CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #68 - hosted by Margaret

Here is my 'make' for this new challenge.   It can be used as a Birthday card or perhaps a Get Well card.   In fact - on reflection - for almost any greeting.

This is made using the 'Vibrance' die set and vignette (download) from Carnation Crafts together with background dies from the 'Equinox' blooms collection - again from Carnation Crafts.   The dies for the little sentiment tags are also with the background set. This was all done using glossy photo paper.

There are at least another 4 colourways for the flowers and several background colours with the Equinox Blooms so many more combinations can be made.

I hope all are well and still being careful.  I don't think that we can relax yet.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Another for the Christmas box

This time I have made a 7" x 7" card.   I needed the space to get everything on.  I have used all Carnation Craft goodies, for this one except for one sheet of backing paper:

It took me quite a while to design and stick.  A slightly new style for me but I enjoyed the playing around.

The gold and cream backing sheets were printed from Carnation Craft (lets call them CC for short) and Tattered Lace (TL). The gold comes from 'Illuminating' (TL) and the cream from 'Christmas Time'  (CC) - which is also where the circles and centres come from.  The Christmas Roses, Sherry and glasses are from CC Christmas Accessories.  I chose to use a sentiment die that I have had for some time.  Where from I disremember.

There are three circles in the Christmas Time collection and I have made up the other two but haven't decided how to present them yet.

I hope you are all well into your Christmas Card making.  This makes my no: 52.

Carol

xx

Christmas 2021

Back in February this year I made a Christmas card for a CD Sunday Plus Challenge - here.

At the time I said that I would probably make some more as I enjoyed making them, and the 'look'.

Well, I have made another 3 with just a tiny difference on each.

 

I still think that the charisma for the stag is fantastic.  There are another two decoupage layers that could be used but I prefer the single layer on this occasion.

Happy Christmas!

Carol

xx

Christmas 2021

I think this is possibly Christmas card no: 48.  For this I have used a new to me  collection  by Tattered Lace called 'Christmas Tidings'.  There are six die sets in the collection - each comes with  two outer rings and the image die. The Charisma image is in a download as usual and, I believe, on a USB.  To make it look like a bauble with a hanger you have to buy another die from the same set - The Festive Bauble.

I have made a couple so far and but am only going to show one of the two at the moment.

I found the background from somewhere and cropped it and added a couple of toning borders with my graphics programme.

Here is a picture of the die that I used for this card.

 

These dies and images do make lovely cards and am now off to make some more.  I will show you these later.    It is just the first one I cannot show you as I have made it for CD Sunday Plus and 'rules is rules'.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #67 - hosted by Jo

 As always our challenges are Anything Goes as long as our Rule 3 has been followed - here

For this challenge I have made a card for one of my cousins who lives in France.  His birthday is this month so it is already winging its way.

I used Carnation Crafts Shabby (rectangular) dies for the two backgrounds and then the 'Naughty but Mice' dies and vignettes.

It is obviously a very simple card but I enjoyed the overall effect.  Have you guessed his name yet?

I look forward to plenty more blog hopping.

Carol

xx

 

Another Christmas Wreath but different hues

 I haven't added any Christmas wording yet.  I haven't decided what to say or where to say it.  I have though added a little glitter to the centre of the Christmas roses.

As before I used the Carnation Crafts 'Christmas Wreath' maker but with a different selection of colours.  I also used less items than with the first wreath.

Hope all are well.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #66 - hosted by Pamela

 As always our challenges are Anything Goes as long as our Rule 3 has been adhered to, which is shown on the CD Sunday Plus blog.

Here is my design team card for this challenge:

The digital part of this creation is the taking of a photograph with my digital camera and downloading it to my computer, and then using my graphics programme to resize, add the borders and the text.

The photograph was taken in my garden on a small wall by some steps. The flowers are from the garden.  I don't know the names I am afraid except for the central Peony and I think the leaves are from a 'Smoke Bush'?  I think there may possibly be some Lily of the Valley.

The 'vase' or in fact 'glass' is a Coca Cola glass that belonged to my son. I say 'belonged' as it doesn't any more.  Somehow it is now in the cupboard with my other vases.  It was a perfect colour and size for the arrangement.

As these flowers and leaves appear each year I do like to use this arrangement quite often.

I am afraid the very heavy rain has finished off the few flowers I had left.  The roses have been stripped of all the petals.  Even the Foxgloves look very sorry for themselves but the grasses have gone berserk.

