DCM - Beaded Window Card

This week's challenge from the Daring Card Makers is to make a card with some beads on it. I remembered a technique from one of my Technique Junkies news letters called Beaded Window that I hadn't tried out so I gave it a go. I am not brilliant with a measure so it took a little while to get the square holes in the three layers matching up! I needed to call on my reserve of patience when I was threading the beads onto the wire and sticking this between layers too!!

The stamps used for this card were:- Autumn Leaves Sirls and Tanda Stamp Retro Women Set Three. A little white highlighting has been added to the swirls with white crafters ink.

Neglected Nuggets of Gold!

Last Friday's challenge on Splitcoast was called 'Neglected Nuggets of Gold' - to use stamps that you had not used in a considerable time. I chose to use this Penny Black stamp 'Uplifting Occasion' which I loved when I bought it and have probably not used it in 18 months or more. It is hard to scan the card due to the gold clothes peg holding the greeting in place. I am hoping my Son will help me out with a digital camera image and I can then replace this one. Very simply stamped and coloured with pencils. A really cute and fun image!

I have a busy day today - dog is off to the vets, a weekly shop and a bit of a clean is in order. Oh well - best foot forward!

Wendy -x-

DCM - Gimme Some Lovin'

The mid week challenge on the Daring Card Makers Blog spot is Gimme Some Lovin'! There are two weddings coming up on the DCM design team so Wedding, Anniversary, Engagement - anything generally mushy!

I made a Wedding themed card using my Bride and Groom from a Stampin Up set I acquired recently. I love this image and have used it before on the blog. The rest of the stamps are a bit of a mixture - the silver embossed heart background is made with a stamp from Stampers Anonymous, the Love word is a Rubbadubbadoo stamp and last but not least is a stamp from the Tanda Stamp Vintage Wedding Set 1. Everything has been silver embossed with inks sponged onto the background and a little colour added to the couple with pencils. Embellished with a pink bow.

This has been a two in one dare - the layout is for Wednesday's card sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers.

Wendy -x-

Creative Idea on Sunday - Buttons

Another challenge ticked off! Creative Ideas on Sunday challenge this week was Buttons. For my entry I have used an aspects of design button stamp, a craft stamper button stamp and a stamp from a Stampin Up set called 'I Like Your Style'. Embellished with a button, coat hanger and funky pink fibre. Paper is from Personal Impressions and the images have been stamped on in Versafine Majestic Blue. I was stuck for a pink or a blue button so it has highlighted the fact that I need to have a crafty spend!!

Wendy -x-

Technique Thursday - Transparency

This week the technique being explored on Technique Thursday was Transparencies. I used an old Technique I hadn't thought about in quite a while - Floating Greetings. This is one I learnt from a Technique Junkies Newsletter - details of this can be found here. Whilst I was away I had visited an excellent craft shop in Totnes called 'Finishing Touches' and picked up quite a few crafty bits, two of which I have used on this card - the lovely fabric flowers by Papermania and the designer brads by Dovecraft. Stamps used are a solid honeycomb stamp and word stamp from Stampin Up, decorative corner stamp by Crafty Secrets and an unknown unmounted, slightly different honeycomb stamp. The words and the honeycomb have been stamped onto a piece of acetate and laid over a piece of card stamped up with both honeycomb stamps in a rust Stampin Up ink - attached with brads.

warm wishes
Wendy -x-

DCM - Tagged and Packed

I have just come home after a few relaxing days away and am beginning to catch up on some challenges. The first of which is is the Daring Card Makers challenge from Rhi to use a tag, label or some packaging of some sort - as long as it would end up in the bin. I had a mad dash around the house but could find nothing on any clothes.

I remember saving a tag from something that my hubby bought but could I find it?? Not a chance!! Anyway I bought a couple of Memories mists before I went away and they were lying on the table. The packaging has a band of tags showing the shades available so I carefully but around these for the border and I actually used the memories mist to make the body of the card, a negative sprayed print of some leaves from the garden. I then tried to make the greeting look like it was a bar code. I didn't want to put too much more on it or the effect of the negative print would be spoiled.

warm wishes
Wendy -x-

A Bump Card!

