Thank-you for the Memories!

Hello again! No doubt you know that the Extraordinary Shirley Temple died this month. For me anyway, She leaves behind only the happiest of childhood memories, watching re-runs of her movies, usually on a weekend matinée (likely having fought for negotiated viewing as my brother would have wanted to watch some sport programme!).

In my mind Shirley represents an era (Depression America) whose earnest values have long since diminished. She, and her movies, had a charming innocence (though I acknowledge some now could view aspects as a little risqué). She played a darling poppet who seemed to genuinely radiate abundant love and happiness toward all, regardless of age, race, wealth or crankiness of disposition. Her performing abilities were remarkable and the icing on the cake is that she managed to move from 'The Movies' to the adult 'real world' and lead a successful happy life. Rest in peace Shirley Temple Black.

The idea for my card came about on a tangent. One of the challenges I'm entering has restricted entries to an unusual colour combination and I was finding it difficult to make something I liked. Reading about Shirley's death I came across a free vintage image of her (thank-you Janet K Designs) that I thought could be adjusted to fit the requirements of the colour challenge and other challenges as outlined below. I edited the image in Photoshop to remove any black and imbued strong sepia tones. Also altered the polkadots of her pjs to shades of plum, purple, blue and navy. Added too some of the lyrics of the delightful "Good Ship Lollipop" song from her movie "Bright Eyes". For the full song lyrics see here. Seriously, who could not smile at thoughts of "happy landings on a chocolate bar" etc!

The layers:
I've used plum and blue sheets from Prima 'Firefly' collection. 1st layer plum sheet. Next is blue debossed with Cheery Lynn 'Petite Hearts' plate. Then plum sheet embossed with Cheery Lynn 'Stitcher' plate and on top of that blue diecut using Cheery Lynn 'Sophia Heart' die. On lower half I embossed a blue CS with Sizzix Music texture fade. Then liberally coated brayer with Versamark chalk ink in 'Purple Hydrangea' and rolled brayer over embossed music several times to give the purple notes. (This looked great so it's a pity I had to cover up so much of it!). Also included two Magnolia border diecuts.

For the layout there was only one way to go and that was to put Shirley 'centre stage'.  Edited photo as above and printed onto canvas paper sheet. Matted that onto SEI Velvet paper in 'Chocolate'. Stenciled in little hearts and stars around Shirley using a Heidi Swapp mask and Wendy Vecchi texture paste.

Top Left - Well Shirley had to have a nice big jaunty bow for her cameo appearance on my blog today. I then added two stars (cut with Sizix Bigz 'Stars' die) that I had coated with Distress Glitter in 'Clear Rock Candy'. The 'cutie' charm is by K&Co.

Top Right - painted a starry corner charm with gesso and then anointed with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate ink. Diecut SEI 'Chocolate' velvet with film strip die.

Bottom Left - The candy cane is diecut using Sizzix Bigz 'Stocking & Candy Cane' die. As before, applied lots of Distress Glitter to the Candy Cane. Wrapped some beige cord around for decoration and affixed grosgrain bow.

Bottom Right - There had to be a lollipop and I bet Shirley loved to have M&Ms on hers! Punched an oval from SEI Blue Velvet paper and glittered as before. Affixed it to cotton bud. Added lots of brads, bow and 'Sweet' charm.

Finished off with lots of gems and bling - this girl most definitely merits glitz!

Thank-you so much for stopping by and I hope you share my happy memories of Shirley. It's a long post so thank-you if you've read it all the way through!

Have a lovely weekend and here's hoping that the approaching storms in this part of the world won't do further damage.

Nicola x

Thank-you to hosts, sponsors and DTs of the following challenges that I wish to enter:
Our Creative Corner - Use Blue, Brown and Purple/Plum with no black or white
Inspiration Journal - Show It With Words - I've included lyrics
Simon Says Stamp Monday - A Cameo Appearance - Shirley is making a Cameo appearance on my blog!
Craft Your Passion - Girly Girl
Charisma Cards - Inspired By A Movie
Southern Girls - Bling It, Bling, Bling
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
Craft for the Craic - Heart
Crafty Hands Devon - Heat/Dry Embossed background

All Wrapped Up

Hi there and many thanks for visiting. A very warm welcome too to new followers and a belated 'Happy Thanksgiving' to everyone who celebrates same.

A while ago the lovely Lynne kindly gifted me some canvas printer paper that I had admired on her blog. I held off using it until I saw just the 'right' image. Then a couple of weeks ago I saw a beautiful picture at Nancy's blog here that I felt would be perfect - thank-you Nancy for finding this beauty.

