CASE'd card

Many crafters are familiar with the term to CASE, if you aren't it means to Copy And Share Everything.

Last week I CASE'd the lovely Darlene DeVries, one of my very first customers was inspired by Darlene's work and contacted me to buy her Stampin' Up! products.

Darlene did a video tutorial and I decided that although I didn't have any watercolour pencils I could tweak it a bit and use my Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender Pen.

I also used white embossing powder for the flowers.

Here is my card, using the Secret Garden Stamp Set.

You can visit Darlene's blog here and watch her amazing video tutorial.

Thanks for coming back today and I hope you'll come back again soon to see what I have to share!

Paula xxx

Easter Treats with Stampin' Up!

Today I am sharing some Easter Treat Pouches - these were made using some inspiration from the wonderful Michelle Last. It's a scheduled post... as is tomorrows as I am off to an Agility competition for the weekend! I wasn't going to go but as I didn't get the job I applied for, I thought freezing myself in a field for the weekend was a good idea. One day I will be sectioned!

Remember you can modify and adapt the dimensions, stamps and punches you use!

Here is a link to the tutorial video on her blog... Easter Treat Pouch

Here are two attempts I made. The first uses the Spring Sampler Stamp Set, the Scallop Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, Bird Builder Punch and the Scallop Oval Punch, with some of the Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon.

The second uses the Just Believe Stamp Set, Labels Collection Framelits, the Owl Builder and Small Heart Punches and some Crumb Cake Seam Binding.

Just seems such a shame to eat them - I think I'll give these to my parents! In fact my Dad adores plain chocolate coated Ginger and I just happen to have a stash so I may make one for him using the Ginger!

I do have a card to share with you tomorrow so I hope you'll be back!

Paula xxx

CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge

Here is my card for this weeks CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge.

I had a job interview Tuesday for a promotion at work and should hear today so I am on tenderhooks! Fingers crossed!

I used the Manhattan Flower embossing folder and the Papillon Pot Pourri stamp set and matching punch.

Just a short post today I'm afraid but I do hope you'll join us this week. Here.

Have a fabulous weekend and don't eat too much chocolate!

Pxxx

Dynamic Duos Challenge #45

I've been a little quiet this week. Lots going on in my life but I'm glad to see I am still getting regular visits to my blog! So thank you for keeping an eye on my crafting.

The weather is still cold and with snow threatening still, I have decided not to take Blaze to the Agility show this weekend. 5 days in a freezing van does not appeal.

The sun is shining today though which has cheered me up a bit, especially after getting so upset at the images of farmers desperately trying to free their livestock from the 15 feet plus snow drifts around the country. If I had the money I would have gladly flown to Scotland, Ireland or the Isle of Man and helped with the digging.

Not only is it their livelihoods under threat but for me the thought of those poor animals really left me distraught!

On a cheerier note I am entering a card today in the Dynamic Duos colour challenge. It is a little something that inspired me last night. I have used my Labels Collection Framelits to shape the card and the mat. Punched a butterfly out of another die cut, then backed it with a piece of embossed cardstock using the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder.

The stamped leaves are from Just Believe and the sentiment is one of my all time favourites but sadly retired, Sincere Salutations. One of the most versatile sentiment sets I have ever bought.

I hope you like it and will join me tomorrow for my challenge card for CAS Colours and Sketches.

Here is the challenge colour scheme:

Remember I love your comments and it is wonderful to see some of my cards shared on Pinterest.

Paula xxx

Monochrome

OK - so it's Saturday and I am still up bright and early to get all my housework done! I just wish the weather would improve as I really need to sterilise the water system on my camper before I go away next weekend and I don't want the system freezing with the fluid in.

I have an admission - when I was young (and anyone around in the 70's will relate to this) I wanted to be a Mod, so I used to draw targets on my jeans with chalk... and rub them off really quickly if I saw any Rockers. I was worried about being beaten up... as a child who suffered bullying at school, thinking about it it couldn't have been any worse but I had an element of self preservation even then!

So I think this would be a fabby card for any of those old Mods out there with the Black and White theme.

The tree from Lovely as a Tree is lovely and symmetrical so I think it works well on this card. The clean lines appeal to my OCD too.

I held the two pieces of card together with a post-it note to stamp the tree in Versamark then heat embossed each half separately.

I hope you love it as much as me. I used the stamp from Pretty Petites that was free during Sale-a-Bration. So I'm afraid you missed the boat! It is punched with the Petite Curly Label that is still available and backed with a Curly Label.

Back again soon... maybe even tomorrow if I get a chance to fit in some more crafting this evening! xxx

Busy Bee

I did warn you I had a thing about black... and it would seem heat embossing!

