New Beginings

Happy New Year to you all ... how are you doing? did you have a nice Christmas and New Year? I was working but it wasn't too bad! This is the first card I have made this year and it is for my friend who had recently found out she is pregnant. I have used the very cute CC Designs 'Oh Baby!' set and coloured the woman in with Copics, cut out and added to a Nestabilities oval with 3d foam pads. A white card blank has been layered with MME Quite Contrary papers - So Cute and Play {my favourites of last year I think!} and then wrapped with Light Pink ribbon and Sew Easy floss; tied in a bow with a Doodlebug button. The Elzybells greeting as been stamped and cut with a QuicKutz Cookie Cutter die. Pearls added to finish. Sorry for the very dark photo, I tried to 'lighten' it in PSP and it looked awful! I have entered the card into the Simon Says Stamp New Beginnings challenge.

STAMPS: CC Designs, Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Memento Tuxedo Black. CS: Anita's, Craftwork Cards, My Minds Eye. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities Dies, Dies to Die for ribbon, We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy Floss, Doodlebug button, QuicKutz Cookie Cutter die, The Hobby House pearsl. COPICS - skin: E0000, E000, E00, R20; hair: Y23, YR21, E31; top and hairband: R81, R83, R85; jeans: B91, B93, B95, B97; slippers: E31, E34, E35, E37.

Now, I usually make New Years Resolutions in some form or another but I am not one to kick myself if I don't achieve them. I was thankful to have some great things happen last year - I passed my driving test, my brother and sister-in-law gave me a beautiful nephew, I had the courage to cut my hair short which I now love!, I took my mentorship course and passed with an 'A' and I met a wonderful man :0)

So this year I plan to ... get down to the weight I was at the beginning of 2010, to undertake my dissertation and pass my degree and to spend more time with my lovely man!! From a crafty point of view I plan on using more of my 'old' stuff up and try to use everything in my craft room at least once! I hope 2011 is a great one for all my readers.

Merry Christmas 2010

Here are the last of the Christmas cards I have made this year, finished them this morning ... nothing like leaving it till the last minute!

This card is for my mum using the gorgeous LOTV bear, coloured with Copics and cut out using a Nestabilities circle die. Added to some Doodlebug card which has been lined with Icicle Stickles. Prima Tea Rose in Snow added with snowflakes cut with the MFT die Let It Snowflake and some Prima Say it in Crystals. The greeting is Elzybells.

This one is for my brother and sister-in-law. I have used the lovely Penny Johnson Dearest Dear stamp and coloured with Copics, cut out and added to a card which has had a piece of paper from the Crate Paper Snow Day pack added on top. Wrapped with ribbon and a MFT Snowflake die added with a MME Lush rhinestone, the greeting is by Elzybells.

This card is for my Nan & Grandad, I have used the lovely Laurence Design Star Gazing stamp and coloured with Copics. Added to a base made from a piece of paper from the Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather pack. A Doodlebug border sticker added to the top. Another MFT Snowflake die added (can you tell I love this die ...?!) added with a button and gem stones added in the holes. Elzybells message stamped and cut out with a QuicKutz Cookie Cutter die.

I would like to wish all my visitors a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am working over the season so probably won't be on here again till the New Year, love and wishes to you and your families, thank you for all your support this year xxx

Lush

For this card I have used the very cute Forever Friends Balloon Bear which is exclusive to The Glitter Pot and have coloured her/him in with Copics; cut out and mounted to base with 3d foam pads. the base is made from a sheet of DB 'Dragonfly' CS with a layer of MME Lush Blue Large Polka Dot paper - this stuff really is lush ... those polka dots are all furry! I have then added some MME Lush Blue ribbon over the join. Sentiment stamped and cut out with a QuicKutz die.

STAMPS: Forever Friends, Elzybells Art Stamps. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs, My Minds Eye. ACCESSORIES: My Minds Eye ribbon, QuicKutz Cookie Cutter die, Copic Markers - E50, E53, R00, BG10, BG11, B0000.

Butterfly Bear

I love these cute bears by Penny Johnson, this one is called Butterfly Bear, I have coloured him with Copics and cut out and mounted to base with DST. the base is simply a sheet of Bazzill Basics CS (Parakeet) followed by a sheet from The MME Bloom & Grow pad. Linen thread wrapped around and message stamped onto a die cut oval and added with a button. Apologies for the dark photo again, bring on the sun I say ... !!

STAMPS: Penny Johnson, Hero Arts. INK: Memento Tuxedo Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Bazzill Basics, My Minds Eye. ACCESSORIES: Stampin' Up! Linen Thread, QuicKutz Cookie Cutter Oval, Papertrey Ink button, Copic Markers.

