Winner time...

Please scroll down or click here to check out my CASE Study post - thanks! :)

Hey!

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such lovely comments on my Card Design Handbook blog hop post!

It's time to draw a winner, so do your thing Mr Random.Org:

Number 85 is lucky for, jengd who said:

Congrats, jengd! You've just bagged yourself a copy of one awesome publication! Please email me your name and address (see my 'Contact Me' tab at the top for my email addy) and that Card Design Handbook will be on its way to ya!

Thanks once again to everyone who joined in the fun! :)

Catch ya later!

Super Free Saturday....and more!

If you're looking for my Card Design Handbook blog hop post scroll down or click here - thanks! :)

Hey!

Well naughty Blogger has kept a scheduled post all to itself - grrrr! This post was scheduled to go live on Saturday to coincide with some exciting stuff kickin' off on the Uniko Studio blog!

So what's the exciting stuff? Well not only is it exciting, it's free!

Today is Super Free Saturday on the Uniko blog and it's a Saturday I'm happy to take advantage of too *wink*. Once a month, Uniko Studio is releasing a digital collection that you can download and play with for free!

So what's up for free grabs for the first Super Free Saturday? Check it out:

And here's a little project that I whipped up with just one of the elements from the kit:

Tip: When using soft, pastel colours I don't like to use the colour black for my sentiments - I find it too harsh in contrast. Instead, I like to try and opt for a dark grey and a font that isn't bold!

A simple change of colour to a part of the element and the addition of a typed sentiment and bling made this little 3x3 card super easy to create! I'm going to enter this mini-card into the Moxie Fab Focal Point Challenge seeing as I have a very clear focal point to this card :)

Do you play with digital elements in your crafting? I was once a digi-phobe but now I find it quick, easy and fun to experiment with them. You can be super simple and just print the digital elements you require and craft or you can play with them using an editing software programme (in case you're wondering, I'm a huge fan of the free, open-source graphic programme, GIMP)

Now you thought that was enough fun for a Saturday, right? Wrong! Uniko Studio are also having a DT Call!

And it's open to international peeps too! Check out the full deets here!

Phew! That's enough excitement for one day....oh wait, there's also the Uniko Studio Blog Candy that's still open - check out those deets here!

Now that really is all the excitement - I promise! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I always appreciate your visits!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{thank you}
Card: White, Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink)
Digital Elements: Bright Butterflies (Uniko Studio)/Font (Disco)
Accessories: Gems (Stash!)/Square Nestability (Spellbinders)

Design class in session...!

Hey!

TGI Friday, and a sweet, extra-long Bank Holiday weekend for some of us! :)

I'm here today to participate in a fantastic blog hop to celebrate the launch of Paper Craft's best ever special issue yet (IMHO!) the Card Design Handbook! 

Seriously, if you haven't got this issue yet then you *need* it! It explains basic design principles that, if followed, can make your projects shine! (Though there's a lot to be said for breaking some rules in style too of course! *wink*)

I'm so honoured to be a part of this hop! You should have hopped across from my fellow European peep, Lorena Cantó Lavería. If you haven't, then be sure to start here and get the full blog hop deets!

We've been asked to produce a 'Good to Great' card for our blog hop project. There are fantastic examples of this in the actual issue so I had a lot of inspiration! I also decided to feature on the design principle of movement/flow; that is, allowing the eye to rest and follow a design, taking in all aspects of the card with ease.

So first up is my 'Good'

A very CAS card with an autumnal feel about it. What can I say? I adore autumn and I'm already getting a hint of it heading our way! :)

Nothing is exactly 'wrong' with this card but it's a little plain and lacking in energy. If I were to keep this design, I'd have to make the card smaller as I feel there's far too much space in proportion to my elements (I know, a CAS girl talking about too much space! Ha!) How about we add some autumnal leaves to this card to give it some oomph?

Ahhhh now this definitely has some more oomph! The leaves allow your eyes to take in the whole of that middle panel of card, without getting lost, as well as leading your eyes to the sentiment. The leaves also bring the design elements into proportion more, the card seems complete and actually looks smaller than the original 'good' card but I promise you they're the same size!

When the cards are side by side, you can get a real feel of the movement and energy those leaves give:

This card focuses on just one of the many design principles in the issue. This issue is like my design bible - it has pride of place on my messy studio desk for quick referencing and you could do the same; Paper Crafts have been super generous and are allowing a random commenter on this post (and on the rest of the blog hop blogs!) the chance to win a copy of this signature issue! Simply leave a comment on this post by Tuesday 28th August 11.59 PST and I'll pick a random winner - simples!

Before I dash I just want to thank Paper Crafts for not only publishing an amazing issue, but for inviting me to be a part of this amazing hop- thank you! 

