Monday, April 29, 2013

Feeling Sketchy No. 57

Wow, another week has zoomed by and with it the first week of school holidays.  I haven't seen my children these holidays as they have been away down south with my folks so it has been extremely quiet here.  Looking forward to see their little faces when they come home and sharing all their exciting news!

So a new week - a new sketch at Feeling Sketchy.


The optional extra this week was to use real or faux stitching.  I LOVE to hand stitch on everything but I thought this week I would take the easy way out and use my white gel pen.

 
I have re-discovered my love of kraft cardstock at the moment.  I think it looks great with a couple of simple stamps.  No need for colouring just a bit of glitter.

 
Now lets see what you can do with this weeks sketch!  Pop over to the blog and have a look at some other of the DT gals creations.  And speaking of DT, a big warm welcome to our new ladies who are joining us on the Design Team.  Can't wait to see your work.

Enjoy your week

Hugs

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Its a boy!

Hey friends!

I love being able to make special cards for friends.  This week we welcomed another new member into our family.  My cousin (who is more like a sister to me) became a grandma for the first time!  So it has all been very exciting.

Here's my card that I made for the new parents.

 

I used the new papers and die cuts from Kaisercraft.  The colours are just so pretty.
 
My cousin also asked me to make a card for her to give to her son.
 
 
I was so pleased with how this turned out.  The image is a digital design from Funky Kits.  They have a fantastic choice of stamps if you are into digi stamps.  I have coloured the image with prisma colours.  The image had a few dark shadows making it quite easy to colour.  I pulled out some punches that I very rarely use and punched some flowers. 
 
This week is also rather exciting.  My friend and I are flying up north to spend a weekend with Janine Koczwara who is a Prima educator.  We have a whole weekend booked doing classes.  I'm so excited as Janine is one of my fav designers.  I can't wait to switch off from everything and just do what I love to do.
 
Enjoy your week everyone and thank you so much for stopping by and all your lovely comments. 
 
Hugs
 
 

Monday, April 22, 2013

Feeling Sketchy no. 56

Good morning friends!

We have a new sketch up over on the Feeling Sketchy challenge blog today. This weeks optional extra is to make a boy/masuline card  .If you do this you will earn yourself an extra entry into this months prize draw.


I always seem to struggle with masculine/boy cards.  It always takes me out of my comfort zone.  Here is my attempt at this weeks challenge.

 
The sentiment has become a little lost so I think I will perhaps stamp onto a fresh piece of cardstock and cut it out to make it "pop" a little more.  I have stuck exactly to the sketch this week.
 

This months prize is a 6x6 paper pad and some co-ordinating ribbons for the lucky random winner. So make sure you get your entry in for your chance to win.  Don't forget to check out the other DT gals wonderful creations too.
 
Stay tune also for the reveal of our new DT members later in the week.
 
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by!
 
Hugs

Monday, April 15, 2013

Feeling Sketchy No. 55

Hello!
 
Monday has rolled around again which means another sketch over at Feeling Sketchy
 
Here is this weeks sketch

 
Another optional extra for you too this week with the use of punches / die cuts
 
Here's my card
 
 
Very simple and clean, but I like the way this turned out.
 
So now its over to you.  Jump in and have a go.  We love to see your creations!  Don't forget we are also have a DT call.  All the details can be found here
 
Enjoy your week!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Note cards and box

Hello everyone
 
Today I am sharing a set of note cards and matching box that I have made.





The little note cards in the box were made using the Scallop Rectangle Nesting Dies
 
Here's how
 
To make the cards I folded a piece of white cardstock in half, placed the biggest die on top with the scallops hanging over the edge of the fold as per the photo below.
 
 
This is what your card should now look like
 

 
Now using the same size die, run another piece of white cardstock through your cuttlebug and attach it to the top of the card.
 
Your card base is now ready to work on.
 
I then used the co-ordinating Rectangle Nesting Dies on the front of my card.  I cut one rectangle from the large die in green cardstock and then one from the second largest die using some pretty designer patterned paper.
 
I also used the both of the die sets to make the sentiment.
 
To make the hearts I have cut them from chipboard using the Hearts Nesting Dies
 
 
To give them a bit more texture, I then embossed them using the Large Damask Flourish embossing folder from the beautiful Elegance Collection.
 
 
I painted them and also put some Glossy Accents over the top.  Added a flower with a pearl centre and some leaves and your card is complete.

 
I made for of these cards and then decided that they needed a pretty little box to go in.
 
To make the box I cut 2 pieces of white cardstock.  The first piece I cut at  6.25 inches x 7.5 inches.  The second piece needs to be just a fraction less or the lid won't fit your box.
 
I then scored 1 inch in from all sides and cut to the fold as in the photo below.
 
 
 
You can then glue your tabs together and you have your box ready to be embellished.  To cover the box I cut pieces of  co-ordinations green cardstock and embossed it using the Large Damask Flourish embossing folder.  I then gently sanded back the top layer to leave a whitewashed effect and then stuck my pieces to the box
 
 
 
Now your box needs some "prettying up".  I  cut a circle and a co-ordinating scalloped circle using the circle and scallop nesting dies and adhered that to the middle of the box.  You can now put some bling on and some flowers.  Finish off with your sentiment.
 
Here's a couple more pics
 
.

 

 
 
Thanks for allowing me to share!
 
Couture Creations products used:
 
 
Until next time
 
 
 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

And the winner is ...........................

Hey everyone

The winner of my candy for the first Mad About Scrappin blog hop is...........................


ANNE P!!
 
 
 
 
Don't you just love a happy helper! hehehe

 
Congratulations Anne!  If you could email me (jo_stehn@hotmail.com) with your address details I will get your prize out to you straight away. 

Thank you to everyone who left me some beautiful comments,  they brightened my day and I hope you enjoyed the Mad About Scrappin blog hop and have picked up some new and fresh ideas or even just inspired you in some other way.
 
Hugs  x

April Challenge for Mad About Scrappin

Hey scrappers!
It's my turn to share my take on the April challenge.
Here's the details again
Here's my layout
I gotta say when I first seen this quote I knew I had scrap a pic of me and my bestie. After being together for over 20 years, they have left earlier in the year to work in the UK for 3 or 4 years and I feel like my left arm is missing! This quote was so appropriate! I think this quote would also be great as a sentiment for a card too. Think I might have to have a go at that as well!
I have used a paper pack from Carta Bella called Traditions from the Mad About Scrappin store. These kits are fantastic value as they have lots of stickers in as well as a great range of double sided paper so you really need very little else to add to your layout.
Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share
Hugs
Jo x

Monday, April 8, 2013

Feeling Sketchy Challenge No. 54

Hey everyone!
 
So starts another week which means another new sketch is up over at Feeling Sketchy.  Here's this weeks sketch.

 
 
We again have an optional extra challenge for you this week to go along with the sketch.
Use green and purple as your main colours and you will earn yourself an extra entry into the monthly prize draw.
 
Here's my card
 
 
Quick, simple and clean lines this week :)
 
Don't forget to pop over to the blog and also check out what the other DT gals have done.
 
Also speaking of DT, we are also having a Design Team call.  Below are all the details.
 

We are looking for 2-3 talented ladies to join our design team on a permanent basis.

To fulfil this role you would be required to:

1. Upload a card to the Feeling Sketchy DT blog once a fortnight.

2. Have your own personal blog so you can also upload your card to it once the current challenge has gone live on the Feeling Sketchy challenge blog. (Generally after 9 am on monday.)

3. Be prepared to do a spotlight post once every 10 weeks or so, this may include having to make an extra card or 2 using the current sketch and possibly sponsor products.

4. Be prepared to comment on projects entered into each challenge.

5. Promote any sponsors we may have for a challenge on your personal blog.

6. Pick your favourite entry each challenge.

7. Check into the Feeling Sketchy DT blog at least once a week to keep up to date with what is going on and any special challenges that may be coming up eg. blog hop etc.

If this is something you think you can easily fulfil and would like to be part of a great team all you need to do is make 2 cards using the following sketch and email them to  (Naomi) along with a link to your blog.



You have until April 21st to get your entry in with a start for the successful applicants early to mid May.
 
Go on!  Give it a go!  It is alot of fun.  Can't wait to see your entries!
 
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week!
 
Hugs x

Friday, April 5, 2013

Mad About Scrappin FIRST EVER BLOG HOP

Hello and welcome to Mad About Scrappin's first ever blog hop (oh and my first ever blog hop too!)

If you have arrrived here from Leanne's blog then you are in the right place :). 

Today I have a card to share with you all.  All of these gorgeous goodies you can get in store at Mad About Scrappin


To make this card I have used a piece of white cardstock and cut it at 6 inches x 12 inches and then folded it in half.  I have used the very pretty Echo Park paper pack Love Story which I purchased in the Flog It Friday sale. I have matted the pink papers onto some black cardstock to make it "pop".  The bubble frame is a Martha Stewart around the page punch set.

Once you have layered your papers it is just a case of embellishing with all your pretties.  Leanne has the most gorgeous embellies in store.  I have used paper butterflies, a mini doily, a glass embellishment, some bakers twine and a little crystal spray with a few blossoms and pearls.  I love to cluster!

This card I think, truly reflects my style.  I love anything that is very pretty and flowery, shabby but also clean. And I LOVE pink!   I also love to stitch and yep I'm a little crazy in that I hand stitch everything!  Here is a look at the inside of my card.


Thanks for stopping by and joining in the fun of our first blog hop.  Next stop is Jeanette's, beautiful blog.  Oh my, be prepared to be blown away!   Jeanette has some absolutely breathtaking works of art!

To celebrate our first blog hop, I also have a small prize up on offer. 


To enter just leave me a little love in the form of a comment and a random winner will be drawn later in the week.

Enjoy the blog hop!

Hugs

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

1 Embossing Folder - 2 Ways

Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by. 
 
This is my first post as a Design Team member for Couture Creations and I have to say I'm a little excited!
 
It was like Christmas when I opened my package and the first thing that caught my eye was the gorgeous embossing folder from the beautiful Elegance Collection - Super Marina.  I decided I would make some cards with it.
 
Here are my cards


 


To make these cards I ran some co-ordinations cardstock with this gorgeous embossing folder through my cuttlebug.
 
 
 
I then sanded the top layer very gently wtih a sanding block to leave the white of the frame showing and also stitched around the edges.  I handstitch all my work using a paper piercer . I also then inked around the edges with a brown inkpad and a sponge dauber.
 


Next I used the must have circle and scallop circle nesting dies  These nesting dies are fantastic for just about everything!  The circles fit exactly on top of the scallop circles leaving a small border  or by using two different sizes together you can make frames.
 
I cut a circle from some kraft cardstock using the second biggest circle die and a piece of white cardstock using the biggest scallop circle die

 
 
Before I stuck them together, I stamped the kraft cardstock with a background stamp and inked around the edges.  I then attached it to the middle of the embossed cardstock.  Your card is now ready to be embellished with blossoms and a sentiment.  This is now adhered to a piece of kraft cardstock and can now be stuck to your white card base.
 
Here's another look at the end result.
 

 
To make the next card I ran a piece of the blue co-ordinations cardstock through the cuttlebug using the same embossing folder.  Again I sanded it back lightly and also stitched around the edges.
 
 
I then took a chipboard butterfly and coloured it by patting a blue inkpad over it and when it was dry I covered it all with some Crystalina Glitzin Glamour Glitter Glue.  I can't live without this.  I LOVE glitter but I hate the mess so this glitter glue is fantastic to use on your creations for that bit of extra sparkle.
 
Once the butterfly is dry I then attached it to the middle of the embossed piece.  I glued a flower and some twine into the centre of the butterfly, added a sentiment for my card and finished it off with some pretty pearls.  You can then adhere this to a white piece of cardstock.  It is now ready to be attached to your card base.
 


 

 

COUTURE CREATIONS PRODUCTS USED
 
 
Thanks for allowing me to share!
 
Until next time
 
 


Monday, April 1, 2013

Feeling Sketchy no. 53

Hello and Happy Easter to you all!  Hope you have all had a wonderful Easter and haven't overindulged in chocolate.  I have been so good in that department as I'm on a health kick at the moment so I have sat back and watched everyone else pig out on it!

So its a new week and that means a new sketch over at Feeling Sketchy.  Here is our sketch

 

We have added an optional extra with this sketch which is to use 3 or more flowers.
 
 
 
We also have a new Design Team Co-ordinator as of this week too.  The lovely Naomi is taking of the role from Jess and Michelle who have decided that the time has come for the both to move on.  Best wishes to both of these gorgeous gals and I'm so looking forward to  seeing what Naomi has in store for us all!
 
Pop over and check out the blog too and have a look-see at all the other fabbo creations that the DT gals have come up with. 
 
Until next time
 
Hugs



FIRST EVER Mad About Scrappin Blog Hop !!!!



Looking for some Scrapping Fun ??
Come check out the work being showcased by
Especially for you on their FIRST EVER blog hop !

If you have never participated in a blog hop, it's super easy to do.
Just start at the Mad About Scrappin blog and follow all the instructions along the way.
You will make new friends and get lots of inspiration from all of our projects.
PLUS...Mad About Scrappin is giving away some goodies along the way
AND you may even find some blog candy too.. just for hopping along and leaving your comments along the way !
Stay Tuned !!!!