Language of Love Florals

Hey! 

As promised, I'm back today with some details for card I shared yesterday plus another one too! 

Both these cards are using the Language of Love stamp set. Neither are at all romancey - yes I wanted to get more use out of this cute stamp set. You can still order this set which is in the Spring/Summer catalogue until the end of the month. 

Stamp Set: Language of Love, Happy Day

Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Silver Glimmer Paper

Punch: Bird Builder, Small Heart, Owl Builder

Embellishments: Linen Thread, Subtles Buttons

Here I used the sweet little small hearts to make some sweet flowers. I love the patterns on then and look great. I decided I wanted the leaves to have some texture to match the flowers so I used the spotty banner and punched after. I know the banner isn't quite large enough to cover the whole branch but it doesn't look too bad. 

Buttons, a little linen thread bow and glimmer heart are cute finishing touches for this clean and fresh card! 

Stamp Set: Language of Love, Happy Day

Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Silver Glimmer Paper

Punch: Bird Builder, Pansy, Fancy Flower, Owl Builder

Embellishments: Linen Thread, Subtles Buttons

Yes this is quite similar to the other card, same colour scheme, but just using one larger flower. I used the love text heart to make my own pattern paper by nesting the heart together a couple times then punching in the centre. If there's a little overlap, it doesn't matter all that much as the button can cover it. See the image below.

The fancy flower punch is retiring at the end of this month so get in quick if you want it before it's gone for good! Doesn't it layer beautifully with the pansy punch?!

I used the wing from the bird builder to make the leaves. Again button, linen thread bow and a glitery heart are sweet finishing touches.

Hope you're having a great day. 

Happy Stampin',

Stitched Confetti Shaker

Hi! 

Well I totally forgot yesterday, I was really in the crafting groove plus I had a last minute card a friend asked me to make for her so was wrapped up in getting that sorted and then it got late so I just went to bed and completely forgot about blogging! Anyway I am here today and have a pretty little something to share with you!

Today's been a busy day at work, glad to be home now. I'm going shopping with my friend Ally. We haven't hung out in ages so it'll be really great to see here again, get some dinner and mooch around the shops! I seriously need some work clothes! I don't have many suitable clothes so I think that's a very good excuse to shop! 

Stamp Set: Geometrical

Ink: Bermuda Bay

Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Wisteria Wonder, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Vellum, Silver Glimmer

Punch: Itty Bitty, Cupcake Builder

Big Shot: Chalk Talk

Accessories: Metallic Mini Clothes Pegs

I know I have a major peeve about cards with things on a wonk, I am really trying to get over this peeve and actually found this card working better with the sentiment working on an angle in conjunction with the mini clothes peg. 

I've been really wanting to do more sewn cards and as I had free time on Monday I thought it'd be a good chance to whip the sewing machine out and do this card. I just placed the vellum over the top and sewed it almost all the way, posted the "confetti" through the gap then sewed it up the rest of the way. I've got to admit I really like the frosted confetti floating around.

A few little confetti pieces placed over the top  just lift the card and bring little pops of colour to card. I really like the sparkly dots of glimmer paper in the centre as a change from rhinestones or pearls. 

Do you ever sew on cards? I'm actually amazed at how easy it is - the machine seems to take to the paper really well and its such a fun look. Also, its a pretty cheap way of jazzing up a card. 

I'm off for my evening out now, catch you again tomorrow with something else new! Have a lovely evening too!

Happy Stampin',

Butterfly 21

Hey there!

It was Stuart's cousin Andrew's girlfriend's 21st at the weekend, a whole big group of us all went out for a meal to celebrate last night - it was good fun and many laughs were had! Anyway, my MIL had asked if I could make a special card for them to give Bekah so I got busy designing a couple pretty 21st cards - obviously I needed to make one for us to give her too! I gave her both so she could choose, here's the one she picked. 

Stamp Set: Express Yourself

Ink: Pool Party

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Silver Glimmer Paper

DSP: Venetian Romance

Big Shot: Beautifully Baroque, Typeset Alphabet, Ovals Framelits

Punch: Elegant Butterfly, Bitty Butterfly

Embellishments: Subtles Buttons, Pearls, Whisper White Baker's Twine

I started making a card with a window similar to this petite petals blossom one. I just wasn't liking how it was working so seeing as I hadn't stuck anything down yet I cut off the card front with the window in it, embossed it, sponged it to help bring out some of that gorgeous texture and mounted it on another card base! The sponging REALLY lifted the card!

 Then I could add the glittery 21, sentiment and lots of pretty butterflies. 

21 is a pretty special birthday in the UK so I went a bit nuts with all the pearls and added lots of scattered pearls to the background too!

