Boy's Confirmation card

Back with a new design for confirmation cards, using text like I did on last years embossed communion cards - this time I also stamped text within an oval shape which I inked with distress ink too - like the effect.

Used different textures on this, hammered card, hessian embossed card and embossing folders, plus leather effect embossed card and they work well with all the white, keeping the design fresh.

A side on view to show the layering...

The dove was very lightly dusted with pumice stone ink.

LOTV Man's Best Friend

Time for a general greeting card for a guy in this post, using a Lili of the Valley stamp which I had neglected to use until late last year. New years resolution is to use the perfectly fantastic stuff in my stash which has been neglected!!

                             For those of you who like the stamp, you can purchase it HERE  

I added texture to the sign post (made with Sizziz sign dies) by using an old cuttlebug branch design embossing folder, making it look like wood and added my own 'sign post' by rounding the edge of a strip of brown card. The wording on the sign is computer generated.

...and the side on view to show a little layering

All Things Christmas

Before it's too late and the year is over, I am going to post a few of my Christmas projects from the last few weeks, as well as other bits and bobs.  Please be patient while I do this, the blog was neglected again, but that was so I could keep up with work and card orders. Hope you enjoy the selection of cards, there are some recognizable dies used and some a little different than my usual ones ;)

First up is my favourite Christmas card of 2014, and surprisingly it's not a stamped one! Yep it's decoupage and foiled as well, so just a bit of sparkle and not to OTT.

I love what the angel means at Christmas time and this image says it all.

This card is an easel shape, but with the fold at the short side of the card, making it a tall easel.

The decoupage isn't in the arched window shape, I used Go Kreate window dies for that.

Love this Sizzix embossing folder, but can't remember what it's called.

A memory box frosty border and scallop border die from spellbinders was used.

You can see the gorgeous foiled detail on the image from the photo above. And below, a close up of the embossing and the sentiment - stamp found on eBay

Here's a great example of the partial embossing and how effective and useful it is when you have a crisp embossed design.

If you like this angel image, it's a 2014 design from Craft Creations - I have used it a lot already and it's going to be a firm favourite in years to come!

It seems like everyone has been so sick with flu symptoms and bugs, so the frosty week we are having this week is good for killing those little nasties. I didn't escape it either this year, twice in 6 weeks and it seemed to last longer than ever - bleuh :( Anyway if you have been sick or are sick at the moment, hang in there xx

It's going to be a bright and shiny new year soon, too, and that means the days are getting shorter already and warm weather will be on the way, so snuggle up for just a while longer and hope we get through the rest of the winter with not too much bad weather.

Hugs to all who visit, and remember you can leave a comment or ask anything even if you don't have a blog - use the Anonymous option when posting your comment and remember to type your name in the message box. All comments are moderated by me to prevent spammers posting nonsense, so if you don't want you comment published, just tell me in the message.

Christmas Workshop makes

Popping in to share makes for this month's Christmas workshops.  We are getting stuck in to all things Christmas with the option of some gift box / packaging ideas for those really special gifts!

Today's post will be about all the cards and tomorrow I will post more versions of the tall gable box and an easel drawer box. I have decided to share these before the workshop this month, which I know some of you will like LOL!

I will be updating the Links to Products page with more info on products used, dies, papers, images etc where this are still available. Just need a little time to put in all the links so please be patient :)

Without further delay then, the first project to share is a matching tag and card (good for a man as no frilly things around!) and a nice way to dress up a bottle

My previous post contains info about an offer over at Meljen's designs where Melissa has a sale until November 30th - the snowmen used on the card and tag different size digi images which come pre coloured, so super quick to make up.

And to follow is a card made with a much loved Sarah Kay Christmas image - the card is slightly narrower than A5 with different sized front panels. 

the image was coloured with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils

The inside of the card:

The next card is quite feminine and has a 'Country Christmas' feel about it - the digi elements were from Nitwit Collections Holiday Bouquet collection which I adore.  and I am addicted to this spellbinder ornament shape on this card as you might notice LOL!

the same papers used on the inside of the card as the front. The papers are subtle enough to line the card inside and still be good to write a message on..

The embossed ornament shape has a different feel embossed. Sorry the photo just doesn't do it justice - I need more practice!

Some more red - it's my favourite Christmas colour after all!!

This little bear is sooo cute... I haven't used bear images in a long while and I couldn't resist that along with lots of glittered edges...

Above shows the easel card closed and below the easel in the standing position

Muted papers for the inside too, and loads of space to write a special Christmas message..  I will post the box version of this card tomorrow ;)

So another colour combo I use often is blue and white, and I love this cornflower shade of blue especially at Christmas time. The doves were the first ever set of Flourishes stamps I bought and the stamp design is simply stunning.

Lots of die cuts and embossing on this one!

Coloured with pencils again (note to self - paints and markers are being neglected..)

Some new snowflake dies from Marianne D..

Used those sentiment Stamps from The Snowman released by Crafters Companion - fabulous sentiment selection for all of your Christmas cards in one pack. Below is how the card will look closed...

Also note the different pressure used embossing the front of the card and the inside with the same embossing folder - the versatility of the Jus Cutz machine is fantastic and no shims used!

Last but not least is a card  using the Spellbinder ornament die - yep the shape lends itself to so many things, including using with stamps which don't specifically fit the die, like the Angel Trail one from Inkadinkado used below:

This card has white embossing powder heat embossed on purple card, dry embossed snowflake corners and stenciling (the die used as a stencil for stamping the image and for using the distress ink.

Will be back tomorrow with the boxes

Workshop Cards

Hi everyone, from a very wet Country Wexford - today sure was one of those days for crafting!

Thanks to everyone who came along for these projects to Caroline in Crafty Cove in Bonmahon last weekend and to Kilcannon in Ennscorthy today.

So full swing into Christmas then, and we made a gift box, pop up note card holder and three other cards, with a mixture of die cut decoupage, stamped images for coloring and printed images, with lots of glitter thrown in for good measure - think we all went home looking decidedly sparkly today he he......:)

Please check the Links to Products page for items you might want to source yourself..

This first card is one of the new Craft Creations due Cut Decoupage designs I really love, called Christmas Birdhouse, with green and a splash of red mini dot satin ribbon

The Christmas Sentiment Stamp was from one of The Snowman set from Crafters Companion which i found in the Crafty Bride Wedding Studio and Craft Shop in Kilkenny - these are just beautiful for traditional Christmas cards!

This next card was by request. I made the original last year and had so  many comments about the cute donkey that I decided to make it this year. 

To make the white pearls blue, use a Royal blue pro marker or peel off pen.

and some partial embossing for the inside layers...

Onto the gable box - reminiscent of the Cupcake Gable box, this one was taller made with either 12x12 or A3 size card sheets, some die cut decoupage (I didn't use the layers though just the main image), a punched border and more dotty ribbon together with stamped and glittered snowflakes.

one of the sides...

and the back..

the next project was a pop up gift card holder, and inspiration came for this from a fab tutorial you can find here

the closure is made with a ribbon tied around the card, and this runs through a snowflake, which is part adhered on the back:

coloured with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils..

Last, is a vintage Christmas card, made with a postcard found here.

finished with distressed, inked papers and soft, muted coloured pearls for an aged look..

if you like the Snowflake paper then you can find it at Bearly Mine Designs, Designer Extreme Volume 3 here.