The Library Challenge #81 - Drink, Read & Be Happy..

Hi,

Happy Wednesday to you!

I haven't played along with a card challenge in quite a while, but I saw that The Library Challenge had restarted and I loved the inspiration image.. so I made a card for it :)

Here is the challenge inspiration.

I was inspired by the diagonal design, the colours and just the idea of reading.

I have had these new-to-me Avery Elle stamps (Feels Like Home & Feels Like Home addition) on my desk for a while and aren't they just perfect for this challenge!

I stamped the chair first, so I would know where to add my blue diagonal paper piece. After I had finished colouring my little scene, I decided to add the bottom blue strip to anchor the chair and the table.

The sentiment is by Unity Stamp Co and from the 'Chapter One' set and sums up how I feel after work each night, when I sit in the lanai with a drink and my book!

Fab challenge, so happy it's back and that I carved out time for a play.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #208 - Sweet Summer Colour Challenge...

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Retro Rubber challenge.

June already!

This time we are all about sweet summer colours - we want you to use at least 3 of the following 5 colours - yellow, pink/red, green, orange or brown.

These colours are so fun! I used yellow, pink AND red, green, orange and brown. LOL.. all of them in fact.

I used an MFT wave stencil with distress oxides to create the waves for my Octopus. I added a few bubbles for a little bit of added interest.

I love Octopus stamps and this one is one of my faves from the 'Mr Octopus' set by Sweet Stamp Shop (who are sadly no longer in business), I have had this set since 2017. The ice cream and lolly and sentiment are all from the Avery Elle set 'Skating By' that I have had since 2016 and I love all the small elements in this set.

He's so kooky I love him!

Will you be like me and use ALL of the colours? Can't wait to see your creations, don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends June 16th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #207 - Anything Goes...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time it's everyone's fave - Anything Goes.

I know everyone loves Anything Goes!

I had fun with this, I dug out one of my fave Lawn Fawn sets 'You are Sublime' - I have had it since 2018 and it has been a bit neglected!

I love Japanese art and I saw these random wave stamps that reminded me of the art and so I bought them early last year. I stamped one here and then to anchor it, I drew 2 contrasting lines under the wave using Sakura glitter gelly roll pens.

I stamped and coloured the submarine from the LF set and popped it up and added the sentiment and the bubbles also from the set. 

I love mini slim as a format and I think it works really well here.

I can't wait to see what you will decide to play with, pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT has made.

Challenge ends June 2nd.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #206 - Tic Tac Toe...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time we have a Tic Tac Toe board for you.

I had fun with this, this card is actually for my MIL (her birthday is today!). I went with Birthday / Flowers / Your choice (watercolour).

Recently I have been pulling out the stamps I got as part of the 3 day SCT crop and create last March. This stamp set is called 'Beautifully You' and is actually by SCT. I used my fave Altenew watercolour brush pens and a waterbrush to colour the stamp. Super easy and really very therapeutic.

Here is a little close-up, you can see the gold ink splatter that I added.

Which row will you choose? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends May 19th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #205 - Get your sketch on...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time we have a fun sketch for you.

I love sketches! I have seen a lot of cards recently with this folded-over corner, it showcases double-sided papers which I think is really clever.

I have been cutting all my 12x12 papers to 4x5 perfect for cards and it means they are all ready to go and I am using more and more patterned papers.

I chose a piece of paper by Recollections, I creased the top corner and folded it over, and I put a bit of foam tape under the fold, so it held its shape. I thought that a brown card blank would make all the bright colours pop.

The sentiments are by Pink Fresh Studio from their 'Simplest Gestures' set and I got it as part of my kit during the SCT Crop and Create in March 2022. I have recently been bringing out the sets from the crop and playing with them - it's like finding new treasures!

It was such a fun make, that I made another one!

Show us your interpretation of the sketch and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends May 5th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #204 - It's Spring!

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

This time, we are all about Spring.

It was Mother's Day in Europe a few weeks ago - in fact my Momma was here in the US with me, so that was nice. I made my Momma and MIL these springy cards to celebrate them.

