Woo Hoo Saturday .. will there be virtual BBQ's?

Morning readers,

Hope the social distancing/isolation is working for you, go on, own up ... how many of you have tackled something you'd been putting off "till you'd more time"? I've been cleaning windows this week!!!

The weather's been lovely the last few days so there might even be a BBQ here at the Purple Palace this weekend, it'll feel like we're doing something different and that'll work! A change is as good as a rest ... so they say!

I've a make to share with you today .... this started life as a make for a challenge with the theme of "LIGHTS" ... I was rummaging and came across this set and - BAZINGA, I was distracted! How EASILY that happens these days?!??! Am I alone in finding this?

My card

And a view showing the sparkle

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White 5" x 7", 300gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of textured red card, cut to mat
• Paper Artsy images (from JOFY65) stamped using Versfine Clair nocturne, morning mist and tulip red inks
• Copic markers Y08, BG15 and B05 used to colour
• Wink of Stella clear glitter gel brush pen and stardust stickles, used to twinkle and bling up the image

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - March 26th challenge - ANYTHING FESTIVE GOES
2. The Holly and Ivy - challenge No. 68 - ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
3. Merry Little Christmas Challenge - April challenge - ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
4. Christmas Cards All Year Round - April challenge - SNOW BUDDIES OR ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
5. Addicted to Stamps & More - challenge No. 383 - HOLIDAY

 

And now for an Artist Trading Coin, rather like buses, I don't make one for ages and then two come along at once (one yesterday and another today)!!

My Artist Trading Coin

Materials used:

• Snippets of card in white, purple and cream
• Nesting dies used to cut the 2½" and 2¼" circles
• On the cream snippet I applied Ranger Archival inks in vibrant fuchsia and majestic violet inks, using a makeup brush
• With a Tim Holtz stencil (THS002 "Bubble") over the inked panel I applied more vibrant fuchsia and then, replacing the stencil with another (THS004 "Stripes") and inking randomly with the majestic violet
• Hero Arts foliage (from CL477 "Delicate leaf clusters") stamped using Versafine Clair purple delight ink and the smaller spray from the same set with Versafine Clair morning mist ink
• Kaisercraft sentiment (from "Botanica") stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• White Posca paint pen used to doodle a border on the purple matted layer

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Friendship Challenge - challenge No. 52 - SOMETHING ROUND
2. Creative Fingers - challenge No. 183 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Southern Girls - April 2nd challenge - ANYTHING GOES

STAY SAFE PEEPS

TGIF!

Morning readers,

I hope you've had a good week, strange (probably) but good .. this social isolation is getting to most of us around now and I wish you luck with finding creative ways to entertain yourselves, since lockdown is here for a while longer. I've gotten used to having to check what day it is (on an all to regular basis) but at least I'm getting up and dressed and not having PJ day after PJ day, so I'm calling that a result!

I've had the opportunity to spend more time at the ToC (that's Table of Craftiness) so .... I've a make to share with you today ....

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of pale orange card, cut to mat
• Using low tack tape I masked off a top to bottom panel
• I applied Memento dandelion ink over the panel, using a makeup brush before placing the Memory Box stencil (88517) and applying Memento canteloupe ink
• Changing the stencil out for a Stamposaurus stencil I applied Memento ladybug ink
• Sundays International coneflower image (G-PSH016) stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• HLS sentiment (from "doodled flowers") stamped using Memento Clair morning mist ink
• Wink of Stella clear glitter gel brush pen used to twinkle up the petals and stardust stickles to sparkle up the berry like flower head

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. AAA Cards - challenge No. 162 - MADE IN MINUTES + (optional) USE A STENCIL
2. Through The Craft Room Door - March 31st challenge - ANYTHING GOES
3. Cute Card Thursday - challenge No. 628 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Challenge Up Your Life - challenge No. 122 - FLOWERS
5. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - challenge No. 128 - ANYTHING GOES

And now for something I've not made in a little while ... and Artist Trading COIN, it gives me the chance to use up some of the not inconsiderable collection of little snippets of card I have accrued from previous projects. I put them in a box, thinking they'll be useful, and yet ... there they sit, almost in judgement, DARING me to use them. Take that, snippets!

