For Faith

This is the card that I made for Faith for her birthday, I think i'm safe to show it now as it should have arrived, (even if a little later than her special day)...

The main image, as well as the big choccy at the bottom of the card are both from Chocolate Box Birdbrain.
All colouring is done with promarkers.
You do get three bonus sentiments with this set, however, the sentiment directly below the image is from a different Birdbrain set Chocolate Bunny Birdbrain, and Happy Birthday was taken from Five Party Birds.
The patterned papers used throughout are all by Lawn Fawn (Peace, Joy, Love).
Faith's name was cut using Die-namics 'By The letter' dies.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Papertake Weekly - Final Challenge ... :(  (couldn't pick one so went with anything goes)
Crafty Creations - anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes
Seize The Birthday - anything goes

For my Grandsons...

I made these 2 cards for my 2 grandsons.
I grabbed a few images from Whiff of Joy before they closed, and kept these 2 especially for Mikey & RJ.

Here's the first...

This little cutie is 'Henry On Present'. Coloured with promarkers, and edged using a cArt-Us die, (Border Drop).
I embossed the yellow piece with a folder from Cuttlebug's Mini Monsters Companions set, this folder has a sweets and lollipops design.
Grandson was cut using a  word die by Crafts Too.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Sweet Stampin - Merry Christmas
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes


and here's the second card...

This equally cute Henry image is 'Henry Hugging Bauble', but i've teamed it with another WoJ image, the baubles, from their 'Christmas Accesories' set, so that I could create this scene.
I used the same embossing folder and Grandson word die as before.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Passion for Promarkers - mega christmas challenge
The Male Room - christmas or seasonal greetings

I {heart} sketches & Birdbrains

Today is our final I {heart}sketches challenge for 2015 at From The Heart Stamps :)
This will run for TWO WEEKS throughout the Christmas holiday, with our next sketch challenge going live on January 4th.

Here's the sketch...

Join in the challenge, and EVERYONE who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)

Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too... It's in the rules! ;)

 and my card...

You should know by now how much I love the Birdbrains. So I just had to use this new one, Jingle Bell Birdbrain Chick, for my final challenge card for this year.
The sentiment is from a different set, For Santa Birdbrain.
The patterned papers are both from the same pad by Bazzill Basics, called Nordic Pines.

 I shall be entering this card into the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin - Merry Christmas
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes

Thanks for looking :)

Final mid-week inspiration for 2015

This is From The Heart Stamps' final mid-week inspiration day for 2015 because we will be taking a little break for Christmas. Our final sketch challenge for this year will go live next Monday and will last until the new year.

My card for today however, uses our current sketch...

The twist this time is to add snow. But of course that is optional.
Join in the challenge, and EVERYONE who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)

Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too. It's in the rules! ;)

Here's my card...

I turned the sketch on its side, and replaced the banner shape with a sprig of green fern and a red heart 'berry'.

This adorable image and sentiment set is Seven Christmas Birds.

The background paper is by Lawn Fawn (Peace, Joy, Love).

I'd like to enter this card at:
Christmas Card Challenges - create a christmas card
Christmas Cards All Year Round - keep it simple
Crafting By Designs - here come the holidays
Creative Inspirations - merry christmas

Thank you for visiting today :) xx 

Button

Hiya, how are your Christmas preparations going?
We're all set, just have to get the fresh meats, fruit and veg next week.

I'm running late with my card making though, and still have 3 more to make.
Finished the card for my sister though...

This little cutie is a retired image from Little Miss Muffet Stamps, and is called 'Button'.
The pretty paper is from 'Merry Magic' by Dovecraft.
The sentiment is from Blowing Kisses by From The Heart Stamps.
Sister was cut using Die-namics 'By The Letter' dies.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Little Miss Muffet Challenges - anything goes
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - mega christmas challenge
ABC Challenge - X for Xtreme (bold & bright colours)

Thanks for stopping by today :) xx

Happy Hour

Here's a card that I was commissioned to make recently. I can now share it online...

