Digging for....eggs?!

Hey!

Hello, Tuesday. Hello, peeps. Ready for another Clearly Besotted Stamps sneaky peeky at the February release? I hope so! Remember: all new stamp sets and dies are available to purchase from Wednesday February 5th @ 22:00 GMT.

New to the sneaky peeks? Check out my previous peeks here, and here (said in my best air hostess voice and pointing to the exits LOL!)

Today's card takes two new sets, 'Garden Fresh' and 'Hoppy Easter', to create a punny, interactive card. Interactive you say? Well sure it is. Let's just do some digging; that cute rabbit is looking hungry:

Oh. What do we have here? This rabbit was hoping (or should that be hopping? Someone please stop me!) up for a carrot, but I think we've just struck Easter-gold here:

Ha! Totally punny. Totally interactive. Totally can't wait to post this Easter card in April LOL!

• The green panel of patterned paper is raised up on foam pads and underneath I've created a vertical path with the foam pads as a border so the spade/egg doesn't slide across the card. Wish I'd taken a picture now! 
• The sentiment looked lost stamped directly on to the patterned paper so I simply stamped it on white cardstock, trimmed it down and adhered it to the front.

Just to stop you from scrolling up and down the pictures, here's an action replay of the moment this rabbit scored an Easter egg instead of a carrot:

The rabbit, sentiment and Easter egg are from the set, 'Hoppy Easter'. The cute carrots, spade and spade die are from 'Garden Fresh'.

That's enough fun and peek-a-booing from me today, but if you want to check out some more sneaky peeks of the CBS February release then hop across to Stephanie who has more fabulous projects and links the rest of the CBS DT sharing sneaky peeks. You won't be disappointed! :)

So many sentiments...

Hey!

Two things that I cannot believe today.

1. It's December already.
2. The Craft's Meow is closing :(

I'm really sad to see The Craft's Meow (TCM) close its doors. I have a real soft spot for the owner, Lisa, and the company. After all, this was one of the first companies to take a chance on having me on their design team and it was this very company that made my dreams come true and manufactured my designs in stamp sets. TCM was one of the key stepping stones for this crazy, creative, inky adventure that I follow. 

"The Craft's Meow store is closing its doors at the end of December. All stamp sets have been marked down by as much as 75%! Stock is limited... once it's gone, it's gone for good, so please shop early for the best selection. All orders of $25 or more will receive a free gift with purchase. Flat rate shipping is $3.00 for all US orders and $12 for all International orders. Please see the store blog for details, or click over to The Craft's Meow store to start shopping!"

TCM is going out in style with a good ol' blog hop. You should have hopped across here from Sharri Seffens. If you haven't, be sure to check out the blog hop deets and more at the TCM Blog. :)

I decided to ink up a favourite TCM of mine that seems to suit the occasion: 'Good Times'. I want to remember the good times I had at TCM and the just about every sentiment in this set summed my feelings up. So instead of taking the hard decision of choosing what to ink up, I decided to ink a lot of them up! And I couldn't resist inking one sentiment in my beloved Hero Arts' neon ink to give a focal point.

So many sentiments. So many happy times. So honoured to be a part of it. I can't thank you enough, Lisa. ❤

OK. I'm getting a little teary eyed here so it's time for you to hop along from here and over to Debbie Pamment. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Products Used

InLinkz.com

Inside and Out - Literally!

Hey!

Well can you believe it? It's April already! And not only that, but April Fool's Day too (have you been fooled yet?)

Well there's no pranks here, it's definitely April 1st and with a new month comes a fun new sketch challenge to play along with at The Craft's Meow :)

Our sketch this month is by the super, duper Nina:


This sketch to me said, 'envie'. No matter how hard I tried to interpret it any other way it still demanded to be an envelope so who am I to deny a sketch its destiny? :)

This li'l envie plays on the punny sentiment and will soon contain a treat for my guy inside (I'm thinking cinema tickets for a date night). Normally I'd sneak it into his packed lunch, but as we've both got the next 2 weeks off together I'm not sure how to sneak it into his daily routine!

