Trio of cut and embossed cards

29th May 2012

I needed to come up with 3 easy to make cards for my Monday ladies group. These are the cards I came up with.
The idea came from a Kaszazz card set of 3 pastel tone on tone cards. While one of my cards is tone on tone, as you can see the other two are most definitely not.

Card 1 is made with Stampin Up card in Bashful Blue, I cut and embossed with a Cuttlebug cutting and embossing folder, the butterfly is a combination of two Spellbinders dies who's names I can't remember. The small butterfly's are punched with two of Martha Stewart's Punches, the sentiment is a Sticker Store peel off and I finished with some pearls and Kindy Glitz.

Card 2 is using a base card of white ribbed card & pale peachy yellow linen card from Blue Edge Crafts. The Watermelon card is Cordinations card, again cut and embossed with the same folder as card one, but as this is cordinations, I sanded back to reveal the inner core colour of the card, which just happens to perfectly match the linen card it's mounted onto. The sentiment is a sticker, can't remember where I got that one from, and the butterfly is another two Martha Stewart punches. finished with some champagne coloured pearls.

Card 3 is again using cordinations card, I used a black with a white core card, embossed and cut with another Cuttlebug folder called Cogs & Wheels (I only know it's name because they had the great idea of putting it on the folder, wish they always did that) I used a Stampin Up card stock in More Mustard behind the black. the gears are cut with a Tim Holtz alterations Sizzex die called Gadget Gears, cut out of the SU More Mustard card, then inked with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink.
The cake is a sticker which comes on the same sheet as the sentiment, I think I got that sheet from The Sticker Store. I really love the way the core colour of the cordination range of card shows up so very well once sanded back.

Three cards, same basic idea, but each so different. None of my cards look like the cards I got the original idea from, but that's what inspiration is all about isn't it? take an idea and run with it, create something uniquely different.

The ladies all enjoyed making these cards, learned a couple of  new techniques and had a good laugh, what could be better! Fun Crafting and Happy companionship.

Happy Crafting
Hugs,
Beth

Flowers on the windowsill

25th May 2012

If you've ever wondered what to do with those outline stickers, here's an idea you may find interesting. I've done this many times with different stickers, and it always looks so effective.

The stickers are carefully peeled off the backing sheet then placed onto a patterned paper of your choice, it doesn't have to be patterned, it could be plain, however in this card I've used patterned. Then simply fussy cut out around the outside edge of each sticker. Simple eh!

This card design, the stickers and the pattern paper all come from www.cardmaking.net it's one of their Cards of the Month to which I've had a long time subscription. I consider them to be value for money as they supply everything you need to make 4 cards, and if there is a template or a stencil, they supply that as well, including foam mounts, the only thing they don't supply is the double sided tape.

I still have my May pack sitting waiting for me to get around to doing it.

Here's my card, it looks very effective and the instructions which come with the packs are clear and precise.



I really like the look of this one, it's just so pretty, and just a little bit different.

Give it a go!, Make stickers the Focus, not the finishing touch.

Happy Crafting

Beth

Owls

22nd May 2012

Yesterdays card making class covered OWLS. I love owls, and I offered 3 different owl cards for the ladies to choose from. On reflection in hindsight, I think I was asking a bit much of some of the ladies as they struggled with the concepts, the equipment and I'm going to step backwards to simpler cards for a while longer.

While two of these cards are not perfect, (I smudged the Glossy Accents on one, and there was a tad too much glue on the eyes of another. I'm happy with one of them,  though I must admit I really like the layouts of all three.

I've used Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Cottage Cutz Owl, Spellbinders Owl set and a Stampin Up owl punch to create the owls.

Did I tell you I love Owls?

