Appreciate What Is

Hello friends - it is Sunday evening here but it has felt like Monday all day to me - funny how that happens - I am not sure why - do you know what I mean - or is it just me!?!

I could not resist creating a card using the Bird Crazy Stamps by Tim Holtz - just quietly - I am looking forward to getting my hands on the Cat Crazy stamps too - there is something so appealing about them and I know I am not the only one.

My patterned paper has been cut/embossed using the Spellbinders Labels Forty Etched Dies.  The Cosmo Cricket paper has then been randomly sponged using Imagine Crafts 'featuring' Tsukineko yellow ink and daubers, followed by pink and orange.  Postmarks have been added using Memento Espresso Truffle Ink,  The white drips are from the irRESISTIBLEs Embellisher in Memento Luxe Wedding Dress.

The Bird Crazy image has been coloured using Memento Inks and Sponge Daubers - I love that technique!  My sentiment is from Hero Arts,

This card is linked to the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge - Z for ZOO animals

Dare To Be Sassy Challenge - Your Choice

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Anything Goes 

Crafting With An Attitude Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

Crafty Girls Creations Challenge - Anything Goes

PDE Linky Party - Anything Goes

Craft Rocket Challenge - Mothers Day or Feminine

Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Cute + Sentiment

Scrapyland Challenge- Tie One On (Spellbinders)

Paper Shelter Challenge - Animal Magic

WordArt Wednesdays - Anything Goes  

Whimsy Inspiration - Anything Goes

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Anything Goes with a twist: Include an Animal

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy crafting

Spellbinders Whoooo Loves You Tutorial

I have a little change of pace for my Spellbinders Tutorial today.  I have created a Whimsical card - using some of the Spellbinders Core Dies - my inspiration for this card is my grandson - he turns one in April and adores Giggle and Hoot - how could I resist.  Although this owl is not exactly like Hoot he comes close enough for Noah to recognise him -so that has to be good!

You can see just how to create him on the Step by Step Tutorial below.

Spellbinders Products:

• S4-111 Classic Scalloped Ovals LG
• S4-136 Classic Hearts
• S4-137 Classic Scalloped Hearts
• S4-161 Labels One
• S4-116 Standard Circles SM
• S4-540 Victorian Numbers
• SCD-025 Pierced Hearts
• SCP-001 Sea Spray
• SCP-006 Totally Tangerine
• EL-016 Kicking Rubber
• Spellbinders® Platinum™ Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Cross Promotional Products: 

• Imagine Crafts 'featuring' Tsukineko: 
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: E-Z Adhesive Runner, 3D Foam Squares; re-positional Tape Runner, 3D Foam Squares

Other:  Liquid Glue; Kindy Glitz; White Gel Pen

1. Cut/emboss two (2)Classic Scalloped Ovals using Totally Tangerine

2. Emboss using Kicking Rubber

3. Hand cut four (4)slits in the Classic Scalloped Ovals

4. Sponge using around the edges and each slit using Memento Ink in Tangerine

5. Cut/emboss three (3) Labels One using Sea Spray.
6. Score one (1) Labels one across the center to form the head.
7. Cut/emboss two (2) number 6 from Victorian Numbers using Cuddle Cream.
8.  Cut/emboss two (2) Classic Hearts #2 and one (1)  #1 (#1 being the smallest) using Totally Tangerine.
9. Cut/emboss one (1) Pierced Hearts #1 #2 using Cuddle Cream.

10. Adhere Classic Heart and Victorian Numbers as shown in the photo above
11. Add small black circles, cut small blue circle in half and adhere slightly angled as eye lids 
12. Cut/emboss one (1) Classic Scalloped Oval #4 (#1 being the smallest)
13. Emboss using the Kicking Rubber Em-bossing Folder
14. Adhere to one Labels One using double sided tape
15. Add three 3D Foam Squares the top of Labels One

16. Attach the front of the owl head to the 3D Foam squares, securing the back to the remaining Labels One using Double sided tape.  Add white dots to the eyes using a White Gel Pen.
17,Tuck Classic Scalloped Ovals up under each side of the head, securing with 3D Foam Squares.
 NOTE: Outer edge of the 'wing' can be shaped if desired.
18.Tuck Classic Hearts under the lower edge of the Labels One - adhere using double sided tape.
19.Attach Pierced Heart using liquid glue.

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy crafting

Happily Caffeinated

Hello friends, I am back with a card to share that I create sometime ago for a dear friend. I love the sunny colours and the fun sentiment.

