More Christmas cards

I make slightly less fussy cards for other family members, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles and batch make these too.
The problem is I usually make too many and then can't remember who I've sent what to from one Christmas to the next. I really must get more organised.

Panels made using Cuttlebug EF.
Poinsettia dies from Spellbinders.
Snowflake dies from The Works
Branches punch.
Sentiments by Dovecrafts

Thanks for popping in x

The twins birthday

It was our twin great grandson's 2nd birthday on Sunday. I can't believe how quick the time has gone and how much they've grown up. They make me smile every time I see them.

The photo is pretty rubbish, sorry about that.
I've tried to make them as colourful and cheerful as possible so I've used Dovecraft Christmas papers.
The stamp is Lilly of the Valley coloured with Promarkers.
Computer generated sentiments and glitter card numbers to finish


Thanks for popping in X

Card for Tracy

We have lots of birthdays in December so I've been quite busy lately. First up it's my daughter's partner Tracy.

She loves warm colours so I've gone with coral and cream for the flowers from Wild Orchid.
Background paper is Swiss dots from The Lovely Studio in air force blue.
Doily die is Marianne designs and leaves are The Works.
Butterfly is a die from Memory Box cut from a scrap from the bit box.

Thanks for popping in X

Some of this years Christmas cards

I always make batches of Christmas cards, I find it easier and I'm less likely to run out of inspiration and good ideas.
These are the cards I've made for close family members ( parents, in laws and kids).

In green

Dark blue.

Light blue

 Purple

Papers are from a CD by Elusive Images ( now Chocolate Baroque) called Artilicious Christmas Greetings.
Dies are
Poinsettia...Spellbinders
Holly Stems...Marianne Designs
Fir tree branches...Joanna Sheen
Snow Flakes...The Works.
Small branches are a punch.
 Sentiment stamp is by Creative Expressions

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More # 385

Hello there,

I'm a bit late with my entry for the latest challenge at Less is More.
It's one layer time again and this time it's holiday cards.
Quite honestly I'm a bit fed up of holiday/ christmas cards at the moment. It seems to be all I've done for months, hopefully this will be my last one for this year. Yes...I know I'm a miserable git :D.

I won this stamp in a challenge at Pixies snippets playground ages and ages ago and to my shame this is the first time it's seen ink. So easy to colour and I think I'll be using it more next year.

Coloured with Promarkers- Leaf, pine, berry red and gold
Stamp by Penny Black
Sentiment PC generated

Thanks for popping in X

Less is More # 384, Metallics

Hello there,
It's time for another challenge at Less is More and this time it's to use Metallics.

My 93 year old mother in law was rushed into hospital a week last Saturday with multi organ failure. The staff at our local hospital have worked miracles to keep her with us and, although she's very weak and frail, she's doing very well considering.
So with this in mind I decided to make a thank you card for the staff and use the challenge for inspiration.

 I used some background card that I made a few months ago using the tissue paper method,embossed with gold EP

I die cut the sentiment from gold mirror card and used foam pads to raise it slightly.


Dies- Spellbinders, Britannia


Thanks for popping in

Less is More #383

Hi there,

It's time for a brand new challenge at Less is More and this time we are asked for Dimension on our cards.

We have an upmarket general store in a posh part of the city centre that my son works weekends at and they are looking to stock produce exclusively to them. Mainly craft beers and foods but greetings cards have been mentioned and I've been asked to submit some samples with a view to selling. I've explained it's a bit late for this Christmas but maybe I could do some for Valentines day.
I'm a bit scared to tell the truth but I'm going to give it go. Anyway I've had an idea going around my head all week and as soon as I saw the challenge details for LIM I decided to use it to put my idea to the test.

 Lots of dimension with homemade texture paste and a layered heart.

I cut out seven hearts and glued them together to give lots of depth.

A close up of the heart and tag.

