Go-to stash

I have been adding to my go-to stash when I have a few moments.  I know I should be starting on my Christmas cards.  I have a few to make but not really in the mood.  

I have been using some papers purchased from Aliexpress and having great fun with them. Using my graphics programme to change the colour depths and add borders etc.

Here they are:

The flower was decoupaged and I added some dewdrops.

I decoupaged the bee and the butterfly comes from Katy Sue.

The insects are from my go-to box of bits and the butterflies from a few places.

The die cut Hollyhocks (I think) were bought from eBay ages ago. I added the dewdrops.

I love how the embroidered flowers look so 3D after I had played with the colour density.

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #135 - hosted by Jo

Surprise, surprise -  no La Pashe today.  I decided to have a look through my Card Hut CDs and graphics.  I always have fun when I get started with  hopping from CD to CD trying to decide what to do.  My son put them all in one place on my desk top so that I can use them like a palette

I have actually done the background on this card before, and is one of my favourites, but thought I would change it a little to bring - I hope - another smile.

Here is the card:  

I used the two CDs - 'Outdoors' and 'Splash' and my own graphics programme for the borders and colour changing.

Just to show you, this is the  one I did before with almost the same background.

I hope all are well and I am looking forward to another round of visits to admire your work.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #134 - hosted by Meg

The pattern I have used is a download purchased from Stitching Cards.  I think the flower under which the fairy is sitting is a Bluebell.  The blue and pink mat layers were cut using my favourite Carnation Crafts 'Shabby Dies'.

The sentiment - in gold - was cut using a die,  - but as usual I can't remember from whom I purchased it.  The stitched image sheet has been attached to the mats using very small pink and blue brads.

I think the fairy has a very pretty face and such a faraway look - and a figure I would die for!!

I hope all are well.  I have had a week of medical tests.  Just normal - including a  COVID 19  booster - and all is OK.  It's like waiting for buses - wait ages and then 3 come along at once. 

I look forward to visiting your blogs - as always and if you feel like leaving me a comment as you pass by, would be much appreciated.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #133 - hosted by Pamela

 

Again I turned to La Pashe for my card for this challenge.  As well as having a 'thing' about butterflies I also love seeing Hot Air Balloons.  Either images or the real thing.  I have this die for a balloon and when I found the stripey 'material' on the internet it seemed to go with the skeleton of my die perfectly.  Having made the 'balloon' I then searched my collection of CD's for a scene and found just the thing - guess where?  Yes - La Pashe.

I wanted something that I could use with space enough for the balloon in which it would look reasonably natural.  This image is called Daffodil Walk and is a decoupage page.

 

There are three layers for the decoupage - including the background.  The three small images to the right are perfect for ATC's. Here below is one I made many moons ago.

 

I plan to use the card in one of our UKSN swop groups and will post it next week.  Here at CD Sunday we have a rule that we do not show/use our team cards before they are published on the Blog, so I have to stick to the rules.

I am looking forward to my visits to your blogs and to choosing my Top 3 for the last challenge.

Take care

Carol

xx

ATC Swop UK

 Here are my latest contributions to the swaps for the ATC Swop UK Group

94. Harry Potter

95a. Everything comes in Threes - part 1

95b. Everything comes in Threes - part 2.  

 

96. Baubles Bangles and Beads

97. Butterflies - Things with Wings

We have had a bit of a gap between themes and postings but we are now up to date.

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #132 - hosted by Carol - (moi). Anything Goes

 

I have some more La Pashe decoupage again for your delectation.  This  image is from the  'Remember When' folder - Set 3 (8a) -  on 'The Big One'  CD by La Pashe.    I think the era is around the 1940/50's.  Just a guess on my part as I really have no idea.

I have chosen black for the card and the size is A5.   I particularly like the dog as we used to have an identical one when I was about 8.  He was called 'Flash'.  Look at the size of the Rhubarb, Leeks and Cabbages.  Obviously a good garden plot.

I appreciate you looking at my work, and I am looking forward to inspecting yours.  Very closely this challenge - as I will be choosing the Top 3. xx

Because this card also comes from the 'Remember When' folder I wanted to show it to you as well.  I posted it recently on my Facebook page (February).

I made it because it reminded me of the old Macfisheries emporium that used to be in my home town.  Quite a few others remembered the shops as well.  A real 'Remember When'.

See you soon.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #131 - hosted by Aimes - Anything Goes

 

 

This Hibiscus decoupage image is from a La Pashe CD - The Big One - Vol 1 - Folder - Nice and Easel. The butterfly was made by me using a Carnation Crafts die and a rather special jewel like butterfly body.  Sadly it was my last one and I cannot remember from where I purchased them.

I used a Carnation Crafts 'Shabby' die for the pink background mat.

