Howse Of Cards

ARRRRRRGH!

2011-10-27T20:24:00.002+01:00

I can't find the cable that connects my phone to the computer!!! Now I'll have to either buy another one at which point i'll find the original or try to describe my latest card creations to you all. What do you think ?

I'm back......

2011-10-14T17:10:00.003+01:00

I have been really rubbish at updating my blog this year although I have made some cards. Am feeling a new rush of purpose now what with our brand new catty full of some lovely new must haves. Had my first workshop in ages last night and had a lovely time. Will post some pics when I find the cable to connect my phone to laptop - I fairly sure it's in a drawer, just not sure which one. Wish me luck .

Birthday Card for my sister

2010-12-01T20:56:00.002Z

This is my wonderful sister's 30th birthday card. Because I'm a fabulous little sister it doesn't mention her age in any derogatory way but as i'm posting it on my blog it's a good way to say ha ha now you're 3 years older than me!!! ( for a couple of weeks anyway.)

I made this using a faux parchment effect I have been meaning to try for ages. I love the effect of parchment crafted cards but have neither the time or patience to spend that long on one card - I'm much more of an instant gratification person as anyone who has met me knows. However I do admire the effect and anyone who is patient enough to create one deserves a round of appause.

This method is not as impressive as real parchment cards but still very effective. Using ordinary vellum I've heat embossed my main image using silver pearl embossing powder. Then using Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry and Perfect Plum markers I coloured the image on the reverse of the vellum for a more subtle effect.

This panel has been mounted onto a Rich Razzleberry card base and the sentiment is embossed onto a strip of Perfect Plum punched with the new border punch.

Black & White Love

2010-08-28T18:15:00.002+01:00

This is a 8x8 scrapbook page I made for my wedding album and uses the gorgeous Noveau Chic DSP , Basic Black Card Stock, Platinium Shimmer Paint, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Wonderful Words and Baroque Motifs Stamp Sets along with the Eyelet Border Punch.

Thanks for looking

Team Challenge - Christmas Theme

2010-08-18T21:08:00.005+01:00

This is my entry for my upline Abi's team challenge. The theme this time was Christmas - I know for some of us that's practically a curse word in August but we have to start sometime!
This is very simple card - I used Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock, Rich Razzleberry Ink, Platinum Shimmer Paint along with the Serene Snowflakes, Dasher and Occasional Greetings Stamp Sets.
Don't forget to check out the rest of Abi's Teams Creations the links to their blogs are on the left under My Stampin' Family!
Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 62

2010-06-13T21:44:00.002+01:00

This is my entry for the funky friday challenge. I used sage shadow, orchid opulence and whisper white cardstock. Basic grey and sage shadow inks. Card is made with the embrace life stamp set. I also used the new chocolate chip satin ribbon and oval and scallop oval punches.

Thanks for looking

Razzleversary

2010-06-05T21:46:00.000+01:00

This is a card for my sister and brother-in-laws 7th anniversary which i made using one of the fabulous new colors Rich Razzleberry.

I used Wonderful Words and Birthday Cheers and Wishes stamps for the text and Out of the Box and Roses in Winter for the backgrounds. Inks used used were Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum and Versamark. Cardstock is Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla.

Card is finished with eyelet border punch and copper mica powder.

Thanks for looking

Farewell Pink

2010-06-04T21:19:00.003+01:00

This a leaving card I made for a wonderful colleague Sammi who has been covering maternity leave for us for 11 months. It was her last day today and she loves pink so in addition to a pink butterfly cake I made her this card to say goodbye and thank you.

I used card stock Basic Black, Pink Passion and Pixie Pink along with some colour core cardstock from my stash. Colour core c/s was embossed using a variety of folders and distressed to show the core colour. Pink and black panels were embossed using french filgree background stamp and swirl from carte postale in black glitter and cranberry embossing powder.

I also used some mirri card from my stash.

Thanks for looking

Funky Friday # 53,55 & 57

2010-05-26T21:44:00.002+01:00

I know its a blatant cheat to use one card for 3 challenges but as I'm so far behind it seemed like a practical thing to do. This card combines a colour, theme and sketch challenge from the funky friday challenges set every friday.

Card used is Basic Black, Real Red, So Saffron and Taken with Teal. I stamped images from the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set onto card squares. Card is finished with a greeting stamped in white ink and a strip of Whisper White Ribbon.

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 56

2010-05-07T00:40:00.003+01:00

This weeks challenge was lilac and white colour challenge. So suprise suprise I have used Whisper White and Lovely Lilac card and inks.

Stamp set used is Simply Said along with the fab full heart punch. I was trying for a simple one layer card but ending up punching hearts from lovely lilac and white and 3'd - ing them as I felt the card was a bit plain.

Thanks for looking

Funky Friday # 49

2010-05-02T18:01:00.003+01:00

I know I'm very behind on the challenges but I thought I might attempt to do some of the ones I've missed. A new challenge is set every week check them out here.

This is my step mum's birthday card based on the sketch. I used a picture of her dog Buster along with Cameo Coral Card and Inks, Very Vanilla Card and Ribbon. Stamp sets used were Sincere Salutations, Vintage Labels and Greenhouse Garden. Also used the Scallop Circle and Scallop Border Punches.

Thanks for looking

Natural Birthday

2010-04-27T18:46:00.002+01:00

This is card a made for my uncle who is an avid birdwatcher. I used whisper white card for the base and created a background using stamps from the autumn days and touch of nature stamp sets. Using a decoupage print from my stash I matted it onto ruby red, old olive, close to cocoa and so saffron card stock. Greeting was made using the vintage labels set and the scallop circle punch.

Thanks for looking

Vintage Pink Birthday

2010-04-20T21:56:00.002+01:00

Hi just in case still reads this after me not posting for so long I apologise for the lack of posts. I was intending to be really organised and post regularly this year but as usual life seems to have gotten in the way as I have been pretty ill for most of this year so far. Any way enough excuses here is the first of a few posts I have scheduled over the next few weeks.

I made this card for my my almost sister in law Jenny who's birthday it was on monday. She is a big fan of pink so this card was done using Pretty In Pink, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip Card Stock. Main design uses the gorgeous Vintage Vogue stamp set available from the Mini Catalogue until September. Sentiments are taken from Sincere Salutations and Whimsical Words sets. Whimsical Words was one of the SAB sets from earlier this year.

You can't really see it that well in the photo but I used one of the stunning Shimmer Paints to stamp the background on the card base. Card was finished with Eyelet Border Punch, Corner Rounder and Gemstone Brads.

Thanks for looking

Waterlily Birthday

2010-01-21T17:35:00.002Z

I made this card for my Sister-In-Law's birthday. She loves lilies but over the years I have all but exhausted my collection of lily images so I was struggling to come up with something this year until my dad suggested I make a waterlily.

To make this I drew a lilypad onto Whisper White cardstock and cut a square mat from the same card. I coloured the lily pad and the water using a misting technique. For the water I daubed Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue and Bordering Blue onto a craft mat and spritzed with water. I swirled the card square into the ink until I was happy with coverage and then screwed up the square to add some definition and then flattened and left to dry.

The lilypad was done using the same technique with Handsome Hunter, Garden Green, Sage Shadow and Green Galore Inks.

The lily was made using Whisper White Card shapes punched using the 5 Petal Flower and Boho Blossoms punches. I coloured the petals using Pretty In Pink Ink and added a gem to the centre.

Greeting is from the Vintage Labels Stamp Set one of four sets that you can get for free!

Thanks for looking

Birthday Silhouettes

2010-01-13T18:40:00.001Z

This is card I made for Lisa another member of Abi's fabulous downline. I wasn't sure about the colour combo at first but am quite pleased with way it turned out. Lisa sent me a lovely birthday card using similar colours so I took my inspiration from that.

For this I used Very Vanilla, Taken with Teal and Chocolate Chip C/S. Elegant Eggplant, Taken With Teal and Chocolate Chip Inks. Sentiment is from the Sincere Salutations and main design uses the wonderfully versatile Pocket Silhouettes Stamp Set.

The Card is finished using Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon and Chocolate Chip Card Strip embellished using the Eyelet Border Punch.

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 39

2010-01-12T18:40:00.000Z

I know Christmas is over but as I was so behind on my Funky Friday Challenge posts and the colours Bravo Burgandy, Handsome Hunter, Old Olive and Real Red just screamed Christmas at me I thought I'd get started now for this year!

For this card I used Burgandy, Hunter, Olive and Red Inks to create a wreath using stamps from the Autumn Days and Pocket Silhouettes Stamp Sets. The sentiment is from a retired hostess set and is embossed in gold onto a Very Vanilla and Bravo Burgandy Circle. This matted onto Burgandy and Handsome Hunter Layers and the card is finished with some ribbon from my stash.