Papers: Bazzill, Papermania, SEI Velvet, Doily and Lynne's canvas paper

Dies: Cheery Lynn Reflections 'Pearl French Flair' and 'Horizon Coved Rectangle'. Simon Says Stamp 'Faceted Snowflake'. Memory Box 'Berry Sprig'. Sizzix Bigz 'Mini Styled Labels'

Sparkle: It is not showing in photo but oodles of Distress Dry Glitter 'Clear Rock Candy' has been added around rim of each layer and main image. Ditto on snowflake, berry sprigs and around sentiment. Edges of cream layer are also versamark inked and then embossed with Sparkle and Sprinkle EP 'Gilded Ivory'. I've frantaged the focal image using Stampendous 'Shabby White' aged embossing enamel

Dry Embossing: The cream velvet paper has been embossed through a Sizzix 'Holly Swirls' folder

Stamping: The stamped sentiment is by 'Cats Life Press'. It's been inked using versamark and then embossed with Ranger 'Queen's Gold' EP

I then tied silk bow using 'Boweasy' and wrapped the gorgeous girl up in luxurious lace, cosy feathers (despite my being allergic!) and other trims from stash. The metal snowflakes are by Nunn Design.

Isn't she lovely?

Wishing all a very happy weekend. Your visits and comments are truly appreciated.

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn Designs - Non-traditional Christmas Colours
Craft Room Challenge - Vintage Christmas
Rhedd and Rosie - Christmas is Coming
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes With Ribbon
Crafts and Me - Christmas Vintage
Songbird Challenge - Die Another Day
Moving Along With The Times - Girly but NO Pink
A Creative Romance - Vintage Style

Snow Baby

Hello! Thank-you for stopping by and a warm welcome to new followers. In case you missed my last post for my 1st BLOGAVERSARY CANDY then please click here.

Well I've finally made a start on Christmas cards. Isn't she sweet? I know she looks cold but she has her teddy for cuddles!

I've used a pink Bazzill CS for base and cut a Sizzix on the edge die snowflake border. I glittered those snowflakes with Distress glitter and daubed with Snow-tex. Discovered that by layering vellum over vellum it achieved a good ice slab appearance so the background is two layers of vellum with the upper one embossed with Sizzix snow flurries texture fade and liberally covered with Snow-Tex. I then cut two more layers using Spellbinders Fleur de lis squares. The lower layer is white CS and upper layer is vellum again embossed with snow flurries folder.

Next stamped the gorgeous munchkin - stamp by Crafty Individuals (CI-240) with a pink Brilliance ink and embossed with Adirondack EP (Wild Plum). The little ticket at the top left (Unity Itty Bitty stamps) and the Jingle Bells text (freebie from Crafty Individuals) were also done the same way.

I thought I had some silver stickles as I wanted to coat edges in silver for definition - unfortunately there was none in my stash. So all the sparkly silver edges that you see were done by heat embossing. (Ran Brilliance silver ink around the edge and then coated withg Judikins EP (Silver Twinkle) before blasting with my heat gun. Any edge that wasn't silvered was instead coated with Snow-Tex.

Added some bobble ribbon along the base of the Snow Baby to resemble snow. I really wanted to make the card sparkle (though that isn't captured too well by photo) so I was delighted when I went thru my stash to find some Idea-ology tinsel that I had bought when reduced last January and had long forgotten about - ran that along left edge. Diecut some Memory Box 'Precious Stars' and again inked and sprinkled with Judikins EP to get some silver blingy stars. Also diecut some Winterberry sprigs (Memory Box) from white SEI Velvet paper so that there are lots and lots of textures going on.

Punched several size snowflakes from CS, vellum, and silver paper (that I ran thru a flourish texture fade so that it wasnt just flat paper) and affixed all to the card. Gave the snowflakes little gem centres too. Also included some Magnolia silvery berries. Finally attached the metal bells and little teddy to complete.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing all a lovely weekend!
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Our Creative Corner - Forgotten Things
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Embossed
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Emboss It
Crafts Too Challenge You - Texture with a twist style (Vintage)
Country View Crafts - Layers
Creative Creations Challenges - Early Christmas Makes
Flourishes - Make A Good Impression
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Non Traditional Colours
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Cute and Cuddly Christmas
Inspiration Emporium - Falling for Faux (Faux snow and ice)

I only have eyes for you!

Hello all and thank-you for stopping by.

I'm sorry I've been absent from blogland for some time but there was a bit of a crisis that meant I was away from my crafting goodies. I'm hoping to catch up with all your blogs later today. In the meantime here's a wedding card that I've made for a special couple.

