Football Bears

I do love Lili of the Valley's cute images, and these Football Bears are no exception...

I don't think you can buy this stamp from the website anymore, I bought mine from their Ebay outlet shop.
I coloured the bears in West Bromwich Albion's colours for a friend who's a fan of the club (We won't mention the terrible season they're having eh?)
Paper is Stella Rose 'Hattie' by MME.
Die cut football is an old Quickutz one (Soccer Ball).

Number of Years

Here's a card that I've made for a friend...

I've used one of my newest stamp sets, 'Number of Years' by Stampin Up
I used Memento dew drop inks Rose Bud, Pistachio, Grape Jelly & Lulu Lavender.

I'm entering this card at:
4 Crafty Chicks - anything goes
Moving along with the times - add a number
Penny's Paper Crafty - quick & easy
Seize the Birthday - anything goes
 

Thanks for looking xx 

Stippled Blossoms for 2 special birthdays.

I was asked today to make cards for 2 ladies celebrating special birthdays over the next week.
Time was against me a little, because these needed to be done quickly so that there is time for them to be signed by all the staff where we work.
I decided to get out my SU Stippled Blossoms set again, and do the same card but in 2 different colour ways.
Here's the results...

I stamped the design on inside of each card to match, using the more detailed stamp of the set. I've seen this done before and really liked the resulting 'backing paper', and i'm really happy with how they both turned out.

Only wish that I'd realised that i'd run out of lilac/purple gems BEFORE I stamped and stuck it all down!

I stamped the flowers and leaves using Memento dew drop inks.
The colours used for the pink card were Angel Pink & Rose Bud, and for the purple were Lulu Lavender & Grape Jelly, The leaves for both cards were stamped using Pistachio & Olive Grove.

Hopefully they'll like their cards.

I'm entering the challenges at:
Crafty Creations - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - anything goes
MAWTT - add a number


Thanks for stopping by today.

For my friend...

I wanted to make my doggy loving friend a birthday card using some of the stamps from my Tim Holtz Crazy Dogs stamp set...

I coloured the images with promarkers before fussy cutting them out.
The background was made using a paw print embossing folder by Darice, and I used a spellbinders die to cut a frame into the front of the card.
The sentiment is made from stamps by Craftwork Cards (Label Tape Sentiments), and a Clearly Besotted word die.

I'm entering this card at:
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

Thanks for looking, have a lovely day xx

Birthday Farm Animals

Today is my friend's birthday. This is the card i've made for her using Simon Says Stamp's Birthday Farm Animals stamps & dies...

The card is a pop up inside, I added extra die cut balloons to go with the balloon that the piggy is holding...

Stamps set: SSS Birthday Farm Animals (with matching dies)
Coloring: Promarkers
Patterned paper: Sugar Shoppe by Doodlebug

I'd like to enter this card at:
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - use patterned paper
Seize the Birthday - anything goes

Birthday dog

It's my friend's birthday next week, and this is the card i've made for her...

I've used one of the dogs and accessories stamps from Tim Holtz Crazy Dogs set, coloured with promarkers.
Happy is from Mama Elephant 'Celebration Balloons', and birthday is from Mama Elephant 'Photo Bomb' stamp set.
I tied some embroidery thread around the dogs tummy and glued the ends to the balloons, then used foam pads to raise the balloons and the dog.
The background was sponged with SU inks, and the shadows added with a promarker.


I'd like to enter this card at:
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - Furry Friends
Cute Card Thursday - CAS
QKR Stampede - Birthday cards

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

More Peonies

I got out my Altenew Peony Bouquet stamp set again. This time to make a birthday card for a friend...

I used Memento dew drop inks in the colours Lulu Lavender, Sweet Plum, and Elderberry.
I didn't stamp the leaves from the same set on this occasion, opting instead to use an ash leaf punch by Woodware.
The paper is by Dovecraft, the white lattice die cut is from Paper Smooches, and the sentiment is by Stampin Up ('Bring on the cake' stamp set). I added a few drops of Star Dust stickles to finish the card.

I'm entering this card at:
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - Fantastic Florals
Sweet Stampin - Flowers
Seize the Birthday - anything goes (no topping)
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

Thanks for looking, have a great day xx

FTHS sketch challenge #162

Another Monday rolls around, and with it a new I {heart}sketches challenge for From The Heart Stamps :)
Here's sketch #162...

The twist is 'Snow Day', and there is also an option of using the colour palette shown above the sketch, if you wish to use them. So you can choose the sketch, the twist, the colours... or have a go at all 3 if you'd like to!
One lucky challenger will win 2 images of their choice from the store :)
Remember though, you must use an image by From The Heart Stamps to be eligible for the random draw, and please include a pic of the sketch in your blog post too. Thanks :)

Here's my card, made for my best friend's hubby, whose birthday is at the end of the month...

