Exam Success

A friend of mine recently passed her exams and now has new initials after her name!

I made her a card to say congratulations.

The background is from the backgrounds that I created at the Kate Crane workshop that I went to in May.

The image was stamped, coloured and cut out then mounted onto the background.

The flowers were stamped and cut out. After adding them to the card I added gems to their centres.

I finished with some dotted ribbon which I tied into a bow to the side of the card.

Quite a short post - but thanks for looking!

Thank you!

When Stampin' Up released their latest catalogue the 1 stamp that I knew I 'NEEEDED' was the Awesomely Artistic set - which is totally up my street!!

Anyway, I ordered it as soon as I could and it took longer than normal to arrive due to increased orders and excitement at the new catalogue.  As soon as my order arrived I opened it as quickly as I could.... to find that the wrong stamp set was sent.  I was soooo disappointed!!

I mentioned this on Facebook and one of my Stampin' Up friends contacted me to say that she had a new set that she was not going to use until after her holiday and so would send it to me and then I could send her my copy when it arrived!  How kind is that!!  It made me so happy and I received it the next day.

To say thank you I bought her some chocolates and made her a card and envelope.

I used the new in-colours and made a card using the You've Got This stamp set which I coloured in using ink and a water brush.

I then created an envelope using the Treat Bag framelits and banner punch.

I hope Kerry liked them!

I gave this to Kerry on one of our team training days.  As part of team training we all create 'something' to swap - and swapping is so much fun.

Here is the swap that I made for the training using the wonderful Awesomely Artistic set....

I stamped the Taupe background using the same colour ink.

I embossed then tore a mint macron panel and added a strip on dsp which had string wrapped around it and tied in a bow.

I stamped the label and cut it out.

The dragonflies were stamped then cut out then added to the card front.

The greeting was die cut.

I added silver string and sequins to finish.

I really do totally love this stamp set!!  In fact, here is another version made...

I know that I will get so much use out of these stamp sets - don't think I will ever get bored of them!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Baby!

A colleague's baby has just turned 1 - I have absolutely no idea where the last year has gone!

Here is the card that I made for him....

I covered a card blank using retired Stampin' Up paper.

I then die cut starburst frames using co-ordinating colours. 

The image is from the Stampin' Up Zoo Babies set - soooo cute!!  This was stamped onto a white starburst frame.

I created a bow using the bow builder punch and added a die cut '1' to finish.

Simple - yet pretty!! LOL!!
Thanks for looking.

Many Happy Returns Part 2!

I'm back again to share cards made for male friends and family.

This first card was for my brother, Ed.

The card blank was already patterned and so I did not change this.

I stamped the Stampotique image onto a journalling card and then coloured it using alcohol markers.

I edged this with walnut stain ink.

I finished with a greeting.

This next card was for my dear dad.

The background was a gelli print background that I made sometime ago in a batch.

The Unity image was stamped and coloured before being mounted onto the card.

I added Taupe ribbon and a bow.

I love the sentiment stamp - I found it at he Stamp Attic and knew I had to buy it.  The sentiment was stamped and then mounted to the card to finish.

Lastly is the card that I made for our nephew, James, who has just turned 15!  When did that happen??!!
I covered a card blank using cogs paper.

I embossed metal and covered the embossed image in black paint which I then rubbed off to distress it.

I die cut deco labels in black and brown cards.

The image was stamped onto a journalling card.  It was coloured using alcohol markers then mounted.

The cogs were die cut and mounted to finish.

All very different and I loved creating each of them!

Thanks for looking....

Many Happy Returns

It's time to share more birthday cards with you.... this time of year is certainly busy for birthdays!!

In this post I am showing cards that I have made for female friends and family.

This first card is for my friend Sophie. 

I started by covering a card blank using patterned paper from Stampin' Up.  These pads are now 6x6" which I am delighted with - I am so pleased that they have made this change.

I then die cut a window frame and embossed it.

The cup cake was created using the Sprinkles of Life stamp set and co-ordinating tree punch.... This is where I need to digress.... The stamp set is amazing!! It can be used for cupcakes, clouds, trees and whatever your imagination allows!!  What makes it even better is that Stampin' Up donate £2 to charity for every set sold!!  Then there is the punch - what is not to love about this punch?!

Anyway!!  I stamped, coloured then punched the image before mounting it to the window frame.

I added Mint Macaron ribbon and created a knotted bow and stamped sentiment to finish.

 

 

This card was for my sister, Laura. 

 

I used the same papers as I used in Sophie's card.  This time I used the Build A Birthday stamp set, which is really fun to use!

