Love Nature

Another week another card for the One Stitch At A Time Challenge Blog!!!!

 The challenge this week is:-

Challenge # 157 - Spring

The Sponsor of this Challenge is StitchyBear

Prize for the winner who uses a digital stamp from the StitchyBear online shop wins $9 to spend in store. Non use of a StitchBear stamp wins $3

For this challenge I have used the digital stamp Love Nature by Gingerloft, available from the StitchyBear store to make my card.

After a couple of fabulous holidays downunder doing the real outback stuff - hubby and I are not the sort of people who do cities, tarmac, crowds etc.  Instead we hire a 4x4 vehicle which we can sleep in/or camp with and head out to find dirt road, scrub land, out of the way - non tourist places.  The first year we went we drove around for six weeks and the second time for five weeks.  Our only commitment was to be back at the place we hired the vehicle from on a certain date and then to the airport for our flight home.  Total adventures <g>.  I can hear you thinking how mad we are but both my hubby and I grew up in Africa so an adventure like this is not daunting, more like going home.

Initially I thought this would be an easy card to put together, I had my plan but it was not easy to colour, there was a certain ruggedness with the image, a childlike drawing which was so in keeping with the Love Nature name, and I wanted to try to keep that innocence.  No, I know nature is not innocent, it can be one of the cruelest things we encounter but there is comfort in it's balance, joy in it's celebration of colour, peace in its harmony, and knowing even after a tragedy nature goes on.

The centre part of this card is the digi, I wanted to fill the whole card with the image and try not to use any embellishments lol (I failed in that, could not resist a bit of sparkle around the sun). To achieve my plan I continued the drawing of the digi in the background and added a few words that came to mind to bring it all together and, in line with the challenge, incorporate SPRING.  So there we have it, how popping over to the OSAAT challenge to see what out other fabulous team have created.

Recipe:-

• Digi  Love Nature by Gingerloft which was cut out and attached to the backing with foam tape for dimension
• crystal gems from my stash
• Text which I made up

Thanks for looking :)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

• Stamping Sensations - The Great Outdoors .
• Corrosive Challenge - Challenge # 171 - Spring Fling .
• My Sheri Crafts - Spring has Sprung .
• Sisterhood of Crafters - EASTER/SPRING . 
• Can You Digi It - Pick a Season (for my card it is Spring) .

Help . . . I have odd socks!!!

I love a card with a story, do you?  This card has a great story and I don't think my grandson will forgive me for telling it to the world :)  My daughter and grandson were visiting hubby and I in Saudi for a few weeks and while here I treated myself to several more Mo's Digital Pencil digis, they are just so super cute and fun to colour.  Taking a shine to Two Toby I set about colouring him in and as if the image had given my grandson an idea he decided to throw a tantrum, a good one too, it last about 15 minutes and amongst all the other animal noises 'Mummy I want' was often repeated.  Fun over and the little person settled down (not getting what he wanted I should add) and the day moved forward without any further dramas.  I decided at that point the card being made with this image would have to be my daughters Mother's Day Card.  A couple of days later, when time permitted, I set about making the card and would you believe, another tantrum from his excellence.  Bless his cotton socks, only two tantrums in three weeks, not bad going.

For this card, I designed the room for Two Toby to throw his tantrum in and cut hand made paper I picked up somewhere for the walls, it has such a great texture.  For the floor I used thin cork sheet which gave, again, the perfect texture.   Window blinds were coloured and then embossed with clear embossing powder to give a plastic feel, the punches came out and mini transport ones selected to punch the vinyl which were stuck on the walls.  I cut the word Mummy out of vinyl on my Black Cat (no other word would do would it <g>) and once the image had been placed on the card with foam tape I stuck on the text.  The caption was printed and stuck to the card and to finish off a bit of yellow ribbon and a bow.

Hope you like the finished product :)

Recipe:-

• White Linen card and straight line stickersfrom Craft Creations
• Digi - Two Toby - Mo's Digital Pencil
• Cork paper, yellow hand made paper, ribbon, vinyl from stash
• Fiskers mini punches

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

• Bronte and Bella's - Challenge #178 - "E is for ...." ( for my card E is for EXASPERATION) . 
• CRAFT - Challenge 200 - 28th of March – Mother's Day/Female .
• Happy Campers Challenge No. 13 - Add Dimension . 
• Dare to be Sassy - Thursday #170, funny or witty sentiments .
• Southern GIrls - The Kids Are Alright - Challenge 65 .
• Tip Top Tuesday - ROFL .
• Eclectic Ellapu -  whismy and or funny .

Somebunny Loves You

I have not made many Easter cards so today thought I would.  Yesterday I found a cute challenge MayzyArt Blog and just could not resist :).  Although I didn't have to use a MayzyArt digi I found she had some free ones on her blog, the digi I used is Bunny  (talk about everything coming together lol).  The theme of the challenge was to use animal prints so I created my background paper in Photoshop by making a brush of rabbit paw prints and dotted them around the page, then embossed them and added a texture.  Next, using Illustrator, I brought in my new paper and and the digi which I laid on top of the paper in the circle shape and printed this out ready to be coloured in.  I lightened the backing paper and then printed it and attached it to the card. I finally designed the lacy mount and saved it as an svg file which was then imported into SCAL and cut on my Black Cat.  To finish off the bunny's tail I stuck on some Flower Soft - just to try and get the fluffy bouncy effect.  Once everything was completed and assembled the layers with foam tape to add a bit of dimension to the card and applied some Micro Glaze to the circular area where the digi is - Micro Glaze gives a love sheen and brings the colours to life.  Last but not least a yellow bow was added for a bit of pop!!!!  I used Warm Grey 1,3 and 5 for the bunny, Lemon and Yellow for the flower and Lush Green and Grass for the leaf and stem.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

• MayzyArt - Animal Prints! using the free digi 'bunny' . 
• Little Miss Muffet - Challenge 57... Happy Easter  .
• Cards Und More - # 78 Spring   .
• Cutting and Stamping - #11 Challenge: Color Challenge, Pink, Blue, Green and Yellow. . 
• SOS - #94 - Easter or Spring .

Winner of the Mucky Birthday badge!!!

The challenge this week at One Stitch At A Time is to use a digi, why not pop on over and see what the rest of the design team have come up with and while you are there join in.

OSAAT Challenge #156

Use A Digi

The sponsor of this challenge is the fabulous StitchyBear Digital Stamps.  The winner (who uses a StitchyBear Digital Stamp wins all the digis used by the  DT in challenge #154 - a really great prize.  For those who do not use a Stitchy product the prize is $3 to spend in the store.

I had such fun with this fabulous image called Birthday Boy1 created by BBKakes and am so pleased with the way the card turned out.  For my grandson's birthday card I created a badge for him to wear which was attached to his card with velcro, it worked a treat; and so I decided to do the same here.

Recipe:-

• Backing paper for the outside and inside of the card which made myself using a simple gradient fill.
• Birthday Boy1 digi created by BBKakes which I fussy cut and adhered to the card with foam tape.  I had to cut off some of the digi, the bits where the icing is flying around so these areas were re-created using Stickles.  Although you can't see it there is some icing inside the card too <g>
• Badge was made with red card and yellow card from an svg file I made and then cut on my Black Cat. 
• Black vinyl was cut for the text and adhered to the front of the badge and then the layers were stuck together with double sided tape.  To adhere the badge to the card I used velcro so the the badge can be removed and worn by the birthday celebrator.
• Blue gingham ribbon was used to embellish and for the bow too.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

• Dilly Beans - glitter 
• Sweet and Sassy - Happy Birthday Fellas - SNSDC97
• Send a Smile 4 Kids - Anything Goes 4 Kids Challenge .   
• Crafty Ribbon -  Challenge 41 One For the Boys  .
• Paper Pretties - GREAT BIG GOBS OF GLITTER!  
• Penny's Challenge - Gingham and/or checks   .  
• Creative Craft Challenges 2 - Challenge 6 - For the Kids 
•  Tip Top Tuesday - Challenge 97 - ROFL  .

Embrace the Day (black and gold)

I had such fun in making the pastel version of this card I decided to make another one in black and gold, it sounded like a it could be a striking card when finished and once done I was pretty pleased with the outcome :)  I had a bit of a problem with my gold ink pad, think it is running out but not much I can do about that as a replacement will have to wait until I return to the UK as there are very few ink pads to buy in Saudi!!!!

Recipe:-

• White Linen card, black paper and gold line stickers from Craft Creation
• Mirror card from Hobby Craft
• Digi image - Embrace Each Day from Digi Darla
• Digi image - Spring Fairy from StitchyBear Store and by Ike
• Embossing folder
• Gold Stickles

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

• Corrosive Challenge - Challenge # 170 - Just Dance . 
• Polkadoodle - Week 12 Challenge - Embossing
• Crafty Creations - Embossing either dry or heat.
• Wicked Wednesday - Spring Fever!   
• Cheerful Stamp Pad - dance .

Thank you for taking the time to stop by :)  Wishing you a happy crafting day.  Hugs Mimi

Embrace Each Day (pastel)

I was sitting this morning listening to the news and hearing the weather report for the north in the UK - all the snow brrrrrrr.  It is not much better here in Saudi, we don't have snow but yesterday we had rain and today is so overcast.  What is needed to brighten the day is to create a happy spring card and this is what I came up with.  Hope you like it :)

Recipe:-

• White Linen card, black paper and gold line stickers from Craft Creation
• Mirror card from Hobby Craft
• Digi image - Embrace Each Day from Digi Darla
• Digi image - Spring Fairy from StitchyBear Store and by Ike
• Pastel backing paper - Sweet Things 2 pack by Panda Bear and available from the StitchyBear store 
• Bows from my stash
• Magenta Stickles and 

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

• DDC#54 "Easter/Spring"  

Thank you for taking the time to stop by :)  Wishing you a happy crafting day.  Hugs Mimi

Strawberry Days

Here I go with a swivel card, the first time I have tried one and I just love it :)

Recipe:-

• White Linen card from Craft Creations
• Digi image - Strawberry Girl from Mo's Digital Pencil
• Vellum which I embossed a strawberry design on using my Black Cat
• White lattice cut out, tag and label which I designed and also cut with my Black Cat
• Pink angel hair for base of base and top right of card
• Brads, ribbon etc from my stash
• Micro Glase to give the digi a lovely sheen

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

• Bronte and Bella's Challenge (Mo's Digital Pencil) - Challenge #177 - For the Women in Our Lives!
• Charisma Cardz - Challenge #11 - Die cuts

Give A Girl Shoes

I seem to be into green cards this week, just done another one but I can't share it with you yet <g>.  Last week all my cards seemed to be blue and yellow lol wonder what it will be next week?

This card is has been made using a couple of things I have had for a while, the white and gold handmade paper which is one of my most treasured sheets, I got it three years ago in Thailand in all the colours they made, black, navy, red, white and maroon and so far have used up one piece of the black and gold and nothing else.  Time to enjoy using the paper instead of admiring when I open the drawer where it is hidden :)  The other long time item is precious digi by Kaz Krafts of StitchyBear Stamps called 'Birthday Gal Accessories' (not sure if Kaz Krafts is still selling stamps through the StitchyBear store but the stamp is still available in the September Mega Collaboration.

Being a shoe person myself I have loved colouring in this digi and after a bit of Internet hunting came up with a brilliant quote by Bette Midler "Give a girl the correct footware and she can conquer the world" - oh I so agree with that and it is the perfect excuse to buy another pair of shoes I think!!!

Recipe:-

• White Linen card from Craft Creations
• Digi - Kaz Krafts  'Birthday Gal Accessories'
• Backing paper designed by me
• Gold straight line sticker from Craft Creations
• White and gold paper from somewhere in Thailand
• Promarkers for digi - Primrose, Meadow Green, Leaf Green, Lime Green, Olive Green
• ROCO gold paint marker for the bag handle spots on shoes
• Butterfly die cut by me and cut on my Black Cat
• Gold Stickles to finish off 
• Micro Glaze to give the digi a lovely sheen

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

• Critter Sketch Challenge - Challenge 156 - Monochromatic Green

• Passion for ProMarkers - Butterflies
• ATSM - Challenge #37 - Make Your Mark
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Make 'em Green with Envy
• Clear it Out - Easter- anything but a rectangle card Stash: anything goes (digi for over a year and gold/white paper for 3 years!!! just been too special to use lol) . 
• Creative Creations - The Letter B! (I have used butterflies and bling) . 
• Robyns Fetish - CHALLENGE # 151 - "MUST USE GREEN!"

