Chinese New Year Card

This year, the Chinese new year is on the 3rd of February.  I made this little card to celebrate and join in the festivities in the year of the rabbit.



I made this card using Tim Holtz distressing inks from Ranger - Broken China and Peeled Paint. Also used the resist embossing technique to draw to make the embossed images POP!

I took inspiration from oriental wall hangings such as the one below,

where multiple panels are hung together to reveal a story. This worked beautifully on this card, don't ya think?

Finally added Text that says "Happy New Year" in Mandarin. The papers I used are Eastern Promise by Dovecraft.

Do let me know what you think. I've entered this card in the Cardmaking and Papercraft challenge.

Till next time,

My first Vintage Card

I'm starting to love the vintage card trend. Distressed Cards and the like are really gorgeous ways to create trendy cards.

I don't have any specialist distressing or vintage tools, and so I used the best tool at my disposal - imagination! :)

Bit Cheeky, I know, But I am proud of the result. Me thinks it will make a lovely thank you card or even a more generic Best wishes card.
[caption id="attachment_118" align="aligncenter" width="535" caption="Vintage Looks"][/caption]

Cute Valentines

I may be a little ahead of myself here, but I couldn't help myself when I saw this little image all stamped up and coloured in Promarkers, just waiting to be used as a topper. What usually happens is, I sit in front of the telly with my stamped images in black ink, my box of Promarkers and use the time in the ad breaks to colour my images. It really is a satisfying and relaxing way to watch telly!

Anyhow I kept it simple and added a paper carnation for effect. Hope you like it!

[caption id="attachment_112" align="aligncenter" width="535" caption="Love is not what we become, but what we already are."][/caption]

I've entered this card into the Passion for Promarkers Mega Christmas challenge.

 

Till next time!

How to clean your stamps

When cleaning your stamps, you have many options. You can use soap and water, a baby/face wipe or a specialist cleanser preferably with conditioner in it so it will keep your stamps fresh and new for a long time to come.

I prefer a solvent type cleaner that removes any ink or paint I might be using. Try Papermania, Clear Stamp Cleaner. As matter of personal choice though, I do not over clean my stamps as it can damage the cushion under the stamp and loosen the adhesive in wooden stamps and may damage the longevity of acrylic stamps.

[caption id="attachment_68" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Good as new!"][/caption]

1. Apply a generous amount of stamp cleaner to the rubber stamp
2. Blot the stamp on a clea,dry paper towel and reuse as neccessary or store.

Till next time!

Walter wants to sleep!

I made this cute card for my brother, who is always the last to come out into the cold and play. He loves lying in bed into the late hours of the morning.



The stamp is Walter in a Pom Pom hat.  Get it here. The sketch is from a card making and paper craft challenge. Check it out here.
Hope you liked it. Till next time!