Wednesday 27 September 2017

Jingle all the way

It's time for another challenge with us at the

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with
Challenge #142 - Anything Goes

The sponsors for this challenge are: 
Alicia Bell
Image result for alicia bel digital image
PRIZE: $10 Euros

Prize: 3 Digital Images

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the super cute Elf With Gifts digital stamp from Alicia Bel, one of our generous sponsors this week, to make a fun pop-up Christmas card.


I started with a cut file for a pop-up card on my Silhouette Cameo design mat and sized the Elf to suit then printed it on X-Press It blending card.  I heat set the image and coloured with Copic markers, fussy cut then went around the edges with a black marker.



I cut the pop up sections for the tree, gift and snow drifts using my Cameo then manually cut the card base, front panel and patterned paper panels on my craft mat.  I had plans to use some "real" bells on my card, so I found a font that looked jolly and cut out "jingle" several times using the PN Lady Bug Bold Font in 150pt.  I layered five of each letter together for dimension and coloured the top layer with Copic markers.


The three tiered tree was smothered with liquid adhesive and glitter before assembling.  It was finished off with pink rhinestones.  I coloured the gift box with Copic markers.


The layers were assembled with liquid adhesive,with the sentiment being last to go in place.  Sadly I only had small silver bells in my stash, so I tried going over them with a Copic marker ... all I can say is YR24 sure works a treat!  Gold thread was knotted on to each bell and then they were tied around the "g" for some extra jingle and fun.

The cool thing about this card is that it folds flat, with only the bells adding to the bulk.  It still fits nicely in a 6x6 card, so it should make for a happy surprise when opened.

Here are a few more pics to show the dimension of this fancy fold.

   

   



*** INGREDIENTS ***
Alicia Bel digital stamp -  Elf With Gifts
Copic markers - skin - E0000-000-00-11 + R01
Copic markers - eye - B000-00-01-02-04
Copic markers - hair - E21-23-25-27
Copic markers - clothes - YG01-03-25 + B01-02-04 + YR60-65-68
Copic markers - bell - Y00-11-15 + YR23-24
Copic markers - Santa sack & hat - RV00-21-23-25
Copic markers - jingle sentiment - RV00-21-23-25
Copic markers - gift box & bow - RV00-21-23-25 + YG01-03-25
glitter - hat trim - American Crafts WOW! - white
glitter - tree - American Crafts WOW! - Key Lime, Citron and Emerald
Memento Tuxedo Black dual tip marker - to go around edges of fussy cut image
Kaisercraft - Mint Twist Collection - Peppermint
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - white
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - Primaries
XXX and XXX
Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #167041
pop up box card Christmas Cat by Lori Whitlock
Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #137615
PN Lady Bug Bold by ScrapNFonts 
"real" jingle bells
gold thread
Wink Of Stella clear glitter brush - on elf hat bell
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the sentiment

~~~*~~~*~~~
Sending a big Thank You to Alicia Bel for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #142 with us at the Crafty Gals Corner.
    
~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~

A Bit More Time To Craft - Challenge #52 - Anything Goes
ABC Christmas Challenge - S for Sketch, T for Trio
I have a trio of  bells dangling from my sentiment
CCC Digi Creations - Challenge #81 - Three Of A Kind
there are three bells dangling from my sentiment
Come And Get It Challenges - Anything Goes FUN
Crafting By Designs - Let's Get Ready For Christmas September Edition
Day Dreamer Challenges - Challenge #3 - Always Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - WK38 - Anything Goes
Dragonfly Dreams - September 2017 Challenge - Patterned Paper
Fabrika Fantasy - Challenge #13 - Add Pearls / Gems
Happy Little Stampers - HLS Christmas Challenge Septmber 2017
Anything Goes - optional twist - Sparkle
my tree has lots of glittery sparkle, so does the trim on the hat
Incy Wincy Designs - 18th Sep to 2nd Oct - Unconventional Christmas
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #101 - Anything Goes
My Besties Art Spain - Challenge#17 - Anything Goes + Stamp
+ optional theme The Symbol Of Peace
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #125 Anything Goes
option Use The Colours Orange And Brown
my card has three metal bells that really do jingle & ding
my card is a side pop-up which has lots of surprise dimension
optional theme Picture Inspiration

Monday 25 September 2017

a real HOOT of a hop with The Stencil Specialist

Are you ready to hop along, be inspired and have the chance to win too?

Well you're in the right place!

It is time for the September Blop Hop with Julie and the Design Team at the

The Stencil Specialist is the Australian Wholesaler for Stampendous products and much, much more.

The prize for one lucky winner is the beautiful 
STAMPendous Owl Clock Cling Rubber Stamp


You can start the Blog Hop HERE at The Stencil Specialist
but before you go, I do hope you will check out my projects using the beautiful Stampendous Owl Clock Cling Rubber Stamp and leave a comment for your chance to be a lucky winner.

To enter for your chance to win, all you need to do is leave a comment on one or all of the Designers Blogs, one comment equals one entry, four comments equals four entries.  Only one comment per blog please.  Please include what state you live in, as this competition is open to Australian residents only.  Entries close midnight Friday 29th September AEST

The Stencil Specialist - Julie
Donna
Robyn
Tracy - that's me and you're here
    
~~~*~~~*~~~

