To Wonderful You

Hi friends! I've been a little quiet this week huh? I've been stamping less than usual - I'm putting that down to Jackson teething and good books - I'm tired and have been spending lots of time reading! Next week will be busy busy though with lots of new goodies to share!

I'm playing along with the new AEI♥U Challenge today, the theme is birthday.

This one uses lots of  i {heart} papers goodies! 

I've used three stamp sets by Avery Elle, Cupcakes, Handwritten Notes and Circle It (the small confetti image). The Pinked Die set is also from Avery Elle, I re-cut the layer to make it smaller. 

The paper is my new fave, Fresh Cut by Basic Grey. The ink is Memento Luxe Espresso Truffle. I've also used some pretty gold sequins.

Here's a peek at the inside...

There are LOTS of new goodies in store at IHP - here's a link to the new category, I've just placed a big order so I'll have new things to share soon!

Is Anyone Gnome?

Hi friends! I have a fun card with a bit of an interactive element to share today. Last week I had an idea for the Gnome Sweet Gnome set from SugarPea Designs. I had time to work on it over the weekend and I love how cute it is!

I stamped the Gnome door and coloured with copics. I added some shading with pastel pencil - inspired by Jenny (she is the master of this kind of shading!) The sentiment is popped up and I added a stick pin to the seam binding bow.

But wait...there's more...

The door opens to reveal these cuties inside! I trimmed around the door frame with a fingertip knife, making sure to leave the hinges intact. A mini brad makes a doorknob to help open the door. Cute right? 

Did you know this door was designed to also work with the One Big Hoppy Family set? The little bunnies are perfect for stamping behind the door! 

Here's the inside of my card...

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Stamps: Gnome Sweet Gnome (SugarPea Designs) Paper: Fact (Basic Grey) Ink: Brick Red (MFT)  Memento Black, Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger) Dies: Rounded Banner, Blueprints 5 (MFT) Other: Seambinding Ribbon (Verve) Stickpin (Paper Vine) Copics, Pearls, Mini Brads

A Valentine Themed Non Valentine!

Hi friends! It's Sunday night here in NZ, and as usual, the weekend went WAY too fast! Jackson has started playing soccer on Saturday mornings - it's super cute to see the under twos running around together! They don't actually play, but practice drills and scoring goals. 

Retro Sketches had this gorgeous tag layout today...I'm on a tag making kick at the moment.

Here's my tag/gift...

I used some of the elements from the sketch behind the tag - I'm a bit of a rebel like that! I know this looks like a Valentine, but I just can't give up those amazing Reverse Confetti goodies yet. So this is a Valentine themed, non Valentine gifty for a crafty friend! Love should be shared all year, right?

I used Whole Lotta Hearts for the heart stamping, Crushin' for the sentiment and of course I had to use the Tag Me Confetti Cuts and Arrow Die.

The washi tape, doily and heart confetti were in a pack I was lucky enough to win from Paper Vine. I also purchased the glassine envelope there.

Thanks for stopping by!

 Stamps: Crushin', Whole Lotta Hearts (Reverse Confetti) Ink: Angel Pink, Espresso Truffle (Memento Luxe) Brilliance Red Dies: Confetti Cuts: Tag Me, Arrow Die (Reverse Confetti) Other: Washi, Heart Confetti, Doily, Silver Cord

Lil' Inker - Groovy Quilt!

Hello! I'm popping in again this morning with another card for the current Curtain Call challenge!

I could not wait to ink up my Lil' Inker goodies again!! I even cut into this Dear Lizzy paper that I've been hoarding!

I sponged the Stitched Mats: Circles panel with Spun Sugar Distress Ink, stamping the sentiment from Shiny Happy Sentiments in Golden Glitz Delicata ink. I've used the Stitched Mats: Rectangles for the stitched edge around the card. I've also used the Fanfare Scalloped Border Die (how amazing is this die?!) cut from navy cardstock.

Washi tape, a flick of smooch spritz in gold and some enamel dots finish off the card. The layout is Deconstructed Sketch 139.

Here's a peek inside...

The little hugs and kisses inside are from the Love Things set.

Head on over to Curtain Call, browse the amazing design team cards being showcased today and play along to be in to win some Lil' Inker moohlah for yourself!

For YOU

Hi friends! It's my turn to host the Viva la Verve sketch this week, and it's inspiration week so I got to choose a yummy photo to kick start your mojo!

 Don't you love that black and emerald with the pops of gold and hot pink?! Here's my card...

I used the FABULOUS Great Friend for my huge focal flower. This set is super popular and currently sold out - I recommend grabbing it as soon as it comes back in stock, these large florals are amazing! I cut my card base skinny (3.5") so I could overhang the flower a little. I used enamel paint to accent the stamen.

The Pennant Trim die and Heart Quartet were cut from glitter cardstock. The sentiment was stamped on a Banner Bundle die cut piece. I snipped the sentiment apart so I could change the layout - do you ever do this to your stamps? A few years ago the thought would have horrified me but now I do it quite regularly.

Here's a peek inside...

You could win $100 to spend in the Verve store, just by playing along with the Viva la Verve challenges! You don't have to complete all the sketches to win, but the more you play, the more chances you have to win this amazing prize. Please stop by the Viva la Verve blog for all the details and to see some amazing Diva creations!

Stamps: Great Friend (Verve Stamps) Paper: Random (Crate Paper) Ink: Brilliance Black, Wild Wasabi (SU)  Dies: A Cut Above Dies: Banner Bundle, Heart Quartet, Pennant Trim (Verve Stamps) Other: Sequins, Enamel Paint, Twine, Enamel Dots, Glitter Cardstock

Trendy Birthday Pocket Tag Card

Hello! TGIF! 

Before I share my card...I've starting sharing a little more on Instagram! Sneak peeks at what I'm working on and random things from my studio. I love it if you'd follow me so I can follow you back!

I'm popping in with a sweet card for the current Wplus9 Trend Watch challenge, and it's also Catered Crop Recipe Swap time - this round, we're celebrating with Birthday cards!

I love lots of the current trends...and might have used just a few on my pocket tag card today! Metallics, diagonals, sequins and enamel dots - these are the things that make this crafty girl happy!

I shopped at i {heart} papers for my supplies today! 

The pocket card was created with the Blueprints 9 dies. 

The stamps are Wplus9  - Fresh Cut Florals, More Fresh Cuts, Basic Banners with matching die and Strictly Sentiments 1. I've used lots of Hero Arts inks. 

The paper is Studio Calico Atlantic Collection, and I've also used white enamel dots and gold sequins. 

You'll find many more goodies in store, head on over, take a peek at what's new and say hi from me! i {heart} papers is on Instagram now too! 

I stamped some florals directly and popped others up on the matching dies. The banner was inked and stamped with two colors for a subtle gradient look. 

I love this sentiment!

I used one of the flower centers as a little element stamped randomly in gold. 

Stamps: Fresh Cut Florals, More Fresh Cuts, Basic Banners, Strictly Sentiments 1 (Wplus9) Paper: Atlantic Collection (Studio Calico) Ink: Hero Arts Shadow Inks, Golden Glitz Delicata Dies: Blueprints 9 (MFT) Basic Banners Dies, Fresh Cut Florals (Spellbinders) Other: Enamel Dots, Sequins, Ribbon (Verve)

Reverse Confetti Wednesday in the Works...

Psssst....wanna know a secret? 

I'm over on the Reverse Confetti Blog today sharing two tricks using my beloved Arrow Die that might just make you super happy!

If you're so inclined, please come on over and let me know what you think!

Hare's To You

Hi friends! Today sees the launch of the second SugarPea Designs challenge, play along and you could win some moohlah to spend on the sweetest stamps around! You'll find all the info on the SugarPea Blog.

Once again we're having an Anything Goes challenge - so just get those stamps inky and play along!

One Big Hoppy Family is perfect for masculine but still cute cards!

I stamped and coloured the little bunny, trimming in under his arm so I could have him jumping up over the fence! I sponged in some clouds and used a picket fence distress marker to fluff up the edges of the clouds a little so they looked less uniform.

I kept the layout nice and simple, focusing everything on the window. I'm playing along with the CAS-olgy jump challenge! 

Head on over to the SugarPea Blog to see the gorgeousness my fellow peas have come up with, you're going to be blown away!

  

Stamps: One Big Hoppy Family (SugarPea Designs) Paper: Fact (Basic Grey) Ink: Memento Dies: Picket Fence, Grassy Edges, Blueprints 4 (MFT) Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker) Other: Copics, Enamel Dots