CHOCOLATE & COOL BLUES...

Today when my dad came round to see me, he asked if I could make him a Thank You card. So I decided to do one using the same colours and papers as the Bookmark. I just love these colours at the moment!!



I used DCVW Retro Papers, DCVW Neutral and Brights Matt Stack. I made holes on the blue card using a needle and a ruler and then hand stitched in brown thread. I inked round the edges of the letters with my Dark Brown ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inkpad (that's a bit of a mouthful) and then tied some ribbon round the 'U' and used sticky fixers to raise the letters up.



The letters I used were printed off my computer and then cut out. I then stuck the DCVW Retro Paper over the top then cut them out again. I really didn't want to use the HOTP Monograms that I have - I prefer to stroke them!!!!

CAN SHARE NOW

I can share this with you now as I know it has been received.

This is the bookmark that I made for the Crafts Beautiful Swap and the lovely Sewdelish was the person to receive it.

The papers used were DCVW Retro Prints and I also used DCVW Matt Stack. I made the card and attached the bookmark to it with the ribbons and also stamped ENJOY under the bookmark using my Studio G Stamps, so when you moved it you could see the enjoy part. I printed the poem out onto matching card and then layered it. I punched a hole, added a flower, then an eyelet and then threaded the ribbon through so the bookmark can be removed from the card.

The poem on it reads:-

1

The Miracle of Friendship

There's a miracle called friendship

that dwells within the heart,

and you don't know how it happens

or how it gets to start...

But the happiness it brings you

always gives a special lift

and you realise that friendship is

God's most precious gift.

- Author Unknown -

1

1

1

And this is the lovely one I got from Sewdelish. I love the paper she has used and also the paper pricking around the border.

So thanks you - it is being used at this very moment as I have just started reading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

SWAPPING STUFF

Finally finished my bookmark for the swap (my first)!!

Over on the Crafts Beautiful forum there is a bookmark swap going on and the deadline is the 18th March for them to be in. I know I have made mine early but with the other card order to start on and my daughters birthday card to finish I thought I better pull my finger out and get it done.

So here is a little sneaky peek at what I have made!



Now I must have done something right as even hubby likes it - if he doesnt like something I have made, he lets me know.



So I am pleased with the way it came out and I hope whoever gets it is also happy with it. So hopefully this will be in the post tomorrow and be on its way to Jules.

If you are wondering whats has happened to the photos, well I had a little play with the contrast and colour on them and I really like the way they have turned out.

ALPHABET SOUP!?!!!

Why am I finding it hard to do the rest of the first card order - I will tell you -
.
.
.
.
.
.
Because the last 2 cards are for men - arggghhhh

I knew what I wanted to do with this card this morning when I got up, I had it all planned out in my head.

So what happened???????

Came to do it tonight and could I get it to look right - NO!!! In my head it looked great but in real life YUK!



I sat today when my dad came for a brew and cut all the letters out using my Quickutz with the MOXIE alphabet. See even then I knew what i wanted to do.



To be honest this is even my second go at it! The bit with the letters on was the full size of the card but i ended up cutting it down and then layering it on the darker blue card just to make it stand out better. I also inked round the edges to try and 'lift it'.

So I may or may not hand this card over - it may grow on me or it will feed the bin! Only thing is I have another 'male' card to do!

EVENING ALL

Well I have managed to get 3 more cards done for the first order. I have finished the 3 'girlie' ones and managed just the 1male card. I find it hard to do male cards and she does want them all different!!!

This one I used dark brown cardstock from local market, Cuttlebug Spots & Dots Embossing Folder, DCWV Matt Stack, Dovecraft Brads and my computer to print 'ONLY ME'. I also used some more PLASMA at the bottom of the card - this bit I found is a lot thicker than the bit I used on the other nights card (fridays post)!!!



I used the brads this time to attach the plasma to the card instead of glue. I also did a bit of faux stitching - first time and I think it looks ok!



This one is quite bright in real life - I hope she likes it!!
I used DCWV Matt Stack, Cuttlebug Spots & Dots Embossing Folder, Quickutz Flower Die, ribbon from local shop, and once again text from computer.



I quite like the colours on this one - very calming!!! I used DCWV Matt Stack (again), spotty paper from LCS (dont know the maker), Cuttlebug Paisley Dies, Ribbon from USA, Bling LCS? and text from my computer.



Now I havent met this lady and I dont know what her tastes are, so I think upto now there is a good mixture of cards and colours.

JUST BEX CHALENGE

BLACK & WHITE and...
From the fab Sue a challenge to use Black/White and a colour of your choice and then make us whatever you fancy.

Well I stuck to a very simple (once again) LO and used pink as my accent colour.



I stamped the flower image using STAZON and added some pink to the centre of each flower. I made the scallop edge with my corner rounder punch and then punched holes in each scallop.



And I thought I would show you the back of this one, as I messed up. I was looking for my STAZON ink pad so I could stamp enjoy and I couldnt find it. Then I realised that the card was on top of the ink pad - doh. I will make sure I'm a bit more careful next time!!!!

JUST BEX CHALLENGE

Just Bex Challenge No. 3 - Recipe.
We would like you to incorporate the following into a card, ATC, LO etc
1 Ribbon
2 Blooms
3 Different Patterned Papers



So here is my effort - yes I used the same layout again as the cards that I have been making, but I have added the extra 3rd paper to tie in with the challenge. The colours of the card seem so dull and dark, but I was determined to get this card done today, so, I never messed about with the papers and grabbed the first 3 that I came too.

The enjoy bit was a bit of a pain as when I stamped it the white ink was naff so I went over it with a gel pen to make it stand out more.
I am going to have a go at some of the other challenges - so hopefully I will have some more stuff to show you all.

2 NEW CARDS

Made these 2 cards this afternoon sat at my window in beautiful sunshine. I kept the design the same as the last 2 cards that I did, as I really like the simple layout.

I really love the colours on this one as its so vibrant!!
I raised the flower etc on 3d foam pads - (will cost a small fortune to send in the post - hahehahe)

I used DCWV Mat Stack Brights and also DCWV Paper Pack - matchmakers 2

Ummmm. This one I'm not too sure on the colours or the flower (I think it looks fat and also too busy). For the stem I twisted some ribbon.


I used DCWV Retro Prints Paper stack and also DCWV Brights Mat Stack.

It was also nice being able to take photos in the sunshine rather than late at night as i usually do.

FORGOT TO SAY - Over on Just Bex forum they are having a Big Challenge Week starting tonight.

FEW CARDS

Made these cards this weekend using some of my scrummy competition prize stash.



I used my computer to print the text and then layered it onto brown card stock. I also used my new brads and flowers.

This card I used some DCWV Mat Stack and stamped over it using my Studio G Stamps. I cased the idea from here http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/page/2/ go to Jan 25th post.



Just a closer look to see the stamping

Hope you have all had a good weekend. The weather has been great here - we have had lovely sunshine and it has also been quite warm. Kids have had fun playing out, dogs have had a manic time down the fields and I got quite a lot of stuff done.

So hope to be back here tomorrow with some more cards.