For Mother's Day

Greetings from Dublin and thank-you for visiting.

After my adventures in grunge in last project I'm back in my more comfortable zone making pretty, vintage cards.

I wanted to make a card for my Mum on Mother's Day next Sunday. As usual, several challenge themes gave shape to the end result.

Vintage Café Card Challenge are looking for images of women and Sugar Creek Hollow have photo inspiration of a little girl's floral bedroom. Also at Fussy & Fancy Friday they too have an inspiration photo of a pink bedroom. Thank-you to 'Magic Moonlight Free Images' showing this little girl and her Mother, sitting on a bed in their night attire. I think they are looking at a sparkling ring!

Craft Hoarders Anonymous seek sparkle and glitz together with an inspiration photo - hence I've applied lots of blingy gems, frantage and pearls.

At Frilly and Funkie the theme is neglected dies. I searched to see which set I hadn't used in a long time and came across Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles. The photo has been sized to fit one of the smaller rectangles and I decided to use this die set only for the card.

Card and Scrap are looking for lace / ribbon so I've attached a lacey ribbon!

The papers are by Graphic 45 ('Secret Garden' and 'A Ladies' Diary'). All edges have been inked with Distress Inks and Prima chalk edgers. Included lots of flowers and punched butterflies and a lovely chipboard 'garden border' that I painted with white and pink pearlescent paints before adding some pink Frantage.

It's lovely to have you stop by. As always I love to read your comments - they are very much appreciated.

Have a lovely week,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Vintage Cafe Card Challenge - Images of Women
Sugar Creek Hollow - Photo Inspiration
Craft Hoarders Anonymous - Show Some Sparkle, Glitz or Glam
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Shabby Chic with photo inspiration
Frilly and Funkie - Neglected Dies
Card and Scrap - Use Lace and / or Ribbon
Creative Inspirations Challenge - Vintage / Shabby Chic
Dream Valley Challenges - Mothering Sunday
That Craft Place - Flowers and / or Mother's Day
My Time To Craft - Mother's Day / Special Lady

Lovebirds

Hello. Thanks so much for visiting!

Today's card is in keeping with February's 'romantic' theme and incorporates words, texture, stenciling, paste and lots more and so fits well with a number of my favourite challenges.

This is another of my cards where I put lots of work into underlying layers and then went and covered them up!

Papers: Mixture of french book text and Prima papers that have been variously stitched, torn and aged using several DIs and Prima chalk inks. Lace has been added to fill in torn gaps and the papers were also splattered with gold calligraphy ink.

Stenciling: Papers and heart stencilled using Wendi Vecchi texture paste. Stencils from Heidi Swapp (Hearts) and The Crafters Workshop (Art Is).

Frame and heart: Both were treated to Kroma Crackle medium for leathery crackle effect. Used DIs and pearlescent sprays to colour and topped with Treasure Gold for the frame and gold stamped script on the heart. Both cut from Tim Holtz grungepaper with Sizzix Bigz dies.

Lovebirds: Using multi matte medium I glued some burlap and some cotton cloth to grungepaper. When dry I diecut the 'fabric' birds using Sizzix Bigz die. Frantaged both with Stampendous 'Aged Ivory' though it doesn't show too well on the burlap. Also stamped gold script on the cotton bird. Rubbed gilding paste on both wings. Ran Prima chalk ink around their rims for definition. Mounted each onto some muslin with gave them perches of pleated ribbon / tulle.

Other embellishments: The 'Je t'aime' is from 7 Gypsies 'French Enamels' that I have dabbed with DIs and sealed. Ribbon, pearls, pins and flowers from stash. Finally a little Snow-tex has been dabbed on the flowers.

Thank-you for all the lovely comments and visits that you make - I truly appreciate each and every one.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Inspiration Journal - Show It With Words
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Paste
Frilly and Funkie - Stencils and Texture
Craft for the Craic - Heart
Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes with Pearls
City Crafter Challenge - Do You Speak English?
Stamping Fantasies 5th Blogaverary Celebration - Favourite Item - mine is the Sizzix 'Caged Bird' die
We Love Vintage - Use favourite mold/pons (die/punch) - mine is Sizzix Bird die
It's All About The Vintage & Beauty - Use Lace

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

Fairy Whispers

Hi there! Thank-you for visiting today and an especially warm welcome to all those who have signed up recently to follow.

