For You

Had a busy few days this week, so when Chris came over to craft yesterday,

 I had to do a bit of searching on the internet for inspiration.

This is a card that we have cased inspired by the work of Jackie Aitken

and you can see

Jackie Aitken's blog here

Recipe : Colour combination, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, 

Soft Sea Foam (New Colour!) , Sahara Sand and Early Espresso.

Stamp sets - Jar of Love, Petal Palette, Love What You Do and Soft Sayings.

Jar of Love dies, Stitched Shapes Framelits, and

Share What You Love Artisan Pearls.

Thanks for the inspiration Jackie!

Ann's Waterfront Collage Card

And today's guest designer is from my Monthly  Saturday Workshop class

Ann!!  Ta dah!!

She has made a collage using the "Waterfront" stamp set. 

I think it's fabulous  - dont you !!

Charleen's card for Toria

One of my Thursday ladies (Charleen) made a card in class last week, 

based on the one that I made for Barry's Birthday 

SEE Barry's card by CLICKING HERE

This is the one that Charleen made

Her colour combo is Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette.

Isn't it fabulously "Blingy"!!

Love it!

Love what you do.

As well as the phrase "Love what you do" being part of Stampin' Up!'s

Statement of the heart, it is the name of one of the new stamp sets 

in the "Share What You Love" product suite.

This card features several items from this suite.

Share WhatYou Love Speciality Designer Series Paper

Lovely Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Pearlised Doillies (I have cut the middle out of this one to use on

another project, as the sentiment circle covered the middle.

Old habits die hard - waste not want not springs to mind)

The sentiment is from the "Love What You Do" stamp set.

Share What You Love Artisan Pearls.

Mint Macaron Cardstock and ink has been reinstated from 1st July

and the card stock is available in a "Share What You Love " cardstock pack, 

which accompanies Grapefruit Grove (new Colour) Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry.

The only thing on this card that is not from this product suite

is the stamped flower, this is from the Flower Shop stamp set, 

which sadly retires at the end of May.

I will be using the products shown above from this suite often,

 along with even more products that I haven't used on this card!!

What do you think of them??

More Accented Blooms

Another card using Accented Blooms stamp set and Tailored Tag punch,

but a different colourway to Cheryl's birthday card.

This one is in Sweet Sugar Plum,Pink Pirouette, (both retiring colours!)

and Old Olive

Serene Garden

Here's a card that Chris and I made at hers the other week

using the Serene Garden Stampset and Garden Scene Framelits dies

The sentiment frame is from the Stitched Labels Framelits dies set,

available from the 1st June.  (I havent got this set yet, but its on my never-ending wish list!!)

More Share What You Love DSP

A  sweet and simple design on this card

The DSP is available for cutomers to buy as part of the Share What You Love 

bundle this month, or can be bought on it's own when the new catalogue launches 

on 1st June.  I have really enjoyed making cards using these beautiful papers, and have

 actually CUT them, rather than stroking and admiring them!

The sentiment is from the Birthday Wishes for You stamp set

and the Dragonfly is cut in Rich Razzleberry card stock using one of

 the Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits dies.

Christine's impossible card for Cheryl

Here's the card that Chris (sister-in-law)

 made for Cheryl's birthday yesterday.

Its another "impossible card" and Chris used different dimensions to mine.

I love the "Share What You Love" Speciality Designer Series Papers

  they are such beautiful colours and designs.!!

These  papers will be available when the new catalogue launches on the 1st of June!

Yippee!!

Cheryl's Birthday sneaky peek

Today is my friend and S.U. downline, Cheryl's birthday,

 so I have made her a card featuring a stamp set that is in the new catalogue 

(due to launch June 1st) Accented Blooms and the Tailored Tag punch.

Here it is

This was one of the first stamp sets I put on my wishlist

when I first got a glimpse of the new catalogue online, 

as soon as we were able to pre-order, I ordered it, and am so pleased.

Its very relaxing stamping and colouring in -

though I dont profess to be an expert (don't tell anyone,

and don't look too closely, but I often go over the lines 

when I am colouring!)

Anyhow Cheryl - here's hoping you have a fabulous day

Happy Birthday!!

Another Double Z Fold card

You may recall that I have resolved to use my old stash and retired DSP

most of which I am using for Cards for Causes (Charity cards!)

Here's one card that I am saving for someone special,

so it will stay in my box for a while!

The DSP on this card is actually current until the end of the month, so I thought 

I really ought to cut it rather than  stroke it!

Do other crafters have this problem???

Card front view on display

Card folded flat for posting

Viewed from above to show rhe mechanics.

Stamp set used for border is Touches of Texture

DSP Whole Lot of Lovely

Flowers cut using Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies

and centres stamped with Colourful Seasons stamp set.

Happy Birthday Thinlits die used to cut sentiment.

Really pleased with the result!!

Chris's Birthday

No it's not sister in law Chris, but Brother Chris's birthday today.

Heres the card I made him.
Its one of the special ones that I like to make for the special men in my life!!
And I have even managed to use some retired card stock
and some DSP from my very old stash!!

Front View stood up for display

Card viewed flat for posting

Happy Birthday Bro!

Have a great day, see you  at 7:00 for dinner!!

Zig Zag fold card

Here's a different Zig Zag fold card that  Chris and I made last Wednesday.

view card almost flat

view card standing

view from above showing the shape of the folds.

This card features the 6" square Garden Impressions DSP

the card needs very little else other than a sentiment.

These papers will also be available from th 1st June!

Sympathy card

This is a sympathy card that I made using a card from 

one of the old sets of Project Life cards - even though they have now been replaced

 by Memories and More, I sometimes resort to using the cards for

making a card when I have to make a card at short notice.

They come in really useful!

All I did wasStamp the sentiment in Chodolate chip onto the blank circle, 

then added the little stamped flowers inked in Old Olive above and below

the sentiment - then  layer the card onto a Chocolate Chip Mat, which was then 

stuck onto a 7" x 5" White card blank.

I am pleased with the overall card and the colours.

Frank's birthday

Today it's our friend, and Golf Club owner, (who is also the husband

of my golfing friend Jo!) Frank's birthday and here's the card I made for him.

Its a design I have used before, as I think its so suitable for a fella, 

and I have just personalised it for Frank.

Happy Birthday and have a great day Frank

(though I can't see Frank seeing this blog as he is definitely not into crafting!!)

Bella and Friends

Here's a card that I made some time ago at a Monthly Training event, 

(when we were "playing" with Stampin Blends) and one of my friends saw this

the other day and asked if she could buy it for her niece.

The stamp set is "Bella and Friends" and the little doggie is simply

repeat stamped on the card, then coloured in with Stampin Blends.

Think I will have to make this card again, as I didn't really want to part with it!

Linda's Birthday card today

As promised, today I am showing you the card I made for Linda,

who shares her birthday with my Great Nephew,  Ethan and 

other Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Julie.

Here it is

Open for display

folded flat for posting!
xx

Two more birthdays today!!

As well as today being Ethan's birthday, it is also a birthday shared

by two of my Stampin Up Demonstrator friends, Julie W and Linda.

I will show you Julie's card today and Linda's card tomorrow.
Here's Julie's card

Open, stood up on display

Closed (almost) ready for posting!

I have used Thick Whisper White card stock for the card base,

which measures 7" x 5".

The DSP is Delightful Daisy, which is available until the end of the month or while stocks last.

The sentiment is from the Happy Birthday Gorgeous stamp set

and this is punched out using the Classic Label punch.
The daisy is punched using the Daisy punch (fancy that!)
and the yellow daisy centre is embossed then cut with the 1/2" punch

So Happy Birthday Julie and Linda, hope you both have a super day....

and Linda you should have received your card today, but I will blog yours tomorrow!!

Ethan's Birthday

Tomorrow is my Great-Nephew, Ethan's birthday, (that's sister Maggie's Grandson)

and the reason I am posting his card today is, that on the 15th May, 

I have 3 people who all have their birthday on that day.  

So I will post the other two tomorrow and the day after.

Ethan's a teenager and definitely won't be looking at Craft Blogs -

so I can safely post his birthday card today.

It features the "Hedgehugs" stamp set

and the sentiment is from Big on Birthdays.

Can you tell that I love these cute little Hedgehogs?

Happy Birthday for tomorrow Ethan

More Mens' Cards for Causes.

Remember the other day when I posted some men's Cards for Causes,

well I decided then that I ought to come up with a design that I could batch make

cards for men, when sending our charity cards out.

Here are a couple more of the designs I came up with.

These are reasonably easy to make and don't need ages spending on them -

just a piece of  DSP on a co-ordinating card base, and strips of coloured

card in lieu of ribbon. A Tailored Tag punched shape to set off the 

"Thanks so very much" sentiment, et voila -

a quick and easy but very smart card for a fella!!

Impossible card

I have seen a few versions of the "Impossible " card, in different sizes,

but they all work on the same principle -

the card is made from one piece of card - in my example its  7" x 5"

and the card folds completely flat for posting!

Here's my first attempt

Front view

Card folded flat for posting

Side view showing mechanics

If you fancy a go at this, there are loads of videos on youtube that you can follow-

If I can do it - anyone can!!

Graceful Garden - Get Well soon!

Here's another card made using the Graceful Carden stamp set.

It's to cheer up a friend who is not very well at the moment

so I wanted it nice and bright and cheerful for her!

It's a very CAS card, but I think it's very elegant in Gold , Crushed Curry

and Daffodil Delight, with a touch of Old Olive and a few

carefully placed tiny rhinestones - if you can spot them!!

I also used Wink of Stella on the rose, but don't think it shows up.

Hedgehugs - Cards for Causes - Thank yous!

Every month, the Stampin Up Team that I belong to, Julies' Jems,

choose a good cause that will benefit from our hand-crafted cards.

Some have been sold to fund-raise for charities, others have been

used to thank volunteers for their work with different projects.

Last month we sent cards to Care for the Elderly- who, amongst other things, 

 organise afternoon teas , and the organisation requested  thank you cards to send

to the volunteers who do these teas.  I found out recently that my Sister-in-law

Jane, volunteers with them and drives the old folk to these afternoon events.

Small world!!

I have done a batch of 50 assorted cards, and the most difficult ones,

 I am sure you can guess,  are cards that are suitable for men.

 I thought that these were quite acceptable,  and a little fun too!

Don't you?

Stamp set : Hedgehugs
Sentiment (retired S-A-B)) Simply Wonderful

My farming friend Anne's Birthday card,

Now when I say it's my farming friend Anne's birthday today, 

I don't mean that she has a farm,  or works on a farm, 

we are part of an online community who play a game called Family Farm Seaside. 

I have been playing this game for four years now, 

and I have made a friend of Anne as a result of chatting to her through the game.

I did think of sending her a card that was farm related, but decided against it!

Here's the card I sent her.

Colour Combo is Blushing Bride, Pool Party, Old Olive and White.
I added Wink  of Stella on the rose and leaves, but it doesn't show on this.
Stamp sets used Happy Birthday Gorgeous and You've Got This.

So here's wishing Anne a very Happy Birthday!!

Pat's Birthday

Pat is one of my "Ladies Wot Lunch" friends.

We get together monthly and go out for lunch and a natter together.

It's actually her birthday tomorrow, but she is away, so will

be celebrating it abroad! I have given her her card, and she

won't be reading craft blogs, so I can safely post this card today.

Its a card that I have done before in various colours, but I think
my favourite is this in Soft Sky, Smoky Slate and White.
The stamp set is Birthday Blooms which is retiring at the end of the month,
so if you haven't got this set and must have it,
better move quickly and get it ordered!

(I have another card to show you of someone else whose 

birthday is tomorrow!! so do call by and have a look.)

Bit Box #5 - Hedgehugs!

Aren't these hedgehogs just too cute,

and this is the first time that I have inked them up!

They are from the "Hedgehugs" stamp set

I combined these cute hedgehogs with a couple of strips

 of retired DSP that have been in the bit box for ages 

and had a light-bulb idea to make a man's card using these.

I really like this one!

Girly Pandas

A friend needed a birthday card for a little girl as her grand-daughter had had a last minute

invitation to her friend's birthday party and asked if I could make one quickly for her.

Here's one of my stand-by Panda cards that I have, and I add the occasion

when I know what event they will be for.

I will have to do a couple more of these now!

The stamps are from the Free Sale-a-bration Stamp set "Party Pandas"

I have found these useful for several occasions, and wont be parting with them!

Rita's birthday

Today is my cousin Rita's birthday
she is Linda's sister, whose birthday was yesterday!,

and here's the card I have made for her.

This features the beautiful new Share what you love Speciality DSP.

You can't see detail on this card, but the DSP has a beautiful Pearl finish on 

some of the papers, and this is one of them.

Its a set of papers that you don't want to cut, merely sit and stroke.

Do you know that feeling?

I have used the Birthday Wishes For You stamp set, and coloured in 

the "Birthday" in Rich Razzleberry with Wink of Stella on top -

not sure that it stands out on this photo,

Happy Birthday Rita - have a great day!!

Linda's Birthday

Today is my cousin Linda's birthday, and here's the card I made for her!

I do love the colour Pink, and I think it goes so well with Black.

 I have coloured the rose in with Pink Pirouette and put a matching layer of

 card on top of the black mat and layered that on a 7" x5" base card.

The stamp set used is Graceful Garden.

I think this looks quite elegant.

Happy Birthday Linda - have a great day!!

Sweet Sugar Plum farewell!

I thought that I would feature one of the In Colours that I am really,

really going to miss at the end of the month and that is

Sweet Sugar Plum - one of my favourites,

Here's one of my cards that one of my ladies, Charleen, selected 

as the one that she would like to make this week.

This uses the Swirly Bird stamp set with matching Swirly Scribbles Thinlits

and the Number of Years stamp set- and have you spotted the little butterfly

that I cut with the (retired!) small butterfly punch.

I have ordered more of this cardstock with it being my favourite!! 

A CAS Sweet Memories and More Card pack card,

Here a quick  and CAS card that I needed in a hurry the other day,

The Free Sale-a-bration Sweet Memories and More Card Pack has been

really useful for quick cards when you need one in a hurry.

I just stamped the sentiment, added the little flower spray top right

and coloured it in matching colours. Matted and layered the card

onto the Rich Razzleberry card and then onto a white base card.

A few rhinestones were the only embellishment.

------

Happy Birthday Sharon - Bit Box card #5

Today its the birthday of a fellow Jems Team member - Sharon.

Here's the card I sent her.

As you can see from the pictures only a small piece of the 

Delightful Daisy DSP was needed for this card, too good ton throw away!

The colours in the papers (Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral

are used for the card front and the stamped border and the daisy itself.

Card stood up for display - shows the mechanics

Card open showing centre panel for greeting.

Card Closed flat for posting.

The front panel is in Wisteria Wonder cardstock - another of the colours that 

we will be losing at the end of the Annual Catalogue......

but I cant wait to get my hands on the new ones that will be available from 1st June -

just a month away!!

Anyhow - Happy Birthday Sharon - have a great day!!

xxx