Holly Wreath

Hi folks! Hope you will excuse me for my absence... I just had to squeeze in a scrapbooking retreat at the weekend. Had a fabulous time,(*waves* to all the ladies that attended) but that's another story.

This is another card that I entered into the National Cardmaker of the Year competition. This one was for the Crafters Companion category.

I stamped and embossed the tiny Holly stamp with gold embossing powder on some dark green card. I dry embossed a panel of red card, distressed the edges with black ink and matted it onto some gold mirri card. I printed out the Holly backing sheet from the Cute Companion Christmas Collection CD rom. I then hand cut lots of the holly images. I used my largest scalloped Nestability circle die to cut an aperture in the centre of the red panel. I stamped the holly on a piece of cream card and added this behind the aperture. I secured this panel to the green card using adhesive foam pads.

I glued the Holly leaves all around the aperture using dimensional glue gel. The cute little mouse was stamped and embossed. I then coloured her with Copic Markers and added snow tex to the fur. whilst wet I added some glitter to the snow tex.

Am going to have to make another one of these cards as I was little sad when I sent it off to the competition....silly aren't I!!

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Edit: I have just noticed that this card made it to the Crafters Companion Competition entry Gallery. Here. I'm chuffed to bits :oD

Bless My Bloomers!

Hi folks!

I thought I would share some of the other cards I made for the Cardmaker of the Year Competition over the next few days. We were asked if we wanted the cards made to be donated to charity, of course I agreed, so hopefully they will brighten someones day and raise a little money for good causes too.

This was my entry for the 'Stampendous' category. I scoured the world wide web for this stamp and was so pleased when I found it. It's one of their older images produced in 1996 and she's called 'Polly Potter'. I'm so pleased how this card turned out. I used a Kraft card blank and and some Green Doodlebug frills at the bottom of the card. I layered these on with sticky foam pads to add dimension. I cut the letters from my signature, funky foam using the Go Kreate alphabet dies 'Lingfield' (larger letters) and 'London'(smaller letters). I created the rainbow by punching lots of small flowers from coloured card (the punch is a Pinflair pincer type tool) and shaping each individual flower with the embossing end of the tool into my rubbery square sticky dot eraser (yay! I found a job for it). I stuck them into place using Pinflair dimensional glue gel. Polly was coloured in using Copic Markers.

Righto... I'm off to the school PTA meeting where we're decorating a huge Christmas tree. Hope the kids will like it in the morning.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Wahoooo! I won............

Hi folks!!

I've just been bursting to tell you all that I came first in the Joanna Sheen category of The National Cardmaker of the year 2009 hosted by Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine. Today's the day the mag hit the shelves and I've just got back from the shops having purchased a few copies ;o) I'm so thrilled to have have come top in such a prestigious category. Thank you so much Joanna for choosing my card.

I wanted to make a baby card and had seen the 'diaper' fold (instructions here) online. I thought Messy Rabbit and Joanna's gorgeous Gingham papers would work beautifully with the card shape. I used some heavy weight cardstock to fold the card shape. Once scored and creased I used my Fiskars texture plate to emboss the texture onto the card (see close up bellow) and folded the card. It's really easy to keep folding and unfolding as there is no glue involved with keeping the shape together. I covered sections with the large pink gingham checks which I had edged with black ink. I used extra strips of card that I had punched with my Fiskars 'Apron' border punch to create the scallops. I cut the tag and label frame using my Nestabilities, inking all the edges. I stamped and embossed Messy Rabbit and the sentiment onto Bristol Board. I used my Copic Markers to colour Messy and carefully cut him out. I added a large white (WRMK) eyelet and some ribbon to the top of the tag to make it easy to pull out of the pouch.

I cut the letters from Funky Foam using my Cuttlebug and 'Banana Split' font. I finished off the card with a large white ribbon bow.

Many congratulation to all the winners and runners up from the competition.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Another card for the Christmas box :o)

Hi folks!

I wanted to join in with the fab November challenge over on the Joanna Sheen forum and thought I'd better get my skates on as we're heading towards the end of the month fast.

The challenge is to 'make a card using a magazine in some way. This can be simply using a free backing paper, a picture, torn paper or even making a tiny magazine to place on your card' I have used the fantastic free CDrom that came with this months Complete Cardmaking magazine and printed the patterned papers onto Linen cardstock.

