Monday 31 October 2011

A Card From Nature

Hi blog friends!  If you don't have a great deal of time, this is the card for you to make.  It only  uses a small bit of decorative paper as an accent so you don't have to part with too much of your treasured stash. I really liked the autumnal colours to this piece of paper.   I cut a decorative edge into it with the edgeabilities for some added interest then matted it with black card.  The focal piece is simply the Spellbinders  Fleur de Lis Rectangles cut out of black in the largest size.   I stamped my sentiment on white card and cut it out with the next size of the same die set.  I left a bit of space to the right and stamped my ivy down the side while the piece was still in the die.  I also used the die as an edge to make stitch marks around the focal element with a fine tipped black pen.  I embossed the top of the background card with the leaf mask and then wrapped my frilly edged ribbon around it and made a bow.  I added some of the moss green vintage ribbon to give the card a bit more colour.  Topped it with a wood button, a piece of jute tied through it and a few decorative stick pins.  I layered up the piece on a larger piece of white with a pierced edge to it and finished it with a mat of black for balance.  It sounds like a lot of work but it was a very quick card to complete.  Give it a try if you are in a pinch!  All for now, Sue x

Sunday 30 October 2011

Vintage steampunk

Good morning everyone!  I hope the extra hour today has gone to good use ( a nice relaxing lie in, works for me!).  More steampunk to show today.  This card was quite fun to make as it was actually my first bit of play with the Distress stains.  I stamped the locomotive on to cream card with a clear perfect medium pad and embossed in clear.  Then I used the vintage photo distress stain and went over the entire piece from edge to edge.  The train shows up as a resist this way.  I used a bit of black soot to distress the edges and then added four of our faux screw brads to the corners and mounted the piece on a black mat.  The background was made by distressing a piece of decorative paper by crumpling and slightly going over it with the vintage photo distress ink directly from the pad.  I added a few stamped gears and cogs to it too.  On the left side of the card, I added a strip of the cotton hemp ribbon.  First I stamped on it with the gears from Sam Poole's steampunk stamp set and I clear embossed them.  I used the vintage photo stain again and coloured the entire piece with it.  The gears show up as a resist here also.  I stamped the phrase also in perfect medium, embossed and used the stain once again to create another resist.  I added a few more faux screw brads to the sentiment.  The card was assembled and I included a few of the Tim Holtz gears and sprokets for texture on the card, matted it on a piece of black card to finish it off.  Surprise, no nesties this time, but I couldn't resist a little bit of ribbon!  A really fun and easy card to make that I'm sure the guy in your life would certainly enjoy!  All for now, Sue x

Saturday 29 October 2011

Swirly Steampunk!

Good morning everyone!  More of Sam Poole's steampunk stamp sets  for todays post.  This one was one of my favourites of the steampunk samples that I made.  I really liked the way the reddish brown looked with the turquoise.  I wasn't sure when I started it, but in the end, I was rather happy with it.  The card colour choices were based on the Tim Holtz button embellishments that I wanted to use, that was my inspiration for this one!  I embossed the background with the gears and cogs mask to give the piece texture.  I then made a tag shape from some white glossy card and used my alcohol inks on it.  As memory serves me, it was butterscotch, copper mixative and a bit of cranberry for the background applied with the alcohol ink felt tool.  I stamped it in black archival ink with some of the steampunk stamps and then I used my grid mask to emboss it (it is difficult to see in the pic though).  I made several different sized rosettes using decorative paper (Graphic 45, I believe) and then topped them with the Tim Holtz trinket buttons.  I mounted them on the card with a few swirls that I had in my stash that were made of black matboard.  I punched a hole in the top of the tag and added some seam binding that I had dyed to match and scrunched.  A bit of a departure from my usual style, but that is the fun of it, I think!  Hope you enjoy it even if it isn't what you expected!  All for now, Sue x

Friday 28 October 2011

Morning all!  Back to earthtones and a simple card for todays post.  This card features the Spellbinders Parisian die in the Motifs and Accents sets.  These are some of my absolute favourite die sets as I feel they are lovely, intricate dies, but also very easy to use in your card making.  For the focal point, I simply stamped my sentiment on tan card and cut it out with the largest parisian die and did a bit of inking through the die with my Tea Dye Distress ink  to highlight it.  I then cut another of the same die in black to add a shadow behind the sentiment die.  I cut two of the Parisian borders and attached them back to back so that I was able to lace the vintage ribbon back and forth across them. You can see a close up of the laced border below.   A little tip for doing this, only glue down the decorative edge of the border leaving the straight side unattached so that you can slip the ribbon in and out easily.  Finish the border with a messy bow using two strands of the amber brown and one strand of the black vintage ribbon.  I added a black button with a piece of jute string (we can't have naked buttons!) to the top of my bow.  I filled in the right side of the card with the black rhinestone swirls for accent.  The edges were finished with my favourite Cosmic Shimmer black PVA glue (no surprise there, huh?!)  Another very quick, easy card to make.  I hope you like it!  All for now, Sue x

Thursday 27 October 2011

Surprise!

