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',

Pink Wedding

Hi!

What a day! We've had just about everything weather-wise today! Sunshine, heat, rain, hail and torrential rain. I was having a nap on the couch this afternoon, after school and the rain was so loud it woke me up! 

So I thought it was about time that I shared the wedding card and tag I made for Tim & Sarah's wedding last month. 

Stamp Set: Label Love, Sweet Essentials

Ink:Pink Pirouette, Rose Red

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Whisper White, Vellum

Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Framelits

Punch: Small Heart, Owl Builder, Artisan Label, Itty Bitty

Embellishments: Whisper White Baker's Twine, Pink Two Tone Ribbon

If you remember the baby card I made for Seabrook last month then you'll probably remember the twist on the scattered frosted embossing technique. If you don't remember it, check it out here. I decided to also add some little punched hearts, some I added in the rose red under the vellum for a paler frosted look! Looks great, dontcha think?!

The vellum is attached with piecces of glue dots under the frosted hearts and also a strip along the top which is cleverly hidden with the baker's twine. I was having a little trouble getting my bow just right and hang nicely, in the end I very carefully added tiny pieces of glue dots to the tails and stuck them in place. 

A simple little label and some banners is all the sentiment this needed. 

I made a nice little label that matched the card. I used some leftover Pink Pirouette/Rose Red two tone ribbon to tie around the gift - worked perfectly with the tag and card! 

It was such a lovely day and they both looked so so happy! 

I'll be sure to share what I made them for their special gift later this week. 

Happy Stampin',

Stitched Confetti Shaker

Hi! 

Well I totally forgot yesterday, I was really in the crafting groove plus I had a last minute card a friend asked me to make for her so was wrapped up in getting that sorted and then it got late so I just went to bed and completely forgot about blogging! Anyway I am here today and have a pretty little something to share with you!

Today's been a busy day at work, glad to be home now. I'm going shopping with my friend Ally. We haven't hung out in ages so it'll be really great to see here again, get some dinner and mooch around the shops! I seriously need some work clothes! I don't have many suitable clothes so I think that's a very good excuse to shop! 

Stamp Set: Geometrical

Ink: Bermuda Bay

Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Wisteria Wonder, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Vellum, Silver Glimmer

Punch: Itty Bitty, Cupcake Builder

Big Shot: Chalk Talk

Accessories: Metallic Mini Clothes Pegs

I know I have a major peeve about cards with things on a wonk, I am really trying to get over this peeve and actually found this card working better with the sentiment working on an angle in conjunction with the mini clothes peg. 

I've been really wanting to do more sewn cards and as I had free time on Monday I thought it'd be a good chance to whip the sewing machine out and do this card. I just placed the vellum over the top and sewed it almost all the way, posted the "confetti" through the gap then sewed it up the rest of the way. I've got to admit I really like the frosted confetti floating around.

A few little confetti pieces placed over the top  just lift the card and bring little pops of colour to card. I really like the sparkly dots of glimmer paper in the centre as a change from rhinestones or pearls. 

Do you ever sew on cards? I'm actually amazed at how easy it is - the machine seems to take to the paper really well and its such a fun look. Also, its a pretty cheap way of jazzing up a card. 

I'm off for my evening out now, catch you again tomorrow with something else new! Have a lovely evening too!

Happy Stampin',

Sanded Watercolor Wonder

Hello! 

Its Friday! I having another sick day. Still feeling pretty awful! I took some sleeping tablets last night and managed to sleep the whole night through, at least I don't feel quite so shattered and sleep deprived as I have been but still feeling pretty horrid. Anyway, I have a card I made on Monday to share with you today.

I'm loving the core'dinations paper that SU has in the current Annual Catalugue. I think it looks so fun embossed and sanded for a lighter shade beneath. Obviously you could emboss and sand any papers but the beauty of the core'dinations is the different colour under the surface. If you haven't played with core'dinations yet I'd totally recommend giving it a try! 

Now, the thought occurred to me that the watercolour notecards might look quite pretty embossed and sanded, yes its only white under the surface but I had a feeling it'd soften the intense colour and create a pretty effect! 

Stamp Set: Label Love, Pennant Parade

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar

Cardstock: Whisper White, Gumball Green, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum, Watercolor Wonder Notecards

Punch: Itty Bitty, Boho Blossoms, Bird Builder, Artisan Label, 1" Circle

Big Shot: Beautifully Baroque

Embellishments: Gold Sequin Trim

I'm super impressed how this has turned out, the card was very pretty but I did feel the colour was super intense so this just added a beautiful soft texture and finish to the notelet. 

I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to add to this background but I knew whatever I did add I didn't want anything that would take away from the beauty of the background. I finally opted for the artisan label which has a pretty shape but isn't too big either.

I decorated it with flowers and cracked out the gold sequin trim which I've been meaning to use for ages! I used the sequins in a scattered fashion as I would have with rhinestones or pearls. The beauty of the sequins is they're a lot more post friendly! 

Hope you enjoyed this today! 

Happy Stampin',

Translucent Butterflies

Hey there! 

Its Good Friday, what a great day to remember as our Saviour died on a cross for us, but what is even better is Easter day, when we can celebrate that he is risen! Happy day!

So today I've got this week's Paper Players challenge for you, and this week its on time! Woohoo! 

I'm not sure why but I was a little daunted by this colour challenge. All three colours are very powerful one, so I've spent all week thinking about how to make these work.

Stamp Set: Papillon Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Always Artichoke, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana

Cardstock: Window Sheet, Vellum

Punch: Bitty Butterfly

When I set out to make this card it wasn't intended to be a transparent card. I wanted to make a swam of butterflies that had a beautiful translucency to them. I stamped the butterflies on the vellum which also helped to soften the intense colour palette but when I placed them on a white card base they just got lost! I was really quite disappointed but then thought about trying out a transparent card. Worked perfectly! 

Don't you just love all those butterflies?! I think they look fab.

The bold artichoke and coral butterflies really pop amongst a sea of coastal cabana butterflies.

I'm quite pleased with how this has turned out! Cards with transparencies to them intrigue me. This is something I've dabbled with before but I'd love to try playing around with window sheet some more! Have you worked with window sheets much? How do you like to use it? 

Happy Stampin',

Hello, Baby & Twist on Scattered Embossing Technique

 Hi!

Its Saturday! Doing anything exciting this weekend? Ours is chilled - just what we both need. I've got a card a friend asked me to make for her new baby cousin. I had list of elements/things that she loved and wanted included in the card which was a challenge but it turned out well in the end. 

Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Vellum

Punch: Small Heart, Owl Builder

Embellishments: Subtles Candy Dots, Subtles Buttons, Tea Lace Paper Doily, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine

Other: Chalk Marker, scallop trimmer

I found a new spin on the scattered frosted embossing technique. Instead of using an embossing folder I found a way to use it with a punch! I punched and layered 3 negatives of window sheet together with some glue dots. Then it was just a case of positioning the vellum over the negative punch and use the embossing stylus to emboss the little hearts. Embossed images with a larger area don't work out so well as the centres don't turn white. I rectified this by colouring in the back side with the chalk marker.

I love the subtle little detail the scallop trimmer blade gives to the thin layer of calypso coral.  It just adds a little pop and lift to a rather cool and subtle card. 

Ally really wanted the baby's name on the card so I decided to print it off as I just didn't have a suitable alphabet. I just love the scattered buttons and candy dot - they seem to work really well and tie the sentiment and card together perfectly! 

The small piece of doily and baker's twine just add an extra little girly finishing touch. 

So pleased with how well this has turned out! Allyson loved it too which was the main thing.

Have a great Saturday! Catch you again tomorrow for a Simple Sunday!

