Sunday 29 March 2009

Birthday card for Christopher - Nintendo DS

I know another Mario card, but I was inspired by the last HM challenge (shaped card) that I thought I'd have go at making another shaped card, well sort of ...














































From the base up...
1. Stardream pearlescent card - orange.
2. The backing paper was one I made myself on the computer from a block image found on the Net, changed the size to suit and I randomly tiled then filled the blanks in with yellow and printed onto a plain white card.
3. The Game console inner,cover and screen images where also from the Net and again all the images where resized. The bottom image had the text added by me using Comic Sans font, and both top and bottom images where triple heat embossed and edged with silver peel offs.
4. I scored the "hinge" using my Scor-Pal.
Unlike my HM shaped card, I'm really pleased with how this one turned out.
Thanks for looking

Friday 27 March 2009

House Mouse Challenge 30 - Happy Birthday TJ

Hmmmm, not too happy with this card, it didn’t turn out as I’d hoped, but here it is my entry for the House Mouse Challenge 30 – Shaped card































From the base up
1.Stardream pearlescent “opal” card
2. The backing paper is from Joanna Sheen’s “Baby Love” CD ROM (there are loads of fabulous backing papers on this, and not just for baby cards) printed on to stardream pearlescent “Crystal White” paper
3. The HM stamp is called “Surprise Party”. Coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Sansodor and Sakura clear glaze pen on eyes and noses.
4. “Happy Birthday” printed on to the same as backing paper using “Toyland” font and highlighted with Sakura clear glaze pen, then triple heat embossed.
5. “3” computer generated, coloured with Sakura Lime stardust pen then triple heat embossed. The ribbon is from a gift tag I bought from a supermarket, which I just cut to suit and glued to the back of the number 3.
Thank you for looking,
Take care & keep smiling

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Another card for Nathan - Nintendo Super Mario Birthday Card

Here's a quick card I made for my Dad to give to Nathan.





























Card size - 6.5" x 6.5" / 16.5cm x 16.5cm
From the base up…
1. Yellow card – eBay
2. Backing paper made by me on the computer using the star image found on the internet.
3. All Mario images from the internet. Mario & Luigi are stuck on with 1mm thick foam pads, the landscape picture and the sentiment are mounted onto red silk Mirri card.
4. “Happy Birthday” stamp from Art Impressions. Coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Sansodor and Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust pens and then double heat embossed.
Nice quick and simple card to make and I've no doubt Nathan will like it as he's big on Nintendo DS Mario games at the moment.
Take care & keep smiling

Monday 23 March 2009

A Whiff of Joy Challenge 22 - Green

This is my entry for A Whiff of Joy Challenge 22 which calls for the colour green to be used...































From the base up...
1. Stardream pearlescent "Rose Quartz" card.
2. Basic Grey Sultry/Vogue paper
3. Bazzil card. The stamp used is from a clear set of border stamps by Kelly Panacci (SandyLion)
4. Main image is "Willow with flower basket" by A Whiff of Joy. Coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils Sansodor, Gold Gel pen on the bracelet and Staedtler Triplus fineliner pens.
5 The flowers are from Joanna Sheen and the leaves are by Syntego. Ribbon and butterfly charm courtesy of eBay.
I haven't put a sentiment on the card as I don't usually put one on until I'm about to send it out.
Not really happy with this card apart from the colouring of Willow, but as I haven't got time to make another it'll have to do.
Thanks for looking.
Take care & keep smiling

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Whiff of Joy Meets Magnolia - a birthday card for Nathan

Can you believe it I found a Magnolia stamp I bought last year that I hadn’t put into my “catalogue”, how bad is that. Anyway I’ve found it now and it has been added, AND it’s been used in this next card. I have made this card for my nephew Nathan’s birthday, he’ll be 10.
































