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', 

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',

Floating Hearts

Hello there! 

Just a quiet and lazy Saturday in store for me, a bit of house work, oh and crafting. Plus I might get to hang out with Stuart a bit too! Its been a manic week for him with report writing and parents evening. He's beat! 

I've got another Valentine idea for you today. Well, I say its a Valentine but really it could be used for an anniversary, wedding, engagement...all you have to do is switch up the sentiment!

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Language of Love, Express Yourself

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Real Red

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe

Punch: Small Heart

Embellishments: Pearls

I'm starting to sense a pattern with quite a few of my card creations of late - floating and falling. I think it adds a beutiful casual and gentle look. Plus, you can't go to wrong as its doesn't require anything to be straight or exact. 

The minimal use of Real Red really pops against the cool Crisp Cantaloupe and Pool Party, especially the sentiment! Love it!

Again, like the other Valentine card in a previous post which also used Hearts a Flutter, a few scattered pearls was all it needed to finish it off. 

I debated cutting up the small hearts on the Lauguage of Love stamp set so I could stamp them individually, flat on the card, but in the end I decided against it, the dimension of the small hearts just adds a great layer here and helps them pop!

One Layer Valentine

Hi there! 

Really super quick post and card for you today. This is for the Paper Players Challenge, this week is a CAS One Layer Valentine. 

Oh my, I was tempted to skip it as I wasn't very inspired but I thought I really should give it a go. 

Stamp Set: Express Yourself

Ink: Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Whisper White

DSP: Gingham Garden

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

Extra: Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

Now I couldn't quite decide if this was cheating or not. It was a one layer challenge so I've only used one layer on the front but added a piece of DSP for the colour inside the card. Thinking on it now I probably should have stamped the section inside the card but I couldn't find anything just like what I wanted! Oh well, its sort of one layer. (and it does look lovely and crisp open withough the DSP showing too!)

Hope you're having a good week and stop back tomorrow for a bit more creativeness! 

Happy Stampin',

Monster Love

Hello there! 

Here's an idea for Valentine's day, or any occassion card really, where you'd want to write your little 'monster' a note to say you love them. I know I don't have any little monsters of my own but I had some of these cuties left from my Christmas project and was trying to find creative ways to use them. 

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Geometrical

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Real Red

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party

Accessories: Monster Hugs - Girls & Boys, Crystal Effects

These are so easy and quick to do - aren't they so adorably cute!?

Okay, this was just a super quick post for today. Don't forget you can buy these little Monster Hugs in packs of 18 for £5.50, they're available to order from me or buy from my online shop until January 27th.

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',

Clean & Simple Valentine

Hello there! 

I hope you're having a nice weekend! Its been a bit of an odd jobs day for me, running errands, tidying the house, birthday cake baking and trying to get a little bit of crafting in before going out tonight for Stuart's birthday meal! 

Thought I'd just pause for a bit and share with you a sweet little Valentine. Valentine's day is only a month away and while we don't go in for it as much as our friends across the pond, its still celebrated. Its also a wonderful opportunity to share some of the lovely stamp sets that Stampin' Up carries that we maybe don't use much and how versatile they can be with a litle imagination. 

On that note, I have a clean and simple card for you, all you'd have to do is switch up the sentiment and this would easily trasform into an anniversary/wedding/engagement or even a birthday card! I'd certainly be pleased to receive this for my birthday! 

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Real Red

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

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Punch: Small Heart

Accessories: Pearls

I love this stamp set. I think its cool how they have these gorgeous, fun patterned hearts and also banners included so even if you only make 2 or 3 cards a year with hearts, your set isn't going to waste, the banners are so universal and can totally be used year round! Plus there's framelits too so you don't even have to hand cut a thing!!! 

The hearts are popped up on dimensionals for a little lift and shadow. And the glittery heart and a few scattered pearls just finish it off simply and beautifully!

I hope you enjoyed today's share. I hope its inspired you to look at some of the Valentine's products in a new light! I'll have a few more Valentine projects and projects using Valentine/love products for other occassions too coming up in the next month or so! Stay tuned! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xo

Hearts a Fluttering

Happy Thursday friends! 

It started off a bit of a rubbish overcast day today. I thought that I'd take advantage of a free day to do some jobs around the house, so I sanded down some more of my door - I've got almost all of one side stripped and sanded now. Its a long process but I'm sure my back door will look great when its done! So I did a couple hours of that - my legs were killing from all the crouching, I needed to call it quits for a bit. 

By this time the day had turned into a beautiful sunny day, I thought it would be the perfect afternoon to test out my dodgy cycling skills and go for a little bike ride with my camera. Now I haven't been on my bike for at least 7 or 8 years and I've always been a bit of a nervous cycler ever since I fell off and broke my leg as a kid! 

Well, I'm back, still alive, but feeling shattered and really achy. I think I got some pretty nice photos so I'll post a few later! 

For now I'll leave you with a couple engagement cards I made for some special friends last month. 

First one was for the lovely Tim and Sarah. 

Stamp Set: Sweet Essentials, Hearts a Flutter, Pennant Parade

Ink: Raspberry Ripple

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Accessories: Pearls, Artisan Embellishment Kit

I used some of the lace from the artisan kit - isn't it just so pretty? The hearts were layeres on top and the word love from Pennant Parade stamped in the centre, two little pearls below finishes it off nicely. Finally added a congratulations and a few more pearls.

My second card was for the engagement of one of my best friends from school, Lisa and her fiance Neil.

