Summer by the Sea - Couple

Summer by the Sea stamp set by Stamping Up was used to stamp the couple sketch and the sentiment both stamped with brocade blue ink.

I also used a spriral punch to create the the notebook edge.

This is the first in a set of 3 cards that I have planned

I stamped the white base card with a dandilion stamp in the blue ink then cut a smaller blue square and used the swiss dots embossing folder and ran it through the Cuttlebug using a white ink pad I swiped it over the embossed dots then distressed the edges of the blue square.

Using the blue ink I watercoloured the image and layered it all together before adding the flower decorated with crushed glass glitter.

I used 3 Sakura Flower Punches by Carla and added crushed glass glitter to the edges before layering them on top of each other.

Don't forget to enter to win the full set of Flippin' Men Decoupage your last chance will be Friday 30th January see here for details

Thank You Card

This is a stationary stamp set from PTI which at some point when I get a moment fully intend starting my own stationary and maybe a couple for gifts.

I made the thank you card by stamping the ornate black circle pattern in black ink then used a Nestabilities die to cut it out I used the next sized die to emboss a circle onto the card.

The red circle with the black pattern stamped on top was cut out the same way as the other one. I used the scalloped Nestabilities circle to cut the black scallop and used this to mat and layer using foam pads to build them up.

I stamped the single image in black ink at either side of the embossed circle on the base card I also added some black gems to the single images and on top of the red stamped circle although they don't show up in the picture they are there.

I finished the card by stamping thank you onto a scrap piece of white card and I used a word slot punch by Stamping Up to cut it out.

Flourished Sympathy Card

With Sympathy stamp set by Papertrey Ink is one of the newly released stamp sets and I have to say it has endless possibilities. I love the flourish and the sentiment.

I stamped the sentiment with versamark and heat embossed using silver pearl embossing powder. Using Encore silver ink I sponged around the dark purple (almost black) base card.

I used the large label Nestabilities dies one for the silver pearl card and the smaler one in white to wich I stamped the sentiment on top in plum pudding ink.

To finish I punched out 2 holes at the side of the card and entwined a plum pudding and a silver ribbon through the holes from the front of the card and crossed them over on the inside then back out through the holes again.

Giving up

Don't worry it's not card making, it's smoking.

Now before you all tell me off and give me the you can do it speech I have to tell you that it terrifies me even the thought of giving up makes me watery eyed.

I took the first step today and visited the doctors and they are going to give me the tablets to help me, I've weighed up the pros and cons and I feel that they would be the right choice of help.

What I didn't realise is that for the first 8 - 12 days whilst taking the tablets I still have to smoke.

The main reason for packing in is my health, I've had so many colds over the last few months that has left me with a hacking cough that just won't go, then after loosing Dad my smoking increased dramatically.

I should get my tablets by Friday so I'll let you know how I get on with them.

January Blog Hop - Birthday Card

Started with a 14 x 14 cm card base then cut an extra piece of card 13.5 x 13.5cm and embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder then cut the corners of this by pushing them into a circle punch so that it was covering a quarter of the circle and punching. I then took a gold marker and dragged it around the edge of this piece until I had a gold border, then attached it to the card. I punched out to Nestabilities Labels one in Gold and the next size down in White. I used Papertrey Ink Spiral Bouquet stamp set to make the floral design on the white label and gold embossing powder was used for the Bloom words and the flower head. I finished the card with a gold gem to each corner and one on top of the flower and a gold sheer metallic ribbon wrapped and tied into a bow.