Something Festive For Friday

Good Friday Morning Ladies,

Welcome to the end of another week, how are you all getting along with your Christmas cards?

We have 31 days to Christmas day, which leaves us about a week or so to finish the last of our cards.

I have no where near finished so it will be a last minute marathon for me.

While I was trying to think of a quick and easy card to batch make I came up with today's card, it features the Flourish Filigree Stamp set.  All I have done is stamp that beautiful filigree stamp in the background with Versamark ink, add embossing powder and heat set, then do the same with the sentiment and punch that out with matching punch and pop it in the centre of the filigree stamped image.

I don't think it needs any other embellishments, just let that stunning stamp take all of the attention.

The measurements of the card are:

The Base card is 4 1/8 X 5 1/2 inches 

The layers are 1/4 of an inch larger 

(Just use your usual mat and layer measurements.)  I just wanted to give you an idea of the size

Yesterday was a quiet day, mostly spent recording this tutorial and a video that shares all of the new goodies I was allowed to pre-order from the new Spring & Summer Catalogue, look out for that in the next day or two.

While I am off to make some more Christmas cards, so that I am not that person sending them out the day before Christmas Eve, (it wouldn't be the first time)!!

Have a lovely weekend Ladies, I think that Michele has a Magazine Review for us for Saturday too.

Sending Love and Hugs to all of you 

Sandra

xxxxxx

Some Simple Stamping ideas from Danielle

Good Morning ladies,

Well we had a proper, dreary Winter day here yesterday, sleet/rain/snow, we needed the lights on from late morning onwards, I don't like those days as I always end up with a fuzzy head, probably from having artificial lighting all day.  It's harder to craft to as matching paper and colours is harder.
To be honest I didn't get much crafting done, Mr Brown (UPS) came with me new SU goodies in the morning so I spent a good while looking through that and then Sue came and we were in the craft room but were too busy chatting to get any crafting done. (not that I am complaining).

We spent a good while discussing the Sheena Douglass situation, I know she has done wrong, but I really like her and can't imagine how she must be feeling at the moment, for those of you that don't have Facebook etc Sheena sells her stamps with the Banner 'Hand Drawn Stamps' on giving you the impression that they are all her own designs etc, however some people have bought to Crafters Companions attention that some of her work is a blatant copy of other people's work or family photos.  I have quite a few Sheena stamps and love watching her demonstrate, so I was really shocked to read all about this.  Crafters Companion have created a team to 'deal' with this issue, they are contacted the original owners of some of the art work to see if they can work out a licence to continue to use their artwork, if not I guess they may have to refund people that buy the stamps to make cards for charity or to sell.  Sheena put out a statement saying that at times she felt under pressure to meet deadlines and so she turned to online images to work from.  It makes sad reading and some people have been quite nasty, what she has done is wrong, particularly if she has gone onto TV and taken full credit for the art work.  I hope it all gets resolved quickly, I guess she may struggle to continue to design stamps etc but she is very good at demonstrating techniques.  I think she has parted from Crafters Companion though which is understandable as this has left them in a really awkward position as the company that makes and markets her stamps.

Todays 'simple' cards have been designed by Danielle, I thought it might give some of you some inspiration, Danielle has done a whole week of Blogs with a similar theme, making her own gift tags, gift bags and wrapping paper, I will leave a link to her blog below her card descriptions if you want to go over and give her some support....

Danielle's 1st card:

I have gone with three colours, Early espresso, Blushing bride and powder pink.

The stamp set I used is Very vintage.
Card base measures 5.1/2" x 8" score at 4"
Whisper white layer 4.1/2" x 3"

So quick and easy to make you could batch make these in no time at all.
Just swap out the sentiment to suit the occasion.
I have stamped all over my whisper white layer creating my own beautiful background using blushing bride and powder pink.
Then used the flower image as my statement piece to make this stand out from the background I used early espresso ink.
This card is aimed at beginner crafters or crafters just starting out who have minimal supplies.




2nd Photo:
You can make two card bases from one sheet of A4 card.

Base measures  5.1/2" x  8"  scored at 4"  whisper  white layer measures  4.1/2" x  3"

I used colourful seasons stamp set to make these to very simple cards.
I stamped my base card all over to create a lovely background. Love tone on tone stamping.

Again these cards are great for batch making just by swapping out sentiment to one that suits the occasion your making the card for.


Thank you so much Danielle for giving us all a little bit of Inspiration, your cards are stunning. xxx

Here is the link to the first card on Danni's blog, the posts following this are all along the same lines, so fantastic Christmas wrapping ideas.

Dannii's Blog

Lilian please accept my belated congratulations on your Wedding Anniversary, I hope you enjoyed your Fish and Chips, finding good fish and chips is a rare thing these days xxx

Pat, I was so sorry to read about the news from the hospital, I hope that you get some more answers soon, I know how Pete worries, which will be making life hard for both of you. Sending you huge hugs my lovely. xxx

I hope that you all manage to stay warm, it was due to get down to -7 last night so I think there will be lots of car scraping this morning.

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxx

A card made with one colour and one stamp

Good Morning My lovelies,

I hope that you are all well, its the middle of another week, I have to say I am looking forward to Friday, although I hate wishing the week away.

I am waiting around to get the shower fixed today, I have to make sure that someone is home to show them where to go etc as it's in the Master Ensuite Bathroom and I can't get up there.  We noticed that the shower had been leaking to the point that it was coming through the ceiling in the lounge, our Landlord did say that they had had this issue before, we could see that as there was a stain on the lounge ceiling in the same place as the leak.  Paul had stopped it leaking through the ceiling by removing the old grout from around the bath and using proper sealant.  Which worked pretty much straight away, the problem that caused the leak is coming from the shower itself, the chap came out on Monday and said that it needs a new shower hose, so that's what he is coming to do.  

Actually I think Sue should be coming today so if nobody else is here she can take him up.

Paul was going to fix it all himself but I told him not too, the amount we are paying to live here is ridiculous so they can pay for any repairs!

Todays card is made using just one stamp and I colour. The stamp is called 'Pressed Flowers' and this leafy stem is just one of the lovely images in the set.

Pressed Flowers

I stamped the leafy stem with 2nd generation Pear Pizazz ink, randomly all over the background to create some interest.  I then put a piece of the card into the Stamperatus and stamped the main image two or three times to get a good depth of colour. I nipped the corners off of this piece with a punch and then mounted it onto a slightly larger piece of whisper white card, just to make the focal image 'pop' from the same coloured background, although I did add a little Pear Pizazz Ink to the edges of the white card to tone it down a little. I then wound a little twine around the bottom of the stamped image and frayed the ends.

So to make this card I used Pear Pizazz Ink and Card and The Pressed Flower Stamp set. If you didn't have the matching card you could use the ink pad to decorate the background and/or blend the colour onto it too.

It's a different style of card for me but sometimes it does you good to get back to basics.

I hope that you are all keeping warm, 

Have a lovely day,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Another Simple Challenge Card

Good Morning Ladies,

Have you all noticed the drop in temperature yet, we were cold all day yesterday, I cranked the AGA up a bit which made the kitchen lovely and warm, I kept going and putting my scarf on the top and then putting it back on, it felt like a warm hug!  I will add that we had no rain and I did manage to get two lines of washing dry, which is such a bonus this time of year.

It was nice to read some of your Christmas traditions, we did start putting a Tangerine in our children's stockings but as some of you said yesterday because they are available all year round now it doesn't create the same excitement!  I also don't think they taste anywhere near as good, I remember the smell used to fill the room, which was a heck of a task in my parents house, cutting through the cigarette fog! hahaha.  Funny how when we used to live in it we didn't really notice it, but now whenever we go to Mum's the smell is so strong.  I dread to think what my clothes must have smelt like going to school etc.  It still makes me chuckle that my mum insists to her GP and nurses etc that she doesn't smoke, I think her yellow finger also gives the game away.  Sadly it's making her so much worse but she refuses to even try to stop.

Now onto today's card, carrying on the 'Simple' Theme, this card features I stamp set with it's matching dies, I die cut the larger piece out of Very Vanilla card and then matted onto a 5 x 5 inch Blackberry Bliss card base (raised up on foam pads). I then added one of the tiny detail stamps into the little curves of the die cut, I stamped that central flower shape in Blackberry Bliss too, using my Stamperatus to get a good depth of colour, I had to repeat about 4 times. I added the three little dots to each petal and then die cut that piece and added foam pads to the back.
I then put the card back in the stamperatus and added the ' A note for you' sentiment around one side of the circle.
I then took the little detail punch and added it to each of the corners, just to draw your eye in to the centre.

I am determined to sit and finish my ATC's today, I keep forgetting about them, so I have a sticky note on my desk to remind me to make them.
How are all of you getting on with yours?  I know that Lynda and Janet have completed their swap, how about the rest of you, I am looking forward to seeing them all.

Right I must go into my craft room,

I hope you all have a lovely day, stay warm and cosy,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Monday Challenge

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you have all had a lovely weekend, ours disappeared fast, we were mostly doing jobs around the house, including some serious decluttering in our bedroom.  Paul does like to hold onto things, I threw away packaging from birthday gifts from August, he recently had a new electric toothbrush and the packaging to that was still on his chest of drawers and that was the tip of the iceburg. We ended up making a huge difference, getting the printer moved to its rightful place, curtains re-hung in my bedroom as a lot of the loops on the curtain rail had snapped.  I think its all the little jobs that take up the time. You can actually walk down Paul's side of the bed without turning sideways now, the hoover fits down too, so it don't have to take the hose off and use the stair tool.