I have also used my Square and Scalloped Square Nestabilities cutting a green square from my DCWV glitter stack. I then stamped a Magnolia snowflake and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. The cute character is Messy Rabbit and I have coloured him with Copic markers. The pink dots at the top are from Craftwork cards and I cut the sentiment from Funky Foam using my Cuttlebug and 'Lingfield' Go Kreate alphabet die.

I followed the sketch on Friday Sketchers which this week has been designed by my good friend Jeanette; Magnolia Down Under would like to see a Christmas card or Decoration; A Spoon Full of Sugar has a theme of Christmas cards made for babies or pre-schoolers.

That's another card for the Christmas box :o)

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

It's gone all glittery-lovely on Dare U 2 Digi Stamp

Hi folks!

As the title suggests, we've gone all glittery-lovely on Dare U 2 Digi Stamp. Hop on over to see the lovely creations from the talented DT if you would like to be inspired. I'm sure you must have a digi image tucked away in your computer files that would love to have the glitter treatment. Hope you can join in with the fun!

For this card I followed the sketch on Stamp Scrap & Doodle, Cupcake Crafts (Sponsored by my fabby friend Chris Dark this week) requires Digi images, The Craft Garden are looking for 'Sparkles', Cute Card Thursday want to see cards for Teenagers, Cute Daisy May want Texture (my green panel was embossed with the random dots Cuttlebug embossing folder before topping with ice-stickles) this weeks Colour Create challenge is Green Red & White and lastly the Creative Card Crew want to see strings/fibres attached.

The papers and card I used are by Die Cuts With a View. I cut the lettering using my gorgeous new Cricut Gypsy (I think I've died and gone to gadget heaven!!) and Expression, it's actually a Mickey Mouse font. The tiny stars are like sequins, I've had them in my stash for years. As mentioned above I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder and ice-stickles glitter glue. I coloured the Digi-Stamp 'Cracker Boys' with Copic Markers and used Glitter for their party hats. I finished the card off with some sparkly red fibre.

Sorry I've not been around much lately but I've had my head down working on a few bits that I shall be able to share with you at the end of this month.

Enough waffling from me...

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Congratulations!

Hi folks! Just a quickie as I'm dashing off to work in a mo. Here is a card I made using one of my new Digi-Stamps 'Party Man'. I thought he would be great to the party season. It was great fun making this card and I'm hoping the recipient will have a giggle when he sees it too.

I'm entering it into the following challenges: Cute Card Thursday 'Glitter me Silly' I've used crystal glitter on the glass. Papertake Weekly 'Digi and Sparkle'. Crafty Ann's Challenge 'Celebration' and I followed the sketch from Crafters Companion Challenge... and used some of their black cardstock I bought in one of Sara's huge multi packs.

Sorry I haven't been around much lately...have been really busy.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Personalised Princess/Fairytale card

Hi folks! My little ones are going to a Prince & Princess party today and I thought I'd make the birthday girl a card using Princess Charlotte (Whiff of Joy). I followed this weeks sketch oer on the Whiff of Joy Challenge blog. Stamp with Fun has a theme of a 'Card with a Scene'. The Craft Garden would like to see projects with 'Sparkle' . My Time to Craft has a theme of 'Scallops' and the Creative Card Crew would like us to use 'Ribbons & Gems'. There is a new Challenge on the block, Crafty Ann's Challenge and the very first Challenge is 'Celebrations'. I hope it's ok to enter this personalised Birthday card :D

The papers I have used are from the 'Once Upon a Time' stack by Die Cuts with a View. I'm so proud of myself cutting into these pages as I have only been able to stroke them for a long time. I used my Nestabilities to create the Square, Scalloped Square and label frame. The butterflies are punched using a Martha Stewart punch, I was surprised how well this little punch coped with the gold foil board. I cut the letters using the Go-Kreate 'Lingfield' alphabet and attached the ribbon bow with Pinflair glue gel. I stamped and embossed the Princess and coloured her with Copic Markers. I added glitter and gems for that final finishing detail.