Today's card is a simple one I have entered in the Paper Players challenge, you can visit them here.

I used the Love Blossoms wheel, Spring Sampler stamp set and the sentiment is from Perfectly Penned.

I cut out the little bees using my 7/8" Scallop Circle.

Just a bit of fun this one... and just a few little pearls to add some sparkle!

Back tomorrow with something truly monochrome - I am really excited about it... it's a fab card!

CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge

Lovely that you have joined me again today, and thank you to all the extra people who are joining in these challenges.

We would love you to join us if you haven't yet, just click on this link here to go to the blog.

I struggle sometimes using 3 colours on a card, but here is my card for this week.

Quite a masculine card with that bit of Real Red to brighten it up.

I used the Lovely as a Tree set and the Rock and Roll technique to colour the edges.

I embossed the River Rock card with the Woodgrain Embossing folder and sponged it lightly with Soft Suede.

I hope you enjoy this weeks challenge and I look forward to seeing what you share with us!

Paula xxx

Forgiveness...

You have to forgive me for having not posted since Sunday. It is really difficult to find the time to create and post every day. But I did some serious crafting last night. It was very therapeutic after a really rotten day at work. One of those days where you just wonder what is the point, why do I bother!

Never mind, I am just in time for the Dynamic Duos challenge this week. I saw a slightly similar card on Pinterest and decided to create a version of my own for this challenge. You'll notice from some posts later in the week that black is definitely the new black for me!

The card shape and mat were cut using my Ovals Collection Framelits.

I have used the Flowering Flourishes stamp set heat embossed in Whisper White and sponged with So Saffron. I added the sentiment from Bring on the Cake in Basic Black, the Vellum Card flower was stamped using Secret Garden, cut with the corresponding framelit, heat embossed with Basic Black  sponged in So Saffron and mounted with a dimensional.

I hope you like it - here were the colours and it is Dynamic Duos #44 - visit the blog here.

Thanks for joining me today! Back tomorrow for the CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge.

Pxxx

Where's My Mojo?

Today the weather is getting me down again - we have had Fog, Rain, Snow, Sleet and a few seconds of sunshine. What is going on? Doesn't the weather realise it is nearly Summer?

I had a great evening out at a leaving do on Friday, followed by agility training with the amazing Toni Dawkins yesterday, then out again last night! So I haven't really got up to much today, apart from cleaning out animals, walking dogs and doing some washing.

Here's a bright cheery card for the Mojo Monday Challenge. It uses the Moving Forward stamp set and my various Scallop Circle punches.

The brads are from the Subtles mini brads.

Here is the sketch - visit the blog here

Hope to be back in the week if I can get some crafting done this afternoon! xxx

Super Saturday...

Well loads going on this weekend so I scheduled this post on Friday night. I just knew I wouldn't have time today!

I loved the colouring on Crumb Cake from Wednesdays post so I wanted to have another go. This time I have paired up the Crumb Cake with Island Indigo and Whisper White Embossing Powder. I also dry embossed the square mat with the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder. As you will have spotted, I used the Secret Garden Stamp Set again! :-)

Well I hope you have a fabulous weekend and get through it without incident! I need to start thinking about getting the camper ready for Easter Weekend! Subject to the weather I shall be camping in a potentially muddy field! Hope it dries up!

Pxxx

Weekend eve...

... nearly the end of the week! Agility was great last night. Blaze is the sweetest and quietest dog but as soon as he sees the equipment he starts shouting at me. I shouldn't encourage him but it does make me laugh! Tomorrow I am off to Didcot for a training day and then a party in the evening! Sunday I'll be cleaning the house! Yeugh.

You know we hardly use our green food waste recycling bin for veggies - the dogs do that for us! Even the outer cabbage and cauliflower leaves are guzzled down! Anyone would think we starved them. Mind you - they are the only 'tit bits' the dogs get. You don't have to feed expensive diets and not feeding RAW doesn't make you a bad owner. All you need to do is make sure the diet is balanced and that treats are not fattening or excessive! Just like humans - the worst way of ensuring your dog is unhealthy and doesn't have a long life is by letting them get fat!

Anyhow - back to the crafting, and today I have a card to enter in the Paper Players Challenge. 

The flower is from Creative Elements and the butterflies are from Papillon Potpourri. To meet the challenge I had to use all four colours which I find is a lot of colours for one card! The little leaves were Lucky Limeade and to incorporate Early Expresso I just accented the stamps using my Stampin' Write Marker. I was going to lave the sentiment off - but it just didn't look right. The card definitely needed it!

