A "framed" picture

I'm here today with another grown up card - well, for me anyway!  It's a thank you card for Steve's Godfather who is in his 80's so I used one of the gorgeous Lili of the Valley art pads...

I think the bow makes it a bit girly but it looked too plain without it!  This gorgeous image is from the English Charm art pad - love these beautiful pre-coloured images.  I used some paper from the Promises paper pad and sentiment from the Handwritten Phrases set.  I also used my Hero Arts woodgrain stamp on some kraft cardstock to create the "photo frame".

I hope you are enjoying my grown up cards - I'm enjoying making them although I still much prefer my cutesy cards!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll be back next week some time - ttfn!

Lili of the Valley sneak peek!

Hi everyone!  Thought I'd show you a sneak peek of the upcoming new Lili of the Valley Christmas release!

So darn cute!  But of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from LOTV!  This sweetie is called Penguin Presents and I matched him up with my Quickutz snowflakes embossing folder and First Edition papers.

There are more sneak peeks over at the Ideas to Inspire blog here so go check them out!

 

Wednesdays Trends: using negative die cuts

(Please scroll down for my All That Scraps DT post!)

Hi everyone, it's Mary J here with this week's Wednesday trends.  Today I want to show you ways to use the "negative" pieces from die cutting.  I've been using this technique more and more recently as I love my dies but wanted to get more out of them.  You may want to get a cup of tea and settle in as I have a few examples to show you! 

So, first up is this very simple form of this technique...

You know, I think this is one of my most favourite images EVER!  This cheeky monkey is from the Jungle Out There set by illustrator Melyssa Connolly.  As you can see, I simply lined up a couple of die clouds using low tack tape on a piece of white cardstock, put it through my die cutting machine and then popped it on foam pads over some blue patterned paper for extra depth.  I then layered a couple more cloud die cuts to create a bit more interest.  I am entering this card into the Simon Says anything goes challenge.

Now on my second card (using the same Jungle Out There set) I did a similar thing but I first die cut the label, used a wood grain stamp on it and then die cut the leaves.  The trick here is to keep the die as simple as possible otherwise intricate die cuts can get "lost" in the patterns. 

So I have one more example to show you.  This time I used the beautiful Blossom By Blossom set by illustrator Torico.  I die cut a large flower from a piece of white cardstock and then ran it through my machine with an embossing folder to create more interest...

Well I hope I have inspired you to try this technique to get more from your dies.  If you have any other way you use this technique, please leave me a comment here with a link to your project as I would love to see it!  See you tomorrow with my Bellarific Babe card - ttfn!

 

Shades of Green

Happy Monday everybody!  Well, I must start by saying that I'm not very impressed with the UK Spring.  We are in the South East corner of England and it should be at least getting warmer, but instead it's...snowing!!!  What the heck is going on?!  I hear it's got something to do with global warming and we can expect more variable weather.  Bleh.

Okay, rant over.  Today is Monday which means a new challenge has opened over at There She Goes and this week the theme is "shades of green".

I assume this was chosen for the plants starting to typically grow now it's Spring - well it ain't happening!  :)  But then again, am I too bothered?  It will only mean I'll have to get out and do some gardening and, as you know, I HATE that!  Okay, before I start a rant about the weather and gardening again, here is my card...

This card didn't turn out exactly like I expected it to - it meant to have a lot more green in it!  I love this cute zebra.  It's from the Jungle Out There set by illustrator Melyssa Connolly.  This is such a great set - 6 cute images and a ton of funny matching sentiments.  I stamped one of the sentiments onto a Lil' Inker Designs stitched sentiment flag.  I used Crate Paper Brook collection papers and I used my Hero Arts wood grain stamp to create the frame.  I popped the frame and the circle mat onto foam pads to give it some depth.  I am entering this card into Simon Says Stamp for a touch of green.

Check out more greenery over at the There She Goes blog here - I hope you get a chance to join in with us.  You don't need to use TSG stamps but of course we love to see you use them!  The prize is a $5 gift certificate to the store and you could find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday!

Okay, I am off but I will see you tomorrow with my Doodlelicious Diva card!

Make It Crafty shabby chic style

Hello, I'm today with something a little different.  Instead of getting out my Copics to colour in the yummy Make It Crafty super cool stamps, today I wanted to showcase some of the gorgeous chipboard in store.  So without further ado, here is my make...

I just luuuurve Make It Crafty chipboard - it is so delicate and detailed, just stunning!  I covered the chipboard first with Colorbox pigment ink in Frost White (I find it's one of the best opaque inks out there) and then lightly dabbed Tsukineko Brilliance ink in Pearlescent Beige to subtly age it.  I used papers by Michele R Designs called Peony Garden and softly distressed the edges.

