Stampin' Bravo to a special friend

Hi there, thank you for stopping by to see this one of two congratulations cards I'm sharing with you this week. Two good friends have both celebrating successes this week and so I thought it would be nice to send them a card to help in their celebrations.  

This one is a fun collection of word bubbles and stamps mainly from the Bravo Stampin' Up! set with a 'Yay' cut with the Circle Card Thinlits die.  I've used the Under the Tree designer series paper as my base card just to show that Christmas papers like dogs are not just for Christmas!! My bubbles are cut from the new kraft card stock which comes from the Stampin' Up! annual catalogue in packs of 12 x 12.  My colours are early espresso, melon mambo and rich razzleberry and although the 'pink' shades are from the brights using them on kraft card softens the brightness and creates a more subtle effect. Of course melon mambo embossing powder is more WOW than subtle but with this combo I think it works!  If you don't have any retired melon mambo powder you can still create it by inking your stamp first with versa mark, then melon mambo ink and then stamping and embossing with clear embossing powder.  A lighter finish, but this works for most colours, just don't work too hard on the mambo ink pad to preserve the versa mark on your stamp. 

Come back soon for my second congrats card!! 

Zx

Christmas Card Club - Snowmen

A card for my friend.

Christmas card club today and our challenger Lorraine has asked for snowmen. I have just the one, but he is kinda cute!  I used my new Epic Alphabet stamp set from the annual Stampin' Up! catalogue to stamp 'snow' and turned my cute little snowman from the Holiday Home stamp set to make the 'O'.  The greetings stamp is from Watercolour Winter too and to just get the 'greetings' part of the stamp I used a post it note to block of Season's before stamping.  My pretty snowflakes are from another winter catalogue set called Endless Wishes.  The colour combo is whisper white, real red and pool party.  As you know I love bling and so I"ve added odd rhinestones for the snowflakes and a string and bit of rhinestones to frame my snowman.

Today I'd like to dedicate my card to my lovely friend Emma Daye who very suddenly and sadly passed away on Thursday.  Emma and her hubby Andrew have suffered long and hard from more illness than anyone should have to deal with in one lifetime let alone as a couple.  Emma was a very talented crafter and graphic designer.  She had a smile for everyone and she and Andrew have remained committed to each other and a positive approach throughout their challenging journey together.  Our thoughts are with Andrew and their family at this very sad and difficult time.  You will be missed Emma for your friendship, talent and courage and so much more.  Rest in peace my lovely friend.

Zx