Charlie Caroling

I decided to use up some last years Echo Park Winter papers and I saw this piece with a snow scene and decided since time is in short supply I would make a quick card. Then I decided I needed to give the little chap a white border maybe not so quick after all.

The little choir boy is a Mo Manning image called Charlie Caroling he does have some fellow companions Maisie and Victorian or you can buy the set with Christmas Street Lamp.

To decorate I cut out some musical notes in fun foam along with the snowflake this means no trying to match up the layering and is quicker. I have an old MFT button dies to cut out the button for snowflake this I did layer a couple of times it also gave it a bit strength to tie the sparkly knot.

Now we are almost in July Christmas is sneaking to the fore front of my mind.

Anything Goes

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Add Some Shimmer Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
We will be back soon with the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher
This week the challenge is

ANYTHING GOES

We are showcasing Art Impressions Products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

Well I went for a real Clean and Simple design this week on Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge but I used a sketch on Splitcoast Stampers SC597.

Love Art Expression and although I have some stamps that Simon Says Stamp carries I thought this challenge called for a new one! This one is callled AHH and I decided to make her fit into a circle but not just any circle but the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle which works out so much better on a clean card and the Ahh just about fitted one of the smaller dies with the set.

The papers are Doodlebug Spring Garden love that the patterns are small and the floral paper was perfect to paper piece her blouse.

The sketch cuts across diagonally so I used the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Wavy Scallops die to give the card a bit more interest. Once I have placed the layers I used the Simon Says Stamp Bundle of Shapes set with the large rectangle die. Finally the tiny sentiment is from the Simon Says Stamp Happy and Smile stamp set.

So now it's YOUR turn.  Happy Crafting

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There are fabulous Give Aways and inspiration from fabulous designers on a daily basis over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog , if you haven't subscribed by email you may want to so you don't miss out

 

Fishing

The new challenge on Everybody Art is for a Man or Boys card, I thought it was time I blew off the dust of some of my LOTV .

The sketch is from Retro Sketch from a few weeks ago, the papers are MFT and I aso blew the dust off the Martha Stewart Zig Zag punch.

The fishing rod is from Simon Says Stamp Special Dad Stamp and die set. The card looks quite busy but when you write down what you've used there isn't that many elements.

I had a brilliant day on Saturday although I was struggling with a sore throat but I did win a challenge with one of my layouts. It was a sketch challenge and most of my followers know I love a sketch.

I'm missing crocheting I've decided to make some amigurumi toys but its not that easy to watch TV as well.

Skiing Dog

Lots going on at the moment so I'm trying to stay clean and simple like my card today. Although I held my breath while layering this chap with all that white space any slip ups with the glue would show.

The strip of patterned paper is Doodlebug, my snowflake is from Simon Says Stamp that I cut out of foam. The sentiment is still on my desk from last Christmas but its from LOTV.

I cut the corner to break up all the white space, you wouldn't think a small rounded corner could make all the difference.

My bags are packed and just having breakfast before I get picked up and several bags to go to an All Day Crop at Bracknell.

Kate the little Welsh Girl

I didn't twig till I layered Kate that I had turned her into Welsh Girl, all she need to a daffodil instead of a tulip to complete the look!

The papers are some old one of Echo Park and I actually used some roses (I have two boxes of them). the little leaves are Poppy Stamp Leafy twig and the corner is La Laland die. Of course the oval is from Spellbinders Floral Oval will I ever get tired of using it, I don't think so.

Don't look to closely the oval is a bit squiffy because I stuck it on and realised when it was dry was in the wrong place but I think Mo's image may just save my card from disaster.

Sending Love

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Animal Magic Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
We will be back soon with the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher
This week the challenge is

ADD SOME SHIMMER 

We are showcasing Lindy's Gang Products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used. The lovely people at Lindy's Gang sent all of the DT a parcel of samples to use, thank you so much, we really appreciate them!

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

Now most of my followers know I'm not keen on Arty stuff, love looking at it but not that great at actually doing it myself. So you can imagine how my heart dropped when Lindy's Gang DT package arrived, don't get me wrong they are extremely generous but I hadn't a clue what to do with it.

First of all I had last month's Simon Says Stamp Card Kit that I only had time to peep at, but I was keen on using the leaves and the cluster of dots from the stamp set. You can buy the stamp set on its own, its called Look for the Miracles. First of I set up three pieces of paper and stamped in Versamark and used WOW white embossing powder.

Now came the messy bit, first I used the Mermaid Seaside Magical powders and mixed a little with water (I used too much at first you only need a little bit). In this case I used the Sea Mint Green to make a colourwash across the card, I blotted the watery excess and left to dry while I made two others in case it all went pants.

Once it was dry I cut out using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles and using the Azure Sea Asters from the set to colour the leaves I had to blot it as I did it because I had made my colour really watery because I added too much powder!

I also received a couple of sprays which you add water to and in this case I used Sassy Sapphire which is in the Drop Dead Diva set. Of course the day I made this card it was pouring down with rain and I had to cover my untidy craftroom with newspaper.

