My new friend

It's time for my mid month design team inspiration for STAMPlorations and before I show you my card I would like to introduce my new friend brought for me by Santa aka my Mum and Dad for Christmas.

Meet my Brother!

My old machine was bought for me for Christmas when I was 11 so it had a lot of use. I used it to make clothes when I was younger, my bridesmaids' dresses, fancy dress for Daisy and most recently for card making. The problem with it was the weight. I could barely lift it and it meant that I rarely got it out. My new Brother machine is perfect for me. Nothing fancy but perfectly usable for occasional sewing and for my cards and so much lighter...no more needing a crane to move it!

I decided to christen my new friend when I made this 2nd design team inspiration card for STAMPlorations. To join in with the challenge you can go with the theme or ditch the theme and go with the sketch.
This is the theme

and the awesome sketch.

You are also most welcome to combine them both. All the details are here.

I went with the sketch again and this is what I got up to.
I used the Christmas tree 1 stencil

a sentiment from the
fond expressions 2

and the fab birds from the
trendy birds 2 stamp set.

I used the stencil on its side so that it looked more like arrows (it's an awesome Christmas tree usually)

 Out came my "Brother" and I stitched between the stencilling to make the sketch background. I also stitched around the edges.

 I inked up some card and stitched around that edge too.

I then used my Trendy bird set to finish off my card.

 Here it is

 This has gone down to Dotty's tearooms in Carshalton where my cards are sold.

I would like to enter it into the following challenges;

Simon says stamp Wednesday add a sentiment
Let's Craft and Create 1/3 anything goes
Simon says stamp Monday birds of a feather
Fussy and fancy 3/3 distress it I have used distress oxides and also distressed the edges of the focal.
Fashionable stamping 2/3 anything goes
Noor UK anything goes
Crafty Catz 1/3 anything goes

All the details can be found via this link, it would be lovely to see you joining us!

Enjoy the weekend, we have a very exciting one ahead as it is my Hb's birthday tomorrow and all our big and small babies are coming over to celebrate on Sunday.
I also have scheduled a post for Sunday as it is time for my 2nd dose of inspiration for the January County View Challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind comments you take the time to leave me.

Bye for now,

Jane x