We Love Stamping June Reminder

Today is the 18th so time for a reminder for the current challenge over at We Love Stamping. The challenge where we love to see you using your stamps. 

Pinky has chosen our theme this month:

** Close to Nature**

OR

**Anything Goes**

I have been enjoying using my Faber-Castell Polychromos coloured pencils recently, so here is another of my efforts. The stamp is called celebration bouquet by Chocolate Baroque. It was stamped in versafine clare green oasis ink and coloured. When I was happy with the look I cut it using an oval die and then matted it onto a dark brown oval mat. The sentiment is from a press plate set by Pinkfresh studio called always smiling. It was foiled of course.

I embossed the background with a basket weave folder and mounted it onto a white 7x5 cardbase.  A few shiny gold gems finished it off.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month it is a very large stamp by Tom Holtz called Glorious Bouquet from Buddly Crafts. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 2nd July

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I am also sharing this at:

The Flower Challenge #103 - Embossing heat or dry

Darnell's I.D.E.A.S. challenge - Week 3 embossing wet or dry

Try it on Tuesday - in the garden

To reward you for reaching the end of my post, here are a couple of photos of my rambling roses. They grow along the length the fence on both sides of the garden and smell wonderful. These photos were taken on the 11th June and now they are past their best and it is raining white petals, but I have made a point of sitting and enjoying them this year, before I need to start pruning again to keep them under control.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

May Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Today is 2nd of the month so time for the Card Chain Challenge big reveal. This month 22 card makers took part and I sent my card to Barbara in Switzerland.

From all the options I used the themes of chicken and friendship. I thought it was high time that this chicken stamp by Woodware saw the light of day. As it is quite a large stamp, I decided to make a 7x5 card and started by stamping and heat embossing the image with chocolate caramel pearl Wow embossing powder.

As the chicken is so detailed I decided to keep the background simple, so I masked the chicken and blended some blue ink to give some background interest. The chicken was then coloured with sparkle pens.

The sentiment came with the chicken. I stamped and heat embossed it, die cut it and blended a little of the blue ink over the die cut. I also stamped and heat embossed the chickens claw so that it wasn't hidden behind. Love those little details!

You can get a slightly better idea of the shine from the embossing and sparkle pens on the above picture. Thankfully, this card made it's was to Switzerland in good time.

I was very lucky to receive this gorgeous card from Robyn in Australia. Thanks Robyn.

If you would like to take part in the next card chain challenge, you have until 6th to sign up here

As promise yesterday here are a couple of different views of my garden:

Here are some of my succulent pots

The Californian Poppies are enjoying the sunshine

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping June Challenge

Today is the first Sunday of the month so time for a new challenge over at We Love Stamping. Where we love to see you showcase your stamping.

Our theme this month is:

** Close to Nature**

OR

**Anything Goes**

My first card this month features a stamp by Chocolate Baroque from the set called Lords and Ladies.

I started by masking off a strip on my cardbase (hot pressed watercolour paper) and used watercolour to create the soft background. I then stamped the image and used watercolour to colour the flowers. The sentiment is also by Chocolate Baroque (amazing Mackintosh words). I finished it off with 3 little black gems and was quite pleased with how it turned out.

I hope you like it too.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month it is a very large stamp by Tom Holtz called Glorious Bouquet from Buddly Crafts. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 2nd July

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I am also sharing this at:

Addicted to CAS #284 - Floral

I have been asked to share some pictures of my garden. I have been enjoying the roses at the moment, both in my garden and on my morning walks. These pictures are from my garden.

This is called Rosa Glauca. I think it is so pretty

My rambling roses are just coming into flower. They are the white ones. These roses cover both fences for almost their whole length. They are flowering quite early this year. 

I will be back tomorrow with the May card chain challenge reveal and will share two more photos.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping May Reminder

Today is the 18th so time for a reminder for the current challenge over at We Love Stamping. The challenge where we love to see you using your stamps. 

I was away for a few days last week, so have got a bit behind with my blog visits. I hope to get back to normal soon and catch up with what I have missed.

