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',

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',

Peppa Pig

Hey! 

I haven't done much punch art lately but I found the perfect opportunity last week. Stuart's cousin, Georgia, was 3! She just loves Peppa Pig! I thought I'd just include a picture of Peppa for any of you who have no idea who she is. Has Peppa made her way over State-side? 

Isn't she cute? She looked pretty simple to make but the head was going to be the most tricky! 

Stamp Set: Express Yourself, Petal Parade (SAB)

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Strawberry Slush, Basic Grey 

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Primrose Petals, Basic Black, Marina Mist, So Saffron, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz

Big Shot: Ovals Framelits, Typeset Alphabet

Punch: 1 3/8" Circle, Modern Label, 1" Circle, Owl Builder, Itty Bitty, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle

So, the head, I eventually decided the best way to do it would be to make a template with the 1 3/8" circle punch and the modern label. I then drew around it and added a curve under to make the correct shape that I could hand cut out. I didn't have a circle punch of the correct size for her nose so I freehanded mine but I think the 1/2" circle would work a treat. 

 Peppa's eyes and nostrels are made with the ever so handy owl builder - notice the owl punch was also used for the balloons! I also used the owl punch for a mask that I lightly sponged the cheek in. Her ears and feet are actually from the 4 petal flower with two petals snipped off. 

The legs and arms are thin strips - couldn't be easier! Same for the tail, I just twirled it around a thin stick to curl it! I love her cute tail! 

Inside I wanted to add Georgia's age - I think its a cute touch on a kid's card! 

Hope you enjoyed my version of Peppa! 

Happy Stampin',

Cherry Cupcake

Hello! 

Again, a second post today, its just a really quick post with a card made with this week's Freshly Made Sketch. 

I started this card on Wednesday, but it didn't get finished until today. I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do but was just struggling with the perfect sentiment. In the end I couldn't find the sentiment I wanted and didn't have time to make up my own so I changed my idea slightly to get this finished in time.

Stamp Set: Create a Cupcake

Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green

Punch: 1 3/4" Circle, Cupcake Builder

Embellishments: Whisper White Baker's Twine, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

I thought it'd be cute to do a patterned background with lots of little cherries. I originally wanted to make a big cherry for the topper in place of the cupcake but that didn't work out in the end. It was quite time consuming but I like it better than the cherry stamp. 

I layered up some ribbon and baker's twine and then a cupcake on top of that. Cute huh? Okay, hope you enjoyed this, hopefully I'll be more organised on challenges this next week! 

Happy Stampin',

Simple Sunday - Fresh Meadow

Hello! 

I'm having a very nice relaxed weekend! Its gonig to be a busy full on week so I'm just trying to enjoy some calm before! Now, I've got a simple spring time card for you today.  

Stamp Set: Morning Meadow

Ink: Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Whisper White

DSP: Gingham Garden

Punch: Pansy, 1 3/4" Circle

Embellishments: Candy Dots

Tip for getting the circle centred, punch out a circle from some scrappy paper and add a little bit of adhesive - it doesn't have to be much, just enough to hold it in place. Position the circle where you want it, tack it in place and then you can punch with certainty that you're not going to mess up your designer paper. 

I'm really enjoying the clean, fresh springtime feel this card is exuding. The Morning Meadow hostess set has several sentiments in it so you could easily make this card in a few colour variations and even different sentiments too! 

I chose to use some candy dots because I didn't want chunky sparkles on my card. Its just the perfect little accent and is much more post friendly too! 

Thanks for stopping by,

Happy Stampin',

Quick Boy's

Hello there! 

I just have a super quick post today. I'd intended on getting some new things made today but errands and vegging out on the couch won over! There's always this evening! 

This is a quick card I made for one of Stuart's cousins, Harry, last month. His birthday kind of crept up on me and then I forgot and needed something fun and quick.

Stamp Set: Gorgeous Grunge, Remembering Your Birthday

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive

Cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive

Big Shot: Typeset Alphabet

Punch: 1 3/4" Circle

I just did a quick stamp, stamp, stamp with the splatter from Gorgeous Grunge and then added Harry's age and a sentiment. It couldn't be simpler! He loved it too.

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',

Retro Fresh

Hello!

Happy Saturday! Stuart has a mountain of work to do today so I'm left to my own devices - housework and stamping it is then! We are having a BBQ later - yum yum! 

I'm playing along with the Freshly Made Sketches challenge today. When I saw the sketch, I must admin, it filled me with fear. I have a real thing about wonky things, or things on a diagonal... sometimes they can look great but if you don't get it exactly right it can look really wrong. I'm definitely a straight line girl! But I was determined to give it a go.

