WLS July#2 - summertime

Good Morning everyone

Time for some mid month inspiration for We Love Stamping where the theme this month is 

SUMMERTIME

Or we also have the anything goes option as long as you use stamps

Here in England we have alot of old houses and stately homes run by the national trust or English Heritage and lots of people like to visit them for a day out in the summer as they often also have very large gardens to explore as well as enjoy the historic house, some even like to take a picnic and make a day of it.  So my card today is loosely based on this summer outing.

Ive used window/door stamp set from Katzelkraft stamped in grey and die cut into an arch to give the feel of an oldie worldie home, looking at it from the garden through the flowers.  All stamped in grey with soft watercolour colouring onto cream linen card.  I think it ended up with the vibe of the end of a long hot summer when everything feels tardy and bleached out😁

Approx size 5x7"

I stamped the window onto cream linen card in grey versafine clair ink and die cut into an arch.  I added some text stamping in grey around the panel to add texture and feel of stone walls and then softly watercoloured with distress inks.  Lightly inked the edges in grey and matted onto cardbase die cut from more cream linen.

I then stamped the flowers in grey, watercoloured with distress inks, cut out and got arranging.  To make the flowers look more natural I cut the heads of some and glued back on the stems at different angles so that they weren't all facing the same way.  Stamped the quote onto more cream linen and added among the flowers.

Just a close up of the flowers, i added shape to the heads and adhered with pinflair glue gel for dimension which also made it easier to tuck the quote inbetween them.

Version 2 using a different door stamp from the set

Items Used:

Katzelkraft stamps 'les portes'

Katzelkraft stamps 'carpe diem quotes'

aall&create stamps #851 'rise & shine'

Distress Inks - cracked pistachio, evergreen bough, shaded lilac, iced spruce, dried marigold, wild honey, ripe persimmon, 

Versafine Clair Ink 'Morning mist'

Crealies XL arch dies

CraftUk Ltd cream linen card

We have this lovely prize from Lavinia for the lucky winner so hop over to We Love Stamping to join in with your stamped makes and be in with a chance of winning

I hope you are all coping ok with the heat here in the UK, just not use to it are we, my MS hates it so Im hibernating in front of the fans.  The farms are getting desperate for some rain now, I expect when it does start raining it won't know when to stop!  Keep cool everyone and carry on crafting. Emmax

Id love to enter the following:

https://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/2026/07/july-2026-flowers-challenge.html

**

https://beautifulblossomschallenge.blogspot.com/2026/07/beautiful-blossoms-challenge-anything.html

**

https://neglectedstuff.blogspot.com/2026/07/neglected-july-2026-challenge.html - haven't used all 3 sets of stamps for years

**

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/07/miucb-84-anything-goes-optional-shape.html

 

Tri-fold shutter card for Creative Creases

Good Morning to you all.

I have 2 posts today and both very different so be sure to check them both out...or hop over here

Im honoured to be guest DT over at Creative Creases Challenge once again

This time I decided to use an old tattered lace die set to make an A4 tri fold shutter card.  Its years old and was preloved when I bought it so it must be over 10yrs old and been gathering dust!

I also wanted to use some old paperartsy flower stamps so have gone for a full on summer vibe.

A4 white die cut card base.  I then made my own blue sky background which you can see at the end of the post, this i then die cut with the matt layer dies from the set.

I stamped the flowers with dark blue ink so a bit softer than black and coloured with alcohol markers. I then fussy cut the flowers and got arranging, adhering some flat and some with pinflair glue gel for dimension.  I added them in 2 different bunches so that depending on what angle the card is stood at you mostly see different flowers.

I stamped 2 butterflies in purple, added soft colour, cut out and added to the panels along with 2 flower heads.

The quote was stamped in blue and added to the middle.  Touches of diamond stickles glitter glue added to the flower centres and butterfly wings for a little bit of sparkle to finish. 

The quote 'There are always flowers for those who want to see them' - it was originally a vertical stamp but wouldn't fit the middle panel so by cutting the words up I made it fit😁.

I coloured these flowers more like red poppies.  The foliage was such a fine stamp I didn't fancy fussy cutting so i stamped it in green ink and coloured completely over the top with green alcohol marker and then cut out.  To make my arrangements i cut the heads and stems off some so that i could stick at different angles and make more realistic, the foliage i cut into small pieces and tucked in among the flowers.  

and onto my background below

My background.  I started with a sheet of white A4 and added turquoise and ultramarine brusho powders.  Once completely dry and to soften the vibrancy a little i used an A4 shell stencil with matt lilac acrylic paint.  I then added lots of stamping with various inks and stamps using 1st,2nd&3rd generation stamping - basically just stamping until no ink left on the stamp.  The main text reads 'spread a little happiness wherever you go' this is an aall&create stamp set.

To finish the background i took this sun swirly stencil and used gold acrylic paint, sadly photos don't pick up how shiny it it, but when the light hits it, it adds a subtle bling to the background

Items Used:

Tattered lace A4 shutter die set (very old)

Paperartsy stamps 'JOFY 11' 'JOFY14' 'EKC03'

aall&create stamps #851 'rise&shine #628 'spread a little happiness'

Shell and swirl stencils (?brand?)

Decoart gold paint

Folkart matt paint

Alcohol markers

Brusho powders 'turquoise, ultramarine'

Versafine Clair inks 'medieval blue' 'green oasis''monarch''purple delight'

Ranger stickles 'diamond'

 

Hop over to Creative Creases to see what the talented DT created and to join in with your fancy folds.

When I made this a few weeks ago it was wild, wet & windy so I was thinking of sunnier days, since then my mojo has gone on holiday...hopefully it returns soon as I do have birthdays to make for!  Its been beautiful weather last couple of weeks in Cornwall - windy but that is ideal for drying the washing as long as you add plenty of pegs😁 And hat it definitely needed for my walks but it was beautifully and sunny so you can forgive the wind.  I hope you all have a wonderful month of May. Emma

 

Id love to also enter the following:

https://www.simplyellibelle.com/2026/04/ellibelles-garden-party-no-14-anything.html

**

https://do-allkreatives.blogspot.com/2026/05/113-blumen-als-blickfang.html

**

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/05/miucb-83-anything-goes-optional-stamp.html - stamped background

 

JUNE #2 Close to nature

Good Morning everyone

Mid way through the month so time for more inspiration for We love stamping

This months theme is 

CLOSE TO NATURE

or we always have the anything goes option as long as you use stamps

I decided to use the same shape circular dies as my first card and dug out an old Pink Ink Design stamp set with this lovely badger and dog rose stamps

Card size approx 8x8" I made my base card from 2 pieces of white card die cut with the largest die and joined with a hinge at the top.  I then added a layer of green background sprayed with cosmic shimmer airless misters, one was pearlescent so it has a subtle shimmer.

I then stamped the badgers out and the floral spray multiple times, watercoloured with derwent inktense pencils and out out.  I adhered 4 floral sprays around the frame with pinflair glue gel, adding a little shape to the leaves, I then slotted the badgers in behind the foliage.  The smaller badger I stamped in grey ink so softer in the background. 

I added a dot of diamond stickles glitter glue to the flower centres for a little touch of sparkle to finish.

I added shape to the big badger with a large ball tool to give him a more rounded look.

Since taking the photos I have cut the whiskers off the smaller badger as they were annoying me - too bulky and distracting as he is supposed to be in the distance - promise it didn't hurt him😀

Showing it stood up.  I trimmed a small amount of the bottom of the back of the card so it stands up nicely

Items Used:

Pink Ink design stamps - fauna series 'Brock'

Creative products dies - stretch circles

Cosmic shimmer airless misters

Derwent inktense pencils

CraftUK ltd A3 white card

Ranger stickles 'diamond'

We have this beautiful stamp as the prize this month supplied by Buddly Crafts

 so

 for a chance to win hop over to We Love Stamping

To join in with your stamped projects.

Thank you for stopping by once again.  I hope you all have a good week. Emmax

Id love to enter the following:

https://2craftycrittercrazies.blogspot.com/2025/06/ccc-99-on-1-june-2025-with-anything.html

**

https://craftyanimals.blogspot.com/2025/06/challenge-95.html

**

    

https://thefourseasonschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/06/summer-season-june-2025.html

**

https://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.com/2025/06/challenge-126-no-designpaper.html

**

    

https://creativecraftinguncles.blogspot.com/2025/06/66-summer.html

**

https://unicornchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/06/challenge-110-not-square.html

**

 

June WLS #1 - close to nature

Good Morning everyone

Time for a new challenge over at We Love Stamping with the theme this month 

CLOSE TO NATURE

or we have the anything goes option as long as you use stamping

Its not often I buy a craft magazine these days but did recently for lots of hospital visits.  It came with this set of beautiful floral and foliage stamps which Ive used to make my background design

Card size approx 8x8"  - Made by die cutting 2 of the largest fancy circle dies from white card and scoring about an inch down on one and adhered to the back of the unscored one which gives a hinge.  This also means you get the whole of the shape as the card front and its not missing a section where the spine would be.

 I die cut a piece of smooth white card to size and then stamped the images with different colours of versafine clair inks all over it.  I then die cut it into frames using the nesting dies, I skipped one layer so that they were wider frames.  I die cut a piece of pinky purple mirror card and adhered the largest outside frame with 2mm foam tape, then the next size frame with 1mm foam tape, then the next layer I adhered flat and then the smallest middle layer I adhered with 2mm foam tape again - making sure to line up the pattern. 

