Simply Stampin' Baby Baby!

Good morning,

Yes that's right I'm back in action (I think!!) and my crafty conservatory is all sorted out!

This week's challenge over at Simply Stampin' is a theme challenge, and the theme is Baby Baby!

I had no idea when me and Kirei came up with these challenges at the beginning of the year that by the time this one came arouind I would be 5 months pregnant expecting mine and my boyfriends first baby, this may explain why I have been dipping in and out of challenges for a while!

I had my scan just over a week ago and we found out that we are having a little girl so I had to make my card in pinks!

I didn't want to go over board on the pink so I have kept my card pretty CAS, hope you like it!

I started with a Crumb Cake base, matted with Pretty in Pink with Whisper White over the top, I spritzed the left hand side of my card with my Pretty in Pink marker pen, and ruffled some Crumb Cake seam binding to go over the top, then I die cut the scalloped heart in Crumb Cake using the heart embosslit, and punched a Whisper white heart with my full heart punch, stamped with A to Z in Pretty in Pink, I wanted to add a splash of bright pink so I topped this off with a bright button. The congratulations greeting also stamped in Pretty in Pink is from the Delightful Dozen set, oh so useful!

Well I hope this has inspired you to get making baby crafts!! Don't forget to check out the rest of the design teams projects!

Happy stampin'

Happy Birthday Sian!

Good Morning!

Today (as you may have guessed from the title of this post) is my friend Sian's birthday, we met a few months ago after entering a new challenge at the same time and we have been chatting ever since.

I know she is OBSESSED with all things Verve, so I just had to make her card following one of the Viva La Verve sketches, and she told me that this circular one was her fave so it was a no brainer, I had to use this one!

I have used new DSP called Cheerful Treat, and some of the new in-colours, and I dusted off a punch that I haven't used for ages!

Hope you have a great day Sian, filled with plenty of crafting, family and friends!

See you soon, xx

The Cherry On Top

Good morning,

I'm back with another challenge combo.

Sometimes I know exactly what I want to do when I see a challenge set out before me, other times I sit at my desk and wonder what to do. This was one of whose times, I sat there staring at my stamp sets with out a clue what to do, only knowing that I wanted to enter another card into the Shabby Tearoom challenge of polka dots. I flipped through my Brights DSP stack I decided to use Real Red polka dots, and then it came to me in a flash, my Tart and Tangy stamps, the cherries would be a perfect match to the red paper I had chosen. That meant that I would have to use green as a second colour for the stalks and a neutral so I went for Choc Chip.

I wanted to play along with this weeks Mojo Monday sketch which I have adapted a little

I don't have a photo corner punch yet, so I decided to do a little distressing in the corner, and place another DSP this time Pear Pizazz In-colour paper behind, I also co-ordinated this with a layer on the front.

Right at the end I decided to add buttons for the cherries, I'm really quite pleased with this one.

See you again soon, I hope, xx

Anything But A Card

Good Evening,

I'm hoping that I can just sneak in this entry to the Simply Stampin' challenge this week before the deadline.

As you can see from the title this week we have been challenged to come up with anything but a card, this has been tough for me as on the whole I only make cards.

I decided to make a bag, an excuse to get my big shot working. I used the scallop circle die, to make the bag itself, and the Fun Flowers die to decorate it.

I'm really quite pleased with the result, not bad for my first try anyway!

I have used one of the very bright and funky patterned papers from the Greenhouse Gala DSP packs, and picked out one of the colours from the paper for my flower, finished off with a brights button.

I hope the ladies like it!! xx

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Good Morning, all you crafty people!

I made this card for my fabulous up-line Amanda, happy birthday!! I made it earlier this week and have been dying to show it, but I didn't want to spoil the surprise just incase she wondered over to my blog before hand.

Those of you who know Amanda will know that she always says that envelopes have a be decorated so I couldn't very well leave it blank, so I carried on the theme to the envelope. I really liked the look, I may have to start decorating all my envelopes this way!

I have used the gorgeous Sweet and Sour speciality papers for this card and envelope. You may have guessed by now that I LOVE challenges (I'm officially addicted to them) So I took the opportunity to combine a few for this card.