So I started by making my own texture paste (I'll put the recipe at the bottom of this post) and using that on a heart stencil. from Studio 75.
While that was drying I cut out seven hearts, 4 red and 3 white using a Sizzix nesting die and glued them together alternately.
I stamped my tag with a sentiment from Flourishes and made a tag.
Once dry I cut the heart panel to size and backed it onto some red card leaving a very narrow border along the inside and bottom edges.
Then it was just a case of placing everything where I wanted them and adding a few small clear gems.
I'm quite pleased with it but if you all think it's awful, please tell me before I embarrass myself :)


Texture Paste,

1/4 cup of talcum powder. ( I used cheap baby powder and it smells lovely for quite a while)
1 TBS PVA glue
1 TBS white acrylic paint
A little water.

Mix all together adding a tiny bit of water until it has the consistency of toothpaste.

If you want coloured paste you can substitute white paint for whatever colour you need.

Right, it's back to the Christmas cards for me, thanks for popping in X

Less is More #382

Hello there,

I'm back today to share my card for the latest challenge at Less is More.
It's theme time and the theme is Tags. We can make just a tag or incorporate a tag onto a card.
This is my entry,

I started by gluing a scrap of background paper onto some card to give it some strength, then, when dry, cutting it with a tag die.
I made the circular eyelet thingy using the middle of a flower die and a spring loaded punch.
The Christmas tree is cut from Green Glitter Card.
The sentiment is stamped in clear ink and heat embossed in white powder.
Finished off with a bit of Bakers Twine.

Dies,
Tag- Die-namics, Tree- Simply Graphic.
BG Paper- Papermania, Little Red Robin pad.
Sentiment Stamp-Waltzing Mouse


Thanks for popping in x

Card for Sabine.

Hello there,

It was my future daughter in law's birthday last week and today they've told us a little secret.I'm not allowed to mention anything just yet but a scan at 12 weeks is involved. I'm so excited but ofcourse I'm sworn to secrecy 😄

Anyway I have a card to share,

I've used a gorgeous background paper from Lemoncraft, Tiny Miracles pad.
Frame is simply made using nested circles from Spellbinders.
Leaf dies are from The Works
Flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I might just have to browse through the knitting patterns now the dark nights are drawing in...

Thanks for popping in x

Simply Less is More #381

Hello there,

It's Lucky Dip time at Simply Less is More and this time we have been asked to case a DT card.

This is my take on the design,

I must admit this design looked better in my head than real life but I'm relatively pleased with it.

Dies are from, Marianne Designs,Sweet Dixie, & Nellie Snellen.
 Merry stamp is part of a set from  Waltzing Mouse.
I've added a smattering of tiny red gems.

We are decorating our hall, stairs and landing and it's taking forever. Almost finished and, hopefully I can get some more crafting in.
Thanks for popping in X

Autumn Birthday Card

Hello there

It was my daughters birthday last thursday so I'm sharing the card I made for her. She is so not a girly girl and really does NOT do pink and frilly so when she told me she loved the green card I smooshed I knew I had to use it.  And what better for a September birthday than autumn colours.

Green background paper smooshed with TH Shabby Shutters and Mowed lawn Distress Inks with a touch of Inca Gold
Leaves are smooshed with TH Fired Brick and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks and a quick squirt of gold shimmer spray.

Thank you for popping in  X

Mum's birthday card

Hello there,

It's my mum's 85th birthday today so we've to the home to see her and give her the card I made for her.

I've gone with my go to Pink Petticoat ( The Lovely Studio) Brocade paper in Willow which is a very pale green.
The frame was made using 2 wavy nested dies from Caroles crafts.
The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts
The leaves are a mix of dies from Memory Box and the Works.
Sentiment is by Rubbadubbado, stamped in Versamark Black Onyx.
I've added a scattering of tiny clear gems.

Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 1999 and had to go into a home 2007 so here we are 19 years and she's still with us. Dementia is a cruel disease that I wouldn't wish on anyone but she's being well looked after and cared for.

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More #380

Hello there,

A nice easy one this time over at Simply Less is More


Even though it's the dreaded one layer we have florals to play with. It's a very dreary, miserable day here today so I've grabbed half an hour to play with some sunshiney Sunflowers.

I've used the aptly named Sunflowers set from Flourishes stamps coloured with a mix of Promarkers and Spectrum Noir markers.
The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Apologies for the rotten photo but it's a very drab day, please can we have our sunshine back?

