Jose's Jottings

Card with stripes

2012-02-14T10:32:00.008Z

The challenge this week at Less is More is to use stripes and it has to be a one layer card.

I used a Penny Black stamp called constellations and embossed it in black, I did add a gem to the centre of each flower as I felt the flowers looked too black! I hope a gem isn't classed as another layer.

After doing the card with the black flowers I tried it with white embossing but although it stands out on the card when I took the photograph it is hard to see. The sentiments on both cards were computer generated using Black Chancery font

Do take a look at Chrissie's and Mandi's blog they do such wonderful work.

Aqua card for Less is More

2012-02-09T10:23:00.008Z

The Less is More challenge this week is a colour challenge and we are to use the colour Aqua, so I used a font called Damask Dings, and managed to get the right colour to match some card I had. To finish it I stuck a rhinestone that my friend Joan from Portland Oregan sent me.
I hope you will all visit Chrissie and Mandi's blogs to see their wonderful work.

Plaid card

2012-01-31T20:01:00.002Z

Card made for the challenge at Less is More, this week we were given a sketch to follow.

Musical note card

2011-12-21T07:58:00.006Z

The challenge this week at Less is More is Music, quite a simple card, the musical note was a sizzix die cut, sorry for the poor photograph but taken with artifical light.

Just Green and white

2011-12-08T06:39:00.005Z

The Challenge this week with Less is More is to use Green, I didnt find this easy, I just wanted to add a splash of something else, I am not sure if you can see but there are snowflakes embossed in white at the top, would really have like for them to be silver. The trees were cut from green card and used the dotty stamp from the Stampin Up polka dots and paisley set and embossed with white, add a few white pearls, and the paper was torn to give the effect of snow drifts I hope!

Fantasy Tree again

2011-11-28T13:16:00.004Z

Using Penny Blacks Fantasy Tree again, this time for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where we were asked to use embossing and Red together of course with a Penny Black stamp. My fantasy tree was embossed with silver (but with poor light today Im afraid the photograph doesn't show it up very well), I have used Xmas red stickles on the tree and mounted it on Red mirir card, the sentiment is computer generated with the font called Bikham Cyr script.

Penny Blacks Fantasy Tree

2011-11-27T16:39:00.010Z

A few more Christmas cards! this first card is a single layer card using Penny Blacks Fantasy Tree, entering this card for the Less is More challenge which asked for BLING! for the blong I used Sticklers Golden Rod. The sentiment was Computer generated with the free font Bikham Cyr Script.

The second card is the same but the image I have mounted on mirror card.

Found them both very difficult to photograph.

Christmas silhouettes

2011-11-22T08:32:00.009Z

Another card to add to my Christmas card box, This week at Less is More the challenge is 'silhouettes' so back I went again to using my favourite Chistmas font Su Lucas Christmas silhouettes, I now wish I hadnt added the red corners, I think it makes it look too busy, perhaps some will comment on that, all comments welcome.

Lovely as a tree leaf card

2011-11-15T11:53:00.007Z

Another week at Less is More and this week the challenge is a one layer card 'Leaves' I have chosen a stamp from the Stampin Up set called Lovely as a tree, it is embossed with gold and coloured with green whispers pen. The sentiment is computer generated.

Poinsettia card

2011-11-07T16:48:00.004Z

The challenge at Less is More this week is a colour challenge and the colours are Red and Orange, I knew I must get on with making Christmas cards and it was a good chance to use my new Sizzix poinsettia die cuts. The sentiment was computer generated.

Star card

2011-11-03T13:22:00.003Z

Im back from my travels, China, to Singapore and was glad to find that England wasnt too cold. Really had to make a card for this weeks challenge at Less is More, a star card, I used a digital graphic from Birds Card, altered the colour to green and topped the large tree with a gold star brad. The sentiment is computer generated.

Provo craft leaf

2011-09-24T19:33:00.007+01:00

Less is more challenge week 34, and this time they have given us a sketch to follow, and I needed a card to say Thank you to my friend Ann for taking me out for the day yesterday, we drove to the North Coast of Somerset, and saw the magnificent view from the church at Selworthy (this was our coffee stop) we then travelled up Porlock hill and along the coast to Lynmouth, had lunch there and then went up the Victorian water power lift to Lynton. We then travelled onto Tarr Steps for tea, before retuning home, a most enjoyable day.

The card - first I used my Prova craft leaf to cut out a shape, on the Orange card I printed 'Thank You' several times using Papyrus font, and mounted the leaf on top. I ran a metallic gold pen aroung the edges, and I did this also on the card. The sentiment was computer generated again with Papyrus font.

Christmas with digistamp boutique

2011-09-22T22:18:00.003+01:00

When I saw this image at Digistamp Boutique I knew I had to have it, and I made this card for the Less is More challenge which this week its anything goes. I picked up the green from the palm tress for the bottom layer, and the sentiment was computer generated.

Holy Triptych

2011-09-03T08:50:00.006+01:00

Yes, I know I have been absent for a long time, but crafting in the summer isnt really the same for me :) and am now back from my travels, and had to enterong this card for the Less is More challenge this week. I used one of my favourite Stampin up Christmas stamps from the Holy Triptych set and embossed it, the sentiment I did in publisher, similar to a rubber stamp!

In the frame

2011-06-13T09:38:00.003+01:00

One layer card in the frame is the challenge this week at Less is More, so I used a digital image from Digital two for tuesday, the sentiment was computer generated.

Butterfly card

2011-05-25T16:57:00.004+01:00

Sorry I have been absent for so long, I have been busy and away visiting family.
For my Butterfly card I used the Martha Stewart large Butterfly punch, and one of her border punches, the sentiment I did using PSP7 using a freehand vector and then adding the font to it, the words and the dots were done in one continuous line. This is for the Less is More challenge.

