15 December 2017

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

08 December 2017

Step Away From The Cards - Tags, Labels & Toppers - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I had to take a photo in the rain yesterday - first time for everything I suppose!  It was so dark and dismal inside that I just couldn't get enough light.  If you look closely enough you can see the water droplets!

So, the Daring Cardmakers are stepping away from the cards once more and have been working on tags, labels and toppers.  You can see lots of inspiration HERE.


I've fallen in love with Christmas Puddings.  They're very popular at the moment and I just think they're really rather cute.  However, the love story ends there as I don't like eating them - I'd much rather have a mince pie!

I thought I'd have a go at making my own as I didn't have any relevant dies or stamps.  I used a circle die to cut the pudding out of corrugated card then die cut a partial circle from a wavy die for the top.


I added felt holly leaves and wooden painted berries on the top.  I used various papers from the First Edition Merry Little Christmas pad and added washi tape and ribbon to embellish.

It's a fun challenge so I hope you'll join in.

All being well, I hope to see you again next week!
Shabneez 

Products Used:
First Edition Merry Little Christmas Pad
Sizzix Dies
Stix 2 Anything adhesives
Everything else from my stash



06 December 2017

Friends are like stars.......... - Bubbly Funk DT

Happy Wednesday!

The boys have their carol service at a local church this afternoon with their school friends.  They've been practicing a lot and I'm sure it'll all pay off in their performance.

I'm up on the Bubbly Funk blog today with a card for a friend.  You know I love my sentiments and this is a stamp I had to buy, it just so happened to work really well with the December 'Through The Letterbox' too!


I began by making the background.  I used the star stencil from the box and with my finger applied Liquid Pearls through it.  I didn't want a smooth effect so using my fingers gave me the texture I desired.


While the background was drying, I die cut cross stitched banners.  I stamped the sentiment onto the largest one and added glitter stars from the box to the others.  I trimmed the diamante ribbon into banners too.

I assembled the card and used foam tape for the sentiment banner so it was more prominent.  A perfect card for a friend.........

See you again on Friday!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Glitter Stars, Diamante Ribbon and Star Stencil from the December 'Through The Letterbox'
Dovecraft Stamp
Versafine Ink Pad
Ranger Liquid Pearls
Adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Everything Else from my stash

01 December 2017

December Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

A very Happy December to you all!

It appears many parts of the country got snow but we escaped!  I was actually busy crafting yesterday afternoon when the snowflakes began to fall but they soon stopped.......

As you know it's the first Friday of the month which means the Daring Cardmakers have an Elemental Challenge.  I chose to make a Z Fold card using the Dovecraft Magic of Christmas paper pad.


I used stamps from the same set for the Christmas trees and sentiment which I stamped in gold then fussy cut.


The background paper is quite busy so I used the spotty paper to break it up.  I think it works quite well, don't you?



This is the photo from which you have to pick 3 elements.  I chose the Christmas tree, colours and the 'love' from the cushion.  I hope that you'll play along and you can see a lot more inspiration over on the Daring Cardmakers blog HERE.

Have a great weekend and see you again next week!
Shabneez 

Products Used:
Dovecraft Magic of Christmas Paper Pad
Dovecraft Magic of Christmas Stamp Set
Dovecraft Gold Ink Pad
All adhesives from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash

27 November 2017

3 Cards in 30 Minutes Using CrafTangles Stencils

Happy Monday!

The weekend went so fast and here we are again ready for another week!  My time is often quite limited and yet I often have a few personal cards to make so I challenged myself to make 3 cards in 30 minutes.  I used CrafTangles stamps, stencils and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.


I chose 3 stencils and stuck them all on a sheet of A3 watercolour paper before adding distress inks and spritzing with water.


While the backgrounds were drying I cut out my card bases from CrafTangles cardstock but you can use a heat gun to speed up the drying process.

For my first card I cut our a square from the background and adhered it onto the card base, adding a band with a heat embossed sentiment and sequins to finish.


With the next background, I fussy cut it and stuck half on to my card base before heat embossing a sentiment and adding faux gems to embellish.


For my final  card, I used a stitched border to cut out the background before adhering it on to the card base.  I stamped a sentiment and added bakers twine to finish.


I hope this post has inspired you to pick up your stencils next time you want to make a quick batch of cards.  There is a more in depth post over on the CrafTangles blog HERE.