Today I have the pleasure of Guest Designing for Stamping Sensations Challenge alongside the very talented Brenda and her fabulous team. (I had won their December challenge for my piece here). Their challenge theme this month is "Wings, Fantasy and Fiction".

I wasn't too sure what to make for this theme other than that I should include book text (supplied by J.). A browse through some of my papers happily led me to two Prima collections 'Fairy Rhymes' and 'Nature Garden' and then the card just took flight!

As you can see, the base layer is book text framed by some paper that I've stamped with a Hero Arts stamp 'Antique Writing' and edged using a Martha Stewart punch. Then did a lot of fussy cutting from the Prima papers and double mounted some elements. I also painted each cutout with Glossy Accents to give a decoupage type sheen and edged each with chalk edger. Embellished further with some muslin and drew on dots using Waco Pearl Maker pen in gold and pastel brown.

Why don't you pop over to Stamping Sensations and try your hand at the challenge - there is always a great prize to be won! Thank-you again to Brenda and team for inviting me to guest design.

Wishing all a bright and creative week with hopefully a lot less wind and rain,

Nicola x

Tea for Two

Hello and welcome! Thanks so much to all the lovely ladies who have signed up recently to follow.

Papers: Maja Design 'Vintage Summer Basics'.
Stamps: Hero Arts and Wendy Cotterill.
Inks and Powders: Ranger Archival (by Wendy Vecchi) 'Cornflower Blue', Archival 'Rose Madder', Versamark and Stampendous Clear EP. UTEE on the tea china. Ingvild Bolme Chalk Edger 'White'. Stampendous Frantage in 'Shabby white, pink and blue'. Roses dabbed with 'Snow-tex'.
Embellishments: Doily available here. Spoon charm available here. Flowers and lace from stash.
Dies: Cheery Lynn 'Mini Pearl French Flair' and 'Horizon Coved Rectangle'. Spellbinders 'Romantic Rectangles'.
Vintage Image: Many thanks to 'History in Photos' Blog.
Template for side step card: Many thanks to 'Bubbly Funk'.

The little details:

This card took quite a while to get together! It is my first attempt at a side step card so it took a little practice. Also, distressed inked edges and 'aging effects' were abandoned in favour of clean lines with slightly chalked white rims. The papers and photos were frantaged.

The china tea cups took a few tries because I didn't have all of the necessary ingredients ... I followed the wonderful Sherry Hickox's tutorial for 'Faux Crazed Porcelain'. I tred to subsitute with products I had but couldn't achieve clean stamped images. In the end I skipped the element of crackle paint on board and instead stamped onto white specialty paper, coloured in the flower petals using watering pen, heat dried and fussy cut out. Then gave them two coats of UTEE treatment. I adapted the 'faux' technique by popping the UTEE'd china into the freezer for 5 minutes. I then snapped each so that they have 'faux' cracks.

It's a beautiful sunny and mild day here in Dublin. I hope the sky shines on you wherever you are.

Finally, don't foget about your chance to win my 1st Blogaversary Candy - please click here.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Frilly and Funkie - Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Inspiration Journal - Falling for Faux
Vintage Udfordring - Folding Techniques
Live & Love Crafts - Inspiration Collage (using pink roses)
Crafting Musketeers - Vintage
Crafts 4 Eternity - Cute Kids
SSS Wednesday - Use a product from SSS - UTEE
Cherish This - Memories for Life - Åpen utfordring

Little Bird Blue

Hello and thanks so much for stopping by.

My last project was made several weeks back so I am feeling relieved that I've produced a card today as I feared the ability might have disappeared! I've made this card to fit a few different challenges running at the mo. At Frilly & Funkie the challenge theme is Birds and Nests, both Simon Says Stamp & Show and Cheery Lynn Designs are running Kraft themed weeks and at Sugar Creek Hollow the lovely ladies there want us to incorporate mixed media. Serendipitously the new Mum that the card is going to was born in the month of March so this fits the Live & Love Crafts Birthstone theme with aquamarine.



The papers used are by Maja Design (It's Christmas Time and Vintage Summer Basics Collections). I painted the base layer with some Paper Artsy paints ('Snowflake' and 'Ice Blue') to give the impression of clouds. The 'Mummy' bird is die cut (Sizzix Bigz) from corrugated cardboard and some of the twigs are punched from Kraft paper - thereby meeting the 'Kraft' requirements. The longer branches are cut using a Memory Box die.

