Anniversary Butterflies

 I was inspired by a card on instagram so I decided these MFT butterflies stamp and dies would work for the white embossing on vellum and cutting pretty pastel card to place behind the vellum. 

The base of the card was using Sunny Studio background die and the Hero Arts Daisy stencil. I embossed with the stencil, I did think about giving the flower centres a touch of colour but glad I didn’t it would look too much.

Since I needed a couple of Anniversary cards I found some anniversary stamps and embossed on matching card in white.

I spent yesterday working out how to use the Spellbinders Glimmer hot foil system, I did watch a couple of you tube videos but I’m so pleased with the results. I’ve ordered some sentiment dies so I can spend some time making sentiment strips.

Anniversary Gnomes

There is a brand new release at Simon says Stamp Lucky to Know You today and they sent me a She Gnome die and I couldn't be happier. She came just in time to make an Anniversary card  for Hubby.

I thought she would work better with the Large Gnome well it does in our house as I'm a little shorty and hubby is nearly 6 foot.

I used the Simon says Stamp Frames die with their Stacked Hearts. The Gnomes are sitting on the sentiment strip which I made myself I thought I'll give the Stitched Banners a rest but the sentiment is Simon says Stamp Simple Sentiments 2 .

I've had to schedule this post so I haven't got a link to the new release but if you go to the shop and along the top toolbar it as Simon's Release and you will find it listed there.

Mum and Dad

Even though my Mum and Dad are no longer with us I still make them cards, this time it's for the Wedding Anniversary which was yesterday. I should have made an all white one with lots of pearls because they would've been married 60 years.

I decided to used the Simon says Stamp Quilted Hearts stamp simply because I love it and its stamps beautifully. These Stitching Butterflies are one of my favourite dies from Simon say Stamp but I do prefer to used their Adeline Butterfly die's body.

My sentiment is using Simon says Stamp Always and Forever stamps and dies with an added embossed sentiment using Tiny Words.

Finally added an heart using Simon says Stamp Bundle of Stitched Shapes and my stamped heart background was carefully cut out using Simon says Stamp Stitched Rectangles.

Something New

Hi all and welcome to another year on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Thank you for joining us for the Anything Goes Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week and throughout the coming year too.

This week the challenge is

Something New 

If Santa brought you some new crafty goodies we would love to see them! You could also make something for a New Baby, New Job, New Home, New Life Adventures etc.
We are showcasing our very own Simon's Exclusive Brand Products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used

The lovely folks over at Simon Says Stamp are generously giving away a FABULOUS $50 voucher to shop at the  Simon Says Stamp Store! All you have to do is take out your crafty supplies, make something following this week’s prompt, and add a link in the Inlinkz at the bottom of this post! You can join 5 times so you could have 5 chances to win! How AWESOME is that!! All winners are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance to win! Woo Hoo!! Good Luck to everyone! The Design Team is looking forward to seeing your crafty makes and will pop around to visit you ASAP!

I was lucky to be sent the Always and Forever stamp set but due to our post having a few delays I didn't receive it till I had already ordered this stamp set and the dies. I had originally made today's card but when the dies arrived I cut out the words and glasses again and layered them over the direct to paper ones
The card below is the first one made and you can tell that having the dies helps the words and glasses pop.

The floral panel is made using Simon says Stamp Sketch Ranunculus and you can just work out I had Yana-ed the flower heads using the Nuvo Shimmer Pen so pleased my camera picked up the shimmer.

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

Cheek to Cheek

I thought I had schedule this post but somehow it got forgotten obviously thought I would have time yesterday when I got back off my hols. Since summer finished the day we arrived back I quickly put some washing in and worn myself out sorting it all out.

Back to the card I've used Mo's Cheek to Cheek image for a previous Golden Wedding card, probably the same paper but it was a square one with not much space to make it pretty. So I made an A4 card I think thats what its called basically it a piece of A4 folded in half.

The papers are too short for this size card so some curved Scallop dies one to bring interest and two to add some patterned paper. The leaves are Memory Box, I think are called Lavish Foliage and the die is a second hand one brought on e bay the seller or myself have no idea whose it is.