Now you've got some more hopping to do - remember to comment on each for a chance to win! Next on the hop is Emily Branch! If you're lost for any reason, you can find your way with the full list of participants:

Chan Vuong
Kalyn Kepner 
 Julia Stainton
Jocelyn Olson
Angeline Yong Jeet Leen
Jaclyn Miller 
Lorena Cantó Lavería
Amy Wanford (you're here!)
Emily Branch
Vanessa Menhorn

Enjoy! :)

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{Thank You}
Stamps: Turning a New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)/Sentiment from Extra Time (Uniko Studio)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)/Autumn Sky (Adirondack - Ranger)
Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Jute Ribbon Twine, Orange Button, Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink)

Diva for the day...

Hey!

Happy Wednesday - just! It's rare that I post so late at night; I'm live bloggin' as I've spent most of today being a Diva (Verve stylee, of course!) an catching up with their fun Anni-VERVE-sary challenges! I was desperate to squeeze them into what's turning out to be a very busy week here.

So I'll get straight to it! I had 3 challenges left to play along with so here are the result from my Diva session!

Challenge 3 - a sketch challenge. I used to be able to follow sketches so easily but now I find that they hinder my mojo more than boost it! I guess it's pretty hard to interpret a sketch like this one to a CAS gal like myself *wink*

I'm serious. This sketch was keeping me up at night! But maybe that's a good thing because I'm happy that I managed to crack it:

Now it's still kinda CAS...I inked up some new Paper Smooches background stamps for the houndstooth pattern but the rest is Verve. The rest you ask? Surely there's only one more stamp on this card? Well there's a li'l magnetic magic behind this card - simply lift to complete the sentiment:

Hee! I do love an interactive card, even if the sketch behind it nearly killed me! I simply adhered a tiny magnet behind the circular panel of card and another magnet behind the houndstooth pattern. I was lucky enough to be sent some samples of magnets from Magnet Expert and I love 'em! The sizes range from the super big to the super tiny, perfect for cards that require an interactive feature *wink*

Challenge 4 - a challenge that I think was thought of just for me (and my buddy, Lynn!)

Woo hoo! This I can do in a jiffy - no sleepless nights for this challenge! :)

This card will be heading to either my brother, or my guy's brother for their birthday soon.

4 challenges down, only one more to squeeze in! Challenge 5 was something that I don't do enough when I think of all the supplies I own:

Now I'm gonna 'fess up - I was getting pushed for time at this point. My guy is off work too and wanted to head out so I needed to whip up something quick. So cue a coordinating tag to match the card created for Challenge 4:

I now need to get busy stamping coordinating wrapping paper methinks! Ha!

Right, if you've made it this far, well done! And if you've just looked at the pictures and ignored the waffle then that's OK too - it's late after all!

Thanks so much for stopping by tonight (or today!) I can hear a cuppa calling me so I'm signing off.

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{You're so AWESOME}
Stamps: Happy Days (Verve Stamps)/Large Houndstooth Background, Small Houndstooth Background (Paper Smooches)
Ink: Buttercup (A Muse)/Red (Versamagic)/Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: White, Pure Poppy, Harvest Gold (Papertrey Ink)/Teal (Bazzill)
Patterned Paper: Ledger from Basic White 6x6 Collection (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Small Magnets (Magnet Expert)/Chompy (Corner Chomper)/Circle Nestability (Spellbinders)/

{Have a HAPPY Birthday}
Stamps: Happy Days (Verve Stamps)
Ink: London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Memento)/Blue Marvy Blending Block (Marvy)
Cardstock: White (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink)

{HAPPY Birthday Tag}
Stamps: Happy Days (Verve Stamps)
Ink: London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Memento)/Blue Marvy Blending Block (Marvy)
Cardstock: White (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Tag Sale #3 Die, Fresh Snow Twill, Cream Button Twine (Papertrey Ink)

Being a Diva

Hey!

Happy Monday! Only two more of the most sweetest, happy Mondays left until school starts again - where did my holiday go to?!

I'm spending my penultimate week of the holidays being a diva - hee! No, not a *real* diva, that's not in my nature, but an inky diva with Verve Stamps is! I'm joining in the fun of their Anni-VERVE-sary seeing as I'm lucky enough to own a few sets of theirs (thanks, Diva *wink*)

They have 5 challenges and I really want to play along with all of 'em before the Friday deadline so here goes:

Challenge 1 was a fun colour challenge and a good one for me as it features gorgeous green :)

And here's what I whipped up at some unknown hour of the morning when I couldn't sleep!

I'm smitten with those Hawaiian flowers - so much fun to colour! I went for a more textured look with my impression plate by covering it in white ink before running it through my Cuttlebug - I kinda like the distressed effect.

