My 5 Favourite Cards from 2011

Hi Bloggers.

Debby is hosting My 5 Favourite Cards from 2011. Here's my 5 (really difficult choice) -

The first is using the Road Trip stamp set from Tim Holtz -

The next uses the 'All That' stamp from the Kenny K Collection at Whimsy Stamps -

This one uses Mr. Inventor in Black & White -

This is one of my favourite stamps from Sugar Nellie. She's called Tiffany and she's absolutely gorgeous -

Finally, I've chosen this Mother's Day card. I was really pleased with how this one turned out -

Hope you've enjoyed your visit.

Thanks for dropping by.

Hope you have a wonderful New Year.

Julia.

Spring is Back

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm looking forward to Spring with this card made with the Sarah Kay image 'Spring is Back' from Stampavie.

This is a very simple layout. The image was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with promarkers.

I cut the image out using an oval nestie and made a faux nestie with dusky pink card. I cut a white mat out using a scalloped oval nestie.

The gingham backing paper is from Polka Doodles Sundae of Seasons. I punched some flowers out of dusty pink card and added my brads.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Make It Monday #69

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Pippi Pretty in Pink

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card -

The image is Pippi Longsocks from Sugar Nellie. She has been stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black and she has been coloured with Promarkers. I added some Sakura Stardust Clear Star on her wings to make her sparkle. I edged the image panel with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.

For the patterned cardstock I used a piece of lavender card and inked through a That Special Touch Floral Lace Mask with Victorian Velvet.

I followed the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp. The papers were a freebie from Papercraft Essentials Magazine.

I coloured some Woodware Plain Paper Flowers with Victorian Velvet and added roses and pearls from my stash.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Sunday Sketch & Stamp
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Make It Monday #69

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Blue & White Vintage Inventor

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card with you -

For the background on this one I've mixed some Faded Jeans Distress Ink Re-Inker (you can also use Distress Stain - the pads won't give you such an intense colour but if you only want a hint of colour you can use them) with some Eco Green Crafts Artist Spackle. I cut a square piece of white card and popped the That Special Touch Metal Effect Maskover it and dragged the Spackle mixture over the top using a tool which I think is called a squeegee.

Once I had scraped away the excess from the mask, I removed the mask from my card and popped  it together with my craft sheet and tool into some warm soapy water. This is important as the spackle is permanent when dry. It washes off easily using warm soapy water.

I put my background aside to dry.

I stamped the blank ledger image from the Creative Expressions Vintage Treasures stamp set using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and embossed it using Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

I inked up some white card with Faded Jeans Distress Ink and stamped Mr. Inventor (Vintage Inventor) and the square image (Vintage Treasures) using Jet Black Archival Ink.

I stamped the 'Inventor' text (Vintage Inventor) using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and embossed with clear powder. I dabbed some Faded Jeans Distress Ink over the top.

I assembled the card as shown, securing the Inventor text with staples and adding a Creative Expressions Faux Screw Brad in Antique Silver in each corner. I also did some faux stitching using a Sakura Fine Liner Blue Pen.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Make It Monday #69

I hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

My 5 Favourite Christmas Cards 2011

Hi Bloggers,

Debby is hosting 'My Favourite Christmas Cards of 2011'.

Here are my 5 (I think!)-

The first is my fave Mr. Inventor with a sprig of holly on his hat

The second is a very traditional card made with the Tatty Button Poinsettias stamp set

The next one is a black and white

Another Tatty Button card - for this one I put the snowman stamp inside the bauble stamp and the background was made with alcohol inks

Finally, I really loved the colour combo on this one

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my 5. Why not pop over to Debby's Blog and join in the fun.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

You Rock!

Hi Bloggers,

I hope you all had a very good Christmas and are enjoying your Bank Holiday. Today I have this card to share with you -

The image is Rock Chick from the Kenny K Collection at Whimsy Stamps. I stamped her in Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured her in using Promarkers. I cut her out using a Spellbinders Curved Rectangles die and inked around the edges with Faded Jeans Distress Ink while still in the die. I cut a faux nestie out of rust card.

