Thoughts and Prayers

When you hear sad news from someone you know, there's no better way to let them know you're thinking of them than to send a card. It says it all don't you think? Other than a hug that is. Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers

Ink & c/s: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Old Olive and Rose Red

Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearls, Top Note Die and the Lattice Embossing Folder, Ornamental Punch

Big Bold Birthday

Thought I'd feature a few cards with some of the two-step stamp sets which are in the 20% OFF SPECIAL OFFER this month, you can read all about here. Today it's 'Big Bold Birthday'. I made this card for a wonderful friend and fellow Demonstrator, Jules. It was her Birthday at the beginning of July and I forgot to show you. Jules is a 'mad' cupcake lady so there wasn't an issue over what type of card I was going to make her. Love that Craft cardstock with the Whisper White Inkpad, it works a dream. You can see other samples I've made here using this set.

Framed with Love

I really hope 'Framed with Love' from the current Mini Catalogue makes it into the new catalogue come October. It's great for scrapbooking as you've probably noticed from me recent splurge, but also a good one for cards. This card was one I made for a wonderful customer of mine using Kraft, Elegant Eggplant and Melon Mambo.

Again I'm apologising for the lack of posts but I really have been a busy bee, all in the name of Stampin' Up! with workshops and classes so although I've not much to show you, I hope to get back to creating over the next few days.

I'll leave you with a funny self portrait of my little lad Jake who turns 6 next week. Complete with Tomato Ketchup slathered round his mouth. I didn't know he'd taken this picture until I downloaded the photo's - cheeky monkey!

See ya soon!

How cute is Fox & Friends?

I've had Fox & Friends for about a month now but haven't actually inked it up as yet. It was Ali, one of my downline, that teased me with her fantastic creations that made me buy (as you do) but I can't say I've had the opportunity to use it. Anyway, this week the daughter of one of my customers had a baby so it was the perfect set to ink up and create with, and it really is a cute set.

They knew they were having a boy so I've bought a few small pressies for them and as we crafters do I wanted to co-ordinate some packaging to go with the card I made. The card was 'cased' from this one here I saw on Splitcoast stampers. The bag was covered in Bashful Blue cardstock (back and front) and wheeled with the 'Spot on Wheel' using Bashful Blue ink cartridge. To get the two colours on the image I inked the whole stamp in Bashful Blue, carefully wiped off the ink from the head and feet with a baby wipe then used my Certainly Celery marker pen to colour the uninked areas. Worked a treat! The 'New Baby' sentiment comes from the 'Basic Phrases' stamp set - another invaluable set.

Congratulations Kyla and Ross on the birth of baby Zachary and also to the very proud Grandparents, Linda and Ish!

Can't wait to see your little bundle of joy.

Birthday Cupcakes

Cupcakes are still very much in fashion at the mo, I even made some myself last week - shock horror! I don't really do cooking/baking but I got this urge that I wanted to make some and that's exactly what I did. Not that I can show you them as they were all eaten at the Craft Day on Saturday. It's been a week of birthday's this week and sticking with the cupcake theme I've made a few to send. This is one of them using 'Big Bold Birthday'. It's a set that will go on forever being so versatile for both girly cards and boys depending on your colour combo. The colours used on this are Kraft (soon to be known as Crumb Cake), Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive. I love Polka Dots too so I've stamped the 'Dot, Dot, Dot' stamp onto the Kraft and also heat embossed with White EP onto the cupcake top. All this talk of cupcakes, think I'll go and make some now...lol See you real soon when I'll show you some more cards (at long last I hear you all say...lol).

Missing Mojo

Don't you just hate it when your mojo ups and leaves with no warning? It's a total blank from me just now - hope it comes back soon, I'm in need a something to get over the past two stressful weeks at work. I won't bore you with too much of the details but if I mention banks and utitilies I'm sure you'll appreciate how frustrating these necessities in life can be and how difficult they make our lives when they can't do the most simple of tasks resulting in hours on the phone and time wasted. Grrr... Anyway, sorry for that little rant. So one measley little card to show today. Very quick and simple using the Funky Forest wheel and Sweet Pea papers.

