Mother's Day cards.

These are the cards that I made this year for my Mom.

I used the outline stamps from Peony Bouquet by Altenew, stamped with old paper distress ink, then coloured them with promarkers.
The spotty paper is by Dovecraft, Back to Basics (Baby Steps)
I used the largest die from Spellbinders 'Elegant Ovals', which has a sentiment is from DigiStamp Boutique printed on to it. MOM was die-cut using By the Letter dies (Die-namics)


Here's the card that Jake gave to his Nan...

I used the floral stamps from 'Gift of Love' by Stampin Up, adding a little more shading with promarkers.
The heart is a Marianne die (CR1225), stamped with a sentiment from a LOTV stamp set (digi version HERE), and NAN added using alphabet dies by Tattered Lace.
The stripy paper is by Dovecraft, Back to Basics (Bright Spark)

Happy Days

Here's a bright, colourful birthday card that I really enjoyed making today...

I used an image from a set of 3 from DigiStamp Boutique called Maddie Happy Days.
I coloured Maddie with promarkers, then fussy cut her out.
I wanted a fun back-drop for her so decided to use the sketch from this weeks Sketch Saturday challenge, adding candles (made from flattened straws) and balloons.
I used 4 different papers from the same pad (Doodlebug's Hello Sunshine).

I'd like to enter this card at:
Sketch Saturday - sketch #473
DigiStamp Boutique - July customer competition 
Passion for Promarkers - use a minimum of 3 patterned papers
Seize the Birthday - no topping

Thanks for stopping by today xx

2 for Emma's birthday

My eldest is celebrating her birthday today. Here are the cards i've made for her this year.

The first, from her dad & me, using DigiStamp Boutique's Alyssa...

My daughter has short hair, so I opened up the image in my paint program and erased her ponytail (just as if i'd not inked up that part of the image if it were a rubber stamp), then printed it out ready to colour with Promarkers.

Papers: Dovecraft's Garden Party, Lawn Fawn's Let's polka in the meadow.
Dies: Creative Expressions Gemini Pictor, Lawn Fawn Scripty For You, Tattered Lace alphabet.
Other: Funky foam (for dimension behind image and text), Spectrum Noir clear glitter brush pen.

I'd like to enter this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - April 17 customer competition
Seize the Birthday - 2 patterned papers


Now on to the 2nd card, this one was given to her from her brother...

It uses Lawn Fawn's Donut Worry stamp set.
I stamped 5 donuts in a row, coloured them with Promarkers, and added glossy accents to the 'icing'.
I added a sentiment which was computer generated.

Paper: Nitwit at LOTV Country Meadow.
Dies: Dienamics By the Letter.
Other: Funky foam (for dimension), Spectrum Noir clear glitter brush pen.

I'd like to enter this card at:
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Stamping Sensations - April Anything goes

Thanks for looking xx

For Gemma

Gemma is the eldest daughter of one of my closest friends, and she's recently celebrated her 25th birthday. This is the card that I made for her...

This adorable image is Birthday Nell by DigiStamp Boutique.
Other supplies:
colouring medium - promarkers
papers - Hip Hip Hooray by Doodlebug
flowers - Boho Blossoms punch by Stampin Up
dies - 'Elegant Ovals' by Spellbinders, Dienamics 'By The Letter', leaves (ebay purchase)
flatback gems, grey and white card stock, silver embroidery thread, Glossy Accents (on balloons)

I'm entering this card at:
Stamping Sensations - animal magic
Brown Sugar Challenge - birthday

updated to add an entry for:
DigiStamp Boutique - Feb/Mar 17 customer competition

Thanks for looking xx

Beer & Kitties...

Last month was my husbands birthday. So i'm sharing the cards that I made for him.
Dave and our cat, Tickle, are the best of friends. She snuggles up to him every chance she gets, and if she isn't in when he gets in from work, he soon has the door open, calling her home.
So I made this card for his birthday....

I used 'Crazy Cats' stamps by Tim Holtz, colouring the images to look like our Tickle.
I cut out the word HAPPY with Die-namics dies and glued them to more white card, adding 'birthday' beneath it (a word die from Clearly Besotted Stamps).
The patterned paper is by Basic Grey (Life of the Party), and the word husband was cut from one of my own designs Ticket Sentiments.


This is the card I made for Jake to give to him...

I've used 'Cheers' from DigiStamp Boutique, coloured with Promarkers, and paired it with this fantastic paper which was free with Making Cards craft magazine (May 2016, if you are able to order a back issue).
DAD was cut using an alphabet die, free with a different craft magazine (I forget which one).
I used Spellbinders 'Curved Rectangles' dies for the shape of this card.

Thanks for looking, see you on Monday for a new FTHS sketch challenge :)

50th Birthday cards

I was asked to make 2 cards for 2 special friends, both ladies celebrating their 50th birthday.
This is the first card...

