Alcohol pen/parchment Background

 

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well, the weather wasn't the best yesterday but to be honest I didn't really see much of outside after getting back from my Mammogram,  I just got home and all but collapsed on the bed, they were a hectic few days.  I did summon the energy to go into my craft room, I had to clear the devastation that I caused while making Paul's parents Anniversary card. I soon got it cleared and then started playing with different background techniques. 

For today's card I used two Stampin Blends (alcohol markers) called Mango Melody & Polished Pink, I scribbled them onto a piece of parchment and spritzed them with some Rubbing Alcohol that I have put into a fine spray bottle.  Now to be honest I put the piece on the recycle pile because it looked strange at first, I went to watch England score against Germany and when I returned it was like a miracle had taken place! It had blended beautifully.  So I placed it onto a piece of white card and matted and layered with Polished Pink and Mango melody card,  finishing with a white card base. That beautiful die cut was the perfect finishing touch, its from a die set called 'Artistic Background '(Stampin Up!), I die cut it twice and adhered it together, this gives a lovely thick die cut.  I couldn't decide on a sentiment so left it without for now. 

I hope you all have a lovely day

Love and hugs, 

Sandra                                                                                xxxxxx                                 

Anniversary Card

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

I hope today finds you well, we are currently on route to Colchester to Intur Mum's Ashes, the weather couldn’t be worse,  it's constant rain with thunder storms forecast later! Fingers crossed there will be a break in the clouds at 3.30pm! 

I have added a photo of Paul's parents cutting their cake on Sunday afternoon,  it was so lovely to catch up with everyone, it's been over 2 years since we have seen Paul's brothers  and their families.  

I have also added a photograph of the Wedding Anniversary card that I made for Paul's parents, 

I added their wedding photo under the sentiment as a little surprise, they loved the card thankfully. 

Today I have my Mammogram, nothing more exciting than having your boobs flattened is there Ladies! 

I hope that you all have a good day 

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Another one of Sonia's inspiration cards

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

I hope you have all had an enjoyable weekend,  ours was busy, although our Saturday night out was cancelled as the lady who had invited us had a very poorly cat, so she cancelled her get together.  In all honesty I didn't mind as I still needed to finish the box for Paul's parents card, I think I climbed into bed at 11.30pm, all I needed to do was print the insert (that I had forgotten). Now we have a fairly new printer,  it has been brilliant,  printing on any thickness paper/card etc, but yesterday morning when i needed to print a simple insert it decided it was going to play up, we fiddled and faffed for about an hour, I was sat trying to stamp something instead and the bloody thing just starts printing,  so all was saved at the last minute!  It's my own fault I shouldn't leave things until the last minute! I am too indecisive though, I spent a month procrastinating!  As I am writing this we are on route to Birmingham to Paul's parents Anniversary celebration, the weather isnt looking great, its very cloudy and forecast is showers! This event is supposed to be outside, I am so nervous about covid and this Delta variant, this is our first time in a 'crowd '! As you are reading this we will be on our way to Colchester, it will be a sad day, although it feels good to be finally putting Mum where she wanted to be, I had a temporary plaque made to mark her spot, while we wait for her Stone to be laid, we have to wait a couple of months for the ground to settle. I am looking forward to seeing my brother and sisters though. 

Today's card is another card that Sonia shared with me to inspire us for the Sentiment challenge, I didn't get around to sharing it last week,  its so beautiful I wasn't going to leave it out!                        Sonia has used Anna Marie Designs Garden Blooms paper pad in Blue for this card, this collection has beautiful florals as well as pretty birds featured on most pages. Sonia has used one of the plain blue sheets to place her sentiment on, the black ink and die cut works perfectly with the background,  tje beautiful background is enhanced with that pretty ornate die cut border. Such a beautiful Design, thank you so much for sharing it with us Sonia XXX

That's all from me for today,  I will let you know how the rest of today goes on tomorrow's blog.

Have a lovely day Ladies,

Love and Hugs to all of you, 

Sandra                                                                                  xxxxxx 

Your Challenge Cards

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

I hope you are all well, we have nice weather yesterday,  a bit overcast, perfect weather for getting jobs in garden done without overheating.  Paul is a nightmare for putting suncream on, he judt says 'i'll stay in shade", mostly because he doesn't like the greasy feeling,  especially if you are creating dust by digging etc.  Do any of you have stubborn husbands? 

Sonia suggested a brilliant challenge for us this week, using the Sentiment as the main feature of the card, so lets look at what you all created....

Sonia

Sonia's Description :

"First one uses a KaiserCraft birthday sentiment stamp. The sentiment across the top is from Tracey Hey and the guitar is from Britannia Dies.

Second card is an Inkylicious stamp, stamped over Triangle Fade stencil by Clearly Besotted and I’ve used Tim Holtz Crotchet die across the bottom. 