Only one more sleep and I'll be heading to the NEC (really excited!!) Looking forward to meeting up with my fellow Sheenies and hopefully bump into lots of my blogging friends.... well not literally but you know what I mean.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Ooo I forgot to say that my last Hanglar card (here) reached the top 10 on last weeks Cuttlebug Challenge. Thank you so much for choosing my card!! ....now if I could only work out how to snag the winners blinkie

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp Challenge 25, a Sketch!

Hi folks! It's challenge #25 over on Dare U 2 Digi Stamp and this time it's a sketch by our talented DT member Larissa. There is a prize up for grabs of 2 single digi stamps from Sketching Stamper and Sandra Dry Digi Stamps.

For this card I used some High Tack double sided tape to create the squares and rectangles. I actually drew lightly around a small Nestability Square so that my squares were equal sizes. This was quite a lengthy procedure as I mitred all the corners (tricky when dealing with adhesive) but I'm pleased with the end result. I sprinkled two tones of purple glitter onto the adhesive. I wrapped some tulle around the card and tied a knot. The three girls are my Rock Chix that I printed out and painted with watercolours. I cut them out and shaped before adhering with Pinflair glue gel. The letters are cut from Funky Foam using Quickutz 'Dragonfly' font.

I hope you have a chance to join in with the fun. Don't forget to pop over to the DU2DS if you need any inspiration. The Design Team have come up with some fabulous creations.

I would also like to enter this card to the Stamptacular Sunday challenge this week that has a theme of 'Friendship'

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Joanna Sheen's RHS 'Freesias' Stamp Set

Hi folks! Here is the card I made using Joanna Sheen's RHS 'Freesias' stamp set. I cut the card blank using my Cricut Expression and the 'Wild Card' Cartridge.

I stamped and embossed the Freesias then coloured them using Cosmic Shimmer and Twinkling H2O paints. Once that had dried I sprayed over it with Cosmic shimmer mists.

I found the quote on the internet and printed it out directly onto linen card. The scalloped oval was cut on the Cricut and the decorative corners are made using a Quickutz die.

I finished the card off with a ribbon bow and a little 'Made with love' charm.

Sorry it's such a quick one today.... I have just finished a shift at work and still have lots to do this evening.

Thanks for looking and for all your lovely comments. I really appreciate them.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Joanna Sheen's RHS 'Poinsettia' Stamp Set

Hello folks!

I'd like to share the card I made using Joanna Sheen's RHS 'Poinsettia' rubber stamp set. The card shape is very simple to make. It's just a square card with the two bottom corners folded up to create the pocket. I covered to two flaps with Kraft card and then embellished it with some gold foil board that I had cut to shape with some scalloped edge scissors and embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. The Holly paper that I have used is printed out from a Crafter's Companion Christmas CD Rom.

I used my Nestabilities to cut the scalloped circle and circle that I embossed and inked around the edge.

I stamped the single flower onto some velvet paper using Stazon ink. Cut them out and used them as corner embellishments on the main card. I added gold stickles to the centre of the flowers.

I stamped and embossed the main image a few times and coloured with a mixture of Prisma Colour pencils and Copic markers (as you can see this card really 'evolved' while I was making it. In other words I kept changing my mind) For the final layer on the flowers I stamped, again, onto the velvet paper with Stazon. I adhered all the layers with Pinflair glue gel with gave added lots of lovely dimension.

Hope you like today's offering :o)

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Edited to add 'What's on your Workdesk Wednesday' picture.

Joanna Sheen's RHS 'Hydrangea' Stamp Set

Hello folks!

Here is the card I made using Joanna Sheen's RHS 'Hydrangea' Stamp set. It has not only the stunning flower itself but a beautiful butterfly and great 'all-round' occasion sentiment. If you click on the pictures for a closer look you will able to see how I stamped the butterfly on my background card and then swirled perfect pearls over them to create a very subtle backdrop for the main focal point. The card shape is basically a long strip of card where I folded the ends in to meet in the middle creating the gate fold effect. I cut another strip, this time thinner, and made a band to slip snuggly over the card. I added some sheer ribbon to the band before adhering the large scalloped circle (cut using Nestabilities) and then the circle.

