My July Reveal for Meg's Garden #1

Hi everyone!!!  Welcome to my blog, so nice to have you here.  I do hope you are having a lovely day.  The weather here in Adelaide is gorgeous today.  We've had beautiful sunshine for the first time in weeks.  Still quite cool but at least it's not so dull and dreary today. 

I'd like to share Part 1 of my July DT Post for Meg's Garden.  It is a step card made with the lovely 'Correspondence' Papers designed by Kerry-Jean Watson.  These papers are absolutely gorgeous and so suited to all kinds of projects from dreamy feminine to vintage  and even masculine styles.  This card definitely falls into the 'feminine' category.

No cutting and trimming here!!  I just ripped the papers to size and then curled the edges a bit.  Added a little machine stitching for some interest and also did a little background work with a stencil and some Distress Ink but then I covered it up again.  I think you can still see a little peek every now and then though.

The sweet little butterfly is from Meg's Garden's More Butterflies Transparency Sheet .  The dodo wire and  the small white rose and rosebud are also from Meg's Shop.  I'll leave a list of Meg's Products at the bottom of this page.

This card actually came about because I wanted to use that beautiful grey/blue primula .. don't you just love the colour??  I know I do ... it is absolutely stunning in real life!   Love the gorgeous heirloom flower too, these two blooms go so well together.   Added the circle behind the cluster ( after doing some stamping with Distress Ink) for some added interest and tore some tissue like paper into strips and curled them to fill the space.

The inside was also decorated with the papers.  I used the Mini Paper Pack for this card, they are a perfect size for cards and smaller projects.

And here is my card standing up!!!

I do hope you like it and that I have inspired you today!!

Meg's Garden Products used
'Correspondence' Mini Paper Pack.
Dodo Vine Wire
Silk and Organza Primula
White Heirloom Fabric Flower
Small white roses
Mini Rosebuds

To take a look at the many gorgeous products Meg has available in her shop,  HERE is the link.
Why not also go to the Meg's Garden Blog HERE and take a look  at the awesome projects from the other Team Members.

Thank you so much for visiting today and I do hope you enjoy the rest of your day
Take care and God Bless.

A little Spring in my Step

Hi everyone and a very warm welcome to you!!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful day and that the weather in your part of the world is being kind to you.  We've had quite a lovely Autumn day in Adelaide today.  Nice and sunny with the temperature in the low 20s.  Could handle a lot more days like this one.

So, with our weather heading into winter, I thought I would take a step back and make a spring card.  Does that seem a bit on the silly side?  Well, I just felt like making something bright and sunny, and this is what I came up with.

 Have I told you that I really like making step cards???  Yeah, I think I might have mentioned that!!

 This one is a variation of my previous Crossover Step Card design.  Instead of using the pocket for tags, it has been closed and simply become part of the card itself and the crossover has been done in a double layer.  The papers were border punched with Martha Stewarts' Doily Die Border and some lace was inserted in between.  The papers used are a mix of Pion's Flower Frames and Maja's Vintage Summer Basics and I've done some stencilling with texture paste as a bit of added interest.  

 I've also tucked a few branches in between the card layers here and there.

 Added a couple of Vintage Brads at the bottom ...

 ... and here is a sideways closie of the flower cluster to which was added a twine bow.

The inside was lined with a sheet from Prima's Ledger Pad Paper pack and I made the pocket from a scrap piece of the Maja papers.

Thoroughly enjoyed making this card and it came together really quickly.  Love it when that happens.

I've decided to enter this one into the following Challenges -
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Spring Flowers
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
Take care and God Bless.
oxox Marg

In Step with Meg's Garden Damask Collection

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog.

I'm back to share my Meg's Garden DT Project with you today.  This card is made with the stunning new Damask range of papers. Once again, it's a centre Step Card.  I think I'm stuck in a rut.  I seem to be making a lot of these step cards but I just love working with them.  So .......  I guess there probably wil be quite a few more to come.  Really hope you don't get bored ???  

 As you can see I've incorporated a few different papers from the collection in this card to create the layers.  Some of the papers are from the Mini Pack and some are scraps from the 12 x 12 sheets left over from another project.  The leaf flourish on the side panels was stamped with Memento 'Tuxedo Black'. 

 For one of the layers I've used a square doily cut in half  and scrunched up a bit and then placed a torn piece of the paper over that.  Added a bit of lace and another strip of torn paper.  I love using odd bits of paper.  The uneven edges look more interesting to me that regular straight cuts.  The flourish and the twigs  were cut from cardstock with my Silhouette and the label was fussy cut from one of the mini papers.  You'll also see I've inserted some small branches in between some of the layers for extra interest.  The small gem sprays are from Magnolia Ink.

 Just a closie of the layers.  You can also see I've used a little bit of gesso in the corners and down the side as well.

 This gorgeous flower was white originally, but it simply looked too stark against the rest of the card so I decided to give it a bit of a make-over.  I gave it a burst with my Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Spray in Sea Grass Green and 'voila' now it blends in beautifully.  Well, to me it does anyway.  I really love that the centre is now more or less a solid green and the petals have also got some spots of colour as well.  Wetting the flower with the spray actually caused it to open out a bit and gave it more dimension ... you could say the spray made it blossom !!  LOL

 The chippie border is from Little Birdie and I've simply coloured that with some watered down Acrylic Paint.

And there you have it.  My Centre Step Card made with the new Damask Collection papers.  These papers are truly beautiful and such a lovely colour.  The photos really don't do them justice.  Why not visit Meg's Garden shop and have a closer look, you can find it HERE.  Believe me, you won't be sorry.

List of Meg's Garden Products used:

Blue Belle Jardiniere 12 x 12 Paper - P6380

Blue & Green Damask 12 x 12 Paper - P6368

Framboise Fleur 12 x 12 Paper - P6370

Damask Mini Paper Pack - S120

Gardenia 3 Layer White - gar wh

1.6cm White Lace - L2920

Mini Square Doily - bond10

If you'd like to see the awesome projects created by my Teamies please visit Meg's Garden Blog HERE

Thank you so much for visiting with me here today, I really do appreciate you taking the time. 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Take care and God Bless.

oxox Marg

The Colour Purple

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog.  I hope you are all having a wonderful day and that the weather is being kind.  We've had some lovely weather here in Adelaide lately and I for one hope it will continue.

It's been a little while since I posted here, and I won't bore you with the reasons why, but I'm back and hope to post a bit more regularly from now on.

So, to business.

My youngest Grandson celebrated his 17th Birthday yesterday (where has the time gone?????) and this is the card I made for him.  You can obviously guess that he is quite fond of the colour purple.

 Yes, I'm afraid it is another Centre Step Card.  Actually it is another Cross Over Centre Step Card.  I really am fond of this shape, so there probably will be more of these to come.  The papers I've used are from Kaisercraft's Check In and Glitz's French Kiss.  A bit of a mix but I feel it worked quite well.  The panels on the side were created with an EK Success Border punch.

 I love that I can make some tags to go with this card and it's fun looking for different labels and quotes to add to them.

 On the centre panel I've added some Washi Tape some builder's tape and also a piece of plastic gutter guard as well as a Tim Holtz Ticket  and Dominoes from Kaisercraft's Art of Life Collection.  The significance of the dominoes is that they add up to 17 (my Grandson's age).  The arrow chippie is one of the gorgeous pieces that came in my win from Scrapmatts.  Coloured it with purple Acrylic Paint and some Bronze Versa Color and then clear embossed it.  The clock was cut from black cardstock with my Silhouette and lightly brushed with Versa Color Bronze.

 The Chipboard Ruler is from Prima and the label is also from KC's Art of Life. 

 Just a close-up of the tags and more labels from KC. The backs of the tags were left plain.

 This is how the card looks without the tags ...

 ... and a closie of the layers.

All done!!!  I love working on these cards, they really stretch the creative thinking because there is quite a bit to decorate.  Hope you like it.

Thank you so much for your visit and I would love it if you could leave a little message and tell me what you think.  I read each and every one and love them all.

Take care and God Bless.

ox Marg 

Center Step

Hello everyone and welcome to my bloggy space!! Lovely to have you here.

I'm back to share another card with you and it is another center step card, a feminine one this time.  I still have a lot of masculine cards I need to make but keep getting side-tracked.  It's the flowers, they distract me every time.  LOL!

The papers I've used this time are from Prima's Sunrise Sunset Mini Pack.  All edges are distressed and inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  I've layered some netting in between the papers and added a little gauze in one corner and a die cut as well.  The Die is the Honey Blossom Sprig Die  by Memory Box.  I think the paper I've used for the die-cut is actually from Kaisercraft.

 Did some lacing on the side panels by simply punching the holes and then using embroidery thread for the stitching.  Have seen this on so many other peoples' creations, I thought I would give it a try.  Must say I quite like it.  I know Miranda Edney does this quite a lot and I've also seen it on Heather Jacob's  work.

 The flower cluster is made up of some daisy type flowers from Seriously Scrapbooking ( I don't know the Manufacturer ) a small rose from Kaisercraft and a small spray from Ribtex.  There's also some gauze and die cuts as well.  The dark brown branch was actually cut with my Silhouette and the fern is a Joy Craft Die. 