Third card is Reverse Confetti die and stamp. Speckled Egg inked background and Memory Box snowflakes.

Third card is another Inkylicious sentiment on distress inked background with Tim Holtz stencil and stamps. The flower is from Becca Feeken."

Fifth card:

Reverse Confetti ‘You’re So’ dies and SugarPea Designs ‘Simply Fabulous’ stamp set. Tim Holtz stencil in Spun Sugar distress ink xx"

So many beautiful cards Sonia, so much inspiration, something for every one and most occasions covered in your amazing card collection.  Thank you for suggested such a fantastic challenge and for sharing so much inspiration too XXX

Brenda

Brenda's Description:

I saw a card on Pinterest using this paper and I didn’t have the stamp the large HAPPY birthday stamp the lady used (its in the SU catalogue and on my wish list now) so I compromised, I added a thin gold mat and used Phil Martin’s charmed rectangle to finish it off. On hindsight I should have kept it plain. Anyway this is my card - plus two others that you don’t have to use.

I am also attaching Johns anniversary card but you don’t have to use it but it does fit the brief. The papers were all from the works I think it was a Tatty Ted pad that I’ve had for ever .

Another card I made that also fits the brief, It was Callum 18th  - I can’t remember if I have sent it to you,  if you’ve seen it before don’t feel you have to use it. The inspiration came from good old Pinterest. I was really pleased how it turned out.

Oh Brenda that background paper is 😍 beautiful, it really works well with the vellum sentiment in gold embossing, which matches perfectly with the gold in the background.  John's anniversary card is lovely too, it gets harder to find new ideas every year. Such a clever idea to use the Diamond dies.  Your card for Callum is pure Genius, perfect for teenagers.  Thank you so much for 3 very inspirational cards XXX 

Karen

Karen's Description:

First Card

The HAPPY  and BIRTHDAY are Sue W dies and the dancers are by La Blanche

It’s for a very good Salsa friend The dancers are cut in CE black gloss card

Second card 

This is the PP card I was talking about Very hard to photograph PP

I was going to use old gold card but was too much

I used Bronze Blush, Firework Burst (bad choice on black) Golden Mint and Rich Gold on Super Thick Slap it On and Kraft card for sentiment “Chris” (man) was cut on ScanNCut 

It does look better in real life It’s got lots of texture and shine

Two amazing Challenge cards Karen, the first card I just love everything about, the image of the dancing couple is so lovely!

The texture on your second card is incredible, it looks like a really derp emboss, the iridescence from the Pixie Powders is amazing, I am surprised how much of the shine shows upon camera. Thank you so much for two inspirational Challenge cards XXX 

Michele 

Michele's Description:

First card uses an Ebay die  & a lattice embossing folder. Second card is a Sue Wilson Thanks Die &  a cuttlebug Dots embossing Folder. Third card has a text embossing folder (A4 size) for the background, Cuttlebug Thanks Die & the coloured swirls are Stampin Up. Fourth card -I used a mini tag die and an alphabet die, both magazine freebies.

Thanks Michele, I love all of your Thank you cards, I know your work colleagues will too, each card is do neatly matted and layered and beautifully finished.  Thank you so much for 4 amazing Challenge cards. XXX 

Lilian 

Lilian has designed a beautiful floral birthday card for this weeks challenge. The stencilled background works so well with that pretty floral detail, I can't tell if you have stamped the flower or its fussy cut? Hopefully you can let me know below. Thst sentiment works perfectly for the challenge,  it is a lovely font too.

Thank you so much Lilian for taking part in this weeks challenge XXX 

Janet

Janet's Description:

This week my CCs are all made using PHIL MARTIN'S STAMP COLLECTION NAMED 'LIFE QUOTES'

My first card was made using backing paper from 'PRIMA- MIDNIGHT GARDEN. The stamp set is named   'BEAUTIFUL WORLD'.

My second card this week was again using backing paper from 'PRIMA MIDNIGHT GARDEN. This time the stamp set is named  'REMEMBER'

Oh Janet both of your cards are so beautiful,  the background papers are so pretty, I love the silk and Crocheted flower embellishments that you have added to both cards,  the sentiments are brilliant too.  Thank you so much for taking part. XXX 

*****************

Thanks again Sonia for choosing this weeks challenge, We have had some beautiful cards made this week. Thank you ladies for taking part and supporting Sonia's choice. XXX 

We are off to celebrate with Paul's family this afternoon, we are celebrating Paul's parents 60th Anniversary and Paul's Dad's 80th birthday. We haven't seen some of Paul's siblings for 2 years, so it will be nice to catch up with everyone,  fingers crossed gor good weather!!! 