 

I tied a lovely bow using Cucumber Crush lace ribbon.  I love this ribbon - it's so soft and beautiful.

This final card was for one of my colleagues, Sam. 

I am sure you are sick of seeing this stamp but I just can't stop using it!

The papers this time are from the in-colour DSP stack.  Now, since I joined Stampin' Up in 2012 I have not bought these stacks.  I received a set in my starter kit in the beginning. I was never really a fan of the DSP - the patterns were ok - but never really my 'thing'.  They have changed this year though....and I LOVE them!!

Back to my blog post!!! 

All recipients liked their cards and I certainly enjoyed making them.

Thanks for looking.

Good Luck In Your New Job

A friend recently decided on a change of career and so I made a card to wish her luck.

I covered a card blank using patterned paper.

The image was stamped onto card stock and then coloured using alcohol inks.

A frame was created scraps from a previous project that had been embossed.

Delightful Dijon lace ribbon was added and a bow tied.

A good luck greeting was stamped to finish the card.

Kelly loved her card......  The image is certainly one of my favourite images at the moment!!

Thanks for looking.

Baby Congratulations

Recently one of my colleagues announced that she was expecting her first baby.

I don't get the opportunity to make many baby themed cards so  I couldn't wait to get started!!

I decorated a card blank with patterned paper.

I stamped onto a green panel with the cutest safety pin stamp. I added a punched border to both sides of the panel.

I die cut 2 star burst frames.

The pram was stamped and then die cut using the corresponding die.  It was then mounted onto the star burst frames.

A bow was tied using Daffodil Delight seam binding and a sentiment die cut to finish.

It's always lovely to make baby cards.... and look forward to making another when the baby is born.

Thanks for looking....

Thankful For Friends

I wanted to send a card to friends to say hi!   I was able to use some of the amazing new Stampin' Up products and so got a bit carried away and decided to make an envelope too!

The card was case'd and altered slightly from a card that I saw on Pinterest.

 

 

The envelopes were made using the Stampin' Up Treat Bag Framelits (which I adore!!).  I used the gorgeous Bohemian papers. I thought that these would be too bold for me at first but I have totally fallen in love with them.

 

I used the new Banner punch (you need this) to create different coloured banner and decorated with washi tape and other ribbons.

 

 

As I copied the card from Pinterest I won't say how I made it - but you can see that it's fairly self explanatory!

 

They certainly brought a smile to the recipients faces :)

 

Thanks for looking!

Birthday Boys!!

There have been quite a few male birthdays over the last 2 months so I thought that I would share them with you.

I love the Tim Holtz Robot Blueprints stamps - they are so fun!!

 

 

For the first card I decorated a card blank with patterned paper.

 

I die cut a Window Frame die them stamped the robot  onto it.

 

I coloured the robot in with alcohol markers then mounted it onto the card blank.

 

I stamped a birthday greeting to finish.



This card is for s lightly older boy.

I decorated a card blank with patterned paper.

I die cut labels in silver mirri card and grey card.

The robot was stamped onto the grey card and then mounted onto the card blank.

I cut a washi label shape onto the same card stocks and then stamped a birthday greeting.

I die cut a 'happy' die in silver mirri and grey card stock and then glued them together and off set them slightly before mounting to the card.

I had great fun making these cards - and I hope you like them too!!

Thanks for looking...............

Going Out With A Bang!

You will have seen that The Stamp Attic closed it's doors at the end of May so that Wendy and Colin could enjoy their retirement.

So.... I made sure that I attended the last 2 workshops there!!  And an even bigger plus was that the workshops were with the fabulous Kate Crane!

I won't share how we made the projects but I thought I would share my makes!

The Saturday workshop was based on drift wood.  I didn't have a clue on what to expect - but wow!!

Kate really encouraged me to push my fears of drawing and scribbling ..... and I am so pleased that she did!!!

The Sunday workshop was based on journalling techniques.

We tried lots of different techniques..... and I used a sewing machine!!!  Though admittedly I kept breaking it and Penny and another lady had to help me out!! LOL!

It was a fabulous way to end the era of workshops at the Stamp Attic.  I had a totally fabulous weekend. Thank you to Kate and Wendy for making it an amazing experience!

Rebel Stampers ATC Swap

I'm a bit behind with my ATC swap posts so I thought I had better catch up!

Through The Window

I coloured an atc with shabby shutters and broken china distress inks.

I stamped a Paper Artsy stamp to look like a garden.