Pinky has chosen our theme this month:

**Four legged friends**

OR

**Anything Goes**

I bought this decorative frames press plate and matching die by Pinkfresh Studio with some of my birthday money. I just love all that detail and, of course, the first thing I did was foil it, several times. Once I saw how beautifully it turned out I wondered what to do that wouldn't cover it all up. I went through my stamps and as I needed another card for this four legged friends challenge, I looked for suitable stamps and came across a stamp set that must be one of the first I owned. I have no packaging for it so have no idea of the brand. The little rabbit fitted perfectly along with a sentiment from Uniko. I stamped and fussy cut the rabbit, coloured it with alcohol markers and cut 2 more to stack it. I coloured all the edges with black marker and then clear heat embossed over the whole thing. I did several layers so it is very glossy and quite sturdy. 

I was pleased with how it fitted in the centre. Before gluing it down I just added some grey to act as ground for the rabbit. I have used glossy alcohol ink paper for the foiled panel and with the clear heat embossing the finished card has a lovely shine. You can see it a little bit on the picture below.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month the prizes are from Lavinia Stamps. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 30th April.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

As usual when I have something new or do something I like, I made two more:

This time the frame plate was pressed and the little mouse stamp is from a Penny Black set called critter delights that I received as a gift some time ago. The central panel is heat embossed as before. I decided that the mouse with his tail and whiskers would be too difficult to fussy cut.

This is actually the one I made first. The frame plate has been foiled and the teddy (from the same set as the rabbit) was stamped, coloured, fussy cut and then clear heat embossed. I have decided that these would make good cards for children, which I am pleased about as I don't like making childrens cards. Now I have 3 ready to go.

And finally - a couple of pictures of a fantastic wisteria that I pass on my morning walk. I note that the house is for sale too. I might consider buying it just for the wisteria!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping May Challenge

Today is the first Sunday of the month so time for a new challenge over at We Love Stamping. Where we love to see you showcase your stamping.

Pinky has chosen our theme this month:

**Four legged friends**

OR

**Anything Goes**

I find making cards for my grandchildren's birthdays a real challenge, but when this stamp (Penny Black 4237K Let's Party) arrived in a package from the wonderful and very generous Mia, I knew what I would make for my youngest granddaughter this year. I stamped it in versafine onyx black and then coloured it with my Zig real brush water colour pens. As I never know where to start with colours, I just followed the colours on the illustration. The panel was cut with a Lisa Horton die and the happy birthday and today were stamped and clear heat embossed. The numbers were die cut (I don't have any small number stamps) using clear packing tape to give a similar shine. I was pleased with how this turned out. You can't actually tell that the numbers are die cut and not stamped and heat embossed.

I stamped the insert and coloured a few selected elements with gelly roll sparkle pens.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month the prizes are from Lavinia Stamps. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 28th May.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I am also sharing this at:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - May, anything goes

The other day I shared some pictures of my trip to Wisley. Today I have been a bit closer to home and have enjoyed the spectacular display of bluebells at Sutton Hoo.

The pictures don't really do them justice, but trust me they were stunning and it was a beautiful warm sunny day. It is a great place for a walk.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

April Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Today is 2nd of the month so time for the Card Chain Challenge big reveal. This month 32 card makers took part and I sent my card to Greta in Oregon.

I used the sketch, the product fabric and the theme of friendship

When I saw the option to use fabric this month I got out my stash/hoard of Liberty print tana lawn fabric. I just love this stuff, but it has been very neglected recently. After much humming and harring I settled on this pretty purple and pink piece. After ironing it, I attached it to a piece of thin card with bondaweb and then cut it with a scallop edged die. The strip across the middle is a scrap of off white hammered card. I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment which is from the Uniko simply said sentiment set. I use these such a lot, they have been one of my best buys.

The die cut flower is by Pinkfresh Studio. I cut it in white and pale blue and cut a circle from dark blue card slightly larger. The light blue was inlaid and the dark blue shows through. Looking at it now I can see that I missed a pice of light blue that should have been added between the stems at the base - never mind, but there is always something! I mounted the fabric panel on a light blue and then a white mat before mounting onto a dark blue card base. I was quite pleased with it and enjoyed using the fabric - must get it out again soon.

