Freshly Made Sketches #460

 This weeks entry for the FMS challenge.  I love a simple sketch.  This was perfect for a kids birthday card that I needed this week.  

I used Granny Apple Green for the card base then versamark inked with a retired dotty stamp.  I embossed the Magenta Madness banner with a retired embossing folder. The stamp set is From All of Us which has this cute image and my current favourite birthday sentiment stamp.  Finally, I used my Granny Apple Green Stampin Blend to colour the dots on the Whisper White dotty ribbon.  

If you haven't been over to check out the sketch challenges at Freshly Made, click on the image below.  They are always fun and push your creativity.  

Happy colouring, Rachael xx

Stampin Blends colouring

Todays card features Stampin Blends! I've become a little obsessed with these pens. They are high quality alcohol ink based pens that are double ended. Years ago when I was on Design Teams and collected many images to colour, I resisted using alcohol based pens and chose watercolour and inks instead - I am not asking myself why????

The Stampin Blends are amazing to use!  For this card, I used a a white foiled image Designer Series Paper (Ornate Garden) to colour with the pens.  It coloured quickly and easily. Alcohol ink pens don't leave tide marks and they blend perfectly.  Each colour comes in a set of 2, one light and one dark version of the colour.  Of course there is coordinating cardstock to help create a cohesive card.   

I fussy cut the images edge to create the card panel for this card.  The gold foil really stood out and for the most part, the stampin blends didn't mark the foil heavily if at all.  I have more of the same white foiled paper and I will have a go and doing the same with other colours.  I used my go to colours of Gray Granite, Misty Moonlight, Old Olive and Poppy Parade for this one.  I had many new pens arrive on Friday so will be trying lots of combinations with a similar layout.  

I'm happy for anyone local who would like to give the Stampin Blend pens a try to come around and play. I can't promise that you won't fall in love with them like I have though!

Happy colouring, Rachael xx

Another thanks

 Yesterday version was such an easy card to create, using a lot of simple stamping.  I wanted to replicate the layout again, using the same sentiment. 

I used Queen Annes Lace with Misty Moonlight and Pool Party.  2 colours layered on Whisper White cardstock and then a simple plain cardstock background with a anchoring panel along one side. 

I really do want to put a shout out to my customers, who happen to also be friends.  Its exciting to focus on something other than work or kids and come together to have a laugh.  

Heres to finding time to doing something with friends, Rachael xx

Thanks

 I have had several customers place orders this week, all of course wanting the new Paper Pumpkin 'Joy to the World' kit.  I like to thank my customers with some treats and a card.  

A simple stamping type of card, using A Beautiful Friendship stamp set.  Pool Party and So Saffron go so well together.  

I think this sentiment and its font (from Queen Annes Lace stamp set) are my favourite at the moment.    If you are also wanting to order a Paper Pumpkin kit and maybe join us in person or on Zoom to create together, let me know. 

Happy Stamping, Rachael xx

Hello - simple stamping

 I love simple stamping.  It means less layers and more of a challenge for me.  

This card uses stamps from the Zoo Globe set which are coloured in with Stampin' Blends.  I've used Old Olive, Misty Moonlight, Gray Granite and Poppy Parade.  

The background watermark stamping uses the same stamp set and features the itty bitty leaves and birds. 

Thanks for popping by, happy simple stamping. 

Rachael xx

 

Kylie's International Blog Highlight - THANKS

This is my first time participating in the International Blog Highlights run by Kylie Bertucci.  I'm nervous!

The theme was: Thanks.  I never seem to have the right Thank You card for when I need them, so this was a good theme for me to run with.  You can never have too many in your stash!   

I opened a new pack of Designer Series Paper for this one (Ornate Garden) and tried to keep the layout simple.  If you have never been to my blog before or seen my work, you probably don't know that one of my 'go to' stamping techniques is to use smaller stamps and versa mark ink to create watermarked backgrounds.  

I've used the following to create my card:

• Cardstock in Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Old Olive and gold foil
• Ornate Garden designer series paper #152488
• Whisper White seam binding ribbon #151326
• Forever Fern dies #152714
• Sentiment stamp from the stamp set "From all of Us" #152641
• Gold glittered rhinestones - Wonderful Gems  #153536

I would love for you to pop over and vote for me by clicking on the button below and following the link.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Please leave a comment.  Don't forget to check out all the other talented participants too. 

Happy Stamping, Rachael xxx

Sunday FB Challenge

 I look forward to each Sunday - Tracy has great challenges for us every Sunday morning.  This weeks theme was "Winter Wonderland".  I use the Coming Home stamp set teamed with Whisper White, Pool Party and Gray Granite for this explosion box.  The candle is just a cheapie from Aldi but a really beautiful pomegranate fragrance.  

I've been thinking of trying a 'black and white' colouring with these stamps for a while so this was my cue....  Of course there is a shaker top for the box, with little star sequins and some glitter.  

The inside is mainly Pool party and fairly simple with some watermark stamping using the branch mini stamp from the Merry Hello stamp set.  

Its not exactly how I pictured it in my head but I am pretty happy with it just the same.  I have another candle so may have another go with different colours just for fun.

Happy Stamping, Rachael xx

Life is better with you

 I know who to post this one to already!  

Using the larger flower from the So Much Love set, this card is simple stamping and colouring.  I think this image really is pretty all on its own so I kept the sentiment very subtle too.

Colours used were Old Olive, Poppy Parade and Gray Granite.  I've stippled the Gray Granite background and added Versamark dots to the Old Olive matting to match.  

Happy Stamping Sunday to all, Rachael xx

Paper Pumpkin is almost here!!!

 

I have a list going for those who would like Paper Pumpkin ordered on November 3rd.  Please let me know if you would like your name ordered as I have a feeling these will sell out fast!  Instructions and all products are included in the kit.  I'm also having a creating afternoon later in November if you want to come and make your cards from the kit with friends...

No photos of creations today.  I took a day off, spent time with my family sitting outside and eating a BBQ, the weather has been beautiful lately and we finally have green grass again in the yard!  

Yay for the weekend!  Rachael xx

Coffee, Cake and Cards

I've created these 2 cards for our next Coffee Cake and Cards get together, perfect to have on hand for that next birthday.  If you are local and would like to join us for some stamping fun, please let me know.  There will be 4 cards in total as well as lots of laughs and fun.  

They aren't as difficult as you would think and I do all the cutting for you... just need to follow the step by step instructions along with me and create your own.  We are planning on completing these in the next week or two, on a weekend.  

I can't wait to have everyone here to stamp with me and enjoy the projects to take home.

Rachael xx

 

For a friend

 One of my friends from work has just been accepted into a University Course.  We are all so excited for her.  I used the Peony papers to colour with my Stampin Blends (Misty Moonlight and Poppy Parade) to create a quick card to say Congrats.

Happy Stamping, only 2 sleeps until the weekend!

Rachael xx

My next workshop

 My next workshop (Coffee Cake and Cards) is happening and our theme is beautiful birthdays.  We will be creating 2 floral birthday cards using the same sentiment stamp but very different looks.  And as a bonus, we will be doubling up!  Friends coming along will end up making 2 of both the cards and will take home 4 cards in total.

I agree with this sentiment, Birthdays are the best days!  I can't wait to share these with my gals!

Rachael xx

Snail Mail show off

 I opened the letterbox to find this beauty waiting for me from Sandy, a fellow Inky Stamper member.  Thank you so much Sandy!!!  Isn't it a beautiful card?

Nothing makes your day instantly better than getting something unexpected in the mail.  I'm always looking for someone to send to so if you would like some pretty snail mail, let me know :) 

Rachael xx