Quick Christmas

We travelled to Dorset last week then on to the Isle of Wight - both Ladies Presentations and both enjoyed very much.
Drove home last night and confess to being dog tired.... have changed the bed and done all the washing and sat down here determined that today and tomorrow I am going to make something particularly as I am now aware it is almost November and I need Christmas cards!
Decided this year that most/all will be CAS and quick and trying to make them in batches of four.
Here's the first -

this is one layer and was done using Bright and Beautiful set from SU.

Am a tad disappointed in the pic (aren't I always) as the stars are actually quite reflective/shiny - I used an Encore Ultimate Metallic Gold Ink Pad - and it really is lovely ink!

The sentiment is one of my very first Christmas stamps and I love the script.
Just added a few little gems for added sparkly.

I made four of these - am going to have another go on dark cardstock and emboss the stars - and if I run out of other one layer ideas then there likely will be more in different colours!

My Presentations are not yet over - have a few more then I have the Ladies National Presentation Dinner at the end of next month - cue long frock!!! My year finishes at the end of February with the Men's National Dinner.... so no doubt another long dress will be required (any excuse!).

I hope all is well with you all here in blogland. Have a few days to myself this week so will try and see you all - if you're still showing up in my Reading List - as Mr Blogger appears to have banished you all to cyberspace.....
Am linking up to Christmas Card Challenges  and Christmas at Sweet Stampin' who both have Anything Goes challenges and also to CASe this Sketch - which you can see here.

Have a great day whatever you're doing. x
  

Unfinished!

I had a full day at home yesterday which is in itself a bit of a novelty!
Apart from the usual mad unpacking, then the big decisions of what to wear to the next Presentation (as we all know you can't be seen in the same thing too many times!!!!) - I set aside a couple of hours to do something for me.

As always though I have ran out of time and although I finished one card (my DT card for next month's challenge) I didn't manage to finish this one - but thought I would share it anyway.

The more I look at it, the less I like it!

It was one of those that formed in my head but when I tried to interpret it onto the paper it just didn't  work!
And I have no idea what to do to finish it off - 'cos I think it does look unfinished!

Maybe that's what comes from trying to use up oddments of coloured card in a vain attempt to clear the desk (which is full of dust anyway as I've been absent so much) - or maybe it's because I simply had a need to do SOMETHING as I haven't been able to just sit for hours and mess about with inks!
Shall put it to one side and hope that it I find a use for it.........
Am popping into the Playground as I DID use up some odd offcuts of card!

I have a half hour before I have to leave for the next trip - so am going to try and visit as many of you as I can.
Have a great day whatever you're doing - and any thoughts you have on this sad little card would be welcomed! xx 

Autumn Glory

It's time for another challenge at Stamping Sensations and our theme is AUTUMN GLORY. Please please remember we are a STAMPING CHALLENGE so stamping has to be the FOCAL POINT of your entry
We have the fab Stamp Addicts as our sponsors too - a great prize on offer!

My DT submission started off it's life as a tag... but then I thought it needed to go on a card!!

I started off with a plain manilla tag, a variety of leaf stamps and Distress Inks.
I clear embossed the large leafy branches and the tiny 'dotty' stamp first then began to build up the colour.

Covered the whole tag with Dried Marigold then blended Ripe Persimmon and finished with Seedless Preserve - although this is purple it gave a lovely Autumny colour over the other inks!

Rubbed the whole tag with a paper towel and this allowed the clear embossed bits to stand out a bit.
Simply randomly stamped a few odd leaves, a tiny script stamp and the word stamp- used same inks with the addition of Gathered Twigs.
A wooden bark effect button and some twine finished it.

My stand alone tag looked a bit 'lost' so with ivory linen card I used a wood background embossing folder and just brushed the ink duster over it (didn't apply any more ink - just used up what was on the brush!)
Matted then put onto the card and popped a teeny wooden peg on the top.

Hope you like it - please go visit the Stamping Sensations blog and have a peep at what my teamies have come up with this month!
Thanks for visiting me today - appreciate you all! x