Monogram Gift Set

This set is a little Christmas gift for my brother's partner. I recently got some monogram stampers from Justrite Stampers but haven't had time to play with them up to now with all the Christmas cards that needed making.

The box is one from Sharon Johnson for Justrite blog here - just love how Sharon makes such beautiful gifts - the only alteration needed is to score the edges at 1" not 1 1/4" or it won't fit English envelopes!

The paper is from the Boxes and Tags pack from Papertrey Ink as is the cardstock and ribbon. All the circles, scallops and squares were made using Nestabilities.

Home for the Holidays Take Two (and Three)

Here are another couple of cards made with PTI's Boards and Beams set with the Home for the Holidays addition.

































I think I must have coloured and cut out about a 100 windows for my Christmas cards but I like how the single layer card turned out. I added liquid applique for the snow and a bit of stickles glitter glue to bring a bit of sparkle.
























I also made another acetate card using the townhouse from the Boards and Beams set - it's a really poor photo taken on my office window at work and acetate is so hard to take a good picture of! I just noticed one of the windows is wonky - hope it straightened itself in the post :)

Timeless Template and Cards Gift

If you haven't yet checked out Lauren Meader's Timeless Templates for Papertrey Ink you should whizz over and take a peak. For only about £3 you can download great templates and then go check out Lauren's blog for shed loads of ideas on how to use them. The one I used here is called Music Makeover - for holding cd's but I used it to hold some cards as a birthday gift for the friend I made the fairy card for. I printed the template off onto Papertrey's cardstock and used some matching Papertrey papers and ribbon to it, also some SU hodgepodge hardware.

Here are two of the four cards I filled it with. On her blog Michelle Wooderson shows how to make a batch of cards using Papertrey stamps and accessories and I made a few of these for this and some for stock. Really pretty and quick to put together.

Flower Fairies

I made this card for a good friend at work who loves Fairies. The stamp is called Faerie Poppets by Christine Haworth and sent to my by the lovely Penny. I coloured it with SU water colour crayons and a blender pen. It's quite a busy stamp so I tried to keep the card simple with some cuttlebug card and a Spellbinders tag which I sponged and stamped while it was still in the die.

Weekend Sketch Challenge

I made this for Beate's sketch challenge this weekend. I used a new set from Stampin Up called Upsy Daisy - it came all the way from Germany from my Secret Sister, April. I made this for her to say a big thank you for all the lovely things that April has sent me over the last 3 months:)
I stamped the the daisies in 3 different inks and then used my new Lables 1 nestabilities to frame it.

Berry Sorbet Flowers

I think Berry Sorbet ink from Papertrey is one of my all time favourite ink colours. I thought I'd try something new for this card - I squished some of the ink on to the lid of the ink pad and picked up the colour with an aqua brush and used it to paint the flowers. I wasn't sure if hybrid ink would work with water but I liked how I could then match the flowers to the Papertrey designer paper, cardstock and ribbon. I lifted the layout of the flowers from Melanie (again!) as I just loved how she had grouped them on her card on her blog. The flowers on the middle panel are stamped in the same ink on the reverse of the linen vellum cardstock.

No Flowers!

My DD needed a card for a friend's birthday last week and so I put this together for her using some matching papers and this fun stamp set from My Favorite Things called 'How Sweet it Is'. I used Copic Markers to colour it in and added sentiment & ribbon by Papertrey and some hodgepodge hardware from Stampin Up.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge

I go look at Beate's weekend sketch challenge every weekend and this was great inspiration to put this card together. I used my new Year of Flowers stamps and took my colours from the designer of the stamps Melanie Muenchinger - check out her beautiful blog if you have time. I was trying for an Autumnal (if that's how you spell it!) feel for this one.

Rainy Day Tulips

It's a really miserable rainy day here today and the clocks went back this morning so it's going to be dark extra early - not my favourite time of year so a good excuse to stay in and play with my new stamps from Gina K. Designs. The tulip is from A Year of Flowers and I made this as a case for the featured stamper over at SCS's to send to a friend who is having a very tough time right now.

