A Little Bit of Red

Where did this week go?! I didn't think that I had achieved much this week, but having just sat down to edit the photos of all the little crafty projects that I have done this week, I've realised that I have done more that I thought! Trouble was, as fast as I made things they were going out the door, hence the feeling that I hadn't got much done! February is always a manic month for Birthdays in our family and amongst our friends, however with a few recent arrivals in the last few years March is rapidly catching up....I turned over the calender page to March on Friday just to check what was coming up only to see that there are 7 birthdays in the first week and that doesn't count the two that fall on 29th Feb. Now got most of them covered thank goodness one of which will fit rather nicely in Linda's Alphabet Challenge which is R for Red.

This card is for my mother-in-law's partner, who keeps bees as a hobby...so he is into anything bee related...hence a bee card...Last year's card was one of my very first blog posts, but I had completely forgotten that I needed to make the card this week so I hadn't planned anything...normally I have this one planned way in advance....so I just had to go with what I had...namely Penny Black stamps again. The bees are coloured with Copic markers and the diecut circles and flowers were coloured using Distress Inks. All in all a quick, cheery, bright, simple card, just what I needed! I hope he likes it!

One of the things I have tried for the first time this week is digital downloads...I'm still not sure about the concept though...I really would prefer to have a real stamp I think...I'm not going to share what I did with the download just yet, but I was really pleased with how it came out....so watch this space.

Sue

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Riot of Petals and messy fingers!

This week Wendy has set the Tanda Teaser and she has chosen 'Riot of Petals' as her theme. Just perfect timing as I had to make my mother-in-law's birthday card last night. Her favourite flowers are pansies so my personal challenge was to use the same PSX stamp to make a card that was different to all the previous ones using the same stamp!

While I was doing the messy inky part I remembered reading on Zoe's blog that the Tuesday Taggers wanted to see our messy fingers this week so I grabbed my camera in one hand and photographed the other...have to say I usually get messier than this, and the kitchen counter was nowhere near as chaotic as it usually gets!

To make the card I selectively inked the pansy flowers/leaves with Marvey pens, stamped them onto watercolour paper, and then used a damp brush to fill the petals with colour. I cut the leaves and flowers out and arranged them in two panels on my card. The sentiment, Lost Coast Designs, was stamped using the same pen as the flowers.


Just as an afterthought I've just included pics here of other cards made using the same stamp in the past..it just goes to show how many different cards can be made using the same stamp when chosen wisely.

The first two use the same technique as the card above, the last one is actually some pressed pansies from my garden, but the background was done using the whole stamp and the watermark technique with versamark.

Muddy Boots! Another one for the Tanda Teaser!

I almost forgot to post this one...I made the card for my Dad, a keen gardener, just over a week ago and completely forgot that I'd put boots on it. Hazel's card reminded me of the wellies I'd used so I thought that I would share it with you...thanks Hazel!

The stamps are by Woodware and I have to admit that I bought them ages ago, with my Dad in mind, but hadn't used them until now. I stamped the main images in Jet Black Archival ink and then water coloured the images using Marvy le Plume pens. The seedlings were stamped using the pens and then the colour was dragged out with a damp paintbrush. I used Glossy Accents on the main images, the ladybirds and the snail's shell.

Keep an eye out tomorrow on the Tanda blog, Wendy will be posting the next Teaser and I know it's going to be a good one!

Sue
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Queen Anne's Lace a symbol of Sanctuary

Linda's challenge this week is Q for Queen...so I racked my brains and came up with Queen Anne's Lace. I knew that I had some stamps that would do the job, but I thought I should find out about the flower as well.

Legend has it that Anne, the wife of James I, was challenged to make lace as beautiful as a flower. Whilst making the lace Anne pricked her finger and the purple-red flower in the centre of the flower is supposed to represent a droplet of her blood.

The stamps I have used are from the Stampman (Aspects of Design) and Tanda.

For the main image I stamped the Stampman stamp in Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder to form a resist. I then used US Art Quest Vintage MicaColour to colour the image.

Sue

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These Boots are Made For Walking!

We have had another great response to last week's teaser. Thanks Wendy for setting such a good challenge.


This week I have decided to set a shoe/boot challenge over at the Tanda Teaser Blog.



I wanted to make a card for someone who works as a leader/guide for walking holidays. The Man Tracks set of stamps from Tanda seemed like the perfect starting place for the card. I used the muddy boot prints as the focal point of the card with the Tanda crackle stamped subtly in Fawn Impress ink behind them. The fern stamp was used with distress inks to build up the background on the base card and the next layer. The compass and gone walkabout were also stamped in Distress Inks before being cut out and mounted onto the card using hemp garden string.



