Holly Jolly Christmas

Hello again,

Still playing with my latest MFT purchase, this time with Yuzu Holly Jolly Santa for sketch challenge #665:

I was so excited to use these new stamps I didn't even realise the sketch was a landscape card so I did a portrait one and had to move the position of the sentiment to the base of the stencilled circle. I used the Drifts and Hills Stencil to do the snow. 

Despite the name of the stamp set Santas's nowhere in sight, just these cute little reindeer - can you tell which one's Rudolph? 

Thos one's also going over to MFT's Ready, Set Christmas challenge and Simon Says Stamp's Monday challenge which has a Christmas theme. 

Happy stamping!

Claire

MFT Sketch 664

Hello inkers!

Quick post for this week's MFT Sketch Challenge before it closes:

I have to admit I didn't find it the easiest sketch to play with!  I used Watercolor Wash Free Form Stencil for the background and for the three strips I used Drift and Hills and Cloud stencils. The stamps are a new MFT purchase - Buzzing with Happiness. These cool dudes kind of remind me of ZZ Top in bee form - unfortunately anyone under the age of 40 probably doesn't know what I'm talking about!

Happy stamping!

Claire

MFT Sketch Challenge #663

Hello again,

Second card for the day - I'm on a roll! This one's for MFT's latest sketch challenge:

I usually put this cute kid from Your Hair Down (retired) against a sunny, blue sky background but with longer nights just round the corner I thought I'd set her against an evening sky. Reminds me of when I was little and pushed to stay out just a little bit later on the long Summer nights in the UK.

The background panel was stamped with Lined by Hand Background Stamp using Grout Grey Ink on matching card stock. MFT please bring it back - my all time favourite neutral!

Happy stamping!

Claire

Altenew September Inspiration Challenge

Hello, happy weekend to you!

A pretty, autumnal palette for the Altenew Inspiration Challenge this month:

 

I switched from my usual Copics and used pencils to colour this Nostalgic Florals bloom. I'm still very much a beginner with pencils - I have a lot more colours to choose from but it really is hit and miss whether I get the blends right. They're cheaper knock offs as well as I didn't want to commit to buying an expensive brand until I'd tried them out. Would be interested to see whether it's any easier with the branded ones!

I framed the flower using the Simple Frame embossing folder swiped with Versamark and gold embossed. The sentiment's from Sentiment Strips (1). 

This one's also going over to Just the Girls for their mood board challenge - I was inspired by the colours of the leaves, the kraft notebook in the 2nd pic and the cream latte art on the coffee!

Happy stamping!

Claire

My Favorite Things - 2023 Card Design Superstar: Clean and Simple Genius

Hello inkers,

MFT's annual Card Design Superstar comp has rolled around again - I always like to have a bash and love to see the gallery as there are some truly amazing creations! This one's my entry to the Clean and Simple Genius category:

I used one of my favourite characters from Old Friends. I love the sentiments in this set. The little party hat is from BB Festive Old Friends - well he has to look like he's having a good time since he's the birthday boy doesn't he?

I thought I'd make him look a bit more snazzy and paper pieced his shirt and hat using some checked paper from the Sweet Celebration Paper Pad, then coloured them with Copics. It made me smile as the shirt reminded me of my much missed Dad who seemed to wear brighter and brighter clothes the older he got! Maybe he just didn't want to be invisible in his older age.

Hope you get the chance to join in and thanks for popping by!

Claire

Freshly Made Sketch #600!

Hello folks!

Can you believe Freshly Made Sketches has made it to their 600th sketch? That deserves a celebration and at the very least deserves a play along this week:

On Sunday it's Father's Day here in Australia so here's a little card for the big bloke (or should that be biggest bloke as there's 3 of them in my household). I used some older stamps from Your Next Stamp, Waltzingmouse, MFT and Stampin' Up...hopefully he likes it, along with the bottle of whisky to celebrate the special day!

Congrats to the FMS design team and thanks so much for all the inspiration over the years!

Claire

CAS Leaves

Hello again,

Two posts in one day - I'm on a roll! Here's a super CAS card for the Addicted to CAS leaves challenge using the pretty hues from Colour Throwdown:

 

I used some foliage from Lawn Fawn, coloured with Copics and set against a die I bought from my local craft store years ago. I coped out some of the teeny tiny die cut squares and randomly coloured some others. The sentiment's from Poppy Stamps.

Enjoy your weekend!

Claire