Gorgeous Grunge Man

My Mans' Birthday

My husband tells everyone that my cards cost him at least £1000 each, so I felt sore wrists or not I better make him one or he might divorce me and I can't have that as I love him too much.  He's also very good to me, and looks after all the family (there's a lot of us) without moaning too much.

I don't know about you but I have real problems with male cards and can never really think of good ideas, but this one just seemed to fall into place and he said next time I make him a card I shouldn't just chuck the ink on, but he loved it really.

Have made 2 other cards for men that I'm quite pleased with but can't show them until after the 9th December. 

Love being back in the craftroom, but still not a hundred percent yet. Physio is killing me.

The materials used are:

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Smoky Slate

Card stock: Whisper White, 

Card base: NSU

Stamps: Amazing Birthday, Gorgeous Grunge, Relationship (NSU)

Punches: Corner (NSU), Decorative Label

Framelits: Banners

Ribbon: Grosgrain Night of Navy (retired)

Accessories: Sequins & washers (NSU) 

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Perpetual Birthday Calendar meets Softly Falling

Thank you for stopping by today

My recovery is slow but steady and I start physiotherapy on my wrists this Monday (not looking forward to it) I've had to learn how to do things differently as I can't move my wrist properly anymore.

This is a card which was inspired by my good friend Peg, we made a similar one some time ago and I've just put a slightly different spin on it today by using stamps from the current catalogue and making it bigger in size so as to add the sentiment at the top. 

The materials used are:

Ink: VersaMark, So Saffron

Sponging: So Saffron

Card stock: So Saffron, Whisper White

Glimmer Paper: Dazzling Diamonds

Card base: NSU

Stamps: Bloom With Hope (retired), Perpetual Birthday Calendar

Embossing Powder: Heat & Stick, White

Embossing folders: Softly Falling

Punches: Washi Label

Framelits: Starburst (retired)

Thinlits: Daughter (NSU)

Ribbon: Taffeta So Saffron (ret), White Organza

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, soft clay & flower mould (retired), Tea Lace Doilies

All retired items could easily be replace with items in the current catalogue

Take care and have a great day.

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Boys Will Be Boys

Welcome and Hello

I'm happy to say this is a card I made a couple of days ago for my Great Nephew who's birthday was yesterday and he loved it.

I found it difficult and need to use my less dominant hand a lot more than before and so it's quite a simple one. But at least I'm getting there.

I got my cast off just over a week ago, still need to use my less dominant  hand for most things as my left hand can't take any pressure or weight yet but hopefully will improve soon as I have lot's of Christmas cards to make as well as a few more birthdays.

The materials used are:

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

Markers: Cherry Cobbler

Stamps: Boys Will Be Boys

Card stock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Embossing folders: Large Polka Dot

Punches: Corner NSU,Washi Label

Accessories: Candy Dots Neutrals & Regals

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Cute butterfly

Hello and welcome

Today is another card I made with my fabulous up line Peg, some time ago.  I have used a few of my older cards lately but should be back crafting soon.  I had the cast taken off yesterday and hopefully should have my hand working again soon. The wrist feels very stiff and sore at the moment but hopefully it will be a little better each day. I sent this card to my lovely cousin for her birthday last week.

The materials used are:

Ink: Soft Suede

Card stock: Soft Suede , Whisper White

Stamps: Perfect Pennants

Punches: Elegant Butterfly

Framelits: On Film (retired)

Washi Tape: Retro Fresh (retired)

Accessories: Basic Pearls

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Emboss Resist

So glad you dropped by

Today is another card from the past, l made this one sometime earlier this year when having a lovely craft day with my fantastic upline Peg. So if you follow her blog you may have seen it before. Being out of action at the moment l picked this one to send to my Aunt, hope she liked it.

I'm feeling out of sorts at the moment, as l ordered a MISTI and Fuse tool a couple of weeks ago and there now both sitting there waiting to be used, while l sit with two useless hands for at least another two weeks. My advise don't come down stairs with your hands full, it could be very painful indeed. 