We went shopping on Saturday, we have started getting bits in for Christmas, mostly from Aldi as everything we tried from there last year was delicious! 

One Christmas treat that has lost its magic for me is Tangerines, do you remember when you only got them at Christmas, we always had one in our Stocking, we had a walnut too for some reason.  I remember peeling it and being excited at the smell because it was one of the smells of Christmas, we had a lovely big fruit bowl full of them on the table in the lounge along with the tin of Roses, After Eight mints, Eat Me Dates with a funny fork, my Dad always had dried Figs at Christmas too (yuck).

The other thing that reminds me of me Mum and my Nana is those awful Orange and Lemon slices covered in sugar, they were jelly sweets, they had them every year.  Did you all have particular treats??

Now on to this weeks Challenge, I wanted to do something different, not a sketch or TicTacToe, so after much deliberation...……

I would like you to make any card you like....BUT.....'Keep It Simple', by that I mean use just one stamp set/Colour/die or punch.  You can add a sentiment too of course, but just keep the card as simple as possible.

I used the Detailed Deer Thinlit dies to die cut my Reindeer the little flower is from the same die set too. (So I just used 1 die set).  I stamped my sentiment in gold to match the Deer and punched it out.

The background I have chosen is the Swirls and Curls embossing folder.  

You can used an embossed background OR some decorative paper.  Even better use your chosen stamp set to stamp your own background.

I find Simple quite tricky as I want to embellish till the cows come home, so If I can do it so can you!

I can't wait to see your cards. 

I hope that you are all prepared for the week ahead, they speak of it getting much colder, so please stay warm my lovelies. 

Pat, I will be thinking of you as you embark on another week of hospital appointments, sending hugs to you both xxx

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Your Challenge Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

Its Sunday again and you know what that means?!!!….

Yes it's the best day of the week, where we get to see all of your hard work, as usual your cards are all amazing and I can't wait to share them.

Cheryl 

Cheryl has had a really busy week, she has made some amazing, the first three are beautiful Christmas cards, here is Cheryl's description......

"The inking is your favourite Berry Burst and Mix and Match Christmas Blessings. The ribbon is from my SW blog win in 2015. Hoarded or what? It matched the pink and Brown tones of the paper. Xx"

The last card is a fantastic Birthday card, in shades of blue, its amazing how great 'Bit Box' cards can be.  I love this lay out Cheryl.

Thank you so much for your huge input into this weeks challenge. xxxx

 Danielle

Danielle rummaged through her and came up with this super cute Snowman card, that snowman is so amazing, just look at all the detail, including the Holly on his hat and the odd bits of the 'Sprig' Punch that makes very convincing Mistletoe.

Thank you so much Danielle for taking part in this weeks challenge.  xxxx

Karen

Karen shared both her cards and her very organised scrap boxes! I wasn't brave enough, I am ashamed to say that my 'bit box's' aren't any where near as organised as yours.

I love all 3 of your cards Karen, the 'Sending all my love' card is very cleverly designed and a great use of smaller scraps.

The santa on the second card is also a good way of using up tiny bits of card, Karen has added him to an embossed background, making a very clean and simple card.

Karen's final card  is a Baby Card that she made for everyone at work to sign, this uses up the bits from Karen's 'blue bit box' !

Thank you so much Karen for 3 amazing cards, you amaze me every week by using whatever challenge we set to make the cards that you need for that week.  It shows what an accomplished crafter you are.  Thanks again my lovely. xxxx

Lynda

Lynda made two fabulous 'Bit Box' cards for this weeks challenge, both full of colour and you see something new every time you look at them.

The first card uses a selection of the Garden Impressions' papers from Stampin Up, finished with a fish tailed flag carrying the sentiment.

The second card features those lovely butterflies that look like are in flight! Thank you so much Lynda for two lovely cards. xxxx

Margaret

Margaret made a Clean and Simple style Christmas card for her challenge this week, using one of the 'All Occasion' Embossing folders, Margaret has then rummaged in her scrap box to find card to make the embellishments.

Thank you so much Margaret for taking part in this weeks challenge. xxxx

Michele

Three amazing Christmas cards from Michele today, I love how you have shared the scrap/bit boxes too, can you come and organise mine please?!

Michele's description below....

 Challenge Card 1 from “Scraps “! Have included a photo the purple card bits. I used a Chloe die & some gemstones.

Challenge card No 2! All blue & Silver Card from Scraps Box, variety of Hexagon Dies used.

Challenge card No 3-used the coloured strips of paper, navy card & pearlised White Card for the rest of the card. Embossed part is from an All Occasions Folder & the Centre strip is Diecut using All Occasions Dies.

Thank you so much Michele for making three incredible challenge cards and for helping me to decide on a challenge. xxxx

Maria

Maria has made 3 'Bit Box' cards, the first two cards are made up of patterns made using strips/or pieces of paper.