Happy Stampin',

Hardwood Rose Garden

Hello! 

Happy happy Friday folks! So glad its Friday! Looking forward to a break from kids now as its the Easter holidays! I'm a little sad my time working front desk in Student Services has come to an end, its been very different and challenging but I've genuinely enjoyed it! I'll miss all the lovely ladies who work there too! 

Now, I've got card club this weekend, we're using Mosaic Madness as this month's set which is just beautiful! Also some manic sewing to get a project finished - I'll share it once its finished and gifted! 

 I've just got time to share with you the therapeutic crafting I did last night - it was a bit of a rubbishy day but I am so thankful to be able to come home, sit in my little sanctuary and just craft away the worries of the day! Today's card is for both The Paper Players and Freshly Made Sketches challenges!

I loved the choice with the paper players challenge this week. I chose to use the 3 boxes down the left hand side - Birthday, Yellow and Paper Piercing. 

Such a cute sketch and thought it'd work well with the vision I had for the Paper Players challenge too! I love it when things just work out like that!

Stamp Set: Remembering Your Birthday, Hardwood

Ink: Versamark, Baked Brown Sugar, Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Blushing Bride, Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush, Gumball Green, Vellum, Gold Foil

Punch: Petite Petals, Itty Bitty

Big Shot: Little Leaves Sizzlit, Spiral Flower

Other: Fringe Scissors, Essentials Piercing Pack, Gold Embossing Powder

Embellishments: Pearls

I realise there's a lot going on here but I kind of think everything works! In all honesty I got some new toys - Hardwood, spiral flower, fringe scissors....I just HAD to play! 

I thought the vellum would be nice as the over layer as I didn't want the top layer to be heavy - the hardwood and flowers were the real stars of the show. When I stamped and embossed the sentiment in gold it looked brilliant but a little lost on the size of vellum so I went back in with the versamark pen (unfortunately SU no longer sells it but I still have mine kicking around) which I used to hand draw in some cute little hearts! 

I thought I'd add just little pops of yellow - the crushed curry is a really powerful colour so just a little still has a big impact! 

The rose is so pretty, isn't it? I sponged crushed curry on the inside edge and strawberry slush on the outside edge to make the flower look more realistic! the centre is a rolled up strip of the fringe strip. after the flower was rolled up and glued I went back in and used some tweezers to fold back the petals. I thought the addition of gold leaves with green was a nice touch to marry the gold sentiment and flowers together. 

I hope you enjoy this. It definitely made me feel better! 

Happy Stampin',

All Stitched Up!

Hi there! 

I have been having such a lovely weekend! I had a lovely time at Card Club last night with my ladies (had a few new ones too which is always very exciting!!) This morning was quite chilled out, did a little crafting followed by brunch with my darling. We had waffles, blueberries (for me), maple syrup, bacon and eggs (for him) plus oj of course - it was a true feast! Yum yum! Next was a catch up with an old friend from university. It was so great to see Rachel again, hopefully now we'll stay in touch a bit more! 

This afternoon I caught up on a bit of Winter Olympics - watched the opening ceremony (I like all the random facts that the commentator comes out with)! What I love about the Winter Olympics is that it just seems a bit more "normal" - you get a few crazies and amusing people taking part with just makes it that more enjoyable! Here's a few of my highlights from the opening ceremony 

- the Pakistani who learnt to ski on a pair of wooden skis made by his uncle

- a Jamaican bobsleigh team (always going to get a smile!)

- world famous solo violinist Vanessa May competing for Thailand in the Alpine Skiing 

- Prince Hubertus von Hohenlohe of Mexico - competing in the Alpine Skiing in a mariachi ski outfit!!!

-and finally some pretty interesting country outfits, the top three that got my attention have to be the Russians (a wierd cross between Narnia and Santa outfits!?!), USA (The sweatshirts were a wierd cross between cute patchwork and a bad Christmas jumper), but first place for wierd totally goes to the Germans (I can only describe their outfits as something a unicorn has vomited rainbows over). 

