A Little Blue Egg

Hi there! It’s a record for me - three posts in three days so thank-you so much for popping by again! I certainly have been busy and it has been a great compliment to be invited to do so many Guest Design slots.

Today I’m really happy to have been selected to enjoy the guest design limelight at one of my favourite challenges - the always pretty Sugar Creek Hollow. Their current challenge theme is ‘Easter’. I was going to go with traditional yellow shades but just couldn’t put down these gorgeous lilac and blue papers so have ended up with more of a gentle lavender Easter! I think that blue egg is going to hatch any day now!

Papers: Maja Design ‘Vintage Spring’ collection

Dies: Sizzix Bigz ‘Bird Scroll’ and On-the-edge ‘Vintage Doily’

Stencilling: Crafty Individuals and Heidi Swapp stencils using Wendy Vecchi texture paste

Distress Inks: ‘Weathered Wood’, 'Dusty Concord'

Other: Frantage ‘Shabby Blue’, paper doily, cheesecloth, gems, Prima resin bird-house, flowers, punched branches and hand dyed silk ribbon

Sincere thanks to all at Sugar Creek Hollow for kindly inviting me to Guest Design. Be sure to check out their challenge for some of the very best vintage / shabby chic talents in blogland.

Thank-you so much for visiting and taking the time,
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Craft for the Craic - Easter or Spring
Crafty Individuals - Nature's Beauty
The Ribbon Girl Challenge - Spring
Simon Says Wednesday - Easter / Sweet Treats
It's All About the Vintage and Beauty - Shabby Chic
Moving Along With The Times - Easter / Spring
A Creative Romance - Eggcellent Spring
Inspiration Journal - A Few of my Favourite Things

Flights of Fancy

Hello and Welcome.

Today I’m delighted to be guest designing with the wonderful Frilly & Funkie Challenge as I won one of their recent challenges for my card here. Their current challenge theme is ‘Flights of Fancy’, (to include wings and inspired by the onset of Spring), so my card shows lots of butterflies and a little bird waiting for her eggs to hatch.

I was most fortunate to win a very generous giveaway of Maja Design papers from the lovely Jenny so I'm happy to be properly taking them out to play. All the papers used are from the gorgeous Maja ‘Vintage Spring’ Collection.

Here is a side shot so that you can better see the box like nest. I’ve used the Sizzix scalloped envelope die and then threaded through some cord to pull the sides together. The nest is lined with frilled ribbon, moss and various punched branches and diecuts and some nice candied eggs.

Papers: Maja Design ‘Vintage Spring’ Collection

Dies: Sizzix Bigz ‘Scalloped Envelope’, ‘Pocket Watch’ and ‘Sized Circles’. Magnolia ‘Heart Flourish’. Cheery Lynn ‘ Mini Fanciful Flourish’

Punches: Martha Stewart ‘Branch’ and ‘Vintage Lace’ edger

Distress Inks: Weathered Wood, Bundled Sage,Tattered Rose

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts and Jeans

Thank-you so much to all at Frilly and Funkie for allowing me feature at their blog today. If you aren’t already familiar with the challenge then you really should check it out for superb inspiration, excellent tutorials and a great challenge with chance of prize.

As always, thank-you for stopping by – all your visits, comments and followings are truly appreciated.

I’ll have another special post for you tomorrow so I do hope to see you back again soon.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Country View Challenges - New Beginnings
It's All about the Vintage - Shabby Chic
Simon Wednesday - Happy Easter / Sweet Treats
Crafty Hands Devon - Anything Goes
Moving along with the times - Easter / Spring
Craft for the Craic - Easter or Spring
Inspiration Journal - A Few of my Favourite Things

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

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

Merry Tweetings To You

Hi there and welcome. I hope that everyone is all set for Christmas and able to wind down now and enjoy the festivities.

I was both surprised and thrilled when the Crafts-Too Challenge You team selected my card amongst their Top 3 again in November (having already been included in October - see my previous spotlight piece here). This time I've made some Christmas ornaments for my spotlight - I can't decide which pair of birdies I prefer!

My project was to meet the Challenge Theme of 'The Natural World ' with a twist of 'any winged creature'.

I've used the Sizzix Bigz 'Bird Scroll' die by Brenda Walton for the ornaments. The papers used are Velvet paper by SEI in 'Blaze' and 'Tomato' plus 'Ferro Gold' foil paper. (Each bird and scroll has a matching back and front - I glued the paper sheets to both sides of a sheet of grunge paper and then diecut). Also ran the Birds through embossing folders once they were diecut (Sizzix 'Holly Swirls' and 'Sheet Music'). For further nature related elements I addded sparkled snowflakes, Snow-Tex, branches and jingle bells to emulate the sound of birdsong!

Very many thanks to all at Crafts-Too Challenge You for featuring me in their spotlight today!

This is my last post prior to Christmas so I'd like to thank everyone for all your visits and wonderful compliments through the year. I wish you a joyous and peaceful Christmas and every happiness in 2014.

Nicola x

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)

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

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)

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

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

The Mitten

Hello - You are most welcome to my blog! Thank-you so much to those who have begun to follow and/or posted lovely comments. I appreciate them all very much.

My card today has a lovely warm glow to it that hasn't come across in photo as today in Dublin it is just miserable outside. But never mind, it's cosy indoors!

I hand drew a mitten shape and cut out from SEI Velvet papers. Gave glove a double cuff with Martha Stewart punch along edge. I stitched the glove having marked out with my Seweasy. Then decorated the cuff with ribbons by Melissa Frances and May Arts. Using stamps by Stempelglede (Vintage Christmas) I stamped Angel onto TAP (Transfer Artist Paper by Lesley Riley) using archival ink in sepia. I then ironed the TAP onto white muslin so that the stamped image transferred to the cloth. I also stamped sentiment from same stamp set directly onto cream muslin. (One has to be careful with TAP and text as the ironing process reverses all images). The lovely papers are by Maja Design (It's Christmas Time). I distressed edges of paper and then rubbed paper and mitten edges with gilding wax which I left to dry overnight. Adhered the Angel image with 3D tape and attached the sentiment at top with brads. Punched various snowflakes (Martha Stewart and Woodware) and doubled them up for dimension. The larger ones have rose centres (petal edges gilded) and the smaller snowflakes have pearls as centres. Ribbons and charms from stash to complete.

Stay warm and a big thank-you for stopping by.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Crafty Mess - Vintage Christmas
Twisted Tuesday - Wintery White
Christmas at Sweet Stamping - Anything Goes
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas
Sugar Creek Hollow - Distressing
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Button or Bow
Eclectic Ellapu - Santa paws and/or Snowflakes
Crafty Bloggers - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Snowflakes
The Crafty Pad - Stitching Real or Faux
Loves Rubberstamps - Anything Goes
Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas - No Red or Green
Alphabet Challenge - V for Vintage
Crimbo Crackers - Wooden

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

Oh Jingle Bells ....

Greetings from Dublin. Thank-you for stopping by and a warm welcome to my new followers. I've had my card today bobbing around in my head for the last week so am delighted to finally get it made and posted. This one was very tricky to photograph.

I've made an easel card to accomodate a musical scene with Rudolph, Dasher and Blitzen rushing over snowy stars (yes, climate change has a lot to answer for!) to bring wondrous toys to all the girls and boys. They are singing Jingle Bells as they go, with not a snowflake clinging to them as they are moving so quickly!

This might be a better angle;

CS is Bazzill. Papers and tags are from Melissa Frances (Countdown to Christmas and music sheet from 5th Avenue). Stamps are from the magical Stampington and Company (S7338 - Classic Christmas), with the dashing reindeer and Santa Moon inked with Encore metallic inks and embossed with Judikins sparkle EPs. The Jingle Bells ticket at front is from Unity Stamps IB-127 stamped with Versafine. The chipboard musical note has been inked with Distress Stains Metallic Pewter and then stamped with music stamp from Anna Griffin (580K21) using Versafine. (By chance I won some chipboard notes in a raffle at a crop last weekend, so I think it was serendipity to make this card). Same musical stamp also used on centre part of a doily backing the chipboard note. I've edged the top and slanting borders and punched snowflakes with Martha Stewart punches. Tied little bows to those jangling jingle bells (Anitas) and liberally applied liquid pearls and stickles for more sparkle. Dotted some of the snowflake centres with pearls (Artoz). The stars were handcut as I don't have a die cutting machine ... yet ... Santa?!

Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Have a lovely day! Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Musical
Frilly and Funkie - Chipboard and Metal
Moving Along with The Times - Seeing Stars!
Milk Coffee Challenge - More Than 1 Fold
Crafts 4 Eternity - Marvellous Music

Little Snow Bird

Greetings from yet another lovely bright crisp day in Dublin. Welcome to another christmas card post!

When I started this card, I had intended to leave it CAS so that the background itself was the main feature - this was so card would suit current Our Creative Corner challenge. However once I began on the little snowbird I'm afraid I loved the image so much that it became the focal point.

CS used are Bazzill and Stardream. I used a Fiskars corner punch to shape the background piece that I then stamped (Stampendous Christmas Background CRR144) with Versafine and embossed with Papermania EP (Tinsel Red). Used a Martha Stewart punch to edge the left side of bird image (some room for tail feathers!). I stamped (Stampendous Snow Bird - CRP169) in Encore Metallic Gold and embossed with Sparkle n Sprinkle EP (Gilded Ivory). Added some mica flakes from Melissa Frances and punched snowflakes from Ferro Gold paper. Added pearls, gems, ribbon from stash. Topped with Nunn Design gold metal snowflake to finish.

