Merry and Bright

 

      A new challenge at Christmas Craft Creations begins this week, the theme this month is 'Heat Embossing', so break out those stamps and powders.

      The stamp used on this card is an old Woodware one, it's one of my favourites. Stamped on black card and embossed in silver.

      Black isn't usually the first choice for a Christmas card but with a pop of colour I think it makes an elegant card.

      When I cut the mat layer I cut out the centre to keep for another project, it won't be seen so why not use it for something else.

       The layers were all assembled before the tiny purple gems were added, I have a few friends that love purple so this card will go to one of them.

       As I like making decorations for Christmas it's good to make the cards early in the year and store them, before going on to the 3D projects later on. So why not come and join us at Christmas Craft Creations with whatever seasonal project you have made using heat embossing.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

The 12 Months Of Christmas - #78 Anything Christmas/optional ChristMouse

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - #545 Anything Christmas

Merry Little Christmas - #35 Anything Christmas

Sparkle and Shine

     Sparkle and Shine is the optional twist at The Paper Funday this month. The stamp I used on this card is a reverse image, so the light area is Distress Oxide ink on black card.

     The image came out quite well but it needed a colour burst, this was achieved by putting tiny gems on the seed heads.

     To make the gem colour stand out I used some cerise card to make a mat layer, the shine is added by die cutting a greeting in pink mirri card.

     It was a very simple card to make, it joins the card stash for future use. The inside has been left blank so it can be used for almost any occasion, most of the cards in the box are like this so they're ready at short notice.

     Please pop over and view the DT inspiration, then come and join us with your project.

I wold like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Love To Craft - #59 Anything Goes

The Crafter's Cafe - #267 Anything Goes

Computer Reboot

     Making masculine cards can be a challenge but this stamp has it covered, it's not a new stamp but it's one I keep coming back to, when teamed with paper piecing it can be tailored for almost any theme.

      These two cards were made for a couple of young men celebrating their birthdays on the 29th of February. They are both keen gamers so I printed off some suitable papers containing computer code and circuit boards.
      For each card one set of boots was stamped and embossed on the patterned paper and another set on white card. I cut out the white card boots and then cut out selected parts of the patterned boots. To get the darker areas on the boots I used a grey alcohol marker but for the laces I used a white Sharpie pen.
      The word 'Urban' comes from another old Woodware set, stamped, embossed and coloured with alcohol markers. Then the backing paper was matted on to black card, before going on to a Kraft card blank.

      To tailor each card to the young man receiving it I stamped the little heal guard detail differently, one has ties to Canada so I used the tiny Woodware leaf that comes with the boots for his card and the star for the other.
      Inside the kraft card is a die cut shape to match the heal guad detail with Happy Birthday stamped on it. They may be very similar but they are certainly not the same.
      If you're looking for more ideas then please pop over to Not Just Cards where you'll find lots more inspiration.

I would like to enter these cards in the following challenges:

     Di's Digi Designs - Show Some Green

Send a Smile For Kids - Cards 4 Boys    Top 3

Double D - It's All About The Green

The Male Room - Team Colours

Do-Al (l) Creative - Male Birthday

Peace Is Not Just For Christmas

     I know Christmas is a long way off but in non-traditional colours this card could be used for another occasion. Christmas At Sweet Stampin' this month is all about 'Words' and you'll find some great inspiration on their blog.

     This stamp is a Woodware design from 2015, I have to say it's one of my favourites. I decided to use almost everything from stash, I have a bit (haha!) so I'm setting about making good use of it.
     I wanted to use some mica paints so I had to emboss the image as it holds the paint within it's lines perfectly. Using my stamp press I stamped in dark blue Versafine, the problem was I was using watercolour card which is very absorbent. The answer came to me while peeling potatoes.... stamp in blue, then wipe the stamp and stamp with Versamark, nice and sticky and ready for embossing powder, you've got to love a stamp press.

     Using a mix of Koi watercolour pens and the mica paints I set about colouring my image in shades of purple. There are some small words with this stamp but I chose not to use them this time, that meant the image would fit a large DL card blank.
     With a purple pearl card mat layer underneath it looked alright but something wasn't quite right, I then used a lilac Distress Ink to go around the edges of the image panel before I stuck it down, it knocks back the harsh edge that didn't seem right.
     With the addition of a few tiny sequin type stars dotted around it was complete. Don't tell anyone but the stars were to hide a small splodge I made by accident, turns out they look pretty good.
     I made a blue one as well, if I make two cards each month I will be well on the way to having a small stash ready for Christmas. he shine doesn't come out very well on the pictures but the mica paints really do catch the light.

I would like to enter these cards in the following challenges:

The 12 Months Of Christmas - Anything Chrsitmas/Winter Blues

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Shades Of Blue

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - Anything Christmas/Cute

The Holly and Ivy - Anything Christmas

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

For One Night Only

     A rather simple card made with one of last years Woodware stamps and a die cut. Keeping the colour palette to black, white and a splash of red makes it a bold card, suitable for any age or gender.

     Using Versamark I stamped on to black card and then embossed with white powder, I also ran a white ink across the card to look like a slightly dirty blackboard. I left a wide border around the stamp to make it stand out and matted it on red for a hit of colour.
     The card blank was run through a snowfall embossing folder before the image panel was stuck on to it.
     The deer was die cut in both white card and black, I stuck the black over the white but slightly out of line to give a reverse shadow effect, it makes him stand out a little better against the black background.
     All that remained was to give him, or her, a tiny red gem for a nose. The deer is mounted on foam pads so that it stands out a little form the card, but will still fit in a standard postage envelope.
     This month's optional theme at Christmas At Sweet Stampin' is Critters, so if you have any animals on your cards then please come over and join in the December fun.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Jingle Belles - Happy Holidays

The 12 Month's Of Christmas - Anything Christmas optional-layer it up

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Past challenge (52CCT4-19 & 52CCT12-19)

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - Anything Christmas

Cards 4 Guyz - Christmas Critters

The Male Room Goes Wild

     We are still in the party spirit at The Male Room after our 5th Birthday, the new theme is 'Wild and Free', you have two weeks to make a masculine project following this theme if you'd like to come and join us.

     I was given this Woodware stamp by a good friend, it was just perfect for this theme, thanks Jenny.
     I stamped the image three times on white card using Memento Rich Cocoa because I wanted to decoupage my lion. Having three images to choose from meant I could use the best one for the base layer and the others for the head and face.
     I only coloured the areas I would need to cut out, but I did colour all of those areas so no white would be seen underneath when the card was tilted.

     The image is coloured with alcohol markers, that's why I used Memento ink. Once cut out I went around the edges with the lightest marker to cover any white card that may be showing.
     The head and face are layered on foam pads to lift them, but it will still pass as standard post.
     It looked better on Kraft card than on a white card blank but it needed a shot of colour, so I used the second darkest marker on a piece of white card to make a mat layer. With the addition of the 'Go Wild' sentiment the card was complete.
     Please come and join us at The Male Room with your wild masculine creations, we'd love to see them.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Dream Valley - Animals   (F)

Cute N Crafty - Animals   (F)

The Library - Jungle Book  (F)  (may not qualify as no lions in Jungle Book)

Sneaky Paper Piecing

     The new challenge at The Male Room this time is Paper Piecing, the DT have come up with several different ways to interpret this giving you plenty of scope for your project, just remember it has to be masculine.

     My trusty Woodware Sneaker stamp was used again, I have had this for a couple of years and it still proves to be very popular with the teenage boys around here.
     The image has been stamped on to patterned paper and on to white card, both images are embossed in black. I cut the uppers from the patterned paper and stuck them over the white image, leaving the soles and lace bow uncovered.
     Using a marker I coloured the toes and the insides of the sneakers along with the lace eyelets too. The bottom part of the sole is also coloured with a pen to make it a tiny bit darker.
     The laces on the patterned paper are coloured with a white Sharpie, one coat was enough.
     The white image has been cut out and is then mounted on to a pale patterned paper. The word is also a Woodware stamp, embossed in black and coloured in with a maroon marker pen. The mat layer is coloured with the same pen on white card so it would match the word.   
     The little heel guard has a small maple leaf stamped and embossed in maroon to match the word colour, then the whole paper panel is stuck to a Kraft card blank.
     Please pop over and take at look at the DT inspiration at The Male Room, our new teamies have come up with some great designs for you.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes   (F)

Retro Rubber - Fall/Autumn Colours   (F)

Glitter 'N' Sparkle - Fall/Autumn Colours   (W)

Blooming House Of Cards

     The House Of Cards challenge this month has a gorgeous photo prompt with pretty shades of lilac, mauve and purple.  Needing no excuse to break out the Brusho's, as soon as I saw the colours for this challenge the box was on my desk.

     The flowers have been stamped and embossed in white on watercolour card. Then the fun began, using a water brush I painted one petal and sprinkled purple Brusho on it, blew away the excess and moved on the the next petal.
     All petals were done one at a time to make sure the paint stayed just where I wanted it, the stems and leaves have been done the same way.
The flower centre were done last so that the petals were completely dry, these were done with grey.
     The thing I love about these paints is the way they show the component colours when not completely mixed or saturated, giving some great effects.
     All that was needed was a mat layer to compliment the image and then on to a white card blank. The greeting comes with the flowers in a Woodware set called Erica, this was embossed in silver and die cut before mounting on foam pads.
   

   
     Our challenge at the House Of Cards runs all month so please come and join us with your creations.

Floral Shaker

     It's been some time since I made a shaker card so I thought I'd use this tangled flower stamp to make one. The flower comes with three different patterned leaves so you can build up your own design.

      I measured out a square of card and stamped the flower in each corner, turning it slightly to appear more random. Then using masking sheet I covered the flowers and stamped some leaves to fill the gaps and make a full border.  I left the centre open as this was the area I wanted to cut out.
     Using alcohol markers I coloured the leaves and flowers as well as the white edge, this edge was coloured in grey green because the white looked too bright.  The stamen dots have been foiled using the 2in1 glue pen and transfer foils.

      Around the outside of the square I scored each side 5mm and 10mm in from the edges to make fold lines. This is because I prefer to make a shaker box card so the foam cannot be seen and there is less chance of the contents escaping.
     The next step was to cover the opening with acetate, then surround the opening with foam tape to build the bead enclosure, with some extra foam in the corners of the box for support.
     I wanted to add some tiny butterfly sequins to the micro beads but couldn't find any so I used some tiny flower gems instead.

     I stamped my greeting on a piece of square card that fits just inside the fold lines. Once the beads and gems were added I took all the backing off the foam and carefully placed the card on top to seal them in.
     With the card in place I folded the edges over to form the box and stuck them down. To tidy it all up I cut a backing card to cover all the edges and added a small card stand so it will sit up just like a small picture frame would.
     The backing is white so it could be written on or you could add a small tag to the back so it can be removed and the card kept for display.
     While I have all the bits and bobs out I think I will make a few more shaker cards ready for the Christmas card stash.


Materials list - available from your  local craft shop
Stix2 Anything - S57361 2in1 Glue Pen
                            S57111 Transfer Foil
                            S57131 Project Acetate
                            S57268 Masking Sheet
                            S57075 Seed Bead Pack 
                            Double Sided Tape
                            Foam Tape

Woodware  from Creative Expressions  - JGS511 Bold Bloom Mildred
                                                                  JGS521 Imagine Verse

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - Stamping, No Digis #358    (W)

Brown Sugar - Anything Goes #258  (W)

Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes   (M)

Lost Coast Portal - Anything Goes #38   (M)

Stamping Sensations - Anything With Flowers   (M)

Fluffy The Unicorn

        With the release of a new Despicable Me film on Friday I thought it was only right to introduce you to Fluffy The Unicorn. Some of you may not know that Fluffy is the favourite toy belonging to Agnes, the youngest of Gru's adopted daughters.
     This cute stamp is from Woodware, he comes with the sentiment and the hanging heart, plus some falling hearts and a shooting star, great value for all those girly cards.
     Fluffy is stamped and embossed in silver on white card, then he was masked using masking sheet, a great low tack sheet that's easy to cut out and pop over your stamped image to protect it. The background is made with fabric spray paints in pink and both shades of blue. When stamping and embossing the hanging heart some of the powder stuck to the edges of the background, I liked the effect so I added some more all around the card edges.
     The gorgeous rainbow foil effect is made using Stix2 2in1 glue pen and transfer foils. Put the blue glue where you want to stick the foil and let it go clear, then put foil on top and gently rub down, glue and stick one colour at a time to get the full rainbow look.
      The image panel is mounted on a neon pink layer before going on to a purple card, then the sentiment is stamped, embossed and die cut, the edges coloured pink before being mounted on foam pads.
   

Materials list - available from your  local craft shop
Stix2 Anything - S57361 2in1 Glue Pen
                            S57106 Transfer Foil
                            MGPA320 Fabric Spray Paints
                            S57268 Masking Sheet
                            Double Sided Tape
                            Foam Pads

Woodware  from Creative Expressions  - FRS643 Unicorn clear stamp

I would like to enter Fluffy in the following challenges:

The Cutie Pie Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small   (M)

Incy Wincy Designs - Sparkle or Shine  (F)

Sparkles Monthly Challenge - Embossing Heat or Dry   (M)

A Proper Gent

     A little something for a proper gent, it's Father's Day here in the UK this weekend so a chance to use The Waistcoat stamp from Woodware.

     The waistcoat was stamped and embossed in black on patterned paper, then cut out. To make the buttons shine they have been foiled using Stix2 2in1 glue pen and transfer foils.
     The background was white card, it has been spritzed with Fabric spray paints in two shades of blue with a little purple. Around the edge has been darkened with Distress ink and the greetings have been stamped in Archival blue and clear embossed.
     The white card is mounted on a dark blue card, then the waistcoat is mounted on foam pads to give it a little lift.


Materials list - available from your  local craft shop
Stix2 Anything - S57361 2in1 Glue Pen
                        S57111 Gold Transfer Foil
                        MGPA320 Fabric Spray Paints
                        Foam Pads

Woodware  from Creative Expressions  - JGS498 The Waistcoat clear stamp
                                          

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Guyz - Something Blue for Father's Day   (F)

Simon Says Stamp - Masculine   (W)

Star Stampz - For A Man   (F)

Crafty Calendar - Boys Will Be Boys   (M)

A Proper Gent

     When making my project for The Male Room last week I made this tag as well with one of the new Woodware stamps.

     Starting with a blank Tim Holtz Sizzix die cut tag I used Distress Oxides and a TH stencil to create a tartan style background, making sure I used the colours that would match the patterned paper I planned to use for the waistcoat.
     I also stamped a few circles over the tag just to break up all those straight lines.
     The waistcoat was stamped and embossed in blue on some patterned paper, then the inside of the waistcoat was coloured blue with an alcohol marker before being cut out ready for the tag.
     I stamped and embossed a greeting on a Stix2 kraft tag and after a little trim added it to the main tag using thin foam pads, making sure the hole was directly over the large tag hole. There are three lengths of twine in various shades threaded through both tags.
     With the addition of a little gold relief to the buttons the waistcoat was ready for mounting on the tag, this was done with thicker foam pads so it sits on top of the small tag. A little gold ink added around the edge of the tag completed the look, it's now ready to add to a gift.