This beautiful image is Happy Hour by Kenny K & I coloured it with promarkers.
The pretty backing paper is from LOTV (Mr & Mrs).
The scalloped border at the bottom of the card was cut with a cArt-Us die called 'fountain'.
I dressed up the card with lace, pearl trim, flowers made with my SU 'boho blossoms' punch and resin pearl look centres, woodware 'ash' leaf punch, and the number 40 cut with die-namics 'by the number' dies.
Amanda was cut using a Tattered Lace alphabet die.

I'd like to enter this card at:
I Love Promarkers - anything goes
Seize the Birthday - anything goes (no topping)
The Ribbon Girl - anything goes
Kenny K - anything goes (no twist)

Thanks for looking, hope you have a great day :) xx

In the meadow...

** Have you checked out our December Blog Hop winners post** ;)

Here's my mid-week inspiration post for From The Heart Stamps.
I'm also using this weeks sketch w/a twist. Well, my interpretation of the sketch anyway...

The twist this time is to make a gift card holder.
Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too, it's in the rules!

Here's my card...

This fantastic, fun image is In The Meadow Snowmen, one of Faith's Project 100 Snowmen, where all images are just $1.00!

I coloured my image with promarkers, then sponged in the sky at the top.
I layered the image with foam pads around the bottom and 2 sides onto a striped piece which is by Stampin Up (bashful blue DSP) which was first backed onto white card, punched at the top with my eyelet border punch (also by SU), and wrapped with velvet ribbon and bow.
A gift card or money can be slid between the image and stripy piece.
Then this was all stuck to the base card & paper (from Bearly Mine Designs) with more foam pads.

I'm entering this card at:
I Love Promarkers - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - fun, fun, fun!
Passion for Promarkers - mega christmas challenge
Crafting by Designs - here come the holidays

Thank you for stopping by today.
You can find more inspiration, and enter the challenge yourself by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

Daffodils

Welcome to my stop on this month's From the Heart Stamps blog hop.

This time, we're having a 'Celebrate Birthdays' theme.
Each designer has made a card which represents their own birth month.
Can you guess mine?
*hint* the daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and is worn on a very special Welsh day.

This time we have a fun game for you all, with the chance of winning yourself a $15 voucher to spend in the FTHS store. All details of how you can take part can be found on the FTHS blog, and all you have to do is guess each designers birthday month ;)
We've also got an extra crafty challenge for you to take part in... We'd love for you to make a birthday card using an image from the FTHS store, and then add the link to your card over at the blog for a chance of winning a $10 voucher to spend in store. You have until 3rd January to link up your card.
Of course, as is usual for our blog hops, each DT member will randomly pick one commenter to win a FTHS image of their choice too.
Faith is so generous isn't she?


If you have arrived here from Imke, you are in the right place. If you haven't, why don’t you start at the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything. The full hop list is there too.

Here's my card...

I printed the flower heads twice more, so that I could layer them up slightly, though you can't see that in the photo.
I kept the design simple because I wanted these beautiful flowers to be the star of the show.

Supplies:
Image: Daffodils
Colouring medium: Promarkers
Sentiment: 'Bring on the cake' stamp set by Stampin Up
Die cut frame: Spellbinders 'Elegant Ovals'
Paper/Card: My Mind's Eye (Stella & Rose, Mabel), & kraft card stock.


I'd like to enter this card at:
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Seize The Birthday - anything goes (no topping)

Now, please head over to Karen's blog to see her fantastic cards for this hop.

I hope that you enjoy hopping with us today.
The hop will end on Monday, December 7th at 6am EST (11am UK time).
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday, December 9th.
Good luck, and happy hopping! xx

Pear tree

I hate feeling ill, it always happens when you are busy too, right?
I'm really behind with my card making, I have LOADS of christmas cards still to make.
Thankfully, i'm starting to feel more human now, so I hope that's me all done with the flu.