For a closer look you can click on the image.



I hope you find time to join in again with our teaser this week! We look forward to visiting your blogs to view your work!

Sue

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Pretty in Pink

Linda's alphabet challenge this week is P for Pink! A bit of a surprise that, Linda's blog being a pink free zone!

Well pink suited me down to the ground. My eldest daughter asked me to make her birthday card using the same colours I had used for the grunge paper bracelet that I made for the Feb edition of Craft Stamper Magazine. So out came, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose, Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters. I coloured smooth white card stock using Cut and Dry Foam. Then I used a wet swirly rubberstamp to take out some of the colour. Once dry the swirly stamp was inked up with the Distress Inks and stamped randomly over the coloured card. Using Black Soot and clear embossing powders I stamped and heat embossed the border, singer and You Rock (Inkadinkado) on to the card. I cut out the blocks and tag I wanted for my card and embossed the tag and large green rectangle in a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. All the blocks and tags were edged in silver Krylon pen and then fixed to the card as shown.

I had to use the singer on the card as Emma is really into her singing and is currently taking part in an online singing competition at www.nextteensinger.com So far she has got through the first stage of the finals, voting for this week's round is currently open as I type so I hope that she gets through again this week! We will find out on Wednesday.


I punched the flowers and leaves out of the green card and distressed the tips of the petals with Colorbox chalk inks. These were then attached to the card using pink flower brads. The petal tips were bent up slightly to give the flowers some dimension. The tag and the card were punched and reinforced with eyelets before the tag was tied onto the card with a dusky pink ribbon.

Keeping fingers and toes crossed for Wednesday!
Sue
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Quick and Cute!

Yay, Wendy is back! I think we have all missed her over on the Tanda forum. This week she has set quick and cute cards as the Tanda Teaser. This suited me down to the ground as I had to make a card for my youngest nephew. I stamped the teddy bear image (Tanda Toddler set Two)in Black soot and then coloured him using Copic markers. The heart was then covered in glossy accents.
The layers were all cut using Nestibility dies and the edges were distressed using Colourbox chalk ink. The blue strip across the card was punched using a Fiskars punch and then embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder. The tag was cut using a Spellbinders die and embossed in a Cuttlebug folder.

The 1 was stamped using stamps from the starter and toddler sets and then accented using glossy accents.
sue
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O is for Oval

Over on Linda's Alphabet Challenge she has set Ovals as the theme for this week's challenge. Easy I thought...then I thought again, thinking about it oval is a shape I hardly ever use in my cards...had to have a big think about this one.

February is a month when I have to make cards for a few keen cooks and having bought some asparagus last week (horribly out of season I know, but at £2.99 for two big bunches, I couldn't resist!) I was reminded of this psx stamp. The asparagus and range were both stamped in versafine, watercoloured then covered in a layer of glossy accents.


I stamped the asparagus several times so that I could decoupage the image to make a bundle. I used the Cuttlebug wax resist technique to colour the tag and the oval mount for the asparagus bundle. I used raffia to tie the asparagus bundle together with the tag, and silicon glue to give the bundle depth. All the images were matted and layered using card cut out in Nestibility dies and then stuck onto an acetate card stamped with swirls using cotton white StazOn.

The only thing to remember with these acetate cards is that lining your layers up is very important as if you are slightly out of line it shows on the other side...I always start sticking my inside greeting on first, then the front, then the inside front and finally the back. This way I seem to get good results every time.

For A Loved One

This week's Tanda Teaser is called "For A Loved One". As we are now so close to Valentines day I thought that it would be a good idea to set a Valentines Day challenge, however I remember from last year that not everyone has a significant other, so this year I have broadened the theme to make it for any loved one. My card is the card that I have made for my husband....he isn't a fan of pink, but loves purple so instead of a pink card I have made him a purple one. This was fun to do...I have just bought myself a melting pot with my Christmas money and this was the first time that I have used it.

To make this card I used Milled Lavender and Dusty Concord to colour and stamp the card layers. (The stamps were from Tanda Klimt set 1)


To make the hearts I stamped the big square swirly stamp on smooth white card in Black Soot. Then I coloured the swirls with Copic Markers. Once this was done I positioned some tiny cookie cutters onto the stamped image and sprinkled a tiny bit of purple glitter inside the cutters. After this I poured molten UTEE into the cutters, allowed it to cool for a few seconds and then removed the cutters. Once the UTEE had cooled down completely, the card under the hearts was trimmed so that it was flush with the edge of the UTEE. The hearts were then mounted onto white mulberry paper and then matted and layered onto the stamped card mats that I had prepared earlier. The tag was embossed in a Cuttlebug embossing folder before being rubbed with Milled Lavender distress ink. The ribbon started off white, but I coloured with two shades of Copic Markers so that it matched the UTEE hearts.

Now For Something New!

Something new also happens to be the Challenge this week over at Linda's alphabet challenge....not sure if this counts though....it's not a papercraft...but it is a craft and it is my first attempt at it, so maybe it will count.

Back in August I met the wonderful Bev Beattie at the NEC Quilt Show where I fell in love with her felted bags. She had just bought out a book full of fab patterns and promptly sold out at the show so I had to wait for a few weeks before I could get hold of a copy! I'd never tried felting before, but it was something that I have fancied trying for a while now.


I started knitting my first bag last Wednesday (couldn't justify starting it until I finished the piece of knitting I already had on the go, incidentally started 2 years ago I think...oops!) while the girls were doing Syncro training. It grew very quickly especially as once started I found it rather hard to put down....it even went with me in the car so that I was clicking and clacking while waiting for the girls to come out of school.

At first the bag looked rather like a string vest (see above and right) or as Bev says an ugly duckling.

At this stage I would have been very worried that I had gone totally wrong, but luckily Bev showed me a bag at the NEC that was ready to be felted so I knew what to expect!

Once felted, the bag is totally transformed. I'm really pleased with the result...I didn't do it exactly as per the pattern in the book, I phoned Bev and she was right there with lots of help and advice! If you fancy seeing Bev's work why not pop over her web site www.knitting4fun.com











These last two pictures show my finished bag complete with beaded centres for the flowers....so what did I do differently to the pattern?...well I wanted knitted handles instead of plastic ones and the large flower has a smaller one as its centre.

I've spent far too long on the computer this morning...I really should be off now!

Sue
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New Tanda Teaser, Ink it Up!

Wendy is unable to post the Teaser again this week so I have decided to set an inky challenge, any excuse to get dirty fingers!

For my card I have used Distress inks and pulled ink onto the edges of the card mats with a makeup sponge. I've then used the inks to stamp the crackle and the ship (both Tanda stamps). The edges of the card mats were edged in silver Krylon Pen and the boat image was painted with glossy accents. I mounted the card as shown in the picture then punched holes and threaded them with garden twine finished in a wreath knot.

I hope you find time to play this week!
Sue
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L is for Lilac

Over on Linda's Alphabet Challenge Blog it is 'L for Lilac' this week. As I am feeling guilty about not joining in so much this time and having just used up all my cute Gorjuss Girl cards, I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to stock up with some more...and hence I did a lilac one! I stamped her in Black Soot (Distress Ink) and then coloured her with Copic markers. The backing papers are from the Artylicious Decadent Brocade CD rom, and the flowers have been punched out of the same papers and distressed slightly on the edges using Colourbox chalk inks. I took the hints on colouring the hair from Kim Costello...still got a lot to learn me thinks, but DD1 thought the hair looked good. Seriously though...I have Copic set A and wasn't happy with the colours for hair...having read Kim's tips I have invested in a few more Copics and I am now really happy with how they look...thanks Kim!

Sue
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A Touch of Lace

Hi there! Wendy had a great teaser for us over the last two weeks. Thanks Wendy and everyone who joined in over on the Tanda blog and forum. We are now planning to get back to our normal weekly challenge as hopefully everyone has recovered from the Christmas and New Year festivities!

This week it is my turn to set the teaser and I have chosen 'A touch of Lace' as my theme. The gold lace was stamped in fine detail gold embossing powder onto vellum using the lace stamp from Tanda's Background set 1. The main image was stamped in Cranberry Adirondack using the Hosiery stamp from Tanda's Retro Women Set 1. I hope you all find time to join in with this week's Teaser!

Sue
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K is for Kids

I'm afraid that I haven't had time to join in with Linda's new alphabet challenge so far, but I just spotted that this week's challenge is K for Kids....and can be something to give to a kid...perfect! This gives me the chance to show you how my alphabet atc's (from the last challenge) looked once I'd got them framed to make one big picture. I gave the picture to my nephews, James and Mathew for Christmas. I decided that it was just too big and heavy to send over to my nephews in Boston. Just wish that they didn't live so far away!

Meanwhile....still no laptop! It seems to be touring Herefordshire on a daily basis, then checking back into the depot at night...not sure if it's made it into Worcestershire yet. I know that laptops are supposed to be moved about, but this is getting silly!

Sue
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Still no Laptop...but Loads of Snow!

Phoned Dell this morning to find out what was happening with my pressie..."Oh it will be delivered today"...this morning to be precise.....LOL! No prior call (they promise to call before delivery)...I should have been at work..was at work until the message came through that the kid's school had been closed and they were all being bused home..no the computer never came...but loads of kids did....working mums???? Hey I'm a working mum now too.....what's going on?

