christmas robin.....

This one's for a friend, who's big day is 28th......

I always wonder if birthdays close to christmas are not as good,

because people are so 'wrapped up' with the festive season!

I'm sure their families must still make an effort.

I definitely struggle with creating their cards amongst all the mayhem!

I hope they still enjoy receiving them though..... 

The Countryside set is perfect for this gardening, hunting, shooting, fishing kinda guy!

I even stamped his envelope this time ( I often forget this finishing touch!)

Here's another angle.....

I love using the Apothecary Accents dies...so elegant.

The paper is from the halloween set....not so you'd know that though!

I just loved the colours, and it helped me design the scheme......

old olive and cherry cobbler being two faves of mine.

GREAT Nephew!

It's one of my great nephew's birthday today,

sadly too far away for me to pop round for jelly 'n' ice cream,

and some of that yummy looking 'mario' cake that his clever mum made.

This is the card I made him.....

I'm sure he's having a fab birthday!

He knows me so well!

Happy Boxing Day!

I hope you had a nice time yesterday....lots to eat and drink?!

I thought this might make you chuckle.....

Hope you are having a well deserved rest!

Happy Anniversary

Happy Christmas eve....

and Happy Anniversary to my mum and dad, yesterday.

I used the Apothecary Accents Framelits, Vintage wallpaper embossing folder,

lots of stamp sets, crochet trim, pearls, glitter paper,

all in red and gold.

Underneath is the envelope I stamped, so they didn't mix it up with their xmas card!

I was also chuffed to attend the christening of Darcie Rose yesterday too!

I hope you have a wonderful christmas, and that santa brings you something nice!

One more sleep!

Happy Christmas eve!

I just wanted to share a couple more things........

This is my attempt at another JKCards challenge...

I am really enjoying these challenges.

If you've never done one.....give it a go!

Just go to jkcards.wordpress.com, and choose a layout.

(This is the one from last Wednesday's.)

It makes me attempt things I wouldn't have otherwise tried,

plus it can also help get the mojo going!

The stamp is from Summer Silhouettes,

colours basic black, riding hood red, confetti white,

and I hope you can see the shimmer of irridescent ice?!

I used white craft ink to stamp on the black, then embossed.

I slightly curved the flower on my clear block, to get a slightly different angle.

I haven't decided who this one is for yet,

so I haven't added a sentiment.

lets eat cake!

This card was inspired by one we made with Sarah Piggott

I enjoyed playing with my Cupcake Punch again!

Also, I used my white gel pen for the first time...

I've been longing to try it out, and it flows really well,

 with a nice fine nib.

(I filled the 'cake' with it lol )

simples!

Only 3 more sleeps!

So this is probably the last of my christmas cards!

These were my quick and simples!

Still made with love of course :) 

This is another one of my faves.

I loved using the antique brad and ribbon,

and the dotty embossing folder is so cute. 

Unfortunately, we now have to think more about postage costs,

so this one was only for those I could hand deliver :(

Hope you are all tucked up in the warm, relaxing!

Table gifts

 I can show you a couple of designs I used this year.

I make quite a lot, hence they need to be quick and simple,

so if you're still trying to make some for yourself, feel free to try these!

 I used the Pillow Box die for these men's ones.

The Milk Carton die made these quick and simple too.

Then I made some simple money wallets.

I don't enjoy giving money as much as presents, but sometimes needs must,

and at least I can make something to put it in!

Sorry about the blacked out bits!

For me, this is the best part of christmas.......

making little things that will hopefully make people smile :)

Team day part 2

These are some more of what we got up to....

gosh we worked hard, didn't we?!

This is one of Sarah Piggott's.....isn't it fab!

I loved all the layers we did.

Affection Collection and Clockworks are the stamps used,

along with a cute ribbon slider...

This was my offering, using Countryside and Petite Pairs, 

along with a cute pin from the Vintage Trinkets.

Two fab cards for men!

This is a gorgeous neutral card by Jan (twinksstamping.blogspot.co.uk).

We used the masking technique with Betsy's Blossoms stamp set,

adding some of the pearls and crochet ribbon.....very elegant.

Team day

It's about time I posted some of the things we did at one of our mini training days recently!

