More ways to use the alcohol ink backgrounds

Whilst making the alcohol ink background for the Simon Says Stamp card I recently posted about, also made a couple of sheets more or less the same - so had some left over to play with using some Memory Box dies. Came up with two cards shown below - and AI stands for Alcohol Ink:

I used:

- 5.5" x 4.25" white card blank, tent style

- piece of AI made using Tim Holtz 'Sparkle' alcohol ink card stock and a mix of Flamingo Pink, Amethyst and Aqua alcohol inks plus some blending solution

- used Stick-It backed 200gsm white card to die cut the Memory Box 'Starflower Frame' die then popped it onto a rectangle of the background card, adding the white panel from the die cut back into the centre as well and ran the panel through the Cuttlebug using just the cutting plates to press it firmly down

- then stamped the sentiment using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a stamp from the Penny Black 'Special Thoughts' sentiment set - plus the Misti of course

- die cut the frame using the biggest Avery Elle's 'Postage Stamp' frame die and more white card, a bit heavier weight than 200gsm this time, possibly 250gsm

- backed the frame with very narrow red line tape and then added the image panel face downwards onto the red line tape. The image panel had been carefully trimmed a teensy bit at a time to be just a tad bigger than the aperture

- backed the whole panel with white fun foam and glued it in place onto the card front, finished!

This is a lovely die, a first outing for it although I bought it with possible Christmas cards (poinsettias) in mind  and certainly before I got into sparkly alcohol ink backgrounds. Will have a play again and show what my original idea was - having said that, it's really great for using as I just did! Another example of existing dies in your possession being useful for trying out Jennifer McGuire's Tim Holtz Sparkly AI card stock ideas.

At the same time, I made this card - didn't catch the light as much, should have taken the photo sideways on :

I used:

- 5.75" x 4" white card blank, side opening again, a non-standard size to suit the panel and sentiment placement

- piece of alcohol ink background made using Tim Holtz 'Sparkle' alcohol ink card stock and a mix of Flamingo Pink, Amethyst and Aqua alcohol inks plus some blending solution ( I know, more of the same - for now!)

- the butterfly frame took a bit of thinking through. When I ordered it a few weeks ago, the image shows what you see on my card front (if you reach into your screen and lift the butterfly's wings up!) - a frame of card with a big flat butterfly sitting just above the centre - attached on either side. However, the die itself doesn't come with a frame, it's more of a panel to just cut a solid butterfly into a background I guess. My way round this was just to measure the 'panel' die and add quarter of an inch to the top and to one side, then use the trimmer to cut a white panel of Stick-It backed card(200gsm)

- and at that point you can go ahead and die cut the Memory Box 'Vivienne Butterfly Silhouette' from said rectangle and end up with exactly what the packet shows - but, it did puzzle me for a while I freely admit, and I bet my explanation wasn't very clear either! Sadly MB didn't even have any examples (even though it's been out for sale since 2017) when I searched, I'm sure there must be some other way of using this lovely die - watch this space kids!

- I'd bought the 'Vivienne Butterfly Silhouette' die as I already had the two 'free flying' matching butterfly dies (bought years ago) and could see that it would expand and possibly update the versatility of them as they've been little used I'm afraid

- so next I trimmed the piece of AI background to a teensy bit smaller than my 'self' made' butterfly frame and popped the frame onto the background then ran the panel through the Cuttlebug using just the cutting plates to press it firmly down

- then die cut a solid butterfly using the Memory Box solid 'Darla Butterfly' die from the last scrap of AI background

- die cut a lacy 'Vivienne Butterfly' die from 200gsm Stick-It backed white card and adhered it to the 'Darla' butterfly - and ran it through the Cuttlebug to make sure it was pressed firmly into place

- backed the whole panel with white fun foam and glued it in place onto the card front - just above the sentiment, which had been carefully placed in readiness when I stamped it (darned OCD - no, make that CDO!!)

- and then added the 'butterfly of two layers' with a little piece of red line tape in the centre so that the wings can be flipped up 

- and only at that late point in the whole proceedings did I spot that there was a wee dark blob of AI which drew the eye and spoiled the whole 'flow' of the card. So, out came the sequins and I added five (card makes like to work in odd numbers apparently) using Glossy Accents

- and that was it - end of story!

