All Wrapped Up

Hi there and many thanks for visiting. A very warm welcome too to new followers and a belated 'Happy Thanksgiving' to everyone who celebrates same.

A while ago the lovely Lynne kindly gifted me some canvas printer paper that I had admired on her blog. I held off using it until I saw just the 'right' image. Then a couple of weeks ago I saw a beautiful picture at Nancy's blog here that I felt would be perfect - thank-you Nancy for finding this beauty.

Papers: Bazzill, Papermania, SEI Velvet, Doily and Lynne's canvas paper

Dies: Cheery Lynn Reflections 'Pearl French Flair' and 'Horizon Coved Rectangle'. Simon Says Stamp 'Faceted Snowflake'. Memory Box 'Berry Sprig'. Sizzix Bigz 'Mini Styled Labels'

Sparkle: It is not showing in photo but oodles of Distress Dry Glitter 'Clear Rock Candy' has been added around rim of each layer and main image. Ditto on snowflake, berry sprigs and around sentiment. Edges of cream layer are also versamark inked and then embossed with Sparkle and Sprinkle EP 'Gilded Ivory'. I've frantaged the focal image using Stampendous 'Shabby White' aged embossing enamel

Dry Embossing: The cream velvet paper has been embossed through a Sizzix 'Holly Swirls' folder

Stamping: The stamped sentiment is by 'Cats Life Press'. It's been inked using versamark and then embossed with Ranger 'Queen's Gold' EP

I then tied silk bow using 'Boweasy' and wrapped the gorgeous girl up in luxurious lace, cosy feathers (despite my being allergic!) and other trims from stash. The metal snowflakes are by Nunn Design.

Isn't she lovely?

Wishing all a very happy weekend. Your visits and comments are truly appreciated.

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn Designs - Non-traditional Christmas Colours
Craft Room Challenge - Vintage Christmas
Rhedd and Rosie - Christmas is Coming
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes With Ribbon
Crafts and Me - Christmas Vintage
Songbird Challenge - Die Another Day
Moving Along With The Times - Girly but NO Pink
A Creative Romance - Vintage Style

Let The Bells Ring - Spotlight at 'Crafts-Too Challenge You'

Hello and Welcome!

Recently I was thrilled to be selected in the Top 3 over at 'Crafts-Too Challenge You' blog and am delighted to accept their kind invitation to feature today in their Spotlight post.

Their challenge theme this month is 'Vintage Christmas' with the current twist being 'polychromatic' - meaning multi-coloured. I've adapted a Melissa Frances chipboard 'large church/house' for my spotlight piece. Here it is:

My three main colours are gold, blue and red. I've used all Scandinavian papers (By Inkido, Pion Design and Maja Design) as they have the perfect vintage look. The lacy roof is made using a Cheery Lynn die and the roof papers are sprayed with a Perfect Pearls mist for a frosty look. The little windows are painted with PaperArtsy 'Nougat'. The whole project has been liberally treated with Melissa Frances crushed glass glitter, Snow-tex and Mica Flakes. The eaves are painted with PaperArtsy 'Old Gold' before being wrapped in paper and speckled with glitter.

The surrounding fence has also being painted and then stenciled using Crafty Individuals mask and Dreamweaver paste. When dry I coated the fence with multi-matte medium, somehow the chemical interactions have produced a greenish tinge in parts - but doesn't that all add to the vintage feel! All the church/house edges were inked with Versamark and then embossed using my favourite Ranger's 'Queen's Gold' EP. I've hung some bells in the belfry so that they can ring out on Christmas morning! The spire was stencilled using a Crafter's Workshop 'damask' stencil, painted and then gold embossed. The same stencil was used on the doors - can you see Santa peeking out from one door? Idea-ology ring fasteners make really cute door knockers too.

I gilded a cocktail stick and attached a Moon diecut (Sizzix / Tim Holtz) and stamped/embossed sentiment (Artistic Outpost). There's also a lot of script type stamping on the 'ground' area but as usual I've gone and covered most of it up! I also ran a ribbon trim around the 'ground' edge. The little Christmas Tree has been gilded and frantaged (thank-heavens I noticed the smoke before it turned to flame!) and dotted with pearls.

It took a lot of careful training to coax those dashing reindeer to slow-down and stand 'unaided'! Added a selection of embellishments, tossed on even more glitter and stickles for good measure and afixed to the Idea-ology box feet that I had rubbed with some Treasure Gold to warm up. The whole piece sparkles fabulously in artificial light so I'm looking forward to seeing it on display at Christmas!

