24th Advent Window

Today is tree day, and as mine has a star on the top, 

I've created this as my last advent blog post.

Stamp Set: Christmas Gleaming

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Gold Foil

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Accessories: Gleaming Punch Pack, Stitched Star Dies and some ancient cherry cobbler netting

I love the 3D element of this star, using 4 ornament printed and punched images for each point of the star.

Have a wonderful Christmas.

and a peaceful 2020!

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 23

Anyone who knows me, knows that my Christmas tree is commonly put up on Christmas Eve. In the village I live in, we're singing carols around the Community Christmas Tree tonight, good preparation for my own tree day tomorrow!

This was a skeleton leaf tree that was looking a little tired, so I stripped it back to redo it. With this seasons focus on gleam and shine, I used copper for the solid leaves, and gold foil for the base with the leaf outline in copper foil.

At the thought of a post without stamping, I've stamped 3 star images and cut them out with the matching die, for the 3D star at the top ;-) Just love the detail of this stamp set!

Stamp Set: So Many Stars

Card Stock: Whisper White, Copper & Gold Foil

Accessories: Seasonal Layers Dies for leaves, Stitched Stars Dies, 1/2" Classic Weave Ribbon from Brightly Gleaming Suite, Gold Satin Ribbon on the tree pot from the Christmastime Suite.

Keep on Christmas Creating!

GenGen xxxx

22nd Advent Window

In this time of wanting to be able to recycle more, 

printed brown paper and matching tags can go into the paper recycling after the event ;-)

It's official though, I have simply bought the MOST awkward presents to wrap, so have made up for it with flourishes of ribbon :-)

Stamp Sets: Dashing Deer, Winter Woods

Ink: Soft Suede, Shaded Spruce

Card Stock: Crum Cake, Real Red

Accessories: Real Red 1" Ruched Ribbon, 1/2" Satin Ribbon, Delightful Tag Topper, linen thread for tags

Time to wrap it up ;-)

Keep on creating Christmas,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 21

In celebration of the shortest day, and longest night,

today's card is reflection and shine!

Stamp Set: Peaceful Boughs

Card stock: Mercury Glass Designer Acetate, 

Whisper White, White Velvet

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Beautiful Boughs Dies, Holiday Rhinestones

At this moment, I would relish a frosty morning rather than the monsoon rain we've been having ;-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting,

GenGen xxxx

20th Advent Window

So today's post is in celebration of two of my favorite advent elements so far, wreaths and the fantastically characterful penguins ;-)

Stamp set: Playful Penguins, Seasonal Wreaths, So Many Stars

Ink: Versa Mark, White embossing powder, Staz On, Real Red

Card stock: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Shimmer white for star

Accessories: Small star punch

Keep on Christmas card making,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 19

Shining through in the darkness, and the wind and rain!

I think I am slightly obsessed with all things copper ;-)

Stamp set: Shine Bright, Playful Penguins

Ink: Versa Mark, White Emboss Powder, Celestial Copper

Card stock: Copper Foil, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Star Designer Elements, 

Holiday Rhinestones and Pearl Jewels

Obviously it's far too early to be putting a Christmas Tree up in my house, but fun to create a card to create a Christmas feel ;-)

Keep on Christmas Card Making,

GenGen xxxx

18th Advent Window

As we get closer to the shortest day, and longest night,

I get completely overtaken by glimmer and shine.

I also love making items from the main catalogue into Christmas delights. Somehow this card has no stamping, but the deer is a fabulous Christmas clue ;-)

Card stock: Silver Glimmer, Noble Peacock Speciality DSP and Foil

Accessories: Detailed Deer Thinlits and adhesive back sheets.

The texture of the glimmer paper and the reflection of the foil pattern will pick up the twinkly lights.

Keep on Christmas Card making,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 17

As the youngsters in my life turn out to be growing up fast, I thought their money envelopes should be a bit more grown up too! With the gorgeous Designer Series Papers and metallic foil card stock, this year's gifts look like this . . . 

Can you see that one families initials spell out Santa's little helper?

