Hellooooo techniques!

Hi Guys

Sorry been a bit rubbishy on the old blog this week what with all the kids getting back into a routine (obviously I just bounced right back ;o)) after the summer haven't had a minute.

I also have to let you know that last week I was asked to go along as an extra on a movie, woohoo! Was very excited but ended up hanging around for hours waiting to go on for my wee nano second, only to be rained off and not getting on at all!  I did however meet a lovely bunch of ladies (some of which were actual actresses and one was an extra in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy!)  Was lovely getting all the gossip from all the films/programs they've worked on.

And now to crafting, I have 3 absolutely gorgeous cards for you.  The reason I can rave about them is that they aren't my design ;o)  I did these (and one other which I gave away) at a technique class/day, run by Lorraine.  Cant remember her blog details but will get them for you as her things are just lovely.  I had a fantastic day and learned a lot with some fun girlies, does life get any better?

The first one is a bleaching technique and the colours Lorraine chose were ideal I thought adding a dated sepia feel.  The image was embossed in black then the image was highlighted with bleach using a brush.

 Here she is a little closer, isn't she the cutest thing?  I think the colours used were Sahara Sand, Soft Suede and More Mustard.

The next card we did was a spotlight technique and this one was simply yummy!

Sorry the picture looks a little bit shaky, not sure what happened there.  Could be the fact that its 3.40am - my sons 6th birthday party is tomorrow and I couldn't sleep wondering if I've remembered everything!  Pretty sure I have everything on my list now but I guess it would be a bonus if mum was awake for the party ;o)  Okay off to bed I go, and I definitely saved the best for last with Lorraine's cards.

Thanks for stopping by
Stacex

Simply Less Is More Challenge & others

Hi Guys

Okay here is my challenge card, LIM ladies have given a One Layer - Seeing Double challenge.  This actually works perfectly for me as I was making a card today for my daughter Beth who started boarding school in Perth on Wednesday.  I am missing her so much so thought I would pop a little card off and try not to spoil it with tears!!  She is 14 but I am gutted and the house seems very quiet with only 2 children :(

I've used Fast & Fabulous which is actually retiring at the end of September.  I love this set and will be reluctant to stop using it ;o)

Sorry the picture seems to be a little bit fuzzy, not sure why, I tried several times and sincerely hope my camera isn't about to call it a day!

I've used Night of Navy and Tempting Turquoise for the flowers and the sentiment says Thinking of You from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Off to write it now.
Have a great weekend
Stacex

Morning!

Hi Guys

These Christmas cards are a slightly different feel to the others as there is more white space which is nice sometimes.  These are very simple and I'm not sure where I saw them first to give credit :(  The only thing is cutting out the little baubles can be a bit footery but definately worth it.

Cup of Tea Anyone?

Hey Guys

I have been thinking about convention swaps and also little gifts to say thank you, and one of the things I like is the idea of is the teabag holder.  This is my take on it, pretty simple but cute I thought and you really do get some lovely teabags individually wrapped that I'm sure would match the colours you decide to use.

The colours are Night of Navy and Always Artichoke although the pictures aren't fantastic.  The bottom of the holder is scored and folded to create a little ridge for the teabag to sit it but I would use a little snail to adhere the teabag to the inside incase it fell out.

Hope you like it.
Stacex

More Christmassy ones

Hey Guys

I have yet more Christmas cards for you but what better time to do them?  I have a horrible suspicion that Christmas will creep up on me and so am trying to be prepared ;o)  Still using Season of Joy but it is just lovely!

I'm still trying to decide on the cards I'll do for Christmas.  If you haven't decided crafty ladies, get thinking ;o)

See you soon
Stacex

Second post!

Hi Guys

I have another little Christmassy one for you and I love how it turned out as I started out thinking of something completely different but couldn't get it to work.  This is my salvaged one so am really pleased with it.

Love the Cherry Cobbler, think its fast becoming a firm favourite.

Have a great day.
Stacex

I'm back....and so is school!