This is Liz, my lovely downline's design,

a lovely triangular card, featuring the ornament punch from Stampin' Up!

I'm afraid I ate her 'swap'!

Jan from Twinks Stampin made this yummy swap, containing hot choccie sachet!

This is one of Sarah's from Stampin Obsession

featuring the gorgeous snowflake die, and hot pink card!

This was my 'swap' featuring the Countryside stamp set from Stampin' Up!

I'll be back with more soon!

challenge

Well, now for something completely different!

At our last mini training session, we decided to do a mini challenge!

We used a template from JKCards on a chosen day,

and this is my very first attempt!

I have to say, I think mine is pants!

BUT there is lots of room for improvement, and I did enjoy the challenge!

I was going for a 'male' xmas card theme....

I used paper from the Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack,

which is a lovely mini paper stack ideal for cards, labels etc......

the Merry Minis Punch Pack......are you 'getting' the theme yet?!

some crumb cake and riding hood red card stock,

and the little punched trees are from the Snow Festival DSP,

which are slightly offset from some red paper trees to make them 'pop' a bit more.

The greeting is from Beautiful Season.

I went Christmas shopping today, and am absolutely exhausted!

Only xxxxxx more cards  make, presents to wrap, etc etc....

it's a good thing it only comes round once a year!

Hope your preparations are going well!

Try and get some RELAX time, and of course some CRAFTY time!

lots of love to you all!

Heart of Christmas (yes more!)

Well, I told you so!

This single stamp from Stampin' Up! looks kind of un-exciting in the catalogue!

But, wow, is it versatile!

If you enjoy all these ideas, I hope you can join me at my classes next year!

This one was inspired by JKCards.wordpress.com

This was the first time I used the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack....

my piercing has improved since!

 I invested in the Stampin' Pierce Mat,

and the Paper-Piercing Tool which makes it much easier and neater.

The faux 'brads' are just small circles punched out of glimmer paper, cut in half.

 .............................................

This one was case'd from the Stampin' Up! Catalogue!

I love the natural look, the Wood Grain embossing, and all the layers.

I used the Adorning Accents Edgelits to create the 'frill'.

I used the matching seam binding ribbon, and some bakers twine tied around.

Hope to be back with some more inspiration soon!

Heart of Christmas (more!)

Heart of Christmas again!

I told you how versatile it was didn't I?!

Just shows how even a single stamp from Stampin' Up! can be such great value!

 Here's another case'd from Cary Buckham...

..............................................

This one I found at www.stampwithsandy.com

I love the embossed Perfect Polka Dots, and the Antique Brad, gives it an expensive look....

..................................................

This one was case'd from www.astampaddiction.blogspot.com....

again fairly simple, but elegant.

The background is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper,

the 'tag' is an Apothecary Accent Framelit, tied off with some seam binding ribbon

I hope these inspire your christmas creations,

and if you came to my class, they may serve as useful reminders!

Heart of Christmas class

Here's the cards we made in my last classes, where each attendee got the 

Heart of Christmas stamp from Stampin' Up! included in their fee!

We distressed the edges of the red layer, scrunched and inked the white layer,

stamped and clear embossed the sentiment, then inked over the top,

all tied off with some twine!

Here we stamped the background randomly, and added some layers.

The topper was inked in versamark, covered in Heat & Stick Powder,

heated, then covered in Dazzling Diamonds, then heated again...

everyone LOVED this one.....it's very BLING!

These were all case'd from the very talented and generous Cary Buckham,

see www.2biggirlscrafting.blogspot.com!

Heart of Christmas

Heart of Christmas is a single stamp from Stampin' Up!

Item 128129 and only £7.95 for a wooden stamp,

that is soooooo versatile!

The left one is another Merry Minis,

the right hand card is just using a small part of the Heart of Christmas stamp.

This one below shows the full sentiment,

mounted on Apothecary Accent Framelits,

spritzed with gold Smooch Spritz.

The faux 'brads' are just gold glimmer card punched with an ordinary hole punch.

This makes a nice sparkly card that's flat and easy to post!

I may have case'd this from JKCards....

More Merry Minis....

Here's some more ideas using Stampin' Up! set Merry Minis...

I made these a while back, but still like them....

it's always a shame the photos aren't as good as seeing them up close....

the blobs on the left one are rhinestones!

