More flowers and butterflies

 

 Actually just one flower and some butterflies.  Whilst nursing a stinking cough and cold I have tried playing some more with the Carnation Crafts 'Floral Embrace' set.  Again I played a little with the colours, but have decided that my current graphics programme isn't sophisticated enough so I am looking to find something better.

In the meantime I cut out a white lacy layer to act as a background.  (I can't remember the make I am afraid).  The little butterflies are also from Carnation Crafts with added Glamour dust and some gems.

Nothing from Katy Sue this time but I will confess that I have been shopping and have some more delicious 3D die-cut decoupage sheets to play with - so watch this space.

I hope all are well in this freezing weather.  Don't catch cold.  I did.  The first cough and cold for at least 4/5 years.  Stay safe.

Carol

xx

Flowers and butterflies

 I have been exploring and playing with some new purchases.  Three of which are from Carnation Crafts and  one is from Katy Sue.

I have had hours of fun using all these wonderful dies. Firstly the background frames are from a Carnation Crafts (CC) matting and layering set called Teardrop and Sweep.  I bought the whole set as follows.

The flowers and leaves all come from Floral Embrace. A new to me set of dies and vignettes from CC. I have spent hours printing out the flowers and making them up. I have even discovered that I can change the colours a little using my graphics programme.  Also changing the paper used makes a great difference in the colour tones. I added some fine beads to the centres .

The pink butterflies are from Perfect Packages - another set of dies from CC and the yellow are die cuts from Katy Sue.

I can't remember where I purchased the sentiment banner.  I bought it such a long time ago.

I have made up dozens of the flowers from Floral Embrace in all the different shades so I will be busy.  I think flowers and butterflies will be my theme for quite a while.

Carol

xx

Halloween

I have dipped my toe into the world of Halloween card making.  It is not a 'festival' that I have ever really been interested in except that I have always enjoyed making Halloween ATCs.  So I joined a group of Halloween card swappers and set to with - I must admit - enthusiasm.  I enjoyed every minute and am quite pleased with the results.  I am now going to bore you with them all.

The scene came from ?  The ghosts and sentiments are a download purchase from Jans Digi Stamps. The book and candle are from Tattered Lace.

 

The crypt scene is from Tattered Lace, as is the cauldron. The others are cut using dies that I have had for ages.   May be from Tattered Lace.

The scene is a Tattered Lace background. The gravestone is also from Tattered Lace. The ghosts and 'Boos' are from dies I have had for some time and the tree is a download from Jans Digi Stamps.

The ghosts and cats are cut using  dies from stash and the rest are downloads from Beccys Place.

The scene is from ?.  I have added the sentiment using my graphics programme.

Another background from Tattered Lace. The die-cuts made using dies from stash.

Background from stash. The window, spider and web are all peel offs. The ghost is from Tattered Lace and the black cat.pumpkins  and sentiment are cut with a dies from stash.

Tattered Lace background. All the die-cuts used dies from stash.

All this was made using a pyramage from an Ooh La La CD called 'Faithful Friends'

  I have mentioned everything I used  under the appropriate image.  I used my graphics programme (ACDSee) for any borders and for adding my name to each image.  The font- in case you are interested is - chiller.  Looks good in red -  doesn't it?                                 

I am looking forward to receiving my swaps for this first venture into 'Halloween'.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Challenge #69 - hosted by Jocelyn

As always the CD Sunday Plus Challenges are anything goes as long as the challenge rules are followed - which you can find here.

This is my card for this challenge:

Now I have made a very very similar card before and shown it on here.  There seems to be a thing about camper vans.  Actually I think this is the 4th time I have used this image as the base of a card.

This was a special request from my DIL for her to give to her neice at her wedding.   My granddaughter Ellie was one of the bridesmaids.  As the other wedding card  was for the same family my DIL was very familiar with it and wanted one as like it as possible - with one or two tweaks.  The wedding itself was to take place on a cliff top but that I couldn't do so the beach it had to be. The groom was in the army and a Scot.  I couldn't find a suitable groom in a kilt so we settled for tartan bows and sentiment.  The wedding colours were green and navy.  This time I managed to hide the extra face between the bride and the chaplain.  The date of the wedding was on the number plate.  Last time it was the name of the camper van.

I was quite surprised that I enjoyed making it all again - well almost.  I am blowing my own trumpet I know but I was told that the happy couple want to frame the card.

So if you need a wedding card and have a camper van - I am your gal.

Carol xx

More stitching but this time for the Christmas Box (card no: 35)

 

Stitch and Do -Cards Only

 

I sat and did the stitching last night whilst half watching some old Silent Witness DVDs.  I am using the new Mettler threads.  I have now used 9 of the colours.  I like to use just three colours for each card and then match the image to the threads - or vice versa

The beautiful Robin is a 3D die-cut from Carnation Crafts.  They do a set of two - names Flynn and Fifi.  I don't know which one is which especially as male and female robins look the same.

