Sunshine Friends

For someone who does't like yellows and oranges, I seem to have a bit of a Springtime colour theme going on recently. It must be the hope of warmer days on the horizon. Unfortunately I think we have a short cold spell to get through before we see Spring arive so I will have to make do with some sunshine inspired crafting instead using this lovely stamp set from My Favorite Things aptly named Sunshine Friends.

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Let's Stick Together

I've used the name of this prickly stamp set from MFT as inspiration for a Valentine themed project.

The lettering is typed in a font called 'Tasty Burger' and cut out in plain red card using my Silhouette. 

I've outlined the text firstly in black card then baby pink and hammered white card to give it some depth and shadow.

I've also embossed the red card which was quite fiddly with the dinky apostrophe but I laid some tape across the back of the whole strip after cutting it so that the letters didn't fall out while I embossed them.  I then glued them all onto the black outline using the negative as a guide to ensure they were all correctly spaced and level.

The little cactus couple image is stamped, watercoloured and included in the outline shadow so that it forms part of the overall shape of the cardbase.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Let's Stick Together Stamp Set
• MFT Let's Stick Together Die-namics Die Set
• Whimsy Slimline Embossing Folder - Thatched

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Wish

A very clean and simple card, embossed main panel layered onto a pop of red, with a MFT Dienamics Wish Die cut sentiment in red glitter card. 

Simples!

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Big Birthday Wishes with a Pop of Pink

I've used the MFT Big Birthday Wishes die to create a simple card in some gorgeous rich cream and pink glittered cardstock.  

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Big Birthday Wishes
• MFT A2 Stitched Rectangles

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Big Birthday Wishes in Purple Scraps

I've used the MFT Big Birthday Wishes die to create a simple card in some various purples and gingham cardstock.  I've cut the wording out from hammered cream card and used alternating stripes of scraps behind to show through the negative. It's all layered onto deep violet card and finally onto a cream cardbase.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Big Birthday Wishes
• MFT A2 Stitched Rectangles

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Big Birthday Wishes

A really simple card (no colouring!) using this Big Birthday Wishes die from MFT and some embossed rich cream card.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Big Birthday Wishes
• Pinkfresh Studio Sparkling Diamond Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mice Day To Celebrate - Tags

I've been playing with my new MFT tags and Mouse stamp set to create this sweet duo of gift-tags.  

The two meecies are waterecoloured and fussy cut, and I've added a trim of coloured paper cut with a stitched cloud edger die at the top.

The tags are cut in a hammered cream card with a base ourline in a matching solid colour. 

I've added some soft seam binding and organza ribbon to finish them off.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Mice Day to Celebrate Stamp set
• MFT Mice Day to Celebrate matching dies
• MFT Tall Tag Duo Dynamics
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mice Day To Celebrate

Today's card is a simple design using some MFT papers and Whimsy Birthday layered shadow die to decorate this watercoloured mouse from the Mice Day To Celebrate set.  

Despite losing his balloon, this little mouse still seems happy!

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Mice Day to Celebrate
• MFT Joyful Plaid Papers
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

A Christmas Carol

It's been a while since I've made a single layer Clean and Simple card, but while digging through my older stamps today I found this MFT Christmas Carol stamp set and I wanted to try a lightbeam effect using ink.  

There was a lot of masking involved for this card.  The lamp post was also shorter than I needed, so I masked off the bottom half and stamped the top, then did the reverse to stamp only the base.  I wanted the lantern to be quite high on the card so that the light it shone covered about a third of the card.  I then masked everything to stamp the stones and ink the lightmeam in tones of orange fading out to pale yellow. 

I've watercoloured the image using mostly neutral colours but added a pop of red on each element, including the candle in the lantern.  I tried to create some darker shadow in front of the carol singers to show that the light is coming from behind them.  I added a sprinkling of snow and a yellow glow on the goat's hat pompom.

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Tree Farm 3

I've created a third in my set of festive scalloped circle tags in layers of red, green and white card (which I've embossed for texture).  

The image was stamped and watercoloured before fussy cutting and raising up on foam pads.  

I've finished it off with some snowflake organza ribbon.

Tag Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Christmas Tree Farm
• Matching dies available (I fussy cut manually!)