Royal Wedding thank you

2011-04-30T09:35:00.013+01:00

I enjoyed a lovely afternoon yesterday following after the Royal Wedding, it was a party organised by the Church I worship at, it was held in the church hall, there were a varity of ages there from under one year to over 90. There were crafts for the children at the start, and then we sat down to a lovely tea, we all took a contribution, savouries and cakes, and our Rector is a member of the magic circle and entertained us. So I felt it would be nice to make a card as a 'thank you' for the people that organised it. I kept to the 'red, white and blue' colour theme. All three of the butterflies I covered with Rangers glossy accents, its the first time I have used them and am pleased with the result. The sentiment is computer generated using the Pristina font.

I am entering this for the challenge at Less is More - Thank you card

and for the challenge at Crafty creations challenge - White space

Friendship card

2011-04-25T20:18:00.006+01:00

Another week has passed and this weeks challenge at Less is More is 'Off Centre' which means they are looking for cards with little or no symmetry but perfect balance, I hope I have achieve this with my card. The sentiment I did myself in Microsoft Publisher, the branch I hand drew, well scribbled is more like it, and the flowers are punched out, I was trying to make it look like a branch of cherry blossom! I do so admire Selmas cards, you can see then on her blog here she makes the most wonderful cards with handmade flowers on them.

Acetate

2011-04-21T09:28:00.004+01:00

First I must say how honoured I was to have my last weeks card chosen to be Showcased on Less is More.
This weeks challenge at Less is More was to use Acetate, well I didnt have any, but I was going to Cardiff with my Trefoil friends so felt sure I would get some there, but no, we asked and asked where there was a craft shop and didnt find one. So back home and I have used part of a carton, problem was I was unable to print on it, the sentiment came out blotchy. So thinking again I went back to some peel offs which I havent used for ages, I coloured them with whisper permanent markers. Cant say Im 100% pleased with the result, but better than nothing I guess. The sentiment is computer generated.

Peace for Christmas

2011-04-09T19:24:00.006+01:00

It's Saturday again and that means another Less is More challenge, this week we are asked to make a one layer card with the sentiment as the main focus, I used a Clarity stamp 'Peace', which I embossed with gold, and inside the 'C' I placed the 3 wise men which is from the Christmas silhouttes font which you can get as a free download from http://www.dafont.com/ .

Entering this also for Stamp, Scrap and Doodle challenge - Clean and simple and Creative Cottage Challenge - white space

Red Button

2011-04-06T18:45:00.006+01:00

We are on week 9 at Less is More and this week was a colour challenge - A touch of Red, my card is a square card, I drew the tail, legs and the beak freehand, the speech balloon and the sentiment was done in Microsoft Publisher, and the red was a button onto which I stuck an eye!

Thank you with daisies

2011-03-28T18:23:00.008+01:00

This week for the Less is More challenge we were given a sketch to follow, I was inspired with Chrissie's card this week, she made 2 cards and both cards she made patterened paper using background rubber stamps, I dont have any of these so decided to make my own using many different fonts, and then printed it onto green paper. I made my daisies with a punch and painted the tips pink and the centre orange to match my centre band of colour. The top 'Thank You' was computer generated. Also for the 2 Sisters challenge - make own embellishments

Rosette card

2011-03-23T08:44:00.007Z

My second card this week for the Less is More challenge, this time I used patterned papr from the Dovecraft charcoal prints a stripe paper cut a strip and then used my Hougie board and creased it every 1/2cm and made this rosette, finished it off with a black pearl, layered it onto white card which was embossed with swiss dots and then black. The sentiment was computer generated with the Scriptina font.

Less is More 7

2011-03-21T16:58:00.006Z

Another challenge at Less is More week 7 already and this week we were asked to make a masculine card, Chrissie and Mandi are working so hard with this site, if you havent already visited it do go and take a look, and also visit Chrissie and Mandi and see what wonderful blogs they have.
For my card I have used a stamp for Stampin Up set Lovely as a Tree, the font is computer generated using the font Niagara solid, I embossed it using the Candy Cane stripe folder, it was then finished off with a green button and a piece of twine. I welcome criticism.

Little Church in the snow

2011-03-14T12:16:00.008Z

Another entry for Less is More challenge, this week it is one layer card 'off the edge' and no embossing. I used a digi image from Just ink lined, I used watercolour pencils to colour it, the sentiment was computer generated, and the border was drawn in Microsoft Publisher, one more card for my Christmas box!
I welcome criticism as by hearing what other people think I can improve my cardmaking.
Also for the challenge at One Stop Craft challenge - clean and simple

and Simplicity - Out of the box

and Paper Sundaes - Keep it Simple

Pastel flower

2011-03-07T12:25:00.006Z

My choice for my card today was a pastel flower, for this I used a die cut from Marianne designs, I wanted it to look like a wild Dog Rose so sponged the edges with a pale pink, cut 2 stemens out with my punch, the top layer I trimmed back a bit and finished it off with a pale green pearl. I used a stamp for Stampin Up Mixed Bouquet for the stem, and finished it off with a small piece of green Ribbon, this was layered onto card sponged with the pink. The sentiment was computer generated, which I layer onto white card again sponged with pink. I would welcome criticism as by hearing what other people think I hope I can make improvements to my cardmaking. I will be entering this for these challenges:

Less is More - Pastel colours

Simple Create - Power of flowers

Craft us Crazy - Nature

Little Claires Design - Flower

Peace with a dove

2011-03-04T19:10:00.004Z

A friend who doesn't have a blog kindly lent me this gorgeous Clarity stamp 'Peace' I first use the font Christmas Silhouette and typed the letter 'r' to get this lovely dove, then I placed the stamp with the 'C' circling the dove, and embossed it with gold, and matted it with gold mirror card.

I am entering this for the challenges at

Bah Humbug - embossing

ABC Christmas challenge - embossing

Penguin with love

2011-02-27T17:58:00.005Z

My Penguin with Love card was again made for the Less is More challenge, I did this card in PSP and faded the colours of the 3 squares, the colours were taken from the colours in the penguin. The sentiment was computer generated using Showcard Gothic font, and I picked up the colour to match the top square.

Celtic squares

2011-02-26T14:05:00.006Z

Less is More week 4, and this weeks challenge is to use 3 squares. I used a stamp from a set I dont often use called Celtic, using black gloss card stock embossed my 3 squares with gold embossing powder and then layered it onto gold mirror card, and then onto a strip of the black gloss card before placing onto my white card stock. My sentiment was computer generated using Park Avenue BT font.

Spring flowers

2011-02-21T11:22:00.005Z

This weeks challenge at Less is More is 'Spring' so I thought it had to be spring flowers, and so I chose this digi of tulips, coloured them and cut them out with my nestabilities and mounted them on red card scalloped nestabilities, then the fun began.... I have had my first try at circular text, which I did in Microsoft Publisher using the Papyrus font, it took a bit of playing to get the circle the correct size, but luckily the first time I printed it it was perfect.

Single layer flower

2011-02-16T08:53:00.005Z

The challenge at Less is More this week had to be a single layer with one flower or a tree, eventually came up with this card, the flower is a digi, and I painted it with LuminArte Plum Blossom and Moss Green, this is one if my first painted cards! the text was computer generated and the border I drew using Microsoft Publisher.

Pink Butterflies

2011-02-05T16:54:00.005Z

I am using my lovely new Martha Stewart butterfly punch for this card, the sentitment was computer generated, I made this for the new 'Less is more' challenge, but think I might have put a bit too much on the card, I will try better next time :) also entering it for 2 other challenges:
Less is More - pink black and white
CCEE stampers - punched pieces
Ooh-la-la-creation - 3 of a kind

Annebelle Thoughtful stems.

2011-01-30T17:45:00.004Z

I used this lovely stamp set from Annabelle Stamps, embossed the flowers with silver and coloured with watercolour pencils, I followed the sketch from Annabelle's blog for their Februarys challenge:

Annabelle Stamp blog - sketch

Do you stack up - patterned paper

Lets ink it up - No digital images, anything goes

Fun with flowers

2011-01-26T07:45:00.004Z

Sorry I have been missing for a long time, I havent been very well, but feeling a lot better now

so have to get back crafting.

I enjoyed making this card, lots of tiny punched out flowers and finished off with a lovely cuttlebug corner die cut. Entering for the following challenges:

Simple Create - punches

Paper Cutz - anything goes

Thinking of You

2010-10-27T17:53:00.008+01:00

For this card I was inspired by the colours in this sweater, it's this weeks Tuesday Trigger Challenge at Moxie Fab World

I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Autumn tree

2010-10-26T07:41:00.004+01:00

I made this for a lady who has very little sight, so a feely card, lots of textures to feel, buttons, gems, corrigated paper and glitter, this fits the challenges at:
The Cuttlebug spot - Fall, so autumn colours
Darling cardmakers - Autumn
Rainbow ladys challenge -Autumn foliage

Golden Wedding card

2010-10-23T18:50:00.006+01:00

I didnt realise it had been such a long time since I posted my last card, but with summer and then a holiday it all takes time!

This is a card made with die cuts for friends who have just celebrated their Golden Wedding, and you will see all the die cuts I used, it fits the bill for a challenge

Frosted Designs - Use die cuts

The Corrosive Challenge - NO white

Through the window

2010-08-09T07:45:00.004+01:00

I started with embossing swiss dots onto white card and then matting that onto red, and then onto my base card, and placing red ribbon along the centre. This card was inspired from the video I watch on StampTV, I used my favourite stamp set again Stampin Up Lovely as a tree, stamped on and embossed with silver, then cut the image into 4 equal parts and stuck onto black card with small spaces left to give the window effect. This was then mounted with foam pads onto my prepared card. It fits the challenges-
Tuesday taggers - mainly black
Bah Humbug - Christmas window card
Shirley2girls - twist on red
The stampman - 2 colours

Embossed grasses

2010-08-07T10:55:00.005+01:00

This rubber stamp is from Hero Arts and called Silhouette Grass, it's been embossed with gold, the backing paper is from Papermania, and as usual with me the sentiment is computer generated, all backed onto cream card stock, and finished off with a punched out butterfly and a decorative corner, made for the following challenges-
Annebelles stamp challenge - cream
Flutterby Wednesday - Fairy, butterfly or angel
Crafty Anns challenge - Lazy, Hazy days of summer
Our creative corner - Embossing
Cute card Thursday - Any card

Trees in the snow

2010-08-01T17:03:00.007+01:00

These trees are a stamp from Stampin Up set called Lovely as a Tree, embossed with white, as were the snowflakes, white card torn to comply with the challenge at Bah Humbug to give the effect of hills, the sentiment was computer generated, and 3 flat backed pearls for a finishing touch.
Bah Humbug - paper tearing
Our Creative corner - Christmas
Christmas blog challenge - No designer paper
Alphabet challenge - N for Nature (Trees)
Little Red Wagon - Christmas

It's a Boy

2010-08-01T15:38:00.004+01:00

This was made using the sketch from Annabelle Stamps blog and using the digital image from Meljens design team it was coloured in PSP and the sentitment was computer generated, and finished off with 3 red buttons, entered for challenges -
Annabelle Stamps - sketch used
Creative Inspirations - Animal
Charisma Cards - something with a tail

