So Kind

Hi there crafty friends!  Today's card is one of my favourites from last weeks shows.  It has all the girlie elements that I just love, flowers, embossing, Nestabling, gorgeous matching stamps, you name it!  I started with my background as I usually do and embossed my coconut white card with the Enchanted Embossibility folder.  I stamped my Justrite borders using black archival ink on purple card.  I cut them out using the matching scallop edgeability die.  I also cut a matching white and purple piece to use as mats on either side.  I added small pearls to the centres of the design in each scallop.  Next, I stamped the Fleur de lis large patterned stamp on purple card with a black archival ink pad.  I cut out the largest size of Labels 18 and used the matching black rhinestone Nestabling on it.  Using the Labels 20 JustRite stamp from the Kindness set, I stamped it in black and cut it out with the matching die, layering it up on my focal element.  I stamped my sentiment and cut it out with a small die from the Heart Circle set.  I inked through the die with Dusty Concord distress ink and mounted it with foam for dimension in the centre.  Using the Bitty Blossoms set, I cut several of each of the sizes of the flowers, inked them with Dusty Concord before removing them from the die, then rolled them up to create the flowers.  I cut a few small flowers using the tiny flower from the Heartfelt Scalloped Posey die.  Finally I added a few inked leaves that were also from the Bitty Blossoms set to finish off my floral sprays.  Rather than going all the way around the card, I added some Cosmic Shimmer pearl PVA glue dots to the top and bottom edges of the card to finish the piece off.  Aside from the flowers, which are time consuming when there are so many, this card is very easy to recreate because the stamps give it the illusion of being an involved card to make.  I hope you like it!

Now, as promised, the name of the winner of the Anniversary drawing for a set of the Vintage

Lace dies.  The prize goes to:

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WillsNan!!!

 

Congratulations!  Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and claim your prize.  A great big thanks to everyone that left comments.  I was gobsmacked by all the amazing, supportive comments. We have a great crafty family here and that is MY favourite thing about the blog!  All for now, Sue x

 

With Or Without?

Morning all!   I think I will let you be the judge of this one.  I have photographed this card with a bow and without a bow (scroll down to see)  Let me know what you think?  I started by cutting an aperture in the centre of my taupe card using the Grand Decorative Oval die.  I then embossed the negative piece using the Garden Lattice Embossibility and lightly inked the edges with Black Soot distress ink.  I cut another aperture out of black card using the next smaller size in that set.  I mounted that piece under the first one so the black edge was all that was showing.  I cut a Fancy Lattice out of soft gold card and glued it behind my aperture opening.  I matted my entire piece with soft gold card so you can see it through my aperture.  I stamped my sentiment on taupe card and cut it out with the tag from the French Frills by Samantha Walker.  I cut another tag out of black card and only used the outer area that cuts from the tag.  It is a very interesting tag to use as it has two pieces to it.  I mounted it over my aperture opening with a bit of a bow in it for dimension.  I added the bow, stick pins and a fancy button because I felt it needed something more, but I thought it would be interesting to photograph it both ways and let you decide.  I used the Cosmic Shimmer black PVA to all the junctions in the embossed background and pierced the edges to finish it off.  What do you think? 

Now for the winners of the Blog Candy Contest!  Starting with THIRD place, the winner is......

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Rebekah Foster!!!

 

The SECOND prize goes to:

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Cathy Clowes!!!

 

And finally, the FIRST prize for the Blog Candy Contest goes to:

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Aggie Osbourne!!!

