Flourishing Phrases

Happy Sunday folks!

I thought I'd jump back into the world of sketch challenges and take part in this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  I like the FMS are really simple and great for a clean and simple look. For my first sketch challenge in several years I knew I wanted to keep this card easy and clean. No point complicating things, right? So, here it goes, sketch challenge 379...

Stamp Set: Flourishing Phrases

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Tranquil Tide, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist

Adhesive: Snail, Dimensionals

I used the Stampin' write markers to colour in the flourishing floral stamp and then stamped this onto the Whisper White card. I then stamped the thanks sentiment in Tranquil Tide on a thin strip of white card. I then ran the side of the berry burst marker along the edge of the white card. This is a great way to add a extra little pop of colour without adding more layers. This then got added to the card with some dimensionals for a little height. I then used my markers to colour in the large flower and leaves stamps, stamped them on Whisper White card and cut them out. These then got stuck onto the card over the strip with the sentiment on it. 

I hope you enjoyed this really quick and simple card today. 

I look forward to more challenges as I get back into the routine of blogging again.

Thanks for stopping by,

simply stampin' challenge week 52

Its Saturday again and time for another Simply Stampin' Challenge. This week is a sketch! And here is what we had to work with...

And below is what I created with it! 

Birthday Car

Stamp Set: Need For Speed, Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess)

Ink: Pool Party, So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery, Pear Pizzazz, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade

Punch: Corner Rounder, Scallop Edge

Ribbon: Pool Party Ruffled, Pear Pizzazz Stitched Poly, Linen Thread

I really didn't play around with this sketch too much - it was a simple one and it worked for me. I actually had lots of ideas but in the end I went with this car as it was floating around my craft room while I was doing my mammoth tidy this week, I really wanted to use it up before it got lost. 

I coloured in the stamped image and mounted it on some Pool Party cardstock. I then punched a scallop edge in Lucky Limeade and added it to the bottom, over the divide between the pool and limeade cardstock  I layered up some ribbon. Ribbon can be manly, right?! Well, that's what I was trying to go for anyway, let me know what you think! First ribbon layer was the Pool Party ruffled ribbon (I just wanted a thin layer of pool ruffled edge), then the Pear Pizzazz Stitched Poly Ribbon. Finally I tied a scrap of linen thread over the top. How lovely does this look? I'm so pleased with it. I popped the entire thing up in dimensionals and layered it on some Whisper White cardstock on a Pool Party card base. At the bottom I stamped the word  "birthday" - its part of a larger sentiment but I only chose to ink up the word birthday - this as mainly because I liked the font and the full sentiment was too large for the space I had. 

Now why don't you step over to the Simply Stampin' Challenge blog, check out what the other DT members have created for you and enter your own creation using this cute sketch! 

Thanks for popping by, please leave a comment, 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda x

blossom into springtime

Man oh man, busy weekend - filled with work, people turning up at the wrong time, cooking and cleaning and some waking up late! Well despite everything both Mums seemed to have a good time yesterday on omther's day - I cooked diner for them. Yum!  

Anyway its a gorgeous day today so I thought I'd show you one of the sweet cards that we made this month at card club! 

Birthday Blossoms

Stamp Set: Simply Soft (Hostess), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Punch: Decorative Label

Accessories: Champagne Shimmer Mist

Extras: Sponge

So I stamped the blossoms several times and coloured them in with my stampin' write markers. I stamped the seniment on a strap piece of cardstock and punched it out with half the decorative label punch. I also filled in a little bit of the dead space with a few of the little blossoms. I sponged the pretty in pink cardstock with some regal rose ink and then adhered everything together! Finally I spritzed it with champagne shimmer mist for some sparkly shine! 

Have a lovely day everyone! 

Amanda x

a flutter of butterflies

Saturday was Stu's Great Aunt Lil's birthday - I do cooking and clean for her a couple times a week so obviously I needed to make her a lovely card for her special day. Here's her card...

