Retro Rubber Challenge #113.. Anything Goes...

Hey,

Welcome to another fun Retro Rubber challenge.

The theme this time is everyone's fave -

I thought this was a great opportunity to bring out a set by CAS-ual Friday 'Ka-boom' (no longer available) that I have had since 2016 and to be honest it has had barely any use.

I also decided to use a fun technique that involves Pearl-ex powders (Perfect Pearls are the same). First I die-cut my black panel to size, then I dusted over part of the black panel using an embossing powder tool thingy (technical term).

Then I stamped the sentiment and the bomb from the set using embossing ink and dusted the gold Pearl-ex powder over the top to get that gorgeous shimmery gold stamping you see.

I tried to explain the steps here, but it kept sounding super complicated and it really isn't. I love this tutorial if you are interested.

I really like the look you get when using Pearl-ex or Perfect Pearls powders, give it a go if you have some of these.

Can't wait to see what you choose to make, also don't forget to pop over to Retro Rubber and get inspired by the things the DT have made.

Challenge ends June 28th.

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

Addicted to CAS: Snowflake..

Hey,

So I thought I'd play along with a challenge tonight.. and I was looking at some of my faves and this popped up over at Addicted to CAS..

Just so happens I had a gorgeous Penny Black Snowflake die sitting on my desk :)

I thought it would make a great CAS card for a friend.

I die-cut the snowflakes (there are x2 pieces to the die) out of scraps of gold paper. The black background was die-cut using a stitched rectangle die and the card blank was a lucky find in my stash, it's a bronze/gold-ish colour. WHOOP!!

I stamped the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp 'Four Seasons Saying' using Versamark embossing ink and used gold Pearl-Ex over the top (still learning, hence the shimmer in the photo!). I then die-cut it out using a tag die.

Once I had affixed the snowflakes and the tag together, I punched a hole and tied it all together with a piece of gold thread.

I love how simple and impactful my card is and it was a great way to use a Snowflake not on a Christmas card.

Cx

CAS(E) this sketch: Sparkle!..

Hey,

Happy Sunday to you!

Hope you are having a nice weekend.

I am very happy as we got bonus football yesterday.

Having been away from my desk for over 10 days, I thought it would be nice to play along with a challenge or two to ease me back in.

I loved the sketch over at CAS(E) this sketch -

It immediately sparked an idea.

As you know JT and I do a Black Friday $20 challenge.. well many years later we are over the $20 tag and spend whatever we want (within reason) but we still add some 'rules' this year it was stars, stripes, fancy brand and florals.

JT bought me this awesome set by Sizzix and I thought it would be perfect for this sketch.

I started by die-cutting the white panel using a stitched rectangle die and then I added strips of glittery washi tape. I stamped the stars from the set using Dew Drop Galaxy Gold ink (my fave gold ink) and then I added a little stitched border - from an ancient Bo Bunny set.

Sadly, the top left stars haven't photographed that well...but that is always the downside of gold ink!

I stamped the main sentiment from the set onto black card using embossing ink and then dusted gold Pearl Ex over it (my new obsession) and then die-cut it out, using the die that comes with the set.

I LOVE IT!!! It was such a random thought it my head that actually came out perfectly. Yay!

Cx

Christmas Card 2018: For the parents..

Hey,

To round of this week of Christmas Card fun (and a birthday card..), I wanted to show you the Christmas card to end all Christmas cards!

Ever since I was a little girl, my parents have given me a Christmas card from them and one of each of them individually, I am sure this is something to do with me being an only child..

So now I give them a joint card from Hubby and I and individual ones for each of them from me.

Today's card is the one I made as their joint card.

Isn't he gorgeous?!

I literally discovered perfect pearls a couple of weeks ago and I happened to have a purple pot of them and so I had a play and decided I liked them enough to invest in other colours. BUT then I realised how pricey they are and researched alternatives and came up with Jacquard Pearl Ex.

Pearl Ex need a fixative and Perfect Pearls do not, but Pearl Ex come in a large container for the same price as the teeny tiny Perfect Pearls ones..

So I bought x2 colours of Pearl Ex - Gold and Blue - I mean come on, my 3 fave colours are gold, purple and blue, so all good.

For this card, I stamped the Sizzix large snowflake stamp using versamark embossing ink and then dusted the gold Pearl Ex over the top, the result is just stunning. I've always been a bit meh about that snowflake stamp..no longer!

The large snowflake die is a set by Penny Black and I die-cut it from a shimmery red cardstock scrap I found in my red paper drawer. I used the smaller die from the set for the gold snowflake.

Then I die-cut a label and stamped my sentiment in versamark and dusted some Pearl Ex over it, so it matched the background. Cue approx 35 mins of ridiculous butter finger bow tying.. and the card was finished.

I can't stop staring at it, its so shimmery and feels super Christmassy.

I think my parents will love it.

Tonight we are heading back to London from Porto. Hubby and I fly home tomorrow, so I will tell you all about the trip next week.

Cx