Use your scraps....

 The January challenge at my local swap group was to use up some of that pile of scraps. 

I decided to use a Simply Scored technique that I learnt at a Cardmaking Summit last year.  It involved using squares of scrap patterned paper and scoring on a card panel.   I had a strip of 12"x12" Christmas paper in blue tones and though it would look elegant using this technique.

The technique was designed by Wendy Lee and can be adapted to different sized squares of Patterned paper.   Mine are 7/8" in size.  I love the elegance of this one in the blue tones.  The sentiment is from Paper Rose All Occasions pre-printed sheets.   I foiled it with some silver deco foil and my laminator. 

Altenew 30 Days of Crafting - Day 12 - Pop of Pink

 I made this one over the weekend for the Altenew 30 Days of Crafting - Day 12 Pop of Pink

I got some new stuff just after Christmas - and got Altenew's Hill Blossom stencil and die set.   When it arrived, I realised that I already had the stencil!   Nice to have the die though now!

Here's the card I made. 

I started by stenciling the Hill Blossom floral with Altenew pinks and greens - before using the matching die.  I cut a second die to add behind as the stems are really delicate.  Gives it better stability.  For my background panel, I took some green shimmer card and added some dark green inks around the edges.  I then added splatters of Altenew Pure White ink spray.  I used white and black to die cut the sentiment from Altenew's Versatile Greetings die set. 

It's been a busy week or so, back at work - not a lot of time to craft.  

Altenew - January 30 Days of Crafting - Day 7

 I've printed out the 30 Days of Crafting calendar to help get my inspired to craft... and so far one card made... Day 7- Upcycle something old from your craft room

The panel was an card that my friend had given me last year for my birthday.   I took two Spellbinders die from the Hemstitch Rectangles to trim out a focal panel. I added a gold card behind the panel.   I used a stamp from Altenew Line Art stamp set for the little sentiment at the bottom of the panel.  I used Dotty Circles Embossing Folder to make the matting layer.  Really please how this one turned out. 

Now to try and do some more of the prompts.  

Craft Roulette #248

Back to some crafting and manage to watch the replay of Craft Roulette #248.  Been a while and took some time to get myself to think of a design and to get it made. 

Project: Tag(s)- used a Catherine Pooler tag die from Tags, etc die set as my focal image. 

Colours: Snow White - yellow and blue for her dress- red for the poisoned apple, and green for the forest. 

Element: January is Summer here in NZ.  So sentiment for summer and yellow and blue for sunny skies

Random: Branch(s)(ing). - my Apple tree has branches. 

My sentiment is from a Winner and Walter set - Big, Bold Seasons.  My tree is from Hero Arts - Layering Fall Trees.  

Happy to have got this one done.   

Happy New Year 2025

 “Let this year be the year of growth, courage and endless possibilities.”

– Brittany Burgunder

 It's been awhile.... life has been hectic with the family here from 7 December till early morning of 3 January.   We had a mini- break at a beach camp about 1.5 hrs north of Auckland - Waipu Cove - where the whole family (apart from DIL) spend 3 nights in cabins... lots of sun and sand.  Restful for me - as I was a bit sick - full of a cold and cough so got lots of rest time.   Back on the 22nd to get ready for Christmas.  All the family at Breakfast and present opening.  7 adults and 4 kids... so pretty chaotic but such fun seeing the excitement on the kids faces 

 

Did lots of fun days out - walked around North Head and took the ferry from Devonport to the city one day, beach days with cousins, meals at each household, more fun play with cousins, a walk up to One Tree Hill another day.   Much fun had by all.  

So finally made it back into the craft room - to make a New Year's Card for our friends... to go with their Christmas gift that we didn't get delivered in time for Christmas Day!    We got them a lovely decanter and glasses to go into their "Library" 

This is my card for the first Sweet Stampin' Challenge for 2025  - What's New!  

Used some Journalsay PET stickers and a sentiment and fireworks from an older Hero Arts set. 

A quick and fun card to welcome the New Year in style. 

And a final picture of the grandchildren taken on Thursday evening..

Happy New Year one and all!

Christmas card and tag.

 For my NZ swap group this month, my friend, Suna, set us a challenge - make an unusual card and add a tag!

My unusual element on this is using some fabric - some calico, that I had used some 49th and Market rub-ons to decorate.  I embossed a panel with snow flakes and added to my white card.   

And here it is with the tag I made

I made this tag with an Altenew stamp and die set.  Too cute!

I have been ultra busy with the family here.   Chaotic at times... but loving the hugs from my two little grandsons and also my two granddaughters who have been around lots as well!  Managed to find a little time tonight to share this. 

Here are the four of them.... keeping me on my toes for sure!

Christmas challenge at Sweet Stampin'

 It's time for our December challenge at Sweet Stampin' - and both teams are taking part in providing some samples to inspire you.   Our challenge is Christmas. 

Here's the card I made.

I recently added the Poinsettia stencil to my Waffle Flower Postage set.   This is the first time I've used it... I used a few different Altenew inks - in pinks, greens and blues.  I white embossed some stars onto my red base.  After I die cut the postage die I used the stencil and then cut it up to add to the panel.  The sentiment is from Waffle Flower Star Snowflake stamp set.  

Do come to join us at Sweet Stampin' Challenge. 

Fabric Flowers

 Our local swap group challenge for November was to use Fabric on your project.  My card took quite a while to reach Jude in Timaru, but finally made it...

I used some cotton fabric I had and made a glue wash to stiffen it.   I used a Spellbinders layering flower die to cut some layers.  I added a green ribbon and some gauze and then added the flowers to a base I had embossed with Altenew Masonry 3D folder that I then swiped with white ink.   I added a button and a gem.   Definitely outside my comfort zone, but I  was happy with the result.  

The family arrive early tomorrow so not much crafting will get done over the next little while.  I have a few posts scheduled.