Baby Girl FMS121 & CQC226

Hello! 

Just a super quick second post of the day. I've got a few challenges I wanted to get something made for and I realised I was running out of time so I thought I'd combine them. Color Q is a beautiful girly pink colour palette and a fun sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Banner Blast (SAB), Pennant Parade

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals

Cardstock: Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishments: Gold Baker's Twine, Gold Sequin Trim

I am totally LOVING the Banner Blast stamp and punch which are part of the exclusive Sale-a-Bration line available until March 31st! This is a sweet and simple little baby card! Love the layered banners and the hearts and sparkly gold sequins are the perfect finishing touches. 

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',

So Thankful PP180

Hey there!

Its Friday!!! How exciting! My bestie, Kathryn and her little boy Euan are coming over this afternoon! It was before Christmas, last time I saw them and she's about to have another baby any day now! Looking forward to a good catch up with both of them. Next time I see her, she'll really have her hands full with two little ones! I can't wait to meet the new little one, but baby, please don't start coming until after today? Thank you!

I've got cute Paper Player's Challenge entry to show you today. Its a sketch this week, and an interesting sketch it was!

I debated for quite a while about what to do with this and then I had a flash of inspiration! Here's how it finished up...

Stamp Set: So Very Grateful

Ink: Black Stazon, Perfect Plum, Island Indigo, Gumball Green, Crushed Curry

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum, Window Sheet

Big Shot: Chalk Talk Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits

Embellishments: Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon, Linen Thread

Extra: Blender Pens

So the front is actually a clear window so you can see the pull out card inside. When the card is removed there's a further sentiment behind that! I thought this would work well as the set I wanted to use had 3 sentiments that seemed to work really well as a trio, how do you put a trio of sentiments on a card though without it looking hugely wordy?!

I was showing this card to Stuart and he was like, "oh that's cool, is the pull out piece a bookmark?"... What a wonderful idea! Now you can send a beautiful thank you to a friend AND it includes a thank you gift! Loved that suggestion.

I seem to be really into the blender pen/watercolor look at the moment but don't those flowers look lovely all coloured in like that!?

The fancy edge was cut using just the very end of one of the Apothecary Accents framelit, and the hole is cut with one of those little tag hole framelits that came in the Chalk Talk framelits...I've never had a use for them but they worked out perfectly here! 

I also did a little doctoring on my ribbon - its the chrevron ribbon cut down the centre and then sealed along the cut edge with a lighter so it doesn't fray! Love the effect and the look of the thinner ribbon. Totally going to do that again!

Anyhow, hope you enjoyed this special card.

Happy Stampin',

Petals MM330

Hello! 

I'm trying another challenge today. I've followed and admired the creations on the Mojo Monday blog for quite a while but never got the courage up to enter something of my own. They have lovely sketch challenges, this is this week's...

What a great challenge to make a tall and skinny - so often its tempting to just make a standard sized card so to have the challenge to make a different size is fun! 

Stamp Set: Petal Parade (SAB), Express Yourself

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party

DSP: Sweet Sorbet (SAB)

Punch: Fancy Flower, 2 1/2" Circle

Big Shot: Circles Framelits

Embellishments: Sweet Sorbet Accessories (SAB)

I reversed a couple elements on this card to fit in with my incredibly narrow card. I've got to say I didn't really know where I was going with this card. It was one of those cards I just fiddled with until it looked right.

I've used a whole host of Sale-A-Bration products here - the DSP, Petal Prade stamp set and the accessory pack! 

I am totally LOVING the cork embellishments in the Sweet Sorbet accessory pack - love the mixture of flowers, diamonds, scallops! Also in the pack is three twines. This Summer Starfruit twine is three pieces knotted together and then I unravelled them so they'd spread out more. 

For the flower, it was punched and then I used the bonefolder to break down the fibres of the card until it separated - its softer, creates more layers and created a beautiful suede effect. The leaves are just folded and cut tear drop shapes, then sponged a little. 

Hope you enjoyed this creation. Do you ever make tall and skinny cards?

Happy Stampin',

Crazy Mixed Up Love

 Hello! 

So, Valentine's day is only a couple of weeks away I thought I should show you another of the little cards I made. 

