Let Your Dreams Take Flight

I wanted to make a tag to follow the theme for this month's Tag along & ATCs 'Travel' challenge but was struggling to find anything travel related then remembered that dreams can take flight!

To make this tag I used:
     Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags' die
     Hot off the Press 'Feathers' stamps and coordinating die
     Versafine Imperial Purple ink
     Dark brown Promarker
     Snippets of white and dark purple card, Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper and purple ribbon

I attached the snippet of Antebellum paper to white card and used the largest die to cut the tag.  I placed the tag into my MISTI and used purple ink to stamp the sentiment in the lower corner - stamping a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  I used purple ink to stamp the feather onto purple card and cut it with the coordinating die.  The feather was then attached above the sentiment.  The purple ribbon was a bit too bright so I coloured it with a dark brown Promarker so it matched the colour of the feather before attaching it to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion
     Cut It Up - Add a Sentiment
     Tag-along & ATCs Challenge - Travel

Kath x

Another Rustic Wreath

I made this card for the Christmas Kickstart 'Let's Wreath it Up' challenge using one of my favourite Christmas stamps.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Uniko 'Rustic Wreath' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green & Vintage Sepia ink
     Snippets of white matt card and turquoise matt card
     Turquoise enamel dots

I placed a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the wreath and sentiment a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  The panel was then cut with the stitched square die and layered onto a slightly larger snippet of turquoise matt card.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.  I stamped the pine cones onto another snippet of white card and fussy cut them before attaching them to the wreath with tiny foam pads.  To finish I added small turquoise enamel dots around the wreath.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     As You Like It - Favourite Season (I like all seasons for different reasons, but as a cardmaker 'Winter' is my favourite as I enjoy making Christmas cards)
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Let's Wreath It Up
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Tic Tac Toe - Challenge 276 (I have chosen CAS, Free & Any Shape Die)
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes
     

Kath x

Happy Birthday

I made this card with a lovely Sizzix flower stamp and die - I do love coordinating stamps and dies as I don't have much patience for fussy cutting!

To make this card I used:
     C6 white hammer card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Oval STAX Die-namics' die
     Sizzix 'Floral Hello' stamps and coordinating die
     Clearly Besotted 'Fancy Sayings' sentiment stamp
     Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
     Cosmic Shimmer Clear Detail embossing powder
     Promarkers
     Snippets of white hammer card and white matt card
     Altenew Crysstal Clear enamel dots
     Wink of Stells

I used brown ink to stamp the flowers onto a snippet of white matt card.  I embossed them with clear embossing powder before cutting them with the coordinating die.  I used a pink Promarker for the flowers, bright green for the flower centres and a darker green for the leaves.  I die cut a stitched oval from a snippet of white hammer card and put it into my MISTI before placing the flowers onto the circle so I could see where to position the sentiment.  I removed the flowers and stamped the sentiment with brown ink before embossing it with clear embossing powder.  The oval was attached to the centre of the card blank with foam pads and the flowers attached above and below the sentiment.  I added a Wink of Stella to the flower petals and three small clear enamel dots around the sentiment.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Cut It Up - Add a Sentiment
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Challenge 276 (I chose CAS, Free & Any Shape Die - although it could also be CAS, Sentiment & Embossing)
     The Flower Challenge - Add Embellishments (I have used enamel dots)
     We Love Stamping - Flowers

Kath x

New Baby

I was so pleased when my 'Rustic Christmas' card was the winner at the CAS on Friday 'Christmas' challenge and I was invited to be Guest Designer on their 'Baby' challenge.  This is the first time I've used this 'new to me' baby die too!

