Frame It.

I am Guest designing over at the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge blog #638 this week as I was a winner back in March 2022 with them. 

The theme is Christmas and the sponsor is Morgan's Art World. The prize is 3 images. 

I have used ' Xmas Frame' by Morgan's World here on my card which has been coloured in using my trusty Graph'it markers and a gold gel pen. The sentiment is gold stickers along with the spots used for decoration. Cut and layered onto green cardstock and then adhered to a red card base with 3D pads for dimension. 

I hope you can play along in the challenge. 

Stay safe and well

Hugs

❤❤❤

Arrow Card

Life is continuing to throw me curved balls to deal with at the moment but here are details of the latest Butterfly challenge for you. 

The wheel has landed on a fresh letter.

#170 Spin The Butterfly Wheel with A for Arrow Fold card.

Here is the wheel and there are two choices for you to play along with. 

1. Make a card using at least 2 of the colours on the wheel + your butterfly of course.

or

2. Make a card using the Arrow Card Shape + any 2 of the colours + the Theme + your butterfly of course. 

There is a tutorial as normal over on the challenge blog  which you will find on the Card Shapes tab that is under the banner at the top of the page. 

Another nice and easy one for you that just requires 4 scores and then folding on the score line.

Here are my cards for inspiration.

Card 1. Tutorial I

Uses all seven elements of the wheel. 

The stamp is by Clarity which I have coloured in with my Graph'it markers using the four colours on the wheel. The two design papers are from my stash. The butterfly from Paper craft essentials magazine and the green from Making cards March 2015.

Once I had adhered the green paper in place I used d.s. tape to hold the flaps closed though you do not have to do this. I just think it made the card more sturdy. Also another tip is to not use thick card for your base as it will be difficult to get the point folded nice and crisp. 

Card 2. Tutorial I

Uses Arrow Fold/Two design papers/Butterfly/Asparagus/Aero blue/African Violet.

Here I have again used Tutorial I but turned my card sideways to decorate. 

The floral design paper is from Making Cards February 2016 and the second paper is in fact the inside of an envelope from in the post.  (Waste not want not!) The die cut butterfly is Theo and Whidbey by Poppy Stamps

Card 3. Tutorial II

Uses Arrow Fold/Two design papers/Butterfly/Asparagus/Aero blue/Amaranth.

I have chosen to use the design with the arrow opening down on my card but you can of course have it opening up or again turned sideways. So many choices!!

The green design is a digi paper by Cottage and Lace on Etsy called 'Floral 2 and the 

pink one is by Making Cards October 2016 called 'Pretty Petals'.

Butterflies are SU punches and in my stash. 

I hope you will come along and play. The challenge is running till 24th June. The butterflies and bees are busy in the garden and The Doc has just installed a new water feature for them. I potted up some sunflower seeds a few weeks back and they are sprouting up nicely. I have planted four different varieties so it will be a race to see which ones grow the tallest.  

Stay safe and well

❤❤❤

Floating Strips.

  

A new challenge has just started over on the Butterfly blog. The wheel has landed on a fresh letter.

#169 Spin The Butterfly Wheel with F for Floating Strip card.

Here is the new format wheel and there are two choices for you to play along with. 

1. Make a card using at least 2 of the colours on the wheel + your butterfly of course.

or

2. Make a card using the Book binding Fold Shape + any 2 of the colours + the Theme + your butterfly of course. 

There is a tutorial as normal over on the challenge blog  which you will find on the Card Shapes tab that is under the banner at the top of the page. 

If you play your cards right and use a ready made card blank then there isn't even a fold  to make. If you use cardstock to make your card base then just one fold is needed. How easy is that!! 

Here are my cards for inspiration.

Card 1. Tutorial I

Uses from the wheel: Floating Strip Card/Flowers/Fuchsia/Fawn/Flax/Butterfly

I used up Flax (Yellow) strips from my odds box and then cut a few strips off of a sheet of  paper from a paper pack by Violet Studio with the pretty butterfly design on it. 

Now isn't that just typical Just when I want to get the glare from the acetate behind the strips showing up, I get a perfect shot without it!  When hubby saw this card he called it the Venetian Blind effect which is a pretty good description.  Butterflies were in my butterfly box already punched out and the leaf spray infawn card was in my stash. Below is picture taken from side showing the foam tape strips behind the acetate which the strips are mounted onto. I used the remainder of the flower design paper and another punched out butterfly to decorate the inside.  

