A Card Just For YOU!!

Hey all, sorry for such a late post! I've been super busy today - went out for a lovely breakfast with hubby, followed by a midwife appointment (baby lovely and healthy!) and then a mooch around town, coffee and had my nails done (a lovely bubblegum pink!!) Lovely day!!

Today i have a card that i made using the beautiful 'Just Believe' stampset - which i know if a few of my customers favourite!! As well as the 'Beyond The Garden DSP' that is currently FREE with any order of £45 for this month only!! Here it is:

On an 'Old Olive' cardbase, i layered some 'Beyond The Garden DSP' to create a background. Onto a piece of 'Pear Pizzazz' card i stamped the grass image from the 'Just Believe' set using 'Old Olive' ink, and ran a strip of 'Old Olive' stripy 'DSP along the edge, before mounting it onto a piece of 'Old Olive' card and gluing it to the base. Next i stamped the circle image (from 'Just Believe') using 'Pacific Point' ink, punched it out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch' and then mounted it onto a '1-3/8" Circle' punched from 'Old Olive' card. Finally i stamped the just for you sentiment into the border stamp (both also from 'Just Believe' - lined up with the 'Stamp-a-ma-jig') onto some 'Whisper White' card then mounted onto some 'Old Olive' card.

Don't forget - make an order this month and you can recieve one of four packs of 'DSP' for FREE! What are you waiting for? Email your order over today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Get Well Soon Lucy xxxxxx

Yesterday i got the news that one of my best friends is in hospital. They think she has a nasty kidney infection and she's really poorly. So during yesterdays crafty session i made her a lovely bright Get Well Soon card to give to her:

On a 'Melon Mambo' base i glued four '1-3/8" Circles' punched from 'Concord Crush'. Next up i stamped the dragonfly image from the 'Natures Nest' stampset using 'Concord Crush' ink, i cut this out, coloured in the wings using some 'Melon Mambo' ink and a 'Blender Pen'. and then glued it onto a 'Melon Mambo' '1--1/4" Circle' using 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect. I then stamped the dragonfly image three times onto some 'Very Vanilla' card not reinking each time to create faded images. I punched these out using '1-14" Circle Punch' and glued them into place.

Finally i stamped the 'get well wishes' sentiment (from a retired stampet') onto a strip of 'Very Vanilla', bordering it onto a slightly wider strip of 'Concord Crush' card. I finished this card off with an 'Antique Brad'.

I hope Lucy loves this card and it cheers her up a little. Love you chica - get well soon! xxxxxxxxx

A Lovely Bunny Easter Card!!

I'm back again with another Easter card that i made at my friend Jade's recent Easter craft class:

So we began with a 'Bashful Blue' cardbase onto which we ran the across it also using 'Every Egg' Stampin' Up! roller using 'Bashful Blue' ink.

I just love this roller! It's sooooooooooooo cute! stampin' Up! have tonnes of Stampin' rollers sprinkled through the catalogue and they make amazing backgrounds and borders!!

Anyway ... going back to the card we stamped the easter sentiment from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' set inked in 'Chocolate Chip' onto some 'Whisper White card' which we punched out using the 'Word Window Punch'. We placed this in the bottom corner of the card using a 'Dimensional' to raise this slightly.

Next up we glued some 'Chocolate Chip' across the card and then ran some 'So Saffron' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Polkadot Embossing Folder' to create some texture! We stamped the cute bunny from the 'Perfect Postage' stampset (only available until the end of the month as it is in the Spring Mini catalogue) inked in 'Chocolate chip', punched out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and then glued onto a 'Chocolate Chip' 'Scallop Circle Punch' and then raised using 'Dimensionals'.

I just love this card, thanks Jade for demoing it to us! I'm sending this one to my in-laws in Spain to wish them a Happy Easter!!

A Thankyou TopNote Card!!

Hey all! Hope you have had a good weekend. I have and can't believe it is almost over!! Today i went down to the seaside with my sisters and whilst there had a scrummy lunch and did lots of shopping!! I'm upset the weekends over but totally looking forward to the week ahead - tomorrow is my birthday and then on Tuesday we have our 20 week scan! Can't wait!!!

Unsuprisingly i haven't had a lot of time to craft this weekend but i have a thankyou card i made earlier in the week to share with you, that my friend Ruth asked me to make for her. I used a similar design to the 'Top Note' card that featured on my blog the other day. (See here) Fiona taught us how to make cards like this and i just love the layout and know i'll be using it a lot in the future:

The card base used is 'Crumb Cake'. The 'DSP' used in this card is from the 'Beau Chateau' and the 'Nursery Nest' collections. As you can see i have used the 'Top Note Die' in this design. The thanks stamp is from the 'Tagtastic' set, inked in 'Baja Breeze', punched with a '1-3/8" Circle Punch', layered onto a 'Soft Suede' 'Scallop Circle' with a little 'Baja Breeze' 'Seaming Ribbon' and a couple of 'Basic Pearls' to embellish the card!!

Ruth wanted these cards made to give to colleagues who accompanied her on an Duke Of Edinborough expedition with some of our students. Despite being nervous about the trip and all the organisations it all went well! It's the first one that Ruth has organised and she did a fab job! Well done Ruth!!

Don't forget if you like the look of any of the products i have used you can buy them straight from me (all orders of £45 will also earn yourself a FREE stampset or pack of paper!!) Email over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Perfect Mothers Day Creation! Jades Flower Pot Card!

Back again with another creation that we made at Jades craft event last weekend. It was great fun! Each attendee designed a craftymake from Stampin' Up! products and brought the materials with them to share with everyone else!! Jade is planning to arrange another day like this in a couple of months time. Let me know if you would like to attend and you can come along as my guest!

Today i have Jades make which i have to say i love!! It is the perfect mothers day make!! It's a flower pot card which has largely cased  from Amy Celona at Ustamp4fun:

The flower pot has been created from some 'Crumb Cake' cardstock' cleverly folded and cut. Edged with the 'Scallop Trim Border Punch'. We ran some 'Very Vanilla' 'Seaming Ribbon' around the pot. The sentiment is from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset (inked in 'Elegant Eggplant') and then punched using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. We layered this onto an 'Elegant Eggplant' 'Scallop Circle' before gluing it onto the pot!

 

The flowers are from the 'Vintage Vogue' stampset and have been inked with 'Perfect Plum' and 'Blushing Bride' onto 'Whisper White' card and then cut out and mounted with dimensionals onto the insert created from 'Whisper White' and 'Elegant Eggplant' card stock:

 

Additionally we added some foilage which has been punched out of 'Old Olive' card using the 'Two Step Bird Punch' and a lovely butterfly that has been cut using the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die' from some 'Melon Mambo'. I couldn't resist adding some 'Basic Pearls to the flowers and butterflies for a bit of bling. Notice as well we stamped the foilage stamp from the 'Vintage Vogue' set in 'Old Olive' ink onto the insert as well! This insert could be used to write a message or even as a beautiful bookmark!

Now finally ... you may be wondering how this creation is standing up - as it is clearly not your conventional card design. Well here you go:

A cleverly folded strip of 'Elegant Eggplant' card props this card up on any mantelpiece!!

Thanks Jade for sharing this fab design with us! It was great fun to make and it would be perfect for any occassion - a birthday, mothers day or even a get well soon card!!

Welcome To The World Baby Esme!

Lots of baby news at the moment!! My lovely friends Natalie and Chris have recently welcomed their beautiful daughter Esme into the world!! They already have two adorable little boys and this little girl just perfectly completes their family!! She was absolutely convinced that she was having a boy and so i just had to make a PINK card to welcome the new arrival!!!

