Michele's Magazine Review & Mrixed crafts

Good Morning Ladies,

Welcome to another Mixed Craft Saturday, this one has the added bonus of including Michele's Magazine Review too.

First photo today is of a card I made using a new (to me) technique, I made the background with Distress Oxides, I smooshed some into my craft mat, instead of spritzing with just water I used water with a little pearl mica powder in, so as well as having a great multicoloured background, it now shimmers too, it looks fantastic but I couldn't catch the shimmer very well I with the camera. I love how the colours worked togther, I then took my background piece trimmed it and placed it upon a piece of white embossed with the SU Woodgrain Embossing Folder and then onto a card base made with Mint Macaron card as it matched the colours in the distressed background beautifully.  I then added a Dragonfly trail.
It's a different look for me, I hope you like it . XXX

Michele's Magazine Review

Thank you so much Michele for an amazing review. 

XXX

 Pat

Pat treated herself to some new Groovi Plates, what a lovely selection, I saw Pat using them in the week and the flowers she did were amazing, so detailed too.

Pat also shared the Flintstones cake that her Granddaughter Amy made for her boyfriend Matty.  I took her hours but my goodness it was worth every minute, so much incredible detail, she could make these professionally Pat !! 

Thanks so much for sharing your shopping and Amy's amazing cake.

XXX

Lynda

Lynda had a go at making up her new John Lockwood Sandwich Box, Lynda it's stunning, I love all the detail and it looks so beautiful all in white, what a perfect way to present something inexpensive and make it look a million Dollars! 

Thank you for sharing Lynda 

XXX

Cheryl

Cheryl was lucky enough to bag these fantastic Phil Martin stamps from a "Destash" site, heavens knows why they were on there not even a week after launch but who cares?! Cheryl was the lucky one, I absolutely love these stamps and may well treat myself at Ally Pally.

I can't wait to see what you create with them Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing.

XXX

Danielle

Danielle's latest make Is this stunning gift bag, perfect for men, it matches with the ''Man Card" she made for our last Challenge, for the tutorial please pop over to Dannii's blog....

http://craftingwithdanni.blogspot.co.uk/2018/03/mail-gift-bag-with-matching-tag.html

Thanks Dannii for sharing your bag. 

XXX

Thank you to everyone that took part today. XXX

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and hugs 

Sandra

xxxxxxx

Something Floral For Friday

Insert

Good Morning Ladies,

what have you all got planned for this Holiday weekend? We are having a quiet weekend at home, doing more sorting out. Our car is waiting to have its front brakes done as they started grinding on the discs on Tuesday, so it's not really usable, luckily Becca has gone away for a few days so we have her car, bit of a shock though, it's a new VW Polo,  a bit sporty and has a very loud speaker system which Sophie and Lucy love!!  It's not so easy for me to get into as it's so low, but we aren't going far so it will be fine, it's so handy to have the spare car. 

Today's Floral card was made using another of the Free Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, this one is called "Amazing You" and comes with matching thinlit dies.  

I stamped the flower three times in the top corner and once in the bottom, I also stamped them onto a sheet of Whisper White card and coloured them with the fantastic Stampin Blends, (alcohol pens), I used Dafodill Delight, Calypso Coral and Pumpkin Pie, I then fussy cut these coloured flowers out, I coloured the ones I stamped on my card too, I then decoupaged the coloured ones onto the matching ones on my card, I then die cut the "Amazing and You" in both black card and calypso coral and mounted one on top of each other and placed on the card base adding the "are simply" which was stamped onto some Daffodil Delight card and cut with the Banner  Punch, in the centre.  I added a few Irredescent Sequins to give some sparkle and swiped over everything with Wink of Stella sparkle pen. 

I hope you like the card, oh I almost forgot, I stamped the insert to match the front of the card.

We stocked up on coal for this weekend, it's got a lot colder this past couple of days and we have Snow forecast for Monday. !

Keep warm wherever you are ladies.

I hope you all get at least a little bit of crafting time. 

Sending love and hugs to all, 

Sandra

xxxxxx 

Cheryl's 'Man Challenge card & Pat's 70th birthday card

Cheryl's Man card

Pats card for Dave

Good Morning Friends,

First of all today I want to send all my love and hugs to Brenda & John, praying for a quick surgery and a speedy recovery!!  

Today's cards are both cards for men, both fantastic and both very different! 

Cheryl's card for her Dad features some lovely vintage background papers and vintage motorcycle images, I love you you used the vintage postcard for your Greeting label, brilliant idea! I am so pleased that your Dad loved his card. 

Thank you for taking the time to share your card my lovely. XXX

Pat's card for her Brother-in-law Dave for his 70th birthday was made using the Groovi Plate, this is such a versatile plate Pat, I have seen you make a couple of these cards for both ladies and Men, you can change some of the dangly bits to suit the cards recipient.  Your Groovi skills are getting better by the week, these cards are a really special gift as they take such a long time to create, the 'white work' is a real labour of love as you have to do a bit, leave it a while for the parchment to relax and then do a bit more and so on.  Really worth it though, amazing card Pat.

Today is the last day of school for the girls, they will be going back to stressful few weeks as they start their Actual A level exams, I don't think that the Easter break will be much of a holiday for them as they have so much work and revision to do.  I hope they schedule some fun time, Lucy can be very regimented when it comes to revision timetables. 
We have plenty to keep us busy over the long weekend, I'm sure this weather is getting colder though, I was really cold last night.  I do hope the sun shines this weekend.

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx

Beautiful Blossoming Basket

Good Morning Ladies,

Today's card is another Challenge card, I just love this 'TicTacToe', it's really versatile.
I went for another Spring theme card, they are just so bright and cheerful, a card to make you smile!

To make this card I used one of the Free Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, this one is called
'Blossoming Baskets' and it comes with a 'Basketweave' embossing folder that has the deepest emboss I have ever seen!  It's a really thick folder, I think Sue was as amazed as I was at the depth of the embossing. 
I stamped the Basket with Memento ink and coloured the image with my 'Stampin Blends', using Dafodill Delight for the flowers and Old Olive for the foliage, I coloured the basket with 'Crumb Cake' ink and a Blender Pen, I then fussy cut this image (without the overhanging foliage) and then stamped it again and decoupaged the fussy cut basket over the stamped one, giving the basket dimension. I matted this onto a square of Dafodill Delight card, layered my base card with Dafodill Delight and then added my basketweave embossed piece, I layered my basket topper onto the card front and added some 'Crushed Curry' Satin ribbon with a bow and my sentiment, which I stamped and die cut with a flag die, layered onto Daffodil Delight and Old olive flags.
I hope it makes you smile too! XXX

This challenge card uses categories Yellow/Dry Embossing/flowers

I can't wait to see what you all design!

Sue and I had a lovely day, lots of chatting and crafting Sue got on with her challenge card and made today's card. We covered an unbelievable range of topics from Bee's (Keeping and honey), holidays, microwaves and Jacket potatoes and that was in the first hour!  I am looking forward to the results of Sue and Margaret's Glue trials, they are trying different glues and making notes on them and they will let us know their findings.
I can report that Margaret really likes the Colall Glue and Sue wasn't keen on Tonic glue as it made every thing tacky, including Sue's fingers!

Pat is coming over today, so more crafty fun and chatting for me!!

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and hugs,

Sandra
xxxxxxx

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Good Morning Ladies,

I ordered this stamp set a while ago but it was in Back Order, it's called Tranquil Tulips (Stampin'Up!), I love Tulips but sadly they don't last very long once they open but now I can look at them all year round!
I stamped the tulip heads in 'Peekaboo Peach' and 'So Saffron',
The stems in Old Olive, the little flowers in Calypso Coral.
I thought I would add sentiment sideways for a different look.
I matted onto Peekaboo Peach card and made my card base in the same card. To finish I added a few Pastel Irredescent Sequins, for a little sparkle.