The sketch is from Mojo Monday, I have missed out the bow (very unlike me) as I wanted the Daisies die to have more of a focal point and I have swapped the large tag for three small ones (aren't these Tiny Tags just the cutest).

Next I wanted to use a great colour combo, colour challenges are fast becoming my favourite, they really push me out of my safety zone. So I just had to head over to Color Throwdown for my colour inspiration. This week there is an added twisted with the addition of 'pick your own' guest colour. I chose to add Rose Red, which is the colour of the DSP.

Lastly I thought that I would also add in the theme featured on SU-only which was May Flowers, and as I'm loving my Daisies die, that was no problem what so ever!

I do hope that Amanda likes her card, I'm sure she will get tons of them! Enjoy your surprises, birthday girl!

See you soon - xx

Buttons and Bows

Hi,

Just a quick post this evening to show you the card I've made for the Simply stampin' challenge blog, as you can tell from the title this weeks challenge was buttons and bows.

I may have gone a little OTT with the buttons, what do you think?

I wanted to use my new scallop circle die to make my card and I had this idea of using the buttons to frame the sentiment, I choose a background paper that had lots of colours within it so that I could use all different coloured buttons. The DSP is Sweet Stitches paper, and a mixture of SU! designer buttons, and buttons from my stash, the ribbon is gorgeous White Organza which you may have overlooked in the catalogue, this can be dyed any colour with the re-inkers so it's very versatile.

Anyway keep your fingers crossed for me, that my very different card, catches the design teams eye over at Simply Stampin.

Stampin' Celebration Spring

Well hello again,

This weekend seems to have gone on forever, last night I was lying on the sofa watching telly thinking that it was Monday and that I had work today when my boyfriend reminded me that it was Sunday and we still had another day off! Not that I'm complaining as it gave me enough time to finish off a card I started yesterday for a challenge I haven't entered before called Stampin' Celebration. The theme this week is spring so I thought that I'd use  my Growing Green set, and really had to resist the urge to put some butterflies on it, for those of you who don't know, last week I set myself the challenge of using all of my stamp sets as I seem to use the same favourites all the time.

Here is the inspiration collage for this weeks challenge

I wanted to try a different style of card that is new to me, which is why it has taken so long to finish it. These shutter cards will definitely have to only be for very special occasions.

Look to perfect little bows! I'm so proud of myself.
I hope the ladies over at Stampin' Celebration like my effort.

Triple Challenge Combo

Good afternoon,

Just quickly popped on to post my card which combines three challenges (my most so far!) before we have a BBQ, very impressed that the first one of the year is so early. Isn't the weather just glorious?!

Well on to my card

As I said I'll be entering this one into three challenges, Less is More, which this week challenged us to 'off centre' which after lasts weeks acetate challenge was a welcome relief, thanks ladies. I actually enjoyed last weeks challenge after all my huffing and puffing!

The colours have been taken from Colour Throwdown, which this week let us choose one colour to mix into the combo

I have used Night of Navy, Whisper White and added Old Olive as my guest colour, I was going to go with Rich Razzleberry but I wanted my card to have a more neutral feel to it.

Lastly the sketch used fitted perfectly with the Less is More - off centre, which is from the Simply Stampin' challenge blog, I do love a good sketch, and here it is

The recipe

Stamps, Curly cute, Pocket silhouettes

Paper, Whisper white CS, Night of navy CS, Old olive CS

Ink, Old olive, whisper white

Accessories, Beautiful wings embosslit, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon whisper white, Jumbo eyelets, Designer buttons brights.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sew Lovely to see you

Hi there,

Just a quick post before I run off to work.
Well today I thought I'd share another of the cards are I made for my first card party. It's made using the Sew Lovely stamps, and co-ordinating papers, Sweet Stitches.

The papers are really fun and bright, so I wanted my card to have the same feel. I know that pink and orange clash a bit but I really like the way that this combo worked along side the yellow. Which I carried through the card with the buttons.

Here's the recipe
Stamps, Sew lovely
Paper, melon mambo CS, pumpkin pie CS, daffodil delight CS, Sweet stitches DSP, vanilla CS
Ink, choc chip
Accessories, designer buttons, daffodil delight satin ribbon, stamp-a-ma-jig

Hope you like it, xx

Crafty cardmakers challenge - YELLOW!!

