Elliott's Angels DT - Dec 25

Hi Crafters,

I have been cracking on with my Christmas crafting and I have another post on the Hope and Chances blog.  This time I've used three Spellbinders die sets.

I started with a white card blank and added a green patterend paper.  This paper actually came free with a magazine.  I cut the Spellbinders Holiday Greetings die in kraft card and layered on top.  My twine is from Creative Expressions and I've had it for quite a while.  

I used Spellbinders Lacey Circles for my topper and added some Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Mowed Lawn, popping it up on foam pads.  My numbers were cut from Coredinations cardstock from the Spellbinders Victorian Numbers set.  The embossing and debossing on these dies are really fabulous.

Check out the blog and shop for more inspiration and to treat yourself to some lovely new crafty goodies. There are some amazing sale prices too.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Get Krafty with JustRite

Hi Everyone,

Long time, no blog!  I have been pottering away at times but the crafting is taking a back seat the moment.  However, I have been playing with my new Spellbinders products (I couldn't resist!) and the card I have for you today features one of the new 3D embossing folders paired with JustRite Stamps.  

I started by making a card blank from kraft card.  My main image was created with the Ornate Labels One embossing folder.  I inked up the folder with Versamark before adding a piece of bright green Coredinations cardstock and running through the Grand Calibur.  Next, I poured gold embossing powder over the top and heat embossed.  I really like the effect and the way the intricate detail at the bottom has been picked up.  Love this folder!  

I distressed the edges of the layer and card with the Tim Holtz Paper Distressing Tool.  My topper was cut with Spellbinders Labels One and my sentiment stamp is from the All in the Family Large Sentiments set by JustRite.  I also used the gold detail powder here.  My butterfly came from the Fleur De Lis Labels Twenty set.  I stamped it onto the same Coredinations cardstock and then fussy cut with scissors.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:

JustRite Friday Challenge #119 - Get Krafty

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #187 - Ribbon

Hi Crafters,

It's Wednesday again and that means a new challenge at Fab'n'Funky but first, head on over to the blog to see our winner from last week's button challenge.  We loved your great designs.

Again I predict a lot of love for our challenge this week!  The very talented Dawn is our host and she has chosen the theme of...

Ribbon

Simples!  I don't think this one needs any explaining!  Our sponsor this week is the wonderful Stamp Fairy.  Check out their great designs here.

The DT were lucky to be able to use Stamp Fairy images for our projects this week and here is what I came up with using Mimi Falltime 5.

I made a 7" card blank and then embossed using an Embossaliscious embossing folder.  I inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen.  My hexagon paper came free with a magazine and I really love all the patterns.  I added a piece of kraft crepe paper.  My ribbon was coloured using a ProMarker in Wild Cranberry.  

My image was coloured using ProMarkers in Blush, Walnut, Caramel, Pink Mittens, Rose Pink, Wild Cranberry, Apple Cider and Sandstone.  I cut her out using the new Spellbinders dies Branching Out which launched at CHA in the summer.  I also inked through the die with the Antique Linen to add depth and for dimension I added foam pads.

I really hope you'll add some ribbon to your project and join us this week at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #186 - Button It

Hi All,

I hope you are well and crafting with plenty of lovely goodies.  We have a great new challenge over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges but firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who entered our Leaves challenge last week.  We had a lovely time looking at all the wonderful creations.  The winner and Top 3 are over on the blog now so check it out soon.

On to this week and Wendy is our brilliant host with a great theme that you can really put your own spin on...

Button It

We would like you to use buttons on  your project.  They can be real, paper, digital or just mahoosive!  Our sponsor this week is one of my favourite digital stamp companies - The Paper Shelter.  The random winner will receive a $20 voucher to spend in their online store.  I'm ever so slightly jealous!

The DT were very lucky to be able to work with The Paper Shelter images this week and I chose to use Rhythm Everywhere.

I started with a 6" scalloped card blank and my first layer was made using kraft card and a piece of Pebbles backing paper.  I then embossed the blue Coredinations with a Spellbinders M-bossability folder called Hearts.  This layer was also matted with kraft card.  My ribbon was recycled from some pajamas packaging!  My buttons were created with a die from the Spellbinders Sewing Elements set.

I used Spellbinders Circles to cut out my main image and layer and then mounted on foam pads from Hunkydory.  The little shiny bursts are the waste from another card!  I used a Memory Box die (Snowflake Burst) with Centura Pearl cardstock and they just went perfectly.

I really hope you can join us for our Button It challenge this week at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Blog #225 - Button Up
Card Mania Challenge #30 - Cute as a Button

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #173 - One for the Girls

Hi Everyone,

We are back to Wednesday again and I'm not sure I like how fast this year seems to be going!  I doubt it will slow down though!

Wednesday means a new challenge at Fab'n'Funky Challenges but it also means that the winners and Top 3 from last week have been chosen.  All the details can be found over at on the F'n'F blog.

We have our blogging Mama as our host this week - the fabulous Judith.  I love the theme this week as it it totally me!  So without further ado our theme is...

One for the Girls

Just make a female-themed project and link it up - couldn't be simpler!  We have two sponsors this week too.  My Creative Classroom and StampArt Design by Kathryne.  Two sponsors means two winners so let's get crafting!  

This is my card for the challenge - the girly elements are the butterflies, pearls and decorative edging.  

I used a StampArt Design by Kathryne image for my card called Butterfly Border 1 and coloured with FlexMarkers in Aquamarine, Surf Blue and Navy Blue.  I inked the edge with Tim Holtz Distress ink in Antique Linen for an aged effect.

My base card was made from two of the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One cut in kraft card.  I attached with the super stick red liner tape.  While still in the die I inked through with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Broken China.  My main background was made with Coredinations cardstock.  I embossed using the lattice Embossalicious folder from Crafter's Companion and then lightly brushed a Versamark inkpad over the top.  I added Debbi Moore's metal magic and heated from behind with a heat tool.  I really like the effect that this has created.

My sentiment topper was created with Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One in kraft and Coredinations.  Using Claritystamp's Letterbox Alphabet set and Broken China Distress Ink I made the sentiment as I wanted.  The squares come as triple, double and single boxes so I after stamped the triple box, I masked it off and then used the double box stamp to create a five letter space for my wording.  Claritystamps really are the best quality I've ever had the pleasure to use.  My tiny butterflies were punched using a Tonic punch and I just coloured a piece of super smooth paper with the Aquamarine FlexMarker to get the perfect match.  The pearls came free from Create and Craft a while back.

I really hope to see you join us for our girly challenge this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenge:-
Shelly's Images - Show Us What You Got

A Flower for You!

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I have a new crafty cupboard courtesy of Storage 4 Crafts and this morning it was an absolute pleasure to make my first card with a place for everything and everything in its place!  I think I may even turn into a tidy crafter - shock horror!  

I saw that the latest challenge over at the Tiddly Inks challenge blog was to use a Wryn image and being a huge fan, I decided to give it a go.  It's also Saturday and that means a new sketch over at the Sketch Saturday blog.  I love their ideas and this one was no different...

I think this sketch will be so useful for a whole variety of cards.  So I'm sure you'd like to see my card by now!  I'll not keep you in suspense any longer!

Isn't this image just adorable?!  It's called Bugs and Kisses!  I started with a 5.25" kraft card blank and then layered up a piece of Me To You red dotty paper which came free with a magazine.  I thought the jaunty angle might add an extra dimension so squint it was!  I took a piece of Dawn Bibby paper and chopped the silver bubble border off to give me a purple stripey layer.  My ribbon is from DoCrafts and I've had it for ages.  

I coloured my image with ProMarkers in Cinnamon, Vanilla, Dusky Pink, Blush, Ruby, Lipstick Red, Spring Lilac, Lilac, Henna, Cocoa, Caramel, Cool Grey 1, Yellow, Marsh Green and I also used the blender pen on the little hedgehog.  My flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I really love them.  

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday - #260
Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog #110 - Use a Wryn

Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #172 - Ribbon or Lace

Hi All,

What a glorious morning!  Until I hung out the washing!  Story of my life!  I hope you are all well and enjoying some crafty time this week.  

We have a great new challenge over at the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog but first the winner and Top 3 from last week have been posted.  Head on over to the blog to see our lucky winners.

Now, on to this week's challenge and we have the wonderful Vicky as our host.  She has chosen a great theme and I'm sure you'll all be eager to join in.  Our theme this week is...

Ribbon and Lace

You can add ribbon or lace or both to your project and then link it up to be in with a chance of a prize or Top 3 position.  Our sponsors this week are Doodle Pantry and StampArt Design by Kathryne.  Just click on their names to view the brilliant range of images.

I used a Doodle Pantry image for my card this week.  It's called Pitcher and Basin and can be found here.

I saw a similar design in a magazine and thought I'd have a go myself.  I started with an A4 piece of kraft card and cut it length-ways and then scored each piece in half to make two 6" x 4" card blanks.  I used my Tonic guillotine to cut the fronts on the diagonal.  I attached the two blanks together the Collall All Purpose Glue.  It really is the best glue in the world!  

The image came with two patterned backing papers but I made the plain blue paper by using the colour picker feature in My Craft Studio.  I used the flowery backing paper to cover the fronts of my card and then added a piece of kraft cardstock that had been embossed with one of the A4 Sue Wilson embossing folders from Creative Expressions.

My image was cut using Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven.  I added the lace to close the card and also for an extra girly finish.  

I hope you can join us for our ribbon/lace challenge this week.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Butterfly Delight

Hi Friends,

I'm back with another card and if anyone was watching Ideal World last night you might have seen a sneaky peek!  When I saw all the wonderful embossed cards on the Crafter's Companion Embossalicious Pick of the Day show at 9pm I set about making one of my own!  I emailed in on the 11pm show and they showed it on air!  Mega cheesy grin!  So without further ado, here is the card in question...

Funnily enough I've used the same colours as our current challenge on Fab'n'Funky Challenges - pink, green and brown.  Head on over to the blog to see my teamies inspiration.  We have a great prize from MayzyArt too.

My base is a piece of pink Centrua Pearl cardstock.  I used an 8x8 Embossalicious folder on kraft card for the next layer and it is such a pretty flourish design.  Must use this more often!  My green doilies were cut using a Cheery Lynn die called French Pastry.  The green paper is from the Garden Fairies CD-ROM set by Debbi Moore.  I cut two of the Spellbinders Decagons for my main topper and then added a butterfly from the Spellbinders Les Papillion Two set.  My clear gems are from Create and Craft.  Finally my sentiment is stamped in black and I actually bought this stamp from ebay.  I was really impressed with the quality.  Another great bargain! 

Hope you are all having a great week.  I've totally blown my crafty budget this month with all the great deals on Create and Craft.  Oops!  I can't wait for the post man to bring them to my door.  Has anyone else bought any new goodies lately?  I'd love to see what you've made.

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Challenges entered:
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge Blog #72 - Think Spring
My Creative Time - Tic Tac Toe (top line - use a die, embossing and bling)
The Perfect Sentiment PSC71 - Fairies or Butterflies

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #157 - Valentine's or Hearts

Good Morning!

I'm so grateful for everyone who linked up their shoe projects last week at Fab'n'Funky Challenges.  I had so much fun checking out all the entries.  Fab colouring, great layouts and super inspiration.  The winner and Top 3 are on the blog right now so why not head on over for a visit.

We have a great new challenge for you today and this week it's the wonderful Pat K playing host.  If you would like to be inspired and amazed - check out Pat's blog here.  I love her style.  Now I better let you in on our theme..

Valentine's or Hearts

Simples!  Love is definitely all around this month!  Our sponsor is one of my favourite stamp companies, ever!  We have Lili of the Valley (LOTV) this week and they have such wonderful images and papers to lust over on their site.  Click here to start lusting!

I have a wedding card this week as I went with the heart theme using a LOTV image and sentiment.

What a sweet image!  I started with a 5.5" kraft card blank and added a sheet of Webster's Pages paper that I received as a free gift with a magazine last year.  I wrapped some Creative Expressions cream lace around this layer and really fell in love with how gorgeous the lace looks. 

My topper was stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed with gold detail embossing powder.  I cut out with an X-Cut heart shaped die and then inked through with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen for a vintage feel.  My sentiment is also LOTV and I simply stamped in brown ink and then cut out by hand.  I inked all over with Antique Linen DI.  I curled the sentiment over the edge of my table.  Love this technique! 

I love this image and have just realised that I bought it when I was in Glasgow for the SECC craft fair last March at the same time I bought the magazine with the free papers!  Meant to be I think!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 84 - Vintage Love
Whoopsi Daisy - Ribbon or Lace
Natalie and Amy #6 - Something Old and Something New (something old is my heart die and something new is my lace)
Southern Girls Challenge #61 - Get Krafty
Deep Ocean Challenge #44 - Love and Lace
Party Time Tuesday #106 - Love and Romance

I hope you'll be able to link up with us this week at Fab'n'Funky Challenges. 

Happy crafting,
Rachel x

Fab'n'Funky Challenges #146 - Bingo

Hi Everyone,

Wow!  What a response to our Die Cuts/Punches challenge last week.  We had so many brilliant entires.  I don't know how Pat K managed to choose her top 3 but choose she did!  Head over to the Fab'n'Funky Challenges blog to see the wonderful winners and fab Top 3.

This week is my turn to host our challenge and I have gone with a bingo board...

Shaped card blank	Charm	Distressing
Lace	Vintage	Flourish
Twine	Embossing	Kraft card

Just use any line - across, up, down or diagonal and let us know which line you have used.

We have a fantastic sponsor this week - it's Stamp Fairy!

The DT were able to use super Stamp Fairy images from their new winter digis.  There are so many lovely images on the site so make sure you check them out.

From the bingo board, I chose twine, embossing and kraft card on my project and it's not a card!

Nope, it's a gift bag!  My Dad gave me some of these brown paper bags for my first craft fair last sunday and I knew it would be perfect for this challenge.  My checked and dotty papers are from Papermania's Deck the Halls paper pack.  I used Spellbinders Holly Accents for the holly border and inked through the die with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Mowed Lawn.  This ink pad is actually from the seasonal summer set but really worked well with my Christmas papers. 

I printed my image straight onto kraft card and then added twine in red and green using Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue.  I mounted my lovely little gingerbread man onto Spellbinders Labels Twenty Eight with foam tape.  My embossed greeting was made using an embossing folder and Centrura Pearl Snow White card.  The folder is made up of lots of different Christmas greetings so I just cut it out with scissors and then cololured with the distress ink again.  I really love the shimmer from this card.

So get your dabbers at the ready and lets play bingo!  Can't wait to see all of your creations.

Happy crafting,

Rachel x