Hi Blog friends!  I bet this one caught you off guard, didn't it?  Just when you think you will find a post with another frilly girly type card, I give you Steampunk! I had completely forgotten that I made a bunch of steampunk style cards for Ally Pally in September.  There are a scad of these that are mixed in with the backlog of cards that I have been posting recently.  Hopefully, you will find the change refereshing, or at least, interesting, even if it isn't your taste. Every once in awhile, you just have to get inky and  this card was done entirely with Pumice Stone Distress ink.  I first stamped the vintage inventor in the centre of the card using a clear perfect medium pad and clear embossed him.  This created a resist which I inked over and around in a halo effect using the pumice stone ink.  I stamped some of the extra stamps from this set (which is from Sam Poole by the way) in the background and down a strip of card that shows from under my film strip and acetate.  I stamped and cut out the pressure gauge and added a few of the Tim Holtz metal gears for texture.  I inked the chalk white seam binding with the pumice stone ink and made a messy bow and topped it with a black zipper rose.  To complete the card,I distressed the edges with a pair of scissors and then inked them and  matted it with a piece of black card in an offset manner.  All in all, an incredibly quick card to put together and especially nice if you know someone who loves steampunk.  What do you think, why don't you have a go at it!  All for now, Sue x

Wednesday 26 October 2011

The Can Can Card

Good morning all!  As Nigel has dubbed this my Parisian Can Can Card, I guess I will stick with that name.  I was going for a kind of petticoat effect here using the parisian border dies from Spellbinders.   I cut out eight of them in varying shades of gray and yellow to match my card.  You know how much I just love that colour combo!  Just by lining them up in alternating colours, you get this sort of petticoat effect for the bottom of the card.  Too much fun, I think!  I used the fretwork mask to emboss the background piece, but you may have to click on the card to enlarge it and see it well. I cut out the Fleur de lis die and then cut it in half so that I could mount it to the top and bottom of the background.  I then layered up my beaded square on top in the diamond orientation which hid the cut area.  I cut out a labels twenty die for my sentiment and two ''holder'' pieces from the fleur de lis collection.  The lovely new silver PVA glue from Cosmic Shimmer was used to make dots and frame the card to draw the eye into it.  I know that I use this glue a lot, but if you haven't tried it yet, it is amazing stuff.  It is also so easy to use, keeps its shape and dries very hard.  It's a real fun way to finish your card edges.  Don't forget about your edges, I always say!  Hope you are inspired by yet another yellow and gray creation of mine.  All for now, Sue x

Tuesday 25 October 2011

A Vintage Card With Roses



Hello blog friends!  The inspiration for this card was simply some new paper that I found at Ally Pally and wanting to make some of my new vintage ribbon roses.  I used a piece of this decorative paper as a background and the reverse side of it for a smaller accent piece.  Since the colours in it matched the vintage ribbon so nicely, I decided to make another grouping of the roses to go with it. There is a close up below for you. To make these, you need a small length of the ribbon, about 18 inches.  Attach the 1/2 width of red line tape to the bottom edge of the ribbon.  Fold the very end of it diagonally down so if the end frays, it will not show.  Then simply roll it to get the centre of the flower.  Once you have that tight centre, begin to make the ribbon ruffle a bit by tucking it up into the tape as you go.  The larger the flower you want, the more you need to make it ruffle.  If you get to the end of the ribbon and want it to be a bit larger, just another piece to the outside and continue on. You can cut off any excess of the tape when finished too.   This is a very quick and easy flower to make.  Since it has that shabby chic look to it when finished, you can be a bit messy with it and it still works.  Right up my alley!  I added these fun suede leaves to the grouping to help finish it off.  As you can see, I cut the lacy circle nestibility so that about a quarter of it is missing.  I just wanted it to be a little bit less perfect of a circle so the card would have an edgier feel to it.  Nesties do not have to stay as they are, you can cut them, fold them, scrunch them, layer them,  you name it and that's part of their versatility as a crafting tool.  Hopefully that will help you look at them differently every time you pick one up to use and expand your crafting arsenal too.