MiC goodies I used:

Oriental Bird

I hope you like my shabby chic card!  See you later with my Kraftin' Kimmie guest designer card!

Gnome place like gnome!

Hi everyone and a very happy Monday to you!  I'm in a romantic mood today as it is our 5th year wedding anniversary and 15 years in total together - whew!   Today is also my guest designer day over at Pixie Dust Studios and here is what I made...

I just adore this sweet image!  This is Gnome Playtime from the Gnome World collection and he's just perfect for a thinking of you or missing you theme.  I didn't need to add much to it so I simply heat embossed a wood grain stamp and added those sweet hearts (Of The Hearts by Lil' Inker Designs here).

I hope you have enjoyed my little bit of Pixie Dust Studios inspirations today - I will be back in two week's time with something else!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Crafts and me - stitching (stitched die hearts)
• Simon Says Stamp - fruity (peaches in the tree)
• Totally Papercrafts - lots of layers
• Digi Makeover - digi dimension (I popped the whole image onto foam pads)

New Little Miss Muffet release and FAB news!

It's new release time over at Little Miss Muffet and also some fab news!  As many of you know, Pollycraft is closing down - but the good news is that Paula's gorgeous designs aren't disappearing!!  We have exciting news to share - Paula has teamed up with Barbara of Little Miss Muffet and now some of your favorite characters will be appearing at Little Miss Muffet Stamps!  There are even 2 NEW images that are being released today - Swings 'n Slides Butterflies and Luna Bitterfrost Birthdays Rock!!   I know this news is going to please a lot of you!  We will be showcasing lots of Pollycraft inspiration tomorrow!  And now for more fab news! 

Barbara will be out of town for the weekend but she has a special release offer - place any order between now and Sunday and receive a random digi for free!  Don't worry - she'll make sure it's a Little Misses digi that you don't already have.  :D  This offer will last until Sunday, June 10, at midnight Central US Time.  Then all orders will be fulfilled the next day and your fun can begin!

Okay, so onto my make using the new Park Glen Door die...

Isn't it fabulous - you all know how much I love my dies and this one goes straight to the top of the list!  Can you see the detail - the handle, plate and hinges - amazing!  I love the screen door and wanted to create a wallpaper feel for inside the house.  The topiary bushes are made out of Nestie circles with teeny tiny Fiskars punched flowers - I loved how this came out!

You can check out more gorgeous DT inspiration over at the blog here! I'll be back later with my All That Scraps preview card!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Penny's Paper-Crafty - anything goes
• Catch The Bug - anything goes
• Bunny Zoe's - anything goes
• Scrapbook Sisters - anything goes
• Crafting For All Seasons - many layers
• Papertake Weekly - anything goes 

Get on your broomstick!

Hi everyone and I hope you are all having a fab weekend!  Today I have another Halloween make to share with you using those gorgeous Quixotic Paperie goodies!

I just love love love Make It Crafty goodies!  I used their Make It Crafty Witchy Wanda matched up with Pink Paislee Hocus Pocus papers and Bazzill Basics kraft cardstock. 


For the embellishing I used Make It Crafty Fancy Ribbon Sliders with 8mm flat backed pearls in the centres and the corner laser cut chipboard is from the Make It Crafty Love Heart Swirls set topped with a 4mm flat backed pearl.  I first inked up the chipboard die cuts with antique gold metallic ink and then "tarnished" them with Rangers Jet Black Archival ink pad.  Here's a close up to show you the tarnishing that I'm pretty proud of!

You can see more of the new releases of these gorgeous goodies here...

* MAKE IT CRAFTY *NEW* RUBBER! *

*WHIMSY STAMPS RESTOCKS & LATEST RELEASE*
*MAKE IT CRAFTY CHRISTMAS CHIPBOARD*

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Crafty Calendar challenge - spooky!
• Craft Your Passion - anything goes with ribbon
• The Paper Shelter - Halloween
• Meljens Designs - Halloween
• Crafty Ribbons - Halloween
• Fussy and Fancy Friday challenge - Halloween
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Halloween

School is Cool at the Take the Pixie challenge!

(Please scroll down for my Cupcake Craftroom DT post!)

Hi all!  It's another Take the Pixie challenge and the theme is...

School is Cool!

Well, I never enjoyed school so I can't agree, lol!  But I loved making my card for this challenge...

 

Look at those suepr sweet curls!  This is Pearl of Wisdom - such a fabby image to colour in!  I matched her up with Cosmo Cricket The Boyfriend papers and used Hero Arts pencil and ruler stamp.

I hope you can join in with us this week!  The other DT creations are so inspirational and you can see them here!