I love the flower stamp by The Stamp Market 'Floral Diamond' I have had it since 2020 and I love cutting it out with my Brother Scan n Cut.

This time I stamped it onto watercolour paper and heat embossed the outline so that I could watercolour it, for a softer look. The sentiment is by Lawn Fawn and I have had it for years, I don't even think they sell it anymore! It felt flat on plain white paper, so I embossed the white panel using one of my fave embossing folders by Creative Expressions - I think this came from the UK with me 10 years ago. It added some much-needed drama to the card and I love it.

Here is a close-up for you -

Can't wait to see your spring makes and don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends April 21st.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #203 - Happy Birthday...

Hey,

Hello from Miami!! Well I am on the road on the way back, after a long weekend of dancing with Hubby!

Are you ready for another fun Retro Rubber challenge?

This time we are after birthday cards - easy peasy for us cardmakers.

Birthday cards are always needed and I love making them.

Recently I was on a mission to make a bunch of masculine cards.

I was gifted this wonderful Tim Holtz set 'Inquisitive, Dots and Arrows' in 2021 by a friend. It is the smaller set that he produces for Joann's so you also get a stencil.

I used the stencil and the background stamps that came with the set to create a fun background for my dude! I used Distress Oxides for the stenciling and the stamping - did you know that Oxides stamp really well? I stamped my fave dude from the set and then he was cut out using my Brother Scan n Cut (aka big sexy).

I added a small Happy Birthday stamp - this is one of x3 HB stamps that I keep in my top desk drawer, because I am always looking for a birthday stamp for a last minute make lol! So a couple of years ago I decided to pull out 3 that would suit all my needs, so I have this small one, a small scripty one and a larger more graphic one. Handy!

I can't wait to see which stamps you pull out to make your birthday card, don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends April 7th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #202 - Anything Goes...

Hey,

Welcome to another awesome Retro Rubber challenge.

This time, it is everyone's fave 'Anything Goes'.

I made this card for my godson who turned 21 last week - how is that possible!? He loves graphic design and is studying photography. 

I used new Heidi Swapp 'Countdown Outline' stamps that were a gift from a friend, to create the fun background. The sentiment is by Taylored Expressions and is one of their simple strips series 'Birthday' from 2021. 

I wanted to add a camera, so I dug through my collection and came up with this seriously old stamp by Tim Holtz 'Mini Blueprints' from 2013 - why don't I use this set more? I stamped it, drew an outline, and then cut it with my Brother Scan n Cut.

I wanted a bit of shimmer, so coloured a few of the numbers using a Sakura gellyroll starbust gel pen.

It came out even better than I expected!

Time for you to rummage through your older stamps and show us anything you like! Don't forget to swing by Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends March 24th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #201 - Tic Tac Toe..

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

We have a tic tac toe board for you this time!

I love these boards, even if we choose the same row, our cards are all so different!

I chose the top horizontal line - die-cut or punch, ribbon or twine and slimline.

I am a big fan of the mini-slim format, so that was easy. I used a Paper Play mini-slimline rectangle die to cut my background paper. The paper twine is SO old I am thinking nearly 10 years old, it came in a huge bundle and I use it a lot, but it never seems to run out. The gorgeous lady stamp was a birthday gift last year - C.C Designs 'Fashionista' and I coloured her using Altenew Markers and cut her using my Brother Scan n Cut. The sentiment is from 2021 and by Taylored Expressions 'Simple Strips Friendship' I love these strips, they give you so many fun sentiments to use.

Which row will you choose? Pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends March 10th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Blog Challenge #200 - Let's get Sketchy...

Hey,

Welcome to the 200th Retro Rubber challenge!!! 

Can you believe it! I have been on the DT since the beginning and I LOVE Jane our fearless leader and all my teamies - past and present. It is such a great way to use my huge stamp stash.

As it is our 200th post, if enter the challenge AND you comment on my post, I will pop your name in a hat, pick a winner and send you some random crafty stuff :)

This time we have a fun sketch for you this time.

