glued them on to give a little focal point. 

I love it. I hope you do too. 
I'm entering the Less is More colour challenge this week. 
Stamps: Card-io Majestix
Sentiment: Hobby Art
Ink: Big and Juicy - Spice

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Diamonds and pearls

Another week, another Christms card! This is where you will start to see repetition of stamps and ideas. I've used the same snowflake stamps as two weeks ago but a different sentiment although I really wanted to use the same one again. 
I'm not very happy with this card. It didn't really come together for me and I like every one else's more than mine. So I'll take inspiration and move on...


I didn't think the colours were very jolly so I added the coloured cord which was in my ribbon box and gives a nice splash of colour.
This was inspired by 52CCT Diamonds and Pearls. This is the September stash challenge.
Everything was from my stash -  diamond Stickles on the centres of the snowflakes, pearls and 'turquoise diamond', cord and scraps of paper.