 

Congratulations to all!  Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and claim your prize!  All for now, Sue x

 

Faux Letterpress Ornament

Good Sunday morning all!  First of all, let me say Wow!  I could not believe all the wonderful comments I received on yesterday's blog post!  Before noon, there were already over 200 comments, so many were even from brand new blog followers too, I was really excited to see!  Another year it is then,  it's settled!  For today's card I have a vintage styled Christmas card to show you.  Actually this card used the ornament piece that was left over from another card (I just couldn't see wasting it!)  I picked a wine/maroon coloured card as a background for my card and my ornament.  For the background, I used a grey card and some matching Teresa Collins paper as an accent strip.  I added a piece of cream layered scallop lace from Creative Expressions.   I stamped the oversize sentiment in the corner using a clear Perfect Medium pad and then I heat embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Silver Shine embossing powder.  For my focal element,  I cut out the Heirloom Ornament for 2010 out of milk coloured card.  I left it in the die, and transferred it to the negative side of the Holiday Magic embossibility which I had inked with Antique Linen distress ink.  The ink was then transferred to the floor of the design on the card for the faux letterpress technique.  The aperture was used for another card and I used the ornament for this card so no waste!  I cut a larger ornament out of the same colour as my background as a mat and to give the card balance.  I added a small bow (by my standards at least! LOL) tied from satin/grosgrain ribbon and added a fancy button from my stash to the top of the ornament.  A pearl swirl and a pierced edge served as the final touches for my vintage Christmas card.

Now it is time for the weekly comment game winners to be announced and since we had so many comments on yesterdays post, there will be two sets today.  This week is all about winners in fact! I also cheated a tiny bit (we were just shy the goal of 3700 followers at that time)

 and drew the winners for the Blog Candy Contest yesterday so you wouldn't have to wait for my return to do that!  I will announce those on Monday and then Tuesday will be the Anniversary prize announcement.  I have also arranged for the prizes to be posted out in my absence so no waiting there either!

Todays winners are:

Jill Liddle!!!

Mitsysue!!!

Chrissie J Lui!!!

and

Materialgirl!!!

Julie Mac!!!

Hilary Elder!!!

 

Congratulations to all of today's winners!  Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and claim your prize.  Don't forget, the Grand Blog Candy Contest winners are being announced on Monday's blog and Tuesday is the winner of the Anniversary prize.  All for now, Sue x

 

Want Another Year?

Hello there bloggers!  Today is a real milestone for me and you!  I have been posting every day for the past year and you have been popping in to look every day too!  I made a conscious decision one year ago to post my cards each and every day without fail and I have been able to do that! No "I'm too tired" or "I have too much work to do" excuses!   I have enjoyed it immensely so I want to say a big thank you to all of you that have been with me all the way as well as those of you that have just recently discovered the blog.  One year ago I sat looking at a huge pile of cards that I had made and realised that nobody had really seen them for more than a few seconds on air during shows.  I thought, what a waste!  By allowing me to bring them to you through my blog, I have felt a real sense of purpose for my card making. 

 I thought that I would do a giveaway today as a sort of anniversary present.  If you leave me a comment today telling me what you have enjoyed most about my blog, I will draw a winner from among the names and give away a set of the Vintage Lace dies that I designed.   I am flying on Sunday to the States and I want to be sure that everyone that comments is in the drawing so I will do the drawing on Monday and then post the winner on Tuesday.  (I will post the comment game winners for the week tomorrow as usual though) How does that sound?

 

To  recap today's card for you, I started with the background which was milk coloured card embossed using the Dainty Dots A4 size embossibility folder.  I inked the edges with Antique Linen distress ink and matted it on taupe card.  I cut the largest size of Decorative Labels 8 in taupe card as a backdrop for my focal element.  Next I stamped my sentiment on milk card and cut it out using the next size down in the same set.  I went down to the remaining two sizes in the set and cut a frame which I mounted on foam pieces over my sentiment.  Using the Krinkly Kraft paper (twistwrap kraft paper as it is also called), I cut several flowers from the Jewelled Flowers and Flourish set and layered them up and put pearls in the centres.  I cut another bunch of the flowers from milk coloured card and layered them up as well.  I arranged them around my focal element for a real girlie card.  I added some of the swirls from that set as accents.  I pierced the edges of a double milk coloured mat and added some pearls to the corners to finish it off.  I hope you like it!  Don't forget to leave me a comment today to be in for a chance at the anniversary drawing.  What do you say, should we try to make it every day for another year!!!!  All for now, Sue x