I had a request from my little niece for a Bump card and I had recently bought the New Arrival Cricut cartridge with this lady on it.

The figure has been cut out in skin tone and the accessories in matching colours. Mounted onto a background stamped with a couple of Autumn leaves swirls. Embellished with a cricut flower and metallic twirly thread.

Wendy -x-

SCS Inspiration Challenge

Splitcoaststampers had an Inspiration Challenge IC80- it was a picture of a cake. I have not really tried getting inspiration from objects much but this was quite a fun thing to do. If you enjoy challenges you should have a look at Splitcoast.

My make shift polka dot foam stamps came in handy again! I have used yet another couple of images from those lovely Retro Women sets from Tanda Stamps. Only embellishment is a red ribbon.

Wendy -x-

Di Hickman Template Challenge June #19th

My contribution to the Di Hickman template challenge this week and I'm still in Retro mode! I can blame Tanda Stamps for that one!

I have kept this simple - a strip embossed with the bug Traffic Jam folder, a strip with some faux stitching, apiece of retro squared paper, a large orange cricut flower with the head of one of the Tanda Retro Women images in the centre. embellished with a paper clip adorned with a small flower.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wendy -x-

SCS Case A Stamper Challenge

Splitcoaststampers have a challenge on a Sunday where they list a person's Gallery and you look through their cards and case one, obviously using your own images making a few subtle changes to the original. This week the featured stamper was Pure-Genius. The card above is the result of this very enjoyable challenge.

The stamp I have used is another of the Tanda Stamp Retro Women images - this one is from set three.

Wendy -x-

Creative !dea on Sunday - First Challenge Stitching

I spotted this challenge blog today - Creative !dea on Sunday. It started this Sunday and the first challenge was stitching. I decided to have a quick go before I get packed up! I made an ATC with a Stampin Up set called the Art of Life and a Rubbadubbadoo Dream word. A simple background of Distress ink in Fired Brick. Images stamped in Versafine Black Onyx. The whole thing is stitched - no glue. My stitching is by no means perfect lol - I am working with an oldish machine whose tension seems to be a bit temperamental!! Fun though!!

Although I will not be able to post for a few days I have a daily blog post all ready to go up each day

Isa's Challenge E - Elegance

Isa is up to the letter 'E' with her challenges. I chose the word Elegance and used the option B - tow use swirls on the card. For the background I have cut an oval shape and used this as a mask. I have then sponged SU Cameo Coral and Pixie Pink dye inks onto the piece, stamping the swirls in SU Rose Red. I have used my Autumn Leaves Swirls 2 set and an image from Hampton Arts. The corner swirls are from the Cuttlebug Ornamental Dies and a satin bow has been added to her dress.

To have a look at Isa's challenges check her blog out Scrap and Stamp.

Wendy -x-

DCM - Fabulous Flowers!

The mid week dare from the Daring card Makers is to make a card inspired by the word Fabulous! I chose to do a bunch of one of my favourite flower - Roses. The stamp is Judikins, the swirl is Autumn Leaves, the word Fabulous is from a Stampin Up set and the script is Rubbadubbadoo. I am also combining it with a colour challenge of real red, barely banana and a creamy caramel on Splitcoast. The colours are matched as best as I could - no SU card stock!

The flowers have been raised with foam pads and the bow cut out, coloured with a caramel pigment ink and raised with foam pads again.

Wendy -x-

Technique Thursday - Tissue plus Maria's TIC

The Technique Thursday Challenge this week is 'Tissue'. I went for one of my favourites - Caught in Crystal. I haven't used this for a while so I thoroughly enjoyed it! As always it looks better in real life, as the light catches the acetate the glitter underneath looks like glass shards. I am also popping it on Maria's blog for her Tuesday Inspirational Challenge that she has just started. I have linked to her blog before - Cards Inspired by Maria.

