Serene

The weather here is anything but serene at the moment. We are having our second storm in less than 5 days. The wind speeds up here on the top overnight were just as bad as last week despite the forecast saying they wouldn't be. Lashing rain and horrible grey skies - such a contrast to yesterday morning where the sky was bright blue!

My share for today is a serene winter scene one layer card.

I was less than happy with it when it was finished as I felt that the 'snow meets sky' inky outline was a bit heavy handed. I wanted a softer line rather than a harsh edge but somehow it didn't just work out as well as I wanted. I think perhaps the fact that I didn't use my usual watercolour card and opted for  smooth 300gsm cardstock may have affected the finish as I possibly applied too much water when dragging the brush so it has bled more than I wanted it to!

But the more I look at it the more I think it isn't too bad really!!
Stamps are all from Penny Black

Sharing at -
TIOT - Christmas is Coming
Holly and Ivy - Anything Christmas
MMM - Anything Christmas
Crafting Happiness - Winter
Addicted to Stamps - Cold and Frosty

So as the weather is preventing any outside activities (as I don't want to be blown off my feet) it's another day in the craft space - and maybe I should attack the pile of ironing???
Have a great day whatever you're doing! x

Peace and Quiet?

So enjoying playing with the recently acquired 'new to me' Penny Black Stamps.
They make me look like a Watercolour Superstar (which I most definitely am not as the only thing I can actually draw is a pair of curtains...)

Anyway this stamp (Adornments) is the latest addition to my (very) small PB collection 😭  but I am hoping that perhaps Christmas may bring a couple more... (the last sentence for the benefit of my other half 💏in case he reads this post 😉)

I washed the background with Weathered Wood DI and it has a real soft shading to it in real life.
I am also feeling quite contented as I have written and posted all the cards, have put another dose of brandy 🍷 into the Christmas cake this morning and have wrapped up the (very few) presents we exchange.
So my day is now mine to do what I want with! (Guess where I am going - CLUE - it involves going upstairs!)

Is it just me or is it unusually quiet here in Blogland?
My visitors are getting fewer and fewer with each post! I often wonder what it's like to have big families at this time of year and be completely stressed out with no time to think about anything other than getting everything in place. Our Christmas tree doesn't even come out till around 22nd and there's no massive big shop to do as there's only the two of us and our day is spent lounging about in front of the TV - (or maybe in the craft space if I can't wait!!)

Thanks for looking today - appreciate you finding time to come and see me.  Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Sharing over at
PBSC - Anything Goes
Paper Funday - A/Goes with twist Christmas
Creative Moments - A/Goes
ABC Christmas - Y is for Yuletide 

December's Stamping Sensations Challenge

As the Christmas madness of shopping, wrapping and all the other stuff that we do this month is upon us, we have a nice easy 'Anything Goes' theme at Stamping Sensations!

And although a nice easy theme please remember we are a STAMPING challenge so your entry MUST have stamping as the focal point. If you don't follow our rules you won't be in with a chance of winning our wonderful prize this month which is a very generous £25 voucher from Be Creative.

I did a batch of these - quick and easy - just what we want when we have lots of things to do!

The trusty 'snow' embossing folder took a bit of a battering - but I confess it is definitely the one that I go to every year!

Masked off the moon (£1 coin! - knew the change that dear husband leaves lying round would come in useful) and then brushed Faded Jeans DI.

A few different tree stamps also in Faded Jeans, and then took a damp paintbrush and dragged the colour below the trees a bit.
Details of the prize and lots of lovely inspiration from my teamies are over on the challenge blog!

Please visit their blogs and leave them some love!
Sharing over at -
Sweet Stampin' - Blue and White
Creative Knockouts - Winter
Krafty Chicks - Monochrome
A2S&M - CAS
Christmas@Sweet Stampin' - Trees

Happy Crafting and have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Wet

We have been treated to some very wet weather the last few days - occasionally heavy downpours but mostly just steady drizzle ⛆ which always makes the world look very grey!
I've been doing my Christmas cards - I can't say writing 😶 cos I only print out the greetings on a sticky label for the inside! Now though have the darn envelopes to address......... a job I hate😡! If I got more organised I could probably print them too - but then I wouldn't have anything to complain about!
Anyway here's my share for today -

A devil of a job to photograph in the light today.
The snowflake background stamp is I think by Viva Decor (package long gone!) and it gets used every year!