The highlight pieces are of course the gorgeous owl charm (that I gave eyes of pearls) and their backing wooden house. The owl charm was a freebie with an order from Live & Love Crafts (thank-you Sandy) and the wooden birdcage is compliments of the lovely Alison as part of her fab candy haul that I luckily won.

Base: Bazzill CS covered with a layer of crepe paper (to give a rustling forest sound!)
Die Cuts: Corners (Memory Box 'Madera Corner'), Branches (Memory Box 'Woodland Branch'), Backing Oval (Spellbinders 'Floral Ovals'), Foliage cut from SEI Velvet paper (Spellbinders 'Foliage' and Memory Box 'Royal Leaves')
Decoration on Oval: I've stamped and clear embossed several wild flowers using Crafty Individuals CI-226 set and then sprinkled on shabby white frantage for more texture
Words: The white metal accents are by Making Memories. I first painted them in a cream with brown cracks finish but this didn't look right so stripped all the paint off and repainted it with Paper Artsy 'Snowflake'. Then dabbed the raised parts with gilding wax for highlights. The brass 'Mr & Mrs' has also been dabbed with gilding wax.
I adorned further with pearls, Snow-Tex dabbed roses, punched branches and lace.
To complete I wrapped card in a wide band of tulle (dabbed with Snow-Tex) and May Arts Silk ribbon tied with my Boweasy.

Thank-you for visiting - it's always so lovely to have you view my crafting.

Happy Weekend!
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Our Creative Corner - Words, Words, Words
Live & Love Crafts - Warm or Cool Colours
Craft Room Challenge - It's Bingo Time (Lace, Brown, Pearls)
Inky Chicks - Lovely Lace
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Make The Cut
Crafty Boots - Die Cuts
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Bingo Board (Pearls, Free, Lace)
Card and Scrap - Alt er lov (Anything Goes)
My Craft Creations - Ribbons and Bows

Pearl Drops

Welcome to another wedding card! Thanks so much for stopping by.



A quick post so will just list the ingredients;

Dies: Sizzix Bigz 'Primitive Hearts', Spellbinders 'Fancy Lattice', Cheery Lynn 'City Girl Edger'
Embossing Folder: Sizzix 'Sheet Music'
Cardstock: Bazzill and hand-made rose imprinted paper
Bling: Music Notes done with Magnolia Knick Knackerys. Lattice intersections decorated with Viva Decor pearl pen 'Ice White'. Metal Hearts - thank-you Alison. Pearl trims, venise lace, backing tulle and silver string from stash.

If you missed my last post about votes for my butterfly box then please see end of post here. Many thanks.

Wishing all a very happy weekend with abundant doses of sunshine!

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Inspiration Journal - Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Stripes (in the sheet music and lattice!)
Vintage Udfordring - Pearls and Lace
Divas by Design - Pretty Pearls
Crafting with Dragonflies - Vintage with pearls and lace
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Creative Belli - Wedding
Everbody-Art-Challenge - Wedding
TotallyPaperCrafts - June Bride (and Groom of course)

Garden Magic

Hi there. My goodness, the sun is shining brightly in Dublin this evening! I've even left the glare on photo as evidence of this rare event (lol).

With so many flower/garden related challenges right now I turned to Graphic 45 'Secret Garden' papers - they never disappoint.



It's a short post today!

Papers: Graphic 45 'Secret Garden', Melissa Frances 'Attic Treasures', Bazzill cardstock and doily from stash.

Dies: MFT Dienamics: 'Royal Leaves', 'Mini Royal Roses', 'Mini Rolled Roses' and 'Small Scallop Border'. Magnolia: 'Heart Flower Lace'. Spellbinders: 'Romantic Rectangles' and 'Decorative Labels 27'. Memory Box: 'Perched Reed Bird' and 'Woodland Branch'.

Embellishments: I made the flowers, leaves, birds and branch from a little bit of G45 paper! Karen Foster Charms (dabbed with Treasure Gold 'White Fire'). Pearls are by Melissa Frances and water droplets are by Hero Arts. Silk Ribbon by May Arts tied using Boweasy. The beautiful lace is from The Funkie Junkie Boutique so I wish to enter card to the Frilly and Funkie Sunday Share.

Sincere thanks to all who visit - your comments/following really are much appreciated. May the sun shine on you this weekend!

Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and DTs at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Country View Crafts - How Does Your Garden Grow
Simon Says Stamp and Show - A Little Paper
Sugar Creek Hollow - Spring Flowers
By The Cute and Girly - Flowers
Happy Camper Craft Collective - Use Lace
Simon Says Stamp - Flower Power
Crafty Bloggers' Network - Os & Xs (Die Cut, flowers, ribbon)
Love To Create - Many Pretty Flowers
Songbird Challenges - Blom and Grow - Flowers
Tuesday Throwdown - Smell the Roses
Card and Scrap - Lag på lag (Layers)

Frills!

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh (Happy St. Patrick's Day) and welcome to my blog! It's lovely having you visit Ireland today.

I've created today's card with a few challenges in mind but foremost inspiration comes from the photo challenge at The Shabby Tea Room this week - see picture inspiration here.

As per usual I tried out card with various layouts and degrees of embellishment but the dress is just so frilly that this card didn't want to wear much else!



Dressform: Chipboard cut using die by Tim Holtz (Sewing Room). Paper by Graphic 45 (A Ladies' Diary) painted with Paper Artsy Gloss Glaze. Dress by Melissa Frances Organza Pouf Ribbon (cream and pink). I bought pouf ribbon at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and so am entering card to the Frilly and Funkie Sunday Share

Butterflies: Die by Tim Holtz (Mini Butterflies). Each butterfly built using corrugated cardstock, 2 x Bazzill CS and 8 x tulle butterfly diecuts (all stitched together). Decorated with Memory Box (Corner Bow) diecut

Background Paper: Melissa Frances (5th Avenue Collection)
Pearls: Kaisercraft
Ink: Antique Linen DI
Doily, roses and trim from stash

Thank-you for stopping by. Now I must dash off to a parade .... where's my shamrock???

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
The Shabby Tea Room - Oh So Pretty In Pink
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Chic To Be Shabby
Inspiration Emporium - Add A Little POP
Happy Campers Challenge - Flutterby Butterfly
Flutterby Wednesday - Any Winged Creature
Anything Goes Challenge - Seeing Double
Heck Of A Challenge - Spring / Butterflies and Pearls
By The Cute And Girly - Favourite Things (Butterflies)

Birthday Boy!

Hello and welcome! Thank-you all so much for your phenomenal response to my last post (here) and a warm welcome to my new followers. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

This week I had to make a dreaded masculine card - I find these so difficult! Not surprisingly, it didn't go according to plan either! But never mind, here it is;



The part that didn't work out was that I wanted to colour the embossed/raised edge ridges in blue. I attempted markers but couldn't maintain a clean even pattern. I then tried to ink inside the embossing folder prior to embossing but couldn't achieve clean lines so had to abandon after several messy attempts. Maybe I should buy an ink brayer? Or go back to the classroom!

The ingredients:
Embossing Folders are from Sizzix Mail Set (I fussy cut out the embossed wings)
Stamps: Paris metro map by Artemio (Paris by Night) is tucked into the envelope and Kaisercraft 'Postmarks' for main image - all stamped in DI Salty Ocean
Papers: Melissa Frances (Countdown to Christmas) and Blue Faux Leather Paper from stash
Embellishments: Wheels are by Karen Foster Charms, Zipper is by Prima Junkyard Findings, Metal tab is by Making Memories
Cardstock and Brads: Bazzill
Blue Velvet ric rac by May Arts and Satin Ribbon from stash

Thank-you so much for visiting.
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Lawnscaping Challenge - #53 Texture
Crafty Cardmakers - Masculine Birthday feat. tech/gadget
Cards for Men - Monochrome
Anything Goes Challenge - Make It Manly

Happy Valentine's Day

A sunny hello to all who visit - each and every one is much appreciated. I'm afraid I have yet another pink card to share but I promise to change colour for the next post! I'll keep this post short as I'm pressed for time.



Papers: My Mind's Eye (Be Happy collection) and various size doilies. Papers have been distressed, sponged and stamped with Kaisercraft Clear Stamp (Distress CS877) and various Distress Inks
Image: Free courtesy of Magic Moonlight (I also made some sepia and tone adjustments in Photoshop)
Dies: Cheery Lynn (Heart Chain Border), Magnolia (Heart Swirl), Spellbinders (Fleur de Lis Squares)
Venise Lace Heart from The Funkie Junkie Boutique (and card thus entered to The Frilly and Funkie Sunday Share)
Charms, lace ribbon, pearls and roses from stash

May you receive at least an extra little spoonful of love in your day today.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Nicola xx

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Frilly and Funkie: Lacy Heartsy Valentine
Cheery Lynn Designs - Frame It
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Put your heart on it!
Anything Goes Challenge - Vintage/Shabby Chic
Crafts and Me - Doily Heaven

Happily Ever After

Hello and Welcome! Thank-you for stopping by. I hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Today it's a new challenge over at Eclectic Ellapu and Sheena has chosen the theme of 'Girly'. Any project that suggests 'Girly' to you is more than welcome in the challenge here. A special Happy Birthday to Sheena's little sister today (occasion being the inspiration for challenge theme).

