Greenfingers

Hello again! Last tuesday I noticed a photo inspiration challenge over at Loves Rubber Stamps . Often when I see an image or buy a new stamp I'll first work out in my head how the card will eventually look (although that then doesn't always work out!) Yesterday I finally got the time to 'put to paper' my interpretation of the lovely photo.

CS is Bazzill. First layer - green CS wrapped in white lace paper. Next layer - white CS edged variously with green stitched ribbons or Martha Stewart edger punch. Because the photo inspiration was so focused on what the little girl was wearing I decided I would stamp on cloth. Image is by La Blanche (#1204 Big Straw Hat) stamped onto white muslin. Ink is Ranger Archival Ink - Viridian. I stitched the muslin to some white CS with markings by SewEasy. (You can likely tell sewing is not my strongpoint!). The exquisite venise lace trimmings come from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. I added Karen Foster metal charms (watering can and garden fork), having first painted them with Antik Metallic Silver paint for shine. (I reckoned that this little girl would only use tools that had some polish!). I punched little flowers (Woodware) and gave them pearl centres (Kaisercraft). To complete, I added little bows and water droplets (Hero Arts).

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope a great week is in store for you...

Thank-you for the following challenges that I am entering card to:
Loves Rubber Stamps - Photo Inspiration
PaperPlay Challenges - Flowers and Lace
Crafty Catz - Lace and Ribbons
Do You Stack Up - Scallops
GingerLoft Challenge - Stitching real or faux
Joanna Sheen - Down In The Garden
Sweet Stampin' - Vintage
Frilly & Funkie - Sunday Share
Flonzcraft Vintage Stamping Challenge - Anything Goes
Platypus Creek Digitals - Pearls & Lace

Little Angel in Blue

Hi there and thank-you for stopping by my blog. This is my 13th post so I've made another Angel Christmas card to ward off any bad luck!

CS is Bazzill. I deckle edged a square of white SEI Velvet paper. Then stamped the very beautiful image 'Angel Delivery' (Stampington & Co K5546) onto a white silk blend tissue thin paper. This I embossed with Judikins Silver Twinkle EP. I made frame from SEI Velvet patterned velvet paper. Merry Christmas text from my printer. I punched some snowflakes (Woodware) from a matching blue vellum paper. Then, stitched a lovely silver star (Nunn Design) to organza bow. Put it all together and dabbed with silver Stickles. Finalised with sparkling crystals.

Wishing everyone a really lovely weekend.

Nicola x

Thank-you to Hosts and Design Teams of the following challenges that I'm entering card to:
For Fun Challenges - Use a Stamp
My Mum's Craft Shop - Stars
Stamp n Doodle - Anything Goes
The Perfect Sentiment - Vintage Christmas
Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes
The Stamping Boutique - Embossing
Gingerloft Challenge - Embossing
Love to Create - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Frosted Designs - Embossing

First Challenge Award

Good Morning,

Tis a bright and fresh morning in Dublin. I'm delighted to share that I've won my first ever Challenge Award (for my Autumn Leaf card). Many thanks to the 4 crafty chicks! The feedback that I receive from challenge hosts and Design Team members means a great deal to me.

Have a wonderful day!

Nicola x

Angel in Shadow

Hello again!

I've another new Christmas stamp that I'm trying out - not too sure that I've yet given this lovely image all that it deserves...

CS Bazzill. Image (Inkadinkado 98398 Christmas Silhouettes) stamped with Versamark on SEI Velvet paper. Embossed with lovely shadowlike 'Chocolate Sparkle' by Sparkle and Sprinkle. Sentiment stamp from Stampendous (Christmas Wishes SSC1068). Metal embellishments by Nunn Design. Martha Stewart Snowflake punch. Ribbons and gems from stash.

Thanks so much for checking out my blog and for all the lovely compliments so far.

Nicola x

I'm entering card to the following challenges;
The Stamping Boutique - Embossing
LEJ Designs - Monochromatic
Simon says Stamp & Show - For the Love of Sparkle
Simons Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Autumn Leaf

Hello. Dublin today was Wet! Wet! Wet! (but no Marti Pellow alas!) Speaking of the weather outside - here is my take on autumn;

Base CS by Bazzill. Next vellum layer by Laura Ashley. Next layer Stardream. I then printed a leaf shape from photoshop for outline. I inked up a melange of cardstock and vellum with a mix of Ranger Distress Inks and gilding wax (Lefranc & Bourgeois) to achieve varying autumnal hues (both sides of papers). Also painted some jute ribbon with inks. I then scrunched up the paper (the vellum lended itself really well to this). Next, I punched (a lot) of leaves with Woodware punch. I glued the leaves building for 3D effect. Also backed printout with 5 skeleton leaves (Anitas) to give it some definition. Dabbed the leaves randomly with some Ranger Distress Crackle Paint and Inkssentials Glossy Accents. Left it overnight to dry. I 'distressed' some cheesecloth with Ranger Distress EP Vintage Photo. Also, painted a Prima wooden timepiece with Distress Crackle Paint. Ditto to a Tim Holtz Ideology Gamespinner to age it. Added jute ribbon, crushed velvet ribbon and twine.

