Can't believe I am doing two posts for the same challenge, my brain is in overdrive!
Its funny, when I first saw this sketch I couldn't think of anything to put on a card. So to have two ideas at the same time is very unheard of for me!
This is my first ever card using vellum! I actually tried to cut out the vellum into the shape of the jars but they looked awful, so these are kind of like 'half' jars. I don't have any flower stamps or dies, so had the idea for magic wands when I was looking at the sentiment.
I don't have any straight line stamps, so used a dash stamp from Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' stamp set and a star from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments'. The sentiment is also from that Hero Arts stamp set. The light blue background paper is from Teresa Collins 'Memorabilia' 6x6 pad. And of course I used my Wink of Stella on the stamped stars. As a last minute idea, I put three mirror glitter stars (from Papervine) into each jar, as I thought the card needed just a bit more bling. I'm so happy with this card, another one that turned out like the design in my head!! And I'm not scared of using vellum anymore either. You should have a look at all of the challenge cards at CAS(E) this Sketch #65 as some people have the most amazing ideas for their cards. Will link up now and see what happens........I have my daughter home today. She was fine when I dropped her off at school yesterday morning. Supposedly she started feeling nauseous at lunchtime and told her class teacher after lunch that she wasn't well. The teacher said 'you'll be fine' and told her to get back to her work. Phoebe then vomited all over the teachers feet. Maybe the teacher will believe her next time she says she doesn't feel quite right...... Take care Shona
I have never been so excited to make some cards before. On Tuesday night I was looking at the CAS(E) this Sketch #65 Challenge sketch and suddenly had not one but two ideas for cards.
I started cutting it out straight after school yesterday and then after everyone was tucked up in bed, I was back into it again. I couldn't wait to get it finished.
It turned out EXACTLY how I imagined, so I'm really pleased with it. As you can see its basically just lots of white cardstock with the sentiment stamp from my ever faithful Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments' and the heart stamp is from Simon Says Stamps 'I only have eyes for you' with my usual combo of Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents. I didn't even manage to get the cardstock dirty or smudged, amazing!!! I have another card to add to this challenge, so will do the post for that right now! Take care Shona
I am really enjoying all the challenges I've been entering lately. Its quite exciting sharing your ideas with the world. And I have had the most wonderful comments leftby fellow crafters (even ones that are 'stars in my eyes'!!) that have really encouraged me to keep on crafting and some even share in my lack of crafting equipment. I will just have to keep entering competitions and challenges and you just never know if a prize might come my way.....
The CASE Study Challenge #179 this week has the most gorgeous card by Danielle Flanders as inspiration:
The pastel colours are so beautiful, so that caught my eye first. Unfortunately I don't have a 'happy' die or a large 'happy' stamp to use, so out came my 'hello' die instead. I haven't actually used it for a while but boy, do I need some more die-cuts!!!! So after an hour (or two) of playing around with papers and positions, this is my creation:
I really wanted to capture those soft pastel colours in my card and found papers from Basic Grey 'True Love' (pink paper), Lori Whitlock 'Here and Now' (blue paper) and Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectic' (green paper). I decided not to put the word on an angle but instead show the angle with all the papers. The white cardstock in the middle is popped up on foam squares and I painted the 'hello' with Wink of Stella (which made it really twinkle!!).
I do have some rhinestone clear stars but didn't want to copy, so used round clear rhinestones instead. After I finished, I realised that I hadn't stamped anything (which is a change) but couldn't bring myself to add anymore (and didn't trust myself not to smudge the ink!!). I really like this card and always amaze myself by coming up with a different design, as I am forever nervous I won't be able to think of anything new!! Will link up now and start two more cards. Hopefully I can do some work on them before I fall asleep....... Take care Shona
It has been a very hot and exciting weekend and we are all exhausted. My daughter Phoebe had a wonderful 9th birthday today. She loved all her presents and her favourite gooey chocolate cake. We went to buy a new goldfish but came home with 2 tadpoles, so we will be glued to the fishbowl watching all the froggy changes taking place.
I was able to squeeze in a little more crafting last night as I really wanted to enter the Cure for the Monday Blues Challenge # 5as I loved the colours in the inspiration photo:
Its funny what stands out to each of us when we look at a photo. I love all the framed pictures and the black and white photo but the things that stood out were the angle lines of the black stool, the cube shapes of the table and the deep pink colour lines in the centre two pictures.
I think I captured my idea...I found this Kaisercraft paper amongst some others and it screamed out at me. I forgot that I even had it but it seemed perfect! The stamp is from Simon Says Stamps 'Tag Sayings', I stamped the heart with a rosy red ink, used my wonderful Wink of Stella and then lots of Glossy Accents.
Better get off to bed. Everyone will probably sleep in tomorrow morning and it will be a late run to school. Hopefully I don't sleep in the latest!!
We are all melting today, is around 31 degrees (Celsius). I desperately wanted to make the card (that was floating around in my head) for the Retro Sketches Challenge #102as I only had a few hours till the link closed The kids (and myself) were desperate for a swim, so I told them I will do this card really quickly and then off to the pool we go.
This is the sketch for the challenge. I didn't want to change it too much, was just wishing I had a heart die-cut. Luckily I knew exactly what I wanted to do and which paper to use, so this was my fastest card ever.
I suddenly realised that I couldn't cut my circle in the middle of the cardstock because I only have a hole punch, so I decided to put the sentiment underneath. The heart stamp is from Lawn Fawn 'Woodgrain Backgrounds', covered it in Wink of Stella and then lots of Glossy Accents. The paper is from American Crafts 'My Girl' 6x6 pad. The sentiment is from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments', I just masked off the 'I' part of the 'I love you' stamp.
I was thinking of my daughter Phoebe for this one, as she is turning 9yrs old tomorrow. She loves yellow and pink together and is so girly, so I thought this paper was perfect. I'm really pleased with the cardand still can't believe I made it in about 20 minutes, thats a record for me!
Back to melting I go, think we will just have ice-cream for dinner. Yummy, easy and cooling, what could be better than that!!
Well, what a silly girl I am!! I was determined to finish a card today so I could enter it in the CAS-ual Fridays Challengewhich needed to be entered by about 2am tomorrow (Friday) morning (for me in New Zealand). I had some time before and after taking Bella (our golden retriever) for a walk. I was so pleased with the card and was about to do a blog post, when I decided to get the CAS-ual Fridays link. It was then that I found my problem....
CFC128: This week has a twist so be sure to read the entire theme... Create a farewell card that is long and NOT a traditional A2 card. example: 2 x 4. 3 x 6, 4 x 6 This challenge ends at noon eastern on February 20th.
Unfortunately I had rushed reading through the challenge details. I knew the card had to be longer than normal BUT I hadn't read that it needed to be a farewell card...my card was about Love!
So, I have put that card aside (will share it in a few days) and after getting the kids from school I managed to grab a bit of time to create something new.
I don't get the chance to stamp very often, mainly because I don't have many stamps and only a couple of ink pads but had a picture in my mind of a main heart above the sentiment with hearts floating away and getting smaller in the distance. I don't have any farewell stamp sentiments, so hopefully this card will make it into the challenge!
The sentiment is from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments', the hearts are from Lawn Fawn 'Woodgrain Backdrops' and 'Into the Woods'. The blue paper is from 'Here and Now' by Lori Whitlock. I added some Wink of Stella to the solid hearts. Was going to add Glossy Accents on top of that but didn't want to go overboard.
This is probably the most stamped images I've had on one card, so I'm amazed I only managed to smudge one heart! I would love to do more stamping and have so many ideas floating around but unfortunately I just can't afford to buy ANY craft products at the moment. I keep going in for the many blog giveaways where there are so many ink pads to be won. I don't have much of a chance of winning but you just never know.......
I have 3 more challenge cards to get finished by Sunday night, so better get cracking!! Its Phoebes' 9th birthday on Sunday and her best friend is coming to stay for the weekend. They are planning on staying up till midnight on Saturday night, bet I fall asleep first!!
In Timaru, New Zealand there is the most fantastic craft store Artful Crafts. They stock a huge array of craft products and they are always able to source craft goodies that I see on all the blogs I follow.
Each month they have a craft project challenge and for February it is 'Hello Sunshine', projects they show the bright sunshiny days of summer.
I wanted to do something very simple and colourful and was inspired by a challenge I read about, where you get out something from your craft supplies that you haven't used in a long time and use it. I have a huge folder full of stickers from paper collections I have purchased. I don't use them much because for some reason I get stuck on how to incorporate them into my design. I would have thought it would be easy but not for my brain!!
So these are my summery cards! I used papers and stickers from 'A Perfect Summer' by Lori Whitlock.
Each card is only 4 x 4 inches.
And I used lots of foam squares.
I think I accomplished what I wanted...simple and colourful. I have a few other ideas for cards with a 'summery' theme, will see if I can get them done by the 27th Feb. Was supposed to be 30 degrees here today but no where near that hot. What a shame, would have been great to go swimming straight after school with the kids. Take care Shona
Have found another challenge to try called CASE Study Challenge Blog.It's mainly focusing on the 'clean and simple' idea which is right up my alley at the moment.
This is the fantastic inspiration for this week. Once again my brain really struggled with this one as orange, red and yellow aren't colours that I use very often and had hardly any papers in those colours either.
