Frosted Sympathy

Hi! 

I'm back from a very lovely and relaxing few days away with Stuart. We had a really nice time in Chester - went to the zoo, did some walking and wandering around pretty gardens. Everywhere seems to be overflowing with gorgeous rhododendrons at the moment (some of my fave flowers). Now I'm home and we're back to work Monday! 

A while ago I had to make a few sympathy cards. I really hate making them and didn't want to share them too soon, but I think enough time has passed now. Its also using some very pretty products that have hit the retirement list as of yesterday! Ruffled ribbon, Venetian Romance designer paper and the Petals a Plenty embossing folder are all on there! Get them before they're gone forever! 

To see the full list of retiring stamps and accessories, check out the link below...

GOING, GOING, GONE!!

Stamp Set: Thoughts & Prayers

Ink: Pistachio Pudding

Cardstock: Pistachio Pudding, Very Vanilla, Vellum

DSP: Venetian Romance

Punch: Bitty Butterfly

Big Shot: Petals a Plenty TIEF

Embellishments: Gold Baker's Twine, Pisachio Pudding Ruffled Ribbon, Pearls

There's the scattered frosted embossing technique I'm loving at the moment! I'm going to miss this embossing folder that just works so perfectly with this technique! 

I'm also really going to miss the pretty ruffled ribbon - I think a lot of us were pretty shocked to see it added to the retirement list! It and the baker's twine work great at hiding the adhesive along the top. I also added glue dots behind some of the flowers to keep the vellum from curling towards the bottom.

I kept the sentiment nice and simple and added a little bit more of a sentiment to the inside. I'm afraid I'm not very good at these difficult to say cards. I struggle to know what to say in a birthday card let alone a card of substance! 

Shortly after this first card Stuart asked if I could make one for soneone who'd lost a family member at work. I though I'd do pretty much the same design but just bigger for more space for everyone in his department to write a message.

I concertina'd a full sheet of card into three sections which definately gave more than enough space of everyone to write, apart from that, the card is pretty much identical, only taller! 

Hope you're having a great weekend! 

Catch you tomorrow! 

Happy Stampin',

Birthday Cupcake

Hello! 

So first day of new temporary job was yesterday. Absolutely loved it. Feeling pretty shattered - so much to take in and learn. I even conquered my fear of phones to call some parents to chase up some kids' absences!  

Just wanted to remind you there's only a week more days left of Sale-A-Bration! If you want to get some (or even MORE) of the gorgeous SAB goodies, you don't have long left to put your order in! If you live local to me you can place an order through me - I'll be putting an order in on 31st so email or call with your order and I'll be sure to add it. Alternatively if you live a little further afield, you can order online from my shop. 

Stamp Set: Create a Cupcake, See Ya Later (SAB), Remembering Your Birthday

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Rich Razzleberry, Baked Brown Sugar

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Punch: Cupcake Builder

Ribbon: Pistachio Pudding Ruffle

Embellishments: Pearls

I cracked out another set that's been gathering too much dust of late - Create a Cupcake! Such a sweet, yummy set! I used the stamp-a-ma-jig to get the cupcakes perfectly aligned in the background. 

Love how different the cupcakes in the background look to the popped up one by just stamping them on different coloured card! 

If you don't like fussy, intricate cutting the punch is a total gem! I did add the flower which I hand cut but you could add a candle or cherry that comes on the punch instead! 

Just a little quick stamping inside to pretty up things a little more! 

Not sure where I got the idea of this colour combo, but it kinda works. The razzleberry really stands out amongst those pastels and neutrals. What do you think? Like the combo?

No I'm off to do some baking, tidying, a little crafting and then hit the hay! Thankful for a better night last night, I didn't sleep well Thursday, it was really disturbed and I seemed to have nightmare dreams about being chased....oh dear!  

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',

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',

Everyone Loves a Surprise!

Hello, 

I recently got a couple of new downline members and I wanted to give them something nice to say welcome to the team. My friend Esther who signed up lives quite a distance away and as she's starting out I thought it'd be nice to send her a few swaps from Convention plus a welcome card and gift. Here's what I made her!