The embossed background has been created using Spellbinders® Celebra'tions Framed Canvas Embossing Folder and Celebrations Totally Tangerine paper.

The sentiment has been stamped using Imagine Crafts 'featuring' Tsukineko Memento Ink in Espresso Truffle and framed using a negative Die from the Sprightly Sprockets Etched Dies.  The flowers are from Indigo Blu and have been coloured using Chameleon Art Pens.

The gorgeous ribbon is from my stash and creates the most beautiful bow - this has been topped using and orange button and some pearl bling.

This card is linked to the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread - Always Anything Goes

Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge - Anything Goes

Retarte - Anything Goes

Our Crafty Corner Challenge - Anything Goes

Craft-Dee BowZ - Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow

Not Just Cards February Challenge - Anything Goes

Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge Blog - Anything goes with option of Embossing

Eureka Challenge # 181 - Tic Tac Toe - Die Cut, Embossing And Flowers

The Crazy Challenge - Card for a Friend

Craft Your Passion Challenge - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps - Die Cuts 

Crafting From the Heart Challenge - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - February  Anything Goes with a die

Artistic inspirations Challenge - Anything Goes

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Corner - Coffee or Tea

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy crafting

Sew Happy for You

Hello friends, some of the Negative Dies we have after creating our cards are too good to throw out and can add such a great feature to our cards.  I have used a negative die from this Spellbinders tutorial and have created a tag to layer onto this card and am happy with the results - what do you think?!

Using the Negative Die from the All Stitched Up Die D-Lites, popping behind the Cosmo Cricket Paquet Minature paper and brown cardstock on the stand. Adhere Rafia for the belt and a paper flower topped with a silver rhinestone heart.  Adhere this to the Heart and Home Circle Delight Decorative Elements, slightly angled. 

 Stamp the sentiment (love that faux cross Stitch) using Imagine Crafts 'featuring' Tsukineko Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black  Once dry, lightly sponge using Summer Sky and a Sponge Dauber.  Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L E-Z Adhesive Runner and 3D Foam Squares have been used on this card.

Layer onto a frame created using Art Deco Astoria Labels and Graphic 45 Sweet Sentiments paper.  Adhere a strip of paper tape measure and a flower, followed by a button and a silver rhinestone.

This card is linked to the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create -  Anything goes with optional twist: Create Your Own Color Challenge

Words To Craft By Challenge - My Hearts Devotion

Addicted to Stamps - Die Cuts

The Three Muses Challenge - Love

Amusing - Paper Scraps

Robyn`s Fetish - Stitching Real or Faux

Inspiration Destination Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Friends Challenge - girly

Addicted Top Stamps and More Challenge - Anything Goes

Artbymiran Challenge - Anything Goes

Brown Sugar – Anything Goes

Crafting With an Attitude Challenge - Anything Goes

Morgan's Art World - For The Ladies

Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy crafting

Spellbinders Make a Wish Tutorial

Hello friends - it is time for another Spellbinders Tutorial on my Blog - for my card today,  am using one of the new Die D-Lites - Make a Wish.  It takes me back to my childhood when we would see Dandelions and close our eyes tightly and make a wish as we blew, scattering the flower heads all over the lawn. 

 Today they are considered a weed and this is not encouraged - although we always let our children and now our grandson

Spellbinders Products:

• S1-003 Make a Wish
• S5-131A2 Matting Basics A
• SCP-013 Whirl White
• SCT-001 Celebra'tions Linen Thread Embellishments
• Spellbinders® Platinum™ Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Cross Promotional Products: 

• Imagine Crafts 'featuring' Tsukineko:  Memento Ink in Flannel Grey, Bamboo Leaves, Teal Zeal; Sponge Dauber
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: E-Z Adhesive Runner, 3D Foam Squares; re-positional Tape Runner

Other:  Recycled Button; White Seam Binding; liquid Glue; Kindy Glitz; patterned paper

xxxx

1. Cut/emboss two (2) Make a Wish Flowers using White cardstock.

NOTE: Do not throw away the negative Dies.

