Into The Woods - Daring Cardmakers DT

It's Friday!

The extremely sad news about Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is still sinking in.  She will be missed.  May she rest in peace.

The weather is certainly turning autumnal and the garden is getting the rain it so desperately needs.  The latest challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers is veering towards the change in seasons - Into The Woods.

I used non traditional forest colours for my creation as I wanted something bright and colourful.  I used my Chameleon pens to colour in the wreath before die cutting it out and adding glitter card for the number and along the sides.

You can join in with the challenge and see more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE.

Have a good weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Time for Tea Designs Winter Wishes Stamp & Die Set

Time for Tea Designs Happy Birthday Die Set

Time for Tea Designs Number Die Set

Sizzix Dainty Uppercase Die Set

Chameleon Pens

Everything else from my stash

Silver, Aqua And A Dash - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Nothing like last minute for my post this week but got it done!  The Daring Cardmakers have asked for silver, aqua and a dash of another colour for their challenge and I have gone with white for my additional colour.

I picked on a paper pad that comes out every year together with the die set by Crafters Companion which was gifted to me.  The card itself is a simple design but one I intend to make a few more of .

I used different papers from the pad, glitter and mirri card for the die cut and snowflakes and the addition of pearls to finish.

I'm hoping to have a little break in between colouring up some images for a new release over the weekend.

Hope you have a good one whatever you do,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Crafters Companion Winter Wonderland Paper Pad
Crafters Companion Festive Wishes Stamp & Die Set
Time for Tea Designs Falalala Scalloped Slimline Die Set

Sizzix Circle Nesting Dies
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

Adorable Animals - Tubby Craft DT

Happy Weekend!

As promised I'm back, a day later than planned but nevermind!  I am sharing a couple of very cute animal cards using the Tubby Craft Giraffe Love and Baby Elephant stamp sets.

For my first card I stamped the image using the Tubby Craft Lead Grey Ink Pad.  I then proceeded to colour in the image with my Chameleon pencils and coloured in the background too.  

To finish I cut a strip of card in a contrasting colour and stamped the sentiment from the same set along it in a line.

Next up, I used the Giraffe Love set and stamped the image in Tubby Craft Chocolate Brown.  I coloured in the image with my Chameleon pencils once again and fussy cut it out.  

I added die cut circles to my card base and used different elements in them.

I've just come in from doing the garden or as much as I could as the garden bin is now full!  Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Shabneez

Supplies Used:

Tubby Craft Dye Ink Pad - Jet Black

Tubby Craft Dye Ink Pad - Lead Grey

Tubby Craft Giraffe Love Stamp Set

Tubby Craft Baby Elephant Stamp Set

Tonic Cross Stitch Circle Layering Die Set

DCWV Pastel Patterns Mat Stack

Sizzix Circle Dies

Split Cards Using CrafTangles Vintage Rosette Paper Pad

Happy Weekend!

At this time of year I always have a large number of thank you cards stored as the school year is coming to an end and not only do I thank the teachers but there are many others I thank on behalf of the boys.  I've taken the opportunity to make a set using the CrafTangles Vintage Rosette paper pad.

Split cards were one of the first types of cards I mastered when I began cardmaking.  I'm sharing a variation on this post. The first is card is a traditional split card where you cut out the middle of a sheet of paper and stick the top and bottom parts back on.  I've added a contrasting colour card in the middle and a topper cut from the paper pad. 

To finish I've added glitter nuvo drops and a die cut sentiment.

Next up I've used the same principle as my first card only the split is vertical, slimmer and to the left of my card.

I've added a doily and matt and layered a topper before adding a die cut sentiment and some nuvo drops to finish.

For my final card I have made the split diagonal and I customised the paper by stamping thanks on it!

I fussy cut one of the flower arrangements from the pad and went around it with ink then added some crystal nuvo drops that give the effect of water drops.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

CrafTangles Vintage Rosette Paper Pad

Nuvo Vintage Drops

Nuvo Crystal Drops

Nuvo Glitter Drops

Catherine Pooler Ink

Tim Holtz Alterations Dies

Darice Sentiment Dies

Everything else from my stash

MAY Letters - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I've had a full on craft week with a sprinkling of house work and lots of cooking!  I need to get into the garden and sort it out but so far haven't had the time.

