Thank you for visiting

Thank you for visiting. Please join me and also visit my Splitcoast gallery which can be found here

Tuesday 30 April 2013

Technique Time Tuesday & MFT Sketch

I came across the technique time Tuesday post about stamping with water - never done it before so gave it a whirl.  Not something I am skilled at but I used the background strip I created for this MFT sketch.  I also over-stamped with the same distress inks. 

Apart from the water stamping my card is very simple and just uses some Spellbinders Edgeabilities along the bottom.  The image was coloured with Copics.

Forgot to mention as the colours are Spring like and the famous saying is Paris in the Spring I am also entering this at Stampin with the Dragon and their Spring is Sprung challenge
Have a great week.

Monday 29 April 2013

FOSTV70 - Use Tissue Paper

Monday has rolled round again and I need to have a creative week as I have lots of things to get done.

Before I start though I want to show you my card using Tissue Paper which is our Marks Finest Papers challenge over at FOSTV this week.  It is challenge 70 and you should see it go up sometime today.

This card uses two MFP sets which I have added at the bottom of my post.  It also uses vellum, some shimmer paper, Edgeabilities dies and a large M-Bossabilities folder from Spellbinders, ribbon, a dragon fly punch and some added gems.  The tissue paper was stamped with Versamark and embossed with gold embossing powder before being turned into flowers - pieces from Christmas cracker decoration were used as flower centres. 

Instructions for how I made these flowers can be found here

The card is for my sister's Birthday which was yesterday but she will get it when I see her tomorrow - I hope she hasn't found my blog today!



Please visit Speedy TV and play along with our challenge this week.  There is a lovely little stamp set to be won.  Making something using tissue paper isn't too big an ask and if you use MFP stamps you double your chance of winning.  You can combine with other challenges so as long as it is something new we would love to see it.


Stamp sets used were Asian Delights and Birds and Trees.





Thursday 25 April 2013

Sketch N Stash 112

Last week I played along with the Sketch N Stash challenge for the first time.  I decided to play again this week as it is a good excuse to have a hunt through your stash!

I needed a card to send to a dear friend in France - we were good friends many years ago and they helped us many times with things we were trying to do.  Sadly the couple moved to France and he has many health issues so has tried to avoid much close contact with people.  It is his Birthday on Saturday and I hope he doesn't spend it in hospital.

I didn't feel I could make a bright, bright Birthday card so this is what I came up with. 


I used some papers from Basic Grey (Granola pad) which I have had for ages and some grommets which I bought on one of my USA trips without realising I really needed a proper way to insert them - however where there is a will there is a way - pressed down to make hole marks, pierced them with a blade, pushed the grommet through and then took a hammer to the back - job done!  The image from Marks Finest Papers is stamped and coloured straight on the DP with Memento Black and Copics.  The sentiment is stamped in brown.

I hope you are having a good week and if it is your Birthday - enjoy!

The stamp set used is called Silly Shells




 
 

Tuesday 23 April 2013

When a Birthday isn't a Birthday! It's St Georges Day though!

I made this card, carefully wrapped it and sent it off for a friends whose Birthday I believed to be today but found out it is actually in December - what an idiot!

I used a Penny Black flower and this months Penny Black Saturday Challenge sketch.

Rather than add extra layers to the front I decided to cut a circle into the front and decorate inside and let it peek through.

I coloured it with Copics and added some bakers twine and bling.

The card was well received even though it is a few months early!



I am entering this card in two challenges

Penny Black & More - Blossoms and Bows
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - sketch

Thanks for looking.

Monday 22 April 2013

FOSTV 69 - Its a 1,2,3

Hello, hope your week has started well.  I am rather late doing this post so apologies if you came looking earlier.