The materials used are:

Ink: Sahara Sand, VersaMark

Card stock: Sahara Sand, Vellum, Whisper White

Stamps: Perpetual Calendar, Petal Potpourri (retired), For The Birds (retired)

Embossing Powder: White

Punches: Flower Medallion, 1" Square (for banner tails) 

Embosslits: Beautiful Butterflies (retired)

Accessories: Sponges

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Way Back When

Nice to see you, with a blast from the past

Today is a sample from so far back in my Stampin Up life, I don't think I was even a demonstrator. But as you know I don't have the use of either of my hands at the moment (life is so sad without crafting) and I still have over another 3 weeks possibly 5 weeks before I have the one cast off and it's my predominant hand.  Trouble is people still have birthday's so all my old cards are coming into their own again.

The materials used are:

Inks: Real Red

Stamps: Elementary Elegance SAB (11-12)

Embossing Folders: Perfect Polka Dots

Embosslits: Beautiful Wings

Bigz: Top Note

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds

All now sadly retired except for the ink and accessories.  All other materials used were not SU.

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Go Girl Boxer

Welcome and hello, thanks for stopping by

Today is the card I supervised only for, my Granddaughter did all the cutting, punching, colouring  and die cutting, then my husband who hates card making put it together for me so it was a real time effort. A big thanks to both of them goes out from me.

It was Leah's birthday yesterday and she was so chuffed when she opened her card, as she had asked for a boxing theme and when I had my fall didn't think she'd get one. So, unlike Leah we all got a big kiss, even her sister.

The materials used are:

Ink: Daffodil Delight

Card stock: Whisper White (thick), Real Red, Red Glimmer

Embossing folders: Perfect Polka Dots (retired)

Punches: Circle 1³/₈, Itty Bitty Accents, Scallop Circle 1³/₄

Framelits: Circles (5th from centre)

Thinlits: numbers & greetings (NSU)

DSP: Brights Paper Stack (retired)

Accessories: Red Gem (NSU), Image from Colormegood.com

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Magic Card

Hello, and thanks for looking in today

It's the last of my cards for at least 5 weeks that I will have made recently due to my fall a couple of weeks ago.  Hope you like it.

 My son is now back from sea and has opened all his cards and presents so I can now post this one!!!

Loved making this card, was shown the idea by my lovely up line Peg the last time we got together where we made a more girly card.  I've got another one for you later in the week where I've supervised my grand daughter and husband in the making of, and it's turned out quite good too!!!

The materials used are:

Ink:Memento Black Tuxedo

Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White

Stamps: Happiest birthday wishes (retired), Watercolor wings

Punches: Circle ³/_4, 

Framelits: Bitty Banners, Circles (2nd from centre, 5th from centre), Deco labels

DSP: Go Wild

Bakers Twine: White

Accessories: Brads

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Hula Minion punch and dies art

Hello, nice of you to pop by

Not able to do any crafting at the moment, fell down the stairs last week and broke my right arm, left wrist in two places and chipped a bone in my right foot. Painful or what!!!

The card for today and next time were made already as the first one was in my hand when I fell and the next one was needed the next day, even though I can't show it yet as Stuart won't get it until at least this Monday as he's away at sea at the moment.

The materials used are:

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi

Markers: Wild Wasabi 

Card stock: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, Silver Glimmer, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi

Card base: NSU

Stamps: Hip Notes (retired), Perpetual Birthday Calendar, Remembering Your Birthday

Embossing folders: Brick Wall

Punches: ³/₄ & 1” circles, Corner (NSU), Cupcake Builder, Itty Bitty Shapes (retired), Itty Bitty Accents, Tree Builder

Framelits: Balloon, Ovals Collection

Thinlits: Little Numbers

DSP: Watercolor Wonder (retired)

Bakers Twine: Thick Crushed Curry (retired)

Accessories: Large Brads (NSU), Crystal Effects, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stamping Sponges

Will be back again soon with more cards hopefully, with help from my Grand Daughter

Love Annette x

You've Got This

Today's card is a male type card, we were invited to a house party a few weeks ago to celebrate the 80th birthday of my friend's Dad, and I took a belated card and small gift for her son as he had also just had a birthday. The sun was shining and everybody had a great time.

The materials used are:

Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo, Tip Top Taupe

Markers: Basic Black

Card stock: Whisper White

Card base: (NSU)

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Happiest Birthday Wishes (retired), Sincere Salutations (retired), You’ve Got This

DSP: Go Wild

Buttons: Basic Metal Silver

Accessories: Linen Thread

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Flying high

It's the turn of yet another old stamp set today, as I wanted to do something with a plane in it.  Unfortunately the clouds on the embossing folder haven't shown up very well in this photo and I didn't realise this until after I had sent the card out. Although it's a simple card to make I was quite pleased with the results.

