Hugs

I've been meaning to use this stamp for a while, it was the last Simon says Stamp Card Kit I received, I knew I was going to paper piece the umbrella but in the end I decided to do the skirt as well.

I made the cloud background with the cloud stencil that came with the kit. Although not obvious I used the Splitcoast Stampers Sketch 808 by cutting the background and layered it with white possibly the mistake but hey ho.

The sentiment is also from the stamp set with the large image and I used an Alphabet die for the hugs. Couldn't believe I didn't have a hugs die so I had to remedy that immediately.

Wish For You

July is a busy Birthday month with both Men and Women cards and I was meant to have a colouring in day yesterday but decided I didn't have any grown up images. So I spent the morning stamping Stamping Bella images and rediscovering Dr Digi who I haven't used for ages. Also I recently discovered that Krista aka Saturated Canary is on Etsy so I brought some images, OK I managed to duplicate one image but thats because I haven't used one for ages and forgotton what I had, I'll double check next time.

But the image I'm using today is a Mo Manning one and its Patreon one Wish for You, sometimes Mo gives us a image that is eventually going into the shop. I recently ordered some paper packs and this one is a Carta Bella.

I'm pretty certain this was a sketch but for the life of me I can't find it never mind I used my favourite dies, the MFT Crochet Border for round the circle and the unbranded flower that are like the retro flower punch that is no more. Not for forgetting the flat bow so it fits in normal post.

Lavender

I stamped a few background for this card and in the end didn’t use any simply because I didn’t like it so went back to very clean and simple.

The background to the stitched rectangle was the only one I used but I also used it for the flowers on the Memory Box Lavender die. Finally the sentiment from Simon says Stamp.

Got round to colour up some images so hopefully, I’ll get a few more card done soon.

Sparkly Christmas Trees

While hunting for a particular Christmas Die I found this tree die not sure if the company who made it even exists now. So I cut it with some sparkly white card stock, I also used the cardstock with some Lawn Fawn mini snowflakes.

The sentiment is a Simon says Stamp one and I also used their Stitched Rectangles and Stitched Banners dies.

The Holly is an old Martha Stewart punch which I also used on the same card below except I left the holly leaves in white.

I can't decide which I prefer all white or proper green holly.

Killer Birthday

I loved all the shark cards that the My Favourite Things designers made so much so I had to buy the shark die and the matching sentiments.

Used blue oxides to make my sea and I had an old MFT waves, the letter dies are theirs too but I loved how one DT added patterned papers behind the plain letters. I think the shark die will be handy for men’s cards.

Christmas Stockings

I made this card ages ago it was using a sketch that eventually I used for snowflakes once I realised I made a similar card with the same candy cane die. I don’t believe I used the sizzix snow falling Embossing folder on that one though.

Papers are Doodlebug and the sentiment is a Simon says Stamp one. Another one for the Christmas pile.

Girly Bear

For the first time in about in about 13 weeks I actually went out other than sitting in the car telling my husband how to pay at the pumps for petrol or sitting in the car while he went into the pharmacy and I watched the doctors coming to the door of the surgery in full PPE to collect a patient waiting outside in the car park.

I went to the Nationwide Building Society it was OK once I stopped feeling sick and there were a mixture of people some wearing masks and others not. I then rang my sister to see if she was in to social distance in her garden she was so excited to hear we were coming around I felt like crying. Got over that and had a good chinwag catching up. 

Enough rambling I do have a card to post, my card making as been almost non existence over the last few weeks. To be honest its difficult for my brain to creative something unique so if I casing another card and it makes me happy then so be it.

Oh dear off again, the papers on my cute cards is Echo Park Spring Fling and I managed to buy another 6inch pad from Papermaze along with some Doodlebug pads. My cute girly bear is from LOTV, I saw here being used on their facebook group and simply had to have her, could have coloured her dress better. The sentiment is one of theirs even though I brought them digitally I'm still used my old stamps. The flowers are My Favourite Things except the dot in middle that was a punch that just about still working.

One for Dad

Father’s Day confused me this year usually my Dad’s birthday is either on the same day or a day before or after this year it must be late because my Dads birthday was on Wednesday. I usually place a card in the flower room at the crematorium but it closed this year but I still made a card.

I got my hands on the tool dies from My Favourite Things and the background die too. Funny enough I’ve worked out that the letters are the same manufacture too.

The papers are out my scraps including the silver card ideal for the metal part of my tools. The card layout was inspired by ones I found on Pinterest. Thank goodness for Pinterest and Instagram when you your brain can’t think of anything yourself.

