Floral Frenzy - Simply Stampin' Challenge

So this week's theme was lovely, as I can't really get enough of flowers! However I could not get the photography right so please forgive the blurry image. I used the baroque border roller stamp to create the 'frenzy' background, and kept the main 3 images simple so the card was not overwhelmed.

I also made a tag to match:

Recipe:
Stamp Sets; Baroque Border, Fast and Fabulous. (Basic Phrases also used on Tag)
Card stock: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery. (Marina Mist and So Saffron used on tag)
Inks: So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Early Espresso.
Other: Basic Pearls. (Stampin' Dimensionals, Word Window and Modern Label used on Tag)

Happy Crafting x

A Walk on the Wild Side.

I have FINALLY got around to starting to scrap my honeymoon, and wanted to show you my first page, showing our fantastic elephant ride! I was so excited, and the day brought beautiful weather. I chose the bright limes and turquoise to reflect the colours of the Sri Lankan vegetation and flowers we saw on the ride.

I hope you like it, and I will be posting up some more pages later on...

Happy Crafting

Bx

A Flight of Butterflies

So I have had this idea in mind for a while, and finally got to sit down at the weekend and have a go. It is a candle surround, but could also be used as a lantern simply by adding some ribbon or wire to hang it up - if you do make one of these please remember your fire safety!

Using 2 strips of heavyweight paper for the top and bottom rims, I have linked them up with filigree die cut butterflies and leaves. When the candle is lit, it has the most beautiful ivory glow that shines through and casts the shadows over the wall - the butterflies appear to be dancing.

A little time consuming, but well worth the effort.

Recipe:
Card stock: 2 designs of vintage style heavyweight paper
Other: Cuttlebug, SU exclusive die - little leaves, marianne creatables butterfly die.

Happy Crafting!

Bx

Tired, but happy!

Just a quick update to say that this weekend's demonstrations went really well, and I made 2 and a bit scrapbook pages, 3 boxes and a filigree candle surround! - I shall try and get them all photographed tomorrow and posted up so you can see.

A quick thank you to Gary and Jenni who invited me to do the demonstrations, and a big 'Hello' to everyone who stopped by my stall to talk to me, either on Friday or today - I hope you liked what you saw, and I shall be running my next class soon - keep checking here for updates!

Happy Crafting...
Bx

Pillow Boxes - Simply Stampin' Challenge

This week we were back to a colour challenge - and I love this combination! I haven't got a huge amount of time to tell you loads today, as I have two demonstrations organised for this weekend and am busy preparing, but I hope you like what I have made.

I decided to experiment with various punches to make the flowers, firstly using 6 layers of circles for the green box, and secondly using the word window and modern label punches. Both the flowers are fastened through the centre using a knotted piece of pumpkin pie ribbon.

Recipe;
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Punches: Word Window, Modern Label, 1-3/8" Circle Large, Scallop Trim Border, Eyelet Border Punch
Other: Ribbon, Designer Series Paper, Little Leaves cutting die, Pillow Box die, cuttlebug (non SU).

Check out the rest of the design team's creations by clicking HERE!


Happy Crafting!

Baby Girl - Simply Stampin' Challenge.

This week's offering from the Simply Stampin' Challenge is a sketch. I am a recent convert to sketches, and cannot think how I ever managed before! When you have a mental block they just take so much of the hard work out of a new creation, and can push you on to pastures new when you are stuck in a rut - we have all been there!

I have a fair few friends expecting this summer, so thought I would use this as an opportunity to get started. This stripy ribbon from Stampin' Up! is fantastic in that it is a complete embellishment all by itself - and it comes in so many different colours!

I hope you like my card this week, I shall be making them in blues and yellows to. The stamp used is from the Fun and Fast Notes Set - such a versatile set that has something for almost every occasion!

A close up of the detail shows how I have used eyelets, a brad and rhinestones to embellish the image, as well as a small piece of card which I cut out to resemble the baby's quilt hanging over the edge of the pram.

Check out the other designs in the Simply Stampin' Challenge by clicking HERE - there is some great inspiration to be had!

Recipe:

Stamp Set; Fun and Fast Notes

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Regal  Rose

Inks: Blender pens, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Versamark

Ribbon: Pretty in Pink

Other: Designer Series Paper Pattern stack - subtles, Basic Rhinestones.

Non SU: Pink embossing powder, brads, eyelets and buttons.

Happy Crafting 

Apologies...

Hello everyone, I have had major problems with my blog account this week, it has not been letting me sign in at all, hence the lack of posts. I will try and catch up during next week as I have been making loads recently, and plan on spending most of tomorrow/today crafting as well. (My OH is away, so I have total freedom to craft! Yay!)

Hugs to all
Becky

Buttons and Bows! Simply Stampin' Challenge.

This week's theme from the Simply Stampin' Challenge started out as a bracelet, but as you can see, my cat decided to model it for me as a collar instead!

I was stumped with the theme for a while as I had no problem with buttons, or bows, but together? I just couldn't make it work. The solution came when I was doing some beading, and the idea struck. Although not your normal Stampin' Up! creation, this bracelet/collar uses their products for the majority of its construction, with just a couple of odd buttons from my sewing stash to finish it off.

Of very simple construction, it is a row of buttons sewn onto a length of ribbon. Some of the buttons have been stacked on top of each other to add interest, and 2 separate bows have then been tied, sewn through together to fasten, and added over the top to conceal the clasp. I used a variety of buttons, all from the neutrals collection, including the really sweet flower shaped ones you can see.

I have included a close up of this particular button stack (on the left next to the bows) as I had lots of fun using the Greenhouse Garden stamp set to MAKE the small button on top! Using shrink plastic and StazOn ink, I created about 10 of these little buttons and think they are great, although when I punched out the circles with the 1-3/8" punch I wasn't expecting them to end up quite so tiny! The Greenhouse garden set is fantastic as it is designed for 2-step stamping, a really effective technique, that lends itself to almost everything!

Lastly I would like to add, just in case you were worried, that he (yes, a boy!) wore the bracelet/collar under constant supervision, and did not show any signs of discomfort or distress. You can clearly see he is far more interested in the fish treats used to make him stay still for more than a couple of seconds! He wears a normal cat collar the rest of the time.

Recipe:
Stamp set: Greenhouse Garden
Ink: Black and White StazOn
Ribbon: Early Espresso Satin
Other: Neutral Buttons.
Non SU: Sewing thread, 4 vintage buttons from my sewing box, shrink plastic and jewellery findings.

Why not have a go at the Simply Stampin' Challenge yourself? Click HERE to see the creations from the rest of the design team!

Happy Crafting!

Congratulations!

I have to put this post up to offer my congratulations to my lovely mentor Niki and husband Ben on the birth of their first daughter Sophie!

Wishing them all the best...

Bx

Magazine Creations

Sometimes I like to treat myself to a magazine, as a way of keeping up to date with the latest crafting trends, and broadening my horizons with new ideas and techniques. This time I chose Creative Cardmaking (issue 26) and I am really liking it. I haven't bought it before, but may well do so again as the ideas and designs are very varied and there were lots of freebies!

This card is made using the free papers and die cuts from the magazine, following one of designs, but using slightly different papers from those suggested. The ribbons and brad used are from my stash.

Below are two more cards, both made from the free dies and papers that came with the magazine, the shaker card being one of the design ideas within the magazine, and the other is of my own composition.

I hope you like these cards, and will forgive me from diverting from my usual Stampin' Up! creations?

Come and visit again soon...

Happy Crafting!