I stamped the sentiment on one of the fancy tag dies and stenciled through it to highlight it.  I added to the  card by using the new Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue in gold and making dots around not only the outside edge, but also the smaller accent piece of card.  The black rhinestone swirls just called out to me so I added some to the decorative paper and three black glints  to complete the card.  I rather like this one with it's vintage feel  even if it isn't as frilly as I usually do, what do you think?  All for now, Sue x

Monday 24 October 2011

A Girlie-Girl Card


Hello to everyone!  I have chosen a wine and rose coloured card for todays post.  This card was to have been a demo for the past weeks shows but there were two shows that were cut from the last day due to the lack of remaining product. While I am on the subject,though,  I would like to say a great big thanks for all your support and incredibly kind emails during the shows.  It is lovely (albeit , a bit embarrassing too)  to hear such wonderful things read out from all your emails.  I am hoping that I can give back to you through my blog by posting daily. (that is the goal, at least!)
This card uses the Spellbinders beaded square nestie in the largest size, then a frame cut from the blossoms four set and the small labels four for the sentiment piece all layered up for the focal element.  Easy as pie!  I used an embossing folder for the background and you should be able to see it in the close up pic below.  I added some frilly edged dusty rose ribbon down the side of the card and tied it into a knot rather than a bow this time.  I added three pink organza roses, but I inked them softly with Victorian Velvet Distress ink to match the card.  I also used my heat tool on one of them to shrink it slightly.  Organza melts very easily under heat so you have to use short blasts from your tool or it will shrivel up too fast.  It is an easy way to create dimension with your flowers though.  I completely the card by adding some of the new pearl swirls along the right hand side of the card.  I love the romantic feel they give to a card!  I hope it's not too girlie for you, do let me know!  All for now, Sue x



Sunday 23 October 2011

All New Blog Candy and A Card!

Hi blog friends!  It's that time again!  Are you ready to win all new blog candy???  What do you think of this lot?  There are five sets of A5Stamp sets for you.  A set of Tim Holtz Grunge board pieces, a fun mask to play with, a rub it scrub it pad, a large acrylic block, black archival ink pad, a couple of jars of Cosmic Shimmer embossing powder, color spray wash,  a perfect medium pad, Cosmic Shimmer spray mist, a pack of natural wood buttons, a Tim Holtz Distress Ink, decorative stick pins and an Adirondack ink pad.  That is a whole lot of loot for some lucky follower, don't you think?  If you are already a follower, don't worry, you are entered, but you can increase your chances by leaving comments after each new post.  If you are just looking at this loot and drooling, imagining what you could do with all of it and you are not a follower yet, then it's simple, just add your name to the follower list and email me ( sue@particraft.co.uk) your postal details in case your name is picked! It doesn't get any easier than that!  We will draw the lucky name when we reach 1900 followers so you can help it along if you like by posting the candy on your blog or facebook page too.  Tell me what you would do if you won this lot!
 How about  a look at a quickie Christmas card here too.  The Spellbinders snowflake pendant was cut out of the white card and then the negative piece was used.  I ran the entire piece through an embossing folder with the snowflake die still in place, but I left the embossing folder open.  If I was to have closed it, I would risk the die cutting into the folder, so I added some extra pieces of card as a shim to make up for the thickness of the flattened folder.  Then I added the tan mat and the adaptor plate and put it through my Grand Calibur.  Once embossed, I lined it up over my navy blue card to see where the aperature opening was and I taped my smaller snowflake die in place.  I embossed it into the blue card so that it would show through once mounted.  I added some 3D foam pieces and assembled the card, allowing a mat of blue to show through.  I added a mat of white card with piercing behind the blue one too.  I finished the card with a frilly edged white bow, some blue and white Baker Twine and a white organza rose. You could easily add a small tag with a sentiment if you like to customise this card! I hope you enjoy both the new selection of candy and the quickie Christmas card! 
  On one last note, I have had quite a few emails lately from followers saying that they are having difficulty in leaving commnets.  I cannot seem to figure out why some can and some can't leave comments.  If anyone knows the answer to this, please let me know so that I can forward it on.  In the meantime, if you would like to leave a comment, try by not clicking on google at the bottom of the comment section box.  Try using the ''anonymous'' setting, but please sign your name to the post so I know. I love all your feedback so I will endeavour to figure this one out!  All for now, Sue x

Saturday 22 October 2011

Holly Accents!















Hi there everyone!  This is what I call my "holding hands" card because the holly accent pieces interlock together on the sides and the top and bottom.  I have cut six of them and linked them all together to get the background for this fun card.  The really fun thing, though, is that you can get an entirely different look from these same dies if you just turn them a quarter of a turn and do the same thing.  They interlock that way too!  Cards are never boring with Spellbinder dies, are they?  I added  a piece of the black crochet ribbon  top and bottom, which I put over some cream card to help it stand out a bit.  For both the top and bottom pieces, I cut one of the accent pieces from the Ironworks set and centred on the ribbon and added a fancy black button.  The focal sentiment was stamped on to the round Ironworks die and then mounted atop the picot edge circle which I cut out of black card.  I pierced around the edge and matted and layered with coordinating colours to complete the card.  Totally easy card for anyone who wants to give it a go!  All for now, Sue x

Friday 21 October 2011

Black and Tan!