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 38

2010-01-11T09:00:00.001Z

This the card I finally made for Abi's Funky Friday Challenge. We had to use Lavendar Lace, Pretty In Pink, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla and Creamy Caramel.

I used the Cupcake Wheel with embossing ink to create a background on my Pretty In Pink and Very Vanilla C/S. Then I embossed using clear and silver powder.

Main Image was stamped on Creamy Caramel, Lavender and Pink C/s and then layered up to create the finished cupcake. Finished off with a little Close To Cocoa and Dazzling Diamonds on the icing. Sentimet stamped in Lavender Lace is from the Whimsical Words Sale - A- Bration Set. This was layered onto mats of Pretty in Pink and Lavendar Lace.

I finished this off with a paper ribbon created using the Eyelet Border Punch and a strip of Chocolate Chip C/S.

Thanks for looking

Blue Twilight

2010-01-10T09:00:00.000Z

I made this after finishing watching Twilight for about the tenth time and just beiing struck with the beautiful blue colours in the movie.

This card was made using Whisper White, Brocade Blue and Bordering Blue C/S. Background and main panel were created using Brocade Blue Ink and stamps from the now retired Carte Postale Stamp Set. Sentiment was made using the gorgeous Vintage Labels Sale-A-Bration Stamp set.

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 40

2010-01-09T18:59:00.003Z

Woo Hoo! How organised am I? Not only have I completed the first sketch Funky Friday Challenge but this is also my Valentine's swap for the next team meeting! I know scary isn't it - I'm sure this organisation won't last long.

For this card I used Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Pretty In Pink Card Stock. Chocolate Chip 5/8 Grosgrain Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Corner Rounder, Pretty In Pink Ink, Silver Embossing Powder and Stamps from the Love You Much and Sealed with A Kiss Stamp Sets.

The new and improved Funky Friday Challenges are set every week by Abi and the other members of her design team and alternate between colour, sketch and theme click here to join in the fun!

Thanks for looking

Sorry No Posts

2010-01-06T21:45:00.004Z

I apologise for having been such a bad blogger lately but what with flu, xmas, a long lost relative and a new neice things have been a bit hectic lately. I resolve to try and do better this year (one resolution I hope to keep!).

This is a card I made for a work friends birthday just before christmas and when I made it I realised I had also followed a team challenge brief set by Kathy. The team challenge was to make a card using only a SU roller and a greeting. The calendar is something I made quite a few of as gifts this year and was an idea that Abi showed me.

I used Taken With Teal and Whisper White Card Stock and Inks, Silver Embossing Powder and the Circle and Scallop Circle Punches. Roller used is So Swirly, Sentiment is from the Sincere Salutations Stamp Set.

Calendar uses Pocket Silhouettes and retired hostess set sentiment.

Thanks for looking more soon. x

Autumn Garden Bagalope

2009-11-09T05:47:00.003Z

This is one of the make and takes we did at my last workshop. Its a larger version of a Bagalope Abi showed me the first time I met her and one of my favourite projects. When finished this will hold a 6"x 6" Scrapbook Album or one of the new Art Journals and makes a lovely gift.

This one I created using an A4 Envelope, 2 Sheets of Very Vanilla Cardstock, Leaves A La Carte Jumbo Roller, Eyelet Border Punch and the Autumn Days Stamp set. My ladies had a lot of fun decorating their bags using the Touch of Naure, Lovely As A Tree, Pocket Silhouettes and Autumn Days Sets and not one was the same which is one of the reasons I love workshops!

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 37

2009-11-09T05:24:00.004Z

Another late entry for Abi's Challenges. This time we had to use Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and either Ruby or Real Red.

The main image is from the wonderful and very versatile Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set and is coloured using Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Inks. I have highlighted the tree using Dazzlin' Diamonds although it doesn't show up very well in the photo.

Greeting is from a retired hostess set and is stamped using Ruby Red Ink with the help of a Stamp-a-ma-jig to create a border. This has then been mounted onto a "ribbon"of Chocolate Chip Cardstock created using the fabulous new Eyelet Border Punch.

Thanks for looking

Funky Friday # 36

2009-11-09T05:15:00.003Z

Colours for this challenge were Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla.