For this first owl, I've used Spellbinder dies to cut the circles, Cottage cutz die to cut the owl, and a Martha Stewart Punch for the lacy scallop border. LOVE this owl. (this is the one I didn't stuff up)

For  this one I used Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder for the background, and the owls are punched with a Stampin Up punch. (I had a real giggle with myself at the way I've got their eyes directed. The bottom left owl looks like he's crying due to the overuse of glue, the snowy owl in the middle is simply staring outwards, and the top right owl is wondering who the gorgeous white stranger is! LOL)

Daddy; Mummy & Baby Owl

This card used the Swiss Dots embossing folder again, and the owls are cut using a Spellbinder die set of 3. I adore these owls. (unfortunately, these are the ones I smudged the wet Glossy Accents on, as you can plainly see, was I ever miffed over that!)  As the spellbinder dies in this set only outline cut, all the detail is hand drawn in and I've used sponge inking to add shading and depth.The branch is a scrap cut to resemble a branch. The larger leaves are the smallest die in a Spellbinders leaf set, and the tiny leaves are a mini punch I got eons ago from a $2 shop, again I've drawn in detail and added some sponging.

Hope you like my owls, even the not so perfect ones.

Happy Crafting

Beth

Pansy

15th May 2012

For this card I 've used a Cottage Cutz die called "Pansy Seeds" I've often seen this die on Blue Edge Crafts Web site store, always thought about getting it, but there was always something I wanted more.

Recently I spent a day Crafting with Mandy who owns and runs Blue Edge Crafts, and one of the samples she had with her was a card made with this die. Also, they are having a bit of a clear out of older stock, making room for heaps of new dies, and this Pansy die, amoungst others is currently on sale, so I HAD to buy one, now you know how it works, Sale = BARGAIN, now how could I resist that??
Well of course I couldn't, Pansy isn't the only one of these dies I bought, I bought Poppy, Sweet Pea and Daisy as well, (i haven't got around to making them up yet though) I already have the Oh so cute little owl, and have made that one up several times.

Anyway, here is Pansy.

I used a ribbed base card and embossed a cream linen cardstock with Spellbinders M-bossabilities EL-003 double sided embossing folder, I inked the edges with Versafine Vintage Sepia, then I used scraps of card for the Pansy's, leaves banner etc, all of which you will find at Blue Edge Crafts on line store.

I inked the edges of the pansies, and used foam squares to mount them over the leaves which are stuck into place with a water based craft glue. The word PANSY is also stuck with glue but the banner is mounted onto small foam squares.

I've added no sentiment at this stage, so it can be used for a variety of different occasions.

This card is a  lot less 'Embellished' than my usual cards, something which my dear heart (husband) says he prefers. He's more into under-stated elegance, and while I like that at times, I also LOVE my bling and ribbons and bows.

I'll eventually get around to making up the other dies, (I have already cut them, just not made them up yet) so many cards to make, so little time...... I have NO IDEA how I ever found time to work at a full time job AND craft. Thank heavens I'm now retired.  Still time poor though! don't let anyone ever tell you that retirement is boring!!!!!

Happy Crafting

Hugs,
Beth

Punch Anywhere punches

14th May 2012

Recently I bought 3 new Martha Stewart punches. Punches which allow you to punch anywhere on a page or card.
The following 4 cards I've made using those punches.
The punches I've got are called:

 Country Tile

The punch Separated

My Card

Caning Pattern

Punch Separated

My card - All over

Same punch just two repeats for the centre of Cuttlebugs Lace Door cutting and embossing frame.

Diamond Rings

My card using the die as the centre piece of Cuttlebug cutting and embossing die. (sorry can't remember the name)

For a you tube video to see how these punches work go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdBgSmQV238

All coloured card stock used is Stampin Up.

I love these dies, so easy to use, and no restrictions as to where on your project you can punch.

Happy Crafting.

Hugs,
Beth

Cherish

10th May 2012

I have made a similar card to this one a couple of years ago. which I hand stitched around. For my Birthday earlier this month I got an Elna mini sewing machine to use for my card making and scrap booking. Tiny, light weight, and just basic straight and zig zag stitches, just perfect for what I want for my cards.
Anyway, I've re-created the card, this time a little larger, but still using the Cherish stamp from Stampin Up's Illuminations wood mounted stamp set. It's been made with my sister Maggie very much in mind. Sort of "Cherish those you love, because you don't know how long you'll have them for"
I didn't decorate the original with pearls, but I needed to make this one extra special for an extra special lady.

