Day dreams

Good afternoon,

I've been really struggling to take good quality photographs recently. I set my camera back to default settings and started over again, no good. I then decided that maybe the camera lens needed cleaning - oops! I think I should have left well alone, especially as I haven't the first idea how to clean a camera lens and perhaps wiping it with a t-shirt isn't the recommended method!!

For today's card I sprayed some glossy cardstock with pearl glimmer mist and then swiped Big n Juicy "Soothing Sunset" ink over the card using a wide sponge dauber. Next I stamped on Hero Arts La Lettre (K5344) and on top of this I stamped Penny Black Day Dreams (3947K). I coloured the petals using a water brush and ink from the Big n Juicy pad. To finish I matched up with cardstock from my scrap draw and added a sentiment from Stampin' Up!

Thank you for visiting!

Hugs and best wishes.

Clare xx

Ahhhhrrquamarkers!

The title of this post sums up how I have been feeling about Aquamarkers, but not wanting to be beaten by a pack of pens I decided to do battle with them once and for all. And do you know what? Unlike all the other times I have tried to use them, with very poor results, today they behaved perfectly! I'm so glad I didn't consign them to the dust cupboard.

I've used a beautiful Sweet Pea stamp "Kimono Butterfly Mermaid" (thank you Brenda!), she's stamped in Stazon onto 140lbs cotman watercolour paper. The papers are from a free pad with a recent issue of Papercraft Essentials and the sentiment is from Crafty Individuals.

I would like to enter this card into the current challenge at One Stitch at a Time where the theme is "Things with Wings".

Thank you for visiting!

Hugs, Clare xx

Snow Family Christmas

Hello,

My Christmas card stash is growing, slowly, but surely. Here's a card I made to add to it today.

The main image is a Penny Black stamp called "Snow Family" (2526K) and the sentiment is from a Stamping Up! set called "Best Yet".

Colouring - For the red I used an Aquamarker, I'm trying to get the hang of these, but I need to try much harder. For the green I used a Staedtler Ergosoft pencil. I really do enjoy using these pencils, I much prefer them to my Prismacolor pencils and, finally, for the snowmen I used a blue promarker. Oh, not to forget a white Polychromos pencil on the hats. How's that for a mix!

Tomorrow I am going to visit my brand new baby niece. I'm really looking forward to meeting her.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs Clare xx

Cheerful!

Good morning,

I love flower stamps and couldn't resist ordering a couple more from Penny Black! This small card uses a fairly new stamp by Penny Black called "Cheerful" 4160K.

I've paper pieced the flower (using a freebie paper pad from a recent magazine - sorry I can't remember which one) and I coloured the leaves/stalks with an Aquamarker (celery). The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's "Mega Mixed Messages" set. I added some fuchsia stickles glitter glue to the centre off the flower.

I hope you enjoy your weekend everyone!

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Card for Dad

Good morning,

Here is the first of the four fathers' day cards I need to make.

I've used a Penny Black image from the clear set called "Garden Friends" (PB30-021) and coloured it with Prismacolor Pencils.

The dies are Spellbinders Nestabilities labels 4 (large and small sets).

I would like to enter this card into the current challenge at Penny Black Saturday where the theme is "One for the Guys".

Thank you for visiting my blog. Enjoy your day.

Hugs, Clare xx

Sir Stampalot June Challenge - Photo Inspiration

Good morning to you!

Today sees a brand new challenge at Sir Stampalot. This month we have a photo inspiration for you:-

Here's my card inspired by this picture:-

 
I stamped Hero Arts "Silhouette Grass" S5316 onto blue card using Brilliant Pearlescent Olive ink. I then randomly stamped Stampendous "Flutterbug" XXA002 amongst the grass using Brilliant Crimson ink and added a sentiment from Personal Impressions "Fairy Silhouette" clear set PICS056. I distressed around the image using Tim Holtz "Distress Ink" Weathered Wood and then used a distress tool to roughen the edges of the card. I covered the wings of the flutterbugs with Ranger "Crackle Accents" and left it all to dry. Once it was dry I stapled the image card onto a burgundy mat and layered this onto more blue card with an edge punched using a Martha Stewart Deep Edger Punch "Flower Bed".

