Gorgeous Gift Tags IG Hop - August 26

Hello and welcome back to my blog lovely friends. It's a busy day on my blog today as this is my third post!  It's time for the Gorgeous Gift Tags IG Hop, which takes place on the 5th of each month. You always have the option to go for anything goes but the extra prompt this month is 'baby shower'. I was a little daunted when I saw this theme as I've never made a baby shower anything before but obviously it's the same as a welcome baby card just with a slightly different sentiment.  So get creating and let's see all your baby themed tags. I can't wait to see what the rest of my fellow hoppers have made and I hope you can pop over to Instagram and join us.

I thought it would be fun to create a onesie shaped tag and went with a gender neutral colour scheme so that it could be used for a boy or a girl.  I even did some paper piecing on this one!  I think it turned out super cute and I hope you like it.

Here is my tag:

A closer look at the cute image:

Plus I decorated the back of the tag:

I began by die cutting two of the onesies from white card and two from neutral patterned paper and I adhered one paper onesie to one white card onesie for each side of my tag.  I stamped the image on darker striped paper and also a light spotty paper and fussy cut them out.  I added some crystal glaze to the large heart and the cluster of smaller hearts.  I stamped the sentiment onto the same paper as the tag using brown ink and also fussy cut it out.  I also cut the hole reinforcer from the darker striped paper.  I decorated the background with some stars in various shades of brown ink before adding the image and sentiment with foam tape.   I inked the edges with the brown ink.  For the back of the tag I stamped the sentiment with brown ink and also added some stars around it in the lighter brown inks and again inked around the edges with the brown ink.  I adhered both tags together using liquid glue and tied a ribbon and some twine through the hole for a finishing touch.  

I would like to enter my tag into the following challenges:

A Cut Above challenge - ATG with a die cut optional fall flowers

A Place to Start challenge - ATG optional twist no rectangles

As You Like It challenge - favourite safari animal (another favourite is the elephant, they are such intelligent and empathetic animals, caring for each one in the herd)

Critter Crazy challenge - ATG with a featured critter

Daisy Chain challenge - animals

Heart's Quest for Shaped Cards & Tags challenge - ATG

Paper Rocks Scissors challenge - I used scraps of paper for my image and fussy cut it out

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - monochrome

Sweet Stampin' challenge - stripes or chevrons (I stamped my elephant onto striped paper)

Tag-along (& ATC'S) challenge - fashion or ATG 

The Little Things challenge - flamingo and/or elephant 

We hope you will be inspired by our Gorgeous Gift Tags Instagram Hop and will pop over and check out all the gorgeous tags along the way. If you would like to join us please visit my Instagram page or use the hashtag #gorgeousgifttagsaugust2026 and we will find your tags.

Thanks for stopping by and take care.

Lots of love,

tag supplies:

Creative Expressions - new arrival - baby onesie die set

Kraftin' Kimmie - baby love stamp - retired

Gina K Designs - ink pads - sandy beach, kraft, warm cocoa

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Tonic Studios - Nuvo crystal glaze clear

Tonic Studios - craft perfect classic jute twine

Echo Park - dots & stripes Christmas collection 6x6 pad

Echo Park - dots & stripes summer 6x6 pad

Basic Grey - basics manila 6x6 pad

I now have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my links as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you x

Card Clubhouse IG Hop - Week 16

Hello again lovely friends; I'm back to share my card for the Card Clubhouse IG hop organised by my sweet friend Kelly. We are on Week 16 and our theme is 'back to YOUR class' so we want you to make a card, not to be confused with back to school, YOU are the teacher so show us your speciality!  I'm sure this is going to be such much fun and such a varied hop this week and I can't wait to see what sparks your imagination.

If I was ever going to teach a class it would be totally chaotic as I love so many things such as stamping, colouring, ink blending, die cutting....the list goes on. So I decided to include most of them on my card this week lol!  My husband was rolling his eyes when I told him I was making a card for our cat's birthday but they are still part of the family aren't they?  Willow is 5 and she has a favourite giraffe toy (appropriately called giraffio) so that was the focal point on my card.  I hope you like it. 