Home for the Holidays

I made this acetate card as a submission for the Papertrey Ink guest star stamper this month (you can see all the great entries here) using a combination of two sets - Boards and Beams and Home for the Holidays. I went through a whole pack of acetate to get the fence and masked trees right when I was stamping them with white stazon.

The house was coloured with Copic markers and the decorated windows & snow (done with liquid applique) are popped up to give it a bit of dimension.

I was definately the most difficult card to photograph as I kept getting my own reflection in it! I just managed to keep it open here with Paul holding while I clicked away. The inside sentiment is from the Holiday Wishes set and the leaves/berries from Believe.

A Rose is a Rose

In my last parcel of goodies from the US was this new rose set from Stampin Up and some new Bella Rosa papers. I had decided to get it and sell my old wild rose one and I'm so glad I did as this one is so much better and the main rose is smaller and easier to use.


I was lucky enough to win a prize from Split Coast Stampers recently -thank you Gina :) - and it included some of the new In-colours, so I used some here. The green was some older SU cardstock and I think it clashes a bit but by the time I had stuck all those roses and leaves on I wasn't going to change it!

The roses are stamped with Papertrey Sweet Blush and Berry Sorbet inks - love those colours.

Blue Poppies

I've been playing with my new set again and thought I'd try a very non-poppy colour but I like how it turned out. I eventually managed to tie a tidy bow - courtesy of Becca Freeken who has a great tutorial video on her blog Amazing Paper Grace, for the first time I didn't get the knot the wrong way around - so simple when you see it done properly! I added a strip of paper I stamped with Papertrey's Guide Lines stamps - I love how you can make so many different patterns with it.

Tapestry Rubber Stamps x 2

I spent the day out with my DD trailing round the big shopping centre in North London and I needed to do something relaxing afterwards! It's a while since I got my tiny tapestry rubber stamps out and these were two quickies that I paired with some Stampin Up paper from their designer paper stack and some May Arts ribbon. I can't get the stickles glitter glue to show very well in the photo but they do sparkle quite prettily.

Colour Challenge

Today's colour challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers was pink, black and white - I just love that combination. The pink is for breast cancer awareness month and I was remembering my flower arranging teacher at evening class who lost her battle 3 years ago. I still have foliage plants in my garden that I planted on her recommendation. I used the Remember set from Papertrey Ink but added the Believe stamp (double stamped in pink and black) from the Christmas set as I thought that sentiment worked well with the belief that a cure will be found for this dreadful disease. On that note - are you all doing your checks yourself? :)

Scallop Oval Pair

Here are two cards I made last weekend - same layout just different stamps. I used the Blossoms Abound set from Stampin Up for this first one with SU coloured cardstock and Papertrey stampers select white cardstock which is worth the postage alone from the US -

and Floral Frenzy from Papertrey Ink for this one which uses berry sorbet ink, ribbon and cardstock from Papertry.

I think I'll make a few more as a set and get some more milage from my Nestabilities!

Out of the Box Siberian Iris

I know it's not very seasonal to have irises in Autumn but I made this for the sketch challenge over on Split Coast Stampers. I love the papers and cardstock from Papertrey they are such great quality. The Flourishes iris stamp is coloured with Copic markers and the half pearl and pin is made from the Stampin Up Pretties kit. My blending of the Copics is starting to get better - slowly :)

Circle Frame Card

A forum friend put me onto Becca Freeken's fantastic blog and especially to this tutorial for a frame card made using a corner punch. Do go check out Becca's tutorial here and then feast on her blog which has the most beautiful creations.

Here is my first attempt at one using all Anna Griffin stamps and papers -well I have to use it sometimes ;)

Bloomin' Beautiful

I love this Bloomin’ Beautiful stamp set – and I see that it’s in the new UK Stampin’ Up catalogue that’s coming out soon too. It’s about time we had some decent stamps in our catalogue and not just retired sets from the US. Ok – off my soap box and on to the cards!

I made this card for the lovely Anne for her birthday. It’s very pink but I had some fun colouring in the images with my new Copic markers. I found when I was practicing with them that they picked up the black Stazon from the stamped image so I experimented with embossing my image as on this card and I like it better. I am waiting on some Memento ink as I hear the copics work well with that particular ink.

While I had the images stamped off I made this card. It’s very therapeutic sitting colouring whilst watching TV of an evening. The paper is called Ginger Blossom by SU and a little bit of Hodgepodge Hardware holds the sentiment. The flower is double stamped and given a little lift with some dimensionals.

This one was made for a sketch challenge over at SCS. It was really tricky to get my diamonds to match up – where is Paul with his set square when I need him?

Thanks for stopping by :)

Splitcoast Featured Stamper

I love Sunday- it's the day I get to play with my stash - and it's even better over the Summer when the Grand Prix are on and I don't get bothered because Paul is riveted to the tv :) My new job means I don't have to work Saturdays any more so I get to do more domestics then and chill out on Sunday.

Sunday over at SCS in the challenge section is the featured stamper day, and it's the best inspiration going.

Last weekend it was Nikie Estes turn. I visit Niki's blog daily - she makes beautiful cards (insert envious green smilie) and is a member of the Papertrey design team. I made this card,inspired by Niki for my dear friend Cathy who I visited later in the day in hospital. I used the SU Petal Prints set and designer paper.

New Guide Lines

I broke my self imposed rule on ordering any more Papertrey Ink stamps because of their awful postage charges to the UK, but I had to give in and have this set from last month. Credit where its due they arrived by registered post in just 4 days.

At the beginning of the Summer my new stamping buddy Chris came over from the US with her family and stayed just down the road from us in Uxbridge. She lovingly stashed a pile of Papertrey goodies into her suitcase for me including the cardstock and ribbon I used for this card. The rub-ones come from Delish Designs - very yummy and great to use - thank you Penny!

The layout of the stamping on this card was inspired by Rebecca Oehlers of the PTI design team - I wanted to try and emboss the images and while I had my SU Pretties kit out for the half pearls I made a pin to go with it.

A Lovely Short Break

The Doctor said that Paul was allowed to fly now he's made such great progress but only a maximum of an hour and provided he was full of asprin and wearing flight socks:) So we headed off to Scotland for a few days, After touring around the Highlands we stayed with my great friend Lorry on the Isle of Skye. Paul had a blast fishing in all the rivers and managed a couple of little brown trout for his efforts! It was the first time we have been away together on our own for a long time.

This is Plockton - a beautiful little village at the end of a Loch - I could move here tomorrow - it was so pretty and peaceful. No sirens or aircraft overhead, just great views (even though I missed the castle nestling in the forest on the hillside).

I spent a lot of time sitting besides rivers like these while Paul dibbed his rod - I wish I'd taken some stamping with me though :)

I'm not sure who was most frightened here - me being faced with those horns or the cow seeing me and my droppy boobs :) The Highland cattle are so huge and pretty - a shame they were all laying down because of the weather.















Whilst with Lorry I had a wonderful day crafting with her and her lovely friend Polly. While Lorry and Polly were busy knitting with wire and beads and making earings for a craft fair I stamped out a couple of sets of 3x3" card sets.

What do you do when your DH is ill?

Buy new stamps!

I thought I would try some stamps other than flowers ;) This card uses a set called Say Charge by My Favourite Things and coloured in with SU water colour crayons and blending pens.

Another new big background stamp that I used in this pink card came from Unity Stamps - it's called Doily and I love it! It just called out to be cut up and raised up. I used the sentiment from another Unity set that I haven't had chance to play with much as yet. The cardstock is Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush by Papertrey Ink.

