Happy New Year

Pink Core'dinations cardstock scored on the Hougie then sanded back, X-Cut scallop scissors, white gel pen and holographic outline stickers.

I need to work on my handwriting.

Happy New Year!

I am entering this into 

Ladybug Crafts Challenge No. 8 - Song Title (Happy New Year)

Simon Says Stamp - Time to Party/Celebrate

Ger x.

Christmas Baby's 14th

This was made at top speed 8 a.m. Christmas Eve for my daughter's 14th - come to think of it, she was born at 8 a.m.!  Sorry for the poor light.

Henbury Lane papers, Quickutz cookie cutter squares, Tim Holtz Tattered Florals.

Ger x.

Happy Christmas!

Have a Happy Christmas!

Ger x.

Last Night's Quick Makes

Last one, inspired by Kristina Werner's Finally Friday cards quickie card
 

Quickie

Everyone is sooo busy these days! Nutty time of the year.  I'll be round visiting all your blogs later (much later) tonight.

That smudge isn't on your PC screen.  It must be on my camera lens.

Made this quickly using:

Papermania Kraft cardstock
Forever Friends Cosy Christmas paper and Vintage Photo DI
Hero Arts dotty background stamp and white pearl EP
Puffy sparkly sticker from a sheet of 15 stickers, €1.50 at Penney's!
White Gel Pen, baker's twine, scallop punch

Thanks for looking. Ger x.

Poinsettia Easel

An easel card using Silent Night papers and embellies, Papermania poinsettia template, stickles.

Thanks for looking. Ger x.

Traditional Batch

I have a batch of religious cards to make and this is the design I decided on.  No doubt I will keep tweeking it as I make my way through the batch.

Background blue with flourish: Glossy card, Hero Arts flourish, blue distress ink resist technique - see three cards down LOL.
Papermania nativity stamp and Cosmic Shimmers silver metallic embossing powder
Papermania pine cone stamp, blue DI and clear EP
Whiff of Joy snowflake die
Stickles, mosaic gems, silver ribbon, baker's twine

Thanks for looking. Ger x.

Baby it's cold outside...

So we might as well stay cosy inside and make cards!

Made with Papermania Silent Night papercrafting range.  The flower is made by cutting wonky circles out of paper - inspired by Kristina Werner, check out her fabulous blog. 

After I took the photo I rounded the corners (and went round the corner with the white gel pen obviously)  but by then the daylight was gone so you'll just have to imagine that!

Anyone fed up of snow yet? Not me! It's beautiful!

Ger x.

Baby Boy

I had to make a card for a new baby boy and rummaging through my card box I came across this one.  I had only to add baby's name and date of birth - I printed these details out on Tesco Finest paper, towards the end of the page, snatched the page from the printer as soon as it emerged and dumped Cosmic Shimmers Silver metallic embossing powder on fast before the ink could dry.

Image: Paws-fur-a-moment
Spellbinders scalloped circles
Card sponged with Broken China distress ink
Outline stickers, ribbon from stash

Sorry about the dark photo - the light is so poor these days.

Ger x.

Cardz n Scrapz Challenge

The challenge was to use Paper Pleats, Distress and Lace.  I rushed this like mad because I needed to photograph it before the daylight went and I thought the deadline ended that day, in fact I had another two days!

I used a resist techique for the background from Jennifer McGuire's Thinking Holiday Inking series.  Glossy paper is stamped with clear ink, heat set, then distress inks applied and buffed on top.

Flourish stamp and bauble stamp: Hero Arts
Whiff of Joy snowflake die
Paper and sentiment: Papermania
Lace, stickles, brad, ribbon from stash

Cardz-n-Scrapz Challenge Paper Pleats, Lace, Distress

Thanks for looking

Ger x.

wee Memories Fantastic Blog Candy

Have you seen this massive blog candy?!

Even better, have you seen wee Memories blog?  I began following lately and have had a wonderful time looking through this inspirational blog.

This fabulous blog candy ends November 30th so there's still time!

Ger x.

Kraft

The Chinese say, 'May you live in interesting times.'  Well I decided to give my voice a rest and leave the others shouting at the TV News, and retreat to the kitchen.  Pulling out the Kraft cardstock that arrived yesterday I was soon in a more philosophical mood ('Ah sure it's only money') while I crafted away.

Lovin the Kraft cardstock with Christmas colours!
Papermania A6 Kraft card blank
Papers Forever Friends Cosy Christmas
Anita's Outline Stickers white lacy sticker
Craft Planet Funky Felt
White gel pen
X-cut corner rounder
docrafts Glitter Glue
Glue pen and white embossing powder
Red & White Baker's Twine

Pink Christmas

Hi all, very chilly and foggy here all day.

I made this card using Papermania Classic Christmas crafting pack, plus some glitter glue, gems and lace.