If you want to join in or look at the other entries you can visit the blog by clicking the image below.

See ya tomorrow for another card using my Blender Pens...

Pxxx

CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge #16

Yup - today is another challenge from the Colours and Sketches team - why not come over and join us this week!

My card this week is a simple card, but I have used what I refer to as card quilting... why? Coz it looks like that's what someone has done.

All you need to do is adhere your shape - in this case the stripes - to cardstock with your Tombo Adhesive and run it through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

I then stamped the car from the Need for Speed Stamp set and fussy cut it out (Oh - by the way, if you haven't heard the term before it's a nice way of saying I fiddled about with some sharp little scissors to cut something out!) and stuck it with a dimensional. I still needed to find that final element so I punched out a sentiment from Petite Pairs with my Extra Large Tag Punch. Sponged the edges and tied it with a little Bakers Twine.

Here is the original Sketch - why not join in this week! We would love you to share your creativity!

Back again tomorrow!

Pxx

Pampering

Ahh, yes! After a rubbish few weeks I am off to the beauticians this afternoon - not a lot they can do about either my face or my physique - and surgery is out of the question, but it will be nice to be pampered for a bit, and probably the last time I'll be able to afford it until Chris gets himself sorted with a job. He's having to give up kitchen fitting because of his back problem. Please keep your fingers crossed!

Today's card is yet another colour challenge - this time from the PALS team - click on the challenge image at the bottom to visit the blog.

This is another example of colouring with the blender pens. I've never tried it on coloured card stock, and if I say so myself, it works surprisingly well on the Crumb Cake.

This card goes to show, you don't need lots of punches or dies as you can fussy cut the flowers - so if you are new to stamping you can still make stunning cards even if you have resisted the urge to buy loads of equipment.

The two stamp sets I used are Secret Garden and Perfectly Penned. I hope you like it!

Until tomorrow TTFN!

Pxxxxxxxxxx

Bordering on...

...something. But not sure what! I am on a course at work today, so it could be an 'interesting' day. You know how these things go. Sometimes you just wonder how anyone thought up a course on the subject. Now if it were a crafting course I would be much more 'up for it'.

Today's post is the first of 3 showcasing some colouring - it is an entry for Dynamic Duos challenge this week which is to use Pool Party and Lucky Limeade. I'm not keen on Lucky Limeade... so I hope this card is OK as it is definitely not a combo I would have chosen myself. If you click on the Dynamic Duos image in this post it will take you to the challenge blog.

So this is my take on the challenge.

I embossed an image from Bordering on Romance with pool party embossing powder on Vellum cardstock. I then coloured the images using a Blender Pen. Now I would like to have used my Stampin' Write Markers but don't have them in the 2011-13 in-colours, so how did I do it? If you squeeze your stamp pad gently before opening it you have a pool of ink on the lid. Dip in your Blender Pen and you can 'paint' with it. Awesome! I do love the way the ink takes on the Vellum, such a soft effect.

I love to hear what you think and love to see how you manage to use different techniques. Please leave a comment and if you like, a link to your own creations!

See you again tomorrow! xxx

Maudlin on a Monday!

It didn't work! That cancellation request I put in... well Monday has arrived, it's still really chilly. I am avoiding having wet and muddy dogs by driving to a nice grassy field to walk. I know it's not very environmentally friendly, but it's better for the dogs that getting hosed down every day.

Blazey and I will be at Obedience Training later - Did you see the Obedience at Crufts? Yeah? well we aren't anywhere near as good as that! LOL But we have a good try. Blaze is too good for the intermediate class, so we've been bumped to the advanced class. If I'm honest it isn't because we are any good... it's because there were too many dogs and Blaze can hold his own in the higher class... just!

Today's card is entered in the Freshly Made Challenge for this week which is a sketch. The sketch should have been easy for me... until I realised I had made loads of similar cards, and I didn't want to replicate a past creation. So I sat and I thunk... I was stumped... and I stamped! A kiddy card! I will probably give it to my niece for her Birthday... if you click on the sketch it will take you to the challenge page.

The Designer Series Paper background is from the Floral District set, the Elephants are from the Feeling Sentimental Sale-a-bration set punched out with the Decorative Label, the brackets are from the Pretty Petites Sale-a-bration set and punched out with the Petite Curly Label, The little heart is from Love and Laughter.

I will be placing my final order during Sale-a-bration this friday - collections from me will have free P&P. If you want anything after Friday you only have until the 22nd and will need to pay £4.95 P&P.

Hope your week passes quickly! Roll on Friday I say! Don't forget to keep an eye out for some projects this week using blender pens and markers... if you don't have Markers I will be sharing a clever little alternative!

