A Scene in the Garden

In the current Mini catalogue there's a very sweet set called 'Scene in the Garden'. I wasn't going to get it until nearer the autumn but I kept looking and I eventually caved. It's a '2 step' stamp set which means you can use the images to create a scene, which is what I've done on the following cards.I've used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the precise placement of each image. It's an invaluable tool and I really don't know how I ever managed without it - very clever and so easy to use. If you want to know what it looks like or how it works have a look on YouTube, you'll find some great tutorials over there. I like to add a small image on the inside of all my cards for an added touch. On these I did the wellies... aren't they cute! I've stamped onto watercolour paper using Stazon and then coloured with the Earth Elements Marker Pens and an aqua painter. Watercolouring is so easy - I love the fact it doesn't have to be perfect. I'm off on a day trip to Leeson House tomorrow with Jake and all the Reception children from school. The weather's forecast to be wet with thunder storms so I'm off to dig out MY wellies and rain coat now! I hope they've got it wrong.... See ya soon, Jo :) Recipe: Stamps - Scene in a Garden/Best Yet Earth Elements Marker Pens Holiday Treasures & ~Spiced Cider DSP Linen Thread Vintage Brads Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla c/s

To Grandad

It's my FIL's Birthday today, he's 70. Now I shamefully have to say I haven't made a card to give from DH and I, but I have done one from Jake. My inlaws always appreciate everything I give to them handmade and I know he will love this. This is the first time I've used 'All in the family' and at first I was a bit daunted by it, but with the aid of a Stamp-a-ma-jig you can't go wrong really. The 'Grandad' was a lightbulb moment after a disaster. I was all ready to stamp the word straight onto the card using those tiny alphas by Studio G (99p bargain), and before I knew it I'd stamped the 'N' the wrong way round so it looked like a 'Z'!!! Panicking of how on earth I was going to correct this mistake I came up with stamping the letters on cardstock and cutting out with the 1/2" circle punch. I like how it's turned out. How about that for a happy accident. Love that DSP too - it's the Ski Slope paper. Who says it has to be just for Christmas?? lol I'm off to work now. Have a good one it's going to be a scorcher. Tfl, Jo :)

Raspberry Fizz

I love making these picnic baskets! This one is for Jake's teaching assistant at school and I'm also entering it for the Passion for Papetrey blog challenge run by Kate and Steph who are both very talented and wonderful ladies, always so kind and generous, and we all have a love for Papertrey Ink...mind you who wouldn't! Anyway, the challenge was to use 2 flowers - nice and easy. I used the PTI Raspberry Fizz cardstock along with the Bitty Dots paper, how striking is that! I stamped some flowers with the Petal Pizzazz set and also added some polka dot prima flowers for a bit more dimension. I'm almost tempted to keep this for myself, well until I make another that I fall in love with that is... Tfl and see ya soon, Jo :)

stamp with Us Recipe Challenge

Running a little late as usual but here's my DT entry for this weeks challenge over at Stamp With Us.The challenge was to use 4 patterend papers, 2 cardstock and no embellishments. I have to admit I did wonder how on earth I would get four patterend papers on a card at once but I did it! Recipe: Stamps - Crazy for Cupcakes/Oval All Patterend Papers - Junior Varsity Cardstock - Rose Red/Whisper White Punches - Scallop Border/Scallop Oval/Large Oval Other - Dazzling Diamonds I you'd like to have a go at the challenge you don't have to use all SU! products, just one will be fine and you can post your entry using Mr Linky at the bottom of the post here. See ya soon! Jo :)

Lauren's Picnic Basket

I had a late night last night. Didn't get to sit and relax till gone 10pm and I was determined to create something before I went to bed. Yesterday Lauren Meader released her new template 'Pack a Picnic'. I'm so in awe of this lady - she really is very clever. I totally loved what she did here with the basket so I purchased my template from Papertrey Ink here and set about making my own.I have to say I 'cased' Lauren's almost to a tee but I'm glad I did - it's gorgeous. I used So Saffron with Cameo Coral along with a stamp from the Live Your Dream set. I ran out of time to stamp and cut some flowers so I cheated and dipped into my old stash for a few silk ones. If you want to see a truly beautiful basket with stamped flowers though, try this one here made by the very, very talented, and good friend, Jenny Moors. It's stunning! There's also a template included for a smaller version which I'm going to tackle shortly. This big'en will go to Jake's teacher for an end of year gift. I've put some Body Shop bits and bobs to go in it and I shall make a couple more in different colours, one for the Teaching Assistant and another for the student teacher. I went to help out with the class swimming lesson last Friday and spent the whole morning in Jake's class. I had such a lovely time! The kids were really well behaved and very sweet, and the teachers really are fabulous - I take my hat off to them. I think these gifts are well deserved and I hope they like them - I would definately love to be given one! lol Right, onward.... tfl and 'see' you soon. Jo :)

Mr & Mrs

I'm on a roll with wedding cards this week for some reason. Not sure why but they just keep coming. I was at Craft Obsessions the other week and David showed me the new Making Memories 'I Do' collection and I had to have - like 'you do'! lol I've got a mountain of flowers (well not quite a mountain but a huge box) and with a recent purchase of the charm spacers and the mulberry roses I thought a few carefully chosen ones would look good on a wedding card. I've just found Bev Rochesters blog through my friend Julie, and she uses the spacers and roses quite a lot on her cards, which are fantastic by the way. It's not my style of card making no matter how I try, but I absolutely adore what she creates - a very talented lady. So anyway, the card. Made using Making Memories 'I Do' papers, Mr & Mrs Stamp set, Silver Mirri Card and other odds and sods I found amongst my stash. Oh and the spacers and roses. Another card hopefully tomorrow. tfl, Jo :)

Wedding Season

I had a wonderful afternoon yesterday, crafting away with no interuptions...it was heaven. I had a quick wizz round the gallery on SCS for some inspiration and found a very simple but elegant card here using the Mr & Mrs set (Together Forever for those across the water). I actually made two of these, one with Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon and the other using the Basic Grey and silver Basic Grey Opaline pearls. They're both gorgeous, even if I say so myself, so Jakes teacher will be getting this one now! lol The patterend paper is an Anna Griffin one I picked up in Hobbycraft the other day. Not sure which one it is but it's perfect for weddings don't you think? The card base by the way is Sahara Sand - it's lovely with the pearlescent card, I only wish they did an ink pad to go with it. I found a box of Silver Mirri card in my cupboard I'd forgotten I had. Again the perfect combination with these colours - gorgeous!

I also made a few other cards but can't share just yet as they're for people who have Birthdays and other events going on. I'll post later in the week though.

So not bad eh? From one post in two weeks to two in two days! lol

tfl and see you real soon.

Jo :)

SWU 'Theme' Challenge

Stamp With Us have a theme challenge this week which is 'Congratulations'. The DT have produced some fantastic stuff so please pop over and have a look and join in too, you can add your blog link with Mr Linky at the bottom of the post. I made this card for an Anniversary but once I'd done it I thought it would make a gorgeous wedding card too so I made another slightly different.

RECIPE: Stamps - Frames with a Flourish, Mr & Mrs, Congrats (SAB set); Ink & c/s - Very Vanilla, Basic Black; Accessories - Silver Brads, Hodgepodge Ribbon Slider;Other - Silk ribbon, Basic Grey Opaline Pearls, Mirri Card

This one I made on pearlescent card. You can't tell from this photo but in real life it looks gorgeous. I've also added some of the new Making Memories 'I do' papers across the middle. I'd say this is one of my favourite cards at the mo. The images from the Mr & Mrs set are beautiful, so crisp and simply stunning. There's a wheel that matches but I was being a bit lazy and used papers instead. This will be the card for Jake's teacher who gets married next month.

Thanks for stopping by and I really will be trying my best to post a little more often. Work is still absolutely manic and my head has not been in the right place to do any crafting lately, but today I'm having a 'chill out' day. Just me and the dog, peace and quite, and hopefully I can have a few things to show you over the next week.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and tfl,

Jo :)