My heart is an retired Heart die from Simon Says Stamp but I've cut out the centre to add a bit of matching colour. The gold sentiment on the image is from LOTV retired again and I think the fish tail banner sentiment is Simon says Stamp Messages for Everyday

This card was for my Sister and her Hubby who had the 50th Wedding Anniversary while we were away, bad planning on my part.

Anniversary Hugs

May is a busy card making month, anniversaries and birthdays, to start with an Anniversary card I've used Mo's A Rose. It could be used for an engagement card too.

The papers are some scraps of Simple Stories although I think the dotty one might a scrap from another manufacture.

I'm trying to work out what make the border dies are, I think I'm going to have pass finding out. I pretty sure they may be more than one company but as you see anyones will do.

Now the outline heart and the middle heart are from a Simon says Stamp retired die and the tiny heart is from their Holiday Shapes. The flowers are a MFT die but I think that is retired too but I'm still going use because its a favourite.

Swans

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Sparkle and Shine Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
This week the challenge is

Anything Goes  

We are showcasing My Favorite Things  Products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used.
As always the lovely Heidi and team Simon will be giving away a $50 Voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store ! 

I couldn't wait for this challenge because we are showcasing My Favourite Things and my Splendid  Swans have been waiting patiently to be used. I even got the dies even though I didn't use them for the reeds but stamped directly onto my card.

So my background, you've guessed it I've used Oxides and with the smooching technique.  Which is smooch the inkpad on a craft mat, spray with a mister, then lay different pieces of card until all the ink as gone. Some you will like some you won't, I still use the ones I don't like for example that what I used for the leaves on the reeds.

Once my oxide background is dry, I cut using two of the Stitched Rectangles from Simon Says Stamp. You could raised one part to make a frame but I knew I was stamping the reeds and thought it would look better.

I stamped the swans three times, one for the base and cut out using the die, one for the whole body which I fussy cut out and  I embossed the back to give it a slight curved look. Finally the third one was for the wings.

I used the Simon Says Stamp Picture Book Sky Background and the sentiment was made with the You from the I love you die and the Love both from Simon Says Stamp but I'm pretty sure you could just miss out the I and save some pennies to buy something else.

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

Golden Wedding

You may remember I made a Golden Wedding card using a Mo Manning image but I also may a more traditional Golden Wedding Card.

This time I used the Sizzix Bricked embossing folder and my Hougie Board to make the embossed stripes. Lawn Fawn Valentines Border with a bit of gold ribbon to hide my embossed patterned card's join.

The Ivy is a Creative Expression die and the flowers I think are Honey Pot Stamps using a gold inkpad and gold embossing powder.

The actual word were created on the PC and placed in the Spellbinders Floral Oval.

I've now given them to my friend who asked for them, I'm not keen on making cards for others I'm always scared they won't like them which is why I made two. Then they ask how much again I don't like asking for money so I always ask if they have a favourite charity to put it in their pot. In this case the lady is a doggy person and the RSPCA will benefit.

Had a lovely time at the Baby Shower yesterday, now we have to wait patiently for the arrival.

Cheek to Cheek

I've been asked to make a Golden Wedding card, I've already made a traditional one but I thought I would use an actual image card and thought Mo Mannings Cheek to Cheek would work.

The papers are Penny Black and of course thats my all time favourite Floral Oval from Spellbinders.
Flowers are Upsey Daisy from MFT and I think it their leaves too. The numbers are Simon Says Stamp die and I computer generated the Golden Years and used two very old Stampin Up punches.

The ribbon was in my stash and the embossing folder is the one I used for the Wedding Stationery I posted last week along with the Stitched Scallop border die from Lawn Fawn.

Originally I was just going to colour her dress but decided that I'll paper piece it instead. As I sit here I see a mistake and hopefully no one will noticed because I've just looked at the card and it well and truly stuck down.

Anniversary Wishes

I had a great time in Cornwall but came back with an infection and card making wasn't on top of my agenda and I forgot that yesterday my niece came for the day of making Wedding Stationery which was very successful.

So there is no Simon Says Stamp Card but this little experiment was in my drafts, I love the background stamp called Circle Doodle, I used WOW white embossing powder and then blended some colour on the card.

Using the large die from Bundle of Stitched Shapes to complete the background. The flowers are Simon say stamp Hydrangea Petal dies and the experiment was stamping a flower centre from the Friends of Life. It sort of worked.

The sentiment sentiment came from another Simon Says Stamp but I can't find which set. My craft room is in a pickle, I thought I lost a retired embossing folder that we have used on all my niece's wedding stationery and I pulled nearly out everything to find the safe place I put it in. Its all good I found it and now is on the bookshelf near the PC behind my DD photo. (I putting that on my blog, there a good case I will forget again)

The wishes is from Penny Black Best Wishes die but I only used the wishes with fun foam.

Happy Anniversary

Its a midway reminder for Penny Black Saturday Challenge for Wedding or Anniversary card and this is mine. I've used Penny Black Efflorence and rather than colour I've just left white but I added some tiny beads in the centre to bring interest. Years ago you were able to buy Micro Beads but the company is no more so I've taken to use ones that are used for Nail Art and they are just the same.

The last swirl is a Penny Black one and I do like how I can cut it down and use random bits so it gives me a corner florish. The sentiment I'm afraid is not a Penny Black but a LOTV and its stamped much clearer than you can see here.

I decided on the Kraft card because I knew the white would look striking against it.

Anniversary Hugs

I decided to use the sketch on Sketch Saturday and this sweet image from Mo Manning its called Tom and Tilly.

The sketch called for clean and simple so I just add the bit of colour from some more scraps of patterned paper and I also used the Lawn Fawn Scallop Borders die.

To finish off I used the Simon Says Stamp Doily Heart and a small heart die to my heart cluster and the sentiment is LOTV.

I have an hospital appointment today so not much card making going on today.

Golden Wedding Anniversary

One of the cards I've made recently that I had to wait till the person receives it. It does look rather busy but in real life its not that bad.

First of all I embossed two Bricked by Tim Holtz you may be wondering why two, the reason is simply I made a square card and the folder is for a rectangle. My join is under the ribbon which I wish I just used my white grosgrain but it was stuck and wasn't going to be moved.

My Arch Window is from Spellbinders back with gold and the numbers I think are Simon Says Stamp numbers but I cut them twice and layered.

My flowers are Memory Box Fresh Foliage and the flowers are memory box too along with Weeping Willow finish with some gold pearls. The sentiment is LOTV that is gold embossed.

Glad to hear the couple who received it loved it.

So this was the empty alcove in the dining room that had three shelves on bars at the back, which housed the PC and a lot of other stuff. 

Here's the alcove now looks much nicer although the fitter was annoyed that the display shelf in between the glass cupboards wasn't bubbled wrapped like the bookshelf and was damaged. But it should arrive this week and his is making sure it does because he doesn't get paid till the job is finished.

The other stuff apparently isn't allowed back so muggins here has to find new homes for everything. I have one little cupboard that now has 6  7lt really useful boxes full of Penny Black stamps and I've even sorted out some to give away. Now I have to find somewhere for the next 12 drawers of crafty stuff.

Congratulations

While I've been ill my niece got Engaged and I quickly managed to make a quick card. The background is the Memory Box Windham Collage die.

The Congratulations is from Simon says Stamps layered twice and the scribble heart and arrow die is also from Simon Says Stamp.

Like I said a quick card because thats all I was up to making.

Off to swimming this morning not sure how much I will do once I get there since I still coughing a bit especially if I laugh or talk.

Ruby Anniversary

Ok this is very similar to the card I made for a Simon says Stamp a couple of weeks back but when I was making it the elements sat on the white and I did like it without the stencil background.
I needed a Ruby Anniversary card and I thought I would make it again but this time in red.
So I used the Simon Says Stamp Favourite Flowers, the leaves are the Cluster Leaves Die and the oval is from Spellbinder called Majesty.
The sentiment is from the stamp set that was in the Simon says Stamp Kit but can be brought separately called is called Congratulations. My sentiment looks a bit darker than it should because of the camera whatever was it thinking but I had heat embossed it so whether that made a difference when I photo it.
Still feeling a bit rubbish but it's passing a bit quicker because I'm not fighting through it this does mean my drafts are quite empty. My cards for next week DT is done and though I hadn't planned to make cards today if I have a moment I might make a quick, simple card.