I rotated the sketch clockwise by 90 degrees, and used the colours option too. Yes, even the red, there's a teeny weeny bit on the beer bottles.
This fab image is from Hamlet PigWit Cold Suds. I used promarkers to colour him.
I got inky fingers with my distress inks to create the gradient background, then stamped the beer mug image over top, which is from the 'Cheers to You' stamp set by Stampin Up.  I used Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood, and Tumbled Glass distress inks.
The striped paper is from a Bazzill Basics pad called Dino-mite.
For the sentiment, I wanted to use a font with a more handwritten look to it for this card, so 'cheers' is actually from Birdbrain Brew.
However, you do get 7 sentiments to use with your choice of the 4 images also provided, which is an absolute bargain, and a 'must have' set for your male cards.
Just look at Hamlet's little face as he anticipates slurping on his favourite tipple! Maybe I should have drawn his tongue hanging out too lol ;)

I'm entering this card at:
Shopping our Stash - winter blues
I love Promarkers - CAS
Creative Inspirations - anything goes
Sweet Stampin - masculine

Thanks for stopping by today xx

A true friend...

Hello friends! I hope that you all had a fantastic Christmas time, and hoping you have a happy and healthy 2017 too.
I may not have posted for a while, but I did make some cards. I just didn't take photographs or blog any of my work. We're busy getting ready for the arrival of our new grandson, due 4th March, although the scans are showing him further ahead so may be a week or 2 earlier. *we're so excited!*

So yes, i'm back. More importantly though, Faith is back too :)
Did you grab the Bunny Love freebie? No? well go get yours now, trust me, you NEED it for your collection, it is TOO adorable!

For my first post of 2017, i'd like to welcome you to my stop on this month's From the Heart Stamps blog hop.
Our theme is Love and Friendship. The girls have made some wonderful examples to show you.

If you've arrived here from Imke's blog, 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.

I'm using Easter Egg Birdbrains for my card. Not so much to make a card for Easter, but more because I love the 'true friend' sentiment which is one of 4 that you get in this set. You also get an extra image, which is a row of patterned eggs.

Here's my card...

I coloured the image with promarkers, but lightly sponged the sky with ink.
Once coloured, I gave it a pretty scalloped top by using a Marianne border die (wave).
The sentiment was printed onto pale blue card and glued above the image as shown.
I used strips of patterned paper top and bottom (Lawn Fawn's Perfectly Plaid).
The little heart embellishment at the top is from the Heart of Hearts die by Impression Obsession.
Though you can't see it, I also added a bit of clear Wink of Stella on the pink card stock, butterflies and egg shell to complete my card.

I'm entering this card at:
Cute Card Thursday - something fun to make you smile
Crafty Catz - anything goes with a twist (ladies card)
Brown Sugar Challenge - anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - all creatures great and small
I love Promarkers - anything goes


Now, please head over to Kathy's blog to see what she has created. As you hop along, leave a comment on each blog. We will select a random winner from the comments on each blog and on the FTHS blog to win one image of your choice.

I hope that you enjoy hopping with us today. Thank you for joining us.
The hop will end on Sunday, February 5th 2017 at 6 am EST (11am UK time).
Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday, February 8th.

Wedding roses.

This wedding card was made for my friend who got married last Friday..

I stamped and fussy cut my flowers using Vintage Roses by Altenew.
I added extra foliage with a fern leaf punch.
The rose patterned paper is from a collection by Nitwit called 'Always & Forever'.
The embossed piece and 'Mr & Mrs' die are from the same Signature collection, Together Forever by Sara Davies.

All bases covered.

My lovely friend, Karen, is celebrating her birthday today. As soon as I saw Dog on Scooter - Vrooming by, by Gerda Steiner Designs, I instantly thought of her, and knew I wanted to use this image on her birthday card, so I bought it straight away.
Here's what I did, & why I chose it:
Karen is a dog groomer, and animal lover... check
Karen owns a scooter... check
Karen's favourite colour is blue... check
Karen is a massive Mod music genre fan... check
Karen supports Wolverhampton Wanderers football club... check (scarf colours)

I think this card will please her, don't you think?
I used promarkers to colour the image, but the Mod target background card was printed off the computer then glued to thick white card.
'Happy Birthday' is from the middle of a stitched circle frame die.
Die cut flowers and card candi complete the card.

I'm entering this card at:
Craft Your Passion - always anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - in the round
As You Like It - your trademark style (I like to colour the image especially for the recipient)
Sweet Stampin - outdoors
The Ribbon Girls - July, any image

Have a lovely day!

My first 'Planter Box' card

I've been wanting to make a card like this for a while, and so I decided to make one for my friend's birthday...

I don't have a wood effect stamp (yet) so drew onto kraft card stock with a sandstone Promarker instead so that it didn't look to plain.
The flowers are stamped with Memento inks using SU's 'Vintage Vogue' stamp set. I added punched stamens to the larger flowers then added a crystal gem to the centre of all the flowers.
The leaves were also punched out.
The main sentiment is from an old sheet by Kanban (I think).
Anita's name was added using a Tattered Lace alphabet die.

The card collapses flat so that it fits inside an envelope and can be posted easily.

Mid-week 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!

Here's my card...

I've used Kitten Surprise, coloured with promarkers, then fussy-cut out.
The main papers are both by My Mind's Eye, from their 'Life of the Party' pad.
The die-cut flowers (Die-namics) were also cut from a pad called Life of the Party, except it's from Basic Grey and not MME.
The sentiment is from Graceful Sentiments, a really beautiful sentiment set.
I finished the card with flat-back pearls and sequins.

I hope you'll join us this week, and remember there's a new blog hop this Friday, so be sure to join us then if you can. :)

Birthday Farm Animals

Here's a card that i've made for my friend's husband, whose birthday is coming up on Saturday...

These fun party animals are from Birthday Farm Animals by Simon Says Stamp.
I coloured them with promarkers, masked them off and sponged in some blue ink behind them.
The cow was stamped and coloured on another piece of card stock so that I could cut him out and pop him up with foam pads.
I added some dots to the cupcake case, and some wink of stella (clear) to the balloon and party hats.
The strip of patterned paper above the image is from Doodlebug's Hip Hip Hooray pad.

I'm entering this card at:
Allsorts - birthday wishes
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Seize the Birthday - anything goes

Stamping florals

Last week I treated myself to 2 new stamp sets, well actually one of the sets was an old set by Stampin Up that i've always wanted & I found it for sale on ebay and just had to buy it while I had the chance.
The other set is a new by Altenew, called Vintage Roses. I've been dying to get my inky mitts on this set, it sells out so quickly. Infact, it's out of stock now from where I bought mine.

First the Stampin Up card, the set is called Vintage Vogue...

I die cut the card base using the largest die from Spellbinders Timeless Rectangles set.
I stamped and cut out the flowers and leaves as I wanted the card to have a little dimension.
I used some old SU inks, lavender lace & mellow moss.
'friend' was cut using a word die by Clearly Besotted, and I finished the card with some sequins for a bit more texture and added sparkle.
This card is for a friend who will celebrate her birthday on Thursday.

I'm entering this card at:
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Less is more - add some texture
Sweet Stampin - glitter & sparkle


and here is the Altenew card...

I kept this one simple too, again, using old SU inks. This time I used pretty in pink, regal rose, bravo burgundy, mellow moss, & always artichoke. I used pastel beige & satin promarkers to colour around the stamped images.
The sentiment is by Clearly Besotted, and was from a free set in a craft mag.
I added a bit of wink of stella (clear) to the roses after they had dried, which I know is always hard to capture in a photo, but looks so lovely in real life.
I die cut the dotty border using a die from Paper Smooches Dots & Dashes die set.
Simply layered with pink card stock, another piece of card stock coloured with bravo burgundy ink, and then glued to a card front.
I'm giving this card to my friend's mother, who also celebrates her birthday on Thursday.

I'm entering this card at:
The Ribbon Girl - February card challenge
Brown Sugar Challenges - anything goes
Allsorts - birthday wishes


Thanks for looking, have a great weekend :) 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 :)

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

Cider anyone?

Hello! Hope you're well :)
I had a little play with my digis for today's inspiration card for From The Heart Stamps.
I asked Faith for permission to use images from 2 different digis so that I could make this card.
Thank you Faith, for allowing me to do this xx
IMPORTANT : ALWAYS ask for permission from the copyright holder, BEFORE altering any image(s).

I could have printed the images out as they are and cut out the apples and each bottle from their surrounding images, but, wanting to prevent as much waste as possible, I asked Faith if it would be ok to do it this way instead.
Faith allows anything that you are able to do with a physical stamp, so in this instance, if the digis had been in rubber I could have inked just the bucket, stamped it, masked it, then inked and stamped just the bottle from the other image.
Digi's however, give you the option to resize and flip (mirror) your images so that they work really well together ;)

So, I merged together the bottle (x3) from Birdbrain Brew, with the apple bucket from Apple Market to make a cider themed birthday card.
I coloured my merged image with promarkers, then fussy cut it out. Also, although you can't tell in the photo, I added Glossy Accents to the bottles, apples and to the metal trim and handles of the bucket. Looks really good IRL, pity my camera skills are a bit naff eh?
The sentiment is from another FTHS set, Birthday Brew.
The papers are called Apple Picking, and are from an Etsy seller, Bitsy Clips.

I'm entering this card at:
Allsorts challenge - favourite colour (Green!)
I Love Promarkers - anything goes
Crafting from the Heart - anything goes
Shopping our Stash - layer it on me

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 the current Stamp Of The Month and details of how you can join our progressive challenge using it HERE.

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!