A trip to Paris

Hi everyone,

Today's card is for a lady that I work with called Margaret, she is taking her husband to Paris for his birthday at the weekend and asked that I make a card for him with a french theme. So immediately my Artistic Etchings set came to mind.

I wanted to make a little scene so I started with the Eiffel Tower, then I wanted to stamp some trees so I dusted off my Trendy Trees set ( I love this fab little two-step set I really should use it more!) Then I used my blender pen with the same colour ink as the tree tops, Wild wasabi to add grass to the bottom. I finished off the little scene wit some fluffy clouds from last years SAB set Good Neighbours. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out although I must say it looks much better in real life.

Here's today's recipe

Stamps, Artistic etchings, Trendy trees, Good neighbours SAB (retired)

Paper, Brights DSP stack, Wild wasabi CS, Whisper white CS

Ink, Chocolate chip, Wild wasabi, Marina mist

Accessories, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Brights designer button, Sponge daubers, adhesive letters (from my pre-SU stash)

Hope they had a great weekend, I want to see plenty of photos from the top!!

xx

Card Candy Swap

Hi there!

Sometimes I look at other peoples cards and wish I had thought of what they had come up with, does that ever happen to you?

Well I would like to do a Card Candy swap, and I'm looking for others who would like to join in. I'm hoping for enough takers to do one swap of stamp set candy and one swap of sentiment candy.

Now for those of you who don't know Card Candy is stamped image or 'topper' that is either the main image of a card or a finishing touch to a card. Here is an example that I have quickly put together with the Fox and Friends set.

How it works is each person who would like to participate would make 5-6 elements from one stamp set, all items used MUST be stampin' up, these would need to be posted to me with a stamped addressed envelope also included so that I can post your candy onto you.

If you or a friend would like to join in please contact me by email, letting me know if you would prefer to do images or sentiments, you can take more than one place if you wanted to get more candy in return.

See you soon xx

Less is More sketch challenge

Good Afternoon everyone!

Last week I participated in the Less is More blog challenge, I really enjoyed doing something a little different to my usual style, so I popped over this morning to have a look at this weeks challenge, it's a sketch!

I love sketches, and recently bought a book of card sketches for when inspiration runs away from me and leaves me needing help, so this is a great challenge for me.
I had a few ideas so don't be surprised if you see more than one card for this challenge.
If you'd like to join in the challenge, or have a look at all the other wonderful entries please pop over there, just click on this link.

So here is my card

In the challenge we were asked to use DL cards, which definitely left more 'white space' which is a good thing over at 'Less is More'.

This stamp is from the Crazy for Cupcakes set, I never really took much notice of this lovely little balloon, well when there's a cupcake around who takes much notice of anything else?!

I also added glitter to the balloons, here's a close up, I hope that isn't breaking any rules of the challenge.

Here's the recipe
Stamps Crazy for cupcakes, Curly Cute (sentiment)
Paper, Brights DSP stack, Real Red CS, Daffodil delight CS, Pumpkin pie CS, Whisper white CS
Ink, Staz on, chocolate chip
Accessories, Marina mist satin ribbon, white gel pen, scallop circle punch, stamp-a-ma-jig, 2-way glue pen, dazzling diamonds glitter.

Hope you like my second attempt at 'less is more', I'd love to know what you think, so please leave a comment if you'd like.
xx

what's the DL?

Well hello there!

I always seem to be making A5 or square cards so I thought that I'd make a long thin card today (DL card), I had been asked to make a card with Victoria on the front, and was a little worried that it wouldn't fit so a long card was the answer to my problem. I was also asked that the card have a 1920's feel, now I wasn't quite sure what that meant be I thought decadent and lavish, I hope I got it right.

I used the flourish from the now retired Bliss set and my stamp-a-ma-jig ( I don't know where I would be without this nifty piece of equipment) to create the background paper, which is choc chip ink stamped onto Rich razzleberry CS. With my much loved Broadsheet alphabet set.

Here's the recipe
Stamps, Bliss (retired SAB) Broadsheet alphabet
Paper, Whisper white CS, Basic black CS, Rich razzleberry CS,
Ink, Rich razzleberry, Chocolate chip
Accessories, basic rhinestones, Stamp-a-ma-jig, and ribbon (from my pre-SU stash)

I hope this fits the bill.
Have fun and get inky xx

Marina Mothers day

Hi there,

As you may have read previously I have been asked to make some mothers day cards.
This card is using a retired set called Bloomin' with Beauty. It is gorgeous, I'm so sad that it was removed from the catalogue.

I stamped the image in Chocolate chip ink, cleaned off the stamp then using a sponge dauber dotted the flower part of the stamp with Marina mist, Rich razzleberry, and Wild wasabi inks before stamping again.

I added some dazzling diamonds glitter to the centre of each flower before cutting out and layering on top of the original image.

I used a blending pen and the choc chip ink to add highlights to the vase.
The background paper was made using the Elegance wheel and Marina Mist cartridge, with a piece of the Elegant soiree paper layered over the top.

My upline Amanda is showing a wonderful tutorial of ribbon brooches that would have finished this card off a treat, if you'd like to check it out please click here to go to her blog.

