Quick Elzybells

I needed some quick and simple cards - one male and one female. Needed them to be the same style too which proved a challenge. The Elzybells sheep came to the rescue and here's the result. I know I've sterotyped a bit with the colours but I like them - nothing complicated at all and the sentiments are so nice with this set. Used the Stampin Up Piercing set to add some paper piercing to the corners.



So here's the blue version close up,

and here's the pink.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #67

Yep, I've still been colouring my new images and they're a lot of fun to do so and a second post for today - so unlike me (check out the first post HERE). It's a shame the light has disappeared and I'm having to rely on the flash and it dilutes the colour a bit. Anyway, here's Ebony (a digi download once again)


Challenge 67 over at Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is a colour combo based on this picture. I've used the cushions as inspiration for the clothes.


The sofa was the inspiration for the brown backing card until I noticed afterwards that it is in fact more of a burgundy colour - I hope my card still counts! There's some brown wood if that counts instead?

Promarkers were used to colour Ebony and the papers are from Stampin Up - Perfect Plum and Old Olive.

Another Shaker Box

I was in need of some ideas on how to use the shaker box die I have from Siizix and thought I'd challenge SARAH over at Card Oasis to make something! How cheeky of me!!! She came up trumps with her project of a mini book within the shaker box itself. It's really worth a look. Well, seeing as I set her a challenge I thought I should have a go myself and decided to add some nestability die cuts onto the lid and base.

I've used Stampin Up Perfect Plum cardstock to create the base and 3 nestability pieces - and managed to get it all from 1 piece of A4 card too. I bet your thinking where the 3rd piece is. Well It is covering the square top of the box underneath the lid part. this gives a nice smooth finish as you can see here.

The nestability pieces were inked with Perfect Plum ink as was the main image piece. The teddy is from Elzybells and coloured with Promarkers. The flowers themselves were coloured with the Perfect Plum ink and a blender pen.

Sizzix Carry All

Bear in mind, if you like what you see in this post, check out my Candy Giveaway at the top of my blog and be in with a chance of getting your hands on these die cuts.

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I was so happy when a parcel arrived this morning and inside were some Sizzix XL Dies - the Carry All Box and Popcorn Box. Haven't had much playing time though but have cut out a load of pieces ready for use. I'd seen the Carry All Die being used by Sarah and thought they looked great. The first I have to show is a Carry All.

I cut out a box in brown and have decorated it to go with a few challenges - Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, My Time To Craft, Simon Says, Creative Inspirations, Pink Elephant, Stamp Something and Allsorts. Who knew a simple project would hit so many themes.

The theme for SCSC was to make a last minute gift idea. I think, with the ease of use of these dies, that they match the theme well. My Time To Craft wanted a 'Yuletide Wishes' themed project.

With Allsorts, it was to make anything but a card. Creative Inspirations wanted a 'Christmas Gift'. And Simon Says was simply a 'Merry Christmas' theme. Pink Elephant had a Christmas/Winter theme. 'Holiday Somethings' is the challenge set by Stamp Something.

I have some plans for these dies too and will post a tutorial on how to put them together. The purpose will make sense soon enough too. Keep your eyes peeled.

Now, what to do with the popcorn die?????

Some Quick Reindeer Cards

Here are some small (4 by 4), quick and easy cards made using Elzybells Kraft Card and their reindeer stamp. The snowflake and white ink are also from Elzybells

They've simply been coloured, mounted and doodled on. Not a long post but it doesn't need to be!!!!

Another Sizzix Attack

Yes the Sizzix box has struck again!!!

This time, I've used the Elzybells dog on the front and have used my Stampin Up Punches to create an aperture in the lid. There is Acetate over the window to stop the contents falling out. I punched the circle out of the lid then placed the cream mat ontop and drew a pencil mark from the back. I then lined the scallop punch and punched the hole.

You can just about see the inside of the box contains some hot chocolate packages but these may be changed before the box is given away.

Sizzix Strikes Again...

Here's a box I made using a pack that was left over after sending them out to all my ATC Swappers. Each person who swapped last month was given a kit to make a box like this which included the die cut pieces and ready cut panels. I thought I'd show what was possible to make using their kit and decied to use the Elzybells cow.

I think the cow goes really well with this bright fuchsia pink card. I stamped the cowspots onto the pink panels and the image and sentiment onto the white linen card. It was simply coloured with Promarkers with some doodles for borders. If I'd thought before sticking them down, I would have doodled the side panels too.

Sizzix Box Tutorial

Thought I'd share with you how I construct my Sizzix Boxes. This tutorial might answer some of your questions regarding dimensions etc. It will also come in useful in the future and will all make sense very soon.

The completed box measures : 3 and a half by 4 and 3 quarters and 2 inches deep.

Firstly cut two pieces of card stock to 12" by 5 and a half" (you can actually get away with 11 and 3 quarters" by 5" if you are careful). Run them both through the machine.

