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 The cards flew all the way from the Uk to the USA.When I originally made this card, it lacked a certain something...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

Cath Collection

Another frame commission, with Cath Kidston inspired elements at the same time trying to keep it quite girly... I made this card for my inlaws, who at this very minute are in the throws of moving house as I put this on here! I used this Cath Kidston Keyring to inspire the colours and look of the card. I didnt have a stamp that said home seet home so I had to mix and match what I had, by masking off the unwanted areas and inking the word I needed. A resourceful technique to use what you've got!

On the subject of houses... this unusual commission was to celebrate the fact that a couple had lived in their house for 40 years, the picture of their house (on the front) is a scanned image that they used for the invitation to the party.

And on the subject of years... I made this for another commission for a couples sister who turned 80, without knowing it the lady in question enjoys her garden, so it worked out well with the particular tag I used. I do like that saying 'Bloom where you are planted'

Girly & Glittery

I was asked to make a first birthday card for a girl, now if you dont kow me by now I do like to make alternative girly and boy cards especially for young ones. I wanted to avoid using the Happy Birthday message on here so it could be kept as a keep sake card. I revelled in using lots of lovely bright colours and detail.

I love the look of text across a shape, so I used it to add detail to the butterflies... finishing touches like 3d foam pads to the back of the flowers and some stickles gave it that last minute girly glittery touch!

All Occassions

Card for the Hubby for our 9th Wedding Anniversary yesterday :) Commission for a baby's dedication, something simple to incorporate name, text and occasion...

Frame made for a Ruby wedding Anniversary (40 years)...

Frame for a newly wedded couple, incorporating their wedding colours...A frame for a young girl, complete with bible text...

Birds and Bridgewater

I like to think simple, but effective... card made for my inlaws wedding anniversary
Using this Emma Bridgewater vanity case I bought for a friends birthday, I took inspiration to make a card and matching wrapping paper to complete the polka dot theme.Like my Stampin Up bird punch, my owl has begun to feature quite a bit in my cards...Here are some more cards I have made recently...The background paper on the left was made by me! Using yet more Stampin Up products (thanks to a recent birthday....) I love the Cath Kidstonesk look it gives, looking forward to playing with these stamps some more..

Birds, Branches & Bookmarks

Commissioned bookmarks, one for a golden anniversary, a special birthday and another for a young girls birthday. The bookmarks slip out of the front so they can be used afterwards and personalised with a message on both sides.

Some cards featuring trees or branches, give and take some poetic liscence!...

Been enjoying some Stampin Up goodies lately... the bird punch is easy to use with some great results, I'm always amazed at the different looks that can be achieved with the same punch or stamp by just using different papers of colours!

Long time, no see....

It's about time I got back to my blog!... time gets taken up... but enough of the excuses, here is a good few pics to keep you going... An alternative baby girl card, done for a commission.

This was a commission for a wedding card, the touch of pearls and lace help to create that wedding feel.

Another commission, for a cricket enthusiast Pastor, who owns a dog!

A small card using some basic grey off cuts and the trusty Martha Stewart dove punch- love it!
For my Father in laws birthday (way back in March), affectionately known as 'Dads'