Hi Guys

Woohoo, school is back today for all 3 of my lovely children!  I've been up since 4.50am, yes you did read that correctly.  Miss Bethany, my 14year old starts boarding school today in Perth, Scotland and her dad was taking her on an early flight so they are well organised for the day ahead.  She is so brave, I'm not sure I could've done it at that age but she has been determined so fingers crossed it all goes well for her.  Megan also goes back to school today & she'll go into Year 11 and Conal to Year 1, aw how cute.  Where does the time go?

I must apologise for the lack of posting but I was up in Glasgow last week and didn't have any time between coming back from holiday and going up to schedule any posts.  I did however have a lovely day crafting with my friend Juanita which means I do have some cards to show you.

As you can see they are all variations on a theme but I do love the Season of Joy set!

Have a great day whatever you are doing.
See you soon
Stacex

 

Busy Busy!

Hi Guys

Sorry I haven't updated my blog for a few days, this week has been horribly hectic.  Chris is working away and I'm frantically trying to get everything ready for the kids going back to school.  Come September I'll have 3 children at 3 different schools!  Bethany will be going to board at Strathallan in Perthshire and so there has been a lot of items to buy not including the uniform and everything need to be labelled etc etc...I'm sure you can all imagine!

Very late to be blogging but I was on pick up duty for my daughter Meg after a party this evening and am waiting for her and her 2 friends who are sleeping over to finish their snacks and drop off before I head upstairs, ah the joys of parenthood ;o)

A couple of the items I'm showing you have seen previously on my blog and a couple are new.  These are what we did at card class on Wednesday night, was great fun and I think we actually spent about an hour chatting before we even started!

These little decorated chocolates I first saw on Crafting Claires blog, so take a peek.

Contempo Christmas and the Ornament punch were used for the above card which you can see earlier in my blog.

You cant really see from the picture but these little packages have "Reindeer Food" inside.  I cased them from my wonderful upline Michelle Lasts blog where you can have a look at hers, its lovely!

Off to bed soon & hopefully get my blogging mojo back!

Stacex

Sail Away

Hey Guys

I'm back from holiday and must admit am feeling the post holiday blues a little bit although I can't grumble because the weather has been good the last couple of days.  Todays card reminded me of my holiday with turquoise blue sea and gorgeous orangy sunsets.  I'm glad I took so many pictures so that I can enjoy it all over again when I look over them.

To make this card I used
Card - Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Ink - Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Tools - Extra Large Scallop Punch, Sponges
Stamps - Sail Away, Occasional Greetings

Hope you like it.
Stacex

LIM Challenge Week 29 - Things That Move

Hi Guys

Its Saturday and although I only got back from my holiday yesterday I didn't forget the LIM challenge.  I did check in last week to see what the challenge was and all the lovely cards that were submitted. A gal still needs her crafting fix on holiday ;o)

Here is my card for the challenge, I've used a pretty butterfly but kept the whole things very simple with the frame being the main feature.  Hope you like it.

Am also entering this card into the following challenges.

• Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog - Embossing
• PaperCrafting Journey Challenge - Anythings Goes
• Allsorts Challenge - You've Been Framed
• Designed2delight.com - Anything Goes
• Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #69 - Emboss it
• Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes 
• CAS-ual Fridays - Embossing

Hope you like it.
Now off to do some chores.

Stacex

Barbados

Hey Guys

Not a crafty post today as on holiday in Barbados, a truly wonderful place.  We have loved every minute of our holiday and thought I would post a couple of pics!

My daughters at the Lone Star Restaraunt which backs onto the beach, so pretty!

Stanleys Birthday

Hey Guys

Here is a little boy card.  Its for my nephew Stanley who will be 5 years old.  Unfortunately we are on holiday and wont see the little man for his birthday :(  I recently ordered the whole set of sizzix alphabet but I think its a great investments and cards automatically look more polished, well mine do anyway.  Bit of a bummer for names of more than 7 letters though ;o)

To make this card I've used
Card - Whisper White, Pacific Blue, Bashful Blue, Old Olive & Real Red
Ink - Pacific Blue
Papers - Celebration DSP
Tools - Star Punch, Sizzix Big Shot, Sizzlets Alphabet

Hope to see you again soon
Stacex

Finished Baby Album

Hey Guys

You have seen the basic album but here it is all finished and personalised for the little baby Alexander.

Hope they like it.
Stacex

12 x 12 Wallet

Hey Guys

I'm loathe to mention Gill again as you will all think I have only one friend but to be fair we did have a craft extravaganza the last time we met up.  She showed me how to do this wallet, cant remember where she learned though, oh maybe it was Dawns Stampin Thoughts now I think of it - my fav youtube lady, "Hi Stampers" ;o)

This is really easy and just involves a bit of folding of a 12x12 sheet of Designer Series Paper, no cutting, no glueing, nothing!  Gills one, (the Pumpkin Pie) has a belly band and an insert with a tab top.  Mine doesn't have a belly band and has some decoration on the front and 3 inserts with tab tops.  Love it!

 

Front view of mine with two tab cards slipped into the top.

 

View from the bottom with another tab card slipped inside, all in all you have space for 4 little cards.

Hope you like it and come back again soon.
Stacex

New baby

Hey Guys

My friend had a baby boy a couple of weeks ago and I will see her husband at a Mojo rehearsal so wanted to get the gift wrapped.  I decided to do my own wrapping, a la Crafting Claire and although its not quite that standard it is nice and I'm pleased with it.  The ribbon is from the US catalogue and its a stitched grosgrain in Bashful Blue, really lush.  I bought a role of poster paper from The Range and hand stamped it with a baby sentiment and the babygrow from the Hostess set A Slice Of Life.

Sorry the pictures aren't fantastic, there is no sunshine today.

Hope you like it
See you soon
Stacex

More friendship

Hi Guys

Am scheduling some posts while on holiday so they may not all tie in nicely or be on a particular theme.  This one is a covered notebook that I actually did ages ago, before I went to Glasgow.  I did it for Gill but forgot to take it with me, aargh, senior moments!!!  Will get it to her at some point and she knows what I'm like ;o)

I've used Newsprint DSP which is one of my all time favourites, I sometimes go and just look over it, sad but true and I know that there are others out there just like me - you know who you are ;o)  Its hard to see but I've separated the inside of the notebook using tabs made using the Round tab punch.  The sentiment is from a retired set but I love it.

 

To make this I used

Card - Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Papers - Newsprint DSP
Ink - Basic Black
Embellishements - Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon
Tools - Round Tab Punch

Hope you like it
Stacex

Friendship

Hi Guys

This card is one for the miscellaneous folder, for those of you who separate your stash of cards ;o)  The main stamp is from the set Occasional Greeting (110520) £30.95 for wood.  You get a fantastic TWELVE stamps in this set, TWO of which are suitable for Christmas cards which I know we are all thinking about at the moment.

I've chosen Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip & Whisper White for my colour scheme, not one that I use a lot but I really like it.

To make this card
Card - Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Stamps - Occasional Greetings, Itty Bitty Bits
Tools - 1/2" Circle Punch
Embellishments - 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon

Itty Bitty Bits

Hey Guys

This card is based on one my friend Gill showed me, she had made it at a stampin up event in Glasgow and I thought it was pretty cute so here is my version of it.  I've used Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White as my colour scheme.

To make this card
Card - Whisper White
Ink - Rich Razzleberry
Stamps - Itty Bitty Bits, Party This Way
Tools - 1/2" circle punch, scoring blade
Embellishments - Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Hope to see you again soon
Stacex

Less Is More Challenge - Week 27

Hey Guys

Although I've missed a few challenges I've kept abreast of what was happening with the LIM girls, love it!
Finally managed to fit in another one, this week is Flag week, a card the colour of your countries flag, so Red, White & Blue it is.  Not sure why, but these colours always make me think of rosettes, so I thought a congratulations card.  The colours don't show up fantastically well here but I've used Real Red, Night of Navy and Whisper White.

Hope the girlies at LIM like it, good to be back!

Stacex

My free gift!