Fold along the score lines (I tend to have the creases facing up and fold towards me along those lines) and attach tape as shown below (I have actually made a mistake in my haste and added tape to the top of both larger pieces - you only need to do this to 1). I recommend strong DST for this.


Next, attach them to make a T shape keeping the tabs on the inside of the completed box.

Finally attach the box together as shown below:

The box is now ready to be decorated. I attach panels to each side as this dnot only decorates the box but also strengthens it. Below is pic of all the parts:

2 Large Sizzix Die Cuts (brown in the pic)

2 Small Sizzix Die Cuts (brown in the pic)

1 Large Panel for the front (Plain Green Piece)

~ '3 and a quarter' inches by '4 and a half'

2 Long Side Panels (green with stamped paw prints)

~ '4 and a half' inches by '1 and 3 quarter' inches

2 Short Side Panels (green with stamped paw prints)

~ '3 and a quarter inches' by '1 and 3 quarter' inches

1 Image Layer (Stamped with Dog image)

~ 3 and seven eighths' by '4 and an eighth' inches

I have worked out how to get enough panels for 2 boxes out of one A4 piece of cardstock. Here's a cutting sheet to show you how (this is not to scale and shows an A4 piece of card as being the thick black on the outside):


And here's a close up of the finished article:

As you can see, I've added a ribbon under the first green layer on the cover to act as a 'lever' or 'handle' to lift the lid. If you look at my other boxes, you can see I've used punches to create a gap to use to lift the lid.


Hope this helps and answers any queries you have and that it is useful to some of you in the future!

A load of ATCs

I have finished off ATCs for a couple of swaps. As this is my second post of the day, make sure you check below to see more boxes made with Sarah's die cuts she sent me.

First ones are for the ATC Swappers Blog with the theme of 12 Days of Christmas. This is a BUMPER swap and a great way to start building a collection as the idea is to make 12 identical Christmas themed ATCs. I showed a sneak peek of these the other day and here they are in all their glory.

I used burgundy and kraft with Elzybells reindeers (again!!!). They were coloured with koh-i-noors and promarkers and actually took quite a while to colour all 12 as I had to wait between processes. Maybe I should have made a simpler style but I enjoyed making them so much and am really pleased with the results. I might add a little gold peel off star to the top right if I can find some. Here's a pic of all 12:

If you fancy joining in, hop on over to the blog for more info and there'll also be a suprise gift to all participants too this month as a thank you to all that have made the swap a success over the past year.

http://atcswappers.blogspot.com/

The second lot of ATCs are for the Addicted to ATCs blog with the theme 'SPOOKY'. I wanted to make a set that was different to my last spooky set but used the elzybells clear set again. I used the bats to create the backing card and then created a topper to go on top. I like the fact that they are all a different colour with different images but yet again, recognisable as being from the same set.

Christmas Box

Here's another box I made with the die cuts Sarah sent me last week. She included some pale green ones which matched my favourite combo of kraft and burgundy. I chalked the edges with some brown chalk and layered using the burgundy.

Then I stamped some Elzybells reindeer again and coloured with koh-i-noors, OMS and Promarkers.
What you can't see in the pick is that it is full of toffees right now - MMMMMMMM! Lovely quick, inexpensive Christmas presents and now that I have my own die (yes, it arrived), expect to see more of these!!!

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Halloween

A couple of days ago, I had a nice little suprise in the post from Sarah. I'd commented on a box she made using a Sizzix Die (Box 3) and she very kindly sent me 3 lots of the die cuts - one light grey set, one dark grey and a light green. What a wonderful suprise it was. The die makes quite a nice, substantial box and I think it could be so useful. Thanks to Sarah, I was able to try before I buy! Yes, I relented and bought the die now and can't wait for the delivery.

The theme this week on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog is 'Halloween' and so I used the dark grey die cuts that Sarah sent me to make a Halloween treat box.

I've used my Elzybells clear set again. I used the web to create some backing panels along with one of the sentiment. I then made the topper using the circle sentiment and the cauldron.

Here's a side view of the box. As you can see, they are quite deep and can be filled with quite a bit of treats.

Elzybells Challenge 30

Over on the Elzybells blog, the theme for this fortnights challenge is Glitter, Sparkle and Shine. I've made this easel card using the Carol Singers stamp. The musical notes are not part of the stamp, I added them to the sentiment (also from Elzybells) and added some to the main image to tie it all in.

The glitter and sparkle haven't shown up well in the pic but the lantern has been coloured with yellow stickles and there's also stickles on the snowflakes and the ground. Each corner of the main square has a gem and paper piercing.

Hope you enjoyed looking at the card! Thanks for visiting.

ATC Swappers - Spooky

This month's theme over at ATC SWAPPERS is:

SPOOKY

and I have used my Elzybells clear stamps to build this little scene on my ATCs. I love the fact that the set comes with so many images, borders and sentiments. It makes projects so easy and co-ordinated.

Here's a pic of all 4 of them together. If you fancy joining in with the swap and possibly getting one of these back, then there's still time. Hop on over to the blog for more details and to have a look at the mega Christmas swap.

http://atcswappers.blogspot.com/

La-La Weekly Wednesday Challenge 7 - Recipe

This weeks Challenge over at La La Lands Weekly Wednesday Challenge is a recipe challenge. Each of us Guest Designers got to choose an element to add to the recipe - how cool is that!!!

I was busy finishing putting it all together. Had cut out Wizard Maya with a nestie circle and was about to cut out a scallop border when I changed my mind and used one of my new label nesties instead - loved the look and so stuck it down and photographed away. It was only afterwards I realised I had NO SCALLOPS! A mistake which is bad enough, but to make it worse, I was the one who chose scallops as the required element!!! How dumb am I! To rectify, I added some scallops on the inside with a border. I've also added extra paper piercing too.

So what is the recipe? Well, here goes:

• 2 different patterned papers
• strawberries, chocolate & cream (red/brown/cream) Color Combo
• embossing (heat or dry)
• scallops
• paper piercing

I've used Chocolate Chip DSP, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa and Real Red Cardstock. Used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the central panel and inked it. Paper pierced the corners and mounted Maya on some nestie die cuts. Wizard Maya is now available from the online shop. Pop over and have a look.

For more info regarding the Challenge and a chance to earn a shop discount, visit the LA LA LAND BLOG. With the use of Mr Linky, it's so easy to join in.

ATC Swappers - Favourite Image

Over at ATC Swappers this month, the theme was Favourite Image. I still keep returning to this Elzybells image and really do like this trio of creatures. Simply layered a couple of times and doodling added. Don't think it needs anything else, less is more this time.

Our next them (for October) was a poll and SPOOKY has been chosen. We also have an exciting Christmas ATC swap in November and need extra people to join in so why not head over to the blog to check it out. If you've never made ATCs for a swap before then why not think about joining in with our friendly, non-commital swap. Follow this LINK or E-Mail atcswappers@hotmail.co.uk for more info.

Casting her Spell

You should have know it wouldn't be long before Maya made another appearance!!!

This is one of the new Halloween themed stamps over at La La Land Crafts and it's called Wizard Maya (for obvious reasons!). It's a small 4 by 4 card with which I cut an aperture out using nestabilities. I then cut out a smaller panel using some Halloween themed paper and cut out a circle slightly off centre. This idea was to create a crescent moon effect with the black card so as to frame Maya.

I then layered some white linen card on the inside and stamped Maya onto it. She was then coloured with Promarkers and voila!

And here's a close up of Maya:

Halloween Pepper

I know Halloween isn't as big over here as it is across the pond but it is becoming that way. I ove all the treats and projects I see across all the blogs for this holiday.

Yesterday I showed you a coloured in Pepper. I simply cut him out and layered him to create a simple invitation for a Halloween Party.

I've pierced some pattern in the corner of the white and some lines on the black card base. I've also used a clear glaze pen on the scythe to make it stand out and shine although this isn't obvious from the pic.

I also went ahead and made another quick project for Trick or Treaters, I cut out a pillow box using my Sizzix Die and stamped Pepper onto it and coloured him in. With so many callers, I think a quick and simple idea like this could work. I coloured the coat in lilac this time rather than grey to see what it would look like - I think both colour options work.

La La Land Halloween Release

Have you seen the new stamps available from La La Land? They are all Halloween themed but could be used for other occasions too. Mine arrived today and although I haven't time to make anything due to other work, I couldn't resist inking them and having a colour

Because last time, my stamps were posted before the packaging was ready for Pepper and Maya, I didn't realise that they came with an acrylic sheet to store them on. It is so strong and certainly a good way to store the stamps. Head on over to the shop to see the rest of the collection.

An extra Maya

This card is not for a challenge or anything, simply for fun. For this card, I simply cut an A4 piece of acrd and folded it then trimmed the front to create a shorter piece. Layered with gold peel offs and Chocolate Chip DSP. Maya (available from La La Land Crafts) stamped onto linen card and coloured with Promarkers. I really like Maya coloured in brown - always tend to go for Black and White so this is a real change for me.

La-La Weekly Wednesday Challenge 2 - Stitching

Welcome to the second week of the La La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge! This weeks theme is

STITCHING

You can use real or faux stitching on your card. I've used a paper quilting effect on my card using Old Olive papers to create the patchwork. I've then used a fineliner pen to add all the stitching. To create the topper, I've used my nestabilities to cut out Maya's head - I really like her coloured in browns (Sandstone and Cocoa Promarkers) and will have a card with her in these colours soon which shows the whole of her and not just her head.

So come along and join in the challenge over at La La Land and let us see what you come up with - more details on how to get involved over at the blog.

You may also have noticed that I've got a watermark on my pics now - this is all down to a friend of mine, Elaine, who made it for me. I sent her a little sketch with what I was thinking and she came up with this for me. THANKS ELAINE