Stamping with Laetitia

A matching card

2011-08-09T14:50:00.011+01:00

Hello peeps. I hope you are enjoying yourselves, wherever you are.

I am back today with a masculine card matching the very girly pink one I posted yesterday for the Belles 'n Whistles customer blog hop. If you are here for the blog hop, scroll down or click here.

If you didn't take part in the Belles 'n Whistles customer blog hop yet, go to the Belles 'n Whistles inspiration blog to start this amazing hop. Everybody worked hard and did a fantastic job.

Again, I made an easel card, using soft colours. The layout is the same and only the image is different. This cute boy is Surprise, designed by Elizabeth Bell, and as all her other images, he is such a dream to colour.

I made this card for my dad, as the other one was for my mum. I showed them how to assemble the card, and my dad helped me make the flowers. He even told me he had fun scrunching the papers and sanding the edges.

For the inside, I created the same as the other one, with the lovely sentiment from Rachelle Anne Miller, and some butterflies.

Stamps: Belles 'n Whistles Surprise, Rachelle Anne Miller Sentiments 2

Cardstock: SU Whisper White, watercolour paper

DSP: Tim Holtz vintage shabby

Ink: SU Bashful Blue

Embellishments: liquid pearl, American Crafts grey pearl brads, raffia

Tools: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, MS doily lace border punch, Nestabilities label 14

Belles 'n Whistles customer blog hop

2011-08-08T12:00:00.005+01:00

Hi everyone. Welcome to the first Belles 'n Whistles all customer blog hop. I am sure this is going to be fun, and that you are going to see great projects everywhere. We are excited to be a part of this special release. And, we as Belles 'n whistles, get to play along using any Belles 'n Whistles stamp we want. Today, we are celebrating the rebirth of the darling SweetArt girls designed by none other than the Artist Elizabeth Bell. Belles 'n Whistles now has 17 SweetArt stamps in their store. They were just too beautiful to be left sitting in the archives. Elizabeth Bell's talent deserves better than storage, don't you think?

If you are one of my regular reader and want to hop along with us, go on to the Belles 'n Whistles inspiration blog for the complete list of participants. To keep things easy, please follow that list and leave a comment on each blog. Do you know why? because YOU could win a stamp from Belles 'n whistles, just by leaving some love along the way. There will be FIVE winners chosen randomly from comments that have been left along the way. No one knows who's blog the winners will come from (not even me).

So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, tea or lemonade and enjoy all the fun and exciting things, we, the Belles 'n Whistles customers, have to share with you today.

For this occasion, I made this easel card. It had been a long time since I had last made one, and I just love the effect they have on people. I gave this one to my mum and she was so very impressed. Love it!!! LOL

I followed a very simple sketch, and I didn't use a lot of overpowering embellishments as I wanted the image to be the focal point of the card.

I just adore this little girl. She is called A Pen friend and you can find her here. As all Belles 'n Whistles images, she has been designed by the great Elizabeth Bell and she is a dream to colour.

Here is a close up on the gorgeous image. I used as usual watercolour pencils, but finally decided on using watercolour paper. I just don't know why I didn't use it from the start as the finish is beautiful and it is so much easier to blend the colours.

I then applied some pink chalk around her to add some depth to the image.

I made my own flowers using the circle Spellbinders. I then crunched the paper, and distressed the edges. I then attached a white pearl brad in the centre of the two big ones, and because I had run out of medium pearls for the other flowers, I used some liquid pearl.

The sentiment is an old Rachelle Anne Miller, and I like the fact that it is quite big, so I could use the same die as the image.

Stamps: Belles 'n Whistles A Pen Friend, Rachelle Anne Miller Sentiment 2

Designer Paper: Tim Holtz Shabby Chic Vintage collection

Cardstock: SU Whisper White, watercolour paper

Ink: SU Pretty in Pink

Tools: Spellbinders circles, Spellbinders label , Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Martha Stewart doily lace border punch

Embellishments: 4mm white pearls, Ranger liquid pearl, American crafts pearl brads, natural raffia, Candy cane stickles, SUdazzlin' diamond glitter

Love grows

2011-06-29T06:59:00.004+01:00

Long time no see.

I am been very busy, and I have some projects to share with you.

Today, I am showing you the card I made for this week's LOTV challenge. I followed the wonderful sketch by Donalda. It was so easy, and I love the result.

I used Love Grows stamp that Jacque sent me some times ago. Thank you Jacque, you're the best.

Here is the card. I will come back later to add all my list of supplies used.

Have a lovely sunny and warm Wednesday.

Happy Birthday Dad

2011-04-19T15:03:00.007+01:00

Hi everyone. I thought I would share the birthday card I made my dad some times ago. I realised I made quite a few cards that I never actually posted on my blog.
The moment I saw this image on the LOTV shop, I knew I had to use it for my dad.
I used only a few spare bits of ribbon as embellishments. I kept the layout very simple. The image had been coloured with watercolour pencils (don't look at the shading, it doesn't make sense, I know)!!!

I had created a small pocket on the inside, and made a matching bookmark. It is quite simple and straightforward, and hope you like it.

Stamps: LOTV Lazy Afternoon

Ink: Versafine Black, SU Mellow Moss

Cardstock: SU Whisper White, SU Mellow Moss, SU Chocolate Chip

Designer Paper: K&Company

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

LOTV #92: Happy Birthday

Pile it on #16: Smells like rubber

Surprise in blue, green and white

2011-04-17T10:27:00.012+01:00

Hello everyone. Wow, I hadn't realised that it had been so long since my last post. I have been very busy, but I took advantage of this week to craft a bit. I created a card for the Belles & Whistles challenge, which is to use blue, green and white. I wanted to make a card with a masculine touch, as this is for hubby. I just love this cute boy, "Surprise", designed by Elizabeth Bell. If you are in the UK, you can purchase this image through Quixotic Paperie. I think it is my favourite masculine image so far. Yes, so far, because have you checked the new digi release? A very sweet boy called Toot Toot. Sooooooo cute. Check it out here. I kept the layout very simple, and added a few Prima hydrangeas, and a satin bow. . I created a 3D effect, with the balloon and the cat. You can see the dimension in the artsy shoot. .

Here is a close up on the image. As usual, it has been coloured with watercolour pencils.

Stamp: Belles & Whistles Surprise, sentiment unknown

Ink: Versafine black

Designer Paper: Papermania Capsule collection

Cardstock: SU Whisper White, SU Not Quite Navy

Embellishments: Prima hydrangeas, American craftz brads, satin ribbon, SU glitter.

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Belles & Whistles: blue, green and white

The Digi Bells DT: my favourite Elizabeth Bell image

Papertake weekly challenge: Truly dimensional

Vintage 60th Birthday

2011-03-19T07:49:00.003Z

Hello everyone. I hope you are having a nice week.
I just took the Whimsy stamp release hop, and if you haven't done so already, I recommend it. The DT has worked hard, and has produced really gorgeous cards. I have been amazed at what I saw.

Anyway, I am here today with a new card. A teacher at my school is turning 60, and my colleagues asked me if I could make a card for the occasion. This is what I came up with.
I coloured the gorgeous Puppy Love stamp from Sarah Kay with watercolour pencils, creating a vintage look. As I had chose the paper before hand, I could match the colours.
The paper is from Basic Grey, and it is so lovely that I decidedto keep a simple layout. I just added a heart doily whose edges I distressed with SU Bashful Blue and SU Certainly Celery ink.

I added a big satin bow, and some flowers from Prima. The brad is from American crafts and the pearls in the corner from my stash.
For the sentiment, I stamped one of Whismy stamps ticket from which I erased the sentiment (as it is one from the Christmas collection), and added on the inside the Happy Birthday from SU Vintage labels, and the numbers (unknow stamp).
I really like the way it turned out. I hope the teacher will like it.

Stamps: Sarah Kay Puppy Lobe, SU Vintage Labels (Happy Birthday), Whimsy Stamps Holiday tickets
Ink: SU Certainly Celery, SU Bashful Blue
Cardstock: brown bazzill
Designer paper: Basic Grey Cappella
Embellishments: brown satin ribbon, American crafs medium brad, Prima hydrangeas, pearls from stash, paper heart doily.

