Valentines Day

Hi Guys

Todays offering is a gorgeous set of cards and envelopes that I cased from a blog and I can't remember the name, the cards aren't exactly the same but the measurements and the envelope idea is from this lady.  If you know who you are please let me know and i'll shout it out next time.

 Today is Tuesday and I'm trying to get organised as I'm singing at Ronnie Scotts in London tonight (Soho)  its a fantastic venue so very excited.  I'm backing for Sian who you can check out on www.siancross.co.uk I am actually going to be wearing a dress which I rarely do for singing, just don't feel especially able to groove in a dress - in direct contrast to the lovely Julie Kettlewell, another SU demo, who moves superbly in evening gowns no less ;o) You can check out her blog for some awesome photos.

So here are the cards and envelopes.  The colour combo is Real Red, Pretty In Pink and Very Vanilla, sooo cute!

The DSP used is from the Colour family stacks, great value at £19.50 and the envelopes are run through the big shot with the envelope die. The sentiments on the cards are from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  The Very Vanilla part is punched out using the Decorative Label Punch.

Hope you like them
Stacex

Morning Mocha & Elementary Elegance

Hi Guys

Have a gorgeous card for you made using the lush Speciality Designer Series Papers Morning Mocha.  I just love this paper and have been using it a lot! Completely run out of some of the designs already ;o)

This card was very simple as I basically grabbed some colours used in the colour scheme for the paper and went to it.  Stampin Up! certainly makes it easy.

I'ved used Crumb Cake, Basic Black and Very Vanilla with the papers and both of the black butterflies are the flocked card stock, as is the part in the main card.  These butterflies were done in the big shot with the Beautiful Wings embosslit.  The sentiment is of course from Elementary Elegance and I would have been shocked and horrified if it wasn't instantly recognisable as I've used is a lot recently!

Elegant and understated, my favourite ;o)

Hope you like it

Stacex

Happy Birthday Niece!

Hi Guys

This card is for my niece Nancy who will be 7 years old on Monday.  She is a little cutie and very much a girlie girl so I went for Pretty In Pink for her main colour and thought she might like it personalised too!

I've used the Heat & Stick powder with Dazzling Diamonds and then my Big Shot to cut out the letters.  I really like how it turned out and hope she will too.

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

Little envelope purse!

Hi Guys

This is another project I did for my Wednesday class and it is lovely and simple but really effective.  This is made attaching together two of the Scallop Envelopes & decorating!

To make this is used
Card - Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Paper - DSP Subtles Bashful Blue
Tools - Sizzix Big Shot, Scallop Envelope, Scallop Circle, Owl Punch
Embellishments - Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

Thank you with Hearts & Flowers!

Hi Guys

Uurgh, weather is rubbish today....lots and lots of rain.  Hopefully it wont last and the sun will break through at some point today, it is summer after all ;o)

This card is one I've copied from the catalogue and did at my Wednesday night card class.  The girls liked it a lot and I do too.  It was very easy the main effect being the polka dots and the twine with the pegs.

To make this card I used
Card - Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink - Basic Black, Old Olive, Melon Mambo
Stamps - Happy Moments (retired), Simply Said
Embellishments - Twine, pegs (non SU)
Tools - Sizzix Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scallop Edge Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch


Hope to see you again soon
Stacex

Claire's 50th

Hey Guys

I've made this card for my friend Claire's 50th birthday.  Am looking forward to seeing her on her special day & instead of a party she is having friends over for Champagne and Strawberries for the afternoon! How lovely!

To make this card
Card - Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Ink - Basic Black, Marina Mist
Stamp - Swirls and Curls Verses, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Embellishments - Diamante, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon
Tools - Sizzix Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Punch

The sick bed!

Hi Guys

This cute little thing was inspired by something my upline Michelle Last did as a swap a while ago.  Its was two top notes made into a little pocket with a little owl paperclip and an insert for a wish list.  Anyway I thought the little pocket looked a little bit like a bed & when I saw the nurse owl on Julies Japes I just knew I had to do this.  So here we have a sick owl and a nurse owl on standby!

This is probably self explanatory for everyone so I wont give details although if you want them please email me.

Get Well Wishes is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, a US set I got on my recent trip to NY

And my poorly owl with the half shut eye, so cute!

To make this card
Card - Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Ink - Early Espresso
Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools - Big Shot, Top Note, Owl Punch, Word Punch, Decorative label punch
Paper - Springtime Vintage DSP

Hope you like it and come back again soon
Stacex

Wednesdays Child - The Owl!

Hi Guys

Sorry I haven't been updating the last couple of days, have had all sorts of computer issues :(  Even now it is taking forever to load each page which is very annoying!  I have however been crafting away, just not able to show you, haha.

