Fun In The Sun

Kraftin' Kimmie's Challenge #180 this week is called Fun In The Sun. I don't actually have any of their summery stamps, so I went with my mermaid Aurora playing in the sea instead rather than being under the water - looks fun in the sun to me! See my little sun doily in the corner as well - too cute!


Recipe:

Stamps: Aurora from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps

Papers: Melon Mambo, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP all from Stampin' Up, Neenah Solar Crest

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Large Doily Sizzlits Die from Stampin' Up, Waves Die-Namics Die from My Favorite Things, Stardust Stickles, Paper Rose, Paper Aster Daisies, Paper Cherry Blossoms, Pearl Stems all from Wild Orchid Crafts

And that's all from me today folks! Thanks for stopping by!

It's Certainly Regal in the Bay!

It's certainly a day for silly blog post titles too! This card is for The Sweet Stop's Sketch Challenge #212 and for CC426 to use these pretty colours. I will definitely miss Regal Rose when it retires next month. It's such a perfect mid pink; not sure what I'll use instead though!


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Beautiful Blooms II, Everyday Photo Sentiments, Turning A New Leaf all from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Certainly Celery, Bermuda Bay (Retired), Whisper White, Sweet Always DSP (Retired), Certainly Celery Prints DSP (Retired) all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Certainly Celery, Bermuda Bay (Retired), Regal Rose all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Floral Frames Framelits Dies from Stampin' Up, Beautiful Blooms Dies #1, Photo Finish Strips Dies, Victorian Lace Border Die all from Papertrey Ink, Leaf #3 Die from Sizzix, Diamond Stickles

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by!

It's a Lucky Island Party!

Just a quick card I made this morning using Mojo Monday's Challenge #295 for the sketch and CC428 to use these cool colours. I pulled out my Rosie Posie set which I haven't used for a while and loved making the hexagons background patterns with it.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Rosie Posie, Quilled Elegance both from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Whisper White, In Colors 2011-13 DSP Stack all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon from Stampin' Up, Doubled Ended Banner Dies, Rosie Posie Dies both from Papertrey Ink, Square Nestabilities, Pippi Butterfly Die, Isabella Butterfly Die both from Memory Box

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by.

Gothika

For this fortnight's Challenge #44 over on Saturated Canary you had to use different coloured hair. I went through my digi images and pulled out the gorgeous Gothika, whom I have never used and thought she would look fab dressed all in black and purple. However I pulled out a pad of Moulin Rouge papers by Prima and used those instead and did her hair in this reddy-purple shade. Halfway through colouring her hair, one of my pens ran out and I could hardly get anything out of it which is why the streaks are a bit funny, but I do like how they came out.

Anyway here's my card. The little tag behind the blue panel does pull out to show the little birthday greeting, but I forgot to take a photo of it and it's too dark to do another one now.


Recipe:

Stamps: Gothika Digi Stamp from Saturated Canary, Over Under Easy, Half & Half both from Papertrey Ink (for the sentiment on the tag and inside, neither of which you can see!)

Papers: Not Quite Navy, Rich Razzleberry (inside) both from Stampin' Up, Cream from stash, Moulin Rouge Patterned Papers from Prima, Neenah Solar Crest

Inks: Not Quite Navy, Rich Razzleberry (for the sentiments) both from Stampin' Up, Copic Markers

Accessories: Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon (Retired), Antique Brads, Pearl all from Stampin' Up, Pippi Butterfly Die from Memory Box, Bon Voyage Foliage Doo-Hickey Die from Magnolia, Oval Nestabilities, Paper Roses and Carnations from Wild Orchid Crafts, Blue Baker's Twine from Dovecrafts, Lace from stash (only just seen on the right near the roses!

And that's all from me today folks! Thanks for stopping by.

Cheeky Little Nymph

I bought a couple of these ToRead stamps a while ago and never used them, so thought I would dig one out for a card today. I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday's Challenge #260 and Cupcake Crafts Challenge #244 to make a boys card. I did adapt the sketch slightly and added some more buttons to the top left corner as it felt unbalanced! I never really know what embellishments to put on a boy's card as they don't tend to like butterflies, flowers and swirly things, which is what I tend to put on my girly cards, so buttons and twine it was.

Anyway here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Xeru ToRead from Crafters Companion, Tropical Party from Stampin' Up

Papers: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP (Retired) all from Stampin' Up, Neenah Solar Crest

Inks: Old Olive from Stampin' Up, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Window Frames Framelits Dies, Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon (Retired) both from Stampin' Up, Buttons from stash, Twine from Waltzing Mouse Stamps

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by.