This baby grow card has been made from some 'Whisper White' card, folded along the top and then i used the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' to create the head and legs holes!! (There are several tutorials online to follow how to make this cardbase.) I punched out some 'Scallop Circles' from some 'Regal rose' dotty 'DSP' and then punched a hole in the centre to create the scalloped edge around the head and legs! I stamped the rubber duck image (using 'Basic Black' ink) from the wonderfully versatile stampset: 'Easy Events', i coloured it in using 'Bashful Blue', 'So Saffron', 'Pumpkin Pie' and 'Regal Rose' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I punched the image out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. I stamped the umbrella out again onto another piece of 'Whisper White', coloured it in, cut it out and then raised it using a 'dimensional' to create a 3D effect! I layered this onto a 'Scallop Circle' punched from some more 'Regal Rose' 'DSP' and glued onto the centre of the babygrow! Finally i placed three 'Basic Pearls' along the bottom to create poppers. And there you go one lovely baby card! Welcome to the world baby Esme - can't wait to have a cuddle!!

Angry Bird Pig Card!!

Hey all, hope you're having a good week! I'm on halfterm at the moment and having a pretty relaxing week. I'm off this afternoon for lunch with hubby, my sister and my nan. But before i go i want to share with you another Angry Birds inspired card that i made for my hubby's other twin brother, James. (It was their birthday yesterday.)

This card features an Angry Bird pig:

This card started life as a 'Soft Suede' cardbase. On a piece of 'Whisper White' i sponged 'Bashful Blue' ink all over using a 'Sponge Dauber' and the icing part of the 'Cupcake Punch' as a template to create the cloud effect. Along the bottom of the piece of white i glued in place a strip of 'Garden Green' card, handsnipped to create a grass effect.

The pig himself was created from 'Pear Pizzazz' card (and some tiny snippets of 'Whisper White' and 'Basic Black') and a range of punches: '1-3/8" Circle Punch', '1/2" Circle Punch', 'Owl Punch' and the 'Crop-a-Dile' (to create his nostrils and eyes). I drew on by hand his eyebrows and his pupils with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker'.

The wooden structure was created from some 1cm strips of 'Soft Suede' card glued into place.

The sentiment is from the fab 'Sale-a-bration' stampset 'Elementary Elegance', stamped using 'Soft Suede' ink onto some 'Whisper White' card and then punched out using the 'Decorative Label' punch. I bordered the sentiment using 'Pear Pizzazz' card and the 'Decorative Label' punch.

The twins seemed very impressed with their Angry bird inspired birthday cards! Why not get your punches out and have a go at some punchart! You'll be amazed what you can create from a few punches used in a creative way!!

Don't have any punches to play with? Then why not browse through the Stampin' Up! catalogue and treat yourself!! Don't forget if you make an order before the end of March and it is £45 or more you will also be entitled to a FREE stampset or pack of papers. (I will also give you FREE P&P - RRP £4.95 - this is a CraftythINKer customer exclusive!) Email your order over today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Angry Bird Birthday Card!

It's my twin brother-in-law's birthday today. I always find it hard to make cards for men, especially younger guys. So i thought i'd browse the web for inspiration and found a fab online video tutorial to create a punchart angry bird card, which is absolutely perfect for any gadget fanatic!! The tutorial has been created by an American Stampin' Up! demo called Tami and does use one or two products not available in the UK and unfortunately i didn't have all the right tools in my craft collection so had to improvise a bit, even so i'm still very happy with the final result:

I'm not going to write a detailed tutorial on here because Tami's tutorial is so fab, so click here to access it.

However here is a list of the Stampin' Up! materials i used:

• 'Soft Suede' card - for the cardbase.
• 'Whisper White' card for the background.
• 'Bashful Blue' ink, a 'Sponge Dauber' and the icing part from the 'Cupcake Punch' (as a cloud template) to create the sky background.
• Some 'Garden Green' card snipped to create the grass.
• 'Word Window Punch' and an elastic band to create the catapult.
• A 'Red Riding Hood' and a 'Crumb Cake' '1-3/8" Circle', five 'Basic Black' strips and two 'Red Riding Hood' strips created made from the candle part of the 'Cupcake Punch', some hand-snipped 'Pumpkin Pie' card for the beak, two 'Whisper White' circles punched from the 'Cupcake Punch' and two teeny tiny 'Basic Black' circles created using the 'Crop-a-dile'.
• The 'happy birthday' and the 'Brother' sentiment are both from the 'For My Family' stampset, inked in 'Soft Suede' ink.

I just love punchart and really happy with the final card - i hope hubby's brother likes it too!! Check back tomorrow for another card made with Stampin' Up! products!
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Sale-a-bration: Snow You Make My whole Face Smile!!

Woo hoo! Can you believe how much it has snowed over night!! I have absolutely NO intention of leaving the house today - i'm planning to stay in the warm, catch up on loads of TV and of course do a spot of crafting!!

So if you're trapped in the house because of the snow today why not get your craft stash out and get creative and if you've got a little bit of time why not have a browse through the catalogue, mini catalogue and sale-a-bration leaflet and jot up a wishlist... you have until the 31st March to get your sale-a-bration orders in and earn your FREE stampsets and paper!!

So it's no suprise that at the moment my blog is completely devoted to the Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration promotion and at the moment i'm sharing with you cards that have been made using the fab 'Sprinkled Expressions' set. So here is todays card and it features my most favourite sentiment of the set: You make my whole face smile! Who wouldn't love a card with this sentiment on!:

This card started life as a 'Very Vanilla Card base. I cut a strip of 'Soft Suede' card and then edged it using 'Scallop Edge Border Punch' and ran this along the edge of the card.

Next i punched three 'Fancy Flowers' from 'Soft Suede' card and three 'Fancy Flowers' from 'Baja Breeze' card and layered them ontop of one another. On a piece of 'Very Vanilla' card i stamped the flower stamp twice and the 'You make my whole face smile!' sentiment and then punched them out using '1-3/8" Circle Punch'.

I just love the images and sentiments in this stampset - don't you?! Don't forget i'm taking sale-a-bration orders all the time so if you would like to make an order then drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com - If you need an extra incentive i'm offering FREE P&P on all qualifying Sale-a-bration orders!! (P&P is usually £4.95)

Very Cherry Bookmark!

Yesterday i shared with you a bookmark that i created using the 'Fruit and Flowers' stampset from the 'Spring Mini Catalogue' and today i have another one to share with you using probably my most favourite stamp from the set - the lovely cherry stamp!

I stamped the cherry stamp using 'Real Red' and 'Old Olive' 'Stampin' Write Markers' onto some 'Whisper White' card and punched it out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch'. I layered this onto a '1-3/8" Circle' punched from 'Old Olive' and then layered this onto a 'Real Red' 'Scallop Circle'. I then cut a strip of 'Old Olive' and ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and layered that onto a slightly wider piece of 'Real Red' card and then i pieced it all together!!

And here's a pic of the bookmark in action:

I have only played with the fruit part of the stampset so far so i will have to get creating with the flowers!!

Hope you have had a brilliant weekend - keep your eyes posted on the CraftyThINKer blog this week as there will be lots of exciting news!!!

Brayered Sunsets!!

Hey all, how are you all? I have had a super busy day and still no crafting :(so today I have a card to share with you that has been created by Jade and was featured on her blog yesterday!! It features a great technique for creating a sunset. 

 

It has been created using the trust Just Believe stampset which includes 3 images, 4 sentiments and 2 label stamps.  It's such a brilliant stampset because it is so versatile and perfect for someone who is just building up their crafting supplies because you can make something from it to suit most occassions!

So here is Jades fab creation:

 

Jade used a piece of 'So Saffron' cardstock for the base, cut to 10.5 x 14.8 (ie A6 in size).  She masked off the card to create a sun image by using a '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and then using her 'brayer' she inked the background with 'More Mustard' and then peeled back the circle to create a sun!! Isn't it such an effective technique and so quick to create!!

The large flowery image from the Just Believe stampset has been inked with 'Chocolate Chip' and Jade stamped it 3 times across the bottom of the card, making sure she dropped down the stamp slightly each time.  Finally she stamped the sentiment with the same ink across the sun!!

If you haven't had a chance do chck out Jades blog - she posts something new daily and is such a crafting inspiration to me!!

Fruits and Flowers: Happy Birthday Card!

Hi all! I have a card to share with you today which uses ANOTHER new stampset from the new mini catalogue!! A fab new stampset called 'Fruits and Flowers':

I CASE'd the following card from Julie Davisons blog, just changing the 'DSP' that Julie used in her design:

I have used a 'Poppy Parade' cardbase (10x10cm), layered an 'Old Olive' square ontop (9x9cm) and then layered an 8x8cm piece of 'Whisper White' ontop. In the corner of the 'Whisper White' square i stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment (from the 'Create a Cupcake' stampset) in 'Poppy Parade' ink. I punched two '1-3/8" Circles' from some 'Just Eat Cake DSP' and layered them onto the 'Whisper White'. Finally, on a seperate piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the cherry from the 'Fruit and Flowers' stampset using 'Poppy Parade' and 'Old Olive' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I punched this out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch', layered it onto a 'Poppy Parade' '1-3/8" Circle' and then layered it onto an 'Old Olive' 'Scallop Circle', attaching it to the 'Whisper White' using some 'Dimensionals' to raise it and give it a 3D effect!



I just love this stampset sooooooooooo much! I know i will be using it lots and lots! Take a look in the mini catty - there are so many lovely new products - if you would like to get your hands on a mini catty to flick through just email me your postal address: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Jades Punch-Art Pig Card!

Hi all,

Hope you are all having a fab weekend. I've had a lovely day with my sister shopping and out for a spot of lunch, as well as visiting some of my family!! No time for crafting today - although i plan to do lots tomorrow!!

Today i have a brilliant card to share with you that was created by my crafty friend Jade:

This punchart pig card is absolutely amazing, i'm sure you'll agree!! Jade cleverly created the pig from 'Pretty in Pink' card (and some 'Whisper White' for his eyes!) using the 'Owl Punch' and the 'Round Tab Punch'. The details have been drawn on using 'Stampin' Write Markers'. The pig has been layered on a 'Calypso Coral' 'Scallop Circle Punch' and a 'Wisteria Wonder' '1-3/8" Circle' that has been ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder'. All of this has been layered onto some 'DSP' which has been edged using the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. The hearts were also created using the versatile 'Owl Punch'. All of this was placed onto a 'Pretty in Pink' cardbase. The sentiment is from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset!!

Such an amazing card and it just showcases how versatile the Stampin' Up! punches are! There are lots of punches to take your pick from in both the main and mini catalogue. Why not take a browse now!!

I'm hosting a crafty coffee morning on the 28th January so if you would like to come along and have a try of some of the punches you will be more than welcome!! Email me for details now: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Wedding Acceptance Card!

Hi everyone. It's Thursday - not long until the weekend! Today i have another version of the card that i shared with you yesterday in a different colour combination and for a different purpose - although still wedding related!

It seems at the moment that everyone we know is going through life changing experiences - whether thats engagements, wedding, babies ... it all seems to be happening!! Which is great for me as it means more crafting opportunities!

Friends of ours Kim and Stu are getting married in April and we recently recieved a handmade wedding invitation inviting us to share their big day with them. I felt it was only right to respond with a handmade wedding acceptance card! So here it is:

The card is similar to the one i made yeaterday so i won't go through the process of how to make it again. The colour combo is 'Whisper White' and 'Concord Crush'. The materials i used to make this card are:

• Big Shot
• Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder
• Basic Pearls
• Beautiful Wings Embosslit Folder
• Scallop Punch
• 1-3/8" Punch
• Concord Crush ink
• (A non-Stampin' Up! Acceptance stamp)

I have to thank once again Jade as it is her design that i have CASE'd. These cards are so simple to make - the 'Big Shot' makes the process so super quick that these cards would be perfect to make in bulk. So if you're looking for a save the date, wedding invitation, anniversary invitation or another other type of card this might be the design for you - and it would look fab in any colour combo!)

Get in touch if you would like some help creating your own wedding stationary or if you would like me to make them for you - my prices are very competitative. Drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Embosslit Butterflies Card

Hi all, hope you have all had a fabulous long weekend. Lots of visiting family for us - it has been lovely!

Today i have a card to share with you that uses the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die'. This die is amazing as not only does it cut out the tiny little butterflies but also embosses them!!