Maria's TIC is to have at least five layers on your card and I make this one a seven layer card!

For this one I had a bit of a play. I used PPA glue instead of Daimond glaze or Johnsons Floor Wax and I used my Ecoline inks instead of reinkers. The colour result was very pleasingly vibrant. The pear stamp is by Art Impressions.

The backing piece is a piece of black card stamped with an Aspects of Design Mesh stamp in Versamark, embosing powder was then sprinkled on in gold and black before heat embossing. Embellished with a bit of two tone fibre that I got in a blog candy win from Chris and a clip and ribbon on the side.

Patriotic Colour challenge

This challenge on Splitcoaststampers was to use patriotic colours on a card but not the flags and usual stuff like that. I chose this image from the Tanda Stamps Retro Women Set 4. The image is cut out, coloured with pencils and mounted with foam pads over a red paper flower with white centre and red flower brad. Matted and layered onto red, white and blue card, then onto a white piece of card embossed with the Cuttlebug Bloom Dots embossing folder and a red base card.

Wendy -x-

Wednesday Stamper Polka Dots and New Retro Ladies from Tanda

I wanted to play with my new Retro Women Stamps images from Tanda Stamps and my challenges are backing up so the first card I made was for the Wednesday Stamper challenge of Polka Dots. I chose the dancing couple image for this card from the new Retro Women Set 3. The backing piece has been made using three different colour dye inks, a white wax crayon for some resist, a Tanda Stamp music stamp along the edge, a couple of spots cut from fun foam and used as stamps plus some musical note die cuts. I cut a large circle from an old music sheet, dirtied it up with the inks and mounted it onto the background with a flower just underneath. The dancing couple image has been cut out, coloured with pencils and mounted with foam pads.


The second card uses another image from the Retro Women Set 3 and is very simply made. Some matting and layering, a piece of patterned paper put through the paper ribbler and the Gibson lady type of image stamped onto an oval piece of card, coloured with pencils, mounted onto a darker oval and tied with ribbons.

That's all I had time for - there are plenty of other images on the set and another complete set, Retro Women Set 4 to look at, so I think there will be a few more of these cards in the near future.

Wendy -x-

An Origami Shirt Card

This is for my eldest Son to give to his Dad - if he likes it! He is a bit fussy about my cards lol!! An Origami shirt, tie and tie pin with plenty of matting and layering and embossing. He can like it or lump it at this late hour!!

Oh the joys of motherhood! This card is also for this week's Daring Card Maker challenge.

Wendy -x-

Daring Card Makers - Embossing

Here is my first card using the new Retro Women Set 3 from Tanda Stamps.

I have used the lady in the bath image for the Daring Card Makers Challenge this week. The challenge is to use embossing on your card - whichever method you may choose. I decided to do another grout free tile card and the tiles have been triple embossed. The bottom section of the card is made using the Traffic Jam Cuttlebug embossing folder. The image has been coloured with pencils and the card has been embellished with ribbon and a matching photo corner.

More Retro Women tomorrow!

Wendy -x-

Playing With Tanda Summer Rubber!

I have spent a pleasant time this morning playing with the new Tanda Stamp Summer set. I have made three cards, the first of these cards is above. This card has a glossy card background with images stamped in stazon, I have then used a white wax crayon to highlight a few areas and then used a brayer with various colour inks. After wiping with a clean tissue you can see where the card has resisted the ink in the places wax has been added. Embellished with fine string threaded through some eyelets and a jewel has been added to the seahorse.

For the second card I did the less is more style of card making. I really don't do this style terribly well but am always willing to have a go anyway. For this card I used the kite stamp in the set and stamped it three times directly onto the base card. I then stamped the top portion of the kite again on three different coloured card stocks, cut them out and mounted them with 3D foam pads over the original images. The word Summer and the kite strings have been coloured with Marvy pens and a red organza ribbon has been tied around the top of the card.