Here is my card:

A closer look at the details:

plus I decorated the inside:

Here is a photo of Willow with Giraffio

I began by cutting a kraft card panel 4" x 5 1/4" and used a 'crackle' embossing folder to add some texture.  I also ink blended around the edge with a brown ink pad for some extra interest.  I stamped the image, coloured it with Promarkers and used the coordinating die to cut it out (I also cut 2 more from white card so that I could stack them).  I die cut a tag from white card and ink blended around the edge with yellow ink.  I die cut the letters to spell Willow from brown card and the number 5 from a deep yellow pearlescent card (I also cut the hole reinforcer for the tag from this card).  I adhered everything to the tag using liquid glue.  I added some yellow ribbon to the tag with liquid glue and also made a bow and adhered that with strong red line tape.  I added some scrap white card behind the tag and adhered that over the embossed background with double sided tape.  The panel was then added to my card base using double sided tape.  For a final finishing touch I added some crystal glaze to the brown patches of the giraffe.  For the inside I cut a white panel 4" x 5 1/4" and embossed a small piece of the kraft card, again adding some brown ink over top and adhered it o the bottom of the panel with double sided tape.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre with brown ink and added the panel to the card base using double sided tape.  

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

A Cut Above challenge - ATG with a die cut optional fall flowers

Addicted to Stamps & More challenge - birthdays

As You Like It challenge - favourite safari animal (I think giraffes are a wonder of nature with their long necks; how do they keep their heads up?!  Also Willow loves giraffes too)

Creative Friday challenge - dry embossing

Critter Crazy challenge - ATG with a featured critter

Daisy Chain challenge - animals

Inspiration Station challenge - inspiration photo (I was inspired by the colours)

Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge - happy birthday

The Neglected Stuff challenge - I've had this stamp and EF for years and never used them

Tic Tac Toe challenge - board #298 - middle vertical line: ribbon/twine, free, yellow

I hope you will pop over to Instagram and check out the hop; please use the hashtag #cardclubhousehop2026 to see all the gorgeous creations and also if you want to participate we will be able to find you.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I have one more post for you today so I hope you can pop back and check it out.  

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

Doodlebug & Sizzix - baby boy clear stamp (for giraffe) - discontinued

Promarkers

Waffle Flower - nesting tags dies

Creative Expressions - crackle embossing folder

MFT - little letters die set

MFT - by the numbers die set

Gina K Designs - on the inside stamp (for inside sentiment)

Gina K Designs - dark chocolate ink pad

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card (for card base)

kraft card and ribbon from my stash

I now have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my links as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Thank you x

Uniko's Christmas *almost* in July - day 2 introductions

Good morning friends and welcome back to my blog. It's day two of introductions for Uniko's Christmas *almost* in July release. Our next introduction is a fantastic clear stamp set called 'Rustic Snowflake'. This is a beautiful stamp set and there are so many possibilities of how to use it.

Here is my card:

A closer look at the details:

Plus I decorated the inside:

I began by cutting a white panel 4" x 5 1/4" and using versamark ink stamped the snowflakes in each corner of the panel.  I used white embossing powder and heat set it until it was melted.  Once it had cooled I took a pink ink pad and lightly blended over the corners leaving some white space in the centre.  For a little more intesity I added some darker pink ink in the very corners and also added some spatter using the dark ink pad.  I found some card stock that matched my ink blending really well so decided to add a mat layer behind my panel so I cut down the white panel slightly and adhered them together using liquid glue.  I used a strip of the same card stock and stamped the sentiment, again using versamark, and heat set it with white embossing powder before adding it to the centre of the panel using liquid glue.  I finished off with some clear solid sequins.  The panel was then adhered to the card base using double sided tape.  For the inside I cut another white panel and dark pink mat layer and adhered them together with liquid glue.  When I was creating the front panel I messed up my first attempt as my paper moved slightly so I took the one corner that was perfect and cut it down into a triangular shape and added that over the white panel using liquid glue.  I stamped the sentiment using the lighter pink ink in the centre and then adhered it to my card base using double sided tape.  