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Christmas Tree Farm 2

I've created another festive scalloped circle tag in layers of red, green and white card (which I've embossed for texture).  

The image was stamped and watercoloured before fussy cutting and raising up on foam pads.  

I've finished it off with some snowflake organza ribbon.

Tag Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Christmas Tree Farm
• Matching dies available (I fussy cut manually!)

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Christmas Tree Farm 1

I've created a festive scalloped circle tag in layers of red, green and white card (which I've embossed for texture).  

The image was stamped and watercoloured before fussy cutting and raising up on foam pads.  

I've finished it off with some snowflake organza ribbon.

Tag Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Christmas Tree Farm
• Matching dies available (I fussy cut manually!)
• Whimsy Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

No Peeking

I love this little kitty image from Colorado Craft.  

He's called 'No Peeking' so he's perfect for a gift tag!!! 

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Colorado Craft No Peeking

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hedgehog with Sign

I'm still well and truly in 'gift tag' mode at the moment with this prickly little fella!

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Hedgehog with Sign
• Honey Bee Christmas die

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Warm Fuzzies

I'm trying to build up my stash of Christmas Gift Tags and this little fella is perfect for a fun decorative tag.  I've cut the base shape out using my Silhouette and lots of scallops and then just layered on some simple circles.

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Warm Fuzzies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Penguins Bearing Gifts

I've created a trio of gift tags using some simple circles on my Silhouette machine and layered with beautifully glittery white cardstock and some die cut snowflakes in pearlescent green. 

I've watercoloured some penguins from Stamping Bella and fussy cut them so they can be raised up on foam pads to create a 3D tag.  

I've added some snowflake organza ribbon so they can be tied onto a wrapped gift.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Penguins Bearing Gifts by Stamping Bella
• Whimsy Stamps Elegant Snowflake Die

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Rudolph with a Present on Top

I've made a simple card using the Stamping Bella Rudolph with a Present on Top and its matching die.  Rather than using patterned papers, I've embossed some smooth bright white card using my Holly Embossing Folder and added some flowers and satin ribbon from my stash for decoration.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Rudolph with a Present on Top Stamp
• Rudolph with a Present on Top Cutting Die
• Whimsy Stamps Slimline Holly Embossing Folder

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tiny Christmas

My current favourite embossing folder is a slimline holly folder and it's not big enough for a full 6" x 6" cardbase, so I've embossed the top two-thirds and left the bottom third for the sentiment.

I've watercoloured a Santa stamp from the Tiny Christmas set and used the matching die to cut him out and raise him on foam pads to lift him above my embossed layer.  

I've used some satin ribbon to cover up the edge of the embossed section.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Christmas from CC Designs
• Tiny Christmas Matching dies from CC Designs
• Whimsy Stamps Slimline Holly Embossing Folder

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Reindeer Family

I'm sharing the third of my trio of slimline reindeer cards using my new Whimsy Holly embossing folder and two little watercoloured Stamping Bella reindeer.

The 3 layered cardbase has been cut using my Silhouette machine and then embossed after it was cut.  I've added a die cut sentiment in the same coloured card.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Reindeer Family Stamps
• Stamping Bella Reindeer Family Cut It Out Dies
• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Peekaboo Reindeer

Another simple Christmas card featuring a Stamping Bella Reindeer and Honey Bee Cuts Christmas sentiment die.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Peekaboo Reindeer Stuffie from Stamping Bella
• Honey Bee Christmas die
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Rectangle Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Elegant Christmas Snowflakes

Still in Christmas mode, I've made this simple navy and white card to share with you today.  The navy snowflake border is cut using a Whimsy Elegant Snowflake border and I've used three of the mini cut out circles to frame my sparkly white gems.  The Chrismtas sentiment is a Honey Bee die layered in the same colour theme.  I've embossed the base card with a Whimsy Holly embossing folder for added texture.

Card Recipe:

From Dies to Die For:

• Whimsy Elegant Snowflake Die
• Whimsy Holly Slimline Embossing Folder
• Honey Bee Christmas die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Reindeer with a Present on Top

Every time I get my embossing folders out I remember how much I love the effect and decorative texture they create, and I've been playing with a new Holly design that I bought recently.  I've cut the cardbase design with my Silhouette machine and layered the white on my favourite Marine Blue card and again onto another white layer to frame the slimline shape.

