So sad you're leaving...

As some of you may know, I have a part-time job with a rather quirky national clothing retailer. I really enjoy my time there and there is a lovely team of people who I get to work alongside.One of my colleagues has decided it is time for her to move on as she wants a career working with children, and so I volunteered to create a leaving card for everyone to sign.

My colleague is not a pink and fluffy sort of girl, so I wanted something a bit more fun and light-hearted for her to keep, with positive messages from us all written inside. I knew the perfect stamp set - a hostess set called Life's Adventure, but I was stumped for a layout - come to the rescue Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge!

So I flipped their sketch on it's side and here is the result:

I have paired the stamp with the totally gorgeous Moonlight Designer Series Paper, and based all my colours on those included in the paper designs (Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, Whisper White, Sahara Sand and Basic Gray). I love how the triangles in the designer paper echo the shape of the cute little flag on the back of the Bicycle!

I like to base my creations on the BLT formula (No, not Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato - but Background, Layers and Texture!). Initially I had plain white card as the base colour, but it really needed something a little extra, so I used the lovely new Masks from Stampin' Up - applied Versamark ink through the mask and heat embossed using the Iridescent Ice powder. Take a look at that glitter:

Sometimes it's the little details that make a card, here I have used some retired ribbon to create the bow - I would have used the lush new Stitched Satin Ribbon but it didn't arrive in time :(

I have used the oh-so-cute banner punch to create some tiny little flags:

Lastly another close up of that gorgeous bike and positive sentiment - looking forward to an exciting new future. I think this sentiment would be perfect for men, graduations, passing a driving test, or even a wedding card for cycling enthusiasts! A touch of colour using blender pens and water brushes works perfectly with the sketched-style image (Stamped in StazOn to prevent the colour running when I added water).

I hope you have enjoyed this card and blog post - please let me know you have stopped by and leave me a comment!

Happy Crafting,

Becky

Stampin᾿ Up! Supplies

Table built by craftingbecky.com

Life's Adventure Wood-Mount Stamp Set	Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad	Blackberry Bliss A4 Cardstock
Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad	Hello Honey A4 Cardstock	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad	Lost Lagoon A4 Cardstock
Dots & Stripes Decorative Masks	Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder	Banner Punch	Versamark Pad
Heat Tool - Uk Plug	Jet Black Stazon Pad	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Sahara Sand A4 Card Stock
Blender Pens	Aqua Painter	Fuse Fast Adhesive	Stampin' Dimensionals

The Two-Step Card (CASE)

Hello Hello!

Today I am sharing a CASE'd card with you (for those not in the know it stands for Copy And Share Everything) from the talented Julia Carmichael of Paper Into Love from the USA. She and her daughter produce some stunning pieces and so I thought I would tweak one of her designs to match the materials I had to hand. You can view the original card HERE.

I have used the same colours as in the original card for the stamping (apologies for the slightly orange cast to the photo above - not sure what is going on there!) but changed up the way in which the splatters were made (I used that essential stamp set 'gorgeous grunge'), the ribbon, and I added one of the oh-so-shiny vintage buttons. Here I have tried to capture the sparkle on the button as it refracts the light - but it doesn't do it justice. Tying through a little linen thread ensures the button isn't too glamorous for the card though!

I didn't have the same ribbon as on the original card, so I swapped it out for some ruffled trim in Pistachio Pudding. I am so gutted that this ribbon was retired as it is so so pretty. The next shot shows you more of the fabulousness that is two-step stamping - one of my go-to techniques for creating depth, drama and that wow-factor! Stampin' Up! do two-step stamping so well, and there are lots of designs to choose from. For those of you not in the know - two-step stamping is essentially a way of layering up co-ordinating images, so you stamp one colour directly over a previously stamped image in a different colour - usually using the Stamp-a-ma-jig tool to help you line them up.

I am off to guide camp in just over a week, there are lots of preparations to be done for that - so forgive me if I am a bit quiet for the next fortnight! Fingers crossed it doesn't rain too much while living under canvas...

Happy Crafting

Becky

Stampin᾿ Up! Supplies

Table built by craftingbecky.com

Too Kind	Gorgeous Grunge	Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons	Linen Thread
Baked Brown Sugar Classic Stampin' Pad	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad	Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad	Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad	Card Stock A4 Baked Brown Sugar	Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana	Whisper White A4 Card Stock
Scallop Edge Border Punch	Stampin' Trimmer	Snail Adhesive	Mini Glue Dots

A new arrival...

Good morning all! I hope today finds you well? I received some good news last week - my cousin and his wife welcomed their little boy into the world. To make it extra special my cousin came back that day from deployment to Afghanistan where he is in the armed forces. What a welcome home present!

Baby Lucas is totally gorgeous and I have loved seeing all the photographs of him. It is such a great reminder to me to stay positive and appreciate that the best things in life aren't things!

Today I am sharing a card that I designed for my monthly card club ladies and which with perfect timing I have been able to send to the new arrival. 

Do you recognise the embossing folder? Yes it is the one from Sale-A-Bration earlier in the year! I am so glad it has made a comeback as it is so fun and very versatile. Why not use it as snow for Christmas cards, or perhaps as exploding confetti for a celebration card? Here is a close up of that fabulous texture, here embossed on Coastal Cabana card:

Finally a look at the detailing on the card. I have been a bit naughty and used one of the stamp sets that is no longer available for the background, but wanted to focus on the colour combination which I LOVE - So saffron, Coastal Cabana and Pool Party. I was inspired by a picture of a beautiful tropical beach which I wanted to show you, but can't seem to re-find on Pinterest. 

One thing I would like to point out is the layering of the punched out shapes - This has got to be one of my favourite ways to create quick and easy accents - and use up all my bit of scrap card! The sentiment stamp set is one I return to time and again as I has something for every occasion, and in true Stampin' Up! style, perfectly coordinates with several of out punches.

That's all from me today, Happy Crafting!

Becky

Stampin᾿ Up! Supplies

Table built by craftingbecky.com

Label Love	Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Artisan Label Punch	7/8" Scallop Circle Punch
1-3/4 Inch Circle Punch	2-3/8 Inch Scallop Circle Punch	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad	Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party A4 Card Stock	So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad	So Saffron A4 Card Stock
Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon	Naturals White A4 Card Stock	Stampin' Dimensionals	Fuse Fast Adhesive