30 May 2020

Stencil

Hi Everyone, today I have a card that I tried to emulate and failed by Karen at Snippets which I loved, but at least I tried. I'm not sure how or if I will add a sentiment to the card. It's taken me a week or two to even think it's worth blogging. I tried to copy it as I had the same dies. 

Anyhow, I cut the stencil out on my Silhouette, then added it to card, made a circle frame and added the dies. I dribbled some embossing powder onto the stenciled image and heat set for a little sparkle. If nothing else I'm learning.
Round fern Lace - Jamie Koay Silhouette Design Store
acetate sheet - stash
hollyhock die - Impression Obsession
circle dies - Tonic
embossing powder -  Papermania






27 May 2020

TMR Landscapes

Hi Everyone, my DT card today is for
https://themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Unbelievably instead of going to my digital files to do this card, I actually went to my stamps, Yep! I know! must be lockdown LOL.

Anyhow, I used a set which had the stamps and the embossing folder. I embossed a piece of card, cut it out and then thought I should have coloured it first. I thought, I'll colour it over the embossing, easier said than done, but in the end I am pleased with the result even if it is a bit ameuratish with the colouring. I stamped the bird and birds, a bit of grass, and cut the clouds on my Silhouette Cameo, then found the cloud die was included in the set! I stamped the balloon and fussy cut it out adding it to the stamped basket I had added onto the card. I found a sentiment which suited in another set. I've not done a stamped scene like this before, so I am pleased with myself.

freebie stamps & EF - Simply Cards and Papercraft Magazine issue 189
Distress inks
blue card - Lidl
die - Sue Wilson Noble square die


26 May 2020

Initial card

Hi Everyone, a card I did a while ago for an old work colleagues birthday, I had very, very short notice to make it, so the easiest for me at the time was to go digital. This is the result.

In Photoshop, I added paper to the background and used a floral font to add the "H". I then added the sentiment and her full name. After printing it out and adding it to the card, I used 3D gloss to the initial and adding white gel pen to just add a little light to the words. Hubby came along and said he really liked it, so I felt better about sending it.
dp - Autumn Gold Patterns from Font Bundles
gloss - Nuvo Crystal Glaze

24 May 2020

Digital die card plus

Hi Everyone, my card today is because I saw a digital cut file and thought it would make a lovely card, I hope you think it is too.

The shapes were cut on my Silhouette Cameo, after I had duplicated the shape, cut the word out and turned it on it's head. I used beautiful floral card, then realised that most of it wouldn't be seen, so instead of removing the letters, I added them back in to show a little of the card. I added sparkle pen to the word so that it showed up even more, then added some words to make a sentiment. I also print and cut them with a shadow on the Cameo 3 times to add height. I thought of adding lots of gems but decided to leave the cut as a CAS design. I'm not sure who it will go to. It was quite easy apart from adding all the circles back into the flowers, but that kind of thing is done in ordinary dies isn't it? 



this is showing the sparkle pens

I have another poem by Gill Reed, she is so clever with words.


Now you have some freedom, now you have some choice
But it will take time and effort before you can rejoice.
We may still have rules to follow and laws we must obey,
But still you might be longing for life like yesterday.
When friends were just a smile away, and holding hands was nice,
Before socialising sanctions, put our lives on ice.
Take a tip from Gladys, whose life was not policed –
Across the Serengeti, she’s a lovely wildebeest.
Her life is now confusing, she can no longer roam
The herd can’t hunt together and a tiny space is home.
“Be brave,” she told them all, “be brave! We’ll have to face the weather.
We’ll change the rules, we will adapt, to beat this thing together.
We’ll make some plans to stay apart, we’ll keep it strictly formal,
We’ll nod and wave and pass right by and then we’ll be gnu normal.”


AND seeing as it's a bloom card I thought I would share a couple of photos and a video from the garden. The foxgloves are great this year and we have quite a few self seeded.

I love these next to the Continus. (Smoke Tree)

I caught a bee in this one, he is really into the flower

This foxglove is the first of a few others with it and is standing stately amongst the lupins.


22 May 2020

Try Magic

Hi Everyone, it's a Friday and it's my DT card at 
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/
We will select two winners each week 1 using QKR Stampede
 or Eureka Stamps image and 1 using any image!

Anything Goes every Friday

I've had this image in a challenge win a while ago and decided he needed to be seen. A perfect situation for the QKR challenge. I used digital paper for the background, paper for the edge and a clock die for the little addition. I coloured him with Distress inks, then die cut him to add to the card. I made the sentiment in Photoshop and fussy cut it out. The made up by me insert, was also done in Photoshop. I added Nuvo glaze to the ball and his eye, shame it can't be seen.
Image - Wizard Mouse
backgroundpaper - Creative Market
edge card - stash
circle die - Tonic
clock die - unidentified


it says - I can't - so you will have to be older this year!


20 May 2020

Poppy

Hi Everyone, my card today is for a neighbour of ours, who without going into details has had a tragic few years. Then to top it all off his wife dies last week. I cannot believe what has happened to this family. I am so sad for them. All this and during Covid too, when they needed their family support and not being able to have it. So many stories like this have been happening during this awful time.

Anyhow, this is the card I sent, very simple and I felt, adding the leaf and the bud apart is what he must be feeling like at the moment. I stamped the flower and just added distress inks to the flower, bud and leaf, a few gems and the simple sentiment and all finished. I've been putting off using this lovely stamp as I thought it could be difficult, but actually I didn't even need to use all the layers for it to look effective, I hope so anyway.

image - Altenew Layered Poppy
 freebie stamps - Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine issue - 194
watercolour card - Crafters Companion
inks - Distress inks
gems - stash

19 May 2020

Lockdown Stories

Hi Everyone, after my last scrapbook page it put me in the mood to make another one and, as I was sent photographs of my Niece with her grandchildren, I felt they needed a scrapbook page to record them. Hence this page.

I loved Dorothy sitting down to listen, live, to her Grandmother reading her stories, she is so intense and very interested in them too. I had to include the lovely photo of the 3 of them, this time Owen joined them, they are enjoying their stories before lockdown. I did the journaling as if my Niece wrote it. When I was searching for papers etc in my files I came across a digital kit I haven't used, (so many of them). I loved the fresh colours and then noticed the kit's name! - Perfect! I then went on to make my own scrap page design, OH! This lockdown is doing funny things to me LOL.

digital kit - Morning Story
 by Gina Cabrera digitaldesignessentials


I have another poem from Gill Reed my SiL's Sister for you. She is so clever with words.


Keeping a Lert, by Gill Reed
A Lert is the most adorable creature,
Its home-loving nature
Is a notable feature.
Its eyes should always be shiny and bright
For it is famous
For measuring two metres by sight.
It is trained in the art of hand sanitation,
And knows how to prevent
The hugging temptation.
A Lert with its knowledge can always be trusted
But updates must always
Be daily adjusted.
With a Lert as your guide, you’ll covidly know
You R-valued for freedom
To get up and go.
Getting a Lert can be a wonderful thing
But remember it’s for life
Don’t get a Lert on a whim.
Soon you and a Lert will find a new way
Together you’ll conquer
And you’ll want it to stay,
A Lert.

17 May 2020

Hyacinth thank you

Hi Everyone, my card was made as a thank you for these wonderful hyacinths I received from my SiL, for helping her on a simple thing. I certainly didn't think I deserved them, but with their perfume and beauty I accepted gracefully :) Aren't they beautiful? The little bag was packed with them.
I had a hyacinth stamp and hadn't used it, surprise surprise! and I thought it would be perfect for this occasion. The trouble is, I sent the card before taking a piccie of it, so I made a few others with a changed sentiment. No piccie which means I can't remember what I did, except I know I added a stamp to the base of the hyacinth, so here's the second take so to speak. I even did "splatters", now you must be proud of me? another first!

