May Card Club - Masculine

Good afternoon! 

Isn't it just a gloriously weekend?! Right now I'm sitting next to my beloved on our sofa outside, enjoying sun and warmth and drinking in all the beautiful spring smells, mingles with BBQs. I'm guessing quite a lot of my readers will be enjoying a nice long relaxed weekend, being a Bank Holiday in the UK and for my American friends, Memorial Day! I hope wherever you are you are enjoying good weather and spending some time with your dear friends and family. 

Stuart and I are trying our first ever proper BBQ - not like a grill out where you burn charcoal and then stick burgers and sausages on the grill to cook. I'm taking about proper American style BBQ - it involves sticking wet wood chips on the coals to smoke the meat to cook it over hours. I've watched it so many times on the Food Network - love Guy Fieri! So after watching it so many times, doing a bit of research, watching some you tube videos, I've made a dry rub for my beef brisket, made my own BBQ sauce, and got the wood smoking the meat. Now my tummy is grumbling with anticipation. Its going to be epic - if I can remember in my excitement I'll snap a few pics for you guys. 

Anyway, onto some card love for y'all. I thought you'd like to see the Masculine collection of cards my lovely card club ladies made last weekend. All were designed so the sentiments could be swapped out - its great to have choice isn't it!? 

With Father's day less than a month away its time to start thinking about making some cards for those special men! 

Aren't these cards fun!?! Do you struggle for inspiration when it comes to masculine cards? They're difficult aren't they!

Stamp Set: Need For Speed, Best Dad Ever, French Foliage

Ink: Basic Black

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Grey

Big Shot: Labels Framelits

Extras: Silver Foil Smooch Spritz, Festive Piercing Pack

This card is a bit messy but it looks great and so its well worth getting a little sparkly for! 

A mask was cut from printer paper and temporarily adhered with my awesome two way glue pen to the white cardstock, then spritz with the fab Smooch Spritz (its ready made sparkly spritz that you can mist your projects with - amazing stuff!!). Let it dry a moment while you spritz the background and stamp it with the water blot stamp from French Foliage. By that time it should be dry so peel off the mask and cut with the next size up framelit, pierce with the piercing pack for some extra detail and then stamp the car and sentiment. I thought it looked cool chopping off part of the label. What do you think? Do you like this monochrome card? 

So what are you up to this beautiful bonus weekend day? Have a great day and stop by again soon for more on the other fun man cards we made! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda x

Butterflies!!

 Hello there! 

I'm back with a lovely summery card for you today! 

I don't know what the weather is doing where you are but if its anything like what we have, its not spring or summer like! Its cold and there is a threatening sky which might pour at a moments notice. Ugh! So what better way to cheer yourself up than with a bight and cheery card!

Stamp Set: Kindness Matters

Ink: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Black Stazon

Cardstock: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White

Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Framelits, Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, Lacy Brocade TIEF

Accessories: Mini Brads

 This is such a pretty girly card and I just love it! The butterflies are coloured with blender pens for a watercoloured effect. The idea for the little half doily sticking out from the butterflies was actually inspired by a half doily stamp fro the same set (see all the stamps in the set below) The little banners at the bottom was just using up tiny scraps. I really like the punchy bright Lucky Limeade with the pastel Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party, it just adds a little pop to the soothing colour palette. 

Lucky Limeade is due to retire at the end of June as it is an in colour. The other in colours in the set are all sticking around and joining the core colour groups as part of the colour refresh! But, I'm bummed about Lucky Limeade!! Its my "go to" green! I love its vibrancy and it just seems to work so well with so many colours! I guess I will have to fall for a different green now! 

Do you have a "go to" green?

If yours is Lucky Limeade I'd definitely recommend stocking up on supplies - cardstock, ribbon/baker's twine etc before it goes for good! Oh and don't forget the all important ink refill so your beloved Lucky Limeade ink pad doesn't run dry! 

So why not leave me a comment and let me know what your favourite green is? 

Have a great day - despite the crumby weather!

Amanda x

Tie It...

Hi! 

Wow, didn't the weekend go fast! I hope you had a good one! I certainly enjoyed chilling out with my lovely hubby - a rare treat! 

Today I have another card which I made a while back, its super simple but is just beautiful! 

Stamp Set: Apothecary Art

Ink: Soft Suade 

Cardstock Crumb Cake

Ribbon: Rose Red/Pink Pirouette Two Tone Ribbon

This card is a simple as it looks - just this lovely wide two tone ribbon tied in a bow around the card and a sentiment stamped. I think it looks like a pretty wrapped package!  