I used a 'Whisper White' cardbase and stamped in 'Melon Mambo' ink the birthday sentiment from the fab 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' hostess set. I glued a piece of 'Cheerful Treat DSP' across the card. One this i glued a 'Whisper White' 'Scallop Circle', then layered a '1-3/8" Circle' of 'Cheerful Treat DSP' in the centre. I created the three butterflies by running a different piece of 'Cheerful Treat DSP' through my 'Big Shot' and the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die'. Finally i placed some large 'Basic Pearls' in the centre of the largest butterfly. You can of course change the colour combo to suit the recipient.

If you back to work tomorrow hope it goes ok... only 4 more days until the weekend! I have one more day before i'm back to reality!

New Year Sneak Peek!!

So it's 4 days or so until Christmas and that means there really isn't too long now until the start of 2012!!

Stampin' Up! has some amazing things planned for 2012 for their customers - not only will we have the annual Sale-a-Bration deal ( a free exclusive stampset or paper for every £45 you spend) but also for the first time in the UK  -  A winter mini Catalogue!! Super exciting and i'm going to give you a little sneaky peek of one of the products that features in it on  this card that i have made for my Card Tote christmas gifts that i shared with you a while back on this blog...

Now, i'm afraid that i cannot give you any details of new products until the new year but those of you who are familar with the current catalogue should work out the new element!!!

Products i have used (that i can tell you about!): A 'Crumb Cake' cardbase, some 'Old Olive' 'Satin Ribbon', 'Rich Razzleberry Card' and the 'Big shot' and the 'Perfect Pennant Die'. A '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset!!

I'm planning on hosting a an open house in the new year to share 'Sale-a'Bration' and the new mini catty with you ... so if you''re local you're more than welcome to attend - details to follow!! If you're not local but would like details just post a comment on this blog (if you're a current customer) or email me your mailing address and i will send you a Sale-a-bration' leaflet and mini catalogue as soon as i can in the new year!!!

Can't wait to share with you all the new products that i have ordered!!!

Christmas Cards From My Crafty Friends: Part 2!

So following on from my last post i have more Christmas cards that some of my lovely crafty friends have handcrafted for me. So here you go:

Card from Jade:

Jade is another fellow Stampin' Up! demo and over the last couple of months has become a really good friend of mine! She always has fantastic ideas and this card really demonstrates that! She started off with a 'Whisper White' base and layered a piece of 'Elegant Eggplant' card on it, with the beautiful family image (from the 'Welcome Christmas' stampset) 'Clear Embossed' on the corner. Next she ripped a piece of 'Marina Mist' card (which she has embossed using the 'Big Shot' and a non-Stampin' Up! embossing folder'. She wrapped some 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Seaming Ribbon' around it and glued it down. The 'Merry Christmas' sentiment was stamped in 'Elegant Eggplant' ink onto 'Whisper White' card, she punched it out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and then layered onto a 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Scallop Circle'.

I just love this card and the colour combo that Jade has used!! Jade is in Sri Lanka this Christmas. I'm following her travels on her travel blog! She has a fab crafty blog too and she has scheduled posts whilst she was away - so why not check it out: http://www.jadedcrafter.blogspot.com/ I'm wishing Jade a very safe trip and can't wait until she gets back and we can have some crafty sessions in 2012!!

Next up i have a couple of other cards made by friends of mine (non - Stampin' Up! Shock horror!!!) So here you go...

Card from Zoe:

Zoe is a fellow member of the Crafty Boots Challenge DT! and it was lovely of her to post be this beautiful card. Now, i'm afraid i don't know what  products and techniques she has used but i'm sure you'll agree a fab make!! Definately cheered me up recieving this beautiful card in the post! Zoe has a fab blog so why not check it out: http://craftygasheadzo.blogspot.com/

Finally i have a card made by a wonderfully craft work colleague of mine, Helen:

I'm in complete awe of Helens talent! She is always talking about new crafty techniques she has tried and tested and apparently she has the most amazing craft stash. We still haven't managed to catch up and craft and we definately have to fix a date in the calender for early 2012!! I have so much to learn! Again, i think you'll agree this is such a beautiful card - i just love the big red lush ribbon bow!!!

