Grungy?

Second offering from me today (the first is my Crafty Cardmakers DT post below - which doesn't really count as a post as it was scheduled!!)
My ardent followers will know that I've been making a mix of card styles recently but particularly some CAS cards for the 'pink box' because of high postage costs. I've been following the CAS challenge blogs and managed to enter a few - this is another.

Addicted to CAS this week has a challenge of 'Grunge'.

I don't think I'm a  CAS Grunge person! I really struggled as in my mind this theme is for canvas and stuff where you can chuck lots of mixed media bits at it!
 Anyway I gave it a go so any comments/tips/criticisms you have I will gratefully accept!

Just a mixture of splatter stamps inked with Adirondack Stonewash and Latte Inks and the wheels were Brushed Cordorouy DI.
Stonewash also used on the sentiment stamp
Matted onto co ordinating coloured paper before mounting onto the card.

Pleased with the overall look of it and don't think it looks too bad and with the added bonus of it being unembellished it will fit the bill of 'not too expensive to post'!!

Other Challenges -
Lexis - Masculine
Eclectic Ellapu - Birthday
Sentimental Sundays - CAS
OSAAT - Anything Goes
Without Words - For a Man
Sweet Stampin - No DP
Pile It On - Stamping

Thank you for taking the time to look at my card today and if you've left a comment I appreciate it! x

Crafty Cardmakers DT - Bugs!

The weeks are passing really quickly and it's time for our team's next challenge at Crafty Cardmakers & More.
This time Kim has set the theme - 'Its a Bug's Life' - so anything which has a  butterfly, dragonfly, ladybird or any other INSECT as your main image or focal point.

I opted to do a CAS card this time and a rectangular one instead of my usual square offerings to use up the rest of the card from my previous post!

This was a quick card and meant I could also use up some scraps of polka dot paper.
Simply punched out the butterflies and overlaid the linen textured card.

Some co ordinating polka dot ribbon from my stash tied round the top. 
Raised it up onto the base card with foam pads after stamping and embossing the sentiment with Turquoise Versacolour ink and clear embossing powder.  

Added a few tiny sparklies to the centres of the butterfly bodies.
Another card for the 'not too expensive to post 'pink' stash box'!
Hope you can join us with your insecty creations this time round - one of the two fab prizes from our sponsors may be heading your way!

Other challenges -
Pixies Snippets Playground - Week 122
That Craft Place- Anything Goes
Squirrel and the Fox - Punches
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by today! x

A bit of ink

Today I had just been messing about with colours on a piece of scrap card mainly to see what they were like together when it struck me that the top part of the card had some colours in that looked like sky and a summer sun!
So I simply chopped it up into three equal sized pieces and took out some small grassy ferny type stamps.

Inked the small stamps with Peeled Paint DI and stamped a couple of times on the pieces.
The pieces overpowered my usual square card and i didn't really want to chop them up any smaller so I had to use a DL card instead!

Scored lines above and below and then from another piece of the inked scrap where I'd used different colours I punched out a small butterfly.
Wee bit of glitter on the butterfly and job sorted.  No sentiment yet as I don't know what I'll use it for!

Challenges -
Simon Says - CAS
A.I - CAS
TTRCD - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps - CAS
CASology - Cue Word- Garden
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Created with Love - In the Garden
Butterfly Challenge 6 - Glamorous Butterfly
CAS-ual Fridays - 3 (3 stamps)

Have a great weekend! x

The Greatest Game Ever Played

We have a lovely day here so it's off out for me in a little while - as the rain is set to supposedly set to return tomorrow!
Am carrying on making the odd 'man' card and here's another for my 'show and tell' today.

Amongst my collection of images was this one of the vintage golfer - when you look at how he is dressed , shirt, tie and jacket, it makes you wonder how he could hit a golf ball!

I printed the image out on linen embossed card then distressed running 'Tea Dye' round the edge. Then matted it onto a dark brown card.

The papers were from my stash and although I think I've been using them up the piles are not getting any smaller - I think the Paper Fairy is coming in and secretly adding to them....

The plaited twine I have had for absolute years (and I MEAN years) - wrapped it round the matted card and stuck it on the top with a button 'golf ball' .
The crossed golf clubs are from the same button set.

Finished with a stamped sentiment (a freebie from a magazine) which I just tucked underneath the golf ball.
Inside decorated to match.

Challenges -
Penny's Paper Crafty - Masculine
Paper Shelter - Masculine
House that Stamps Built  -Repeat Impressions DCC423 ~ For the Guys.
Divas by Design - Movie (The Greatest Game Ever Played - which is about the 1913 US Open)
Seemacrafts - Vintage
Crafting Cafe - One for the Boys
Fantastic Tuesday - Anything Goes

Thanks for taking the time to come and see me - I'll be back later to catch up with you all - have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Blossom

Someone asked me recently what kind of card maker I am - messy I answered! I don't think that was the purpose of the question though - the person wanted to know if I was a 'frilly and fussy' one or one that liked to make 'plain understated' ones.
It was a really difficult question because I actually like to do both - every girl needs frothy bits don't they? Conversely though I do confess to trying to perfect the CAS style too.

