Make it simple monday Snow Wonder

 Wow the last day of November already!!! Christmas is fast approaching and for this weeks inspiration I've chosen to spotlight a colour rather than a stamp set as I want to use as many as I can 😅😅😅. Today's card features the adorable Snow Wonder stamp set.

This rather vintage set has a wide appeal and even comes with coordinating dies for those who wish to cut out the images!!

For my #simplestamping card for today I have stamped and coloured and let the image do all the talking so to speak.

Can you guess what my featured colour will be this week? 

Usually a #simplestamping card doesn't have anything other than stamps, ink and paper but I just couldn't resist adding a little additional element today in the form of my favourite adhesive-backed snowflakes ❄! Super simple and ever so elegant these little beauties add just enough sparkle but not too much in my opinion 😉 

And as ever I've decorated the inside of the card. And as the adhesive-backed snowflakes are flat they can go on the inside too!!!

If I've tempted you at all you can purchase any of these goodies HERE

Fun Fold Friday - Have A Hoot

 For my last card this week, I wanted to do something different. So I have gone back some years to cards that I made way back when....... I often make Easel Fold cards but his one has a twist or 2? 

It's a Triple Easel card! 

On a separate piece of card, I stamped the owls and coloured them all in using blends before fussy cutting them out. Yes, there are dies to die cut them out but I prefer the fussy cut images. I know, I'm crazy! The double sided papers I used are from the Heartwarming Hugs designer series paper from Stampin' Up!

The owls are from Have A Hoot stamp set. More information HERE in our shop. The links will open up a new window so you don't lose your page.  Please feel free to browse to your hearts content. No obligation to buy, I promise! To see the matching dies too on which you can save 10%, please click HERE 

I started with a square of card which is 21cm by 21cm, or 8,1/4" squared, then scored it in half at 10.5cm or 4,3/8" squared. On one side only, I cut at every 7cm into the centre fold of the card base, so 2 cuts. I then cut this side to 7cm wide too and the cut off pieces became my message mats. I cut a strip of card 7cm wide and cut that into 3 lots of 7cm squares.

  Once that was complete, I started to decorate my card. I started with a piece of the lovely red velvet card 20.5cm long by 10cm wide. I marked where the 7cm points were and cut from that point to the bottom left and bottom right corners, taking off a triangle on each side. At this point, I added a strip of the Metallic Mesh Ribbon across the front and using Tear and Tape, fixed the ribbon onto the reverse of the red panel. It was then fixed to the card base. I cut 2 pieces of Double Sided Paper 6.5 cm by 10cm and cut them in half diagonally to match. I repeated this for the other side too. I have kept the other pieces for another card as it would be on the reverse side of the paper. From there, I cut 3 mats 6.5cm by 6.5cm and used the red velvet paper on them and a matching piece of paper on the centre fold. Under the mats could be visible too, I covered them in squares of a coordinating paper.

Once the front panels were covered, I decided which direction I wanted the card to face. As I chose them both facing the centre of the card, I scored from the inside edges of the 2 end panels to the outer corners. I folded them back and forth in both directions to make sure that the creases were nice and crisp. Once they were folded, I stood them up and placed them in the position they would face and fixed the decorated panels onto the inisde triangle of each outer square. From that point, it was time for the messages. I stamped and placed them so that they held the 2 side and centre panels to stand up.

For the panels to face an alternative direction, you will need to adjust the score lines accordingly, see my diagrams above and below. I actually wanted my centre card to face forward, so I scored and folded the central panel in half at 3.5cm. Again this panel can be folded in any direction depending on which direction you want your card to face.

Thank you for joining me this week, I really do hope that you have found something to inspire you and make some cards of your own. 

Cary returns on Monday with some of her amazing creations again so please stop by to see her makes.

Until then, take care, stay safe and well and as always, KEEP ON CRAFTING. 

Gill 😍😍xx💖xx😍😍

Throwback Thursday - Have a Hoot

 Today's card was supposed to be a shaker card as I have made so many over the years but it didn't work out as I have imagined. So I went back to the drawing board, so to speak. I die cut the triple frame from a plain white mat and then embossed it using the Woodland embossing folder. The folder has always been one of my favourites and I'll be forever using it too. I stamped 3 of the owl images and coloured them in using a mixtre of Blends and Watercolour pencils. 

