All quiet on the Eastern Front

Just because I haven't posted any new cards doesn't mean I haven't been busy! A while ago a former work colleague and her lovely fiance came to ask if I would design and make their wedding stationery. Up to this point I'd only made the odd card for special occasions for her so my first thoughts were panic and fear. What if they didn't like my ideas? Worse still what if I didn't have any ideas? But with that came an excitement that someone trusted me with an important part of their special day, well in this case weekend!

Whilst it is a small wedding, it's unusual in that it will be held in Wales, a place that's special to the bride and groom - who both live in East Anglia - and events are planned for the whole weekend. And so after much discussion it was decided that a folder would be the way to go, with pocket on one side to hold information such as travel directions, accommodation, menus etc and the invitation on the other. Chantelle had seen a similar folder I'd created to hold notelets and envelopes which she felt if scaled up would work quite well. The idea being that guests would only need to take one item with all the relevant information on instead of several pieces of card.

After much discussion the happy couple decided on an image for the invitation, one that will look beautiful once stamped and water coloured. We were rather lucky that Stampin Up had recently brought out a beautiful stamp and die set that is so perfect for weddings and it was decided to incorporate them into the design.

Obviously I'd love to be able to show the work so far....

...unfortunately as this is still a work in progress I can't 

reveal any of the details. My lips are sealed. What I can say, is that over the coming weeks I will be chained to both the computer and die cutting machine so please bear with me for the lack of posts. Also once the invitation folders have been sent out, I will be posting them on here subject to permission from my clients.

I'm in love... with the Jar of Love bundle

My order containing the Jar of Love bundle arrived yesterday and I've been dying to use it. It's funny how with some sets, I have so many ideas I don't know what to make first. At times like these I put pencil to paper and make a very rough sketch so that I don't forget. Also many of my cards evolve as I'm working, whereas this one I had a very clear image right from the start. It's loosely based on the card I made at Cards and Coffee with Susan at the Grand Piano in Godmanchester, Cambs.

Having got in the mood for Xmas at this weeks Cards and Coffee, I thought I'd make another card for the holiday season, although it has been sugested it would be suitable for Anzac Day with the right sentiment. I don't know about you, but I still associate Christmas with rich, warm colours and these just fit the bill.

Crumb Cake

Cherry Cobbler

Garden Green

Wild Wasabi

I used Wild Wasabi and die cut the largest "round" shape from Swirly Scribbles Thinits as my wreath. I love using the linen thread and this time wrapped it round my fingers a few times before then securing it to the wreath along with some leaves and stems stamped in Garden Green and die cut.

Now last week I really struggled with the 2 stage stamping. I got some scrap paper and had a practise; it's actually quite easy once you get going. The set also has some really small flowers, probably my favourites out the sets I currently own, so I had to include a few. A sentiment added onto the banner and the card was almost complete. The second part of the sentiment was stamped onto cardstock and stuck inside to complete the look. I hope you enjoy it.

Inside

One Set... how many ways part 2

Balloon Celebrations

Ok, I hold my hands up. I did say the remaining 2 cards would be on the next post. I'd also hoped that it wouldn't have taken me quite so long to put them on here, but as usual life got in the way so I apologise for the wait.

Day 4 we go back to the balloons. This time I used white card stock. I blended two colours together before punching out the shape. I love how the balloons are really vibrant against the white background; I think this is my favourite so far. The colour combinations are Tempting Turquoise and Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight with Tangerine Tango and finally, Melon Mambo blending into Calypso Coral.

Now finally onto day 5. Have you seen the little round stamp with lines through it? At first I thought it looked like a bicycle wheel but then it suddenly struck me. Using Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzazz I have slices of orange, lemon and lime! Once again I haven't put a sentiment on, I find it much better to wait until the card is going to be used so that I can get just the right one.

It almost feels as if I should have a jug of Sangria on the table next to me...

I hope that this will show how versatile this set is; there are so many ideas rattling in my head that it's a case of picking one. I could go on for at least another week. Apart from sentiment stamps and a cloud die set, I really have only used the bundle I set out to. Background papers have been made by either using the small stamps in the set or blending inks together. I had been saying to Susan, my upline at SU that I was finding it quite difficult as I had a limited stock having only joined in July. This has proved to me that you don't need a massive amount to start with - obviously I have a wish list a mile long which is slowly falling into my craft room - but with a little creativity and imagination you can create a variety of cards. And if all else fails, there is always Pinterest to kickstart the idea process. I've really enjoyed this challenge, so much so I'm thinking I will set myself a one sheet wonder target using DSP in the near future. Watch this space...

Cards and Coffee.... and a card or two

It's always nice to meet up with like minded people and spend a couple of hours eating cake, drinking coffee and of course, creating something beautiful. Yesterday I went to a Coffee and Card session hosted by Susan at the Grand Piano in Godmanchester. I highly recommend Susan's groups; lot's of chat and fun is had by all and she takes time to demonstrate new to us techniques whilst giving plenty of encouragement. I have to confess that yesterday I just couldn't get my eyes working well enough for the 2 stage stamping so ended up using some items already stamped. I've ordered the set used and know with practice I'll get the hang of it quite quickly.

Susan's design, Gorgeous isn't it?

The great thing about crafting with others is that we all have slightly different ideas on the theme and while it's accepted to copy - CASE - a project Susan has created for us, we're also encouraged to go "off piste" and run with our own ideas. The inspiration for this card was Jar of Love. We also used a Swirly Scribbles Thinlit die for the wreath. No two cards were exactly the same, I even chose to use slightly different colours on mine and also liked the idea of putting the sentiment onto a banner as you can see.

...and my version

I'm really looking forward to the next session, can't wait to see what we'll be creating next. If you'd like to create a card like this, pop along to Susan's blog for a list of items used.

One set.... how many ways

At the start of this week I decided that I'd take one stamp set, in this case Balloon Celebrations along with the balloon punch and make a different card or papercraft item each day. When I first started with Stampin' Up my lovely upline Susan, also known to me as Mama Duck, said that the best way to choose a stamp set was to have at least five designs in mind to use it on. Let's face it, we all like to get value for money.

So, lets start. For my first project, I'm not using the balloons which would be the obvious choice. The stamp set has 2 tiny stamps that look a little like tiny florets that together could create a dandelion head. It has to be said that when I first saw them, I wasn't too sure how I would use them. Anyway, as usual Pinterest came to the rescue and I've taken ideas from 3 sources and combined to make my own design. I created a background using Soft Sky, Marina Mist,  Dapper Denim and a little Night of Navy. A quick spritz with water and ink and once dried it was ready to stamp onto. To make the dandelion I practised a few times on scrap paper, trying out different styles until I was happy with the look. I certainly didn't want to mess up at this stage after the time it took blending the background. A dash of Wink of Stella on the stamped images and a few gems for a little understated bling and it was ready to mount onto the card. So here's the finished card.

Day 2 - and much as I like the dandelion theme - there will be more another day - today is the turn of the balloons. I've used the balloons before, the last time for my daughter's 21st birthday in August, so technically I could put that on here. I'm not going to though to prove the versatility! A little watercoloured background and die cut clouds had the balloons flying high in the sky.

Day 3 - and we're back to dandelions. When I came to make this card I realised that I'd used Marina Mist for the previous two. It's funny how we tend to automatically gravitate to certain colours isn't it. Anyway, I made a conscious decision to choose something different. This time I used Pink Pirouette, Pear Pizzazz and Wisteria Wonder; not a shade of blue in sight. I also used a design sketch for my layout from Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. Layout sketches can be great for kickstarting the flow of ideas and you can get completely different looks from the same layout. This time I used the ink resist technique.

The other 2 designs will be on the next post.

Star of Wonder, Star of Night....

So it's finally arrived.... and I'm only a day late posting this!

I've been really lucky as a demonstrator to have a good look at the new Autumn/Winter Catalogue for the last month. Now it's available for everyone to view and order from. There really are so many gorgeous stamp sets and dies, some bundled together for a saving of 10%. I've put a link on the right of my blog, I'm sure once you've seen it you'll be really excited and will want most of them too. I know I've really enjoyed seeing what other demos have been creating. I do have a confession though, I haven't put my order in yet! I know, it's so bad of me but I really am struggling to decide - in an ideal world I'd get it all. Anyway, one set I have put on my next order is Star of Light. Apart from the obvious Xmas cards I'm wanting to use the flourish with the brooms for more  magical Harry Potter cards. I blame my youngest, she lives and breathes HP so I guess it has rubbed off on me a little.

Another of my absolute favourites is Merry Mice, they are just so cute and never fail to put a smile on my face.

If you don't have a demonstrator and would like a catalogue, please get in touch with me.