Birdy Bookmark!

Today a quick little bookmark project to share with you:

This bookmark started life as a strip of 'Bashful Blue' cardstock. I rounded off the top corners with my 'Corner Rounder' and i used the 'Eyelet Border Punch' on the bottom edge. I stamped the bird (from the 'Sweetheart' stampset randomly in 'Bashful Blue' ink onto the card. I then stamped another bird onto some 'Whisper White' card, punched it out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch' and layered it onto a 'Bashful Blue' '1-3/8" Circle', which has been layered onto a 'Early Espresso' 'Scallop Circle'.

I tied a piece of 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon' on the bottom, and punched a hole (using my 'Crop-a-dile') and looped another piece of 'Early Espresso' ribbon and hey presto!!

Owl Be Home Soon!

Hi all. Hope you have lots of lovely things planned for this weekend! I'm sure i'm making the most of my last few days in Tanzania! But almost certain that i will be desperately missing my hubby!!!

Today i have a little voucher card holder to share with you - it is not too different from one i made a month or so back...

This project was made with some 'Pretty in Pink' Cardstock. I started by folding the card as i would do for a regular card make, and then laid it on over my 'Top Note Die' ensuring that the right hand fold would not be cut by the edge of the 'Top Note'. I then layered up my cutting plates and ran it through the 'Big Shot' The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset and has been inked in 'Early Espresso.

I used the 'Owl Punch' and scraps of 'Early Espresso', 'Whisper White' and 'Springtime Vintage DSP' to create the owl, layered him on a 'Whisper White' circle created using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch', his branch has been created from 'Early Espresso' card scraps using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch'. 

Here's the inside of the project:

You will notice that i ran a second piece of 'Pretty in Pink' card through the 'Big Shot', cut it in half to create the voucher holder, i stuck this down securely with some red sticky tape. To complete this project i punched two small holes using my 'Crop-A-Dile' and threaded some 'Chocolate Chip' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' to bind it together.

Riding Hood Red Milk Carton!

Hi everyone! Hope you are all ok! It's almost the weekend and it is almost the end of my trip. I leave Tanzania on the 1st of August and arrive back in the UK on the 2nd. I can't wait to share with you pictures of my adventures!!

Today i have a 'Milk Carton' box, that i have created using my 'Big Shot' and the 'Mini Milk Carton Die'. This box has been made from the beautiful 'Riding Hood Red' cardstock:

Once constucting the box (a little hint - make sure you stick it together with red sticky tape - otherwise it will ping open!) i ran a strip of 'Love Letters DSP' around the carton. Next i ran some scraps of 'Riding Hood Red Cardstock' through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die' and glued them on, embellishing them with some 'Basic Pearls'. Finally i punched some holes at the top of the carton with my 'Crop-a-Dile', ran some organza ribbon through and attached a tag, made from 'Basic Black' card and the 'Tag Punch', which was decorated by stamping some 'Very Vanilla' cardstock with the small medallion shaped stamp from the 'Artistic Etchings' stampset (notice how it coordinates with the 'Love Letters DSP'.

A Sweet and Sour Card!

Hi guys! I hope these blog posts are working and you have been getting your daily crafty fix! I had a great time before going away to Tanzania crafting my socks off to create enough projects to share with you!

I recently took part in a papershare, which means that i have a little piece of all the DSP in the current catalogue. It's been great making cards with lots of new products!!

The card i'm sharing with you today is using the beautiful paper from the 'Sweet and Sour Speciality' collection.This paper is absolutely gorgeous, it actually has a glossy finish. Here's the card:

I ran a piece of this beautiful 'DSP' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die' and glued this to the 'Pumpkin Pie' cardbase. I ran a strip of 'Melon Mambo' card across the card. I then rippled some 'Pumpkin Pie' 'Satin Ribbon' across the card. On top of the ribbon i placed two 'Melon Mambo' flowers (created from the '5 Petal Flower Punch') and i placed a 'Daffodil Delight' 'Designer Button' in the centre. The sentiment is from the 'Because I Care' stampset, inked in 'Pmpkin Pie' onto 'Whisper White' cardstock.

Two-Step Bird Card

Need to make a card in a hurry? Then the card i'm going to show you today is definately one you should consider.

