Flower Power.

When is a Sunflower not a sunflower? When I have coloured it Pink and Purple.! This is another card I have found in my photo album that I have not posted and is another class I went to last year with Julie Hickey.  The stamp is called 'Sunflower Bee' by Julie.  Everyone else did their cards is variations of yellow and orange  but I decide to have a pink one as it is my favourite colour. .  We smooshed the distress ink pads onto our craft mats and then placed the card stock on top and moved around to get the inky background.  The flower, bee and sentiment  were stamped and die cut out from a second sheet of cardstock using the same method . The sentiment and circle are from Julie's Circle Sentiments stamp set.  I added the glitter glue when I got home.

Entering this card into the following:
Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #126 Anything goes.
We Love 2 Create #2 Anything goes mixed media.
Love To Craft #43 Anything goes.
Crafts Galore #72 Anything goes.
Classic Design Challenges #2 Anything goes.
Creative Fingers #180 Anything goes.
Cut It Up Challenges #194 favourite colour.
Polkadoodles Challenge #8 Anything goes.

Sunflower

I was at the Farnborough Craft show at the weekend and met one of the demonstrators Lisa B showing some designs and realised that I still have a card to show from her class I went to last year.
This is not a card size I normally make (being 7"x7")  and the design is well out of my comfort zone. No pink in sight!!
The stamp used is Lisa's Floral Patchwork Set made for Hobby Art Stamps. The flower in the pot reminded me of the sunflower from an old Television program for children called Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men. Heck, that's going back a good few years.

 The back grounds were created by sponging distress inks onto water colour card. All of the components had already been cut out for us so we had plenty of time for stamping the flower pot  and the little buttons and painting in using distress ink pads and a paint brush.

   The tag fits into the pocket created on the front of the card  and you can enter a message on the back. I inked the sentiment Just for You when I got back home.
Entering this card into the following challenges:
Love To Craft #43 Anything goes.
Crafter's Castle #26 Anything goes.
Crafts Galore #72 Anything goes.
Classic Design Challenge #2 Anything goes.
Craft Rocket Challenges #67 Bows and or buttons.
Creative Knockouts #338 Flower Power
Southern Girls # Anything goes.
Brown Sugar #298 Anything goes.
Colour Crazy #week 7 Anything goes.

Tunnel Cards.

Time for another challenge over on the Butterfly blog. This time it is
#137 Spin The Butterfly Wheel with T for Tunnel Card.

Here are my inspiration cards for you. As usual you will find the tutorials over on the Butterfly blog under the Cards Shapes page under the banner at the top of the page.

 First card using Version I
I have used Tunnel card/Twine/Two of something/Teal/Tea Rose and Butterfly.
The base card Teal design paper is from a pad  by Melissa Frances called Classic Elegance. The floral design is the last of a 12" sq. I had sent to me from an american Blogging friend. The butterflies are a die cut from  john Next Door and the sentiment is by Kaisercraft. String is from a shop bought tag.  The ovals are a spellbinders set called Beaded Ovals that my lovely blogging friend sent me and this is its first outing. Thankyou Kath. My 'Two of something is  the 2 pearls.

Turned slightly below so that you can see the concertina sides giving the tunnel effect.

Entering this card into the following challenges:
Incy Wincy Designs # Anything goes.
Through The Craftroom Door # Anything goes.
Tuesday Taggers # Go green or Recycle something ( I have recycled the string from a clothes tag.)
All Sorts Challenge #559 Dies and or punches.
Pixie's Crafty Workshop. #371 Use up your snippets.  (String from tag and the flower paper.)
Crafter's Castle #26 Anything goes.


 Second card using Version II
I have used Tunnel card/Tea Rose/Thistle/ and Butterfly.
This version incorporates a shaker element into the Tunnel card. I have used Crafts -Too Rectangle dies Stitch Hole PCD98 to cut the tunnels. The design paper behind the shaker is from a pad by Aspire Crafts called 'Sew Pretty'. The pink is from The Works and the front design paper is a freebie from a magazine. The flower spray is from a stamp set by Imagination Crafts which I have coloured using my Graph'it pens, then fussy cut out and added another layer of the individual flowers on top. The butterfly stamp is by Marianne Design. Pearls from my stash.

 Sideways view of the card showing the stand that I have included instructions for making in the tutorial.

Entering this card into the following challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown #451 Use your favourite colour. (Mine is pink).
Dream Valley #219 Hand coloured image.
Starz Stamps #7 Lots of layers.
Addicted To Stamps #377 Make your mark.
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge # Anything goes.
Creative Artiste #57 Anything goes.


 Third card using Version III
I have used Tunnel card/Teal/Twine/ and Butterfly.
The base card is made using a freebie design paper from Making Cards June 2015 'For The Girls'
and the design paper on the frontis from a pad by Melissa Frances 'Classic Elegance'. I have used Spellbinders Deckled Rectangle Large to create the tunnel element.

 The sentiment is by Julie Hickey and the butterfly my go to die cuts Isabella/Pippi by Memory box.  The pearls and bakers twine from my stash. The photo below shows the card lying down in order to see the tunnel layers from the side.

