More Big Birthday Wishes

I was so pleased when my 'Whimsical Flower Arrangement was voted a Top Cut at the Cut It Up Challenge and I was invited to be Guest Designer on a future challenge.  I chose the 'Use Your Favourite Die/Set' challenge and have my used favourite 'go to' die for making male cards - this one is for a neighbour's milestone birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes', Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' and Xcut 'Nesting Stars' dies
     Snippets of kraft card, red glitter card and cream textured card.

I cut the large sentiment from kraft card and trimmed down each side so it was slightly narrower than the card blank and then attached the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'BIG' from a snippet of red glitter card and inlaid the letters into the panel.  The rest of the sentiment was die cut from a snippet of cream textured card and inlaid into the panel.  I trimmed two narrow strips of cream textured card and attached them down the side of the panel before trimming the ends.  I die cut two small stars from cream textured card and attached them towards the top of the card using small foam pads.  I die cut a slightly larger star from red glitter card and and '80' from cream textured card.  The numerals were attached to the star which was then attached to the card with a foam pad.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Alphabet Challenge - S is for Square (I have used a square card blank)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Use Dies
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 523

Kath x

August Rudolph Day

For one reason and another I've not done much crafting over the last couple of weeks, although I have been tidying my craft drawers to make room for a lot of cross stitch items I've been gifted.  During my 'sort out' I came across several embossed panels and some die cuts which I had made for cards and not used.  One of the panels and some letters were perfect for making this quick die cut card for Rudolph Day (die cutting is my RD theme this year)

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Joy', All Occasion Dies 'Small Poinsettia' and Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves' dies
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder
     Snippets of white matt card

The panel had been embossed and I trimmed it around the edges before attaching it to the front of the card.  The letters had been die cut from white card and I then die cut the poinsettia and holly berries from another snippet of white card.  The poinsettias were layered with the holly berries attached to the centre.  I layered two 'J' and two 'Y' letters so they would be more prominent in the centre of the embossed panel.  I placed the letters and poinsettia onto the card to ensure they were evenly spaced before gluing them into place.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     ABC Christmas Challenge - Q for Quick
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Cut It Up - Anything Goes
     Rudolph Day - August Challenge
     Tic Tac Toe - Challenge 277 (I have chosen Letters, Free & Rectangle Shape)

Kath x

March Rudolph Day

I've not had much crafting time over the last couple of weeks as we've finally got our campervan back after lengthy warranty work so have been away to make the most of the lovely spring weather.  I made this quick card for the third Rudolph Day of the year using a die cut (die cuts are my RD theme this year).  

To make this card I used:
     C6 white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Christmas' die
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder 
     Snippets of white matt card and dark red mirri card     

I embossed a piece of white card with the 'Swirls' embossing folder, trimmed around the edge and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from both white matt card and red mirri card, layered the red onto the white sentiment and attached them to the centre of the panel in the embossed frame.  Quick and easy and another card for my Christmas box.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - E for Embossing & F for Focal Sentiment
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
     Rudolph Day - March Challenge

Kath x

Big Birthday Wishes

I made this card for a friend's 'Special Birthday' using one of my 'go to' dies for male cards.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes' , Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' and Xcut 'Star' dies
     Snippets of white matt card, dark, medium and pale blue textured card

I trimmed a snippet of white card to 6" x 4" and die cut the sentiment from the centre before attaching it to the card blank.  I cut two narrow strips of dark blue card and attached them down each side.  I die cut 'BIG' from dark blue card and inlaid the letters.  The rest of the sentiment was die cut from medium blue card and inlaid into the panel.  I die cut the stars from dark, medium and pale blue and attached them to the card.  To finish I die cut '70' from pale blue card and attached it to the dark blue star.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Shades of Blue
     Cardz 4 Guyz - Clean & Simple
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 500 'Celebrate'
     The Male Room - Monochrome

Kath x

Yet More Big Birthday Wishes

As regular followers will know, this is my favourite die for male cards - I made this card for one of my neighbours who will be celebrating his 90th birthday next month.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes', Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' and Xcut 'Nesting Stars' dies
     Snippets of kraft card, blue textured card and red sparkle card

