Sunday 27 January 2013

Loving Correspondence

Hi there and welcome to another blog post.

I'm really thrilled to announce that I've been invited by the super talented Elaine to join her Design Team at Eclectic Ellapu. Needless to say I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be asked and hope that I can live up to the challenge. Today is my very first design team slot as part of Eclectic Ellapu 'Pink Team'. The theme this week has been set by Dawn and is 'Black & White and Read All Over'. The quest is to use black and white only and to incorporate text into your project. Do pop over to Eclectic Ellapu to see the beautiful and inspiring work created by the rest of the team. We would be so glad for you to join in - go on - stretch those abundant talents of yours!

Here is my take on the challenge;


I've made an easel card. The black background of each 'half' is cardstock that has been embossed with my Cuttlebug 'Script' embossing folder. Both white coved rectangles have been cut using a Cheery Lynn die. The lovely stamp on the top part of the card is by Frantic Stamper (Stamp FRA-CLG-3801). (In fact I bought this stamp when I saw it as I thought it would fit well with the precious pen nib that Lynn sent me last year as part of a very generous candy win - I love that ribbon can be threaded through the nib). I stamped and embossed the image twice and paper pieced the parts that fit a) under the pen nib and b) under the metal frame that I've added around the lady's face. Both of these are then mounted on foam squares for dimension. The script stamp on the lower part of the card is by La Blanche (#1174). Next I cut a fleur de lis square with a Spellbinders die, formed an envelope and inserted a little letter (script stamp by Andy Skinner). Also stamped/embossed and die cut the 'Paris' label from an Artemio stamp set (Vintage Paris). I punched some little butterflies and gave them white roses for 'hearts'. Added some tiny black gem hearts running from the writing hand of the lady down to the letter below. All stamping done with black Archival ink and embossed with Stamp n Stuff EP (Detail Black). Some pearls, lace, velvet and organza ribbon added to finish.

Thank-you so much for spending time at my blog. I hope you like what you see. Don't forget to pop over to Eclectic Ellapu to join in the challenge as we would love to see your creations.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Simon Says Stamp & Show - What are you known for? (Embellishments)
Simon Says Stamp - Paper Piecing
Craft Room Challenge - Monochrome
Crafts & Me - Vintage
Vintage Stamping Challenge - Vintage
Polkadoodles / Studio 12 - Monochrome
Little Red Wagon - Text Me!
C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Valentines Day / Love
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Show Some Love

46 comments:

  1. Absolutely stunning project Nicola and am so pleased you have joined us and have become an Eclectic. Hugz Elaine x

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  2. Oh Nicola! This is stunning. It is truly a validation of your talent to have been selected for this DT! Congratulations!! Thank you for all your kind moments and encourgement. Best, Yvonne

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  3. Hi Nicola. Firstly, congratulations, I'm really pleased for you :-)! After browsing through your blog over the last couple of days, I'm not suprised at all - your creations are so beautiful, it's no wonder they nabbed you. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun.

    Your card is gorgeous, I love the stamps and the little envelope you've created, and the ribbon through the nib is a lovely touch.

    Take care

    Maria xxxxx


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  4. congratulations , a striking first make! go you trace x

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  5. Congrats on your DT post and a fantastic card for your first post! The lacy frames are lovely, and what beautiful vintage images too!

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  6. Wowzer! What a stunner, Nicola! I really like your style...loads going on not but not cluttered. That's an art in itself, my friend!
    hugs, Asha

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  7. Un petit message en français car plus rapide pour moi...:) J'adore cette carte encore, elle est magnifique !!!! Et j'adore le thème aussi ! Gros gros bisous

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  8. Gorgeous monochrome beauty, Nicola! And well done you on the new DT spot! Big thumbs up from me! xxx

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  9. Many congratulations on becoming a DT member at EP! Your card is just gorgeous, I love black and white and your stamping and finishing touches are really beautiful. Anne x

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  10. Stunning card Nicola, Fabulous stamping & design.. Love the use of lace & added pearls... Warm Welcome to Eclectic Ellapu.. Hugs May x x x

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  11. Congratulations on your DT spot Nicola it is well deserved, Stunning card, I like every thing about it!!!!
    Kevin xx

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  12. What a gorgeous card - Love those stamps and the layers. Thanks for joining us at Polka Doodles this week. Karon, DT Polka Doodles.

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  13. Congratulations Nicola on your DT position at EP, have fun! I love your card, love the colour scheme and the stamping too, the challenge is clever and you found the perfect stamp. Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

    Chris x

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  14. A really great stamped creation and card that looks perfect in monochrome! Thank you for playing with us this week at Simon Says Stamp & Show! Sarah.

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  15. Nicola, welcome to Eclectic Ellapu (if I haven't already welcomed you)! This is a gorgeous creation sweetie. I especially love the frame around the ladies face and that pen is so cool! Great job!

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  16. These are great news, congrats on your new DT position - well deserved. Your easel-card looks fantastic, love the added pen nib.
    Thanks for sharing with us at Flonz Craft Vintage Stamping Challenges and at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.