Good Morning!

Well it's Saturday morning so that means I must be making some cards for challenges!
I searched the Internet for challenges, Although I only started doing them a couple of weeks ago I'm completely hooked, and found a challenge that I haven't tried before called Crafty Cardmakers.

The challenge this time is that the main colour should be yellow, eek! This along with orange is my least favourite colour, I'm a little scared of it, but that's why it's called a challenge.
I wrote down 'yellow' on my pad that I keep on the computer desk for ideas and inspiration, and scurried away to my craft desk.

Here's what I came up with

I have been asked to make a few baby cards, so I thought that this gorgeous pale yellow called So Saffron would be perfect, this background paper has tiny little bunnies on it, from the Nursery suite paper pack. I have also snuck in a little Regal rose and Chocolate chip. It's hard to see (sorry my dodgy photography skills once again) but the striped rosette paper is also these three colours.

Now I;'ve just popped back over to the Crafty Cardmakers website and my heart sank, I hadn't read the rest of the rules for the challenge, it also required, ribbon, stitching and gems, normally all three of these feature in most of my cards but today, I have gone for buttons, doodling, and a strip of the same striped paper used for the rosette to tie it in.

I hope the ladies over at Crafty Cardmakers will forgive me, I must remember to read all the rules before running off to make my entry next time!!

The recipe for this card
Stamps, Baby Tees wheel, Whimsical words (last year's SAB)
Paper, Nursery suite speciality papers, Chocolate chip CS, Regal rose CS, Pink pirouette CS, Very vanilla CS
Ink, Regal rose, delightful daffodil, chocolate chip
Accessories, scallop border punch, scallop circle punch, scallop trim border punch, white gel pen, dimensionals, designers buttons, Bitty buttons.

Hope you like it, back soon
xx

Mojo Monday...... on a Friday!

Hey!

Well as I mentioned earlier this week I'm really enjoying challenge blogs at the moment, (especially the Stampin up challenge blog Simply Stampin' one of the DT Sharon is doing a draw for the super cute Owl Punch!! I'd still really love to hear some other challenge blog suggestions, if you know any) I find sketches so inspirational, and while I was looking at some other blogs I stumbled across Mojo Monday. As the title suggests each Monday there is a new sketch to get your crafty mojo going, and some days I'm really in need of some help along the way!

Here is the sketch for this week

I wasn't sure about the twine across the top so I left it out but I think I may have needed it to balance out the card, what do you think?

I've used loads of my new goodies for this one, including, the Daisies die cut, Square lattice embossing folder, seam binding ribbon, and the Springtime vintage DSP.

I also did a bit of water colouring with my blender pen, I'm really pleased with how this turned out, here's a close up

I've used Pink Pirouette, for the embossing and water colouring layer, but again with my amazing photography skills it looks more like white, but I'm still pleased with the results.
I hope over at Mojo Monday, they like my first attempt at their challenge. This sketch had a lot of detail which is what I tend to go for in my cards, so it was right up my street!

Bye for now, two more of my favourite challenges are tomorrow see hopefully see you back here then with some more cards. xx

THE MINI IS HERE!! Plus 10% discount offer

 Well good morning!

It feels like I've been waiting for today to come forever, I'm so excited to share the new mini catalogue with you, that I'm offering a 10% discount on orders placed with me during the first week of the mini catalogue launch, so just email me a place an order before 7th April. This can be products from the main catalogue and mini catalogue.

Click on the link on the right hand side to view the mini, or if you would like your very own copy email me. and I'll send one out to you!

And guess what everyone, the BIG SHOT has landed. Stampin up has teamed up with Sizzix to bring us the big shot, and you know what that means, extra special Stampin' up exclusive dies!! I am beyond excited about this product.

I tried not to get carried away with the products I ordered straight away, a girl has to have things to look forward to so there are plenty of goodies that I will be wanting to get my hands on, but I really should show you a card that I have made with the goodies I've had a little while now.

This set is called Sew Lovely, it features a dress makers stand, cotton reels, pin cushion, tape measure, sewing machine, and a gorgeous frame. I also got the co-ordinating paper pack to go with it.