The sentiment is from Inkadinkado Rock Star Clear Stamp set. I stamped it in Memento and inked around the edges with Faded Jeans.

For the background paper I used the Stamps by Judith Stubbie AAA-04 Dots available in the UK here or in the USA here. I stamped it randomly over my white card using Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans and Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks. I edged it with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.

I inked 2 Woodware Plain Paper Flowers with Faded Jeans Distress Ink and splatted Faded Jeans Distress Stain in the centre of each one. I inked the edges of some roses from my stash with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and added them to the centres of my paper flowers.

I assembled the card as shown and added some blue gems top right.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Simon Says Stamp - Bingo : Gems, No Designer Paper, Flowers
I love Promarkers - Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Blue and Brown
Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
Sparkles Forum Challenge - Anything But Christmas
Make It Monday #69

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Happy Christmas!

Hi Bloggers,

Today I have a very simple card to share with you -

It's made with a La Pashe Trinitage sheet that has been cut out and added to a Stepper Card. I added a little Cosmic Shimmer Aqua Twinkle to the snowy parts to make it sparkle.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog - Christmas Wishes
Make It Monday #68

Taking a little break now from posting as family due in a couple of hours to join us for the festive season. Will be back Tuesday.

Happy Christmas to you all.

As always - thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tulips for Mother's Day

Hi Bloggers,

Yes, I know it's early for Mother's day but I had this image lying around and I've been putting some cards together to send to Cazz for Operation Blue Witch Squadron so I thought I'd post this today.

The image is Joanna Sheen Messy Rabbit - Tulip. It's been stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and has been coloured using Promarkers. I cut it out using a rectangle nestie and edged it with Barn Door Distress Ink. I cut a mat out of red card using a scalloped rectangle nestie.

For the background paper I used the Stamps by Judith Stubbie AAA-04 Dots available in the UK here or in the USA here. This is such a useful stamp - Love it! I stamped it randomly over my white card using Marvy Bending Blox in Shades of Red and in Shades of Pink. I edged it with Barn Door Distress Ink.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley. I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black and added a bit of colour with Promarkers. I cut a mat out of red card using a Spellbinders Eyelet Circle Die.

I mounted my dotty background paper onto some red card and ran some Hi-Tack Tape across it. I added some red polka dot ribbon and added a bow in the same. I added the image and sentiment as shown and glued some red gems top right using Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes
Sparkles Forum Challenge - Anything But Christmas
Make It Monday #68
Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Create and Craft Show Date Change

Hi Bloggers,

Just to let you know that my next show has been moved from 5th January to Saturday 7th January at 12noon and 6pm.

Julia

Let Them Eat Cake

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm back to purple again and I'm sharing this card with you -

The image is from Sugar Nellie and it's called 'Let Them Eat Cake'. I stamped the image using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and coloured using Promarkers. I added some Sakura Stardust Clear Star to the wings to make them sparkle. I cut the image out using an oval nestie and inked around the edges with Dusty Concord Distress Ink.

I inked through That Special Touch Small Polka Dots Mask with Dusty Concord Distress Ink onto white card and then went around the edges with the same ink.

I cut a piece of Whitewash Colorcore with a lilac core and embossed it using the That Special Touch Polka Dots Mask. I sanded it to make the polka dots stand out more. I inked around the edges with Dusty Concord.

I matted the small polka dots background onto some purple card and then ran a strip of Hi-Tack Tape across the card and ruffled some Violet Vintage Ribbon along it leaving it un-ruffled where the Whitewash backing paper was to go.

I added the Whitewash backing paper to the card and mounted the image on top using foam pads.

I tied a messy bow using 2 lengths of Violet Vintage Ribbon and added it to my ruffled border using Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue. I tied some Baker's Twine through a Lavender Button and glued it to my bow.

I added a brad to each of the corners and then added my design to a Craftwork Cards 6" x 6" card.