See you again soon!
Shabneez 

Products Used:
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Embossing Powders in Gold and White
All adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash


24 November 2017

Trim The Tree - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Friday already! The weeks seem to fly by at the moment and before you know it, it'll be December.  My planner is mad during December, most of it taken up with school activities...........

So, the Daring Cardmakers have asked for trees this week - could be a single one or an entire forest.  It doesn't have to be a Christmas tree either........You'll see a lot of wonderful inspiration on the Daring Cardmakers blog HERE and I hope you'll join in!

I just happened to pick up the latest Making Cards Magazine recently and it had the most appropriate printed toppers and papers for this challenge.  It must have been fate!  I used both the tree papers, the red as the backing and from the white I die cut a smaller tree and framed it as well.


The main topper really didn't need more than a frame and I used my new stitched hexagon dies.


I added glitter stars from the upcoming Bubbly Funk December Through The Letterbox (shhhhh, it's a sneak peek so don't tell anyone!) for a bit of bling.  My other embellishments are washi tape and gems.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I will see you again very soon!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Making Cards Magazine
Glitter Stars from Bubbly Funk 'Through The Letterbox' December Box
Pretty Pink Posh Hexagon Dies
Everything else from my stash


19 November 2017

Warm Winter Wishes - Bubbly Funk DT

Happy Sunday!

I'm just popping by to say I am up on the Bubbly Funk blog HERE with a project using ribbons - lots of them!  The November 'Through The Letterbox' is full of a wonderful array of ribbons.


I've covered a chipboard mitten with the ribbons and used one to make a pretty bow!  


The embellishments in the box are gorgeous and I've picked on a beautiful faux pearl brad and snowflake charms for this project.


I love it when a plan comes together and I found a sentiment which goes so well with my project - 'warm wishes to you' as mittens keep your hands warm don't they?!  The sentiment was one of a set in the latest Making Cards Magazine.  I can certainly see myself using them a lot as they're very versatile.

There's a more in depth post on the Bubbly Funk blog of how I made this card and if you haven't got the November 'Through The Letterbox' - what are you waiting for?!

See you again next week!
Shabneez 

Products Used:
Ribbon, Chipboard Mitten, Brad, Twine, Snowflake charms from the Bubbly Funk November 'Through The Letterbox
Sizzix Circle Die
Sentiment from Making Cards Magazine
All adhesive from Stix 2 Anything

17 November 2017

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

14 November 2017

CrafTangles Aperture Wedding Cards

Happy Tuesday!

How's your week going so far? I'm having a good week so far getting projects completed so no complaints from me!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog HERE with a couple of wedding cards using a very traditional Indian wedding themed stamp set.


I've put a modern twist on my cards by using apertures in different ways and I have a bit of a romantic theme going on with the hearts - well, you associate love with weddings don't you?!


For my first card I've used the CrafTangles stitched heart die to cut out the aperture and also to frame them.  I've heat embossed sentiments in 2 of the hearts and in the third I've stamped the image, fussy cut it and added a new product from my stash - Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Kiss.  It's added a light coating of glitter and shimmer.


For my second card I've stamped and fussy cut the image 3 times, the final time heat embossing it with gold.  I created the aperture by using foam pads to decoupage the image.


I added a gold heart to the background and another die cut with a stamped and heat embossed sentiment.


See you again later on in the week!
Shabneez 

I Products Used:
CrafTangles Mr & Mrs Stamp Set
CrafTangles Denim Blue Cardstock
CrafTangles Ruby Red Cardstock
CrafTangles Stitched Heart Dies
Ranger Embossing Powder
Tonic Nuvo Embossing Powder
Amy Tangerine Die Set
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Kiss

09 November 2017

Makeover Candle Gift Project - Bubbly Funk DT

Happy Thursday!

I hope you're all keeping snug and warm.  I'm definitely feeling the cold but my Mum thinks I may have an iron deficiency as she claims it's not that cold!!!!  

I'm on the Bubbly Funk blog today with a makeover project using the November Bubbly Funk Through The Letterbox.  I adore candles and use them a great deal at home as I like both the scent and the atmosphere they create.


I recently bought a few candles which smell divine but don't look very interesting so I decided to give one a makeover as a gift for a friend. 



For the lid, I die cut a white glitter base and added skeleton leaves and chipboard hearts from the box.  I used a couple of poinsettia from my stash and glittered the tips.  I threaded twine through the poinsettia and a white bell, adding beads to the bottom.


