Thursday 31 July 2014

The Card Concept Challenge #15

I had the idea for this card this morning as I ran around getting everyone ready for school. And managed to get it finished off just now so I could photograph and blog it before the sun disappears. Phew!

 This is my second entry to The Card Concept  challenge, under the 'Clean and Simple' category. I was disappointed that I couldn't find any lime coloured paper within my huge stockpile but remembered this morning that I had sequins that would be perfect!


I used the sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #86. I cut another piece of white card stock and cut a circle with my hole punch. I then glued sequins to the front of the card (after marking out where the circle would be). I used my black gel pen to make the balloon string, stamped my sentiment and then used millions of foam squares to attach it to the front of the card over the sequins. I love it, have been wanting to make a card like this for months!!

The sequins are by Studio Calico and purchased from Papervine. The sentiment is from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'.

This will also be linked (as my 2nd entry) to the CAS(E) this Sketch #86 challenge where their sketch is:

I will also link to the Less is More Challenge Week #182 where their theme is 'Anything Goes'. This is my second entry.

And also to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where their theme is also 'Anything Goes'. This is my second entry.

And lastly to the challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #106 where their theme is 'Anything Goes'. This is my second entry.

Boy oh boy that's a lot of links!! There are so many fantastic challenges out there, I wish I had the time to try them all!

Take Care
Shona

CAS(E) this Sketch #86

Such a busy week and spent ages working on a card last night that just wouldn't work. Even went to bed with a headache because it was so frustrating. So I set to work on this card instead and luckily it went a bit more smoothly.....
This is the brilliant sketch they have at CAS(E) this Sketch this week. I had LOTS of ideas but decided to go back to what I know and love....

Yep, no DP for me with this card, stamping and stenciling all the way!!! This is only my second time using a stencil and used my little green versa cube straight on it (as I don't have enough extra mini pads for my mini distress tool thingy....) and it worked out pretty well. Instead of the line in the sketch I flowed my light blue hearts from the sentiment and away with the butterfly. Splashed out and put some Wink of Stella on the butterfly and we are done!

The sentiment is from Kaisercraft 'Hip hip', the small heart is from Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' and the butterfly stencil from Teresa Collins 'Basically Essential'. And of course enamel dots from Papervine.

I'm also linking this card to The Card Concept Challenge #15 where their theme is:
I hope they don't mind that I didn't have any lime inks or papers, so chose the brightest green I could find. This would be in the 'Clean and Simple' category.

Also linking to the challenge at Less is More - Week 182 where their theme is 'Anything Goes'.

And to the challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More #106 where their theme is also 'Anything Goes'.

And finally, the new Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge  has the same theme of 'Anything Goes'. So can imagine I will be doing alot of linking over the next week......

I'm working on two other cards, just waiting for one to dry to can get a photo of it while the sun is shining. Its just like Summer here today, no wonder everyone (except me, thank goodness!) is getting sick. I've never seen such a changeable Winter. Hopefully there are no more frosts, bring on the sunshine I say!!!!!

Take care
Shona
 



 

Wednesday 30 July 2014

CASE Study Challenge #201

I so wanted to join in with this challenge but boy did I struggle with my card. Here is the inspiration photo:
Shari Carroll is once again our inspiration this week at CASE Study. 
I think this card is incredible and must have taken her so long to do, with all the different layers of stamping. I don't have many dies so that became rather tricky, so instead I focused on using DP that had writing on it. I hardly ever use it because I'm never quite sure where it fits in. So this was a real mindbreaker!
I can't believe I've used paper for my last three cards....whats happening to me???? I think its always nice to get out of your comfort zone and this card certainly tested my patience. Yesterday I tried embossing in white but it turned brown (???) so in the bin. I tried again last night with gold embossing and it worked a treat. I die-cut the word 'sweet' and just had white cardstock behind but I still wasn't sure....

So this morning I still didn't like it but had an idea to use some other coloured DP with writing on it as well. I layered the word 4 times in white cardstock and then added the DP on top. I glued this into the die-cut space and voila....I can look at it now without screwing up my face. In fact I really like it!

