Kool Kitty Musings

DCM - A special lady

This week over on the Daring Cardmakers blog it was my turn to set the challenge, and with Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be nice to celebrate a special lady in your life. :)

I finally had chance to cut into my collection of Willow Lane papers from Crate Paper, it has been a while since I had a patterned paper fest!

Paper: Crate Paper - Maggie Holmes - Willow Lane
Die: Mama Elephant - Sew Cute
Other: butterfly punch, nuvo drops, button, twine

The ephemera accents in this collection are really lovely, so I used one of the cards for my sentiment.

For extra texture I cut a strip of border paper and used my scoring board to get some concertina action going. And also on this card I used one of my favourite ever prints from Crate Paper - those birds! Swoon!

That's it for this week. :D

Make sure you check out the lovely cards from the design team here and play along if you can!

---

Mama Elephant - Sew Fancy dies Shop at: SHC | SSS	Crate Paper - Maggie Holmes - Willow Lane - Blossom paper Shop at: MISC | SBC	Crate Paper - Maggie Holmes - Willow Lane - Cherish paper Shop at: MISC | SBC	Crate Paper - Maggie Holmes - Willow Lane - Flowerpatch paper Shop at: MISC | SBC
Crate Paper - Maggie Holmes - Willow Lane - Meadow paper Shop at: MISC | SBC	Crate Paper - Maggie Holmes - Willow Lane - Spread Love paper Shop at: MISC | SBC	Crate Paper - Maggie Holmes - Willow Lane - Ephemera Shop at: SBC	Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Bubblegum Blush Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC
Tombow - Mono-Multi liquid glue Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

DCM - Recycle it!

This week over on the Daring Cardmakers blog, Svenja has challenged us to look at our rubbish and waste in a new way. :)

By recycling something to use on a project.

Thankfully I got to my recycled item before recycling collection day.

I've also used this challenge as a way to focus on using things that were already pre-made or lying around waiting to be used - nothing here was made specifically for this card.

One thing I must say, I'm really kicking myself for not having taken a photo of my Distress Oxide glazed background before using it for this card. D'oh!

Anyway, on with the card!

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp - Diagonal Stripes background, WPlus9 - Southern Summer Florals 2
Dies: WPlus9 - Southern Summer Florals 2, MFT - Big Birthday, Lil' Inker Designs - Stitched Mats: Rectangles
Other: Distress Oxides, sequins

So what exactly did I raid from my recycling bin?

• Clear plastic packaging! Perfect for making a shaker card.

What else have we got going on here?

• Distress Oxide background on glossy card
  Last month I did some experimenting with the combo of watered down Distress Oxide inks on glossy card and Microglaze. This is one of the panels I made and kept for a future project. I know it's somewhat obscured, but it is a rainbow of Oxide inks (luuuush).
• Stamped background panel
  Last weekend I had a session of inking up new background stamps in various colours ready to use on future cards. Got to love some Lawn Fawn Minty Fresh ink and diagonal stripes!
• Cardstock scraps
  Another of my weekend activities was creating cardstock swatches from the Hero Arts cardstock sample pack. The left over pieces are ready to be used on something and that's where I got the extra colours from for this card.
• Rainbow sequins
  Inside the shaker window are some of the rainbow coloured sequins I have from an old SSS cardstock kit that I am still trying to use up. They come in handy every once in a while and are a great match to the inked background and nicely paired with my Pretty Pink Posh staple clear sequin mix.

It was pretty satisfying to come up with something from things that were just there and ready to go.

There are a few less premade items sat on my desk now staring back at me. ;) Although I must confess to being tempted to make another Distress Oxide rainbow background! lol

Make sure you check out the fab upcycling projects from the Design Team here.

Happy crafting!