The materials used are

Ink: Stazon Black, Memento Tuxedo Black

Markers: Real red

Card stock: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White

Card base: (NSU)

Stamps: Need for Speed (retired), Something to Say

Embossing folders: Cloudy Day (retired)

Punches: Word Window

Framelits: Ovals Collection

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Old and New

Today I'm posting a card I made for my friend's Dad, he's a very spritely 80 year old now. And I wanted to give him a card to celebrate. I had seen this stamp set on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect for him, even though it's no longer in the Catalogue. I teamed it up with some framelits and thinlits. I'm pleased to say my friend said he was thrilled with it.

I stamped the image with VeraMark and then sponged it in Crumb Cake.  Re stamped the image in Soft Suede and cut it down to just the one word.

The materials used are:

Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, VersaMark

Card stock: Early Expresso, Very Vanilla

Card base: (NSU)

Stamps: From My Heart (retired)

Embossing Powder: Clear

Framelits: Ovals Collection

Thinlits: Hello you, Little Numbers

DSP: Neutrals

Accessories: Candy dots neutrals

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

True Love, Punch Art

It's been a couple of weeks since I've been about, as we've just spent 5 days in Ireland and it was wonderful.  We did the Titanic experience and also the Giant's Causeway, which was amazing.  We then travelled to Dublin and spent an afternoon trying to find Molly Malone ( I think they've moved her from where she was before) she's now in one of the not so well known streets.

For today's card it's one I made before I went away for a good friend who's wedding anniversary was while we were away. 

The materials used are:

Inks:Real Red

Markers: Sahara Sand

Card stock: Real Red, Whisper White

Card base: (NSU)

Stamps: Memorable Moments (retired)

Embossing folders: Perfect Polka Dots (retired)

Punches: Bird Builder, Owl Builder

Framelits: Hearts Collection (retired)

DSP: Stacked With Love (retired)

Accessories: Jewel Basics Rhinestones

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Butterfly basics

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today's card I made some time ago for my Aunt, she just loves butterflies. I think a saw a similar one on Pinterest but don't know who did it.

Again I'm using lots of old stock (I don't like to just leave it on the shelf, what about you?) but there are plenty of new colours etc that would be perfect for it.

I made some really up to date, beautiful butterfly cards the other day with my friend Peg, so will show you them, some time soon. Until then take care and happy crafting.

The materials used are:

Inks: Wild wasabi, Wisteria wonder

Card stock: Whisper white

DSP: Irresistibly yours (retired) 

Stamps: Butterfly basics, Papillon potpourri, Sassy salutations

Punches: Corner (NSU)

Thinlits: Butterflies

Embossing folder: Decorative dots

Ribbon:³/₈Taffeta Perfect plum (retired)

Bakers twine: Wisteria wonder (retired)

Blendabilities: Wisteria wonder (retired)

Accessories: Basic pearls (NSU)

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Minion's punch art

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today's  a card I made a couple of weeks ago, but unfortunatley I can't remember who's tutorial I used (so sorry, if you see my post let me know and I will happily add your name and link to this post). My youngest grand son is crazy about Minions so I thought I'd have a go, mine isn't quite the same as the tutorial but I think he'll like it. 

I did two white circle on the back side of the card, one right behind the eye with a computer generated happy birthday, you're 2 today and another to the left side near the bottom with a computer generated greeting on it.

Don't you think he looks cute! (love him to bits)

The materials used are:

Card stock: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Punches: Blossom (retired), Circles ¹/₂, ³/₄, 1³/₈, 1³/₄, Word Window

Thinlits:Circle Card

Accessories: Candy Dots, Gel pen, Glimmer Paper, Window sheets

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Big Graduation

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today I showing you my cousins graduation card, when I started it (in rush) didn't have a clue what I was going to do and this is what I came up with. I also hadn't got a clue what colour to do it so went for red. (seen her graduation photo's on Facebook yesterday and believe it or not her colours were red and blue so not bad don't you think? I also wanted to do something a bit different so didn't go for the usual sentiment of graduation until i was doing the insert.  Just hope she liked it.

