Simply Stampin' Challenge #18

London, Baby!!  Thank goodness for this challenge!  I've been forced (not unwillingly, I might add) to create Photo Love.  I dug out a half-thought-through project from nearly 3 years ago that just hadn't got off the ground.  The photos were all printed out but I hadn't really come up with an idea I liked.  But, ta da, today was the day.  So thank you Simply Stampin' for this week's challenge.

I chose the Westminster Tube Station sign as my inspiration for the colours:
Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White

I trawled through my stamp sets for something I could tie into the design and I came up with Artistic Etchings.  Using, platinum shimmer paint, I randomly stamped the crown image onto the background and again, this time in Pacific Point, on the title topper.




My friend and I had saved for 5 years for this trip to celebrate our 40th birthdays.  Just £20 a month for 5 years.  We stayed in the Mayfair, dined at Maze, shopped at Harvey Nics, Harrods, Selfridges, etc, etc.  Oh not forgetting the limo ride from the airport to the hotel.  Hee, hee!  It was such a girlie weekend, we're planning our next one maybe a little sooner this time.  Can't wait....

Although you can't see in the photo, I've stamped some Basic Phrases in the corners to reflect the occasion, using Birthday, Celebrate and Friend.

Handbags!

This little creation came from the very talented Becky (Inking Idaho).  Her tutorials are available for sale at very reasonable prices!!  This is my first attempt and, although I could do with a little more practice,  I have to say think it's very chi-chi!!  Thanks Becky x

SU-Only Challenge 24

For this "Get Well" challenge, I decided to use Clearly for You from the Mini Catalogue to create a patchwork effect.

The set lends itself beautifully to this because of its delicate images.  The background stamp is so intricate.

I decided to go (almost) monotone with this one simply because of the number of images used.  Crumb Cake gives a subtlety to the images and I've used Soft Suede for the background stamp.

I used the Spritz tool with Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker to give a slightly smudged appearance.  The patchwork squares were punched out with the 13/8" square. 

Finally, using Fun Flowers Bigz L die for the Big Shot, I create the embellishment with Crumb Cake DSP.  The bone folder is perfect for turning up the petals.  The sentiment comes from Sincere Saluations.

Stamp Set:  Clearly for You (Mini p22 £17.94/£22.95)
Punch: 13/8" Square (IBC p106 £15.50)
Die: Big Shot (Mini p6 £87.95) & Fun Flowers (Mini p7 £28.95)

Simply Stampin' Challenge #17

 

The Simply Stampin' Challenge can be found here.  Looking through my stamp sets, the obvious choice for me was Clearly for You.  It's delicate enough to be used on a smaller card, say for a thank you.

 

I stamped the background using Poppy Parade.  The raspberry stamp was inked using Certain Celery, Poppy Parade and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers and mounted, as you can see below using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Using the different red tones, I think, makes the fruit look good enough to eat!

In Sympathy

A friend and colleague of mine received the sad news that her gran has passed away.  My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

I've only recently acquired this set but I think it just says enough at this difficult time.  I've used Pear Pizzazz, Regal Rose and Soft Suede along with the Organza ribbon.

Bon Voyage!

Our nephew is off to Jamaica on a Gap Year adventure with Project Trust in August.  He had to fundraise a not insubstantial £5000 to be able to take part in this.  So, that achieved, he's off to a Jamaican orphanage where he'll be teaching the children sports.

Good luck, Mikey and send us a postcard!!

I've used Plane & Simple here with Newsprint DSP along with Basic Phrases for the sentiment.

On a Pedestal!

My daughter asked me to make a card for her friend's 18th.  On a Pedestal is one of the first stamp sets I bought and is just perfect for everyone.  I used the Scallop Circle die for the Big Shot in Chocolate Chip and Shimmer White.  I daubed the edges with Regal Rose.  You can just make out the clear embossing I did for the "18". 

Happy 18th Birthday, Christina!

French Foliage

I pinched this idea from Julie, the Crafty Bug.  Using a masking technique, I daubed the background with Peach Parfait and then stamped random images from the French Foliage Stamp Set using Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and Cajun Craze.  The sentiment is from Plane & Simple.  Both sets are available in the 2011 Mini Catalogue.

Although difficult to see, I distressed the edges of the Naturals Ivory card stock before mounting onto More Mustard.

Cottage Garden

This 5 x 5" card base is perfect for the Scallop Circle Die for the Big Shot.  Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, I've placed the butterflies and sentiment.  I used the Stampin' Write Markers to highlight the word "love".

I sent this one to my niece, Catherine, as a get well card.  She's been under the weather for a while now but is making good progress.

Welcome Baby!

I made this Baby Girl card using Pink Pirouette card stock and DSP along with a little Certain Celery put through the Polka Dot embossing folder on the Big Shot.  I also embossed the clouds with Clear Embossing Powder just to make them stand out a bit more. 

I sent this to my cousin, Duncan, and his wife, Nicola, to celebrate the birth of their first baby, Orla.