Day 2 - 3D Floral Focus - monochrome

Day 2 of the class, Therese talked about using a monochromatic theme to your flowers.   For my monochromatic colours, I chose various cream cardstock... one textured, one dark cream and one a more lighter cream colour.

I used Floral Fantasy 3D dies for this one.   To allow the creams to shine, I used a black pearlescent card.  I took some white acrylic paint and water it down to add splatters onto the black.   I white embossed the sentiment from Build a Flower - Rose set.  I added the black panel to a grey card.  Added a few clear gems.

Today I made a quick card for a friend.  I was inspired by a card I saw from the lovely Lin where she made her flowers green.

I used Lime. Limeade and Fresh Leaf inks together with Forest Glandes and Evergreen inks for the leaves.   I made the background by blending some grey inks through a TCW brick stencil and added some black and white paint splatters. Love the real grungy look I achieved.   I added a little sentiment embossed in white on some of the black pearlescent card and a little washi added above.  This sentiment is perfect for my friend as she really is unique. 

Had a lovely visit from Kieran, Erin and Grace today.  Grace was awake when they arrived so I got some Nanny cuddles before she had a feed and went to sleep.  I had to stretch lunch a little as they arrived just before, but did come with some yummy little bread pizzas. 

3D Floral Focus class - Altenew Academy

After seeing the delightful cards made by my friend, Betty, I signed up for the Altenew Academy class, 3D Floral Focus being tutored by the amazing Therese Calvid.   I only have two Altenew 3D floral dies... one was  a freebie with a magazine a while back and the other is Floral Fantasy. 

Day one was about basic layering of the 3D dies.   I don't have any of the Altenew card stock and not a lot of matching colours... have heaps of card but often in random colours.  So I got around that by using my inks to colour the dies

For this card I CASE'd Therese card.  I used the freebie die and cut all the layers from some pink card and then used Altenew inks - Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss, and Heart Beat.   I swapped up the second and third layers for the rose that sits on the top.  I used the leaves from the die to make the smaller leaves, and used the leaves from Build a Flower - Roses for the larger single layer leaves.  Added some branches die cut with a Memory Box die.   I added some texture paste through the Altenew Broken Chevron stencil on my background.  I used a sentiment from Adore You set to finish off.  

I've done Day 2 - monochromatic - homework but still need to take a photograph of it.  I still have a couple of days worth of videos to view as well. 

And to finish off here's the latest pic of Grace..... 7 weeks now

 Such a wee sweetie.   Mum is doing well after having her appendix removed early Tuesday. 

WWC227 Michelle's "All About Occasions" challenge

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Michelle is our hostess this week with an "All About Occasions"  challenge. 

I had to make a Belated Birthday card as I completely forgot a friend's card.

My background was made by dry embossing the Broken Chevron stencil from Altenew.  I learnt about doing this when I took Laurel Beard's class at the Altenew Academy.   Laurel taught us to do the dry embossing and then keeping the stencil in place, blending inks over top.  It's hard to see the wonderful texture this gives.  I used Altenew inks - Baby Pink, Fuchsia, Limeade and Lime.   I then added some Lindy's Gang spray and some white iridescence spray.  The shimmer in real life is stunning.   I added a flower and bee sticker from Uniti.  The sentiment is from WPlus9.  I matted the panel into some dark pink card and onto a square card base.

Come join in the fun.  Check out the projects that the artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at 11.00am NZ time) to link up your project

It's Birthday time at Die Cut Divas

Hi all...   June is birthday month here at Die Cut Divas... and June is my birthday month.  My birthday was 14th and it's one of my friend's birthday today (25th) so what better than to share her birthday card here.

Our sponsor this month has a HUGE variety of dies that would be perfect for a birthday card.  I used an Elizabeth Craft Design's large Happy Birthday die that can be purchased from Cheapo Dies

This was such a quick card to make.  I used some marbled Patterned paper and add some glittered contact vinyl to card stock before die cutting the sentiment.  As it is such a big die, it take pride of place on the card.  A few sequins and some layering and it was done.

Do come and join us at Die Cut Divas with your Birthday projects.  Just remember you must use your die cut machine... dies, or embossing.... somewhere on your card.

Thanks for stopping by.

You're so special Hyacinth and a Sparkly Poinsettia

I was not well this morning - achy and has a headache but a few hours sleep and a couple of Paracetamol and I felt better by lunch time.  So into the craft room for a bit this afternoon.

First up is my Hyacinth card.

