Kit and Clowder Swap Card May 2015

We are now mid-way through half term week and, as predicted, there is not a lot of craft time for me as my two grandchildren are keeping me busy. I hope you are all enjoying your week.

Last month Alyce from the Kit and Clowder Facebook group organised an international card swap. The theme was "Friendship" and this is the card that I made for my partner, Sarit, who lives in Tel Aviv. 

I used an 8"x 8" card blank and covered it with turquoise card. The text paper and pink striped paper are from Papermania. I made a doily with an X-cut embossing folder and scalloped circle die and coloured it with Pan Pastels.

I used this gorgeous image by Sherri Baldy that I chose as part of my prize from Holley's February giveaway. Thank you Holley! The digi is called IMG 521 Best Besties Forever and I thought it was perfect for the "Friendship" theme. I coloured it with Copics and a few Promarkers.

The flowers were made using Delicate Daisies Open Petals dies, the butterflies are an X-cut die and the fence is from a Marianne die.

I printed the sentiment from the PC, the bow is turquoise seam binding. I finished the card with some flat backed gems. 

This is the adorable card I received from Sarit in return. Thank you to Alyce for organising the card swap. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I've entered my card in the following challenges:

http://scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-67-anything-goes-option-tag.html x

http://www.bestieschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/sherri-baldys-my-besties-brand-new.html x

http://mybestiesuk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/my-besties-uk-challenge-anything-goes.html x

http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/its-all-about-hair-colour-challenge-and.html x

http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/tuesday-throwdown-246-anything-goes.html x

http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-132-anything-goes-with-twist.html x

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/may-challenge.html x

http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-263-always-anything-goes.html x

http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.ca/2015/05/challenge-107-anything-goes.html x

Scribble & Scrap Challenge #45

It's half-term week here in England and Wales and I have my two grandchildren and their mum staying. There won't be much, if any, crafting being done by me but the children do love colouring and making things - including a mess!
On to today's business which  is Challenge #45 at Scribble & Scrap. Thank you to all those who entered our previous challenge, the winners have been announced on the blog. Please see the blog for the details and the prize that's up for grabs for this challenge.

Our theme is always
"Anything Goes"
I love the new Santoro Gorjuss range by Docrafts and have been having a play with the papers and images. Here is an 8"x 8" card I've made.

The base layer is card I coloured with DI Weathered Wood. I then matted and layered two of the new Gorjuss papers, a piece of card coloured with DI Antique Linen and two more papers. I wiped black ink over a doily and added a length of lavender lace.

The image is one of the decoupage ones from the Ultimate A4 Die-cut & Paper Pack and I layered it up with foam pads. I cut an oval base from plain card and coloured it with DI Weathered Wood.

There are lots of coordinating tags, images, embellishments and sentiment panels in the Ultimate kit and I made a little montage with a few of them. I finished the card with buttons in the corners.
Now head on over to the Scribble & Scrap blog to see the inspirational makes from my talented team mates and to enter your crafty creations.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:
http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-83-surprise-colour-challenge.html x
http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/23-may-challenge-81-anything-goes-with.html x
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-5-and-design-team-call.html x
http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-107_22.html x
http://www.a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-22.html x
http://www.creativecornerchallenges.blogspot.de/2015/05/team-mel-anything-goes.html x
http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/new-challenge-shabby-chic.html x

Swap card May 2015

Good morning everyone, just a quick post today as the days seem to be flying by and I'm being kept busy with family life, DT work and commissions.

I belong to a little swap group on Facebook and we exchange cards once a month. This month the theme is "Cards for Men" and this is the card I made and sent to my swap partner.

I started with a 6"x 6" card base and matted and layered a gingham paper from Kraftyhands onto blue card. The brown paper is from the Country Gent Nitwit Collection paper pad by Lily of the Valley.

The super cute image is a printed postcard from Vintage Boys (set 1) from LOTV and I matted it onto blue card. The sentiment was computer generated.

I used an X-cut punch to create the stars and finished the card by tying twine around the brown panel. 

If you're in the UK and like to swap cards ask me to add you to our little group. You'd be more than welcome.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:
http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper-may.html x
http://memascrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/may-2015-challenge.html
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/2015/05/party-time-tuesdays-198-challenge-and.html

Secret Garden Birthday

Good morning everyone, thanks for stopping by. Today I have a card to show that I made for a crafty friend for her birthday. I was very brave and cut up some more Graphic 45 papers.