Finally I added the Avery Elle  Sweet Scallop and I added the Penny Black Sending Love which I cut from fun foam. This gave me dimension without having to layer. Out of the three backgrounds two worked out really well so that wasn't bad and I decided the second card would work for a future SSS Wednesday Challenge but you will have to wait to see that one. Now you could be wondering where the shimmer is, my whole card has a lovely shimmer but of course my camera doesn't pick it up.

So now it's YOUR turn.  Happy Crafting

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge 

There are fabulous Give Aways and inspiration from fabulous designers on a daily basis over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog , if you haven't subscribed by email you may want to so you don't miss out

 

Arrow

I blow some dust of some of my LOTV stamps including this little chap and I though somehow I would coporate the new challenge from Everybody Art Challenge is for Arrows into it.

First of all I used the Sketch Saturday sketch but I've turned the sketch on it side and my MFT fence is the border in the centre. I then had to add arrows which are not in the sketch but they are MFT Arrow dies. I trimmed both of them to fit and still allow the the 4 Today. A few stars and the job is done but the image had some tricky small bits to layer.

Do pop over and check out the team, also hope you can join us this week.

I'm trying to get ahead with my DT cards there's a holiday on the horizon but first I have the Friday Swimmers lunch and an All Day Crop to fit in so I reckon my cards will be clean and simple for the next few weeks.

Birthday Reminder

Well we are Midway at Penny Black Saturday Challenge with our Birthday theme. I thought I would use this Penny Black Sweet Ride just cos it got hearts doesn't mean its just for Valentines.

I used the Taylored Expression Heart embossing folder since the cuttlebug hearts folder is not available anymore the hearts are a bit bigger but I think I could live with that. The papers are theirs too called Hello Happiness.

I made the sentiment circle with Simon Says stamp Stitched circles dies, along with Holiday shapes for the heart die and I believe the sentiment is theirs too.

Nearly forgot the Stitched Daisies are Simon Says Stamp as well.

Now I do have some Birthday candy and I have a Mr Linky on this POST. I noticed that I have lots of comments but you really need to use Mr Linky.

Bit of an emotional day yesterday brought some Sweet Williams flowers for my Dad's Birthday he used to grow them on his allotment when I was little. I'm pretty sure he used to sell them to someone who had market stall in North Street this was in the 60's and it wasn't something I paid attention then but remember seeing them when I used to walk up there to met him.

Among the Stars

I was really lucky to receive the Stacked Stars from Simon Says Stamp Among The Stars release since I have the Stacked Hearts which I use for Scrapbooking as well this die will make a brilliant addition to my dies.

I used it for this card using the ties from the Special Dad stamps and die set from Simon Says Stamps and with some added Doodblebug paper.

This was the first card I made, I wanted to see how well it worked, again with Doodlebug paper and Simon Says Stamps Stitched Rectangles. I added the sentiment from the Special Dad set and I also used the Smile die again from Simon Says Stamps.

Hopefully if I've linked it right clicking onto the banner should take you straight to the new release.

Meanwhile I shall be getting ready to go swimming.

Dream Team Blog Hop

Its time for our monthly Dream Team Blog Hop and my lovely team-mate 

Anneke has chosen the theme of BABIES

So which Mo's Baby image should I use there are loads and it was a tricky choice but I thought I would use one of the cry-babies she rarely gets used and she makes such a fun card.

Maybe its my sense of humour of using a crying baby for a leaving card, it could also work for someone going on maternity leave. This little one is called Fussy Frankie she can also be brought as a single image.

The papers are LOTVE and the daisies are MFT Upsy Daisy dies, along with the Crochet Border that edges my curve which I made using Simon Says Stamp Curved die.

The Good Luck is cut from Impression Obession die which I layered once again. The fishtail banner is made using the banner punch from Stampin Up who in their wisdom retired but can be easily done with a square punch.

So if we are running smoothly but I'm in charge so anything is possible you should of arrived from Gaynor and now your are HOP, SKIP and JUMP away to Lou's blog.
Now don't forget to comment along the way there are two $5 vouchers to be random chosen from our comments.

Animal Magic

Hello, all! Welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!
Thank you for joining us for the Father's Day/For A Guy Challenge! We loved seeing your fun and innovative designs this week! Please join us this week for our brand new challenge!
We will be back soon with the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher.
This week the challenge is...

ANIMAL MAGIC

We are looking to the animal kingdom for inspiration for our 'Animal Magic' projects! From butterflies to buffalos, kittens to kingfishers, we will be looking forward to see which animal you choose for your project!
Many of us have fur babies that are very much a part of our family and we would love to know what little critters live with you! Maybe you could add photo's of them on your post too!

We are showcasing Paper Smooches Products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store.

I already had the Chubby Chums but I needed the Chubby Chum Pals I simple loved the sentiment so I had to use the crab but is he an animal maybe I've stretched the challenge a bit. I also decided I would use the Splitcoast Stampers  Card Sketch 596.

