Made A Card!

Well, that's such an unusual occurrence at the moment that I though it deserved an announcement! I've been so busy lately that I've had very little time for crafting. However, I've just got some gorgeous new Inkylicious stamps which simply had to take precedence.

First I stamped the Lattice in Versamark ink and embossed it in clear powder, then coloured over it using my Inkylicious Ink Dusters and Adirondack inks. The background paper was coloured in the same way and then overstamped with the Damask stamp. Both stamps are repeatable, which is great because you can cover any size paper with them. I cut out the lattice and the brown frame with Spellbinders Labels 8 dies. The small label with the sentiment is also by Spellbinders, and the sentiment is by Inkylicious.. Butterfly die by Cheery Lynn, poppies die (coloured with Promarkers) by Memory Box. I saw the idea for fastening the ribbon with D-rings on a blog somewhere (I think!) but unfortunately can't remember where. Happy to give credit if someone can let me know where it's due! I though it was a neat idea, but it took me a while to find D-rings small enough. Eventually got them on eB*y.

I've a couple more new stamps still waiting to be inked up. Just need some more spare time!

Is it Spring??

Well, it's April, so it must be, but it sure doesn't feel like it up here! Although the last few days have been sunny, it's still very cold, and there is still snow on the ground in places. And looking at the weather forecast for the next few weeks, I won't be putting my thermals away just yet!

Anyway, it really is April, even if the weather doesn't think so, and we have a new challenge at Stamping Sensations. The theme is

** SPECIAL OCCASIONS, OTHER THAN BIRTHDAYS **

Lots of scope with this one. Anniversaries, weddings, new babies, retirement, graduation, new home, get well soon, congratulations (eg. for new job, passing exams, driving test) even sympathy cards. I'm sure you can think of many other Special Occasions. Just remember NO BIRTHDAYS!

Mind you, the winner this month will probably think it's their birthday! Our April sponsors are PDA Card & Craft, and they have given us this most generous prize!

The lucky recipient will be spoilt for choice! I used to live near PDA, and I miss being able to pop into the shop for a good browse! However, their mail order service is brilliant, so at least I can still buy their products. They are probably best known for their fantastic selection of top quality blank card and paper, but they have lots of other craft goodies too, including stamps (from many companies), dies and stencils, a huge range of embellishments, pens, punches, inks (including Distress), embossing powders, adhesives and beautiful printed papers, one of which I have used for my card.  I've been saving it for a long time, it's almost too pretty to use! But I decided it would be perfect for this card, and anyway I've got another sheet to keep!

PDA also stock the Marianne Design frame die, which I used to cut out the butterfly image. The butterfly stamp is one I've had for years, and I've no idea who made it, it doesn't have any ID on it. I coloured the image with Promarkers and inked around the edges of the frame, and along the border. The butterfly punch used to make the border is also anonymous. It's actually a corner punch, but I took out the corner guides so I could do the border instead. I coloured one of the punched out butterflies and stuck it just above the sentiment, which is by Personal Impressions.

My lovely teamies have some superb samples for you to feast your eyes upon, and if they don't brighten up this unspringlike Spring, I don't know what will! Do hop over to the Challenge Blog and have a look at them. I'll look foward to seeing your Special Occasion creations!

A Card For Brenda

The lovely Brenda (of Floral Fantasies) is celebrating not only her 4th Blogaversary, but also gaining almost 4000 followers. To mark these fantastic achievements she has invited her followers to make a project which reflects her blog, however we like to interpret it. Whenever I think of Brenda, images of flowers, trees, butterflies, fairies, silhouettes and general inkyness come to mind, with a touch of vintage thrown in for good measure! I think I've managed to incorporate most of these in my card!

I made the background with my Gelli Plate, using metallic acrylic paint and a Crafter's Workshop mask. This was then simply overstamped with various images.    I added a paper doily, a few tiny flower buttons, a butterfly and a sentiment, cut and framed with Nesties. A touch of glitter glue on the fairy's wings and the butterfly completed the picture. Here are a couple of close ups of the details.

All stamps by Chocolate Baroque, except for the bit of background text, which is by Hero Arts.

Since I first met Brenda, she has been a wonderful source of inspiration, and any time my mojo goes walkabout, I can be sure that a look around her blog will bring it back. Not only that, Brenda is incredibly generous in sharing her talent and creativity. So I'd just like to say thank you and congratulations on reaching these marvellous milestones, Brenda, and long may you continue to inspire us.