I am entering this into Clare's Sketch Challenge 9th-16th November
also Creative Inspirations Challenge 86: Pink Christmas

Hoping to get some more Christmas cards made today!

Thanks for looking

Ger x.

Scrapbook Sisters Challenge: Autumn Colours

The technique used for the leaves is great fun!  I found it at Linda Cain's blog, take a look!  You need the packaging from Tim Holtz Alterations - I'm so glad I didn't throw out my Tattered Florals packaging last week.  Alcohol inks are applied, then when you use your heat gun it starts to curl and while it's warm you can manipulate the plastic.

For the acorn I used the method described here by Sheila Haliwell of docrafts

After all that, I decided to keep the rest simple.  I applied the same alcohol inks used on the leaves to the felt and swiped them across the card in a stripe.

I am entering this into Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge Nine: Autumn Colours
Stamp Insanity: Punches
Lexi's Creations: Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion 31: Two of Anything
Top Tip Tuesday: use an image/sentiment
Thanks for looking

Ger x.

Glossy Cardstock
Adirondack Alcohol Inks: Caramel, Red Pepper, Lettuce, Gold Mixative
Tim Holtz Alterations plastic packaging
 Brown Cardstock
Flower Punch
Glitter Glue
Sentiment: Creative Expressions 

For You

Had fun getting pink and girly.

I'm entering this into Sparkle Dreams 2nd Challenge which was to follow a sketch.

Paper: docrafts Henbury Lane
Pink Core'dinations card
Letters: docrafts
Marianne Creatables die
Ribbon, charm, gems from stash
Martha Stewart punch
Stamp: Moments in Time, Just for You, coloured with Promarkers

Thanks for looking

Ger x.

Thinking Holiday Inking

Have you checked out Jennifer McGuire's new Thinking Holiday Inking video series?  It's now in Week 5 and so inspirational.

I had never thought of using alcohol inks on watercolour paper before.

The bauble stamp is clear ink stamped onto watercolour paper, heat embossed with clear powder, then alcohol inks with gold mixative and blending solution pounced on top.  The inks sink into the watercolour paper leaving the mixative on top.

The bauble was stamped again with olive green ink onto white card then clear embossed several times to give a glossy finish.

This has been entered in Thinking Holiday Inking Week 5 - Alcohol Inks and Watercolour Paper

Paper: docrafts Forever Friends Cosy Christmas
Scalloped border: docrafts Hampstead borders and icons
die-cut sentiment: docrafts Henbury Lane paper pack
Stamp: Hero Arts cling bauble stamp
X-Cut Scallop Scissors, Large
Glitter glue, string

I am also entering this on:
One Stop Craft Challenge 105 - Embossing
Make it Monday - Share your Creativity!
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge: Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge 30: Anything Goes

My very first blog awards!

I'm really thrilled to get these awards!

The first is from Sally Atkins.  I've been following Sally's gorgeous blog for some time and I just love her colourful creations.

The rules for this award are:

• Thanks the person who gave me the award - Thanks, Sally!
• Put the award on my blog
• List three things I like about myself

1. I'm generally cheerful and optimistic.
2. I'm a big softie and cry far too easily (not sure if I like that after all LOL!)
3. At 51 my hair is barely going grey!  Superficial, moi???

Post a picture I love:

I know the quality isn't great. I tried to adjust the brightness.  This is me with my two sisters on a weekend in Glasgow last November and we had a blast. Sisters are wonderful and I have the two best sisters ever!

Now, to pass the award on to 5 other lovely bloggers with that little bit extra: (this is hard, there are so many inspirational blogs out there!)

1. Edna
2. Deirdre
3. Pinky
4. Eileen
5. Chris

The second award comes from Dianne who I began following recently.  I struggle to make a card some days and she makes HUGE batches!  You go Dianne!  Wish I had your mojo!

Beautiful Blogger Award

The rules for this award are to tell you 10 things you'd probably not know about myself, and to pass the award on to 10 more Beautiful Bloggers.

1. I was born in Scotland.
2. I married at 19, that was 31 years ago.
3. I have six children.
4. I love to cook and prefer cooking at high speed to the leisurely type!
5. I am more energetic in the mornings and not worth tuppence after 10 p.m.
6. I love cats.
7. I'd love to own a very talkative parrot.
8. I believe every single person is creative but everyone expresses it in different ways - it might be their home or garden or baking a yummy loaf of bread.  
9. We have moved house more than 10 times since we got married!
10. My favourite drink is dry white wine.

My 10 Beautiful Bloggers are:

Debbie
Val
Jackie
Lulu
Julie M
Julie
Sandra Dry
Sarpreet
Wendy
Leann
 
Ger x.

Hampstead

How did I not notice these lovely paper packs and embellies before?  Had fun making some quick cards last night.

Papermania Hampstead Papers and embellishments
X-Cut Scissors Scallop Large
Tim Holtz Tattered Florals (arrived yesterday! Yay!)
Brad from stash, altered colour with alcohol inks

Thanks for looking

Ger x.

Bon Voyage

Sometimes, the idea you have in your head translates straight onto the card.  This was not one of those times!  I'd be ashamed to tell you how many sheets of glossy card ended up in the bin, or the names I called the brayer which very nearly went into the bin as well.

In the end I went for the fake brayer technique with Big and Juicy Mountain Meadow.  The sentiment is computer generated and embossed by dumping embossing powder onto it as soon as it came out of the printer, then heating. This is a Bon Voyage card for my sister who's off to Abu Dhabi shortly.  I'd also like to enter this card into this week's Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge - Tick Tock.  Then I think I better go to bed before I do any more damage.

Thanks for looking!

Ger x.

Black & White Christmas

The inspiration for this card came from this beautiful card.

The stamp is from docrafts Classic Christmas, embossed in black, some glitter glue added around the reindeers' feet and to their spots.

I am entering this card into Bah! Humbug Challenge: Elegance


Ger x.

Old Stash

Morning all.  This card was made for Clare's Photo Inspiration Challenge over at docrafts and I managed to use up some of last year's papers yay!  They are from docrafts A Christmas Carol.  The candle is from Sheena Douglass Christmas Day, stamped with Vintage Photo, colour pulled out with a paintbrush.  A little copper glitter for the centre of the poinsettias and some ribbon.  The date stamp is from docrafts Silent Night stamp set.

Ger x.

Crafters Companion SWALK Blog Hop

Hi all,

I haven't posted in a while and now that I have cards to post I don't have my camera till next Monday!

In the meantime here is the Crafters Companion Blog Hop to celebrate the release of SWALK Collection Volume 2, with some lovely inspiration along the way. 

You need to start at Jacqui's Blog

Ger x.

Henbury Poinsettia

Watching Sheila Halliwell from doCrafts in Athlone last Friday I remembered that I own a paper crimper so pulled it out for this card.

Henbury Lane Poinsettia A4 Collectors' Pack
Sizzix Snowflake embossing folder
Colourbox chalk inks

Thanks for visiting

Ger x.

Over the Edge

The challenge at Scrapbook Sisters is Over the Edge.

Sizzix Snowflake embossing folder
Spellbinders scalloped circles
doCrafts robin decoupage and sentiment from last year's Christmas stash (must use up more of that!)
Ribbon, gems, pearl card and mirri paper from stash

Thanks for visiting!

Ger x.

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge: Alcohol Inks

Morning all!  Dug out the alcohol inks to have a go at the challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers.


This wasn't the design I started out with in my head, but isn't that so often the case!

Ranger alcohol inks Wild Plum and Red Pepper plus some Gold Mixatives on glossy card
Martha Stewart border punch
Heat resistant acetate
Creative Expressions stamp Cottage Flowers
Gold embossing powder
Butterfly punch
Gems from stash

Ger x.

Scrapbook Sisters Challenge: Pink and Black

Over at Scrapbook Sisters they are launching their Card Challenges with some lovely blog candy - check out the link in my sidebar. The first challenge theme is Pink and Black and this is my entry.

Pink Core'dinations from doCrafts July Goody Bag
Flower punches and scallop nestie
Ribbon, black card, brads from stash.

Ger x.

I WON!!

I can't believe it, I won the August Card of the Month challenge at Creative Expressions !

The challenge was to create a card using Cosmic Shimmers. I used Pearl Gold from their Iridescent Pigment Mica Cosmic Shimmers, and Big n Juicy foliage faux brayered, also the Trees stamp plate together with some stamps from the Canal and Seasonal Flora range.

The prize is 50 stg worth of Cosmic Shimmer goodies! I've been lusting after more of these for ages.

Why don't you enter their September Card of the Month challenge, which is to use anything from the Eco Green range? I watched Sheena use the fabulous Eco paints at a workshop in Perth this year. These are amazing paints and Sheena demonstrated a crackle technique which she then painted over in a folk painting style. You may have seen them demonstrated by Julia Andrus (who invented them) on Create & Craft.

Creative Expressions also have a Facebook group which can be found here

I had no sooner peeled myself off the ceiling after getting that news than the courier arrived with my new Cuttlebug!

I am officially in crafting Heaven!

Ger x.

No time for cardmaking

Between school book and uniform lists and walls being chased to put in new solid fuel central heating with the resulting dust and debris, there hasn't been much time for cardmaking. When the new Sheena Douglass stamp plate Christmas Day arrived I had no energy or inspiration left, and ended up more or less copying a design Sheena had posted on her blog - how lazy! In my defence Sheena does have such tempting card designs! However the stamp plate is gorgeous and I hope to play with it properly soon. I will probably end up buying the Christmas Eve plate as well.

