Sir Stampalot January Challenge "Monochromatic"

Good morning,

It's the first Sunday of the month and time for a new challenge from Sir Stampalot. Our theme this month is

"MONOCHROMATIC"

I've made a matching tag and card.

Both panels started out white and I inked them with three different blue Distress Inks - "Stormy Sky", "Chipped Sapphire" and "Broken Glass". Next I sprayed them with "Dazzling Diamonds" glimmer mist so in real life they have a lovely shimmer. Once they were dry I stamped the Hero Arts images on top using "Chipped Sapphire" distress ink. Both stamps are from the Hero Arts "Delicate Blossoms" clear stamp set CL449.

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? I don't usually make them, but this year I have.

1. Buy less crafting goodies and use what I already have (although I did put a small order in at Sir Stampalot - I couldn't ignore their sale!).

2. Start running!!!!!!! My lovely hubby has already bought me some running gear as an early birthday present so I will have to get out there and use it or I will feel too guilty.

3. Learn how to take better photographs of my cards when it's winter.

I wonder if I will stick to any of these resolutions? I hope you stick to yours if you have made any.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Snow Kiss

Good morning,

Here's a card I made using my goodies from Handy Hippo (details in last post).

I stamped Penny Black Circles and Lines (40-084) onto turquoise card using "Whipped Cream" ink from Elzybells (sadly no longer in existence) and heat embossed with clear embossing powder, then I inked over with "Faded Jeans" and "Pine Needles" distress inks, and blended the inks using a baby wipe. Next I coloured between some of the lines with "Powder Blue" and "Soft Green" Promarkers.

I stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts "Sending Holiday Cheer" (CL464) with versamark and heat embossed with Stampendous fine white embossing powder.

The image is "Snow Kiss" by Penny Black (4099K). I coloured the image with Promarkers and cut out Mimi and the Polar bear, then I stamped the image again in black and glued on the coloured pieces. The borders and "snow" are made from Twinklets Diamond Dust adhered with tacky glue. I love the effect of the Twinklets but the bits of glass get everywhere!

The snowflake is made using a Marianne Createables snowflake (LR0124) for the base with a smaller, Martha Stewart punched snowflake, for the middle.

It makes me feel a bit cold looking at this card! Hubby said last night that snow was forecast within the next three weeks. I do hope the forecast is wrong.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Practicing

Good morning,

I always shy away from the dark markers when I colour, so I decided it was about time I made myself use them.

I need a lot more practice!

The image I have used is by Whiff of Joy called "Henry Mouse with Christmas Bauble". A big thank you to Vicky for this fab image. I've used a Sakura clear glitter pen to add sparkle to the pattern on the bauble (sorry it doesn't show!).

The background stamp is by Hero Arts called "Large Canvas Stripes" (S5433). I stamped it onto white card using Versamark ink and heat embossed with fine white embossing powder (I could easily have used clear embossing powder as the cardstock was white). Then I sponged over "Peeled Paint" distress ink and ran a red marker pen around the edges.

The sentiment is also by Hero Arts from a clear stamp set called "Magic of Christmas" (CL462).

Thank you for visiting!

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Lily Pad Cards "Resist" challenge

Good evening,

Here is another Christmas card and this is my favourite one so far. I have made this for the Lily Pad Cards "Simon Says Presents a Resist Challenge".

I stamped Hero Arts Cling Snowflake Circle (CG100) in versamark onto white cardstock and heat embossed using Stampendous Fine White ebmossing powder. Next I inked over with Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Chipped Sapphire".

The snowman is by Penny Black from the "Jolly Friends" transparent stamp set (30-058). I've coloured him with alcohol markers and added Glossy Accents to his nose and the berries and Glamour Dust to his bobble. The snow at the bottom is made using Diamond dust Twinklets.

I made a frame using classic circle and lace circle nestabilities and sandwiched the image between the frame and a base card made using two lace circle nestabilities.

I can't wait to make this card again! It's not often that I want to make the same card twice.

I hope you have had a good start to your week.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Simon Says Stamp Challenge "Christmas in August"

Good afternoon,

The theme at Simon Says Stamp challenge is "Christmas in August".  I'm really in the mood for making Christmas cards at the moment, so I've made not one, but two cards to enter into the challenge. Can you spot the difference?