The cardbase is 'So Saffron' and i have used 'Versamark' and the large flower from the 'Vintage Vogue' stampset to create a subtle background. The bird was created from 'So Saffron' card using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch', the branches were also created using the same punch, from 'Old Olive' card scraps and these have been glued onto a square of 'Whisper White' cardstock, with the sentiment (also from the 'Vintage Vogue' stampset) printed in 'Soft Suede' ink. This has been mounted on some 'Soft Suede' card and then placed onto the cardbase.

I just love using punches. They just speed up a project and look so clean and sharp! Why not check out the range of punches Stampin' Up! offer. They can be found on pages 104 - 106 of the 'Idea Book and Catalogue'. If you would like to make an order, just email it over: amyjtidd@gmail.com I'll be home from Tanzania very soon and would love to take your order!

Growing Green ... Red

The card i have to share with you today is one inspired by my upline Cate. A while back she gave me a swap she had created for Stampin' Up! training. I have adapted her concept to make this card:

The leaves image is from the 'Growing Green' stampset. I stamped this image is 'Basic Black' onto some 'Whisper White card. Using a 'Real Red' 'Stampin' Write Marker' i coloured the image in. The great thing Cate taught me is that you don't have to be neat with this! The sentiment has been inked in 'Real Red' and is from the 'Simply Said' stampset. This has been mounted on some 'Basic Black' and then 'Real Red' card. I then edged a strip of 'Whisper White' card with the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. I placed all of this on a 'Basic Black' cardbase. The card was finished off with some 'Real Red' 'Grosgrain Ribbon'.

That's the great thing about Stampin' Up! You get to share tonnes of ideas with other likeminded crafty thinkers!

Welcome Baby!

As i mentioned in a previous post, several friends and family members are expecting babies this summer. So i have a made this card in preperation for this:

I ran a piece of 'Bashful Blue' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' to create the card base. The giraffe (from the 'Fox and Friends' stampset) and the 'Welcome Baby' sentiment (from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset) are inked in 'Bashful Blue' on 'Whisper White' card. The giraffe was mounted onto some 'So Saffron' card stock. The card has been embellished with some 'Grosgrain Ribbon' and a 'Basic Pearl' on the sentiment.

I know that we are expecting at least one boy this summer, so this card will be perfect for that occassion!!

Another Daisy Card!

The cardbase is 'Blushing Bride' cardstock, to create the background i have ripped some 'In Colours DSP'. The daisy has been created using the 'Big Shot', the 'Flower Daisies Die' and some 'Whisper White' and 'Blushing Bride' cardstock. I have placed a 'Basic Pearl' in the centre. The daisy overlapped so i chopped off some of the petals so that it could snuggly fit in an envelope - i love this layout!

I hope you have had a great weekend!

...Give me your answer do!!

Another Daisy make for you today - a cute little 'Pillow Box':

This is so quick to make - and would make a fab little wedding favour or gift box for some jewellry! I ran a piece of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Pillow Box Die' to make the box. I wrapped a piece of 'Blushing Bride DSP' round the box. (This paper is available as a free hostess gift!) I then ran some 'Melon Mambo' and 'Blushing Bride' card through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Flower Daisies Die' to create the flower and placed a 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre'.

Daisy, Daisy...

By now assuming my itinerary is still on track i will be in Tanga camp!! A beautiful camp right by the sea - the plan is to take some time to do some scuba diving here!

Don't worry - although i'm not in the UK, i had some very busy crafty days throughout June to create enough projects to share with you whilst i'm away. So today i have a beautiful card using the 'Flower Daisies Die'.

I ran some 'Whisper White' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Flower Daisies Die', glued all the daisy pieces together to create this beautiful flower! I placed a 'Designer Button' tied with some 'linen thread' in the centre of the flower. I then got a piece of DSP from the 'Greenhouse Gala DSP Collection', wrapped a piece of 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Seaming Ribbon' around it and then placed the daisy over it. Finally i mounted this onto the 'Pear Pizzazz' cardbase.

A lovely sunny card, that could be used for any occassion!!

Pink Strength and Hope Card!

You would probably expect to see this stampset used in pink tones, given the fact that the set has been created for 'The Breast Cancer Research Foundation', so here's my pink card!!

The cardbase is 'Pink Pirouette'. I have ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Pefect Polka Dot Embossing Folder'. The butterflies have been stamped onto 'Whisper White' cardstock using 'Pretty in Pink' ink, i have mounted this onto 'Pretty in Pink' card and then remounted it onto another piece of 'Whisper White. I stamped the H symbol onto a scrap of 'Whisper White', punched it out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch', then layered it onto a 'Pink Pirohette' '1-3/8" Circle' and then finally i have layered it on to 'Pretty in Pink' 'Decorative Label' using the punch. I have finished off this card by using some 'Basic Pearls.'