This card I did was inspired by one I saw on Julies Japes, a fantastic blog so if you get a chance have a peek!  Its one of those cards that can lend itself to anything, Thinking Of You, Happy Birthday, Get Well etc.  Here you go

This little owl is just soo cute and soo versatile, whenever I do things for children I use googely eyes for him as kids love things that move.

Here is a little close up of the cute little fella.

To make this card: (all Stampin Up products unless otherwise stated)
Card - Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede
Ink - Chocolate Chip Marker Pen
Embellishments - Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools - Sizzix Big Shot, Top Note Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Bird Punch, Owl Punch

Hope you like it.  Come back tomorrow ;o)
Stacex

Fathers Day with Plane & Simple

Hi Guys

Good Morning and happy Wednesday!  Its half term so I'm afraid have been a little late on my posts :(  Hopefully will be a bit more organised towards the end of the week ;o)

I actually did a youtube video for this card which you can see on the blog side bar but here is the actual card.  Its a very simple one but really quite effective.

This one has a bow tied with the ribbon whereas the one above just has the ribbon wrapped around the card.

A peek inside

To make this card: (all products Stampin Up unless stated otherwise)
Card - Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink - Soft Suede
Stamps - Plane & Simple, Something to Celebrate (Level 2 hostess)
Embellishments - Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools - Sizzix Big Shot, Top Note Die

Have popped this one in
The Paper Players Challenge #49 - Anything Goes

Hope you like it
Stacex

Wedding Card

Hi Stampers

Have just done a wedding card for a friend of mine.  She wanted the card to sort of match the original invitation she had received.  The colours were red and white and so I fell back on the trusty bride and groom hearts that I first saw on Julies Japes quite a while ago.  She seemed quite happy with it so it seems to have fulfilled the requirement ;o)

The DS Bridal paper is always perfect for wedding cards. The "bride" heart has been embossed using the

The names of the bride and groom and the wedding date is always a nice touch I think.

This was the wedding invitation the inspiration had to come from.

To make this card:
Card - Whisper White, Real Red
Embellishments - DS paper Bridesmaid, Pearls
Tools - Heart Punch, Sizzix Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder

See you tomorrow
Stacex

Thank you...and you!

Hi Stampers

I am soo excited about this card I've just done - I love it!  I found this technique for leaving a non embossed middle panel in your cards at Caroline Skinners blog, stampinupandbranchingout.blogspot.com.  I am always amazing and touched at how generous stampers (crafty people in general) are with their ideas & how happy they are to share them.  Thank You Caroline ;o)


This is the card I've done although I did have to cut the template twice as I don't have a steady hand at all and my lines kept being a little off (even using a rules would you believe it)!

Was a bit annoyed that my non embossed square is a little off centre but I doubt the recipient would notice (hoping she doesn't)

I've used the rock and roll technique for the butterfly, I first saw that at Michelle Lasts Quarterly training and loved it although I don't always get it right ;o)

And a little bitty sentiment from a set I've been trying to get a hold of for ages!

To make this card: (All products are Stampin Up unless stated otherwise)
Card - Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink - Pretty In Pink, Crumb Cake, Rose Red
Stamps - Strength & Hope, Happy Moments
Tools - Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Am going to submit this one into A Spoon Full Of Sugar challenge - Things With Wings

Hope you like it.
See you
Stacex

Big Shot Tryouts!

 Hey Guys

I've been spending some time with my Big Shot just trying out different things, lots of the time I put the card into my scrap box as I don't have a use for it right at that moment but I did make this card because I just couldn't bear to pop this into the box.  This is Vellum cardstock run through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice embossing folder which completely changes the texture of the card - its lovely - I couldn't stop stroking it. 

I laid the Vellum ontop of some Pretty in Pink cardstock then layered onto black card with a ribbon and a tiny sentiment.  It did look a little bare but I could hardly bear to cover it so I used the bird from the Two Step Bird punch and could almost handle that.  I'm not sure it translates especially well in the photograph but its lovely.

To make this card: (All products used are Stampin Up unless stated otherwise)
Card - Basic Black, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White
Stamps - Punch Potpourri, Afterthoughts (L1 Hostess set)
Ink - Basic Black
Tools - Sizzix Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Embellishments - Pretty In Pink Grosgrain Ribbon

Submitted to
Crafting For All Seasons Challenge Blog - #1 - Anything Goes

See ya
Stacex

Less Is More Challenge

Hey Guys

Here is my 2nd effort for the White on White Challenge from LIM ladies, this was created using a Stampin Up
embossing folder which I then added rhinesones to accentuate different parts of it.  The sentiment was stamped using white craft ink onto vellum which is hard to make out but I think you can get the overall effect.

Hope the girlies at LIM like it ;o)

See ya

Stacex

Simply Stampin Challenge #6 Buttons & Bows

Hey Guys

Well Chris (hubby) is in Nigeria at the moment so I have been spending way more time than I should be, nosing around craft sites and the most wonderful blogs, bliss!  Came across another challenge, I feel a fixation coming on haha, Simply Stampin Challenge so def take a look, its a lot of fun.  This weeks challenge is Buttons or Bows so your card should feature either or both of these.  Here is my offering.

