Phoenix Inspirations

Wow wasn't that wonderful - didn't they look gorgeous? What a fantastic wedding. I have watched all day - and will probably go on watching but I just thought I'd add my patriotic contribution to today's proceedings  - just a little card expressing my hopes and congratulations to the Happy Couple - may they always be as happy as they are today for the rest of their lives together.

I was recently visiting one of my favourite blogs and I came across a really useful post - here . Linda had outlined her way of organising her stamps and storing them. She also asked for crafters to leave comments with their own tips for organising. I left my comment but I also thought that I would put my way here too on my blog. I am not a Stampin' Up demonstrator but I do workshops and my stamps of choice are usually Stampin' Up. I find that they are good quality and there are many in a set so there are plenty to go round at a workshop.  I also make up samples before a workshop and to illustrate the sets I have made a series of index files for all my sets and I have stored them in a stand - up flip file. Each set has been stamped onto copy paper and laminated so that it doesn't deteriorate and each set has a number which corresponds with the number of the actual set. When the set retires - the number turns red There are dividers to separate the main catalogue stamps...

I am in a bit of a bind at the moment - I am trying to work out what to do for my next workshop. I have a few ideas and so I am trying them out first to see how they work out. Idea number one looks like this Can you see the little tab at the side ? If you pull it - this is what happens A flap opens up and there is a little hidden message. It's a T-Slide card and I found the tutorial for it on Splitcoast Stampers. It's a little tricky but well worth the effort I think. Here is a close up of the sentiment  The stamp set I have used is Simply Said and I have used colours: Summer Sun, Cameo Coral, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive and Ruby Red. I'm away now to try out another idea that I have buzzing around my head - see you soon - Jacqueline xx. 

This week's challenge at Simply Stampin'  is a sketch And here is my card I sponged a background directly on to the card blank using Bashful Blue and Certain Celery ink. I made a mask for the sun using a post it note cut in to a circle. I then added a piece of Very Vanilla ribbon which I knotted at the end. The main image is again sponged with Bashful Blue and Certain Celery and the the large image from Just Believe has been stamped in Old Olive. I then used Old Olive to sponge around all the edges. The small flowers are punched out of Night of Navy and Bashful Blue card stock using the Boho Blossoms punch - I added a little bling to the centers of each one. I then added the sentiment in the corner. Did everyone enjoy their Easter break and the glorious sunny weather? It's a bit overcast here today but I shall still have to water my garden - I don't think I have ever had to water so much in April before!! I bought a gorgeous new, red Peony at the end of last year an...

Good afternoon folks - just been trying to do some gardening but the ground is baked rock solid so I'm doing some blogging instead. Yesterday I decided to make some atc's - I haven't made any swaps for ages. But first I needed a theme, so I did some blog-hopping and I found a fab theme over on The Stampman  - Birds. Now I have loads of bird themed images but one of my favourites is Bird on a Branch and along with Stampin' Up's colour co-ordinated card stock and inks I managed to come up with something that I was rather pleased with - nothing like blowing your own trumpet eh?! Colours used were More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip. I am going back outside now to hack the garden a bit more! - see you soon - Jacqueline xx.

I think I am just in time with this - it's the Blue Jelly scrapbook challenge and the theme this month is 'Birthdays and Bunting' I had a good rifle through all my boxes of photographs and managed to find some taken at my Daughter's 6th birthday party I used Brocade Blue (retired) for the background and stamped around the edges with two star stamps from Wondrous Gift and Hung Up on the Holidays. The photos have Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose mats (I was trying to use up some scraps) and the bunting is Regal Rose. I used Brocade Blue and Night of Navy ink. I also used a white gel pen to high light some of the journaling. I am off now to post this on to the Blue Jelly  scrapbook challenge - see you after the holidays. Hope you all have a wonderful Easter - Jacqueline xx.

I didn't know whether I was going to have time to do a post today - but I have decided to take five and show off some flowers that I have made. These are what I will be demonstrating (amongst other things) tomorrow night at my workshop . All these flowers are adapted from tutorials I have found on You Tube - adapted 'cos I haven't had the correct tools and I have had to substitute my own. I love the Fuchsia though and I can't wait 'till I have enough time to play around with it and make a complete project. So - that is what's kept me busy all day - prepping my samples and making sure everything is ready for tomorrow - I'm still not finished yet so I had better get back to it!! - See you soon - Jacqueline xx.