Inspired by Craft Stamper Magazine

I hope that you're all keeping well, and keeping occupied, as we enter another week of lockdown. I'm thankful for my crafting and blogging as hubby has gone back to work after being on leave last week. I'm a key worker, but at the moment am only required once a week at the school where I work and am feeling the lonelies a bit.

Usually I'm a big reader, but my head isn't quite in the right place just now so I decided to dip into my collection of back issues of Craft Stamper Magazine. It's been a real trip down memory lane and I've loved seeing how colour combos, techniques and styles come and go. I was inspired by two fabulous cards to try some new techniques and thought I'd share the results.

Here's card #1:

In the June 2014 edition Lydia Brooke Evans created a gorgeous card using a set called Leafy Greens by Paper Smooches, which I knew I'd got. I loved her original design, but wanted to make a slightly larger card.

I enjoyed using a favourite quote from Crescendoh Stamps (remember them?) which seemed just right for the shape and look of this card.

My second inspired by card is this one:

I spotted Lorraine Wood's card (based on Ellen Schrik-ter Haar's make) in the January 2014 mag and knew I wanted to give this arty, silhouette style a try.

For my version I used Distress Inks (plus a few splotches of pink paint) rather than using a Gel Press.

Using a photograph in a clothing catalogue, I got snipping to create a mask. After layering inks and stamped images, I added a sentiment which said exactly what I wanted.

Both of these cards were made for friends who are leaving work at Easter. It'll be strange for them as there won't be the 'big-send-off' that they both deserve after all their hard work. Hopefully, when all this is behind us we can we can celebrate them in style!

I hope you enjoyed my little crafting trip down memory lane. It felt good to borrow someone else's style for a bit and make something different and outside my cardmaking comfort zone.

Stay busy and stay healthy, crafty peeps - catch you later!

It's a been a messy business...

Happy Wednesday!
Now here's something you don't usually find on my desk...
Acrylic paint, chipboard, a paintbrush, Distress ink and what appears to be (but isn't) a tiny pair of handcuffs!

I decided to try and make a little chipboard album into a little book and here's my progress so far. I actually wish I'd taken the photograph at an earlier stage as my desk was totally trashed. This picture was taken after a good tidy up... and the removal of my cat.

I've purposefully kept the colouring to the bare minimum and let the beautiful illustrations and script take centre stage.

If I'm brave enough I'll share the finished book!
As always, I've learnt so much while working on this project. One crucial tip I'll share is not to allow a large black and white cat to sleep on your desk while acrylic paint is drying.
I'd do some things differently on another project, but am amazed at how close to my original plan this little album has turned out.

Time to go visiting the rest of the WOYWW gang starting, as always, with the wonderful Julia...

My Gorjuss sister-in-law!

It's my sister-in-law's birthday tomorrow... shhhhh, don't tell anyone but it's the big 40!

I decided to make another Gorjuss girl card and got heavy with the Distress inks to create the layered background. Lot's of lovely Hero Arts stamps and a sentiment stamp by Crescendoh too. I had so much fun with this one!

Here's my SIL with my sweet niece earlier this year. Don't you think that Gorjuss girl image is just perfect for her?

Happy crafting everyone!