Joyful Bunny

 Ahhhhhh, wonderful, brilliant, happy smiley afternoon.  Twas a busy morning at work and I am now a 'Joyful Bunny' as my weekend has started.  To celebrate I treated myself to another afternoon in my craft room making this pretty spring card.

Recipe:-

• Card from Craft Creation - White Linen
• Digi image - Joyful Bunny from Digi Darla
• Card shape from CraftsUPring - Step Aperture by Rae Carr which I modified a bit to suit my card design.  The svg file was cut on my Black Cat
• Yellow vellum to line the inside of the card but I can't remember where I got it from
• Flowers from my stash, think I picked them up on a shopping spree from Hobbycraft
• Gold Stickles and gold paint pen were used for a bit of bling

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

• DDC#54 "Easter/Spring"  
• Die Kreative Stempelfreunde - Easter Package 
• Creative Cutting Challenge - Challenge #12: Anything Goes .
• Creative Creations Challenges - Challenge 6 The Letter B (blue, bling, bunny, blooms)
• Crafty Bloggers Network - Spring or Pastel
• Corrosive Challenge - Challenge # 170 - Just Dance
• Robyns Fetish - MUST USE GREEN" CHALLENGE

Thank you for taking the time to stop by :)  Wishing you a happy crafting day.  Hugs Mimi

Oh - How good are dreams?

There is something so special about dreams, I guess it is the way we can do or be anything we want.  How much fun is that <g>?  Mind you, I don't like the horror dreams and as I tend to have an overactive imagination the viewing of scary movies before bedtime is a no no!!!

Another week another card for the Stitchy Bear Challenge Blog!!!!

 The challenge this week is:-

Challenge # 155 - White or no DP papers

The Sponsor of this Challenge is Stitchy Bear

Prize for the winner who uses a  digital stamp from the Stitchy Bear online shop wins $9 to spend in the store.

For this challenge I have used the digital stamp  Adventure Kid - King by Luke Carr Creations, available from the Stitchy Bear store.  Not an easy challenge by a long shot although it sounds as if it is.  My feelings is the digi I chose to work with is really for kids and I don't know many kids, boys especially who would like a white card much.  Thankfully the challenge allowed an alternative, no design papers, and so that is the option I chose to follow.  I tried to keep as much white in the card as possible but hopefully made it appealing to kids by using the orange for the base.

Here is my contribution, hope you like it.

Recipe:-

• Orange and white cardstock from Craft Creations for the card and white cut-out mount
• Digi stamp from Luke Carr Creations called Adventure Kid - King available from StitchyBear Digital Stamps 
• Boy in bed clipart from iCLIPART
• Black vinyl for the text (my favourite way of putting text on a card at the moment <g>)
• Each layer was mounted with foam tape to give dimension to the card.

 Now over to you, how about popping over the the OSAAT challenge and joining in . . . . . . .

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:-

• Send A Smile 4 Kids - Anything Goes 4 Kids Challenge
• Stamping for the Weekend - Child's Play
• Crafty Ribbon Challenge - One For the Boys
• Little Miss Muffet - Boys Only

Time to close for today and get on with the next project on the cards - oops bad pun there, I can tell it is going to be one of those days :)  

Saudi Woman

Something a little different from the usual cards and I am so pleased with the way it turned out.  While checking out some of the card challenges on the go at the moment I came across one I really fancied having a go at - Passion for Promarkers this week has a challenge called 'Around the World'.  Oh yes, a fun one saying as I live in Saudi Arabia at the moment.  I could not find a didi to work with, but there again that was no surprise, I don't think many people make cards in Saudi <g>, so I had to design my own to work with and what better than the totally seductive look of big brown eyes peeping through her fully covered body!!!!