Or is it? Probably far from it! I have to admit to buying three dies recently from China - it's against many of my principles but I think I certainly do more than my bit to support UK and other Western craft manufacturers and suppliers so I figured I would just dip my toe in the water. In truth, it still doesn't sit easily with me - but I'm amazed to be honest. Price, quality and speed - phew! ANYHOW, one new die from China has led me to need more AI colours from the UK, costing several times more than the die did - so it's a knock on effect. And that, is what I meant when I said 'far from it'!!

Using that Simon Says Stamp die with alcohol ink background

Remember the palaver when I didn't know whether to risk ordering a Simon Says Stamp die from the USA for fear of extra charges at this end? Well, it arrived in double quick time with nothing extra to pay so one rainy day last week I made some more Tim Holtz sparkly alcohol ink backgrounds and set to.

And this is the first card I produced:

I used:

- 5.25" x 4" white card blank  - not a traditional size but it suited the die cut panel better

- piece of alcohol ink background made using Tim Holtz 'Sparkle' alcohol ink card stock and a mix of straight forward Flamingo Pink, Amethyst and Aqua alcohol inks plus some blending solution. It's the card stock that works the 'sparkle' magic

- used Stick-It backed 200gsm white card to die cut the Simon Says Stamp 'Dahlia Corner Frame' die

- trimmed the background to just a little bit smaller than the die cut and then pressed the die cut in place - ran it through the Cuttlebug just using the layered cutting plates to flatten it into place

- then stamped the sentiment onto a snippet of white card using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a stamp from the MFT 'Essential Sentiments' set - plus the Misti of course

- hand trimmed the sentiment and popped it in place using a strip of very narrow red line tape

- backed the whole panel with white fun foam and glued it in place onto the card front

I promised to let you see the result - and here it is! Love making these alcohol ink backgrounds, even more so with the 'sparkle' card stock by Tim Holtz - as Forrest Gump would say 'You never know what you're gonna get' :)

Edit: Val asked where I got the Tim Holtz Silver Sparkle card from - here's the link just in case any others of you want to have a play :)

Framed butterfly card

The other day I was playing with my new TH Distress Oxides (DOX for short!) for the first time and made a few background pieces.  One was oranges and off it went down the right path without even planning it - so this is the card I made using some of the background piece:

I used:

- 4.25" x 5.5" white card blank, tent style

- a snippet from a piece of Strathmore Mixed Media Vellum Coated 300 gsm paper (I adore this!!) which had been smeared and daubed using TH Distress Oxides in the following colours: 'Fossilised Amber', 'Spiced Marmalade' and 'Fired Brick' - all part of the first set of 12 to be released

- heat dried between each colour so they didn't end up like a patch of mud ....... and then finally sprayed with plain water using a Mini Mister to add the 'splats and droplets' then given a final dry with the heat gun

- next I die cut two matching sets of frames using Impression Obsession's 'Rectangle 6 in 1 Frames' and white card stock -  then stuck the two matching frames together, one on top of another, for added dimension

- trimmed a piece from the rather precious TH DOX inky piece of card (it's not something you rattle off in five minutes!) and mounted it behind the white frame

- now that the framed piece of orange DOX card was assembled I could work out the positioning and potential 'look' of the sentiment - and after a lot of dithering opted for a die cut gold mirri card sentiment, to match the gold bodies I planned to add to the butterfly's wings later

- die cut the word 'Smile' (from the Penny Black 'Hooray' set of dies) using Stick-It backed gold mirri card and adhered it onto the card front. To really 'set' it in place and also to smooth out some 'cutting plate endowed wrinkles' I ran the whole card-  with the die cut word in place - through the Cuttlebug, using the embossing plates as well as an embossing folder for the right pressure

- time to glue the frame with the orange DOX backing in place, using Collall All Purpose glue - still a huge favourite of mine for 'wriggle room'

- at the same time as working with orange shades, I'd been using a variety of DOX blue shades in a similar way and had a little strip left over from a card I'll be showing on here in The Playground soon. So I die cut two little matching blue butterflies using SU's 'Beautiful Wings' Embosslits die/EF

- then added little gold mirri card bodies to the butterflies, die cut using Frantic Stamper's 'Petite Butterflies' plate die (it comes with loads of little butterflies and bodies, very pretty and in a way I wish I'd used it for the butterfly wings as well). If you love small butterflies then this die plate really is a lovely one to have in your die collection :)

- popped the butterflies in place using snippets of thin sticky pad and there it was - done!

