A Similar But Very Different Card

I am sharing another Distress Oxide inked card today and a few tips about putting a card together when you just cant think!!! I was struggling to make a card I really needed to send to a friend, she is such a jolly person even in the face of such difficult times. She is also a card maker so I knew she would love something a little bit different. But my head was kinda foggy with stuff!

I knew I wanted a colourful pastel Distress Oxide inked background and to use a new Woodware flower stamp set but I struggled to think up how to put my card together. Sometimes it gets like that with me when I have a lot on my mind, or when I am struggling with pain, I just can't seem so think straight, and that causes even more stress! I suppose it's the same as writers block?

I am learning that at these times I should go back and look at previous cards that pleased me and use them as a starting point.  Remember the Stitched Poppies card I made in a previous post? I was really happy with that card so I used it to help me with the card layout. rather like working with a card sketch, choosing certain elements and repeating them and maybe changing them a little! to create a similar but very different card..... I must remember to do this again as it really helped me to get going and make this rather important card (below) for a friend!

First I created the background using watercolour paper, lots of water and my Distress Oxide ink pads. after adding water to the paper liberally with a brush I swooshed my ink pads onto my glass surface and used a paint brush to add the colour to the paper trying not to think too much but also wanting to leave some white space I blobbed the ink and watched it spread on the wet watercolour paper creating areas of pastel colour. Then after drying the paper with a heat tool, I dipped my hand into clean water and sprinkled over my inked piece and dried it again watching the awesome effects Of Distress Oxides doing their thing! I love this technique, its almost fool proof and no two pieces are exactly the same

I then used the wonky stitched rectangle die to cut a piece of it out as with the Stitched Poppies card. I stamped the image using wilted violet distress ink after making sure my background was totally dry.  I coloured the flower image using perfect pearls powder with a little water using a paintbrush. 

Then I copied the side panel but this time I gave it a pennant tail and ran it through a leafy embossing folder. I carefully dabbed a versamark ink pad onto the raised leaves and applied dry perfect pearls powder to it with a soft paint brush, this highlighted the embossed leaves beautifully. 

My card was coming together now. I had overcome that initial block and found my creative flow again! 

I didn't want to distract from that lovely background so the grupier lace wasn't gonna work this time, its a bit too heavy for a delicate card. So I created a delicate white border strip using a die from the Floral Thinlit dies set by Stampin' Up instead. A pink strip of card completed the card base. After assembling the card I stamped and cut the sentiment which is taken from a Stampendous stamp set and then finally added the pearls which echo the perfect pearl elements nicely.

I am entering my card into some challenges...

The Crafter's Castle (link)

"Use your favourite distress inking techniques"

Cards 4 Gals (link)

"Stamping (no Digi's)"

***Some of my photo's seem to make that fossilised amber (yellow) colour look a lot more intense than it actually is, I think it s because the photo was taken in bright sunshine!

This has been a good lesson for me, I made 2 very similar but very different cards, why do I always want to reinvent the wheel? I am gonna type this out and put it on my desk.... 

"If you just can't think what to do,

 go back to when it worked for you!"

Stitched Poppies For You

After trying out some different inking effects with my Distress Oxide ink pads this week and being inspired by the Tim Holt'z fans over on Facebook, I was inspired by a card made by a group member. The card had a background which had really "made" the card. Previously I had been creating lots of vivid rainbow backgrounds and some pastel ones too. But this time after seeing that inspiring card I approached the background effect a little differently than usual by just using 2 colours. I simply used Fossilised Amber and Peeled Paint for this background. 

I used the swooshing method and water to create the background of the card and I was amazed to get this effect I surprised myself lol!  I am enjoying this Distress Oxide journey. Thank You Tim Holtz!

Yesterday was a "staying in" day, which gave me a good time to design (play!) with one of my newest stamps too...

This is my new Stitched Poppies stamp by Woodware, it was released  January 2018  I love the many stitched lines around the poppies which give a stitched effect as if someone has sewn the poppies. I did however cut off from the stamp those grungy edges though! eeeeek yes I said CUT!!! but I saved all the pieces in case I want to use them in future. I did this because I didn't want them stamped in black on my card. That would have been too dark for me as I wasn't trying to achieve a grunge effect. Also, they limit the use of the stamp... without those grungy borders I can use a square or circle die to cut the image out too.

I really like the effect of stitching on cards and mixed media. There's lots of dies available now with a faux stitching edge. I used to add faux stitches by drawing them with a fine line black pen but the new dies are so much easier to use. For my card I used my wonky stitched rectangle dies to cut the image out and then tried to highlight the stitched lines with a black fine line pen. My eyes are not that good and failed me in places but I managed to get the effect I was looking for which has pleased me. But I think I will leave the stitching to the work of the  dies in future! trouble is once I had started I had to complete it!.

I am entering this card into a few challenges

As You Like It Challenger (LINK)

"Favourite way to add stitching (faux, real, drawn) and why"

favourite way to add stitching is with dies just because it's so much easier

Crafty Card Makers challenge

"Get Inky / Messy"

Yes I did have a play with my Distress Oxide Inks!

HeARTful Stamping Challenge

"Anything Goes + a Stamp"

This Stitched Poppies stamp is the star of this card!

Stamping Sensations

"Anything With Flowers"

Definitely 3 Beautiful flowers

Country View Challenges

"Anything But Cute"

No, this is not a cute card but I do love it!

I stamped the image again and coloured the poppy flowers using my watercolour pencils. Then I cut them out and shaped them so that I could layer them 3d style, I added Nuvo Jewel Drops to accent the centres. The leaves were coloured using Peeled Paint oxide ink and an almost dry brush. 

I used pieces of sage green and red card to add layers behind the image and cut  a velum lattice strip and 2 corners using my spellbinders lattice die set. I added some guipure to the top of my stamped image sticking the image down with foam sticky tape.

I made a little pennant from style banner from velum then stamped and white embossed it with "for you" sentiment

Finally to accent I added some cotton thread and a die cut sewing needle (Tattered Lace die) to give the illusion of hand sewing again and 2 little buttons on the sentiment banner and a few twinkly sequins.

I have a number of friends who are fabulous needle workers, whether machine or by hand or cross stitch, This stamp will be so useful to make cards for them too.

thanks for looking have a great week!

Love is... Always & Forever

Today's card is all about the stuff I love...the joy of creativity, colours, teddy bears, rubber stamping, colouring, even a bit of Distress Oxide ink blending and of course love love love! It's about the whole process of getting lost in my creative grove and finding I am not lost at all! I found myself... what Joy! Before I share some details about how I put this card together I will just mention the challenges I am entering this card into...

Just For Girls (link)

#426 Word Week "LOVE"

Penny Black Saturday Challenge (link)

Anything Goes / Use Your scraps

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (link)

"Anything Goes"

Crazy For Challenges (link)

#C4C420  "Add a Heart"

Sweet Stampin Challenge (link)

"Anything But A Birthday"

Die Cut Divas (link)

"Love is in the Air"

Mod Squad Challenge (link)

"Valentine - Love  Use Red on the Card"

Another reason why this image really makes me smile is that it reminds me of a bench at Fairhaven Lake. Kev and I visit this bench a lot. We sit there, we talk, we pray, we pour out our hearts to each other and to our God, at times we sit silently just taking in the awesomer view and tranquil peace, We watch the birds and the sea, and in the summer months if we timed it correctly we would be wowed with an awesome glowing sunset at the end of a lovely day it is our sweet spot and it seems these teddies have a sweet spot of their own!

Ok so onto the card... The card base is a white 5"x7" card blank onto which I have matted with red card then gingham patterned paper. The next detail was a happy accident! I intended to have that lemon flowery scrap of patterned paper on the left hand side of the card but found when I had already adhered it that the card was upside down! I was quite upset with myself but soon came round to liking it on the right side of the card instead! That was all the plan I knew for this card at that time except I knew which stamp I wanted to use (see details below).