Recipe:

• Lady in abaya image drawn by me and printed twice and coloured with ProMarkers.  Two layers so I could layer the face behind the abaya/veil.  Both layers mounted with foam tape to give dimension.  Spray gun system used for abaya and regular method used for face area.
• Arabic images in background from IClipart.
• Die cut designed by me and cut on my Black Cat
• Text cut on Black Cat too on vinyl and adhered to card
• Background, once cut was popped through my Cuttlebug using an embossing folder from Design Objectives.  I then used metallic ProMarkers and the air brush system to add a little more colour.
• To finish off I added gold line sticker and a gold embellishment from my stash.
• ProMarker colours used - Cool Grey 3, Grey Green and Chestnut for eyes; Oatmeal, Coral and Ginger for skin; Black, Cool Grey 1 for abaya; metallic Red Gold, Gold and Copper for background.
• For whites of eyes I used a Yoken white paint marker.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

• Passion For ProMarkers - Challenge 189 - from around the world
• I love ProMarkers - RIBBONS AND BOWS
• Paper Pretties - Challenge PWC249 
• Tuesday Throwdown - #138 Paper Piecing

Thanks for looking and hope you have a happy crafting day <g>.

Just because . . . .

I am trying desperately to think of something to say but it is only 5:00 a.m. and I have just woken up, I guess the brain is still in la la land <g>.  Ah thought of something :), do you have problems tying bows, I know I do.  The other week I found this fabulous addition for any craft room, it is called the Bow Easy and available for several supplies.  Here is a video on how to use it.  If you are like me and find tying bows full of trials and tribulations then this wee gadget is a must for you <g>.  I do find it somewhat fiddly to use but with the addition of a ribbon threader all wonders become possible.

Recipe:-

• Card cut out using my Black Cat,  the flower design is from IClipart which I converted to an svg, and formed the basis for the shape along with the cut out.
• All card and papers used from Craft Creations
• Digi 'Alisa with roses' from Mo's Digital Pencil
• Ribbon, pearls and flower from my stash

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:-

• Bronte and Bella's Challenge (Mo's Digital Pencil) - #176 Pearls and Ribbon with a Mo image
• Avadares Challenge Blog - Challenge #9 - Easter or Spring
• Card Making Mamas - It's Springtime!
• Moving Along With The Times  - Spring is in the Air
• Crafting for all Seasons Challenge Blog - Challenge #47 Spring into Spring
• Penny's Paper-Crafty  - #11Ribbons and diecuts
• Creative Card Crew - #32 Ribbon (Week 2)

Wishing you all happy crafting days (((hugs)))) Mimi

Hats off to you!!!

Oh what fun - time to play in the craft room.  This morning I was looking at a a wall hanging I have hanging up of Van Gough's 'Wheat Field with Crows'.  That became the inspiration for the colour scheme for my card, so spring like with blue skies and wheat in the field.  Next to browse through my digi's and wow - perfect, I found a hat with a great big sunflower on it, how flukie is that :)

Recipe:-

• Digi from Digi Darla called Sunflower Hat which I fussy cut and attached to the card with foam tape.
• Blue and yellow card stock and vinyl  from Craft Creations 
• Dark blue paper from somewhere which I embossed on my Cuttlebug - can't find the name of the embossing folder. Attached with double sided tape
• Yellow mount designed by me and cut on my Black Cat, attached with foam tape.
• Buttons from Jarir Bookstore
• Text cut on vinyl
• Ribbon from Al-Zamils, Khobar

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

• DDC# 53 -  "Buttons"
• TTCRD Challenge Mar 12-18 - Anything Goes
• Tuesday Throwdown #138 - Paper Piecing
• Artistic Inspirations - CHALLENGE 32 FLOWERS
• CMC -  #16  Lots of Layers
• Incy Wincy Designs - Things that begin with F (for my card it is FLOWER)
• KABOODLE DOODLES - 3 Dimensional
• Sentimental Sundays - Challenge #145: 3 Embellishments That Start w/ "B" (for my card it is BUTTONS)

A fairy in your teacup!!!