The first has strips of paper and then a lovely Christmas image, finished with a lovely die cut Bow,

The second card features an amazing geometric pattern made up of triangles of paper, with a die cut sentiment to finish.

The third card features those darling elephants, you can't help but let out a little 'ahh' every time you look at them.  I absolutely love that embossed/die cut background Maria.

Thank you for 3 amazing cards my lovely xxxx

 LIlian

Lilian has made a fantastic Christmas card for this weeks challenge, you can see all the different 'bits' of card that she has used too.  It looks to me like you have actually stitched this card Lilian, it looks too good to be 'faux stitched'  I may need to pick your brains for this one, I love the effect but was afraid that it would ruin my sewing machine if I sewed paper.

Your layout works perfectly Lilian, that little 'love' note in the birds beak is a lovely touch. xxx

 Val

Val has shared both her card and her scrap box, which I have to say isn't too bad, mine are a lot worse than yours Val.  

I think that your idea of using labels to place the letters on is an amazing idea, you could do names in the same way.  I may be borrowing your idea.  I love how colourful your card is too.

Thank you so much for taking part in this weeks challenge my lovely. xxxx

 Janet 

Janet has made 3 fantastic cards, all completely different, the first is an amazing man card, featuring that striking image with a die cut of darker brown to frame the image and a lovely script on the background. 

The second card is a super cute image, that Janet has embellished with super pretty coloured flowers, ribbon and pearl trim.

Janet's third card has an embossed front with one of Sue Wilson's Scene Striplets die cut in, Janet has then added some holographic mirror card behind, so the little village looks almost lit up.

Thank you Janet for 3 amazing Challenge cards. xxxx

Well I hope you enjoyed this weeks line up ladies, you are all so talented and that shows as you take on and conquer these challenges week after week.  

I am very grateful to all of you, as always.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday my lovely friends,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Mixed Up Saturday

Danni's Gorgeous Pocket letter

Danielle Pocket Letter YouTube Video

Good Morning Ladies,

Welcome to another 'Mixed Craft Saturday' we have some lovely crafts to look at today.

I have started off with the beautiful Pocket Letter that Danielle made for me for our Swap, the Pocket Letter was only a part of the lovely gifts that Dannii and I swapped, she had made me a lovely Christmas Gift Bag, gifted me some gorgeous paper pads including an absolutely stunning A3 from Crafters Companion in really pretty Peaches and Pinks, I managed to get some flowers in matching colours to swap back with Danielle. I was left absolutely blown away both with Danielle's generosity and creativity.  

To show Danielle's Pocket Letter off probably I filmed a short video, I have left the link under the photograph. 

Now onto Janet's 'ATC's..……

Janet was paired with Lynda in our recent ATC swap, these are the incredible Artist Trading cards that Janet designed and created for Lynda, they are amazing Janet.  The first one features die cuts, the background is a pretty die cut with a intricate pattern, small enough to work perfectly on the ATC size, the Butterflies are a feature of the background, Janet has coloured them and bought them to the foreground where they make the perfect embellishment. I love the finishing touch around the edge too.  

Janet's second ATC is complete contrast to her first, this ATC is a made up of a lovely arrangement of Resin embellishments, those corners have what looks like Art Deco style roses on them, the centre piece is a pretty cameo with a darling little show beneath, Janet has added some Hydrangea petals is beautiful colours and finished with a heart and pearl Trim.  

Janet you would never believe that these are your first ATC's they are both incredible and I know Lynda loved them.  Thank you so much for sharing them. 

XXX

Karen goes to a Craft Club and has shared some absolutely incredible crafts that some of the ladies have made....

I will add Karen's description below:

"I thought you might like to show these on Saturday I have their permission

The first is a miniature made by one of the ladies at craft club She had a stroke about 18 months ago and couldn’t do her miniatures Admittedly she bought the little cabinet but has created all of the little birds and flowers etc from Fimo
The second is by another lady from craft club who does a bit of everything and has got into beading recently."

Both items are absolutely incredible, that Miniature cabinet with the flowers, Birds and Butterflies, all made out of Fimo, you don't realise the tiny scale until you see the £1 coin.  I can't imagine the skill and patience it takes to create something so detailed.  It is absolutely exquisite, the lady that created this is so talented, it's impossible to think that she had a stroke 18 months before. 

The second picture is 3 beautifully beaded bracelets, made using tiny beads, sewn together to create these beautiful patterns, so intricate and pretty.  Thank you so much for allowing Karen to share your work with us. xxx

Thanks Karen for sharing your friends work, it's so inspiring to see other crafts, especially when they are as amazing as these ones. 

XXX

Thank you to everyone that took part in today's blog post, please send me any photo's of any mixed crafts that you would like to share.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx