Butterfly-tastic

As you may have noticed I'm a real fan of butterflies and I couldn't help but have a go at this design when I saw it on Vicky's website.

I changed mine a little and embossed the background (from Notably Ornate) in gold. I actually stamped this the "wrong way" but actually I think it looks ok this way around. I then cut butterflies on my Big Shot. If you don't have any embosslits you don't know what you are missing! These are teeny little dies that cut AND emboss all in one.

Lastly some pearls were added for some more sheen and voila! CASE'd!!

Passion for Fashion

This is my entry into the Daring Cardmakers Challenge this week. The challenge is to make a card with the theme of FASHION. It was a great excuse to get my Sew Lovely stamp set out (from the Spring Mini Catalogue) and get stamping! This is a great challenge as this stamp set has been sorely overlooked by me lately.

There is the matching DSP with buttons and I used these colours to stamp the letters for the title. Then layers were added with border punches and a sweet little Chocolate Chip button. All super cute!!

Hope you're having a fun weekend. DH went to watch a rugby match at Twickenham so Munchkin and I had fun shopping.

Everything is Rose-y

Any of you with little ones probably recognise the reference to a children's tv programme! I thought it suited this scrapbook page. I love these Springtime Vintage papers from the Mini catalogue and it's great to use lots of them here. I based this layout on one I saw on Michelle Last's blog (I think). It's great because you get to use a Big Shot, Baroque Motifs swirly stamp plus punches!!

I had the best day today. I went to have my hair cut, pedicure and waxing! What a relaxing time I had. My DH is just the best to babysit and give me such luxurious me-time. Love him! Hope you have had a chance to chill out today!!!

Happy Scrapbook page

I love to scrap! This is a page I've put together for a forthcoming class demonstration for the local U3A in June. The brief was to have a single photograph and keep the costs down! I managed to include punches, stamping, patterned paper, ribbon, buttons and the Big Shot (for the title alphabet).

It's based on a page that was shown in the January 2011 Impressions magazine. This is a monthly publication that is posted out to all UK demonstrators and is always full of gorgeous projects! I've adapted it slightly to suit what materials I have on hand and the colours I wanted to use.

Hope you enjoyed your week and have something nice planned for the Bank Holiday weekend. We're taking it easy but there will be a match at Twickenham for DH and a family visit to my sister at her new place in London too!

The girl's a natural!

Yes this is made by my lovely Munchkin! She is such a talent. Her latest obsession is with gaining entry to my craftroom, so today I took her in there to craft. She LOVED it. We had paint, glitter, stamps, ink, stickers and patterned paper. This is one of her best creations from the session. I thought I liked layers but she is an absolute pro at layering!!!

N.B. All the products shown that Munchkin used are sadly retired.

Since it's been nearly a week since I posted something crafty, here is a card that I finished today! It's been stamped with the set Strength & Hope. The cute hearts are part of the same stamp so I used a Ridinghood Red marker to colour them and then coloured the rest Basic Black.

A few pearls and a large heart punched out of Ridinghood Red DSP raised with Dimensionals foam pads and voila!

Today we've had a nice quiet day with a little Zumba, cleaning and swimming! Tomorrow is the last day until Half Term!! Many of my colleagues are counting down the minutes they are so worn and I can't blame them; it's been a hectic time.

I'm back!

Apologies for my absence. I've been rather unwell with conjunctivitis in both eyes since Saturday and was barely able to see! Forunately my eyes are getting better now, but I'm afraid it means I have no new projects to share.

However I've returned to the blogging world to find that I've received a blogger award!Conditions of receiving this award is that I have to mention the person who gave it to me (Amy), tell you 7 things about me and then pass it onto 7 bloggers!

1. I have been crafty all my life, but have been making cards/scrapbooks for 13 years
2.Growing vegetables, keeping chickens and living an eco-lifestyle are a passion
3. I have a gorgeous 19 month old daugther and fabulous husband
4. I joined Stampin' Up! in November 2008 and just can't get enough of their products!
5. Japanese cuisine is my favourite cuisine and I'd love to visit Japan one day
6. My father is a melting pot of nationalities so I have English, Irish and Indian blood in me
7. Reading is a big hobby - I love chick-lit and how-to books

The bloggers I'd like to pass this award onto are:

1. Vicky at Crafting Clare's
2. Tashi & Bobo
3. Elizabeth's Craftroom
4. Mrs Wonka & her crafting factory
5. All Things Stampy
6. Monica
7. Natalie

Thanks Amy!

Today was my work craft club and my downline Amy brought us a project to do! Isn't it cute??

We used Bashful Blue card as the base and stamped the background in the same colour ink using the French words background stamp (I forget the proper name). Then we had some punching to do! The words were stamped in Whisper White craft ink onto Night of Navy card that we then punched out using the Fancy Label punch.

The next lot of punching was using the same punch - you re-punch the piece when it's been turned 90 degrees. So clever!!

Amy kindly used her Big Shot and Top Note die to cut the main Night of Navy background. She cut out a Top Note and then turned the die cut 90 degrees and ran it through the Big Shot. This gives you the sweet shape.

We then did some stamping with the lovely Artistic Etchings stamp set. A lovely rhinestone gem and voila!

Hope you have had a chance to stamp and socialise recently, if not, why not try to soon? I'm hosting a Mystery BOGOF Event on Saturday 28th May, 10am at my home (GU12). There will be more details to follow soon!

Class call

If you'd like to come to this class next Thursday (26th May) at 7.30pm in Ash Green (GU12) please let me know asap. It's going to be great - you will make this pizza box + 3 cards and you also receive a reel of ribbon all for just £10! Bargain.

There are 3 places still available so don't delay.

On another note, isn't the weather just fabulous? After an overcast few days it's great to be back in full sunshine. I think it might be time to tackle the garden (again!) Hope you are doing something nice outdoors.

Cate x

Welcome baby George!

On Monday my cousin had her second baby, George. It's very exciting as her pregnancy wasn't all that easy so we're very glad to hear all is well. I made this box (above) for her. It contains a little frame so she can have a picture of each child in it. The box is based on the pizza box design but I had to make it bigger to accomodate the contents.

Then a card to match was needed. This is a card I CASE'd from my upline's training session a few months ago. I missed the training but she showed the card on her blog. I adapted the card from pink/girly to blue/masculine.

The card has a fancy fold and then punches were used to make a small tug-along train with animals from Fox & Friends. I used the Nursery Suite papers and Curly Cute sentiment. I'm taking it along to see her later so I hope she likes it!

White on White

This is my entry to the Less is More Challenge, week 14. I've decided to do some challenges as I am finding I reach for the same old colours/layouts and I need to be stretched and challenged!

This was super-fast to make. I used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and layered flowers cut using my Big Shot. I embossed the smaller flower with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to add further texture. I couldn't resist a clear brad... I promise to be more clean and simple next time!!

Flowers for May

My downline Amy entered this challenge and I thought I'd give it a go too. The challenge came from Daring Cardmakers.

I used Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade which are both In Colors. The Hostess set used is called Fast & Fabulous. It's a really pretty set and it easy to do as 2 step stamping in a hurry.

The sentiment came from the classic set, Simply Said. It's been embossed in silver to give some texture and a bit of subtle shine.

TGIF Challenge

Hello hello! It's Tuesday and I'm already dreaming of the weekend!! Still, I made this card for my Aunt which has pepped me up. She lives in France so I wanted something special to send as I can't be there to help her celebrate.