I'm supposed to be painting skirting boards so I'd better at least look willing and do a bit.
Thanks for popping in X

Simply Less is More # 379

Hello there

It's the beginning of a new month which means it's a colour challenge at Less is More and this time it's...

For my card I've gone with gold for the plus colour.Party because I love gold and black together and partly because September is Childhood Cancer awareness month and we are all " Going Gold".

I mentioned last time that I had my eye on some fabulous long stemmed flowers and leaf dies that I was hoping to get for Christmas. Well I decided I couldn't wait that long and raided the piggy bank for these gorgeous things. They are from Simply Graphic which is a French company. I ordered them last friday evening and they arrived this thursday and they cut beautifully. I'm in love with them and will definitely be buying more

I used my Kaisercrafts Stains stamps for the background inked in Versamark Onyx Black.
The dies are cut from gold foil card and gold glitter card.
The sentiment is by Personal Impressions

 Thank you for visiting today X

Less is More # 378

Hello there,

It's Less is More time again and this time we have a

I do like a sketch and this one is nice and simple.

I cut up some more of my smooshed and glimmered card for this one.

A close up of the sheen you get with the Glimmer mist

I've seen some fabulous long stemmed flower and leaf dies on the net, mainly from French and German sites. I'm hoping Father Christmas reads my Christmas list and surprises me with some. In the meantime I've used the Chandra Stem from Memory Box
The Hello die is from Amazon and I don't have a maker name.
I enjoyed making this card. It was so simple and easy.

Thank you for visiting x

One of those cards...

Hello there,
Earlier this week my friends partner died after being very poorly for quite a while. He was only 59 and my friend Georgina is understandably devastated. Luckily she has a good, close family unit and some great friends.
So this is one of those cards. The one's we don't really want to make but can, sometimes, be the most important one's.

I've kept it light and colourful but not too gaudy, with just a touch of black.

I used a mix of die cut flowers to get the effect I wanted
Dies; Memory Box, Tulips and Poppies. Circle and rectangle, Die- namics.
Cuttlebug embossing Folder Swiss Dots.
Sentiment, Flourishes
Small butterfly punch.


Thank you for visiting x

Less is more # 377

Hello there,

Well it's Saturday so that means another challenge at Less is More and this time the theme is...

Mmm I have two dogs but I do not have one single dog stamp in my collection. I have dog digi stamps on my PC but unfortunately my PC died on me a few months ago and I can't get at them. So after a bit of thinking and some browsing I took inspiration from Anita's 
post. I too had pet mice as a kid but we also have field mice visit the garden, usually to pinch the bird food, and I can spend hours watching them. For tiny, little chaps they can't half climb, they fascinate me. So they are my inspiration for today's entry

I used a stamp from a set by Penny Black, stamped onto white card and masked to sponge the back ground with decorative chalks.
I then coloured the image with a mix of Promarkers and Spectrum Noir pens.
I used a tag die from Die- namics to cut out the image and again with some gingham printed card  from The Lovely Studio.
I used a foam pad to mount both tags onto white card base and finished off with some yellow Bakers Twine.
The sentiment is from Sunflowers set by Flourishes

Thank you for popping in x

Less is More #376

Hi there,

First I'd like to thank you all for the lovely comments on my GT spot on the last challenge, I really appreciate them all.

So I'm popping in quickly  with my entry for this weeks Less is More challenge which is a one layer card using Stripes.

I had big plans to do something very detailed with lots of masking and stamping...and then ran out of time.
Hubby had the week off work last week so we had a few days out and now I'm playing catch up on commissioned cards and house work.
Any way I came up with a simple stamped card in bright summery colours.

The stripey circles are from a set from Artemio.
They are stamped with Versa Colour ink in Orchid, Cyan and Marigold.
The leafy branch is by Inkadinkado, Delicate Branches set, stamped in Ranger Shabby Shutters
The sentiment is by Avery Elle, Valentine set stamped in black.

In all the excitement of being chosen as the May winner and guest designer spot I forgot to show you what I chose as my prize.

I can never have enough sentiment stamps and Christmas sentiment stamps are even better. Thank you LiM and especially Winnie & Walter. My prize arrived in record time with a lovely message too.