This uses categories: Yellow /Flowers/Sequins

We had another beautiful spring day here yesterday, I had a frustrating day though, I made another Magic Window Card to demonstrate on Tutorial video, then cut another two ready to assemble, I started to record, got all of base card made and I heard a beeping noise, at first I thought it was my Gemini, then I looked up to see the camera flashing 'Memory Card Full', I could have cried, it was acgoid job we are detached and I was home alone!! Obviously having just moved I couldn't find the Memory card reader to clear the card, so I ordered another from Amazon and will try again today, before Sue comes, let's hope she doesn't find me having a tantrum like a two year old like I did yesterday!  Fingers crossed Ladies!! X

Val I was sorry to read that Paul is closing the restaurant, I guess it's too many memories and maybe too much work, the sad thing is keeping busy there would probably help him as he would be surrounded by friends, but I guess he knows what's best for him. I hope the new venue will work as well for you all.

Sending love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxxx

Monday Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Good Monday Morning Friends,

Such a lovely Spring day yesterday, I spent time in the garden supervising Paul while he put the washing line up, I bit my lip but I think it will definitely need concreting in, he is hoping to avoid doing it so it's easy to take down when we next move. Although after these past few months the thought of moving again makes me feel sick, so it won't be anytime soon!  It was so lovely to see the washing blowing on the line though.  We also managed another trip to the Household Waste Recycling centre with some more cardboard etc, it was really busy there, we have to make sure we have a utility bill in the car as you have to prove you live in Swindon area to use the centre, we have never had to do that before. 

I spent a couple of hours in my craft room preparing for the Magic Window tutorial, I had to make another sample card as the one I made last week was for Paul's Mum's birthday, so I don't have it to demonstrate at the start of the video, so I made another one and then cut out the pieces for the one I will put together in the tutorial.  There's more to making these tutorials than you think, I am excited to get started though.

Now onto this week's Challenge, I decided early yesterday morning that I would go for a Tic Tac Toe Challenge, mainly because it doesn't matter what cards you have to make you can incorporate them into the categories in the grid.
I used a card that a made a couple of weeks ago it uses categories Yellow/Die cut/Flowers. 
I have lots of ideas for this particular challenge so watch this space, I also thought with it featuring yellow and other fun categories like sequins it would be good for any Easter cards that you still have to make.
I hope you like the Challenge.

Janet I am so sorry to read that you had such a troubled start to your break, thank goodness you were there to catch it before too much damage was done, although when you had problems a few years back the local people were really kind and helpful I seem to remember.  You must be so frustrated not having access to your laptop, don't worry about the challenge though, I'm sure I have I can find one of your cards that would fit the challenge.  I will say that I do all my blogging from my tablet though, mainly because I can take photos and upload straight to the blog, rather than faffing about connecting camera and uploading to laptop.  I like things that are easy!
I hope the worst of the mess is cleared and that you and Jim can finally relax. Xxx

Margaret you are doing a fantastic job taking over the reigns from Janet, your rice pudding was delicious!  How many of you like a blob of jam in your rice pudding? What about the skin?? My family aren't keen, they will eat the tinned kind after its been chilled but not home made.  My favourite is making it with coconut milk and serving with Mango! Yum. XXX

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxxx

Your Challenge Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

Another busy, busy day here at the 'Riley Residence', lots of unboxing, reboxing and packing stuff in the loft.

I managed (with Paul's help) to get my Video camera up and ready to film tutorials, I can't wait to get started, if there is anything in particular you would like to see then please let me know.

Right lets get on with this weeks challenge, you absolutely smashed this challenge, I am so excited to share so many amazing 'Man' cards, I think that you can safely say that making MAN cards is no longer a Challenge!! 

Here are your cards.......

Brenda

Brenda has made a fantastic Man card using a selection of Stampin Up! products, tools are the perfect embellishment for a man's card as although some men may not drink beer or play golf most men use tools at some point whether fixing a car or doing DIY, 

Brenda I know you have had a super hectic week or so, so I really appreciate the time you took to make your challenge card. Thank you so much.

XXX

Danielle

Danielle was a little hesitant when I told her that the theme of this weeks challenge was 'Man' cards,

she told me that she didn't really have anything to make a Man card!  Within an hour or so my phone 'pinged' and this card was on my screen! These cards are both made with SU papers, the shirt is made with a piece of white card Embossed with 'Petal Pair Impressions' embossing folder, which works perfectly, I love the bow ties too, as usual all the details for these cards are featured on Dannii's blog.

