A little gold

Here is my first card with my new Christmas present stamps. The best present a stamper could ask for, as you know, and I was lucky enough to get several sets. Yippee

I embossed the flowers and leaves in gold and then sponged on the colour. After cutting them out I found this base card which I had made and discarded for a previous project. 
I stuck them on and then wondered if they really went together. I'm not quite sure, let me know what you think. 
The stamps are flowers and leaves -Inky Doodles - Caroline's Doodles and Hobby Art - sentiment.
Inks - Adirondaks - Meadow, Terracotta and Sunshine. 

I'm entering this into:
                                                           

and I have finally managed to post in:
Pixie's Snippets Playground. I've used snippets of card for the flowers and then found the card base in my pile of, ahem, useful stuff. I think the paper on it was a snippet too.
I'm a huge fan of using up snippets, of which I have many. Like lots of you, I'm not good at throwing things out.

Christmas Flowers

I am absolutely not making any more Christmas cards this year. I've made all my own, of course, some for a friend who can't get out and choose her own and adapted some for work as well. 
I started early, thanks to discovering 52 Christmas Card Throwdown so it has not been as panicked as usual but I'll be pleased to stop for a bit.
Here is my finale though. I am pleased with it but taking a good photo was another matter. 

 I hope you can see that I have cut out an aperture and stuck the flower to the back of  the card. The ribbon panel is masked, inked and stamped with Inky Doodles Print Backgrounds 2 stamps. I just used plain green paper to give colour behind for speed. I would have liked to do something fancy. The Poinsettia (Penny Black) is embossed in gold and then coloured and layered.

It was inspired by the following challenges. 
52CCT : December Pick a Previous Challenge I chose the first theme - Christmas Flowers. 
CAS Colours and Sketches : Pick a previous sketch and Make it Chrisutmas I chose #37. I also took a little inspriation from Louise. Thank you.
 So barring distasters that is it for Christmas cards  from me this year. Hope you are all getting on well with yours.

Merry Chrismas
x
                                                        

Tiny fairies

I saw an opportunity to use these tiny fairy stamps. I bought the set for some of the other stamps.  The fairies are tiny - under 2cm in size.
I drew a faint pencil line around a lid and then followed it to get my stamping circular. I used a tiny twig stamp to create the shape and then filled in with a little ivy leaf and twig stamps. Then added the seed heads going off to the right. I glittered the fairy wings and centres of the flowers with Stickles but I'm not sure if it shows up here. It adds that important touch of sparkle. 
 
Stamps are all Card-io
Inks Memento Teal Zeal, Distress Tumbled Glass, Adirondak Lake Mist.

I am entering it in to:
Less is More - Colour challenge 
                                                          
  
Butterfly Challenge - All Kinds of Fairies
It seems wrong that the first time I enter the Butterfly challenge, I don't use butterflies! I've been following for a while but never managed to post. But there you go, I hope to enter again next year.

Let it snow (not really)

I think I'm just about there with Christmas cards but I made a quick one today. 
This is to enter 52CCT and I used this sketch from the archives:

                                                               

The challenge is to pick a previous sketch. This on is Sketch #26 from March 2014.

I don't really want it to snow - just on films and cards. It looks so pretty but is such a nuisance. 

Christmas cracker

Here I am posting another card I'm not sure about. Why am I posting it? Attention seeking I suppose. 
This is for the challenge:


                                                 

I immediately wanted to make a cracker but it wasn't so easy. Eventually I cut out a mask and sponged through to give the outline. Then stamped rows of images in a somewhat Nordic style. Finally, I went in with red gel pen and added a few accents of glitter and then stuck on the bows. I think you can just about see the glitter in the photo. Incidentally, the bows were ribbons saved of crackers from a previous year!

 

It is certainly bright and has come out rather more pink than I wanted. I usually go for more subtle colours.

I must confess to smudging the sentiment AGAIN. This time while adding the gel pen.

I only need a couple more Christmas cards and that is one more down. I'll be pleased to get back to flowers and pretty things.

Lacy leaves

I found a new (to me) card challenge which I like the look of. ( I really want to enter as I like their banners and badges!) I think I'll just get this in under the wire. 

                                                                                                                  

This week is a colour challenge and these are the colours:

                                                       Yummy.

I made this as a relief from Christmas cards. It's lovely to get out some non-Christmas stamps.
I started the card with a plan in mind and it went really well until I smudged the words when I stamped them. So I stamped them again on a square of card and added them on top. I am very cross as I think it would look sooo much better as a one layer card. I'll probably have another go as I love the leafy pattern and background. 