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
The Shabby Tea Room week 53: Party Time
Wild Orchid Crafts #19: Dieing to punch it out (ticket die)
Scrap creations: Anything goes
Papertake weekly: Trui tastic (3 stamps, 3 flowers, 3 pearls)
My Time to Craft #132: Keys (the cute doogy is holding a key in his mouth)
All that scraps : Birthday
Simon says: Happy Birthday
Charisma Cardz #11: To die for (ticket die)
Stamp something: something sweet

Spring birthday

2011-02-27T08:14:00.008Z

Morning everyone. I hope you are enjoying your Sunday. The sun is shinning today, and it is so lovely to have a bit of warmth and natural light too. I almost feel like spring now.
And spring is the theme for the card I made. I used bright colours (which I am not used to), and I quite like the result, although there is something about my card I don't quite like, and I can't figure out what (it is driving me mad).

Anyway, I followed the sketch at Papertake weekly, and decided to turn the card into a Brithday card, and I know that some birthdays are coming up, and it will be nice to have some cards made in advance for once.
The gorgeous stamp (Isabelle with puppy Coco) is a Sarah Kay that has been lying around for ages (one of the first stamps I bought), but for some reason, never came to use it on a card. Everytime I was inking it, I was not satisfied with the colouring and ended up using another stamp. But this time, I managed, and I will definitely use it on another card soon as I love it.

Stamps: Isabelle with puppy Coco by Sarah Kay, Rachelle Anne Miller sentiment set 1, SU Touch of Nature (butterfly)

Ink: Versafine black, SU Lavender Lace

Designer Paper: Papermania Summer Bloom (the green one), My ind's Eyes Bloom and Grow (for the pink one), K&Co Que sera sera (the blue one),

Cardstock: SU Lavender Lace, SU Whisper White

Embellishments: yellow satin ribbon from stash, Prima hydrangeas, pearls

Tools: SU oval punch, SU scallop oval punch

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Creative stamp friends: checked

Going Grey with Scrap-creations: they say it's your birthday

Papertake weekly challenge: Sketch 53

A spoonful of sugar #140: Birthday wishes

The Pixie cottage #58: something cute

Really reasonable ribbon #18: spring theme

Stamp something: something with flowers

Crazy for challenge #76: spring and flowers

Cupcake inspiration challenge #100: photo inspiration (I used the colours: pink, yellow, blue and green + the spring theme)

Flutter by Wednesday #143: butterfly

Sweet mermaid - paper piecing

2011-02-26T18:59:00.009Z

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Hello everyone. Hope you are having a fun week-end.
Today, I have a simple card to share with you. I made it for a friend of mine who is a professional diver, and as it was her birthday I needed a nice card. The paper was so nice, that I didn't want to hide it too much so I decided on a simple layout.
I just added a few embellishments.

Here is a close up on the ribbon bow and the cute charm (I bought it at Whimsy stamps). The flowers are Prima hydrangeas and started their lives as being white and cocoa. I coloured them using watercolour pencils (dry) and added some Basic Brey rhinestones in the centre for a bit of bling.

As usual I coloured the sweet images (Treasure Tempestwind and Eddy from Sweet November) with watercolour pencils, but wanted to try a new technique: paperpiecing. I just love the result, and this paper (K&CO) was just perfect for her tail).

Stamps: CC Designs Sweet November Treasure Tempestwind and Eddy.
Cardstock: SU Only Orange
Designer paper: K&CO Que sera sera
Embellishments: orange satin ribbon from stash, Under the sea charm from Whimsy stamps, Prima hydrangeas, Basic Grey rhinestones.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Pile it on #8: Childhood dreams (as a child, I wanted to be a mermaid)
The Corrosive challenge #104: Magical creatures
Stamp something: Something with flowers
Creative card crew: Fantasy with the Gingerloft

Let me know what you think about it.
Have a lovely week-end,
Laetitia xx

Digi Bells Guest DT call

2011-02-23T15:34:00.011Z

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Hi everyone. Today, I have a card with a summery look to share with you. I am so fed up with this grey and wet weather that I needed something to cheer me up.
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I have use another adorable Belles 'n Whistles image designed by Elizabeth Bell. I love all her images, they are so cute. I bought this one on Quixotic Paperie during their January sale, and it was 50%, so it would have been mad not to take advantage of it. You might want to check the website, as I think they still have some left.
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Now onto my card. As you can see with the title, The Digi Bells DT are running a guest DT call, and I thought it was worth a shot applying for it. I followed the sketch #1, and it was really fun.
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I used some Papermania papers (Summer Bloom) and the sketch was perfect as it allows me to showcase this gorgeous paper. The cute stamp is called Lemonade Anyone?, and is just perfect for any occasion. I teamed it up with a Rachelle Anne Miller stamp, which I found so elegant and attached the tag with an American Crafts brad.
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I added a strip of white cardstock punched with a Martha Stewart punch (Lattice Heart deep edge border punch). I don't own this punch but this is a strip that Tracy from Dies to die for had sent me with one of my orders.

As usual, I have coloured the image with watercolour pencils, and attempted the look that I see so often achieved with distressed inks. I think that it was not too bad for a first attempt. Unfortunately, my hand slipped when I stamped the image and I saw it only too late.

Inside the card, I added a couple of Papermania glittered rub-ons from the same collection as the paper. I will send my card to my grandma who is celebrating her 83rd Birthday this week. I hope she will like it.

Stamps: Belles and Whistles Lemonade Anyone?, Rachelle Anne Miller Sentiments set 1

Designer Paper: Papermania Summer Bloom, Daisy bucket designs (for the dotted blue DSP)

Cardstock: SU Chocolate Chip, SU Whisper White

Embellishments: American Crafts medium brads (Pastels for the pink one, Earth Tones for the brown one), aqua aribbon from my local fabric shop, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Martha Stewart Lattice Heart border punch, Papermania glittered rub-ons Summer Bloom.

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I am entering my card in the following challenges:

The Digi Bells DT: guest DT call

The Digi Bells DT: summer time fun (blog hop challenge)

Belles 'n Whistles challenge: Favourite thing (EB images and butterflies) plus Heart
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Vintage Valentine

2011-02-13T09:42:00.019Z

Here is the valentine card I made for hubby. I know it is really pink, but he doesn't mind.

He likes the vintage look so I made this one mostly using kraft cardboard.

I tried a new technique, which is to colour with pencils on kraft paper. As usual, I used my trusted watercolour pencils but didn't add any water this time. I just love the way it turned out, and this cute cute image from Belles and Whistles is a dream to colour. I just love this little boy, and I think I will make another card with him but using a "nice or naughty?" sentiment as it is very appropriate. (Hint: look at his back pocket).

I followed the sketch over at Pollycraft challenge but added a ribbon with a bow to add a bit more texture.

The flowers are from Prima marketing, the gorgeous pink brad is from American Crafts, pearls from Basic Grey, ribbon and charms from my stash.

The sentiment is from Stampin' up, along with the frame. They are called Whimsical Words and Vintage Labels from last year's Sale-a-bration. I think they are perfect together and I love them. I added Cotton candy stickles to the outside to add more bling. I mounted the frame on SU dimensionals.

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I created the background with SU Very Vintage jumbo wheel, and I stamped it with SU Red Rose ink. So perfect. I love how it matches my piece of designer paper.

Stamps: Belles n' Whistles Surprise, SU Very Vintage wheel (background), SU Vintage labels (frame), SU Whimsical Words (sentiment).

Ink: Versafine black, SU Red Rose (background and frame), SU Regal Rose (sentiment).

Paper: Kraft cardboard, Prima marketing Flights of Fancy, Brown cardstock.

Embellishements: Prima hydrangeas, white pearls, Basic Grey pink pearls, American crafts pearl brad, pink organza ribbon, heart lock and key charms, Cotton candy stickles, SU dimensionals.

Tools: Martha Stewart doily lace punch

I am entering my card in the following challenge:

Belles n' Whistles: Vintage

Pollycraft challenge #79: Sketch by Maria(I added a ribbon, I hope that's ok) and Love theme

Crafty cardmakers #39: Hearts (charms and sentiment)

Creative stamp friends #18: Valentine

Double Dutch #61: Love is in the air

The Pink Elephant #93: Be my Valentine

The Shabby tea room week #48: Sweet Hearts (photo inspiration: colours and love theme)

Wild Orchid challenge #16: Love is...

