31.03.2019

5 years of Avery Elle

5 years ago I shared my first post as a design team member for Avery Elle Stamps.  I can’t quite believe it’s been that long and so today I’m sharing a post to say “THANK YOU” to Jamie for having such faith and trust in me and to the rest of the team for being just so damn awesome!

I thought I’d share that first card again – I still love that set although it’s now retired.  It was one of the first sets I bought, along with Bonjour (the macarons set).  My photography skills have certainly improved a little in that time I think!!

 

Joining the Avery Elle team has not only given me so many opportunities (that I don’t think I would have had without it) but has brought so many new friends in to my life too.  Even though I didn’t know the first thing about designing stamps, I thought it would be something I’d like to try.  Without the encouragement from both Jamie and my fellow teamie, friend and talented illustrator Heather Campbell it would’ve probably ended right there – as a thought.  I’ve now illustrated 24 stamp sets and even a couple of die collections!  I still can’t believe it!

One of the things that has brought me so much joy has been getting the chance to attend Creativation (formerly CHA) for the past 4 shows.  Being in the UK and most of my fellow crafting idols being in the US, I never thought I’d get to meet so many of them in person.  It’s been such a thrill to work in the Avery Elle booth with Jamie, Heather Campbell, Karolyn Loncon, Katie Ghering and Amy Kolling.  I don’t think I laugh as hard anywhere else as I do when I’m with these exceptional ladies.  Not to mention all the other fabulous people from the crafting world – and it’s an incredible world to be part of.

Here’s a few pics of some of those happy times.

 

 

Look at us in those fabulous pinnies!  I just love these girls with all my heart.

It’s been an incredible journey and I truly hope I can stay a part of it for many years to come.  Long Live Avery Elle.

 

 

 

11.03.2019

Heffy Friends Blog Hop

 

Hey there!  I’m so excited to be part of the Heffy Friends Blog Hop.  You should have hopped here from the gorgeous blog of Caly Person but if you want to go back to the start the list is at the bottom of the post.

I’m a big fan of the lovely Lesley Oman who owns and runs Heffy Doodle Stamps – she’s a doll and her products are so fun and original! Today I am playing with the Gnome Matter What stamp set – those wee guys are so cute.  I created a scene using some retired Avery Elle dies as I didn’t have what I wanted in my Heffy Doodle stash!  The images are stamped and the coloured with Copics and then fussy cut.  Don’t you just love that sentiment?!

 

The winner (chosen at random) who leaves a comment on each stop on the hop will receive a £50 voucher to the Heffy Doodle store. Winners will be announced on Monday, March 18, 2019 on the Heffy Doodle Blog.

 

Hope you’re enjoying the inspiration.  Your next stop is the fabulous Ashley Cornell.  Have fun!

Heffy Doodle

Nina-Marie Trampani

Justine Hovey

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Caly Person

Caryn Davies (me!!)

Ashley Cornell

Jessica Frost-Ballas

Angelica Conrad

Laurel Beard

 

08.03.2019

Avery Elle … Orchid

Hey there Avery Elle fans. I’m here today with a card featuring the new Orchid stamp set along with some of my all-time favourite Avery Elle products.  I also wanted to see how the new Gemini Foil Press machine worked with the cover dies we have available and the result is stunning.  I have a little video to share showing how I created this card.  (Sincere apologies for the lack of voiceover – I have tonsilitis at the moment so was unable to record a video narration.  If anyone has any questions I’d be happy to answer them in the comments).

I started with some Ranger watercolour cardstock and used the Polka Plate cover die with gold foil in the foil press machine.  In the video you will see I made a sort of template using vellum to make sure the card is placed in the correct position.  I stole that top tip from Julie Ebersole!!  Once it was pressed with the foil I created a water coloured background over it using Avery Elle water colours in Cherry and Sugar Plum and set it aside to dry.

 

Meanwhile I stamped the Orchid images onto some more water colour card using Versamark and heat embossed them in gold embossing powder.  I coloured them using the water colours (Cherry for the petals, Celery for the leaves and Sea Glass for the pot) and then die cut them.

 

To diffuse the colours a little on the background piece I added a small panel of vellum then adhered the die cut pieces and finished with some iridescent sequins and a gold embossed happy birthday sentiment from the set.

 

Supplies