Peace & Joy

Signing off my little ole blog for this year. Sending warmest wishes of peace and joy to friends and followers. It's always lovely to have your 'company' in 'blogland'.

Ingredients

Papers: Pion Design - various collections'.

Dies: Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz 'Globe', Sizzix Bigz / Tim Holtz 'Angel Wings', Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Vintage Tidings', Sizzix framelits 'Enchanted'.

Stencil: Snip Art 'Magic Lights'.

Media: Dreamweaver texture paste, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter. Stickles 'Mercury Glass'. Distress Ink 'Weathered Wood'.

Embellishments: Angel and Wings hand-made using paper clay and moulds. Lace trim by Prima.


Have yourself a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Nicola x

Christmas Cheer

Hi there and thank-you for visiting.

When I'm making Christmas cards, I usually make a couple of the same design as a production line approach is fastest. You might have seen my 'Snow Bird' card recently. This is its 'twin', with alternative paper pattern.

Ingredients

Papers: Maya Design 'I wish'.

Dies: 'Meadow Bird, 'Holly Leaf Trio', 'Stitched Circles' and 'Woodland Branch' - all by Memory Box.

Stencil: Snip Art 'Magic Lights'.

Media: Stampendous Frantage 'Aged Ivory' embossing powder, Dreamweaver texture paste, Viva Decor pearl pen 'Ice White', Snow-Tex, Paperartsy 'Snowflake' paint, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter.

Embellishments: Berries, sisal and wooden branch from stash.

Very many thanks for taking the time, especially now when most are very busy.
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Memory Box, Outside the Box - #44 Holiday Sparkle & Shine
Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes
Crafty Cardmakers - #224 Christmas
Fussy & Fancy Friday - Christmas / New Year
Simon Wednesday - Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin Challenge - December
Creative Inspirations - Feeling Festive
Use Your Stuff - Christmas
Scrappelyst - Jul (Christmas)

Wish Upon A Star

Happy Greetings to you!

Yep, another one ...

Ingredients

Dies: 'Reindeer Flight', 'Birch Trees', 'Vintage Tidings' and 'Mini Reindeer' - all by Sizzix / Tim Holtz. Also used woodware mini snowflake punch.

Embossing: Tim Holtz 'Birch' Texture fade.

Stamp: Stampers Anonymous / Tim Holtz 'Stripes and Holiday'. Using Sizzix Stamp Platform I 'turned' stripes into plaid.

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology 'Christmas Adornments' and 'Christmas Story Sticks', Ribbon, string and pearls from stash.

Media: Ranger Distess Ink in 'Candied Apple' and Cracked Pistachio'. Snow-Tex. Glossy Accents. Ranger Distress Glitter Dust 'Vintage Platinum'. Ranger Stickles 'Mercury Glass'. (Last is same shade as glitter dust so if fine glitter dust rubs off one can cover any blips with stickles). Distress Crayon 'Picket Fence'.


I'm glad to say I'm in for the rest of the day to stay warm as a storm brews up outside.
Wishing you a cosy evening too,
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday - Warm Winter Wishes
A Vintage Journey - Star Light, Star Bright
Scrapyland - Anything Goes, using a die brand carried by Scrapyland(sizzix)
Alphabet Challenge - S is for Seasons Greetings
Country View Crafts - Christmas
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Challenge from 2017 - April 'Musical Notation' - Jingle Bells
Merry Little Christmas - December Anything Christmas Goes
Scrap & Me - Anything Goes
Double D Challenges - Run Run Rudolph
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Create a Winter Scene

Wrap Up Warm

Hello and thanks so much for taking time to visit during this hectic crafting period.

My card today is very much inspired by a beautiful canvas created by Monika at Mistletoe Home Decoration with Tim Holtz's umbrella man die as central focus.

I've closely followed the steps outlined by Monika. First I painted watercolour paper with 3 graduating shades of grey acrylic paint. By the end however I covered up the bottom third with Snow-tex. Stamped trees twice using Penny Black 'Snow Dust' stamp and Archival 'Watering Can' ink. Then splattered on oodles of white paint. (It helps to make the first lot of splatters more watery and then use thicker paint towards end of process). I didn't have sufficient space on card to incorporate any fence so unfortunately I haven't at all achieved the depth that Monika did but hey ho - it's just a card. I thought that black cardstock looked a little stark on the card so painted my die cut umbrella man with Dina Wakley's 'Night' paint which is a lovely dark navy. Similarly I painted the backing card mat, and 'Merry' text with 'Night' paint to tone in. Note to self - buy navy cardstock! I bought this Merry Christmas die in sale last January so this is it's first use. I love the font on 'Christmas'. I've sparkled up the brollie, star and text with glitter dust in 'Vintage Platinum'. It has a fabulous sparkle that I just can't capture on camera.

