The Gorjuss Obsession Continues...

Yet another one of my Gorjuss Girls stamps had to make an appearance on the blog:

 

This was for my sister's birthday so I wasn't too worried about using some of my favourite bits and bobs as I know she'll post it on the wall in her office with the others. Do you get what I mean? You just know some people don't really 'get' your homemade cards and the effort you put into them and they are soon in the recycling bin.

One thing I'm trying to do more of this year is to decorate the insides as well. This one is very pretty!

 And here are a few of the details from the front:

The flowers were originally white petaloo flowers that have been coloured in alcohol pens, and are layered on a Marianne die cut flourish. The frilly border is a martha stewart punch, and the ribbon is inspired by the Molly Blooms creator, Clare (I got the Christmas magazine/kit and loved her style!). All other bits and bobs and the usual Craftwork Cards goodies - 8x8" card, embossed kraft cardstock, sentiments and borders etc.  Trying to use up lots of the Craftwork cards bits and bobs I have bought over the years.  It's difficult but I'm trying to get over my stroke and keep my favourite papers habit :-)
 
The images were coloured with the trusty pro and flex markers:

 I just love the little foxes and owl.  Really appeals to my love of nature.  In fact I've been making friends with a fox that must be living alongside the canal.  When I've come out of an evening or early in the morning I've caught little Foxy-Loxy mooching around the gardens and he's spookily been looking me right in the eye for a moment before scampering off on his business. The first time it happened I had to pinch myself as I couldn't quite believe it. I love the special nature moments I encounter outside my canalside home.

Anyway, before I turn this blog into SpringWatch part 2, I've made a whole stream of cards (and other crafty projects) recently that haven't made it to the blog. As soon as I get them photographed I'll get them up here. And you never know, Foxy Loxy may stay still long enough for me to get a photo of him. Here's hoping!

Thanks for all the lovely comments you leave me.  I just wish I had more time to get around to visiting more blogs and commenting on them but things are a bit of a challenge at the moment. 

Bye for now!

Helen x

Any excuse for an excess of pink....

So Mothers' Day has loomed thick and fast after my Mum's birthday and had to get my act together to bring a card together.  I'd been inspired by some Lili of the Valley  projects in Papercraft Inspirations this month, especially with the free digi stamp images.  So here is my attempt:

As I said in the title, any excuse for an excess of pink. 

Here are a couple of close-ups of the detail:

 The white flowers have been made from the Tattered Florals die, the little purple ones were a gift from Karen, and as usual the image has been coloured with pro-markers and flexies. What a dinky image hey?!

And finally the card got the seal of approval from Thomas along with a little kiss before it was popped in the post:

Thankfully, Mum loves it, although it did take her about 5 attempts to work out how to stand it up! I'd helpfully drawn a little diagram on a post-it for her, but then forgot to put it in the envelope - typical me... Anyway, hope you like my version of the card.

Helen x

It's your birdy...

OK so I've got 3 apologies to make:
1. Sorry for the terrible pun in the blog title - it could have been worse, believe me!
2. Sorry it's taken so long since the last post. It is related to...
3. Sorry the picture is such poor quality. It's taken with my naff mobile phone as I've managed to forget to buy batteries for my camera 3 times already. So apologies but thought it better to post with a bad picture than none at all and I can always replace the pic once my memory improves...

Anyway, about the card. The birdy is die cut with a Marianne die bought for my birthday by the lovely Karen. Isn't it beautiful. The stripy background was created with promarkers, as demoed by Amy Shaw here. I am loving this technique as I love being able to create my own coordinating backgrounds. I used Neenah card as it gives such a lovely finish with the promarkers and is easy to punch. The fancy borders are made using my favourite Martha Stewart punches. Cardstock and sentiment are Craftwork Cards (who else!). I think this little die will be used a lot as I just love anything to do with birds. In fact my next post might be featuring a little Wren if Rochelle can help me out with some photography!