My card today is for Friends of Speedy TV challenge number 69 and the challenge this week is to use
  • 1 ribbon
  • 2 buttons
  • 3 designer papers and if you have them some lovely MFP stamps - you can still enter without them and stand the chance of winning this set

You can find the challenge at Speedy TV which has been slimmed down recently so looks neater.  All the FOSTV challenges are here 

If you read yesterday's post you will know I have done a quick course at MCC using the mix and match edgeabilities from Spellbinders.  As you can see I used some on these card to add some pretty borders behind these oriental ladies from the MFP set called Asian Delights. To get to my count of 3 papers I actually stamped on DP which is not something I do often.  I coloured a little on the DP with some markers but didn't choose the right ink for Copics.  I think now I should have taken some pencils and coloured their faces.



The buttons and ribbon were from my stash (the ribbon might be from MFP but I am unsure). 


As well as doing the front of the card I did an "Angie"
and did some decoration inside









I also popped something onto the envelope
 so it would brighten the postman's day!




Please don't forget to check out the Speedy TV page and join in with this week's challenge.




Sunday 21 April 2013

Sunshine, Showers, Flowers

and Rainbows!

I have been thinking about some of the challenges relating to April showers and then the other afternoon we had both sun and rain together and from the front of the house we could see a beautiful rainbow against the dark threatening sky!  The spark of an idea!

I started this card by creating a rainbow background using ProMarkers and their Letrajet system.  Haven't used it in ages so not the most even coverage!

I took the sketch from MFT and worked with that.  Thanks to a short class at MCC I am rediscovering my Spellbinders Mix + Match Edgeabilities so I used those on the strip at the left side.  I intended to thread ribbon up through the cut strip but completely forgot until it was well stuck down so my bow had to be under my flower rather than stemming from that panel.  I coloured my lady with Prismacolor pencils and Zest and paper-pieced her umbrella with some sunny flowery paper.  The sentiment and image are both from MFT.

I hope you like my card - I must admit I think it does bring in some sunshine!  I am entering it in the following challenges (more than usual for me I know)

MFTWSC120 - Sketch

Craft Calendar - Sunshine and Showers
Ribbon Carousel - Showers and Flowers
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Penny Black and More - Blossoms and Bows

Saturday 20 April 2013

Builder's Backside!

OK I know that is a slightly rude title and this isn't a builder but a mechanic but he is doing the classic builder's pose!

I used the VLVApr2013 Week 2 sketch with an embossing folder, some Spellbinders dies and a stamp that I have had for a long time to make this simple card.  The stamp is from rubbadubbadoo.  The cogs were die cut in black and enhanced with a little touch of silver Gelato.


Thanks for looking in and hope you have a lovely weekend with your family.  Family need to be brought close after the events in the USA this week.

Friday 19 April 2013

MFP Blog Hop - Birds & Trees



April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries
 Featured April 17
Be a Showoff

  Featured April 18
Honor & Glory

Featured April 19
Birds & Trees
  Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.



 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is


"You May Bow"
                                                         

                                           
For today's set I have several things to show you here and one card which you will find on the Company Blog.  The first item is some more "Address Change" cards for my MIL - hopefully you saw the green ones earlier this week.




My second card uses the trees to make a nest shape and then I used embossing folders on the background paper to give a sort of tree feel.



My third card is the one I like best as it reminds me of the little robin that visits our bird feeders.




  Thanks for visiting and hope you enjoyed this week's hop. Now you need to hop over to Anjenic

Thursday 18 April 2013

MFP Blog Hop - Honor & Glory



April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries

Featured April 17
Be a Showoff

Featured April 18
Honor & Glory
 Featured April 19
Birds & Trees
Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.



 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is
"You May Bow"
                                                         

                                           
I have a couple of cards to show today's set in use.  For this first card I used double sided adhesive sheet and gilding flakes to create my shield - it looks far better in real life. I had to computer generate my version of the sentiment as armour was not spelt correctly for the UK.


My second card uses the castle from the set and the brick wall image from the Brick Wall Mini set.




  Thank you for coming by.  Now you need to hop over to Anjenic to see what she is going to honour you with.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

MFP Blog Hop - Be a Showoff



April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries
Featured April 17
Be a Showoff

Featured April 18
Honor & Glory
 Featured April 19
Birds & Trees
 
Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.



 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is


"You May Bow"
                                                         

                                           
 For today's set I have made 3 cards - two of them follow the same design and just use different sentiments and colours.  I used a variety of Memento dewdrop ink pads for these two and on the first card I coloured the gems with Copics.