Hi everyone, hope your day is starting out well!  This card is a very similar creation to one that I made for the POTW shows last June.  The original one was in black and white, but at the time, I was contemplating using these colours.  Since most of the same dies have returned for the POTD shows, I decided to follow through on my colour choice this time.  I began with the largest size of the Fleur de Lis squares and mounted it so it was diamond in shape.  Then layered up the medium size of the same die so it was offset in the square shape.  I cut the medium size of the Label twenty and used the elegant post dies to "hold" it.  I simply niped off the long ends of the elegant post for this.  Then I stamped my sentiment on one of the fancy tags, did a bit of inking through the die for contrast and cut out another tag in black to use as a shadow.  I simply cut it down the middle lengthways and mounted it outward slightly behind the focal tag.  Since the focal element was colour on colour, I felt it needed a bit of black as a shadow to help it stand out more.  I cut two more of the elegant post dies for the top and bottom corners of the card and cut the top off so it was a straight edge.  I added some of the frilly edged ribbon in the champagne colour and topped it with a black organza ribbon rose and some decorative pins.  I couldn't help finishing the edge with the black PVA glue from Cosmic Shimmer.  This glue really is amazing and the dots are very hard once dry so there isn't a problem if you are posting a card with it.  If you read the blog because of the title and were hoping to see a great big mug of Guiness, I hope you aren't disappointed with the card you got instead! LOL   All for now, Sue x 

Wednesday 19 October 2011

More Upcycling!

 Good morning bloggers!  Like yesterdays post, I am still working through the C's in my old dictionary with this card too.  It was sitting on my craft table in handy reach so I decided to continue playing with it here.  I have used the stamps from the new Falling Leaves and Foliage sets and simply stamped them with a black archival ink pad on to my old dictionary pages.  For each of the small leaves, I cut them out with the medium size of the square eyelet dies.  I did a little bit of inking with Antique Linen distress ink.  I used the die as a stencil and made stitch marks around the inside of the squares on each of them.  I stamped the large tree as my focal point and did the "out of the box" technique, leaving the tree trunk to come out of the teardrop circle die.  This is the perfect technique to be used with images such as this one because the branches are far too intricate to cut out and layer on to your card.  By allowing that portion of your image to be on the die cut, you don't have to do any laborious cutting out.  You need only to cut out the tiny bit of the trunk portion of the tree.  I stamped my sentiment on to the decorative paper in the top corner, embossing it with clear powder. I also added a small border across the centre of the card which just called to me for some vintage ribbon and a zipper flower!  I finished the edges of the card with our new bronze coloured PVA glue from Cosmic Shimmer.  I really like the old time feel to this card with the upcycled dictionary pages, what do you think?  All for now, Sue x

Tuesday 18 October 2011

A Vintage Edgeability Card

Hi blog friends!  Here is one of the cards from todays shows.  The first eight shows are based on the Grand Calibur and the edgeabilities for the most part.  This card does feature some of the Spellbinders dies from the POTD shows which start Wednesday evening too.  If you missed any of the dies from previous sold out Spellbinders shows, many of them have been brought back for these shows.  The mix is different this time as the bundles were based on availability of the product, but trust me they are all really nice choices.  I've used the scallop edgeability die and insert to create a border which I laced the vintage ribbon through.  I picked an October Afternoon paper for the background of this card and because it has such a vintage feel to it, I made my flowers out of old dictionary pages.  I found the book while in Florida with my daughter.  What a find for a quarter (that is like 15 p here).  I have used it many many times and I am still only to the C's in the book!  The focal element was created by using the Lacy Squares, the diamond shape nestie and one of the dies from the tag one set.  I used the black PVA glue to make my "pearls" around the border to frame and complete the card.  What's the verdict on this one?  All for now, Sue x