I looked at the sketch but wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been and ended up switching up the two layered pieces. I think it looks okay like this too! 

Stamp Set: Itty Bitty Banners, Geometrical

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, So Saffron

DSP: Retro Fresh

Punch: 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Merry Minis

Embellishments: Sweet Sorbet Accessories

Other: White Gel Pen

I love the stripes and thought they'd make a great background on the card! Such scrummy colours! 

The scallop circles were distressed to look more fluffy and give a bit of texture to the card. 

The stars were a later addition that just seemed to fill in the space nicely. 

Hope you liked this short and sweet card today. 

Happy Stampin',

Sweet Baby Bunny

Hello! 

Oh my Arthur is just adorable!!! I didn't want to give him back - he was just SO cuddly and snuggly. Once I've edited some photos, I'll have to share what I've been busy sewing for him! I think you'll like it!

Its a beautiful sunny day today - Happy Spring! Are you doing anything nice today? Afraid its just housework and a quiet day for me. But I am going out tonight for a hen party, which will be fun.

Today I have another challenge, this time its Freshly Made sketch. This is a seriously simple sketch and for once I had a pretty clear idea what I wanted to do. Following the theme of babies I wanted to use a set I've borrowed from my downline called Baby, We've Grown. I have to admit now, I was not entirely sure what I think to it - the owls are just a bit odd. But seeing as I'm borrowing it I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to have a play and probably find that I actually love the set. 

After making this card, I have to say, it has grown on me, having the set physically in front of me I've started thinking of lots of other cute ideas I'd like to do. This is one of those sets that just doesn't do it for me in the catty but get it in-front of me for a play and I realise how lovely it really is. Anyway, on to the sketch and card...

Stamp Set: Baby We've Grown

Ink: Black Stazon, Pistachio Pudding, Crushed Curry

Cardstock: Pistachio Pudding, Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry

Punch: 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle

Isn't this bunny just ADORABLE!? I love bunnies and this one is just such a cutie! 

I was determined to keep this card clean and simple like the sketch. The only other thing I was sure if was that the bunny HAD to be Pistachio Pudding, not sure why but it was just screaming out pistachio! I thought I'd use vanilla with the pistachio as I haven't used it much of late. From those two colours I needed a vibrant colour that would add some pop to the project - doesn't the Crushed Curry work well?!

I used the bone folder to break down the scallop cardstock until it split to make it softer and have more of a frilly texture. I used a blender pen to colour in the bunny and the sentiment too! 

I did take a bit of time on this card to carefully cut out the bunny (added dimentionals to the back for some height) and also cut the little zig zags out from the sentiment too. 

Hope you enjoyed this card. 

Happy Stampin',

Fishin' Around....sorta

Hello! 

Wow its been pretty busy today! I had Envelope Punch Board Class here this morning followed by a goodly amount of sewing and some card making! As a result I forgot to get a blog post out so sorry that today's is a little later than usual...but I'm here now. 

Today I have an adorable little project I made a while ago but haven't gotten around to sharing it with you yet. The card was based on the super cute a la carte stamp Fishin' Around. 

And here's my version.....

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black

Cardstock: Pool Party, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Window Sheet

Big Shot: Circle Framelits

Punch: Owl Builder, Small Heart, Bird Builder, 3/4" Circle

Embellishments: Dazzling Diamonds

Aren't the fish just darling?! So to make the shaped card I just made sure my card base was folded and slightly too short on the top and bottom to cut a complete circle. the white is torn to give the impression of water. The crumb cake at the base is also torn to look like sand. Everything was popped up on dimensionals in layers so I could add some window sheet over the top which really gives the impression of a fish bowl. The dimensionals really add a lot of dimension to this card which I just love. 

Just a little photos to show some of the dimension! The window sheet is adhered with glue dots along the top and then cleverly hidden with a strip of Pool Party that looks like the rim of the bowl!

I made sure that the sand layers and the white top was very slightly smaller than the Pool Party card base so it looks like an actual fish bowl. 

The branch from the bird builder punch works great for some weeds and the tiny sentiment from Pennant Parade worked perfectly on the little flag! 

Dazzling Diamonds just takes these little fishies to the next level! Oh and there's glitter on the bubbles too!

Hope you enjoyed this cute little make. 

Happy Stampin',

When Skies Are Gray...

Hello!

Busy day today, house work, grocery shopping, finishing organising card club cards and materials for tonight. I've also got to go do Aunty Lil's housework and dinner too! 

The weather has been doing crazy things lately so I thought this little number was perfect...

Stamp Set: See Ya Later (SAB)

Ink: Whisper White, Basic Gray

Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Basic Gray, Pool Party

Punch: Cupcake Builder, 3/4" Circle, Boho Blossom, Owl Builder

Other: White Embossing Powder

Love this little sentiment! The stamp actually comes with a little cloud and smiley sun with it but I thought it'd be cute to make my own version with punches. I used the negative from the cupcake frosting as a mask to make some light and fluffy sponged clouds! 

I bet you're wondering how I made those raindrops?! Its the little heart from the owl builder punch cut in half. It makes perfectly shaped little rain drops! Neat trick, huh? 

Hope you enjoyed this happy little number. Stop by tomorrow for something else creative! 

Happy Stampin',

Getting Snappy!

Hello! 

Oh my! Can you believe its February already!?! Craziness!!

How has your week been? I had such a beautiful day yesterday - the weather was just miserable but I got to see Kathryn and Euan. They brought an awesome book (which has given me an idea for a super cool card - going to have a play around today) and some fun cars too! I had great time playing with the cars! He also showed me his fab walking skills - last time I saw him was just before Christmas and he was literally just taking his first steps! Oh he is just such a little cutie!! It was really great to catch up with Kat too. In the evening my friend Sam came over for dinner, we had a delicious homemade stirfry, played a bit of Wii and just hung out! I truly feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life!

So, earlier this week I said I'd made my dad a pretty cool card (in my opinion) for his birthday and promised I'd show it later this week. Seeing as its gotten around to Saturday and its the end of the week, I thought I'd better show you folks what I made! 

For anyone who doesn't know my dad.... He is totally NUTS and taking photos! He hardly goes anywhere without a camera in hand or slung over his shoulder. Now, I love taking photos but not to the extreme of taking thousands in a day!! Anyway, what better card for my daddy than a camera!!

(I'd just like to note, I do love Dad very much despite is obsessive photo taking!!)

Stamp Set: Simply Sketched, Around the World

Ink: Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Window Sheet, Gumball Green

Big Shot: Circles Framelits

Punch: Itty Bitty Circle, Owl Builder, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, Envelope Punch Board

Embellishments: Jumbo Rhinestone

Other: White Gel Pen, Blender Pen

Before any camera enthusiasts criticise me for my inaccurate camera, I know it's not exactly right but I followed the basics of my camera and added/removed bits at my discretion. I tried to add enough details to make it interesting and fun but not too much to send me crackers punching tiny little details.

If you were wondering what else, apart from super cool envelopes, the envelope punch board can make, how about a camera?! Its perfect for making the little tab at the top here! 

The lens was a bunch of circles cut with the framelits and stacked using dimensionals (these were actually rogue black dimension pads left from before I joined Stampin' Up! I've got to admit the black came in handy as they really blend in well!)

The cameras from the set Around the World came in very handy for a little stamping embellishment for the inside. I'm glad I saw them in my stack of stamps as I almost forgot I had them! 

I got a recent family photo my dad took of us all, he's not much into taking selfies so this is a rare photo he is actually in too! I just sized it and printed it to fit the back where the LCD screen would be!

All the little details are hand drawn using a white gel pen.

I hope you're having a nice weekend. I'm home alone today as Stuart is at a stag party for his friend Tim who is getting married soon. I think its going to be a day of pottering and crafting for me! 

Happy Stampin',

Petals MM330

Hello! 

I'm trying another challenge today. I've followed and admired the creations on the Mojo Monday blog for quite a while but never got the courage up to enter something of my own. They have lovely sketch challenges, this is this week's...

What a great challenge to make a tall and skinny - so often its tempting to just make a standard sized card so to have the challenge to make a different size is fun! 

Stamp Set: Petal Parade (SAB), Express Yourself

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party

DSP: Sweet Sorbet (SAB)

Punch: Fancy Flower, 2 1/2" Circle

Big Shot: Circles Framelits

Embellishments: Sweet Sorbet Accessories (SAB)

I reversed a couple elements on this card to fit in with my incredibly narrow card. I've got to say I didn't really know where I was going with this card. It was one of those cards I just fiddled with until it looked right.

I've used a whole host of Sale-A-Bration products here - the DSP, Petal Prade stamp set and the accessory pack! 

I am totally LOVING the cork embellishments in the Sweet Sorbet accessory pack - love the mixture of flowers, diamonds, scallops! Also in the pack is three twines. This Summer Starfruit twine is three pieces knotted together and then I unravelled them so they'd spread out more. 

For the flower, it was punched and then I used the bonefolder to break down the fibres of the card until it separated - its softer, creates more layers and created a beautiful suede effect. The leaves are just folded and cut tear drop shapes, then sponged a little. 

Hope you enjoyed this creation. Do you ever make tall and skinny cards?

Happy Stampin',