Colouring is so relaxing just like fussy cutting is too. I know, I am strange! 

I lined each of the images up and one by one added them onto the frame from below. There is an easier way to place them and that is to make a mask of the die. I did use that a few weeks ago and found it very useful too. I had kept the mask but now I can't find it! Typical!  

 

 

Watercolour Wednesday - Have a Hoot

 Oh Boy!!! Did I do a Cary or what this week!! I got myself sooo messy that even my grandchildren were shocked with me!! I did enjoy what I was doing though 😁😂

I love to do watercolour backgrounds but usually I take a little more care in how I apply the ink. Today though, I didn't! I used 3 re-inkers for my background and just added 3 drops of each to a large acrylic block. I then spritzed lots and lots of water over the block so the colours ran together. I didn't move them at all but then laid a piece of watercolour paper over the top for a few seconds. When I removed it I added another and another. It tool 3 times to completely use all of the ink up. I set them aside to dry and once they were I added some drops of white re-inker to the block and again spritzed it with water. The white ink is a thicker Craft ink and takes more movement to mmake it runny. I used a cocktail stick to move the colour and water around then I just tapped the previous sheets of watercolour paper over it. I only wanted some of the white over the card and therefore didn't push it too much. I was able to do it to the others and the last one was just so subtle and because it picked up a little of the previous colours from the papers it's turned out beautiful. 

While the papers dried again, I stamped and coloured the owls. I washed some Misty Moonlight ink around each of the owls to give a night time effect. I then die cut them using the frame die from the Peek A Hoot dies which match with the stamps. Then I trimmed little parts of the dies off as I wanted them to almost overhang the edge of the card. A little of the 1,1/2" metallic ribbon, some Wink Of Stella flicked over the background and it was finished. I hope it looks ok to you. I know my granddaughter Bella loved the galaxy effect it gave and so much so she now wants to do one this week too!

 

I hope you like it as much as Bella did. Please have a go. You don't have to get messy. I just got my fingers in the way!

Tips, Tricks and Techniques Tuesday - Have a Hoot

Well, as you can see I am going to show a card made in 2 colourways. Not much of a tip or technique but unfortunately I couldn't decide which colour I prefer! So it's up to you please. For some reason, I wanted to use the soft hues of lilac in Purple Posy the very palest lilac and Highland Heather, a slightly stronger lilac. I love them both which was why it was so difficult to decide. So then I made one in White and Navy. My favourite go to colour. I love the richness of Navy and the knowledge that it goes with almost every colour within the Stampin' Up! colour families. 

I started with a simple mat which I die cut using the Peek A Hoot dies which go with the Have A Hoot stamp set by the way. More information HERE for the Bundle which includes the dies and HERE for the stamps only. The link will open up a new page so you don't loose where you were. You will be directed to our shop where you can browse to your hearts content and see all of the amazing products available. We have a 24 hour sale which is only today 24th November 2020. So if there is something that you've had your eye on for a while, make the most and treat yourself to an extra 10% off the usual cost. Go on, treat yourself, you know that you deserve to. 😍😍😍

Using the card mat, I die cut the circle of leaves and the border at the same time. I love the effect it gives. Then using the twin embossing folder Meadow Moments after I die cut. I stamped the owls and using Blends pens in light and dark Crumb Cake, coloured them in. A message on the front and inside finishes them both off. Simple? Yes, it was very straight forward too. 

 

Which version do you prefer? White and Navy or the lilacs?

Make It Monday - Have a Hoot

Hello now once again I have to follow the amazing creations Cary made last week! Weren't they brilliant? I think she's a superstar crafter. The Advent Calander and gift box on Friday is superb. I can't wait to have a go at making one of those. Using Memory and More cards too! Who knew they could be that versatile? Well today I am going to show a very simple card showing the start of my playing with this great, fun stamp set, Have A Hoot. I love all of the images even the Halloween ones but most of all the family of owls are so cute!

As I said it is very simple, only this time I added a white mat onto the gorgeous bright red of Poppy Parade. I just love that colour. 2 identical images stamped in Memento black ink and a message was stamped in the Poppy Parade Ink. Only a little bit of colouring and that was the owls hat. Just a touch of red!

A few extra messages on the inside using the lovely Itty Bitty Christmas stamp set. A very highly under-used stamp set. I will be using it more often too.

#simplestamping

 

Fun Fold Friday wonder of the season suite

 Well it's Friday already as the saying goes how time flies when you're having fun! And last night sure was fun!! We held a 20 cards in 2 hours class using the fantastic Memories and More from the Wonder of the Season suite! 

These oh so versatile Memories and More 😍 not only did I make cards I also made a few bonus 3d projects just to show how versatile they can be!!

First I made a selection of mini treat boxes. A mini cracker, mini milk carton and a mini box.

These were made using just one of the large cards each!! They are super simple and quick to make.

My second 3D project was a nice sized box. Which I constructed from card stock but decorated with the contents of the memories and more kit.

The pattern paper around the sides of the lid is from an envelope from the coordinating envelopes that come in the card and enveope pack that coordinates with the suite.

My final 3D project was inspired by the gold foil number sheet in the kit. When I first saw them I straight away thought advent calendar! And this is what I came up with..

Made using 2 sheets of cardstock measuring 28cm x 21cm and scored at 4cm and 24cm. Which are then joined by overlapping 2 of the panels. I then decorated using white mats. I used mini magnetic closures to keep it closed. 

The mini matchboxes are decorated using strips of the cards from the memories and more kit.  They each hold a little sweet treat.

The mini matchboxes arevmade from a piece of cardstock measuring 5.5cm x 6.5cm scored at 1.5cm on all sides. The tabs are cut and notched as per the photo below.  The cover is created from a strip of one of the large cards measuring 4cm x 10cm, or the width of the card. Which is gently folded around the box and pinched into place then secured together to form the cover.

I decorated the front of the calendar using the negative of the number stickers. Which I fussy cut from the sheet and then adhered all over the white mat. The focal point was created from a single card from the kit which I  put onto a piece a card stock slightly larger than the card. 

All in all I had great fun playing with all the parts of this super suite. All the products I've  used this week can be found HERE

Well that's it from me this week. I  hope you've enjoyed my creations and that I have in some small way inspired you to go create and have fun playing with your stamps, ink and papers.

Have a great weekend whereever you are and please join me next week when Gill will he sharing her talent with us all.

Have fun

Cary xx 

Throwback Thursday Wishes and Wonder

 So today's Throwback Thursday card is inspired by a screenshot of a card I saw 3 years ago by a fellow demo called Sara Levin.

 I needed a quick card so used this as my layout/ sketch/ plan to follow. I also decided to use the coordinating Memories and More cards and pattern paper from Stampin Up.  Memories and More cards are preprinted double sided cards in 2 sizes and card stickers that can be used in scrapbooking or card making. Pattern paper is also a great way to make quick cards.

So my card came together very quickly with the addition of the Dainty Diamonds embossing folder for a bit of texture.

What do you do when you need a quick card?

Watercolour Wednesday Wishes and Wonder

 Today is watercolour Wednesday and for today I've had a go at actually watercolouring in an image!! Using the Wishes and Wonder  stamps I thought why not give actual colouring with water painters and ink a go !!

Now I thought if I heat embossed the image I stood a better chance of staying withing the lines... I know it did certainly help but I still managed to splodge a little. But still I'm really chuffed with my effort ☺ 

Tip, Tricks and Techniques Tuesday Wishes and Wonder

 Today is all about making things pop! My card for today uses the Wishes and wonder stamps and their coordinating dies. But for me the star of the show is the background.

Now I love texture and using embossing folders is a great way to achieve it. But sometimes the folder is sooooo gorgeous you just want to bring it to the forefront! And that is where my tip for today comes into play.

I embossed my background cardstock using the fabulous Evergreen Forest 3D embossing folder from Stampin Up. 

This folder as you can see above is both detailed and subtle all at the same time!!

So how can to make it pop? Well I used a simple trick using an ink pad. I gently dragged the ink pad directly over the top of the embossed area! Now this might take a bit of practice as pressure is the key here. You don't want the harsh edges of the pad to show. 

For my card I had chosen a gentle bluey green colour called Pool Party. To highlight it I used a white ink pad. I think any colour would work with this technique but I was going for a wintery look. 

I am really happy with the result as it made the texture really shine.