For the side of the tin I used the striped material from the box.  I found I could manipulate it so well as it didn't crease and gave a lovely clean look.  I adhered it with double sided tape and used that for the pom pom ribbon as well.

I hope you've enjoyed my project.  You'll find more information and inspiration on the Bubbly Funk page HERE where you can also purchase your November Through The Letterbox.

I may see you again tomorrow but it all depends if I get my project completed - it's been a mad week so far and it's not over yet!

Shabneez

Products Used:
Material, Pom Pom Ribbon, Skeleton Leaves, White Bell and Beads from the Bubbly Funk November Through The Letterbox
Everything else from my stash


06 November 2017

Christmas Wreath - Angie's Digital Stamps DT (Challenge 15)

Happy Monday to you all!

It's been a busy day for me as I've been at work so haven't had time to write my blog post until now.  I usually write them in advance but this weekend was busy with work. 

Anyhow, the new challenge has started over on Angie's Digital Stamps HERE.  It's actually my last post as DT member as I have stepped down due to work commitments.  I've enjoyed showcasing Angie's Digistamps as there is such a wide variety and I will no doubt be popping in to stock up when necessary!  A big thank you to Angie for having me on her DT.

So, the optional theme for this challenge is the Holidays and I've chosen a wreath digistamp which I've coloured with pencils so I could achieve the texture of the wreath I wanted.


I added gems and a sentiment stamp to finish.  I've kept is simple with ribbon and contrasting backing papers as I wanted the focus to be on the image.


I've got a mountain of work to complete this week but I'm very grateful to have been given a wonderful new planner today.  Planners make organising my life so much easier and I love adding colours and embellishments to them.

You will no doubt see me again later on in the week but until then, have a great week!

Shabneez

Products Used:
Angie's Digital Stamp - Christmas Wreath
All adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash


03 November 2017

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





01 November 2017

Festive Snow Friends Tag - Bubbly Funk DT

Happy Wednesday!

The new Bubbly Funk 'Through The Letterbox' is out today and it is brimming with all things festive!

For my first project I have opted to make a tag using everything from the box apart from the paint that I used to spatter the tag with!  The embellishments in this kit are plentiful with pearls, candi, metal snowflakes, gems, buttons and much more, a bit of an Aladdin's cave.......



For my tag I spattered gold and white paint as a base then adhered a plain white and spotted blue ribbon.  The sparkly poinsettia base is really glittery and after adding it I had a tough time choosing which embellishments to use as I was truly spoilt for choice!


I ended up with using a mixture of the metal snowflakes, card candi, pearls, sequin hearts and a metal sentiment.  I finished by adding twine to a couple of buttons and tying in a bow.

You may be able to guess that the key colour for this month's box is blue.  The spotted blue and white paper bag is one of the bags the items come packaged in.  I can't bear to throw them away as they're so pretty!

You can buy the November Bubbly Funk box HERE.

See you again soon!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Everything from the Bubbly Funk November 'Through The Letterbox'  apart from adhesive and paint.







30 October 2017

CrafTangles Beautiful Blooms Border Designs - CrafTangles DT

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend?  I had a laid back weekend for a change and managed to tick off quite a  few things on my list so I'm happy!

I'm on the CrafTangles blog with a couple of cards using the Beautiful Bloom Border.  Not only does the set have a gorgeous intricate border, but it has a number of heartfelt sentiments and I do love a good sentiment.


My first card uses the spotlight technique, where you stamp the image, cut out parts, colour them and put them back like a jigsaw!  How's that for a technique in a nutshell?!


I went for shades of green on my second card, as it's one of my favourite colours and I used my water brush with various shades of green from my Zig pens.


The background is made using a stencil and some faux stitching.  The sentiment is heat embossed and faux stitching added to finish.

For a more in depth look at how I made these cards please take a look at my post on the CrafTangles blog HERE.

Have a great week!
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Beautiful Bloom Border Stamp Set
CrafTangles Cardstock in Black, Emerald and Spring Green
Kuretake Zig Clean Colour Brush Pens
Versamagic Ink Pad
Versamark Ink Pad
Tonic Nuvo Glacier White Embossing Powder
All adhesives from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash

27 October 2017

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

24 October 2017

The Not So Hungry Caterpillar - Bubbly Funk DT

Happy Tuesday!

I hope you've had a good weekend.  Half term is in full swing here and we've been having a good sort out so we can give our preloved books, toys and games new homes.  We do have fun activities planned but I need the boys' input otherwise it's all going - not really!!!!

I have another project for Bubbly Funk to share and there's even a craft tip over on the Bubbly Funk blog HERE.

My post is based around this little fellow made of pom poms, twine and beads - isn't he cute?!  Of course, I've given him leaves to rest and feed on too.......


I've drawn faux stitching on the leaves just to make them stand out a little more.


The striped background paper was a scrap and I added the grey zig zag washi tape strip because you all know how fond I am of it as well as some coloured gems.

I coloured the sentiment with chalk ink and added a couple of flowers to finish.  Hope to see your Bubbly Funk creations if you've received your October Letterbox!

See you again on Friday!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Bubbly Funk October Letterbox
All adhesives from Stix to Anything
Versamagic Chalk Ink
Scrap Striped Paper from my stash

20 October 2017

Are you a City or Country Girl? - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Time for a new challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers blog set by Miri who wants to know whether you're a city or coutry girl?  Can you guess which one I am from my card?


Give up?!  For the challenge I am a country girl.  I was brought up in the countryside in a small village in the East Midlands.  Lots of farmland around and lovely country walks.  I used to see deer and always thought they were so beautiful and powerful.

Back to my card, I've used the fabulous First Edition pad - Merry Little Christmas.  I absolutely love the colours and patterns in this pad and I'll be using them to demo this weekend in Romford.  I tore the paper to give the impression of grassland and added the deer die cut on a circle.  I used a tag sentiment, adding a little ribbon and gem to embellish.

I have a busy weekend ahead and then half term to look forward to so a break from the norm and I'm hoping to plan some outings with the boys.

Products Used:
Trimcraft First Edition Merry Little Christmas Pad
Time to Sparkle Die Set
All adhesive from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash

18 October 2017

The Festival of Lights - CrafTangles DT

Happy Wednesday!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog HERE with a couple of celebratory cards for Diwali.  Diwali is the festival of light celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs.


You won't be surprised to learn that I have used 'light' as the theme for both my makes.


For my first card I've tried to highlight the diva lamp, keeping the rest of the card monochrome, bar the yellow border.  I've masked the lamp and used distress inks to create the glow from flame.


On my second card the fireworks are lighting up the sky and I used the appropriately named 'Fireworks' stencil with both distress oxides and heat embossing.  Don't the family look colourful in their traditional outfits?

There's a lot more detail on my makes over on the CrafTangles blog.

See you on Friday!
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Diwali Wishes Stamps
CrafTangles Diwali Greetings Stamps
CrafTangles Cardstock in Cobalt Blue
CrafTangles Cardstock in Fiery Yellow
CrafTangles Stencil - Fireworks
Distress Oxides
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Ranger Embossing Powder in Silver
Ranger Embossing Powder in Gold
Tonic Nuvo Embossing Powder in White
Kuretake Zig Clean Color Pens
All adhesives from Six 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash


13 October 2017

Funky Frame - Bubbly Funk DT

Welcome to the Weekend!

I did say I'd be back but I bet you didn't think it'd be this quick!  I'm on the Bubbly Funk blog HERE with my first project using the October Letterbox. 


I opted for a home decor project and made a frame using only items from the letterbox.  There is loads left over  and I do have other projects lined up!


There are lots of embellishments in the box and I felt like a child in a sweet shop trying to choose what to use first.

There's lots more information on the Bubbly Funk blog so I hope you 'll pop along and there is also a competition to win a box like mine over on the Bubbly Funk Facebook page.

See you next week!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Bubbly Funk October Letterbox
All adhesives from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash


Pastel Rainbow - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

This week's challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers was set by Sharon who asked for a pastel rainbow.  Now, as I'd already used traditional rainbows last week, I wanted to do something a little different and this is what I came up with.........


I used stitched dies to create the pastel rainbow background, adding a stitched sun and clouds.  I was SO pleased when I found a CrafTangles stamp set with the most perfect sentiment.  I really like the idea of wishing someone rainbows and sunshine, as to me it conjures up images of happiness.



Loving this challenge and the inspiration from the Design Team is brilliant - you must check it out HERE and have a go!

I'll be back over the weekend!
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Girl In The Rain Stamp Set
Amy Tangerine Die Set
All adhesives from Stix 2 Anything
Everything else from my stash