Quick wedding card

I needed a card for a wedding and I needed it quickly and as I didn't have any suitable cards left in my stack (which is nearly empty as I haven't been making cards lately) I had to sacrifice an afternoon and produce something.
This is what I came up with:

Card recipe:
Papers: Bo Bunny "Crazy Love Collection"
Cardstock: Bazzill
Punches / Dies : Martha Stewart "Garden Trellis" deep border punch, Nestabilities classic scalloped circles, Nestabilities Labels 8
Stamps: Basic Grey "Wild Flowers", Lili of the Valley "Set 6 Dreamy Days Circular Sentiments"
Ribbon: Interio
Heart Pins: Anna Marie Designs

Hope you like it.

Hugs,
Becca

Lazy Days

It's been a while, hasn't it?
I don't know why but somehow I'd lost the bug and I had absolutely no desire to create anything. The last cards I made were Christmas cards (which I forgot to take photos of) and I think I only made those because I felt I had to send home made cards.
I tidied up my office this past week (it took me 6 hours!) and it was lovely coming in and seeing everything clean and in its place. I know this helps me to create as I can't can be open to ideas when there is chaos around me.
I bought this cute LOTV stamp at last years NEC craft fair and I thought it was time I inked it up. It makes me want to go and lie down and take a snooze :) I find boys card really hard to make as I want to put flowers and ribbons on them but here less if definitely better!
I'm sorry it's a bit fuzzy.......

Card recipe:
Stamp: LOTV Lazy Days
Ink: Memento / Distress Inks pumice stone and old paper
Papers: Green background - Bearly Mine / Blue circles paper - Basic Grey Marjolaine / Blue Newspaper - Prima Botanical / Craft Basic Grey
Colouring medium: Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador
Die cuts: Nestabilities Classic circle and Classic scallop circle large
Buttons: Doodlebug Designs

I'm entering this in Basic Grey Challenge: Spring Colours

Hopefully I'll be on here more often.
Until then....

Big hugs,

Becca

Love is the air

The wedding season is here and I want to show you a card that I made for my nephew (and now neice in law) who got married last Saturday. Sadly we couldn't go to the wedding as they live in the US but our thoughts and hearts were with them as they made their vows. Isn't love grand?

This Lili of the Valley image "Love Grows" suits the occasion just perfectly, don't you think? Aren't they cute together?
My husband will probably laugh at this image because when it comes to gardening, I suck! I just don't see what needs to be done and he has to drag me out of the house and tell me exactly what he wants me to do! But the symbol of the image is what counts - working together - come sunshine or rain and not forgetting that love needs to be watered and trimmed and looked after otherwise it will wilt and die.We wish the new bride and groom all the love in the world as they start their journey together!

Well, I'm off to get ready as we're going to a wedding apéro this afternoon - as I said, it's the wedding season and LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

Card recipe:
Stamp: LOTV Love Grows
Papers: Prima Sparking Spring 6x6 (DP) / Bazzill (CS)
Punches: Martha Stewart Heart Lace border, daisy flower punches, McGill branch
Die cuts: Nestabilities Classic square and Classic scallop square large
Ribbon: MeiFlower / St. Gallen Lace
Inks: Memento tuxedo black, Distress Inks forest moss,
Colouring medium: Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador

Hugs,
Becca

Honey Tilda

I can't believe it's taken me nearly three weeks to finish off and post a card! I just haven't found the time what with running the household, managing the kids and now easter holidays! My 12 year is constantly bugging me to get off the computer so he can go on!I don't know how other crafters manage to roll of cards daily! I do admit that this has been a rather long break but I hope to catch up soon.....

This stamped and coloured in image of Honey Tilda has been sitting "patiently" on my desk wanting to be made into a card and the reason why it has taken so long is because I  don't own many yellow papers. I finally had to get some digi papers to be able to finish the card!

