In Apple Pie Order

Hello, Happy Friday

Hope you've had a good week!

Thanks to Shabneez's challenge at The Daring Cardmakers this week I've been taking a trip down Memory Lane and remembering how I loved Harvest Festival time back in my home village when I was a little thing.  The front of the Church would be decorated with cloths, and miles and miles of crepe paper in Autumn colours, there'd be those wonderful huge bread loaves in the shape of sheaves of corn, and pikes of fresh produce.  Everyone would decorate baskets, punnets and boxes and fill them with produce to hand over to the Monitors who'd then add them to the wonderful display.  All of us little people from the Sunday School would process in with our various decorated containers, and it all looked so beautiful!  It was always such a happy occasion.

Actually, thinking about it, crepe paper played quite an important part in my early years!

For my card, I decided to go with either apples or pears, then thought I could 'make' an apple pie, so ended up sticking just to apples.

The elements for this one were made into templates for cutting on my Silhouette Cameo and that part went according to plan.  As is so often the case, it was deciding on the background that caused more stress.  In the end, those apples and pie were torn of more than once and finally ended up on the third attempt at creating a background I was happy with - and of course the simplest of those I tried!

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Large white card blank, with inked edges.

The quotation was printed onto white card and square cut  around it using my Nested Scalloped Square set from Tonic.

The pie and apples are clipart and made into templates in PSP for cutting on the Silhouette Cameo.  There are lots of layers and I used various coloured card then added inks to give more depth and texture.  The group of red apples were adhered to scraps of chipboard before gluing to the card.  The pie has a 'box hinge' behind it so it stands out more, and the green apples at the front are on a larger 'box hinge' behind so they stand out further and their base sits on the surface when the card is standing up.

The apple pips were just a bit of 'waste' from an EK Success Scalloped edger punch - they were just perfect, and much easier 

than trying to cut in other ways.

I gave the little 'pastry' apple decorations a coat of Glossy Accents

I could really eat a slice of apple pie right now......with a big dollop of ice cream

That's it for now - just want to remind you that I have some blog candy on offer at the moment - click HERE to get a chance to win this die set:

Well, the "What's for lunch?" call has gone up from OH so I'd better go and answer him.  Thanks for coming by, see you soon

Christmas Sentiments Blog Candy - Spellblogging for Spellbinders

Hello there! 

Thank you for joining me for another Spellblogging post for Spellbinders

 and this time I've some more lovely Blog Candy to give away - keep reading to find out more!

I've got three simple Christmas cards to share this time each using one of the sentiments from a fabulous little set called Naughty or Nice Holiday 2017 from the Die D Lites Etched Dies Range.  I've used each sentiment with a different Spellbinders die set from the 2017 Christmas collection 

'Be Merry' Card

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I cur the bauble using one of the fancy bauble shapes, then taped the plain circle in place around it  and ran through the Platinum machine for a second time, but this time using the embossing mat to emboss the circle and the details on the bauble shape

A square of silver glitter card was adhered to the inside of the card front, silver twine and a red satin bow were added

Be merry cut in silver glitter card and adhered in place

Gilded Ornaments Holiday 2017 Shapeabilities  Etched Dies

'Believe' card

White card blank stamped with It's Snowing Holiday 3D Shading Stamp using a magenta ink pad

I cut the largest of the Snowflake Snippets from white, adhered to a smaller pearlescent card square and trimmed around the edges. 

I made a frame by using 2 nested squares to conceal the edges and glued in place

Snowflake Snippets Holiday 2017 Shapeabilities Etched Dies.

'Believe' cut in the same pearly card and various gems used to add some bling

 

It's Snowing Holiday 3D Shading Stamps

Snowflake Snippets Holiday 2017 Shapeabilities Etched Dies.

Naughty or Nice Card

Red pearlescent paper panel added to white card blank, smaller white panel added on top

Stocking etc cut using  Build a Stocking Holiday 2017 Die D Lites  Etched Dies 

'Naughty or Nice' cut in red pearlescent card

Build a Stocking Holiday 2017 Die D Lites  Etched Dies

And so to the Give-Away!

I have one set of the Naughty or Nice Holiday 2017  sentiments die set to give away and the winner will be randomly drawn from those who abide by the following:

1. You must leave a comment on this post
2. Closing date is midnight Monday 2nd October 2017 (UK time) 

Thank you for visiting, I hope you'll leave that all-importnat comment, it's a lovely, useful set to have handy for your Christmas crafting, isn't it?

if you click on This Link  you'll find yourself at the Spellbinders store where you will be tempted by lots of lovely dies, stamps and much much more!

Happy Crafting

The One Who Kept Her Head

Good morning.

Sunny again here today 

Did you know that today (22nd Sept) in 1515 Anne of Cleves was born?  She became the 4th wife of King Henry VIII and therefore Queen of England – not just for a day either, but for over 6 months - didn't she do well? 😀😀😀.

