SA Mothers Day

You are never quite sure if you "get it right" when people ask you to make a card. I guess it depends how they visualise it in their head and how you interpret it in yours. So, I was apprehensive when I was asked to make some Mother's Day cards to go out to South Africa. Taking on board the information about the recipient and who is giving the card I created this. This card is for a grand daughter to give to her Grandma on Mother's Day and with that in mind I knew it had to be a bit contemporary with a twist of tradition. I hope the lady likes it? Items used were-Rebekka Erickson pinstripe cardstock, Burgandy Bazill and organza ribbon, Hero Arts stamp-potted plant, Adirondack cranberry ink, Rhinestone ribbon buckle and shimmer gems. To all of you Mum's out there-Happy Mother's Day! x

Big Boy..

It's hard enough making cards for men as it is, but making a saucy card for one of my dearest men friends is tricky. Tricky in that Alan loves "sauce" in its highest levels and over the years he has received some hot n saucy ones from me. Its always important to remember that the cards you create for your recipient will be on show for all to see including their loved ones. This year I have struggled to come up with an idea, until this. I started by drawing a sketch of the finished design and then using scrap paper made templates of how this would all work together until I was completely happy, this cut down on my waste-when designing I usually waste about 4 times the amount than on the finished article. So this is most definately a way forward for me. All of this card is cut completely by hand-no punches or dies were used in the making of this card. So here is what I used-skin is using pink Bazzill, the "bottom" is made using 4 different circles and shading in the lower half using copic skintone pens to give the bottom shadow and depth. The pants are deep red card stock stamped in black ink using Tanda background set(I used the lace one). Stockings are black card stock stamped in versa mark with SU canvas stamp and embosssed with clear embossing powder to give the impression of stockings/hold ups. AMM black stitched ribbon make the bows to complete the sexy feel. The "tattoo" Big Boy was using simply sweet rub ons, the mini handcuffs are from Claire's accessories. All of this is matted onto deep red and then black cardstock for that strong sexy look. The majority of my cardstock is 300 gsm, so to balance the front I have cut a black back panel for the inside and with the insert as well it balances beautifully. I'm sure this "Big Boy" is going to love this card, just one problem...what am I going to make him next year? Any ideas? x

Texland love

I was really privileged to be asked to create an engagement card for two people who had found love across the pond. The lady from Texas and the gentleman from England, hence the Texland Love title. The brief was to have a UK and American theme, this did get my brain into gear and here is my final design. Cardstock is of course from Payper box, the primitive hearts cut from the Woodware punch. The star was made using Stampin UP mini star punch and the Congratulations was from the SU congrats stamp set using SU Bashful blue ink. The embossed text was from using a cuttlebug folder. Finishing touches were using decorative pins and a gem, oh, and of course my trademark stitching, this is also on the insert too. I really love that these hearts are created from using their flags, its just so personal. I hope the recipients will be as pleased to receive this card as I was to make it. Until next time.x

Stamping on...

When you have stash for a long time its sometimes difficult to be inspired, so, taking a look at it with fresh eyes I have designed this Birthday card for Rebecca. I usually shy away from lots of patterns and bold colours but here I have used two patterned papers and have printed over the top of these too using Fancy Pants stamps-Bella Blush and In the Garden.

It is very difficult to see in the photo but I have embossed a transparency using the swirls cuttlebug folder and have torn this and stitched this to the background papers. The focal point is the green shimmer scallop cut from a Sizzix Bigz die as well as the white linen circle. Both of these have been inked around the edges using Stampin Up Bordering Blue stamp pad. I stamped the flower several times and built it up to look 3D, I attached the petals using a blue pearl brad. Finishing touches were the shimmer gems, SU ribbon and the tiny tag sentiment. Having made this card, I am definately going to be printing on top of patterns more, it adds so much more interest to the background and really makes the focal point "pop" out more. x

Retro card

Well, as you can see, I am still designing men's retro cards. This time I am going for the retro camper van(you might be seeing alot of this van in other items and designs in future blogs). The colourways I will be using is the browns, blues and oranges. The background I have stamped(I can't remember which stamp, sorry), the camper van has been watercoloured. The badge is from claires accessories and I have changed the colour using Tim Holtz alcohol inks-gold and rust. The tickets are stamps of Tim Holtz, all cardstock has been distressed and inked. Ribbon is from Stampin Up! Chocolate brads and the wax seal complete this card. I'm loving the wax seals, its difficult to tell from this photo but it says Official-accept no other. Now while I'm loving the wax seals on the guys range my daughter is hating it. I just think it adds to the authenticity of original artwork-when did you last see a wax seal on any cards or artwork? In the museum? Let's revive the wax seal on our artwork! Happy crafting.x

A bit manly..

It has been a while since I have blogged, I have not been twidling my thumbs, just creating items for the home. Here is another project I have been working on, it is to capture a masculine essence, something that is quite tricky. I hope it will appeal to the male market? The frame was painted brown and gold and crackle has been added to give it an aged feel. The dark brown border is cardstock that has been stitched and brown brads added to give the illusion of leather. The pale background has been stamped and stitched using the canvas stamp from Stampin Up. The key and textured backgrounds are Tim Holtz texture fade embossing folders and inked; the leather keyhole was cut from a Tim Holtz die. The Enjoy is from the alphabet London from Go Kreate. The car stamp is from Dimension Fourth, the metal embossed keys are a texture plate from Ten Second Studio. The gold wax seal at the bottom is embossed with the largest time piece stamp from Stampin Up. Journey was cut from a Sizzix alphabet to make it look like a number plate. Now, while I really like this, I feel I can do better, do you ever feel that way about things you create? I think I would like to create something that is more feminine now by way of contrast. It's not bad for a first attempt! What do you think?