The stamps are from CAS-ual Fridays 'Shenanigans' (the 'day' is from the 'birthday' stamp). The metal die word is from The Crafters Workshop. The background paper is American Crafts 'My Girl' and pink 'sweet' paper is from Teresa Collins 'You are my Happy'. Also enamel dots are from Papervine. 

I'm linking this also to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge where their theme is 'Emboss it'.

Also to the Less is More Challenge Week 182 where their theme is 'Anything Goes'. I managed to keep it a one-layer card so hope its okay.

And lastly to the challenge at Addicted to CAS #43 where their theme is:
Whew, I'm exhausted after all of that! I have Max home again today. He started vomiting again this morning but think I've worked out that he is worried about his handwriting, to the point that when he has to do it, he is being physically sick. The poor thing. His teacher is so soft in nature and lovely, we will talk to her tomorrow and see what we can do to help him. He's only 7yrs old, hate to think what he will be like when he's doing exams as a teenager........

Take care
Shona
 

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Time Out Challenge #10

Last night I dragged all my craft supplies to be in front of the tv so I could watch the latest 'House of Cards' and a few other programmes. I realised that I need to stop watching good tv when crafting as I get so engrossed in the story that I forget what I'm doing. This is why after 3 hours last night I only had one card to show for it!!

This is the amazing inspiration photo for the Time Out Challenge this week. I LOVE the stripe colour on the walls, those white windows are so criss-crossy, the banner is so festive and I love the chevron pattern pillow in the teepee. So many things to choose from I thought it would be a good excuse to use some patterned paper and live a little with my design.
Rummaging through my drawers I came across this polaroid die cut in the most perfect colour and I could also make it into a shaker card too! I found some gorgeous banner paper and some background paper that had the same colour as the walls. 

After spending what seemed an eternity trying to get the sequins to stay put (anyone have any tips for this, they just want to stick to me all the time???) I stuck everything together and even did some heat embossing for the sentiment. Rather festive indeed and so much more going on than my usual card designs. 

The banner paper is from Lawn Fawn 'Into the Woods', the background paper from Teresa Collins 'Family Stories'. The sentiment is from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments' and sequins from Studio Calico at Papervine.

I'm also going to link to the challenge this week at AAA Cards #13 where their theme is:

More washing to go out and then need to look at my bank accounts. Oh the joy of robbing Paul to pay Mary etc to keep everyone paid and happy. Sometimes I wish we went back to the days where people exchanged maybe some baking in return for getting their oil changed etc. That would be so much easier as I have way more cakes and cards lying around these days than dollars!

Take care
Shona
 

Sunday 27 July 2014

Colour Me ...! Challenge #30 - Playful

Crazy day at our house today. Max has his friend Bailey over and Phoebe has her two friends Ella and Estella over to hang out. So lots of giggling, laughing and running around happening here today!!

I really wanted to have a go at the Colour Me! Challenge this week as they are not colours that I would normally put together. And actually while I'm typing this I have another idea making its way into my brain...so maybe I will  have two to link this week.

 Now that I've put these colours together, I really like the combo. I cut out strips of each colour in coloured card stock. For the gold glitter I used glitter washi tape stuck to white card stock. I cut a piece of card the same size as the front of my folded card and cut a strip from it. I adhered the coloured strips to the face of the card and then popped up the rest of the white cardstock on foam tape. 

The gold glitter tape and enamel dots are from Papervine. The sentiment is from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'.

I can hear all the kids hanging around the pantry looking for food so better go and organise some lunch. Hopefully I will have some food left over for the rest of the week!!

Take care
Shona

Saturday 26 July 2014

AAA Card Challenge #12

What an absolutely beautiful day we had today. Woke up to a very heavy frost but it was followed by lots of very hot sunshine. It feels like Spring already but I'm sure Winter hasn't finished with us yet!!