Thank you so much for taking part Danielle.

XXX

Michele

Michele has made 3 amazing challenge cards for this weeks 'Man Card' challenge, the first is made with a grass backing paper and a football die cut.  The second card was Phil's birthday card this year, Michele chose this image as it featured Phil's favourite drink! Michele's third card is a lovely linen textered card matted onto layers of black card and embellished with a 'Tuck In' die cut and a fabulous 'Happy Birthday'

die cut, I love the font Michele!

Thank you so much for managing 3 cards while preparing for your boot sale.

XXX

Karen

Karen has made two absolutely amazing 'Man' challenge cards this week, they are both brilliant, the first card has so much incredible detail.  The second card is a really fun card, so nice to see a fun sentiment too.

Here is Karen's description.....

"Two male cards for you

The first is a variation of one on a CD-ROM I won on C&C from a Serif show made for a guy at work It has Tom Holtz dies covered in gilding flakes and has Nuvo drops that I made into screw heads by marking with a pokey tool after it’d dried for a bit The second is a design I created in Serif and used SW bow for the bow tie Both of the cards are decoupaged but doesn’t really show in photo"

Thank you so much for two fabulous cards Karen.

XXX

Lynda

Lynda has been super busy, making three amazing challenge card for this weeks challenge, the first card was made using the Stampin'Up! Vertical Greetings stamp set, Lynda's second card was made using a selection of background stamps to build up a fun, modern card.  The third card was used the same 'tuck in' die cut that Michele used on one of her cards, the frame of this card has so much detail and texture, the cogs were made with a Cog die from China which Lynda has embossed and then used Pebeo Gilding wax. 

Three amazing cards Lynda, thank you so much.

XXX

Janet 

Janet has sent in two cards for this weeks challenge, the first card is just so calming to look at, it features a stunning tree scene, I think that the sentiment ''Sometimes its good to just Slow the wheel down'', which is very true!  Janet's second card features a woodgrain embossed background with a papparazzi style stamped image with a matching sentiment.

Two fantastic cards Janet thank you so much for rushing to get them done before you went away.

XXX

Maria

Maria has also made two fabulous Man cards for this weeks challenge, the first is a really fun card featuring a  gardener with a Hoe over his shoulder, adding the fence is such a fab idea, the sentiment makes the card though.

Maria's second card features a die cut bottle that Maria has embossed, the seal on the bottle neck gives it a really authentic look.  A fantastic card for a man Maria!!

Thank you very much Maria for taking part in this weeks challenge.

XXX

 Margaret

Margaret has made two fantastic challenge cards this week, the first features the 'Woodland' Embossing folder from SU that Margaret has coloured with blue and green ink, I love how subtle the colours are Margaret, it really does work, a fantastic card!  The second card uses a background that Margaret created on her first ever play with Distress Oxides and water, how clever to use it as a sky scene,it takes a really creative mind to see things like that,  brilliant card Margaret.

Thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

 Sue

Sue, I always get excited when I see an email from you titled 'CC'!! I absolutely love this card, its amazing how much depth and texture you can create on a totally 'flat' card, using clever inking and then first and second generation stamping. The soaring bird is positioned perfectly and i love that 'Happy Birthday' stamp!

Thank you so much for taking part in this weeks challenge.

XXX

 Val

Val's Man card is fantastic, where do I begin? Val has started with her own stamped background paper upon which is a Map style backing paper, (brilliant idea), a pierced flag die cut frames the sentiment, Val has backed this with red to tie in with the background and the car. Then there is that fantastic car, it reminds me of the car in 'Starsky & Hutch', which I vaguely remember, my mum and dad were avid fans, didn't one of them have a go a singing??.
I love your card, Val, thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

Once again an amazing display of cards, you are all amazing and I am as always HUGELY grateful.

Lilian I really miss seeing your amazing cards in our weekly display, I hope that you feel up to a little crafting very soon my lovely. xxx

I am off to my craft room to have a think about next week's challenge, anyone want to join me??!

Have a lovely Sunday dear friends,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxxx