Bloom With Hope sympathy cards

Sorry, I miscounted... there are TWO PLACES left in my Virtual Hostess Club. This will be a Stampers’ 10 club and I will email everyone who has secured a place in the next few days. 

Now to today’s cards; they are sympathy cards made at my Awkward Cards workshop - unfortunately, I needed both straight away. So at least I was prepared, I suppose, which was the whole point of the workshop. The idea was to make one masculine and one feminine card, because you don’t always want a sympathy card with flowers.

The ribbon/trim on both cards are now unavailable, but you can substitute anything in a co-ordinating colour. To create the woodgrain panel, I’m sure you’ve worked it out, but we punched a circle out of a sheet of scrap paper and used that to stamp through. 

We stamped the images on top, inking them with markers, and then coloured them with blender pens. 

These cards see the surprise use of Always Artichoke! I went to the cupboard to fetch the ink pad and was staggered to see that it was still in its wrapper! I have had this since SU switched to the Firm Foam pads and never used it. At least now it no longer feels unloved. 

Finally, it’s election day, so don’t forget to vote! You may not get the result you want, but at least you’ll know your voice has been heard. 

133952	133035	120970	105113	126975
126972	121685	133682	108610	106549
102845	133668	120906

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Bloom with Hope gift voucher

I’m here at last! Slow start this morning as I’m taking it easy because I still feel really rough and – worse! – I have lost my voice. At least the kids are pleased. Have cancelled all plans for the weekend and going to ground. 

But before I go, here’s a card I made to hold a gift voucher which a customer ordered for her friend’s birthday. I was there to see her open it and could see how happy a Stampin’ Up!® gift voucher can make somebody! I can provide vouchers in any denomination (from £10, the card is free!). 

To create this project, I stuck the panels of In Color cardstock together first, then stamped on top, highlighting each flower with a swish of the chalk marker.

The greetings panel is made by sliding a strip of cardstock into a circle punch, so that only one end is shaped, then repeating at the opposite end. 

All very simple, but quite effective. 

Don’t miss the big news – we have a flash sale at Stampin’ Up!® You have until the 6th to get selected essentials at a discount. Click here for more details. 

133952	106550	131289	132708
132133	119873	135638

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Bloom With Hope sympathy card

One type of card that many people struggle with is sympathy cards – not least because they’re made in unhappy circumstances, and usually in a hurry. I prefer to keep my sympathy cards simple as I feel the sentiment is more important than showing off my skills! This one is actually pretty elaborate for me, but it was for a cardmaking friend so I felt I could include a little more detail. 

To create the randomised spotty background, I used my polka dot embossing folder as a stamp - inking the raised dots and pressing them onto my cardstock. As the first attempt was even more patchy than I intended, I did it again, which gave it an even more random appearance. 

The Core’dinations cardstock I used is retired but you could replace it with smooth cardstock… you could even emboss it if you want more texture. 

133952	133787	109132	101731	134568
133674	127848	130933	117335	126974

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Playing with Blendabilities alcohol markers

I can’t find the third Make & Take from the weekend, which is odd as there were two of them. It was just a simple bookmark showcasing the In Colors, but I’ll post it if it turns up!

Meanwhile, here’s a set of cards I made using the new Blendabilities. These are great fun and I have it on good authority that they are a LOT easier to use than the more famous brands, so they are perfect for those who, like me, have never used alcohol markers before. 

They come in sets of three different shades of one colour, the middle shade representing the “true” colour. There are LOTS of different ways to use them, the best thing to do is experiment to find the best method for you. I find that I prefer to shade from dark to light. 

Just like you can’t use water-based ink pad with water-based markers, you can’t use Stazon with these pens as it will run. So use a water-based ink, such as the Memento ink pad. 

The colour WILL run through to the other side of your cardstock, so these little notecards will all need lining; I just wanted to have a play with the new pens without having to worry too much about card design and I really like the clean look. 

This stamp set is perfect for using the pens and it’s a gorgeous one, too. It has birthday and sympathy sentiments, which is really useful. But you can only get it by holding a party as it ’s one our our lovely hostess sets. I really think SU have excelled themselves with the hostess sets this year; do take a look and then check your diary before contacting me to book your party!

Oh, and shout up if you fancy a Blendabilities class, as I’m planning one for later in the summer (everybody’s holidays permitting!)

133952	130998	130999	131003
132708	133642	131527

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Sneak Peek: Blendabilities and Bloom With Hope

I was surprised recently to be asked to provide a voucher for a customer’s birthday. That fact in itself isn’t surprising as I often provide gift vouchers – it was the fact that this particular customer was turning 50 which caused me to raise my eyebrows. 

Could it be that stamping keeps you looking young? Let’s hope so… and let’s all keep stamping as a precaution!

The card I made is a mix of the old and new. Some outgoing ribbons and dies, mixed with some brand new stamps and colours. It is definitely a “throw everything at it” card for a very special occasion and I do hope she liked it – I know she’ll have loved the contents at least! The colour combo is Blackberry Bliss (yum!) with its lighter counterpart Rich Razzleberry and fellow In Color, Hello Honey. 

133952	130517	134180	130998	130999
131003	132708	131181	133680	119981
124005	106549	119850	118874	119849
119857	118481	126876	119246	127553

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com