More Masculine

Masculine cards can be tricky to make and I want to avoid the cliche of carsand bikes.  I tend to opt for muted vintage colours.  I recently invested in a Tim Holtz tattered leaf die, it's perfect for adding to men's cards and for some autumnal projects I have in mind for the children.

These are some more that I made mainly using the one Basic grey stamp.  I thought that the navy blue and grey were quite striking together

Cath Kidston inspired

OOh I do like a bit of Cath Kidston. Here are some cards I used from some Cath Kidston papers, used extra elemnets like strawberries and ribbon for that homely country feel.  I used the Stampin Up label punch and Martha Stewart lace punch for the edging.

Faced with Facebook

I have my own facebook page too! You can 'like' my page if you 'like' http://www.facebook.com/esthercreations

Retro to Regency

Upcylcing old records by turning them into cake stands! (Not my original idea) But what I have started to make and sell in a local shop. Can be used for display as well as cakes.  Easy to store as they come flat pack and will make a great talking point at any party or function!

Births, Deaths & Marriages

I love doing alternative baby cards (as I have previously mentioned...) I think it makes them more personalised and a change form your pastel blues and pinks. Here is a card I made for a friend. I added his name and birth date to personalise. Using a collage patchwork effect for the background, I worked on adding layer and dimension. The space underneath his name was lacking in something, so the little button charm fitted perfectly.

These cards were made for a couple of recent weddings I went to.  I used the colour scheme and themes to fit in with the inspirations for these.

A dear family friend of ours recently lost her husband, I wanted to make a simple but elegant card.  I used one of the stampin up stamps and a small flower punch to put over the top to represtnt forget-me-nots. 

From then...till now...

JANUARY
Happy very belated New Year! So I start with a January card that I made for a friend who was turning 40. I wanted to use bold, dramatic colour and prints to compliment her style. This modern looking paper from Anna Griffin (believe it or not!) was just what I needed.

FEBRUARY
I really enjoyed doing this commission for a friend, as it is so off the wall for my style. As soon as she described the couple in question I immediately conjured up an idea in my head. So here is the biker/rock chick card for a belated wedding card.This card is another commission, for a young girl who was being baptised. I wanted something a bit fun and yet personal.I had a challenge ahead of me as I was set the task of making 4 Valentines Cards for 4 girls ranging from the age of 14-4! I wanted ti make them all different and unique but keeping similar elements. So they all have the word love in one form or another, they all have pink diamantes, and they all have a lacey border, oh and of course they all have hearts! I couldn't decide whether to personalise them with names, but thought as they were so special for the sender, I would. The cards flew all the way from the Uk to the USA.When I originally made this card, it lacked a certain something... after a friend had passed her driving test it was fitting for me to add a few more elements, i.e. the car and the caption
Before & After!
This is my dinning room come craft room, which has been transformed thanks to the trusty Ikea expedit! My bits and pieces are no longer spilling over the edge, but tucked neatly away in cubby holes and boxes! It has cleared up so much more space in the room, and certainly helps me to keep it more tidy!As you will see later in this post, I am getting into my Baby Blossom stamps from Stampin Up! This paper was one of my first attempts. I used the excess to make a matching bookmark as the recipitant enjoys reading.This card was made for my sister in laws birthday which happens to be on the 29th feb! I was inspired by a lovely pink floral scarf she had worn and I wanted to incorporate an element of Cath kidstonesk.. MARCH
My big boy turned 7 this month! Sonic the hedghog seemed to be featuring a lot in his birthday so I went with another favourite- Moshi Monsters. I used the water related monsters, as he was having a swimming party to celebrate.Mother's day cards, this one was for my mum, inspired by her oriental heritage and her recently decorated lounge!This one was for my Mother in law. Although it looks very simple it felt like it took ages to make, because I printed a whole page of the roses. I like the effect of the pleated paper too.A little card made with.. you've guessed it the Baby Blossom stamps...I'm on a roll now... can you tell???!!!And to bring you right up to date. A frame made for a little boys Christening