Love & Care

This is one of my most favourite sets and it is such a shame that it is a Level 2 Hostess Set as I think everyone should have this set.
I got my inspiration for this card from the very talented Teneale Williams as I have to admit I was a little Mojo Low last week when I was doing my class preparation. Although once I go started I didn't want to stop.  I don't think I will be able to part with this set when the new Catalogue comes out.

Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, River Rock and Very Vanilla

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, River Rock

Stamps:  Love and Care, Word Play

Accessories: Rhinestones, Rhinestone Brad, Very Vanilla Ribbon

Birthday Elements

Although I wasn'g going to do butterflies for awhile one just managed to sneak in this week.  The first card we made was a girly birthday card.

Cardstock:  Early Esspresso, Rose Red, Pink Pirrouette, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Esspresso
Stamps: Elements of Style, Curly Cute
Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Rhinestones
Extras:  Nestabilities Die Cuts

Now that I see this, it is not a good photo but it is far too cold to go out and take another one so sorry about that.

A Little Bit Antique

I wanted to create an antiquey feel for this card and although there were a few steps involved it was actually easy to create.
The photo doesn't actually show it but we did the Faux Mother of Pearl technique on this card so it actually has a gorgeous glimmer to it.
We firstly stamped the En Francais onto Very Vanilla card.  We then dabbed Champagne Shimmer Paint onto this using glad wrap and let that dry.  Next we brayered Blushing Bride ink over the entire piece and then Crumb Cake over that to mute the colour and age it.  We then stamped the flourish from Elements of Style in Rich Razzleberry over the entire piece.  The two flowers were stamped onto a scrap and cut out, sponged and mounted on dimensionals.  The card was Rich Razzleberry and then mounted with Soft Suede and Blushing Bride and finished off with some Rich Razzleberry ribbon.
The mounting layers were edged using the distressing tool and sponged with the same ink colour.  The edges were rolled to make it look like peeling wallpaper.
It is such a pity that the glimmer hasn't photographed well as it looks great.

Corner Fold Cards

There cards are a bit of a change to the easel fold card and are really quick and easy to make but create a bit more of a WOW than a normal fold card.
In last weeks class we made two of these in different colour schemes.

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black

Stamps: Sweet Summer (Sale-A-Bration set), Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls

Card Stock: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz, Very Vanilla

Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz

Stamps: Just Believe, Thoughts & Prayers

Accessories: Large Oval, Wide Oval Punches, Lots of Tags Bigshot Die, Big Shot, Papers from Level 1 Hostess gifts

Extras:  Nestabilities Scallop Circle and Circle Die

These were both easy to make but effective.  I think I will be making a few more in this style for something different.

Meet Millie

For years now my husband and I have gone hot and cold on getting a dog.  We have never been on the same page at the same time until last Saturday!  Hubby thought it about time we bite the bullet and I visited our local pet store and just fell in love with a little bundle of fluff.  She was tucked away in a cage in the back of the store and I nearly missed her.  I was acutally on my way out of the shop after seeing some other pups and decided to have a look around at all the "extras" available for pets now.  Luckily I did as there she was, just the perfect little bundle.

After lots and lots of cuddles, I was torn away as I couldn't make a decision on my own.  I had to wait for hubby to see her on Saturday.  I went off to work Saturday morning and he promised to go and have a look and that he would call me when he was there.  The call never came and I thought he had maybe changed his mind and we wouldn't get a dog.

When I got home I got the most amazing surprise - we had our little bundle of joy!  I knew he couldn't resist those pleading little eyes if he saw her.

So meet Millie, our little Schmoodle who is so so cute and very cuddly.  She looks at you pleadingly and you just can't resist sitting down and having cuddle time.  Well she has done that to me many many times this week and not a lot has been happening around our house this week.  Do you think you could resist this face..........

We are having a bit of fun trying to train her to use her piddle pads so if anyone has any tips, I would love to hear them.  The upside of this is that I now have the cleanest floors as I seem to be mopping constantly.  It reminds me of the good old potty training days with my children and happily I got there with them so at least I know the time is coming where she gets it.  Lucky she is so CUTE!