OK, moan over, it's time for a little mid-week inspiration for From The Heart Stamps.
My card for today uses the sketch from this weeks I {heart} sketches challenge...

Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too, it's in the rules!

Here's my card...

The image is from Pear and Whimsical Christmas Trees, you get 2 images and 3 sentiments in this set.
I coloured the image with promarkers, and backed it with green shimmer paper.
'merry christmas' was cut using new word dies from Clearly Besotted Stamps.

Thank you for stopping by today.
You can find more inspiration, and enter the challenge yourself by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!
 

Jake's 17th

Today is my son's 17th birthday..... 17!!.... those years have gone by in a flash.

I think you can guess what Jake's favourite pastime is eh? ;)
In fact, he's now studying Computer Games Design at college.

Everything is hand cut, except for the larger buttons on the controller which were punched out, and I used card candi, coloured with promarkers for the smaller buttons.
The patterned paper and alphabet (Jake) are from 'Don't Blink' by Bella Gypsy.
'17 TODAY' was cut using a Tattered Lace alphabet die.

Hello Snowman

Monday means it's time for a new I {heart}sketches challenge for From The Heart Stamps :)
Here's sketch #128...

Join in the challenge, and EVERYONE who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)

Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too. It's in the rules! ;)

Here's my card...

I chose to just follow the sketch this time.
The image i've used today is from the Project 100 Snowmen section, where you'll find images for just $1. This one is Hello Snowman, isn't he adorable?
I coloured him with promarkers, using colours that are similar to the ones in the papers ('Merry Magic' by Dovecraft).
The 2 small heart embellishments come with the image too.
'hello' was cut using a Clearly Besotted word die.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes
The Ribbon Girl - anything goes
Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes

You can find more inspiration, and enter the challenge yourself by clicking HERE.
Also, find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join our progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

For baby Skye

Good morning,
Today i'd like to show you this card, made to welcome a friend's new baby granddaughter, named Skye...

I hand cut the shape from a top folding card base, then used the shape to cut another piece from pink card stock.
The pink piece was then embossed on the bottom portion, using a Sizzix 'Candy Hearts' Textured Impressions embossing folder.
I decorated the edges using an open scalloped border die from Tattered Lace, and a Xcut scalloped circle die. Using the same dies again to make the apron part. The patterned paper is from a pad called Mr & Mrs from Lili of the Valley.
'baby' was die cut using a word die by Clearly Besotted Stamps
'SKYE' was cut using Tattered Lace alphabet dies.
I finished by decorating the card with the 2 smallest dies from Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio, and sequins.

Welcome to the world baby Skye, health and happiness always xx

I'd like to enter this card at:
Crafting Musketeers - anything but square
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes

Thanks for looking, have a great day xx

Need a little pick me up?

Good Morning :)
One of the things I love about From The Heart Stamps, is how versatile they are.
You can use the whole image, resizing them for your own needs. You can also select just part of the image, as I have with my card today.
Faith also gives us the best sentiments to use too, which you can mix and match with other sets to make a whole new card idea...

So, for my card today, I've used one of the Birdbrains from Flappy Birthday Birdbrain, and teamed it up with a sentiment from Birdbrain Needs Coffee, which I think go together really well, to make a get well card.
The patterned paper is by Doodlebug, from the Hip Hip Hooray pad. I used a Tattered Lace die to give it a scalloped edge.
I coloured my image with promarkers. Using this weeks sketch as a guide, I coloured around the birdbrain to sort of create the circle which is in the sketch layout.

Join in the challenge, and EVERYONE who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)

Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too. It's in the rules! ;)

I'd like to enter this card at:

Craft Your Passion - anything goes

The Ribbon Girl - anything goes
Fab n Funky Challenges - clean & simple

Thank you for stopping by, have a great day xx

FTH November 15 Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on this month's From the Heart Stamps blog hop.

Our theme this time is "CAS, and Over the Top"
We're showcasing one image, two ways.

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each blog. One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win an image of choice from the FTHS store.

