Swallowtail

I'm going to let this card and stamp just speak for itself.  The stamp is just stylishly stunning, and really quite huge!  Hence why I've barefly fit half of it on an A6 card.  And I didn't even stick a sentiment on it as I didn't want to distract from the beautiful image. But I still love it as it is...

Hope you like it too!

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

A little chocolate treat!

So how's this for a tiny little treat:

I've used the Butterfly Basics set again to tie in with the cards I've made - see here and here.  I get the little chocolate bars from Aldi - 5 in a pack for £1.25 and they have loads of different kinds. And it is really good chocolate.  What's not to love!

I'm thinking of having sotruemething like them as little thank-yous for my customers (just a few that I'm hugely grateful for - early days and no card classes yet so not a surprise yet really!  Need to be patient!).

Ooo I'm getting a chocolate craving now...  Until next time,

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Butterfly basics

Another stamp set I just had to buy, and you can get a matching 'framelets' set as part of a bundle with 15% off! I got this as part of my Stampin Up starter kit and have been dying to play with.

See the link the below if you are tempted!

I've picked up the theme and colourways of my previous card (and also the next project lined up for the blog will coordinate too- think chocolate!). I wanted to show how just a few paper colours and matching inks can be used in so many ways. As I've only recently started as a Stampin Up demonstrator I'm yet to build up a stock of items. But the versatility of the colour families can mean even crafting on a budget can produce some lovely projects. All three project just use the subtles colour family with a bit of crumb cake from the neutrals.

What's not to love about butterflies and pretty botanicals!

Hope you like it as much as I do!

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sheltering Tree

Oh my, how much do I love this stamp set! It is from the spring/summer catalogue but I'm really pleased to share it's not going anywhere (hint hint look out for the new annual catalogue next month!).

The sentiments are just perfect and the tree fits right in with my nature obsession. This past month I've been minding my 2.5 year old nephew on and off and I'm pleased to say he's definitely inherited the love of nature. We've spent many an mindful minute listening to the leaves rustling, guessing which birds are singing or just admiring the fields of golden rape on our car rides! My mindfulness tutor will be pleased!

Anyway I've just whipped up this beauty using crumb cake, pink pirouette and wild wasabi colour combos and I think it is so pretty. It's all ready for when one of my fantastic friends is there for me when I really need them. I hate relying on people but having two pretty awful medical issues means I often have to, and their friendships and support really are a sheltering tree.

I hope you like it as much as I do!

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Oyster catchers

One of my favourite places on this gorgeous planet is Anglesey (long before the Cambridges discovered it!), and one of my favourite places on the island is The Oystercatcher. Great restaurant with a great philosophy and also deliciously tasty local food. But enough about that, I also love the actual oystercatcher birds who visit Anglesey, with their busybody ways and constant chattering. So when I saw the Wetlands stamps (see below for link) they were ordered straight away...

I made my two sisters oystercatcher cards and one of them was even kind enough to frame it!  Here are some photos:

It was a simple watercoloured backgrounds using inks, and stamped in black ink but to be honest I kind of love it! Hope you like it too :-)

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Stampin' Up! Retiring List

The 2014/2015 Stampin' Up! catalogue is about to come to an end so they have announced all the products that will not carry over into the 2015/2016 catalogue.  Lots of scrummy bargains to be had, and many at 50% off!  What's not to like?!

Retiring Stamps

Retiring Accessories (ribbons, papers, inks, dies, embellishments etc)

There were loads of technical difficulties with the website yesterday, but it is up and running today. And the products are definitely first-come-first-served so if you see something you like get it whilst you can.

I'll be sad to see some of the products go, especially some of the colours I love, but I guess it means we get lots of exciting new things to play with when the new catalogue comes out in June. Links to the two retiring lists are above.

Back soon with some new cards and boxes to show you.

Helen xx

Competition time!

Just spotted a great competition  on Papercraft Inspirations to win some Stampin' Up! goodies. Worth a shot :-)

http://www.papercraftinspirationsmagazine.co.uk/category/competition/competitions-issue-138.htm

Helen x