I trimmed the snippet of kraft card so it was slightly wider than the die and cut the large sentiment from the centre before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'BIG' from a snippet of blue textured card and inlaid the letters into the panel.  The rest of the sentiment was die cut from red sparkle card and inlaid into the panel.  I trimmed two narrow strips of red sparkle card and attached them down each side of the sentiment panel using narrow tape and then trimmed the ends.  I die cut two small stars from red sparkle card and attached them towards the top of the card using small foam pads.  I die cut a slightly larger star from blue textured card and '90' from red sparkle card.  The numerals were attached to the blue star which was then attached to the card with a foam pad.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     Alphabet Challenge - M for Masculine
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Die (I've posted several cards made with this die - which is my favourite for male and teenager cards which I always fine difficult!)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - All Occasions
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 489

Kath x

Big Birthday Wishes

I made this card for a friend's birthday using my 'go to' die for male cards.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes' and Xcut 'Nesting Stars' dies
     Snippets of kraft card, blue matt card and red sparkle card

I trimmed the snippet of kraft card so it was slightly wider than the die and cut the large sentiment from the centre before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the sentiment from snippets of blue matt card and red sparkle card and inlaid them into the front of the panel.  I trimmed two narrow strips of red sparkle card and attached them down each side of the sentiment panel.  To finish I die cut three small stars and attached them to the front of the card.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Cardz 4 Guyz - Navy, Kraft & Red Colour Challenge
     CAS on Friday - Dies Only
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - For a Man or Boy

Kath x

Chloe Stem Birthday

I was over the moon when my Happy Birthday Butterfly won the Seize the Birthday 'Kraft and Another Colour' challenge.  Thank you to the team for inviting me to be Surprise Party Guest on the latest challenge 'Use Red as the Main Colour'.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Memory Box 'Chloe Stem' and Creative Expressions 'Mini Expressions - Stacked Happy Birthday' dies
     Xcut 'Small Polka Hearts' embossing folder
     Red sparkle card and white matt card

I embossed a piece of white card with the Polka Hearts.  This was trimmed, layered onto red sparkle card and attached to the card blank.  I die cut two Chloe Stems and one Happy Birthday sentiment from snippets of red sparkle card.  The flower stems were attached to the left side of the card with the sentiment in the lower right corner.

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Challenge - Hearts
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Add a Heart
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - All Occasions
     The Flower Challenge - Add a Heart 

Kath x

Sparkling Poinsettia

We had a lot of big expenses last year (and not just our new campervan!) so we're having a frugal 2024.  This means that other than essentials (ink, glue, tape, etc) I'm not going to buy any new craft items this year - other than a pre-loved bargain I may find in a charity shop.  There will be plenty of posts using old favourites and some NBUS goodies too.

I won this lovely Heartfelt Creations 'Sparkling Poinsettia' stamp and die set in the ABC Christmas Challenge before Christmas - this is the first card I've made, but expect to see more during the year.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Heartfelt Creations 'Sparkling Poinsettia' stamp and coordinating die
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Season's Greetings' die
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder
     Versafine Crimson Red ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Pentel Hybrid Dual Metallic gold pen
     Wink of Stella
     Snippets of red matt card and white matt card

I embossed a snippet of white card and trimmed around the edge of the swirl pattern.  The panel was layered onto a slightly larger snippet of red matt card and attached to the card blank.  I stamped the poinsettia flowers onto red matt card using crimson red ink, embossing them with clear embossing powder before cutting them with the coordinating die.  The flowers looked a little dull in the plain red matt card, so I added lots of clear Wink of Stella to them before layering three petals and attached them to the upper corner of the card.  The centre was coloured with the gold gel pen.  I die cut the sentiment from another snippet of red card, applied lots of Wink of Stella and attached it to the front of the card.  To finish I added more Wink of Stella to the edge of the red matt layer to make the card sparkle.

I am entering the following challenges:
     ABC Christmas Challenge - Y for Your Choice (I chose to use my prize to make a CAS card)
     Alphabet Challenge - T is for Texture
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - The Midas Touch
     Christmas (or not) Bingo Challenge - I have used line 'G' (red, die-cuts and embossing for my 'free' square)
     NBUS - Challenge 58 (my new Sparkling Poinsettia stamp and die)
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Clean and Simple

Kath x  

Embossed Birthday

My Christmas cards are all now in the post, so it's time to start making cards for a few birthdays in the New Year.

