Saying thanks with a Spring zigzag card

Today's card is for the Stamp With Us challenge. This week it's a recipe challenge. We are to use:

2 x patterned paper

1 x ribbon

4 x brads

Here's my card, I chose a zigzag card to show off the papers fully (please stop by at the end of the week for info about offers on the DSPs). And paired the new papers with an old friend of a stamp set.

Recipe

Stamp set: True Friend

Cardstock: So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

DSP: Tea Party

Ink: Stampin' Write Markers, Versamark

Narrow grosgrain ribbon: Certainly Celery

Brads: Soft Subtles

Punches: Boho Blossoms

Other: White embossing powder

This week is the last week of the SWU DT Call. The new DT member will be announced on Thursday. I'm still hanging in there hoping for a spot but there's some fantastic competition so I'm not very confident.

Keep stampin'

Sara

Coming up roses for a trio of challenges - DT Call

Since I had my A Rose is a Rose stamp set out yesterday I thought I'd continue with it and try following the example of one of my stamping heroes - Kate. She takes a trio of challenges and uses the same stamp set and colours to make all three cards. I don't think I've quite got the hang of it yet and probably made it more difficult for myself by opting for challenges that aren't all based on sketches but I'm sure I'll get better with practice.

I started by stamping out a sheet of various size roses and leaves. These were plenty for the three cards I've done and there are still a few more left over ready for last minute cards or tags.

Recipe 

Stamp set: A Rose is a Rose

Card: Whisper White

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Old Olive

The first challenge was a sketch one over at Sketch Saturday

And my card ...

Recipe

Roses (as above)

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

DSP: Sweet Always

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Taffeta ribbon: Pretty in Pink

Punches: Scallop edge

Others: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Cuttlebug label die

The next challenge was an Inspirations and Themes one set by the same Kate over at In Love With Stamping. This was the photo used as inspiration:

And this is my card...

Recipe

Roses as above

Stamp set: Oval All

Cardstock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

DSP: Sweet Always

Ink: Regal Rose

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Other: Crafter's toolkit

The Whisper White mat is paper pierced with faux stitching added.

The third challenge is over at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge where the theme is shaped cards. They also have a DT call out and I'd love to be considered.

And here's my card ...

Recipe

Roses as above

Stamp set: Oval All

Cardstock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

DSP: Sweet Always

Ink: Regal Rose

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval

This is a stair step card and I got the dimensions and technique from over at Splitcoaststampers.

Hope you like them.

Sara xx

A chocolate rose card decorated with pearls from the pretties kit

The chocolate cupcake card I made earlier in the week for the Stamp With Us challenge seemed to be a bit of an easy option, design wise.  I thought I'd have another go, to show that you don't need a cupcake stamp set to create an effective card in chocolate colours.

If you remember the colour inspiration was this:

Here's the latest card I made:

Recipe (All Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set: A Rose is a Rose

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel

DSP: Chocolate Chip

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Embossing powder: Clear

Narrow grosgrain ribbon: Chocolate Chip

Other: Cream flat-back pearls from the Pretties Kit

The rose was stamped with versamark and clear embossing powder in the top right cornert. It was then stamped onto Creamy Caramel card with inks, using the stamp-a-ma-jig and decoupaged over the central strip. The pearls were added with glue dots.

And on the inside:

Recipe (All Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set: A Rose is a Rose, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Ink: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

Punches: Corner Rounder

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

A tongue in cheek birthday card for a beloved boss

When I sat down to make a card for my old boss (as in previous rather than aging, though he's over 50 and that's as much as I'm saying heehee), I knew that I wanted to use one of the new Golden Oldies stamps from the Mini. These are a bit cheeky though and to soften the blow I decided to use it on the inside.

Recipe

Stamp set: Golden Oldies

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Grey

Watercolour crayons: Soft Subtles

Other: Aqua Painters

For the outside I thought I'd stick with the theme of cards as I know he enjoys a game of poker with friends. Sorry but I did need to use a veriety of stamps from different sets to get this look.

Recipe

Stamp Sets: Paisley, Circle of Friendship, Cause for Celebration, Seasonal Wishes

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Gable Green, Pixie Pink

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Brilliant Blue

Punches: Corner Rounder, 1" Circle

Other: Hodgepodge, copy paper

To keep the weight of card on the front to a reasonable level I stamped the Paisley onto copy paper, punched it and stuck it to the front of the "cards". I used the dinky heart from Cause for Celebration for the front playing card and the capital A for the Aces is from the Happy New Year sentiment in the Seasonal Wishes set. The stamp-a-ma-jig helped me place the elements exactly where I needed them. A black marker was used to edge the "casino chips".

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

Woohoo - I made the SWU Fave Five

Yippee!! I made the Stamp With Us Fave Five with my Happi(ness) Birthday card.

This week's challenge is to use this picture as colour inspiration. Well I couldn't resist - I used the picture for inspiration full stop. Had to do it.

So here's my challenge entry this week (all supplies are Stampin' Up!).

Recipe

Stamp Set: Crazy for Cupcakes

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel

Paper: White vellum

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Corner Rounder

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Chocolate Chip

Using chocolate Chip marker I inked up just one of the mini cupcakes from the cakestand and stamped it multiple times for my background. The cupcake paper is vellum scored repeatedly and cut to shape. The chocolate curls are Chocolate Chip card rolled around a cocktail stick and snipped.

Mmmm - hungry. Going for my tea now.

Sara xx

Another birthday card for the Stamp With Us challenge

This card was made as a commission from my Mum, to send to my SIL. I call it a commission but truly I don't suppose it is. It's just that seeing my Mum sending shop bought cards I felt guilty - I buy all this crafting stash (and my Mum adds to it for me from time to time) and she's shopping for cards elsewhere. So anyway, I offered to make her a bunch of cards for sending at least to her close friends and family. Hope she likes this one.

And I've got it finished just in time to be my second entry to the Stamp With Us challenge this week - fitting the Birthday theme. Ingredients are all Stampin' Up! with the addition of Nestabilities.

Recipe

Stamp Sets: Bloomin' with Beauty, Cause for Celebration, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock:Blush Blossom, Whisper White, Cameo Coral

Ink: Cameo Coral, Markers, Versamark

Punches: Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Scallop Edge

Other: Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds

The card is valley and mountain folded to create the front panel (leaving space for a verse or sentiment on the back). The lines next to the scallop edge were created running a bone folder down the groove in the Paper Cutter.

That's all for today folks.

Sara xx

A blog award from my friend Julie

On Monday my lovely friend Julie was kind enough to give me this award. Thanks Julie, I hope you had a great Easter.

The instructions are to pass it on to 5 other people whose "blog makes us smile". I had a busy week with classes and wanted to take time to think about this so now, here goes. The award goes to:

Kate - her cards always make me smile

Monica - her cards  are the best, her cake is gorgeous and her blog notes raise a grin

Alex - more designs to make me smile

Emma - another blog that makes me grin

Joanne - her lovely flowers make me smile

Now - off to make another birthday card . Depending on how long it takes me and the urgent jobs I realise I should have done last week instead of crafting (no, not me *innocent smile*), I'll either post it later today or tomorrow.

Sara xx

Boxes and bags class with new Washington Apple papers

These are the items that we made at last night's Boxes and Bags class. It was another craft packed evening that went on a little past scheduled time but then it may have been a stretch on my part to think that we'd complete all these in just two hours, lol. 

Not taking them in any particular order, I'll just give "recipe" details for each.

Stamp set: A Tree for all Seasons

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red

Ink: Basic Gray, Markers

Punches: Scallop Edge, 1" circle

Stamp set: Summer by the Sea

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Punches: Scallop Edge, Corner Rounder

Ribbon: Narrow grosgrain Certainly Celery

Cardstock: Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron

DSP: Washington Apple

Ink: White Signo gel pen

Punches: Scallop Edge, Round Tab, Boho Blossoms

Ribbon: Narrow grosgrain Pumpkin Pie

All templates were taken from Splitcoaststampers.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a great weekend.

Sara xx

Summer by the Sea class card

This "boy on the beach" was one of the cards we made at the Summer by the Sea stamp class last night. We managed to make three cards and a matching gift tag, although we didn't quite stick to time (having too much fun) *laughs*.

The base card is Really Rust, matted with Haiku paper and Very Vanilla, paper pierced and stamped with the Birthday Wishes sentiment in More Mustard ink. The centre strip is Chocolate Chip card punched with the scallop edge punch, matted with Really Rust and Chocolate Chip ribbon. We used More Mustard ink to stamp the boy onto Very Vanilla card. It was matted onto more Chocolate Chip card secured with Pumpkin Pie brads in each corner.

We made the "girl in pink" card. A matching tag was created by stamping with black Stazon onto Very Vanilla card and colouring with watercolour crayons and aquapainters. This was punched with the 1-3/8" circle punch and matted onto Pretty in Pink card punched with the scallop circle punch. Elastic gold cord was tied on.

Finally I just had to share the lovely card that one of my neighbours made for me. I surprised the girls next door with some of the dinky Easter baskets like the ones I made for my colleagues at work. In return I got this bright and cheerful card which had even got a "made by ..." image on the back. Isn't it just great - I love the details, the daffodils, the stripes on the egg and the little chick.

Boxes and Bags class tomorrow night - off now to finish preparing.

Sara xx

A bright and cheery get well card to have on hand

Well today I've been busy preparing for the classes I'm running this week and I should now be tidying the craft room so that everyone will have space to craft ... but I got a bit sidetracked by the Mojo Monday challenge and decided to have a play.

This is the  sketch challenge for this week. 

A lot of my cards recently have been in soft spring colours but today I decided I want to go bold and vibrant. What better then than a Get Well card. Luckily I don't know anyone at the moment who needs one so this will go in my stock for later.

I started with a base of Blush Blossom (just to soften the colours just a little and then matted with Tempting Turquoise and Only Orange punched with the scallop edge punch. The flower from the Organic Grace set ( see here for how to get this level 1 hostess gift free) was stamped with black Stazon onto Blush Blossom card. It was coloured with markers and then matted onto Tempting Turquoise. A second diamond mat of Blush Blossom and Tempting Turquoise was added behind and then added to the card front with dimensionals.

The Get Well sentiment from the Sincere Salutations set was stamped in Tempting Turquoise ink.

A card ribbon of Blush Blossom and Tempting Turquoise was added below the sentiment. Finally the dragonfly from the Organic Grace set was inked first with Versamark then Tempting Turquoise (for a little colour) and stamped onto (heat resistant) acetate. Heat and Stick powder was added, heated and then Dazzling Diamonds glitter added and heated to set. This was cut out, the wings shaped and glued to the card front.

Ah well, back to work tomorrow (and I'd better go and tidy the craft room now).

Thanks for stopping by and thanks to everyone taking time to comment - it's lovely to read your thoughts on my creations.

Sara xx