I feel so lucky to have such crafty and talented friends!!! I just love recieving handcrafted cards!! Thankyou lovely ladies!!!

Christmas Cards From My Crafty Friends!!! Part 1!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... i'd actually scheduled this for last night, but for some reason the post didn't materialise?! So you'll get two posts today to compensate!!

I'm so lucky to have so many crafty friends and some them have put some time aside to craft some beautiful christmas cards to send to me!! I love recieving Christmas cards - and they're one of my most favourite christmas decorations! They instantly makes a room look beautifully christmassy!!

So i thought over the next couple of blog posts i'd share these with you!!! So here you go:

Card from Sally:

Sally is a fellow Stampin' up! demo and very good friend of mine and she sent me this beautiful card. I just love Sal's style!! She has started with a 'Cherry Cobbler' cardbase, she has made a beautiful bow from some Stampin' Up! 'Crochet Trim Ribbon' along the bottom. The N,O,E,L have been stamped using the 'Broadsheet Alphabet' stampset using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink onto 'Whisper White' card. She punched them out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and then layered them onto some 'Scallop Circles' punched out of 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP'. I just love this design! Thankyou so much Sally!!

Card from Ruth:

Ruthie is a really good friend of mine (and Stampin' Up! customer) and she made me this beautiful card! She used a 'Whisper White' cardbase. She stamped the bauble from the 'Contempo Christmas' in 'Cherry Cobbler' ink, she punched it out using the 'Ornament Punch'. She layered it on a piece of 'Very Vanilla' and then on a piece of 'Tempting Turquoise' card. She stamped the christmas sentiment (also from the 'Contempo Christmas' set in 'Tempting Turquoise' ink. She finished off the card by punching a strip of 'Tempting Turquoise' using the 'Ribbon Lace Punch'.

I think you'll agree that these cards are amazing!! It's lovely to have such talented crafty friends that give me inspiration!!

Keep a look out for my other post of today, where i will share with you even more the handcrafted cards i have recieved!!

Another Card Tote in Progress...

Hi guys, hope you're all having a fab weekend - can you believe that it will be Christmas day this time next week! Today we got most of the last minute christmas shopping done now and busily finishing the handmade christmas gifts i'm making: christmas card totes. Here's one i have almost finished:

I brought the instructions to make this online from an Australian Stampin' Up! demo (just google card tote tutorials) I used the following materials to make this: 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP', '1-3/8" Circle Punch', '1/2" Circle Punch' 'Crop-a-dile', 'Chocolate Chip' 'Grosgrain Ribbon', 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon', 'Early Espresso' card.

Here's a side view:

I lined the card tote with 'Whisper White' card, and the concertina and dividers are made from 'Cherry Cobbler' card! All i have left to do is attach a card label and then it will be ready to fill with handmade cards and give away to our grandparents for christmas!!

Jolly Santa Punch-art!!

Hi all, hope you're having a great weekend. It's been a pretty chilled one for me and it has been kinda nice. Today i have a fabby Santa punchart card to share with you!

This jolly Santa was made from a '1-3/8" Circle' of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock for his face and a 'Whisper White' 'Scallop Circle' for his beard! This hat was made from some 'Real Red' cardstock trimmed to size (as was the 'Whisper White' trim) The little pompom on his hat and his nose was made using the 'Owl Punch' (what would be the owls eyes!) I drew on his eyes with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and made his rosy cheeks from some 'Regal Rose' ink and 'Blender Pen'. I layered Santa onto a piece of 'Old Olive' and then a piece of 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP'

The cardbase used is 'Real Red'. I ran a piece of 'Old Olive' through the 'Ribbon Lace Punch' and then layered that onto the cardbase and then popped Santa ontop! Finally i stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment from the 'Contempo Christmas' set onto some'Old Olive' card using 'Whisper White' ink and then punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then layered it on another 'Decorative Label' punched from some more 'DSP'.

There you go a lovely jolly Santa! This is such a fun card and so easy to make batches of! It is also the perfect card to make this children as there is very little stamping involved!!

It's not too late to get an order in. Drop me an email to make an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com