We were supposed to be going away for the weekend to the Isle of Wight. Pesky weather has put a stop to that now as the wind and rain will be coming in over the next few days. And it's been so lovely over the last few weeks too. I'm disappointed to say the least, we're all in need of a break but hopefully we can make the most of it at home.

Have a great weekend though whatever you're doing!

Queue Up

I went to visit my BFF Karen on Saturday for a crafty get together along with Lou and Rachel. We had such a fab day! Karen was the perfect hostess as usual supplying us with lunch and homemade Rock Cakes and with lots of laughs through the afternoon it was a much needed tonic for all of us. Thank you Karen. x Out of my many 'thank you' cards I've already made I wanted one to be extra special and Karen's had her eye (like many) on the fabulous Level 3 Hostess set - Queue Up so that's what I went with.

Those little birdies have been glittered, well you know me and glitter! lol

If you've been wondering how to get your hands on this very popular but rare Level 3 set, I have a cunning plan. All will be revealed in a few weeks.

Almost there with the tutorial and fingers crossed it should be ready for Thursday.

Big Bold Birthday

I love cupcakes, eating them mainly but stamping with them is just as enjoyable. Yesterday I was debating which stamp set I should use for a workshop and came across Big Bold Birthday. With the huge choice of stamp sets available in the Idea Book and Catalogue I'd completely over looked this one and I'm so glad I dusted it off to use.Whilst I'm still in the easel card phase I russled up this little 4x4. The colours are Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa and Regal Rose, plus of course a sprinkling of the most fabulous Dazzling Diamonds. You can see it better on this one here...Right that's it, the temptation has got the better of me. I'm off to make myself a cuppa and find something to nibble on. Tfl and see you again soon,

Flight of the Butterfly Blog Candy

THIS BLOG CANDY IS NOW CLOSED

THANKS FOR ENTERING

THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP UNTIL 1ST MARCH PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE RECENT POSTS

Ok, as promised details of my little giveaway.

Last week I finished doing the Flight of the Butterfly Card Tin Instructions ready for a class I had on Thursday evening. It's a very popular class and I've quite a few dates now booked to do this. If you live local to Wimborne and you'd like to join in, please email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk as I have a few spaces available on some of the dates. I've also added the instructions on my righthand sidebar along with the tins which can be purchased seperately so you can always have a go at home. So with that in mind I thought I'd give one person the chance to WIN the KIT to create the Flight of the Butterfly Card Tin. This is what the kit includes:

• Flight of the Butterfly Card Tin Instructions (3 pdf files with full colour photos and step-by step instructions)
• 1, A5 Plain Silver Tin
• 6, 12x12 sheets of the Tea Party DSP
• All cardstock, envelopes, ribbon, brads and buttons needed to create the project.

The kit doesn't include the Flight of the Butterfly Stamp set, ink, punches or tools. Only what is listed above.

• Also, I will add to the giveaway a Happy Moments Sale-a-bration Stamp Set!

All you need to do to be in with a chance to win is leave a comment below and spread the word. If you want to add a link from your blog to mine you can do but it's not necessary. I will do the draw next Monday 1st March by the random generator.

N.B. Unfortunately this candy will only be available to UK residents - sorry to all my other european and international visitors. Good luck!

All Boxed Up

I really need to put these Tea Party papers away, and the Flight of the Butterfly set but they're so gorgeous together I can't help it! Remember the clear acetate boxes we made at our Extravaganza last month, you can see them here, well I've a few leftover so I made another with my favourite papers and stamps. There's three cards to go in the box but it can easily take another. This first one being the same design as the one I made for Anna here - love this card. And all finished off with a sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds.

Hope to see you tomorrow with something different.

