Thursday 30 June 2011

Sheepishly CASE'd

I love looking at other peoples crafty blogs and collecting up inspirational ideas. As soon as i saw a card on Cate's Blue Angel Craft's blog i knew i had to try it!!

Yesterday i posted a butterfly card created using the '5 Petal Flower Punch' in a very different way, this card also uses the same punch in a completely creative way! To create a cute little sheep!! Here it is:


A 'Night of Navy' cardbase. The sky has been created with a piece of 'Bashful Blue' card. The grass has been created by tearing some 'Pear Pizzazz' 'DSP' from the Level 1 'In Colours DSP'. To create the tree i handcut some 'Early Espresso' card to make the truck, and punched some 'Scallop Circles' out of the same 'In Colours DSP' to create the leafy part of the tree!! The Sheep himself has been created from a 'Whisper White' Scallop circle to create his body, a 'Basic Black' '5 Petal Flower Punch' which has been snipped into two pieces (2 petals making his legs, and the remaining three petals make his head! Clever hey!?!) His hair has been punched out from some 'Whisper White' using the 'Boho Blossom Punch'.

A very clever use of a flower punch i think!!! I love it when you find a completely different use for a piece of kit!! Total crafty satisfaction!!!

Wednesday 29 June 2011

A Flower Punch Butterfly!

Recently i have been playing around with my Stampin' Up! punches...trying to use them in a more experimental way.

Today i want to share with you a little card i made using the '5 Petal Flower Punch' in a different way to usual ... to make some pretty butterflies. Now i'm sure this idea has been done before, however i came up with this without any internet searches - so just very happy with myself right now! Here's my card:


So we've got here a cute little square 'Rose Red' notelet. I have chopped some 1.5" x 1.5" squares from 'Pink Pirouette' card. On one of these squares i stamped the 'heartfelt thanks' sentiment (in Perfect Plum' ink) from the 'Sweetheart' stampset. On the three remaining squares i layered some '1-3/8" Circles' punched from 'Certainly Celery' cardstock. The butterflies are created from the '5 Petal Flower Punch' and some 'Perfect Plum' and 'So Saffron' cardstock. I placed some 'Basic Pearls' down the centre of them, and drew their antenna on with my 'Perfect Plum' 'Stampin' Write Marker'.

A card made completely from the Stampin' Up! 'subtles' collection of cardstock, and for this reason i'm entering this card creation into The Crafty Pad challenge blog: Soft Pastels.

I'd love to know what you think of this card, and if you have any other ideas for the '5 Petal Flower Punch' let me know!!

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Here's the Stamping 411...

Hiya all, another day and another craft challenge! I have to say that i'm really loving being involved in them - and it is a great way to spark some crafty creativity!! Today's challenge that i'm entering is the Stamping 411 challenge which is a sketch:


and here's my take on the challenge:

The great thing about the Stamping 411 blog is that they even gave your the dimensions to make this sketch!! The cardbase used is 'Certainly Celery', i have layered some 'So Saffron' ontop. Then cut three pieces of 'DSP' from the 'Play Date' collection'. I have run a piece of 'Grosgrain Ribbon' across. Finally i have stamped the owl (using 'Chocolate Chip' ink) from the 'Forest Friends' stampset onto some 'Very Vanilla' card and punched it out with a '1-3/8" Circle Punch', layering it onto a 'So Saffron' 'Scallop Circle' (I have punched out the smaller holes using my 'Crop-a-dile'. I have attached this using some 'Dimensionals' to raise it slightly.

I have to say i love the 'Play Date' 'DSP', it can be used in so many ways - in large 12x12 sheets it looks so bold in its design, but with a little bit of chopping it looks so different!!

I love this layout - it's definately one i'll be filing away for future use! Thanks Stamping 411!

Monday 27 June 2011

Bordering on Craftiness!!

I can't believe it's Monday again!! I hope you all have a good day - don't forget only four more days until the weekend - not that i'm counting!!

Today i want to share with you my entry into the CAS-ual Fridays challenge, with this week is called 'Getting Edgy!', in other words the challenge was to use a border punch or rip some cardstock to add a fun edge to a card. Here's my card:


The cardbase that i've used for this project is 'So Saffron'. I have then cut strips of 'So Saffron', 'Perfect Plum, 'Pink Pirouette', 'Certainly Celery', 'Bashful Blue' card and edged with the the 'Eyelet Border Punch' and layered these up. To finish off this card i wrapped some 'Certainly Celery' ribbon around. The sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset, inked in 'Certainly Celery'. (I ensured it was all nice and straight by using my 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'.)

