Killing Kits: In The Christmas Mood

Hello! It's time for a new video for the Killing Kits Series and today, I've used the leftovers from my wonderful November 2018 Wild Hare Kit so that I can make room for some new holiday themed stash! Honestly, the best bit of finally finishing off all of these kit leftovers, is that I feel less worried about the occasional stash addition!

The kit was full of the most incredible selection from the December Days Collection by Pinkfresh Studios, Sweater Weather by American Crafts and a whole host of extra embellishments. Now, I felt that I used most of it in my December Daily 2017 album, but I still had a lot leftover and I've utilised most of those leftovers in the video to make a set of little cards!

>

Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you!

Killing Kits: Mix & Match Cards

Hello lovelies! It's time for a new video for the Killing Kits Series and today, I've used the leftovers from my Wild Hare Kit from May 2018. It was full cardstock and embellishments from the Be You Collection by Pinkfresh Studios and I didn't have a lot of it left!

I've made the most of all my little leftovers by combining them with the Chevron Mat Die from Avery Elle, but it's really easy to adapt my 'mix and match' method - and, as a bonus, you could use up some extra washi, ribbon or trim!

Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you!

CAS-ual Fridays New Releases: Big Hope Fri-Die

It's time for the brand new releases from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps - and I'm so excited to share them! Over the next few days, we'll share all of the new releases over on the CAS-ual Fridays Blog, along with some amazing projects from the Ink Squad!

The first of the New Releases is the Big Hope Fri-Die. I love this die so, so much. It's such a beautiful sentiment that I wanted to make sure that it was the focus of my card, so I went with a classic colour combination and a 'chilled out' easy, layered look. 

To make the sentiment stand out a little more, I cut the die three times, then layered it to create a bit of extra dimension. A few little sequins finished off the card nicely!

If you can't handle the excitement, you don't have to wait until the end of the week to see all of the new sets. Head on over to CAS-ual Fridays Stamps and have a little sneak at the New Releases. 

Little Love Card

Hello! Hello! I'm back with a 'Little Love Card' for CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. At the end of each craft session, I like to make sure that my desk is clean and today (I know, I know!) and ready for the next session. But, isn't it more fun to use all of those little leftovers, than to sort them and stash them away?

I like to use them on smaller, 3x3 sized cards, and often use this basic idea to make several cards in advance - stamping, and adding, the sentiment, whenever I need a quick card. Here I've used Tin Roof* as a base, then I've added little sections of cardstock in a similar colour scheme to the bottom of the card. Then, I added a bit of machine stitching for some texture. It's like my signature move ;)

For my sentiment, I used a favourite from Bushy Tailed. I love little sentiments that are suitable for several occasions - and this set is so versatile. To finish, I added one of my beloved enamel dots. All done!

* Tin Roof and a some of our other, older sets are soon to retire. Head on over to see the Retiring Sets and buy them before stocks run out. You can use the code CLAIRSENTME at any time, for a 15% discount! 

'The Best Of The Best' Card

Hello lovelies! I'm back with my usual 'end of the month card' that I've made with the last little bits of my Wild Hare Kit! I loved the selection of cardstocks from Amy Tan's 'Shine On' collection that were included in my Deluxe Kit for September, but I still had a fairly substantial section of the 'Three Sides' cardstock leftover from earlier layouts - and I wanted to use it! (If I file the last bits of my kit away, it could be a really long time before they come back our for my Killing Kits Series!)

I combined the cardstock with my own Chevron Mat Die from Avery Elle to 'tone down' the cardstock a little and leave me with an area for embellishment. I love how the cardstock 'shines' out from behind the die-cut. I made a little bow from the same cardstock. I decided where I wanted the bow to sit, then chose one of the small phrase stamps from the Heidi Swapp 'Hawthorne' set that was included with my kit - it's a really versatile set!

Once I'd added the sentiment and adhered the bow, I finished the card off with some enamel dots from the Simple and Sweet collection by Pinkfresh Studios. I love the little bit of colour that it adds!  

'Last Minute' Cards & Process Video

Hello lovelies! I'm on the CAS-ual Fridays Blog today with a tutorial for an easy way to make last minute cards, without too much time, effort or mess!

You can make these in a few minutes and it's easy to 'batch make' the bases (so all that's needed later on is the sentiment.) Use different colours and/or sentiments to vary the look! The tutorial covers basic blends and my method for 'sectioning off' areas of the card base!

You can use my discount code CLAIRSENTME in the CAS-ual Fridays Store at anytime, for a 15% discount! Enjoy!

CAS-ual Fridays: ATC Vellum Shaker Card Tutorial

Hello lovelies! I have a video tutorial on the CAS-ual Fridays Blog today, with an overview of how to make these ATC (Artist Trading Card) sized shakers!