 Hyacinth stamp and cup die with heart -
 Simply cards and Papercraft Magazine issue 176
inks - Distress inks
cup paper - Craft Sensations
base stamp - Vicky's Borders by Stamp Addicts


15 May 2020

Ancient?

Hi Everyone, it's a Friday and it's my DT card at 
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/
We will select two winners each week 1 using QKR Stampede
 or Eureka Stamps image and 1 using any image!

Anything Goes every Friday

We have a friends birthday coming up soon and I couldn't resist this image and quote from QKR. I did something I haven't done before, which is to print the background I wanted to a digital stamp and include the stamp for colouring in the printing. I'm happy to report it actually worked. It made it a one layer card, which is not what I wanted - 

SO, off to see if there were any images or digital cut files in my vast image files, I couldn't believe it, the only thing that came up with "rock" was music files? Searching on the web, produced the same response, but changing the search to rock shape! that was a different matter, all manner of rocks came up, but nothing suitable. I copied some meteorite rocks, added them to my Silhouette and made shapes out of them. I layered them, slightly off, and coloured them with the same colours as the image and background, this gave them a little shadow and depth. I loved the texture the card gave them.

image sentiment - Ancient QKR Stampede 
coloured with Distress inks
rocks cut with Silhouette Cameo
coloured with Distress inks
cross cut card - Outlet Store

the printed sheet before colouring

This makes me smile, I hope it does you too.

13 May 2020

Scrapbook page TMR 136

Hi Everyone, my DT card today is for
https://themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

The garden? what an easy challenge for me! Of course I had to make a scrapbook page. I started with a template and filled it from then on, I don't really have much idea how to do scrapbook pages, but this way it is so much easier (for me). I chose all white flowers and shrubs and chose papers and elements to match. Hopefully keeping it masculine.
template - Akizo

background floral paper - Pixelscrapper
white honeycomb background - Gina Cabrera
ribbon paper - etc by Danyale
boots - Marisa Lerrin
seed packets - Pixelscrapper
fence - Meldesigns

11 May 2020

Mr Awesome

Hi Everyone, my card today is one I nearly forgot to post, it was made for hubby's birthday in April. Our son hasn't been well and asked me to make one, he usually likes to go and buy, but was unable. Anyhow his Dad is a real handyman and I thought it should be reflected how good he is, as our son has his Dad help in lots of things. I'm glad to say Son and Dad were pleased with it.

image Mr Fix it - Mo Manning
coloured in Distress inks
background paper and Mr Fix it quote - Melo Vrijhof
Mr Awesome banner - Digi Dewi


Here's the insert prior to printing.
the sentiment was off the web

10 May 2020

Another Toilet Roll

Hi Everyone, seems I'm on a "roll" with the toilet humour LOL. Anyhow, this file was a freebie, (there I go again) at the Silhouette Design Store.  I think it will go to a Nephew in law, he'll appreciate it I think. A simple card with a smile attached!

Anyhow, I cut it out originally and couldn't make sense of it, so I contacted the designer and she came back with the answer very quickly, that it was made for vinyl. I wanted it to have more layer than that, so I made it that it had a white background with the vinyl layered over it. Cut some coloured card and it was done.

toilet roll - Lori Whitlock
this is the roll with it's vinyl layer attached
I changed my mind about the sentiment and cut it again with 
white card and the vinyl words.
the plastic is the transfer sheet to place it onto card.

computer generated sentiment 3D'd and black marker surround
sentiment vinyl on white card 3D'd
toilet roll with coloured card and 3D'd


08 May 2020

Fingers Crossed.

Hi Everyone, it's a Friday and it's my DT card at 
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/
We will select two winners each week 1 using QKR Stampede
 or Eureka Stamps image and 1 using any image!