I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday, 

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Mixed-up Saturday

 

Good Saturday Morning Ladies, 

First up today is a beautiful painting of a bird that my very talented Niece Charlotte painted, if you look closely you can see the texture of the feathers, the colours are so bright and vibrant too. Thank you Charlotte for allowing me to share your amazing painting, please keep it up, I can't wait to see the next one. XXX 

Next up Michele got a bargain price on some Tonic Craft Boxes, today she has shared the Kit with us, showing us exactly what you get inside.

Michele's Tonic Craft Kit Unboxing 

 Hi Ladies,

Here’s  the unboxing of my first Tonic Craft kit, this one is Kit 30 Spring Sentiments.

This is the list of everything that’s included. It also gives you links to YouTube videos.

This is the first set of Dies.

Second set of Dies.

Stamps that’s included.

3 alcohol markers and an Aqua flow sparkle pen.

Full size bottle of glue, crackle mousse, mini bottle of Nuvo drops & a tub of gemstones.

8 sheets of textured & embossed card.

This kit was in the sale which I think was good value at £19:99, not sure if I’d pay the full price of £35:00 though.

There’s lots of Crafters on YouTube who show you what they’ve made with this kit-just search for Tonic kit 30.


Happy Crafting,
Love Michele

Thanks Michele you really did get a bargain, there is so much in the Craft box! Thanks for sharing it with us XXX 

That's all for today Ladies, I hope that you all have a lovely weekend,

Love & Huge Hugs to all of you, 

Sandra

xxxxxx

Your Next Challenge

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well and ready to enjoy the weekend, fingers crossed that the weather is going to be a little better than last weekend, I do keep seeing stories that say that we are in for a Heatwave at the start of July, so fingers crossed for that. it may be the nearest we get to a holiday this year!

We have a ridiculously busy few days ahead, we have been invited to someone's house for drinks (in the village), Sunday we have a family event celebrating Paul's parents 60th Wedding Anniversary and Paul's dad's 80th Birthday in Birmingham, Monday we are travelling to Colchester to have my Mum's Ashes Interred, then on Tuesday I have my Mammogram!  I think I am going to be in for a painful week next week, it seems to be all or nothing right now!

What do you all have planned?

Cheryl Inspired Challenge

When I asked for suggestions for upcoming Challenges a couple of weeks ago Cheryl suggested a Challenge based around ''Blending',  I know that some of you don't have Distress Inks so I decided to make the Challenge 'Create your own Inky Background'.  I don't mind .what medium you use to be honest, it will give some of you that have Gelli Plates to have a play with inks or paints, you can even use Alcohol Inks if you like.  I will leave that choice up to you.  I will always accommodate any suggestions into the Challenges and try and make it work for everyone, I know that both Michele and Janet don't really do Distress Oxide backgrounds so I didn't want to exclude anyone, I do happen to know that Michele has Pixie Powders though, so that might be a fun twist for you Michele!   

Maybe one week I will set a challenge for you all individually, push you all out of your comfort zone! I know that some challenges do push some of you and I am always so grateful when you take part and beat the challenge, I also feel a little bit pleased with myself that I encouraged you to have a go too.

I look forward to seeing what you all create. 

Thank you Cheryl for your suggestion xxx

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend,

Sending My love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Green & Gold Challenge card

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you all enjoyed the lovely sunshine yesterday,  it was glorious here, frustratingly I couldn't get out to enjoy it as my hip was just too painful,  I have been concerned about it failing for years but I wasn't prepared for the pain!  Never mind,  the show must go on! 

Today's card is something a little different for me, I don't use Mirror card very much but I thought that it would work well with Sue Wilson’s Floral Panel 'Dogwood' die combined with this lovely 'So Succulent' card.  I die cut the panel in gold and then twice more in white and layered them up. I made a slightly larger mat for the gold panel by using one of Sue Wilson’s 'Slimline' dies, I added a narrow gold mat to life the piece off of the background.  I used a 'Love ' die in gold for the sentiment panel and added '&HUGS' by stamping in Versamark adding Gold Embossing Powder. I added foam pads to raise the sentiment panel slightly above the Floral panel. I quite liked how it turned out, the dies cut really nicely and look great in Mirror card.  I think that you could add some little pearls to that panel after die cutting in Green and it would look like Miseltoe, perfect for Christmas! 

I will leave a link to the 'Dogwood' die below......

Sue Wilson Dogwood Die

 Ben at In2Craft has Sue Wilson dies at amazing prices.

I am looking forward to seeing your Challenge cards this week, I'm sure Sonia is too. 

I hope that you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                  xxxxxx 

Amazing You Challenge card

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

How are you all doing this week? What have you all been up to,  anyone made their Challenge card yet?.