I've decorated the card with a watercoloured Stamping Bella Reindeer which I've cut out using the matching die, and a layered Honey Bee Cuts sentiment. 

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Reindeer with a Present on Top Stamp
• Stamping Bella Reindeer with a Present on Top Cut It Out Dies
• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas Sentiment
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Reindeer Family

I'd not really got into slimline cards until recently (I know they've been popular for a while but I'm never one to follow trends!) but this week I've been using my new Whimsy Holly embossing folder to create a slimline card with two little watercoloured reindeer and some bright red accents.

The 3 layered cardbase has been cut using my Silhouette machine and then embossed after it was cut.  I've added a die cut sentiment in the same coloured card.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Reindeer Family Stamps
• Stamping Bella Reindeer Family Cut It Out Dies
• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Happy Bee-day

I've created this bee themed birthday card using lots and lots of hexagons and a sprinkling of shimmer!

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Townie Busy Bee from Stamping Bella
• MFT Hanging Happy Birthday die
• Hexagon Dies
• Taylored Expressions Shimmer
• Memory Box Flower Power Stencil

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Tiny Townie Busy Bee

I've created a flower shaped card using my Silhouette machine and layered embossed yellow, cream and orange card for a textured effect.  I've framed the image with some flowers and a pretty organza double bow.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Townie Busy Bee by Stamping Bella

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

The Walrus, The Polar Bear and The Penguin Stuffies

I'm on a drive to increase my Christmas cards in preparation for December. This is one of my favourite Christmas images from Stamping Bella. I've kept it simple with some pretty papers and a layered sentiment.

Card Recipe:

• The Walrus, The Polar Bear and The Penguin Stuffies from Stamping Bella
• Honey Bee Christmas Die Honey Cuts
• Glossy Accents

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bundle Girl and the Beehive

I've made a super-sized gift tag using this sweet Stamping Bella image which I've watercoloured and matted onto purple with honey yellow accents.  

Project Recipe:

• Bundle Girl and the Beehive by Stamping Bella
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die
• Frantic Stamper Large Scalloped Scallop Edger

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Tiny Townie Nurse

I made this 'get well card' for a friend's mum who's just had a hip replacement.  Because it was hand-delivered I could make it extra dimentional.  I used Tiny Townie Nurse from Stamping Bella.

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special Delivery with Thanks

A simple thank you card. The image was watercoloured and I layered the Thanks script die on two outlines that I cut with my electronic cutting machine.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Special Delivery from Stamping Bella
• Mama Elephant Thanks Script Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snuggle Bunnies

I've created a frame for these cute snuggle bunnes in orange card using a butterfly corner die in each corner.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Snuggle Bunny Mini from Colorado Craft
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Die-Namites Butterfly Corner die
• MFT Birthday Circle Frame
• Taylored Expression Brick by Brick stencil

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special Delivery

This image is so versatile for a birthday, or even for a 'just because' card.  I've made quite a fussy card for this one, but am also working on him again for a clean and simple layout because I liked him so much.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Special Delivery by Stamping Bella
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sweet Skunks

I've been in clean and simple mode recently, so this little fella is the centre of attention sat on his log clutching his pink flower.  I've used matching papers and my favourite Whimsy birthday shadow die to frame him.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Sweet Skunks
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Whimsy Birthday Word and Shadow Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's Always Tea Time

I've made another pair of cards in order to make a gift-set of 4 using my Colorado Craft Tea Time Fun stamps .  

I've stamped and watercoloured the image, and then matted it onto alternating layers of nude pink, white and fuschia pink coloured card.

The 'Friend' sentiment is die cut, and I've created a double shadow using the same card colours around the text.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tea Time Fun by Colorado Craft
• Mama Elephant Friend Script Die
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rectangles Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tea Time Fun

I've made a set of sweet cards using a stamp set from Colorado Craft called Tea Time Fun. I've stamped and watercoloured the image, and then matted it onto alternating layers of nude pink, white and fuschia pink coloured card.  The sentiments are both Mama Elephant and I've cut out a double shadow around the text for each using the same card colours.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tea Time Fun by Colorado Craft
• Mama Elephant Friend Script Die
• Mama Elephant Thanks Script Die
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rectangles Stax

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Kitten Flowers

I love this kitty from Lee Holland, and I've framed him on a simple card with a stencilled background and die cut sentiment.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Kitten Flowers by Lee Holland
• Tayloered Expression Brick by Brick stencil
• Mama Elephant Thanks Script Die
• Double Stitched Nesting Dies
  
• Gumdrop Enamel Dots

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Sweet Pea Garden Girl

Another fairly simple layout featuring Sweet Pea Garden Girlie from Stamping Bella.  I've framed her with multiple layers of yellow and orange card, and added some die cut flowers and a layered birthday sentiment.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Townie Garden Girl Sweet Pea by Stamping Bella
• Tiny Townie Garden Girl Sweet Pea by Stamping Bella matching Die
• Stitched Square Nesting dies
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• Whimsy Birthday Word and Shadow Die Set

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Daisy Squidgy

I loved colouring this Daisy Squidgy image again in these Springtime colours. I just need the warmer weather now to go with it! 

It wasn't until I'd finished colouring my image and composing all the card layers that I decided I wanted to add a die-cut sentiment, and I wanted a 'You Are' portion to go with the 'Amazing' text. After hunting through my images, I found this 'You Are' from a recent MFT Sweetest Safari set, and I set about masking it in order to extract the two words I wanted. 

This is what I ended up with, before adding the die cut 'Amazing', which I cut and layered 3 times in the lime green card:

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Daisy Squidgy by Stamping Bella
• Sweetest Safari Set 2 by MFT (part only)
• Double Stitch Nesting Die
• Avery Elle Amazing text die

Happy crafting

Annette
xx

Happy Day!

I've watercoloured the adorable Happy Day bunny image from Colorado Craft Company.  The image has been die cut using a stitched rectangle die before being matted onto multiple layers of red and cream to frame it.

I fussy cut the image and used a blending brush to create a bit of blue sky behind the bunnies.

The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Colorado Craft Company Happy Day!
• Rectangle Stitched Nesting Die Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Pile

I've been playing with some of my favourite older stamps recently and I'm rather fond of this Bunny Pile image from Stamping Bella's stuffies range.

The papers on my card are only 6" wide, and the cardbase is 7" wide, so I lined up the grids on the paper, and hid the join with a strip of satin ribbon.

The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Bunny Pile
• MFT Your Crafty Happy Place Party Plaid Paper Pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Whimsy Stamps New Release expected Friday and it's Paaaartay Time!...

  Hello friends,

It's Sue here today to show you some lovely goodies from the latest mini release from Whimsy Stamps which is available in store for pre-order now!  (Order is due on Friday)!

I created the inky background with some new inks I treated myself too from our lovely Dies To Die For - Pink Fresh Starry Night Ink Pad Set.  I LOVE them!  

I'll pop a link to my inky background tutorial at the end of this post for you.

Ingredients from Dies To Die For

Sprinkle Scallops Rectangle Die Set - Whimsy Stamps

Me-Wow Cat Birthday Clear Stamp Set - Whimsy Stamps

Doggie Birthday Party Clear Stamp Set - Whimsy Stamps

Comic Speech Bubbles Die Set - Whimsy Stamps

Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes

Ink on 3 Blackout Hybrid Detail Ink

Starry - Night - Pinkfresh Studio Dye Ink Cube Pack

Thank you for popping by today!

Take care of yourselves and happy crafting!

from Sue...xxx

Link to Inky Background Tutorial is 

HERE

Ingredients From Dies To Die For

Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes

Ink on 3 Blackout Hybrid Detail Ink

Starry - Night - Pinkfresh Studio Dye Ink Cube Pack

Other Ingredients

Copic Markers* 

Greys - T9, T7, T5, T3, T1

Browns - E77, E74, E71, E70

Blues - B18, B16, B12

Pinks - RV66, RV55, RV52

Violets - V25, V22, V20

Perfect Pearls Mica Powder in Pearl

Mixed Media Card by Daler Rowney

White 300gsm Card

Misti Stamp Tool*

Gemini Jnr Die Cutting Machine