The base CS is Bazzill - I've shaped the top with a Tim Holtz On The Edge 'Ornate' die. The next pink layer has been embossed with a Cheery Lynn plate 'Petite Hearts' and its corners are shaped with a Fiskars punch. I then wrapped it in white tulle to resemble a cummerbund. The dress is a stamp by Stampington and Company (Apron S7342) stamped in Archival ink (Rose Madder) and embossed with Ranger Antiquities EP (Rose Quartz). I've edged that white card using Magnolia's Old Swedish lace die. I also used Cheery Lynn's Sophia's Heart die to cut a pink doily - I snipped out just the outer edge and used it to frame the dress layer. The Prince is from my printer (a free vintage printable) - he is layered on some cheesecloth. The 'Cinderella' label is from an Impression Obsession stamp (Cinderella Shoes D6543) also stamped and embossed as before. I coated all layers liberally with Frantage (Shabby Pink and Shabby White embossing enamel, pink colour fragments and glass glitter). For definition I ran a cotton bud inked with Archival Rose Madder around most edges. The finishing touches are several flourishes made using Cheery Lynn Mini Fanciful Flourish die, rosebuds and prima fairytale rose, May Arts silk ribbon and charms from stash. (The crown charm was toned down with some pewter stain and the shoe is propped on a punched heart). That shoe charm was a perfect fit for Cinderella - I hope your Prince is good to you this Valentine's Day and brings you lots of 'shoes'!

Don't forget to check out Eclectic Ellapu's 'Girly' Challenge - the Pink Team have lots of gorgeous inspiration for you here. We look forward to oodles of prettiness, or maybe not, just pop over with whatever 'Girly' means to you!

Nicola x

Thank-you to the Hosts, Sponsors and Design Teams at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Ever After
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge - Add A Flourish
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes With Ribbon
No Matter Which Challenges - Ribbons and Bows
In The Pink – Pink Valentines
Simon Says Stamp - Have A Heart
Stampin for the Weekend - Something Metal
Inspiration Emporium - Spread some L.O.V.E.

Tulip Butterflies

Hello and a warm welcome to another blog post.

Well you sure can tell that my Big Shot is still novel to me with the amount of die cuts that I've included today - hope I havn't overdone it!

The flower and script panel has been created by stamping with Versamark (onto speciality stamping paper) and then clear embossing the image to form a resist. The stamp is by La Blanche 'Tulips Script'. Then sponged on a melange of distress inks including the new Peacock Feathers. Had fun with lots of spritzing and flicking. Die cut image with Spellbinders die BUT hadn't allowed ink to dry sufficiently so managed to rip the edges to bits! I wanted a shabby look but not ripped to shreds! So I redid the stamp resist, die cut the rectangle and then enjoyed more inking all over again. My tip today is to make sure paper well dry before doing a detailed diecut.

Printed out the lovely sentiment kindly created by Cec for a recent win at Sugar Creek Hollow. Got the die cutting done and then used the die to mask the image and sponged on even more ink. Also diecut butterflies and circle from corrugated CS and ink them to match.

Using my new butterfly stencil I added some texture paste butterflies to link various panels of the card together. I decided to leave the white paste as is for contrast although I see that the paste has absorbed some of the underlying distress ink whilst drying.

I assembled lots of layers including papers from Prima Firefly collection that were a great tonal match, doiley, tissue paper and some flourishes. Mounted the two main butterflies onto embossed CS to add further dimension. Added some gems and a little bow to complete.

Thank-you for visiting today - it was lovely to have you stop by!
Nicola x

Thanks to the hosts, sponsors and DTs at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Sugar Creek Hollow - Lots of Layers
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Lavishly Luscious Layers
Twisted Tuesday Challenges - Anything Goes
Flutter By Wednesday's - Anything Goes
Perfect Sentiments - Anything Goes with a Die-Cut
Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Challenges - Fancy Edges

White Valentine

Hello from a cold, sleety Dublin with snow forecast for today.

Lots of challenges this week with a white theme which is so appropriate for snowy region. Hope you are snuggly warm wherever you are.