Hope my leaf card brings you warm and happy thoughts. Thanks for visiting.

I'm entering card to the following challenges;
4 Crafty Chicks - Leaves
Papertake Weekly Challenge - A Hazy Shade of Autumn
Divas by Design - Lovely layers
My Craft Spot - Falling Leaves
Frilly and Funkie - Fall into Fall
Creative Inspirations Paint - Fall Colors
Just Some Lines - Lets Celebrate Fall
Alota Rubber Stamps - 3D Fall
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Autumn Colors and Ribbon
Clearly Inspired - Fall into Fall

Sweet Lollipops

Hi there,

Hope all visitors having lovely day. My card today is based on photo inspiration over at Our Creative Corner blogspot.

Base CS Is Bazzill. I've trimmed top edge of paper (Heidi Grace) with a Martha Stewart punch. I punched ovals (Woodware punch) with differing shades SEI Velvet paper. I stamped each 'lolly' (stamp - Anna Griffin 580K47) with Versamark and embossed with Hero Arts glitter. I gave each 'lolly' double sides (for extra sweetness!) and used Q-tip buds as lolly sticks. Attached a frilly doily strip (available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique). Edged its base with Melissa Frances glass glitter. Finished by adding buttons, bows, butterflies, flowers (Brenda Walton) and label (Karen Foster Shirt labels).

Thanks for checking out my blog! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

I'm entering card in following challenges;
Our Creative Corner - photo inspiration
The Ribbon Girl - colour challenge - pink and green
A gem of a challenge - Lemon, Lilac, 2 butterflies and a bow
Di's digi designs - more than one die cut or punch
Send a smile 4 kids - Anything Goes 4 kids
The Cupcake Craftroom - Pretty Pastels
Ladybug Crafts - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Buttons
Fun with shapes and more - Beastly good
Totally PaperCrafts - For a child
CCEE Stampers - Food or drink
Craft-room challenge - Childhood memories
Kaboodle Doodles - Babies and/or children
Lollipop Crafts - Break out your punch
Joanna Sheen challenge - So Sweet!
The Shabby Tea Room - Pretty Party
Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog - Sunday Share
Simon Says Stamp - Emboss It
Chocolate. Coffee and Cards - Sweet Treats

Softly pink (with lace paper)

Greetings from Dublin. My card today is one I've made for a new baby girl. The papers are particularly tactile and soft - perfect for a baby.

Base CS is Bazzill. Over that I've placed (using vellum glue dots) a tissue thin pink lace paper. (The tissue weight paper is pulsated with high speed water jets through a silk screen to create the 'lace pattern'). I then cut out a dress shape from pink CS. Next, I used a different white lace paper, with little floral pattern, to make the dress (laying it over the pink CS). I attached ribbon, ric-rac and bows from stash. The final touch was to centre the gorgeous silver frame (by Nunn Design).

I'm so glad you stopped by my blog - thank-you!

I've entered card to the following challenges;
Kaboodle Doodles - Babies & /or children
Inky Impressions - For a child
The Sisterhood of Crafters - No stamps
Whimsy Stamps Challenge Blogspot - Anything goes

Merry Tweetings

Hi there. My post today continues my Christmas countdown. The winter chill is beginning to hit the air in Dublin and making this card sure warms the heart at least.

Base Cardstock is Curious Metallic - Ice Gold - its super white with a golden shimmer. To make the background I used a sheet of Eco cotton card that has a nice nubbly feel. I stamped music (Anna Griffin stamp 580K21) with Versafine Crimson Red. Next I sprayed the cotton card with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Walnut Gold) and Shimmerz Spritz (Treasured Hymm). Also painted card with some Ranger Glitz Stickles (Ruby Slippers and Champagne) to really make some sparkle. Cut into tag shape and used cutoffs for card corners decoration.

Onto gold Stardream CS I stamped one of my favourite images (Magenta stamp - Birds Postcard MG-95230L) and embossed with Papermania EP (Tinsel Red). I decorated postcard with brad 'stamp'. Formed a little nest from some jute, added sparkle and gems. Attached some jute ribbon and bows made with various twine and string. I punched (Woodware) some red velvet snowflakes (SEI Velvet paper - Blaze)and gave them pearl centres. Topped off by painting more 'sparkle' (a girl can never have enough!), more embellies and grosgrain 'Merry Christmas' ribbon from stash.

Hope there are birds tweeting wherever you are!

Thanks to the DTs and sponsors for the following challenges that I'm entering;
Jingle Belles Rock - Going Postal
Cute Card Thursday - Christmas in September
Twisted Tuesday Challenge - Flight with embellies
Simon Says Stamp - Emboss It
Totally Papercrafts - Your favourite stamp
Scrap-Creations - Emboss!
LEJ Designs - Sparkle and Shine
Loves Rubberstamps - Make your own background
Love to Create - Things with wings
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Sparkle & Bling
Stampavie and more - Sparkling
J&C Creations - Cute Christmas
Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - Things with wings

Chilly out there!

Hi there. I've made another Christmas card, so at this rate I'll be well prepared by Dec 25th (that will be a first). I realise that I've rushed the photo part but have put all the camera stuff away so I'll have to make do with bow jutting off to the side. Sorry for bad positioning. Anyway, here is my chilly snowman.

My CS base is Bazzill Bling. I've stamped and embossed the Snowman (Penny Black - happy soul 4106K) with Versamark and Judikins EP onto white SEI Velvet paper. I applied glue to lower portion of paper and liberally coated with Hero Arts glitter. Next, I punched (Woodware square and round punches) some white CS shapes. Then stamped and embossed them (Judikins EP again) using a Fiskars stamp set (Winter Wonderland 03-008263). I attached a (very big!) grosgrain bow. Linked the cutout shapes with brads and mounted them using foam squares for dimension. Wound a ribbon around the glittered portion for more colour. Punched out birds (McGill punch) and snowflakes (various Woodware and Martha Stewart punches) and finalised with gems and crystals.

I hope its warm wherever you are.

I'm entering card in the following challenges;
Penny Black & More - September - Early Christmas Makes
Stampin for the Weekend - Starting Christmas Early
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Sparkle and Bling
Cute Card Thursday - Christmas in September
That Craft Place - Bling it on
Digidesignchallenge - More than 1 die cut or punch
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Snowy
Heck of a Challenge - Anything Goes

Loving Wedding Wishes

Hello again. Thanks to all for very welcome comments on my creations so far. Today I'd like to share a wedding card I've made.

I've used a cream Bazzill cardstock as base. I cut a rectangle of SEI Velvet Paper (Coconut)and shaped the top two corners with Fiskars punch. I also used a Martha Stewart edge punch and threaded organza ribbon thru the punched paper. I cut another rectangle of SEI Velvet Paper (Porcelain) and attached vintage lace to it using Basic Grey brads. Added a cream skeleton leaf that I had rubbed with gold gilding paste by Lefranc and Bourgeois. Then, I wrapped a tag with a luscious silk based paper that is gold embossed with wedding rings theme, this paper feels like fabric. I wound two different types of lace across centre and base of tag. Added a little bouquet of white roses with cream satin ribbon wound around stems. I painted three Making Memories wedding 'metal word fetti' with a pearlescent mix I made from Perfect Pearls. Used a narrower satin ribbon to hold the 'word fetti' together. Again used the gold gilding paste to age the 7 Gypsies 'French Enamel' - Je t'aime. Made a bow with my Boweasy using May Arts Silk ribbon and topped that off with a Prima white cameo rose. Added more little bows and crystals to top corners. Finally punched two velvet hearts and decorated them with pearls.

I'm entering this card to the following challenges;
Sir Stampalot Challenge - September - Photo Inspiration
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.ie/
Southern Girls Challenge - Bling Bling
http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.in/
The Pink Elephant - Wedding/Anniversary
http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.ie/
Creative Harmony Blogspot - Almost White
http://creativeharmony.blogspot.ie/
Live and Love Crafts Blogspot= Lovely lace, terrific trim
http://liveandlovecrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/challenge-3-lovely-lace-terrific-trim.html
The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Lace and Pearls

Hope you have a sunny day to complete a happy weekend!

Tuxedo Elegance

Greetings from Dublin. Today's card is on a theme that is always tricky to do i.e. cards for males.

I used a Bazzill white cardstock than has a self pinstripe texture for the base card. I then cut out a rectangle of White SEI Velvet paper to form the "shirt" and decorated with 3 ruby red gem brads as "buttons". I've cut out the "tuxedo" shape from Black SEI Velvet paper. It was easiest to cut twice - back to front - so that both left and right sides and lapels matched. I slit one lapel fold and insered a metal index tab from Making Memories. Then, using Versamark and Judikins "Black Diamond" embossing powder, I stamped and embossed a triangle of white SEI velvet to form the "Handkerchief" (Music Stamp by Anna Griffin 580K21). I added a lovely satin faux bowtie. Finally, I punched the two bottom corners to finish.