There are some amazing CAS card makers and amongst my list (long list!) of people who I think make brilliant simple cards is Loll - and I chose to case the design of one of her cards for this make which uses up a long neglected and at one time favourite stamp.
(I think it was a Hero Arts one - it used to be wood backed but I took it off the wood when my collection grew and I ran out of storage space!)

I love these oriental style cherry blossoms - makes me smile when I see cherry blossoms in flower as you know then that spring is here and summer is just round the corner.

Stamped in Versafine Sepia several times and coloured with Distress Inks. Then cut out into squares and some glossy accents applied to a couple of each of the blossoms inside each square.
Scored two lines on plain white card and added some corrugated kraft cardstock between the scored lines before the blossom squares.
Sentiment also stamped with Versafine Sepia.
Challenges -
Hobbycutz - CAS
Pixies Playground - Snippets
Crafty Catz - letter 'B' (Blossoms)
Stampin with the Dragon - Springtime
Time 4 Scrap - Spring
ABC - J for Just as you like
Crafters Cafe - CAS

Thanks for visiting today -  have a wonderful Sunday whatever you're doing. x

Another beautiful day here - clear blue skies and lovely sunshine - it's amazing how more upbeat you feel when the weather is nice!
A warm welcome too to my new followers - Leisa and Christine - thanks for following my blog and I look forward to seeing you often!
Here's my share for today

Had a little play about with some watercolour pastels on a Wild Rose Studio 'Annabelle' stamp then stitched it onto pale pink card.

The background papers are from Pink Petticoat, again layered onto pink card and stitched.
I am using the pink lace on a mixed media project at the mo so it was out on the desk - wrapped it round the papers then made a bow using a pearl buckle.
Flowers, pearls and pins are from my stash and the little pink ladybug is a wooden embellie bought years ago!
Decorated inside to match.

Challenges -
Crafting With Dragonflies - Special lady
Creative Card Crew - Spring
Fantastic Tuesday - Pastels
Ruby's Rainbow - Ladies
Nutcrafters - Girly
Fab n Funky - Flower Power
Paper Crafting Journey - Special lady

Thanks for visiting today - hope the sun is shining wherever you are. x

25 years

Recycled Ribbon.

Sorry I've been AWOL from posting - it's been quite a busy few days so although have found some time to visit blogland, have had no time to actually post!
Am currently waiting for some glue/paint and other mess (LOL) to dry so popped on for a quick share.

 Used more paper from the Papermania pad which was still on the desk from the last 'teddy' card.
Another LOTV square which I 'enhanced' (LOL) with some Distress Inks and matted onto red card.
The Picket Fence die and the Heart Banner die were little 'treats' to myself a couple of weeks ago and I used plain white card for them both.
The ribbon is recycled. A friend bought me a Christmas plant basket and this ribbon was tied to the handle - she said - 'I know you'll use it on a card' so couldn't disappoint her could I????
Some twine, a couple of pearls and a stamped sentiment with the off cuts from the banner and the inside decorated to match.
This is another for the 'Viv's Stash/Pink Box'.
Challenges -
613 - Anything (option- recycle)
Ribbon Girl - Anything LOTV
2 Sisters - Teddy Bears
Susy-Bee's - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Animals
Mema's - Anything Goes

Hope your weather wherever you are is as sunny and bright as it is here! Have a great day and thanks for visiting. x

Tag

Having a rummage about in the lace baskets I found lots of odd bits which I haven't been able to bear to throw away - (I was obviously a squirrel in a former life) - I dragged out a few scraps and left them out on the desk  as I have had this idea rattling round in my head and wanted it all to 'come together' before I made a mess of making something -
- and the reason why I didn't want to spoil anything is the centrepiece - it was made by the lovely Caz and it came with fab candy stash which I was fortunate enough to win!

Originally I didn't want to use either of the two gorgeous hand made brooches from the candy pile - they're just too beautiful but it seemed a shame not to - at least this way the tag can sit out on display in my craft room and be seen!
So thank you Caz - and I hope I've done your creation justice!

I inked the tag with Old paper, Vintage Photo and Worn Lipstick DI, then randomly stamped some script over it. (Can't see this very well on the pic but trust me it's there!)

I covered the whole of the tag then with some old lace which had a fancy edge and stitched it, then just added more and more odd scraps, stitching them all as I went along.

The brooch was then pinned to the centre and I cut out a vintage pic and popped it into a metal frame, covered it with Glossy Accents and stitched to the base of the tag.

The 'believe' was another scrap found in the lace basket and I raised it up slightly by arching it before stitching the ends. Used some seam binding ribbon and more odd lace looped through the top.

Am putting this into Pixies Snippets Playground this week to earn some brownie points for using up odds and ends!

Thanks for taking the time to call in today - have a great day whatever you're doing.x

Other Challenges -
Creative Moments - Girly
Clear it Out - Anything Goes with Stitching
Fantastic Tuesday - Anything Goes
All Crafts - Anything But a Card
Glitter n Sparkle - Pearls and Lace
Crafts 4 Eternity - Anything But a Card
Crafty Hands - Shabby Chic
Fairies Challenge - Vintage
Pile It On - Feminine

Anything Goes at Vintage Stamping!

