Big Fifty!

Hello everyone, it's Kat here!

Last minute cards...we've all been there haven't we?!

So here's an idea you can whip up in minutes and adapt for lots of occasions :-)

It's also brilliant for using up those scraps of paper that we all hoard - lol!

If you would like more pictures and details on how I created this card, then please do pop over to visit me at Paper Firefly

Have a lovely day!

Kat xx

Lovely things I used;

Impact alphabet - My Favorite Things
Bitty birthday wishes - My Favorite Things
Large dotted square stackables - Lawn Fawn

Fishing Dragons!...

Hello friends!

Sue here!

Happy September - oh my - I have been away for aaaages!!

I LOVE autumn, it is my favourite season by a country mile!

I'm back from summer hols - which were brilliant!  We were so lucky with the weather.  I'm now trying to catch up with my colouring card making!

Ask me on 1st October how that went! /-:

I'm here today with a gorgeous new release stamp set from

Whimsy Stamps

Fishing Dragons Clear Stamps (Dustin Pike)

I had so much fun colouring this super cute dragon!

I am practicing colouring my own backgrounds - it's a bit scary to be honest but it's learning curve and I'm determined to get better!

To make this card I stamped the 

Fishing Dragon 

and die cut it with a Whimsy Stamps 
stitched rectangle die

I first coloured the background with Copics, and then moved on to the cute dragon!  (His scales are done with the nib of a colourless blender held on its side! - Thank you to our lovely Crissy Armstrong for the inspiration) <3

Sky - BG0000, BG000, BG01, C00, C01 (Thank you Amy Young for the clouds inspiration)

Ground - E33, E31, E30, E50

Grass - G20, G21, G24, G85, W7

Dragon - YG00, YG03, G07, G29, Y04, Y08, Y18, Y26, Colourless Blender

Jacket - R39, R35, R32

I stamped a sentiment from the 

Fishing Dragons Clear Stamps (Dustin Pike)

onto a torn strip of vellum and wrapped it around the bottom of the design.  (It's secured at the back with sticky tape)

I die cut a piece of gorgeous design paper from the 

Mermaid 6x6 paper pack,

tied a piece if twine around it in a bow and layered the image onto the paper.

Thank you for popping by!

Be sure to pop to have a look around our 
Dies To Die For Blog

to see the gorgeous Design Team creations and then to 

Dies To Die For

to engage in some essential retail therapy!
Happy Crafting

From Sue…xxx

 

Squirrel !

I'm in love with these little furballs so I've kept them the focus of my card. The sunrays in the sky are created using a stencil which I've had for a while but this is its first outing (and I kinda like it).

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Squirrel !
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Papers
• MFT Ray of Light Stencil
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sweet Birthday Wishes

Hello chaps!  I may have overslept a "tiny" bit this morning, this little Squirrel was verrrrrry tired.

Anyhoo, you all know my fondness for Birdie Brown designs so I was

overjoyed when I managed to get my paws on this set

MFT stamps - Sweet Birthday Wishes (Birdie Brown) BB-78

MFT Die-Namics - Sweet Birthday Wishes MFT-1589

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Scallop Edges MFT-545

and to blend the background I used those amazing

Picket Fence Life-Changing Blender Brushes

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Perfectly Plaid - Spring (can't find on website now)

Have a lovely weekend all

Party at your own pace!

Hi there, it's Kat here!

I heard a rumour that tall skinny cards are making a comeback, and although it's not my fave card shape I thought I'd give it a whirl!

I've combined images from a couple of the adorable Stacey Yacula MFT stamp sets for this little guy who is 100% ready to party...at his own pace of course!

If you would like more pictures and details on how I created this card, including the Copic colours I used, then please do pop over to visit me at Paper Firefly

Have a fabulous day!

Kat xx

Lovely things I used;

Sending sweet celebration wishes - My Favorite Things
It's a mice time to celebrate - My Favorite Things

Blueprints 29 - My Favorite Things (for fishtail flag)

Playful patterns, bold 6x6" paper pad - Taylored Expressions

Sweater Weather Crew

It's gone a bit chilly the past few days so these guys in their woollies seems appropriate. I couldn't choose between the safari and wood set, so I've used both to create a whole crew of cuties gathered together for a coffee.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Sweater Weather on Safari
• MFT Sweater Weather in the Woods
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Papers
• MFT Watercolour Wash Papers
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Call The Shots

Happy Saturday to you all!

Squirrel here today with something MFTish

Yes, I know she is supposed to be a doctor/nurse, but I thought she made a lovely vet too!

MFT Birdie Brown - Call The Shots BB-76

MFT Die-Namics - Call The Shots MFT-1578

MFT Birdie Brown - Cool Cat BB-33

MFT 6x6 papers - Tiny Check

MFT 6x6 papers - Watercolor Wash

MFT Background Stamp - Paw Print BG-39

Hugs

Oceans of love

Hi there, it's Kat here!

It's pretty shocking how long it takes me to get round to using my 'new' stash sometimes!

I finally had a play with the gorgeous little mermaids from a past Mama Elephant release...

I have been using my Taylored Expressions blender brushes again; they made quick work of blending multiple ink colours together to make this ocean background.

If you would like more pictures and details on how I created this card, including the Copic marker colours and Distress Oxide ink colours that I used, then please do pop over to visit me at Paper Firefly

Have a fabulous day!

Kat xx

Lovely things I used;

Little mermaiden agenda - Mama Elephant
Little mermaiden agenda matching dies - Mama Elephant
Mermazing - My Favorite Things (for the sentiment)
Gill Friends - My Favorite Things (for the plants and bubbles)
Stitched hillside borders - Lawn Fawn
Blender brushes - Taylored Expressions (available for pre-order and due in 15th Sept)

Squirrel!

The cute little squirrels scurried into my basket faster than they could bury their acorns! 

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Squirrel! from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms and Watercolour paper pads

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sprouted Baby

Hello peeps, happy weekend, Squirrel here

It's been a hectic week, so today's post is a simpler card than usual

So cute, and so useful for girl or boy baby!

Stamping Bella - Sprouted Baby

MFT 6x6 papers - Tiny Check

MFT 6x6 papers - Hearts & Stripes

MFT Background Stamp - Bundles of Blossoms

Hugs to all

Snuggle Bunnies

Bunnies are some of my favourite critters but I've not used this cute stamp set for a while.  I thought they deserved an outing so have made a little card for a sweet friend. The design is clean and simple to focus on the fur-balls.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Snuggle Bunnies
• MFT Sending Sweet Celebrations Wishes (Sentiment)
• MFT Plaid Patterns Papers
• MFT Watercolor Wash Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Boy Scout

Hello peeps, Squirrel here today, slightly behind schedule!

When Stamping Bella released this image, I knew I just had to have it - I had no idea what I would use it for, but it just had to come home and live with me here.

A purpose arose much sooner than expected (see my own blog for the story)

and here he is!

Stamping Bella Tiny Townie Boy Scout

SB Cut It Out Boy Scout

Mama Elephant Hilly Thanks

MFT 6x6 papers - Tiny Check

MFT 6x6 papers - Proper Pinstripes

I hope you are prepared for a cracking weekend

Hugs

Sweet Celebration Wishes

I've been playing with my new Sweet Celebration Wishes stamps from MFT this week. I've used the 'pale-lines' technique and used a sentiment from the same set.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes
• Ink On 3 Fadeout Stamp Pad
• MFT Plaid Patterns Paper
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

SQUIRREL!

Morning all, Squirrel here again, with some furry little critters for you!

When this set was being previewed, Tracy said to me that it had my name

written all over it, literally, and she was soooooo right.

It also makes me think so much of cuddly Doug in Pixar's "Up".

SQUIRREL!

MFT Birdie Brown - Squirrel! BB-75

and the matching die set is Squirrel! MFT-1574

MFT 6x6 - Painted Prints Citrus

and that is it, simple but sweet

Hugs

There's no such thing as too many gnomes!...

Hello everyone,

I'm here to day with some gorgeous gnomes -

because you can never have too many right!?

Gnomies Clear Stamps by Krista Heij-Barber

I enjoyed colouring these cuties so much that I made two cards with them - if time permitted, I could have made a hundred and two!

I simply die cut some Kraft card with a

Hand Stitched Nested Rectangle Die

and stamped the gorgeous 

Gnomies Clear Stamps by Krista Heij-Barber

with black ink.

I then coloured them with an assortment of Caran d'Ache Luminance and Polychromos pencils.

I stamped a sentiment from the 

Gnomies stamp set and also used a sentiment from the 

Gnome Matter What Clear Stamps.

 I mounted the images on Kraft card decorated with 
Sunny Studio Quilted Hearts Embossing Folder
and added some twine tied with a bow at the front.

