ATC Holder

This was supposed to be for four ATCs, but I made a mistake on one part and it had to be cut in half. The large leaf, birds and sayings are Paper Artsy, the tree is Crafty Individuals, the single words and little leaves are Inkadinkado, and the swirls are Bo Bunny. The gold strips are Anita's Glitterations.

Just A Note

This would make a nice gift. I used Paper Artsy Squiggly Ink stamps thoroughout for this project. If you make one for yourself then you can always refill it by stamping more 'Notes'! Quite simple to make, just one piece of card scored three times and the pockets glued. Could also be used for ATCs.

Been Busy

I bought, some years ago, a little notebook at a craft fair. It was covered inside and out with handmade paper and the body was made from one piece of card. I found it the other day and thought I'd have a go at making some myself. It's quite easy to make, but sticking on the papers was tricky as the book has to bend in three places. I had to use thinly-spread PVA glue. Using handmade papers was easier than normal craft papers as they are softer and more flexible. These books are also ideal for those who do not own a Bind-It-All and want to make notebooks.

The stamps used: Bird Book, Inkadinkado clear inchie stamps, and Dragonfly Book, Paper Artsy Squiggly Ink range.

Late Again! I Don't Know....

This is an ATC I made for the letter F! Better very late than never I suppose. I hope Linda will be kind and forgive me. I used a piece of Whitewash card for the base, embossed with the D'Vine Swirl folder and then rubbed back with a piece of sandpaper. The picture is a little Snag Em stamp made for Papermania. Another F is the Frayed ribbon and of course the Flowers!

I chose Green and Grey to represent G and made a Gatefold ATC. The paper is from the new Jesse Edwards range. The stamp is a cute little bird by Inkadinkado, coloured with Distress Inks. The phrase stamp is from Cat's Life Press. The sparkly strips are Anita's Glitterations - can't use them enough! And they are another G.

Finally on to H! I made a skinny and put a Happy Hedgehog on it. I embossed the card using a Cuttlebug folder, I can't remember the proper name, I call it Little Birds. The chipboard embellishment, flowers and brad are from a Brenda Pinnick kit.

Alphabet Challenge - E

E is for Elzybells! I love this girl on a swing. I made the card using some papers from My Mind's Eye Bohemia pad and added some Prima flowers and Papermania gem brads.

My Time To Craft - Metallica

I used the Cuttlebug folder 'Tiny Bubbles' on a piece of gold foil card, and added some 3d stickers which have a lot of gold on them. The butterfly is one of a lovely set by Anita's.

Whiff of Joy Challenge - Sketch

I used papers from Brenda Pinnock's wonderful 'Lavish' book for this card. I think the designs work well with the WOJ images. I punched the flowers from Coredinations card and added button brads to them.

Basic Grey - Paper Piecing

I used two Clare Curd stamps for this ATC. The butterfly is made up of two papers from the 'Perhaps' 6x6 pad. I chalked the background and then stamped the flowers.

Alphabet Challenge - D

D is for Doodle-doll by Lost Coast! The backgroundof this ATC is made with sequin waste and metallic inks. The other stamps are by Paper Artsy. The flower is cut on the Cuttlebug using Grungepaper. I rounded opposite corners to be 'different' -another D.

I did make something for C and it didn't get loaded up somehow! This is a Twinchie with a Blade Rubber Citroen 2CV stamped on it. The really grotty washer was found on the ground somewhere outside a builders' supplies store. Tip - if you want really authentic grungy things like this for your craft, hang around outside your local Jewsons - no-one will think you're weird - honest.

Forever Friends - St. George's Day - Red and White

I love this bashful bear with his balloon! I stamped him on some brown paper and stamped him again on red and cut out the balloon and flower. The spotty paper comes from one of the FF Christmas pads. I used a Papermania paper flower and some rick-rack braid as finishing touches.

Sketch 'n' Stash

For this card I used a new item - my X-Cut corner rounder. What a brilliant punch this is! Perfect corners every time and no problem getting the card in the right position. I used it a lot on this card as you can see. The papers are from Papermania's Nostalgia Warm pad. For the image I used a 3d sticker I have had for some time. I added a ribbon and some Prima flowers too.

