Home Grown by Sugar Nellie

Just the quickest of posts again today as I am off out to go swimming.

This is my newest stamp from Sugar Nelie and is from their "Home Grown" range. I have used my new copic pens again and think that my colouring is definitely improving with these pens. What do you think ?

Anyway hope you enjoy the card

Soft Summer Copics style

Just a quick post today as I have to prepare for my Pocket Silhouette class for tomorrow.

I apologise that I have used my Soft Summer flower again but it is a perfect image for colouring techniques. I have had a play with my new copics again but this time I have been quite brave and used much darker colours. What do you think ?

This card also uses card offcuts from my scraps box and a tiny offcut piece of designer paper that was left after I cut the sheet for next months class. The only thing on this card that isn't a scrap is the piece of ribbon and this is a length of Stampin' Up! whisper white grosgrain which I coloured with my copic pen to get a perfect colour match to my flower. Have you noticed though how perfect the match is also to the Rose Red base card ?

Something completely different

Hi there

I thought I would share something a bit different with you today. I have had this little cutie for over a year and don't think I have ever inked her until this weekend. I am not the most confident at colouring in and I think that's why she has been in the drawer for sooooooo long.

However I have recently decided that I do need to practise as I love the effect. I have seen some gorgeous coloured images out there on the internet recently and the way I figure it is this....those talented girls must have started somewhere. This attempt is using my new copic markers and I love the way they work.

So be prepared to see more of my colouring attempts in the future and please feel free to pass on all your hints and tips to help me along on my journey of discovery.....

Soft Summer in Pumpkin Pie

Hi there
Just a quickie card to share with you today. This is the beautiful "Soft Summer" stamp set from Stampin' Up!. It is actually a 2-step stamping set but I like to sometimes just use the outline stamp and watercolour it myself rather than using the two stage stamps.

I have been working on my class projects for next months class and I am loving the "Earth Elements colour family we will be using.

I have somewhat overlooked the vibrance of some of the colours in this family but hope to remedy that now I have had a bit of a play with them. As a result this card uses Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.

Just tooooooo cute

I just had to share this little guy with you. I was off on my travels blog hopping last night ( when I should really have been typing up class notes)

I found him over at Angie's Chic n Scratch blog HERE and she even has an amazing video showing how to punch him out and put him together. As soon as I saw him I just had to make one for myself. I didn't have exactly the same punches that Angie used but I just adapted the ones I do have to make the ears and the legs.

Well now I really do need to get on with my class notes for next week.

Playful Petals in Almost Amethyst

Hi there

I hope you like my offering for today. I have used the "Playful Petals" Stampin' Up! set which comes from the Mini Catalogue. This is a gorgeous set of stamps and it is the first time I have used this tulip styled flower. I have to also say that this is a large A5 size card which is unusual for me as most of my creations are for much smaller C6 or square cards. I think the flowers are big enough to make an impact even on this larger format.

I have also used some more of my designer papers, this time it's the turn of the "Tea Party" pack which is stunning on it's own but also designed to match perfectly with this particular stamp set. I think I am going to need a lie down if I keep on using my papers on such a regular basis............either that or .....

I may just have to order some more supplies before the "Buy 3 and get a 4th pack free" offer finishes at the end of this month.

Holiday Treasures Top Note Purse

Well I have been awake since before 6am this morning so that was excuse enough for me to get in my craft room and create something to share with you today.
I found this adorable little purse over on Becky Roberts Blog here and just had to give it a try. I have to say it was soooooo simple to make with Becky's excellent easy to follow instructions and I think they are going to prove somewhat addictive. I must also add here that once this little purse is put together it really is very, very sturdy.

Please note that in keeping with my new resolution to use my SU papers I have broken into my Holiday Treasures pack of paper and the designs are just soooooooo gorgeous in that set.

I am off to my little Great Niece's School Spring Fete in a short while and then I will be busy preparing my materials packs for next Thursday and Friday's Pocket Silhouettes class ( sorry for the confusion girls, the dates are 28th and 29th for the classes).

I shall hopefully be back tomorrow with something to share with you.

