Some flowery bunnies.

I am a huge fan of bunnies. They are my totem animal really. No I don't have big ears, but I was born in the year of the rabbit, I have had many as pets and they just seem to follow me through life. I didn't seem to have many bunny stamps though (feel free to give me recommendations on more bunnies!), so I was delighted to find this adorable range of bunnies from the Cats Pajama's! They also have free shipping and a free goody when you spend $65. Expect more bunnies in future :D. They also seem to have bred...aka I couldn't resist making two with different colour bunnies..

Supplies used:
Kick Some Grass stamp set by Cat's Pajamas
Friendly Flowers Fri-dies by Cas-ual Fridays from Laura's Loft
Distress Ink in Wilted Violet
Zig Clean Color Pens
Vellum
Prills
Tim Holtz Watercolour cardstock

Entered in My Inky Oasis monthly challenge
And Cat's Pyjama's Floral Challenge/ Monthly Blog Hop

April Challenge with Laura's Loft

Welcome to this month's challenge with Laura's Loft!

This challenge is using the colour swatch below, a gorgeous soft palette of purples, greys and blacks

First make your background card textures. Using some Neenah white 80lb cardstock and a Tim Holtz mini blending foam applicator sponge on Distress Inks in Wilted Violet, Shaded Lilac, Hickory Smoke, Pumice Stone. Spritz with water and blot. Put the grungy circles stencil from Tim Holtz's Mini Stencil set #5 over half the image. Spray through with Distress spray in Shaded Lilac . Spritz over the top of that with Tsukineko's silver shimmer mist spray. On a 2" x2" stitched panel (use a die, Silhouette or Cricut machine) made from grey card stamp spots from Stampers Anonymous in London Fog ink by Memento. Edge by sponging with Shaded Lilac Distress Ink.
On separate cardstock stamp the flowers from MFT (My Favourite Things) Fall Floral set using Memento Inks in Grape Jelly, Lulu Lavender, Danube Blue, Tuxedo Black and London Fog. Highlight areas with a white gelly roll pen. Cut using dies, a machine, or by hand.
Cut a light purple panel and a dark purple card to fit. From the dark purple card also cut "Birthday" from Papertrey Inks die set.
Work out a pleasing arrangement and adhere. Stamp "Happy" from Papertrey's set. Put on some accents using Glossy Accents by Ranger.

This is certainly a palette I'd use again!

How about having a go yourself?

This month there are two prizes. Yipee!

$20 Store Credit 

Want some more inspiration?

Then visit Laura, Deana or Jasmine....

Mum's Bouquet with Laura's Loft

Welcome to this month's Shop and Hop with Laura's Loft. I've been busy making some spring time cards using the same sets I did for the CHA release but with a very different look. They are Birthday cards but you could easily make them Mother's Day cards if you wanted. Mother's Day is in March for me as I'm English so I decided just to go with spring time colours and my favourite dragonflies. 

Use a white card for your base and using a Tim Holtz mini round blending foam blend on some Distress Inks in Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron and Salty Ocean. What a zingy combination! Not my usual one, but I wanted to try something different.  Spritz with a little water and blot. Over stamp in the same colours of ink using the dots from Hero Art's Mason Jar Bugs set. Spray with some Perfect Pearls spray in Pearl. Let dry. Meanwhile cut a white panel just wide enough to fit the dragonflies at an angle and the length of the card. Cut a purple panel slightly larger on either side but not the top or bottom. Adhere together. Cut "celebrate" from the same purple cardstock using the die from Avery Elle's sentimental set. Put some white and purple highlights on it using Prismacolour pencils.

Stamp the dragonflies from Hero Art's Mason Jar Bugs set on vellum using Hero Art's Unicorn White ink pad and emboss with white embossing powder.  Blend the same color of Distress Inks on the vellum. Alternate between blending on the front for a bolder look and the back for a muted one. If wished pick out some fine detail on the body with an alcohol marker. Adhere the dragonflies to the white panel using Designer Dries Clear Adhesive. Adhere main panel to backing card, then place the "celebrate". Finally stamp on Happy Birthday from the Avery Elle Sentimental stamp set.

Here is another variant on the card, the products and techniques are the same. 

Here is this month's wonderful prize.

Don't forget to comment on each blog step and use other social media for extra entries!

Full instructions on Laura's post.

