Catch up ...

... so whilst I have been away from the laptop and not had a chance to post, I have managed to squeeze in some crafting.  There have been a few card making sessions and some other exciting experiments... but more on that later.

Here we go with a few cards I've made.

So the first few are using the gorgeous Picnic in the Park papers from Serif - I've nearly finished the pack now - just so cute and very me at the moment.  First is a lovely landscape card, with the rabbit stamp I've used quite a few times now that really reminds me of Peter Rabbit.  Finished with the brown button and cream ribbon tied through and made into a cute bow.  Coloured the image with my faithful promarkers.

Next up is more of the same papers, but green toned, layered with some lace and then my new clarity stamp from the club.  Coloured in and a sentiment stamped.  Finished with some lemon rosebuds from the deadly flower sets (see a previous blog!).  Very pleased with this cute card and loving the new stamp!

Debbie Moore stamps and more of the same papers!

Finally - some different papers I hear you say!  Well another freebie pack with the magazines that are definitely not free!  Debbie Moore stamp I have used before, stamped onto clarity card so nice and shiny.  Made strips of from the stripy paper to cross over and then added the lilac deadly rosebuds in a little bunch to finish off.  Image coloured with promarkers again!

Some different cards in style now.  Inspired by the class Helen did last month I found some lovely black and cream card in my stash that has a lovely sheen to it and teamed it with the red.  Stamped in black the dandelion stamps from Personal Impressions and added some glitter to them. The horizontal panel then added the cream ribbon.  Also added three red gems for additional bling and hey presto!

 Similar to the above but used a small piece of green with a punched edge to mount the deadly cream roses and added a black ribbon sprayed with pearlescent mica spray.

 And using up the gorgeous paper tested my construction skills and made this card that sort of flips around - can't remember the name of the template.  Used the same dandelion stamp and played with only inking the head too.  Particularly like the little strips I put on this - quite designer I thought!

Unfortunately no picture of the other side - but it had another dandelion to match and then a panel for writing on it!

Not sure about this one as think I might have over embellished!  Some lovely papers though.  Papermania I think for the spotty one and central panel as double sided card, Pumpkin from Stampin Up for the orange border.  Punched with the Martha Stewart punch.  Flower from the Personal Impressions set like the dandelion above, then added some touches with a white marker pen and some glitter glue.  Then went a little OTT with the paper flowers, adding white pen and the buttons.  Finally some bling with the gems on the bottom too.

Back full circle it seems - some of the gorgeous picnic at the park papers again and a gingham bow.  Then found a cute sticker in my embellishment stash I haven't seen for ages and so here we go!  Simple but I think quite effective - but maybe it's just because I love these papers so much!

 A commission!  A retirement card for someone leaving social work - someone who definitely deserves to smile and enjoy their retirement!  The picture is from some 12x12 paper I have had for years from a kit I must have been sent when I used to get pink boxes from ScrapbookHouse.  I added some copper ink edging to distress it a little.  Mounted it on some red (from the Picnic in the Park pack - you must think I am on commission I mention it that often!) and some cream pearlescent card.  Wrapped an organza ribbon and added a knot.  Threaded a swirly paper clip thing (again I've had these years and never remember about them) and added three orange gems.  Finally mounted onto a DL brown pearlescent card from a pack bought especially to make the card.  Mum and Dad who wanted the card were pleased with it - so job done!

 Another departure from the norm.  Some floral paper - again a freebie pack from an expensive magazine - and some of the papermania card mentioned above and then stamped the Clarity naked tree with some spring type of leaves in the celery ink from stampin up.  Added some gems to the tree and then wrapped the organza ribbon and mounted the card on orange.

 Last but not least of the photos - Freebie papers and freebie stamps!  Stamps are the Pink Petticoat ones and paper is free with the same magazine - I bought so many last week I can't remember which one!  paper pieced the flower on the stamp and coloured with promarkers.  added the bow from some ribbon bought in The Works as part of a £1 pack.  Made the paper ribbon from the freebie paper with the Martha Stewart punch, added the flowery sequins I reacquainted myself with when scrapping the other night.  Cute card methinks!

OK so thats it for the card making - but what else have I been up to.  Well at the NEC I bought three mdf letters from the WOW stand, one for C, V and M.  Well I've struggled then to get the courage up to do anything with them.  About 2 weeks ago I decided I ought to do something - so started with a coat of creamy brown acrylic on the C.  Since then I've gone to town with ripped papers (you'll never guess which paper stack I've been using - oh yes the gorgeous Serif Picnic in the Park ones!), more paint, stamps, golden glaze, PVA, buttons, wooden flowers and pearls.  And today I finished the C.  No picture as yet as waiting for the varnish to finish drying but will post really soon I promise.  I was so inspired today I started on the M too.  Princess M of course required a different style and colour scheme - as indeed will Hubby V, so hers is a pretty pretty one and not far off being finished, where is mine is more in keeping with altered art I suppose.  Have to work out what on earth to do with hubby V's now ... sure the inspiration will be just round the corner though!  Such fun!

So there you go ... a very new departure for me ... looking forward to sharing it with you soon to see what you think ... but now must sign off so can get hubby V to turn football off the tv!

Happy crafting all - night night!