Stamp Set: Crazy Mixed Up Love

Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pool Party

Cardstock: Whisper White

Punch: Hexagon

Embellishments: Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds

So I know this isn't as versatile as some of the other Valentines I've made but it is fun! When I saw this stamp set it really amused me, the images were really fun and cute and paired up with a great mixture of sentiments. This set would be so cute for making up some mini love notes to stick in your husband's or kiddies' lunch boxes. It would be sure to brighten anyone's day to find one of these!

 If you really wanted to switch up this card, you could easily stamp a happy birthday on a banner over where the "mine" is stamped, so there's a little option! 

I made a honeycomb effect with the hexagon punch - the dashed line detail in the empty honeycombs just finishes it off really nicely!

The bee stamp only stamped the black stripes so I carefully used a stampin' write marker to colour in the daffodil stripes.

The photos don't do this card justice. The wings are beautiful - glittery and the crystam effects make the wings super glossy! 

Have a beautiful day!

Happy Stampin',

A Masculine Birthday

Hello!

Second post of the day today!! How fun!

Yesterday was the Inky Fingers kit challenge, and if you remeber, I said that was my second attempt, well I thought today I'd quickly share with you my first creation. Its still a cute card but just didn't use all the components that I was given! 

Stamp Set: Remembering Your Birthday

Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate

DSP: Modern Medlay

Punch: Merry Minis, Banner (SAB)

Accessories: White Emboss Powder, White Gel Pen, Mini Brads

I used the chalk board technique on this too. I'm really loving the chalk board effect at the moment and I think it makes the perfect component for a masculine card. 

The ruffled DSP was really simple to do, just tore the edge and and then randomly folded it to fit the length of the black cardstock. There's plenty of snail holding all that DSP down! 

I thought the mini brads looked quite sweet in the centre of the stars on the banners and just added that faint hint of sparkle! 

Please do check out the other lovely design team's creations on the Inky Fingers blog and play along with this week's colours! I can't wait to see what beautiful things you make! 

Happy Stampin',

Sale-A-Bration Time!!

Hi!

I am SO excited! Excited enough to be treating you to TWO posts and two fun projects!
Today is the beginning of Sale-A-Bration! The biggest and best promotion of the year, and with a 20 page brochure packed, and I mean PACKED, with free products for you to earn for FREE, you're sure to find something to love!!

This year's SAB exclusive collection just blew me away, there are so many gorgeous things the only problem is choosing which one to get!

You can earn the free and exclusive products - stamp sets, designer paper, accessories, punch, embossing folder, home decor kit or mds packages - each time you spend £45 between January 28th and March 31st!!

Check out the Sale-A-Bration brochure now!!

Just incase a fabulous brochure of free Stampin' Up goodies wasn't enough, its also the launch of the Spring/Summer seasonal catalougue today. It likewise is just beutiful, why not take a few minutes, put your feet up with a cuppa and have a browse through both catalogues?

Check out the Spring/Summer catalogue now!!

When you've compiled your wishlist why not head over to my online shop and treat yourself to a few goodies and choose a free SAB item while you're at it? Everything will arrive direct to your door in just a few days so you can begin playing right away! 

Alternatively, you can really get the party going by hosting a party of your own - you'll get TONS of free stuff just for inviting friends and family over for a relaxed and fun time crafting and nattering! Contact me today for more info or to book your party!

So, let's celebrate today with a bright and fun card, shall we?!

Stamp Set: Banner Blast (SAB), Geometrical

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay

Punch: Banner (SAB)

Embellishments: Linen Thread

This super fun and bright card would be just perfect for anyone's birthday! Its also totally flat (the linen thread ties so tightly there's no bulk) and lightweight so its perfect for popping in the post without costing you a small fortune! 

Now you could totally do this card without the punch, just use the stampin-ma-jig to get everything lined up just the way you'd like it. I chose to stamp and punch so I could move everything around and switch up colour and patterns until I was happy.

I really love the little banner detail along the bottom edge - its another different way to use the banner and just filled that dead space I had kicking around perfectly! 

Have fun browsing and shopping,

Happy Stampin',