Stitch It! - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

Doesn't it come round quick?! Not sure where the days go..........it's been so cold and scraping the ice off the car in the morning is a job I could well do without.

This week's challenge for the Daring Cardmakers was to make a card that incorporated stitching of any kind. I don't own a sewing machine and although I could have hand stitched, I went down the faux stitching route.

I got the opportunity to use one of my favourite stitched die sets from Sizziz combined with a faux stitched sentiment.  I used the paper piecing technique with the cute Sizzix elephant die set to make the topper for this easel card.

I hope you'll join in with the challenge and check out the fab inspiration here.

Keep warm!

Shabneez 

Products used:

Sizzix Tim Holtz Stitched Ovals

Sizzix Craft Asylum Elephant Duo

First Edition Pretty Posy Pad

Everything else from my stash

Something New - Daring Card Makers Challenge

Happy Friday!

This week the Daring Cardmakers were tasked with creating a card using a new technique, fold or something we haven't done before.

When I first started crafting, some 15 years ago, I bought everything I needed to heat emboss. I tried it, didn't like it and sold everything! Over the past few months I've been buying bits and pieces as I really wanted to have another go. You'll be pleased to know I love it!

So, for my inspirational post I decided to use heat embossing together with something else I hadn't tried before. I've had my Distress Inks for some time and use them a fair bit but I've never used them with water, so I did! Loved the effect!

I hope you'll have a look at the other inspirational cards here and have a go at something new yourself!

Enjoy your weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Sarah Hurley Beautiful Botanicals Stamp set
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads
Heat Tool
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Ranger Embossing Powder
Everything else from my stash

January Elemental Inspiration - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!
The first Daring Cardmakers Challenge every month is an Elemental challenge in which you have to pick 3 elements from a picture. This is the photo we had to choose elements from:

So, the elements I chose for my card were the heart, the wood grain background and 3 of the colours to make this:

I'm still making baby cards and gifts for friends and family. This is one I made for my cousin who had first baby, a beautiful baby girl.  I'm on a stash busting mission as well so used scraps of paper that I cut to size and added Kanban toppers from a sheet as well as some rub ons for the sentiments.  I quite like baby cards in non traditional colours, don't you?

You can find lots more inspiration for the challenge here.

Enjoy your weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Sizzix Dies
Kanban Topper Sheet
Everything else from my stash

Creating with Sarah Hurley's Beautiful Botanical Stamps

Happy Friday!

I must share some work I did a couple of months ago with some stamp sets that Sarah Hurley designed. They are the Beautiful Botanicals range and consist of A5 packs of clear cling stamps.

I used one set with a patterned background and inks to create this:

Another set I used with chalk inks and Heidi Swapp Color Shine Spritz to create this:

Finally, I used distressed inks with the stamps to create this:

I'd like to end this blog post with a note of thanks to all those of you who have taken the time to read, comment on or simply visit my blog throughout the year.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year!

Enjoy!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Sarah Hurley Botanicals Stamp Sets
Versamagic Chalk Inks
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Heidi Swapp Color Shine Spritz
Everything else from my stash

Thanks! - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

It's been another mad week but I've accomplished almost all I set out to do so I'm happy!  School holidays have begun and we've just been to see 'Rogue One'.  All three men, big and small, are Star Wars fans and I must admit I do like a good Star Wars film but I won't ruin it for those of you who are going to see it.

'Thanks' is the theme for this week's Daring Cardmakers Challenge. It's an apt challenge for me as I've got a number of thank you cards to send to family and friends following my recent birthday.

I've often said I like collections which go together so I don't have to think as hard about co-ordinating colours and embellishments etc especially if time is limited. Doodlebug do a range of essential packs which contain papers, stickers, embellishments and an alphabet sheet. The papers are all double sided and the only additional item I used was the pink card which I diecut into a circle.

Although the glitter alphabet were stickers, I used silicone glue to give a little additional dimension. A simple but colourful make. I do love my bright colours.

I hope you'll join in with the challenge here where there's a lot more inspiration from the Design Team.

May the Force be with you!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Doodlebug Hello Sunshine Essentials Kit
Everything else from my stash

Going Crackers! 'Decorate it' Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

I've had a hectic but fulfilling week with the children's Christmas parties and pantomimes, meetings, celebrating my birthday and working on Christmas commissions.

The Daring Cardmakers are stepping away from the cards one last time this year. The challenge was about adding those little extras to 'Decorate it!'.  I decided to use a ready die cut cracker from Stix 2 Anything.  I used it as my base and added ribbons, foil tape and a die cut snowflake that I covered in gold glitter.  I added a metallic red candy to the centre.

I do hope that if you've made anything suitable you'll join in with the Challenge here and check out the other fabulous inspirational makes this week. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Stix 2 Anything Cracker Die Cuts

Stix 2 Anything Snowflake Die Cuts

Stix 2 Anything Adhesive

Craftwork Cards Card Candy

Everything else from my stash

Textured Mini Wreath - Daring Cardmakers Elemental Challenge

Happy December!

The beginning of a month means an elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  Basically, you choose 3 elements from the picture you can find here.

From the picture, I opted to use the colours, snowflakes and a wreath.  I used a die for the wreath base and then threaded ribbon through it to add texture. I added die cut snowflakes in 2 different sizes and finished off with black and clear gems to add that extra sparkle. I mounted the wreath on a snowflake embossed piece of card and used a die cut sentiment which I put on so it bowed outwards.

Once I'd made the wreath I actually found it a challenge as to how to use it on the card. I tried a number of variations but settled on this one in the end!

Thank you for taking the time to read my posts and your comments are much appreciated.

Shabneez xxx

Products Used:
First Edition Christmas Die Sets
Free snowflake embossing folder from a magazine
Everything else from my stash