Tim Holtz Couple Dies - Xmas card

This is my Christmas card to hubby, again using the Tim Holtz die set (Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 664731).- such a great set and so effective against scenic background papers,

We're still doing Christmas here - still have Holly, Emily and Violet staying over for a few more days.  Em's Jack will also be joining us in the new year for a week or so - and to celebrate Em's birthday!

We've had a great Christmas and hope you did too.xx

Juliexx

Passion for Markers Mega Christmas Challenge - use Die Cuts

Hi Folks 

Well it's that time of year - yep, time for our Mega Christmas challenge over at a Passion for Markers The challenge runs for the whole month of December and into the New Year, ending on the 3rd January 2023.  

Our theme for the Mega Christmas challenge is “use die cuts”.  We don't mind what you create for this challenge, as long as you use some die cuts and colour with your markers!  You are welcome to make Christmas creations but as the challenge will still be running after the ‘BIG’ day you can of course make any type of creation.  As time is precious for our DT at this time of year we are limiting the number of entries you can make to just 3 for this month long challenge.  Please remember to be eligible for our prizes you must use your markers such as Promarkers, Copics, Spectrum Noir, Karin, Zig Clean Color etc

My die cuts are from the November release from Marianne Designs, - I love these cute animals carolling around the tree and so great that you can die cut them out to add to your make.  My full list of products used is below.

Marianne Products Used

Tree Die - LR0787 

Musical Notes - LR0785

Singing Animals Stamps and Die Set - EC0196 

Eline's Christmas Carols Sentiment Set - EC0198  

And now for the exciting bit – the prizes!

Dies to Die For are offering 1 lucky winner a £20.00 gift voucher

Uniko Stamps are offering 1 lucky winner 1 stamp set (must be in stock)

Leann’s World 101 are offering 1 lucky winner 2 digi images

Crafty Sentiments Designs are offering 1 lucky winner 3 digi images

Colour of Love digis are offering 1 lucky winner 3 digi images

All Dressed Up stamps are offering 1 lucky winner 2 digi images

Polkadoodles are offering 1 lucky winner 3 digi images

Di’s Digi Stamps are offering 1 lucky winner a $6.00 voucher

Sheepski Designs are offering 1 lucky winner 3 digi images

As the challenge is a month long, Design Team 1 - check them out here -  are posting their fabulous makes today, and team 2 will follow in a couple of weeks to give you some more inspiration.

Happy Crafting!

Juliexx

A Floral card today!

This is my card for my sister's birthday last week.  I made the background in a great online Eileen Godwin workshop which I haven't yet finished!   More inspiration was taken from the fabulous Chrissy Ballingal on Facebook here - love her style.  Do check out the wonderful creations of these two ladies - I think they create beautiful pieces!

I've used a Visible image stencil and gesso for the background with distress sprays.  I've then added the die cut flowers which are a Honey Bee Cone Flower Die Set.  The sentiment is from a PaperTrey Ink set.

I also made my sister a sunflower throw which I'll share soon!

Juliexx

Lavinia Lupin and Berries

I've been getting inky fingers with these cards using the gorgeous Lupin from Lavinia Stamps and following a tutorial that Tracey from Lavinia posted on social media - showing how to use the new Distress Glaze from Tim Holtz.  It's fabulous!!

I'm always nervous when getting inky fingers and often wonder how to get started so the tutorials are the perfect way to dive in until you grow in confidence with this way of making cards.

It's nice too as you get to do a bit of colouring - I've used Arteza watercolour brushes to colour Lupin here.

Have a great weekend.

Juliexx

Passion for Markers Traditional Christmas Colours

Ther's nothing like some lovely traditional Christmas colours at this time of year which is just as well as it is the theme chosen by my lovely teamie Sue for this week's challenge at Passion for Markers. There's also something to be said for a traditional image which this sort of is as a Gingerbread lady - Noel Tannenbaum from our sponsor this week, Colour of Love,

My papers are some Stampin Up pads that I picked up in a charity shop a little while ago - hole in the head springs to mind but I can't resist a bargain!  The Poinsettia and sentiment are both from Marianne Designs - details below.

Christmas Carol Sentiments - EC0198 - New and already a firm favourite!