I started by inking the edges of an 8"x 8" scalloped card blank with DI Spun Sugar. Then I matted and layered two papers  from The Secret Garden 12"x 12" pad after scruffing the edges. I added an inked doily and a length of lace.

I chose this bird topper as I know my friend likes birds. I mounted it onto plain card and added a bird embellishment and some faux pearls.

I stamped the sentiment and die-cut three feathers. To finish the card I tied a triple bow and added a bird cage charm.

This was another card that I thought twice about sending. Maybe I should start making two identical Graphic 45 cards so I have one to keep?

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-373-lovely-lace.html x

http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/freshly-brewed-challenge-may-13-19.html x

http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/ttcrd-challenge-may-12-18-2015.html x

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/may-challenge.html x

http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-59.html x

Birthday Girls

Today we are celebrating two birthdays in our family. One is our youngest daughter, Catherine, who is 20 and the other is Holly, her horse, who is 19. How special is that for them to share a birthday?

Here are the cards I have made for them.

I used Kraft card and papers from the latest Gorjuss collection from Docrafts to create this card for Catherine. The edge punch is from Docrafts too.

The stamp is from the Dear Apple set and was coloured with Copics. The apples are also from the stamp set.

Holly's card is not just a birthday card, it's also a celebration of her regaining her health. She was badly injured in an accident during transit 14 months ago and has only in the past month been able to be ridden again. She is so happy to be back in work and it's all due to the tender, loving care from Catherine. I thought these images from the Crafter's Companion Thelwell CD were perfect.

Here are the birthday girls.

Happy 20th Birthday Catherine!

Happy 19th Birthday Holly!

Have a lovely day everyone, we shall be having fun celebrating.

Scribble & Scrap Challenge #44

It's been a busy week for me, especially in Blogland. I'm not used to blogging every day and yet this is my 4th day in a row. I'd like to thank you all for your visits and lovely comments. I shall give my blog a rest for a few days but I'll be back mid-week. We have two family birthdays and I want to show you the cards I've made.
Today's business is Challenge #44 at Scribble & Scrap. Thank you to all those who entered our previous challenge, the winners have been announced on the blog. Please see the blog for the details and the prize that's up for grabs for this challenge.

Our theme is always
"Anything Goes"
While looking for something in the chaos of my craftroom I came across a couple of old Craftwork Cards kits I'd forgotten about. I decided to have a play and made a few cards. This is one of them.

I started with a 6"x 6" scalloped card blank and inked the edges with Spun Sugar Distress Ink. I added text embossed card that I lightly inked with Antique Linen DI. I used a Docrafts scalloped circle die to cut one of the papers from the Correspondence kit by Craftwork Cards. The postcard is also from the kit and I stamped some text onto it with a LaBlanche stamp.

I used Heartfelt Creations Majestic Morning coordinating stamp and die sets to create the flowers and a Docrafts die for the butterfly.

I finished the card with a sentiment from the kit and an organza double bow.
Now head on over to the Scribble & Scrap blog to see the inspirational makes from my talented team mates and to enter your crafty creations.
I have updated my Docrafts gallery with my new samples. Just click on the link in the sidebar to see them.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/week-310-die-cuts-more-than-2.html x
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-145-layers.html x
http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/9-may-challenge-79-anything-goes-with.html x
http://ema-ginationstation.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/ag-no-32.html x
http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/5-may-challenge-84-anything-goes-with.html x

X-cut Demo Samples for May 2015

Good morning to you all. I shall shortly be heading off to The Range in Carmarthen for  my demonstration. I'll be in the store from 10am until 4pm and I'd love to see you there if you are in the area. If not, then make sure you check out your local Docrafts stockist for all the new collections.

Today I'd like to show you samples I've made using some of the new X-cut dies and embossing folders.

These first cards have been made using the New Baby Icons die set. There are 23 dies in the set for you to use for cards or home décor projects.

One of the new embossing folders is the versatile 6"x 6" Small Polka Dot folder. It's perfect for simple backgrounds.

The papers are from the Creativity Club downloads on the Docrafts website.

The papers look fabulous teamed with Anita's satin ribbons.

The new Mr. Mister collection has two coordinating die sets. Here I have used the Mr. Mister Text set.

If you have the new Creativity magazine you will have received a corner die as one of the free gifts. I've used mine with black card on Anita's silver mirri board to create this simple card. 

I will be uploading photos of all my samples to my Docrafts gallery after my demonstration. In the meantime, click on the link in my sidebar to see my samples from other demos.

Have a good weekend.

