Flamingo! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's been a wonderful week with blue skies and glorious sunshine.  We now have rain but the garden certainly needs it!  Just as well as the boys have been on half term and have enjoyed playing in the garden with their water guns.  One has been revising for his forthcoming exams as well.

The Daring Cardmakers have a wonderful summer themed elemental challenge this week and I got out my Dovecraft Finding Paradise Paper Pad again.  The co-ordinating elements make life so much easier!

I have a thing for circles.  You may have noticed.  I love using them and this card is no exception!  I thought it would be fun to have the flamingo say 'Yay' as it's on the washi tape and goes well with the celebratory theme of the card.

Here is some further information on the challenge together with the image from which I have chosen the colours, the flamingo and wording.  You can see lots more inspiration from the rest of the DT HERE.

I'm going to make the most of the remaining half term holiday before the finale of the summer terms begins!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Dovecraft Finding Paradise Paper Pad

Dovecraft Finding Paradise Toppers

Finding Paradise Washi Tape

First Edition Birthday Dies

Dovecraft Self Adhesive Glitter Paper

Time for Tea Designs Circle of Love Dies

Everything else from my stash

Tropical Paradise - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I took a week off last week as we were celebrating the festival of Eid which comes after the Islamic month of fasting.  I think I have got into the habit of blogging so miss it when I am away!

The Daring Cardmakers have gone all tropical this week which is a good thing as the weather our end is nothing but dull and rainy with some hail and sleet thrown in for good measure!

I used the brand new Dovecraft Finding Paradise paper pad and embellishments for my card which work so well together and I think are ideal for this challenge.  

I also have a confession to make as I bought a new tool -  the We R Memory Keepers Word Punchboard as it is on offer at Create & Craft for a fabulous price so treated myself!  It's a great tool and so easy to use so look out for more projects with it soon.

You can see lots more tropical themes cards from my fellow DT HERE and I hope you'll join in!

Enjoy your weekend - my little one has his first birthday party to go to following COVID, a small one with just a few classmates.

See you next week,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Doveccraft Finding Paradise Paper Pad & Embellishments

We R Memory Keepers Word Punchboard

April Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's great having a few days off to recharge the batteries.  Shame the nice weather didn't stay!

As it's the first Friday of the month it's the elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I decided to go floral and used a favourite stamp of mine from CrafTangles.

I stamped the image on book paper and then used my water colour palette to colour it in.  I then tried a multitude of frames then settled on this photo frame.  I stamped the sentiment and matted on to black card.

This is the image from which you have to choose 3 elements, colours count as one.  

I chose the colours, book pages, flower and rectangle shape.  You can see lots more inspiration from the DT HERE and I do hope you'll join in.

I hope you have a wonderful long weekend and see you next week!

Shabneez

Products Used:

CrafTangles Just A Note Stamp Set

Dovecraft Photo Frame

Watercolour Pallette

Everything else from my stash

Let's Smoosh! - Tubby Crafts DT

Happy September!

I'm wayyyyyy behind on my blog as I've been away for most of August.  We had an amazing holiday and managed to spend time with family in America too.  The boys are back at school and so I've been trying to get back into the routine.

This post was on the Tubbycraft blog at the end of August and in fact it was created at the beginning of August but I just haven't had time to get it out on my own blog until now.  I decided to do a post on smooshing as it's something I really enjoy and the dye based inks Tubby Crafts has are perfect for this technique!

So for the first card I used the Unicorn Dreams set and isn't that unicorn so adorable!  I used the Tubby Craft ink pads to colour in the stamped image too.

For my second card I used the technique on a shell and I'm really pleased with the way it came out.

I heat embossed the sentiment to make it pop and I added Dovecraft 3D Pearl effects to the pearl in the middle and I think it looks quite realistic don't you?

Hopefully I'll be back on track soon and I will be hopping over to your blogs to comment as well.  Thanks to those of you who commented in my absence.

Have a great weekend!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Tubby Craft Dye Inks in: Imperial Red, Tangy Orange, Lemon Yellow, Lawn Green, Aqua Blue, Lavender Violet, Chocolate Brown, Mustard Yellow and Jet Black.

Tubby Craft Unicorn Dreams Stamp Set

Tubby Craft Precious Treasure Stamp Set

Dovecraft 3D Pearl Effects

Everything else from my stash

January Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

How has your week been?  It's all slowly getting back to normal my end with the boys back at school.  Lots of interesting craft projects have come my way so I'm in my element!

