Here Comes Santa Claus

I've used the WMS 'Twas the Night Before Christmas set to create this card - my first Christmas Card for 2015.  Claire has posted instructions for window construction on the Waltzing Mouse site.  I embossed the window with WOW! Earthtone Pepper on White cardboard and distressed with Gathered Twigs and Mustard Seed Distress Inks.  I applied Glossy Accents to the Windows so they had that old-fashioned bullion effect and the hearts on the shutters - 'cos all red hearts should have glossy accents don't you think!!!

I tried framing the poem a few different ways and in the end used this beautiful border die from the WMS Brogues die set.

I'm entering this card in the current Holly Jolly Challenge which has the theme of Here Comes Santa Claus this fortnight.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kate

Anchors Aweigh

When I saw this brilliant sketch from Freshly Made Sketches I knew I wanted to use it in a nautically themed card for my MIL.  Married to a naval commander for over 50 years, the sea is very much a part of her life.  Even now she refuses to fly and will only travel by ship.  I chose this sentiment from the WMS Safe Harbour Sentiments and my husband wanted the anchor image from WMS Ocean Bound included.  Rather than another pennant, I replaced it with two knotted strands of red and white baker's twine.  The stripes on the top were cut with the Papertrey Ink Chevron Stripes Border die.

Thanks for stopping by, especially if you take the time to comment.
Kate

Glossy Accenting

This week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is 

LOVE THIS TECHNIQUE

Applying Glossy Accents is definitely one of may favourite techniques - I love the shine and the depth it gives to an ordinary die cut.  Sprinkling a little glitter while it's still wet will also give a little sparkle and who doesn't like a little sparkle. 

Here I've applied Glossy Accents and sparkle to some stars and a chevron strip.  I've popped up the large star on an acetate spring (made simply by cutting and bending a thin strip of acetate packaging).  I came up with this idea a few weeks ago and it's definitely becoming another favourite technique to make die cuts pop (quite literally).  The spring folds flat for postage but pops up and wiggles when opened.

The stamp used for the sentiment panel is from Waltzing Mouse Stamps Man of the Hour.  I selectively inked up various parts of the stamp using Sellotape and stamped these separately (using WOW! Mandarin and Blueberry embossing powders and Salty Ocean Distress Ink) to build up the complete sentiment. The beauty of clear stamps is you can line them up perfectly.  Not sure I love this technique - it's a bit fiddly but I wanted to use more than one colour and I couldn't think of another way except for cutting up the stamp (sacrilege I know but I have been known to do it).

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

DIE CRAZY

I'm also entering this card in the current Male Room Challenge to use neon colours

Thanks for stopping by,

Kate