CarolG ... creates (creationsnz)

Gather at the MissYou tree.  I made this after receiving a lovely handmade card from one of our granddaughters.  It arrived on a day I was feeling a little blue.   Rhiannon is 10, a crafter from way back, she sewed her first cushion at four (I thought her mother had made it) and loves cardmaking.



EF (letterpress technique):
Animal stamps: magazine freebie
Coloured with Copics
Sentiment stamp: Stampers Anonymous/TH


The stamp set has about 25 animals, but my fave is the sheep on the scooter.  I'm sure you're going to see it pop up a lot.  Mind you, the koala in the tree is pretty cute (I had to cut off his legs to make him fit in the tree).







Shared on challenges:
creativeknockouts-321-embossing-delight
colourcrazy-42-anything-goes-colouring
artydivaschallenge-7-AG
craftycatz-480-anything-goes
qkr-stampede-challenge-369
allsorts-543-make-your-own-background-no-dps
simon-says-anything-goes-67
polkadoodle-43-anything-goes

I always have a stock of get well cards in my box ready to go.  When people get sick/hurt you often don't get any warning, and they do like to know someone is thinking of them.  I think these gentle autumn colours are healing too.

I made the background with distress inks and stamped silhouettes over in black.  The sentiment is heat embossed gold.



Wildflower stamp: IndigoBlu
Bird stamp: Inkadinkado
Sentiment stamp: CloseToMyHeart
Border die: Nellies
Also: Distress Inks, gold EP




Shared on challenges:
DoubleD-silhouettes
simonsaysstamp-fall-autumn-colors
letscreate-152-ag-option-colors-of-fall
scribblesdesigns-82-colour-challenge
craftygalscorner-200-halloween-colors
craftycalendar-october-challenge-autumn
sirstampalot-october-trees-leaves-autumn
die-cut-divas-October-autumn/fall
sheepski-designs-31-autumn
cupcakeinspirations-481-fall

This image comes from my latest clear stamp set which arrived last week.  Such gorgeous images.



Stamp: Stampendous/HouseMouse
Sentiment stamp:  StampersAnonymous/THoltz
Diecut used as stencil: uniquelyCreative
Distress Inks



Shared on challenges:
aaacards-cas-151-one-corner-opt col
housemouse-302-atg-with-option-of-white
timeoutchallenges-146-encouraging
ellibelles-crafty-wednesday-october-stamp it
creativefingers-173-AGoes
tuesday-throwdown-443-one layer

Incy Wincy's challenge is METALZ.  A great opportunity to get out and use those metallic bitz you've stashed away.  See what the design team have done and enter here: incywincydesigns






Thanks to our sponsor Starstampz, who provided us with this Goth Girl, get it here: //t.ly/8qlkW




My metallics are:  mirror card, silver cord and silver embossing.

Image: Starstampz - goth Girl //t.ly/8qlkW
Coloured with Copics, 3D foam
EF: Cuttlebug
Sentiment stamp: Wibra
embossed with silver EP
Die: Spellbinders
Border punch: Fiskars
Also: mirrorcard, ribbon, silver cord, white pigment pen.

Showing her raised on 3D foam.  I like the sentiment which is a positive affirmation.



Shared on challenges:
simonsaysstamp-simon-says-halloween
creativeknockouts-320-halloween
timeoutchallenges-146-encouraging
colourcrazy-41-anything-goes-colouring
allsorts-542-add-something-gold-andor-silver
creatalicious-173-anything-goes-withautumn/halloween
artydivas-6-AGoes
pennyschallenges-452-AGoes
polkadoodle-42-anything-goes-craft
qkrstampede-368-AGoes

Such a gentle image,  placed among the dandelions.  I made the card general in that it could be used for a child, anniversary or engagement/wedding, birthday, iloveyou, or thinking of you.