I would like to enter this tag in the following challenges:

Cuttlebug Mania - You're Tagged    (2W)

Die Cuttin Divas - All About Tags    (W)

My Time To Craft - Masculine   (2W)

Send A Smile 4 Kids - Dads or Special Males   (2W) 

Spring Has Sprung

     Spring has sprung, the daffodils are up and the birds are busy building their nests so a bright and cheerful spring card seemed the right thing to make, two boxes of flowers exploding will be great for a Mothers Day card.

      I have used lemon gingham card but due to the folds of this card part of the white side will also be visible, so it has been coloured and stamped to co-ordinate with the gingham.
     The two sided are stuck and slotted together and the card bars stuck inside to hold the acetate strips.
     Each box has three card bars and six acetate strips to hold butterflies and flowers, these are attached with red line double sided tape.

      The flower heads were stamped on yellow card, cut out, then decorated with gold foil using the Stix2 glue pen and transfer foils. The secret of this method is patience, just wait for the glue to turn completely clear and the foils will stick.
     Each flower is attached with strong tape, you can vary the height of the flowers by trimming the strips accordingly, I would suggest they all start the same full height and you trim as you go along, this allows for a choice in arrangement of your flowers.

     The butterflies are stamped on a piece of scrap card that was underneath some tags when using the fabric spray paints, nothing goes to waste that way. These paints are designed for fabric but work very well on canvas and card too.
     These have also been given foil highlights, cut out and attached to the acetate strips, there are several different sizes in the stamp set.
     The whole card will fold flat for posting but will need a tall DL envelope so the acetate doesn't get creased.




Materials list - available from your  local craft shop

Stix2 Anything - Lemon Gingham / Intensive Yellow Card 
                        Project Acetate
                        Ultra Clear Tape 6mm
                        Glue Pen 2in1
                        Shiny Transfer foil
                        Fabric Spray Paints

Other Items      FRS639  Tatty Butterflies stamp
                       JGS491 Fancy Flowers
                       Distress Inks Squeezed Lemonade / Mustard Seed
                       Versafine Onyx Black

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

heARTful Stamping - Spring & a Stamp

Ooh La La Creations - Spring Is In The Air

Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes

Scrappy Birds

     Do you have lots of small patterned paper scraps stashed away just in case?  These tags were made for CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge using some of my 'big enough to be useful' stash.

     Using my Birdy Tower Woodware stamp I used black Versafine to stamp out all the birdy pieces.  You can either stamp on the tag to get the legs or draw them in afterwards like I did.
     Each tag has a Distress Ink coloured edge to tone it in with the birds to be stuck on them. These birds are great Robins at Christmas but make fun images for use all year round, not quite crazy birds but still cute.  
     I cut around each piece carefully and then stuck them on the card with PVA glue once the Distress was dry.

     The legs are drawn in with a black micron pen and any little gaps in the black outlines touched up.
     The beaks have gold foil added by using the Stix2 two way glue pen. When blue it sticks paper together permanently, but when allowed to go clear it becomes a tacky repositionable glue which takes foil perfectly, it's acid free too.
     With the addition of woggle eyes and a stamped greeting, which comes with the birdy tower, the tags are almost complete. It just remains for ribbon to be added, this is white organza coloured with an alcohol marker.

     Please come over and join us at CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge with your creations, it's always anything goes as long as you use patterned paper.

I would like to enter these tags in the following challenges:

The Paper Girls - Patterned Paper
Send A Smile 4 Kids - Anything Goes

Christmas Wishes from The Male Room

     Welcome to Christmas Wishes from The Male Room, sorry I'm a little late. This challenge will run until the end of December, so if like me, you are running a little behind, you will still have time to join us with your Masculine Christmas project.