As always, we have a brilliant prize, sponsored by Sir Stampalot.

I hope you can join us this month and I look forward to visiting all the entries.

Hugs and best wishes,
Clare xx

My wonderful news!

Good morning,

I am so excited! I have some great news. I recently applied for a Design Team position on the Penny Black at Allsorts challenge and am delighted to say that I have been chosen to join the team.

I am honoured to be joining such a talented group of designers.

Hugs and best wishes, Clare xx

Oldie but a Goodie "Say it with Flowers"

Good afternoon,

I've been meaning to take part in the Oldie but a Goodie challenge for ages and now I have finally made a card for this fortnight's challenge where the theme is "Say it with Flowers".

I have used a Penny black stamp called "Portraits" 3868J. I'm not sure how old it is but it's definitely over six month's old, which is the criteria of the challenge. I paper pieced the image and drew in the stems, which aren't on the stamp. I then used a Leonne Em stamen punch for the centres of the flowers and added a blob of black stickles glue. The sentiment is from Hero Arts. Along the bottom of the card I have used my Scor-pal to emboss some lines.

Have a lovely day.

Clare x

Penny Black Saturday Challenge "Clean and Simple"

Good morning!

The current challenge at Penny Black Saturday is "Clean and Simple".

I have used a cute stamp from Penny Black called "you are the bestest" (40-015). I love colouring with Copics but sometimes it is nice to have a change, so I got out my Prismacolor Pencils for this image and for an additional change I used only the pencils without any blending solution. As a final touch I added stickles glitter glue to the centres of the flowers.

Talking about coloured pencils, I have just bought a set of Staedtler ErgoSoft pencils, and I think they are fantastic and exceptional value for money. They are break resistant and blend beautifully with Sansador or can be used on their own. I've tried lots of different coloured pencils and I can say that these pencils have my number one spot alongside Polychromos. (This is just my personal opinion, not an advertisement, I just wanted to rave about them!).

I think I am going to make a lot more cards with this image because this kitty always puts a smile on my face so sending him to someone would be like sending a smile in the post!

Have a great day whatever you are doing.

Hugs, Clare xx

Penny Black at Allsorts - "Shape Up"

Good afternoon!

The current challenge at Penny Black at Allsorts is "Shape Up", which means any shape goes as long as it's not a square or a rectangle.

I originally bought a set of Spellbinders Labels 11 with the intention of making a shaped card just like this but never got around to it, so this challenge is the perfect excuse to get on and do it. I think I thought that the card wouldn't acutally stand up, but it does (see photo further down for proof).

I have used two Penny Black stamps on this card, the first is Foliage 3642K. I have used this to stamp a random background on the yellow card. I stamped using Versamark Dazzle "Champagne" ink and brushed Perfect Pearls in "Heirloom Gold" over the top.

The second stamp is the sentiment which is a new one from Penny Black called "Special Time" 4174H. Again, I stamped this using Versamark Dazzle "Champagne" and brushed over with "Heirloom Gold" Perfect Pearls. I've finished off with a flower and some pearls.

Here's another photo to show how nicely the card stands up.

Penny Black at Allsorts are having a DT call combined with their current challenge and I am going to put my name down, wish me luck!

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Best wishes to you. Clare xx

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Paper Piecing or Piercing

Good morning,

The current challenge at Simon Says asks you to use Paper Piecing or Paper Piercing on your project.

I chose to use paper piercing for my card.

The image I have used is a new Toby Tumble called "Tea Time" and I've coloured it with Copics.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Best wishes, Clare x

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Dust off Your Stash

Good morning,

Today's card is for the Secret Craft Saturday Challenge where this week they ask "Dust off Your Stash".

My neglected craft item is a Scor-Bug. I bought one some time ago and tried using it and really struggled to get the pressure right, either piercing right through the card or not making a mark at all. Rather than practice to get it right, I just put the Bug away and almost forgot about it. I got it out for this card in a last ditch attempt to get some use out of it and "hey presto" I got it right first time. I am sure I shall be using this little gadget more and more from now on.