I was very lucky to receive this gorgeous card from Carol in UK.

If you would like to take part in the next card chain challenge, you have until 6th to sign up here

Before I go, I just thought I would share a few photos of my visit to RHS Wisley last week. It is one of my favourite places and luckily my brother lives nearby. It was quite a cool day with lots of cloud, but it was still wonderful. The camassia was the star, but there was still lots of blossom, lilac, tulips, wisteria, azalea and camellia to enjoy. What's not to love?

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping April Reminder

Welcome, it is the 18th so time for our April reminder post over at We Love Stamping. If you love stamping too, I hope you will join us, if you haven't already - you can enter up to 3 times.

Cathy has chosen our theme this month. It is Cathy's last month as part of our DT so I hope you get a chance to go and visit her:

**Favourite Stamps/Add Ribbon Or Lace**

OR

**Anything Goes**

I have 2 cards to share today, both use the same stamp set (Woodware clear magic singles 'mini blooms') and same design, but I think they look quite different.

I started by taking some hot pressed (smooth) water colour paper and cutting my tag. The flower (Woodware clear magic singles mini blooms) was stamped and clear heat embossed before I used brusho paints for the background. I cut a second tag and inked it with the same ink as the flower. The little piece of ribbon holds them together. I took a coloured card base and covered it with this cover die by Simon Hurley for Spellbinders. It is an A2 die and my card base is metric A6, hence the gaps top and bottom. I used to be really picky about such things and would only use A2 sized cards with A2 dies, but this time I didn't mind. I think it was because I thought the colour of my card base was such a good match. The sentiment (wreath turnabout stamp set by Concord & 9th) was stamped and heat embossed onto a scrap of the same water colour paper and I finished with the green enamel dots.

For some reason, I found myself making a second card. the flower stamp is from the same Woodware set and the sentiment is from pen sketched flowers set by Altenew. The background die is from Memory Box.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month it is a collection of stamps from Fairy Hugs. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 30th April.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I have really been enjoying the spring blossom round my way over the last couple of weeks, so I thought I would share a photo of this cherry tree, which is thriving in the local cemetery. I think the blossom has been particularly good this year. I hope you are getting to enjoy it too.

I am also sharing card 2 at:

Stamping Sensations April Challenge - Birds, animals flowers and nature

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

We Love Stamping April Challenge

Today is the first Sunday of the month so time for a new challenge over at We Love Stamping. Where we love to see you showcase your stamping. I am so pleased that April is here so we are now properly into spring, don't you just love it?

Cathy has chosen our theme this month. It is Cathy's last month as part of our DT so I hope you get a chance to go and visit her:

**Favourite Stamps/Add Ribbon Or Lace**

OR

**Anything Goes** 

This is a background stamp by MFT called bundle of blossoms that I have had for a very long time. I got it out with the intension of using brusho paints to colour it, but once I had gold heat embossed it, I didn't want to add much else as I thought it looked great. I therefore trimmed the panel and heat embossed the mat and sentiment with the same embossing powder. I found this lovely daisy ribbon in my stash to add the colour and the card was done. The insert and the envelope were stamped using Delicata gold pigment ink. I love this ink, it gives a wonderful shine and dries quickly unlike other pigment or metallic inks. 

You can see the shine from the embossing a little better on this picture.

Don't forget there is always a prize to be won and this month it is a collection of stamps from Fairy Hugs. Why don't you head over to the challenge blog to check it out? The prize winner is selected randomly and in addition the DT will choose a top three for special mention.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this month, all you have to do is ensure stamping (including digi) is seen somewhere on your card front, it no longer needs to be the main focus. Please also mention the products used. It would be great if you could join in with our theme, but anythings goes is always an option if you are out of ideas. The challenge will close at noon (UK time) on Wednesday 30th April

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Cass Art smooth water colour paper

Ink: Delicata golden glitz pigment ink; Versamark

Stamps: MFT Bundle of Blossoms background stamp; Concord & 9th Triple Step Blooming Heart Stamp Set (sentiment)

Other: Wow metallic gold rich superfine embossing powder

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it.