I shall try not to bore you too much in the coming weeks with olympics news - my favourites are figure skating and curling. A new interesting one is totally the slug style snow boarding - pretty amazing the height and turns they get in their jumps!! Are you watching any Olympics? What's your favourite?

Anyway, on to to the card I've got for you, its a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches this week. 

Stamp Set: You're Lovely, Fabulous Phrases

Ink: Versamark

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Gold Foil, Gold Foil Vellum, Vellum

Accessories: Pearls, Linen Thread

Other: Gold Embossing Powder, Essentials Pierce Pack, Needle

This is one of those, morning waking ideas. I've been wanting to use the pierce pack for hand sewing on a card for ages and this idea just came to me one morning. 

I was so excited to see how well the cross stitching turned out! Isn't it cute?! I thought the tone on tone linen thread and crumb cake needed something else with a similar tone. I wasn't sure a bright colour would have worked, but I still wanted something with a little "wow" factor so opted for the gorgeous gold foil vellum, gold embossing and gold foil cardstock! I have really come round to the gold look which is just SO in fashion at the moment!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

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',

Frosted Scattered Embossing Technique & Video!

Happy Friday folks!! 

Are you looking forward to the weekend? I certainly am! Breakfast tomorrow with two of my besties, chilling out with my lovely and very hardworking hubby followed by lunch out at his aunt and uncle's on Sunday. Really looking forward to it! 

As promised (and I really hoped to have done this earlier this week)  here is a card and video on the frosted scattered embossing technique I showed you earlier this week on the card I made for the Paper Player's and also SU Only challenges! 

Stamp Set: Hello Lovely

Ink: Gumball Green, Crisp Cantaloupe

Cardstock: Pistachio Pudding, Gumball Green, Crisp Cantaloupe, Vellum, Very Vanilla. Gold Foil

DSP: Venetian Romance

Big Shot: Petals a Penty

Punch: Bitty Butterfly, Banner (SAB)

Trimmer: Scallop

Accessories: Gold Baker's Twine, Pearls

I really love this card! I bought the petals a plenty folder a while ago but haven't really used it as the pattern was very compacted, now I've created a way to be more versatile with the folder. Love it!

I've explained pretty much everything in the video so sit back and enjoy! (Sorry I rather got my hand in the way of embossing, its so hard to see at such a distance so I don't get my head in the way...I hope you get the general idea!)

Have a beautiful weekend whatever the weather is doing by you! 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xox

Lacy Wedding

Hi!

I've got a little pretty for you today that I found while trying to sort my photos that I forgot about. My cousin had asked quite a while ago now, if I could make her a wedding card. I hadn't had a chance to craft much with some of my new stamps and I thought it'd be a good oportunity to play and experiment a bit. I was so super pleased with the outcome, I hope you like it too! 

Stamp Set: Chalk Talk, Label Love

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Canteloupe 

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crisp Canteloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum

Big Shot: Chalk Talk Framelits, Beautifully Baroque

Punch: Artisan Label, Owl Builder

Accessories: Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Pearls

Baker's Twine: Whisper White

I think this card just oozes elegance. I love all the different textures and layers that somehow look effortless. the tiny hearts were totally neccessary - they balance the card beauitfully and just draw the eye out to the corners - plus, I just love the heart. I think the owl punch was worth getting just for the heart alone! 

I've found that embossed vellum on Whisper White card is just beautiful - it has a wonderful quality I'm not sure photos are doing justice. It looks ethereal and lacy - perfect for a wedding, right?!

I must say I think Crisp Canteloupe might be my new favourite colour, I just can't put it down lately! Pear Pizzazz, you better watch out, there's a new crush in town! 

I hope you enjoyed this little creation today, I'll be back soon with more pretties. 

Happy Stampin',

Amanda xo