White on White

I have seen several cards made using white on white, so I thought that I would give it a go. I have used White embossing powder on a Versamarked image from the Charming stamp-set. This I have layered on White, on top of a white frame cut out after using the Textured Impressions Designer frames Embossing folder. I threaded the White ribbon over the frame sides and under the Charming image and stuck this on top of the joining line where the two different textured halves of the card meet. These were embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper and the Stripes embossing folders. Then the compulsory bling added - Basic pearls today!
You may have to zoom in to the picture to see the detail of the embossed flower.
I am quite happy with this card - so - who shall I send this one to?
If you would like to receive this card, simply leave me a comment and I will do a draw for the winner (names in hat!) and will post this out to you.

Easter Bunny Bookmark

Tomorrow I will be spending the morning at the Library. It is the Easter Coffee morning, organised by the Mexbro Lions, for local children, and I will be doing Easter projects with them (ably assisted by my good friend Sue).
Here's one of the Easter Bunny Bookmarks they will be making - all punched using SU punches:-
Head 3/4" circle
Body 1" circle
Ears Blossom petals builder (smallest petal)
Assembled on top of the Extra large Oval punch
The tail is a pom pom from my stash
and the whiskers are drawn on.
Think they will enjoy making this one!

And there's more!

Isn't it strange how different the same card looks when you make it in a different colour.
Here is Chris's (sis-in-law) version of the patchwork card using Pool Party, Early Espresso and Soft Suede for the colour combo - it looks totally different again to my pink version.

Patchwork thank yous

Here are a few more thank you cards that I have made, this time using the patchwork technique.
I stamped co-ordinating colour cards, with co-ordinating inks - in this case, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip and Soft Suede, and used Melon Mambo embossing powder with white Craft ink for the embossed piece.
The stamp-sets used were Charming, Creative Elements, En Francais, Fine Flourish, Vintage Vogue and Medallion.
Then I cut them all with the 1.1/4" square punch, then pieced them back together randomly.
These were then matted up onto a Crumb Cake square and then layered onto a 10cm square Pink Pirouette card.




And closer up views

Welcome Yuki

This afternoon I signed up a new Stampin' Up! recruit, my good friend and customer , Yuki.
To welcome her to the Stampin' Up! family I made her this card.
You can see that it is the same design as one made previously, but doesn't it look different with Poppy Parade as its base colour. The papers are the Sale-a-bration Everyday Enchantment DSP and the stampset is Outlined Occasions, coloured in with Stampin' Write marker pens.
She was really thrilled with this.

Pillow box die Owl

My friend Beryl (Lyn's mum) came last night to collect her SU order and I showed her Monica's blog, which featured little Owls made using the pillow box die.
Beryl make boxes and bags to raise money for various charities and was really interested in these, so after she left, I visited Monica's blog again.
I had a go at making this little sweetie in Peach Parfait and matching DSP, plus various punches - I'm sure you can work out which ones were used.
Anyway, Beryl is calling again this afternoon and I will give her this little owl, then she will be able to CASE it for herself - she bought the pillow box die this month!

Hole in One

Those who know me well know that I love my golf. Well, yesterday, as Barry and I were playing on the 15th fairway, our son Simon, came across from the 5th fairway to tell us that he had had A HOLE IN ONE!!
This is no mean feat - and it's not something that every golfer achieves in their lifetime! (To date neither Barry nor myself has ever had one - the nearest I have been has been a foot away from the pin!)
We didn't have the time to spare to wait for him to come the clubhouse and celebrate with a drink (he was a good two hours behind us), but I understand that there were drinks all round on his arrival.
To mark the occasion I have made him a card to celebrate the achievement and posted it on facebook, and will pass it on personally later today (when he comes home from golf!!)
Hope that he likes it and spots the hidden message.

March thank you cards

Afternoon everyone.
Here is one of the many thank you cards that I have made for my customers this month.
I like to give them all a card to thank them for their orders, but never write on them and then they can use them again!.
As I have done a few faux mother-of-pearl cards, I thought that my ladies might like one for themselves.
I have used Frost White shimmer paint, glossy white cardstock, Basic Black cardstock.
Bashful blue ink is sponged over the shimmer paint and the swirl motif from Creative Elements is stamped in Night of Navy. Sentiment is from Just Believe.
A big Thank you to all my customers and friends!

Get well soon John!

I will be playing golf with our Lady Captain Joan tomorrow. Her husband had a heart attack last week (whilst at the golf club), but is home now and on the mend, so I thought that I would make him a get well soon card to wish him a speedy recovery.
Basic colour combo is Old Olive and Bashful Blue. I also used the Sale-a-bration DSP and stamped and then punched the pennants using the Petite Pennants punch.

