October Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Due to some serious work commitments our Card Chain Challenge hostess, Deborah, was forced to push back the October Reveal for a few days. Things are back on track for her now, so the October reveal is good to go in all it's glory!

I was truly blessed to be the recipient of this gorgeous card from Mimi in California. Love that shabby chic look sooooooooo much.

Just like Mimi, I went with Deborah's suggested theme of cats. As as you can see we interpreted it in very different ways! Unusually, my card didn't have too far to travel this month to reach my recipient: just a short hop across the Irish Sea to Julie in Ireland.

I. LOVE. THIS. CAT! I'm sorry to shout but isn't she just so funny sat on her piece of cheese? I couldn't resist CASE-ing Mo's colouring of this gorgeous moggy for my CCC card as I think she looks adorable. 

This super yummy colour combo meant that I had extra fun with the October Challenge: these are colours I love but don't use very often. If you are wondering where the Juicy Currant colour is on my creation let's just say it's very, very subtle and takes the form of a sequin tucked in the bottom-right of the card! You can't really tell from the photographs but there's plenty of layering and sparkle going on here.

You can take a look at all the other participants cards by visiting Deborah's blog here and if you're tempted to become a link in the January chain (we skip December) you can click here to find out all the details.

House of Cards November Challenge - Stamped and Cut Window Technique

The House of Cards team have done themselves proud this month!

It's technique time for the November Challenge and the girls have created a beautiful selection of cards using the stamped and cut window technique.

To be honest I wasn't at all sure what this technique entailed but after watching the video featured on today's post and made by our leader, Mynn-the-Marvel, I felt filled with confidence to try this for myself.

I stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed as I wanted to give this technique a CAS twist. I then used the finished panel as a background for SOG Mae and her mistletoe.

There's plenty of gorgeous inspiration for you over at House of Cards. I think this is a lovely technique and one that really lends itself to Christmas/Holiday cards. Why not head-over, take a peek at what the HOC DT have created this month and join us for our November Challenge.

Naughty or Nice Challenge #21 - Monochromatic with a thanks twist.

Do you love monochrome as much as I love monochrome?
If the answer is 'yes' then why not join in the fun as this month's challenge over at Naughty or Nice.

The Troublemakers would like to see marvellous monochromatic cards... With a 'thanks' twist.

My card is only a little bit naughty. I had such fun pulling together all the different elements for this one and hope it shows in the finished result.

Unfortunately, the picture is slightly washed-out due to the poor light levels today. 

The quote is attributed to Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. For me, Disraeli has always had one of the more interesting hair styles of British political history but that's a whole other blogpost! Having said that I still can't help but wonder just how did he manage to create that kiss-curl without the benefit of modern styling products?

Anyhoo, as soon as I saw his quote I knew I'd partner it with the lovely 'Crown' from AI for a super fun thank you card. 

The gorgeous stamp in the background is from Purple Onion Designs. It's a beauty but not one I've found easy to use due to it's dimensions. However, I think it works perfectly for this card and looks lovely heat embossed in white and then sponged with Distress Inks.

My fellow Troublemakers also had plenty of fun with their monochromatic-marvels so why not take a look and join in our challenge for November...