And even better news...there is a HUGE sale over at the Loft! 30% off everything!!!! Take advantage while you can, on till 4th May!!! 

Here's the whole hop in case you are lost!

1. Laura 2. Deana  3. Jasmine 4. Robbie 5. Heart of Craft ← you are here.
6. Lisa

March Calling All Sistahs

Please click above for the beginning of the hop.

Calling All Sistahs!

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

On August 17th, 2015  an awesome friend of ours became 1 in 8

Calling All Sistahs was started by Michele Gross, owner of CAS-ual Fridays Stamps, shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is her hope to create awareness for breast cancer beyond just the month of October by reminding you to do your self breast exams on the 17th of each month, and encouraging us all to remind all the great women in our lives to do the same. You can read more about her story HERE 

The Calling All Sistahs Collection was created by Michele with the specific intent of donating 50% of her profits from this collection to Breast Cancer Research and Awareness programs in honor of all who have been affected by breast cancer.

Laura's Loft are thrilled to be one of the first stores in the country to offer this special collection of stamps and dies. It's important to us to be able to remind all of our sistahs to check yourself and we are proud to continue Michele's effort by donating 50% of our own profits from this collection to breast cancer research in VA. 

Join us here on the blog on the 17th of each month for CAS-ual Fridays projects dedicated to the fight against Breast Cancer and in support of our sistahs suffering through it along with a personal reminder to get yourself checked. 

I am so happy to support this cause, I lost a friend a university to breast cancer, and know several woman who have suffered from this horrible disease. Catching it early is a life saver! 

 ***This is your reminder to do your breast self-exam!***

and remind your sistahs too! 

If you're not exactly sure how to do a self exam, you can click here to get the information you need, and then follow up with your doctor at your next appointment.

Don't forget to go for your mammograms!

Here is my card for this months hop.
On some pink card, stamp in white pigment and clear emboss the ribbon from the Hope Ribbon set. Add some shading with Zig clean colour pens and a watercolour pen. Cut our with the Ruffled Ribbon Fri die. Cut out some flowers from vellum with the Friendly Flowers Fri-dies. Sponge daub some Chalk inks on the back in Warm Violet and Berrylicious. Let dry. Add some details with a white gelly roll pen. Adhere layers of flower together with Designer Dries Clear adhesive. Add some white prills with the same glue and let dry. Adhere the ribbon to a white panel that has been sponged using a Tim Holtz mini blending foam and Distress Ink in Spun Sugar. Stick that to larger accent panels and a base card in shades of pink. Place the assembled flower in the middle. 

There are some great prizes again this month.... Cas-ual Fridays is giving away three $25 vouchers to their store. The winners will be pulled randomly from comments on ANY of the blog stops...the more you comment on, the more you might win! Laura's Loft is generously giving away two $25 store credits and all you need to do is comment on ALL the blog hop stops.

Hop on over to Lisa's blog next for more inspiration....

The complete hop:

1.CAS-ual Fridays Stamps 
2.Jingle 
3.Kelly 
4.Laura 
5.Deana
6.Jasmine
7.Emma  ←you are here!
8.Lisa 
9.Robbie
10.Angie 
11. Archana 
12.Joanna 

Calling All Sistah's with Laura's Loft and CAS-ual Fridays

Please click above for the beginning of the hop.

Calling All Sistahs!

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

On August 17th, 2015  an awesome friend of ours became 1 in 8

Calling All Sistahs was started by Michele Gross, owner of CAS-ual Fridays Stamps, shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is her hope to create awareness for breast cancer beyond just the month of October by reminding you to do your self breast exams on the 17th of each month, and encouraging us all to remind all the great women in our lives to do the same. You can read more about her story HERE 

The Calling All Sistahs Collection was created by Michele with the specific intent of donating 50% of her profits from this collection to Breast Cancer Research and Awareness programs in honor of all who have been affected by breast cancer.

Laura's Loft are thrilled to be one of the first stores in the country to offer this special collection of stamps and dies. It's important to us to be able to remind all of our sistahs to check yourself and we are proud to continue Michele's effort by donating 50% of our own profits from this collection to breast cancer research in VA. 

Join us here on the blog on the 17th of each month for CAS-ual Fridays projects dedicated to the fight against Breast Cancer and in support of our sistahs suffering through it along with a personal reminder to get yourself checked. 

