Wednesday 28 June 2017

Fluffy The Unicorn


        With the release of a new Despicable Me film on Friday I thought it was only right to introduce you to Fluffy The Unicorn. Some of you may not know that Fluffy is the favourite toy belonging to Agnes, the youngest of Gru's adopted daughters.
     This cute stamp is from Woodware, he comes with the sentiment and the hanging heart, plus some falling hearts and a shooting star, great value for all those girly cards.
     Fluffy is stamped and embossed in silver on white card, then he was masked using masking sheet, a great low tack sheet that's easy to cut out and pop over your stamped image to protect it. The background is made with fabric spray paints in pink and both shades of blue. When stamping and embossing the hanging heart some of the powder stuck to the edges of the background, I liked the effect so I added some more all around the card edges.
     The gorgeous rainbow foil effect is made using Stix2 2in1 glue pen and transfer foils. Put the blue glue where you want to stick the foil and let it go clear, then put foil on top and gently rub down, glue and stick one colour at a time to get the full rainbow look.
      The image panel is mounted on a neon pink layer before going on to a purple card, then the sentiment is stamped, embossed and die cut, the edges coloured pink before being mounted on foam pads.
   

Materials list - available from your  local craft shop
Stix2 Anything - S57361 2in1 Glue Pen
                            S57106 Transfer Foil
                            MGPA320 Fabric Spray Paints

                            S57268 Masking Sheet
                            Double Sided Tape
                            Foam Pads

Woodware  from Creative Expressions  - FRS643 Unicorn clear stamp



I would like to enter Fluffy in the following challenges:
The Cutie Pie Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small   (M)
Incy Wincy Designs - Sparkle or Shine  (F)
Sparkles Monthly Challenge - Embossing Heat or Dry   (M)

Sunday 25 June 2017

MHK Designs - Sit A Bit


     This is our last new release for this month at MHK Designs, Sit A Bit. It's a lovely set for sending your friend a short message.
     I printed the garden seat on paper from Country Farm, along with the sentiment coloured a little with my photo package, a very simple card with a sweet message.
     Layered on to purple card on a white card blank and a stamped Brusho coloured flower added for that little extra garden feel.
     You still have the chance to win some of the new release sets, pop over to MHK Designs blog to find out how.

Sit A Bit
Country Farm










I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Friends - Friendship   (F)
Digi Choosday - Anything Goes   (W)

Wednesday 21 June 2017

Male Room Fireworks


     A new challenge at The Male Room starts today, we would like to see a masculine project featuring fireworks. I couldn't find a 'celebration' die in my stash so I chose to make my card for my Christmas stash box.
     Using dark blue card I stamped a splodge in 2in1 glue, let it go clear and then covered it with transfer foil. To get a really smooth coverage I ran the card with the foils on through my Bigshot, this can give a nice even pressure much stronger than I can by hand.
    The skyline is die cut in the same blue card but I've inked the edge with Distress Oxide to lighten it, then added a few neon yellow dots for lit up windows. This layer was stuck flush on to the background.
    I played around with several colours for the die cut greeting and finally settled on a blue mirri card. It's a very simple card, just right for a male relative who doesn't celebrate Christmas.
    Please pop over to The Male Room blog for lots more sparkling inspiration.



I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin' - Anything Christmas   (M)
A Snowflakes Promise - Anything Christmas   (M)



Tuesday 20 June 2017

MHK Designs - Season's Greetings


     Welcome to new release number four at MHK Designs for this month. I know it's six months away but if you start now, that's if you haven't already, you'll have a nice collection of seasonal cards ready for Christmas.
     This set has a traditional look to it so I chose to stick with traditional colours.
     I printed the image and cut it out, coloured it and then mounted it on a die cut textured gold layer.
     The base card is Kraft which went well with the traditional look. I cut the corners of the backing paper with a punch and then put gold sticky dots covered with foil in the corners to look like brads.
     Mounting the image panel on foam pads meant I could die cut some holly sprigs and tuck them in around the oval to add a little more interest. A red sparkle gel pen was used to colour the berries.
     We have one more new release to show you later this month but if you can't wait then pop over to our Etsy shop and have a look at all the great designs we have. You could win some of them just by playing along with our challenge, you don't even have to use an MHK Designs image to play.

Season's Greetings

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Christmas Goes   (F)
Jingle Belles - All Bundled Up   (M)

Thursday 15 June 2017

MHK Designs - Hollyhock Happiness


     Welcome to the third of the new releases at MHK Designs, Hollyhock Happiness. For my project this time I chose to make a tag, ready for a summer gift.
     I changed the colour of the sentiment in my photo package and printed it just above the hollyhocks. The flowers are coloured with alcohol markers, they look a bit pale in the photo but they are a nice mauve colour.
     The edges of the tag are coloured with Distress ink to draw the eye into the image and the ribbon has been coloured mauve with an alcohol marker.
     A simple make for a pretty little tag, it's always good to have a nice tag on the gift you give, maybe I will make a card to match.
     Please pop over to the MHK Designs blog to find out how you could win this set or maybe the whole release. While you're there how about joining our challenge, you don't need to use an MHK Designs image to play along.

