Happy Valentines

Well why not? We have Christmas in July events so why not Valentines in October? OK, so it's only an excuse so I can share this card. I did start out with the intention of making a birthday or anniversary card, but in truth I just wanted to use the Artisitc Etchings set with no particular end aim in mind and this is how it evolved....

My Grandad was in the RAF stationed in India in WWII and brought home lots of little postcard style photographs; these were the inspiration for a photo style card. By the time I added amour it was definately no longer a birthday card in the making. OK, so I know it's well used, the old line about Paris being so romantic and proposals at the top of the Eiffel Tower and such .... but love date stamped in Paris turned it into a "not a heart in sight" valentines card. The french script carries on the en France feel and the rain drops .... well last time in Paris it poured down. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, which is already well used ... a sentiment for practically every occasion.

Stampin' Up! materials used:

Stamps: Artistic Etchings, French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Erly Expresso

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Whisper White.

Thanks for stopping by .....

Something for everyone ....

I recently got my order of new goodies from the new Stampin Up catalogue in a BIG brown box; I expected this to be claimed .... but Harry was more interested in the packing material.....

.... after an evening of shredding, pouncing and chasing his tail .....

And onto today's make .... a male card with a colour combo from the Colour Coach; Marina Mist, Cajun Craze and Crumb Cake.

The motorbike was stamped in Early Expresso and coloured with the blender pens. I must admit that when I first got these, I wasn't so taken with them, trying to use them left handed due to the broken wrist .... but .... after perservering (and a few goes with my right hand!), I think I'm mastering them!

Stampin Up materials used:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Motorcycle

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Inks: Early Expresso, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake

Tools:  Blender pens

Thanks for stopping by ....

Vintage Vogue Birthday ....

Another sample make, trying out a colour combo that's not one of my go-to choices. Basic Black, Rose Red and Whisper White.

I stamped the background in a curve using the vine stamp and my stamp-a-ma-jig so I didn't overstamp the images. The stamp-a-ma-jig has got to be the most used SU tool I have.

The flowers and leaves were stamped separately so I didn't need to mask areas and cut out ... I wish there was a matching punch for this set. The flower centres were finished with a mix of pearls and rhinestones for extra sparkle. A loosely knotted ribbon finished it off.

The inside was decorated too .....

SU Materials used:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Rose Red

Inks: Basic Gray, Rose Red, Certainly Celery

Punch: Scallop Trim

Ribbon: Black Stripped Grosgrain

Thanks for stopping by ....

CASEing Owls ....

I've used the topnote off the edge before and I recently saw it used with the owl, but have forgotten where ... if it was your card, thank you, I loved it and would love to give you your credit.

I don't tend to use a lot of yellow on cards, but I think that the So Safron gives it a really fresh and light look. I joined in between the perferations on the Topnote die-cut with Wild Wasabi marker to make it look like it has been stiched .... great to have the effect without the hassle of threading the machine up!

The inside was decorated too .....

Quick and easy to do, using up only a scrap of DSP but has great effect in continuing the design .... and it makes it look like I've spent a lot more time on it!

SU Materials used:

Stamps: Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: So Saffron, Whisper White, So Saffron DSP, Early Expresso, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink (textured), Wild Wasabi (textured)

Ink: So Saffron, Wild Wasabi

Punch: Two step Owl

Dies: Topnote, Little Leaves

Thanks for stopping by ....

2 down, 18 to go ....

I made a start on my quilt!!!!

I had to miss the first class as it was the same day as the fundraiser for the Golden Retriever Rescue. Poppy didn't win any of her classes but she did win 3 bags of biscuits which pleased her greatly.

My first block was rail fence... a lot of the blocks have names. This strip pieced.

And the finished block ...

It's not perfect, but I've been told it's not bad for a first go. On a roll, I made the second, called Jacob's Ladder. It's in pieces here, but it is sewn together .... honest.

Next time, it's applique .... yeaayyy .... I know how to do this .... well one method anyway, the rest are still a mystery.

Thanks for stopping by ....

3D Vintage Vogue ....

The new Stampin Up catalogue launches today .... anyone else been eagerly awaiting today to get their first order in? If  you haven't already got your copy ..... where have you been? .... there are so many new stamps, colours, dies and ..... fabric!

My Mum needed to make a Ruby Anniversary card for a friend, so she put Cherry Cobbler in my mind. The flower was made from 4 of the big flowers, removing another petal on each layer and then adding the cut away ones to build up the middle. The centre was finished with a mix of Basic Pearls and Rhinestones. Even though the flower is 3D, it will flatten to fit in an envelope ready to pop back up when it's opened.

I am loving the music notes wheel, it's so versatile, I've used it on Christmas, Wedding, Birthday designs already.

I like to decorate the insides of cards too, especially to give somewhere to write the message when I have used a dark coloured card for the base.

If I was going to make this card again, I don't think I would add the flower again; it looks so different flat than on the front of the card.

Su Materials used:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Music Notes Wheel, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake

Dies: Topnote, Little Leaves