Ingredients

Dies: Sizzix Bigz / Tim Holtz 'Umbrella Man', Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz 'Retro Merry Christmas',

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology 'Christmas Adornments', Muslin 'scarf' to keep warm,

Media: Paper Artsy acrylic paints, Ranger 'Watering Can' archival ink, Dina Wakley 'Night' paint, Ranger Glossy Accents, Ranger Distress glitter dust 'Vintage Platinum', Ranger Stickles 'Mercury Glass'. (Last is same shade as glitter dust so if fine glitter dust rubs off one can cover any blips with stickles).

Thanks again for stopping by,

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday - Warm Winter Wishes
A Vintage Journey - Star Light, Star Bright
Scrapyland - Anything Goes, using a die brand carried by Scrapyland(sizzix)
Alphabet Challenge - S is for Seasons Greetings
Country View Crafts - Christmas
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes plus a sentiment
Merry Little Christmas - December Anything Christmas Goes
Simon Wednesday - Christmas
Sir Stampalot - Winter Sparkle
Papirlosjen - Alt er Lov (Anything Goes)

Christmas Bauble

Hello, a warm welcome to you.

Sorry to be so predictable, but of course it's another Christmas card...

Ingredients

Papers: Inkido (sadly no longer in production and using up my last sheets now). Bazzill card stock.

Dies: Spellbinders 'Heirloom Ornament', Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Festive Greens',

Embellishments: Wycinanka chipboard 'Wonderful Time'- Bauble with reindeer, Studio Calico wood veneer stars, Spruce pine cones from ground at Botanic Gardens Dublin, twine and rusty bells from stash,

Media: Stickles 'Mercury Glass', Paper Artsy 'Snowflake' paint, Winsor & Newton 'Gold' watercolour ink, Ranger Distress Ink 'Tea Dye' and 'Ground Espresso'.

Thank-you for visiting and enjoy the rest of your day,

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday Challenge - B is for Bauble
Country View Crafts - Christmas
Scrapyland - Anything Goes (using die brand carried by Scrapyland - Sizzix)
Cherry Craft - Z GAŁĄZKĄ SWIERKU - Use a Spruce branch - Użyłem świerkowych szyszek
Bastel-Traum - Winter / Christmas
Apple Apricot - Simply Neutrals #51
Double D Challenges - Run Run Rudolph
Alphabet Challenge - S is for Seasons Greetings
Scrap & Me - Anything Goes
City Crafter - Santa Claus

Fun in the Snow!

Welcome and thank-you for visiting!

Yikes, the big day is getting closer!

Ingredients

Papers: Prima 'Sweet Peppermint' collection.

Dies: Sizzix Bigz / Holtz 'Window', Sizzix / Holtz 'Holiday Greens', Poppystamps 'Chirping Birds', Memory Box 'Winterberry Sprig', Marianne Design Snowflakes,

Stencil: Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'.

Media: Dreamweaver texture paste, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter, Snow-Tex, Ranger Distress Ink 'Cracked Pistachio'.

Embellishments: Berries from stash.


Thanks for taking time out to stop by during this busy count-down.

Enjoy your week,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Country View Crafts - Christmas
Merry Little Christmas - #5 Anything Goes
Scrapyland - Anything Goes using die brand carried by Scrapyland
Bastel-Traum - Winter / Christmas
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Theme from 2017 - Oct 2017 'Winter Sports'
Winter Wonderland - Christmas or Winter characters (people only)
Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round - December - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments - Christmas or Winter Sentiment
Fussy & Fancy Friday - Winter / Christmas

Snowy Mittens

Happy greetings to you!

Yet another Christmas make ...

Ingredients

Papers: Maja Design 'Joyous Winterdays' collection.

Dies: Poppystamps 'Let It Snow' channel, Memory Box 'Star of Wonder', Spellbinders Shapeabilities 'Mittens', Sizzix Bigz L / Tim Holtz 'Stacked Snowflakes'. Also, Woodware and Martha Stewart snowflake punches.