Sorry one of my gems has dropped off - sorted now!

My third card uses one of the peacock images along with some peacock paper I managed to print.  On this card I used embossing powder in a vibrant blue, Copic markers to add colour and Cuttlebug embossing strips along the bottom.  I have tried to make this card based on this week's Sketch with a Twist.

 I have entered cards 1 and 3 at Craftin Divas who have a challenge going on related to peacocks and colours!


  Thanks for checking these out. Now you need to hop over to Anjenic to see what she has to show off.

JUGS Ombre & Sketch Frenzy Friday

This week's JUGS challenge is to use the Ombre technique.  This is a new one to me so I hope I have understood it.  I used the sketch from 5th April over at Sketch Frenzy Friday as the basis for my card.

I started by creating a strip of variegated blue cardstock using my Gelatos (Birthday gift) and a little water plus a couple of fingers! I then die cut using MFT Die-namics Retro Squares.

The card base was embossed with a Fiskars plate (almost forgot I had those!)  and then it was assembled as shown.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink and was stamped with Memento Elderberry Ink and die cut with a Spellbinders die.

When I showed my husband he said it looked like a row of swing bins or petrol pumps - great comment on my creativity!




Tuesday 16 April 2013

MFP Blog Hop - Columns & Topiaries


April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries
 Featured April 17
Be a Showoff 
 Featured April 18
Honor & Glory
 Featured April 19
Birds & Trees

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.



 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"You May Bow"
                                                         

I have two items to show you today.  The first item is some "change of address" cards I made using the Cricut Songbird Cartridge for my MIL as she has moved into a care home.


My second item is a card using the sentiment from the set along with some of the columns and a little watering can (an outline sticker).  The sentiment and watering can were enhanced with gilding flakes - I bought some new ones at the Craft Barn at their new shop opening last weekend.
 


Thanks for coming, please come again tomorrow.  Now you need to hop over to Anjenic to see what she is showing us today.


 

Monday 15 April 2013

MFP Blog Hop Starts Tomorrow!

The April Blog Hop for Marks Finest Papers starts tomorrow and it would be great if you come back again then to check it out.  There are new stamp sets to be won by some of those commenting on the posts - the more you comment the greater your chance of winning.

Today I am showing you a few cards made with this month's special set and the new mini.

 The special stamp set this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

Here are my cards made with this set - the first an interactive one which should have been simple to construct but took ages!


This second one is far simpler but quite cute and probably quite appropriate in the current economic climate!



 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"You May Bow"
                                                         


I have used this set to make 2 cards one each for a man and a woman - glitter, gems and embossing powder add to the regal look. 



  This second card also uses some Vellum (look closely at the right side to see it) which is our FOSTV challenge this week - see my earlier post today or go over to Speedy TV.

FOSTV 68 - Use Vellum

My card today using Vellum is quite straightforward.  I stamped on my pink vellum using MFP Oopsy Daisy and then added some colour with Copics.  I adhered it to the card with some fine double sided tape and then added sticky ribbon to prevent the tape from showing.  The butterfly was embossed in white and then sponged with some ink. A few sticky gems were added in the middle.  My card front was punched to give it a fancy edge - the back panel is plain.

The FOSTV68 challenge over at Speedy TV does not specify how you need to include vellum on your project so you can do whatever you like as long as it is there somewhere!  You stand the chance of winning the set called Zebra Fun and you get entered twice if you use MFP stamps!


I will be back later with some pre-blog hop cards, so please come again!

Sunday 14 April 2013

Another masculine card

This one is for the Sketch N Stash challenge posted on Monday 08/04/13.  I kept closely to the sketch and my only embellishment is the 2 little metal nail heads which I forget I have got.

The image is from the MFP North American Woods set, a set that I haven't used in a while.  The papers for the 4 squares are from my scrap tray.  The die I used to cut the sentiment got its first outing today!

Please come back for the FOSTV challenge tomorrow and the MFP Blog Hop the rest of the week with all the new sets being released.

Janine