Another Strength and Hope Card!

I just love the 'Strength and Hope' set and it just seems to work with every single colour combo:

The cardbase used for this card is textured 'Pumpkin Pie'. I have used some 'Greenhouse Gala DSP' - i just love this paper, it's just so colourful and cheery. Before sticking thhe DSP down on the cardbase i cut a strip of 'Pear Pizzazz' card, edged it with the 'Eyelet Border Punch' and placed it underneath the DSP. The two circles are punched out of 'Pear Pizzazz' and 'Whisper White' cardstock using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. On the white circle i stamped the 'Thinking Of You' sentiment from the 'Silohouette Sentiments' set in 'Pear Pizzazz'. Finally i stamped a 'Pumpkin Pie' butterfly on a scrap piece of card, cut it out using my 'Paper Snips' and have glued him into place over the white circle.

I think i'm going to leave this card for my Nan. I try to visit her at least once a week and i know that she will be missing me whilst i'm away.

Strength and Hope Pillow Box

Back again with another 'Hope and Strength' project, today a little 'Pillow Box'.

I first ran a piece of 'Rich Razzleberry' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder'. I then ran it through the 'Big Shot' again with the 'Pillow Box Die' to make the box template. Next i stamped the swirly design from the 'Strength and Hope' set in 'Bashful Blue' onto some 'Very Vanilla' cardstock and then punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch'. On another piece of 'Very Vanilla' i stamped the butterfly using 'Rich Razzleberry' ink. I cut this out with my 'Paper Snips' and glued it onto the 'Decorative Label'. Finishing the box off with a blingy 'Basic Rhinestone'.

Strength and Hope

Hi guys, hope you are all well! Over the next few days i plan to share with you a batch of cards that i made using the 'Strength and Hope' stampset that has recently been introduced by Stampin' Up!

For every stampset sold Stampin' Up! will give £2 to 'The Breast Cancer Research Foundation'!!

Here's the card for today:

I have stamped the butterfly image from the set several times (using 'Bashful Blue' ink) onto a piece of 'Whisper White' cardstock and layered this onto a 'Bashful Blue' base. I have stamped the H symbol onto another piece of 'Whisper White' card and punched it out using the '1-3/8" Circle punch'. I have stuck this on a 'Bashful Blue' 'Scallop Circle' using a 'Dimenstional' to raise it slightly. To finish this card off i have placed some 'Basic Pearls' around the 'Scallop circle'.

If you like the 'Strength and Hope' set, why not place an order. Leave me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com with your order and i will deal with it as soon as i return from Tanzania (on the 2nd August)

Happy Anniversary Hubby!

Hi all, It's a year today that i had the happiest day of my life marrying my wonderful hubby!!

Unfortuately i'm not in the same country as him to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, but i'm certain that we are going to have plenty more happy anniversaries to make up for this one and we are off to the Dominican Republic when i return from Tanzania to spend some quality time together! I can't wait!!

Here's the card that i made for my wonderful hubby for our first anniversary:

The card base used her is 'Early Espresso', on each panel of the card i have placed a strip of 'DSP' from the 'Woodland Walk' collection, which i have punched a hole out of each using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. I have used the 'Owl Punch' to create the his and her owls. The owls were created from scraps of 'Early Espresso', 'Very Vanilla' and some 'Springtime Vintage DSP'. The branches have been created using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch' from 'Certainly Celery' cardstock. Here's the inside of the card:

I have run some 'Crumb Cake' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Top Note Die' to create an insert. The sentiment comes from the 'Something to Celebrate' set and has been inked in 'Early Espresso'.

I hope my hubby loves this card, and if by some chance he is looking at this blog i love you baby... can't wait to go to the Dominican Republic and spend some time with you. Miss you xxxx

Continuing with Vintage Theme:

Another vintage project - maybe a card to accompany to Vintage Sour Cream Container i posted yesterday?