Card size is A5 = 21cm x 14.8cm or 8.3” x 5.8”

From the base up…
1. Stardream pearlescent card “Mars Red”
2. DP is from Rusty Pickle (what a great name for a company) and is appropriately called “Jester’s Argyle”
3. The wall (Shabby Chic Collection) and window (Easter 2009 Collection) are from Magnolia stamps and the scene through the window is called "Country" and is from Alota stamps.It's a large stamp and I've only used part of it. Coloured with Derwents Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor. The window was stamped first, masked then the wall was stamped over it. The large window pane was cut out then stamped. The scene window has been double heat embossed and the “stained” glass and flag bars have been gone over three times with Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze red, yellow and clear pens. The main image has a gold peel off border.
4. Jester Charlie is from Whiff of Joy coloured the same as above and his bells and juggling balls have been gone over twice with the Sakura clear Glaze pen.
5. Nathan was printed off the computer using “Toyland Outline “ font on to white card, coloured the same as the stamped images and also with Steadtler Triplus fineliner pens and Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust red, blue and green pens and then double heat embossed.
When I first saw the window stamp I thought of castles which made me think of the Charlie the Jester, so I just had to make a card with them both in, and I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out, hope you like it too.
Take care & keep smiling

Thursday 12 March 2009

Tulip- i -licious - Magnolia vs. Stampavie Challenge 17

Howdy Folks,
I wasn't going to enter any challenges this week but I saw the Sketch on the new Magnolia vs. Stampavie challenge and decided I HAD to have a go, plus I felt the need to try out my new Tilda with Tulips stamp and of course the Tulips stamp from the Magnolia Easter Collection.





























Card size is 6.5" x 6.5"/16.5cm x 16.5cm

From the base up...
1. Stardream pearlescent card "Fairway Green"
2. Stripe paper was a freebie download I got aaages ago but I can't remember where and printed on to white hessian paper. The vine paper is from K & Co Tim Coffey Daisey 6x6 pad, and Bazzill card stock. The large circle was hand cut, the small circle was cut using Nestabilities.
3. All stamped images are coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor and Staedtler Triplus fineliner pens. the Tulips and the Tulips on Tilda's lap are all double heat embossed with Versamark ink pad, Versamark pen and Stamp N Stuff detail clear EP.
4. The sentiment is from Whiff of Joy stamped with Versafine Olympic green ink pad.
5. The ribbon is from Raspberry ribbons Sublime Lime - July kit.
6.The "pebbles" are Zoomz - Lime Parfait Mix. The 2mm clear rhinestones are from eBay.
I don't know if you've noticed, but I've done a lot of double heat embossing lately, I really like the way it intensifies the colours, plus it's cheaper than buying epoxy stickers :o)
Hope you like my little effort and thanks for taking a peek.
Take care & keep smiling

PS. I've just seen the NEW Magnolia Spring Collection, OMG, they look so gorgeous - Did I really say I wasn't going to buy any more :oP

Sunday 8 March 2009

Hanna in the little black or is gold dress?

Hi ya,
Well I couldn't help myself, Hanna just had to make a second appearance, but she's had a bit of a makeover. Can you spot the difference?...















Yep, got rid of the ruffle on top of her head, changed her hair style to a pony tail and lowered her fringe on the one side. Then gave her a necklace, earrings and a ring. Just wanted to glam her up a bit. I was toying with the idea of changing the mug to a glass, but decided I'd messed about with her enough. I made this card with inspiration from Mary's card, as I liked the sketch she used and from Emilie, who has made two beautiful red and black cards.
































Right I'm not going to bore you stupid with a long description like I did with the last Hanna card. I'll just tell you what I used.
From the base up...
1. Stardream pearlescent black card
2. All papers by imaginisce - Black Tie Optional collection. I went over the dots and flower centres with Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust clear and black pens (I know I'm sad).
3. Ribbon from Raspberry Ribbons Black & White January kit. Ribbon sliders by Syntego.
4. Hanna clear stamp - Cafe. Image coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Sansodor, Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Black pen, Staedtler triplus fineliner 0.3mm pens, gold gel pen and Sakura Gelly Roll clear and black glaze pens. Rhinestones added to necklace and bracelet.
5. Silver silk Mirri card.
So depending on the light her dress can be black or gold. Looking at the pictures now I wish I had used a plain white card as the main backing paper, as it seems way too busy. Oh well you live and learn, and it seemed a good idea at the time. But saying that I DO like Hanna's makeover. I'll have to have another look at her and see what else I can come up with :o)
Take care, keep smiling and toodle pip

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Hello Friend – Rosella

Hi ya,
Well I said my next card wouldn’t be pink, and this one is a rainbow of colours. Actually I made this card over a week ago but couldn’t post it on my blog as I made it for my lovely friend Rosella who lives in Canada, and I didn’t want her to see it until it arrived. It was Rosella who bought me the Hanna stamps that I used for this card, such a lovely gift and so different from what I would usually buy myself. So this was a bit of a challenge as to what I could come up with, and more to the point did I have any “retro” papers? As I usually buy what I call Victorian/Old world style papers. Mind you that wouldn’t have been too much of a problem as I’m not adverse to making my own papers on the computer :o)
But first of all have a look at the stamps and the beautiful card Rosella sent me (sigh) ….












And now here’s the card I made as a thank you card for Rosella…































From the base up…
1. Stardream pearlescent yellow card
2. DP is unknown. I only had one sheet and the name that was printed on the back of the paper is now in Canada !!!
3. Yellow Bazzill card stock
4. The main image is from a Hanna Stamps set called Café. The image was coloured with Derwents Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor. I went over the chair with a silver gel pen and then with Sakura Gelly Roll clear glaze pen. Her lips where coloured with Sakura Gelly Roll real red glaze pen. Her bracelet was coloured with a gold gel pen and went over again with the clear glaze, I also made her some earrings with the same pens. Her mug was gone over with the clear glaze pen.
5. The mugs down the side of the main image where stamped then coloured with my Derwents again, cut out and then double heat embossed with Versamark ink pad and Stamp N Sprinkle Detail EP. Just a little tip, if you’re going to heat emboss a small area like the mugs, I find it a lot easier to press the image into the ink pad rather than ink down onto the image. 1 because you’re going to get a more even coating of ink, and 2 your not wasting ink and creating a mess like you would if you stamped down the ink pad.
6. The flowers are from Flora Doodles – Mini Florettes.
7. Raspberry ribbons came to the rescue with their Sublime Lime – July kit and their Loving Lilac- September kit.
8. And last but not least, the sentiment is from Whiff of Joy, stamped on to the same yellow Bazzill card with two different coloured inkpads. Tip 2 – If you want to use two different coloured inks on the same stamp, stamp with the lighter colour first covering only the area you want that colour, then use the darker colour. That way if you do (and you will) go on to the lighter ink it wont matter about getting the lighter ink on the darker inkpad as the darker ink will just absorb the lighter colour. I don’t know why I’m telling you this, you’re all professionals at this and knew that already ;o)
So there you have it, I had oooodles of fun making this card, and guess what I’ve now ordered two more Hanna stamp sets :oP It’s Rosella’s fault, LOL.
Rather a looooong description, I do apologise, next time I’ll just post the picture.
Take care & keep smilin’

Tuesday 3 March 2009

Sniff – House Mouse Challenge 27 - Chipboard

Salut,
after making my entry for the WOJ challenge I decided I really liked the flowers I did in the corner for that card and that I would make a card with a flower arrangement. THEN I saw the new House Mouse challenge that required chipboard to be used, “Ooo” I thought “I’ve got some of that”, then I went over to Larissa’s blog and saw she had made a card with a little House Mouse image I had sent her, and I thought “Ooo I really like that”. SOOooo the upshot was I made a card incorporating those three ideas, and here it is…






