White heat embossed then blended some Tumbled Glass ink.
Used an angled stitched die and mounted it onto a the card base.

The snowflake die cut from some sparkly paper which was a really good match for the background colour and finished it all with a sparkly gem and a suitable sentiment!

Sharing over at
Crafty Cardmakers - No Patterned Paper
Int Art&Soul - Christmas with no Image
Joy of Sets - (Top Line) CAS/Winter/Heat Embossed
Dragonfly Dreams - Christmas/Winter

More Mono...

If you read my last post you will know that I have been playing with stencils and Monoprinting.
2 cards made began their lives as 'practice' pieces for CAS Stencil - but they turned out OK so I used them up!

They are almost identical except for the sentiments - but have grown my Christmas stash to more than I have ever had by this time of year so am happy, despite the fact that it is very unusual for me to make 2 cards the same.

Chipped Sapphire, Weathered Wood, Blueprint Sketch and Stormy Sky inks used.

The sentiment on this one was also an experiment.  I used a blue ink first then moved the paper slightly then white heat embossed. In real life it does look like a shadow but it was very difficult to photograph. Mounted the stencilled piece onto white card.

Here's the second card

Chose to simply use a full piece of mixed media paper so this one is one layer - unusually for me, I managed to keep the back of it free of ink!

This sentiment simply stamped with Chipped Sapphire.

I have become rather hooked on monoprints - I think probably because they all turn out different even if you use the same stencil and they have this artsy random soft look about them - satisfies my messy side!

Sharing over at

TIOT - Cold, Cold, Cold
Cardz4Guyz - Icy Cold
Creative Inspirations - Winter Blues
Stamplorations Stencil - A/Goes

CAS Stencil - November half way reminder

Half way through November and halfway through our  challenge at CAS Stencil.  This month our host Linda has chosen the theme of 'Stencil Monoprint'.

I had some fun with this challenge and made quite a few monoprint backgrounds which are now in a neat pile waiting to be used up!

I had two attempts using a snowflake stencil. One was perfect and I have used the monoprint in it's entirety on a card front.

The other attempt was the second pass and a little too patchy for my liking but I did manage to cut out some circles!

The sentiment was done using Pearlescent Ice Blue ink.

Do pop over to the blog and  have a look at the lovely examples done by my team mates and our Guest designer Lucie 

We'd love you to share a make with us in the gallery this month.

If you've not tried this, it's not as difficult as you think! Honest!!

The CAS Stencil team are having a little break during December so we will be back in January with a brand new challenge.

I hope though you will continue to visit me during the next few weeks and that you also remember to check the blog at the end of the month to see who our Top Picks are!

To all of you who have joined us at CAS Stencil this year we wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to seeing you all again in 2020. x

Mid Month at Stamping Sensations

Not long to go now till Christmas and here's my mid month reminder card for our November challenge at Stamping Sensations, which this time is 'Traditional Christmas Colours' - so we want to see creations made with the colours - Red/Green/Gold - any or all!
I have gone for a relatively quick CAS card which I have batch made in different colours - I made a similar one some time back using blue and silver and this time went for red and gold.

I randomly stamped pine branches and ferns using Gold Encore Ultimate Metallic ink.

Once dry I took one of my really old stamps from a flower collection (no idea who's it is or how old it is!) - and stamped the stems in the same ink and quickly added some gold embossing powder. The photo doesn't show it very well but the flower stems stand out really well!

Re-aligned the piece in the Misti and used Crimson Red Versafine for the flower heads.

The die cut sentiment has to be one of my faves - and it looks really nice embossed!

We have the fab Chocolate Baroque as our sponsors this month - full details over on the blog.
Please remember though we have to see STAMPING as the focal point of your entry for you to be eligible for the prize!

