Christmas Card Club. Challenge 25. Dies-Cuts

 Well here we are at our last Challenge before Christmas. Our dear Shaz has asked for Die-Cuts to be used for this Challenge.  I really thought I wouldn’t manage this one as it’s been a terrible week with one thing and another. But after I was chatting to my dear friend Kate today, she gave me a stern talking too and said I should make an effort, so Kate here is my card made from dies and card that I could reach as craft room was out of bounds. 

 

This card is all dies that were previously cut  and the stardust card again was stuck on the card. probably meant for something else. but at least I made a card.  Hope you all enjoy the Festive Season in a way that keeps you safe. Merry Christmas.  Hugs Rita xxx

Christmas Card Club: Challenge 24 is Deer

  Good Morning All. Hope you are all well, especially with everything that’s going on at the moment . After a hectic day yesterday fighting with my printer and I gave up on it in the late afternoon. However, I did manage to make two cards for Gwen’s Challenge and she would like to see deer. My cards were from a Hunkydory set from years ago and had never been opened so now was my chance to use them. Both cards are made using craft card matted and layered with coloured card before adding the beautiful Reindeer. Not what I intended to use but I am quite pleased to have used up some more of my unused stash. Stay Safe everyone and I’ll be back soon. Hugs Rita xxx

Oval Christmas Card

 Good Morning folks. Hope this finds you all well and making arrangements for the Christmas Season . This year will be so different for us all as the country fights this terrible pandemic that is determined to stay with us. However, it’s good news that the vaccine is in final stages and hopefully some of us will get it before Christmas. My card today is a Die cut card by Card-making Magic and cuts like a dream. I found it made up very quickly and with the additions of a bow and the sentiment my card was finished, Sending Hugs to you All and I’ll be back soon. Hugs Rita xxxx

Christmas Card Club. Challenge 23 is Stencils.

 Hi Everyone, hope you are all well in these terrible times. I certainly can't see an end to it for some time to come. At least us crafter's have plenty to occupy us during this pandemic. 

Well Rachel has asked for Stencils for this challenge and I have chosen a stencil from Imagination Crafts. a lovely stencil of a Christmas tree that again I used Silver Sparkle Medium also from Imagination. My card is 8 X 8 and I added an embossing folder to white card and matted it on to the card with a snowflake paper before adding the stencilled Christmas tree. Finished it off with handmade Poinsettia and some Holly sprays. Looking forward to seeing the other ladies cards.  Stay Safe. Hugs Rita. Xxxxx

Christmas Card Club. Challenge 22: Snowmen.

 Hello again Folks, here we are again nearly into November already. Hope you are All well and like me doing more crafting to pass the time. it is margarets turn to choose the theme for today and she would like to see snowmen on our cards. I manaaged two cards for this one both using very old stamps from years ago. Both cards are 6 x 6 and stamped and coloured with water colours, added some sparkle and a few embellishments to finish my cards. Looking forward to seeing what the other ladies have done.  Stay Safe and look after each other.  Hugs Rita xxx

Artist Bear called Gansey

 Hi again, well my heart returned to my years of making  Teddy Bears, and after breaking my Wrist in 3 places I found it hard turning the cotter-pin joints. So I thought I would try and create a 9” bear. He was born last night totally hand stitched and I worked on him from Sunday. He is made from Cream Alpaca, he has black glass eyes and is wearing a hand knitted sweater ( Gansey ) as that is what jumpers were called many years ago. I think I might just create another one. Hope you enjoy seeing him too. Hugs Rita xxxxx.  

 

 

Christmas Card Club : Theme is Santa.

 Here we are and another 2 weeks have gone by. Hope everyone is Staying Safe and Well. Things don’t look as if this virus is going away anytime soon. My dear friend Kate has chosen the theme and she would like to see Santa on our cards.  I have two Santa cards for this Challenge even though I don’t have any youngsters to send them too.  The first one is Rubber stamp that is years old but he is one of the nicest Santa’s , the second card was a kit card from a long time ago as you can see from the Mrs Santa’s clothes. Looking forward to seeing what the other ladies have done. Stay Safe Everyone. Hugs Rita xx

Male/Female Birthday Cards.