I created a simple window frame using brown card stock and then cut curtains using patterned papers

Spring Card

 

I created an atc card (mini card).  I coloured the card using shabby shutters and broken china inks. 

 

I stamped a Paper Artsy stamp in dye ink and then coloured it with alcohol markers. 

 

To finish I stamped a Spring greeting

 

 

Craft Stamper ATC

 

 

I covered an atc using the gorgeous Prima Time Traveller papers (I may have gone a bit crazy and bought loads of this last year when it was released).

 

I stamped the image with dye ink and then coloured using alcohol markers.

 

I mounted onto dark card and onto the atc.

 

I stamped and mounted a Paper Artsy greeting.

 

To finish I added 2 decorative pins.

 

 

Pink and Green

I stamped various Paper Artsy images in pink and green inks.

The flower was stamped in dye ink and coloured with alcohol markers, cut out and mounted to the atc.

To finish I added a stamped quote.

Craft Stamper

I will be honest and say that I struggled with this stamp as it really didn't appeal to me. 

When I looked at  it though it reminded me of retro and days gone by.

I covered an atc with patterned paper.

The image was stamped and coloured, then mounted onto the atc.

To finish I wrapped small cotton reels with twine and added them to the atc.

.......So..... that's what I have been doing over the last few months!! 

Thanks for looking.....

One For The Boys.....

I actually really enjoy making cards for boys.  A friend of ours celebrated his birthday a few weeks ago.  This is the card that I made for him....

It's no secret that my other half is a car fanatic.... and so are most of his friends.  When it came to car stamps I found that I had to look in America for 'real' car stamps.  Anyway, I found this amazing stockist, When Rubber Hits The Road.... and I just adore his stamps!

For this card I stamped the image onto a kraft card blank in a random fashion and coloured them in.

I added patterned paper to the centre along with a strip of kraft and ribbon.

The image was stamped and coloured onto a deco label before being mounted to the card.

I stamped a greeting and added gems.

I was really pleased with the way that this card turned out.... and just love the stamp!

Thanks for looking.....

Better Late Than Never

I thought I would share some more cards that I have made for birthdays over the last couple of months....

 

The first card was for a friend, Becky....

 

I stamped the gorgeous JOFY flowers and coloured them using alcohol markers.  I then die cut them onto a label and attached to a card that i had covered with background papers.  I added a bow and gems to finish.

This next card was for a colleague at work who turned 50.

I covered a card blank with papers from Stampin' Up.  I then cut 2 labels.  One in patterned paper and one in card stock.  I stamped the Stampotique Moustache Monsters (aren't they the cutest).

I made a paper bow using the fabulous Stampin' Up bow punch.  To finish I added a paper scalloped ribbon and some normal ribbon, a button, and of course, a big 50!

 

 

This next card was a friend's little girl, Grace. 

 

I covered a card blank with Lili of the Valleys papers that were free in a magazine.  I die cut a label and stamped this adorable image which I then coloured with alcohol markers.

 

I punched out some flowers and added them to the card with a gem in the middle of each flower. 

This final card was for a colleague in my team at work who turned 21 at the start of May - 21!!  If only! 

I covered a card blank with patterned paper.

I stamped the image onto a label and coloured her in with alcohol markers.

I die cut a photo frame, greeting and numbers and attached these to the card.  I finished with gems.

So..... I have been busy over the last few months!!  I just forgot to blog!!

Thanks for looking.

Happy New Home!

My 'little' sister recently bought her first home..... really exciting time for her!

Here is the card that I made for her

The background was created in a recent Kate Crane class that I attended at The Stamp Attic. It was created using stencils and sprays.

The houses are from Stampin' Up and they were stamped and die cut.  I then chose to colour only one in before arranging them on the card.

Next I coloured and die cut a heart and greeting.

I even scribbled smoke coming out of the chimney.... which Kate Crane would be proud of as I froze when she encouraged us to scribble!

Simple but effective.... I think.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Today is my dad's birthday.....  I sent him a nice present which he has received and loves....  Here is the card that I made for him.

I started by covering a kraft card blank with patterned papers.

I stamped the image onto card stock and coloured using alcohol markers.  I then cut it out and added to a brown panel. 

I stamped the word Dad using a new Stampin' Up stamp set.

To finish I added a few gems.

 I just couldn't resist this image - it's so lovely!! 

I'm hoping that my Dad has a lovely day.

Thanks for looking!

Easter crafting.... just a little but late!

I meant to post these back in April but just never got around to it!

These are the cards that I created for Easter this year:

 

These cards were all created using the new Kate Crane stamps for Stampotique.... I adore them!! As soon as I saw them I thought I could use them for Easter.....though the OH didn't quite see it the way that I did!

