Thanks guys!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today and for your comments, I really appreciate them.

The cards I'm sharing with you today are a couple of the ones I created yesterday, but didn't get chance to photograph. Guys are always a challenge to design for so these took a bit of thought and indeed a browse around Pinterest for inspiration. I love that site! :)

It's been a long time since I've created gate fold cards and when I saw one, I knew that would be the style I'd use. I had so much fun with these and they didn't take long to design. It also felt great to get something done after this week!

All the panels on the front have been lifted with foam tape for dimension and you can just see the matching layers peeking through from the inside; those layers were added with super sticky tape. The punched stars were adhered with wet glue.

Challenges...
July linky at DL.ART
Emboss it at Simon Says
#23 AG at Scribble and Scrap
AG at Through The Craft Room Door
#28 AG at Crafting From The Heart
Die cuts/ punches at Sisterhood of Crafters

Have a great weekend everyone!
Hugs,
Em x

New arrival

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, it's an honor to have you here and indeed to read your comments too. The card I'm sharing today has previously been shown, looking almost complete, in my National PINK day post. My client was really happy with it, but with baby Eva having not been born at that time, she asked me to keep hold of the card until the little lady had arrived, and then add her birth date to it. Of course I was happy to oblige and when the little one made her entrance last Wednesday, I added the date and today is the first chance I've had to share it with you...

The details about how I designed the card can be seen in the original post.

Challenges...
July linky at DL.ART
#26 ATG at Crafting From The Heart
ATG at Through The Craft Room Door
ATG at Papertake Weekly
#54 Lets Get Kiddish at Beyond Grey

Hugs,
Em x

July 4th Decorations

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today, I'm honored to have you here. I've just put the decorations up ahead of America's birthday tomorrow and as well as the Patriotic candy cups I shared with you earlier in the week I've created a coordinating banner and have also added in some adorable cupcakes I made from card for last year.

Here's the overall view, the pics are of my two youngest kiddos :)

The banner was created using the Crafter's Companion embossing board, Special Treat, with the stars again punched from metallic sticker sheets and scraps of white card. The letters this time are silver peel-offs and I've added Fiskars eyelets and red spotty ribbon from my stash to complete the banner. Here's a close up...

The cupcakes were also embossed using another Crafter's Companion board, Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. The stars were punched from more scraps of card. Here's a close up of those too, which show the embossing...

Challenges...
July linky at DL.ART
Thankful Thursday #135 Patriotic at DL.ART
#78 AG at 613 Avenue Create
#25 AG at Crafting From The Heart
#98 AG/ Patriotic at Artistic Inspirations

If you're celebrating tomorrow I hope you have a very happy and safe holiday, especially those of you on the east coast while Hurricane Arthur roars by. God bless America and God bless all of us!

Thanks for all your comments. I love reading them :)

Hugs,
Em

Starry birthday

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today, please do make yourself at home :)

The card I'm sharing is one of two that are identical and was inspired by my first July 4th themed creation, the Patriotic candy cup I shared with you yesterday (although there's no red used in this one) and also a recent Thank you card.

I've used textured navy card for the mats and stars, and sponged copper ink over the embossing to highlight it and give a distressed look. The embossing folder I've used is a Sizzix one that came as part of the bundle with my BigShot, so unfortunately I can't remember the name, sorry! The design was completed with a gold peel off sentiment.

I'm really hoping that both guys like their cards, and that you do too. I'd love you to leave me a comment :)

Challenges...
#98 Anything Goes/ Patriotic at Artistic Inspirations
#25 Anything Goes at Crafting From The Heart
#78 Anything Goes at 613 Avenue Create
July Anything Goes at Sisters of Craft
Anything Goes at Papertake Weekly
July Anything Goes at Just Keep On Creating
#1 Anything Goes at Just for Fun

I'll be back later in the week with another patriotic project, so I hope you'll join me then.

Hugs,
Em

Patriotic candy cup

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, it's an honor to have you here :) The project I'm sharing today is the first of a couple I have created ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on Friday.

To create the candy cup I've used the Sweet Things embossing board from Crafter's Companion. Having learned my lesson from previous 3 dimensional projects, I decorated this one BEFORE it was put together and yep, it was so much easier! The lettering I've used is the FREE 4inch Cap template from Craftville (formerly Free Craft Downloads). This is my go to set right now and was also used recently in the Teacher Gift.

I sponged copper ink onto the edges of the two box pieces and the lettering, which give a subtle distressed look. The red and blue stars were punched from metallic sticker sheets that I found at the dollar store, the white from off cuts. I used a standard wet glue to attach the letters and white stars.