 Hello my love friends and followers. hope you all well and taking care during this awful virus. It just seems to be here forever. I had a couple of birthday cards to make recently and thought you might like to see what I made. The first one was for a dear friend who was 60 and the second one was for one of my best friends. both cards were 8 x 8 . I use JND stamps from last year as they always look nice when finished, the second one made using an Elizabeth Creations die set and a sentiment from her as well. added the roses with a hand made bow just to finish it off.  off to make some Poinsettias now for Christmas cards. Speak to you soon again.  Hugs Rita xxx

Christmas Card Club. Gifts, Ribbons and Bows

 Hello Everyone, Its hard to believe that 2 weeks have passed . we have been so lucky with the weather this last 2 weeks too. North of Scotland had different weather seemingly. 

Anyway back to the chosen them for today and it was chosen by our lovely member Zoe and she would like to see Gifts, Ribbons or Bows. I have made 4 cards but all with Ribbon Bows. The first one and the 3rd 0ne were created by myself  and the other two were up-cycled. I saved so many beautiful cards over the years and as I have two grandchildren at University I thought I would make some of them up for their friends as the cost for decent cards can be very expensive. Sorry I'm having to publish this post early as I cannot for the life of me find where to schedule my posts.  Take Care and Stay safe. Hugs Rita xxx

 

Christmas Card Club. Is Sentiments

 Hello again, and thank you for your patience too. I’m having trouble with my PC so hopefully I can manage to put my card on using my I-Pad. Terrible weather the last few days and the nights are now drawing in too.

 My chosen theme for this challenge is Sentiments and so my card is part vintage using my friend Astrid’s lovely papers available from her Etsy shop. I layered some craft card on to an 8 x 8 cars then used the vintage paper, both were distressed with Ground Espresso ink. my sentiment was added to a piece of die cut red card and the MDF corners were from Calico crafts a few years ago. I thought the addition of the tartan bow just finished it off nicely. Looking forward to seeing what my other teamies have done. Hope you enjoyed this challenge as much as I did. Hugs Rita xxxxx 

 

Circular canvas

Good morning to All. This is my first post for a while as I considered whether or not to give up my crafting. But here I am again showing a Canvas I made during one of Tracy Evans online workshops. I really enjoyed this and it did help such a lot to reignite my love of crafts.   Lots of textures to see and feel. The paint colours were my own choice and the Bird of Paradise flowers and pot just added to my finished canvas. Hope you are all well after a difficult year so far.   Take care and Stay safe.  Hugs Rita xxx                                  

Christmas Card Club challenge14: Winter Animals

Hello Everyone. Thought I was not going to make this one, as we as a family had a funeral yesterday at the Lake District and being in Scotland we had to drive down and return all on the same day. To say I was tired was an understatement. My Son-in-Law did all the driving in the worst weather conditions I've seen in a long time. However we got home safely and that's what matters most.
Our card theme was chosen by our lovely member Shaz and she would like to see Winter Animals. I used a Penny Black stamp of my favourite little skating hedgehogs enjoying some fum on the ice. It is a shaker card but photo quality was not the best. I coloured with Faber Castell pencils, added a mount and used acetate over the aperture to get a shaker card. A sentiment and a few sprigs of holly and now I have a card for Shaz's challenge.  This weather is so depressing along with all the other thing we are having to contend with at the moment too.  Stay Safe my Lovely Friends. Hugs Rita xxx

Pink Iris card

Hi Everyone. Here is one of my DL cards inspired by Tracy Evans. I fell in love with her stamps on AALL& Create. During lockdown she has been so kind to show some fantastic tutorials on her FaceBook page. I have learned so much and in particular working with mediums again.  Hope you like this simple card using a few of her stamps. Terrible weather here in Ayrshire Scotland today, but its shown to pick up in to high temperatures by mid week.  Hugs Rita xx