I embossed a piece of white card and trimmed around the edge of the design.  I stamped the butterfly and 'birthday' with blue ink onto snippets of white card, stamping several times to get a deep blue colour.  These were then embossed with clear embossing powder and cut with their coordinating dies.  I placed the embossed panel into my MISTI and laid the butterfly and 'birthday' onto the panel so I could see where to position the 'happy' stamp.  I removed the butterfly and 'birthday' before stamping 'happy' in dark blue ink and embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The panel was attached to the centre of the card blank.  I coloured the butterfly wings with a cream coloured Promarker.  As the Promarker had bled through the card I die cut a butterfly from a piece of copy paper and glued it to the rear before attaching it to the card and shaping the wings.  I die cut another 'birthday' from a snippet of white card, layering the stamped one onto the plain one before attaching it to the card.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Card Making Magic 'The Best of Card Making Magic' and Clearly Besotted 'Modern Calligraphy' stamps and coordinating dies
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Ivory Promarker
     Snippets of white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Challenge - Embossing
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     CAS on Friday - Embossing (heat and/or dry - I have used both)
     Color Hues Challenge - Navy and Cream
     Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes    

Kath x

Hello

I made this card to send to Jo for the September Card Chain Challenge.  I used the Colour Option (Ginger, Buttercup & Sage) and the Theme Option (Friendship).

I die cut four green triangles from snippets of green textured card and attached them to the corners of the card.  I die cut the triangles from lots of snippets of yellow textured card and inlaid them into the green triangles.  I cut a piece of brown cad so it was slightly smaller than the inner square and attached it to the card.  I die cut 'hello' from both green and yellow card, offsetting the yellow on top of the green before attaching it to the centre of the card.  I die cut three stars from green card and punched three stars from yellow card.  I attached the yellow stars to the centre of the green die cut stars and attached them to the card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Practical Publishing 'Terrific Triangles', Altenew 'Simply Hello' and Xcut 'Nesting Star' dies
     Unbranded star punch
     Snippets of brown, yellow and green textured card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 438

This is the lovely card I received from Julia:

Kath x

Sam's Birthday

I made this card for my youngest great-nephew's birthday using one of my last remaining Lili of the Valley 'Action Time' toppers.

I trimmed a snippet of blue textured paper so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut a circle from the centre before attaching it to the card blank.  I die cut the precoloured topper with the same circle die and inlaid it into the frame.  I die cut a star from a snippet of brown card (that matched the colour of the dog) and attached it to the top of the card.  To finish I die cut '6' from blue paper and attached it to the centre of the star.  

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley 'Action Time' precoloured topper
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics', Xcut 'Nesting Stars' and Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' dies
     Snippets of blue textured paper and brown textured paper

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Kath x

There's No-one in the World

I saw this large die in a sale and bought it for £1.00 - it's not often I find a bargain!

I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut the globe from the centre before attaching the panel to the card blank.  I die cut the globe from dark red pearlescent card, embossed it whilst it was still in the die and then inlaid it into the front of the card.  I die cut the words in the centre of the globe from gold pearlescent card and inlaid them.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Xcut 'There's No One in the World' die
     Snippets of white matt card, red and gold pearlescent card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - March Challenge
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 36 (my new die)

Kath x

May All Your Dreams Come True

For various reasons, I missed a lot of the CCC challenges last year but hope to do better in 2022! I made this card for Marianne for the January Card Chain Challenge using the Sketch Option, the Theme Option (Scraps & Friendship) and the Product/Technique Option (Sequins & Embossing).

I trimmed a snippet of blue paper, embossed it with the hearts embossing folder and attached it to the front of the card blank.  I die cut the precoloured Lili of the Valley image with a stitched circle die.  I placed the card blank into my MISTI and laid the circle topper on top so I could see where to position the stamp.  I removed the topper and stamped the sentiment a couple of times with dark blue ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I die cut a circle of thin foam (slightly smaller than the topper) and glued it to the rear of the topper before attaching it to the card blank.  To finish I added three white sequins to the bottom of the card.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lili of the Valley precoloured topper
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Clearly Besotted 'Dandelion Dreams' stamps
     Xcut 'Small Polka Hearts' embossing folder
     Versafine Majestic Blue ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail Embossing Powder
     Snippet of blue paper
     Small white sequins

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Try It On Tuesday - Add a Quote

This is the pretty card I've received from Mia, as well as some lovely cross stitch gifts - thank you Mia!

Kath x

Blue Bauble

A quick Christmas card today using a new die I bought to make some last minute cards.

I trimmed a piece of white card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank and die cut the bauble from the centre.  I trimmed a snippet of pale gold paper so it was slightly smaller than the panel and sprayed it with Spray & Sparkle.  When the paper had dried I placed it to the rear of the white panel and attached it to the card front.  I die cut and embossed the bauble from a snippet of dark blue pearlescent card and inlaid it into the card front.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6"white matt card blank
     Xcut 'Large Ornate Bauble' die
     Snippets of white matt card, dark blue pearlescent card and pale gold paper
     Crafter's Companion Spray and Sparkle

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Winter
     Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With Dies - December Challenge
     Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 33 (my new bauble die)
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

Kath x

JOY

I'm still trying to catch up with making Christmas cards as well as using as much as possible from my snippets mountain.

