Saturday 25 June 2016

52 CCT Technique/Stash Challenge


We have a technique challenge for you at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown with some stash thrown in!

 
I used Winter Wishes for my triple stamping and a colour combo of Mint Macaron, Always Artichoke, Pear Pizzazz and Tip Top Taupe. I made the card quite glittery using Dazzling Details, but you can't see that very well on the photo. I've also added an antique brad to the banner.
 
We're looking forward to seeing your Christmas cards! April x


Saturday 18 June 2016

52 CCT Theme Challenge


Hello! At 52 Christmas Card Throwdown this week we have a theme challenge. Our hostess Jacqueline would like you to make a card with a Christmas landscape.

 
So much scope for creativity with this great theme. I used a stamp set that came free with a magazine. It is called Woodland Cottage by Scenic Stamps and I love it! I used the smaller cottage in the set and smothered everything with Cosmic Shimmer to create lots of glittery snow. The die-cut holly branch is a Marianne die and the sentiment is from SU's Silent Night. I loved those vintage cards that are encrusted with glitter and this is definitely my own version of one of those creations!
 
 I hope you will join us over at 52CCT! April x

Tuesday 14 June 2016

Llama Love


I love llamas, so I was very pleased when Stampin' Up released the Birthday Fiesta bundle of stamps and co-ordinating dies with this cute little guy included.

My colour combo is Basic Grey, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, Tip Top Taupe, Pool Party, Soft Sky and Pear Pizzazz - quite a mixture there! I particularly like how you can vary the pattern on the llama's blanket (a bit sad, I know!!)

Indeed, this llama is going to proudly show off his blanket to Di and Parsnip at Pixie's Snippets Playground. Have a crafty week! April x

Saturday 11 June 2016

52 CCT Colour Challenge


Hello! Here is my DT card for this week's challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown where we have a colour challenge for you -

 
 
A really lovely combination of colours to work with. I decided to use one of my favourite stamps - SU's Silent Night. I embossed the trees with pewter embossing powder and used some left-over pieces of dsp and cardstock. The sentiment is from Oh What Fun.
 


I hope you will join us and enjoy card-making with this cool and stylish colour combo! April x

Saturday 4 June 2016

52 CCT Sketch Challenge


Hello! Jacqueline has chosen a great sketch for our first challenge of the new month over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. Here it is -

 
 
My card is rather a last gasp effort made from scraps of dsp and some gold embossed stars. We're looking forward to seeing your interpretations of the sketch! Have a great weekend, April x

Thursday 2 June 2016

Design Stampers' Submission


I was very lucky to be selected as a Design Stamper for Stampin' Up's On-Stage event at Telford in April. I had a great time, meeting up with old and new demo friends, making wonderful new projects and generally having a lovely, fun-filled day! It was also a fabulous experience making projects for the display boards, so I am having another go this time...
 
 
 Here is my 'tropical trug' gift basket. I love making my own dsp from stamped images. This example uses Timeless Textures combined with Playful Backgrounds in Pacific Point, Melon Mambo and Flirty Flamingo. I used Botanical Builder Framelits to make the blossoms, adding in Island Indigo card and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper. The basket itself was made using my Envelope Punch Board from a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock that had been stamped with the lovely Hardwood stamp. A bar of soap is destined for this gift basket, I think.
 


Here is an aperture card where I have also made dsp from stamps! I started off with a piece of Whisper White cardstock stamped with Timeless Textures in Peekaboo Peach, Daffodil Delight and Chocolate Chip. Then I made die-cuts from it with my Bold Butterfly Framelits and Butterflies Thinlits. The aperture card was made using the new Layering Squares Framelits. Inside the card, I used the 'stamping off' technique to create a subtle design in Sahara Sand, again using a stamp from Timeless Textures. The sentiment is from the very versatile Watercolor Wishes Card Kit.


It's no secret that I love Christmas cards. I'm a member of a design team for a challenge blog that makes a Christmas card every week - that's how Christmas obsessed I am! I also really like using non-Christmassy stamps to make Christmasssy cards. Here is a Foxy Friend being given the festive treatment with a gorgeous colour combo of Peekaboo Peach, Real Red and Emerald Envy, combined with the sparkle of silver Glimmer Paper, sequins and a Christmassy sentiment from the 'Oh What Fun' set. A very simple card that I intend to make multiple copies off in the run-up to my favourite time of year.




My second 3-D project is a mini-album with pages that fold out. It uses the hostess stamp Pun Intended and Playful Palette Designer Series Paper. I stamped the interior pages with Playful Backgrounds and Timeless Textures. (the same stamps used for the tropical trug, but creating a very different effect, I think). All ready to add some photos and a bit of journalling!


My last card again continues the fox theme. I used Timeless Textures to stamp three bands of colour in Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie and Mint Macaron. I then stamped the fox image in Basic Grey over the colours. This handsome fellow is from The Wilderness Awaits, one of my favourite stamp sets. The sentiment is also from that set and I have added it to a banner. I used Layering Squares Framelits to create the scalloped square frame and used linen thread and rhinestones as the finishing touches.



Finally here is my scrapbook layout - a 12 x 12 piece that I made for On-Stage using the wonderful Swirly Bird stamp set. Shame my lovely daughter is pulling a face, but I do like the cascade of Denim Dapper roses that complement the blue and white china tea service!

I hope you like my projects as much as I enjoyed making them! April x