I'm entering this card in the following Challenges;
Unique Crafters Challenge - Anything Goes
http://uniquecrafterschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
Hooked on Crafts Challenges - Cards for Men
http://hookedoncraftchallenges.blogspot.ca/
Creative Crafts Challenges 2 - All About The Boys
http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.ie/
Sweet Stamps Blog - For The Guys
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.ie/

Many thanks for checking out my blog

Frilly Flight

Hi there. We have sunshine and showers today in Dublin (less showers thankfully). The weather made me think of today's card with its mixture of distress for autumn yet butterflies for sun.

I started off with a buff colour Bazzill cardstock for base. (I usually make cards 6" x 6"). I then distressed the white CS edges with Tim Holtz distress tool and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I stamped a script stamp (La Blanche 1174) with a faint amount of Distress Ink in Antique Linen. Over that I stamped the lovely bird and branch (Tim Holtz Stamp P2-1431) using Versafine Vintage Sepia. I distressed the edges of a manila tag and again 'weathered' it using DI Vintage Photo. I stamped a music stamp (Anna Griffin 580K21) on tag and then liberally rubbed the tag with gilding wax around its edges and across the white CS too. The gilding wax is by Lefranc & Bourgeois - a little of it goes a long way! I again stamped the TH bird stamp - this time onto the tag. I also (crookedly) stamped and gold embossed the tag end with an Anna Griffin edge stamp. Using the Sew Easy to puncture holes I stitched some cream embroidery thread across the white CS. I put all the ingredients together and added skeleton leaf (smeared with gilding wax), punched branches (using Martha Stewart punch), ribbons, twine, charms, pearls and wooden ladybirds.

I've entered this card to to the following challenges:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Distressed
http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
Cupcake Craft Challenges - In Stitches
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Gosh it all sounds like an awful lot of work when one puts it in writing! Thanks for looking and enjoy the rest of your day.

Wishing peace - today and everyday

Hello. Today's card, whilst intended for Christmas, seems to me gently suitable for today's Anniversary.

Bazzill cardstock forms the card base. I've stamped and embossed Penny Black "Snow Dust" stamp (4102K) onto blue vellum. (The blue laid over the cream cardstock makes the vellum appear a gentle aqua colour). The embossing powder is 'Gilded Ivory' by Sparkle n Sprinkle and is more sparkly than captured on the photo. I've also stamped a greeting on vellum using a Stampendous clear stamp (Christmas Wishes ssc1068), punched some ornate corners and mounted onto cardstock. No card of mine would be complete without a ribbon! I then added pearls, stars and bows from stash.

Ive entered this card to "Sparkle Creations weekly Christmas Card Challenge", "Just Keep on Creating Christmas Challenge", "Unique Crafters Challenge, Anything Goes", "Daring Cardmakers, Vellum", "Anthing Goes Challenge Blogspot - Early Christmas", Stampin for the Weekend - Early Christmas and "Creative Card Crew - Trees"
http://justkeeponcreating.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/christmas-is-just-around-corner.html
http://uniquecrafterschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.no/
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.ie/
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.ie/
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.ie/

Thanks for looking ....

Starting with Santa

Hello. Rather than spending so much time looking enviously at others' wonderful papered/inked/ribboned/bejeweled etc. creations, I decided to start my own blog to see if I might learn and create more and enter some challenges along the way. Welcome to my first blogpost!

In line with certain Dublin department stores who already have Christmas decorations for sale, I'm starting with a sparkly Christmas Santa card.

I've stamped and embossed Inkadinkado's "A Vist from Santa" (98223) stamp onto a tissue thin sheer paper. That's then mounted onto a rich cream paper embroidered with gold thread. Punched the tag from some Stardream paper using a woodware punch and placed eyelet using my cropadile. I stamped and embossed "Happy Christmas" (Woodware stamp bd23 2de) onto tag. Punched some snowflakes using Woodware and Martha Stewart punches and placed gems and pearls from stash. The gorgeous gold metal snowflake is by Nunn Design. Added ribbons and assembled onto Bazzill cardstock. Inks and Embossing powders by Versamark, Judikins and Stampendous. That's it!

I entered this card for "Sparkles Christmas Challenge", Christmas Stampin All Year Long", "Penny Black and More Sept Challenge", "Just keep on Creating Christmas Challenge","Heck of a Challenge, Anything goes", "Unique Crafters Challenge, Anything goes" and "Anything Goes Challenge Blogspot - Early Christmas"
http://sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.ie/
http://christmasstampin.blogspot.ie/
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/september-challenge.html
http://justkeeponcreating.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/christmas-is-just-around-corner.html
http://heckofachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
http://uniquecrafterschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.ie/

Thanks for visiting my blog - I hope you like...