I stamped my image Then coloured it using my watercolour pencils.  I sponged that sunset sky using Fossilised Amber and Abandoned Coral Distress Oxide inks, After die cutting the image and its red mat using two sizes of dies from the S U labels collection framelits. I pierced all around the edges using a set of coordinating piercing templates.. I created a grey scalloped strip to stretch across the card after I added 2 scraps of teeny tiny heart paper to it. The sentiment was made on my computer . The key and heart lock die cuts are cut from the signature collection by Sara Davies (Crafters Companion) this dies set iscalled "The Key to My Heart" I stuck the die cuts on with sticky pads. The white bakers twine bow and knot gives the illusion that the heart lock and key are tied onto the card.

I really wanted to use the sentiment I recently bought which says Always & Forever" but it was too big for the front of the card. It's such a special sentiment to us because when we got married we walked down the aisle out of the church together to the song "Always & Forever" by Heatwave. I was so pleased to find the Signature collection die by Sara Davies I used it in the end on the inside of the card! That little heart is the cut out from the centre of the key!

I really really love these teddy bears.  its another of my stamps that gives me the warm fuzzies and all the romantic swooning I can cope with in one day!.. Rambling Ted and Rambling Rosie are my all time favourite teddy bear images and favourite Penny Black stamps that's really saying something as Penny Black are one of the best stamp companies out there!

The Rambling Ted and Rambling Rose images are created by Michael Woodward Designs and produced by Penny Black Inc. as rubber stamps. I have a number of these stamps in my collection. The stamp used here is titled "When I'm With You, its item number is 352K my Kev ordered this stamp and some others from the USA around seven years ago, but I think its much older.

Mens cards #2 DIY tools!

My 2nd mens cards mentioned in my last blog post was a little easier to plan. I knew I wanted to use the Stampin up "Nailed It" stamp set and co-ordinating "Build It" dies set. This this birthday boy is a DIY enthusiast! it was easieras I have used this set a few times now so I found it less challenging than card #1

I am entering this 2nd mens card into some challenges 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge  (LINK)  

"Anything Goes"

Die Cutting Divas Challenge (LINK)  

"Anything Goes"

I had some fun making these little tools, they are very easy to do too. Each of the tools were stamped then cut out using the dies but can you see that ruler? the little screws and nuts? too cute! I just used silver metallic card for the metal bits and coloured card for the handles, (cutting each tool twice!) after stamping I coloured the handles then trimmed them to paper piece the handles onto the metallic die cuts. it was quite quick to do. 

The cream coloured card base is square, measuring just under 6"X6" That wood like background is created using craft card stamped with the hardwood background stamp. 

The side panel is created using the stamps in the "Nail It." stamp set, I used white card for this piece but really wish I had used cream card instead! If only we had hindsight in the beginning!  I am pleased with how it turned out this time and I know the birthday boy will like it

Mens Cards + CAS What a Challenge!

I am so challenged! The thought of making a card for a man does not thrill me at all. It's not that I don't want to bless the men around me, or celebrate their birthdays or special moments and achievements! men need all the blessed  encouragement they can get.

BUT honestly I find making cards for men quite hard. Well I needed to make 2 birthday cards for men this weekend, (I will share the 2nd card in the next post!)  I searched for inspiration on pinterest etc and decided perhaps I should buy the cards ***GASP*** "buy a card" !!???!!! I screamed inwardly at myself !!! NOOOOO that is not happening!! I got so frustrated as the ideas were simply not flowing so I left the task for a while and did something else (I am learning to walk away for a while rather than get frustrated!)  On returning to the need for cards yesterday afternoon, I noticed this sketch by the Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge.....   

This sketch is quite different to the sketches I usually follow. I liked it and the Design Team samples were lovely, but it brought up another challenge... I find CAS (Clean and simple) cards lovely to look at but when it comes to making them I get in the flow and just keep adding bits n bobs, details,  layers, embellishments, etc till my card is nothing like a clean and simple card. That's just me and my style I guess but hey I was up for the challenge. I needed to make this card so I had to have go! 

This particular birthday boys job is something to do with engineering and aeroplanes so that was a no brainer when it came to the theme. You could say I was off to a flying start LOL (sorry another pun) but I now knew which stamp set to use...The Sky is the Limit by Stampin' Up. now my inspiration had started to flow! His aeroplanes are very high tech compared to this vintage one but it has wings so that's good enough for me! 

