Happy Birthday to you!

 

A birthday card for DH!...Just love this stamp set and especially the little 'love flower' which has become another favourite of mine.  As I was fingering through my cardstock collection my fingers kept backtracking to this beautiful buttery yellow card which has a slightly lined texture to it if you zoom in; I so wanted to use it.  I wasn't out for a lot of colour and wanted to keep the card simple but get the message through.  The staz on black ink was a perfect choice to give the images the crispness to detail they deserved.  A quick snip around and the little cute squares were gently adhered with a SU dimension.  Addition of the sentitment and a few accessories and there you go!

As the card developed and finally came to an end it took me a while to decide whether or not I liked it.  At first I thought it looked a bit drab and lacking life, but the more I looked at it close up, from a distance and overnight, I have decided that I now love it and am very happy with the finished result do you do that? I hope you like the photo it was an experiment to try and make my images more interesting.

RECIPE:
Stamps:  Dreams du Jour set
Paper:  SU basic black, at-home:  buttery yellow and rustic textured cardstock.
Ink: Staz on black - TIP:  adhere a small glue dot to the top of the clear cover (between the staz on lid and clear cover) and the clear cover will pop off with the main lid every time.  Stops inky fingers!
Accessories:  12 mm black grosgrain ribbon
Tools:  Paper piercing tool for corners
Card size:  15 x 10.5 cm     

Hold on to the Memories...

This is a very special card for a friend who has recently lost her husband to cancer.  The card is on its way to Sweden as I type where I know it will be treasured and bring a smile to the recipient's face which is just what I want it to do.  A card even though for a sad moment, oozes elegance I think, and was made with a feminine touch in mind.

I put together a stick pin which I just snuck under the ribbon and this can be removed to be used either in hats, scarves, lapels of a jacket or simply as a keepsake if liked.  The length of the pin was 3".  Make sure you zoom in so you can see the detail.  The pieces for the hatpin ingredients were purchased from Many Horses Jewellery supply, the link is here http://www.manyhorses.com/store.htm.  I found their customer service to be exceptional and the quality of their products certainly worth investing in.

The flower is stamped initially as the base flower and then just the head is stamped twice more and snipped out and layered to give a dimensional effect; I just love this look.  The ribbon was attached with a little snail glue and then a larger glue dot under the knot silently holds it in place.  I already have ideas for a variation to this card so keep watching this space to see what appears!

Until next time...keep smiling and treasure every day....
Regards, Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps: Bloomin with Beauty, Close as a Memory

Paper: SU Barley Banana, at home textured navy cardstock, Whisper white, DSP from the Blue Awning series.

Ink: Staz on Black for flower and Night of Navy for sympathy text. 
Accessories: Kaiser half pearls, handcrafted hatpin, wide so saffron ribbon and dimensions to pop up the flower layers.  The flower was coloured using the stampin markers - overall colour was bashful blue, outline/shadow was ballet blue, centre of flower was more mustard and leaves/stem was sage shadow.
Tools:

Card Size:  12.5 cm x 21 cm

No stamping...2 step bird punch - blue tones

I thought it would be good to take part in some challenges as a way of having to work with different layouts and see the variations that others create.  Well this is my second attempt at a challenge; namely the MOJO133 challenge. 

I had a great time working with this sketch even though it took me a couple of hours playing around.....but that's just me.  For me it's not just the creating but also the feeling of relaxation and all those feel good endorphins that come with it; my cards certainly come from the heart.

I look forward to taking part in other challenges as time permits and being happily challenged with more sketches and getting out of my comfort zone and trying new techniques. 
Hope you like it.

Until your next peep - keep smiling.....Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps:  Nil

Paper:  Stampin Up Whisper White card base, SU Night of Navy, grey textured c/s, SU Bella Bleu DSP, SU Creamy Caramel C/s.

Ink:  Nil

Accessories:  blue brads, stick on half pearl for bird's eye, rub on 'Make a Wish', dimension to adhere label, Spellbinder oval nestabilities.

Tools: 2-step bird punch, modern label punch, spellbinder oval die and bigshot.

Card size:  11 x 17 cm    

Sending Birthday Wishes your way....

This card was cased from a new blog I was fortunate enough to come across belonging to Chat, from Me, My Stamps and I. Chat creates some absolutely beautiful cards and I always look forward to viewing her blog to see what else has appeared.  I thank her for this one.  You can check out Chat's blog from my blog roll.

This is not the greatest photo, the white background makes the card look insipid....I'm working on increasing my photography skills...any tips would be welcomed....I have Photoshop Elements 3 that came with a scanner as bundled software.  I haven't had a need to learn how to use it, but now there is a definite reason, so I'm challenging myself to improve in that area.  I am waiting on a text - PS Elements 3 in a classroom to arrive....I purchased a used copy for $11AUS with the addition of around $5.50 postage .... fantastic - the supplier was http://www.fishpond.com.au/ and they have both new and used books depending on what you're after .... do you ever think to purchase good quality used books?  If you're a book worm I think they would save you heaps and sometimes come with the added surprise of little notes the previous purchaser has kindly left for you as tips.  Now back to my card....

As you are probably aware by now I love the bosskut butterfly and have used it on many of my cards. This colour combo is a new one for me but one I like.  The floral paper is from a series called Lilac Avenue, a 6" x 6" pad of various patterned and embossed pages.  Available from Sharon Johnson another great US SU card maker from 'No Time to Stamp'.  The pad is a great size for cards as there is very little wastage.  The wider grosgrain ribbon with a lightly tied knot almost resembling a rosebud adds another dimension to the card.  The three window panels are DSP mounted on Chocolate Chip.

Hope you like it.  Keep smiling.....Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  5/8" so saffron grosgrain ribbon, pearls, butterfly
Tools:  Big Shot machine, swiss dots embossing folder

Delightful Mini

This would have to be my favourite mini at the moment.  I have re-created it so many times, it's quick and looks great.  Just by changing the colours and stamp sentiment allows you to use it for many occasions;  it's just so versatile.  I cased part of this card from a tri-fold card by Terri Walker, another US SU demonstrator and I thank her for her permission.

Hope you like it.  Keep smiling.....Ann

RECIPE:
Stamps:  Sincere Salutations
Paper:  At-home blue textured c/s, at-home beige textured c/s, whisper white, Bella Blue DSP
Ink:  Night of Navy
Accessories:  half pearl for bird's eye
Tools: 2-step bird punch
Card Size: 9 x 9 cm

Thinking of You...

This card is a smaller version of one previously created as a sympathy card...I love the colour combo.  The card was enclosed with a gift for a relative living in the UK so no envelope needed.  The trim inside the card helped to add balance to the colours I think.  There are two butterflies one BB and the other LL cardstock.  They are joined with mini glue dots.  I snipped the tail off the underneath butterfly on this one as it seemed to be in the way.

Hope you like it.
Keep smiling....Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Barely Banana and Lavender Lace c/s
Ink:  Lavender Lace
Accessories:  Pearls and ribbon
Tools:  bigshot, Victoria embossing folder, bosskut butterfly, eyelet border punch
Card Size:  approx 12 x 14 cm