I'm entering this card in to the following challenges -
The Sugar Bowl Maria Thereses Sketch plus Handmade Backing Papers
I love Promarkers - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Bingo : Ribbon/Twine, No Designer Paper, Brads
Sparkle Forum Challenge - Anything But Christmas
Make It Monday #68

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Red & Green - But not for Christmas!

Hi Bloggers,

The Willow Sketchie Challenge this week is a sketch plus a red and green theme. Now, I'm done with Christmas Cards as I'm sure a lot of you are so I wanted to make a card that was red and green and nothing at all to do with Christmas. I think I've succeeded - what do you think?

I used the That Special Touch Metal Effect Mask and inked through it onto white card with Barn Door Distress Ink. I inked around the edges with Peeled Paint Distress Ink.

I stamped the Creative Expressions Plaid Stamp onto white card with Jet Black Archival Ink and cut it out using a rectangle nestie. I inked around the edges with Peeled Paint Distress Ink (out of the die) and cut a mat out of black card.

I stamped the wheel image from the Creative Expressions Vintage Illusion stamp set with Barn Door Distress Ink and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut this out using a Spellbinders Curved Rectangles die. I inked around the edges with Peeled Paint Distress Ink (again out of the die). I cut a faux nestie out of black card.

I stamped some cogs from the Vintage Illusion set - one in Jet Black Archival and one in Barn Door Distress Ink and embossed both of them using Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut them out and inked them up using Peeled Paint Distress Ink. I added a Creative Expressions Faux Screw Brad in Antique Gold.

I inked up some American Seam Binding with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and Stamped the 'Illusion' text using Jet Black Archival. I frayed the edges a bit.

I assembled the card as shown and added 3 more screw brads top right.

Hope you like the card.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Willow Sketchie Challenge - Red and Green
Sparkles Forum Challenge - Anything But Christmas
Make It Monday #68

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Vintage Inventor back at Sketch Saturday

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing one of the samples that I've made for my Vintage Inventor shows on January 5th.

I stamped Mr. Inventor (Creative Expressions Vintage Inventor Stamp Set) onto some white card using Jet Black Archival Ink and cut him out leaving a thin white border. I stamped the Creative Expressions Scattered Words stamp onto white card with the Jet Black Archival and cut it out using an oval nestie. I inked around the edges with Weathered Wood Distress Ink while still in the die. I cut a faux nestie out in black card.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Vintage Illusion stamp set again in Jet Black archival. I hadn't got quite the right size of oval nestie for this so I drew around the nearest size and cut it out. I inked around the edges with Weathered Wood. I cut a black mat out using an oval nestie.

I stamped the cogs (from Vintage Illusion) using Jet Black Archival and embossed them with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder and cut them out. I added a Creative Expressions Faux Screw Brad in Antique Silver to each one.

The background paper is Craft Creations. I stamped 'STEAMPUNK' from the Vintage Illusion set in Black Soot Distress Ink all over it to add a bit of interest.

For the black background panel I embossed some black card using the That Special Touch Cogs Mask and sanded it a little (Colorcore card would work really well here but I didn't have any).

For the grey background panel I simply inked through the That Special Touch Metal Effect Mask with Black Soot Distress Ink.

I assembled the card as shown adding some black ric-rac ribbon and some faux stitching.

Hope you like it.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Sketch Saturday - Week 186
Sparkles Forum Challenge - Anything But A Christmas Card
Make It Monday #68

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Happy Anniversary

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a card that I've made for my Mom & Dad for their Anniversary which is later this week.

It's only a small card - just 12cm square but it seemed appropriate as I wanted the sentiment to be the focal point.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley which I stamped in Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I added a bit of colour with Summer Haze Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Ink. I cut it out using a circle nestie and inked around the edges with Dusty Concord Distress Ink. I cut a Spellbinders Picot Edged Circle from purple card and mounted the sentiment on to it.

I cut some leaves out of the Spellbinders Foliage Die Set. I inked through the die on the lighter card with Dusty Concord.

I made a flower using the Spellbinders Spiral Blossom and some felt that I bought from Sam Poole Creative Studios.

I tied a tatty bow using two lengths of Violet Vintage Ribbon.