I'm REALLY happy with the way it looks, so much so that I've today created another identical one. Well, you can never have too much candy on July 4th :)

Challenges...
June Linky at DL.ART
Thankful Thursday #135 Patriotic at DL.ART
#78 Anything Goes at 613 Avenue Create
#25 Anything Goes at Crafting From The Heart
#98 Anything Goes/ Patriotic at Artistic Inspirations

I'll be back later in the week with another patriotic project and also a birthday card.

Hugs,
Em

National PINK Day

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today, it's an honor to have you here :) Today's card is for a commission I received on Saturday and the timing is perfect with today being National Pink Day. It's been a while since I created a new baby card and I had so much fun this morning designing baby Eva's.

I've created it in my current favorite k-card style and have once again used the lace border die to edge the card and also add the adorable trim to the socks. I've added another pair to the box top, this time in white with the pale trim...

Here's a close up of the socks...

Challenges...

June linky at DL.ART

#77 AG w/optional pink at 613 Avenue Create

#21 AAG at Scribble and Scrap

#67 Flowers or lace at Craftitude

Lace or pearls at Papertake 

#24 AAG at Crafting From The Heart

ATG at Through The Craft Room Door

#218 ATG at OSAAT

Three or more layers at Divas by Design 

Hugs,

Em 

Variation on a theme

Hi everyone,

The card I'm sharing with you today is a variation on my recent theme of butterflies and embossing. You can see a couple of the previous cards HERE and HERE. Today's is, perhaps a little unbelievably, the first stepper card I've created in YEARS! So much so that I had to remind myself how to create it, and in doing so I followed THIS great tutorial from Christina at Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls. Thanks Christina!

I've created it in two subtly different shades of purple, with snippets of the slightly lighter shade used for the smaller panels and the small punched butterflies. The design is completed with a small gold peel off sentiment and I really hope that the recipient loves it as much as I do :)

Challenges I'm hoping to enter...
June Linky @ DL.ART
Snippets Playground Week 129 @ Pixie's Crafty Workshop
#153 Super scraps Saturday @ Hiding In My Craft Room
#9 Monochromatic @ Butterfly Challenge
You Gotta Have Friends @ Simon Says

Hugs,
Em

Thanks and another butterfly k-card

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today, I'm honored to have you here. If it's your first visit please do make yourself at home. Remember that the Creative Em first birthday giveaway is open until the end of the month :)

Before I get to today's card I must say THANK YOU to Diana at DL.ART and Naomi, Lisa and the DT at Creative Bug. Having not won anything before in the bloggy world, I've been very lucky twice since my last post. The first win was from a mini blog hop that Diana and her friend Carrie ran. The second was that this card placed in the top three of the last challenge at Creative Bug and I'm now proudly displaying their badge. THANKS LADIES!!!

The card I'm sharing today is another I've created with my current favorite dies, the freebie butterfly, the lace border and the scalloped rectangle. I LOVE all three and also the swirl embossing folder I've used and I'm really pleased with how the card looks. I've created it in the K-card style and the client who commissioned it received it this morning and loves it too :)

Challenges...
June linky @DL.ART
Something with wings @ Open Minded Crafting
M is for monochromatic @ ABC Challenges
Anything goes @Through The Craft Room Door
Challenge #20 @ Scribble and Scrap

Hugs,
Em

Thank you

Hi everyone,

Click HERE for the Creative Em first birthday giveaway.

The title of today's post has two meanings. It is the sentiment I've used on the card I'm sharing today, but also, more importantly on this the 70th anniversary of D-Day, it's for all those who served and the thousands who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you one and all! Please now, if you will, pause for a moment of reflection, just as I did at the Normandy memorial in town earlier today, where veterans had gathered and the flags flew at half staff...

Today's card is very different to those I've created recently and there's no butterflies, flowers, lace or embossing in sight! That said, I'm happy with the CAS look of the card :)

The sentiment is a little difficult to see, so here's a close up...

Challenges I'm hoping to enter...
June linky @ DL.ART
Father's Day/ Masculine @ Simon Says
#138 Patterned Paper @ Use Your Stuff
#21 Anything goes @ Crafting From the Heart
June - Yours, mine or ours @ Die Cut Divas

Have a great weekend.

Hugs,
Em

Teacher gift

Hi everyone,

The project I'm sharing with you today is another commission for Vickie and will be given alongside the Teacher appreciation cards she commissioned from me last month, (the other two are still works in progress). This is a photo heavy post, but I wanted to share every element with you.

To create the concertina album-like gift, I've used the same elements that were in the card, with a couple of additions. The more obvious is the lettering, which is a FREE template from Craftville, 4inchCap2. When you print from the site you'll need to change the margins to zero and the page orientation to portrait. Yep, I didn't the first time. Oops! The other addition is the copper ink I've sponged around the edges of the letters and die cut rectangles.