Still raining but it's summer really here in Bacup

Hi there

As you can see from my post title it is still raining here. But as promised I have made another couple of cards on my summery theme.

I have a small confession to make........I now have lots of Stampin'Up! patterned papers as I just could not resist the fantastic "Buy 3 and get a 4th pack free" offer this month.

As a result of my little shopping spree I decided that I really should use some papers on cards today ( I usually only buy papers to look at and stroke....not to use lol) I do admit that I haven't exactly used a vast amount of my paper stash on these 3 cards but it is a start hee hee

Anyway hope you like these extra 3 cards

Soft Summer

Well here in Bacup it is pouring with rain this morning. In light of that I thought I would ignore the weather and have a go at pretending that it is summer.

With that in mind what better stamp set to play with than "Soft Summer". There is something about this stamp set that just MAKES you reach for beautiful summery colours when you are working with the stamped images. This card is using Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose for the flower, with Certainly Celery and Mellow Moss for the branch and leaves ( then lightly over-coloured with Creamy Caramel on the actual branch part) I have also used tiny pieces of Stampin'Up! designer paper as a patchwork background as this effect also reminds me of summer fabrics. The pack I have used is "Sweet Always ". The papers in this particular set also go brilliantly with Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose and Pumpkin Pie.

As a very special offer this month, Stampin'Up! are giving you the chance to get FREE papers.

Buy ANY 3 Packs of their 12x12 Designer and Patterned papers and get a 4th Pack (of your own choice) absolutely FREE

This offer is valid until the end of this month. If you are interested then please email me for details of how to place your order.

I will be back later to show you the other colours and designs that are helping me to pretend that it is a beautiful sunny day today.

Missing in Action again.........

I am so sorry I have not been around again for a while. No matter how much I try to come on here and post regularly life keeps getting in the way.

I have been really busy with my craftroom clear out and getting things ready for my next classes and that just has not left much time for "actual" crafting.

I have managed to make one card this week with my new "Mr and Mrs" stamp set. I love the sheer elegance on this set and can't wait to find some more time to play with it.

Hope you like this little card. The cardstock is Real Red and Mellow Moss with Basic Black. I love how the black makes the flowers look so striking.

Birthday Rose is a Rose

Hi there

Just thought I would share another Rose is a Rose card with you.

I was asked yesterday to make this for my Mum for her best friend whose birthday it is today...... Happy Birthday Belle

I didn't go to bed until the early hours this morning so it's a miracle that I have managed to get up this morning and make it for her in time for collection within the next half an hour.

I think my Mum will like it and hope you all do too

Forest Friends

Firstly I need to give an apology to my loyal ladies who check out my blog regularly. I have been rushed off my feet in the past week and not been able to craft.

This morning however, for the first time in a week I have managed to create a card. This was for a card ordered by a friend for a 1st Birthday card for her little niece. I am sure she will love the Forest Friend images I have used....who can fail to love them ? they are so cute !

I am making a heap of Baby themed cards this week with crafting partner Vikki so will post pictures as we get them finished.

More Rose is a Rose

Wow, wow, wow .............I am totally loving my new A Rose is a Rose stamp set, what was I thinking of when I delayed buying it until now ???????????????? What a waste of 8 months since it's release in our catalogue which came out last September.

I truly cannot believe how stunning the roses look within seconds of adding the 2nd stamped image. I must also add that the Stamp-a-ma-jig positioning tool gives perfect results every single time and I wouldn't be without mine for the world.

I had planned on starting a new more organised regime for my blog of making sure I add one new photo every day...... that idea has now gone out of the window as I have 3 cards I want to share with you today. I hope you enjoy them.

A Rose is a Rose

I have wanted this stamp set ever since our new Stampin'Up! catalogue came out in September. I knew I would simply HAVE to have it but it has taken until now for me to give in and get it for myself.

I am blown away by how easy this set is to use and after playing around with it for just one day I already "know" it will be one of the sets I keep forever, regardless of if it ever gets retired by Stampin'Up! This card is just the very first card I have made so be prepared to see many more in time.


I just thought I would add that the watermark you can see on my photo is new to me. I followed a link to this lady's blog and purchased some different ones from her. (Karen is very helpful especially to those of us who are somewhat technically challenged)
So if you need a watermark for you website or blog bob on over and take a look HERE

Easter Gifts

Hi all
I am away in Wales for a short Easter break with some of my family. My nephew Matthew is also joining us tomorrow so I have made little Easter gifts for everyone for Sunday morning.

I thought I would share pictures of the gifts I have made for everyone.

Easter Baskets

I saw these adorable little baskets over on Monica's blog and have made lots of them for Easter gifts. These two are for my friends Vikki and Jenny and I made cards to match. I have given them out today and both ladies liked them ( bet they will like the eggs even more lol)

They are so simple to make, in fact one of the easiest 3-D items I have ever made, but I think they look lovely.

Launch party success

Hi there

First and foremost a big thank you to all of you ladies who attended my Mini catalogue launch party and made it a huge success. Thank you also for your valued orders which I hope to be delivering very shortly along with your individual raffle prizes. It was a wonderful day and it was lovely to meet some of you for the first time.

I was so pleased to have heard back from you all that you enjoyed yourselves and look forward to seeing some of you again at my Photo wallet class later this month.

If you want to attend this class on Thursday 23rd April 10 am - 1 pm please let me know as soon as possible as places are limited. In addition I do have a couple of spaces left for the Thursday 23rd April evening class 6.30pm - 9pm.

Unfortunately the Friday class 10 am- 1pm is now full .

Here are a few more pictures showing my launch party samples. The little Ferrero Rocher chocolate handbags were the thank you token gifts I made for every guest, just to say thanks for coming.

Launch Party Sneak Peak

Just thought I would share a couple of my launch party samples with you.

They are all made using the ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh soooooo cute stamp set "Forest Friends" and will be on display at my launch party tomorrow 10am to 4pm along with lots more samples made with some of the other stamp sets from the wonderful new Mini Catalogue.

TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE MINI CATALOGUE

I am offering free postage for ANY order placed with me tomorrow and then on all orders over £45 until 30th April( this is my own offer to you not a Stampin'Up! offer) .

This guarantees you a minimum saving of at least £3.95 so why not make the most of this very special offer from me.

Email me for more information.

Soft Summer

Today I am sharing with you a card made with another of those gorgeous new stamp sets from the Stampin'Up! mini catalogue which launches on 1st April.

I have chosen to simply stamp the flower spray as an outline (Picture 1) and coloured it with my SU markers using More Mustard, So Saffron, Barely Banana and Mellow Moss

However this is actually a 2-step stamp set whereby you have an outline image stamp( picture 2) and an inside image stamp (picture 3) onto which you put your colours directly. Ink up the inner stamp with your chosen colours and stamp on to your cardstock. Then ink your outline stamp and stamp over the top of the coloured image you have just stamped.

It is possible to do this just by eye but take a look at Picture 4 and 4a for the amazing Stamp-a-Ma-Jig positioning tool from Stampin'Up! which I use constantly for perfect stamp alignment EVERY time.

A quick tip here:

Each time I get a new set of stamps I use my Stamp-a-ma-Jig to stamp all the images onto acetate. This sheet is then stored in the plastic case with the stamps so I always have a permanent Stamp-a-ma-Jig template for each image in the set (See Picture 5)

Playful Petals

Hi there

Here is a quick card I have made using the Stampin' Up! set "Playful Petals". I have only had these stamps for about a week and I am already loving this set as it can be used in so many different ways. I do believe it is one of those classic sets that you will return to time after time.

The stamp set is one of the many brand new designs available in the Mini Catalogue. You can view this catalogue by clicking the link on the right of my blog. Please feel free to order any time from 1st April and you are more than welcome to join me for my launch party from 10am to 4pm that day. If you are interested in ordering or attending then please email me.

PLEASE REMEMBER that any order (with no minimum spend) placed at my launch party on 1st April will qualify for free postage. Following on from that, any order over £45 during the rest of April will also be with free postage.