We had a busy morning,  I booked a slot at the local Tip (Household Recycling Centre), the slots are hard to get hold of, this one had been booked about 3 weeks, I did manage to get a cancellation for  week on Saturday too, today's trip was mostly cardboard, we had a huge collection, but I guess we weren't able to go to tip last year so that hasn't helped. Paul managed to fit loads in, that is the good thing about our car, you can take all of the back seats out which makes loads of space. 

I saw this card on Pinterest and loved the subtle stamping effect, the card was designed by Stampin Jack. It's from a few years back, but I actually love this stamp set. 

So I took a piece of Pink Frog super smooth, stamped the flower spray a few times around the opposite corners in Grey Granite ink, which makes a really nice change to black. I then used a Clear Wink of Stella as a waterbrush and added some Pool Party ink to the flowers,  the wink of stella adds lovely shimmer too. That is the only colour the card needed.  I die cut the 'Amazing ' twice and adhered them together, so that the sentiment stood out a bit more. I laid the die cut in position without sticking it down so I could position the 'YOU' stamp. I removed die cut and stamped YOU in Night of Navy ink.  I adhered the die cut sentiment and layered the card front first onto a piece of Grey Granite card and then onto Night of Navy card base. To finish the card I popped a Crystal gem into centres of the flowers.  I really love the contrast between the Navy and the soft Grey.

Not much on here today, I have a couple of cards to make before weekend.

I hope that you all have a lovely day, 

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                xxxxxx 

Technique Tuesday Tutorial

 

Good Tuesday Morning Ladies, 

We had a very wet day yesterday, the garden really appreciated it though I'm sure, in fact I'm pretty sure that the grass grew about 6 inches over night🙄😘😅

Michele has prepared another Fun Fold Tutorial for us, these cards also tie in with this weeks Challenge!

Michele's Fun Fold Tutorial 

Hi Ladies,

Here another easy fancy fold technique.

You need to start off with a piece of A4 card and score it in the centre vertically and horizontally to create 4 portions.
You then need to cut across the card as shown with the dotted line.

This should give your two equal pieces as shown.

When folded they will look like this.
The pink card is for  the toppers-see instructions with next photo.

We now need to create two triangle shaped toppers. I cut mine to 145x 100mm the cut them diagonally-see the pink card below. This may be too large, if you want to leave a border then you’ll need to trim a couple of millimetres from the two straight edges of the topper card of use a piece of card measuring 140x95mm instead.

You can then add a topper. I’ve not decorated mine yet it added a sentiment.

You will need to decide which part of the front you are adding the topper to, remembering to only glue half of it down.

You will need to add a panel inside to stamp your sentiment on & decorate .


This will now fit in a standard envelope unless you added a lot of 3D elements to the front.

*************

Thank you so much Michele for another fantastic Fun Fold, I love tbe versatility oc these cards,  youvan decorate them as much or as little as you like,they can be made for any occasion too, as you can see from Michele's inspiration cards. 

Michele I really appreciate the time you took to write the tutorial for todays post, thanks again my lovely XXX

I hope you all manage to have a go at today's tutorial,  I can't wait to see your cards.

Have s lovely day Ladies, 

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra                                                                                xxxxxx 

Some Challenge Inspiration

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

Well the garden thoroughly enjoyed all of the rain that we were blessed with over last few days, everything looks so lush and green and healthy,  especially the weeds!! I can't understand where they all come from! We have 2 compost heaps, 2 wormeries, 2 rotating compost bins and 4 standard compost bins and we still have a huge pile waiting to go in one of the composters, Paul managed to finish pulling a huge amount of ivy out of a border down the side of the house,  as we cut it back the trunk and roots looked like something you'd see in an enchanted forest, all twisted and intertwined, I'm guessing the Ivy has been there years, the border has been completely untouched for years, the piles of roots were huge, the soil was in great condition,  I had a box of RHS Wildlife attracting seed mix that you 'Sow,Rake & Grow', so We have scattered them over the new border to start with to get something growing while we continue to wait for our Collection of 72 perrenials from Thompson &Morgan! We will then have a good selection to choose from, there are plants for all settings in the collection, it will need something that is tall and colourful as the border is in front of a Cotswold Stone wall. I will share some photos when we decide.  

I spent most of yesterday making sure Paul had as relaxed day as possible as all our children were busy working, so I didn’t get any time in my craft room, so today I thought I would share a few different cards that work perfectly for our Challenge to hopefully inspire you all a little bit. I am really looking forward to making some cards for this challenge, I do love when one of you chooses the challenge because it feels like I am taking part too.  I hope that the cards inspire you all a little .

Maria it sounds like you are having a lovely time in Colchester,  I love the Castle Park,  have you been in the Castle too? It has some interesting artifacts and even has a Dungeon too!  Its lovely to hear what you are doing xxx

Well that's all for today my lovelies,  I hope that you all have a lovely day, 

Sending love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                  xxxxxx