I know a lot of you say you can't tie bows, so I must say this ribbon, being so thick and wide makes it really easy to tie. Its the kind of ribbon you can mess around with, tug and play with until its just right! 

Why not give a card like this a go today? You don't need many materials and it just looks so WOW! 

Have a good Monday! 

Catch you again soon!

Hugs,

Amanda x

Two by Two...

Hello there!

I hope you are having a nice weekend? The weather is a bit glum here, cloudy and cold but the silver lining is, it is dry! I had a little mosey around a craft fayre and plant sale this morning and bought an azalea. Rhododendrons are one of my favourite plants, the flowers are just so gorgeous, unfortunately they're big and I didn't have room for one so seeing as azaleas are like a smaller version, I had to get one for our garden when we got married and moved in to our house. I am sad to say I am really no gardener, things die on me. Anyway, my azalea died and I've had a dead plant in a pot for quite a while now, so I thought I'd give it another go. Wish me luck!

Anyway, enough of my morning's antics. Back in March my friend Lisa had a baby boy, so of course I had to make a card for the new babe. 

I'd recently got the Two by Two stamp, I am so digging the sweet Noah's Ark with all the animals crammed in there. Its just adorable! So I thought I'd make it into a new baby card! 

Stamp Set: Two by Two, Rain or Shine

Ink: Black Stazon, Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Island Indigo, Basic Grey

Cardstock: Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Watercolour Paper

Punch: Cupcake Builder

Big Shot: Labels Framelits, Adorning Accents 

I had some fun with blender pens to colour this in, the watercolour paper really does make a lovely surface to colour on, its thick and holds the ink really well without buckling and pilling! I love that with the use of a blender pen I can colour in with all my ink pads and make it look like a lovely watercolour! 

I thought the hearts would look super sweet on the rain clouds and then I thought how awesome would it beto use the hearts rain drops coming from the clouds, isn't it adorable!?! 

I think what I love most is reversing the matting layer! I often use neutal card for the base and the main focus of the card with a coloured matt but I wanted the clouds and watercolouring to really show up so I reversed the matt. Here the matt is vanilla - love it!!!

Before I go I just have to tell you about my amazing grilled cheese sandwich (I wish I had a photo to show you now!) It consists of buttered bread so it grills nicely in the pan, the inside the bread is smeared with cream cheese, topped with shredded cheddar, fried bacon, tortilla chips, chilli peppers and then more cheddar and another piece of cream cheesy bread! Oh my goodness it was freakin' amazing!!

Hope you're having a great day! 

Hugs,

Amanda x

Vintage Take Two + Video

Good morning!

I hadn't planned on posting today but I had a request from my friend Claire, how to do the worn vintage edge background from yesterday's lacy card so I thought I'd take the opportunity to make a short video for you guys. Hope you like it! 

I was hoping to have the video up last night but it took a crazy amount of time to upload and this morning it seems to have a few difficulties playing. If you have a problem watching it, please do let me know and I'll see what I can do! I wish I was more tech savvy! *sigh*

If you enjoy watching the videos and would like to see more please do leave me a like and a comment! I'd love to hear what you're enjoying so I can do more of it, its for your enjoyment afterall! Would you like to see more videos focusing on a technique or do you enjoy watching a project/card from start to finish? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d96Td3mSgf0

(For some reason blogger isn't letting me add the video from you tube to this blog post - argh technology!! Above is the link so please do follow it to you tube and watch it!)

To finish off, here's the card I made...

Stamp Set: Creative Elements

Ink: Soft Suede

Cardstock: Crumb Cake

Buttons: Neutrals

Ribbon: Natural Trim

Have a lovely day! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xo

Loving Lace

Hi there! 

Can you believe its Thurday already!?! Today I'm going to my friend Vicky's to have a "play" with some stamps and ink today! Yay!! Its always fun to meet up with crafty friends and have a play, get some creative inspiration, chat and probably most importantly, EAT CAKE!!!

Anyhow, before I go, I've got a little creation for you that I made a while ago and still haven't shown you!

Stamp Set: Gossamer Lace, Blooming With Kindness

Ink: Soft Suade, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake

Big Shot: Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, Apothecary Accents Framelit

Embossing: White Emboss Powder

Ribbon: Victoria Crochet Trim

Accessories: Pearls

So this is a bit of a different card for me, kind of worn and vintage with lots of lace. I'm really digging all the lacy elements and how well they all work together. What do you think? Are you liking this 

card? I really love the half doily in the bottom corner, it just balances the card out nicely!

So what are you up to today? 

