Ink & Inspiration - April

Check out these fabulous colours for this months Ink and Inspiration blog hop!  I wasn't sure how I would use them all together without them competing for top spot.  So I went minimalistic with loads of white space!

I uses the dies from Flowers of Home set that can be seen online HERE.   I love how dainty they come out and are the perfect curve to form a wreath.  

I also cut the flower elements from this die set, using water and ink to watercolour them in some of the colours from the inspiration image.  

Lastly I used my label die from the Potted Succulent set.  I've added gemstones (coloured in Misty Moonlight with my Stampin Blends), some dots using Stampin Blends as well to finish it off.  

Don't forget to jump over to the other blogs for more inspiration :) 

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

 

One week to go

 Only one week until the new Annual Catalogue is available for orders.  My copies should arrive and be ready later this week.  EEEK!  How exciting.  

Some stamp sets are carrying over from last year, and these are just of my examples of what will be available.  

I can't wait to share more...

Rachael xxx

Crafty Blog Hop

I'm so pleased to welcome you all to my part of the Crafty Challenge blog hop where we have been given a sketch as inspiration.  

This is probably one of the last times I will use this fabulous stamp, die and DSP set as its retiring.  The colours are a combination that I wouldn't normally choose but seem to be so tranquil together.  

I took the sketch quite literally but used some background stamping and the die cut leafy design to add layers and texture.  I had so much fun putting this one together.  Don't forget to pop over to the other blogs for the hop, the others will have loads of inspiration for you. 

Happy Stampin, 

Rachael xxx

Did you know I do classes at your home?

 

I'm very passionate about having a hobby.  Whats even better about my cardmaking hobby is the new people I get to meet through online and in person events.  I'm grateful for friends (hello Kelly!) who set up events to hold in their home where I can go and make cards and introduce people to my passion of Stampin Up!.  

In June, I will be doing a card making class using a kit.  Whilst the kits are available to purchase and do at home yourself, they make a perfect class where everyone can be together creating with their own products that they keep.  And I'm there to give loads of demonstrations on how to use the product and get a clean and professional look to your project.  I always have a bonus card which is made just for the class and exclusive only to those who attend as well as give aways and samples to look at. 

Have your booked a class lately?  Do you have a group of friends (3-10 people) who want to learn something new or spend an afternoon laughing and having a great time?  Contact me to learn more.

Happy crafting

Rachael xx

Inspirational Music Blog Hop

Welcome to our latest blog hop, where we take inspiration from music....

I'm a 1970's baby and growing up I was surrounded by music from some bands and singers who are still well known today.  There are so many songs or albums that form a part of my childhood memories because, as most were on tape or vinyl, they were played on repeat.  One part of my life (probably only 4 or 5) really focuses on the likes of Neil Diamond, John Denver, Charlie Pride and Dolly Parton.  So naturally, this card and song gives me all the feels of childhood.  

Any guesses to the song I've used for inspiration?  Whilst there are many favourites of Dolly's that sit in my memories (especially Coat of Many Colours), the song "Love is like a butterfly" really is one that makes my heart happy.  I've use the Butterfly Brilliance stamp and loads of different Stampin Blends to create pastel wings, adding some bling with silver cord and gems to make it sparkle.  I've coloured the background with the Blends also to create a mottled backdrop.  A little bit of white gel pen came in handy to create additional texture to the backdrop with lots of little dots.  

Please pop along to the other blogs to see where they draw their music inspiration from and the projects they chose to create from them.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Colour Throwdown #688

I jumped in on the latest Color Throwdown because the colours were so pretty.  

I've used Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Fresh Freesia and Misty Moonlight along with the tulip stamps to create a quick thank you card.  

I embellished with some fresh freesia ribbon and the matching pearls. 

Pop over and join the challenge, its always fun to see what comes out because the colour combos aren't always ones I would put together. 

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

Freshly Made Sketches

 Another sketch to get me back into it, this time from the team at Freshly Made Sketches.  I really love the feel of this with the layers and that cute little diecut bicycle accent.  

I will be sad to see this DSP leave, its been a great stash of more generic papers to use on projects and its perfect for backgrounds.  

Happy Stamping,

Rach xx

Global Design Project

 After my forced break, I've popped back into some challenges.  I created the following card, using a sketch from Global Design Project.  I'm so pleased I jumped in and got the creativity flowing again.

Using some retiring DSP and stamps, this card was quick and easy to put together thanks to the sketch.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Happy Easter

 I've finally got time to create - in between some heart trouble that landed me in hospital twice in one day, to a nasty cold (not Covid) and having family come to stay - I'm back at my desk.

I created a simple sour cream box from 6x6 DSP and embellished using the Easter and Friends stamp set.  Perfect to hold half a dozen little chocolate eggs to give away and spread joy at this time of year.

How are you celebrating this year?  

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx