Yippee...............hoorah..........

Soooooooo excited, can't really think what to write but have to say something and share my great news - I have been selected to be a DT member on Emma and Kirstens new Allsorts Challenge. Still a bit speechless (that's rare), but just can't wait to get started with the first challenge. Lots of very talented crafters applied so I am really honoured to be selected, thank you so much girls, I'll do my best to live up to expectations.

First challenge is only a week away, 16th May and the first sponsors on board are Sir Stampalot , how good is that !

Got to go get creative now.

Inspirational Card Sketches

Good morning, it's a beautiful morning here in the fens, even blue skies ! I felt compelled to take my card into the garden to photograph so I could share some of the wonderful blossoms nature has to offer and which never fail to amaze me every year when they spring into life.

My card is set amongst a beautiful Viburnum Maresii which has an abundance of soft white blooms, as does the the Viburnum Pompom and of course I had to include one of the of lilacs whose armoa is filling the air today.

During my blog hopping session early this morning I found a new (well to me that is) challenge called Inspirational Card Sketches and they have a DT call and a great sketch by Dawnb.

As I was planning doing a card for A Spoon Full of Sugar where the task is "texture", I thought I would combine the two. The main image is good old favourite Stampendous agapanthus P107, stamped with versamark and detail copper embossing powder onto a glimmer misted background of copper, gold, cocoa and vanilla breeze. Before stamping the main image I repeat stamped across the background with hero H2365 using Hero shadow ink soft blossom. I added a little black down the side and corner to lift the piece with Penny Black 2636K using versafine black and detail clear emboss powder.

The flowers and leaves were cut on the cricut and sprayed with GM's terracotta, gold and vanilla breeze. The scallop was also cut out of bazzil on the cricut. The DP is K & Co.

Penny Black challenge 48

Black and white + 1 other is the theme over at Penny Black this week. I had a mind to do something with some new copper and black leafing foil, so my '+1' is of course copper.

I have kept the card pretty simple as I felt the leafing gives interest. The image is PB2827K which I had from Stampalot for a class a few weeks back - I realise there may seem to be a pattern emerging here as my earlier post also has birds and is monochrome - pure coincidence, or otherwise it reflects my mood today !

The image is stamped onto acetate with stayzon white, run through the Xyron and the leafing stuck to the reverse. Matted on to black and white cardstock and a mock stitch edging done with Inkssentials opaque white. The card edge looked a bit plain so used one of the the Cuttlebug border folders, coloured the flowers with copper H2o, agged gems, a bow made from some gorgeous spotty organza ribbon and I couldn't resist another stick pin made up with beads and pins from Spellbound.

Secret Crafter 31 and Everyday Art Challenges

Two into one again, this time for Secret Crafter where the challenge is "we would like to see brads or eyelets or both on your projects" and a new one Everyday Art Challenge. The second one is new to me, I discovered it this morning after Nixe visited my blog and I in turn visited her only to find she has a challenge and this week a brilliant sketch which immediately gave me an idea to re-create something similar to a project I designed for a class recently.

The main image is Hero CL284 stamped twice onto black card to create a larger one using versamark and detail white embossing powder. The little bird is from the same set and repeat stamped with versafine black and embossed with detail clear.

The two circles cut with nesties from black gloss card that has been run through the cuttlebug using bird call folder, then distressed with fine sandpaper. The greeting is a skinny stamp from Stamps by Judith (stampaddicts). Finally I added some little spotty brads and gingham ribbon.

Stamp Something

A super challenge from Stamp Something this week "Pink Birthday Somethings".

I have used a new paper from Scrappy Cat which I stuck to the main card and then cut three circles with nesties on the cuttlebug. I took another sheet of darker bazzil, marked the placement of the circles, ran through using scalloped nesites one size down for each circle, cut it down to the exact size matching the circles and adhered to the back. I stamped the images onto acetate, again carefully lining up to the 'widows', coloured the back with sakura pens and placed inside the card.

The floral stamp is Hobby Art FL1824G (Stampalot) stamped with black stayzon, the greeting is Hero CL278 which I bent into a semi circle to fit the window. I utilised the smallest cut outs to make a tag and added a glittered butterfly using PB3819D stamped twice onto vellum. Embellished with a bow and pearls.

Friday Sketchers 51

This weeks Friday Sketchers challenge is a sketch with quite a lot of layers, well for me anyway, but that's why it's called a challenge is'nt it ?

Unusually frugal, I have used some DP's that came free in a magazine which carried some of my artwork. The image is GR1353 DD from Hobby Arts, stamped with versamark and embossed with Moonglow razzelberry plum and cut on the cuttlebus using nesties. This is a lovely sentiment that I often use in class and there's always a list of orders for it afterwards.

The horizontal 'mat' is a border scroll cut on cricut storybook as are the hibiscus flowers across the bottom. I had added some florist stamens and liquid pearls to the centres.

Distressed and glittered

It's raining, it's cold so crafting seems the only option this morning, as if I need an excuse !

This card is really quite simple but I thought the colours needed to be left to do the talking. I build up the background with TH red brick, peeled paint and mustard seed and a bit of sepia around the edges. The image is Hampton Arts 4602 stamped in versfaine black and embossed with detail clear. I bleached out the flowers and parts of the planter to add an aged look, then added stickles to the flowers, leaves and butterflies when dry.

I resisted my usual impulse to embellish and simply inked a piece of grosgrain ribbon to match and stamped it using stayzon and a butterfly stubbie from Stamp by Judith (Stamp Addicts).