Docrafts Demonstration May 2015

Have you seen the new releases from Docrafts in the stores? There are some wonderful new collections to play with and that is exactly what I have been doing lately. I will be demonstrating with some of the new goodies at The Range in Carmarthen this Saturday from 10am until 4pm. Here are just some of the samples I've been preparing.

For all of you who find male cards difficult to make this first collection is perfect.

The range is called Mr. Mister. There are decoupage sets and stamps,

traditional male icons and sentiments,

and fantastic papers.

The second collection I had fun with is for all you owl lovers out there.

This range is called Owl Folk and has wonderful artwork, printed card blanks and stamps.

There are fabulous papers and embellishments,

and also decoupage sets and pretty ribbons.

All the plain card I've used for these samples is either Papermania Textured Card or Kraft card.

Don't forget to check out your local Docrafts stockist for these new collections. I'd love to see you at The Range if you are in the Carmarthen area on Saturday.

I'll have another blog post for you tomorrow to show my samples made with some of the fabulous new X-cut dies and embossing folders.

Kraftyhands May 2015 Challenge

Firstly I'd like to apologise if I haven't been able to visit your blogs very often recently. It's all due to a combination of my laptop having major meltdowns, family visits and celebrations and working on my Docraft samples for Saturday. I'd like to say that normal service will be resumed soon but I'm not sure what 'normal' is anymore.
Now on to today's business. It's the start of the May challenge at Kraftyhands. Thank you to those of you who joined in with the April challenge, the winners have been announced on the blog. This challenge is just for fun and the theme this month is a pretty one:

"Lace and Pearls"

This is my inspiration for you this month.

I took a 6"x 6" card blank and covered it with blue card. I printed the pretty paper and image from the Craft Nouveau CD. I added a wide ivory lace and two thin strips of blue lace back to back across the card front.

I love the Art Nouveau artwork on this CD. There are so many gorgeous images and wonderful papers. I matted the circular topper onto a die-cut scalloped circle and mounted it onto the card with foam pads.

For the pearls part of the theme I made the three stick pins with pink and blue 'pearls' and attached them behind the sentiment which is from the CD.

I added some little flowers, a double bow and finished the card with three faux half pearls.

Now please visit the  Kraftyhands Challenge Blog for a full set of the challenge rules and to view the inspirational creations from my talented team mates. Remember to be a follower of the challenge blog to qualify for entry in the challenge. Don't forget to watch the Kraftyhands shows on The British Craft Network.
I shall have some Docraft samples for you tomorrow.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:
http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/5-may-challenge-84-anything-goes-with.html x
http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/may-challenge.html x
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/challenge-58.html x
http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/challenge-18.html x
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/challenge-9.html x
http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/sisters-of-craft-may-anything-goes.html x

Crafts Galore Encore May 2015 Challenge

Happy Friday everyone. I can't believe it's May already, this year is flying by. I've been very busy this past week prepping samples for an upcoming demonstration but I'm having the weekend off. Hubby and I are going to Cardiff with another couple to celebrate our wedding anniversary and our friend's birthday. We have a posh hotel and restaurant booked while the kids will have to fend for themselves at home.
As today is the first of May, it's time for a new challenge on the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. It is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. A full list of rules are on the challenge blog.
Our theme this month is everyone's favourite
"Anything Goes"

This challenge is being sponsored by Oak Pond Creations, who have the most amazing selection of fabulous images, and the prize is three digis of the winner's choice.

This is my inspiration for you this month. I thought the image was perfect for an anniversary card. Specifically, my husband's anniversary card.

I kept a simple colour palette for my card and started by using Shabby Shutters Distress Ink to colour around the edge of a 6"x 6" card blank. I then printed an old Bearly Mine paper and matted it onto pink card. I wrapped the layers with ribbon before fixing to the card front.

This image is called Love Flamingos and I printed it out and coloured it with a mix of Copics and Promarkers. I used blue Pan Pastels on the background and then matted it onto pink card before adding it to the card.

I created both sentiments on the computer. and matted them onto pink card. I die-cut the leaves and coloured them with Shabby Shutters then finished the card with two pink gems.
Don't forget to visit the Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog to see the other fabulous cards from my wonderfully talented team mates.
I'll be back next week with details and samples for my Docrafts demo. Have a good weekend everyone.
I've entered this card into the following challenges:
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/244-crazy-egg-challenge-anything-goes.html x
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/month-long-anything-goes-in-may.html x
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/challenge-181-anythying-goesfamily.html x
http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/color-throwdown-340.html x
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/freshly-brewed-challenge-color-combo.html Winner