Challenge 2 came with perfect timing for me:

My brother and SIL celebrated their anniversary this weekend! No Verve stamps on this one, sorry - maybe I've spotted an absence in my stash I need to remedy *wink*

I have sheets of this sparkly adhesive stuff and I figured that it was finally time to use it! This card looks so much better IRL but it was a pain to photograph - sorry! In case you're wondering, those little hearts are a negatives from a heart lace border punch. Keep every. single. scrap.

So there you have it, Aimes being a 'Diva' - did I pass the test?! Well it's as much of a diva as I'll ever be and there's more to come later this week - fingers crossed!

Thank you so much for stopping by here today!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{Best Wishes}
Stamps: Happy Days, Friendly Phrases (Verve Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)/Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, White (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink)/Promarkers

{anniversary wishes}
Stamps: Sentiment from Teeny Trees (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Black (Staz-on)
Cardstock: White, Vellum, Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)/Sparkly stuff (Stash!)
Accessories: Martha Steward Border Punch

Gold!

Hey!

Happy Monday! Well it's kinda happy here, yet tinged with a bit of the Olympic Blues....I can't believe after so many years of hype and waiting, it's now over so quickly!

Well 29 gold medals later from Team GB and I'm feeling the effects of it filter into my crafting:

This card features a technique I really should play with more often: embossing. I don't what it is, but it always feels like such a chore to me until I see the end result! I also thought it was rather apt to select gold as my embossing powder on royal velvet cardstock as a nod to the awesome achievements of Team GB! :)

This card is for our challenge on A Passion for Papertrey. Now we've been glued to our beloved Olympics so decided for another free, 'take your pick' challenge. Simply create anything with at least one PTI product to qualify for entry - easy peasy, right?!

Right, it's now back to the normal routine now the Olympics is over. I'm heading to the gym with a clear focus on Rio 2016! Ha!

Pssst: Before you dash, I recommend you take a peek at the Uniko Studio blog as there's some scrummy, calorie-free candy up for grabs! *wink*

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{thank you}
Stamps: Peaceful Garden (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Royal Velvet, Fine Linen (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Gold Detail Embossing Powder (Stampendous)/Vintage Cream Satin Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Pretty pearls for a pretty deer...

Please scroll down or click here for my CASE Study Blog Hop entry, thanks! :)

Hey!

Happy Friday! It's practically the weekend - woo hoo! Although I'm on my holidays, I still really treasure the weekends! :)

I'm participating in yet another hop today - it's hopping mad this week on the blogeroo! The Craft's Meow and Want2Scrap have joined forces to host a fabulous blog hop today and I'm so happy to be a part of it!

You should have hopped here from my TCM buddy, Jen Cuthbertson. If you haven't, you'll want to start here for a full list of participant and to start from the beginning. 

As part of the TCM DT we were sent some gorgeous goodies from Want2Scrap to play with. I couldn't resist an idea that popped into my head as soon as I set eyes on some gorgeous adhesive pearls:

I stamped the deer from my set, Oh Deer along with a the punny sentiment and embellished this sweet deer with pearls for her markings! The pearls are actually from a sweet frame/flourish, but I snipped out a section of the design to fit this deer. :)

I think I best keep it short and sweet today as there's a lot of hopping to be done! It's worth hopping and commenting because there's prizes to be won from both companies (the deadline for comments is Sunday!) Your next stop is my fellow TCM Teamie, Lindsay Amrhein - enjoy!

Thanks so much for hopping on by here today!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{hello, deer}
Stamps: Oh Deer (The Craft's Meow)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: White, Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Pearls (Want2Scrap)/Cloud Die (Papertrey Ink)

Polka Dot Ice-Cream...

Hey!

Happy Monday! I can say that and really mean it when it's the middle of the summer holidays *wink*

I'm taking yet another short break from the addictive viewing of the Olympics (I can't believe how well Team GB are doing!) to share a card to cool down after the excitement of the past few days:

Well I can't think of a sweeter way to cool down than with a calorie-free ice cream *wink*

This card features some simple paper-piecing of the set, One Scoop or Two? and a wordy-debossed background to tie in with the sentiment. I know polka dot ice-cream doesn't exist IRL, but I have a feeling it would be delicious if it did!

My card is based on the August Sketch Challenge at The Craft's Meow. 

Feel free to join in with us this month, you don't have to have TCM Stamps to play along, and participating peeps have the chance of winning a TCM stamp set of their choice (however, if you do use TCM stamps, you may win an additional 15% discount on an additional TCM set of your choice!)

Calorie-free ice-cream break over. Thanks so much for popping by today! Now resuming essential Olympic viewing! :)

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{What's the Scoop}
Stamps: One Scoop or Two? (The Craft's Meow)
Ink: Rich Cocoa, Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: White (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: From Library Ledger Collection (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Jute Button Twine, Words Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink)/Pearls (Stash!)