My First WMS Stamp -

Challenge 4 of this month's Waltzing Mouse Pyjama Party is to use a Golden Oldie.  The first set I bought from Waltzing Mouse was Vintage Ornaments.   In fact I discovered Waltzing Mouse while searching for Christmas Card Inspiration early last year.  It was difficult narrowing my choice of Christmas stamps - Claire's not kidding when she says she's a huge fan of Christmas, but I finally settled on Vintage Ornaments and Compliments of the Season, because they complemented each other so beautifully.

It's not easy to see but I've also used Festive Foliage on the background which was in my second order at WMS.  This is also being entered in the August Christmas Card Challenge - set by the very talented Deborah Frings.  The challenge was to use Raspberry, Tangerine and Lime, and let me tell you it was a bit of a challenge.
I am also entering this card in the Bedtime Sketch for the PJ Party.

No time for snoozin' tonight !

It's the end of the month and that means another WMS pyjama party.  Earlier this month Claire released some fabulous new stamps which I just had to buy of course and this week I've been getting them inky in preparation for tonight's PJ party.  There are 4 challenges plus the bedtime sketch.  So far I've created 3 cards but the night is still young so I'm hoping to get at least one more done before I retire for the evening, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the bedtime sketch will be.

This month there is a colour challenge - don't you just love this palette, and here's my card.

I used some distressed kraft card that I made some time ago using crackle coating, gesso and blue acrylic paint.  Although it looks like the paint is all cracked and peeling off, it is in fact quite smooth and perfect for overstamping.  I cut the piece into narrow "plank" strips and a larger panel.  I overstamped the larger panel with an image and a sentiment from one of last year's sets "North Shore", and the boards with the rope border from "Tying the Knot".  I am entering this card in Challenge 1 "Tie a Knot in it" and Challenge 3 Colour Inspiration.  

My second card is a baby boy card.  When I took delivery of the new Pinstripe and Zig-Zag Background stamps I sat down and made a whole bunch of backgrounds.  I then had to put them to use and I had been meaning to make a baby boy card with a nautical theme for some time now - finally had an excuse if not a reason!!!

I stamped the string and knots from the WMS Bitty Banners, curving the rope slightly on the acrylic block.  The base of the boat was made by cutting a Spellbinders circle in two and the sails were made by cut using the bottom half of a Sizzix Kite Framelit - simple but effective I think.  I cut a "porthole" in the striped background and raised it up for some dimension.  A Sizzlit anchor and a few gems finished it off.  The envelope was stamped with a very old PSX anchor stamp - one of the the first I ever owned. I am entering this card in Challenge 1 - Tie a Knot in it (I'm being cheeky here but there are two knots stamped on the top), Challenge 2 - Get Nauty and Challenge 4 - Golden Oldies (the PSX anchor).

My last card for this post is another Nautical Number.  Yesterday my good friend Ruth asked if I could make a card for her Aunt and Uncle who are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary next week.  I immediately thought of thistles and tartan (they're Scottish) but I couldn't believe my luck when she told me her uncle had been in the Navy for 25 years, and this beautiful heart-shaped rope knot from Tying the Knot seemed perfect.  Again I cut a port hole in the pinstriped background, this time to frame a gold embossed thistle.  I masked the background card before stamping the pinstripe background - leaving a blank space for the ropes.  I used a celtic font on the middle pennant and stamped the inside of the card with Happy Anniversary from the Celtic Heritage set (embossed in gold of course) as well as the rope from Tying the Knot.  The back of the envelope was also stamped with the Heart rope knot.  The more I look at it the more I think I'll redo the banners stamped with the pennant frame from Bitty Banners, which will set off the initials and the dates - they look a little bare at the moment.
I'm entering this card in Challenge 1 - Tying the Knot and Challenge 2 - Getting Nauty.

Thanks for stopping by :), hope you enjoy the PJ Party

Merci and Memento

Just finished a batch of Thank You Cards for Simon's best friend Niamh who made her Communion earlier this year. Despite heavy rain for most of the day, it stopped long enough for a few photos to be taken outside - as you can see she didn't let the weather dampen her spirits.  The service was beautiful and we had a lovely meal and celebration afterwards, although by this time she had swapped the satin slippers for wellies !

A few of the Spellbinders Decorative Labels 8 were perfect for framing the photo and the thank you note, and Labels 8 was used to die cut the photo.  Other dies sets used were Resplendent Rectangles, Adorning Squares and Persian Accents.

Stamp sets used were Waltzing Mouse Celtic Heritage and Victorian Frippery, stamped in Versacolor Violet and clear embossed.  The gingham background was left over table runner which had been used to decorate the tables.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Winging it !

A late birthday card for my niece who has also just finished her degree.

I am entering this in the following challenges :

Waltzing Mouse Pyjama Party Bedtime Story Sketch #1 and Dynamic Duos #64.

Thanks for stopping by