      I have to confess that this card is a rescue card, I found it in bits on the floor at the end of a craft show. Torn, smudged and with a large footprint on it I still couldn't throw it in the bin.
     The stepper card was fine with just a tear at the bottom, so that is covered with dark red paper. The Greeting panel was ripped beyond all help and the image panel was smudged as well as having a large footprint right across it.
     I have the Woodware Bubble Tree stamp in my stash so I stamped a new panel and transferred most of the Candi from the damaged image to the new one, with the addition of a few Stickles the panel was complete. I have used a peel off greeting as I have lots in my stash to be used up.
     I'm happy to have rescued such a lovely card from the bin, having the same stamp meant it really didn't take much work to save it. So if you go horribly wrong when making something, put it down and walk away, leave it for a while and when you go back to it you may see a way to save it.
     If you don't get time to join us at The Male Room this month then we hope to see you next year with lots more masculine challenges, Happy Christmas!

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Anything Christmas Goes

Jingle Belles - Anything Christmas

Addicted To Stamps - Christmas

The Male Room Woods

     Welcome to a new challenge at The Male Room, our theme this time is 'scapes'- city, sea, land or in this case tree.

      Using a Woodware stamp the trees have been stamped several times on a piece of watercolour paper 24cm x 13cm. The card was coloured with water soluble inks, then the trees were coloured with watercolour pens.
     Once dry the card was scored at 4cm intervals to form the concertina effect, on the back there are two panels of patterned paper over thin card stuck at either end to the outside panels, then holes were punched in the folds to thread the ribbon through.
     Stickles were used to add sparkle to the trees and then it was left to dry completely before threading the ribbon through the holes. It is one long length of ribbon threaded with the centre at the front and the tails meeting at the back. The ribbon is then passed through a bead in opposite directions, then through another bead again in opposite directions and secured. The first bead acts as a slide to hold the card shut for delivery and the second bead to stop it all unravelling.
     A tree-scape makes for a perfect male Christmas card, not to sparkly or cute and you can keep the colours masculine.  Please come and join us at The Male Room with your scape's, we'd love to see them.

Materials list - available from your  local craft shop
Woodware Craft Collection - JGS471 Trio of Trees
                                          Sentiment set unknown code
                                          Koi Watercolour Pens
                                          Stickles

Stix2 Anything - Masking Sheet
                        Double Sided Tape

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Christmas

ABC Christmas - Criss Cross Something (ribbon through bead)

12 Months Of Christmas - Anything Christmas (optional Bingo)

Foiled Again

     We'll all need a few thank you cards and tags after Christmas so here's a way to use up some of those patterned paper scraps you have hanging around, you know the ones, too small for a major project but too big to throw out.
     The tag is stamped with a script stamp Old Letter in purple, the smudges are part of the stamp...honest!  The word thanks is from the Butterflies set, this has four beautiful butterflies, all different, stamped in black.

       Using one of the butterflies stamp the tag and a scrap of patterned paper in black ink. The butterfly on the tag is not coloured in but the butterfly on the paper will be, using the Stix2 glue pen and foils.
    This glue pen is a permanent adhesive when used  while it's blue but when it is allowed to turn clear it is a repositionable glue. It is best to work one foil colour at a time, draw the glue on and leave to go clear, lay the foil over the glue with the pretty side up and press gently, remove the foil sheet and repeat as required. You only need to accent the markings with foil as its already patterned.
     Cut out the paper butterfly, you won't need to cut round the antenna as the butterfly on the tag will provide those. Using the glue pen stick just the body of the paper butterfly over the blank one. Put a foam pad under each wing, close to the body, this will make the wings stand up slightly.
     All that remains is to add ribbon, this ribbon was white before it was coloured with an alcohol pen to match the foils.


Materials list - available from your  local craft shop
Woodware Craft Collection - FRS614 Old Letter
                                          JGS483 Butterflies
                                          Versafine Ink Imperial Purple / Onyx Black 

Stix2 Anything - S57361 Glue Pen
                        S57324 Large Tag White
                        S57050 Foam Pads 2mm
                        Transfer Foils
                        Organza Ribbon 15mm