Vintage 70th Birthday card - for my Dad :o)

It was actually my Dads birthday on the 29th September, and have only just remembered to take a photo of it !!!! Anyhoo I took lots of photos and I've uploaded them small to get them all on, cos as usual I couldn't make up my mind which ones I liked best :o/ So here goes...

I won't bore you with the details as to how I made the card, as there is waaaaaaay to much to list, but if there is anything you want to know about the card feel free to ask. All I will tell you is the photo's are of my Dad when he was VERY young :o)

Thank you for taking the time to look and take care & keep smiling

Vintage Wedding Card

OK, so this took me a while to do, but other than knowing I wanted to do a vintage style card, I really had no idea as to what I was going to do. But here it is a last and now I've just to make the box for it, which shouldn't take me that long to do...

1. Base card cream 300gsm

2. Front of card - Both DP's are from Bearly Mine Designs - Designer Extreme Vol. 2 CD Rom. The floral design wa printed on to white linen card, and the beige spot was printed on to Stampin' Up Whisper White card.

3. The photo was one out of a pack of photo's I bought from Joanna Sheen. The frame to the photo was made by cutting round the Nestabilitie I used to cut out the photo (it was a standard rectangle photo) Then I hand pressed the Nestie into the cut out to get a border. Then taking a Versamark pen I went round the outline and then triple heat embossed with Moon Glow two tone EP "Gilded Burgundy Brass" (the car used for the frame was Stardream pearlescent Chocolate brown card).

4. The roses I bought from Joanna Sheen, and I painted the tops of the petals with Shimmerz "Candle Light"

5. The Cream heart lace and silver metal corners I bought from eBay and the organza ribbon was from Raspberry Ribbons.

6. The Cherub is a button from Dress It Up

7. The card insert papers are the same as the front, only both are printed onto Stampin' Up Whisper White Card. The edges were distressed with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink. The stamp is from Inkadinkado Gem Stone Flourishes which was stamped with Tim Holtz Scattered straw Distress ink.

8. The heart lace border and Butterflies are from Martha Stewart, punched from the same SU card and sponge coloured with Tim Holtz Antique Linen and the butterflies also had Mr Holtz's Walnut Stain sponged on to them, then they were painted with the Shimmerz Candle Light.

9. The sentiment is from SU, I have the stamp but I wanted the "Love" more in keeping with the card so I printed off the computer using "Comic Sans" and "Beautiful" Fonts.

There I'm not going to bore you with every single detail as there was a lot more involved in making this card, but those are the main details. Any questions ? Just email me :o)

Take care & keep smiling

Raspberry Ribbons Sketch 21 - Once Upon a Time…In ye days of olde, when knights were bolde…

Hmmmm, I’m not sure this card turned out how I wanted it to, my Dad likes it, but I’m not sure. I like the stamped images and my first attempt at distressed edges :o), it’s just the card and paper I’m a bit dubious about. But It’s done now and it’s for the Raspberry Ribbons challenge sketch 21 and also my third installment of my Once Upon a Time cards…


Ooops, forgot the "Once Upon a Time" Stamp !

From the base up...

• Stardream Pearlescent “Antique Gold” card.
• Bazzill card – Edges distressed with Brilliance “Coffee Bean” ink pad and Tim Holtz paper distresser.
• Scalloped Panel – Bazzill Card, Friskars “Threading Water” punch. Edges first gone round with with Brilliance “Coffee Bean” ink pad and then gone over again with Versamark pen and then heat embossed with Heat It Up Gold EP. Gold Organza ribbon.
• Top Panel – DCWV “Once Upon a Time” 8x8 pad, cut out with my largest deckled edge Megabilities. Gold silk Mirri card that was cut out by tracing round the deckled edge die with a fine embossing tool then cutting out by hand.
• Main Image – Whiff of Joy “Warrior Charlie” and “Charlotte’s Horse”, coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor. The “metal” parts (armour, shields etc) where gone over with Sakura Gelly Roll clear glaze pen. Oh and the swords on the little image where coloured with a silver gel pen. For the smaller image I used Deckled edge rectangle Nestabilities.
• Fleur de Lys – these where made from a small punch I have (unknown make) and then heat embossed with Heat It Up Gold EP. I only did one layer of EP as I wanted an uneven finish to make them look old.

