MFT Colour Challenge

Hello inkers, happy 2025!

It's been a while between cards - Christmas can do that, can't it?  We've had family over from the UK for a few weeks so lots of socialising and very little crafting.

It was hard to get motivated to play with paper again but what better way than by playing along with the brand new colour challenge at MFT.  I've missed their challenges so much in the last few months but they're back, alternating between a colour and a sketch challenge:
 

I also used the latest Freshly Made Sketch from Karren for some inspiration - a great sketch for those MFT 6 x 6 paper scraps I have lying around as I can't bear to throw them out! I have a real lack of birthday cards at the moment so used MFT's Let Your Hair Down.

Happy stamping and here's to a crafty 2025!

Claire

Altenew Ultimate Inspiration Challenge - Year in Review

Hello again,

You know another year has gone by when it's the Ultimate Inspiration Challenge: Year in Review   over at Altenew. I revisited Bridget's April challenge - I'd already used these colours a couple of times for the original challenge so I obviously liked them:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches for some inspiration - I thought it was perfect for this Psyanka stamp (currently half price so a good reason to buy it). I coloured the first one in full using Copics, then partially coloured the other three. It's quite a detailed design so I thought it would be a bit much with all four coloured. I also added a Fine Frames Cover Die and a teeny tiny diamante in the middle of each flower.

Happy stamping!

Claire

Playing With Lavinia Stamps...Again

Hello inkers,

The heat in Sydney is absolutely blistering today at 38C and the humidity is almost unbearable. So, what better way to cool down but playing along with Lavinia Stamps December Creative Challenge which themed 'snow is falling.'

 

              

 

We had family arrive from the UK last weekend which meant I could put an order in directly from Lavinia Stamps and have them bring it over to me. I loved this tag that Tracey made so I CASEd it using some of my new stamps and tools. I've been hankering after the stencil brushes for ages and they are worth every penny!

The first card isn't just for the LS challenge, I'm also linking over to Addicted to CAS where the theme is 'brrr' and to Time Out's photo inspiration challenge that features lots of snow.  I used a mini Pipin the hare and blended a selection of inks for the background , added some pretty foliage, some sparkle and a scattering of snowflakes using a Posca pen (yet another great tip from the LV videos).

If you're in Australia, hope these cards cool you down!

Happy stamping!

Claire

Seize the Birthday - Masculine: Guest Designer

Hello,

So happy to be the surprise party guest for Seize the Birthday's latest challenge.  The theme is 'masculine:'

I feel like it's ages since I inked up a masculine card - I really don't do enough of them which is very silly as I live in a house with 3 strapping males. 

I used a very old stamp set from Close to my Heart which I haven't inked up for about 7 years. I have to say I struggled with it - the entire card face was covered in those stamped and hand cut chevrons but the background was so busy the sentiment was just lost. So, I decided to add some 'white' space and framed some of the pattern with a circular die cut panel, then added the Altenew lime frame to match the colours.

Go check out the talented DT over at their blogs and see the amazing cards they've done to inspire you. Who knows, you may 'take the cake' and be a future party guest!

Happy stamping!

Claire

Freshly Made Sketch #663

Hello folks,

Sneaking in with a card for Freshly Made Sketches:

I can't get enough of these Merry Moose's from MFT - coloured with Copics with some added sparkle on his collar and cuffs. 

This one's also going over to Time Out's 'Inspired by Words' challenge - 'there truly is not an occasion that is not improved by wearing something festive.' You couldn't improve an occasion more than by having moose dressed as Santa!

Happy stamping!

Claire

 

AAA Cards - Anything CAS Goes: Guest Designer

Hello folks!

I'm thrilled be guest designing again over at AAA Cards Challenge - for the next couple of weeks, anything CAS goes with the optional twist of Christmas-Winter:

I saw these pretty cards from Jo Rice using the shadow stamping technique and had to have a go. I used Gina K's Holiday Silhouettes - not quite as pretty as Jo's but I like how it turned out and it was very quick! Perfect for making a heap of cards in no time at all. 

Head over to the talented design team blogs for some inspiration, then get your CAS brains in gear to be in with a chance of being a future guest designer!

Happy stamping!

Claire

Cozy Colours

Hello bloggers,

Quick post for a couple of challenges - The Paper Player's colour challenge and Time Out's 'cozy' challenge:

 

  

 

What could be cosier than toasting marshmallows by an open fire? Even if you are a moose!

Happy stamping!

Claire