My Artist Trading Coin

Materials used:

• Snippets of card in white, textured red and cream
• Nesting dies used to die cut the 2½" and 2¼" circles
• Kaisercraft "hexagons" stamped using Memento canteloupe ink
• Cart-US "bee" image stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• Yellow sharpie used to add colour to the bee
• CarzTV sentiment (from "Just Saying") stamped using Versafine Clair tulip red ink
• Stardust stickles used to bling up the ATCoin
• White Signo Uniball gel pen used to doodle on the matted red layer

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:-

1. The Friendship challenge - challenge No. 52 - SOMETHING ROUND
2. Try It On Tuesday - March 31st challenge - THE BEAUTY OF NATURE
3. Lemon Shortbread - challenge No. 116 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Through The Purple Haze - challenge No. 166 - ANYTHING GOES
5. Southern Girls - April 2nd challenge - ANYTHING GOES

Been trying to keep up the walking during this lockdown, to keep me sane!!! Is it working? Jury's still out!!! That said, it was a lovely morning yesterday so I took some pix .... oh, and I saw just three people in the entire two miles!

Wednesday ... ..... .....

Morning readers

I've a make to share with you today .... my brother texted me on Tuesday of last week and asked me to make a card for the 65th birthday of a friend of his, now that he couldn't go browsing for a suitable card! After a brief chat when I discovered he's fond of football and his chosen teams colours, my brother wanted an OAP kind of theme too ..... here's what evolved. Of course, I then I had to get a wiggle on and get it out in the post so that my brother could receive it, write it and forward it to the birthday boy! I heard back from my brother that it arrived with him the following morning, giving him plenty of time to get it to its intended destination - Woo Hoo and THANK YOU Royal Mail!

My card

And a closer view of the image panel

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White 5" x 7", 300gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of red card, cut to mat
• Snippets of white and red card, die cut to fit my image and mat
• Art Impressions image (aics-36 "Birthday Wishes") stamped using Memento tuxedo black ink
• Pro Marker alcohol markers used to colour my image
• Crafters Companion (Male set #2) ball/boot image stamped using Memento grey flannel ink
• MFT number dies used to die cut the red "6" and "5"
• Ranger Letter-It "Happy" and "Birthday" (from "Birthday") and lower case "th" from a set from Michaels dollar bin stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. CASonFriday - challenge No. 176 - BIRTHDAY
2. Colour Crazy - challenge No. 12 - ANYTHING (hand coloured) GOES
3. Allsorts - challenge No. 565 - MEN OR BOYS
4. Make My Monday - challenge No. 119 - MAKE YOUR OWN BACKGROUND PAPER
5. Through The Craft Room Door - March 31st challenge - ANYTHING GOES

Monday, here comes a week of social distancing - watch out, there WILL be crafting

Morning readers,

I hope you all enjoyed some nice weather and some social distancing when out of your homes for the permitted reasons! It was sunny, cool and with a stiff breeze, my sheets and towels line dried a treat! Feels like we've been self-isolating FOREVER but, in reality, it's just two weeks ... I can hardly wait for us to be able to go out and mingle freely but I totally get that it's not going to happen just yet. I've been leaving the house daily, for exercise and occasional shop but keeping my distance where possible, but I'm missing the "coffee meets" with pals, dinner with friends and even people just "popping in" to say hello ..... one day ..... pretty sure I'll be more appreciative of that freedom too.

I've been spending more time in the garden (just me and my book) and also at the ToC (that's Table of Craftiness) so .... I've a make to share with you today ....