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white hammer card blank
     Tonic Studios 'New Baby' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of white hammer card and pale blue pearlescent card

I used a snippet of white hammer card to die cut a stitched square.  I then die cut 'New Baby' from the centre of the panel, setting the die cut aside.  The panel was layered onto a slightly larger square of pale blue pearlescent card before being attached to the card blank.  I die cut 'New Baby' from pale blue pearlescent card and inlaid it into the panel together with the small pieces from the white die cut.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Christmas (or not) BINGO Challenge - Challenge 14 (I have used Line G - Square Card Base, Sentiment as the Focus & Frame)
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
     NBUS - Challenge 77 (my new die)
     Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes

Kath x

Home

One of my neighbours (the lady who has gifted me a lot of cross stitching items) has decided it's time to move into a care home.  It's been a big decision for her as she's lived in her flat for 50 years, so I've made this cross stitch card for her.  The design was for an anniversary card and the letters should have read LOVE, but I used a modern alphabet to change it to HOME.

To make this card I used:
     7" x 5" white matt card blank
     Catkin & Lillie 'Pots of Love' and FloReen Studio 'Alphabet' charts
     My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Square STAX Die'namics' die
     Rustic 14 count aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of white matt card

I stitched the design and changed the letters using a modern alphabet to fit inside the flower pots.  I didn't have a rectangle die that was large enough, so used a square die cutting it twice to get the right width for the design.  I then trimmed around the edge of the frame so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  The fabric was trimmed to fit behind the frame and attached with strong tape before the panel was attached to the card front.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

Yet More Big Birthday Wishes

Another male card using my 'go to' die.  I do love this die as it always looks different when made with different colour card, although I must find another large sentiment die soon!

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" kraft card blank
     My Favorite Things 'Big Birthday Wishes' die
     Snippets of kraft card, cream textured card and red glitter card

I trimmed the snippet of kraft card so it was slightly wider than the die and cut the large sentiment from the centre before attaching the panel to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'BIG' from red glitter card and inlaid the letters into the front of the card.  I die cut the rest of the sentiment from cream textured  card and inlaid them.  To finish I trimmed two narrow strips of cream textured card and attached them down each side of the sentiment panel.  

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Birthdays
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Seize the Birthday - Use Your Favourite Colour (although I don't really have a favourite colour, I do love to use red and cream with kraft card)
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 512 (oops, I forgot to take a photo of my snippets!)

Kath x

New Home Card

This card is made with more of my holiday stitching using a chart from Cross Stitch Favourites magazine.   I thought it would perfect as a New Home card for a friend who is moving to the coast.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Spellbinders Nestabilitites 'Classic Squares Large' dies
     Poppy Brenner's 'Happy Homes' chart
     White 14 count aida
     DMC threads
     Snippet of white matt card

I trimmed a snippet of white matt card so it was slightly smaller than the card blank.  I die cut and embossed a square aperture which was the same size at the stitched area.  I then realised the squares on the aida were not true squares as the stitching was a perfect fit across the width aperture but it was one row short from top to bottom, so I had to stitch another row across the bottom!  The stitching was then attached behind the aperture and the panel attached to the front of the card blank.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Alphabet Challenge - H is for Home
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Kath x

July Rudolph Day

It's time for another Rudolph Day and another die cut card (die cutting is my RD theme for this year.).  I nearly didn't have a die cut card as my old Cuttlebug made a loud 'crack' when I was making the card and the bottom roller broke away at one side.  I managed to find someone about 20 miles from me who was selling one on Facebook Marketplace so back to my die cutting!

To make this card I used:
     5.5" x 4.25 white hammer card blank
     Memory Box 'Merry Christmas Tree' and My Favorite Things 'Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-namics' dies
     Snippets of dark blue and gold mirri card

I used the largest rectangle die to emboss the front of the card blank and set it aside.  I die cut the 'Merry Christmas Tree' from a snippet of dark blue mirri and snipped the star from the top before attaching it to the card blank.  I then die cut the star from a snippet of gold mirri and attached it to the top of the tree.  Quick and easy and my new Cuttlebug works like a dream which makes me realise my one one was on its last legs!