These are 3"x3" envelopes made with the fabulous envelope maker, with the Brightly Gleaming Speciality DSP and the copper Christmas Greeting 1/2" Classic Weave Ribbon and Copper foil initials for each recipient ;-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting,

especially when it doubles up as gift wrapping ;-)

GenGen xxxx 

16th Advent Window

As we prepare for the festive season,

some families preparations involve packing too, 

taking the opportunity to get away for a skiing holiday!

 I wanted to celebrate this exciting time with their card.

Stamp set: Snow front, Itty Bitty Christmas

Card Stock: Silver Glimmer, Balmy Blue, 

Whisper White and woodgrain DSP

Ink: Pool Party, Shaded Spruce, Smoky Slate

Accessories: Wink of Stella, Stampin Glitter 

and White Glitter for snow by the skis

Here's hoping for clear blue skies, ski perfect snow 

and Christmas Hot Chocolate ;-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 15

Something simple for Sunday,

but with serious glimmer ;-)

Stamp Set: Itty Bitty Christmas

Card Stock: Red Glimmer, Whisper White, Old Olive

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Christmas Layers & Stitched Nested Dies, 

Pearl Basic Jewels

Here's hoping my Mistletoe has as many berries as this one ;-)

Keep on Christmas crafting,

bring sparkle into every day :-)

GenGen xxxx

14th Advent Window

As the wind is cold and the rain is turning to sleet,

it inspired this card!

Stamp Set: Playful Penguins

Card stock: Whisper White, Vellum and Night of Navy

Ink : Staz On, Real Red and Celestial Copper

Accessories: Softly falling TEIF, Brightly Gleaming Foil elements

Keep warm against the wind,

keep on Christmas Card Making,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 13

Today's Window peeks into the Shine Bright Bundle.

As a huge fan of dies that give a lace look 

this was always going to be on my wish list ;-)

Stamp set: Shine Bright

Card stock: Silver foil, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

Ink: Coastal Cabana

Accessories: Stitched Brightly & Ornate Frames Dies, 

3/8" Silver edge ribbon, Holiday and Basic Rhinestones

Keep on shining,

especially with these dark nights!

GenGen xxxx

12th Advent Window

Halfway through this year's advent blog, and I'm getting to play with the seasonal catalogue items I have been coveting ;-) How can anyone resist a seasonal knit embossing folder? When is a card not a card? When it's also a tree decoration like this one :-)

Stamp Set: Tidings All Around, Christmas Gleaming

Card stock: Merry Merlot, Whisper White

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Merry Merlot

Accessories: Winter Knit 3D Embossing Folder, All Around Wreath & Stitched Stars dies, Holiday Rhinestones

Keep on folk crafting,

GenGne xxxx

Advent Window 11

So a simple silver influence today, hoping the Birthday Girl TLB particularly likes this one ;-)

Stamp Set: Winter Woods

Ink: Versa Mark and Silver Emboss powder

Card Stock: Silver Foil, Whisper White, Reverse of Feels Like Frost 6"x 6" Speciality DSP

Accessories: Merry Christmas Dies, 5/8" Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon

Keep it simply silver ;-)

GenGen xxxx

10th Advent Window

Brightening up the dark days with the Brightly Gleaming Suite and some Copper Foil. Just making the most of the lovely DSP for a super quick card, with a little Holly embellishing.

Stamp Set: Christmas Gleaming

Card stock: Brightly Gleaming Speciality DSP, 

Copper Foil, Whisper White

Ink: Night of Navy, Perfect Peacock, Celestial Copper for berries

Accessories: Brightly Gleaming Foil Elements

Keep on gleaming ;-)

especially with Christmas card making,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 9

Although I do love traditional colours, I'm being seriously tempted by the new colour palette of the Feels Like Frost Suite. Having bought white velvet previously, I have snuck it into this project, so it has quite a tactile element.

Stamp Set: Tidings All Around

Card Stock:  Feels Like Frost 6"x6" Speciality DSP, Whisper White, Retired White Velvet, Highland Heather

Ink: Highland Heather

Accessories: Frosted Frames Dies, Rhinestones

Keep being inspired by Frosted Foliage ;-)

GenGen xxxx

8th Advent Window

I do love natural themes, 

and this year already have a favorite greeting!

