Seeing Spots - Simply Stampin' Challenge.

This week on the Simply Stampin' Challenge it is a Colour Combo - using Whisper White, Basic Grey, Rich Razzleberry and Always Artichoke. I love challenges like this, that invite you to use combinations you would never have considered before, and that push you out of your comfort zone.

I added detail to the ribbon by fixing eyelets through using the Crop-a-dile, and of course, a little sparkle with rhinestones. I punched a template to help me draw on the white rings, and I used the Signo uni-ball Gel Pen, so that the ink would show up on the darker card.

Please check out what the rest of the design team have made by clicking here. There are some lovely pieces of work!

Recipe:
Card stock: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Always Artichoke, Basic Grey.
Ribbon: Rich Razzleberry.
Punches: Eyelet Border, 1-3/8" circle large, crop-o-dile.
Other: Basic Rhinestones, Eyelets, cuttlebug and poinsettia die (non SU)

Happy Crafting!

Sail Away - Simply Stampin' Challenge

I loved the sketch this week, and thought it went perfectly with my new Sail Away stamp from the mini catalogue. The quality of Stampin' Up! products never ceases to amaze me, and even my husband commented that the image left by this stamp was just like it had been hand sketched! The detail is just fantastic.

I have rotated/flipped the sketch, but that is allowed, and I have also replaced the sentiment with a knotted cord detail.

Luckily I had the perfect little anchor charm to go with this stamp, which I have attached using linen thread to the top left corner of the stamped image.

Let me know what you think of this one, I think it is really versatile and I was going to use it either for a men's birthday card, or alternatively as a sympathy card (obviously with the appropriate messages inside). Which do you think? Let me know!

Recipe;

Stamp Sets; Sail Away

Inks; Black StazOn, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Various Watercolour pencils.

Card stock; Night of Navy, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Ribbon; Marina Mist, Linen Thread

Other; White and Brass eyelets, brass anchor charm (all non SU)

Easter Card - Simply Stampin' Challenge

I had a total nightmare with this particular card - I knew what I wanted to do, have a pile of eggs, and one hatched, but couldn't make it work no matter what I tried. Finally Niki came to the rescue, saying that I had too much orange - and she was right, so I removed some of the eggs and hey presto - much improved. I am very pleased with my little chick especially - any suggestions for a name???

- Post your ideas below...

And a close up of the little fella - 

I hope you like him!

Recipe:

Stamp sets; Occasional Greetings, For Everything, Fast Flowers

Inks; Real Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose

Card stock; Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Whisper White.

Punches; 1-3/8" Circle Large, 1/8" Circle.

Ribbon; Daffodil Delight

Other; Cuttlebug and oval die cutters (all non SU)

Happy Crafting...

My Nocturnal Visitor!

I have the flu. I came down with it on Tuesday and it sucks. I spent all day yesterday. with a mountain of tissues, paracetamol and a hot water bottle. 

But then, just to cheer me up - we had a hedgehog visit the garden!!! Growing up in London, I never saw a wild hedgehog before, so I was really thrilled and had to send my husband outside to photograph it for me on his phone;

Hopefully it will visit again in the coming weeks...

That is all for now, except to apologise for not making anything this week - I refer you to the above mention of flu, and sincerely hope you will forgive this temporary lapse!

Don'y forget to enter the Simply Stampin' Challenge this week... There are still great prizes to be won!

love Bx

Note Tote - Simply Stampin' Challenge

I was stumped for ideas this week until I saw a lovely little set of mini 3"x3"notes, and a holder for them. I just had to tweak the design and make this little set, and will be making more, as it is a perfect little gift for a friend to say thanks! 

I really like the colours for this challenge, and fetched out my trusty Versamark pad to create some darker tones (also handy when you don't happen to own some of the ink pads for the colours within the challenge!). Next time I think I might use some lace for a trim, or perhaps glitter the stamped images, or even make a giant holder as an alternative way to present scrap book pages!

I hope you like it, let me know what you think! Why not join me and have a go at the Simply Stampin' Challenge? There is some fantastic crafty candy to be won!

Recipe;

Stamps; Just Believe

Card; Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy, Pink Pirouette.

Ink; Pink Pirouette, Versamark

Punches; Scallop Trim Border, 1-3/8" Large Circle, Notched Corner (non SU), 1/16" hole punch.

Other; mini brads (non SU)

Flowers!

Just a quick post to show you a photo of some of the lovely flowers in my garden...

...I hope they make you smile!

Mothering Sunday Present.

So I wanted to do something special for my mum this mothering Sunday, and considering that Matthew and I have still not sorted out our official wedding albums, I decided to create this explosion photo box in the meantime.
So it looks like a pretty gift box...

 Then turns into an embellished mini album!

Here is a close up of some of the daisies I made, and the flower on the lid;

Recipe:
Stamp Sets; Simply Said
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red and Pink Pirouette.
Ink; Black StazOn
Ribbon: Pretty in Pink. Ivory satin - leftover from the wedding!
Punches; Eyelet Border, small heart, daisy and notched corner (non SU)
Other: Basic Rhinestones and Pearls. Fabric flower on lid leftover from the wedding.  Cuttlebug machine with die cuts and embossing folders. Designer Series Paper - Very Vanilla.


I am also entering this creation in a fair few challenges this week;


Our Creative Corner Challenge - 'Girl Power';
http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/2011/04/girl-power.html


Allsorts Challenge - 'Blooming Blossoms'
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/week-97-blooming-blossoms.html?showComment=1301919567643#c1526663951829511430


Charisma Cards - 'Bling and Sparkle'
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-13-bling-sparkles.html


The ABC Challenge - 'R is for Roses'
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/

I think 4 challenges is quite enough for one project! Let me know what you think...


Happy Crafting

Hope Card - Simply Stampin' Challenge.

Hello All!

So this is my offering for the BRAND NEW "Simply Stampin' Challenge" blog;

I am so excited to be on the design team from this blog, although it is a bit scary, as the standards are so high. This design is based on this weeks sketch, and I used the Strength and Hope stamp set from the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue. Stampin' Up will donate £1.00 from the sale of every Strength and Hope set to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, so book your workshop with me now to get your hands on this gorgeous set, and help to make a difference in the fight against cancer!

Recipe;
Stamp Sets; Strength and Hope.
Card; Certainly Celery, Pacific Point, Whisper White.
Ink; Certainly Celery, Pacific Point.
Punches; Scallop Trim Border, 1-3/8" Circle Large, Small Butterfly (non SU), Notched Corner (non SU).
Other; Basic Pearls.

The NEW Mini Catalogue has arrived!

Hello All!

I am so excited today, as I am finally able to share the fantastic new Mini Catalogue with you all! It is jam packed with top quality products, and I cannot wait to show you what we can do with them! You can  browse the new catalogue by clicking the image below;

As well as the Mini Catalogue, we have a FABULOUS new Challenge blog to participate in... ...and I am very privileged to say that I am on the design team! Click on the logo for the Simply Stampin' challenge at the left of my page to enter your creations for the chance to WIN brilliant prizes! - The challenge opens at 8am tomorrow!

I do seem to have finished every sentence here with an exclamation mark, for which I apologise, but those of you who know me will understand how bouncy these announcements have made me :)

Happy Crafting... x