63rd Wedding Anniversary

Well, the Welsh summer is a wash-out so far. I can't believe that it's the end of July and we have only had a handful of hot, sunny days. While I'm sitting here typing the wind is howling and the rain is lashing down outside. Hopefully the weather is better wherever you are.

It was my lovely in-laws 63rd wedding anniversary yesterday. They are a wonderful and devoted couple. This is the card I made for them.

I printed a paper from the Kraftyhands CD Emporium of Curiosities on to linen card. I removed a square in the centre and added a piece of ribbon around one side of the frame before fixing it on to a 7"x 7" piece of linen card.

I printed the vintage rose image a few times on photo paper and decoupaged it with foam pads. I then positioned it onto the card front.

The sentiment was printed on the computer and lightly inked. I finished the card with a double bow, and a pink gem.

My in-laws spent their anniversary having a lovely day out and eating fish and chips. What better way to celebrate 63 years of marriage?
I've entered this card in the following challenges:
http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/28-july-challenge-96-anything-goes-with.html x
http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/ttcrd-challenge-28-july-to-aug-3-2015.html x
http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-136.html x
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-70.html x
http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/flowers.html

A Ladies Diary Birthday

I hope you are all enjoying more settled weather than we have around here. It's been a mixed bag of weather meaning plenty of time for crafting but I keep forgetting to blog my makes. So, today here is a birthday card I recently made. It took a lot of careful consideration to decide which bits of my treasured Graphic 45 papers to cut up for this one.

This is a 7"x 7" card. I coloured some plain card with pink Pan Pastels for all the mats and scruffed the edges. The papers are from A Ladies Diary. I used two papers and one of my favourite images from this collection. I tucked in a postcard, a Tonic die-cut oval and some mini stamps. The lace is from my stash.

I fussy cut some of the beautiful flowers and added a touch of glaze to some of the petals before mounting on the card with foam pads.

I stamped the sentiment, cut it out and embellished it with more flowers and a mini stamp image.

I finished the card by colouring a seam binding bow, adding a floral cabochon and a metal corner. 

I've used about a third of this G45 collection now so I'm starting to panic about using it up. On the other hand, that's a good excuse to treat myself to one of the newer gorgeous collections.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:
http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-136.html x
http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/july-challenge-summer-breeze.html x
http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2015/07/himcr-208-lol-lots-of-layers.html x
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/shabby-chic-with-dragons-lair-designs.html ?
http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/2015/07/aloha-friday-challenge-52-summer-fun.html x

1st wedding Anniversary

It is now a year (and a day) since our middle daughter was married. The year has flown by and much has changed but Elisha and Tim are happier than ever and expecting their first baby in a couple of months. I have made a card to celebrate their first wedding anniversary and used the colours from their wedding.

It's an 8"x 8" card base that I layered with peach coloured card. I printed the background using a paper from the upcoming Kraftyhands Romantique Collection CD onto linen card. 

The flowers were made by die-cutting white crepe paper with the Sue Wilson Perfect Peony die set, and colouring the layers with Ripe Persimmon DI. The centres are silver beads.

The frame is from a Joy! die and the ivy is from a Joanna Sheen die. I used a couple of tickets from the Kraftyhands CD and created the sentiment banner on the computer.

I used a wide satin ribbon to tie a big bow and finished the card with some green gems.

As paper is the traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary I commissioned a very talented local lady to make a folded book for us to give to the happy couple. I made some flowers for the top of the book to match the card but all credit goes to Kelly Hall for this beautiful present that Elisha and Tim loved.

We wish our wonderful daughter and son in law a very happy first wedding anniversary and know that this next year will be even better than their first as we excitedly await the arrival of their baby.

I've entered my card in the following challenges:
http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/18-july-challenge-89-anything-goes-with.html x
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-9.html x
http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challege-115.html x
http://craftytimechallenges.blogspot.ca/2015/07/july-with-sherri-baldy.html x
http://craftingwithanattitude.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-5.html x
http://scrap-craft-inspiration.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/scrap-craft-11-celebrations.html x
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-42.html x

Elisha's Birthday 2015

I seem to have lost track of time lately. The past few weeks have been so busy but I'm trying to catch up on my crafting and blogging. I have the card I made for my daughter Elisha for her birthday last week to show you today.

I have made this 8"x 8" card by colouring some white card with green ink for all the mats. The backing paper is from the Kraftyhands Cute Kittens and Puppies CD. I created the panel by roughly inking it with Ripe Persimmon and Wild Honey Distress Inks and using a stamp from Woodware.

This fabulous image is from Oddball Art and I coloured it with Copics. I chose this digi because it reminds me of Elisha and her dog Buddy. I have to say that as Elisha is heavily pregnant and Buddy is a Bichon that neither actually look like the image but I still thought it was perfect for this card. 

I used inks to colour the silk ribbon before tying it in a messy triple bow.

I hand cut a couple of bone shapes and finished the card with some gems.

It's Elisha and her husband's first wedding anniversary at the weekend so I'll be back to show the card I made once they've opened it. Now I must get back to my catching up.... Enjoy your day everyone.

I have entered this card in the following challenges:

http://ladybugcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/july-challenge.html ?
http://stempelgartenchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-39-happy-birthday.html x
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-68.html x
http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/sisters-of-craft-july-anything-goes.html x
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-42.html x
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/challenge-13.html x
http://yourscrapbookplace.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/july-challenge-is-anything-goes.html x

Docrafts Christmas in July 2015

I hope you have something nice planned for your weekend. I do, I'm off to The Range in Carmarthen today to demonstrate some of the new Docrafts goodies. I shall be in store from 10am until 4pm and would love to see you if you're nearby. 

I showed you a couple of the latest Docrafts collections yesterday and today I have some Christmas samples. The items in bold are the new products.

The Create Christmas range has had new products added for you to make cards, decorations and presents for Christmas.

Here I have used a jute stocking on this contemporary card. The stocking is open at the top and is perfect for a secret message. I punched some snowflakes from the silver glitter paper and added buttons from the Traditional Christmas colours bag. The black ribbon is from Anita's.

This card is made from one of the textured 5"x 7" card blanks which I've matted and layered with white card and a cut up green card blank. I've created the background with some of the mini snowflake stamps. I've used one of the gift tag stamps to create the topper. I've added red glitter paper cut in to ribbons, a glittered snowflake sticker, a die-cut sentiment and a Christmas bow. 

I've teamed one of the gift tag stamps with some glittered snowflake stickers for this card. The holly border is an X-cut punch and the silver ribbon is from Anita's.

This is another red card blank with a layer of Christmas tissue paper. I used a die from the Christmas Paper Cut Baubles set for the topper. The ribbon is from Anita's.

I've used two of the Christmas Paper Cut Baubles die-cuts on an embossed background. The centre bauble is a Create Christmas Wooden Shape that I've heat embossed in gold. The ribbons are from Anita's.

There are some fabulous new A4 Foiled Decoupage sheets from Anita's with a range of Christmas images from traditional to contemporary. I've used the Wreaths set to make this card and teamed it up with a Bellissima Christmas paper and the holly border punch.
I have a few more Christmas samples and will show those over the next weeks. Make sure you check out your local stockist to get your hands on these new seasonal goodies.
I shall be uploading my new samples to my Docrafts gallery tomorrow. The link is on the right.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Docrafts Demonstration July 2015

It's time for some more new releases from Docrafts. This time Christmas has come early and there is the return of an old favourite. There is also a lovely Folk Art collection. I will be demonstrating with these fabulous new goodies at The Range in Carmarthen this Saturday from 10am until 4pm. Please pop in if you are in the area.

Today I want to show you some of the samples I've made using a couple of the collections.

For anyone who likes floral artwork there are the perfect papers, stamps and ribbon embellishments in the new Folk Floral collection. 

Here I've coloured the floral heart stamp to make a pretty centrepiece on this fold back card. It teams up  wonderfully with the Simply Floral paper available as a download from the Docrafts website. 

The heart stamp comes with individual flower and leaf stamps which I've used to create a completely different look for this card.

The Folk Floral colourway includes rich blues which look fabulous with Kraft card and Denim Blue embellishments.

This popular character has been teamed up with stylish papers and embellishments for the Forever Friends Classic Decadence collection. The stamp set I've used on this card has six different poses of the cute bear plus sentiments and embellishments. 

The gold, silver, black and white colourway gives a luxurious and versatile look to this collection. I've used a few sentiments and cut up a couple of the card blanks to make this aperture front card with one of the stamps.

The foiled metallics give an elegant look to this spinning wheel card kit where you can change the starred sentiment. The kit comes with decoupage layers and extra sentiments and stickers.

I hope I've inspired you to check out your local Docrafts stockist so you can grab these fabulous new collections for yourself.  If you're in the Carmarthen area on Saturday please pop in to The Range to say "Hello".

I'll be back tomorrow before I leave to show you some of my Christmas samples.

Kraftyhands July 2015 Challenge

Hello all, I hope you are enjoying some nice weather wherever you are in the world. We've had a real mixed bag of weather these past few days in our beautiful little corner of Wales, but then, that's a typical British Summer for you.

Today is the start of the July challenge at Kraftyhands. Thank you to those of you who joined in with the June challenge, the winners have been announced on the blog. This challenge is just for fun and the theme this month is:

"Wrap It Up"

We would like to see your gift wrapping ideas. Anything from boxes to bags, traditional to novel. You don't have to use Kraftyhands products but it would be nice if you did.