I am entering this card into some challenges...

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #438 (LINK) 

following the above sketch #438

Crafting by Design (LINK) 

"Things With Wings"

To create my card I used a white 5" x7" card base and pale grey card for the first layer to which I stamped and silver embossed the happy birthday stamp. Then chose pale blue marl mark card and stamped the tree tops from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set also from Stampin' Up.

I coloured the trees with watercolour pencils,  I used a whisper white ink pad and a dauber to add a bit of white for the clouds but it didn't show as nicely as I ped. I used my Tim Holtz Stamping platform to stamp the aeroplane image as I wanted to double stamp it to get a good dark crisp image. After colouring it I fussy cut it out along with some stamped clouds, mounted the aeroplane and one cloud onto foam pads and left the other clouds flat. 

When I finished my card I had to almost sit on my hands to stop myself adding to it but I am pleased I left it as it is.

That sketch really helped me to get this card going once I got into the flow the inspiration came and  it was job done!

Distress Oxide Inked Card, Your'e in my Prayers

As promised yesterday I have just popped by to show you the card I made with one of my Distress Oxide ink backgrounds, I am so pleased with how this turned out...

I am entering my card into the Crafty Cardmakers Challenge (HERE)

challenge #204 Get inky / Messy! I think my inky card fits the bill!

Did you see the post about buying and playing with my new Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink pads? you can view the posts HERE (link).

So this morning I took one of the backgrounds I had created yesterday, I had used the 4 colours I now own to create this background

Fossilised Amber, Picked Raspberry, 

Wilted Violet, Broken China.

I matted this piece onto a sheet of black card which has tiny little holographic polka dots that twinkle beautifully (I wish I could remember where I had got it from but its been in my stash for well over a year!) I cut the word "Prayers" out of the same piece of card using the Hero Arts Stamp and Cut "Prayers" set. 

I stamped the little sentiment above the die cut, from the same set of stamps.  I placed the matted piece onto white card stock to plan the layout but it seemed wrong somehow! too straight and angular...I wanted it to flow! Therefore I decided to tilt it and felt better lol. Then I had the bright idea (sorry for that pun LOL) of choosing the same colours and inking the card base similar to the background piece.

I used an 8x8 flourish embossing folder by Embossaliscious to emboss the card base after inking it. Now this card was coming together... I stamped some butterflies from the Stampin Up "Papillon Potpourri" stamp set and cut them out adding them to the card 3d style. Finally I added some sparkle with blingy gems to complete the card.

So many of my family and friends are going through really difficult times right now, Some with illness and others with situations that are hard to get through.I hope to be making some similar cards for them. But for now I am "virtually" sending this out in the hope that they receive at least some encouragement!and of course I will be praying for them in this tough season they are going through.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask      or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 

 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Distress Oxide Ink Pads and Patience!

Remember my post last week about Distress Oxide Ink Pads? (HERES THE LINK)  I had decided to buy some after watching videos from Tim Holtz at Creativation 2018. But could only buy 3 or 4 right now. Deciding which colours to choose was so hard as I kept changing my mind! I learned a valuable lesson through it all...

 If you don't know what to do then do nothing until you do!

I learned to stop, take a breath, walk away from the decision, and choose later!  The ink pads would still be in the store tomorrow afterall! Well that worked! After some hours doing something else I knew exactly what ink pads to choose.

Fossilised Amber, Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet, Broken China.  I ordered them and they arrived today YAY I am super duper excited...

It seems so silly now, getting wound up like that. But God used it to show me that I was getting wound up over nothing and that patience pays off in the end! Yes I have some work to do on my impatience I guess

I am gonna play with my new Distress Oxide  ink pads s today, watch youtube videos, and use the advice given to me on Splitcoast Stampers. This is gonna be fun! it's time to enjoy the explosion of colour before me as I get into my creative groove 

Watch this space for updates! I will show you my creations in another post....