From the base up –
1. Baby pink Stardream pearlescent card.
2. K & Co Bordeaux Floral Flat paper
3. Stardream pearlescent “Fairway” green card used to make the scalloped oval, which is the largest of the large petite scalloped Nestabilities. The inner oval was cut using the second largest of the large Nestabilities. The House Mouse image is called “Please” . It’s so tiny, from bottom to nose it’s 2cm high. This was coloured in with my trusty Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor, and his little nose has a spot of Sakura Gelly Roll clear glaze. The flowers are from Prima – Forever Flowers No.3 Passion and pearl brads were used in the centres. The leaves where made using Martha Stewart’s Branch punch and two different green Bazzil card stock.
4. The chipboard swirl/flourish is from Maya Road – Scrolls II. This was inked with a white inkpad and double heat embossed with Moon Glow two-toned EP “Oak leaf Olive Gold”.
5. Corners was made with a Cuttlebug die and light green Bazzil card stock and then finished of with some green satin ribbon and a bit of bling in the corners.
I’ve just realised my last 3 cards have been pink, I think it’s grown on me :o) For my next card I will endeavour to use a different colour… but I can’t promise.
Take care & keep smiling

Monday 2 March 2009

My Magnolia Stamp Collection or is it Obsession ?

Hello,
Well I've just stamped up my newly acquired stamps into my "catalogue"(all stamps I've bought, all manufacturers). I do this so when I want some inspiration or I need that certain accessory stamp, I just flip through until I find what I'm looking for. Anyhoo, I thought I'd show you my Magnolia collection, this isn't me bragging, this is me trying to shame myself into not buying anymore, though saying that I've bought rather a lot of Whiff of Joy stamps over the last month and I've also discovered Hanna stamps , In Style Stamps AND Papilio Stamps. I think I need therapy :o)






























So...there you have my Magnolia collection (so far) 156 stamps, It's rather shameful really isn't it?
BUT I'M LOVIN' IT.
Take care, keep smiling & keep stamping

Sunday 1 March 2009

Whiff of Joy Guest Designer Call

Well the last two cards took me less than a day to make, this one took 4 days!!! I have been at work though (lame excuse, I know). If I’m honest I spent a lot of time looking at all the other entries in the Whiff of Joy DT challenge (for which this card is made), just to see if I could come up with something a little different from everyone else, but there isn’t much room for difference when you’re following a sketch


































I’ve just been looking at my card and have just realized I didn’t do something I’d planned to do, Grrrrr. I meant to do some cross stitch up the centre (between the DP) to match the lacing on Charlottes dress, oh well you’ll just have to imagine I’ve done it LOL. I think it’s a sign of old age, I really should write these ideas down.
From the base up…
1. Stardream pearlescent card (Serpentine Green)
2. Spotty DP by Making Memories – {note}worthy Audrey Pink Floral. Harlequin/diamond paper by K & Co – Somerset Diamonds Flat Paper, which are both mounted on to Bazzil cardstock.
3. The paper “lace” border was made with the same spotty paper using Martha Stewarts Doily Lace Punch.
4. Main image was made using two stamps 1- Maid Charlotte by Whiff of Joy and 2- Cobblestone by Art Impressions. Coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Windsor & Newton’s Sansodor. I dabbed over the leaves and daisy centres with Sakura Gelly Roll clear glaze pen, and the daisies in her hair were coloured with Sakura white Gelly Roll pen. Mounted onto the same Bazzil cardstock that the DP was mounted onto, and die cut with scalloped rectangle Nestabilities.
5. The sentiment was stamped on to green Bazzil cardstock using a stamp by Stampin’ Up and Versafine Olympic green ink pad. This was then mounted onto two punched out daisies using Woodware 1 ½ inch Daisy punch (same pink Bazzil as above). Then I cut out two “ribbons” to turn it into a “rosette”.
6. The butterfly is from Whiff of Joy coloured the same as the main image and then double heat embossed with VersaMark ink pad and Stamp N Stuff clear detail EP.
7. The daisies are from Prima, pearl brads and the leaves were made with Martha Stewarts Branch punch (Yeah I finally got one). Oh and the ribbon was from a favorite seller of mine on eBay.
Phew! There done. I’m really annoyed with myself for forgetting the stitching. I think it would have finished the card of nicely. Oh well, you live and learn.

Take care & keep smiling