My Artist Trading Card

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in green and white
• Using a brayer I applied Memento dandelion, tangelo and rosebud ink over the white snippet
• Additionally I stamped the following images: Seth Apter 3134-LG "Solar System", Creative Expressions "Alpha Writing", Sheena Douglas Little Bit Sketchy "Grunge Band" and PRS "Positive Thoughts"
• Using the following inks: Memento grey flannel, rosebud, tangelo and Versafine Clair nocturne

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Little Red Wagon - challenge No. 542 - LEFTOVERS
2. Simon Says Stamp - challenge No. 71 - SIMON SAYS ANYTHING GOES
3. The House That Stamps Built - challenge No. 2520 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Crafty Creations - challenge No. 407 - ANYTHING GOES
5. Sweet Stampin' - March 28th challenge - MAKE YOUR OWN BACKGROUND

And now, since it's MARCH .. what else could I POSSIBLY be sharing with you but a Christmas card!!!

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of red card, cut to mat
• Lili of the Valley Christmas bear image stamped using Memento tuxedo black and (inside and envelope) Versafine Clair morning mist inks
• MFT sentiment (from SY01 "Sweet Holiday Penguins") stamped using Versafine Clair morning mist ink
• Pro Marker alcohol markers used to colour
• Anita's dimensional gloss and stardust stickles to bling up the card front

Kaisercraft glitter gel pens in black and silver
Pro Markers: Lime and leaf green, gold, hot pink, putty, cinnamon
cornflower, cocoa, caramel

 I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Sweet Stampin' Christmas - March challenge - CAS (Clean And Simple)
2. ABC of Christmas - March challenge - "E" is for EMBOSSING, "F" is for FREEBIE and "G" is for GOLD .. I used my gold pro marker for my tinsel!
3. WaterCooler Wednesday - challenge No. 264 - ALL ABOUT OCCASIONS
4. Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - March 25th challenge - ANYTHING FESTIVE GOES
5. Addicted to Stamps - challenge No. 382 - MAKE YOUR MARK

 

Saturday witterings ..

Morning readers,

Coronavirus/Covid-19 is still with us in the UK and I find myself wondering how long it will remain. Whilst it's here we must all stay on our toes and remain 2m from anyone we encounter whilst outside of our homes, this continues to be allowed only for medical visits, essential grocery shopping and once per day for exercise. It's just such a shame that the weather has been lovely and we haven't been able to share these lovely days with our family and friends ... be assured, we're thinking of you all and hope you remain in good health, the same applies to my readers and followers - stay well.

I've a make to share with you today ....

My  ONE LAYER CARD

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

This should show the stencilling better!

Materials used:

• White 5" x 7", 300gsm card and matching sized envelope
• One white card panel, cut to fit - as my insert
• Carabelle image (SA60173) stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• Imagination Crafts stencil (MU17) placed over my image and Memento grey flannel ink stencilled using a makeup brush

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 416 - NO SENTIMENT and ONE LAYER
2. Cardz4Guyz - challenge No. 241 - USE A STENCIL
3. Southern Girls - March 19th challenge - ANYTHING GOES
4. Creative Knockouts - challenge No. 343 - ANYTHING GOES

And here's an Artist Trading Card for you ....

My Artist Trading Card

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in black and white
• Paper Artsy image (ZN110) stamped using  Versafine Clair purple delight ink
• Pro Markers used to colour the image and background
• Dutchdoobadoo stencil (470.715.129) through which I applied Ranger Archival vibrant fuchsia ink, using an Aldi stencil brush
• Imagination Crafts grungy border (from Distress set #2) stamped using Memento grey flannel ink
• Anita's dimensional gloss, for the eyes
• Stardust stickles to bling up the image a bit
• White Signo Uniball gel pen used to scribble a border on the black matting layer

Colours used, top to bottom: Tulip Yellow, Pumpkin, Mustard
Cocktail Pink and Antique Pink

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. CardzTV - challenge No. 111 - ANYTHING GOES
2. Colour Crazy - challenge No. 12 - ANYTHING (hand coloured) GOES
3. Creative Fingers - challenge No. 182 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Your Next Stamp - challenge No. 135 - CUTE CRITTERS
5. Pattie's Creations - challenge No. 168 - ANYTHING GOES

Earlier in the week I discovered that a card of mine won over at a challenge blog, today I discovered that the same card won over at the Creative Fingers challenge Blog (challenge No. 181) - thanks so much peeps