It's Springtime!

Just kidding!  Wishful thinking I guess, but actually it's the name of the paper range from Echo Park that I have used on these cards.  I bought a couple of sheets in the sale about a month ago, and I just love the fresh colours.  I teamed it with some hot pink card stock and used my new Martha Stewart butterfly punch to make some powder blue glittery embellishments.

I hope you are all having a happy Saturday.  I am.  Edward is back from his skiing trip all in one piece, having had an excellent time.  He talked non-stop for the first hour and a half!  Chloe gave him a rapturous welcome by pinning him to the floor and giving his face a thorough licking!  She missed him too.

My February parcel of Stampin' Up goodies arrived this morning and I have had a little play this afternoon.  The Sale-a-bration products are amazing.  I really like the Fresh Vintage stamps, and the Everyday Enchantment papers are simply beautiful.

Thanks for dropping by.  Your comments are always much appreciated.

Michelle x

From the Heart

Here is the card I made for Mark for Valentine's Day (bit late to share, but never mind!).

I made the card blank from a sheet of Kraft card, it's a 14cm square.  I used my new Nestabilities to punch out the hearts.  Then I cut a square of red glitter paper slightly small than the card and stuck it behind the cut outs.  Finally I stamped the sentiment (from a set by Marion Emberson) and drew in the stitching effect.  Simple but effective.

Hope you are having a good day.  My boy is back from his skiing trip tomorrow morning, and I am champing at the bit to see him.  It's been a long week with no contact at all and I miss his cuddles.  No doubt he will be shattered from an 18 hour coach trip from Italy, but I am sure the lure of his Xbox will keep him awake!

Thanks for dropping by.  Take care.

Michelle x

Catch-up

Hi folks!  Thanks for dropping by.  Am I glad it's half term, last week was complete madness!  I am so looking forward to a calm, quiet week.

Thank goodness the snow is starting to disappear,  It just looks horrible and dirty now.  I have to say that all the ice made me spend last week worrying that Edward would slip over and break something before we got him safely off on his skiing trip.  I know that sounds neurotic, but it's just the sort of thing that would happen.  Anyway, I am pleased to report that he did get off safely on Friday afternoon, and I have heard from another parent, that they arrived safely.  Edward didn't take is phone, so it's going to be really difficult for me having no contact with him.

Emily and I had a great night out on Saturday at the O2 Arena, watching Snow Patrol.  It was absolutely fantastic and it did my heart good to see Emily having such a good time.  Emily and I are huge Snow Patrol fans, and they are a great live band.

Yesterday I went to the Stamperama show in Stevenage with my mum.  I wasn't intending to go but the lure of a craft show was too strong!  I paid a little visit to the Craftwork Cards stand to see what was new (may have made a little purchase or two!).  I was fairly restrained at the show and we only stayed for a couple of hours.  I did buy a set of heart Nestabilites, as well as a couple of stamps from Little Claire's, and some scrapbooking paper for Emily's book - see, not too extreme!

I'm waiting for my February Stampin' Up order to arrive, it's so exciting!  I've already planned for March - I am well and truly hooked.  Also looking forward to my Sale-a-bration goodies coming.

Anyway, I did manage to make a few cards last weekend.  They are all from the Secret Garden Project of the Month kit from Craftwork Cards.  As I said before, the colours are so soft and subtle, with just a hint of sparkle, gorgeous.

Well, I'm off to make Mark a Valentines card (nothing like leaving it until the last minute!). Have a good day.

Michelle x x

Snow Fun

My babies having fun in the snow yesterday!  Emily was there too and had a go on Edward's sledge, only I'm not allowed to post any photos of her.  Trust me, she had a great time too.

It's lovely to see Chloe having such a great time.  She can be quite a timid dog at times and is very wary of new experiences - especially those that involve her getting cold and wet!  But she LOVED the snow so much.

Take care in this weather. Thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Secret Garden

Morning!  Hope all is well with you.  I am home from work today as both my children have the dreaded lurgy.  Mark has been suffering since before last weekend, so it is not too surprising that others have succumbed.  I'm waiting for my turn (probably just as half term starts!).

I've spent the morning doing jobs like sewing name labels in Edward's skiing clothes in readiness for his school trip next Friday.  I've also washed them all now, and have sorted through some old clothes to put out in a charity bag tomorrow.  I think this afternoon we might all snuggle up and watch a film,

So, the card I want to show you today is from the Secret Garden kit that I bought from Craftwork Cards.  I can't take credit for the design as I copied it from the ideas sheet that came with the kit.  I really like the freshness of these products, they certainly lift my spirits and make me think of spring. 

OK, so I'm off to mop fevered brows!  Have a great day.  Thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

More Flowers

Hi all, hope your Monday has been OK. 

The cards I am sharing with you today took me ages to make, seriously I really mean it!

First I cut a circular aperture from a 12cm x 12cm white card, using my Cuttlebug and one of my circle Nestabilities.  Then I stamped the flower 12 times (3 colours, 4 of each) on plain white card.  Cutting each flower out was more time consuming than fiddly.  I randomly stuck them inside the aperture, joining them by the petals.  Then using a scalloped and then the same circular Nestabilities I made a frame from coloured cardstock, which I adhered around the aperture.  Finally I added some Glossy Accents to the centre of each flower to add some definition.

Ingredients

Card : Craftwork Cards

Cardstock : From collection

Stamp : Candi Stamps - Craftwork Cards

Inks : Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive - Stampin' Up

Glossy Accents

Hope you like it.  The only thing I haven't figured out, is where to write the message!

Take care and thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Four Frames

Hi everyone.  Hope all is well with you.  Today I am sharing with you two cards that I made last weekend with the Four Frames stamps and coordinating punch from Stampin' Up.  I loves these stamps, particularly the dotty one (love all things dotty!).  The stamps are so versatile as you can put any sentiment you like in them.

The card blanks were ones I cut myself from a sale pack of A5 card from Craftwork Cards.  They measure 10cm x 10xm - perfect for notecards or thank you cards.

Ingredients

Purple card : Craftwork Cards

Paper : The Bloomsbury Collection - Kanban

Stamp and Punch : Four Frames - Stampin' Up

Ribbon : Grosgrain from collection

Sentiment : Find Joy Every Day - Marion Emberson

Inks : Rich Razzlebery, Old Olive - Stampin' Up

Ingredients

Cream card : Craftwork Cards

Paper : The Canterbury Collection - Kanban

Stamp and Punch : Four Frames - Stampin' Up

Ribbon : Grosgrain from collection

Sentiment : Find Joy Every Day - Marion Emberson

Ink : Tempting Turquoise - Stampin' Up

I'm not generally a fan of Kanban, but I really like these papers.  They are very good quality and the designs are so elegant.

I've planned my next Stampin' Up order and have managed to persuade Mark to buy me something for Mothers Day (I've promised he can keep it until the day and wrap it up!!).  I love the Ink Spots and can't wait to get another set - I think I am going to go for the Subtles this time.  I definitely need to expand my range.

I hope you have managed to sneak in some crafting time today.  I spent the whole morning cleaning up after the dog - there was more mud on the floor than in the garden!  I have managed to spend a couple of hours making cards this afternoon though, so that made up for it.

Chloe seems to have calmed down at night.  She is still howling pathetically, but it's each night it's gets less and less.  I think she has finally got the message (famous last words!!).

Take care and thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x