The chipboard frame is from Little Birdie which I've coloured with Brown and Olive Versa Color and then coated in clear embossing powder.

The wooden flourish is from Kaisercraft. I've left it raw and just inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. 

 Attached the usual strip of border punched paper on the inside.  The border punch used is Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Die.

As those of you who have visited here before probably realize, I quite enjoy making these Center Step cards.  They are a little more involved than the normal type of card because of the number of panels that need to be decorated.  It's not just the one surface, and I find it keeps the creative juices flowing and the brain working just a little harder to get it all to blend together.  Love it!!

That's all for today good people.  I do thank you so much for coming and hope you've enjoyed the visit.  

Take care and God Bless.

oxox Marg

Masculine Step Card

Hello lovely ladies, and, possibly, gents!!  Welcome to my little crafty space.

Hope your day is going well so far.

I'm here to share another step card with you but it's a step card a little different from the norm.

I'm not sure whether it's a 'crossover' step card or a 'tag' step card or maybe even a crossover tag step card.  Yeah!!  I agree, that sounds just a little ridiculous!!  lol  To explain, I really love Crossover Cards.  You know, the ones that look like an open envelope with tags inside.  I also love Step Cards, so I decided to combine them into one card. Now, I'm probably not the first person to do this, but I haven't actually seen any around so I can't give anyone else credit for this.  The inspiration for this card actually came from Heather Jacob who has made some gorgeous Tags in a Pocket just recently.  The tags are based on her design but I wanted my card to be a bit different.  If you'd like to take a look at her incredible creations, you can find them HERE.

Anyways, here is my card.

 I've used Kaisercraft's Art of Life Paper Pad for this.  Other than the little button at the bottom, all the labels, etc. are from this Collection.

 All the papers are distressed and then edged with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  I've also added a little doodling around the edges as well.  Another inspiration from Heather.

 The film strip and the labels, as I said before are from the Paper Pad and also from the Collectables.  They've all been layered with foam dots to give them dimension.  The top piece has been covered in clear embossing powder.

The tags, as mentioned before, are based on Heather's design.  The labels are from the same collection and then I've simply folded some of the paper over the top of the tag and added the eyelets  and the twine.  As you can see, I've also attached a smaller tag to one of them for added interest.

 Here is the inside ...

 ... and a closie showing the build-up of the layers.

So, there you are ... a Centre Step Crossover card.  Hope you like it.

I've decided to enter this card into the Challenge at Crafty Cardmakers and More ...

Thank you so much for coming by for a visit and for any comments you may leave.  I read every single one and really appreciate you taking the time.
Take care and God Bless.
oxox Marg

A 'Boy' Card and a Challenge!!!

Hello everyone and a very warm welcome to my blog.

Hope you are all well and having a lovely day.  The weather is a bit warm here in Adelaide but I think we're going to have to get used to it as we are heading into another 40+ heatwave.  Yuck!!

Anyway, to my card.  A few days ago, Brenda Caldow (one of my FB friends ) invited me to 'like' Scrapbookit's FB page and in doing so she urged me to enter their Challenge.  Now, as most of you will know, I don't really Scrapbook.  I did create a page a little while ago, but that was with my Granddaughter so it was a special occasion.  Brenda assured me though that they will accept cards, so here goes. 

There is a list of different criteria, and you have to use any three in your project.  One of the criteria is to use Kaisercraft papers.   

I wanted to use some brighter colours on this card so I chose papers from four different Kaisercraft Collections.  'Check In', 'Basecoat', 'The Looking Glass' and 'Pickled Pear'.  I love how you can mix and match KC Papers and it all still blends together so nicely.

 The next criteria I chose was to 'ink' the edges.  Well that was a no brainer.  I usually do ink my edges anyway and more often than not I use Walnut Stain Distress Ink which is what I used here.  Wasn't as heavy handed with it this time because I didn't want the card to become too 'grungy'.  

 The third criteria I chose was to use layers of patterned paper which, again, I do quite a lot so that was no problem either.  As you can see there are three layers of different patterned paper on this card.

 All the labels used are from 'The Looking Glass' 6 x 6 Paper Pack.

 I think I'm getting addicted to Centre Step Cards as I've made quite a few now.  Will be posting more of them later.

 The inside is decorated quite simply.  It will get a bit more treatment when I'm ready to add the sentiment.

So there it is.  Another 'Boy' Card done and a Challenge entered.  A good day's work I reckon.   

  

If you'd like to take a look at Brenda Caldow's Blog you can find it HERE.  

If you'd like to  check out the Scrapbookit Challenge you can find it HERE.

Thank you so much for visiting my little blog and, hopefully, leaving me a little love.  Always appreciated.

Please take care and enjoy the rest of your day.

God Bless.

oxoxMarg