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!

CAS Colours & Sketches - Challenge #100

Today's offering is a card made for the 'CAS Colours & Sketches - Challenge #100' which is a sketch challenge this time.

This is their sketch

This time I decided to 'mix it up a bit', whilst keeping the main elements from the sketch - trying to 'think outside the box' for a change, something I'm not normally good at!  I also decided that I was a bit 'stuck' on doing Christmas cards at the moment, and seeing that I had made all mine before April . . . I thought I'd made more than enough!

Anywho, this is what I came up with today.  All supplies are listed below (as far as I can remember)

Detail view

Supplies used:

Punces - Stampin' Up, 'Large Butterfly
Dies - Stampin'Up, 'Butterfly Sizzlits' & Memory Box (I think) 'Butterfly Border'
Stamps - Clearly Besotted, 'Sweet Little Sentiments'
Card Stock - Stampin' Up, 'Daffodil Delight' . . . rest from stash
Watercolour strip behind butterfly panel, coloured with cheap watercolour paints.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today and I appreciate any comments you may have!

Freshly Made Sketches - Challenge #62

Today, I joined in the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #62 . . . this was their sketch

And this is what I came up with . . . the picture quality is appalling I'm afraid, but I was losing the  light . . . I should have started earlier today!  The colours are actually, cream, natural, and metallic gold!  Sorry about that!

All supplies are listed below.

Supplies used:

Stamp - Kirsty Wiseman, 'Joy To The 'World'
Embossing Folder - Couture Creations ' Cheerful'
Embossing Powder - Gold Detail
Card Stock - Stampin' Up, 'Real Red' & 'Natural'
Extras - Gold card, buttons & gold twine from stash

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stars Theme

Today I was excited to discover that my new found 'blogging' friend Darnell, has had started a new challenge on her wonderful blog and the theme, 'friendship' was so apt that not only is was this card for her challenge, but I am dedicating this particular card for her personally, you will can still find the challenge, FBUS Challenge #1 - Friendship Theme here.  NBUS is Darnell's own acronym for Never Before Used Schtuff, which had me chuckling all day . . . I have loads os NBUS, so this was would have been a great challenge for me.  I went to post my link and discovered, in my excitement that the challenge was posted in JUNE . . . red faced with embarrassment!

I have entered this into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 'Stars' Challenge as it turned to be apt for this one too!

The NBUS used in this challenge is the 'stars', which I have only just received - they were on order - and some of the stamps . . . but, more of that later.  

All supplies are listed below (as best I can remember some, as they were purchased ages ago - before I used to file things properly, and label everything - sorry, people!

Here is the card

Detail view

And side view to show the background gold

First, I cut the star out of the front panel and cut it 'wonky' for added interest, then I backed the star with gold foil card and cut a small outline star out of the same card.  Then I cut approx six more of the main star - I lost count and stacked them one on top of the other and stamped the top one with stamps from different stamp sets that I purchased ages ago and haven't yet used . . . again, long forgotten!  This is from the days, when I used to see things I really, really needed . . . and then, never used!  Still do of course, but now I'm more disciplned and file and label it all, so I know exactly who's products they are, and what they are called!

Then I used an alphabet stamp set to stamp the word 'outstanding' in Versamark and gold embossed it with detail gold embossing powder.

I then added the top panel to a textured base card using thin foam tape, stuck the small, gold foil, outline star slightly over the edge of the 'focal' star and raised it up on two, thick foam pads - stacked one on top of the other - to really make it stand out!

This one's dedicated to you Darnell and thanks for everything!  Hazel xx 

Supplies used:

Dies - 'Lil' Inker', 'Stitched Stars' . . . small gold star (one of the 'forgotten ones)
Stamps - Winnie & Walter, 'Bubble Talk' . . . 'Friend' (another 'forgotten' one) and Lawn Fawn, Violet's ABC's.

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate all your comments!

A Word Of Thanks . . .

. . . must go to Darnell, over at djkardkreations for all her help today with my 'comments' situation, if it wasn't for you Darnell I might never have known and it would have prevented other lovely people from commenting!  

Thanks so much!

Hazel x

Festive Friday #44 - Photo Challenge & Comments

Some of you may already know that I have only been blogging since September this year and with a three week haitus in between, so I am still 'getting the hang of it all'.  Anyway, somebody kindly informed me that they were unable to comment on my posts as I had Google+ comments and only Google+ visitors to my site could comment!

Well, I think I have changed that so all you lovely people can comment if you so wish  . . . and I appreciate all of you who do . . . but, there is a downside . . . it seems that I have now lost all the lovely, lovely comments that you fantastic 'Google+' folk did for me!  I suppose, it's a case of, 'you can't have it all ways'  and I really didn't want to exclude anyone.  So, if you very kindly commented in the past and wonders where the comments went . . . that is what has happened!

In the meantime I will see if I can get them back!

Today, I decided to give the Festive Friday Challenge #44 a go, which is a photo challenge and this is the photo.

I was inspired by the wreath mainly and the brown colours for a change, so I decided to make a card, with a wreath, using mainly brown.

This is what I came up with, all supplies are listed below.

Supplies used:

Dies - Stampin' Up, 'Wonderous Wreath' and sentiment die from my stash (I can't remember who's)
Embossing Folder - Sissix
Card-stock, ribbon and holographic dots from stash!

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate all your lovely comments!  Hazel xx

Less Is More Challenge #197 - Stars

Well, this challenge over at my favourite challenge blog Less Is More - Challenge  #197 - Stars,  was really a challenge for me, you see, I am still waiting to get my large stars dies and I have no big stars stamps!  

I wracked my brain and came up with the idea of using a diamond shaped die to make my own stencil, which is exactly what I did - if you stay tuned, I will tell you exactly how I achieved it!

This is the card I finally came up with.

First, I embossed the front of plain card stock with an embossing folder (see below for full list of supplies used)

Next, I made my star stencil out of a diamond shaped die.  Then, I stencilled Through with a light blue ink first, then a medium blue & finally a darker blue.  After that I white embossed tiny stars through the stencil.

TIP: Don't believe them when they say that stencil glue is low tack . . . mine ripped the face off my first attempt!  Be very careful with it!

Finally, I made my own greeting up with an alphabet stamp set.

Supplies used:

Die - Clearly Besotted 'Geometric Style 1'
Stamps - Hero Arts 'Tiny Stars' & Lawn Fawn 'Violets ABC's'
Inks - Distress Inks in, 'Broken China', 'Tumbled Glass' & 'Stromy Sky' and Colorbox 'Paintbox, primary colours' (for the sentiment)
Embossing Plate - Papertrey Ink 'Linen'

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I appreciate all your comments!  Hazel xx

CAS Colours And Sketches Challenge #99

Today I have tried the CAS Colours And Sketches Challenge #99  

Their colours this time are

This is what I came up with in the end . . . again, the lighting is very cold, but, it is cold and will be until the end of winter and beyond, in this part of the globe!

Anywho, I apologise in advance as the colours, do not look right, but I did use actual 'Real Red' card stock and although I didn't have 'Very Vanilla' I used a watercolour card that was as close as I could get.  The metallic gold came from embossing powders.  All supplies are listed below.

I have done what I can to show them as thet really are, but unfortunately, they look far better in the 'flesh', so-to-speak!

Supplies used:

Card Stock - Stampin' Up, 'Real Red' and a watercolour card stock from stash
Stamps - Uniko, 'Squared' Background Builders & Stampin' Up, 'More Merry Messages'
Embossing Powder - WOW, 'Metallic Gold Sparkle' (and boy, does it sparkle in life . . . gorgeous!)

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate all you lovely people and your comments!  Hazel xx

Another Great Sketch - Freshly Made Sketches #161

Today I made another card for the terrific challenge site, Freshly Made Sketches and their challenge #161  A lot of techniques were used this time, but although that was the case, I still tried to keep it fairly CAS . . . I hope I succeeded?

Anyway, if you like trying techniques, stay tuned and I will list them.  Here is the card.

Sorry about the picture quality, but it is a poor day for lighting today . . . it is winter I suppose!

And this was the sketch

Right, here we go,

First, I used a stencil on the base card - all supplies used will be listed below - and sprinkled sparkle embossing powder over the snowflakes and left the whole thing to dry.  When it was completely dry, I then heat embossed the sparkle embossing powder (I didn't want the embossing paste to bubble which is why I let it dry first)

Next, I die cut an aperture at the top of the card, as I wanted to do some die cut inlaying, and then cut the inlay piece out of white card.  I also die cut six snowflakes and stacked them one on top of the other.

Then I heat embossed the sentiment with silver detail embossing powder and embossed the snowflake using one of the dies.

Finally, I put it all together and added a few tiny snowflakes to fill a couple of gaps that seemed to be 'missing something' (try to imagine the card without and I think you will probably agree?), maybe not, maybe it's just me!

Anyway, thanks for stopping by and if you have read this far, I truly appreciate it . . . and all of your comments!

Bye for now, have a crafty day!
Hazel xx

Supplies used:

Stencil - Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'
Stamp - Kaiser Craft 'Magic Of Christmas'
Embossing Powder - WOW 'Silver Detail Powder'
Dies - Spellbinders 'Snowflake Pendant Set'

Debossing Folders

Today I received my new 'debossing folders' in the post and just had to give them a try.  A change from embossing, I thought.  

Embossing folders has been one of my favourite card making tools since they first came out, so I was excited to try out these debossing ones.  This is the card I made.

And this is a closer look at the detail . . . pretty cool eh?

 

Supplies used:

Sizzix Tim Holtz ShadowPress Sentiments Debossing Folders

Stamps - Stampin' Up, 'Endless Wishes' & Mama Elephant, 'Merry Greetings'

Pattern paper - Printed on my printer

Embellishments - Sequins & gems from my stash

Thanks for dropping by and I appreciate all your comments!

 

My Second Attempt At The 'Less Is More - Non-Traditional Colours Challenge'

Yesterday I made a mistake, I accidentally let the 'dreaded' RED creep in to my submission for the LIM challenge, so I withdrew it and today I had another go!  

This is my Second Attempt At The 'Less Is More - Non-Traditional Colours Challenge' . . . not a drop of colour anywhere, let alone red or green (unless you class white & gold as colours).

 

I must admit to becoming slightly obsessed with shaker cards at the moment, but let me tell you, I am beginning to hate micro beads with a vengeance!  They start to jump out of the pot as soon as you open the lid and even when you try to tip them out as carefully and slowly as you possibly can, as soon as they hit a hard surface (even from a millimetre away) they bounce like hailstones on a tin roof . . . micro beads EVERYWHERE!!  I have four other pots that I haven't opened yet, and I'm afraid to!

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate all your comments!

Supplies used:

Dies - Elizabeth Craft Designs

Embellishments - Micro beads, sequins (all from my stash)

Edit: 

I have been asked a number of times now about exactly what dies did I use and how did I make it.  The answer is not a simple one - it's simple enough to do, but a little complicated to explain in words - so the best thing I can do is to give you some links to some very good videos on how to make a shaker.

The dies used are a set purchased in 2014 and was still available Christmas 2015, however, there tons of similar dies out there by most of the die companies (including new ones from Spellbinders)
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxHTfSBdPgE
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNhCzC6dZ4M
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PQySngnwiQ

All shaker cards use basically the same techniques, so although they are not the same, all the same principals apply

I hope this helps!  Hazel xx