Fresh Butterflies

Stamp Set: Fresh Vintage (SAB), Teen Tiny Wishes

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand

DSP: Everyday Elegance (SAB)

Punch: Decorative Label

Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Accessories: Pearls

Extras: Sponge, Colour Spritzer

I stamped the large flower stamp from Fresh Vintage twice back to back in the background then stamped and punched the sentiment with the decorative label punch, sponged and added it over the top of the floral image. I used the colour spritzer to spritz Crumb Cake and Early Espresso ink over the background to add a bit more texture. I added a load of little butterflies all over the card and added some little pearls to the centres. 

What did you think to today's share? 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda x

tagtastic birthday

Last Friday was not only Donna's birthday but also Stuart's uncle Dave's birthday. Here's the clean and simple birthday card I made for him! 

Happy Birthday Bear

Stamp Set: Tagtastic (Hostess)

Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Confetti White

Punch: Decorative Label

Accessories: Mini Brads

So I had these strips of Espresso lying around that I thought would work as little banners - I cut a snake tongue end to them. I attached them to my Confetti White card base with mini brads. As the focal point I stamped the bear on the bike stamp from Tagtastic, coloured it in and punched it out. Finally to tie in the dashed line on the bear stamp I did a dashed line all around the edge of the card! 

Do you like it? Manly enough? Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I love reading them! 

Thanks for stopping by,

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

simply stampin' challenge week 49

Good morning all! 

Can you believe its Saturday again?! Geesh! This week has just flown by and in all honesty I don't know where its gone! Its another Simply Stampin' Challenge today and this week is a sketch challenge! Its a nice simple one for you all! Enjoy...

Just For You 

Stamp Set: Tagtastic, Borderlines

Ink: Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Pretty in Pink

Ribbon: Very Vanilla Velvet, Victoria Crochet Trim, Very Vanilla Taffeta 

Punch: Decorative Label

Accessories: Pearls

To start with I rotated the sketch 90 degrees! (You're allowed to do that you know!) Now, I stamped the leaf branch from borderlines on the cardstock - I have to admit I got this set because I thought it was so cute and for some reason hardly touched to so I've been trying to find creative ways of using it! I stamped it three times at varying heights just for added appeal. I then added some strips of velvet and crochet trim ribbon to make up the next layer of the card. for the top layer I stamped, coloured in and punched out the tag with "just for you" on it . I layered a little Pretty in Pink cardstock behind it. Finally I finished it off with a tafetta ribbon bow and some pearls.

I hope you like it! Please check out the other creations on the Simply Stampin' Challenge blog. Please do leave me a comment, I love reading them! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

a little bit of dinoroar.

Stuart's second cousin, Harry, was 6 on Sunday. He's had mumps and has been sick for the past 3 weeks, we're glad he is getting better and just in time to enjoy his birthday as well! This is the card I made for his birthday. 

Four Dinosaurs

Stamp Set: Dinoroar

Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso

So I stamped the dinosaurs and then cut them all down to 4" square so only part of the dinosaur is visible! I coloured in the dinosaurs with my stampin' write markers, mounted them on some early espresso and then adheres then to the cardbase! A really simple card but very fun! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

soft sympathy

Sympathy cards are some of the hardest cards one has to make - they're not really cards I really enjoy making because there's always a sad reason why its being made. Anyway I have a little sympathy card I made this week to show you. 

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Simply Soft

Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede

Ribbon: Pretty in Pink Satin

Accessories: Champagne Shimmer Paint (Mist)=

I stamped and coloured in the blossoms from the Simply Soft stamp set and then mounted on some Soft Suede and Pretty in Pink cardstock. I tied some ribbon around the card and stamped the sympathy sentiment from Teeny tiny wishes below. Finally I adhered the blossom branch to the card and finished it with a glittery spritz of champagne shimmer paint.

Thanks for stopping by, 

Amanda x

penguin fest!