Stamp Set: Sweet Essentials, Hearts a Flutter, Pennant Parade

Ink: Raspberry Ripple

Cardstock: Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Accessories: Rhinestones

This card uses pretty much the same materials as the first. It was a bit more fiddly, I cut out lots of little hearts with the framelits and stuck them together to make a embossed looking hearts background - turned out well don't'cha think? The heart was the same as the first just added a rhinestone instead of pearls as I personally think rhinestones suit white better and pearls suit vanilla better! Added a congratulations banner and there you have it! 

If you're in need of some wedding card inspiration, I'm sure either of these cards could quite easily be used, keep the sentiment the same or switch it up to Bride & Groom (from the same sentiment set) and there you have it! 

Stampin' Hugs,

Amanda

Build-A-Brad

Good evening!!

Sorry its been a while since I last blogged its been a bit manic around here! We are still carless and both been busy with work, begging lifts and then I've come down with the lurgy! Just what I needed! The last couple days I've felt like I got dragged through the hedge backwards, and then run over by a truck! 

Anyway I've been trying to take life a little slower the last few days and thought I'd sit and blog for a bit! 

Have you seen the new brads in the Spring/Summer Catalgoue? They're builder brads and I love them! So I have a couple cards (using similar materials) for you. 

Stamp Set: Curly Cute, Hearts a Flutter

Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake

DSP: Sunshine & Sprinkles

Punch: Itty Bitty

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Accessories: Designer Build-A-Brad, Paper Doily

Extras: White Gel Pen

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, That's The Ticket

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White

DSP: Sunshine & Sprinkles

Punch: Itty Bitty, Ticket

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter 

Accessories: Build-A-Brad, Paper Doilies

Ribbon: Melon Mambo Striped Organdy

So the designer build a brads comprise of the metal scalloped brad backs and some clear domes with adesive backing. You simply punch a little piece of patterned paper and stick it in the centre, add the dome to the top and your brad is finished. The little bit of paper in there means it'll fit pretty much any style card you want! I think they look gorgeous! Do you like them?

Have a great evening! 

Amanda xx

Hearts a Fluttering

Good morning! 

Saturday already! Wow! Can't believe its the end of half term already, its been so lovely having Stuart home with me this week, I'll be sad to have to send him back off to school next week! 

I've got a couple more of the card club cards for you today, both using the Hearts a Flutter stamps and framelits. They're both clean, bright and fresh! 

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Fabulous Phrases 

Ink: Pool Party, Raspberry Ripple

Cardstock: Pool Party, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter framelits, Needlepoint Borders 

Accessories: Vintage Faceted Buttons

Baker's Twine: Pool Party

This one is so clean and simple! Little banner and heart finished off with a tiny faceted button. Add the needlepoint border for a little texture and a sentiment and you're done! You could whip up a little batch of these for last minute cards in next to no time!

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Fabulous Phrases

Ink: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight 

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White

Big Shot: Needlepoint Borders, Hearts a Flutter framelits

Accessoires: Rhinestones

We had great fun using the hearts to make our own patterned paper background. Its finished off with a cardstock heart, sentiment and rhinestone. Oh and the little needlepoint border - I am totally loving the needlepoint borders, they really finish off a card! 

I'm off to my Mom's this afternoon for a Stampin' Up! party she's hosting. I've got some lovely projects to show her and her friends so stay tuned to see them sometime next week! I know you're going to love them too! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

Hearts Trio

I've got another of the card club cards for you to have a closer look at. Its so simple but just lovely! 

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Apothecary Art

Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Early Espresso, Pool Party 

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Raspberry Ripple

Ribbon: Raspberry Ripple Satin Stitched

Punch: Owl Builder

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Accessories: Pearls

Its a pretty simple card, I love the trio of hearts and the tiny heart and pearl detail just finish them off so beautifully! The vanilla cardstock is sponged with a little pool party just to add a bit more colour - an effective way to add a little colour without adding more cardstock! Do you like it? 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

Happy Valentine's!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today I've got the cards from February's card club to show you! 

Aren't they lovely? There's something about hearts that I just love! I like that they can be used for a variety of occassions such as Valentine's, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, or just for a cute card to sent to a friend on their birthday or to let them know you are thinking of them! 

Stamp Set: Hearts A Flutter

Ink: Real Red, Pool Party

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Real Red Pool Party

DSP: More Amore

Ribbon: Pool Party Satin (SAB)

Big Shot: Hearts A Flutter Framelits, TIEF

I just love the chevrons in this card, both in the embossed cardstock and in the DSP strip! Isn't the scallop heart pretty? 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xo

Hearts Shaker Card!

Morning!

So I totally meant to blog a bit over the weekend, but as you might have been able to tell, that didn't happen! It was nice however to have a little more relaxed weekend, even if I did spend much of it in bed nursing headaches. 

So the new Spring/Summer Catalogue released on February 1st! How exciting! Have you seen it yet? Oh my, there are so very many gorgeous things in there - so, so hard to choose what to get - so yeah I probably got too much. Much more than I was intending but hey, it was all so pretty! (I think I'm a complete magpie for paper and stamps!)

I have a heart themed card for you today, I actually made this one a few weeks ago for a challenge on another blog and I forgot to photo and post it in time - this seems to be the story of my life! 

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Fabulous Phrases

Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Pool Party

Cardstock: Pool Party, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Whisper White, Window Sheet

Punch: Owl Builder

Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Buttons: Itty Bitty

Baker's Twine: Pool Party

There's window sheet covering the hole in the white cardstock and a ton of hearts (from the owl punch) underneath. The depth behind the window is made up using the long edge strip from the dimensionals all the way around all four sides - seals everything in and gives the depth for the hearts to flutter down! 

Wouldn't it be fun to stick other thing in a window like this too?! What about sparkly glitter!?! :D 

Have a fabulous Monday! 

Amanda xo