I've used a wide selection of CAS-ual Fridays stamps and dies to make a little set, so head on over for more details! 

Wild Hare Kits: Hey Card

Remember the August 2018 Sketch for the Wild Hare Kits that I shared a little earlier this month? Well, this is my first, and more literal, take on that sketch and it features lots of beautiful Pinkfresh Studios stash from my kit. I love the pop of yellow!

Oh, and, I did say first? I have at least one more take on the sketch coming up later in the month!!!

CAS-ual Fridays: Thinking Of You Card

Hello lovelies! I'm over on the CAS-ual Fridays Blog, with a little card for all occasions. I love to have some cheerful cards on hand, in case I need to send a friend a little note to let them know that I'm thinking of them; or to offer some encouragement when times are tough! 

To make this floral themed card, I've used the  beautiful Peaceful Garden and Garden Fri-dies sets, both available from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. Head on over to see more details!

You're welcome to use the code CLAIRSENTME to save 15% on all stamps and dies - at all times!!!

Ten Minute Cards

Hello. Today, I have two little 'ten-minute' cards to share, inspired by the latest challenge at Inkspirational. I love cards that are easy to make (and easy to re-make) because there are times when I want to create, but without too much effort! Obviously, it takes a little bit of effort to make it work the first time, but then it's a doddle to make all of the details the same (or a wee bit different) the next time.

To start the first card, I created a section to one side with some old, not often used washi; then I blended in some Distress Inks (Mermaid Lagoon and Cracked Pistachio.) I then removed the old washi and added some much loved, and often used, washi (!) on one side of the inked area. To finish, I found a small sentiment sticker from Pinkfresh Studios to add to the centre and a small enamel from One Canoe Two, which adds a little texture!

The second card, started in a similar way, as I used the washi to create a central section of blended inks. I decided not to over-decorate, so once I removed the washi, I chose a little sentiment from the New Beginning Stamp Set by Studio Forty and added it to the centre of the card with some Tuxedo  Black Ink from Momento. Isn't the sentiment cute?

I can't wait to re-make these cards with different colours, washis and sentiments for a whole new look!

Killing Kits: Quick Cards

It's time for me to share the next video in the Killing Kits Series and this time, I dived into the leftovers of my 'Field Notes' Counterfeit Kit from September 2017. I loved the colours of this kit - it seemed like the ideal transition between summer and autumn, and it had a lovely botanical feel.

I've made two cards, both based on a card that I made for The Wild Hare Kits back in May (see that card here) with some of the leftovers from an earlier mini-album. I adored that card because it looked fantastic, but it took me less than ten minutes to make it! In the video for today, I've used the same basic materials - a white card base; cardstock leftovers; die-cut sentiments and little jewels - to recreate that card.

Different colours and textures make the cards look so different - seasonal almost - and, because this method would be so easy to 'batch' for multiple cards, I'll definitely be making more of these come winter!

Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you! 

Wild Hare Kits: 'Life Is Made of Moments Like These' Card

Hello! Hello! Today, I'm over on the Wild Hare Kits Blog sharing one of my favourite ways to use up those scraps at the end of a kit. Yes. You know it. I made a card! I mean, really, why would you spend ten minutes cleaning your desk at the end of a scrapping session, when you could use those ten minutes to make something instead?

I cut fours sections of cardstock to add to each corner of my card base, then added a strip of the most amazing washi to enter my household (!) to each section. I then played around with a few different ideas for the sentiment, but eventually settled on one from the Patio Party 'Cut Apart Sheet' that was included in my kit.

A few little enamel dots, that were also already out on my desk, finish of the card nicely. I love this clean and simple look!

CAS-ual Fridays: 'Two For One' Cards

The first of my video tutorials for the CAS-ual Fridays Ink Squad is live today and I'm excited to share an easy (and very economical) way to make what I refer to as 'Two For One Cards'.

For more details, head on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Blog. Remember to check us out on Instagram and Pinterest, and share your CAS-ual Friday creations with us (@casfridays and #casfridays) we love seeing what you have created! 

Have a lovely day!

CAS-ual Fridays: Clean & Simple Watercoloured Splattering

Hello! I'm excited to share my first make as a member of the CAS-ual Fridays 'Ink Squad' and, a little later in the month, I'll share my first tutorial so be sure to follow the CAS-ual Fridays Blog!

For today's make, I've used the Best Day Ever Fri-Die to full effect to create a little card with a big wow! It may look clean and simple, but I became a little messy with my watercolours while I made it! (There's a co-ordinating Best Day Ever stamp set too, so don't forget to check that out too!)

First, I took a standard, white C6 card base and created a splattered effect with three colours of Pentel Watercolours (Prussian Blue, Viridian and Yellow Green) and a little bit of Windsor & Newton's Gold Gouache. (You can create a similar effect with inks and a little bit of water, if you don't have any watercolours!)

Once dried, I centred the Best Day Ever Fri-Die on the front of the card base and then ran it through my die-cutter. It cuts like a dream - no little burrs or fluffs!

I backed the die-cut with a little Rinea Gold Foiled Paper to add some shine; then, I added all of the little 'inners' from the die to the centre of the letters. It really makes the sentiment stand out. For the finishing touch, I added a few sequins and a little bit of bling for a bit of texture. All done!

Please check us out on Instagram & Pinterest, and share your CAS-ual Friday creations with us (@casfridays and #casfridays) we love seeing what you have created! Have a lovely day!

Killing Kits: Patchwork Cards Process Video

Hello! I'm excited to share the first of the videos in the Killing Kits Series that I'm working on in collaboration with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. (Check out the Introduction for a little overview if you missed it earlier in the month!)

This video features the leftovers from my 'Summer In The City' Counterfeit Kit from August 2015! I was a little shocked when I realised it was that old, but I'm so happy to have rediscovered an older kit - that I still love - and I think, that with the addition of a few recent embellishments - it looks on trend!

Whether you choose to use the ideas in this new series to help you finish off your current kit, or whether you haul out the remains of some of those older kits, it’s up to you. But, I hope that the Killing Kits Series will help you to make the most of those little leftovers!

Wild Hare Kits: Little Love Card

I've made a little card with some leftovers from an earlier layout, it really is my favourite way to stretch out my supplies!

I had a little stack of 2x3 sections from the lovely 'Let Your Heart Decide' Collection by Pinkfresh Studios. (I had a whole 6x6 Pad in my kit, but I still can't help myself when it comes to little bits, I just have to try and use them!) So, I cut them all down to 1x3, then added them to a 6x4 card base. I really like the off-set, random look, but I think a more structured look would also be nice and may try it next!

Once I'd added them to the cardstock, I ran the card through my sewing machine to add a simple running stitch. I like the added texture - and it secures all of the cardstock.

I then choose a sentiment sticker from the 'swoonsome' One Canoe Two sheet that was included with the kit, along with a little heart sticker. It's so cute. Finally, I added a few of my favourite little sparkles (like, seriously, I add them to everything) and that's it.

I love it when I'm able to find a way to use up all of my little leftovers at the end of the month!

Wild Hare Kits: Cheating On My Bae

Have you ever cheated on your current bae for the ex? That's exactly what I did last night - and I don't have any regrets. Well, would you? Just look at the love we created!

After making several layouts with this month kit from The Wild Hare Kits, I started thinking about the kit I received in March. I still had a lot of the beautiful die-cuts from 1Canoe2 leftover from my kit and I didn't want them to be wasted. Besides, it still feels like the start of spring here in the UK - and I'm craving a little bit of floral!

I combined the die-cuts with a little bit of white cardstock; one of my favourite washis and a little bit of stitching. Well worth the risk of cheating, if you ask me!

Simple Cards {Rinea Foiled Paper}

Hello! I'm here today to share a card that shows a little simplicity is sometimes best! This little card can be made really easily - and would look fantastic in a variety of colours! 

First, I used an embossing folder to add detail to a section of the Turquoise/Glossy Gold Foiled Paper. Rinea Foiled Papers all look fantastic when embossed - as the details really show in their metallic finish. 

Once embossed, I added it to one corner of the card base and added another section of the reverse side, without the embossing. The difference in colour and texture lifts a basic card. 

To tie the sections together, I ran the card through my sewing machine, using a zigzag stitch and added a simple sentiment sticker. All done in around fifteen minutes! 

Lily Pad Card Tutorial {Rinea Foiled Paper}

This month the Rinea Design Team have all been showing how versatile the 3D Rolled Star Die Set can be with a series of tutorials (so check them out on the Rinea Blog if you haven't already.) 

I'm on the Rinea Blog today, with a Lily Pad Card Tutorial, made with the Emerald/Gold Glossy Foiled Paper and the 3D Rolled Star Die Set. 

Wild Hare Kits: The Monthly Sketch

Hello! I'm back on the Wild Hare Kit Blog today with my take on this month's sketch and - as usual - I've adapted it to make a cute card with some of the leftovers from mini album making!

I really wasn't sure about the sketch when I started, but once I made a start I realised how much I loved the circular elements - and I may just have to create a layout based on the same idea very soon!

I really hope that you’ll visit the blog and will be inspired to use some of the little ‘leftovers’ lying around on your desk to make something fabulous!!!