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

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #43 - AGC - hosted by me.

I hope all are well and still happily crafting.  It has come round again with my turn to host the Challenge.   I am looking forward to visiting all the blogs of those who enter our challenge and choosing my Top 3.

Now here is my design team card:

A download stitch card from Stitching cards.  This could be for my granddaughter who will be 17 in November.  I find this fact very difficult to take in and/or believe.

These sort of stitch cards are quite hard to do as the hole pricking has to be so accurate because if it isn't the lines of the vehicle will be crooked.   From past experience, I can tell you that that looks awful.

I may yet change my mind and do something else for Ellie.  I have taken delivery of more Tattered Lace and I am so tempted.

Keep safe everyone.  Please join in our challenges and visit my fellow teamies. Just click on their names on our blog.

Hugs
Carol
xx

UKSN Facebook

Another weekly challenge.  This time #20,  and  the brief was :

Theme: Bathtub/things in the bathroom

Colour: Lime Green

Letter: B

 

I did some thinking outside the box - or rather outside the bathroom-  and here is my card:

I have moved the bathtub and I have wine for 'things in the bathroom'.  Why not!

I enjoyed making this one and looking forward to finding out to whom I have to send it.

xx

 

Flutterbies

I was making a future project as a design team card for CD Sunday Plus and I got sidetracked.  Easily done  - and with all this time on our hands, it isn't a problem.

I was using some crafting favourites - Carol Ann's Studio CDs and Shabby dies by Carnation Crafts.

This is what I created for no reason other than I enjoyed the making and it will go in my box ready to send to someone - and hope they like it.

Carol Ann's Studio CDs are full of delicious papers, graphics and ideas.  I have had them for some time and go back to them time and time again.  The striped paper and the ATC size topper are from her Midi CD-4. Flutterby Purple.
My set of Shabby oval dies was used for the aperture and matts.  The butterflies were die-cut from dies I have had for some time and gems are old favourites.

Now off to finish the project that started all this but you won't see that for some time.  That is the only downside of being on a design team.  When you have made something you naturally want to show it off and talk about it - a natural human reaction - but it has to be a secret until the planned challenge day.  In this case about 3 months.
 
I will see you before then.
Hugs
Carol
xx

UKSN Facebook

Here is my card for the latest UKSN weekly challenge. This time the theme was Purple, Dragonflies and the letter D.

Here is the one I made:

The background card and the two topper squares come from a Carol Ann's Studio CD. The letters are die-cut using purple Mirri card.  The dragonflies were printed in parchment using 'Wings and Flowers' CD by Little Big Tree.  The dragonfly eyes are some gems I have that are the perfect colour.

Wednesday - The weekly draw has been done and my dragonflies will be winging their way to the winner along with all the others.

These challenges are fun and are keeping the members of the UKSN  busy and connected.
We also are continuing with our Cards for Kindness and here are the two for August that I made and sent.

These were both made using Tattered Lace collections.

Keep safe and busy.
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.

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #42 - Anything goes - hosted by Jocelyn

I am writing this in the cool of Friday evening.  I was worried that the cool would never come.  I know that many enjoy the heat and sunshine but I am afraid I am not one of them.
So I must apologise to any of our challengers whose entries I didn't comment on properly.   My computer/workroom is in my conservatory and at times the temp in here was in the upper upper 90's F.

I have another parchment for this challenge.  A new to me pattern for Christmas.

Here it is:

This 2011 pattern -   by Sue McGuirk - was a download from Craftsuprint.com and is called 'Shimmering Snowflake'. 

I have added some glitter to the embossing to create the shimmer and also added red gems to the snowflake and the corner motifs.

I look forward to some more blog visiting and as long as it isn't boiling hot again I promise to stay longer and comment properly.

Take care.
Carol
xx

UKSN - Facebook

We have quite a few challenges on the go all the time in our UKSN group on Facebook.  A great bunch of members and such crafting enthusiasm.  Lots of things have been started during the lockdown and have proved to be popular so will continue on afterwards - we hope - when normality is resumed.  We hope for that as well.