Monday 17 October 2011

A Peek Into The Week Ahead
















 Good morning all!  Today I have a sneak peek of one of the cards that I have been working on for the shows I'm doing this week.  Starting on Tuesday at noon, I am guesting the Grand Calibur/Spellbinders shows that will run until Wednesday evening at 7pm.  Then later that evening, I am doing the Spellbinders POTD shows which launch at 9pm and run through all of Thursday.  In the week since I have been back from the States, I have been crafting like crazy, getting demos ready for the shows.  I think, perhaps that this one is my favourite though.  I was very happy with how it came out and I am looking forward to demoing it, probably on Thursday's noon show if you are interested.  I have also included a photo of a close up on the flowers that I made from the American seam binding.
These are very easy and I love the soft look to them.  Hopefully I will be able to show how I made them also.  Along with all my favourite products, there are some new products on the shows too.  Can you spot the one I've used on this card?  I'm sure you can.  That's all I'm saying about the new products now, you will just have to tune in the Create and Craft to see the rest of them.  Also, you will need to check the schedule for those three days as some of the shows are on C & C and
some are on Ideal World.
I hope you like my creation, let me know.  All for now, Sue x

Sunday 16 October 2011

A Christmas Quickie Card

Happy Sunday afternoon.  I thought I would show you a quickie Christmas card as that time is rapidly approaching (for those of us ostriches).  I stamped our new Christmas wreath on white card and coloured it with Forest Moss distress ink by painting the leaves.  I added some red twinkles for the berries.  I cut it out with the Spellbinders Picot edge circles and added a small red bow of vintage ribbon. I embossed the white background using our large polka dot mask so it would have some tecture.   The background was then wrapped with some of the red Bakers Twine around the side of the card three times. I added a white button and tied the twine into a bow.  I matted that piece on another piece of white card and added some white pearl PVA glue dots to the edge. One more layer of white for balance (I don't like my dots to be on the outside) and the card is ready for Christmas giving.  We have got to start thinking about Christmas as it will be upon us in no time at all! I can hear the groans already!  All for now, Sue x

Saturday 15 October 2011

Sparkly Poinsettias






















Good morning all!  I really like the way this card came out, but it is a pity that my photography skills aren't any better, huh?!  The background is white and that is always an issue, but you are  able to enlarge it to see the detail if you would like.  I used the Layered Poinsettia die from Spellbinders to create these three flowers.  They are actually a soft mauve in real life too.  I added some Cosmic Shimmer Twinkles to the flowers for a bit of bling.  The dusty rose frilly edged ribbon is woven between them from top to bottom.  I used Label twenty three to cut both aperature openings and I embossed the top background white card with my favourite Lattice embossing folder.  You know I love the pierced edge and I just had to add it on here (another obsession, I guess, add it to the ribbon one!)  I did do a bit of stamping with the pine sprig stamp behind the sentiment and embossed it with aurora sparkle powder. It adds a bit more bling to the card overall.  What can I say, I was feeling Chrismassy when I made this one!  All for now, Sue x

Friday 14 October 2011

Pretty In Pink




















Good afternoon blog friends,  I hope everyone is doing well!  Today I have picked a floral card to post.  I really like the anemone and daisy topper dies from Spellbinders as they are so versatile to use to achieve different looks for your cards.  Tis is the same die that I used on the pink card a few days ago and cut the centre out of it.  I've used it here with two shades of pink for a fun look.  The sentiment was stamped on the Samantha Walker Ornate tag and I decided that I wanted the frilly bits that are on the top and bottom of that tag to go on the sides of the tag for this card.  So I cut them off and attached to the sides.  It doesn't have to always stay exactly the way the die is intended remember.  That is one of my favourite things about card making and crafting in general, you can change things to suit your needs with very little effort.  I did emboss the top half of this card with our lattice embossing folder and I added some of our new pearly swirlies (my name for them) and a bit of the dusty rose frilly edged ribbon to complete the card.  I hope you like it (even if you aren't a "pink" person)!  All for now, Sue x

Thursday 13 October 2011

Metallics, Black and Cream Together
























Good morning all!  This card was the result of finding a small piece of unusual ribbon in my craft stash that I just had to use!  I found some decorative paper at a small, but very nice stamp and scrap store near my parents house in Florida.  Again, it was a bit metallic in look, not my usual taste but there was just something about it that caught my eye and it seemed to match my ribbon very nicely.  I used the Lace Doily Motif die to build upon, then added the Holly Motif die.  I stamped my sentiment and cut it out with the small Teardrop Circle Die.  They were all cut out of cream card and layered up to create the focal point for the card.  I tied my bow and added a flower that I made out of cream coloured tulle to the centre of it.  I added some black rhinestone swirlies to the background and two black decorative stick pins.  To balance the card I added a back mat layer of black card and three small black glints to the corner.  A quick and easy card, but I was very happy with the results.  What's your opinion on it?  All for now, Sue x

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Winners Finally!!!



















And a card too!  Hi there blog friends, I am back in the Uk and finally able to do the blog candy contest draw.  Thank you so much for your patience on this.  I was hoping that a daily post until I could get back here would win me some forgiveness on this one, perhaps?  Let's not make you wait any longer, though, shall we.  As always, I will announce the third place prize winner, then the second and then the grand prize winner.

