Classy Valentine

And my last of three posts for today! This time a Mojo Monday sketch:
And I've used papers from Patti Picklicious which have been left over from previous projects and I hate to see anything go to waste! I've layered three different colour papers which have been printed onto lovely linen effect 300gsm ivory card.

The ribbon looks really red in the photo but it is not quite that bright in real life! The brown organza ribbon links the chocolate brown backing paper for balance. I've made the hat pin myself by adding a red pony bead and seed beads.

• Backing papers: Patti Picklicious from Kirsty Wiseman
• Ribbon: From my stash
• Hat pin: From my stash
  
  

Making a Start ....

.... on Valentine's Day cards! I am trying to be organised and now with Christmas out of the way (for a while until I start chipping away at those cards!) I thought I'd make a start on Valentine's cards, so be prepared to see quite a few in the coming weeks!

I have a little basket of them placed outside the Managers office at nursery and I sell quite well - last year I only had a few left!

The current Crafty Garden challenge is this sketch which was originally for a layout, but can be adapted for a card.I've used papers from Patti Picklicious cd by Kirsty Wiseman which have been printed onto wonderful 300gsm ivory linen effect card. I've dotted tiny black dots around the edge of the main panel for a little definition.

The heart stamp was a freebie on a magazine last year which I found in my stash. The two flowers have been layered and are from The Craft Garden - there is a matching tiny red button in the centre but you can't see it too well.

I really do like these papers especially the red so be expecting more of these!!

• Backing papers: Patti Picklicious by Kirsty Wiseman
• Flowers: From The Craft Garden
• Stamp: From my stash
  
  

Fluffy Jumper and Charity Shops!

A recently commissioned card! Lynsey asked me to make a card for her Mum's forthcoming Birthday and gave me a few ideas of her likes and habits. And this is what I made!

She likes charity shopping and shoes and a lager (although I've made it a pint of frothy beer!) every now and again. You can just about make out the glasses I've made from wire although the fluffy jumper hides them a little! The backing papers are Dovecraft Amethyst 6 x 6 pad with transparent vellum layer which has been embossed with Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. Card and backing paper edges have been inked in pink.

Happy Birthday Lynsey's Mum!

• Backing papers: Dovecraft 6 x 6 Amethyst papers and transparent vellum
• Dies: Sizzix Original Red dies which have been customised once cut
• Embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
• Ribbon: From my stash
  

Graduation Congratulations!

Made especially for Donna at my boys' nursery as she graduated this week. I even researched the gown colours to make it authentic! Letters cut from some beautiful shiny-but-not-pinky coloured card from Lynsey's recent de-stash, and the backing paper is from a download from Vicki's blog.

And only two gems for bling - and NO RIBBON!!!

Expecting

Ha ha! Not me! Here is a little something I created over the weekend. Backing paper from my recent candy win from Jozza, slightly chalked around the edges. And would you believe it, I had some ribbon that matched exactly! The tape around the ribbon said 54p and I think there was just short of 3 meters of it. Bargain eh?!

The stamped image is my recent 'is this 99p too' find from The Paper Mill Shop - I've been after a pregnant stamp for a while, and could not believe my luck when I found this! Its coloured with watercolour pencils and the edge has tiny gold metallic gel dots, as does the layered bit behind - just does not show up too well on the photo (for which I blame the lousy weather).

And because I was so pleased with the card, I did another exactly the same, but as a brunette.

PS Entered into the This Thursday, It's All About..... challenge 8

Space Saving Dino!

Made this dinosaur card last night as part of my demonstration cards for It's Funky Too. Had been working the idea through in my head for a while but not really found the right backing paper to do it. Then I found this little gem on the cd!! The template is hand drawn and it fits neatly over a 15cm square blank card - I just trimmed the excess off around the edges - the bend is at the top of the card.

The head and tail are attached with eyelets and brads so they move about.

And so that they can fold into themselves to fit into the envelope. Although it does look a bit like the dinosaur is sniffing its bottom!

The only extra bits on the card are a few age spots cut from the same card and with black fine marker circles, and the same black marker around the edges of the dinosaur. I showed it to the boys this morning and they loved it!

Will make a few more of these and see if they sell at the Craft Fair next weekend!

Warrington & Minnie

Was asked to make a card for a 30th Wedding Anniversary. My brief was that they both supported Warrington Rugby League, loved Disneyland and she liked flowers. The backing vellum paper I bought on a whim ages ago from here, knowing that I'd be able to use it at some point!


As it was a Pearl Wedding Anniversary, I've used fake pearls strung onto wire and threaded through the organza ribbon. And I've used an eyelet too!

Bold, Bright and Cute Dragon!

Was asked to make a Birthday card for a to be 4 year old who liked wobbly eyed cute dragons and cards that 'did something'. So, this is what I made! The pin wheel sails turn, and the dangly disc with 4 on spins round (it's double sided). The ribbon opens the front part on the card to reveal....
A cute wobbly eyed dragon!! With sequine tummy scales, silver and glitter ears and silver strands for wings.

Thanks Clare!

