Cats

When going through my computer files of pictures I realised this is a card from last year which didn't get posted.  It is one of the samples made for demonstrations showing techniques using embossing folders and the folder had been loaned to me for that reason.  After embossing I used brushes to apply Distress ink to bring out the detail in the scene, then die cut some little birds to sit in the branches and some cats to sit on the ground observing them.  I felt all this needed was a simple greeting which I added on a die cut shape (also embossed and inked).

I'm off now to go and sit by the fire because my fingers and toes are getting very cold sitting here in front of the computer.  It's been a beautiful day with lots of sunshine but very cold and the forecast is for more sub zero temperatures - brrr!!!!

Cats and Birds - Memory Box dies
Embossing Folder - on loan and I've forgotten who made it
Label shapes - Sue Wilson dies
Words - Creative Expressions, Phill Martin stamp

Winter Birthday

Winter Birthday is the theme on Make My Monday challenge and hopefully this card in wintry shades of blue and white will fit the bill.  This is an easel card and I've used a large die for the background, adding some decorative ovals, a computer sentiment and some flowers die cut from tulle with a little butterfly on the stopper.

Large die - Tied Together by Couture Creations
Ovals - Austrian collection from Sue Wilson
Flowers - Aster die from Heartfelt Creations
Butterfly - stamp and punch from Stampin' Up

Floral Card

I seem to have made quite a few blue cards just recently so I'm posting one which I made towards the end of last year that is in different colours before you all get bored with the blues.  I would say this flower could be a buttercup, stamped and coloured with alcohol pens.  I then dug out some suitably coloured paper from my stash and cut some layers from scraps of card, adding a simple greeting.

Image - from Stampin' Up Bloom with Hope coloured with Blendabilities
Die Cuts - Spellbinders and Marianne dies, punched little banners (SU)
Sentiment - computer generated with Cuttlebug dies

Challenge Time

I think the weeks are going to pass by just as quickly again this year - it is already time for the next challenge on Pixie Snippets blog.  While I still had some stamp sets and dies out on my desk and of course some snippets of paper and card I decided to make another card using them.  My next job before doing anything else is to clear the working space which, yet again, seems to have shrunk dramatically.  I used the same resist technique as on a recent card but a different layout, still including that super feather die.

Stamps - Serene Silhouettes from Stampin' Up and feather from HOTP freebie set
Dies - Banners and Deco Labels from SU, also HOTP feather die
Background - Snippet (large) of paper from Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby range

Silhouette Trees

The image for this card was created by stamping with Versamark, then using white embossing powder as a resist before sponging the card with shades of blue ink (Pool Party, Tumbled Glass and Broken China).  Pieces of matching card were embossed to make two panels behind the image and some tiny flowers and butterfly added.  Background paper was a scrap from my dwindling stock of Tim Holtz Vintage shabby collection.  The actual colours tone together much better than they appear as picked up by the scanner - odd how that happens sometimes although no doubt there is a technical explanation!!

Background - Vintage shabby collection paper from Tim Holtz
Image - from Serene Silhouette stamp set, Stampin' Up
Panels - Pool Party card embossed using Sheena floral folder
Sentiment - computer generated, SU punches
Butterfly and Flowers - SU punches (and stamp)

Feathers

I'm afraid I've succumbed again to buying a magazine (or two) which had the temptation of a lovely feather die as a 'freebie'.  I really didn't intend to get the second one but happened to spot that they were giving away a set of feather stamps  which would probably come in handy for male cards perhaps and in fact it wasn't until I got home that I realised they were from the same company (Hot Off The Press).   I just had to have a quick play and this is the first idea I've come up with combining a silhouette stamp from Stampin' Up with a couple of feathers and other elements.

Background - Paper from Craftwork Cards
Bird Image - Stampin' Up World of Dreams set
Feathers - Stamp and die from Hot Off The Press
Sentiment - HOTP stamp on SU punch shape
Border - EK Success border punch

Pixie Snippets 158

I've been using a few more of the oddments lying around on my desk to make this card for the latest Pixie Snippets challenge this week.  The image had been stamped but not coloured and some of the die cuts were there as well.  I did the colouring with Promarkers and pencils, then gathered together some bits and pieces which went together. I had mis-stamped the image originally so there was a spare one so that I could cut out the butterfly to add some dimension. There is another lovely prize on offer this week and also an interesting new technique on their blog so well worth taking a look.

Square mats - Tonic nesting dies
Lacy Layer - Sue Wilson New York collection die
Image - Papermania coloured with Promarkers and pencils
Sentiment - Stampin' Up stamp and punches