Congratulations Bear Card

Have I mentioned how much I love Lili of the Valley?! They just create such adorable characters. One of my recent competition winnings with them including James the Bear "peeping" as a simply print, and I thought it would make a lovely card to welcome a new baby to the world (yes, I have another nephew!)

I printed the image out on watercolour paper so that it looked more like a drawing, and lightly coloured it in with pencils. I mounted it on some crinkly gold paper and an offset cream card. Before mounting, I put the cream card in my Cricut to have the perfectly written "Congratulations" - I love that I can add words so easily!

Pink Art Deco Card

Believe it or not, I've made another birthday card using my Cricut! I made this using the design #M379C9 from the Art Deco cartridge, although you can tell I didn't quite get everything lined up perfectly! I used a textured cream card base and various pink papers/cards from my stash. This was a bit fiddly to put together, but I do like it, especially with the addition of the Cricut-written text. Finally, I added some pink Liquid Pearls for highlights.

A Cuppa Cocoa Card

I made this card for someone who loves their warm comforting drinks! I felt like experimenting with my beautiful Whispers Strokes pens, and I blended them using my water brushes - they are so convenient. I love how I can layer up these water-based pens to add shading, and I took extra joy in drawing the layer of whipped cream with just hints of gentle colour. I wanted some extra sparkle so added some glitter paint to finish off. Just a shame it's not edible!

Tin Inspired Tenth Wedding Anniversary Card

I'm a hoarder. The first step to recovery is admission, right?! As a hoarder, when I knew my sister's 10th wedding anniversary was approaching, and I found out the theme was tin, I knew I would have something lying around that would be appropriate! And sure enough, in one of my many boxes I have a stash of old foil trays from shop bought pies - you never know when you might need something ;) I recently got my personal collection of templates organised, so (once I'd remembered where I'd decided to store it) I was able to quickly grab a heart shape and use it to cut a heart out of "tin". I decorated the heart by simply indenting using a sharp pencil, and mounted it on some maroon and cream cards I have. I added the number '10' using silver peel-offs - it's always handy to have some in stock!

Crochet Giraffe

I think anyone who has been in the blogging world of crochet over the last 18 months has seen this giraffe pattern... Well, I too fell in love with it, and knew it would be great for my nephew's 1st Birthday :)

I often try to stay away from the pink for girls and blue for boys, and focus on fun, bright colours. I was pulled towards this colour combination, a bit wary of people's opinions... But my husband pointed out that they were actually quite appropriate for a giraffe! I just had my heart set on orange and grey.

I love how the colours worked out in the end. In fact, I just love this little guy! The temptation to keep him for myself has been strong ;) I added some cream stripes randomly into the orange and gry, and I think it breaks it up and adds some character.

I also gave him a plaited tail - I thought he needed it! When referencing this pattern I couldn't find many views of the back of him, or what he looks like stood up, so I've included these shots below: