Parchment Lace

I'd sort of forgotten just how long it takes to emboss, prick out and snip a piece of parchment lace but at least by using one of the Groovi border templates there is not the 'prick 2, miss 2' way of going about it that there was in the past.  Mind you there is still a degree of concentration needed and it is pretty labour intensive.  I didn't time how long it took me but I do find it quite a mindful and relaxing thing to do, all the more so without the frustrations of the past when miscounting often came into the equation and usually when I'd nearly completed a piece.  I've popped this onto some patterned paper and added a central panel of flowers - another card without a sentiment because there didn't seem to be anywhere pleasing to place one.  Colouring was done from behind using pencils.

Lace Border Template - Victoria from Clarity Groovi Queens range
Flower - taken from Deco Poppies Groovi plate

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #5

I'm afraid I missed challenge #4 but here I am with a 'Beary Christmas' card for the latest challenge
HERE.  I started by printing off a couple of bear images using Docraft Digital Designer programme which is no longer available but still on my computer.  As I had two images I actually made two very similar cards using up quite a few scraps of seasonal papers which I couldn't bear to throw away - no pun intended!!  Do pop along to see the inspirations and maybe kickstart your Christmas card collection for this year.  It does seem a bit odd making Christmas cards when it is so mild and with the sun shining brightly even though it is still February!!

Image - printed from a Docraft Digital Designer CD
Papers - from various sources and in my scrap box.

Butterfly Challenge #117

I think I've just about managed to sneak in at the end of the time with a card for the Butterfly challenge.  We are on the letter 'A' this time with a choice of any or all of aperture, almond, apple green, amber, acetate, anything.  I've managed to use all but the acetate on my card where I started by cutting a shaped aperture from a piece of almond pearlescent card, popping in a piece of card which I'd coloured with Oxide inks and Pixie powders (amber and apple green).  A two layer butterfly was die cut using some of the same coloured card with a scrap of green for the top layer,  To add some interest I punched some fancy corners onto the almond coloured card and tied a green/yellow ribbon around (ribbon = anything).  I decided to leave this card without a sentiment because it is always handy to have a few cards in case anyone wants one in which they can write their own message not related to any particular occasion.  There is still just about time to take part in this challenge if you are quick and Mrs. A has made some great cards for inspiration - prizes to be had as well, so win, win situation!

Aperture - punch from Sue Wilson Greek Island collection Kefalonia
Butterfly - Tm Holtz die
Corner Punch - Stampin' Up

Floral Parchment Card

I've spent some time this morning making inserts for a few cards before pairing them up with envelopes ready to pop into my box of miscellaneous cards.  I also had a much needed tidy up of the work-space and of course 'found' several bits and pieces  left over from recent projects which will come in handy for making even more cards - and probably producing even more 'leftovers'.  I  came across this parchment card which just needed finishing off and I'm not sure why it was abandoned half completed.  The lace work was completed first, followed by the floral motif which is a separate piece of parchment - couldn't resist popping a spare butterfly into the corner.

Designs - from various Groovi plates
Backing Paper - from Clarity

Trees

I'm starting with an apology for my lack of commenting on your blogs but I've had problems with my shoulder and upper arm - of course it had to be my right one didn't it!!  I think it was probably down to spending a bit too long working on some needle felting which resulted in a repetitive strain injury although I've done loads of it in the past with no problems - advancing years I guess so will have to take things steady.  Anyway as a result everything I tried to do became quite a challenge, from getting dressed  to food prep and lots of things in between.  Typing was a definite no-no, hence my lack of comments but I have been visiting blogs in between sitting, resting and reading - such a waste of time because I do so hate not being able to craft in some form or other.  Today I've managed to get around to making a card using some stamps which I've had since they were issued some 10 years ago although they'd not been used for a while.

I started by colouring some cream card with Distress Oxide inks before stamping some random leaves around the edges and then two of the trees.  The smaller ones were second generation stamping so that hopefully they look as if they are in the background.  The 'Happy' word was die cut and I printed the 'birthday' word on black background to resemble  a Dymo label.  Another card which I think could easily be sent to a man so my box of cards is filling up with a reasonable selection I hope.

Happy - die from Crafter's Companion
Birthday - printed in label style using a Funky Hand programme no longer available
Tree Stamps - Tall Trees by Elusive Images  - obtainable from Chocolate Baroque I believe.

Snippets Challenge #346

It is worth popping along to the Playground to see a great Christmas card made using a die and would you believe there are three of these being offered as prizes if your entry is picked out of the 'hat'.  I decided to take along a baby card which was made using up various snippets of card from my ever growing collection of 'bits'.  I've used snippets of various patterned papers for the background and banner - the image was die cut from a sheet which I downloaded and printed.  A circular sentiment and a strip of faux ric-rac completes this card to welcome a baby boy.

Image - Lili of the Valley
Papers - various designs from my snippets collection
Sentiment - downloaded from Netty's Cards
Dies - Creative Expressions, Spellbinders and Stampin' Up.

Feline Christmas

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge this time is Feline Christmas and after some thought I decided that as I had nothing specifically feline and Christmas I would combine a very old Christmas stamp (some 20 years old) with a couple of stray die cut cats which were sitting on my desk.  The stamp is a wood mounted one - remember those?? - which I've certainly not used for a good while and it was coloured with watercolour Zig pens before die cutting the stitched rectangle, simply adding the two black cats.  Some seasonal background and a greeting finishes off this simple card which will go into the box for later this year.

Lamppost - wood mounted stamp from the '90's by PSX
Cats = Impression Obsession dies