This card was really quick make. Starting life as a simple piece of 'Crumb Cake', i ran it through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. I then used a 'Sponge Dauber' and some 'Always Artichoke' ink to add an aged feel to the card. I then cut a piece of 'Always Artichoke', and stamped the foliage stamp from the 'Vintage Vogue' stampset along the edge using my 'Always Artichoke' inkpad. You may also notice that i again ran my 'Sponge Dauber along the edge. Next i layered a small piece of 'Cajun Craze', and finally a piece of 'Very Vanilla'. Again i used a 'Sponge Dauber' (this time with some 'Cajun Craze' ink) to distress the edges. I stamped on a seperate scrap of card a small flower from the 'Vintage Vogue' set, cut it out and raised it with a 'dimensional' onto the 'Very Vanilla' card. Finishing the whole thing off with a 'Basic Rhinestone'.

(I did CASE this card, but stupidly didn't make a note of the original designer, so i'm sorry i can't give credit - if you know who this design originally belonged to please post me a comment and i will edit this post on my return.)

A gift for your 'Sweetheart'!

Firstly today is my step-mum's birthday! So happy birthday Marg! She is a complete shop-a-holic!! So it seemed only fitting to give her the handbag card that i posted a while back, click here to view it.

So i suppose i should share another crafty project with you!! So, with my first wedding anniversary love is the air, so today i have a lovey dovey project for you. It's a origami style folded packet, that you can pop a little gift in made out of 'Jolly Holday DSP':

The 'be mine' heart has been stamped in 'Basic Black' ink. The stamp comes from the 'Sweetheart' stampset. I punched out a heart from some 'Jolly Holiday DSP' and placed it in the centre. Cute!!

Vintage Sour Cream Box

Hello everyone! I hope you're not missing me too much and that you are all still visiting my blog without my persistant pestering on Facebook and Twitter!!

Today i have a little sour cream container to share with you that i have made with some of the lovely 'Springtime Vintage DSP', there are loads of tutorials on how to make these online... they really are very simple!

As i mentioned before the paper used is from the 'Springtime Vintage DSP' Collection. I have used a stamp from the 'Four Frames' set in 'Crumb Cake' ink onto 'Very Vanilla' cardstock and have coloured the roses in using my 'Stampin' Write Markers'. The 'Thank You' sentiment is from the level 1 hostess set 'Silhouette Sentiments', also in 'Crumb Cake'. I have punched it out using my 'Decorative Label' punch, and then punched out some coordinating DSP and layered it up to create a border around it.

Here's the box from another angle, so you can see the shape of it a little more clearly:

The trick is to use the super sticky red tape to hold these boxes together, otherwise they ping open! These i think would make wonderful wedding favours and they are superfast to make! Why not give them a try?!

Happy Birthday Jack!

Today is my neighbours little boys birthday! Today Jack turns 4! Quite unbelievable really - time has gone by so quickly! I can remember Rory and Poppy bringing him home and he was teeny tiny!!

I'm obviously out of country so i have been ultra prepared and made cards in advance for birthdays, anniversaries etc...

So here is the card that i have made for Jack:

This card was a fairly quick make. Starting with a 'Pear Pizzazz' base. The next layer is 'DSP' which is from the 'In Colours' Level 1 hostess pack. Next a piece of 'Whisper White' cardstock, stamped with the 'Happy Birthday' sentiment from the 'Something to Celebrate' (Level 2 hostess) set, in 'Early Espresso' ink. I have used a strip of 'Soft Suede' in the centre, and edged this using the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. The cute little monkey is from the 'Fox and Friends' stampset and has been stamped in 'Chocolate Chip' ink, i have used a 'Crumb Cake' 'Stampin' Write Marker' to colour in his belly and face! I punched him out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and layed him (using a 'dimensional' on a 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Scalloped Circle'.

A perfectly fitting card for the little monkey that is known as Jack. (I'm allowed to say that as he refers to me as the 'Cat Lady'. Hehe! Hope you have a fab day!! xxx

Fun and Fast Notes: All Spruced Up

Here's my final make using the wonderfully versatile 'Fun and Fast Notes' stampset! This stamp has a christmas theme - so inevitably i have a christmas project to share with you:

The cone has been created from some 'DSP' from the 'Christmas Jingle' scrapbook set. I have rippled some 'Old Olive' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' around the top. I then cut a strip of 'Real Red' card to create a loop, and tied some 'Real Red' 'Satin Ribbon' through it to create a hanging device!!

The christmas tree is from the 'Fun and Fast Notes' set, inked in 'Early Espresso' and then coloured in with my 'Stampin' Write Markers', i punched it out using the 'Scallop Circle' punch and then layered it on a 'Real Red' 'Scallop Circle'. Then attached it to the cone!

