Before & After

 We all have some images or toppers that we don't like or are not our style in our stash, don't we!

I had these vintage style Hunkydory toppers for ages but didn't like the Lady in the middle - I finally realised I could cover her up and use them!

I don't know why it didn't occur to me before.

Same with this one with the corset, much happier with the finished card.

Creative Stamping Issue 80

The postie bought me an early Christmas present today  - the latest issue of Creative Stamping magazine.  After I had braved Tesco for some salad and rolls, I had the rest of Christmas Eve off to play with the lovely Art Nouveau stamp set.

I did a bit of heat embossing in both gold and silver

and was pleased how well the stamps came out - they look very elegant!

A good start to next years cards - I sell them on behalf of St Elizabeth Hospice in Suffolk and other local charities and normally raise at least £300 each year.

I sell a few on eBay, at work and at Coffee mornings etc, and it always nice to have a few different designs for people to choose from.

Me Time ..

It's lovely having some time to sit and experiment  with different inks and embossing techniques. I am hoping to have more time to do this in the future, if I can reduce from working full time to only 2.5 days a week.

Not all experiments were successful - but I am pleased with these cards - all with unique backgrounds

I even made an ATC out of one of the scraps!

Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

I like the freebie stamps and papers that came with this months Simply Cards Magazine- bought back memories of  the late 70's, when that book was first published and the designs turned up on curtains, mugs, diaries and bedding!

Embossed Butterfly Cards

Three different cards using the same Butterfly Border stamp from Honey Doo. It has a lovely amount of detail on it and stamps beautifully each time

Three of a Kind ....

Today I've been playing with one of my die sets that gives this lovely oval border. Each of these cards has the intricate border cut out of a yummy chocolate glitter card and backed with a gold sparkle card.

Each card then has a wooden embellishment of butterfly, bird or guitar

 and then different sentiments and backing papers - for 3 similar but different square birthday cards

80th Birthday Card

I've been asked to make an 80th birthday card by my Mum for her friend - I don't know this lady, so have had to fall back on the 'old faithful' themes of flowers, butterflies and birds!

I made 2 different cards - so Mum has a choice which one is most suitable!

A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies!

Yes, a group of butterflies are known as a Kaleidoscope! Seems very appropriate for such a beautiful and colourful creature.

I seem to have found room for a butterfly or two on many of my most recent makes, they are such a versatile embellishment!

Card for a Friend

My friend Paul is going to be 50 soon, so I was asked to make him a card from everyone in the office - as he is interested in moths and butterflies, this was fairly easy to make!

More Cards with Gilding Flakes

Got my gilding flakes out and had another crafting  session with them. 

One or 2 of the stamps didn't come out very well, as I chose the wrong colour background. 


 I think I will stick to using the gold and silver flakes on a black background from now on!

More Vintage Style Birthday Cards

On a bit of a roll at the moment mojo wise! 

All my cards seem to be of a vintage theme and feature birds, flowers ribbons and butterflies

Can You Smell the Roses?

You can't go wrong with lovely blooms of roses on birthday cards can you? 

I cannot resist sniffing any roses that are by the path, as I walk by people houses. No perfume really captures their fabulous smell!

Butterflies Galore!

I had a bit of a manic card making session - you know the sort where you just can't stop and just have to keep going until you get it out of your system ! 

Looking back on them, there is a bit of a butterfly theme going on, although I used a range of different papers and embellishments including Hunkydory, Madame Payraud and  Craftwork Cards. 

More Monochrome cards!

Just made a couple more simple 2 coloured cards - the black and white die-cut butterflies are from Craftwork cards and the Thank You card used Papermania capsule papers and flowers that I have had in my sash for ages!

Playing with my new stamps

I just love these Papermania Urban stamps and as they were reduced to only  £4.99 at the Range, had to buy them! The red card was stamped with chalk ink and highlighted the butterflies with Sakura glitter gel pen, whilst the other card was stamped with cosmic copper ink which gives a lovely sheen!

I'm going to have to concentrate on using up more of my stash, as I have to start saving for my daughters school trip and son wants to start to learn to drive. Looks like I am have to keep away from temptation and avoid any craft shops for quite a while.

I must be getting old!

How could I have forgotten about these beautiful pastel papers from Hunkydory?

They were free with Junes edition of Creative Cardmaking magazine and it was only when I was flicking through some old copies looking for something else when I realised they were still inside, untouched!