Just My Type - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

We celebrated Eid yesterday - was a quiet one but had company for dinner which was good. An exciting day today as my youngest has his prize giving at school which I am very much looking forward to.

The Daring Cardmakers have a fun challenge this week with a typewriter theme so you can either use a typewriter or a typewriter font on your card.  I must admit I loved making my card for it.

I used an old Tonic Studios Set for the typewriter and glasses and added elements to give it a feminine touch.

You can see lots more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I hope you'll join in.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Tonic Studios Loveable Library Stamp & Die Set
First Edition Forever Free Paper Pad
Everything else from my stash

Delightful Daisies Card Creator - Tonic Studios Craft Kit 63 Launch

Happy Tuesday!

I don't know where the first 2 days of the school holidays have gone.  Thankfully the snow has melted and it's milder so we've managed to fit some outdoor activities in.

Being the 20th of the month, it is time for the launch of the latest Tonic Studios Craft Kit - the Delightful Daisies Card Creator.  There is a lot you can do with this Kit as it contains so many elements - stamps, dies, Nuvo products, cardstock, stamp pads, blender brushes etc. Here are my affiliate links:

UK and Europe: HERE

USA: HERE

For my first creation, I used the die to create a gatefold card.  It's so easy to do and I added other die cut elements.  Inside, I used the stamps from the kit and coloured in with my Nuvo Coloured Pencils.

For my second creation, once again all the dies and cardstock are from the Kit, I created a fun fold.  I used the Nuvo Glitter drops from the Kit to add some more decoration.

I think this may well be my last blog post before Christmas so I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

See you next week,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Tonic Studios Craft Kit 63 - Delightful Daisies Card Creator

Showcase Sew Crafty Special Edition Die Set - Tonic Studios

Happy Tuesday!

There's a Cyber Week special edition launch from Tonic Studios today.  This set not only comes with a set of 40 dies to make 3D and projects and cards but it also includes storage pouch, double sided cardstock, a stencil and a set of 25 stamps.

If you're in the UK or Europe you can purchase it HERE

If you're in the USA you can purchase it here HERE

I was tasked with making cards using the Set and I added various products from my stash too.

For my first card I decided to create a cotton reel shaped card from kraft card.  I wrapped ribbon around it and added the lace die cuts.  I added die cut pins that I put Nuvo drops on - don't they look realistic?  I finished the card by adding some more die cut elements to my card and a heat embossed sentiment.

For my second creation, I opted for a slimline card.  I used some of the patterned papers and stamps.  I went through the stencil with glimmer paste to give an added texture and chose coloured ink for my stamping to create a fresh looking card.

Grab yourself your bargain and see the other Cyber Week deals Tonic has to offer as well before they end tomorrow!

See you again soon,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Tonic Studios Showcase Sew Crafty Special Edition Die Set

Nuvo Glimmer Paste

Nuvo Ink Pads

Ribbon from my stash

Message In A Bottle - Tonic Studios Craft Kit 61 Launch

Happy Thursday!

It's the 20th of the month and time for the latest craft kit by Tonic Studios!  I absolutely loved creating with this Kit.  It has a mixture of papers including vellum, a printed paper pad, die set, stamp set and lots of other products to try!

You can find the Kit:

HERE - if you are based in the UK or Europe

HERE - if you are in the USA

For my first creation I sprayed the vellum with Mica Mist then added embellishment paste to the top and die cut waves - I love the texture and sheen.  I also used the vellum as my background and went over it with a couple of ink pads. I'm a huge fan of sentiments and love the ones in the set - the one I have used is a favourite of mine! 

For my second creation I made good use of the papers from the paper pad and made a scene using the shells and bottle dies.  Can you see how the crab is holding the sentiment like a sign?  It made me smile.

If you fancy having a look at the Kit my links are above at no cost to you.

See you again soon,

Shabneez

Be Happy! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Feels like ages since I last posted but I don't think it's been that long really!  Autumn is definitely here as it is chillier in the mornings when we leave for school and it's dark!

I'm up on the Daring Cardmakers this week (and next!) and I decided we all need to be happy so that's my theme - share a card with 'happy' on it!

I happened to pick 'Happy Holidays' as I like holidays!  The stamp and die set is an old one from Tonic Studios which I bought recently in their sale and I used my watercolour pencils with a waterbrush to colour in the stamped and die cut Christmas roses.

The stamp set has some fabulous background stamps and I used one with distress ink to form some more interest in my frame.

You can see what the rest of the Design Team have done HERE and there is a link for you to join in!

Have a lovely weekend,

Shabneez

Products used:

Tonic Studios Stamp Club - Christmas Rose

Nuvo Watercolour Pencils

Waterbrush

Everything else from my stash

Hello Spring! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

After a good few weeks following the storms we finally got our fences repaired/replaced.  It was worth the wait and the garden looks so much better.  However, it'll mean I need to do some pruning at some point soon so the fence is seen more!

This Sunday sees the official first day of Spring so I thought why not make a challenge of it and I did!  The Daring Cardmakers would like to see anything Spring related on your cards this week.

I picked on the newly released Bunnies & Blooms Die Set by Tonic Studios and decided to use the dies in non traditional ways.  The card fits perfectly into an A7 sized envelope.  This is important to me as although I make my own envelopes it's so much easier using a ready made one!

In my mind I had a floral meadow with bunnies hopping through it so that's what I created!  I really loved making the card and added Nuvo Drops for a little sparkle.

You can see lots more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I do hope you'll join in.

You may find me in the garden this weekend but only if the sun is out!

See you next week,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Tonic Studios Bunnies & Blooms Die Set

Tonic Studios Nuvo Drops

Tonic Studios Cardstock and Paper

Everything else from my stash

Layer It Up! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's been a very exciting week for me with lots of amazing crafty adventures on the horizon.  I also received some crafty packages in the post together with a very thoughtful card from a fellow crafty friend.

Today I'm hosting the Daring Cardmaker Challenge and I've chosen the theme to be 'Layer It Up!'.  I've used paper layers on my card with an additional layer of wire!

I used items from a couple of my craft packages received namely the die set and the WRMK Happy Jig.  I often buy used items as you can pick up some good bargains and both these certainly were!  This card is centred around the love birds.  I googled what love birds look like and used the bright colours to layer up the die cuts.  

It only took me about 5 minutes to shape the word 'love' on the Happy Jig - it was much easier than I had anticipated.  I definitely think it's a tool I'll be using often and one I recommend for sure.

Lots more wonderful inspiration can be found HERE together with the link to join in with this week's challenge.  I can't wait to see your creations!

We have guests for dinner this weekend so it'll be a busy but enjoyable one once I decide what to cook that is!  I always finding deciding what to cook the most difficult.  

Have a great weekend!

Shabneez

Products Used:

WRMK Happy Jig

Sizzix Love Birds Shadow Box Thinlit Dies

Everything else from my stash

July Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy July!

It's been a great week full of sunshine and creativity along with a very memorable Prize Giving for the boys which we attended earlier in the week.  The last scheduled school Sports Day was cancelled due to rain but hopefully the one on Monday will go ahead as the forecast looks to be dry and the boys are looking forward to it.

As it's the first Friday of the month, it's an elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers and I have decided to incorporate the latest Sweet Dixie Time for Tea collection in my post as it fits perfectly.

I made a slight twist on an easel card so it looked more like a table and after matting and layering my papers I die cut a doily die as the base for which to stand my very fancy cup and tea pot.  Of course I had to add a silver spoon too!  The card folds flat for posting and it'll be winging its way to my Mum who is a big tea lover.  The dies are all on Pick of The Week on Create & Craft this week and I was fortunate to make some show samples as well which have been aired.

Below you can see how I have chosen the teapot, the cornflower blue, the spoon and the gingham as my elements from the photo chosen by Dawn.

You can see more inspiration HERE and I hope that you'll join in with this fun challenge.

I have Parent Meetings to prepare for tomorrow and a lot of work so I think it'll be a busy weekend for me!

Enjoy your weekend whatever you do!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Create & Craft Gingham card

Sweet Dixie Teacup, Saucer and Floral Embellishments Die Set

Sweet Dixie Teapot Die

Sweet Dixie Cream Jug, Sugar Bowl and Spoon Die Set

Sweet Dixie Lace Frames Die Set

Craftwork Cards Sentiment

Dovecraft Couture Du Jour Papers

Everything else from my stash

Oh Man! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I did warn you that I'd be back so here I am!  We've been so lucky with the weather this half term and I've been out and about with the boys making the most of it.  In fact, I've taken some photos at the nature reserve near our house and have shared one later on in this post.

Before that I better tell you about the latest Daring Cardmakers challege.  Kathy has trouble with male cards and wants to see your inspiration to help her!  The only addition is that the card shouldn't be for a child.

