My Digital Monday - Hush-A-Bye Baby

Hello! 

Afraid I wasn't feeling too great yesterday and blogging took a back seat. But I'm back today and have a nice digital scrapbook page for you today. I took this photo of Arthur last time Kat and the boys were over here. He was just looking so adorable asleep in his car seat I just couldn't resist taking a quick snap. 

Digital Files

Stamp Set: Banner Blast

Cardstock/Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Concord Crush, Cherry Cobbler

Punch: Scallop Border

I just loved the colours in the photo and I often like to try and incorporate some of the colours into the decoration and background of the page. The real stand out colours in the photo were are the rainbow hedgehog. I thoght it'd be nice to do a band of the scallops in colours similar to the hedgehog and keep the rest of the page quite plain and muted. 

I finally got a chance to play with the Sale-A-Bration brush stamp set Banner Blast for a few banners and hearts to finish off the page along with a simple title. 

I'll be back tomorrow with something new to share! 

Happy Stampin',

Mario

Hello! 

How's your week going? I got through Monday, just 4 more working days to go until Easter holiday! 

One of Stuart's little cousins is mad crazy about Mario Kart - literally its the only thing he talks about! So for his birthday last week I just had to make him a Mario card. In case any of you don't know Mario, here's a little pic...

I was a little pushed for time so its a pretty simple card, the stars from Banner Blast came in really handy for adding something else to the background, plus stars are always fun! 

Stamp Set: Remembering Your Birthday, Banner Blast (SAB)

Ink: Real Red, Daffodil Delight

Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Crisp Cantaloupe, Early Espresso, Basic Black

Punch: 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, Owl Builder, 1 3/4" Circle, 2 1/2" Circle

When I'm making punch art I like to have the picture in front of me, I'll try and break it down in my head, and even draw a picture of all the main shapes to work from. Mario was fairly easy. 

The ears, nose, and eyes are all done with the owl builder - you know I am totally in love with that punch!! Then its just a case of the 1 3/4" circle for the head, the larger 2 1/2" circle for the hat. The hair and tash is just the scallop circle - easy peasy! 

I know its not perfect - if I did it again I'd probably make the head and hat a little larger so there was more space for the facial features. I realised after that I didn't do his blue eyes or his eye brows. Hey ho! 

And a really simple inside finished with a few stars! 

Happy Stampin',

A Graphic Thank You

Hello! 

I have a super speedy post today. I have a busy day and I still have to fit on packing for my few days in London at some point! Ahh! Too much to do!!

So today's card is for the Paper Player's challenge and its a colour challenge. 

This colour scheme seemed quite masculine to me and for some reason I thought it'd be neat to do a very clean graphic style card with lots of text. 

Stamp Set: Lots of Thanks, Fabulous Phrases, Banner Blast

Ink: Marina Mist, Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate

Cardstock: Whisper White, Smoky Slate

As I was gathering the bits together to make this card I was tempted to make a birthday card however I though that I'd do a thank you card. I thought this makes a great masculine thank you card, especially as I really needed one to give our neighbour who very kindly repaired our dividing fence!

I thought the ampersands and the stars just added that little extra touch to the card and fill in and break up all that text nicely! 

I'd originally wanted to stamp the entire area with thank you's  but as it was progressing I decided it might look TOO much and possibly loose the impact by having too much text. The white space around the stamping just gives the text some space to breath! 

Switching up the colour combo would give you a more feminine look too! 

I have some scheduled posts while I'm away so please do check back daily for more creative inspiration and I'll be back with my London exploits at the weekend! 

Happy Stampin',

Babies & Banners

Hi! 

Its Thursday! Only one more day to go until the weekend! I think its going to be another fairly quiet one although we do have a fellowship lunch at church so that'll be something fun and yummy to look forward

I've got a couple of cards for the SU Only Challenge here. The challenge over at SUO is "Banners". Banners are everywhere at the moment and so common I wondered what to do for this challenge. This is kind of a similar card to another baby card I showed you all last week but its got a bit more stamping and is very fun! 

Stamp Set: Cuddles & Kisses, Sweet Essentials, Banner Blast (SAB)

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron, Pool Party, Pistachio Pudding

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishments: Subtles Buttons, Sweet Sorbet Accessory 

I thought it'd be fun to use the sentiments from the Cuddles and Kisses and the Sweet Essentials sets to make my own DSP. The stamp-a-ma-jig was a total must here to get everything just in the right place. This is a very neat way to use all your sentiments in a fun way - it makes the sentiment the focal point of the card rather than being tagged on!

The hearts are stamped twice to get the different shades which adds some depth to the card.