Creative card crew: For a loved one

Papertake weekly: Have a heart (charms, sentiment, theme)

A Spoonful of sugar #138: Let's see some love

The Pixie Cottage #56: Ribbon

Cute Card Thursday #151: Hearts and Flowers

Stamp something: Something for your Valentine

The Play Date café #68: Photo inspiration

Stamp and Create : Love

Phew, I never entered so many challenges with a single card. I am exhausted LOL.

I hope you will like it. Let me know what you think about it.

Peek a Boo

2011-01-15T23:43:00.009Z

(For those of you who saw this post earlier today, here is a better picture, where you can actually see the real colours).

The challenge over at Belles and Whistles this fortnight was Snowflake. So I had to use my Whimsy Winter Jewel die. I used bright colours and I like the way it turned out.
The cute stamp is from Belles and Whistles (designed by the very talented Elizabeth Bell) and is called Peek a boo (part of the Snowbaby collection). You can find it in Summer's shop or here for UK customers. I used a lot of glitter on the snwoman and on the snwoflakes and I love the way it turned out. I don't usually use bright colours and I am quite pleased with the result.

The sentiment is from Whimsy stamps (part of the Winter Letter seals set) and works beautifully for the challenge. Of course, I had to use some butterflies (made with a Martha Stewart punch).

Stamps: Belles 'n Whistles Peek-a-boo snowbaby, Whimsy Stamps Winter letter seals

Ink: Versafine Black

Paper: SU So Saffron, SU Pretty in Pink, SU Bashful Blue, Bo Bunny, Papermania

Embellishments: Whimsy Winter Jewel 1 die, SU oval punch, SU scallop oval punch, Martha Stewart punch, clear rhinestones, SU Dazzling diamond glitter

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Belles and Whistles: Snowflake

Stamp something: anything goes

Pixie cottage #52: favourite colouring technique (watercolour pencils)

Stampavie and more #124: glitter

Elizabeth Bell's world: December project

Creative Belli #108: snow

Papertake weekly: cold and frosty mornings

Pollycraft Monday challenge #75: new things (new stamp from Belles 'n Whistles)

Stamp with fun #93: snow

Paperplay challenge 2011 #2: cutie patootie

Claire's birthday

2011-01-09T11:27:00.004Z

Last week was one of my hasband's colleague's birthday, and she had asked me to make her a birthday card. She told me that her favourite colour was purple so I decided to use SU Lovely Lilac and Lavender Lace (this is the embossed one). It was a quick one to make as I had already coloured this cute cute little girl from LOTV. She is such a beauty and I am sure she reminds us all of ourselves when we were little girls and wanted to play dress up with our mum and grandma's outfits.
I followed the sketch over at Scrap-creations. The charms are just perfect for this image.

Here is a close-up on the ribbon and the shoe charm. It is very detailed and underneath you can read: "Made with Love and sole". I love it.

Here is the little girl. I coloured her with watercolour pencils, and added SU dazzling diamond glitter to the flower on her hat and some Liquid Pearl to her necklace. It was my first attempt at using it, so it is not perfect. But I really like the effect it gives in real.

Stamps: LOTV New Hat, Rachelle Anne Miller (for the Birthday sentiment)

Papers: SU Lavender Lace, SU Lovely Lilac Textured, SU Whisper White

DSP: Crafty Bitz

Ink: Versafine Black, SU SU Lavender Lace

Embellishments: pink organza ribbon, Liquid Pearl, SU Dazzling diamond glitter, shoe charm, hat charm, self adhesive light pink pearls, Prima flowers (hydrangeas)

Tools: Martha Stewart doily lace punch, SU oval punch, SU scallop oval punch, Big Shot embossing plate.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Scrap-creations: sketch

Really Reasonable ribbon #15: something new (charms, embossing plate and ribbon) + ribbon

Crazy challenge #48: all things new

Pile it on: brand new (charms, ribbon, embossing plate)

Secret crafter #116: Tons of textures

Snowflake card

2010-12-29T23:42:00.005Z

Here is the card for the challenge over at the Sugar Bowl, 49: Snowflake + a Sugar Nellie image + a fab sketch to work with. I changed the photograph that I had posted last time, so you can see better.

The cute little girl is called Winter Wonderland. I coloured her once I had picked my papers and so tried to match the colours. I think it works quite well.

Stamps: Sugar Nellie Winter Wonderland

Ink: Versafine black

Papers: SU Whisper White, SU Bravo Burgundy Textured

DSP: (in order of layers from back to front)Fancy Pants On the Tree, Echo Park Christmas Countdown, Fancy Pants Falling Snow, Webster's pages Beautiful

Embellishments: clear gem, baby blue stickles and SU Dazzling diamond glitter.

Tools: Whimsy Stamps Winter Jewel 1 die (for the snowflake), Martha Stewart Doily lace punch (for the border)

Happy New Year

2010-12-26T15:06:00.016Z

Here is a girly Happy New Year card for the Belles 'n Whistles challenge.

I received my Big Shot for Christmas, and have been playing with the embossing folders which were included in the pack.

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As you may have spotted, I love butterflies. Is it that obvious?

I punched them out with a Martha Stewart punch and stuck them all over the card. I went a bit crazy, I know.

The snowflake is a Whimsy die, and the sentiment I made on my computer, and punched it out with SU oval and scallop oval punches.

I even decorated the inside of the card, with a sentiment (Whimsy Winter letter seals) which perfectly suited the occasion (or at least justified my use of so many butterflies). We can't really see on the picture but it reads "Snowflakes are winter's butterflies".
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And here is a close-up on the fabulous image from Belles n' Whistles called Catch-a-flake. It is part of the Snowbaby collection, which is gorgeous. I coloured it with watercolour pencils and added a big of glitter to her hat.
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Stamps: Belles n' Whistles Catch-a-flake snowbaby, Whimsy Winter Letter Seals

Ink: Versafine black, SU Pretty in Pink

Paper: SU Perfect Plum, SU Bashful Blue, SU Pretty in Pink, SU Whisper White

Embellies: Embossing Folder, Whimsy Winter Jewel die, SU oval and scallop oval punch, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, gem, SU Dazzling diamond glitter, Baby blue stickles
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I am entering this card in the following challenge:

Belles 'n Whistles: Happy New Year challenge

Cuttie Sunday #124: Happy New Year

Ten cards in 2 days #9

2010-12-26T10:00:00.000Z

Here is a simple and quick card I made for a male teacher at school. The image is quite big, so I cut it out, matted it on a layer of SU Bravo Burgundy, as it perfectly matches the designer paper. I added a few stickers (the stars and the sentiment), and a border behind the image to make it a little less plain.
I added glitter to the fur of the horse (although it doesn't show on the picture), and coloured it with watercolour pencils as usual.

I am entering this card in the following challenge:

ABC Challenge: K is for Keep it simple

Stamp: Whimsy Stamps Cool ride

Ink: Versafine black

Papers: SU Bravo Burgundy textured, SU Whisper White, Bo Bunny

Embellies: gold stickers

Ten cards in 2 days #8

2010-12-25T09:00:00.005Z

Here again, another Christmas card. For this one, I didn't use any designer paper. The candy cane and the holly are stamps from the same set as the horse Whimsy Jingle All the Way. The sentiment was also in the set.
I coloured it with watercolour pencils, added gold sticles to the bells and the centre of the poinsettas, and glitter on the fur and around the image, on the swirls.

Stamps: Whimsy stamps Jingle all the way, Whimsy stamps Cool ride (for the swirl around the image)
Ink: Versafine black, SU Mellow Moss (for the swirl)
Paper: SU Whisper White, SU Garden Green Textured
Embellishments: Red and gold ribbon, gold stickers (sentiment inside), Gold Stickles, SU Dazzling Diamond glitter

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Part time Tuesdays, color challenge #26: red, green and white

Belli challenge #107: Merry Christmas

Pixie cottage challenge #50: Celebration (Christmas)

Sentimental Sundays #34: Inspired by song + sentiment

Ten cards in 2 days #7

2010-12-24T09:00:00.003Z

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Here is a girlie card, which I love. I just love this LOTV Stamp. How cute are those bunnies decorating the tree? I really had fun colouring it, but I think I went a bit over the top with the glitter. Ah well, Christmas allows, I say.
For the sketch I used the same as for this card, and I really like it as you can have a great effect with not many layers.
I didn't use traditional Christmas embellishments but I think it works well.