Wishing everyone a lovely day!
Nicola

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Our Creative Corner - Make Your Own Background
Stamping Sensations - Traditional Christmas
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
The Pink Elephant TPE174 - Punches/Dies

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Greetings all. I'm sorry for my absence over the last week - I've been immersed in completing a special project. Check back next thursday for more re same.

A particular hello to readers in USA affected by The Storm - wishing you strenght through a most challenging time.

Any crafty people in Ireland might be interested in visiting the 'Knitting and Stitching' show in Dublin. I was there today - there sure are some incredible crafting talents on display, as well as 'shopping opportunities'. Show finishes tomorrow.

My card today will hopefully bring cheer, as the song goes, Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue...

Ingredients are: Bazzill CS, SEI Velvet Paper, Bo Bunny flower, Punches from Woodware, Martha Stewart and Punch Bunch, Ribbons, Twine and Ladybird from stash.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Nicola x

Thank-you to hosts, sponsors and design teams at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Craft Your Passion - Photo Inspiration
The Ribbon Reel - Rainbow with ribbon and twine
Fab 'n' Funky - Diecuts/Punches
Flutterby by Wednesdays - Butterfly or Fairy
Paper Crafting Journey - Ribbon or Twine
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Stripes
Shopping Our Stash - Flowers in 3D
My Mum's Craft Shop - Bold and Bright

Deer in Snowy Forest

Hello to all and thank-you for visiting my blog. I hope everyone is well and all set for a great weekend with lots of crafting therein. I'm feeling rather wintry today with chill air outside. I've thus made a Christmas card with a snowy scene.

Base CS is Stardream. I've punched the top part of a square of SEI Velvet using a Martha Stewart Punch. I then stamped onto the Velvet with a 'Just for Fun' rubber stamp (no serial number on stamp) using Versamark ink. I then heat embossed the image with Stamp n Stuff EP (Winter Wonderland) for a lovely snowy sparkle. Next, I edged some gold Stardream CS with the same punch. Stamped a Penny Black image (The Sound of Snow 2800K) with Versamark and embossed with a deep red EP from Sparkle n Sprinkle (Japanese Lacquer). I added round metal disc (Brenda Walton Metal Art), metal owls charm, puffy stars and ribbon. Finally, I placed pearls for snow effect to link the two images.

Thanks so much for having a look see. Have a lovely weekend. Nicola x

Thank-you to hosts, DTs and sponsors of the following challenges that I'd like to enter;
Penny Black and More Allsorts - Animal Magic
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Traditional
PaperPlay Challenges - Wooden It Be Nice
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Two's Company
Totally Stampalicious - Christmas Card
Southern Girls - Tie A Ribbon Around It
C.R.A.F.T. - Use metal on card
Little Red Wagon - Bowdacious
Whimsy Stamp Inspiration Challenge - All Things Sparkly
ABC Christmas Challenge - U For Up To U
Stamp & Create - Winter Wonderland

"All that is gold does not Glitter"

Hello from a gorgeous bright crisp autumn day in Dublin. Sorry for my absence over last couple of days. My card today definitely reflects the day outside.

Base CS Bazzill. Onto La Blanche specialty stamping paper I stamped two images with versamark - a) the central image (Tim Holtz C0M004 Time) and b) the outer border (La Blanche Clock Background 1297). I then heat embossed both images with clear embossing powder. I inked, dried, re-inked etc the stamped images with various Distress Inks and Windsor & Newton gold calligraphy ink. Placed the 'Time' image in the centre and built up several 'bordering' layers using angel hair paper, mesh, crepe paper, regular paper and cheesecloth. I cut the 'clocks' image to form the final uppermost border. Printed quotation from my printer and edged with Distress Ink. Sparsely embossed some leaves and clock hands with Distress Embossing powder to give slight rust effect. (I couldn't go any heavier with rusting as the 'leaves' kept melting under heat gun!). I punched some branches using Martha Stewart punch to decorate. Affixed quotes to complete.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope your weekend is filled with brightness. Nicola x

I'm entering card to the following challenges;
Live and Love Crafts - Halloween and/or Autumn Colours
Vintage Elusions - Autumn Colours / Anything Goes
Sarah Hurley Challenges - Autumn
The Artistic Stamper - The Natural World
Victorine Stamps - Lots of Layers
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Autumn
Papercraft Star - Fall Colors
Craft Your Passion - Hip to be Square
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Rustification
Joanna Sheen - Autumn Breeze