Allsorts Guest DT Shaker Card

As you may have guessed from the title, this is my Guest DT card for this week's Allsorts Challenge which I'm sponsoring with 4 digi images from A Passion for Stamps.

The image I've used is Mannequin and I've added lace, a bow and some gems. You can see another of the new (soon to be released) Tonic Studios border punches used down the side of the image.This one is called Scalloped Diamond Border. There are so many possibilities for this punch - I'll be showing you them as soon as I get a chance - you'll definitely "need" this one to perk up your stitching themed cards among others!
There is a little video on Blog Tonic showing the 9 new punches so don't forget to have a look..

For the "shaker" part of my card I thought it would be a little different to use buttons to tie in with the Mannequin and faux stitching.

The two little butterflies at the top right are from my Tonic Studios Butterfly punch

I'm off to a family wedding today, so I hope the weather stays fine - have a lovely weekend whatever you have planned, Ruth :)

Another preview

If you haven't already seen the latest giveaway of a Glass Cutting Mat on Blog Tonic check it out HERE

Also, check out Blog Tonic HERE to find out about a £5.00 voucher!!

I managed to get to the Craft Fair in the King's Hall in Belfast for a couple of hours last Friday to meet up with Jodie who was over demoing Tonic products for 1Craft1. It's not a great photo but it's the best of the bunch as the others were too close up....

I have another little preview of one of  Tonic Studios  new punches to show you today. This one is called Daisy Border 2 and I love how deep it is. I've matted the lilac paper with white to show it off to the max before layering it onto DCWV Black and White Stack paper.

The image is Acidanthera from A Passion for Stamps and I've placed it on embossed white cardstock . The corners are the negative from the   Tonic Studios Royal Fleur 2 in 1 punch  and I've added 2 little Mini Butterflies

See you soon with more!

New Tonic Studios Giveaway

Tonic’s Glass Cutting Mat is an essential addition to any serious crafters arsenal. Complete with popular card size markings & angles. Not only will this protect your work surface, it is easy to wipe clean and gives a lovely smooth surface for your crafting.

With all the features of it’s ever popular larger sibling, the brand new A4 Glass Mat is bound to be an instant hit. Our  A4 Glass Mat has centimeter rulers and popular card size markings making it the ideal ‘must have’ for cardmakers!

When using a glass cutting mat  you'll find that  less pressure is needed with your craft knife and so it is easier on your fingers.  Also you'll find that your cutting blade will glide along without dragging or jumping as there are no indents left in the mat from previous cuts (as sometimes happens with self healing mats.)

Our A4 Glass Cutting Mat is particuarly recommended for use with the Shape~Mate system.

How to Enter...

To win one of these little beauties, you need to be a follower of  BLOG TONIC or our facebook page, then leave us a comment on BLOG TONIC  telling us why you would like to win one of these handy sized mats.

For a second entry into this "cutting edge design" draw you can post about our giveaway on your blog, facebook or twitter and then leave us a second comment on BLOG TONIC telling us where you shared. (Please don't forget to leave that second comment if you want two entires)

 PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS ON BLOG TONIC AND NOT ON THIS BLOG!!

If you'd like a button for your blog sidebar, you can use this one...

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We look forward to reading your comments.

Prize draw will close on the 15th of May 2012

Please note this prize draw is for those living in the UK and European Union. Thanks

My new favourite!

You're going to love the new border punches from Tonic Studios!! I've used the gorgeous new Victorian Border on the bottom of the actual card  - the fantastic geared system in these punches means they punch through card and paper equally easily - and also on the matching designer paper above it. I just know I'm going to be using this punch lots...
I'll be showing you the rest of the new range over the next week or so, so keep your eyes on the blog.

The other Tonic Studios punches I've used on the cards are Butterfly Strip (you can see how I made the circle using it  HERE) , Dotty Border for the rosette, Petal Pairs for the centre and, of course(!) the Multi Detail Butterfly.