As you can see I've used the Flower, Daisies #2 Stampin Up die & buttons, well actually everything is SU, cute selection of button colours though.

To make this card you need:

Card - Old Olive, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red
Embellishments - Buttons, Brights Collection, Twine
Tools - Scallop Punch, Sizzix Big Shot, Flower, Daisies #2, Old Olive Marker

Hope you like it
Stacex

Week 14 - White on White, Less Is More Challenge

Hey Guys

Yes that was a long title ;o)  This card was actually really difficult to do as normally I'd never dream of sticking to one colour.  Was a bit worried that things weren't standing out but the picture almost gets it all.   The wonderful thing about these challenges is that they pull you out of your comfort zone, think I need a biscuit ;o)

I've used the Flower, Daisies #2 die with my Sizzix Big shot and the leaves are from the Bird punch.

I embossed the word love hoping it would stand out a little more than an inked sentiment.

Here it is from a different angle but the sentiment if difficult to see.

The flower and leaves have been lightly sponged with Grey ink.

Hope you like it.

Stacex

Still working with Vellum

Hi Guys

Yup still working with Vellum and am really enjoying it, the effects you can get are quite stunning but very easy to achieve.  I really am hooked on the embossing and it turns out wonderfully.

Todays card is a birthday card and I've used vellum squares on top of card with a little accent.  This was ideal as we all know its hard to get vellum to stick without showing through, the little accent here covers the bit of tombo I used to attach the vellum to the cardstock.

A little bit closer

A side view

To make this card you need

Card - Bashful Blue Textured, So Saffron, Whisper White, Vellum

Inks - Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Basic Black

Tools - Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/4" circle punch

Stamps - Sincere Salutations, Itty Bitty Bits

See ya

Stacex



Working with Vellum

Hi Guys

I cant continue without talking about the weather - gorgeous again today!  I did some potting in the garden then lay under a tree for about 5 minutes before my 5 year old came to find me and ask me to play football with him BUT for that 5 minutes I felt like I was on holiday, blue skies and the leaves of the tree waving about above me, BLISS!

Amazingly enough, I did manage to fit in a little bit of craftiness.  My friend Gill sent me some pictures last night of things she has been making and I felt all inspired to be crafty although I'm not going down the Owl route today Miss Davidson.  I think Gill may either need to sharpen her Owl punch or get a new one soon due to overuse ;o))

Still in the spirit of Spring and Summer I made a flowery bright card which I hope you will like.  I have used velum over So Saffron then backed onto Certainly Celery.  The vellum has been run through the Big Shot using the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder.  I've then coloured the embossed flowers using my Whisper White Craft Ink and a blender pen.  Think its a really nice effect.

Its very difficult to see the sentiment as I've stamped this is White ink also

Ah here we go, you can see it a bit clearer here.

To make this card:

Card - Certainly Celery, So Saffron
Stamps - Wonderful, Favourite (US set)
Tools - Big Shot, Embossing folder Elegant Bouquet, Blender Pen
Embellishments - 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon Certainly Celery
Inks - White Craft

Hope you like it and hope you are all getting to enjoy the sunshine.

Take Care
Stacex

Happy Sunday

Hi Guys

Bit late posting today as had a gig with Mojo last night and was pretty late getting home so been on half power all day haha.

This is one of the milk carton boxes using the die from the Mini Catalogue and the Owl punch too.  No matter how many of these cute cartons I make, I still love them!  The little owl has the same DS paper on his front ( tip from Jenny McCormac).  CUTE!

Cute little box

My little owl

Finished off with a little clip and some ribbon

To make this box you need:

Card - Basic Black, Whisper White
Paper - DSP Pretty In Pink
Embellishments - Clip Assortment, 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon in Pretty In Pink
Tools - Sizzix Big Shot, Mini Milk Carton Die, Two-Step Owl punch

Now all I have to do is find someone to give it to ;o)

Take Care
Stacex

Embossing Folder

Hi Guys

Have been experimenting with my new embossing folders.  I got the idea for this from Michelles Quarterly Training and I think it was Nicky who did it, sorry cant remember her last name!

The Bird punch was punched out then stuck onto the different coloured card which was then run through the Big Shot in the Embossing folder.  I love the effect.  I tied the ribbon through the main image which is something I saw and don't think I've done before.

The sentiment.

And a close up of the ribbon.

To make this card you need

Card - Whisper White, Melon Mambo & Certainly Celery
Embellishments - Satin ribbon in Certainly Celery
Tools - Two Step Bird Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Square Lattice
Stamps - Sincere Salutations

Hope you are all enjoying the wonderful weather
Stacex