I made my own flowers for this card! Can you believe it? I watched some YouTube videos and hey presto - self-made paper roses distress inked with scattered straw ink! Are you impressed? I am :)

Aftrer all this waiting, I hope you like it!  I do :)

Card recipe:

Stamp: Magnolia Honey Tilda

Papers: Shabby Princess - Sweet serenity digi papers / black and white cardstock

Medium: Caran d'Ache water colour pencils with Sansador

Dies: Nestabilities Label #1

Punches: Martha Stewart Doily Lace punch / McGill Pine branch / Tonic flower punches

Ribbon: Knorr prandell

Rhinestones: stash

Glitter: Stickles Crystal ice

Flowers: self made using Tonic flower punches

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Becca

40th Birthday

I was born on Tuesday 16th March 1971 at 04.20 in Essex, England and this past Wednesday I turned the ripe old age of 40!
I had a fantastic birthday! I had an open house, and friends and family celebrated with me from early afternoon until nearly midnight, and it was the best birthday ever. I started my new decade on a high and am feeling pretty good at being the big four-oh! I have the best friends ever and I am so grateful for them in my life.
One of my best friends daughter was looking through my cards at the party and told me that she would like one. I asked her what her favourite colours were, so I could make a card to suit her tastes, and she told me they were pink and blue. She is 7 years old.
So today I got to work on her card and then tried to fit it into this weeks challenges. This is what I came up with:

My haul from SimonSaysStamp finally arrived yesterday and I got to play with "Tilda with balloon" from the 2011 You Are So Special collection. From the moment I saw her I knew I wanted her; it just took me ages to order her! The Martha Stewart heart lace border punch and the Hero Arts 3 Dotted Flowers stamp were from the same order. I had hoped they would arrive on my birthday but this way I got to open them on Thursday and it was like my birthday all over again :) I don't have to grow up now just because I'm forty, do I?! ;) (Wow, that sounds weird - f-o-r-t-y-!!)

After my failed attempt at colouring in Tilda's dress in my last post, I really made an effort to get it right this time. I feel it went alot better. What do you think?
But then again I can't really take all the credit. My other order from Lili of the Valley arrived yesterday as well bringing with it the Super Smooth Stamping Card that I ordered and it is brilliant, so I think it's the stamping card that made the difference this time. It is so smooth and the pencils and markers just glide over the paper. I definitely have to get some more when I'm at the NEC next week.....

I made the inside to match the colours on the outside -  I just reversed them.

Card recipe:
Papers: pink and blue - a paper pack from Hobbycrafts / DP BasicGrey sugar rush
Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with balloon 2011 You are so special collection
Hero Arts: 3 Dotted Flowers (the smallest of the three)
Die cuts: Nestabilities oval scallop large and circle large / Sizzix Sizzlits (chipboard heart)
Colouring medium: Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador / Copic marker for her skin
Distress inks: victorian velvet, walnut stain
Punch: Martha Stewart lace heart / Gütterman leaf punch
Ribbon: Knorr prandell
Extras: Glossy accents, chipboard, glitter glue, flat back pearls

I'm entering this into the following challenges:
Just Magnolia - Week 98 Favourite colour combo
SimonSaysStamp - Simon Says......Happy Birthday
Friday Sketchers - Sketch #146 (I couldn't do a sentiment as I don't know what Safira wants to use the card for)
Bunny Zoe's Crafts -  Challenge #10 Happy Birthday....with lots of pearls
Totally Tilda - Challenge #18 Tilda with chipboard
Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Die cuts

It's the weekend again......how did that happen? How come the time is flying by so quickly?
I hope you all enjoy your weekend and that you are well relaxed.
Thanks for taking the time to visit and for your sweet, encouraging comments. I love reading them.....