I couldn't resist getting a new flower stamp and as iris are among my most favourite flowers I had to have this Siberian Iris set from Flourishes. It stamps so beautifully and I spent a good few hours sitting with Paul and colouring it in with different combinations. This is one with a sentiment by Papertrey from the trusty Out on a Limb set.

Back in the Blogging Business!

It's so good that life is finally calming down and I have a chance to catch up with things just for myself.
The last few months have been the most challenging for many years but we have come out the other side now.
Paul had his hip replaced in May after many months of not knowing where his pain was originating from and he is doing brilliantly well :) He is down to just the occasional use of a stick to aid him getting about and physio is keeping him supple.
A huge thank you to all our friends at home, work and overseas for all your good wishes to him. Check out two of the wonderful cards Paul received from Penny and Lana. Also to Deb and Linda - they were all very special {hugs} and he has been showing them off to all his visitors/District Nurses/Physiotherapists.
All the while Paul was ill, Fliss was doing her GCSE's and she coped really well with having her Daddy at home the whole time. We are keeping our fingers crossed for August and that she gets the results she wants to go into 6th form.
And me? Well I have a new job to look forward to in a couple of weeks - more about that another time :) I didn't totally clear my crafting space away of late so I do have a few bits and bobs to post. Watch this space!

Toy's Sketch Challenge

Holly has a great blog - please go check it out here - and I saw her sketch which I just had to have a go at last week (all be it a little late!). I used my Petal Prints and Hodgepodge Hardware again and combined this with another forum weekend challenge to use harlequins - my harlequin script stamp is by My Sentiments Exactly.

Out On A Limb

My set from Papertrey Ink eventually arrived after some delay from across the pond and I made this for it's first outing. The card has gone back to a friend in the US and only took 4 days to arrive!

The little flowers have some stickles on them to give it a bit of a lift.

Unfortunately Papertrey have decided to put up their international postage to a whopping $23 so it may be the last set I have for a while :(

Year after Year

I thought it was about time I blew off the dust and had a play with my demo kit from Stampin Up. I signed up as a demo last November but as the day job has taken over my life I have not planned in any workshops to date!

This card was made using a set called Year After Year. I just need someone to have a baby, graduate or fall in love to use some of the others in the set :)

Petal Prints

It's very rare that I have to make a sympathy card, but a colleague I work with lost her Mum last week and I made this for her from all the girls who work with me.

It uses a retired set from Stampin Up called Petal Prints and is a great set to reach for when looking for a pretty image that's not too over the top.

Time Flies!

Well it does when you are working hard both at home and work :) But Spring is on the way, Easter is around the corner to look forward to and I have a few days off to celebrate my big '50' with friends and family over the next couple of weeks.


It was Mothering Sunday recently and so I made this for my wonderful Mum, using Doodle This from SU and the last of my stash of these pretty papers. SU have some lovely new hardware out in the US and I traded a big tin of it for a stamp set not available over there yet.

Wild Rose

I have neglected this stamp set since I bought it - it's a really tricky set to stamp with as lining up the two steps takes some practice. I'm pleased with how it came out though - I just kept it simple and let the rose pop out.

Carte Postale

This stamp set is actually in the UK Stampin Up catalogue so I thought I would use it for a birthday card for Seona, and then make a second for when I actually get around to holding some workshops! The card was inspired by a fellow SCS'er.

Sketch Challenge 1

I love looking at the sketch challenges on SplitCoastStampers and this one leapt out at me for a birthday card for Burnice. I just can't put this PapertreyInk stamp set down! I think the cuttlebug background goes well with the flowers of the stamps.

It's Been A While!

I can't believe that I have been so tied up with my new job that I haven't updated my blog since mid-December so here are just a few of my latest bits and bobs since then:)

There were two forum friends birthdays last month - this first one is for Sharon using my new Papertrey Ink stamps called Spiral Bouquet

And this one was for Jenni using one of my favourite Paperbag Studios stamp - an oldie but goodie :)