More Gently Falling

I needed a masculine birthday earlier this week and I still had Gently Falling out from my autumnal creations, so I set about creating a more 'earthy' kind of card.  Here's what I did:

I stamped leaves in Old Olive, Wild Wasabi and Pear Pizzaz on the Naturals card base, before stamping both the outline and the middle of the large leaf on a snippet.  The outline is in Always Artichoke and the middle is in Old Olive.  I wrapped a length of ribbon round the snippet and tied it with some linen thread, adding a greeting from the now retired Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp set.  This was mounted onto some woodgrain design paper from the Natural Composition Speciality range, before being secured to the card base.  Job done.

Supplies
Stamps: Gently Falling, Happiest Birthday Wishes (retired)
Inks: Old Olive, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzaz, Always Artichoke
Card: Naturals White
Paper: Natural Composition Speciality
Other: Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, linen thread, stamp-a-ma-jig

I'll take this for a play in the Playground as it uses up a couple of snippets from the never-diminishing snippets collection!

Now you know what eats leaves?  CATerpillars!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Nature's Walk and Nest

Wow, what a lot of fantastic entries for our make your mark challenge last week.  This time round at Addicted to Stamps, it's Bingo week to tempt you out to play!

Here what I made:

I combined the lovely nest out of Nature's Nest with the thrush from Nature Walk to create this mini little scene, which I'm rather pleased with, though I couldn't see the card coming together.  The greeting is part of one from Happiest Birthday Wishes (using my marker pens to colour in the bit I wanted).  I think it's all pretty straightforward so I won't waffle on, but do email if you've got any questions.

Supplies
Stamps: Nature Walk, Nature's Nest, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, marker pens in Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi and Certainly Celery
Card: Pear Pizzaz (retiring soon - get it while you can!), Soft Suede, Whisper White
Other: sponge daubers, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, stamp-a-ma-jig

Here is the bingo grid so you can play along:

I chose circle, free (technique- using markers to colour my stamps directly) and birthday.

A picture to amuse you:

Thanks for stopping by,

Feeling Blue?

Well, you should play along with Make My Monday this week as Mynnette's final colour wheel challenge is to use three analogous colours, or light blue, turquoise and dark blue to be more precise.  I decided this would be the perfect chance to try and make a rosette with my scoring board.

I made the rosette in the cheat's way: scoring across the diameter of a die cut scalloped circle, snipping to the centre and then concertina folding before sticking to another folded in exactly the same way.  I layered up circles using the greeting from Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Now, has anyone noticed the problem?  Yes, Eagle Eyes.... two shades of blue and not a hint of turquoise to be seen.  Grr...

So then I made this rather quickly before dinner:

It uses one of the three small teacups from Tea Shoppe, twinned with some (turquoise) baker's twine and polka dots embossing.

Hope today's cat makes you smile as much as it did me:

Thanks for stopping by! An especially big wave to my new followers... where have you all come from?  I'm suddenly all popular!

Opposites Attract

About a month ago I saw this brilliant video which Tami, an SU demo in the US, created using Sweet Floral.  As soon as I saw what she did with the vellum, I knew I needed to give it a go.  I've finally got round to trying it and I made both a black on white as well as her white on black version, as they were so easy to make and yet look stunning!

Both cards were made by stamping Sweet Floral with VersaMark and then embossing in white or black embossing powder.  The vellum was secured underneath a ribbon bow with the sentiment from Happiest Birthday Wishes added beneath.  Some simple matting and layering finished the card off.

Supplies
Stamps: Sweet Floral, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess)
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black
Card: Whisper White, Basic Black
Other: paper vellum, Whisper White and Basic Black 5/8" satin ribbon


As always, if any of these supplies have caught your eye, please do not hesitate to get in touch by phone on 07977 141605 or email.  I will be delighted to assist you with your crafty makes and place a SU order for you.

