Easter Postage Style

.... Good evening!! It's been rather dull here today, so I've spent the day in my craft room. I've made a couple of cards - one I can share now, and one you'll see soon. I need several Easter cards for my family and this is the first:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Celebration Scripty Sayings, Celebration Scripty Sentiments, Happy Happy Happy; Waltzingmouse Stamps - Vintage Postcards; Waffle Flower - Postage Collage

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Powder Blue, Blue Denim, Light Orchid, Medium Orchid, Dark Orchid, Light Lilac, Medium Lilac, Dark Lilac; Memento - Summer Sky; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Waffle Flower - Postage Collage Die A2 

Accessories: White & Black Card; Gina K Stencil - Christmas Flowers; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to AAA Colourful - AAAC#02 where the colour board is just gorgeous - shades of pinks, blues and purples - love them!!

I'm working through the postage collage die cuts on my desk. For this one, I masked the edges of the die and between each 'stamp'. The flower stencil has four layers which are very easy to line up. I inked each flower a different colour, added the leaves and the dots. I removed the masking strips and used a mix of stamps sets to add the extra details in black ink. I layered the finished panel onto a black mat layer and then added the whole piece to the front of an A2 white note card.

For the inside of the card, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped an Easter greeting made up from two stamps sets. I finished the panel by lightly stencilling another flower to the bottom corner.

It's been a fun day. Not only have I made some cards, I've completed a couple of pages in my art journals, and I've been listening to Audible. I'm listening to Misery by Stephen King - really enjoying this book - reminds me that I should rewatch the movie!! That's all for now. See you soon.

Modern Roses

.... Hello, good morning! I had fun yesterday afternoon and finished off two more cards with the new Modern Roses stamp set. Here they are:

Stamps: Gina K - Modern Roses, Sweet Sentiments

Inks: Wild Dandelion, Dusty Rose, Key Lime, Jelly Bean Green, Fresh Asparagus; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Modern Roses, Master Layouts 1

Accessories: White & Black Card; Gina K Embossing Folder - Swiss Dot

I'm submitting this card to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#60 - all of it!! I'm also playing along with Addicted to Stamps and More! - ATSM#463 the theme is 'birthdays', and to The Paper Players - PP#680 - these colours.

I stamped the roses in pink on white card, added the leaves and then die cut the panel to size. I placed the piece into the Swiss Dot EF. I realised after I'd run it through the Spellbinders that I had the EF the wrong way up - but I quite like the debossed look!! I than stamped a few roses in yellow and some leaves in a darker green; I used the matching die to cut them out. I added the roses and leaves to the stamped panel and then adhered the panel to a black mat layer and then to an A2 white note card. I finished the front with a pretty birthday greeting stamped in black and die cut. I also cut a few extra white die cuts and layered them together to give dimension to the greeting.

Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped a scripty greeting and added some roses and a leaf.

This card is for Ann - one of the ladies mum and I know from the hairdressers. I've been taking mum to see Tracey for a weekly hair wash and dry for the past two years and we've got to know all the regulars. It's a lovely salon, and last week Ann gave us the most delicious lemon drizzle cake - it didn't last long. And that's when we found out it's Ann's birthday tomorrow.

My next card is for a friend who I've not seen for some time:

Stamps: Modern Roses, Wonderfully Made

Inks: Gina K - Ocean Mist, Powder Blue, Key Lime; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Modern Roses, Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White & Black Card; Copic Marker

I'm submitting this one to CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#532 for the colours, and Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#253 where the theme is 'friends'.

I used my MISTI to stamp the roses first in pale blue and then again in a darker blue. Then I stamped the leaves in a bright green. I used a stitched edge die to cut out the panel and layered it onto a black mat and added it to the front of an A2 white note card. I stamped the sentiment in black and cut it, and a couple of blanks, out with the matching die. I added the sentiment in the bottom right corner. I really like the way this stamp works so well in both landscape and portrait.

For the inside, I cut a piece of white card and stamped a simple greeting in the corner, leaving a nice space for my message. I finished by edging the panel with a blue marker and then adhered it into the card.

I can see that this set is going to be a favourite. I had lots of fun making these cards. That's all for now. See you soon.

Floral Hello

..... Good afternoon! I've had a fun day today. Spent the morning at the hairdresser getting a new colour - sadly the peacock look has gone! And this afternoon, I've been working on cards and listening to a story on Audible. Here's my card:

Stamps: Gina K - Modern Roses, Lovely Notes

Inks: Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Passionate Pink, Jelly Bean Green; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White and Black Card; Copic Marker

I'm submitting this card to CAS on Friday - CASOF#278 where the theme is 'Hello'. 