The banners are at different lengths and layered up to add some interest to the strip. 

The button and twine are the perfect simple little embellishment. 

Instead of hearts for the boy card I thought stars were a more suitable alternative! 

Hope you enjoyed this card - girl and boy versions. I am definitely getting well stocked up on new baby cards for all my friends that are having babies at the moment! 

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',

Simple Sunday - Baby!

Hi there! 

I've decided to start a theme for my Sunday posts. SIMPLE cards, I hope you won't confuse simple with boring but I thought it'd be cool to show a simple, quick, easy and low product use card once a week. As a demonstrator, we get lots of goodies, and it's tempting to throw everything at a card/project but its also important to remember those who don't have lots of money and all the products in the world, so this is designed to show folks out there simple and easy cards that ANYONE can make!

Today's uses a  Sale-A-Bration set I am totally loving at the moment - Banner Blast!! The patterns on the banners are just so fun and I love the little extras - flower, star and heart - which really makes this set so much more than just a few little banners but a great all round set! 

Earlier this week I showed you a relatively easy card using the Banner Blast set to make a bright and fun birthday card. Today is the turn of a Baby card!

Stamp Set: Banner Blast (SAB), Sweet Essentials

Ink: Marina Mist, Old Olive

Cardstock: Whisper White

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishment: Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon

I just want to point out that the banner punch is absolutely wonderful, but if you don't have it, the banners are so straight forward to cut it wouldn't be a problem to cut these out - snip them to different lengths for a little more variety.

I really think its the star that makes this card stand out! Its just so fun and perfect for a new baby boy. If you're wanting to make a girl version I'd maybe substitute the star for the adorable little heart.

The star is stamped twice in the same colour before reinking for the two tones - great way to get more use from an ink pad. Another great ink pad extender is sponging around the edge of the card - adds that pop of colour without all the extra card! 

Have a great Sunday!

Happy Stampin',

Baby Girl FMS121 & CQC226

Hello! 

Just a super quick second post of the day. I've got a few challenges I wanted to get something made for and I realised I was running out of time so I thought I'd combine them. Color Q is a beautiful girly pink colour palette and a fun sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Banner Blast (SAB), Pennant Parade

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals

Cardstock: Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishments: Gold Baker's Twine, Gold Sequin Trim

I am totally LOVING the Banner Blast stamp and punch which are part of the exclusive Sale-a-Bration line available until March 31st! This is a sweet and simple little baby card! Love the layered banners and the hearts and sparkly gold sequins are the perfect finishing touches. 

Happy Stampin',

Sale-A-Bration Time!!

Hi!

I am SO excited! Excited enough to be treating you to TWO posts and two fun projects!
Today is the beginning of Sale-A-Bration! The biggest and best promotion of the year, and with a 20 page brochure packed, and I mean PACKED, with free products for you to earn for FREE, you're sure to find something to love!!

This year's SAB exclusive collection just blew me away, there are so many gorgeous things the only problem is choosing which one to get!

You can earn the free and exclusive products - stamp sets, designer paper, accessories, punch, embossing folder, home decor kit or mds packages - each time you spend £45 between January 28th and March 31st!!

Check out the Sale-A-Bration brochure now!!

Just incase a fabulous brochure of free Stampin' Up goodies wasn't enough, its also the launch of the Spring/Summer seasonal catalougue today. It likewise is just beutiful, why not take a few minutes, put your feet up with a cuppa and have a browse through both catalogues?

Check out the Spring/Summer catalogue now!!

When you've compiled your wishlist why not head over to my online shop and treat yourself to a few goodies and choose a free SAB item while you're at it? Everything will arrive direct to your door in just a few days so you can begin playing right away! 

Alternatively, you can really get the party going by hosting a party of your own - you'll get TONS of free stuff just for inviting friends and family over for a relaxed and fun time crafting and nattering! Contact me today for more info or to book your party!

So, let's celebrate today with a bright and fun card, shall we?!

Stamp Set: Banner Blast (SAB), Geometrical

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishments: Linen Thread

This super fun and bright card would be just perfect for anyone's birthday! Its also totally flat (the linen thread ties so tightly there's no bulk) and lightweight so its perfect for popping in the post without costing you a small fortune! 

Now you could totally do this card without the punch, just use the stampin-ma-jig to get everything lined up just the way you'd like it. I chose to stamp and punch so I could move everything around and switch up colour and patterns until I was happy.

I really love the little banner detail along the bottom edge - its another different way to use the banner and just filled that dead space I had kicking around perfectly! 

Have fun browsing and shopping,

Happy Stampin',