Card 1. Tutorial II

Uses from the wheel: Floating Strip Card/Flowers/Flame//Flax/Butterfly.

I very nearly gave up the ghost making this one as after taking the photo (of all the items needed) for the tutorial the pansy flower die simply disappeared.I spent a frantic 2 hours searching my desk, the floor, everything in my craft room that I had touched looking for it. I finally found it wedged down the side of my pencil tray that is a black box. The pansy die also being black didn't show up and I just caught the edge of the pansy flower peeking out over the rim.  Relief and curses followed in quick succession with the amount of time wasted. 

 Anyway here is the card. 

Strips of flax  and flame cardstock mounted onto an acetate sheet which I precut  with a circle die and then die cut the pansy die out afterwards. It did need several passes with my machine and then snipping out in a few places using my thin scissors. I recommend using very thin acetate or cutting from a self seal bag that you would normally use for putting your cards in.  I then die cut the pansy in more cardstock and once the circle was adhered to the front of the card stuck it down onto the card front through the pansy aperture to make a recessed image.  It does look very effective IRL. 

Life has a way of throwing curved balls at you and I have been MIA due to The Doc having a minor procedure that turned out to be not so minor and 2.5 hours under the knife instead of the 30mins intended. So lots of trips up and down to the hospital for dressing to be changed and stitches taken out. Last visit was yesterday for the final  all clear and me to be shown how to massage cream into the 3" scar he now has on his right shoulder.  Now that the stitches are out and the plasters all off he is feeling a lot more comfortable with strict instructions to take it easy for the next six weeks.

I hope you will come along and join in the challenge which is running for 3 weeks so plenty of time to get out all those pesky strips.

Stay safe and well

❤❤❤

Snow Scenes.

Another fortnight gone in  a puff of smoke and it's the first day of Spring here today in the UK. We have 3 different butterflies out in the garden this past week and some huge bumble bees too. 

Time for the Girls in the Christmas Card club to show our next makes. Margaret chose the theme of Sweet  Treats but I didn't have anything in my stash to suite so I went with the fall back of anything goes and made two snow scenes.

The first card  is using a 3D push out by Yvonne Creations called Wintertime  from Find IT Media Kampen/Holland. Layered up and given a coat of Wink of Stella on the snow and the flowers.  The die cut sentiment is by Ultimate Crafts and the snowflakes are by Xcut.  A few scattered gems on the snowflakes to finish off.  I have turned the card sideways so you can see the decoupage effect. 

The second card is again using a 3D cut out  this time by Precious Marieke called Winter Wonderland. More Wink  of Stella on the snow and the die cuts are by Xcut Let It Snow. Again turned on it's side to get the full effect. 

Watch this space news. 

I have received a case number from the delivery company (talked about  in my last post) saying they aimed to reply in 3 days. That was 6 days ago and nothing from them yet. The department store got straight back to me and said they would be looking into the matter directly as it  reflects on their good customer relations.  The pillows are very comfy btw. 

Keep Safe and Well

❤❤❤

Latch Fold.

A new challenge has started  over at the butterfly challenge.  The wheel has landed on a fresh letter. 

#168 Spin The Butterfly Wheel with L for Latch Fold Card.

Here is the new format wheel. You now have two choices to play along.

1. Make a card using at least 2 of the colours on the wheel + your butterfly of course.

or

2. Make a card using the Book binding Fold Shape + any 2 of the colours + the Theme + your butterfly of course. 

There is a tutorial as normal over on the challenge blog  which you will find on the Card Shapes tab that is under the banner at the top of the page. 

This card shape just needs 3  folds so easy peasy to make and there is only one version. 

Here are my cards for inspiration.

Card 1.

Uses from the wheel: Latch fold/Lace/Light Pink/Lavender/Butterfly

The image I have used is a page from one of the Hunkydory  Little books of Butterflies which I have trimmed down to fit. The pink design paper is from a paper pad from My Minds Eye Called 'Lost and Found' by Jen allyson  I have uede a 2" punch for the circle and my SU Labels  punch. Sentiment is silver sticker from my stash along with the pink lace that I have attached to the inside of the card. 

Inside of front flap showing the lace attached. 

Entering into the following challenges:

Crafting Happiness #121 anything goes.