I wanted to do something a little different with the large butterfly rather than a pearl so I thought a button and baker's twine would be a cute little addition. 

I'm just loving all the soft colours here. I haven't really played too much with the new colour Soft Sky. I wasn't really sure about it, its quite pale and similar to Pool Party. But I've grown to love it after having a bit of a play with it. If you haven't played with it yet/much I'd really recommend giving it a go! I think you'll like it!

I'm back to work tomorrow so I'm enjoying my last day of holidays - I've been to coffee morning at church, looked at some new phones, had lunch with Emma and now I'm going to have a relaxing afternoon of stamping! 

Happy Stampin',

Giant Cupcake

Hi!

Another new week. Got much on this week? Mine is actually shaping up to be a pretty good one! We have card club this morning and this evening which is going to be good fun. Then on Wednesday evening I'm getting a train down to London to stay with my friend Emma. We're going to see some art exhibitions and hang out. On Thursday Sam is coming to join us so we'll all have Friday together before coming home in the evening! Sounds exhausting but it should be good fun too! Don't worry, I'll have some posts lined up for you while I'm away! 

So my friend Vicky asked me a few weeks ago to make a 30th birthday card for her friend. When I asked her if there was anything specific she was looking for she just said "big cupcake". Okay I think I can work something out there! 

Stamp Set: Express Yourself, Petite Petals

Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Gumball Green

Cardstock: Crumb Cake , Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Whisper White, Gumball Green, Silver Glimmer Paper

DSP: Sweet Sorbet

Punch: Modern Label, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Petite Petals, Bird Builder, Scallop Border

Big Shot: Typeset Alphabet, Decorative Dots (SAB)

Ribbon: Pool Party Ruffle (retired), Silver Baker's Twine

Embellishments: Rhinestone

Other: Tooth Pick

So this card was a bit of a case of just adding and removing items until it looked right. 

I started by just drawing out a huge cupcake on a piece of printer paper using the cupcake builder as my inspiration for the shape. I then just worked at it until it was right and then cut the pieces of pattern paper and cardstock. Here's a photo of the back so you can see how it folds a bit better! 

I thought the striped Sweet Sorbet paper was perfect for the cupcake liner - adding the scallop border punch to the top made it even more realistic. It did however look like a lot of pattern with nothing to break it up. the ribbon I eventually decided on is some that was retired - I kind of wanted to use crisp cantaloupe ruffled ribbon but I didn't have any and using more pistachio would be overload I think.

The 30 piece is supposed to resemble one of those cupcake toppers that seem to be quite fashionable at the moment. I actually sandwiched a toothpick between two of the scallop circles and pierced it through the frosting layer. 

Some texture and sponging on the frosting was to add some interest to quite a large area of Pistachio Pudding and look kind of like sprinkles. 

The flowers were one of the later additions - I loved the topper but it didn't seem to quite gel with the card right. I guess the card just looked a little bare so I added some flowers and leaves. the rhinestones are a nice finishing touch as if they are just sprinkled on. 

Hope you enjoyed this. 

Happy Stampin',

Love-ly Birthday

Hello there! 

Its been another busy day sewing and so on around here and blogging slipped my mind again. 

I had an epic 11 hours sleep last night! (I was in bed before 9pm!!) So in general today has been a good day. My friend, Sam, popped over for a coffee too which was lovely. Only thing that's tinged today with annoyance was a phone call back from the camera shop - they've looked at the lens and it needs a new motor....expensive!!! Argh!

Anyway, I have a pretty little card from January's card club for you today. Its very similar to a card I shared a few weeks ago. 

Stamp Set: Language of Love, Express Yourself

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Real Red, Pool Party, Silver Glimmer

Punch: Small Heart, Owl Builder, Decorative Label

Other: White Gel Pen

So this is a dead simple card but I just wanted to share that now Valentine's Day is over, you shouldn't shove this stamp set to the back of your shelves to gather dust until next year...this set doesn't just have to be for Valentine's or love cards...don't you think it makes a cute little birthday card too? Any so cheery!  

Love the little pops of bright red against the cool pastels. 

Hope you enjoyed this super quick card today. Now I have to get to bed - super packed day tomorrow - invigillating, cleaning and cooking at Auntie Lil's and Bible study....plus most likely more sewing and some card making too! 

Happy Stampin', 

Starry Baby

Hello folks! 

Today's little project is for this week's Paper Player's challenge.

At the moment it seems that everyone around me is having babies! My bestie, Kathryn, just had a sweet little babe last week. I am very excited that my little godson now has a gorgeous little baby brother! I know he'll make a great big brother!! Oh, and I just cannot wait to meet the latest addition, baby Arthur! Isn't it just the sweetest name?! Here's a fun little starry card to welcome him in the world!