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

AAA Cards challenge - s is for ........... snowflakes

Classic Design challenge - ATG optional any holiday

Do-All Creative challenge - ATG & optional weather (snowflakes)

Girlz Creative Christmas challenge - ATG for Christmas

Moving Along With The Times challenge - feminine

Merry Little Christmas challenge - anything Christmas goes

Peace on Earth Christmas challenge - anything Christmas themed optional mood board

Sparkles Christmas challenge - clean and simple

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - monochrome

Please check out what Bev and my fellow brand ambassadors have created by clicking the links below:

Bev

Izzy

Julie

Natalie

Vinita

I hope you can pop back tomorrow at the same time to see day 3 of the introductions.

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

Uniko - rustic snowflake clear stamp (released on Saturday)

Gina K Designs - ink pads - light carnation and medium carnation

Gina K Designs - ink cubes - light & medium spruce (available as a trio along with dark spruce)

Wow! - opaque bright white super fine embossing powder

Versamark - embossing and watermark ink pad

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card

I have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my links as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Thank you x

Uniko Christmas *almost* in July release - Day 1 of introductions

Good morning friends and welcome back to my blog. It's day one of introductions for Uniko's Christmas *almost* in July release (there was a delay due to products arriving late to Bev).  Our first introduction is 'Ink & Flip - Christmas Star'.  Bev has previously released the Ink & Flip: Christmas star background stencil and this one will nest into the centre of that one or can be used alone.  I love the clean crisp outline of this star and just inking it twice gives you a beautiful result.  

Here is my card:

A closer look at the details:

Plus I decorated the inside:

I began by cutting a white panel 4" x 5 1/4" and using two different shades of blue ink I ink blended the star (I inked the lighter shade first, then flipped over the stencil and did the darker shade).  It's a really easy stencil to line up but looks so crisp and dimensional.  I decided to add a little more interest to my star to grabbed an older Uniko stencil called 'let it snow' and masked off one larger snowflake, which I  added to the centre of my star, and a smaller snowflake, which I randomly ink blended around the star; using the same blue inks as before.  I stamped the sentiments in the light blue ink and then created an ombre look by adding the darker ink at the bottom and softening the line with a blending brush before re-stamping.  I added some silver pearls to the centres of the snowflakes and added the panel to my card base with double sided tape.  For the inside I cut white panel, ink blended the blue ink along the bottom and stencilled some snowflakes using the same blue ink pads.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre using a navy ink pad and adhered the panel to the card base with double sided tape. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

AAA Cards challenge - s is for .... star

Cardz 4 Galz challenge - blue skies

The Crafter's Cafe challenge - ATG optional Christmas in July

Girlz Creative Christmas challenge - anything goes for Christmas

Peace on Earth Christmas challenge - anything Christmas themed optional mood board

Sparkles Christmas challenge - clean and simple

Stencil Fun challenge - use stencils optional theme CAS design style

TGIF challenge - bonus inspiration challenge - I was inspired to make a monochromatic card

Please check out what Bev and the rest of the brand ambassadors have created by clicking the links below:

Bev

Izzy

Julie

Natalie

Vinita

Please pop back tomorrow at the same time to see the day 2 of the introductions.

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

Uniko - Ink & Flip: Christmas Star stencil (available on Saturday)

Uniko - let it snow stencil

Uniko - mid century modern wreath builder clear stamp (for outside sentiment)

Uniko - stunning snowflakes clear stamp (for inside sentiment)

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card (for card base)

Gina K Designs - ink pads - blue sky, blue denim & in the navy

I now have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my links as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you x

Uniko new release sneak peeks!

Hello friends and happy Monday; I hope you all had a good weekend.  It's almost time for the Uniko new release and Bev will be launching her Christmas (almost in July) products on Saturday at 9am so this week is all about the sneak peeks. Bev is introducing two new stamp sets and two new stencils in this release and here's a peek at what's coming soon.

First up is a new 'ink & flip' stencil:

This is one of her clever and innovative stencils and will coordinate with one of her previously released stencils.