Bit short on the old food front...should have been shopping tomorrow..just going to have to get creative out of the freezer over the next few days!

Hope laptop arrives soon....only just shifted DD1 so I could get on this pc for a mo!

Catch you later
Sue
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Pretty as a Peacock!

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and New Year....with the kids around I haven't had a chance to get on the computer much over the holidays...this should all change though. I am still waiting for my Christmas present to arrive, but when it does, I will have my very own laptop!!! Apparently it is currently sat in a warehouse somewhere in Leicestershire waiting to be delivered, I just hope it arrives soon.

This week's Tanda Teaser has been set by Wendy and she has chosen peacocks as her theme, either using peacock colours or the bird itself. As they are my favourite colours I am using them for my card. The Gorjuss girl has been coloured with Promarkers and the flowers and backing papers are all from the Artylicious Peacock CD Rom.

Sue
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Wow, we've had a great response to the "It's Cool to be Square" Teaser this week! As promised I have a second square card to post for the second week of the Teaser. As you can see I've used the same Tanda Stamp (and general method) as last week but the colours are different. I was looking for a Victorian feel with this card hence the sepia tones (Adirondack, Cabin Fever), lacy edges (Martha Stewart punch) and general busyness of the design.

Well I think things will be a little quiet blogwise at my end for the next few days...mum and dad arrive tomorrow so I can see that I will not be able to get anywhere near a computer until next week!

Have a fabulous Christmas everyone, and I hope Santa fills your stockings with lots of lovely stash!!

Keep warm
Sue
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It's Cool To Be Square!

Hello there, it's my turn to do the Tanda Teaser again this week. Because we are so close to Christmas and as things have been a bit quiet lately, Wendy and I agreed that this weeks teaser would last for two weeks to give you more of a chance to join in. I thought I would keep things really simple to help too! So this week's teaser is to make a square card.

For my card I covered a square card with paper printed from the Artylicious Decadent Brocade CD Rom as my base. The main image (from Tanda Christmas Set 2)was stamped in Archival Black ink onto thick glossy card stock that I had previously brayered using Adirondack Winter Sky. Once dry I smeared Versamark Dazzle frost over the image and then triple embossed with clear embossing powder, giving a subtle shimmer. This was then cut out and matted and layered with silver mirror card and white mulberry paper. The tag was made using the same brayered glossy card and stamped and embossed with Tapestry holly leaves and berries. The card was then finished with silver and grey fibres and ribbons.

I hope to get the chance to post another card for this teaser next week...time permitting...but if I don't...I just want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

Sue
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Nice and Narrow, the new Tanda Teaser

Hello again....another week closer to Christmas....where has this year gone?! I'm going to have to be quick with this post...as I have far too much to do atm!!!

My card is narrow...I hope you think it nice....but it isn't tall..sorry Wendy..narrow and broad would probably be a better description....never mind it's done now!

The stamps are all Tanda...you saw the sledgers a few posts back. I've stamped the images using Adirondack Winter Sky and as before the sledgers have been coloured using the warm grey Promarkers. The stamped images have been matted onto copper coloured card and then onto paper printed from the Artylicious Decadent Brocade CD Rom. Before sticking everything down the edges were distressed with Colorbox Chalk Inks then I punched two holes and inserted copper eyelets before threading a piece of ribbon though to finish the card.

I hope you enjoy the teaser!
Sue
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Get In Step!

Hi there fellow crafters. It's my turn this week to set the Tanda Teaser and I thought we could do something fun this week. On my blog hopping sorties I have noticed lots of step cards and side step cards recently! So I thought it would be fun to challenge everyone to make a step card of some description this week.

For those of you who haven't made one before they are quite simple to make....here's a little calculation and diagram to help you......



Please click on the diagram to see it more clearly.
















For my step card I used papers from the Artylicious Season's Greetings CD rom. I ran a square piece of heavy duty acetate through my Wizard in the snowflakes cuttlebug folder to make the background. I stamped 4 Klimt swirly trees onto dark grey card and then embossed them in silver embossing powder, these were then painted with interference paints. While these were drying I stamped the Klimt border across the horizontal steps and embossed them with silver embossing powder. Once dry the trees were cut out and attached as shown in the photo.



Side step cards are also fun to do...see my instructions here....again using a 27cm piece of card. To get the best results with this type of card, I would recommend using a craft knife to score the card and to cut out the side step.

If you keep checking www.craftstamperblogspot, you should see a side step card that I've made in the next week or so....

I hope you find time to join in with our Teaser this week!

Bye for now and enjoy!
Sue
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