Elegant Thank You's!

Evening all!

Thank Goodness it's the weekend after the week I've had. It's an extended bank holiday weekend here for those of us in the UK, so I have now got 3 days off! Plenty of timeto get crafty and take a wander around blogland!

Before I show you today's card, I just want to say a huge thank you for all the comments I received on my last post. A whopping 59 comments. I have NEVER in my whole 3 years of blogging ever has that many comments on one of my posts and I am just absolutely thrilled at all your comments, so thanks again!

Today I thought I would share some thank you cards I made to give to my friends and guests who came to my wedding in March! I got the Elegant Thank You stamp as part of my starter kit, as I knew I wanted to use this beautifull stamp to create a simple design for my Thank You cards. I made about 40 in total, 10 each in 4 different colour ways. The cards were approximately 10cm square, a perfect size to showcase this stamp!

Firstly here it is in Pear Pizzaz...

.... and then Baja Breeze....

..followed by Rich Razzleberry....


..and to finish Not Quite Navy...

Here they all are together....

Materials

CS: SU Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzaz, Rich Razzleberry, NOt Quite Navy & Crumb Cake

Stamps: SU Elegant Thank You from the a la Carte range

Tools: SU Square lattice embossing folder

Misc: SU Crumb Cake and Rich Razzleberry Ink

So which colour is your favourite?? I'll be intrigued to find out! Mine is the Rich Razzleberry, simply because these are also the colours I used for my wedding invitations, so they match! I also like how striking the Thank You stamp looks against the Vanilla background when stamped in Razzleberry too!

Such a simple design, but I was really pleased with the results! I just LOVE this square lattice embossing folder, can't get enough of it!

Well thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a lovely BH weekend!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Less is More Butterflies!!

Good morning all!

The sun is shining and it's the weekend, what more could you ask for! Well, a new LIM challenge for one, and this week Chrissie and mandi have come up with butterflies! This is so perfect for me as I am having a bit of a butterfly obsession at the minute, which my husband has definately noticed as they feature on most of my cards at the minute! So I couldn't wait. I just had to dive straight into my stash and get creating right away (before breakfast or any of the household chores!!).

So without further ado, here is my entry/entries for this weeks butterfly challenge.

a change of sentiment and I have another...

the inside is decorated simply and identically for both..
Here they are both together side by side....


I had to make two of these as I loved the first one so much I had to replicate it, with just a simple change of sentiment. I love these summery colours together, makes me feel as though I'm in a meadow, laid in the grass looking up at the butterflies flitting around! Ah bliss!

Materials

CS: SU Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Cheer and Wishes, Sincere Salutations

Tools: SU Stampamajig, Sponge Daubers, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die

Misc: Stampin Markers

Well I hope you like my card for this weeks LIM challenge. I can see me recreating this design, maybe with a change in colour and sentiment again, as they were so quick and simple to design.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend whatever you're up to!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Nursey Suite - not just for babies!

Morning all!

Today I am having a reaxing day as it is my day off. I've just finished my book, now I'm doing a bit of blogging with a cuppa and then I'm going to spend a few lazy hours crafting! Perfect day!!

So today I have a card to show you that I made for my best friend recently for her birthday. I used the Nursery Suite Speciality papers which I just love, along with my favourite ever sentiment stamp! I just love these papers and their versatility, and I wanted to show how they can be used for occasions other than babies.

and of course the decorated inside...

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink

Papers: Nursery Suite Speciality

Stamps: Afterthoughts, Occasional Greetings

Tools: SU Stampamajig, Sponge Daubers, Scallop Trim Border punch, Perfect
Polka Dots embossing folder

Misc: Stampin Markers, Ribbon from stash, Adhesive pearls

I also recently made a male birthday card using the same Nursery Suite papers, which you can see here if you missed it!

Well thanks for stopping by today. I'm off to have a look around blogland to see what you've all been up to before I head off into my craft room!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Good Luck Strength & Hope Take 2!!!

Evening all!

As with you all, I'm not sure what's happening with blogger but my last post has dissapeared never to return again. So, pain though it may, be I've decided to upload it again. Thanks to those of you who had already stopped by and taken the time to comment.