Here it is hanging up, try to imagine it hanging on a christmas tree with a little gift or some yummy chocs in!

I'm scheduling some more christmas projects that i made last year in August for you to view! If you like any of these projects i will be putting an order through when i return in august - remember to leave yourself plenty of time for christmas cards and other festive projects - christmas is stressful enough as it is.

Fun and Fast Notes: Together Forever!

Hello all. Today i'm going to share with a wedding card made using the 'Fun and Fast Notes' stampset:

The wedding cakes and the sentiment have been stamped onto 'Very Vanilla' cardstock using 'Perfect Plum' ink. I have coloured in the flowers on the cake very lightly with a 'Pink Piroutte' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and placed a couple of teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls' on the flowers! I adhesed this image on a piece of 'Perfect Plum' cardstock and used the 'Eyelet Border Punch' on one side. (I have used a piece of ribbon and a ribbon buckle - both non-Stampin' Up! to embellish the card. The card base is 'Very Vanilla'. I have used the beautifully elegant 'En Francais' background stamp and some 'Perfect Plum' ink to create this beautiful card base!

Hope you all had a fab weekend, and that your Monday was bearable. Assuming my itinerary is still running on track i will be transferring to a new camp today in Moshi, where we will be doing some work at a local school!

Fun and Fast Notes: Happy Birthday Wishes

Another card here using the wonderfully versatile 'Fun and Fast Notes' stampset. This time a birthday card:

Starting life as a plain 'Very Vanilla' cardbase, i used the fab 'Bella Toile' background stamp and some 'Rich Razzleberry' ink to make this far more elegant! I stamped the birthday cake and sentiment in 'Rich Razzleberry' ink onto 'Very Vanilla' card, coloured the cake in with my 'Stampin' Write markers' and then mounted it onto a piece of 'Rich Razzleberry card'. Finally i placed some 'Basic Pearls' onto the corners to add a bit of bling!

Fun and Fast Notes: Thanks for Sharing You With Me!

Hi all, hope you have lots of nice things planned for this weekend! I'm actually off on safari today! (Don't worry i'm not being completely sad and blogging all the way from Tanzania - i have been ultra organised and scheduled all these posts before i went. I don't want to let my regular followers down!!)

So i have another 'Fun and Fast Notes' card today, this one is using probably my most favourite stamp from the set. A cute little hedgehog with the sentiment 'thanks for sharing you with me'. Here's my card:

This card is a very quick one to made. Staring with a piece of 'Whisper White' card, which i have stamped the cute hedgehog and the sentiment onto with 'Early Espresso' ink, then using my 'Stampin' Write Markers' i have coloured in the image. I have used a 'Sponge Dauber' and some 'Early Espresso' ink to distress the edges, then layered it onto 'Early Espresso' card and then adhesed it to the 'Bashful Blue' cardbase. The card has been finished off with a piece of 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon' wrapped around the top!

I wonder if i will see any hedgehogs when i Tanzania? Last time i went some children from a local school i was working at found one and shared him with me! It was so cute!!

Fun and Fast Notes: Happy New Baby!

Hi guys, back again with another 'Fun and Fast Notes' card. This time using the 'Happy New Baby!' stamp and image. Here it is:

The Pram image has been inked in 'Basic Black' onto a piece of 'Whisper White' card, as has the sentiment. I have used my 'Pretty in Pink' 'Stampin' Write Marker' to colour in the dots and heart on this image although that's not really clear from my photo. I have layered this onto a piece of 'So Saffron' card. The 'DSP' used for this card is from the 'Nursery Suite Speciality', and i have layered strips of this 'DSP' onto 'Whisper White and then mounted the whole lot onto a 'So Saffron' cardbase. The card has been finished off with a 'Designer Button' to give it a bit of dimension.

I love the layout of this card and will definately be using this design in the future. We have several friends and family expecting babies this summer, so i'm sure this card will be very useful in the next month or so.

Hope you all have a great weekend - i know i will!! (Assuming my itinerary is still correct i will be off on safari this weekend!! I will share lots of pics when i return!!)

Fun and Fast Notes: Get Well Soon!

Hiya, back again with another 'Fun and Fast Notes' card! For those of you who haven't visited for a while, or are new to my blog I'm actually away at the moment in Tanzania on a working holiday - but i haven't abandoned you, hopefully assuming blogger is working i have scheduled projects for you! This week all the projects are using the 'Fun and Fast Notes' stampset.

