Keep in touch

I've made this card using the 4x4 Friday theme of family for my brother and Japanese wife as a goodbye, and keep-in-touch card. They are emigrating to Japan at the end of the month, to my great sadness. We don't have any plans to go there as the costs are too high, so hope they'll pop back to England every so often. Tomorrow we're having them and the rest of my family round for a party. Shame my brother in Australia cannot join us too.


The photo is the only formal one we have of the 5 of us, and was taken a couple of years ago. I converted it to a black and white image. Peter is now taller than Steve, much to Steve's disgust!!

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Stamps : Invoke Arts Nibs and Pens; Paper Artsy At Home 3

Inks : DI Broken China, Shabby Shutters, Weathered Wood and Faded Jeans; refill ink Broken China

Extras : Perfect Pearls Bronze and Gold; MM ribbon; embroidery floss; Corner Punch

Dotty moments!

I thought it would be a fun to contribute to a new challenge site based on tags. Their theme for this week is polka dots.
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Stamps : Tim Holtz Nature's Moments; HA Polka Dot Ribbon; Invoke Arts dots from Shrine Frames set; RS Tapestry Clear Leaves

Inks : DI Fired Brick, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain and Pine Needles

Extras: Perfect pearls Gold; Prima Flowers; Elusive Images tag; brad; ribbon

Best friends together

I have made the most of a free day to create to my heart's content, although after this I'd better go and do some housework!! I think the children might need feeding too!

This uses the word 'cherish' - the challenge from Theme Thursday.

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Stamps : Crafty Individuals 84, 21 & 173; Stampington Collage Cube

Inks : Caran D'Ache Aquarelle crayons; DI Scattered Straw and Pine Needles; StazOn Black

Extras : Corner Punch; Black paper; Sanding block; Chipboard Buckle; MM Brad; Sheer Ribbon; Tissue Paper

Real Gentlemen

This is my first attempt at a 'skinny', ie 3 x 5". It uses a watercoloured background, the theme given by Created ByHand. I love the technique where you scribble with aquarelle crayons and then blend them with water.

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Stamps : Paper Artsy Mini 3, One Penny 2 and Man of Numbers 2; Crafty Individuals 161 script

Inks : Caran D'Ache Aquarelle crayons; DI Shabby Shutters and Spiced Marmalade; Archival Grape

Extras : Ribbon; Paper Clip; Brads

Underneath the Plum Tree

This is an Oriental themed card for the 4x4 challenge this week. The Japanese text is part of a poem based on the title above.Don't tell anyone that I've used pears instead of plums!!

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Stamps : Elusive Images Fleurs et Parfum; Non Sequitur Greco-Roman Collage set; Judikins Underneath the Plum Tree; HA dragonflies

Inks : Ecoline Red Violet; DI refill Antique Linen; Glimmer Mist Olive Vine; DI Tattered Rose and Worn Lipstick; Fluid Chalk Olive Pastel; Adirondack Bottle

Extras : Perfect Pearls Gold

Flowers for you

This card is for the Theme Thursday challenge entitled orange and black. I find I use orange a lot on my cards, even though it's not my favourite colour. I find it scans well, and gives warmth. I've added a touch of green for the foliage - just a hint of contrast.

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Stamps : Crafty Individuals 161 text; Elusive Images Delightful Damask set

Inks : DI Black Soot, Dried Marigold, Scattered Straw and Spiced Marmalade; Archival Black; Watercolour Pencils

Extras : Image from Tuscan Rose CD3; Sequin Waste

Winter landscape

One of my friends challenged me to use 'grungy' colours. So here is my wintry looking tag for the Wednesday Stamper theme of trees. Lots of gesso and spritzed distress inks.

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Stamps : Paper Bag Studios Addison; Stampington Recommendation

Inks : DI Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Pine Needles and Black Soot; StazOn Black and Olive Green

Extras : Tissue paper; Elusive Images tag; fibres from my collection; Gesso

Live in the moment

The background of this card has been stencilled, which is the theme of Created byHand. I saw this stencil at the NEC, and bought it on a whim. I don't usually buy stencils, but was attracted to this one because of the flourishes. I'm glad I gave in to my impulsiveness!

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Stamps : Tim Holtz Nature's Moments

Inks : Adirondack dabber Shell Pink; Impress Garnet; VersaMagic Pixie Dust; DI refill Tea Dye and Antique Linen; Adirondack Caramel

Extras : Perfect Pearls Gold; pink paper and DCWV gold card; The crafter's Workshop Funky Swirl stencil