I'm Back.....

February has been a VERY busy for me!  I have had a birthday...another year older, we have been away and I have been thoroughly spoilt....

It's now half term and we have another busy week....seriously, can life slow down please!!!!

Anyway, Happy belated Valentines to you all.  We didn't do too much as my birthday is just a few days before and the boys had climbing so bang went any romance.  I always make my husband a card and this year it was very simple.  Last years was pretty busy and not very nice looking back! Much prefer this one!  Maybe my tastes have changed!!!!

I used the little leaves die and chopped them about a bit.  I drew around the heart framelit dies to get the shape and the did some gluing and sticking...simple!
I think this is quite effective!

We have to go and sort our mortgage out now....I know how to have a good time!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
Take care

Supplies used, all SU unless stated;
Card/Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Lucky Limeade
Stamps; Delightful Dozen
Inks; Real Red
Accessories; Little Leaves Die, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits

A Very English Card

My Aunt lives in Australia and has done for many years. Its her birthday later in the month and when I saw one of the new sets that are available during sale-a-bration I knew I just had to make her a card using it. 

Sale-a-bration is like the January Sales of Stampin Up.  From 22nd January through to 22nd March for every 45.00 pound you spend you can order a free product from a choice of stamp sets, papers, buttons and ribbons.  The selection really is lovely.  So why not book a workshop and spoil yourself with lots of FREE products.

Back to my card, this stamp set is one of  six you can chose from and I just had to use it from my Aunt.  Although I have met her a few times, she moved to Australia before I was born and I thought she would love to be reminded of her days in London.

I loved the telephone box and knew that it HAD to be red.  I stamped it directly onto the first editions DSP and stamped it again on very vanilla cardstock and cut it out.  I don't know if you can see from the photo below but it gives some dimention to the image.

Hopefully the spiral flower won't get too bashed up during transport.....
The set also has a penny farthing bike which will be great for mens cards so its really versatile.

Aaron is off school today, he's not feeling too great and he is as pale as snow but hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow as the boys are going for suit fittings for my nephews wedding. I can't wait to see how they look, very handsome and very grown up I'm sure.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care

Supplies used, all SU unless stated;
Card Stock/Papers; Crumb Cake, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade First Editions DSP
Stamps; Feeling Sentimental (sale-a-bration)
Inks; Real Red
Accessories; Little Leaves Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder.
Non SU; Circle Die, Scallop Circle Die

Well, Well, Well....

what a few weeks I've had.  It seems to be the same old story with me about being busy and running around after the boys and this time is no different but last week I was out EVERY night with different things and I was shattered!!!  Thankfully we have had a nice quiet weekend with no football today so I am feeling slightly more refreshed!!!!

I do also seem to have lost my mojo in amoungst all the chaos.....I really don't have much to show for all the time I have been away!
Its my great nephews (I'm not that old...honest!) 1st Birthday this week.  My nephew is a gorgeous lad in every way, I have often told my sister that if my two boys end up half as good as her son I will be happy. Anyway, Harry is one this week and he is having a little party that we have all been invited to so we'll be celebrating next weekend.

Here is the card I have made.  I have recently purchased the Owl Builder punch after seeing some really lovely creations with it so here is my first attempt.....

It has turned out differently to how I pictured it but quite happy with my first try and I'm sure Harry will love it!!!!!
I have made a teddy bear card for the boys to give him, I'll try and post that one tomorrow.

The C word is fast approaching and we are getting there although the boys lists are shocking with some really bizarre requests, Aaron has a countdown app on his ipod so I am often told how long they have yet!!!

Thanks for stopping by and for your patience,
Take care

Supplies used: All SU unless stated: Not Quite Navy card and ink, Real Red DSP, Crumb Cake card, Early Espresso card, Lucky Limeade card, Little Leaves Die, Boho Blossom punch, Owl Builder punch, Up, Up and Away stamp set, Create a cupcake satmp set, Bitty Banners Framelits, Woodgrain embossing folder, Pettit Pennants Builder Punch,
Non SU; Die cut alphabet.

Holidays over for another year...

That will explain my absence.  We have been away for a week and had a fabulous time, we were really sad it came to an end quite as quick but as they say  'time flies when you're having fun'.

The card I have to show you tonight is using a technique I hadn't tried before but I think it looks really effective and soooo simple.  It's paper pleating and really easy to do thanks to the Simply scored tool.

An arty angle!!!

I really like this card (and for those of you who know me, I don't often say that!) I love this paper, I use it alot and another favourite, the mixed bunch set. I won the pleated ribbon in a goody bag at regional training recently and haven't used it alot but it really finishes this card off.

We are looking forward to another packed week next week and its Elliots birthday so it's busy busy and I'm yet to get him a present or make him a card......

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care

Supplies used: All SU unless stated: Basic Black card and ink, First Edition DSP, Lace Ribbon border punch, Mixed Bunch stamp set, Blossom punch, Pear Pizzazz Pleated ribbon, Little leave die, Lucky limeade card, Word Window punch. Boho Blossom punch, Easy Events stamp set, Elementary elegance brads.

Better flowers....

I promised you a better card (in my opinion) tonight.  I just think the placing of the card is better but you live and learn and as us all crafters know, we don't make mistakes, just happy accidents!!

This card is for my friend whose birthday is today.  She also makes cards and her style is very different to mine but I love them.  Aaron said yesterday that he had seen a card that she had made and added "Her cards are very nearly better than yours now Mummy!!"  Oh well, the world would be boring if we were all the same.

This is pretty much the same as yesterday but I do prefer it. Possibly the leaves balance it out a bit.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care

Supplies used; All SU unless stated: Crumb cake card, Melon mambo card and ink, First edition DSP, Little leaves die, pearls, Lace ribbon border punch, curly cute sentiment, boho blossom punch.

Suede effect flower

You'll be pleased to know I have finally sorted and cleaned my craft room and I even found the die I thought I had lost, no such luck with the punch though...

I have made a card for a friends birthday and, as I do every week recently, I had a look over at the simply stampin challenge blog and thought I would give it a go.
The challenge is clean and simple and although these colours on this card  may not normally be my first thought as clean and simple, I think it works.

 I tried the suede effect for the flower.  I kept running the flower between my thumb and bone folder the break the fibres of the card.  The card will start to peel apart and when this happens you slowly seperate the two pieces.  The close up shows it although the light isn't that great.

Last night Aaron was playing the guitar in a concert at our local theatre.  It was really good and I was really proud of him.  He was on edge all day but he thoroughly enjoyed being on stage and with the recent 'song writing' he and his friends are doing he may just make his fortune.......

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care

Supplies used; all SU unless stated: Crumb cake card, Wild wasabi card and ink, Blossom punch, Boho blossom punch, little leaves die, curly cute stamp set.