Today's card is using the 'Get Well Soon' stamp:

I have used the 'In Colour' 'Peach Parfait' as my card base, and some 'Peach Parfait' 'DSP' from the level 1 hostess pack. To separate these i have used a strip of 'So Saffron'. The image and the sentiment are from the 'Fun and Fast Note' stampset, inked in 'Early Espresso' onto a piece of 'Whisper White' cardstock and coloured the image in using the paintbrush end of my 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I have wrapped a piece of 'Certainly Celery' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' around it and tied it in a bow, and then mounted it onto a piece of 'Certainly Celery' cardstock.

Now if you were feeling ill, surely a beautiful card like this would perk you up!!

Fun and Fast Notes: Congratulations

Hi guys, hope you are all well! If you visited my blog yesterday you will know that over the next week or so i will be sharing with you projects and cards that i have made using the 'Fun and Fast Notes' stampset. So today here's a little gift box using the 'Congratulations' star from the set:

I brought several of these cardboard gift boxes at a craft fair a while back. The vendor was selling them 3 for £1. This gift box started life very simple. I used the 'star' stamp from the 'Fun and Fast Notes' stampset to stamp all over the box using 'Soft Suede' ink. I punched out a 'Scallop Circle' in 'Real Red', a '1-3/8" Circle' in 'Pacific Point' and a '1-1/4" Circle' in Daffodil Delight'. I then stamped out another star on a scrap of 'Whisper White' and coloured it in using my 'Stampin' Write Markers', i cut this out using my 'Paper Snips' and raised it using a 'Dimensional'... No longer a plain and simple box!

Tomorrow i have a card to show you using the 'Get Well Wishes' stamp from the set!!

Fun and Fast Notes - Thanks i needed that!

Hiya everyone, by now i should be in Tanzania! the first week of my trip i will be staying quite literally in the middle of no-where!! In a camp called Ndarakwai, where our view will be of the spectacular Mount Meru! Oh my job is so difficult!!

So before i went i had a major crafting session, so that i could post plenty of projects whilst i was away! I'm going to start by sharing with you how fab the 'Fun and Fast Notes' stampset is!

It consists of eight stamps, here they are:

Now to make them even more versatile i decided to cut my stamps up and mount them on the wooden blocks like this:

The great thing about doing this is that you can use the image and the sentiment independently from one another if you choose to!!

So for the next eight days i will be sharing with you a project/ card using each of these stamps. So here's todays card:

I can't take much credit for this design, as i CASE'd it from the '2010 Ideas Book and Catalogue'. I have started with a 'Real Red' cardbase. Next layer is 'Daffodil Delight'. I have stamped the 'thanks...i needed that' sentiment in 'Early Espresso' onto a strip of 'Whisper White' cardstock and stuck that onto the yellow layer. Next is a rectangle of 'Early Espresso' card. Finally i have stamped the bird image onto a piece of 'Whisper White', coloured him in using my 'Stampin' Write Markers', i stamped out another flower, coloured and cut it out and raised it using a 'Dimensional' to create a 3D effect. Before gluing down the final layer, i used a scrap strip of 'Real Red' edged it with the 'Eyelet Border Punch'.

This is obviously a very versatile layout, you could create any card using this design and a 'Fun and Fast Note' stamp.

Please check back tomorrow for another 'Fun and Fast Note' card!

I'm off to Tanzania!

Jambo all! 'Jambo' means hello in Swahili! Yes, today's the day i'm off to Tanzania today for four whole weeks! I really can't wait! I'm going on a work trip and taking 15 students with me, we have a jam packed expedition planned and during our trip we will be going of safari, volunteer work in schools, some conservation work, as well as some scuba diving!! It's going to be amazing!

Now i thought it would be completely fitting to have an African themed project for today. We will be celebrating a couple of birthday's whilst we are away, so here's one of the cards that i have made to take out with me:

This card style is referred to as a 'Tri-Fold Card'.  I have used the wonderful 'Colour Coach' to match up these colours. The card used here is 'More Mustard', 'Cajun Craze' and 'night of Navy'. The lion comes from the 'Fox and Friends' stampset, and i have stamped them in 'Cajun Craze' and 'More Mustard' ink. The central lion has been stamped on  a scrap of 'Very Vanilla' cardstock, which has been punched out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and i have used a 'Sponge Dauber' to edge the circle with some 'cajun Craze' ink. i have layered this lion on a 'Night of  Navy' 'Scallop circle'. The sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset, inked in 'Night of Navy'. You may notice that there is also some 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon' to hold the card together.

