Like my hat?

Hello and welcome.

I needed to make a 'male' card (which like most of you I always dread) but resisted temptation to purchase and wondered how I might make it more easily. I've never made a card according to a sketch challenge so decided to follow the layout at Sketchy Colours to see how it might go.

I like the end result and enjoyed having to 'think less' re layout so will definitely follow a sketch route again.

Papers: Prima 'Printery' and 'Engraver'. Pion Design 'For Father'. All stitched on my little Ikea sewing machine.

Other Paper: Embellishments and centre image by Kaisercraft 'Sears & Son'.

Stamping: Some random stamping/embossing of clock and numerals using Crafty Individuals CI-354 not showing up too well as embossing done with Antiquities 'Weathered white' similar to paper shades.

Inks / Mediums: DIs 'Tea Dye', 'Vintage Photo' and 'Walnut Stain'. I painted hat portion, ties and moustaches with Decoart One Step Crackle. Used Stampendous 'Aged Ivory' for frantage effects. The clock is well coated with glossy accents.

Other Embellishments: Tim Holtz 'Ring Fastener'. Prima wood clock face. Brads and ribbon from stash.

Many thanks for stopping by and special thanks to new followers who signed on recently. It's lovely to have your company in blogland.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Sketchy Colours: Challenge #200
Vintage Udfording - Monochromatic
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Tick Tock
Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge - Vintage or Retro
Inky Chicks - Monochromatic
Divas by Design - Let's hear it for the boys
Country View Crafts Challenge - Paper Chase

Vintage Sewing Themed Drawer Cabinet

Hello and Thank-You so much for visiting. I'm sorry to have been absent from blogging recently... I'll try to catch up with you all soon.

I smiled when I saw the challenge theme "Shopping Sins" at Our Creative Corner this month; there are three things for sure in my life; death, taxes and overspending!

So having been away from crafting for most of this month I've spent the last few days working on today's piece in my favourite vintage style. I'm mortified to have so many long unused items in my stash - the main contenders here were some Kaisercraft mini drawers, several uninked sewing themed stamp sets and a few untested crackle mediums.

Re wooden part of mini drawers: Painted all the wooden parts first with gesso, then PaperArtsy 'Snowflake', followed by PaperArtsy 'Old Gold'. I had bought some crackle products to try and improve on efforts to date - glad to finally put them to test. I like result from Decoart One Step Crackle (you can see on gold pediment). My first choice however goes to Kroma crackle - you can see its lizardlike results on the front part of cabinet. Some of the more thickly crackled areas are where I have done a double coat of crackle to experiment.

Re little drawers: All the hidden drawers are painted with PaperArtsy 'Ice Blue' followed by a coat of 'Metallic Glaze'. I tied string around each drawer when gluing its sides to keep them together whilst the glue set (rather fiddly). Opened packaging on my Krylon gold pen to gild the edge of each of the drawers - I like result so will use this pen a lot!

Decorative fronts and sides: The lovely papers are from Maja Design 'Vintage Summer Basics' collection. The drawer fronts were all punched out, stamped and gold embossed with several images being double foam mounted. I've added lots of sewing themed paraphernalia. The stamps used throughout piece are from Crafty Individuals CI-328 (first use) and CI-306 (both following Laura's inspiration), Chapel Road Artstamps "Sew Much to Do" and Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi "Art By Hand" (again it's first use).

The left side of cabinet shows a seamstress hard at work.

Feet and Pediments
You'll also have noticed the cabinet feet and pediment. I die cut two layers of chipboard (by 4) for the feet using Sizzix Bigz Ironworks die. Made sure all the fleurs-de-lis were same height and glued each twosome together and then painted with Fresco 'Old Gold' followed by 'One Step Crackle'. I used loctite glue to hold these in place for a fast glue result. They are holding very solidly. The pediments at the top are also diecut from chipboard using Sizzix Bigz On-The-Edge 'Ornate'. The lower white one is Fresco 'Snowflake' coated with Kroma crackle to see how the crackle would look without a gold paint layer below.

The cabinet rear is also stamped and embossed with some machine stitching too. Santa brought me a sewing machine - I'm pleased to be finally trying it out!

The right side of cabinet shows the mannequin in use by this particular sewing establishment - again cut from chipboard using Bigz 'Sewing Room' die, painted as before and dressed in some finery

Finally, a close up of the cabinet top:

A word of thanks too to May, Cathi and Alison who all provided some of the ingredients used in this piece.

Thank-you so much for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your week,
Nicola x


I wish to enter cabinet to the following challenges:

Our Creative Corner - No more shopping sins (Guilty as accused!)
Vintage Udfordring - Use Dies and/or Punch
The Ribbon Girl Challenge - Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge - Vintage
It's all about the vintage - Embossing
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Vintage
Sugar Creek Hollow - Fibres & Texture
Stamping Sensations - Ribbon, Buttons and Bows
Sweet Stampin - In Stitches
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Stitching
Inspiration Emporium - Diecuts and Punches

'Tis The Season

Welcome to yet another Christmas card post. Thank-you for visiting and a warm hello to new followers.