Peace, Joy and Love

2010-07-31T19:42:00.004+01:00

Another Christmas card to add to my collection... the image was a font which I altered slightly in PSP, the backing paper I made using Christmas text, and the sentiment was computer generated. I am entering this for the following challenges:-

Stamp Something - Christmas
Our Creative Corner - Christmas
Tuesday Taggers - Christmas
Aud Sentiment Challenge - Choose your own Christmas Sentiment

Snowy Christmas

2010-07-25T19:26:00.005+01:00

We are nearer Christmas 2010 than last Christmas so on with making cards, I hope I will be prepared for Christmas 2010, but then I always say that!
I used my cuttlebug snowy Christmas scene to emboss the centr and the sentiment was computer generated, my swiss dots embossing folder was also used as was my hougie board, a silver snowflake finished it off. This is entered for the following challenges
Annabelle stamps - embossing

Diecut dreams Christmas Club - Christmas

Aud sentiments Challenge - Christmas

The Cuttlebug spot - embossing Christmas

Digital Elephants

2010-07-21T20:39:00.007+01:00

This is a digital image from Paulette at Create with TLC do go and see the wonderful art work she makes. I coloured it PSP, corners are from a cuttlebug die and the sentiment was computer generated, this made quick thank you card. This is also going in the challenges for
Papertakeweekly - a cute card

Stampsomething - digital image

6 stars for Christmas

2010-06-29T07:51:00.008+01:00

The image is from a free font Christmas silhouettes, the sentiment is also computer generated, the gold stars are from a recycled Christmas card, the halo is filled with gold glitter glue, and the card is finished off with some gold ribbon.
I was inspired with the sketch from Card Positioning Systems and entering for their challenge.

Cute card Thursday Challenge - had to recyle a card

Crochet flower card

2010-06-27T17:47:00.010+01:00

Purple again, one of my favourite colours, I had fun learning how to crochet, I made this flower and dyed it with violet reinker to match the backing card which I embossed with swiss dots, I then added a button to the centre of the flower, the flower stem was stamped with a stamp from Stampin Up Mixed Boquet, and embossed with white onto black card. The sentiment was computer generated.
This is for challenges at -

Crafty Anns Challenge - embossing

Practical Scrappers - Flower

Magical Crafts Fortnightly Challenge - Flower

Tuesday Throwdown - Dry Embossing

Craftalicious challenge - Monotone

Lovely as an Oak tree

2010-06-14T16:26:00.006+01:00

I'm using one of my favourite sets, Lovely as a tree by Stampin Up, the backing card I scored with my new Hougie board, so easy to use scoring every centimeter. the corners are from the winter set of cuttlebug, the sentiment was computer generated, this card is for the following challenges:-

Our creative corner where special attention had to be given to corners.
One stop craft challenge where I used the sketch they gave us.
Cup cake craft challenge where they asked for One for the Boys, a card suitable for a male.
Magical crafts fortnightly challenge, they also asked for a card for a man.

New Home

2010-06-06T19:25:00.009+01:00

I had good fund making this card, firstly I made the sky backing paper in Paint Shop Pro, and then I had a play with a new die cut I have just bought which is part of the 'Winter' set, this was cut out in all different colour cards and stuck together including the smoke! I am entering this for the
Onestopcraft challenge where they asked us to make our own designer paper, also for
Funwithshapesandmore challenge which needed to have hand made background paper. and also the
Craftalious challenge which asked for a NEW card, so mine is a new home card. And finally
Sirstampalot challenge was for 'Punch It' well my house and tree ware stamped out

Christmas silhouettes

2010-05-31T13:22:00.005+01:00

A really good challenge at Bah! Humbug this week, it was to make a Christmas card with silhouettes, my silhouettes are from a free font, I cut them out with my Creative Memories cutter dont have a nestabilities circle (yet) and mounted onto a scallopped nestie, all three of the sentitments are computer generated, the corner cuts are made with cuttlebug vintage set.

Thank you with flowers

2010-05-30T06:38:00.006+01:00

I just love embossed flowers, I was blog hopping last week and came across a blog which gave me this idea, sorry I cant link you to the blog, but this is what I came up with and it fits the following 2 challenges. Just us girls challenge which was asking for dry embossing, and also Flutterbywednesday which wanted a creation with a butterfly, angel or fairy on it.
My flowers were punched out and the centres were a die snowflake cut down with a spot of stickes in the centre, the leaves were made with a leaf punch kindly lent me by Anne, the corners are one of the Prova vintage die cuts. The sentiment was computer generated and done in green to match the leaves.

Card from scraps

2010-05-26T16:48:00.004+01:00

I had fun making this, its for the challenge at Die cut dreams, using my flower die cut and lots of embossing folders, the sentitment was computer generated.

Piano keyboard card

2010-05-24T18:44:00.005+01:00

Can't believe it had been and month since my last posting, but holiday have to be taken :)

This card is for the challenge at cupcakecraftchallenges, they wanted a black, grey and white card plus one colour, and for the challenge at Magical crafts also asking for black and white and one colour. I made the surround from a photograph of a piano keyboard in Paint Shop Pro, and the image is raised on foam pads, the balloon is raised also and coloured with gold glitter glue. The sentiment was computer generated.

