Friendship and the Sunday Drawing

Hi guys,  Isn't black and cream always a pleasure to see?  There is just something soothing about it I think.  You may notice my beloved houndstooth (aka dogstooth) patterned paper sneaking it's way back in to the background here. I just couldn't leave it alone for too long, could I?   I started with the romantic rectangle die template for my focal element.  It is a really lovely die and appropriately named too.  I stamped my sentiment on cream card and cut it out with one of the Labels 25 dies, inked it with Black Soot distress ink while in the die to create a frame.  I added a piece of the black American seam binding to create a border between my mixed papers.  One of the lovely ribbon buckles suited it quite nicely this time instead of a big bow.  I added some small pearls to the buckle to bling it up a bit.  The lattice border was added at the bottom to create interest.  Although it is a bit difficult to see, there are some pearlie swirlies added to the top area next to the focal element and below the ribbon buckle across the lattice border.  The entire piece was matted on to cream card then layered on to black.  Black Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue dots were added all the way around the edge to frame and accent the card.  Hope you like it! 

Now for the sunday night drawing!  All names from the comments from the posts with over comments have been included and I have drawn out:

Jenny L!!!

CLM Cindylu2u!!!

Debbie Tinks!!!

Congrats to all of you.  Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and  claim your prize! 

I will do the big candy drawing mid day on Monday so be sure to check back!  All for now, Sue x

Good Friends

Good morning crafters!  Are you in the mood for purple today?  I am!  Actually I think this qualifies as aubergine (I love that word, it is so much prettier sounding than the American "eggplant", huh?!)  I picked the colour so it would match the ribbon, which I adore.  If you were lucky enough to get a hold of this ribbon, you will know the luxurious feel that it has, perfect for tying big bows for your cards.  I started by creating a background using the Regal Embossibility folder and extending the pattern by lining it up and running it back through the GC.  I added my ribbon across the bottom of the card and tucked the ends around the back.  I tied a big bow and added it atop with sticky glue dots, topped it with a button, Bakers twine and a couple of decorative pearl pins.  I created a focal element by stamping my sentiment and cutting it out with the largest size of the Splendid Circles, inking it while in the die with Dusty Concord distress ink which leaves a lovely soft frame.  I cut four of the Damask Motif pieces and added each one around the  circle die using the "holding hand" pieces that allow it to clip on to the edge.   The fun thing about these dies is that you can change the shape of whatever you add them to.  This circle now has a square edge shape to it, but we could have added them so it took on a diamond shape too.  You are allowed a great deal of creativity when yhou use these pieces.   I secured them into place with tape on the back of the circle and a touch of Cosmic Shimmer brand clear glue under the holder pieces on the front.  I matted the entire piece using a slightly darker shade of purple and a cream coloured edge to help it stand out.

Just imagine this in your favourite color choices and a suitable sentiment for your own needs.  It makes a fun card for anyone!  All for now, Sue x

Teal and White!

Good morning crafty friends!  This is definitely a "Sue" card if you ever saw one, isn't it?  If the teal doesn't tell you then how about that flower made from a border die?  This is the kind of card that definitely makes me do the happy dance!  I embossed the white background using the new Embossibility folder called Splendid.  I extended the pattern by easily lining it up and embossing the second half of it to cvreate a background the size that I needed.  I wrapped some teal vintage ribbon around it and then mounted it a top a few other layers of white card that I had pierced the edge of as an accent.  Next I pierced a smaller pierce of white card for my focal element.  I cut a small piece of teal card, adhered a piece of sticky adhesive sheet to it, removed the backing paper and used the clear micro beads on it to give it a lovely frosted texture.  I cut out the antique frame in white and glued it to the micro bead background.  I stamped my sentiment using a clear perfect medium and embossed it in white on teal card.  I used the Antique frame die template once again to cut out my sentiment.  This time I kept only the sentiment part (saved the frame for another project) and mounted it on foam pieces in my white antique frame.  Using the moroccan border die, I cut two of them in white and added redline sticky tape to the very bottom of them.  In the same fashion as my ribbon roses, I rolled the borders and slightly gathered the tape to create fullness as I went. This created the flower shape.  You need two borders to create a full flower (one border gives you more of a bud).  I added some teal ribbon tied in a bow to my flower.  Using the leaf dies in the damask accent set, I cut several white ones and several teal ones.  I inked the white leaves with Broken China distress ink while they were still in the die.  I added these around my flower as accents.  To complete the card, I added two pearl stick pins as pretty accents.  Simple but my kind of card.  All for now, Sue x