Thanks for looking - have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Two cards- one post

I made this card a couple of weeks ago just before the Monochromatic challenge at CAS Watercolour started. As I am trying to expand my watercolour skills I wanted to have a go at this months challenge and also to continue my promise to myself that I would try and enter each month.

I thought twice about linking it when I saw the wonderfully talented Birgit, this months Guest Designer, had produced another wonderful watercolour for her DT spot which makes mine pale in comparison!!!
It was only when I realised that I would maybe not have time to do another that I made the decision to post.

So continuing with my entering the CAS challenges here's one made for the CAS Christmas challenge which has the theme of 'Warm and Cozy'.

I hereby announce that it is official - I am RUBBISH with digi stamps! I have never really got to grips with them although I must have amassed hundreds of them over the years.

I never seem to get the sizing right and so it proved on this card which maybe doesn't have enough white space - but am sharing it anyway to show that I tried!

Little Scottie is from A Day For Daisies and I paper pieced him a plaid coat to keep him warm and added a little sparkly ribbon collar.
Some light ink dusting and some secondary stamping using a Uniko pine branch and then stamped the sentiment.

Both these challenges are half way through so there is still time to enter!

There's also still time to enter the CAS Stencil challenge and I will be back tomorrow to share my mid month DT card. Pop over and get out your stencils!!

Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Twofer and more!

I took advantage of the Twofer Challenge rules being relaxed a little this month as we can make 2 different cards for the same occasion instead of different occasions with the theme of Holiday Greenery.

I used a Penny Black tree stamp from the Peaceful Winter set (30-450).

The square one uses 2 different tree stamps in varying shades of green, with one topped with a punched out gold shiny star and a sentiment from the Merry Up set (30-622).

The larger card on the left had the 'sky' inked with Chipped Sapphire and Seedless Preserve and the snowdrifts done with Tumbled Glass and Weathered Wood.  White embossed the tree, stamped the sentiment and spattered with acrylic paint before mounting it onto a stitched die.

As well as the Twofer challenge I am also linking up to -
PB&More  -  Christmas
Holly & Ivy - Anything Christmas
Christmas @ Sweet Stampin' - Trees

Thanks for looking and if you've left me a comment I really appreciate it. have a lovely day whatever you're doing. x

Inks and Powder

Blue skies and sunshine (but cold) here today after all the rain yesterday - mad when you think just across the Pennines 40 minutes drive away they once again are experiencing floods. Although one of the downsides of living so high up on the top of a moor means you experience high winds 💨and snow ⛄ the upside is at least you don't get flooded out💧⛆🌊!

Because the weather was so bad yesterday I spent a very nice cosy time in the craft space doing what I do best - making messy!

I have never tried hot glue embossing but continuing with my decision to try out new techniques and re visit old ones and after seeing a similar card to this on Pinterest the small piece of metal left on the desk from my card here seemed to say 'Use Me'! - So I did!

I ran the metal through an embossing folder and then dropped some Alco Inks on it and simply let them run.

Out with the glue gun! Confess don't use the glue gun a lot (cos I am VERY messy), but am really pleased that I only managed to get the glue where I wanted it and not all over everywhere else!
A few blobs, then gently heated again to make warm, added some gold embossing powder and heated again.
Once finished I matted it onto an off cut of gold card before putting on the card base and stamping the sentiment.
Another 'man' card I think?

Liked doing this technique so the glue gun is still out........😏😏

CAS Stencil - November

Time for another challenge at CAS Stencil and this month our host Linda has chosen the theme of 'Stencil Monoprint'.

If you've never done a stencil monoprint before I promise you will be hooked once you try it. There are some video links on the challenge blog to give you some tips and instructions, and whilst you're there have a look at the lovely examples done by my team mates and our Guest designer Lucie 
So here's my card -

Love these colour combos - Fossilized Amber, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon for the monoprint frame.
Once dry I cut out the inside frame with a stitched die.

The background behind was done by smooshing the colours on my craft mat with a small piece of watercolour card.

I used a tiny 'circles' stamp (and it WAS tiny) inked in Salty Ocean.  It reminded me of bubbles.

