Happy Easter!

I thought I'd give one of my Sizzix dies an airing and use it to make this Easter card.

Visit to the NEC

After visiting the Hobbycraft Show at the NEC in Birmingham last weekend, I'm making a start at using some new craft things I bought.  I've had the tool brads for a while and this embossing folder goes perfectly with them.

This new embossing folder was just what I was looking for to match the Sizzix 'Gears' die cuts.

Now to play around with my other purchases!........

Pillow Box

I'm always up for a craft evening with friends, so off I went yesterday evening to a 'Stampin Up' party.  I learnt how to make this cute little pillow box.  The tea and cakes were pretty good too!  Thanks Lynne and Belinda.

Cards for men....

I usually find getting inspiration for making cards for men a bit more tricky.  Here are a couple I've made with men in mind!

 This one was made with a Lili of the Valley stamp, coloured in with Promarkers and embellished with Card Candi.

I used a Little Claire stamp for this card, which was also coloured in with Promarkers.  The age could be added on the flag if the card was for a special birthday.

Creating backgrounds

After spending some time practising using a brayer to make backgrounds, I discovered 'Ink Dusters'.  They are SO easy to use and use much less ink....so it's win, win all round!  Ink Dusters are a bit like the old-fashioned shaving brushes. You just need to 'Dip, Dab and Dust'!  I used Lavinia stamps on these cards and love the silhouette effect.

Embossing

I use embossing folders often when I'm making cards.  Thanks to my friend Lynne who gave me a lovely Sizzix embossing folder recently.  She suggested that it would work well with inks, so out came my inks and a brayer and I started to have a play!  I'd not used inks before with embossed card, but it was really easy to get the hang of it.  The backing for both these cards was made using the same embossing folder, with one inked on the reverse side.  The circles were cut out with one of the scalloped Nestabilities and the 'flower' was cut out using a Memory Box 'Whimsy Circle' die.

Stamping

I had a relaxing afternoon making cards using Little Claire stamps and my Nestabilites.  The images were coloured in with Promarkers. 

Sunflowers

My favourite flowers are sunflowers, as you may have guessed from my blog title!  Many an evening you will find me relaxing, making a stock of sunflowers in different sizes to use on future projects. 

A few of my favourite cards.....

To start my blog off, here are a few of the cards I have particularly enjoyed making.....


I made this card for a card swap with the theme of 'Friends'.

This card was made for a card challenge.  The challenge was to make a card in any shape except square or rectangular.  The little fishing line, complete with a tiny fish bead, swings when the card is rocking.

The colours on this wedding card matched the colour scheme of the day.

I really enjoy making 3D cards.  This card was made for the birth of my Granddaughter.....

 

....and this card for her Christening.



Moving into the 21st Century

Having taken early retirement from my job as a teacher last July, I now have more time to spend on my hobbies.  I love all crafts, particularly making cards, and I enjoying experimenting with new techniques.  Over the coming days, weeks and months, I plan to share some of my creations.  So here I am......moving into the 21st Century, creating my own blog!  Thanks to my daughter Joanna, who I know will be there whenever I get stuck with the editing!