Forever Vines

Hello! 

It looks like the beautiful weather is back this week which is great! But with that the hayfever! 

I have a quick little card to share with you today, another one I made for the June Craft Together session. 

Stamp Set: Peaceful Moments

Ink: Shaded Spruce

Cardstock: Soft Sea Foam, Just Jade, Shaded Spruce

DSP: Forever Greenery

Emboss: Greenery Mini

Punch: Story Label

Accessories: Champagne Rhinestones

Isn't this watercolour leaf/vine DSP gorgeous? I love how it pairs with the vine embossing in the background. If you remember from previous posts I explained that the Greeney embossing folders were minis so they can only emboss a section up to 8cm wide. I knew that I couldn't emboss the whole card background so decided to use this as a design element in the card. I chose to line it up against the side so that there was a strip of plain card down the side and off set the story label punch with the greeting on it also. 

I think the layers work really well together in this card. 

I was actually going to post this on Monday but when I got home from work I fell asleep on the sofa and forgot, then, I'm not entirely sure what happened on Tuesday...oops! Better late than never though! Enjoy!

Have a great hump day, 

Greenery Scrap Buster

Hi again! 

Remember a few days ago I shared with you a couple of cards using the watercolour strips from the Forever Greenery DSP from the craft together session last weekend? Well, after making those two cards I was left with some short strips. I toyed with tossing them but I kept thinking that I could probably find a way to use them up - after all I seem to be on a scrap busting binge at the moment. 

Stamp Set: Well Said

Ink: Shaded Spruce

Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

DSP: Forever Greenery

Accessories: Champagne Rhinestones

This is as simple as it looks, I stuck down the remaining scraps to a piece of Whisper White. I liked the jaunty angles and felt this added a bit more movement to the card. I added a sentiment and some rhinestones over the top. Such a simple card. 

Now if you like this but can't handle the idea of cutting out all the watercolour stripes, here's a second, even easier version!

Stamp Set: Well Said

Ink: Pretty Peacock

Cardstock: Pretty Peacock, Whisper White

DSP: Forever Greenery

Here's how the card looks just using the pattern paper as it is. Simple as that! 

I hope you enjoyed these really quick and easy cards. You could make this with pretty much any pattern paper but I think the stripes in this paper really works nicely. 

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Take care, 

Greenery Embossing

Hi! 

I hope you are well. We had a terrific thunder storm last night! Thankfully my partner was able to rescue the rabbit before it began to bucket with rain! 

Today I thought I'd share with you a couple of inspiration cards that I shared with my ladies using the embossing folders included in their packs. The Greenery mini embossing folders come as a pack of 2 - the first is these little rows of leaves and the other is more organic leaves and berries. They will emboss card up to 8cm x 15cm, so not quite a full card front but certainly enough to layer on top. 

Stamp Set: Well Said

Cardstock: Soft Sea Foam, Just Jade

Ink: Just Jade

DSP: Forever Greenery

Embossing Folders: Greenery

Accessories: Champagne Rhinestones

I originally had intended to have the embossed and layered of the background with the sentiment layered up on top - for something really simple, and I still think it could work like that. However, when I came to laying everything out I began to play with adding a few of the spare leaves I had fussy cut from the DSP and instantly loved it! So, that's exactly what I did, I layered the leaves under the sentiment and finished the whole thing off with a champagne rhinestone. I am so in love with these rhinestones - they add just the right amount of sparkle without being over the top bling-y! 

Stamp Set: Good Greetings

Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Sea Foam, Garden Green 

Ink: Garden Green

DSP: Forever Greenery

Embossing Folders: Greenery 

Accessories: Linen Thread, Champagne Rhinestones

Before I'd even got my hands on the DSP I had this idea that it had potential for making some Christmas cards! I hope you will forgive me for mentioning the "C" word so early. 

I chose here to only use a matt that showed on the two vertical sides - just playing around with doing something different.  I stuck one of my remaining fussy cut leaves onto a piece of Whisper White and added a linen thread bow and some champagne rhinestones. 

Anyhow, I thought I'd just show the versatility of the paper and inspire you to look for the "C" word in things that aren't blatantly Christmas. 