On the other side of the S, I've added a panel for the child to write their message...

The cover has the same peel off sentiment I used for the cards...

Last but not least, the box lid, showing more inked edges too...

I'm really, really pleased with the way the finished project looks and I hope both client and recipient will be equally as happy. I'll share the other two, where I've used different colors, with you when they are complete :)

Challenges...
May Linky at DL.ART
June challenge - Summer at Just Inspirational Challenges
Yours, mine or ours at Die Cut Divas
Anything goes at 4 Crafty Chicks
June - Anything goes at Sisters of Craft

Hugs,
Em

Birthday butterfly K-card

Hi everyone,

This card has been created for another commission and I've just realized that this card is the first K-card I've created all year. Wow! If you're not familiar with K-cards, they are another style of pop-out cards and use two pieces of card to create the base. I'll be happy to do a tutorial for you, so if you'd like me to, just leave a comment asking.

For this card I've layered white and metallic blue card for both the main element and the lace layers, which have been cut using the Cottage Cutz Fancy Floral Lace border die. Once again I've used the scalloped rectangle from Spellbinders and the freebie butterfly die for the main element. I'm sure by now you know I LOVE that flutterby? The embossing folder I've used is a Cuttlebug, I think, although I'm not sure.

This first pic shows the card in progress and I love how the blue shows through the detail of the butterfly's wings...

Here's the completed card...

I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
#73 Anything goes w/ optional twist use metal at 613 Avenue Create
Challenge 18 Anything goes at Crafty Girls Challenges
May linky at DL.ART
#19 Always anything goes at Scribble and Scrap
#58 Anything goes at Sister Act Card Challenge

More soon,
Hugs,
Em

Teacher appreciation

Hi everyone,

The card I'm sharing with you today is one of three identical that I've created for a commission for my client, Vickie's children's teachers. I've personalized the verses with each of the teacher's names, having found the verse on Pinterest.

I've created the card in my favored white-on-white style and I'm really happy with the result, as is Vicky and hopefully by now her children too. The elements I've used are the same as with recent ones, Tonic Studios Daisy 2 edge punch, larger freebie butterfly die, a Martha Stewart punch for the smaller butterflies, scalloped rectangles from Spellbinders. The card has been completed with the addition of self adhesive blue gems and a peel off sentiment.

I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
#8 Butterfly bingo at Butterfly challenge, using the punches, butterflies and gems line
May linky at DL.ART
Challenge #57 Anything goes at Sister Act Card Challenge
#65 Use a die cut at Craftitude
Challenge #36 at Creative Fingers

Hugs,
Em

Waddles

Hi everyone,

The digi I've used to create this card, "Waddles" is available from the Creative Bug Digital Snapshots store, where you'll find a LOT of amazing digis, all designed by my sweet friend, Naomi, from Creative Bug on the Loose. Naomi and I have known one another for a couple years now, but this is the very first card I've created using one of her creations, so it's about dang time!

I colored Waddles with markers then fussy cut him. The balloons were stamped onto some textured red card then cut out, I've used nine because that's how many candles are on the cake that the adorable penguin is holding. I gave them some dimension by popping them up on foam pads, which hides the end of the twine. The design has been completed with a die cut sentiment panel and peel off sentiment.

Naomi, I REALLY hope I've done your little guy and creative talent, justice!

I'm entering the card into these challenges...
#2: Anything goes at Creative Bug on the Loose
Challenge 18 at Crafting From The Heart
May linky at DL.ART

Hugs,
Em

Another CAS card

Hi everyone,

Following on from yesterday's CAS sketch card I'm sharing another CAS design with you today. This one was inspired by and will be entered into a challenge at a new-to-me blog, Butterfly Challenge.

To create it I've dug into my stash and found some doilies that were a freebie gift some time ago with a magazine. The butterflies have been punched from a ripped doily using the Martha Stewart punch and the design has been completed with a gold peel-off sentiment. I'm really pleased with the look of the card and hope you are too.

I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
#7 Butterfly + Doily at Butterfly Challenge
#38 Off the edge at Addicted to CAS
#71 Anything goes at 613 Avenue Create
#132 Anything Feminine at DL.ART
May linky at DL.ART

Hugs,
Em

CAS sketch

Hi everyone,

The card I'm sharing today is the one that was also the inspiration for yesterday's card. The card has been created by dry embossing the flowers into purple card and cutting them out, layering them with foam pads and then adding a gem for the center. The design has been completed with a gold peel off sentiment.

I'm entering the card into the following challenges...

