Goodbye Farewell class update

As we had a lovely shiny new catalogue launch on the 1st October, it meant that we had to say Goodbye and Farewell to some of the stamp sets and products from the previous catalogue.

To make the most of some of the stamps we were saying goodbye to I held a class using some of my favourite products that were retiring.

The cute deer is from the Forest Friends set and the sentiment is from the retired Hostess set Afterthoughts. The lighter pink background is created using the Bella Toile background stamp stamped in Perfect Plum onto Pretty in Pink cardstock.We all used the 'kissing' technique to create a 3D flower with the Bella Toile pattern on it. This was attached using a rhinestone brad.

Although some of these items are now retired there are plenty more gorgeous items that have been introduced in the new catalogue. If you would like to have a browse, just click on the button in the left hand column to view the new catalogue online. Alternatively, you can request a hard copy from me here for just £4 including p&p.

A huge thank you to my lovely Hostess, Bee, who helped me out by holding the class at her house because the Village Hall was double booked. We all had a great time and I would love to see you at the next class!

Cards galore

I was lucky enough to get a few hours yesterday to make cards. With two friends recently giving birth, a 2nd birthday and Father's Day, it was crafting time I desperately needed!

I'll give details of the new baby cards in this post and show the others in another post so that it doesn't become too long.

This was my first attempt at a recessed window card and I'm really pleased how it ended up. I've used River Rock textured card and Blushing Bride card, together with Blushing Bride patterned Designer Series Paper.

The sentiment is from a retired SU! set which I've cut out using the Decorative Label punch. The flowers are made using the Flower Accent stamp, which I've inked up with Versamark and then 'kissed' with the tree from the Hopeful Thoughts stamp set. Using Versamark meant that I was left with a clear image to cut out, without affecting the colour of the cardstock too much. The baby's name was made using the ever useful Just Perfect Alphabet set and cut out using the 3/4" circle punch.

For the second card I used the Sweet Treat cup and Something Sweet stamp set (a fab combo!).

It's a little hard to see but there are 3 layers to this card and I've added texture with some paper piercing.

The rattle contains lots of little hearts which you can shake around and I've added a sweet little bow to the handle.

I'll be back soon with the other cards from my Craftathon ;)

Tri-shutter treat

I was recently inspired by Sarah Moore's beautiful Tri-shutter card and decided to have a go at one myself.

I used the En Francais background stamp to create a vintage look and enhanced it by adding Cajun Craze ink to the edges of the More Mustard panels with a dry cloth.

The leaves and sentiment are from the Hopeful Thoughts stamp set. I've added interest to the sentiment panel by using the Eyelet Border punch on the top and bottom edges.

Taking centre stage is the wonderful 2-Step Bird punch, which punches out the bird shape, a wing and the branch in one step - a great time saver!

The 2-Step Bird has been used again on the central panel, this time stamped with En Francais in Cajun Craze again.

The flowers on the final panel are made using the 'kissing technique', where I have applied the leaves stamp to the Flower Accent stamp. The petals were curled slightly and the flower centres are made from 1/2" circles of cardstock, which I've scrunched up and unfolded then applied Bravo Burgundy ink to tie them into the colour of the main card background. An eyelet border edge adds the final touch.