Oh boy

Like many of you I struggle with men/boys cards but this one came to me in a flash. It was inspired by Joanne's article in the Craft Stamper. She made some lovely tent cards with a hidden messsage. It was the tent shape that got me thinking. I've made tent cards before but I've always stuck the concertina base inside the card. I didn't see that you could use the fold that was already on your card to form the concertina. Strange how people see things that you miss but that's what's so good about crafting. Someone (not usually me!) is always thinking outside the box. Anyway I had a go at this quicker method and made this.

 Colouring courtesy of my Distress Inks.
Then I thought I'd have a go at making one with a pull out message but I forgot to photo the message so you will just have to believe me when I say the butterfly pulls up and says "with love" .....honest.

And then another

and another

and then I stopped otherwise I would have a campsite full!!

Back to my roots

I don't do this often enough...getting inky. I love making my own backgrounds but I'm usually in a rush and just reach out for a 6x6 pad of paper. But this time I spent a while brayering Distress ink onto white card until ......it was white no longer. Then I've overstamped with a range of stamps, Tim Holtz and Crafty Individuals. The card is grandly called a Tri Fold Cascade.  It took a bit of time to make but I'm really pleased with the result.

 

Thanks for dropping by.

Acetate...friend or foe

I'm not a great fan of acetate but that could be because I haven't used it very much, plus I'm way too messy. But when one of my students brought in a natty concertina card. It had a concertina base with an acetate sleeve. How cute I thought maybe I could adapt it to my style (not sure what my style is lol). So here's what I made. Not sure how good the photos are as acetate is a devil to photograph. 

I've used Hero Arts stamps which I've paper pieced. The sentiment is Lily of the Valley.

 This one has a Crafty Individuals image mounted on a nestie heart. This sentiment is from Verve stamps.
Maybe I will give acetate another go.  

All folded up

Classes have started up and I thought we'd start with something simple after the Christmas break. A very underrated Z fold card. By simply folding back the front of your card you give it a whole new dimention. Any size or shape card can be used and  you can decorate it to suit your own style.

 Then I saw an idea on Dawn's blog where she had turned the Z card and then mounted it back onto a square card. Loved this and tried it out using Kraft cardstock which is a favourite at the moment.

Then I got to thinking what about small cards?

All in all a really versitile style of card.

Five O Five O

This week a dear friend reached that mile stone in life that we don't talk about. So here's his card.
Over the hill? .....not yet.     Happy Birthday Pete

Look what I've found

Have you ever found something too late. I was just packing away our Christmas decorations when I came across these beautiful cones that  made at our last Glue and Stick. I've gone for a non traditional colour but I thought the pink was really pretty with the Victorian images. Ah well they'll keep for next year.

 Idea came from the hugely talented Effie
I'm so lucky to have some fabulously talented crafty friends (you get such lovely goodies at Christmas)  Here's a couple of the hand made gifts I got.Thanks girls.

 Thanks for dropping by I'm hoping this is my last Christmas themed post. I'm definitely Christmased out!

Not a Christmas card

For the last couple of years I have been giving my friends something other than a card at Christmas. I started with Christmas baubles, then a hangy thingy and this year a decorated heart. All different and they loved them. I think I may have set myself a challenge but hey I can always revert back to cards!

Thanks Gail for the idea. If you need inspiration then her blog is a joy.