Entering this card into the following challenges:
Make My Monday #116 Critters. Animals/birds/insects.
Creative Inspirations # Anything goes.
Crafty Creations #406 Anything goes.
Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #126 Anything goes.
Crafty Calendar # Use die cuts/punches.
Love To Craft #43  Anything goes.



Hope you will come and join in the challenges which runs for the usual two weeks.

A Christmas Carol

Time again for the girls in the Christmas Card Club to show our next makes. Christine chose the theme of A Christmas Carol.
My card is a bit of a remake. I originally made a card from an old used christmas card a few years ago, but you know when you make a card and it just doesn't gel for some unknown reason? Well that is what happened with the card I made so I undid it and put the parts into my remake stash box where they have stayed ever since. I decided to have another go with the image and make it into an easel card as I haven't done one in a while.

The music design paper must be a christmas tune as it is from a paper pad by Hot Off The Press called Forever Christmas. I have used bright gold glitter card for the cardbase to match the yellow in the image. The Lamp post and the trimmings on the carol singers have been given a light covering of gold glitter glue to give a bit of sparkle. The gems and the red stickers were from my stash. I like it much better now as an easel card.

Our friend is still in hospital because of two things. He has an infection in his bowel which the doctors are trying to clear up and also the care package which should have been in place for him  at home has not materialised. When Brian thought he was being released last week he gave the company a ring to make sure it was all in order only to be told they had pulled out as he needed more care than they were able to provide. They hadn't even bothered to inform the hospital so it is back to square one with organizing another package for him.  It is his Birthday today so not exactly how he would have planned spending it.

Storm Dennis has been raging all day. We lost a tree in the front garden  last weekend from  Storm Ciara and now we have had a small tree in the back garden sheered off at the base leaving just a foot of trunk sticking out of the ground. I am running out of trees!! Hope you are all staying safe and not getting too much damage from the wind and rain.


NB.
Photos taken this morning of the flood pond that runs beside our house. They closed the sluice gates off last night to prevent the rest of the village from flooding.

 Taken from my craft room  window.  The other side of the black brick wall  and between the railings is where the stream normally runs through the village.  This should all be a grass filled  ditch. now we have an island forming.

We even have a pair of ducks!

Love Hearts

This is the card I made for The Doc. I saw this die cut ages ago and bought it especially to use here. It is by Sweet Dixie  'Small Heart and Flowers Frames' and cuts like a dream. I have kept the card fairly simple and let the die cut do the work. I outlined using a silver gel pen and it really picks the design out. The hearts that came out as waste I used to decorate the corners and added the bigger ones onto the die cut. silver gel pen round the edge just to finish.

 Entering this card into the following challenges:
Always Fun Challenges #149 Love/valentine day.
Crafty Card Makers #250  Love is all you need.
Crafty Sentiments # Use Red.
Crafty Gals Corner #204 Add a heart.
Creative Moments #184 Anything goes optional Love.
Double 'D' Challenge # Hearts challenge.
Moving Along With The Times #115 No image sentiment/quotes as focus.


I went on a John Next Door Workshop in the May of last year where we made these boxes using  two of his die cutting sets. 'Heart Box and Butterfly  Heart. Too late for sharing at the time as well past February so have kept  to show till now.  The box is actually made using  Dove Grey Cardstock but it looks pale blue here. The lovely glitter effect is made with Cosmic Shimmer's  Glitter Bitz Frosty Sparkle.

 The easel part folds down flat and the lid lifts up but I ran out of hands to take the photo of the inside!

Entering this box into the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments #244 Love/Valentine Sentiment.
Fab 'n' Funky #468 Love,love,love.
Southern Girls # Anything goes.
Cut It Up Challenges #193 Love is in the air.
We love 2 Create #2 Anything goes mixed media.
Crafty Calendar # Use die cuts/punches.

Stepping Out.

Just had a rather full on week so I am running late posting this card.  Hope you were all safe with the storm at the weekend. We had a lot of rain and high winds with lots of trees down along the roads and quite a few fences down too. We had a tree go over in the front garden which fortunately hit the grass and not the fencing and a gateway post sheared off but nothing else broken or damaged. Will wait till the next storm this weekend is out of the way before tackling the tree. Not good news with our friend Brian. The treatment has not worked so he still can't move or feel his legs and will now be in a wheel chair. He is still in hospital until alterations and full time carers are in place for him at home.

It is the second week already  of the Butterfly Challenge for Step Block Cards   and here is another inspiration for you.

Using Version II and Step block/Stitching /Sage/Salmon and Butterfly from the  current wheel.
You will find the tutorials for making Version I and II over on the Butterfly Blog on the Card Shapes page which is at the top under the banner.

 The two flower  papers are a freebie  from Paper Crafts June 2016 ' Hunkydory Boutique'. The green is from the Works and the reverse had butterflies on it and from the scraps left over I fussy cut the Salmon Butterfly out. The sentiment is by Kanban and the die cut  'Sent with Love' is by John Next Door. Both of them have been added to  SU punched out labels.  The two sized hearts are woodware punches.

