As promised, today I have the second of the cards I made for this week's sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch - I saw this layout and couldn't resist another interpretation. This time I also combined it with the colour challenge over at Dynamic Duos:

This card is altogether more fun than yesterday's - take a look and you'll see what I mean:

I had the idea that if the squares were circles, the little mouse from the 'Life in the Forest' stamp set could play 'peek a boo' as if he was in a block of Swiss cheese (something of a graphic interpretation, given that the circles are identically sized and placed, but hopefully you can see what I mean!) I stamped the mice onto Whisper White and simply punched out with my 1" circle punch so that only parts of them were showing, and I mounted these onto circles of Wisteria Wonder only slightly larger that I cut with my Circle Framelits. I coloured the mice with my Wisteria Wonder and So Saffron inks and a blender pen and finished the card with the sentiment 'smile' - well, I didn't have one that says 'chuckle', which is what I was doing as I coloured these little fellas so this was the next best thing :-)

I hope you like my fun take-two on the sketch; back tomorrow with my entry for this week's Paper Players challenge (and yes, it was a challenge indeed!) Until then, I'm off to the theatre with Ben this morning whilst Rebecca is on a swimming course and my dear husband is having to monitor the bathroom fitter who is replacing a floor tile that has been booked to do the job for some 14 months - hopefully today is (finally) the day!

Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Life In The Forest	Happy Day	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Blender Pens	So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad
So Saffron A4 Card Stock	Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad	Wisteria Wonder A4 Card Stock	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Magnetic Platform
Circles Collection Framelits Dies	1 Inch Circle Punch	3/16 Inch Corner Punch

Good evening blog readers! I hope you are enjoying weather as glorious as we have had here in the UK the last few days - it feels long overdue and long may it continue. We went out on another bike ride today, just for fun - our bike ride earlier in the week involved our first attempt at geocaching, but since we didn't manage to find a single box the novelty of this wore off rather quickly! It's just so nice to be outdoors. Today's card is one of two entries that I have for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch challenge - I love this week's layout, so many possibilities:

For my first card, I decided to stay with the layout of squares, and created a pattern with an ombre effect:

I used one of the square stamps from the 'You're Lovely' stamp set which is great for a repeat pattern, and stamped each row in a slightly darker shade of aqua blue-green, to give the graduated ombre effect. I used a piece of Core-d'inations card in Coastal Cabana for my base, as this card has a lovely textured finish when unsanded. Because of this texture, it is quite difficult to get an evenly inked stamp on it, so I stamped my sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed with white embossing powder to provide a more even and vibrant finish.

Come back tomorrow to see my alternative and altogether more humorous take on this sketch; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Hello Lovely	2013-2015 In Color Core'dinations	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad
Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	White Stampin' Emboss Powder	Versamark Pad	Embossing Buddy
Heat Tool - Uk Plug

Today I'm sharing a card I made using the poppy in the Happy Watercolour set. I used the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches for my simple layout and was inspired by the colours over at Create with Connie and Mary this week:

I decided to go with quite a simple design - here's my card:

I used a Daffodil Delight card base and stamped my poppy stem only in Versamark and stamped it onto my base card and heat embossed in gold, then did the same again with the flowerhead on a separate piece of cardstock, coloured it with Daffodil Delight and my aquapainter and cut it out, then popped it onto my card on a dimensional. I know poppies are traditionally red, but they come in all kinds of different colours, including yellow - which also give the card a bright feel.

Here's a close up of the flowerhead:

For my horizontal cross-section panel beneath the poppy, I used a piece of Watercolour Wonder DSP that features all of the challenge colours above. This is the only place where the green and orange features on my card, yet the colour works really well in breaking up what would otherwise be a rather monochromatic card. I added a few gold sequins to finish, and done.

If you'd like more ideas on how to use these colours, check out the design team inspiration - lots of great work on show, as always.

I'm off to take my juniors tenpin bowling with some friends today and then go and purchase some paint tester pots for Ben's bedroom redecoration - I love the Easter holidays!

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Happy Watercolor	Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper	Gold Sequin Trim	Aqua Painter	Whisper White A4 Card Stock
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad	Daffodil Delight A4 Card Stock	Versamark Pad	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder
Embossing Buddy	Heat Tool - Uk Plug

I've had a lovely day today with members of my team at our quarterly training day; it's always such fun to get together with some of the wider team and meet up with friends I don't see all that often. Today I'm sharing a birthday card that I made for one of my downline who celebrated her birthday this week. I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch and the colours and photo over at Colour Q for the inspiration for my design:

I love the bright and bold colours over at Colour Q this week and the pattern on the sundress had me reaching for my Simple Stems set again to try and capture those bright flowers. Here is my finished card:

I used a piece of spotty Coastal Cabana DSP from the Fresh Prints paper stack as my angled background, then layered three flowers as the anchor for my birthday flag. I stamped the largest flower twice in Tangerine Tango and once in Pumpkin Pie, and having cut one of the flowers using my Secret Garden framlits, fussy-cut the remaining two flowers into sections, then layered them with a Tangerine Tango base, Pumpkin Pie middle layer and Tangerine Tango flower centre. I then popped them up on dimensionals to give a real 3D effect to this flower. I stamped the remaining two flowers in Bermuda Bay, then overlapped all three flowers - this photo shows the layering really well:

I used a piece of retired Tangerine Tango ribbon for my bow - I was tempted to use white, but decided my card needed another pop of orange amongst the lovely turquoise blues, so there you have it.

That's all for today; back tomorrow with another card, until then happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Simple Stems	Magnetic Platform	Secret Garden Framelits Dies	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack
Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad	Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad
Simply Sketched

I've had a lovely day today finishing off my swaps in readiness for our quarterly team training tomorrow. Our swaps always have a theme and this quarter it's 'technique'; I've based my swaps on a card I made for the challenge over at Seize The Sketch this week, which has this great layout:

Here is my card - can you tell what technique I'm showcasing?

I know Father's Day is still a few months away, but I love the sentiment on this stamp and have been keen to use it for the first time. I decided that I would showcase the 'acrylic block & markers' technique on my card: this is where you colour an acrylic block with markers (I used a variety of greens and browns) and then spritz with water (I add a few drops of alcohol to mine so that it dries quicker) then stamp the block onto the paper.

I thought this technique would make a lovely background to the tree stamp and would add a little more interest than just colouring the image with markers directly. Here's a close-up of the stamped background:

Whilst all of my swap cards look the same, each has a slightly different central panel as each time you stamp using a block it comes out differently, making them all unique.

Sticking with the wood theme, I added a panel of Chocolate Chip embossed with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and stamped the layer of Crumb Cake beneath this with the Hardwood background stamp. To finish, I added a couple of chevrons as an accent - wooden of course, coloured with my Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker pen:

I also incorporated some Old Olive into the mat layers just to give the card a lift and so that it wouldn't appear too 'brown'.

I'm quite pleased with the overall end result - let's hope my team like their swaps tomorrow too!

Back tomorrow with another card; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Hardwood	Look Up To Father	Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Essentials Wooden Elements
Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock	Chocolate Chip A4 Card Stock	Old Olive A4 Card Stock	Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad	Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers
Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker	Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker	Clear Block D

Good evening everyone! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will remember the flowerpot card I designed for the Pals Paper Arts Colour Challenge a few weeks ago (click here if you would like to see the card). I was thrilled that this card was chosen as a Pals Paper Arts Top Pick that week (check out my Pinterest Board here if you would like to see which of my other cards are challenge winners!). I made this card with Mother's Day in mind, but it would work equally well for a female birthday card for someone special.

Well, I got so many email requests for a tutorial on how I made this card, I made another card in an alternative colourway and recorded a video tutorial as I made it to show you exactly how it's done. It has taken me a little while to get it online, because although I recorded the video promptly the editing then took a back seat, along with a few other tutorials that are still waiting for the magic touch! Anyway, all done now and better still - the Secret Garden Framelits are available at the bargain discount price of £15.71 this week as part of the Stampin' Up! Wednesday Weekly Deals offers, so if you fancy having a go at making this card now is the time to snap them up! Here is a picture of my second version of my flowerpot card:

My original card was made in Crumb Cake, Rose Red, So Saffron and Wild Wasabi; this alternative version is made in Sahara Sand, Perfect Plum, Blushing Bride and Old Olive. The finished card measures 6" x 6" square and will fit a standard envelope (make sure you don't stick the central leaf shape too high!). The video also shows what the card looks like on the reverse (especially for you, Cindy B ;-) ) in case you're curious.

So without further ado, here is the video tutorial - enjoy!

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Secret Garden Framelits Dies	Secret Garden Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Magnetic Platform	Whisper White A4 Card Stock
Scallop Edge Border Punch	Delightful Dozen - Clear-Mount Stamp	Blender Pens	Perfect Plum A4 Card Stock	Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad
Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad	Old Olive A4 Card Stock	Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive	Stampin' Dimensionals

When I saw the colour combo over at Dynamic Duos this week, I just knew I was going to have to make a card for this challenge! Of all the colour collections, Brights is my most favourite and this pink and blue combination just rocks!

Here is my card: 

I decided to combine it with the sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch this week too, where I decided to use the pattern literally and stamp my background with Gorgeous Grunge. For my sentiment I wanted something contemporary and in keeping with the grunge look, so I decided to go with a word bubble, stamped in Versamark onto vellum then heat embossed with Melon Mambo embossing powder - the photograph really doesn't do this justice, in real life it has a lovely raised sheen. The word bubble was adhered using rolled glue dots, hidden along the stamped outline; this gives just enough height but doesn't allow them to show through the vellum.

I think this would make a great card for a teenager, or just a general card to cheer someone up. I like this minimalist card so much, I might have to make a few more in alternative colour combinations!

Back tomorrow with another project and some important Stampin' Up! news that you won't want to miss; until then, happy stampin'! 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Just Sayin' Clear-Mount Bundle	Gorgeous Grunge	Tempting Turquoise A4 Card Stock	Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad
Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Magnetic Platform	Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad
Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder	Heat Tool - Uk Plug

Good evening blog readers! I managed to get a little time in my craft room today (a reward to myself for finishing the housework :-) ) so thought I would make a quick card for this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge, where they are having their first colour challenge of Spring 2014 and would like us to work with the following colours:

This is not a colour combination I would choose independently, but I really like it - I think the three colours work really well together. I decided to use one of the flowers from the Simple Stems stamp set and this week's sketch over at Retrosketches, and this is what I eventually came up with:

I say eventually, because this didn't turn out to be a quick card at all - it was one of those where the idea in your head doesn't fall onto the paper quite as easily as you hoped it would; I had about four aborted attempts before this one! That said, I love this flower for the Simple Stems set; it reminds me of a dandelion clock, which was the reason for pairing it with the 'Make a Wish' sentiment from the Perfect Pennants set. I stamped my sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed in Pool Party embossing powder to give it some texture and make it stand out against the Old Olive background. A small loop of ribbon and a trio of candy dots complete my card.

Back tomorrow with another project; until them, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Simple Stems	Perfect Pennants	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad
Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder	Heat Tool - Uk Plug	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Pool Party A4 Card Stock	Summer Starfruit Classic Stampin' Pad
Summer Starfruit A4 Card Stock	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad	Old Olive A4 Card Stock	Brights Candy Dots	Subtles Candy Dots

Good evening lovely blog readers! Today I'm sharing a card (well, actually two!) that I made a little while ago but that I didn't share with you at the time. I made this card using an old Freshly Made Sketches layout - here is my card:

My card uses the Fresh Prints DSP stack - this paper stack is great value and perfect for cards and the pattern I've used on this card is one of my favourites: an Orla Kiely-inspired design I think and one that also appeared in last year's Sycamore Street Sale-A-Bration DSP pack, but this time updated with some fresh colours for the new season. I cut three panels, having centralised the pattern, and matted it on Real Red and a Pool Party base, with a Pool Party banner finished with two co-ordinating candy dots. The original sketch had only two dots and I wrestled with myself to not use three (I think things looks better in threes!) but I decided that the two dots balanced the sentiment on the top left-hand side of the card, so left alone! I stamped my sentiment in Versamark and heat-embossed with Whisper White embossing powder, because whilst I didn't want it to dominate my card, I didn't want it to get lost either. This was the card I was happy with, but I promised two cards today and thought I would show you the first one I made; it was slightly smaller in size but to the same layout, but instead of centralising the pattern on each individual strip, I simply cut a piece of paper equally into three. It gives quite a different effect - see what I mean:

This cut really didn't work for me, as I felt such a clean card need the symmetry in the pattern - hence the second version. Here are both cards in focus side by side - which one do you prefer?

Who would have thought that such a simple card took so much thought? But for me, that's the difference between a good card and a great card! Lesson over for today; I'm off to listen to the next instalment of Harry Potter, our current bedtime reading book.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack	Pool Party A4 Card Stock	Real Red A4 Card Stock	Brights Candy Dots	Neutrals Candy Dots
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Express Yourself	Embossing Buddy	White Stampin' Emboss Powder	Versamark Pad
Heat Tool - Uk Plug

Another tulip card for you today - no apologies, I love this stamp! This card was inspired by the flecked pink tulips I received from my James juniors for Mother's Day last week. This card features this stamp used in another different way, this time to create an outlined background panel:

In splitting the tulips away from the sentiment on the original stamp, this makes it really easy to use the tulips for non-Easter cards, as I've done here. I used a Whisper White base, then stamped the tulips in Rose Red on a strip of Pink Pirouette cardstock. I then stamped the tulips again, this time in Black Stazon on watercolour paper and coloured with inks and my Aquapainter and cut out using my oval framelits and mounted on a second oval in Rose Red.

That's all for today; tomorrow's card may well have to be a 'get well soon' card as this afternoon my young son appears to have succumbed to the chicken pox - his THIRD dose in just 6 years!!! I didn't think this was even possible, but his itchy spots tell me otherwise. On the upside, at least it's the Easter holidays, so he should be over it by the time the new term starts :-)

Back tomorrow with another card; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Blessed Easter	Aqua Painter	Jet Black Stazon Pad	Stazon Cleaner	Whisper White A4 Card Stock
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	6 X 9 Watercolor Paper	Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad
Pink Pirouette A4 Card Stock	Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad	Express Yourself	Ovals Collection Framelits Dies