The nest is handcut from a cardboard nectarine holder which was perfectly curved for the nest shape. I've decorated it with muslin and burlap but then ended up covering most of that with feathers and diecut leaves (Marianne Design) and punched twigs (Martha Stewart). In order for the nest to 'sit into' the card I die cut a 'frame' shape that had just the right curve (Sizzix Majestic Labels die). Then double 3D mounted those two lower 'frame' layers so that they popped out sufficiently to hold the nest. The outer edges of the two lower panels are cut with Cheery Lynn's 'City Girl edger' - this is perfect to thread narrow ribbon through for extra decoration.

I distressed and hightlighted most edges with either Distress Ink ('Broken China') or Chalk Ink by Ingvild Bolme ('Dark Rust'). The latter is brilliantly shaped for edging. Also ripped into some of the base layer and tucked some lace underneath for pretty distressing.

Added the newly hatched chick (Memory Box) and placed some gems that Mummy was feeding having given her a nice feathery wing. Liberally applied frantage and colour fragments. (Wasn't it lucky that Stampendous make colour fragments in just the right shade of duck egg blue so that they match a broken eggshell!).

Added a frill underneath the nest and a bow and 3D sentiment to the top left. Completed with eyes for the birdies and gems at the corners.

Thank-you for visiting today - it is lovely to have your company!

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Sugar Creek Hollow - Mixed Media
Frilly and Funkie - Birds and Nests
Cheery Lynn Designs - Keep It Krafty
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Kraft
Live & Love Crafts - Birthstones (Aquamarine)

A Flutter of Butterflies

Hello and welcome!

Last month I was lucky enough to be selected amongst the Top 3 by Country View Crafts for my card here. They then kindly invited me to Guest Design for their challenge this month when the theme is Die Cuts. Do pop over to Country View Crafts Challenge site to see what the rest of the Design Team and fellow 'Top 3' winners have created to inspire you - a new piece is posted every few days for your delectation! I know the team would love to see your 'Die Cuts' in action.

I had a butterfly shaped box that I felt would be perfect for this project. To meet the 'Die Cuts' theme I've used dies in a few different ways. The most obvious of course are the butterflies and wings cut using every butterfly die and punch that I possess.

The raised centre panel has been created by applying texture paste through a lattice diecut.

Some border dies feature too.

I've also used 'on the edge' dies to form a rim around part of the box (with grungeboard in between the paper layers for body).

Butterfly shapes were stencilled with texture paste - then gessoed and gilded. Most are covered up by all the die cuts but you can see the gilded outline of a butterfly hidden in the centre here.

Finally I placed a few grungeboard diecuts on the surface of the box (then again gessoed and gilded). In the centre here you might spot part of a raised golden flourish diecut.





Mixed in with all the die-cutting was a whole lot of buffing and distressing with distress inks, stamping and heat embossing, gilding paste, glass glitter, layers of crackle glaze, gloss, pearl mists and glitzy frantage. I made sure to add a floral corner as all those butterflies need nectar. I also added pearls, flowers and metal charms for thoraxes and lots of other bits and bobs to make all those fluttering wings pretty! Finally I added the sentiment (cut from My Mind's Eye paper) between musical quaver charms.

Do make sure to check out the Country View Crafts Challenge where your die cut projects are very welcome this month!

Thank-you so much for stopping by today. I greatly appreciate each and every one of you in crafty blogland. In case you missed my last post, just a reminder that I have signed up to Bloglovin' - I'd be thrilled silly if you decided to follow me there.

Have a very lovely weekend.
Nicola x

I wish to enter box to the following challenges;
Our Creative Corner: Recipe - Ribbon, Metal, Inks
Craft Room Challenge - Here Comes Summer
Simon Says Stamp - Transport (Butterflies transport Pollen)
The Crafty Bloggers Network - Bright and Breezy
Unruly PaperArts - Art Quest Chabby Chic in 3D
A Creative Romance - Anything Goes

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)

Happy Easter! Plus another Liebster nominee

Hi there! A warm welcome to all who have signed up recently to follow and continued gratitude for lovely comments.

I've made a Springlike card for Easter although given floods, snow and gales in Ireland this week it seems Mother Nature has other plans.



I recently bought Graphic 45 'Secret Garden' papers - they are sooo pretty it seems cruel to cut them - they are fabulously Springlike! I also came across a beautiful blog The Feathered Nest where Dawn has many gorgeous vintage images and truly sublime creations - the Easter egg image is here and it matches the G45 papers to a tee. Thank-you Dawn! I've printed the egg on cotton fibre paper to keep it 'vintage'.