Hope you like! It's a great way to use up scraps of cardstock!!

Sunday 26 June 2011

Handbags and gladrags!!

Hi all, i hope you're all having a lovely weekend!! Today i have a handbag style card to share with all you lovely crafty people. Here it is:


A really quick card to make - starting with a 'Crumb Cake' card base, which i have layered with some 'Elegant Soiree' 'DSP'. I then cut a seperate strip of 'Crumb cake' and cut off two corners to create the handbag flap. I then ran some 'Very Vanilla' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and then cut that slightly smaller than the crumb cake strip. I used my 'Crop-adile' to punch two small holes at the top of the card and ran some 'Baja Breeze' 'Seaming Ribbon' to create the bag handle. I placed a 'Designer Button' with some 'Linen Thread' to create the bag clasp, and placed some 'Paper Flowers' in the right corner of the bag design, layered on some 'Baja Breeze' 'Satin Ribbon', with another 'Designer Button' with 'Linen thread' placed in the centre.

I'm entering this card into the Glitter Geeks challenge: Handbags and Gladrags. This is the third week of challenges offered by the Glitter Geeks - check them out and get involved!!

I'm also entering this card into the Daring Cardmakers challenge, which this week is 'Something Old, Something New...' Here's how the elements of my card fit the challenge:
  • Something Old: The 'Paper Flowers' - they're retired Stampin' Up! stock, so i have had them quite a while.
  • Something New: The 'DSP' i have used in this project - 'Elegant Soiree' is brand new (and isn't it lovely!!)
  • Something Borrowed: The 'Baja Breeze' 'Satin Ribbon' is the remainder of a borrowed length.
  • Something Blue: Quite obvious - the 'DSP', the 'Designer Buttons' amd the 'Seaming Ribbon'.
Right, i've managed to complete all my jobs for today and so i'm off to do some crafting in the garden!! Have a lovely Sunday!

Saturday 25 June 2011

A Card For The Love Birds!

Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a fab weekend! I've had a lovely day out with my sister today shopping, trying to buy everything i need for my trip to Tanzania! Not long until i go now! I'm so excited!!!

One preperation i have had to make is ensuring that i have made cards for all the big events that i will be missing whilst i'm away - one of which is my good friend Ruth's first wedding anniversary. (I actually missed her wedding last year aswell as i was on my honeymoon, hopefully i will be in country to celebrate her second anniversary!!)

Here's the card that i made for her and her hubby:

A 'Rose Red' card base, with a strip of 'DSP' from the 'Springtime Vintage' collection. The birds have been created with the 'Two-Step Bird Punch' in 'Rose Red', the wings are 'Pretty in Pink', i have used two small 'Basic Pearls' as eyes! The branches are punched from 'Crumb Cake' cardstock. I glued the birds and branches onto some 'Whisper White', layered on some 'Rose Red' and then some 'Crumb Cake' card. The little hearts are created from some scraps of 'DSP' and have been punched out using the 'Owl Punch'.

I'm entering this card into the 'Cupcake Craft Challenge', this week it's a sketch challenge.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Friday 24 June 2011

Blushing Bride

Here's my very last minute entry to the Daring Card Makers Challenge this week. The challenge this week is to create a 'rocker card' I have never made one before and didn't know where to start. But i started thinking up an idea last night and knew i had to give it a go before going into work this morning. Here's my card!


I have used 'Very Vanilla' cardtsock - folded at the top - then udes a plate to create the bottom of the dress, i then used my 'Heart Punch' to cut out the bodice and ran them bothe through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vinatge Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. The roses are created from some scraps of 'Pink Pirouette', 'Blushing Bride' and 'Very Vanilla' cardstock. I punched out some 'Scallop Circles' and then a '1-1/4" Circle' from the middle. Then cut a slit through the scalloped ring and rolled it around to create the roses. (Hint: use sticky red tape to hold them all together!) The sentiment is from the 'Occassional Quotes' stampset and i have placed this on some 'Blushing Bride' card, punched out with the 'Decorative Label Punch'. I have embellished the card with some 'Basic Pearls' around the sentiment and on the bodice of the dress!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this card!! I literally entered it into the DCM challenge with 7 minutes to spare - talk about close to the edge!!

Hope you have a good day! Not long now til the weekend!!

Thursday 23 June 2011

A rose-y card!