For the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week, Kathy has chosen something different and wants us to choose elements beginning with the letters of the month of MAY.  I have chosen Moving for the M, Aqua for the A and Yellow for the Y.

I thought I'd get a little die cutting in this week so that's what I've done apart from the sentiment!  This card is going to wing it's way to a friend of mine who has recently moved and I made it with her in mind.

I'm demonstrating at The Range in Romford this Sunday from 11am if you're in the area it would be lovely to meet you!

I hope you have a great weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Sizzix Home Die #2

Sizzix Magical Unicorn Die Set

MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 

Heffy Doodle Whatcha Sayin Now Stamp Set

Everything else from my stash

Mother's Day Cards using CrafTangles products

Happy Weekend!

I can't believe it's only a week to Mother's Day and I've not made my Mum a card yet!  I'd better get crafting hadn't I?!  Before I do, I wanted to share some Mother's Day cards I've made using some of the recent CrafTangles releases.

All the cards are made using the Hug Me stamp set containing 3 cute animals with banners that come with a variety of sentiments.  For my first card, I used the CrafTangles Vintage Rosette paper pad for the background and fussy cut some of the roses from it to add to my die cut wreath.

The rabbit was coloured in using my Zig Clean Color Brush markers.

Next up, I chose a bright background from the CrafTangles Sweet Love paper pad and this time I paper pieced the scarf on the cat to co-ordinate with the rest of the card.

I used a couple of grey shades of Zig markers to give the cat some stripes.  I added a very useful Mother's Day stamp from a previous CrafTangles release together with some die cuts to finish.

For my final card, I got my stencils out and used a brick one to create a wall, adding darker shading so it looked like a hole with the dog peeking out.

I added die cut lettering and a few hearts to finish.  I'm sure you'll agree it's such a cute stamp set and one I can see myself using a lot in the future.

I'm feeling a little sorry for myself this weekend as I have a cold, passed on by my lovely boys.  It's a good job I haven't had any commitments so I can stay at home.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

CrafTangles Hug Me Stamp Set

CrafTangles Mothers Day Stamp Set

CrafTangles Butterflies & Bricks Stencil

CrafTangles Vintage Rosette paper pad

CrafTangles Sweet Love paper pad

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers

Sizzix Alphabet Dies

Sizzix Wreath Die

Sizzix Photoframe Dies

Ranger Distress Inks

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

Festive Milk Carton - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

How has your week been?  I've had a really productive week and managed to get stuff I didn't think I would so it's a bonus.

The Daring Cardmakers are stepping away from the cards once again this week and would like to see the wonderful bags and boxes you make.  They don't have to be Christmas themed but I took the opportunity to try something new for Christmas.

I decided to go for a milk carton.  I've admired a lot of these on social media for a long time and thought I'd give it a go.  It was actually really quick and simple to do.

For the background, I used a digital download called Winter Celebrations which included backing papers and sentiments.  If you're a Create & Craft member you can download it for free.  It is just so cute and I was drawn to the adorable penguins and the colour scheme.

To embellish my box I die cut a tag and added the sentiment to it together with baker's twine and bells - they always come out at Christmas! I used a wooden peg to hold it all together.  I added foiled tape to the top and bottom of the box for added festive appeal!

So there we have it - a festive milk carton ready to be filled with goodies.  I'm going to make a few for our neighbours and fill them with goodies.

I hope you wave a wonderful weekend whatever you do and see you again next week,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Create & Craft Free Members Download - Winter Celebrations Papers

Dovecraft Bells, Peg and Baker's Twine

Sizzix Tag Dies

Christmas Aperture Cards

Happy Friday!

Today's blog post is a double post in that I am blogging for both CrafTangles and the Daring Cardmakers in one post as they both fell on the same day!  It just so happened that one of the cards I made for CrafTangles fits with the Daring Cardmakers Challenge this week so win win on my part - Ha!

My blog post is themed around aperture cards this and it's using Christmas stamps sets from CrafTangles.

This first card is the one that made me decide to concentrate on aperture cards.  It's a really simple card but I love the rainbow colours and it's a little different to the regular Christmas cards out there as it has rainbow colours.

Next up I decided to use 2 apertures in different sizes.

I used a very cute CrafTangles Santa Claus stamp set and I do love the sentiment.  The images were coloured in using my Chameleon pens.