You know I love a sketch!

I made this card when my OG craft buddy JT was in town last week, it was so much fun to craft with her.

I used a fave MFT background stamp 'Pineapples' that I have had since 2017, it is one of the most used things in my stash. I got the awesome MFT/Pure Innocence 'Pineapple of my eye' girl last year and this is her first outing, I feel like she is going to get a lot of use, as I love pineapples! I coloured her using my Altenew markers and added a couple of paper strips to match the sketch.

Show us your interpretation of the sketch and pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends February 24th.

I'll be MIA until the 20th, as my Daddy is here in Tampa and we are going on a cruise later on this week - whoop!

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #199 - Tickled Pink!

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

It was fun to see so many people in the gallery for the last challenge. I hope you will love this one too. This time we have a colour challenge for you.

I went with pink, white, and silver (I am using creative license here with my grey cat counting as silver).

This is one of my fave stamp sets - 'Pawsome Love' by Simon Says Stamp, I have had it since 2020. It has a great range of sentiments and critters. I really like the Palentine's Day idea, as I love to send Valentine's cards to my girlfriends.

I got all fancy and created my OWN folding banner using an ancient MFT banner die.. I have always felt the banners are too long and finally learned to fold my own!

Which colour combo will you use? Don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber, and get inspired by the things the DT has made.

Challenge ends on February 10th.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

Retro Rubber Challenge #198 - Warm Winter Wishes...

Hey,

Welcome to the first fun Retro Rubber challenge of 2023 - did you miss us? We missed you!

We have a theme for you this time - Winter...

I love snowflakes (not IRL) and I have tons of stamps, stencils, and dies. 

I wanted to make the little Fox stand out, so I used a fave Gourmet Rubber Stamps snowflake stencil with blue glitter paste (by Martha Stewart). All the reds and blues in the Fox's outfit really pop off the card. He is 'Holiday Fox' by AALL & Create and was a gift from JT for Christmas 2021.

What wintery items will you use? Pop over to Retro Rubber, get inspired by the things the DT have made, and welcome our new teamie, LeeAnn Mckinney.

Challenge ends January 27.

Don't forget to tell us the age of your stamp, that is part of the fun of our challenge, and please only enter 10 challenges including Retro Rubber.

Cx

A trio of fun makes...

 

Hi,

I had a fun week off between Christmas and New Year.

I played at my desk a lot and here are a few of my fave makes - using mainly new things.

The main photo uses Taylored Expressions layered star stencils, Lisette gifted them to me when I was in NYC. When she was still in the hospital with Matteo, I went on a rummage through her craft room (lol) and stamped a bunch of these super cute Unicorns, also by Taylored Expressions.

My local Tuesday Morning, gave me all the goodies on a little outing - the stamp is by Ranger Letter It - I love these stamp sets, they make it look like I hand-lettered things! The amazing Hero Arts cover plate die (shown below) is also from that trip and it makes SUPER quick cards.

A super quick post just showing that I am playing and making, I keep neglecting my blog!!

Cx

Belated Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year! 

A bit late! But the end of 2022 was CRAZY!

Hubby and I went to London in late November and returned early December, when we got back we both got Covid!

I had a really short time at home with Covid, before I had to leave for NYC, as I was my besties support person for the birth of her first baby - Matteo Silvano. He arrived on 16th December and he is GORGEOUS. I was with them for 7 days before I headed home shortly before Christmas!

I had a week off before returning to work and I just took the time to hang with Hubby, make stuff, see my friends and enjoy being in our new home..

I realised that I don't think I told you all about the new house! We bought a brand new home in October and it's just amazing, we love it and we are pretty settled now, there are still a few things to do, but no rush. 

Tomorrow Lemon arrives and we start our 3 months of visitors! We are excited to have everyone come and visit and stay with us - it is why we bought the big house.

2022 was a fun year, so many great things happened to us and there were low points, but I like to focus on the positives.

I am 50 this year, so it's gonna be a fun one.

Cx