I die cut the sentiment from pearl teal card and adhered to a white die cut panel and added to the front.  I then die cut 2 layered butterflies with the pinky mirror & teal pearl card and added to finish. 

Showing it stood up side on, to help it stand nicely I cut a small sliver off the bottom of the back panel.  You can see the layers better here, the mirror card does just show through and catches the light.  I quite often layer cards like this just for interest and fun - it works equally well using patterned paper.

As usual taking photos of mirror card a nightmare, it is a beautiful purply pink.  Using the teal ink and card helps break up the colour.....normally im allergic to pink😁

The inside of my card.  I die cut cut paper in co-ordinating colours to the front, on the blue one I stamped some of the images to tie it in with the front. 

Items Used:

Stamps from 'simply cards & papercraft' magazine issue 268

Creative Expressions Sue Wilson sentiment die

Creative Craft Products 'large stretch label' (circle dies)

Butterfly dies

Versafine Clair inks 'warm breeze' 'purple delight' 'monarch' & 'glamorous'

Craft Consortium mirror card 'lilac'

Jellybean teal pearlised card

CraftUk ltd smooth white A4 card

We have this beautiful stamp as the prize this month supplied by Buddly Crafts - a fabulous online craft store, well worth a visit.

so do hop over to

 We love stamping

to join in and see what the rest of the DT came up with for our CLOSE TO NATURE theme

Thank you all for stopping by once again. Ive had a quiet week, snoozing and crafting - just what the doctor ordered so feeling much more human now😁  Emmax

Id love to enter the following:

https://www.simplyellibelle.com/2025/05/i-spy-with-my-little-eye-at-least-one.html

**

https://www.simplyellibelle.com/search/label/Ellibelle%27s%20Garden%20Party

**

https://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com/2025/05/challenge-267-fill-in-blank-fancy.html -

  Fancy shaped card

**

https://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/2025/05/51425-flowers.html

**

https://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2025/05/cut-it-up-challenge-331-anything-goes.html

**

 

Kirsty's 40th Birthday

Good Morning everyone

Today Im sharing 2 cards I made for my Sister-in-laws 40th birthday.  This sis-in-law is hard to craft for as she doesn't really have any hobbies, interests or fav colours and with my mojo still being very sporadic these were hard going😀

6.5.5" card.  I made the fold with 2 sheets of white card.  I picked 3 patterned papers with a yellow and teal theme and on the front matted the floral paper onto the green one and added to the front.  I die cut the birthday sentiment from a yellow gold mirror card and white card, off set and adhered to a larger circle die cut from the teal paper.  

Flower die cut from yellow paper I used on the inside and a large glittery gemstone added to finish.

On the inside, i covered all the outside panels with this lovely yellowy orange floral paper and the pop out sections with the teal paper.  

Not having large number dies, I printed out a large 40 from my computer onto card, cut it out and used as a template to then cut the 40 from the gold mirror card and white card.

Here you can see i used the same paper as on the front for the side panels of the pop out book sections.

After adding the numbers, I decided they didn't look great - being hand cut, but also all the plain mirror was a bit too stark.  If i had thought about it before sticking them in I would have run them through an embossing folder.  I finally decided to use a small embossing ball tool and doodle a little swirl and dot pattern over the mirror card which made a big difference.  I also ran a large ball tool around all the edges which softened them and made them not look so wonky and 'hand cut'

and the back of the card - I added a white die cut circle to write the greeting in after using the same papers i used to decorate the front.  

and onto the 2nd card I made for her

A5 white card base which i die cut using my nesting dies. I cut a piece of black and white patterned paper with the next size down and adhered.  I die cut 2 champagne glasses from a silver rainbow glitter card, I adhered with glue gel to the front and added a white die cut 4 & 0 to the glasses.

I added little strips of the glitter card across the top and bottom and a white die cut sentiment to finish.  Very simple but mojo was in hiding!

Trying to show how beautiful the glitter card is in real life, it is silver but when the light hits it at certain angles you get a rainbow of colours.  No idea where it came from as i was given it years ago - so about time i used it! lol  Unfortunately it sheds glitter which i do not like - I don't use glitter for that reason - its like sand and gets everywhere.

Items Used:

Spellbinder dies - aster flower

Memory box dies - champagne glass, numerals

Elizabeth crafts birthday sentiment die

? nesting dies, circle birthday sentiment die ?

Patterned papers - various pads from the works

Thank you all for stopping by once again. Emma

Id love to enter card 1 into:

   

https://beautifulblossomschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/03/beautiful-blossoms-challenge-anything.html

**

https://girlzcreativecrafts.blogspot.com/2025/03/challenge-54-layer-it-up-dt-call.html

**

https://secretstamper.com/2025/03/creative-creases-challenge-101/

**

https://theoutlawzchallenges-monday.blogspot.com/2025/03/march-3rd-monday-greetings-with.html

**

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/03/challenge-819.html

**