25 Days of Christmas Tags 2019 .......

Happy Thursday ......

I'm getting into the Christmas spirit again today for the 25 Days of Christmas Tags 2019 event.

Each year this fabulous blog event is hosted by the lovely Tracey McNeely, and she's joined by a whole host of craft companies ..... this year there's 26! sponsoring the event.

Check out the main event post for a full list of the sponsors, guidelines to follow if you would like to join in the event, and of course the all important linky.

Today is Day 4 of the event and I'm thrilled to be joining in this year as one of the Brand Ambassadors for UNIKO.
Here's my tag .......

I'm loving this brand new Uniko Sparkling Snowflake Die ...... it's so pretty and such a great size.

This is so quick and easy, but will look fab on all those Christmas gifts.  Just change the colours of glitter card to match your festive colour scheme.
A quick tip .... if you don't have the right colour of glitter card, use silver or a white and add the colour using Copic markers, or any alcohol based pens, it works a treat!

I die cut the snowflake from glitter card ........

I die cut three circles, each a different size ..... one from Kraft card, one black and one from silver glitter card.  The silver layer isn't a full circle ......... no point in wasting precious glitter card that you can't see.  I used two circle dies, one smaller than the other,  to create a frame for the middle layer.

I layered everything together and attached the snowflake using foam pads.  I then used one of the sentiments from the new Uniko Festive Sentiments Outlined to add to the centre.

I told you they were quick and easy ........... so here's a few more.

Now I just need to make a start on my Christmas shopping!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day and have fun with the 25 Days of Christmas Tags event.

Hubby's away this weekend, he's off to Blackpool to the GUKPT (Grosvenor UK Poker Tour). Fingers crossed he has a good weekend!!

I'm staying put this time ...... I'm still trying to catch up after our last little trip.  I'm looking forward to a nice weekend in my craft room.

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:
Stamps: Festive Sentiments Outlined (Uniko)
Dies: Sparkling Snowflake Die (Uniko); Circle Dies (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Stitched Circle Die
Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Others: Kraft card; Black card; Various colours of glitter card; Silver Gel Pen

The last CAS Stencil challenge of the year ......

Happy Monday evening .......

Welcome to the last CAS Stencil Challenge for 2019.
All the CAS DTs are taking a little break for December, but don't worry all you stencil fans, we'll be back in January 2020 with more fun challenges.

It's my pleasure to be hosting for November, and there's a real fun technique theme for you ...... Stencil Monoprinting

If you haven't tried this technique before please give it a go, it's so much fun to do.
It's a different way of using your stencils.  Instead of applying your inks or paints etc., THROUGH your stencil designs, apply them DIRECTLY ONTO your stencils.  Spritz with a little water and then use your inked up stencil to create fabulous monoprints.
You can even be lucky sometimes and get more than one good print, depends on your ink or paint, and how much water you've used.  Even you card can make a difference.
Try out a few different mediums and also different stencils.  The mylar ones are great, but the metal stencils work really well too.

I used a metal one for my inspiration piece, from Sweet Poppy Stencils. Top quality stainless steel, and gorgeous designs ..... this one is called Snowflake Baubles

I sprinkled the stencil with a tiny amount of Brusho (Turquoise & Ost. Blue) and then spritzed with quite a bit of water to activate the colours.

I then laid my stencil onto a piece of white cardstock, covered it with a piece of paper towel and gently smoothed over the design, applying a little pressure to make sure the colour underneath spread across the card.
You won't always get a perfect design, and no two prints will ever be the same but I quite like this, especially with these snowflakes .....

After removing the stencil, I blotted away any excess ink and left the design to dry.

A simple sentiment was all it needed to finish off ......

And I added some fine crystal glitter to each of the snowflakes to give a pretty festive sparkle.

The challenge is open until November 24th so there's lots of time to play along.

Check out the Challenge Blog for more fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team, and also our lovely Guest Designer this month ....... Lucie (Lucie G Cards)

Happy stenciling!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stencils: Snowflake Bauble (Sweet Poppy Stencils)
Stamps: Wonder Collection (Penny Black - I think this was free with a craft mag a couple of years ago) 
Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Brusho - Turquoise, Ost Blue
Others: Quickie Glue Pen; Fine crystal glitter

Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge .......

Happy weekend ......

I hope you're having a good one.
We had an early start this morning so hubby could watch the rugby final ...... but we won't talk about that!!   We have had a lovely day out and about though, we even managed to dodge the rain!  And as we speak we should be sat in our favourite little restaurant, with a nice bottle of wine, enjoying delicious food with some friends.  Exactly what weekends are for ...... cheers!

Anyhow ..... it's time to launch this month's Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge

As you can see the theme is ....... 'tis the Season

As there's only a little over seven weeks until Christmas ...... eeeeek!!!  I thought it was time I really started thinking about making my Christmas cards.

Clean and Simple (CAS) is definitely the way to go ...... great for posting too!

This little guy seems to make an appearance every year ........ he's one of my all time favourite snowmen.  Unfortunately I think he's no longer available, I know he's been in my stash forever!!

I stamped the snowman directly onto the front of my card, using a grey ink.  I then added a touch of colour to his hat and scarf using ZIG markers, and stamped my sentiment underneath.

A few dots of glitter glue here and there adds a touch of festive sparkle.

Well thats one done for the festive box!

The challenge runs until the end of November so there's lots of time to play along.  And if you need a little more inspiration check out the Happy Little Stampers challenge blog and see what the rest of the Design Team have created.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:
Stamps: Snowman (wooden stamp from Inkadinkadoo); Miracle of the Holidays - sentiments (Hero Arts)
Inks: Ranger Dye Ink Pad - Cool Graphite; Versafine - Satin Red
Other: Nuvo Glitter Drops; ZIG Clean Color Brush Markers

Last time today ...... honest! Time for the CAS Mix Up Challenge ........

Hello there ..... me again!

It's the last time today ...... I promise!

Are you ready for November's CAS Mix Up Challenge ...... we've got a fabulous technique for you to use this month.
Hosted by the lovely Susan, the theme is ......... OXIDISED METAL

If you're not familiar with this technique, and I must admit it's new to me, pop over to the CAS Mix Up Blog and check out the links on there to some great videos showing how to use this fun technique.

I used a piece of gold mirri card (not something I use very often these days), and I created the oxidised look using Alcohol inks

I applied a few drops of the alcohol inks directly onto the card and then used a felt applicator tool to move the colours around.

Once the inks were dry I ran the mirri card through my Big Shot using a pretty 3D embossing folder.

I then gently swiped a black Stazon ink pad over the top of the embossed design to bring out the detail even more

And finished off with a touch of embossing powder sprinkled along the edges and heated from underneath.

I stamped my sentiment onto the bottom of a piece of white card and then attached the oxidised mirri card on the top ......

We have a fabulous Guest Designer this month ....... Arlene (Sundaystamper Papercrafts) is joining in the fun so be sure to pop by and say Hello.

Well, that's it from me ....... for today anyway! 

Thanks for popping by, enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.
I'm hoping for a quiet one ..... just for a change!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stamps: Beautiful Heart sentiment set (Penny Black) 
Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Delicata - Golden Glitz; Alcohol inks - Patina, Pebble, Sepia; Stazon ink - Black
Others: Gold mirri card; 3D embossing folder - Trailing Time (Sheena Douglass); WOW! Embossing Powder - Black Magic