Stencil It

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Inspirational Color Swatch Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
We will be back soon with the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher
This week the challenge is

STENCIL IT 

We are showcasing THE CRAFTERS WORKSHOP PRODUCTS this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

Last week I used stamps and white embossing powder this week I've used a Mini Echo's from Crafters Workshop stencil but first I run the card and stencil through my big shop but left the stencil on to blend Simon Says Stamp Blush Pink and Hero Arts Butter Bar onto the white space. So although not obvious in the photo it gave a nice raised finished.

Then I stared at it for a while because if I wasn't careful my card would look like last weeks so I chopped the corner off it almost broke my heart since I was so please with how it turned out.
I needed some flowers so I used the Simon Says Stamps Favourite Flowers now this I did use last weeks technique by stamping and white embossing before blending some colour on. I cut them out and now I needed some leaves well the Simon Says Stamps Cluster of Leaves are permanently on my desk (my craft die box is too small so it lives on my desk).

Now it needs something behind the flowers and leaves so I got out my Spellbinders to chose a die to work behind the flowers and the smaller one from Oval Majesty was just the right size and again I added colour before I lifted the die from the card.
To finish I needed a sentiment and since I needed an Anniversary card for my Sister and BIL I used the one from Simon Says Stamp Tilted Banners.

So now it's YOUR turn.  Happy Crafting

 

You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in

No backlinking allowed, Only 5 new creations will be eligible in the prize draw

Anniversary

I had to make an Anniversary card but my poor craft brain was struggling so I grabbed the new Memory Box Distressed Windham Collage die  and the Row of Poppies.
It just so happened the Perfect Love stamp set from Simon Says Stamps was in the pile of must put away stuff on my desk so I used the anniversary one from the set. It just need a die for it to sit in and I chose the smaller die from the Fleur de Elegance.
To finish I used some Simon Says Stamp Holiday Shapes hearts to stop my heart racing when I see all that white space!
We wanted to have a look at some Powerchairs and I found a shop in Copthorne near Gatwick so we've popped over there to have a look it just so happened that Crafts U Love was on the way home well it was on my navigators map! A few items and thats £50 gone.

Anniversary

Oh dear down to my very last card in drafts so I need to make some or else there be no cards till I do. I needed a Anniversary card urgently and I saw a card similar on FB from someone called Sarah. Well I thought I could do that with my Spellbinders corners but since I wanted them in white and to stand out I cut out two for each corner and stuck them together.
Cut out my from Hearts from Simon Says Stamps but two hearts wasn't simple enough I no I had to cut out the centres and then stuck a great big sentiment on top again from Simon Says Stamps.
I suddenly realised that I used silicone glue and this card wasn't going in the post today like I wanted. So with that I added the Simon says Stamps flowers since they were already cut out and added glossy accents on the centres.
Found another card to send in the post, I really like how it turned out but do feel one my leaves drooped down behind my back.

Read all about it

Its a long time since my 1st Anniversary and I had to check what gift was suppose to be to make my card. When I discovered it was paper I hoped Mo's Extra image would work and the Simple Stories paper had a sort of word print papers and this is want I came up with.
I'm quite pleased with, the Happy is from Penny Black but the number and Anniversary are All Occasions dies. The fancy corner is La La Land die and the funky flowers are EK success retro punch.

I hope the couple liked it seeing as its not really a traditionally Wedding Anniversary card.

Silver Wedding

I've been asked to make a Silver Wedding card I hope this is what they are hoping but I will probably make another so they can choose.
I wanted to emboss the middle of the large heart die from Simon says Stamps to see if it would work and I think it worked fine especially had I had to cut it out so the silver thread showed. If you do one heart you need to do the other but the tiny one I left.
The sentiment is Tilted Banners, with the stamp set that goes with the set.
In keeping with the embossing I used the Tim Holtz Bricked and the dotty scallops is a Memory Box die.

I've even made an envelope box, since Nikki has the Stampin Up envelope punch and lent it to me to play to see if I really needed one, I do but got one at the craft fair. Didn't buy too much a couple of dies and a few sentiment stamps from Woodware and some essentials pack of magnetic sheets for the artbin and a memento pad.