I Think I'm Getting Better at This

This is my second 'cute' birthday card and I think I'm getting better at it. I'm certainly happier with this one and it's for my second gorgeous little granddaughter who will be 1 year old next month. Perhaps I shouldn't blog it yet but I don't think any of the family look at my blog unless I personally show them something so it should be ok.

I'm also pleased with the card because all the paper and card came from my 'bit' boxes as pieces left over from other projects, except for the base card. I'm sorry I can't tell you who manufactures any of the papers (I can rarely remember if they don't still have the name on) but there is a piece of card that I made using Starburst Stains and cling film and I used the same card to punch out the some of the flowers. I decided it was time I gave my punches an airing as the poor things have been hidden in a drawer and hardly used. I did get to use my new Fiskars Threading Water border punch (strange name I think) which I bought at the Sincerely Yours papercraft show at Hinckley last Sunday. I have to thank my eagle eyed friend Jo for that as she spotted it (the only one) and knew I had been wanting it for a while, so THANKYOU JO. For anyone who's thinking of buying this punch I can recommend it so far. I've tried it on several different types and thicknesses of paper and card, even hammered card, and it's worked beautifully.

The only stamping on the card is the First Birthday sentiment and the lovely little elephant. These stamps came from the Little Trumpettes themeplate by Aspects of Design, and sold by The Stampman, who also sells the Starburst Stains. I've just noticed I forgot to add a bit of sparkle to the little stars so must do that. I've used Nestability plain and scalloped ovals and a Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder which were from Once Upon a Stamp and I'm really pleased this lovely craft shop owned by Robert and Gordon, has moved from Chesterfield recently to a little place called Pleasley which is now only 10-15 minutes away from me.

I'm sorry the image looks a bit bowed. It isn't, but each photo I took looked the same so it's got to be my photography which is very hit and miss I have to admit. I've also just realised that I have to make a box for the card because all the little flower are 3 dimensional!

Golden Wedding Tags

This is a sort of addition to the 50th Wedding Anniversary card I made for my DIL for her grandparents anniversary. The whole family of children and grandchildren decided that rather than buy loads of different bouquets they would get a huge special one from all of them so Krystle (my DIL) asked if I could make something that they could all write their sentiments on individually and give with the bouquet as a lasting keepsake.

So, I decided to go with tags and these are the results. As there are three children and their families, the tags got split into three sets of a three, a four and a five.

First of all I blended a mixture of inks over the tags. Some are Brilliance, some are Cats Eye metallics or Encore metallics, then I created simple backgrounds using a mixture of sequin waste, stencils, rub ons and flourish stamps. I then used a selection of stamps all of which, with the exception of the 'Celebrate' stamp which was from a QVC HOTP kit, are from various Elusive Images themeplates and stamped with Versamark and embossed with Gold Detail EP. From some of the photos it might look as though I didn't get a pristeen image but it's because I deliberately sprinkled tiny bits of gold EP onto some of the tags before the backgrounds were completely dry.

I used my BIA to turn the set of five into a little book and fastened the two smaller sets together with ribbons.

The great day is Saturday, VALENTINE'S DAY, and I hope they have a wonderful day.

SUPER SPECIAL BLOG CANDY ALERT !!!!

Oh Wow! These stamps are spectacular. Take a look at the Elusive Images Design Team Blog and see how you can be in with a chance to win one of these fabulous stamp themeplates. They are an absolute must have for any stamper and will be demonstrated by Glenda Waterworth on Create and Craft shopping channel at 1.00 pm on Tuesday next, the 10th February, and that's not to be missed either.

Birthday Card for my Eldest Brother

I made this card for my eldest brother's birthday on Tuesday. I stamped and embossed with gold detail EP, the beautiful floral flourish from the Elusive Images Botanicals themeplate onto a basecard of dull gold pearl. I also stamped and gold EP embossed one of the background stamps from EIs Damask Backgrounds plate onto a piece of gorgeous pearly card with a very subtle design from a DCWV luxury card stack. I used the same card again and stamped and embossed the Happy Birthday flourish which came from a HOTP kit from QVC and the final bit of stamping was using the Boys on Bikes image, again from EI, and Versafine Imperial Purple Inkpad. The piece of card I used for this (from my bit box) had a bit of a rough surface and seemed to be very absorbent so the image came out looking rather distressed but I like it that way so I still used it. Finally I sprayed a piece of dark purple textured pearl card with gold Glimmer Mist and then embossed it using the Cuttlebug Divine Swirls folder. I matted and layered all the elements and finally added an acrylic 'celebrate' sentiment which came to me as a nice gift from Graphicus. I used a Sakura Stardust orange pen to write into the etched lettering, and threaded a bit of ribbon.



I've shown two photos because the first, I think, is the better image but the second shows the glimmer better.