Embossing: Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Tiny Dots' texture fade.

Stencil: Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'.

Media: Dreamweaver texture paste, Ranger Gesso, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter, Snow-Tex, Sparkle & Sprinkle Silver Tinsel embossing powder.

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology adornments ice skates, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Silver tinsel. Pompoms, string and gemstones from stash.

Thanks so much for your visit,
Wishing all a lovely week ahead,
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday - Let It Snow
A Vintage Journey - Paper Stash
Merry Little Christmas - #4 November Anything Goes
Bastel-Traum - #71 - Winter / Christmas
Creative Inspirations - November Chill
Winter Wonderland - What you love to do at Christmas
Lets Craft & Create - #143 - Anything Goes
Fussy & Fancy - #225, Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - #412, Anything Goes Christmas

Snow Bird

Hello and welcome.

I've vowed not to buy any new Christmas papers this year - way too much already stashed. Here's a card using one of last year's lovely Maja Design papers.

Ingredients

Papers: Maya Design 'I wish'.

Dies: 'Meadow Bird, 'Holly Leaf Trio', 'Basic Circles' and 'Woodland Branch' - all by Memory Box.

Stencil: Snip Art 'Magic Lights'.

Media: Stampendous Frantage 'Aged Ivory' embossing powder, Dreamweaver texture paste, Viva Decor pearl pen 'Ice White', Snow-Tex, Paperartsy 'Snowflake' paint, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter.

Embellishments: Berries, sisal and wooden branch from stash.


Thank-you for taking the time to visit.
Have a lovely weekend,

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Apple Apricot - Simply Neutrals 50
A Vintage Journey - Paper Stash
Scrapy Land - 101 - using die brand carried by Scrapy Land - used Memory Box
Simon Monday - Make Your Own Background
Cute Card Thursday - Snowflakes
Scrap From Your Heart - #27 - Jul/Christmas
Merry Little Christmas - November Anything Goes Christmas
Sparkles Christmas Challenges - Embossing Heat or Dry
Scrapki Wyzwaniowo - November - Monochrome

All is Calm

Hi there and thank-you for visiting.

Showing another Christmas card, this time in calm and peaceful hues ...

Ingredients

Cardstock: Bazzill and Neenah.

Dies: Simon Says Stamp 'Holiday Frames', Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Mini holiday greens', Cheery Lynn Cutie Fringe (to make the pine branch).

Embossing Folder: Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Holiday Knit' texture fade.

Stamp: Stampers Anonymous / Tim Holtz 'Stripes and Holiday'.

Media: Ranger white gesso, WOW 'Opaque Bright White' embossing powder, Versamark ink, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter, Ranger Stickles 'mercury glass', Paper Artsy 'Snowflake' paint for lots of splatters.

Embellishments: Angel hand made using mould and paper clay. Seam binding and berries from stash.


Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.
Wishing all a kind and fruitful week ahead.

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Simon Monday Challenge - Make Your Own Background
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Mix It Up - Anything Goes with optional aperture
Merry Little Christmas - November Anything Christmas Goes
Crafting By Designs - Get Ready For Christmas
Sparkles Christmas - Embossing Heat or Dry (used both)
The Ribbon Girl - November Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes 227
Scrap from your Heart - Utfordring #27 - Jul/Christmas
Frilly and Funkie - Impress Us

99 more sleeps!

Happy greetings to you.

Just sharing that there are 99 sleeps left until Santa's arrival. Time to start getting Christmas makes in train... Here's another card made with beautiful papers from Pion Design.

Ingredients

Papers:  Pion Design, mostly from 'Christmas in Norway' collection

Dies: MFT  Die-namics 'Stitched fishtail flags', MFT Die-namics 'Postage stamp stax'. Simon Says Stamp 'Believe' die, Sizzix Holtz 'Mini holday greens'

Stencil: Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'

Media: Stampendous Frantage 'Shabby White', Dreamweaver Texture paste, Ranger Distress Glitter 'Clear Rock Candy', Krylon '18ct Gold' Gilding Pen, Ranger Holtz Distress 'Candied Apple'

Embellishments: Berries and peg from stash.


Delighted that you stopped by - Thank-you!
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Pop It Up
Let's Craft and Create - Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon - Bling It On
ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for Snow
Merry Little Christmas - September, Anything Goes
The Merry Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
Try It on Tuesday - Childhood
Wednesday Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft - Anything Goes
Mix It Up - Anything Goes + Layering