Something new...

New papers by Papermania (a Christmas present from Laura), new paper pricking stencil (a Christmas gift from Irene) and a new Cuttlebug borders die led to this card for the challenge at http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/.

It's also a card to send to a very special friend who has led me into all sorts of things over the past few years - a paper pricking craze being one of them.

The stamped quote, 'The only way to have a friend is to be one' by Ralph Waldo Emerson, is from a sheet of quotes by Heidi Grace.

Materials used:

• brown card
• Papermania paper from Vintage collection
• cuttlebug ornate border
• Ornare corner stencil
• Heidi Grace stamp
• pearls from stash
  

Bandana Technique...

Until I saw the challenge at http://rainbowladyschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ this week I had never heard of the bandana technique. This is one of the great things about doing challenges you learn new things all the time.

I followed the links and also googled for more information. The more I found out the more I wanted to have a go. This card is my finished project - there was a lot of practising along the way on scraps to check the effect and I didn't find it easy to get a smooth white line. Maybe that depends on the pen you use, but I am sort of pleased with the finished result.

The stamps used are from a clear set of stamps by Heidi Grace and include swirls and delicious spiky flower heads. I found that they lent themselves quite well to this technique.

Materials used:

• red, black and white card
• Heidi Grace clear stamps
• Black versemark ink pad
• White Sakura gel pen
• black organza ribbon
• silver sentiment peel off (coloured with black peel off marker)

I'm back...

I have been so poorly over the last week or so that I haven't done any card making or craft of any kind - not a happy situation! However, I am beginning to feel tons better and have at last got some of my craft stuff out and got into action.

This card is a triple whammy (well I have missed a lot of challenges and need to catch up fast). The challenge at http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/ is to use three types of embellishment on your card. I loved that idea and on my card I have diamond gems (10 ooooooh good job I bought some bargain ones recently - thank you Chris at Bargain Garden), eyelets and last but not least ribbon.

The challenge at http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ is 'monochromatic' - my favourite. I love black and white. I just can't resist black and white paper designs and even though I have millions I still buy more.

The third challenge is at http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/ and is the one dear to my heart as it is the one I organise with my dear friend Wendi and this week we asked people to think 'Romance'

The images used on the card are silhouettes from a CD by Ooh-la-la-Creations and the sentiment is from a set of clear stamps by Heidi Grace.

I'm especially pleased with this card as I think it will make a great anniversary card for my Auntie and Uncle who are celebrating their Diamond Wedding anniversary next week - well it has got 10 of my new diamond gem stones on!

Flap card

I made this card for the Monthly Challenge on the MSN group I belong to. The original instructions and idea came from http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/flap_card. I ended up making my own measurements as I wanted the card to fit an envelope I already had and to hold stamped images to send to a friend.

The paper used is from Making Memories and the stamp is one by Great Impressions. I used Pearlex Pastel watercolours to paint the image. The message stamps are from a great set of message stamps by Heidi Grace.

Sorry about the scissors holding the flap down. I hadn't got any magnets and my velcro fasteners are black and would have looked awful on the card!!!

Handmade backgrounds - The Arty Girlz Challenge

Having just bought a set of Autumn Leaves clear swirl stamps I was really pleased to see this challenge on http://artygirlzchallengeblog.blogspot.com/.

Guest Designer Paula said "I love patterened paper very much but it is far too easy to whack on cards etc. So for my theme, I want to see handmade backgrounds. Get those fingers inky & painted & make a custom piece of paper/card for your design"

For my design I didn't exactly get all that inky but there was a lot chalk around and many different stamps being inked up. I chose card stock that already had a misty blue look to it and stamped the different swirls all over. Then to emphasise the misty effect I used blue chalk to deepen the edges and the swirl pattern. The James Dean quote was stamped on to plain card and then mounted on the blue.

I couldn't resist adding diamonds on parts of the design - although it was hard to part with so many on one card as they are my favourite embellishment at the moment and this card took the last of my tiny ones.

The swirl stamps are by Autumn Leaves and the quote is one of a few on a sheet of clear stamps by Heidi Grace.