The sentiment and owl at the top are created by my computer (I had access to the digi version of Get Well Soon so inverted the black and white on the x-ray owl to create it). And I hit upon a cool thing (well, cool to me!) that you can create custom length envies with the seed packet die from PTI. I did this by simply running it only part way through my Cuttlebug, and then using scissors and a ruler to measure and trim how long you need the envie to be past the die cut section! (If that makes no sense to you then let me know! It makes sense in my head but may require pics!)

We'd love to see you ink along to this month's sketch and you're not required to use TCM stamps to share the inspiration. One lucky peep will win the TCM stamp set of their choice and lemme tell ya, you'll be spoilt for choice!

It's a busy Sunday here on the blogeroo: I'll be back in a few hours with a card to celebrate a fun birthday...

Catch ya later! (well when I say later I mean a matter of mins! Ha!)







Envie Deets
Stamps: Get Well Soon (The Craft's Meow)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Stampin Up!
Accessories: Seed Packet Die (Papertrey Ink)/Heart Lace Border Punch (Martha Stewart)/Gold Stickles (Ranger)

Party on with The Craft's Meow - Day 3!

Hey!

Happy Monday!

Yup! I'm back for day 3 of the celebrations over at The Craft's Meow!

I hope you're enjoying the party so far! Today we're giving you a sneaky peek of two more sets available for purchase from The Craft's Meow from March 21st by Jenny Suchin Designs called 'Spring is Here' and 'Get Well Soon'.

We've also got a colour combo game for today's festivities. (Be sure to ink up and play along for your chance to win an in-stock TCM stamp set of your choice!)

I followed this gorgeous colour combo for Spring is Here:

A perfect note card to send to the guys or gals methinks! The twine I wrapped around the bottom helps to ground the cute mailbox image.

My second card features stampy goodness from Get Well Soon:

The plaster was stamped three times and coloured before mounting it on to this polka-dot card base (those polka dots compliment the dotty element of the plasters). I was going to add some gorgeous Glossy Accents to those plasters to add more dimension but time (and my patience in waiting for that stuff to dry) wasn't on my side!

So how would you like to be in with a chance of winning one of these sets? Be sure to leave a comment over on the TCM Blog today for a chance (comments must be left by 9pm PDT tonight).

You can also play along with our colour challenge using TCM goodies for a chance to win an in-stock stamp set of your choice (you've got until March 31st 9pm PDT to enter!) and if you've got no TCM goodies then check out and use the free digis available through the TCM FB page or if you're not on FB, pop an email to thecraftsmeow@gmail.com.

Of course - I also urge you to check out the rest of the TCM DT. Not only will you get even more of a sneaky peek of these two sets, you'll also love their creations!

Thank you so much for partying along with us today! I'll be back tomorrow for day 4 of the party AND a surprise treat for TCM customers - you don't wanna miss it! :)

Catch ya later!

Card Deets

{Just a Note}

Stamps: Spring is Here (The Craft's Meow)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up!

Accessories: Green Twine (Stampin' Up!)

{Get Well Soon}

Stamps: Get Well Soon (The Craft's Meow)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah)/Pink Polka Dot Cardblank (a muse)
Accessories: Promarkers

Quick and Easy!

Hey!

Happy Saturday! Hope you're all having a super duper weekend so far... We're doing the rounds of visiting our dads to celebrate Fathers' Day so they'll be lots of yummy food and family (and maybe, just maybe I'll get to collect some gifts for my own special day on Tuesday *wink wink*)

I thought I had until Sunday to make my usual cards for our dads this year. However, my guy had suddenly decided late on Wednesday night that he needed a card to post the NEXT DAY! So it's late, I'm tired, my mojo has gone to bed - what's a gal to do?

Well use a pre-patterned card blank, a pre cut-star, some felt letters and a couple of stamp sets already out on my desk for one super duper quick and easy card:

Sorry for the poor pic - this was taken very late at night by one inky gal who needed to be up early for work the next day!

I'm kinda happy with the result. Nothing like a tight deadline to wake your mojo up a little! The 'you rock' sentiment was a partially inked sentiment from Signature Greetings if you're wondering. I love getting more inky goodness out of my sentiment stamps :)

So if you've left it to the last minute to make a Fathers' Day card, there's still hope!

