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

Stamping INKspiration Hop

 

Welcome to our Febrary hop, I'm Rachael from SE Queensland, Australia and I'm so happy to share my project today with you, using the inspiration colours from this months challenge.

I used most of the colours to create this pretty rainbow card. This beautiful combination of Blushing Bride, Fresh Freesia, Polished Pink and Bumblebee screams icecreams on a warm afternoon vibe to me.

 This new stamp set is quickly becoming a favourite!I also used the cloud punch with vellum to create some subtle layering.  

 

Click on the image below to jump to Jan's blog.  

Don’t forget to hop along to everyone else and check out their projects too. 

Angie McKenzie  ●  Leonie Stuart  ●  Aurélie Fabre

Rachael Merrick  ●  Jan Musselman  ●  Jo Blackman

Karen Egan  ●  Mo Rootes   ●  Robbie Susan Chandler

Danielle Kassing  ●  Gez Carpenter  ●  Ann Krucek

Annette Ball  ●  Susan Webster  ●  Karen Henderson

Elaine de Montmorency  ●  Chris Smith  ●  Tricia Butts

Teri West  ●  Linda Moore  ●  Marieke Bart

Vickie Littlewood  ●  Jill Chapman  ●  Susan Simpson

Terry Hamilton  ●  Cheryl Hamilton  ●  Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Stamping Dreams Hop - Furry friends

Hi and welcome to my blog and our hop featuring the them 'Furry Friends".  This latest mini catalogue has plenty of little critters in it and this one sat uninked until this hop came along.  I've chosen to use the deer, the tree, the rabbit and a few smaller element stamps from the set.

One of the reasons I was drawn to this set was that it is a 'scene-creator' and with 2 grandsons and a young niece, I love this type of card and using the stamps to create a little story.  

I used stampin blends to colour in and the stitched rectangle dies to cut out some of my main sections.  I finished it off with the new brass butterflies, how cute are they!!

Pop over to the other blogs to see more great projects using our theme.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

 

Monochrome Cards - Stamping with Friends theme

Today I am hopping with the Stamping With Friends group and I'm excited to share my card, using the new stamp set and dies  in the Grassy Grove Bundle, found in the new Mini Catalogue.  I've loved this set since I first flipped through the catalogue and have waited a long time for it to get here.

I chose orange as my monochrome colour, adding Pale Papaya and Pumpkin Pie to my blending brushes to create my background and added the deer and grass with Tuxedo Black before layering on the die cut forest.  

I'm really happy with how it turned out. Thanks for popping by my blog, be sure to hop along to the others as well and leave some feedback for everyone.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Roll Call
Linda Moore
Deb Schultz
Mickey Moore
Krissi Hannahs
Mo Rootes (UK)
Tricia Butts
Candi Suriano
Diane Evans
Melva Peters
Robbie Susan Chandler
Vickie Littlewood
Angie McKenzie
Helen Jennings
Karen Egan
Lorraine Tierney
Betty Bickford
Rachel Merrick

Caron Bailey

Simply Sketchin Saturday

Another fortnight and here is my version of the sketch - made using this cute robot image from the mini catalogue.

Polished Pink and Granny Apple Green make this a vibrant card, perfect for a Valentines or anniversary card.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xxx

 

Global Hop on Youtube

 Join the Global Monthly Video Hop team for some inspiring projects using the free items that you can grab now for Sale A Bration.  

I created a card using 2 of the products - a DSP and a sentiment set.  

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and click the bell for notifications when a video goes up.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Colour Inspiration with Crafty Collaborations

 My apologies for posting my project late for anyone who had to come back… 

I love this colour combo, such a pretty palette! This card came together easily using the new stamp set “flowing flowers. 

Not only are the images lovely in this set but also the sentiments… their meaning and their font are perfect for a range of cards to show you care. I chose to combine two of them on my tasteful label. 

I’m really happy with how it all came together and hope I’ve inspired you to use this colour combination with very vanilla, an often overlooked neutral in our cardstock collection. 

Thanks for popping by. Don’t forget to join the hop and leave comments for all the other wonder participants. 

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx