For Mother's Day

Greetings from Dublin and thank-you for visiting.

After my adventures in grunge in last project I'm back in my more comfortable zone making pretty, vintage cards.

I wanted to make a card for my Mum on Mother's Day next Sunday. As usual, several challenge themes gave shape to the end result.

Vintage Café Card Challenge are looking for images of women and Sugar Creek Hollow have photo inspiration of a little girl's floral bedroom. Also at Fussy & Fancy Friday they too have an inspiration photo of a pink bedroom. Thank-you to 'Magic Moonlight Free Images' showing this little girl and her Mother, sitting on a bed in their night attire. I think they are looking at a sparkling ring!

Craft Hoarders Anonymous seek sparkle and glitz together with an inspiration photo - hence I've applied lots of blingy gems, frantage and pearls.

At Frilly and Funkie the theme is neglected dies. I searched to see which set I hadn't used in a long time and came across Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles. The photo has been sized to fit one of the smaller rectangles and I decided to use this die set only for the card.

Card and Scrap are looking for lace / ribbon so I've attached a lacey ribbon!

The papers are by Graphic 45 ('Secret Garden' and 'A Ladies' Diary'). All edges have been inked with Distress Inks and Prima chalk edgers. Included lots of flowers and punched butterflies and a lovely chipboard 'garden border' that I painted with white and pink pearlescent paints before adding some pink Frantage.

It's lovely to have you stop by. As always I love to read your comments - they are very much appreciated.

Have a lovely week,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Vintage Cafe Card Challenge - Images of Women
Sugar Creek Hollow - Photo Inspiration
Craft Hoarders Anonymous - Show Some Sparkle, Glitz or Glam
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Shabby Chic with photo inspiration
Frilly and Funkie - Neglected Dies
Card and Scrap - Use Lace and / or Ribbon
Creative Inspirations Challenge - Vintage / Shabby Chic
Dream Valley Challenges - Mothering Sunday
That Craft Place - Flowers and / or Mother's Day
My Time To Craft - Mother's Day / Special Lady

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

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

Miles to go ...

Hello All and thank-you for your visit.

I'm really on a Christmas card roll as here's another:

Stamps: Artistic Outpost (Snowy Woods), Crafty Individuals (Clock and numerals CI-354)
Papers: Pion Design 'Wintertime in Swedish Lapland' and cotton fabric for top edge
Dies: Memory Box 'Lantern', Memory Box 'Branch' and Bigz Snowflake On The Edge
Inks: Gesso, Distress glitter in 'Clear Rock Candy' (lots!) and 'Old Paper', UTEE, Adirondack Alcohol ink 'Rust', Brilliance 'Pearlescent Rust' and 'Pearlescent Chocolate', DI 'Tea Dye' and 'Vintage Photo', Prima Chalk 'Rust', Distress Stain 'Antique Bronze', Archival 'Coffee', Copper EP, 'Vintage Photo' EP, Frantage in 'Shabby White', Stickles 'Mercury Glass', 'White Fire' gilding wax, Glossy Accents, Dreamweaver paste. Paper Artsy Fresco paint 'Snowflake'
Stencil: Crafter's Workshop 'Art Is'
Punch: Woodware
Embellishments: Tim Holtz Ice Skates, bark heart, twine, pearls and clock charm from stash

Little details:

The adorable ideaology Ice Skates are 'aged' using the brilliant Tammy Tutterow's technique 'Distress stain on metal'. For the skates I used lots of rusty inks and metallic distress stain in 'antique bronze'. I opted to coat with UTEE instead of clear EP. Gesso is also on the blades.

The lantern has been aged to be 'Faux Rusted Copper' by adapting the always awesome Shelly Hickox technique for 'Faux Tarnished Silver' but instead using copper EP before the UTEE heat blast.

Before stamping the main image I painted the paper with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Snowflake' to have a matt 'snowy' base to stamp on once dry. The raised snow on the main image is done by sprinkling frantage onto wet gesso and drying with heat gun to puff nicely. All the 'snowy' edges are done with gesso and distress glitter.

To cut the cotton for the top edge I first needed to stiffen it ... so painted fabric with a coat of gesso and heat dried and then randomly dabbed chocolate ink. Once dry and stiff it was cut with the on the edge die.

I'm sorry I've not been blog visiting but I'm not too well this week. I hope to be properly back in action in a few days time.