Before I dash, I got some happy, inky news that this card was selected for What's Hot over on the Embellish Text Challenge. Thanks so much to the super talented designers over at Embellish for picking my card!

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{Dad, you rock!}
Stamps: Star Prints, Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Cardstock: Green Argyle Patterned Card Blank (A Muse) Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Brown Felt Thickers (American Crafts)/Star Punch (SU!)

Christmas Winter Cards!

Hey!

Well today I woke up to this:

So school is completely outta the question when you've got to drive across the moors to get to work!

A snow day means school is closed; I'm snuggled up inside with my hot chocolate and I can't think of a better time to share these Christmas Winter cards with y'all!

This was when I was on my colouring roll and de-stressing from the build up to Christmas! I also fancied trying something a little different to your average card, I dunno the offical term but it's a standy-uppy-step-card job!

Also added a touch of sparkle to Tilda's wings though my camera doesn't pick it up too well!

Card Recipe
Stamps: Magnolia Standing Fall Tilda
Ink: Memento Black
Card: SU DP Merry Moments
Accessories: PTI Ripe Avocado Grosgrain Ribbon/Dark Chocolate Twill Ribbon/Promarkers/Craftwork Cards Bauble Embellishment/Stickles

This next card was made in a bid to crack open my stash of PTI's Scarlet Jewel. I'd promised myself I'd use it loads for Christmas projects but it actually only featured on this one card! Oh well, I guess I can use it throughout the year right?

My photography doesn't pick it up too well but I added some crushed velvet flock to her fluffy clothes - just to keep her warm ;D


Card Recipe
Stamps: Magnolia Chilly Tilda/PTI Holiday Tree
Ink: Memento Black/PTI Fresh Snow
Card: PTI Scarlet Jewel/Ripe Avocado/Craftwork Cards Christmas DP
Accessories: Snowflake Punches/PTI Vintage Button/PTI Scarlet Jewel Bitty Dots Satin Ribbon/Stickles/Doodlebug Crushed Velvet Flock

So that's all my Christmas cards uploaded - finally!

I do have some news that makes me grin like the Cheshire Cat...I made the top trio over on 365 Cards with my card, For You! I can now add a card of the week fabulous blinkie and blink with pride! Oh and my Scraptastic Card also made the CAS Favourites over on SCS!

Well it's still snowing heavily, it forecasts even more! Dunno how long I can craft for though, I'm running low on double-sided tape LOL!

If you are out and about in the snow, take care!

Snowball ya later!
Aimes
x

My Mojo Saviour!

Hey!

What a winter wonderland of a weekend! We've just had a load of snow today and it's definitely helping me get into the festive spirit!

Whilst I'd love to have been frolicking in the snow, I was paying the price for being so very unorganised this Christmas! I've been trapped away making lots of cards - I swear I'm gonna start in January for Christmas 2010!

My mind was blank today. On the one hand I don't like to mass produce the same design - I get kinda bored, but on the other hand it's hard to keep the mojo alive and kicking! Thankfully - Mojo Monday came to my rescue! Here's their near-ending sketch: ..and here's my take on it:

...I couldn't resist adding that bit of bling - just hope it still requires a small postage stamp LOL!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Inkadinkado Snowflake/PTI Signature Christmas

Ink: PTI Aqua Mist/Sweet Blush

Card: PTI Aqua Mist/Lavender Moon/Stamper's Select White/DP from Craftwork Cards

Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Martha Stewart Border Punch/Clear Gem/White Gel Pen

Seeing as this was a pretty simple design, I decided to make two more for recipients who appreciate the tradition Christmas colours!

Big, bold red:

...and gorgeous green:

The red glitter sparkles so much more IRL - this is the best shot I could get of it:

Card Recipe

Stamps: Inkadinkado Wreath/PTI Stocking Prints (sentiment)

Card: PTI Vintage Cream/SU! DP

Ink: PTI Ripe Avocado/Pupre Poppy

Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Martha Stewart Border Punch/Red Stickles

That's all I've got that I can upload for now - I've really gotta get these cards in the post! It's the deadline tomorrow for guaranteed Christmas delivery - best wrap up warm because there's no chance I'm driving in the snow. I'll suggest it as a romantic winter stroll to Chris so I've got some company ;D!

