Saturday 18 January 2014

Buttons and Bows




It's all about Buttons and Bows at Allsorts this week where our lovely Sarah is our host and our sponsors are Crimson Cloud and Cuddly Buddly.

On the health front can I say a huge thank you for so many lovely messages and mails, if I have note replied to you this week I do apologise but I have not spent too long at the computer yet. As you will gather as I am updating what was a scheduled post that I am at home, I now have to have five weekly treatments and had the first Thursday which made me feel a bit shaky and queasy but onwards and upwards and they are quite optimistic although can't rule out further need for surgery just yet but I am keeping everything crossed.

So on to my first card at the top where I went for a bit of inky indulgence yet again, repeat stamping the copse of trees.......it's an unmounted given to me by a crafty friend for my Birthday a couple of years ago but afraid I have forgotten the make..........with black archival and then adding colour with Pan Pastels, what else I ask ? And of course a masked sun, some birds and red raffia and a button down the spine.

A few people have asked me where I buy this shape of landscape card, well I cut most of my own cardstock myself with the exception on 6x6 square. This shape is basically a landscape A5 which to create I score a sheet of A3 card down the centre (shortest dimension) so you have the equivalent of two A4 sheets but joined to the left and this then cuts into two A5 landscape card blanks. When I make them up into cards I often score and glue a left spine as in this one as it makes the perfect place for ribbon and makes them stand up firmly. You can do exactly the same to make landscape 7x5 cards but there is some waste as you still need a sheet of A3 to get the width.

One more share which is my mid month inspirational card for Penny Black and More where our theme this month is Love is in the Air, still ten days for you to join in and as always lots of fab prizes to be won. I used Penny Black 40-092 All You Need is Love and stamped a second time in red and cut a few of the hearts out to overlay on the black image, created a simple frame using Spellbinders and my current favourite rose embossing folder.

Have a good weekend everyone.

74 comments:

Helen said...

Gorgeous cards, I especially like the top one with those trees! Glad you are home, and that whilst you are having to have more treatment, you are keeping positive still. Sending you big hugs, and take care xxxxx Helen

Unknown said...

Beautiful stunning and inspirational cards as always Brenda. Love the stamping on your first one... hoping all the best for your health xxx

Sarah said...

Two great cards Brenda. Love the scene and the embossed roses are fab on the second. You have been on my mind this week and I have my fingers firmly crossed xx

Marianne said...

Two beauties again Brenda!! Thanks or the explanation of the landscape card and I hope you feel better!!
xxx Marianne

Berina RGA said...

lovely cards Brenda... keep up the hope for your treatment...
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

Marianne said...

Gorgeeous cards as always, Brenda. I can see why you love that embossing folder,so much. Sorry I missed your last post, but I'm happy to hear you're home and that the doctors are fairly optimistic. Good luck on your treatments!
Hope you'll have a lovely weekend. Over here, it's nice and sunny, with day temperatures of about 20 degrees. Too bad I still have a translation job to finish.
Marianne x

Mummylade said...

Your images are always so thought through!

Jaya Raghuvanshi said...

both the cards are gorgeous Brenda! love the repeat stamping on the first cards! its wonderful..! I am definitely going to try this out asap.. and the red an white card is sooo pretty! love everything...the stamps.. the heart button with the bow is sooo gorgeous!!!
wish you the most speedy recovery dear!
lots of love

Sammy said...

Another pair of gorgeous cards! I especially love the little red hearts on the second one! Such a great idea, and it really does make the image pop! x

Claire said...

HI Brenda, beautiful cards as always. Your scenic card is gorgeous and I love the roses embossing folder on the second card. I hope you're feeling better and managing to rest and recuperate.
love and hugs
Claire xx

Sarah said...

Absolutely stunning scene card B and the Valentine card is beautiful, love the die frame shape x

Beryl said...

Fabulous stamping and Pan Pastel colouring Brenda. I love sideways A5 cards which is why I always keep a stock of A3. I really ish you could get them pre made though.
Hope you get through the rest of the weekly treatments without too much of the 'feeling queezy'.
Love and cyber hugs
Beryl xx

Tracy said...

Hi Brenda,
Beautiful creations, love the stamping on the first and a beautiful layout too. Love the embossing folder on the second card, so pretty.
Good luck with the rest of the treatment.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Michelle J M said...

Hello Brenda, Have just got back from my usual month in Cape Town so am catching up! Have gone through all your cards and of course they are wonderful as always. I trust you are feeling better and that the treatment helps. Michelle x

jackiescrafts said...

What lovely cards.
That's good that you are home, I hope the treatment works and you don't need more surgery, sending you get well wishes.
Jackie x

Desire Fourie said...

