23 December 2018

Quick & Easy Christmas Cards - CrafTangles DT

Happy Sunday!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog for my last post of the year.  Just in case you've not completed your cards there's still time - ha!  I actually finished and delivered the last of my cards to neighbours yesterday.


Amongst my last CrafTangles DT package I got a wonderful set of papers which I've used for my last set of Christmas cards.


The variety in the paper pad is a great as there's something for everyone.  For my first card I die cut the circles from one of the papers and made a diagonal split card using the circles for toppers.  I added a sentiment with the CrafTangles Holiday stamp set.


Next up I used a kraft card base that worked really well with the paper I chose.  I cut another one of the papers and stamped an additional sentiment in the centre. 


For my final card the paper gave me the inspiration for the rest of the card. I used distress inks to stamp the sentiment an ombre fashion.

Before I go I just wanted to thank you all for reading my blog posts.  I've enjoyed reading each and every comment and appreciate your support.

Have a wonderful Christmas and see you in the New Year!
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Merry Christmas Paper Pad
CrafTangles Happy Holidays Stamp Set
CrafTangles Cardstock
Distress Inks
Everything else from my stash

14 December 2018

Snowflakes Falling - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Christmas activities have been going on in full swing for the boys this past week.  It began with a brilliant Carol Service and combined play at the Church that we attended then trips to see various pantomimes and of course Christmas parties.  School is now over and the holidays have officially begun (for them at least)!

The Daring Cardmakers challenge this week is a snowflake themed one.  You can use a single snowflake or have an abundance of them - the choice is yours!  Lots of inspiration can be found HERE.


I got out my Go Press & Foil machine for this creation.  I had some beautiful light blue holographic foil that I used on a snowflake hot foil stamp.   I think the dark background highlights it quite well don't you?  I used a royal blue foil for the sentiment and added card candi and gems to embellish.

It's my last class tomorrow so although I'm still working next week I have some time off and we have activities planned with the boys.  I'm very much looking forward to it.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend whatever you do!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Create & Craft Core Cardstock for card base
Couture GoPress & Foil Machine
Blue and Light Blue Foils
Todo Hot foil Stamps
Craftwork Cards Card Candi
Dovecraft Self Adhesive Gems

08 December 2018

Using Stencils to Create Christmas Card Toppers - CrafTangles DT

Happy Weekend!

I'm so very glad the weekend is here although I'm actually teaching for most of the day today.  I'm up on the CrafTangles blog with a post on making your own Christmas toppers for cards.


I had a bit of a production line going and to begin with I die cut some shapes and made all the toppers using images from a stencil together with distress inks.


For all the cards I used the Trimcraft First Edition Jolly Holidays papers as backgrounds.  It's definitely one of my favourite paper pads this winter.


So for my first card I gave the Christmas tree and ombre effect and added washi tape, lime green card and a sentiment to finish.


For my next card I used the fun candy cane image and created 3 toppers adding a sentiment to finish.

My final card uses the deer image which I inked in milled lavender and weathered wood distress inks.  I really liked the subtle effect it gave to the topper.


I finished off with a sentiment and co-ordinating papers.

There's more of an in depth tutorial HERE if you want to know more about how I created these cards.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and hopefully see you next week!
Shabneez

Products Used:
First Edition Jolly Holidays Paper Pad
CrafTangles Christmas Elements Stencil
CrafTangles Christmas Ornaments Stamp Set
CrafTangles Seasons Greetings Stamp Set
Ranger Distress Inks in Abandoned Coral, Peacock Feathers, Weathered Wood, Milled Lavender, Mowed Lawn and Twisted Citron
Everything else from my stash

30 November 2018

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






23 November 2018

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

16 November 2018

Gift Tags, Toppers and Labels - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

How's your week been?  I have a list longer than my arm today but I am determined to get as much done as possible.  The boys have gone dressed to school in spots to raise money for Children In Need.  It was a welcome sight seeing all the brightly dressed children this morning - just what I needed to cheer me up on a wet and miserable day.