Sketch Saturday

I've turned the sketch on one side for this card. The papers are from Basic Grey's Hang 10 set, except the scallop card which is from Papermania. The image is from a set by the wonderful Paperbag Studios. I added some brads and Prima flowers plus a sheer ribbon.

Alphabet Challenge - B

B is for Book, Birds and Butterflies! Also for blue, which is used on this project quite a bit. I made a little concertina book using some mini playing cards, and attached it to an ATC. The bird and butterfly stamps are from a clear set by Inkadinkado. The swirl is from a Paper Artsy Squiggly Ink set.

Whiff of Joy Challenge - Distressed

One of my favourite themes! I used My Mind's Eye paper, velvet ribbon, Prima flowers and some brads here. I distressed the velvet with the Chizzel-It and rubbed some pink and brown ink on the flowers. I tore down one side of the main paper too.

House Mouse Challenge - Box

I used the Crafter's Companion box-making board for this and how easy it is to use! I cut a blue card in half for the body of the box. For the decoration I used a piece of Brenda Pinnock paper (from her 'Lavish' pad), some glitter peel-off borders, Prima flowers and Papermania sparkly brads. The mouse image is so cute, one of the nicest I think (but then they're all nice).

Basic Grey Challenges - Sketch

This is my first time with this challenge so I hope my work is up to the expected standard. I used Lilykate papers for this card, and a Forever Friends bear as the image. This is a larger card than I normally make.

My Time To Craft - Island Fun

This parrot looks quite chirpy (if you forgive the pun!). These nice vintage style images come from the HOTP book 'Travel'. I coloured the ATC blank with metallic inks, and matted the pictures onto some gold crinkly paper. I added some adhesive gems.

Alphabet Challenge - A

A is for ATC and Art Deco! I used a Hero Arts stamp as my image, and coloured it with Distress Inks. I rubbed some gold ink on the backing card and some gold powder on the lady's coat. She looks very smart.

New Challenge Blog

This is brand new! Alphabet Challenge Blog begins on 27th March. Can't wait!

House Mouse Challenge - Shaped Card

Not sure what this kind of card is called! I stamped the mice directly onto the card (very brave) and then cut some strips of paper that came from the same kit as the card. Gave me the chance to use some yellow flowers as these tend to mount up in the pot as I don't use yellow much.

My Time To Craft - Men

This is an ATC (can't stop making them!). I used Papermania's Nostalgia Warm pad for the papers and a Crafty Individuals image. The gold tassel border is from Paper Artsy's gold German scrap range. The ruler stamp is also theirs. The words are some of Tim's Doo-dads.

Whiff of Joy Challenge - Sketch

I don't like to miss any opportunity to use these lovely stamps! I coloured Willow with Whispers pens and used four papers from the Brenda Pinnock 'Lavish' paper pad. I added a Prima flower and a gem.

Sketch and Stash

Still loving Daisy and Dandelion! I made this card using one of the clear stamps. I coloured it with a watercolour pencil. The daisy paper comes from the D&D Picnic Patch paper pad. In fact everything I used for this card is from Do Crafts!

Tag You're It - Recipe

The recipe was 1 ribbon, 2 buttons and 3 brads or eyelets. I cut my tag from pink mountboard and stamped the butterfly. This is a new image from Papermania. I masked it off and then stamped the swirls. I put the two buttons on the top set of wings, and two glitter brads on the lower wings. The third one I put in the hole with the ribbon.

Something Old...

This is not a craft item but I wanted to share it. I went to a local recycling centre this week. If you are not familiar with these places they are where people take their unwanted goods and those that are in reasonable enough condition are sold to the public. I found this lovely old piece in a box of rubbish. It is a holder for a fob watch and would have been placed on a desk. The part with the little girl on it pulled out, up and back to reveal the velvet-lined area for the watch. It is Edwardian, judging by the little girl's outfit. I was rather perplexed by her cross expression at first, then I realised she is giving her dolly a stern ticking off!

This cost £1 (about $2). The watch didn't come with it - I borrowed it for the photo.

Sketch Saturday

I picked up a DoCrafts goody bag this week and decided to use some of the things within to create this card. I really enjoyed working with this new character and look foward to making some more cards using this new stash!