I've used tree stamps from a Hero Arts clear stamp set called "Merry Christmas Trees" cl459 and a sentiment from a Penny Black clear stamp set called "Christmas Critters" 30-006. The background stamp on the first card is from Hero Arts and is called "Large Canvas Stripes" S5433 (oh, there are so many Hero Arts background stamps on my wish list, they're so versatile).

The paper piecing uses papers from a Dovecraft paper pack called "Let it Snow".  I'm not convinced that the colours are very Christmassy, but I don't mind.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Your Favourite Cupcake Challenge

Good afternoon,

Cupcake Craft Challenges are celebrating their 150th challenge. The theme for this challenge is "Your Favourite Cupcake Challenge" where you get to choose from all the challenges they have ever had. What a great theme!

I've chosen Challenge 48 "Distressing" for my card, although it would probably fit other challenges too, including Challenge 1 "Flowers" and Challenge 148 "In the Garden".

For the panel of my card I started off with some pale green cardstock and stamped polka dots onto it using Versamark Frost. I then sponged over  with "Crushed Olive" and "Chipped Sapphire" distress inks and stamped Hero Arts "Wildflower Garden" (CG170)  in "Chipped Sapphire". The sentiment is from Crafty Individual and is also stamped with "Chipped Sapphire" distress ink.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Clare xx

Sir Stampalot June Challenge - Photo Inspiration

Good morning to you!

Today sees a brand new challenge at Sir Stampalot. This month we have a photo inspiration for you:-

Here's my card inspired by this picture:-

 
I stamped Hero Arts "Silhouette Grass" S5316 onto blue card using Brilliant Pearlescent Olive ink. I then randomly stamped Stampendous "Flutterbug" XXA002 amongst the grass using Brilliant Crimson ink and added a sentiment from Personal Impressions "Fairy Silhouette" clear set PICS056. I distressed around the image using Tim Holtz "Distress Ink" Weathered Wood and then used a distress tool to roughen the edges of the card. I covered the wings of the flutterbugs with Ranger "Crackle Accents" and left it all to dry. Once it was dry I stapled the image card onto a burgundy mat and layered this onto more blue card with an edge punched using a Martha Stewart Deep Edger Punch "Flower Bed".

As always, we have a brilliant prize, sponsored by Sir Stampalot.

I hope you can join us this month and I look forward to visiting all the entries.

Hugs and best wishes,
Clare xx

Kraft Christmas

Good morning,

Today I am showing you the latest addition to my Christmas Card pile.

I've used stamps from a Hero Arts clear stamo set called "Sending Holiday Cheers" (CL464). I've coloured the image with pencils and added some Glamour Dust for the snow.

Hugs, Clare x

Sir Stampalot May Challenge "Magical Worlds"

Good morning,

Oh my goodness, I'm late with my posting. My apologies!

Today sees the start of another monthly challenge from Sir Stampalot and this month the theme is:-

"Magical Worlds"

We have another fabulous prize for the winner of this challenge, from our sponsors Sir Stampalot.

I hope you get the time to join us this month and if you need some inspiration, please visit the challenge blog to see the wonderful samples from the Design Team.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Clare xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - Indigo, Ice and Inspiration

Good morning,

My cold came back wtih a vengeance and I've had another week out of action, but, touch wood, I really am on the mend now. I must be, because I have ventured back into my craft room.

My card is for the challenge at ABC Christmas where the theme is "Indigo, Ice and Inspiration" (picture inspiration).

I've used a Hero Arts cling stamp "Snowflake Circle" CG100 and stamped it wtih Brilliance ink, I then used a metallic silver pen to draw dots in the centres of most of the snowflakes. The sentiment is also from Hero Arts from the clear set "Sending Holiday Cheers" CL464, also stamped with Brilliance ink and heat embossed using clear embossing powder. I ran the card base through a Cuttlebug snowflake folder twice to cover the whole card.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Enjoy your day.