Happiness Always

Morning all!  I know, I know, another buckle card!  But I just love doing them!  I started this one with a background paper from Graphic 45.  I covered it with a sticky adhesive sheet then peeled the backing paper off and poured my micro beads over the top to create a lovely textural background.  Borders to decorate the top and bottom of the card were cut from my Vintage Lace Accent set.  I added flatback pearls to them for a bit of the bling.  I cut three frames from Labels 18, two small and one large.  I then cut two of the large Chateau Gate out of milk coloured card.  I nipped away the gate and cut the swirl so that it stopped half way around my label shape.  I used one gate for the top and one gate for the bottom of my label so it created a lovely swirly accent all the way around.  I glued them in place and then placed all three of my frames together.  Using a strip that I had stamped my sentiment on, I wove it through the edges of my frames, leaving my sentiment centred over the large frame.  I cut forks into both ends and added a single pearl.  I pierced the edges using a piercing ruler, pokey tool and foam mat to finish and frame my card.   I hope I won't have a buckle card revolt on my hands from this one! LOL  All for now, Sue x

Layered Elegant Swirl

Hi bloggers!  This card is a bit different for me, but I wanted to show off the Layered Elegant Swirl dies from Heartfelt Creations.  I started with a piece of milk coloured card and used the half circle shaped scallop die to cut my back piece for the gate fold card.  I used the decorative half circle swirl on the rose coloured card to cut the top part for my back piece.  I cut another piece of milk card approx. 2 inches shorter and wide enough to score it and fold the edges around the front to create the closed gate.  On the back of that piece, I attached the two small swirly pieces to cut the top of the gate fold (remember they will fold around so you will be seeing the front when finished).  I cut two small pieces in milk card and embossed them with the Mystic embossibility for a textured front panel for each side of the gate fold.  I created a band for my card by using the top portion of the decorative Lace border.  I glued rose card behind it for a spot of colour and wrapped the ends around the card and taped them together at the back.  I made two Bitty Blossom flowers and edged them with Victorian Velvet.  I added a couple of leaves and just the swirly bit from the Bella Rose swirl to complete the outside of the card.  For the inside of the card, I kept it simple with a sentiment and a decorative border.  I stamped my lovely sentiment in black Archival ink and cut it out with Labels 18.  I inked it while still in the die with Victorian Velvet.  I simply cut another larger Labels 18 to surround my sentiment and give it a base.  I stamped my border using the JustRite border stamp using a clear Perfect Medium pad and heat embossed it with clear powder.  I cut out both the border and the mat using one of the decorative Edgeability cutting edges.  I attached my border at the bottom of the card for a subtle bit of decoration which completed my card.  A nice change from my usual style so I hope you like it!  All for now, Sue x

Just For You

Hello everyone!  Another Labels twenty card today from the 4 Day Deal shows (which were only really two days!)   I started with a pale blue background that I embossed with the Mystic Embossibility folder.  Since the background is larger than the folder, I needed to extend it which is easily done by moving the background along and matching the pattern in your folder before embossing a second time.  Using black card, I cut two of the lovely scrolly corners from the Samantha Walker Botanical Swirls and Accents set and glued them in opposite corners.  I cut the largest size of the labels 20 out of white card as a backdrop for my focal element. On pale blue card, I stamped the Justrite Kindness stamp using a clear perfect medium ink pad and white embossed it.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre using a black archival ink pad.  I cut it out with the matching die shape and then used the die to create a faux nestie as a mat.  (A faux nestie is where you trace around the die shape with a pencil and cut the shape by hand.  This gives you a slightly larger size to use as a mat).  I tied a messy bow out of white seam binding and added a fancy black button (from my craft stash) to the centre.  To finish off the card, I added a couple of black pearl stick pins, some black rhinestone swirls as accents and I paper pierced the edges of the mat.   I just love the way the matching stamps just add that extra little bit to pull the whole card together, don't you?  All for now, Sue x