Very many thanks to 'Crafts-Too Challenge You' for generously allowing me feature - why don't you pop over and join in with their fantastic challenge blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Have a lovely week,
Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and design teams at the following challenges that I wish to enter:
Frilly and Funkie - Christmas Preparations
Vintage Udfordring - Christmas
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Shabby Chic Christmas
Rhedd and Rosie Challenge - Christmas Is Coming (with key items)
Stamping Sensations - Christmas
A Creative Romance - Vintage Style
Allsorts Challenge - Bring On The Bling
Crafty Hands Challenge Blog - Sparkle and Bling
Vintage Stamping Challenges - Traditional Christmas
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge - Shabby Chic / Vintage

'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

Joyeux Noël

Hello and welcome! I'm well and truly into Christmas production mode now - they certainly are my favourites to do.

Stamps: Artistic Outpost 'Snowy Woods' set

Papers: Maja Design, Pion Design and French book text

Dies: Mini trees and deer by Tim Holtz / Sizzix. Postage Stamp by MFT Dienamics. (The stamp 'frame' is triple layered for dimension).

Inking: Distress Inks ('Vintage Photo', 'Tea Dye', 'Walnut Stain', 'Brushed Corduroy'). Prima chalk edger 'Branch Bark'. Ranger Archival Ink 'Coffee' and 'Red Geranium'. Versamark. Stuart Gill Clear EP. Embossing Antiquities 'Weathered White' EP. Frantage 'Aged Ivory' embossing enamel. Glossy Accents. Crackle Accents. Gesso. Snow-Tex. Inkssentials white pen.

Punch: Woodware

Embellishments: from stash

I hope this post finds you all well and warm. I'm sending a special Get Well wish to dear Anne. May my pals in UK not have suffered too many ill effects of storm.

Thank-you so much for your visit - it's a pleasure to have you stop by.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Artistic Outpost - October Referral Programme
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Christmas Card Challenges - Bows
Christmas at Sweet Stamping Challenge - Cards for Men
It's All About The Vintage - Use at least 3 stamps
Flourishes Tuesday - Plaid/Houndstooth (on one of trees)
ABC Christmas Challenge - V for Vixen (Reindeer)
Rhedd and Rosie Challenge - Anything Goes

Angel Rays

Hi there! Thank-you for stopping by and a warm welcome to new followers. Well I just can't put away all the Christmassy sparkle and glitter...

Stamps: Tim Holtz 'Joyful Song', Various script, music and map stamps for background paper. Sentiment by Crafty Individuals.
Stenciling: Tim Holtz 'Rays'. Wendy Vecchi Metallic Gold embossing paste. Stampendous Gold crushed glass glitter.
Inky stuff: Gloss paper inked with a mix of DIs 'Weathered Wood', Broken China' and 'Tumbled Glass'. Stampendous Frantage in 'Shabby Blue'. Delicata 'Golden Glitz'.
Embossing folder: Tim Holtz 'Snow Flurries' texture fade. Embossed areas inked with Versamark using brayer and then heat embossed randomly with embossing powders (Ranger 'Queen's Gold' and WOW 'Opaque Bright White').
Embellishments: Metal snowflake by Nunn Design, Silk ribbon by May Arts tied with 'BowEasy' and little stars from stash.

Today's post has to be short and sweet!

Many thanks again for your visit - I appreciate each and every one!
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Use a mask or stencil
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Let's Stencil
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Use a stamp
Bunny Zoe's October Challenge - Ribbon

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

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

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

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

Christmas Angel Tag

Hi all. Welcome to my blog and very many thanks to all my new followers and commentors who make my blog posts so worthwhile.

Today I'm posting my first entry to the Challenge that Linda is running called The Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas. Linda's first tag is here and the challenge is sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique. Check out the challenge blog for further details of the challenge and fabulous work for inspiration. The challenge has been running for 5 weeks so far and I am way behind so without further ado here is my take on Linda's first tag.

I did start out with intention of doing solely a tag, but it morphed into a card along the way. I've taken lots of inspiration from Linda's first tag however in that I decorated the tag with a central charm (angel in lieu of heart) surrounded by wings and sentiment, stamped a lot of flourishes and embossed with distress dry glitter. My tag too has been inked with Distress Inks and Stain. I also included stars at base of tag.

Base CS is Bazzill that I have edged and sponged with Distress Ink 'Worn Lipstick'. The white sparkle embossed vellum layer is from Papermania. The tag is a #8 Inkssentials manila tag. I sponged with a mixture of Distress Inks (Worn Lipstick, Victorian Velvet, Festive Berries, Rusty Hinge) spritzed with water. I also used Ranger Distress Stain Antique Bronze for lovely metallic shimmer and colour. I versamark stamped the tag with various flourish and script type stamps and embossed some of the stamping with Judikins EP Sticky Stuff and then added Distress Dry Glitter in Clear Rock Candy. (The glitter is subtle in daylight but it sure sparkles fabulously in artificial light.) Also painted some stars and a metal Angel charm with Distress Stain Antique Bronze - the metal took the stain very well. I decorated these embellishments with the dry glitter also. I punched a heart shape (Woodware) from vellum paper and stamped 'Peace' sentiment with Brilliance bronze ink. I also stamped some 'wings', again on vellum, with Distress Ink Worn Lipstick. Both of these stamps come from Andy Skinner Stamps (Simply Angelic ASCSA5010). I centred angel charm between all the 'wings' having added a stamped doily as 'wings' too. Also stamped a second sentiment using Distress Ink Festive Berries - stamp from Stampington and Company (All the year G1068). I added the stars that had been decorated with distress glitter. Also stained a crushed velvet ribbon with some of the distress stains and added crystals at corners to complete.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by,
Nicola x

I'm entering card to the following challenges;
The Funkie Junkie - 12 Tags of Christmas
Crafty Sentiments - Bows or Ribbons
Top Tip Tuesday - Things with Wings
ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Up to You
Lady Anne's Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Bloggers Network - Anything Goes
My Craft Spot - Emboss It
Ooh La La Creations - Christmas Sentiment
Crimbo Crackers - Pink
Create with Kate - Papercraft for Knit & Stitch Dublin

Angel in Shadow

Hello again!

I've another new Christmas stamp that I'm trying out - not too sure that I've yet given this lovely image all that it deserves...

CS Bazzill. Image (Inkadinkado 98398 Christmas Silhouettes) stamped with Versamark on SEI Velvet paper. Embossed with lovely shadowlike 'Chocolate Sparkle' by Sparkle and Sprinkle. Sentiment stamp from Stampendous (Christmas Wishes SSC1068). Metal embellishments by Nunn Design. Martha Stewart Snowflake punch. Ribbons and gems from stash.

Thanks so much for checking out my blog and for all the lovely compliments so far.

Nicola x

I'm entering card to the following challenges;
The Stamping Boutique - Embossing
LEJ Designs - Monochromatic
Simon says Stamp & Show - For the Love of Sparkle
Simons Says Stamp - Anything Goes

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

Tuxedo Elegance

Greetings from Dublin. Today's card is on a theme that is always tricky to do i.e. cards for males.

I used a Bazzill white cardstock than has a self pinstripe texture for the base card. I then cut out a rectangle of White SEI Velvet paper to form the "shirt" and decorated with 3 ruby red gem brads as "buttons". I've cut out the "tuxedo" shape from Black SEI Velvet paper. It was easiest to cut twice - back to front - so that both left and right sides and lapels matched. I slit one lapel fold and insered a metal index tab from Making Memories. Then, using Versamark and Judikins "Black Diamond" embossing powder, I stamped and embossed a triangle of white SEI velvet to form the "Handkerchief" (Music Stamp by Anna Griffin 580K21). I added a lovely satin faux bowtie. Finally, I punched the two bottom corners to finish.

I'm entering this card in the following Challenges;
Unique Crafters Challenge - Anything Goes
http://uniquecrafterschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
Hooked on Crafts Challenges - Cards for Men
http://hookedoncraftchallenges.blogspot.ca/
Creative Crafts Challenges 2 - All About The Boys
http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.ie/
Sweet Stamps Blog - For The Guys
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.ie/

Many thanks for checking out my blog

Starting with Santa

Hello. Rather than spending so much time looking enviously at others' wonderful papered/inked/ribboned/bejeweled etc. creations, I decided to start my own blog to see if I might learn and create more and enter some challenges along the way. Welcome to my first blogpost!

In line with certain Dublin department stores who already have Christmas decorations for sale, I'm starting with a sparkly Christmas Santa card.

I've stamped and embossed Inkadinkado's "A Vist from Santa" (98223) stamp onto a tissue thin sheer paper. That's then mounted onto a rich cream paper embroidered with gold thread. Punched the tag from some Stardream paper using a woodware punch and placed eyelet using my cropadile. I stamped and embossed "Happy Christmas" (Woodware stamp bd23 2de) onto tag. Punched some snowflakes using Woodware and Martha Stewart punches and placed gems and pearls from stash. The gorgeous gold metal snowflake is by Nunn Design. Added ribbons and assembled onto Bazzill cardstock. Inks and Embossing powders by Versamark, Judikins and Stampendous. That's it!

I entered this card for "Sparkles Christmas Challenge", Christmas Stampin All Year Long", "Penny Black and More Sept Challenge", "Just keep on Creating Christmas Challenge","Heck of a Challenge, Anything goes", "Unique Crafters Challenge, Anything goes" and "Anything Goes Challenge Blogspot - Early Christmas"
http://sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.ie/
http://christmasstampin.blogspot.ie/
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/september-challenge.html
http://justkeeponcreating.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/christmas-is-just-around-corner.html
http://heckofachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
http://uniquecrafterschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.ie/

Thanks for visiting my blog - I hope you like...