Soho Subway - not too distressing

Here’s another Soho Subway card, this time teamed with the new Label Love stamp set and co-ordinating Artisan Label Punch. I’ve sponged some Crumb Cake ink around the edges of the card base and the DSP pieces to add to the distressed look, but not gone too mad – if I was distressing it properly, I’d have crinkled the paper and roughed up the edges, too.  This card is CASEd from Shannon Jaramillo.

Stamps: Label Love

Cardstock: Naturals White, Very Vanilla

Paper: Soho Subway

Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Artisan Label Punch

Caturday: itty bitty kittens!

These “itty bitty kitties” are the youngest residents at the cat shelter and, now that they are moving around, we can see just how cute they are! There are four of them and their mother, Bella, has been working really hard to feed them. So hard that she is most definitely having to eat for five!

This is how the kittens were last weekend; eyes open and beginning to become inquisitive. They were a little wobbly on their legs so I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ve developed, as they’re changing so fast!

And then Bella is pictured with one of her kittens a couple of weeks ago, before their eyes even opened. 

Busy weekend this weekend. Today I’m off to Studio 61 at Holloway, near Matlock, to take part in an Art Boot Sale with the last few bits of my retired craft products. I’ll be there from 2pm-4pm.

Tomorrow it’s the Woodland Nook Cat Rescue fundraiser from 10am-4pm. This will include barbecue, cakes, stalls and, of course, tours of the shelter (although I don’t think they’ll let you into the kitten section). If you want to pop along and have a look at this remarkable and fabulous cat shelter, it’s at 27 Delves Bank Road, Swanwick, near Alfreton.

Hope to see you at one or both of these events!

Soho Subway triptych

I LOVE this paper – it’s one my absolutely favourite sets in the new catalogue. It’s called Soho Subway and has all the elements I really like in a paper; it’s dark and “dirty”, it has maps, letters, woodgrain… what more could you want?

Here I’ve CASEd a card by Amy Storrie, who cleverly embossed hers with the Woodgrain embossing folder. I left mine plain for speed and decorated it with a simple flag and button.

Stamps: Happy Day

Cardstock: Naturals White, Very Vanilla

Paper: Soho Subway

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories: Naturals Buttons, Linen Thread

Flower Shop get well card

One of my team is currently out of action, following an operation. She is a big fan of flower cards, so I decided to climb out of my comfort zone and make her something pink, floral and pretty.

I stamped the background using Flower Shop, masking each image in turn (I missed one – can you spot it?). To do this, I punched the flower from a piece of scrap paper and used my Tombow as a temporary adhesive (just let it dry before using) to create a mask. I coloured them using Primrose Petals ink and blender pen.

I stamped and coloured a couple more flowers using Raspberry Ripple ink and blender pen – I wanted these to stand out more. I curled them slightly (bet they go flat in the post though) and stuck them on.

Here’s a secret: I stamped “Get Well Soon” at the top left but didn’t use the Stamp-a-ma-jig. So it was VERY wonky. But, as we all know, there are NO mistakes in rubber stamping, so I simply stamped it again and cut it out using the Bitty Banner framelits. She’ll never know!

This stamp set and punch bundle is proving REALLY popular. People love flower stamps, they love co-ordinating punches, so this one was sure to be a winner. To avoid frustration when using it for the first time, I strongly advise you to watch THIS video. 

In other news, time is running out to order my ribbon shares. More details in THIS post. The shares are an excellent way to build up your supplies without breaking the bank, so don't miss out!

Stamps: Flower Shop, Hopeful Thoughts

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals Core’dinations, Whisper White

Ink: Black Stazon, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals

Accessories: Pansy Punch, Bitty Banner framelits, blender pen

Storytime Friends baby card

For the past month, the gender of the royal baby has been inevitable… because my former colleague, Jonny, and his wife, Laura, had a baby boy. Why inevitable? Because the couple are living parallel lives with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Not totally parallel, obviously – Jonny and Laura don’t do many state visits. Nor did people camp outside the hospital waiting for news. But they got married at around the same time, and then produced their first-born at roughly the same time. Ok, not very parallel at all – but there were at least commemorative tea towels made for both weddings!

So today seems the right time to show you the baby card I made for Jonny and Laura. There’s only one new product on this one, just a clean design and some soft, gentle colours.

I’ve employed the Simply Scored tool here to add a bit of interest around the edges of the Whisper White panel. Colouring was kept to a minimum – just a little So Saffron around the edges of the lamb, a little Pear Pizzazz on the grass and a tiny amount of Pool Party around the outside edges of the lamb for shading.