I made a card almost identical to this last year, you can see it here.
The image is from DigiStamp Boutique (Florence and present).
I used the same supplies as the previous card too, although one of the papers is a different design from the same pad, 'Bonnets & Bowties' by Nitwit (at LOTV).
The name and number were cut using Die-namics dies, and the pretty frame was cut using a cArt-Us 'fountain' border die.

I'm entering this card at
DigiStamp Boutique - June customer competition 
Crafts galore encore - anything goes

and here is the 2nd card...

This image is by Stitchy Bear, well actually it's an image of one shoe, I added the other shoe (with permission first) by simply not printing the pearls on the other one, as you would do by not inking up that part on an actual stamp, then, after printing, drawing in the lines with a fineliner to fill in the space left behind. I fussy-cut them out after colouring, then layered one on top of the other. I added some stickles to the necklace for that added sparkle.
The patterned paper background is by Echo Park (Be Mine).
The number was cut using Die-namics dies, and the sentiment was printed off the computer.
I finished with lace and pearl trim from my stash.

I'm entering this card at:
The Ribbon Girl Blog - June card challenge
Sweet Stampin - 3 or more layers

Baby cards

Heres a few cards made for new arrivals...

This first card was handcut using a dl card blank, to resemble a baby's bottle...

I covered the front with patterned paper (Nitwit, country meadow), then used a crimper to make the neck part of the bottle.
'baby' was cut using a Clearly Besotted Stamps word die, and 'GIRL' cut using Die-namics dies.
I finished the card with some organza ribbon.
I will add the baby's name as a little tag off the ribbon once she is born.
I'd like to enter this card Craft Your Passion's anything goes challenge.


This next card also uses that baby word die...

This time, I teamed the word die with the precious sentiment and image also from Clearly Besotted Stamps, Little Onesie. I stamped the onesie image twice, onto both plain and polka dot paper, so that I could paper piece it.
I'd like to enter this card at Less Is More (polka dots)


And following on from the Little Onesie set, I used the 'precious' sentiment on this card too...

I also stamped the word Granddaughter using a couple of stamps from the For Everyone stamp set, also by Clearly Besotted Stamps, but sadly not available anymore.
The image is from DigiStamp Boutique, called Baby Chicklet, and is coloured with promarkers. I added a couple of sequins and some pearls too. Then framed the image using a Nellie Snellen die.
The striped paper is really old, it's a dsp from a Stampin Up collection called Sweet Always.
I finished the card with a punched heart coated with glossy accents, punched & sponged flowers and punched gold shimmer-vellum leaves.
I'd like to enter this card in DigiStamp Boutique's monthly customer competion for March, also, The Ribbon Girl's any image challenge, and finally, the spring flowers challenge over at In The Pink.

Thanks for looking xx

Dad's birthday

Today is my Dad's birthday. I've made a couple of cards, one sent from me & hubby, the other from Jake.
I wanted to use the same paper pad for both cards. I used the now retired Stella & Rose 'Hattie' from My Mind's Eye.

This first one's image uses LOTV's Put Your Feet Up...

I coloured it with promarkers, layered it onto grey cardstock, then set an eyelet for the frayed ribbon trim.
My sentiment is by inkadinkado, and DAD was cut using die-namics dies.
The collection of stars are from a Marianne Creatables die (Punch Die - Stars).

I'm entering this card at:
Sketch Saturday - sketch #402
DigiDesign Challenge - 2 or more dies
Crafts Galore Encore - make a card in March

This next card uses Snoozing Ralph image and sentiment by DigiStamp Boutique..

Again, coloured with promarkers.
'Grandad' was cut with a die by Crafts Too. I don't have grandad, so I cut Grandson twice and pieced Grand from the first, and then the a & d from the other die-cut.

I'm entering this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - March 2016 customer competition


It's my son in law's birthday tomorrow, so i'll be back then with a pic of his card.
Have a fab day, won'cha?  ;) xx

Shake your tail feathers!

Good morning :)
I'd like to share a card i've made for my friend's daughter, who's celebrating her 24th birthday today...

I've used this fab stamp set by DigiStamp Boutique called 'Cluck cluck set'.
The sentiments shown are also with the set, and I've coloured the images using promarkers, ooooh I had so much fun colouring this up, I was singing whilst doing it, and I bet you can guess which song, lol ;)
The pink patterned paper is by Echo Park (Little Girl), and the purple spotty piece is by Dovecraft (Back to Basics).
I finished with flowers, cut using my Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio die, leaves cut from green shimmer paper using 'In Stitches' dies by Clearly Besotted Stamps, and some card candi coloured with my pear green promarker.

Here's the inside of the card, this will raise a smile I think...