Thinking about you

2010-04-25T18:55:00.005+01:00

2 challenges caught my eye this week, so I have made a card to cover both of them

The first one was Dare U2 digistamp they were asking for flowers

The second one was Daring cardmakers they wanted us to use die cuts, all my flowers are made from dyecuts, the centres have a black gem, the sentiment was computer generated, and I also used Martha Stewarts punch for the border, the stems were drawn freehand, so not the best :)

Nature Challenge

2010-04-09T20:48:00.003+01:00

There is a Nature challenge at Pink Elephant this week, so I knew the stamp I was going to use... one from the Stampin Up Lovely as a Tree, I didnt use the whole stamp just 2 trees, coloured these with my whisper pens back them with browm card, the sentiment was computer generated and again backed with brown card as was the 70... I used some string to get some texture across the middle of the card. The paper I used was from the Papermania Earth tones pad.
Jose

Christmas peel-offs

2010-03-28T15:39:00.005+01:00

Back from my travels, had a lovely time away and even met up with Sue in Sydney, and she with her husband Ian showed us around which was so very kind of them, and then entertained us for lunch at their house.
Bah! Humbug! are asking us to use peel-offs this week, we also have to say what we think, do we love them, hate them or feel indifferent about them.... Well I think like a lot of others I used them when I first started making cards, but never use them now, but I did have a few odds and ends around.
I used my cuttlebug Christmas scene cut it out into a circle and stuck my peel-off Christmas greeting under it, mounted it onto yellowy/gold card... and also used some snowflake peel-offs on the white card which I embossed partly with swiss dots.

Jose

Holly card

2010-02-10T07:38:00.003Z

Last posting for a while as I need a holiday, and going looking for sunshine.

This card is for the challenge at Bah Humbug, you see I'm trying to make my Christmas cards in good time this year! the challenge this week was for 'holly' my holly was from a tiny punch I have, yes a quick card.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Black fantasy tree

2010-02-03T18:24:00.004Z

I started by mounting my base card with some pretty green paper Jo gave me ages ago when we first met, and yes I have only just got around to using it, and yes, using my fabulous Penny Black fantasy tree again, this time I have embossed it with black embossing powder onto yellow card and backed it with black card, taken the corners out of the yellow card with my ticket punch, I dont have any yellow brads to punched out tiny circles from the yellow card for the corners. My sentiment was computer generated. I finished off the card with 3 black jewels and some black swirls. This covers the challenge for Mondays colour challenge at Stamp TV where had to use sage green, yellow, black and white, and also the challenge at Raisethebarchallenge where we had to use old designer paper.
Thank you for looking..

Fantasy Tree Sparkle

2010-01-19T22:30:00.004Z

I used the lovely Penny Black Fantasy Tree stamp again, this time stamped onto white card, dotted it with glue and then glitter, also spots of glitter around the edge of the sentiment, the base card was embossed with clutterbug swirl embossing folder, the sentiment was computer generated and a fancy corner was put in top right corner and this qualified me to enter the One Stop Craft Challenge I am really trying to keep up with my New Years resolution of 4 Christmas cards a month, and as Im away for 4+ weeks soon I am trying to get ahead of my self a bit.

Christmas with snowflakes

2010-01-16T22:51:00.009Z

Yes, Im trying to make a good start with my Christmas cards this year to I dont have a mad rush at the end. I did this one for the Stamp Something challenge which had to be Blue and white. The image was from Stampin Up lovely as a tree and this was heat embossed in white, as was the sentiment and the snowflakes, the snowflakes are from a set of stamps I bought myself as a treat when I went to London doing my Christmas shopping. Being that I used new stamps this qualified me to enter the Bah! Humbug Challenge, also the Creative Inspirations Challenge, and the Raise the Bar challenge, all asking for us to use new products. As I used snowflakes on my card I qualify to enter the Stamp for Fun challenge, and the Saturday Spotlight challenge. As it is classed as a winter card I can enter it into the Fussy and Fancy challenge, and yet one more challenge to enter Crafty Ann's and this was to emboss the card.

Recycling

2010-01-14T13:17:00.008Z

There is a new challenge open this week Bah! Humbug and its a challenge site just for Christmas cards, and this week we were invited to make a card using a card we were sent for Christmas (recycling) and the above card is what I made from the card on the left. As you can see I used the main image, and picked up the deep yellow in the card for the base card, I also used the yellow card and embossed it with my swiss dot folder and then backed that with deep blue card (although in the photograph it does look like black) to bring out the blue in the picture, and the same blue card was used for the corners. The sentiment was stamp with VersaMark and gold embossed.

Do go and have a look at what lovely cards the design team have made.

Garden friends

2010-01-11T11:20:00.007Z

You should go and have a look at Kath's blog and the pictures of her snow, she is challenging us to post pictures of our snow on our blog so she can come and see it, Im afraid my snow isnt a deep as yours Kath (thank goodness) but I took a quick shot of these 7 chaffinches who regularly visit our garden, the picture isnt that clear as it was taken through the glass of our kitchen window, but if you click on the picture it should enlarge.

Scrap-tastic

2010-01-02T19:47:00.007Z

Saw a challenge to clear up lots of scraps on capture the moment and I thought what a good idea, so came up with this card, the flowers were cut out using a ProvaCraft die cut which is in the photograph, the stem I drew freehand using a whispers pen, and the leaf was cut out using a Woodware punch, and another bit of scrap green card I used for the scalloped edging at the bottom this was cut using scissors. The sentiment was computer generated.

This card also fits the challenge at Our Creative Corner where its a clean and simple challenge.

Fun card

2009-12-18T15:16:00.005Z

This card fits the Dutch Dare card challenge, we have been asked to use embellishments we have made ourselves, I was playing around with shapes and made these faces, what I call a 'fun' card, especially using up scraps of card. The text was computer generated.

Gold Fantasy Tree

2009-12-12T18:27:00.005Z

Penny Black challenge this week is asking for a Red and Gold card... so out came my Fantasy Tree again, I embossed it with gold, mounted it on gold card, put 4 red brads in the corners then attached it to my red base card. My sentitment was computer generated and again backed with gold card, the side of my card I embossed with my swiss dot embossing folder and to finish it I cut out gold stars from the gold card and attached them on top of the swiss dots.

Stamp Something challenge is asking for something that reminds you of winter, well the bare tree surely does that.