At the end of the day, there's only one part of our kitchen/dining room that has sunshine in it and that's the corner of my crafty desk.  Ten points if you can correctly guess where Socks usually positions himself at this time....

It just looks like he's selecting his next ink pad!

Thanks for popping by,

It's not called an Idea Book for nothing....

Today's card is a almost an exact copy of one that appears in the Summer Mini Catalogue.  Ideas, you say, in a catalogue?  Well yes, both minis and the main Idea Book & Catalogue are jam-packed with ideas to get you started with various stamp sets, meaning you're hardly ever left there scratching your noggin puzzling out what to make.

I swapped the papers around a little and I used flowers instead of the bird die cut, adding the sentiment and the pearls to make this:

These are my new favourite papers: Twitterpated (and I thought they only used that word in Bambi!).  They coordinate beautifully with the new Bordering on Romance stamp set which is what I've used to stamp my banner with.  The shaped line of dots is also from this set, as is the flower border at the bottom. And while I'm on the subject of coordination, do you like how the edge I've die cut coordinates with the embossed edge?  The new Edgelits Adorning Accents dies match perfectly with a set of three different edge embossing folders.  I've used the second Edgelits die to cut the scalloped edge at the bottom of the main panel.

Here's a close-up of the layering at the bottom:

If you're curious where that sentiment came from, it's just two words from a stamp from Happiest Birthday Wishes.  I masked most of the stamp to stamp a word at a time in Basic Grey ink and then cut them into little pennants.

Here's a sneaky peek at the inside:

Supplies
Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess)
Ink: Basic Grey, marker pens in Riding Hood Red, Pear Pizzaz, Baja Breeze
Card: Whisper White, Pear Pizzaz
Paper: Twitterpated Designer Series Paper
Other: Twitterpated Designer buttons, bakers' twine, pearls, Blushing Bride pleated ribbon, aqua painter, Edgelits Adorning Accents and embossing folders, Blossom punch

If you'd like a (free) paper copy of the new Summer Mini so you can see these ideas and goodies for yourself, just let me know by email or by phone on 07977 141605.  I have a few left and one could be winging its way to your UK address before the day is out!

I made this card for the Make My Monday 'happy birthday with pearls' challenge.  It has been way too long since I got my act together to make a card for one of my favourite challenges!

It has also been ages since I shared a photo of Socks so I shall remedy that today!  Last week Socks was concerned at how big my ironing pile was so he decided to help:

Even the thought of ironing must have tired him out though because 15 minutes later, he was tuckered out:

I'm still trying to work out where all his limbs are in this photo:

Thank you for visiting Socks and me today,

When Everything Eleanor Met Patterned Paper

I've been eager to join in the challenges at Colour Q for a while now, but for one reason or another, this is the first time I'm participating.  And what lovely colours they are.  I don't have any of the in-colours so had to substitute Baja Breeze in for Pool Party but I still think it's a lovely combination.

Over the past few days I have been playing around with some of the new stamp sets available with the launch of the Summer Mini on May 1st and I might just have some sneaky peeks for you later this week... If you are in the UK and would like a paper copy of the Summer Mini Catalogue posting to you, send me a quick email or give me a ring on 07977 141605.  The PDF copy will be linked to my sidebar on May 1st.

For today's card though, I have been enjoying the lovely flourishes, frames and flowers that make up the gorgeously sophisticated Everything Eleanor.  Here's what I came up with for the challenge:

The frame was stamped in Baja Breeze and cut out with my trusty sharp paper snips, with the sentiment stamped in Bravo Burgundy using my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  The two flowers were stamped into Ivory card, cut out, and the stamens coloured with a Baja Breeze marker pen.  I just can't get enough of that flourish at the moment... this time it was stamped in Bravo Burgundy onto some Very Vanilla patterned paper, and I love the two tone effect this has given to the stamping.  The frame and flowers were popped up on dimensionals.

I felt the colours needed tying together a bit more so I layered first onto Baja Breeze and then onto Bravo Burgundy.  Then just because I felt like it, I added a layer of beautiful textured Very Vanilla card to pick out the vanilla stripes on the paper.  All-in-all I'm rather pleased with the result!

Supplies
Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess)
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze
Card: textured Very Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Naturals Ivory
Paper: Very Vanilla from the Neutrals Designer Series Patterned Paper
Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Baja Breeze marker pen

I have started to sort out my crafting corner.  It's slow work as I keep getting distracted by things I'd forgotten about.  Socks has been getting involved too, keeping my pile of Craft Stamper magazines warm with his furry behind!

Thanks for visiting Socks and me today,

These are a Few of my Favourite Things...

I have a new favourite stamp set and a new favourite builder punch that I have combined to make today's card.  Everything Eleanor is an incredibly versatile stamp set complete with flourish, frame, flowers and more.  I can see so many uses for this set already.  I was determined to use it to make a card for a challenge this week, but then I also wanted to play with my new owl builder punch.  This fellow has been tempting me for months and I gave in and bought him with some of my birthday pennies.

Here is what I came up with:

My starting point was the sketch from Simply Stampin'.  I stamped the flourish in Old Olive a couple of times along the bottom, before cutting the panel of Crumb Cake designer paper into three and inking the edges a little.  I then stamped the frame, positioning the greeting from Happiest Birthday Wishes where I wanted it with my trusty stamp-a-ma-jig.  The owl was so much fun to make and I can see him appearing on many future projects.  He is punched out of Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Whisper White and Basic Black card.  The three panels were adhered to a piece of Whisper White before being secured to the Naturals Ivory base.

Here's a close-up of the cheeky chap:

Supplies
Stamp: Everything Eleanor, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Old Olive
Card: Whisper White, Naturals Ivory, Basic Black, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Crumb Cake from Neutrals Designer Series Paper
Other: Owl Builder Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Speaking of cheeky chaps, this is what mine was doing earlier:

To the left of this photo was the ironing board and a big pile of ironing I was steadily making my way through.  I think he was just rubbing my nose in it!

Thanks for visiting today,

Happy Birthday To Socks and Me!

Today I have a card not made by me: as it's my birthday, I thought I'd put my feet up!  About a year ago, my husband finally got all the hints about handmade cards being more special and now, three times a year, he requisitions my craft supplies for an evening to make my birthday, wedding anniversary and Christmas cards.  Apart from a minor amount of panic as he asks for help finding various adhesives or scissors, and a minor amount of amusement when he asks questions like "and where is your really bright paper?", it really is a treat that he makes my cards for me!

So today I am sharing his birthday card to me:

He really liked my Stampin' Write marker pens, pulling out a whole array of bright colours which made me wonder what on earth he was making!  I knew he'd finished the outside with the question "where is that thing you use to make cards flatter?" but then he had me worried when he asked "and how many different cat stamps do you have and where do you keep them all?"  We're both cat mad in this house!  But check out his amazing colouring with the blender pen - it's better than I can do!

Today is also our nominated birthday for Socks as we collected him from the rescue centre a year ago to this day!  It's amazing to think what a big place our little fur ball has in our lives!  I think he knew it was our birthday today as he let me have a lie-in... very much appreciated, Socks, thank you!  He's radiator hugging at the moment as it's so windy outside.

I wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday with my blogland friends, but I'm not a fan of candy... I follow people because I like what I see and I hope the same goes for me!  So it isn't much, but I would like to send someone in the UK a free Idea Book & Catalogue (RRP £5.95) as whether or not you are as crazy about Stampin' Up! as me, the Idea Book really is jam packed full of ideas and is bound to spark creativity.

I didn't want to exclude my blogland friends beyond our shores, so I would also like to send someone a little handmade something as I'd send you all something if I could.  If you're interested in either, just say so in a comment.  I will draw two names from a hat tomorrow night.

Now, what to do today to celebrate.... I think I might have a little craft!