The background layer is Lace Paper - tissue weight paper is pulsated with high speed water jets through a silk screen to create the 'lace pattern'. I've then die cut 4 borders from velvet paper (by SEI) so that edges are lovely and soft. (Magnolia die "Old Swedish Lace"). The doily is cut from Bazzill CS using Cheery Lynn's Sophia's Heart die. I painted the primitive heart die cut with Paper Artsy's Fresco Finish in Snowflake. Then stamped and embossed swirls using Crafty Individuals stamp (CI-182) and embossed with Stampendous EP (Winter Wonderland). The top chip-board die cut was first painted in Paper Artsy's Nougat paint. I then applied their crackle glaze paint. When dry, painted again using Snowflake paint and the lovely cracks appeared. The top embellishment is a beautiful french enamel by 7Gypsies. I tried 'crackling' the enamel but it didn't work out so I've just dabbed it with Adirondack paint dabber in Snowcap to 'remove the bare look'. I received the pretty corrugated butterflies as a freebie with an order from The Funkie Junkie Boutique - thanks Linda! I've painted them with Paper Artsy's Snowflake paint and then dabbed the ridges with Paper Artsy's Metallic Glaze which gives a lovely pearly shimmer. I've completed by adding roses, pearls, Cheery Lynn flourish die cuts and lace.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Stay warm and have a lovely weekend.

Nicola x

I wish to enter my card to the following challenges;
Sugar Creek Hollow - Winter White
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Lace Love
Flutter By Wednesday - Winter White
The Pretty Little Ribbon - Flowers & Ribbon
Make My Monday - Diecuts and Punches
4 Crafty Chicks - Pearls, pearls, pearls
Crafty Ribbons - Love, Romance, Anniversary

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

Blue Snowland

Hello and welcome to my Big Shot inaugural post! I officially declare my new toy from Santa as active and much loved already!

I've used Bazzill CS. The beautiful top quality papers are from Maja Design (It's Christmas Time collection). Dies are by Cheery Lynn and Memory Box. I'm just loving how easy it is to create diecuts and the 'extra' punch that they can add (no pun intended!). Distressed the first layer and edged with Antik Metallic paste in silver. I've stamped the forest using stamp by 'Just for Fun' and little snowflakes stamp by Fiskars and embossed them with Stampendous Winter Wonderland EP. I daubed some 'snow' with Adirondack paint dabber and gesso. Added some frantage silver glass glitter. Snowflake punches by Martha Stewart, pearls from Kaisercraft, Bird House by Prima (Ingvild Bolme). Partly distressed the papers and 'house' with Distress Inks.

Thank-you so much for taking time at my blog. I hope that it's warm wherever you are!

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Maja Design - January Mood Board
Creative Craft Challenges - New Beginnings
LEJ Designs - New Beginnings
Try It On Tuesday - New Stash
Tuesday Throwdown - Shiny and New

Happy New Year!

Dear All,

I do hope that your Christmas has been very happy and peaceful (mine has, and thank-you to all who made it so). (SPOILER ALERT LOL - Santa brought me a Big Shot so there will be lots of die cuts coming to a blog near you very soon!!)

I wish you a New Year that brings an abundance of good health, fulfillment and happiness. I'm very much looking forward to your blogging company and to future creations from both you and I ...

Thank-you so much for stopping by.
Happy 2013!!
Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and design teams at the following challenges that I am entering;
Tuesday Throwdown - Bright and Happy New Year
ABC Challenges - New Year Sparkle
Kaboodle Doodles - Anything Goes
Crafty Mess - Show Some Sparkle/Bling
Card Crafter's Circle - Anything Goes

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hello and welcome to my last post for 2012 as I've tidied away the craft goodies and am taking a little break. I'm looking forward to getting back into full throttle in January.

I began my blog in September this year. My venture into blogging was a kind of unknown as I didn't know what to expect - I could not have been more happily surprised with how it has turned out. I wish to extend my warmest appreciation for the wonderful welcome that has greeted me and to each and every one who has taken the time to visit. I am amazed at how much I have learned over the past 4 months from you all - your blogs, creations, posts, challenges, design teams and tutorials are an incredible university and a never-ending source of entertainment and inspiration! Heartfelt thanks especially go to those who have posted such lovely compliments and those who became followers - doing so makes you so much more real and your encouragement is what spurs me on.
“Instruction does much, but encouragement everything." Johann W. von Goethe.

I'm also THRILLED to advise that my card 'Oh Jingle Bells' will be shown tomorrow (21st) on the wonderful Melissa Frances Blog. I genuinely love Melissa Frances creations and products so to be published on her blog is the cherry on top of this Christmas. Thank-you so much to all at Melissa Frances.