Everybody Art #509 B is for.......   (Bird, Butterfly).

Ally's Angels #56 Anything goes.

Love To Craft #67 Anything goes.

The Creative  Crafters #50 Anything goes.

Card 2.

Uses from the wheel: Latch fold/Lace/Light Pink/Lake Blue/Butterfly

The large butterfly is by Prima Marketing and comes in an assorted packet of six. Design paper is by Nitwits from their Lavender Collection 'Fleur teal'. The sentiment is one of my favorite go to's by Kaisercraft from their 'Birthday Wishes' collection. Lace edging found in my stash.

Entering into the following challenges:

Shopping Our Stash #466 Spread Your Wings

Through The Craft room Door # Anything goes.

A Perfect Time To Craft #3 Anything goes.

Love To Scrap #154 Anything goes.

Mix It Up #58 Anything goes + optional fancy fold.

 

Card 3.

Uses from the wheel: Latch fold/Lace/Light Pink/Lettuce/Butterfly

the large pink design cardstock id from The Works. and the tiny green and pink sprig paper is called 'Parisian Dreams' by Jenny Ellory 2013. Sentiment is again by Kaisercraft. 

Showing inside of front panel. 

Entering into the following challenges:

Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #177 Anything goes.

Classic Design Challenge #3 Anything goes.

Creations In Pink #44 Anything goes.

Cutie Pie Challenge #169 Beginning with B    (Butterflies)

I hope you will come along and join in the challenge which is running for 3 weeks so plenty of time to make those few folds. 

Fun and games this week with online deliveries which I why i am running a day late for this challenge.

Since covid took over our lives if I haven't been able to buy items on line and get delivered we have gone without. This has worked well over the last 2 yrs until now. 

I needed two new pillows for myself as I haven't been sleeping well with the old ones so I found what I needed on line from a large well known department store and ordered them. Order accepted and a matter of a few days later I was informed of the despatch and delivery details which should have been on Monday. We had  been given a 1 hr time slot with The Doc hovering outside the front in order to take delivery but nothing arrived. What did arrive though on my ipad was an email from the delivery company telling me that my items had been delivered within the allocated time slot and that they had been signed for by us (stating our surname) and a picture taken of said parcels left outside my front door as proof of delivery.Not my front door or that of my immediate neighbours I might add and most certainly not signed for by us!! The Doc initially thought that the email had been sent in error and that the  pillows were still in transit.  Roll on a couple of hours later  when a lady whom I did not recognise  turned up on our doorstep saying that she had our pillows left  at her house on her doorstep which she found when she arrived home. They had not been signed for and she lived in a house that was 54 numbers away from ours so not even near us. If she had not very kindly taken the time to come and let me know we  would have had no idea what had happened to them.  Cue an onslaught of emails from me to A. The delivery company and B. the Department store and the reason I am running late. 

Watch this space for next enthralling installment. 

Stay safe and well

❤❤❤

Christmas Bells

Time again for the girls in the Christmas Card Club to show our next cards. Margaret set the theme of Christmas Bells. I bought some sheets of 3D Push Out images by Precious Marteke at the end of last year and didn't get around to using them. Two of the designs were Christmas Bells with flower designs so perfect to use here. I managed to make  4 cards to swell my total of cards for this year which is sorely  lacking behind at the minute. 

Card 1 uses an embossing folder by Whimsy Stamps called 'Holly' from their slimline range. I have layered up with white and green cardstock to make a slimline card.  The sentiment is a tonic Studios Die. A bit of silver glitter glue  and I declared the card finished. 

Card 2 uses  the negative cut out of an ivy leaf die by John Next Door that was in my bits and bobs folder and worked perfectly with the next set of bells.  Layered up on light  green and red cardstock. The sentiment is again by Tonic Studios.

Card 3 uses a die cut frame by Creative Expressions  layered up using red and  shades of  green  onto a dark green cardbase. The sentiment is  by Tonic Studios. I have let the decoupage image speak for itself.

Card 4  uses a smaller die cut from the same die set as above and I had a bit of the embossing folder sheet left over from card 1. which I was able to incorporate into the design. The silver sentiment was from my stash.

Stay safe and well

We are living in very worrying times at present.

❤❤❤

Something Different.

During the past two years of lock down I have gone back to my roots and  back into mixed media which is very much my first love. I have now produced several journals and albums, not for their intended use of putting photos in but have adapted them to hold my stamps and dies instead of just being stored in boxes. 

