A Shot of Blue

Hi there and welcome! A short post as I'm afraid I'm struggling getting 'into production mode' at the moment.

The current challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday is "Blues". This brought to mind a card I made last November but haven't posted. I made it for the lovely and talented Anne who you might know had sustained a nasty hip injury.

I was glad to hear from Anne that the crutches and syringe embellies made her chuckle!

Stamp and Stencil: Crafty Individuals (can't recall make of sentiment stamp)
Papers: Maja Design "Vintage Summer Basics"
Dies: Spellbinders and Joy Crafts
Inks: Ranger Distress and Archival Inks
Embellishments: Stampendous Frantage. Silk ribbon by May Arts. Metal charms by Karen Foster and remainder from stash

Thank-you all most sincerely for your kind visits and comments.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenge:
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Blues

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)

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 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

Swan Story

Hello! Its a bank holiday here in Ireland this weekend so everyone's in good form with the extra free day.

For my post today, in order to enter certain challenges, I've made something invented by the fabulous Hels Sheridan who labelled it The T'Pouch.. The challenge over at Frilly and Funkie is anything but a card to include a hidden compartment. Also the challenge at The Stamp Man is Butterflies, Birds and Bees.

Here's what I've made;

The T'Pouch is folded in such a way that it can contain 2 tags that can slide in and out of T'Pouch independently of each other. My first picture above shows the side of the T'Pouch stamped with Stampington and Company's lovely image (Heavenly P2216) embossed with Judikins EP (Black Diamond). This is 'The Black Swan'. The quote of advice from Aesop (from my printer) is on the top of a 'tag' within the T'Pouch. (Sorry its not a proper tag shape but by the time I realised I didn't want to go cutting proper tag corners in case I went awry and wrecked the whole thing! Bit tight for time today!)

The reverse of the T'Pouch is;

The same lovely image, but this time embossed with Stampendous EP (Winter Wonderland). Obviously this is 'The White Swan'. I've stamped some relevant text on the top of the 2nd tag inside the T'Pouch using stamp from Paper Bags Studios (Beauty PBS-038-C). (The tag, that curled from embossing, is now under a heavy book to flatten as I was rushing to get post published first).

Continuing with 'The White Swan' I've pulled out the tag to reveal it in full;

Clearly she is a happy swan as she is surrounded by butterflies, dragonflies and a glittery rose pink heart. Going back to 'The Black Swan' however the revealed tag tells a different story;

Yes, you've guessed it, this poor creature has a sting in her tail!

Thank-you to Anita who sparked my brain with her Design Team inspiration piece where she had different birds on front and reverse.

Supplies; Stardream and Bazzill CS, Cromatica Paper, Punched shapes with SEI Velvet paper using Punch Bunch, EK Success, Woodware and Fiskars punches. Melissa Frances pearls, Karen Foster metal charm, Lace from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. Bows and ribbon from stash.

Wishing you all a really lovely weekend. Nicola x

I wish to enter T'Pouch to the following challenges;
Frilly and Funkie - Anything BUT a Card but with a twist
The Stamp Man - Butterflies, Birds and Bees
PaperPlay Challenges - Butterflies and Bees
Do You Stack Up - Embossing

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