Thank You

In a few weeks, I am hosting a Stampin' Up! party. One of my closest friends will be the demonstrator and I am really looking forward to it. I have work friends, friends from mother's group, friends from play group, family and family friends attending. I love that so many of my friends from different areas of my life can get together for one reason - the love of paper crafting!

This is the thank you card that I will give to my friends who attend. I'll probably give them a small box of chocolates, too!

This card has been inspired by two sketch challenges. The first one being from Less is More:

And the second one being from The Paper Players:





 Stamps: Every Little Bit (Stampin' Up), Wishes All Round (Fiskars)

Ink: Perfect Plum (SU)

Paper: Poppy Parade and Perfect Plum DSP, Whisper White (SU)

Embellishments: Silver brad (SU), red bow button and kitchen twine

Theresa x

Your Own Style - Design Team Call

The team at Our Creative Corner are seeking new design team members, so I'm going to have a go at entering. After all, you've gotta be in it to win it. It's a simple enough challenge - show the team your own style!

I chose to make this card as it uses my personal favourite stamp set (Garden Whimsy: Stampin' Up!) and my favourite colour combination (red and purple). One of my favourite books is Flowers in the Attic, and one of the childen, Carrie, makes a red and purple snail to put on the wall of the attic to brighten it up a bit. I must have read that when I was quite young, as it struck me as a really pretty combination and I've enjoyed it ever since.

The rest of the design has been adapted from a page layout I made for a friend's daughter for her third birthday. I enjoyed making that layout and I was quite proud of it, so I decided that this was the best way to show off my style.

This card making caper is definitely a 'learn as you go' experience and so I am still developing my own style. But I think even the most experienced card makers would be evolving their own style all the time!

I enjoy clean finishes that aren't too cluttered. I'm not the biggest fan of the 'shabby' look.

As I don't have access to many tools (ie. embossing folders, die cut folders and punches), I make do with what I've got.

I'm getting better with fussy cutting.

I'm constantly learning and trying different inking techniques.

I enjoy trying new layouts, which is why I enjoy getting inspiration from the many amazing challenge blogs out there.

For me, card making is 'my time'. I wait until that magic time of day when both my daughters have a day nap, then my dining table becomes unrecognisable and covered in supplies and cards. The housework waits!

The most important thing for me is making nice cards with good finishes that people would appreciate receiving. I'm still working on getting great finishes, but I believe that will come with time and practice!

Stamps: Garden Whimsy and Fun & Fast Notes (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Perfect Plum and Poppy Parade (SU)

Paper: Perfect Plum and Poppy Parade DSP, Whisper White (SU); vellum

Embellishments: Hodgepodge Hardware silver rectangle holder, Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum brads (SU)

Thanks for stopping by!

Theresa x

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #75

The team at Inkspirations Challenges have provided a sketch challenge this week, with this as the inspriation:

There are two techniques on this card that I tried for the very first time! I attempted 'spot lighting' and while my attempt is not the true form, I'm actually still happy with the result. I also tried gathering the ribbon. I wasn't so happy with the finish. After asking my Stampin' Up consultant (and very close friend!!) for advise, I now know what to do better next time. Turns out, I really just used the incorrect adhesive. Who woulda thunk it?

Paper: Cre8tiv Mini Stack; Bright Young Things collection (Grace Taylor); Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

Embellishments: Blue ribbon, blue buttons and kitchen twine.

Thanks for stopping by!

Theresa x

Best Wishes

This 'best wishes' card has been inspired by two challenges.

Our Creative Corner have a colour challenge this week:

And Mojo Monday have a sketch challenge:

I know I said in a previous blog that I was enjoying making CAS cards... Although this one isn't overly detailed, it's not as simple as I had been doing. I am still trying to find a style that I like and finishes that I am happy with! 

Stamps: Squarely Sentimental (Fiskars)
Ink: Regal Rose and Rich Razzleberry (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede (SU); Baja Breeze and Rich Razzleberry DSP (SU); newspaper
Embellishments: Silver brads (SU); ribbon, button and kitchen twine

Wonderful Friend

I am entering this quick and easy card into three challenges this week!

The Paper Players have got a Clean and Simple week, with this sketch:

CAS-ual Fridays have a colour block challenge; and Inkspirations... have a colour challenge (basic grey, melon mambo, old olive and whisper white).

Stamp: Wonderful Favourites (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Old Olive (SU)
Paper: Melon Mambo & Old Olive DSP, Whisper White and Basic Grey (SU)
Embellishment: Star button and kitchen twine.

The Paper Players Challenge 51

This week, The Paper Players have a colour challenge:

So I decided to make a CAS birthday card:

I think for me, this is the best way of doing things (CAS). I like the look of clean lines. Now I just need to work on better finishes. I have attempted that this time by decorating the inside of the card.

Stamps: Every Little Bit and Celebrate Everyday (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Daffodil Delight (SU) and Pear Pizazz (SU Stamp 'n Write Marker)

Paper: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi DSP; Whisper White (SU)

Embellishments: Silver Brads (SU).

Thank You

Our family have some very kind people around us and I really wanted to show them just how much we appreciate it!

This week, our neighbour gave us a children's outdoor table and chairs set. It came with good timing, as I had been looking for one on ebay and hadn't had any luck!

Another lot of good timing came in the form of 'hand-me-down' clothing just as my oldest daughter was starting to outgrow the size twos! So, rather than spending heaps at the shops, I was able to get her whole (nearly) size three wardrobe for a fraction of the price.

I drew my inspiration for this card from three sources. The first being The Paper Players Challenge #50 - Kind Thanks. They are right, there is nothing quite like receiving and giving a little something in the letter box.

The second source was the sketch at Mojo Monday 194.

The third source was the lovely colour combination at The Colour Throwdown #145.

I enjoyed making this card and I hope the two ladies receiving them (along with some home made biscuits) realise how much their kindness is appreciated.

Stamps: Celebrate Everyday (Stampin' Up!) and Wishes All 'Round (Fiskars)

Ink: Pear Pizazz and Baja Breeze (SU)

Card: Baja Breeze (SU)

Paper: Pear Pizazz and So Saffron DSP (SU)

Embellishments: So Saffron brads, Pear Pizazz ribbon, flower ribbon slide (SU); blue ribbon.

Colour Throwdown #144

The team at The Colour Throwdown used such pretty colours this week!

I thought these colours would look really pretty on a mostly white card.

And... for the first time I even did the inside of the card!

Stamps: Sweet Summer and Garden Whimsy (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo and Certainly Celery (SU)
Paper: Melon Mambo DSP and Whisper White (SU)
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie and Silver brads (SU)

Just Add Ink 70 - Round Sketch

Just Add Ink are celebrating their 70th challenge with a round sketch. Here is the inspiration:

This is definately not a style I would normally choose, so I just thought I would 'give it a go!'

I also combined this challenge with The Colour Throwdown #144:

Stamps: Sweet Summer, Garden Whimsy and Wonderful Favourites (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo and Certainly Celery (SU)

Paper: Melon Mambo DSP and Whisper White (SU)

Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie brads