I made a halloween shaker card using the retired hostess set Window Dressing along with the pumpkins from the Loadsa Love Accessories Stamp Set.

Greeting is handwritten in Perfect Plum Ink onto Vanilla Oval and layered onto Elegant Eggplant Scalloped Oval. Card is finished with some Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Funky Friday # 35

2009-11-02T22:43:00.002Z

This is one of my very late entries for Abi's Funky Friday Challenge.

We had to use Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy, Basic Grey, Whisper White and Sahara Sand.

The main image is taken from the retired Summer By The Sea set and stamped in Basic Grey onto Whisper White and watercoloured using grey and both blues. Image is matted onto torn ovals of both blues and mounted onto a Whisper White card which has a background created using Bordering Blue and Not Quite Navy inks.

I didn't actually have any Sahara Sand for this project but I think the colour challenge worked quite well without it.

Thanks for looking.

Touch Of Nature Birthday

2009-11-01T17:47:00.003Z

I created this card using the Touch of Nature and Sincere Salutations SU Stamp sets along with a Horse Stamp from my stash. The main image is stamped using Basic Black ink onto copper pearlescent and then matted onto Whisper White and Chocolate Chip Cardstock.

The sentiment is embossed in gold onto a Chocolate Chip Oval and mounted onto a Whisper White Scalloped Oval using the SU punches. The background was made using the lovely fern stamp from the Touch of Nature set randomly stamped in Choc Chip, Really Rust and Pumpkin Pie Ink. The card has been finished using a piece of Pumpkin Pie 1/4"Grosgrain Ribbon.

Thanks for looking

Blooming Birthday

2009-11-01T17:41:00.004Z

This a birthday card I made a while ago using the Blooming With Beauty ,Wonderful Words and Sincere Salutations Stamp Sets. I used cardstock in Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Whisper White. The sentiment is stamped using the Perfect Plum Ink and the main image is coloured using the markers.

Thanks for looking

Sorry No Posts

2009-11-01T17:30:00.000Z

Hi all sorry have been absent for a while haven't had a chance to do any crafting for myself for while what with family visits, the flu and a grand redecoration of my craft room ( will post a pic soon.) Am now almost completely moved back in to my lovely new room complete with new shelves, cupboard, carpet and a fresh coat of paint! And to think it only took me 3 years to achieve lol. Will be posting some of my new creations over the next few days. As alaways thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 34

2009-09-24T16:48:00.000+01:00

Woo Hoo! I am finally up to date with Abi's Funky Friday Challenges sorry it took so long Abi.

In this challenge we had to use Regal Rose, Rose Red, So Saffron, Very Vanilla and Basic Black.

I used Cardstock in Vary Vanilla, Regal Rose and Rose Red.

The main image is from the Blooming With Beauty Stamp Set and coloured with So Saffron, Rose Red and Regal Rose Markers. The sentiment is taken from the Sincere Saluations. I used my Divine Swirl embossing folder and some Very Vanilla 5/8 Grosgrain ribbon to finish this card.

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 33

2009-09-24T16:17:00.000+01:00

This is my very late card for Abi's Funky Friday Challenge. We had to use Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White.

I made this using one the many exciting new stamp sets available to purchase from October 1.

I used Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie and Regal Rose Inks, Cardstock in Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White and 5/8 Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon.

I really like this set and having lots of fun creating projects for an upcoming workshop with it.

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 32

2009-09-23T20:37:00.000+01:00

This is the card I made for Abi's Funky Friday Challenge. We had to use Tempting Turquoise, Taken With Teal, Whisper White and Basic Black.

The main images are from the Happiest of Holidays Stamp Set and are stamped and embossed in silver onto Taken with Teal and Tempting Turquoise Cardstock.

These are mounted using dimensionals onto a Basic Black card. The sentiment from the Best Is Yet To Be hostess set is stamped using Teal ink onto a Whisper White punched oval. This is mounted onto a Teal scallop oval and the finished shape is attached onto the card on top of Tempting Turquoise 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbin.

I really liked how this turned out and will be sorry to see this set go.

Thanks for looking.

Soft Summer Love Notes

2009-09-23T20:14:00.001+01:00

This is set of notecards and matching box I made using the soon to be gone (but hopefully not for good!) Soft Summer Stamp set. If you would like to order this set please get in touch before sales from the current mini catalogue close on 30th September.

In addition to some Whisper White cardstock I also used Pink Passion, Green Galore, Cameo Coral and Orchid Opulence Card and Inks.

The images are matted and layered using the scallop and 1 3/8 circle punches onto Whisper White and Very Vanilla Love Notes.

I thought this would make a nice hostess gift. Thanks for looking.

Silent Night Card & Holly Bagalope

2009-09-18T23:11:00.000+01:00

These are the make and takes I used for my first workshop. The Bagalope was made using the Woodcut Holly Jumbo Roller and Real Red, Glorious Green and Very Vanilla CS. I also used Real Red and Glorious Green Ink. The sentiment is from the Best Is Yet To Be Hostess Set and is is mounted using the Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punches.

Main Card uses the same CS and Inks except the main image is stamped in Basic Grey Ink and Watercoloured with GG ink. You can't really tell from the picture but the image is highlighted with Dazzlin' Diamonds Glitter. Cards main image is from the Silent Night Stamp Set.

Thanks for looking.

Fall Flair Gift Bag

2009-09-18T23:00:00.000+01:00

This is a lovely little gift bag we made at Abi's a few weeks ago using the soon to be retired Fall Flair Hostess Set.

We used Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Old Olive and Really Rust CS and Inks. Also used Chocolate Chip Ribbon and More Mustard Brads.

I made the card in the previous post to go with this and used them as a hostess gift for my first workshop.

Thanks for looking.

Autumn Leaves Thank You

2009-09-18T22:49:00.000+01:00

This is card I made a few weeks ago after a lovely afternoon crafting with the rest of Abi's downline.

I used Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard and Whisper White CS along with Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and More Mustard Inks. The main image was inked using Abi's thumping technique.

I used the Little Bit of Happiness Hostess Set for the main image and part of a retired set for the background.

Thanks for looking.

Funky Friday # 31

2009-09-02T22:50:00.001+01:00

This is my card for Abi's Funky Friday Challenge. I used Whisper White CS and Ribbon (I coloured the ribbon using my markers) and Elegant Eggplant Card. Images and sentiments are from the Soft Summer Stamp set and are stamped using Basic Black, Basic Grey and Elegant Eggplant Inks.

Thanks for looking.

How To Order

2009-09-01T23:15:00.001+01:00

View the current UK catalogues by clicking on the catalogue link at the side of this page.
Orders can be delivered any where in the UK direct to your door, (postage £4.95),
Just decide which fantastic products you'd like then send me an email at stephaniehowse169@hotmail.com
Payments can be made by Credit/Debit Card, Cheque, Postal Order or Pay Pal and usually take between 5 to 10 days to arrive.

Happy Hollydays

2009-09-01T19:03:00.000+01:00

This is the first of the dreaded xmas cards I have made using Stampin' Up! products. I used Basic Black and Whisper White Card, the Woodcut Holly Jumbo Wheel and a sentiment from the Happiest of Holidays Stamp Set.

I'm a big fan of the monochromatic look but I have also experimented with adding colour by using the emboss resist technique as shown above using Pixie Pink Ink.

Pocket Silhouettes Calendar

2009-09-01T18:51:00.000+01:00

This is calendar I made by following a tutorial on Abi's blog using the Pocket Silhouettes Stamp Set. I used Real Red, Garden Green and Whisper White Card Stock, Inks and Ribbon along with the Scallop Circle and 1 3/8 Circle punches.

Thanks for looking.

Sorry Been Away

2009-08-31T17:55:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts recently but I've just got back from a week in Scotland with no internet! Will be postings some of the things I've made recently as soon as have finished unpacking! Apologies to Stampin' Mum Abi for being behind with my challenges will work hard to catch up.

Funky Friday #30

2009-08-15T16:03:00.000+01:00

Here's my card for Abi's Funky Friday challenge I used the level one hostess stamp A little bit of happiness and the simply said stamp set, with Summer Sun, Elegant Eggplant , Lovely Lilac and Whisper White inks and card stock.

Purple Stars

2009-08-15T15:30:00.000+01:00

This is first card I made with my Stampin' Up! starter kit. I used the Fun & Fast Notes and Birthday Cheer and Wishes stamp sets, Lovely Lilac and Whisper White Card, Lovely Lilac and Orchid Opulence Ink and some silver craft foil.

Thanks for looking,

Steph

More Soon

2009-08-09T23:18:00.000+01:00

This is my new blog as an independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator please check back soon for updates .