Hugs, 

Amanda xx

This & That

I've got a bonus post for you today because Stampin' Up! have a new product line out that I have been meaning to blog and tell you about since the beginning of the month, and it just cannot wait another day!! 

This new line is called This & That!! Its the new big thing and so totally pretty and cool!! (Can you tell I am a bit in love!?)

Here's a short 1 minute video from Stampin' Up just summing up the awesomeness that is, This and That! Its designed for busy people with busy busy lives! Now doesn't that sound familiar!?

I haven't ordered one for myself yet but my friend Vicky had one that she let me hold and drool over on Saturday at Telford. Its even better that I imagined from the pictures and video. I can totally see myself using this for sticking in ticket stubs from cinema, random quotes. funny stories and general bits of life that I want to keep and preserve but isn't enough to scrapbook about. And its so quick- I can slip this in my hand bag, take with me, to scribble and stick in those odd minutes I'm stuck waiting for an appointment, on a bus or enjoying the sunshine in the park! 

So what does This and That include exactly?! They've started it off with these 5 amazing new products but will be adding to it over time. These products will all be available to buy in the new catalogue (July!!!) but if you buy during May you can take advantage of their special May offer. 

Epic Day This and That Journal                               £9.95

Epic Day This and That DSP                                  £9.95

Remember This and That Rotary Stamp                  £5.50

Epic Day This and That Washi Tape                       £4.50

Epic Day This and That Designer Stickers               £4.50

May Special Offer Bundle                          15% discount!!!

Epic Day This and That Bundle                                £29.24

Who doesn't love a bit of discount?! So if you'd like to get the bundle and fall in love with This and That, a product specifically designed for busy lives then please do get in touch to order yours today!!!! 

I love it already and I'm sure you will too! 

Hugs, 

Amanda xx

Share What You LOVE!!

Hello!

Wow its been a long time! Sorry for being AWOL - I'll try and be a bit better and more consistent from now on! 

On Saturday I went to Telford for a Stampin' Up! training day. It was awesome and so inspiring!! I think it was just what I needed to get me motivated to try something new and get excited about stamping again. We all need a pep talk every now and then and I am so thankful to work for such a great company as Stampin' Up! who organise such wonderful events as these to help renew our creative juices, meet other crafty ladies, make and renew friendships and offer us some business tips too! 

If you're wanting to get a discount on all your crafty goodies, see and play with new products first and get peppered with loads of inspiration and new techniques, then being a Stampin' Up! demo is just the things for you!! 

Being a demo also gives you the opportunity to earn a little extra cash by simply sharing Stampin' Up!'s products with your friends and family - there's a variety of ways to do this through workshops/parties, classes and clubs. I love that I can earn a little extra cash for holidays and special treats and I can work it around my busy life and previous commitments. 

I'd recommend it to anyone!! I don't regret joining one bit and I'm sure you wouldn't either! If you're interested in finding out more, get in touch I'd love to have a chat with you about the wonderful opportunities Stampin' Up! has for you! 

Until May 30th, Stampin' Up! has a special sign up bonus!!! Sign up for £99 and instead of choosing £130 of products they are giving you an EXTRA £25 of product to choose! So for your £99 sign up cost you will get to choose an awesome £155 of products!! Plus you'll get a business kit full with catalogues and order forms perfect for giving out to your friends and family or for kick starting your business!! The choice is yours!

Part of the fun of a Stampin' Up! training event is making and swapping SWAPS! You make a bunch of swaps (card fronts or small 3D items) that are all the same, then swap them with other demos to get a ton of new creative ideas!! Would you like to see mine!? 

Part of Stampin' Up!'s statement of the heart is to "share what you love" so that's what I did, I am in love with the honeycomb embossing folder, quilts, and Sunshine and Sprinkles designer paper!!! Dare I say Sunshine and Sprinkles is my most favourite paper EVER!?! Oh my it is SO gorgeous!!!! 

Sunshine & Sprinkles Honeycomb Quilt 

Stamp Set: Fabulous Phrases

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade

Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade

DSP: Sunshine & Sprinkles

Big Shot: Honeycomb TIEF, Floral Fusion

Accessories: Large Rhinestones

We also were asked to make our own name tag! Well, I wanted to make something bright and cute that would match my swaps....

Sunshine & Sprinkles Name Tag

Ink: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade

Cardstock: Melon Mambo

DSP: Sunshine & Sprinkles

Big Shot: Honeycomb TIEF, Floral Frames

Ribbon: Marina Mist Stiped Organdy

Isn't it just so bright and fun?! 

I hope you enjoyed today's share. 

Hugs, 

Amanda xx