Tag-along

 Well, two posts in one day because I have another tag to share with the Tag-along and ATC challenge where the theme this time is to incorporate text within the project.  I started by cutting the tag from a very old paper pad which has a selection of black and white text pages - quite thin paper so I glued it onto a matching white tag before then cutting another one using red card.  This red one was offset slightly to give the appearance of a swinging tag.  A small black sentiment outline die was used, folded in half and glued to the top pf the tag rather than threading a ribbon through.  The birds on the  branch and also the ones on the wire were die cut from black card and glued in place.  A few small 'splodge' stamps were used on the background for added interest.  I think this one might well end up being used as a card topper, probably for a masculine card.

Tag Die - an unbranded one from Amazon
White Tag -  text paper pad by Papermania from many years ago
Bird dies - also unbranded ones which I've had for some time

Allsorts Challenge #852

 The theme for the Allsorts challenge this time has been chosen by Ellie and it is **Blooms and/or Bees** with of course the *anything goes* option.  Prize this time is from Buddly Crafts and you can see more details on the Allsorts post..  

I was reminded recently of an idea using circles so decided to re-visit the technique for my card this time.  I'm not sure if it has an actual title but I think of it as 'swirly circles'.  Circles in three colours and of different sizes are required and they are cut in half and laid out to form this design.  I then die cut and coloured some flowers and a couple of bees, adding a sentiment and that's my card finished.  

Flowers and Bees - die sets from Craft Addiction UK
Circles - cut from some pieces of  long retired Stampin Up design papers

Ruffles at Home

 I have a cute dog card to share today - just couldn't resist the latest set of stamps designed by Louise Dunne.  I had to build him a kennel though, using a bit of ingenuity and dies from various sets in my stash. No doubt I could have purchased a kennel die set but before going in search of one I stopped to cast my mind through dies which I already have to see if I could come up with any ideas.  I stamped, coloured and die cut Ruffles, masking off the party hat he was wearing.  I then did the same with the bones, dog bowl and paw prints, finally die cutting some grasses and the various bits and pieces to build the kennel.

Ruffles - from Ruffles and Crumpet stamp/die set Craft Addiction UK
Bones, paw prints and dog bowl - from above set
DIY kennel using dies from various sets in my collection
Grass - die from a long retired Stampin' Up set
Background - cut out circle die from CAUK
Sentiment Stamp also CAUK

Using Things Up

 I had three die cuts left over from the set used on my previous card and decided to incorporate them into another card right away rather than let them lie around unused.  I die cut a stitched frame, an owl in flight and a backing piece to fit within the frame.  This was smooshed with  Chipped Sapphire Distress ink to give the appearance of a night sky. The tree, fence and crescent moon were coloured using Distress inks and a water brush - Wink of Stella was added to the moon.  The owl die cut was layered up to give it some perspective (coloured using alcohol pens).  Once the framed scene was complete it was backed with a piece of green card and a sentiment was added.  This design was inspired by a recent You Tube video from Chris Stokes

Tree, fence and moon - part of die cut set using Aall & Create Roadway Vistas #78
Owl - die from owl set by Craft Addiction UK (mixture of sizes and designs)
Frame - dies also from CAUK
Sentiment - wiry words, a very old stamp set from Creative Design