Sneaky Peek And A Heads Up

Evening all! You weren't expecting to see me today were you? Well I wasn't expecting to be here either, but then I remembered a few of you have told me off in the past for not letting you know when there was a Create & Craft Show featuring Polka Doodles or Studio 12. Well........ drum roll I've remembered this time and if you promise not to tell on me then I'll give you a sneaky glimpse of one of the samples that I've made for the show. I just hope that Nikky doesn't stop by here cos otherwise I'll be getting the boot!

The new Studio 12 Picknix Collection 2 - Gingerbread Twist will be launched on Saturday 1st September at 10am and 4pm. I have to say I think this is possibly the best CD that I've played with to date! I just wish I'd had longer to make samples as I ran out time before I ran out of inspiration! Even if you think CD's aren't you're thing, I think you maybe surprised by this one! Anyway, here's a little peek at one of my samples.

So are you intrigued? I hope you'll find the time to watch the shows as I'm almost certain that there will be some amazing work from the DT on display and you'll be able to see the CD in all it's glory.

Thanks for stopping by.

Claire x

PS I won't be back with you until Saturday (well unless a miracle happens between now and then and I manage to find the time to make something!) when I'll be bringing you some really exciting stuff from Stampotique and who knows I might just show the above sample in full!

All Stitched Up!

Good morning. It's challenge time AGAIN over at Polka Doodles (is it just me or do these challenges come round far too quickly??!!!). This week we want to see some stitching on your card. I've elected to use faux stitching (only cos I'm far too lazy to get the sewing machine out and *blushes* I can't find my sew easy tool).

Now before I show you my card I just wanted to let you know about a couple of DT calls that we have going on at the moment. The first one is for Polka Doodles and you can find all the information you need here. The second is just a reminder for Emma Canning's DT call (I wish I wasn't so busy as I'd definitely apply, her images are a complete pleasure to work with) details can be found here. I do hope that some of you will consider applying as I know that both Nikky and Emma will love your work.

So, onto my card! I'll be honest with you, it was an experiment and I'm not all together sure that it's one I'll repeat - LOL, but you know me, I'll show you my successes and failures!

The image is of course Emma Canning's stunning Angel who has been coloured with Promarkers and Sakura Gel Pens. The edges of the image have been inked with Dusty Concord Distress Ink and then faux stitched using a gold glitter pen before being mounted onto a piece of die cut mirri board. The gorgeous purple paper is from the Sugarplum Daisy CD and I've simply distressed it and added some more faux stitching before glueing into place over the top of some scraps of mirri board (that was one of my (not so successful) experiments!). I found a scrap of plain lilac paper (which I think might be from the Candy Doodles CD) and embossed it with a Sizzix Snowflake Embossing Folder before swiping with DI and mounting onto another scrap of mirri board. The final part of my experiment was the Doodle Dewdrops. I bought the clear ones and applied some gold paint to the base of them - I'm really pleased as the gold shows through brilliantly but doesn't look flat or dull.

Well that's it from me today. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

DIY Notepad For Your Handbag

Good morning it's my turn to provide today's Studio 12 inspiration post. So my project today is a handmade notepad for your handbag using one of the journalling pages from the Studio 12 Piknix Collection 1 CD.

Simply print out numerous copies of your selected journal page onto cheap copy paper, trim to size and then stack so that all of the sides are equal. Then use bull dog clips to hold the pages in position before brushing the top edge lightly with Copydex glue. Once dried, apply a further two layers of glue to ensure a good seal (nothing worse than a notepad which falls to pieces the minute you try to use it).

Then print the paper pattern of your choice onto card and cut it to measure 8" x 2 3/4". Next score the card at 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 4 3/4" and 5". Fold along the score lines, punch a decorative edge and lightly ink the edges if desired, then glue the pad into place. I've used a small piece of magnetic tape to secure the flap. Embellish as desired.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:

I know I like a challenge or three, but.........

OMG one layer cards - eek! The lovely Gez has set the challenge of a one layer card over at Stampotique. Now I know that I've done a few inked and silhouette one layer cards in the past that were super quick and easy, but this time I couldn't find any Stampotique silhouette stamps in my stash that I hadn't already shown you recently. So after much thought I've come up with this card which is something completely different for me in everyway! I hope you like it and I'm really hoping that my friends daughter will like it too, as it's for her birthday!

Now if this card had been decoupaged, a stepper or a digital card it would've been a piece of cake as I could've done it in almost any order and it wouldn't have mattered. As it was I actually had to do a bit of planning to get the images layered in the right order :/

The following images were used on this card Stones & Grass Cube, Key Keeper, Daisy Daisy, Welcome Door and Abstract Foliage. I started of by stamping a set of stones, before masking them to over stamp the Key Keeper and then the Welcome Door before filling in with the other stamps. The 18 was created using the numbers from Sizzix Vintage Marketplace as a mask and inking the back wall area with  Distress Ink. Everything has then been coloured with Prismacolor Pencils. I've added some Stickles to the 18, the centre of the daisies and the Key Keeper's body. To give a little shine and dimension I've added Glossy Accents to the heart on the door, key, eyes and horns.

The sentiment has been handwritten (like you couldn't have guessed!!) and says "You've got the key to the door.." and on the inside of the card "...don't lose it!!!"

I hope that you'll come and join the challenge as there is a fantastic prize on offer of $30 to spend on Stampotique stamps. It's worth noting that our rules have changed recently and whilst we'd be thrilled if you used a Stampotique stamp, it's no longer a requirement. I can't wait to see what you all make.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Anything goes
Anything Goes Challenge - Make your own background
Top Tip Tuesday - One layer card
Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Happy Birthday/Celebration
Papelitos Stamps - Happy Birthday/Celebration
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes

It's A Rubbish Christmas Ornament!

This weeks challenge over at Stampotique is to Alter Something, and although it's not my week to play along, it is my turn to post over at the Stampotique Designer's Blog. As you know I love altering things, so I thought I'd still run with the theme, especially as I have an ever increasing pile of assorted tins which "might just come in handy!!" Plus it'll get Hubby off of my back. He keeps passing comment on them and I just know if they don't get used he'll sneak them into the re-cycling bin!!! So, I've dug out a sardine can to alter.

I started out by stamping and masking Picket Fence and then heat embossing Abstract Foliage onto a piece of card that had been cut to fit the inside of the tin. It was then Distress Inked and heat embossed with the Abstract Foliage again. The tree has been stamped and heat embossed onto card using Abstract Foliage, then cut out and then Distress Inked.

The tin was covered in moulding paste. Whilst it was still wet I tore strips of card to layer up as the snowdrifts, inked the edges and quickly slid them into position. The images Brrr... , Christmas Mosaic and Snowman were then stamped onto heavy weight card before being cut out and coloured with Prismacolor pencils. I added a light dusting of Stardust Stickles to the Snowman, the collar and cuffs of Brrr's coat and the edges of the snowdrifts . I fully assembled the scene once the paste and Stickles were dry. To finish I die cut two Marianne Creatables Snowflake's LR0125 in shrink plastic, attached a small blue gemstone and glued them in position.

I haven't decided yet as to if this decoration should hang, stand as shown or free stand.... such big decisions ;D

Well that's me done for today.

Thanks for stopping by

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Creative Stamp Friends - Stamp a scene
Make it Monday - Anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - Anything goes

Studio 12 CAS Kraft Card

Good morning. Just a quickie from me today as I've got to work today :(

It's my turn to post over at Studio 12 today, so I've made this really quick and easy card using Studio 12 Picknix Collection 1. If you haven't been over there before, please do take the time to visit as there is a different inspiration post every day.

This card literally took five minutes to make and I think I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. I should be back over the weekend with another project, but if I'm not I'll see you on Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
My Mum's Craft Shop - Kraft It
The Paper Shelter - CAS
Tanda Stamps - CAS
Flourishes - Use Kraft paper
Make It Monday - Anything goes
OSAAT - Anything goes

Two Quick & Easy Ribbon Cards

I made these two cards for the recent saddlestitch ribbon challenge over at Crafty Ribbons. I was really pushed for time and as the criteria was to showcase the ribbon, not to just use it as a trim, I decided that I'd have to make something fairly quick and easy. So here are my offerings...

I made a ribbon flower and stem, mounted them onto some embossed and sanded Core-dinations cardstock. I added a labels 8 diecut and heat embossed the happy birthday.

For this parcel card, I placed some double sided adhesive paper onto some white cardstock before embossing. I then covered the adhesive film with Glamour Dust. The ribbon has been tied around the cardstock before gluing onto a card blank. The label sentiment has been punched with a Fiskers Punch ad secured with a gemstone brad.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire

I'd like to enter the flower card into the following challenges:


I'd like to enter the parcel card into the following challenges:

One Layer CAS Card

This week Stampotique are sponsoring CASual Friday's and the theme is Square Cards. As I've never played along with CASual Friday's, I thought I should pop over to see what it was all about before making my card. I'm really glad I did as it turns out that they are CAS style cards (hint is in the title really I guess :/ doh!!), so one of my multi-layered decoupaged fru fru jobs would be completely out of place! If you want more inspiration for CAS cards, please pop across to the Stampotique Designers Blog where there are some amazing cards on show.

For my card I used Grass and Small Butterfly stamped in Cocoa Memento Ink onto a Distress Inked background. The butterfly has been roughly coloured with Prismacolor Pencils and then brushed with Stickles. The sentiment is a rub on.

Thanks for stopping today. I hope you all have a fab weekend - we're going to sit and watch Airbourne either in the garden, or, I might just pop across the field and watch it from the beach. It all depends on how many people descend upon us for the weekend.

Claire xxx

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Clearly Inspired Challenge - Things with wings
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Sisters - Things with wings
Cards und More - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Clean & Simple

Finally, The Last TV Sample!!!

Good morning. It's challenge time over at Polka Doodles and this week we want to see your celebration cards. I've picked Christmas as my celebration. The main reason for this is that the time bandit has been back in town stealing hours, so I simply ran out of time to create anything and as I'd not shown you my final TV sample I thought I'd cheat a little! :D

Sooooo this is it! My final TV sample using the Here Comes Christmas CD. This time it's a stepper card with multiple images.

I created a simple stepper base from card and then ripped strips of card to create the snow drifts. These were layered up using pop dots. The log cabin is simply paper coloured with Promarkers to give a wood grain effect, which has been torn into strips and then edged with Distress Ink

I've taken the images from the CD and coloured them with Promarkers before cutting out and inserting into the scene. To finish I've chucked on loads of Stickles, Glamour Dust and Glossy Accents.

The bauble garland has been cut from one of the papers from the CD - ever start a job then wish you hadn't?? Well that was one of them! If I ever do a remake of this, it will be a cheats garland!!

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a fab weekend.

Claire xxx

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Crafts & Me - Use a digi
My Mum's Craft Shop - Christmas in August
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything goes
Make It Monday - Anything goes

It's a Little Sketchy - Stampotique Challenge!

Good morning peeps. It's my first challenge over at Stampotique and this week it's a sketch. Yep I groaned and moaned too - you all know how much I love sketches!!! :D Anyhow, once I'd got over the initial OMG a sketch what am I going to do panic and started to work I was actually reasonably pleased with the end results of my efforts! This is the sketch that we were given to work with.

This is what I eventually did with it. Yep, I simply flipped the sketch onto it's side to make my graduation card. I hope you like it!

I started off by tearing a page from an old book and layering up onto my card base. I then applied a thin coat of Gesso and whilst it was wet swiped some blue acrylic paint through with my fingers. Whilst I waited for it to dry I matted and layer cardstock to make the blackboard. Next came the fun part where I drew Owl With Wings some accessories, coloured them with Promarkers and made the wire frame glasses. To finish I glued everything in place and then wrote the sentiment with a white gel pen.

I really do hope that you'll join us over at Stampotique for this challenge. You don't even need to use one of our stamps, although we'd love it if you did!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Paint It Up
That Craft Place - Things with wings
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
Make It Monday - Anything goes

It's A Pile Of Poop!!!

Charming I hear you say! LOL. Well take the post title as warning for what's coming! :D Yep it's another TV sample from the Polka Doodles Here Comes Christmas CD.
When I saw this sentiment on the CD it immediately appealed to the inner child in me and I knew that I was going to have to use it! The only thing was on what? So after a little bit of thought I decided that I'd adapt the template from the tealight card that I made a couple of years back and fill it with poop (aka Mint Imperials). I'm going to have to make a couple more of these as DS spotted it and asked if he could have it for his Christmas card and my friend also saw it and has asked me to make one for her son! Anyway, what do you think?

I'm pushed for time this week, so I won't go into my usual explanation of what I did, instead I'll list the materials. If you want further details please do feel free to email me or leave a comment below and I will get back to you.

Materials:
Here Comes Christmas CD
Promarkers
Marianne Designs Creatables LR0125
Memorybox Button Die
Glossy Accents
Black Copic Spica Glitter Pen
Martha Stewart Zig Zag Punch
Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Acetate

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes
The Stampman - Anything Goes
Art Impressions Stamps - Stitching
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything goes
Die Cutting Divas - Anything goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Christmas Gift Box
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Heat Embossed Digital Image Card

This another of the tv samples that I made for the launch of the Here Comes Christmas CD from Polka Doodles. It's fairly clean and simple and ideal for batch card making.

I printed the sentiment from the CD and then heat embossed it before using my Labels 1 to cut it out. It was then simply a case of matting and layering and chucking on a bit of ribbon to finish the card.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

How Excited Am I?????

Oh only a little bit!!! Have you noticed anything different about me or more specifically my blog? Shuffle your eyes to the right and you'll see a brand new shiny DT badge, that's right I've only been and got myself onto the Stampotique DT! How excited am I? Oh just a teency bit - lol such a bad liar me - surprised you didn't hear me a whooping and a hollering!


Anyway, to celebrate I was going to make a new project with some new stamps. Sadly either Royal Mail or Customs have had other ideas and I've yet to get them in my hot little hands. So rather than having nothing to show I had a mini brain wave and remembered a project that I hadn't shown you (mainly cos it's been sitting in a UFO pile) that I started at one of Jo Capper - Sandon's workshops which used a number of Stampotique stamps. It's still not quite finished as I need to add to some painty bits to the inside covers, but hey it's 95% there!!!

I hope that you like this project and that you'll consider joining us in our challenges over at Stampotique in the very near future.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire xxx 

Stamps used Large Butterfly, Splatter Long,