Stamp Set: Banner Blast (SAB), Sweet Essentials

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

Punch: Merry Minis, Banner

I just LOVE al the stars and banners on this card! The stars stamped in different intensities of tone on tone ink really add a lot of depth to the background. The little star punches just really add that little something extra to the background. 

I just love the banners at different lengths and overlapped. Again it adds a lot of depth to the card. The staggered length of the banners also works to draw the eye across the card too. I liked the little touch of Wisteria here even though its not a traditional boy colour I think it really cuts through al the green and blue just adding a little pop here and there. 

I hope you enjoyed this sweet little new baby card. 

Happy Stampin',

Wish Big!

Hello there! 

Happy Thursday! Its almost the end of the week and that means two things....the weekend (!!!) and Stuart has a week off school (!!!). I am very much looking forward to spending a bit more quality time with my hubby next week. 

But back to today, I'm off to my demo friend Vicky's house for a long overdue catch up and to play with some new things - she always has goodies I'd love and vice versa so we get together and share the fun! I haven't seen her since convention which was November so this is very overdue! 

I also have a very clean and simple card for you! 

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade, Geometrical, Banner Blast (SAB)

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, Basic Gray

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Silver Glimmer Paper

Big Shot: Arrows TIEF

Punch: Merry Minis 

Embellishments: Essentials Hardware Clips

I saw a card similar to this on the net, it was using hearts instead of stars and ribbon instead of the embossing. I immediately had the idea for this card and logged the idea in my head but didn't "pin" where I'd seen the original idea. If that's you, thank you for your inspiration! 

The embossing is actually another selective embossing card - using the Simply Scored stylus again - to just get the single row of arrows. It looks great but was definitely more tricky doing it blind! If you're patient and careful though its a great little technique to get more versatility out of your embossing folders though! 

Totally loving how these white on white stars work to just add a really subtle element to the card while leading the eye to the small pop of colour in the banners and glimmery star!

Have you been inspired to do a very clean and simple card with just a pop or colour and dazzle today?

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Happy Stampin',

I Accept

Hi! 

There's just time to show you one more loved up card before Valentine's Day. This card, like many of the other valentines I've shown you could totally be used for other occasions - like mine, I've used it as a wedding acceptance by simply switching up the sentiment! 

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party

Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Punch: Owl Builder

Other: White Gel Pen

Just a really simple card along the same lines as several of the other cards I've been making of late! Love the look of the floating hearts and its great that they don't have to be straight, and overlapping looks better too! The cut out hearts add extra dimension too so the card isn't quite so flat! These two colours are stretched a little further with the stamping off technique to get the different shades! (Just love that technique)

I added some sparkle with some owl builder hearts floating. 

Now I don't have a wedding acceptance stamp so it fell on my cursive handwriting for the sentiment (who ever said cursive wasn't an essential life skill!?!). If you're not confident, I'd suggest practising it a few times on some scrap paper, then write it lightly with a soft pencil on the card. You can then trace over the writing with your coloured pen and rub out the pencil after!

Hope you enjoyed this card, catch me again tomorrow with something else pretty!

Happy Stampin', 

Sweet Treats

Hello! 

Just a super quick post today to share some quick and easy Valentine packaging ideas. These are also for this week's Paper Player's Challenge which has a "Sweet Treat" theme - valentine's card or 3D project with a foodie theme. 

I thought I'd take this opportunity to make some little treats for my hardworking hubby for Valentine's. These are using some of the Valentine's promotion products Stampin' Up! had out last month, but guess what, they've extrended to promotion to February 14th so if yo missed out and wanted some of these darling products, you can still get them. Just hop on over to my shop to get your today! 

Stamp Set: Express Yourself

Ink: Real Red

Cardstock: Silver Glimmer Paper

Punch: Small Heart, Banner (SAB)

Accessories: Sweetheart Treat Bags

I love these cute treat bags and I love that the kit comes with banner tags and baker's twine too so you're all set to wrap up sweet little gifts and just add a little stamped image or sentiment! 

I decided to just jazz this up a tad with some glimmer paper and little heart punch. 

Stamp Set: Express Yourself

Ink: Real Red

Cardstock: Silver Glimmer Paper

Embellishments: Mini Metallic Clothes Pins

Accessories: Sweet Sayings Card Kit

So this is an adorable little pouch is actually made from one of the envelopes from the sweet sayings card kit - just a few scorelines and a dab of glue and voila you've got a cute pouch. I cut a piece of the card off to make a little tag. The clothes pin is a cute accessory and keeps the bag closed too! I just love it! 