The winner of the THIRD place prize is.................................................
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MaryAnn

The winner of the SECOND place prize is...................................................................
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LilyGee

The winner of the FIRST GRAND prize is.........................................................................
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Missmizog!!!!!

Congratulations to all the winners.  Please email me at sales@particraft.co.uk to confirm your address and claim your prizes.  Remember the game rolls over and we will draw again when we hit the goal of 1900 followers.  Leaving a comment after each post gets you extra entries too.

  As for the card, a quick rundown for you.  I used Spellbinders  Grand Rectangle Nestie and one of the smaller sizes in the set to cut the basic card shape.  I then ran it through the Grand Calibur machine with the small polka dot mask while the dies were still in place.  I had to do one side then the other side to cover it all.  Remember if you leave the previously embossed side hanging off the base plate when you put it back through it will eliminate the line you will usually get when doing this.  I stamped the white card with the sentiment then cut it large enough to have a border that I could pierce through.  I pierced through the inside rectangle frame freehand around the sentiment.  I cut two of the anemone flowers in different sizes and took out the inside petals by snipping them away, offset them  and added a fancy button.  I added three other fancy buttons from my craft stash in the opposite corner for balance to complete the card.  This one is definitely and quick, easy and simple card!  Hope you like it.  All for now, Sue x

Tuesday 11 October 2011

A Funny Story!



















Happy Tuesday morning all!  This card is being posted as a request by blog reader Pauline.  This isn't actually the card that I started out to make, and, in fact, it almost ended up in the bin twice!  I had this idea to use the Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia die pieces to randomly cut out shapes all across the white card, which is what I did.  The picture makes it look a bit like it has red poinsettias mounted on to the white card, I know,  but the white card is actually the negative piece.  I mounted it up using foam pieces over a piece of red card.  On the red card pieces, I matched up the dies that I used and embossed the shape of the poinsettia into it so that you could see them through the top piece.  So far so good, but I decided to stamp a pine sprig into the background and emboss it with aurora sparkle embossing powder.  I wasn't sure if I liked it as it didn't show up very well, almost binned it here, but decided to go on.  I went to stamp the joy sentiment in black and just then my Mom's cat jumped onto the table and knocked the ink pad out of my hand and it landed on the corner of white card!  I thought, that's it, into the bin.  Then I had an idea to use the white poinsettias that I had cut out of the background piece earlier to cover up the black ink on the corner of the card.  I ended up having to cut out a few more, but I saved it after two close calls!  I added some white pearl PVA glue dots around the edge and matted with a final piece of white cardstock to complete it.  See,  there is really no such thing as a mistake, just a slight change of plans!  Hope you like it.  All for now, Sue x

Monday 10 October 2011

Black and Gold Christmas

Hi blog friends!  That backlog of cards that I have mentioned recently does include a bunch of Christmas cards too.  Sorry about that if you just aren't ready for it yet (I know how you feel, really I do!).  This one is a bit of a departure for me as I rarely use metallic card, but I just had this in my head so I had to run with it!  I have used the Spellbinders 2011 HeirloomOrnament as a focal image.  I stamped it with a swirl and clear ink and embossed it for texture.  I then cut a faux nestie in black to mat it with.  I stamped two stars in black from our Christmas Swirls set and embossed them and cut them out to mount on the ornament.  I used that same star to stamp all over the background in clear ink and clear embossing powder.  I had some fancy ribbon and lace in my stash that I was dying to use so I thought this was the card for it.  I added my sentiment on one of the ribbon banners, then cut another one in black as a shadow.  I pierced around the edge and matted it with black for balance.  I added a piece of black cording and gold cording to the top of the ornament to complete the card.  Me likes even if it is a bit different for me,  what do you think?  All for now, Sue x

Sunday 9 October 2011

Nature's Botanicals

Morning all!  Here is a card that I made quite awhile back, May or June I think.  It just never got posted so I thought it should have its day today.  My love of polka dots shows through with this one, in the background paper and the ribbon.  This is a fun technique where you stamp your image, colour it and then attach acrylic fragment pieces to it.  I used glossy accents for that.  Let it dry throughly and then cut the pieces apart.  Then reassemble the pieces and mount onto a black background with a slight gap between them.  I mounted them on the beaded square nestie shape and added black rhinestones to the border.  It is difficult to see but I did a bit of sewing around the edge of the pink background paper.  I tied a fancy bow using the white organza polka dot ribbon and added a black button from my craft stash and a few decorative pins.  I have been asked this question many times about how I secure the ends of the pins so you don't get stuck.  There are several ways to do this, but I either stick the ends into background cardstock (usually, I mat and layer so there is enough thickness there) or I stick the ends so that they are embedded into the knot of the bow.  I have never had any problems with getting stuck by them.  I did also make sure these pins were not as long in length as the ones that I had seen on the market as I found them to be a problem.  You can also purchase very inexpensively, earring backs that will fit them too.  I added some rhinestone swirls to fill in the background a bit and voila, finished!  I would love to know what you think.  All for now, Sue x

Saturday 8 October 2011

A Real Fav!

Hi all!  I thought that I had already posted this card, but I can't seem to find it.  I must have imagined it, I guess!  I love, love, love the contrast of the black and white and this orangey-red-persimmon( ?) colour.  Trust me when I say the photo doesn't do it justice as it is such an unusual colour.and it just pops out against the black.  Notice anything unusual about this card?  No ribbon!  You are probably thinking, Sue didn't make this one!  Ah, but I did.  I absolutely love the Samantha Walker Ornate Tag die I used here.  There is just something about the shape of it with the little swirly part top and bottom that just speaks to me.  Again, this is the negative piece that I have used, raised it up and added the black mat below it.  This die is unique in that it has a matching inner shape that allows you to cut a negative mat piece.  I used our leaf mask to emboss the background while the die was still in place so I ended up with everything e,mbossed except the edge of the die, giving it a bit of a nice frame.  I added some piercing on my wide black mat which allows the white from below to show through and frame the piece nicely and add the balance from the centre.  I think it draws the eye in towards the centre, so no need for ribbon or swirls on this one.  (See, I can fight that compulsion it if I really try!)  Sometimes, when you finish a card you just want to look at it for awhile (or is it just me?), this one had me sailing because it really floats my boat! LOL  Whatcha think?  All for now, Sue x

Friday 7 October 2011

Picot Edged Circles

Hi there friends, I hope everyone is enjoying the backlog of cards I have been able to post lately!  This one is no exception, as it is from the August POTW shows.  It does use those lovely Picot edged circles for the focal element.  If you were lucky enough to get those, well done, as I think you will find many uses for them.  Hopefully, this card will give you an idea for their use as I cut two of both the largest and the next size down and mounted them up together, but offset the picot edge on them.  It gives a really frilly look to them I think.  I inked all of the circles with Antique Linen Distress ink prior to mounting so that it softened the card colour (a very stark ivory to begin with) and matched the background paper better.  Now this is not what I would call a messy bow this time as it is more of a fancy look with a very tight centre.  A little tip, though, this frilly edged ribbon is so easy to use and tie this type of bow with.  If you at all "bow challenged," give this ribbon a try as it is very forgiving and easy to manipulate.  I couldn't resist the decorative stick pins (I know, I know, it's a compulsion for me).  I finished the card with some of our new swirly rhinestone pieces.  FYI, I do believe they are making their television debut on October 18th, if you are interested.  Once again, super simple card, nothing too time consuming or tricky, just start with some decorative card you like and matching ribbon and you are half way there.  Hope you like it!  All for now, Sue x

Thursday 6 October 2011

Black and Red and Cream, Oh My!

Good morning blog friends!  How about going in the opposite direction as yesterdays post and try black and red and cream for a nice contrast.  I love black and red together as it is always so striking.  I added some cream to the mix to help my focal element stand out from the background a bit.  What do you think of the black rhinestone Nestabling I've used around both of the nestie shapes?  It will be in stock very soon as it is one of the new shapes that was released at the summer CHA show.  I picked up a few samples there and this is how I used them.  The lace doily border was used around the edge of the card to "girl" it up a little as well as some black lace from my craft stash.  Using the basque red vintage ribbon, I ruched it to make a border on my card and finished it with a messy bow (a messy bow is one where the loops go any way they want to end up!), a button with a bit of jute tied through it and a couple of the black decorative stick pins.  I matted the card with some more cream card to balance it and finish it off.  This is definitely a quickie card that you can do in a pinch.  Try different colour combos for variety and to suit your needs.  I would love your feedback on this one.  All for now, Sue x

Wednesday 5 October 2011

On Your Special Day!

Good morning all!  I just love white on white cards so whenever I get the chance to do one, I take it!  I think this would make a stunning wedding card, shame I don't have any weddings on the horizon!  I used the flourish embossing folder from Creative Expressions for the background as I think it adds such a romantic look to a card.  I used the scallop edgeability with the decorative insert to cut a three sides piece to add a frame for the nestibilities.  Using the heart squares, I cut the three largest sizes and layered them up as my focal element for my sentiment.  I added some white frilly edges ribbon to the card by lacing it through the side holes and tying a bow.  By adding a flower made from white wool felt made from the spiral flower I had a ready made embellishment for atop my bow.  I added the white decorative pearl stick pins and pierced around the edge to complete the card.  By the way, this is actually a folded card, not just a front like I usually show with my samples.  I'm not sure what possessed me to make it that way, maybe I am just hoping for an invite to a wedding so I can use this one! LOL  All for now, Sue x

Tuesday 4 October 2011

More Earthtones!