Triple Beaded Circles

Good morning crafters!  I was asked yesterday to do three more shows today at 8am, noon and 4pm, and they have scheduled shows on  Sat and Sun now as well.  On Saturday, I will be on at 4pm and 7pm.   On Sunday, the shows will be on at 5pm and 7pm.  First up, I am planning on doing a variation on this card.  I have varied it because I did not have any more of this decorative paper in my stash.  I was really happy with the way it turned out and I think seeing the variation on it will just give you more ideas on how to use your Spellbinder die templates too.  For this card, I cut a piece of decorative paper (Graphic 45) for my background (it is about 5 1/2" x 8", no small cards for me, huh? LOL).  I matted it onto some lighter coloured  card that I pierced with my Tim Holtz design ruler and then a darker shade for my bottom mat.  I picked a peachy toned card for my focal elements using the Splendid Circles in various sizes.  I covered a piece with the self adhesive sheets, attach my die shapes to it to cut a frame shape.  I did one with the two largest sizes of the circles and the two side circles use the second and third largest dies in the set.  I did all three the same way with the adhesive sheets.  Once cut, poke out all the fall away pieces, peel the backing sheet off and dip into the clear micro beads.  Press the beads into each piece for the best possible adhesion so they will not flake away (they will stay stuck very well if you take the time to do this.)  On the centre circle, I added a few very small pieces of foam to raise it up.  I glued the two side circles down to the decorative paper on either edge of the background, then placed my centre focal circle over the two side circles, just slightly overlapping them.  I stamped my sentiment, covered it with an adhesive piece, lined up my smaller circle piece over it (you can see through the backing paper when you stamp with a dark ink) and cut it out.  Peeled off the backing paper and beaded this piece as well.  I used that same die template to create a faux nestie as a mat for it and mounted the two piece in the centre of my largest circle.  Next I tied a bow using the chalk white American seam binding, spritzed it with water and crumpled it for a shabby chic look.  I adhered the bow in the lower corner and added a variety of flowers around it. Using the directions for my flowers that were posted on the blog http://particraft.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-ribbon-flower-tutorial.htmlhere, one was made from rolled ribbon, one was made from paper using Sam Poole's button floral stamps and the last ones were made from circles of felt cut into a spiral and rolled.  I made two more of these, only smaller for the upper
corner.  I added some of the fab green suede leaves that are available through Creative Expressions (Sam has these on her online store I think) to give the floral element a more finished look.  I finished the card with a couple of small sprays of the pearlie swirlies top and bottom.

As you can see in the close up pic, you can see the sentiment very nicely through the clear micro beads, but they add a lovely texture to it for interest, don't they?  I fear nothing is safe from my beads now that I have them!  I hope you will tune in today to see the variation that I have planned for this card.  All for now, Sue x

A Play With Baking Paper

)Hi guys!  The card for today's post is quite different I think, in that it uses household greaseproof baking paper!  Look closely, yes there it is, the ruffly background behind the focal element.  If you are having any difficulties getting any of your die cut pieces out of the dies, then lay down a piece of baking paper or if you can find it, American wax paper (which actually even works better!)  These will allow your card to pop out of your dies very easily.  And, being that we are crafty crafters, we can then use this delicate lacy piece in one of our creations too!  I was cutting the Persian border for another card and this was leftover so I decided to ruch it a bit so it went around my Labels 25 shape.  I used three of the borders if memory serves me.  These are just taped to the back of the label shape here.  I then stamped my sentiment and cut it with the Persian Motif die and inked it lightly with Tea Dye to complete my focal element.  I added two pieces of cream lace from my stash at the bottom and tied some American seam binding around the card and added a messy bow on the left side.  Using the smaller Persian accent pieces, I cut two and offset them to look like a flower.  I did the same with the very small Persian piece for the centre of the flower.  I topped my bow with these and added some pearl spray bits (from my stash again.  This decorative paper is from Authentique, isn't it pretty!  I just love the colours.  Hope you are liking the frilly baking paper.  You may just be raiding your kitchen soon for supplies!  All for now, Sue x