I'd like to enter this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - February's customer competition
Passion for Promarkers - Papertastic!
MAWTT - Things with wings
Seize The Birthday - Anything goes (no topping)
Little Miss Muffet - Anything goes
The Ribbon Girl - February card challenge
ABC Challenges - A is for Animals

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Midweek Inspiration at FTHS

Happy New Year everyone! :)
I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, here's wishing that 2016 will be a kind year to you all too.

Let's kick of my 2016 posts with a midweek inspirational one for From The Heart Stamps.
But i'm actually going to share the christmas card that I gave to my parents, because I haven't blogged it before.

This image is Mistletoe Birdbrains, don't they look smart in their finery?
I teamed up this fab image with a sentiment from DigiStamp Boutique, and paper from Lawn Fawn (Peace, Joy, Love).
Dies used here are Marianne Creatables 'Mistletoe', and a Tattered Lace scalloped border die.

Thank you for stopping by today, have a great day! xx

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

Lauren's 21st.

Today is my God-daughter's 21st birthday. Happy birthday Lauren Rhian :)
This is the card that I made for her.
I wanted to make this card after seeing Karen Burniston's fab card. Unfortunately though, I don't own the pop-up die that she used, so I just cut a couple of slits in the inside base so that it made a pop-up tab for me to add the cake image to...

The spotty paper was a piece of 12x12 from my paper stash, I'm not sure of the brand, but I think it may be by Papermania.
I've used my SU eyelet border punch to edge the pink inside card, and used a die from Spellbinders Nestabilities Decorative Elements 'Elegant Ovals' to frame where I wrote my greeting.
The balloons were die cut and then embossed using Cuttlebug's Disney combo set (Celebrations).
I used Die-namics 'By The Letter' dies to cut Lauren's name then glued the letters to hand-cut banner shapes, which were then glued to a piece of gold twine which dangles across the card.

The cake image which pops up is from the Milestone Birthday Set by DigiStamp Boutique.
I tucked the bunting behind the image to take a photo so that you can see it...

I'd like to enter this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - July customer competition
Fantastic Tuesday - anything goes (twist: make it feminine)
Crafting By Designs - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - anything goes
Seize The Birthday - anything goes (topping : embossing)

Hope you liked the card today, thank you for stopping by, have a great weekend!

Cheers!

Happy Saturday! I hope you have some fun plans for your weekend.
Today I have made a male birthday card, using an image from DigiStamp Boutique, this is 'Cheers!' and it's just 99p at the moment...

I kept the design simple, adding interest with the banners that are beneath the image.
The paper is by 'snips & snails' by Doodlebug.
'alan' was stamped by inking individual letters using a Paper Smooches stamp set, unfortunately I smudged it a little, but it doesn't look too bad.

I'd like to enter this card at :
DigiStamp Boutique - July customer competition
Papertake Weekly - build it up
The Male Room - spots and stripes
Seize The Birthday - anything goes

Thanks for looking, enjoy your weekend :)

Florence & Present

This card uses a pretty image from DigiStamp Boutique, it is Florence and present, isn't she a cutie?

Both patterned papers are from the collection 'Bonnets & Bowties' by Lili of the Valley & Nitwit.
The 'happy birthday' sentiment is by Paper Smooches (sentiment sampler set), and the name was cut using Die-namics 'by the letter' dies.
I've added a die-cut frame behind the floral piece using a cArt-Us border die (fountain), which I snipped in 2 pieces so that I could glue them around the corners.
The layers are given dimension with foam tape.

I'd like to enter this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - July customer competition
Passion for Promarkers - flowers (my background)
Papertake Weekly - build it up

For Father's Day

Happy Monday everyone.
Here is the card that I gave to my Dad yesterday...

I have had this image, The Big One by Stitchy Bear for quite a while, and have been meaning to use it for a card for my Dad since he loved to fish when he was younger.
I've teamed it up with papers from Kanban's Male Backgrounds CD, using the checked pattern to make a rosette for my embellishment.
The 'world's best dad' stamp is from Stamps Away, though I'm not sure if they are still in business.
The other sentiment at the bottom of the card is by Stampin Up, from the 'Bring on the Cake' stamp set, then I replaced the 'w' of wishing with the f.
The number 1 die is from Die-namics 'by the number' set.

I'm entering this card at:
Cardz 4 Guyz - father's day
Creative Inspirations - male creations
Sentimental Sundays - father's day / manly



Next up is the card I made for my Son to give my Hubby...

I've used this fab image from DigiStamp Boutique, it's from a set called New Baby Animals. After colouring with promarkers, I did a bit of fussy cutting.
The backing paper is by Prima, from their 'Forever Young' pad.
I've used some Hunkydory scrabble letter card tiles and the ampersand die from Die-namics 'by the letter' set.

I'm entering this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - monthly competition for June
Top Tip Tuesday - cut it out
Crafting for all Seasons - it's a boy thing

Bob(ette)

This card is for a friend who is moving into a new home tomorrow...

This cutie is Bob, (though for this card it's Bobette, lol) you can get Bob from DigiStamp Boutique. If you want to buy a girly froggy with a bow and a flowery dress, then you can get Bianca. I don't own Bianca so Bob was given a pink top on this occasion ;)
I've coloured using promarkers and a blender pen, and added a little shading with pencils.
I've framed the image with a Lea'bilities die (Leane 005 Frame Curve).
The paper is by First Edition, called Bird Song.
The flowers were cut using my Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio die, and then I finished with some bling and a leaf punched with a Woodware punch (Ash leaf).
The sentiment is computer generated.

I'd like to enter this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - March customer competition
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - Anything goes
Papertake Weekly - a cut above
Sister Act  - Anything goes

Thanks for looking :) xx

For Dad's birthday.

A few weeks ago, whilst browsing through Pinterest, I saw a card that made me giggle, but like a fool I didn't re-pin it, the design was simple enough to remember though.
I thought it would be funny for my Dad's birthday card this year...

I glued papers from Kanban's Male Backgrounds CD onto kraft cardstock, then tore the corner of the front of the card, then used yellow, brown and dark grey inks to sponge the torn edge so that it would look as though it had been burnt.
The candles are scraps of paper rolled up, then I glued the 'flames' to the top of each candle, which were die cut using the medium sized leaf from Die-namics 'Flower & Leaf trio' die.
'DAD' is also die cut, using Die-namics 'By the Letter' dies.
The sentiment is computer generated.

I'm entering this card at:
Sister Act - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - anything goes


And this is a card made for my Son to give his Grandad...

I've used Chap Snoozing from DigiStamp Boutique, and coloured with promarkers.
I actually embossed the background with a sweet/candy embossing folder, but it's lost with the patterned paper and image covering most of the card front. (The paper is by Bazzill Basics, from the Dino-mite pad). The bottom edge of the 'not quite navy' piece was made using my old SU spiral punch.
The sentiment is computer generated, and the stars are from my stash.

I'd like to enter this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - March customer competition
Creative Inspirations - something old (my SU spiral punch)

Thanks for stopping by today :) xx

George Swooney

Today is my husband's birthday.
For years my hubby has joked that he gets mistaken for George Clooney when people meet him for the first time, lol, when in reality he of course doesn't look anything like him haha!
I decided that this year i'd utilise that joke for his birthday card...

The image is George Swooney by Kenny K, and i've coloured him using promarkers.
I made the text bubble on the computer.
I've printed a sheet from the Heartfelt Paper Set by DigiStamp Boutique, and also used a scrap piece of navy dovecraft paper.
I've used 2 die sets, both by Die-namics; By The Letter (uppercase), and Staggered Heart Border.

I'm entering this card at Sketch Saturday, as I've used Debra's fab sketch (although I flipped it)
I'd also like to enter at:
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Crafting By Designs - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
ABC challenge - A is for Anything goes

He laughed when I gave him this card, hehe. Happy Birthday Dave!

Christmas Tweets

Here's the christmas card I have made for my daughter and son-in-law this year...

I've used an image from the Christmas Tweets set by DigiStamp Boutique.
The snowflake border is from a Poppystamps Die (Frozen Flakes), and the paper is by Dovecraft (Merry Magic). The sentiment is computer generated.

I'm entering this card into the December customer competition at DigiStamp Boutique
and also at:
Papertake Weekly - last christmas card of 2014
Creative Card Crew - anything goes
Pennys Paper Crafty - anything goes
Creative Inspirations - christmas/new year
Addicted to CAS - family

I want to thank you for visiting me throughout 2014, and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and that 2015 is a happy and healthy year for you all.
Have fun, relax and enjoy! Cheers! :)

Jo xx

Christmas Gift Horse

Isn't this horse adorable? What a great image. It's from Whimsy Stamps (a Crissy's digi).
It's reduced at the moment because Whimsy have announced that they can't continue with digi stamps from 1st Jan 2015 because of the new VAT tax laws in the EU. So if you planned on buying any digi's from Whimsy, grab them now while you still can.

Here's the card recipe...

Image: Whimsy Stamps 'Christmas Gift Horse'. Coloured with promarkers.
Sentiment: DigiStamp Boutique 'Christmas Greetings set 3'
Paper: Jennifer Ellory 'Berry Merry'.
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Decorative Elements 'Elegant Ovals', Marianne Creatables 'Mistletoe', & Dienamics 'By The Letter'.

I'm entering this card at:
Allsorts - Animal Magic
That Craft Place - Christmas
The Ribbon Girl - Anything goes
A Random Fan - Christmas
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes