Trendy Trees

So, can anyone tell me how to use this set of stamps from Stampin' Up! without wanting to throw them out of the window? I'm feeling quite tired and exhausted lately, so it probably wasn't the best time to try to master using these stamps for the first time, but I thought they looked quite easy, right? Wrong. But i'm hoping someone will share with me on here that actually they are very easy and I've just been doing it wrong, and then I can get lots of use out of my new set!

I tried to stamp the trunks first, and then the foliage on top but I couldn't get them to line up right. So then I tried to stamp the foliage, then the trunk. No joy. How do stamp these two so that they line up perfectly, like I've seen others do? Please let me know as I was getting very annoyed with myself! And I hate to waste so much card in my attempts.

I'm moving onto my heart/valentine's set for now until someone informs me otherwise...

And I must update this blog with new links of the sites that I follow, and my personal information etc - feel free to point me in the direction of any fab sites for inspiration, I need new ones too. x

Peace and tranquility

This beautiful little cottage is where I was whisked away to last weekend for my birthday, and I had a lovely time! It was a surprise so when we arrived, I thought how much it was like the little cottage in 'The Holiday' film. It was very romantic and a treat to be in the countryside.

It is in Suffolk and is very traditional and cute, with a real log fire. A lovely touch was that the owners bake a fresh cake and leave it on the table to have with tea, and leave you a breakfast basket filled with gorgeous goodies so you have all you need for the morning! Just lovely.

And from the very same person who whisked me away, came this...

Isn't it good for a male card that was actually hand-made? Not to say that men can't make cards of course, just that most usually don't! I have to say I was very impressed. Even if it did mean someone else got to use my new ribbon and Stampin' Up stamps before me! (They were inside, which you can't see). I can only apologise for the really bad photography, I know it's not as pretty to look at, but I never seem to be around at home to photograph things in the daylight.

Now, just contemplating what else I was going to write on my blog today, I'm shocked to say that it was a year ago I said I'd be having an overhaul of my craft materials and shipping some out on ebay! I am shocked. It took me most of the year to have the clear out, but that I did, and now I have a cupboard (rather large), full of things I need to get rid of as I simply **DO NOT** need them. I know that is a crime to admit, but as crafting is now only a hobby for me, I cannot justify keeping so much that I probably will never use. Some I'm giving away, where I know it is going to a good home.

So taking inspiration from Kirsty here, I might put some books up here soon!

Cupcakes

Not only do I love making cupcakes, but I've loved creating with images of them too. I've been busy celebrating my birthday and using lots of new Stampin' Up goodies! I've taken first inspiration from Monica (here) and made some birthday cards in an alternative colour scheme. These actually haven't turned out as good as I'd of hoped, but I was not at home making them so only had a limited supply I could use. They still look nice enough! Monica's look lovely, she made them in bright blue.

I'm off to Kenya with the charity that I work for this year so I'm making and selling some cards towards the cost of that, hence why you will see at least six of every card soon - the quickest way to make the most!

My next post should include a birthday card made for me by a special someone - and I have to say I was super impressed! Stereo-typing I know, but who thought men can't make cards?!?

2010

Happy new year to everyone, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

Kicking off with some inspiration, here is a birthday card I made recently with a Papermania (I think!) message stamp, a Banana Frog background firework stamp, and Stampin' Up ink pads and ribbons.

It's been a lovely Christmas break, filled with lots of good memories. I was the lucky recipient of some lovely Stampin' Up goodies for Christmas, and I can't wait to get using them! I'll post some pictures of them soon hopefully, and even more hopeful that I'll be able to post some images of cards using them!

But for now, it's back to work...