Image: HouseMouse/JoannaSheen CD
Coloured with Copics
EF: CraftConcepts
Square Die:  MFT
Oval die: unbranded
Sentiment stamp: Stampendous
Also silver glitter card, white pen










Shared on challenges:
housemouse-302-atg-option-whiteonwhite
colourcrazy-41-anything-goes-colouring
allsorts-542-add-something-gold-andor-silver
craftyfriends-121-embossing-wet-or-dry
dare2bartzy-october-cute-animals
southerngirls-anything-goes
craftycatz-challenge-479-atg
qkrstampede-368-AGoes
polkadoodlek-42-anything-goes-craft
cutiepiechallenge-140-theme-anything-goes-cute

This cute little HouseMouse stamp set just arrived in the mail and of course I had to try it out.  It wasn't until I started colouring the flowers I realised what  a funny stamp it was - it really made me laugh out loud.

I masked the bunnies and corner,  coloured the background with Distress Inks.  Only the flowers and stalks are coloured with Copics.




Stamp: Stampendous/HM
Sentiment stamp: StampersAnonymous/TH
Also: gold washi tape, Distress Inks, Copics





Shared on challenges:
aaacards-cas--151-one-corner-opt-colour
dreamvalley-211-clean-and-simple
cutecardthursday-604-spots-and-dots
audsentiments-238-for-child-& sentiment
dare2bartzy-cute-animals
housemouse-302-atg-option-whiteonwhite
digichoosday-42-anything-goes-crafting
pennyschallenges-452-ag
craftycatzweekly-479-atg
allsorts-542-add-something-gold-andor-silver

Pop in to the Crafters Cafe and grab youself a challenge.  Choices of challenge are  use STENCILS  or  use ORANGE-PURPLE-BLACK or BOTH.  See what the design team have done and join in, here:  crafterscafeblogchallenge















Thanks to the wonderful Lisa at Decosse Dynamite Doodles for providing the paper, lanterns, frame, raven and washi tape.  Get them here:  decossesdynamitedoodles  : Textured papers: grunge green; Trickortreat General elements: string of lanterns, black raven; Washi: dots, orange stripes; Trick&treat frames: purple arched window




I chose to do BOTH choices.  I arranged the elements digitally, put the green grunge paper behind, then printed.  I stencilled barbed wire at top and bottom, added Glossy Accents to the lanterns, and tied a tiny bottle (with a little silver paint in it) around the matted card.   Muslin is distressed and stuck to the base card, then the top glued on.  But … be very afraid of what is inside ...

Wire Stencil: TCW
Bottle: from the dollar shop
Sentiment: typed/printed on the computer
Glossy Accents, black pearl, muslin & twine from stash.


Shared on challenges:
cupcakeinspirations-480- somethinginside
pinkgemchallenge-20-anything-goes-craft
creativemomentsofcraft-178-AG/spooky
craftygalscorner-200-halloween-colors
craftycalendar-october-autumnhalloween
a2zscrapbooking-final-challenge-Holidays
artydivas-6-anythinggoes
creatalicious-173-anything-goes-withhalloweenautumn



and inside ...

Pop into the Crafters Cafe for a crafty challenge with choices.  This time it's USE STENCILS or USE PUPRLE-ORANGE-BLACK or BOTH!
I have used STENCILS for this one, and the team have poured some more inspiration for you, here:
crafterscafe  













Thanks to Lisa at Decosse Dynamite Doodles
for the super papers, get them here:  decossesdynamitedoodles  : Plaid: pink & grey paper; Buzzing by: Bee paper


The bee paper was my inspiration for the card theme and the plaid for the colour.
I distressed the edges of the grey paper and stencilled bees in black.  The papers are layered with a little strip of diecut lace to highlight the colour, then a diecut honeycomb placed before adhering the bee strip.  While I was working on it, some of the fall-out bits from the die fell on the card - which I liked - so I decided to keep them as embellishment; they are popped up on foam.

