Sunday 1 January 2012



Happy New Year to you all !!

And what better way to kick start 2012 than with two new challenge themes and perhaps an opportunity to use some of your new crafty stash that Santa delivered ?

At Stampalot Challenge our theme in Monochromatic which gives you plenty of scope to create whatever you fancy and at Penny Black at Allsorts it's 'Love and Hearts' so you can make a head start n all those Valentine cards.


My card at the top is my DT piece for Stampalot and uses the lovely Penny Black 4035K Letter and Flowers which I inked up with a combination of TH Vintage Photo distress ink and Aquamarker sepia, before spritzing with water and stamping onto a piece of Fabriano watercolour card which I pre-stamped and distressed with Hero Arts G3316 Harlequin and F5042 Leaf Flourish. The DP is Cosmo Cricket and I inked a piece of cheesecloth with the same TH ink and made a little pendant from Shrink Plastic.

My second piece for Penny Black and More was more of a challenge as I struggle a bit with the whole love theme....................I freak every time I am asked to do a wedding as I'm not a fan of the repetitiveness of multiple cards....................having just finished the stationery for one rather large and high profile wedding this Spring with close to 400 guests, up pops another.........I don't actually seek out wedding work, it sort of finds me via friends, then I hate to say no.

So I opted for the same technique of inking the stamp and spritzing with water, this time with Penny Black 3796K Words Sweet and just Aquamarkers. I mounted it onto a mat created with MS round the page three dot scallop, added some ribbons and gems and a sentiment Penny Black 3322D I Love You.

Enjoy the rest of the New Year break and I hope you can join in our challenges.

46 comments:

PinksyDoodles said...

Fabulous cards Brenda. I love the tag you have made using the same stamp on the top card.
Good luck with the wedding work.
Hugs, Clare x

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, I for sure love the cards. Great stamps. Love them.

Eveline

Jackie said...

Two gorgeous cards, I love the 'au natrelle' look of the first one.
Happy New Year :o)
Jackie xx

Mervi said...

Hi Brenda and Happy New Year!
Thanks for this absolutely fabulous inspiration card with image "flowers and letters" - one of my faves! Both super lovely cards;-))m

Debbie said...

Happy New year dearie.Your cards are beautiful. Fab stamps.You take care.Hope this year is kinder to you healthwise.All the best. Love Debbie x

Sarah said...

Oh wow, these are stunning xxx

Kat said...

Two stunning cards to start 2012 Brenda. The first is so gentle and the second is so vivid. Love them both!

Hope 2012 is kind to you and yours.

Kat xx

Lisa Jane said...

oh wow two fabulous cards Brenda .. i love that top one.. reminds me of my day at SS
A very Happy New Year to you and all your family
Lisa x

pinky said...

Don't know what planet I was on today Brenda, totally thought I was to do my post on the 4th lol. All fixed now;) Loving your gorgeous creations!! Happy New Year to you and the family, here's to health for both of us:)
Hugs
Pinky

Linby said...

Happy New Year Brenda and every wish for good health for 2012.
Two great inspirational cards here.
Lynn x

PatR said...

Two gorgeous cards to start the year off. Happy 2012 let's hope it's a healthy one. xx

Chrissy said...

Two very pretty cards Brenda, a very Happy New Year 2012..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year.

I love the cards.

Ruth said...

Two beautiful cards. I know you put a lot of work into them but they always look so effortless - fantastic, in fact! Ruth x

ania said...

Pierwsza praca mnie wręcz zauroczyła:)) Piękna!!!!

Unknown said...

Love these stunning cards!! Happy Newyear Brenda!! HUgs, Frea

Julie said...

Happy New Year my lovely Brenda,I hope it's a good one for you! Beautiful cards as always but the second is definately my favourite,Tres chic!.x

Juls said...

fabulous cards!! I especially Love the first one!! so stylish!! hugs Juls

Sally H said...

Two stunning cards, Brenda and I love the shrink plastic. Fabulous!

Marta said...

