Spring Dressforms

A cheery hello from Dublin. I appreciate your visiting.

This was one of those cards where Plan A didn't work out at all, at all! So I'm very glad that several reconfigurations later I finally have a card to post...



I've used papers from Maja Design (Vintage Summer Basics) and all the stamping is on Ranger Speciality Stamping Paper. I had thought that I would give the dressform wings so that it was like a 'flying dressform' - but no way was this working out!

I cut dressform with Tim Holtz die and mounted on chipboard. Stamped it with Distress Inks using Crafty Individuals stamp set CI-226 'Wild Flowers'. Next stamped and embossed (Ranger Queen's Gold EP) Crafty Individuls stamp CI-357 'Springtime Robin' - I think this stamp is intended as a bookmark but I'm considering it a dress! I've coloured it in with DIs using a Tim Holtz waterbrush. The bird, butterflies and text on the dress are 'paper pieced' and raised on sticky pads.

I also stamped a large sheet with a colourful range of DIs using the CI-226 'Wild Flowers' stamp set and then diecut and punched into lots of butterflies. Then stamped and embossed clothing articles from Crafty Individuals stamp set CI-306 'French Corsets' and coloured them in using Tim Holtz water brush and DIs.

I bought the water brush from The Funkie Junkie Boutique and so wish to enter card to the Frilly and Funkie Sunday Share.

Gilded most edges with gilding wax and left them to dry overnight. All elements of the card are mounted with foam to add dimension. The two circular dies are by Cheery Lynn and Noor Design. I've also embossed the outer circle with a Cheery Lynn circular stitching plate.

That's It - hope you like! Enjoy the rest of your day.

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Crafty Individuals - Spring In Fashion
Country View Crafts - Butterflies
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Sentimental ("Song of Spring")
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Love To Create - Punches and/or Dies
Dream Valley Challenges - Things With Wings
Sweet Stamping Challenge - Anything but Birthday

Secret Garden

Hi there and welcome to another blog post! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Earlier this week when I saw the inspiration photo at The Shabby Tea Room, the gorgeous Graphic 45 'Secret Garden' papers came to mind...Here is my take on the inspiration photo:



This is the inspiration photo itself:

Paper: Graphic 45 - 'Secret Garden' and 'A Ladies' Diary', Melissa Frances - 'Countdown to Christmas', SEI Velvet Paper in 'Dandelion' and 'Mint'

Ink: For edge definition - Distress Ink 'Scattered Straw'

Dies: Cheery Lynn - 'Square Stackers', 'Sophia's Heart', 'Mini Flourish', Round 'Stitcher Plate'. Spellbinders - 'Standard Circles Large' and 'Eyelet Circles'. Sizzix Bigz - 'Bird Scroll' (with diecuts also mounted on chipboard). Marianne Design - 'Anja's Leaves'. MFT Dienamics - 'Postage Stamp Stax', 'Royal Leaves' and 'Rolled Scallop Flower'. Simon Says Stamp Die - 'Ribbon Banner'

Pearl decoration: Drawn with Viva Decor Pearl Pen in 'Ice White'

Ribbon: May Arts Silk - bow tied using boweasy. Further embellishments from stash

It's a lovely sunny day in Dublin so I'm out soon to savour the sunshine! I hope the sun shines on you this weekend.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
The Shabby Tea Room - Spring Bliss
Craft-Room Challenge - So Sentimental
Crafts 4 Eternity - Perfect Papers
Eclectic Paperie - Flowers
Card and Scrap - Use Dies
Creative Moments - Spring
Kaboodle Doodles - Spring
Love To Create: Bingo (Flowers, Diecuts, Ribbons)
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Crafting For All Seasons - No Stamps Allowed

Springtime Birdie

Greetings from Dublin! So glad to have a card once more to share. Thank-you all for your kind good wishes on my last post - my Mum is improving as each day passes. I hope to catch up with more of your blogs over the coming days.

I made this card for someone who is starting exams - hence the wise owl on the little tag. I've kept it very muted in a vintage style.



Papers: Maja Design (Vintage Summer Basics collection)
Inks: DI Victorian Velvet. May Arts white leaf trim inked with DI Bundled Sage
Dies: Sizzix Bigz - Bird Scroll (I think my favourite die so far!), Sizzix Framelits 'Majestic Labels', Magnolia 'Old Swedish Lace'. (I also diecut the bird in chipboard to have a chunky birdie)
Embellishments: Kaisercraft, Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima, Tim Holtz. Plus cheesecloth, doily, charm and twine from stash


Thanks so much for visiting,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Live & Love Crafts - Bingo (Cheesecloth, Vintage, Flowers)
By The Cute And Girly - Vintage
Wild Orchid Challenges - Twine
Die Cuttin Divas - Flowers
Kaboodle Doodles - Spring
Creative Moments - Challenge 15 Spring
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Color
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Missing In Action

Hello! Just a quick note to explain my absence from blogland over recent weeks.

Firstly I was unwell, then briefly away, only to return to learn that my Mum had sustained a nasty fall. For last couple of weeks my time has been with Mum who thankfully is now home from hospital and I've been staying with her to help her recover and strengthen. I don't have any broadband access there. I hope to return to more of a 'normal' pattern soon - can't wait to catch up your creations - I've been missing crafting and blogland.

Warmest wishes,
Nicola x