Happy New Year!

New Year Countdown

To all my lovely, lovely followers and fellow bloggers!

A Very Early Start

Today, I decided to put away all the Christmas 'bits & bobs' lying around on my workspace - which included some dies and stamps that I had purchased and not yet used - there were some sparkly Christmas trees that I had punched out, using my Stampin' Up tree puch, some card layers, already cut to size and some sparkly circles that I had punched out, using my small circle punches (I don't know about you, but I just can't bear to throw away anything that sparkles or shines - I think I must have been a cat in a previous life - anything that sparkles or shines has me mesmerised).  I also had a digital stamp that I had already coloured too, using Prismacolour pencils and some blending fluid.  So I decided to use it all up on some cards, in readiness for  . . . 2015!

These are the cards I came up with.

 

 

Not a bad start eh?  But what's the betting that I still have one mad rush next Christmas Eve, because I've become complacent about having 'most' of my Christmas cards made already!  That happens a lot to me . . . what about you?

Thanks so much for popping by, please leave a comment, they are all appreciated so very much and I do reciprocate to each and every one!

New Card Classes

I do hope everyone had a lovely Christmas . . . everything is almost back to normal now, it comes and goes so quickly doesn't it?  

The next event , of course, is the New Year.  

As we have not had a particularly good time of it this year - one way or another - we are hoping 2015 will be the start of a better period and wish the same for each and every one of you, my lovely followers!

You will all be seeing the results of an online card class I will be taking a bit later this month which is Clean & Simple 4: Techniques Made Simple  which is run by instructors Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, and Julie Ebersole

I took the  Clean & Simple 3 last year and thouroughly enjoyed it, so you will be seeing the results here as and when I have made something for the class.

I would like to wish you all a very healthy and happy New Year in 2015!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

No card today, just a wish for everyone to have a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!  

I know every one of you will be so very busy, so without further ado, I will sign off with a BIG thank you to each and every person who visited my humble blog since I started it back in September.  Your kind and wonderful comments have warmed and touched me.

Also, a big thank you must go to Darnell over at her wonderful blog, djkardkreations and MaryH of Carolina Cards by MaryH who were both very kind and very helpful in my early days as a fledgling blogger.

 

Stash Raiding & Upcycling

Today, I thought I would have a little break from the challenges, so that I could use up some 'bits & pieces' that have been lying around on my work space for far too long!  You know, the, "I'll keep it . . it may come in handy" bits and bobs!  You all have them . . . right?  Come on, it can't be just me!

Anywho, I had this flower that I had rescued from a shop bought card and knew that I had some cardstock that matched the colour perfectly and I still had a 'wonky panel' cut out from one of the challenges below 

So, I got the cardstock and stamped it with the same colour ink for a tone on tone effect (I did manage to twist the card a little as I stamped, which blurred the text), but as I just wanted it for a little texture and most of it would be covered up anyway, I decided to keep it as is and mounted it to a plain white card base.

Next, I stamped the wonky panel with the birthday sentiment and mounted that on top of the coloured panel with foam tape for dimension.

Then, I finished it off with the 'upcycled' flower.

Let me know what you think . . . I appreciate each and every one of you lovely people and will always try to reciprocate!  Thanks for stopping by today, all supplies will be listed below.

This is the card

Supplies used:

White cardstock from the Papermill
Stampin' Up - 'Melon Mambo' cardstock & ink
My Favorite Things - 'Birthday' background stamp
White panel, designed by me and cut out on my cutting machine
Fabric Flower - Upcycled from store bought card (used card of course)

As ever, thanks for visiting!  Hazel x

2nd Take on CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge #103

Today's post is another card I made for the CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge #103   This is their sketch

 

And this is the card today.

Detail

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate all your comments and reciprocate where possible!  Have a great day!  Hazel x

Supplies used:

Smooth, white cardstock & flecked navy cardstock (from stash)

Panel cut on electronic cutting machine (file designed by myself)

Stamps - Alte&New, 'Label Love' (fast becoming my all time favourite)

Ink - Versafine - 'Black Onyx' 

Sparkle texture paste.

