UKSN - a new challenge

 One of our members suggested a new challenge.  She had obviously been working her way through a large tin of  very high quality sweeties during Christmas and  saved all the wrappers.  Her challenge was for us to make cards, or ATCs, or such like using similar wrappers as part of the project. 

Now coincidentally I happened to have the same high quality sweeties but I hadn't actually started mine.  But of course there was now a challenge, so I started eating a few - choosing the sweeties with the colour wrappers I wanted to use.

I really enjoyed this challenge.  First of all I thought of stained glass windows but although I searched my many many dies I hadn't got a suitable one.  Then I found just the thing and here is the card I made.

This was a die set that I bought quite a while ago but hadn't actually used.  It consists of the palette, brush and paint tubes together with tube tops, labels and squirts of paint. The  pieces of the coloured cellophane sweetie wrappers just needed to be cut to size and glued to the back of the palette die.

I knew where to go for the background - my trusty La Pashe CDs.  I added the tri-coloured border with my graphics programme.

Whilst I am posting about UKSN challenges here is the latest CCC challenge - #37.

The theme for this was Feathers, colour Purple, and the Letter - F

The background and the coloured part of the fan comes from an old Artylicious CD - Peacock Summer Party.  The background colour is more purple in real life.

It seems odd to wish a Happy New Year whilst we are still finding our way through all this mayhem so perhaps I should just wish everyone a Happier New Year and 2021.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Last Christmas card - I think

 My son is not very enthusiastic about things Christmassy so it is very hard to know what card to give him, or make for him.  He loves pictures of the New York skyline and other such vistas so I found a picture on the net and made this for him.

 

 I hope it isn't too Christmassy.  He will have to put up with Santa and his sleigh.  I used my graphics programme to add a border and find a different sort of font.

Carol

xx

UKSN Facebook

 I have three CCC (Captivating Card Challenge) entries to show you today.

#33 - Theme:  Penguins

          Colour: Grey

          Letter:   S

I used an image from La Pashe for this one.

#34 - Theme:  Reindeer

          Colour: Dark Blue

          Letter:   L

 The pattern is from Stitching Cards and is one of my favourites. I always make this at least once a year.

Lastly

#35 - Theme:  Any animal wearing a Santa hat.

          Colour: Red

          Letter:   J

 Again I used an image from La Pashe.  A favourite image as I am very fond of Meercats.  Three of the front ones are decoupaged.

 #33 went off to the winner of the draw.  #34 was sent to a member who is poorly at the moment and #35 has yet to be drawn.

Now waiting to find out to whom to send the 'Meercats' and what #36 will be about.

P.S.  The Meercats are off to Scotland .  I will probably give #36 a miss unless I find  some spare time from somewhere.

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #50 - AG - hosted by Jo

It is raining hard again whilst I am typing my blog entry.  But when hasn't it been raining.  I am very aware of the weather whilst typing as my computer is in the conservatory and the continual cascade of water is a bit depressing.

Perhaps my card for this challenge will cheer me/us up as it is supposed to represent a lovely day out in the country.

I have used several dies and charisma downloads from Tattered Lace for this one.  The background paper, the background scene (which I think is gorgeous) and the bicycle die are all part of the Picture Getaways Collection. The backgrounds on the USB are fantastic.

The die cut flowers/downloads are from the Favourite Florist  and Timeless Lace.  The little bee comes from a Hunkdory die and download.

I haven't chosen a sentiment yet. I will wait until I know to whom I am going to send it.

Challenge #51 will be in the New Year - Sunday 3rd January.

I hope that you all manage to have the best Christmas possible within the boundaries that we have been given by the Government.

I look forward to visiting your blogs during the next few weeks and I hope you will visit me.

So for now may I wish you a Happy Christmas and a really good and healthy 2021.

Virtual hugs

Carol

xx

UKSN Facebook

 We are now up to challenge CCC#32.

Theme: Background with stars

Colour: Red

Letter: C

Those above criteria can only mean Christmas -  so here is my entry:

I used a starry background design from a Carol Anne's Studios CD.  The Father Christmas image comes from La Pashe with the border and sentiment added using my graphics programme. Then I just added a few peel off red stars.

I wasn't the successful one in the last draw so my wonderful handsome Harrison Ford went off to pastures new. 😢

So with this little card may I wish an early Happy Christmas - and don't all shout at once please.

xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #49 - hosted by Pamela

 Our challenge is 'Anything Goes' as usual, but of course, remembering to use either a CD, USB or Digital image - or any combination of the aforementioned  - somewhere in the making.

Like my last challenge make I have made this one before -  but slightly differently.

I have used one of Carol Anne's CDs again .  I must put them away for a while.  For these ATCs I used  Carol Anne's Studio  CD 14 - Glitz 'n' Bitz.

These have been decoupaged and had some pearl heart embellishments added,  and are now just awaiting an appropriate ATC swap.

I look forward to some serious blog hopping and hope that you will visit me too.

Carol

xx

UKSN Facebook

 Our weekly challenges seem to come round very quickly.

This time:

Theme: Hollywood Celebrity

Colour: Yellow

Letter: M

I have 'worshipped' this icon of the film industry from afar since he first appeared on the silver screen.

Hence the sentiment.

Carol

xx

UKSN Facebook

Here are my latest two entries into one of the challenges.

Here is CCC#29

Theme: Ice Cream

Colour: Green

Letter: U

I was the lucky winner of the draw so I get to keep my card and receive the other entries.

This is CCC#30 - this weeks challenge.

Theme: Lighthouse

Colour: Orange

Letter: C

For this one I found a sepia/grey scale print on the internet and coloured it myself using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. I also found the saying on the 'net and used my graphics programme to add it and the border to the picture. The backing paper is some rainbow paper that I keep for when I am backing parchment projects.  I printed out the finished image onto glossy photo paper which gives it a lift.

I enjoy these little challenges and have only missed a few at the beginning.  A change from Christmas/Birthday cards and ATCs.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 48 - Anything Goes - hosted by Carol (me)

For this challenge I revisited something that I had done for a previous challenge ( way back in 2013) but altered it a little so it isn't exactly the same.  This came about because at the time I was using an old CD favourite of mine by Carol Anne's Studio - Carol Ann's Studio Midi CD-4 Flutterby Purple (here)  -  and I remembered this one and wanted to make it again.

 Here it is:

Here are some extra photos to show  it all:

And here are a few samples of the tags and sayings that are inside - ready to be used in and on future cards.

 I loved making these and hope you enjoyed looking at them.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Diwali

Here is a card I have made for a Diwali Festival challenge.  I have used a pattern from Stitching cards with Gutermann Sulky threads, glitter card and some blue gems.

I enjoyed making the card and am looking forward to seeing all the entries into the challenge. There is much you can do.  The following is the description,  and the suggestions, by the organiser.

'Diwali is the Festival of Lights.
You could use, divas (candles), peacocks, henna /paisley patterns, elephants, Ganesh (the elephant headed God), fireworks, water lilies/ lotus flowers, mandalas! You can use paper stamps stickers fabric etc.' 

As you can see I chose a peacock for my theme.

 November 14th is Diwali Festival Day.  Happy Diwali.

xx

Christmas card top-up

 I have been making some more Christmas cards using some Tattered Lace dies and charismas.

As you can see I think the mouse in the boot is my favourite image of the moment.  I have also made a couple of other ones for the go-to box:

All of the image dies used are by Tattered Lace and but most of the layering dies are other makes that I have had for a long time. 

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge - #47 - hosted by Jocelyn

 Well - it has been another wet week.  I hope everyone has managed to stay reasonably dry.  My jolly moment of the week was seeing my window cleaner this morning.  When I asked if he was mad to have come today he said that it was supposed to be dry!!

For our challenge #47 I have made a card using one of my Carol Anne's Studio CDs - No: 14 - Glitz 'n' Bitz.  Some of my very favourite CD's are by Carol Anne's Studios.  They never fail to supply style and colour.

  

I made the card to include a simple sentiment.  At the moment we seem to be sending many more cards to each other and quite a few are just to say Hi - I haven't forgotten you -  and -  that I hope you are well and coping.  So this card will be for my 'Cards for Kindness' box.

It all comes from the CD except for the die-cut sentiment.  I have had these dies for some time but cannot remember from whence they came.  The shoes are decoupaged and the sentiment is cut in purple mirror card.  The purple edge to the card is just so that it doesn't blend into the background page.

Stay safe everyone and thank you for your visit.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Stitch and Do Kits

 I realised - after counting up - that I needed a few more Christmas cards.  I decided that I would  make some seasonal stitch cards especially as I had purchased these new to me kits from Amazon.

Not the plain sailing I expected.  I have been doing stitching on cards for years so didn't forsee any problems.

Firstly the cards are very small - 134mm square - the stitched topper is a wee bit smaller.  The kit includes 3 linen cards, embroidery thread, 3 toppers with already pricked pattern and 3 x  3D images for decoration.

The embroidery thread was very very fine.  Difficult to use as it split very easily and kept coming out of the needle because it was so fine and consequently difficult to re thread.  The pattern is very delicate so I guess it needs fine thread but I think a better quality could have been found.

The biggest problem was the pictures of the patterns. Those to show the pattern and colour usage.  They had done a small enlargement of part of the pattern but even with magnification it was hard to read.

I have finished two of the first pack that I purchased.  They took quite a while because they were delicate and the problems with the threads.

In fact the first one here uses the thread that came with the pack and for the second card I have used my own threads - matching the colours. 

  In the second card I have altered the pattern slightly because I couldn't quite make out the instructions and I got cross.   I used my own push out decoupage images on both of the cards as the ones provided were not die cut and too fiddly to cut out.

I probably will persevere with these. I will certainly make the third card in this pack but think about making up the other pack.  I must be honest and say that I like the look of the cards.  They look small, delicate and quite elegant.  I am thinking about it.

Carol

xx

UKSN Facebook

Here are my cards for the last two of our weekly themed card events.

CCC#26

Theme: Tiger

Colour: Yellow

Letter:   K

CCC#27

Theme: Rainbow

Colour: White

Letter: Y

Until I started to think about what to do with this theme I didn't know there were such things as 'white rainbows'.  They are very rare and apparently are referred to as 'fogbows'. Fascinating.  I love learning new 'stuff'.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #46 - hosted by Margaret

For our challenge this time I am posting one of the first serious cards I made with the Tattered Lace Collection - Peaceful Picture.  I have made some since which I have shown but not this one.

The water colour scenery is from a Tattered Lace project book that came with the collection.  The barge and decoupaged flowers are die-cut charisma downloads and the white die cut circle is from the Abby Hill die set.  The bow die I have had for some time.   

I enjoyed  making this and am planning to use it for one of my go-to birthday cards.

I hope all are well and not getting too wet.  As I am typing this the heavens have opened again and the rain is beating down on the conservatory roof.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Two more for my Go to box

 I have been having fun with some more of my Tattered Lace purchases.  

The topper for the first card is an image die cut with a freebie die that came with Tattered Lace Magazine No: 61.  I must admit it wasn't the easiest die to use.  Normally the charisma papers drop out of the die very easily but this one didn't until I used the Cut Tidy sandwich and then it just popped out.

I just decoupaged one layer and added some flowers to the edges punched using my Marianne Sakura flower die. The background card and lace edging came from Tattered Lace Vintage Heritage Collection.  The 'Just For You' washing line sentiment die is also by Tattered Lace.

For this following card I used one of the great decoupaged basket of flowers toppers from the Sensational Celebrations Collection by Tattered Lace.  I used three circle dies for the backgrounds and they were then set on a lace background - Tasar - from the Wild Silk Collection.  I added a few little gems to give some sparkle.

Carol

xx

UKSN Facebook

Two more challenges to show.  Firstly CCC#24.

Theme: Flamingos

Colour: Pink and Black

Letter: R

I made two cards for this challenge. I seemed to get the juices going and couldn't stop. Here they are.

and

These have been posted to the winner of the draw.

The latest challenge is CCC#25

Theme: Bicycle

Colour: Grey

Letter: M

When I first read the challenge all I could see in my mind was Queen with their song - 'I want to ride my bicycle'.  I am a big Queen fan.  So I played the CD a few times but then changed my mind and the next thing to come to mind was E.T riding in the basket on the bike up towards the Moon.

So.....

I had fun making this and I hope whoever wins the challenge likes it.