I also use a Carnation Crafts die to cut out the red layer of card.  The sentiment is also die-cut but I can't remember which make.

A couple for Christmas and one for the box

 Stitch cards again.

Both the stitch patterns are by Stitch and Do and purchased from here.

Both the central images are from a Tattered Lace Collection.  I tried to match the thread colours as nearly as possible to the images and then added gems to the Christmas tree and half pearls to the second card. The mouse in the shoe is decoupaged.

This third card is again using a pattern from Stitch and Do. The threads are by  Gutermann.  The sentiment is die-cut from some glitter card,  and gems are from stash.

Carol 

xx

Stitching, stitching, stitching.....

I am thinking that perhaps I should change the name of my blog to 'Carol's Crafting Place' as the emphasis on parchment work has gone adrift at the moment.  I seem to be concentrating on die-cutting and stitching.

I am enjoying it and I don't have to do parchment so the apt saying 'Am I bovvered?' comes to mind.

That preamble is in order to show you two more stitched cards.  For some reason I just love the first one.   I chose the 3D Push Out decoupage first and then tried to choose the three colours for the stitching to match the Koala and tree.   Isn't he/she adorable?

For the second card I used a Carnation Crafts die-cut as the central image.  This time I did the stitching first and then found the image to blend with the colours I had used.

The backgrounds for both cards were cut using Carnation Crafts frame dies.

As I now have many stitching blanks and oodles of needles and thread I expect I will be boring you all with many more.  And..... they are all now neatly stored in my new needlework box.   An early birthday present from my sister.

Happy stitching.

Hugs, Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #57 - hosted by me

I am stepping up again - as hostess -  sooner than usual as our Wynn is still not ready to join us properly.

Even though our every day movements are still so limited the time seems to be flying by.  Easter next weekend and next month  my second birthday to be spent in 'lockdown'.   I don't gad about as a rule but I do like to have a birthday meal out with friends.  There are 7 in our group and we are badly missing our outings.

Anyway, on to business.  For this challenge I have made an easel card:

The dies and downloads I have used are  Flower Frames from Carnation Crafts - 'Summer Daze' - and  dancer 'Jasmine' from Tattered Lace Floral friends.  They have all been decoupaged.  The greeting comes from a favourite set of dies.

I used Carnation Craft shabby square dies for the card pieces which were cut from watercolour effect pearlescent card  (a favourite),  and I have left a space in front of the 'catcher' so that I can add a message of some kind at the appropriate time.    

 We have been receiving many great entries into our challenges and it is great to visit you all and see what else you all do.  Please feel free to leave comments as you pass by. It is always nice to hear from you.

Hugs

Carol

xx

 

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #55 - hosted by Pamela

 For this challenge I found a stitching pattern that I had purchased and downloaded quite a while ago.  I don't think I have done it before  -  but anyway here it is.

The pattern is from Stitching Cards - of course - and was a nice easy pleasant one to make.  I have used my favourite Carnation Crafts 'Shabby' die for the stitching image and then a couple of larger ones to add the matting layers.  This rectangular die has proved to be the perfect size for all the Stitching Card patterns.  The only thing you have to watch is that during the act of stitching it is easy to catch the thread on the little nicks in the side of the mat.

I have added a trimmed die cut bow as the hanger for the lantern and die cut words from my stash.

The dimpled scalloped edged card I found in the cupboard.  No idea how long I have had it or where it came from but it looked lonely by itself.

I hope all are well and still happily crafting and I look forward to visiting you, and have you visit me and my fellow teamies.

Hugs

Carol

xx

More for the go-to box using Carnation Crafts

 

I used the Carnation Crafts 'Shabby' square dies for the two background mats.  The 3D decoupaged wreath is another of the 'Summer Daze' collection.  The two little birds are from the 'Returning Home' (CC) dies used without the little branch that they are usually sitting on.

The die-cut sentiments are from a set I have had for some time.  What I love about them is that there are 12 words in the set that can be used to make up many different sentiments.  I like the font as well.

I must do some paperwork but I expect if I get bored I will be back to the craft table.  Where else is there to be during all this?  I am so pleased I am a 'crafter'.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Mixed collections - Tattered Lace and Carnation Crafts

 

 

A simple one for the go-to box.  I will add a greeting or sentiment as and when appropriate.

I used Carnation Craft  shabby dies to cut the mounts.  The young lady is called Lily and is from the Tattered Lace collection - Floral friends.  The 3D flowered frame is by Carnation Crafts and is one of 3 in the Summer Daze collection.

The mount behind the images is from a collection of  Watercolour Effect Pearlescent card that I bought some time ago.  I can't remember from where but they are beautiful.  The second, deep maroon, mount was made by colour copying the dark carnation using my graphics programme. 

I can't decide, at the moment,  whether to add gems or suchlike . I will wait until I am going to use it and then decide.

I have got lots more die-cuts done and ready to use so off to play some more.

So I have played some more and made this card:

 

This card used the Carnation Crafts Mixed Floral shaped dies.  I decoupaged 2 and a half layers using small sticky pads so that it won't be too high.
I love the flowers used for this image and the Vignettes are just beautiful to use.  The die-cut sentiment comes from stash.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Tattered Lace goes to Africa

 I have been having fun with some  recent Tattered Lace purchases belonging to two collections - Wonderful Wilderness and Wondrous Wilderness.  I just fell in love with the beautiful animals.  The images are so life like and imposing and I couldn't wait to get started.

Here are three of my recent makes.  There will be more to come I am sure.

Now there is a little twist you may have noticed.  I have written the sentiments in Swahili.  Somehow 'Hello' and 'Birthday wishes' didn't seem enough so I puzzled and came up with the Swahili.  I have been lucky enough to have been to Africa and seen all these sights and listened to the locals speaking in Swahili. It sounded very lyrical and friendly.

The first card reads - Happy Birthday

The second reads -  Hello my friend. I hope you are well.

The third reads -  Sending love and best wishes.

I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I have enjoyed showing them to you.

Carol

xx

More for the go-to box

The stitching pattern is from here.

I used two of my Carnation Craft (Shabby) dies for the white and blue mats.  The background I made using an image of St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow and my Kaleidoscope CD. The toning flowers in the corners were made using one of my Marianne dies. For the eyes and mouth of the doll I used some appropriate peel offs.

Another stitched pattern from the same site.  I have used this pattern before but last time I used pink for the Kimono.  Again I used the Shabby dies for the mats.  The backing paper I found on the net and used my graphics programme to add a border. The sentiment is made using a die from Tattered Lace.

This was made using my Kaleidoscope CD and an image from the net.  It is difficult to see in the photo but I have printed the images on mat photo paper and then added some 150 micron acetate to give it more 'shine'.

I love using my Kaleidoscope CD and it would be so easy to use it for all my cards. You could spend hours making and choosing a pattern as one little tweak of the pattern makes a completely different kaleidoscope.

Here is the background sheet that I made for the first card to show how it is done.

 The Kaleidoscope programme makes the image in a square format. I just used my printer to change the shape to fit the card I wanted to make.

I hope all are well and staying safe.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge - #51 - Anything goes - hosted by Wynn.

 (Please see Challenge Blog side-bar for the rules)

I hope everyone had the best Christmas and New Year that was possible. For those of us plunged into Tier 4 it was a bit of a shock but if I am honest, not totally unexpected.

I hope, though, that all are well and eager to join in with our challenges.

My first card for this year is for Arlo - one of my Great Nephews.  He will be 4 this month and growing fast. His brother, Ellis, will be 6 in February so another card to make.   Ellis likes wildlife and 'stuff' so my new Tattered Lace dies and charismas will come into play for his card.  I have managed to see a recent short video of both the boys and they are growing so fast.

So here is my card for Arlo, who likes rockets and things:

It is all from the La Pashe stable.  I love using all the CDs by La Pashe  that I have and I wish they were still around making more.  

The image came from Big One - Vol 2 - Kids and Teens decoupage. The Background was from the Big One backgrounds.  I used my  Carnation Crafts Shabby dies for the white and dark blue mats.

I used my Marianne letters die set for his name and a sentiment die (name forgotten) for the Happy Birthday.  The number 4 is from a sheet of peel offs. 

I am looking forward to another year of crafting, visiting your Blogs and welcoming you to mine.

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

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

Lots of Love

I have been playing again with a new to me die.  This time a Wisteria die from Tattered Lace.  I love Wisteria.   A house I once lived in had a huge Wisteria vine all over the front of the house and it always had two flowerings.

Here is my Wisteria:

The Wisteria die, the coloured card and the Wisteria charisma all came from Tattered Lace.  The two teeny weeny bees are die-cuts from Hunkydory.  The die-cut bows and sentiment are from my stock of dies - but I cannot remember from whom I bought them.   The white oval die-cut behind the Wisteria is from a set of dies by Carnation Crafts called Shabby.

When I look at the photograph and look at the two bows it seems that they should have been done in a contrast colour but in life, they do look right.

Hugs
Carol.

Majestic Kingfisher

This card was made using dies etc from the Tattered Lace Favourite Florist Collection.

I saw a sample card made using the Kingfisher with the thistle plant and the two looked good together so I made my own on the same theme.

I used a new to me set of arched dies.  A recent purchase from Hunkydory. The backing paper inside the arches was one of the Tattered Lace downloads that come with the collection.  Also - of course - the Kingfisher and the thistle were  downloads to be used with the dies.

I think this will make a good male birthday card so it will be saved until next year.  I have been so busy card making during this awful stay-in time that I have made all my cards for the rest of the year.
Carol
xx

Afternoon Tea

Some more die-cutting and decoupage. This time from the Tattered Lace Afternoon Tea Collection.  The dies and the corresponding downloads are so easy to use and I think they look amazing.

I have still got lots more to keep me occupied.

Hugs
Carol
xx