Summer cards at Sweet Stampin' Challenge

 Time to share my card for the challenge at Sweet Stampin' Challenge.  Our theme this fortnight is "You are my Sunshine - shows us your summer cards. 

It's winter time here in NZ - but summer to me, means spending time at the beach....

We live very close to a couple of beaches... and spend a bit of time there in the summer time.   My card is made using stamps and dies from Altenew. - Summer Wishes and Be Like a Lighthouse.   The card was inspired by the sample on the packaging.   I used a Penny Black mask/stencil for my sun and a combination of orange inks.   The water was from the Be Like a Lighthouse set, stamped in Starlight ink and then a bit of pale blue blended over it.  The shells and starfish are from Summer Wishes together with the sentiment.  The shells and starfish were stamped and then ink blended using the matching stencils before die cutting.  

Do come and join us with your summer projects 

Bye Bye Black - Atlenew Challenge Live#13

 I was able to watch Jen Rzasa's live challenge this week - Bye Bye Black - don't use black ink on your project.  

I have to say I already had the stenciled background done and in my scrap pile.  It had been destined for the bin as I didn't mask while stenciling and got some of the green onto the pink and in one spot it looked terrible.  I had put it aside to bin, but hadn't quite got around to doing so.   I looked at it and decided I could salvage some of it.... and here's what I did!

 I trimmed the worst bit off and cut to 3" by 4.5" and matted it with a 3/8" border in the green card,  I can still see a couple of spots where the green went where it was not meant to, but all in all, looked pretty good.  The stencil was Altenew Rose Bouquet (an older one layer stencil). I then stamped the sentiment from Altenew Friendship Blooms stamp set in Rubellite ink.  Finished by added some dots made by covering a bit of the green card in clear packaging tape and used my dots die to cut a few out.  Love how this can make glossy dots in the exact colour to co-ordinate with the project. 

#altenewchallengelive  

Stress Free Cardmaking Summit - Inspired by Ardyth

I decided it's worth the extra cost to get the VIP option for the May Stress Free Cardmaking Summit... and I've already watch a number of the sessions.  

I got inspired by Ardyth Percy-Robb - whose 5 items for her fun fold cards, included stencils.   I did an A2 Z-fold card.  Ardyth gave lots of options for sizes and way to do a Z-fold card. 

Here's what I came up with...

I found this unnamed stencil.  Think it might be one I got from a NZ based crafter.... I used different colours of ink to add my colour and then used some small stamps from an older Catherine Pooler/CASual Friday stamp set to add the black flower elements.  I added some home made silver dots for the centres. Sentiment is a die cut from Scrapbook.com "Let's Celebrate"  

Hoping to get some more play time this weekend as Hubby and son are off to do some go-carting on Sunday... so I get a sleep in and some playtime!  

Christmas inspired by Stress Free Cardmaking Summit

 It's been a busy weekend.  Had a lovely lunch with my friend, Yvonne, and all her family to celebrate her 70th on Saturday.  Got home around 4pm and hit the computer to watch some of the presentations from the Stress Free Cardmaking Summit.   OMG - what amazing presenters and their projects.... Quick, easy and stress free!  I started with Ardyth Percy-Robb and her stenciling ideas.   

This one was inspired by Ardyth's idea of masking off part of a stencil to use it differently.   I took a Tim Holtz stencil (Festive) and masked off one of the Holly Leaves.  I used Distress Oxide inks to add the colour and added some red Nuvo Drops.  To keep it CAS I just added a sentiment.  It's a Woodblock stamp from Paper Inspirations (circa 2005) called Favorite Things Calligraphy - stamped in Altenew Charcoal Suit grey ink.  To give the look of matting, I did a faux matting by masking off the edges and using a Copic marker. 

My next card utilised the ink left on the stencil - I sprayed with water and used it to "print" a panel.  I then took inspiration from Julia - used an embossing folder. 

Once I dried the background (you can just make out the stenciled pattern) I ran it through my machine with a Couture Creations folder (Joyful Wishes).   It's only a 2D folder so rather than inking up the folder, I swiped some Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide across it.  Was really happy with the results.  To finish I took a Couture Creations Ringing Bells stamp that I had cut with my Scan'n'Cut.  I used some Tri-blends to colour with a touch of silver pen.  I also added some Spectrum Noir Sparkle pen to it as well.   Mounted on a silver glitter circle. 

And my final card was inspired by Joy's alcohol ink backgrounds.   Must say I can't even remember when I last used my alcohol inks!  I used the matt side of some photo paper like Joy used, and used a half a large sheet to get two backgrounds.  

