I hope you know how much I care

Hello,

One last card to share. I finished this one yesterday and was on special request by my mum for my eldest sister, who 's going for an op. So the items are chosen by my mum, with a little help of course, or we still wouldn't have a card. Decisions, decisions,...

Supplies: paper by Basic Grey June Bug, green Coordinations cardstock, Cuttlebug Swiss dots, Spellbinders Deckled rectangles, Stamps: Whiff of Joy and lace rubberstamp -forgotten the brand-, Hero Arts sentiment, ink by Tsukineko and Ranger, Copics, Stickles and Anita's 3D glaze, flowers by Prima and Hero Arts, yellow ribbon and button brad by Memory Makers, Pearl Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels, lace from John Lewis.

I machine stitched the lace onto the card, although it was hard to do because of the embossed dots the card kept jumping left and right.

Hope my sister will like her card and I wish her love and a speedy recovery.

Turkey season

Hi,

As I promised, another autumn card. Just had to use the Stretch Your Imagination Turkey. When would you otherwise put a turkey on a card? It had to be a super ridiculous one with long legs. My other half says it's a cross between a flamingo. Could be right if the legs were pink...

Supplies: paper by K&Co Wild Saffron, cardstock by Coordinations, black card from stash, Cricut Stretch Your Imagination cart for the card, turkey and autumn, Cuttlebug dots, Woodware 3" and 2.5" inch punches, Stick it 3D transparent dots, Copic Ciao, Jumbo Java ink by Tsukineko, Basic Grey precision file set.

The scalloped card is cut with the Cicut in 5" using the same cart.

Hope you like my crazy card and thanks for looking.

Thinking of fall

Hello, I am finally back with more to post. I managed to squeeze in some time to craft. I promised my mum to make a mini scrapbook of her holiday here, so she has something to look back when she goes home. So I'm sorry if cards will be off the menu for the next week. Autumn has started and this is what I made:

Supplies: paper by We 'Re MemoryMakers Nonsense collection, orange and green card from stash, Doodlecharms Cartridge Cricut, Copics, Brilliance ink by Tsukineko, Martha Stewart border punch, Fiskars tag punch, paper distresser, Xcut large corner rounder punch, black Sakura Identi-pen.

The pumpkins and leaf border are cut with the Cricut and then colored with Copic Ciao's and Brilliance ink. The ink for the cheeks, I applied with a small paintbrush and inked the 2 tags.

The Doodlecharms cart has many seasonal/occasional images and resembles in that way the Stretch Your Imaginations cart. It is the latest cart I bought and it was in reduction at Hobbycraft for £34 a steal, normally they are £70-£60 and I would NEVER buy them from Hobbycraft. Provocraft has got new carts and the Child's Life is grabbing my attention. Will be on the Christmas wishlist, amongst the A and C set from the Copics and a whole lot of Martha Stewart punches and Basic Grey papers. I 'll need to be extra good for the dear santa hubby...

Keep looking another card coming up soon.

All creatures great and small...

Hello,

Finally back! I've abandoned my blog and cards for a while. My mum is now here and I 've been to busy shopping with her. Evening comes and I am just too exhausted. Next week my other half has annual leave too. Will be even more busy!

Oh, I 'm a really bad photographer...

I like to share a really easy card with you. The card is made with the Cricut and has a nicely scalloped edge. I just used leftover pieces over different colored card and machine stitched them together. I added some ribbon from Hobbycraft. I cut a tree from the Stretch your imagination cart and layered the leaves several times and added Stickles. The scalloped border is also cut with the Cricut. I then added some puffed stickers from Paperchase.

I am in the middle of making autumn-inspired cards, maybe I will finish them tomorrow and post the pictures. I also made a scrapbook layout from our recent trip to the New Forest. I need to find a way now to take a decent picture of these big pages

Coming soon...

Hello,

Just quickly share this second card I made this week to send to my mum. Only one more week and we 'll be collecting her from Belgium to stay with us.

She 's already finished her packing. Says a lot...

