Opposites Attract

Well, as I hoped last time I posted I was able to get some more card making done over the bank holiday weekend and last night completed another two cards one which I had coloured last week and the other I started and finished from scratch. It was only a little Tilda so no major colouring, none-the-less a complete card in one go is impressive for me. I finished so late though,I had no time left to upload onto my blog page, I did beat the start of the working week deadline as I know I will not get another opportunity now before I go on holiday at the end of this week. I'm only working two days this week with having the bank holiday yesterday and going on holiday...I have a weeks work to try and fit into two days and be as up to date as possible before I go that only means one thing...STRESS.So I am going to enjoy the moment while it lasts, two complete opposites this time, one bright and cheerful and the other soft and pastel but I think they are both nice in there own way.

'Summertime Fun-Time'

I completed an entire card this time, my inspiration came after some blog hopping (there is always time for blog hopping). The crafty ribbon challenge was the inspiration behind this one as I love bright colours .It is also my first attempt at multi layers as I find this difficult not to look really messy and disjointed .It still isn't anywhere near the same league as the experts I have come across, the work is outstanding on the blogs I have visited hence the reason my follow list is huge! But progress is being made, albeit slowly. The yellow spotty backing paper is 'Dovecraft- back to basics', I added an orange floral paper which I matted onto orange card stock. The square pink embossed die-cut frame (eBay) wasn't as large as I would have liked so I also used a die-cut decorative circle (eBay purchase, one day I will have a die cutting machine of my own) on the other corner which I coloured cerise pink to match. My promarkers where once again put to good use for Tilda, I also added some small highlights with a white gel pen.

I Inked the edges of the stamp and mounted it onto a satin cream and pink frame (eBay again) which I decorated with yellow orange and pink ribbon and some washi tape (free with a magazine) again a first for me, it is so easy to use and even better if it goes wrong can be peeled off and re-stuck, which is my idea of heaven, as I am partial to a little mistake or two. For decoration I added an orange satin bow topped with sentiment (eBay) which I coloured with promarkers to match my theme. An embossed die-cut yellow swirl, yellow and white satin, organza and foam flowers. Finally another strip of washi tape (wonderful stuff, I must reiterate) and some pink and yellow pearls. Not quite sure if all the elements work together but I'm quite pleased and think I'm on the right track ,I feel I just need to work more on getting the balance right. 

'Pretty Pastel Party '

Now for some contrast, pretty pastel tones I used for this one. I used Webster and another floral paper (both free from magazine) matted onto a pretty light blue/green card stock. The stamp was coloured with my promarkers of course using soft lilacs, greens, pinks and blues and matted onto green and grey card stock.The same flowers as before although this time using only the white ones. To decorate a white organza satin ribbon and bow and a foiled sentiment. Now for the butterflies which I love using, as you can see I did not go for a minimal look although I think it enhances quirky tea party theme (not everyone's cup of tea). To the butterflies I added glitter and or some clear gems for sparkle and finally some pale green pearls to complete the pretty look. 

I would like to enter the following challenges:

'Summertime Fun-Time ' 

Inspired by

Summer Sunshine 

Yellow, Pink and Orange

Flower Power

Maypole Ribbons 

Bold and Bright


Texture Challenge 

'Pretty Pastel  Party' 


Use a Die-Cut/Punches

Butterflies, Ribbons and Punches

Girlie-Girl

Flower Power

The letter B -  is for Butterflies

Anything Goes


Butterflies and Add Some Flowers

Bank Holiday Blues

Well, another hectic week at work, card making is definitely my new escape and is becoming my obsession... a nice obsession I may add, I find its a really good distraction, having to concentrate and it definitely beats the more mundane aspects of life such as housework, ironing, cooking... need I say more! This weekend I've made and finished two cards so far... I hope to squeeze in a couple more. As ever my plan of stamping, colouring and planning in the week and then constructing at the weekend, when I have a bit more time, is paying off although the husband doesn't quite agree due to the fact that he didn't get lunch until 3pm today... I got distracted and lost track of time, oops!

'What a Cutie'

For the background and sentiment I used Nitwit papers free from a magazine: in check, floral and plain. Blue is  my favourite colour and this is actually the first blue card I have made. I love the tones and think they work well with the colouring. I coloured Tilda with my promarkers as always, then cut her out and placed her on a heart embossed die cut frame (from eBay) made from cream mulberry paper. I would have preferred a narrower frame but I don't have any and wasn't keen on the idea of cutting it down or sure how to go about it, I dont have the skill or steady hand to do that and it would have ended up as scrap in the bin! I was also having trouble cutting out her antenna, I didn't like the look it created as you could see the white background so I cut them off then drew them back on with  black fine-liner pen then added the hearts... I am much happier with this. The ribbons are cream lace which I threaded with some pale blue grossgrain ribbon. I used the same blue ribbon to make a bow. For decoration I used a couple of organza roses, a foam type rose (not sue what its made of but looks pretty) from my local shop, blue candi and finally pearls to add some bling.

'Happy Birthday Wishes'

'Lily of the Valley Stamp' this time, coloured using promarkers of course. I mounted the stamp onto a teal satin card die-cut frame (eBay as above) and added silver peel offs to frame the stamped image, I used a white gel pen for the spots on her trousers. This is the first time I have used peel off strips, I need to learn how to mitre the corners as they look a bit tatty and unfinished by not doing so. Without realising I have used a very similar colour palette of blues and teal, although this one has more bling and sparkle. The delicate floral backing paper is petite papers from Webster's I got with a magazine (I buy lots of magazines as you can probably tell by now). There are some really lovely papers in the pack its very feminine and I'm looking forward to using more soon. I overlaid blue satin ribbon onto a wider cream organza/satin trim ribbon. Using the same blue satin ribbon I made a bow, which I finished with a white button and blue flower gem. 

For the sentiment I put some silver cord onto a foiled greeting. I decorated again using the same organza, satin and foam flowers as above, some blue flower gems and pale teal candi (I cant decide what colour they are, I think it's teal). This card would be perfect for a special birthday or mothers day, I think, definitely one for the ladies. I'm off on holiday next weekend for a fortnight so I need to get some more card making done to make up for not being here. 

Until next time... Bye and happy crafting to you all!

Challenges I would like to enter this week are the following:-

'What a Cutie'

Add a frame 

Using 3 of Something

Anything Goes 

I brake for floral

'Happy Birthday Wishes'

Anything Goes

May Flowers

Digi Doodles - Anything Goes

Four Legged Friends 

Ribbons and Bows

Bingo-flower, Patterned Paper and Bling

Something For Mom or Special Lady