When with the green theme again... used three different green inks, lots of blending solution and added some gold foil. I trimmed it and added to a card base.  I used a Concord & 9th sentiment from Big on Christmas stamp and die set.   Black stamping and clear embossing on vellum before doing the die cut.  The snowflakes are from a magazine freebie set cut with white paper and added some Nuvo iridescent flat sequins. 

And I still have a panel of green ink to use 

Big thanks if you made it this far.  I appreciate your visit.   

 

Craft Roulette #233

 I managed to watch the last little bit of the Craft Roulette live today.  Kristina Werner was the guest.   I wanted to make a birthday card for my friend who will be 70 next Saturday.  Last evening I watch a YouTube by Marion Emberson who did a spotlight technique she had seen done by Julie Hickey - so today I watched Julie video.   When I saw parameters for today, I knew I had to try out the technique. 

This is my 23rd submission... 

I used Penny Black's Background Basic Stencil to mask off the centre panel.  I used Distress Oxide inks - Tattered Rose, Wilted Violet and Fossilised Amber to add my Hummingbird colours.  I then used a Paper Roses stencil which had flowers and leaves and added the colours with a bit of a heavier hand.  I then stamped the Altenew Fairy Tale Florals image with Altenew Obsidian Black ink.  More leaves on the floral image to meet the Random parameter.   The Congratulations card parameter- congrats on your birthday sentiment.  It's a mis-mash of two sentiments from Altenew Sentiment Strips 3.   And of course, the Best Friend parameter has been met as this is for my Bestie's birthday next week -hence the 70 on the card.   Finished with some Silver Dot Sparkles.

Happy to have got time to do this this afternoon - as I also made a Banana Choc-chip and Walnut loaf and then dropped hubby at the Bays Club.  He's watching the All Blacks versus Australia rugby test with some mates.   I'm watching it at home and will go pick him up and go out for dinner when it finishes.   It's a day time game in Sydney, Australia so is an early evening game here as Sydney is 2 hours behind us.   It's half time now - we are leading 28 - 14.  

Time to settle back and watch the second half.

 

Craft Roulette #220

 Watched the replay of Craft Roulette#220 on Saturday afternoon but nothing came to my mind for the parameters... 

Finally on Monday after work I had an idea and off I went.   Finished the card only to realise I had missed the deadline... so decided to become a member of Craft Roulette which gives me a few more days to enter.  

Here's what I came up with

I started by making my background.   I used some kraft card and a stencil - a map of London.  I used some brown inks.  I then embossed it with a We Are Memory Keepers basket weave embossing folder.   That ticked of chart (map of where the balloons are going) and the basket element.  The hot air balloons are coloured in dragon colours... greens and reds and brown on the background.   And the Dude parameter is covered as this is a card for a male friend. 

The balloons and the sentiment are both from a great freebie set that came with a magazine a few years ago.  It's my go to set for masculine cards.  I distressed the edges and corners of the map to give it some character.    Definitely not my usual type of card but had fun making it.   

Today is a public holiday here in New Zealand.   Celebrating Matariki - the Māori New Year.  I had a lovely day - the weather was really nice - did my grocery shopping and then took myself off to the Mall as I need new slippers and got a few other little bits and pieces.  Then into the craft room for a couple of hours of play time.  Ended the evening by watching a great NZ movie called Hunt for the Wilderpeople.  I think this was about 4 or 5th time I've watched this one.  It's really a fun movie.   Now time to head to bed with my book! 

Calla Lilies - Day 12 of Altenew 30 Days of Crafting

 Hi there.  I'm making an effort to use up some of my significant pile of backgrounds I've made over the last 6 months.  And for Day 12 of Altenew's June 30 Days of Crafting the theme is "Design a nature-inspired card gave me a great idea.

All the Calla Lily die cuts came from one piece of watercolour card that looks like it's been spritzed or smooshed.  Not sure which but it was really shimmer with some pink and green bits here and there.   I selectively die cut pieces from the panel and then added some ink blending to some of the die cut bits to change the colours.  For my background I used Altenew Feathered leaves.  My blending brush had some green-y colour on it and I also used some Permanent Mist Gray ink with it to add a little subtle texture.  Layered up the flowers and leaves and added a small sentiment - white embossed on black card.  The sentiment is from Altenew Sentiment Strips and cut with the Featured Sentiment die. A few green enamel dots finished the card.  

Altenew 31 Days of Crafting... Day 1

 I'm a bit late to the party, but today got some time to craft.   Every day there is a prompt to create a project. 

