Thursday 31 May 2012

Not Quite What I Was After

I'm feeling soooo tired today, how I long for a lay-in, good job we've a lovely long weekend off with the Diamond Jubilee break, also it's mid term break for me so that makes it is a break worth having!
Not much to say about this card, there's a bit of embossing on the cream strip, a paper pieced butterfly and layered tape and ric rack along with some of the sheerest ribbon ever! Oh, and rather unusual for me but a distressed edge to the cardstock around the image.




I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Crafts And Me, Add a ribbon,
The Paper Shelter 66, Shabby chic/vintage,
Crafty Cardmakers 69, Distress it,
TSTR 116, Photo insp/recipe.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Crafter's Favourite


It's Wednesday and time for a new theme at Scrapbook Sisters, This week it's everyone's favourite,
I thought I'd stray from my usual card making for my DT project.
I've been meaning to have a go at making a circular box for ages, I've never checked out any tutorials so I'm not sure if there's an easier method to do this but I have to say that it was a pretty simple technique that I used so in true crafter fashion I'll share my easy tips. Not the how to make the roses as I'm certain that there are lots of  tutorials out there by talented crafters, not just have a go at it crafters like me.   




I cut two circles of card using my Nestabilities, cut two strips of design paper, slightly wider than the depth I was after. I then used  a scalloped border punch along one edge of each strip and used my Fiskars cutter with the scorer attachment to score as close to the scalloped edge as possible. I then folded over the scallops and run a thin thread of glue along each semi circle, I then bent the strip around the circle of card, sticking the scallops underneath (hope this makes sense) if it doesn't I'll have a go at a tutorial to explain it better. I then glued a scalloped circle of the DP. to hide the scallops . When I made the lid to the box I used the same technique but held the lid on the top of the base as I glued each scallop in place to allow it to be a good tight fit. I then just added a scalloped circle and DP circle to the top before gluing the roses into place.





I'm using my project for the following challenges:-
Celebrate The Occasion 64, Anything goes,
Die Cutting Divas 67, Anything goes,
EAC 195, Anything but a card,
JDE6, Anything goes, useTH products (Distress inks),
Paper Cupcakes, 3 in a row,LH vertical line,
Secret Crafter 197, Anything but a card.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Saturday 26 May 2012

What A Beautiful Day!

It's been a glorious day today, not a cloud in the sky, it's about time though don't you think!

I'm loving the large scalloped circle die and didn't mind a bit that this week's challenge at LIM is
"Not A Square" 
I said when I made the similar card earlier in the week that I was going to use the design again so I'm hoping you'll forgive me that it's happened so soon.
Today's card involves a  K&Co butterfly sticker that I've had in my drawer for at least five years, I've got so used to stamping and colouring that it forget to use them.




I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Crafty Calendar, Things with wings,
LIM69, Not square,
Ruby's Rainbow 29, Things with wings,
Waste Not Wednesday, Forgotten stash,
Top Tip Tuesday, Old stash.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Thursday 24 May 2012

Is This Vintage?


Something a bit different from me tonight, something I can't usually manage , I think I've cracked it for once though.




Maybe it's the colour, the lace or just the hand made flower, something I haven't done for a while, what I do know is that I love it and think I'm going to make another just to have by me.




I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
CCC171, Pastels,pearls and lace (there's a pearl on the tag)
Sisterhood of Crafters, Good Old Days,
Whimsy 40, Vintage,
CCCB110, Rose is a rose,
EAC194, Lace and shape,
MIM, Anything goes,
PTT69, Vintage.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x


Wednesday 23 May 2012

Die Cut with Southern Girls

It's time for team Lou's challenge at Southern Girls,





So for my DT card I used my GC and scalloped dies,



My Nestie circles and Nellie Snellen scalloped frame.



The image is LOTV  Never Too Old For Cupcake, one of the amazing sponsors for this challenge. Check the challenge blog for full details of all of the sponsors this time.




I'm using this card for the following challenges:-

TT170, Use flowers,
Everybody's art project 194, Laces and shapes,
OBG, Things with wings,(Roses 6months +),
MIM 90, Anything goes,
Whoopsie Daisy, Shape it.

Thanks for stopping by,
Please scroll down for my earlier post today,
Julie.x

Square Deal

 The quickest of posts as I'm feeling under the weather.
The theme for this week's challenge at Scrapbook Sisters is "Squares" .



So for my DT card I used a Kenny K image,some dreaded Mirricard,hence rotten photos (must remember not to use for blog posts in the future) a selection of die cuts, paperclips and some wording cut from DP.




I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
CCC11, Dimension,
Love To Create 16, Song inspired,
MIM90, Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by,
 Julie.x

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Wing It With The Ladybugs


Happy Ladybug Tuesday, and time for a new challenge theme with the Ladybugs.
It would have been Pinky's challenge theme of
Sadly Pinky has hung up her Ladybug Wings but we are still going to go with theme.




