Mama Elephant Charmed

So these may just be my new favourite stamps, Mama Elephant Charmed, they're just so beautiful!

Here's my first card using them, using more Distress Ink watercolour smooshing. I wet the background more here than last time so there's more of a watery look to it. 

When I was last in Cardiff at my favourite pen and paper shop, I bought 3 Copic Ciao markers to play with, having always been a Promarker user. I have to say, I loved using them! The ink comes out of the nib so much softer and blends really nicely. I think I will have to start the process of changing over! You can see the minty green colours I bought on the banner of this card.

I haven't been posting on my blog much recently but have definitely been crafting! I've been trying to take part in the 30 day stamping challenge on Instagram (only missed one or two so far!) and I also went on a scrapbooking workshop weekend at the beginning of the month. And there's also a special project I'm making for my husband for Father's Day, which I haven't finished yet with only a couple of days to go so I'm panicking a bit, and am in my craft room pretty much every evening at the moment!

Make the Day Special June Challenge

A beautiful summery colour combo challenge this month at Make the Day Special.

I've chosen the right hand combo for my card. The stamp is Mama Elephant, the "Happy Birthday" is L'il Inker, and you can just about see the Lawn Fawn cloud border does on the vellum underneath!

I've been really enjoying playing with Distress Inks and watercolours recently, there's so much inspiration on YouTube and I often I lose track of time just watching them all! This background is smooshed with Distress Inks onto watercolour paper. 

A Gnome

I picked up this awesome Lawn Fawn Gnome Sweet Gnome set second hand and was eager to play over the weekend. I have no idea who the recipient of this card will be, perhaps it's just me that thinks garden gnomes are cool!

The Journalling card and the happy birthday dies are both Lawn Fawn too. The gnome is coloured with Promarkers, and I used Distress Ink for the background. The papers are Simple Stories. 

All Kinds of Everything

Please excuse the post title in honour of Eurovision, my second favourite TV event of the year (after Strictly Come Dancing). This is going to a bit of a catch up post as I've been awol for a couple of weeks!

We went to a fab wedding yesterday, my husband's cousin. Here's the card I made them using a Doodlebug stamp set:

 

They had a fun photo booth at the wedding, something I've always wanted to do. Here's me and the husband!

I've been scrapbooking recently a bit too, trying to complete my daughters age 1-2 album, which is now so heavy and doesn't close properly! I've been trying to use a stamp or a die on every layout I make as I own so many now, this one features a Mama Elephant sheep stamp and a Lawn Fawn sun die cut:

And finally a bit of new stash, because why not?!

Oh and I should also mention I was featured in Quick Cards Made Easy magazine this month and won a lovely Tonic Studios prize!

So like I said, a bit of all sorts there. Thanks for reading!

Make the Day Special May Challenge

Not wasting any time with this one, I got stuck straight into the May challenge from Make the Day Special. My favourite kind of challenge this time, a sketch!

I've used my awesome brand new Mama Elephant Cupcake Carnival stamps and banner die (this months pay day treat to myself!) plus the Mama Elephant "happy" die, Lawn Fawn Journalling Card dies and Lawn Fawn paper. And a bit of Distress Ink with a Memory Box grid mask.

Thanks for stopping by!

Busy (and a new Sizzix Big Shot Plus!)

I've had barely no time to craft over the last couple of weeks, it doesn't feel good! When I'm not at work Ivy is dragging me around the house or dancing or running around and demanding attention and it's exhausting! (Don't get me wrong, she's completely amazing and cute and funny and crazy and beautiful, but exhausting!) I especially would love some free time to have a proper play with my new toy to replace my poor old Cuttlebug, it's a Sizzix Big Shot Plus! It's so pretty, I'm a lucky crafter! (Also look at my lovely new stamp/die storage basket, so organised!)  Apologies for the dark late-night photo...

I did manage a quick layout at the weekend so I have something to share. This one is a photo of Ivy after we took the sides off her cotbed last year, she was really excited and didn't want to wait until bed time to test it out!

I set myself a little challenge to use die-cutting on every layout I make, I squeezed it in here with the Lawn Fawn clouds and Sizzix journalling block!

Make the Day Special April Challenge

Make the Day Special have a really fun challenge this month, a bingo card of elements to choose from!

I have gone with the middle row; dry embossing, circles and bling/sequins. I love this little Avery Elle Ellie stamp, so cute! The happy birthday die, the circle dies and the papers are all Lawn Fawn. The awesome embossing folder is by Dear Lizzy. 

This is going to be a birthday card for my friend's beautiful daughter who is 1 next week, and her name coincidentally is Ellie. Had to be done, didn't it!