Thanks for Renovating me.

 My step father asked me to make a card for his new neighbours, They bought the cottage next door which is in need of a lot of work before they can move in. He didn't want a traditional new home card. Instead he requested a Thank You card,  to thank the new owners for all they are doing to renovate the cottage. Signed by the house.   

I decided to make a card using die cut tools, tools they maybe using for the renovations. 

I used the retired Background Rules stamp. I blended ink over the front panel and the front of the base card. Then splattered water  over both pieces and blotted off the water after a few seconds to get the mottled effect.

Thank you for looking after me.

I have used this image a few times for get well cards, but this time I amusing it for a  7x7 inch Thank you  card for the team of nurses, doctors and tea ladies that took care of my every need during my eleven day stay in hospital. Well, not quite my every need, Hubby was brilliant too despite being ill himself.  He brought me a huge flask of ice cubes every day, along with anything else I requested from home, like my laptop, clean laundry and pillows ( there was a pillow shortage at the hospital). Ice cubes might sound like a strange request, but the water jugs they brought round twice a day were  so warm I almost threw up. I really can't stand drinking warm water so the ice cubes were a blessing.   My son is one of the chefs at the hospital, so I was spoilt with a cooked breakfast every morning much to the surprise of the staff and envy of the other patients. Even on his days off a cooked breakfast was sent up for me.

I have been home 2 weeks now and haven't really had any interest in going in my craft room until this week. I have to confess my concentration levels are low at the moment so when I get tired, I have to stop and rest and try to finish the project the next day.

I am not sure about the Thanks on this one... I may change it for a printed   "Thanks for looking after me".

Clean and Simple Thank You Card.

I think this is what they call a clean and simple card. 

It's a good card for a guy who needs thanking. It is certainly a no frills card and takes very little time to stamp and construct, making it a great card to demo at a workshop where time is short.

I used two stamp sets to create this card.  The speech bubble is from the  "You are amazing" set.  Stamped using the Sea Foam ink pad and the words are from the "Massive Thanks" set. Stamped using night of navy ink.

There is not a lot more I can say about this card. So I am off to play with these sets again and maybe do a more feminine version. 

Vintage card

As soon as I spotted this set in the new catalogue, I knew I had to have it.

It's a beautiful vintage set that is in the hostess gift section of the new Stampin' Up! catalogue.

This is my first creation using it and Cherry cobbler ink and card.

Thanks for Dinner.

This is the perfect card to send as a Thank You  for a wonderful meal.

I should be sending one of these too my brother in law every time we  go over there for a meal.

He always cooks us a wonderful meal, his Beef wellington is to die for.

These stamps are from a retired S.U. set called compliments to the chef.
I added touches of pale greys to colour the image and layered the image on black card stock  then onto a white base card for a crisp, clean card.

Thank you card

Okay,  so I had to use up the background paper I made for the tutorial in yesterdays post. 

I stamped and coloured this image some months ago, but never got round to using it. I found it while tidying my work space his morning. So I made this card instead of finishing my tidying it.

It's a smaller card than I usually make, It's  about 3 x 5 inches. It's  a cute little card, if say so myself. Unfortunately it didn't photograph very well and this photo doesn't show it in it's true colours.

In laid Embossing Cards

 Quite a few photos here for one simple card but just wanted to show that each card is different despite being done in same colours
The last photo is obviously done in brighter colours for a more funky look.

Inlaid embossing is a very simple technique, I was going to say it's very quick too but then I realized it took me longer than I thought to to these.

Basic instructions.

Punch out circles in three colours and in four or five sizes.

Punch some offset holes in some of the larger circles.

Arrange the circles in an arrangement that pleases you and glue into position.  Have some circle hanging over the edges of your base card and trim them back before mounting work onto your mats.

 Once you are happy with your arrangement and all your circles are stuck down and dry, place the whole piece into an embossing folder with a tight pattern. 
Like the square lattice from stampin' up .(Now retired) and run it through the Bigshot or similar machine and Hey Presto!!! piece finished.


All that remains is for you to do Is mount it onto a couple of layers of card and add a greeting. Adhere to the front of your card.

Yes, That really is all there is too it. 

 I think these would make great Birthday cards for the male species, but today  these ones are thank you cards to  family members for all my fantastic  birthday pressies.

Fresh Vintage

This little number may look familiar to you.
I copies this from the Stampin' up catalogue and idea s book.
It's not called the idea s book for nothing.
So if you get stuck for some idea take a look in your catalogue.
You have paid  £5.95 for  it,  use it to inspire you.
 Don't think you can't make  a card  you see like from the book because you don't have the stamps..... Think about what stamps you do have that will give a similar result.
Here I have just embossed the base card added a strip of white card across the front punched out a scalloped square  and a small heart, which I then  applied glue and glitter to. I stamped the postage stamp  from the fresh vintage ( sale a bration)  stamp set in pretty in pink ink , cut it out and assembled the pieces.