Hi Guys

I don't have a card for you today but couldn't resist showing off my free gift - yours if you place an order of £75 or more between now and 31 August.

Love those little clips and have them already but have run down a lot, they are so dinky and lush!

 A close up of the zipper tag "Stampin Up!".  I have my very own Stampin Up cosmetic purse, yay!  Am definately taking that to Barbados with me on Monday ;o)

I am off on holiday on Monday for ten days but have scheduled some posts so there isn't too much of a gap.  I have asked my hubby for Convention as my birthday present this year (its on 18th August) so am crossing my fingers that will happen.

Bye for now
Stacex

Contempo Cards

Hey Guys

Still on the Christmas theme, I'm on a mission, cant you tell?  This card is also made using Contempo Christmas but I've used the tree instead of the bauble this time.  This card is cased from Julies Japes but I added glitter to the body of each of the trees to add a little Christmas sparkle. 

To make this card
Card - Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Ink - Real Red, Old Olive
Stamps - Contempo Christmas
Tools - Decorative Label Punch
Embellishments - Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Amazing Christmas Offer!

Hey Guys

I have another Christmas card here, isn't it just the way that when you start with a particular stamp set and get going all sorts of ideas pop into your head and you just can stop.  I may stop when I think all of you are sick of the stamp set but this one has to be a keeper.  I love it, its called Contempo Christmas (120594) and so cost effective at £12.95 (4 stamps) for the clear stamp set, you really cant do better than that.  I've used the matching Ornament Punch (119847) £15.50 which just makes live so easy when you have lots to do.

So here is my amazing offer - buy both the Contempo Christmas & the Ornament Punch and I will include the Night of Navy 5/8" Satin Ribbon for only £2.50!!!  Thats approx 14metres of gorgeous satin ribbon worth £6.75 for only £2.50!!!  The total cost of your pack will be £30.95 plus p&p £4.95. Offer is limited to one per person and is available for month of August only.  Email me on stetson_stacey@hotmail.com to place an order.

**Please note Contempo Christmas is also available in wood (118734) at £15.95, if you prefer the wood, your order total would be £33.95 plus p&p at £4.95.**

Here is a close up of the ornament, I have stamped it directly onto the Very Vanilla cardstock then stamped again on a smaller piece to then punch out, fold slightly and adhere to the card, so effective!

 

To make this card

Card - Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Garden Green

Ink - Night of Navy

Stamps - Contemp Christmas

Tools - Ornament Punch, Decorative Label Punch

Embellishments - Night of Navy Satin Ribbon

Christmas is here! Well not really, just in preparation!

Hey Guys

I have started the Christmas countdown and added a couple of Christmas cards to each card class from now until Dec.  May seem early but definately a godsend for those of you wanting to make your own Christmas cards and desperate to get started.

The first card is this one, cased from Julie Kettlewells blog.  Its not my usual colour combo especially for Christmas but thought it looked lovely in this card.

To make this card
Card - Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Ink - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Stamps - Contempo Christmas
Tools - Ornament Punch
Embellishments - Diamante

Hope to see you again soon
Stacex

New Pink Ladies Blinkie!

Hi Guys


Check out the new Pink Ladies blinkie on the right!  So its official (well more official) I am a Pink Lady & you could be too!  If you love crafting and card making and want to earn lots of free products and most importantly be a Pink Lady then email me on stetson_stacey@hotmail.com or call me for a chat.

Sorry no crafty stuff today :(
Back with more tomorrow
Stacex

My first Blog Candy

Hi Guys

Am feeling very pleased with myself in that I have created my first blog candy.  I remember seeing lots of these at convention and being pretty blown away by how fabulous they were, such a great idea and lots of inspiration in just one of these sheets.  Anyway here is mine.  I haven't stuck to a specific stamp set as such but maintained the colour combination which was Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla.

I have used quite a few punches for these!
Card - Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink - Soft Suede, Baja Breeze
Stamps - Vintage Vogue
Embellishments - Very Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon, Pearls
Tools - Punches, Boho Blossoms, Star, Tag, Scallop Circle, Hearts, Large Heart, Word Window, Scalloped Edge