Friday 31 July 2015

Something Floral (For a Change)


A very quick blog post to show you a card that has such a pretty Bugaboo digi. I was inspired by the colours of their latest challenge...

 
And the very cute bird!
 
I didn't actually have Promarkers to match the orange or dark blue. The only pens in those colours I have are Posca markers. They were a bit difficult and blobby to handle, but they have created a very rich, quite glossy finish which you can't see on the photo!
 
I am entering my card in Catch the Bug - July Colour Challenge.
 
And of course! Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 187. One of the friendliest bloggy places around, I think. I was delighted that my narwhal was featured last week!
 
Happy Crafting! April x

Saturday 25 July 2015

CCT Technique Challenge


Today's challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is hosted by Tanja.

 
 
 
Both wet or dry embossing on vellum are fine. I have gone for dry embossing with SU's Northern Flurry embossing folder. I combined my piece of vellum with patterned paper that I have stamped. I also trapped a few sequins between the layers and embellished the snowflakes with rhinestones.
 
I do hope that you will share your embossed vellum festive creations with us. The DT really enjoy and appreciate your Christmas cards, April x



Wednesday 22 July 2015

Narwhal Celebration


Here is a narwhal from Lawn Fawn's Arctic Critters. I made the watery background using TH Distress Stain (Tumbled Glass) combined with lots of stamping using SU's Gorgeous Grunge. I added the 'bubbles' using the end of a sponge dauber and a marker dipped in white ink. I have also added a spritz of pearlescent spray.

The seaweed is actually some pine branches doing some multi-tasking! The die I used is Pine Boughs by Poppy Stamps. I've coloured the narwhal with Promarkers - great for creating his speckled head!

Happy Crafting! April x

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:

AAA Cards - #44 Waterworld & Dies

 
 
Use Your Stuff - Anything Goes

Robyn's Fetish - Under the Sea

Stamping Sensations - Feature a Creature

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 186

Sunday 19 July 2015

Beach Penguin


We have just come back from a lovely holiday in Norfolk. I have really missed my card-making though. Even if you take crafting stuff with you (which I didn't) it's not the same as being surrounded by all your stash is it? I was getting really fidgety at the end of the week looking at lovely blogs.

Here is a holiday penguin. He is a digi from Bugaboo that I have coloured with Promarkers. I've added some beachy coloured sequins and a bow made from linen thread.

I would like to enter this little guy in the following challenges:

Catch the Bug - July Bingo (circle on card, border, three layers - but also a Bugaboo image and some blingy sequins!)
Cards in Envy - Just Beachy
Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 186
Bunny Zoe's Challenge Blog - Summer Breeze

Saturday 18 July 2015

52 CCT Theme Challenge

Our theme challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown will be very popular, I think!

 
We are spoiled for choice for cute snowmen in both the stamping and digi worlds. I have chosen a very cute digi - Winter Friends (From the Heart Stamps). I love how the snowman is holding the bird in his twiggy hands! I coloured it with Promarkers and then set about creating a suitably frosty-looking background. I used a Sheena Douglass embossing folder - Curly Swirly (great name!) I sponged the surface with ink and sprayed it with a pearlescent spray. I then added a Marianne snowflake die-cut and liberally applied Cosmic Shimmer everywhere. A few snowflake sequins and a thick Baker's Twine bow were the final finishing touches.

We can't wait to see your snowmen at 52 CCT! Happy crafting, April x

Saturday 11 July 2015

52 CCT Colour Challenge

Over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown we have a colour challenge for you. Tanja has chosen kraft card, combined with your favourite Christmas colours.

 
I have decided to go with white ponsettia, using a stamp by Clearly Besotted. I have stamped the flowers on kraft card and coloured them with pencils. I then fussy-cut them and added Cosmic Shimmer to the petals. The sentiment, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine and dotty embossed background are all Stampin' Up. 

I do hope that you will share your krafty Christmas creations with us! April x

Saturday 4 July 2015

52 CCT Sketch Challenge


We have a sketch challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown this week, hosted by Tanja.

 

You are welcome to flip the elements around as long as we can still recognise the sketch. I didn't even realise that my spoon was facing the wrong way!!

I don't like hot, summer weather one little bit so it was nice to focus on this big, stodgy Christmas pud instead. It is a fab Woodware stamp and I have used paper-piecing to put it all together. The rum sauce is actually SU white shimmer card, but my photo hasn't picked up the glitter. I have cut some chevron ribbon to make the banner in the corner and I do like the, "Bring it to me" sentiment!

I hope you are staying out of the sun and making lots of Christmas cards! Please do have a look at the design team's cards and share your festive creations with us, April x

I would like to enter my pudding in CHNC 236 - include a sentiment.

Friday 3 July 2015

Red, White and Blue


I always need thank you cards at this time of year and I always leave it to the last minute! May I just say that the grungy little speckles are part of the patterned paper - it's not where one of the cats has walked over it (although that does happen regularly). I love this retired SU stamp - Today and Everyday. I've coloured the Russian dolls with blender pens and added some Real Red ribbon and pearls. I hope you like it! April x

I'd like to enter my card in Pixie's Snippets Playground and Cards in Envy - Red, white and blue.