I remember I had some music stamps as part of Altenew's Happy Birthday to You set.   I stamped it with some Silver Lake ink onto a square panel.   The sentiment is stamped with Charcoal Suit ink - inside I'll add an appropriate sentiment when it's time to use this card.   The floral image is from the Dreamy Daylilies set.  I die cut with some white card, embossed it and then added ink blending with the matching stencil set.  The centre panel is 5" square and the final card 5.5" square - so I could make the most of the beautiful floral die. 

I did try out some ideas for Day 2 prompt but nothing worked out as I wanted, so back to the drawing board.  

The weekend weather has been lovely and we had two days of being able to lunch outside on the deck - including a Roast Lamb meal today 

My Favorite Things - Birthday sneaker

 Hi there .  It's the final day of July... where has the time gone!  It's the last day of our July challenge at Die Cut Divas.   Our sponsor this month was My Favorite Things  the DCD team selected Birthdays as theme.  

My card to day uses an older die and stamp set .... (discontinued unfortunately)  but it's a favourite of mine.  

I die cut the hi top sneaker from some pretty paper and used some pink card for the soles.  I found some dark pink twine for the laces.  I added some stenciling behind the sneaker and added some washi and patterned paper along the bottom.  

By the time you read this, I will be in Australia - we headed over on the 28th to visit our daughter and her new son... and the rest of the family.   There will have been a lots of cuddles by now.  

Butterfly Love at Die Cut Divas.

 Hi, Dawn here to share my challenge card for this month's Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge at Die Cut Divas.   

Our fabulous sponsor this month is 

I chose the middle vertical line - Stencil, the word LOVE and Butterflies.

I used Altenew stamps, die and stencil for my card  today.   I used the stencil to make the gingham stripe and then die cut the panel.  I cut my red panel at 5.25" x 4".  The love sentiment was cut out of the red panel before I glued the white panel on it.  The butterfly - I die cut first then stamped and used my Tri-blends to colour.  

All my supplies are available at The Frantic Stamper 

Altenew Buffalo Plaid Builder stencil 

Altenew Dovetail Butterflies - stamp and die set

Altenew Versatile Greetings Die set 

Do come and join us and have fun with our Tic-Tac-Toe board 

Hello You Coneflower - Sketch Saturday #726

 My Saturday late afternoon crafting didn't happen yesterday as around 5.00pm our power went out.   The evening was a dark, stormy one and it got dark very quickly.  By 6.00 the power still hadn't come back on, so we decided to head out for dinner.  I was slow cooking a casserole that still need 1 1/2 hours to go.  We went to have Ramen.  Very nice to have an impromptu  date night out!  

So after spending the morning doing a full polish of all my lounge furniture, I headed to the craft room.  I saw a great sketch challenge on Tristan blog  - Sketch Saturday #726 .  Tristan is one of the design team for the challenge.  

I really liked the challenge sketch - and it has an option - using ink blending.  

I loved the hexagon look on the sketch.  I have a hexagon cover die... not sure the make as I've lost the packaging.  I die cut and then used it as a stencil, masking off so I got just about half my panel  I did some ink blending with Altenew Lapis Luzuli ink set.  I decided a yellow coneflower would look great against the blues so used Altenew's Build a Flower: Coneflower using Altenew inks.  I had a scrap of dark blue mirror card and used Altenew's Versatile Greeting die to cut the hello.  I stamped a "You" from a Sentiment Strip stamp - cut the You off a longer sentiment. 

I love the contrast of the yellow and blue on this card.   

Boho Vases

When I got home from work this afternoon, I took some time to play with some of my new stuff... a die set from Altenew and a sentiment stamp and die set by Couture Creations.  I had been wanting the Boho Vases for some time, but they have been out of stock at Altenew for a while so when I saw it at Scrapbook.com I had to get it. 

For it's first outing I die cut all three vases from kraft cart and used some Altenew Almond Butter ink to add a bit of colour around the edges and over the embossed bits.  I added some glitter card in silver, bronze and gold behind the vases.  Really pleased how that turned out.   The leaves were cut from some paint chips.  I masked off the bottom of the card panel and using some green ink left on my blending brush (Hunter Green ink) and a Stampmatt stencil added the green.  I softly inked the background as well.  Two of the vases were glued directly to the panel and the middle one and leaves was added with dimensional tape.  I stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink and clear embossed it.  This cute set has matching dies, but I decided to stamp directly onto the card.