Today is the first of the Step Away from the Cards challenge set by the Daring Cardmakers before Christmas.  This week's challenge is to come up with a gift tag, topper or label.   I decided on a tag.  I had some packaging lying around for recycling so I thought I'd start with that and die cut a tag.  I love the texture corrugated card gives.  I went over the card with inks - you can just about see the gold and the burgundy around the edges just to make it pop a little.


My tag continued to be made up using items I had on the table.  I was in the midst of clearing up but then decided I had better get this done so used what I had out.  I had been working with my Go Press and Foil machine so had a sentiment ready.  I added a die cut tree backing onto a shiny gold doily.


My next layer was a wooden frame and finally I added a wooden tree embellishment on which I went over with the edges with some ink.  To finish I had kept a gold tassel on the table thinking I could use it at some point and it worked well don't you agree?  I hope you'll join in with the Challenge - more details and inspiration HERE.

I'm off to tick this blog post off my to-do list - it's so satisfying seeing those ticks build up!  

Have a lovely weekend and see you again soon.
Shabneez 

Products Used:
Sizzix Tag Collection Dies
Dovecraft Gold Doilies
Trimcraft Wooden Frame
Trimcraft Wooden Tree Embellishment
TODO Peace & Joy Hotfoil Stamp
Couture Tree Die
Versamagic Chalk Ink
Go Press & Foil Machine
Everything else from my stash

09 November 2018

Winter Flowers and Foliage - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Well, I made it - in the nick of time!  You know, I really commend those bloggers who blog daily like Linda, Holley and Annie who I follow - I couldn't do it as it is so time consuming.

The Daring Cardmakers are still in festive mode and would like to see winter flowers and foliage on your cards this week.  After yesterday's blog post I had an idea in my head but it didn't quite turn out the way I intended it to.  In other words I'm not happy but I didn't have time to do anything different!


My idea was to make a one layer card and use alternative colours on traditional flowers.  I managed to succeed in that because I used pink and turquoise for the poinsettia and foliage.  I used distress inks to paint the heat embossed image.  

It was the background I had the issues with as it came out different to what was in my head and part of me wishes I hadn't bothered with it!  Oh well, I might try again another day.

I actually used the stamp in a different way - off the page.  I got the idea from Joanne who stamped a bauble in the similar way in last week's DCM challenge (thank you Joanne!).  My stamp didn't cover the width of my card and looked a little odd in my opinion so I masked what I had stamped and rotated the stamp so I could add another poinsettia and a little more foliage.

So there we have it, bet the my teamies didn't have as much trouble as I did!  Lots of wonderful  inspiration from them can be found HERE.  I do hope you'll join in with the Challenge!

Enjoy your weekend,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Distress Inks
CraftTangles Holly Jolly Stamp set
CrafTangles Christmas Ornaments Stamp set
Ranger Embossing Powder
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad





08 November 2018

Christmas Cards with a touch of Sparkle! - CrafTangles DT

Happy Thursday!

I keep getting reminders from various online retailers advising me on the countdown to Christmas so I thought I had better increase my card production as I send so many.  Of course, there's nothing like having to write a Design Team post to give me a gentle nudge!

I'm up on the CrafTangles Blog HERE with a selection of sparkly Christmas cards.  I just couldn't resist and it gets better as my sparkly products increase.......


I took the opportunity to use my Chameleon pens together with the colour tops on some of the images - they really make it easy to blend.


For my first card I've used the man in red himself and I just love the sentiment don't you?!  The iridescent sparkle was added using glimmer paste through a christmas tree stencil.


Next up heat embossing in gold - it gives such a luxury feel to a card in my opinion.  I bet you think I'm so odd - haha!!! I used acrylic paint flicks on the background and added sparkle in the form of glitter card.


For my final card I used the cute bear stamp set that I'd used at the beginning of the year.  The sparkle comes again from glimmer paste, this time in silver for the background.

I'm hoping to be back again tomorrow but it kind of depends if I can whip up a project in time.  No guarantees I'm afraid - you'll just have to watch this space!

Shabneez

Products Used:
Chameleon Pens
CrafTangles Holly Jolly Stamp Set
CrafTangles Bearing Gifts Stamp Set
CrafTangles Merry Christmas Stamp Set
CrafTangles Snowflakes Stencil 
CrafTangles Tree Background Stencil
CrafTangles Silver Glimmer Paste
CraFtangles Fairy Dust Glimmer Paste
CrafTangles Cardstock
Versamark Pad
Ranger Gold Embossing Powder
Everything else from my stash




02 November 2018

November Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy November!

I can't believe it's November already can you?  We've had a lovely week of half term being out and about about visiting family and friends.

Being the first Friday of the month it's the Elemental Challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  It's the first of the festive challenges on a countdown to Christmas so hope it'll inspire your Christmas projects.


I've used the Dovecraft Time to Sparkle collection for my card, choosing a couple of  the papers from the pad and matt and layering with black.  The NOEL is from the First Edition alphabet tiles which are a firm favourite of mine as they're so versatile - one of my best buys of 2018.  Twine and a snowflake brad finishes it off.  The topper made me think of a snow globe as I was constructing it.  What do you think?


This is the mood board Kathy has chosen and I love the elements on it.  It was difficult deciding what to choose but I ended up using the colours, the Noel sentiment, twine and checks.  You only need to use 3 elements in your challenge.  Lots more inspiration from my fellow DT members can be found HERE.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend,
Shabneez 

Products Used: 
Dovecraft Time to Sparkle Paper Pad
Dovecraft Time to Sparkle Snowflake Embellishments
First Edition Alphabet Tile Dies
American Crafts Twine
Dovecraft The Magic Of Christmas Die Set
MFT Dienamics Stitched Arch Dies
Everything else from my stash



30 October 2018

CrafTangles October Blog Hop 2018 - Eid Cards

Happy Tuesday,

It's the CrafTangles October Blog Hop and I hope you'll join in as there are only 3 blogs to hop plus a British blogger won one of the prizes last month.  As they say, you have to be in it to win it!

We were tasked with using a range of new stamps and stencils to include the Hindu festival of Diwali, the Muslim festival of Eid together with the Warli tribes and Faces of India.

I chose to concentrate on the Eid stamps and stencils.  Actually the next Eid isn't for another 8 months but at least I'm ahead of my cardmaking for a change!  It's like starting Christmas cards in July........


There are actually very few companies that I know of which have produced Eid stamps and stencils so I was most excited about getting these!


For my first card I used glimmer paste through a stencil on top of a distress ink blended background.  I heat embossed the sentiment and added bling to finish.


Next up I used distress inks again for the topper background creating a sunset.  I used black gesso through a stencil for the card base and distress inked the edges.  Finally, I heat embossed the stamped image finishing with some star gems.


My final card is a more modern one - I loved creating the background on this one by using distress inks through a stencil and a simple gold heat embossed Eid sentiment was all it took to finish.

Below are the blogs you need to comment on for the October hop and you can find more information HERE:

2. ME! You are HERE.

Good luck!
Shabneez 

Products Used:
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Ranger Embossing Powders
Everything else from my stash
CrafTangles 6"x6" Create a scene Stencil - Eid MubarakCrafTangles 6"x6" Stencil - Art DecoCrafTangles 6"x6" Stencil - Starry Background

CrafTangles Photopolymer Stamps - Eid MubarakCrafTangles Glimmer Paste - Denim Blue




26 October 2018

Go Glitter - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I'm not looking forward to the clocks going back over the weekend as it means less daylight hours.  If I'm working away from home then I leave in the dark and come home in the dark.

Anyhow, Svenja has set this week's challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers today and she's chosen glitter!  You know how I love glitter but I have toned it down on my creation today!


I've made a rocker card and this was actually one of the cards I demonstrated at my recent Trimcraft Christmas Demos.  It uses the very cute and colourful Christmas Village collection by Helz Cuppleditch.


I used a glitter coated wooden star embellishment together with a glittered sentiment from the Decoupage pad.  I love how with a collection you can mix and match and it all goes together without too much thought.

Lots more glittery creations by my fellow DT members can be seen HERE.  I hope you'll join in with this sparkly challenge!

Have a lovely weekend whatever you do -  I'm looking forward to having a lazy day on Sunday to recharge my batteries.

Bye for now,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Trimcraft Christmas Village Paper Pad
Trimcraft Christmas Village Decoupage Pad
Trimcraft Christmas Village Embellishments
Trimcraft Christmas Village Character Toppers
Trimcraft Christmas Village Glittered Wooden Shapes
Trimcraft Christmas Village Mini Bows
Simply Creative Gems
Everything else from my stash

I would like to enter this card in the Alphabet Challenge - P is for Penguins



23 October 2018

Celebratory Cards Using CrafTangles Products

Happy Tuesday!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog today with a selection of cards using their October new release products.


I actually had to investigate the warli stamp set I was sent as I'd never heard of the warli tribe that are featured on it.  So I learnt warli painting is a tribal art form and the warli tribe originated from the mountains on the coast in northern India.  The warli style reminded me of paintings done in caves.


The stamp set went well with a tribal stencil in my mind so that's what I used!  I made a distressed oxide background then used oxides through the stencil too.

My next card was funnily enough made using an Eid stencil to make a Diwali card!  A versatile stencil for sure!


Once again I chose to use distress oxides through the stencil on black card this time, finishing with a gold heat embossed sentiment.


For my final card I chose a red background and silver glimmer paste through a stencil.  I wanted to keep it simple so just added a sentiment to finish.

I have more in depth details on how I went about making there cards on the CrafTangles blog HERE.

See you again soon,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Distress Oxides
Versafine Black Ink
CrafTangles Glimmer Paste
CrafTangles Tribal Stencil
CrafTangles Eid Stencil
CrafTangles Diwali Stencil
CrafTangles Warli Borders Stamp
CrafTangles From All Of Us Stamp Set
Everything else from my stash

19 October 2018

We Make a Good Pear - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

Parents Evening is over and it's half term next week.  It's come round so fast but we have some activities planned so hopefully the weather will stay dry......

Over on the Daring Cardmakers Joanne has set the Challenge this week and based it on Apple Day as that's what it is today.  Now, before you say what a rebel I've been not using an apple she has said any tree fruit can be used - so there! Ha!


I decided to use a Market Fresh Spellbinders die and stamp set which I won some time back but hadn't got round to using.  I used both distress inks and oxides to colour the avocado pears as I love the chalky finish I  get with the oxides and the brighter finish with the distress inks.  I die cut and embossed the circle for matting and layering and stamped the sentiment from the same set onto a heart die cut.  To finish I've just added some gems.

There's lots more inspiration on the Daring Cardmakers blog HERE so get out those tree fruit stamps and dies and join in!

I have my final Trimcraft Christmas demo this week at The Range in Thurrock this Sunday.  It's been a great few weeks meeting new and experienced crafters alike.  

Enjoy your weekend and see you again early on in the week,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Spellbinders Market Fresh - The Pearfect Avocado Stamp & Die Set
C&C Gingham cardstock
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Tim Holtz Distress Oxides
Taylored Expressions Embossing Folder
Stitched Circle and Heart Dies
Everything else from my stash



12 October 2018

Pets! - Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Happy Friday!

The highlight of my week was catching up with a very dear friend for coffee.  We first met when we were both expecting for the first time over a decade ago now - seems like such a long time when I put it like that!  I rarely take time out during the week but I'm so glad I did and I made up time lost at the end of the day after the boys had gone to bed.

It's my turn to choose a challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers this week and I've gone with pets.  I would like to see cats, dogs, goldfishes, snakes, spiders or any other pets you care to think of on your creation.  Plenty of inspiration from my fellow DT members HERE.


This card is one I've done a tutorial for over on the Create & Craft Member's page.  I've used Chameleon pens to colour in the image taken from the Time for Tea Design stamp set.  The set is called Mew Are Pawsome just like the sentiment on my card!  I added a fun element to the card by  die cutting the paw prints - they're cute don't you think?!

If you happen to be in or around Enfield this weekend I will be there at The Range ton Sunday from 11am doing another one of my Trimcraft Christmas Demos.  Last one next week!

I hope you have a lovely weekend whatever you do and I'll see you again next week,
Shabneez

Products Used:
Chameleon Pens
Time for Tea Designs Mew Are Pawsome Stamp and Die Set
Mixture of dies for the pawprints from my stash
Everything else from my stash


08 October 2018

1 Stamp 3 Ways - CrafTangles DT

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend?  I had a hectic weekend, teaching on Saturday and then my Trimcraft Christmas demo on Sunday which was really good - lots of crafters, both new and advanced.  I think I need another day off but it's Monday so no rest for the wicked!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog today using one stamp 3 ways.  This is something I enjoy doing as it makes me think of different ways to use a product.


It's only now that I look at what I made that I realise how you can't tell I've used the same stamp due to the way I've used it!


For my first card I've used the stamp through a balloon stencil.  I thought it was an unusual way of using the stamp and works well.  The background is smooshed and I've added bows and twine to embellish.


Next up is a mixed media creation using the stamp as a background.  I've distressed a paper pad using ink then stamped over to create the background.  I used black gesso through a stencil and some art wax to add shimmer.  It picks up the texture of the gesso so well.  To finish I added a die cut circle and sentiment.


My final card uses the stamp as a border.  I do love the background on this one - a very fresh and modern card!  I've added a fussy cut stamped cake and sentiment too.

So there you have it - 1 stamp used in 3 ways!  A more indepth tutorial for all the cards is on the CrafTangles blog HERE.

Have a great week and see you on Friday!
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Old Newspaper Stamp
CrafTangles Ombre Watercolor Paper Pad
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
CrafTangles Beehive Stencil
CrafTangles Flourish Stencil
Versafine Black Ink Pad
CrafTangles Black Gesso
CrafTangles Art Wax
CrafTangles Balloon Stencil
CrafTangles Birthday Girl Stamp Set
Everything else from my stash


05 October 2018

October Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

What a week it's been!  I've had a great week working with Pinkfresh Studio products and then celebrating our wedding anniversary.  I was treated to a delicious Thai lunch and a make your own tiramisu for dessert!

So, it's the first Friday of the month and an elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I fell in love with the images and colours Dawn chose for this one.  I had an idea in my head and then just played around with it once I had decided on what elements to use.


For the leaves I smooshed a background using various autumnal colours of distress inks then I die cut them out.

I made the pumpkin using 3 ovals that I die cut and inked then overlapped together.   I've seen the pumpkins made with more ovals so you can play and see what works best for you.


Below you'll see the beautiful board that Dawn has chosen.  I love all the colours and elements and when you join in you simply have to choose 3 elements.  I have chosen the leaves, colours and the pumpkin. 


I do hope that you will join in and I look forward to seeing your creations.  You can see more inspiration HERE.

I am on my travels again this weekend and will be at The Range in Romford on Sunday from 11am with some Trimcraft Christmas demos.

See you next week!
Shabneez

Products Used:
Dovecraft Leaf Mini Dies
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Sizzix Stitched Oval Dies by Tim Holtz
AC Moore Paper Pad
Clearly Besotted Stamp Set

I would like to enter this card into the Double 'D' Challenges