I've said it before but running an added die cut through the embossing machine really does seem to 'embed' it into the card and it ends up looking almost 'foiled' if you use mirri card. Just remember to use an embossing folder for that added pressure, along with your normal embossing plates set up. For some cards I leave the embossing folder layer out, so it's a case of try the gentle approach without an EF first and see it you like it. Just make sure the EF is bigger than the card front for an even pressure and no rogue 'lines'. I tried to take a photo showing the mirri card shine but failed miserably :(

It sounds quite an easy card to make, but at the same time we were also trying to sort out the aftermath of the violent thunder storms we had here on Tuesday night. Both woken up by the bedroom lighting up like a funfair and an immediate enormous crash of thunder at about 2:30 am.

Looking back, it must have been quite an amusing sight - Len was out of bed in one huge hop (Olympic high jump standard) whilst I scrabbled to cower under the bedclothes! I swear that everything in the house rattled! And the next day we discovered that the telephone line was dead as a Dodo. BT are supposedly now on the case but who knows when things may be sorted out - at least we still have internet access, which surprises me, plus our mobiles! At least nothing blew up and we weren't endangered in any way :)

I have a friend who is absolutely terrified of thunder and lightning and has been known to dive under her bed or even into the wardrobe during a thunderstorm! After the other night, I'm on her side and would have been scrapping and fighting her out of the way I promise!

Edit: I just realised that this card is eligible for the brilliant CAS Watercolour challenge for July, run by Loll and Bonnie! The theme is 'Butterfly' - whoop, whoop - it's been far too long since I joined in.

                     

 

 

Crazy Bird get well card ...........

..........for our own dear Crazy Bird, Miss Darnell!

Lots of you will already know that Darnell wrote on her blog that she was having an operation last Tuesday. It's all gone well and she's no longer in fear of her 'baby basket' making a bid for freedom - as she so neatly described it!

As soon as I knew the date of her 'theatre appearance' I made Darnell a get well card and it has arrived in California already:

I used:

- 4.25" x 5.5" white card blank, side opening

- a piece of white card stock, embossed using a Cuttlebug 'Pinking Stitch' folder and trimmed to the same size as the card front

- snippet of white card stock for stamping the image and little extras on

- then I set to using the fabulous Tim Holtz 'Bird Crazy' stamp set as well as the Tim Holtz 'Crazy Things' stamp set. First I stamped the images I wanted onto the white snippet and then coloured them using Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils and Sansodor blending solution

- next I die cut the Crazy Bird using the matching thinlets die set, and fussy cut the 'Crazy Things' hat and bunch of flowers

- at this point I knew where I wanted the bird to sit in relation to the sentiment I planned to add so I did a little grey stripe on the front panelusing a Promarker and covered it with clear Wink of Stella

- next I stamped 'Get Well' using the Misti, Memento 'Tuxedo Black ink and a stamp from the Paper Smooches 'Sentiment Sampler' set

- next assembled the bird by cutting along it's wing to tuck the bunch of flowers in place and also cut along the back part of the hat so it sits properly on the birdie's head - used red line tape to fix things in place

- as the red line tape was already out I used it to add to the back of the assembled image and then stuck it onto the card front

- resisted the urge to add some turquoise sparkly sequins but did ad some little tickles of clear Wink of Stella to the flowers (hat and bouquet)

- finally, when the card was ready to be put safely to one side, I added 'Glossy Accents' to the eyes  

I do have to smile at the birdie (as they say) it almost seems to be looking up to check that nothing's gonna fall on its head from above! :)

Here's hoping that Darnell is soon back to her usual bouncy self!
 

Tell your story

Back to the Crazy Birds here, keeping my promise to use them as they're already coloured, die cut and ready to go. This is the card I made:

I used:

- 6" x 6" cream card blank

- black card as the first layer, then topped that with a trimmed down piece of DP from MME's 'Blush' paper pad with the caged bird as part of the design - using Collall All Purpose glue

- stamped the sentiments using a Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink pad and the Tim Holtz 'Simple Sayings' set, snipped them apart and ran a black Whispers marker round the edges. I picked the words 'cos I think the Crazy Bird is looking longingly at the birdie in the cage with a view to adding a new friend to his circle :)

- fiddled around working out where things should go before then gluing them in place using Collall glue

- I added Glossy Accents to the eye after this photo was taken but saw little point in retaking another shot :)

I wonder if the caged birdie will 'sing like a canary' and spill the beans! 