This final card is the one that is also linked to the Daring Cardmakers Challenge this week.  The Challenge this week asks for a starry background on a card and you can find more information and inspiration on the challenge HERE.

This is my favourite card of the 3 - the one that I wasn't sure about but then it all just fell into place.  More information on how I created these cards on the CrafTangles blog HERE.

So there we have it - a 2 in 1 blog post especially for Black Friday!  You even get more for your reading on blog posts these days - Haha!!!  Don't shop too much!

See you again soon,
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Cardstock.
CraftTangles Christmas Greetings Stamp Set
CrafTangles Santa Claus Stamp Set
CrafTangles Christmas Ornaments Stamp Set
Ranger Distress Inks
Tonic Glacier White Embossing Powder
Sizzix Circle Dies
Sizzix Oval Dies
Versafine Black Ink Pad
Chameleon Pens
Everything else from my stash

September Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy September!

Well the boys are back at school and it's so quiet in the house now.  However I do admit that I can get a lot more work done in their absence as much as I miss them.  Thankfully they've both settled back really well and if they're happy so am I :)

Being the first Friday in September means it's the Elemental Challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I have chosen the board this time and you will see that it has a lot of summer elements on it as I really can't let go of summer - not just yet!

For my card I used a cacti die set and created the background with distress inks.  I mounted it on to a blue background and drew white waves with a gel pen to copy one of the elements below.  I added a die cut word to finish.

This is the Elemental Board I've chosen and I'm sure you can see where the inspiration from my card came from using the cactus, flowers, waves and colours.  You only need to use 3 elements so I hope you'll join in.  You'll find more inspiration from my DT colleagues can be found HERE.

I have a Trimcraft Demo on Sunday at The Range in Maidstone so if you are local please come in to say hello and see the latest products and ideas I have to share.

Have a great weekend!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Sizzix Thinlits Cacti Dies

Sizzix Stitched Oval Thinlit Dies

Tim Holtz Distress Ink

White gel pen

Everything else from my stash

Daisy Love - Bubbly Funk DT

Happy Wednesday!

Well, the boys are back at school.  Not sure where that holiday went - it's all bit of a blur!

I'm up on the Bubbly Funk blog with another project using the January 'Love' Box.  This time I've stepped away from the red and gone with a gold and cream colour palette.

I really like chipboard shapes as there's so much you can do to them and this box has the word 'love' in it.  Now, my acrylic paints have been put away and I was loathed to get them out so I picked up one of my ink pads in gold and used that instead!  It's given thick coating to the chipboard and has a beautiful shimmer.

Once I had my focal point sorted I searched the box and picked on a cute daisy, wooden buttons and a mini doily.  I placed the daisy on the love in place of the 'O' and added one of the wooden buttons.  The doily I used as backing.

I die cut the 'YOU' twice, using the ink on one and added another wooden button in place of the 'O' again.

You can find more details about my project on the Bubbly Funk blog HERE together with more inspirational makes from the rest of the Design Team.

See you again on Friday!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Everything from the Bubbly Funk 'Love' Box except:
Stix 2 Anything Adhesive
Sizzix Dies
Brilliance Ink Pad

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

Blended Backgrounds - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's come around even quicker than usual with the half term holiday and we have another week to go.

On with the new Daring Cardmakers challenge and Nat has chosen blended backgrounds so no excuses not to join in as you can make your own backgrounds with soooooo many different mediums.  This challenge took me a lot longer than anticipated as I did one using my distress oxides but decided it wasn't quite right and instead of faffing about with it I thought it would be easier to start again.  Does that happen to you?  So, I began again with distress inks as I have ore of them (still saving up for more of the distress oxides).

I used an acrylic block and put my inks on then smooshed watercolour paper over it.  I then sprayed feather stamps with water and stamped them on to the background.  Finally, I heat embossed a trio of dot stamps with clear embossing power and that's my blended background with a couple of twists thrown in!

I finished the card with a die cut sentiment and some enamel dots.

There are lots of brilliant creations by the DT HERE so I hope you'll take a look and join in!

See you again soon!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Ranger Enamel Accents

Versamark Ink Pad

Tonic Nuvo Clear Embossing Powder

Sarah Hurley Dreams & Plans Stamp Set

Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits

All adhesives from Stix 2 Anything

Everything else from my stash

October Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's the first Friday in October which can only mean one thing - the start of the Elemental Challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers blog, this time set by Leo.