 Entering into the following challenges:
Brown Sugar #298 Anything goes.
Creative Fingers #179 Anything goes.
Daring Cardmakers # Use 3 elements on your card. Colours/flowers/hearts.
All Sorts Challenge #558 Add a Heart.
Creative Craft Cottage #126 Add a Heart.
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #125 Anything goes.
Make My Monday #115 I Heart you.
Crafter's Castle #26 Anything goes.
Creatalicious Challenges #180 Anything goes with optional hearts.
Through The Craftroom Door # Anything goes.

Step Up.

Time for a new challenge over on the Butterfly blog.

#136 Spin The Butterfly Wheel with S for Step Block Card.

Here is the wheel to use.

N.B. The stitching can be either Real or Faux.

This is my inspiration for you.
 Card one using Step Block  Card Version I
Step Block Card/Salmon/Sky Blue/Stitching/Spots / Butterfly.

The design looks complicated but trust me it is very easy to  make from a sheet of paper 4.5" x 12". In fact this one is made from two card panels 6" x6" which I butted together and adhered with double sided tape before cutting down to 4.5 to make the required depth. The 6" just happens to fall where you need to make a score line on the cardstock so don't worry if you do not have a 12" length in your stash. You will find the instructions as usual over on the Butterfly Challenge under the card shape tab at the top  of the blog under the banner header. 

 Once you have made the design up you just decorate each side of the stacked boxes . Here I have used two different sized Woodware heart punches to create this Valentines themed card.  Below is the card turned round to see the other side.  I have used real stitching on some of the little squares.

 I make no apologies for using my most go to butterfly dies, Memory Boxes Pippi and Isabella. Sentiment is by Kanban crafts and pearls from my stash.
Photo below shows the card looking down on the top.  This card believe it not folds completely flat .

Entering this card into the following challenges:
Always Fun Challenges #148 Anything goes.
Dream Valley #218 Love.
Incy Wincy Designs # Love,love,love.
Crafty Sentiments Designs # Anything goes.
Creatalicious #180 Anything goes with optional hearts.
Through The Craft Room Door # Anything goes.
Tuesday Taggers #Share the love.
Crafty Creations #406 Anything goes.
Daring Card Makers #Layer it up.
We Love 2 Create #2 Anything goes with mixed media.



 Card Two using Step Block Card Version II
Step Block Card/Salmon/Sage Green/Stitching/Spots/ Butterfly.

Again this card folds flat for posting too. The design papers are freebies from magazines from some time ago. The Love Letters are by Clarity Stamps and the sentiment by Julie Hickey. The flower stamp is also by Julie Hickey called Rosie Posy.I have painted using distress inks  picked up on a brush from the ink pad being smooshed onto my craft mat. Once dried I have edged with  silver gel pen and fussy cut out.  Butterfly and hearts the same as in the card above. Stitching this time is Faux drawn on with the silver gel pen. Pearl from stash.

 Side view showing the steps for the letters spelling out the word Love.

Entering this card into the following challenges:
Make My Monday #115 I Heart You.
Creative Inspirations # Anything goes.
Fab 'n' Funky #467 In the  pink.
The Crafter's Cafe #235 Anything goes.
Watercooler Challenges # Anything goes Feminine.
Colour Crazy # week 4 Anything Goes.
Polka Doodles # Anything goes.
A Perfect Time To Craft #2 Anything goes.
Classic Design Challenges #2 Anything goes.
Crafts Galore #72 Anything goes.




Hope you will come and have a play with the new card shape. Challenge runs for the usual fortnight.

Stars in my Eyes.

Thankyou all for your well wishes for Brian. He is half way through his intensive radiotherapy and has just two more sessions to go. The doctors are hoping to be able to relieve the pressure on his spine so that he will  be able to walk a little which he can't do at all at the present. He is managing to keep his spirits up and The Doc hopes to go and  visit him shortly. They have been life long friends since 11yrs old so go back a long, long way.

It was just as well I had made these cards in error for the previous Christmas Card Club challenge otherwise I wouldn’t be able to show now. The theme was chosen Sylvie for the today’s challenge which is Stars on your cards. I had this sheet of Glitter Dot Stickers in my stash so I decided to just use them to create the cards below.
The first two are made from white cardstock made up into a blank card and an aperture cut in the front.
Card 1
Has red cardstock adhered behind the cut out and the glitter stars adhered to show in the red space. Sentiment is a Britannia Die Cut and the aperture is cut with a Crafts-Too Scalloped Edge Square Die. The stars are on shiny acetate so they really glitter as you turn the card around.

Card 2
Has green cardstock behind the cut out. The sentiment is a Tonic Die Cut.

Card 3

I have used one of the white card out cuts to create a top panel which I have adhered the remaining few stars on the sticker sheet to. Layered up in red and gold card and then onto red cardstock to make the base card. The Christmas word was cut from the sticker backing sheet and the Merry is a Britannia die cut.