This was fun to  make. I ordered this set last month and it arrived yesterday. I had to play with immediately. I used my MISTI to stamp the roses in yellow ink and then again in bright pink ink - I love the two tone look of the flowers. Next I stamped the leaves. I used a stitched edge die to cut out the panel, layered it onto a black mat and then added it to the front of an A2 note card. I finished the front with a pretty scripty greeting in black ink.

For the inside, I cut a piece of white card onto which I stamped a rose and leaves in the corner. I used a Copic marker to edge the panel with black ink and then adhered it inside the card. I've left lots of space for my message.

That's all for now - I'm off to make some more cards with this set - it's so pretty!!

Starry Birthday

... Good afternoon! It's another dull, dismal day here in Northop Hall, so I've spent the morning making a birthday card for my great-nephew. Here's the card:

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Stars Above, Bitty Birthday Wishes, Distressed Patterns; ME - Mixed Wishes Greetings

Inks: Gina K - Soft Stone; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: MFT Die-namics - Stars Above; Altenew - Featured Sentiments Dies

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to Just Us Girls - JUGS#717 to use green and one other colour - I picked blue. I'm also playing along with AAA Cards - AAA#260 - a sketch, and to AAABirthday - AAAB#59 to use geometrics.

This is for Xander, my great-nephew, who will be 12 years old on Friday. I love making cards for guys and these geometric patterned stars are perfect for guys and tweens! The challenge at JUGS is to use green/lime green/one other colour - I picked blue for a boy. I used my MISTI to stamp the stars onto plain white white, took the card out and coloured the patterns with Copic markers. I returned the images to the MISTI and re-stamped with Versafine Clair black ink - this gives such a dark black line. I then used the matching dies to cut out the stars. I also cut out a number of plain white stars. I stamped a soft grey distressed panel down the side of an A2 white note card and adhered the stars. I adhered some stars flat and layered some stars to give depth. I finished the front with a simple birthday greeting in black ink, and edged the panel with green ink.

For the inside of the card, I cut two pieces of white card. I edged the larger panel with a green marker. On the other white panel I stamped a fun birthday greeting in black ink and stamped a couple more stars, which I coloured with Copic markers.

That's all for today - see you again soon.

For my Mum

.... Hello, good morning. Today is Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom - the date varies from year to year as it follows Lent in the Christian calendar. While I'm not at all religious - Mum is, and she has spent the morning at our local church celebrating Mothering Sunday. Here's the card I made for Mum:

Stamps: Gina K - Handmade Holidays, Ocean Silhouettes, Wonderfully Made

Inks: Gina K - Sea Glass, Ocean Mist, Turquoise Sea, Blue Lagoon, Key Lime, Lucky Clover; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 4, Handmade Holidays

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Bermuda Bay; Gina K Stencil - Summer Bouquet, Gina K Poly Glaze - Petit Flourish; Gina K Fancy Foil - Sparkling Silver; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to Color Hues - CH#82 - these are mum's favourite colours!!

I started by foiling one of my Poly Glaze sheets with sparkling silver foil - I love the petit flourish pattern - I made another foiled sheet with the left over foil. I used the Summer Bouquet stencils to create a bunch of lovely flowers on the card. I used the scalloped edge die to cut out a dark turquoise mat layer. I trimmed the stencilled panel to size and added it to the mat, and attached the whole piece to the front of an A2 white note card. I stamped a greeting in black on white card, cut it out with the matching die and added it to the middle of the card.

Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of turquoise card. On the white card, I stamped a simple greeting and added a pretty butterfly which I coloured with Copic markers. I took a close up of the front panel to show all the lovely sparkle from the silver foil.

I hope that everyone who is celebrating Mothering Sunday has a lovely day today. I'm making our favourite meal for dinner - roast lamb, mashed potato, veg, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, and mint sauce. Yum!! See you all soon.

Mother's Day Postage Card

... Afternoon!! It's been a really dull day here in Northop Hall - but I've had fun in my craft room working on a card for Mothering Sunday. Here it is:

Stamps: Waffle Flower - Postage Collage Love, Postage Collage Fall, Postage Collage; Gina K - Handmade Holidays, Filled with Sunshine; The Greetery - Sentiment Suite Birthday

Inks: Gina K - Ocean Mist, Powder Blue, Peach Bellini, Sweet Mango, Tangerine Twist, Wild Dandelion; Versafine Clair - Nocturne, Morning Mist

Dies: Waffle Flower - A2 Postage Collage; Gina K - Handmade Holidays

Accessories: White Card; Waffle Flower Stencils - Postage Collage Rose Stencil, Postage Collage Colouring Stencil; Peach Card

I'm submitting this card to Cupcake Inspirations Challenge - CIC#589 - love these colours, and to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#79 where it's always Anything Goes.

I have a stack of these A2 postage stamp die cuts on my desk and I've been working my way through them, I love how different they look. For this card I used the co-ordinating PC Rose stencil - it has three parts (very easy to line up), I did the roses in shades of orange, the leaves in blues and added the starry highlights in yellow ink. I used the additional little stamps sets to add works and prices and franking marks. I layered the finished panel on to pale orange card. I used one of the stencils to add the decoration to the A2 note card and then added the stamped panel. I finished the front with a stamped sentiment.

Inside the card, I cut a couple of pieces of white card. I lightly added orange ink to the larger piece and then edged with an orange marker. On the smaller piece of card, I stamped a greeting and added some tiny flowers.

This card is for my aunty Sue. I lived with them for about 6 months when I was in my early 20s and Sue has always taken good care of me. That's it for today. Bye for now.

Mother's Day Card

..... Good afternoon! My second post this week - I'm on a roll. It's Mothering Sunday on 10 March and I've got a few cards to make - one for my mum, one for my mother-in-law, and one for my aunt. This is the one for my MIL:

Stamps: Gina K - Lovely Flowers, Handmade Holidays, Ocean Silhouettes, Lovely Notes

Inks: Gina K - Dusty Rose, Sea Glass, Ocean Mist, Applemint, Lucky Clover, Soft Stone; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Lovely Flowers, Handmade Holidays

Accessories: White & Black card; Gina K Stencils - Lovely Flowers, Brick Wall; Gina K Glimmer Mist - Sterling Silver

I'm submitting this card to several challenges. The first is Inkspirational - INK#310 where they have a lovely mood board for us. Second is The Flower Challenge - TFC#89 - to make a square card, and the last is Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#60 - I've had all this stash for a while, but this is the first time they've been used!!

I used my MISTI to stamp the large floral image on white card. I removed the card and used the matching stencils to add colour to the image - the stencils match up very easily. Finally, I die cut the coloured image along with two further white die cuts. On a white square card measuring 5¾", I lightly stencilled a grey brick wall and added some silver shimmer spray. I stamped the greeting on white card, cut it out with the matching die along with two further die cuts. I layered the die cuts together for dimension and stability and then adhered both pieces to the front of the card.

Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped the large floral image in pale grey ink. I created the sentiment from two different stamps sets - I like mixing things up. Below is a close-up image of the front of the card - so that you can see the shimmer of the silver spray.

So, that's the first card done. Tomorrow, I'll make the card for my aunt and then one for mum on Friday. That's all for today - see you soon.

Rainbow Postage Birthday Card

.... Hello!! It's been a few days and somehow we're in March already! I'm here to share a birthday card that I've made:

Stamps: Waffle Flower - Postage Collage, Postage Collage Fall; Mama Elephant - Birthday Messages, Mixed Wishes Greetings; Lawn Fawn - Rain or Shine Before 'n' Afters; The Stamping Village - Birthday

Inks: Gina K - Red Hot, Tangerine Twist, Wild Dandelion, Lucky Clover, Ocean Mist, Blue Raspberry, Medium Lilac, Passionate Pink; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Waffle Flower - Postage Collage Die A2

Accessories: White & Black Card; Waffle Flower Stencil - Postage Collage Colouring Stencil; Copic Markers; Glitter

I'm submitting this card to AAA Colourful - AAAC#01 where we can use the rainbow of colours - this is a new challenge and one I'm delighted to join. I'm also playing along with Seize the Birthday - STB#278 - I've skipping the colour and just joining the anything birthday goes.

The postage stamp style card is so popular and I just love it - it can be made to suit any and all themes. This is a rainbow birthday card. I used a mix of stamps and stencils and Copic markers to add colour to the candles and rainbow. I've also added glitter to the flames, the cake and the end of the rainbow. I layered the finished panel on black card and added the whole lot to the front of an A2 note card. 

Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel, I added a fun birthday greeting along with a row of party balloons - coloured rainbow fashion.

This card is for my niece, Catherine, she has her birthday on Saturday - I'm getting it in the post today to make sure it arrives on time. That's all for today - see you again soon.