AYLI Embossing

 Hello, hello. I hope you are all doing OK. 

I am here today with my DT inspiration for

The prompt this time is your Favourite Embossing method.

I am an enormous fan of heat embossing and still watch in awe as the powder melts.

For this little collection of Christmas cards I used the plaid paper as my starting point. I think it it was quite possibly from Dovecrafts Little Red Robin paper pack.

I stuck the papers on the card blanks and had a rummage through my christmas stamps. This set is from Crafters Companion Sara Signature Scandinavian Christmas Collection (probably still available somewhere!!)

I die cut some postage stamp edged rectangles (a shameful unbranded purchase on ebay) and stamped away. I used red, white and green embossing powders that are probably twenty years old and they still worked brilliantly. More Christmas cards to go on the pile.

See you soon xx

Allsorts Challenge Sweet 16!!!

 There is much excitement at Allsorts as we are celebrating our 16th Birthday and there are four, yes four prizes from Aall & Create up for grabs PLUS for US entrants

A $25 store voucher from Lawn Fawn

Three stamps from Colorado Craft Company

A $25 store voucher from Gina K Designs (Worldwide)

I have Aall and Create dies in my stash but, feeling the need, just had to invest in a few other bits so  made this...

using these accicental purchases

A7 Stamp set #360 Wish, Ephemera #13 Stems & Pods, and Washi #22 Flower Dancing

I had a little canvas that had been shifted from place to place over the years so thought it was about time that it got used. A lovely blogging buddy gifted me some duplicate Distress inks so now that I have quite a range of colours, I thought it was time to play. I am not confident with inking so literally splodged rainbow colours on my craft mat, gave a teeny spritz and squished the canvas down. I am really pleased with the result as the colours stayed true and didn't go muddy, which was my concern. I also had a can of spray and shine lurking so sprayed the inked canvas and sprinkled matching coloured glitters on certain areas and it actually stuck. I coloured the adorable little girl with Promarkers and had a think about her wings. I remembered Jayne Nestorenko on crafting telly years ago with the mandala stamps that she did on acetate and then added glitter on the back so that's what I did with the wings. Sadly my Stazon had gone dry so I used black Versafine which took a day to dry but nevertheless it worked and she has glittery acetate wings!! Finally I stuck some stems and pods down together with a strip of acetate, stamped wish and die cut Birthday and that's that!!

Please come and see us and participate in the Birthday celebrations. I really want to say an ENORMOUS thank you to Brenda who works tirelessly to keep this and other challenges running so beautifully xx

AYLI Sketch

 Happy Thursday everyone the weekend is just in reaching distance!! Before that though it's time for a new challenge at 

As You Like It Challenge

The theme is Favourite Sketch.

My long time followers will know that I LOVE Jules' sketches and I always visit her Sketch library when inspiration is lacking. She has tons of wonderful designs and there is sure to be one that takes my fancy. On this occasion I chose Square #56 

It was the perfect design to show off the lovely Doodlebug Designs Frosty Friends paper pad which perfectly compliments the adorable penguin (Crafters Companion Snow what fun). The sweet little penguin was coloured with Promarkers and I added lots of sparkly glitter too.

My team mates have some lovely inspiration for you so please go and take a look.

See you next time xx

Paper Piecing at Allsorts

 Lynne has chosen a lovely optional theme at 

it's paper piecing.

Here is what I did.

I used a large Woodware cling stamp called Sketchy Daisies as the elements were really easy to cut out. I stamped on lots of different papers from a My Favorite Things pad I tried different colour combos and the one above was my favourite!! The image was framed using a piece of blue Centura Pearl card which, I think, set it off nicely. The banner isn't wonky...I curled it so that there is a little bit of dimension, although I suspect it will go flat once in the envelope!!

We are having a Birthday bash very soon...here is your invitation!!

I hope that you have a lovely weekend.

See you soon xx

Soft or bold at AYLI

Well, where did April go then? Another lovely new month and to go with that  a lovely new challenge at

where the theme is Soft or Bold colours (with your reason to be eligible for a prize)

I love bold colours. Something that is perhaps a little bit different and eyecatching. For my inspiration I have made some Christmas cards using Hobbycraft  paper pads as my starting point. The blue one is very much bolder in colour than the photo would have you believe.

 I was gifted a lovely bundle of Christmas themed goodies for Christmas and was itching to use the little deer die (Simple Creative) so die cut circles of white centura pearl card then cut him out of the middles then layered up as frames with coordinating coloured card. I'm not sure where the Noel die came from but the Christmas Wishes is a favourite from Creative Expressions. I had to give him a red nose so used some pearl card candi from long ago!!

I hope I have inspired you to play along and look forward to seeing your makes.

I am making headway with visiting you and if I haven't got to your place yet, I promise that I will do!!

Take Care xx