Svenja of The Daring Cardmakers was born (a few years later......) in the same town and has chosen to celebrate her illustrious compatriot in her challenge this week

".... I think she’s the only Queen referring to my hometown Kleve and she managed to keep her head on her shoulders! Therefore the theme I chose for you this Friday is…

"Queen For a Day"
Let’s all celebrate Anne’s 502nd birthday with some royalty themed cards. (And, yes, of course… fairy queens and frog princes are allowed to the party, too.)

With being away for a few days, I am seriously behind with my crafting - so many things to make, so little time!  I was a bit stuck for ideas until I happened across a blog post from my crafting friend Katie Lamb using a Queen of Hearts playing card on her LO.  Thank you Katie for the inspiration!

Here's what I made

 Info

Black card blank

Gold, black, white and red card

Handmade rolled roses

Playing card printed to size on the PC, Sentiment also pc generated

A couple of pieces of lace

Flourishes from:

Gold frame and white fancy square are die cuts by Spellbinders

I cut the centre from the gold one to make it into a frame

Rebel Jewels Card Creator Etched Dies Rebel Rose by Stacey Caron

Flourishes are from

Cinch and Go Flowers set one  Amazing Paper Grace  Shapeabilities Etched Dies

In the end it all came together fairly well - there's nothing like throwing a few flowers at a project, is there?

We won't mention that I finished the card then discovered that in my haste I'd managed to make it with the fold on the right hand side instead of the top.....

Okay, time to get back to my crafting to-do list.  Though I may need to grab some lunch first, I think.

Have a great weekend, let me know what you think of my card, won't you?  And we'd just love it if you'd join in with us this week, of course.

So Tweet Thanks

Hello

Lovely sunny Autumnal morning here.  The trees are definitely on the turn now, and I think we may have picked our last courgette - my word have we had a LOT of courgettes this year!  I've a few in the fridge waiting to be used to make some bread, and maybe another chocolate cake.
The bread was a recipe I'd saved but hadn't got round to trying out - I made it by hand, and the process reminded me why I generally use a bread machine - I don't really 'get' how some people love all that kneading business!  Next time I will see how the dough works in the machine, and keeping my fingers crossed that it does, because this courgette and mushroom loaf is very tasty indeed!

I waffle, therefore I am......

On to things crafty and my little card using the September LO from The Sketch File - if you've not tried the sketches yet, why not do it this time, its a lovely, simple idea, and very handy for lots of purposes.

 here's the Sketch, I replaced the horizontal bar with the little bird

The Sketch File September 2017

The lovely die set is this one.  It was originally part of the Spellbinders  Small Die of the Month club, it's not that small in size, the frame piece is 12.5cms high.  What a cute set!  I love die sets like this - all the different pieces are so useful.
So Tweet Die Set - Small Die of the Month Club

'Thank You' is  from this set 

 Simply Said Phrase Set Two (Shapeabilities Etched Dies)

I used various shades of peach card from the scrap box, some hairy twine, and finished off with some tiny punched circles to decorate the balloons, and some small punched hearts

That's it for this time - I'm heading for the kitchen to make coffee, I'm not forgetting such an important thing! Not two days in a row!

PS.
Thought you might like to see the bread I was talking about.  I know it looks a bit greyish, but that's down to the mushrooms.  It tasted great and the leftovers made lovely toast for my breakfast!

 

Happy Crafting! 

 

A Big Dose of HAPPY - Spellbloggeing for Spellbinders

 Hello there - thank you so much for popping by.

Today I've another Spellblogging post for Spellbinders 
to share - and this time there's not a Christmas card in sight.

 

I've used a few gorgeous Spellbinders products in making this colourful, happy card.  There's that wonderful big sentiment stamp that can't fail to make you smile, the lovely trellis cut background and of course some flowers and swirls.

Info
The base card was inked using various shades of aqua ink, then adhered the trellis part of the French Flair Card Creator die set over the top using foam pads
The sentiment was stamped onto an oval die-cut and I added colour using a paintbrush and ink.  I used the brush to add more ink around the letters and some dots of Glitter Glue for some extra interest.
The flowers were all made using Cinch and Go Flowers set 1, they were cut from various shades of card, and extra colour was added before shaping them.  
I cut some of the flourish shapes from the same die set in plain white card to tuck under the flowers.
The stamens were inked to match and I used a couple of glittery jewel shapes to add some extra bling to the pale green flowers.

Here's my list of the Spellbinders products used this time, plus the links so you can find them easily in the store 


French Flair Card Creator 
Etched Dies from the Rouge Royale Deux Collection by Stacey Caron

Big Dose of Happy Stamp 

Tammy Tutterow Designs

 Cinch and Go Flowers set one 
Amazing Paper Grace  Shapeabilities Etched Dies

I had such fun creating this one!  Obviously the flowers, but also I love the way the way the French Flair trellis die works so beautifully - and I just adore the sentiment on that stamp - and that's praise indeed coming from someone who usually runs a mile from stamping!

Well, I'm off to see what Spellbinders stash  is shouting to be used for my next project now.  Thank you so much for popping by - now,
if you click on This Link  you'll find yourself at the Spellbinders store where you will be tempted by lots of lovely dies, stamps and much much more!