A simple white die cut anchor and a sentiment stamp finished it off.

 I really enjoyed this challenge and hope that you will find time to make something using one of your stencils and share it with us in the gallery!

November Challenge at Stamping Sensations

Our November challenge at Stamping Sensations, is  'Traditional Christmas Colours' - so we want to see creations made with the colours - Red/Green/Gold - any or all!
Another great prize on offer from our sponsors,  Chocolate Baroque - pop over to the challenge blog and see what you could win!
I have been enjoying myself with some 'new to me' stamps which someone else has pre loved and I am loving all over again!

This make is a mix of a Pine Branch stamp (old one - make unknown!) and a 3 bauble stamp ( new to me - 'Adornments' by Penny Black).

Started by stamping the pine branch first, inked up just one of the baubles on the stamp, spritzed it lightly and using the Misti stamped it, then just kept adding more depth of colour until I was happy.
I drew a line with a black pen for the hanger.

A soft watercolour wash for the sky and watercoloured the 'snow' before adding the sentiment and spattering some acrylic paint.

This is very much a learning process for me and I am enjoying it a lot, not least because I was really happy with how this turned out!

Sharing over at -
PB&More - Christmas
Dragonfly Dreams - Christmas/Winter
CHNC - Anything Christmas
MIUCB - Christmas/Watercolour
Country View - Hand Stamped

Metal

CAS Mix Up has the challenge of 'Oxidized Metal' this month.

I wanted to try a 'new to me' technique using ink refills on mirri card  - as I have tons of it which I don't use - but don't have many ink refills as I usually just buy new pads when they dry out!
When I went to find the refills I possess 2 were empty and the other had dried up! So it was back to a tried and trusted technique using a thin flexible metal bought when I was doing a lot of mixed media and now a little neglected.

I had it in my head to do a 'man' card too as I so rarely make them.

I took my piece of copper metal and dry embossed with a 'Cogs' folder  then used my clear embossing pad on it.  Gold, Silver and Copper embossing powders sprinkled on top. I re did this a couple of times until I got the effect I wanted.

Once dry I swiped a Stazon Ink pad across the top.

I fiddled about with layouts and frames for a while but in the end I chopped up my metal piece into 2 strips!
Simply matted onto black card before placing on the card base and stamped the sentiment.

To be honest I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed messing about with metal  - so whilst I had the metal pack out I embossed a couple more pieces and have made my hands very very messy using alco ink on them without gloves.....😒😒

As well as CAS Mix Up, I am also sharing my man card at
Rainbow Card Challenge - Magically Metallic
Sisterhood of Crafters - CAS

Technique

I have been trying out some techniques - some have been successful, some not!
This was one that isn't perfect but am not too disappointed.
I tried this technique last year and thought I should try it again. I forgot though the one thing I learnt last time - DON'T PRESS TOO HARD WHEN SWIPING THE INK PAD'!!!

I think practice may make perfect on this 'Black Ice' technique and no doubt I will try it again on another scrap of mirri card.

This is not a big card - it only measures 4" square. The mirri card was just an odd piece, as was the black linen textured card, both left over from something and put onto a white card blank. (Playground for me then!)

The tree stamps are Inikadinkadoo and the stag is Inkylicious.
I watched this video from the Serene Stamper - and looking at her finished cards compared to mine - more practice required!!

Thanks for looking  - we woke up to the first frost this morning and as usual after a frosty start we now have clear blue skies and sunshine! Have a great day whatever you're doing! x
Sharing over at -
MIUBC #30 - A/Goes with Open Technique
Just Add Ink #430 - Add a Technique
Double D - Silhouettes
Dragonfly Dreams - Use Black

A Foiling First!

I have been trying out some new to me techniques the last couple of days and I confess I am now hooked............... on.................. foiling! I am sat here now waiting for some new stash 😊😊 after buying some teeny samples to see if I could master/like using foil.
I have a laminator (very old but works!) and I have also made some cards using that too and been happy with the results for first attempts.
This share is a card made without having to use a laminator!

I am dead chuffed with how this turned out (although those of a nervous disposition should not have been in the room when I was trying to take the photograph!)

Red Pepper and Lettuce Alcohol Inks onto a scrap of Yupo and just let them mingle together.

Allowed to dry for a short time then laid over a small piece of gold foil and rubbed with my finger. Where the 2 colours meet and leave a marked 'join'  the foil simply sticks to whilst it is tacky!
Simples really!

My trees were done by using double sided tape on another odd piece of card and putting the foil over. Rubbed lightly with a bone folder and then die cut.

Here's a close up -  I L💗VE it!!
 
Stamped a greeting in Metallic Gold Ink, die cut an oval frame and done!

CAS Mix Up's challenge this month is Foiling so am linking up to the gallery before the challenge closes in a couple of days.

Allsorts challenge is Add something gold/silver

It's dry here but a little overcast today.
I am off for some fresh air and a little walk round out local dam and then intend to foil, foil and foil some more!!
Have a great day whatever you're doing! x

CAS Stencil - October Mid Month reminder

We're halfway through our October challenge at CAS Stencil where Loll set us the theme of 'Patterned Paper'.
My paper comes from a vintage themed pad called - ?????  No idea 'cos I lost the front cover but it is full of scripts/roses/newspaper print/old franking machines and ink and pencils!

I used one of the lighter coloured and less fussy sheets for this make.

The newspaper print, pencils and word 'Perfect' is actually part of the sheet and I just stamped the other words round it after heat embossing in white through this pretty corner stencil.

I dabbed a little bit more embossing powder round the edge before matting onto grey card.

Finished with a couple of scored lines and a bit of twine.

So - you have time to come and join us oif you haven't already done so - and even if you have - MAKE ANOTHER!!!
Our Guest designer Gundi and the rest of the team have some great makes to inspire you!

October Mid Month at Stamping Sensations

The 'Trees and Leaves' challenge is half way through at Stamping Sensations, so here is my reminder post.
We are sponsored by Stamp Addicts and full details of the wonderful prize are shown over on the challenge blog - please follow our rules so you can be in with a chance of winning!

Having done a bright rainbow card for the start of the challenge(which you can see here) I have reverted back to traditional Autumn colours for this one!

I randomly sponged some Antique Linen DI over a piece of card first.

The stamps are from a Stampendous set called 'Summer Leaves'.
Used Tea Dye, Rusty Hinge and Dried Marigold and the fern stamp was inked in Bundled Sage.

The script stamp is from Indigo Blu and is second generation stamping with Pumice Stone.

Sponged the Pumice Stone lightly round the edges and stamped the sentiment and a tiny leaf onto some cream vellum and heat embossed.

Matted onto Kraft card before placing on the cream base card.

If you haven't already done so, stamp up a 'Trees and Leaves' project and come and join us! The prize is worth having!

Am sharing my Autumn Leaves over at
SOS - Pumpkin Spice
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - Stamp It
Let's Create - A/Goes with option Fall Colours

Happy Crafting! x

CAS Christmas - October (Part 2!)

My Christmas cards are coming along - I am still  needing a lot more but I am currently away visiting my friend in a nice warm country🌞 (and attending meetings about an event we are running next year - so it's not all sun and pool lounging!). Unsurprisingly I really can't get my head round snow and ice at the minute. No doubt when I get back in a few days the British weather will soon change that.
I made these before I left when I was in Christmas card mode! It's very rare that I make 2 cards that are almost the same, and to be honest that was not the intention with these - the one on the left was a 'practice run' and I full expected to at least smudge it - but although I made a few changes when I came to do the second one as I looked at the first I thought it wasn't too bad- so onto a card it went!

I used the solid branch stamp from an Altenew layering set called Cherry Blossom, partly inking and adding bits of it to main branch in Versafine Smokey Gray.
The sponged background is Pumice Stone DI liberally splattered with water and once dry added my two Inklylicious birdies stamped in Crimson Red.

I used Iced Spruce on the base of the first card (not happy) and Tumbled Glass on the second - (much happier) before adding a little bit of glitter.
The 'snow' on the branches done differently too - the  left one had Nuvo Crystal (too thick) and I used a white gel pen on the second one!