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  17. This is magnificent, Nicola! Beautifully vintage images and I love the fancy die cuts.

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  18. Congratulations on you DT post, you've made a fabulous first project. Love the black and white very smart,

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  19. WOW!!! Nicola well done and YAY!!...*jumping up and down*....to you for being invited to be on a DT!!!! That is brilliant and very well deserved. I adore this card you have made it is so elegant and very beautiful as all your crafts are. Hugs from Laura xxxxxxxx

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  20. Hi Nicola......huge congrats on being a part of the DT I am thrilled for you. I so love this post today and the easel cards are fabulous because you can display so much crafty goodiness.

    Congrats once again

    Annie x

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  21. Beautiful vintage project, Nicola! Very nicely done! So wonderful having you as a teammate!

    Hugz,
    Chana

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  22. Beautiful card and congrats on your DT position ! Love the black and white and the little envelope with the scripts is gorgeous ! Thanks for joining us at FSC and VSC. Sue C x

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  23. Such a beautiful card Nicola, a stunning design in black and white. Congratulations on your design team place, so well deserved.
    Thanks for sharing some love at Fashionable Stamping Challenges this week.
    Hope you've had a good weekend
    hugs {brenda} xox

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  24. Congratulations Nicola on your DT spot. This is an awesome project - I love it!.
    Thanks for joining us art CRAFT this week.
    Hugs Sheryl xx

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  25. Many congratulations on your news Nicola and this is a really stunning project. Love the monochrome and the stamping detail is amazing.
    Thanks for sharing this with us at FSC.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  26. so stunning nicola.fabulous vintage stamps and i love your black and white design, huge congrats on your DT :D

    xx coops xx

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  27. Hi Nicola, first of well done and congratulations on your DT place. Maria (made by maz) told me to check out your blog, and I certainly haven't been disappointed, your artwork is very inspirational, and I will be a regular visitor. Thanks for leaving such a lovely comment on my blog. Your easel card is wonderful, so stylish. X x x

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  28. Congrats and thank you for the well wishes. This is a remarkable vintage creation. I love my cheery lyn dies, you have mastered it perfectly.
    Hugs

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  29. This is beautiful - so much to look at! :) Love the frame around her face, and stunning in monochrome! :)

    hugs

    xxalisonxx

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  30. So glad to see you on the team :) Love your take on the challenge - it looks stunningly elegant with all the gorgeous die cuts, embossing and stamping, all put together so beautifully!

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  31. You are an embellisher in more ways than one...;0)...love that about you! Love your black and white beauty...might be a new fav of mine! Gorgeous make and totally dig your embellies! Thank you for playing with us at Simon Says Stamp & Show this week!!!

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  32. Magnificient creation my dearest friend^_^ Fantastic papers and details^_^
    Big hug,
    Sonia

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  33. congratulations! this card is stunning!

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  34. Hi Nicola, Congratulations on your DT news, You will be a great asset to the team.
    Love this card, and such a stunning image, love all the beautiful details you've added.
    Also, Thanks for sharing this at FSC.
    Avril xx

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  35. MASSIVE WELL DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS on your DT news Nicola! I'm thrilled for you! And what a way to start your term of office. This is a real gem and shows exactly why you have received so many honours. Long may it continue. Hugs, Jenny x

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  36. Congratulations! You're going to be such an asset to the team. Your card is stunning as all your work is! Have great week!

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  37. This is amazing.. so elegant! :) Thank you for joining us in the "Paper Piecing" challenge over at Simon Says Stamp this week! xx

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  38. First of all, a huge congrats on your design team appointment! That is wonderful news. Your work is beautiful. I also wanted to thank you for the super sweet comment you left on my blog. You made me feel so good as I was reading it. Thank you for your encouragement. Your black and white card is so pretty. I love all of the stamps and elements you've used to create such a lovely piece. <3 Candy

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  39. Super, striking card

    Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Challenge

    Hugs, Jo x

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  40. fabulous easel card Nicola and beautifully vintage...thanks for joining in with our Crafts & Me Challenge
    Mina xxx

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  41. Oh my, Nicola, this card is stunning! Congrats on your new DT position! You are a brilliant designer. :)

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  42. Nicola
    Congratulations on your DT role - well done.
    This is positively striking with the use of black and white and exudes a beautiful old style romance.
    Thank you for sharing with us at FSC this fortnight.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  43. Ooo, Nicola . . . what a fine project to introduce yourself to your new design team and followers! Your beautifully stamped images look fabulous on this pretty easel card. Lovin' your use of the delicately edged layers and wonderful pocket too! So glad to see your entry at the Crafts and Me Stamps digi team's "vintage" challenge. Hugz, ~ Rose

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  44. Hi Nicola, I've only just spotted this one. How could I miss it!! It's SUPERB. Absolutely beautiful and so striking, no wonder you were asked to join Eclectic Ellapu! Big congrats and thank you so much for sharing it with us at FSC. XX

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x