Beeeeautiful creations as always. I am so pleased that you are home. All the best with the upcoming treatments. Just take it one day at a time xxx
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Crafting Queen said...

Wishing you all the best with you health. Hugs Anesha

Wendy L said...

Two beauties Brenda but the first one is stunning. Hope you are feeling OK and try to have a good weekend. xxx

Sharon said...

Beautiful cards as always Brenda. I love the gorgeous scene and the sun set sky looks fabulous. The second card is a lovely design and I love the stamp.
Have a lovely weekend.
Hugs Sharon. x

KT Fit Kitty said...

Both are so pretty. Love the warm colours of the first card. Love the red/black combo on the second card and that beautiful embossing and die-cut. I hope your treatments go well and that you are able to tolerate them. Sending hugs and prayers to you, Brenda.

Whisper said...

Both cards are absolutely stunning and so different too.

Thinking of you hun and sending hugs luv Sam x

Sue said...

Stunning cards Brenda. Your designs and colours are just amazing.
I am pleased that you are back home now, I wish you all the best for the rest of your treatment.
Take care
Sue xx

Sally H said...

Two real beauties, Brenda! Love the colouring on that sky. That stamp was from Circa design/ the unmounted stamp company - I have the same one myself! Hope you are feeling a little better this morning. Big hugs x

Von said...

Love your blending with the pan pastels Brenda and the frame you have created is just lovely :)
Von ♥

Dora said...

both cards looks so beautiful.
the first card find I that so beautiful scene!

Sandy said...

Both of these makes are really gorgeous - I am so glad I did not miss this post.
Sandy

Gail said...

Just beautiful!
Hope your treatments work for you!

Tanya said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda, they're both beautiful :)

Tags xx

susiestacey said...

Beautiful cards Brenda, hope you are feeling a bit better today x Susan x

Pat said...

Two gorgeous cards Brenda, love the scene on the first and the beautiful colours of the second. Glad you are back home, I hope all goes well with your treatments.

Pat xx

Ellibelle said...

Two beautiful creations Brenda, loving the scene on your first card, as always so beautifully created, and fabulous idea to add the ribbon to the left. Gorgeous Penny Black creation too, beautiful sketch and I love the stamp you used!
Hope you are feeling better soon!!

Words and Pictures said...

Glorious sunset and wonderful tree landscape in that first card - it's just lovely!
Fingers crossed that the treatment pays off, and that it doesn't knock you too far sideways.
Alison xx

Kat said...

Hi Brenda, hope you're feeling a bit better now. Sorry I've been such a poor bloggy friend recently. As you know I've had a lot of internet issues recently! Hopefully this is now sorted. I don't think an elderly laptop has helped but now I have a nice new one. I just need to be brave and start using it. New operating system looks a bit scary but I'll have to try.

I'm loving these two cards, not to mention all the ones I've missed already this week! The first one is just stunning, the colours are beautiful. And I love how you've framed the lovely flowers in the second one. Really elegant and a gorgeous colour too.

Take care,

Kat xx

Lynn (delphinoid) said...

Both lovely cards Brenda!

I really do love the scene on the first one. I think it's the colours that are drawing me to it.

Happy Crafting!!! :) X X

Always Love said...

This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that's been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

Cardsharing Server

Paula (PEP) said...

Amazing how the raffia really echoes the top part of your sunset & the matting does the same with the bottom part. I love the way you've cut it into 3 sections & then mounted it onto black.
Your second is a lovely treat with the additional red hearts on the first stamping. The frame looks superb with the embossed roses surrounding the aperture & I love that added button with the twine to echo the card base.
Thanks for the info about the card shape too - it's very dramatic.
Take care of yourself & rest.
Much love
Paula (PEP)

Lorraine said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda. I love teh top one, a fabulous scene and beautiful colours.
I'm glad you are back home and I hope you are feeling a bit better.
Have a lovely weekend
Lorraine x

Andreja said...

Both cards are very fantastic, Brenda
Hugs, Andreja

Gerrina said...

Both cards are beautiful in there own way, but my favo is the first card! (Because of the trees I think...) Hope you have enough energy and optimism to come through this treatment...Have a relaxing weekend, Gerrina

May said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda, I adore your scenes...I love how you framed the second too...Have a happy weekend... Hugs May x x x

rachel said...

Hope you're feeling okay Brenda and that the weekly treatments get easier and work for you! Big Hugs! Love both your cards - especially the first one - I'm a sucker for a scene - especially with trees! Beautiful! Big Hugs to you! Rachel x

Sasha said...