 So much so, I have put it on the front of this card 

rather than tucked away on the inside.

Stamp set: Peaceful Boughs

Card stock: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso

Accessories: Beautiful Boughs Dies

I love the detail of this stamp set, 

so have left the prints in outline, 

but it can be coloured in if you have the time ;-)

Keep on Christmas Card Making,

GenGen xxxx

Adent Window 7

With the release of the Seasonal catalogue, I wanted to make my own version of a snow globe decoration.

Stamp set: Dashing Deer, Tidings All Around

Card stock: Whisper White, Mercury Glass Designer Acetate

Ink: Smokey Slate

Accessories: All Around Wreath Dies, Snow Globe Shaker Dome, Snowflake sequins, Seaside Spray 1/4" Metallic Ribbon.

Lets hope it only snows this much!

Keep on Christmas Crafting,

GenGen xxxx

6th Advent Window

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmastime!

This card is from the fabulous Christmastime Suite.

Stamp set: Christmas Rose

Ink: Memento Tuxedo black, Cherry Cobbler, Markers in Seaside Spray, Mossy Meadow, Real Red, Early Espresso, 

Versa Mark and Gold Embossing Powder

Card Stock: Christmastime Is Here DSP, Whisper White

Accessories: Roses Dies, Gold 1/4" Shimmer Ribbon, 

Gold Glitter Enamel Dots

This was a lovely card to demonstrate with my Stamparatus, but should you want a quicker card the dies will cut out this printed image on the matching DSP ;-)

Keep on Crafting,

It's Christmastime!

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 5

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Copper Foil,
Real Red, Garden Green
Accessories: Stitched Stars Dies, 1/2" Classic Weave Ribbon,
3/8" Reversible Ribbon, Star Designer Elements,
Brightly Gleaming Foil Elements.

Keep lighting up the dark skies,
with Christmas crafting,
GenGen xxxx

4th Advent Window

This window peeks into a winter wonderland scene.

Stamp Set: Nature's Beauty

Card Stock: Early Espresso, Whisper White and 

Brown watercolour pencil

Ink: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Woodland Embossing Folder, 

Classic Label Punch, Stampin' Glitter

This card was inspired by the fabulous Teri Pocock, and is created by sponging the embossing folder and printing onto the embossing folder before embossing the Whisper White card.

The detail of this stamp set is so lovely, I put a simple stamped image on the inside of the card too.

Keep on Christmas Crafting,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 3

Too early for a tree decoration? Or in my case a twig decoration?

Something quick and easy today!

This uses the All Around Wreath Dies, here in Gold Foil and Garden Green, with 1/2" Red Satin Ribbon and Red Rhinestones for berries, and a couple of small bells to little jingle all the way!

Keep on Christmas Crafting,

GenGen xxxx

2nd Advent Window

As we're just starting to have Jack Frost nipping at our toes, today's card celebrates the fabulous Feels Like Frost Suite

Stamp Set: Frosted Foilage

Ink: Versa Mark and White Emboss powder

Card stock: Smoky Slate, Feels Like Frost 6"x6" DSP, Vellum, Whisper White

Accessories: Frosted Frames Dies, Shimmery Crystal Effects, Stampin' Glitter, Seaside Spray 1/4" Metallic Ribbon, Rhinestones

Keep warm, Christmas Crafting,

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 1

Starting this year's Advent Blog with serious gleam!

Stamp Set: Christmas Gleaming (cling)

Ink: Versa Mark and copper embossing powder

Cardstock: Brightly Gleaming Speciality Designer Series Paper, 

Old Olive and Night of Navy

Accessories: Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack, Brightly Gleaming Foil Elements, 1/2" Classic Weave Ribbon

Keep on Christmas Crafting,

GenGen xxxx

Dinosaur Inspiration

Just squeezing a fun card in before my advent blog begins!

Wanted to illustrate that often card inspiration for me comes from the present, in this case for my Great- Nephew!

As may be obvious, he has an passion for dinosaurs, so I used the colours from the box for his card, and a retired stamp set for the fabulous bones!

As you can probably guess he was 7, 

but love the contrast of the crumb cake, white emboss,

 cherry cobbler and garden green colours ;-)

Keep on crafting,

GenGen xxxx

Christmas Countdown!

Somehow we're nearly at the point where Advent calendars will be opened!

Here's my version of the Christmas Countdown Advent Kit form SU

I have done my version for my Dad. I loved making this, and it was quite quick to put together, using the Christmas Countdown stamp set, and the kit provides such an easy array of possibilities.

Keep on crafting,

especially as Christmas is round the corner ;-)

GenGen xxxx

Online Extravaganza!

This short window (20-22 November) can really create savings!

Click here to view Extravaganza details :-)

Keep on crafting!

GenGen xxxx

Birthday Bubbles - Sip Sip Hooray!

So my love of shaker cards continues, this time utilising the new Sip Sip Hooray bundle. I have teamed it with a retired Happy Birthday die, but love this die SO much, don't think I'll ever get rid of it :-)

Card stock: Lovely Lipstick & Gorgeous Grapefruit Foil, 

Clear window sheet, Retired glimmer for Greeting

Dies: Sip & Celebrate

Accessories: Woven Threads Sequin Assortment

Cheers! Keep Celebrating, 

especially when it's your Birthday!

GenGen xxxx

Happy Halloween All!

As always, at this time of the year, 

my Halloween card is a little old and new!

Stamp sets: Stargazing (c), Wonderfully Wicked (c)

Card stock: Whisper white, retired DSP, retired glimmer

Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray

Accessories: Wicked die

Hope you all had a spooktacular time xx

Keep on crafting,

GenGen xxxx

Secret Card Making!

So the picture of this card is fairly rushed and rubbish, 

as I was trying to keep it secret from my DH ;-)

I get into quite a bit of trouble for going overboard with flouncy detail for himself in particular, so this card is a real old and new conglomeration! 

This is quite an old stamp set, but have kept hold of it for Male Birthday cards in particular, with also retired DSP, (which could be reproduced by sponge brayering) but the New Stitched Star Dies adds a little sparkle with glimmer card stock, and OBVIOUSLY you're NEVER too old for numbers on your Birthday card ;-)

Keep on card making,

especially with stamps you can't let go,

GenGen xxxx

Birthday Butterflies

Interspersed Birthdays at this time of year are an excellent reason to steal myself away for a bit of creative card making.

Stamp Set: Butterfly Wishes (c)

Cardstock: Perennial Essence DSP, Silver Foil, 

Whisper White, Vellum

Ink: Mossy Meadow, Pretty Peacock, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Stitched Nested Label & Frosted Bouquet Dies, 

Old Olive/Pretty Peacock 3/8" Reversible Ribbon, 

Holiday Rhinestones

Keep on card making,

GenGen xxxx

Celebrating World Card Making Day!

Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate World Card making Day by visiting my stall and making cards. Thought I would share the design options . . .

Inspired by autumn,

Stamp Set: Rooted in Nature

Ink: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, 

Cajun Craze, Merry Merlot

In colours here,

Stamp set: Butterfly Gala

Ink & Card stock: Memento, Lovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove

Accessories: Butterfly Duet Punch, Rhinestones

And finally something for the kids, 

and all the adults who love googly eyes!

A retired Halloween set ;-)

Ink: Memento

Card stock: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry and Granny Apple Green

Accessories: Assorted Googly Eyes

Keep on card making!

GenGen xxxx

World Card Making Day - make and take!

I'm celebrating World Card Making Day 

by doing autumn themed "Make & Take" cards 

at the Table Top Sale at Penybont Community Centre

Saturday 5th October 2019

10.30am - 2.30pm

All welcome! Hope to see you there!

GenGen xxxx

September Sunflower

At this time of year, when we're all trying to cling onto summer for as long as possible, it's a lovely time of year to celebrate the sunshine with a flower that for me epitomises Summer.

Stamp Set: Painted Harvest, Perennial Birthday

Card stock: Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, 

Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso

Accessories: 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, 

1/2" Textured Weave Ribbon in Granny Apple Green

Keep on celebrating Summer with Sunflowers,

GenGen xxxx

Autumn/Winter Inspiration

As the last card for the Talgarth workshop, and without traumatising anyone too much with Christmas thoughts in September, we used the Snow Front stamp set, so that people could build the scene up as much (snowman and little log cabin), or as little as they were comfortable with.

