Monday 17 December 2018

STAMPlorations CUTplorations December Reminder ...

I've just popped by to remind you that you still have time to join in with this month's challenge at CUTplorations:



Another simple design using Christmas images 'hanging' with gold thread.

I used:

                           - Bloom Happy Dies

Don't forget to check out the blog for more inspiration.

Enjoy!

Sunday 9 December 2018

AAA Cards ... Three of Something

Good Morning ... it's time for a new challenge at AAA Cards ... it is the last one for the year so why not get your crafty supplies out and join in!


  

The sponsor for the challenge is UNIKO and I've used one of the stamp sets to create a simple CAS card ...



I stamped and heat embossed the bells with gold embossing powder.  I also embossed the edge of the focal image and he sentiment.

I used:
UNIKO - Jingle Bells
            - Simply Said
WOW Embossing Powder
Versamark Ink

I hope you will join in with the challenge ... I look forward to seeing all of your creations.

Enjoy!

Monday 3 December 2018

STAMPlorations CUTplorations December Challenge ...

A new month and time for a new CUTplorations challenge at STAMPlorations - this month's inspiration:

It will be no surprise that the image is about Christmas - I hope you have all your cards ready to send, if not then why not take inspiration from the photograph and get making!!!

I've taken the idea of hanging images as decorations:




I die cut three circles from a left over piece of card created with alcohol inks and also from vellum.  I then die cut the circles using a section of a cover plate die to create the pattern and adhered them to the vellum to create Christmas baubles.  Sometimes it pays to look at your dies with a fresh eye and see if you can use them in a way they were not intended to be used. I stamped the sentiment using part of a Christmas Typographia stamp resulting in a card made by selective die cutting and selective stamping!!

I used:
STAMPlorations - Bloomtangled 1 Cover Plate Die
                              - Shaker Balloons #2 Star
                              - Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Dies
                              - Peace, Love and Joy Christmas Typographia Stamp

I look forward to seeing all of your creations.

Enjoy!

Sunday 25 November 2018

More Christmas ...

Good afternoon ... more progress this afternoon with the Christmas card production!!

A design I liked enough to make three cards:



I stamped and heat embossed a poinsettia background stamp and the water coloured the flowers using distress inks.  I then cut the panel into three and layered the image with a narrow gold card layer.  Gold heat embossed the sentiment and layered the whole panel with gold card.

I'm entering the following challenge:

UNIKO #50


Addicted to Stamps and More #319
 

Enjoy!

AAA Cards ... Mostly White

Morning!  We've reached that point in the year when I realise, that in spite of good intentions, I am way behind with my Christmas card making!!!  I keep trying to find one design that I like and, almost more important, is quick to make and I enjoy making it.

So down to business ... it is time for a new challenge at AAA Cards ... tis time we are looking for CAS cards that are mostly white.



I love the challenge (and frustration) of creating 'white on white' cards and am amazed by the stunning array of cards that you can see using this technique.  My card is not complex or complicated but I do like it.



I die cut three of the star wreaths - 2 from plain white card and one from a shimmery, shiny card, stacked them together and added them to the card base. Stamped and heat embossed the sentiment and attached it with some foam squares for dimension.  Simple design, simple layout.

I used:
Creative Expressions: Festive Collection - Star Wreath
UNIKO: Pure Florals: Poinsettia for the sentiment
Wow Silver Embossing Powder
Versamark Ink

I hope that I've inspired you to get out your supplies and join in with the challenge.

Enjoy!

Saturday 24 November 2018

One Layer Christmas ...

Good evening ... another card for the Christmas stash!!



I stamped and gold heat embossed the baubles, holly and sentiment.  I water coloured the leaves and berries just to give a pop of colour.

I used:
STAMPlorations - Sherry Russ Designs Christmas Baubles
WOW Gold Embossing Powder
Distress Inks - Festive Berries and Pine Needles

I'm entering the following challenges:
"Less is More" #385

Stamping Sensations November Challenge
"Get Ready for Christmas"

Enjoy!

Thursday 22 November 2018

Wreath twofer ...

Good evening!! I hope you are well and keeping warm ... it has been bitterly cold in Oxfordshire today a sure sign that winter is on the way.  I've popped by to share a couple of cards that have taken me ages to make - you'll wonder why when you see them!! Unfortunately procrastination seems to be my enemy at the moment!! 




I stamped and heat embossed a panel with a background poinsettia stamp which I then water coloured using zig real brush markers.  The panel looked lovely as it was but I was determined to try and "think outside of the box" to create a design that looked a little different so I took the wreath die and cut up the panel!! The above is the result ... not quite a traditional wreath but it pleases me!




For my second card I used the same wreath die set, a butterfly die and a scrap of gelli printed card.  I think it's clear how it came together to create a minimalist, clean and simple design.

I'm entering the following challenges:

Twofer Card Challenge #11 - both cards


UNIKO Challenge #50 - the Christmas card


Enjoy!