Best wishes, Clare xx

Christmas card at last

Good morning,

I bought quite a lot of Christmas Stamps straight after Christmas 2010 with the intention of making at least a card a week. Well, here we are in April, and I have well and truly fallen behind with that intention!

I've used stamps from a Hero Arts clear set "Sending Holiday Cheers" CL464. The house has been coloured with Aquamarkers and I've added glossy accents to the windows and hanging lights. The "snow" is Flowersoft Polar White, I'm not very keen on this as it has a yellow tinge in real life (and yellow snow is very offputting!), but it looks nice and white in the photo.

I almost forgot the other stamp I used for the snowflake background, it's a Hero Arts cling stamp "Snowflake Circle" CG100. I stamped the background and the sentiment with Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Spun Sugar". I don't know why I wanted a pink Christmas card, but I did!

Enjoy your day everyone, whatever you are doing.

Hugs, Clare xx

Allsorts Challenge "Blooming Blossoms"

Good afternoon!

The theme at the Allsorts challenge this week is "Blooming Blossoms".

I'm not entirely sure what I think about this one, it's a bit pink!

I am so guilty of having craft stuff that I just had to get and then forgot about immediately as I moved onto something new, so I'm going back and making the cards I promised I would at the time I wanted each particular stamp or craft item.

For this card, I masked around a rectangular area on my base card. First I stamped Hero Arts "La Lettre" K5344 in Memento London Fog, then I sponged over three colours of Memento ink - Lulu Lavender, Sweet Plum and Grape Jelly.  Next I removed the mask and stamped one of the images from the Hero Arts "Wildflower Garden" cling set CG170 using Starlight Black Brilliance Ink. Finally I added a sentiment from Stampin' Up, although I am beginning to think I should have left this off. Oops, forgot to mention that I also added seed beeds to the centre of the flower.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. The weather has turned lovely here and my little one is playing in the garden.

Best wishes to you, Clare xx

By The Cute and Girly "Red is all around us"

Good afternoon,

I am entering my Valentine's card for hubby into this month's challenge at By the Cute and Girly where they want you to 'Use red + any other colour` on your project. I've used red and black.

Thanks for dropping by and taking a look.
 
Hugs, Clare x

p.s. The wreath stamp is Penny Black "Adornment" (3996J) and the background stamp is Hero Arts "Large Canvas Stripes" (S5433)

Just having a play

Good evening,

Quite often my crafting time is spent making cards for specific reasons so today I took some time to "play".

My first card used two Hero Arts stamps:- F5042 Leaf Flourish for the background and K5378 Hydrangea. I stamped both in Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain" distress ink and I heat embossed the Hydrangea with clear embossing powder.

My second card is an attempt at a one layer card. I used a linen card base and sponged TH Distress inks through an oval nestability cutout. I then sprayed over the inks with "Pearl" glimmer mist. The ink colours are Chipped Sapphire, Crushed Olive and Tumbled Glass. It's a bit dark, but I quite like this. The butterfly is a stampendous cling stamp. I filled in the flowers with a white gel pen. 



Hugs, Clare x

Sir Stampalot January Challenge and Blog Hop

Happy New Year!

It's time for the January Sir Stampalot Challenge and to celebrate the New Year we are also hosting a blog hop.

Firstly, the challenge!

The theme for this month's challenge is:-

"A WINTER'S TALE"

I have used my lovely "Large Canvas Stripes" background stamp by Hero Arts and the gorgeous "Fantasy" tree from Penny Black. I stamped in Versamark "Majestic Blue" and heat embossing using Kaleidescope embossing powder, I love this stuff as it sparkles in so many colours. The sentiment is from the "Best Yet" set by Stampin' Up. I used a white gel pen for the snowflakes.

As usual, our challenge will run for the month of January and there will be a fabulous suprise prize from Sir Stampalot for the winner.

Now onto the blog hop!

This going to be such fun and with lots prizes to be won. It starts today and will finish at midnight BST on 10th January.