Hollyhock Happiness

I would like to enter this tag in the following challenges:
Wonderful Wednesdays - Anything Goes   (W)
Digi Choosday - Anything Goes   (W)


Monday 12 June 2017

A Proper Gent


     A little something for a proper gent, it's Father's Day here in the UK this weekend so a chance to use The Waistcoat stamp from Woodware.
     The waistcoat was stamped and embossed in black on patterned paper, then cut out. To make the buttons shine they have been foiled using Stix2 2in1 glue pen and transfer foils.
     The background was white card, it has been spritzed with Fabric spray paints in two shades of blue with a little purple. Around the edge has been darkened with Distress ink and the greetings have been stamped in Archival blue and clear embossed.
     The white card is mounted on a dark blue card, then the waistcoat is mounted on foam pads to give it a little lift.


Materials list - available from your  local craft shop
Stix2 Anything - S57361 2in1 Glue Pen
                        S57111 Gold Transfer Foil
                        MGPA320 Fabric Spray Paints
                        Foam Pads

Woodware  from Creative Expressions  - JGS498 The Waistcoat clear stamp
                                          

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Cardz 4 Guyz - Something Blue for Father's Day   (F)
Simon Says Stamp - Masculine   (W)
Star Stampz - For A Man   (F)
Crafty Calendar - Boys Will Be Boys   (M)

Saturday 10 June 2017

MHK Designs - Flutter and Fly


     Welcome to new release number two, Flutter and Fly from MHK Designs.
     This set is full of gorgeous flying creatures, I chose to use the dragonfly printed in negative.
     To add colour to the card I edged a mat layer with two colours of foil, using double sided tape all around the edge of the card mat I then dabbed the foils on at random to get a mottled look.
     All the square layers are die cut with faux stitching dies to add a tiny bit of interest to them. The patterned layer is a paper from Sunflower Sampler printed in black and white.
     There are another three new releases to come this month and you have the chance to win one or all of them, so pop over to the MHK Designs blog and find out how.

Flutter and Fly
Sunflower Sampler











I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Crafting By Designs - Black, White and Another   (W)
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Must Feature a Creature  (M)
Animal Friends - Animal With Wings   (M)

Wednesday 7 June 2017

MHK Designer Monthly Inspiration


     Welcome to my designer inspiration for this month, it's using one of the fab new sets released this month - Sit A Bit - which you can find in our Etsy shop.
     I used my photo package to copy the chair three times on to a layer of Country Farm backing paper and then wrote the greeting to go with it, changing the font for the word chair.
    Using a blue paper makes this an ideal masculine card, but you could just as easily print it on a different colour and change the Birthday for another occasion.
Sit A Bit
Country Farm
  Don't forget you have a chance to win this new set or one of the other four sets. All you need to do is comment on the new release posts, the DT posts or our Facebook page.


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Fab 'n' Funky - Marvelous Men   (W)
Digi Choosday - Anything Goes   (W)


The Male Room Goes Off The Edge


     This fortnights challenge at The Male Room is to make a masculine project containing something 'off the edge'.   I have a set of matching stamps and dies from Stephanie Barnard called Lightbulb 2 Stamp that I have been itching to use, so this was the ideal opportunity.
     I lightly marked the centre fold on black card large enough to make an A6 card when folded in half. I then stamped and gold embossed the lightbulb so it was half over the fold line.
     I placed the die over the lightbulb and secured it with a little masking tape, then when I put it through my cutting machine I lined up the end of the top plate with the centre fold line of my card. By doing this it will only cut the top half of the bulb because that's the only place the pressure is sufficient to cut.
   
     I didn't like the stamped centre of the lightbulb so I stamped it again on neon card and cut it out, then stuck it over the previous bulb. This one has got glow-in-the-dark embossing powder over black ink but it's very difficult to photograph the glow.
     The sentiment comes in the same set, this I cut out of the card front, then lined the front panel with more neon card. To get the letter centres stuck in the right place I put the sentiment back in the hole while I stuck the loose bits down and took it out after they were set. The inside back of the card is lined with white card so it can be written in more easily.
     The Male Room challenge runs for two weeks so after you've had a look at the DT inspiration please come and join us with your project.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash - Dude...masculine   (W)
Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes   (W)
Crafty Cardmakers - For A Man or Boy   (F)
Simon Says Stamp - Masculine  (W)


Monday 5 June 2017

MHK Designs - Fabulous Flowers


     Welcome to the first of this months new releases from MHK Designs. This set is called Fabulous Flowers, one gorgeous image and five sentiments covering a range of occasions.
     I wanted the image very large so when it was printed on white card it would fill the whole panel. Using alcohol markers I coloured it in and mounted it on a dark green mat layer before sticking it to a white card blank. I chose to leave this card with no sentiment so it can be used as a notelet or have a sentiment added later when I know who it's going to.
     We will have four more new releases for you later in the month. If you would like to join our challenge you don't have to use an MHK Designs image to play along, but you could win some just by joining in.