Thanks so much for stopping by during the chaotic Christmas season!

Catch ya later!

Aimes

x

I'm back!

Hey!

I'm back! Sorry it's been a while but it took me a little while to get over my jet lag and on top of that I had to visit loadsa family and collect some surprise Easter treats as well as delivering some Canadian treats too! I hope you all had a lovely Easter break too! I've not started any of my choccie treats yet, surely that proves just how hectic things have been - not even time to scoff chocolate!

Canada was AMAZING! I just love to visit that country! I do have pics but to transfer them from the camera to the PC involves my boyfriend as we used his camera (his is much better than mine!) and so I'm hoping he'll get a move on and do it tomorrow so I can share a couple with you.

You won't be surprised to find that I did manage to visit a couple of craft shops out in Toronto and spend a little. All in aid to help the economy you understand LOL! Although I could have visited a few more stores, I don't think my dollars would have stretched any more than they already had!

So in between unpacking, sleeping and visiting I did manage to visit my little piece of Heaven known as my crafting corner! It's my nephew's birthday tomorrow so I had to whip up a card quick, the perfect excuse to crack open some of my new purchases to play with!
As you can tell, I'm becoming quite a fan of grungeboard. It's so fab and funky to play with! I coloured the shapes with acrylic paint, adding a bit of detail with my beloved white gel pen. The 'today' sentiment (if you can call it a sentiment!) was done with my old Dymo label machine that I found whilst rooting through my shelves for something completely different! To add a bit more depth I sponged the edges of the blue and green card with ink, the camera doesn't pick this up too well but it's more noticeable IRL - honest!
I decided to try to decorate the inside of the card too - something I'm beginning to do more and more! I used the die-cut sheet of grungeboard as a stencil for the skull and arrow shape and coloured using a promarker; I wished I had a lighter grey as I was hoping for a more subtle effect but hey, it doesn't look that bad!

Card Recipe
Stamp: Personal Impressions: Happy Birthday (Inside the card!)
Card: Doodlebug Bazzill: Swimming Pool, Limeade; Cosmo Cricket: Twist & Shout
Ink: Adirondack Stonewashed, SU! Old Olive
Accessories: Grungeboard, Acrylic Paint, Dymo Machine, White Gel Pen, Promarkers, Brads

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully I'll have a couple of pics from my holiday to show you next time! Don't panic, I won't post a slide-show that will last for hours!

Right then, off for a little blog hop to see what you've all been up to while I've been away!
Catch ya later!

Aimes
x

Papertrey Challenge 3

Hey!

This will probably be the last post from me before I go away on my long-overdue holiday to Canada on Sunday! I'm soooooo excited - I can't wait!!!

As I'll be away for my Sis-in-law's birthday I've been organised and made her card early. This gave me the perfect chance to play along with the recent challenge on A Passion For Papertrey. For this challenge you had to produce a monochromatic card with at least one PTI product. Seeing as the I still had some PTI goodies from the amazingly generous Steph I could play along - yay!

I decided to focus on shades of orange. Not a colour I use much at this time of year - it's much more prominent in my Autumnal creations, though I think it makes a nice, bright, cheery card.

I didn't have any patterned paper in any orange shades so I had to think outside the box a little. I created the circle pattern using versamark on glossy card and brayering over with SU! Pumpkin Pie ink - I think it's worked pretty well!

Card Recipe
Stamps: SU! - Be Happy, Penny Black -Concentrics, Personal Impressions - Happy Birthday
Ink: SU! Pumpkin Pie
Card: PTI - Summer Sunrise, DCWV Cardstock Stack - Brights
Accessories: PTI Ribbon Summer Sunrise Swiss Dot, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Brayer

Right then, that's it from me for a little while! I now need to get my essentials organised for my trip - E.G looking up the local craft stores to check out so I can come home with some goodies to play with LOL!

Catch ya later!
Aimes
x