I was mainly inspired by the colours and the rounded shapes of the stamped images. I sat for an hour last night moving my bits of paper all over the place. Decided on one spot and just when I had added glue to the paper, I changed my mind again!! I added grey washi tape underneath to mirror the grey/white paper on the inspiration card and used a stamp from Simon Says Stamps 'Tag Sayings'. When I get up in the morning, the first thing I do is have a look at the cards made from the night before. Thank goodness I was still happy with this one! Haven't tried this challenge yet so will link up now and see what happens.... Wish me luck! Shona
After doing the Travel Girl card I kept thinking that I could do better and my brain just couldn't stop going over new ideas.
I wanted to try and do a card where the sentiment is amongst the picture and make it small enough to fit on a square card in a 'stand up' position instead of my other card which had the fold along the top.
So this is what I came up with! I used the star and sentiment stamp from Hero Arts 'Year round sentiments' (I use this set alot!). I wish I had a heat gun and embossing powder but I don't so had to improvise. I have a Versacube in Silver and then went over the stars with Wink of Stella. The red star was stamped in red ink, Wink of Stella over the top and then some Glossy Accents to make it nice and shiny. I have this amazing silver washi tape which I put around the edge of the card itself. This time I feel so much better about the design and hope other people like it too! I do wish I could colour and stamp like some of the other challengers at CAS(E) this Sketch but I suppose that will come with time. I have 3 other challenges that finish shortly, so better get my brain going again. Its a bit tired though as we had another hot, sunny day here again (hasn't rained for nearly 2 weeks!) and the day was spent swimming and playing with the kids and their friends. It has been another fantastic New Zealand summer, wish I could send some warmth over to the crafters in the US and England... Take care Shona
I am just loving these challenges!! Really gets my brain working and I get design ideas when I'm in the weirdest places i.e. the toilet!! My daughter thought I was really strange running out of the bathroom yesterday and straight to my 'To do list' pad to quickly scribble down two card ideas. If I don't do it straight away, the idea just disappears, never to return!
As usual I struggled with this a bit and spent Friday night looking through my papers for inspiration. I came across my October Afternoon 'Travel Girl' collection kit and had an idea....
I cut out the picture from the 12x12 paper but decided it didn't look right straight on the card, so put the blue spots underneath. I then stamped the sentiment straight on the card but it was missing something, so used some more Travel Girl paper. I'm not 100% happy with this card, feels a bit juvenile to me (probably because its a lot different from what I normally do) but wanted to try something different. Whats life without risk?? I do have another card to show you but will put that on a separate post as I'm not sure if you can put two challenge cards on one post.....Please check out the other entries for this challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch. They are just amazing!! Take care Shona
Another day, another challenge! I decided that I would try a different type of challenge and came across this one at Retro Sketches which seems to be quite a popular challenge.
As usual I spent a few days going over this sketch in my mind and had a good idea of what I could do. Of course, it didn't work out like my idea at all!
I spent ages trying to work out whether to use all patterned paper or not, must have sat there for an hour looking at all my papers! Finally I decided on using my favourite 6x6 pad by Teresa Collins 'Family Stories'. Not many pages left in this one! It might be a bit to 'CAS' for this challenge as looking at all the other amazing entries they use a lot of papers and embellishments but will give it a go. Will try to do a few more cards tonight. There is a local challenge (here in New Zealand) to make a summery type card and would also like to have a go at the new CASE Study #178. Will just have to see how much energy I have by this evening...... Take care Shona
Decided that since the last challenge was so much fun, that I would give it another go and maybe this will become a weekly thing for me.
Its so strange but I actually really struggled with this one. Looking at all the other entries, people have so many gorgeous stamps and coloured inks (I only have 2) or are incredible at colouring (I don't own any copics) so had to work out what I could use. Go to the blog CAS(E) this Sketch to see all the fantastic entries.
This is what I came up with. Nice and simple with a tiny bit of Wink of Stella on the inside line of the heart. The stamps are from Hero Arts 'Year round sentiments'. Will link up the card and see what happens! And now I can have a good look at all the entries and leave some well deserved comments. Take care Shona
Well, could I be more shocked!!! Has taken me quite a few days to recover from being sick, so was a little behind in the 'blogging' world. Finally got around to checking my emails the other day and there was one from CAS(E) talking about the #62 challenge. I went to the blog and absolutely loved the winning card and all of the runners up. Just below that they have an 'Honourable Mention' area and there was my card!