If you have arrived here from Imke, you are in the right place. If you haven't, why don’t you start at the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything. The full hop list is there too.

For my cards, i've used Martini Chicks...

Here's my first, the CAS card...

Lots of white space, and a minimal design.
The image and bonus sentiment are the main focus of this card, simply backed onto yellow card stock.
I used gold glitter washi tape for added interest.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - food/drink
ABC Challenge - U is for Unlimited (anything goes)


And here's my OTT card...

I used this weeks sketch for my design because it has lots of layers. I also backed each layer with green shimmer paper too. The patterned papers are all from 'Twas The Night', Nitwit Collections at LOTV.
I dressed up the edges with a bit of sparkle using glitter washi tape which I stuck to some card stock first before die-cutting. The scalloped border edge pieces were cut using a Nellie Snellen 'Daisy' die, the holly leaves were cut with an old Quickutz die. I added red glitter Stickles for the berries.
PARTY! was cut using Tattered Lace alphabet dies. As the letters are quite thin, I stuck some double sided tape to the back of my card stock before die cutting the letters so that I could peel away the backing strip before adhering the letters to the card.. so much easier than using sticky glue.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Creative Inspirations - sparkle
Fab 'n' Funky - die cuts, and/or punches
Sweet Stampin - dies, and/or punches
The Ribbon Girl - anything goes

Now, please head over to Karen's blog to see her fantastic cards for this hop.

I hope that you enjoy hopping with us today.
The hop will end on Monday, November 9th at 6am EST (11am UK time).
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday, November 11th.
Good luck, and happy hopping! xx

Mikey's 5th Birthday :)

Mikey is my eldest grandson, RJ's big brother.
Our cute, funny, and cheeky little guy is 5 today.
Happy Birthday Mikey! XXXXX

These are the cards that I have made for him, starting with the card that we sent...

Mikey loves minions, I saw a few cards on pinterest, each having either a punch-art or paper pieced minion, and decided I wanted to make something similar too.
Everything is hand cut apart from the greeting (Tattered Lace alphabet dies), and the letter 'M' and number '5' which were die cut using die-namics dies.

and this is the card from Uncle Jake...

Mikey's next favourites are those awesome dudes... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, especially Michaelangelo (Mikey), as you'd probably guess lol.
I used a printed image, then used the same colours to print off the greeting too.
The background card was made to look similar to a man-hole cover by using an embossing folder (Heavy Duty) by Couture Creations.

Thanks Yeti 'gain

I LOVE this new Yeti image from From The Heart Stamps :)
Faith has created the most adorable 'monster' ever! But really, he's TOO adorable to be a monster, don't you think?

I created a scene using all 4 images from the set, and I also used one of the 4 sentiments too.
I coloured my scene with promarkers, and used a little white gel pen for the snowy tips of the trees.
I then simply layered this to paper and my card base.

To Faith... Thanks, yeti 'gain  to you, for another awesome image :) xx

I'd like to enter this card at:
Crafty Catz - anything goes
QKR Stampede - make your own background
Stamp and Create - brown or kraft

Thank you for stopping by today.
You can find more inspiration, and enter our weekly sketch challenge by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

A double birthday party.

My grandsons are having a joint birthday party tomorrow.

RJ was 1 on monday, Mikey will be 5 on Nov 5th.

I offered to make their party cake, a double sided 2 tier cake...

Mikey's side... Mikey likes Minions.
So this minion is 'up to his neck' in cake ;)

RJ's favourite toy is his Mickey Mouse plush.
I'm not adventurous enough to model a Mickey Mouse out of fondant, so went with this for his side...

Used the same idea that I did for his card.
I have 2 round black fondant ears to add to the top of this side of the cake, I'll insert them using wooden kebab sticks before the party.

EDITED TO ADD:  This is the mickey side with the ears attached. This was taken with my phone so isn't a very clear photo...

The bottom cake is vanilla madeira, the top is Mikey's favourite, chocolate.

I can rest up for a while now before work this evening.. *Phew!*

Wednesday Inspiration

Hello! it's time for a little mid-week inspiration for From The Heart Stamps.
My card for today uses the sketch from this weeks I {heart} sketches challenge...

Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too, it's in the rules!

I decided to make a masculine christmas card...

This fabby image is Christmas Spirit Birdbrain.
I grabbed my papers first of all, choosing Papermania's Capsule Collection (Spots and Stripes/Jewels), then I coloured my image with similar colours, using a white gel pen to add the dots to one of BB's wrapping paper rolls.
I used some gold glitter washi tape on his nose and head-band.
Quite a simple card to do, and another for my christmas card stash ;)

I'd like to enter this card at:
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes
Addicted to CAS - sparkle (glitter washi tape)
Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - make a card
I Love Promarkers - anything goes

Thank you for stopping by today.
You can find more inspiration, and enter the challenge yourself by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

Richard Jnr is ONE!

WOW! How fast has that year gone?!

My baby grandson is a big ONE today, he's started walking, so is now toddling about as he gets more confident and strengthens his chubby little legs. He's so cute to watch :)
And, though I do wish that I could share a photo of him to show you how adorable RJ is, and how beautiful his little smile is (showing off his six tussy-megs), my daughter and son-in-law don't want to put photos of their boys online, so I will respect their wishes.

I can, of course, show you RJ's birthday cards...

I used a Lili Of The Valley stamp for RJ's card when he was born, so I wanted to use this LOTV stamp for his first birthday card. The stamp used on this card today is called Baby Boy.
Stamped first with Memento ink, I then coloured the image with promarkers.
The denim and spotty papers are by My Mind's Eye (On the bright side), and the plainer blue paper is by NitWit, and was free with a craft mag some time ago.
I punched out some stars and used my Martha Stewart Circle Cutter to frame the image.
GRANDSON and the scalloped border were cut using Tattered Lace dies, and the number 1 was cut using a Die-namics By The Number die.

I'm entering this card at:
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
The Ribbon Girl - any image


And this is the card from Uncle Jake...

This card was quick and easy to do, I cut out the circles from black and red cardstock, I cut the red one in half and added 2 die cut buttons (Tattered Lace) and a Die-namics By The Number '1'.
I printed the text out, coloured in the letters, then added everything to the yellow background piece (Doodlebug, Snips & Snails). Card done, told you it was quick and easy :)

I'd like to enter this card at:
Cardz 4 Guyz - button it
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

Thanks for looking, have a fab day and a great week ahead xx

Christmas Greetings Snowmen

Hello friends!...it's Wednesday, so it's that time of the week again, mid-week inspiration for From The Heart Stamps.

Today is my wedding anniversary, 15 years, and we met 20 years ago on this day.
But I haven't an anniversary card to share today, I have given Dave this card.
So instead, i've made a Christmas card, because I seriously need to make some so that I don't have a mad rush in December lol :)

The image i've used today is from Faith's new Project 100 Snowmen line, this one is #14 to 17, Christmas Greetings Snowmen.
As with all of Faith's Project 100 Snowmen images, you can grab this yourself right now for just $1.00, a bargain i'm sure you'll agree :)

I really wanted to do both this weeks sketch challenge and twist together, which is to make a mail friendly card (to keep it flat). So I haven't used any dimentional tape at all.
I have added interest using Clearly Besotted Stamps's snowflake die cuts around the edge, which isn't in the sketch design, but as it's white on white, it looks ok to me. I did change the shape of the patterned paper piece a little though, as I wanted more colour towards the top right.
The paper is by Dovecraft, (Merry Magic).

Here's the sketch for reference...

Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

You can find more inspiration, and enter the latest I {heart} sketches challenge by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.

I'm entering my card at:
Whimsy Stamps challenge - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes

Thank you for stopping by today, enjoy the rest of your day :) xx

FTH Meet the DT hop

Welcome to my stop on  From the Heart Stamps blog hop for October.
We have a Meet the Design Team theme this month. Our designers are showcasing lots of gorgeous projects and telling us a bit about themselves, too.
As you hop along, please leave a comment on each blog.
One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win an image from the FTHS store.
And additionally, we will have a game with some prizes on the FTHS blog! :)

If you have arrived here from the lovely Imke, you are in the right place, if not why don’t you start on the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything.

Here is my card using an image from my fave FTHS category...

This fantastic image is one of my fave Birdbrains, Birthday Candle Birdbrain.
I've coloured him using Promarkers, but added detail with a black fineliner to draw in the tux.
The sentiment is one of SIXTEEN that you get for free when you buy this image. How fab is that?!
The paper is from Doodlebug's Hip Hip Hooray pad.
The balloons were embossed and then die cut using Cuttlebug's Disney combo set 'Celebrations'.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Creative Card Crew - masculine
Sweet Stampin - use a non-white base
I Love Promarkers - masculine
Simon Says Stamp (weds) - anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - masculine

Ok, so do you want to know a little more about me?

How long have you been on the From the Heart Stamps design team?
I was given the chance to be guest designer for April & May 2014, after which I was delighted to be asked to stay! I officially became a full time design team member in June 2014.

What is something about you that none of the other team members know?
I have an official IQ of 139, which is in the top 2% of the UK (apparently).
I took the test out of curiosity, after completing an initial test which I sent off via a national newspaper about 20 years ago. When those results came back, Mensa offered me the chance to take another test under proper, examination conditions.

What is your favorite coloring technique?
I mostly use Promarkers, then add detail sometimes with fine liner pens or SU markers.
I like to colour my images to personalise them for the recipient whenever possible. I gave my Birdbrain a tuxedo to wear today.

Here are some more examples...




What is your favorite category of images in the FTHS store?
Do you really need to know the answer to that one?... Birdbrains! :)

What emoji do you use most often?
:)

Describe your crafting space...
I converted my smallest bedroom into my craft room. I took apart the spare wooden bed and single wardrobe and used the wood to make my desk which goes around 2 walls. It's simple and basic, but it works for me :)

Why do you like to make handmade cards? 
It's a relaxing hobby, and I like to make a card that is more personal for the recipient.

What is a good tip for printing digital images? 
Use good quality cardstock for printing, I like to use extra smooth, high white cardstock of at least 250gsm.
Also, I don't colour an image as soon as it's printed, I like to print them a few days in advance if possible, but if i'm in a hurry, I heat set the image with my heat gun first.


Now, please head over to one of our new designers, Karen, for your next stop on the hop, and read more about this talented lady, and to see what she has created :)

Thanks for hopping with us today.
The hop will end on Monday October 5th at 6 am EST, (11am UK time).
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday October 7th.

Good luck, and happy hopping! xx

Did somebody say party?

Hello! it's time for a little mid-week inspiration for From The Heart Stamps.

This week i'm using part of the image Party Hat Birdbrain...

I say 'part of the image' because this week's I {heart}sketches challenge's twist is to enlarge then crop the digi image.

Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

I coloured my image with promarkers, and I printed my sentiment (one of SEVEN that you get for FREE with this image) onto white cardstock, then cut out a 'polaroid' style frame around the sentiment so that I could glue my image beneath it.
The papers are all from Doodlebug's Hip Hip Hooray pad.
I completed my card with a camera image that I stamped & coloured. The camera stamp was an Ebay purchase that I bought impulsively some time ago and haven't used until now.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Whimsy Stamps challenge - anything goes
Creative Inspirations - anything goes

You can find more inspiration, and enter this challenge yourself by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.
Please remember to join us on Friday for this month's Blog Hop :)

Happy crafting! xx

Birdbrain in the Spotlight.

My card for today uses the sketch from this weeks I {heart} sketches challenge for From The Heart Stamps...

Join in the challenge, and everyone who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too.

This weeks sketch is perfect for CAS cards, so I decided to go with that, but I also wanted to incorporate the twist, which is to use the Spotlight Technique.

