Backyard renovation

Not craft related, but this is what we got up to on the weekend.  Our back fence needs replacing but before we can get that done we need to re-do our retaining wall.  So, all our beautiful roses and gardenias have had to come out - hopefully they will survive their temporary placement until they can be re-planted.  We hired a digger to remove the dirt, thank goodness, but still, by the end of Sunday there were four very tired members of our family.  This is as much as we managed to do this weekend, hopefully we can finish it next weekend.  Today everyone is really feeling their efforts in backs, arms and legs - it even hurts to type.  But as you can see from the photo, Maxx is having a lovely time playing in the dirt.   

Inking Embossing Folders

What do you think of this background?   I was doing my usual checking out on Pinterest the other day when I saw a card made using this technique, so thought I would have a try myself.  I have used this technique before, but was just reminded how lovely it can look.  All you need to do is wipe your inkpad over the flatter side of an embossing folder, pop in your cardstock and run it through your Big Shot machine.  It doesn't really matter which side of the embossing folder you ink up, but each side will give a different effect.

I think a little tweaking is in order as I'm not convinced that my black butterfly suits the card.  However, I love the background and love that we have another way of using embossing folders to create something a bit different.  This is something you definitely should try, or try again.  

   

And another card made using pre-stamped  images.  Nothing flash, but hopefully it will appeal to someone.  

Four Feathers

You may remember last week I was saying that I had a bundle of things punched, stamped and cut out to use up.  This is the end product of one of those images.  

I had borrowed a friend's stamp set called Elements of Style to use when I was making my sampler frames ages ago, and this lovely bunch of flowers has been hanging around waiting to be given a little love.  I've stamped a few raindrops onto the Eggplant cardstock for background and then used Labels Collection dies around the image.  The happy birthday was also one previously stamped out, so two more things have been used from the collection.  I'm working my way through the box. 

This card was made using another borrowed set - Four Feathers.  I'm still trying to decide whether I need this set for my collection.  The background here has been sponged, making the heat embossed images pop out.

 

Have I also mentioned I have a large collection of ribbons and buttons to use up - that's another challenge!

A little Valentine

No, my husband and  I aren't really one of those couples that celebrate Valentine's Day.  Goes back to a comment I made once when he brought me home some flowers, and I've never had any since.  However there are a lot who do celebrate, so I made a few cards in the hope of selling them at work.  You may have noticed that I love my Hearts A Flutter stamp set and dies.

                               

And I know Valentine's Day was a looong time ago, but never mind. 

A challenge for you

I don't know about you, but when I get together with my stamping buddies I generally stamp, punch or die cut their stuff because-I-love-it-so-much-I-just-want-to-use-it, but at the end of the day it usually ends up sitting in a folder never being touched. Well, I am trying to use a little of this collected stash every time I stamp, and these butterflies were actually coloured and cut out ready to go.  I'm also trying different ways of setting out the card instead of just my standard coloured cardstock, black border mat and white top mat.   

Well, that's 2 pieces down, with only thousands to go.  So, here's my challenge for you.  If you are like me with your collection, try to use at least one thing every time you make a card.  Whether it's a stamped image, die cut or punch shape, work it into a card.  Eventually we'll use it all up.