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas
     Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Blue Christmas
     Rudolph Day - July Challenge
     Simply Clean & Simple - Clean & Simple
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 511

Kath x    

Love

When I made my Have a Wonderful Birthday card, I embossed an extra panel and decided to make it into an anniversary card.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lisa Horton 'Pansy Corner' 3D embossing folder
     Impression Obsession 'Love' die
     Snippets of white matt card and red pearlescent card

I trimmed the white matt card so it was the same size as the front of the card blank and placed the Pansy Corner embossing folder on top so I could see where to die cut 'Love'.  I removed the folder and cut the sentiment before embossing the Pansy Corner.  The panel was then attached to the front of the card blank.  I die cut 'Love' from a snippet of red pearlescent card as I was originally going to inlay it in red, but decided I didn't like it so I inlaid the white sentiment and the small red heart.  I then die cut another 'Love' from another snippet of white card and attached it to the top.  The two small white hearts from the sentiments were than attached to the card front.

I am entering the following challenges:
     A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut
     Allsorts - Pretty Flowers
     Can You Handle the Pressure - Anything Goes
     Cardz 4 Galz - Wedding or Wedding Anniversary
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies & Blooms (I have chosen Blooms)

Kath x

Rustic Wreath

This wreath stamp is one of my Christmas favourites, although this is the first time I've stamped the pine cones as I normally just add holly berries.

To make this card I used:
     5" x 5" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Uniko 'Rustic Wreath' stamps
     Versafine Olympia Green, Crimson Red & Vintage Sepia ink
     Snippets of white matt card and red pearlescent card
     Wink of Stella

I placed a snippet of white card into my MISTI and stamped the wreath and sentiment a couple of times to get a good depth of colour.  The panel was then cut with the stitched square die and layered onto a slightly larger snippet of red pearlescent card.  The panel was then attached to the centre of the card blank.  I stamped the pine cones onto another snippet of white card and fussy cut them before attaching them to the wreath with tiny foam pads.  To finish I used red ink to stamp the holly berries around the wreath.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Addicted to CAS - Christmas
     Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Merry-go-Round (My circles are the wrreath and holly berries)
     Krafty Chicks Challenge - CAS
     Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
     Uniko - 12 Days of Christmas
     We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Kath x

Cross Stitch and Blackwork Card

I stitched this design when I was on holiday and really enjoyed stitching it as it combines my love of cross stitch and blackwork.  After completing the stitching I made it into a card for a friend's birthday.

To make this card I used:
     6" x 6" white matt card blank
     Lawn Fawn 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables' die
     Lesley Teare's 'Blackwork Beauties' chart 
     White 14 count aida
     DMC Threads
     Snippet of white matt card

After finishing the stitching I washed it to remove the creases from the fabric and ironed it on the reverse.  I die cut the largest square die from the centre of the card blank front and attached the stitching to the rear of the aperture.  I trimmed a snippet of white card so it was slightly smaller than the front of the card and attached it to the inside to cover the back of the stitching.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Ally's Angels - Anything Goes
     Love to Craft - Anything Goes
     Triple B Challenge - Birds, Blooms & Butterflies (I've chosen Birds & Blooms)

Kath x

Snippets Gift Tag

This cross stitch parcel was another piece of holiday stitching and used snippets of perforated paper and threads - perfect for making into a gift tag with more card and paper snippets.

To make this tag I used:
     Creative Expressions 'Pierced Tags' die
     Catkin & Lillie 'Mini Presents' cross stitch chart
     DMC red, green and black threads
     Snippets of white card, Wild Rose Studio 'Painted Poinsettia' paper and perforated paper

I attached the paper to the white card and die cut the middle size tag before embossing around the edge.  After stitching the cross stitch present I used a sharp pair of scissors to trim around the stitching and used strong tape to attach the present to the tag.  To finish, I used more oddments of the same red and green threads to attach to the top of the tag.

I am entering the following challenges:
     Allsorts - Anything Goes
     As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Non-card Crafting Project (I always use recycled brown paper to wrap presents so like to make colourful tags for them - this one also has a cross stitch element which is my other favourite craft)
     Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas in July
     Snippets Playground - Challenge 510
     Tag-Along (and ATCs) - Anything Goes

Kath x