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.

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

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.

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

Digging Dog

Here's a mid-week inspiration post for From The Heart Stamps.
This week, i'm using our current sketch (#143), and our current Stamp of the Month, Digging Dog...

I've coloured this cutie with Promarkers, cut the image to shape, then die-cut the edges with a die from Paper Smooches Dots & Dashes set. I backed this piece with a piece of kraft card.
The patterned paper used here is by Nitwit (Bonnets & Bowties), I hand-cut the blue piece in the shape of a bone.
I finished the card with a scalloped piece (SU border punch), and a paw print which was stamped using an 'inchie' stamp from a retired company, Tanda Stamps.

You can find more inspiration, and enter the sketch challenge yourself by clicking HERE.
Also, you can find our current Stamp Of The Month challenge and details of how you can join this progressive challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Beautiful Vintage Roses

I LOVE Vintage Roses by Altenew.
It's such a lovely set to use, producing beautiful, realistic flowers.

I was asked to make a card for a 60th birthday...

This card took a while to do as I don't have the matching dies yet, so had to cut the flowers and leaves by hand, then I sponged the edges of each piece, before deciding on my placement.

Recipe:
I used Memento Dew Drop inks.
Flowers - dandelion, canteloupe, tangelo & potters clay. Leaves - new sprout, pistachio & bamboo leaves.
Papers - LOTV (Nitwit) 'Country Meadow'.
Diecut - trellis die by Clearly Besotted Stamps, & Die-namics 'By The Number' dies.
Punch - eyelet border by Stampin Up.
Sentiment - 'Bring on the cake' stamp set by Stampin Up (stamped onto vellum and heat embossed with gold EP).
Gold glitter washi tape, flat back pearls, and clear wink of stella on roses.

I'm entering this card at:
Cardz 4 Galz - woman or women
QKR Stampede - add some sparkle
Ribbon Girl - Spring/Easter or anything goes
Whimsy Challenges - anything goes
Stamping Sensations - Flower Power

Hope you all have a great weekend 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

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

Baby Daisy

A lovely friend of mine went into labour with her first child 10 weeks earlier than expected.
Her little girl, Daisy Elizabeth, is, as you'd expect, staying in hospital for a few more weeks yet. Thankfully, little Daisy and her Mommy are both doing well.
I have made this card, and of course, there's daisies on it...

I used 'Little Onesie' by Clearly Besotted Stamps, stamped onto patterned paper and shaded with an almond coloured promarker, though that is hard to see that in the photo.
I also used their 'baby' word die too, which I cut 3 times and layered for a stronger result.
The pretty frame is a Lea'bilities die (Leane 005 Frame Curve).
The papers are all from 'Country Meadow' (Nitwit Collections) by Lili of the Valley.
The daisies were all punched, glued, the edges sponged, then finished with flat back pearls at the centre, which were each coloured with a yellow promarker. The leaves were punched from pale green vellum.

I'm entering this card at:
Crafting from the Heart - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - to die for
Crafty Catz - new beginnings
Creative Inspirations - flowers
Shopping our Stash - layer it on me

Thanks for looking xx

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

Hello Prickles!

It's Monday, and time for a brand new I {heart}sketches challenge at From The Heart Stamps :)

Here's the sketch, the twist this time is to add a charm...

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 the current Stamp Of the Month, Prickles Says Hello. What a cutie eh?
I've coloured the image with promarkers, then added some glossy accents to Prickle's glasses.

The beautiful floral paper is from 'Country Meadow' by Lili of the Valley.

The sentiment 'friend' has been die cut using a word die by CBS from kraft card, with a piece of pink card behind, so actually this is the negative of the die cut.
I finished by adding a dragonfly charm hanging from a pink spotty brad.

I shall be entering this card into the following challenges:

I love Promarkers - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes
Simon Wednesday challenge - friends or superhero

You can find more inspiration, and enter the I {heart} sketches challenges 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!

Have a fab day, thanks for visiting :)

Kiki Bloom

It's Inspiration Thursday over at LMM today, where you can see what the Little Misses have been making over on our Facebook Group.

Here's my card...

 My image today, is Kiki Bloom, a pollycraft image from the latest release.

The blue patterned paper is from Echo Park's 'Splash' pack.
The lilac striped piece is by Nitwit 'Bonnets & Bowties'.
'4u' was cut using Die-namics dies.
The flowers were from my stash, I added card candi to the centre of them that had been coloured with markers.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Creative Inspirations - anything goes (option of a sketch, I used #6)
Crafting from the Heart - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - to die for (use a die)
Fantastic Tuesday - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today. Remember, you can see more inspirational cards by the Little Misses added to the group page throughout the day,

Oooh, and don't forget our current challenge, the theme is Anything Goes, so there's no excuse not to join in eh? :)

A couple of girly makes...

