Heather's Sunday Challenge

Hi All,

I've had a lovely day out with the family, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.

Since getting back, I've been 'blog hopping'...as you do....and come across Heather's challenge; so I thought I'd give it a go. You can play along too - just click on the link http://www.stampwithheather.typepad.com/

She supplied a simple sketch; of which I can't seem to paste across to show you.......I really must gen up on my computer and my reading skills!! (You'll see why I said this, in a minute.....LOL!!)

The instructions said, on the central piece: make this your focal point with fun stamping, greeting and embellishment................so what have I created?*!


A 'punched out bird' - that's what....I suppose, I did stamp it's wing!
Even the '4 you' was added after I'd photographed it, and realised it had no greeting!
The embellishment - I've decided, is the satin ribbon; as the brad I altered with black embossing powder, was too large and looked as stupid as I feel, for not reading the instructions properly.....just as well it's my son who'll be sitting exams soon!!

I blame it on too much sunshine today!!
I had fun though, and feel this may be a card that will be reproduced at my next get together.

Happy Crafting

Jane x


PS. I'll try and get the brain in gear tomorrow...LOL!!

Bird on a Branch

Good morning,

Sorry it's been a while, but I've had a lovely half-term in 'sunny old Bournemouth' with the kids.
Today I'm getting together with a few friends and we're making this.

It's using the 'Bird on a Branch' from the mini catalogue, the gorgeous 'Melon Mambo' and I've even splashed out incorporating the 'Groom' speciality papers

This is the box, you can just see the shinny inlay on the black paper.

The cover slides off to reveal the 3 cards.

The 1st is an easel card, I coloured in the 'serenity wheel' image on the insert (I'm not sure whether I'd do that again though). I made a false button by punching out five 3/4" circles, sticking them together and then threading through some embroidery cotton before attaching.

The 2nd is cased from the mini catalogue, (their photo is in focus!!). This time I've used a clear button and glue coloured card stock behind it.

Finally for the last one, (I cased this from Jenny), I just changed the DSP and added SP instead to match the box cover.

Well if the truth was known..........I did it the other way around, the box just looked a bit boring and flat in 'Basic Black' and I thought it needed a lift..........so I made another one!!

Hope you've enjoyed.

I'm looking forward to a fun morning with friends, hope you have a great day also

Jane x

Razzle-Dazzle-Berry!!

Hi All,

I just love those 'Cottage Wall' DSP......why, oh why, are they only available until October?
I've been drooling over the papers, as I made up a criss-cross box and 4 cards

Well......that's not strictly true, a couple more boxes.....I just had to try different paper options.....LOL!!

Of course, they all mix and match sooo well - that I've been swapping the lids around! Which is your favourite?

The 1st card uses the 'Greenhouse Garden' and 'Tiny Tags' stamp sets in 'Orchid Opulence' and 'Rich Razzleberry'........have I already mentioned I just love this colour!!

The 2nd is just plain and simple (sentiment from 'Wow Flowers')

For the 3rd one I cut diagonally down the front piece and layered the sentiment ('Occasional Greetings') over the edge; adding the lush 'Razzleberry Polka Dot' ribbon

Lastly, I stamped the flowers using the masking technique. The tiny small greenish looking flowers were created by inking up in 'Old Olive' and stamping off x4 before stamping on top the card front. The little greenery is from 'Tiny Tags'

Well, that's the fun I've been having this week.......I'll try and keep my cravings for this colour in check!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Happy Crafting,

Jane x

Bird on a Branch

Hi All,

A lovely morning was spent with friends..........crafting of course, and as I'd had the lovely 'Bird on a Branch' set delivered with my last order; we thought we'd have a play............this is what I came up with.

I decided to use a multi-coloured brayered background, hoping the bird would stand out as a silhouetted image............I think the second one shows this of better..........what do you think?

To make the birds face the opposite way, I stamped it first onto the stamp-a-ma-jig sheet before transferring it onto the card, I then just filled it in using a marker pen.

Thanks for looking, 'till the next time

Jane x

Sweet Treat Cups

Hi All,

The last few days I've been a playing with the 'sweet treat cups'. Trying to come up with different ideas - so that I'm not just using the 'Something Sweet' stamp set designed to go with them.

I came across some 'Millions' sweets..........Very tasty.........LOL!!
Unfortunately, I could only get them in strawberry flavour; so pink started to become a familiar theme!

Firstly, came a hat..........

...........it's very straight forward. I sandwiched the filled treat cup between two layers of card (which I had already cut) and I'd used the perforating tool to semi cut the card stock, so that access can be made to get to the sweeties.
Finally completing with ribbon and flower from the 'pretties kit'.

Next came the gumball machine (using the stamp set). This time, I made a spinner with holes in the back. It's fixed in place using a brad, you can just see it below the treat cup.

Lastly, I made a flower - the petals are formed using the large oval punch; which I then trimmed down with the 1 3/4" circle punch so that they sit perfectly around the curve of the cup.

The bee is incorporated on a slider, which when pulled................

..........reveals a couple of holes. I actually sealed this one with foil...........I was fed up with trying to regain control of the sweets, also my boys were a hoovering.........need I say more!!

I managed to make the three cards out of one packet of sweets..........bargain I say.......... and that even was taking in to account of wastage.....LOL!!

Hope you've enjoyed, give it a go..........I'd love to see what you come up with. If you need any sweet treat cups or anything else just drop me a line.

Happy Crafting,

Jane x

Happy Anniversary - Dear Hubbie!!

Hi All,

Well today I've been married for 27 years; can't believe it, doesn't time fly!!
I thought I'd better make him a little something........and as my 'UPS' delivery of 'Melon Mambo' arrived yesterday..........need I say more, I just had to use it, LOL!!

The bag is made out of black 12" x 12" and the gorgeous 'Melon Mambo'. I decorated it using the 'I {Heart} Hearts' stamp set and platinum shimmer paint. It houses a favourite tipple of his.

This is the inside of his card/chocolate bar cover. I punched out the hearts and stamped the shimmer paint hearts on the black C/S underneath. The sentiment is from 'Love You Much'
stamp set.

And matching tag.....of course!
I can't believe how well the shimmer paint worked; clearly showing the ornate design of this stamp.

Give it a try,

Happy Crafting,

Jane x

Happy Birthday Michelle!!

Dear All,

I have a lovely friend, (yes.....I do have more than 1!!) who's celebrating her birthday today.........I won't tell you her age...... but only say, she's older than me....LOL!!

I've made her a shutter card and used the 'Vintage Vogue' stamp set (which I just adore), the sentiments are from 'Occasional Greetings' and the recent 'Sale-a-bration' promotion.

It may be obvious, you may have all ready guessed.........., that her favourite colour is red!!

The bag I originally saw, was at a team training day; but I have seen others on several blogs since.

All the sizes/templates etc. have been created by me, I just made them up as I went along..........

The front pocket holds a book of stamps and closes with a magnet.

Hope you've enjoyed,

Happy crafting

Jane x