Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #88 Add an Animal.

It was so wonderful to see the 'mitten' creations last week. There were so many fabulous takes on the challenge. Thanks for playing along with us.

This weeks Merry Monday Challenge is to add some sort of animal to your card.  I know there are SOOO many animal stamps out there so have fun with this one :)

When I saw the theme for this challenge I knew straight away which stamp I would use. I have owned this stamp for about 10 years and I haul it out every Christmas for at least one card. I am happy to say this Penny Black stamp is still available. I don't do cute very often, but I am totally smitten with this kitty image. 

I think it's the cutest stamp ever.

Kitty was coloured with markers and pastels. He is a large image so I kept his accompaniments quite simple. I do love the black and white dotty ribbon. He does have a bit of Stickles on his hat but it is not showing in the photo.

Stamps: Penny Black 'Jolly Christmas Kitty' Stamp, Hero arts Sentiment
Inks: Marvey Markers and cake pastels, Versafine black
Card: Kaisercraft, MME, Neenah White

Do check out the gorgeous cards from the other DT members over at Lesley's blog  Always Playing with Paper

Until next time....happy crafting.

Runway Inspired Challenge #49 - Céline

It's great to have a little late night time to participate in a few Challenges.
My Christmas cards are all made ( I will be making more for MM :0 ) and I am vaguely organised for Christmas. So! A good challenge is just what a need to focus my slightly addled brain. Today is the Runway Inspired Challenge. The dress is so modern and fresh with it's splashes of colour and asymmetric seaming, such wonderful inspiration.

I decided to make the print then cut it to shape. I love diecut feathers for their long elegant shape and their soft edges, perfect against the hard edged asymmetric cuts.

Stamps: MFT Abstract Art Stamps,  Clearly Besotted FANCY FEATHERS and matching dies. Hero Arts sentiment and dictionary print
Dies: MFT, Lil' Inker Stitched Mats Ovals and rectangles.
Ink: Versafine Black, Versamark
Card: Kaskad and Kaiser

It is a hot sunny day here, the garden calls.

Happy crafting.
Karen

CASE Study Challenge #169 - Playing with gold leaf

I am playing along with the CASE Study challenge today. I love that this challenge is honoring Cath, and I adore the fabulous image. 

I had been playing with gold leaf on a card last week. When I saw this challenge I decided gold leaf would fit perfectly. I love how the gold appears randomly on the skirt/dress and tried to replicate that. The card sat without a sentiment for many days as I tried several 'stick on' ideas. In the end I thought this simple approach worked best.

A tutorial on using fine gold leaf here. Ellen uses adhesive paper to secure the gold leaf. I swiped a foil/glitter glue over the card with a palate knife, let it dry (actually force dried it with a heat gun because I am impatient-watch for bubbling), before applying the gold leaf. My gold leaf was purchased from an art shop many years ago. It came as fine flat sheets stored between a tissue. It is really easy and fun to use. I think it gives the best gold finish as I hope the close up photo below shows.

Stamps: Clearly Besotted FANCY FEATHERS and matching dies. Hero Arts sentiment
Ink: Hero Arts Gold embossing powder, Versafine black, aqua pastel (in cake form) background feathers
Distress and Marvey markers, Gold Leaf with Clear Glue for foiling and glitter.

To finish I am including the other Gold Leaf card made last week (not for the challenge). The photo doesn't show the wonderful colour of the gold leaf..

Hope you are having a great day!
Karen