Stamps: LOTV Woodland Christmas, Whimsy Stamps Holiday tickets

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, SU Whisper White, Tradition Double sided Falling Snow

Ink: Versafine black

Embellishments: SU Dazzling diamond glitter, pink gems, white pearls, Prima Flowers

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Valentines' December challenge: Snow + SU product (Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Dazzling diamond glitter)
Fussy and Fancy: Show us some snow

Crazychallenge #46: Let it snow

Papertake Weekly: Anything goes

Simon says stamps: Anything goes

Ten cards in 2 days #6

2010-12-23T07:00:00.008Z

At last, a traditional Christmas card. For me, a real Christmas has to be red, green and gold.
This is the first Christmas card I made this year. I am not totally satisfied with the colouring and the stamping quality of this particular stamp (which is a shame as I love this design). I love the vintage look of Sarah Kay's images and this is why I decided to stick with the traditional colours of Christmas. I even had a go at distressing the edges with SU gold embossing powder. It was really nice in real (contrary to what you can see on the picture).
I love this paper and as I didn't want to hide it too much, I kept a simple layout. I just added the word NOËL which I gold embossed directly on the paper and a big glittery poinsetta I picked up at Hobbycraft.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Cupcake inspiration challenge #90
Creative stamp friends #14: Traditional Christmas colours
Simon says stamp and show: something from Yesteryears
Cutie Sunday #123: Christmas
Paperplaytime #30: Christmas
Freshly Brewed challenge #27: Merry Christmas

Stamps: Sarah Kay's Christmas Magic, Papermania Joyeux Noël
Ink: Versafine black, Versamark
Paper: SU Handsome Hunter, SU Whisper White,
Embellies: SU Gold EP, SU Dazzling diamond (to the fur), Poinsetta from Hobbycraft

Ten cards in 2 days #5 and a toot for Cutting Edge Crafts

2010-12-22T09:00:00.003Z

And yet another one. I know, I have been a busy bee. I love this one. I made it for a teacher from my department who is singing in the choir. I thought this image would be perfect for her.

For once, I had chosen the paper I wanted to use before I colored the image, so I decided on agreeing the colours of the paper with those on the image, and I think it works quite well. I colored the carol singers with watercolour pencils but I did the background and the light with chalks. I like the result, although the blue was darker in real. (I hate the flash).

I added a lot of glitter to create the snow and for the first time, tried the tearing technique which I think works well with the snow effect.

I think I am going to duplicate this card for a friend of mine who specifically asked for a handmade card for Christmas. It feels nice to be asked sure a thing, don't you think?

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:
A spoonful of sugar #133: Christmas cards
Stamping for the weekend #53: Christmas

Stamps: LOTV , Whimsy Stamps Winter Letter Seals
Ink: Versafine black
Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, SU Whisper White, Echo Park Everybody loves Christmas, vellum paper with gold music notes
Embellies: charm, satin ribbon, SU Dazzling diamond glitter

And now, I would like to say a big thank you to Lorraine and David from Cutting edge crafts for their absolutely fabulous customer service. I ordered a Sizzix Big shot from them, and the delivery company was way behind to deliver their parcels. I called the delivery company to ask them if I could come and pick up my parcel but they answered me very abruptly that this was not possible and that it was unlikely I would receive my parcel before Christmas. I thus contacted Cuttings Edge Crafts to tell them and they sent me a new Big Shot by Royal Mail special delivery the same day. I received it the next day, and I was thrilled. SO, a big big big toot to them for their excellent customer service and to their prices too. Besides, the P&P are free, so don't hesitate to pop to their store here.

Ten cards in 2 days #4

2010-12-21T07:00:00.003Z

As you may have noticed from the blinkie in the sidebar, Belles and Whistles are holding an advent calendar and there are bags of goodies to win everyday. I played along and I couldn't believe my luck as I won on the First day. Summer sent me my prize all the way from Hawai and I received it about a week later. Here is what was in it:

I couldn't wait and I had to ink this cute cute stamp straight away. The impression is absolutely fabulous and it was a dream to colour. I chose bright and unusual colours for a Christmas card as it was for a friend of mine who comes from the Caribbean islands. I kept it simple so the focus would be on the gorgeous image and flowers. The sentiment is from Whimsy and I applied a lot of Purple stickles around it (although it doesn't show on the dreadful photograph).

Stamps: Belles and Whistles Snowbaby Catch-a-flake, Whimsy stamps Holiday sentiment ticket, Whimsy Cool ride (swirl around the image)
Paper: SU Whisper White, SU Gable Green textured, SU Elegant Eggplant textured
Ink: SU Lavender Lace, Versafine black
Embellies: green satin ribbon, Purple Stickles, Prima purple hydrangeas, Basic Grey Bling it purple rhinestones.

Ten cards in 2 days #3

2010-12-20T09:00:00.002Z

Here is another of the ten cards I made. This is probably my favourite one. I just love this horse (Cool ride from Whimsy). It was so easy to colour. As usual, I used my trusted watercolour pencils.

Since I love so much this image and didn't want to take the focus out of it, I kept the card simple. I added a circular sentiment (from Whimsy too) and added a few gems and white pearls to make the card more elegant.

Here is a close-up on the lovely horse. I stamped around the image with the swirl which was included in the set, and added a lot of glitter to it. Because of the flash, it doesn't really show, but it was very glittery in person.

The ribbon you can see under the image is one I picked up at Hobbycraft. I just love it, and I really like the way it makes the image pop out.

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Cool Ride, Whimsy Stamps Winter letter seals

Ink: SU Bashful Blue, Versafine black
Paper: SU Whisper White, SU Taken with Teal, Tradition Double-sided paper Falling Snow

Embellishments: SU Dazzling diamond, wired ribbon (from Hobbycraft), blue rhinestones and white pearls.

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:

All sorts #83: Anything goes

Corrosive Challenge #95: Non-traditional Christmas

Simon says stamps: silver, white and blue

Friday Freebies over at Catt's Scratching Post

Ten cards in 2 days #2

2010-12-19T11:44:00.004Z

For this card, I followed the sketch from LOTV. Once again, this is a clean and simple card which didn't take me long to create.
The cute lady is from LOTV. I coloured her with watercolour pencils and added a lot of glitter, to the snow, fur and around the image to add some depth.
The sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps, and the punch border is Martha Stewart's Doily lace.
I added some clear gems and a small bow to fill the blanks in the sketch.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
LOTV challenge 77: sketch by Dena

Stamps: LOTV All wrapped up, Whimsy Stamps Winter letter seals, Whimsy Stamps Cool ride (for the swirl)
Ink: SU Bashful Blue, Versafine black
Paper: SU BAshful Blue, SU Whisper White, Dovecrafts
Embellishments: SU dazzling diamong glitter, clear gems, ribbon, Martha Stewart Doily lace edge punch

Ten cards in 2 days #1

2010-12-18T21:48:00.010Z

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I decided to make a card for every teacher in my department, but hadn't realised that we were that many and that I wouldn't have a lot of time to make them. So I ended up making 10 cards over two days, working in the evening, as I was at school during the day.

I didn't have the opportunity to photograph them during day time, so I apologise for the poor quality of the pictures as it was 7 am when I took them, and needless to say, extremely dark.

Anyway, they were much better in reality and made a statement when I gave them to my colleagues.

For this one, I was inspired by the challenge over at Wild Orchid which is to use pink, white and silver.
I tried to keep my card simple so that the cute bear from LOTV and the flower (Hobbycraft) would pop out of the card.

Because the card looked bare, I added a ticket sentiment from Whimsy, and some gems and pearls as well as a light pink organza ribbon.

It was quite quick to make, and really girly-christmassy with a lot of glitter and Stickles added to the image (although it doesn't really show on the picture).

Stamps: LOTV Christmas Ted-Big star, Whimsy stamps Holiday ticket sentiment, Whimsy Cool ride (for the swirl around the image)
Paper: SU Whisper White, SU Pretty in Pink
Ink: SU Pretty in Pink, Versafine black
Embellishments: SU dazzling diamond glitter, Cotton Candy Stickles, pink gems and white pearls, Silver Poinsetta (Hobbycraft), pink organza ribbon.