I assembled the card as shown. The paper is from Polka Doodles Sundae of Seasons. I finished the card off with a couple of  Creative Expressions Decorative Stick Pins in White Pearl and added a purple gem in each corner.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Sparkles Challenge - Anything But Christmas
Make It Monday #68

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Curvy Card for Dad

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card -

I used the WS Designs Curvy Card Template to make the card base from Navy card. I used the template again to create a smaller panel of bright blue card for the front. I did some faux stitching down the length of the bright blue card.

I stamped various images from the Woodware 'His Birthday' stamp set onto patterned paper and cut them out.

The letters are from the Woodware 'Tiny Frames' set. This is a really useful set as you get an alphabet and a set of different shaped frames to stamp your letters into.

I assembled the card as shown.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Make It Monday #67
Allsorts Challenge - Blue and Brown
Penny Black & More Allsorts

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Next Shows on Create & Craft

Hi Bloggers,

No card today - sorry. I'm beavering away making samples for my next shows on Create & Craft which will be on Thursday 5th January at 9am and 1pm Hope you can join me.

Julia.

The Caterpillar and the Butterfly

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing this card with you -

Sorry about the poor quality of the photo - it's dark and the stamping is on glossy card so I can't have a light directly above it.

I used an Elusive Images stamp set (sorry - can't remember the name). I stamped the ornate design in Perfect Medium randomly all over some glossy card. Next I added some Peeled Paint and Dusty Concord Distress ink over the whole area. I removed the excess ink with kitchen roll.

The sentiment says - 'What the Caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a Butterfly'. I stamped this over the top of my design using the Dusty Concord Distress Ink. I put aside to dry.

I dusted some heat resistant acetate with my anti-static pad and stamped the butterfly with Perfect Medium. I added some Gold Detail embossing powder and heat set it. I then cut it out.

The background papers are made with the Peeled Paint and the Dusty Concord Distress Inks - you just need to ink around the edges of the card.

I assembled the card as shown.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Blog Candy up for grabs at Lili's Little Fairies

Hi Bloggers.

There's some great candy up for grabs at the new challenge blog Lili's Little Fairies. Why not pop over and have a look?

Julia

Christmas Milton

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card -

The stamp is Milton in Hat from Wild Rose Studio. I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with Promarkers. I used a Quickie Glue Pen on the furry parts of the hat and added some Cosmic Shimmer Aurora Crystal Glitter. You can see it really catches the light.

I inked up a Craftwork Cards frame with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink. I printed the sentiment using my labelling machine and matted it onto cobalt blue card.

I cut the poinsettia from the Spellbinders Layered Poinsettias die set and inked with Chipped Sapphire while still in the die. I put the poinsettia together using Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue and added an Eco Green Glass Glintz in blue to the centre.

I assembled the card as shown. The backing paper is from the Polka Doodles CD Jingle Jangle (I think!).

I'm entering this card into the following challenges -
Oldie But A Goodie - Christmas Animals
Make It Monday #67

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Vintage Photo Tatty Button

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing another of my samples from the Tatty Button Show.

I stamped the Tatty Button 'A Tatty Christmas To You' stamp on to ivory card with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I pulled some of the colour our using a damp paint brush and then cut Tatty out leaving a small border around the edges.

I inked up a piece of ivory card using Vintage Photo Distress Stain and left it to dry. When dry I embossed the stained card with the Couture Creations Bauble Tree embossing folder. I then sanded it to make the design pop out more.

I stamped the cracker from the Tatty Button Accessories 2 stamp set around the edges of my card blank with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

I stamped the sentiment from the Tatty Button Text 2 stamp set in Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then cut it out using the smallest of the Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles dies. I inked around the edges with Vintage Photo while still in the die.

The card was assembled as shown.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Finally finished it!

Hi Bloggers,

Change from the usual sort of post from me. Here's a pic of a necklace that has taken me 5 months to make (though I haven't really spent that much time on it - other things to do).

The design is by my good friend Sue Stallard. I just need to buy a new top to go with it!

Hope you like it.

Julia.