So there you have it, I’ve got to wait for three stamps to be delivered before I can carry on with my little series, one of the stamps has got to come from America, so I probably won’t get it until the end of next week :o( Oh well in the mean time there’s always Tilda :o)
Take care & keep smiling

Whiff of Joy Challenge 29 - Once Upon A Time ... There Was A Queen

Hello and here is my entry for the Whiff of Joy challenge 29 - A Sketch.
This card is the second in a series of cards I intend to make entitled Once Upon A Time. The first card which I didn't enter into a challenge was Once Upon A Time ... There Was A Dragon. I do so love the Whiff of Joy Medieval collection, they remind me of my childhood when my head was always stuck in a book - fairy tale books, so here's my card...

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

• Stardream pearlescent "Ruby" card
• DCWV Once Upon A Time 8 x 8 paper pad
• Ribbon is from Raspberry Ribbons September 2008 Loving Lilac kit.
• Gothic Window and Bricks Rubber stamps are from Cherry Pie Art Stamps. Colored with Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and Sansodor. The "glass" of the window was gone over with Sakura Gelly Roll Clear Glaze pen. The plain parts of the wall and edges where sponged with Versafine Smokey Grey and Vintage Sepia ink pads.
• Queen Charlotte and Throne of course are from The Whiff of Joy Medieval collection. Coloured with Derwents again and the crown and Sceptre where coloured with a silver gel pen.
• The crown charm I got from eBay and I added the gems/rhinesones to ti just for a bit of bling :o)
• And the sentiment stamp, did you notice it? Up in the right hand corner , "Once Upon A Time". Sorry I can't tell you who the manufacturer is as there isn't one on it, but again I got it off eBay.

Well I'm not quite sure what my next card in this series is going to be, I've got so many little scenes in my head for these cards it's hard to make up my mind which one I want to do next. But tomorrow I'll be showing you a card that was made for me, it's so cool :o)

Take care & keep smiling

Just Magnolia Challenge 3 - Tilda And Edwin Together Chasing Butterflies

Here's my entry for the Just Magnolia Challenge 3 - A Sketch...

Card size - A5/21cm x 14.8cm
Stardream pearlescent blue card.
DP is from Bearly Mine Designs – Designer Extreme Vol.1 CD ROM, printed onto white Hessian card.
Oval cut with largest Nestabilities using Bazzill card. Blue ink sponged around the edge.
Tilda and Edwin are from the Magnolia Chasing Butterflies collection. Coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor. Edwin’s Buttons and Tilda’s shoes gone over with Sakura Gelly Roll Gaze pen. Edwin's hand was cut and Tilda’s hand was slipped into the cut and secured with glue. Butterflies are from Magnolia Stamp Club 2007 Collection, coloured the same but with white gelly roll pen on spots and body gone over with atyou Spica black glitter pen.
White band was cut from white Hessian card and punched using Fiskars Threading Water punch.
Ribbon is from Rapberry Ribbons June ’08 Pink kit.
Flowers were made with white Hessian card, punched with three different sized Woodware daisy punches and two different sized EK Success Retro flower punches, sponged with pink ink and flatback pearls in the middles.
Flourishes were made with a Quickutz die and Bazzill card.
Mermaid Tear Zoomz.
Thank you for looking

Whiff of Joy - Once upon a time there was a Dragon - card

OK, not quite up to Raisa "The Dragon Queen's" standard, but here's my version of Whiff of Joy GORGEOUS Draco the Dragon stamp ...





















From the base up...
Stardream pearlescent "Chocolate Brown" card..
Basic Grey Bitter Sweet paper, stamped down both sides with Kelly Panacci Border stamp.
Top and bottom panels - DCWV - Once Upon A Time 8 x 8 paper, and mounted on to some brown card.
The beautiful forest background stamp is called "The Forest Path" and is from Cherry Pie Art Stamps. Coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Sansodor, Sakura white and yellow gelly roll pens and Staedtler Fineliner Triplus pens. This was then mounted on to Bazzill card that had been cut using the largest Megabilities Rectangle ant the edges where embossed with one of Cuttlebug's border embossing folders.
The dragon of course is from Whiff of Joy Medieval collection coloured again with Derwents and the scales and eyes where gone over with Sakura clear gelly roll pen.
The ivy vine I think is from Syntego, and the Ribbon is from Raspberry Ribbons December Kit.
So there you have it and I hope you like it.
Take care & keep smiling

Just Magnolia Challenge 2 & Raspberry Ribbons Sketch 20 - Tilda with a Cherry on Top

YES, YES, YES, I finished tidying my crafty stuff and to celebrate I messed it up again by making a card, It's just not natural having a tidy craft table :o) So the card I made is for Just Magnolia Challenge 2 and also Raspberry Ribbons Sketch 20 ...
























From the base up...

• Stardream pearlescent "Baby Pink" pearlescent card
• DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Girl
• Bazzill card stamped with a See D's stamp (can't remember what the set was called, but it's all stitches)
• Tilda in Cherry Dress and the Cherry Stamps are from Magnolia's Heavenly Collection, all coloured with Derwent Coloursoft Pencils, Sansodor, Staedtler Fineliner Triplus pens and atyou Spica red glitter pen- on the cherries and the cherries on her dress. Her shoes where gone over three times with Sakura Gellyroll Clear Glaze pen nd the cherries wher double heat embossed with clear EP.
• Ribbons from Raspberry Ribbons June '08 Just Pink & August '08 Paisley kits.

Well after I've posted these on to challenge sites I SUPPOSE I'll have to tidy up again so as I can wrap up Raisa's Birthday Surprise Prize. Oh just before I go I've got to post this picture for Els ...

There you go Els, chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate mmmmmm. Just think of all those calories that are now firmly attached to my bum LOL.
Take care & keep smiling

Raspberry Ribbons Sketch 18 – Anja’s Easter Bunny Card

REMINDER - If you want to be entered in my surprise Birthday present draw, read the post below this one.

When I was out in the garden yesterday and I was replanting my Camellia, the dirt reminded me of chocolate, which reminded me of Easter, which reminded me of Anja’s Easter bunny, which reminded me my 17yr old Son asked a couple of weeks ago if I was going to make him an Easter card. So I have, and boy is he ever going to regret asking LOL…






























He he he, isn’t that just the cutest bunny ever? It was drawn by Anja an extremely talented artist and card maker. She has drawn a set of these bunnies and they’re free for you to take and use as you choose; now that’s what I call generous. They can be used for all sorts of cards, not just Easter.
I chose to use this weeks Raspberry Ribbons challenge sketch 18, as I always mean to join in the challenges but always seem to miss them, which is a shame as they have some lovely sketches on there, and I decided on brown and pink as my colour scheme as I’ve never used that combination before.

Card size 6.5" x 6.5"/16.5cm x 16.5cm
From the base up …
1. Stardream pearlescent card
2. Basic Grey – Bittersweet - Crushed Berry (12x12)
3. Basic Grey – Bittersweet - Brittle (6x6 pad)
4. Both ribbons from Raspberry Ribbons June 2008 and March 2009 kits.
5. Gold silk Mirri card. I hand cut this using the largest circle Nestabilitie as my template, and here’s a little tip, after you’ve cut out your shape it can look like it’s been hand cut so I go round the edges with a Friskars embossing tool, using the largest end it then gives it a nice beveled edge.
6. The eggs are a rubber stamp from Magnolia, coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor. The ribbons on the eggs where coloured with Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pens, gold gel pen and then gone over with Sakura Clear Glaze pen.
7. The photo corners where made with Sizzix photo corners #2 die and gold silk Mirri card. The embossed pattern on them was done with the corner of a Cuttlebug embossing folder. It looks like a postage stamp with gifts in the middle, but I just placed the photo corner on the part of the embossing folder I wanted.
8. The die cut edging at the bottom of the card is from the Basic Grey Bittersweet 2x12 collection. And very sad me went over the pink bits with atyou Spica clear glitter pen.
9. The Easter sentiment is a rubber stamp from A Whiff of Joy, and then finished off with some pink rhinestones/gems.
Can’t wait to see my Son’s face when he sees this, I’ve got a feeling I’m going to get an icy stare and a refusal to share his Easter egg, LOL. There’s no point having a teenager in the house if you don’t play them up and get your own back on them now and again.

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

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

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’

The mystery picture is... The Autumn Fairy

Hello and good morning,

It's 00:30 and at last I've finished this card. If you remember in my last blog I said I was going to make a card with an image that could be found on my blog, and the image is the one I used to make my very first proper card with. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the original card, but it's was nothing like the card I'm about to show you. The image can be found on the right hand side of this page at the bottom. It's that purple picture where you can just about make out a woman's face, but it isn't just a woman, it's a fairy. The image I have on my computer is one that was sent to me by an eBay seller a couple of years back whom I had bought some craft goodies from. So here it is, The Autumn Fairy...

Sorry the pictures aren't very good but my camera battery died on me and my spare wasn't charged either, DOH. So the bottom picture is scanned. I'll take another picture tomorrow and replace the scanned one as it looks blurry to me.

Here goes then, the magic ingredients...

1. Both papers are from DCWV "Once Upon A Time" 8x8 pad that have had the edges aged with Kaleidacolor "Autumn Leaves" rainbow ink pad.

2. The frame for the picture is copper Stardream pearlescent card stamped with an unnamed rubber stamp. All I can tell you about it is that it is magnetic and has two more frames (different designs) nested in it that can be removed. I used Stampendous Stamp-n Stuff Copper EP.

