Phoenix Inspirations

A set I haven't used yet - even though I've had it for ages is Waterfront. It's a fab set for creating scenes which is something I love doing, so I really don't know why it's taken me so long to play with it! The card I have created is taken from a tutorial on Youtube. Unfortunately I can't remember where I found it so I can't add a credit but it turned out rather well I think - take a look It's a one layer card so it's really good for posting and it didn't take very long to create. I've used a variety of inks: Early Espresso, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, So Saffron and I think Bermuda Bay. I love the spotty stamp - it gives lovely texture without adding any bulk. So I'm in beautiful Hereford now spending time with my daughter. Tomorrow we are going to an outside gym. Never done that before but I'm always up for new experiences - will tell all tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by today - see you soon - J xx

Graceful Garden is a set I love, in fact I just love roses and this set has the most beautiful rose image perfect for colouring in or paper piecing. Today's card features this lovely rose and one of my favourite Stampin' Up colours - Night of Navy. So I tried to take an arty photograph of my card and I think that there is more of everything else than there is of the card!! The rose has been stamped onto Soft Sky card stock with Versamark ink and then heat embossed with white embossing powder - the leaves were treated the same way but onto Old Olive card stock. I used my leaf punch to and some copper glitter paper for my leaves and my sentiment is from (after searching through my stamp sets for ages) Beautiful Peacock - from the last Sale-A-Bration offer. I am off to my daughter's in Hereford for a few days but I am still hoping to blog a little - especially as I now have my handy little tablet keyboard! I'm getting quite techy in my old age - just need t...

Do you remember me saying that I was having problems with my laptop? Well I think I have solved the problem - I now have a keyboard for my tablet, and I managed to set it up myself! No more carrying around bulky laptops for me! I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. OK lets get on with the business in hand. I have a card to show you today and it's a bit of a strange one. It's daffodils - take a look I used the very beautiful You're Inspiring stamp set and coloured it using the markers. Looking forward to using this set next year for Easter and Mother's Day - in fact it would also be handy for any occasion during spring - I can't wait! Hope you like my card today - please do leave a comment to let me know you've visited - thanks for stopping by - see you soon - J xx

I have been neglecting my blog lately  - for a number of reasons  - mainly because of my increasing health issues and also because my laptop is sadly on the way out.  I did think that I might replace it but it's a big investment and I'm wondering whether it's just as good blogging on my tablet.  So  here I am  on my tablet blogging and so far  it's  ok! Crafting has taken a back seat too  - it's frustrating knowing that just a couple of years ago I was able to craft all day and run a crafting business. Now I'm lucky to be able to make one card a week and more often than not it's weeks between crafting sessions. Time management is not one of my strong points and although I'm having a week off work at the moment I've only managed to get in a little crafting. I've managed to reorganise my desk area and surrounding space so that it's easier to craft so now it's time to get down to some serious work before time runs out again! The card ...

I have a challenge card for you today. It's for the "Things With Wings" challenge over on  Make My Monday I used the Bird Banter stamp set from the latest Stampin' Up mini catalogue as I'm ashamed to say that I haven't used yet! It's a lovely set with exotic birdies and branches and it's perfect for colouring in . Here's my card  This is a teeny tiny note card (also from the mini catalogue) and I've stamped my branches directly on to the card. The toucan was stamped separately, coloured and cut out. He was also treated to a layer of crystal effects glue to make him lovely and shiny. He was then popped on with dimensionals and the sentiment was added too.  Thanks for stopping by today - see you soon  - J xxx 

So I was standing at my kitchen window looking out and I spied some tiny Muscari flowers framed beautifully against an old wooden sleeper.  The garden is terraced with sleepers as it's very steep and there is a layer of pebbles to stop the weeds - only it doesn't really work and loads of things keep coming up including the aforementioned Muscari. They did look very pretty though and inspired my card making today  - take a look  For my background I used Crumb Cake ink and the large Hardwood stamp. I then used the Tranquil Tulips set and the little stamps from that to create my Muscari. There are lots of leaves and spikey grass bits to use too. It's a very clean and simple card and I may add a sentiment later or I may just leave it as it is.  Hope you like my card today  - see you soon - J xxx 

It's been a jolly long time since I last blogged,  my health has not been good lately and it's taken me a long time to get over my bout of flu. It really messed with my fibro and I've found that just getting to work and back has been enough and the inclination to craft is only just coming back.  Therapy comes in all sorts of ways and I've found that my planner has been invaluable. It helps keep me organised and is also a place to dump all my ideas and dreams . It's a place to doodle and while away the hours planning and organising how my time will be spent when I get to craft again . Today I have my weekly layout to show you  - before the pen as they say  - take a look  It's mostly in pink this week which is my favourite colour with a little stamping thrown in for good measure! I've used Stampin Up Perennial Birthday which also happens to be one of my favourite sets at the moment.  Anyone who knows me knows that I love to customise my thing...