Talking butterflies

Greetings from Sunny (hurray!) Dublin and thank-you for your visit.

A more colourful than usual card from me today...

Here's a step by step:

Stamped the background and embossed with black EP.

The Stamp wrapper is torn but I think stamp is 'Butterfly Script' by Hero Arts.

Die cut the stamped image using die from Sizzix 'Enchanted' set.

The other dies shown in snap are used later on.

Coloured in butterflies with a Tim Holtz waterbrush and various distress inks.

Stamped 4 different blue shades of distress ink onto craft mat keeping the 4 colours separate. Blended each of the 4 inks with a blob of glossy texture paste by Ranger. (Forgot to take pic at this stage). Applied the 4 varying shades of blended paste through stencil (by Agateria). Left overnight to dry allowing the paste to harden and turn transparent.

Diecut 2 feathers using Sizzix 'Writing Desk' dies. Inked them with distress inks as shown and decorated using Tim Holtz 'lattice work' stencil.

Also stamped feathers with some text using Prima stamps (Finnabair Vintage Vanity 4 and Sweet Fairy mix 2). Coated them with crackle glaze and left to dry overnight so that crackle could 'do it's thing!'

Diecut the inkpot and inked it purple. Coloured the chipboard text (by Scrapiniec) with markers. Coated both with glossy accents and left to dry overnight. (Take care adding any type of 'moisture' to the chipboard as it is very fragile).

Assembled card with layers of red and white cardstock. Affixed 4 brads to corners and ran red thread around each. Added metal embellishments to the stamped butterflies. 'Grounded' inkpot using black border diecut from the lovely Agnieszka Barska. Diecut some tiny butterflies using Tim Holtz / Sizzix 'Butterfly Frenzy' die, coloured them with same blues used in background stencilling, coated each with glossy accents and secured at inkpot. Splattered some Ecoline white and black inks about.


That's it! Hope you like!
Wishing all a lovely week ahead and thank-you so much for taking the time to stop by.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
A Vintage Journey - Stencil It
Scrapyland - Use image (digi / rubber) plus brand carried by store (Sizzix)
Allsorts - Use at least 2 dies
Inky Chicks - Lots of Butterflies
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
Stamps & Stencils - Time to Take Flight
Crafty Creations - Words / Letters on background
Fussy & Fancy Friday - Let's Fly Away
Scrap & Craft - S.C.R.A.P. (Stencil, Chipboard, Paper)

Summer Garden

Hello. I hope this Friday finds you well.

I've made today's card to meet criteria of a number of challenges and enjoyed setting out a garden scene.

Paper: Maja Design with edges distress inked. Some stitching included along with my usual little sprinklings of Frantage

Die: Marianne Design (Ovals & Pop-Ups LR0371)

Embellishments - I made the birdhouse, birds and nest in silicone moulds using paper clay. The little house has then been treated to some paint and crackle to shabby it up. The birds and foliage have been inked with distress inks. Ivy chipboard is by Scrapiniec, again inked with distress ink and then coated with clear crackle. Metal elements are by Tim Holtz. Flowers and muslin from stash.

Stencils: Tim Holtz 'Flourish Stencil' filled with DecoArt white crackle. Two corners (behind rollbacks) are also stenciled using a 'Crafter's Workshop' stencil.

Thank-you so much for your visit,
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday Challenge - Summer Fun (Favourite time in summer is to sit in garden and watch/hear birds)
A Vintage Journey - Stencil It
Scrap & Craft - S.C.R.A.P. (I've used stencil, chipboard and paper)
Happy Little Stampers - August Mixed Media - Use Metal
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Close to Nature
Everything Goes with Marianne Designs - option Summer / Holiday
Craft Heaven Shop - Anything Goes with option of sketch
Anything But Cute - Shabby Garden Mood Board

Pretty Ballerinas

Hello! Thank-you for your visit and a warm welcome to recent new followers.

Today's card is for lovely Sara who is celebrating her 9th birthday!

Papers: Melissa Frances '5th Avenue' collection

Stencilling: On background paper using a Dutch Doobadoo stencil and Faber Castell Texture Luxe in 'Pearl'

Dies / Punch: Edging strips are cut with a Martha Stewart 'Eyelet Lace' Edge punch. To accentuate a sense of 'frilliness' I've painted the punched edges with white ecoline and dried paint with heat gun so as to slightly bubble it. The flourishes at corners of frame are diecut using a Joy Crafts die - they seem, (to me anyway), to echo the ballerinas' arms

Frame: The frame is MDF which I painted a couple of times with gesso and then coated with Stampendous Frantage in 'Shabby Pink' and 'Shabby White' along with some pink glass glitter by Melissa Frances

Tutu: Made 'tutu' with Melissa Frances 'frou frou' tulle

Other Embellishments: I've made resin corners at left from paper clay in a silicone mould. Metal corners to right are painted white and topped with little venise lace bows. Flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts and Prima and the stamens are from stash. The metal 'Happy Birthday' is by Making Memories. Pearls around edges are by Woodware and The Hobby House. A bow and Prima bauble are included too. Finally, dabbed Prima / Finnabair Art Sugar in 'light pink' onto flowers and corners for a touch more sparkle

Thanks so very much for stopping by,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Mixed Media Place, July Moodboard (inspired by hues, sugary roses and happy)

Simon Monday Challenge - Celebrate
Live & Love Crafts - Happy Birthday / Anniversary
Inky Chicks - Use 5 or more Flowers
Allsorts - A touch of Sparkle
ABC Challenge - M is for Maiden (card for young girl)
Card & Scrap - Alt er Lov / Anything Goes
Kort o Mania - Alt er Lov / Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Birthdays / Celebrations
Simon Wednesday - Fabulous Florals