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September 29, 2014

Take five for Work of Art

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments. I truly do appreciate them and you! Today I've taken a deserved break from preparing for my upcoming event, and created a CAS card with just five ingredients (plus adhesive). If you missed my previous "Take five" card, you can see it HERE.

For today's creation I've used Whisper White and Baked Brown Sugar card, Blushing Bride and Rich Razzleberry inks and the Work of Art stamp set from Stampin' Up. I love how the combination of gorgeous colors work so well together and remind me of a home baked treat...


I started by stamping two of the brush stroke stamps in Blushing Bride onto a Whisper White panel, then stamped the sentiment and hearts over them in Rich Razzleberry, before layering the panel onto Baked Brown Sugar and attaching it to the Whisper White card base. I then stamped the inside of the card similarly...


Challenges...
#91 AG w/ optional use a heart at 613 Avenue Create
#113 AG at Brown Sugar
#76 AG at Sister Act
#28 at Scribble and Scrap
#111 AG and/or cooking and baking at Artistic Inspirations

I had a great time on Saturday at the coast. The sun came out just as I arrived at the nature reserve and although there were signs of fall around in the woodland, the day itself was more like mid summer and the sand was beautifully warm under my bare feet when I got to the beach.

I'll share some pix from the day tomorrow, so please do stop back then.

Hugs,
Em

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

September 26, 2014

Festival of Trees

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, I'm honored to have you here! I must, once again, apologize for my absence this week. In addition to the 80 cards I mentioned in my last post, I've since created another 60 using the Wondrous Wreath set. So that's around 160 finished this week, by far my most productive week EVER!

The designs I'm sharing with you today were created using the gorgeous Festival of Trees stamp and punch bundle from Stampin' Up!'s seasonal catalog.

I started by stamping the chosen tree, which is one of 5 in the set, in both Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive inks onto Whisper White and Very Vanilla card and punching them out with the punch. I then cut the layers of Whisper White, Very Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler card and rounded the corners using the reverse punch of the Envelope Punch Board, as well as those of the matching card blanks that I'd folded.

I then stamped the tree three times in one of the gorgeous greens onto each of the white and vanilla panels and added the sentiment from the Wondrous Wreath set in Cherry Cobbler ink. After adhering the layers, I added 2 of the punched trees in the same color as the the others, popping them up on Stampin' Dimensionals for some added height...





To complete the cards I stamped the tree and sentiment, again from the Wondrous Wreath set, inside each of the cards...

Challenges...
#178 AG at Inky Impressions
#15 AG at A Random Fan
AG at Craft Creations

After such a busy week, I'm off out tomorrow to make the most of the gorgeous unseasonably warm weather and I'm headed to the nature reserve were the pic below was taken; an appropriate ending to a week when I've been seeing plenty of trees and wreaths :)

Whatever you're doing this weekend, have a great one.

Hugs,
Em x

September 23, 2014

Glory to the newborn king

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, I'm honored to have you here! I'm sorry this post is later than usual, but I'm only just out of the studio, having completed an incredible eighty cards today! Yes, you read that right, 80! Sixty of them are those I started yesterday and another, newly designed set of 20. Whew!

The cards I'm sharing with you today are the second set which I created with the Newborn King stamp set from Stampin' Up!'s seasonal catalog. As I mentioned at the end of yesterday's post, where I shared the first set, this design is very different.

For this design I teamed the focal sentiment and the star, carefully placing them onto my clear block so that they would be able to be die cut using the second largest of the Stars Framelits. This first one is stamped in Rich Razzleberry ink on Very Vanilla card. I then cut the die and used the die itself as a template to cut a larger star from Cherry Cobbler card, because the largest star die was to big for the card. I then stamped the star from the Festival of Trees set randomly on the folded Very Vanilla card blank. The focal star is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals and I've once again added Crystal Effects to add a bit of sparkle.


This one uses Old Olive ink and Lost Lagoon card...

This one is Lost Lagoon ink and Lost Lagoon card...

Cherry Cobbler ink and card...

Just as I did with the set in yesterday's post, I also created the designs on Whisper White card too.

Challenges...
#90 AG at 613 Avenue Create
Christmas Come Early at Crafting When We Can
#37 AG at Crafting From The Heart

I'll be back tomorrow with one of today's completed designs, so please stop back then.

Hugs,
Em x

September 22, 2014

Newborn King

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, I'm honored to have you here. Today has been another very, very busy day in the studio as I continue preparations for my upcoming event.

The cards I'm sharing with you today were some of the 28 I completed last Friday. I used the Newborn King clear mount stamp set from Stampin' Up! for them and changed the design up by using different card and ink colors. For this first set, I stamped the main image and the separate star in Smoky Slate ink, placing them carefully together onto the clear block so that the star is over Jesus...