Fabulous Flowers

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes   (F)
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Anything Goes   (W)
Ike's World - Photo Inspiration   (F)

Thursday 1 June 2017

MHK Designs June Challenge


     For MHK Designs challenge this month we have a seaside theme so I have used Sea Creatures to make my tag. You do NOT have to use an MHK Designs image to enter although we would love it if you did.
       This tag was made using an image from Sea Creatures overlaid on a paper from Country Farm. The images have had a colour change using my photo package.
      I used to think digi images were just print and colour in but once I started palying around with them in my photo package I realized they can be so much more. Change the colour, the size and the orientation making them suit you project.

     In this picture you can see that all of my DT projects for today have had a seaside theme, with all but one using MHK Designs images and papers. All of these projects are a series of small gifts for family and friends to enjoy during the warmer weather.



      Remember you do NOT need to use an MHK Designs image to enter our challenge but just by entering you could win some, so come along and join us.

Sea Creatures
Country Farm
   







 
June 2017

I would like to enter this tag in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - Not A Card   (W)    winner
The Paper Shelter - Digital    (W)
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Anything Goes   (W)



House Of Cards June Blog Hop


      I have used the star fish and sentiment from MHK Designs set Sea Creatures over a paper from Country Farm to make a tag. Once on the tag a corner has been coloured through a stencil with Distress ink and the edges coloured with the same ink. 
     Using another stencil I have used Versamark and pearl mica powder to make another star fish over the top of the printed one.
     The background paper on the card is made using shells from another MHK Designs set, Serene Seaside, again edged with Distress ink.
     A few lengths of garden twine through the tag's hole and the card is complete.


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Digi Choosday - Anything Goes   (F)
The Paper Shelter - Digital   (W)


Hi everyone
 We've come to the end of another term at House of Cards.
 Unfortunately we are saying a fond farewell to some of our DT members
 and fortunately we are so happy to have those staying on.  
To say goodbye and thank you, we're celebrating with a blog hop! 

Here is the photo inspiration~



So, are you ready to get hopping?!  Yep, it's time, but first we've got some fabulous sponsors to share with you!  Make sure you leave a comment at each person's blog along the way because the prizes are hidden and we'll be doing random drawings from the blogs where they are hiding! :)  After you're done, make a creation to share with us here, too, for another chance to win!

Here are all of our fabulous sponsors.

Prize: Any three products of your choice!

Prize: 2 Images

Prize: $10 to use in store

Prize $10 Gift Certificate to use in store


 You should've arrived here from Paula's blog
and your next stop is Rosi's blog

Here's your hop order in case you get lost along the way

 House of Cards Challenge Blog


Mynn | | Judy Christi Cohenna | Donna
 Em | Heather | Jane Karen | Katarina | Maria 
Mereth| Michele |Nancy |  Paula | Rocky | Rosi 
Shawna | Shirley | Sue N. | Susan 

Illuminated Shellfish


   With the warmer weather here in the UK we are dragging the barbecue out of the garage and enjoying some alfresco dinning. We have some nasty little insects about so a citronella candle is always handy and a recycled cockle jar makes a great holder for the table.
     The jar was painted with Rusty Patina Duck Egg and left to dry, once dry it was then sponged with Rusty Patina Cafe Creme. As both paint layers are single coat there are some areas thinner than others, this is not a problem as the light can shine through.
     When the paint was totally dry I rubbed over the shells with a little Starlight Wax White Gold to add highlight to the pattern.
     To cover the threaded top of the jar I put red-line tape around it and then wound garden twine around to cover all the tape. As the twine is on the outside it shouldn't pose a fir hazard. If you have small children around I would suggest using a battery tea light rather than a wax one, just in case.
   
     Altered Eclectics is a challenge site for mixed media and recycled projects so please come and join us with your creations, we run all month so you have lots of time to create.

     Through the course of today you will see what I've done to turn the rest of these jars into small gifts for my friends so please pop back if you have time.

I would like to enter this project in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - Not A Card   (W)
Everybody-Art-Challenge - Anything Goes   (F)
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes-OneForThe Boys  (M)      Top3

Beachcomber


     Welcome to another challenge at CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge, sadly this will be my last project for the DT. I would like to thank Hazel and all the DT for being such a joy to work with.
     For this card I have used some paper from MHK Designs and a sentiment stamped and embossed in dark blue from Inkadinkado, die cut with an unknown brand die and all edged with Distress Ink.
     To finish off I die cut a bucket and spade in dark blue card and stuck those flush to the backing card.
     CHNPPC runs all month and all you need to do is use patterned paper on your project so please pop over and join in.

     There are several challenge projects going live on my blog today, all with a seaside theme, so if you get time please pop back and see what else I managed to come up with.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Die-Cuttin Divas - Anything Goes #319   (W)
Cardz 4 Guyz - Favourite Colour Combo  Blue & White   (F)