My base card is 14cm square in cream, (the card  comes from Blue Edge Crafts, but I can't recall what it's called, it's already cut for a 14 x 14 card)  and  onto that I stitched a square of SU's 'Soft Suede'  Using SU's 'Very Vanilla' card I die cut 4 of the small square dies from Spellbinders  Shapeabilities Pendants 'Fleur De Lis', which is also available from Blue Edge Crafts.

I stamped my image onto 'Very Vanilla' using Versafine 'Vintage Sepia' Using Spellbinder basic Square dies, I used two dies to cut the frame from 'Soft Suede' then stitched around both the inside and outside edge, I didn't try and make it perfectly straight, that wasn't the look I was after, so yes, the wobbly lines are intentional. I cut the stamped image using a die which was between the two sizes I used to cut the frame, which gave me a very narrow border to adhere the stamped centre to the frame using narrow double sided tape. once that was assembled, I used SU 'Dimensionals' to mount the framed image on point over the die cut and embossed squares which I had stuck down with wet glue.

I finished the card with SU's self adhesive pearls, and four chocolate brown pearls I found in my stash, (no idea where they are from).

Oh and before placing the pearls around the 'C' I used a Sakura 'clear star' glitter pen to add glimmer & shine to the stamped centre of the 'C'.

Hope you all have a lovely day,
Happy Crafting,
Hugs
Beth

Unstampabelles Challenge No 11

7th May 2012

This months challenge is sponsored by Craft Mad. http://www.craftmad.com.au/cmforum/content.php

This is the prize on offer from CraftMad. The Challenge is 'Movement'

Here is my DT card for this challenge. A waterfall of Owls.

Good luck with the challenge,

Happy Crafting.

Beth

Pink Medalion

6th May 2012

I made this card last week, I had planned on posting it before now, but due to the passing of my beloved sister, I've really not felt like blogging.

Maggie Price was a strong, feisty, courageous, determined and stubborn woman, who fought her battle with everything she had. The Lord decided he needed another Angel at his side and called her home on Tuesday May 1st 2012. So battle done, the pain has gone, rest in eternal peace Maggie, Love you sis, always in my heart, Memories are forever.

This card is in a way like Maggie, Elegant, and beautiful.

The topper is constructed with pink stickers applied to Acetate then cut out and mounted on top of each other.

The background papers are scraps as is the ribbon. I used pearls to finish.

In Memory of Margaret Rose Price (Maggie)

Nothing will ever bring you back

this I truly know
words will never express
how I will miss you so.
I long to to hear your voice, your laugh,
and see your smile just one more time

I didn't know it would be so hard

to know you're no longer here.

But I know you'll watch over me

and know you're very near

I'll think of you forever, and the Inspiration
you have been.

Memories I treasure, from when you were

just a baby, to the wonderful woman you became.

Your soul is now set free.

I love you dearest Maggie

Until we meet again.

Rest in Eternal Peace.

xxxxx

Beth

Molly & Pet

30th April 2012

The image I've used for this card is from Mami Doodles, who I've just discovered has closed down!, their images were really lovely, and it's a shame they're no longer in business.

Anyway, I made a card almost identical to this one sometime last year, and loved it so much I've re-created it today.

I use a square white base card, a royal blue leather grain with a border punched edge, and a really bright pink to lift the whole thing and tie in with the copic colours I've used to colour Molly and her pet pussy.
I used Spellbinder scalloped long rectangles to cut the backing and embossed it with Cuttlebugs Swiss dots. a plain light blue backing for Molly who I fussy cut out after colouring her.
The circle is another two Spellbinder dies, the plain one I stamped first then cut, and flat mounted onto the light blue scallop circle. this was mounted over the ribbon tails of the two plastic balloon embellishments, oh and I ran a 1cm wide pink ribbon across the pink and blue backing before mounting Molly and the sentiment.
Molly is finished with some Stampin Up pearls.

Happy Crafting,

Hugs.
Beth