Thinking of spring!

 

Made this quick birthday card with my new embossing folder "Garden Harmony" from Altenew and my new die set "Arched Leaf and Flower Blooms" from Simon Says. Really pleased with the result as the leaves from the die are very similar in shape to the embossing.

Just added the gold embossed sentiment and the pearls.

I am adding this card to the challenges at the SSS Flickr group and the LOVE Flickr group.

Have a great week

Hugs

Sally

New Crafty Bits!

Before Christmas I was lucky enough to win a Simon Says Gift card and this new "Arched Leaf and Flower Bloom"  die flew into my basket!  I love how versatile it is. 

For my first card with it I decided to cut in gold purple and lime. I also die cut a square background and embossed with Altenew's "Garden Harmony" folder.

Just added some pearls to the flowers and a stamped and embossed in gold "Happy Birthday".

 I am adding this card to the current Flickr challenge at  Simon Says "Anything Goes" and the "Flowers" challenge at Die Cut Divas!  

Wishing all my followers a Happy and Healthy New Year!!

Hugs

Sally

Flower Vase Card!

I had a second go at the flower vase card after following Jennifer McGuires technique video here. 

I found some more flower dies that I got years ago from Sizzix and Cuttlebug and cut loads of bright coloured flowers, colouring some and adding pearls for sparkle.  The box for the base I made up myself.

I am thrilled with this second effort, its so pretty and a perfect card for my SIL's Grandma's birthday.

 I am adding this card to the SSS Wednesday Challenge "Use dies or punches"

Looking forward to half term next week as at last my family can come and stay for a while, Its been 8 long months and I can't wait to have them stay.  Looks like the weather might cheer up at last too.

Enjoy your week

Hugs

Sally

Tropical Flower!

Its been a very dull couple of days here in Dorset so needed some colour in my life!! I found this older Hero Arts set "Layering Hibiscus and knew I had to ink it up again.  For the background I used I used Picked Raspberry, Squeezed Lemonade and Cracked Pistachio Oxide inks and a corner embossing folder from Crafters Companion.

I then stamped the flowers and leaves using similar colours and die cut. 

 I layered all up onto a Simon Says Square  cut and added the computer generated sentiment.

I will add this card to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "A Bit of Green " and the Love handmade cards Flickr Group "Anything Goes" Challenge.

Hugs

Sally

Flower Cluster Die

While the Simon Says  Flower cluster die was on my desk I wanted to make another card for the SSS Flickr Challenge "Do it with Dies"  I had a panel already distressed with a rainbow of Oxide inks so I decided to make a paper pieced image.  I cut the die in white and then in the rainbow coloured card.  

I then adhered the white image to my card base and then glued in the individual pieces of the coloured version.  This was extremely fiddly and I was beginning to wonder if it was worth the effort, but I persisted and am really pleased piece. I then cut the "Hello" in the remaining piece of distressed card and added to to my card front with some sequins. Next I layered up onto the green card before adding it to my card base.

 I shall also add this card to the LOVE Flickr group challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "Beautiful Blossoms"

We are now off for a long countryside walk in the sunshine,  its cold but sunny ,long may it last lol.

Hugs

Sally

Hellebores!

I am trying to practice my water colouring skills and after seeing this amazing card over at the very talented Debby's blog I was inspired.  My water colour palette is very small and only has limited colours so I used my Zig markers,  brushing them onto my acrylic block and using water and a paint brush.

I stamped with Frayed Burlap Distress ink onto water colouring paper and painted using Debby's flower as a guide for shadows.  I then fussy cut adding another flower from a Altenew set and layered up onto some patterned paper.

I then added a gold die cut sentiment from Simon Says.

Definitely more practice needed but it was fun and very therapeutic.

I shall add this card to the current Simon Says Flickr challenge "Anything Goes" and their Instagram challenge "Birthdays".

Hugs
Sally

In the Pink!!

Another card for the current SSS Flickr Challenge "Stencil it",   I was inspired by this pretty card by Rosali  realizing that I could use my "Falling Snow" stencil on any card!! I love the effect it has created.  I stamped and embossed in silver the Cosmos Flower background and coloured with Zig Markers.  I then added a few leaves from Altenew's "Beautiful Day Stamp set. I then distressed the edge of my card and used the stencil to create the dots.  Fussy cut the image to fit the corner of my card. and cut the whole thing with SSS Stitched Square Die.