The Daring Cardmakers are back starting with the January Elemental Challenge.  I decided to make a baby card using a wreath die set I bought in the January sales.  I'd had my eye on it for some time as I could see myself thinking up different uses for it.  This time I added a sleeping teddy decoupage to it - isn't it cute?

Below is the board that Sylvia has chosen.  You pick any 3 elements to use on your your card so I chose colours, the texture from the knitting for which I used an embossing folder and the teddy bear.  I actually had an issue deciding what to choose as there are so many interesting elements.  Of course having so many possibilities means the DT has come up with lots of inspiration and you can see it all HERE.  I hope you'll join in as we'd love to see your creations!

Have a wonderful weekend and see you again next week,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Sizzix Pretty Wreath Die
Sizzix Dainty Lowercase Alphabet
Marianne Designs Dot Embossing Folder
Dovecraft Dovecraft Tiny Tatty Paper Pad
Tiny Tatty Decoupage Pad
Everything else from my stash

Cosy Home - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I have a list as long as my arm to complete today - not sure what my chances are but I'm certainly thinking positive!

A new challenge has begun over on the Daring Cardmakers set by Miri to create a home inspired card - could be an animal, human or even alien home!

I've used the brand new Trimcraft Hey Baby range to make my New Home card.  I've die cut an aperture using the Christmas Gingerbread House die and fussy cut the heart element in the centre from the same pad.

I added lettering from one of the First Edition Alphabet sets and finished off with some gems.

Funnily enough this is now my go to template for new home cards.  I created this template when I joined in a challenge at the end of last year to use a Trimcraft Christmas pad for a non Christmas design.  This is what I came up with then:

Similar design but just added glitter washi tape and hearts - you know how I love a bit of sparkle!

You can find lots more inspiration HERE from the rest of the Design Team.

I'm at The Range in Enfield on Sunday doing demos from 11am with Trimcraft's latest collection.  If you happen to be around it would be lovely to meet you.

Have a great weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
First Edition Hey Baby Paper Pad
Simply Creative Adhesive Gems
First Edition Alphabet Die Set
Dovecraft Gingerbread House Die
All adhesive from Stix 2 Anything

The Special Ones - Daring Cardmakers DT

Greetings!

This week on the Daring Cardmakers it's all about the special cards - the ones for the people who mean a lot to you.

I've used a preloved Lawn Fawn stamp and die set that I recently bought.  There are many companies whose products I adore but I tend to wait until I can get used products or wait for the sale!  I made two cards one for a husband and the other for a wife.

I made them at the same time so you can see I used the negative from the die cut for the aperture on the other card.

For the first card I die cut a cross stitched shape which resembles a snow globe.  I added my stamped, coloured and die cut owl together with the sentiment from the same set which I stamped in a die cut stitched heart.  I stamped some hearts along the bottom to add a little more interest.

The second card is my favourite of the two.  I'm rather partial to hot pink and the aperture with the snowflakes and gems makes a cute background .  I added a little washi to this one.

I hope you'll join in with the challenge and you'll find more inspiration HERE.

I apologise for not being to comment on your blogs at the moment.  I'm taking a break from blogging until life gets a little less complicated.  I will definitely be back though.

Enjoy your weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Lawn Fawn - Winter Owl and Die Set
Dovecraft Time to Sparkle Washi Tape
Kuretake Zig Clean Color Brush Pens
All adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash

Gift Bag or Box - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

How's your week been?  I've had a very productive week this week and managed to achieve a lot so I'm happy.  As a bonus, I get to spend a weekend with my family as I'm not working and I'm very much looking forward to it!

The Daring Cardmakers are in 'Step Away From the Card's mode and the first of these is to create or decorate a bag or box.

I opted to make a really versatile gift bag which can be made to any size.  I've used one of my favourite collections - Trimcraft's Time to Sparkle range.  I've used washi tape at the top and bottom and used a matching cardstock sticker for the tag.  To hold it together I've used a sparkly gold glitter peg.

It's a simple bag but I wanted to show that you don't have to spend lots of time to make a pretty gift bag and it beats buying one!

Lots more inspiration over on the Daring Cardmakers blog HERE - hope you'll join in!

See you again over the weekend!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Trimcraft Time to Sparkle Paper Pad
Time to Sparkle Chipboard Stickers
Time to Sparkle Glitter Tags
Time to Sparkle Peg
Dovecraft Adhesive

November Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

The first Friday of the month can only mean one thing, right?! It's the November Elemental Challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers of course!  I've gone kind of shabby chic for this one.  I began by choosing the flower toppers which are really rather old - bought in the sale in Hobbycraft (as you do) but realised I still hadn't used them!

I've distressed the papers, then inked over them with chalk inks as I like the finish it gives for this kind of look.  

To break up the colour, I've added elements of green with the ribbon and doily.  I've had a roll of hessian in my stash for a long time and it kind of went with the look I was going for so used it as an additional layer.  

This is the photo from which you take any 3 elements that take your fancy.  I chose the deep purple flowers (love that colour), the green ribbon and the wood (I used the wood effect background paper).  I hope you'll join in and find more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE.

Have a lovely weekend and see you again soon!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Versamagic Chalk Ink

Dovecraft Sentiment Stamp

First Edition Merry Little Christmas Paper Pad

Santoro Ribbon

Sizzix Tim Holtz Stitched Oval Die

Hobbycraft Flower Toppers

All adhesives from Stix 2 anything

Everything else from my stash

Queen for the Day - Daring Cardmakers DT

Friday Greeting!

I'm a bit late today as I've had a long list to do before catching up with my blog posts.  My lists are never ending at the moment - do you make lists?

On with the Daring Cardmakers Challenge which today is entitled 'Queen for the Day' and you can find more inspiration HERE.

I opted for the royal theme with a castle turret in the background and when Svenja mentioned frog princes I immediately though of a rather old decoupage set that I'd had which was perfect!  The background was made using scraps of patterned paper, I love the stitched one in particular, don't you? I used scalloped stitched dies for it.

I had to add the hearts and googly eyes for a little fun as they went with with the stamped sentiment.  I must admit I love the sentiment and apply it to my life whenever I can.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, whatever you do.  I have another Trimcraft demo which I'm very much looking forward to.

Happy Crafting!
Shabneez

Products Used:
MFT Stitched Cloud Edges Dies
Dovecraft Princess Fairytale Decoupage Pad
Docrafts stamps
Adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Momento Black Ink
Everything else from my stash

Angie's Digital Stamp Challenge DT - Challenge 13 (September 2017)

Happy Tuesday!

I spent last weekend with my parents as it coincided with another celebration of Eid.  We got back late last night so I'm on a mission to get 101 things completed before school starts tomorrow (wish me luck as I'll definitely need it!).  The September challenge has begun over on Angie's Digital Stamps HERE with an anything goes theme.  I've gone cute this time, choosing a cat image.

I used my Zig pens to colour in and I'm really pleased with the outcome as you can see the mottled fur effect.  I used a selection of Dovecraft papers for the backing and buttons to embellish.

I better sign off and start on that list on or I won't get everything done!  I hope you'll join in with the Challenge.

Have a great week,

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Angie's Digital Stamp - Kitty in Flowers

Zig Clean Color Brush Pens

Craftwork Cards Sentiment

Dovecraft Papers

Dovecraft Buttons

Stix 2 Anything adhesives

Unbranded die

Everything else from my stash

September Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy September!

A brand new month means an elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I have been been playing with my Distress Oxides to create backgrounds.  You know, Distress Oxides have really interesting properties that enable you to achieve so many different effects.  Unfortunately, it means I will need to buy a few more so not so good on the finances.......

I used glitter paper as the background for my inverse feathers and the die cut feathers were adhered elsewhere on my creation together with a couple of peach glitter ones.  I added a smile sentiment to finish off, after all it's good to smile isn't it?!

This is the elemental board Kathy chose from which I took inspiration.  There are so many different elements to choose and the colours are absolutely gorgeous.  To play along you need to choose any 3 elements - simple!  You can see a lot more inspiration HERE on the Daring Cardmakers blog.

In other news, I have finally taken another step forward on the social media front and am now the proud owner of an instagram account!  However, an instagram account without followers would be rather sad so it would mean a lot to me if you could follow me at simplyshabneez - I will of course follow you back!

See you again soon!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Tim Holtz Distress Oxides
Dovecraft Feather Die Set
Unbranded Smile die
All adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash

Angie's Digital Stamps DT - Challenge 11 (July)

Happy July!