Did you find a fairy in your teacup this morning???  I must admit I didn't but maybe that is because I only drink out of large mugs filled to the brim with coffee :)

I haven't made a tent card before so thought I would give one a go.  Must admit I am in two minds as to if I like the shape or not.  it lends itself beautifully to standing up and showing off the front decoration but I don't like having to write a personal message on the back of the card.  Think I will have to dwell on this for a while.

Recipe:-

• tent card template
• my own backing paper
• die cut topper lacy mount cut on my Black Cat and coloured to match the background paper with ProMarkers and the spray gun attachment
• digi topper using image 'tea cup fairy' by Mo Manning and available from Mo's Digital Pencil - a super cute image don't you agree :)
• Lace I bought downtown (in Khobar, Saudi Arabia) last week with this card in mind
• Thin ribbon which I have had for a while which I wove through the lacy circle topper, used along the bottom of the card and also for the bow.  The bow has a couple of pearl beads on the ends just to give some weight as the ribbon is really light and flimsy
• Saying, just something I made up - corny I agree hahahahahaha
• On the back of the card I used the same paper background paper and four pearls, one in each corner, just to make the writing area a little more appealing.  Should have taken a photo but I forgot.  Sorry.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

Bronte and Bella's Challenge - Challenge #175 - Anything Goes w/a Mo Image
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Challenge #134 ~ Pastels
ProMarkers challenge - Challenge #158- Anything But Square
Cards und More - # 77 Spitze und Perlen/Laces and Pearls
Eclectic Ellapu - Birthdays
Robyns Fetish - CHALLENGE # 150 - "BIRTHDAY CARDS"

That's all folks and thank you for taking the time to have a look at my card.  Hope you like it :)

Quiet Contemplation tea light wrapper

Another week another card for the Stitchy Bear Challenge Blog!!!!

 The challenge this week is:-

Challenge # 154 - Anything GOes

The Sponsor of this Challenge is Stitchy Bear

Prize for the winner who uses a  digital stamp from the Stitchy Bear online shop wins All the  DT images used in challenge #152 - Wow


For this challenge I have used the digital stamp Quiet Contemplation by Delicious Doodles, available from the StitchyBear store to make a tea light candle wrapper.

Recipe:-

• The main part of the tea candle wrapper is on a transparency and the top and bottom supports are cut on my Black Cat
• To stop the colours shining through from the back of the wrapper and discolouring the image I lined the inside with white paper leaving the image area uncovered.
• To attach everything together I used double sided tape.
• The wrapper is placed over my empty coffee jar for safety reasons - would hate to set fire to the house with this project which would be just my luck <g>
• To finish off, Stickles were used on the head dress sections, just to add a bit of sparkle.

One last thing, StitchyBear are having the most awesome sale of their stamps and digi papers to celebrate their 3rd Birthday.  With a massive 33% of items it is an offer too good to miss and StitchyBear digis are just the best, I promise you will have a hard time choosing from their massive collection by the artists who create the stamps, we, in the design team are so privileged to showcase.

March 15th - March 22nd

Stitchy Bear Store

That just about sums it up - hope you like the end product :).   Now over to you, how about popping over the the OSAAT challenge and joining in . . . . . . .

I will be entering this card into the following challenges:-

• Inspire Me Fridays 99 - Anything Goes!
• Scrap it With a Song - "Lady In Red" by Chris De Burgh (I never will forget the way you look tonight. The lady in red, the lady in red, The lady in red, my lady in red)

Look who is 3!!!!

On March 15th this year StitchyBear Digital Stamps is going to be 3 years old !!!

To celebrate, the StitchyBear Digital Stamps is offering and 33% off all product.  Wow, can you believe that, I know I will be popping over to fill up my basket so hope you do too.

The offer is for one week so don't miss out!!!!

March 15th - March 22nd

Stitchy Bear Store

In The Army Now

Another week another card for the Stitchy Bear Challenge Blog!!!!