I'm giving you a sneak peek of an upcoming release from Kraftyhands today. 

I have used the Romantique CD Collection to create these two pillow boxes. The CD is available to pre-order prior to it's launch next month. The collection contains some of the prettiest papers, wonderful vintage photographs and fabulous artwork all centred around engagements, weddings and anniversaries.

I printed off one of the patterned papers, in pink and in blue, onto card to make the boxes. I printed a second, coordinating, paper and cut a strip to go around the middle of the boxes.

I then chose an engagement sentiment and a couple of tickets for each box. I finished the boxes with a small bow and some fluffy feathers.

Please visit the  Kraftyhands Challenge Blog for a full set of the challenge rules and to view the inspirational gift wrapping creations from my talented team mates. Remember to be a follower of the challenge blog to qualify for entry and don't forget to watch the Kraftyhands shows on The British Craft Network where you will be able to see this CD début next month.
I've entered this project in the following challenges:

http://sparklingblackrose-craftmylife.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/all-crafts-challenge-junejuly.html ?
http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/2015/07/ffc-95-anything-goes.html x
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-67.html x
http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-269-always-anything-goes.html x

Happy 4th of July

Happy weekend everyone. The weather has been spectacular this week here in the UK. Fortunately we've had a nice cooling sea breeze to help with the hot sunny days down here in Pembroke.

I've been seeing quite a few red, white and blue cards around lately and they reminded me of a couple of cards I made a few years ago. I decided to do a remake of one. This is my 2015 version, just in time for the 4th of July celebrations in the USA.

I've used an A5 side opening Landscape card as the base. I inked in red around the edge of the top half. The lace is a Kaisercraft stamp and I used Memento Paris Dusk and clear embossing powder. I cut a thin strip of red card to go across the middle and a Marianne die for the clock.

The tag was made with the Kaisercraft Vintage Cherish stamp and Salty Ocean Distress Ink. I cut it out freehand and added a red paper clip, a triple seam binding bow and a couple of punched hearts.

The postmarks are another Kaisercraft stamp and I again used Paris Dusk. I thought it was perfect for the top right corner. I'd forgotten I had this stamp but now I'm thinking of lots of possibilities for it.

Finally, the sentiment stamp is, yes, also from Kaisercraft. It's one from the Life Sentiments set. I used Artiste red ink and clear embossing powder before layering it onto red card. It's a sentiment that I need to be reminded of now and then. I added a few flat backed red gems to finish the card.

We don't celebrate Independence Day in Britain but I hope all my American friends have a lovely weekend of festivities.

I've entered this card in the following challenges: 

http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-153-red-white-and-blue.html x

http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/challenge-94-seeing-red.html x

http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/r233-red-white-and-blue.html x

http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/challenge-151-anything-goes.html x

http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/challenge-292-red-white-and-or-blue.html x

http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/color-challenges/wiw-color-challenge-red-white-blue/

Crafts Galore Encore July 2015 Challenge

Good morning all. Mother Nature has finally decided to send some sun to us here in the UK. That means that most of us Brits will now spend our time getting sunburnt and complaining about the heat. I'm sure we'll cope though.

As it's the first of July it's time for a new challenge on the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. This 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

"Use A Stamp Or Digi Anywhere On Your Project"

It doesn't have to be the main focus, just somewhere on your project.
We are being sponsored by the fabulous Kenny K who are offering two digis each for our two winners. Please pop over to the Kenny K shop to have a look at all the wonderful images. There is something to suit everyone.

Kenny K were very generous and gave the DT a selection of digis to use. This is the image I chose to work with and the card I made for it.

I started by covering an 8"x 8" card base with royal blue card and adding a paper with a background scene from Kraftyhands Pirate Island CD. The little gulls and anchor are die-cuts.

This wonderful image is called Li'l Pirate and was so much fun to colour with my Copics and Promarkers. I then fussy cut her and mounted her on foam pads.

The pirate ship was cut out using an X-cut Build A Scene die set and assembled with foam pads. The 'Ahoy There' is from the same set.

I printed a small map onto card and inked with Brushed Corduroy DI before curling the edges. I added a small X to mark where the pirate's treasure is buried.

Now please visit the Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog to see the fabulous creations from my wonderfully talented team mates.
We look forward to seeing your crafty makes using a stamp or a digi image on your project.
 If you would like to be a Guest Designer on our team please add GDT after your name on your entry.

I've entered this card into the following challenges:

http://kennykskraftykrew.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-198-stars-and-stripes-and.html Top Three
http://citycrafter.blogspot.ca/2015/06/city-crafter-challenge-blog-week-268.html x
http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/ttcrd-challenge-june-30-july-6-2015.html x
http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/challenge-268-always-anything-goes.html x
http://creativecolorschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/creative-colors-challenge-38.html x