Wishing everyone a warm and happy weekend,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Inspired by Tammy Tutterow
Crafts Too Challenge You - Christmas Festivities 'Scene'
Vintage Udfordring - Vintage card for a male with charm and twine
Vintage Card Cafe - Brown/Beige Colour Marathon
Artistic Outpost - October Referral Programme - Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Use a mask or stencil
Deep Ocean Challenge - Christmas is round the corner
Try It On Tuesdays - Texture
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - Cards for Men
Simon Says Stamp - Use a rubber or clear stamp
Crafty Individuals - October - getting ready for Christmas

Vintage Bridal Veil

Hello all you lovely readers - welcome to another post. There are lots of wedding related challenges at the moment so here is my vintage wedding card.



Please click on photo to enlarge as the tulle to the right of card becomes clearer.

Firstly I layered silver cardstock onto white CS base. The next layer of pink paper is made by my own fair hands - talk about hand crafted! (I attended a workshop last year as to how to make paper from pulp and fibres - this is the result - any little flecks are part of the organic process). I've embossed the pink layer with Cheery Lynn's 'Petite Hearts' embossing plate.

The photograph is a free image (sorry did not note source) that I adjusted to faded black and white. Printed this on handmade paper (not by me) in keeping with the vintage look. I cut the photo frame using Tim Holtz baroque and mini baroque dies and then ran it through my Tim Holtz damask embossing folder. I then followed the steps in Shelly Hickox's fab tutorial on 'Faux Tarnished Metal' - take a peek here for details. I previously used the technique in my post here, it's very effective and done with ink, embossing powder and Utee.

Stitched some lace that I had been saving for a wedding card to form a veil having made a little head-dress of pearls and roses. I was so pleased it worked as a veil as it is scalloped on both edges. Decorated veil further with a pearl flourish to the base/train. I wanted to do something different for a bouquet so decided to go with a message in a bottle! I printed out 'Sealed with a kiss' on handmade paper and placed it and some flowers into the little vial - leftover from a workshop. The cork stopper looked wrong (plus Frilly and Funkie have limited colours in their challenge) so I gave it a few coats of Metallic Distress Stain in Brushed Pewter. Added a little lace bow and heart charm and mounted on some tulle and 2 hearts that I cut using Sizzix Bigz Primitive Hearts die. Covered hearts with pink CS and translucent patterned paper.

Finally I scrunched some tulle and attached underneath the cardstock to right of card. Completed with pink ribbon along top and bottom of card that I adorned with pearls .

Thank-you for visiting my blog, your visits and comments are genuinely appreciated. I won't be present in blogland too much over the coming week but I will do my best to maintain visits. Have a lovely Sunday.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Frilly and Funkie - A Time for Weddings
It's All about the Vintage - Spring Romances / Weddings
Vintage Udfordring - Wedding
Simon Says Stamp - Take A Picture
Sugar Creek Hollow - Clean It Out

Pretty In Pink

Hello from a very chilly Dublin. Thank-you so much for all your wonderful compliments on my last post - your taking the time and your words are so encouraging. A warm welcome and gratitude too to my new followers.

I needed to make a CAS Valentine card so I've come up with this card inspired by a beautiful card (photo here) at The Case Study Challenge Blog. The centre tag can be removed to use as a bookmark.

Ingredients;
Papers are a silk thread tissue embedded with hearts, Bazzill CS, vellum and a Japanese screenprinted Chiyogami paper
Butterfly punch by Woodware
Stamp by Limited Edition rubber stamps (LE4543G)
I used a dark blue versafine ink to stamp the sentiment so that the Sparkle and Sprinkle EP (Japanese Lacquer) that is a beautiful deep red became an even deeper red.
Metal hearts by Nunn Design
Satin Bow by Anna Griffin

Wishing you all a warm, happy and creative week.
Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, design teams and sponsors of the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Case Study Challenge Blog - #123
Craft-room Challenge - Valentines
Paper Creator's Crafts - Love Is All Around
Inky Impressions - Add A Sentiment
The Pink Elephant Challenge - TPE182 Pink, Red and White
There She Goes - TSG190 Love is in the air

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Little Angel in Blue

Hi there and thank-you for stopping by my blog. This is my 13th post so I've made another Angel Christmas card to ward off any bad luck!

