So Kind Celebration

Hi! 

Friday - woohoo! Looking forward to a lie in tomorrow! Tonight Stuart and I are going to see one of our favourite comedians, Jon Richardson! I'm super excited, he's a very funny guy! 

But before we go, I have a card for the Paper Player's challenge. This week has been a sketch challenge. I've looked at it a few times and I've been desperately wanting to make something for it but what with a busy week and feeling shattered and still under the weather it didn't happen until last night. 

Stamp Set: Sweet Essentials

Ink: Always Artichoke

Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake

DSP: Celebrations Basic Kit, Coral Celebrations Add-On Kit

Punch: Fancy Flower, Boho Blossom

Embellishments: Gold Sequin Trim

Other: White Gel Pen

I've been wanting to use some of the celebrations add-on  pieces to make some cards, finally I got the chance. There's some super cute patterns in the set plus tags and lots more. I used the tag with the pretty white patterned border. I tied that in to the rest of the card with the white gel pen to do a border around the strip of DSP and also to decorate the leaves. I really love the patterns on the leaves - this really lifts the dark artichoke green and adds a fun pattern. 

The flowers are alternate cantaloupe and coral for that subtle difference in colour which you can really see when the petals are all fluffed up. 

The centre I added a gold blossom and for some added texture by piling up sequins. I also added scattered sequins to fill the gaps and draw the eye through the card. 

I love how this has turned out and look forward to making more pretties with this add-on kit. At £8.95 its a real bargain for all the awesome pieces you get in it! 

Happy Stampin',

Flower Power

Hi there!

Another late-ish post today. Feeling a bit down today - mostly tiredness and been struggling with some headaches and dizziness. Not sure if its just a bit of a bug or the current air pollution we're experiencing is having some effect too. Work has just been one of those GRR days too. Glad to be home and relaxing now. I'm about to make dinner and chill out with some crafting - totally need it! 

I've got quite a simple card for you today that I actually made write a while ago but just hadn't shared with you yet! 

Stamp Set: Flower Shop, Sweet Essentials

Ink: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry

Punch:Artisan Label

Embellishments: Brights Candy Dots, Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon

The flowers were just stamped and then punched with the artisan label punch. I also punched another artisan label in the coordinating colour and cutting it in half matted it behind the flower for just a little border of colour along the top and bottom edge.

The candy dots add a nice embellishment to the flower centres but are just so nice and flat too - perfect for the post! 

I also love using the taffeta ribbon - the bows seem to tie really flat so there's no bulk! 

What do you think? Like it? 

Happy Stampin',

Babies & Banners

Hi! 

Its Thursday! Only one more day to go until the weekend! I think its going to be another fairly quiet one although we do have a fellowship lunch at church so that'll be something fun and yummy to look forward

I've got a couple of cards for the SU Only Challenge here. The challenge over at SUO is "Banners". Banners are everywhere at the moment and so common I wondered what to do for this challenge. This is kind of a similar card to another baby card I showed you all last week but its got a bit more stamping and is very fun! 

Stamp Set: Cuddles & Kisses, Sweet Essentials, Banner Blast (SAB)

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron, Pool Party, Pistachio Pudding

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishments: Subtles Buttons, Sweet Sorbet Accessory 

I thought it'd be fun to use the sentiments from the Cuddles and Kisses and the Sweet Essentials sets to make my own DSP. The stamp-a-ma-jig was a total must here to get everything just in the right place. This is a very neat way to use all your sentiments in a fun way - it makes the sentiment the focal point of the card rather than being tagged on!

The hearts are stamped twice to get the different shades which adds some depth to the card.

The banners are at different lengths and layered up to add some interest to the strip. 

The button and twine are the perfect simple little embellishment. 

Instead of hearts for the boy card I thought stars were a more suitable alternative! 

Hope you enjoyed this card - girl and boy versions. I am definitely getting well stocked up on new baby cards for all my friends that are having babies at the moment! 

Happy Stampin',

Starry Baby

Hello folks! 

Today's little project is for this week's Paper Player's challenge.

At the moment it seems that everyone around me is having babies! My bestie, Kathryn, just had a sweet little babe last week. I am very excited that my little godson now has a gorgeous little baby brother! I know he'll make a great big brother!! Oh, and I just cannot wait to meet the latest addition, baby Arthur! Isn't it just the sweetest name?! Here's a fun little starry card to welcome him in the world!

Stamp Set: Banner Blast (SAB), Sweet Essentials

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

Punch: Merry Minis, Banner

I just LOVE al the stars and banners on this card! The stars stamped in different intensities of tone on tone ink really add a lot of depth to the background. The little star punches just really add that little something extra to the background. 

I just love the banners at different lengths and overlapped. Again it adds a lot of depth to the card. The staggered length of the banners also works to draw the eye across the card too. I liked the little touch of Wisteria here even though its not a traditional boy colour I think it really cuts through al the green and blue just adding a little pop here and there. 

I hope you enjoyed this sweet little new baby card. 

Happy Stampin',

Simple Sunday - Triangle

Hi! 

Its Sunday today so I have another Simple Sunday for you. Today's creation was inspired by this super cute and simple card my cousin sent me a photo of. This is one of her first ever cards - isn't it just adorable?!

I just loved the pennant bunting and that inspired me to make a few simple variations of my own. Plus this selection would be great for a beginner. I've worked out that you can get a pack of whisper white cardstock, triangle punch, linen thread, an ink pad and a simple sentiment set (the one I've used here is Sweet Essentials but if you wanted a really basic one, I'd suggest Four You) for just over £45 and then you'll get the gorgeous Sweet Sorbet designer paper for FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

Stamp Set: Sweet Sorbet

Ink: Pool Party

Cardstock: Whisper White

DSP: Sweet Sorbet

Punch: Triangle

Embellishments: Linen Thread

And now here's a few stepped up variations using all the same materials...

Just don't punch the entire punch for a smaller triangle, layer them up for a fuller bunting look. 

The tiny pinked trim along the bottom is also made with the triangle punch.

This scallop trim was one of the patterns in the Sweet Sorbet pattern paper which I just carefully cut out a section of and added to the top edge of the bunting. 

If you don't want bunting and pennants why not use a whole host of patterns and create this fun interlocking border strip? Fun huh?

Hope you enjoyed all these easy creative ideas! 

Don't forget you can get the Sweet Sorbet paper for FREE when you buy everything else you need to make these sweet cards during Sale-A-Bration. Visit my shop now to buy your pieces and get them delivered directly to your door!

Have a great day! 

Happy Stampin',

Love & Congratulations

Hello there! 

I wanted to share with you a card we made at card club last month. Last month's stamp set was Language of Love and this card is the perfect example using all the stamps in the set. It'd be great for a valentine, wedding or engagement! 

Mine went to some friends, Hannah and Renz, who just got engaged last month. I haven't seen them since our wedding, long time now! Renz is a fantastic photographer and he and his friend Marc did our gorgeous wedding photos! Hannah is an amazing beader and she made my tiara for me, it was just perfect and matched my dress perfectly - it was just what I had in mind and I know its totally unique! Lovely couple!

Stamp Set: Language of Love, Sweet Essentials

Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Crumb Cake

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, Raspberry Ripple, Gold Foil

DSP: Sweet Sorbet

Punch: Small Heart

Embellishments: Gold Baker's Twine, Chevron Ribbon

I'd call this a very traditional "romantic" colour combination - gorgeous neutrals with a pop of red and gold. I think what makes this a little different is the rich pinky Raspberry Ripple - tradition with a little twist!

Aren't the little floating hearts adorable? They really raw the eye across the card and fill that dead space to the left of the card making it a lot more balanced. 

 I'm really loving the banners in this set, they're just so cute layered up in a little group especially with this DSP and ribbon in the grouping too. 

Sorry for the short blog posts these last couple days, I've been suffering with the effects a cold and its not making me feel very productive! I spent most of yesterday feeling very frustrated with myself that I wasn't getting more done! One redeeming feature of yesterday was that I tried a new recipe which was absolutely delicious - Ranch Cheddar Chicken by Karly from Buns in my Oven. Totally recommend it if you're looking for a yummy new quick and easy weeknight dinner! 

I hope you enjoyed this and will come back again tomorrow for something else pretty and fun! 

Happy Stampin',

Simple Sunday - Baby!

Hi there! 

I've decided to start a theme for my Sunday posts. SIMPLE cards, I hope you won't confuse simple with boring but I thought it'd be cool to show a simple, quick, easy and low product use card once a week. As a demonstrator, we get lots of goodies, and it's tempting to throw everything at a card/project but its also important to remember those who don't have lots of money and all the products in the world, so this is designed to show folks out there simple and easy cards that ANYONE can make!

Today's uses a  Sale-A-Bration set I am totally loving at the moment - Banner Blast!! The patterns on the banners are just so fun and I love the little extras - flower, star and heart - which really makes this set so much more than just a few little banners but a great all round set! 

Earlier this week I showed you a relatively easy card using the Banner Blast set to make a bright and fun birthday card. Today is the turn of a Baby card!

Stamp Set: Banner Blast (SAB), Sweet Essentials

Ink: Marina Mist, Old Olive

Cardstock: Whisper White

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishment: Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon

I just want to point out that the banner punch is absolutely wonderful, but if you don't have it, the banners are so straight forward to cut it wouldn't be a problem to cut these out - snip them to different lengths for a little more variety.

I really think its the star that makes this card stand out! Its just so fun and perfect for a new baby boy. If you're wanting to make a girl version I'd maybe substitute the star for the adorable little heart.

The star is stamped twice in the same colour before reinking for the two tones - great way to get more use from an ink pad. Another great ink pad extender is sponging around the edge of the card - adds that pop of colour without all the extra card! 

Have a great Sunday!

Happy Stampin',

Inky Fingers Challenge 1

Hi! 

Some of my faithful readers may know that over the past year or so I've been making projects and tutorials for the Inky Fingers Club for their subscription only special sessions. This year I am joining the weekly challenge design team for the year so not only will I be making some beautiful projects an tutorials 3 times a year for the special sessions but also a card (or other project) a week for their weekly challenge! I am really excited and hope you'll join in! 

A new challenge is released every Monday. The first challenge is a colour challenge! 

I've got to admit I did wonder what I was going to do. They're all nice colours but not ones I use much and certainly not any of my "go to" colours of choice! 

Stamp Set: Zoo Babies, See Ya Later (SAB), Sweet Essentials

Ink: Gumball Green, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight

Cardstock: Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Accessories: Brights Buttons, Brights Candy Dots

Baker's Twine: Whisper White

The Gumball Green struck me as a really good alligator green which worked perfectly with one of the stamps from a SAB set I got on preorder - isn't it cute?! You too can earn this set and many other stamps and accessories for free from January 28th!! 

The Zoo Babies croc paired nicely to create my own patterned background for the alligator sentiment. Also its a lovely way to use the Zoo Babies for a non-baby card!! Oh I do love versatile stamps!!

Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight worked really well as subtle accents and really make the sentiment pop amongst all that green! 

I'd really love it if you'd participate and enter something using this colour challenge too. I can't wait to see what you create. 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xx

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