Madonna, West Ham & Maroon People Carrier Anniversaries

Recently commissioned Wedding Anniversary cards. The one above was requested by a West Ham supporter and he wanted his wife to be dressed as Madonna wearing the cone bra. Apparently she is a Madonna fan.

And the other, commissioned by Pauline had to feature the couple's son who supported Manchester United and their new maroon people carrier!

Blue Pin Wheel Card & Incy Wincy Stitches Button

A blue pin wheel card this time and also using an Incy Wincy Stitches button. The sentiment and tips of the wheel have been sparkled using Anita's 3d glitter paint. Blue satin edged organza ribbon from the USA.

And this time the card was for me to send! William is one - well, he was on Saturday and I'd not got myself sufficiently organised to get it to him in time. So Happy Birthday William and I hope the chicken pox clears up soon!

The card is available to buy in kit form.

Tiny Tiger Birthday!

One of Samuel's little friends from Tiny Tigers (Karate for kids) is having a Birthday Party today. So, as Michael is now an orange belt, I decided to do him in his uniform with the orange theme. The gold star brad looks like its coming out of his hair, well its not, its holding the large scallop tag to the card!

I showed the card to Samuel and asked him who it was - good lad said "Michael"!

Driving Test!

Was asked to make this card by CreativeClare from the Crafts Forum for her friend who had just passed her driving test, loved to shop and had a little red car! Her son is also shown on the card as he starts school in September.

Thank you Clare!

Gav's Birthday

Macaila at work gives me a long list of card requests for the year ahead so I can plan and prepare! And this one is for her hubby!


He's into all sorts of sport and I could not resist the dotty backing paper! Macaila showed me a photo of Gav, and I must say, he does look like his Mini Me!!

Flirty 30

One of my friends, Hayley (see yesterday's post about the New Job card) asked me to make a 30th Birthday Card for one of her friends. The image is Lola Rose from Pink Petticoat, hand coloured. The flowers, printed onto vellum are from V Funky CD and also the dotty backing paper too. Circle sentiment is from Now That's Funky.

I did make another one, for someone else at the same time (inspiration was in abundance!) but can't show you that one as its not her Birthday until later in the month...!!

Spelling Mistake...

Wooops!! See what happens when you rush to make a Birthday card that you've had 12 months warning to make............ but leave it to the night before to finish it... At least it doesn't spell a swear word any more and get blocked on the Forum!!

New Baby Card in Lemon

This is a bit of a picture heavy post - sorry!

Was asked to make this new baby card for Clare (from the Crafts Forum) as she is due to be an Auntie in the next few weeks. Incidentally, Clare makes the most fantastic Jewellery - so go and have a look www.poisonedapplejewellery.co.uk Inspiration came from Enfys - thank you!

I had an idea before I started of what I wanted to do but it changed a little as I was not happy with it.

The actual card stock came from the big bag of stuff from Lynsey and her craft room clear out and I've used clear / translucent vellum embossed with baby hands and feet (one of the Fiskars board things - quite impressed but I feel like I've been using an industrial drill afterwards hehehe!)

The little baby on board lopsided square is one of my own little creations! All the letters were printed directly onto the card and I cut them out by hand. I think it was Times New Roman font used via wordart and then enlarged.

Lightly chalked around the edges of the card, letters and some of the embellishments.

I've used backing paper from The Funky One - its good to get the older cds out and have a good play! Rediscovered some little gems in there!

All the die cuts with the exception of the bundle of joy one I've cut.

I've punched holes equally spaced across the top and bottom of the card so that the ribbon weaves through and is not fixed so it can be pulled tighter so the card can be closed.

The two tags on the back are for writing the message on. And they can be taken off and written on. I've included two just in case she makes a mistake on one of them!

And this is how it all looks closed! I've sealed the ends of the ribbon with glue as they are prone to fraying. It doesn't come with an envelope as I think that would spoil the effect.

What do you think??!! Will do some in pink and blue when I get chance, but I don't think future ones will take as long now I know what I'm doing and where I'm going with it all!

Really enjoyed making this! Thank you Clare!

Pinky Dinky Do

Commissioned Birthday card for a little girl who will be 3 at the end of May and who likes Pinky Dinky Do. Had to do some research for this one as never heard of the character. Still none the wiser either!

Pink card from Swirly!

Cute IncyWincy Button (and my kit!)

Doesn't this look fab?! Incywincy bought the pin wheel card making kit from me and added one of her handmade buttons. And this is what she made! I'm not sure if they are on her website yet, but they will be soon!

Needless to say, I've just put an order in for some blue and pink numbered buttons for some special Birthday cards I have coming up....

Thanks Incy for sharing this with me!

Manchester City & Beans

Another commissioned card - this time for a Manchester City supporter with extra long legs who enjoys Spandau Ballet. Background text is edited version of the history of City's football grounds. Text is also reproduced inside. Backing paper from (you've guessed it!) V Funky!

Scunthorpe United

Commissioned card for a Scunthorpe United fan who will be sitting his final exams soon. The background text is from a supporter website and its also repeated inside (just in case he wants to read it all!)