Penny Black Challenge - Sketch

What a cute hedgehog! I used some Brenda Pinnock papers on this card and Cuttlebug border embossing folders for the scalloped edge. The flowers are Primas.

Baby Wipes

Don't worry this is not a used wipe! I rubbed some Distress Inks over my craft mat then cleaned them off with the wipe, and left it to dry. Then I stuck one section to an ATC blank and stamped some Bo Bunny swirls on it in Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson. The image is a Crafty Individuals transparency attached to white paper. I added a Prima flower and a Papermania pearl brad. The word is a Tim Holtz 'Doo-dad'.

Sketch and Stash Challenge #5

I've not been doing much crafting recently and have let my contributions to blog challenges slide very badly. But I had a good day today and got some done at last!

I have used some new papers by Brenda Pinnock on this card, and also an iris-folding shape I have had for ages. In fact it's a long time since I did any iris-folding at all. I was pleased to find a chipboard frame that suited the cat and was the right size!

My Time To Craft - Woman

This ATC came out as a complete surprise to me when I finished it! I used a piece of Coredinations card for the base, embossed on the Cuttlebug with the D'vine Swirl folder, then given a good roughing up with the Chizzel-It. The lady is from a Craft Individuals book, and I framed her using a card slide mount. This was coloured with chalk ink pads and then stamped with a Paper Artsy swirl. The butterfly is a new 3-d one from Papermania, and I used one of Tim's Doo-dads to finish.

Forever Friends Challenge - A Sketch

I used Brenda Pinnock papers on this card, and matted the bear on the new Coredinations pearlescent cardstock - it's very smart indeed! I coloured the bear with coloured pencils. The purple flower is a Prima one and the white ones are new from Papermania.

Notes From A Small Papercrafter

I hadn't used my Bind-It-All for a while and I needed a new notebook, so here it is. I used pink mountboard for the covers, and stamped some Bo Bunny swirls in metallic inks. The girl is by Innovative Stamp Creations. The flowers were given to me so I don't know who made them. I used a brown spiral to join it all together.

Magnolia Cat

I am not keen on Tildas as a rule, but I like this cat. I had to have the fence as well for him to sit on. The first ATC has a fence made from polymer clay and bronzed with some mica powders. The cat was stamped on card and cut out. He is fixed with foam pads to make him reach the fence. I cut the daisies on the Cuttlebug.

The second ATC is made using a masking technique. I stamped the cat first, then masked him off and stamped the fence. I masked the fence and left the cat masked so I could stipple the background with Distress Inks to create a sort of garden.

Polymer Clay Embellishments

I acquired a book early this year showing how to make small decorative tiles with polymer clay. I bought some clay and made a few pieces. They are decorated by stamping with a rubber stamp and then gently rubbing some mica powders (Cosmic Shimmer in this case) over the surface to bring out the detail. I found if I used tiny clay cutters (as you would use for biscuits) the edges were neater. I found a great deal of satisfaction from using some embellishments I had created myself. They are not too heavy to go on ATCs or cards, either.

Forever Friends Challenge - General Birthday

This is my first time at this Challenge. I was quite shocked today when I noticed my last post was 29th January. Without sounding pathetic (I hope) I haven't been 100% since the first week of 2009 and haven't felt like doing much lately.

That's enough of that! I used a decoupage set from the Easter kit, some yellow textured paper, and some floral paper sent by a forum friend. I hope this is up to standard for the challenge.

Sketch Saturday

For this card I used a Crafty Inidviduals stamp and backing paper. Their images are very beautiful and I very much enjoy using them. The scalloped piece did not present such a problem as usual as I recently bought a pack of border embossing folders for the Cuttlebug, so I embossed both edges of the paper and cut round the shapes. I used some jewel flowers for the circles and added some gems to the fairy image.

Tag You're It - Numbers

I used a piece of dark maroon mountboard for my tag and sprayed it with some Cosmic Shimmer. I stamped on a large paper flower with a Paper Artsy stamp, and used another stamp from the same plate on a piece of cardboard. I took two grunge board numbers and inked and embossed them.