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