Julie stretched out creative limits this month by adding a twist.

We were challenged to create a Christmas project using the
Stampendous Owl Clock Cling Rubber Stamp.

... and I have to confess that I was challenged and that is GOOD!
Being challenged pushes our creative limits and gets us to work outside our comfort zone, learning so much along the way => Thank You Julie!

Once we were given the Christmas theme, my mind kept returning to Steampunk ideas, with lots of gears/cogs and metallics.

Here is my Steampunk Christmas card.


It is an 8"x 8" top fold.

I printed the image on X-press It blending card and coloured with Copic markers, fussy cut then went around the edges with a black marker.

I cut the patterned paper and printed the sentiment before assembling my card.
The font I used for the sentiment is Comic Sans MS
... wondering if the owl ate the mice?

I die cut bundles of cogs / gears from metallic cardstock and created a Christmas tree, layering different sizes and colours together for cheery Christmas decorations.


I tucked some mistletoe under the gears framing the top of the card,
so the owl is ready and waiting for a festive kiss.

... better photos to come when the sun is shining.

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Stampendous Owl Clock Cling Rubber Stamp
MISTI
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
X-Press It A4 Blending Card
Copic markers - feathers - E30-31-33-35-37
Copic markers - eyes - Y18-38
Copic markers - beak - Y18 + YR23-24
Copic markers - vest & bow tie - G20-21-24 + R22-24-27
Copic markers - top hat - C-3-5-7
Copic markers - books
R20-21-22-24-27
B0000-91-93-95-97
G20-21-24-28
E21-23-25-27
W00-0-1-3
Copic markers - clock - Y00-11-15 + YR23-24-27 + W00-0-1-3
Copic markers - clock feathers - B0000-91-93
glasses & buttons - Kaisercraft metallic gel pen
Sizzix Thinlets Die Set - Gearhead
Couture Creations - Decorative Die - Be Merry Collection - Holly Berry Sprig
Paper Smooches - Stars Dies
rhinestones
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the patterned paper
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the cogs / gears

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Julie from The Stencil Specialist for supplying the Stampendous Owl Clock Cling Rubber Stamp that I used today.

I know that the lucky winner from this September Blog Hop Giveaway will have wonderful inky adventures with this stamp, so don't forget to leave a comment with your state (Australian residents only) for your chance to win this beautiful stamp and then head on over to The Stencil Specialist blog to complete the Blog Hop.

We have a Blog Hop with prizes every month, so you might want to follow me so that you don't miss out on Stampendous inspiration and more chances to win with The Stencil Specialist.

~~~*~~~*~~~
I'm going to enter my card in the following challenges:
~~~*~~~*~~~

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Challenge #6 - Anything With A Critter Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft - Challenge #52 - Anything Goes
ABC Christmas Challenge - S for Sketch, T for Trio
I have a trio of  stars layered on my steampunk Christmas tree and used three die sets
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Week 434 - Things With Wings
Cupcake Inspirations - CIC424
Come And Get It Challenges - Anything Goes FUN
Day Dreamer Challenges - Challenge #2 - Always Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - WK37 - Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - HLS Christmas Challenge Septmber 2017
Anything Goes - optional twist - Sparkle
there is a lot of sparkle on the owls glasses & buttons,
the metallic cardstock cogs have plenty of sparkle too
Happy Little Stampers - HLS September Anything Goes with Dies Challenge
Incy Wincy Designs - 18th Sep to 2nd Oct - Unconventional Christmas
Jingle Belles - Christmas Tic-Tac-Toe
I have used red, metallic cardstock and bling
optional theme Picture Inspiration

Paint the flying spirit of the birds rather than its feathers

Friday 22 September 2017

Another inky CAS card

I have a new addiction ... misting!



I placed the Autumn Points cling rubber stamp in my MISTI (foam layer removed) and stamped it twice on a piece of a smooth white cardstock panel using Memento Expresso Truffle Ink.  I took the panel and misted it with a combination of  Woven Burlap, Kraft and Moss Glimmer Mist, drying it each time between each colour.  I put the panel back in my MISTI, stamped again to darken the leaf design then fussy cut them all.

I took a 6" x 6" card base, placed it in my MISTI (with foam layer in place), aligned the stamp against where I was going to place the burlap panel then printed it twice with Memento Expresso Truffle Ink.  I adhered the burlap panel panel in place using dots of liquid adhesive.  I curled the leaves with a small paint brush handle, added some foam dots towards the outer edges and liquid adhesive to the stem ends and adhered them in place over the burlap panel.  The combination of curling, foam  dots and adhering directly against the burlap panel gives a delicate, natural dimension.





There is so much sparkle and shine that it is difficult to capture in a photo.  The leaves are a delicate mix of three different Glimmer Mist shades and as you move the card around, the colours in the leaves change between gold, brown and green.



   

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Stampendous Autumn Points cling rubber stamp - leaves
Winnie & Walter - clear stamp set - A Tree For All Seasons - sentiment
MISTI - the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented
Memento Expresso Truffle Ink Pad
Glimmer Mist - Woven Burlap, Kraft and Moss
heat tool
burlap
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid adhesive - to adhere the glitter panel, burlap & leaves

~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my cards in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~

A Bit More Time To Craft - Challenge #52 - Anything Goes
AAA Cards - CAS Game #99 - Autumn Colours
CCC Digi Creations - Challenge #81 - Three Of A Kind
Creative Fingers Challenge Blog - Challenge #136 - Anything Goes
Day Dreamer Challenges - Challenge #2 - Always Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - WK37 - Anything Goes
Get Creative Challenges - Challenge #62 - Autumn / Fall
Morgan's ArtWorld - Challenge #19 - Anything Goes
QKR Stampede - Challenge #261 - Anything Goes
Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog - September Challenge - Colour Brown
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: Shimmer and Shine
the leaves have a delicate shimmer and shine from 3 shades of Glimmer Mist
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: Pop It Up
the leaves are popped with foam dots
Star Stampz - Colors of Fall / Autumn Challenge
The Crazy Challenge - CCH #257 - Autumn
Winnie & Walter - Rerun No. 23 - A Tree For All Seasons

Monday 18 September 2017

Thankful for YOU

Yes, I am Thankful for YOU,
each and EVERY one of you that come to visit!

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have combined stamping, misting, delicate sparkle, glitter, fussy cutting and burlap with a sketch to make a CAS card.



The two stamp sets I used worked perfectly together, even though they are from different companies.  The sentiment is a beautiful mix of fonts and there is so much amazing detail in the leaves.

I cut a length of burlap to fit my 5"x7" card base and trimmed it down to make a narrow strip.  I trimmed a strip of sparkling orange glitter cardstock to fit the burlap panel and adhered the burlap on top by adding tiny dots of liquid adhesive.

I placed the cling rubber stamp in my MISTI (foam layer removed) and stamped it twice on a piece of a smooth cream cardstock panel using Memento Expresso Truffle Ink.  I took the panel and misted it with a combination of  Woven Burlap, Kraft and Moss Glimmer Mist, drying it each time between each colour.  I put the panel back in my MISTI, stamped again to darken the leaf design then fussy cut them all, giving a delicate curl to the tips for some extra dimension.

I took a 5"x7" card base and placed it in my MISTI (with foam layer in place), aligned the stamp against where I was going to place the burlap panel then printed it twice with Memento Expresso Truffle Ink.  I went over the sentiment with my Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter brush to give it a delicate sparkle and shine to match the leaves and orange glitter panel.

I adhered the orange glitter - burlap panel panel in place then adhered the leaves.

   

There is so much sparkle that it is difficult to capture in a photo.  The orange glitter cardstock is a vibrant orange, the leaves are a delicate mix of three different Glimmer Mist shades and the sentiment has a luscious Wink Of Stella sparkle.  As you move it around, the colours in the leaves change.





*** INGREDIENTS ***
Stampendous Autumn Points cling rubber stamp - leaves
Winnie & Walter - clear stamp set - A Tree For All Seasons - sentiment
MISTI - the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented
Memento Expresso Truffle Ink Pad
Glimmer Mist - Woven Burlap, Kraft and Moss
heat tool
burlap
DCWV - 6" Glitter Cardstock Stack
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid adhesive - to adhere the glitter panel, burlap & leaves

~~~*~~~*~~~
You can see more of my cards using the Autumn Points cling rubber stamp by clicking on the images below.
   

~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my cards in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

Wednesday 13 September 2017

With all my heart . . . at the Crafty Gals Corner

It's time for another challenge with us at the

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with
Challenge #140 - Add A Heart/s

The sponsor for this challenge is:


Prize: $15 Gift Certificate

~~~*~~~*~~~
Today I have used the delightful Josephine digital stamp from our generous sponsor  The Paper Shelter to make an A5 top folding card.



I used a sketch that caught my eye a couple of weeks ago.
You can see it HERE on the Just For Fun Rubber Stamps Challenge Blog.

I printed the image on X-Press It Blending Card, heat set then coloured with Copic markers.  I added a touch of clear Wink of Stella to Josephine's golden brooch then decided that the background "needed" something more, so I went around the white areas with the Wink of Stella glitter brush then added a touch of blue with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.

I cut all the layers and adhered them to the A5 card base.  I punched some dark blue hearts for the strips, layering them together for extra dimension.  They blended in to the background too much, so I punched some more hearts and coloured them with red Copic markers to match the feathers and flowers, giving them even more POP!

My punches have been getting a real workout lately.  I gathered together a bundle of Fiskars and Sullivans flower punches and punched lots of them in the blues and green of the card base then layered them together, topping each one off with a rhinestone.  Before adhering any of the flowers in place, I die cut the sentiment several times, layering four of the light blue together with a navy blue offset at the bottom.  Once the sentiment was secured, I placed the flowers around the bottom of the image panel and sentiment, popping some up with foam dots for even more dimension in the clusters.



 

*** INGREDIENTS ***
The Paper Shelter - digital stamp - Josephine 
X-Press It - A5 blending card
Copic markers - skin - E0000-000-00-11 + R01
Copic markers - lips - R21-22
Copic markers - eyes - YG03-25-67
Copic markers - hair - E3031-33-35-37
Copic markers - clothes - B0000-91-93-95-97
Copic markers - brooch - YG23-24  + Y08
Copic markers - feathers & flowers - R20-21-22-24-27-29
Copic markers - hearts - R27
Copic markers - binoculars & rails - C0-1-3-5-7
Tumbled Glass Distress Ink
Mini Ink Blending Tool
Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush
A5 top folding card base
Kaisercraft - weave cardstock - Navy
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - Earthtones
Blue Jay and Leaf
Kaisercraft - 12x12 patterned paper - #me Collection - Strength
ASSORTED flower punches
rhinestones
Sizzix Big Shot
Kaisercraft Decorative Die Words - Thinking Of You
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the flowers, heart & sentiment

~~~*~~~*~~~
Sending a big Thank You to The Paper Shelter for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #140 Add A Heart/s with us at the Crafty Gals Corner. 
   
~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~

A Perfect Time To Craft - 1st September 2017 - Open Challenge #9
Creative Fingers Challenge Blog - Challenge #136 - Anything Goes
Day Dreamer Challenges - Challenge #2 - Always Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Challenge Wk 36 Anything Goes
Dragonfly Dreams - September 2017 Challenge - Patterned Paper
Fab 'n Funky Challenges - Challenge #362 - For A Friend
Fabrika Fantasy - Challenge #13 - Add Pearls / Gems
Glitter 'N' Sparkle Challenge Blog - Challenge #256 - Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - HLS September Anything Goes with Dies Challenge
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #101 - Anything Goes
Making Memories Crafting Challenge Blog - Challenge #9 Anything Goes or...
The Colour Board ... I have used the Colour Board with a touch of green
Morgan's ArtWorld - Challenge #18 - Anything Goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - PIP Challenge 1737 - Anything Goes
QKR Stampede - Challenge #260 - Fall Colors or Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #125 - Anything Goes
option Flowers [Handmade] ... I have made lots and lots of flowers
Through The Craftroom Door - TTCRD Anything Goes Challenge Week 12th Sep

Thursday 7 September 2017

Shakin' the rainbow with the Southern Girls

It's time for another challenge with us at the Southern Girls.

This fortnight Team Lou have created projects to inspire you for the new challenge

Challenge #168 - Add Shaker or Moveable Element with Team Lou



Our generous sponsors for this challenge are
Ppinkydolls
.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Pegasus digital stamp by Ppinkydolls, one of our generous sponsors this fortnight, to make a cheery rainbow shaker card.


I printed the image using my toner printer on A5 X-Press It blending card, heat set then started colouring with Copic markers.  I finished off the image with a touch of clear Wink Of Stella on the unicorn wings.



Next came the challenging (for me) part ... making a rainbow with a window.

I took a sheet of copy paper, cut it down to A5 size and adhered it to a sheet of X-Press It Double Sided Adhesive Sheet.  I cut 1" strips of textured cardstock to make my rainbow.

I aligned the A5 sheet of copy paper on my craft mat and secured it in place with some repositionable adhesive tabs underneath, then peeled off the protective layer from the adhesive sheet.  I carefully placed the yellow strip on the panel, ensuring it aligned with the grid on my craft mat.  Next came the green strip and all the others, working from the middle to the outer edges.  The edges of the red and purple strips had to be trimmed off, so did the excess strips from the top and bottom.