My very first post in September was 'Starting with Santa'. I thought it would be a nice balance to end 2012 using the same stamp. So without further ado - here he is!

Ingredients for my card today;
Papers: Maja Design (It's Christmas Time)
Stamps: Inkadinkado (A Visit from Santa 98223) and Stampendous (Christmas Wishes SSC1068)
Ink: Versafine (Crimson) and papers edged with Encore Metallic in Gold. Edges also distressed with Distress Inks (Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo)
Embossing Powder: Sparkle and Sprinkle (Japanese Lacquer) and Ranger (Queen's Gold)
Punches: Edger and snowflake by Martha Stewart
Free vintage images printed onto TAP (Transfer Artist Paper by Lesley Riley) and then ironed onto muslin
Bunting embellishment: Melissa Frances (Countdown to Christmas)
Ribbon: May Arts Silk
Dabs of Stickles Glitter
Everything else from stash

Wishing you a joyous and peaceful Christmas,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
The Ribbon Reel - Nordic Noel
Holly Jolly Christmas - Vintage Christmas
LEJ Designs - Santa's Coming To Town
Loves Rubberstamps - Merry Christmas
Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas Anything Goes
Deep Ocean Challenge - Santa is coming to town
The Pretty Little Ribbon - Its Christmas
Simon Says Challenge - Merry Christmas
Charisma Cardz - Sanata Claus is coming to town
Craft Us Crazy - Merry Christmas

Let's Ice Skate

Happy Sunday everyone! I am delighted to see so many visits, comments and new followers. I appreciate them all and thank everyone for hopping on board!

I saw and saved an ice skate shaped card some time ago (can't remember from where). I printed out the shape and cut templates for the skate and boot. I am forever bookmarking tutorials and was glad to put one of them into practice today - please see Shelly Hickox's tutorial on Faux Tarnished Metal here as it is so effective.

I cut out the skate shape from grungeboard and gave it a coat of Metallic Stain in Pewter. Following Shelly's tutorial I gave the skate a few coats of silver embossing powder heating each as I went along. I then sprinkled some UTEE randomly and heat blasted it. The whole process caused the silver to bubble and tarnish beautifully. Just lovely for a vintage ice-skate.

The boot itself is cut from faux leather paper - bought in the most va va voom of Stationers - Kate's Paperie in NYC. The top of the boot is white Bazzill CS stamped using french text stamp by Andy Skinner (Simply Angelic set). Also edged boot top with silver glass glitter. I tucked in 2 types of venise lace from Linda's Funkie Junkie Boutique. Just for shopping balance the lovely lace ribbon used for bow comes from another beautiful Stationer Daintree (in Dublin). I added 3 little heart brads and bow for faux lacing effect.

The background is a square of red velvet SEI Velvet paper (love this for Christmas). I painted glue across end of the velvet and applied a thick layer of Melissa Frances mica flakes. I spent forever trying to see what worked best to highlight the red leather of the boot and eventually settled on a band of white CS stamped and embossed with Stampendous Christmas Background stamp (CRR144). All the stamping on card is done with Versafine crimson and EP is Sparkle n Sprinkle Japanese Lacquer.

Took the shine from some Darice jingle bells by dabbing with pewter metallic stain and tied them together and stitched to the white lace bow. I recently got a fab stash of freebies with an order from Crafty Individuals so stamped and embossed their lovely free Jingle Bells sentiment and backed with strip of red velvet. I punched snowflakes from CS and vellum, coated them with glue and dipped them in Distress Dry glitter in clear rock candy. Also added same glitter to rim of boot and skate for sparkle aplenty.

Lots to do today - I wish I really could skate! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Nicola x

Thank-you to the many hosts, sponsors and DTs of the following challenges that I wish to enter card to:
Simon Says Stamp - Snowflakes
Crafty Mess Challenge - Vintage Christmas
Jingle Belles Rock - December to Remember
Craft Us Crazy - Its beginning to look a lot
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas
Charisma Cards - Christmas
Stampin for the Weekend - Let it Snow
Glitter n Sparkle - Use Some Metal
Pixie Dust Studio - Sparkle and Snowflakes
Divas By Design - Let It Snow
Alphabet Challenge - V for Vintage
Sweet Stampin Christmas - Anything Goes
Just Us Girls - Embossing
Pile It On - Embellishments

Presents!

Hello again! Thank-you for visiting.

Just doing a quick card and post today. I havn't done any stamping for this card and I feel like a cheat without it!!

