MFT Sketch #464

Hello bloggers!

Another Christmas card - this time for My Favourite Things using their Wednesday sketch:

I really did struggle with this one but I've managed to get the three elements on the card in the form of these Sweet Holiday Penguins, coloured with Copics and plonked on a blended, snowy background.

I'm also popping it over to Time Out again for their 'celebrations' challenge!

Happy stamping!

Claire x

Mad for Plaid With Your Next Stamp!

G'day stampers!

Your Next Stamp have a plaid challenge this month - I have a lovely YNS Christmas paper pad full of plaid patterned paper but I'm so over Christmas cards I thought I'd go in a completely different direction and make a baby card using Baby Blessings:

I've used the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and, since there could hardly be anything better than celebrating a new life,  I'm also linking up with Time Out's theme challenge of 'celebrations.'

Since I didn't have any pink plaid paper I created my own again using a selection of border stamps (see the previous post for another example). A pink on grey woodgrain background and a scattering of sequins and fluffy clouds finished it all off!

Happy weekend!

Claire x

Negative Space

Hello fellow inkers!

I've combined a couple of challenges for the card below - CASology's cue card is 'appreciate' and Less is More's theme is 'that's torn it:'

Both cards have been made using goodies from Stamplorations - when I bought the butterfly stencil I hadn't realised that the butterflies were created with the negative space. It threw me a bit and I really wasn't quite sure how to use it so I just blended some distress inks around the edges to bring out the pattern.  My 'torn' element is a die which gives the impression of a torn notebook. perfect for someone who can't bear to tear a good piece of card stock!

Thanks for popping by!

Claire x

Time Out for Freshly Made Sketches

Hello fellow inkers!

I bought the Sweet Holiday Penguins set from MFT just before I went to the UK - it seems to have taken weeks to get round to actually using them.   I thought this little fella would work well with the latest Freshly Made Sketch: 

I've also used Time Out's Home Sweet Home inspiration pic. I've been inspired by lots of things - the gingham pattern on the pillows, the white duvet (or doona as we say over here) on the bed and the traditional Christmassy colours. I didn't have a gingham stamp so had to get creative and used a few different stamps from Mama Elephant and Waltzingmouse to create my own patterned paper. Lastly, an embossed snowy background using Tim Holtz' Snowfall Speckles which is probably one of the best crafty investments I've bought!

Thanks for calling by!

Claire x

Freshly Made Sketch #410

Hi folks,

It's been a while since I've had a play along with Freshly Made Sketches. Linda's lovely layered sketch really caught my eye this week so I've used it to make an 80th birthday card for my Mum. She really is quite amazing for 80 and still plays tennis twice a week - in fact she seems to have the energy of someone 20 years younger!

I've coloured this Clearly Besotted bloom called Beautiful Friend with Copics and added a gold embossed sentiment from MFT. The background has been stamped using MFT's Bundles of Blossoms using Grout Gray ink on the same coloured card stock. It's given it a subtle amount of texture without detracting from the flower I think.

Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

Claire x

Still Finding my Mojo...

Hello, happy weekend to you!

I'm still struggling to find my mojo after being away for a few weeks. I always find that happens when I've been on holiday - it takes me ages to get back into crafty mode and find some creativity. Maybe I left the right hand side of my brain on the plane!

So I've done a couple of challenges to try and kick start my mojo. The first is for AAA Cards using maxi white space and an optional twist of geometric:

I used a small Avery Elle stamp of 3 triangles from a set called All Squared up. After playing around I created a diamond shape and made a simple engagement card using gold and silver embossing powders for some metallic sparkle. 

The second card is for Time Out's inspired by words challenge 'dream big, be grateful, give love, laugh lots.' I've done a thank you card using a die from Stamplorations. I struggled with the placement of the sentiment - it just wouldn't sit right on the flower...don't you hate it when that happens?!

Anyway, fingers crossed I can get back into the crafty swing of it soon...hope you find your mojo this weekend!

Claire x