As I have said many times before I love all the La Pashe artwork.  You can almost always find what you need amongst the many hundreds of images.  Tis my go to supply.

I have mentioned before that I belong to the United Kingdom Stampers Network and one of the inter club sections is called 'Cards for Kindness'.  Each month a list of names is drawn and circulated and those on the list make a card for 'their' name.  I chose this one for April and I hope the recipient likes it.  It is winging its way - that is if the post does 'wing' these days.

I hope all are well and as always I look forward to visiting all your Blogs and admiring your handiwork.

 Hugs

Carol xxx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #130 - hosted by Jocelyn.

 I was about to start my posting with a comment about not thinking that we have had many  CD Sunday challenges actually on Easter Sunday.  I did think though that I ought to check this fact.  Glad I did as I would have looked an idiot.  During the 14 years that I have been a member of CD Sunday - 9 of our challenges have been on Easter Sunday.  And only three in those 14 years have been in March.  

Anyway fact finding over - here is my card.

This a La Pashe card in 3D decoupage. I used a Carnation Crafts Shabby die for the blue mat.

 

 

 

The Hot Cross buns really look like little crowns and I decided to order some real ones with my grocery order from Sainsbury's.  They come in a pack of 6 and I managed 2.  Or rather I forced down 2 as they were awful.  Not like ones that I remember having a few years ago.

I hope you are having a good Easter Sunday.  Oodles of chocolate etc.  I am going down to see my daughter and SIL at the beginning of the week and they are taking me out to lunch.

Take care and hugs.

Carol

xx

Card for Kindness for UKSN

 I think I have mentioned before that I belong to the UKSN - United Kingdom Stampers Network.  We  have a few Postal and Exchange lists and one of these is CFK - Cards for Kindness.

A list is drawn up each month and we each send a card to the name we have been given and obviously receive one as well from another on the list.

I tried something different this month using a Carnation Crafts die set and Vignettes that I bought some time ago - Sheer Delight.  This is for our member - Jan.

The outside

The inside using Sheer Delight.

 

The outside die cut bouquet comes from Tattered Lace from a series called 'Sash 3D'.  This one is called 'Berries'.

There is quite of lot of 3D on the card which I love doing.  I always have liked 3D work.  This was the first type of craft work I learned from my Mother.

I have heard from Jan and I am pleased to say that she liked it.  The CFK list at UKSN is one of my favourite lists.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #129 - hosted by Margaret

 Here is the card I made for this challenge:

As from 10th February this year - 2024 -  it is the Chinese Year of the Dragon.  I made this card to enter into a little competition organised by UKSN - of which I am a member.  I didn't win but I did enjoy creating the card.  

I used Carnation Crafts 'Teardrop and Sweep' matting dies.  The stitch pattern comes from Stitching Cards. The background 'sky' scene comes from my stash.  The dragon entwined with 2024 comes from the internet.

I have learned a couple of interesting facts about the Year of the Dragon.  Apparently it could be going to be a difficult year for some - according to the predictions, but something else I did learn caused me a little amusement.  I looked at other Chinese years and apparently I am a Sheep/Goat (1943).  No comments please.  The one sign I should avoid at all costs is the Ox (1937).  It appears that the Ox and the Sheep/Goat are completely incompatible.  Give you one guess what Zodiac sign was my late husbands.  We separated way back in 1998.  Perhaps this was one of the reasons!!

On that note I will finish now - except to say that I hope all are well and to please take care.

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #128 - hosted by Jo

My card for this challenge is a mixture of digital images, photography and die-cutting.

Here is my card:

 The green and blue background mats were die-cut using my favourite 'Carnation Crafts Shabby Dies'.

The photographic scene is of a village house in the depths of rural France.  The photograph was taken many years ago by either myself or my sister on one of our many trips together in  France.  I have kept these old photos on my computer for many years and rediscovered them whilst looking for a suitable background for the ladies and gentleman from the Deco Follies folder from the My Craft Studio programme.

I had fun choosing which of the figures were most suitably dressed for the photo shoot. Then to complete the scene I turned to my Kate Hadfield downloads and found a pussy cat for the top of the steps and a beautifully behaved dog to sit neatly beside Doris.  Hazel is climbing the steps and Robert is trying to look very manly.

The final borders around the photo were made using my graphics programme and finished with tiny brads.

I hope you enjoy my scene. I had fun making it.

Hugs

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #127 - hosted by Meg

Whilst we had our longer break over the Christmas period I took the opportunity to explore some new to me die-cutting collections.  The one I have used for this DT card is from Carnation Crafts.  It is called the 'Floral Embrace Collection'.  I have been using it together with a new set of background dies called 'Teardrop and Sweep' - again by Carnation Crafts.