I knew I wanted a CAS card but with some texture so embossed my panel with a Couture Creations diagonal folder.  I then put my Hyacinths onto the panel.  The two big ones are on foam tape and the small bunch are adhered directly to the card.   I used the same set of inks for stamping both bunches.  The lighter ones used the first three inks in the Enchanted Garden set (Wisteria, Hydrangea, Ultraviolet) and the darker ones started with Hydrangea and finished with Andromeda.  The centres of the flowers were in Heartbeat and I added a dot of clear Nuvo drops to each one.  I used a sentiment from Versatile Vases to finish off.  I matted with some purple card and added to a white base.  I'm entering this into the SheepSki Designs challenge - For someone Special

 And my second card is for Jo's Christmas Kickstart challenge- the theme this time - Glitter, Sparkle and Shine.

I used lots of glitter, sparkle and shine!  My Poinsettia is cut with a Couture Creations die from some glittered foam.  The green leaves and gold centre is cut from shimmery card stock.  And my shine is the strips of gold washi tape. The background Patterned paper is from the pack I won at Jo's challenge a few weeks ago.   The gold piece is Altenew ink Enchanted Gold direct to paper.  The sentiment is from a Catherine Pooler Design set. I added a few gems to finish the card.

Just heard from my son, his partner Erin, is in hospital with appendicitis.  Not what you want 6 weeks after a Caesarean.  And to make things worse, they have lost her notes so she can't have her operation tonight - it will be tomorrow morning if they can find the notes.   At this stage, Kieran is coping with Grace.  I've offered to go help out if needed.

thanks for stopping by.  

Playing with Stencils

Hi there.  I've a couple of stencil cards to show you today.  I made these yesterday.   Recently Jennifer McGuire did a tutorial on using stencils with Gina K's Wreath Builder stencil.  I had misplaced my Wreath Builder stencils... till around 3.00am the other morning when it came to me where I stored it!  So yesterday I gave the technique a go.

My first card used a older My Favorite Things stencil and a rainbow of Altenew inks.  I die cut a grey scalloped circle and layered on a white circle.  I've used a Catherine Pooler Design's sentiment and little flowers.   It made a really interesting background. 

For my second card I used a Simon Says Stamp diagonal striped stencil.

This one almost made it to the Bin!  But I persevered and finished it off.  Not at all sure I like it but I can say it's interesting!  I diecut an octagon shape from Spellbinders and added another Catherine Pooler Design sentiment.  Added some sequins and clear jewels.  Both my cards are 5" square and my panels are 4" square so used matting layers of maroon and gold cardstock.

Today I opened another new to me Altenew stamps set and started stamping it before heading over to our son's place for some Nanny cuddles with Grace.  I even got to feed her a bottle before she fell asleep in my arms.  I finished off my stamping when we got home.

Now to find time over the week to get them added to a card.

Prettiest Pomander and post #1800

I finally got some time to play with the "Prettiest Pomander" stamp set from Altenew.  I had a go at layering the stamp but wasn't happy with the colours I used, so gave it a second go.  I recently saw that someone (and now can't find who it was!) advised if you want to make white flowers - miss the first layer.  So I thought I'd make the lilies in the Pomander white.

I used a pale green ink for the second layer on the white lilies

I was inspired  by Lydia Evans - for drawing stems in the vase.    After stamping the vase, I drew the stems with a maker and a Copic multiliner pen.  I added some pale blue Copic marker.  I made my background with some blue marbled patterned paper to ground my vase.  A strip of dark blue shiny washi was added. My base card is a soft grey.  A simple Happy Birthday finished off the card.

I've got another Altenew stamp set I haven't opened yet, so hopefully I'll get some time tomorrow to get it out and inked.    This afternoon I got a couple of quick stenciled cards done... I'll post them tomorrow...

I've just realised that this is my 1800th post.  My first post was 15 March 2009 - over 10 years ago.
Here's one of the first cards I shared.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy stamping this weekend.

WWW 226 Dawn's Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Yes, it is my turn to host the Watercooler Wednesday this week.  Our challenge this week is Masculine "Anything Goes" challenge. 

My card today started with a panel that I made with Alcohol inks with some foil added.  The black die cut is an unnamed one I got a number of years ago.  I added it to the right hand side of the panel which I cut to the size of the die.  The sentiment is a Britannia Die cut. 

Come join in the fun.  Check out the projects that the artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at midday NZ time) to link up your project

Uncork and Unwind

Today I have a birthday card to share.  It's one of my work colleague's birthday today.  Anouschka loves her wine so as I had just received a new stamp set from Newton's Nook that's called "Wine a Little" I knew I wanted to use them to make a card.