I made up the dimensions on the card and cut/scored pretty randomly. Then I layered Pear Pizzazz (green), Rose Red and Crumb Cake card, as well as some scrummy flowery Springtime Vintage DSP. Some of the card was run through my Big Shot embossing folders for added texture. I finished off the design with some cut out stamped images from Nature Walk (found in the in Spring Mini) and sweet pearls (for the Irridescent part)

This card is being entered int he the Stampin' B's Design Team challenge - TGIF, which stands for Texture, Green, Irridescent & something beginning with F. Hope you like!

Blueberry Crisp Butterfly

We had craft club at work on Friday and this was one of the projects I made. It's great to squeeze a bit of crafting fun into a working day. Plus you get to catch up with dear friends!

This box is the pillow box die cut on the Big Shot in Sahara Sand with a strip of Blueberry Crisp DSP around it. The stitching was drawn with a Soft Suede marker. As you probably recognise now, the butterfly is from Strength & Hope; this time I coloured it with a Crumb Cake marker all over and then dabbed Soft Suede in patches to give a mottled effect. Am still mad about those little self-adhesive pearls so a row of them was added to give the effect of the butterfly's body. Cute!!!

Here is Munchkin during a quiet moment at the weekend. Don't you just love the top that her Grandparents bought her?

This was just a bit of fun I had to try and cheer up the little one. Normally she eats like a horse, especially when it comes to fruit. Sadly, due to her under-the-weather state she's not been eating as well so I thought some fun needed to be injected. This is what I came up with! Suddenly fruit became very appealing!!

Darling Bugs of May

Here is my challenge entrey for the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week.The theme is "Darling Bugs of May" and I couldn't resist sharing this card we made at training yesterday. My upline, Natalie, got the idea from heather Summers and we CASE'd it!. The stamp set used is Strength & Hope from the Spring Mini catalogue. Love the pretty stamps and by buying this set you're also giving to a Breast Cancer Research charity! Email me if you'd like more information about the set: blueangelcrafts@gmail.com Those of you who have seen me recently have heard how we've been struggling with Munchkin being under-the-weather and not wanting to sleep. Well, today's day time nap was a marathon and we finally found here alseep! Not her usual sleeping place but she seemed to find it ok!!

This is a cute photo of Munchkin I took earlier this week. Isn't she adorable? It won't be long until she can't fit into the sink so it was good to have this photo to remind us of her fitting!

Hope you are having a good weekend

Cate xx

Inspired by Mojo Monday

Can you believe it's Saturday? It seems like I've been making this card all week for the Mojo Monday challenge #190. Still, it's finally made and I'm just about happy with it. Click on the link to see other Mojo Monday creations.

I used the set Ornate Flowers (Friends Never Fade in the USA) as I thought the image went well with the flowers in the Springtime Vintage patterned paper. The base card is Baja Breeze and I put a layer of Naturals Ivory card that had been run through the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder on top.

The main image was inked in Versamark and then Not Quite Navy ink. Once it was stamped I added a layer of clear embossing powder and heated. This gives it a slightly raised shiny effect. A small piece of punched Always Artichoke card and a length of Twill Tape and voila la!

I'd love to know what you think so please leave comments if you can.

Today I'm going to my upline, Natalie's training event. I can't wait! There will be swaps, chatting, stamping and laughs. If you think this is something you'd like to be involved in, why not become a Demonstrator? Contact me for details blueangelcrafts@gmail.com

Flowers for May

My downline Amy entered this challenge and I thought I'd give it a go too. The challenge came from Daring Cardmakers.

I used Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade which are both In Colors. The Hostess set used is called Fast & Fabulous. It's a really pretty set and it easy to do as 2 step stamping in a hurry.

The sentiment came from the classic set, Simply Said. It's been embossed in silver to give some texture and a bit of subtle shine.

White on White

This is my entry to the Less is More Challenge, week 14. I've decided to do some challenges as I am finding I reach for the same old colours/layouts and I need to be stretched and challenged!

This was super-fast to make. I used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and layered flowers cut using my Big Shot. I embossed the smaller flower with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to add further texture. I couldn't resist a clear brad... I promise to be more clean and simple next time!!

Distressing Basics

Tonight I held my Distressing Basics Class. It was a fun evening with some lovely ladies. We did a couple of cards that I'd designed and planned and then we "freestyled"! I've been trying to upload the photos of their original designs but the pictures keep going weird. However, I have managed to get Fiona's online: She's used Blueberry Crisp DSP to cover the chipboard tree and inked the trunk with Craft ink (Whisper White) and then Not Quite Navy ink.

I will try and get the other photos up tomorrow!

Penguins

Evening all! The weekend has slipped away and it's almost Monday again.

This card was made using the owl punch, you just snip off the "ears" of the owl to reveal cute penguins. There are plenty of these penguins on different blogs so I'm not sure who to give credit to but obviously this card was not an original idea.

There is a strip of Baja Breeze seam binding along the bottom and then a few Real Red hearts. Those hearts are soooo cute.

We've had a relatively quiet weekend, but since I joined the gym last Wednesday it's been quite busy scheduling everything in. I've managed to do 4 classes and a turn on the cycling machine since Wednesday so I'm quite proud. Fingers crossed this new virtuous me lasts!

Hope you have a good week ahead. I'll be back with more designs soon.

Inspired by Monica

Hooray for Friday!

This card is inspired by one I saw on Monica Gale's blog quite a while back. The owls are so cute and having them gazing into one another's eyes is just lovely. The birds are on a hand-drawn swirl branch and then Boho Blossoms punch made the flowers and Bird on A Branch for the leaves.

Such a bright sunny card to match the weather. Hope you have something nice planned for the weekend - I'll be back soon!!

Sweet baby blossoms

Some really quick and simple cards made with Baby Blossoms from the Mini Catalogue. At first I thought I wasn't keen on this stamp set as it seemed too similar. Fortunately I still bought it and had a play and it's SO great. You don't need to do two-step stamping if that seems complicated. You can use the images brilliantly as single layers as you can see here.

The top card has a Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery - inspired by Cath Kidston!

This is a case of one from SCS and has a Pretty in Pink base that has been run through the Big Shot to give it polka dots. Then there is Always Artichoke and Rose Red blooms. I used my trusty distressing kit to give it an antique-feel.

Hope you are having a good day. I've been busily making class samples and future projects to share here. Heaven!

P.S. Diane - I made you copies of these for your forthcoming party!!

New classes added!

Check out my new classes here!

There are new photos, dates and types of classes added regularly so keep an eye out!!

Berry Good

Now for something fruity! It's been so sunny lately that I've been feeling summery!! I needed to make some cards for the ladies who ordered at my Mini Launch party last month so I thought this was just the ticket.

The stamp set is that old favourite, Tart & Tangy. Such a fabulous set and I just love using markers to colour in the different parts of the fruit. I used Real Red and Old Olive and I hope it doesn't look too Christmas-y? I always associated that combination with that but I think I got away with it!

Pretty Place Settings

My Aunt is visiting from France and has asked me to design her some place settings for her upcoming 50th Birthday celebration. Here is what I came up with! You can see the original design for the place setting on pg42 of the main catalogue.

Above, this was a Real Red base and I used my Broadsheet Alphabet to do an initial in Pumpkin Pie ink. The butterflies were done on my Big Shot - this die is AMAZING! It cuts AND embosses the butterflies at the same time!!

Here I used an Old Olive base with a paper daisy, ruffled satin Whisper White ribbon and some chunky Baja Breeze glass glitter.

The Rich Razzleberry base had Melon Mambo flowers added and I used the sweet punch, Boho Blossoms, to make the little surrounding flowers; each has a Basic Rhinestone in the centre. The base stamp used was Bella Toile.

Lastly there is this one. The Boho Blossoms punch was used again, but also the five petal flower punch in Marina Mist. This time I used pearls in the centre.

Hope she likes them! Will find out tonight as we're hosting a BBQ and she is coming along.