Hugs,
Becca

Rosie with presents

Hey all,

I hope you had a great weekend?
On Sunday evening after Skyping with my sister in England I got to work and really challenged myself with colours that aren't usually ones I use. The challenge over at Colour Create was to use greens/olive green, brown, cream and black, and believe me it was tough!
Once I'd decided on which papers to use the rest kind of flowed.......
I used the sketch over at Friday's Sketchers 

Card recipe:
Papers: BasicGrey Capella, Bazzill
Stamp: Lili of the Valley Rosie with present
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador, walnut stain DI
Die cuts: Nestabilities Oval and oval scallop large
Flower: Prima
Brad: BasicGrey Capella
Leaf punch: Gütermann
Black pearls: Hero Arts
Ribbon: Interio (25mm)

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Colour Create - Greens/olive green, brown, cream and black
Friday Sketchers - Sketch #145
Lili of the Valley - Say it with flowers
ABC DT - Happy Birthday
The Shabby Tea Room - Party time

Hope you have a great start to the week. This week is going to be busy for me as it's my 40th birthday on Wednesday and I'm having an open house......I'm getting excited!

Take care and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Becca

Fruity Tilda

It's been two weeks since I made a card - I've been feeling out of sorts and a bit demotivated - but today while I was looking at the different challenges I felt motivated to make one.  I'm hoping I have my mojo back!

The sketch for this card is from the very talented Bev Rochester over at Just Magnolia Challenge.

Can you tell that Tilda is ready for Spring? Look at all that gorgeous fruit - strawberries and cherries - and her muffin is a fruit muffin, naturally!

 

Card recipe:

Papers: CS Bazzill, DP Bearly Mine

Stamp: Magnolia Tilda w/ cowberry muffin

Punches/Dies: Carl flower punches, Magnolia Tilda Lace, Nesties circle and scallop

Inks: Memento Texedo Black, Caran D'Ache with Sansador, Distress Inks - walnut stain

Embossing: Cuttlebug folder swiss dots

Brads, pearls and doily from my stash.

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Totally Tilda - Fuity Tilda

SimonSaysStamp - Anything goes

Just Magnolia and hAnglar & sTanglar - Bev's sketch

ABC Challenge - P is for Pearls

It's Friday, people! It's weekend! Yeah!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, 

Becca

Birthday card for my Mama

It's my mother's birthday next Saturday (Feb 26th) and I wanted to get her card done and sent off before this weekend was over. I'm always late and I didn't want to be this year. She will be 79! I am my Mama's baby - she was 39 when she had me (yes, you can all count - I'll be 40 next month!) - and I was quite a surprise for the family when I turned up eight years after the last and seventeen years after the first (we are five kids in total).
I've noticed that regardless how old you are, you will always be the baby of the family. I was pregnant with #3 before one of my brothers realised that I was an adult!! :) So this is why I chose this card for my mother, showing her that I am still her little girl........ pretending to be an adult! hehe!

I feel that this is my best card yet! I love the colours - pink and green are my favourite colour combinations and this stamp just screams girly pink. Don't you agree?

I used my last piece of this particualr design paper (BG Porcelain) and I don't know what I am going to do without it. I hope BG puts this collection on their digital kits soon so I can have it forever!

Here is my card recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill (pink and green )
DP: BasicGrey Porcelain paper collection
Stamps: Lili of the Valley - Hello Cupcake (image) / Melissa Frances - Simply Said (sentiment)
Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black / Copic markers* / Ranger Distress Inks (walnut stain)
Die cuts: Nestabilities Labels #1 & Classic scalloped circles large
Punches: Gütermann (butterfly, leaves and flowers)
Ribbon: Knorr prandell
Gems: Basics by Kaiserkraft and Hero Arts
Doily from stash

*Copics:
Face and body: E000, E00, E21, R20
Dress and hat: RV10, R81, R83, R85
Hat, shoes, teacup and scallop circle: G21, G24

I am entering this into the following challenges:
Lili of the Valley: Challenge #84  - My favourite Colours
SimonSaysStamp Challenge: Make your own embellishment!
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Challenge #9 - Spring....Flowers everywhere!

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment to let me know you were here! I appreciate you!

Hugs, Becca

p.s Barb - don't show Mum this post otherwise it'll spoil the surprise - ta! xx

My valentine

Happy Sunday to you!
I hope you've all had a lovely weekend? Ours was good and school starts again tomorrow for us after one week off - winter break for skiing. We went twice and we had a great time. I left my camera in the car and could have kicked myself as the weather and the views were spectacular! Arhh!!

I worked on a valentine's card yesterday and used a Magnolia stamp - Tilda brings a flower for it.

I used the sketch from Friday Sketchers

and this is what I came up with:

I used BasicGrey's sugar rush papers for the background and the baby pink and raspberry cardstock is Bazzill. I love the busy "love" background - it is perfect for a valentine card. I coloured Tilda in with water colours pencils with Sansador. I am still waiting for an order of some additional Copic markers and can't wait for them to arrive. The hearts are Sizzix die cuts and the circle and scallop are Nestabilities.

I added pink glitter glue to the hearts and to Tilda's pocket and flower for some added sparkle.

For the swirls I used my Cricut Storybook cartridge and then added some Hero Arts pink gemstones.

 

I bought the pink polka dot ribbon on Friday at our local grocery store (!) and I love it (I bought a cyan blue one as well). The other pink ribbon is from Knorr prandell.

So what do you think of my "busy" valentine's card?

I am entering this in to the following challenges:

Friday Sketchers - Challenge #140

Basic Grey - All heart

Just Magnolia - Anything goes with the option to add ribbon

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Glitter challenge

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Love is in the air

Totally Tilda - Challenge #15 Tilda with lots of hearts

7 Kids College Fund challenge -  #14 I heart you
Bunny Zoe Crafts - Challenge #8 Love is in the air

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate you.....

Hugs, Becca

Anything but a square....

...is this weeks challenge over at Lili of the Valley and I knew I had a small problem! This challenge was really going to be a challenge for me and I nearly didn't bother attempting it. But now that I've done it, I'm glad that I did because I love it! You see, I don't own any large die cuts, I just have my Nesties and they weren't large enough for this project so I had to put my thinking cap on.
Luckily for me, I have a Cricut and cartridges that cut out lovely shapes and this is how I cut my card. I used the Storybook cartridge and cut the Bazzill pink scallloped shape out at 5" and then the floral paper from BasicGrey Porcelain collection at 4 1/2".

I coloured the Lili of the Valley "Hello Cupcake" stamp with Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils and Sansador, and cut her out with Nestabilities Large circle and mounted her onto Bazzill cardstock (green) which was also cut with the same Nesties set. I then added 2mm pink gems from Hero Arts around the edge of the DP to add some bling and a small bow to finish it off.

I scored the back of the card to make a fold and then used the same Bazzill green paper cut out at 4 1/2" to make an inlay. The sentiment was stamped in Distress Ink peeled paint and is from Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamp set. The lace is from my stash.

I'm really pleased with my card and hope you like it too.

Thanks for stopping by and leave a comment so I know you've been here. I love to hear from you.....

Hugs,
Becca

Impressions

"Another altered journal!, I hear you say.
Well I bought two last week and as you know, I made one for my daughter's birthday which meant I had this one left over. So I decided to dress it up and give it to a friend who is moving away next month. She can either use it as a journal or a notebook - whatever she needs most. This is a totally new colour combo for me - brown, green and purple - I wasn't so sure at the begining but I think it's growing on me! LOL! You've got to challenge yourself, right?
I never know what to do with the sides - you know, the black bit on the left that you can't cover. What do you do to hide it? Any ideas? I guess buy the right coloured notebook to match your papers, right?
As I've used so many different products on this project I'll just put all the info in the card recipe below.

Card recipe:
Stamp: Magnolia Jam Tilda - 09 Yummy Tummy Collection
Papers: Déjà Views Plum and Apple 8x8 tablet / BasicGrey LilyKate (green floral) / Bazzill
Die cuts: Nestabilities large circle and large scallop / Fiskars scallop / Martha Stewart Vintage Doily
Spellbinder Impressabilites: Flowers
Ribbon: Knorr prandell
Flower: Bazzill  / Leaves: Cricut Storybook
Inks: Copic markers (face and body) / Distress Inks (dress, hair and socks and all edges)
Ribbons on the side: Michaels
Gem: stash
Sentiment: From the 8x8 tablet Déjà Views

I'm entering this into the following challenges:
SimonSaysStamp: Bingo (Punch/Diecuts, Embossing, Ribbon)
Magnolia Stamp Lovers: Sentiment
Just Magnolia: Sketch by Donalda
7Kids College Fund: Challenge yourself  (colour combo of brown, purple and green.....very new for me)

I hope to spend more time in my craft room next week - one project a week is just not enough. I have tons of ideas running around in my head and not as much time as I would like to make them happen.

Wishing you all a lovely Sunday and hope you can all recharge your batteries.

Hugs all,
Becca

Altered journal

Hello!

Well it's my daughter's 20th birthday today and I just wanted to share with you what I made for her.
She mentioned that she needed a new journal so I decided to buy a basic one and jazz it up a bit. The colours I chose reflect the colours found in her bedroom - red and orange. I'm happy to inform that she loved it! Phew......
As you probably guessed by now, I love Basic Grey papers, especially the 6x6 paper pads. I do have other papers but I always seem to gravitate towards BG. For this project I used papers from the Blush and Sugared collections and have decided to enter this into the BasicGrey Challenges

 

 

 

 

Here's a picture of the birthday girl taken last summer:

 Isn't she a cutie!

Card recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey - blush & sugared

Stamp: Magnolia - Summer Tilda with bownot

Punches: Martha Stewart - Garden trellis & Vintage doily / Fiskars scallop

Flowers: Bazzill & Heidi Swapp

Die cuts: Nestabilities Labels #8

Inks: Tilda was coloured in with watercolour pencils / all edges distressed with walnut stain

Extras: Knorr prandell - Glitter glue 

Brad: Basi Grey cappella

Ribbons: Michaels

I hope you like my creation and thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,

Becca

Pretty in pink

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

My eldest turns 20 next week and I wanted to make her a girly card to let her know that she will always be "my baby girl" and that in my eyes she is "wonderful".  I can't believe that she will be 20 - where does the time go!? Am I really old enough to have a 20 year old? Apparently I am! lol!

A whole new decade awaits her and it's going to be an exciting one.............

Anyway on to her card - I used the Midsummer Tilda from the Fairytale collection and doesn't she look pretty in pink?

I love the pink and green combo at the moment and as I was flicking through my paper pads I came across these papers from Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses collection and knew that I had found my papers for my pretty in pink Tilda. I coloured Tilda in with distress inks (spun sugar and victorian velvet for her dress, and antique linen and walnut stain for her hair) and copic markers for her face and body. The circular sentiment is from Lili of the Valley and the flowers from Rayher. I used Borderabilities Fleur de Lis border from Spellbinders and the Nestabilities Labels Eight.

I am entering this into the Just Magnolia -Anything goes 
and Simon Says Stamp - New Beginnings (new decade for my daughter)

I'm sorry the photo is a bit dark but you get the idea.

Thanks for popping by and I just want to let you know how much I appreciate you and your comments.

Have a great day!

Hugs,
Becca

Coaster calendar

Teachers - what to get them? Well this year I decided on coaster calendars. This is one I made for Daniel's 6th grade teacher.
The coasters are 9x9 cm (3 1/2 inch square) and I covered them with Basic Grey's Green At Heart paper collection. I made the calendars myself in a Word document as the only templates I could find were in English. If anyone is interested in a German version, let me know and I'll email you a copy.

 

I also made a card with the corresponding papers and added the tree from the HA CL469 Swirl Christmas stamp set which has been inked with peeled paint distress inks, and the circular sentiment from Lili of the Valley. The green paper is from Bazzill and I used the Nestabilities Scalloped circle die to mount the sentiment. Thread and rhinestones are from my stash.

I hope the teacher will like them!
My youngest (Daniel) turns 12 tomorrow so I've got to do some baking. Bye for now and have a good day!

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Becca

Tilda with cracker

This is my last Christmas card that has to go overseas giving me a few days break before I have to do the local ones. I'll be off to the post office after this post to mail them. My family is spread throughout the world - a brother in New Zealand, a brother in the US, a brother, a sister and my mum in England, and me here. We are one international family!

I decided to enter the challenge over at SimonSaysStamps (a Christmas card but no red or green) and pulled out the Basic Grey Kioshi paper pack that I got in the summer and have yet to use, and threw this Tilda card together. Some cards take an absolute age but this one just flowed really easily and I was finished in no time.

I love the colour combination and these design papers are so pretty.

Card recipe:
Paper: Basic Grey Kioshi paper pad (DP), Bazzill cardstock
Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with cracker, Lili of the Valley circular sentiments
Die cuts: Nestabilities Scalloped circle large
Border punch: Martha Stewart Garden Trellis
Ribbon: Knorr prandell sky blue
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers
Embellishments: Stickles, snowflake punch and gems from my stash

Well that's all from me for the next few days. My house sorely needs some attention and sadly, laundry doesnt't do itself!

Thanks for all your lovely comments over the past few days;  I really appreciate it.

Hugs,
Becca

p.s I'm also entering this in the Just Magnolia "Make a Christmas Card" challenge

Catching up - Part 2

Hello everyone!

I hope you are well and are not stressed out with your Christmas preparations. Once I get these cards sent off then my list gets shorter! :)
It's snowing here again (well we are in Switzerland so I guess it's expected) so I thought I'd post a few photos of the snow fall we've had the past few days. It had nearly melted away last week but it's back....

 This is our balcony:

Anyway, on to the cards I made yesterday. I'm afraid it's a card overload!! Sorry about that.......

Card recipe - 1:
Papers: Basic Grey Jovial paper pad / Bazzill (red)
Stamps: Tilda on Christmas morning - Magnolia / Poinsettia - Inkadinkado
Sentiment: Hero Arts Holiday Sayings CL343
Die cuts: Nestabilites Label #1
Punch: Martha Stewart Garden Trellis
Inks: Copic markers / Distress Inks (Poinsettia)
Brad: Basic Grey

 

Card recipe - 2:
Paper: Basic Grey Jovial paper pad
Stamps: Tilda with giflts / Poinsettia - Magnolia Stamps
Sentiment: Lili of the valley
Ribbon: Knorr prandell crimson red
Die cuts: Nestabilities Label #1, Scalloped circles large
Embellishments: Stickles, Gems from Hero Arts
Tilda coloured in with Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils / Poinsetta with Copic markers
Sewing machine (this was my very first attempt to use a sewing machine with card making - I have to practice!! ;))

Card recipe - 3:
Card: Hero Arts Kraft
Paper: Basic Grey Jovial paper pad (red) / Bazzill (green)
Stamps: HA Swirl Christmas CL469 (tree) / HA Old Letter Writing S4878 (background) / HA Holiday Sayings CL343 (sentiment)
Inks: HA Shadow ink soft pool / Distress Ink - shabby shutters and walnut stain
Ribbon: Knorr prandell crimson red
Gems from stash

Card recipe - 4:
Card: HA Kraft
Papers: Digital kit Jessica Sprage - Seasonal Sampler(background) / Bazzill (red and green)
Image: I haven't got the faintest idea - the image was sent to me with an order. If anybody knows can they let me know :)
Sentiment: self made on computer
Coloured in with Copic markers, Stickles and Glossy accents (on the hearts)
Snowflake: HA Swirl Christmas CL469
Gems from stash
Sewing machine

I'm working on one more Tilda and she should be posted sometime this afternoon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,
Becca