We're having another thunderstorm tonight, this time it was my time to rescue both the bunnies from torrential rain! 

Take care,

CAS Greenery Wreath

Hello! 

Happy Monday! It's the first day back to school for some of our Year 10 kids today. It seems to have gone really well and the kids have enjoyed it. 

I thought today I might share another of the cards I made using the Forever Greenery DSP for my class at the weekend. This one was a little more labour intensive that the previous too but has absolutely beautiful effects!  

Stamp Set: Well Said

Ink: Shaded Spruce

Cardstock: Whisper White

DSP: Forever Greenery

Die: Circles

Accessories: Linen Thread, Champagne Rhinestones

If you've followed this blog from way back you know I'm a CAS (clean and simple) card girl at heart and I think this one is just that clean and simple. Having said that often the CAS cards are a bit more labour intensive and take longer. 

I got into my zen headspace and sat fussy cutting the leaves out if the pattern paper - you know I love a bit of fussy cutting - because I'm a bit nuts like that! I assembled the leaves around the circle die (roughly about 6cm diameter). I'd like to add that you can purchase dies that will cut out a lot of the leaves from the stamp set and the DSP for you but I haven't got them - I'm sure this card would have been a lot more straightforward with the dies! 

I stamped a sentiment in the bottom corner and added all the layers together with some dimensionals which adds a little height and shadow - I think that really adds to the CAS effect. 

Finally I added a linen thread bow and some champagne rhinestones to add some sparkle. 

I will admit this card turned out differently than I had initially intended it to. I had wanted to use the gold hoops and trim that co-ordinated with the Forever Greenery bundle, unfortunately it was on back order and would arrive in time for the class. With this in mind I had to switch it up a bit - still think this turned out gorgeous! 

The weather is gorgeous today - really warm and sunny! Have a wonderful afternoon! 

My First Virtual Class

Hey guys!

Its been a while hasn't it? What a year 2020 is turning out to be! As with everything else my monthly classes have been put on hold since March. I've finally decided to delve into the world of doing virtual classes, we'll see how this goes! My first one is tomorrow morning. So I thought I'd just share a little sneak peek of what I have to share.

Earlier this week I dropped off packages at each of my ladies' houses. In their packs they got 6 12"x12" sheets of the Forever Greenery designer series paper. This paper is absolutely gorgeous, I just haven't been able to stop using it since it arrived in my craft room! Also in their pack was 12 sheets of co-ordinating cardstock, a sheet of vellum, the 2 pack of mini Greenery embossing folders and a pack of the champagne rhinestones. I hope they love these new products as much as I am! I went a little nuts with all the samples and have so many to share with them and you also.

Today I thought I'd just share one of my favourites, and it's pretty simple too:

Stamp Set: Well Said

Cardstock: Soft Sea Foam, Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink: Garden Green

DSP: Forever Greenery

Punch: Story Label

Accessories: Champagne Rhinestones

This is a great sampler card using lots of the delightful pattern papers. Its also a fab way to use up think extra strips you have laying around which otherwise may just get binned. My card has each strip being the same width but it would work well using strips of different widths too. 

So, wish me luck as I venture into virtual classes and share the huge stack of loveliness with them! 

Meanwhile, stay safe and take care, 

Mosaic 21

Hello! 

The weekly balance has tipped, we are now on the downhill towards the weekend! Only 2 more days of school until a nice long weekend! Woohoo! Today's been a battle, we were very busy, short staffed and to top it off my head has been feeling very fuzzy, like the beginning of a migraine! I didn't sleep well last night either so I'm going to get a really early good sleep tonight! 

Today I have the other 21st birthday card I made for Bekah's birthday last week! You can see the first one I made here, as that one was really soft and elegant so I wanted something quite different, I think this hits the brief!

Stamp Set: Mosaic Madness, Remembering Your Birthday

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay

Cardstock: Baked Brown Sugar, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

DSP: Natural Composition

Punch: Itty Bitty, Decorative Label

Big Shot: Typeset Alphabet

Embellishments: Rhinestones, Crystal Effects

I pulled out one of my most favourite pattern papers of the moment - Naturals Composition. I just love the neutral colour that seems to work beautifully with any other colour. Its also got gorgeous glossy embossed designs which are just crying out to be inked up. Here I used 2 colours - bermuda bay and rich razzleberry to create this ombre type effect. By applying both colours to the centre section it really helps the 2 colours to blend together! 

I started with the 21 on the decorative label punch on the card and then worked in the other elements around it. 

I love the mosaic pattern in the paper and immediately thought that the Mosaic Madness set would pair perfectly as some scattered elements. I also decided to add a few of the 4 petal itty bitty punches to fill in the gaps, and the shape worked well with the mosaic stamps and paper too!

I wanted this card to be quite fun and jazzy so I went a little crazy with lots of little rhinestones in the centre of the mosaics and also a few just scattered on the background mosaics. Love that look, plus it just gives the card that extra special touch! 

One final special touch I added to the front of the card was to add crystal effects to the 21 - it just makes the letters look more special and blends with the glossy embossed background paper too! I think its little touches like this that really help make a card! 

The patterned paper ended up being a little larger than I thought I was going to want so I trimmed off about 5mm, I was going to throw it as it really wasn't much good for anything then thought it'd be a nice little embellishment for the inside. I added a sentiment and that was the inside sorted! 

Bekah totally loved this card and so did I! If I was turning 21 again I would be totally over the moon to get this card! Its so my style! 

Happy Stampin',

Gingham Washi

Hello!

So, back to work today! I was kind of looking forward to going back but I came down with a rotten cold overnight. I went to bed with a sore throat and had a very disturbed, restless night...this morning I really didn't want to go to work. Anyway, I've somehow made it through the day and back home...I'm curled up on the sofa, shivering, feeling very rough and totally gross. Praying I'll feel better by tomorrow morning.

Today I've got a CAS card for this week's Paper Players' challenge! The challenge this week is to use washi tape. Now, I've got a little confession, I love washi tape - its super cute and fun, I've seen some totally gorgeous cards made using it but for some reason I really struggle to use it. Anyway, I think I've found a little design I'm happy with! 

Stamp Set: Kind & Cosy

Ink: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Whisper White

Punch: Itty Bitty

Embellishments: Gingham Garden Washi, Rhinestones

So this is a really simple card, but all those rhinetones really add a sparkly wow factor! Random strips of washi tape were applied to the background - they're just torn off the roll. 

I used the brush tip of the stampin' write markers to carefully colour in the sentiment - I really like the floral "you" coloured in all the different colours! I think it just makes it look that bit more special.

I had indended to leave the card there but I looked at it a few times and it just didn't look finished. I decided it needed a some more colour and a bit more washi tape. The tape was laid and punched from a scrap piece of white. The flowers were dotted around and I added rhinestones. 

Again, I thought I was finished but I wondered what'd it'd be like with a few white flowers dotted in the background, I punched a few and laid them out and decided that was the exact touch the card needed. 

I'm really pleased with this card, I hope you like it too! 

I hope you have a lovely day! 

Happy Stampin',

Strawberry Petals

Hi! 

How did it get to the end of Tuesday already?! I spent the afternoon sewing (lots of lovely fabric to use that I bought at the Knitting & Stitching Show last week!!). Anyhow, I did get a little time to do some paper crafting too. 

Things are taking a little longer to get done as my foot is really causing me havoc which means less crafting time - going to try and get to the doctor this week. Its very painful and all that walking in London really didn't help matters, not to mention Stuart sat on it getting into bed last night. Ouch!!

I had a brilliant time yesterday with Kat and the boys. We tested out a new place just down the road for me and it was very lovely - huge slices of cake and lots of tea plus a fun play area for the kids. I got loads of cuddles! Yay!! Arthur is just the sweetest thing and very snuggly and even Euan seem full of hug yesterday! I'll never say no to a hug. 

Not the most pictuesque photo in the world - I look tired, Arthur is mid yawn and Euan has a mouthful of mini cheddars!! But I thought you might like to see a little photo of these cuties!

I was clearing out a bag I had taken to Vicky's a while ago for our last crafty play date and found some flowers I'd made in preparation for making into a car when I got home. I actually decided to scrap my original idea of putting the large pansy flower on the same card as the petite petals and ended up making two clean and simple cards!  

Stamp Set: Flower Shop, Petite Petals, Express Yourself

Ink: Strawberry Slush, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green

Cardstock: Strawberry Slush, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla

Punch: Pansy, Petite Petals, Boho Blossoms, Bird Builder

Embellishments: Large Rhinestones

This is pretty straight forward really, There's two layers on the pansy flower and the petite petals for some extra dimension and body. I decided to add one of the punches from the boho blossoms punch because I thought it could use a little more of something in the centre. It was also stamped with the Petite Petals stamp so it blended in well with the other layers - its those little touches that really make a card look extra polished! Dontcha think? More "fluff" was added to the boho punch by snipping between each petal. 

I like the idea of having a few of these cards ready made up for emergencies - when you've got the stamps and punches out, they don't take long to put together. However, leave the sentiment off until you need a card then you can quickly add whatever sentiment you need! 

Stamp Set: Petite Petals, Express Yourself

Ink: Strawberry Slush, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green

Cardstock: Strawberry Slush, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla

Punch: Petite Petals, Itty Bitty, Bird Builder

Embellishments: Rhinestones

Again, pretty much the same as the previous card but with smaller flowers all in a row. The itty bitty punch has the Petite Petals stamped on them so they have that extra texture. 

I'm really enjoying the vanilla on these cards. I began to reach for white and then thought hey, you use white on pretty much everything at the moment, so I tried out vanilla here and it worked a treat! 

Hope you enjoyed these little numbers today. Sorry my post got up so very late in the day! 

Happy Stampin',

Clover CQC231

Hello! 

Happy Friday! Today is shaping up to be a bit of a busy day - I am invigillating, cooking and cleaning for Auntie Lil and then have some lovely ladies coming over this evening for card club. This month's stamp set is Happy Watercolor - its a really pretty set and we're going to make some very pretty cards! Looking forward to crafting with them.

Here's a new Colour Q challenge...

I didn't have Glorious Green so I thought Garden Green was the closest match.

I was actually really inspired by the image in this colour palette picture, so I went to work...

Stamp Set: Label Love

Ink: Basic Black, Garden Green, Gumball Green

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Garden Green, Gumball Green

Big Shot: Woodgrain TIEF, Floral Fusion

Embellishments: Large Rhinestones

I was really careful to just ink up the sentiment in the Label Love stamp - it just seemed the the perfect size and font!

I drew around the largest of the four petal flowers for an outline. The green go in the centre and a big rhinestone. I hand drew a stem and added a single petal from the Floral Fusion for the leaves.

Happy Stampin',

Elegant 30

Hello! 

Just a super quick post today, Stuart is on holiday from school (yay!) and as a result we are trying to get a bunch of jobs done around the house, there's a fence to repair and I need to get my sewing machine to the repair shop. I'm not really sure what the matter with my machine is at the moment but it REALLY doesn't like me!!! Hopefully my lovely sewing machine man can get it all sorted for me! (And hope it won't cost too much either!!)

I thought it was about time that I showed you a card that my cousin asked me to make for her a few months ago. Its a pretty fun and elegant 30th birthday card! 

Stamp Set: Express Yourself

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Elegant Eggplant Core'dinations, Pistachio Pudding, Silver Glimmer Paper, Vellum

Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Typeset Alphabet, Labels Framelits, Beautifully Baroque TIEF

Embellishments: Rhinestones, Pistachio Pudding Ruffle Ribbon

I just love the core'dinations card - isn't it just beautiful embossed and sanded? The embossing folder wasn't tall enough to do the entire card front so I did as much as I could and just worked it into the design with a bit of the ruffle ribbon. 

The 30 and butterflies just add a bit of sparkle and really stand out in the pistachio and glimmer paper against all that deep, rich eggplant colour. 

What's your thoughts on this colour combo? Its a bit different, right? 

Have a great Tuesday!

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',

Fancy Flowers

Hi! 

How is your weekend going? Mine is lovely, we had a wonderfully relaxing day at home yesterday and today is my dad's birthday! I've made him an awesome card (I'll be showing you it sometime later this week!) I'm super impressed with it and I think he's going to love it too! 

