Bags, tags and bobtails

So, where has the time flown to lately?!   Is it advancing years or just being busy that makes the days and weeks shoot past like sand barrelling down an hourglass at warp speed?  Both, I guess.  I prefer the latter explanation mind you - and to prove the point here are some of my recent creations.  

A fab handbag card complete with charms, phone and a little bling in the form of a jewelled brad.  Gorgeous pearlised card for the main body of the bag, and glossy card for the clasp, handle and charms.  

Next, my first ever commission card - ok, it was commissioned by my big sis, but that's good enough for me! :-)   I thought I was quite clever in fotoflexing text onto the cricket bat, and the sentiment.  Howzat for diy toppers then?

I've become a bit of a fan of swap-bot.com.  Click on the flag at top right of the page to see the swap I am currently hosting.    This bookmark was one i sent off for a previous swap which had to use salvaged items.  I used the tag from a pair of jeans i bought recently.  Tags on clothes are so pretty sometimes, it seems a craft-crime to throw them away so i was real happy to use this on my bookmark, and i have since gained another tag from an item of clothing that is crying out for re-use, so watch this space :-) 

Lastly, a simple anniversary card.  I adore swans, and think they are a perfect symbol of enduring love.  This photo didn't come out so well though - the card is much more a bronze colour and pearlised too.  

So there you have it for now.   Thanks for stopping by xx

In Distress

Here are my newbie attempts at distressing stamped images.  I really like playing with distress inks, but think I need to learn to use a lighter touch.  The 1st card has been embossed with a Cuttlebug frame folder and also distressed, the 2nd card is waiting for a sentiment to be added to the bottom, but I'll leave this 'til I know who and what it is for.  Please leave a comment, oh and do let me know if you have any tips on distressing - thank you :-)

I love origami flowers

I have fallen in love with making these origami flowers.  This card has a flower made from pretty vellum, which I then sprayed with glimmer mist.   The central part of the flower is a double petal layer made with my Nellie Snellen Punch n Emboss.  The gorgeous background paper is from a collection of oriental papers I bought from Create n Craft.   The Heron and Cherry Blossom are both Japanese symbols of good luck and the script is on the same theme.  I made this for a family friend who has visited the orient, and whose birthday is this week.   I forgot to take a pic of the inside of the card - but that was also decorated with patterned paper and punched flowers.

  

The next card is a bright and funky take on the same origami flower. This time using very fine embossed paper.  



Thanks for stopping by to see my cards :-) 

Latest cards

Welcome to a round up of cards I've made over the past few days, starting with a simple pyramid card for a male birthday.  I love lighthouses, and would live in one if it was in the right location and if I had the money, of course! :-) 

There is a baby imminent in the family, so this pyramid easel card is just waiting for the name to be added.  

A very dear friend of mine has been away on hols.  Only for 2 weeks, but I miss her loads, so thought I would send this card to welcome her back home.  It can be quite a downer coming back from a fab holiday, so hope this will cheer her up when she gets back :-)   I really love these Hampstead papers from Papermania.  So rich and warm; perfect for this kind of card I think.  The pink flowers at the bottom are made with my new favourite toy, the fab floral punch and emboss sets.  

I saw a tutorial about making origami flowers, and had to have a go.   I cut out the flowers with a nestability scalloped circle, then embossed in the Divine Swirls cuttlebug folder, after which they were distressed with Tim Holtz inks, before the folding process begins.   I am going to be bold and enter this card in the Crafty Cardmakers Distress Challenge.

Spring Trees

Here is a card I made yesterday using some digi-papers I downloaded.  
Then, using my precious Nesties, I matted the sentiment, which reads Spring: 1. the months of March, April and May. 2. The season in between winter and summer.  3. Time of nature’s rebirth. 
Lastly, finished off with an embossed flower and some gems.

I have decorated the inside too, but cannot show it just yet in case it spoils a surprise :)

Disc World

You know, I have always meant to start reading Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, yet still it languishes on my "one day" list.  Anyway, this is an easel card I made for a young boy's birthday.  The central image is pyramaged.  I love the groovy aliens with their CDs - though perhaps they should get more with it and have MP3 players like us earthlings!
  

Candy worth shouting about

Wow! This has to be the most desirable blog candy going!  Check out Crafty Goings On for full details.  

Catch up time

Time I caught up with blogland, so herewith my recent creations starting with a birthday card for somone who recently developed a passion for playing the guitar.  I just love the Rock Star elements from DCWV.  I hope he also loved the plaited leather thongs I tied round the card too.  I mounted the guitar shape onto thick card so it stand proud and added a few gems to the neck and body.  With this card, I had as much fun decorating the inside too :-) 

         

Hot on the heels of that came another birthday card for a chap who loves his console games and, according to his wife, spends way too much time playing them and watching TV, so I doubt he would have been offended at this couch potato themed name book. 

A change of style now, for a special Mother's Day card.  I loved doing the spirelli; and I clear embossed the flower heads to make them "pop". 

Next is the birthday card I made for my sister, who has loved art deco for many years and has collected some beautiful items over the years.  I think the current trend for the deco ladies is wonderful, and this card has a pyramage that is level with the aperture when the card is closed, but when opened the pyramage stands proud as the centrepiece of the inside of the card, so it's a nice surprise when you open the card.  The card is elegant and stylish, like my Sis :-) 

Then there two of the Easter cards I made this year.  Still did not make quite as many as I would have liked, but got more done this year than last so am heading in the right direction. 

  

Lastly, a special birthday card for a very special lady.. this template took a couple (!) of attempts to get right, but I hope you agree it is worth it.  I think the depth gives the card that "ooohhh" factor.