Handmade Bouquet

Hi there and welcome. It's a gorgeous sunny day in Dublin - just perfect for my card today.

Prompted by the current challenge at 'Frilly & Funkie' I've finally sprung some of my flower dies to action. I've borrowed the card style from the wonderful Dorota whose blog I love. I havn't come near her standards but it's a start!

Ingredients:

Papers: Maja Design 'Vintage Summer Basics' and some Indian handmade cotton / tissue papers for alternative texture and smaller buds

Dies: Joy Crafts - '6002-0156', MFT 'Rolled Scallop flower', 'Mini Rolled Roses', 'Mini Royal Roses', Magnolia 'Rose Leaf', Cheery Lynn ' Mini Fanciful Flourish' and Spellbinders 'Fancy Trelllis'

Inks: Distress Inks - 'Worn Lipstick', 'Victorian Velvet', 'Tea Dye', 'Brushed Corduroy' and some Bobby Brown blusher

Mists and Drops: Perfect pearls mist, Waco Pearl Maker Pen for drops and Snow-Tex

Stencil: The Crafter's Workshop 'Damask' using Wendy Vecchi texture paste

Other: Used my new sewing machine from Ikea that's a little humdinger so far. Pearls and lace from stash.

Thank-you to the lovely Jennie for her terrific flower tutorials. I followed her instructions here for the flower on extreme left and am very pleased with result (a rare event!).

Thank-you so much for visiting. May the sun shine on you too!

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Frilly & Funkie - Bloomin' Marvellous
Vintage Udfordring - Use paint, spray and or drops
ABC Challenge - F is for Flowers
The Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Vintage or Shabby Chic
City Crafter Challenge - Flowers and Lace

A Love Meringue!

Hello from drenched, dripping Dublin! Special kind thoughts go out to readers adversely affected by current appalling weather. If the sun shines on you however be sure to soak it up and enjoy!

It's a love/wedding card from me today, all in lovely white/creamy tones, and yes I do love meringues!

I recently was very lucky to receive a phenomenally generous giveaway from the lovely Cathi. Amongst the huge haul was this gorgeous large rose that I have built the card around.

Used a Martha Stewart punch on base card edges with lots of card and doily layers then laid thereon. Whilst I wanted a vintage look I didn't darken too many edges as it seemed better to keep it pristine. The two hearts are cut with Sizzix die 'Primitive Hearts' and dotted around their edges with Waco pearl pen. Added lots of Snow-tex and Frantage to rose and hearts. The little metal words (by Making Memories) are painted with white pearlescent mix. Added some Frantaged Magnolia and MFT die cuts with lots of ribbon, lace, tulle and pearls to make it pretty!

It's really lovely to see you have visited - thank-you for looking.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Vintage Café Card Challenge - Flower Parade - Rose
Sugar Creek Hollow - Love and Adore
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Love Notes
Inspiration Journal - Show It With Words
The Ribbon Girl - Hearts
Craft Room Challenge - Ribbons and Lace
Crafty Hands Challenge - Shades of the Same Colour
A Creative Romance - Show Us Some Love
Kort o Mania - Laces and Ribbons
Allsorts - Love is in the Air
Simon Says Wednesday - Have a Heart