A Quick Boy's Birthday Card

I needed to do a card for Viva La Verve's sketch #3 for May - the last one I needed to do for this month, so I combined it with ColourQ's Challenge #190 to come up with this fairly masculine card. I did move the ribbon behind the square panels on the sketch though as the pressies were being covered up and it just didn't work that way.


And here's mine.


Recipe:

Stamps: Make A Wish Additions, Heart-2-Heart #5 both from Papertrey Ink

Papers: More Mustard, Really Rust (Retired), Whisper White all from Stampin' Up

Inks: More Mustard, Really Rust (Retired), Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon from Stampin' Up

And that's all from me for today folks! Thanks for stopping by.

Spot and Stripes, Stars and Cars

This week's challenge over at Lili's Little Fairies is to use spots and stripes (I even attempted to do stripy wallpaper and although it's not perfectly straight, I do love how it came out!). I used the colours from Color Throwdown's Challenge #243 and thought I would also enter this one into Copic Marker Europe's Challenge #17 Boys Aloud.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Computer Fun, Everyday Grungy Messages both from Lili of the Valley, Star Prints from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Whisper White, Subtles DSP Stack all from Stampin' Up, Neenah Solar Crest

Inks: Daffodil Delight from Stampin' Up, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Subtles Buttons both from Stampin' Up, Liquorice Twine from The Ribbon Reel

And that's all from me today folks! Thanks for stopping by!

A Splash of Razz

This week's Friday MashUp Challenge #111 is to use neutrals with a splash of another colour - I love using Rich Razzleberry with shades of brown, so that's the combo I went with. I also used the sketch from Mojo Monday's Challenge #294.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Perfectly Penned, Everything Eleanor both from Stampin' Up

Papers: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Soiree DSP (Retired) all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso both from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Dotted Scallop Border Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon (Retired) all from Stampin' Up, White Opaque Gems from Papermania

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by!

A Trio of Balloons

I used this sketch from SC437, the colours from CC427 to use Cherry Cobbler, early Espresso and Marina Mist and Cute Card Thursday's Challenge #270 Tie It Up for this card. I haven't used my hot air balloons from Up, Up & Away for ages and thought they would work well with this man's card. Not sure if you can see in the photo but the Marina Mist DSP is also embossed with the Cloudy Day folder so the balloons kind of look like they are floating through the sky.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Up, Up & Away, Up, Up & Away Sentiments both from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Early Espresso Core'dinations, Regals DSP Stack, Subtles DSP Stack, Whisper White all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Cherry Cobbler from Stampin' Up, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Up, Up & Away Dies, Double Ended Banner Die both from Papertrey Ink, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Early Espresso Baker's twine, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder all from Stampin' Up, Woodgrain Embossing Folder from Cuttlebug

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by!

A Simple Birthday

I used the sketch from Inkspirational's Challenge #21, the colour combo from Play Date Café's Challenge #183 and the idea of repeating an element from F4A170 for this quick and simple boy's card. Need to add a few more to my stash, ready for all the boy birthdays coming up this summer. (My OH has an absolute ton of nephews 11 nephews, 2 step-nephews and 2 great-nephews! Now that's a lot of boy birthday cards needed!).


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Think Big Favorites #12, Boy Basics: Simple Circles both from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Whisper White all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Night of Navy all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: 1" Circle punch from Stampin' Up, Gems from stash

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by!

Papertrey Ink's May Blog Hop


I haven't done a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Challenge for ages, for no other reason than I don't generally get much crafting time during the weekday evenings and if the bloghop day is during the week, then I don't have the time to play. But this month it's on a Saturday, so I get a chance to play! YAY!!!

This month Nichole gave us a selection of colour combos to choose from and I chose this gorgeous bright pink one.


I also used Make It Monday's Challenge #117 to use paper piecing, Papertake Weekly's Challenge also to use paper piecing, Viva La Verve's Sketch #4 for May and A Passion for Papertrey's Challenge to be inspired by nature. Outside the front of my school are absolutely tons of brightly coloured tulips, which look so pretty every time I walk past them, so they were my inspiration for this card.

And here it finally is.


Recipe:

Stamps: Think Big Favorites #12, Friendship Jar Spring Fillers both from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Stampers Select White, 2008 & 2009 Bitty Dot Basics Patterned Papers, Pacific Vineyards Basics Patterned Papers, Raspberry Fizz Mix Basics Patterned Papers, Hibiscus Bursts Patterned Papers all  from Papertrey Ink

Inks: Hibiscus Burst (desperately need a new one as it's virtually run out!) from Papertrey Ink, Basic Black from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Large Scallop Border Die, Mega Gracious Vases Dies both from Papertrey Ink, Orange Baker's Twine from The Ribbon Reel

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by.