Friday 16 November 2018

STAMPlorations CUTplorations November Reminder ...

Have you joined in with this month's CUTplorations challenge? If you haven't joined in yet then I'm hoping that I can inspire you to get crafting and have a go!




You will find it easy to spot how the image inspired me!!



I began with some Yupo card and alcohol inks to create some bespoke designer paper - one in reds, yellows and oranges and the other with a selection of greens. I then die cut lots of flowers and leaves, adhered them to the card to make a wreath - some flat to the card and others with foam tape to add dimension and interest.  The sentiment was cut many times from black card and then adhered together in a stack.

I used:

STAMPlorations - Trendy Spring Bloom Dies
                              - Smile

I hope you will be inspired to join in with the challenge - whether you have time to join in or not it will be worth you while visiting STAMPlorations blog and checking out the other designer's creations.

Enjoy!

Sunday 11 November 2018

AAA Cards ... On the Move

It's that time again ... new challenge at AAA Cards


My card to inspire you ...


A very simple design with just some stamping and water colouring leaving lots of 'white space'.

I used
STAMPlorations - The Bee's Knees - Houses.
UNIKO - Simply Said
Zig Real Brush Clean Color Markers

Enjoy!


Friday 9 November 2018

STAMPlorations new release ...

It's exciting times at STAMPlorations today - we have a new release of some fabulous coffee cup dies - they are simply beautiful.  There is an opportunity linked to the release for you to be in with the chance of winning one of the dies - all you need to do is visit the designers and leave a comment.  Fancy taking a look at the projects you could make ... I've a couple of projects to share:

First up, one design two ways - the negative and the positive:


On the left:

For this one I die cut the detail twice - first in white card and then in a piece of a gelli print and pieced the blue into the white.

On the right:

For this one I used the outline die cut when the pieces for the first one were removed - I hope this makes sense!!

My final project :



For this one I went for the Christmas twist.  I die cut the solid die first from red card and the detailed die from some designer Christmas paper.  Added some 'froth' to the top of the mug and a Christmas sentiment - i also added some Wink of Stella marker to add some sparkle to the froth and sentiment.

I used:
STAMPlorations:
Zen Coffee Cup Layering Dies
Merry Christmas Word Art Die - I cropped the die cut and just used Christmas
ATC Tag Builder - I used part of the set to create the 'froth'
Lowercase Alphabet Plate Die

As part of the release if you decide to buy you will get a 15% discount in addition if you use this code - STAMPGIRLELAINE you will get an extra 20% off!!

I hope that I have inspired you to pop across to the STAMPlorations blog and check out the amazing designs from the rest of the Design Team - I just know that you will not be disappointed!

Enjoy!

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Christmas wreath ...

A quick post to share this:

This card is a five inch square


Created mainly using a die set, alcohol ink coloured yupo and some kraft card.  A simple design that is easily replicated - I also made a smaller version:

This card is a four inch square
I just can't decide which version I like the best!!

I used:
Creative Expressions - Stitched Collection - Wreath

I'm entering the "Less is More" challenge #383



Enjoy!

Monday 5 November 2018

STAMPlorations CUTplorations November challenge ...

Who can believe that it is November already ... and time for a new challenge at CUTplorations... are you ready to get creating?!  This month's inspiration is:

  

This is my take on the photograph:



A simple take on the photograph.

I used:
STAMPlorations - Trendy Leaves 2
                                 Trendy Leave 2 Coordinating Dies
                                 Thanks
Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Crushed Olive

I hope you will find time to join in with the challenge ... it will certainly be worth your while popping across and checking out the design team projects.

Enjoy!

Sunday 4 November 2018

Penguin Choir ...

I am delighted and excited to share this card with you as I'm a guest designer over at Stamping Sensations.  As far as challenges go, this year has not been very successful for me - however in September  I was very lucky to be chosen by the design team at Stamping Sensations as a winner.  I won a voucher from Bee Crafty and was also invited to be Guest Designer for November!!  

The theme for the November challenge is 'Get Ready for Christmas' - 



This involved lots and lots of masking and stamping to create a choir of penguins!!

I used:

Lawn Fawn - Here We Go-A-Waddling
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Zig Markers

I hope that you will pop along and join in with the challenge.

Enjoy!

Sunday 28 October 2018

Simply Santa ...

Good evening!! Popping by to share this card - another in my Christmas collection:



A simple design with a little dimension for added interest.

I was inspired by the new challenge at "Less is More"

Enjoy!

AAA Cards ... Kindness

Wow, it's almost the end of October ... can you believe it there are only two months left of 2018!  It is time for a new challenge at AAA Cards




I used:
STAMPlorations - Succulently Stamp set
Zig Real Brush Color Markers

Kindness can take many forms but sometimes sending a card to someone for no real reason is one of the kindest things that we can do - I know I still get a thrill when the postman brings post that isn't a bill!!

I hope you'll find time to create a card.

Enjoy!