I have a special card duo to share for an adorable set of twins which fits the Challenge so well!  I was asked by a friend to make similar but not the same 1st birthday cards incorporating, wait for it.......unicorns and rainbows! I was able to use a  new die set and I just had to add a touch of glitter to to give an extra sparkle.

Here is the photo from which you have to choose 3 elements.  I think there's something for everyone in here so no excuse for not joining in - ha!  

From the elements above I chose the wording unicorn and rainbows as well as the colours.  You'll find lots more inspiration on the Daring Cardmakers Blog HERE.

Enjoy your weekend,

Shabneez

Products used:

Sizzix Magical Unicorn Die Set

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

Angie's Digital Stamps DT - Challenge 10 (June)

Happy Monday!

The June Challenge is up on Angie's Digital Stamp Blog with the theme of Anything Goes.  As Father's Day falls in June I've used a cute digi stamp from Angie's store, as it reminded me of a Dad with his children.  I thought it would be a good card for the boys to give to their Dad even though I'm sure they'll be making their own creations at school.

I hope you'll join in with the Challenge as you can win a digi stamp of your choice from Angie's Digital Stamps Etsy Store as a prize.

See you again on Friday!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Promarkers

Docrafts Stamps - border and sentiment

Amy Tangerine - die set

Sizzix Die Set

Dovecraft Back to Basics - Bright Spark paper pad

All adhesives from Stix 2 Anything

Everything else from my stash

Up in the Air - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

I'm really looking forward to a Sunday off this week.  I've had a demos every Sunday for the past few weeks which were great but it'll be nice to have family time, especially as it's Mother's Day.

The Challenge this week was set by Svenja who asked for a sky or flight themed card.  I immediately thought about hot air balloons as they seem so peaceful floating in the air and I'd love to go on one.

I'd bought a preloved clouds embossing folder a while back that I was itching to use and then I realised I didn't have either a hot air balloon die or a stamp so I improvised, as you do! I used a circle die for the balloon and cut a basket shape out which I then covered with twine.  I also got to use the brand new First Edition alphabet dies which are fab!

For more inspirational makes take a look at the Daring Cardmakers Blog and join in with the challenge!

Enjoy your weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Trimcraft Whiz Kids Paper pad

Trimcraft First Edition Alphabet Dies 

Amy Tangerine Cloud Dies

Sizzix Circle Dies

Stampin Up Clouds Embossing Folder

Fiskars Medium Heart Punch

Everything else from my stash

March Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers

Happy March!

The first Friday of every month over on the Daring Cardmakers Challenge is an Elemental one. This month Enfys chose the photo from which you have to choose a minimum of 3 elements and incorporate them into your card.



It really was a challenge for me this week, it took me ages to decide on what to do but I ended with this:

The elements I used were the black and white stripes from the rug, the circular coffee tables, the chrome from the light fitting and the wood from the furniture,

I used a wood grain embossing folder on kraft card and then went over it with distress inks to bring out the embossing futher. You can see it more clearly here:

I hope that you'll join in with this week's challenge and see all the other inspirational cards HERE.

World Book Day Part 2 in in full swing today.  We had Harry Potter yesterday and today Darth Vader has made an appearance (don't ask!) and I'm off to prepare for my demo on Sunday!

Enjoy your weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
First Edition Love Story Papers
Craftwork Cards Candi
Craft Work Cards Banner
Sizzix Embossing Folder
Sizzix Circle Dies
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Everything else from my stash

Tear It Up - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

I've felt like I've been a day behind all week and all because I was away at CHSI Stitches on Monday.  It was a good opportunity to network, meeting up with friends old and new and those who I work with in the craft industry.  I enjoyed seeing some new products and even got to do a Workshop.

This week's Daring Cardmakers Challenge was set by Dawn.  She asked for an element of tearing on our cards.  I love a bit of tearing so this Challenge was right down my street and I created a card with torn textural layers.  It was SO much fun!

You can see the layers a little better on this photo:

I used distress inks on the edges of the torn paper and on the wooden hearts.  There's lots more inspiration by my fellow DT members HERE and I hope you'll join in!

Have a great weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Sizzix Thinlit die
First Edition Alphabet Dies
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Everything else from my stash