Here are two cards for a weekly challenge run by our leader Mickey.  A subject is chosen and a certain colour and letter have to be included.  There is then a draw and the winner receives all the cards.

The theme for this card was Rock and Roll.  Colour - black and white and the letter R.  This was for last week  - I don't always enter everyone.

This is the current week's challenge.  Theme Dog/Puppy.  Colour Red and letter W.

Here is my entry:

 I used a Card Hut CD  ( Pets in a Mess) and my graphics programme.

Keep safe everyone.
Carol
xx
P.s. The draw has now been done and the bottom card will be off today to one of our members who is now living in Australia.

p.s.  23/9/20   I heard today that the card has finally reached Australia and raised a few smiles. It has taken almost an exact month to get there.

Illuminating by Tattered Lace

Finally, it is cool enough to finish the card I started a few days ago.  The heat here in Surrey has been unbearable - at least for me.  103F on Wednesday in the sun on my patio.  Too much for me.

Anyway here is the card.  Made with the new set of dies and charismas purchased from Tattered Lace.   It all comes from the set - called Illuminating - except for the peel-off stars and the basic white cardstock.

Here it is:

Part of the charisma downloads is a collection of 50 sayings in various sizes and all with the first letter missing.  This is so you can use the letter die-cuts - with or without backing - to complete the saying.   As I have done here with the letter 'R'.

I feel that I am really going to enjoy using this set.  This is quite a simple card and I am looking forward to feeling more like making something more complicated.

The gold backing paper on the card is stunning.  I printed it on 210 gsm photo paper and it looks like real liquid gold.  I think you can tell that from the photo.

I am looking forward to getting back to some serious crafting.
Take care.
Carol
xx

CD Sunday Plus #41 - Anything goes - hosted by Margaret

I have actually made a parchment card for this challenge:

This is a Judith Maslen Parchment download pattern.  I coloured on the front using Staedtler triplus fineliners.  They were beautiful to use on the parchment as they are smooth and with such a fine tip.  I have used this card as one of my UKSN 'Cards for Kindness' as the recipient's name is Margaret.
I am pleased to say  - modestly of course - that Margaret was thrilled with it.

If I am being super critical - which I think we are about our own work- I think the 'M' could have been straighter. Just a tad.

I enjoyed using the pattern and I will certainly make more of these initial cards (not all M's of course!!) using different colouring.  I recently bought a super-duper set of the fineliners and now I have oodles of colours.
Please join in with our challenges, remembering, of course, to follow our rules - here - and I look forward to visiting your blogs.

Keep staying safe. It's not perfect out there yet.

Carol
xx

ATC Swop UK

At long last, our Facebook ATC group is active again and our organiser is busy sorting things out.  We had all sent in our ATCs for the March swop (Birds) but these were at her shop when everything closed down.  They have now been retrieved and the swopping has begun.  The next swop - April - Fairies - have been sent in and after that one by one May, June and July will be done.

Here are the March ones that I made and sent.  Beautifully arranged and presented by Sue and her husband - affectionately known as the Slave.

As you can see I used a fair few gems on my creations.

These are the Fairies that I have sent in and I am looking forward to seeing them presented in a much better way.

Here is an extra I sent in for the Slave as I know he loves Minions as much as I do.

Keep safe
Carol
xx

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

Another river scene

Tattered Lace - as promised - but no parchment with this one.

A mixture of pinks and greens and a simple sentiment make it suitable for my go-to box.
The topper made with the white and green frame and watercolour picture is from Tattered Lace (shown in a previous posting).  The die-cut decoupaged flowers are also Tattered Lace and they come from the Favourite Florist Collection.  I love using these particular flowers because they are a perfect shape to use on the edges of images and I love the colours that are among the downloads.
The die-cut bow is an old friend. I cannot remember who makes it but the die itself is green.

The card size is a 170mm square.

I have had some more Tattered Lace deliveries so off to have a play. One of my new dies is of a Kingfisher and I can't wait to use it.

Hugs
Carol
xx