Papers: Decosse Doodles Digi (see above)
Stencil:
Honeycomb die:  Couture Creations
Lace border die:

Shared on challenges:

craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper-october
craftingbydesigns-october-anything-goes
abitmoretimetocraft-102-AGoes
digichoosday-42-anything-goes-crafting
artydivas-6-anything goes
crafterscastle-october-22-anything goes-autumn

Something to put a sweet treat in to give away.


I got the pattern for this from a make'n'take a few years ago at Hastings Rubber Stamps popup shop, and it has come in very handy, and is easy to make.  Over time I have made them for Christmas, thank you, get well etc.  A paper strip on the inside fold-down front is for a message.

It's also great for using up those snippets of card and paper, and other stash stuff, maybe ribbon etc.  It forms a triangle when closed, and has a magnetic closer.





EF:
Border die: Kaisercraft
Star die: unbranded
Sentiment die:  Wplus9
Also: self adhesive magnetic strips, glitter card, glitter craft foam.





Shared on challenges:
cutitup-184-tags-bags-or-boxes
pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-363
cupcakeinspirations-480-something inside
getcreative-85-ag opt-shaped triangle
lovetoscrap-126-no-cards
pennys-challenge-450-anythinggoes
craftycreations-400-anything-goes

October is pink month, particularly significant for breast cancer awareness.  Here is a pink card I made while trying to master layered stamping.


Layered stamp: Rosie's Studio
Circle die: Spellbinders
Nesting die:  Couture Creations
Double-diecut sentiment: Wplus9
Corner punch: Couture Creations
from stash: paper, gems, Glossy Accents


I won't tell you how many I stamped to get this one good one LOL!










Shared on challenges:
creativecraftcottage-123-make-it-pink
craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper-october
diesrus-130-anything-goes-using-dies Spellbinders
ellibelles-crafty-wednesday-october
pennyblackatallsorts-october-pretty-in-pink
abitmoretimetocraft-oct1-ag
creativemomentsofcraft-178
creataliciouschallenges-172-anything-goes-opt punches
craftingbydesigns-october-anything-goes
tuesday-throwdown-442-coloroflove

A not-so-normal farmyard scene.  I set out to use vellum and a new cloud die and it all went haywire from there...   I had to discard the first one, that's why this is Scene 1 take 2.


Cloud Die: uniquelyCreative
House/trees dies: magazine freebie
Frame: Avery Elle
Stamped sentiment: Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz
Printed sentiment: on computer
Animal stamps: unbranded
Also: vellum

I coloured the background and the bottom part of the hillside using Distress Inks, the animals with Copics.  At the moment I'm liking conversations sentiments and this typed one seemed to fit the card.
It's really a bit of fun.

Shared on challenges:
southerngirls-on-the farm
colouringinscrapland-colouring-ag-vellum
dare2bartzy-october-challenge-cute-animals
artydivas-6-ag
craftycreations-400-anything-goes
pennyschallenges-451-ag
qkr-stampede-challenge-366-ag

Have you ever noticed how cats gaze intently at something that gets their attention - like a dripping tap - to the exclusion of all else. Well, this one got a butterfly.
I paperpieced the cat and butterfly, then used washi with gold for a bit of glam.


Digi stamp/sentiment: Beccy's Place
Washi, twine, Nuvo drops, white pigment pen (for eyes)
















Shared on challenges:
show-us-your-pussycats-47
dreamvalley-211-clean-and-simple
craftycatz-477-anything-goes-with a bow
qkr-stampede-challenge-366
catchthebugblog-october-AG
craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper-october

The lights are all on here!  I think there might be a party going on.  This is for one of my grandchildren.

House die: Unbranded
Dies Pumpkin, Bats & Boo: Cutttlebug
Moon punch: unbranded

I punched the corners of the orange card and inked the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink.  Layered the patterned paper and purple strip.  A piece of metallic gold paper is cut and placed behind the windows and door, then the house is placed along the strip.  A punched moon has risen (with a little cut from the side) which shows up the bats flying around.