CS is Bazzill. I deckle edged a square of white SEI Velvet paper. Then stamped the very beautiful image 'Angel Delivery' (Stampington & Co K5546) onto a white silk blend tissue thin paper. This I embossed with Judikins Silver Twinkle EP. I made frame from SEI Velvet patterned velvet paper. Merry Christmas text from my printer. I punched some snowflakes (Woodware) from a matching blue vellum paper. Then, stitched a lovely silver star (Nunn Design) to organza bow. Put it all together and dabbed with silver Stickles. Finalised with sparkling crystals.

Wishing everyone a really lovely weekend.

Nicola x

Thank-you to Hosts and Design Teams of the following challenges that I'm entering card to:
For Fun Challenges - Use a Stamp
My Mum's Craft Shop - Stars
Stamp n Doodle - Anything Goes
The Perfect Sentiment - Vintage Christmas
Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes
The Stamping Boutique - Embossing
Gingerloft Challenge - Embossing
Love to Create - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Frosted Designs - Embossing

Autumn Leaf

Hello. Dublin today was Wet! Wet! Wet! (but no Marti Pellow alas!) Speaking of the weather outside - here is my take on autumn;

Base CS by Bazzill. Next vellum layer by Laura Ashley. Next layer Stardream. I then printed a leaf shape from photoshop for outline. I inked up a melange of cardstock and vellum with a mix of Ranger Distress Inks and gilding wax (Lefranc & Bourgeois) to achieve varying autumnal hues (both sides of papers). Also painted some jute ribbon with inks. I then scrunched up the paper (the vellum lended itself really well to this). Next, I punched (a lot) of leaves with Woodware punch. I glued the leaves building for 3D effect. Also backed printout with 5 skeleton leaves (Anitas) to give it some definition. Dabbed the leaves randomly with some Ranger Distress Crackle Paint and Inkssentials Glossy Accents. Left it overnight to dry. I 'distressed' some cheesecloth with Ranger Distress EP Vintage Photo. Also, painted a Prima wooden timepiece with Distress Crackle Paint. Ditto to a Tim Holtz Ideology Gamespinner to age it. Added jute ribbon, crushed velvet ribbon and twine.

Hope my leaf card brings you warm and happy thoughts. Thanks for visiting.

I'm entering card to the following challenges;
4 Crafty Chicks - Leaves
Papertake Weekly Challenge - A Hazy Shade of Autumn
Divas by Design - Lovely layers
My Craft Spot - Falling Leaves
Frilly and Funkie - Fall into Fall
Creative Inspirations Paint - Fall Colors
Just Some Lines - Lets Celebrate Fall
Alota Rubber Stamps - 3D Fall
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Autumn Colors and Ribbon
Clearly Inspired - Fall into Fall

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

Merry Tweetings

Hi there. My post today continues my Christmas countdown. The winter chill is beginning to hit the air in Dublin and making this card sure warms the heart at least.

Base Cardstock is Curious Metallic - Ice Gold - its super white with a golden shimmer. To make the background I used a sheet of Eco cotton card that has a nice nubbly feel. I stamped music (Anna Griffin stamp 580K21) with Versafine Crimson Red. Next I sprayed the cotton card with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Walnut Gold) and Shimmerz Spritz (Treasured Hymm). Also painted card with some Ranger Glitz Stickles (Ruby Slippers and Champagne) to really make some sparkle. Cut into tag shape and used cutoffs for card corners decoration.

Onto gold Stardream CS I stamped one of my favourite images (Magenta stamp - Birds Postcard MG-95230L) and embossed with Papermania EP (Tinsel Red). I decorated postcard with brad 'stamp'. Formed a little nest from some jute, added sparkle and gems. Attached some jute ribbon and bows made with various twine and string. I punched (Woodware) some red velvet snowflakes (SEI Velvet paper - Blaze)and gave them pearl centres. Topped off by painting more 'sparkle' (a girl can never have enough!), more embellies and grosgrain 'Merry Christmas' ribbon from stash.

Hope there are birds tweeting wherever you are!

Thanks to the DTs and sponsors for the following challenges that I'm entering;
Jingle Belles Rock - Going Postal
Cute Card Thursday - Christmas in September
Twisted Tuesday Challenge - Flight with embellies
Simon Says Stamp - Emboss It
Totally Papercrafts - Your favourite stamp
Scrap-Creations - Emboss!
LEJ Designs - Sparkle and Shine
Loves Rubberstamps - Make your own background
Love to Create - Things with wings
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Sparkle & Bling
Stampavie and more - Sparkling
J&C Creations - Cute Christmas
Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - Things with wings

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

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...