It was my mother-in-law's birthday on Saturday so obviously I needed to make her a special card! She LOVES penguins and seeing as I recently got the owl punch I thought I would put it to good use and make some penguins out of it!

Pop-Up Penguin Fest

Stamp Set: Outlined Occasions (SAB)

Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait

Accessories: Lemon Baker's Twine

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

Big Shot: Sweet Buttons Embosslit, Blossom Party Die

Extras: Sponge

Now, its super easy to make the owl punch into  a penguin! All I did was cut off the ears! I also cut off the feet and added peach parfait feet instead! I cut out tiny little triangles as beaks! They were accented with little flowers and hearts! Cute as! 

Now, I don't do pop up cards! The last time I made a pop up card I must have been about 14! However I did a little google search to get a few ideas for card design and saw a really cute pop up card with the penguins so I thought why not! I made the steps and added penguins inside. I also sponged the edges before sticking this piece of cardstock onto the card base. 

On the front of the card I added a large banner with Celebrate on it, coloured with the markers and sponged. I layered up the large flower from the Blossom Party die, circle punch and then topped with a penguin. I finally wrapped some baker's twine around the card and added a bow to both sides. On the inside I also added a embossed button. 

My MIL loved it! She was so pleased with it and was really surprised to see the pop ups inside! 

Do you love it too? Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think! 

Happy Craftin',

Amanda xo

simply stampin' challenge week 47

This week it is another colour challenge over on the Simply Stampin' Challenge blog. I've been looking forward to this one - its time to flaunt your girly side and get down with the pinks and purples. Here we go...

These colours match some of the papers in Stampin' Up!'s Flirtatious DSP so I thought it was time to whack it out and get cracking! If you don't have all the colours listed, no worries, just use the closest ones that you do have!

Doilies and Butterflies

Stamp Set: Teen Tiny Wishes
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Whisper White
DSP: Flirtatious
Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Top Note
Accessories: Pearls
Extras: Colour Spritzer, Sponges

So I wanted to try something different and I had the idea that I wanted to use the top note negative as a mask so that I could sponge the top note shape onto the card. I then sponged the masked area with Pretty in Pink ink. Next I tacked down one of the doilies from the die cut sheet in the Flirtatious paper and using the Colour Spritzer and my Melon Mambo marker I spritzed it well to give the doily outline! I was planning on using the correct side of the Mambo doily next to the spritzed one but it was a bit too dominant - then I had an idea - to cut out the centre of the doily and use what remained as a frame! Inside I stamped the sentiment and then used the butterflies embosslit to cut some cute little butterflies from the Flirtatious DSP. I added some pearls to finish it off.
I thought it would be a shame not to use the centre of the doily so I used it to decorate the inside of the card and added a couple more butterflies!

Wow long explanation today - sorry about that! So what do you think? I hope you liked it! Please leave me a comment and then head on over to the Simply Stampin' Challenge blog to see the rest of the design team entries and then enter yourself! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Happy Stampin',

Amanda x

simply stampin' challenge week 46

Sketch challenge this week folks! So without further ado, here it is...

I have to admit I took one look at this and thought, woah, that's a bit full on! And in all honesty I struggled with this for ages. In the end I made it work for me but I had to jiggle things around a bit. Hope you like what I ended up with! 

Fresh Floral Birthday

Stamp Set: Fresh Vintage, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Lucky Limeade

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

DSP: Everyday Elegance

Punches: Bird, Scallop Trim Border

Accessories: Pearls

I used the colours in the Everyday Elegance DSP to colour in the Fresh Vintage flowers. I used some of the Poppy Parade DSP to do a the borders. I cut out the flowers and and placed them around the main floral image with some little sprigs of leaves cut from the Bird Builder punch to finish it off! I stamped the sentiment on a little banner and placed it just coming out of the bottom flowers. 

Please check out the other design team entries over at the Simply Stampin' Challenge blog! I look forward to seeing what you create. 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

love is in the air

Indeed, love is in the air! So a really easy card for Valentine's Day - its just around the corner - have you made your Valentine's card yet? I love an excuse to send cards and let someone know that you're thinking of them. And that's the lovely thing about Valentine's Day, its a great day to take a little extra time out to send a card to the people you care most about and thank them for being special to you! Come on, you all know you love getting post and knowing that you are loved! Take some time and send a few cards this season to the people who matter! 

Love, Sweet Friend

Stamp Set: You Are Loved

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Whisper White

Punch: Decorative Label

I coloured in the flowery, flourishes in the Valentine's Day stamp and stamped onto the cardstock. I then coloured in and stamped the Love stamp onto a scrap of Whisper White and punched out with the decorative label punch and adhered it with dimensionals to the card base so that the flourishes spread out from the frame. Fonally I stamped Sweet Love underneath. Simple and elegant! 

Do you like it? Who are you going to send a card to and thank for being special to you this Valentine's Day? 

Thanks for dropping by! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

every little bit

Nothing incredibly new today - this is another version of a card I made about a year ago. This is just a little bit more of a girlie updated version! Enjoy!

Handbags and Gladrags 

Stamp Set: Every Little Bit

Ink: Basic Black, Peach Parfait, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron

Cardstock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Ribbon: Pretty in Pink Satin 

Punch: 1" Circle, Corner Rounder

Extra: Paper Crimper

I stamped the purses and perfume bottles on Whisper White cardstock and used the markers to colour them in then punched them out with the circle punch. I rounded the top two corners and crimped the bottom of a Sahara Sand cardbase. I them adhered all the circles down in two rows with dimensionals, added some ribbon and finally did a faux stitching line around the edge of the cardstock. 

Hope you have a brilliant day,

Catch you tomorrow!

Happy Stampin',

Amanda x

polkadot birthday

Another more masculine birthday card for you here today. Hope you like it!

Polkadot Birthday

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive

Cardstock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise 

Punches: 3/4" Circle, 1" Circle

Big Shot: Polkadot Embossing Folder

I adhered circles down to the Sahara Sand cardstock and then ran it through the polkadot embossing folder. I used the markers to colour in the letters of the sentiment and made it into a snake tooth banner. 

Do you like it? It was fun to make! I'm sure I will be making more of these in the future! 

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda xoxo

simple birthday

Today I have a super duper quick birthday card for you - its suitable for a guy too which is great! 

Birthday - Stripes, Dashes and Curls

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes

Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Extras: Sponge

I laid down strips of cardstock in the background and then filled in the gaps with dashed stitching lines and curls using the markers. Then I used the markers to colour in the birthday sentiment on a scrap. I sponged the edges with Not Quite Navy ink to make it pop! And that's it! 

Happy Crafting,

Amanda xo 

loved up

Okay so I think I am officially loved up with the You Are Loved stamp set. Sorry for all you out there that are getting tired of seeing this stamp set - its just so pretty! 

Thinking of You Roses

Stamp Set: You Are Loved

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Whisper White, Peach Parfait

Punch: Eyelet Border

Really quickly then, I coloured in a stamped the rose stamp twice, without reinking so that it gave this two shade look. Next I stamped the sentiment and finally just to add a little more colour I added a strip of Peach Parfait punched with the Eyelet border punch just under the sentiment. 

This card is very quick and simple to produce, another one that's great for bulk makes or to quickly whip up in a hurry for that occasion you forgot about (let's face it, we all do it!).

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda xx

spring blossoms

Hi there folks! 

So, today is another card I made using the Easter Blossoms set when I went for a play session at Vicky's last week. 

Springtime Blossom

Stamp Set: Easter Blossoms

Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Crumb Cake

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink

Punch: Scallop Trim

I stamped the blossom branch and then coloured it in with the markers, then stamped the sentiment in Regal Rose ink. To finish it off and add a dash more pink, I used the Scallop Trim border punch to give the strip some more detail and that was it. Very pretty. 