 

---

Simon Says Stamp - Diagonal Stripes background stamp Shop at: SSS	WPlus9 - Southern Summer Florals 2 stamps Shop at: EH | SHC | SSS	WPlus9 - Southern Summer Florals 2 dies Shop at: EH | SHC	Lil' Inker Designs - Stitched Mats: Rectangles dies Shop at: MISC | SHC
MFT - Big Birthday die Shop at: EH | SHC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Candied Apple Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Carved Pumpkin Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Fossilized Amber Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Distress Oxide ink pad - Lucky Clover Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Picked Raspberry Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Twisted Citron Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Wilted Violet Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Distress Oxide ink pad - Worn Lipstick Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Lawn Fawn - Artichoke ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Ballet Slippers ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Bubblegum ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC
Lawn Fawn - Butter ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Carrot ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC | SSS	Lawn Fawn - Minty Fresh ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Plastic flamingo ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC | SSS
Lawn Fawn - Raspberry ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Neenah Classic Crest 110 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: EH | SSS	Ranger Gloss paper Shop at: AZ | SSS	Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Confetti Mix sequins Shop at: EH | SSS
Tim Holtz - Distress Micro Glaze Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tombow - Mono-Multi liquid glue Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH	EK Success powder tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Marvy Jewel Picker Shop at: AZ	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Ranger - Mini round ink blending tools Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Distress Sprayer Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Sidekick machine Shop at: AZ | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

More Easter cards

The sunny weather today reminded me that I should be sharing some of the Easter cards I've been making recently. :)

They're also my take on the March 2019 card prompt!

Here's a batch - I've got a couple more in the same style but with different papers so not much point sharing those!

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Wreath Turnabout
Dies: PTI - Polka Dot Parade #1, Lawn Fawn - Easter border, Avery Elle - Double Pierced Squares, Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables

I was determined to use some of the Easter 6x6 papers I had from an old Simon Says Stamp card kit, and success, I only have a few papers left to use. I don't think I've ever completely finished off a 6x6 paper stack before. There are always a few stragglers. lol

I also took out one of my favourite bunny dies to pair up with this great sentiment die from Lawn Fawn - the PTI Polka Dot Parade #1 bunny die (including cottontail) has featured on many an Easter card over the years.

It also cuts great from felt, and even quicker to do now that I have my trusty Sizzix Sidekick in operation. :)

___________________________

Next up - a green variation with a different background wreath...

Stamps: Avery Elle - Laurels (r), Avery Elle - Happy Spring (r)
Dies: PTI - Polka Dot Parade #1, Lawn Fawn - Easter border, Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables
Other: Gina K Designs - Wreath Builder Template

I built the wreath primarily using the greenery and buds from the Laurels stamp set and filled in with Easter eggs from the Spring one.

It makes a nice contrast against the kraft card and also isn't too fussy looking when paired with the bunny.

___________________________

This one uses another stamp from the Concord & 9th Wreath Turnabout set:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Wreath Turnabout
Dies: PTI - Polka Dot Parade #1, Lawn Fawn - Easter border, Avery Elle - Double Pierced Squares, Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables

I wanted to replicate the colours in the background paper and that busy pattern worked very nicely as a border. :)

___________________________

Finally, a variation on a different theme from a few weeks ago:

Stamps: Avery Elle - Happy Spring (r), Waltzing Mouse - Compact Sentiments (r), WPlus9 - Heartfelt Holidays
Die: Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables, Avery Elle - Double Pierced Squares
Other: GinaK Wreath Builder Template

Still experimenting with that bunny/egg wreath combo. :) And still finding those tiny branches from the Heartfelt Holiday stamp set by WPlus9 a great filler. :D

---

Avery Elle - Happy Spring stamps (r) Shop at: SBC	Avery Elle - Laurels stamps (r) Shop at: MISC	Concord & 9th - Wreath Turnabout stamps Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC | SHC	Waltzing Mouse - Compact Sentiments stamps (r) Shop at: MISC
WPlus9 - Heartfelt Holiday stamps Shop at: MISC | SHC	PTI - Polka Dot Parade #1 dies Shop at: MISC	Avery Elle - Double Pierced Squares dies Shop at: AZ | EH | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Easter border die Shop at: EH | SHC
Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Altenew - Limestone dye ink Shop at: EH | MISC	Lawn Fawn - Artichoke ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Ballet Slippers ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC
Lawn Fawn - Butter ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Fresh Lavender ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Freshly Cut Grass ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Minty Fresh ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC
Lawn Fawn - Peacock ink pad Shop at: EH | SHC | SSS	Neenah Classic Crest 80 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: AZ | EH | SSS	Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Bubblegum Blush Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Buttermilk Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC
Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Oyster Grey Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Sakura - Quickie Glue pen Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tombow - Mono-Multi liquid glue Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH
Gina K Designs - Wreath Builder Templates 3 3/4" and 4" Shop at: SSS	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	MISTI creative corners Shop at: EH | SBC	MISTI precision stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Sidekick machine Shop at: AZ | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

DCM - Stitch it!