Triple Thank You Card

Morning all!  Another one of my favs from the recent lot of samples (and a break from all the Lattice cards!)  I have done this type card on several occasions and, truth be told, even using this same decorative paper  too.  I just think it makes a stunning creation.  I hope you aren't getting tired of this layout yet.  I started with a piece of decorative paper (October Afternoon this time), added a layer of cream (actually it is called milk) card on which I pierced the edges and matted a final larger larger of the same colour card to create the background for the card.  Next I used the largest size of Labels 25 and the next size down to cut a frame.  I inked the piece while still in the dies using Broken China distress ink, leaving that nice edge showing the original card colour (milk again).  I did the same exact thing again only using the second largest die as the outside and going down one side for the inside of the frame this time.  I cut two like this and inked them both in the same manner.  Now I have one large frame and two smaller matching frames.  I placed the two smaller ones to the edges of the background and attached them with a small bit of glue on the top and bottom.  I didn't add any glue to the centre so that I could slightly lift this area later.  I added a small bit of mounting foam to the larger frame top and bottom, placed it in the centre of the two smaller frames so that it was slightly overlapping them both.  Next I cut a long strip of coordinating paper (it is the backside of this print) and cut a fork in the end of it.  I matted it with a teal card stock for contrast.  I inserted it through the sides of the frames weaving it up and down until it was through all the pieces.  With a pencil, I marked very lightly where each section was.  I removed it and stamped it with a small "thank you" in each section, erased the pencil lines and place the banner back into place, this time securing it with glue on the flat end and on the forked end so it would stay in place.  I tied a big messy bow with the teal vintage ribbon and topped it with a rolled flower made from the same paper.  I added a small pearl to the flower and some foliage pieces to complete the card.  I know, teal is sneaking its way back in to my cards, but I just adore it!  Hope it appeals to you too!  All for now, Sue x

Winners, Winners and More Winners!

  As I promised in the morning post (see below if you missed it), I have finally gotten caught up with drawing all the winners.  For the first time ever, I have not had a chance to post a pic of the new blog candy (the picture showing on the blog is from the last candy drawing!) so I will put together a nice blog candy prize for the winner.  I promise to update that pic this week.
  I have a couple of announcements to make, however, and I am so hoping that you will all understand.  I am finding it extremely difficult to keep up with the comment game so I must discontinue it in the form that we have currently been using. I was happy to give up housework and grocery shopping to make time, but the OH wasn't having any of it.  I must admit that clean knickers are high on my list of needs so as a form of self preservation, from today, I will no longer be doing it on a daily basis. However, since I love giving stuff away (and I think you like it too)  once a week, from the daily posts with over 100 comments left on them, I will gather all the names from everyone that has left a comment  and they will go into the hat and I will draw three winners for the week. It will still be a random drawing since I think that is only fair.  To sweeten the pot a bit too,  if any post has over 200 comments left before the next post goes up, I will include a bonus draw from that post.  I am hoping that this will help ease the time crunch that I have been feeling lately but still keep everyone leaving their wonderful comments too.  It is truly special to know that you have taken the time to stop by the blog to see what's new.  Okay are you ready for this list? Phew!  Get a cuppa and relax, it's a long one and then at the end, I will be doing the Big Blog Candy Drawing!
For the Comment game, we left off at Feb.4th so I will begin there.

Feb 4th: comment no. 14 left by occasionali!!!
Feb 5th: comment no. 32 left by Lynnus!!!
Feb 6th: comment no. 60 left by Val C!!!
Feb7th: comment no. 35 Lydia Jordan!!!
Feb. 8th: comment no. 6 left by Pam Swadling!!!
Feb.9th: comment no. 73 left by Melanie181!!!
Feb.10th: comment no. 35 left by Ria!!!
Feb.11th: comment no. 2 left by Jan!!!
Feb. 12th: comment no. 14 left by Sheila Stokes!!!
Feb.13th: comment no. 42 left by Clare with paint in her hair!!!
Feb. 14th: comment no. 78 left by Cathy in MN!!!
Feb.15th: comment no. 98 left by Fynecrafts!!!
Feb. 16th: comment no. 41 left by with love and light Theresa H!!!
Feb. 17th: comment no. 15 left by Ali W!!!
Feb.18th: comment no. 10 left by Mrs. O crafty blog!!!
Feb. 19th: comment no. 74 left by Lilygee!!!
Feb. 20th: comment no. 36 left by Jayne59!!!
Feb. 21st: comment no. 52 left by Sue M!!!
Feb.22nd: comment no. 64left by  Lindyloo12!!!
Feb.23rd: comment no. 104 left by May!!!
Feb.24th: comment no. 29 left by Vee Cassidy!!!
Feb. 25th: comment no. 112 left by maid of Kent!!!
Feb.26th: comment no. 21 left by Mabex!!!

Now for the big Blog Candy drawing, beginning with third prize, the winner goes to.........
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.......Tracy Heaton!!!

The winner of second prize goes to...................................................
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Lizzie (serial copycat)!!!!

Now, the Grand First Place Prize Winner goes to..............................
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DESIREE!!!!!!

Congratulations to all the winners.  I will need to confirm all the postal addresses please so if you could send me an email at americansue1@gmail.com, I will post out your prize.  I will begin the weekly drawings and post the first set of winners on Sunday March 4th.  The big Blog Candy Contest will still continue every 100 followers we add.  Thank you so much in your understanding in this.  All for now, Sue x

Sanded Lattice

Hello my crafty blog friends!  I hope that you aren't getting tired of looking at my lattice dies as I have a bunch of cards to show using them!  I will try to spread them out a bit for you.  This card happens to be the first card that I made when I received the dies.  Mainly because I was dying to see what they looked like when cut using Coordinations card.  I happened to grab a piece of black/turquoise backed card to try them with.  Well you know what we are like as crafters, we don't waste anything(I don't want to be thrown out of the crafters union, now do I! LOL) so it became the basis for the first card.  I sanded back the card to reveal the turquoise coming through giving it an edgier look.  I made a faux nestie by tracing the outside shape of the lattice motif.  I cut it out, sanded the edge lightly to smooth it and then added some white stitch marks around the edge.  I stamped my sentiment then cut it out with the smaller lattice piece and inked it with black soot distress ink.  I made a faux nestie for this shape and did matching stitching on it also.  I mounted my focal element on a piece of decorative paper that I had (not sure the name though) and then mounted it another backing paper with a harlequin pattern to it.  I added some black rhinestone swirls to the bottom and side and finished the card with a double bow made from the black silky crush ribbon.  I added a black organza rose as a knot cover and a couple of decorative black stick pins.  I used a white inksentials pen to faux stitch the edge to complete my very first lattice die card. 

Just to let you know, I will be back around mid day today with another post of

 blog candy winners and comment game winners.  Be sure to check back then.  All for now, Sue x

Red and Tan Simplicity

Good morning all!  I thought a simple card for today's post would work nicely.  I chose this red card for the background since it matched the new striped ribbon that I am enjoying using now.  I embossed the background with the new Embossibility folder, giving it a lovely deep impressions.  I tucked the end of the ribbon under it at the top and let it hang down.  I cut out the largest size of the Romantic Rectangle die to use as a backing for my focal element.  I cut it down the centre and realigned the pattern to create a square.  The seam is hidden by the points on the red Persian Motif.  I stamped my sentiment and then cut it out with the Splendid Circle dies.  Using a bit of fired brick distress ink, I inked through the die to highlight it.  I layered up all the pieces to sit atop the ribbon piece.  I cut out the square piece from the damask accents and you can see it peeking out from underneath the ribbon which is being held in place by the ribbon buckle die cut.  I cut the ribbon into a "V" shape to give it a finished look.  You're probably not surprised to see the edge pierced as it is one of my favourite techniques!  I have had a few emails about the piercing lately too so I thought I would add a word here about it.  I use the Tim Holtz design ruler for my piercing but I anchor my ruler on either side of the card with some push pins to keep it steady while I am piercing.  I hope that helps answer any questions you may have had.  All for now, Sue x

Dave's Fav

Hi guys, this was Dave Bradford's favourite card from the shows so I am posting it today in his honour!  I have used the Lattice Motif die template for my focal element here, but I used the same technique as I used on yesterday's card.  Stamp your sentiment  on dark grey card then  coat your lattice die with perfect medium and align it over your sentiment and run it through the GC to transfer the ink to your card.  Using clear embossing powder, heat emboss it.  Cut out the shape and use it as the back piece for your focal element. Be sure to wipe your die off well, then cut another lattice motif in yellow card, mount with foam pieces atop your letter pressed one.  Cut the Moroccan border die twice with pale grey and twice with dark grey.  These dies will weave together quite nicely to create a cute two tone border for each side of the card.  Just use a few dots of clear Cosmic Shimmer glue to adhere the borders to your background.  I used a bit of ribbon from my stash for this one.  I cut several ribbon buckles from the yellow card and stacked them for depth. I then cut one from green card and cut away the petals and the ribbon buckle portion, leaving only the leaves and mounted it so it just peeks out from under the flower stack.  I didn't use it as a ribbon buckle per se, but rather it was intended as a bow embellishment.   I finished the card with the Cosmic Shimmer silver PVA glue dots to frame the card.  Thanks again for all your support, comments and emails.  I have been over the moon reading all of them.  I am hoping that the crazy schedule will slow down so I can catch up on blog candy and comment game winners.  Soon, I hope!  All for now, Sue x

You Are So Kind

Good morning my crafty friends!  Thank you all for the wonderful emails and comments you have left for me during these shows!  They have added more shows for today at 10, 3 and 6pm.  They asked me yesterday to do several added shows and since I was already there (a captive audience so to speak, they really didn't have to pin me down and tickle me until I cried uncle! No not really, but I bet you have that image in your head now, huh?), it wasn't a problem.   Christine Emberson is going to help me out and do the shows on Saturday.  What a star she is!   Please tune in and see what she has planned.   It has been great fun for me and I love that it has brought many new friends to the blog too.  Welcome all!

For today's card, I have picked another one that I really liked when I finished it (probably the white and aqua together, which I love).  I started inking my lattice motif die using a clear perfect medium (I patted the pad all around the metal edge of the die), then I placed it in the centre of my aqua card and carefully taped it into place.  I cut the piece in my GC and when I removed the die, the ink had transferred from the edge of the die on to my card, but only around the lip of the outside edge.  Using Aurora Sparkle embossing powder, I heat embossed that edge giving me a sparkly letterpress image of the shape of the die.  Now the Lattice motif that was actually cut out was adhered to a piece of white card, but turned the opposite direction so that you can still see a bit of the white card, but you also get the nice scallopy edge showing through top and bottom.  I cut two of the borders from Samantha Walkers set called Antique Frames and Accents and glued them to the edge of the aqua card.  Using a strip of the redline sticky tape down each side of the border, I ruched some velvet ribbon lace down both sides.  Remember to use some clear Cosmic Shimmer glue once you have it stuck down like you like It.  The glue will make it stay put permanently.  Especially with the thick velvet this is a must or parts of your ruching will pop loose.  I made a bow with some satin ribbon I had on hand and added a smaller bow of organza atop it.  I left a long piece of the satin ribbon to run down the centre of the card.  I stamped my sentiment and cut it out using one of the Persian Motif pieces and inked it slightly with Bundled Sage distress ink.  I mounted this in the centre as a focal element over the piece of satin ribbon.  I added one of my big pearl buttons that I have in my craft stash (brought back from the States with me) to cover my naked bow.  Finished the card off by piercing all the edges (like I do).  Just love it, a real happy dance card for me at least. Is it up your alley?  All for now, Sue x

To You

Hi guys!  I hope you enjoyed all of yesterday's shows, I know I did!  Now, at least, I can begin posting all the samples for your closer inspection too.  This is a very simple, but I think,  elegant card.  I have used this layout many times but I keep coming back to it for this type of card as I feel it really shows off both the embossing and the lovely dies very well.  To start, emboss your background piece with your embossibility folder (I believe this one is called Patchwork).  The background is slightly larger than the folder so you will have to do the first section, then move the card over and line it up by having it slot back into the folder in the repeatable background.  Then run it through a second time to finish it off and mat on to pale pink card.  Next, do a smaller piece of pink card with the same folder and this time it should all fit inside the folder in one go.  Mat that piece on to cream card and mount in the centre of your larger background piece.  Using a second piece of pank card cut the same size as the other one, mat on to cream card.  Cut four of the Damask Motif pieces with the unusual, but lovely shape and these will clip on the edge of a smaller piece of pink card, but this time the clip "holder" pieces will go to the back of the card and the rest of the entire die will sit on top of the smaller piece of pink car.  They will overlap a bit in the front, but that will not show when we are finished.  Mount this piece on to the pink card that you did not emboss, but mount the entire piece on to the embossed piece but rotated so the points are opposite.  I hope that makes sense, it is a mouthful!  Finally, stamp your sentiment on to cream card.  This sentiment is only part of the phrase which says "From Me To You," but I only wanted to use the To You section here.  Using one of the smaller pieces from the Persian Accents, cut it out and ink it lightly with Antique Lineen distress ink.  Mount on a foam piece in the centre of your card and you are done! I added a few small pearl accents around on this one as a final finishing touch.  Think any occasion, any colour combo and this card will work beautifully too.  Hope you like it.  All for now, Sue x