Time for Green

Hi there and welcome.

The current challenge at Frilly and Funkie is 'William Morris Style'. I associate William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement with textiles, stained-glass art and wallpaper designs. I thus tried to incorporate all three elements into my card today.



To salute the textile element, I stamped my most appropriate botanical stamp (Anna Griffin 580K06) with DI Bundled Sage (my only green DI) onto Lesley Riley's TAP (Transfer Artist Paper). I then ironed the TAP paper onto some muslin to transfer the stamped image to the cloth.

Next coloured some white stamping paper with Bundled Sage and some pinkish DIs till I'd achieved the required murky shade for the 'frame'. Stamped the frame using Walnut Stain DI ( Hero Arts 'Long Branch' and Impression Obsession 'Sm Leaf Filligree') and Bundled Sage DI (Hero Arts 'Fairy Fern'). As a nod to wallpaper design I stamped the frame's side panels with a vertical bird stamp from a set by Cavallini & Co (Birds and Nests) - well it seems wallpaper like to me anyway!

I had some rub-ons by Kaisercraft that I think resemble stained glass so these were added to the four corners. Stamped a little bird from the Cavallini set and again using TAP transferred it to muslin. Sat this atop a diecut branch (Memory Box) atop a pale green bow. Don't think William Morris would have chosen the bow but hey it is my card!

Matted it all for some colour variation including cutting the green bottom edge with a Magnolia lace edge die - referencing the wonderful lace making associated with the Arts & Crafts Movement. Finished off by adding a dragonfly charm. That's it!

Thank-you so much for spending a little part of your day at my blog. I hope you like!

Nicola x

I wish to enter my card to the following challenges;
Frilly and Funkie - 'William Morris Style'
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Go Green
Stamping Sensations - March 'The Great Outdoors'
Simon Says Stamp - A Bit O' Green

Pretty In Pink

Hello from a very chilly Dublin. Thank-you so much for all your wonderful compliments on my last post - your taking the time and your words are so encouraging. A warm welcome and gratitude too to my new followers.

I needed to make a CAS Valentine card so I've come up with this card inspired by a beautiful card (photo here) at The Case Study Challenge Blog. The centre tag can be removed to use as a bookmark.

Ingredients;
Papers are a silk thread tissue embedded with hearts, Bazzill CS, vellum and a Japanese screenprinted Chiyogami paper
Butterfly punch by Woodware
Stamp by Limited Edition rubber stamps (LE4543G)
I used a dark blue versafine ink to stamp the sentiment so that the Sparkle and Sprinkle EP (Japanese Lacquer) that is a beautiful deep red became an even deeper red.
Metal hearts by Nunn Design
Satin Bow by Anna Griffin

Wishing you all a warm, happy and creative week.
Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, design teams and sponsors of the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Case Study Challenge Blog - #123
Craft-room Challenge - Valentines
Paper Creator's Crafts - Love Is All Around
Inky Impressions - Add A Sentiment
The Pink Elephant Challenge - TPE182 Pink, Red and White
There She Goes - TSG190 Love is in the air

Oh Jingle Bells ....

Greetings from Dublin. Thank-you for stopping by and a warm welcome to my new followers. I've had my card today bobbing around in my head for the last week so am delighted to finally get it made and posted. This one was very tricky to photograph.

I've made an easel card to accomodate a musical scene with Rudolph, Dasher and Blitzen rushing over snowy stars (yes, climate change has a lot to answer for!) to bring wondrous toys to all the girls and boys. They are singing Jingle Bells as they go, with not a snowflake clinging to them as they are moving so quickly!

This might be a better angle;

CS is Bazzill. Papers and tags are from Melissa Frances (Countdown to Christmas and music sheet from 5th Avenue). Stamps are from the magical Stampington and Company (S7338 - Classic Christmas), with the dashing reindeer and Santa Moon inked with Encore metallic inks and embossed with Judikins sparkle EPs. The Jingle Bells ticket at front is from Unity Stamps IB-127 stamped with Versafine. The chipboard musical note has been inked with Distress Stains Metallic Pewter and then stamped with music stamp from Anna Griffin (580K21) using Versafine. (By chance I won some chipboard notes in a raffle at a crop last weekend, so I think it was serendipity to make this card). Same musical stamp also used on centre part of a doily backing the chipboard note. I've edged the top and slanting borders and punched snowflakes with Martha Stewart punches. Tied little bows to those jangling jingle bells (Anitas) and liberally applied liquid pearls and stickles for more sparkle. Dotted some of the snowflake centres with pearls (Artoz). The stars were handcut as I don't have a die cutting machine ... yet ... Santa?!

Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Have a lovely day! Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Musical
Frilly and Funkie - Chipboard and Metal
Moving Along with The Times - Seeing Stars!
Milk Coffee Challenge - More Than 1 Fold
Crafts 4 Eternity - Marvellous Music

The Teddy Bears' Picnic

Hello from lovely bright day in Dublin.

Some days ago when I saw the photo inspiration challenge over at Our Creative Corner it evoked memories of childhood summers in Ireland. To me the photo, showing checkered cloth, food outdoors and countryside meant one thing - a picnic (even in the rain sometimes). Thus I've made my card today to celebrate the most famous picnic of them all;

Base CS is Bazzill. Background paper (with burlap and pawprint pattern) is from Creative Imaginations. I cut wooden texture CS (by Gmund for G.Lalo) to form a picture frame. Next up I stamped several mulberry paper diecut trees with music stamp (Anna Griffin 580K21) using Brilliance Ink in Peacock. Made some bunting with a strawberry pattern fabric. The 'tablecloth' is a tag wrapped in plaid ribbon. The cake slices are from Felt Frenzy (Queen & Co) - a freebie from Frantic Stamper. I printed out some banners with lyrics from 'The Teddy Bears Picnic' song and smudged them with Ranger DI Vintage Photo. In photoshop I used free brushes from Gutterlily10 and printed 4 teddies. Inked them with Vintage Photo. Then dressed the little critters with gems and tartan bows that I was thrilled I had in my stash! Added pearls to cake slices (Kaisercraft), charms, gems (Hero Arts), branches (Martha Stewart punch) and buttons to finish. Not too sure if I've gone too far off the theme from photo, but I did have fun!

I hope those Teddies make it home in time for bed!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Nicola x

I'm entering card for the following challenges;
Our Creative Corner - Its a 'howdy' challenge
Tuesday Throwdown - "Cute & Cuddly"
Divas by Design - Use Some Texture
DisDigiDesigns - Animals acting like people

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

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

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.