Christmas Fluffles

Aft'noon peepsicles!

I'm having a pyjama day today. Got up, washed, brushed teeth etc. changed bedding, put washing in, washed and refreshed Bazoo's litter tray...but...I am not getting dressed!

Well, I don't have any plans to go out and the weather is miserable. Think I'll light the open fire later and cosy up with a film and a hot mug of tea. Then a lovely bubble bath later. Bliss.

Onto the card. I've done a few of Fluffles in the past, he is so cute. It's amazing that if you change the layout and colour scheme, you can get so many different looking cards from the same image.

What I used...

Fluffles Garland stamp (N221) - Stampendous

Mistletoe 6x6 paper pad - Bo Bunny

Card stock - lime green, white

Promarkers

Black ink - Versafine

Clear embossing powder - Stampendous

Buttons - green, red

Ribbon - green

Twine - white

I stamped and heat embossed Fluffles onto white card and coloured him in. I trimmed the image and mounted it onto lime cardstock, trimming again but leaving a narrow border just around the left, top and bottom edges.

I wrapped and tied green ribbon around the left side of a piece of red dotty paper, and adhered it to the lower right side edge of a square top fold blank. The image was mounted onto the patterned paper, again lining it up with the right side.

Three buttons tied with twine were fixed above the image to finish. Ta da!

So there he is. I think last time I made a card with Fluffles on the colour scheme was lime green and shades of pink. Who knows, next time it could be blues!

That's it from me for now. Thanks for popping by, 'til next time. xxx





Seasonal Stars

Happy Friday everyone!

The weekend is nearly here - whoopee! Tonight Simon & I are off to the Pudding Club. I've made (a VERY large) St Clements Cheesecake. It's very fresh & tangy, hope everyone likes!

Now onto something else I've made...yup...another Christmas card.

I've used a stamp from one of my fave brands, The Octopode Factory. The stars are really supposed to be the other way up, so they look like star flower stems. I thought it would look good the other way up as a hanging Christmas decoration.



What I used....

Star Stems stamp - The Octopode Factory

Let it Snow stamp set - Penny Black

Colorful Christmas Accessory Sheet - My Mind's Eye

Ink pad - black - Versafine

Embossing powder - clear - Stampendous

Promarkers

Baker's twine - black

Button - black

So, I stamped and heat embossed the stars onto white card, cut out and coloured in with Promarkers. I attached it to the card at the top right corner and fixed a section of striped border from the accessory sheet along the top of the stems. Baker's twine was threaded through a button, tied in a knot and stuck to the left of the border strip. The sentiment was stamped in the bottom left hand corner in black ink.

The Colorful Christmas Collection was out a couple of years ago, and as the name suggests it has lots of bright fresh colours and cute images. It was this that inspired me to use these particular colours for the stars, along with the black against the white background it makes for a very striking card. Very clean, simple and fresh.

That's me for the nonce, coffee time I think, then on to more creating. Such fun!

Thanks for looking. xx

Twinkle Star

Heevnin Peeps!

Dull and breezy here today, with the odd shower. The days seem to have been really dark and gloomy of late, then again it is nearly the end of October (yikes). At least it's all warm and cosy inside :)

Today I have another Christmas card for you.

 

What I used...

'Tis the Season 12 x 12 paper - Bo Bunny

Scallops - On the Edge die - Sizzix

Star, Primitive #2 die & embossing Folder - Sizzix

Walnut Stain Distress Ink - Tim Holtz

Black ink - Versafine

Let It Snow stamp set - Penny Black

Garden & parcel twine

Button - star, wood

Beads - small, red, wood

Florists wire - green

Stems - Canadian Pine, fine - DoCrafts

Glitter Dots

I cut a piece of patterned paper so it would cover approximately two thirds of a 13.5cm square blank and scalloped the lower edge. After sticking to the front of the blank, I wrapped and tied frayed parcel twine around the card and stamped 'Twinkle' in the bottom right hand corner in black.

I die cut and embossed the star, distressed it with Walnut Stain and mounted it onto the card with foam tape.

The embellishment  was created by doubling over florists wire, wrapping it around a pokey tool to create a small spiral. This was then threaded through the bead and pulled taut so the spiral sticks in the bead hole.

After making three of these, they were twisted together and arranged with three short lengths of pine stem. Garden twine was wrapped around to secure and tied in a bow. Frayed parcel twine was threaded through the wood star (enclosing the pine stems at the back) and tied in a knot, positioning it on top of the bow. A few glitter dots were applied to the patterned paper to finish.

Because of the embellishment, it's probably a bit bulky to send through the post, but it's perfect to give by hand, to someone special. I was thinking of doing some more to make into napkin rings, they'll match in perfect with my Christmas decor!

That's me for now, thanks for passing through.

Toodle-pip! xx



Fa La La!

Aft'noon chums!

