Happy Day

It's been too long since I last posted, time gets away from me sometimes. I have two passions at the moment in cardmaking, either I do a scene like in this card or it's clean and simple, a stamp, an embellishment. I had no idea how to use this SS when I first got it, but I'm happy with this one.

It's a quick post today as Bailey is trying to cut something out, Nathan is running around outside and I have a roast to cook for my birthday - there's something not quite right about that lol!!

Hopefully it won't be as long between posts.

Die cuts part two . . .

Another play with diecuts. I really wanted to try something different with this one and I'm quite happy with the result.

I have stamped and embossed love from the love you stamp using white embossing powder. I've also white embossed the hearts and then filled with crystal effects and glitter. (my current fav technique). The circle in the middle I white embossed, which was very tricky and then I've done the same as the hears, and used a foam dot to make it sit up a bit. A bit of ribbon, some dots and we're done. If I did another one of these I'd white emboss the cherish sentiment to make it stand out a bit.

I've decided to enter this one in the Just Add Ink challenge.

I'm in TV heaven this week. Monday was Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters my two favourite tv shows - happy they are back. Scrapbooking with the girls on Friday night and then the weekend with my family, it's good, good, good.

Die cuts with a twist . . .

I decided to challenge myself to use some of the diecuts that were taking up space and this one of those cards that just worked.

Here's what I did:

• used the boho backgrounds stamp and clear embossed
• adhered the scallop cut out of DSP (left over chrissie paper)
• cut out the circle
• covered the small die cut with dsp and cut it out, embossed with cuttlebug and edged in ink
• traced the small die cut onto the larger one and then added glitter
• white embossed baroqe motifs onto the DSP and then cut out a strip
• stamped happy birthday on whisper white cut it out stuck it to DSP.

Here's a close up of the embossed DSP - I quite like this effect, I've also added some Night of Navy ink over the embossing to give it some dimension.

All in all quite happy with this card and some of the techniques I tried out. I'm thoroughly enjoying playing around with stamps, it's great stress relief while Bailey and Nathan are home full-time. I have some grand plans for some artwork, but need some time and headspace to be able to produce it. Bring on kinder next week!

My first challenge . . . what do you think?

This is my first go at doing any kid of challenge. It was fun, I got inspiration while making the salad for last night's tea. Having said that what I sketched out and what I produced were a little different, but that's okay creativity is an exploratory process. I must say I had some difficulty finding some very vanilla, but managed to find a scrap. I'm trying my hardest to use what I have - this also means that I'm almost out of adhesive (gasp!!). Needless to say I'm ordering some tomorrow.

While I'm not really a Valentine's Day celebrator, I'm really into hearts at the moment and I love the little hearts from the short and sweet set. I use them a lot and one of my fav things to do is to fill them with Kristal Effects and then put the Dazzling Diamonds over that. It takes a little while to dry but the effect is great, at least in my opinion.

I'd love to know what you think so please leave me some comment love . . . Karen

Some cards . . .

Okay so, finally some cards. This first one uses a Die Cut (currently on special) as well as the For Everything set from the Summer Mini.

The next one was inspired by Kirsty's easel card, although I made up the measurements as best I could. Now that I look at it I think it needs something in the top corners, maybe a small flower stamp or brads.

Here's another view. This card uses the Enjoy Every Moment and Hostess gift stamp.

I have sooooooooo much stuff in scraps that the next few cards I plan will be using those scraps. I also have some ideas on using the die cuts. Till then xx

New Year New Look

Happy New Year!

I've been trying to update my blog into the 21st century and this has taken up valuable stamping and artwork time! My computer belongs in another age and is starting to protest and take a long, long, long time to do anything . . . computer rage is becoming regular ! lol! I still can't get the buttons up the top of my blog to work, but have run out of time to play so will have a go at that next time. Hopefully my next post will be a card or some artwork.

It's almost Christmas!!

I just realised it's been almost a month since I posted. Oh well the best laid plans of mice and in this case woman!! I do intend to post more often, it's just that life gets in the way.

Anyway here are some cards. I've finally perfected the VersaMark resist using a brayer. You need to let the VersaMark dry before you use the brayer to ink the glossy paper. It took me a while to work out what I was doing wrong, but I got there in the end.


This idea I cased from someone, but can't remember who (sorry!). It uses the masking technique and the sponge daubers - my new fav tool! It's actually a very effective technique that I'm sure I'm going to use again, when I get time.


This is a sneak peak on a calligraphic work-in-progress. This year rather than create a design for a christmas card I thought I would complete a finished piece. This is half-uncial and a celtic greeting. I think I picked the most elaborate celtic decoration I could find, but I'm sure it will look cool when it's finished - hopefully by next weeek. I'll post a photo of the finished piece.

I feel like I'm always rushing at the moment and it's about time to rush to kinder, rush home, rush to swimming, rush home and rush some work in this afternoon. Then it's collapse time for a double episode of the Amazing Race - if I can stay awake that long!! Have a good one and hopefully it won't be too long before I post again.