Di
x

Happy birthday- one of a kind

Shame on me, just over four months ago I coloured and die cut a load of Tim Holtz 'Bird Crazy' critters with matching accessories. Used one set for a card, popped the remaining sets into individual cellophane bags and promptly forgot all about them until I was searching for something else the other day.

This is a card I made as the result of my 'find':

I used:

- 4" x 6" white card blank, tent style

- black card from the snippets folder as the first layer, then topped that with a trimmed down piece of DP from MME's 'Sunshine' paper pad - using Collall All Purpose glue

- stamped the sentiments using a Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink pad and the NBUS Tim Holtz 'Simple Sayings' set, snipped them apart and ran a black Whispers marker round the edges. I like this set a lot, tons of useful everyday sentiments in a typewriter font that you can mix and match

- to add the hat to the bird I just snipped from the bottom of the hat up to the front edge of the brim and then trimmed away enough from the back and the brim so that the hat would sit nicely over the Crazy Bird's head. Poor thing, I had to snip his little crest from the top of his head :)

- fiddled around working out where things should go before then gluing them in place using Collall glue

- then added Glossy Accents to the bird's eyes 

Job done! The still to be used birdies are staying within my line of sight now :)

Di
x

Made for Twofers challenge

I suddenly became aware of the 'Twofers' challenge - probably because our Jane W from the Snippets Playground is on the challenge DT and gave me a little nudge. The current theme (#11) is 'Birds' - and did I have some fun making my entry, even though I already spotted the same stamp set had been used by the DT as well as at least one entry.

I dug out my Tim Holtz 'Bird Crazy' stamps and dies as they'd been very neglected - plus the accessories set (Crazy Things) along with their matching dies. Cleared a big space on my desk and had a wonderful Sunday afternoon playing with the stamps, dies and Pro markers.

It seemed much easier to have a session like this with everything out at once - even though I didn't have individual cards in mind. I stamped, coloured and die cut one of each of the birdies and then stamped, coloured and die cut a variety of matching accessories. For my card I just used one of the 'sets' and now the other five are slipped into their own little card packaging cellophane bags and are sitting in a basket within reach, ready for use another time.

Here's my entry for the Twofers Challenge:

I used:

- 4" x 6" white card blank, tent style

- a snippet of SU's 'Wisteria Wonder' card stock - trimmed to just slightly smaller than the card front and glued in place

- a slightly smaller snippet of white card stock, with the corners punched using a Woodware Decorative Corner punch

- next I stamped the sentiment - using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a couple of stamps from the fabulous SU 'Just Kidding' clear set (sent to me by a lovely blogging buddy for my very own use - thank you again, mwah!)

- then I used one Tim Holtz 'Crazy Bird', tucked a bunch of flowers under one wing and cut a slit in the hat so it sat properly before adhering it to the card front - before that I'd used a Cool Grey Pro marker to form the 'grounding' area for the birdie

- a touch of the same Cool Grey for where I planned to add the parcel - and then just stuck the parcel in place

I had to explain the sentiment to my in-house critic - and even then I don't think he really 'got' it. Am convinced that men are wired differently to women!

Next job is to make a card for the new Double D challenge where the theme is Forget-Me-Nots.  I have a plan, if something arrives here in time - otherwise there's gonna be a last minute scramble for an alternative! 

Di
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Merry Monday Challenge #182 - 'Birds'

The current challenge over at Merry Monday is 'Birds' - and I really had fun making my entry:

I used:

- 4" x 5.25" white card blank, tent style

- image stamped onto white card using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and Penny Black 'Greetings from the wise' stamp

- coloured the image using Whispers brush markers then added clear Wink of Stella to the fur on Mr Owl's hat and some Glossy Accents to his eyes

- next came some jiggery pokery selecting a round die from the set of Tonic Studio's 'Circle Layering' dies and cutting an aperture in another piece of white card stock

- took the card with the round aperture in and ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Tim Holtz 'Wood Grain' embossing folder, making sure the aperture was centred on where the embossed 'knot hole' is

