Paper Hugs

I've just received the background stamp in the mail, and just happened to have the lovely lady die cut on my desk, so this is what I made!  The lovely lines of the lady are enough, in my opinion, so I kept the background to a monotone, just enough to add depth to the picture. Not sure of the sentiment, so that can be added at a later date.  Thanks for looking1

I have always found the sentiment 'showered with love' so beautiful, with its connotations of sheltering someone with your love, an over-abundance of love being showered on someone, and of course, the showers that are precursors of bright flowers and happier times.   So when I saw Darnell's twofer this morning, for the challenge 'umbrella and/or rain' and having one card already made that qualified, I set to to create another card so that I could enter for the first time.   I didn't stray far from my first card,  but instead added some flowers to my little gum boots (as they are called in Australia - if I was still in England they would be 'wellies' short for Wellington Boots) - I don't know what they are in the US.  Hopefully someone will let me know.

A very dear friend and her lovely husband, will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary later this week.  Sadly we aren't able to visit them, as they are very sensibly self isolating, as are we - so I've attempted this envelope board box card.  There is an opening card behind this front.  I hope I'm able to send it safely - but will find a box to fit it.  I would love to make a box for it, but I don't have card large enough - thanks to Sam of Mixed Up Craft for the tutorial.  I know I'm rubbish at arranging flowers, but think it'll be OK.

Just another little post to add to my Valentine cards of a few days ago - I've used a little die and some spongeing to create this tranquil scene - I hope you like it. I created a stencil for my circle shape, using a circle die to cut a plastic folder cover.  I try to cut the plastic to my card size for better placement.  I'm happy with this card:)  The words were cut from a larger die cut, which read:  Do what you love.  Very handy! This was my first effort at using the cut dog and cat - but somehow I feel it looks too contrived - perhaps there is just too much space around the focus.  The sentiment is from an old Stampin' Up! set and reads:  with you .... is my favourite place to be.  Isn't that lovely?

Such a hot day yesterday, so perfect excuse to stay in my air conditioned craft room, and make a selection of 'masculine' Valentine cards. The split heart die needed 5 different papers, so that meant I could make 5 cards!  I've not photographed the fifth card - don't know why - but I'll add it to the end of the post.  I chose these bolder colours, rather than the softer, prettier tones usually used for valentine cards, because I thought  males might appreciate the style of these more - what do you think? Here is the 5th card and a further card, made by inserting arcs from various size circles into the edge of the large heart.  The striped background is vellum (Stampin' Up from a couple of years ago). Hope you are all keeping cool on an even hotter day today, and keep safe!

Here is a 30th birthday card I recently made for my son-in-law's eldest daughter - she will be visiting for Christmas and has some exciting news to share with the family, in addition to turning 30!  We are very happy for her! I love using the heart shaped rosette for feminine cards - and the colours of white, pink and gold were requested by my daughter who ordered this card.  I'm very happy with it and hope Kyra loves it too.

My card for today is one I've made as a request for a little dancer who is turning 4.  The three girls are dies, and there is an extra shape to create the skirts.  To coordinate the tops, I just coloured the  tops in a singlet shape to match.  I had a lot of fun creating this card and the buyer was very happy with it too!