CCC Challenge 13 : Sentiment only

Hello Again Everyone. Here we are and another two weeks have past, so now we are on to the Lovely Christmas Card Club Challenge 13,  chosen by our lovely Christine and she would like to see  Sentiments as the focal point on our cards. I do love cards with nice sentiments and I think they catch your eye even more. My first card was 6" X 8" and I used dies to set the frame, Lovely gold card matted on to white then another layer of gold . Then used an Inkylicious stamp from years ago and embossed it with Stuart Gill Midas Touch embossing powder. finished off with a red organza bow. my second card is the same size matted and layered in white and silver. I glittered the edges of each piece with Unicorn Sparkle glitter. I fussy cut both the sentiment and the red mirri card and edged them as well. with the addition of some Holly I finished my card. Thanks to Christine for such a great challenge.  Stay Safe Everyone.  Hugs Rita xx

Christmas Card Club Challenge 12. Snowflakes

Here we are in to June now. Gosh aren't the months just flying by.  I trust everyone is keeping well, all apart from our own Elizabeth and her lovely husband Alan who have both been hospitalized with Covid-19.  Happy to say that they are now at home recuperating and hopefully feeling a little bit better.
Anyway, this fortnight it's Gwen's turn to choose our theme and she would love to see Snowflakes on our cards.  I managed two again both using embossing folders and lots of lovely glitter. I have inserted a scene from some used cards and both cards got a bow.  Beautiful weather here for over two weeks but seemingly its more rain on the way, so It will save me from watering the garden just as much. Take Care everyone and Stay Safe.  Hugs Rita xxx

Christmas Card Club. Challenge 11 is Humour

Here we are again two week have now gone and we in Scotland are still in Lockdown. Not that I'm complaining, I am not reassured enough to want to go anywhere.
Now we are in Challenge 11, and Rachel chose the theme of Humour. I had to revert to images for this one as out of the hundreds of stamps I have, yes, non with humour (Sod's Law ). My first card I though was fun and of course that's why I chose it. A white base with layers of Kraft card and brown card.  made a label and tied with some hessian. My second card is cream card layered with red card, then my sentiment edged with glitter. I do hope these are okay for your challenge Rachel.  Keep Safe Everyone. Hugs Rita xxx

Vintage Cushion and Mini Model

Hi Everyone. Hope you are all ok as things can be very difficult for us all during this time in our lives.  Last week was my precious daughter Annie's birthday, and most off you who know her will also know how much she adores vintage.
Well this is what I made, an 18" X 18" cushion. All of it was made from very old lace, doileys, anti-macassers ( chair backs ) and embroidery pieces from the early days. most of it was hand sewn apart from the calico cushion itself that I made to hold all these bits and pieces from years long gone. The Mini model was also designed and created by me and sometimes I felt totally out of my depth, fingers took their toll with all the hand sewing. I had to make the little coat-hanger too. Hope you like it as much as Annie did. The card was made before I started sewing, so at least I never had to think about it.  Stay Safe my Friends.  Hugs Rita xxx

Christmas Club Challenge.10. Door/Window

Hello Again my lovely Friends and fellow crafters.   Once again time has gone like the clappers and 2 weeks since our last Challenge.
Well, Margaret would love to see a Door or a Window and I'm afraid I don't have either, so for me it will be Anything Goes and again I found a very old wooden stamp that all those years ago I loved and it has been in a box to go to our Local Hospice craft group.   Both cards are using the same stamp. one is embossed and the other has been stamped and coloured. My box is getting quite full already and it's only May.  Stay Calm and Carry on Crafting.  Hugs Rita xxxx

CCC Challenge 9. Baubles

Hello again, the weeks are flying in, even although we are in Lockdown.. Our Christmas Card Club challenge has been chosen by Kate , and she would love to see Baubles on our cards. the stamp I have chosen for both my cards is an old wood based stamp that I'm sure some of you will recognize. The first card is an 8 X 8 white card matted with gold card. I stamped the image with Versamark and used Wow twinkling lights gold embossing powder, (sorry the picture is not showing it up ). I added a gold bow to compliment the card. My second card I used the same stamp again using Clair nocturne ink. Matted with red mirri card . Hope you are all well and Staying Safe. Our next challenge we will be into May, unbelievable really.  Hugs Rita xxxx

