More CAS Cardmaking

These cards were made in a few hours for a MacMillan Coffee Morning.  I couldn't attend so instead I sent along several cards to be sold to raise a few more coffers.

 

These have to be one of my favourite 'clean & simple' card designs yet.  I simply ADORE doodling so I love the doodled frames and they couldn't be easier.  Lightly draw a rectange on your card front in pencil and then 'doodle' ever so slightly wavy lines around it a couple of times in black ink, then stamp a sentiment or quote directly into the frame (in one corner) and add 3D flowers.  What could be simpler!  It doesn't even have to be flowers - it could be butterflies - how pretty would that look?

 

I stamped up a whole sheet of these WMS flowers and leaves in various colours and then simply sat cutting them all out whilst watching TV, very therapeutic. Then a few foam pads later, a bit of that large corner punch again and there you have it.

 

This design works with landscape or portrait which I love and anything more that a couple of flowers is major overkill.  Of course I couldn't resist doodling a few dots here and there and I suppose if you wanted to make them slightly different you could create separate doodled frames to 3D mount onto the card front for aded dimension and interest and maybe add dimensional dots or gems. Buttons might even work in the centre of the flowers for even more 3D.

 

These stamps from WMS are quickly becoming one of my favourites and I could while away many an evening happily stamping up and cutting out bunches and bunches ready to use.  I think I will be gifting sets of these cards and next chance I get I'll be making some to send down to Debs at CFL.

 

I am waiting on a few new scripture stamps from Verve so I can create even more versions.  Sadly several of the 'plain jane' scripture stamps are no longer available as they're being incorporated into larger sets but I did manage to get a few on sale at around $2 - $3.  My sister-in-love has kindly agreed to send them on to me so it'll be a good week or two before I get them but I just can't wait - I'm super excited!!!

 

At some point I hope to be able to do a class for the ladies in church with these and actually as I look at them it makes me think they'd make great covers for notepads or even mini prayer journals.  Hhmmm, I might have to think on that one for a bit and see what I can come up with.  I have been asked to do a couple of workshops again this year and especially with gift giving in mind so I'm logging possible ideas for the moment.

 

Blessings

 

Suezie

More Catching Up to Do

I cannot believe another month has gone by - it'll be Christmas before you know it (Oh hush me mouth LOL).  Well at least Claire from WMS will be happy,, she loves Christmas.  I don't have a problem with it since I buy through out the year and about the time everyone is out shopping I'm just pulling it all together and filling in a few remaining blanks.

Anyhow, earlier this month Dave and I got to go spend time with a truely wonderful couple from our church that we never really got to know.  Shortly after coming to BRBC they moved away to Leeds to work for Caring For Life and it's Debs I send cards to every now and then.  Caring For Life are a charitable organisation providing much needed help and support to vulnerable people and we were excited to see the farm first hand.

 

One of the newest additions it the Granary Restaurant and we were fortunate enough to share a meal experience with our hosts.  We couldn't believe it was their anniversary and they were spending it quite unselfishly with us!  The food was really first rate and delicious.  I'd definately eat here again.

 

We got to have a wanderaround the grounds and to see where Debs and Nigel work whilst they're at the farm.

 

Nigel kept finding stray chickens about and rounding them up would keep a body busy for a while.

 

This was one of the workshop buildings where they teach via different therapies and mediums, some of the people who attend come just on a daily basis and some actually work at the farm giving them a purpose and the ability to work alongside others supporting the function of the farm.

 

And this is inside the granary restaurant - it all looked very grand but as Debs said, Peter who started the charity said if you're doing a work for God it has to be the very best you can do.  Behind the large glass panels you see behind Debs is where the chefs prepare the meals so the diners can see in and vice versa.

 

This is the shop which is at the other end of the dining section and which is where my handmade cards end up for sale.  It was really nice to get a sense of the type of things they have for sale.

 

This was a large stone carved with a verse of scripture and that had several smaller stones, each carved with a bit more dotted along a path in the grounds.  They have massive green houses that have been kindly donated, all the way from Holland so they sell plants as well and Peter hopes one day to have an equestrian centre for additional therapies.

 

It was truly amazing to see just what they'd achieved in a few short years so I doubt there are any limits to what they can achieve in another year or so.  Proof that if you will just trust God with what little you have and have a willing heart, He will provide so much more than you could ever imagine.

 

Enjoy!

 

Suezie

A Bit of Card Making

Over the years I've made no secret of the fact that I struggle to do 'clean & simple (CAS) cards but gradually, gradually as I create more and more cards for charity - in particular because I have to mass produce in a short space of time - I am learning how to do CAS.  Cards are quicker, easier and cheaper to whip up when there is less involved and if much of what is involved is produced with some simple stamping.

 

I wanted to get these made up and into the post in a hurry so I kept them almost one layer, except for the text and a few 3D flowers.  A simple bit of punching with a larger corner rounder - I inherited Mom's MS punch and use it all the time - creates a nice extra bit of interest.

 

I love dragging out several sets when I'm looking for various sentiments and quotes to stamps up plus I love playing around with colour combinations too.

 

This is one of Waltzing Mouses mini stamp sets so it's really quite incredible just what you can achieve with less than £4 huh?  I just love these mini sets and I am determined to do a workshop with one so everyone can have their own mini set to take home to play with.

 

I thought you'd appreciate seeing a close up shot because that way you can see how I used the same colour ink pad to 'edge' my scripture block.  I just love the idea of grey leaves as opposed to the usual green.  I didn't get around to 'pink & grey' but what a fab colour combo would that be!

 

These were pre-purchased card blanks in a mini 4" x 4" square size with matching envelopes plus I had to purchase special sized bags to pop them into so having most of the elements stamped and keeping this cost down means I can spend my money on other things like card blanks, bags and postage when I send them off to Debs at Caring For Life.

 

I have a few more cards to post but after a busy weekend taking the boys out and about - we had them stay for the weekend and did Languard Fort yesterday and Monster Trucks today, plus we picked raspberries, blackberries and apples today - I am overdue some down time.  I had 3 small batches of jam complete made up and jarred in less than 3 hours of picking would you believe?  X-Factor has just started and then it's Downton Abbey so it's a major sit down I think.  Tomorrow I'm off work and having a girlie days with both my daughters - that should be a busy day too!

 

Blessings

 

Suezie