Dance exam

We supported our friend at their dance exam.  I made a box card to celebrate their achievement.

Dies used: Sizzix thinlits plus, Card, Diorama Gatefold #660845;  the dancers are from the Xcut Build a Scene Ballroom #XCU503125 and a star punch.

New Year but still Christmas

Starting the New Year with the last of the Christmas cards.  Most are a variation on ones that have been shown on the blog before but it’s nice to show them all together.

Once again, Happy New Year. May it be a good one for us all.

Christmas for dancers

As my regular readers know, I am a keen amateur ballroom and Latin dancer. As a result of my hobby , I have a lot of “dancey” friends, so it only seems right to have a dance themed Christmas card.

I used a number of dies from different sets to create this card:

Dancers: Xcut Build a Scene Ballroom #XCU503125; Shape cut into card blank: Sizzix thinlits plus, Card, Diorama Gatefold #660845; Leaves:  Christmas tree set, brand unknown.

Thank you just isn’t enough

DH and I recently took our last dance exam (ever!)  Dear friends and fellow dancers have been part of our support team for most of our exams, which we are so grateful for.  There is nothing better than being told that you did great as you leave the dance floor.

So, of course, a handmade card was needed, a special card for a two special people.

The greeting on the card blank was computer generated and the lady was cut using my lovely die from Joanna Sheen Signature dies Latin Dancers #SD271

Tea time

Last summer, I hosted a high tea for our dance friends – to celebrate our friendship and also the fact that we were now in the top class.  I had been looking for an excuse to use my cupcake wrapper die – Sizzix thinlits cupcake wrappers # 660893.  As you can see, I made them in different colours and I was really pleased with the result.

Birthday

A friend ours recently celebrated her 65th birthday.  As she is a keen dancer,  I used the Build a scene Ballroom dies from XCut (XCU503125) to create her card.

Ballroom

Friends of ours, keen dancers, recently celebrated their anniversary.

I used the Build a scene Ballroom dies from XCut (XCU503125) to create their card.

 

I used a battery tea light to create some atmosphere.

Variation on a theme – dancers

All these cards were made using the Build a scene Ballroom dies from XCut (XCU503125) and the Cuttlebug D’Vine Swirl Embossing folder (#37-1142)

             

Project Hat

I am the sort of person that doesn’t suit a hat.  Simply put, if forced to wear a hat, I look like one of the donkeys on the beach (lol).

I needed a hat for the black & white ball and dreaded the thought of having buy & wear something unsuitable.  So I decided to make one.

I decided to base my hat on a record (and a hairband)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I added white & black gems to define the edge of the record.

White tulle

black & white tulle

I didn’t have any white tulle, so I coloured 3 pieces black with Promarkers.  I threaded craft wire around the edges (so that I could shape it) and covered the wire with ribbon.

I poked the tulle layers through the centre of the record and secured it all with hot glue.

Flowers ready to be added

Ribbon, coated in Mod Podge (so it would hold it’s shape) then stapled.

nearly done

My finished hat!!

It managed to stay on my head for the entire night and guess what?  I only won a prize for the best hat!

Exam time

Back in May, DH and I took our ballroom & Latin dance exam – top class 1.
It was an amazing evening, our mark’s were high and we were  2nd in our year group.
I arranged a trophy for DH, to remind him of the exam but I needed a box for it:
I also made him a card . . . .

Thank you time again – part 2

    
I made 2 of these dancing shoes.  The shoe was a Christmas decoration but it is sparkly enough to be a dancing shoe.  The flowers are made from vellum using the following Sizzix Thinlits:  Fuchsia (#658858), Rose & Rose Bud (#658411).
The lion was made from a kit, the mug & hat were shop bought.  The letters on the lion’s paws were cut from felt using a Joy Crafts die – alphabet & numbers (#6002/0139)

Thank you time again – part 1

Every year I make thank you cards & gifts for our dance teachers and their assistants.  This year I have had extra to do as we took an extra dance course.

                                                             
These two cards were made using the Sizzix Sizzlits Sewing Machine & Bobbins die (#658461) and the embossing folder Sewing & Measuring Tape Set (#657671).  The sewing machines were coloured with Promarkers and the greeting was computer generated.  The greeting was edged with my fake stitching tool.

The rosette was made using various size circles, die cut from gauze paper using the Sizzix Framelits Circles (#657551).  The frill was cut with the Sizzix decorative strip die – pleated ruffle, 3d (658974).  The stamp is from Docrafts mini clear stamp; Forever Friends “Fabulous” (#FFS907120).  The bear was coloured with Promarkers.

Thank you’s

At the end of the dance year, I always make thank you cards for our dance teacher and the lovely lady that helps him.

I always try and fit a Union Jack in the design somewhere, as we are his only English students, and this has become a bit of a standing joke.

Both cards had a “gold” theme, as it had been our gold star exam year.

Dies & embossing folders used:

Sizzix Bigz Union Jack - 658296  Sizzix Framelits Frames, Decorative #3  - 657939    Sizzix Framelits Hearts #2 – 657574 Cuttlebug A2 embossing folder Thanks – 37-1134.  The stamp is a Dutch one – Dirk & Dientje (coloured with Copics)

Dancing Stars

Last weekend my DS and his dance partner took their Bronze Dancing Exam.  It was very exciting for DH and me to go and watch (and offer support).  It really was a wonderful evening and they both passed with fantastic marks.  To put the icing on the cake, they were also the best 1st years overall in ballroom and Latin.

I used as much bronze as I could, cardstock & backing paper.  The backing paper was cut using my Sizzix frames die #3 (657939) and embossed with my Crafts Too Hearts Embossing Folder.  The stamp is from the Dirk & Dientje range and was coloured with Copics.

I hope some of their success is passed on to us:  DH and I have our Gold Star Dance exam next weekend – fingers crossed.