Dear Brenda, both are great but the first one is stunning!

Tracy said...

As you can guess I love your chosen colour for the monochromatic challenge, I'm really loving your technique of applyinhg colour straight to the stamps, must have a go with my aquamarkers. Both cards are really beautiful Brenda. I think you've done the love theme really well.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Crafty Loops said...

Hi Brenda, a very Happy New Year to you and I hope you are feeling well. These cards are really gorgeous. Lee x

Ellibelle said...

Happy New Year Brenda! Loving both of your creations, they are so beautifully designed!

Renee V said...

Oh that first card is such perfection, love the cheesecloth, the script background, and the beautiful distress work!! The second is so pretty with the gorgeous reds and those heart stick pins are amazing! Hope you had a great New Year's Eve and Day!

Lynne K said...

Both gorgeous card, Brenda. My favourite is the first one, I think because of the colour. I love that delicate water colour effect that you get with the spritzed stamp technique.

Hope 2012 is a happy, healthy and peaceful one for you and your family.

Lynne x

Ludkasz said...

Beautiful cards:)
Happy New Year!!!

Rufus said...

First both cards are so pretty! Santa actually brought me the Penny Black letters and flowers, so I'll have to see if I can create something similar to your brilliant card. Second, I can even begin to imagine making 400 of the same thing!! I know it would drive me insane! Happy 2012,
R/

Paula (PEP) said...

I'm not at all good at doing the same thing again & again so well understand your thoughts. Having said that the second is my favourite by just a whisker as I love the inking techniques & Penny Blacks that you've used in both. The Harlequin & Swirl edging in the first is terrific & I love how you carried the swirls throung onto the patterned paper. It's the striking colours & the ribbon layering that got me on the second.
Wishing you all the best for 2012.
Paula (PEP)

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

I love them both, off to great work in 2012 again, B. God's richest blessings for good health for you in 2012. Shaz in oz.x

Nannieflash said...

Hi Brenda, Happy New Year love, hope its a brilliant one for you. Love your two cards they ae gorgeous. hugs Shirleyxxx

Mandy G said...

Happy New Year Terminator!
What fantastic cards, I hate to say but I have a favourite its the monochromatic card for the ss challange, I love it where did you get that twine?
hope to see you soon :)
Hugs
Mandy

sandie said...

Hi Brenda

Cards are gorgeous-love the use of the pins.
Hope you have a good New Year
Sandie x

Anonymous said...

Both beautiful cards Brenda, hopefully I'll get chance to join in with both. I really enjoy the monthly challenges, means I don't have to panic about getting a card done if I'm having a really busy week!

Hugs
Brenda

H said...

Happy New Year
2 gorgeous cards Brenda
Hugs Harma

franzesjoi said...

simple elegant cards! :)
happpy 2012!!

Mrs.B said...

Happy New Year Brenda.
Two gorgeous cards, love the first one - the stamped image is gorgeous.
Avril xx

Merry said...

Oh two beautiful cards Brenda....the flower image in that first card is so lovely. Wonderful way you have added the hearts to the second card.

Kirsty said...

Hi and Happy New Year. So inspired I adore the charm you have created must try that ! So lovely. I am going to try the monochromatic style too ! I adore your choice of stamps the first one is just so perfect !! Kitty :D

Mynn xx said...

What beautiful creations!!! I LOVE the monochromatic--it's stunning! :)

Elinor said...

Wow... your first card is amazing!

stretch mark removal cream said...

You are really gifted in crafts. I love your work

Alёnushka said...

Happy New Year, Brenda!!! Best wishes!!!

Alёnushka said...

Ohh, forgot... Very beautiful cards!!! First is the best!!!!!!!!!!

walchowDesign said...

Absolutely gorgeous cards, Brenda! Love the first one for Stampalot as it gives such a classic look!

group lockout boxes said...

Above all cards are awesome. This is a great challenge for everyone and i like that pictures which is put by you in your challenge. I always struggle to this challenge.

Minna said...

Oh my! That first one again! <3