Over at the AAA Card Challenge Blog they have this beautiful card by Angela Maine, as the inspiration for this week. I knew straight away that I had to make a card with my 'hole punch flowers'.


I haven't been using any of my papers lately so was determined to use something from a new 6x6 pad I picked up for a song the other day. As usual this was a pretty simple card to put together and thank goodness for that. I was supposed to make this last night (Friday night) but couldn't keep my eyes open. I squeezed this in between 'looming' with Phoebe and walking the dogs this afternoon!

I have a flower shape punch and cut two shapes for each flower. Then I glued them together so the petals alternated. I glued these on to a cardstock strip and popped it up on some foam tape. Done!

The paper is from American Crafts 'Dear Lizzy - Polka Dot Party'. The enamel dots are from Teresa Collins and the sentiment from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'.

I took Phoebe to a craft fair today and we had a lovely time. So many beautiful things that people make with their own hands. I noticed though that there was no-one selling cards...... I spoke with the woman who organised it and she was very eager to go home and look at my blog. They are having a Xmas Craft Fair in October, so if I can get myself organised (and get over the scariness of it all....) I might be a stall holder. Will let you know what happens.

Its 11pm and I need to make some cards. I wish I could stop time, spend a whole day crafting and then restart time again so I didn't miss anything. Dreams are free....

Take care
Shona

Thursday 24 July 2014

Less is More Challenge - Week 181 'Singin in the Rain'

You know what I've realized lately??? I was going back through my earlier blog posts and it dawned on me that 'I'm a Stamper'! I hardly use paper anymore (although I love it and have PILES of it). I never thought I would enjoy stamps so much but can't get enough of them. They are a bit like shoes, you can never have too many!

Well, last night at 11pm I was just going to chill and catch up with tv but a card idea wouldn't leave me alone. The Less is More Challenge has a song for their theme this week 'Singin in the Rain'. I adore Gene Kelly and his dancing feet. He is an amazing dancer and I (like everyone else) love the scene of him dancing in the rain.



I just couldn't help myself making a colourful and loving shower of rain. And a perfect sentiment, all for you Gene Kelly!!

The cloud is unfortunately second-hand so I don't know the brand. The heart is from Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' (as I've lost my two other little heart stamps....doh!). The sentiment is from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'.

I'm also going to link this to the challenge at CASology - Week 105 where their cue word is:
 I was thinking about Gene dancing around, rain running down that smiling face of his, dancing his heart out! Its something that I still do with the kids in our gumboots (not quite as glamorous but just as fun!!). This is my second entry.

Nearly dinnertime. One more day and its the weekend. I thought once the kids went back to school this week I might have some quiet time to create during the day....what was I thinking! Looks like midnight crafting again tonight....

Take care
Shona

Wednesday 23 July 2014

CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge # 85

Your not going to believe this but on Monday my husband Dave took a box of my cards to work to show everyone what my cards were like. By lunchtime today I had made $125 from people BUYING my cards. Isn't that insane???!!!! Its very exciting and even have an order for five more cards. I would never have thought anyone would want to give me money for my little creations. 

Talk about a boost for my confidence AND my craft budget. I now have to decide what to do with the money...stamps/metal dies/enamel dots/ink pads....too much to choose from!!!

Anyway, I don't know why but the sketch this week at the CAS(E) this Sketch 
challenge really stumped me.
I finally found an idea but I just couldn't line it up on each side, then I smudged the stamps...it was a nightmare. So I stopped, made another card and came back with a new idea.


 This is incredibly simple but you know me, I like LOTS of white. I stamped the heart and then (painstakingly...) lined up with rhinestones on each side. The sentiment actually says 'I love you' but didn't want the 'I' part so left that out when I inked the stamp. Done. I keep wanting to add things but MUST STEP AWAY!!!!!

The heart and sentiment are from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments', which I must say is my 'go to' set for sentiments. I have used this so much, its a wonder the stamps all still work!! The rhinestones are from Kaisercraft.

I also going to link this to the Hero Arts - One Layer Challenge, have never entered one of theirs before so that's exciting.

Good grief, I started this post at 2.30pm and now its 8pm. The joy of after school activities. Wednesday is the only day we do this, so the rest of the afternoons we can just hangout together. 

And its now bedtime, so off to read bedtime stories (my favourite part of the day) and then straight into craft supplies. If I don't get the cards made that are in my head, I won't have room for anymore!!

Take care
Shona









 

The Cutting Edge Challenge # 4

Been wanting to join this challenge since it started but just kept missing the deadline. This time I wanted to make sure I was right on time.
This is the amazing inspiration card at The Cutting Edge Challenge this week. I love this card so much but wasn't sure how I could put my own spin on it. Had to do a bit of DIY with a die-cut piece to make it work.....



I know I said I was going to put down my Pretty Pink Posh metal window die but I really needed it for this card. I die-cut the window with some black cardstock and then trimmed off three of the windows. I backed it with white card, stamped with hearts and used some Glossy Accents on the middle heart. I popped the windows plus the sentiment up on some foam squares. I wanted to use some sort of string so found this silver twine and looped it thru the card.

The sentiment and heart stamps are from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments' and the rhinestones are from Kaisercraft.

One more card left to post before I get the kids from school. Will have to start linking very quickly!!!!!!

Take care
Shona
 

CASology Challenge - Week # 105 'Run'

I don't think I've ever had an idea and made a card so quickly, as this one today. I just saw the post on the CASology
blog and as soon as I saw their cue word, a great but scary idea popped into my head.

When I saw this, for some reason my brain didn't think of running down the road, I instantly thought of running paint. Maybe my brain is still in house renovating mode.... So.....






This is the craziest card I've ever made so far and I was so nervous doing it, I was shaking (and still shaking....). I used (for my second time EVER) my mini distress ink pad in Pickled Raspberry and stamped the solid heart. I then took a wet paintbrush and dropped/dabbed water on it until the heart started 'running'. I then heat set with my heat gun, added my sentiment and my goodness, I love it!! 

The heart stamp is from Lawn Fawn 'Woodgrain Backdrops' and the sentiment is from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'.

I'm also going to link this card to the Lawnscaping Challenge No. 86 where their theme is 'Watercolour'. My first ever watercolour challenge!!!!
 
And also to the Less is More Challenge #181 where their theme is 'Singing in the Rain' since I used drops of water on my heart.




Think I need a sit down after all this artistic overload. I've got two more cards to link, so will do that after a quick lie down.....

Take care
Shona







 

Saturday 19 July 2014

Fusion Challenge - French Cupcakes

Every time I look at this inspiration photo I want to go straight to the kitchen and bake up a storm. And then eat cupcakes till there is no tomorrow. They look so scrumptious!! I love all of the soft pastel colours in this photo, so decided to design with that in mind.



I decided to use my favourite metal die of the moment just one more time (I promise!!) to add some colour but also keep the card one layer. I used my flower punch to make my little flower to mirror the cupcake flowers. Such a sweet card, can imagine giving this to a little girl.

Metal window die from Pretty Pink Posh. Sentiment stamp from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'. Sequins from Studio Calico and purchased from Papervine. The grey paper is from American Crafts 'My Girl', the pink paper from Echo Park 'Dots and Stripes' and light blue paper from Teresa Collins 'Save the Date'.

Now, this card is being entered in quite a few other challenges:

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge has the theme of 'Spots and Dots', which is where I was inspired for the paper pattern.

Curtain Call Challenge has a beautiful craft room/office photo for inspiration and a theme of 'Anything Goes'. I kept my colours to grey, light pink and light blue as in the photo, and also the rectangle die-cuts to mirror the storage boxes.

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge # 104 has a 'CAS - Clean and Simple' theme and this will be my fourth entry.

Simply Create Too Challenge # 66 has a theme of 'For a child' and I can so see a little girl loving this card. 

