My clever DH made a card for his Mum

A change for you today - this card was made by my DH for his Mum. He designed it himself. I helped out just a little by demonstrating the heat embossing technique and how to use the stamp-a-ma-jig but the actual card was made by him. I'm so proud of him, I think he did a great job.

And his Mum was really impressed.

Recipe

Stamp sets: En Francais, Baroque Motifs, Perfect Punches

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso

Punches: Extra-large Oval, Large Oval

3mm Taffeta Ribbon: Early Espresso

Other: Clear EP, Brights Brads (Pumpkin Pie)

The card blank is an A6 portrait of Melon Mambo, matted with Early Espresso card. The En Francais background and the Baroque swirl were stamped in Versamark onto another layer of Melon Mambo card and then heat embossed with Clear EP. Early Espresso ribbon was wrapped around the top left corner and a bow secured to it with a brad. Using Early Espresso ink, the sentiment was stamped onto Pumpkin Pie card and punched out with the Large Oval. This was matted onto an Extra-Large Oval punched from Early Espresso card and decorative brads added before adhering the layer to the front of the card.

My MIL isn't so keen on flowery verses so DH stamped the insert with images instead:

Recipe (inside)

Stamp sets: Baroque Border, On a Pedestal

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo

He wheeled the Baroque Border with Early Espresso ink (he already knows how to stamp with a wheel) and then used the stamp-a-ma-jig to build the birthday cake.

I mentioned Easter last night and he asked in a shocked voice "you don't think she'll expect an Easter card as well as Mother's Day do you?"

I think he may be joining me at the crafting table more often than he thought, lol!

Tomorrow I'll show you the card that I made. Yes, my MIL still wanted a card from me too heehee, I'm not redundant yet.

Sara xx

A red and gold gap card with baubles and a special inner

I hope that my MIL and FIL don't have time to read this before they come over on Boxing Day. I always make special cards for our parents, larger and more involved than my regular christmas cards, but what with working away and the weather, I've only just got these finished today (hoping to make DH's card tonight/tomorrow, lol, just call me Mrs Last Minute).

I've been meaning to have a go at a gap card ever since I saw AuroraDawn's fantabulous version last year and I have to say that I'm really pleased with how they've turned out.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs, So Swirly, Occasional Greetings (sentiment)

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark, Stampin' Pastels

Punch: Ornament

Other: Gold EP, Gold Brads

The card blank is an A5 portrait of Cherry Cobbler card. A panel a bit thinner (about 6-8mm) than the width of the ornament punch was removed from front right of the card. A panel of Cherry Cobbler was stamped with the So Swirly wheel in Versamark and heat embossed with Gold EP. This was matted direct to Crumb Cake card and then to the left of the card front. The circular motif and the large swirl of the Baroque Motifs set were stamped twice onto Very Vanilla card with Cherry Cobbler ink and punched out with the Ornament. Using Versamark, the sentiment was stamped onto Very Vanilla card and heat embossed with Gold EP before also being punched out with the Ornament. All the baubles were chalked around the edges with Cherry Cobbler. The edges of the baubles were adhered direct across the gap in the card. Gold brads were added to the centres of the circular motifs.

Recipe (insert)

Stamp sets: So Swirly

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Versamark

Non-SU: Printed Verse on computer

An insert of Crumb Cake card was stamped with the So Swirly wheel in Versamark for a subtle effect to show through the gap. The verse was printed onto Very Vanilla card, trimmed and adhered to the left of the insert so that it would not show through the gap when the card is closed.

Recipe (reverse)

Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Stampin' Pastels

Punch: Ornament, 1-1/4" Circle, 1" Circle

The ornaments were inked, chalked and punched as for the card front and adhered directly on the reverse of the originals. Three 1-1/4" Circles of Cherry Cobbler were punched and adhered direct to the centre three ornaments. A 1" Circle photo was punched of Bess, DH and me and matted to the centres.

Just two more sleeps to go heehee.

Sara xx

Little lovebirds for a wedding card

I mentioned on my last post about my crafting friend that had moved to start a new job and married life. Today's card is the wedding card I sent to her and her hubby. Laetitia made her own wedding stationery and used SU stamps to do so (that's how we met). Her stationery was absolutely gorgeous and you'll be able to see examples of it on her blog if you pop over there. Her colour scheme was closer to Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip but I don't think I've strayed too far from it here.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Mr & Mrs, Baroque Motifs

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

DSP: Bridesmaid Specialty

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Versamark

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Extra Large Two-step Bird, 3/4" Circle

Satin Ribbon: Chocolate Chip

Other: Clear EP, Brads (Soft Subtles)

The card blank is a 5" square of Close to Cocoa card. Both designs of the Bridesmaid Specialty paper were brayered with Close to Cocoa ink. The top and bottom corners were punched out with the edge of the 3/4" Circle and the papers matted direct to Close To Cocoa card. Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon was wrapped around the centre to cover the join of the two designs and flat bow added to the centre with glue dots. This card front was matted direct to Pretty in Pink card and Pretty in Pink Brads added to the exposed Close to Cocoa corners. These layers were popped up on dimensionals on the card front. I stamped the large flourish from the Baroque Motifs set in Versamark on Pretty in Pink card and heat embossed with Clear EP. I then punched out the two birds from this handmade card. The branches were punched from plain Pretty in Pink card and adhered with Tombow. The birds were popped up on dimensionals. Finally the sentiment was stamped in Close to Cocoa ink on Very Vanilla card and punched out with the Large Oval. This was matted direct to a Scallop Oval of Pretty in Pink card and the whole was popped up on dimensionals.

I also made a little scrapbook album for them to complete with their wedding photos so please stop back soon to see that.

Sara xx

Vintage Vogue roses for my Mums Birthday

Yesterday was my Mum's birthday and so DH and I went out and had a lovely family lunch with my Mum, Dad, brother and SIL - and no arguments, lol. Not bad for a family get together.

Anyway, now I get to show you the card I made for Mum. I went with a tri-shutter card (instructions here on Splitcoaststampers) and I've got lots of pix so that I can show you the different angles. Here it is folded flat.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Vintage Vogue, Baroque Motifs

Textured Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Plain Cardstock: Kraft, Very Vanilla

Ink: Brocade Blue, Soft Suede

DSP: Bella Bleu

Other: Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, Dazzling Diamonds

Non-SU: Nestabilities

My Mum likes cards to say who they're for and so I made my own computer generated sentiment (I used the Zapfino font) for the front and printed it onto Very Vanilla card - best of both worlds. Unfortunately I got a smudge of blue ink on there (need to make sure computer ink is fully dry), hence the rhinestone (this, and the smaller one inside were centres pushed out from the rhinestone brads and attached with glue dots). For the background leaves, I inked with Soft Suede and stamped off to get the paler fronds to tone with the Kraft frame.

Mum also likes verses and so back to the computer again for the centre panel (Comic Sans font here, Zapfino is a bit fancy for a block of text). Most of the panels are Bella Bleu DSP matted onto the Textured Very Vanilla card blank. The floral panels centre top and bottom are Vintage Vogue stamped in Brocade Blue onto plain Very Vanilla card and matted and layered onto Kraft. For the back panel I used one of the Baroque Motifs, stamped three times in Brocade Blue onto Kraft card, cut out and finished with a small Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad in the centre and popped up on dimensionals.

The flowers were created using Marlene's tutorial here. To bling them up a little I used a two-way glue pen on the edges of the petals and dipped them in Dazzling Diamonds. I used Tombow to adhere them to each other and to the card front.

I created a box for the card (sorry forgot to photograph that) as it wouldn't survive in an envelope.

She loved it. And SIL commented that I'm getting good at this crafting lark, lol.

Hope you like it too.

Sara xx

A chalked background for the Stamp With Us inspiration challenge

A Happy Father's Day to any Dads reading this (please, please, if there are any, will you leave me a comment, it would be great to know there are some fellas reading this blog).

We have a new challenge today over at Stamp With Us and it's this inspiration piece:

Now these are really strong colours so I thought I'd knock them back a little by using Stampin' Pastels for the colour rather than markers or ink.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs, Oval All

Cardstock: Real Red, Only Orange, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Stampin' Pastels

DSP: Bride Specialty

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Other: Gold EP, Red Rhinestone Brads (Circle Fire)

I sponged the Only Orange and Pink Passion Pastels onto the Bride DSP using daubers and blew off any excess chalk. You can use any of the colouring tools with this DSP and the embossed background will resist the colour and show the pattern. Using Versamark I stamped the scroll design onto the chalked paper and heat embossed with Gold powder. I also stamped and embossed the little flowers and the sentiment in the same way onto Whisper White card. The flowers were cut out and red rhinestone brads added to the centres. As the prongs of the brad extended beyond the flower I trimmed them down with my Craft and Rubber Scissors before popping the flowers up on dimensionals. The rest is matting and layering.

Please take a look at the wonderful samples prepared by the rest of our design team - I just love the inspiration they provide.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sara xx

Baroque flourishes for the ILWS colour challenge

Our colour challenge this month over at ILWS is to use Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Basic Black with optional Whisper White or Very Vanilla.