This card style is quite unusual as it doesn't stand the same way as a regular card, so i have created a folded stand to prop this card up:

Now don't worry i'm not completely neglecting you. I have scheduled blog posts whilst i'm away so please keep checking back! Hope you have a lovely July!! xx

It's a wrap!

Hi all, hope you are all having a fab weekend. I've been enjoying my last day in the UK by spending some time with my lovely hubby - can't believe that i'm going to be away from him for a whole month :(

I'm off to Tanzania tomorrow, really excited and i'm almost packed, just about to do my last bag check now!!

Some of my lovely friends really spoilt me on Friday buying me a few little gifts to make my trip a little easier. Sally brought me some lovely toiletries, so i have a little bit of luxury whilst i'm away and my friend Hannah bround me a really bright torch keyring which will definately be very useful!

I have been converting Hannah to my crafty ways and she comes up with some fab ideas! She wrapped up my present in some handmade wrapping paper! She began with some plain brown parcel paper and stamped all over it with the small buteerfly from the 'For Everything' stampset, in 'Daffodil Delight', 'Pumpkin Pie' and 'Real Red' ink. What a fab idea. Here it is:

You can personalise the paper to suit the recipient and the purpose! Such a great idea!!

I'm off to finalise my packing! Don't forget - keep checking back at my blog as i have scheduled a daily post and project for you!!

Have a great July!!

Happy birthday Jamie!!

It's my sisters birthday today! So happy birthday Jamie! Now i made her birthday card months ago. I just couldn't resist making her a tortoise card as she is a little bit obsessed with them! She has a tortoise called Willy! He's so cute and he is her little baby!! So her is the card that i made for her:

To make the tortoise i firstly ran a piece of 'Garden Green' cardstock through the 'Big Shot', which the 'Top Note Die', which i chopped in half to make his shell! I edged shell with a strip of 'Soft Suede' card edged with the 'Eyelet Border'. His feet and head are made with 'Certainly Celery' card. I have used the 'Eyelet Border' for his feet. his head has been created with the '1 3/4" Circle Punch'. His eyes are punched circles of 'Soft Suede' and 'Basic Black' card and i have hand-drawn his nose and mouth. I have layered Mr Tortoise onto some 'Crumb Cake' card, which has been 'Sponge Daubed' with some 'Soft Suede' ink. The cardbase used for this card is 'Wild Wasabi'.

The Sentiment has been ink in 'Soft Suede' and is from the 'Cheers and Wishes' stampset.

I hope Jamie loves her birthday card!! Happy birthday sis. xx

Butterfly Bookmark

Hi guys!! It's FRIDAY!! Woo hoo!! and i have a very busy weekend planned! Firstly it's my sisters birthday tomorrow, so i'm looking forward to celebrating it with her!! It is also my last weekend in the UK before i disappear off to Tanzania for a whole month!!! Now don't worry, i have been very, very busy scheduling lots of projects ( i think you will still be getting a daily post!!!) so please make sure you visit and leave me lots of comments, so it all feels worthwhile!!

All though my Tanzania trip is going to be a very busy one i'm hoping i'll get some down time and get some reading done! and so i thought i'd make myself a little bookmark to take with me. Here it is:

This bookmark started life as a strip of 'Bashful Blue' card, next layer is 'Marina Mist' and the top layer is a strip of 'DSP' from the 'Elegant Soiree' collection. The topper is a 'Bashful Blue' 'Scallop Circle', a '1-3/8" Circle' punched from 'Marina Mist' and finally a '1-1/4" Circle' of 'DSP'. I have stamped  a butterfly from the Level 1 stampset: 'Punch Potpourri', punched him out using the 'Butterfly Punch', placed some 'Basic Pearls' down the centre of the butterfly!

A very quick make and it's lovely to be able to take something a little crafty with me to Africa! I think i'm going to miss my crafting whilst i'm away. But i think i will get my crafting fix - some jewellery making with a Masai tribe and also making some elephant dung paper!!

Please keep checking back on this blog regularly to see all my crafty creations!!  and check back tomorrow especially as i have a very cute little card to share with you, i made it ages ago for my sisters birthday and have been keeping it a secret for ages!!