I'm a fan of personalised cards (although I can't actually remember ever receiving one but that could be due to the fact that my name is rather long!) and I send them often as who doesnt like to see their name in print?  This was a simple card for a football fan - not that all men like sports but this one happened to.  You could of course substitute the football for something else that your repicient likes.

My favourite part of the card is the stamped sentiment using the Ranger Letter It Birthday set.  I just love that scripty font and until I can write like that I'm happy to use this set!  You'll be able to see a lot more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I hope you'll join in and share your inspiration with us!

Here is the nature reserve with all the ducks!  I used to take the boys regularly and as babies in the buggy and it would be a daily walk.  The boys may be older but they still really enjoy going there.

This weekend I will be preparing for a demo at The Range in St Albans that opens next week so lots of beautiful papers are on my desk ready!  

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you do!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Ranger Letter It Birthday Stamp Set

Everything else from my stash

October Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

What a week it's been!  I've had a great week working with Pinkfresh Studio products and then celebrating our wedding anniversary.  I was treated to a delicious Thai lunch and a make your own tiramisu for dessert!

So, it's the first Friday of the month and an elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I fell in love with the images and colours Dawn chose for this one.  I had an idea in my head and then just played around with it once I had decided on what elements to use.

For the leaves I smooshed a background using various autumnal colours of distress inks then I die cut them out.

I made the pumpkin using 3 ovals that I die cut and inked then overlapped together.   I've seen the pumpkins made with more ovals so you can play and see what works best for you.

Below you'll see the beautiful board that Dawn has chosen.  I love all the colours and elements and when you join in you simply have to choose 3 elements.  I have chosen the leaves, colours and the pumpkin. 

I do hope that you will join in and I look forward to seeing your creations.  You can see more inspiration HERE.

I am on my travels again this weekend and will be at The Range in Romford on Sunday from 11am with some Trimcraft Christmas demos.

See you next week!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Dovecraft Leaf Mini Dies

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Sizzix Stitched Oval Dies by Tim Holtz

AC Moore Paper Pad

Clearly Besotted Stamp Set

I would like to enter this card into the Double 'D' Challenges

Let's Go Tropical! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Not sure about tropical weather today which I could certainly do with as it's Sports Day for the boys today!  As I type I can see the grey clouds but hopefully they will pass...... I do enjoy watching the boys and their friends and cheering them on!

On with the Daring Cardmakers challenge which I set this week and I have requested anything tropical.  I'm talking about bright, bold colours and prints. Tropical, fruit, flowers, birds and animals can all feature.  I think you get my drift!

I've had such a lot of fun with my creation as the theme is one very dear to my heart being one who loves bright and beautiful!  I went all out using monstera leaves that are typically found in the jungle together with some tropical flowers and the Aloha sentiment.  Most of the dies are by Trimcraft.  My favourite has to be the pineapple which I'm sure you 'll agree is the star of the card - a favourite Trimcraft die of mine!

I do hope you'll check out the rest of the inspiration over on the Daring Cardmakers blog HERE and I look forward to seeing your creations!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Trimcraft Aloha, Pineapple, Flowers and Leaf Dies
Spellbinders Leaf Dies
Sizzix Circle Dies
Everything else from my stash

Feeling Blue - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Well, what a week it's been.  Bit of a whirlwind but at least the boys are now back at school so I can work without feeling guilty.  They happily get involved with what I'm doing but I still get those pangs of guilt.  Working from home takes juggling your home and work life to a whole new level and you'd think I'd have got used to it after all these years but it's not the case. 

Yesterday, I was invited on Create & Craft yesterday as a Guest Presenter to showcase the Darice dies.  One of the samples I made just happened to fit with this week's Daring Cardmakers challenge of using blue.  How lucky was that?!  I just love it when I can use one project for two purposes!

 I've used the new Darice dies that you can use to die cut, emboss and stencil. 

For the white glittery butterflies I used Darice glitter paper and for the others I simply cut, embossed then coloured with my distress inks.  The 'Hello' sentiment I cut, embossed then used the die as a stencil to add the different shades.  I adore butterflies and could happily use them on all my projects but then you'd be bored of seeing them I'm sure!  The royal blue background makes the elements pop.

I hope that you'll join in with the Challenge and see all the wonderful cards that my fellow DT members have created HERE.

I'm very much looking forward to the weekend as my sister in law is visiting and we're planning on having a BBQ - making the most of the sunshine while it lasts!

Have a lovely weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Darice Butterfly Dies
Darice Sentiment Dies
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Everything else from my stash