Friday 12 May 2017

You have mail .....

... well, me actually!
I received an email from Creative Stamping on Wednesday to say that I had won a prize .... £50 to spend at Craft Stash.
I went into shock .. I have never won anything in my life!
I read and reread the email ...... then took a trip over to Craft Stash ...... one of my favourite stores..... and placed an order.
I placed everything I fancied into my basket and then whittled it down to £50 worth..... took me about two hours but what a wonderful two hours!
After I hit the checkout button I discovered that if the order went through before 15.00hrs it would be sorted that day .... it was now 15.17hrs..........
I received my prize THIS morning .. how's that for service?!?!
What an exciting three days ..... I am jumping up and down... frequently ....... big smile on my face ......

The prize ......
I chose three dies and four matching stamps plus some sentiment stamps.  
To be honest, I had lots of fancy stuff in my basket and then found the Island Blooms stamp. When I went in for further details, Craft Stash mentioned that the stamp co-ordinates with Sumatra Die so I had a look at that.  In the end I had sorted out three dies with matching stamps, and there's more yet if I decide to have birthday presents ......



Now I have to exercise self control as I have a busy day tomorrow but come Sunday..........

Thursday 4 May 2017

April Card Swaps

I have entered nearly all the swaps for this month!  the ATC will  appear on my other Blog - ATC Wannabe.

Noobie




I have had great difficulty getting all these folds to lay flat but I hope I have managed it.  This card is thanks to Angela, love the colours.



I received this super Easel card in great colours.
Thank you Olive.







Colour - Brown

I am so pleased with this card.  I was really stuck for ideas but then I found just the card to CASe.  I have used nearly all my kraft cards now but they are such good quality I shall invest in some more.  Unfortunately Craftwork cards no longer supply this particular card and envelope pack ....
Enough of that ..... I stamped the butterfly in Versafine Brown ink, the sentiment in Dovecraft white and set to dry.  
I pulled out a white gelpen, inktense pencil and watercolour paints.... I thought I would start with the pencil and carry on from there until I had the deepest colour.  Once the stamping was dry, I used the pencil to colour some of the butterfly and also the sentiment.  I added the circles to finish.





 Superb card received, tiny flecks of gold to lift the colour.
Thank you Madge.





Style - Easter

I decided to use some of the stamps that came free with one of my magazines.  I file these stamps but rarely use them - sounds familiar? - so hopefully this will change.
After stamping, I realised the Easter has come and gone (I missed it as PJ was in hospital beforehand) so I left the sentiment 'floating' in the envelope.

A really bright and joyful card.
Thank you ChrisN.




Technique - Torn Paper


It took some time to sort out a card suitable to use as a base!  I managed to find this greatly discoloured page in my French Dictionary but they were just perfect for the small ATC made some time ago.  
I love this card and realise it is not to everyone's taste but it could be used as a man's card.



LOVE this card, what a brilliant concept!
Thank you Olive.


Alphabet - Y for Yellow


This is my second attempt at this card, first time around I didn't notice the white circle in the centre!!!
The shade of the yellow Chrysanths matches the card EXACTLY.  I understand that it is the paper that reflects the light differently when the photo is taken ......
I printed the digital image from TLC Creations - Thank you Paulette - onto thin card and then used my watercolour paints to add the colours.  I attached it straight to the background card - which it matches exactly! -  as I don't think it needs matting.





Super bright and in your face!!! love it.
Thank you Karen.