Baby cards

Two baby cards. Both the same but very different. One very traditional in it's colours and image and the other different colours to the norm and a modern image. Which to choose?
The first one is using an image from the Joanna Sheen Precious Petals cdrom. The second is another Joanna Sheen cdrom called Baby Love.
The tiny flower border on the pink card was made using the pinflair punch. I cut lots of little flowers and leaves and then created the strip. I also made some for the corners of the image.
This is what I love with cd crafting you can use the image alongside so many other crafting ideas. You can add as much other detail or not depending on the card you want to achieve.
I'm about to play with the new Joanna cdrom..it's called The Age of Elegance. It has wonderful images on it especially those of Rosetti and Waterhouse. And the amount of backing papers of William Morris are just to die for. It has got to be one of my favourite eras and I really didn't know which to pick to print first. So watch this space..no doubt there will be a couple arriving on this blog soon. Happy Crafting.

The shed card

This card was an order for a friend. The man it is for is an avid gardener and spends more time in the shed than anywhere else! The inside is a decoupage from La Pashe..which was lovely to do. The outside of the card I made myself to look like shed doors. The plant pots were from a Joanna Sheen cdrom which I covered with flowersoft to give it some texture. I then added some ivy diecuts and e made the happy birthday and name signs. The lettering dies are from the All Occasion Die range which is made by Robert Addams. It is such a joy to use as they will cut the thick card with no problem whatsoever. The ivy leaves are cut from the ivy flourish from the Signature die range from Joanna Sheen. Again this is a wonderful range to use. No matter what the card..it cuts first time. I have many dies and some I have to say I dread using some...having to use wax paper and making many runs to ensure the cut. When you find one that works so well as these it really is worth sharing the news. I use a cuttlebug and am toying with getting a grand calibur. The only reason that I'm thinking of getting one is that you can use the A4 plate which would be so useful because I tend to make alot of 8x8 cards and to be able to get an A4 embossing folder would be really useful. But then I'm weighing it all up as once I've bought the machine, I would have to buy more embossing folders. Not that I need an excuse to buy crafting goodies but I feel as if ny crafting 'need' list would be growing daily. I have just purchased some more snowflake dies...I think I have a problem..I just love them and every time I see one that's a bit different..I cannot resist. Happy crafting

The magic tin

This is a card I made today for a ruby wedding anniversary. The shape itself is from a glittergirls board. The decoupage was created from the Joanna Sheen cdrom From the Heart of the Garden. I am yet to make a stand for it. Instead of a box or envelope it will be wrapped in tissue paper. At the moment I'm really in the mood to create lots of cards...as with everyone, my mojo can sometimes take a holiday but when then happens I go to my magic inspiration tin and pick out a ticket. When my mojo is with me , I make tickets for my tin...it might say a colour, a theme, an idea..(inking on mirror board or embossing on acetate) and put them all in...then when I feel my mojo slipping, I give the tin a good shake and pick one out. And then I do what it says. It's just a way that makes me work at something and it's really surprising what ideas can come into your head this way. It may sound odd but it works for me and I thought I would share it. Even sometimes when you have lots of orders coming in or lots of cards that you need to make for your own use..the magic tin is a way of having a break from the norm and gives your head a break. I hope you make your own magic tin and happy crafting

It's really pink

This a very pink little handbag that I made to order. The brief was that it had to be very pink with lots of flowers. I handmade all the flowers using punches and then glittered them and then added even more bling. The little tag is waiting to be attached with ribbon. The bag itself has sides so then the present can be put inside.

Zentangle

I thought I would share one of my new passions. Zentangle. When I'm trying to come up with new cards I tend to tangle while I'm thinking of what to do. I find it really relaxing and my son says it's the only time that I'm quiet. I drew the flower outline and then tangled away.
My quest this week is to find out how to link from my blog to the many products I use. I would love to give credit to all the businesses whose products I use because without them I would not be able to play as much as I do. So that's my intention over the next few days. As I said before, my blogging has become a journey of it's own and I'm loving every minute of it. My crafting journey really began when I became disabled. It kept me sane (well nearly!) at a time I was finding difficult. Crafting gave me a purpose to get up every morning so that I could at least feel as if I had something creative. I have always crafted..making my own cards, sewing and cooking but once I lost use of my legs for most of the time, I needed something to fill the empty hours and that was crafting. When either making a card or making a piece of artwork for the house, I can seem to lose myself in the project. So if you're ever feeling down or as if there are too many hours in the day..start your own crafting journey and see where it takes you.

Butterfly 2

Well I'm pleased to say that my photos seem to be getting clearer. Just by reading and playing I managed to get an image I was happier with. Things can only get better from here! This is the second time I've used this image but put it with a different background. The background was made using chalks and over the top I used Crafters companion spray and sparkle. It is a very simple card but I'm pleased with how it turned out. As in the previous butterfly card the image was coloured with promarkers, glittered and then decoupaged.

Butterfly number 1

 

 

 

 

This is the first of two cards I made yesterday. I stamped the image, coloured it using promarkers and then glittered it. I then decoupaged the image. The background I created a patchwork effect usung odd bits of scrap paper from my stash. I then added the jewelled butterfly trail. It never ceases to amaze me just how popular butterfly images are. And of course the different ways you can colour them helps to make them even more popular. Whether it is a true to life colourway or a fantasy one they can either be the main focal image or as an embellishment. Either way they bring their own charm to whatever way they are used. I have to admit I really enjoyed created the backing paper from odd pieces in my stash. It has given me lots of ideas. I should think that you'll see this use of mixed paper again! The main reason I think I enjoyed it was the fact that I was using papers that may have otherwise ended up in the bin. It's certainly made me look at what's left behind when I create a card. Well I'm off now to finish another card..happy crafting

ATC collection

This is a collection of atcs that I made using the theme of afternoon tea. It reminds me of being a child and the thrill of getting ready for a ladies tea. The pretty cloth for the table, the collecting of flowers for the table and the pretty china. I am really enjoying learning to blog and sharing. Every day I'm having to learn something new..and today I'm off to learn how to take a better photo. It always seems to be a bit hit and miss with me. I have been reading some great advice from Nicky Hall in the Creative showcase group..so I'm off to have a go. It's really strange that when you start something new..as in this blog..you want to improve it every time..what was ok before is not now. So I'm off to play with the camera and will get back to you.