 The challenge this week is:-

Challenge # 153 - Green (recycle or colour scheme)

The Sponsor of this Challenge is OSAAT 

Prize for the winner who uses a  digital stamp from the Stitchy Bear online shop wins  $9 to spend in the store.  You must use a store image to win the main prizes and all other entries will be in a draw to win $3 to spend in the store


Ummmm - recycle or green scheme.  I did have an idea for recycle by using items to make the card that had a previous use, you know the sort of thing, stolen buttons from hubby's shirt etc.  While having a look through this weeks allocated digital stamp designer's work - Beary Dust Stamps; I came across this beauty.  Out the window with my initial plan and change direction totally to going with a green colour scheme.

So why the change in direction?  My youngest daughter joined the British Army last year and completed her basic training.  She is now coming to the end of her corp training and then will be a fully fledged soldier girl and will be sent on her first tour of duty.

For this card I :-

• Used the digital stamp by Beary Dust Stamps called GI Janice 
• The rest of the design process was carried out using a drawing program.  Here I created the the mounts, tree, tank, text and the overall layout of the card.
• Next was to create the cutting files for SCAL.  Finally on the preparation side, I embossed the tank using an embossing folder.
• With all elements created and cut it was time to assemble. I assembled the two mounts, tank, digital stamp cut out and the tree all with foam tape to create several layers. The text was cut out of vinyl which was stuck in place. 
• Finally I added a yellow ribbon to the tree so my wee girl comes home safely, a guardian angle metal charm to keep her safe and some gems to give the poor bare tree some leaves. 

That just about sums it up - hope you like the end product :).   Now over to you, how about popping over the the OSAAT challenge and joining in . . . . . . .

I will be entering this card into the following challenges:-

HIMCR - Greens!
My Time To Craft - Challenge #211 'Embossing'
Sweet Stamping - It's all embossing..
Digi Haven - "Green" 
RRR Challenge #67 'Show Me the Green & Ribbon' Theme 
Simply Create Too - CHALLENGE #32 - "ST. PATRICK'S DAY" [OR 'USE MOSTLY GREEN']
Going Grey With Scrap-Creations Challenge: Go Green!  
DD #52 "Green Cards"

Beautiful Lady

When I make cards, especially if they are for a special purpose I first pick the image I want to use then think how this should be placed on the card.  After that comes the colour scheme and finally how to embellish.  My favourite style is CAS (clean and simple), and as I tend to like my cards to be balanced I often have to fight the urge to be symmetrical.  I just love this image from the Stitchy Bear shop, she is called Lady Klimt  by  Hope Jacare Doodles.

Working on a card today that tries to move well away from symmetry, and with my image chosen, the next step is to come up with a sketch to work from.  My chosen colour theme has been based on colours we often saw while on holiday down-under - red land and blue skies - heavenly.

The three layers for this card are made up as follows:-

1. Create the card template to cut, I rather fancied a lacy top, challenging to get it all lined up but I was very pleased with the result.
2. Layer two ended up being the same lacy pattern used for the top of the card but cut out of vellum.  I had thought about using a stronger colour paper but felt it would distract from the image.  What do you think?
3. The final layer was the image which was attached to the card using foam tape to give a bit of dimension.

Recipe:-

• Card from Craft Creations
• Doily which I cut using vellum for a gently, transparent effect
• Lady Klimt digi from Stitchy Bear Store by Hope Jacare Doodles
• Swarovski crystals in orange to finish off

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Moving Along With The Times - Lovely Lady
Allsorts Challenge - Week 196 - For a Lady
LEJ Designs  - Challenge No. 42 - For a Lovely Lady       

Bling Birthday

Bling!!!!!!! Oh I am so not a bling person and not a fan of pink either :)  However, I really am trying to get out of my comfort zone so time to give it a go :) :) :)

Recipe:-

• Craft Creations pink pearl effect finshed card and white linen
• Digital image - Danielle with Laptop from Mo's Digital Pencil
• All layers are mounted with foam tape to give added dimension
• Crystal gems bought in our local Souk!!! (unbranded)
• Stickles for the lap top, earing and anklet - got to have the bling on a card like this!!!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you like this creation <G>

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

Bronte and Bella's Challenge - Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #174 -  "BLING"
Natalie and Amy's Challenge - die cuts    
Celebrate the Occasion -  Girls Birthday (must use pink)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - All That Glitters