Hey Y'all .... I'm Back

Hey y'all...  This is a long post, so grab a cuppa and a comfy seat...

So that's it, my last global trip is done and dusted and life as I have known it for the last 3.5 years is about to change as I start a new job (same company) on June 1st.  I'll still have some travel but it will be Europe and maybe a couple of times a month rather than long stretches (I have just spent an amazing 5 weeks in the USA).

It's going to be a little strange not travelling that much but I am looking forward to crafting regularly again and getting on with my life in general. I have loved being able to see both sides of the world and wouldn't change it for a thing, but I am looking forward to some consistency in my daily life and spending more time at home.

I thought long and hard about if I should come back to blogging at all.... in the end I have decided to give it a go and see how I get on, knowing that I probably wont be able to post on a daily basis and there will be times when I just physically do not have the time...

I also really want to work on my photography... I have become really lazy with it, not just in card making but even taking my camera out with me, I blame using my iPhone when I am out and about, so I am going to take an online photography course and see if I can remember how to use the manual mode.

I will be selling some of my pre-loved stash over on my Facebook page, other pages on Facebook (specifc for SU and dies etc) and probably some on here.  I spent some time back at Christmas labeling and sorting out everything and just need to take some pictures of it. 

Selling this stash will let me finish sorting out my craft space so I am 100% happy and hopefully I will manage a new craft room tour in the mix of it.

Finally, I'll be bagging up some cards to sell for charity... although not decided on which one yet! These will mainly be aimed at my non-card making friends but any left I will donate to the local hospice for them to sell on...

I'm sorry for the really long post, but I do have a card to share with you all today!

I really loved this set and had be waiting ages for it to come back into stock over at Simon Says Stamp ...

This was a really easy card to make, but I think it is the simplicity that makes it... and it takes me back to my pure Clean & Simple routes.

I stamped the long image from Honey Bee Zen Floral set in Versafine Clair Black ink across a top fold card made of Neenah 110lb card stock using my MISTI.

This ink is simply stunning as was a great buy back in November at the NEC... Just wish I had picked up a couple more colours.

The card is finished off with a strip of Coast Cabana card stock from Stampin Up and a sentiment from Clearly Besotted Stamps Sentimental Type set.

That's all from me today... sorry to bore you with a really long post!  Hope you all have a lovely day, I'll be back soon with another share

Happy Crafting

Jen xx

Happy Easter

Good afternoon from Nashville... I'm currently spending the Easter break here and taking a well deserved break from working...

I have a week or so more before I come home but I thought I would share a quick Easter card with you today that I made for my dear friend Rachel.  This was another fabulous set from Mama Makes I picked up before my travels.

Items used:
Stamps: Mama Makes Hello Spring
Dies etc: Papertrey Ink Linen Plate, Lil Inkers Rounded Stitched Rectangles
Paper: Doodlebug

I'm not great a writing down what I used.... must get better.  I have also decided not to re-new the linky when I get back as I'm trying to craft with what I have and with so much stash no longer available I don't want that to put me off using what I love... I just want to get back into crafting and not have to worry about if its still current or not.. Although I know its frustrating when you see someone use stash that you cannot get any longer.

I've managed to do some serious crafty shopping whilst on my trip.. a whole suitcase full and I am looking forward to using it all!

Hope you all have a lovely long weekend

Jen xx

Happy Mothers Day

Hello, it's Mothers Day in the UK so I thought I would share a couple of the cards I made... I have been trying really hard to use that mass of unused stash whilst I was at home...

The first card uses some retired Stampin Up stamp sets and a distress oxide background (sorry I am typing this up whilst away and no idea of all the sets)

Stamps: Petite Petals Stamps & Punch from Stampin Up; Simon Says Stamp Kaleidoscope Leaves Background.

I started sorting out DSP and other bits a pieces to sell when I get home but found this gorgeous Stampin Up paper in the process.  I had to use it as the main element of the card below.

Hope all the mums out there have a fabulous day...

Jen xx

Clever Fox

Morning.. so last week I found a new UK stamp company.. Mamma Makes when a crafty friend posted on Facebook about their new release.  Even in the snow the stamps arrived in 2 days and I could not wait to return from my travels to use them!

This is using the adorable Woodland Friends.. go over to the shop and take a peek.. you will love them!!

Inspiration:
CAS(e) This Sketch #261

Supplies:
Stamps: Woodland Friends from Mamma Makes, Make Your Mark Background from MFT
Dies:  Single Stitched Line Square Frames MTF
Embellishments: Wooden Stars Lawn Fawn
Cardstock: Neenah Solar White 80lb, Soft Sky from Stampin Up
Versamagic ink

I have a few cards made so if I get chance to type them up I may pop in now and then before I'm back from the USA...

Have a great Monday

Jen xxx

Hope Your Day Is Magical... LOTV Sneak Peek!

Morning.... before I take a few weeks break again I thought I would share a card using one of the new images from Lili Of The Valley.  These are out on Monday 5th March in digi format! There are 12 images of girls and fairies in total!

I could not resist this little cutie ..

I have kept the card simple and used some brighter colours to colour in the scene.  I wasn't sure if it was a bee or a butterfly, but I chose a bee just to be different!

I've have been crafting away in the back ground the last few weeks but seem to keep starting and stopping with the blogging as I run out of time... My globetrotting will be coming to an end by June 1st so fingers crossed I have more time for crafting and blogging. Once the travel starts again next week, I will be having an extended break until at least mid April as I go into the last phase of this project at work!

Hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday

Jen xxx

Embossed Birthday

Morning.. I'm back for a second challenge this month as Guest Designer over at Less Is More.  This weeks challenge is Dry Embossing

Use your imagination and add some Dry Embossing to your card.. I went for dry embossing using a stencil from Simon Says Stamp.  Here is my card..

Hope you all have a great Saturday

Jen xxx

DJ

Morning... So Sarah talked me into joining in with the Less Is More 7th Birthday celebrations this month! After a couple of months off (I had an operation just before Christmas and it threw me out more than expected ) and the last 3 weeks in California I am looking forward to getting stuck back in to crafting.

This week the first of the birthday celebration challenged is

Here is my card..

I used one of the fabulous new boy images from lili of the valley and coloured it in with my copics.  Keeping to my clean and simple style I added a sentiment.

The next few months is going to be hectic... i'm on the last phase on a 3 year project with travel to the US until the end of April... then I get some normality to my life back!

Hope you all have a fabulous Saturday

Jen xxxx