I'm adding this to the NBUS challenge as both the dies and the stamp were used for the first time.  Thanks Darnell for this fabulous challenge.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

Stenciled Flowers

 Hi there.  Today I'm sharing a card made last weekend.   I was playing with an Altenew stencil set, it's matching die  and Altenew inks.  

The stencil and die set is called Flower Bunch.  I started by die cutting and then used the stencil to add the inks.   The flowers were done in Pastel Sunrise, Canyon Clay and Burnt Red with Moon Rock and Lava Rock for the centre.  The buds were done with Fresh Lemon and Honey Drizzle.  For the leaves I used Silver Sage, Jade and Eucalyptus.  Before adding the die cut to my panel, I used a stencil from Faith Pocock Designs with some orange ink on my blending brush.   I mostly did the stenciling in the bottom left and top right.   A simple sentiment finsihed the card. 

As I'm writing up this post, I am watching the King of England's coronation.  So much pomp and ceremony.   And what a piece of history in the making.    Currently the coach procession on the way to Westminster Abbey is under way.  It's fabulous seeing places I have visited in the past.  

Hope you are having a great weekend and get some crafting done. 

On the Fence.

Recently I shared a trellis/fence card inspired by Bibi Cameron and my blog friend Betty has also been sharing her cards inspired by Bibi..  You can see Betty's cards here and here.  

Both lots of Betty's cards made me think about what floral stamps and die sets I could use. So over the weekend, I made two cards. 

My first one is a very busy focal floral bouquet.   I started by blending Altenew orange inks onto some Bristol card.   I then die cut the layers from Charming Floral die set.    I did two from dark to light an one light to dark.  I used two inks - Mountain Mist and Emerald to make the leaves and Just Green and Minty Mint for the twigs.  The sentiment is Altenew's Versatile Greetings die set.  I used the Autumn Blaze ink directly to the white card before cutting the love and white card for shadow.  I stamped the with (part of a sentiment from Altenew's Sentiment Stipes)  The "splatter" is little dots added with an Artline 0.4mm pen.  

For the second card I trimmed off the "boards" and ran them through a Cuttlebug embossing folder then used some Altenew Hazelnut and Almond butter inks to blend over the top.  The top half of the card was stenciled with a stencil from the colouring set for Grand Carnation with Jade Fresh Ink.  I then stamped the Grand Carnation with Charcoal Suit ink and then used the stencil to add the colour - Baby Pink, Fuchsia and Magenta and Green Field, Shadow Creek and Mountain Pine.   I used another of the Versatile Greetings die with a Creative Expressions Wordies - Everyday sentiment.  

I do like this design and had fun playing with it.   Thanks to Bibi and Betty for some inspiration.  

 

First Christmas card for 2023.

 Yes.... first Christmas card for 2023.  Christmas Kickstart challenge called for Stenciling or Masking.  I had a little bit of time this afternoon - had to go inside as the sun was shining and the heat was up there.  

I used two stencils for this one. I started by using a wreath stencil from Creativ8 - used a light green Altenew ink, shifted the stencil a little and did it in a darker green and then shifted again and used the dark green again but a little heavier handed.  I then used a dark red and a gold gel pen to add some berries.  I then used a stencil from Faith Pocock Studios with some Altenew Silverstone ink.  The sentiment is from a freebie magazine set of dies - cut from red cardstock.    Linked to

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a good crafty weekend. 

Thinking of You

 My poor Dad has tested positive for COVID on Friday and ended up in the hospital .   His temperature spiked and he need to go by ambulance in the middle of the night.   He is doing well - on IV antibiotics and fluids.  And then yesterday, his partner also tested positive.   I made a card to send them.  

Last week I got a new stamp, stencil and dies set from Pinkfresh Studios called Just A Hello Floral.  I stamped the main image and used the stencil to colour with some Altenew inks.  The die cuts the image into two .

I decided to make a bit of a textured background for my images.   I took a Spellbinders cover die and used my embossing mat to make an embossed background.  I then used a Spellbinder frame die (Hemstitched rectangles)  to cut the lower layer.  I trimmed the bottom edge of the die cuts and added at each end of the centre panel.   I used a Woodware sentiment that was stamped in black and clear embossed.  I trimmed it and added to the centre of the card.  

I popped this into the post today so hopefully by the time it gets to them, Dad will be back home.  

I'm entering this into The Flower Challenge - Colour Blue and Yellow.  

April Card Chain Challenge Reveal.

 It's time to reveal the card I sent to Elle in Illinois USA as part of the CCC for April.   You can see all the cards HERE 

I chose to use Spring for my theme - with this Spring Wreath.  I used the stencils from Pinkfresh Daisy Fresh Hot Foil set and die cut it out.  Coloured with Altenew inks.  I used a foiled sentiment from Pinkfresh Perfect sentiments hotfoil.  Love this one as it makes a variety of sentiments all at once. 

You can still sign up for May's CCC on the blog here  -it's such fun to make and get a card as well.  

A bit of Christmas - 4 Christmas cards

 Hi there.   Over the last few days I've made some Christmas cards for a few challenges and some just for fun.  

First up is a  card I made for Let's Squash It challenge.  The challenge is Not Paper, Not Card.

I took a piece of vellum and used a Christmas word folder.  I wrapped it around some dark red card stock.  I used a lighter red card and some dark green card together with a Hero Arts Poinsettia stamp and matching die cut to make my flower.  I layered the red panel onto some dark green then onto my white card, 

Second one was for the challenge at Christmas Kickstart.  Jo and Gail provided a beautiful photo inspiration. 

I took my inspiration from the brightly coloured tree.  

My tree came from a magazine freebie stamp set.  I took some patterned paper to add to my mini slimline and stamped the tree.  Then I took some Nuvo drops and 3D Liquid pearls and added lots of blobs and dots.  I gold embossed the sentiment from the stamp set. 

My next two cards were just for fun. 

la

Playing with my setncil again.  This time I blended my desert scene and stamped the Bethlehem stamp (from a NZ company Montarga Stamps) - It went a bit wonky but I was happy with the results.  Add the sentiment along the bottom.  I used pencils to colour in the rest of the stencil and added Wink of Stella all over.  

And finally using a fun fold I used recently. 

I made the cuts on my card and then added my patterned papers.  I used three different sheets of paper. Two for the backgrounds and the other one to cut out Father Christmas.  I then used a die to cut out the big Christmas and stamped the little Merry. 

thanks for getting to here... I know it's a big post.   

Things here in NZ have taken a turn for the worst.  We've got a case of Covid in the community so the whole country has gone into Level 4 lockdown.  Here in Auckland and in the Coromadal Peninsula,  it's for 7 days - rest of the country it's for 3 days.   The case has no links to the border or managed isolation so we are just waiting to see if there are more.  So working from home for the next week.  

Take care out there people.  

Thanks to Birch Press from Die Cut Divas

 Hi there.  It's the last day of the month at our Challenge at Die Cut Divas    Our sponsor this month is Birch Press Design who will be giving our winner a $20 gift certificate. 

Today my card uses a Memory Box layering stencil that my teamie Arlene picked up for a superb sale price and sent to me.   

I started by die cutting a cirle of pale blue card,  with a Spellbinders die and then used the circle stencils with three different Altenew blue inks.  I die cut a pale blue square with a Gina K Master Layouts die and backed it with a mid tone blue card.  I mounted the stenciled circle in the middle and then made a dark blue card base.  I die cut a Penny Black sentiment die from the dark blue card.  A few silver bauble gems finished it up.

Just a few hours till the challenge ends so do come and join us. 

Gnome is were the heart is....

 I've been seeing a few gnome cards around blogland and remembered that I had purchased some Whimsy Stamps digi stamps with gnomes.... in particular this one - Gnome Sweet Gnome.

So a card came to mind.  Now I have to say... this one caused me some issues.... First I decided to make it a mini slimline and only had a long die I wanted to use... of course I didn't take into account that it was a double layer die....

I had to do a bit of die surgery and gluing back together on the right hand end.  Doesn't look too pretty...but it's done.   I had printed out the image and the sentiment before die cutting and used some washi to hold the die and when I took it off it of it tore the card 😟  I decided then to add the stencilling so printed the gnomes seperately and then used the computer to make the sentiment black with white letters.  I trimmed it out and layered it over the messed up bit.  I coloured up my gnomes... I had melded them together to be holding hands.  I fussy cut them to add to the card.  Next I decided to add some little die cut flowers and leaves to the wall.  I made the little bee and then lost it!  Several hours later after making another one.. I found it stuck to the top of my slipper.... so I added it for dimension over the other one.... The middle panel has some dimension added behind.  So after a bit of a mission... it was done.  

Did some babysitting last night... I went to over to Grace's house as she has been sick this week.  Hubby came over with some tea and a play.

He went back home around 9.15 and I stayed till her Mum and Dad came back at 10.45.  Such a poppet, went off to bed like a little gem... although I didn't manage to get her to eat much supper.