Nature Walk Tag

I made this with Keryn's Friday challenge in mind : Ducks!

I know it's pushing the boundaries a bit, but seeing as I don't own any duck images I thought I'd use this delightful bird instead.

And I finally figured out how to make the banner bow out in the centre - use a Dimensional under the middle part and glue down the two ends!

What I used:

Card:  Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Soft Suede

Stamp Sets:  Nature Walk, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Tools and other fun stuff:  Vintage Wallpaper EF, Scallop Border punch, Stampin' sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, Bakers' Twine, Basic pearls.

My first ever 21st birthday card!

My daughter has just turned 21 and I had lots of fun making her card - and she loved it too!

I got the "Artistic Etchings" set specially for this occasion, firstly because of the keys, and secondly because we hope to go visit Paris one day!

And I guess I'd better share the card her 4 year-old brother made for her too - she had requested a card with purple and butterflies, so between both cards we managed to get all requests covered....

What I used:

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry

Stamp Sets:  Artistic Etchings

Tools and other fun stuff:  Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Top Note die, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals.

And what little brother used:

Card:  Non SU - one day he'll be allowed to use it!

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Prints, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Happy Birthday Keryn

Yesterday was Keryn's birthday and as I know she has already received this in the post I can show it to all of you now!

I received the latest Impressions magazine a few days ago and wanted to try out a new technique they showcased on the cover regarding mixing embossing powders to create a dappled effect.  They used black and white but I chose to mix gold and black (you guessed it, I don't have white!) to try and recreate the effect.  You may not be able to see the results too well in the photos but it did work and looks very nice.  As I was using black and gold I decided to go for a vintage/shabby chic look so used Rose Red, Crumb Cake and a hint of black to finish off the card.

(Click on cards for larger view)

What I used:

Card:  Very Vanilla, Black, Rose Red, Crumb Cake

Ink:  Crumb Cake, Versamark Watermark.

Stamp Sets:  Fresh Cuts, Sincere Salutations

Tools and other fun stuff:  Floral Fusion Sizzlets die, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals, gold embossing powder, black embossing powder, embossing buddy, heat gun, Scalloped Border punch, Scalloped Oval punch, Wide Oval punch.

Butterfly Love Letter

It's been a while since I last posted and my parents aren't even here yet!  Too much going on this week plus a total lack of inspiration I feel has been to blame, but today I managed to get to my crafty corner and make a card.  I had been meaning to use some more of my Love Letters DSP and in this card have combined that paper with the Buttlerfly Prints stamp set and am very pleased with the result.

And I was quite pleased how one of the Butterfly Prints actually matched the DSP houndstooth design!

I used quite a few techniques including heat embossing, dry embossing, sponging and background stamping.

What I used:

Card:  Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Love Letters DSP

Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Versamark Watermark ink.

Stamp set:  Butterfly prints

Tools and other fun stuff:  Square Scallop punch, Butterfly Punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Basic Pearls, Stampin' sponges, embossing heat tool, black embossing powder, Stampin' dimensionals.

Box of tricks

I know I tend to focus on cards because I love making them, but of course there are so many things to can do with a piece of gorgeous card or paper.  I am yet to make my first scrapbook page (well, I have made a scrapbook before but more on at a later date), but the other avenue I need to explore a little more is 3D papercrafts.  As I was tidying up my craft area the other day it dawned on me that I had a project there that I had not shared with anyone yet, and I really like it as it is useful and practical!

Some time ago I needed a container for my bits and pieces so I cut down an empty box and covered and decorated it.  What I used to cover the base was the paper that Stampin' Up! uses to pack its orders with, I crumpled it up and then smoothed it out, patted the Old Olive ink pad over it to highlight the creases and covered my box.  Then I stamped some Petal Pizazz flowers and leaves, cut them out and glued them securely to it - and it was ready!

I used the 'rock'n'roll' technique for two of the flowers - I can demonstrate it in your next workshop if you like!

What I used:

Card:  Very Vanilla, Stampin' Up! packing paper

Ink:  Old Olive, Rose Red, So Safron, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery

Stamp Set:  Petal Pizazz

Tools and other fun stuff:  Scissors, glue.

Vintage Love Letter

Hello again, well I finally figured out how to change the reactions on my post, now only have 'feel good' ones - well, it is my blog after all LOL!!

I've had a busy morning today, thought I would have got a little more done by now but can't really complain...

Here is today's card - followed a sketch this time from Stamping 411 which was quite straight forward so all's good.  Can you spot the difference???  Of course you can!  The first card looked a little naked so just had to add the greeting, now it's ready to give to someone!

What I used:

Card:  Riding Hood Red, Black, Very Vanilla, Love Letter DSP

Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede

Stamp sets:  Easter Blossoms, Sincere Salutations

Tools and other fun stuff:  Large Oval punch, Scalloped Oval punch, Buttons #5 Sizzlits die, Stampin' Dimensionals, stamping sponges.

My first post

Well, welcome to my blog - I've been wondering for ages about starting a blog which allows me to show you what I do in my creative time, and perhaps more.... still not sure!

So to welcome you here is my first "blogged" card - this is so exciting!  I won't go into details on what I used or what I did in this instance - thanks for taking a minute to stop by and smell the roses!

Bye for now

Frances