Right, that's enough of that. I'm off to start linking and then getting the kids in the car for a drive to the park. Not the warmest day today but its not raining, so will be good for them to run off some energy. Might make them sleep earlier, which means I can start making cards earlier.....fingers crossed!

Take care
Shona



Muse Challenge # 76

I've only joined in with the Muse Challenge  a few times and just love the beautiful cards they choose for us to be inspired by. This week it is a real stunner!




The flowers are on this card are so pretty and love that its all one layer with no embellishments to distract from the amazing stamping.



You know how much I love my 'Painted Flowers' set from Altenew, so of course I had to use them for my card. I just stamped until I liked the pattern and then stamped the sentiment (from Hero Arts 'Year Round Sentiments'). Super simple and already know who I'm going to give it too!

This is the third card I will be linking to the challenge at Addicted to Stamps # 104 where their theme is 'CAS - Clean and Simple.

I'm down to one more card to post. I have a few more challenges that I'd like to enter, so hope I can make some more cards tonight. Hopefully though I won't have to stay up till 4am again to do it!!

Take care
Shona
 

 

CASology Challenge - Week # 104

The challenges at CASology are one of my favourites to enter but this week the theme 'Pet' had me a little stumped.

If you've read previous posts on my blog, you will know that I don't have a big collection of stamps, hence why the same sentiments turn up again and again on my cards.  I managed to find a set from Kaisercraft (that I've never used) that has woodland animals on it. Finally an idea was setting in....


 When I was little my best friend Kylie had a gray rabbit. I loved giving it cuddles, even though it always scratched me. So I stamped this rabbit in light gray. Unfortunately I don't own any colouring supplies, so light gray he stayed. I added a balloon for some colour and whimsy, adding Glossy Accents for a bit of shine.

The balloon, balloon string and sentiment is from Simon Says Stamps 'Only have eyes from you'.

I'm also going to link this to the challenge at Addicted to Stamps # 104 where their theme is 'CAS - Clean and Simple'. This is my second entry.

Another card down, two more to post. Washing is out, kids are eating and fire has been stoked. Very cold and overcast today but taking the kids to Picton after lunch. Its a tiny town about 20 mins from us, by the sea. Has a great big playground, merry go round and ride on toy train on tracks which only costs 20cents per child. Bargain!!

Take care
Shona

Poppy Sketches Challenge # 8

4am. Yes, thats what time I went to bed this morning. I've hardly had time all week to make any cards (too busy playing waitress/cleaner/entertainment provider for my children and their friends on school holidays) and thought last night I was going to craft my heart out.

This is the fantabulous sketch/colour combo at Poppy Sketches this week. I don't use green very often on my cards, so thought it was a chance to incorporate something different.


I really liked the layout of the sketch so didn't want to stray from that too much. Decided to layer my papers, with the yellow paper on foam tape. I then heat embossed in gold the sentiment and popped that up as well. I also hadn't made my little flowers for a while, so thought that would make a nice butterfly substitute.

I'm going to enter this as well into the challenge at Addicted to Stamps # 104 where their theme is 'CAS - Clean and Simple. And since most of my cards are CAS, I have a feeling I will be overwhelming them with entries.

I have 3 more cards to post but getting the washing out comes first and then feeding the starving children. Dave just came over to me and said how amazing my cards look. Amazing what a few words from my husband can do to lift me up!!

Take care
Shona


 

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Curtain Call Challenge - Anything Goes

Over at the Curtain Call Challenge they are celebrating their 1st Anniversary with a wonderful inspiration photo and theme of 'Anything Goes'. They also have a HUGE array of sponsors for this challenge which is extremely exciting!!!


I've already designed one card for this challenge but couldn't help myself by going to look at the photo on the website it came from. I was trying to work out if the tin on the shelf (bottom right) is gold?? as it seems quite shiny. I was also just loving all of the white in the room and if you have seen my other cards of late, then you'll know I love a lot of white space on my cards!





Yes....I'm still playing around with my new Pretty Pink Posh die...I just can't put it down!! I die cut the word 'sweet' first across the front of the card and then die-cut the windows. I then placed all the white cardstock back with glue (I placed a small piece of cardstock on the back for everything to adhere too). 