Next up is a gorgeous stamp set:

So many possibilities with this lovely set.

Next up is beautiful layering stencil set:

This is a lovely set in Bev's signature style.

Finally another pretty stamp set:

A really useful set, which can be used alone or combined with other Uniko products.

That's all for the peeks but I'll be back with Bev and the other brand ambassadors tomorrow with the first of our introductions. All these items will be available from 9am BST Saturday 8th August, see you tomorrow!

Love and hugs, 

AAA Birthday challenge #88 - flowers

Good morning lovely friends and welcome to August, although I'm not sure what happened to July!  I remember we had a heatwave and my birthday and that's about it haha!  It's hard to believe that another few weeks and we will be rolling into autumn (but I love autumn so that's ok).  

As it's the first of the month it means we have a brand new challenge over at AAA Birthday challenge. This month's theme is 'flowers' and we all love our flowers and pretty colours so I'm sure it will be a popular challenge. Our guest designer this month is Susan aka auntysue so please pop over to her blog and leave her some love.

Whenever I think of flowers I always reach for my Gina K Designs stash as she designs some beautiful floral images.  The flowers I used were actually left over from a previous project so that was a plus for me!  I think my card turned out so pretty and I hope you like it too.  

Here is my card:

A closer look at the details:

Plus I decorated the inside:

So as I said the flowers were already embossed, coloured and die cut and ready to go from a previous card I made here.  I cut a white panel 4" x 5 1/4" and used master layouts 18 to cut out the stitched frame and inside rectangle and decided to emboss the inner rectangle to add some extra interest.  I die cut some leaves from green card and ink blended around the edges for some extra definition.  I cut a black mat layer using master layouts 2 and adhered the frame and inner rectangle onto this layer using liquid glue.  I adhered the flower in the lower left corner using foam squares and tucked the leaves around it using liquid glue.  I stamped the sentiment onto white card using black ink and cut it out with the coordinating die (I also cut another 3 more to stack up).  The sentiment was added with liquid glue and I finished off with some black pearls.  I added some scrap white card behind the panel for stability and dimension and then this was adhered to the card base using double sided tape.  For the inside I cut the white panel and black mat layer using master layouts 2.  I embossed a thin strip of white card and added it to the bottom of the white panel and also added another flower and 1 leaf using liquid glue.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre with black ink before adhering the panel to my card base using double sided tape.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Allsorts challenge - colours of summer or ATG

Atlantic hearts challenge - sketch 692

Beautiful Blossoms challenge - anything floral goes optional mood board

Can You Handle The Pressure challenge - ATG with a twist of celebration

Creative Friday challenge - dry embossing

Cut It Up challenge - emboss it

Girlz and the Art of Letters challenge - letter F (flower)

Little Red Wagon challenge - one thing (one large flower, 1 sentiment)

Moving Along With The Times challenge - feminine 

Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge - stitch it (I used stitched dies)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - ATG

The Sisterhood of Crafters challenge - flowers with an optional mood board

Try It On Tuesday challenge - summer blooms

TGIF challenge - bonus inspiration challenge (I went with lots of white with a pop of purple)

The Design Team have created amazing cards as always so please pop over to the blog and check them out and perhaps leave them some love on their personal blogs.

I hope you will be able to join in with the challenge this month but don't forget it has to be birthday themed. I can't wait to see your creations in the linky.

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

Gina K Designs - blossom trio 3d embossing folder, dies and colouring stencils

Gina K Designs - master layouts 18

Gina K Designs - master layouts 2

Gina K Designs - tapestry embossing folder

Gina K Designs - foliage fillers dies (for leaves)

Gina K Designs - courtyard silhouettes stamp & die set (for outside sentiment)

Gina K Designs - designer dots stamp (for inside sentiment) *scrapbook.com exclusive

Gina K Designs - gold, black & silver metallic pearl mix

Gina K Designs - ink pads - light lilac, medium lilac & dark lilac, marigold

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card (for card base)

Limetree Craft - 220gsm black card

Versafine Clair - nocturne ink pad

I have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my links as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Thank you x