Minature Card appears in Vamp Stamp News readers gallery

This minature card has appeared in the Vamp Stamp News readers gallery for March 2012.
The instructions are as follows:-


"Stamp leaf image using a green marker twice at bottom of white side-folded 4" x 2" card. Also stamp an extra image on white card and cut out. Leave on one side for use later. Stamp spray leaves using brown marker to left side of 3" x 1 1/2" checked paper. Adhere the pink and white paper to main white card. Punch a 2" strip of fencing from white cardstock (Martha Stewart border punch.) Cut pieces of red crimped paper to make a door, window and a pitched roof and chimney. Glue these into the appropriate places as shown in sample. Adhere cut out leaf to right side of door and then glue punched fence across bottom of card. Use silver gel pen to highlight door, window, roof and chimney. Finally add stick on gem flowers and the small butterfly (Lakeland UK)." 4" x 2".Leaf and leaf spray are all from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

Dad is on my mind

My dear father seems to be on my mind such a lot these days. I have worried so much since we had to place him in a care home. I try to send him a card every few days as the home is just too far away for me to visit often. Although he can hardly see I try to send him tactile cards knowing that his nursing carer will read out my message and give it him to feel. I also try to send a thank you card to the nursing staff too. What angels they all are, and so much patience! This card I made using a background of four squares placed together like quilting blocks. On top of this I placed an oval Spellbinders die cut and mounted a little inky mouse using a brush to paint the message. My goodness I have had that stamp a long time. It came from the original House Mouse collection! The beautiful organza lilac spotted ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbons. I just adore their selection of goodies.

Published in Vamp Stamp News Gallery

Looking at the table of contents for this months Vamp Stamp News, it appears I have been successful again at getting into print with Sparklensprinkle images. I submitted three cards for this months March challenge. The one above has appeared in their on line gallery so I am hoping that the other two made it into the magazine. Above is a copy of the miniature card I made, and below are the instructions that go with it. Enjoy!

Joan Petty "Layer 2 1/2" x 4" background paper (Mariposa Matstack: DCWV) to front of folded base card of same size. Stamp one butterfly in black StazOn ink in bottom right corner of card and another five onto a strip of cream card. Stamp words in black towards upper middle of base card. Colour all butterflies with your choice of colouring medium. Add one butterfly to the main card over the top of the stamped one to give a 3D effect. Wrap a double piece of thread around the spine of card, securing in a knot at top, leaving two hanging pieces of gold thread. Glue remaining butterflies to each hanging thread and secure by sandwiching them together. Thread on green beads to finish." Butterflies and Text - Sparkle N Sprinkle. All cards and projects in Vamp Stamp News gallery are copyrighted to their original creator.

Time to weed out some of my stamps!

Well I think it is about time I need to weed out some of my stamps I no longer use too often.This card design shows one of them.It is quite a large stamp measuring 4 x 3 inches. It is a Lucie Attwell design that is very collectable and was produced in un mounted rubber. I mounted it onto ez mount cling that works with an acrylic block. It is very clean and is still in the orginal packing. If anyone is interested I will sell it for £5 plus P&P. You know what it is like? It was just one of those stamps I JUST had to have at the time. How many of us have purchased stamps like that?

Published in Just Card All Occasions

This card was one of four designs published in the recent edition of Just Cards All Occasions. I know it is slightly different for a bereavement card but the stained glass look image from SPARKLENSPRINKLE seemed just right to me.
The beautiful sunshine yellow ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbons added a nice touch of colour.
I was more than happy to give Bonnies company the credit for using their product. So often magazines will publish the stamp companies name and neglect to mention where you can purchase the pretty ribbons you see.
Why not go over there and take a look at their wonderful array of ribbons. You will also find that right this minute they are running a blog hop with some super ribbon as blog candy.Enjoy

Cards to celebrate Valentines Week

 These are two cards that were published in my favourite stamping magazine Vamp Stamp News February 2012.  You will have guessed already that this was Nancie Watermans valentine edition of VSN, and a valentine theme was that months challenge.
The stamp number for this set is 453S and is called Happy Hearts and can of course be found at Sparklensprinkle.

Stamps for both my cards were designed and created purely using Sparklensprinkle images. The black and white one I created especially for a long time friend in Florida and the gold and red embossed one will be going to a dear friend in Texas. The stamps for the card on the right can be found at Sparklensprinkle, the stamp set number is 454S and is called Heart Wings.

For my father

I have been struggling with despair this week after having to admit my dear father to a nursing care home. He has vascular dementia, is nearly blind and is now at the great age of 92. Because of my own poor health I am wracked with guilt as I have been unable to visit him. He lives some 200 mile round trip from where my home is here in Cumbria. However although he cannot see, for years he has enjoyed the cards I make, and it is one of the ways I have of keeping in regular touch with him. I often make them with a 3D effect so that he can feel their raised designs. Both the image and the words are by Sparklensprinkle The words are so appropriate don't you think? If Dad could only see this he would know how much I love him.