Christmas Bells

I've been experimenting with different colour backdrops so I'm trying Kraft card difinity helps to show up white cards.

I was inspired to used the old Memory Box Merry Christmas die by Heidi the owner of Simon says Stamp who e-mailed me a Christmas Card I had sent her. I hardly use this die and its quite striking but you do need to layer it a couple times to help the white Christmas to stand out.

My decision to used the small sleigh bells was I was going through some Christmas Challenges and one was The CAS Christmas Card Challenge is for Bells and these ones are the only ones that really worked  with the word die. Simon says Stamp Stitched Rectangles to give the white background a finished look.

Balloon Bear

Remember the time where nearly all our cards had lace on, I have box load to use. I decided to use it on this card with this LOTV bear image. I used the digi so to paper piece the balloon I used different bits of card over the image and reprinted it.

Before I layered and paper pieced I used a cloud stencil to make some background clouds and I used my favourite Spellbinder Floral Oval probably retired now but still a firm favourite in my craftroom.

The papers are quite busy and once I added the lace and ribbon I couldn't work out what to add so just added some La La Land corners.

I spy with my little ey and bit of red tape clinging to my card do you!

More Snowflakes

I made two Christmas cards using a couple of sketches from last week, the top one is Splitcoast and the bottom from Freshly Made Sketches.

The papers were last year Echo Park I think, could be Carta Bella.

The snowflakes are Simon says Stamp but the sentiment for the top card is a cheeky white peel off. The bottom sentiment is a Simon says Stamp Tiny Words Christmas 

Parcel Boy

I didn't buy this image initally when they came out but had to pop back to etsy to get him once I had seen him made into a card.

I made the card look like a present with the Avery Elle bow die and the sentiement die is a Creative Expression I think. The dots are 1/4 inch punch.

I will probably make him on a smaller card just need a smaller sentiment.

Birdhouses

I follow Eva Scrap on Instagram but here's her link to her blog and she makes wonderful card so much so I cased her card with birdhouses.

I didn't have the exact one she had but I knew I had some My Favourite Things ones that I hadn't even used yet how bad am I.

The papers were stamped on, the pink one with a Tim Holtz one and the word one with an old Stampin Up one. It was more to brings the colours together.

I didn't have a twig die the same and not sure my old Memory Box one worked even though I chopped it up to make it smaller. The leaves are a PoppyStamps die and the sentiment was Simon says Stamp Tiny Words Birthday. Overall I was very pleased how it turned out.

Froggy and Me

I'm a member of Mo's Patreon and this image I think could be last months image. I have some Whimsy Paper not sure what they are called the packaging as come away from the papers.

I guess I have left it pretty simple just using some hearts to match the heart paper at the top of the card.

In hindsight I should of added some clouds, oh well back to the drawing board.

Catch Up X Stitch

No crochet update I've only just picked it up again since its been too hot to crochet under it. Have got on with the X stitch though just working on the floor then its the worse bit the outline but thats what brings it all alive.

I've brought another couple of Little Stitchery UK patterns so I can have a series of three ballet dancers and I'm going to leave them in a hoop just need to work out how you tidy up the back once its finished and stretched.

This time though I've brought the stranded cotton threads for them and I had to give my bobbin box a good tidy to make room for them.

My bobbin box is from B&Q years ago, it fits loads of the paper bobbins and it's a twin box so you have two sides. And with a carry handle, it hides behind the sofa and wall in my living room.

Anniversary Bunnies

I needed an Anniversary card and I thought this pair of bunnies would work. The bunnies are LOTV and the papers were some bits of Doodlebug, which I used to paper piece the heart Balloon.

Lawn Fawn Scallop borders and the heart die are Simon says Stamp but most companies have heart dies. The hearts I used to embellish are some foam ones that are really for making shaker card but they worked a treat on the white space.

Butterflies

I was dead jealous that the Simon says Stamp card kit had the amazing butterflies stamps and knew I wouldn't be receiving that one when I suddenly remembered that I have the Hero Arts Antique Butterflies a really old set but it works just as well.

I did used copics to colour them and I coloured two each of the designs so I could cut the two top wings to layer on the base one to give a 3d effect. The antenna are cut from a butterfly die that comeswith the body and wings separate so the the body part is stuck underneath. It just makes it easier to cut them out.

The leaves die is SSS Clustered Leaves and I used one of their Birthday sentiments. The frame was made with a Wooden Frame die from Hero Arts. 

Daisies

My card today is based on the Splitcoast Sketch 803 but rather than cut into the pretty daisy paper which was something I couldn't bring myself to do, I cut strips and stuck them on.