- trimmed the embossed piece to size, just slightly smaller than the card front and making sure the round aperture was just a smidgen to the right hand side

- adhered the owl image to the back of the aperture and then stuck the whole piece to the card front

- sentiment was stamped onto a snippet of white card using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a stamp from the Personal Impressions 'Many Greetings' set

- then die cut the sentiment using a Spellbinders 'Nested pennant' die and stuck it in place using red line tape

- final touch, a platinum silver Josy Rose nail head at one end of the pennant

Am still adding any Christmas cards I make to this year's total. Had thought not to count them in and use them to kick start next year but decided that wouldn't be enough of a driver come 1st January when I begin the 12 per month target again. I know, it's all quite academic really :)

Di
x

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 194

And yet another week flew past, we're almost into Autumn here in the UK, but with some lovely sunny days thrown in still. But, I just bet the shops will be full of Christmas stuff before long - if they aren't already!

Last Saturday one of my bestest friends from schooldays had a Birthday. I'd been saving the NBUS stamps and dies I used for her card for a few weeks, ready to make a snippets card this week:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card blank

- a piece of SU's 'Crisp Cantaloupe' card stock as a 'frame'

- a piece of white card stock on which to build the front of the card

- snippets of white card stock for stamping on

- then I set to using the fabulous Tim Holtz 'Bird Crazy' stamp set as well as the Tim Holtz 'Crazy Things' stamp set. First I stamped the images I wanted onto the white snippets and then coloured them using Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils and Sansodor blending solution

- next I die cut the Crazy Bird using the matching thinlets die set, and fussy cut the 'Crazy Things' hat and balloon. Apparently there will be matching dies coming out for the Crazy Things stamps (late September I believe) but fussy cutting was no hardship

- next die cut the word 'Smile' three times from a little snippet of SU's 'Tempting Turquoise' card stock using a die from Penny Black's 'Hooray' set and layered them up using Glossy Accents

- to assemble the card front I first stamped the sentiment using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a stamp from LOTV's 'Set 61- Quotable' stamps, which seemed to fit the bill (snigger) perfectly

- next trimmed out the centre and added the hat to the little bird then popped it onto the card front using thin sticky pads. Did the same with the eyes and beak

- then worked out where to add the balloon and used a snippet of bakers twine to tuck it round the end of the balloon and also underneath where I then placed the bird's extra wing layer

- added the word 'Smile' and a few sparkly sequins

- finally, when the card was ready to be put safely to one side, I added 'Glossy Accents' to the beak, eyes and some touches on the balloon

This was such a fun card to make - gotta love those Crazy Birds :) Hope you had a great day Moira!

I'd like to make this my second entry into Darnell's current NBUS challenge - all the Crazy Birds stamps, dies - and their accessories were unopened and unused before I made this card. Do join in the fun - there are loads of lovely prizes to be won and of course you get to use some of that NBUS stuff you haven't played with before!

Straight onto this week's picks, which of course were chosen by Sarn - who did a fabulous job of commenting and looking after the Playground this week. There were times I thought it was a bit like her having to herd cats. Thank so soooo much Sarn!

And here's what Sarn says about her time as Playground Prefect: Can I just say it's been great fun being Prefect this week and thanks to the playmates for being such good sports and playing tag nicely (apart from the donkey tail pinning incident of course!). If anyone else fancies being Prefect for a week, I know Di would love to hear from you.

And now for Sarn's picks and why she picked them, in her own words:

20: KandA HERE. Because I think it's a cute card, beautifully coloured and toned in and prettily embellished.

 

34: Julieanne HERE. Great masculine card with lots of snippet layers.

46: Jane's Journal HERE. It's just so amazing with all the work that's gone into it and NO stamping allowed! 

56: Lynn Hayes HERE. Love the multi-inked square butterfly flying outside of it, plus the matching die cut sentiment. The layout is so pleasing to the eye.

No 67: K T Krafts (Kathy). . .HERE. I just HAVE to add this card to my picks . . . because it is right up my street and uses my fave stamp set. (This was a really last minute addition from Sarn at 10am yesterday morning - which shows just how much we try to keep the picks absolutely up to date, until the very end stop when those gates clang shut each week).

