Retiring stamp: Accented Blooms

Ok, it’s time to start showcasing some retiring stamp sets because a) if I don’t show you the projects now, I never will and b) you need to see what you’ll be missing if you don’t buy now!

This set is called Accented Blooms and it goes perfectly with the Tailored Tag punch. I’ve used it here with Peaceful Moments (not retiring) to create a simple sympathy card. It was quick, too, as the main image came out of my UFO box (unfinished objects). I just hope I don’t need to use the card any time soon.

Any image which fits the Tailored Tag punch works well with this stamped image, giving the set even more versatility. 
 

New home card using Snow Front, Beautiful Friendship & more...

 

I’ve become the official card provider to my family. It helps us all; I get to offload my old samples and they aren’t tempted to go to the shops during lockdown.

But the latest request threw me as it was for a new home card for my nephew and his girlfriend (you can move into a new home if it’s vacant and social distancing is maintained, in case you were worried). The problem is, both Mum and I need to send them a card, so they need to be different – and I don’t have any new home stamp sets.

This is roughly how the conversation went:

Me: "I don't have any new home stamps but I can do one with a lighthouse, a dog kennel or a beehive."
Mum: "I'm sure you have a house stamp."
Me: "No I really don't."
Mum: "I could have sworn I saw a little house."
Me: "No, it must be an old one you’re thinking of."
Mum: "I definitely saw a little house."
etc...

Turns out she was right! How come she knows the contents of my craft room better than I do? She hasn't stepped inside my house (or anyone else’s) for at least seven weeks!

In the end, I used no fewer than four stamp sets on this project: Snow Front, Water Front, Beautiful Friendship and Peaceful Moments. Well if you’ve got it, use it!

I used just the tips of the flowers and flower centre stamps from Beautiful Friendship to create a floral foreground. Without this, I felt the image still had a wintry, Christmassy vibe.

Lockdown challenge: Poppies Elements cards for Crafty Friday

It’s Crafty Friday today... lockdown or no lockdown! But don’t worry, social distancing will be maintained as it’s a virtual event held over Zoom. I prefer Zoom to Facebook Live because everyone can see each other and chat, plus it doesn’t exclude the non-Facebook members.

Today’s projects are these bright and cheery Poppies Elements cards; a half-easel and a standard card.

Everyone received a full sheet of the watercolour paper Poppies Elements to colour in, plus some of the black elements for decoration. They use their own stamps and inks for the greetings.
 

 

 Want to make these projects? Full instructions are here

Cuppa & Card with Poppies Elements

Today was supposed to be my Cuppa & Card session but I’ve had to postpone as the kits were delayed in an over-stretched postal service! So if you’re booked to join me and don’t want spoilers, look away now!

We’ll be making these two projects via Zoom. All kits have been posted out and I've learned the hard way that all that die-cutting and embossing is too much work when you have to do it all by yourself!

We’re using the Poppies Elements, which I confess I had overlooked, but they are perfect for this situation. These elements are already coloured, but there are vellum and watercolour paper elements in the packs, too, and we’ll be using those at Crafty Friday in May.

Black and white makes a really striking colour combination when you add just a splash of colour. I love how the poppies really stand out here.