The image I have used is from Lilyboo and called "Floral Bouquet" and will be available in the very near future from Cuddly Buddly. I coloured this image with Copics and added some Stickles Glitter glue to some of the flowers. I have also used my new Spellbinders "Labels 4 Small", I am so pleased that Spellbinders bought out this die to co-ordinate with the original Labels 4.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs, Clare xx

Kraft Christmas

Good morning,

Today I am showing you the latest addition to my Christmas Card pile.

I've used stamps from a Hero Arts clear stamo set called "Sending Holiday Cheers" (CL464). I've coloured the image with pencils and added some Glamour Dust for the snow.

Hugs, Clare x

Sir Stampalot May Challenge "Magical Worlds"

Good morning,

Oh my goodness, I'm late with my posting. My apologies!

Today sees the start of another monthly challenge from Sir Stampalot and this month the theme is:-

"Magical Worlds"

We have another fabulous prize for the winner of this challenge, from our sponsors Sir Stampalot.

I hope you get the time to join us this month and if you need some inspiration, please visit the challenge blog to see the wonderful samples from the Design Team.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Clare xx

Wedding Card

Good afternoon,

I needed to make a wedding card but was distinctly lacking in inspiration until I saw a beautiful card by Irene from "All Occasions, Cards, Papers and More" blog which inspired me to make this card:-

I forget my mirri card, but I always love the effect when I remember to use it. The main cardstock is linen effect which adds some nice texture to all that white!

I would like to enter this card into the challege at Die Cut Dreams where the theme is "Weddings".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Hugs, Clare xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - Indigo, Ice and Inspiration

Good morning,

My cold came back wtih a vengeance and I've had another week out of action, but, touch wood, I really am on the mend now. I must be, because I have ventured back into my craft room.

My card is for the challenge at ABC Christmas where the theme is "Indigo, Ice and Inspiration" (picture inspiration).

I've used a Hero Arts cling stamp "Snowflake Circle" CG100 and stamped it wtih Brilliance ink, I then used a metallic silver pen to draw dots in the centres of most of the snowflakes. The sentiment is also from Hero Arts from the clear set "Sending Holiday Cheers" CL464, also stamped with Brilliance ink and heat embossed using clear embossing powder. I ran the card base through a Cuttlebug snowflake folder twice to cover the whole card.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Enjoy your day.

Best wishes, Clare xx

Phone Case

Good morning, I hope you had a good weekend. I spent all weekend in bed, and Friday too, with a bad cold. I'm just starting to feel like me again!

I wanted to show you this beautiful phone case that my Mum made for me last week. The leather she used was recycled from an old sofa and the embroidery is done with a Brother sewing machine.

Enjoy your day and thank you for visiting my blog.

Best wishes, Clare xx

Simon Says "Card for a Child"

Good afternoon,

The new challenge at Simon Says "Card for a Child".



I've used a Lilyboo image called "Ben with Boat" and coloured it with Copic Ciaos. The papers are from Cuddly Buddly and are called "Peppy Papers".

I hope you are enjoying your day. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Best wishes, Clare x

Penny Black Saturday Challenge "Say it WITH Flowers"

Good morning to you all.

It looks like it's going to be another glorious day here and I can't wait to get out and enjoy it.

Yesterday evening I made a card for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the current theme is "Say it WITH Flowers".

I've used a Penny Black stamp called "Trumpet Vase" 3822K.  The sentiment is from Little Claire.

Enjoy your day!

Hugs, Clare xx

Christmas card at last

Good morning,

I bought quite a lot of Christmas Stamps straight after Christmas 2010 with the intention of making at least a card a week. Well, here we are in April, and I have well and truly fallen behind with that intention!

I've used stamps from a Hero Arts clear set "Sending Holiday Cheers" CL464. The house has been coloured with Aquamarkers and I've added glossy accents to the windows and hanging lights. The "snow" is Flowersoft Polar White, I'm not very keen on this as it has a yellow tinge in real life (and yellow snow is very offputting!), but it looks nice and white in the photo.

I almost forgot the other stamp I used for the snowflake background, it's a Hero Arts cling stamp "Snowflake Circle" CG100. I stamped the background and the sentiment with Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Spun Sugar". I don't know why I wanted a pink Christmas card, but I did!

Enjoy your day everyone, whatever you are doing.

Hugs, Clare xx