My image today is Birdbrain Conversation Hearts.
I printed the image twice, then cut a slice off one so that it just had the candy hearts, then coloured that piece with grey promarkers for shading only.
The other piece I coloured with brighter colours then cut it out and backed this onto black cardstock so that it had a very slight border around this spotlight piece.
The red cardstock was embossed using a 'candy hearts' folder by Sizzix.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Sweet Stampin - emboss it
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes
Creative Inspirations - something sweet

Thank you for stopping by today.
You can find more inspiration, and enter the latest I {heart} sketches challenge by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

Birthday Cat Pout

Happy Monday! It's time for a new I {heart}sketches challenge for From The Heart Stamps :)
We're back to weekly challenges, here's sketch #118...

Join in the challenge, and EVERYONE who plays will receive a $1 discount code for the store, and if you are the challenge winner, you will receive a $5 discount code to the store! :)

Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too. It's in the rules! ;)

Here is my card...

*Sorry for the poor quality photos that I've had lately, I just can't seem to get the lighting/camera settings right :(

This fantastic image is Birthday Cat Pout, I got this image through Mekaela's FUNdraiser, by supporting the Colorado Select Girls Hockey Association.
Here's a list of other products that I've used:
Colouring medium: Promarkers.
Chevron paper: Erin Bradley Designs (chevron doodles)
Gingham paper: Erin Bradley Designs (summertime fun)
Paw Print tissue paper from my stash.
Dies: Marianne Anja's Vintage Swirls, Marianne Stencil Leaves, Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio, Clearly Besotted Stamps 'sister' word die.
Flat-back pearls.

The twist this time is to make an interactive card, so I made part of my design slide out to reveal the sentiment, which is one of FIVE that came with the image...

I'd like to enter this card at:
I Love Promarkers - sweet treats
Crafty Cardmakers - floral embellishments
Crafting from the Heart - anything goes
The Ribbon Girl - any image

You can find more inspiration, and enter the challenge yourself by clicking HERE.
Also, find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join our progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!

Happy Purrr-day!

Today is my sister's birthday. She loves cats, in particular her own cat Woody, a tabby, so here is the card I have made for my son to give to her...

This fun kitty image, food bowl image, and sentiment are all from DigiStamp Boutique's Cute Kitty set.
I coloured the images with promarkers, then framed it using the papers, which are both from My Mind's Eye (On the bright side).
The 'Pretty Lace Border' die is a Marianne one. I used it to edge the centre denim paper piece, then added faux white stitches to finish.
The 'Aunty' sentiment is by Clearly Besotted Stamps (For Everyone).

I'm entering this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - September's customer competition
Passion for Promarkers - use a sentiment
MAWTT - cute animal
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

Thanks for looking :)
Have a great weekend xx

Birdbrain Snowman

Hello! Happy Monday to you & yours.

So, Monday means that we have a brand new I {heart}sketches challenge for From The Heart Stamps :)

Here's sketch #117:

The twist this time is 'Lots of white'...

My image today is Birdbrain Snowman, coloured with promarkers. The sky has been sponged with my very old stampin spot of SU Bashful Blue ink.
I decided to add teeny acetate stars to the falling snow, the glue that I used has made the little circles a green colour, but IRL it doesn't look too bad.
The image is placed upon a debossed snowflake piece, and the patterned paper used here are both from Lawn Fawn's 'Peace, Joy, Love' paper pad. The top piece has been punched using a diamond border punch by Xcut.
I finished with a snowflake using the smallest die from the 'Snowflakes Trio' set from Clearly Besotted Stamps.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Shopping Our Stash - put a bird on it
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
QKR Stampede - birds
Crafty Catz - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - always anything goes

You can find more inspiration by clicking HERE.
You can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join our progressive challenge HERE.
Please join us on Facebook and “Like” our page to read about the latest FTH news.
We'd also love it if you'd join our Facebook Group too, this group makes it easier for you to share pics of your FTH makes, we'd love to see them!