The result, an A5 rainbow.
I took the rainbow panel and printed the sentiment.

The science geek in me likes (no, needs), everything to be measured and even, so the next bit was a bit of a challenge.  I placed the largest oval die from my nesting dies with the cutting edge facing up on the middle of my craft mat, secured with some washi tape.  I took another A5 piece of copy paper, marked the middle of the edges and aligned it on my trusty craft mat, over the oval die then used my fingers to "emboss" the outer edge of the die into the paper.  I took my ruler and measured the distance of the widest edges of the oval from the middle of each side and found that it wasn't perfectly centred but it was quick and easy to work out the exact distance they needed to be.  I marked the middle of each side of my rainbow panel and marked the distance from each of these points that the oval die needed to touch to make my centred shaker window.  I aligned the die with the marks and secured it in place with washi tape on the inner edge of the die (so that if there was any tearing when it was pulled away, it would not affect the card front) and ran it through my Big Shot.  I am thrilled with how well it cut and how well centred the window was, well worth the extra measuring!

I cut two sheets of foam to be 1/4" smaller than A5 and adhered them together with liquid adhesive.  I took the front rainbow panel and used pencil to mark the oval size on the foam, cutting out a window about 1/8" larger diameter using scissors.  
I cut an acetate panel to A5 size for the front of the window.  No, I know it doesn't need to be that big but the rainbow strips on the copy paper felt a little flimsy, so the acetate was to give it extra strength.  I adhered the acetate in place using liquid adhesive, being careful to not be too close to the inner edge of the window.
I adhered the rainbow panel and foam layers together using liquid adhesive.

Shakers look sad when standing upright, as all the contents sink down to the bottom of the window, so I like to adhere some around the image in the window, so that it isn't left bare.  To do this, I took a variety of sparkling clear sequins and placed them around the image in the window area and "tested" their position by placing the rainbow window panel over it.  Once the position of the sequins was "right", I adhered them in place with liquid adhesive, adding a sprinkle of clear glitter over the panel to capture any excess.  This was so that the loose sequins and beads in the shaker didn't all want to stick to them.

I added a bundle of different sized sequins and clear seed beads over the middle of the image panel in readiness to becoming a shaker card.
I went over the acetate window and inner edges of the foam window with my powder tool to minimise any static and de-sticky any excess adhesive, then adhered the rainbow window card front down on to the card base with liquid adhesive, carefully aligning the outer edges.

The hard part was waiting a few minutes for the adhesive to dry
... I really wanted to test my shaker and look at it standing up.
I think the cluster of sequins and beads gathered at the bottom of the window look pretty against the "ground" under the image.  What do you think?


Of course there are always more pics to share ...
so here are another couple of views of my rainbow shaker card.

   

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Copic markers - skin - E0000-000-00-11
Copic markers - eyes - YG03-25-17
Copic markers - lips - R01-22
Copic markers - hair - E31-33-35-37
Copic markers - clothes - G20-21-24
Copic markers - unicorn eye - E31-33
Copic markers - unicorn body - RV0000-000
Copic markers - unicorn mane & tail - B000 + BV000 + RV000
Copic markers - unicorn wings - B0000 + V0000 + G0000 + Y0000
Copic markers - shadow / ground - E40-41-4243-44
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush
A5 top folding card base
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - Primaries
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - Brights
X-Press It Double Sided Adhesive Sheet
Sizzix Big Shot
Kaisercraft - decorative dies - Nesting Ovals
Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear sequins - assorted sizes
clear seed beads
powder tool
acetate sheet
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the image panel to card base
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the acetate & foam layers

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Ppinkydolls for sponsoring Challenge #168 - Add Shaker or Moveable Element with Team Lou with us at the Southern Girls.

I hope I have inspired you to get creative and look forward to seeing your work shared in the challenge gallery.  Remember we are not just a card blog, we love to see scrapbook layouts, artjournal pages and all types of papercraft.

~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~


Aloha Friday Challenges - Challenge #102 - Birthday