This one was stamped onto Very Vanilla card and I used the reverse punch on the Envelope Punch Board to round 2 of the corners. I then layered it up onto a piece of Pear Pizzazz card and stamped the sentiment onto an off cut of Very Vanilla using the coordinating ink, which I then popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals. The panel was then added to a folded Very Vanilla card which I'd also rounded 2 of the corners of. To complete the design and add some sparkle, I used Crystal Effects on all the stars

For this one I used Cherry Cobbler ink and card...

This one uses Lost Lagoon ink and card...

I wasn't done there! I then repeated all three using Whisper White for the base.

Challenges...
#90 AG at 613 Avenue Create
Christmas Come Early at Crafting When We Can
#37 AG at Crafting From The Heart

I'll be back tomorrow with the second, completely different design created using the set, so please do stop back then.

Hugs,
Em

September 19, 2014

A quick hello

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry I've been away from the blog for a few days, but I've been very busy in the studio creating lots of new Christmas designs, which I'll begin sharing with you next week.

Whatever you're doing this weekend, have a great one and I'll see ya back here on Monday.

Hugs,
Em

September 16, 2014

Late summer roses

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments. I truly appreciate every one of you! Today's post is somewhat of a milestone, as it is the one hundredth.

To celebrate and thank you all for your support, I'm sharing these beautiful late summer roses that I photographed this past weekend. Enjoy!







Hugs,
Em x

September 15, 2014

Quick card

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments. I truly do appreciate all of you!

The card I'm sharing with you today took just minutes to create using two of my favorite Stampin' Up! colors, Strawberry Slush and Crumb Cake and on this dull day they sure do brighten things up...


The main image is from Gifts of Kindness, the sentiment from the hostess set Bloom with Hope, and the chevrons are from the Work of Art set. I've layered the Whisper White panel onto Strawberry Slush card then onto a folded card blank. I'm really pleased with the result and hope you like it too!

Challenges...
#89 AG at 613 Avenue Create
#36 AG at Crafting from the Heart
#74 at Sister Act
#27 AG at Scribble and Scrap

Hugs,
Em x

September 12, 2014

More Endless Wishes

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments. I truly do appreciate all of you! The card I'm sharing with you today is another created with the wonderful Endless Wishes stamp set from Stampin' Up! If you missed my first card using this set, you can see it HERE.

This time I've used two modern colors for the design. My favorite Lost Lagoon ink has been paired with the equally lovely Pistachio Pudding ink and cardstock...


I started by carefully placing the "very merry" and "to you" on my clear block and stamping them in Lost Lagoon onto Whisper White then stamped "Christmas" in the center of that in Pistachio Pudding. I then randomly stamped the largest snowflake from the set in Pistachio, the medium snowflake in Lost Lagoon and finally the smallest in Pistachio Pudding. I then matted the Whisper White onto a panel of Pistachio Pudding card and then onto the folded card base. I then added Basic Rhinestones to the middle of all the snowflakes for a touch of bling.

I not only love the look of the card, but also the adorable names that Stampin' Up! give to their range of colors and how the range coordinates with each other! :)

Challenges...
#26 at Crafty Girls
#35 at Crafting from the Heart
Repeat, repeat at Papertake Weekly
AG at Sisters of Craft

I'm not sure what I'll be doing this weekend, but it will be relaxing after another very busy week. Whatever you're doing, have a great one and I'll see you on Monday :)

Hugs,
Em x

September 11, 2014

Remembering 9/11


Hi everyone,

Thirteen years have now gone by since the day that the world changed forever with the terror attacks in the US. It hardly seems possible that the events that day, that I remember as clearly as if they were yesterday, happened all those years ago.

On September 11, 2001, I was 10 weeks pregnant and in the early afternoon in the UK, I'd just gone into a bar where I'd worked until a short time before. As I caught up with former colleagues while stood at the bar, the kitchen staff, who'd had the radio on, came running out and shouted for the TV to be put on. The bartender asked why and was told "JUST DO IT!". He did so and those of us who were in the bar turned to watch. 

Within seconds we were clinging to one another in stunned silence as the enormity of what we, with the rest of the world, were witnessing; the immediate aftermath of American Airlines Flight 11 crashing into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York at 8:46 am local time/ 1:46 pm BST. We all kept our eyes on the screen and my hand instinctively moved to my stomach. 

The silence was replaced by screams as we watched United Airlines Flight 175 crash into the South Tower at 9:03 am, the aftermath of the crash of American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:37 am and United Airlines Flight 93 southeast of Pittsburgh in Somerset County, Pennsylvania at 10:03 am. 

Although I do not know anyone personally who passed away that day, I grieve with those who did. I give heartfelt, prayerful thanks every day for the actions of everyone who risked their own lives and indeed the hundreds who lost their lives trying to rescue others. Without them, many, many more would have been lost. 

I also give thanks and salute the thousands of Armed Forces personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice since, and in the face of continuing terror attacks I pray for all those who will deploy. 

I will NEVER forget! God bless the USA and God bless all of us!

Hugs,
Em 

September 10, 2014

Take five for Endless Wishes

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments. I truly do appreciate all of you and them!

The card I'm sharing with you today is another Christmas card, this time created with the Endless Wishes photopolymer stamp set from the seasonal catalog from Stampin' Up! It's created using only another four ingredients, so that's where the "Take five" of the post title comes from, although it could also refer to the time taken to create the card, because it's so quick! I've not included the adhesive I've used in the five, because that's a staple item of our crafty stash.

The other four items used are Whisper White and Lost Lagoon cardstock, Lost Lagoon ink and last but not least Basic Rhinestones...


As the name of the stamp suggests, the possibilities with it are endless, here's a look if you've not seen it yet...


To create the card I cut a piece of Whisper White card in half and folded to create the base, then cut the Lost Lagoon and Whisper White for the layers, each a quarter inch smaller than the one below it. I then added the "merry" and "Christmas" to my clear block and inked it up. Luckily before I stamped it, I realized I'd put Christmas onto the block upside down. Oops! I turned it and reinked, then stamped into the center of the piece of card. I then took each of the snowflakes in turn, starting with the biggest and randomly stamped them, or as randomly as I could lol. I matted the layers and then added the rhinestones to the center of each snowflake and as the dot on the i of Christmas.

I love the simple yet elegant look of the card and I will definitely be creating more with this set, after all, the possibilities are endless!

Challenges...
NBUS #2 at djkardkreations - my first time using the stamp set and final entry
AG at Sisters of Craft
#26 AG at Scribble and Scrap
September Linky at DL.ART
#88 AG with a twist at 613 Avenue Create

Sorry I'm a day late showing you that I did, eventually, reach the shoreline on Saturday! The figure in the pic below is one of over 90 life size iron statues along the beach at Crosby. They are all part of the "Our Place" art installation by artist and sculptor Antony Gormley, and were cast from a mold of his body. In case you're wondering, they ARE anatomically correct lol! At high tide, all but those closest to the promenade are totally under water, but as you can see, at low tide they are all visible. I love the way that in this pic the gull is almost posing on the statue's head...

I loved creating today's "Take five" card and if anyone would like to join me in a future "Take five" blog hop, where we'll each create a card using 5 items, plus basics, let me know in the comments or email me.

Hugs,
Em

September 9, 2014

Card and prayers for Lynn

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and for all your comments. I truly do appreciate all of you so much!

The card I'm sharing with you today has been created for a friend of a friend, Lynn, who has very recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given just months to live. Our mutual friend, Paula created a card for her and when I saw her card, created to brighten her remaining days, I immediately wanted to do the same...


The main image is the Blended Bloom stamp from Stampin' Up, which I've stamped in Memento black ink on Whisper White card and colored using Calypso Coral Blendabilities and the Strawberry Slush Stampin' Write marker. I've used stamps from the Work of Art set for the background and sentiment in Crumb Cake ink on another piece of Whisper White, which I layered onto a folded Crumb Cake card base. The finishing touches are Basic Pearls which I've colored with the Blendability markers. I've also stamped the Blended Bloom in Crumb Cake to add some detail to the inside of the card...


Challenges...
NBUS #2 at djkardkreations ~ first time using the Work of Art set
AG at Sisters of Craft
#49 Stripes, dots, chevrons at Classy Cards 'n' Such
#26 AG at Scribble and Scrap
#150 Time for Anything at Crafts and Me

Please keep Lynn, her fiance and their family in your prayers at this very difficult time. If you'd like to create a card for her, please message me via Facebook and I'll give you the address to send them to. Thank you!

Hugs,
Em x

September 8, 2014

Wondrous wreath ~ take 3

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments, it's an honor to have you here and I truly appreciate each of you! Today I'm sharing the third and for now final card I created last week with the Wondrous Wreath stamp and die bundle from Stampin' Up! If you missed the other two cards, you can see them HERE. I love all of them and would love to know which is your favorite. Will you let me know in the comments?


This time I used a blend of modern and traditional colors. The wreath itself is stamped in Coastal Cabana and Lost Lagoon inks and I used Strawberry Slush for the blow and flowers. The card base is once again Crumb Cake and I used the same color ink for the flowers and sentiment. I LOVE how Stampin' Up! make it so easy for us by providing each color in ink, card, markers, embellishments and more! Everything I've used is available 24/7 in My shop.