here goes

Edited 

Just adding a pic or 2 of my first Distress Oxide backgrounds so far! This was so therapeutic, I had so much fun just getting lost in the moment playing or should I say experimenting with colour.  Now I have to decide what to make from them! which begs a question.... do cardmakers plan the card? i.e. what stamps, sentiment , embellishments  etc they will use to  make their card and then make the background OR do it the other way around...make the background then decide what to do with it?

this pic seems quite dull on my monitor compared to the real thing in front of me

the thing I can get my hear round is why did I wait so long to try these inks? Well at least I am having fun now

I Love You More Than Strawberries

After using my old Penny Black rubber stamp last week, I decided to dig out some of my other old friends!.....House Mouse stamps! Many years ago I used to enter HM&F challenges regularly so today I looked for something that would fit the current challenge. Love is the theme, I immediately thought of my hubby Kev!

I absolutely love strawberries. I love eating them especially when they are ripened naturally. I also love images of strawberries too! perhaps that's weird I don't know? Years ago (I think it was 2010) My Kev saw this stamp in a craft shop we were visiting. He bought it secretly for me for Christmas. I loved it as I had not seen this stamp before! The stamps title is "Sleeping with Strawberries" copyright 1986. The little mouse is called "Mudpie!" the ref number is HMIR1002 isn't he cute!

I am entering this card into some challenges...                                               House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge (LINK)

 #258 Anything Goes OR Optional theme "LOVE"

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (LINK)

"Layer It Up" asking for layers

Daring Cardmakers Challenge (LINK)

Black, White and a POP

Modsquad Challenge (LINK)

#138 Thank You OR Shades of Black & White 

+ Optional Pop of Color 

Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge (LINK)

#4 "Mouse"

Alphabet Challenge (LINK)

V is for Vellum

none of these challenges rules showed any restrictions 

concerning linking up with other challenges!

Kev and I don't really do valentines cards, but I wanted to tell him how much I love him! He knows how much I love strawberries so this computer generated sentiment really meant something to him! I love him more than strawberries! now that IS a big statement lol

I used my watercolour pencils to colour the image which had been stamped using Ranger Archival Jet Black ink onto watercolour paper. I love how Mudpie is sleeping after eating all the strawberries. so I added a bit of red to his lips just for fun. After colouring the strawberries I added some clear Wink of Stella to  the strawberries and letters adding sparkle to them! 

I cut the image and a larger real red mat with pierced rectangle dies, I used a 5" x 7" white card blank and Stampin' Up Sending Love DSP paper pad  I used the X-Cut alphabet die for the "I" and "U" and cut a heart from the S U DSP mentioned above. Vellum was cut into little pennants and folded over some white bakers twin to form some bunting Vellum was also placed as a banner. behind my sentiment  then I added a heart bead to it for accent.

I really loved playing with Mudpie mouse today, 

I just wish I could eat the strawberries too!

Inspired! by Mr Tim Holtz

It's been quite a rough week... a tummy bug and severe pain from tummy cramps have caused me to have to rest up. I have kept strange sleeping hours as I dipped in and out of bed when I could manage to sleep...sometimes sleeping in the day and awake during the early hours! I went to hospital yesterday where I have been given some medication which I really hope proves to work over this next few days! there s no explanation of whats wrong except that my blood tests came back okay which is good news.

Even though I have not been very active in my card making while resting. I have been able to use the time for a real inspiration download!

In January every year the creative craft industry gathers at a convention centre in Phoenix, Arizona, for "Creativation" its the trade show where business' share their new products and wow everyone with their ongoing creative genius.
By typing "Creativation 2018" into the Youtube search box I found lots of inspiring videos and was wowed by the creative awesomeness.

There's so much good stuff coming out in 2018 BUT!  One person really did inspire me more than anyone....Mr Tim Holtz!  he has a passion for mixed media, vintage ephemera, grunge, and colour! I haven't gone down the mixed media or grunge route in my creativity but I am all about colour especially this year! So I watched and learned LOL. Tims new releases with Sizzix dies have really wowed me. The flowers and 3d embossing folders and embosslits are awesome and so my wish list grew!
But colour in the form of Distress Oxide Inks has really got my attention now! I watched him demonstrate these inks and was so inspired.

