My Diary

I have been wanting to alter my diary, ever since I saw the altered notebook in the Idea Book & Catalogue on page 64. I bought the Notably Ornate stamp set (17.95 clear, £22.95 wood) to make a birthday card for my daughter (which I haven't shared with you yet).She's not really into card making and it was one of the few sets she really liked. I actually love this set. It's so versatile and stamps beautifully every time. So, this is what I did to my diary:

I used Riding Hood Red cardstock, and the coordinating Love Letter Designer papers. The 2011 was cut using my Big Shot and a Sizzlets alphabet - you could use the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet.

I stamped the letter 'S' using the Broadsheet Alphabet and fit it into one the beautiful frames that you get in the Hodgepodge Hardware set. 

I used the 1-1/4 striped grosgrain ribbon in Real Red to decorate the front but I also wanted it to act as a book mark, so I left a length to go inside the diary and added a punched flower to give it some weight. The flower was created using the 5 Petal flower and the Boho Blossoms punch.

I made sure everything was stuck down really well especially all the edges, as my diary is in and out of my bag all day long and I don't want to accidently pull anything off. That is why I've not used any 3D elements. I reckon this diary will explain what I do far better than words could and, as I go to lots of meetings, I may even get some parties/orders out of it. Have a go yourself and alter something. I'd love to see the results. x

Wedding Acceptance

Hi everyone,

 I wouldn't want you to think I'll be posting everyday but seeing how's it's the weekend and I have some time on my hands, I thought I should post something while I can.

We have been invited to a wedding in June - actually my husband is going to be the best man, so they definitely know we will be there, but I couldn't pass up the chance to make an acceptance card. I actually made 2 so I could put one on my samples board, and send one. I know the bridesmaid will be in a burgundy type colour, so the card I sent was made in Cherry Cobbler.

This version was made in Rich Razzleberry. I didn't have a stamp that said 'Acceptance', so I printed it on my computer. This was the result:

I used the stamp set Baroque Motifs which is extremely versatile. I stamped the swirl in Crumb Cake ink on Whisper White, and the small flower, using Rich Razzleberry ink. I used the Four Frames set and Decorative Label punch to create the Acceptance label.

The card was finished with some lush Razzleberry satin ribbon and a brad from the Hodgepodge Hardware set. This set may seem expense but it contains 100 lovely metal frames and brads, not counting the 100 small silver brads, and it lasts for a very, very long time.

I'm not sure why the brad has a pink tint to it. You can get this effect by covering it in ink and then wiping the ink away, which just leaves the colour in the indentations. I don't remember doing that for this card, but then there are quite a few things I don't remember....

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed today's card. Check back again soon. Sandrina x

Another leaving card

Another friend left work today and I made her this card/treat holder. Again it is a design by Becky Roberts and part of her 12 days of Christmas 2010, tutorial.

I made this one in Pretty in Pink and Rose Red cardstock, with Pretty in Pink designer paper from the Subtles Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack. I also used Rose Red ribbon and this time I did use a brad from the gorgeous Hodegepodge Hardware set.

I used the Scallop Trim border punch on the folded edge and the Round Tab punch to create the tab at the top of the tag. Unfortunately I had already written on the tag, so I didn't want to take a photo of it. I decorated the tab with the same motif from the Tiny Tags stamp set as I used yesterday. The greeting is from the wonderfully useful Basic Phrases stamp set and I used the Word Window punch, to punch it out. A couple of Basic Rhinestones finished it off. Here's a closer look:

I filled the box with chocolates and handed it over with some flowers. My friend absolutely loved it and I had fun making it. The effort is always worth it when you see how much people appreciate a handmade gift.

Just for a change my next post is not a leaving card, so check back to see what it is instead. x