Anything Goes every Friday

I saw this fun image and had to do something with him. He is open to all sorts of sentiments and quotes, I saw this amongst my sentiment files and decided this was the one, (for this time). I designed it in Photoshop and printed, fussy cut and then layered the papers and 3D'd the image.
fingers crossed image  - QKR Stampede
coloured in Photoshop
embossed birthday - Cuttlebug
paper - Lynnie Smith Designs
sentiment computer generated with 
font - Bourgeoise


This is the insert


05 May 2020

Bloom

Hi Everyone I hope you are all well and keeping busy in this continuing lockdown. 

My card today was asked for by SiL for an 80th birthday of her friend. She wanted floral, so this is what I did. I have a digital file of flower frames, I put it into my Silhouette and cut out the frame 3 times, glued them together added them to the card and stamped and heat embossed the sentiment in the centre. I added number dies - card done! I have to say it's so bright and lovely in real life. SiL was pleased and so was I, so much so I cut one for myself and will send it when I need to. 

flower frame - Creativefabrica
stamp - Edwardian Lady set, Magazine freebies
numbers dies - magazine freebies
sparkle pens - Spectrum Noir

showing the embossed sentiment and numbers and the sparkle added to the 3D'd butterflies

Now I did title this Bloom and yes it's an opportunity for me to show more blooms coming on in the garden, it's my only outlook now and as I said thankfully it is giving us joy, each day something else it popping up and giving us a show. So if you like you can pop to the end now LOL.

Iris

Weigela 

Solomons Seal

climbing Rose

Cornflower

Lupins and a little of an Allium head

Keep safe and enjoy your day





03 May 2020

Abstract!

Hi Everyone, something different for me, hubby loved the cards, me I'm not sure if they needed something else on them. However, the centre digital die is fabulous and I had it as a freebie, told you I'm a cheap crafter!

Anyhow, I took a paper pad which I thought generic and cut 4 of the dies on my Silhouette with the background. You look at the last photo and think there are only 3 there? Well I have to admit to using an old mat and the paper moved spoiling the last cut! Mmm lesson learned (perhaps) use a better mat next time! 

I glued 3 layers of the top and one of the under black layer, together and placed them onto the paper, I cut them out of. I think they are called shadow cards? I love the effect of the paper and the sentiment matching. I added some sparkle pen to the sentiment, shame you can't see it. 

digital die - Shirley's Cards
 also here Shirley Young Designs
paper pad- Craft Sensations Lovely Basics
gems - stash


I have a poem, this time I DO know the author, it's my SiL's sister.
Gillian Reed, who also is an author of books.

Gill's life in Lockdown

We all went into lockdown. I thought, “Well, this is great,

I’ll take the opportunity, to lose a little weight.”
I can’t get any flour, I can no longer bake,
No calories to count from my favourite chocolate cake.
I’ll get myself a smart watch and exercise with verve,
An hours daily walking – I’ll soon get back my curve.
The holidays are cancelled – no need to over-eat,
I’ll clear out all my cupboards to make sure there’s nothing sweet.
I’ve now stepped up the exercise, fish and chips is just a dream,
Ten thousand steps (and more) each day, I haven’t touched ice-cream.
I ventured on the scales today, I thought that all was fine,
OMG! My weight’s gone up, Damn! It must have been the wine.

01 May 2020

As Bears Do!

Hi Everyone, it's a Friday and it's my DT card at 
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/
We will select two winners each week 1 using QKR Stampede
 or Eureka Stamps image and 1 using any image!

Anything Goes every Friday

With all the stories about toilet roll, I couldn't resist this bear image from QKR, I matched it with a quote I saw on the web. Mojo wouldn't let me put together a background and as I was using a design for a different card, I thought I would have a look through and see what digital cut dies I had, that I could use. I saw this and fell in love and thought it was perfect for the bear image, making him in a forest? I cut the tree frame out and coloured it to match the image. 

image - As bears do
coloured with Distress inks
tree frame - Jamie Koay Silhouette Design store
die - Tonic rectangle
speech frame - Photoshop shape