Wednesday 30 September 2015

Silver bells

Someone helpfully pointed out how many weeks it was until Christmas. I realised that, to avoid a panic, I should wind up the pace of production a bit. 
The challenge this week at Less is more is to use 
                                                SOMETHING SHINY
So that does lend itself to a Christmas card.  


 
I cut out these bells from a drinks can. I was very careful as I have already broken a bottle and a glass candle holder this week and nipped my finger in the handle of pair of scissors. Anyway no blood was shed. The aluminium is very thin but it pays to be careful.


The bells are really flowers but I don't think anyone will notice if you don't tell. It is a Tattered Lace mini die. Bluebells, I suppose. 
My first thought was to hang them from a wreath but in the end made a garland instead. 
I stamped the fir using a tiny stamp and cut the bows out and added them on top. That way, I was able to even out the two sides of stamping. 
The bows are embossed with clear embossing powder which gives a bit more shine. 
Stamps used are Woodware tiny fir branch and sentiment. 
Card-io base branch and swirl. 
Inky Doodles - bow.  (I feel I should add this very sudden, sad news that Sarah has passed away. I'm sure many of you will be as sad as I am. http://www.inkydoodles.co.uk/)

I hope you like it.

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Quick baby card

I found myself needing a congrats card for a new baby this week. I'm not sure why I wasn't ready for this one as I've known it was coming for a while!
One of my sons' friends and his partner have just had a baby boy so he was off to visit and I offered to make a card.
It was all done at speed late in the evening but given all that it turned out very well. 

 I've used Inky Doodle stamps from Primitive Angel and Caroline's Doodles.
I started with the bunting and then stamped the letters on to it using a Dovecraft set of small wooden peg stamps. The sheep body was cut from a previously stamped piece of card so that saved some time.
I wanted a bow or some ribbon or thread and finally hit on the idea of winding the silver thread around and hanging the bunting from it. It isn't really hanging from it but it looks as though it might be!
As an extra frame I stamped a ric rac border and then mounted it all on an embossed dotty background using foam pads.
Finally, I speed cut the sunflowers for a splash of colour as it needed a little something else but I really wanted to be going to bed.
I've used lots of snippets of white card so I'll be hopping over to Pixie's Snippets Playground with this one. It is always so inspiring but I rarely follow through any of the ideas I see there. I'll have a look now and see what I can do. I've had the opportunity for a lazy day and am trying to avoid the more boring jobs in favour of a few fun things. I need to paint some woodwork on a shed...



Friday 25 September 2015

Silver baubles

I've had very little time for crafting recently and, if I'm honest, not much inspiration either. So I'm pleased that I managed to carve out a little time today to make this card:



I made it for 52CCT where the theme is a Card for a Man. I always find this tricky. I much prefer flowers and swirls and bows. I decided to go for something simple and elegant but with a little glam as it is, after all, a Christmas card.
I found a snippet of textured, dark green paper (not black as it looks here) and embossed the Woodware baubles on it ion silver. I drew on the strings and coloured them with a silver gel pen. I did use a ruler as a guide as I've tried this before and found that my baubles were hanging at a strange angle. 
I decided to try some dry embossing with a board which I have not done for ages. I think it gives a smart, elegant look.
I added a snippet of silver ribbon with just a knot instead of a bow. I haven't any idea if a a man would like this but I like it. I'll ask if one passes.
So having used a couple of snipppets, I can skip over to the snippets playground and have a go on the swings. I haven't managed to get there for a few weeks. And in true Di style, I have enough green paper left so I'm making another card the same!
Now I'm off to tidy my room as I've left card, trimmer and stuff all over my bed and then a gin and tonic as a Thursday night treat. 
x

Friday 4 September 2015

White snowflakes

Another week has whizzed by and I've got to Friday afternoon without making a Christmas card. 
Here is a quick one. I had the embossed panel done and the idea was in my head. 



This is made with an embossing folder which came free with a magazine. I've explained to myself that it isn't really free if you weren't going to buy the magazine anyway! I wasn't. But couldn't resist the lovely design. It is very deep and the reverse looks good to. 
I cannot claim that the design idea is original, I have copied it from somewhere, probably several places in blogland. 

                                        

 I've worked to this sketch and I'd like to enter this weeks challenge at 52(Christmas)CardThrowdown. Pick a previous sketch. 

So very quick and easy, the ideas I'd formed last Sunday have not materialised this week but at least I managed a card. 

x