Stamps: Graphic 45 'Christmas Emporium', Kaisercraft 'Twig & Berry Postmarks' and Artistic Outpost (using snowflakes from 'Snowy Woods' set)

Card / Papers: Bazzill, Neenah, Inkssentials 'Manila' CS, SEI Velvet 'Tomato'

Dies: Spellbinders 'Floral Ovals' and 'Decorative Labels 27', Joy Crafts 'Vintage Flourishes Corner'

Inking: Archival Ink 'Crimson', Sparkle & Sprinkle EP 'Japanese Lacquer' and 'Gilded Ivory', Versamark, Delicata Golden Glitz, Ranger 'Queen's Gold' EP, Embossing Antiquities 'Weathered White', Stickles, Frantage 'Shabby White'

Ribbons: May Arts (tied with Boweasy) and velvet from stash

Embellishments from stash and completed by adding Distress Glitter in 'Clear Rock Candy' to parts of little girls' outfits and Santa's beard (not showing up very well in photo).

Thank-you for spending time at my blog - I'll be catching up with blog visits later today.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Vintage Stamping Challenges - Traditional Christmas Time
Vintage Udfordring - Vintage Jul
Crafty Hands Challenge - Vintage
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Got Ink?
Sugar Creek Hollow - Anything Vintage Goes
Crafty Little Fairies - Christmas in November
Stamping Sensations - Christmas
Deep Ocean Challenge - Winter

Swedish Christmas

Hello and thank-you for visiting! A warm welcome to those who are newly following.

You all know how much I love paper! I recently bought some 'Inkido' papers (a Swedish brand) and am really smitten by their gorgeousness - here's their first outing ...

It's a speedy post today.

Papers: Inkido ('Coming Home for Christmas' and 'Forever Santa' collections), Bazzill CS and paper doily

Border and Regular Punches: Martha Stewart

Dies: Simon Says Stamp 'Faceted Snowflake', Magnolia 'Swedish Lace', MFT 'Postage Stax' and Snowflake Doily

Embellishments: Prima, lace from the lovely Lynne. String, pearls, berries and 'foliage' from stash. Lots of dabbed Snow-Tex.

My 1st Blogaversary Candy draw closes at midnight on monday - last chance to enter is here.

Many thanks for stopping by! Wishing you all a warm and happy weekend.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Inkido - Layers and Border Punch
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Use a SSS exclusive product
Our Creative Corner - Forgotten Things (I used a border punch to meet Inkido challenge and realised that since my Big Shot arrived from Santa last Christmas I've been using dies and completely forgot my collection of border punches (Shame on me! lol)

Entering Time

Hello Again! Thank-you for stopping by and a warm welcome to new followers.

I've made my card today with a number of challenges in mind. The challenge at Frilly and Funkie is 'There's no time to waste'. As this card is for someone who is sitting exams soon that challenge theme is very appropriate (although the young gentleman in question needs no reminder from anyone re his studies). The challenge at Vintage Udfordring is 'Use paint or gesso' - I've used both on my card. The challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show is 'Inspired By' - well someone I greatly admire is Anita at The Artful Maven Haven. She is one of the most creative people in blogland - please visit her blog for immense inspiration. Anita always signs off her blogposts "I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!". My hands sure got inky and dirty on this card so I thank Anita for her inspiration. Finally I'd like to enter card to two of my favourite challenge spots Our Creative Corner (newly revamped / 'under new management') and Fashionable Stamping Challenges who both are running 'Anything Goes' at the moment.

So without further ado, here is my card.



The base layer is a cotton handmade paper. First of all I applied embossing paste to it through a Prima 6x6 stencil ('Crackle') and left to dry overnight. I next painted the stenciled paper with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Old Gold'. Once dry I applied a thin layer of Paper Artsy Crackle Glaze. When that was dry I again painted the sheet with Fresco Finish paint in 'Nougat'. By this stage the paper was gorgeously crackled - it's a pity that I had to cover most of it up! I dabbed the raised stenciled parts with distress inks and then some gilding wax to highlight.

Next layer up is a band of cotton paper that I aged with a wet teabag (Twinings!). On top of that is a complimentary sample of glossy card that I kindly received from Crafty Individuals. It looked much too shiny and new for this card so I diluted a little gesso with water and brushed over the card to 'age' it. I then 'aged' further with two useful stamps that I recently bought, both Kaisercraft Clear Stamps 'Crackle' and 'Distress' using Distress Inks.

The main door image is a stamp by Crafty Individuals CI-249 'Gothic Door'. I've stamped with Archival ink and embossed with Ranger Distress EP ('Vintage Photo'). Using my Tim Holtz waterbrush I coloured in the door and stone surround with various DIs. I then painted image with Inkssentials Crackle Glaze to give it a old leathery look. The door image sits atop a clock image. To make the chalky clock, I painted some CS with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Vintage Lace', once dry a layer of Fresco Finish Crackle Glaze and finally, when dry, a layer of Fresco Finish in 'Nougat'. Next stamped the crackled CS using Brilliance Ink with another Crafty Individuals Stamp CI-354 'Clock Face'. I then diecut the clock with a circular Spellbinder die. The clock does have a lovely crackled appearance but once again I ended up covering it up!

Using Sizzix die 'Hardware Findings', I cut some grungeboard. I painted a layer of Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Nougat', then FF crackle glaze, then FF 'Old Gold'. Next stamped all with the aforementioned Kaisercraft stamps for further aging effects. I attached with brads that I had coated with Inkssentials Crackle Glaze so as to look a bit worn. The two clocks on the right are stamped with a 7Gypsies stamp from the 'Venice' clear set using Archival and Brilliance inks. They are also 'aged' with DIs and cut to shape with a Spellbinders circular die. I've attached them via the keyhole diecut to fit with 'Time' theme.

Prior to assembling I decorated most edges with gilding wax. The metal clockhands are by Prima and the key is by Maya Road. Finished off with two little twine bows! Phew!

I thank each and every one of you who stop by - your visits and comments are truly appreciated.
Have a lovely weekend.

Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and DTs at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Frilly and Funkie - There's No Time To Waste
Vintage Udfording - Use Paint or Gesso
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Inspired By
Our Creative Corner - Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Anything Goes

Springtime Birdie

Greetings from Dublin! So glad to have a card once more to share. Thank-you all for your kind good wishes on my last post - my Mum is improving as each day passes. I hope to catch up with more of your blogs over the coming days.

I made this card for someone who is starting exams - hence the wise owl on the little tag. I've kept it very muted in a vintage style.



Papers: Maja Design (Vintage Summer Basics collection)
Inks: DI Victorian Velvet. May Arts white leaf trim inked with DI Bundled Sage
Dies: Sizzix Bigz - Bird Scroll (I think my favourite die so far!), Sizzix Framelits 'Majestic Labels', Magnolia 'Old Swedish Lace'. (I also diecut the bird in chipboard to have a chunky birdie)
Embellishments: Kaisercraft, Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima, Tim Holtz. Plus cheesecloth, doily, charm and twine from stash


Thanks so much for visiting,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Live & Love Crafts - Bingo (Cheesecloth, Vintage, Flowers)
By The Cute And Girly - Vintage
Wild Orchid Challenges - Twine
Die Cuttin Divas - Flowers
Kaboodle Doodles - Spring
Creative Moments - Challenge 15 Spring
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Color
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

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)

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

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

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

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

Doves of Peace

Greetings all - today 12.12.12 is the last posting day to the North Pole so be sure to get your letters to Santa in the post!

I am really pressed for time today (who isn't!) so will be brief and just give card ingredients as follows;

Stamps - Penny Black 'World Peace' (3040K), Flourishes Stamps - Antique Map, Stamped Sentiment by Crafty Individuals
Inks - Versamark (for clear emboss resist), Distress Metallic Stain in Brushed Pewter, DI in Chipped Sapphire
Embossing powders - Judikins Silver Twinkle, Stampendous Twilight
Lots of UTEE for Dove image and sentiment
Bird cage die cut glittered with Silver Twinkle
Backing paper for bird cage a free image courtesy of the wonderful Astrid of Astrid's Artistic Efforts
Doves punched with Fiskars / Jenny Bowlin sqeeze punch and glittered with Distress Dry Glitter in Clear Rock Candy
CS - Stardream and Curious Metallic
Other - glass glitter (Stampendous), bells, pearls (Kaisercraft), clock hand charm (silvered and glittered), Corner punches by Fiskars, Stars

Thanks for taking the time to visit today as I know everyone is super busy at the mo! Hugs to those lovely people who leave comments or better still become followers. It means a lot!

Have a great day.
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - To Die For
Penny Black Saturday - Glitter and Sparkle
Penny Black Allsorts - It's Your Choice
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Celebration
Sweet Stamping Challenge - Dies and / or Punches
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas
LEJ Designs - Sentimental
No Matter Which Challenges - Christmas
Glitter n Sparkle - Use some metal
ABC Christmas Challenge - Y is for your favourite punch/die
Creative Card Crew- Use A Star
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Christmas with a background twist
Inspiration Emporium - Inspiration Journal - Joyful Creations

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