'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunday 15 September 2019

Hello there!

Thought I'd just pop in and share a few cards I made this week. The first one is the birthday card I made for my brother, who's 60 tomorrow. I took it to him yesterday because he lives at a distance, so I can show you - not that he would ever dream of looking here...
It's the second one I made, so was deliberately simple, with one of the quickest and easiest stamps I've ever used - I love it. It never fails to make me smile and it just seemed perfect for him - especially as I decided I hate the one I set out to make! Very little colouring on it, just embossing and it doesn't need anything more, unless I feel like adding to it.

I'll show you the first one I made. I do love the stamps but they just don't work together...or maybe I just didn't quite get them straight and that spoiled the effect. Whichever it is, the card will now be cut down to be used for an ordinary birthday OR I'll cut out the images again and use them somewhere else - individually. It's a shame the cupcake isn't a separate stamp - it just feels as if it should be central. Love the way they're both looking at it longingly, though and that's so typical of my brother!


This one was made after seeing Brenda's Allsorts' card last week. I loved it and loved the colours...so I had something in mind, then woke up wanting to use pink and grey - Hickory Smoke, Victorian Velvet and Spun Sugar, one of my favourite colour combos...so the card was born. I do love Lavinia stamps, with the occasional Inkylicious image - they work so well together. I stamped the ivy and shrooms in grey and in Victorian Velvet as well as black, just to add some depth and shadow. The stencil, another of my favourites, made the perfect spotlight. I also used Brilliance Moonlight White to add to the effect of the lamp and on some of the stencilling. I did rather mess up the wings, adding glitter glaze after using Posca pens - yikes - they bled with the liquid and covered the wings, so they're not as crisp as they should be. I like the way it turned out, though, with the grey edging adding a little atmosphere. I added a little bling in the form of jewels, because it seemed to need a little something in the centre.


And just for you autumn lovers, I made a leafy card...in pink and grey! I know it isn't very realistic, but I still like it. I still have a pink and grey thing going on, I'm afraid.



I'm playing along with the following challenges:-

Lavinia World Challenges, Anything Lavinia goes


Simon Says Stamp Wednesdays, Bling (jewels and glitter)

Simon Says Monday, Stamp It!

Moo Mania & More, Use Stamps

Addicted to Stamps, For a Lady/Girl

Alphabet Challenge, M for Masculine


Thank you for popping in

See you soon

Cath
xxx



21 very kind comments from lovely people:

Kathleen said...

Four fabulous cards, the two animal ones are really super fun images and made me smile. Thank you for joining our 'Animal' challenge at Penny Black and More.

Kath x

My name is Erika. said...

I do think those animals work together Cath. I like how they are all laughing. And your fairy card is quite pretty. You do make such fun cards. Hope your brother actually appreciates the card. I know my brother would just roll his eyes. Happy new week Cath. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I always love your cards Cath. The animal ones are funny, too. Great fussy cutting.

The Lavinia stamps are sure hot and this fairy is adorable, even if the wings bled, which I didn't notice. Great cards, all.

Neet said...

Good to see you posting again. I too love pink and grey together. I think grey is a much maligned colour but as it is on trend at the moment (interiors) it is enjoying its new status. Your card, however, is beautiful, has a misty romantic quality about it. You do make stunning cards.
The fairy one is delightful and the wings look lovely, remind me of the wings on the bee you once did although they did not have Stickles on them, the effect was achieved by your colouring.
Then we come to brothers card. The one with the two cows and the cupcake. Cath, that is fabulous. I would have been quite content with it as where the cupcake was.What fabulous beasts they are, so funny with their eyes. The card you did send to him is brilliant but honestly either would have been so appropriate for his birthday.
Hope you all had a lovely time.
Hugs, Neet xx

froebelsternchen said...

I take them all! Wonderful creations, the fun ones and the soft,delicate, stylish cards as well! You are my all time favourite stamping card designer Cath!

Have a great new week and thank you beyond belief for supporting Moo Mania & More with your wonderful art!

Big hugs, Susi

Lisa Lynn said...

Wow, your cards are amazing. The pink and gray with the Lavinia as well as the leaves are just awesome.

brenda said...

Another bumper packed post Cath, the two animals cards are such fun and I'm sure your Brother really loved the one you made for him and of course both are perfect for our Penny Black and More Animals theme, thanks so much for sharing.

Your choice palette on the Fairy card works so well and you are so right that Lavinia and Inkylicious stamps work together really well. I don't have that fairy orb, must be an oversight on my part which I need to adddress. And again the same colourway looks so stylish on the leaf creation, need to try that one out.

Have a good week,

B x

Leanne Harris said...

Fabulous makes Cath and I love that one that you've joined us with - how funny, it made me laugh!!!! Many thanks for joining us at Penny Black and More challenge this month for our theme of animals xxxx

Donna Ellis said...

Hi, Cath! I thoroughly enjoyed your pretty cards today, each one so sweet! I especially like the final two cards done in the pinky salmon colors and gray tones. THOSE ARE GORGEOUS! I've pinned them both. Your Lavinia card is pure magic and beautiful! So happy I saw your pretty card at Lavinia World Challenges > . Hope to see more of your creations in the future.

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous cards Cath and brilliant stamps-love the Fairy one too
carol x

Nonnie's Cards and Gifts said...

Love the gray and pink! Such a great color combo. Thank you for crafting with us at Lavinia World. Vicki-DT

Meggymay said...

A fantastic selection of cards Cath, those animals look such fun.
Yvonne xx

Debbie Mageed said...

Wonderful birthday card! It's sure to make someone laugh!! Thank you for playing in my masculine challenge at the Alphabet Challenge and hope you can join us again soon.

Julie Odil said...

So many pretty cards, I don't know where to begin! You've been very creative. Thanks for joining us at Lavinia World Challenges. Julie O, DT member

Lori Kobular said...

I love the color combination of pink and gray togehter! The way you swirled the circle in the middle of the card is beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us at Lavinia World Challenges!

Darlene said...

OMG what fabulous cards! Love the birthday cards ... too funny! Thanks so much for playing in our challenge at the Alphabet Challenge Blog!
Darlene
ALPHABET CHALLENGE
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please stop by for a visit.

Lena said...

Lovely and fun cards. The animal cards are just too cute! Love the colours you used on your last two cards. Beautiful scene created using your Lavinia stamps. Her wings are beautiful.
Thank you so much for playing along with us at Lavinia World Challenges. We hope to see you again next time. Have a wonderful day.
♥ Lena ~ DT
Lavinia World
Lena’s Creations

Lynda said...

This card certainly made me smile too Cath. Thank you for joining us at The Alphabet Challenge :) Lynda DT

Anne Temple said...

Loved seeing all your cards. Both birthday cards were adorable and I love the pinks and grays you used for the Lavinia one. Gorgeous! So glad you shared it with us for the Lavinia World Challenges #9. :-)

Steph Ackerman said...

Beautiful card. Love the colors. Thanks for sharing at Lavinia World challenges.

Chrissy said...

I love your beautiful Fairy card..so pretty..
Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Addicted to Stamps..

Luv CHRISSYxx