Here is the card I made using these two new collections:

 When I first made this I didn't add a sentiment but as I am now going to use the card I have added one and here is how it looks now:

The 'vignettes' as they are called are downloaded.  Below are a couple of links to show how I have been experimenting with the colouring during our break -  as much as my graphics programme will allow.

1st link

2nd link

Here are some of the ones I have been making up after experimenting with colours:

I look forward  to more visits with you.  In the meantime stay well and safe.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #126 - hosted by Pamela

A late Happy New Year to one and all and I hope that all are well.  It seems strange to be this late with our first challenge for 2024 but here we are - now with our bigger team.

A personal extra hello from me to Meg and Aimes.    I am so looking forward to working with all our teamies.

I finished off last year with a stitched card, and for my first of the New Year I have chosen another.  Here it is:

I have purchased the patterns for each month's Birth Flower and they are downloaded from Form-A-Lines - part of the Stitching Cards ensemble.  I have used a new to me set of background cutting dies from Carnation Crafts - Teardrop and Sweep Collection.  The added butterflies are also from Carnation Crafts - 'Light as Air' from The Perfect Packages Collection.  I am 'into' butterflies in a big way so you will see plenty of them during the year.  The striped violet and white backing paper comes from La Pashe.

That's all for now except to say that I am looking forward to another year of sharing our crafting with you all.

Carol

xxx

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

Katy Sue - 3D die-cut decoupage

 I finished nearly all my Christmas cards quite a while before Christmas so I had time to devote to some 3D die-cut decoupage from a favourite supplier - Katy Sue.  Here are a few that I made for my go-to box.

I am sure that I have made and shown the third card before - the Hydrangea, but the others are new to me.

I hope that all are OK and dry.  We had a small leak but it will have to wait until better weather before it can be repaired.  They have now promised us some snow. What joy!!

Carol xx

Sympathy card

 I was hoping that now Christmas is nearly over I could settle to some crafting and start on my next year design team cards for CD Sunday Plus and some CD Plus 'office' work. I have managed one card which I will show in February but sadly yesterday I was told of the death of a good friend. 

He (Jim) and his wife Anne bought a house from my husband and I over 40 years ago and we became really good friends.   I met Anne just before Xmas for dinner, with a group of girl friends.  We all knew that Jim wasn't well but this seemed so sudden.

Anne has her family with her at the moment and it isn't the time to intrude so I will see her when I can.  In the meantime I have designed and made a sympathy card for her.  I have used a favourite image for such an occasion - Forget-Me-Knots.

This was designed using my Kaleidoscope CD and my graphics programme.  The insert below - without the words - shows the original image used.

What seems to make this happening even sadder is that Jim died on this Christmas Eve and my (estranged) husband Tony died last Christmas Eve.  

As I probably won't be posting here for a few days may I take the opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.

Love from

Carol xx

Another jigsaw bites the dust

 I fell in love with this one when I saw the picture on Amazon.  I love butterflies so this was perfect for me.

 But Oh boy was it tough.  Normally I sit down open the box and just keep going but with this one I had to take breaks.  Here it is.

I had trouble taking a decent photo.  The image on the box is much better, but I think that is because it is a photo of the smooth print, and not the ups and downs of a jigsaw surface. 

Anyway here it is.  Not 100% about the yellow but nothing else was any better.

Carol xx

P.s. I thought I would show the image from the box.

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #125 - hosted by Carol (moi)

 I enjoyed showing you my black cat stitched card last time because I loved the pattern and how it looked, but I have another very different stitched card to show you this time:

I am enjoying showing you this card because I made it especially for a friend of mine and her husband.  They have received it - I was told today (Wednesday) by email.  The recipients are in Texas.  

The friends are Aimeslee and Michael.  I made this a little while ago using a download  from Stitching Cards.  I have made this card a couple of times but this was a special.

What is even more special  is that Aimeslee is joining our Design Team.  I couldn't be more pleased.  

I am also very pleased that we are yet adding another to our Design Team.  This is Meg - from 'Bits and Pieces'.  We are thrilled that Meg is  joining the team again.  So there will be 7 of us in February and we will see you then.   Don't forget - as posted on the Challenge blog,  we are having a longer than usual Christmas/New Year break.. We start again on the 4th of February 2024.

I would like to thank you personally not only for the interest you have shown in my own blog, but also for the support you have given CD Sunday Plus.

A very Happy Christmas to you all.

Hugs

Carol

XXX

Butterflies.

 I love all things butterflies and would like to use them more in my crafting.  A little while ago, whilst visiting Katy Sue (which I do very frequently) I  spied - and then bought several sheets of her printed and die-cut Kaleidoscope of Butterflies.  They come in a pack of two sheets - one pastel coloured and one vibrant. (332 in each pack)  They are a multitude of sizes and what I really love about them is that they are printed on both sides.  

I have used the odd one or two  in the past when I have been finishing off a card but this one was made for the butterflies to be intentionally  the major part of the card.

Here it is:

I found the card with the aperture in amongst some bits and pieces I bought ages and ages ago.  I am almost sure they were from Hunkydory.  The picture I think was a download from ? which I found on my go-to file on the computer.  I think it is a beautiful painting of a Lavender field in France.

As I found these two things I remembered my lovely butterflies that were itching for an outing - hence my new card.  I hope you like it - I am thrilled with it. (little things - they say).  I am determined to make more and have already been searching for papers and such like to use to make my own aperture cards.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #124 - hosted by Jocelyn

 

I think that this is one of the most realistic animal stitching patterns that I have found.

It was made using a Sparkle Stitch card pattern -  downloaded from 'Add Some Sparkle'.  The pink and black mats were cut using Carnation Crafts Shabby dies. The sentiment comes from a box of various ones I must have had for years.

It looks so much more realistic in the 'flesh'.  The pattern seems to make the body of the cat seem rounded.  I know quite a few cat lovers and this will be destined for one of them.  I quite like cats but would prefer a dog - if I could cope with having a pet again.  My last dog was a beautiful black and white English Springer Spaniel.  He was gorgeous.  Ah well!!

Hugs

Carol

CD Sunday Plus Challenge - #123 - hosted by Margaret

This card is a first for me..  I have to admit I do not like Gnomes without faces.  It is not a new dislike - it has always been there.  There is a particular girl/doll image used on a craft CD - Gorjuss dolls that  I have never been able to use it because it has no facial features.  

I found this Gnome pattern on Stitching Cards, and with the addition of two black eyes (tiny wee black round peel-offs) and the pink nose I can cope with this.  In fact I think he is lovely and enjoyed I the stitching.

I even managed to find some super white/silver thread from Gutermann for his beard.

Tis funny I  know but I need to see facial features otherwise I get the shivers.  I even find it difficult as part of  the CD Sunday Plus Design team when I am making comments about entries to our challenges - beautiful as they are.   I don't duck my responsibilities but I do find it hard.  Now my fellow teamies know as I have not mentioned it before.

I hope all are well and getting busy with the cards for the period I am not supposed to mention (see card above).

I wonder if there is anyone else out there who doesn't like faceless images?

Carol xx

A little bit more of Halloween 2023

 On the CD Sunday Plus challenge before last I showed a digital Halloween card as my team card  - and also four others that I had made for a card swop.

Here now are the others that I made for that same swop.

I confess to showing the 'Pumpkin People' again as that was my favourite.  This one went all the way to Australia - and it was on time!

They were made using things from different sources. The two 'Cats' were from a CD by Linda Ravenscroft.  Several of the die-cuts were from Carnation Crafts, and I think from  Tattered Lace. The various backgrounds have been collected over time and used many times.

I have collected even more Halloween 'stuff' for 2024 so watch this space.

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge - #122 - hosted by Jo

I have another Christmas card to show you as my team offering for this challenge.  I will have a couple more though to show you before our break for Christmas but I have now actually finished making for 2023.  I think I have made more than I need but it just means I will have started early for next year.

Here is my card:

This is from La Pashe (where else) and is decoupaged - the pillars, wreath and birds.  I actually think the Mistletoe should have been decoupaged but, whoops,  I couldn't find it.

I am so pleased that Jo is back with the team .

I hope all are well.

Carol xx

 

 

ATC Swop Uk

 Here are my latest ATCs for the group swop:

90. Jungle Book

91. Buttons, Bows and Frilly Bits

92. Going Postal

93. Red and Blue

I have sent in my next ones for the swop.  A favourite theme.  Harry Potter.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #121 - hosted by Pamela

I have a Halloween card for this challenge.  Although I don't personally celebrate Halloween, and never have done, I love the the 'arty' side of the celebration.   I love making cards and ATCs with the Halloween theme.   I also am a serious 'all things Harry Potter' fan.  The films and especially the Audio CDs read by Stephen Fry.

Here is my card which is all digital:

 

The background comes from some Alice in Wonderland downloads purchased from Etsy.  The cauldron and the nasty looking potion both come from Kate Hadfields digital shop folders -  'Franknfriends' and 'Wizadry' . The sayings come from Jan Mayhew.  Folders - 'Haunted' and 'Witches Brew'.

The borders were done using my graphics programme - ACDSee

I have had some correspondence with Jan Mayhew about Halloween and I promised I would show her  some cards I made - using her digital images -  for a Facebook swop to which I belong.

Here they are:

The two ghosts and the flying witch are by Jan.

Again the two ghosts are by Jan

All the images and words are by Jan

The Pumpkin People and the conducting cat are all by Jan. The skeleton and the Mummies are by Kate Hadfield

Carol xx