I freely admit that I have sort of hijacked the theme for this week's Daring Cardmakers dare in order to get ahead with some of my Easter card production.

The theme is all about stitching - whether real or faux, and I've definitely embraced the faux!

I didn't have time to use my sewing machine on cards this week as it needs some new bobbins and well, when you have some pretty stitched style dies that can do some of the work for you, why not use them?

Paper: Crate Paper, Pebbles
Stamps: Concord & 9th - Wreath Turnabout, Simon Says Stamp - My Kind of Peep
Dies: Lawn Fawn - Happy Hatchling, Lawn Fawn - Grassy Border, MFT - Wonky Stitched Square STAX

Before I sat down to make these cards, I'd already had a session of creating some stamped spring wreath backgrounds in preparation for Easter card assembly. For this card I used the Wreath Turnabout stamps from Concord & 9th.

The stitching elements are on the MFT wonky stitches square die and the Hatchlings dies from Lawn Fawn which fit perfectly in the sidekick and make life so much easier cutting lots of these bits and pieces out. :)

I wanted to include the sentiment on the cracked shell bit so it didn't have to be thrown away and found a nice Easter sentiment in a set from a previous Simon Says Stamp card kit that I rarely use as it's very US-oriented. Never had Peeps, and not sure I want to try them, but the die set that came with the stamps is a great stand-alone die so I've held onto the stamps in case I use them more.

I kept up with the chick theme and made this card for a more elaborate wreath design:

Paper: Lawn Fawn - Perfectly Plaid Spring
Stamps: Avery Elle - Happy Spring stamps (r), Avery Elle - Laurels stamps (r), Lawn Fawn - Hoppy Easter, WPlus9 - Heartfelt Holiday
Dies: Lawn Fawn - Happy Hatchling, Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables

The background wreath was created using the Gina K wreath builder template and one of the "laurel" branches from Avery Elle's Laurels stamp set, along with buds from that set, eggs from the Avery Elle Happy Spring set, and hearts from WPlus9's Heartfelt Holiday stamps.

The greeting is from Lawn Fawn's Hoppy Easter mini stamp set. Very handy!

I'll definitely be using the Laurels set for more wreaths in future. Really love the leafyness and that there's enough space to add little elements.

Now if you want some really stitchy inspiration, check out the projects from the rest of the design team where thread was actually used! ;)

Happy crafting!

---

Avery Elle - Happy Spring stamps (r) Shop at: SBC	Avery Elle - Laurels stamps (r) Shop at: MISC	Concord & 9th - Wreath Turnabout stamps Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Hoppy Easter stamps Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC
Simon Says Stamp - My Kind of Peep stamps (r) Shop at: MISC	WPlus9 - Heartfelt Holiday stamps Shop at: MISC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Grassy border die Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Happy Hatchling dies Shop at: SBC | SHC
Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	MFT - Wonky Stitched Square STAX dies Shop at: EH | SHC	Hero Arts - Charcoal ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Ballet Slippers ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC
Lawn Fawn - Butter ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Fresh Lavender ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Freshly Cut Grass ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Minty Fresh ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC
Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH	Neenah Classic Crest 80 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: AZ | EH | SSS	Lawn Fawn - Perfectly Plaid Spring 6x6 pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Pebbles - Spring Fling paper (r) Shop at: MISC
Sakura - Quickie Glue pen Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tombow - Mono-Multi liquid glue Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH	Gina K Designs - Wreath Builder Templates 3 3/4" and 4" Shop at: SSS
Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	MISTI creative corners Shop at: EH | SBC	MISTI precision stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Sizzix - Sidekick machine Shop at: AZ | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

DCM - Mad March Hare

I've finally managed to return to a bit of crafting after a busy few weeks and some book club reading in the spare time I had!