Challenge #33 Sketch at CAS on Sunday
#132 Anything feminine at DL.ART
May linky at DL. ART
#71 Anything goes at 613 Avenue Create
HIMRC #148 Super Scraps Saturday at Hiding in My Craft Room

Inspired by a sketch

Hi everyone,

The card I'm sharing with you today was inspired by a sketch I saw on a CAS blog. Although it is far too busy to enter into the challenge there, but I'll rework the main element and enter it in time, fingers crossed! I really enjoyed creating something a little different for me and love the effect the knotted twine gives.

The designer paper is some I've had in my stash for some time, so unfortunately I can't remember which collection it's from, sorry! I've used the scalloped rectangles die from Spellbinders for the two panels. The die cut flowers are from the Dovecraft Garden Party range and the twine is also from that line. The flower centers have been punched with the Martha Stewart hydrangea punch and the edge of the paper with the Tonic Studios Daisy 2. The design has been completed with a gold peel off sentiment. 

I'm entering the card into the following challenges...

#132 Anything feminine at DL.ART

May linky at DL. ART

#71 Anything goes at 613 Avenue Create

HIMRC #148 Super Scraps Saturday at Hiding in My Craft Room

I'll be back tomorrow with more crafty goodness, so I hope to see you then. 

Hugs,

Em

Popcorn gift box

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, it's great to be back again now I've got my creative mojo back! The creation I'm sharing today will accompany the card I shared with you yesterday, if you missed it, you can see it HERE. Instead of using white this time around, I decided on purple, because I think they compliment each other well. I hope you agree?

I've created the box using the Sweet Things embossing board from Crafter's Companion and the tag for the lid and flowers are all from another of their boards, Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. That is the same board I used for the flowers on the card, but I forgot to name the board used yesterday. Oops! The butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch and it's one of my favorite crafty tools.

To complete the tag I've added a matching eyelet and a gold peel off sentiment. The flowers have been blinged up with some self adhesive gems from my stash. I'm really happy with how the finished creation looks and as the name of the board suggests, it will soon be filled with some sweet treats, though not popcorn.

I'm entering the creation into the following challenges...
HIMCR04NSD - Use a critter at Hiding in My Craft Room
HIMCR05NSD - Thank you! at Hiding in My Craft Room
Challenge #70 Anything goes with OPTIONAL twist BA DA BLING at 613 Avenue Create
May Linky Challenge at DL.ART

I'll be back later in the week with yet more crafty goodness.

Hugs,
Em

Hello again!

Hi everyone,

It's GREAT to be back after an extended break from this blog. I have been creating while I've been "off", but most of my time has been taken up with writing and starting training for my "Battling Back" challenge, which will be taking place in October and November. You can read all about the challenge, the background and indeed keep up with my training by heading over to the Battling Back blog. I'd be honored to see you over there!

The card I'm sharing with you today is one I've created for my Grandmother for Mother's day this Sunday. I had originally planned to create a white on white double waterfall card, but a mistake when I was punching the first of the pieces meant I had to change the design. It took some thought but I think I've created something unique as a result, so I'm really happy with the creation.

The border punch is from Tonic Studios and the scalloped rectangle is from Spellbinders. I dry embossed the flowers using one of the embossing boards from Crafters Companion and rounded the corners of the blue card. The sentiment is a gold peel off. The flowers and sentiment panel have been popped up on foam pads.

I'm linking the card up to the May linky party over at DL.ART.

I'll be back later in the week with another crafty creation, so I hope you'll join me then.

Hugs,
Em

Fun at Creative Bug on the Loose

Hi everyone,

I'm very excited to let you all know that my dear friend, Naomi, over at Creative Bug on the Loose has something really special going on! Beginning next Wednesday, March 5, Creative Bug Digital Snapshots will be launching and to celebrate, she and Lisa are hosting the month long New Beginnings Celebration Challenge.

For more information, you can read their post by clicking HERE. I can't wait to take part! Congratulations on the new venture, girls!

Hugs,
Em

White on white birthday

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, it's great to see you. The card I'm sharing today is another white on white card, this time for a birthday and in the double waterfall style. This is the first card I created using the Tonic Studios Daisy Border 2 punch, which only arrived in the mail a few hours before the card was made. A little unbelievably, this is my first such punch and I'm wondering what took me so long? It's so easy to use and yep, I love it. :)

I added some hand embossed flowers, which I made using one of the Crafter's Companion board, Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. The card was then completed using a small die cut and peel off sentiment and the only hint of color, the pale blue gems.

I'll be entering the card into the latest Hiding In My Craft Room challenge, #133 - Clean and Simple

In my next post I hope to be able to share some good news with you.

Hugs,
Em