Today's card was made for a friend using the wonderful Strength and Hope set. Not only is it a beautiful and amazing value set (Just £12.95 for the clear set), but it has been created with such a worthwhile cause in mind. For every set sold, Stampin Up has said they will donate £1 to Breast Cancer Research, and if you purchase this set from me, I will also donate £1 to Cancer Research UK.


Of course the decorated inside....

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Hope and Strength, Sincere Salutations

Tools: SU Scallop Trim Border punch, Square Lattice
Embossing Folder & Sponge Daubers

Misc: SU adhesive pearls

The beauty of this set is that the images can used as focal images or to create backgrounds. You can see another card I have made using this set here.

There are a few challenges out there whose themes this week are met by today's card.

Cute Card Thursday - Distressing
Creative Inspirations - Decorate the inside of your card

Well thanks for stopping by. I'm off to enjoy a nice cuppa whilst watching eastenders! Hvae a great weekend everyone!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Good Luck with Strength and Hope.

Morning all!

It's thursday already. Where is the week going to???

Today I have another card to show you using the wonderful Strength and Hope set. Not only is it a beautiful vintage inspired set it's creation was inspired by such a worthy cause. For every stamp set sold, Stampin Up will donate £1 to Breast Cancer Research. If you purchase your set from me I will also donate £1 to Cancer Resesarch UK and at only £12.95 for the clear set, I think it is amazing Value. There are 4 striking stamps in the set that can be used not only as a focal point for your card, but also to create backgrounds with, as you can see in my card today.

The simply decorated inside... (which also meets the challenge this week over at Creative Inspirations, which is to decorate the inside of your cards, something I am addicted to doing!)

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Hope and Strength, Sincere Salutations

Tools: SU Scallop Trim Border punch, Square Lattice
Embossing Folder & Sponge Daubers

Misc: SU adhesive pearls, baja breeze, choc chip, crumb cake ink

I hope you have enjoyed seeing how this amazing stamp set can be used. Here is another of my cards using this set if you haven't already seen it. If you would like to own this beautiful set and also do your bit to help Breast Cancer Research then please get in touch and I would be happy to order it for you.

I would also like to enter this over at Cute Card Thursday, where the theme this week is distressing! Oh how I love to distress the edges of my CS with ink!!

Thanks for stopping by today and for any comments you leave, it's great to know who's been dropping by my lil ol blog!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Spots and stripes Birthday.

Good morning all! It's the weekend and boy am I looking forward to a few days off! I've aready been busy this morning getting some dreaded household chores out of the way, washing, cleaning etc before I head off out this afternoon to my friend Jules Owl Class at 2! I haven't been to one of her saturday classes since before christmas, so I'm really looking forward to it!

Onto today's card. I made this a while back for a male friends birthday. The colours turned out a little girlier than I had anticipated, but at the end of the day at least there was no pink involoved! Lol!



Quelle suprise... I've decorated the inside!

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Choc Chip

Papers: Nursery Suite Speciality

Stamps: Afterthoughts, On a Pedestal, Seeing Spots (Retired)

Tools: SU Stampamajig, Sponge Daubers

Misc: Stampin Markers, Crumb Cake ink pad

Not too bad me thinks, considering I break out in a sweat at the thought of making a man's card!

Have you checked out this weeks LIM challenge. The theme this week is 'All White'. Might have to get my thinking cap on for this one! Oh well I like a bit of a challenge!

Well thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a lovely weekend and manage to fit a spot of crafting in somewhere!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

LIM Lucky Dip!

Good morning all!

I had a lovely bank holidy weekend spent in the Lakes with my family, the weather was absolutely glorious and I got to feed some baby lambs!

Today I have a card to share with you that I made for the Less Is More challenge. This weeks theme is Lucky Dip, either Thank You or Congratulations.

One of the girls at work has just announced she is having a baby, so I made this card for her.


and of course I had to decorate the inside ....