Finally I added some
Your Next Stamp Sugar Rush Gumdrops

Be sure to pop to have a look around our 
Dies To Die For Blog

to see the gorgeous Design Team creations and then to 

Dies To Die For

to engage in some essential retail therapy!
from Sue...xxx

Donkey

I was in love with these donkeys when I saw the new release at Stamping Bella.  I've always been fond of Donkeys since a child, having one as a soft toy as a baby.  I also love Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh so this set was a must-have as far as I'm concerned!

The sentiment is from another Stamping Bella set, and it seemed perfect for this little fella.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Donkey Trio Stuffies
• Stamping Bella Bunny Pile Stuffies (Sentiment)
• Ink On 3 Fadeout Stamp Pad
• Memory Box Notingham Border
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Paper Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear / Calories Schmalories

Morning everyone!  Squirrel here today

Who here likes a cupcake (or buns as we used to call them)?  They do seem to have come up in the world rather from their humble beginnings to confections of incredible detail.  They are certainly a good way of providing cake to an audience who may have wildly varying tastes and/or dietary requirements

And of course, they are simply delicious too!

This little chap looks happy with his cake anyway

CC Designs - Bears Clear Stamps CCD-0137

Whimsy Stamps - Calories Schmalories CWSD277

Whimsy Stamps - You're Birthday CWSD278

(the grammar queen in me says Your Birthday, but hey)

Whimsy Stamps - Birthday Word and Shadow Die WSD391

MFT Stencil - Card Sized Star Confetti ST-120

That cake is making me feel peckish......

Hugs all

Ivy Chair...

Hello everyone!

It's Sue here today with another gorgeous July new release stamp from

Whimsy Stamps

Here is a card made with the beautiful artful stamp

Ivy Chair by Jennifer Dove

I stamped this gorgeous image with black Stazon Ink on water colour card and painted it with

Tombow Dual Brush markers.

I die cut the image and a piece of dotty paper with 

Notched Squares Dies

I punched a hole with a single hole punch and threaded some organza ribbon through as shown.

Finally I stamped a sentiment from the 

You're my Always Clear Stamp Set 

and die cut it with a 

Quick Strips Die

The number of occasions this beautiful stamp is just perfect for are endless!

Thank you for popping by,
Happy Crafting

from Sue...xxx
 

 

Curvy Girl Baker

I haven't made an apron shaped card for a while and decided the Curvy Girl Baker image was just the ticket to try it again. The shape is actually just a rectangle with the armholes cut out using an oval die.  I attached the ribbon 'ties' before adding the patterned paper and popped my image on the front. She's a 'big girl' so it's quite a big card because I decided against cropping her (I'd already coloured her and couldn't face chopping her legs off to make her fit a smaller card base!).

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Curvy Girl Baker
• Ink On 3 Fadeout No Line Stamp Pad
• Stitched Rectangle Diea
• Oval nesting Die
• MFT Block Happy Birthday

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Donkey Stuffie

Happy weekend everyone, Squirrel here today.

Now, is there anyone out there who doesn't love a donkey?

You?  Really?  Are you mad?  They are sooooooo adorable!

Still, I suppose there always has to be one.  Sigh.  Let's see if this changes your mind.

Awwwwwh!

Stamping Bella Donkey Trio Stuffies eb847

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Tag-Corner Square Stax MFT-1225

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2 MFT-1015

MFT Clear Stamps Bitty Birthday Wishes CS-398

The papers I used I can't find on the website now but they were

Sunny Studio 6x6 paper Gingham Jewel Tones

Sunny Studio 6x6 paper Amazing Argyle

Hugs

Inky Hey!

Happy Friday everyone, it's Kat here!

WARNING: may contain enabling...

If you have ever struggled with getting lovely smooth inky blends (yes yes yes...'waves hands in the air') then you absolutely have to get some of the Taylored Expressions blender brushes...seriously, they are AMAZEBALLS!

I brushed several shades of ink over the star stencil for the background...soooo easy! I used the same inks on white card and then die cut the letters from it. Shout out to these FAB new alphabet dies from MFT as well ;-)

If you would like more pictures and details on how I created these cards, including the Distress Oxide ink colours that I used, then please do pop over to visit me at Paper Firefly

Have a wonderful day!

Kat xx

Lovely things I used;

Blender brushes - Taylored Expressions
Impact alphabet - My Favorite Things
Bitty birthday wishes - My Favorite Things

Scattered stars stencil - Taylored Expressions

Inside and out stitched square STAX - My Favorite Things

Happy Days...

Hello everyone!

It's Sue here today! 

I'm here today with a card I made as a set of three for Simply cards and paper craft issue 192!

The brief was to make cards for wishing good luck and well done for graduation and exam success.

I so enjoyed doing this!

I thought that 

Stamping Bella - Tiny Townie Layla Love Leaves

was perfect!

She looks so happy and pleased with herself, throwing glitter in the air!

Ingredients from Dies To Die For

Stamping Bella - Tiny Townie Layla Love Leaves

Hybrid Ink in Extreme Black

Mama Elephant Bold Banner

Lawn Fawn Spring Fling 6 x 6 Paper Pad

Star Dust Stickles Glitter Glue

Copic Markers

 Skin E04, E11, E01, E000, 

Hair E37, E35, E33, 

Clothes, BG32, BG13, BG11, RV95, RV93, RV91, R85, R83, R81

Other Ingredients

Make It Colour Blending Card by Elaine Hughes Marker Geek

Distress Ink Pad in Tumbled Glass

Be sure to have a look around our

Dies To Die For Blog 

to see the gorgeous DT creations there and then to 

Dies To Die For

to engage in some essential retail therapy!

Thank you for popping by!
Happy crafting
from Sue...xxx

Picture Perfect

I admit that I don't personally partake in the current trend for selfies, but these little guys from Dies to Die For are too cute not to indulge in a little Polaroid fun!  

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Picture Perfect Stamp Set
• Polaroid Dies
• MFT Paper Pad
• Versafine Ink Pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Drink Up The Sunshine

Well that's an ironic post title for this week!  Hello, a very tired and sweaty Squirrel here with you today.

What a week it has been for some parts of the UK.  Here in the east, we reached 34C on Thursday, and had the most ENORMOUS storms Thursday night.   I think most of us would like to be this little lady (minus her friend) just for a chance to cool off a bit.

Makes me want to find a paddling pool.....

MFT Birdie Brown BB74 Drink Up The Sunshine

MFT Die-Namics MFT1562 Drink Up The Sunshine

MFT Birdie Brown BB72 Friends With Fins

MFT Die-Namics MFT1527 Friends With Fins

MFT Clear Stamps CS403 Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings 2

MFT Stencil ST110 Make Waves

MFT 6x6 paper EP24 Watercolour Wash

Your Next Stamp 6x6 paper School Days

That's me done for today, off to find some ice!

Hugs

Unicorns, cupcakes and sparkle

Hi there, it's Kat here!

Does anyone else LOVE unicorns, cupcakes, rainbow colours, and a bit of sparkle?!

I also love polaroid frames and cute captions so I was in a very happy place whilst creating this card!

If you would like more pictures and details on how I created this card, including the Copic colours that I used, then please do pop over to visit me at Paper Firefly

Have a fabulous sparkly day!

Kat xx

Lovely things I used;

Party unicorns - CC Designs
Polaroid shaker frame - My Favorite Things
#captions - My Favorite Things
Stitched borders 3 - Pretty Pink Posh
Sweet Celebration 6x6 paper pad - My Favorite Things

Special Friend...

Hello everyone, I hope the day is being kind to you!

It's Sue here today with a sneak peak!

I made this card for a feature in July's's Making Cards magazine, which is available by following the link

HERE

...and what's more...

I used Tomboy Dual Brush markers which are a free gift for all new subscribers to Making Cards this month!  

I made this card by scribbling some ink from the Tombows onto my glass mat, spraying it with water and then swooshing (technical term)! a piece of watercolour card through it!

I used a heat tool to dry the ink - this is important before you move on to the next stage!

Then I stamped and heat embossed in white the beautiful  

Whimsy Stamps Butterfly Background Cling Rubber Stamp  

and trimmed the image to fit nicely inside a piece of patterned paper die cut with the largest

Whimsy Stamps Hand Stitched Rectangle Die

I die cut a piece of white card with the 

Whimsy Stamps Special Large Words Die

and fixed that to the card design.

I stamped the friend sentiment onto white card with black ink and die cut it with a 

Whimsy Stamps Quick Strips Die 

and I also fixed this to the card design.

Finally I added some white and silver sequins.

Thank you for popping by,

happy crafting!

from Sue...xxx