Teddy Thanks You

This week's challenge over on Lili's Little Fairies is to make a thank you card/project. I pulled out my Teddy with Bouquet stamp and my pretty Bonnets and Bowties papers and off I went. Love how this one came together all so easily!


Recipe:

Stamps: Teddy with Bouquet, Girlie Banners both from Lili of the Valley, Tiny Tags from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Pale Plum, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Certainly Celery all from Stampin' Up, Nennah Solar Crest, Bonnets & Bowties Patterned Papers from Lili of the Valley

Inks: Bashful Blue from Stampin' Up, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Large Frilly Frames #10 from Go Kreate, Oval Nestabilities, Bon Voyage Foliage Dies, Lilac Vintage Tulle Rose both from Magnolia, Pippi Butterfly Die, Isabella Butterfly Die both from Memory Box, Blue Gingham Ribbon (Retired) from Stampin' Up, Pink Pearl from stash, Paper Roses, Daisies and Tulips all from Wild Orchid Crafts

And that's all from me today folks! Thanks for stopping by!

Fancy Marci and her Butterflies

La-La Land Crafts Challenge this week is to use the gorgeous photo below as inspiration. I used the colours, which turned out to be a gorgeous colour colour combo and one I will definitely be using again! I thought I would try something a bit different one this one and did a sort of tent topper type card. It didn't leave much room for embellishing though, but not sure it really needs it!


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Fancy Marci from La-La Land Crafts

Papers: Pretty in PInk, Basic Black, In Colours 2011-13 DSP Stack all from Stampin' Up, Neenah Solar Crest

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Radiant Rectangles Dies from Spellbinders, Butterflies Set 1 Dies from La-La Land Crafts, Pretty in Pink satin Ribbon (Retired) from Stampin' Up, Black Pearls from Hobbycraft

And that's all from me today folks! Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday Night Fever

I absolutely love that film and although I was born right in the middle of the 70s I was obviously too young to appreciate all the disco fever of that era. When I read the title of Cute Card Thursday's Challenge #269, Dancing Queen, it immediately made me sing the song and then pull out my Disco Donna stamp! Totally love her and I paper pieced her dress using this funky leopard print (at least I think it's leopard. Too small a print to be cow print I think, but wrong colours for real leopard print.). Anyway this card is also for Kraftin' Kimmie's Challenge #179 Anything Goes and for Papertake Weekly's Challenge, The Sound of Music. Well Donna sure is strutting her stuff to some funky disco so I hope that counts!


Recipe:

Stamps: Disco Donna from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps

Papers: Rose Red from Stampin' Up, Silver Pearlescent card, Silver Glitter card both from my local craft shop, Neenah Solar Crest, Love Story Patterned Papers from Echo Park

Inks: Rose Red from Stampin' Up, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Seeing Stars Dies from Papertrey Ink, Rose Red Seam Binding from Stampin' Up, Buttons from stash, Baker's Twine from The Ribbon Reel, Silver Shimmer Dome Stickers from Papermania

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by!

"Aviary" Big Thank You

Another fairly CAS card from me today - what is up with that?! LOL Anyway this card is for Sketch Saturday's Challenge #259 and for Create with Connie and Mary's Challenge #252 to use this soft, neutral colour combo.


And here's my card, using my old Aviary set which I haven't used in a while.


Recipe:

Stamps: Aviary, Made For You both from Stampin' Up

Papers: So Saffron, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla all from Stampin' Up

Inks: So Saffron, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Neutral Brads all from Stampin' Up

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by.

CAS Flowers

As you all know I don't do CAS cards very often unless for a challenge, but I really do like this one and loved how quick and easy it was. This card is for Inkspirational's Challenge #20 to CASE the card in the photo below and for Color Throwdown's Challenge #242 to use this fab, bright colour combo.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Four of a Kind from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Confetti White (Retired), Daffodil Delight both from Stampin' Up

Inks: Kiwi Kiss (Retired), Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon (Retired) both from Stampin' Up, Red Pearls from Hobbycraft

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by.

No more butterflies, but a fairy instead!

After having four cards with butterflies on, I finally made one without one! Saturared Canary's Challenge #43 was emerald and was to be inspired by the photo below. I just bought a new pad of patterned papers, New Bloom from First Edition, that were just perfect for this challenge. Unfortunately I don't have any green Copics that matched so went with a more traditional bottle green instead - still like it though! This card is also for Cupcake Crafts Challenge #242 to use lots of layers and Sir Stampalot's Challenge for May to add embossing and texture.