JustRite Labels Twenty Paved Pearls

Hello my crafty friends!  Thank you for the wonderful reception to my shows yesterday.  Seeing the spotty potty overflowing like that really made me feel so special!  Today's card is from the first demo of the launch.  I started with the Tied Together folder and embossed the white background.  I inked the edges very lightly with Tattered Rose Distress ink and attache it to a peach mat.  I stamped the large labels 20 stamp from the JustRite Kindness set using a clear Perfect Medium pad and heat embossed it with white powder.  I cut it out with the labels 20 die set and then used the Fancy Tags two die to cut the shape out of the centre.  Once cut, I removed the fall away pieces and put the die back into place for a decorative look to my focal element.  I stamped the small labels 20 die from the Fleur de lis set and embossed it in white also.  I stamped the sentiment in the open area and then cut out the piece and foam mounted it in the centre of my card.  I stamped one of the borders from the Justrite scallop border set, white embossed it as well and cut it out with one of the decorative cutting edgeability dies.  I matted it on slightly darker card for a side border.  I added a messy bow made from flesh coloured seam binding.  I made a rose from vellum using the Button Floral stamp.  You can find the tutorial for this one on the Creative Expressions website.  I used my flower as a centre for my bow.  I finished the card by using the pearl Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue around the edges in my Paved Pearl technique.  The technique involves making random sized Cosmic Shimmer pearl glue dots all around the edge of the card.  I start with random large sized dots, then add in smaller and smaller dots until the border area is filled up nicely.  It is a fun and different way to finish off your cards, hope you will give it a try.  All for now, Sue x

Happy Birthday

Hi bloggers!  I had a fabulous time at the Kettering show and really enjoyed seeing familiar faces and meeting new blog members!  I hope we will be making it an annual event as it was a lovely weekend for all!  For today's card, I picked one of my favourites from the shows a few weeks ago.  I created the background by embossing the largest size from the Decorative Labels 8 into a piece of milk coloured card.  I cut two of the largest size of the Resplendent Rectangles and cut them in half (one lengthwise down the centre and the other one in half the other way).  I used the edges as small borders just peeking out from behind my background.  I stamped my sentiment on milk card.  Then to create a frame for it, I cut out the shape from the Marvellous Squares in blue card.  Using my scissors, I cut away the inside of the shape right along the embossed edge.  This allowed me to create a frame that fit around my large sentiment.  I glued it over my sentiment and trimmed away the excess milk card.  I mounted it on foam pieces for dimension.  Next, I made some fun flowers from the cotton hemp ribbon.  I cut a length of ribbon down the centre and removed some of the threads from the cut edge to get a frayed edge.  I rolled my flowers using redline tape along the uncut edge, pinching and gathering as I rolled to create a unique, shabby chic looking flower.  I made several of these in varying sizes and added some vines around them as accents.  I added some flat back pearls and pierced the edges to complete the card.  If your birthday is today, then this card is posted in your honour!  All for now, Sue x

 

Sneak Peek at A Show Sample

 Happy Sunday Morning!  A little sneak peek this morning at one of the samples for the 4 Day Deal shows that I am doing starting bright and early Monday morning.  They have decided to make the launch a two hour show from 8am to 10am so hopefully more demos I can get to do.  These shows are all about showing new ideas for some older dies stamps and new techniques.  I have been able to get the Heartfelt Creations dies that sold out so quickly last April added to these shows.  I am very excited to be able to work with them again as they are lovely designs.  Today's card uses the Label 20 die set and the matching JustRite stamps.  I started with my background and stamped the Labels 20 stamp using a clear perfect medium and clear embossed it on to black card.  I love that this brings a nice texture for the eye.  I then cut out the largest size of the set out of the soft gold card.  I kept the die in place and embossed the rest of my background using the Tied Together embossing folder.  Remember, you can't close the folder or your die will cut into it and damage the folder.  You will need to add extra card to make up for the missing depth of the open folder to get a nice emboss.  I mounted 3D foam on the background to raise it for dimension and over my matching stamped piece.  I matted the entire piece on taupe card.  I stamped my sentiment on taupe card and cut it out with a small Labels 20 die.  I inked it very lightly with Black soot as an accent and mounted it in the centre of my aperture.  I made three of the Bitty Blossom flowers by covering them with sticky adhesive sheets before cutting them.  Once cut, I removed the backing paper and covered them in gold (Red Tiger) gilding leaf sheets.  I used a stiff brush, rubbing in a circular fashion to remove the excess leaf.  Then I rolled the flowers in the usual manner to assemble them.  I cut several of my favourite swirl from the Dutch Iris set from Heartfelt and added them to my flowers top and bottom as accents.  I also used a few leaves cut out of black card and some black tulle (from my craft stash) to complete my accent pieces.  So this one is a bit of a twist on my black, taupe and soft gold combo as it has some coppery giding to it too, but I rather liked it since it was a bit different.