Anyway, I always admit my clumsy mistakes, as you may know. I do think I am getting more careful but my tip for this week is if you are looking for scrap paper to use as a mask, don't choose a piece with a hole punched in it!
Stamps used are Card-io leaves and and Kaisercraft Crackle. Kanban 'Thank-you'.  
Ink Memento Teal Zeal, Distress Slate and some silver thread. 
                                 

Christmas greenery

It's so difficult to take good photos on these gloomy days. I need to take advice on getting good colour in photos. 
You'll have to take my word for it that the colours look great in real life. I decided to go away from red and green so this is just greenery with teal accents and a little gold. 

I stamped the wreath and then added a few baubles in copper dye ink and then topped with glossy accents. The cut out bow finishes it off. 

I think it adds some subtle sparkle without being too bling. Although if you can't have bling on a Christmas card, when can you?
Incidentally, if any one knows how to get on with dye inks please let me know. I have this copper one and when used un-ebossed it never really dries and the copper sheen comes off on your hand.  
I'm entering this into the Less is More - Jingle all the way challenge. Anything Christmassy. 
Most of the stamps used here are Card-io plus one Kanban leaf stamp and an Inky Doodles bow.

Country Christmas

I started the day by tidying AND cleaning my desk. I threw out all those scraps of paper and part made things that really were useless and stacked bits of card that might be useful. I still have far too many scraps but at least it's mostly collected together. My desk is in the corner of my bedroom and when working I spread everything out along my bed. Obviously, I have to clear up every night so all the bits go into a pile. It had got to the stage where the pile had started toppling over!
Then feeling very Zen I sat down and made two cards without too much drama or repetition.

   This card was for the 52CCT challenge. I've always admired piercing on cards but have never done it.  I decided to prick a frame with my sewing machine. It doesn't come out much these days which is a shame. While looking for an old needle I could blunt I found one with two points so I thought I'd use that and it  made a pretty frame. 

I mounted it on red hoping it would show through the holes. I also found the cutter that made the wavy edge which I thought added to the country look. I forgot I had that.  
My hand hovered over the inkpad but I decided against a sentiment. I like it very plain. 
Plain and simple but pretty, I hope you like  it. 
                                                        

Grungy Christmas window

Often I know where I'm going with a card but with this one it happened as I went along. 
I'm not sure I like it much although I like the individual ideas.
 

I made the window frame using a square punch four times and amazingly got it pretty straight. The panel behind is inked and the white snowflakes embossed with Silver Pearl. Then the blue ones stamped over. 

The gold edge embossing is done by swiping the glue pad and then sprinkling on embossing powder. Not my idea, it's copied. You don't need to worry about speckles though. 

 

The tags are inked, stamped and then embossed with clear all over. 

I made this for the current challeng at 52CCt which I am just in the nick of time for.

                                                                

So that's it. Made in a rush. Hope to do better next time!

Round the world

I've done a small amount of research about what men want from a card. One said a piece of paper with 'Happy Birthday' written on it! More research needed, maybe.
I've made this swing card. I think the mechanics will appeal to the male mind!

A birthday is just the first of another 365 day journey round the sun. Enjoy the trip!

 I found this saying on the internet (anonymous) but arranged it in a circle myself usuing a computer -without help, so I was chuffed. Then I found I could have it on a wood background, perfect for  The Male Room challenge. Wood. I deliberately left it quite plain.

 

It's a very simple idea but looks impressive. It folds flat into a 6x6 envelope and best of all for me - it is made from half a piece of A4 card. I am always left with strips of card which I save and rarely use. I could make several hundred gift tags with the pieces I have left. I should do that with Christmas coming up. Unstoppable now, I think. 
This is the first swing card I have made but I'll definately make more. 
Normally all my cards are stamped but I don't have many stamps that would appeal to men. I've use design paper to cover the card and only stamped the corner patterns. The centre is computer printed, as I said.

Pink snowflakes

This card was supposed to be blue, I'm not sure what happened. I inked with an old Big and Juicy and must have wandered into purple more than blue.So I've made another card with non-Christmas colours.
I made it for this sketch at 52CCT:
                                                                  

My various ideas were complicated but the card has turned out very simple and quick, a good thing in a Christmas card. I masked the top, inked and stamped. Of course I did smudge the ink, normal for me but managed to erase it.

I do feel quite smug, I have a good stash of cards as well as having made some for a friend who is not able to get out and choose hers. And mine are all different whereas usually I make them all along a similar theme.

