Silver tree

Seasons Greetings!  Making Christmas cards when it's cool and raining just seems comfortable, you've just got to love the great British summer.
My contribution to this weeks sketch challenge on 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is quite basic, I didn't want to distract from the silver tree. The stamp is from a set called Madonna and Trees by Chocolate Baroque, the backing paper is also from them on a CD Rom called Seasons Greetings. I printed the backing paper from the disc on the usual settings but then printed another piece on the 'draft' setting to stamp the tree onto, draft gave me a matching background that didn't over shadow my stamp as it comes out much paler.
The tree is embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Silver Shine and I'm pleased to say that it actually shows in the photo, I must have got the angle right this time.
I was told today that August is going to be hot, let's just wait and see shall we, wouldn't it be nice to have dry school holidays! Oh well, there's always plenty of crafting to be done whatever the weather!!!!

Penny Black Party Gang

Here's the Party Gang from Penny Black. The full run through on how it was put together is over on the J and C Creations blog if you would like to see it.
This months promotion has been on Penny Black animals, which for me has been a real challenge as I don't make many cute cards. I must say it has been fun stretching myself.
Wait until you see next months challenge which starts on the 13th of July, you'll love it I'm sure, there is a small clue on this card.

Just a small note to let you know that Snetterton Park will begin running 'Midweek Motivation' starting on Wednesday the 18th July. This means every week there will be a workshop or demonstration on a Wednesday, something to break up the week and spur you on to more creations.   Happy Crafting.

Lace Glitter Bauble

 Here is this weeks offering for the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge. With such a broad subject like glitter I was spoilt for choice, so many great techniques, which one should I try. I opted for the lace glitter technique I'd seen mentioned recently, I wish I could remember the authors name so I could give them credit because it's so easy and so effective, whoever you are Thank You.
I started by using double sided sticky film on a piece of grey board, then I cut out a bauble shape using a Spellbinder die. It was a little tricky as the die didn't cut right through so I had to use a pair of scissors just to finish off but all the hard work was already done.
If you peel off the top covering on the sticky sheet you can then lay your chosen piece of lace over the shape and gently tap it down so there are no wrinkles. Scatter the glitter over the shape and spread to cover all exposed areas, tap down gently to make sure all is firmly stuck. Return excess glitter to its pot.

 Next carefully remove the lace and you will see areas that are glitter free. Sprinkle your second colour over the shape, it will only stick where the lace was giving you a lacy glitter finish. Again tap down gently to get a firm hold and then remove any excess.
The wording was cut from a satin gold cardstock with a Sizzix long plate alphabet die Santas Workshop. The background is stamped with Penny Black Pine Silhouettes and mounted on gold, green and white card stock.
I find it very difficult to photograph anything glittery, it never seems to sparkle as much in the photo as it really does in the 'card'. If anyone has any tips I would be very grateful.

Penny Black Snow Family

 I would like to bring together my entry for this weeks 52 Christmas Card Throwdown and a post for J and C Creations blog, which has this month's challenge as Animal Antics featuring Penny Black. This lovely Snow Family is a stamp from Penny Black, now I know they're not exactly animals but they are very cute and they do bring a smile to your face and there just might be a tiny animal under all that snow, honest!
They have been stamped in Archival Black ink and coloured with watercolour pens. I used a grey Promarker to add a little shading and if you look closely you might be able to see that the bobbles on their hats are fluffy, I found some flock in my stash that's been there for years because you only ever use a little at a time.

The background has been embossed with an embossing folder from Cuttlebug - Snowflakes. I chose not to try and emboss the lower part as once snow has fallen it looks smooth ( and I didn't want to mess it up!).
I cut around the family and across the lower background and then mounted it on foam pads to give a little dimension. The greeting is stamped in black and clear embossed, then it was cut out using the smallest die in the Mega Deckle Edge Label die set from Spellbinders.
A reasonable quick and easy card that looks clean and simple. I hope you like it.

London Line to Snetterton Park

 This lovely card was made by a very helpful friend to go on display at Snetterton Park. The decoupage is from Trimcraft's new 'London Line' range of papers, brads, ribbons, flowers, etc.
Snetterton Park has just opened a new hall that's full of gifts, books, arts and crafts. For those of you that don't already know the amazing toy and model shop -  it is huge. There are now six large halls full of wonderful things to suit the whole family. There is a large cafe with indoor and outdoor play areas, lots of free parking and it's open seven days a week.

The art & craft department has a growing selection of stock ranging from childrens crafting to items for the more serious artist or crafter. There will be regular workshops and demonstrations, some of which will be presented by well known crafting celebrities, so keep an eye out for news about upcoming events.
There will be an events page on the Snetterton Park website in the near future and I shall be listing them on here too.
It's been a busy few days but now the cat's out of the bag it's time to knuckle down and get crafting - as if I needed any encouragement!!

Gem Tree

Here is my offering for this month's sketch challenge over on 52CCT. It's quite good to have a guide to work to, it leaves you free to think about the colours and the focal point.
For my topper I have stamped a tree from Chocolate Baroque's 'Madonna and Trees' in clear on white card, then I coloured the card with Distress Ink Iced Spruce as it was a pretty good colour match to the patterned paper.
The tree is mounted on silver mirri card. I ran a silver ribbon across the patterned paper before mounting the tree on top. There is a small greeting in silver on white card mounted on foam pads at the point where the ribbon meets the tree. I chose to glue the little pink gems on last so that mounting everything was easier.
I really feel that I'm getting somewhere with the Christmas stash now, thanks to the inspiration from this challenge blog, I hope you are too.

Heartfelt Die-versity

 Just like a real butterfly this little fellow started life as something quite different. If you would like to see the whole process of how he got from humble but beautiful frame to sparkling butterfly, then hop over to the J and C Creations blog and take at look at the transformation.
Todays post is short and sweet as life here is rather busy at the moment. It's half term, jubilee and there's some more news to come soon. I hope you enjoy your long weekend.