Red, white and black

2009-11-26T11:53:00.004Z

Had to make a card for a friend, and was suitable for 2 challenges. Firstly Crafty Ann's Challenge, This challenge we had to use Black, white and one other colour, the pearls are actually white although in the photograph the red from the card is reflecting onto them. Also Daring Cardmakers mmm... this wasn't so easy, Rein wanted us to put at least 3 things on the card that begin with the first letter of your name.. 'J' well ...

J is for jewel... I hope I can class pearls as jewels.

J is for jet black beads, entres to my small flowers

J is for Japonica red the name of the red card I used.

This is the first time I have been able to use my new Matha Stewart border punch. For the flowers I used a Prova Craft die cut, the sentiment was computer generated using the same colour as the card.

We three kings

2009-11-24T15:04:00.006Z

The challenge at Allsorts this week was to take inspiration from a Christmas carol or a song title,
so I knew directly what I was going to do, I have this lovely Stampin Up stamp of the 3 wise men. I am also entering this for the Papertake Challenge for a Christmas card. I first embossed the image with gold, then coloured it with Whispers pens, cut it out into an oval, layer that with black, then layered that with foam pads onto a gold oval which I embossed with my cuttlebug swirl folder, and layered this again with black. I used a red card as the base card, and decorated the corners with gold ProvaCraft corners.

Blue Silent night

2009-11-19T19:11:00.006Z

Used this lovely Stampin Up stamp called Silent night for this card, coloured it with watercolour crayons and sponged the sky with blue, the base card was coved with sky effect designer paper. The image was mounted on dark blue card as was the sentiment. I am entering this for the Three Clovers Design Challenge where the card had to have NO red or Green. The sentiment was computer generated using Papyrus font.

Penny Black Tree

2009-11-16T20:19:00.006Z

There is a challenge at Penny Black Saturday to make a Christmas card for the guys, so I thought I just must use that lovely big tree stamp, so I embossed it with silver and layered it only silver backing card, and did the same with the sentiment, then finished it off with 3 silver gems.

Blue and white Silent Night

2009-10-16T16:43:00.003+01:00

Struggling making cards at the moment, too busy doing other things... but I saw a challenge on Stamp Something which was asking us to use bling, so it spured me on to make a Christmas card, the stamp I used is Silent Night from Stampin Up, stamped with Blue, the bling doesnt show up very clearly but the snowflake is in 2 layers one blue and the top one white and this is where the bling is!

Cuttlebug Lace Tree

2009-09-26T17:39:00.005+01:00

I bought this embossing folder at Westpoint on Thursday, and love it. I made this card for the Pollycraft Challenge where you had to make a card using black and white and one other colour. First I embossed my lace tree onto white card, then printed my sentiment which was computer generated using red font. This was layered onto black card and then stuck to the base card. I used red whisper red dots on the tree and punched out a white snowflake using my X Cut punch, then a red snowflake and stuck the 2 together, and finished it off with a red whisper dot. Finally tied red ribbon knot and fixed to the bottom of the tree.

Handmade flower

2009-09-18T16:07:00.006+01:00

For this card I used my favourite embossing folder the Manhattan Rose by Stampin Up, first I printed my message which was computer generated onto cream card, the font colour was chosen to match the backing paper I was using, it was then run through my sizzix using the Manhattan Rose folder, and the lower portion trimmed around the rose outline, so that the backing paper was revealed, the handmade flower was punched out using the same backing paper and moulded using my embossing tool, the leaves were punched out using a punch kindly lent to me by Anne. To finsh I stuck flat backed pearls in the centre of each rose.

This card was made for the Polkadoodle challenge where we were asked to make a handmade flower.

Embossing

2009-08-31T19:19:00.005+01:00

Made this card for my friends 70th, the flowers were stamped, cut out and coloured, although the pink on the flowers doesnt show up very well, the leaves we made using my friend Anne's leaf punch, the corner swirls were from my new ProvoCraft die cut, the text was computer generated before embossing with swiss dots, this fits the bill for C.R.A.F.T.Challenge where this week they wanted us do use some form of embossing.

No stamping card

2009-08-29T14:49:00.010+01:00

This is for the Allsorts challenge, it had to be a card using no rubber stamps! the lower half of this card was computer generated using lots of different fonts, and printed straight onto the card as was Keith's name. The 60 was computer generated and then layed onto black card. I finished it off with a piece of red ribbon.

Vintage motorbike

2009-08-11T09:00:00.004+01:00

Yes Im still here, dont know where the time goes! here I have made a card for a friend and Anne was kind enough to lend me a motorbike stamp which after stamping I embossed with gold, as I did with the sentiment which was computer generated. The design paper was one I won in a design competition months ago, the grid design was cut out using a cuttlebug border die trimmed slightly. I am entering this in the Allsorts challenge which this weeks calls for Vintage. Thank you for coming to look.
Jose

Manhattan Rose Anniversary

2009-06-11T08:34:00.007+01:00

Using the gorgeous Manhattan Rose embossing folder here with astral effect card, and cream card for the base, embossed the sentitment using text from my computer and embossed with fine gold embossing powder, finished off with 2 cream cream flat backed pearls for the centre of the flowers and another 3 for a slight decoration down the side.

This week Stamp Something Challenge asked for a 'Wedding theme' so my Wedding Anniversary card fitted the bill. This was also suitable for the One Stop Craft Challenge where an embossed card was called for. Do pop over to these 2 sites and see what wonderful work the design teams have done.

Ten minute balloons

2009-06-07T18:47:00.004+01:00

This is the easiest card I have ever done, used a Provacraft die cut to stamp out the 3 balloons, stuck black thread on the back of each one, and stuck them onto the card with foam pads. The text was computer generated. It is for the Flourishes' Easy Breezy Challenge a card that takes no more than 10minutes to make.