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good week! I can't believe it is already Thursday - this week is flying!!

Today i have a rose-y card to share with you:

An 'Early Espresso' card,'Clear embossed' using the 'Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel', next i layered a stripof (retired) 'DSP'. The roses come from the 'Happiness Shared' stampset - stamped in 'Early Espresso' ink and then i have used my 'Blender Pens' to colour them in. I have hand-cut these images out using my 'Paper Snips' into tag shapes. I have punched holes out of the top using my 'Crop-a-dile', and threaded some ' Chocolate Chip' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' through. A card for any occassion!

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Happy Birthday Sal!

Hi all, Sorry for such a late post! Today has been a little hectic! I've been on the final day of a training course that i have been on for work. Today i had to do a presentation in front of some of my managers eeeek! But it's all over and done with now! Phew!! I've also popped in to visit my nan and been to a zumba class! Busy, busy, busy!!

Anyway, today was my friend Sally's birthday. Unfortunately i wasn't at work today so couldn't wish her happy birthday in person,  but have a card and a cheeky bottle of wine to give to her tomorrow. (I'm hoping she won't be checking on here tonight... so i want to share with you the tag that i made to go on her bottle of wine...


The card used on the base is 'Bashful Blue', i have then used some 'Greenhouse Gala DSP'.I have stamped out the butterfly from the 'Strength and Hope' stampset, cut it out with my 'Paper Snips' and placed some 'Basic Pearls' along the centre to create the butterflies body. I raised the butterfly with a 'dimensional'.

The sentiment is from the Level 1 hostess set 'Silhouette Sentiments' (stamped in 'Chocolate Chip' ink) and i have creatively used the 'Decorative Label Punch' to  punch it out! I have punched another piece of 'Greenhouse Gala DSP' using the Scallop Circle. Then punched out a '1-3/8" Circle' out of the centre. i also punched another circle out of the 'Bashful Blue' cardstock and lined them up, to create a hole for the wine bottleneck. Here's the finished article:



I hope Sally had a lovely birthday! I'm looking forward to seeing her tomorrow to give her a belated birthday hug, as well as her gift and card!!

Tuesday 21 June 2011

For you Dad...

Another Fathers Day make to share with you today. Here's the gift that i made for my Dad. It's a folding picture book, created from 'Pacific Point', 'Real Red' and 'Daffodil Delight' cardstock and 'DSP' from the 'Brights' collection.

Here's the front of the folding book. Notice that i have also used some 'Real Red' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' to embellish the project. I have created the 'DAD' sentiment has been created from the 'Broadsheet Alphabet' stampset.


The book folds out, and i've placed lots of special photos of my dad with me and my sister in there:


Here's the project completely unfolded:


You may have noticed that i have also placed 'Designer Buttons' and 'Basic Rhinestones' around the pictures to create a little extra detail. I have created a centre focus to this project, where i have placed a message for my dad. I used a range of 'Circle Punches' and the 'Scallop Circle' Punch, with a button placed in the centre. Here's the very centre of this folded book project:


My Dad seemed very suprised by my creation! I think it may have been some time since he has seen these pictures!! I hope he liked it!!

You can of course make a folding book for any occassion - a special birthday, wedding or anniversary - it's the perfect sentimental present!!!

Monday 20 June 2011

Belated Anniversary Wishes: Poppet and Dan!

One for my bestest friends Laura (Poppet) and her hubby Dan got married on the 19th June 2010, so yesterday was their first wedding anniversary! Because of the Father's Day clash i have had to post their card today. Here's the card that i made for them:


The cardbase is 'Pink Pirouette', which was folded like a usual card and then i folded the front over a second time to create a slightly quirky card style. I ran the front panel of the card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' to add a bit of texture to this card. I next ran a piece of 'Whisper White' card through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Top Note Die'. Using the beautiful 'Bella Toile' background stamp i stamped the whole of the 'Top Note' with 'Crumb Cake' ink. Using 'Pretty in Pink' ink i stamped two butterflies (created by the A La Carte stamp 'All in a Flutter') The 'Happy Anniverary' sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset and has been inked with 'Early Espresso'.

I have placed a second 'Whisper White' 'Top Note' inside the card to create an insert.

I hope Laura and Dan had a wonderful first anniversary and celebrated in style! I can't believe how grown up we all are now... less than one month until mine and my hubby's first anniversary - unbelievable!

Sunday 19 June 2011

Happy Father's Day!!

