Craftlandia Challenge 22

Today it's time for another Craftlandia Challenge hosted by Mia on her blog. This is a quarterly challenge and now it is March the 22nd it is time for the 22nd Craftlandia Challenge. Today our theme is spring (or anything goes) and our sponsor is Gecko Galz. I have made 2 cards using some wonderful Gecko Galz images. The prize this month is a $25 voucher to spend at Gecko Gals Etsy Shop.

I do love lilac and hydrangeas, which is why I chose these images for my card. I sized the image for a 7x5 inch card and printed it onto glossy photo paper. I matted it onto white and then onto some mat metallic card and a white card base. I found the doily in my stash (it was a gift from Michaela in my January card chain challenge card) and thought the colour was a good match so attached it as a background for my thanks die, which is cut from a lovely blue metallic card.

You can see the shine a little better on this picture.

My second card uses just the lilac image. It was printed onto glossy photo paper and matted onto the same mat metallic card. I added a few tiny die cut butterflies and a die cut sentiment.

These are such lovely images. I don't often use digital images on my cards, so I am pleased to be trying something different for me.

I hope you will be able to find time to join us with the theme of spring. Head over to Mia's blog to find all the details and more inspiration for Craftlandia 22.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping March Reminder

Today is the 18th so time for a reminder for the current challenge over at We Love Stamping. The challenge where we love to see you using your stamps. 

Lynn has chosen our theme this month:

**Welcome Spring**

OR

**Anything Goes**

I chose to use this stamp as the flowers look very spring like. I think they are pansies, which will often flower virtually all the time if you are lucky. The stamp is by Jeje Product and was a gift. I was not familiar with the brand so I have included a link to their website for info. It is a really pretty stamp and it stamped beautifully first time.

The trouble with open stamps like this is knowing what colours to use, so to save time and hassle, I just followed the illustration on the packaging and used my polychromos coloured pencils to colour it. I really enjoyed doing it and am very pleased with how it turned out. The hello sunshine sentiment is from the spring botanicals tulip stamp set by Uniko. I have used Concord & 9th double stripe card front die for the background.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month there are two Spring themed Penny Black stamp sets from Buddly Crafts. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure that stamping (including digi) is featured somewhere your card. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 2nd April.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I am also sharing this at:

Stamping Sensations March Challenge - Spring

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

Flowers and Circles

Hello

I was looking through my cards that I haven't yet shared on my blog, and came across this one.  I thought it would be perfect for this months Flower Challenge. They are celebrating their 100th challenge and are asking us to add circles. I realise I only have one circle, so I hope that is OK.

My embossing folder is called Sandie's Garden by Honey Bee Stamps. I started with a 7x5 inch piece of watercolour paper which I inked with different colours. Then I inked the embossing folder before embossing the card.

The circle and flower stamps are from the Altenew set called floral halos. I used matching dies to cut them out. The circle is backed with vellum and I am afraid I don't know the make of the thank you die.

I quite liked the dramatic look of this, and how the dark ink has helped highlight the flowers. I finished it off with a few little gems. The insert is decorated with some foil transfers that were a gift.

The Flower Challenge #100 - add circles. Congratulations on your 100th challenge

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

Loving Snowdrops

Hello

When I saw the current challenge over at Double D, I knew I had to join in. The challenge is called going green and anyone who knows me, knows that green is my favourite colour and, as luck would have it, I have a card that fits the bill perfectly.

With some Christmas money I bought 3 of these flower press plates by Spellbinders and this card is the result of my first play with them. Of course I foiled it. I did do some pressings too, but I will share those another time.

This is such a simple card, but I am very pleased with it. Mainly because it foiled perfectly and has a lovely shine. I used the plate like a stamp to place the image on the insert and it worked well. I do love snowdrops and am still enjoying the display in my garden, although they are just starting to go over now. The daffodils are taking their place. 

I also bought the lily of the valley, but unfortunately this time the foiling wasn't perfect, so I took a green spectrum noir metallic pen and coloured over the patchy foiling. I also used the metallic green pen to colour one of the matts. I think it worked. What do you think?

I bought the daffodil plate too, so watch this space. I hope I will get round to sharing that soon.

I am sharing the first card at:

Double D going green challenge

NBUS #72 - This was the first outing for both these plates. My second entry this month.

Triple B Challenge March '25

Simply clean and simple - shades of green

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

February Card Chain Challenge Reveal

This is the second month in a row that the first Sunday of the month has coincided with the 2nd day of the month, which means this is my second post today. Scroll down for my we love stamping post.

Today is 2nd of the month so time for the Card Chain Challenge big reveal. This month 25 card makers took part and I sent my card to Marianne in Greece. Sadly, it is still on it's way. I hope it will look better in real life when it finally reaches Marianne.

From all the options this month I have used the colours, hearts and flowers, friendship and die cutting.

I used a press plate by Pinkfresh Studio called always smiling (I bought it recently along with the matching dies with a Christmas voucher), but I foiled it instead of pressing it. It was foiled onto a piece of Tim Holtz alcohol ink card, which I find brilliant for foiling. I didn't get the matching stencils, but coloured it with alcohol markers following the picture on the packaging. Using the alcohol markers on the glossy cardstock helped the ink blend - you have to be careful not to smudge it before it is dry though.

The little hearts cover plate die is by Sunny Studios and I coloured a panel underneath with the red marker used on the flower centres. The sentiment, from the same set, was also foiled in gold. Both the flowers and sentiment were stacked 3 times to add dimension, but not too much that it would cost more to post.

I was very lucky to receive this gorgeous card from Pia in Norway

I love the silver, black and white with the stamped background. Those colours would work well for the March challenge too.

If you would like to take part in the next card chain challenge, you have until 6th to sign up here

I am sharing this at:

NBUS#72 - the flower spray and matching die are NBUS

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it.