Blow Out the Candles...

I'm trying to make more Birthday cards because I give out so many of them.  I love giving out birthday cards - there's that special joy I get when the recipient appreciates the card.  Perhaps it's also a small way of bringing cheer to a friend when you hand them a handmade card.  So, anyway... here's a really fast and easy card I made yesterday.

I kept the layout really simple.  The only extra bit I did was make a flower from the super beautiful Japanese ribbon my sister bought.

I have a question for the cardmakers out there who might read this blog entry of mine.  Do you see the cards you would like to make in your head before you do anything?  Hmm... cos I do.  I see colours and images all the time in my head which could be inspired by a stamp or patterned paper which catches my eye, or even billboards and magazine layouts, etc.  The only sad thing is, I may not always achieve on paper what I visualise in my head...LOL!  Have a great day!!

Stamps : GKD Candles on Your Cake, Unity Artist In You (background swirls)
Ink : Versamark, Memento
Paper : Echo Park Sweet Summertime (can u tell how much I LOVE this collection..), GKD Fresh Asparagus cardstock
Others : EK Success scallop Border punch, Spellbinders large scallop ovals, Sakura glitter pen, White Gel pen

Waltzing Mouse Challenge #12

Recently, I discovered Waltzing Mouse stamps and almost immediately contacted Claire Brennan to purchase her stamps.  She's a very efficient lady and answered all my questions and soon after the postman delivered the goodies.  However, I was so caught up with work, travelling, etc... you can guess, right... the stamps were unopened till now.

Finally, a chance to play with the new stamps.  Here's a card in response to the sketch challenge at WM's challenge blog.

It's a really simple card, and takes only 15 mins to make.   I hope you check out Waltzing Mouse's website and blog.  You will love how Claire's stamps are made to go with Spellbinders' Nestabilities dies.  I have lots of those dies and it's great to have stamps which work with them.  The sentiment stamp was from Verve. Thanks!

Stamps : Waltzing Mouse Faux Fun Circles, Verve Beautiful You (sentiment)
Paper : Echo Park Sweet Summertime, PTI Cream cardstock
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black (sentiment), Memento Bamboo Leaves (main image)
Others : Spellbinders Large Scallop Round, Fiskars border punch, PTI twill ribbon, WeRMK corner chomper

Helloooo... Monday

It's Monday again.  Over the weekend, my sister and I finally had some time to get out all our recent craft purchases.   We had a grand time playing with stamps and papers...

Here's one of them - originally made for the Unity Addict Challenge #15 - it was a black & white challenge with a pop of colour.  I'm not sure if I interpreted it right - does "a pop of colour" mean just one colour or can you have a collection of colours on one image.  LOL!  Anyway, I've decided  to make another card for that challenge and keep this for today's posting.

If you like, do let me know what you think. Thanks!

Stamps : Unity KOM August 2010
Papers : 7 Gypseis Avignon, PTI white cardstock
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black, colourpencils
Twine : PTI
Crystals : Imaginisce i-rock
Others : Sakura Pigma Micron 01 Black (frame lines drawn), Spellbinders Labels 2 (frame for owl)

Birthday Princess

Breaking out another of my new MFT Pure Innocence stamp... this one is called Birthday Princess.  I love her!  Look at her - she's so sweet, trying to balance the cake on one hand and hanging on to her crown with the other hand.  Because she is so cute, I thought I'd have to make a really happy card - and used my recent favourite papers from Echo Park, Sweet Summertime.

I hope you like the card...

Stamps : MFT Birthday Princess, MFT Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays (sentiment)
Patterned paper : Echo Park Sweet Summertime
Ink : Memento markers, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : Spellbinders Large Scallop Oval, white gel pen, Sakura Pigma micron sepia, Japanese ribbon

Always Do Your Best

My mum drummed this into all of us when we were young, to always do our best especially in our studies, so that we'd have a better life than she had.  Of all my siblings, I think I must have given her the most heartache because I love all the fun things and being out in the sun rather than studying my books.  I love reading but not my school books.. ;-)

Late last night when I made this card, I thought of my mum.  The sentiment is so true, isn't it - "Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later."

This card was made for the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club this week.  Another simple card... I stamped the PI Blooming Good Day image (I super, super LOVE the PI range), coloured her with Memento Markers, an paper pieced her dress with MME's Ooh La La paper.  The image was cut using the Large Scalloped Rectangle nestabilities and sponged with Memento Summer Sky and a touch of shimmer paint.  Around the background patterned paper, I did some faux stitching by piercing the paper and running my Sakura Pigma Micron (0.1) pen joining the pierced dots.  On the sentiment, I added some i-rock crystals - this is another tool I'm really loving right now.  It's so much fun!

Stamp : My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Blooming Good Day & MFT free stamp with purchase (sentiment)
Patterned papers : DCWV, My Mind's Eye
Accessories : i-rock & crystals, Cuttlebug embossing folder argyle
Cardstock : GKD PLC Vibrant violet

Poppies

Mid week already - time really flies.  We're into end of August, and another month to go before I head home.  It's been rather cold and wet lately where I am, and I feel I've had enough of winter.  LOL!  Never thought I'd hear myself say this, I used to love the cold weather but now, I'm longing for some sunshine...

Here's a card I made hoping to cheer myself up:

It's also for the sketch challenge at Stamp TV.  I wanted to use the lovely vintage papers by 7 Gypsies - Avignon and see how the card would look with a brighter focal image.  This is the final result.  Hope you enjoy the card.
Stamp set : Gina K Designs Hugs & Prayers
Ink : Memento Lady Bug & Tuxedo Black, Memento Markers (colouring the image)
Patterned papers : 7 Gypsies Avignon
Cardstock : GKD PLC Spiced Pumpkin
Others : PTI Twill ribbon, MS butterfly punch

StampTV Inspiration Challenge

I always look forward to a break and making a fast and easy card.  This week, we did some spring cleaning at my sister's place.  I found a stash of scraps which I thought would be perfect for making some cards.  Yeah, when you are not home and having limited supplies, it's fun to try to create something out of the little that you have. 

I made this card for the StampTV Inspiration Challenge.  See that cake?  Well, I was testing the stamp with some pink ink on scrap paper and forgot to clean it before I applied the brown ink.  Hmm... I kinda like the end result - I thought it ended looking like a marbled cake. lol!

Stamp : GKD Candles on your cake (I love, love this set!)
Inks : Memento Rich Cocoa, Rose Bud & Memento Markers on the candles.
Cardstock : PTI Sweet Blush
Patterned papers : My Mind's Eye Ooh La La