I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Totally Papercrafts - back to school
• Allsorts - back to school
• The Stamping Boutique - back to school
• Sketchy Thursday - although I've missed the deadline, I used Tracy's fabby sketch again...

 

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket The Boyfriend paper pad

Stamps: Pixie Dust Studios Pearl of Wisdom, PC printed sentiment, Hero Arts pencil and ruler stamps

Mediums: Copics
Accents: Stampin Up twill (get my SU stash from Nic The Sticky Elf)
Tools: Tim Holtz distressing tool
 

Tag time over at Take the Pixie challenge!

It's still my birthday and I'm still celebrating my birthday with tons of housework!!!!!  Hmmph (as blog mate Kerry would say!). Here (in spirit of course with this scheduled post!) is my DT card for this week's Take the Pixie Challenge is to tag it!  Here is my take on it...

 

 

I just adore this image!  It is called Pocket of Love and I just love their huge eyes!  And look - no designer papers!  I used Core'dinations vintage look cardstock and went a bit mad with my ripping, distressing tool and lots of edge inking!  Untidy, just like a real boy!  That woodgrain is a Hero Arts background stamp that I embossed with Adirondack embossing powder in coffee and the material is from an old pair of jeans - thought it would match nicely with that stamp!

That's it from me today - enjoying the rest of my birthday!


I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Forever Friends monthly challenge - a pocket card (does this count?!)
• Totally Gorjuss - animals
• Crafty Creations - your inner animal
• Whimsie Doodles - anything goes
• Paper Pretties - create your own background using a stamp

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Core'dinations cardstock

Stamps: Pixie Dust Studios Pocket of Love, Hero Arts dots background, CC Designs sentiments

Mediums: Copics
Accents: ribbon and kraft tag from stash
Tools: Distressing Tool, Nestabilitie label die inside card

Primary colour challenge over at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps!

It's time for the Sparkles Creations Rubber Stamps challenge #54 and this week it is a colour challenge - primary colours!  You can use two or all three of the colours - can't wait to see what you make for this!  I decided to be brave and use all three!

 

 

Soda Jenny sure looks like she's enjoying her drink!  I should imagine it's a refreshing slushy!  I used papers from the Echo Park Little Boy paper collection with a dash of bright yellow in the ribbon and dotty background!  I also used the sketch over at CPS that Sparkles Creations is sponsoring this week - another chance to win Sparkle Creations goodies!

Our challenge is open to all players. Each week a random winner will be chosen to win their very own SCRS rubber stamp!  In order to qualify for a prize, you must use a Sparkle Creations image on your creation.  You can see more gorgeous DT inspiration here...

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Alice Wertz

Amber Hight

Elena Joldersma

Kadie Ensley

Kim Yu

Mary Johnson (me!)

Piali Biswas

Shaela Odd

Simonne Clay

Sparkle Smith

Stephanie Kraft

Tanya Johnson

 

And don't forget this month's featured chatacter is Oliver with a 15% off offer!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Stampavie and more - card for a girl
• My Mum's Craft Shop - summer time
• Simon Says Stamp - food/drink
• Crafty Sentiments - no sentiment (not sure if the inside counts or not!)
• Sweet Stampin' - card for the little ones

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Echo Park Little Boy paper collection

Stamps: SCRS Karber Soda Jenny (including sentiment inside card), Hero Arts dots background

Mediums: Copics
Accents: ribbon from stash
Tools: Fiskars border punch, Nestabilitie dies, Corner Chomper

Femme fatale!

Hiya!  It's Thursday which means I'm here with my week's make using some gorgeous Quixotic Inspiration goodies! This week I used the super sexy, super cool Victoria Case for SCACD Femme Fatale...

 

 As you can see - lots of BLING!!  To create some interest, I used my Bazzill Jewel Templates to create the swirls with 4mm red flat backed pearls to create that beautiful swirl and used the Whimsy Friendship Ticket Sentiment for the insides.  And do you see that fabulous bow? I used my Bow Easy Template to make it before sticking it to the matting - easy peasy!  I also used a 6mm pearl for the centre of my red felt rose - the finishing touch!

And before I go, don't forget to check out the....

*NEW* MAKE IT COLOUR BLENDING CARD

*NEW* WHIMSY STAMPS	*NEW* KRAFTIN' KIMMIE	*NEW* GRAPHIC 45
*NEW* MARIANNE D DIES, PAPERS, RIBBONS	*NEW* VICTORIA CASE SCACD	*NEW* MAKE IT CRAFTY
*NEW* SOME ODD GIRL	*NEW* WOOD EMBELLISHMENTS	*NEW* SEW-EASY

And don't forget to treat yourselves to the mega....!!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Totally Papercrafts - girly girls
• Allsorts - free and easy
• St Luke's - black and white and one other colour (red!)