Had fun with this one and it proves that this stencil can be so versatile!

Also adding this card to the LOVE homemade cards Flickr Challenge,  

Hope you have a creative and relaxing weekend.

Hugs
Sally

Bright summer sun!!

I had fun making this bright shaker card, using the "Cosmos Flower" stamp from Simon Says and zig brush markers.  It was difficult to photograph and capture the brightness of the flowers as the acetate kept reflecting.

Pleased with the end result though a perfect summer Thank You card for my daughter to give out.  She is a teacher and gives out lots of cards at the end of term.

I shall add this to the  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the SSS Flickr Challenge #101.

The weather is still glorious here we have had over a month of beautiful sun and no rain,  the garden really needs the water but I am loving this weather!!

Hugs
Sally

CAS Birthday!!

I am trying to stretch my stamps and dies at the moment and came up with this CAS card using Simon Says "Spring Flowers" stamp set.  I stamped and embossed in silver the largest flower  three times and some leaves and then coloured with Zig Markers and fussy cut the images.  I then layered up the three flowers to create a larger flower adding some pearls for sparkle. Layered onto my base card with the Memory Box  "Tessatina" die.  The sentiment is by Hero Arts.

I shall add this card to the Love handmade cards Flickr Group challenge and the Simon Says Flickr Group challenge.

I shall also add this to the Die Cut Divas Challenge "April Showers brings May Flowers"
Thanks for the heads up Arlene!

Looking forward to a long weekend here and the weather forecast is sunny and warm Yeah!!!  Hope is good where you are,

Hugs
Sally

Cosmos Flowers!

I have been practising my water colouring using the "Cosmos Flower Background" stamp from Simon Says and my Zig Markers.  I love the bright colours the Zigs produce so pretty.  I coloured then cut out a portion of the stamp image and then layered up on pop dots to give more dimension.  The background base is the "Wonky Rectangle" die from Simon Says and the leaves are from the "Beautiful Day" stamp set from Altenew.

Adding this to both the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "Anything Goes" and the SSS Flickr group challenge "Flowers"

Have a great weekend!
Hugs
Sally

Flowery Fun

The spring flowers are at last coming out and I was inspired to make a flowery card,  I used the Simon Says "Artful Flowers" stamping and embossing in silver then colouring with Zig Markers, definitely my favourite medium! After fussy cutting all the flowers I layered them up on some card embossed with a tree bark die.

Just added a few jems for sparkle and then added the sentiment, a bright cheerful card for a bright day !!

Adding this card to both the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge and also the Simon Says Flickr group challenge.

Hugs
Sally

More Snow and Spring Flowers!!

As I write this post this is what's happening in my garden, after a week of spring like temperatures we have been plunged back into winter with this snow storm!! It looks so pretty out there but I am wishing for Spring and all the lovely Spring flowers!!

I have been playing with my new "Modern Flowers Card Wrap " die from Simon Says and decided to cut two and place on my card base to from a circle.  I then stamped and embossed in gold Some SSS "Artful Flowers" and watercolour in yellow to look like the primroses that were just flowering in the woods near here. I layered these along the die cut join then added pearls and sentiment.  They make me smile even though we are snowed in!!

Adding this card to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "Easter Inspired" and the SSS Flickr Group Challenge "Springtime/Easter"

Hope the weather is better where you are.

Hugs
Sally

Pink Cosmos !

Its raining today so I have had more time to play with my new stamp from Simon Says the "Cosmos Background".  This time I have stamped with Distress ink onto Bristol Paper and then with my paintbrush just dragged the colour into the flowers.  Added a die cut sentiment, then decided against any bling, hard but I don't think the image needed it!  Love this new flower stamp I can see lots of possibilities with it.  Watch this space as they say lol!!

I shall add this card to this weeks Simon Says Wednesday challenge "Girl Power" and also the SSS Flickr group challenge "Cut it out"

Hugs
Sally

I have a new stamp!

Its a lovely spring like day here and I want to get out in the garden but I have just received the "Cosmos Background" stamp in the post from Simon Says Stamp and I had to ink it up.  So I made this really simple card by stamping and embossing the image in white on some Kraft card and die cut with the SSS "Stitched Square Die". Love this pretty stamp and it is stunning without any colour although I can't wait to give it a try in pink!!

Just added my die cut and stamped sentiment tied with thread and a few sparkles and hey presto!!

I will add this card to the Wednesday challenge at Simon Says "Girl Power" and also the Simon Says Flickr group challenge "Cut it out".

Now to get out in the garden, its hard to believe that this time last week we were in the midst of a snow storm!

Hugs

Sally

Spring Birthday.

Just a quick post today as its a lovely Spring like day and I want to get in the garden.

I am in the colouring mood and had fun with my Zig Brush Markers and the "Artful Flowers" stamps from Simon Says.  After adding the flowers direct to the base card I then coloured more and cut them out to layer up on foam to create dimension.  Then added the gold embossed "Happy" die cut onto vellum.  The die cut base is also by Simon Says.

I am adding this card to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge  "Add a Die Cut"  and also the SSS Flickr Group Challenge "Anything Goes".

Hugs
Sally

Stretching myself!!

I have been inspired by some cards on  Sharon's Pinterest page, she does some amazing colouring with Zig Brush Markers and I wanted to have a go at her style.  This is my finished card and I am not sure if I have over worked it but I am pleased for a first try.  Need lots more practice!!

The stamp is Tim Holtz Flower Garden and the rectangle die is from Simon Says, I cut the vertical Birthday image with my Silhouette. There are a few layers here so I am adding this to the current challenge at the Simon Says Wednesday Blog.

Its another wet and dreary day here so colouring flowers helps to brighten my mood !!

Hope you are having better weather.

Hugs
Sally

Thinking of Summer!!

This cute "Artful Flower" stamp from Simon Says reminds me of the Clematis I have in the garden, such a pretty flower that's why I chose this colour combination for my card.  I am still trying to take part in Kathy's 30 Day colouring challenge and this is my card for Day 9.  Used the flowers I watercoloured yesterday and added them to the card after stamping some leaves and flowers from the Altenew "Beautiful Day" stamp set.


I am adding this card to the current Simon Says Wednesday Challenge and their Flickr Group Challenge.

This card makes me think of Summer and it seems a long way off at the moment, the weather here is dull wet and very dreary.  Hope you are having better weather!!!

Hugs
Sally

Impressionism!!

I have decided to take part in the 30- Day Colouring Challenge organised by Kathy at The Daily Marker Blog.  I am not a great colourer but wanted to play along as much as I can.

Here is my first card and its a water colour, but as I am not great at using water colours I decided to take the Impressionistic approach and just splash on the colour with lots of water not worrying too much about the lines.  I am pleased with the end result, bright and cheerful on a grey day!!

For this card I stamped and embossed in white onto water colour paper using the Artful Flowers from Simon Says.  I then just roughly coloured with Zig markers and lots of water. The sentiment is die cut and I have attached it to some Vellum. Then just added a few sequins for added sparkle.

I am going to add this card to the current Simon Says Flickr group challenge "Water Colouring".

Hugs
Sally

Another New Stamp Set!

I have just received the Artful Flowers stamp set from Simon Says in the post and wanted to have a play.  With the current challenge at Simon Says Wednesday Blog being "Patterned Paper "I decided to paper piece the flowers for my card.  Used an old BasicGrey pad and stamped and fussy cut all my flowers.  Added pink Nuvo drops to the flower centers and then layered them up on a frame made with Simon Says "Stitched Square" dies, I have certainly got a lot of use from these dies, definitely my favourite.

Lots of dimension with the flowers.

Have a great weekend,
Hugs
Sally

Dreaming of Spring!

The weather here has been dull and dreary and I am dreaming of Spring, so decided to dust of this stamp set from Simon Says called "Spring Flowers".  First I cut two squares using the Stitched Square dies from Simon Says.  Then I stamped lots of flowers and leaves on the smaller square embossing in white.  I then roughly watercoloured with Zig Markers, I wanted it to be a bit abstract rather than stick to the lines. This is just a small 4 x 4 card but small can be beautiful!!

The Happy die is also Simon Says.

I am adding this to the current Simon Says  Flickr Group challenge "Watercoloured".

Hugs
Sally