Coffee, Cards, Cake... and Fruit Basket

Hello again, I finally managed to get to a Coffee and Card session held by my lovely upline, Susan of Craftyduckydoodah. I used to go regularly at one time, but now I'm back to working full-time, I can only manage to get during school holidays.

Although we often chat via messenger, it was lovely to actually catch up on the news...and even a little gossip.  Susan was able to give me a few tips for this blog so you might spot a few changes and additions. In fact we decided to meet up a bit earlier for a spot of lunch before the crafty session.

We made two cards, one a simple note card size and the other a slightly more involved A6 shaker card that used Jar of Love in conjunction with Fruit Basket. It was very therapeutic stamping the small fruits - we needed quite a few for both designs. They actually punch out slightly smaller than the stamped image so you don't end up with white edges around the image!

 

Image courtesy of Susan Simpson

For the note card, we die cut a Stitched Shape Framelit square and then layered 4 of the smallest of the Layering Squares Framelits onto it. The small squares remind me of postage stamps. I love cards with lots of white space, they always look crisp and classy.

I had intended to use pears on my card, but at the last minute changed it to one of each of the 4 fruits. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the card base using Basic Grey Archival ink which gives a softer effect than black. A small heart just added the finishing touch. As usual, both the inside of the card and the envelope were stamped for a cohesive look.

For my next card, slightly larger at A6, I went slightly off piste again with a portrait orientation. It meant that I also had to change the placement of my sentiment too in order to balance the design.

Those of you who know me will probably be quite shocked to see Washi tape on this card...

...and not just one piece but three! 

Although I have some - and have made cute little holders for each set - I rarely use it. I have no idea why; it isn't as if I don't like it or difficulty of use! Washi tape is one of the easiest and most forgiving products to use. Wrong placement? Lift it and try again - it's really that easy.

We also did our bit towards being green too. Who couldn't fail to love the little straw, die cut from card naturally. The straw is in the Bottles and Bubbles Framelit die set. There is even a right facing straw too. Stampin' Up! think of everything. Even the micro beads look just like bubbles in a fizzy drink. I was so impressed with them I had to order some right away even though they aren't a Stampin' Up! product.

Before I left the cafe, Susan gave me a lovely little gift - I'm so lucky. Between the 2 die cut aprons is a small box, just big enough for a few sweets. I received little carrot sweets in mine. Others had M and M's but you could fit a small chocolate bar in like a Freddo.

Image courtesy of Susan Simpson

I love the tiny scissors decorating the front of the apron!

Bev🎕

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