2 Sketches 4 You Challenge

I was asked by my friend to make a card for her sister, so I thought I would get some inspiration from 2 Sketches 4 You and enter Kazan's #19 challenge at the same time. I love their challenges, don't you?

I didn't have any scallops as large as the sketch so I decided to use some adhesive paper lace instead. I even got to play with my new Sizzix alphabet set, 'Cattycorner'. I love that set, I've been threatening to use it for ages! I played around with a few ideas, where I added some more bits, but because the paper is quite busy it tended to look too much so I stripped it back leaving it quite simple. Hope you like it. ♥

Dies: Sizzix 'Paper Sculpting Daisy', 'Leaf, Stem' and 'Cattycorner' alphabet set
Paper: Basic Grey 'Blush - Fancy', 'Stella Ruby - Morning on the Heath', Bazzill Classic
Accessories: Ribbon from my stash, Mei Flower glitter stickers, Stampendous word stickers

A Groovy Kind Of Love

Woohoo, I did manage to make a card today, how good is that! My friend took me to a little local craft shop yesterday and I just had to pick up this 'groovy' cutter as it inspired me to make something with the phrase, 'we got a groovy kind of love'. My other half said it's supposed to be 'we've got...' but if it is then I will just have to argue that I have used my artistic licence! My man is a darling, I don't know what I'd do without him, he cuts out most of my shapes for me to save me hurting my back. I think he secretly enjoys it, it's the operations management in him! He saves SO much card when he cuts out shapes it's not fair, he's so precise it's sickening. (Oh yes, and he can really cut squares, for some reason I just can't cut squares/rectangles, I always mess them up, that's my excuse anyway) He used to work over in Iraq. What would his army friends say if they knew, lol? ..hope he's not reading this, I will be in trouble ;o)

I really enjoyed making this card, I like working with bright colours. I saw an idea a while ago where you print the messages out and then mat them on different coloured cardstock and thought this would fit in well with the theme. I think it might have been a design on Pink Petticoat that had used this on a card (I hope I'm giving the right place credit). You should be able to see the hearts and word is 3d using foam pads, the rest of it is just stuck directly down.

Anyway, the inspiration behind this card was not just the 'groovy' cutter, but also I came across the Daring Cardmakers Challenge - 'Patterned Paper Passion' (love the name) where you have to use 3 different types of patterned paper, with the double challenge that you have to use 3 different makes of paper too. I set to work and then started to realise how tricky this could be. It's not so bad choosing patterned papers because generally companies are using colour themes, but when you cross brands it's a bit trickier. Some of the combinations required shades to view them, they were so hard on the eyes!! This one isn't much better, but then it is meant to be 'groovy' huh?!

Dies: Sizzix 'Hearts, Tandem', 'Phrase, Groovy'
Paper: Bo Bunny Sweetie Pie Smooch, Double Take by Collage Press, (lime floral) by KI Memories, Bazzill
Accessories: Scallop edge punch by Stampin' Up!

Sorry I can't give the name of the lime floral, I only had a scrap of it left and the name was missing!

Snow

We have snow here again today. It's not as bad as we had it on Monday, but loads of schools are closed, including my daughter's one. I am hoping we can have a quiet stay at home day and I might get one or two cards done. Hmmm...not sure that will happen though! Who knows...

Bee Happy!

I decided to have a go at the Mojo Monday #72 sketch this week. I LOVE this sketch, it is gorgeous. I just love this whole sketch thing in general. It's so much fun seeing what others create, and how people interpret the sketches in such different ways. I have seen some beautiful designs out there that would never have even entered my mind.

I thought I would do something non-Valentine's Day for a change! I enjoyed making this card, the colours are really fun to work with, but it didn't photograph very well however the paper is intended to look distressed anyway. I still need to play around with all the lighting side of things. Rae came up with a great idea for a light box, I am definately going to try that out ...well I will get Ian to look at it for me! I have not done a challenge on Mojo Monday yet, but have been looking at them for the last couple of weeks with the intention of getting around to it.

My interpretation of the sketch is below. Hope you like it...



*Edited - to add goodies used*

Dies: Quickutz bumble bee, Cuttlebug embossing folder for yellow strip behind ribbon
Paper: K & Co 'Wild Saffron', Bazzill
Accessories: Ribbon from my stash, s.e.i burnt almond fudge alphabet stickers

You're Gorgeous!

Hi there. I hope you've all had a relaxing Sunday. We've all had a lovely day here, despite it being freezing outside. We have even seen a few snowflakes today, apparently there is more to come.

I think I am in a chocolate mood as I want to make all my cards using brown today:o) I put together this simple card for the Cupcake Craft '3-2-1' Challenge #24. You basically have to use 3 pieces of cardstock, 2 embellishments, and 1 ribbon. It was actually quite difficult because you want to put so much more on the card, but can't because of the limitations! I used Bazzill Classic cardstock, heart hole punches and pads from my stash, 'Frame Heart' by Sizzix, and 'Lipstick Love Letter' alphabet set by Sizzix.



And just remember, you're gorgeous!!