SAB DSP

Hello everyone.
Not made any cards today. This morning I went swimming, then to the hairdressers, then to Stuart's funeral, so I wasn't in the mood for crafting.
So - not wanting to disappoint you, here's a card I made the other day, utilising the blue and green papers within the Sale-a-bration Everyday Enchantment DSP.
I have used the ones with the red, orange and green quite a lot, so I challenged myself to make a pretty card using a Bashful Blue and Old Olive colour combo.
I used the flower stamp from Charming, framed in the Designer Frames embossing folder and used some (now retired) Bashful Blue ribbon slotted through the frame, underneath the flower panel.
Sentiment id from Just Believe.
Well there you are folks - and I resisted the urge to pop the usual bling on this card, as I thought it would be suitable to post normal first class rate then!

Had to do a card for my Aunty today - it's her birthday on Saturday, so I thought I had better get it done whilst I have the time.
I used one of the sheets of Faux Mother-of-pearl that I had left over from the last batch.
I stamped the Medallion Stamp on this in Early Espresso ink, and cut a strip of Early Espresso and punched a Dotty Scallop Ribbon in the MOP card and stuck this on top.
I then stamped the scalloped For you sentiment (from a retired stampset)in Early espresso on another piece of MOP card and punched it out using the scallop circle punch. I finished it off with a bow of early Espresso 1/8" ribbon

Utah 2013

Afternoon everyone.
Had some terrific news earlier today - my Stampin' Up mummy, Julie, has achieved the 2013 Utah incentive trip. I am so pleased for her - she really deserves this.
In honour of the occasion, I have made her this card.
I used the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet dies to cut out "Utah" with the Red Glitter card. The DSP is Berry Blossoms and the Cardstock is Cherry Cobbler. Sentiment from Curly Cute. No added bling today - the glitter card is bling enough!

Sale-a-bration 65th!

Well it's nearly the end of Sale-a-bration, so if you want to earn free stamp-sets you really will have to get your skates on - with only 12 days left to go!
This card uses the Outlined Occasions set and I have found it particularly useful for men's cards.
This card is for our friend Alan who is 65 tomorrow (you wouldn't have guessed that if I hadn't told you, would you!)
Colour combo is More Mustard, Next to Navy and Cajun Craze with Very Vanilla.
The Just Perfect Alphabet was used for his name and I had to resort to peel offs for the 65 as I couldn't find my Rub offs!
Mmmm I like this!

Another Beautiful Butterfly.

On Saturday I had my monthly Saturday Morning Workshop and one of the projects my ladies made was this beautiful butterfly made with the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die.
This is Chris's (yet another Chris!) and she chose to make hers in tangerine Tango, which is a colour that I haven't used much at all - and I think it's beautiful - well done Chris!.

Simply Soft

This is a card that I made when at Christine's yesterday, using one of the hostess stamp-sets - Simply Soft.
This is a two step stampset - don't look too closely at it, as, even though I used the stamp-a-ma-jig, it's not quite right! I will do this card again as I really like it - and I will take a bit more time to make sure that I get it right.
My crafting ladies love it when I make a mistake - they say it makes them feel better!!
Colour combo here is Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade. The sentiment is stamped on Vellum with a retired stamp-set Wonderful Words.

Maggie's Birthday

Hi everyone. Sorry for the very late posting tonight. Barry and I have just returned from visiting Christine (Stuarts widow)and have spent a couple of hours with her and her daughter.
Earlier today, I went over to Chris's (sis-in-law) for our weekly crafting get-together. The card that we made, I have personalised for my sister Maggie's birthday on Sunday.
I can safely post it tonight as Maggie doesn't do blogging!
The colour combo that I have chosen is Pink Pirouette and Basic Gray with Whisper White.
The stamp-set is that old favourite Vintage Vogue and the initial M is from the Broadsheet Alphabet set. The right hand panel of Pink cardstock is embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. Once again I have used the Textured Impressions Designer frames Embossing Folder to make the frame for the initial, and usual finishing touches of bling - Basic Pearls.

Good luck Lady Captain

I can't find the photo that I was going to post today, so instead you can view the card that I sent to our new Lady Captain who accepted her blazer and the Captaincy on Monday night at the AGM.
You can see that this is not a SU stamp, but its one that I turn to for golfing occasions.
Good Luck Joan, have a fabulous year, and here's hoping that John has a speedy recovery- thinking of you!