This one houses small dies and stamps in the various flaps and pockets and also has the added advantage of using up  my smaller paper pads/ and left over designer papers in my stash. 

This is a " Tabbed Folio" Journal  from 'My Porch Prints' and you can buy the digital printout and instructions from their Etsy Shop.  I printed it out in black onto printer paper which I then glued onto thick card and cut out the templates to draw round and use on my design paper. You can print straight onto digital paper if prefered 

I have decorated the front of the folder with' Heartfelt Creations '  Leafy accents stamp HCPC - 3835 / Arianna  Blooms stamp HCPC - 3608 and the matching die cut Arianna Blooms HCD 748. I coloured using Distress ink pads in various blues and browns. The centre of the flowers are Prills. (The little devils get everywhere so make sure you put your glue in the centre of your flower head first and then tip a spoonful of them in on top. Tap your flower down  onto a clean sheet of paper and then funnel any loose ones straight back into the jar replacing the lid pronto!!!   I have also chosen to keep the folder closed with ribbon  which is my own idea. The pocket on the front holds a small die in place. The closure is a flower punch cut out several times and glued together , then held in place with brads and bakers twine. 

Folder then opens up with two slip in pockets on the left and two more pockets on the right.

Each tab then opens up again to reveal more storage pockets on the left hand side

and the same  on the right hand side. I decorated the inside using my SU butterfly punch and a Martha Stewart Decorative punch.

I am entering into the following challenges:

Crafting Happiness #121 Anything goes.

Dream Valley  #264 More than 1 fold.

Through The Craftroom Door# Anything goes.

Double 'D' Challenge # Something with pockets.

C.R.A.F.T. challenge # 628 Not a card.

Dies R Us #188 Anything goes using a die cut. 

Creative Creases #27 Anything goes with a fun fold. 

A Perfect Time To Craft #3 Anything goes.

Crafty Friends Challenge #153 Flowers.

Classic Design Challenge #3 Anything goes.

Stay Safe and well.

❤❤❤

Book Binding fold.

A new challenge hits the headlines over at the butterfly challenge.  The wheel has landed on a fresh letter. 

#167 Spin The Butterfly Wheel with B for Book Binding Fold Card.

Here is the new format wheel. You now have two choices to play along.

When I was choosing the wheel colours I picked Bougainvillea as the Bougainvillea flower (depicted here on the wheel) is usually known for being in shades of this but looking on line I found  there really is a variety coloured  yellow albeit with a white centre.  

1. Make a card using at least 2 of the colours on the wheel + your butterfly of course.

or

2. Make a card using the Book binding Fold Shape + any 2 of the colours + the Theme + your butterfly of course. 

There is a tutorial as normal over on the challenge blog  which you will find on the Card Shapes tab that is under the banner at the top of the page. 

This card shape just requires a couple of folds and your good to go.  Version 3 requires a bit more folding but nothing complicated. Would I do that to you!!

Here are my cards for inspiration. 

Version I

Using: Book Binding fold/Butterfly/Bondi Blue/Buff/Braid

The design paper is a freebie from Making Cards Nancy Watt Collection. The just for you  sentiment is a creative Expressions. The large butterfly is a piece of already die cut card I found in my stash from a previous card so not sure of the make now. I used my SU butterfly punch for smaller butterflies on the inside of the card. The braid element is three pieces of buff bakers twine plaited together on the spine of the card. 

Entering this card into the following challenges:

Version II

Using: Book Binding fold/Butterfly/Bondi Blue/Banana/Bougainvillea/Braid

 I really do have a love hate relationship with acetate but I have been using it lately in some other projects that I have been making and as it was still out on my desk I decided to incorporate into the book binding shape.  The back of the card is plain card stock and design paper by 'Sally Moret' adhered to the top. I then sandwiched a sheet of acetate on top before adhering the book binding flap down securing it altogether.  The strip of design paper on the edge of the acetate is only there for show as the acetate  is thinner than I would normally use for a card front but I had none thicker and it is helping in keeping the front ajar.  The braid is from The Works and the sentiment is made up from 3 different die cuts. Happy is Creative  Expressions, Birthday is a Memory Box die and the wishes is by Crafter's Companion.

Entering this card into the following challenges:

Version III

Using: Book Binding fold/Butterfly/Bondi Blue/Buff/Bougainvillea/Braid

This last card is an exploding version of the shape.  A full 'How to make this'  is over on the Butterfly Blog as mentioned above.  Just a few folds on a square of paper and Ta Da!!

Design paper is by 'Sally Moret'  Butterfly die cut is by Tonic Studios ' Monarch Arch'.

The sentiment is by Creative Expressions and the braid from The Works. 

Below is showing the card as you open it up to reveal the inside.

 The Works. Here is the card fully opened. 

Entering this card into the following challenges:

I hope you will come along and join in the challenge which is running for 3 weeks so plenty of time to make those few folds.  

Stay safe and well

❤❤❤

Anyone for a Penguin!

Time for the girls in the Christmas Card clubto show our next cards and as it is  my turn to choose the theme I had best not be late for my own party. I chose Penguins. 

Card 1.

I have used several dies to create this card. The circle stitched die is by Card Deco. Snowflakes are from Memory Box 'Twilight Snowflakes' and the Penguin dies are by Apple Blossom 'Snowflake Penguins. I kept to a Black/White  colourway with just the green sprig of holly. No room on the front for a sentiment so I will put one inside.

Card 2.

More colour for this card. The red die cut frame is from Creative Expressions. The stamped ivy is from Inkylicious  from their 'Twinchies' range. The Poinsettia  die is from Ultimate crafts and again I have used the same  pequin die set.  The sentiment was a magazine freebie from a while ago. I struggled with this card as it just didn't look right until I added the Mummy penguin very much as an after thought. It looks rather busy now but I think it works okay.

Hope everyone in the UK weathered the Storm  'Eunice' without too much damage. We lost a concrete fence post so a 12 foot run of fencing needs to be repaired  but otherwise no other damage. The house opposite us lost 6 ridge tiles from their garage roof but their fencing remained intact. The wind was certainly gusting up at high speed.  

Stay safe and well

Hugs 

❤❤❤

Flowers

One more week for the current Butterfly Challenge #166 still to run and it's time for me to show you my inspirational cards for just using the the non shape elements of the wheel. 

Card 1.

Here I am using Circles/Cornflower/Celadon/Cardinal/Butterflies.

The image is a stamp that I bought last year and not used yet by AALL Create #278 Passion flower. I have one of these growing on a trellis in my side garden where it is protected from the wind and the worst of the weather. The design paper is an oldie Magazine freebie from Hunkydory 'Boutique Chic' Paper Crafter June 2016 issue.  It has three of the required colours on it.  The stamp is coloured with my trusty Promarkers/silver gel pen and the silver circle stickers are from my stash. All attached to blue cardstock to make the cardbase.

Entering into the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #175 Anything goes.

Crafting Happiness #120 Anything goes.

Papercraft  Challenges #79 Anything goes.

Ally's Angels #55  Anything goes.

A Perfect Time To Craft #2 Anything goes.

Classic Design Challenge #2 Anything goes. 

Card 2.

Here I am using Circles/Coral/Celadon/Cardinal/Butterflies.

I am using another stamp that I have never used before that I bought quite a time ago before even  slim line cards became popular.  This one is by Studio Light 'Smile Like a Flower.'  Coloured using my promarkers ,gold gel pen and clear Wink of stella.  The flowers really sparkle. The design paper is an unknown  magazine freebie. Butterflies are my SU punch and the gold circles from my stash. 

Entering unto the following challenges:

Crafty Calendar # Anything goes.

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenges # Use design paper.

Pattie's Creations #191 Anything goes.

Stamping Sensations # Anything goes with optional wings.

The Creative Crafters #49 Anything goes.

NBUS #35 Never before used schtuff  (New stamp used.)

Card 3.

Here I am using /Cornflower /Celadon/Cardinal/Butterflies.

Stamp is by Clarity and coloured using my promarkers and a gold gel pen. The design papers is from Making cards June 2016 edition. Gold stickers from my stash. 

The challenge is running until Tuesday 22nd February 8pm (GMT) and I hope you will come and spend some time in the butterfly garden.  The squirrels are having a busy time in there at the moment as they have learnt how to open the box we bought for them which has their own special food in.

Yes they do actually sit on the little red stools, open the lid with their paws and stick their heads right in the box to eat.!! The Doc said they would never do it but it only took them a week to suss out. 

Stay safe and well

Hugs 

❤❤❤