Better Late Than Never!

Hi All,

I have had annual leave from work this week and it has been exceptionally hectic........you know what it's like - thinking you can get all these jobs off your to do list done.......but don't know how to cram them all in, in the time allowed. (Well, I've had one of those.... and I'm still playing catch-up!!)

I know it's Friday, but this is my entry for Heather's Sunday sketch.
I've been playing around with the Trendy tree set, (when time allows) and trying to come up with simple but stylish designs.

So I decided to add my version. It is an extremely simple card.........I don't think it's particularly stylish though! (The embossed line goes around all four sides, although it's not clear from the photo)

I hope things will calm down a little next week......there maybe work, but at least not everyday is full on the calendar!

Thanks for stopping by

Jane x

Quick Birthday card

Hi All,

I needed a couple of quick birthday cards over the weekend, as each of my sons had been invited to their friends celebrations.
The 1st one was so quick, that I didn't even think about a photo....(3 minutes flat in fact, from start to finish & out the door......now that's what I call quick...LOL!!)

It didn't have the glittery touch that this one has though.

Thanks for popping by, happy crafting

Jane x

Too Busy to Blog - so sorry!

Hi All,

I know it's been almost a month since I last blogged - but I've been busy, busy, busy.......at work, study and home.........I almost wish I could retire and then I could spend more time on things I love to do.....like craft and chat!

I did meet up with my buddies on Monday, and this is what we created.

The little birdhouse was cased from a gift I received at Jenny's last extravaganza day. All the items incorporate the two-step bird punch. I wanted to show that punches can be more versatile, than they may seem at first glance.

This card is straight forward, the pink heart was made by punching out a heart shape and using (what normally would be the waste cardstock) as a template, then by sponging with a dauber to the desired depth of colour.

These flowers are created from the birds wing, and the stems added with a pricking tool.

This card I'm sure is one very similar to one I've seen on the web somewhere...(but do you think I can find the person who created it!! I've tried....but couldn't find it, so sorry I can't acknowledge you) I just think it's so simple but effective, don't you? The shadow is created just the same as the heart was, but just remember to invert the image.

Hope you've enjoyed, happy crafting

Jane x

P.S. For those who ordered at Jill's workshop last Friday.......I'm waiting for a large parcel, hopefully to be delivered this Friday!!

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