 For the little corner bookmark I've used the same Moorish paper, Petal Pairs and Dotty border.

 Tonic Studios are promoting their Facebook site. For every 1000 likes they get (capped at 5000) they will enter all the followers into a draw to win £100 worth of Tonic prizes. If you are not already a follower, check it out HERE! Remember to share the post on your facebook wall to spread the word.

Lilac and gingham

Gingham again....I'm going to have to buy some more gingham paper as my supply is running low!

There is something about it that really appeals to me - and I just love it with flowers and stitching.

The image on today's card is Scabious from A Passion for Stamps and the paper is Papermania Colossal and Craft Creations gingham. This Tonic Studios Daisy Border punch always looks great when it has some stitches on it - I've used it before with "running stitch" but this time I used "blanket stitch"  and I love the effect!

The flowers around the bottom of the image were made using the Tonic Studios Simplicity Geared Daisy punch....soo easy to use. And, of course, I've added my favourite  Multi Detail Butterfly  which I've layered with a gingham one on top to match the paper.

Don't forget to visit Blog Tonic where there is a "sticky stuff" giveaway

Challenges
Crafty Ribbons ...things with wings
Paperplay ...things with wings

Happy Easter

Today I'm sharing a card which is one of a set of Spring flower cards I made lately. This one uses Tulips digi image from A Passion for Stamps and I've used my lovely Tonic Studios Floral border punch to edge the mat before attaching it onto white card which I embossed with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirls folder. Then I used the Tonic Studios Royal Fleur 2 in 1 punch in a slightly different way - by actually using the "negative" part.

I'm looking forward to a couple of days off work to spend with the family over the Easter weekend. We've nothing exciting planned - just a bit of a rest.

Last night we went to Belfast to have a look at the laser and firework display at the new Titanic centre which opened in Belfast last week....I was one of the few folk who didn't know a ticket was needed until they were all sold, so 30,000 other folk had a much better evening but we, at least, were able to watch the fireworks from beside Goliath - the huge crane in the Belfast shipyard where the Titanic was built.

I'm no photographer but I thought you may like to see a little bit of Belfast.

Daffodils

Good morning. I think we may have returned to Winter  - after a little glimpse of what felt like Summer last week - but the Daffodils are still blooming and I thought I'd make a quick card with a couple of them on it to brighten someone up.

The Daffodils are digi images from A Passion for Stamps and, as usual, I've coloured them with Promarkers (Canary, Gold and Orange).

The back layer was embossed with Cuttlebug's Distressed Lines folder and then I got punching....

The banners were made using Tonic Studios Paper Edger 4 and their mini Trimmer.

I've used the gorgeous Tonic Studios Simplicity Geared Vine Border punch for the top part and added some gingham ribbon.

Tonic Studios have a super giveaway of glues and other super stuff on their blog at the moment so why not nip over and join in..

You'll find it HERE

Challenges
CRAFT ..Spring card
Addicted to Stamps  ..Spring
Allsorts ...photo inspiration
Alphabet Challenge ...Dry embossing
Craft Your Days Away ...Easter
Crafty Catz ..digi image
Digital Tuesday ..Easter

Sir Stampalot Birthday Blog Hop!

 My sample is a birthday card featuring my Two Roses digi image from A Passion for Stamps which I've coloured with Promarkers and cut out with my little Tonic Studios Fine Control Snips.

I've used the Tonic Studios Simplicity Geared Butterfly Border punch for the beautiful edges and the Multi Detail Butterfly and the Butterfly Mini punch for the dimension.

Before you go...I have a quick tutorial on making the card front.

1. Cut a rectangle measuring 15cm x 13 cm and score at 1cm and 2cm on the 15cm side.Cut an oval aperture with the Tonic Studios Oval Shape Mates

2. Stick the image to the card base using Scrap Adhesives foam pads

3. After embossing the front panel, fold the edges back and stick it to the card front  -  2cm in from each side