You can see that there are some little surprises to be found...

Recipe: Hand drawn Christmas Stocking template. Bazzill CS. SEI Velvet Papers. Faux leather papers edged with Martha Stewart punches. Gifts from Woodware punches. Charms, crystals and ribbons from stash.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and very many thanks for following.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Eclectic Ellapu - Celebration with Sparkle
Card Crafter's Circle - Bearing Gifts #51
Moving Along With The Times - 3 elements with same letter: (Christmas Stocking, Crystals,Charms)
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas

The Maji

Hello again from a very chilly but sunny Dublin. Thank-you for stopping by and welcome to yet another Christmas Card post.

CS is Bazzill. Papers are by Maja Design (having inked/distressed them with various DIs). I stamped and embossed Wisemen Postcard (Stampington and Company C8432)) with black archival ink and black detail EP. Then blended several DIs and Glimmer Mist (Walnut Gold) to create a warm background for the Maji. I coated with Glossy Accents for definition. Next I matted image onto several layers of CS and papers (having distressed and gilded each rectangle's edge). Also used a Martha Stewart edge punch along the base rectangle. With same punch I edged a strip of paper and matted it on CS. Again aged and gilded the edges. Using a holly stamp from Inkadinkado (98398 Christmas Silhouettes) I stamped holly leaves and inked with DI, shimmer mist and applied gilding wax to their edges. Punched the angel wings and bird shapes using Fiskars Squeeze punches and coated with Distress Stain. 'Aged' a Tim Holtz gamespinner and attached to postcard. Added a Brenda Walton metal brad for 'stamp'. Completed with ribbons, bow tied with my boweasy and date (Maja Road). Added crackle accents to embellishments for final vintage effect.

Thank-you so much for visiting and a special thank-you to those who leave comments as they are very much appreciated.

Enjoy your weekend.
Nicola x

Many thanks to the Hosts and Design Teams at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Sugar Creek Hollow - Vintage Christmas
Sunday Stamper (Ink on my Fingers) - Vintage
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes (with Martha Stewart)
Crafty Ribbons - Use at least 2 ribbons
Use Your Stuff - Patterned Paper
Tuesday Throwdown - Lots of Layers
Fussy and Fancy - I Love Christmas
Addicted to Stamps - Christmastime
Glitter n Sparkle - Ribbon and / or Lace
Hooked on Craft - Christmas
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas

Smitten Penguins in Snowland

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans wherever you are in the world. Thank you so much to everyone who visits my blog and a very special thank-you to all my new followers.

No creations for the last week I'm afraid as I wasn't well. I hope to be more productive this week. I decided I would try and make a shaker card as a lot of YouTube videos make it look easy! It isn't ... mine sprung a leak alas and some careful plumbing work was required. I reckon I should get used to glitter on the floor for the next couple of weeks!

Onto Stardream cardstock I stamped some Christmas Penguins (Penny Black 3514H - Cheerful Giving) and then embossed with Judikins Black Diamond EP. I also stamped with Versamark and clear embossed some snowflakes around the penguins for a resist (Fiskars Winter Wonderland) but these aren't showing up too well against the pale blues. The background was sponged with a mix of Ranger Distress inks and Snow Cap Adirondack paint dabber. I punched some snowflakes with my Martha Stewart and Woodware punches and gave them gemstone centres from Hero Arts. Card is my literal interpretation of one of the challenges I entering - Home Sweet Home as I agree "home is where the heart is". This smitten little pair's home just happens to be the great outdoors. I've added little key and heart charms for them. Used Twinklets glass glitter (Diamond Dust) for the filling underneath the (now securely stuck!) clear acetate. I painted a diecut banner from Melissa Frances with layers of white Gesso. Whilst wet I blasted it with the heat tool so that the Gesso formed nice snowy blisters. I've addded bow, heart and tree charm (both painted and glittered) and stamped sentiment and embossed with Judikins EP. (Stamp was a freebie (amongst many fab freebies!) that I just received in an order from Crafty Individuals). Shaker mounted on Bazzill CS to complete.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Cute Christmas
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Home Sweet Home
Aud Sentiments - Bingo (Embossing, Bling, Joy)
Sparkles Christmas - Contemporary Colour Combo
Bearly Mine - Snowflakes
Crazy Amigos - Colours of Winter
Creative Craft Challenges - Bingo (Blue, Stamps, Emboss)
Ladybug Crafts - Snowflakes
Fashionista Challenge - Blue Christmas
Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy - Feeling Blue
Stampin For The Weekend - Use some texture