And here's my Whispy!


Recipe:

Stamps: Whispy Digi Stamp from Saturated Canary, Celebrations Circle Pennants from Whimsy Stamps

Papers: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla all from Stampin' Up, Copic X-press Blend It card, New Bloom from First Edition

Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Handsome Hunter (Retired) both from Stampin' Up, Copic Markers

Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, Hearts Embossing Folder from Craft Concepts, Circle Pennants Dies from Whimsy Stamps, Die-Namics Fancy Flourish Die, Mini Rolled Roses Dies both from My Favorite Things, Filigree Corner Die from La-La Land Crafts, Flower/Leaf #4 Die from Joy Crafts, Stardust Stickles, Seam Binding Ribbon from Crafty Ribbons

And that's all from me today folks! Thanks for stopping by!

Textured Butterflies

After watching the video for Make It Monday's Challenge #116 to add texture to your stamps, I knew Beautiful Butterflies was the set to use! I actually don't have a combo like Betsy used in the video (the teeth on my comb are too wide and thick to get sort of pattern), so instead I used a scrap piece of card to scratch patterns on to the stamps. I used the sketch from Mojo Monday's Challenge #293 and the colours from Play Date Cafe's Challenge #183. I'm not a fan of Bravo burgundy at all and am glad it's finally being retired, but actually it does look quite nice with these other colours.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Beautiful Butterflies, Signature Greetings II, Happy Hexagons all from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Baja Breeze, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, In Color 2010-12 DSP Stack (Retired) all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Baja Breeze, Bravo Burgundy, Poppy Parade (Retired) all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Happy Hexagons Plate, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle Dies, Doily Details Dies all from Papertrey Ink, Bravo Burgundy 1/4" & 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbons (Retired), Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (Retired), Poppy Parade Ribbon (Retired) all from Stampin' Up

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by!

Pink Butterflies This Time

Friday MashUp's Challenge #110 this week was to use a monochromatic colour scheme and some twine. I just had to go for pink, using one of my favourite Stampin' Up colours, which unfortunately is soon to be retired and added some white twine round the butterflies as bodies and antennae! I used the sketch from Viva La Verve's Sketch Challenge #2 for May as well.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Vintage Verses (SAB 2013 set) from Stampin' Up

Papers: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Brights DSP Stack all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Regal Rose from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Regal Rose 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon all from Stampin' Up, Lace from stash, Doily from Dovecraft

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by.

Fancy Edges?

This week's Free for All Challenge #169 on SCS was to use a die or punch to make a shaped card. I've seen this idea about in the blogging world, so thought I would give it a try and love how this came out. I just used my Ribbon Lace Border punch from Stampin' Up to punch down the sides (just don't go all the way to the end of the card like I did on my first one as it makes it all floppy! Hehe). This one is also for SC436 for the sketch and for Just Add Ink's Challenge #166 to use this colour combo - more suited to a man's card but I thought they also worked really well for this one too.


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Botanical Silhouettes, Beautiful Butterflies both from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Midnight Muse, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Neutrals DSP Stack, In Colors 2012-14 DSP Stack all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Midnight Muse, Lucky Limeade, Crumb Cake all from Stampin' Up

Accessories: Ribbon Lace Border Punch, Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon both from Stampin' Up

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by!

Dreaming of Butterflies

I made a bunch of cards today like I do every day and 4 out of 5 all had butterflies on - must have been daydreaming about them or something! Definitely wasn't intentional, but I do like my butterflies! Think I'm going to start tagging all my butterfly cards just to see how often I actually do use them!

Anyway this card is for The Sweet Stop's Sketch Challenge #211 and Colour Q's Challenge #189. I really do like this colour combo - shame that Ruby Red retired as I did quite like it!


And here's my card.


Recipe:

Stamps: Butterfly Dreams, Turning A New Leaf, Fillable Frames #5 all from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Basic Black, Ruby Red (Retired), Whisper White, In Colors 2011-13 DSP Stack, Ginger Blossom DSP (Retired) all from Stampin' Up

Inks: Ruby Red ink and marker (Both Retired), Certainly Celery, Calypso Coral marker all from Stampin' Up, Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon (Retired) from Stampin' Up, Clear Gems from stash

And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by.

All Things Magical and Mythical #119 Featuring Mermaid Birthday Party Treasure from Faery Ink

Good morning everyone and welcome to this week's All Things Magical and Mythical post. I haven't used a Faery Ink image for ages so...