More Green Letters!

I'm on a roll with Lined Alphabet.  It can be used with colours other than green, but you wouldn't think so the way I'm going at the moment 😂  A simple card, but I got to use my new Blends as well as using up some of my retired stash!

Cards Just Made for Summer

One stamp set, one quarter sheet of DSP and a few other bits and pieces along with gorgeous Blackberry Bliss ink: four very different cards which I think make a lovely set.  This is what we made at the July Birthday Club - will you be joining us for August?

Doodle 'n' Stamp

This is another set from the new Annual Catalogue that I can see me getting a LOT of use out of - Lined Alphabet.  I have a bit of an odd sense of humour, so this set makes it super-easy to make truly individual cards, like this one for my rock-climbing, oddly-healthy-living brother (seriously, ONE of us must have been adopted!). 

Also, how cute are the Candle Embellishments?!

Autumn? Already? Well, Maybe Not Quite...

Yes, it's Colour My Season again - I love this set so much!!  This time it's paired with some handmade paper that I've had knocking around for a while.  I love the way the Watercolour Pencils can blend even contrasting colours together - I think these leaves look nicely and realistically autumnal.

Wishing away the summer, you say?  Well, I could stand it to be just a little cooler I will admit, but I'm not expecting colours like this on my river any time soon!

The watercolour background was also done with the Watercolour Pencils, and was achieved by scribbling on a scrap piece of card, spritzing with a good amount of water, and then pressing the handmade paper onto the wet mess!  I love how it turned out, because I was able to use exactly the same colours I used for the leaves.

The Road to Stardom

I was so proud of my Badger Cub a couple of weeks ago (well, I still am... ah, you know what I mean!).  He attends Stagecoach every Saturday, and we went to see his end of term showcase.  For those of you who don't know, the Cub has some additional needs, and has a history of not engaging particularly well with organised activities (case in point - at his performance last summer he jumped off the stage and tried to turn all the auditorium lights on, then had a meltdown when we wouldn't let him.  That should give you some context!).

So, imagine our delight when our little Cub sat and stood on stage, sang and spoke his lines almost perfectly (well, he is only five!), and was an all-round little star!  A week later he was awarded the Star of the Year award for the Early Years class and, well, Badger-tears were certainly shed!

I will never be able to adequately thank the Stagecoach staff for all the help, support and hard work they have dedicated to him, but I made his two main teachers these pop up gift card holders as end of term gifts.  Hopefully they can treat themselves as they recover over the summer!

Craft Therapy

Is there anything more therapeutic than colouring?  I don't think so, and my day job is being a psychotherapist!  It's my ultimate de-stressor, because I can allow my mind to wander while the repetitive movements of the pens or pencils or brushes have a soothing effect.  I love it!

This card was made for my upline, and I used the Colour Your Season stamp set (talking of things I love...!) and the NEW colours of Watercolour Pencils that are being released alongside it.  I've been longing for a brighter blue, green and purple, and I got my wish.  This is one happy - and relaxed - Badger!

Seamless Blending

I took delivery of my new Blends™ yesterday and couldn't resist having a play straight away.  Adding in the new colours makes shading and blending seamless, and really widens up the scope for colouring.

(also, how awesome do they look all together?  I'm not sure I can put these in a drawer....)

The first card I used them on was a colour challenge to use Pineapple Punch, Early Espresso and Old Olive, and I have to say, I love the combo, even though it might seem a bit strange at first glance!  This card uses the NEW Colour Your Season bundle, which will be available in August ONLY, so if you like what you see let me know and I can get you one ordered as soon as they come into stock.

Up, Up and Away

I was a bit surprised (and, to be honest, worried) when Stampin'Up! retired so many of the blue inks this year.  But that was very quickly followed by delight when I saw some of the new colours, and in particular I couldn't wait to get my hands on Soft Sea Foam and Coastal Cabana - and how gorgeous are they here along with Balmy Blue and Mint Macaron?  I love this combo, and I love the Lift Me Up stamp set - I can't believe I lived so long without it!

I think next on my list will be to repeat this card with different colours... maybe yellows and oranges... oooh....

The Handmade Tale

I wrote this last year, and I suspect I will share it every year it pops up in my memories.