A Notably Ornate Christmas

With an fat, new catalogue coming out on Monday, I've been packing away all my retiring sets ready to make room for lots of exciting new ones. Is there anything more fun than playing with new stamp sets?! By the way, if you live in the UK and you'd like to put your feet up with one of the new catalogues, I can post one to your door for £4.95 - you won't be disappointed I promise you! Just email me to order one.

Of course, while putting the retiring stamps away, I couldn't resist having a go with some of them, including Notably Ornate. Now, this isn't a set you would immediately associate with Christmas but I had a sudden idea... come and see:

I started by swiping Whisper White craft ink over a Baja Breeze card base, masking off the centre and inking the exposed edges with Baja Breeze ink. To add dimension to the paler part, I scored the join with my Simply Scored board and added a little shading with a watercolour pencil.

The swallow in the Notably Ornate set makes a brilliant dove: I stamped him onto Whisper White card stock, cut him out without including the fork in his tail and added dove-like markings on the other side with the watercolour pencil. I thought this sprig from Tags 'til Christmas made a reasonable olive branch.

All that was needed was a suitable sentiment and I chose this one from my Jolly Jingles wheel. Now wouldn't this be an excellent card to send to a feuding relative!

If you'd like to make some of these little doves, Sunday is the last day to order the Notably Ornate set - and everything else on the Retirement lists! Check them out here and email your order through to me before 8pm on Sunday at the latest.

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Notably Ornate (retiring), Tags 'til Christmas, Jolly Jingles wheel
Ink: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Whisper White craft ink
Card stock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Other: Old Olive marker, Watercolour Pencils, Simply Scored, paper snips, stamp-a-majig
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight 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.

I don't know why I made a Christmas card for today as the bizarre wintery weather we've been having has been interrupted by a day of glorious warm sunshine! It was just the weather for me to venture into the garden with a pair of secateurs and do battle with the triffids - and you'll be glad to know we can sleep safely in our beds tonight!

Have a lovely weekend won't you, and I'll be back very soon.
Hugs,

PS The lovely Sandra has reminded me that a Christmas card is all that's required for Rudolph Day! This will be my second entry - go me!