I was going to inlay the gold die-cut 'sweet' but I took a quick photo and it just didn't look right. So I cut 4 'sweet's' from white cardstock and glued them all together and into the slot on the card. I then slightly off-set the gold 'sweet'. I attached 3 small gold metal hearts and voila..finished!

I'm so, so happy with how it turned out and only lost one piece of cardstock amongst all the tiny pieces. And also managed to keep it unmarked too (because I'm usually such a grub...)!

The 'sweet' metal die is from The Crafters Workshop and the gold hearts from The Warehouse.

I'm going to link this also to the challenge at Moxie Fab where their theme is 'word die cuts'. This is my second entry.

And also to the challenge at Virginia's View # 5 where their theme is 'Die Cutting'. This feels like my millionth entry but think its my 4th.

Off to jump in bed with Phoebe and watch Modern Family on DVD. We both love that show and Season 5 is starting next week. So good to have a show we can both enjoy thats a little more adult (not that I didn't enjoy The Wiggles, Strawberry Shortcake etc....) its just nice to see her understanding more about life and relationships. And having me there beside her so she can ask me any question in the world.....and boy does she have some questions!!!!

Take care
Shona



 

Cure for the Monday Blues Challenge # 24

Wow, time sure does fly by! I can't believe that the Cure for the Monday Blues Challenge is in its 24th week...thats amazing! Taheerah chooses the most gorgeous inspiration photos, so each week many ideas go running through my head.
Of course the gorgeous turquoise colour caught my eye straight away this week but so did the pink grid pattern on the left side of the photo. I'm still not sure what it is but the lines stuck in my head.  And some of the boxes have a slight greyish tone to them, which I love.

I was then also inspired by the photo for the Curtain Call Challenge where they are celebrating their 1st Anniversary with an 'Anything Goes' theme.


More glorious shelves! I loved the light grey wall colour and the darker pink in the vase that holds the flowers on the corner of the desk. With all these ideas swirling around in my mind, this is what I came up with:

I'm still obsessed with my new 'window' metal die from Pretty Pink Posh and keep coming up with new ways to use it. Paulina (who owns PPP) must think I'm crazy with the designs I've come up with but I don't own many dies and try to use them as many ways as I can.

I cut the windows from two different colour journal cards and placed them over top of each other in different directions. I trimmed the edges, glued together (where I could) and then spent FOREVER trimming tiny pieces of foam tape to pop it up on my card. I LOVE IT!!!

The journal cards are from We R Memory Keepers. The sentiment is from Hero Arts and enamel dots from Papervine.

Apart from entering this card into the Curtain Call and Cure for the Monday Blue's challenges, I'm also going to link this to the challenge at Virginia's View #5 where the theme is 'Die Cuts'. I think this is my 4th entry, they will be getting sick of me.....

And also to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where their theme is 'Let's Be Clear', hopefully my windows will fit the bill.

One more card to post. We are in the last few days of the school holidays. We have had a lovely time with the weather but today has been bitter indeed. It mean't I could squeeze in a few cards today without missing out of any fun and ended the day playing scrabble with my 9yr old Phoebe. Such bliss.

Take care
Shona


 

Sunday 13 July 2014

CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge # 84

I stayed up till 3am this morning buzzing with ideas for quite a few cards. Tiredness caught up with me eventually but managed to scribble a few designs down before crawling into bed.

As soon as I saw this sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch this week I knew exactly what I wanted to do. As mentioned in the previous post, I received my new Pretty Pink Posh dies and went straight for the little six window die and came up with many ideas for the window leftovers.

I cut the windows out of some journal cards in light grey and fuchsia pink and then popped them up on foam tape, after stamping the sentiment. I LOVE this card. Simple, geometric, so CAS!

The sentiment is from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'. The journal cards are from We R Memory Keepers. I used the 6-window metal die from Pretty Pink Posh. Enamel dots are from Papervine.

