4 Cats and an awful lot of mess

This last couple of weeks I have had to make a real mix of cards, some happy, some sad. The happy ones I don't struggle to much with but the sad cards .....

A colleague unexpectedly and tragically lost her 17 year old son  and as you can imagine is heartbroken, whilst not really of much benefit I wanted to make and send a card to let her know I was thinking of her. It took me quite a few practice runs and trying out some different styles but in the end I went with this, which I have to be honest, I am quite pleased with and will use this again.


To lighten the mood after this card I decided to have a go at some Christmas cards. I have been really inspired with some of the videos on Youtube, where a lot of the card makers post a card a day in the run up to Christmas. Sadly, I don't have the time to do that so a few mass produced ones will supplement this years shop bought ones. Maybe if I start in July next year I could make all my own cards, lets see.


This was a Simon Says Stamp tree die and I painstakingly mounted each strip on foam pads to elevate the trees from the base, finished with wooden starts strayed with Tim Holtz distress spray in silver and Tim Holtz Christmas stay.

Finally, a farewell card for another colleague who was leaving to take up a new job.


I left this to the last minute and consequently feel it is missing something however, the lovely Anna seemed pleased with it.

With time on my hands at the moment until I am fit to go back to work and that I am enjoying making cards, I decided to try and push myself a little. Yesterday I started looking via Google at card challenges and came across quite a few on different sites. I have linked to some of the ones I really liked under the challenges section.

However, this challenge from CAS(E) this Sketch Sketch #294 really appealed to me so for my first effort at a challenge I have joined in. This is my take on the sketch:


I used:
Ninah Desert Storm Cardstock
Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle dies
MFT Kraft ink pad
Pretty Cute Stamps Fur Baby Stamps
Waffle Flower red ink pad
Simon Says Stamp Mini Heart Dies
Red Cardstock from my stash
Glossy accents

This is Sketch #294

Twice a year I treat myself, well more than that really, but this is a treat from the fabulous Simon Says Stamp. Their own brand products are superb and much better than the limited choice we get in the UK. This latest treat coincided with the special 'STAMPtember'  event where stamp designers prepare limited edition sets sold via the SSS website.

This year was superb however the stamps sell out quickly so I wasn't able to get all the ones I wanted. I did manage to get these gorgeous stamps from Honey Bee stamps with the matching dies:

This versatile set of stamps are perfect to add to my growing stash and will be put to good use. Already I have used them to make these cards for upcoming birthdays.


Images coloured with Promarkers and embossed, Altenew numbers die and gold glitter paper from American Crafts.


Kraft card stock, Hero Arts Hues - White ink, Stamping Up glitter paper. Apologies for the photograph.

Two cards with one set of stamps, that's a record for me, so a worthwhile investment.

It seems most people start by making cards and then venture into scrapbooking. For me it was the other way around. I started scrapbooking when a friend suggested a day class at a local store and soon I was hooked. I started going to a regular crop where I met lots of like minded people, joined UK Scrappers and went on weekend retreats. It was through a circle journal that I met my still friend KathB and as the crops have died off, I too have not done any scrapbooking in ages, despite mounds of stash.

I have however started to use some of my supplies and added to it, making cards. I am really enjoying this, I am slow, I get it wrong quite  a lot but it is relaxing and the fruits of my labour seem well received.

Some of the cards I have made recently include:


A card for my neighbours daughter who moved into her first house. Scraps of paper from my stash, Claudine Helmouth stamps coloured with Promarkers and my Dymo label maker.




My Favourite Things Four Legged Friends again, coloured with Prismacolour pencils.

As you can see I am really liking Kraft backgrounds, they are so versatile and everything seems to go with a Kraft card. So come back soon for further creations.