A rose is a rose birthday card

Another training day done! My brain is still pretty fried with accounting ratios but I head back home tomorrow evening and I'm looking forward to a weekend with DH and Bess and lots of time for crafting to chill out after all the studying ;-)

For now here's a quick card that only needs limited supplies (I stamped it at the weekend and then brought it with me to finish and assemble).

Recipe

Stamp sets: A Rose is a Rose, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Double Stitched Ribbon: Regal Rose

Other: Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

Using my stamp-a-ma-jig I stamped the rose using the 2-step stamping method to get the variation in shading and then cut it out. The small flower in the corner was then stamped in the same way and then balanced with the sentiment in the opposite corner. I used my paper piercing tool and mat pack to add the decoration and then assembled all the layers. The ribbon is tucked behind the Regal Rose layer so that the ends are secured out of sight rather than ending on the inside of the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

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

Back from holiday and straight onto a training course

Hi all

A very quick post today just to explain why I haven't commented on your creations recently and why I've been so quiet over on the ILWS forum.

On Saturday night I got back from two weeks holiday in Malta - I know, lucky me! It was fabulous, a real pampered break in a gorgeous 5 star, all inclusive hotel - the Fortina Spa. The weather the first week was great, sunny skies and t-shirt temperatures. The second week we had a fair bit of rain but it was still warmer than back home and it gave me a chance to read and to use the spa facilities.

I managed to snap some beautiful photos while we were out and about sightseeing the first week, so I've no excuse for not scrapbooking now. It'll be a great excuse to break into one of my Scrappin' kits.

I scheduled a bunch of posts for while I was away and thank you to all of you who have commented. Hope the scheduling at least provided some continuity and a bit of inspiration while I was away.

The worst thing about the holiday? I didn't have enough luggage allowance to take any crafting with me! I needed it all for clothes and cameras. Two weeks without crafting - it's been such a killer. The closest I got while I was out there was buying this beautiful calligraphy set:

I hope to use this to add some fancy journaling to my scrapbooking.

Anyway, down to earth with a bump this week. After a quick stop by my Mum's for Mother's Day yesterday it was straight off to Cardiff for me where I'll be all week for a training course. DH says his missing me already bless him but I secretly think he'll enjoy the peace and quiet after two weeks away with me, lol. And he's always got Bess for company, who's a complete Mrs Lovington now she's back to getting so much fuss and attention.

Still limited crafting and internet for me this week but if please stop by again tomorrow and I'll share my Mum's Mother's day card and gift with you.

Thanks for dropping in.

Sara xx

Happy Mother's Day and a mans card for the Stamp With Us challenge

A Happy Mother's Day to all of you mums out there. I hope that you're being well pampered and spoiled today and that you get plenty of crafting time.

Just so that the men in our lives don't get too left out, our theme challenge today over at Stamp With Us, is mens cards.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Cheers to You

Cardstock: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

DSP: To the Nines Speciality

Ink: Chocolate Chip, SU Markers

Other: Hodgepodge, Silver Brads

A straightforward card using colouring and matting and layering. The brads have been added just to the top mats so that they won't show through to the inside of the card.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sara xx

March sketch challenge at In Love With Stamping take 2

I loved the March sketch at In Love With Stamping so much that I chose it as one of my ones to repeat. In case you missed it, here's the sketch:

This time I've inverted it so that the embellishment (the hummingbird) is on the opposite corner:

And then I've turned it into an easel card for my MIL for Mother's Day:

Recipe

Stamp sets: Garden Dream, Occasional Greetings

Cardstock: Certainly Celery (textured), Summer Sun, Whisper White

DSP: Pink Flamingo

Ink: Taken With Teal, SU Markers

Other: Crystal Effects, Rhinestone Brads (Circle Ice)

Non-SU: Die Cuts

I used markers direct to stamp for the flower (this gives a softer look than stamping with black and grey) and then shaded with more markers. The flower was die cut with an oval and then matted onto a scallop oval, die cut from textured card. This was raised on dimensionals onto the mats of Summer Sun card and DSP. The base easel card is Celery textured card to match the scallop frame. The insert was stamped with the sentiment and the brad stoppers added before adhering it to the inside of the card. I used markers direct to stamp again for the hummingbird and then cut it out and snipped and shaped the wings. Crystal Effects gives the glossy, lacquered look. After it had dried fully, I raised the bird above the level of the flower with stacked dimensionals.

Here's a closer look at the glossy hummingbird:

Hope you're all set for Mother's Day.

Sara xx

March colour challenge at In Love With Stamping take 2

The colour challenge at In Love With Stamping this month is Neutrals and Browns (metal embellishments in silver, gold and pewter etc. are also allowed).

I love the monochrome look so I've stuck with it for this card:

Recipe

Stamp sets: Medallion, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White

DSP: Bride, Groom

Ink: Versamark

Punches: Eyelet Border, Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Other: White EP, Hodge Podge

To stamp the Medallion, I laid the inked up stamp down flat and pressed my card onto it. You have to be careful not to move the card around when you're doing this but it's easier to get the positioning right than taking such a large stamp to the card (I'd suggest trying both ways and see which suits you best). White EP was added and then heat embossed. The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed with White EP to match. The large flower brad from the Hodge Podge was added to the centre of the Medallion before I matted the layers to prevent in showing on the reverse of the card.

Take care.

Sara xx

March inspiration challenge at In Love With Stamping

Our inspiration challenge this month over at In Love With Stamping is this:

I decided to focus mainly on the top right photo for my inspiration and came up with this clean and simple design:

Recipe

Stamp set: Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White

Ink: Green Galore

Punches: Corner Rounder, 5-petal, Large Oval

Other: Mat Pack

Non-SU: Embossing tool

To make the veins on the flower petals I drew with the embossing tool onto the punched out shapes, keeping the black heavy sponge mat beneath to get the impression. The flower centre is a strip of Orchid card wrapped around the needle of the paper piercer and then secured with glue dots.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

March sketch challenge at In Love With Stamping

Our March sketch challenge at In Love With Stamping is this:

The little green frond represents embellishments of your choice. I decided to try out the little felt flowers from my Flower Fusion kit.

Recipe

Stamp set: True Friend

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie (plain and textured), Rose Red, Whisper White

DSP: Rose Red Patterns

Ink: SU Markers (Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Old Olive)

Other: Flower Fusion, Brads (Earth Elements), Mat Pack, Paper Piercer

Non-SU: Die cuts

I used marker pens direct to stamp to colour the leaves Old Olive and the flower Pumpkin Pie, Using a sponge dauber I then dabbed Rose Red around the outside of the flower before huffing and stamping. I used the small spots edging the flowers and leaves as a template for paper piercing. The flower was die cut with an oval and then matted onto a scallop oval, die cut from textured card. This was raised on dimensionals onto the mats of card and DSP. The felt flowers were used to finish the card.

Thanks to the gorgeous and talented Craftmaiden for passing along this award:

As I'd already played along with this here I won't play again but thanks Siobhan, for thinking of me.

Have a great weekend all.

Sara xx

March thinking outside the box challenge

The March Anything Goes challenge at In Love With Stamping is to think outside the box and turn our stamps into something else eg. stamp a flower using hearts, a bug using petals.

I've used my fruit stamps to create a flower spray:

Recipe

Stamp sets: Tart & Tangy, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Barely Banana, Old Olive, Whisper White

DSP: Kaleidoscope

Ink: SU Markers (Old Olive, Cameo Coral)

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval, 1/4" Circle

Large Grosgrain Ribbon: Old Olive

Striped Grosgrain Ribbon: Old Olive

Using my markers direct to stamp, I inked just the cherry stem and turned it upside down. I then inked just the inside of the lemon slice stamp and stamped it for the flower heads, using my stamp-a-ma-jig to place them. The ribbon edging uses just a few scraps of ribbon - a great way of using them up.

What can you turn your stamps into?

Sara xx

March colour challenge at In Love With Stamping

The colour challenge this month at In Love With Stamping is:

Neutrals and Browns

Recipe

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White

Rub-ons: Hidden Garden Blossoms

Punches: Tag, Small Tag

Gingham Ribbon: Black

Other: Medium Window, Crop-a-dile, Basic Eyelets

I used the Tag punch on the Basic Black card and the Medium Window sheet and the Small Tag punch on the Whisper White card. A white rub-on was added to the window sheet tag. On the second tag I thought to turn it over to protect the rub-on better. Of course if you choose a text rub-on then the rub-on will have to stay on the outside. The small white tag was adhered to the reverse of the black tag and all three layers were punched through and set with an eyelet. Black gingham ribbon finishes the tags.

Hope to see some of your creations in the gallery over there.

Sara xx