It's Father's Day! So Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there!! I hope you have a great day!! Here's another father's day card that i made.

I'm entering this into the 2nd glitter geeks challenge:

This card began life as a piece of 'Very Vanilla' card. Next i ran a piece of 'Baja Breeze' card through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and placed that at the bottom of the card. Next i cut a strip of 'Soft Suede' card and used the 'Eyelet Border Punch' to create a decorative edging. I made an oragami shirt from some 'DSP' from the 'Elegant Soiree' collection. (There's a tutorial of how to make these shirts at Martha Stewarts blog) I used some scraps of 'Baja Breeze' to make the tie. The sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset and is stamped in 'Basic Gray' ink.

This card is for my Dad. I can actually picture him wearing this shirt! It's definately him!! I hope he likes it!!

Hope you all have lovely plans for father's day! Have a lovely Sunday everyone! xxx

Saturday 18 June 2011

Weddings!

Morning all, another weekend and another wedding. I guess you get to a point in your life where everyone is either getting married or having babies - which means lots of card making!!

We're off to a wedding today and i'm planning on giving them the 'Baroque Motif' card that i made some time back. See the blog post here.

I also have another wedding card that i have made recently is for a commission:


I ran some 'Perfect Plum' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Manhatten Flowers Embossing Folder'. I run this out and mounted it on some 'Very Vanilla' cardstock. I have then stamped the sentiment - from 'Ocassional Quotes' stampset (also in 'Perfect Plum') to the corner of the card (lining it up with the 'Stamp-a-ma-jig') Finally i ran some (non SU) ribbon along the bottom, with a little ribbon buckle.

Hope you have a lovely day - looks like the rain has gone away - so make sure you enjoy the sunshine!!

Friday 17 June 2011

Another Father's Day Card!

Here's another Father's Day card that i made. Some of you who have followed my blog for a while may recognise this design. It is a variation of a birthday card that i made some time back:



This card uses the fab 'Motorcycle' stamp from the  'A la Carte' range in the 'Mini Catalogue' The cardstock used for this card was 'Crumb Cake', the motorcycle was stamped using 'Early Espresso' ink on 'Whisper White' card, mounted on 'Early Espresso'. I have used a 'sponge dauber' to create a dust effect. I have also wrapped some 'linen thread' around to finish it off. The sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' set (a level 2 stampset from the mini catalogue)

That's two done - one more to go. You will have to wait until Father's Day to see that one!!
Have a great weekend! xxx

Thursday 16 June 2011

Father's Day Card Prep!

Hi everyone, i hope you're having a good week so far. Are you ready for Fathers Day yet? If you haven't thought about it yet maybe i can offer you some inspiration!!

 I've recently been working on some Father's Day cards in preperation for this Sunday. I need to make three cards - one for my dad, one for my step-dad and one for my father in law. So over the next few days i will share my makes with you. Here's one of the cards that i have made:


This card is made using the 'Plane and Simple' stampset. I started with a 'Whisper White' cardbase, and  stamped it with the 'diamond' stamp in 'Crumb Cake' ink to create a background. I stamped the aeroplane in 'Crumb Cake' ink onto a square of 'Whisper White', 'Sponge Daubed' the edges and then mounted it onto 'Bashful Blue' card. I did the same with the 'happy father's day! sentiment.

The 'Plane and Simple' card is a fab set for creating a quick masculine card. It comes with three sentiments: happy birthday, thankyou and happy father's day! everything you need to make cards for men!! If you would like to order this stampset, drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Check back tomorrow for another Father's Day design.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

In Love with the In Colours!

I'm completely in love with my new 'In colours DSP' pack that i recieved as my free gift with my last Stampin Up! order, i have been using it in all sorts of projects.

Today i have a little gift package to share with you that is made simply out of one side of 6x6 DSP paper and a few quick folds... perfect to wrap a small gift or a few sweets. I think these will make fab wedding favours!!


Once i had folded the 'DSP' i simply punched a 'Scallop Circle' and a '1-1/4" Circle' out of 'Concord Crush' and a '1-3/8" Circle'  out of 'Very Vanilla' and layered them all up on one another. I then stamped out the butterfly (from the 'Strength and Hope' set) in 'Concord Crush' onto 'Very Vanilla' card. cut it out with my 'Paper Snips'. I simply popped a 'Basic Rhinestone' onto the butterfly to add a little bling!!

Finally i popped some chocs in a 'Cello Bag' and tied the top up with some 'Silver Elastic Cord'.