3. The leaves where made from a Cuttlebug die using green Bazzil card and sponged with the same ink pad I used for ageing the DP with. The veins where done using my Scor-pal on the reverse of the leaf then turned over and using a very fine embossing tool I free handed the veins again.

4. The flowers are from Prima, they were green to begin with, but again I sponged them over with the same ink pad as before. The brads where sponged with Stazon Timber Brown, Blazing Red and Forest green ink pads.

5. Last but not least, the fabulous ribbon is from Raspberry ribbons December kit.

Tomorrow I'll be catching up on my replies to all you lovely visitors who have been kind enough to leave me comments, plus I'll show you the lovely award Els has given me and it's about time I gave some out myself. So until tomorrow...

Take care and keep smiling

House Mouse Challenge 19 - I'll Miss You

YEAHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I finished it, and what a lot of embellishments I've used, I've gone from hardly using any to going well over the top. So here it is, the retirement card for my friend Di and also my entry for the House Mouse Challenge ...

Starting from the base...

1. Cream card from stash

2. K&Co 6x6 vine DP by Tim Coffey (Daisy Pad) mounted onto HOTP Paper Pizazz cardstock

3. K&Co 6x6 Daisy DP by Tim Coffey (Daisy Pad) mounted onto the same Pizazz cardstock

4. Bazzill Basics card that has Versafine Olympic Green sponged round the edges

5. The stamp used is "Gentle Rain" with little Muzzy (ahhh), coloured with my trusty Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor. The raindrops were gone over with Ranger Glossy Accents. The frame for the image was made with Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Borders - Frills, cut out 4 times and made into a frame. All mounted onto a different colour green Bazzill Basic Card, again sponged with Versafine Olympic Green.

6. Embellishments used...

a. Yellow ribbons from Raspberry Ribbons- Pyramid of ribbon

b. Silver heart charm attached to a chain and sewn onto ribbon so it dangles (both from eBay)

c. Sentiment computer generated and mounted onto a Wizard bookplate die using silver Silk Mirri Card.

d. Large and small mulberry daisies from eBay

e. Green rhinestones again from eBay.

My Dad says it's really lovely, and that's praise indeed from someone who doesn't do "cute".

I got the layout from this card by Emma on the Paper Craft Planet House Mouse Group. The card is gorgeous and I really liked the layout so I "borrowed" it :). Well now I'm off to post it on the HM challenge and then off to have my dinner...I'm starving.

Take care & keep smiling

Happy Christmas to my Dad :)

Hello and I apologise for not replying to all the lovely comments left for my HM card, but as you know it's that time of year and I've been a little bit busy. I made all those cards for my Dad to send out and I hadn't made any for myself !!! What a dope, so as you can imagine I've been frantically making cards for friends, and no I'm not going to show you them as they are what I am going to make for my Dad to send out next Christmas, so you'll see them then. Any way here's the card I made to give to my Dad...




































From the base up...
1. Stardream copper pearlescent card
2. K&Co Amelia Blocks Flat paper, with basic grey flourish stamp stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia ink.
3. Raspberry Ribbons Gold organza ribbon from their new December kit.
4. Silent night rubber stamp from Magnolia, stamped onto K& Co Antiquity Tan Parchment flat paper and the edges were distressed with my very own finger nail :)
5. The main image is from Joanna Sheen's Victorian Christmas CD Rom that was mounted onto gold silk mirri card. The label is one I bought, which was just cream to begin with but I printed the merry Christmas back ground onto it from Joanna Sheen's CD Rom again and sponged the edges with Versafine vintage sepia ink. The Cherub/Angel is from Dress It Up.
6. The swirl/flourish is a Tim Holtz grunge board element that I heat embossed with gold EP. I don't think Grunge board is really made for heat embossing (it feels like it has rubber in it), but I though I'd give it a go. All I can say is you're OK doing it as long as you keep the heat gun at quite a distance away. It takes longer for the EP to melt, but if you hold the heat gun to close the Grunge board starts to curl (I think it might melt if left on to long) but I liked the end result so it was worth the extra time.
7. Dress It Up snowflakes.
Inside the card I printed onto K&Co Antiquity Tan Parchment flat paper, the following poem
Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.
Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice,but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen - and kissed me there.
~ Walter de la Mere ~
I like the poem, and my Dad likes ghost stories, so I thought it apt. I like the way this card turned out, and as you can see I'm getting a bit more adventurous with the embellishments.
Got to go now, got to make a card for my Son.
Take care & keep smiling