A little bit of Christmas

I'm starting to think about Christmas cards - never too early, but if I don't start making them soon I'll be sending out shop bought ones and we can't have that!

This is one that is inspired by a card I saw on SplitCoastStampers some time back - it uses one of my favourite sets - Pocket Sillhouettes - and in a clever twist (cleverness courtesy of the talented lady on SCS, and if I can find a link to her card I will add it) it is turned into a Christmas card by stamping in Christmassy colours around in a circle to form a Wreath - I've used Old Olive, Garden Green, Real Red and Gold Embossing Powder. I've added a punched out circle, covered in our brand new red glitter (available in the new catalogue - due out 1st October), it's not really showing up in the photo but it's beautiful stuff, very intense colour, and a bit of Real Red 1/4" Gross Grain ribbon. The sentiment is from Basic Phrases and is embossed in White. The cardstock is Whisper White, Real Red and Chocolate Chip. I don't think this is quite how I want it yet but it's a good start!

Sticking with the boy theme....

This card only uses one stamp - from Circle of Friendship - the rest is paper cutting. The background is Bashful Blue ink sponged onto white cardstock and the water is a sizzix die with Dazzling Diamonds. The boat was inspired by a card my lovely upline Maggie did at Field Training) I used the 1 3/8th" circle punch for the boat and the white gel pen to add a little detail. I cut triangles for the sails the sun is made using another punch (non Stampin' Up) but I think it'd work even better with the scalloped circle punch, punched once, then stuck to a scrap of paper, place the punch over turn slightly and punch again - giving you a lovely sun burst. My 3 year old son loves this card too!

Err - okay, need to try a little harder....

It is very clear that this blogging malarky doesn't come naturally to me so I'm going to have to force myself to do better!

Over the next few days I'll post some pictures of cards that I have made in the last few months (I've made loads but I've only photographed a few).

Choo Choo - I love this set - and so does my 3 year old son! This one is made using Bashful Blue cardstock and ink, Whisper White Cardstock, blue gingham ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds and dimensionals to pop up the train. The sentiments are from Nursery Necessities. All Stampin' Up!

Masculine Cards

I was recently asked by my Mum's friend to make some cards - but for a 12 year old boy - aaargh, that's such a difficult age! and I'm always at a complete loss when it comes to masculine cards - so I set myself a challenge, to make a bunch of them to get over my "phobia". Here are a few I made recently, I'm not sure if they would suit a 12 year old but I'm pretty pleased with them as suitable for men. I hope you like them.

I've got a new toy...

A Photo Cube Light Box - and I think it makes taking pictures of my cards a heck of a lot easier, and I think the cards look so much better than in my previous efforts! I still need to practice (and iron the back cloth) but for a first attempt I'm pretty pleased!

New Baby Card

Happy news in the Conway family today - my Brother in Law's lovely wife gave birth to a beautiful baby boy at 7.55 this morning - weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 5oz, both Mum and Son (no name yet) are doing well. Here's the card that I made to celebrate his safe arrival.

Recipe:

Stamps - Nursery Necessities

Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Whisper White (cardbase non SU)

Ink - Bashful Blue

Ribbon - Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Another Special Offer for March!

Starter Kit Promotion - from 12th to 25th March get 10% off the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Starter Kit - usually £139 - reduced to £125!

Contact me if you are interested in signing up as a Demonstrator and get over £240 worth of lovely Stampin' Up! goodies for just £139 vickiconway@tesco.net

Get On Board with Chipboard!

For the month of March Stampin' Up! is offering 25% off any assortment of chipboard - see pages 78 and 94 of the current Idea Book & Catalogue.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just a quick post to show you the Valentine Card I made for DH.

I used Night of Navy cardstock for the base and then the hearts are stamped using the Simply Said stamp set onto Whisper White and Brocade Blue, the ink is Brocade Blue. The sentiment is from Seasonal Wishes and is stamped in Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. I was trying for something that wasn't too girly and I think this works nicely. I got the idea for the pile of hearts from the Loads of Love stamp set.
Hope you enjoy
Vicki

Oops - haven't got the hang of this yet, have I?

Well - despite my best intentions I haven't posted again since starting this blog thing! I'm fully intending to make amends and am busy working on lots of cards that I will get photographed in the next couple of days and post on here. I'm also going to be starting a Stampers 10 with a very special bonus for all members - so check back here in a few days for details of how to sign up and what the bonus will be!

That's all for now folks!

Vicki