Challenges...
#88 AG w/optional colors at 613 Avenue Create (colors from the chart, pink, brown and white)
#35 AG at Crafting From The Heart
#26 AG at Crafty Girls
AG at Papertake Weekly
September linky at DL.ART

You might recall that I mentioned on Friday that I was headed out to the coast on Saturday. I had a really relaxing time, but the water itself proved somewhat elusive as you'll see, or rather not see in the pic below...


The tide was out and on this stretch of coastline when it's out, it's WAY out! My guess is that it was at least three miles out at this point, possibly more! I did get to see the shoreline, but that wasn't until hours later and indeed on a different beach! Just as I had to wait, you will too, sorry! I'll share that pic with you tomorrow, so please do stop by then.

Hugs,
Em x

September 5, 2014

Wondrous wreath - take 2

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today and for all your wonderful comments on yesterday's post. I truly do appreciate all of you!

As the post title suggests, today I'm sharing another card created using the Wondrous Wreath stamp and die bundle from Stampin' Up! I've loved Lost Lagoon, one of this year's new In Colors, since I first saw it. I like to change things up a bit and I knew almost immediately that it will be part of my personal color scheme this Christmas, so you'll likely be seeing a lot of it as the season approaches, but that's not a bad thing!

For this card I've teamed it with one of last year's In Colors, Coastal Cabana and another favorite from this year, Blackberry Bliss...


Once again I've used Crumb Cake card for the base, this time layering another piece of the same card onto it which I embossed with the Wood grain folder and sponged with Crumb Cake ink. The Noel die was cut from more Whisper White card. The wreath and bow were popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and sentiment added with Tombow glue.

All these items and much more loveliness is available 24/7 in My Online Shop

Challenges...
This card was the first I created using this set, so it qualifies for the NBUS (never before used schtuff) challenge at djkardkreations
#87 AG at 613 Avenue Create
September linky at DL.ART
#163 at HIMCR
#34 at Crafting from the Heart

Have you decided on your color scheme for the upcoming season yet? Do you prefer traditional or non-traditional colors? Let me know in the comments.

After a very busy week, I'm off out to the coast tomorrow for some much needed fresh air. Whatever you're doing this weekend, have a great one and I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday when I'll be sharing the third card created yesterday.

Hugs,

September 4, 2014

Wondrous wreath

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today and for all your wonderful comments on my last post. I had so much fun creating the card and I'm glad you like it as much as I do!

This morning I've created my first Christmas cards of the year and I'm sharing what was actually the third one with you today. Don't worry though, I'll be sharing the others with you soon too! I've used the Wondrous Wreath bundle, which features in the new seasonal catalog, to create them all.


I stamped the base image in Pistachio Pudding ink, then used Mossy Meadow ink for the highlight layer. The sentiment, one of two which comes with the stamp set, is inked in Crumb Cake ink on Crumb cake card. I cut the bow, hanger and Joy from Strawberry Slush card. The wreath and bow have been popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals, some of which were cut to size. The finishing touch is Basic Rhinestones which I've colored with the medium shade Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities. Everything used is available 24/7 in my Online Shop.

Challenges...
September linky at DL.ART
#163 Freestyle at HIMCR
#87 AG at 613 Avenue Create
#34 AG at Crafting From The Heart
New Things at Die Cut Divas

I knew I'd love this set and I'm really pleased with this and indeed the other cards too. I'd love to know what you think.

Hugs,

September 2, 2014

Thinking of you

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today and for all your wonderful comments. I really do appreciate all of you so much!

The card I'm sharing with you today is the first I've created with my latest Stampin' Up goodies...


All items used are available to by in My Shop, which is always open.
Baked Brown Sugar and Strawberry Slush card (from the In Color 2013-2015 pack) 131289
Whisper White card 106549
Memento ink 132708
Bloom with Hope clear stamp set (hostess gift) 133952
In Color 2013-2015 Stampin' Write markers 131260 (Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe and Pistachio Pudding used)
Beautiful Wings embosslit 118138
Gifts of kindness clear stamp 130444 (sentiment)
Stampin' Dimensionals 104430

I stamped the images twice onto whisper white card and used the brush end of the markers to color the images. Because of the sketchy nature of the stamps, I deliberately didn't go right to all the edges and at times went over, but I think it suits the image.

I cut the flowers from the second set and have popped them up using dimensionals, cutting to size when needed. The whisper white and baked brown sugar card layers have also been popped up with dimensionals and I added the butterflies to complete the look.

Challenges...
September linky at DL.ART
#163 Freestyle at HIMCR
#87 at 613 Avenue Create
#34 at Crafting From The Heart
September - New Things at Die Cut Divas

Hugs,