16.05.2014

It’s the small things in life that mean the most.

Just popping with a quick post this morning to share a card I whipped up yesterday evening.  When I came home from work there was a small padded envelope on my desk and the label said it was from Simon Says Stamp.  Now, I shop there a fair bit but I knew I wasn’t waiting for an order – how curious!!  When I opened it there was a letter and a die set (Partial Cut Flowers) from their new release, Pure Sunshine and a lovely letter telling me to feel free to play with them and share anything I made on my blog!!  I know my friend Michelle (the Card Grotto) received a gift too and probably MANY others around the world.  I know it’s marketing and its a great way to promote their product BUT – they never promoted they were doing it, they just sent them out and now lots of crafters have had their day lifted and a smile put on their faces because of a gesture by a company that  frankly, is successful enough without needing to do that!!  I am so impressed!  I loved shopping with SSS anyway (despite the sometimes long wait for delivery)  but this has shown me what a great company they really are and whoever is behind this marketing stroke of genius needs a pay rise!!!

Anyway, I thought “the children don’t need to be fed RIGHT away – lets see what this little die set does”!!.  And here is the (very quick) card I made.  Thank you so much Simon Says Stamp peeps – you are AWESOME!

partial flowers SSSI used my other new set (from Simon Says Stamp as it happens) Sketchy Letters by Mama Elephant (LOVE).  Don’t look too closely – the letters aren’t lined up quite as I’d have liked but I was in a rush!!!!).

Right, better get on with what I’m supposed to be doing – just wanted to share a little story about good customer care when all too often we complain about the exact opposite!!!!

ETA: The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is “Die Crazy” – need to link this baby up then don’t I?!

22.03.2014

Still digging the gold!!!

I’m back sharing a card today using the stunning Elegant Butterflies set from this month’s release at Clearly Besotted (ssshhhh – this set is currently in stock – grab it before it flies away again!!).  I love the butterflies and font combinations in this set, they’re so……elegant!!

I also had a go at the technique Julie Ebersole shared in the Online Card Class (Clean and Simple 3) showing a diffused panel of embossing.  Whilst I’ve seen this many times before on cards I’ve never actually tried it.  Steph is releasing some more stand alone dies soon now at Clearly Besotted and I used one of her new labels dies for the centre panel.  The rest I debossed with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder (haven’t used one of those in YEARS!!!).

Especially For You butterfly

And here’s a close up of the butterfly – I coloured him in using a gold Wink Of Stella brush (swoon) and then smothered him in glossy accents – look at that shine!!

Especially For You butterfly detail

Well, I’ve been very busy behind the scenes here preparing for some exciting things ahead!  More on that next week – pop back on Monday to hear my (earth-shatteringly exciting) news!!!

Oh, and the current theme over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is …GLITTER!  I couldn’t NOT share this card and join in this week, could I?

wed-challenge-badge_zpsf506d7ee

Enjoy your weekends everyone!!


10.01.2014

Clearly Besotted Challenge – LOVE

ChallengeHello, here with details of this month’s challenge over at Clearly Besotted Stamps.  If you’re new to CBS then where have you been??? LOL!  Steph and Jenny are an amazing team who produce top quality stamps and dies, on trend designs and customer service that literally cannot be beaten.  I’m so lucky to be one of the design team members and every month starting at 10am on the 10th Steph hosts a challenge.  The only rule is you must use at least one CBS product to qualify for the prize.  The theme for the month of January is “LOVE” and with all the gorgeous stamps available at CBS I’m sure you will all come up with something beautiful!  Check out all the DT inspiration and full details on Steph’s blog.

So onto my card.  I have used the newly released Key To My Heart stamp set and dies and the Love Hearts stamps and dies.  I made a stencil using the Simon Says Stamp Falling Hearts die (one of my favourite products ever) and mixed some translucent embossing paste (tinted with food colouring gel of all things!!) to give me a soft pink shade to match in with the inks (Mama Elephant).

key to my heart (3)

Well, that’s it from me for today.  I hope you get a chance to play along with this month’s challenge and can’t wait to see all your creations.

Hugs,

Caryn