2. Cut/emboss four (4) Make a Wish Leaves using Green cardstock.

3.Cut patterned paper using A2 Matting Basics A #6 (#1 being the smallest) Approx 5.3.875" x 4.625" in 

4. Adhere the negative Die to the patterned paper using re-positional tape.

5. Use the negative Die like a stencil, sponging the inside areas using Flannel Grey Ink.

6. Repeat the process randomly on the paper to create background paper.

7. Adhere the Flowers using liquid glue, followed by the leaves.

8. Lightly sponge the leaves using Teal Zeal and a Sponge Dauber.

9. Adhere the double bow using liquid glue.

10 Add the button with linen thread tied though into a bow.

11 Adhere computer generated sentiment with a dovetail cut into the right-hand end, curving slightly in the center.

12 Add Kindy Glitz to the ends of the flowers and allow to dry.

13. Layer onto Navy Blue cardstock cut/ebossed usingA2 Matting Basics A #7 (#1 being the smallest) using 3D Foam Tape.

14 Adhere onto a white precut card base using double sided tape.

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy creating!

Thinking of You

Hello friends, I don't know about you but I love birds - they are such beautiful creatures and make me happy just by being close by.  I cannot resist these birds by Graphic 45

The card base and patterned paper have been cut/embossed using the A2 Curved Matting Basics A Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Card Creator , the white layer has been cut/embossed using Labels Seventeen Spellbinders® Nestabilities®.

The sentiment is a retired one from Layers of Color using Imagine Crafts 'featuring' Tsukineko Memento Ink in Espresso Truffle.  The flower is from Kaisercraft and the button from my stash.  The twine is actually crochet cotton.

This card is linked to the following challenges:

Inspiration Destination - Always Anything Goes

Sisterhood of Crafters - Warm Thoughts 

The Crafty Addicts - Anything Goes/ Spots or Stripes 

WordArt Wednesdays - Anything Goes 

2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Card and Scrap - Layers 

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything goes with Patterned Paper

Creative Craft Cottages Challenges - Anything Goes

Just Keep On Crafting - Anything Goes

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy crafting

International Ambassadors Unofficial Butterflies and Flowers Blog Hop

                         ***This card will remain at the top during the Blog Hop
                                   Please scroll down for new posts - thank you!***

Welcome to the International Ambassadors Unofficial Blog Hop - we have really enjoying the Blog Hops and hope that you are too.  Our goal is to bring you lots of inspiration as you stop by each Blog.  Each International Ambassador has our own style and I am sure there is something to inspire everyone. This month - the theme is butterflies and flowers - something tells me things are going to be very pretty as you Hop along!!

Spellbinders Products:

• S4-137 Classic Scalloped Hearts
• S5-086 Bitty Blossoms
• SCD-012 Pierced Rectangles
• SCP-001 Sea Spray
• SCP-014 Cuddle Cream
• PL-001 Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Preferred Partner Products:

• Want2Scrap: 72 Count -Silver Rhinestones - Self Adhesive
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: E-Z Adhesive Runner, 3D Foam Squares

Other: Liquid Glue; patterned paper; pink buttons x2; Kindy Glitz

1. Cut/emboss Pierced Rectangles #5 #6 (#1 being the smallest)using 12" x 5" Cream cardstock, scored in the center - make sure the fold is inside the cutting blade to create the card base.

2.  Cut/emboss Pierced Rectangles #3 #4 (#1 being the smallest)using patterned paper.

3. Pop patterned paper up onto card base using foam tape.

4. Cut/emboss two (2) Classic Scalloped Hearts #1 #2 (#1 being the smallest) using patterned paper

5. Adhere #2 Classic Scalloped Hearts together at the small end, overlapping to get the size you are wanting.

6. Adhere the smaller hearts onto the larger using liquid glue and popping up the outer edges with 3D Foam Squares - as shown in the photo above

7. Cut/emboss one Bitty Blossoms #2 (#1 being the smallest) using cream cardstock

8. Sponge the edges if desired and roll the flower, gluing the base - you can see a video here for 

9. Adhere the Bitty Blossom to the center of one butterfly, add shimmer randomly to the edges of the petals.

10 Adhere a small pink button to the remaining two butterflies, adding a medium white pearl to the center

11. Cover the outer rim of the button using liquid shimmer - allow to dry.

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial and are inspired to use your heart dies a little differently.  Make sure you pop in and visit the other International Ambassadors - these girls are amazing - each one is picked to be an Ambassador for their country because they are seasoned designers and so inspiring, they also stand as talented designers in their own right - as you will see!!!  The list of International Ambassadors is below, in case you get lost along the way.

Christina Griffiths - England

  Linda Lucas - Australia (you are here)

Yvonne van de Grijp - Netherlands

Christine Emberson - England

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy crafting