A Very Happy Birthday

Today is my dear friend, Wendy's birthday.  I have a very special present arranged for her in a couple of weeks and so wanted to create a special card to give to her on the day.

I wanted to show her how much her friendship means to me and so I used this wonderful Paper Bag studio image.  True friends really are like family and so this was perfect.  I added stencilling to the bottom left of the stamped image to add a filler.

The background was created using the Gel Press.  Blues are one of Wendy's favourite colour schemes and so I knew that this would be the scheme for the card.  I used my favourite PaperArtsy Fresco  Chalk Acrylic Paints and created my mono-printed background.  I also used Chalk Fresco Acrylic paint through a mini JOFY stencil.  At this stage I always go through the stage of not liking my creation, but I know that I have lots more layers to go.

Once this was dry, I added further stamping using a mini PaperArtsy script stamp and blue Archival ink and the amazing Seth Apter background stamp using black Archival ink (I must add that this has soon become a stamp that I use so often it is always on my desk!!).  I also used the Stampotique Kate Crane Marks cube to add some lines and scratches.

I then started to highlight areas in white and add some scribbling (Kate Crane told me that I would never look back once I got used to scribbling and she was right!).

To finish my background, I added gold dashes in a few areas.

To complete my card I added some dried flowers (one of my flower loving friends will be able to tell me what these are).  I also added a scribbled border and a stamped sentiment.

I hope that Wendy has a fabulous birthday and I hope that she loves her card, and then just as the birthday celebrations are over, it will be time for her weekend away with me.

Thanks for joining me.

Happy crafting!

Rebel Stampers Circle Book Challenge

I've just finished my 5th circle book challenge with the Rebel Stampers.

What is it???  You get together with a group of friends, pick a stamp and create a page, send your stamp and pages to the nominated friend on your list and they then complete the next page for you using your chosen stamp.  You then continue each month until you eventually get your book and stamp back.  Our challenge has got bigger and bigger and this time 10 pages were completed.

I was totally delighted when it landed on my doorstep.  Everyone is so talented.

My stamp of choice was 'Alice' from Stampotique which I bought from The Stamp Attic.

Here are the pages:

My page

Margaret''s Page 

Sophie's Page

Mickie's Page

Von's Page

Becky's Page 

Jennie's Page

Sarah's Page

Janet's Page

Vonny's Page

Didn't they do fabulously?!  Each page is full of gorgeous detail and texture.  I love them.

Better start looking for a stamp for the next book!!!

Thanks for looking.

Rebel Stampers Tag Swap

Last month's tag swap theme was 'wrinkle free distress'.  Here is my creation:

I used the Tim Holtz wrinkle free distress method for the tag background and the monster.  The monster is the Key Keeper from Stampotique, which I adore.

The background stamp is from Tim Holtz and the quote is from one of the Dylusions ranges.

I finished the tag off by using walnut stain distress around the edge and adding a key and ribbon from my stash.  I am really pleased with the finished result - looks quite shabby and grubby, but in a good way!!

Thanks for looking.