I will also link this to the Virginia's View Challenge # 5 as their theme is 'die-cutting'. This is my second entry.

Off out into the sun I go with Phoebe, lots of lasagne ingredients to buy for tonight!!

Take care
Shona


 

Virginia's View Challenge # 5

The sun has FINALLY come back to see us and have already taken dogs for a walk/rollerskate/bike/skateboard and scoot along the riverbank.

I was really looking forward to joining the Virginia's View Challenge this month, as their theme is 'Die-cutting'. I don't have many metal dies but was really excited because I had recently splashed out and purchased the new dies from Pretty Pink Posh. They arrived super quick and I was playing around with them yesterday morning when I had an interesting idea.......
One of the dies is a window die with six little rectangle windows. When I cut it a few times I realised I had all the little pieces left over and thought of a way I could use them.

I ran the die through a few times with two different colours of glitter paper and then spent quite a while gluing them all to the card front. I wish you could see how glittery the card is, I just couldn't capture it on camera. I then cut the 'hello' die 3x with white cardstock and once with purple glitter paper. I placed the white 'hello' slightly off from the purple one, so it has a purple shadow. I just love how it turned out and have quite a few other ideas on how to use these.

The 'hello' die is from The Crafters Workshop and the glitter paper from DCWV.

I'm also going to link this to the challenge at Moxie Fab World where their challenge this month is about 'Word Dies'.

Have one more card to post and then to the supermarket with Phoebe. We have my Mum coming for dinner tonight and Phoebe is going to help me make the lasagne. So nice to have a 'Mummy's Little Helper'!!

Take care
Shona
 

Saturday 12 July 2014

Addicted to CAS Challenge # 42

A very dreary, wintery day here today. Perfect for card making and making loom bands with the kids.

The challenge this week at Addicted to CAS  is:
I really wanted to do something regarding the 'sun' but don't have any sun stamps or dies. So I decided to take a crack again at the card that had frustrated me so much the night before. And it worked!!

 I'm a bit worried that if my cards become any simpler, they will just be blank!! When I was trying to do this pattern the other night, I wanted to heat emboss some of the shapes in gold but I couldn't get the definition I wanted. So yesterday I got out my new Radiant Neon 'Electric Yellow' stamp pad and went to town. Its not perfect but so happy it worked out.

I even asked my children and husband what they thought this was, the kids said 'sun' and Dave said 'star'. The sun is a star, so all is good!

The shape stamps are from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa' and 'Simple Shapes'. The sentiment is also from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'.

I'm also going to link this to the challenge at CASology Week # 103, where the theme is 'Glow'. This is my second entry.

Will also link to the challenge at CAS on Sunday #37 where their theme is 'One-Layer Wonder'. This is my third entry.

And for the first time I'm going to join the Time Out Challenge #9 where their theme is 'Fun in the Sun'.

I'm going back to my 'Inverted Hexafish' loom bracelet (which I keep mistakes with and will probably never attempt again....) and a card design I thought of while in the shower. Gotta love rainy days!!

Take care
Shona




 

Friday 11 July 2014

CASology Challenge # 103

I LOVE making cards but boy it can be frustrating some times. I had an idea for a card but do you think I could make it work??!! I spent 2 hrs and countless attempts at stamping and embossing but no go. I gave up and put it all away and watched tv but couldn't stop thinking about it. Will have another go today. But....
the cue word at the CASology Challenge is 'Glow' and I had an immediate idea about my favourite stamps.
Ta Da! This idea actually worked thank goodness. I absolutely love my 'Painted Flowers' set from Altenew and like to play around with it. There are 3 different stamp layers to this flower and usually the last one is in black but thought what about embossed gold??? I love how it turned out and managed to get the gold to 'glow' a bit in the sun. 

The sentiment is also from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'. They are releasing a whole lot of new stamp sets soon and the sneak peeks look amazing. I better start saving.....

I'm also going to link this to the challenge at CAS on Sunday #37 where their theme is 'One Layer Wonder'. This is my second card.