For this card I embossed a piece of white card and trimmed around the edges before layering it onto a piece of red embossed card and attaching it to the card blank.  I die cut JOY from red card and attached the 'J' and 'Y' to the centre of the panel.  I die cut three poinsettias from red card, layered them and attached them to the centre of the card.  To finish I die cut seven small gold dots and attached them to the centre of the poinsettia.

To make this card I used:   
     6" x 4" white matt card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Joy', All Occasion Dies 'Small Poinsettia' and Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves'
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder
     Snippets of dark red embossed card, white matt card and gold mirri

I'm not entering any challenges with this card as I CASEd it from Darnell's JOY card in her Christmas Parade - thank you for the inspiration Darnell!

Kath x

Cross Stitch Teddy Card

I made this card with another small cross stitch kit I had recently purchased as a pre-loved 'job lot' of kits.  This was another magazine cover gift which had its own coloured card but I chose to make my own red frame for the stitching.  I trimmed the red card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank, die cut a circle from the centre and rounded the corners before embossing it with my Xcut Small Polka Hearts embossing folder.

The completed cross stitch was mounted behind the aperture before being attached to the card.

Kath x

Hansa Yellow Butterfly

I made this card for the Butterfly Challenge hoping it will brighten up a dull grey morning.

I embossed a piece of white card and trimmed around the edge before attaching it to a piece of yellow textured card.  The panel was then attached to the card front.  I due cut the sentiment and a small butterfly from yellow card and attached them to the panel in the centre.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Crafts-Too 'Happy Birthday' and Tattered Lace 'Mini Butterfly' dies
     Xcut 'Swirls' embossing folder
     Snippets of yellow textured card and white matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Birthday Card Challenge - A Large Sentiment
     Butterfly Challenge - H is for ... (I have used Hansa Yellow with my butterfly)
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Anything Goes
     Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge 395  

Kath x

Joy, Hope, Peace, Believe, Christmas

I've spent so long making Christmas cards for other people that I'm running short of time to make my own.  I decided to make some quick cards - perfect for a few current challenges.

I die cut the Christmas tree from red self adhesive glitter paper and attached it to the centre of the card blank.  It really doesn't get much quicker or simpler than that (although it did take ages to get all the small bits of glitter paper from out of the die!).

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Christmas Tree Greetings'
     Xcut Adhesive Glitter Sheets

I am entering the following challenges:
     AAA Cards - Made in Minutes + Optional: Christmas
     52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Pick a Previous 2020 Challenge (I've chosen the April 2020 Colour Challenge - Red & White)
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Christmas
     Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Quick and Easy
     Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes - End of Year Challenge

Kath x

Oh Christmas Tree

Another Christmas card for a new challenge that I've recently discovered - Fezzwig's Festive Frolics.

To make this quick card I die cut the Christmas tree from black self adhesive glitter paper and attached it to the centre of the card.  It doesn't get much quicker or easier than that!  I do like unfussy cards to send to the men in our family and this one is perfect for a friend who supports Exeter Chiefs.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Creative Expressions 'Festive Collection - Christmas Tree Greetings'
     Xcut black self adhesive glitter sheet

I am entering the following challenges:
     Fezzwig's Festive Frolics - Oh Christmas Tree
     The Male Room - Team Colours (Exeter Chiefs)

Kath x

All We Need

My final card today uses a sentiment die I saw on Jo's blog - I thought it would make a lovely anniversary card for my OH.  It's not our anniversary until next month, but as he doesn't read my blog I can post the card now!

I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the front of the card and rounded the corners.  I then die cut and embossed the heart from the centre before attaching the panel to the card.  I die cut the heart from red card and embossed it with lots of hearts before inlaying it into the frame.  I die cut the sentiment twice from black card, layered them and attached them across the heart.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white hammer card blank
     Huinkydory 'All you Need' and Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Classic Heart' dies
     Xcut 'Small Polka Hearts' embossing folder
     Kars tan embossing mat
     White hammer card, red and black matt card

I am entering the following challenges:
     Crafty Calendar Challenge - Use Die Cuts/Punches
     Moving Along With The Times - No Image - Sentiment/Quote as Focus
     Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Include Some Red
     The Male Room - Heart You
     

Kath x