Poinsettia Die - LR0779 a new this year die set!

As I mentioned, this week's sponsor is the Colour of Love Digi images and they are offering the lucky winner a choice of 2 images from their online store.

You can see how the DT have used their images this week here and then I hope you will come and play along!

Juliexx

Marianne Designs Gnome Snow Globe

Marianne Products Used

Isn't this snowglobe set lovely!  Marianne Designs have now made a die set and an acetate window to make snowglobe cards!!  I've used one of their Stamp and Die Gnome sets, and an older Igloo and Mountain set which is so cute!!  Full list of Marianne products used below.

Snow Globe Die Set - CR1610 - NEW!

Acetate Globe Window - LR0045 - NEW!

Sentiment - Christmas Carols - EC0198 - NEW!

Papers - Winter Wonderland - PK9181 - NEW!

Gnome Stamp and Die Set - CS1107

Igloo and Mountain Die Set - COL1417

Another one for the box - I've only a few more cards to make for this year!

Thanks for stopping by.

Juliexx

Peekaboo!

My card today uses several new or newish Marianne products, listed below.  I do love this Peekaboo Santa Stamp.  Full list of Marianne Products below.

Peekaboo Stamp Set - CS1109 - NEW!

Frame Die - LR0781 - NEW!

Winter Wonderland Papers - PK9181 - NEW!

Bauble Sentiment - LR0682

Stockings - LR0733

Tiny Bows - from Sack Die Set - CR1487

Snowflake - LR0393

Hugs, Juliexx

Marianne Designs Nativity - November release

I loved making this card in a tryptic style - appropriate given the subject.  This new nativity die set from Marianne Designs is fabulous- and I think the stable set may come with but do check if you purchase it. I now have two sets as I had it from when it was originally released so check my facebook page here as I will be doing a little giveaway with this new secomd set!

 

The card is on the Marianne Inspiration blog here with full details- so pleased with the background sky made with the star mask and gesso, then sprayed with Prized Ribbon Distress Spray.

Full list of Marianne Products below.

Nativity Set – COL1519 - NEW!

Stable Set – COL1328

Christmas Carols Sentiment Stamp Set – EC0198 - NEW!

Starry Night Mask – PS8129

Have a great week!

Juliex

Passion for Markers - Digital challenge

Afternoon bloggers!  Tuesday is post day for the Passion for Markers Challenge with a great theme of Digital Stamps chosen by our lovely Marlene.  Leann's World 101 are our sponsor and the DT were very fortunate to be able to choose one of their digi images to share with you. I've used this gorgeous tree image - 'presents'. 

I coloured the image with Copics and Promarkers including a gold metallic Promarker for the tinsel and star but it doesn't show up top well on my pic. I've also layered some Marianne Dew Drops over some of the tree baubles to add a bit of dimension and sparkle. List of Marianne Goodies below.

Marianne Products Used

Doiley Die and Tag - LR0764

Frame Die Set - LR0692

Wonky Square Die Set - CR1375

Star Flourish Die Brocante Christmas - PK9191

Enamel Dots - Dew Drops - PL4514

As mentioned, Leann's World 101 are sponsoring this week's challenge and you could win 2 digi images from their fab selection - check out the makes of my PFM teamies here to see some more.

It's been a wet and wild day here in the Lakes, so I've been crafting away and writing up projects - indoors is the best place to be on a day like today!

Hugs, Juliexx

Tim Holtz Christmas Couple Die

I loved this Tim Holtz die set from a couple of years ago but haven't gotten round to using it.  It makes for quite a simple card even though cutting out all the bits and assembling is a bit fiddly.  But I did do a bit of mixing and matching, hence three cards.  I like the completed figures against these grungy Xmas papers from my stash.

I've seen the new Christmas release from Tim this year - love the snowmen and bottle brush tree stamps but I'm sitting on my hands!!

The Die set is this one- Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 664731.

Thanks for popping in!

Juliexx

Frida Kahlo Stamp set

When I saw these new Frida Kahlo stamps and papers - available at Craft Stash here - I knew they would make great cards for some family members who are huge fans of this fascinating artist.  This is the card for my SIL.  I was a bit surprised about the boldness of the paper set I got, but I think I've toned them down here but just allowing glimpses of them through the layers.  I used a mask stencil from Marianne Designs to create the softer inked layer, coloured and hand-cut the flowers from the Frida set.  The little corner stamp on the main image comes with the stamp set so I added some Marianne die cut foliage to mirror the leaves- details of Marinane products used below.

Tags- CR1510

Mask Stencil - PS8119

Leaf Dies - LR0769

Happy Monday peeps!

Juliexx

Passion for Markers Embellish it Challenge

Yep, it's new challenge day at Passion for Markers with a great theme of Embellish it chosen by our lovely Marie.

I've used this gorgeous gnome image from our sponsor - Star Jam Lines - he looks like he's having great fun! I've taken my colours from this super new paper set from Marianne Designs - I love the retro feel of the colours.  Of course, all coloured with markers, a mix of Promarkers and Copics - I also got my metallic Promarkers out to add some shine to the baubles and the stars.  Full list of Marianne Products below.

Marianne Products Used

Papers - Jolly Christmas - PB7065 - NEW!

Tree Die set - CR1602 - NEW!

Bauble Dies - LR0682

Gnome Dies - LR0554

Enamel Dots

Mirri Board

Star Jam Lines  are offering one lucky winner 2 digi images of their choice (the Etsy store is currently closed but Olya will liaise with the winner to sort out choosing their images).  Most of the DT have used images from Star Jam Lines on their creations this week so check them out here at PFM HQ.

Happy Colouring!

Juliexx

Peekaboo Santas

I made a few of these cards with this Peekaboo Santa stamp from Marianne Designs.  Still love this small rectangular die set from Marianne too - full list of products used below.  

Peekaboo Stamps - CS1109

Small Rectangle Dies - CR1563

Square Scalloped and Stitched edge Dies from Distressed Rectangle set - CR1569

Jolly Christmas Papers - PB7075

Frozen Winter Papers - PK9172

And below,  using the stripey papers from the Jolly Christmas set

That's it for now - my Emily has just come home for a week from London - Happy Days!!

Juliexx

Autumn Harvest courtesy of Marianne Designs!

I've been in awe of the amazing autumnal makes on social media this year, and although I've been in Christmas card making mode, I just couldn't resist making this card with my Marianne products!  I also cut all the shapes in coloured card stock to sand the edges and add to the rustic feel.  The big pumpkin is great - I've nearly hidden it though!  And, I didn't have any small pumpkin dies, so I used the cactus ones from the set below to load up my truck with squash, marrows and pumpkins.  Anyway, full product list below.

Marianne Products Used

Pumpkin Die (hidden under leaves and toadstools!) - COL1507

Large Leaf Die - CR1598

Small Leaf Die Set - LR0621

Truck Die - LR0641

Cactus Dies - COL1511

Acorn Die - LR0373

SignPost Die - LR0535

Fishtail Tag Dies - COL1507

Goodbye Sentiment - MM1630  

Birthday Sentiment - CS1053

Papers - Autumn Whispers - PB7059

Toadstool Dies- LR0623/LR0732

Acorn Die - LR0373

I've been on a quick road trip to see my Dad down in Norwich and honestly the autumn colours all the way there and back are just stunning!

Juliexx

Winter Wonderland - Anything Goes at Passion for Markers

Tuesdays mean new challenge day at Passion for Markers and our lovely Lorraine on Team 1 has been very kind to us and chosen a theme of Anything Goes!!  Just include a coloured image on your make, using markers (telling us which type you've used) and then post it on our challenge blog here.

Our sponsors this week are Uniko Stamps and they're offering the lucky winner a Stamp Set of choice as long as it's in stock!

I couldn't resist some of the new Christmas Images over at my old stomping ground, Mo's Digital Pencil- Mo has created some beautiful new images and this is one of them - Harry Elf - what a cutie!

He was perfect to tie in with some of the new Marianne release this month - details below. Some of the items I've used are quite old but I know Marianne have brought out a whole host of dies that could take the place of some of my older ones, the tree border die for instance.  Check out the range here over on Marianne Designs.

Marianne Products Used

Log Cabin Die - LR0771 - NEW!

Winter Sentiment Die - LR0784 - NEW!

Icicle Border Die - CR1607 - NEW!

Tree Border Die - LR0283

Small Tree Die - LR0136

Grass Border for Icicles on House - LR0650

Papers - Frozen Winter - PK9172

Don't forget to check out the gorgeous makes of my teamies here.

Happy Colouring!

Juliexx

Winter Birds with new Marianne goodies

These new bird stamp and die sets from Marianne are just so sweet and I loved playing with the leaf stencil too.  I've used gesso through the stencil and then sprayed with Distress Ink Sprays.  Love this technique so much - I followed an online workshop with Eileen Goodwin on Facebook here around a year ago which I really must finish!!

You can find a more detailed walkthrough of my card here on the Marianne Inspiration blog.

Marianne Products Used

Leaf Stencil – PS8135 - NEW!

Birds Stamp and Die Set – TC0904 - NEW!

DL Tree Dies – LR0772

Basic Rectangle Die set – CR1605

Sentiment – Happy Holidays – CS109

Managed a blustery walk up our local fell, Binsey, this morning - otherwise know as the other woman in Nick's life!!  Hope you're enjoying your weekend so far.

Hugs, Juliexx

New Baby cards

I was delighted to hear that a great friend has recently become a Grandma for the first time so I made these cards, one for the proud new parents and one for my friend. The elephant image is from Inkadinkadoo, the babygro is a Memory Box die and the sentiment on this card from PaperTreyInk.  The papers and these cute little footprints are from Marianne Designs which I've listed below.

Marianne Designs Products

Papers - Hooray A Boy - PB7064

Footprint Stamp and Die set - CS1085

For the next card I've kept the sentiment as the main focus - it is one of my favourites for baby cards, from Lili of The Valley.  The little perched rabbit is from Charlie and Paulchen, the papers are the same Marianne set and I've framed them with a stitched square die from Marianne Designs - in the scalloped Squares Die Set - LR0767

Off to my craft room now, as it's such a miserable day here!

Hugs, Juliexx

Attic 24 Cosy Stripe Throw

Seeing as I posted my son's birthday card yesterday, here is the throw I made for his birthday using the Attic 24 Cosy Stripes pattern,

Really enjoyed making it although I was surprised how long it took as the pattern is quite straightforward - I suppose it's quite a dense pattern.  

Hugs, Juliexx

Embossing Powders card

This was a very simple card for my son's birthday.  I took embossing powders, mostly from the Aged Frantage range and heated them, adding little more powder until I was happy with the effect and then mounted behind a circle aperture to look like a planet.  

The sentiment is from Kaisercraft - YOU! set.

The bottom pic shows the shine effect!

It's a dull and dismal day here in the Lakes so think I may crack on with Christmas cards until go to collect our little V after school!

Juliexx

Food and Drink Challenge Passion for Markers

Morning everyone - well, just!  Today's card is for our new challenge starting today over at Passion for Markers - where our lovely Lisa MacVicar has chosen a great theme of Food and Drink.  Our sponsor this week, is the fabulous Polkadoodles and so I've used one of their great Christmas digi stamps -Feeding the Birds.  I've also teamed it up with these super new Christmas papers from Marianne Designs - such pretty colours - details below.

Marianne Products Used

Papers Jolly Christmas - PB7065 - NEW!

Round Frame/Bird Dies - LR0457

Presents - COL1439 and COL1460

Polkadoodles are offering the lucky winner of this week's challenge 3 digi images of their choice so come and join in the challenge.  Just remember, that you HAVE to use markers of some make or type to be eligible for the prize.

Thanks for stopping by!

Juliexx

Christmas Gnomes

I do love a gnome at Christmas and I've loved using these new stamp and die Gnome sets from Marianne Designs.  They look perfect with the Marianne truck too!  I've made a batch in several different colour schemes and with some older Marianne papers but I've just received my DT pack for October and there are some new lovely papers - I think I'll be having a play this afternoon!

The only thing non-Marianne is the white snowflake frame - I bought it second hand so don't have the brand sorry.  Anyway, fully list of Marianne goodies below

Marianne Products Used

Gnome Stamp and Die Sets - CS1106 and CS1107 - NEW!

Truck Die - LR0641

Tree (from Car and Tree set) - LR0567

Lamp Post - LR0724

Starry Night Papers - PB7014