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Wild Orchid challenge #13: a colour combo of pink, white and silver
Cupcake craft challenge #121: non-traditional Christmas
Cute card Thursday #143: One for the kids
Pollycraft monday challenge #74: white Christmas

Welcome Baby girl !!!

2010-11-25T19:39:00.009Z

One of the French teachers I work with at school is expecting a baby and she told us at the beginning of the week that it was a girl. So, because I am usually soooooo behind to make cards (and to send them as well), I decided to make one now so I will have plenty of time to finish the inside, have all the teachers to sign it, and maybe make a coordinating envelope.

I used Tina Wenke's Mouse in a Nutboat. I find the image gorgeous and it was a dream to colour (as all her images). As usual, I used my trustworthy watercolour pencils. I so love them. They are wonderful, however, you have to be careful to use a waterproof ink to stamp your image first. I use Versafine, an oil based ink which is permanent once heated. You have to heat it for quite a while with a heat gun though if you don't want it to smudge with the water. But I love it as it gives crisp and sharp details.

Here is a close-up on the image:

and on the sentiment. I stamped it with SU Pretty in Pink and then used the rock and roll technique to add the second shade of colour (SU Rose Red).

For the strip of paper behind the image, I used the shoes from SU Little One stamp set (which I find really cute) and I stamped them with Certainly Celery to match the rest of the card.

I made the flowers myself with the small and big flower stamps in SU Vintage Vogue set. Once again, I used the Rock and Roll technique and as for the sentiment, used Pretty in Pink and Rose Red. I just love this combination of colours.
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I am entering this card in the following challenges:

My grafico #76: Go girly

Charisma Cardz #47: One for the girls

Cute card Thursday #140: blast from the past (#133: make your own = flowers)

Daring cardmakers: We three (3 types of embellishments, 3 stamped images, 3 colours)
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Stamps: Tina Wenke, SU Little One, SU Vintage Vogue, SU Whimsical Words

Ink: Versafine, SU Pretty in Pink, SU Rose Red, SU Certainly Celery

Paper: SU Whisper White, SU Certainly Celery, Papermania

Embellishments: charm, 4mm white pearls, pink pearls (leftover from my wedding invitations)

Happy birthday Mum

2010-11-24T19:12:00.007Z

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Two weeks ago was my mum's birthday. I made this card using warm colours that she likes and for the first time, I tried on adding a floral arrangement on the card. I so love the way it turned out. I will have to try again (but need to buy some as these one where recycled ones: they were on a box of Belgian chocolates that I had brought back from France last year. At the time, I hadn't discovered stamping or cardmaking but I had fallen in love with them and could resign myself to put them in the bin. I am so glad now I didn't.)

Here is the rest of the card:
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Once again I used Tina Wenke's adorable Mouse with Sunflower. I love this cutie, and I think this is by far one of my favourite stamps. And it is so versatile as you can use it both for girly and male cards.
The papers are Websters' pages, and I distressed the edges with a swirl from Prima. The P in the box stands for Patricia (my mum's name), and is also from Prima. I thought it added a more personal touch to the card.
As usual, I coloured the image with watercolour pencils, but unfortunately the colours don't really show well on the picture.

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
A spoonful of sugar #131: anything goes
Cupcake inspiration #86

Happy wedding day

2010-11-22T18:24:00.004Z

A friend of mine at school got married during half-term, so I decided to make a card for this special occasion. I had asked him the colour theme, but I had the hardest time trying to combine the three colours (purple, white and gold). In the end, I decided on using only purple and white.
I used a cuttlebug folder to emboss SU Elegant Eggplant cardstock. I was rather happy with the result, especially as I don't have any embossing machine yet. (But Hubby is buying me one for christmas. I am so happy). For those interested in using a folder without the machine, you'd better be strong and patient. I put some water on the cardstock until it was damp and put it in the folder, then pressed firmly using a rolling pin. That was hard work, but it paid off.

To make the card more elegant, I used a satin ribbon, and I tied it using a tutorial I had found quite a long time ago on Splitcoatsstampers. To create the drapé effect (I am not sure if it's the correct word), I used a lot of glue dots. I took me ages, but I am pleased with the result.
The butterfly have been punched with a Martha Stewart punch.

Let me know what we think about it, as this is the first time I do such a card, without any stamping on.

You make me smile

2010-10-10T11:30:00.007+01:00

I saw a challenge over at Valentines' and it was to use Black, Yellow and Turquoise. I didn't have the time to do it at the time of the challenge, but thought I would give it a go anyway. Iwould never have put these colours together, but I love the way it turned out and I think it is perfect for a boy's card. I made this one for hubby and he said he loved it. He even insisted that it be on a shelf in our living room. How nice is that?!?

I used SU textured cardstock in Tempting Turquoise and Yoyo Yellow. The sweet image is from The Greeting Farm. I coloured it with watercolour pencils.
I added a border which I stamped with SU Forever Flowers wheel. I just love it.

The sentiment is from Rachelle Anne Miller. As I had just received my SU punches (which I wanted for a long long time), I had to try them. I just love how they make a card so elegant, and the sentiment is the perfect size for the punch. I just love it.

Here is a close-up on the sweet image.

Stamp: The Greeting Farm (Sweet Message), Stampavie Rachelle Anne Miller, SU Forever Flowers wheel

Cardstock: Black, SU Textured Tempting Turquoise, SU Yoyo Yellow

Ink: versafine black

Other: black rhinestones, SU large oval punch, SU scallop oval punch, watercolour pencils

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Pollycraft Monday challenge 64: Anyhting goes

Stamp something challenge: Something punchy

Thank you Sara

2010-10-10T09:37:00.008+01:00

I got married a few months ago and Sara sent me some lovely projects for this occasion. First is a mini scrapbook so I can put all my favourite photos from the big day in. How thoughtful is that. I just love it. She used the same colours I used for my invitation and my stationery. I think this is very elegant.

Here is a photo of the scrapbook once opened. This is just gorgeous.

If you want to know how she did it, and what are the supplies she used to create it, pop over to her blog here.
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And here is the card she made. It is absolutely gorgeous. Once again, she used our colours and I think it complements the album perfectly. The two punched birds are perfet for a wedding card, and she even embossed them with the swirls from Baroque motifs (which I used on my invitation). It is a perfect match.

Here are close-ups on the birds and the sentiment. If you want to see how she made this adorable card, follow the link here.

Thank you very much Sara. And I have some more of her projects to share with you . So keep an eye on the blog and pop over to hers as there are loads of amazing projects.

Cards in seed for grandma

2010-08-27T15:27:00.015+01:00

What an intringuing title you are going to say. There is nothing mysterious in fact. I bought some flower seeds to send to my grandma, so she can plant them in her lovely garden. I thought it would be nice to match the card with the flowers, so my inspiration was the pack of seeds. I made two cards:

For the first one, I used Fairy on tiptoes from LOTV, which I absolutely adore. (As you can see from my blogheader, I love fairies, and this is one is so cute). I coloured her using the colours of the flowers (Love in a mist). I chose a pink patterned paper which is gorgeous, but after thought, which doesn't really match. If I had to make this card again, I would choose some blue patterned paper which would be nicer I think, especially as I matted with Not Quite Navy cardstock. Anyway, what is done is done, and I am sure she will be pleased to receive this card.
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Here is a view of the inside, where you can see the pocket I created to fit the seed pack in.
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Stamps: LOTV Fairy on Tiptoes, SU Vintage Labels, SU Whimsical Words

Ink: Versafine, SU Red Rose

Paper: SU Whisper White, SU Not quite Navy, Prima Flight of Fancy

Other: SU dimensionals, white satin ribbon

I had a lot of trouble to find the inspiration to make the second one. At the beginning, I wanted to use orange and black and it looked way too Hallowe'eny (a celebration I know my grandma doesn't like), until yesterday when I received my Belles and Whistles' Hearty Thansgiving card. I immediately inked it up and coloured it with watercolour pencils. It really was fun, although it took me ages as it is very detailed. But the result was worth the effort. I decided not to use any DSP paper as I wanted the card to stay rather simple (the true reason being that I didn't have any DSP paper which matched the colours). But it love the result.