Sharing these into the gallery at CAS Christmas where the theme is 'Winter Scene'.
Thanks for looking today - will catch up with you all in a couple of days when back home with the heating on! x

CAS Christmas - October (Part 1)

Even though I didn't manage a make last month, taking part in the CAS Christmas challenge as often as I have been able this year has managed to give me a few more cards than I usually have at this time of year. I'll still be panicking come the start of December as that has now become part of my normal build up to Christmas!

This month the challenge theme set is a 'Winter Scene'.

I have actually made a couple of cards for this challenge and will pop them in the gallery when I can but thought I'd share this one first.

I bought this stamp over 10 years ago - and as with a lot of my stash, think I used it once!

Stamped and watercoloured and a liberal amount of glitter on the chimney top and roof.

Oh and I used the tiniest blob of Nuvo Crystal drops on the reindeer's nose! And I am a little pleased with myself 'cos it looks cute!

Thanks for looking - have a great day! x

October Challenge at Stamping Sensations

This month our Stamping Sensations challenge fits in nicely with Autumn as it is -  'Trees and Leaves'.

We are sponsored by Stamp Addicts and full details of the wonderful prize are shown over on the challenge blog - please follow our rules so you can be in with a chance of winning!

My card has been inspired by the colours from 2 other challenges -
(Pin)spirational (pic shown here on the right) and Colour My Heart Dare #362.  (Photo at the end of this post)

Using a piece of bright white card, I heat embossed the leaf stamps (which are from the Altenew Spring Bouquet set) before inking over it.

After inking the background I spattered some water drops and mixed some gold Perfect Pearls with some water and spattered a few tiny drops.
This has given a little shimmery effect to the tiny gold spots.

Matted it onto black card before fixing it to the white base card.

I added a white heat embossed sentiment from Technique Tuesday.

Hoping that you can come and join in with us this month at Stamping Sensations.

Have a great day! x

CAS Watercolour October Challenge

CAS Watercolour is celebrating their THIRD Birthday🎂🎂🎂 this month (time has certainly flown!). Loll is hosting and she has set the challenge of  'Maple Leaves'. 

So here's my card!

I coloured some watercolour card with Distress Inks in shades of Rusty Hinge, Fossilized Amber and Spiced Marmalade and then die cut 3 maple leaves.

A stitched frame over another piece of watercolour card (a scrap but I thought the colour blended OK) and then arranged 2 leaves and cut the third up and tucked it behind the frame.

The die cut and the stamped sentiment is from Technique Tuesday

If you play along this month you will be in with a chance of winning a prize and all you have to do is create a card with a watercoloured Maple Leaf ( or Leaves) and make sure to keep your design CAS (clean and simple) with lots of open space.  Simples!


There's a few Autumn themed challenges about so am sharing my card at -
Die Cut Divas - Fall Colours
HLS (Watercolour) - A/Goes/Botanical
Stamplorations October CAS - Shades of Orange

Thanks for looking today - have a great weekend! x

CAS Stencil - October

Our challenge at CAS Stencil this month is 'Patterned Paper' and has been set by Loll.
Loll seems to think that we all have patterned paper mountains lying about.. have no idea where she gets that idea from...............😄😄
So here's my DT card -

I recently had a mass purge of patterned paper and got rid of a lot but I did keep some odd sheets from pads which I knew I would definitely use!

I used a small hearts stencil and heat embossed - white ones first leaving the centre red one till last.

Placed onto a die cut piece of black card.
I heat embossed the die cut sentiment and it is really shiny in real life! (Saving this card to give to my other half!)

Stencilling onto patterned paper was another first for me and I hope that will have a go and join in with us this month - 'cos I know you're all now looking at your paper pads!!

Lots of inspiration over on the challenge blog too - my talented teamies have so many wonderful ideas!
AND - we have a wonderful guest designer this month - Gundi- who has made a fantastic card showcasing her stencil and patterned paper!

Am sharing my make over at -
CHNPP - A/Goes
The Male Room - CAS
CAS on Friday -  Masculine