I have made a couple of girly cards. This first one uses a pretty image from DigiStamp Boutique...

This is Florence and present, isn't she a cutie?
The 2 floral papers are from the collection 'Bonnets & Bowties' by Lili of the Valley & Nitwit.
The sentiment is taken from the middle of a cake stamp by Stampin Up ('bring on the cake' stamp set).
The embossing folder used here is Swiss Dots.
I added a flower using Die-namics flower and leaf trio die, and finished off with some flat back crystals.

I'd like to enter this card at:
DigiStamp Boutique - July customer competition
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Inky Impressions - anything goes
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes
The Pink Elephant - anything goes


On to my other card. This one uses an image from 2 Cute Ink...

This is Sweet Horse,  oh and she definately is a sweetie, don't you agree?
I printed her a few times, coloured and fussy cut, and then decoupaged so that she'd be more 3D.
I've used that Nitwit/LOTV paper pad again for this card too.
After sticking down the floral paper I die-cut a heart from the front of the card using the largest plain heart from Marianne's scalloped heart set. Then die-cut the scalloped heart so that I could frame the aperture.
The horse was then glued to the inside back of the card so that she would poke through the heart.
The flowers were all made using SU's boho blossoms punch.
The name was cut using Die-namics By The Letter dies, and the greeting was handwritten.

I'm entering this card at:
2 Cute Ink challenge - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes
Crafty Catz - anything goes
Milk Coffee challenge - 2 or more die-cuts

UPDATE 04/08/14: This card is a challenge winner at 2 Cute Ink! Thank you! xx

Baby Baby

It's time for a new challenge over at Little Miss Muffet.
This time, as the title of my post suggests, we'd like to see your Baby themed projects please.
Here's my card...

I've used acetate across the front of this card, then embossed it with a cloud folder I received free with a craft magazine. I thought it would be an ideal backdrop for a baby washing line.
I die-cut the washing line using Clothesline Metal Die. You get extra pegs with this die, which I coloured with promarkers to make them look like wooden dolly pegs.
I've used images from Hanging Clothes Baby, and another image from Hanging Clothes Mother, fussy cutting them to hang on the clothesline.
I've used SU's eyelet border punch for the pretty edges. The green paper is by Nitwit.
'BABY BOY' was cut with Die-namics By The Letter dies.

Challenges entered:
I Love Promarkers - ribbons
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Inky Impressions - anything goes

You'll find the challenge rules, a place to link up your entry and more inspiration by the other Little Misses on the challenge blog.
Please visit our Facebook Group or the LMMS page, where you can see other cards made by the Little Misses uploaded throughout the day.

Thank you for looking :)

Cecilie

Good morning everyone!
It's Inspiration Thursday on the LMM Facebook Group today.

You may not recognise this cutie straight away, this is Polka Dot Pals Cecilie, but she has been to the hairdressers for a 'trim'. Ok, so I messed up while colouring her hair and needed to give her a restyle. oops!

I decided to make a large painters palette for the backdrop, so I drew one onto some kraft card, cut it out, sponged the edges, then added blobs of acrylic paint before leaving to dry.
I wanted a plainish background, so chose this softly striped paper which is from a pad called Bonnets & Bowties and is by Lili of the Valley & Nitwit Collections.

I'm entering this card at:
The Cutie Pie Challenge - cute digi
SSS Monday Challenge - start from scratch (the painters palette)
Paper Makeup - anything goes
MAWTT - girls just wanna have fun

Thanks for looking, You can see more inspirational cards from my fellow Little Misses added to the group page throughout the day,

And remember, our current challenge, which is a sketch challenge, and a really lovely sketch it is too ;)

18th birthday cards

I was asked to make a couple of cards for an 18th birthday...

This image is by Stitchy Bear, well actually it's an image of one shoe, I added another shoe (with permission) as I prefer the look of the pair, although I did print the single shoe with pearls again so That I could layer it with foam pads. I printed an additional string of pearls too, after colouring them, I cut them out and gave them a coating of Anita's 3D clear gloss.
The paper is by Melissa Frances (Classic Elegance - Strictly Business)
I diecut the '18' with Die-namics By The Number dies.

And here's the other card...

