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.