The final card is another simple card with plenty of matting and layering. The image has been stamped out twice, once onto cream card and once onto the same colour card as the base card. The child's outfit and spade has then been cut out and mounted flat over the top of the image stamped onto cream card. The background piece has been made using the wax crayon again. I have scribbled a white wax crayon onto cream card stock and then added a couple of colours of ink to the piece with a sponge. Once again when the piece has been wiped with a tissue it reveals the areas where the ink has resisted. Embellished with a matching ribbon down the side.

I have today received some more rubber to test - two more new sets of Retro Lady images. That is my task for either later today/tomorrow.

To check out the stamps available at Tanda Stamps click here.

Have a good weekend!
Wendy -x-

Cricut Father's Day Card

Another Father's Day Card - this time for my Father-in-law. This is simply matting, layering and the word DAD is cut using the Cricut Beyond Birthdays cartridge. A Tag cut with Tags, Bags, Boxes and more with a piece of brown organza ribbon tied through to embellish. I cut the word 'Dad' out in two different papers and also a contrasting shadow cut.

This card has been made to the Di Hickman challenge Template ofr 13th June.

Wendy -x-

Isa's Challenge D - Daisy

I am a little behind with this - missed last week's challenge 'C' so I thought I would press on and get the 'D' challenge on Isa's blog 'Scrap and Stamp' completed. My D is for Daisy - the background piece is an Ecoline ink background overstamped with a Stampin Up Filigree stamp using Fired Brick distress ink. My daisy is stamped in the same ink onto white card using an image from the Stampin Up 'Definitely Decorative Daisy' stamp set. Autumn leaves flourishes stamps have been used and I have added a little butterfly charm and some red brads.

This I hope actually cracks another challenge on Splitcoast too - Ways to use it challenge this week is 'Fabulous Flourishes.

Now onto another Father's Day card!

warm wishes
Wendy

Father's Day Mark Two

Fathers Day card number two - this is for my Dad! Bless him - he is in his seventies now and I don't get to see him often enough.

The stamps used for this card are Rubbadubbadoo images. Simply stamped and coloured, layered with some embossing. I am so hooked on these Cuttlebug embossing folders for quick cards! If I am not careful you will all think I am getting lazy! The flourish in the corner is Cuttlebug too!

Off to work but off tomorrow!!

warm wishes
Wendy -x-

Di Hickman Sketch June 13th

This is my sketch card for the Di Hickman template challenge for 13th June. A cricut card!

Letters and flowers cut with George and Basic Shape cartridge. Materials:- Lilac, purple and white card stock. DCWV floral patterned paper, white lace edging.

A really quick card to make. Back later with more hopefully!!

Wendy

Three Challenges and a New Tanda Stamp Set!

First of all I must tell you about my test yesterday!! I passed the module two that I had revised for and then sat the module three that I hadn't revised for and passed that too!! Woohoo! That means I have the ECDL Part One and am moving on to Part Two! Sorry about that folks feeling rather happy about that!

The card above is an effort for three different challenges all rolled into one! Tuesday was colour challenge day on Splitcoaststampers and this weeks colours were:- Cameo Coral, chocolate chip, celery green and an optional tempting turquoise. I don't have any of the Stampin Up card stock but matched the colours as best I could for that one! Today the Splitcoaststamper challenge is card sketches and this week is 'corner to corner' cuts - that part was easy!

Finally the mid week little extra from the Daring Card Makers was to use 'something old, new, borrowed and blue' on a card. The old are the unknown unmounted little dragonfly stamps that I keep loosing track of! I received a new set of rubber through the post today for testing from Tanda Stamps - the new Summer set so I used an image and word stamp from that set! I borrowed my Granddaughter's colouring pencils to add colour to the image and the blue is present as embossed panels and a layer behind the image.

Great - I can tick three off the list!

Wendy -x-

A Father's Day Card

A Father's Day card made for one of my Son's - he chose a classic car image and asked for a modernly laid out card - nothing vintage! Your wish is my command!! lol

The stamp is from a Stampin Up set, words are Rubbadubbadoo , the letters are Cricut, patterned paper is DCWV and I have embellished with photo corners, silver brads and stitching.