I look forward to some blog hopping. In the meantime stay well and safe. 

Carol xx

p.s.  I can now reveal that this card was for my lovely friend Mandi whose birthday was on the 11th August  but  came to visit me at the beginning of July.   It was lovely to get together.  This 'Covid' stuff is making it so difficult to meet up with friends.

More goodies to play with.

I have been trying out my new Carnation Crafts die set - 'Christmas Wreath' maker.  The die-cutting takes quite a while and isn't for the faint hearted,  but oh so worth it.  I have had such fun creating my first wreath.  I must admit to searching the internet for an already made example to put me on the right track.

Here is the one I finally made:

I just have to now cut lots more die cuts in different hues so that I can create a few more.  Happy days.

Carol

xx

p.s. Do you think a little glitter dust might be the thing?

Another for the Christmas box

This was made using a new Carnation Crafts purchase - Classic Christmas frame.  I like that is makes such a simple but attractive card with just the addition of a die-cut sentiment.  I can't remember where the sentiment came from.  The two opposing corners each have three layers of decoupage.

I have also purchased the new Christmas Wreath Maker so I am going to be busy for while.

Keep staying safe.

Carol

xx

And yet more stitching - plus a little decoupage

 I sat and did the stitched one  last evening whilst collapsed in the armchair with the rotating fan whirring away.

I wasn't sure about this pattern as the stitch instructions seems to be a bit muddled - so I did it my way.

The die cut mistletoe charisma comes from Tattered Lace 'Sparkle and Lace'.

I decided to present this one as landscape rather than the usual portrait and I must admit I prefer it so.

Now this card I made for my son Chris - who has a birthday today.

This is to celebrate one of his many hobbies. This image comes from a La Pashe CD but the chips had dollar signs on them so I had to play about a bit to remove them.  

I am now running out of 'hobbies' so will have to encourage him to take up some new ones.

Keep safe and sensible.

Carol xx

More stitching

 I have sat and stitched these cards during these last few days.   Mostly in the evenings whilst catching up with recordings on the box.  I have quite a few toppers of various kinds already made up so I choose a border and then the colours to go with a particular topper and hey presto.  All the borders are from 'Stitch and Do':

The die cut topper comes from Tattered Lace and I bought the die-cuts from eBay.

This topper and the one in the card above both come from a Carnation Craft die and vignette collection.

 

 

I have used this topper before and it comes from Tattered Lace Sparkle and Lace Collection.

 

I can't remember if the topper is a peel off or a die cut. The bow is a die cut.

The hanging stars are cut using an old die I have had for some time.  Where from? I can't remember.

I really am enjoying mixing stitching with die cutting.   I like making a variety so I have plenty to choose from when sending off a card -  trying the match the card with the recipient - if I can.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #65 - hosted by Carol (moi)

 Here is my DT card for this new challenge:

I used Tattered Lace Collections - Wild Silk and Daisy Hill  for all of the card except for the blue bird which came from  Carnation Crafts - The Cherry Blossom Collection - Coming Home.  I have decoupaged quite a bit of the card.  I enjoyed the making of this especially adding the gold swirly bits which are made with a new (to me) die, also from from Tattered Lace - Flourish of Pearl.

I haven't added a sentiment as yet but when the time comes I will probably use my latest idea which is to tuck in amongst the design a sentiment I have made myself.  Here is an example of how I used that idea in a previous challenge.

I hope all are well.  I also hope that everyone is sensible when the restrictions are lifted.  Personally I will be very cautious.

On the day of our last challenge (4th) I welcomed some old friends (Mandi and Debs) to lunch.  It was so wonderful to see them after such a long time.  We have been friends since 2006/7.  We have met many times and they have stayed here with me I have stayed with them. We first met when we all joined an online forum at the same time and just 'clicked'.  My lovely fellow teamies Pamela and Jocelyn are also friends from the same forum.   Debs - is off soon sailing across the seas - hopefully to Jamaica - and if she reads before she goes  I am sending love and safe sailing and please come back fit and well.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #64 - hosted by Jocelyn

Here is my DT card for this challenge.  Another using Carnation Craft dies etc.  I am having such fun with all my purchases.

This one is from the  'Stand Out Floral Frames' collection.  The background is a sheet of watercolour A4 card.

This is the second of the three frames that I have used.   I have shown you the round and square ones here before so I just have to use the square one myself to have now used the set.

I used a Carnation Craft shabby die for the sentiment which was printed using my  graphics programme.

I hope all are well.   I have just had my first time away from home since before 'the beginning'.   Just to stay with my sister.  We have both had both jabs and we did extra tests so we had a hug after all this time.  

I gather the weather is going to be awful today so be careful, and, perhaps more crafting?

So -  a safe distance hug.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #63 - hosted by Margaret

The weather is miserable again which makes me somewhat fearful.   I have mentioned before that back in late May- during the last horrendous rainfall -  I had a very bad leak in my Conservatory/craft room roof and I certainly don't want a repeat performance.

No more leaks-  so far - so here to celebrate is a bright and cheerful card for this challenge:

This was made using Tattered Lace 'Sensational Celebrations' collection and a background from a La Pashe CD.  The small white circular doily style mat came with a  'lot' that I purchased from eBay quite some time ago.

I really do think that the fruit looks good enough to eat.  Some of the dies and charisma's are amazingly lifelike.

I am writing this on Friday - now 1. 15 pm,  and the rain has at last stopped, but we have been promised more for the next few days.  A few more fearful days chez Carol.

Keep dry.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Oodles (Buckets) of Flowers

Here is the card I mentioned briefly yesterday.  It has taken quite a while because - as you will see - there is a great deal of die-cutting involved.  I have loved creating it and I think this is my favourite card (so far) of this year.

All the salient parts are from and by Carnation Crafts.  I got the idea from a card in their gallery but have changed some things.  I decided that I wanted the white lacy background to look more like a trellis holding up the pot stand so I use a 'brick wall' as the background - which I think works.

The dies and vignettes come from the 'Arrangement Maker' collection.  There are oodles of flowers and greenery and pots and vases.  So many to choose from.  The sentiments I made by printing out many different  ones on  white card using different colours and fonts.  I then used the smallest rectangular die from the 'Shabby' set of dies and cut them out.  I used a font colour to blend with the the brick wall. These are quick and simple and can be kept in a little box ready to shuffle through when you need something in a hurry.

I hope you like it as much as I did making it.

Carol

xx

Vintage Blooms Easel

 

Here is the Easel card I promised.  Not as easy as I thought it was going to be.  Firstly I thought I could possibly purchase  a round easel blank ready to decorate but I couldn't find one.  This proved to be a challenge as my friends will tell you I only do 'squarish' cards.  So off to youtube and I found a good clear demonstration and I was quite surprised at how much easier it was than I thought it would be.

I had to get the larger die-cutting machine out as my little wonderful treasured Snap machine couldn't cope.

The circles  (three sizes) were cut with Carnation Crafts Crystalline dies. The flowers are from the Vintage Blooms collection by Carnation Crafts and the little blue birds are from 'Coming Home' - also Carnation Crafts.  The flowers have been decoupaged and a few of the extras were used on the tag.

The next project involves lovely small flower stems made into arrangements from the 'Arrangement Maker' collection.  Again dies and vignettes from Carnation Crafts. They have taken quite a while but fun to do.

More crafting with die-cuts

I am beginning to think that at the rate I am going I will soon have made enough cards for next years birthdays etc. as well as this years.

I am enjoying using Carnation Crafts and Tattered Lace Collections and in fact I haven't done any parchment for many months.  But it doesn't really matter - does it?  I am, though, still fitting in some stitching.

Here is my latest creation using Carnation Crafts 'Vintage Blooms' and 'Coming Home' -  and  'Poppy' from Tattered Lace - 'Floral Friends'.

It is a large card - 8" x 8".  I don't very often make one that size but I wanted to get everything on.  All the flowers are decoupaged. The backgrounds used are from Carnation Crafts -  'Crafty Little Mice' collection.

I love this collection from Carnation Crafts and will soon have a circular easel card to show you using the same blooms- (I hope).

Bye for now.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Armchair Comfort

My good friend and fellow CD Sunday teamie - Pamela -  made a card for the current CD Sunday Plus Challenge using Carnation Crafts dies etc that I hadn't got.  Not that I have to have them all of course but I liked the look of them and so ordered them.

They have now arrived and I spent most of yesterday making the card and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I do hope Pamela doesn't mind that I have copied her.  I have also used some of her tips about the wallpaper and the floor covering that she gave on her blog posting here.

Here is my version:

All the dies and the vignettes come from 'Comfort of Home' Collection except for the striped wallpaper which came from the 'Crafty little Mice' collection.  The picture of the garden through the window was sourced elsewhere.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #62 - hosted by Jo

I made this card using one of the three Carnation Crafts - 'Stand Out Floral Frames' and downloaded vignettes.  I made a background for the topper using a picture of the topper and my graphics programme.   I also made the sentiment.  In fact I  made several different sentiments in different colours and they can be slipped in amongst the decoupage. This way you can choose at the time what sentiment you wish to use.

This is the card:

I cut out several of the die-cut decoupage sheets to fill the centre and add  to the four corners.  I used my  Carnation Crafts Crystalline Circle Die Set to cut out the two pink matting layers.

Copied here from the Carnation Crafts site are the three sets.  I bought all three and have already made the diamond one to show at a later date.

 

I first saw one of these sets when I received a beautiful birthday card from Sue (Tossell) made using the square set.

Here is just the cropped centre of  Sue's card.

I have enjoyed making the two cards that I have managed to make, and, will soon be having a go at the square one.

I look forward to your visits and any comments you care to leave will be avidly read and appreciated.

I also look forward to my visits to your blogs. 

Carol

xx

More for the Christmas Box

The patterns for both of these are by Stitch and Do.  The pattern on the green card I have done before.   I love the simplicity even though it is quite a bold pattern.

The pattern on the red card is a new one for me.  I particularly like the stitched star pattern in the corners.  I have not seen that before.

I have used die-cut 3D images for both cards and just added some gems in the corners.

More Robins for Sue. xx

Hugs

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.

Stitching to relax

I have had a bad week.  I won't bore with all the details but in that torrential downpour last Sunday night - at about 10. 30 pm - I had a flood where the water came in through my Conservatory/Craftroom roof.

I suppose likening it to Niagara Falls is a slight exaggeration but it felt like it at the time.  It has taken almost all the week to dry out and to rescue and de-pong the carpet but we are almost there.

I was supposed to be having my first apres lock-down guests for lunch on Wednesday but I had to cancel.  I couldn't have coped.  That made matters so much worse.

In the last few evenings I have sat and stitched to help me relax and I am pleased with the two cards that I have just now finished.

Stitch and Do Cards Only - Set 50

Stitch and Do cards Only - Set 19

 

The images are both Tattered Lace die-cuts.  The teacup I die-cut myself but the bird was a purchase from E bay.

I have tried out some new threads that I purchased recently by Mettler.  Beautiful colours and the perfect weight for sewing on card but they can knot easily if you use too long a piece in your needle.

I love both of the patterns but I think the second one best.  I have used it before and bought a second set so that I could do it again.  I might even buy a third set.

Hugs

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - #61 - hosted by Pamela - Anything Goes (as long as our Rule 3 guidelines have been followed).

 

I fibbed.  Here is a 4th card in a row card made using The Card Hut CDs.   It was very easy to make and I admit I like the simple elegance of the background and images.   I used  'A Touch of Christmas' and  'Art Deco'  CDs by The Card Hut.  This time I used one of the frames on the CD, and printed it out on a semi gloss card and it looks very effective making the water and snow look very cold.

I think this might be my 'go to' Christmas card for this year if I suddenly find I haven't made enough.

I look forward to visiting you all and I will also be busy choosing my Top 3 from Challenge #60. We get so many great cards it is not something to be rushed.

Take care.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #60 - Anything Goes - hosted by me.

Before I show you my team make for CD Sunday Plus I wanted to reveal a wonderful birthday surprise I received from my daughter and son in law (Sarah and Simon).  Chris and I went down to their house on Saturday 24th for lunch and I was handed a huge heavy box and inside was a Cricut Machine.  I had already received some gifts from them both so this was over the top.  Needless to say I am thrilled to bits and when I have worked out how to use it and what to make I am sure I can bore everyone.  When I protested their generosity I was told I deserved it - so I shut up.

As I haven't even read the instructions yet for the above,  my make will have to be something I made earlier.  And you guessed it - from a Card Hut CD.  I did warn you I had made three on the trot.  Here is No: 3.

When I saw these ponies on the CD I just had to use them.  I used to ride. Not ponies - something a bit bigger.  In the village where I lived- in Kent - I had a friend who was horse mad and I used to go to her stables on a Saturday and she would let me ride for a couple of hours.  I did do some jumping but not very high.

These images came from the The Card Hut CD -  'Pets in a Mess'.  Once I had seen the look on the face of the girl in the front - incandescent with rage -  and the expression on her pony's face, I knew I had to use them both.  Wonderful drawings. They are a pleasure to use.