So today is a busy day filled with church and lunch at my parents' but I've just got time to squeeze in a card for you!

My card is using the Flower Shop stamp set which I've been plaing with this week as I've borrowed it off my downline, Debbie. I was inspired by a card I made during last year's Sale-A-Bration using the Bloomin' Marvelous set. 

 I kept the same colour palette of Summer Starfruit, Sahara Sand & Grey but just stepped it up a bit.

Stamp Set: Flower Shop, Lots of Thanks

Ink: Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit, Smoky Slate

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Punch: Pansy, Boho Blossoms, Itty Bitty

Embellishments: Rhinestones

I stamped the flowers along the edge. I used the masking technique with some printer paper so I could have the flowers overlapping. Then came the fiddly task of cutting the edge. Actually it wasn't TOO hard, just took it nice and slow and went to my happy place. I must be nuts, I LOVE cutting intricate things out!! The cut edge really makes the WOW factor on this card!

I really debated adding the punched flowers, it looked so pretty and fresh without the flowers but you know what I'm like when I get hold of punches....I go nuts! For a simpler version I think this would look so cute without the punched flowers and maybe just add a little glitter to the flowers for some sparkle and shine!? The rhinestones make it even more flashy and special! 

Hope you have a nice Sunday whatever you're doing,

Happy Stampin',

Flower & Ribbon FMS

Hey!

I'm back, and its Friday! Are you doing anything fun this weekend? Think its going to be a quiet one for us. 

Well on to today's card, and I'm playing along with this week's Freshly Made Sketch.  

And here's my take in the sketch...

Stamp Set: Morning Meadow, Express Yourself

Ink: Crushed Curry, Night of Navy

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Night of Navy

Punch: Pansy

Ribbon: Night of Navy Stitched Grosgrain, Silver Taffeta, Silver Baker's Twine

Embellishments: Night of Navy Button (retired), Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Rhinestones

I saw a cute little treat holder with a flower and lots of ribbon on Peanuts and Pepper Papercrafting, I thought I really had to give it a go. I am a huge ribbon hoarder but seldomly actually use it on my cards. So its basically a bunch of very BIG bows layered under the flower. They were so big it looked pretty rediculous before they were placed behind the flower. 

I chose a colour combo that is bright and punchy - just what yo need to brighten a dreary winter day! Its not a usual choice for me but I've been seeing quite a bit of blue and yellow around and thought I'd try it out. The silver just added that little extra something.

The doily is all scrunched in the middle to make it smaller and also gives it a little more texture and body. I thought with everything going on under the flower the flower itself looked a little plain but the navy button finished it off nicely.

I hope are all having a great end to your week,

Happy Stampin',

Anyday Sweet Sayings

Hello again! 

As promised I'm back today with some super simple, quick and easy to make cards using the Sweet Sayings notecards. They're part of the Valentine's promotion Stampin' Up has running and at £5.50 for 12 including envelopes, they're a steal. You can purchase them from my online store, here. You'll need to be quick though as they are only available until January 27th!

Anyway today's shares are non-Valentines cards using the Sweet Sayings notecards. 

Stamp Set: Chalk Talk, Language of Love

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Real Red

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe

Big Shot: Chalk Talk framelits

Punch: Owl Builder, 1 3/8" Circle

Accessories: Baker's Twine, Rhinestone

A couple variations using a few stamps from the Chalk Talk and Language of Love sets.

They're cute and great to have on hand or throw together quickly for an emergency card. 

Stamp Set: Hello Lovely

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Real Red

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe

Punch: Owl Builder, Decorative Label

Accessories: Baker's Twine, Rhinestone, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons

Likewise these are also quick clean & simple cards using the Hello Lovely set. I'm super pleased with these two and can see myself making a few more, perhaps with a couple more variations added in too and bundling them together to make a pretty little notecard set as a gift. 

This final little note card is using a stamp from the Lots of Thanks stamp set which has lots of lovely thank you sentiments in it. Perfect!

I hope you enjoyed this super quick little post today. I'm sorry its been so quick, I've been struggling with a migraine the last couple days and my to-do list is getting longer by the minute so I am off to accomplish some of those items and hopefully shorten the dreaded list! 

Come back again soon for more pretties! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xo