Materials

CS: SU Whisper White & Crumb Cake

Stamps: Fox & Friends, Cheer and Wishes

Tools: SU Scallop Trim Border, Square lattice and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folders

Misc: SU Adhesive Pearls and retired SU ribbon

I went for the crumb cake theme as she doesn't know what the sex of the baby is and this is a perfect neutral colour. I just adore this fox and friends set. So versatile, it can be used for so many occasions! See the birthday card I have previosly made with this set here.

Well thanks for stopping by, I'd best start to get ready for work. Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week, Mr sunshine is on his way!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

LIM off center challenge!

Evening all.
Today is a good day. I now have 5 days off of work after working 7 straight days over the easter weekend! Hoping to get some crafting done tomorrow on my day off before we head of to the lake district for the weekend!

Today I have my card to share with you that I have made for this weeks 'Less is More' challenge, which is off center. I actually made this at Julies card class last night, although I took a different slant on the card Julie had made and made this one my own! With Romance in the air with the Royal wedding this weekend it seems only right that this weeks card is romantically themed. So I chose an anniversary card.



and of course the inside...

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Something to Celebrate, Occasional Quotes

Tools: SU Large Heart, Extra large Oval and Decorative Label Punches, Square Lattice, Vintage Wallpaper and Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folders, Sponge Daubers

Misc: SU adhesive pearls & Very Vanilla ribbon

I love this card. Love the colours (my own wedding colours) and the embossing folders I've used to create all the texture. There is no designer papers and minimal stamping (only sentiments) on this card, but yet it is so interesting.

As I have mentioned that these were the colours I used for my own wedding I though I would share a picture of my wedding place settings with you. I only have a picture of mine and my husbands, but I did exactly the same for the other 16 guests at the wedding, obviously with their names on it though!

The waiters at the restaurant kept calling me and my husband Mr Groom and Mrs Bride! Bless! It made us laugh anyway!

Well I hope you enjoyed todays card.

Thanks for stopping by and I will be back next week after my trip to the lake district with my family!

Have a great may day bank holiday weekend and I hope you all enjoy the royal wedding!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you all!

I hope you are all enjoying this long bank holiday weekend, such beautiful weather, which is soooo unusual for Bank Holiday's in the UK! Unfortunately I have been working since last wednesday (stuck indoors for most of it), but I am going to the Lake District next weekend for the Royal Wedding and May Day Bank Holiday so I am realy looking forward to that!

Today I have an easter card to share with you that I gave to my husband.


An arty farty angle to show how I've cut the front of the card away and slightly decorated the inside...

and the decorated inside...

Materials

CS: SU Whisper White & Wild Wasabi

Paper: Designer Series Pumpkin Pie (Brights), Retired SU

Stamps: Elzbells (Retired)

Tools: SU Scallop Border & Square lattice embossing folder

Misc: SU Markers

I love the colours of this card, lovely and fresh, perfect for spring. My hubby really liked his card. I know it's not very masculine, but he likes colourful cards and he has a thing for cute, cartoony type images. These Elzybells are some of his favourite desgins, it's just such a shame they are no more!! I also managed to incorporate my favourite technique on this card, paper peicing. I think it just finishes the egg off perfectly!

I don't know about you guy's, but I am in love with new embossing folders from the SU mini catalogue, especially this square lattice folder. They create some lovely textured effects and mke the perfect background to your proects.

I'm entering this card into the challenge over at Papertake Weekly (Spots & Stripes), as I've not done a challenge for a while!

Well I'd best dash, I've got to get ready for work!!

Enjoy the last day of your bank holiday, whatever you're doing!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Butterfly birthday!

Good morning all!

What a beautiful day, the sun is shining and to top it off I have the day off work!

Today I though I'd share with you a card I recently made for my neice's 16th birthday. I hope she liked it! She went to NewYork with her parents to celebrate! Lucky thing!!

I went for a pink, black and white theme with butterflies! I just adore butterflies at the minute!


A simply decorated inside....


Because the butterflies were lifting from the card I decided to make a box, using my score pal, so they wouldn't get squashed.

An arty farty angle to show the dimension of the butterfly.

Materials

CS: SU Whisper White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo

Paper: Designer Series Melon Mambo (Brights)

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Curly Cute, Afterthoughts (Level 1 hostess set)

Tools: SU Scallop Trim Border & Butterfly punches, Square lattice embossing folder, Nestabilities

Misc: SU Adhesive Rhinestones, Rose Red stitch trim ribbon (Retired)

I really enjoyed making this set, it's not often I make a box to put the card in, but it makes it look so much more special!