Autumn wreath

I'm having a rest from Christmas with an Autumn card. I don't need much encouragement to use the wonderful colours of Autumn so when I saw this challenge, I wanted to have a go. 

                                                              
                                                               
I've used the lovely foliage colours as inspiration and then chose the grey/blue colour as a backing.  I guess it's clean and layered.

The flowers here are a tribute to the Rudbekias in my garden which are still flowering away in November and giving me joy every day.     
                                          

Pink for Christmas

The challenge this week at Less is more here is for a Non-traditional colour Christmas card - so no red and green. 
I've gone for full on pink! Well, why not?

I cut out the aperture first, in case it went wrong. I don't have machine so I cut it out with a knife and generally it does go wrong when I try that sort of  thing. Then I embossed right on the edges of the aperture and the outside of the card with a board and tool. 

Then I made a panel to put behind by inking and stamping the snowflakes in the same colours of inks. The white snowflake is embossed and then the whole panel is embossed with clear embossing powder which works a kind of magic on it. I sprinkled a little glitter into the final embossing layer, after all it is for Christmas. 
I'm very pleased with it. I held off from adding a sentiment to the front, I think it would detract.
I hope you like it. 
Thanks for visiting.

Dotty fun

I wanted to join in with this 52CCT challenge but I don't have any enamel dots!

                                                          
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. 
                                                          

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

Jolly stockings

A quick post to show this chrismtas card for the 52 CCT colour challenge:

  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!                                                 

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.                                               

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

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

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.

Nordic Christmas

Here is this week's challenge from 52CCT.
When I saw this and the lovely embroidered/knitted style I had to resist the urge to rush out and buy this kind of stamps. Partly as I promised myself to use only what I already have in my stash for this years Christmas cards. It's working so far. 

I decided to go for the red and white colour scheme and have repeat stamped in rows (hopefully) to give and embroidered look. Then I wanted an accent so added a heart stamped on red paper and embossed in white with a button and ribbon bow. 
I'm quite pleased with it but can't get a decent photo.
The stamps are mostly Inky Doodles from Warm Winter Wishes, Print Backgrounds 2 and the large heart from Primitive Angel. The snowflake and 'Merry and Bright' are Marion Emberson, which I thought went quite well with the others. 

Silver snowflakes

Still on my mission to have some Christmas cards made in good time, I enjoyed this colour challenge from 52CCT. 

I chose blue and silver to go with the black and white. I embossed the snowflakes in silver onto the blue background and then double mounted which is unusual for me.  

The card did not go exactly to plan, of course. 

I meant to have the ribbon on the bottom and stamp the greeting onto the card. Then I stupidly swiped my nail across the wet embossing so suddenly it was a good idea to have the ribbon in the middle!

The good news is, I think I am getting fewer inky smudges on things. I have learnt the hard way but maybe I'm getting somewhere.

Anyway I think it gives the card a contemporary look to have the greeting in the middle. 

I'd like to have a go with red and gold colour scheme but probably won't manage it by Friday. Still plenty of cards needed so lots of opportunity.

I've lost the label from the stamps and I can't remember whose they were.

Christmas baubles

Phew, I've done it. I was determined not to give up in week 2 of my 52 week Christmas Card challenge and then was given an honourable mention for last week so I was even more determined to come up with something post worthy! Thank you for that, I appreciate it. 
However this sketch really didn't come together for me. I had so many ideas but none of them worked so I was just going to give up and admit defeat.  I'd made this little bauble for one of the many plans and then suddenly I had another idea and this one worked.

At least I think so. I found this Christmas paper with red on it and had already coloured the bauble to match the ribbon so, as these things go, suddenly it came together. It's a small card only 10.5 x 10.5 but I quite like small Christmas cards. Then I stuck the bauble ribbons on squint so all was normal again!
Here is the sketch:

52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown

The bauble stamp is Marion Emberson, embossed in gold and then coloured with sponges and Adirondaks, Cranberry and Eggplant,to be precise, then mounted on foam pads. 
So I rose to the challenge and can sleep tonight. Bring on the next one...(easy please).                             

Chocolate and mint

I've eaten more chocolate than is probably sensible this week but it was nothing to do with this challenge...
                                               

CHOCOLATE MINT

These were not colours I would have thought of using but that is the challenge after all.

Here we have chocolate and mint, stuck on milk chocolate and matted with dark chocolate. I used these stamps from Inky Doodles. I overlooked these stockings when buying the set which I chose for another stamp - but they are really cute. I coloured with pro-markers and then added a few highlights with a gold gel pen but that doesn't really show here. I even cut them all out - most of my Christmas cards will have to be a little quicker to produce!