Carol

xx

Bouquet of Roses

 I have use a lacy background die from Carnation Crafts together with a new favourite from Tattered lace - Sash 3D Roses.

 The bouquet has 4 layers of decoupage including the base layer and I stamped the sentiment.  First time I have stamped anything for ages. I had to search for them.

I needed a background sheet in a colour to match the roses so again I used my graphics programme to scan one of the roses and make a huge border.  This border I kept increasing in size until the rose was a small dot in the middle of the sheet.   I have had this programme now for 11 years and still discovering things it can do that I hadn't noticed before.

There are 4 dies in the Sash 3D series but unfortunately I only have 3.  I am trying to track down the Tulip bouquet to complete my set.

If anyone knows of one going please let me know.

Hugs

Carol

xx

p.s. I have tracked down the Tulip bouquet die set and now just awaiting its arrival. xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #45 - AG - hosted by Wynn

Isn't the new Blogger fun?  I post the CD Sunday Plus blog as well as my own and did I have trouble?  For some reason - best know to someone else - it wouldn't let me align each team members name above their picture.  I tried for so long and had to give up in the end.  It all looks so odd but c'est la vie.

Anyway I am supposed to posting my own blog.  Here is my team contribution:

I used an image from a CD by Faye Whittaker.  I decoupaged a little and added floral corner  die cuts  by Hunkydory.  I found a new to me font using my graphics programme called Freehand591 BT which I used for the sentiment.  I like it so much that I now use it quite often.  I also matched the backing paper to the little red dress in the image.

I hope all are well and still managing to keep sane.  Crafting is the best medicine.

Carol

xx

Vintage Flower Cart

Now this one was so much easier to do, and because of that I enjoyed getting lost in the making.

This is from the Tattered Lace Collection -  Glamour Afternoon Tea.  The blue oval matt is from a set of dies by Carnation Crafts and the blue spotted card I found in my stash.

All the die cuts and decoupage for the cart are from the appropriate charisma for the collection.   I printed out several so that I could add more pots around the cart to make a picture rather than just a die cut.   Before I attached the cart to the background I used the cart background die and cut out from a sheet of parchment paper and glued it to the back and trimmed round.   I think it gives a good completed image.

There are two sometimes three levels of decoupage.   In some places I have glued directly to the background and others I have used 1mm pads.

The Lots of Love die cut sentiment is one of a series that I have had for a long time and the little flowers on the ends are from Marianne and are called Sakura.

I hope you enjoy seeing this as much as I have enjoyed making it.

Carol

xx

You learn something every day

As any followers of my blog may have  realised  that at the moment I am more hooked on Tattered Lace 3D die cutting than parchment crafting - temporarily I hope.

I have bought many collections - perhaps too many - and I am slowly trying them out for size. The latest being the die set for the 'Fancy Easel card'.

I saw this card on Pinterest:

I have no idea who made it so that I can give credit but I thought it amazing and I would like to have a go - was my thought.

It obviously uses the dies from the Fancy Easel set.  There are instructions on the Tattered Lace site for using this set but for an easel card and not one like the above.  Refusing to be daunted I started.  Can't be too difficult?

Here is the card I made and following are the things I learned.

The first thing I found out was that when the card is folded  I didn't like the appearance - the plain uncoloured back.

So I then had to print out some pretty paper, die cut to fit and then stick on.  The difficulty with this is that the folding of the card is always difficult if you have had to stick paper over the fold.  Here is a scan of the front and back.

I also then realised that the whole card was now very thick.  I had used my favourite linen card as the basic card but by the time I had added the fancy matts and the decoupage -  it was too thick.

So if I make another I know that I must use thinner card and print a colour or pattern to the back and possible the front as well.. That will save the fiddly extra time spent on die cutting the fancy paper to fit.    Even use thinner card for the fancy matts.

As this isn't an easel card an extra piece was needed between the two shaped ends because if these are fixed together as they are there isn't enough width for the middle shaped matts. The section with the silver jug vase and flowers.   This is where it got complicated to work out and increased the weight. 

It got to the stage where I had to decide whether to continue or abandon.  I did finish as you can see by the photo but if I attempt anything other than my usual 'square is a shape'  - I will think before I leap.

Be warned and have fun if you do try this one.

Carol

xx

UKSN Facebook

We have now reached CCC#23 of our challenges.  

Theme: Silhouette Fairies - at night

Colour: Blue

Letter: O

Here is my card:

It was quite a quick one to make.  The little die-cut fairies are from Marianne again.  I have so many of the little sets.  They are so useful.

 

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #44 - AG hosted by Jo

I hope all are well.

For this challenge, I have made another stitching card.   None for a while and then one after the other.

This was made for a special reason.  I haven't had a dog for many years now and when I did have dogs they were of medium sizes and breeds like Springers  - my absolute favourite dog breed.  I had never been a lover of very small dogs until - that is -  a few weeks ago.

For various reasons, we took on my eldest son and daughter in laws dog called Alfie.  Alfie had an op on his hip and Chris and I nursed him back to health,  before giving him back.  I fell in love with the little chap.  He is a Cockapoo with bags of character.  I found a stitch card pattern of a Cockapoo - and here it is:

I think I will give this to my granddaughter instead of the Birthday Bus I did for the last challenge. The striped background comes from a La Pashe CD and the stitch pattern is a download from here.
There is a funny story about when Alfie joined the family.  My son used to drive around a lot visiting properties and checking on them and thought it would be nice to have a family dog and he could take him out in the cab with him.  He left the choice to his wife and daughter.  He was presented with Alfie and at first, was not pleased as he felt that his street cred had gone right out of the window.  But in the end, he got more attention from people he met on his travels than he would have done with a larger dog.
Chris and I didn't want to give him back and threatened to move and not leave a forwarding address.
Alfie was besotted with Chris and the sight of them together used to make me smile.  Alfie barely 12" high and Chris 6' 2".
Here is a photo of Alfie waiting for Chris to come home.

I look forward to visiting your blogs.

Hugs
Carol
xx

Tattered Lace

Here is a simple card for my go-to box made using a Tattered Lace die called Sash 3D decoupage Poppies and comes from the 'Here and there Lace Collection'.

The white Mat is from a 'lot' that I bought from eBay and the pink is from my card stock cut using one of my older dies.  The sentiment is a self coloured peel-off.  I couldn't find anything else that would fit size-wise.
This picture is scanned by the way.  I have purchased a new printer and I must say that so far I am very impressed especially with the scanning which is far less complicated than it was on the other printer.
I somehow seem to have been pushed into this new Blogger presentation and I cannot say that I like it.   If it works why muck about with it.   I now have to find out how to retrieve all my labels.

Carol
xx

UKSN Facebook

Our new CCC#22 weekly challenge is now up and running.

       Theme:   Flowers in a Vase
       Colour:   Red
       Letter:     L

I have used Tattered Lace Wild Silk for the lace background and the two matt layers.  The back matt (white) has been folded over at the top and stuck to the gold matt so that the card stands up.

The vase is from the Illuminating Collection.  After I had made up the vase using the dies and charismas I reduced it in size and reprinted with photo paper.  The red flowers are die-cut. I bought these from eBay as I do not have the appropriate die.  I added a small amount of glitter to the flower centres.

p.s. I have now discovered that this is indeed a Tattered Lace die called Climbing Rose.  I have tracked it down after quite a lot of searching - finally on eBay and I have bought it.

The word ENJOY was made with my Marianne small Alphabet die set.

Here is the card.

This is my first time playing with the Wild Silk Collection.  I can't wait to start creating with the beautiful flower dies and charismas.

Hugs
Carol
xx

 

Here is a link to the site where you can get so many of these miniature die-sets by Marianne

p.s. I was chosen as the winner so I am pleased to say I get to keep my first 'go' with the Wild Silk.

UKSN Facebook

This weekly challenge is #21.

Theme: Angels
Colour: Yellow
Letter: L

This is my creation.  Not a card this time but an ATC.  I hope the recipient (winner of the draw) won't be too disappointed to get an ATC and not a card.

My little Angel was done in parchment.  I drew round a stamped image with a black pen and then embossed and coloured.  'Halo' is die cut from a sheet of gold glitter card.  I used my tiny set of alphabet dies by Marianne that is perfect for ATCs and other small things.  I have added glitter to her Halo and her wings.
There is a matching stamp that has the Angel with her halo on straight and looking Angelic but I prefer this one.
Carol
xx