What do you think? Leave a comment and let me know!

Thanks for stopping by, catch you tomorrow!

Amanda xo

simply stampin' challenge week 44

So now that I am back to blogging I am also back to the Simply Stampin' Challenges - sorry for my lack of participation over the last couple of months - hopefully the other design team members will understand!

This week's challenge is a Colour Combo Challenge. The colours are...

What lovely earthy colours, and here is what I created -

Earthy Vintage

Stamp Set: Fresh Vintage (SAB), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, River Rock

Cardstock: Very Vanilla 

Punch: Postage Stamp

So this is just a really simple little card using the Fresh Vintage Sale-A-Bration set. This one would definitely be one you could whip up on mass! I stamped the large floral flourish in River Rock and then added the border strip in Early Espresso on a separate piece of Very Vanilla cardstock. I brushed the edges of the card strip on the Early Espresso ink pad to just give it the very slightest hint of definition. I really wanted to make a clean vintage card this time - I banned the sponges! I coloured in the postage stamp, punched it out with the postage stamp punch and then did the same technique of brushing the edges on the ink pad. Finally after adhering the pieces together I added a little sentiment in the bottom corner. Voila! 

I hope you liked it! Please make your way over to the Simply Stampin' Challenge blog to see the other design team's creations and then enter your own make! I can't wait to see what you come up with (and don't forget, if you don't have the exact colours, just use the closest ones you do have!) 

Happy Crafting!

Amanda xo 

you are love some more...

Another quick little number for you today using the You Are Loved set from the new mini. 

Love Roses Spray

Stamp Set: You Are Loved

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Wisteria Wonder

Cardstock: Whisper White

Punch: Decorative Label

I stamped the roses to make a small spray and added the Love decorative label punch piece to the centre! Very simple but cute! 

I hope you like it. Please do feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think! I love reading them. Thank you.

Happy Crafting,

Amanda xo

i'm back - new spring mini!

Wow its been a long time! I finally got a new laptop - one where I can see the whole screen and doesn't drive me mental when I'm trying to do photos and blogging etc on it!

As you can imagine I have a fair few bits and pieces to show you from the past couple of months so stay tuned for some well overdue updates!

To start with a little Stampin' Up! news - Stampin' Up! has released a Spring Mini Catalogue (valid til April 30th) - it has lot of really pretty things in it and I am having fun playing with the things inside! If you'd like to see the catalogue for yourself you can view it here or why not book a party with me, to see and earn products free for yourself!

In addition to this Stampin' Up! is having their annual Sale-A-Bration promotion which starts tomorrow and continues til March 31st. Sale-A-Bration is an exclusive line of stamps and accessories that ANYONE (hostess AND customer) can earn for free when they spend during the SAB period. It is a great sales booster for your party and everyone is a winner.

If a lovely main catalogue, fabulous mini and Sale-A-Bration aren't incentive enough to host a party - what is!?!

If you would like to host or find out more about hosting or placing an order please email me on amanda_burditt@hotmail.co.uk or call me on 01604 949827.

Now for a quick little creation - something from the new mini to tempt you!

You're Loved Sweet Friend

Stamp Set: You Are Loved

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip, Wisteria Wonder

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

DSP: Wild Wasabi

Punch: Eyelet Border

Big Shot: Petal Cone die

I used the stampin' write markers to colour in the heart stamp - it took a little while but really makes the image pop! The heart was stamped slightly off centre to leave space for the banner. I cut out the banner from the Petal Cone die and stamped my sentiment on it in Rose Red ink. To finish off the card I added a piece of Wild Wasabi DSP with the eyelet border punch just to balance out the card. 

So what do you think? Come back tomorrow for some more Sale-A-Bration info and another creation! I am really sorry for being absent for so long and am really looking forward to getting back into blogging and sharing my creations with you all! 

Until tomorrow, 

Happy crafting,

Amanda xx