Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

One awesome thing about being half American is getting to celebrate thanksgiving! Turkey, stuffing, mash, sweet potato cassarole, wild rice, spaghetti squash, roast parsnips, carrots, cranberry sauce and of course all finished off with pumpkin pie and pecan pie! 

I love that its a great time to come together with friends and family, eat good food and think upon all those many things we are thankful for! As we don't get the Thursday off work we celebrated last Saturday, and as tradition, I decorated the table!

The dried indian corn was something Stu and I picked up on our holiday this summer. It was at a place called The Corn Palace - the oddest place ever, in the middle of no-where! Its this big building with a basketball court, auditorium and museum inside and on the outside, decorated in dried coloured corn! 

Pretty table setting! I used the Gratitude for Days simply created kit. Since I'd decided not to do the project it was originally designed for I needed to find other ways to use it up. Each setting had a pocket with a sheet of the note paper inside for the guest to write what they were thankful for. The front was decorated with a bit of DSP, washi tape and some punches. 

As a little gift for coming and sharing this special time together I made everyone a box using the Curvy Keepsake Box thinlits with some cajun craze card and the Colour Me Autumn DSP. It was just the right size for 3 Lindt chocolates! 

I matched the flower arrangement to the colours in the Colour Me Autumn DSP. Love that deep purple!

Pumpkin pie - YUM!!

I hope that wether you are American or not that today you will take some time out to be thankful for all your blessings! I know that I certainly have plenty to thank God for! 

Have a great thanksgiving day,

Happy Stampin',

Pink Wedding

Hi!

What a day! We've had just about everything weather-wise today! Sunshine, heat, rain, hail and torrential rain. I was having a nap on the couch this afternoon, after school and the rain was so loud it woke me up! 

So I thought it was about time that I shared the wedding card and tag I made for Tim & Sarah's wedding last month. 

Stamp Set: Label Love, Sweet Essentials

Ink:Pink Pirouette, Rose Red

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Whisper White, Vellum

Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Framelits

Punch: Small Heart, Owl Builder, Artisan Label, Itty Bitty

Embellishments: Whisper White Baker's Twine, Pink Two Tone Ribbon

If you remember the baby card I made for Seabrook last month then you'll probably remember the twist on the scattered frosted embossing technique. If you don't remember it, check it out here. I decided to also add some little punched hearts, some I added in the rose red under the vellum for a paler frosted look! Looks great, dontcha think?!

The vellum is attached with piecces of glue dots under the frosted hearts and also a strip along the top which is cleverly hidden with the baker's twine. I was having a little trouble getting my bow just right and hang nicely, in the end I very carefully added tiny pieces of glue dots to the tails and stuck them in place. 

A simple little label and some banners is all the sentiment this needed. 

I made a nice little label that matched the card. I used some leftover Pink Pirouette/Rose Red two tone ribbon to tie around the gift - worked perfectly with the tag and card! 

It was such a lovely day and they both looked so so happy! 

I'll be sure to share what I made them for their special gift later this week. 

Happy Stampin',

Sanded Watercolor Wonder

Hello! 

Its Friday! I having another sick day. Still feeling pretty awful! I took some sleeping tablets last night and managed to sleep the whole night through, at least I don't feel quite so shattered and sleep deprived as I have been but still feeling pretty horrid. Anyway, I have a card I made on Monday to share with you today.

I'm loving the core'dinations paper that SU has in the current Annual Catalugue. I think it looks so fun embossed and sanded for a lighter shade beneath. Obviously you could emboss and sand any papers but the beauty of the core'dinations is the different colour under the surface. If you haven't played with core'dinations yet I'd totally recommend giving it a try! 

Now, the thought occurred to me that the watercolour notecards might look quite pretty embossed and sanded, yes its only white under the surface but I had a feeling it'd soften the intense colour and create a pretty effect! 

Stamp Set: Label Love, Pennant Parade

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar

Cardstock: Whisper White, Gumball Green, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum, Watercolor Wonder Notecards

Punch: Itty Bitty, Boho Blossoms, Bird Builder, Artisan Label, 1" Circle

Big Shot: Beautifully Baroque

Embellishments: Gold Sequin Trim

I'm super impressed how this has turned out, the card was very pretty but I did feel the colour was super intense so this just added a beautiful soft texture and finish to the notelet. 

I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to add to this background but I knew whatever I did add I didn't want anything that would take away from the beauty of the background. I finally opted for the artisan label which has a pretty shape but isn't too big either.

I decorated it with flowers and cracked out the gold sequin trim which I've been meaning to use for ages! I used the sequins in a scattered fashion as I would have with rhinestones or pearls. The beauty of the sequins is they're a lot more post friendly! 

Hope you enjoyed this today! 

Happy Stampin',

Flower Power

Hi there!

Another late-ish post today. Feeling a bit down today - mostly tiredness and been struggling with some headaches and dizziness. Not sure if its just a bit of a bug or the current air pollution we're experiencing is having some effect too. Work has just been one of those GRR days too. Glad to be home and relaxing now. I'm about to make dinner and chill out with some crafting - totally need it! 

I've got quite a simple card for you today that I actually made write a while ago but just hadn't shared with you yet! 

Stamp Set: Flower Shop, Sweet Essentials

Ink: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry

Punch:Artisan Label

Embellishments: Brights Candy Dots, Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon

The flowers were just stamped and then punched with the artisan label punch. I also punched another artisan label in the coordinating colour and cutting it in half matted it behind the flower for just a little border of colour along the top and bottom edge.

The candy dots add a nice embellishment to the flower centres but are just so nice and flat too - perfect for the post! 

I also love using the taffeta ribbon - the bows seem to tie really flat so there's no bulk! 

What do you think? Like it? 

Happy Stampin',

Elegant Friend

Hi there!

How is it Thursday already?! I really don't know where this week has gone! I've been hard at work today doing some tidying in my craft room and making some pretties too! Today I've got a challenge entry for the Paper Players.

Now this sketch is so lovely and simple - and I began this thinking I'd do a seriously simple card with a few strips of DSP and an embellishment or two. I'm not sure it ended up quite the way I'd intended but its cute! 

Stamp Set: Beautifully Baroque, Label Love

Ink: Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry

Cardstock: Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

DSP:  Eastern Elegance

Punch: Scallop Border, Artisan Label

Embellishments: Brights Button, Brights Candy Dots, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Pretty simple really, I stamped off the baroque stamp for a lighter shade in the background and added little strips of co-ordinating pattern paper over the top. 

I hand cut the label really close to the stamped image and then layered it on the Cabana cardstock for a little border. the sentiment was stamped in the cabana also and cut out with a dimensional underneath for some height. 

Finishing touches were candy dots and a button - I didn't have these in Crushed Curry and Coastal Cabana but I used the closest I did have - Bermuda Bay and Daffodil Deilght. I don't think it looks too off colour wise! The little baker's twine bow just helped soften the button. 

I'm really loving this colour combination - what do you think? Now, I'm back to my craft room to play some more!

Happy Stampin'

Lacy Wedding

Hi!

I've got a little pretty for you today that I found while trying to sort my photos that I forgot about. My cousin had asked quite a while ago now, if I could make her a wedding card. I hadn't had a chance to craft much with some of my new stamps and I thought it'd be a good oportunity to play and experiment a bit. I was so super pleased with the outcome, I hope you like it too! 

Stamp Set: Chalk Talk, Label Love

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Canteloupe 

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crisp Canteloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum

Big Shot: Chalk Talk Framelits, Beautifully Baroque

Punch: Artisan Label, Owl Builder

Accessories: Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Pearls

Baker's Twine: Whisper White

I think this card just oozes elegance. I love all the different textures and layers that somehow look effortless. the tiny hearts were totally neccessary - they balance the card beauitfully and just draw the eye out to the corners - plus, I just love the heart. I think the owl punch was worth getting just for the heart alone! 

I've found that embossed vellum on Whisper White card is just beautiful - it has a wonderful quality I'm not sure photos are doing justice. It looks ethereal and lacy - perfect for a wedding, right?!

I must say I think Crisp Canteloupe might be my new favourite colour, I just can't put it down lately! Pear Pizzazz, you better watch out, there's a new crush in town! 

I hope you enjoyed this little creation today, I'll be back soon with more pretties. 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xo

Watercolours & Sneak Peek!

Good afternoon! 

What a pleasant day it is! The house is finally decorated - we'd had our tree sitting bare in the living room for a week so it felt really good to get some light and decorations on it! Don't you just find having a Christmassy house really helps get you in the Christmas spirit? It does for me! 

This morning I have been baking cookies - well, to be more exact I've made a few batches of cookie dough that are chilling in the fridge while I take a wee lunch break, sort out an order that arrived today and write this little post. 

Today I have a card I made a week or so ago for my lovely friend Vicky. This stamp set is a new one which will be in the Spring-Summer Seasonal catalogue which launches on January 28th! I was the lucky winner of this set, So Very Grateful, at Convention during Prize Patrol - I always knew I loved Pool Party (that was my winning colour wrist band)!!

Stamp Set: So Very Grateful, Label Love, Chalk Talk

Ink: Black Stazon, Crisp Canteloupe, Perfect Plum, Pischio Pudding, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Versamark

Cardstock: Watercolour Paper, Crisp Canteloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Gumball Green, Perfect Plum

Punch: Artisan Label

Big Shot: Chalk Talk Framelits

Other: White Emboss Powder, Aquapainters 

This was quite a simple card really as I really wanted to showcase the beautiful flowers and some nice watercolouring! I shall be adding a short little video (from a new series of videos) on how to do this watercolouring with the awesome aquapainters! Have you tried them? They're wonderful! 

I'd origionally stamped the chalk talk and the sentiment in the centre just in White Craft ink but it just didn't have that pop and clarity that I was really after so I did go back and re stamp, get out the heat too, embossing powder etc. I've got to admit, I don't do much embossing, not because I don't like it but it is a bit of a faff. Having said that I am SO glad I did re-do this element as it really did give it that extra little touch the card was needing. 

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek. I am in LOVE with this set so you'll be sure to see more creative inspiration with it in the coming days! 

Have a beautiful Monday,

Happy Stampin, 

Amanda xx