Wow! It's been a busy week. Lots of socialising going on and still more to come... Luckily I made a couple of cards last week, I just haven't had the time to post them.

Today I want to show you one called 'Fa La La'. I think the phrase on the front gives it away.

What I used...

Snow Day Collection 6x6 Pad - Crate Paper

Fa La La Phrase Die - Sizzix

Baker's Twine - Purple

Button - Purple

Glitter Dots

Firstly I cut around a row of the Christmas lights, leaving the rest of the paper intact. Then I stuck it to the top of an A6 landscape blank and trimmed.

Next, I die cut the phrase and mounted it onto co-ordinating paper. I cut two pennant shapes in different papers, one slightly smaller than the other, and layered them up along with the phrase panel.

Baker's twine was wrapped around the end a few times, threaded through a button and tied in a bow. It was mounted on the top left corner of the blank, with foam tape.

To finish, I added a few glitter dots to some of the lights, just to add that bit of sparkle.

Ta da!

I've used this paper pad before. Most 6x6 pads have the same images as their big 12x12 brothers, but the Crate Paper pads are the 12x12 papers cut into quarters. This is great for cutting out elements to use on your card making (or scrapbooking). There are some great Christmas tree and snowman images in this collection, just begging to be cut out and slapped on a card...the possibilities are endless.

Until next time folks, thanks for calling in! xx

Joy & Peace

Aft'noon chums!

It's a very blustery day here in Norfolk. The leaves are trying to hold on tight, but I think the wind is winning!

I have another Christmas card for you today.

Here it is....

What I used.....

North Country 6x6 paper stack - Prima

Framelits Circle Dies - Sizzix

Sentiment rub-on & snowflake - K & Company

White sparkly ribbon

Pale blue button

Die cut two large, different sized circles in co-ordinating papers, layer them at the bottom left corner of a white blank, just so they overlap the sides, and trim. Mount a snowflake embellishment in the centre. Fold a length of ribbon and notch the ends, stitch a button near the fold and attach to the top of the circles. Finish with a sentiment in the top right corner.

I intended to just have the circles on the blank. After I had stuck them down, they reminded me of a bauble. I have this really pretty ribbon, that is sparkly, but not overpowering. So I used that and a button as the bauble 'hanger'.

I think it's a fresh and simple card. The North Country pad has some beautiful papers in it, but I can't wait to make more of the same layout in different colour schemes.

Off now to make a coffee, then I think I'll rustle up another card or two (before I have to tackle to biggest pile of ironing I have ever dared to clap my eyes on). Groan.

Thanks for calling. xx

Crafts Beautiful November 2012

Aft'noon folks!

Well, it's a bright, sunny, beautiful (if chilly) day here in Norfolk. The Ash tree out in the front garden has turned from green to the most luminescent yellow. It just glows! I'm looking out of my craft room window right now at the Tulip Tree and the Silver Variegated Maple, both of those too are turning the most wonderful yellow and browns. I love Autumn with all its colours and rustic charm.

Gosh, that was a bit poetical...or sounds like I'm writing reviews in a gardening magazine.

Onto the important bit. This month in Crafts Beautiful (November 2012 issue - out now) I have a fantastic fun project, ideal to send to kiddies (or grown up kiddies). Slider cards! I must admit, I've never been a fan of slider cards (or easel, stepper and those cards that twist round...bleugh!), so when Natalie (Dep. Ed. of Crafts Beautiful) asked me to do a project with slider cards, I thought why not, I'm up for a challenge.

To my surprise, I actually enjoyed creating them. Especially with a fun, bright theme. So I gave the project my own 'style' and they turned out really good, and they are a good way of using up scrap bits of card.

Here's a sneaky peek....

To download the templates for the robin, trees, cloud, santa, chimneys and for more crafting ideas visit Crafts Beautiful.

I'm off now to write up the instructions and so on, for the two commissions I've just finished, but I'll post one of my Christmas cards later. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday! xx

Holly Golightly

Mewnin' Peeps!

Today is my sister Yvonne's birthday. Happy birthday sis! I couldn't post a pic of this card when I originally made it, because she reads my blog.

It's quite a simple card with limited colours. The focus mainly in black and white with a pop of bright pink. The image stamp I used is Breakfast at Tiffanys - Audrey Hepburn by The Octopode Factory.

Breakfast at Tiffanys is one of my favourite films and when I saw this beautiful stamp - well, had to have didn't I?

So, here's Holly Golightly.....

I love the fact that the image even has 'Cat' in it.

What I used.....