Keeping up to date is also the reason why I pick the previous week's winner right away as soon as the gates close - I know (and totally understand why) a good few challenge work a week behind. But, it's fun to wrap one week up properly before moving onto the next one.

Sarn also said: Oh my goodness it is SOOO difficult picking out cards as they all have their merits. 

Thank you so much again Sarn, wonderful picks although I do so agree about choices being so difficult! It's been a huge help having you on board this past week, especially as there's been a lot going on here.

No new little Playmates this week, but we still had 68 entries - am gonna need to get more swings etc. before long!

Now the draw for that lovely stamp set, so kindly offered by Sarn - Woodware's 'Delicate Daisies' - and the winner is:

 KandA (Andrea)

Well done Andrea, I have your address and will let Sarn know as the prize will be sent to you directly by her. Isn't it strange, the last prize you won here was the set of Sarntangles stamps, some time ago now - maybe Sarn is a good luck talisman/rabbit's foot?

One reason why this past week has been busy is that yesterday was my Birthday so Len took me out for a day at Longleat on Friday. We had a great day, the weather was so kind to us and with a heat patch on my back, rattling with pills and also a cushion for the 'off the road' ranger tour in a Land Rover around the Safari Park I coped pretty well. The tickets were bought a while ago and the date had been booked so we had to go through with it. We did laugh, after all the bouncing round in the Land Rover I felt my back for the heated stick on pad - and it had slid down into my knickers - wondered why my bum was so warm!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who sent me cards, Facebook messages etc. - I will thank you all individually but my time at the laptop is still being limited.

Anyhow, to celebrate my Birthday I planned a bigger prize than usual for this coming week as a thank you for all the fun and laughter - plus your fabulous snippets makes of course!

Yup, the prize is the Bird Crazy stamps and die set plus the accessories set that I used for my snippets card today. Not my own ones you understand - these are new and unopened of course!

Ideally, this should all be one prize, so that's what the offer is - all three items. BUT, I've been sitting on this prize for a few weeks now, fretting watching quietly as more and more of you succumbed to the 'Crazy Birds' and there was nothing I could do but hang on.

But, if you already have all of this prize, we have tons of lovely prizes coming up in coming weeks and I know hope that they're just the icing on the cake really.

Now, maybe you only have some of the prize and would like (say) the accessories and/or the dies 's cos perhaps you already just have the birdies or maybe you just have the dies only (err, who would do that?). It's absolutely fine to pick and choose - please just say clearly in a comment which you would like to win - remember you can have all three items as they are a bundle first and foremost, but I will split them if you want to add to your TH Bird Crazy stuff and you get picked as a winner. It might even be that someone would only want the bird stamps, to have a play with and that's fine too. First out gets their choice and then if necessary I'd just keep re-running the random number generator for second/third prizes.

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 19th September. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

Maximum of three entries and please say in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize. Or, as explained above - just one or two parts of it! Do remember that you should also link back to the Playground in your blog post to be eligible for the draw.

Mr Linky is below - please let me know if you have any problems linking, it's easy for me to sort out so don't struggle on alone :)

Di and of course, Parsnip!
x

Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - 'Hello Sunshine'

The challenge over at Cuttlebug Mania for the next two weeks is 'Hello Sunshine' - by that we mean for you to use the Sun in your project. All we ask in addition is that you use a manual embossing/die cutting machine (it isn't limited to just Cuttlebugs) and that you say in your blog post which products you used. This is my card:

I used:

- A6 white card blank

- herringbone backing paper from the MME 'Blush' paper pad, die cut with the largest die in the Lil' Inkers 'Stitched Rectangles' die set (this die actually just cuts the perforations, you have to trim the outer part off yourself if you want to cut a mat as I did)

- plain white card stock, duster brushed across with Tim Holtz 'Tumbled Glass' for the sky and then 'Faded Jeans' for the sea

- then I stamped the sailing boat in Memento 'Tuxedo Black' using a stamp from Uniko's wonderful stamp set called 'Nautical Treasures'

- next I stamped the same boat onto a piece of slightly different paper from the MME 'Blush' paper pad and added the 'Fleur-de'Lis' onto the large sail before cutting the sails out and paper piecing them onto the main image of the sailing boat

- die cut the image using the next size down from the Lil' Inkers 'Stitched Rectangles' die set

