Found it

Just discovered that tidying up your craft room means you find loads of "lost" projects including this, the last of my class Christmas cards.

I believe the stamp is by HobbyArt. The leaves were decoupages to add a bit of dimension and the snow on the branch was Liquid Pearls sprinkled with Glamour Dust for a bit of sparkle.

Definitely the last Christmas card until at least August next year lol. OK back to preparing for the first card class of 2018 xx

Home

Thought it was about time I did a HOME layout. The photo was taken 20 years ago just before we moved into our new home. Twenty years on we still live here and love it just as much.

All of the decoration was made by cutting flowers from one of the papers in the kit.

The letters were cut from two papers and I added a stamped area under the E in blue.

The piece under the picture was made using a moon shape piece of card so that it could be added afterwards especially for those in class who didn't bring a photo.

The journaling was added last with a couple of flowers to tie the layout together. 

Over on my New Nanny Blog I have been adding the other two layouts that were made in these classes, using paper napkins. You can see them at www.newnanny.blogspot.co.uk  xx

2017 Scrapbook Page

Towards the end of the year I always like to do a few wintry layouts and one layout to celebrate a few memories from the year. Here is the one I did for 2017 but of course it can be adapted for any year.

Here is a bit more detail

and before anyone comments, I know the photos are not of this year but my printer has packed up lol. Lets hope Santa is reading this xx

Let It Snow

This wasn't originally the last card but for the life of me I can't find the robin on a branch card so this will have to be it.

The background is stamped using distress ink and the outer circle is also coloured with the same ink. The ribbon just finished it off. xx

Three from one stamp set

As you have probably realised I am a sucker for HobbyArt stamps and when I saw this Winter stamp set I know it would be a hit. All three images are so gorgeous and very clean and crisp so the colouring in is very easy.

Card One - Christmas Wishes Deer

Although you can't really see it I have used White Liquid Pearls on the tree and covered it in glitter to make it stand out a bit more.

Card Two Seasons Greeting Grouse 

So nice to see a grouse with the beautiful hints of colour on its feathers. Definately a favourite this year.

Card Three Winter Wishes Robin

The wording around the edges are also part of this wonderful stamp set. I did use these stamps many times over to make this years Christmas cards however I did change the way I stamped around the edges and only used one greeting on each edge. Saved time and looked just as good.

Don't forget my card classes are held at Rainham Social Club, Station Road, Rainham, Kent. At each class we make three cards using all different methods, stamps, dies, etc and if you would like to have a go you can now book by clicking on the relevant pay button down the right hand side of this page.

More cards tomorrow. xx

Merry Christmas Poinsettia Card

Loving the Sizzix Bigz Poinsettia Die. Nice easy card just layering the die cuts and glittering the edges of the petals with Glamour Dust.

The stamp is an old one but love the snowflakes in the letters "Merry". This would look lovely in blues as well. xx

Merry Christmas Bauble

I love this Woodware Christmas bauble. You can just stamp it and colour in or, as I did on this card, cut out parts of the bauble making it look more delicate.

So easy to make and they can look so different with a blue or darker green background. I love easy cards xx

Christmas Robin Card

This little robin Sizzix die is brilliant. Not only can you make quick and easy cards with it, you can also adapt the robin to use on cards throughout the year.

A little bit of glitter, a nice greeting stamp and in minutes you have some lovely cards. Made for card class a few weeks ago I think this one is a favourite this year.xx

December Birthday

or of course it could be a Christmas card if you wish.

Stamps are from the Creative Stamping Magazine and the papers are from a paper pad I found in Poundland. Who said you can't make Christmas cards on a budget.xx

This Picture Says It All

Fantastic stamps and dies from Stampin Up and so very easy to use. Made a very simple scrapbook page but I love it.

Using the black in for the background flowers really worked well and I added a little bit of sparkle by putting black sparklers into the centre of the flowers. 
I printed out two identical photos, one in black and white and one in colour and then cut out the colour picture of my focal point.
Loving making my pages at the minute xx

Wild Child

I've seen loads of Dream Catcher cards and layouts recently so I thought it might be nice to make one for the Scrapping Your Family class and of course it was a fantastic excuse to use the Distress Oxides again.

The dream catcher itself was made using florist string which held its shape nicely. The best thing was that everyones looked completely different. Here are a few pictures taken on the day. The first two show how the dream catcher looks before the photo was added.

and here are a few of the rest. Don't they look fantastic.

Well done everyone. These all look amazing. xx

Mans Birthday Card

Or of course for someone who loves the sea. I have used Sizzix Nautical Thinlits Dies so much since I bought them.

Don't forget the dies are also really good for making scrapbook embellishments. x

Looks beautiful on you

No I haven't gone Stampin Up mad its just that I happened to buy a few sets lately and of course had to use them straight away lol.
This card was made for a class a few weeks ago. The front is very simple

But the inside shouts out loud with a big Thank You and a dancing lady

Here is a closer look at the focal point

Just had to use the Distress Oxides to make the background again . Any excuse. xx

Cute Happy Birthday

I absolutely fell in love with these Stampin Up stamps. They can be used in so many ways but as a scrapbooker I decided to make a layout first. Then, while making the layout, I needed to make a birthday card for class and this was the result.

I can't make up my mind whether I like the Frog or the Elephant best. and the ladybirds are so cute. Well I think it works anyway and it's given me loads of other ideas as well so watch this space.

The layout, by the way, is still a work in progress but I'll show it as soon as it's done xx

Little Robin

My all time favourite bird and I will admit to being a bit of a collector as well . This little beauty was so easy to use. A little bit of colour and hey presto a lovely little Christmas card.

Card two and I'm making full use of my HobbyArt stamps. Especially love the greeting and it has so many uses.

Back to the Distress Inks to make this simple background and then a die cut silhouette of a graceful deer.

I hope your not getting bored yet because there are still loads more xx

Deer Deer

One of my favourite ways of making Christmas cards is to make use of background papers as focal points. It worked really well with this one.

This next card is so simple but so effective and very easy to make in batches. 

And lastly a really easy card using an embossed background, two die cut berry branches and two tiny red birds. 

A bit of glitter and bobs your uncle. Love it xx

Looking back

Loads of inspiration for Christmas cards still to come including a few from previous years. No excuses this year.
I'm making full use of my stencils and of course Distress Inks not Oxides this time.

An easy Santa card

And of course some cute penguins

Well not everyone likes Christmas lol xx

Love those Gingerbread Men

Simple to do and all of the stamps were free with magazines. The only colouring in was the knitting and the great thing is that you can choose any colour. 

Next up a really simple poinsettia stamp and lots of white space. It doesn't photograph very well but it does look really classy in real life.

Lastly but by far my favourite this year is the Tracy Easson stamped card made using white stazon and little offcuts of patchwork material (I knew I was keeping it for a reason).

All of the above cards go normal post so went down really well in class. More tomorrow xx

Gingerbread Men

well it has to be at Christmas doesn't it. More cards from card classes over the last few weeks starting with the Gingerbread tag

Cute little guy is from a recent free stamp set on Creative Stamping. Easy to colour and cut out. Just what I like.
Next it's the Snowman in a Jar

Once again easy to do and great for the kids.
Number three is the Christmas Geese

Now this one is great to make in bulk for friends. Quick to colour and so easy to make. 
There are still loads more to come so keep checking back if you want more inspiration. xx

Seaside

This layout was done in a class a few months ago and it's taken me this long to find it again. I was, and still am, in love with everything sun, sea and sand. I have loads of dies, stamps and stencils which I use to make bright and breezy layouts however with this black and white photo of my mum and her sister and brother I thought I needed to tone it down a bit.

The two sea horses were stencilled onto black card and cut out. By turning one over I was able to add my journalling to the reverse.

I added hand drawn bubbles and a swirl stencil to create the background.

I used Distress Oxide Inks through seashell and starfish stencils to complete the look.

I love the Oxide colours but to make them brighter I spritzed with a fine mist of water to make them pop. xx