Stamp set: Snow Front, Itty Bitty Christmas

Card stock: Balmy Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Balmy Blue, Pool Party, Early Espresso

Accessories: Stitched Shape Dies, Shimmery Crystal Effects, 

Ice Stampin' Glitter, Rhinestones

Keep on Christmas Cardmaking,

GenGen xxxx

Autumn Appreciation

Autumn is without a doubt my favorite season, so when I saw the Come to Gather Suite in the new Autumn/Winter catalogue I couldn't wait to try it out at the recent Talgarth workshop. I particularly like the Cajun Craze and Pretty Peacock contrast, and the matching Designer Series Paper.

Stamp set: Gather Together (photopolymer)

Card stock: Come to gather DSP, Whisper White, Pretty Peacock, 

Pear Pizzazz, Cajun Craze, Mint Macaron

Ink: Pretty Peacock (stamped off), Cajun Craze

Accessories: Cajun Craze linen thread, Gathered Leaves dies and Triple banner punch

I love watching the autumn leaves change colour and fall, this card reminded me of my favorite autumn activity :-)

Keep on card making,

GenGen xxxx

Making the most of FREE DSP!

As always, I am my own best customer, and the current buy 3, get 1 free promotion is an ideal opportunity to increase my current DSP stock! This offer will finish on the 30th of September though.

The lovely craft group at Talgarth asked me along to demonstrate last Friday, so to highlight the current promotion we made this card, and it gave me an excuse to play some more with the fabulous Pressed Petals Washi Tape, I mean, petals on a roll that you can make your own flowers with, love it!

Stamp Set: Label me Pretty

Ink: Merry Merlot

Card stock: Pear Pizzazz, Rococo Rose, Very Vanilla 

and Pressed Petals Speciality Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Pretty Label Punch,

 Rococo Rose 1/2" Scalloped Linen Ribbon, 

Pressed petals Washi tape, Perennial Essence Floral Centres 

and of course your envelope board to make 

matching envelopes from the gorgeous DSP 

I gave the group creative freedom to use the papers they liked the most, and alter the design format and the variations were fabulous :-)

Keep on card making,

GenGen xxxx

Designer Series Paper offer!

Please click on the right side bar DSP picture to view the promotion,

I'll be stocking up on the DSP I don't have yet ;-)

Keep on Paper crafting!

GenGen xxx

Autumn/Winter Catalogue available now!

The new Autumn/Winter catalogue is available NOW!

Email me if you'd like one posted, and click on the right sidebar to see the electronic version!

Keep on crafting! GenGen xxxx

Simple Get Well Wishes

So my last example from the  Looking Up Card Kit

The colours and sentiment keep this design unisex, and ideal to grab if you want to wish someone well in super quick time ;-)

Keep on crafting,

so you too can have a little card stash,

GenGen xxxx

Hot Air Balloon Happy Birthday!

As the Looking Up Card Kit is so versatile, 

I thought I might have a card to hand in case I need it!

As the Balloons were Laser Cut 

I raised them with some dimensionals.

I love the co-ordinating envelopes :-)

Keep on card making,

GenGen xxxx

Kit creates Congratulations!

We're often all a little time short, and for such an eventuality I bought the new Looking Up Card Kit 

As results are released at the end of the summer, this was my GCSE congratulation card. The colour combination is wonderfully versatile, but in this instance particularly appropriate for a young man ;-)

All materials from the Looking Up Card Kit, with the Bermuda Bay Ink Spot and Greeting stamp included in the kit - simple as! As there are some elements in the kit that are laser cut, I emphasised the tree for this card.

Keep on card making,

even in a hurry!

GenGen xxxx

September Birthday!

As the garden starts to look a little past it's best, there are many shades of green, even in the same leaf. I think that's what gave me the inspiration for this . . . 

Stamp Set: Daisy Lane, (Greeting from Looking Up card kit)

Card stock: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Soft Sea Foam

Accessories: Stitched Nested Label Dies, Bird Ballad Trinkets, 

Linen Thread

Keep on crafting as the leaves start to fall,

GenGen xxxx