Author: Catherine

Hello! I actually made this card towards the beginning of August as I wanted to use the Waffle flower poinsettia background stencil that I had bought but not used during the Christmas in July series.

I decided to stencil onto the cream cardstock and for the first one I kept it simple with just the ink.

This creates such a beautiful panel of paper.

I decided for the second card panel that I would add in the versamark after the initial inking of the red and then clear embossing.

This gives the red petals some shine and texture.

I did add gold pen to the centre of the flowers of the first card but it doesn’t show so well on the finished card.

I decided to add the red frame that I die cut and then I used the leftover red to create the mat for the panel.

For each I added the Tim Holtz moose which were already die cut and inked up ready from when I used them a while ago for the Christmas in July- I die cut a few whilst I had the die out so there were some ready to go!

I also added the die cut sentiments that were made in a batch earlier that day.

I added some die cut holly leaves just behind the sentiment cut from inked cardstock so they match the inking on the background panel.

I chose to use green as a card blank for one and red for the other. The red one I added some foam behind the panel so it’s a raised dimensional card.

Inside both cards I added a cream panel and the scrap cut off the stencilled panel as a strip.

This helps link the inside with the outside.

Once again the process was captured on camera so please check out my YouTube channel.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Took the Boho Butterfly set out of the stash to play with and then halfway through the project it went a little wrong and then I added the Garden Path stencil set into the mix and love the final mashup!

I kept the background stencil all soft and pastel with the bold sentiment which then allowed the butterflies to pop off the card front.

I didn’t do the best job of lining up the stencil for the background but it didn’t matter when I added the butterflies as they are the focal feature!

Inside the card looks just as pretty and would make a great CAS card front too …

All in all a lovely card.

I did video the playtime and so you can check that out on YouTube!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

I did end up grabbing those final pieces of patterned paper that were already cut up to make two more cards – this time a different approach but again similar cards.

This time I went for the Sahara Sand as the base and this gorgeous butterfly themed paper and teamed it with lots of the Pierced bloom die cuts.

On both I stuck the paper down on the base of the cardstock and then ran it through the painted texture embossing folder. I love the look that this gives (and it reminds me of Artex walls from the 80’s!)

I chose the pierced bloom die cuts I thought worked well with the colours – pink, Kraft, blackberry bliss and white. I also added in those flower embellishments with the little wooden beads in the centre that I think work so well with these papers and the floral die cuts.

I added a nest of thread too to add in that softer texture.

On the first card I added a little banner behind the sentiment again from my stash of ready made die cuts.

This second card I added in the pink circle to ground the floral elements and the sentiment.

On this I also added that little touch of metallic with the rose gold leaf and flower centre.

So I’ve finally finished with the pouch that I put together of this paper and some die cut elements back in January but it’s been good to revisit all through the year and have a rethink on any plans I had for these papers. I must admit it also became a bit of a challenge to me as I kept veering away from getting this project done as it wasn’t always appealing to me. Funny how it sometimes works against you having a grab and go type project there!

Ah well! it is done now and really happy with how this pair of cards worked!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Made this card with the lovely Scenic Pumpkin Patch stamp set that I got as a birthday gift as my design team contribution for Addicted to stamps and more.

It’s a lovely little scene building stamp set but I just created the little panel for the front of this thank you card.

I added some panels and the texture in the background along with some lovely splatters. Then wrapped with the linen thread and some card Candi as final embellishments.

Sentiment is the lovely Altenew one die cut and stacked so it’s nice and sturdy.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Yet another tag I’ve made for the UK Stampers Forum swap.

This is die cut heavy but still has some stamped elements.

I started by covering a chipboard tag with a gelli print background I had made.

I then stamped the script stamp across the background in black with clear embossing to give it texture and shine.

I then assembled the die cuts from the stitching dies set from a few months ago but without stitching (I wasn’t in the mood to sew and they work well without the stitching).

I added lots of flowers coming from the cup using colours I thought worked with the background.

I added a scrap of the ribbon and then two stamped sentiments – the top one from Concord & 9th and the other Altenew.

I then added some sequins for some extra sparkle.

I added sari twine through the top of the tag and then added some doodled borders.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

As it’s the first of the month I am back with patterned paper as the focus and I went back to the Crafters Companion paper and the panels that were already cut up for a sheetload of cards challenge I never finished! I totally ignored the instructions and put several bits together for these two cards that were similar but of course different!