- the 'Nautical Treasures' stamp set comes with some beautiful extras so I added the small compass points in the top left hand corner and then just slightly curved one of the sentiments and stamped 'Just For You' along the back of the main sail

- next die cut the sun from a snippet of yellow card, using the sun die from the Joy! 'Sun and moon' set

- added two clouds, die cut from a snippet of white card using the MFT 'Cloud Trio' set, the top cloud was popped up on a thin sticky pad

- then I just hand drew in the seagulls using a fine point liner pen to fill in what looked (to me) like blank space calling out for a little 'je ne sais quois' :)

So, there's my DT offering - and it was great fun to make. I adore Uniko products  (thank you so much to my little blogging friend who so kindly gave me a voucher to start me off), the service from Bev is absolutely 1st Class and the clear photo polymer stamps are fabulous quality (they even come in their own DVD sized storage case much like SU's stamps do).

This sailing boat works brilliantly for paper piecing - you can colour the background as you wish (like I did with the sea and the sky), then after stamping in black you just cover up the background by paper piecing! Easy peasy.

So, with the theme of 'Hello Sunshine', why not come and join us over at Cuttlebug Mania? This fortnight we're sponsored by Stamp n doodle. Someone has to win, and of course we also pick three runners up.

Di
x

Happy Birthday Len!

Made this card for Len's Birthday, which was a feat in itself as I couldn't lock myself away as usual - so the number of times this card was very hurriedly hidden during the making did mean a few smudges :(

I used:

- 7" x 7" square white card blank

- black backing card

- greeny-yellow background was made using various TH Distress Inks, Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tools and Clarity Coated/Silk card stock

- then I stamped the 'abstract' 'swipe, using a stamp from SU's 'Work of Art' set and Adirondack 'Purple Twilight' ink

- all the other stamps come from a pre-loved Indigo Blue stamp set called 'Loud Music' with the headphones stamped and then fussy cut round before being popped on with small sticky pads

- final touch - purple Josy Rose nail heads at each corner 

Happy Birthday Len! Mwah :)

Di
x

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 140

And it's September tomorrow - here's hoping for an Indian Summer before the leaves start to fall.

My snippets card is sort of 'countrified simple' this week - mostly due to lack of time crafting and blogging:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square cream card stock

- cream snippets from the snippets folder

- a JustRite Cling 'Burlap Background' stamp, which I love! I stamped a whole background, which comes complete with the frayed edges, onto a snippet of cream card using Versafine 'Vintage Sepia' ink then trimmed it and just glued it onto the card blank

- the flowers were made by stamping onto more cream snippets using the burlap stamp and Memento 'Rhubarb Stalk' plus SU 'Old Olive' ink pads

- the stamped snippets were die cut (then shaped too) using  a Time Holtz 'Tattered Florals' die (which I also used to make leaves by just splitting some of the petals)

- final touch to the flower was a snippet of the green burlap stamped card, punched with SU's Itty Bitty round stamp and then shaped into a dome (also known as 'Sarn candi!)

- the SU 'Wonderful Words' sentiment was stamped using SU's 'Old Olive'

Just to point out, given more time I'd have played with different coloured background card to stamp the 'burlap' onto - I bet there are loads of other ways to play. And I'd have spent more time making sure the stamp was correctly pressed down all over - but it sort of adds to the faded charm :) The stamp is BIG, it's 4.5" x 5.75" and it's a cling stamp, therefore unmounted of course. I might have an acrylic block big enough tucked away but for speed I used the thickest plate from my Cuttlebug.

Straight into this week's picks now:

I mostly post the weekly picks in numerical order, as I make a list as the week goes by. This card, made by Lesley G, was right up there as an early pick and for me it's the top pick of the week too! Lesley gets very excited when her cards are picked so I hope she's sitting down right now :) What I absolutely love about this card is how the guitar was made using SU's owl punch for the body, sound hole and also the tuning pegs - and the design of the card is great too. This is one that a few of us might be CASE-ing for sure! Stop squealing Lesley!! :)

Anne made this great card - I love the impact plus the clever sentiment! It reminded me of when Len shaved his moustache off as it was showing some grey flecks. I'd never seen him without one and he did one half first then popped his head out of the bathroom to let me see. I shouted 'Put it back, I prefer you with a moustache!', Not very helpful was I :(

I picked this card made by Pat because of the fabulous image and colouring. Even the ribbon is a snippet from a top (you know, the narrow ribbon to hold clothes on hangers) - but it's the amazing colouring that really, really got me!

You really must check out how Elizabeth made these wonderful petals and leaves on her snippets card - such a clever idea. See if you can guess and then go and take a peek for yourself!

I love this darling set of card with matching bag - made by Jenny L! Absolutely gorgeous poinsettias and a great way to use up snippets.

This card was made by Bonnie for Merry Monday's challenge. Those of you who don't know, Bonnie is on their DT and chose the theme of Christmas wreath - would you just look at how delicate that wreath is, and beautifully coloured too. I also just realised that the 'Holly Vine' die isn't in a wreath shape when you cut it - that was some careful placement Bonnie!

Thoughts here are turning to school and the Autumn term - some countries kiddies have already returned and some will return after the UK (Germany is around 18th September where our little grand daughters live). Veerle made this lovely House Mouse card to celebrate 'Back to School'. Oh dear, I just noticed one of the book titles in the middle of the pile 'Public Squeaking' - tee, hee :)

Here's something with a difference - our Sam hopped in with a 'brush roll' she'd sewn using up snippets. Brilliant! And of course, snippets can be fabric, lace, ribbon, card, paper etc. etc.

I absolutely had to show you this lovely card, made by Mary H - what fabulous colouring!

This is a great card, made by Sandy J - somehow apple pie and red gingham are such perfect partners. Plus, here's a clever tip from Sandy, you know those peel off or domed letters that always seem to have oddments left? I've got some on my desk right now and they both have the letters U and Y left over - find an M (there's usually more of those) and you've got YUM! :)

And finally, as we're heading towards Autumn I thought this card, made by Sue J, was a perfect way to finish this week's picks! Sue has a link to the digital images website where little Scarecrow Willie' came from  - I know I've bookmarked it!

And we have two new playmates this week:

Rebecca V came to play, encouraged by our Liz (Cavill) and brought this lovely bunting card. A great way to use up snippets! Rebecca hasn't been blogging for more than a month or so and it would be lovely if some of you could hop over to say hello. I predict that we'll be seeing some beautiful cards and that Rebecca will quickly go from strength to strength - take a look at this for example:

That's a first I think for me - can't recall ever showing two cards from a playmate's very first visit but if this card above wouldn't be a winning contender for a CAS or LIM card then I'll eat my sun hat!

And here's our second new playmate's entry:

Another card perfect for 'Back to School' - and I love the paperclips! Elly is the name of our new friend, she hails from the Netherlands and if you hop over I've spotted some great idea for bags and packaging over at Elly's blog! Do remember girls, when a blog is written in other than English you can usually find a translate button either at the top of the blog or in the sidebar. Google translate isn't brilliant but it's a huge help if you're a sticky beak like me and want to find out just how things have been made!

A huge welcome to both of you - please come and play with us often - we're almost at the time for baked potatoes in the bonfire :) Parsnip is hiding this year - he hasn't forgotten attempts to tie a rocket to his back and launch him into space last Guy Fawkes night!

Time now for the draw for the winner of last week's prize, the double pack of Christmas embossing folders and the 'Leaping Deer' die. And the winner is:

Elizabeth

Congratulations Elizabeth! I have your address and will pop the package in the post this week :) It's over a year since Elizabeth won a prize, mostly due to opting out of the draw quite often I suspect. But this time I only had to run Mr Random once - Elizabeth popped out straight away and hadn't opted out, yay! :)

And this coming week's prize is, of course:

A JustRite 'Burlap Background' stamp of your very own :)

As usual, the Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 6th September and will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

Maximum of three entries and please say 'No thank you' in a comment if you wish to still play but not be the winner of the prize.

Mr Linky is below - please let me know if you have any problems linking, it's easy for me to sort out so don't struggle on alone :)

Some of you will have noticed that recently it sometimes takes me a while to comment on your lovely snippets entries. I'm trying to balance things a bit more here (running the home versus sitting in the 'woman-cave' for too long) - but will get to you I promise! 


Have a great week! And remember, there's a sticky post at the top of my blog - a free draw for a Joanna Sheen gift voucher. You just need to comment to be in with a chance!
 
Di (and the usual happy wave from Parsnip of course)
x