Fruit and Flowers hello

(Edited to say: Sorry this is so late - I was out this morning and dear old Mr Blogger was obviously having a scheduling blip!)

One of my favourite sets from the soon-to-retire spring mini catalogue is Fruit and Flowers. I've found myself returning to it time and again and its versatility has astonished me. Here's a note card I made when I was experimenting with the beautiful large flowers in the set:

The flowers look as if they've been stamped using the rock 'n' roll technique don't they? Well actually, I  just inked the image up in Regal Rose and added a little darker colour to the edges of the rubber with a Melon Mambo marker. It's the way to get the rock 'n rolled look but without getting your stamps all inky!

And here's a close up. I love the way these gorgeous designer brads fit so perfectly in the centres of the flowers!

Have you noticed the designer paper the sentiment strip is matted onto? It's another lovely floral from Beyond the Garden, one of the ranges you can get for free this month with an order of £45 or more. The leaf overlapping it is from the two step bird punch - surely one of the most useful punches ever made!

Here's what you'll need to make today's card:

Stamps: Fruit and Flowers, retired sentiment

Ink: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue

Card stock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery

Other: Markers, Beyond the Garden designer paper, designer brads, two step bird punch

I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and can have them delivered to your address in the UK. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on 01280 820593. And don't forget to add a free pack of designer paper if your order is £45 or more (Offer limited to one pack per qualifying order - click here for details).

What a morning I had yesterday! Once I'd taken my youngest off to school, I clicked into Chore mode. It was pouring with rain and blowing up a gale but I was determined to get things done quickly and efficiently: shop at supermarket, send parcel at post office, order book for son at library, collect re-heeled shoes... The minute I put my umbrella up, it turned inside out and the ensuing struggle must have provided plenty of entertainment for Buckingham residents. I gave up after a while and resigned myself to getting drenched. Of course, no sooner did I struggle indoors with three heavy bags of shopping and a comedy hairstyle than the sun came out, birds began to sing and I felt that the weather might just as well have placed its thumb on its nose and waggled its fingers at me! Grrrrr!

If you like to make stylish cards really fast, then why not come and see what I've made for Three Minute Thursday tomorrow? Hope to see you then,