Supplies: paper - Memory Keepers Nonsense Collection stitched to the card, the car is cut with the Cricut Doodlecharms in 2 colors of card. I colored the car a darker yellow with Copics, Silver Ice Stickles, ink - Jumbo Java from Tsukineko, flower - American Crafts, sequin - Beadshoppe, brad - MemoryMakers, felt butterflies - craft supply, rub-ons - DecalDry.

7th Anniversary card

Hello,

I know, it's been a while. I 've been really busy at work and trying to get everything organised, for next week Saturday my mother is coming over to stay a fortnight with us. It 's been more than 2 years since she's been and we 're all looking forward to our holiday. We are going to Wales, but she doesn't know it yet.

Wednesday we celebrated our 7th anniversary, though we both had to work, we tried to make it really special. I made this card for my love and he spoilt me with a lovely dress from East.

Supplies: paper: MemoryMakers Ledger pad, Marianne Design - ink: Jumbo Java from Tsukineko - chipboard: DCWV Spring collection - rub-ons: Doodlebug and Flair design - "seven"-border diecut with the Cricut Graphically Speaking cartridge - white ribbon: craft supply - white Sugar Coating from Doodlebug.

A close up view of the lovely ledger paper from MakingMemories. It has this romantic text that fits really well with the intention of the card. The inside of the card is also decorated with paper and rub-ons.

Hope, a sympathy card

Hello,

Just finished my late shift and I 'm not ready for bed yet. I need to unwind first, so I'll share a card I 've made for a colleague who 's recently lost her mother. Really feel for her as she also just got married and then lost her mom.

I made a bit of an effort with this card, but I think it paid off.

Supplies: paper: Basic Grey Porcelain,white card: Anita's, olive cardstock: DCWV, ink: Ranger and Tsukineko, Pearl glimmer mist from Tattered Angels, stamps: Crafty Individuals and Tesco for the little rose, rub-on from DCWV's Rub0on quote stack, flowers from Prima, flourish is die-cut with the Cricut's Storybook cartridge.

Here 's a close-up to show you the stamped rose background with the rub-on over the top.

I like how all the colors fit together and give the card a certain feel. I find it the most difficult type of card to make, because I am never sure about the colors and if I say too much or too little.

My colleague liked it anyway, but more I hope she'll be strenghtend by knowing that I'm thinking of her.

Water works

Hello,

Like I promised; won't waste the Doodlebug paper. Here are 2 cards I made with the leftovers.

Probably one of the last summer themed card of the year I 'll be making. Although... never say this for sure. It will depend on my mood and the sun. At least it was sunny today. I'm hoping for a bright and beautiful autumn. We 'll be heading off to the New Forest then. Love the colors and smells.

These cards are made using the Cricut's Graphically speaking cart. I was wondering what to make with the water theme. Thought it would be a nice summer card.

The cardstock is from an old supply I bought in Belgium. It 's a pastel stack with fading colors. I don't remember where I got the bright yellow from. The bubbles are also cut with the Cricut and layered 4 times.

These 2 cards are just slightly different and although I didn't take a picture, the inside is also decorated with stickers.

The ribbon is from Hobbycraft and attached with glue dots. I used stickers from my Sandylion collection. I have collected so many of these over the years, never intending to use them until now. They match well with the colors and the water theme and they are sparkly... What more can you want.

The buttons and rings are from Autumn Leaves' French Twist. I do like this little bag of buttons which I bought at Crafts U Love. The funny thing was that they had added these rings, no button at all. Unless you would sew it with a rope and knot. Here is a close-up to let you see.Hope you like it. I am now working on a scrapbook layout of our last trip to the New Forest. So that will keep me out of mischief for a while. Have a nice day, thanks for looking.

Happy Birthday Mini Quartet

Hello,

I finished these mini cards a while ago. They 're great fun to make. All the stamps come in one set from Inkadinkado. It also includes the little "Got Cake?" mammal, I used in another card. The paper is from Doodlebug Happy Birthday Boy. I would actually never buy this kind of paper, but it was the first -and the last time- I did buy a lucky dip paper bundle from Crafts U Love. It might be good for someone just starting to craft and if you don't know yet what you like making. But it has been good as it allows me to use some items I have in stock which I haven't really used for years -like the balloon brads-. Even the bright blue buttons from the 99p store, the 2-sided ribbon I got from my mother and the gemstones from the kids craft corner in John Lewis -what was I thinking?-.