One down - three to go!! Now a little more revising before I toddle off to work early for the module two of the ECDL.

Enjoy your day.
Wendy -x-

Splitcoaststampers - Grout Free Tiling 'Tea For Two'

I have recently joined the Splitcoaststampers forum and Mondays is try a new technique day. Today was to make a card with a tiled effect. I have used Joanna Sheen's Willow Pattern Cup and Saucer set along with my Impression Obsession Delft Cube for the tiles. All images have been stamped using the Ranger faded jeans distress ink and each of the tiles, jug, plate and saucer has been clear embossed. Tiles have been stuck flat leaving a grouting space and the other items have been mounted with 3D foam pads. Some mini mosaic cuttlebug embossing has been added along with a blue organza ribbon.

I have also been busily revising for the second module of the ECDL which I will take tomorrow. Fingers crossed again!!

Warm wishes
Wendy -x-

Technique Thursday - Chalk

I found this new challenge blog called Technique Thursday and this week's technique is to use Chalks.

I have just received my June/July Technique Junkies newsletter and tried out a technique from that called 'Chalk on Chalk'. Details of how to join Technique Junkies can be found here. This technique gives best effect on dark card stock so I used a deep burgundy colour. Stamps used:- word stamp by Stampin Up and the blackberries is an Anita's stamp. Embellished with a cuttlebug embossed strip and some mini black buttons. I had fun going having a play with my chalks which I haven't touched in quite a while!

Warm Wishes
Wendy -x-

Wednesday Stamper - Flowers

This is my Wednesday Stamper card for this week. The background is made using a Making Memories mist. The technique for this is one from the Technique Junkies newsletter June/July Issue. Details of Technique Junkies is here. The stamp is Rubber Stampede.

My post is brief. I received some sad news about my dear friend Angie who passed last night. I feel deeply saddened and having a flower on the blog today is apt. I need to make a proper sympathy card. It will be a difficult card to make and I am not able to do it at the moment.

Wendy -x-

DCM - Celestial

This week's dare from the Daring Card Makers has a Celestial Theme. My effort has been made using a stamp from Oasis which I have used on the blog before with a different technique. For this card I have stamped the image directly onto a background piece sprayed with colourwash sprays. I have clear embossed the image and have added colour in with pencils and I have taken some colour out of the image with bleach. A Stampin Up swirl stamp has been used on the corners and I have embellished with some glittered and layered stars.

A busy day today - catching up with some jobs and the weekly shop. At least it is all done now and I have the whole day tomorrow to play!

Wendy -x-

Di Hickman Template Challenge June #1

My contribution to the Di Hickman template challenge for the 5th June.

Materials used:- DCWV patterned paper, crafty secrets Cherubs clear stamp set, Ranger Fired Brick distress ink, Versamark black ink, prisma pencils, gamsol, antique cherub charm and brad, white base card and burgundy card.

I have cut the main flower out of another piece of paper and painted it with modge podge before mounting with 3d foam pads and plonking the cherub in amongst the leaves.

A very short post from me today - I am going to visit a friend in Hospital who is extremely ill.

Thank you for visiting the blog and for all the praise on passing the exam! You are all so very supportive and it is much appreciated.

Wendy -x-

DCM - All stitched Up

This week's mid week dare from the Daring Card Makers came from Gillian - not to use any glues or adhesives. I needed a wedding card for a friend so I stitched the whole thing together. Not brilliantly bit it was fun!!

Materials - Stamp is from Stampin Up, a cuttelbug embossed heart and background piece, Versafine Sepia , Ivory Card and Peach pearlised card. Oh and not forgetting my old sewing machine!

I passed my module one exam for the ECDL yesterday and am sitting module two next Tuesday! I was pleased with my self because I don't find stuff like this easy!

Enjoy your day!