I stamped the background with the Very Vintage wheel using Chocolate Chip ink. The flowers have been made with the Vintage Vogue set. I stamped them on Pumpkin pie cardstock with Versamark and used the rolling technique to add the chocolate chip ink on the edges. I then added clear embossing powder and heated. I like the glossy look that it gives. I also added the leaves this time, which I stamped on Certainly Celery cardstock with versamark and embossed with clear EP. To balance the card, I added a bow with a ribbon which matches the Certainly Celery card. The sentiment is from a set called Sweet Message from the Greeting Farm.
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Here you can see the inside, with the pocket (stamped with Very Vintage wheel). The sentiment

is from Rachelle Anne Miller.

Stamps: Belles and Whistles Hearty Thanksgiving, SU Very Vintage wheel, SU Vintage Vogue, The Greeting Farm, Rachelle Anne Miller sentiments 2

Ink: Versafine, Versamark, SU Chocolate Chip

Paper: Brown cardstock, SU Pumpkin Pie, SU Certainly Celery, SU Whisper White

Other: SU Clear EP, SU Dimensionals, glue dots, pale green ribbon, black flatback gem, orange marker (for faux stiching)

Wedding stationery

2010-08-16T21:47:00.005+01:00

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As some of you already know, I got married two months ago, and I realised I hadn't uploaded the stationery I made for the big day. You can see the menu card I created.
While I was going to begin my project, I found out I didn't have enough brown card (to match the invitations), and so I had to find another alternative. The paper is much darker, but it did the trick.
I stamped the card with SU En Français (which I had used for the invitations) and SU Bella Toile (which I had used on the Save the Date cards), inked with versamark and then embossed it with SU Clear EP. I then popped the menu tag with dimensionals. I just love the way it turned out, and it was very quick to make as well (it had to be as I had planned to do it the week before, but was called for interviews on short notice and spent the whole week before the wedding in London. I had only the day before the wedding to create the menu, place cards and menu setting). That was hectic, but worth the effort.

I will post another message later to show you the rest of the stationery.

I am going to enter it in this week's Papertake weekly challenge: Something new, something old, something borrowed, something blue.

Little fairy Thank you card

2010-08-16T16:26:00.011+01:00

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Here is a card I made to thank our property shop when we moved out. They have been so helpful in the last two years that we wanted to thank them for their kindness.
I inked my new and very much loved Fairy on Tiptoe from Lili of the Valley. I just love this image. I coloured it with watercolour pencils and added some glam with SU Dazzling Diamonds on her wings and dress. I just loved the way it turned out, and it was actually hard to part with this card as I love it so much.
The papers are from Papermania, and it was easy to coordinate as the dark shade of purple is the exact colour of SU Perfect Plum.
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Here are photos of the inside, with a pocket into which I put a bookmark. The sentiment under the fairy (which you can't really see on the pic) reads "You raise kindness to an art" and is from the SU Vintage Vogue set which I love.
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Below is a zoom on the front sentiment (unknown brand). I stamped it with SU Lavender Lace, and then rolled my snail glue to cover the paper. I then added SU Dazzling diamonds glitter. I was really sparkly.
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Stamps: LOTV Fairy on Tiptoe, SU Vintage Vogue (on the bookmark), SU Whimsical Words (inside)
Ink: Versafine Black, SU Lavender Lace, SU Regal Rose (used to sponge the edges)
Paper: Papermania, SU Perfect Plum, SU Whisper White, SU Lavender Lace, SU Almost Amethyst
Other: SU Dazzling Diamonds, pink gems, ribbon from stash

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew: Let's get cute and girlie

Crafty Creations challenge 80: Winged things

Flutter by Wednesday #117: Fairy

Penny's paper crafty challenge 35: Anything goes

The character's cafe #28: Bright Sparkle card

Stamp something: Fairy tale something

Secret Crafter #96: What are little girls made of

Wild orchid challenge 3: One for the girls

Amy's 1000 sheets of paper candy

2010-08-13T18:05:00.004+01:00

Can you believe that?

Amy is giving away a thousand 6*6 sheets of paper (plus some great stamps) as a candy.

If you want to have a chance to win (and also admire her lovely creations), pop onto her blog here.

Colour challenge

2010-07-26T20:28:00.012+01:00

After 3 weeks of absence, I am finally back. No, I was not on holiday, unfortunately. I just moved house, down to Kent, and it took that much time to be connected to the internet. At last, I can catch up with my posts, and when I look at all the nice blogs out there, it seems like I have not visited you for ages as there are hundreds and hundreds of new projects.

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Today, I am sharing a birthday card I made for my husband's step-mum. I used Thomas the cat from Lilyofthevalley, which as usual, I coloured with watercolour pencils. For the colours, I was inspired by the challenge over at Colour create. Here is the image, isn't it cute?
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And here is my card:
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The papers are from Papermania, I just love the hot pinks. As usual, the flowers have been stamped and cut. However, this time I stamped them with Versamark dazzle frost and clear embossed. We can't really see it on the picture, but they are very sparkly and shiny. I think they are very elegant and would be perfect on a wedding card.
Here you can see the inside with a little pocket in which I put the cute bookmark.
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Stamp: LOTV Thomas-Birthday Cake, SU Vintage Lables (the sentiment on the front), SU Whimsical Words (the sentiment inside)

Ink: SU Pretty in Pink, SU Chocolate Chip, Versafine Black, Versamark Dazzle Frost

Paper: Papermania, SU Whisper White, SU Pretty in Pink, Chocolate.

Other: SU Clear EP, pearls, dimensionals, ribbon.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Project Tuesday: Paper Flowers

Papertake Weekly: Cutie Patootie

Stampavie and More #102: Anything goes

Colour Create #49: Warm pinks, chocolate and white

Stamp something: Something flowery

Create4fun challenge week 30: use flowers

Ooh la la creations #59: Birthdays

The crazy challenge: All about birthdays

Sending Donkey smiles

2010-07-26T20:04:00.006+01:00

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Aspoonfulofsugarchallengeblog's DT Michelle had a tragic accident and her friends are organising a card drive in her honor. Here is the card I made and am going to send her. It doesn't have a donkey on it, but I hope this cute little mouse will cheer her up. Here is the link where you can find find all the details as well as her home address if you want to send her some lovely cards.
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Stamp: Stampavie Tina Wenke Mouse with Sunflower, SU Vintage Vogue (for the flowers), SU Touch of Nature (for the butterfly)

Ink: Versamark, SU Chocolate Chip, SU Bashful Blue

Paper: SU Certainly Celery, Papermania

Other: SU Black EP, SU Dazzling Diamond, gems, watercolour pencils.

Nature card

2010-06-27T22:52:00.009+01:00

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Here is a card I made some 2 months ago, while I had a fun craft afternoon with a friend. I used her stamp set from Stampin'up which is called Touch of Nature and only that to create this card I will use as a Birthday card for my father in law. I inked the leaf with Certainly Celery and the butterfly and bird with Chocolate Chip.
I also sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip and raised the focal image with dimensionals.
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This is a very simple card to make and is great for beginners as it only requires minimum supplies.
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Stamp: SU Touch of Nature
Ink: SU Certainly Celery, SU Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: SU Whisper White, SU Certainly Celery, SU Chocolate Chip
Other: SU dimensionals

A Very Girly Card

2010-06-02T17:21:00.012+01:00

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I have created this card about a month ago, but simply did not have time until now to post it.

I wanted to try the technique of masking. So I stamped Sugar Nellie's cute image called Winter Wonderland with versamark and clear embossed it. I then created a mask and stamped SU En Français background with Chocolate Chip ink. I then sponged from inside outward with Regal Rose. I loved the way it turned out and I wanted to mat it on Chocolate Chip cardstock but realised that I had run out of it (I will need to order some more).

I thus made up my mind on using purple. The first layer is Perfect Plum, then Pretty in Pink, and the nice lacelike paper is from Papermania.

For the flowers, I had used the flower stamp from the Vintage Vogue set (which I LOVE) which I stamped in Almost Amethyst and Perfect Plum. I added a pink rhinestones and mounted the flowers on dimensionals.

The butterfly in the top left hand-side corner (stamped with Perfect Plum) is from SU Touch of Nature stamp set. I don't actually own that set but I borrowed it from a friend.

Stamp: Sugar Nellie Winter Wonderland, SU En Français, SU Vintage Vogue, SU Touch of Nature

Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Almost Amethyst, Perfect Plum

Paper: SU Perfect Plum, SU Pretty in Pink, SU Whisper White, Papermania Designer Paper

Other: Clear EP, dimensionals, rhinestones.