The one on the right has frosty white ink around the edges,

and came from lisacurcio.blogspot.com

I love the red and white scheme of these.....

nothing to do with being an Arsenal supporter!

The bottom one is just squares of white card, dry embossed with various

Stampin' Up! embossing folders, and some ruffled ribbon around the middle.

If you were my inspiration for these, please feel free to comment!

I'm trying soooo hard to be better at keeping note of where I case'd them from :( 

December

Well, can you believe it's December already?!

It's about time I showed you some more xmas cards I made a month or so ago......

before it's too late!

These were made using the Merry Minis Punch Pack...

a very cute and versatile punch set from Stampin' Up!

(126882)

Will say goodnight for now, but hope to show you loads more in the next few days....

welsh cakes!

Create a Cupcake from Stampin' Up!

was just what I needed for Carol's card....

Also used my fave die cuts at the mo...Apothecary Accents Framelits

The new matching Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack adds some detail.

The shapes on the right have been 'adapted'....

the gold background (yes I know it doesn't look gold, but it is! a lovely matt gold),

has had the centre chopped out vertically,

the pink background has been cut horizontally.

The sentiment is another new set...A word for you....

with a cherry on top!

Countryside

Hiya

hope this finds you well....

I'm slowly recovering from a nasty cold virus....sniff sniff....

and thought I'd share this card with you.....

Stampin' Up! stamp set Countryside.....again!

I started off trying to use West Ham's colours....Dave's team....

(well, someone has to support them, don't they! teehee)

and was amazed to find this Orchard Harvest DSP had a Tempting Turquoise and Bravo Burgundy

 included in it's miriad of lush colours that suited pretty well....

I then distressed some of the edges, decoupaged the fork and little bird,

and cut out a few leaves from the paper too...

This photo angle perhaps shows it off a bit better....

methinks I need to do a photography course maybe....if I had the time!

Anyway, I think this stamp set is brill for men's cards....

what do you think?

The sentiment uses that neat trick of punching out the same label,

cutting it in half, and making a mat background, to help the words pop.

I had to ink up the edges as well of course!,

because that always seems to help highlight the focal points.

Dave has an allotment, and with the autumn papers, I thought this made it very personalized,

which is what I love about making my own cards! 

Barbara

Here's one for an old friend,.....

again using that fab new butterfly punch, and a section of apothecary framelit.

I daubed some frosted ink on the matching Papillon Potpourri Stampin' Up! stamp set.

(Sorry it doesn't show up very well in the photo, but it's lush close-up)

I made a small smudge under the greeting, but instead of adding a flower or something, 

I decided to add a strip of ribbon.....

sssshhhhh don't tell!

You can always hide mistakes somehow!

Uncle Jim & Aunty Pauline

Hiya

all the best laid plans.......

had a horrible cold virus, and feeling rubbish, so bit late as usual in sharing the latest....

sooooo many birthdays this month....

here's my lovely Uncle Jim's card....

Using Stampin' Up! stamp set Countryside, layered up using apothecary framelits dies,

with some well deserved gold stars, using merry minis punches...

Aunty Pauline's is the day before, but shows how my brain is non-functioning at the mo...

Used my fab new punch for the butterflies, some ribbon, and the same framelits.....

colours were dictated by the pretty design series paper...

will have to add details later....

I sooo wished I could see more of my lovely aunt & uncle....

Grandad

We are so lucky to be able to share Alan's Granddad's 92nd birthday!

He absolutely lives for his garden......growing vegetables is his passion,

and Alan and I are reaping the rewards of sharing his wealth of experience,

having lots of fresh veggies all year round....

The NEW stamp set 'Countryside' is perfect for all occasions, all genders...

and the embossing folder 'Woodgrain' goes with it perfectly.

Colours Cherry Cobbler, and Early Espresso...

For Sharon

This was a LITTLE more simple (not a lot!)

Summer Silhouettes again (can you tell yet, it's one of my faves?!)

And the OH SO GORGEOUS NEW ELEGANT BUTTERFLY Punch...

(I'm sorry, but you just HAVE to get this one!),

stamped with Papillon Potpourri (OH SO GORGEOUS TOO!),

and covered in dazzling diamonds by using the clever heat and stick powder first.

The little flower decoupaged using Daffodil Delight Ink,

and some Crochet Trim. 

The sentiment is from A Word for You.....

Summer Silhouettes

Here's a collage-type card I made.....

Didn't turn out quite like I had in my head! (Do you find that?)

I blinged it up with some NEW Iridescent Ice embossing powder, and Rhinestones.

The sentiment is 'Beautiful Birthday', a lovely single stamp for only £5.95!

Colours - Melon Mambo (of course!), Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade. 

F-I-L

Hello!

So much to tell you, and so little time omg!

I have been madly crafting, and I have sooooo much to show you!

Here's one I made for my dear father-in-law..

my fave triple-layer stamping eh what!

I shall be back with more......

For Liz

Hello all, hope this finds you well.....

Here's the card I made for my lovely downline, Liz

I used Stampin' Up!' En Francais' for the background,

'Summer Silhouettes', (decoupaged the little flower),

velvet and new stitched grosgrain ribbon,

and some touches of sparkle that don't show up,

using the new Iridescent Ice embossing powder.

The sentiment is from part of 'A Word for You',

cut into a little banner.

We enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner with her, and some of our fellow lace-makers.

Team Sarah

Hellooo!

Hope this finds you well, and not too soggy!

We were meant to tidy up our local wood today, but it was such an awful wet dark day!

Yesterday, however was f a b u l o u s!

I hosted a training day for Team Sarah,

our lovely leader Sarah Piggott.

We had such a lovely day catching up, swapping ideas, and doing make n takes....

my idea of a perfect day!

Here's my swap contribution that I made for everyone....

I used one of the new Stampin' Up! sets, Countryside.

The faux brick wall effect is just cubes of Crumb Cake card, inked around the edges,

and spritzed with the new smooch vanilla spray.

For the wooden 'fence' I used the Woodgrain embossing folder,

and for the 'trellis', I used Summer Silhouettes.

Colours used are Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze and Old Olive.

The spotty paper shape is one of the Apothecary dies.

The greeting used a couple of punches, word window and modern label.

I hope to be back very soon with some more posts,

to make up for my absence recently.

I've been soooo busy,

as I'm sure you have too!

Patchwork double

Here's a couple of cards made for two lovely fellow crafters....

they love their lace and patchwork,

so I tried a technique I'd been longing to have a go at..

I laid the paper squares on a piece of card first,

then cut it out with the Top Note die,

then embossed using the Lattice folder.

Here's a close-up

Obviously I HAD to add some pearls!

Plus a little stamping, inking the edges,

and some crochet trim.....

My Classes

You can be sure of a warm welcome,

lots of fun,

and fabulous projects!

Tonbridge Lacemakers

Hi there!

I had a fantastic day on Saturday....

Tonbridge Lace makers Group had their 25th Anniversary,

and we sure celebrated, and were thoroughly spoilt!

The Committee laid on a splendid Ploughmans Lunch, with lots of drinky poos,

and the tables were decorated in silver...

We had a very entertaining speaker, telling us all about her Hat hire business,

with lots of humour and gossip, which always goes down well!

One of our members....who is EVERSO talented, made a cake....

Well, I could not believe that it wasn't a REAL lace makers pillow,

complete with bobbins.....

I WISH I'd taken my camera!

I'm hoping one of the other ladies will share a photo,

that I can then share with you, because it was 

A M A Z I N G!

What I can show is one of the bobbins...

all members were given one of them to take home,

and I can't bear to eat mine!

 All made out of icing!

When I get round to it, I'll lay a real bobbin alongside, then you'll be able to see how utterly fab this is!

It's even 'spangled' with 'beads'!

As if that wasn't enough......the same lady made an awesome Honiton lace picture,

that was framed in silver, and entered into the raffle......

Although it was REALLY nice that one of the founder members won it...

(yes we were pleased for her, but a tad jealous!)....

We were then all given a coaster, with a copy of her masterpiece inlaid!

How cool is that?! 

It is the symbol of the Group, and Honiton is one of the finest, most difficult forms of hand made lace.

I am soooooo lucky to belong to such a lovely talented group of friends!

A fabulous day was had by all, and it was extra special to have so many founder members

there to celebrate.