I couldn't believe it. This was the first challenge I have ever entered and didn't think I had a chance at all of even being mentioned, so this has certainly given me a HUGE confidence boost!! My husband and kids were all very excited for me (although the kids were disappointed I didn't win) but its so nice they support me with my new hobby. Although I'm sure my husband would like the dining room table to be clear of craft more often, so we can actually eat off it..... Take care Shona
Not the best today. Its a public holiday here in New Zealand but have sick all day (and since 7pm last night). I just wanted to finish this card that I started yesterday afternoon before I forgot the design in my mind.
The CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #127 is based on 'Over the edge', meaning cards that have designs that go over the edge of the card itself. Have never made a card like that before but suddenly had this idea:
Sorry the photo isn't the best (is 6.15pm so the sun isn't in the best spot) and I suddenly realised I couldn't rest the card on the table like usual. So in my sick state I just grabbed a book to rest it on. Will have to think of a prettier way for next time.... I basically just hole-punched pink hearts from lots of different papers. I put the stamp on a cardstock circle and popped up with foam. A sparkly red heart crystal seemed to finish it off perfectly. Have decided that since I have a few hours left I will also link to the CAS(E) this Sketch #62. I entered it yesterday with another card. Have never entered two challenges with one card, so will see how it goes. Back to bed for me......Take care. Shona
Yes, its my third challenge in a week. Maybe I will become a little addicted..... I tried to get a copy of the sketch onto this blog but after its pasted, I can't type anything. Will get Dave to look at it tonight. You can see the sketch (and maybe play along) with this link CAS(E) this Sketch #62.
Basically the sketch was of a card with an angle shape from top left to right bottom. It took me forever to cut the papers so they were at the right angle but am really happy with how it turned out. The coloured paper is from Lori Whitlock 'Here and Now'. Seem to have used this a lot lately. The stamp is from Hero Arts 'Year round sentiments'. Will link it up to the blog now and see how it goes. Been super hot here the past few days which has been wonderful. Although my dog Bella (who is a golden retriever) has been feeling it with all her lovely fluffy fur. Thank goodness I can take her down to the river for a swim or she would melt!! Take care Shona
Have just been going thru all the blog update emails I get each day. I find its the easiest way to see what people are adding to their blogs. One of the crafters' was showing a card she had linked to the Addicted to CAS #31 Challenge. When I looked at the blog page and at all the cards that had been added, I knew this would be the perfect challenge for me!!
I've noticed that my cards have changed alot in the six months I've been doing this. I seem to be leaning more towards the clean and simple aesthetic, than frilly and layered. Who knows though what my cards will be like in another six months??
This is the first card I came up with on Saturday afternoon. I absolutely love my Teresa Collins 'Family Stories' 6x6 pad. Have been dying to use this lovely pink patterned background paper for a while. I played with my hole punches and thought maybe I could make the hearts pop out a bit?? So the hearts are all on foam squares, while the sentiment is glued directly to the card. I then thought maybe the hearts would look great on a white card on their own....
For some reason the hearts didn't quite work how I thought they would, they needed some sort of background. I used paper from Echo Park 'Everyday Eclectic' 6x6 pad for the strip and also the two plain pink hearts. The stamp is from Simon Says Stamps 'Only have eyes for you' clear stamp set. I always get so nervous when trying to make a card with only the ideas in my head. Its always a bonus when I like what I have created! Everyone in bed. Kids back to school today after six weeks on holiday. I was exhausted so after dropping them off, I came home, vacuumed, tidied up, put out the washing and then watched 5 episodes in a row of 'The Walking Dead - Season 3' on DVD. Brilliant!!
Back to cleaning etc tomorrow....... Take care Shona
Yes, its hard to believe but I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon (on and off) working on a few cards. Was really lovely as the kids were giving me advice and even my Mum was visiting, so she was able to see what I working on.
I was going to enter the Retro Sketches #99 Challenge but procrastinated for too long. I found this blue patterned paper in my My Minds Eye 6x6 Cut and Paste 'Adorbs' pad. I worked out that I could use my circle hole punch to make a cut-out just like the sketch but from there I was absolutely stumped!! So I left it at 1am Saturday morning, to try again later.
This time I turned the blue paper up the other way and found another patterned paper from the same pad with these gorgeous pink 'hello' bubbles. I had a 'smile' stamp from my Lawn Fawn 'Into the Woods' stamp set and thought it would fit perfectly.
I love the card now. Its amazing how you can go from nearly throwing out some paper (was so frustrated!), stepping away from it and it now turning into a project I like.
Have so many challenge emails sitting in my inbox that I will start on tonight. Great to get my cards out there for people to see but even better to see what people come up with.
And have had some wonderful comments lately, which really boost my confidence levels. Crafting people are the best!!!!!
Will share two more cards tomorrow and hopefully some challenge ones over this week.
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