Loving the Tree Stamp!

Hiya! Here's another couple of cards using my new tree stamp. I've been trying the brayer out again. I find it really difficult and very messy, but I love the effect of brayered backgrounds :)

I'm entering this one in The Crazy Challenge 'Men Only' challenge.

I'm entering this one in the The Squirrel and The Fox 'Anything Goes' challenge.


I showed these cards to my other half, to get some feedback, and he said the stamp was a bit pointless, but the background was nice! Well, at least he likes my attempts at brayering, I suppose. I was lucky to get any sort of compliment. One night when the girls were round for a card making night, he walked in and said; "oh, good. You're all sticking bits of card to other bits of card.' He really doesn't appreciate our efforts!!!

New Inkadinkado Utopiary Stamps

Hiya! Found myself on eBay again, and bought more stamps :-s  Really fell in love with these stamps from Inkadinkado:

I've been playing around, wondering how to use them. I made this one first, and have entered it in the Less is More 'Anything CAS Goes' challenge. I hope it's CAS enough :-s 

I have also entered it in The Crazy Challenge 'Men Only' challenge. I struggle with cards for men, but I think this one is quite masculine, despite the gold threads... it's so hard not to add bling!!!

Things with Wings

Hiya! Finally managed to get some card making done, and had a good time just mucking about with stamps and inks :)

Inspired by all the challenges my friend Linda enters, I decided to have a go at Papertake's Things With Wings . I tried to enter last night, but my internet connection died, so I hope I'm not too late...

I'm still trying to get the hang of using a brayer, and sponging edges. I was smothered in inks by the time I finished this! I used Lavinia stamps, Stampin' Up &  Adirondack inks and DCWV Once Upon A Time backing paper.

I'm also entering this in The Squirrel and The Fox 'Anything Goes' challenge, and The Paper Shelter 'Fairies and Elves' challenge.

Missing making beads and cards

Haven't been on here for a while, mainly because I haven't made anything recently. I've been ill since the beginning of July, and can't wait to get my operation over with, so I can get back to making and melting things!

However, I am very lucky to have wonderful family and friends, who have been visiting a lot, and keeping me sane :)  This week we had a girly card making night, where more gossipping than cards was done, but it was good to have such wonderful company :) I made a card, but it was a joint effort - Linda's design, and Lou inked all the edges!

Linda made a couple of very pretty cards:

Her blog is here: Crafty Distraction

I haven't made any glass beads for months, and I really miss it. These are the last ones I made, back in May & June:

So because I haven't actually done anything for ages, I've posted photos of cards Linda made, and beads I made ages ago :)

Crafty Distraction's Open House

Had a wonderful time at Crafty Distraction's Open House yesterday. Had a go with lots of different Stampin' Up stamps, inks and card - gorgeous stuff! I'm going to have to put in another order soon.

I made a couple of cards and a couple of little notelets:

Thanks, Linda! It was a really great day!

Less Is More One Layer Challenge - Sentiment Focus

I've been having a go at a challenge for the first time in ages - the Less Is More One Layer Challenge.

Inspired by Linda (Crafty Distraction), I dug out my tapestry stamps. I'm not very good at getting a clean result with them, as I tend to over-use them, but I'm quite pleased with this card. I cut a large stencil for the lettering, stamped with Card-io stamps, and used stickles on the flowers.

Craft Day at Linda's

Had a wonderful time with Linda & Kelly at Linda's craft day yesterday! Made 3 cards with wire flowers:

Using my NEC purchases

Finally starting to use my Lavinia stamps! I keep buying some every time I go to the Hobbycraft Fair at the NEC, but have never really used them before.

Definitely need more practise, but I'm quite pleased with my first few attempts :)