I used a diagonal striped embossing folder to emboss the bottom of the card panel.  I then stamped the bottle of wine, cork and corkscrew as well as the glass of wine.  I used various alcohol markers to colour them.  I took two of the sentiments from the set and used them.  I added some nuvo drops for embellishments.  Inside the sentiment reads "Age is not important unless you are wine"   The card was well received by Anouschka.

I enjoyed making this one.  Thanks for stopping.

An Elephant for my Grandson.

I was sad to see my daughter, son in law and grandson fly home on Sunday.  I decided to make him a little elephant card to take with him.

I recently got this little Elephant die from Elizabeth Craft Designs.  It's so cute.  I cut the pieces out of white card stock ad used some Weathered Wood distress ink to colour the elephant and some Victorian Velvet distress ink for the ears.  Archie loves elephants and balloons and the colour orange.    I die cut the Balloon from orange card stock.  The die is also an Elizabeth Crafts Design.  I used a sentiment from an ECD stamp set.    The background is some marbled Patterned Paper.  My daughter gave him the card at the airport and he loved it.

I'm sharing this over at Virginia's Show and Share this month.

 

 

thanks for stopping by. 

Tropical Birthday

I have spend a great afternoon in my craft room after seeing my daughter, son-in-law and grandson off on their flight home.    They had to be at the airport by around 8.30.  As it's abou an 45 minute drive, it was a bit of an early morning.   Just heard that they are home.

One of my makes today is for an upcoming birthday for my friend, Suna.  She is away overseas at the moment, but I'll send it anyway so it will be there for her return.  I was inspired by the StampNation Spring Break challenges.... one of the mood boards had lots of great tropical photos.

My daughter had brought me over a stamp set she picked up at her local Aldi store.  It had lots of tropical images... leaves, the flamingo, ice creams, pineapple etc.  I used the leaves to make a background on a piece of torn card stock.  I then stamped the hibicus and leaf and the flamingo from the set as well as a couple of leaves from an Altenew set and fussy cut them.  I added the leaves and then used some pop dots on the flamingo head and glued he body down to the leaves.    I used a sweet birthday sentiment that was in a freebie set that was sitting on my desk.  I added some Spectrum Noir shimmer pen to the flamingo and a few of the leaves.

My kids got together and got me a printed copy of the two little ones and blew the photo up to a big size.  Looks incredible.  Plus a smaller print of me and the two of them.

It was such a special time to have them all here.  And very sad to say goodbye this morning.  I'll miss Mr Archie after sending the last week on a break from work with them.  We visited a few playgrounds and spend a few hours at the Auckland Museum.  I hadn't been there for many years.

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Rennie Roses Birthday

Hi there... it's my birthday today so what better than to share a birthday card I finished off yesterday.

A very CAS card using some Altenew Rennie Roses, coloured with Zig Markers.   A birthday sentiment and some wine coloured sequins (they do look black in the photo but are truly a beautiful deep wine colour. )

The day has started wonderfully with a cuppa of tea from my grandson (with Mummy's help of course) and now we are going to walk down to the local little village - Mairangi Bay - for coffee.  Hubby doesn't work between 9.30 and 2.00 on Friday's so it will be nice to have him with us. Dinner will be fish and chips here with my son and his family coming over, so a very special time with both my children, their partners and both grandies here on the day.

Have a great day, I will be.

Dots and spots at Southern Girls.

It's Team Trace's turn to share our cards for the latest Southern Girls Challenge.    Our sponsors this time are

 

I chose to work with an image from Colour of Love called Rory's Spring Day

 I used a variety of Alcohol markers (Altenew, Spectrum Noir and Copics)  I had added a frame when I printed the image.  I trimmed around it and added it to some spotty paper.  Of course I had to give Rory spots on her jacket and shoes as well as her bow.  Added a die cut hello to finish.

Come and check out the design team's creations and join us at Southern Girls Challenge.  You could be in to win a wonderful prize from one of our 2 fabulous sponsors.
REMEMBER one of the prizes is only for a NZ or AUS entry so be sure to let us know in your link that you are from either the land of the long white cloud or the lucky country.

 Thanks for stopping by.

WWC 225 - Donna's "All About Occasions" Challenge.

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Donna is our hostess this week with an "All About Occasions" challenge.

I recently got asked to make a card for a golfing gentleman who is turning 70 soon.  He spends half his year in Florida and half in Canada.  So here is what I can up with.

I used some masculine looking patterned papers (not sure of the make as my pad has lost it cover)  to make a little scene.  I used a Nativity Scene die to cut the palm tree layer and the second grass layer.  The golf bag, golf ball and sentiment are from a set called  " For the Boys" that came with a card making magazine.  I stamped the bag onto some kraft paper and used a variety of brown markers and inks.  I added the R as the gentleman is called Robert.  I fussy cut the bag and added to the scene.  I used a strip of brown card for the pole and added the 70 to the flag.