I decided to brush off my Baroque stamps for my first go at this challenge.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs, Baroque Border

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Ink: Old Olive

Punches: Large Oval, Scallop Oval

Other: Black Brads (Vintage collection)

I started with an A6 card blank in Certainly Celery and rolled the Baroque Border in Old Olive across the bottom portion of the card. With the large flourish from the Baroque Motifs and Old Olive ink I stamped in the upper right corner of the card front ensuring that I stamped off the card onto my grid paper underneath. I also marked the edges of the card in pencil on the grid paper before removing the card. Using a temporary glue dot (a Tombow spot left to dry) I positioned my Very Vanilla mat in the centre of my pencil marks and used the stamp a ma jig (lined up with the stamped off image) to stamp the flourish again with Old Olive. The Very Vanilla layer was matted with Old Olive and the combined layers popped up on dimensionals and positioned directly over the full flourish on the card front. The tiny flowers were stamped in Old Olive on Certainly Celery, cut out, centred with a black brad and popped up on dimensionals. Finally the Cherish sentiment was stamped, matted and layered with the oval punches and popped up on dimensionals.

Pop back for my second take on this colour challenge tomorrow.

Sara xx

A Baroque card on the masculine side

The Rocky Horror Show was so much fun! For anyone who's never been, then it's not for the faint hearted and you might want to think twice about taking granny. The main costumes are basque and stockings, for girls and guys alike. Fans of the show go dressed as the characters which meant that the audience were nearly as interesting as the show. Dawn - I almost regretted being such a coward, there was a great turnout of obvious Rocky Horror fans and it did add to the fun. I was sat next to a guy in stockings and high heels - which was OK until he stood up to do the Timewarp. The theatre seating is pretty cosy to start with and his stockinged thighs got a little close at times, lol. Mark Curry (Junior Showtime presenter for those of us old enough to remember) was the narrator and cracked up quite a few times at some of the comebacks from the crowd. Frank was played by David Bedella and he played it with just the right amount of lascivious glee. What we were really impressed with was how well the guys moved and danced in their high heels - makes you wonder what preparation they had to do for the role, lol. The show's touring to Darlington, Southsea and Nottingham in May and Oxford, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in June, if you want to catch it.

Anyhoo - on now to the crafting and if today's card looks a little familiar that's because it's made to match the lady's card I made on Monday (scroll down to see or click here for the full post and recipe). I always show DH my cards to get his reaction and when I showed him Monday's he said it would make a great man's card if it didn't have the embellishments (yes - I've got him talking embellishments, embossing and brads, lol). Well, I took that as a bit of a challenge and came up with this:

Recipe

Stamp set: Baroque Motifs

Cardstock: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Vanilla

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Taffeta Ribbon: Kraft

Other: Silver Brads, Not Quite Navy Brads (Earth Elements)

The square motif was stamped three times and then cut out leaving a narrower border than on the lady's card so that I could cut out the teardrops in the centre of each side. This gives a more squared off, hopefully more masculine look. I opened the split pins of the Silver Brads to trap the ribbon, then pushed them back together to go through the hole, before opening again at the back of the card layer. The rest is matting and layering.

Here's the lady's card from Monday. A His and Hers matching set perhaps? Be quite nice for a couple whose birthdays are close together.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

A Baroque card with feminine touches

I can't believe I waited so long to get this stamp set - it's so versatile but always elegant I think. After choosing the square motif for the focus, I wasn't sure where to put the sentiment on this card and then decided - why does it have to have one on the front anyway?

This way, I can add a suitable insert when I know the occasion it's for.

Recipe

Stamp set: Baroque Motifs

Cardstock: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Taffeta Ribbon: Kraft

Punch: Eyelet Border

Other: Pretties Kit

I stamped the motif onto Very Vanilla cardstock with Not Quite Navy ink and then cut it out leaving a reasonable border. Holding it against the Kraft cardstock I then cut around again leaving a border (you may want to use a temporary adhesive to hold it on place if you're worried about it slipping). The edges of the Kraft layer were lightly sponged with the Not Quite Navy ink before layering with dimensionals. Pretties elements give a feminine edge to the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

A wedding invitation by a clever crafter

A quick post today just cos I gotta share this with you!

Don't you think this is gorgeous?

No it's not mine, lol. One of my clever customers is designing her own wedding invitations and she was kind enough to send me a sample to show what she's done with her SU goodies. It's clear embossed with more clear embossing on the pocket and insert on the inside. Isn't it yummy?

Thanks for letting me share it Laetitia. Looking forward to seeing what you make with this order :-)

Have a great weekend everyone.

Sara xx