 

CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge #103

Today's post is a card I made for the CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge #103   This is their sketch

And this is my card

 

Detail

Detail

First I embossed the front of the base card with an embossing folder, then made some patterned glitter paper and cut it to a wonky panel and finally, stamped three different sentiments and cut them out and mounted them on the wonky panel with foam tape.

All supplies are listed below.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, and thank you for your comments, I appreciate each and every one, and try to reciprocate where possible.

Have a good day.  Hazel x

Supplies used:

Irridescent glitter

Background printed on my printer

Crafts Too - EF

Stamps - Alte&New, 'Label Love'

Ink - Versafine - 'Black Onyx'

Addicted To Stamps Challenge #124 - Clean And Simple

This is my second card today, and it is also the second card for the Addicted To Stamps Challenge #124 - Clean And Simple as the brief is so open ended and could therefore be interpreted in thousands of ways!

This is my card

Detail

Most of this card was made out of items that I had left lying over my work area and so, before tidying them away, I had to make use of the 'bits' and 'bobs'.

Those of you who have visited my blog before will probably recognise where the main focal point is from, it is the card fronts that I cut up for this challenge card.

The stars had been lying around on my work surface for far to long, so I just stuck all the pieces of card fronts together on a plain white base, arranged the stars and stuck them down and then cut two strips of gold card to match the stars and stuck them down under the sentiment.

That's it . . . clean and simple!

Thanks as always for dropping by and I appreciate and try to reciprocate everyone.

Have a great weekend!  Hazel x

Freshly Made Sketches #165

Today I made a card for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #165 and I also want to link it to Addicted To Stamps - CAS Challenge

The challenge at FMS was this sketch

This is the card

Detail

Detail

I used a watercolour piece I made for the background to the stitched circle frame, cut the frame and stuck it to the watercolour piece, then I stuck it to the front of a textured card base.

I stamped the balloons and die cut them and attached some twine and then stamped the sentiment and fussy cut that (not really fussy, more straightforward).  Then I stuck the first balloon straight onto the card and added the second one with foam tape, to add dimension.  Finally, I coated the balloons with A Wink Of Stella and some Glossy Accents.

The challenge for the Addicted To Stamps was for a Clean and Simple card, which, I hope, this is!

A simple card with a pop of colour.

Supplies used:

Stamps - Alte&New, 'Label Love',  and WPlus9, 'Happy Everything'
Dies - Stitched Circle (from one of MFT's Blueprints set) & WPlus9 - 'Happy Everything' for the balloons

Thanks for popping by to visit and I appreciate all your comments.  Have a good weekend!   Hazel x

For Chrissie & The Team Over At Less Is More

This is my final entry for the Less Is More #200 Challenge - 'Celebrate'  
This will be my third one and they must be getting sick of seeing my name by now. 

I am dedicating this card to Chrissie who started the LIM blog and keeps it running so we can all enjoy it and join in the fun!  I have always had encouraging comments from her and the DT.

This is a technique that I saw Jennifer McGuire demonstrate a while ago now and I remembered it, had the stamp set and decided to try and replicate the effect. To visit her blog click HERE

This is my card 

First, I stamped the sentiment in different colour inks and then, cut them in half.  The red one I cut a strip out of the center, then I cut four more strips of card the same width and layered them up. 

Next, I put the two halves together on to a card front and lined up the red, layered strip on top so it stood out.

Finally, I stamped the rest of the greeting underneath the main sentiment, in Versafine Black Onyx pigment ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I mounted the panel on to a card with a strip of yellow card for accent and added a few sequins as it is supposed to be a celebration!  Maybe it would look better without?  The jury is out on that one!

Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment you lovely people, it is very much appreciated!  Hazel x

Supplies used:

Stamps - My Favorite Things, 'Celebrate Big'
Ink - Colorbox, 'Paintbox Primary's'
Sequins from stash

Using Some Of My Favourite Products

Today, I decided to use some of my most favourite products, namely, my Papertrey Ink Impression Plate in Linen (very expensive to ship to the UK, but I had wanted it for ever) and my WOW embossing powder in Metallic Gold Sparkle . . . and man, does it sparkle, it is sooo pretty in real life!

Anyway, I decided to make another  card for the two challenges I made them for yesterday, the, Addicted To CAS #53 'Dots' Challenge and the Less Is More #200 'Celebrations' Challenge

The LIM challenge is their 200th - congratulations to them - and the ATCAS challenge is 'Dots' and is their 53rd challenge and a DT call.

This is the card

Detail

 Supplies used:

PTI - Impression Plate in 'Linen'
Die - Simon says Stamp, Confetti Circles (ideal for a celebration)
Stamps - Clearly Besotted, 'Mini Banner, Stamp & Die Set' and 'A Little Sentimental'
WOW - 'Metallic Gold Sparkle' embossing powder.

Thank you all for taking the time out to visit and comment (I know it's time consuming) so I appreciate you all - and, of course try to reciprocate!  Have a great weekend.  Hazel x

  

Seeing Spots Before The Eyes

Todays card was made for two challenges . . . the Addicted To CAS #53 'Dots' Challenge  It is also a design team call.  The second challenge it is for,  is the Less Is More #200 'Celebrations' Challenge 

This is the card

Detail

 

Supplies used:

Die - Simon Says Stamp, 'Luminary Circles'
Stamp -  Alte&New, 'Label Love'
Embossing Plate - Papertrey Ink, 'Linen'

Thank you to all who visited today and spent time leaving comments, you are all appreciated more than you know!  Hazel x

A Very Late Entry For The 'Less Is More #199 Challenge

Today, I am just about managing to 'scrape in under the net' for the Less Is More #199 Challenge - Jingle all the way!

This was my take

Detail

More detail

The reason it is so late is because I am rubbish at colouring and it took quite a few attempts and even then I wasn't as thrilled as I should have been when entering a challenge, but it was probably the best I was going to manage and I was pleased with the rest of the card.

Whatever, supplies I can remember I will list below, but most of it I have had a while and back in the day before I listed, filed and stored methodically.

Anyway, I've wasted enough time.  Thank you for stopping by today and taking the time to comment, you are all very much appreciated and I try to reciprocate as best I can (if I haven't done so already).  Have a lovely crafty day.  Hazel x

Supplies (as I can  remember) 

Papers - Digital, printed on my printer 
Colouring - Inktense Pencils (used dry, as that is the only way I can nearly control them!)

CAS(E) This Sketch #101

The card today is for the CAS(E) This Sketch #101 Challenge . . . this is their sketch.

And this is my take on it

Detail

If I did this card again I wouldn't use the dotted circle die - you can barely notice the holes - or the stamped bow for the bell . . . but, hey ho, it's only through making mistakes that we learn eh?

All supplies used are listed below.

Supplies:

Dies - My Favorite Things 'Dotted Circle' & 'Pierced Circle' Dies and Clearly Besotted 'Joy To The World'
Stamps - Clearly Besotted 'Joy To The World',  Simon Says Stamp 'Holiday Hello's' and Lawn Fawn 'Let It Snow'
Embossing Powder - WOW 'Metallic Rich Gold'

Thank you for taking the time to visit today and I appreciate all your comments.  Hazel x

Double Day Today! Freshly Made Sketches #163 and CAS Colours & Sketches #101

Today is, 'two for the price of one' day.  I have been getting behind with some of the challenges, so I have been trying to catch up.  The first challenge today is for the 'Freshly Made Sketches #163 Challenge'  and this is their sketch below.  I'm also linking both cards to the 'Timeout Embossing with optional twist of Sparkle Challenge'

I turned it around and made this card

Detail

Again, I have to apologise for the poor piccture quality, it seems to be inevitable this time of year - here in this part of the world - anyway, enough of the excuses.  All supplies will be listed below.

Supplies used:

Dies - Simon Says Stamp, 'Snowflake' and Lawn Fawn, 'Stitched Journaling'

Stamp - Kaisercraft sentiment

Embossing - WOW, silver detail

Card - Navy Blue Flecked (yes, navy blue!) and white

Pale blue glittered strip is my homemade paper

Next card was for the 'CAS Colours And Sketches #101 Challenge'  and this is their colours below.  I'm also linking this card to the 'Timeout Embossing with optional twist of Sparkle Challenge'

I didn't have 'Lost Lagoon', so I used, 'Bermuda Bay' and instead of 'Smoky Slate' I used 'Basic Gray' and the Metallic Silver was provided by WOW's 'Silver Glitter Embossing Powder' . . . this is what I came up with . . . all supplies will be listed below. 

Detail 

Again apologies for picture quality!

Supplies used:

Dies - Pretty Pink Posh 'Stitched Edge Dies'
Punch and Tree Stamps - Stampin' Up 'Festival Of Trees'
Greeting - Penny Black 'Whooo's Wishing'
Embossing Powder - WOW 'Silver Glitter Embossing Powder'

Thank you so much for visiting today and I appreciate all your comments . . . as always, have a good weekend!  Hazel x

Addicted TO CAS - #52

My card today was made for the 'Addicted To CAS Sketch #52 Challenge'   This was their sketch

And this is my card, all supplies are listed below

Detail

Stamps:
Mama Elephant - 'Arctic Penguins' & 'Basic Borders'  and Lawn Fawn, 'Peace, Love, Joy'
Punch - EK Success, edge punch
Inks - Memento, 'Summer Sky' and Versafine, 'Black Onyx'
For the 'snow' - Cosmic Shimmer Texture Paste

Thank you for stopping by and I appreciate every comment from you lovely people!  Have a great, crafty day!  Hazel x

CAS(E) This Sketch #100

Today, I just managed to get this one in with a few hours to spare.  I thought I would miss it!   For some peculiar reason, although I loved the sketch as soon as I saw it, everything I tried . . . I wasn't happy with . . . don't you just hate that when it happens?  

I was about to give up on it, but thought that I'd have one last go and I came up with this one.  I still wasn't over the moon, but I wasn't as disappointed as the other four attempts!  So, I decided to use it for the challenge, 'CAS(E) This Sketch #100'  Anyway, this is what I came up with

And this was the sketch

First I designed the border paper in my graphic program and printed it out on my printer.  Then I got a plain white card front and ran it through my Cuttlebug with an embossing plate and a frame die - all supplies will be listed below - then, I stuck the border paper to the bottom of my card (in retrospect I should have stuck the border paper down after embossing the card front and then run it through the frames die, that way the edge detail would have continued around on the border paper, but I didn't think  of it at the time, but that's what I'd do if I made it again, unlikely after all the trouble I had!)

Finally, I stuck the whole thing to a plain white card base and embellished with a few sparkling sequins!

Supplies used:

Embossing Plate - Papertrey Ink (expensive to get shipped to UK, but I had to have it)
Frames Die - Avery Elle, 'Finished Frames'
Stamp - Clearly Besotted, 'Happy Days'
Paper - Designed by me and printed on my printer
Embellishments - Mixed sequins by Simon Says Stamp

Thanks for taking the time to visit today and for any comments you leave, they are all very much appreciated!

Hazel x

LIM Week 198 Theme - MORE THAN ONE TREE

This challenge, 'LIM Week 198 Theme - MORE THAN ONE TREE' enabled me to make use of an embossing folder I bought a while ago and have not had the opportunity to use yet and a rubber stamp I purchased last year (of which I only used a part of, see picture of full stamp below) - and again, hadn't used - I must try to use them as soon as I get them, otherwise they are put to one side and then . . . promptly forgotten!  The trouble is, I usually shop a very big haul, and it would usually take a week to use all the supplies, anyway, I must make an effort!

The challenge is exactly as it sounds, the design has to include 'MORE THAN ONE TREE', and this is my effort.  All supplies are listed below.

Supplies used:

Stamps - Hero Arts, 'Winter Scene' & Stampin' Up, 'Teeny Tiny Sentiments'
Embossing folder - WeR Memory Keepers
Punches - Stampin' Up, 'Word Window' and 'Modern Label'
Gold detail embossing powder

Stamp used: 

Thanks for visiting today and I appreciate all your comments!