Now I must confess that I do have one more for next time and a new CD by the Card Hut did arrive in the post this week so.............

I do do other things in between.

Hugs

Carol

xx

More stitching

 I have a couple of new stitched cards to share.

The first one is a pattern from Stitching Cards and is an Otter:

I used a Carnation Crafts rectangular shabby die for the  green mat layer and a Marianne die for the sprig of bullrushes.

The second is a little more complicated. The stitching pattern is from Stitch and Do with a little alteration of my own to the choice of stitches. I used just straight 'stripey' stitches for the blue and green triangles instead of the stitches on the pattern.  The decoupage image - the teacup - is a Tattered Lace die cut and that and the stitching are mounted on two layers of card cut using the trusty Carnation Crafts rectangular shabby dies.  The pink card layer is from a collection of watercolour effect A4 card that I have in my stash.  

As I am hoping to invite friends over for tea in the not too distant future I decided to use this card as an invitation card.  But as much as I love crafting - and my friends - it would take hours to make more than one of these cards.  So I cheated.  I made the invitation label removable.  Here are two photos - one with and one without.

And here is a photo of the whole card flat so that I can print out as many as I want to fold and use.  The original can be kept and used for any occasion.

Have fun and keep staying safe.

Carol

xx

ATC Swop UK - March and April 2021

We have now really caught up with our monthly swops.  It is me who is late in posting them on here.

Here are the latest two months:

 

67: Flowers that bloom in the Spring - Tra La

 

68: Song Titles

We have just received our theme for May - The Colour Yellow.   I am trying not to include my favourite Minions but we will see if I weaken.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #59 - Hosted by Jocelyn

 As always our challenges are Anything Goes -  as long as a CD, a USB or a digital image, or any combination of same, has been used in the making of your card or project. 

As I said in Challenge #58 I have made some cards using The Card Hut CDs and my own graphics programme.  Here is the second one.  Again a mixture of  CDs used and the sentiment will be decided when I use it.

I particularly love the evil grin that the shark has - and the name of the boat.  I think this would be suitable for a male even if he didn't fish.

I had a wonderful surprise today - Saturday.  We went to my daughters for a late birthday lunch.       Birthday was on Wednesday.   I had already received several gifts on the day from her but waiting for me today when I arrived was a large heavy box.   Inside was a Cricut / Maker.  I still can't quite believe it.   I was so hot and tired after our trip that I have decided to leave it in it's box until tomorrow or later and then start reading up on it.   Wow! I have been spoilt.

So from one tired and hot blog writer I will say- see you on your blogs.

Carol

xx

A new stitch pattern

 from Stitching Cards. Here

I enjoyed stitching this new design although the Llamas woolly coat wasn't as easy to stitch as it looked on the pattern.

I also managed a couple more from 'Stitch and Do' and used a Hunkydory die cut in the centre of them both. I just adjusted the colouring with my graphics programme.

I used a mixture of Gutermann threads some of which were variegated.

All til the next time.

Carol

xx

A small selection

Here are a few cards made using different methods for a couple of  UKSN groups to which I belong.

Firstly CCC#50

Theme: Easter Eggs, Colour: a mix of any you fancy, Letter: C

And now CCC#52

Theme: Newsprint or book print, Colour: Brown, Letter: K

This is a weekly challenge and before the next one is set  the names are drawn for the one that is now finished  and the cards are all sent to the winner.

As a special thank you to our team leader of the UKSN we all made a secret card following the theme of her loves and likes. This was labelled CCC#52B and this is the one I made and sent.

My card is to show her love of all things pink especially Flamingos. Mickey is small in stature but big hearted and bubbly and a dab hand at all things arty.

Now a couple made for our CFK group (Cards for Kindness).  Each month we are given two names and make and send off our offerings with any message or greeting we like to use.  Mostly , now we leave the insert blanks and don't put our names on the back so the recipient could use it themselves, if they so wish.

The ones I sent in April were cards that I had made for such an occasion and you have seen these on here so these are the two I made for March.

For this one I used the graphics programme and contents from one of my Card Hut CDs together with some die cut ferns from Tattered Lace. The 'hole in the wall' was garnered from the WWW..

For this card another Card Hut CD was used.  I was trying to show what I hope will be possible when all this madness has disappeared.

Stay safe.  We still have to be so careful.

Hugs

xx