Decorated Monogram Notebook & Matching Pen

Stamp: Beautifully Baroque

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe

Card: Crisp Cantaloupe, Silver Glimmer

DSP: Venetian Romance

Punch: Bitty Butterfly, Elegant Butterfly

Big Shot: Typeset Alphabet

Ribbon: Pistachio Pudding Ruffle, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Accessories: Pearls

 And of course there's always a card to accompany a gift...

Flip Card!!!

Stamp Set: Petite Pairs, Beautifully Baroque

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar

Card: Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum

Punch: Small Heart, Owl Builder

Big Shot: Label Card Thinlits, Label Framelits

The Label Card Thinlit is a new-ish product for Stampin' Up! but its new to me. As I'd only just recieved it I just HAD to have a play and a card for Esther was the perfect opportunity! If you're wondering what is so special about the thinlit card dies, let me tell you, it makes FLIP cards!!! Its so easy to run through the big shot and out comes a cut and scored flip card. LOVE IT!

I stamped the Beautifully Baroque stamp on the Vellum - I wanted a frosty lacy look and being the impatient person I am I didn't wait long enough for the ink to dry and got it smudged a bit so it ended up looking a little worn and vintage. The banner is one of the accessories the thinlit card comes with - how awesome!! A few little hearts just completed it nicely!

If you're inteerested in joining the Stampin' Up! family and my team, you'll not only get a little welcome gift from me but you'll get all the joys of being a demo too!! Sneak peeks, pre-order, ability to make some extra income and possibly the best of all DISCOUNT on all your crafty goodies! Oh yes, I LOVE being a demo!! Contact me today for more info on signing up!

I hope you enjoyed seeing Esther's special things today. Come back soon for some more pretty makes! 

Amanda xx

window card

I am really loving the Papillon Potpouri stamp set and coordinating butterfly punch at the moment! 

Another of my new loves is the International Bazaar designer paper! If you haven't seen it yet, you really must! So pretty!!

Stamp Set: Papillon Potpourri, Fabulous Phrases, Summer Shilouettes 

Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White

DSP: International Bazaar

Accessories: Dahlias

Embossing: Clear

Ribbon: Lucky Limeade Ruffle

Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Framelits

Punch: Elegant Butterfly

The tiny flower from the Summer Silhouettes was stamped over the background. In the bottom corner I punched out a butterfly - a strip of the designer paper inside the card shows through when the card is closed! a little banner popped over the butterfly with a sentiment on it too! I used the same paper pattern with the Apothecary Accents, layered some paper and ribbon banners over top and on top of that a butterfly embossed with clear embossing for a subtle pattern. The centre is accented with a Summer Starfruit dahlia. 

Did you see that the butterfly pattern is the same as the pattern on the designer paper? Talk about coordination!! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xo

use up your scraps!

I wanted to show you a card using the holiday ornaments framelits today. It actually uses the negative space cut out so you can use the ornament shape for another project! Behind the ornament I laid down strips of ribbon (great for using up scraps that aren't big enough for tying into knots or bows but too precious to throw away!) I just love all the different textures and colours you can achieve doing this tecinque with very little ribbon too! I added a bow too and red stitched outline around the ornament to give it a little more definition. I added some more of the ruffled ribbon to the top and bottom of the sentiment, the ruffled ribbon gives a lovely border! 

Ribbon Ornament

Stamp Set: Curly Cute

Ink: Real Red

Cardstock: Whisper White

Big Shot: Holiday Ornaments Framelits

Ribbon: Old Olive Taffeta, Real Red Taffeta, Gumball Green Stitched Satin, Lucky Limeade Ruffle, Gumball Green Sweater Trim

Have a great day! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda x

Mini, mini, mini...

I told you I had loads didn't I!?! Well this is just SOME of the many many things I have to share with you over the next few weeks!

Today I thought I'd show you a few little cards I did in a make and take last month. I swapped rolls and became a guest when I went along to a party that Rhoda was demoing at last month when she was down. It was really fun to just sit and relax! Oh and of course craft! 

Stamp Set: You're a Gem (Spring Mini), Petite Pairs

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade

Cardstock: Whisper White

DSP: Berry Blossoms (Spring Mini), Pocket Full of Posies (Spring Mini)

Punches: Decorative Label, Butterfly, Fancy Flower, Boho Blossoms

Accessories: Designer Printed Brads, Subtles Buttons, Pearls

Ribbon: Lucky Limeade Ruffle

Come back tomorrow for some more creative inspiration! 

Amanda x

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