Thursday 30 January 2014

A gardeny card

Following on from Tuesday's post, this is the card for the lady who loves her garden and gardening.  Once again I cannot tell you the brand name of the stamps used, but they certainly have had a workout here over the last couple of weeks.  

The saying on the card reads "However many years she lived, Mary always felt that she should never forget that first morning when her garden began to grow" from The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett.  I thought that was appropriate for a gardener.   




Lots of sponging, layers and stamping on this card.  I was reasonably happy with both cards and the way they turned out.  Looking back there is always something you would do different, or something that could have been added, but hopefully the recipients will be happy. 

Tuesday 28 January 2014

A few borrowed things

Recently I was asked to make a sampler for a friend's mother (which I will put up pictures of later) and was lucky enough to be able to borrow a bundle of her stamps for the project.  That's one of the great things about crafty people - they always seem willing to lend what they have and share ideas and techniques with others.  I also was asked to make a few cards as well, one for a lady who loves her garden, and another just a bit special.  

This is the bit special card.  I wanted the black and cream effect as it always seems elegant to me, and this is the result.  You can see the Stampin' Up embossing folder in the background, but I couldn't find the brand name of the lady anywhere on the set.  If you really have to know, email me and I will ask the owner if she can remember.  

The image has been cut around, lightly sponged and then popped up on the oval shape.  You may be able to detect a touch of sparkle with a couple of diamantes.  
 




I am sure it would look much nicer if I had chosen a different background instead of a crimson towel, but when you are in a hurry it's whatever is around. 

Thursday 23 January 2014

Another flag version

While I had the banner stamp set out on my desk, (and let's be honest, there  wasn't much that wasn't on my desk), I tried out another card, this time using multiple colours.  

I actually don't like the way it turned out, but maybe someone will.  Is there such a thing as too many colours?  Perhaps the key is just 2-3 different ones.   




Tuesday 21 January 2014

Welcome baby card

Over the holidays I made a card to welcome the safe arrival of a little girl named Annabeth to very proud parents.  

I love all the animals from the Fox and Friends stamp set (sadly now retired) and as I was in a bit of a hurry as usual I based the card around one I had previously done.  Of course it had to be in pinks.  I also used a stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue which starts later this month, Banner Blast.  Flags and bunting are now all the rage, and sometimes you just have to go with the flow. And check out the new embossing folder available soon too - Decorative Dots.  I can see myself using this one quite a lot.  It's a little more playful than Perfect Polka Dots.




Thursday 16 January 2014

Engagement card

And now for something completely different  - an engagement card.  


One of our neighbour's recently became engaged after being proposed to while doing the Harbour Bridge climb.  It doesn't get much more spectacular than that, although it could never beat mine.  Nah, I'm not going to tell. 

Had to whip up a quick card for her, and what else could I use other than hearts.  


  
All the hearts have been cut out and stuck down the angle of the card, and then the same again inside - can't have them looking at the back of a white heart shape when the card is open. 

Tuesday 14 January 2014

Welcome to 2014

Thanks for checking in, and Happy New Year to you.  Hope your year has started off well and you enjoyed your Christmas break.  

We managed to have hubbie's family here for Christmas Day, and apart from all the cleaning, re-organisation of furniture and deciding where everyone would sit to eat, it was a very easy and relaxing day.  Then the kids and I drove up to visit my Dad, and along the way were able to catch up with all my sisters at some point during the trip.  I am quite pleased that I was able to drive all the way to Dad's in a day, a distance of about 740 kms.  I know to some people this is just a normal and easy trip, but to me it was an achievement.  But not something that I'd like to do too often.  

Anyway, back to crafty stuff.  

Thought I might show you some of the cards received for Christmas from my crafty and clever friends.  

 









What do you think?  A talented bunch with lots of beautiful embossing folders, die cuts, stickers and stamps used.  It's a shame they have to be taken down and put away.