Stamp - Breakfast at Tiffanys - Audrey Hepburn - The Octopode Factory

Paper - Sketchbook by Amy Tangerine 6x6 paper pad - American Crafts

Rub-ons - Mollipop (655497), Background Shapes (655079) - Sizzix

Ink pad - Onyx Black - Versafine

Promarkers

Punch - corner rounder

Card - white, black

Card blank - 15cm square, white

Clear embossing powder

Ribbon - bright pink

Crystals - clear, 2mm, 3mm - Hot Fix

Firstly, with the fold at the top I trimmed 2cm off one side and rounded the bottom right corner. A piece of patterned paper was attached horizontally to the left of the card, again with its lower right corner rounded off.

After stamping, heat embossing and colouring the image, it was trimmed and mounted onto black card and trimmed again, rounding off the bottom right corners on each. Hot Fix crystals were glued to her tiara and ear-rings. Rub-ons were applied to the lower right corner.

I tied pink ribbon around the card and knotted it at the right. She was then mounted to the blank with foam tape. Ta da!

I love The Octopode Factory stamps, they do great interpretations of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz characters. This one is just stunning though. Love it!

That's me for now, toodle-pip! xx

Merry & Bright!

Well hello and a good Thursday afternoon to you all!

I've just finished another commission for Crafts Beautiful and I thought before I start doing the instructions and templates, I would make a quick Christmas card. This is a cutey.

What I used.....

Snowman (656299) - Bigz Die - Sizzix

Winter Wonderland 6x6 paper pad - My Minds Eye

Baker's twine

Snowman charm

Glitter dots

15cm square card blank - white

Card - white, red, orange, black, brown

Gel pen - white

With the fold at the top, I covered the top of the blank with cottage paper. I trimmed the Merry & Bright phrase strip from the tags and borders paper and attached it below the cottage paper. Next, I wrapped baker's twine around the card under the border, threaded on the snowman charm and tied a bow.

The snowman and accessories were die cut and assembled. He was mounted onto the card with foam tape. The card was finished off with a few glitter dots on the snowflakes and a few highlights on the snowman with white pen.

This was quite a quick card to do, the thing is, as Christmas gets closer, the more time consuming, trickier cards get pushed aside for quick, simple ones. I think that's why I like buying co-ordinating stickers, rub-ons and die cuts, they're great for last minute cards (it can still take me ages to decide which papers etc. to use and the actual layout of the card!).

That's me for the nonce, I may just rattle off another couple of quickies - watch this space! Thanks for popping in. xx

Joy!

Aft'noon peeps!

Here I am again with another Christmas card. This one was inspired by a project by the fabulous Pete Hughes (from Sizzix) in the current issue of Papercraft Inspirations (Issue 105 - Nov 2012). I have put my own take on it, using a die cut mistletoe branch, 'Joy' phrase, snowflake and scalloped borders instead of Pete's branch, 'Noel' phrase and lacy edges. Plus, I fixed my bauble to the card front, where Pete had left his to dangle so it could be removed and used as a tree ornament.

So here it is....

What I used.....

Carved Ornaments - Movers & Shapers - Sizzix

Joy - Movers & Shapers - Sizzix

Scallops - On the Edge - Sizzix

Snow Flurries - On the Edge - Sizzix

Mistletoe - Marianne D Creatables

Aspen Frost 6x6 Paper Pad - Basic Grey

Green Card

Baker's Twine - Red

Pearls - Flat Backed

I die cut two baubles, one in patterned paper and one in green card, and another in red patterned paper with the 'Joy' die inserted. They were then layered up, and the red bauble was mounted with foam pads. I snipped the top off the green bauble and stuck it to the top of the red. I tied baker's twine around the top.

A scallop border and a snowflake border were cut in patterned paper. These were adhered to a white blank along with a wide strip of co-ordinating paper. I die cut a mistletoe sprig in green card, distressed and embellished it with pearls. This was then adhered to the card along with the bauble. Ta da!

I must say I do love Pete's creations. Whenever I see his projects in magazines I always 'ooh' & 'ahh' along with, 'got to have a go at that'.

Enjoy the rest of your Monday! Thanks for calling by. xxx

Lazy Puss!

Aft'noon peepsicles!

Sorry I haven't posted much this week, have been busy, busy, busy with commissions. It's my Mum's birthday today (Happy Birthday Mum!) and she has a great sense of humour, so when I saw this stamp set, I had her card in mind.

I stamped the cat image and phrase (Art Impressions - Zoo Crew - Feline Set 4193) onto white card with black ink (Versafine - Onyx Black) and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. The cat was coloured in with Promarkers and mounted onto black card and the phrase onto pink card.

Strips of patterned paper (Anna Griffin - Fifi and Fido collection) were cut and attached at varying heights to the front of a 15cm square blank. The cat and phrase were then mounted onto the card. I finished the whole thing off with some black baker's twine wrapped and knotted around the card and a black button threaded with pink baker's twine and tied in a bow.

This cat reminds me so much of our cat Bazoo - except she is black. The face and pose are exactly like her. To me the look on this cat's face says everything. Brilliant!

Well, enjoy the rest of your Saturday and thanks for dropping by!