I am so happy to support this cause, I lost a friend a university to breast cancer, and know several woman who have suffered from this horrible disease. Catching it early is a life saver! 

 ***This is your reminder to do your breast self-exam!***

and remind your sistahs too! 

If you're not exactly sure how to do a self exam, you can click here to get the information you need, and then follow up with your doctor at your next appointment.

Don't forget to go for your mammograms!

Saturate a piece of Tim Holtz's Distress Watercolour paper with water and the brush on some Distress Ink in Picked Raspberry, Worn Lipstick and Victorian Velvet until it blends. Let dry. Spritz lightly with water and blot. Overstamp with the hope stamp from the hope ribbon set in the same colours and the specks from Tim Holtz's cracks and specks set. Rip up some coloured and translucent papers and adhere. Spray with some perfect pearls in pearl white. Apply some Picked Raspberry Distress Paint round the corners and some Judikins Metallic Fuchsia glass beads.
Stamp the ribbon from the set in black and emboss in clear on pink card. Cut using the Ribbon Fri-die. Colour the hearts and pick out some flower centres using gelly roll pens. Then cover the hearts in Ranger's glossy accents. Let dry. Stick onto some white card and fussy cut a slightly larger ribbon. Accent edges with Picked Raspberry pad. Mount to backing card with foam tape, then adhere assemblage to bright pink mount and a baby pink card.

There are no less than 5 amazing prizes to win! Cas-ual Fridays is kindly giving away 3 $25 vouchers to their store. The winners will be pulled randomly from comments on ANY of the blog stops...the more you comment on, the more you might win! Laura's Loft is generously giving away 2 $25 vouchers and all you need to do is comment on ALL the blog hop stops.

For More information on Breast Cancer Awareness just click here. 

Please do your self exams!

I'll be back next month to remind you again :)

Click here to hop onto Lisa's blog

Challenge time with Laura's Loft- "Resist Technique"

CHALLENGE TIME

Welcome to my project inspiration for this month's challenge. The theme was a technique based one, "Resist".

I decided to go with using the way embossing powder resists watercolours.

This is what I came up with:

Cut an A7 card (5" x 7" ) from blue cardstock (or use a premade one). Stamp using random combinations from My Favourite Things (MFT) Party Patterns set and a Paris Dusk blue Memento Ink pad.  Using some Strathmore cold press watercolour paper (I tried on normal card and it doesn't look as nice) stamp and emboss some more of the set using a clear embossing pad and white embossing powder such as Wow's Opaque White Superfine. You'll also need an embossing tool. 

Let it cool a little, then dampen the paper with a brush or mister. Then drop in some watercolours. I used some Cotman pans and tubes, but you could also use Brusho powders or Distress Inks. Let dry. Cut into rectangles and mount onto white card rectangle cut slightly bigger. Stamp a sentiment in the blue Memento ink (I used on by Papertrey Ink). Mount some of the same blue you used for the back ground and adhere to the card using foam pads.

So now it's YOUR turn. Yes, you! Right there! Your turn to join in and have some fun, maybe try something new.

The challenge runs for TWO weeks and you can enter on Laura's blog HERE. The winner will be announced two days later.

You could win the 1st prize

 and kindly donated by Avery Elle the 2nd prize

to spend on goodies all for yourself (well, you can share them with me if you really really want to :))

Here are some more of the compadre's pages if you would like some more inspiration!

Deana

Jasmine

Debbie

Noe

Lisa

Dawn

Valentina

Linda

Robbie

Valentines Project for Coffee and Cat lovers, with Laura's Loft.

A little extra project for you this month, because I love you all.

I am using the same sets I used for the blog hop earlier this month, so that you can how easy it is to achieve some variety in your work using the same materials. 

Cut some hearts from white cardstock using dies or a Silhouette/ Cricut machine. Using Distress Inks in shades of red and pink stamp the brushstroke from My Favourite Things (MFT) Abstract Art set along the side of it. Use a black gelly roll to mark on some faux stitch. 

On a white A2 card, stitch some lines of black cotton thread (or use a stitch stamp, or draw lines as previously). Make them different lengths. Arrange hearts in a pleasing manner and adhere.