Well thanks for stopping by today. I'm off into the garden to enjoy bit of sunshine before I get crafty later.

Hope you all get to enjoy a bit of sunshine today.

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Three of a kind!

Good morning all.

What a lovely start to the weekend we're having here in West Yorkshire. The sun is shining brightly and it is suprisingly warm. Let's hope it stays this way until monday as I am off work this weekend!

Today I have three cards to show you, all made with the same LO and stamp set, I've just changed the colour way and sentiment on each card.

Since my wedding I have had lots of thank you cards to send out, so I needed a quick design that I could easily replicate. This card took less than 10minutes to create, so perfect for those quick, multiple makes.

I love black, white and pink (Melon Mambo) together...

A change of colour and sentiment, et voila....

For this last card I went for a more muted colour scheme of Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze and Wild Wasabi and substituted the square lattice embossing folder for the Perfect Polka Dots...


All of the insides were simply decorated, just changing the colour scheme to match the colours on the front of the card...

Materials

CS: SU Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi

Stamps: Just Believe

Tools: SU Square Lattice and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folders, Circle punch

Well I really enjoyed making these, so quick and simple to do and one that can be adapted for any celebration and in any colourway!

Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to enjoy some of the sunshine. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

One layout, two different cards!

Hello Everyone!

I'm having a quick sit down and cuppa before my BF comes round for tea. It was her birthday yesterday and whilst I sent her card in the post, I still have her present to give her. I haven't seen her for almost 3 weeks since we returned from my wedding, so it will be nice to catch up and look at the photo's.

Today I have two cards to show you. I used the same stamp set and same LO for both cards but as you will see, they are quite different themes. One is modern and funky, the other more vintage.

The first option...

...and the inside (decorated to match of course)


The second more vintage inspired option...


...and again with the matching interior.

Materials

CS: SU Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla

Paper: Designer Series Melon Mambo (Brights)

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Bliss(retired), Music Notes (Wheel)

Tools: SU Scallop Trim Border & Butterfly punches

Misc: SU Adhesive Pearls and Rhinestones

Whilst I love both of these cards, my favourite has to be the brigh one! Which one is your favourite??!

There's a technique I have been wanting to try for ages now, so I though I'd give it a go on these cards. Bleach stamping! I stamped the scroll/swil stamp with bleach onto the peach parfait card and after it had dried you get the above result! Et Voila, customised backgound paper! I'll definately be doing this technique again!

Well I've got to dash and start getting the tea ready.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you leave!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Hope and Strength!

Good morning all!

Its the weekend at last and the sun is shining. What a beautiful day!! I am just packing up to go and see my family for the weekend. I didn't get to see my mum last weekend for mothers day as I was working, so we're heading over to see them today and staying over night.

Today I have a beautiful card to show you that I made using a set from the new Stampin Up mini catalogue. It's called Hope and Strength, a set that Stampin' Up have produced in aid of breast cancer research. Stampin Up is donating £1 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every set sold. (Please click on the link on my side bar for more details). So many of our lives have been touched by this horrible disease, mine probably more than most. Not only has this disease affected friends and family of mine, but as a District Nurse I have looked after many patients with this disease and seen the devastating effect it can have on them and their families lives . That's why I have decided to also donate £1 to Cancer Research UK for every set that I sell.


The simply decorated inside (this has become an addiction)...

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Pink Piroutte, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Hope and Strength

Tools: SU Scallop Trim Border punch, SU Large Heart Punch, Square Lattice
Embossing Folder & Sponge Daubers

Misc: SU adhesive pearls

I love the backgound you can make with this beautiful scroll/swirl stamp form the set and I also used it to stamp a pattern on the corner on the inside. This square lattice embossing folder, along with this Hope and Strength set, are some of my favourite items in the new mini catalogue so I couldn't wait to combine them on a card together!!

Well I must get off & start to think about getting my bag packed, it's not going to pack itself, and my husband definately won't be packing it!! Lol!

Thanks for stopping by. Please don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you've been, I love to read them. Have a great weekend everyone, and I'll be back in a few days with another project to share with you.

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Less is more 'A Touch of Red'

Evening all!

I've had a much needed day off work today and how did I spend it? Shopping and crafting of course, the cleaning can wait. Although if I'm being honest I did manage to do a load of washing, in between cards!! Lol!

Those who know my style of card know that I love the CAS look. So the new challenge blog 'Less is more' is perfect for me! I decided to join in on this weeks challenge which is 'A touch of red' and here is my card..


and I simply decorated the inside, also 'adding a touch of red'.

Now this card was so easy to do (in under 5 minutes) so I decided to replicate it, just with a different sentiment.


Two cards in under 15 minutes, that must be a record for me!!

Materials

CS: SU Whisper White, Basic Black

Paper: Scraps from my stash

Sentiment: SU Afterthoughts (Level 1 hostess set)

Stamps: Butterfly from SU 'Bliss' set (retired)

Tools: SU Scallop Border & Butterfly punches

Misc: SU adhesive pearls

I really enjoyed making these. I am on a roll at the moment, my mojo's in full flow. I am trying to use my new stash that I haven't got around to using yet and scraps of card & paper before I buy anything else. I don't see that lasting long though as I am in love with the new Springtime Vintage papers in the new SU mini catalogue, and I can see them being in my basket on my next order!

Well I'm off to have a lovely soak in the tub with a cuppa before I head off to bed for a good nights sleep ready for work in the morning!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Happy Mother's Day!!

Evening all.

Now I know it's a little late in the day but I have been working all weekend and this is the first chance I've had to post! I want to wish everyone a happy mother's day! I hope you all got some lovely cards and gifts from your children. For those,who like me are childless, I hope you are enjoying your weekend regardless!

Today I want to share with you the card I gave my mum today. Now she's received it I know it's safe to post it on here! Now this post is a bit picture heavy so bear with me please! Lol!

I made this twisted easel card at one of my recent tuesday night classes at Julies..



the main panel...


and a bit of an arty farty angle...

And here is a matching box that we made to put the card in....

I love the dimension of the daffodils....

Then we made a matching gift tag which I attached to my mum's present (Some red wine & chocolate which she's probably enjoying as I write this!).

I made my Mother in Law's card a month or so ago but I needed a tag for her present too, and as we only made one at Julies I decided to make another. I used the tag above as inspiration and this is what I came up with...

The daisy is a clip that I used to attach the tag to the present.

Materials

CS: SU Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive,Whisper White

Paper: SU Brights Pattern Designer Series

Sentiment: Broadsheet Alphabet, Occasional Greetings, Just Believe

Stamps: SU 'Just Believe', A la carte 'Flower Accent'

Tools: SU Scallop Border Punch & corner punch, Oval punch, Large Designer Label punch

Misc: SU assorted ribbon

Well, I spoke to my mum earlier from work and I think it's safe to say she liked her card and gift, I hope you do too!

That's a long enough post from me today I think! I'm off for a nice soak in the bath, then it's early to bed as I've to be up at 6am for work!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

It's Finally Here!!!

Morning al!!

The SU mini Catalogue 2011 is finally here. It's the 1st of April today which mean it's launch day, the day we have all been long awaiting. I've been dying to share the catalogue with you since I saw it over a month ago! It is crammed with lots of new goodies including the Owl Punch (which is my personal favourite) and the Big Shot, with lots of Sissix dies that are exclusive to Stampin Up. Please click on the Mini Catalogue picture in my right hand side bar to instantly view the new Catalogue!

I have a quick card to share with you that was made with one of the new items in the Catalogue, my favourite, the Owl Punch.



This card was made by the fabulous Jules (My friend and SU grandma!!) for my recent wedding! She knows how much I love Owl's so this is the card she gave me, and I absolutely love it! Check out the cute bride owl with the ruched ribbon dress!

Well I hope you all enjoy the new mini and love all the new products as much as I do! If you would like to ask me anything about the products in the new mini you can contact me by e-mail.

Right I must dash, got to go to work!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~