Come join in the fun.  Check out the projects that the artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at 11.00am NZ time) to link up your project.

Weekend fun

Hi there... I'm been playing in my craft room over the weekend and today... The kids were away down south for a few days...

I got a few cards made on Saturday to get ahead of my samples for Watercooler Wednesday.  So keep a look a out for them in the future.. Sunday I spend catching up on watching videos.  And trying out a technique from Lydia Evans... an oldie but a goodie.... using inks on an acrylic block.  I follow Karen  Dunbrook on Facebook and was inspired by her cards as well.

I used some Zig markers to scribble onto my block and spritzed with water before stamping onto some watercolour paper.  I then used a Hero Arts stamp Night and Day Flowers.  I used my MISTI  to stamped the flowers firstly onto the smooshed piece which I had positioned onto the card base, then moved it out of the way and stamped again fully on the base.  I then lined up the two lots of stamping and stuck it down.  I added the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp  and some clear jewels.

Sunday I decided to make a card for Jo's Christmas Kickstart challenge... the theme is "The Elves and the Shoemaker"  I used a sweet elf from Bugaboo for my card.  I finished it off this morning. 

I originally put my panel onto a red card base.... but did this~

Yeap... put it on the wrong side of the card.  As you can see above, I managed to salvage the card by trimming the red base and adding to a blue card base. 

I'm on holiday this week, to spend time with Emma, Andrew and Archie.... today we spend some having coffee, shopping and playing in the playgrounds at the Mall and then later in the day, Emma and Archie joined hubby on his daily walk

and today Miss Grace is one month old

She has started smiling now....

Thanks for stopping by. 

WWC224 - Karen's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Karen is our hostess this week with an "Anything Goes" challenge.

 

 I recently won a couple gift vouchers from Altenew so was able to make two orders.  My first one came via USPS and took nearly a month to arrive, the second one came by DHL and was here in 3 days.   My first parcel had the stamp set called "Book Club" and it's matching die and this is what I've used today to make my card. 

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto white card stock and used Altenew and Spectrum Noir markers to colour it in.  I then die cut the image.  I pair the stamp with a sentiment from Catherine Pooler "Lovely Flowers" set.   I originally was only going to have some stripes across the middle of the card, but as I laid the die cut onto this thin black striped paper, I really like how it looked.  I trimmed the striped paper and layered it onto some black card and then onto a white card base.  I finished this off with some gold gems.

Come join in the fun and make a feminine card. Check out the projects that the other artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created, then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us. You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at midday NZ time) to link up your project.

Altenew June Inspiration

My on-line friend Virginia has set the Altenew Inspiration challenge this month... using a photo her husband took in Iceland

 

Virginia made a fabulous card using a vase and it inspired me as well.  

I used the colours - yellow and red for my flowers and the grey-green for my stenciled background.  The stencil is from Hero Arts.  The ink is from Altenew - Lava Rock.  The flowers are from the Starry Flowers set and coloured with Altenew Alcohol markers. I fussy cut the flowers so I could have then cascading down the vase.   My vase was made by stamping the tall vase from "Versatile Vases" onto some patterned paper and then cutting it out.  I added the thank you sentiment to finish off my card.

My daughter and family have headed south for a few days to visit the snow.... she messaged me tonight to say the little man had been asking when they were going back to Nanny and Pops house "cause they will be home now and I can see them or I will miss them"  - how sweet.  Melts my heart.  They will be back by the weekend.   

Thanks for stopping by.

With Deepest Sympathy

I managed to get a few moments in my craft room on Saturday while my daughter, son in law and Grandson were having a nap after their long trip from Perth.    I like to have a sympathy card or two on hand just in case.   I was sorting some stamps and other stuff on my desk and found my roll of Altenew washi "Monochrome Washi"  I was inspired to use it like I've seen one of the newer washi tapes being used... added to white card and then fussy cut, although the newer washi can be die cut with a matching die.  

I added the washi to white card and then did my fussy cutting 

I prepped my panel by using my score pal to make score marks around the card.  I stamped the sentiment from the "Fresh Freesia' set from Altenew then added the cut out floral tape.  I finished with some Ice Cube jewels from Lucy's Little Things.  I'm loving these lovelies.

It's really was a quick, CAS card.  

I'm adding this to the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes.  
WordArt Wednesday - Anything Goes

And I'm finishing with a sweet photo of my two grandies

Archie and Grace.