Papers: Graphic 45 'Secret Garden'
Stamps: Impression Obsession 'Sm Leaf Filligree', Hero Arts 'Fairy Fern', Cavallini & Co 'Birds and Nests'
Inks: Distress Inks 'Bundled Sage' and 'Dusty Concord'
Eggs: Genuine candied chocolate from my stash in kitchen press!
Dies: Spellbinders 'Romantic Rectangles', MFT Dienamics 'Small Scallop Border', Magnolia 'Heart Swirl'
Flowers, stamped doily (mostly hidden), postage stamp diecut that I've stamped, ribbon and frill for 'nest' from stash

I recently received The Liebster Award - see post here - one of my nominated blogs Redanne (not surprisingly) had already received a Liebster so my reserve Liebster Award goes to Bonnie at Artful Digits - she is a very talented artiste - do pay her fantastic blog a visit...

Hoping that your Easter brings you peace and joy plus some chocolate - purely for its beneficial endorphins of course!

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Live & Love Crafts - Easter
It's all about the Vintage - Easter
Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes with Easter/Spring
Crafty Creations Challenges - Easter
Kaboodle Doodles - Easter or Early Spring
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Inspiration Journal - Add A Little P.O.P.

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

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

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

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

Greenfingers

Hello again! Last tuesday I noticed a photo inspiration challenge over at Loves Rubber Stamps . Often when I see an image or buy a new stamp I'll first work out in my head how the card will eventually look (although that then doesn't always work out!) Yesterday I finally got the time to 'put to paper' my interpretation of the lovely photo.

CS is Bazzill. First layer - green CS wrapped in white lace paper. Next layer - white CS edged variously with green stitched ribbons or Martha Stewart edger punch. Because the photo inspiration was so focused on what the little girl was wearing I decided I would stamp on cloth. Image is by La Blanche (#1204 Big Straw Hat) stamped onto white muslin. Ink is Ranger Archival Ink - Viridian. I stitched the muslin to some white CS with markings by SewEasy. (You can likely tell sewing is not my strongpoint!). The exquisite venise lace trimmings come from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. I added Karen Foster metal charms (watering can and garden fork), having first painted them with Antik Metallic Silver paint for shine. (I reckoned that this little girl would only use tools that had some polish!). I punched little flowers (Woodware) and gave them pearl centres (Kaisercraft). To complete, I added little bows and water droplets (Hero Arts).

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope a great week is in store for you...

Thank-you for the following challenges that I am entering card to:
Loves Rubber Stamps - Photo Inspiration
PaperPlay Challenges - Flowers and Lace
Crafty Catz - Lace and Ribbons
Do You Stack Up - Scallops
GingerLoft Challenge - Stitching real or faux
Joanna Sheen - Down In The Garden
Sweet Stampin' - Vintage
Frilly & Funkie - Sunday Share
Flonzcraft Vintage Stamping Challenge - Anything Goes
Platypus Creek Digitals - Pearls & Lace

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

Chilly out there!

Hi there. I've made another Christmas card, so at this rate I'll be well prepared by Dec 25th (that will be a first). I realise that I've rushed the photo part but have put all the camera stuff away so I'll have to make do with bow jutting off to the side. Sorry for bad positioning. Anyway, here is my chilly snowman.

My CS base is Bazzill Bling. I've stamped and embossed the Snowman (Penny Black - happy soul 4106K) with Versamark and Judikins EP onto white SEI Velvet paper. I applied glue to lower portion of paper and liberally coated with Hero Arts glitter. Next, I punched (Woodware square and round punches) some white CS shapes. Then stamped and embossed them (Judikins EP again) using a Fiskars stamp set (Winter Wonderland 03-008263). I attached a (very big!) grosgrain bow. Linked the cutout shapes with brads and mounted them using foam squares for dimension. Wound a ribbon around the glittered portion for more colour. Punched out birds (McGill punch) and snowflakes (various Woodware and Martha Stewart punches) and finalised with gems and crystals.

I hope its warm wherever you are.

I'm entering card in the following challenges;
Penny Black & More - September - Early Christmas Makes
Stampin for the Weekend - Starting Christmas Early
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Sparkle and Bling
Cute Card Thursday - Christmas in September
That Craft Place - Bling it on
Digidesignchallenge - More than 1 die cut or punch
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Snowy
Heck of a Challenge - Anything Goes