Wendy -x-

Tanda Pirates Revisited

I have been playing with the Tanda Stamps Pirates Set 1 and 2 again today. The above card has been made using a resist technique for the background piece using some turquoise and yellow dye inks. The main pirate image has been coloured with Prisma pencils and gamsol and mounted on a piece of card embossed with the Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder.

For the second card I hauled the sewing machine out for five minutes and added some wave-like stitch lines to the patterned paper. The ships wheel has been stamped in a dark turquoise ink, cut out and mounted with 3D foam pads onto a wavy embossed strip of card decorated with some fine string cross stitches.

My first day back at work went with a steady pace and was not too strenuous, mainly due to needing a new profile before I could start which took them about 4 hours to sort out!

I have an earlier start today as I am going to sit my first exam for this European Computer Driving Licence that I am doing. Just need to get in a spot of revision before I go in.

Wish me luck!

Wendy -x-

Butterfly Wishes

I have made this card for a template challenge on the Just Bex Forum and scored a two for one as I needed a Birthday card for later this month!

The template was fab - so thanks Sue! I have basically made the card matting and layering patterned paper and pearlised card. One panel has been embossed with the Cuttlebug Stylized Flowers embossing folder. Embellished the card with a ribbon slide and silver organza ribbon plus a couple of white Bloom To Go paper flowers. The butterfly image is a stamp from PSX and is one of the first stamps I bought! I have coloured the image with prisma pencils and gamsol. I found this stamp the other day whilst looking for images suitable for the Butterfly ATC swap. This was too big for the ATC's but I kept it out anyway with the intention of making a card with it

My first day back at work today after a short spell of illness and I am quite looking forward to it! I'm sure the novelty would have worn off in the first hour!! I have got myself very organised though and will still have time to craft!

Warm wishes
Wendy -x-

ATC's - Butterflies and Haute Couture

It's ATC swap time again and I am in my usual two swaps. The first of which is on the Tanda Stamp Forum and the theme this month is Butterflies. While I had the rubbing alcohol out yesterday I made a batch of polished stone backgrounds and I have used one of them here with some copper pearlised card. The butterflies are stamps from the Tanda Stamp Butterfly set, coloured with Ecoline inks, they are monted on a die cut netting strip (Cuttlebug) and embellished with a few gems.

The second swap I am in is on the Crafts By Carolyn Forum and the theme for this month is Haute Couture. Once again I have used another polished stone background and I have stamped a Fashion and Haute Couture stamp from Rubbadubbadoo. The fashionable ladies are unknown unmounted stamps that were ideal for this theme. They have been coloured with Ecoline inks and mounted onto an oval mount. This has then in turn been mounted on a main card of purple pearlised card at an angle and embellished with a single eyelet.

That's it for another month on the ATC front!

Warm wishes
Wendy -x-

DCM - Reflected Acetate

This week's dare from the Daring Card Makers is 'I can see clearly now' and I have made a card using some acetate. I have used a couple of techniques on this card - a reflected acetate technique and the acetate has been placed onto a background piece of 'Polished Stone'.

The reflected piece is easy enough you just need a stamp positioner to line things up and I have then coloured the images using Acetate pens. The background piece it is layered onto has been made using some dye re-inkers, glossy white card and some rubbing alcohol. The acetate has been attached with red eyelets and the whole thing has been layered onto a white base card embellished with a piece of red embossed card and matching organza ribbon.

A good dare that took me back to a couple of techniques not used in quite a while!

I had a good day yesterday - caught up with an old friend who funnily enough shares my passion for card making, in particular rubber stamping. It was certainly good to talk to someone about crafty things for well over an hour!!

Enjoy your weekend!
Wendy -x-

A Poppy Fairy

This is a card I made for the boys to give to their Nan. The Poppy Fairy stamp is from PSX and she has been coloured with pencils. Patterned paper is from the K & Co Tulip pad. Very simply layered and embellished with eyelets and red organza ribbon.

A quick card and post today as I still have my Grand daughter with me after staying the night and she is keeping me on my toes!

Warm wishes
Wendy -x-