Of course I had to make a daisy using MFT Upsy Daisy dies. The sentiment was cut out of some sparkly gold card that I must have brought from Hobby craft for some reason, the die I use was a Simon says Stamp one but I reckon I need to buy a couple more well you can't have too many dies!

Holly

A couple of the same but slightly different Christmas Cards based on this weeks CAS(e) this Sketch 374. The holly is Penny Black but part was cut of so it would fit my card along the bottom edge.

The sentiment die is from Creative Expression and to stop from looking so plain I cut the main background mat with Simon says Stamp Wonky Rectangles.

Now for what's different the top card the holly leaf is under the sentiment and the one below its overhanging not sure what I prefer. My husband couldn't see the difference!

Cheese

One of the things I've had to learn during lockdown is the fact I have had to change my routine a bit like Fridays I'm no longer swimming so its a free day that I can make cards if I'm well enough. Now that I listen to a Audio book to stop my brain from over reacting its a welcome break, especially now I have no deadlines.

So today I can post a card and since I have loads of Birthdays coming up and theres more men in my family than girls I really need to get on top of some of those trickier cards.

Luckily for me I have been able to buy some of the lastest Boys and Men images from LOTV digi images but this card is one of their previous ones that I have just not had time to use.

The papers are some digital ones because I don't really have many men ones in my stash and I thought these grungy ones would work better with the vintage style image.

Scallops border by Lawn Fawn and the birthday sentiment stamped and embossed with WOW opaque white and the ends punched out with a punch.

Thank You

Another simple card, this time from Mo Manning Patreon. I think I'm on the higher tier and this image was a Thank You for being a Patreon and is called Thank You.

I have some old Doodlebug paper that I used up not only for the main background but also to paper piece her dress and heart.

Yes the sentiment is from Simon says Stamp its still on my desk and this set is a favourite of mine. 

Welcome Little One

Just a quick and easy card this time using Simon says Stamp Bunny Wishes, yes there are Easter eggs but they got this cute Mummy bunny and a bunny with balloons which I have used before.

I cut out using their Stitched Circles and the die sentiment is theirs too. Papers could be Echo Park an old baby boy one and the clouds are again SSS Picture Book Sky Background die.

Tiny Golfer

What a nightmare I'm trying out the new blogger format which I heard we are going to have to get use. Took me a while to realise I need to click on the title of my draft post to get it open and I have to click on to the photo icon again to edit the photo to make larger. Just incase any one else is have the same problem.

Since I didn't know whether I could get into my draft posts here's a little chap from Lily of the Valley which is earmarked for someone's birthday in June.

Seeing as its a boys card I left it plain, just a scallop border and I used the MFT Landscape Cloud die for the image mat. Sentiment is Simon Says Stamp Thoughtful Messages.

Snowflakes and a Craft Update

Made this card a few weeks back but was disappointed with the white snowflakes and it would have looked better all in silver. The snowflakes are Simon says Stamp and so is the sentiment from their Inside Christmas Greetings.

 Had a bit of a re-jig in my craft room, I've had this tower for my Stampin Up inkpads for many years but now feel it takes up a lot of room in my small space so I brought on Amazon Marketplace this MDF(below). Hubby was less impressed when he realised he would be putting it together. It's suppose to fit inside an Ikea Kallax shelf unit but that to me would take even more space so I'm happy as it is. And yes it does take less room but someone can't count!

Yes I am crocheting another blanket again from Helen Shrimpton called Arcadia using Ineke colours that Ineke lists on Ravelry. Athough I have fiddle with some of the colours as I didn't want blocks of cream but use the green instead.

It's far too hot at the moment here in the UK under a blanket so I brought a cross-stitch pattern. When did they get to be so expensive but it could be just that I haven't brought one online for many years.

I also had a problem there were numbers of the threads I never heard of before, DMC as brought out over twenty new colours since I cross-stitch so I had to work out replacements we shall see if I chose the right ones.

Actually found the last thing I cross-stitch was for my Gt Nephew when he was born in 2013

coffee

I was checking my drafts posts in blogger I have a few dodgy scrapbooking pages and a couple of cards. This being one of them is a very simple card using Mo's Digital Pencil Coffee.

Well basically there's no embellishments except the old Stampin Up sentiment. The papers are downloads which I have had for years and rarely use them. Since many of our pattern papers are from the states there doesn't seem to be many new ones coming over the pond so download papers it will be.

balloons

I made a huge decision last week I've retired from my Design Teams. It was really difficult to make especially as I've been with them for many years but I feel a weight as been lifted off me.

So this week I've had a bit of card making holiday but I did make this card a few weeks ago for my brothers birthday.

I used a combination of Simon says Stamp Wonky Rectangle and Stitched Rectangles. The balloons are old Penny Black dies and the sentiment is a Simon says Stamp one.

I have been doing crafty things if you include making masks from this site I found on Pinterest. Initially I used a paper clip for over the nose and then read somewhere that pipe cleaners work which I had some black one obviously for spider making!

Oopsie

A new image for me that I haven't coloured up till now, Mo's Oopsie isn't she cute.

Although I going to have to remember what I used, the papers I know are Lawn Fawn but can't think whose border die that is. When I do find it again I will need to use it again. The pink frame is using Simon says Stamp Stitched Squares and the Stitched Banners are theirs as well. The sentiments are also Simon says Stamp obviously Tiny Words but I can't recall what set especially the Better late than never.

Animal Fun

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us last week and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is Animal Fun

We are showcasing Stampendous this week, which just so happens to be Simon says Stamp Brand of the Month. You don’t have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used.

As you may know, the  Simon Says Stamp Store is accepting new orders, but have longer shipping times for the moment due to the coronavirus. With this in mind we have made the difficult decision to suspend the $50 voucher for this challenge.

We know that many people are staying safe at home and we would love it if you would continue to enter the challenges and have fun! We are all in this together! 

My card was inspired by last weeks Freshly sketch, my choice of Simon says Stamp Picture Book animals was more a case of which one I picked up first. In this case it was the Hippo and Elephant which was good as they were worked out of the same colour.

My leaves were using Tim Holtz Wildflower Stems 2, had to use the Simon says Stamp Stitched Rectangles to give a finished look. Finally the sentiment stamped and embossed on black using the Tiny Words

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

Tulips

A few weeks into lock down and I had to make a sympathy card. The Simon says Stamp Quilted Hearts background was made a while ago but didn't use it but thought it would work with the Simon says Stamp Sketch Tulip stamp and die

I made the banner with using their Thoughtful Messages and with sympathy card less is more.

Sorry

Sorry for the late post didn't feel up to scheduling my post yesterday and this morning it takes me a while to get moving then had a Slimming World zoom meeting. Yes I'm still making sure I don't put on any weight although I would like to lose a bit more but thats not happening at the moment.

So my post  is using this cutie is called Fussy Frankie but you can get all four Crybabies for $10.
I love using her and the others for belated birthdays like my card today or a Sorry you'll leaving card.

I used the old papers when LOTV used to sell them, an old Spellbinders decorative circle die. The butterflies are Simon says Stamp Stitching Butterflies but I used their Adeline Butterfly for the body.
Finally I used Messages for Everday for the sentiment.

Die cuts and Punches

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us last week and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is Dies and Punches

We are showcasing Paperrose this week, which just so happens to be Simon says Stamp Brand of the Month. You don’t have to use them to join in but if you have some we would love to see them used.

As you may know, the  Simon Says Stamp Store is accepting new orders, but have longer shipping times for the moment due to the coronavirus. With this in mind we have made the difficult decision to suspend the $50 voucher for this challenge.

We know that many people are staying safe at home and we would love it if you would continue to enter the challenges and have fun! We are all in this together! 

Ok as soon as I soon the ball of wool die with crochet hooks I knew this die was for me, it also as knitting needle die.

I made two hooks and with a little snip I made pretty pink handles for the crochet hook. Cut a couple of slits for them to hook in my wool.

I just so happened to add to my shopping basket the Paper Rose Hooked on You stamp set so I could use the sentiment and make little ball of hearts.

Sorry for the unimaginative card but it did make me smile especially when I thought to use the image mat at a crooked angle what was I thinking!

Nearly forgot especially as I use it so often the Simon says Stamp Stitched Rectangles where would I be without it.

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

Pretty in Pink Mouse

I'm a bit annoyed with this card I should have coloured my butterfly pink especially after sticking pink butterflies never mind hindsight is a wonderful thing.

The papers are some old LOTV that I brought two packs at a craft show. The stitched rectangle is from Simon says Stamp and the fence and grass die are both very old MFT.

I ride my Bicycle

Not sure if it was last week or the week before but my card was inspired by a Freshly Made Sketch.

The Classic Bicycle die is one I haven't used yet from Simon says Stamps not sure why but at least I've used it now. I like that the wheels are separate.

I made a little scene by blending some ink on a bit of card cut with their Wonky Rectangles and piece of card stock that I had drawn round a cloud background die.

Finally the sentiment was using Simon says Stamp Messages for Everday which was then cut out using the Sentiment Labels die.