Here's today's recipe
Stamps, Bloomin' with Beauty (retired), Occasional greetings, Tiny tags
Paper, Elegant soiree DSP, Whisper white CS, Marina mist CS, Chocolate chip CS,
Ink, Marina mist, Chocolate chip, Rich Razzleberry, Wild wasabi,
Accessories, Elegance wheel and handle, dazzling diamonds glitter, blender pen, sponge dauber, Jewellery tag punch, Scallop trim border punch, chocolate chip satin ribbon, basic rhinestone.

Hope she likes it xx

less is more

Hi everyone.

I'm back home, with a few cards made, most of which I can't share with you until the 1st April, it's getting close, I'm so excited!!

Last week I was looking on-line at other crafty blogs when I came across a post for a 'clean and simple' card. I'm more of a 'more is more' kind of girl rather than less is more but I thought I'd check out the Less is More blog (you can take a look by clicking on the name). So many of the cards were simple but stylish so I thought I'd have a go at the next challenge.

I got my boyfriend Dan, to go onto the site and find out this week's challenge, and was horrified to hear that it was a masculine card. These are the only cards that I dread being asked to make, they are so difficult, so this really was going to be a challenge!

Well here is my first attempt.

 I think I may have gone a bit too simple, what do you think? I'd love to know what you think of the clean and simple style.

Here's what I used
Stamps, Cheers to you
Paper, Chocolate chip CS, Crumb cake CS, Old olive CS
Ink, Chocolate chip, Whisper white
Accessories, Scallop border trim

Back soon with some more cards xx

M.I.A

Hi there,

As you will know I like to post a couple of times a week if I can, this week however I don't know where the time has gone!

On Monday I did overtime at work, which literally took up the whole day, I started at 7.30am and finished work at 8pm, so when I got home I flopped onto the sofa and watched Glee before bed.
Went to work all day Tuesday, I had Wednesday off but don't ask me what I did with it. Is it just me? You start off the day with good intentions and before you know it it's bedtime and you're lucky if you've done one thing on your list!! Also had work yesterday morning then in the afternoon I was preparing myself for the weekend.

Today I'm off to my mum's house. Her and my step dad are off to Bournemouth for their ladies night, you may remember that I was making boxes for them for the gifts a while ago, if you would like to see click here.
Well time really flies because that weekend that seemed so far away when I was making the boxes has arrived! So I'll be staying at my mum's house to look after her doggie, Henry.

I think she'll think I'm moving in when she sees all the stuff I'm taking, I'm planning to get a little crafting in over the weekend, so I have prepared a box for of stamping supplies to take with me, a few supplies seems to have turned into half my craft room!!

So hopefully I'll be back Sunday afternoon with a card or two that I have put together while I'm away.

See you Sunday, Hugs xx

Step aside!

Hi there,

At the weekend I made a side stepper card, it took several attemps by me and my boyfriend to get the measurements right. I work in cm and I found that I could find instructions on-line in inches, but my trimmer doesn't have inches on it, and when I tried to convert the measurements it came out crooked. So I thought there must be others who have wanted to make a step stepper but don't work in inches, and  decided I'd do my first tutorial.

For this card I started with an A4 piece of Night quite navy CS, and scored the whole card before cutting.
Here are the measurements

You can flip it around if you'd like the stepped half on the opposite side.
Here is a picture of the folds

The measurements for the patterned pieces are

• 14.5cm x 9 cm
• 10.5cm x 7cm
• 10.5cm x 4cm
• 10.5cm x 2.5cm

If you'd like the matt and layer the patterned pieces reduce each measurement by 0.5cm (eg 14cm x 8.5cm) and layer onto CS cut to the above sizes.
I was asked to make this card for a friend's husband using a footbll theme, so out came my Goal stamp set again.

Here's my recipe
Stamps, Goal
Paper, Not quite navy CS, Pacific point CS, Wild wasabi CS (trimmed to look like grass), Very vanilla CS
Ink, Chocolate chip
Accessories, alphabet stickers (from my non SU stash)

Hope you have a go at this type of card, please let me know how you get on if you do. xx

Surprise gifts from a new friend

A while ago I was on eBay looking at retired SU sets to add to my ever growing stamp collection, there was an absolutely gorgeous set of Lilacs, that took my fancy, but I didn't win them.

Then a little while later I spotted them on a blog that I visit regularly Flower Sparkle owned by the very talented Ruth, (I know that if I ever need some inspiration I will get tons from there!) and to my surprise she had won the lilacs set and had made some beautiful creations with it.

I left her a comment straight away, and received an email from Ruth asking me if I would like a card made by her. Well of course I jumped at the chance! A card made by someone those blog I had admired for so long!

On Wednesday I came home to a 'while you were out' card from the post office and yesterday eagerly went down there to retrieve it. I was so excited, and couldn't even wait to get back to the car before I tore open the envelope, and WOW WOW WOW! That's all that could be heard for ages, and here is why

Not only a fabulous card, but a trio of wonderful gifts from Ruth! A card with decorated envelope, bookmark and a gift box.

Here's a closer look

 I love the colour combo, and it features my favourite things, glitter, ribbon and gems!!

I'd never thought of making bookmarks before but I will definitely be giving it a go. Again gorgeous sparkle with the added glitter and I HAVE to get some of those jumbo eyelets now.

And finally a fabulous little gift box......................

with a girls best friend inside...CHOCOLATE!! Yum Yum, haven't eaten it yet, but I can see a mid-afternoon cuppa with these chocs in my future.

I can't thank Ruth enough, she is truly wonderful. I'm glad that you won the stamps, you have done them justice.Thank you Ruth xx

Plaese check out Ruth's blog by clicking on the link at the top of this post.

Hope you are having a great weekend xx

Happy Friday

Good morning!

The sun is shining here, my cat has already claimed the sunny spot on the bed, and it looks like spring is definitely on it's way.

I'm very excited today, the UPS man will be delivering a package for me containing some of the brand new products from the mini catalogue. How exciting! Unfortunately I won't be able to share these with you until April, but the mini catalogue will be available from me very soon, email me if you would like your very own copy sent out.

The card I'm showing today was made at my fab upline Amanda's tech class (yes, even demo's need to learn new tricks!) If you like the sound of learning new techniques while getting gorgeous products and hostess benefits without even holding a party click here for all the details.

I love the early espresso satin ribbon, it's so luxurious!! Hope you can see it on the bottom of this card.
I think it's these little touches that make a good card stand out.

Here's the recipe
Stamps, Crazy for cupcakes, Confetti, Party this way (sentiment)
Paper, Blushing bride CS, Early espresso CS, Whisper white CS, in-color DSP (hostess level 1) Neutrals DSP
Ink, Staz on, blushing bride
Accessories, Stampin' write markers (daffodil delight, early espresso), Eyelet border punch, word window punch, modern label punch, rhinestones, Early espresso satin ribbon.

Have a great day xx

Goal!

Hey there,

Like every crafter I love any excuse to buy new products. So when I was asked by a lady at work to make an 18th birthday card for her son with a football theme, it was the perfect excuse to buy the Goal stamp set.
I'm sure that it will come in handy in the future, and I was really happy with how the finished card came out.

What do you think?

I used a piece of old olive which I cut to make a grass football pitch, And I really liked the background with the football and goal 'sentiment'. I normally dread being asked to make boys/mens cards but this one was really fun to do.

Here's the recipe
Stamps, Goal
Paper, Whisper white, Old olive, Pacific point, Not quite navy
Ink, Chocolate chip
Accessories, sponge dauber, dimensionals, alphabet letters (from my pre-SU stash)

Have a great evening xx

Learn techniques and get freebies

Good evening!

How would you like to get some free Stampin' up products while learning new techniques to use on your cards and craft projects?

I would like to set up a monthly club where you can do exactly that.

What would it involve?

The club would need 6 members to work, each month for a total of 6 months I would send you everything that You would need for a new technique. Ink,  paper tools etc. This would cost £25, plus £1 p&p. In exchange for the £25 you would receive £25 worth of products, full instructions and colour photo of the cards/3d items that you will be able to make.
If you already some of the items needed for that technique, you could substitute that product(s) for another of the same value or more (if more expensive you be need to pay the extra), In addition one month out of the six, each member would be the 'hostess' and would get the usual hostess benefits of a £150 order - a level 1 hostess gift and an extra £15 of products of your choice.

If this sounds like something you or a friend would be interested in please e-mail me with 'tech club' as the subject.

Earlier I told you that I had a few mother's day cards to make, I have only managed one so far today, got side tracked with a couple birthday cards, but here it is.

It is quite simple, I really wanted the stamped image to be the main focus of the card, so I didn't want to add to many other details, although I had add a bit of ribbon, even if it is only a tiny bit.

Here's the recipe
Stamps, Happiness shared, Occasional greetings
Paper, Real Red CS, Early espresso CS, Whisper white CS, brights DSP, in-colour DSP (hostess level 1)
Ink, Staz on, Chocolate chip, Cherry cobbler,
Accessories, Early espresso satin ribbon, stampin' write marker, rhinestones, sponge dauber, dimensionals

Enjoy the rest of your weekend xx

Crafty clearout

Good morning!

The sun is shining here, and I have a lot of cards to make.
I've been asked to make a few mother's day cards, and as you will know us crafters have to be ahead of the game, mother's day is a month away but before we know it we'll be wondering where the time has gone!
So I will be posting some of my creations hopefully today, fingers crossed.

I've been sorting out my room again, making spare for all the lovely things I'll be wanting from the up and coming mini catalogue that will be launched in April, I can't wait!!
So I'm begrudgingly having to say goodbye to some of my stash, to check it out click here, there's only a few hours left on it but I thought maybe a fellow crafter would like a bargain!

Hopefully be back later with a card to show you!

Up to 30% off Stampin' up products

This month Stampin' up are offering you a brand deal, for this month only there will be up to an amazing 30%  off selected products!

Here's a list of the selected products available for this promotion, order soon to avoid missing out.

To download your own copy click here. You can order any of these fab products by emailing me.