The border has been punched with a MS punch, but I don't own it, it was a gift from Tracy at Dies to die for.

Hidden Message

2010-05-01T17:17:00.012+01:00

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Dalis from Pile it On sent me that cute image (among others) and I had to colour it straight away as it is so sweet. I decided that this card will be for my mum's birthday as she loves tortoises and tulips.

I followed the sketch from Truly Scrumptious, and the twist was to add a hidden message. On the right picture, you can see the tag. It reads "You're never more than a thought away", and it is perfect as although I don't have the opportunity to see her much, she is always in my thoughts.

I made the background with the It's beautiful SU jumbo wheel, stamped in Chocolate Chip ink. The sentiment is also stamped in Chocolate Chip and I added some flourishes in Apricot Appeal. I sponged the edges of every piece of paper.

The flower have been made with the Vintage Vogue stamps, inked with Barely Banana and Apricot Appeal. I coloured the centre of the flower with an orange pencil and added some dazzling diamonds glitter.

I am entering the card in the following challenges:

Pile it on #16: Make it sweet (sweet image and sentiment)

Pollycraft challenge #41: Make your own flowers

Sisterhood of scrap challenge Monday: Flowers

Crazychallenge: Buttons, Brads and Eyelets

Practical Scrappers: Buttons

Papertake weekly: Do something different (first time with flowers and buttons)

A spoon full of sugar #101: 3D (the flowers are raised with dimensionals)
Belli challenge #90: Birthday card

Crafty creations challenge #65: Make your own paper (I stamped the backgroung on the first layer)

Creative Inspirations #58: Easel card

Truly Scrumptious #31: Hidden message + sketch

Charisma cardz #17: Girly creations (girly card with flowers)

Cute card Thursday #109: Make your own (flowers and background paper)

Dutch Dare #76: Easel card + theme: repeat something (paper, flowers, stamping)

Hand full of stamps #26: Look what I got (new wheel, new buttons, new image)

Daring cardmakers: Easel does it

Aly's sunday challenge #16: Animal Hugs

All Sorts challenge week 50: Animals
Die Cut Dreams challenge 45: Make your own flowers

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Stamps: SU Vintage Vogue, SU Whimsical Words, SU It's beautiful jumbo wheel
Image: Unknown digital stamp
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, SU Barely Banana, SU Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: SU Creamy Caramel, K&CO Que sera sera in Bloom, SU Whisper White
Other: watercolouring pencils, green buttons, SU Dazzling Dimaonds glitter, dimensionals

My very own flowers

2010-05-01T17:08:00.003+01:00

I have seen so many blogs with so nice flowers, that I had to have some as well. But instead of buying them, I decided to make my very own, using one of my favourite SU stamp set: Vintage Vogue. It has taken me quite some time, but it was worth it. I used all the colours from the Soft Subtles stampin' spots. They are the perfect size for small stamps such as these ones and I love them.

Happy Mother's day

2010-04-25T20:01:00.007+01:00

I hope you all spent a nice week end and that you enjoyed the sunny weather.

It will soon be mother's day in France, although I need to check the date as I am forgetful of that sort of things. I thought it would be nice to make a nice card for my mum, with a special treat added to it: 2 bookmarks, one long embellished with a flower (from SU Vintage Vogue), and one the size of a playcard for everyday use, as she is always short on bookmarks.

I made a diagonal double pocket card which opens to include an insert inside. The tutorial can be found here. The cute image is from Stampavie and I coloured it with watercolour pencils.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Paper Cutz challenge #38: Mother's day

Stampin' for the weekend: Getting to know you better (I used the Sarah Kay image which I absolutely love as it reminds me of a poster which has been hanging since I am a little girl in my grandparents' house.

Just us Girls #30: Template challenge

Stamps: SU Vintage Vogue, Stampavie Sarah Kay Puppy Love

Paper: Papermania Double sided designer paper Brown Ornate Clusters, SU Whisper White, SU Perfect Plum, SU Pale Plum

Ink: SU Perfect Plum, SU Pale Plum

Other: Pale pink pearl

Box it up!

2010-04-18T13:06:00.008+01:00

I was very busy this week and didn't have time to craft. But yesterday, I had some free time to play with my new Stampin'up goodies: some ink pads and stampin' spots and the Vintage stamps which I LOVE.

I decided to make a small box and some matching cards in different pastel colours. I used the Vintage Vogue stamp set and the Very Vintage wheel which I inked in chocolate chip and I sponged the edges with it (with a Q-Tip because I don't have any sponge). The lighter shade of brown is the result of a second generation stamping.

The butterfly on the box is a detail from the Very Vintage wheel.

I love the way it turned out, and the cards are so easy and quick to make!! The Friends focus is raised with dimensionals.

I am entering this set in the following challenges:

Pile it on #14: Say it with words

Double Dutch: Box it up!

Penny's paper crafty challenge: anything goes

Hand full of stamps #24: You're special to me

Stamp something: Something layered

Sundays with Crissy #1: Make a combo

Stamp: SU Vintage Vogue, SU Very Vintage jumbo wheel

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Chocoate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana.

Other: dimensionals

Masculine Gift Set

2010-04-07T13:29:00.014+01:00

Today was my fiancé's birthday, so I decided to make him a small gift set using his fav colour: green.I used one of the DP I was keeping for a special occasion (as I just love it), and what more perfect that my H2B's birthday?

I made my first easel card, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to make. I found the tutorial on Splitcoaststampers. The easel card is the challenge this week at Pile it On, and the sketch is from Sketch Saturday.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Pile It On, challenge #13: Easel Card

Sketch Saturday, challenge #97: Terry's DT week

The Pink Elephant, challenge #61: Nature

Pollycraft, challenge #38: Anything Goes

Crafty Ann's, challenge #11: For Someone Special

The Secret Crafter, Saturday challenge #77: How does your garden grow?

A Spoon Full of Sugar, challenge #98: One for the boys

Flutter by Wednesday, challenge #104: Sparkle and Butterfly

Stampavie and more, challenge #89: Green

Creative Inspirations, challenge #55: Green, Brown and Blue
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Stamps: SU Whimsical Words, Stampavie Tina Wenke Mouse with Sunflower

Paper: SU Sage Shadow, SU Certainly Celery, SU Whisper White, My Mind's Eye Designer Paper Bloom & Grow "Grow" Checking Out

Ink: Versamark

Other: SU Black EP, SU Clear EP, Watercolour pencils, SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter

I added a diaper fold pouch (my first one as well) and this was also fun to make. The tutorial cal also be found on Splitcoaststampers. This is a great website for everything crafty.
I also added a bookmark, following the same sea theme (Vincent's fav). I used inexpensive 3D embellishments I bought a month ago. They are very convenient for quick projects.

I am entering the pouch in the following challenges:

Flourishes Timeless, Tuesday challenge #61: Bought it, Use it

Project Tuesday, Diaper Fold Pouch

A Spoon Full of Sugar, challenge 98: One for the Boys
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Paper: SU Sage Shadow,My Mind's Eye Designer Paper Bloom & Grow "Grow" Checking Out

Other: 3D embellishments

A liitle spring mouse

2010-04-03T19:54:00.011+01:00

Today was Sara's (my SU demonstrator) open house and I made a card to thank her for the event.

It was very fun. I learned many techniques and could see some of the fav cards and projects she created. This was a very good source of inspiration. And I also received a free stamp which is gorgeous. Thanks Sara.

For the card, I used my fav stamp of the moment: Bella Toile which I stamped on the cardstock with versamark and clear embossed. The little cutie is Mouse in a Teacup from Tina Wenke. I love all these gorgeous images and they are a dream to colour.

I am entering this card into various challenges:

Pile it on challenge #12: Animal-Riffic

Little Red Wagon #22: Rolling into Spring

Charisma Cardz Challenges #13: Animal Magic

Meljen's designs dt blog challenge #1: Anything Goes

S2G challenges: #50 April Fool and a Twist, Anything Goes

Fun with shapes and more challenge #47: Flowers and Script

Stampin' for the weekend challenge #36: Ribbons and Bows

PapertakeWeekly challenge: It's fill your boots time, free challenge

Stamps: SU Bella Toile, Stampavie Tina Wenke Mouse in a Teacup

Paper: SU Pumpkin Pie, SU Summer Sun, SU Barely Banana, K&CO designer paper

Ink: Versamark

Other: SU Black ep, watercolour pencils, brown satin ribbon

My First Bookmark

2010-03-26T11:03:00.007Z

Another project for this week. Yes, I am on holiday, so I finally have time to stamp, glue, paint and emboss. I am so happy!!!