Rae's Bonus Sketch - Oriental Lily

I really love Rae's bonus sketch on 2 Sketches 4 You this week, so thought I would give it a go. I have been trying to find something to use my Basic Grey paper for and thought this Sizzix Flower, Lily might just do the job. I layered the lily and put in a pearl as the centre (an idea I learnt from my local craft shop). I was thinking about adding some words but it looked a bit too cluttered so I just added a few pearls. I used my Sakura Gelly Roll pen to highlight some of the petals/stems on the card, and did the same on the lily although they don't show very clearly here. The ribbon I used is one that came free with a magazine, it's by Laura Ashley. It's handy because it's self-adhesive. Anything that saves time is a winner in my book ;o)

Sweet As Honey

Well I have had a really exciting day. I have been off work for over a year now, suffering with a very bad back. I had injections in my back at the end of last year and they have just started working a little bit, so I took my little car out for a drive, its first drive in about 15 months! I managed to get us all to Windsor and back without killing anyone so I am very pleased with myself!!




I played around with my Smirk papers when I got back and put together this little design. I just LOVE these papers, they are sooo cute! It hasn't really photographed that well, it must be the pale colours; either that or I'm not taking it in the right light (no, it couldn't possibly be my fault!) It was a very quick make.

The papers are gorgeous but I think they are made for scrapbooking more than cards because there is very little space to create around the printed images. On this one all I did was cut an 8 x 8 sheet in half, sticking it onto a base card. I then cut out the girl again and overlaid the original image using foam pads. I cut out some more of the green dotted paper which I stuck to the top so that it mirrored the paper at the bottom, and finally I added a glittery tag which I attached with ribbon. Voila, a very quick cute card for someone! PS - Natasha has already picked about 5 or 6 sheets that she wants, I knew that would happen. As she gets older she is getting into cardmaking more and my supplies are depleting far too fast for my liking :o)

Yoga Lola

I was asked to make a card for someone that did Yoga, so I went on a search and found this on Pink Petticoat. I've been downloading papers from their site for ages, but have never actually done anything with them, until today that is! I've always loved this Lola Rose range, it's fun.

The perfectionist in me doesn't like that the name 'Sue' isn't quite central, but I will let it go this time! I played around in Photoshop Elements to remove it, but ended up with all sorts of variations but the one I wanted! If anyone has any tips on how to do this it would be great to hear from them!!!

Funky Love

I didn't post anything in the end the other night because I just couldn't get my act together with cardmaking! I had loads of ideas, but they just didn't come together. I think I was just too tired. I decided that it would be better to lay everything out on the table and come back to it another day with a fresh mind. I have managed to put something together now though. I thought I would do Laura's Sketch #18 on 2 Sketches 4 You. I wanted to make a Valentine's Day card, but not in pink. I am going to make a few pink cards this year for Valentine's, but wanted to make one in blue and red for a change. It took some time to co-ordinate because the black looked too strong against the other colours, but finally I came up with this card.


Recipe:

Dies: Sizzix 'Circle #1', Ellison Thick Cuts 'Hearts, Double', Sizzlits 'Hearts #5'
Paper: Bo Bunny 'Sweetie Pie Sigh' & 'Flirty Birds', Pink Petticoat 'Tis the Season Victorian Cream Big Hearts', Bazzill Bling
Accessories: Ribbon from my stash, Mei Flower glitter stickers, Stampendous word stickers

Hope you like it. It would be great to hear your comments. ♥

My new papers!

What miserable weather it's been here today, it's what we call a 'grumpy' day in this house!

I am hoping to get some cards done tomorrow, there are a couple of sketches that I want to enter. I might have to try some of my new papers. I picked up some 'Smirk' papers, brads and stamps the other day. 'Smirk' is a gorgeous new range by Dovecraft, it has the cutest little characters on it. You can see it online at Trimcraft. The papers come in two sets, of various sizes, one set is called 'love and friendship' and the other 'naughty but nice'. The brads and stamps are gorgeous! The only tricky bit is going to be trying to keep Natasha's little hands off it!!!

A cut above the rest

I think I might need to come clean... I am addicted to blogging and sketch challenges!! I had to make a card for a friend who is a hairdresser, so I thought I would use a challenge from Cupcake Craft Challenges, Sketch #23. I wanted to create something with pastel colours as it's not usually my thing, says she with the ballerina on her blog a few days ago... but generally I do prefer to work with stronger colours :o)



Recipe:

Dies:'Sizzix Originals Die Dress Ups, Girl Hair','Body', 'Dress Up Faces'
Hole Punches: Scallop circle by Dovecraft
Paper: Old scraps from my stash, Bazzill Bling
Accessories: Ribbon from my stash, Swarovski crystal gems, brad

Let me know what you think. ♥

A little bit of lurve

I looked at my Countdown Calendar last night and realised I haven't made a single Valentine's Day card yet! Where does the time go?