Stamp the cat from Newton's Coffee stamp set by Newton's Nook using black Memento Ink. Watercolour as you wish. I used watercolour pencils, but you could use Distress inks, paints or Kuretake Clean brush markers too. Fussy cut. Adhere to card. Stamp sentiment. Draw on some dots using Liquid Pearls in Rouge.  

Laura's Loft Hop and Shop- Love Grows Here

Have a peek at Robbie's work here if you missed it!

Valentines Day....would could be more romantic than staring at your loved one over a cup of hot steaming coffee, right? Maybe it's because the temperature just dropped and it snowed today, but I couldn't help but be inspired for my Valentine's project by the thought of a nice hot cup of... well your choice...cocoa, coffee, tea, mulled cider.... 

So without further ado:

I cut a blank white card with a heart aperture using my Silhouette machine. You could also use dies or hole punches to get a similar effect. 

Using My Favorite Things Abstract Art collection I stamped brushstrokes down the side of the card using Distress Inks in Festive Berries, Barn Door, Fired Brick and Picked Raspberry and Memento Inks in Lady Bug and Rhubarb Stalk or any shades of red and pink you prefer. Draw a line around the aperture using a black gelly roll if you wish. 

On separate card stamp the cat with coffee cup from Newton's Coffee set by Newton's Nook using black Memento Ink pad. Colour with markers or pencils (I used Prismacolor pencils). Fussy cut.  For the inside using Rangers Round Mini Ink Blending Foam and some Distress Ink in Festive Berries to soften the outside of the heart. Over stamp with the coffee beans from the Newton's coffee set using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Stamp the sentiment in Memento black ink.

And the envelope designed to match. The process is the same. I then used my Lettermate template and a Black Gelly Roll to address it. 

This months fantastic prize package!

WRMK Heatwave Pen Starter Set, WRMK Next Level EF "Gemstone", LL/DCB Sequins "Garden Splendor" & VT Enamel Dots "Autumn"

How to enter the blog hop giveaway: 

TO ENTER:

There are several ways to enter and the more comments you make in the different social media outlets, the more entries you earn! It is required that you comment on each blog in the Hop.  After that, you are encouraged to like, and comment on our Facebook page, tag on our Instagram post and pin on Pinterest, as well as share on your own pages. The participant with the most entries wins the fabulous prize package! How cool is that!?!

CHRISTMAS STAMPS AND DIES are 45% off!! Stock up now :)

Also order over $75 and get $10 off, code $10off75

Stop by and have a look at Sue's LOVEly creations here.... (sorry for the pun. No not sorry really)

In case you are lost here is the complete hop:

1. Laura's Loft

2. Deana Benson

3. Jasmine Burgess

4. Robbie Rubala

5. Heart of Craft ← you are here!

6. Sue T

7. Kim

8. Linda Gorman

9. Lisa Bedigian

10. Valentina Delmonte

Small print! For competition T&C's please see Laura's website. Some products in this post have been provided for use by Laura's Loft but all views are my own!

Laura's Loft Shop and Hop- Ringing in the Holidays

If you missed it please do check out the previous stop and the gorgeous work of Jasmine here

Jasmine is also our lovely guest designer this month, so be sure to check out her work!

My card for this month's hop features the gorgeous Altenew's Pine and Poinsetta set again.

The background is a piece of white cardstock cut to 4" x 5.25". I then sponged on Distress Inks in

 Evergreen Bough, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Crushed Olive using my Ranger Round Mini Ink Blending Foam. Leave some of the central area white. Then spritz with some water and blot it.  Stamp on the top left with Penny Black's Pine Silhouettes stamp using Memento Inks on Bamboo Leaves, then Cottage Ivy then Cottage Ivy and Black together. Stamp the trees from Penny Black's Nature's Friends in the bottom right using the first two colours only. Add some highlights to the trees and branches using a white gelly roll pen. Stamp the pine cones from the Altenew set on a separate piece of cardstock using Memento Black. Colour using Prismacolour pencils in browns and purples, blending as you go. Cut them out and adhere them to your base image. Stick panel to a base kraft card. Highlight the edges of the cones using a Marvy Snow Marker or Liquid Applique. Let dry and puff up using a hairdryer or embossing gun. Add some sparkle with Stardust Stickle glue. Let dry. Stamp and emboss your sentiment (I used Merry Christmas from a Christmas wording sent by Momenta) in  Wow Sparkling Snow Embossing Glitter (also available from Laura's Loft) on some vellum. Adhere to card. 