Why not check out this fab pack of 'In Colours DSP' yourself - remember if you host a party/ workshop you could get them for FREE!!! Email me to book your workshop now - i have some dates left in August: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Craft Challenge Addiction!

Morning all, I think i have become a little too addicted to challenge blogs!! I'm loving the way they are pushing my creativity - i hate making projects that are all too samey!

I have stumbled across yet another challenge blog: Cas-ual Fridays and loved their style!! They gave you this tic tac toe board and you had to choose a row of three elements and make a card!! What fun!


I decided to go diagonally across the board (Buttons, Dies or Punch, Emboss) and this is what i can up with:


A 'Pumpkin Pie' cardbase, reverse embossed with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' (using my 'Big Shot', a strip of 'Greenhouse Gala' DSP down the centre. The flower has been created using the 'Fun Flowers Die' and 'Brights DSP' with a 'Designer Button' placed in the centre. Finally a piece of 'Grosgrain Ribbon' finishes off the design.

Monday 13 June 2011

Congratulations On Winning Blog Candy!

Now you may remember that last week i ran my blogcandy competition and the lucky Crafty_Nessa won the craft stash!


I finally got my bum in gear and got it posted off to her on Thursday. I heard from Vanessa on Saturday and sadly the parcel was ripped in transit and she still has not recieved all the goodies... which is a real shame. Royal Mail are on the case and is currently searching for the missing items. (Did you know that Royal Mail have twitter?! I've been having a really useful twitter conversation with them trying to locate the missing pieces of the prize!?) Fingers crossed it will arrive soon.

One things that Vanessa definately did recieve is the little Congratulations card that i made for her. Here it is:


The cardbase used is the 'In Colour' 'Concorde Crush'. I next ran some 'Melon Mambo' 'DSP' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die' and then turned it 90 degrees and ran it through again to create this shared shape. The daisy has been created with 'Melon Mambo' and 'Concord Crush' card which has been run through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Flower Daisies Die'. I just love this Die!

I used the 'Top Note Die' and some 'Whisper White' card to create an insert for this card using the same technique:


The congratulations sentiment is from the Level 2 hostess set 'Something to Celebrate' (available in the mini catalogue)

I've entered this card into the Totally Gorjuss craft challenge - the theme this week is : Flower Power.

I hope Vanessa likes her card and i hope that the rest of  her prize finds her soon. For all of you who were not lucky this time, don't worry i hope to run another blog candy comp soon! So keep checking back here for details!

Sunday 12 June 2011

Happy Birthday Rob!

It's our friend Rob's birthday today and to celebrate i made him this card:


This is based on a card a design from Andrea Walford. I've been dying to CASE this card for ages, so here it is!! The cardbase used is 'Tempting Turquoise' and has been run through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. The other cardstock used in this design 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Whisper White'. The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from the 'Cheers and Wishes' stampset and has been inked in 'Daffodil Delight'. The design was created with four 1.5" squares of 'Tempting Turquoise' 'DSP', using the 'Corner Rounder' i curved two corners of each squares and then arranged into place.

A very versatile card, which could be created in any colour combo and with any sentiment! It's always handy to have a couple of designs like this one up your sleeve just in case you need to make a card in a hurry or if you're lacking crafty inspiration!

Saturday 11 June 2011

Glitz and Glamour

Hi all! I'm having a lovely crafty morning and already made several projects. The first thing on my crafty to-do list is to make a card for the new challenge website Glitter Geeks. Why not check it out for yourself?!

The challenge for this week is to make a card with the theme: 'Glitz and Glamour'. So here's my entry:


To create this card i have used one of my most favourite stamps - the beautifully elegant 'Medallion' stamp, which i have black embossed onto a piece of 'Whisper White' cardstock. I chopped this image up into three pieces, then mounted each third onto 'Real Red' card. I have then arranged this onto a 'Basic Black' cardbase. I have also placed a very blingy 'Basic Rhinestone' to the centre of the 'Medallion'.

Hopefully this card is more than suitable for the very first Glitter Geeks challenge. I just want to say the very best of luck to all the girls at Glitter Geeks. I know they have worked very hard on setting up their new challenge site. Can't wait for next weeks challenge!

Friday 10 June 2011

DCM Challenge: Father Christmas

Hi everyone. Woo hoo! It's Friday! This week has been a toughy! I haven't been feeling 100% and i've had to drag myself through a week of training at work. So relieved it is now the weekend and planning on having a reasonably quiet one! I have a couple of card commissions to work on (which i will of course share with you all on here) and i'm also trying to get ahead with friend and family birthday and anniversary cards for July and August as i will be away over that time. So a lovely crafty weekend in store for me, along with meeting up with some friends!

Now... the card i have to share with you today is my entry into the Daring Cardmakers Challenge which was to create a card with a 'Father Christmas' theme. There is a prize up for grabs as well this week donated by Crafty Emma's Store. I have to admit it felt quite premature making seasonal cards in June, but as soon as i dug out my christmas crafty papers and stampsets i loved it!! Now i was suprised to realise that i don't actually own a Father Christmas stamp! I have literally hundreds of stamps but not one Father Christmas! (I will of course be rectifying that very soon with a cheeky SU purchase!) So for this card i had to be a little creative (inspired by Sue R's blog) Here's the result:


The cardbase is 'Real Red' which i have run through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. The DSP used is from the 'Jolly Holiday' collection (although a christmas collection most papers can be used for non-christmas projects!) Santa's coat and belt have been made from 'Real Red', 'Whisper White' and 'Basic Black' all created using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Top Note Die'. I have used some 'brads' to create Father Christmas's buttons. The buckle on his belt has been created with some (non SU) silver cardstock punched out with the 'Decorative Label Punch', turned 90 degrees and then punched again to create the square shape. The sentiment is from the 'Season of Joy' stampset, inked in 'Real Red' and again, i have used the 'Decorative Label Punch' to punch it out.

Oh dear, as i have been making, photographing and blogging about this card i realise that i have been humming christmas songs! It's only June! Mind you it really creeps up on you. Have you started thinking about your christmas cards this year? Stampin' Up! do a great range of 'Seasonal Celebration' stamps and papers. Why not check them out - you can find them on pages 21 - 28 of the 2010 'Idea Book and catalogue'. If you would like to make an order please email me at: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Please check back tomorrow for another crafty creation! Thanks for visiting!! xxx

Thursday 9 June 2011

Cupcake Challenge 145... Things with Tails!

Hi all! Hope you are all having a good week. My latest Stampin' Up! order arrived yesterday! I now have a full set of 'Stampin' Write Markers!! Woo hoo! Can't wait to play and show you what i have come up with!!

Also a couple of my regular customers put through an order and i had the pleasure of delivering these to them today! I always like to give my customers a little thankyou gift and so i made a little 'Pillow Box' for each of them and placed some ribbons and buttons in each of them:


Both the boxes were made by running cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Pillow Box Die'.
Here's some close up's of these creations:


This first box is created with 'Crumb Cake' card. Before assembling the box i used the foliage stamp from the 'Growing Green' set and stamped it all over the box template with 'Crumb Cake' ink. Next i stamped the turtle from the 'Fox and Friends' set in 'Pear Pizzazz' onto a scrap of 'Very Vanilla' and punched it out with the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' and then mounted on a 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Scallop Circle Punch'. I embellished the scallop with some 'Basic Pearls'. I wrapped some 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Binding Ribbon' around the box.

Here's the second box:


The cardstock used for the second 'Pillow Box' is 'Pacific Point'. The whale is from the 'Fox and Friends' stampset and has been stamped in 'Tempting Turqouise' ink on some 'Very Vanilla' card. This has been punched out using the same circle punch as above mounted on a 'Daffodil Delight' 'Scalloped Circle'. Finally a piece of 'Grosgrain Ribbon' is wrapped around the box.

Why not make an order and get a free gift as a token of my thanks!! The catalogues are available to view on the right of this blog, but i'm happy to send you a real catalogue if you want to browse! My email address is amyjtidd@gmail.com

I'm entering these creations into the Cupcake Craft Challenge, which this week is 'Things with Tails'.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

A Flower Notepad...

Good evening everyone! Today i've been on a training course at the Royal Holloway University - such beautiful grounds and now i'm just on my way to zumba! Busy day! But before i go i want to share with you a little notepad that i have made:



This notepad started life as a 19p notepad from Wilkinsons. I simply covered it in some 'Melon Mambo' cardstock. I then stamped some 'Whisper White' cardstock using the 'Dots, Dots, Dots' stampset and some 'Daffodil Delight' ink. The flower was created from a variety of different 'Brights DSP' using the 'Fancy Flower Punch' and the '5-Petal Flower Punch'. I have placed a 'Brights' ' Designer Button' threaded with some 'Silver Elastic Cord' in the centre of the flower. Finally i tied some 'Grosgrain Ribbon' around! All of a sudden a 19p notepad looks much more attractive! Great to give away as a little gift to a friends, to pop in childrens party bags, as a stocking filler or to pop in your handbag!! I'd love to know what you think...

Tuesday 7 June 2011

A Card for a Friend!

Today i want to share a card i made for my mum to give to one of her best friends for her birthday. It is of course using the wonderfully versatile 'Vintage Vogue' stampset. Here it is:


I began with a piece of 'Whisper White' cardstock for the base. Using 'Always Artichoke' ink and the foliage stamp i randomly stamped around the edge and also in the middle. On a seperate piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the 'Friends' sentiment in 'Always Artichoke'. I then mounted on a piece of 'Always Artichoke' cardstock and then stuck this to the centre of the card. I then stamped some large and small flowers (also from the 'Vintage Vogue' stampset) in 'Perfect Plum' ink and cut them all out and arranged then around the 'Friends' sentiment, raising some of them with 'Dimensionals'. Finally placing some 'Basic Rhinestones' in the centre of the flowers! A perfect card for a perfect friend!!!

Monday 6 June 2011

Sailaway, Sailaway, Sailaway...

Hi guys! How are you all? I hope you have had a good Monday! I've just got back from Windsor Races and i won! I bet on a horse called 'Style and Panache' and it came in! Woo hoo!

Anyway, i'm back to work this week, so not as much time for crafting although i'm working on a card for the latest Cupcake Challenge which i will share with you soon.

Yesterday i shared a card that uses the 'Sailaway' stamp, today i have another card using the stamp to share with you:


This card was a quick make. A simple 'Whisper White' card base. Next a piece of 'Early Espresso' ran through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. Next a piece of 'Whisper White' ran through the 'Big shot' with the 'Top Note Die'. I then turned the 'Top Note' 90 degrees and ran it through the 'Big shot' again  to create a squarer shape. I simple stamped the 'Sailaway' stamp using 'Early Espresso' ink.

The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from the level two hostess gift 'Cheers and Wishes' stampset, inked in 'Early Espresso' onto  a strip of Whisper White' and using my 'Paper Snips' i have create a flag shape. A brad embellishes the card.

Another simple masculine card!! I'd love to know what you think of my card! If you like any of the products that i have used then why not make an order? Email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Sunday 5 June 2011

Happy Birthday Frank!

Good evening everyone! I'm back with a card that i have made for my 'Grandpa in Law's' birthday. We have just returned from a lovely meal at a pub near Sunningdale!

Here is the card that i made for him:

The card base used for this project is 'Night of Navy'. I folded it as a normal card and then folded the front of the card over again. I ran just the folded piece through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' to give the card some texture. Next i used the 'Big Shot' again to create two 'Top Note' shapes out of 'Whisper White' cardsrock. On one i printed the boat image in 'Early Espresso' ink. I used my 'Blender Pens' and some 'Night of Navy' ink to colour in the sea. I also coloured the flag in red. I then printed out the boat a second time and cut out the sails and layered them using 'Dimensionals.'. The sentiment is from the 'Occassional Quotes' stampset. I inserted the second 'Top Note' inside the card to write a message.

I love the 'Sailaway' stampset - a perfect set to create a quick masculine card!!

Saturday 4 June 2011

I'm Back With Blog Candy!!!

Blog Candy Results:

Hi all, I'm back with a winner! I used the website: random.org to randomly select the lucky winner and that is (drum roll please) is Craftynessa, i have notified her on Twitter and i will hopefully be sending her all these Stampin' Up! goodies very very soon! Congratulations Vanessa!!


Thanks to everyone who entered this competition. I has been a major success and i will most definately be hosting future comps in the future - so watch this space!!

Now you are all followers of my blog i hope you visit from time to time to see my crafty creations!!
Thankyou for all your support!

OMG!! Happy Birthday Sarah!

Hi everyone, an early post today as i have a busy day planned! I'm just off into town to book a holiday for me and my hubby for August and then i'm off down to Southampton for a glam night out to celebrate my friends Sarah's 30th birthday! We're having makeovers and then glamming up for a posh meal and then on to a nightclub! Can't wait it's going to be fab!!!

Here's a card that i made for her, i hope she likes it!



The cardbase used for this project is 'Blushing Bride' from the 'In Colour' range, which  i have run through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. I have used the 'Vintage Vogue' stampset to create the image. the foilage was randomly stamped using 'Always Artichoke' ink. I then clear embossed some small flowers onto 'Blushing Bride' cardstock using 'Versamark', 'Clear Embossing Powder' and a 'Heat Gun'. I cut around these and stuck them over the foilage using 'Dimensionals' to raise them. I placed some 'Basic Pearls' in the centre to 'bling' up the project! I mounted this onto some 'Early Espresso' cardstock. The sentiment is from the 'Occassional Quotes' stampset, inked with 'Early Espresso' and punched out using the 'Decorative Label Punch'.

I'll be back tomorrow (probably once the hangover has gone!!) to share another birthday card with you. It's my 'Grandpa in Laws' birthday so i have a more masculine card to share with you!

Have a brilliant Saturday!
Amyxx

Friday 3 June 2011

DCM Challenge: June Flowers (Roses)

Hello! and a special big hello to all my new followers! What an exciting day! We have decided to book a holiday and off tomorrow to actually book it at the travel agents, on top of that my blog has achieved over 100 followers and i have announced my blogcandy winner and to top off my fab day i found out that i won a prize over at Daring Card Makers for my 'Passion for Fashion' card!! Woop Woop!!

Here is my entry for this weeks Daring Card Maker Challenge (June Flowers):

The cardbase i used for this card is 'Concord Crush'. I then ran some 'Rose Red' card through my 'Big Shot' using the 'Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder'. Before sticking this down i wrapped some 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Seaming Ribbon' around the 'Rose Red' card and tied a bow. The sentiment is from the Level 3 hostess set 'Occasional Quotes' which i stamped in 'Pear Pizzazz' ink onto a scrap of 'Whisper White' card and punched out using the wonderful 'Decorative Label Punch'.

Hope you have had a fab week, i have had a wonderfully restful halfterm and really looking forward to the weekend! Hope you have a great weekend too! xxxx

Thursday 2 June 2011

Sillhouette Sentiments!

I recently ordered lots of Stampin' Up! goodies. Did you know that when you make a substantial order you recieve a free stampset from Stampin' Up! as a thankyou!?! (These stampsets can be found on pages 9 - 15 of the Main Catalogue, and pages 4-5 of the Mini Catalogue) Why not check these out for yourself!

You can also earn these stampsets if you host a workshop in your home! I have several dates available in both June and August so why not book one now! Email me to secure your date: amyjtidd@gmail.com

So today i want to share with you a card that i have made using my latest freebie stampset: 'Sillhouette Sentiments':

The cardbase is 'Pear Pizzazz' cardstock, which has been run through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder'. The next layer is a piece of 'Soft Suede' card. I then cut 1" squares of 'Whisper White' and stamped the images and sentiments (all from the 'Sillhouette Sentiment' stampset' in 'Pear Pizzazz' ink. The card has simply been finished off with some 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Seaming Ribbon' tied into a delicate bow!

As if you need any more tempting to book a workshop, then if you book one in either June or August i will not only give away a free 'Idea book and Catalogue' worth £5.95, but you (as the host or hostess) will also be entitled to a further 10% off your order, ontop of all your other hostess incentives (free stampsets or papers and money to spend in the catalogue if orders reach a total of £150) Email me to make your workshop booking today!! amyjtidd@gmail.com

Wednesday 1 June 2011

A Cheeky Romantic Card For You...

So here's a little romantic card to share with you today!! Beautiful 'Concord Crush' cardstock and ink has been used to make this lovely card! So, i started off with 'Concord Crush' Cardstock for the base. Next up is a piece of 'Very Vanilla' cardstock, which i stamped with the 'En Francais' stamp and 'Corcord Crush' ink, i also used a 'Sponge Dauber' to soften the edges. Next layer is another piece of 'Concord Crush', which i have edged with the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. Finally a piece of 'Very Vanilla' cardstock inked with the 'Eiffel Tower' image from the 'Artistic Etchings' set. Again i have used a 'Sponge Dauber' to soften the edges. The 'Amour' sentiment is also from the 'Artistic Etchings' set.

I just love this card. I have to admit this is a colour i have not really used before, i always considered it to be a little too dark, but i think it works really well for this project. A lovely card to share your love with someone, or maybe as an anniversary card?  I'd love to know your views...

I'm off to have some lunch with Jenny - who is a good friend of mine from teacher training. She doesn't live too far away and we always try to meet up in the school holidays! Have a lovely day! xxx