Bear and Robin

Yay, I made a card at last! Tracy over at Dies to Die for has some lovely Christmas stamps in stock and after seeing these cute Gillian Roberts stamps I couldn't resist getting a couple. Here is one called 'Bear and Robin' I have stamped it out and coloured with Copics adding glitter to areas using my Spica pen, cut out and added to base. The base is simply a sheet of DB 'Dragonfly' CS added to a white card blank followed by a layer of Bazzill Dotted Swiss CS on top - both available from DTDF. Ribbon wrapped around and tied with a button; Elzybells message stamped and cut out with a QuicKutz Cookie Cutter die and added with 3d foam; snowflakes punched out from DB Sugar Coated CS and pearls added to their centres to finish.

STAMPS: Gillian Roberts for Stampavie, Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Memento Tuxedo Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs, Bazzill Basics. ACCESSORIES: Ribbon by DTDF, button from stash, QuicKutz Cookie Cutter dies, X Cut Snowflake punch, Kaisercraft adhesive pearls, Copic At You Spica pen, Copic markers.

Thanks for visiting me!

1st Birthday

It was my beautiful Niece's 1st birthday on Tuesday and here is the card I made for her. I have completely 'borrowed' the layout from this fab card by Stacey (I hope you don't mind hun! thank you for the inspiration) I have stamped the very cute elllie stamp out and coloured with Copics adding glitter with my Spica pen on the butterfly. Cut out using Nestie rectangle dies, added to base with DST. The base is layers of DB 'Melon' CS with a layer of Pebbles Inc 'My Baby Girl Flower' paper. Dies to Die for 'Light Coral' ribbon wrapped and tied in a bow with a MME button (also available at DTDF) added to the centre with Scrappers Floss. Pearls added to the corner and greeting stamped (from the Elzybells Mini Messages 'A Little Hello' set). QuicKutz no 1 cut using the Britannia alpha set and added to panel, covered with spica glitter. I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far!

STAMPS: Stamposaurus, Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Memento Tuxedo Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs, Pebbles Inc. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Kaisercraft Adhesive Pearls, Dies to Die for ribbon, My Minds Eye Bloom & Grow button, QuicKutz Britannia Alpha set, Copic Spica At You glitter pen, Copic Markers: Ellie: N1, N3, R00. Ground: G40, G82.

Happy Birthday Sue!

Today is the lovely Sue's Birthday and here is the card I made for her {apologies for the rubbish photos}. I have used the very cute High Hopes Sweet Little Thing stamp which Tracy gave me for my Birthday {thank you Tracy!} available at Dies to Die for. I have stamped him out and coloured with Copics, cut out and added to base with 3d foam pads. The base is simply two shades of Bazzill Dotted Swiss CS added to a white card blank. Message from the Elzybells Little Hello set stamped and cut out using a QuicKutz Cookie Cutter die. Gem stones and Candy Dots added to finish. Happy Birthday Sue, I hope you are having a lovely day whatever you are doing :0)

STAMPS: High Hopes, Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Memento Tuxedo Black. CS: Anitas, Bazzill. ACCESSORIES: QuicKutz Cookie Cutter die, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Pebbles Inc Candy Dots, Copic markers - Ant: N3, N5, N7, N9. Cake Case: V12, V15, V17. Cake Icing: V000, V001. Grounding: V000, V15, V17. Cake: E21, E25, E27. Shoes: E21, E25. Shadow: N1.

Dies to Die for Sketch Competition

Over at Dies to Die for Tracy is holding a competition to win a set of the amazing The Greeting Farm Rain Snow & Shine stamps. It is open worldwide and all you have to do is make a card following a fab sketch by Dawny P. Please see the blog for the sketch and more details. Here is my card, I have changed the sketch slightly but I hope you like it! I have used Shine from the above set and coloured her with Copics, cut out and mounted to ovals cut using Nestabilities dies, this has then been added to the base with 3d foam. The base is simply SU! Tempting Turquoise CS added to a white card blank with a sheet from the Rainbow Sherbet collection added on top. I have then cut a an oval from Green Galore CS using a QuicKutz Cookie Cutter Nesting Oval, stamped the Elzybells greeting on top and gem stones added to finish.

STAMPS: The Greeting Farm, Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Memento Tuxedo Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Elzybells Smooth, Stampin' Up! ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, QuicKutz Cookie Cutter dies, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Copic markers - Skin: E000, E00, E11. Hair: E25, E53, E57. Skirt: B000, B00, B04. Top: YG41, YG45. Flip Flops & glasses: B00.

Elzybells Valentines Release Day!

Well today is the day, it has finally arrived. The gorgeous new Elzybells stamps are to be released today! First up is a card I have made with another very gorgeous bear, this time he is holding flowers! I have stamped him out and coloured him in with Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor, cut him out and mounted to Bazzill Bling CS and mounted to base with 3D foam pads. Base is pink DB CS which has been run through my Cuttlebug using the Hearts embossing folder and 2 strips of Craftwork Cards Pearlescent paper added, the pink one cut using the SU! scallop border punch. Ribbon wrapped around and tied at front, QuicKutz heart cut from Bazzill Bling added to the ribbon. I have another two sneak peeks for you today, it would be lovely if you could pop back to see them :0)

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Anitas, Doodlebug Designs, Bazzill Bling, Craftwork Cards Blox. ACCESSORIES: Ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, Stampin' Up! Scallop Border punch, QuicKutz heart die.

Kerry's Ribbon Challenge

To celebrate having over 10,000 hits to her blog, Kerry is giving away some gorgeous blog candy. Please visit her blog she makes gorgeous cards. The challaenge is to link her blog to yours and also make a card using ribbon as it is her favourite accessory! I love ribbon so it wasn't too difficult to fit some on a card. Here is my entry.

I have made the card using one of my new Elzybells winter images available from Elzybells now. I have stamped her out and coloured her in with Copic markers, rounded the corners with a corner rounder punch and mounted to pink CS then added to base with 3D foam pads. I have made the base by layering up dark and light pink CS on to a white card blank and the running a piece of Bazzill Bling through my Cuttlebug using the Snowflakes embossing folder. I have wrapped a piece of ribbon around this panel before adhering to the card. The message is stamped on to a QuicKutz tag and tied on with more ribbon. Gem stones added to finish.

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Papermania, Doodlebug Designs, Bazzill Basics. ACCESSORIES: QuicKutz tag die, Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder, Woodware corner rounder punch, Ribbon from Ribbon Oasis, Papermania Gem Stones, Copic markers.

Wedding Wishes

This card is made using the gorgeous Bride & Groom stamp from Elzybells. I have stamped them out and coloured them in with Copic markers, mounted to black CS and added to base with 3D foam pads. I have made the base by layering up Doodlebug papers with black CS. I have coloured in the dots on the black paper with a Copic marker to compliment. The message has been cut with QuicKutz dies, the message stamped from the Everyday Greetings Set and gem stones added to the sides.

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Copic markers, QuicKutz bookplate die, Papermania Gem Stones.

Monkey Love

I have made this card for my Aunt and Uncle who's Anniversary is coming up. I have been completely inspired by a card made by Kerry from A Load of Old Pickle (see links list) - thank you for the inspiration Kerry and I hope you don't mind!! I have stamped out 'Changito's Love Balloon' and coloured in with Copic Markers. I have then cut out and mounted to dark red CS and attached this to the base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering up more red CS on to a square white card blank then adding Doodlebug white embossed card on top after wrapping a piece of black organza ribbon around first. I have then cut out an oval tag using a QK die and stamped the greeting on and tied to the ribbon. 6 gem stones added to finish.

STAMPS: Stampendous, Papertrey Ink. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anita's, Papermania, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Organza ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, Dog Tag die by QuicKutz, Papermania Adhesive Gems.

Thanks Dad

I have made this card for my Dad to say thank you for coming round to put up some new lights in my house. The image is from Microsft Clip Art and I have coloured it in with watercolour pencils, cut out and added to the base. The base has been made by layering some Dovecraft paper on to some Bazzill CS. The greeting has been stamped and then cut out into a bookplate, this has been attached with small brads.

STAMPS: Papertrey Ink Mixed Messages. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Bazzill, Dovecraft Designer Paper Masculine. ACCESSORIES: Bookplate die by QuicKutz, Queen & Co Sprinkles brads.

Changito 60th Birthday

This card is made for my unkle who is 60 on Monday, he plays guitar in his band so I thought this would be a great stamp to use for him! I have stamped the monkey with Stazon and coloured him in using pencils and Sansador with a paper stump. He has been mounted to brown card and added to card base with 3D foam pads. I have made the base by layering up patterned paper on to a card blank and then adding a strip of blue card that has been embossed with my Cuttlebug. I have printed off the greeting from my PC and with great difficulty managed to die cut this out and get it almost straight! This has been added with a brad and 3D foam with ink added around the edges.

STAMPS: Stampendous - Changito Guitar. INK: Stazon Jet Black, Colorbox Queue Chalk ink Dark Brown. CS: Craftwork Cards, Bazzill, Patterned paper by Doodlebug. ACCESSORIES: QuicKutz tag die, Cuttlebug Spots & Dots embossing folder, Papermania brad.

Happy 40th Birthday

This card is made for my mum to give to her work colleague. This design has been inspired by a card I saw in the latest eddition of Papercraft Inspirations magazine. I have added paper to the top half of the card and warpped pink organza ribbon around where the paper meets the card, I have added a die cut tag with the 40 on it and tied this on to the ribbon with a bow. The 40 has been cut using the Britannia alphabet set by QuicKutz on to some pink card. Rub-on greeting added to finish. Simple but elegant I hope!

• Card blank by Craftwork Cards
• Paper by Arctic Frog
• Cardstock by Doodlebug Designs
• Rub-on by Karen Foster
• Ribbon by Ribbon Oasis
• Tag die cut by QuicKutz
• Britannia alphabet set by QuicKutz

Placement Thanks

As the post below says, I finished placement today so thought I would make them a card to say thanks for their support while I was there. Me and my friend also brought in Krispy Creme doughnuts for them - they went within about 10 minutes! Blue paper added to the bottom of the card and a strip of card added to the top with 3 brads attached. 'Florence' has been stamped then coloured in with watercolour pencils and cut out using my Nestabilities dies; mounted to card with 3D foam pads. Die cut 'Thanks' added to the bottom right.

• Card blank made with Papertrey Ink cardstock
• Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
• Paper by Pebbles Inc
• 'Florence' by A Muse
• Brads by Papermania
• 'Thanks' by QuicKutz Cookie Cutters

Get Well Tilda

Sue sent me this gorgeous Tilda image last week and I couldn't resist any further, she needed some colour! Tilda was stamped on to textured card which is something I have never thought of doing before but I think it is really effective. She has been coloured using watercolour pencils and mounted to 'Lilac' card then 'Gumdrop', this has then been 3D foamed to the base. The base has been made from 'Gumdrop' card with the new Doodlebug paper 'Lilac Velvet' (Yay! it eventually arrived!) on top. 'Get Well' has been die cut also from 'Gumdrop' and adhered with a Quickie Glue Pen. Prima Flowers (with brads in the centres) added to the image panel. Brads also added to the top and bottom of the card. A BIG thank you to Sue for the image. This card has been inspired by a great stamper over on SCS called Inge. I think I will give this card to myself in the hope that I get better quickly!

• Card blank by Anita's
• Cardstock by Doodlebug Designs
• Paper by Doodlebug Designs
• Image by Magnolia
• 'Get Well' by QuicKutz
• Flowers by Prima Marketing Inc
• Brads by Doodlebug Designs

Cupcakes

I made this card a little while ago but haven't shared it here yet. I am going to send this to my younger cousin for her birthday. She is quite a girly girl so I hope she likes it! The little cupcakes with tiny gem stones have been stamped onto little scalloped circles then mounted to circles punched from pink card. Doodlebug paper attched to bottom of card with a strip of dark pink card accross the top with the cupcakes mounted on top with 3D foam. Sentiment stamped on card and corners rounded with small corner rounder punch.

• Card blank by Papermania
• Cardstock by Doodlebug Designs
• Paper by Doodlebug Designs
• Cupcake and sentiment stamps by A Muse
• Gem stones by Papermania
• Circle punch by X-Cut
• Scalloped circles by QuicKutz Cookie Cutters

In The Pink

I have made this card for my crafting friend Ruth to accompany some stamped images I sent her. The large flower is a QuicKutz die that has been embossed using the Cuttlebug embossing folder D'vine Swirls and has a large brad in the centre. The message panel is made using another QuicKutz die and Doodlebug rub-ons and brads. I have added some Zoomz in the top right hand corner.

Sorry the photo is so dark and I had to use the flash but I didn't get the card finished until the evening! I have chosen the title of this post as 'In The Pink' because obviously as you can see my card is pink but also because this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please show your support by buying a £1 pin.

• Card blank by Craftwork Cards
• Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
• Large flower is QuicKutz Revolution Daisy die
• D'vine Swirls embossing folder by Cuttlebug
• Oval is QuicKutz Oval Tag die
• Black Small All Mixed Up Rub-ons by Doodlebug Designs
• Large white brad by Bazzill Basics
• Small brads by Doodlebug Designs
• Zoomz by Stamp Galaxy

Triangle Trifold Card

This card was made for my SIL Kerry. The triangle panels have been embossed using the Stylized Flowers Cuttlebug embossing folder. The butterfly is a QuicKutz die mounted on to a punched circle and scallop circle. The ribbon behind is only partly stuck to the back of the butterfly panel so that when you untie the ribbon the card folds open. It is quite difficult to explain but hopefully the pictures will show it a little better! The first picture is when it is closed up (I included a card stand with it so that it can be displayed properly) and the second picture is when it is open. I made the card following instructions on the SCS website which can be seen here.