Cards For the Boys

I am always looking for a male orientated card at the last minute for something and never seem to have any.  We made these two cards last week in class and I have used them both already so I will have to make a few more.  I always find making male cards a little difficult and my sons and husband are always saying keep them simple.  They all liked these two cards so I was on the right track.

The first card with the sailing boat was very quick and easy to put together.

Stamp:  Seaworthy
Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Night Of Navy, Very Vanilla
DSP:  DSP Designer Pack in Neutrals
Access:  Spiral Border punch, Blender Pens
Ink:  Soft Suede, Night of Navy, Stazon Black

I love the Spiral Border punch for male cards as it gives definition to the card without being over obvious.

The second card is with the fabulous Motorbike stamp from the Autumn/Winter Mini.  This catalogue finishes at the end of July so don't miss out on any of your favourites.  This also was a quick card to put together even though there are a few layers involved.

Stamp:  Motorcycle, Occasional Greetings
Ink:  Real Red, Stazon Black
Card: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Designer Pack in Neutrals

Floating Butterflies

Last week was my last class for the term.  We had kids sport all weekend so today was the first day that I actually felt like we were on holidays and it feels goooooood! We are not going away for the holidays so hopefully I get some play time to start next term organised - now theres a challenge!

This first card can be done with just about anything.  We used butterflies as I am hooked on the butterfly die at the moment but the options are limitless.  You could use stars, hearts, flowers, birds, balls, anything that is relevent to the occassion.  This card looks so much better in the flesh and will get a WOW from whoever you give one to.

Card stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Desingner Paper:  DSP Pettern Pack in Neutrals
Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterfly die, Tasteful Trim die, Accetate, Rhinestone gems, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Elegant Bouquet Emboss Folder
Stamps: Curly Cute

Scallop Easel Card

This week has been a bit of a catch up week with classes so there was only one new project.  I have finally got around to trying a Scallop Circle Easel Card after admiring them for months and months.  I was surprised at how easy they are to put together and it just goes to show you just have to give things a go.

With all the excitement building about getting a new Catalogue fast approaching, I have had a look at the stamps that I have and haven't used yet!  Oh boy, do I have some work to do.  This is always a difficult time for me as I still have so many projects I want to get to but feel the clock ticking away and I never want to part with anything - just can't wait to get new goodies to play with.

Stamps:  Because I Care (Level 1 Hostess), French Foliage, Great Friend, Style Beautiful
Ink: Always Arthichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Black Stazon
Card: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Punches: Scallop Oval, Large and small oval
Access:  Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Circle Cutter, Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Now that I have done this one, I want to try out the concept with some of the other Die cuts that we have.

A Couple of Night Owls - Bertie & Bob

Even though I am not a "bird" person when it comes to craft and stamping, I have to say I just love these owls!  A few weeks ago I got to have a play day with a group of very talented ladies and Kez showed us how to make these gorgeous owls.  Check out her gorgeous little couple.  The talented Lynn Pratt created the template and you can purchase a copy from her by visiting her blog site and clicking on templates.

I had a little play on Monday night and these were my take on the little cuties.  I originally set out to do a Bride and Groom set but left it a little late and wasn't up to working out a wedding dress so I settled for a couple "Out On The Town".  I really felt that Bertie needed eyelashes and she certainly got some.  My original version had shorter eyelashes and no glitter and I just felt that something was missing.  This is the updated version and if you can't see in the photo, I sprayed the eyelashes with Champagne Shimmer Paint and they look very GLAM!!!!!

I have used Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Basic Black & Crumb Cake card stock.  The papers are from the Love Letter DSP set.  There were quite a few punches used and I made my eyes larger to create a "doey eyed" look.

Bob's Fob Watch was created using the Clock for Sense of Time and Bertie is blinged up with some clear rhinestones.

I am looking forward to creating more characters using this awesome template and I'd like to thank Lynn and Kez for the inspiration.

Yellow Fairy

A few weeks ago, I had some play time and I had just received Awash With Flowers so I created a few different cards using this set in various techniques.  I have had a few requests to do this one so it finally managed to get on the class list.  As much as I love yellow as a bright summery colour, I am not drawn to it in my craft so this was my own personal challenge - to use yellow.

Card stock:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper Whtie

Stamps:  Style Beautiful, Bring On The Cake, All In The Family

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Corner Rounder, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle and 2 1/2" Circle punches