Watercolouring flowers

2009-05-25T18:39:00.009+01:00

I have just watched a video of watercolouring you might like to watch it here is the link http://pattystamps.com/pattys_stamping_spot/2009/04/watercolor-roses-technique-and-video-tutorial.html I did the flowers first, using navy blue and violet re-inkers (the only 2 re-inkers I have ... yet!) then looked for a backing paper, and I just had a small piece of plain violet, so I watercoloured my own backing paper, and as it was my first attempt I was quite pleased with it. It fitted the challenge for this weeks colour challenge at StampTV, I managed to use my scrap of Voilet paper and finished it off with Silver ribbon, and then heat embossed the sentiment.
Thank you for looking ...

Kitchen foil embossed card

2009-05-15T16:21:00.004+01:00

I saw the video embossing kitchen foil on Stamptv and thought I had to have a go, and was surprised how easy it was. Used one of the stamps from Stampin Up set Polka Dots and Paisley for the topper.

Thank you for looking ... Jose

Lovely as a Tree - Oak

2009-05-09T13:44:00.003+01:00

Im back stamping again... this time I used my Stampin Up stamps Lovely as a Tree, using the large oak tree for the centrepiece, this was embossed with copper, as were the oak leaves. The sentiment was computer generated and again embossed with copper, both were mounted on brown CS. The green background was stamped on the lower half with the oak leaves using Versamark watermark stamp pad. I finished it off with brown ribbon and 6 brown brads.
This card fitter the challenges for StampTV where I had to use Brown and one other colour, ABC challenge where metallic had to be used, Creative Card Crew Challenge where the card had to be embossed in some way. Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge asked this week for brads or eyelets. One stop Craft Challenge was to see some cut work on my card.
Thank you for stopping by ... Jose

Happy 1st Birthday

2009-04-28T14:23:00.003+01:00

StampTV pot luck challenge this week was to make a card, no squares or rectangles allowed, so as I needed a 1st Birthday card I cut a template, covered it in designer paper and used an image kindly sent to me by Joan, then I had a try with printing text onto ribbon with instructions from Anne and Karen, I must admit it was a bit scary, I thought I would loose the ribbon in the printer, but HEY! it worked.
Thank you for looking ... Jose

Happy St George's Day

2009-04-22T19:22:00.006+01:00

I would like to wish you all a very happy St George's Day, and to mark the occassion I have made a red and white card the colours of the English flag, and for the centre piece I have put the Red rose of England, I hope you all have a happy day. I would like to thank Anne for lending me her leaf punch for the leaves I made. I used the Stampin Up Manhattan Rose embossing folder for the centrepiece, the font was computer generated using Park Avenue font.

Thank you for visiting my blog ... Jose

Pink Manhattan Rose

2009-04-14T18:27:00.003+01:00

I expect some of you have thought I have left the planet, well Im still here, just been busy and no time for cards. But today I received my Manhattan flower embossing folder so I just had to have a play, I needed a card for a friend so this is what I came up with, and it also fitted the bill for the Cupcake Card Challenge.

Used my embossing folder with pink card stock, distressed it to bring up the white highlights, and used a flat backed pearl for the centre of each flower, the text was computer generated using Park Avenue font, and finished it off by using my hole punch on the same card for the tiny circles.

Thank you for looking .... Jose

Charlotte's teddy

2009-03-14T18:38:00.003Z

Made this for a neighbours little girl for her 4th birthday. Its for a Pot Luck challenge on StampTV we were asked to use punches, Coluzzle etc..... but no Nestie on this challenge.

Thank you for looking ... Jose

Silver embossing

2009-03-11T16:59:00.009Z

I embossed both my pieces of navy cardstock with silver embossing powder, the smaller pieces way layer with white card and attached with foam pads, the corners had red flat pearls attached, and the card was finished with a knotted red ribbon.

This card is for a challenge on stampTV where I had to follow a sketch.

There is also a challenge on No time to stamp which called for heat it up! embossing.

Stamp Something challenge this week is 'my favourite' and that at the moment is embossing

Thank you for looking

Jose

In the Pink

2009-03-04T18:53:00.008Z

For my card I used one of my cuttlebug folders for the first time, its the leafy branch, and after embossing my brown card with it I roughen it up with a pan cleaner, to get the distressed look. The flowers were made from a Provo Craft die cut, and the circles punched out with my leather punch. The sentiment was computer generated in pink and then embossed with clear powder. I used my scallopped scissors to finish off the edge, and finally pink ribbon threaded through a white beaded buckle. I was inspired by a card I saw while blog hopping, I am afraid I dont know where I saw the card but if anyone does please let me know and I will give credit.

This fits the Pink Elephant challenge where we had to use ribbon and die cuts

One stop Craft challenge where we could not use any designer paper

ABC challenge where this week it was D for distressing

and Stamp TV where the colour challenge was to use Pink and one neutral colour.

Thank you for looking ... Jose

Purple Iris

2009-02-26T17:34:00.007Z

I have just joined StampTV and there was a sketch challenge starting today, this also fits the bill for the challenge at Tag You're it, using swirls and circles. I coloured my Iris with whisper pens, bringing one petal over the green layer and onto the white card. Used QuicKutz flourish for the swirls and finished off with green ribbon and 3 circle flat pearls. The sentiment was computer generated using Park Avenue BT font.
Thank you for looking ... Jose

Purple Get Well

2009-02-24T17:05:00.005Z

Penny Black Challenge again, this time a Get well card, I used Penny Black stamp called 'Bright Wing' stamped it 4 times and embossed it, coloured it with purple whispers. the 'Get Well' message was computer generated using purple and then embossed with clear embossing powder. The backing paper was a good quality wrapping paper, and finished off with ribbon.

For the insert, I used a border from Microsoft publisher and finished it off with a purple butterfly stamp in the corner.

Thank you for looking ... Jose

3D Challenge

2009-02-21T08:31:00.004Z

Stamp Somethings challenge this week is to create a 3D something... so I have used one of my Penny Black stamps coloured with whisker pens and a few dots of Stickles gold, the butterfly is a peel off stuck onto vellum, coloured to match the card, cut out and then creased so that the wings come forward, and then the body stick to the card to give the 3D effect, cant say I am that please with the butterfly I think the black makes it look a bit heavy! The sentiment is computer generated.

Thank you for looking. Jose

Christmas and Birthday card Challenge

2009-02-09T19:01:00.005Z

This weeks challenge on Just Christmas and Birthday cards. The challenge is a sketch by Amanda, so I used my stamps from the stampin up set City of David, embossed the picture and the sentiment in gold, I used Whisper pen to colour the picture, layered both with orange card and made a flower with orange and brown card using my Provacraft die cuts, used a bit of gold Stickles on the flower, there is also some in the centre of the flower which doesnt show in the photograph, and added gold ribbon.

Thank you for looking ..... Jose

Circle card

2009-02-03T09:50:00.005Z

I have been really lazy this year, just cant get into cardmaking, and when I saw the Penny Black challenge I though OH NO! I have never made a circle card, but thought I ought to make an effort so here it is... I used an image kindly given to me by Jo she makes some gorgeous cards, Im struggling a bit using H2O's but they say practise makes perfect, well I can tell you I have a long way to go. Used my swiss dot cuttlebug folder for the backing card, and finished it off with a bow.

Thank you for looking

Jose

No stamping challenge

2009-01-10T14:29:00.003Z

This weeks challenge at Stamp Something the challenge is actually to make something without using a stamp, so I opted to use Peel-offs and I layered these onto acetate, and then layered them onto white card and then black card, then used foam pads to layer them onto my card, this was something I was shown at one of my card groups last year and though how nice it looked. The base card is actually white although it doesn't show up as white in my photograph.

Thank you for looking
Jose

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T17:55:00.005Z

I am wishing all my readers a 'Happy New Year' ...

And Now down to my first challenge of 2009 ... the subject this week is embossing it can be a card, atc, altered art etc... as long as you include at least one Penny Black stamp.

So I chose to use my Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder, and the Penny Black stamp I used is called 'Sweet Talk'

Thank you for looking ... Jose

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-23T19:20:00.005Z

I would like to wish everyone who visits my blog a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. I used the Clutterbug 'Winter House' embossing folder, layered on red card and then some gold bead stars were added and green ribbon (sorry in the picture it looks black).
Jose

Beading

2008-12-17T19:12:00.006Z

Sorry I have not been here recently, I have been away on holiday, and while away I did a course on beading with Barbara Harvey, who writes for several magazines like Quick and Crafty and Crafts Beautiful. We had great fun, and I managed to come home with 2 necklaces, both have ear rings to match. Thought you might like to see them so here they are.

This is strung on Tigertail, the beads are pearls are fresh water pearls and swarovski crystal beads
For this I used tigertail again, crimps keep the swarovski crystals and the black beads in place.
Thank you Barbara for fun clases.

Jose

Thank you flowers

2008-11-25T07:28:00.004Z

The challenge this week at Stamp Something is a give thanks card... I used a Penny Black image kindly given me by Jo, the background paper is from Kay & Co, the flowers were coloured with whisper pens,and I used my favourite cuttlebug dots.

Thank you for looking

Jose

Fantasy

2008-11-18T08:28:00.012Z

This weeks Penny Black challenge was Monochromatic you can choose Black & White, or you can go with different shades of one colour so I opted for browns. I used the PB stamp Fantasy and embossed it with copper.

Thank you for looking

Jose

I am so lucky

2008-11-14T15:05:00.005Z

I had 2 presents in the post.

One was from Desire, go and check out her blog Doing Life so many lovely cards and scrapbook pages too, I was joint winner in a competition she ran, we have to guess the collective age of the group of 13 visiting Inkungu Lodge in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, for a scrapbooking break from 18-21 September, and we stood to win scrapbooking and cardmaking goodies. This is what she sent me.

The second present was from Linda from Linanna designs do go and check out her blog, there are gorgeous cards there. I helped her with posting the 'HERE IS MY CARD' onto challenges, and she said she was so grateful she sent me these goodies.

Thank you to you both for the lovely presents.

Jose

Sentiment only

2008-11-11T08:18:00.003Z

This weeks challenge at Penny Blacks is to use a Penny Black sentiment stamp and no other images. So As I only have one Penny Black sentiment stamp it had to be 'Happy Birthday', I embossed it with gold, used yellow and cream striped backing paper and made my own flowers, the centres are stickles and finished it off with brown ribbon and some gold stars.

Thank you for looking

Jose

We Three Kings

2008-11-09T13:58:00.004Z

This week challenge at Stamp Something is Simple Somethings. Make a card using only one layer of cardstock. It can be embellished, stamped, or coloured, anything you wish, but you must only use one layer. Wow! something I can do, so here it is.

I used a stampin up stamp from the Holy Triptych set, heat embossed it with gold, coloured it with watercolour pencils. The sentiment was computer generated with Park Avenue BT font, and then finished off with ribbon.

Thank you for looking ... Jose

First try at Spirelli

2008-11-07T18:47:00.005Z

I had a fantastic day out yesterday, I went to Somerton to a monthly Trefoil craft club, this week I tried Spirelli for the first time, well yes I have a card to show but just wish I could show you some of the cards that Ann our tacher made, they really had the 'WOW' factor, anyway here is one I made.

and one showing the detail

this is something I want to do again, I found it quite relaxing, but a strain on my eye.

Thank you for looking ... Jose