Orange Teasel card

Hello Again.  Yes I'm back again with a card this time. Using the same technique as before and using the Teasel stamp again. The background was made using 3 colours of Distress Oxides , and after adding a good spray of water I smooshed the card in the paints a couple of times. I then mounted it on to a piece of black card and added my teasel piece. I gave it just a quick light brush of the glitter brushes from Craft Artist using gold. The sentiments came along with the Teasel stamp set. Really enjoying mt crafting again and trying new things.  Please Stay Safe my friends.. Hugs Rita xx

My Canvas from Tracy Evan's Workshop

Hello Everyone. Isn't this a beautiful spell of weather at the moment. It certainly helps us All during this Pandemic.
Well, I found time to enjoy an Online workshop held by the talented Tracy Evans. And I loved every bit of it. I learned so many new ideas and had a great time. The Workshops are held over two mornings from 10-12 and we all had fun, meeting new friends and some old ones too.  If you get a chance and would like to join the next one, it is on the 25th and 26th of April and we are making a notebook at this class. I found it ideal for me during some days that were not as good as others. I'm absolutely fine now and have been doing lots of other things as well. Most of you know there is not many things that I have not tried ( I call myself a Dabbler of Crafts ). So Head over to Facebook and find Tracy Evans.  Enough of my ramblings for today then. Off to do some sewing now.  Stay Safe and continue Crafting..  Hugs Rita xx

CCC Challenge 8. Critters

Well where did that 2 weeks go. It's a month now since I have been out. It's like being in a Bubble, where I feel safe from the world outside during this awful crisis. Hope you and yours are all well and Staying Safe.
This Challenge was chosen by the lovely Maureen and she would like to see Critters on our cards. I have managed 3 cards for this challenge. The first one is 8 X 8 and it was a decoupage kit from years ago. the other 2 are 6 X 6 and again are decoupage from Sno-Gnomes.  I really enjoyed making them too.  Please Stay Safe and enjoy your Crafting.  Hugs Rita xxx

New Techniques card

Good Morning All. Hope you are all well and finding time to craft in the terrible situation we are placed in .Pleased to tell you I have found my lost mojo again and been learning some new techniques as well. Learning new things has been so good for me and brought me in to touch with my card making. So much so that my card box is filling up again after being empty for nearly 2 years.
So here is my recent card inspired by the lovely Tracy Evans who I have had the pleasure to meet, and joined her and my friend Anne Redfern for a day of fun two years ago.  Need to stop babbling and show you yesterdays card. all using Tracy's stamps and stencils. Hope you enjoy seeing my card.  Stay Safe Rita xxxx

Wild flower card

Hello everyone. My card today was made usin stamps by Tracy Evans at ALL&Create. I actually started by trying her alcohol ink technique and that of course led me to making a card. I have fell head over heels with her fabulous stamps and my collection is growing fast and furious too.  Hope you like what I've done.  Sending Love & Hugs to you All.  Rita xxxx.                                                                

Christmas Card Club. Christmas Candles

Hello Everyone.  Hope you are all staying safe and obeying all the rules as advised by our government at this terrible time.  Little did we know that whilst we were celebrating Christmas and New Year that our Spring was going to be like this.   I am seriously Self Isolating and glad at least I have a garden.  So please Stay Safe and enjoy your crafting or any other hobbies that you enjoy. 

So this Challenge was chosen my me and I would like to see Candles on your cards. I used the same stamp to make 2 different  cards. The stamp was by Heartfelt Creations from a good few years ago  and was the only candle stamp I could find. First one is an 8 X 8 card matted with gold card before I added my candle stamp that I heat embossed with gold EP. The sentiment was from Cottage crafts and the Large Poinsettia was TH dies embossed with print.  The second card was stamped with onyx black ink and coloured with Izink pens. Matted on to blanks I bought many years ago from Kanban warehouse. Hope you all enjoyed making your cards for this Challenge and the next one will be into April. Please Stay Safe until this terrible situation gets better and we are released into the safe world again.   Hugs Rita xxxx