Both had a larger panel of the paper and then two smaller pieces and both I chose the pink for the base cardstock!

This one I did first. I chose a wreath die cut from Spellbinders and then added the fussy cut flowers and some little gem flower embellishments to add. I also added the crumb cake pierced bloom leaves to add in a little contrast.

I grabbed ready die cut and stamped sentiments and some white thread to make a bow. I wanted a banner for underneath the sentiment so I grabbed this ready die cut one and coloured it pink to match.

The second card I chose to use the die cut leaf from the Artistic dies to ground the floral elements.

Again I added the fussy cut flowers and then the little flower embellishments I found in the stash. I chose a grey banner for under the sentiment and a little nest of the thread.

That spray of leaves is so pretty and I really like the little flower embellishments to add something a little different.

Have still got a few panels of the patterned paper in a pouch ready to use so maybe will try and get those finished and out of the basket of projects to do in the next few days! Obviously still got lots of the patterned paper left too so still many more projects to make using this shabby floral paper!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

I had a few days off blogging. Think the fact the princess is leaving for uni soon is hitting at the moment and so I’ve had zero energy for being creative. At least I was a little ahead on my Festive Friday projects so this one was preprepared! I’m sure the mojo will come back – just needed a few days of rest!

Went back to the stack of painty backgrounds for this weeks Festive Friday.

I had a big test of my mojo in making these particular papers work but I knew from the beginning that I was going to use the Spellbinders stitching die as the topper!

I did stick the camera on to capture my process … so please checkout the video.

This one I embossed and die cut with the Merriest Moments die and folder. Then layered onto a panel I’d embossed with the Hardwood folder.

Love the texture and the way the other die cut frames the stitched die cut.

Obviously the scene stealer is definitely the stitched die and love this traditional colour scheme I chose for both the pieces.

Nice to have the variations between them but both kept quite traditional.

This one I die cut the background using the pierced snowflake Waffleflower cover die but it’s not so obvious with the painty background.

I like the little pops of white in the sewing for this one plus the different greens I used on the leaves.

I did add a little doodled border on the red piece but not sure it’s very visible in the end … but sometimes it’s fun to play!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Today I have a card I made just because I wanted to make something using the Altenew Big World stamp and die set I bought in the sale. For once I also kept this clean and simple! Weird! But the stamped image itself is just gorgeous!

Three layers of stamping creates the world … and there is a second set of the three images for a different view (the Americas) and then added the stamped sentiment and the die cut word!

Added two layers of cardstock to frame and that was it! No embellishments or anything!

I just felt the image was all that was needed!

I did do some stamping on the inside of the card too using the mini atlas stamp.

This kept it tied in with the front but obviously not the same.

Just love how this turned out, and was really impressed with how easy it was to line up the stamps.

Now even though this is an easy card I did video it for my YouTube channel so please do pop along there to watch how easy it was!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

On days like today I am glad I prep ahead for my blog and had this ready to post as I’m weary after a fun night out and have my parents popping round to have lunch in a bit so definitely no time or energy for crafting! So here is a prepped ahead blog post for you!

For this card I grabbed that pouch of Crafters Companion paper that was already cut up and made another card.

I decided to start with the base of the embossing using the fern folder and lightly inked with pink then the topper of the patterned paper. There were also the four tiny pieces of the paper so I backed them with the pink cardstock to create a window type shape.

I then added in the white die cuts and the fussy cut stems…. But decided it needed something to separate it out a little so went for a strip of Kraft but pulled in an ancient rub on to add to that.

I added foam behind the window shape to lift it above and thought it looked pretty.

I grabbed a ready stamped sentiment that was die cut and some banner die cuts. I coloured the banner with the promarker in a pale green colour I thought went with the paper colours to go underneath.

Love how this came together easily with those die cuts and the lacy rub on adding some different elements.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

I played along with the 1 sketch 3 ways challenge which my friends Helen, Sarah and Jackie organise over on Facebook. I also videoed the process for this which you can find on YouTube.

My page definitely doesn’t look the same as the sketch but was inspired by it and the same building blocks are there for the page.

I chose to only use the part on the left hand side and had far fewer photos to use but I think it still works!

I added lots of machine sewing and of course some distress inks using the packaging technique.

I also added some bits from the Bramble Fox Club kit and the Lollipop Box Club kit.

Happy crafting!

Catherine