Raining here today and still have four children instead of two but they all play together so well, I hardly see them....except when they are hungry. I feel more like a waiter than a mum sometimes.......

Take care
Shona
 



     

 

Thursday 10 July 2014

CAS(E) this Sketch #83

I was determined to do this post. This is the 3rd time I've made this card and I just had to get it posted or it would haunt me forever!! A little melodramatic I know but doesn't it frustrate you when you just can't get your card right??!
I started off with this fabulous sketch at the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge. I was tempted to do flowers but wanted something different.
Then I came across this beautiful inspiration pictures at the Curtain Call Challenge and thought I could use these colours on the card.

And then, I remembered the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays #133 where their theme is 'Summer Lovin - using hearts in Summer Colours' and that was it, hearts made it on to my card!

I ruined this card two times amongst starving children, wet washing and slobbery dogs. I stamped the hearts in summery colours and then covered in Wink of Stella. Then lavished them all in Glossy Accents. I hand drew the strings. They look very strange at the bottom but there was no way I was going to make this again. Then a simple banner with sentiment...finally finished!!

The heart stamp is from Lawn Fawn 'Woodgrain Backdrops' and sentiment from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa'. 

Will also link this to the challenges at Curtain Call and CAS-ual Fridays as they both helped inspire this card.

Must link this now before any of the children find me. Taking them to the indoor pool soon to burn off some energy. Shame I can't take the dogs too!!

Take care
Shona

 

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Just Add Ink Challenge # 221

I've just finished off this card while baking things in the oven, helping the kids (who each have friends over to stay the night) with their IPOD's and watching out for rain drops. Talk about crafting in chaos!!

This week at the Just Add Ink Challenge their theme is 'Shakers'. I absolutely love making shaker cards. They take a bit of fiddling around but are so worth it in the end.
You know I had to get triangles in there somewhere!! I received a brand new metal die yesterday that I wanted to try out, so cut it x4 and put together with the background paper and acetate. In between I used my favourite flat gold hearts. I even had another go at heat embossing with my sentiment, using the gold embossing powder. It worked a treat!

The blue paper is from American Crafts 'My Girl' 6x6 pad. The sentiment is from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa' and gold metal hearts from The Warehouse. The metal word bubble die is from Die-namics and cuts beautifully.

I'm also linking this to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where their theme is also 'Shaker Cards'.

And will also link this to the Virginia's View Challenge #5 where the theme is 'Using Die-Cuts'. 

I have one more card to finish and children to feed, fingers crossed I can get it done and photographed before the sun disappears. Wish me luck!!

Take care
Shona
 

Monday 7 July 2014

CAS Colors and Sketches Challenge # 81

The two weeks of school holidays has started and I can see its going to be a tight squeeze to fit in any crafting. So nice though not having to rush in the morning!!

I really loved the look of this color combo at the CAS Colors and Sketches Challenge. I quickly realised though that I didn't have any papers to cover the 'crumb cake' color and thought what a perfect time to make my first ever 'kraft' card.

This was a scary card to make as I've never used Kraft card before and didn't know how the stamps would look. So after much experimenting, I jumped in with both feet. I do love triangles and decided to devote the card entirely to them, using different sizes, patterns and colors. I also had another go at heat embossing with the white triangles. Was very pleased with how they came out and didn't burn myself this time!! I put some Wink of Stella on the solid gray triangles and then left it alone. I really like it!!

The triangle stamps are from Altenew 'Sohcahtoa' and 'Simple Shapes' and the sentiment from Kaisercraft 'Hip Hip'.

I'm also going to link this to the challenge at CAS on Sunday #37 where their theme is 'One Layer Wonder'.

Its 9.37pm Monday night here in New Zealand and I'm off to bed. Didn't go to bed till 4.30am Sunday morning and 1am this morning because I was playing with all my new craft goodies. Will try to sneak in a few shaker challenge cards tomorrow...wish me luck!!

Take care
Shona