 Thank you for visiting, 

Happy Crafting

4 0f Something

Hello, Happy Friday!

Hope you didn't get blown away this week!

Today is Daring Cardmakers day and it's Dawn's turn to set the challenge

4 Of Something

I celebrate the big 40 yesterday and today is our wedding anniversary so this weeks challenge is to put 4 of something on your card.

Lets forgot the zero as I intend on staying 39 for every birthday from now on.

So you could include 4 designer papers, 4 embellishments or the number 4.

Hope you will join in. Click HERE to see what that Design Team came up with.

I decided this would be a god chance to play with some nested dies to make a layered aperture.  I went with Spring colours to cheer myself up by pretending that Summer is on its way in, rather than on its way out!

I used my Tonic plain nested circles set for the coloured layers, then one of the circles from the scalloped set for the top, white layer.

The border punch used on the side edges is from EK Success

The stamped sentiment is by  Spellbinders  

Tiny Sentiments Stamp from the Happy Grams #3 by Tammy Tutterow
So my sets of 4 are:

4 colours, 4 circles, a 5-looped bow and 4 matching pearls

I hope Dawn had a wonderful birthday yesterday, I'm sure her l;ovely family spoiled her rotten!

That's all from me today - see, I can be concise sometimes!

Have a great weekend, thank you for visiting

Sketch File Catch Up

Morning All
We have a lovely sunny day here today, - a bit blowy, but not too bad really.  I wonder if it will stay dry all day for a change? 

At this point I was going to have a ramble about weather-related issues. but it seemed trite to then jump into playing with paper and glue. So I'll just say maybe we shouldn't moan about our climate so much......

There is a new LO on The Sketch File blog and as I didn't get around to posting about it last week, I've a couple of projects to share this time.
This week I've made this card 

Info

Black card base

White, Black, Red and Kraft card

Black and Red Glitter card

The tiny stars and the larger black one are cut with punches

The three 'fancy' red stars are cut with Superstars  (Die D-Lites Etched Dies) 

Celebrate is a die cut from this set  Simply Said Phrase Set Two (Shapeabilities Etched Dies)

 This is the sketch

The Sketch File Blog September 2017

 

Something that's caught my interest lately are Junk Journals.  Whilst I've seen and admired a lot of beautiful art journals, I know that sadly they are never going to be something I could do - I know my limitations!
However, I do seem to accumulate quite a number of spare background pieces that I never get round to using.  You know the sort of thing, you make a large background but only use part of it, or you get immersed and make a few more than you need and they just sit on the desk until you file them in the bin.  Or maybe that's just me.
Anyway, it would be nice to actually use them, so the idea of a Junk Journal as a random mix of this and that to use the background pieces appeals, so the plan is to make a book of them and use the pages for anything I fancy adding into it. It will be in effect a 'scrap' book!
As it turned out the piece of background I'd made and saved is not the one I used for this little picture.  I know that I've already reneged already by making a new one! But there are two sides to every sheet of card, yes?

Lots of inking and stencilling, even a bit of doodling, and of course some very cute dies from Spellbinders 

Small Circles stencil from The Crafters Workshop

 Springtime Die D-Lites Etched Dies

Thanks or visiting today - and well done for getting through to the end!!! If you'd like to join in and try out the sketch for yourself, we'd love to see how you get on.

happy Crafting

Snowflake Snippets - Spellblogging for Spellbinders

 Hello there - thank you so much for popping by.

Today I've another Spellblogging post for Spellbinders 
to share - and this time it's a little group of Christmas cards.

 

I loved the look of this Snowflake Snippets Holiday 2017 (Shapeabilities Etched Dies) set of dies as soon as I saw them in the 'coming soon' section of the store, and grabbed them quick-smart as soon as they came on sale!
They are so lovely! I thought I'd make a few cards and share them here today, but I've a feeling they'll be getting a lot more use over the next few months!  

card 1

The first card just has the largest shape matted onto shimmering purple pearlescent card - its simple and elegant and I'm sure to be making lots like this!
For cards 2 and 3 I started my creating a background of inked cardstock. with stencilled stars in gold Alchemy Wax and gold Glitter Paste, then added the large and medium snippet tiles over the top.  They were cut from mirror card.  For the top section of card 3 I used another of the tiles and cut away sections to add interest to the upper section

card 2

card 3

I extended this idea for card 4 using cut-aways from all three sizes of the tiles to make a background for the stamped sentiment

card 4

Here are the Spellbinders products used on these cards, plus the links so you can find them easily 
Snowflake Snippets Holiday 2017
die set

 Ho Ho Ho Holiday 2017  die set

Most Wonderful Time  Stamp

I think that's probably enough Christmas cards for a while, so I'll be raiding my other fabulous Spellbinders  stash for next time! 
if you click on This Link  you'll find yourself at the Spellbinders store where you will be tempted by lots of lovely dies, stamps and much much more!

 Thank you for visiting, 

Happy Crafting