Hi everyone!  More earthtones for todays post so I hope you don't mind.  I was really drawn to the new vintage ribbon colours, but this time I used a creamy yellow as a background with them.  This card was designed with the sole purpose of showing off the new edgeability dies.  I have layered up my border using them with the rust card cut with the triple scallop edge. The dark brown border was cut using the large scallop die with the half circle insert.  I cut both sides of the border for symmetry.  You may need to click on the picture to see the detail on the very centre of the border, but I embossed the very centre piece so that it was raised up into the decorative holes in the middle.  These dies allow you to create borders with customized special details which is one of the reasons that makes them such special tools to crafters.  You can punch a border, but I don't think that I could emboss another colour into a punched border like I was able to do here quickly and easily too.  I wrapped the ribbon vertically around the card, but under the border before adding a bow and finishing it with a cream organza rose and a couple of crystal decorative stick pins.  A bit of piercing and matting and layering to bring the colours from the card into the edge finishes off this simple card.  Quite easily reproducible for a quick card for a special friend.  All for now, Sue x

Monday 3 October 2011

Floral Medallion Card
























Good morning all!  We got in some new colours of the vintage ribbon recently and so I started this card by picking out papers to match.  I really like the contrast of the white background with the earthtone hues.  I used the new Samantha Walker Ornate Tags and Accent dies from Spellbinders for the focal point on this card.  I love the floral medallion look you get from these when they are all layered up.  I mirrored the focal point in the embossed background which uses the floral embossing folder by Creative Expressions.  I also tried to get a similar look from the edgeability I used on the centre border.  I finished the card with a big messy bow using both shades of the new vintage ribbon, some bakers twine and topped it with a brown zipper rose. Another quick and easy card if you just want to say hello to a friend.  Aren't those the best kind of cards to get!  All for now, Sue x

Sunday 2 October 2011

A Quick Card For You

Hi there blog friends!  I did say that I was going to try to blog more often, didn't I?  My goal is to actually get all the cards that |I make up on the blog at one time or another.  I have a backlog of cards from previous shows that have never seen blogland so I am hopefully going to be able to get them all up here in the coming weeks.  I used the postage stamp dies from Spellbinders on this card as I love the way they look with the fleur de lis edgeability insert die.  This is a very simple sketch layout which works really well if you are in need of a quick card.  I used a couple of decorative background papers that aren't actually matching papers (they are from two different companys), but I rather liked the way they looked together.  I just love stripes and polka dots together.  See you don't have to have perfect matches in everything!  I was in a green mood that day so I added some green card for the mat and the border along with some green vintage ribbon as an embellishment.  More swirls for interest , black rhinestone swirls this time (I am in love with them, they are so much fun and  great for filling in areas on your cards that just scream out for something more).  I finished my edge with piercing all the way around for this one as it makes a great frame for your cards.  Hope you enjoy it! 
  Just to let everyone know I see we have hit the taget for our blog candy drawing, but I am currently back in the States visiting my parents for a few weeks.  I will do the drawing as soon as I return to the Uk around the middle of the month.  FYI, if you sign up for a follower before the drawing, you will be included  too.  All for now, Sue x

Saturday 1 October 2011

My Love Affair With Black And Cream Continues!

Morning all!  How about this for black and cream simplicity?  Those are two of my favourite colours for card making.  I just think they are so regal and elegant together.  I have used the Grand nestibilities in the scalloped squares as a card back and the Grand square with the edgeability insert to give the background card a bit of interest.  I then used the grand oval dies and cut the shape, left the card in the die and ran it through our Flourish  embossing folder with one very important change.  You cannot close the folder as the die may cut into the top of the folder.  You need to place your card onto one side of your folder, add your tan mat on top and then a few pieces of card as a shim, then the Creative Expressions embossing plate (not the pink plate that comes with your Grand Calibur) and then run it through your machine.  When you do this in this manner, you get that lovely little edge on your die that does not get embossed and acts as a frame for your die cut piece.  I cut a faux nestie to add a mat and I pierced all the way around it.  The frame was cut from Labels twenty two and raised for emphasis with foam mounting pieces..  I finished the piece with a spiral flower cut from cream felt, black vintage ribbon tied into a messy bow and a couple of black decorative pins.  A true Spellbinders card through and through.  Hope you like it!  All for now, Sue x