Christmas Card Club. Challenge6. Wreath

Hello to Everyone . Another wet morning here, amongst everything else we are having to deal with at the moment.  Hope you are all well and trying your best to keep clear of Covid 19.  We really just have to take precautions and see this terrible virus out. Meantime keep crafting.
Here we are with Challenge 6 this morning and it was our lovely colleague Lorraines turn to choose the theme, and she would like to see Garlands or Wreaths. My card was made in a bit of a rush as I was dog sitting my sons spaniel Olly.  However I managed to make a Wreath using a stamp from a magazine to create a card and coloured it with Artezia pencils as they were on my desk.and with the addition of some beautiful La Blanche stick ons,  and a pretty red bow I finished my card.  Keep Safe and Well.   Hugs Rita xxxx

Display Stand Card

Good Morning to Friends and Followers.  Now this is my first go at using Eileen Hulls Display Stand to make a card.  I added a card that I smooshed with Oxide inks to give me a background that I could work on.  So after I was satisfied with colours etc,  I distressed the edges and added some bits and pieces from a La Blanche set I recently purchased.  I added a few bits of old lace and a few black gems, with a bow to the lady's hat. The paper on the base was from a paper pad in the same kit. I made a paper flower to add . A really easy card to create and it does fold flat for posting. I really enjoyed putting this one together. Hope you are all keeping well and staying safe. Just enjoy your crafty time.  Hugs Rita xxx

Passion Flower card Inspired by Tracy Evans

Good Afternoon Folks. Ive had my lovely Daughter Carolyn and my Grand-daughter Molly here this week.  They both were here on a mission to redesign the downstairs toilet and what a great job they did too . Funny how family can really surprise you with all the talents they all have. Totally different from any of mine.
Anyway, I have fallen in love with all Tracy Evans new stamps that she designed for ALL & Create. So this is one that I actually made last week, but I only have had time now to show you what Ive done. The background was one I'd made previously using Distress inks and then I stamped the Passion flower stamp in Versafine Onyx Black before colouring using my Artezia Pencils.. The sentiment is from the same stamp set.  I used dark Purple card for matting and layering before adding the finished card.  Hope things are getting a bit better for anyone caught up in the recent flooding. In Scotland we have had a week of beautiful sunshine and blue skies. Washing got dried outside for the first time this year.  Hugs Rita xxx

Christmas Card Club Challenge 5. PostBox or Mailbox

Hello Everyone. How on earth did we get to March already. Its certainly made a difference see the the mornings and evenings getting a bit lighter. Our little group make Christmas cards all year round, so to us we still have fun making our cards. This time it was Mrs A (Avril ) as we know her. She would love to see Post Box or Mail Box on our cards. So the only postbox stamp I had was a woodware stamp and I stamped it on to red card and cut it out. I used a holly paper and a sentiment stamp that I have had for years and added both the postbox and the sentiment on to my card. The little bell was lying on my desk so I thought I would add that too. I've added a second card as the image again was on my desk so I made it into another card for my Christmas box.  Another storm is on its way I hear, so batten down the hatches and stay safe. I'm out to lunch tomorrow so I may be a bit late in getting round your blogs to see what you've all done.  Love & Hugs Rita xxxx

A Little Paper Journal

Hello Again, I have been back in my Craft Room, probably something to do with awful depressing weather of late. Just to warn you this post is just a little bit photo heavy because its a journal.  Last Thursday Annie and I had a Craft Day with our very close friend Astrid McLean  who most of you will know already through her Art Work. However, it was Annie that decided she would show us how to make this little journal and it was such fun to make. Mine is a Junk Journal as its mainly bits and pieces Ive kept for years meaning someday to use them up. We really had so much fun making them too. Anything goes is probably a good title for mine. I have lots of journals to finish all at different stages and for different things. I'll just get on and show you what I have done. It measures 4" X 4" and I used a Nepalese Mountain cloth paper for mine, but you could use Kraft card as that would be nice too, then just do whatever you like. The title on mine says it all.  Hope you enjoy seeing my post for today. Meantime stay cosy and warm as I guess we are in for more challenging weather.  Hugs Rita xxx