The materials used are:

Ink: VersaMark

Card stock: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Stamps: Feel Goods

Embossing Powder: Cherry Cobbler

Embossing folders: Lucky Stars

Punches: Circle 1¹/₄, Itty Bitty Accents

Framelits: Lots of Labels

Thinlits:

DSP:

Ribbon:

Bakers Twine: Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Glimmer Paper - Red, Brad - black (NSU)

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Hearts Galore

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today's card is one I made for my eldest son and daughter in law for their (you guessed it) ninth wedding anniversary.  Just hope they realised there were nine hearts on it, did you?

I'm getting better at not using old stash lately but sometimes you just have to, don't you agree.  I know they liked the card because they put it up on their Facebook page. 

Still have a few cards to catch up on, I don't ever seem to catch up now but never mind, better late than never.  Hope you like this one and it's quite easy to do.

The materials used are:

Ink: Watermelon Wonder

Card stock: Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White

Stamps: Bohemian Borders, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Embossing folders: Boho Chic, Happy Heart

Punches: Itty Bitty Accents

Framelits: Hearts Collection (retired) 

Thinlits: Mini Treat Bag (can used instead of the hearts collection)

Ribbon: Dotted Lace (Watermelon Wonder)

Accessories: Scoreboard

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Works Over

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today I've got a retirement card I made for my Aunt.  She decided it was time to go a few months ago but waited until the Summer months when the weather would be better and she'd be able to get out and about and spend lots of time in her garden (She's already up in Scotland with family for a few days as my cousin has her graduation this week) more on that soon.

For those of you who know me and my age (?) she's not some doddering old lady, she's only 18 months older than me, and I wish her a long and happy retirement.

The materials used are:

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, VeraMark

Markers: Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi

Card stock: So Saffron, Whisper White

Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Serene Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Embossing Powder: White

Punches: Bitty Butterfly, Washi Label

Ribbon: Taffeta Crushed Curry (retired)

Accessories: Basic Pearls

The Serene silhouettes was off stamped a second time and embossed in white but you can't really see it in this picture unless you look carefully to the left of the first.

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

The Big Day

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today is a mixture of old and SU, my youngest son got married a couple of weeks ago and so I needed to make a special card. (You're right Peg, I didn't do the cutting out for the Decoupage my good friend Jean did) remember readers, I don't do cutting (love all the punches and framelits etc). 

The day was warm with a cool breeze and it took place at a beautiful church on Dartmoor called St Michael's and All Angels. The reception was then held at the Moorland Garden Hotel and it was superb and everybody had a great time. The bride was beautiful and I thought my son looked great (but he wasn't in his uniform) he had a big grin on his face all day, he was so happy.

The materials used are:

Card stock: Pool party, Silver  glimmer

Card base: (NSU)

DSP: Bride (retired)

Punches: corner (NSU)

Ribbon: (NSU)

Framelits: Labels collection (retired)

Decoupage: (NSU)

Sentiment: (NSU)

Told you he looked great, and I don't scrub up too bad either

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Amazing Dad

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today I've jumped forward a few weeks because I really liked the card I did for my Dad this year and for once he actually said it was great. Normally I just get a thanks.

I'm still behind with my posts and need to get caught up so hopefully over the next couple of weeks I will.

The materials used are:

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Real Red, VersaMark

Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White

Card base: NSU

Stamps: Amazing Birthday, Fabulous Four, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Embossing Powder: White

Punches:Banner Triple, Word Window

DSP: Polka Dot Parade (retired)

Accessories: Candy Dots Real Red

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x

Son's new home

Hello there, so glad you dropped by

Today I'm showing you the card I made for my youngest son and his at the time girlfriend. He is the last of my children to set up a new home of his own although he left home about 6 years ago.  He moved into it towards the end of May and we saw it for the first time last weekend when we were down there (he's a submariner and lives in Plymouth) will tell you all about that soon. 

I'm sorry about the loss of the Homemade holiday stamp set and co-ordinating framelits, and will carry on using them as they make great new home cards without too much cutting and as my upline Peg will tell you I hate cutting anything.

The materials used are:

Inks: Chocolate chip, Hello honey, Old olive, Soft sky, Soft suede, Wild wasabi, VersaMark

Card stock: Sahara sand, Whisper white

Card base: (NSU)

Markers: Daffodil delight, Real red, Soft suede

Stamps: Hardwood, Holiday home (retired), White christmas

Framelits: Bitty banners, Circles collection, Homemade holiday (retired)

Punches: Owl builder

Accessories: White embossing powder, Aqua painters (for the roof and windows)

Will be back again soon with more cards

Love Annette x