Happy Birthday Mum!

Here is Mum's birthday card! It took me forever to think of a design for her card, but I opened up my pack of the new 'Apple Cider' Designer Series Paper (in the new Spring Mini) and it came to me!! The only thing I was disappointed about was that I didn't buy the matching stamp set at the time. Will have to add that to the next order!!
Well, the only stamping in this card is the Happy Birthday from the 'Think Happy Thoughts' set. All the rest is using punches and the gorgeous paper. I'm so pleased with how it turned out-just can't wait to get that set now!!!! I made a few more cards using these papers-I'll post them soon!
Hope you had a wonderful day Mum-you deserve it!xox

Recipe: STAMPS: Think Happy Thoughts INK: Choc Chip, Wild Wasabi CARD STOCK: Wild Wasabi, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Choc Chip, River Rock ACCESSORIES: Apple Cider DSP, Scallop Punch, Round Tab Punch, 1- 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 inch circle punch, 3/4inch circle punch, 1/2 inch circle punch, 1- 3/8 inch circle punch, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Pastels.

Cherish Illuminations

I'm slowly filtering through all my photos, trying to find all my cards so I can put them into a separate folder ready to post here! I came across this one the other day, so thought I'd get put it up for you to see!
These were made for one of my weekly card swaps. Funny though, this was a set I didn't overly like when the new catalogue came out-don't really know what I was thinking there!!!!!! Once I got it I couldn't wait to use it. It's one of those sets that can make quick, simple and effective cards-or if you put a bit more time and effort you can create some gorgeous cards too!
I decided to 'bling' it up-it was around the same time I finally bought myself a Heat Tool. So what better way to bling than with Dazzling Diamonds! Below is a close up of the cherish image:

A very messy exercise though, but I had so much fun making these cards-really happy with the final product!

RECIPE STAMPS: Illuminations, Illuminated Roller INK: Blue Bayou, Versa Mark CARD STOCK: Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White ACCESSORIES: Dazzling Diamonds, Heat & Stick Powder, Silver Organdy Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Heat Tool
ALL PRODUCTS USED STAMPIN' UP! UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

Mixed Bouquet Thank You

I made this card for my next door neighbour to give to a friend of hers. She wanted it to match the wrapping paper she had, which was white with pink flowers. So finally, I got around to using my Mixed Bouquet set which retired at the end of March. I based the idea around a sketch challenge I found on the Elite Challenges Blog, and used my Colour Coach Wheel to help me choose the colours. I stamped the circle images onto Pretty In Pink using Versa Mark, then embossed with clear embossing powder for a subtle look. I used my Stampin' Pastels to colour the flower and leaves using an eye shadow applicator (I find this gives me more precision when colouring using my chalks). I also added shadow to the Thank You oval using my Stampin' Pastels.
It took awhile to put together but I was pleased with the end result. The matching envelope was the finishing touch! I hope they were both happy with the card!
RECIPE STAMPS Mixed Bouquet, Occasional Greetings CARD STOCK Pretty In Pink, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White, Always Artichoke, So Saffron INK Pretty In Pink, Always Artichoke, Versa Mark ACCESSORIES Large & Small Oval Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Moss Organdy Ribbon, Stampin' Pastels, Corner Rounder Punch
ALL PRODUCTS USED STAMPIN' UP!® UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

ATC Card Swaps

Well, these may look familiar-they are in my new banner! I made these for an ATC Swap with my Upline, Georgina Martin. The technique we had to use was embossing, so I used Versa Mark ink and white embossing powder to emboss the flowers from Boho Backgrounds onto Purely Pomegranate Card Stock. I had grand ideas for these ATC's, but didn't realise how small they were - 3.5inch x 2.5 inches, a lot smaller than cards I'm used to making!! I ended up using these ideas for my weekly card swap-the pictures of them are posted below:

The colours and stamps are the same, just slightly different layouts! These cards came together quite easily, I just didn't realise how fiddly embossing the flowers were (they are quite small and close together!) I'm looking forward to seeing what I get back in my swaps!

Recipe: STAMPS Boho Backgrounds, INK Versa Mark Blue Bayou, CARD STOCK Old Olive Purely Pomegranate Whisper White Blue Bayou ACCESSORIES 1- 1/4 inch circle Clear Rhinestone Brad Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon White Embossing Powder

Guest Stampers-Maj & Tracey

Here is the card I promised in my last post. Take a bow Maj & Tracey!!!!
We were at Stamp Club last week when Maj showed me a pile of cards she'd created. Well, we all fell in love with this one that she made (Tracey made one too, but I only have a photo of Maj's, sorry Tracey!) Well done girls, this is such an effective card! Can't wait to get the new Hostess set-'For a Friend' so I can copy!
Colours used are Bashful Blue and Choc Chip.
Stamps are Simply Said, For a friend-hostess set.

Can't wait for our next Stamp Club, I have such a great time laughing and stamping with my friends!