So here is my first bookmark. Well, I say "my" only because I made it myself but the moment it was finished, someone (you will never guess who) said he wanted it. The person I am refering to is my fiancé. I told him it was maybe too girly for him, and that if he wanted a bookmark I could make one a bit more masculine, but he insisted on having this one. I am not complaining because I think this is nice that he likes what I create. And it will give me an excuse to make another one for me, and to put my mess all over the kitchen table once more. LOL

Anyway, I took the idea of making this bookmark from the A Spoonful of sugar challenge. I first stamped the lovely Stampavie Sarah Kay stamp called Puppy Love on SU white cardstock with versamark. I then embossed it in black and coloured it using my watercolour pencils. This is really an inexpensive way to colour all your lovely images. I then cut out the image.

Because this is a bookmark, it shouldn't be too thick and so I decided on using only 1 paper (a doubled sided one so I could add the lovely pocket at the bottom). I stamped the swirl from SU Baroque Motifs on the brown side and I heat embossed it in gold. I really love that stamp set, it is very versatile, and I need to use it more often because it makes very quick and easy elegant cards. I also used it to create the flowers border on the pocket.

The ribbon or cord (I don't really know how to call it) is my recycled item for the challenge at Inky Impressions. Indeed, I recently bought a gorgeous duvet set and it was tied with that cord. It has the name of the brand all over it (which is "country diary" and I realised that I could use it if I reversed it. While I was making my project, I realised I could also take advantage of the brand and keep only the DIARY word to add on my ribbon. It thought it was perfect for a bookmark. Besides, it complements the little key in the puppy's mouth.

I will enter this bookmark into 2 challenges:
A spoonful of sugar challenge #96: Bookmark this http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/
Inky Impressions Challenge #32 Recycle it
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/

After the suggestion from Dalis at Pile it On, I will also be entering the bookmark in their challenge # 11: Furry Friends http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/

Stamps: SU Baroque Motifs, Stampavie Sarah Kay Puppy Love
Paper: Papermania Double sided designer paper Brown Ornate Clusters
Ink: Versamark
Other: SU Gold EP, SU Clear EP, SU Black EP, recycled ribbon

Baby Boy card 2/2

2010-03-24T18:51:00.008Z

Here is the second baby card I made. After finishing the first one, I thought it would be a good idea to add a stamped image from Stampavie as I just received a bunch of them next week and didn't have the opportunity to use them yet.
As before, the SU stamps are Bella Toile and Whimsical Words, embossed respectively in clear and in white EP.
The gorgeous little bear is from Stampavie, designed by Penny Johnson and it is called Bird and Bear. Isn't it cute? I coloured it using watercolour pencils, and as I don't have any black ink, I stamped it in versamark and embossed it in black. Very convenient technique as it prevents the colours from running everywhere.
The flower on the sentiment is one from the Bella Toile stamp which I die cut.

As for the previous card, I am going to enter that one in different challenges (some are the same as before, I hope it is allowed to do so).
Die Cut Dreams challenge #40: New Beginnings http://diecutdreams.blogspot.com/
My time to craft challenge #84: Make it Manly http://www.mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Pile it On challenge #11: Furry Friends http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Stamp with us: Male card http://stampwithus.blogspot.com/

Stamps: SU Bella Toile, SU Whimsical Words, Stampavie Penny Johnson Bird and Bear
Paper: SU Not Quite Navy, SU Bashful Blue, SU Whisper White, Buble Blue Sweet Stripes designer paper
Ink: Versamark
Other: SU White EP, SU Clear EP, SU Black EP, watercolour pencils, blue rhinestones

Baby Boy card 1/2

2010-03-24T18:13:00.012Z

For the first time, I made a card for a challenge and not for someone in particular. I first came with that idea of using blue and white for a baby boy. I stamped SU Bella Toile with versamark (because I don't have any other ink apart from a brown one) and I clear embossed. I thought the sentiment from SU Whimsical Words would suit perfectly the occasion. I love the way it turned out, clean and simple.

I will enter this card into several challenges:

Stamp with us: Male cards http://stampwithus.blogspot.com/

Die Cut Dreams #40: New Beginnings http://diecutdreams.blogspot.com/

My time to craft challenge #84: Make it manly

http://www.mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Stamps: SU Bella Toile, SU Whimsical Words

Paper: SU Not Quite Navy, SU Bashful Blue, SU Whisper White, Buble Blue Sweet Stripes designer paper

Ink: Versamark

Other: SU White EP, SU Clear EP, blue rhinestones

A Thank You Card

2010-03-08T21:20:00.002Z

Tomorrow is my birthday, and a friend of mine already gave me my present (although I cannot open it yet, oh how difficult it is to resist curiosity to peek in the pack). Anyway, I thought it would be nice of me to make a card for her, using spring colours: pink and green.
Just like for the birthday card, I used the frame from the Vintage Labels set and the sentiment is from Whimsical Words. LOVE these sets.

Stamps: Vintage Labels, Whimsical Words
Paper: SU Old Olive, SU Pretty in Pink, K&CO Brenda Walton Madeline Painted Roses, SU Whisper White (inside)
Ink: Versamark
Other: White embossing powder

A Save the Date card

2010-03-08T20:18:00.001Z

Here is a Save the Date card I created to match my wedding invitations. (I know we usually do the cards before the invitations but I needed only 6 of them for colleagues). This time I used the SU Bella Toile background stamp (I love this stamp, I am definitely going to use it again and again), and I changed the embellishment but the colours are still the same: chocolate and pink.

The embossed image was very difficult to photograph, mainly because of the sun there was today. But I am not going to complain about it, it is nice to have a sunny day for a change. I hope it will be spring again very soon, I want to see trees in bloom and colourful flowers in parks.

Masculine Birthday Card

2010-03-07T14:28:00.002Z

Next week is my h2b's cousin's 20th birthday. Her mother asked everybody to do or write something for him so she could create an album. I thought it would be nice to send him a card, using colours all boys like: blue and brown.

I was inspired by a card my SU demonstrator sent me (thanks Sara). For the sentiment, I used the frame from Vintage Labels and then stacked them. However, I didn't know I was going to emboss them and I cut them out of the paper immediately after applying the ink. As you can see, I spread the ink all over the cardstock and when I went to emboss it, the result was not extremely clean. But I am learning. I did not make the same mistake for the piece of designer paper (from K&Co). The tricky part was to put the versamark only on the upper part and then the bottom part of the Happy Birthday stamp as it is really tiny.

Inside, I put a piece of white cardstock and I added the birthday sentiment from Whimsical Words which I embossed in gold.

Stamps: Vintage Labels, Whimsical Words (inside)

Paper: SU Not Quite Navy, SU Close to Cacao, SU Whisper White (inside), K&Co Blue Awning Flowers and Butterflies.

Ink: Versamark

Other: SU Gold embossing powder

Grandma's birthday card

2010-03-06T12:05:00.002Z

Sunday was my grandma's 82nd birthday. For that special occasion, I decided to stamp a card using her favourite colours: pink and mauve and including her passion for flowers with SU Bella Toile background stamp.

I embossed it with black ep and then painted it using watercolour pencils. Inside, I used the sentiment from SU Whimsical Words (which I embossed in black) as it perfectly fits the occasion.

Stamp: SU Bella Toile, SU Whimsical Words
Cardstock: SU Pretty in Pink, SU Pale Plum, SU W White

Ink: Versamark

Other: SU Black ep, watercolour pencils

My first time

2010-02-28T19:46:00.002Z

Hi Everyone,

I am new at stamping. I discovered it a couple of months ago, while I was designing my wedding invitations. And I have to admit: I LOVE it.
So here is the invitation I designed.

I stamped SU En Français background stamp with Versamark and then stamped the swirl from SU Baroque Motifs over it. I clear embossed the card all at once. I also added some pale pink pearls to make the invitation more elegant.
I created a pocket inside to put the insert and I stamped it with SU Baroque Border.
Although we cannot really see it, the colours are very close to SU Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink.

I love the way it turned out.

Let me know what you think about it.