I'm thinking that Winestool Nikki drank a wee too many glasses of fizzy, and fell off her stool chasing after her pup, I fussy cut her out,removing the previously mentioned items and sat her on the edge of my diecut frame for a change. The little butterflies and the numbers were cut out with a selection of Quickutz and sizzix dies, glitter film was added to the cardstock before running them through the cuttlebug. I added some long neglected paper roses, layered up my ribbons and a little key charm, hope the birthday girl likes it.



I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
HOCC20, Flowers,
OLLCB, Ribbons/Twine,
SSICC40, Build it up,
C4C137, Birthday,
CCCB110, Rose,
My Time To Craft 110,2 of something(layered ribbons)
TTT77, Dig out the old, (roses),


 Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x


Friday 18 May 2012

My New Toy

I'm such a lucky girlie, my lovely husband bought me a new toy, a Grande Calibur! 




Thought you might like to see the first card I made using it. A card ordered by a work colleague.Aren't easel cards just a pain to photograph, the photo really doesn't do the card justice, I have to say I was more than a little pleased with my first large die cut card. The stamped images are by Papermania and were coloured using Copics. 





I'm using this card for the following challenges:-

CRAFT155, Easel,
Delightful Challenge, Add ribbon,
Dutch Dare 165, Shaped card,
Sassy Studio 125, 3 of something,
PSC32, Banners.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x




Wednesday 16 May 2012

My Number Could Be Up


Sorry Crafters! Another Number card for me today as my DT card for Scrapbook Sisters, I've not been getting much in the way of  crafty time at the moment so my DT cards are also having to fit in with my cards needed requirements.  The challenge theme for this week is "Two Colours" my daughter's requirements were card with a big number on. Two birds killed with one stone. 




I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
House Of Gilli, Embossing,
MIM, Anything goes,
Joanna Sheen, Birthday,
Sentimental Sundays 102, B things(Button,bloom,)
The Craft Place, Monochrome.

Please scroll down for my earlier post,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x
.

The Belle Of The Belli

What an early post for me today, there's a good reason though! A few weeks back I won a challenge at

This also means that I have been chosen as Guest designer for their challenge 143 Baby/ New Arrival. Great excuse to ink up my Ladybug Crafts Ink Baby Baby stamp set. 




I cut a frame using my scalloped and square nesties, Embossed a square of white card to sit behind the frame, chosing to use it de-bossed. (Is that correct terminology???? not sure!) I coloured up my cutie using copics, paper pieced the bow and fussy cut it out, shaping the image and placing it using Pinflair gel.


A couple of buttons that I've had for ages, Swarovski Flat Back White Pearls for the centres of the wheels and a sentiment from the same stamp set complete the card.




The Belli Challenge ladies would be thrilled if you were to join them in their challenge.


I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
MIM, Anything goes,


I'll be back later on today with my Scrapbook Sister's DT Card.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Saturday 12 May 2012

Purple Thread.

  The theme for Less is More 67  challenge this week is "One Layer, Use three stamps"




So I chose three stamps from a Magazine giveaway set,




Used a purple Momento ink pad, stamped the little fancy frame, and masked one of the other stamps in the set placing post it notes over the stitching to leave just the wording and stamped it within the frame. I added a touch of colour and shading using Copics added some glossy accents to the button, scraping over the thread just before it dried to remove the shine from that area.


 


It doesn't show up very well in the photo but I used a Sakura Jelly Roll pen and scribbled onto plastic, using a damp paintbrush I added some of the purple sparkle to the thread. I'm hoping that the LIM ladies let me off with the purple jelly roll blanket stitching ,it ties the card together I think.




Thanks for stopping by,
Enjoy the weekend,
Julie.x

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Off Centre.

I love the theme for this week's challenge at Scrapbook Sisters, "Off Centre", it gives you something a bit different to think about. I do have to apologise that it's another card with a number on and I won't give out any prizes if you can guess the ages of at least two of my children as they keep asking me to do number cards for their friend's birthdays.
So on to my DT  card:- I  used a repositionable tape to place my paper on my card blank and then used an Xcut  star Die through the cuttlebug to cut an aperture from the card front. I removed the design paper then placed the larger of the nesting dies centrally over the original cut,inking the edges of all cuts before gluing the paper in place. This left a frame of cream card showing. (I hope this makes sense) I then cut my numbers  using the Cricut and Plantins Schoolbook,cutting a 1/4 inch larger in the black to give a funky look when the two layers were placed together using a little Pinflair gel.





I then added another star and button tied with hemp.





The back of the card has another die cut star for the greeting to be added along with some paper off cuts and some inky stitching. The inside of the card is layered so that the black shows through the aperture.




I've reached the conclusion that to cut down on the ever growing pile of off cuts and remnants that I'm going to start making tags as I go and enjoyed layering up a little collage of offcuts under a paper clip ( I did glue them down too!)
I also embossed the black base star.



I'm using the card for the following challenges:-
Crafty Card Makers 67, For the boys,
Creative Monday 7, Anything goes,
Pollycraft 138, Card and tag,
Tammy's Scrapin 9, Die cuts/punches,
Divas By Design 34, For boys,
Come And Get It, Masculine.

And the tag for:-

I am so looking forward to what everyone comes up with!
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Ladybugs Are Anything But Square!

Happy Ladybug Tuesday peeps! this week it's Pam who's hosting the challenge and her theme is
"Anything but Square"
I used my Xcut ornate frame nesting dies to cut my card blank, layering up my papers then cutting another layer and removing a scalloped, die cut frame with my Nellie Snellen multi frame die, love the look it gave. I mounted it on the front of my card using 3d pop dots and coloured Bath tub Nikki using Copics,paper pieced her shower cap and  fussy cut her out.



 
I added stickles and tiny swarovski pearls to the bubbles




I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Amusing Challenges, Fussy cut,
Catered Crop, B for bath tub,
Crafty Pad 169, Girly girl,
Squirrel and Fox 17, Girly.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Monday 7 May 2012

Off-cut Quickie

I don't know about you but I've always got a little pile of off-cuts and remnants on my bench, I'm so indecisive that I generally cut several different sizes of flower before choosing which looks best. The scalloped edges are the surplus from my Xcut scalloped border punch, even the card blank is the remnant left over from cutting a square card from a sheet of A4. When I saw that this weeks LIM challenge is "Yellow" I thought I'd see what I could come up with by putting some of the left overs to good use.




I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
LIM66, Yellow,
MIM88, Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by,
Have a good week,
Julie.x

Saturday 5 May 2012

By Special Request


Firstly I need to apologise for the maintenance that's been going on at Rainbow Days, I needed to remove my Shabby Blogs background and me being a Technophobe it's taking me time to work it all out and come up with a look that I'm happy with. This could still take some time!

On to my card requested by a friend for her and her work colleagues to give to their boss  who is getting married today.
Don't you just love the fact that you can make a digi as big as you need it, pretty large in this case as the card is 8x8", the stipulations for the card were,the colour, cute and plenty of bling and glitter, I'm told I got it right on all counts lol!



 I coloured the  cute Digital Delights image with Copics and cut out the hearts using the Cricut and Plantins Schoolbook from bazzil covered with glitter film.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
2 Sisters 90, Anything goes,
CMC42, Celebrations,
OSCC181, Celebration,
Papertake Weekly, Anything goes,
Fashionista Challenge, Wedding,
MIM87, Anything goes.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Friday 4 May 2012

Caution, Blogger At Work

If you call by and think my lovely blog looks a mess, you are so right. Technophobe me is trying to remove my Shabby Blogs wallpaper and it just isn't shifting. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Under Pressure

Morning, thought I'd share a card I made for one of the Ladybugs who's birthday it was last week. Now Diane is very talented and I felt entirely under pressure which ended up with me not being able to create something I was happy with. That's the trouble when you you've got such talented friends!


The image and sentiment are LOTV


I'm using this card for the following challenges:-

Penny's 78, Birthday,
7KidsCF46, Cute,
Simon Says Stamp, Birthday,
Anything Goes 66, Wings,
Lili's Little Fairies, Anything goes.

Have a good day,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Thursday 3 May 2012

Fluttering Trio

Usual story, my youngest is in need of a card for her friend's birthday tomorrow, nothing like a bit of notice lol!  I have to say though that this was a really quick card to make.



I stamped the butterflies on to some magazine freebie papers, paper pieced their bodies and placed them onto an embossed panel using pinflair gel which helps to add a bit of dimension. I added some stickles and some gorgeous Swarovski Flat Back White Pearls, a stamped sentiment with a couple of Swarovski Crystals and the card is complete except for another piece of the freebie paper on the inside to write on.



I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Penny's 78, Happy Birthday,
Simon Says Stamp, Birthday,
Timeless Tuesday 167, Butterflies,
C4C134, Paper piecing,
LIM65, Sketch.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Sparklicious Bling!


Morning all, Wednesday already already and time for a new theme at Scrapbook Sisters,




For my DT card I used some of that gorgeous glitter film on peach card before cutting it out using a Nellie Snellen Die and placing it on a circular Nestability cut card.
My card is in fact a small gift type card to put on a wedding present, I can't show you the actual card for the occasion yet till after the date.




The Bride and Groom are by Digital Delights, coloured with Copics and placed on an embossed background using Pinflair gel.



I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
CRC, Emboss it,
Papertake Weekly, Anything goes,
MMC55, Emboss,
Scrappy Frogs, Shape it up,
Catch The Bug, Recipe,
Fashionista,Wedding card.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x