Oh So Eclectic Monochrome

Hello it's nice to see you, as I know you got here by mistake. When I was setting up the blog I missed the p out of stampin so my blog address is craftystamin.blogspot.co.uk, I didn't realise straight away so I'm stuck with it unless you have a way round it. If so please help.

I love card making and feel that once a card is sent, it's lost to me for ever so this is my way of keeping a track on what I've done in the past. And it also gives me an outlet for my computer skills or lack there of.

I just adore monochrome cards, at least I think this is a monochrome card? I looked it up in the dictionary and it says one colour, but surely there needs to be a base colour to put your colour onto, so here is my version. I was tempted to put just a splash of colour but refrained, which is good for me as I'm not usually able to resist.

As for the Designer Series Paper (DSP) it's quite old and I still have a full pack of it to use up so if anyone out there needs a pack let me know.

It was quite simple to make, I stamped the leaves onto very vanilla card stock (CS), scored lines down that side of the card then adhered the DSP on the right side with a strip of taffeta ribbon down the join finishing off with a small bow. I then stamped the flower and top layer of leaves on a scrap piece of CS die cut them and adhered them. I stamped the sentiment and used the classic label punch. I finished the card off with a faceted gem in the centre of the flower.

The only thing I didn't do was to put a an insert into the card before I sent it. Lucky my Niece knows it was from me. 

The materials used are:

® = retired, (sab) = Sale-A-Bration (nsu) = not stampin’ up

Card stock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark

DSP: Modern Medley ® 

Stamp sets: Oh So Eclectic

Embossing powders: Clear

Thinlits: Eclectic Layers

Punches: Classic label

Accessories: Faceted Gems, Scoreboard, Taffeta Ribbon ®

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Happy Birthday

Only a quick blog today, lots to do.  Finish off my next set of Christmas cards twenty now completed ( I like to do a few each month so it's not a rush at the end of the year). Post a birthday card to a friend before 12:00 noon, her birthday's on Monday. Clean the house as all the family will be coming tonight after a meal out. Doll myself up (HaHa) and then enjoy the celebration.

25 years married to my wonderful husband and it still only feels like yesterday.

An easy card today, stamp 3 pictogram stars and punch them out (they are easy to cut out if you don't have the punch) and that is all the stamping there is. 

Next die cut the Happy Birthday. Score around the edges of the card twice to make 2 squares, then layer the cardstock and DSP in the middle. Add the Happy Birthday and stars. Job done!!!

The materials used are:

® = retired, (nsu) = not stampin’ up

Card stock: Night of Navy, Whisper White

Ink: Night of Navy

DSP: True Gentleman

Stamp sets: Pictogram Punches ® 

Thinlits: Happy Birthday

Punches: Itty bitty Accents

Accessories: Scoreboard

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Wild About Flowers meets Sweet Soiree

Well today is cold again with a spattering of snow here in the Midlands, so it looks like we could be in for more bad weather,  I'll be snuggled up here at home as I don't need to go out today.

I'm in the process of rearranging my crafting space (have to share the room with Hubby) and just bought some pegboard from Ikea, it's amazing how much space you can clear up on the shelves by using a couple of these.  Will now be able to buy more stamps etc!!!

Lucky me.

Now for today's card, I just love the Sweet Soiree designer series paper, but I'm one of those who buys loads of DSP then won't cut into it. I've been trying lately to use it instead of just looking at (do you have the same problem?) so this is one of my few attempts at using some. Most of what I've used is in the current Catalogue but there are a couple of things now retired.

The materials used are:

® = retired, (nsu) = not stampin’ up

Card stock: Blushing Bride Glimmer, Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White

Ink: Garden Green, Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum

DSP: Sweet Soiree

Stamp sets: Background Bits, Wild About Flowers, You Move Me, Watercolor Wishes ® 

Embossing folders: Brick Wall

Framelits: Layering Ovals, Stitched Shapes

Thinlits: Move Me

Accessories: Bitty Bows, Glitter Ribbon ® 

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

New Driver

Blast from the past this one, but I wanted to make my grandson a Well Done!! card so here it is. All the materials are now retired except for the the ink and cardstock. The sentiment was computer generated with a twist, there's a streak of black ink through it as my printer is playing up but it still looks good.

He's so proud to be able to drive, can't believe he's old enough to, yet he's 20 and out at work. I still think of him as a small very shy boy who wouldn't say boo to a goose.

My eldest granddaughter is also taking driving lessons so she'll be joining him soon. She's already got her car so I don't think it won't be too much longer.

The materials used are:

® = retired, (nsu) = not stampin’ up

Card stock: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Stamp sets: Gorgeous Grunge ®, Need for Speed ®, Perpetual Birthday Calendar ® 

Punches: Washi Label ®

Embossing folders: Zigzag ® 

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Best Birds meet Express Yourself

I'm sitting in my craft room and need to put fingerless gloves on as my hands are so cold. It's minus 2 here in Walsall and the sky looks like there's a lot more snow to come.  Haven't been out since Wednesday and looks like another day in today. Hope tomorrow is warmer as I want to go over and make sure my Dad's ok.

I've had this stamp set a while now and this is the first time I've used it. I like that there's thinlits that go with it as I'm not a fan of fussy cutting. Can't get the knack of it no matter how many times I try.

Once I'd stamped the background I felt it was a bit flat so embossed it with of all things the the Seaside folder, thought it did the trick and just gave it a bit more lift so to speak!!

I love easy cards and this was definately one of those, a little stamping, a little die cutting, a little embossing and hey presto job done.

About to get on with the next card now, so hopefully see you soon.

The materials used are:

Card stock: Pink Pirouette, Sweet Sugarplum

Ink: Dapper Denim, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Sweet Sugarplum

Stamp sets: Best Birds, Express Yourself ® 

Embossing folders: Seaside

Thinlits: Birds & blooms, Gift Card Envelope & Trims ® 

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Metallic Thread

® = retired, (nsu) = not stampin’ up

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x