Strawberries and cream, and Jasmin!

Another gorgeous sunny day, marred only by the fact that England are no longer in the World Cup.

The challenge over at the Secret Crafter this week has been chosen by Victoria. As this is Wimbledon Fortnight she has chosen Strawberries and Cream as the theme for Challenge #89.

I was planning the layout for this card as I drove to Wendy's shop on Friday... actually I nearly drove straight past as I was concentrating on the card rather than where I was going! What this says about my driving I am not sure. This card is for my friend's lovely daughter Emelia. As Emelia is getting a little bit older now, I thought I'd use a slightly more sophisticated image. I hope that she likes the fabulously creative Jo Capper-Sandon's gorgeous new stamp 'Jasmin' as much as I do!

Jasmin was a joy to colour with Promarkers, although I know I haven't really done her justice.

I used Victorian Velvet and Spun Sugar Distress inks to create the background, and stamped the text in Worn Lipstick. I also used Worn Lipstick Stickles around the edge of the card.

I used two beautiful new Hero Arts stamps that my lovely hubby bought for my birthday, and added the little blackbird from a favourite Hero Arts cling set that I have had for ages.

My hubby has gone outside to vacuum the cars... I think he needs to be alone with his dreams of what might have been had England beaten Germany.

It's a funny old game, as they say!

That Friday feeling!

It's another beautiful bright and sunny morning here today and after one heck of a week I am so glad that it is Craftday... I mean Friday!

Today I'm sharing the card that I made for the Challenge #88 over at The Secret Crafter.

This week the challenge has been chosen by my friend Vicky and it is Weddings or Anniversaries. Take a minute to drop by at Vicky's blog for a peek at the fabulous favour box that she made for the challenge... so creative!

I have used one of the new range of Secret Crafter Stamps for my card. The image is called Rockability Couple and is a clear polymer stamp. This was the first time that I had used one of the new stamps that Wendy has produced. I have to say that I am very impressed. The stamp clings nicely to the perspex block and the stamped image is crisp and sharp. There are some great details too such as the girl's sweet handbag and her dashing partner's fabulous footware!

I couldn't decide which colours to pick for my card so I asked my hubby, who chose red and blue.

I wasn't sure at first but I decided to go with his suggestion and I am glad that I did as it makes for a really bright and cheery card! I am just sorry that the pictures are a bit dark... I think there is something slightly amiss with my camera!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Father's Day

Just dropping by to share the card that I made for my Dad to celebrate Father's day.

I left this one really simple so as not to detract from the stunning image of the birds.

The stamp comes from Crafty Individuals who stock beautiful red rubber plates.

They have a wide range of gorgeous images in their online store and delivery very quickly.

I coloured with Distress inks, highlighting occasionally with Shabby Shutters, and fought the urge to add any Glossy Accents, gems or ribbon. I love the fact that this block reminds me of the prints and fabrics of 'William Morris' and has a real 'Arts and Crafts' feel about it.

Finally, thanks to everyone who suggested that I try Memento Ink with my Promarkers... I have placed an order and will be lying in wait for the postie on my day off!

Happy crafting everyone!

I wonder if I shall fall right THROUGH the earth...

I fell in love with this charming image of Alice by Mabel Lucie Attwell when I saw it over at The Artistic Stamper. I also bought the small White rabbit stamp, and have used him on the inside of the card.

This is version two: I finished my first attempt, stood back to admire the results and then dropped an inky stamp across the whole card. I must be fairly relaxed today as all I said was 'oh dear' before starting again totally from scratch.

I coloured with Promarkers having stamped using black Versacolour ink so that I could emboss the image. I am really struggling to find an ink that doesn't bleed when I colour and would really welcome some suggestions as to which ink to use with Promarkers as I seem to be having endless trouble.

The dark blue card was stamped in Versamark with a gorgeous Hero Arts Design Block called Flourish, and then spritzed heavily with Glimmer mist. The effect is lovely in real life, but very hard to capture on camera.

I am entering this card for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #87 , which is 'Include a quote'. My quote is from Alice in Wonderland, to fit with the illustration. I am a bit late to the party as the girls will be posting Challenge #88 tomorrow, but hopefully they won't mind too much!

I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who sent me cards, gifts and emails for my birthday on Wednesday - you are all so sweet!

I had a lovely day visiting the beautiful gardens at Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire. These pictures do not do it justice as it is stunning. My hubby treated me to a posh lunch in the restaurant while we were there and I have to say that the day was just about perfect!

Happy crafting everyone, and have a great weekend!

Here's some I made earlier!

Here's some TGF cards that I made a few weeks ago. I wanted to practice with my Distress inks and decided to make a few of these cute little cards for some Blogging Buddies. I like making little sets of cards as I find the repetition pretty relaxing.


As always these lovely images were a joy to colour and very easy to cut out.

I am so tired this weekend that even card making feels like too much effort... and I never thought I'd say that! I am planning to potter sleepily around the garden while my hubby watches the World Cup games and then do a bit of housework.

Have a happy Sunday everyone!

Cuddly Buddly, pins and rain!

Hi there, I thought I'd give you all a break from Anyas and share my new pal from Cuddly Buddly!

I'm not usually 'big' on bears, although I rather like Popcorn, but I was very taken by this little cutie called 'High Flyer'.

If you have never visited Cuddly Buddly before the site is worth a look as they have a big range of craft items, some sweet stamps, some great circular sentiment stamps... and there is a sale on at the moment.

Their stamps are red rubber and stamp beautifully.

A few posts ago I shared a card that I'd made for my dear friend June, who I know through work. June is doing well after her surgery, and I hope to drop by and see her this week. I am planning to take some flowers, but also wanted to make her a little gift of some sort. I know that June collects teddies so I thought I would make a set of 'thank you' cards using Cuddly Buddly's cute bear.

Here's an example of each of the two different colour combos that I used for the cards. If I get time later I will make a little box for the set. The card stock is by Stampin' Up!

Before I go I also want to let you know about Vikki's gorgeous 'Posh Pins' that you can see on my sidebar. You can follow the links to Vikki's blog to take a look at the lovely candy that she has on offer or to visit her new shop.

I was hoping for another day of fun in the sun today, but it is dull and raining heavily here in Birmingham right now... ah, summer!

Happy crafting everyone!

Yoga Anya and WOYWW!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

It's week 52 of What's on your Workdesk Wednesday. Congrats to Julia and a big thank you to her for a year of fun.

Here's my desk today...

Mmmmm, looks suspiciously like baby cards in the making!

As mentioned in my previous post, Yoga Anya has come to live at my house. She stamps beautifully and was a pleasure to colour, and I finally got to use one of my scraps of waste denim for her Yoga mat.

I printed the sentiment on my PC... and actually remembered to let the Tumbled Glass Distress ink dry before printing.

Just before I sign off I want to share the link to The Secret Crafter's site so that you can take a look at the gorgeous new stamp range that Wendy has created.

I loved her first set of manga inspired stamps, and am totally blown away by these new designs.

Happy crafting everyone!