Heartfelt Blooms

We've finally got to the last card in the Book Box set, there are six in all which means this is the penultimate post; with the final one showcasing the Book Box. I've tried to cover as many occasions as possible, making the sentiments reasonably generic to cover several events where possible. This card is no exception expressing heartfelt thoughts. Ideal to offer hope and sympathy and this type of card is never really easy to make. Should you use colour... a little bit of bling... fancy folds... We all have our own interpretation of what is acceptable.

Pool Party

Whisper White

I personally like to use more muted colours and so once again am using Pool Party. Those who know me well might suggest a Freudian slip as I used the same colours for the wedding card!

When Heartfelt Blooms first came out for Sale-a-bration I wasn't too sure about it. However, while for me it was a slow burner, I wouldn't be without it now. Using just one colour you get light and shade with this stamp, it really looks amazing. I've also seen it stamped in a very pale colour and then coloured using the watercolour pencils for a totally different look. Sale-a-bration is a fabulous event running from January until the end of March where for every £45 spent, you can choose an item from a varied selection. They include DSP, ribbons, stamps, embossing folders and dies and often co-ordinate with items in the main catalogues.

As you can see, I partially stamped the image at the top and then fully stamped it in the opposite corner. My sentiment was stamped directly onto the card which was mounted onto the card base after I'd wrapped some ribbon round. A small bow added the final touch. As usual I decorated both the inside of the card and the envelope.

Summer Silhouette

Hello, do you find it difficult to create cards to express sympathy for someones loss? Crafters can be quite divided on what is and isn't suitable; should you use colour, what about a touch of bling? A while ago I saw a stamp set called Summer Silhouette, it had already retired, but I thought it would be perfect for many different projects including sympathy cards.

This stamp set sat on the shelf for a while before I finally had a play with it. In fact it only came down as I was struggling without my precision press. I know I frequently use it however I hadn't realised how much I relied on it. I chose a soft palette of colours as I really don't like stark black and white.

Blushing Bride

Crumb Cake

Whisper White

 I started by stamping the stem in Crumb Cake, adding the flower head in both first and second generation Blushing Bride onto a rectangle of Whisper White card stock. I also added the leaf in Crumb Cake.

This was then mounted onto Blushing Bride with just a narrow border showing. Linen Thread was wrapped around the lower edge. Is this where I should confess that I wanted to cover up a little of the leaf stem? Anyway, it turned into a happy accident.

Having used washi tape recently at Coffee and Cards, I decided to break out my own stash again. I thought it went well with the splodges in both Crumb Cake and Blushing Bride and created a softer background. I wouldn't add rhinestones to this type of card but wanted some subtle bling so sorted out my embellishments to find the pearls.

Now I'm normally rather decisive when it comes to how my cards should look. I am still toying with the idea of adding a small butterfly though. With or without, what do you think?

Lovely As a Tree

Hello again, you know I'm so lucky to live in Cambridgeshire; it's a beautiful part of the country even though the landscape is so flat! You can see for miles...

The other day, instead of my usual trek into work, as it was half term I travelled to Cambridge on the guided bus to meet my friend, Chantelle, for a day of shopping, eating cake and drinking tea. It's a journey I used to make on a daily basis when I worked in Cambridge but I don't often travel there now so I really enjoyed looking out of the window at the scenery. Sadly I didn't get chance to take a photo.  Watching the sun coming up over the lakes at Fen Drayton really inspired me to use Lovely as a Tree. I had an inkling of an idea on the bus and made a scribbled drawing to remind myself.

OK so the photo isn't mine but I have tried to find contact details for Jme and also included his blog details. I just thought the addition of a photo would give an indication of the view.

Tangerine Tango

Crushed Curry

Old Olive

Early Espresso

I love blending inks, it's so theraputic; the more time you take, the better it looks as the colours build up. You just have to make sure you aren't going out for a special event though as fingers get very inky!

If you try it and aren't too sure of the result, keep going as it will improve. This time I used a die cut Post It note to mask a circle for the sun.

For the background layer I did the Joseph's Coat ink technique, it worked so well with the colours.

Stamping inside the card and also on the envelope ensures each project has a cohesive and finished look.