This fun image is Funny Face by Redonkadoodles.
Both the floral & soft striped papers were free in a craft mag, it's from a pad called Bonnets & Bowties and is by Lili of the Valley & Nitwit Collections.
I've added this pretty border either side, using a cArt-Us die (fountain), then added some flat back crystals and punched flowers to decorate.
'Niece' was cut using Die-namics By The Letter dies.

Little Miss Sketches

Little Miss Muffet Stamps are sponsoring the new challenge at Sketch Saturday, (please pop over to Sketch Saturday for all the details) and this week, it's a special week...

Today, Sketch Saturday is celebrating 6 years!
I posted the very first sketch on the blog on 31st May 2008.
To start with, My intention was to just share my layouts with anyone who would like to use them to make a card. Then, just a few months later, Sketch Saturday had a design team and sponsors! Then it became a popular challenge blog loved by so many :)
I had a fantastic time in my 4 years there, and though I was sad to go, it was the right time to do so, to give SS a new injection of craftiness with a fresh design team and fresh sketches.

To help celebrate 6 years of sketches, we are having a Blog Hop! There are prizes hidden along the Blog Hop, so leave a comment at each stop on the Hop to maximize your chances of winning!

Hopefully you came here after seeing Jen's fabulous creation.

For my card, I used SS sketch #299...

This image is one of my faves, Birthday Bunny by Little Miss Muffet Stamps.
The pretty paper was free in a craft mag, it's from a pad called Bonnets & Bowties and is by Lili of the Valley & Nitwit Collections.
The sentiment is from Paper Smooches 'Sentiment Sampler' set
I used the smallest flower from my Die-namics flower and leaf trio die and added a blue flatback crystal to finish.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Lexi's Creations - happy birthday
The Pink Elephant - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Crafty Catz - anything goes

Please hop along next to Julie's blog, oh and don't forget to comment ;)

The sketch challenge (using any sketch between 215 and 311) and the Blog Hop end at 7pm UK/ 1pm US-CT time on the 6th June.
All winners will be announced on the Sketch Saturday blog, on Saturday, 7th June.
Good luck everyone :) xx


Here's the hop order...

An InLinkz Link-up

For Ethan

Ethan is my cousin's little boy, he was a poorly baby but thankfully he is fine and healthy now, and will be celebrating his first birthday on Friday :)
Here's the card i've made for him using my fave Mo Manning image.

The image is called Spit Happens, and is my go-to image for baby and first birthday cards.
My cousin is a Liverpool fan, and says that Ethan will be having his first LFC football strip lol, so that is why I have given the image a red top and used red lettering.
I cut out the 1 shape from a white A5 card blank then drew around the shape (in the reverse) onto the back of my background paper which is by Nitwits (called 'little mittens'). Once I got the shape, I cut in a few mm from each line so that the paper would have the white card stock border around it.
The sentiment is computer generated, and 'ethan' was cut using my die-namics 'by the letters' dies.

I'd like to enter this card at:
DP2 challenge - for the boys
Here Come The Boys - baby boy
Crafting By Designs - anything goes
Creative Inspirations - no square or rectangle cards
Paper Crafting Journey - for a boy

Thanks for stopping by today xx

Sparkle and Trevor

Super Saturday is the day for a freebie and a discounted image over at Little Miss Muffet Stamps, oooh Barbara spoils us doesn't she?

Today's freebie is Sparkle...

I've coloured Sparkle with my promarkers and then added some SU dazzling diamonds to the outside of the star. It is added to the card with foam pads.
I thought red mirror card would be a good choice to use on this card, especially as I was going down the christmas card route. My christmas card collection is looking really healthy now :)
I've used spotty Dovecraft christmas paper, and the rest of the sentiment was printed off the computer.
I finished this card with the embellishment, by using my Quickutz holly die and a few red gem crystals.

I'd like to enter this card at:
Creative Inspirations - something old, something new
(old - paper & quickutz die, new - image and mirror card)


Next, we have Forest Friends Trevor Tortoise, today's spotlighted rubber stamp...

Again, coloured with promarkers.
The background paper is by Nitwit, from a collection called spring whimsy.
The sentiment is handwritten, then mounted on to a kraft scalloped circle.
The card is finished with green seam binding and woodware punched leaves.

I'd like to enter Trevor at:
Crafty Sentiments - animals


You can grab Sparkle for free and buy Trevor for a discounted price today. Details can be found HERE.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember that we have a DT CALL on at the moment if you fancy being a Little Miss too ;)
And you still have time to enter our current challenge 'Away with the Fairies'.

Happy Crafting! xx