Retail Therapy

The thing that I love about the Jolly Nation images from The Crafthouse Press, is that there is always someone in your life that one of their characters seems to capture perfectly. The number of times, I've looked at one of their wonderful fun images and thought ... and instantly I know exactly who to make and give that card to. And with this card, I'm 100% sure that we all know someone in our lives that loves a bit of retail therapy from time to time.

This particular card is part of The Crafthouse Press' new Celebrations ~ 3D Die Cut Box Card range and I think they make the most amazing little cards and gifts for that special person. Once all the elements are punched out, it's just a matter of putting the card together, I recommend using extra strong adhesive tape to hold everything in place securely. I then added each layer, at equal distance inside of the box, starting at the back and working forward and gradually building up the scene. As finishing touches, I highlighted certain areas on the card with Stickles glitter glue and added sparkly adhesive gems.

Into The Groove

I love using products from The Crafthouse Press because they always come up with such quirky and original designs and ideas. This particular card was made using the "Jolly Nation, Decades - 3D Decoupage Pack" and if you love music, you will adore these papers and decoupage sheets to work with. The set includes characters from the 60's right up until the 1980's...which is what you see here....

Being a huge fan of Madonna, how could I not make this card and the idea behind the card was to capture the feel of the 80's. So, once the decoupage character was all cut out by hand and layered up, using foam pads for height, I then cut a circle from the matching backing papers and added a neon-pink bow! You also get some added elements to cut out and on this card, I used the Smash Hits magazine and the little personal stereo icons, just as a finishing touch...

A Perfect 10!

Another card made from The Crafthouse Press' - "Jolly Nation ~ Couples" decoupage series and this time, it's Salsa Time. 

This was such a fun image to work with and seeing as this couple are having the time of their lives and enjoying themselves dancing a red hot salsa, there was only one colourway that I was choosing as backing papers...and that was, RED and BLACK! 

Once I'd decoupaged the image of the dancing couple, using foam pads for height and definition ... I used this vibrant red backing paper on an A5 card which, as in a previous post, I'd folded back the front section, to give me a tri-fold card. I placed the decoupaged couple, the greeting plaque and the perfect 10 score, on the front folded section of the card and then on the back section of the card, I stamped a swirl image using Anna Griffin's acrylic stamp to give that Latin feel to the overall appearance of the card. After adding a few crystal gems and a touch of Stickles Glitter Glue, the card is complete.

Dance the Night Away

Another day and another wonderful set of decoupage images from The Crafthouse Press. These designs are from the "Jolly Nation ~ Couples Collection" and feature the Charleston Couple. Once the image was decoupaged, I cut a piece of the backing paper which complements the design perfectly and matted it onto a DL size card.

Then with my new, much loved and much wanted toy, (yes, I finally treated myself to it for Christmas and I will never look back) the Epic 6 die cutting and embossing machine from Quickutz, I embossed the background matt to the main image, with the dots embossing folder.

Before adhering the decoupaged couple to the rest of the card, I hand glittered the skirt and wrapped a small piece of organza ribbon around her waist. As a final flourish and the finishing touch, I used a small adhesive stone on the headband and added some shimmer touches and highlights to the image.

Pride & Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, just happens to be one of my favourite all time books ~ so, when I received these beautiful decoupage images from The Crafthouse Press, featuring Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, I just knew I would love working with them and I most certainly did.

When the images and backing papers are combined, they make such an effective, elegant card that would be perfect for anybody who loves this book as much as I do!

The final cards have all been delivered...

And I hope that everyone who I've sent a card to this year, has loved what they've received, just as much as I've loved making each and every single one of them.

All these cards were made using the same method ... rubber stamping. But by using different ink pads, embossing powders and techniques, it shows just how versatile a rubber stamp can be.

He knows when you've been good or bad...

Snowman by Jolly Nation

Hand painting an image can make each individual card look so different. On this card, I co-ordinated the colours in the image to the background papers to make it a fun looking, contemporary card!

The Holly & The Ivy

Bejewelled Tree ~ The Easel Card

So, all that's left for me to do, as I stay warm and cosy inside, listen to Christmas songs playing, whilst watching the snow fall to the ground once more, is ... wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope that you all have a wonderful 2010!

Happy Christmas, everyone!!! ~xo