 

The images were coloured using alcohol markers.

 

I also created little Easter gifts for friends and people at work

So.... that's what I did at Easter!  I also created little tubes which I filled with mini eggs but I appear to have not taken a pic of them.

Better late than never eh?!  Thanks for looking.....

Birthday Greetings....and a little something new!

It was my dear friend, Caz, birthday in April. Caz is one of the most talented people I know.  She can perfect many different crafts and it just leaves me in awe of her talent!

When it came to creating Caz' birthday card I decided to try my hand at something new.  In fact, it is something I did as a small child but have not attempted for years.  And I really surprised myself at how much I remembered.

So, here is my card....

I started off my stencilling clear texture paste through a stencil.  I left this to dry overnight.

I die cut 2 labels in co-ordinating colours.

The focal point of the card saw me knitting with cocktail sticks!  I thought this would be quite easy but cocktail sticks are so small and fragile it was harder that I thought!  I even added a bead to the end of each stick to finish the 'needles' off.  The yarn that I used was craft twine and I curled the remainder into a ball.

The knitting was then glued to the card.

I finished with a couple of greetings which were stamped and die-cut.

I actually enjoyed creating this card (don't tell anyone).  The knitting was quite exciting.... though it's not making me run out and start to knit a jumper for every member of my family just yet! LOL!

Thanks for looking.....

Birthday Greetings

I'm hanging my head in shame for how much I have neglected my blog!!

I will try to do better!

So, I thought I would share the card that I made for my dear friend, Wendy's birthday last week.

I started off my creating a card blank using Delightful Dijon Stampin' Up card stock.   I then stamped a flower around the background using the same ink. 

Next I added matching papers.

The flower (which is divine) is from the You've Got This stamp set in the new Stampin' Up catalogue.  I stamped this in Archival ink and then used a water brush and inks in Cucumber Crush, Watermelon Wonder and a hint of Delightful Dijon to colour the image in.

This was then die cut and layered onto card stock before layering onto the card blank. 

I tied vanilla seam binding around the card and tied it into a bow.  I added a matching resin flower and a pearl to the centre of the flower. 

To finish I added hat pins and pearls.

Next I wanted to create a matching gift card envelope.

 

 

I hope you like my card and envelope..... I know that the recipient did!

 

Thanks for looking....

#3 Up Takeover The Paper Artsy Blog

It's the end of the semester over at Paper Artsy and that means one thing - the #3up followers get to take over for a few days!

I was lucky enough to be selected for this and the colour scheme I chose was purple, yellow and a hint of blue.  I chose this colour scheme because it was out of my comfort zone.

We also then had to choose from the themes illustrated throughout the semester.

I made one project and then loved the scheme so much I created another!  You can see the submission on the Paper Artsy blog here

Here are my creations:

 

For this I chose the techniques of fragile papers and grunge paste.

I brayered then stamped over a sheet of tissue paper.......

Then tore it all up!  (as you do!!)

This was then glued to a 6x6 canvas board

I coloured grunge paste with various colours of Fresco Finish paint then stencilled onto the board in different areas.

The border, house and flowers were stamped onto card and painted then cut out and adhered to the board.

To finish I stamped a quote onto tissue paper and adhered to the board and added white marker in places to make the stencilling stand out.

My second project was very different!

I used fragile papers and grunge paste again from the techniques.

I got completely carried away with this and did not take any photos during the creating!

First, I painted a 6x6 canvas board with yellow submarine Fresco Finish paint. 

I then randomly stamped the stars in purple.

I coloured grunge paste in 2 colours and used these to stencil a border and circles.

The main image and quote were stamped onto tissue paper then painted and adhered using matt medium.

So there you have it!!  Thank you to the Paper Artsy team for giving me the opportunity to join in again.

Make sure you pop on over to the blog to see everyone else's fabulous creations.

Thanks for looking

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.

Here is the card that I made for my wonderful mother

I stamped a Wisteria Wonder card blank with the 'Mother' definition. 

I inked around a doily using Sahara Sand ink

I die cut a Window frame in Sahara Sand and stamped the flower images using Wild Wasabi and Wisteria Wonder.

The bow was die cut from Sahara Sand ink and stamped randomly before putting together and attaching to the card front.

I then decided to decorate the inside

I stamped roses in the corners in Wisteria Wonder and stamped a greeting in Sahara Sand.

There was a vintage feel to the card and I hope that my Mum likes it.

Thanks for looking.....