Tim Holtz has released a further 12 colours making the set up to 36 now. and announced that the full set of 60 will be made available this year. Finally, I  feel I want them! it's strange how something doesn't turn your head and then a year later and all of a sudden the creative sparks fly and inspiration comes and well there you go!
So after deciding to put them on my wish list I have been looking at these Distress Oxide ink pads and been trying hard to decide where to start in my collection! I don't need (or want) all of them but the trouble is every time I make a list the list changes lol.

Do I want the very brights? the blues / turquoises  what do I really want? gotta get the pinks! what about a rainbow?...indecision or what?

Its amazing how the price varies from shop to shop but then the sting of postage brings them kind of in line with each other. I don't have deep pockets full of cash for spending, we still need to eat! so I am gonna limit myself to 3 ink pads at a time now which 3?  I am torn between Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry for my first pink,


next up is Broken China, Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers, then confusingly Cracked Pistachio,  Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet Abandoned Coral and Spicy Marmalade where do I start LOL... Three of the new colours I definitely know I want to get are Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron, and Shaded Lilac but these three have not made it to the shops yet! so I will start with collections 1 & 2!

below is a pic of the new set 3 release...

Forest friends Winter Fun

Winter has really arrived in parts of the UK, but the kids are still not playing with snowmen or snowballs here in Lytham St Annes.     I don't know if it's because of the salty sea air but we really don't get a lot of snow here, but if snow does appear then it doesn't really stay for long. One thing's for sure though we get icy cold winds!  brrrrr its cold!

Today's card is kind of a celebration of snow! I'ts my first Christmas card for 2018. I promised myself after being quite ill last November that I would make Christmas cards throughout 2018. It's something I am determined to do as I got quite distressed about not being able to create all the Christmas cards that I really wanted to send last year. I hate buying mass produced cards!

I am not gonna get caught out this year!

This card was made using a Penny Black rubber stamp which I have owned for a long time...over 20 years! another stamp which my mother bought me! as you can see its been well used! but stamps as well today as ever!

It's the "Forest Friends Winter Fun" stamp and is copyrighted in 1996! I love the sense of fun in this stamped image and the idea that critters come out and play in the snow with their scarves on!

I am entering my card into 5 challenges...

The Penny Black Saturday Challenge (LINK)  

"Anything Goes"

Daring Card Makers (LINK)  

"Elemental Challenge" I chose to use the pale blue and white colours in the photo

Crafty hazelnuts Christmas Challenge (LINK)

"Anything Christmas Goes"

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge (LINK)

"Use Patterned Paper"

Cute Card Thursday (LINK)

"Something Fun"

I used watercolour paper and my new Zig Clean Colour Real Brush Pens to colour the stamped image. I matted the finished image onto pale blue card and added some snowy glitter. The card blank is 5" x 7" a size which I find nice to work with. I embossed the card base with the Sizzix / Stampin' Up embossing folder "decorative dots"  and added a piece of patterned paper down one side which has a frosty snowflake pattern on it. I wanted more snowflakes but didn't want to overpower my image which I had really worked hard on!

So I used a small piece of pergamano vellum across the centre of the card. I embossed it with the cuttlebug "Snowflake" embossing folder.
I added large delicate snowflakes die cut from a Memory Box die and layered a little punched snowflake on top, finally the bling! you can't really have snow without some sparkley bling right?! I added sequins and clear gems to the centre of all the die cut and the embossed snowflakes using glue dots. I hate those pesky glue dots I just cant see them but they somehow got to the place where I needed them to be LOL

I didn't feel a sentiment was needed for this card,  But when I come to use it later on in the year I will add a nice insert with a suitable greeting for the chosen recipient along with my personal message.

Colouring such a detailed image was a struggle with my ongoing sight problems. I had to turn to my daylight magnifying craft lamp for help! but I wasn't gonna be defeated!

When the fun stops I will stop. Until then I am gonna carry on having all the fun with my love of cardmaking and papercrafting.

My heart is smiling a very satisfied smile... I have started my Christmas card goal and another goal which is to use up my patterned paper stash.

I really love this card and it feels like my old Penny Black animal friends have visited today and we had lots of fun together!

Thanks for stopping by xx