Pxxx

Pause please!!!!

Can someone hit the pause button please? I don't want the weekend to end. As it goes I am quite enjoying not doing much... and I have realised I still have some chores to do. Come to think of it, can we just cancel Monday to Friday?

No? OK, well here's a card I made yesterday ( I have been quite prolific this weekend-I have discovered my blender pens... but you'll have to watch out for some posts later in the week)

This is a monochrome card for the Mojo Monday challenge #283. I thought something gender neutral would be nice. I'm hoping that although it is what I would call a 'pretty' card, it is suitable for a man. The little bird co-ordinates with the Bird Builder Punch and I stamped him first on Basic Black with my Versamark Ink and embossed in Whisper White, then for the wing, and a little contrast, I stamped in Basic Black on Basic Gray and punched out with the Bird Builder. The stamp set is the Language of Friendship set, it includes a sentiment and a stamp that corresponds with the Boho Blossoms Punch - I love my punches.

I added a little Silver Glimmer Paper punched with my Petite Curly Label and topped it with an Antique Brad.

You can click on the challenge sketch below to visit the website.

Do leave me a comment and if you would like to buy Stampin' Up! products then get in touch... I'll be back with another post tomorrow! xxx

On Strike! Embossing Vellum.

Today I am going on strike! Well kind of, I still need to walk the dogs and clean out the various reptiles and furries, but apart from that I'm not going anywhere or doing anything.

In fact once I've posted this I'm sneaking back to bed! Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone! But I deserve a day off!

Today's card is an entry for the Fab Friday challenge #13 and is a Sketch challenge, So I got to choose the colours myself! Certainly Celery and Rich Razzleberry!

I have two techniques for embossing Vellum on this card, the first, is where I have run a strip of Vellum through the Big Shot in the Vine Street Embossing Folder, something I call 'Dry' embossing.

The second, shown up here is where you stamp an image, in this case a Mixed Bunch image, punched out using the Blossom Punch, that I then 'hand' embossed using my Scoring Tool. I just chose selected parts of the image and with the flower on my piercing mat I carefully 'scored' them. Not only does it add the 'white' to the flower but it causes it to curl slightly. What do you think?

Visit the challenge page here, why not join in yourself? It's a fabulous sketch!

Here is another card using the same technique, This time I used Island Indigo and Pool Party, the flourish from Creative Elements, Curly Cute Sentiment and Pool Party 'heat' embossing on the sentiment.

I may be back tomorrow... or I may still be sleeping! Have a great weekend!

Pxx

Less is More Colour Challenge

Blimey - what a week almost every challenge I have made a card for this week is a colour challenge! Today's was slightly tricky as Stampin' Up! seem to be missing a couple of the colours. I had to root around in some old and abandoned card stock to meet the challenge.

Not much Stamping on this one! But I do love it!

I used my 1" Square Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Curly Cute Stamp Set and some Clear Embossing Powder for the sentiment. A quick and simple card. I'm thinking of using this as the project for my next party - book yourself if you would like to! Though obviously we would use all Stampin' Up! products.

Have a look at some of the other entries at Less is More.

Here was the colour combo... Food - typical! People keep pinning food on Pinterest and my figure is definitely suffering already!

See you tomorrow! xxx

Thursdays CAS Challenge Inspiration #15

I can't believe it is Thursday already! Where do the weeks go? Is it just me or as you get older does the time seem to go faster?

I've been really busy at work this week and am looking forward to Agility with Blaze tonight. Some 'us' time! I had hoped the earlier sunshine this week was a sign of things to come but it's definitely chillier again!

Today the CAS challenge is a colour challenge. I hope you'll join us and encourage your friends to too! The more the merrier and the challenge team do try and leave a comment on every single entry.

Here is my card -

I have used the Secret Garden Stamps and Framelits but also did a little fussy cutting on the flower at the bottom to give myself some layers. The little tag at the top used the Four Frames Stamp Set inked with my Stampin' Write Markers and punched out using the Decorative Label Punch.

Something really feminine and a versatile sentiment from Teeny Tiny Sentiments. Great for any occasion!

Join us at CAS Colours and Sketches! Just click here.

In Stitches - #135

You may be wondering at the title of today's post... well it is the challenge title for the Paper Players this week.

I was completely stumped for a couple of hours until I remembered the Tea for Two DSP in the Spring Summer Mini!

So I used some to create the body of my card and simply added a bow made from Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, a Large Tag, tied with a little Island Indigo Bakers Twine and stamped in Island Indigo with a sentiment from Petite Pairs. I used a Sponge Dauber and Island Indigo to define the Tag and in line with the theme of the challenge I used my Basic Grey Stampin' Write Marker to add some more faux stitching.

You can enter the challenge here

A little bit of Spring!

Chris is a little down at the moment - I think he was expecting a miracle with the visit to the orthopod yesterday, unfortunately he now has to wait 2-3 weeks for some injection of a nerve blocker into the spine. If you have any ideas what a very physical, immobile man can do to alleviate the boredom of four walls please share! I suggested crafting, cross stitch, embroidery, knitting, crochet... lead and balloon spring to mind!

I forgot to tell you all I have joined Pinterest! So I now have something else to be addicted to! Can I please book an extra couple of hours to be added to my days?

I decided I needed something springlike to celebrate the lovely weather yesterday and the fact that winter really can't last forever! I created this card.

The daffodils are made by stamping the image from Secret Garden with Daffodil Delight on Daffodil Delight card stock and cut out using the corresponding Framelits, I then punched the middles using the Boho Blossom Punch and sponged the edges and inked the middles which are then attached using dimensionals.

The stems are from Secret Garden too and stamped in Garden Green.

Finally the flower pot is simply a punched Large oval, embossed with the Chevron Embossing Folder.

I have entered this in the Dynamic Duos challenge #42 this week, see here

Why not create a little spring yourself?

Paula xxx

What! Monday already!

Well another weekend bites the dust! The good news is Chris has an appointment with the Orthopaedic Surgeons this afternoon, so hopefully we'll get some news on his back. I also managed to get all my housework and other chores squared away on Saturday and had Sunday completely free!

I spent an hour with my 89 year old grandmother... it's so sad to see her deteriorate, mentally in particular. I'm really not sure she knows who I am any more. But I spent most of the day with my five year old niece who is a breath of sunshine and loves crafting! We took the dogs for a walk and spent time in my craft room making cards. I managed to make seven cards yesterday so have a post for every day this week.

This card was made using the Harvest Blessings Stamp set and Parker's Patterns Designer Series Paper from the Spring/Summer Catalogue.

I am entering it in the Freshly Made Challenge for this week. #75 Check out the challenge here

This was the Sketch - 

And here is my entry...

Hope you have a fabulous week! Not long 'til the weekend! 

xxx

Creative Elements - Mojo Monday 282

Saturdays Child Works Hard for a Living... and boy am I glad it's the weekend! Unfortunately I still have all the animals to clean out and the housework to do! But I wanted to share this card with you too!

This was created using this sketch from the design team at Mojo Monday... so I'm only just in time for the challenge! Click on the sketch to visit the challenge page!

I almost didn't add the little butterfly but the card needed something. I'm not sure - what do you think? Leave me a comment as your views are appreciated!

The stamp I used for the flourish is from Creative Elements, I used the Subtles Bashful Blue DSP that matched the cardstock for the banner, the Organza Ribbon is woven through one of the fabulous Builder Brads. And do you know what - It's that simple.

You could use this card for pretty much anything and I have left it 'sentiment free' so I can add one as I need it... Baby Boy, Wedding Acceptance, Birthday, Thinking of You... the options are endless!

Hope you get some chilling time this weekend. I am hoping I may be able to sit down for 5 minutes at some point!

Pxxx

Paper Players Challenge #134

Today I am entering a card in the Paper Players challenge. I loved the sketch as it was so simple and really gives you the opportunity to use your imagination and absolutely leaves it wide open so you can exploit your stash of crafting goodies.

As Sale-a-bration only has 3 weeks left to run I thought I would showcase some items that you can get free with your £45 orders. Remember each order for £45 qualifies for one item from the offer.

This is the sketch and if you click on it, it will take you to the challenge page so you can see all the other entries as well as the design teams' own creations. Speaking of which - I hope you liked the CAS challenge yesterday and will think about entering that one too!

This is my card -

It is a single layer card and the strip down the right hand side is from the Sycamore Street Designer Series Papers FREE during Sale-a-bration, the die cut in Calypso Coral is from the Floral Frames Framelits, embossed with the Northern Flurry embossing folder. I also cut the 'flower' in the middle from the same framelits and it was stamped with an image from the FREE Madison Avenue Stamp Set, inked in Rich Razzleberry. I topped it off with a Vintage Faceted Button, also FREE during Sale-a-bration and tied with some of the Sycamore Street Ribbon - You got it! Also available FREE. Lastly the sentiment is from another... FREE stamp set, Feeling Sentimental.

I was so pleased with the result and I hope it has left you feeling inspired!

Back tomorrow with yet another challenge!

I hope you'll leave me a comment - I honestly do love to hear what you think!

Pxxx