Shared on challenges:
creativeknockouts-318-lots-of-layers
audsentiments-237-halloweenfall-sentiment
creativemoments-178-spooky
cinspirations-october--masculine-halloweenfall
crafterscastle-october-22-AG-fall-autumn
a2zscrapbooking-October-any holiday
die-cut-divas-october-fallcolours-magic
craftycalendar-october-autumn
creativefingers-172-ag
modsquad-harvest-moon

I am fascinated by feathers; they are the most amazing design.  This is quite a big die and I thought it deserved to be the star of the card, it also embosses.


I diecut it from a leftover piece of card that I had smooshed and experimented with, and thought it's soft colours were light and lofty to suit the feather.  The background is splattered with gold paint.



Die: Kaisercraft
EF: Cuttlebug
Also: twine, gold acrylic paint



Shared on challenges:
casology-353-feather
dreamvalley-211-clean-and-simple
craftingbydesigns-october-anything-goes
abitmoretimetocraft-anything goes
cardsgalore-68-october-anything goes

Little ones are always hungry and  here comes mama bird to fill those little tummies.  Isn't it cute?
That little mouse pointing to his mate saying "it's her turn this time".


Image: House Mouse CD
Sentiment stamp: magazine freebie
Hex punch: Fiskars
Also: doily, twine, paper


I printed out the image twice from the Joanna Sheen House Mouse CD, cutting out the mama bird from one of them.  Layered up the paper, doily, matted the image.  Used 3D foam to layer the bird and the sentiment.

Shared on challenges:
housemouse-301-anything-goes-option-of-outdoor-fun
creativeknockouts-318-lots-of-layers
craftycatz-477-anything-goes-with bow
polkadoodle-40-anything-goes-craft
creativefingers-172-AG
digichoosday-40-anything-goes-crafting
craftycreations-399-anything-goes
pennys-challenge-449-AG
cutecardthursday-602-anything-goes

Autumn is here and so is the latest Incy Wincy challenge.  Be inspired by the design team, and enter your own AUTUMN creation, here:  incywincydesigns



Thanks to My Besties for this cute image, Miss Sassy Pants - get it here:  t.ly/0JEdx



I ended up with an entirely different card from what I started out to do - sometimes they take on a life of their own!  I coloured the image and was going to cut it into a frame, but decided to ink the edge and frame it with leaves instead. KISS.


Image:  My Besties - Miss Sassy Pants
Coloured with Copics
Leaf dies: Cuttlebug
sponged with Distress Inks
Also: sequins, twine

Shared on Challenges:
cccdigicreations-108-autumn
colourcrazy-39-anything-goes-colouring
addicted-to-stamps-177- Lady/Girl
letscreate-152-ag-option-colors-of-fall
cinspirations-october--masculine-or halloween/autumn
craftygalscorner-199-fall-colors
crafterscastle-october-22-AG-fall-autumn
die-cut-divas-fall-colours
brownsugar-294-october-agoes
polkadoodle-40-anything-goes

Beautiful Creatures
I made this to showcase one of my hen's beautiful feathers.  Suzy, was a Splash Orpington breed, with the most beautiful feathers.  You might think there are two feathers on the card, but her under-feathers are double!  so two feathers go into one quill, the underneath one being much smaller.  I guess this is for insulation, and it makes them look like a frilly crinoline when they run.  I was so glad I had gathered some of her beautiful feathers because recently a neighbours dog savaged her while she was free ranging on our property and she died.  So this is a lovely memorial to Suzy.

I used three shades of blue Distress Inks to smoosh the base card, then stuck the feather on with snail tape.



I hope this meets the criteria for the creature and farm challenges.  If not, my apologies.


Shared on challenges
casology-353-feather
modsquadchallenge-back-to-nature
papercraft-challenges-47-monochrome
addicted-to-cas-challenge-169-creature from a creature
southerngirls-on-farm from a farm animal
brownsugar-294-october-ag













Here is a pic of Suzy (on the left) and Lacy out a-pecking in the orchard.  Ruby and Hetty must be scratching somewhere else as usually they are all together.  Often they look like they are having a meeting of the Poultry Society.