It's very blue...

... I was told. That's because I was asked for a pale blue anniversary card, to mark 35 years as you can't buy them in the shops. What do people do who don't make cards? They just suffer something inadequate for their needs I suppose. I don't envy people buying cards, I haven't brought many cards for years but I do remember never quite being able to find something exactly suitable. If I liked the design, I didn' t like the words, or vice versa.

Ironically, I make all of my cards blank however, at least I know i'm happy with the design!

I've used Stampin' Up blue card, 'Love You Much' stamp set, 'Polka Dot' background stamp, brown ink and SU ribbon. I do love the Ikea mini easel stands for photographing cards!

A tidy space makes a happy crafter

Welcome to my tidy craft space. How often do you tidy yours? Mine seems to forever get 'bunged up', and that's without crafting, just day to day. It feels really good when I do get to have a good spring clean though, no more rubbish on the floor (except for a few plastic storage containers). I'm trying to whittle my craft stash down to just what is contained here, as I now only craft for a hobby. I've not been too successful yet though as I've got other things all over the place!

Ebay here I come! Today is free listing too so i'm using it as a great opportunity to try to put as much on there as I can. It's a shame though as its gorgeous sunshine today so I wish we were out enjoying that instead.

Shimelle has a cute freebie download on her blog today, for those of you that like downloads - I came across it earlier while having a little browse around some blogs today. See here

And lastly - does anyone have any ideas for some wedding invitations? It's for a family member but I have a very vague brief of neutrals/silver, and simple/classic! Any suggestions or links for me? They would be much appreciated!

Garden Greens

Just a couple of 'quick cards' made using a Stampin' Up! scrapbooking kit and some stickers from the kit too. A simple set of SU sentiment stamps ( I love the make a wish one) and we're done.

It's free listing on ebay this weekend so I shall be blitzing my craft cupboard as I have so much in there, perhaps I can make back some of the money I spend on supplies after all!

Delicate wings and love birds

I first saw this card in the craft shop, 'Imagine That' and so I used it for a Mother's Day card which someone asked me to make. I did add some text to this card but I had taken the photograph before hand. It's a cute little Martha Stewart butterly punch with pearls in the centre. The pastel colours really add to the delicate feel of the card and the butterfly wings are pulled outwards.

We had an engagement in the family so I also rustled up this pink and red card using my Stampin' Up! new set of love stamps, the birds are cute, aren't they?

and it's nice to know my creativeness rubs off on my 11 year old niece (above) and my six year old niece (below). Good starts for both of them

Make a wish

Just a few simple birthday cards to boost my collection, ready for when I remember a birthday at the last minute! I think this was Chatterbox paper, with a Stampin' Up! greeting and punch, then some simple pink ribbon. I can't help but make simple, quick cards when I don't craft for a living anymore, but I long to make intricate and detailed creations again!

Spotted brown cards

Here's just a simple selection of generic cards which I hope to be able to use for male or female birthdays, but I made a few with different greetings on so that they will be suitable for various occasions.

They are made using the Stampin' Up large spotted background stamp, SU sentiment stamps too and the swirl is from the trees set, with a scalloped punch and SU blue ribbon.

Food related post...

I'm hoping someone can help me with this (dodgy i-phone picture!) - I'm desperate to find out where on earth you can buy tiny little tins that are suitable for making mini cheesecakes, such as these....!

They are so cute and I really want to make them, but I cannot find any small tins anywhere that have loose bottoms. Can anyone recommend them to me? I thought Lakeland might have some but they didn't seem to.

So, having been experimenting with lots of homemade cooking recently, here are just a few of the things we've made... (and were all successful, I might add!)

Filo pastry prawns...

Minced beef Wellington...

which looked like this when cut...

And chocolate fondand dessert with vanilla ice cream, yum yum....

Photography has been back on my mind alot recently as I've been very disappointed with only being able to take photographs at night in the dark, and they are such poor quality. But I also really need to scrub up on my outdoor daytime photography as I look at other's blogs and long to take pictures as good as them. Anyone recommend any good, easy courses?

x

Quick and easy mini canvas

A cute mini canvas (when I say mini, I mean 4" square!) was just perfect for making a quick dedication gift and I'm pleased to say it was very gratefully received! Handmade gifts are just the strangest things sometimes aren't they, some people love them, some people just don't "get" them - but thankfully, the people who received these loved them, so brownie points to us.

The mini canvas hangs on wide pale blue Stampin' Up ribbon and the canvas itself has been painted cream, with a brown spotty background stamped with another SU stamp, and then a blue decorative edge cut and then all inked in brown. I love a bit of inking! The phrase is also a SU stamp. How come the designing of things takes forever, but once made, you could easily create a second one of the same in about 30 minutes?!?

I made this dedication card to match the other gifts, and they all looked very cute together. Unfortunately the last photograph of the candle doesn't look that great - note to self, I must stop taking photographs indoors and at night! But its the only time I get.

Does anyone have any good tips for me on photographing in bad lighting inside? I'm not bad as far as photography goes, I've picked up alot of hints and have taken some really good photographs, but only outside. I haven't learnt the master tips for inside photography yet.

Dedication crafts

Our friends are having their baby dedicated on Sunday morning, and we were a little stuck for ideas for a present. Should we take a traditional present, or will they end up with lots of similar gifts? The only solution seemed to be - make something!

I took a plain white candle (just a few pounds in the supermarket) and printed a baby photograph onto a sticker sheet, along with the name (blurred out here) and date and simply peeled and stuck them onto the candle. Voila! Completed in just a few minutes.

I love money-saving ideas and these personalised candles can cost a fortune in the shops compared to what it really costs them to make them. So do it yourself! It's really quite cute, isn't it? It does of course help that he is the cutest baby.

For a while now, I've been a converted fan of 'Safmat' - which is a clear sheet of sticker material that you can print onto. The packaging is shocking and totally doesn't do justice to the multitude of uses for this little simple item. It's perfect for all sorts of crafts!