Only a couple of weeks to go until the school holidays - the school year has certainly flown past and there are presentations and meeting the new teachers to look forward to this week.

As it's the beginning of the month, there's a new Challenge over on Angie's Digital Stamps with the theme of  'Anything Goes with an optional twist of adding red/white/blue or all three'.

I chose the whale digi stamp and made a nautical themed card with a port hole and seaweed.  I computer generated the sentiment as I didn't have an appropriate stamp.  One of my cousin's got really good results in his degree so I'll give him this card as we're all really proud of his achievement!

I've used glossy accents to highlight the drops of water and add a little dimension.  My glossy accents tube had been hiding in my cupboard but it's on the table now so I'm more likely to use it.

You'll find more inspiration on the blog page HERE so take a look and join in!

See you again on Friday!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Angie's Digital Stamp - Whale

First Edition Markers

Sizzix Circle Die Set

Craftwork Cards Card Candi

Dovecraft Back to Basics Paper Pad

All adhesives from Stix 2 Anything

Everything else from my stash

All That Glitters Is Not Gold! - Daring Cardmakers Challenge DT

Happy Friday!

I'm all excited as it's the first time I set a challenge on the Daring Cardmakers!  Of course, it wouldn't be a challenge for me unless it had had some bling and sparkle in it would it?  So, I went with a glitter theme - use as much as you can and make it sparkle!

I decided to make an unconventional wedding card.  I recently bought a new Dovecraft sentiment stamp that I was itching to use so I heat embossed it in black glitter embossing powder to begin with.

I used glitter washi tape in different colours and widths and die cut flowers from glitter card, using my beloved Fiskars heart punch for the black glitter hearts.

It's been a glorious couple of days weather wise and although it's wet and miserable today at least it's not cold.  I, on the other hand, have been suffering with a cold - thank goodness for the cold and flu pills!

Hope you'll join in with the challenge HERE and have a wonderful weekend!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Tonic Nuvo Embossing Powder
Versamark Ink Pad
Dovecraft Painted Blooms die set
Dovecraft Sentiment stamp
Trimcraft First Edition Sweet Nothings paper pad
Fiskars medium heart punch
All cardstock and adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash

Angie's Digital Stamps Design Team - Challenge 9 (May 2017)

Happy Monday!

Yes, it's not Friday and I'm blogging - caught you out didn't I?!

A bit of a special blog post to share as I am now a member of Angie's Digital Stamps Design Team :)  The monthly Challenge begins today here on Angie's Digital Stamps Blog where the theme is Anything Goes.

My inspirational make is with one of Angie's Digital images which I've coloured using pencils on to Kraft card.  I love the soft effect it gives and I've used Sizzix Stitiched dies to frame the image.  I heat embossed the Dovecraft sentiment and faux stitched around it.

The Challenge runs for a month ending the last Friday of the month so you've got plenty of time to join in.

I hope you have a great week ahead!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Angie's Digital Stamped Image available to buy on Etsy HERE

Scotch Washi Tape

DCWV Project Stack

Dovecraft Sentiment Stamp

Sizzix Time Holtz Stitched Oval Dies

Adhesive from Stix 2

Five Patterned Papers! - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

It's been a wonderful final full week of the Easter holidays. My Dad has been to stay and we managed to do various activities to include the park, feeding the ducks, a visit to Greenwich, the Emirates Cable Car and the o2 Arena.  I am totally deflated after that lot but it was such fun!

On to the Daring Cardmakers Challenge this week. The dare this week was set by Miri who requested we use at least 5 different patterned papers from our scrap box with a bonus if they were Spring related. Well, I jumped at this one. I've been using the Dovecraft Blooming Beautiful paper pad for my demos and I had a lot of scraps so I set to work making my version of a sunburst card with the scraps. 

The papers in this collection are vibrant and all coordinate so well.  I used a wooden frame, sentiment sticker and pretty paper roses from the same collection to complete my card.

You can see my fellow DT members' creations HERE.  I hope you'll join in as I'd love to see what you come up with.

Enjoy your weekend!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Dovecraft Blooming Lovely Paper Pad, wooden frame, sentiment stickers and paper roses.
Everything else from my stash.

Challenges entered:
Creative Embellishments – April challenge: inspirational picture (inspiration from the spring theme and splatters of colors) + add flower

Take the Rough with the Smooth - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

I've seen a play on Egypt this week and I heard all about how they preserved body parts etc. It was performed by my eldest son's class and was a joy to watch.  The outfits were amazing!