Thanks for visiting,

Spring Colours Meet Autumn Leaves

Firstly, a big thank you for all your well wishes after my operation.  I have been starting to feel a bit better over the past two days so I'm hopeful that I've turned the metaphorical corner and am on the mend.

It's Lucky Dip week at Less is More and Chrissie and Mandi have chosen a fabulous colour palette from Design Seeds to inspire us!  I must admit I can be a bit narrow when left to my own colour devices and I tend to neglect lovely pastel shades so it was nice to play with these.

I was inspired by a rainbow colours card by Lousette Ashton in March's Craft Stamper where she created a spectrum.  It looks like this technique will work with most colour combinations.  I also wanted to try to come up with another use for my postage stamp punch.

Here's what I made:

I punched some squares out of card scraps and layered them up on dimensionals, tying some linen thread across the bottom square.  The spray of rushes was all stamped on scrap Confetti Cream card and fussy cut out, again tied with linen thread and glued into place.  The sentiment was divided up onto two lines using my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Here are a couple of other views:

Supplies
Stamps: Autumn Days, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess)
Inks: Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake
Card: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Confetti Cream
Other: linen thread, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I'd be delighted to help answer any questions about SU or order some goodies for you.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch, either by email or by phone on 07977 141605. While Sale-a-bration has now finished, there is a new offer running to earn free designer paper if your order comes to £45 or more.  Please click the link in my sidebar to learn more.

Socks is being very naughty today, jumping up on the table and trying to get my attention any way he can.  He reminds me a lot of Simon's Cat of video fame, especially in this clip:

Thanks for visiting,

Elegant Fresh Vintage

I've been playing with Fresh Vintage again today.  It's such a gorgeous stamp set, made even more lovely by the fact that it's FREE!  The other day I inked it up with marker pens, but today I wanted to see if it worked as well using an ink pad.  Answer: yes, it does!

Here is the first card.  The image and sentiment are stamped in Soft Suede ink onto Very Vanilla card.  Some linen thread separates the two.  I then mounted this onto some gorgeous striped paper from the Mocha Morning series.  (This paper is so wonderful: 8 sheets have metallic ink and 4 have luxurious black velvety flock.  It took a lot of will power to cut into it as it is so beautiful!)  The base is made out of Crumb Cake (Anne-Marie's favourite!).

Here's a close-up:

Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Vintage (Sale-a-bration free set), Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)
Ink: Soft Suede
Card: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Paper: Mocha Morning Designer Series Paper
Other: linen thread, Stamp-a-ma-jig


I then fancied a black and white classic card so created a pattern using the same bloom as above but in Basic Black ink and on Whisper White card.  Can I just say that I LOVE my new Stamp-a-ma-jig!  It makes stamping in the right place a breeze.  I have no idea how I managed to craft for so long without one!

I love the shape of the sentiment. It's from the same stamp set as the sentiment in my first card - a humongous stamp set with 11 different birthday sentiments.  Some of them are a hefty size too.  It's a hostess set, available for just £20 in wood or £16 in clear mount!

Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Vintage (Sale-a-bration free set), Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)
Ink: Basic Black
Card: Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig


I'm hard pushed to choose a favourite.  I wonder what other inks Fresh Vintage would work well with?

I'd like to enter these cards into the Stampin' Sisters in Christ 'dark and light' challenge based on Ephesians 5: 8-9 and the Crafty Ribbons 'birthday' challenge.

You can get Fresh Vintage for absolutely free with an order of £45.  I've only used one stamp out of the set so far, so I will try to get organised to show you what else is in there.  It's a remarkably versatile set.  If you have any questions or if you would like to order SU goodies, please feel free to contact me by email or by phone.  I will be delighted to help!  Remember I have a free P&P offer for my first three customers (meaning more money for goodies!) and a prize draw to win a set of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.

There's a delicious smell coming from the oven so our potato, mushroom and veg bake must be ready.  Noshing time...

Thanks for visiting and happy stamping,