A whimsical Mothers Day card and filigree gift

OK, now I'm really peeved (and that's not quite the word I used I'll admit). My head's reeling with credits and debits and balance sheets so I took a quick break from the homework to add this post. I spent about half an hour typing it all up and then my mobile internet connection broke off and nothing's been saved. I've had to come out of the hotel to get a reliable signal and start all over again. Is it just me or does anyone else think it's a bit off when hotels block

the mobile internet signals that you've already paid for, just so they can sell you their own price inflated service? And to add insult to injury I've still got homework to finish when I go back. Happy, I'm not.

Anyway, enough of my complaining. As promised yesterday, here's the card that I made for my Mum for Mother's Day, though of course it could be used for any other occasion simply by changing the sentiment. It's a little larger than my standard ones as I used an A4 sheet folded as a gatefold.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Whimsical Wings (hostess level 2), Occasional Greetings

Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White

Ink: Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Other: Clear Rhinestone Brads

I used markers direct to the stamp for the main image and stamped more of the flowers and cut them out individually. To get the shading on the flowers I used a Blush Blossom marker across the solid flower and then dabbed Cameo Coral ink around the outside using a sponge dauber. The watermark background was created using the outline flower stamp and the larger flourish with Versamark ink. Clear rhinestone brads add a bit of bling.

And here's another bit of bling. This handcrafted brooch is silver filigree set with a semi-precious stone and was our present to my Mum on Mother's Day. You can watch artisans making these beautiful pieces of jewellery at the craft village on Malta.

Now - nose back to the grindstone.

Bye for now.

Sara xx

A cased card for my MILs birthday and her latest stamping results

Did you enjoy our bloghop on Sunday? From the hits to our sites, I'm guessing you did. (Just in case you missed it you can always scroll down to Sunday's post to catch up). There were some fantastic creations and I can't wait for a bit of free time to CASE some of them. I'm just glad that I managed to get mine finished on time and didn't let the others down. It was pretty touch and go at one point. I'd been away in Hastings all week and then on Friday night I was out presenting a workshop (I'll share more of that later in the week), then Saturday morning I was busy finishing my MIL's birthday card before she and my FIL arrived to spend the afternoon with us.

Thankfully I've got my MIL hooked on crafting too and after a delicious fish and chip lunch (we're lucky enough to have an award winning chippy just a short drive away), we spent the afternoon crafting while DH and FIL played on the Wii and watched the football. A happy bunch all round.

The card I made for my MIL is the one I was lucky enough to win as a project kit with instructions, from Elaine's Creative Musings on another recent bloghop.

Recipe

Stamp sets: On a Pedestal, Queue Up (Level 3 hostess set), Whimsical Words (SAB)

Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Markers

DSP: Tea Party

Taffeta Ribbon: Pretty in Pink

Gingham Ribbon: Light Pink

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant

Brads: Soft Subtles, Square Fire

Now my MIL mainly loves 3d items. She isn't so keen on stamping so far because she reckons her stamping never works out properly. I did talk her into giving it another go though on Saturday and she made this card:

Recipe

Stamp sets: Whimsical Wings (level 2 hostess set), Oval All

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, Whisper White

Ink: Ruby Red, Markers

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Taffeta Ribbon: Chocolate Chip

I'm not sure where she's coming from. I think her stamping is great. Don't you just love her robin? So cute.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

Bluebird of happiness

Yippee, it's raining! It's washing the snow away. I can't remember the last time I was so glad for rain, lol. It's still a pretty grey day though so I thought I'd add a splash of colour. For today's card I've combined the Whimsical Wings (hostess level 2) with the Whimsical Words (Sale-a-bration). To find out how you could get both sets for free just email me at sarastamper123@gmail.com.

The Happiness Always sentiment made me think of the bluebird of happiness - and so of course my bird had to be blue! Funny where inspiration comes from isn't it?

Recipe

Stamp sets: Whimsical Wings, Whimsical Words

Cardstock: Summer Sun, Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Yoyo Yellow, Chocolate Chip

Other: Bold Brights Brads, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

I used markers direct to stamp for inking this card. The bird is done in Turquoise with a Teal wing and Chocolate legs and beak. Flowers were coloured with Yoyo Yellow and then again around all edges with Summer Sun to give more depth to the colour. The images were stamped out onto the card using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement. I then stamped the bird and flowers again, cut out and raised them on dimensionals.

Have a great weekend.

Sara xx

Hurray!!! The 2009-10 Stampin' Up! Catalogue and Idea Book launches today

Yes!!!

It launched today! I've been itching to share this with you. Click here for the 2009-10 Stampin' Up! Catalogue and Idea Book:

One of the new Level 2 hostess sets is Whimsical Wings, a set of four stamps:

As promised here is the recipe for sneak peek 1 which uses two of the stamps from this set:

Recipe:

Stamp set: Whimsical Wings

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Almost Apricot, Barely Banana, Pale Plum

Ink: Versamark

SU Markers: Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Perfect Plum

Reinkers: Almost Apricot, Barely Banana, Blush Blossom, Pale Plum

Other: Black EP, Brads, Brayer

I used a brayer to create the background with the reinkers, stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with black EP. Each flower was stamped and the central tendrils coloured with a co-ordinating, darker marker. These were cut out and attached with brads.

Hopefully when studying is over I'll find time to make a vid to demonstrate the brayer technique.

Now grab a cuppa, put your feet up and have a browse of the new catty. If you'd like to place an order then please email me at sarastamper123@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

Sara xx