For those of you who have never joined in a Hop before this is what you need to do:

1) Start at the Sir Stampalot challenge blog.
2) Visit all DT blogs.
3) Leave a comment on each blog.
4) Collect a letter clue from each blog.
5) Use those letters along with the ones already given in the grid below to make two words and mail your answer to Brenda at brenda@ibas.co.uk

    _ _ R _ _ A _ _ A _ _ _

Your starting point is the Sir Stampalot Challenge blog and each blog you visit will tell you where you should have arrived from and where you need to go next.

You should have arrived with me from Lorraine's blog and the letter you need to collect from me is

P

the next stop on the hop is Francesca's blog.

Here's the prize for one lucky person who leaves a comment on my post.


Enjoy the hop!

Clare xx

Cupcake 124 - Something New

Good evening to you.

I have been busy making Christmas cards today. I didn't make enough cards for Christmas 2010 and I have promised myself that I will not be in the same position for Christmas 2011. I ordered some scrummy Christmas stamps in the Sir Stampalot sale and couldn't wait to start inking them up.

I am entering this card into the Cupcake Craft Challenge where the theme is "Something New" and the something new is the tree stamp.

The main image for this card is Hero Arts Decorated Tree (K5440). I stamped onto pearlized card and coloured with Copics, I then added Glossy Accents to the baubles.

I had to trim my card base down for this card so I decided to make a Christmas tag out of the cut off piece.

€

This also uses a new stamp, Hero Arts Cling - Music Background (CG222) which I stamped in versamark ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. The cute Penny Black image is from the T-for Transparent set "Holly Day Critters".

I had better get back to making the dinner! See you soon.

Hugs, Clare x

Birthday Dogwood

Good evening,

Here's a card I made today for a commission. I don't get many of these and usually panic when I get asked for something!!

I apologise for the awful photograph but I won't get the chance to take a picture of this one in daylight as DH is taking it to work with him in the morning.

I've used a Hero Arts stamp called Dogwood and heat embossed with with clear embossing powder and added some Crystal stickles to the flower centres. I LOVE this stamp, it is so versatile and beautiful too. I also stamped the same image onto the envelope. It's great that it's a large stamp, just what I needed for an A5 card.

Enjoy your evening!

Hugs, Clare xx

Simon Says "Give Thanks"

Good afternoon to you.

The weather is glorious here, beautiful blue skies and sunshine.

The current challenge at Simon Says is "Give Thanks".

Again, I have used my beautiful new Hero Arts "Dogwood" stamp. As this stamp came from the Simon Says store, I thought it would be a good one to use for the challenge!!

Thank you for visiting.

Clare xx

Dogwood

Good afternoon.

It doesn't take much to make me happy and the arrival of a new stamp that I have wanted for ages has certainly done the trick.

I think this Hero Arts stamp S5362 "Dogwood" is beautiful.

I've stamped it on kraft card using "Vintage Sepia" versafine ink. The Waltzing Mouse sentiment is stamped with the same ink, although I wish I had placed it a bit higher up, I wrapped the kraft card around the chocolate base card and added a chocolate strip punched from a Martha Stewart "Doily Lace" card.

It's simple, but I like it, I hope you do too.

Hugs, Clare xx

Sir Stampalot July Challenge - Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

A very good morning to you!

It is time for another Sir Stampalot challenge. We were overwhelmed by the number of entries last month and hope you enjoy this month's theme just as much, which is

"LAZY, HAZY DAYS OF SUMMER"

To make my card I brayered Big and Juicy “Soothing Sunset” onto a piece of glossy white cardstock and stamped around it with Hero Arts “Leaf Flourish F5042”. I matted this onto a black card base and then I brayered a smaller piece of glossy white cardstock and stamped this with an Inkadinkado wood backed stamp (unfortunately I don’t know the name or number of this stamp). I cut this out with a large label nestability and layered it onto a large scalloped rectangle nestability cut from black card. I stamped the butterflies onto glossy card and sponged ink onto them. The large butterfly is from the Elusive Images “Butterfly Poppy” plate and the small butterfly is from the Crafty Individuals sheet “CI-226”, finally I cut out the butterflies and stuck them onto the card.

Our challenge sponsors, Sir Stampalot, have come up with another fabulous prize and, of course we will choose a top three along with the winner, but please do check out the rules to make sure your entry is eligible for the prize.

Hugs, Clare xx