Mother's day madness

Hi there

I'm really sorry I didn't post last week, that pesky virus I had a couple of weeks ago decided to make a repeat visit and knocked me sideways! Certainly think that it's gone now - I've dosed myself up on vitamin C and multi vitamins - I don't know whether they work but I feel a lot better now.  I even did an exercise class this morning, so I must be on the mend!

There are certain occasions throughout the year when you know that as a card maker you are going to be extremely busy. Christmas is the obvious one and by far the most demanding. Some very efficient people will have already started their Christmas 2016 cards, and I take my hat off to them, I really do. I wish I was so organised! Like most of us I start the year with good intentions which sadly seem to be forgotten by mid January...

Some people, though not everyone by any means, send cards at Easter. And no sooner have we got over the Valentines Day rush that we find we are racing towards Mother's Day. My post on 21st January showed how I'd got ahead of the game for once with a card for my own Mum - but I didn't plan for the last minute rush from friends asking me if I had any Mother's Day cards for them to send. So  the last couple of weeks have been quite frenetic but I did it, and everyone who asked me to make them a card (or two) received their cards in good time.

As today is Mother's Day and I won't now be spoiling any surprises I thought I would show you a sample of the cards I made for orders.

I can truthfully say that I don't make cards in any one particular style. I always look at cards other people have made and take inspiration from one element on one card and a different element from another one and before I know it I've made my own card. I'm sure other card makers do the same.
 

This first one was made using the coordinating stamp and die from Heartfelt Creations. It's the Sun Kissed Corner stamp. It is so very delicate. I've changed the sentiment and colour combinations and made cards for other occasions equally well.

All of these cards are 8x8 inches as this is the size I prefer.    

This brown one is made using a topper from Lili of the Valley and the border was made using a Martha Stuart Stamp Around the Page punch.

The card on the right was for the daughter of a work colleague to send to her Nan. It is more Shabby Chic in style. The Love embellishment is a Laser cut wood shape. It fits in so well with this theme. The butterfly in the bottom left corner was cut from a piece of lace.

The final card was inspired by some cards I saw on one of the Facebook sites I am a member of. I changed many elements of the card I saw and came up with this version. All of the flowers were hand punched and then laid on the card blank to make the heart shape. It takes significantly more flowers to make the card than you might think!

I really hope you like these cards. And I promise to post more regularly in future. I've already started preparing my next blog because - and here comes a teaser - I'm hoping to have some exciting news to share with you about my next venture with my card making!

Bye for now and thanks for popping by - if you didn't read this blog there'd be no point in me writing these words! It would be great to be able to read your thoughts about any of the cards you see, so please think about leaving your comments below.

Corrine x

Thinking of you

Hi there

Many thanks for popping by. I'm really sorry there's been a short delay in posting but I was laid low with a Winter flu bug and I was just too ill to post my weekly update. I'm glad to say that I'm fighting fit now so normal service has been resumed.

Life brings its occasional sorrows and misfortunes to us all, and in the last week I've had to make two cards to send to friends to let them know they are in our thoughts. I thought I would post pictures of both cards in case they inspire you should you find that you have to make your own 'Thinking Of You' cards.

I like this card as it appeals to my 'arts and crafty' side. I kept the colours quite muted but I wanted something pretty to cheer up our friend. The addition of a homemade bow (made simple by using my trusty bow-maker), some lace and MDF craft shapes are all in keeping with the theme. I sprayed the flowers with Perfect Pearls Mist to soften up their appearance and added Cosmic Shimmer in Golden Pearl to tie the layers together. The wording is made with the Die'sire Only words die.

The second card I made has alternative layers of pale lilac pearlescent and white card. The top layer of card is embossed and I cut out a matching frame for my words, wrapped some matching ribbon round the top three layers of card and made a double bow on my bow-maker. The butterflies just add a little bit of interest and I've added pearl drops on these  as well as on the message and within the embossed pattern. I hope this card will bring a smile to the face of my friend, who is having a tough time at the moment.  It's good to know our friends are thinking of us when life is being unkind, and a card is a great way to send that message of support.

Why not let me know which card you prefer, and why? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Bye for now - and I promise to post my next blog a bit sooner!

Corrine x

Planning Ahead For Mothers' Day

Hi
We all lead busy lives, but sometimes I find things are a little less hectic if I plan ahead.  So when time allows, I try really hard to get organised. This week I've been trying to make the cards that I'll need for those special times that are coming over the next couple of months. Mothers' Day is one of those occasions.


Here's a card I've just finished. What do you think? It's a bit different to anything I've made before but I'm really pleased with the result. Not really made with ease of postage in mind, but definitely made from the heart!

I started off by making what i thought would be a cross over card base - the final size was a 7 inch square. But because of all of the embellishments I could foresee problems in standing up the finished product, so to give it more rigidity I mounted it on to a 7 inch square card base.

I picked coordinating papers for the front and inside the pocket and I also made a coordinating postcard to slip inside.









I embellished it with ribbon, pearls on a string, vintage lace, lots of flowers, a couple of MDF embellishments and a couple of butterflies that I had die cut along with the Mothers' Day topper - both of which are from Tonic.





It looks very complicated but in fact, it wasn't - it just took some time to build up.

I'd love to know what you think.



Thanks for popping by!

Corrine x