Stamps: Storytime Friends, Happy Day

Cardstock: Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Whisper White

Ink: Black Stazon, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron

Accessories: Blender Pen, Paper Doilies, Simply Scored

Flower Shop with Chalk Talk framelits

I always get nervous making cards for my Canadian cousin, Leslie. For a start, she taught me almost everything I know about stamping, so I feel I need to impress. And then she has a very different style to me. She likes cute images and busy designs, the complete opposite to me.

A few years ago, she moved away from this style, just as I was moving tentatively towards it and, for a few glorious months, we met in the middle … then we both reverted to type!

So making Leslie’s birthday card was a challenge and, I’m afraid, in the end, it was just too hot to do anything clever. The result was some experimentation with a new colour combo and my new Chalk Talk Framelits. Ok, I admit it, I panicked and just made “a card”, instead of a “wow”.

Love these Framelits though – this one is like an oversized bread tag. Do you still get those plastic bread tags? I’ve not seen one for years.

Stamps: Flower Shop, Happy Day

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White

Ink: Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding

Accessories: Chalk Talk Framelits, Pansy Punch, Hexagon Embossing Folder

PS: To Sooty, who commented yesterday that she though I’d be at Convention... I can't reply direct to you but here's the explanation: I’m in the UK and Convention is in the USA. Some of the top achievers are going, as an extension to the incentive trip. But I’m not one of the top achievers, unfortunately!

Caturday: Lady

I'm back - it was lovely to see some of my regulars - and some new faces, too. Lots of craft supplies have been rehomed but there are still lots to go! Am exploring other avenues to get rid. Will keep you posted.

Let's not forget that it is Caturday. Received some very sad news last weekend about Max, who died on the road outside his house. His owners, neighbours and friends are understandably devastated. He was a gorgeous creature and at least he had the freedom to enjoy lots of catty adventures.

Meanwhile, here's a friendly face from the cat shelter. Her name is Lady and she shouts A LOT.

Craft Sale TODAY

It's my craft sale this morning, when I sell off my retired and remaining non-SU items, so please come along to

Craft Sale

Royal British Legion

Main Street 

Horsley Woodhouse

10am-noon.

(If you arrive early, I'm afraid you will have to wait outside or in the foyer for this one.)

Be there or be sorry you missed the bargains!

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available in return for a donation to Woodland Nook Cat Rescue. And there will be a craft tombola in aid of the same great cause.

I'll be back later with Caturday and to report back.

See you soon!

Alphabet Press masculine card

Ask almost any cardmaker which cards they struggle with the most and they will answer “masculine”. For me, masculine doesn’t present quite as much of a problem as “young masculine”. This is for my nephew, who turned 11– not an easy age to make a card for, unless you’re willing to find out what the latest fad is and get busy with some punch art.

So I went with the gorgeous new Alphabet Press embossing folder, used on Early Espresso Core’dinations cardstock and sanded slightly. I added a greeting on a panel made with the Chalk Talk Framelits and sponged the edges with Crumb Cake ink.

But it was still missing something. Aha! A finger! Vintage, masculine and suitable for almost any occasion. Love it.

Oh, by the way, inside the card it says “{YOU} Happy Birthday”

Stamps: Morning Post Alphabet, Remembering Your Birthday

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Soft Sky, Early Espresso Core’dinations

Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Alphabet Press embossing folder, Chalk Talk framelits, Natural Trim

Ribbon shares - order yours now!

I know I’m a little late to the party with this but I am running THREE shares, purchasing at the beginning of August.

Shares are a fantastic way of getting a little bit of everything. I appreciate that not everybody wants nine metres of ribbon. Or you may be struggling to decide between three or four colours and not be in a position to buy them all in one go.

Details are as follows:

Chevron Ribbon Share

- Chevron Ribbon: One metre of each colour (12 in total).

Price: £11 if you can collect from me. £12 if you require it posting.

In Color Share

- Ruffle Stretched Trim: One metre of each of the new In Colors

- Boutique Details: Five embellishments – one in each of the new In Colors

- Core’dinations Cardstock: One 12x12 sheet of each of the new In Colors

Price: £9 collected; £10 posted

Other New Ribbon Share (snappy title, eh?) 

In a slight change from my newsletter which I sent out yesterday, this will include the following:

- 3/8” Taffeta Ribbon – Pear Pizzazz: TWO metres

- 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon – Melon Mambo: ONE metre

- 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon – Bermuda Bay: ONE metre

- Seam Binding Ribbon – Soft Sky: TWO metres

- Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon – Blushing Bride: TWO metres

Price: £5 collected: £6 posted

The reason for the change is that I accidentally missed out the Bermuda Bay ribbon. To keep the price the same, I am including just one metre of each of the 1/8” taffeta ribbons. Alternatively, you may go for two metres of each and pay an extra £1. So it would be £6 collected, £7 posted.  Sorry about the confusion!

NB: These shares are not available as part of any workshop or club order.

Please email me ASAP if you’d like to take part.