July Card Chain Challenge Reveal

I am always, always late in posting my 'reveal' for Deborah Card Chain Challenge!

Here is the card I sent to the lovely Joy.

I hadn't inked up a Gorjuss Girl in ages so decided to use a Santoro cling stamp bought in a sale a while ago. Unfortunately, I discovered that the cling part of the stamp was really tacky and had stuck to the packaging. Perhaps this is why the stamp was in the sale? Luckily, it doesn't seem to have damaged the stamp, just the illustration but you might want to check your own stamps by this manufacturer just in case.

After stamping the main image I carefully masked it so I could create a background using Hero Arts stamps with Versacolour ink in grey and silver, with highlights of blue. These were Deborah's colours for July and I have to say that I love this pretty colour combo.
I was lucky enough to receive a card from Mynette in Kansas, USA this month and am very proud to have such a pretty card sitting on  my mantelpiece!

You can sign up for the August Card Chain Challenge over at Deborah's blog. I've made some lovely new blogging buddies through taking part in this challenge and would urge everyone to give it a go.

Finally, I thought I'd share a picture of the amazing Mr C.
Sweet Custard the cat has a choice of four sofas, some soft rugs, and three cat beds for snoozing during the day but right now he seems to prefer a dusty patch of garden. Guess who was given a thorough brushing before he was allowed in the house...

Have a happy day!

Trying something new... Part 2

Good morning everyone, I hope that you are all well and finding time to get crafty!
I really should be sanding and repainting the window sill in the back bedroom today but once again my stamps and inks are calling.

Here's a little card made using the beautiful little background stamp 'Tiny Triangles' by Neat and Tangled. I started by colouring some watercolour paper with Picked Raspberry Distress ink and then spritzing with water. Once this was dry I stamped in Versamark and embossed in gold.
The gorgeous Peace stamp is an oldie from Dawn Houser for Inkadinkadoo. I have had this stamp for a very long time but have never really known what to do with it until now.

To finish the card I added sequins and tiny gems, twirled some thread and mounted on black cardstock. I think this works well as an alternative style Christmas card so I'm linking up with The Sparkles Monthly Challenge: Christmas in July and Christmas Card Challenges: Anything goes.

Now then: window sill or crafting? Its a hard choice. Perhaps I'll just have a cuppa while I decide...

Scared to share... trying something new Part 1

Seriously, please be kind... this is the first card of this style I have ever made. Yes, it shows but I think I'll try making more and hopefully improve.

I've been loving all the gorgeous embossing folder/Distress ink backgrounds that Karen  has delighted us with recently. I decided to give this technique a try and accidentally added far too much water! However, as I quite like the super swooshy effect I used it anyway.

I'm sorry that these pictures are so poor. My Dad has offered me his very posh (and rather complicated) camera and I think its time to accept his kind offer so I can take better pictures.

Although I feel very shy about this card I'm taking a deep breathe and linking up with the lovely ladies at Seize the Birthday; their topping this week is String or Twine.

Have a happy day everyone, I'm off to play with my embossing folders again!

School's out for Summer!

Ah, the school holidays... Or as I like to call them my 'Six Week Summer Craft-fest!'
Yes, in the words of Alice Cooper "School's out for summer." On Friday we said goodbye to our lovely Year Six children in an emotional leavers assembly (I blubbed throughout) and have now broken-up for the summer hols.

My plans for the summer are simple: relax, make things, read (lots), see friends and family, hangout with the cat and go on holiday to Croatia with my DH. Sounds good, huh?

Here's a very simple card made using Krista's 2000 Facebook followers freebie.
Isn't she adorable?

I printed her out and also printed a mask on a long Post-it note. This was so I could add the coffee cups background and quote from a set called Smell the Coffee from Impression Obsession. This is quite an old clear stamp set and doesn't seem to widely available anymore. I've only made one other card using this set, which is odd as I think the images are gorgeous. You can expect to see a few more cards using these images! BTW, the colours look really weird on the screen, especially the base card which is actually deep pink and matches her lip colour.

So, I'm booking my place on the sofa between hubby and the cat for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth games tonight, despite having only just recovered from The World Cup and Wimbledon.

Happy crafting everyone!

Black and white...

Two posts in as many days... I'll wager you're nearly as shocked as I am!
I had to post this card (made yesterday) after I found Godelieve had posted this little piece of fabulousness to celebrate her 200th make in her Black and White series. Big congratulations to Godelieve for reaching this creative milestone in truly glorious fashion.

This card was made as a birthday card but I'm not sure if it isn't a little too sombre: or does the 'pop' of red give it enough lift?

Right then, now I'm off to paint my toenails and do some ironing. There's a busy week ahead at school with the annual end of term production on Monday and Tuesday. This year the children are performing 'Yeehaw' which, judging from the number of cowboys and showgirls seen recently on the playground, is a wild west themed musical!

June CCC reveal

Goodness me, I am one tired bunny this morning after a very busy week. As usual I am a wee bit late posting my Card Chain Challenge card (which reached the lovely Dawn in NZ in record time).

I hope its okay that I feel rather pleased with this little card. Yes, my stamping could be straighter, my colouring could be better but I like the composition of this card and the fact that it turned out just as I planned!

I think this little sweetie is simply adorable and always have such fun creating with Krista's beautiful digis.The stencil is by Memory Box and was a birthday present from my parents. As this stencil is rectangular I masked the lower portion to give me a square. I love this gorgeous script W&W stamp (now there's a stamp company going from strength to strength!) against the Distress Inks.

I'm going to link this card with the current Winnie and Walter Challenge which is to combine Distress Inks and a W&W product. The prize is a gift card for a yummy $30.00!

Finally, here's the link to Deborah's Card Chain Challenge sign-up for July. This month there's a special 'twist' to the challenge with a rather desirable prize on offer! As always Deborah is doing an amazing job with organising this challenge, which is one of my favourites to play along with. I enjoy the crafting element of the challenge but I also love 'meeting' other members of the crafting community when we email to exchange addresses. And, let's face it, there's nothing like receiving a beautiful handmade card from a fellow crafter.

Have a great weekend everyone!