Starting to think Xmas

My crafting time has been extremely limited this month now I've started back at work, so I've had to let a lot of my regular challenges go for the time being, sorry if you are one that I have been regularly supporting.  Also I'm trying to get into my garden (between showers) and I've even been doing a bit of sewing . . .  but that's another story.

One lovely lady I follow on facebook runs Krafters Cart NZ where she sells all sorts of supplies at great prices.  Anyhow she is running a Xmas card challenge this month where I have entered this card.

I saw this amazing card while looking thru pinterest, and following the link given found a great tutorial here.  It is in a foreign language but the drawing she has given is very easy to follow.  Here is the pattern I used from the site, of which I tweeked a bit to create a 6" x 4" card.

The paperline I've used is the Teresa Collins 'Christmas Home' collection, gorgeous papers, and I love the quality of her papers.  I hope this inspires you to start thinking xmas also.

Male Birthday card

Here's a card with a bit of a difference today - a birthday card for my friends husband.  This shows how versatile the gorgeous Maja Designs paper collections really are.  At first glance they look all sweet and florally but they really cater for all interests.

 

I've used papers from both the 'Vintage Autumn Basics' and 'Life by the Sea' collections, which I've distressed, embossed and layered on my manila card along with some burlap & string.

 

I've used the colours and am entering this in the Maja moodboard which features colours from their latest collection 'Summer Crush' which is so fresh and beachy feeling (can't wait to get my hands on some).

 



Card making time

For someone who isn't a cardmaker lately I'm making lots.  They are usually quick and easy to make if you need something in a hurry - obviously I don't fit in this category as sometimes they take just about as long to make as a layout.  So today I have 2 cards to share, with this first one being my DT entry for Southern Girls Challenge.  The theme this week is Anything Goes, so lets see lots of entries this time.

Some of you may have already seen this card as it was entered in the Scrap-a-bull facebook monthly challenge.  This card was for the 2nd part of the challenge, the criteria was to create a card with a heart and banner. I will also enter this into the Artfull crafts monthly challenge.

Part One of the Scrap-a-bull challenge was to create a multi folded card, which I made this stepped card for.  I will also enter this into the I am Roses monthly challenge as this has lots of beautiful IAR blooms on the front.

 

Follow the link I have supplied for you on my tutorials page to a very helpful tutorial for this awesome card.

July IAR Challenge

Here's a couple of birthday cards I've made, both using folded techniques I've just found on You Tube tutorials - gotta love that site.

 

This one was made for my neighbour who loves her garden, hence the butterflies and flowers.  This card has been entered into the I am Roses monthly challenge, using 2 of their awesome products being the tulips and leaves.



 

 

Jemma loves skulls, so I made this card for her using fabric scraps as I couldn't find any skull/skeleton paper in time.  This card has been entered into the Artfull crafts colour challenge, which required greens/blacks.

 

I'm just loving making these multi folded cards, anything for a bit of a challenge that's me.

May IAR Challenge

Its really amazing how far out of your 'comfort zone' you can be pushed when you've got time.  I found an entry in the Maja moodboard and was completely wowed.  After commenting on the blog post I was directed to a fabulous tutorial here.  The samples shown are amazing and as the weather is now keeping me indoors I filled in the time trying this out.  Although not perfect I am really happy with the results.

 

 I've had the Kaisercraft 'Pitter Patter' collections for sometime now so it was a great opportunity to get these out.  I've used the papers, tags & stickers throughout along with doilies, gauze and LOTS of I am Roses blooms.

As the title indicates I am entering these in the May I am Roses challenge, wish me luck.
I am Roses products used are:
D1 & D2 Daisies, Lilies, Tulips, rosebuds, cherry blossums, S10's, tiny leaves.

Wedding Card

For todays project I've created a wedding card to join in on the Imagine if challenge this month which is calls for lace to be used.

A little bit brighter than your run-of-the-mill wedding cards, but hey WTH, the young ones appreciate these bright colours these days don't they.

I adore this BoBunny 'Starcrossed' paper, then loads of red lace, rosette flowers and stickles used on the chipboard.  I added these two black flowers and the gorgeous pearl and heart trim just to break all the red.

For someone who doesn't make cards I'm really outside my comfort zone here.
Thanks for visiting.

Working with Maja

I am really excited to finally have some Maja Design papers to work with.  Being here in Ne Zealand the supply is extremely limited, but I've managed to get my hands on a couple of 6 x 6 pads from Crafty Notionz .  So for my first 'play' with these I decided to join in on the May Maja Mood board.

 

As I had the 6 x 6 pads I decided to try out a couple of cards using the 'Life by the SEA' and 'Vintage Autumn Basics collections.  These papers are simply GORGEOUS.



 

This pink/green card is using papers from the Vintage Autumn Basics collection, featuring Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms in contrasting colours, while the blue/tan card features the Life by the Sea papers using products from SpiegelMom Scrap 





Take a look on the Maja FB page and check out if I'm lucky enough for them to share my card.
Thank you for visiting.

Facebook Challenges with SMS & SGC

As an introduction to the blog hop which is scheduled for Sunday US CST time (Monday morning NZ time)  Jody has organised some challenges for everyone to enter on Facebook as well.  They go live throughout the day, so please join in the fun and try a few of these for yourself.

Sorry but these times are US CST times, with the challenges starting at Saturday 2nd May:
8am     Sketch layout
12pm   Planner
4pm     Treasure Hunt
8pm     Card
These are my contributions:

 

The LO and card have sketches provided on Facebook, while the criteria for the Treasure Hunt (for this I've made the tag) is to 1. Use something still in its bag unused (the stamp), use something gold (the lettering is written on gold foil), use something cork (SMS chevrons), use an office supply (staples). 

 

Please visit us on the official Facebook page here and join in the fun, we'd love to see your work.

 

As I've used lots of flowers on my layout I am also entering it into the monthly I am Roses challenge.

Pretty's for Prima

I am excited and extremely humbled to have the privilege to put together this collection of my work and be considered for a position on the Design Team for Prima Marketing.

Firstly here is an altered journal I've made for my nephew and his fiancé, who are marrying later this year.  I really love doing this type of work and alter all sorts of things.

 

 

Enjoy these close-ups



 

 

 

Prima products used here are: Seashore paper, Sunrise sunset stencil, Shabby Chic Treasures - mailbox, Art basics - modelling paste, gesso, 3D matte gel, micro beads & glass beads.

 

Secondly this simple card was a pleasure to make:

 

 

 

Prima products used here are: Ledger pad paper, flower spray - ladybird, Say it in Crystals - Divine

 

Thirdly, my layout featuring another one of my nephews in his favourite pastime:

 

 

More close-ups to enjoy

 

Prima products used here are: Seashore paper & tags, woodgrain & anchors stencil, Art basics modelling paste, flowers - blue mini rose & seashore, Shabby Chic Treasures - resin birds, Junkyard Findings - Vintage Trinkets, light bulb & bottle caps, flower spray - lady bird.

 

Lastly here is my 'tag' notebook (2 oversized tags turned into a notebook:

 

 

Prima products used here are: Seashore paper, flower, Say it in Crystals - Divine.

 

Thank you for this chance to showcase some of creations to you, it has been a pleasure to put this collection together. 

Valentines Day cards

Here we are in February already, gee where did January go??
February of course brings us Valentines Day, and what a great excuse to get all soppy for a change.  For my DT project I've made a small selection of cards using lots of different bits of chipboard & felt from Imagine if . .  .

 

3 very different cards using lots of different techniques and materials.  I've used Kaisercraft & BoBunny papers, bakers twine, lace, string, paper doily.  These have been altered by embossing, painting, stamping, glossy accents, stickles and texture paste.

 

Enjoy these individual photos:

 

Imagine if products used:  set of hearts

                                           open hearts

                                           chicken wire

                                          ' Love your smile'

                                           felt leaves

 

I hope these give you a bit of inspiration, check out what the other DT ladies have to show you this week, perhaps some more valentines day treats or perhaps some summer fun to share.



More Xmas cards

Believe it or not I've actually managed to find time to make a few more different xmas cards.  Again I am entering them in another Artfull Crafts challenge, this time the challenge is for 'Fancy Cards', so this was a great chance to try something a bit different.  As I'm sure you're aware I am not a card maker, so I really chuffed with how they have turned out (luckily I had the help of awesome tutorials to follow).

 

I followed a simple tutorial here. This awesome plaited card was actually very easy to make, using BoBunny card stock, burlap & G45 paper.  Topped off with Imagine if candles and I am Roses flowers.

 

When I saw this awesome idea I just had to give it a go.  Very easy instructions can be found here again using BoBunny cardstock and papers, Imagine if . .  chipboard & Prima flower.

 

Come along to the Artfull crafts site and join in the fun, they are having a new challenge each week before xmas and there are lots of entries already.

Mar.IARDC

Today I've made a quick card using my favourite colours - blues & yellows, on top of some brown kraft card.  This is my entry for the monthly colour challenge over at I am Roses.

 

Firstly I embossed my piece of kraft cardstock, then rubbed over the impressions with chalk ink.  Next I stitched around the distressed edges, before attaching to my blue card.  The sentiment came from a Heartfelt Creations collections (gotta love these).  Lots of IAR flowers finish the card, here I've used Daisy's, Cherry blossoms & the little S-10 blooms.

 

I make very few cards, so have enjoyed this challenge.  Thank you for visiting, please leave me a comment.