On with the Daring Cardmakers Challenge for this week.  Joanne set the challenge to combine something rough/bumpy with something smooth/shiny.

I used a DCWV DIY Stencils Stack for my make.  The 12x12 stack of papers comes with reusable stencils. I used them to create a border around my card with my home made embossing paste.  It's so easy to do and I made this one with the addition of glitter and metallic paints - luscious!

RECIPE FOR GLITTER EMBOSSING PASTE: I mixed one portion paint, 1/2 portion glue, 2 portions talc (you can use bicarbonate of soda, I found it gives more texture) and 1 portion glitter.  You can use fine or course glitter but I used the fine as it's what I had.

The paste only took about 15 minutes to dry naturally and in that time I die cut my feathers and inked them with chalk ink before assembling the card.  A glittered pearl and ribbon finished it off.

I hope that you'll join in with the Challenge this week and see all the fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE on the Daring Cardmakers Blog.

Enjoy your weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

DCWV DIY Project Stack Stencils

Dovecraft Feather Dies

Versamark Chalk Ink

Docrafts Metallic Gold Paint

Everything else from my stash

Mirror, Mirror - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

Sharon set the challenge this week and asked for something reflective on our cards.  I chose both foiling on the butterfly using the Stix 2 iron and foil sheets plus the addition of blue mirri card for the feathers.

I usually do anything that creates mess outside.  It's so much safer that way, but it was raining and I thought to myself 'how much mess can a little paint spatter make?'.  Wrong.  Even though I had partially covered stuff I obviously didn't do a good enough job.  Next time I'll use a box as was suggested to me - a little too late!

Dovecraft have a fantastic new range of stamps and this one is an absolute favourite of mine.  I love the sentiment.  I can relate it to so many of my friends so this year they'll all be getting a card with the same sentiment!

I hope you'll join in the challenge this week and look at the stunning creations by my fellow DT members HERE.

Have a great weekend!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Sizzix Butterfly Die 

Dovecraft Feather Die

Dovecraft Friends Stamp

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Stix 2 Anything Foils

Stix 2 Anything Craft Iron

Everything else from my stash

Jingle Bells!

Happy Saturday!

It was a beautifully warm and sunny day yesterday. I was sat with the patio door ajar making Christmas cards! For us crafters Christmas starts early and I know many of you start much earlier but I'm not one of those.......

However, I couldn't wait to start creating with all the new Trimcraft Christmas collections that have been launched. The card I'm sharing today is from the Winter Blooms collection. 

I've made a gap card using a wooden frame from the collection as a focal point. I used contrasting Happy Christmas washi tape also from Trimcraft. I love washi tape and so I was really excited to get a few rolls of the stuff (it doesn't take a lot I know!).

As with many of Trimcraft's collections, they come with an array of co-ordinating items which make it so easy to create. 

I have a weekend of demos so hopefully I'll be sharing some of my samples from the other collections when I get time to take some photos. 

Enjoy your weekend,

Shabneez x

Products Used:

Dovecraft Winterblooms Collection

Dovecraft Washi Tape

Dovecraft Basics Bells

Dovecraft Basics Twine

Everything else from my stash

Personalised Door Hangers

Happy Friday!

June already, where's the year going?! Half term is almost at an end. Despite the dire weather we've managed to entertain ourselves. 

Today, I'd like to share a couple of door hangers I made. The first I made for a birthday present and it was very well received. I think personalised items go down well in general as gifts. I used decomaché papers for the base and added a photo, frame, flowers, ribbon and a brad. 

The second was a project I did for the Fiskarettes DT. This time I painted the hanger then added a paper from the FE Love Story pad. I made the ladybirds using a circle punch. I embossed the wings and dabbed them with an alcohol marker for the spots.  Again, I personalised the hanger using wooden alphabet letters that I painted. 

I really enjoyed making these and intend to make a couple for my neices who are coming over from America next month.

Thank you for looking and any comments are much appreciated. 

Shabneez xxx

Products used:

First Edition Deco Maché glue

First Edition Deco Maché brushes

Santoro Mirabelle Deco Maché papers

Santoro Mirabelle brads

First Edition Love Story pad

Fiskars medium lever circle punch

Everything else from my stash