Thank you for popping in  xxx

Mum in law's 93rd birthday

Hello there,

So last Sunday (8th) was Alan's mum's 93rd birthday. Alan and I and his 3 sisters and their husbands took Elsie for a meal at a lovely little restaurant in a small village near the east coast. We had a smashing day, lots of laughs and memories and good food.
Sadly Elsie is showing her age with some worrying symptoms at the moment so we all making the most of it while we still have her with us.

I made her a pretty but simple card
BG papers are from The lovely Studio
Dies are from Marianne Designs and The Works
Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts


Thank you for popping in X

Less is More # 375

Hello there,

I'm so chuffed and honoured to have been chosen as the May winner for Less is More and along with that, the Guest Designer for the colour challenge. The colours this time are

which just happen to be my two favourite colours.

I've been trawling the internet and mainly Pinterest for ideas for background techniques and then remembered that Loll of Stamping with Loll has some fabulous tutorials on her blog.

I made this card using the water colour tissue paper technique. Check out Lolls blog for info as it's so easy to do but so very effective and there are lots of to chose from.

I used TH Distress ink in Spiced Marmalade for the background.

I made a window in the card panel with a square die from Spellbinders and the frame was made using two Stitched Square dies from Die-namics.

I used the colour chart from The Lovely Studio to get the right shade for Olive and made it by sponging TH Shabby shutters distress ink and Memento New Sprout onto a scrap piece of card, gave it a quick squirt of gold shimmer mist before cutting the leaf with Memory Box Flutter Vine die.

The 'Smile' is cut from the same piece of card using a die from Penny Black.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today X

We love colour

Hello there,

It's our grand daughter Aminata's ( Ami)  6th birthday today. She's a very bright and vibrant little girl who loves colour, the brighter the better. She is a diva but she's gorgeous and bubbly and full of confidence and we love her to bits.

Ofcourse her card had to be just as colourful and sparkly.

The papers are from The Shabby Princess.
I used glitter card from various places to cut out the stars (Sizzix) and the letters ( forgotten which brand ).
Happy Birthday stamp is by Anita's, mounted onto some purple mirri card.

We took the card and her presents last evening and she was very impressed that the card had her name on.

Thank you for visiting  X

Engagement card.

Hello,

My eldest grand daughter and her boyfriend are celebrating their engagement today.

Her favourite colour is purple and she's already decided on a purple colour scheme for the wedding so I went along with that.
I used an old Pink Petticoat paper in lilac for the background. The corner dies are by Cottage Cutz and I've added some tiny purple gems.
A big blousy bow to finish it off.

A close up of the corner die

When I first started making cards I always used big bows and lots of ribbon because you couldn't buy anything like it in the shops, As I found new designs and different styles the ribbons got a bit neglected so I quite enjoyed getting blousy again with this one.

Thank you for visiting x

Simply Less is More #374

Hello there,

I'm here today to share my entry in the latest challenge over at Less is More

I'm sure we all have a 'bit box', I have 2. An old biscuit tin full of die cuts because I always intend to make more of a certain design and then go off the idea, and a drawer full of background card that I make and then don't know quite what to do with.

 I made lots of panels by painting Lumin/Arti cosmic shimmer paints in Kiwi, Dark Green and little bit of Ruby onto a ceramic tile and 'Smooshing' my piece of card into it. Once it was dry I gave it a quick spray of Gold Shimmer spray to give it a bit more sheen.
For this card I simply cut a rectangle with a die and placed it using foam tape.
The sprig of holly is cut from a the larger Snowflake Sprig die from gold mirri card. I've added a few red gems as berries to give it some grounding.
The sentiment is by Dovecraft.

A close up of the shimmer.

For this card I've 3 circles from another piece of card made the same way as the first.

On this one I've used the full Snowflake Sprig die, again in gold.
Sentiment is from Winnie & Walter.

My final card is using one larger circle die.
 The die cut is Freemont Pine Outline in gold.
Sentiment again is Winnie & Walter.

Rectangle and circle dies are Spellbinders.
Freemont Pine is by Poppy stamps
Snowflake Sprig is Memory Box

I have a few of these sheets left and also some in shades of blue so I think I have this years Christmas card designs all wrapped up.

Thank you for popping in x