Chipped Sapphire distress ink, Snowflake Tinsel Embossing Powder, stamp from Papermania Silent Night stamps.

Ger x.

In the Spotlight

I heard about 'Spotlighting' so had to have a go. Stamped Creative Expressions 'Cottage Flowers' roses with Archival Black, then again onto a Spellbinders Label and coloured just the label image with watercolours. Also used Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, rosebuds and ribbon from stash.

Our own roses are going to dissolve any day now with all this rain!

doCrafts Christmas

Been playing with the Christmas goody bag. Just simple cards, trying to ease my way into the Christmas onslaught!

More Pinks

I was on a roll with the new Goody Bag so borrowed the neighbour's Big Shot (thanks Elaine!) and made two cards. Stamped the name onto Shrink Plastic (great fun) and inked one of the chipboard flowers with ink from the Bag. Pink textured cardstock from the bag.

Pink Birthday

The July doCrafts Goody Bag contains luscious hot pinks and reds cardstock just asking to be torn. Layered here on top of a piece of butterfly themed 12 x 12 also in the Goody Bag. Added a punched butterfly, glittered butterfly trails, and inked the edges of a scalloped circle with pink inks which were in the bag.

Godson's Birthday

This was a quick enough card to make. A4 cardstock, quarter folded in, cut out some decoupage from C & C and stuck on with 3D foam pads. The matching paper was layered onto some orange cardstock (love that orange cardstock - I have used it so much!).

Not shown is the laminated business card size brag book of my Godson's cutest photos which pops into the pocket made by the 'Just for You' decoupage. Laminators are addictive. You have been warned.

Man's Birthday

Used an X-Cut crimper to corrugate some light brown cardstock, wrapped string around, distressed the edges of a brown cardstock layer, added brads, crimped some red cardstock and added a sentiment. Men are difficult to make cards for.

However I do like this colour combination and I think these colours would be nice on Christmas cards.

Teacher's Gifts

Made some gifts to match the thankyou cards for the teachers.

Made a box from orange cardstock and 6 notelet cards from scraps of Orange Capsule papers. Laminated a strip of Orange Capsule paper and used it to cover a post-it pad. Added a brad and gems.

I bought the laminator in Lidl's for Euros17.99 and it's a little bit addictive! First thing I made was a brag book with my Godson's photos.

I wanted to try the scratch-the-corners technique! Stamped Sheena Douglass Cottage Flowers with Worn Lipstick distress ink. Scraped the corners of the card with a craft knife then used cut n dry foam to colour the card with the same ink. The scratches hold onto the ink. Couldn't find a piece of ribbon in the right shade of pink so cut a length of white satin ribbon and went at it with the Worn Lipstick distress ink. It worked! I needed a pink layer so coloured some white card with the distress ink - these inks are really versatile.

13 distress ink colours collected so far ......

Hollyhocks

Okay, I need to learn to use a camera! White card stamped with Sheena Douglass Cottage Flowers in Tumbled Glass, also used to distress edges, layered onto silver mirri. Squidged Tumbled Glass onto craft sheet and picked up colour with a paintbrush, used to add colour and definition to the hollyhocks. Strip of silver mirri coloured with blue alcohol inks then covered with strip of heat-resistant acetate silver embossed with the large Hollyhocks. Going to repeat this design in pinks/purples.

Father's Day

A quick Father's Day card. Vintage Photo Distress Ink applied to card with Cut n Dry Foam. Used a Post It circle to mask out the moon. Creative Expressions trees stamps in Vintage Photo then again with sticky ink and embossed with Clear. Layer edges embossed with Gold. Gold mirri card dots punched out with an office two-hole punch.

Leaves Again

Just love Creative Expressions stamp plate Seasonal Flora. This is based on a Sue Wilson card design. The background is brayered with Big and Juicy Spice. The leaves are stamped with sticky ink then brushed over with Gold Perfect Pearls, stamped again and gold embossed.

The sentiment is from Flowersoft Moments in Time. Not the one I wanted for this card. I feel the need to buy more sentiments stamps!

doCrafts demo - Cliona Larkin

Cliona showed how to tile an image - didn't take as long as I thought it would!

Pearly Sheen

This card is thanks to Rosietoes' blog - http://www.anotherdayanothercard.blogspot.com/2010/06/unity-stamps.html

the technique is to splodge two Distress Inks onto white card (here, Wild Honey and Tumbled Glass) then brush over the perfect pearls in Pearl and Gold, punching out butterflies and flowers from the same card. The effect is very pearly with a pretty sheen.

Goes to show Distress Inks aren't all about being dark and grungy!

Foliage Big n Juicy

Played with a Big and Juicy Ink Pad - Foliage - loved the colours. Stamped with Creative Expressions stamps and gold embossed the red cardstock. Wish I had brown cardstock left.