I stamped and embossed the flowers. This time I coloured them with Copic markers and added a touch of glitter to the centre of each tiny flower head. I carefully cut the image out and shaped it before adhering with Pinflair Glue gel. I made a little butterfly in the same way but gave him tiny wire antennae and added a blob of pearl paint to the ends.

The inside consists of matting and layering with some lovely pearl paper. Again I stamped the butterfly image randomly over the final panel and swirled over with perfect pearls. I love how the effect differs so much on dark and light card. I stamped the sentiment and layered it up using pieces of card cut using my label Nestability set. I used an embossing tool to add the embossed detail around the edge of the label shapes with the die still in place. Using the border this created I glittered all around the edge. I finished off the inside of the card with a sweet little ribbon bow.

Thank you so much for looking.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Two more cards to share....

Afternoon folks! I have two cards to share today. The first is a card is a commission for a work colleague. I had the following challenges in mind when I made it: Moving along with the times for the sketch, Charisma Cardz is 'No backing papers', The Cuttlebug Challenge 'Favourite Things' (one of my Fav cute stamp ranges are Hanglar & Stanglar). I stamped and embossed that background (Debbie Moore stamps) with gold embossing powder. I'm happy with the parts that were missed off too, doesn't look too uniform. I cut the aperture with my square Nestabillity. I made the red frame out of card stock and covered it with red velvet paper giving a really luxurious texture. I adhered the frame to the card front using Pinflair glue gel. The text is cut from brown funky foam using my Cuttlebug and Go-Kreate 'Amsterdam' alphabet.

I inked the edges using gold and black ink pads. You can just about see the sentiment (under the aperture) which I printed out using my Xyron Design Runner and the 'Engraved' font. I used my large scalloped square Nestie to cut the panel behind the characters which I embossed with the Cuttlebug. I then rubbed some gold metallic rub on to the raised areas. I stamped the sweet Hanglar girl then again onto a 'post-it note'. I cut the extra image out carefully and masked the original stamped image so that I could stamp the little boy (overlapping slightly over the masked image) so he would appear to be standing behind the girl. I removed the mask and coloured them in with Copic markers before cutting them out and adhering to the embossed panel.

I used Prima flowers and painted the middle layer with copper cosmic shimmer paint. I inked the edges with black ink before gluing the stacked flowers together. The leaves are also by Prima and have a beautiful velvety texture. I added red gems to the centre of the flowers.

With lashing of artistic license, coloured my Hellebores in red using Copic Markers. I carefully cut them out and adhered them to an acetate panel to strengthen the piece as I wanted them to stand proud on this free standing pop up card, sometimes called a 'Trophy' card. There is a fabulous tutorial here detailing how to make one. I printed out the leaf panel from Crafter's Companion Flower Fairies CD rom. The base of the card is randomly stamped with the lovely little ladybird that comes with Joanna Sheen's 'Hellebore' Garden Flower stamp set which I painted with cosmic shimmer watercolours.

I cut a little barn door out of the leaf panel so that I could showcase the sweet little birdhouse that also comes in the stamp set. For the top of the pop up I cut a small scalloped circle using my Nestabilities and folded it over the top. A large eyelet and some ribbon continued the effect of a tag. I added a large ribbon bow and the stamped image on acetate to the front of the card.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Joanna Sheen's RHS 'Roses' Stamp Set

Morning folks!

Here's one of my favourites that I made for the RHS collection launch. I made a pocket/pouch (covered with pretty K&Co papers) and cut out a heart aperture which I backed with vellum. I made the pink border with my Martha Stewart border punch and added some velvet ric rac. I just love adding lot of different textures to my projects. I attached the tiny little heart shaped metal charm with some sheer ribbon.

I stamped and embossed the images. These were water coloured using distress inks. I then carefully cut them out with a craft knife.

For the card I used the same MS punch, some pink ribbon, brads and a large eyelet so that the card may be easily removed from the pocket. I cut the frame using my trusty circle and scalloped circle Nestability dies. I further embellished the inside of the card and included the beautiful 'Love to You' sentiment that came with the 'Roses' Hothouse flowers stamp set, but I forgot to take a picture of it before sending the card to Joanna.

I love how you can still see the muted image of the roses through the vellum heart. A truly romantic card that would suit many occasions.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x