This months BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY is fantastic!

On to the important stuff...how do you win those lovely prizes?

TO ENTER:

1. Follow Laura's Loft on IG @InLaurasLoft, like the IG Hop/Giveaway post and tag a friend. as many as you like but one tag per comment please (this part is for extra entries).  If you do not have IG, just let Laura know.

2.Visit & Like Laura's Loft store page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lauras.Loft.Shop

3. Leave a comment at each stop on the blog hop including Laura's.

After doing these 3 things, fill out the rafflecopter to be entered!!  Yay!

What is more she has some fabulous deals for you too (so no-one has to miss out on the fun!)

All Christmas Stamps and Dies are 30% off (discounted price shown) until stock runs out.

 WRMK products on sale 20% off with code WRMK20% from Dec. 3rd through Jan. 3

See Cindy's lovely cards here:

In case you are lost here is the complete hop:

1. Laura's Loft  

2. Deana Benson

3. Robbie Rubala 

4. LeeAnn McKinney

5. Debbie Brunssen

6. Joy Hadden

7. Lisa Bedigian

8. Jasmine Burgess 

9. Heart of Craft   ← you are here!

10. So Stinkin' Crafty 

Small print! For competition T&C's please see Laura's website. Some products in this post have been provided for use by Laura's Loft but all views are my own

Winter Wonderland with Laura's Shop and Hop

If you missed it please do check out the previous stop and the lovely creations of Cindy here

This month I am using the gorgeous Altenew's Poinsetta and Pine stamp collection from Laura's fantastic shop to create my card. 

I started by cutting some Recollections white cardstock a fraction smaller than my blue background card, at 4" by 5.25". I then used my Ranger Round Mini Ink Blending Foam and started to blend on some Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Chipped Sapphire. I over stamped this with a tiny snowflake from Stampendous's Christmas Charms set using Summer Sky Memento Ink. I tried first with Distress Ink but the stamp was so tiny the image bled alot. I also used Penny Black's All Is Bright set for more snowflakes in varying sizes using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. This was all over stamped on one side using Heidi Swapp's music stamp and Memento Bahama Blue. I then sprayed water on top and blotted immediately. 

The edges of the card were pressed into an embossing ink pad and then sprinkled with Wow Sparkling Snow Embossing Glitter. I love this powder so much, it melts really nicely and gives such a lovely ice/snow/ seasonal effect! The glitter stays put too. 

Then I printed the poinsetta from Altenew's set using Black Memento Ink and coloured with Prismacolours in tones of blue, white and purple, blending as I went. Then cut a second smaller layer of the front leaves and repeat. Leave the centre uncoloured. Use some clear Aleene's glue to glue some tiny sequins and beads from Baby It's Cold sequin mix. These are exclusive to Laura's Loft and are really pretty so do have a look!. Let dry and use a small foam pad to adhere to the base layer.

Attach some larger foam pads to the back of the poinsetta. Wrap some silver thread from a spool around your hand to form a circle. Arrange on card, making sure the ends are where one of the foam pads will be. (You could stick down one pad on top first and the leave a gap on the back of the poinsetta). Adhere the poinsetta and voila...Winter Wonderland!

This months blog hop prize (see Laura's website for entry requirements) is this lovely parcel of goodies, just in time for your holiday card making!

CF "Sleigh Bells" Stamp, CF "Bell Tag Fri-dies", VT "Holly Jolly" enamel dots & LLDCB "O' Tannenbaum" sequins

This month there is also generous 20% off Avery Elle stamps (ending 11/28/2015). Just use code AE20% at the checkout. 

Before hopping back to the beginning if you missed it to see what Laura has in store for you.

Here is the complete list in case you missed it:
This months guest bloggers:

Jasmine Burgess

Linda Gorman

1. Laura's Loft

2. Deanna Benson

3. Robbie Rubala

4. Debbie Brunssen

5. LeeAnn McKinney

6. Lisa Bedigian

7. Joy Hadden

8. Linda Gorman  

9. Jasmine Burgess 

10. Cindy Dooley  

11. Heart of Craft ← you are here!

Small print! For competition T&C's please see Laura's website. Some products in this post have been provided for use by Laura's Loft but all views are my own.