I thought that I would enter the 2 Sketches 4 You fab challenge #18 while I'm on a roll! I love this blog, it really gets my mind buzzing with ideas. I've never used other's sketches before and sometimes end up doing similar designs all the time. If this happens to you then just look at some of the sketch templates out there, they really are great fun to try out. This background paper is gorgeous but it's quite dark so I found it quite difficult to match up colours with it, hence the white added to give the card some lift. The hearts are actually pink foil but they don't show up so well in the photo. I love the loopy cutter but never can work out what to use it for most of the time! (I told my other half it was called 'loopy', and he said that the name just about sums me up...charming lol)

Recipe:

Dies:'Frame Heart' by Sizzix, Sizzlits 'Love' by Sizzix
Hole Punches: Heart/Circle, both by Dovecraft
Paper: 'Smitten Mini Hearts' by Kay & Co; Bazzill Basics - Classic, Glitter cardstock from local craft shop
Accessories: Swarovski crystal gems

I would love to hear what you think of the design so if you get a minute please leave me a comment :o)

My first challenge entry!

I decided to enter Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #39. I have wanted to participate for ages but really needed to get some bits sorted on my blog before I entered (and obviously pluck up some courage to enter too!) I needed to make a man's card and thought I would do something a little more contemporary using the given colours. I used a bonus sketch by Peet that I found on 2 Sketches 4 You.






Recipe:

Dies: Cuttlebug retro squares die, 'Easy Peasy' alphabet set by Sizzix
Paper: Bazzill Basics - Bling/Classic
Accessories: Black/white gingham ribbon

Thank you!

I can't believe that people have taken the trouble to write a comment on my blog. It's so cool!! I have replied, but not sure if the reply actually gets to the people who have written. There's so much to learn about this blogging thing! It's a whole new world! I'm hoping to make a card for one of the cardmaking challenges tonight, so watch this space. I've never done a challenge before, so thought I would push myself to just get on with one!

A dotty hello :o)

I thought it would be nice to do a little 'hello' card and came up with this dotty dog idea! It was really quick to make too.

Woohoo - I've finally put on a card design!

Firstly thank you to those of you that have been popping back but have not yet had anything new to view!

I had to buy myself a new camera which I'm still figuring out how to use, but thought I would add a card just to get started. I've not quite worked out how to take the photo so that you don't end up with a crooked edge when you edit it, so I've ended up with a small black line around the edge, but I'm getting there! I went to retake it and the camera battery has just died so I thought I would just post it, otherwise I never will!

As you will soon see I love my Sizzix Bigshot Machine and I am totally addicted to all Sizzix/Ellison Design die cutters. I also love Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders.

This card was made using various Sizzix 'Dress Ups' cutters. There's a bit of an outlay to start them off, but once you have got the basic body, the girl hair and the boy hair all you need to buy are different outfits. I think they are great because you can adapt them for so many different cards.

For this card you will need;

* Sizzix Originals Die Dress Ups, Girl Hair
* Sizzix Originals Die Dress Ups, Ballerina Costume
* Sizzix Originals Die Dress Ups, Body
* Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip - Strips
* Sizzix Rub Ons, Dress Up Faces
* Sandylion Sticker Designs, 'Barbie Ballet Costume' paper
* Disney 'Pixie Dust' Vellum
* Glitter glue, pop dots, gems

I used my Cricut Machine to cut out the number 5, but you could use any number embellishment. You can also get plastic number templates from Craftwork Cards, and if you draw round them onto a piece of card you will have a template that you can use time and time again.

1. Cut a piece of Barbie paper, 15cm wide x 22cm deep, stick to front of card


2. Cut out the number 5 on the Cricut Machine with the setting on 4.5 (or use a template/other embellishment as mentioned above)


3. Cut the number 5 out again with the setting on 4.5 inch shadow, assemble as shown


4. Cut out the word 'today' using an alphabet set. I used Sizzix 'Junk Drawer' but you could use anything you like


5. Put together with the silver set underneath the pink, and slightly to the right to create a shadow, stick to the card


6. Die cut the body for the ballerina from flesh coloured card


7. Die cut the ballerina tights using a light pink and a darker pink for the leotard


8. Die cut the ballet shoes and the bottom frill of the tutu from some pink glitter card


9. Die cut the tutu from the Pixie Dust Vellum, add a line of glitter glue across the top of the skirt to hide the seam


10. Using the girl hair cutter cut the hair out in brown card, and her hairband in pink glitter card. Assemble all as shown


11. Finish the ballerina using the dress up rub on faces


12. Die cut a wavy light pink strip using the Strips cutter


13. Die cut a second wavy pink glitter strip, attach as shown


14. Using pop dots attach the ballerina to the card


15. Add gems to finish

Hope you like it!

Getting there!

Well I'm slowly getting there, with a little help from Ian and my book, 'Blogging for Dummies' :o) At the moment I'm trying to get my Twitter updates to synchronise on here, for some reason they don't want to play. I'm hoping to start blogging properly next week, with a view to posting my first blog card design. I'm just working out how to get my photos to look half decent. It would be great to get some feedback from you as to what you think of my blog layout so far, so if you get chance please say hi and let me know what you think! All suggestions for improvement welcomed!

Hang in there with me!

Thank you for visiting my new blog! Please bear with me as I am in the process of setting it up at the moment. I am new to blogging so have a lot to learn. As you can see I need to work on my card slideshow! Hopefully over the next few days you will see some good changes.

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