This week's Daring Cardmakers theme is Mad March Hare inspired, and I definitely took this opportunity to get a start on my Easter cards for this year.

Paper: Pebbles - Spring Fling (r)
Stamps: Avery Elle - Happy Spring (r), Concord & 9th - Wreath Turnabout, Waltzing Mouse - Compact Sentiments (r), WPlus9 - Heartfelt Holidays
Die: Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables
Other: GinaK Wreath Builder Template

When I sat down to make this card I already knew that I wanted to use the bunny stamp from an old Avery Elle spring set to create a wreath to test out my new GinaK wreath builder templates.

I'm hoping to make a good few more spring wreath cards based on this design or something similar and this was the guinea pig outing. :)

Some of the smaller elements actually come from some other stamp sets, even a Christmas one!

But I think this first outing of the template was a success! And a good project for crop night. I can finally travel light with a few inks, stamp sets, and my misti.

Make sure you check out the wonderful projects for this week's challenge over on the DCM blog here.

Happy crafting!

---

Avery Elle - Happy Spring stamps (r) Shop at: SBC	Concord & 9th - Wreath Turnabout stamps Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC | SHC	Waltzing Mouse - Compact Sentiments stamps (r) Shop at: MISC	WPlus9 - Heartfelt Holiday stamps Shop at: MISC | SHC
Lawn Fawn - Large cross-stitched square stackables Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC | SSS	Altenew - Buttercream dye ink Shop at: SSS	Altenew - Dew Drops dye ink Shop at: EH | MISC	Altenew - Evening Gray dye ink Shop at: EH | SSS
Altenew - Forest Glades dye ink Shop at: EH | SSS	Altenew - Frayed Leaf dye ink Shop at: EH | SSS	Altenew - Lava Rock dye ink Shop at: EH	Altenew - Mango Smoothie dye ink Shop at: EH | SSS
Altenew - Morning Frost dye ink Shop at: EH | SSS	Altenew - Pink Diamond dye ink Shop at: EH | MISC	Altenew - Cherry Blossom ink cube set Shop at: EH | MISC | SHC	Altenew - Four Scoops ink cube set Shop at: EH | SHC | SSS
Altenew - Green Fields ink cube set Shop at: EH | SHC | SSS	Altenew - Summer Afternoon ink cube set Shop at: EH | SHC	Altenew - Sweet Dreams ink cube set Shop at: EH | MISC | SHC	Altenew - Warm Gray ink cube set Shop at: EH | SHC
Neenah Classic Crest 80 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: AZ | EH | SSS	Pebbles - Spring Fling paper (r) Shop at: MISC	Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Morning Dew (clear) Shop at: AZ | EH | SHC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH
Gina K Designs - Wreath Builder Templates 3 3/4" and 4" Shop at: SSS	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	MISTI precision stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

2019 card challenge - March prompt

Morning all!

This month's prompt for the card challenge definitely embraces that spring feeling:

{Pinterest pin}

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Embrace the spring pastel tones, they can be put to great use on non-Easter/Spring cards too.
• Geometric prints and patterns - check out your patterned paper stash or see if you can make your own repeat pattern with geometric elements. You could even try some wreath-building techniques.
• Butterflies and insects - lots of possibilities there!
• Circles, dots and round design elements
• Double-dipped plates - they remind me of a technique where you can layer die-cuts of the same shape in different sizes with contrasting patterned paper or vellum and sew the die cuts in place.
• Multi-coloured spoons - try and create a rainbow of colours using the same shape or design element. A perfect way to use up buttons or enamel dots you in packs that are almost finished.
• Spring blooms in vases and containers
• Donuts and sprinkles - feature something sweet on your card or make a shaker card inspired by those sprinkles
• Pompom banner - bunting and trim is always a great feature on a card. Or why not make a (paper) pompom as a design feature and add some googly eyes.
• Dolls houses - house accents are a perfect detail for new home cards
• Make a card for a child

Hopefully that will get your mind going!

Happy crafting!