Tfl,

Butterflies and Swirls

One of my ladies in the Stampers 8 club had a birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Anna! I wasn't sure what colours Anna likes but as she's just bought the Elegant Eggplant inkpad I went with it and teamed it with Old Olive and Rose Red. I used that gorgeous Swirly stamp again from Baroque Motifs and added a few butterflies from Flight of the Butterfly.

I'm off for a fun day of chatting and crafting today but I can't fit everything in my bags. I don't know why it takes me so long to pack as I never use it all! Tell me I'm not the only one that does this?

Tfl,

A little delivery

Yesterday a little delivery arrived for me which was some dies I bought in a sale. I'm sure all you fellow crafters can appreciate that as soon as you get something new it has to be used...well that's exactly what I did last night. I should of been doing some other stuff but I couldn't concentrate with these 'bargains' lurking in the corner. The cry to be used was that bad that I had to use the stamps which were already on my desk so yes you guessed it....it's Love You Much again!

The frame was larger than I thought so I had to make a 15cmx15cm card base in Kraft. Love Kraft, I don't know how I ever managed without it before.

I'm cropping tomorrow, it's the first one of the year and I'm so looking forward to it! Not that I get much crafting done, I tend to do alot of gassing and drinking tea when I'm there - can't wait.

Have a great weekend and tfl,

Jo :)

Another 'V' Day card

I'm stuck on 'Love You Much' at the moment and really enjoying it. I've made quite a few V-day cards now which I think must be because of the colour combination. Jake asked me today what my favourite colour was and when I thought about it, I haven't really got just one. My answer was...

1. BROWN - it reminds me of CHOCOLATE of course!
2. PINK - it's very girly and as I'm surrounded by boys, I need a bit of femininity in my life.
3. RED - it's the colour of love and I LOVE my boys (even if they do drive me nuts).
4. TURQUOISE - for clothes it goes well with my eye colour.

So no wonder I enjoy making Valentines cards, not that turquoise fits in that lot! he hee

Anyway onto the card...

I've stamped those love birds again - so cute. The mini brackets were created with the tag punch (I'll have to show you how to do that sometime) and those diddy hearts are from the Heart punch - another one of those invaluable must have punches. I've even incorporated the 'hearts 'o plenty wheel on the base card - love it! Excuse the pun. :)

OK, my bed is calling.

Tfl and see you soon.

Jo :)

Valentine

Only five weeks till Valentines Day, not that I'm wishing my life away but I could do with something to look forward too and with each occasion crossed off on the calender, spring will soon be here. It's my favourite time of year. So with Valentines in mind I had a creative splurge with 'Love You Much' last night. I made a few things but they're for an event at the end of January that myself and Jenny Moors are doing, but I'll show you one of the cards I made.

Colours used are Pretty in Pink, Real Red and Basic Black. The DSP is from the 'Pink Flamingo' colletion and ribbon is the real red striped grosgrain.

Here's a close up of the love birds which I stamped onto pink spotty paper which is in the 'Tea Party' DSP, I then cut them out and popped them onto dimensionals. CASE'd from a beautiful card I saw on Splitcoaststampers. Hubs is out this aftie and Jake has gone to his Nanna's so once I've get some hoovering done I shall be ready to craft in peace..yipppeee!

Tfl, Jo :)

Whimsical Words

Well it looks like I'm on a roll and while the sun is shining (it's still bitterly cold) I grabbed the chance to take a photo. I made some thank you cards last night, all the same but slightly different colour combos and I used another of the SAB sets called 'Whimsical Words'. There's 6 stamps in the set and they're sentiments with one word being in a gorgeous curly script. It's a shame they're only available during Sale-a-bration as they're very popular. Let's hope SU! bring out a similar set for the main Idea Book and Catalogue come October. So here you have it...

c/s & Ink: Temtping Turquiose, Basic Black and Apricot Appeal

...the main set for this card is called 'Whimsical Wings' and is exclusively a Hostess Level 2 set. It's goooorgeous and a must have so get yourself booked to have a workshop and you could earn this set along with 'Whimsical Words' plus much more absolutely FREE!

To find a Demonstrator local to you click here or email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk

Tfl and hopefully see you tomorrow. Jo :)

Christmas Countdown

We're into November now so it definately countdown to Christmas and that's the theme for this weeks Stamp With Us Challenge.I cheated a little as I'd already made this gift set using Tree Trimmings. It's a concertina box with 4 matching cards. The colours aren't exactly traditional being Lavender Lace, Whisper White and Basic Black but they're just as lovely and with an added bit of Dazzling Diamonds it's perfect. Tfl, Jo :)

Winter Post commission

My husbands Aunt came to my Open House last week and although she's not a crafter in the slightest (loves her Geneology) she really liked my cards and asked if I'd make her some. She particularly liked this 'Winter Post' card and also this one here I made last year. It was only six of each so nothing too daunting and they're all done now ready to be sent off..It was CASE'd from the new catty - not an absolute copy but I like it just as much. The colours are Choc Chip, Sage Shadow, Bordering Blue, Creamy Caramel stamped onto Confetti White with a small piece of DSP from the Bella Bleu collection. The Silver Hodgepodge finishes it off nicely to make a really classy card. And do you know what? In the post this morning I had a lovely handmade thank you card from my best bud Karen. Thank YOU Karen! I love receiving your fabulous cards! x tfl, Jo :)

Love those Butterflies

This week has been a hectic one I have to say. Over the last few weeks I've been busy crafting away and making preparations for my Open House which was yesterday. I was so pleased with the turnout, it was fabulous and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves - helped by the fact that my MIL had baked cakes and biscuits to feed an army! lol My dear old mum did a grand job being 'mum' and making sure everyone was well fed and watered - bless her, and thank you to all that were able to attend. I had such a great day and I'll definately be doing another. So anyway I've made a start on taking pics of some eye candy for you. Here's a cute little bag and card set I made with 'Flight of the Butterfly'. The colours are Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose teamed with Whisper White and Basic Black. Here's a better picture of the bag.... The card on the right for the next pic is my favourite. The sentiment in the middle is from 'One of a kind'.I'm going to make a couple more of these to give to my MIL and Mum for their support yesterday - I think the words sum them both up perfectly. Tfl, Jo :)

Very similar but not quite

I'm flat out this week with last minute preparations for my Open House on Friday so I won't be posting much until the weekend now . I have got this card to show you though which is the 'Thank You' card I made for my Stampers 8 ladies which has just come to an end. It's very similar to the one in the previous post as I'm hooked on the colours and Trendy Trees at the moment, but I promise it will be something different next week.If you'd be interested in spreading the cost of your Stampin' Up purchases over 8 months with a minimum monthly spend of £18.75 plus postage, I have 4 places left on my 2nd group which will be starting in November. It's a great way of building your Stampin' Up! supplies and also receiving the Hostess Benefits of a FREE stamp set and minimum £15 extra to spend in one of the eight months without having to host a workshop. For further details please email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk Tfl and see you real soon! Jo :)

SWU 'Recipe' Challenge

The challenge for Stamp With Us this week is 'recipe' - 3 different coloured c/s, 3 brads, 3 stamps and 3 patterend papers. Quite a hard challenge but I just about got them all in. In fact I've now realised I actually used 4 stamps....oops! Recipe: Stamps - Trendy Trees C/s & Inks - Real Red/Tempting Turquoise/Summer Sun/Choc Chip DSP - Pink Flamingo Accessories - Silver Brads Tools: SAMJ/Mat Pack & Paper Piercer/Scallop Boarder Punch/Word Window Punch/ 1/4" circle punch

As well as this weeks Challenge it's also the launch of 'Stamp With Us Winter'. This will be my first time for enrolment with the online classes and there promises to be lots of fun and games over the next two weeks. All the details can be found on the SWU blog here with it all kicking off tonight - there's still time to enrol! Tfl,

Jo :)