Today our challenge at Vintage Stamping is 'ANYTHING GOES' so you can make anything you like as long as somewhere on your creation there is some stamping!
I made a 'Man' card!
Aren't I good??? LOL I am not a maker of 'man' cards really - I cannot make something and not put a ribbon, bow, flower or sparkly on it somewhere........... and 'men' don't like all that 'sort of stuff' do they??? LOL
But this one was something that I actually enjoyed doing for a change! 
 The papers are almost as old as me.. well not quite - but I've had them for years - so I dusted them off and used them!
The vintage hot air balloon stamp is from our sponsor and can be found here - the plate is full of brilliant male themed vintage machines so maybe now I will do more man cards!
I stamped the balloon image three times then  decoupaged. I thought about adding Glossy accents - may still do- undecided!
Matted the image onto black card and added a metal corner which I had rubbed over with 'Olive' metallic rub as it was a very shiny silver to start off with.
The script is from an embossing folder which has a large butterfly on it - Just tore off the butterfly and again rubbed over the card with some 'Gold' and 'Olive' metallic rub (as the black card lacked any depth), then sealed it.
The two Edwardian gentlemen is an old stamp which may be from Paperartsy but can't remember - likewise I have had the sentiment stamp for ages and again don't know whose it is.

Thanks for taking the time to visit today - and as you can make anything you want why don't you enter the challenge this time - you may be able to have a spendie on some new stash if you win!

Other Challenges-
Dragonfly Dreams - For the Boys
Ecletic Ellapu - For the Boys
Sentimental Sunday - Vintage/Steampunk
Corrosive Challenges - Metal
Fussy & Fancy - All about travel
Crafty Bloggers - Embossing
Simon Says Stamp - Journey
Incy Wincy - 3/2/1 - (3 stamps, 2 papers, 1 embellie)

Scrunched up Pansies!

I finally finished this after a lot of leaving it on the desk and looking at it wondering why on earth I chose to use this colour combo.... all down to the 'carry on using up the paper' theme which is my mantra at the moment.

I have no idea how old this paper is (nor in fact where it is from!) - it maybe a HOTP pad but who knows??? LOL
I am really unsure about the finished card .. but thought I would share it anyway.

With the bold pattern and dark colour of the background papers I found them quite difficult to work with.  I used minimal colouring on the image (which is from A Day For Daisies) trying to co-ordinate the colours with the papers., using Tea Green and Pastel Green shades on the fairy dress with some DI's on the flowers and the rest. 

Dark maroon card first with the patterned paper stitched on top. I cut out more of the maroon card using a fancy oval nestie then chopped it up to make the corner, adding a piece of co-ordinating paper and stitched it all together.
A couple more fancy corner dies stuck to the top of the card.

Strip of maroon velvet ribbon onto some more offcuts then the coloured image positioned over it. Few little sparklies added and some glamour dust to the wings.

The flowers were done using some old pansy shapes from my stash - I scrunched them up and stuck them together to try to make fuller flowers (am not sure if they overpower the card or not!) - added a few leaves and a couple of flourishes.

The sentiment hides some very erratic stitching round the top of the image! Papers also used on the inside to finish it all off.
Challenges -
Crafty Calendar - things with Wings
The Craft Garden - Use 3 (Ribbon/Floral paper/Green)
Cupboard Trilogy - Friendship
4 Crafty Chicks - Colour an image
Paper Crafting Journey - Anythning Goes
Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's patterned paper- Anything Goes

Thanks for taking the time to stop by - appreciate it and any comments you leave! have a great Sunday. x

Va Va Voom!

Couple of days ago arrived back to a cold, wet Manchester Airport - the week in the sun passed by so quickly!
Have played a bit of catch up round blogland and a bit of catch up with other things since coming back - have 3 half finished cards on the desk and Mr Mojo is alive and well and still lying on a sunbed somewhere - cos he ain't here with me!I have not settled to do anything since I came home -so rather than leave another day with nothing shared here's one I finished before I went away.

I don't make many cards for the stash which could be used for kids really - think it's because I don't have any little ones in the family so unless I'm asked for one specifically they're not made!
But I did buy some LOTV squares last year as I thought they'd be useful - this is one of them.(And the ONLY one I've used up to now!)
He's a nice Ted I think!

Papers are a Papermania male themed pad (??) and matted them all onto black card.
The little wooden star was coloured with Distress Inks and I added a couple of black pearls.
The tag was attached with some twine which was a challenge win.
Inside decorated to match!

One for the 'pink box' and have now set to using up the other squares until Mr Mojo gets himself back on a flight!
Challenges -
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Use stripes
Polkadoodles - Animal Magic
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Crafting Cafe - One for the Boys
Cute Card Thursday - All Boy
Delightful Challenges - Square
2 Sisters - Teddy Bears

Hope you all have a great weekend! x