This card is for Pauline who I job share with at work, her birthday is today so happy birthday Pauline!! I hope that she likes this card, she makes her own home decor pieces, so I knew who I wanted to use this set for straight away. I've been playing along with the Less is More blog, and this card fits that same theme, don't you just love the little buttons?!

I will be using this set in my next party, so if you're coming you'll know what to expect!!

The recipe for today's card is
Stamps, Sew Lovely, Occasional greetings
Paper, Wild Wasabi CS, Rose Red CS, Crumb Cake CS
Ink, Chocolate chip
Accessories, Brights designer buttons, paper piercer, mat stack, stamp-a-ma-jig, Rich Razzleberry taffeta ribbon, Certainly Celery Taffeta ribbon, scallop trim border punch, basic rhinestones

Hope you enjoy browsing through the new catalogue!! xx

A trip to Paris

Hi everyone,

Today's card is for a lady that I work with called Margaret, she is taking her husband to Paris for his birthday at the weekend and asked that I make a card for him with a french theme. So immediately my Artistic Etchings set came to mind.

I wanted to make a little scene so I started with the Eiffel Tower, then I wanted to stamp some trees so I dusted off my Trendy Trees set ( I love this fab little two-step set I really should use it more!) Then I used my blender pen with the same colour ink as the tree tops, Wild wasabi to add grass to the bottom. I finished off the little scene wit some fluffy clouds from last years SAB set Good Neighbours. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out although I must say it looks much better in real life.

Here's today's recipe

Stamps, Artistic etchings, Trendy trees, Good neighbours SAB (retired)

Paper, Brights DSP stack, Wild wasabi CS, Whisper white CS

Ink, Chocolate chip, Wild wasabi, Marina mist

Accessories, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Brights designer button, Sponge daubers, adhesive letters (from my pre-SU stash)

Hope they had a great weekend, I want to see plenty of photos from the top!!

xx

Back to the cottage wall

Today's card features the Cottage wall papers (of course!) and one of the sale-a-bration stamp sets Punch Bunch. You can still get your hands on this set for free if you place an order of £45 or more by Monday.

What I love about the Punch Bunch set is that (as you may have guessed from the name) each stamp has a co-ordinating punch, making it quick an simple to create stunning embellishments for your cards, scrapbook or home decor projects.

I have used the 'for you' scallop circle stamp and punch, but there is also to name a few a tag (used on yesterday's baby card) and most exciting of all we will be getting the owl punch in April!! I am beyond excited about it!

I have teamed the gorgeous Cottage Wall (sadly retired) papers with the Woodland Walk papers. I wasn't sure if I would use the woodgrain effect paper but I have ended up using it, on 3 cards so far, so that wasn't a problem after all.

The recipe for today's card
Stamps,  Punch bunch SAB
Papers, Cottage wall paper, Woodland walk paper, Early espresso CS, Very vanilla CS
Inks, Chocolate chip, Rich razzleberry
Accessories, Rich razzleberry taffeta ribbon, scallop circle punch, Dazzling diamonds glitter, 2-way glue pen, designer button brights, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment and join as a follower to be entered into the draw for the £10 voucher.
I'd love to know what you'd like to get with it! xx

Dreaming of cards

Yes that's right, the other night I dreamt this card up, I had to scribble it down when I woke up so I didn't forget it and was very pleased that it turned out nicely, it was a very productive nights sleep.

It uses the Garden Whimsy stamp set, which has a lovely spring feel to it, I love the insects in the set.

Here's the recipe,
Stamps, Garden Whimsy
Paper, Daffodil Delight (Card stock and designer patterned paper), Certainly celery, Whisper White
Ink, Old Olive, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories, Certainly Celery taffeta ribbon, Brights button

I hope that you feel little less wintry now,
See you soon xx

Butterflies and buttons

Good morning!

I'm starting the day bright and early with a shot of espresso, card not coffee. Today's cards uses the colour combo of Early espresso, Real red and Very vanilla, and I hope you'll agree its makes a great combination.

I can't seem to make a card lately without my hands gravitating towards my butterfly punch, and this card is no different! But this time I wanted to try to use my buttons in a different way so I've added buttons and gems onto the butterflies bodies.
Let me know what you think.

I was quite pleased with how this one turned out, I wasn't sure while I was working on it, but it came together in the end.

Here's what I used to make it -
Stamps, Butterfly prints, Curly cute
Card, Early espresso, Real red, Very vanilla,
Ink, Cherry cobbler,
Accessories, Chocolate chip satin ribbon (sadly retired), Scallop border punch, Butterfly punch, Designer buttons, (gems from my stash)

As my last post said I've got new goodies, so I hope you'll pop back soon to see some more creations.

Pink Cupcake Heaven

I don't know about you but there's nothing quite like a cupcake, especially after you've been dieting all week!

As some of you will already know I've been on a diet since February 2010 and have lost quite a bit already, but once a week (Thursday lunchtime after the dreaded weigh in) me and my mum treat ourselves. We both have a weakness for a cupcake, Ellie's in Covent Garden is our favourite place (their peanut butter cupcake is pure heaven) but as it's not local, any pretty pink cupcake will do!

As it's only Monday the real thing will have to wait, but here is a whole tower of cupcakes that can be enjoyed anytime, best of all they are guilt and calorie-free! Enjoy!

I've teamed the Regal Rose frosting with Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive. I think this maybe my favourite colour combo of the moment.

Here's the recipe,
Stamps, Crazy for cupcakes,
Paper, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, and Regal Rose patterned paper,
Ink, Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose and Old Olive,
Accessories, Scallop border punch, Razzleberry taffeta ribbon, Old Olive button, blender pen

Hope you find this as yummy as I do!

Say thankyou with flowers!

Today's card has been made using the For Everything stamp set, I love the two sentiments in this set and the little birdie and butterfly, so cute!
This card uses two step stamping, this technique builds up a focal point from individual small stamps, the flower stem is separate from the heads so you can mix and match flowers. I've also used two flower heads to frame my image. The possibilities are endless!

So here's the card

And here's the recipe,

Stamps, For Everything,
Ink, early espresso, cherry cobbler, old olive, pumpkin pie,
Card stock, old olive and very vanilla
Buttons, brights.

I'd love to hear what you think so please leave me a comment below, thanks for stopping by!

F is for friendship

Good evening!

I've been waiting to get my grubby (with ink so it's ok) little hands on the vintage vogue set since it was first shown in last years mini catalogue, but every time I placed an order there was always something else that I was seduced by. But never fear, when I was choosing my starter kit stamps I put it right at the top of my list and it is now sat in a neat little pile with all it's stampin' up stamp set friends.

I think its a great set for 'just because' cards, because of the fabulous F with friends caption. So that is what I have made for today's card.

Once again my ever faithful butterfly has made it on to this card as well!

I have also used the 'rock and roll' technique on the flowers of this card. This technique involves choosing two colours, one lighter than the other. Ink up your chosen stamp with the lighter colour, then with the darker colour angle the stamp so that you are only inking a portion of the design and roll the stamp around so that you have a darker edge to the image. You must remember to clean the stamp between each inking otherwise you will transfer the dark ink to the lighter ink pad.

Here's what was used -

Vintage Vogue stamp set, Butterfly prints stamp set,
Rich razzleberry CS, Pretty in pink CS, Rich razzleberry patterned paper,
Rich razzleberry taffeta ribbon, brights designer button, Butterfly punch,
Regal rose ink and concord crush ink.

What do you think? I'd love to know, please leave me a comment below.

Marina, marina, marina!

Hi there,

Today's card is for a very good friend of mine, her birthday is on Monday and for once I'm prepared in advance and have her card all ready for her, hopefully she isn't checking my blog before then!

Its uses my brand new Broadsheet Alphabet set, which I think is one of my most useful sets, I used to spend a fortune on alphabet stickers to personalise cards and now I won't have to spend another penny on them, Yay!

So it here is

 I hope that she will like it!

As the title for this post suggests I used a lot of marina mist in this card,
Here's what was used to make it -

Stamps - Broadsheet Alphabet, Tiny Tags
Paper - Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Blueberry Paper Pack
Marina Mist Ink, Marina Mist satin ribbon,Marina Mist marker (for doodling around scallop) Designer Buttons (brights) Scallop Circle Punch, Tag Punch

Happy Birthday for Monday Angela!

Bye for now