The stamp set on the other hand I really like. I bumped into this set by accident. We went on a shopping trip to Bluewater and in a hobby store over there they had it priced for 2.35£?? That must have been an error, because they had no sale on. Just my lucky day! They also had quite a bit of the Basic Grey Papers and card making sets. So I ate my heart out...LOL.All the cards are cut using the Cricut's Stretch Your Imagination cart. The different patterned papers are then inked with Aloe Vera and Sea Breeze Dew drops VersaMagic. All images have been colored with Whispers and I also used some Lime Ice Stickles.Te light blue and green dotted ribbons are from Hobbycraft. The small buttons are from Autumn Leaves's French Twist.The fun thing about using the Cricut is that I can now also cut out the exact size envelopes to go with the cards, making it easier to send them. I like how the cards have turned out. I have started to "agree" with the paper, doesn't mean that I like it yet. As it is 12x12 size, I will be using the left over rather than throwing it away. I wish I knew who I could give my unloved craft stuff to. I 'm collecting it in a bag. I 've read on someones blog that there is a charity that makes cards for people in hospital, but that was in America. Should be one in the UK too.

Fun on You Tube

Good morning, No card to share just yet. I would just like you to look at these funny guys over on You Tube. Really good, the don't take themselves too serious and that 's why it's so funny and entertaining. I posted one of their songs in my sidebar and another link on this post for the song from Enio Moricone from The Good, the bad and the ugly. Have a laugh! You just got to think of it. Great characters! Enjoy your Sunday -the last in August 2009-.

Got cake?

Hello,

I haven't posted for a few days, because I 've been really busy at work and I 'm just too tired after these long 11.5 hour shifts.

I made this card with the Cricut. I love using the basic shapes on the Plantin schoolbook cart.

The cardstock is from DCWV and the designer paper is from Memory Keepers Nonsense White-Out collection. I inked the edges with more white ink and jumbo java from VersaMagic Dew Drops.

The image is from Inkadinkado Birthday set. The sentiment is from G Studio for only 99 pence!

Stamped in Jumbo Java and colored with Whispers, Stickles and Sakura gel pens.

I popped the images with 3D-foam. The ribbbon is from Hobbcraft and the brad is from Pipoos.

I added more Stickles to the background paper to give a bit more Birthday sparkle. I also inked the cardstock with Adirondack Latte ink, so it 's a bit less girly and I can use for a male birthday.

Smirk cards

Hello,

Made a stash of real small cards. Made them so my mom can give them to the little girls in church. They all love her and cling to her, so I thought they would like a card from her, maybe to encourage them when they restart school in September.

I like these little image from Smirk which I bought at the Range. Just discovered they have quite a lot of craft stuff of good quality.

I used Papermania cardstock and sanded it. I used Dew Drops Brilliance ink and colored it with Whispers Strokes.

The brads and eyelets are from MakingMemories. The fibers are from Avec an the ribbon from Hobbycraft.

The cardstock is from DCWV. I used the Cricut to cut the card shapes. I used a honeybee stamp from a set I bought at Tesco. I heat embossed it and used chalk to color the background.The buttons are vintage. I used some twine to tie them onto ribbon from Hobbycraft.

I used Sakura Glaze pens to color the images. Now I just need to cut little envelopes with the Cricut.

Hope you like them.

Trick or treat

Hello,

Another Halloween card with the same images from the Crafty Secrets Halloween Fun set.

Supplies:

-Basic Grey Ambrosia paper

-Coordinations cardstock in 3 shades

-Cuttlebug folders

-clear embossing powder from Heat it up!

-ink: VersaMagic midnight black and VersaMark, Brilliance crimson copper Dew Drop

-Distress ink dried marigold and tea dye

-Copics

-Prima flowers

-ribbon from Hobbycraft

-button: John Lewis

I just noticed I forget to add the tread from which the spider hangs. I 'll add it with Edding55 fine point marker. I also stitched some of the papers and used the X-cut corner rounders.

I have heard of an ultra fine embossing powder which is a lot better for fine detailed stamps. I am on the look out, though I haven't got a brand name. I close up you can see that it might do the job a lot better than the powder I used.

Boo!

Hi there,

Just finished this funny little Halloween card. I made it with my new Crafty Secrets stamp set.

I combined 5 little stamps to create this scene. I really like this cheeky little girl.

First I stamped the image in VersaMark and Midnight Black VersaMagic and heat embossed it with clear powder. I colored the image with Copics and tried to match the colors with the background paper which is from DCWV. Then I used Distress Ink dried marigold and shabby shutters to "dirty" the white bits of paper. I used green cardstock from Coordinations, sanded and distressed to layer the image. The orange paper is from the Basic Grey Ambrosia pad. I used a Martha Stewart punch to create a border. The flower is from Marianne Design and the brad from Basic Grey Lime Rickey. The ribbon is from Hobbycraft.

A close up view shows off the Orange Peel Stickles I used on her hat and the brad. The letter rub-ons ore from Doodlebug Simply Sweet. I also used the Spellbinders deckled rectangles to die-cut the image.

I 'm having so much fun with these stamps. Already have another image stamped and ready to be colored.

Thanks for looking.

Halloween Greetings

Hi,

Woke up to a cloudy but beautiful Saturday morning. Watched a movie after my late shift yesterday; the "Changeling" is a real good movie, a true story with Angelina Jolie in the lead role. A must see, a stunning performance from Angelina.

This morning I also received 4 stamp sets from The Stamp Attic, 3 from Crafty Secrets and 1 from Woodware.

I 'll show you my first Halloween card of the year.

Supplies:

the autumn embossing folder from the Cuttlebug, creme chocolate Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels, paper by Basic Grey Offbeat, dried marigold Distress Ink from Ranger, the little girl and the leaves and dark red papers are from Memories in the Making ATC Collection Fall, beige text paper by Marianne Design, Prima flowers, vintage button and felt butterfly from stash, ribbon from Hobbycraft, Boo! sentiment from Halloween Fun from Crafty Secrets, Jumbo Java VersaMagic ink, clear embossing powder, Martha Stewart punch, deckled rectangles from Spellbinders.

Just showing a closer shot of the same card.

Now that I got my Halloween Fun stamp set from Crafty Secrets, I'll be making a few more cards for fall time.

You make me smile.

Hi, I made this fun card with a kid in mind. I liked all the cool animals in this stamp set from Artemio. I stamped the image in different colors of Dew Drop VersaMagic ink and colored just a little with Copics to give dimension. The paper is from Basic Grey Lime Rickey. I used a Fiskars punch to cut the little label after stamping and embossing. The flowers on the label are from another Artemio set and so is the stamped border. I found these sets by chance at Emerald Crafts. I love shops that sell unusual things. I try and dig them out. The small brads are from Basic Grey. The border punch is from Martha Stewart. The green cardstock is from Coordinations and I used the Swiss dots folder to emboss in the Cuttlebug. The sentiments are all from Hero Arts. I love this card, makes me feel like a child again.

Another Feeling Yucky

Hello,

Just had some good news. Got an e-mail from The Stamp Attic and she has got my favorite stamp in stock: the feeling yucky set! I'm going to have some others of Crafty Secrets too. Just expanding the collection. I'm very glad she stocks the range. I wonder if anyone will ever stock the JustRite stamps. I have 3 sets but only one size round wooden stamp holder. Again a very thoughtful present of mother dearest. She has to send them over from Belgium, so it 's not cheap for her. I have been on the JustRite website and they do some lovely stuff. Now I have their PDF catalogue. If anyone wants to stock, I 'll be at your shop...

Here 's the card I finished tonight. I started yesterday, but then went to town and got some buttons and lace trim from John Lewis. Spotted some new ones I didn't have.

The paper is from Basic Grey Porcelain. The pink splattered paper I made with Glimmer Mist in Vintage Rose from Tattered Angels. The sticker is layered on paper die-cut and embossed with Spellbinders. The sentiment and button row is stamped in Rosebud Vintage Ink from Ranger. Just the thing to have, it is scented!

The sentiment is clear embossed. The 2 little kids are from Crafty Secrets Feeling Yucky stickers.

The felt flowers are American Crafts', the chipboard heart too. I added the stickers and then put Anita's 3D glaze over it. The button is from Autumn Leaves and the trim from John Lewis. The sentiment and button strip are raised with pop-dots and 3D-foam. I took a picture of the 4-sided stamp from stampington.com Somerset studio. I 've looked on their website but they don't stock it anymore.

Good evening and thanks for looking.

Sarah Kay

Hello,

It has gone late so quick. Been enjoying my Saturday. We went to Luton and surrounding area, my sweetheart loves guitars and wanted to test a few at Coda Music. Later on we popped over to Hitchin where I dropped in at Crafts Ambrosia. Tiny little shop, but I managed to buy a couple of items that I haven't come across before. A four-sided wooden stamp from Somerset Images by Maureen Blackman, it's called English Vintage, a set from Inkadinkado Road trip, a scented rosebud ink pad from Ranger -it really smells of roses-, and of course Basic Grey Mellow paper pad. Yeah, I'm always on the hunt. This card is made with Basic Grey Porcelain paper and cardstock from Co' ordinations.

The image is colored with Copics and Sakura white gel pen. The image is die-cut with Spellbinders. The cardstock is embossed with the Cuttlebug.

The paper is stitched to the card. I used Marthe Stewart punch for the edge. The lace trim I got from my mother. The organza ribbon is from Paperchase. I also used pastel green and yellow Flowersoft around her feet.

On the inside of the card I used more of the same paper and one label is inked with Tim Holz Tattered Rose Distress Ink and then sprayed with water. The green label is Olive Vine from Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. The Sentiment if from Crafty Secrets.

Good night and thanks for looking.

Shimmering chandelier

Hello,

I 've tried to make something unusual. Not so long ago I bought the Cricut Home Decor cartridge. It has some lovely images, like this chandelier. It may be intended to decorate walls, but I liked it for a card and I wanted it in lilac. These chandelier images seem to be in fashion, together with damask and velvet or flock. I 've seen a bit of it since last Christmas and Marks & Sparks follows the trend, although they do pink and black.The chandelier crystals are decorated with Stickles Gold an Silver Ice. I 've used Basic Grey Euphoria paper and stitched to a white card. I then stitched a piece of lace from John Lewis to the card. I embossed a piece of acetate with the Swiss dot folder in the Cuttlebug and also stitched it to the card. I used acetate to give more shine to the chandelier. The 'Greetings from' scrap is from Mamelok Press and layered on the same lilac paper from Basic Grey as I used to cut the chandelier. The little angel scrap is from Crafty Secrets Valentine scraps. I just added some Papermania cream pearls ans some Hortensia flowers from Prima and voila....ready.

I just want to share to more pics from my garden. Look who was playing hide and seek!

Though they didn't hide much. This year we 've got a lot of babies from all different species. These are Goldfinches and haven't got their red head yet. But aren't they cute! This one is the smallest and just kept falling asleep. They don't even fly away when I hang out the wash, they just sit there bobbing their little heads. Hope they're all safe in their nest tonight.

Have a good evening and thanks for looking.

Birthday boy

Hi,

The day 's gone by so quickly. I 've had a good time crafting. I made 2 cards and a half, LOL. still waiting for the last one to dry so I can proceed.

I'll show you something else while we wait.

Another card made with a Morehead stamp and again the little boy.

I wanted to make some boy cards, because I don't often do. The boy is stamped in black Staz-on on handcrafted paper from cotton rag. He is colored with aquarelle pencils from Caran d'Ache and some Stickles used for his eyes, shirt and shoes.

The cardstock is from DCWV, sanded and the corners rounded. The text paper is from DCWV too and the patterned paper is from Sizzix Little Sizzles. The sentiment on the front of the card is from Hero Arts and heat embossed with silver powder.

I used the same papers on the inside and the Happy Birthday stamp is from a set from Inkadinkado and again heat embossed with silver powder from Artemio. The ribbon is from Hobbycraft and is sold by the metre or part.

Thanks for looking .