Cheryl's Birthday Card

Yesterday was our friend Cheryl's birthday, so as I was on a roll with the Faux mother-of-pearl cards I carried on and made this for her.
The colour combo again is Marina Mist, Basic Gray and Whisper White.
Beau Chateau DSP and Easter Blossoms stamp-set.
The initial C is stamped from the Broadsheet alphabet and usual bling of Basic Rhinestones.
Hope you had a fantastic day yesterday Cheryl!

Sprinkled Expressions Cards

A short time ago we took the dreaded telephone call telling us that our dear friend Stuart has passed away this afternoon round about 1:45 p.m.
As you can imagine, I am not in the least mood to craft , so instead I will post you last Thursday's Craft Class ladies cards.
They were given free reign with the Sprinkled Expressions SAB stamp-set and here are the results.

This is Jan's card - I think it was for her daughter




and this is Sue's card - she wanted to do a card for a man -
think that this is quite suitable

Speedy recovery card for Stuart

Here's the card that I made to hopefully cheer up Stuart and wish him a speedy recovery.
He is certainly not over the worst, as he faces the prospect of open heart surgery, but thankfully he is holding his own at the moment.
This is a card that I have made before, using the Owl punch and the sentiment is from Hopeful Thoughts.

Another Faux M-O-P Card

I enjoyed playing about so much the other day, that today I decided to have another go at this faux mother-of-pearl technique.
This card is for a very dear friend of Barry and myself, whose husband was rushed into hospital yesterday morning with a heart attack. It was uncertain whether or not he would survive the night. Thankfully he has survived the night, but is still critically ill and will need open heart surgery if he can survive the next 5 weeks. This called for a very special card, to let Christine know that we are thinking of her.
Very similar to yesterdays posting, but today the colour combo is Marina Mist and Whisper White with a little bit of Beau Chateau DSP and Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta ribbon - usual bling of Basic Pearls, and stamp-set Easter Blossoms.

Easter Blossoms - Faux Mother of Pearl Technique

Reading Sarah Jane's blog on Thursday reminded me that I have not yet tried out the faux mother of pearl technique, so I googled it and found a video on U Tube that demonstrated it quite well. Then yesterday when Chris came over and later on Lyn joined us, we all had a go at this ourselves and enjoyed a messy time making the backgrounds. Here's my card that I did - inspired by Maria's blog here

Another Beau Chateau

Chris (sis-in-law) has been over today for our weekly crafting get-together and she brought with her a card for me to case.
The Colour Combo that I have used (slightly different to Chris) is Pink Pirouette, Crumbcake, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla.
The stamp-set used is Charming. The ribbon is some retired SU ribbon tied in a Julie bow. 1.1/4" and 1.3/8" circle punches, plus the scallop circle punch used.
Mocha Morning and Beau Chateau DSP used.Textured Impressions Designer frames Embossing Folder used and finishing touches of Basic Rhinestones.

A simple Sympathy Card

I had a phone call yesterday afternoon telling me that our next door neighbour (from our previous house) had died, so today I made this sympathy card for his wife.
These are cards that we all hate doing, but I try to keep them CAS (clean and simple)
I have ink-dusted the background circle in Chocolate Chip, then stamped the tree and the sentiment from Hopeful Thoughts. A few tiny basic pearls finishes it off. I am sure that this will let June know that we are thinking of her at this sad time.

Mothers' Day Easel card

Hi everyone - same style card today as yesterday, but this time with a colour combo of Night of Navy and Pretty in Pink.
Stamp-set used is Creative Elelements and the sentiment is from a retired SU Hostess set - Something to Celebrate.
Navy ribbon from my stash. Basic pearls as the obligatory bling!
Forgot to take the photo earlier, so apologies for rubbish piccie! Artificial light does not do it justice and I haven't got a light box.
Enjoy!

Easter Blossoms Easel Card

Today is day 2 of "ink up a stamp that you haven't used before" - so I thought I would make an Easter card.
I made the easel using the Sizzix die that Lyn has lent me (again)- I do think that it's unusual.
The Stampset used is Easter blossoms and I have stamped it in Basic Grey and coloured the blossoms with Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink. The ribbon is some retired SU ribbon that I thought went quite well with this design. A couple of pearls strategically placed on the greeting strip help to make the "Brake" for the easel.
The greeting is from Easter blossoms too.

This is the front view



Here's the arty farty angle side shot

Paisley Petals

What I would like to do over the next few days is ink up stamps/stamp-sets that have never been inked. I am sure that there are many others out there, like myself, who have many, many stamps that have never seen the light of day - never mind an inkpad!!
With that in mind I got out my Paisley Petals stamp-set and attempted (I stress the word attempted) to colour this in using Stampin' Write markers - must find my glasses!!
The card is an extra large Sizzix die that my new friend Lyn has lent me - its called Card, Layered elegant, and I thought that this design went really well with the stamp.
I picked out the Cherry Cobbler and matched the ribbon to it with a very simple bow.
Despite the grotty colouring in, I am quite pleased with the result - and will even have another attempt at this now!

Waterfall Card

Whilst whiling away my time surfing the internet looking for inspiration, I came across a tutorial for a waterfall card with a difference. (Or at least it was different to me!) I had a lovely time making this card, and whilst it's not perfect, I am really pleased with it.
If you fancy having a go the tutorial is here
I used some heavier weight cardstock so that the card would stand up without bending, and cut as per the tutorial.
I stamped the flower from the Faith in Nature stamp-set, along the top edge, front and back, in Soft Suede.
Then I cut around the top edge of the flowers.
Then the fun started- I coloured the flowers in Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Poppy Parade using sponge daubers- this gives a soft muted apprearance.
I then sponged Daffodil Delight underneath the flowers and around the edges of the front panel.
I diecut the M of Mum and stamped the lower case um in Old Olive.
Voila!

This card was quite difficult to photograph as it kept springing open, but here are my efforts




Card fully open


Card fully closed

Liebster Award

The purpose of the award is that each recipient has a small blog (less than 200 followers). They in turn nominate five other recipients, each of whom has a blog with less than 200 followers.
Leibster is from the German and means "dearest" and the award is passed to people who have inspired and motivated others.

Pauline Steward has been kind enough to award me with this, and you can visit her blog here.
http://pauline-paulinemargaret.blogspot.com

Thank you Pauline - I am truly flattered.

The list for my five nominated blogs is as follows, they are all people that inspire and encourage others.

This is my list and I would like to say a sincere thanks to you all.

Sally-Jo Houghton
http://stampin-sally.blogspot.com


Sharon Glynn
http://shari-anne-happycrafter.blogspot.com

Angela Dawes
http://sparklycards.blogspot.com

Alison Plummer
craftyalisoninlyon.blogspot.com

Julie Wade
http://ribbonkisses.blogspot.com

So in your turn, each of you should do these things:

1. Link back to the person who awarded you and thank them.

2. Post the award to your own blog.

3. Give the award to five bloggers (with less than 200 bloggers) you appreciate and value.

4. Leave a comment on each of the five blogs of the five people you nominate to let them know

Another Crimped card

My Craft Class ladies enjoyed making the diamond crimped card the other week and asked if we could do another - so this is what I came up with.

Colour Combo Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White.
I crimped the Whisper White square diagonally in opposite corners and used the Everything Eleanor stamp-set to stamp in the flat area remaining in the middle.
I then stamped the flowers again on a separate piece of Whisper White and then cut them out and shaped them, then stuck them on top of the original ones. I then added some colour with the blender pen and coloured the edges of the flowers with the Frost White shimmer paint. Dazzling diamonds were applied to the centres of the flowers.
Basic rhinestones added (fancy that!)
The sentiment is from a retired hostess set (Something to Celebrate)
Hope that they enjoy making this as much as I did.

Beau Chateau

I have just got back from Chris's (sis-in-law) after spending a few hours crafting with her and her friend Anita. We have had a splendid time and an excellent lunch, followed by delicious cream cake.
Here is the card that I have made (cos Chris's and Anita's were slightly different) - using Beau Chateau DSP, Marina Mist Cardstock and ink, and Charming stampset.
The Textured Impressions Designer frames Embossing Folder was used to emboss the frame and then the flower was stamped and cut to fit inside it.
A slit was made in the frame, and seam binding ribbon was threaded between the frame and the oblong (stamped flower) paper.
A cardstock ribbon was made using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, and a tiny butterfly made with the Beautiful Wings embosslit die A little bow was made to match, with a white brad to fasten, and Basic Pearls put the finishing touches to it.

Katie's 21st

Tomorrow it is my God-daughter (who is also my niece) Katie's 21st birthday.
It makes me feel old - I remember going to the hospital when she was born!
Anyway - forget the remeniscing - over to the card that I have made for her.
I am getting my money's worth out of these Sale-a-bration stampsets - this time it's the Outlined Occasions set that I have featured. (This was the set we used yesterday at Julie's).
The colour combo is the In Colours Assortment 2011-2012 - i.e. Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo.
I have used the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits Dies to cut out "Katie" and 21.
The flowers are punched with the Itty Bitty flower punch and the wording is coloured in using In Colour Stampin' Write Markers.
Linen thread is used for the tiny bows, and the usual Basic Rhinestones for flower centres and detail on numbers.
I am safe posting this now as Katie won't read my blog today, but she'll see this tomorrow on Facebook, as well as receiving her card and gift then.
Happy Birthday!!