Happy Stampin',

I Lava You

Hi!

Here's another Valentine card. Its cute and super fun!

Stamp Set: Crazy Mixed Up Love

Ink: Basic Gray, Pool Party, Strawberry Slush

Cardstock: Strawberry Slush, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Big Shot: Decorative Dots TIEF (SAB)

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishments: Dazzling Diamonds

I thought the decorative dots embossing folder was just perfect for this lava lamp card - don't the dots just look like little blobs of floating lava!?

Love the glittery detail on the lava in the lamp and the glittery banners just make this card pop! 

I hope you enjoyed today's super quick Valentine share! 

Until tomorrow, 

Happy Stampin',

Hearts & Confetti

Hey there! 

Happy Saturday folks! I hope you're having a good day! I had the most lovely morning - breakfast with my besties - Jo and Laura, and Laura's friend Honor too! It was just perfect to catch up, plus there were belated Christmas pressies! Awesome!!

So, as I said earlier this week, I'm trying to play along with more challenge blogs this year. What I love about challenge blogs is that they give you a fantastic starting point, often prove challenging and rewarding when its completed and help you think outside the box, or get out of a rut!

I've been following Freshly Made Sketches for a while and often admire the sketches they have, but I've never actually played along before! Its a new year, I thought I'd give it a go! Here is this week's sketch...

Isn't it lovely and simple? I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about it as I HATE things on diagonals. I just think they look wonky and its just not for me, however, after seeing what the design team members had created I thought, hey, I can give this a go! Besides, if everything was your cup of tea, where would the challenge be!?

Stamp Set: Language of Love

Ink: Primrose Petals, Coastal Cabana, Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry

Cardstock: Primrose Petals, Coastal Cabana, Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Glimmer Paper, Vellum

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter

Punches: Owl Builder

Extras: White Gel Pen

 I pretty much followed the sketch as it was, I didn't deviate too much - doesn't that make a change!? 

I used the Paper Player's challengecolours again just because I am really LOVING them - so bright and cheery! I also thought I'd incorporate in the confetti idea again. This time the confetti is in the shape of lots of the little punched hearts from the owl builder punch. 

I coloured in the love stamp with the markers, doesn't it look fun in all those bright colours?! And glimmer paper really adds glitz to the card. The white gel pen lines around the diagonal shape and the three little hearts in the corner are the perfect finishing touches.

So, what do you think? Did I pull off the diagonal/non-straight card?! I sure think I did. I think I can be brought around to the idea that not everything has to be at right angles on a card....I just might! 

Hope you enjoyed this, have a nice Saturday!

Happy Stampin',

Everyone Loves a Surprise!

Hello, 

I recently got a couple of new downline members and I wanted to give them something nice to say welcome to the team. My friend Esther who signed up lives quite a distance away and as she's starting out I thought it'd be nice to send her a few swaps from Convention plus a welcome card and gift. Here's what I made her!

Decorated Monogram Notebook & Matching Pen

Stamp: Beautifully Baroque

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe

Card: Crisp Cantaloupe, Silver Glimmer

DSP: Venetian Romance

Punch: Bitty Butterfly, Elegant Butterfly

Big Shot: Typeset Alphabet

Ribbon: Pistachio Pudding Ruffle, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Accessories: Pearls

 And of course there's always a card to accompany a gift...

Flip Card!!!

Stamp Set: Petite Pairs, Beautifully Baroque

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar

Card: Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum

Punch: Small Heart, Owl Builder

Big Shot: Label Card Thinlits, Label Framelits

The Label Card Thinlit is a new-ish product for Stampin' Up! but its new to me. As I'd only just recieved it I just HAD to have a play and a card for Esther was the perfect opportunity! If you're wondering what is so special about the thinlit card dies, let me tell you, it makes FLIP cards!!! Its so easy to run through the big shot and out comes a cut and scored flip card. LOVE IT!

I stamped the Beautifully Baroque stamp on the Vellum - I wanted a frosty lacy look and being the impatient person I am I didn't wait long enough for the ink to dry and got it smudged a bit so it ended up looking a little worn and vintage. The banner is one of the accessories the thinlit card comes with - how awesome!! A few little hearts just completed it nicely!

If you're inteerested in joining the Stampin' Up! family and my team, you'll not only get a little welcome gift from me but you'll get all the joys of being a demo too!! Sneak peeks, pre-order, ability to make some extra income and possibly the best of all DISCOUNT on all your crafty goodies! Oh yes, I LOVE being a demo!! Contact me today for more info on signing up!

I hope you enjoyed seeing Esther's special things today. Come back soon for some more pretty makes! 

Amanda xx