A glorious winter sunset on your first card, Brenda. Love your embossing, die aperture and colours of your second card.
Hope you are feeling much better soon x

Astrid Maclean said...

Absolutely stunning cards Brenda, love them both but the top one with the three panels really stole my heart, so beautiful!

Mrs.B said...

Hi Brenda, Glad that you are now back home,hope the future treatments go well.
Two gorgeous cards, love the wintry scene.
Take care,
Avril xx

McCrafty's Cards said...

Two Beautiful card Brenda, I like the scene and colours on the first and the way you have framed the image on the sceond.
Kevin xx

Tindaloo said...

awesome cards! love the triptych style on the first one :)

Stamps and Paper said...

Two stunning cards Brenda,

Anne

Mieke said...

Stunning cards!

Mervi said...

Hi Brenda, beautiful card. The first is like sunset yesterday here.
It's so cold but beautiful sunny wheather, - 15 C degrees.
Hope for your speed recovery, take care;-))m

ALI said...

Beautiful cards Brenda

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful designs Brenda, love the artistic scene at the top and how you've divided into 3 panels. I hope you are doing well and good luck with the treatments. Take care, Shirleyx

KandA said...

Wonderful cards Brenda. I really love the scene and beautiful colours of the first xx

Robin said...

So very gorgeous! I really love the scene you created in the first one. Hugs, Robin

Patry Ro said...

Really incredible cards! I like the new image of your blog!!!

Patry Ro said...

This card with this special image like a triptych is a special demonstration of art!!! tks for sharing!!

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

You are a brave lady Brenda, I do hope you are feeling a little better . Your cards are beautiful , love the warm colours of the first and the pretty pink card in your last post.
I do hope everything improves for you health wise.
big hugs. janex

mags said...

Two gorgeous cards Brenda. I particularly like the first one with the fabulous scene. Hope your treatment goes okay for you.
Mags
x

Annmaree of Oz said...

Love and hugs to you Brenda for your treatments!! Everything crossed here for you!

Love your gorgeous sunset scene, great bold colours!

and loving the beautiful second card, also! I love the hearts growing and the sentiment!

Take Care xoxo

Eemeli said...

Love the tiled scene and thanks for the brilliant color therapy...definitely needed some because it is SO dark now here in Finland. Hope the spring will come soon...

Hugs,
Eemeli

Lau W said...

Hope you're well my friend, i'm late with my comments but i think of you :-)
Love the 2 cards, the second is fabulous with all the hearts !
xxx

Anonymous said...

two gorgeous cards brenda! the pan pastels blending is beautiful and the scene is very serene. the second one is so bright and i love the red against the white with the fabulous embossed background.
take care, linda

Karen Petitt said...

Both are beautiful Brenda. I love the landscape firstly, of course, and I must play with my PP's and use your cards as the comparison - so that I get more use from them. Hoping you have a good week and won't now have to go for an operation, fingers crossed for you huni. Take care of yourself right now xx

cebelica said...

You are the queen of making scenery with your stamps. Really, you are! Your first card is gorgeous! And the second one is very beautiful too - those little hearts pop out beautifully. Hugs! xx

walchowDesign said...

Lovely sunset scene, Brenda! I am sorry I missed quite a lot and hope you are feeling well! Take card!

Faye Wynn-Jones said...

Wow, both of these cards are fab, but I especially love the super landscape card. Gorgeous colours x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

These are two wonderful cards, love the bright colors of the first one.

Craftnut said...

Love the rose embossing folder, great card for the challenge Tracy x

Rhonda Miller said...

Two terrific cards. I love the background coloring on the first one, beautiful.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

praying for you B. in all and love the two cards esp the first, Shaz in oz.x

SusanLotus said...

Beautiful creations Brenda!
And I hope this will be a very good year for you.
Hugs
Susan

Maryann Laursen said...

Oh my goodness this landscapecard is absolutely gorgeous Brenda, and I sooooo love it. I also like the last one, but admit the first one is also the one, I like best, to be honest, it´s simply stunning.

loulou said...

I've been so in awe of your gorgeous pan pastel cards for ages, that I just had to get some. I was lucky enough to pick some up in the after Christmas sales. Now I'll just have to browse back through you blog to get some inspiration. I hope your treatments go well. You are such a lovely and generous lady - you definitely deserve some good luck and good health.

Merry said...

I have been thinking of you as you began your treatment...I hope everything continues positively. Big hugs and get well thoughts are always sent your way. Love your cards and thanks for sharing how your create them. Love the little hearts.

Teresa Godines #6857 said...

Love the scene you created on the first card. So beautiful! Hope your treatments are going well. Sending you warm thoughts from sunny Ca.