I had already recently brought from Simon Says Stamps the Doodlebug Anchors Aweigh no worries there. The sketch called for a shaker box but I if I had planned that I would have brought Simon Says Stamp Sunshine Mix sequins which would have given the shaker more interest. Instead I used the Mixed Baby Cup Sequins which is out of stock needless to say my basket is full of sequins while I wait for new release.

Back to the card less waffling using the Simon Says Stamps Stitched Squares I made my shaker box and using the Lawn Fawn Stitched Scallop Border I made the red borders.

My crab was layered and I saved one image uncoloured so I had one to cut the eyes out I would have used goggle eyes but they're in a safe place! The sketch called for something either side of my crab so I made two life savers from the Simon Says Stamp Sailing stamp set as you can see I didn't like it so I added one of them in corner. I finished the card with some twine from Doodlebug Lipstick and Bubble Blue.

So now it's YOUR turn.  Happy Crafting

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge 

There are fabulous Give Aways and inspiration from fabulous designers on a daily basis over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog , if you haven't subscribed by email you may want to so you don't miss out

 

Notice

This weeks Everybody Art Challenge is for a Notice I wasn't sure of this challenge so I guess you are given notice of an event them my card turned into a invitation.

First I stamped the Tim Holtz butterfly from a stamp set called Perspective, I didn't use the first image of stamping but rather the second this give a lighter image.

I knew Simon Says Stamp had a stamp set for making invitation so I used that but I stamped in a gold pigment ink and added gold embossing powder. I did try with just a versamark inkpad instead of gold but the butterfly show through a lot worse than it does here.

I had already used the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle before embossing with the idea of stamping central and I added the Avery Elle Scalloped frame.

Do pop over and check out the team also I do hope you can join us.

New Home

I thought I would open the pack of the Toadstools die that I brought from a craft fair and how perfect they would work with this cute Penny Black Mouse. They were a bit fiddly to get the different colours but the ones at the top I think they need a bit of ink because they look like I've just plonked them there.

The papers are leftovers and I used the Lawn Fawn Stitched Scallop Borders, not sure who made the toadstools, I got them from Sandown. The sentiment is from Altenew Succulent set that I used for a Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Well I failed miserably with making a card a day and I'm going to a crop today but I scrapbook there since I never seemed to have time at home. Then I will chasing my tail to catch up on my DT work.

Crochet

No card today but a pic of a finish Star Baby' Blanket although I'm not sure how large it should be.

I used a smaller hook anyway but even then the I didn't like the look of my stitches so I used a 3mm hook with double knitting. It looks a lot neater and I'm really pleased with it.

So much so that I another on the go and nearly finished this time we know its for a girl and made in the appropriate colours. But I've been a bit generous in buying the wool and have quite a bit left so I'm thinking of making a Jellyfish which I've seen lots of.

Fore You

That's it I'm never going to to say that I'll try to make a card a day because best laid plans have to be flexible and it just didn't happen. This little chap was made very quickly yesterday and with hindsight I may have made the flag a bit smaller.

Anyway his a newish image from Mo Manning called Four, isn't he cute not sure on the all the green.

My golf flag was made with Stampin Up punches and I saw on Pinterest someone had added the brown shading which I appealed to me.

Apart from that I used spellbinders for the images mats and my favourite sentiment was made into a fishtail banner using the tiny banner punch which Stampin Up has retired but can easily be made with a square punch.

Busy day today and tomorrow its swimming and packing for the crop on Saturday.

Birthday Cats

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Mask It Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
We will be back soon with the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher
This week the challenge is

 FATHER'S DAY/FOR A GUY 

We are showcasing Tim Holtz Products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

I decided not to make a Father's Day card but a Birthday card for my Dad, his birthday is always round Father's day, even falls on the same day sometimes. For the first time I didn't panic when I saw we had to use Tim Holtz products I knew I wanted to use either the Crazy Cats or Birds.

I wanted to use a couple of cats and then I had a lightbulb moment that I could used the Happy Birthday from Simon Say Stamps. It just so happened that the Lawn Fawn Beachside Pint patterned paper had arrived in the craftroom. I did cut the sentiment in plain card before the final patterned layer.

My cats were blended with various inkpads and  rather than black cat I made the cat blue because I thought I could get the shading better with dark blues although my first colour was a grey. I always put one stamped image to one side so I can cut out the eyes and don't have to worry about working round them when I'm blending.

Since this is my Dad's Birthday Card and I'm lucky that where he was cremated has somewhere to place cards I added the tiny message from the Simon Says Stamp Ranunculus stamp set. In the end I had to place the cats and sentiment on a tall card but longwise made it a bit tricky to photo.

So now it's YOUR turn.  Happy Crafting

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge 

There are fabulous Give Aways and inspiration from fabulous designers on a daily basis over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog , if you haven't subscribed by email you may want to so you don't miss out