   As it is Sunday, it's time again for the Comment Game winners.      This week's names drawn were:                                         Janice K!!!                             SandyBee!!!                               Paula Gale!!!

Delighted For You

Hi guys!  The Fancy Lattice die is the star of today's creation.  A simple clean layout, nothing too flashy,  but a nice card.  I am really drawn to the black and white and pop of blue myself.  As you seasoned bloggers know all too well, changing the colour to suit your taste or that of your recipient is the way forward.  I started with a piece of coconut white card as my background.  I used the Fancy Lattice background die to simply emboss the top half of the card.  Embossing with a die gives a much different look than embossing with a folder.  It's more subtle, but nonetheless beautiful.  Use that option to extend your tricks in your crafting arsenal though.  Next I cut one of the lattice backgrounds out of black card.  I cut it down in size to about three inches wide and backed it with my blue card to make it pop.  I added a few more mats of white then black to highlight it.  I cut several of the flowers from the Jewelled Flowers and Flourish set out of white card and layered them up.  For the centres, I added some Dazzlers that were sent to me as samples.  These are white frosted Dazzlers, what do you think? There is a nice close up below.  I  think the clear sparkly Dazzlers would have been too overpowering here.   I added some swirls from the same set for accents for my flowers.  I stamped my sentiment on the lower portion of my background piece and matted with black card.  I pierced the inner white mat to complete the card.  I hope the simplicity of this one works for you ! 

Don't forget to drop by and see me at the Kettering show today (at the Kettering Conference Centre)and Sunday if you are in the area.  It looks like it will be a fun weekend for all!  All for now, Sue x

Faux Etched Glass Technique

Hello my crafty friends!  I did have every good intention to do a step by step tutorial for this card, but time just got the best of me.  I think I can do it justice with my explanation.  I started with a piece of coconut white card and cut the largest size of the Heirloom Ornament 2012 out of the centre.  While still in the die, I embossed the piece using the Holiday Magic Embossibility but I left the folder open so it would not be damaged by the die.  I covered it with my tan mat, a few pieces of card and the raspberry plate and ran it though the machine to give it a nice embossed background.  I mounted 3D foam pieces all over the back and matted it on to a piece of slightly larger red card.  Next I covered a piece of clear acetate with a sticky self adhesive sheet.  I used the same die set, but one of the smaller ones in the set to cut the shape out of the acetate.  Next I cut one of the deer from the Frosty Forms set out of white card.  I peeled the backing off of the ornament and adhered my reindeer in the centre.  The remaining area of the ornament was covered with clear micro beads.  Ordinarily, you would place the micro beads upwards on your card, but in order for it to give that faux etched glass look, turn your ornament the other way so that the clear acetate side is upwards.  The reindeer and the micro beads will be downwards facing the red background card.  You can place glue on the reindeer and attach it to your background piece without the glue showing.  I stamped a sentiment from one of the JustRite stamp sets and cut it out with the small die in the Ornament 2011 set.  I used fired Brick distress ink to highlight it while still in the die.  I tied a double bow from white silky crush ribbon and added my tag with some Bakers Twine to the top of my ornament.  I pierced the edges of the double white mat to complete the card.  This is a really easy way to get the look of etched glass without the time and trouble of actually etching it!  All for now, Sue x