More spring flinging for STAMPlorations

Hello the Spring fling event over at STAMPlorations  is in full swing and I am back with a reminder post so that you don't miss out on all the fun.

I am delighted to be taking part together with some of the STAMPgirl teamies. You will find all the details here.

There are some awesome prizes up for grab including;

blog hop prizes:

3 winners of a $7 prize code randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog and designers' blogs

linky prizes:

2 winners of a $12 prize code

1 winner of a $25 prize code

 PLUS

extra prizes:

a few surprise winners randomly drawn from their social media accounts (FB, IG, Pinterest, blogs) to win either prize codes or products so don't forget to also leave a comment on my post today!

The hop and linky are open until June 7. The winners announced on June 10 in their May winners post.

For this make I decided to use the same die cut with a different card front from the gorgeous new "Quick card fronts" which Shery has in the store. I used the set called Spring florals which are available to buy here. You get 8 card fronts in a pack and they are the most AWESOME thickness and quality. If you want to make quick quality cards then these are a must buy. 

First I die cut the thanks word die in blue glitter card and stuck it on the card front and added a little distress ink shading to the edges.

For this card I decided to add some extra die cuts using the lovely trendy blooms die set

I die cut some flowers and leaves from inky left over papers from my stash.

and adhered them to my card front. 

To make this card;

with a close up;

and one final photo. Such a quick make!

One last thing to tell you that there is an amazing 45% off selected Spring themed products. 

Just click via this link; SPRING FLING and use the code SPRINGFLING45 at checkout.

You cannot combine my unique STAMPGIRLJANE 20% off discount with the above code but you can still get your usual 20% off everything else if you use it. 

Remember that if you order more than $15 of product from the website (after discounts and before shipping) and quote my unique code STAMPGIRLJANE at checkout not only can you get 20% off your order. My little extra treat is that if you do this you can also choose a product for FREE up to the value of $7! Here is a link to the website.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and remember to leave a little comment before you go as all comments will go into the hat for the chance of winning a prize! 

Bye for now,

Jane x 

May flowers with Visible Image

Good morning it's time for my fortnightly blogged design team post for Visible Image. Today I am mixing up 2 of the fabulous new A5 stamp sets which are for sale now on their website or worldwide from your local stockists. I used;

 Where flowers bloom 

and The butterfly effect

I decided to make an 8 X 6" card. This is what I got up to. I made a background with this mix of distress inks.

I added some collage stamping a stamp from the  Where flowers bloom set and also used the string stamp.

I embossed the large flower 3 times using Wendy Vecchi cactus flower embossing powder.

I stamped and cut out 1 large and 2 small butterflies from The butterfly effect and coloured them using these distress inks.

I added a little Blueprint sketch ink to their edges.

I also stamped out one of the sentiments from  The butterfly effect cut it out and matted it onto black card. I then put everything together.

Here is my finished card

with a couple of close ups;

and one last shot.

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

Allsorts anything with happy, bright and sunny colours

A gem of a challenge anything goes

We love to create anything goes

Crafty Catz anything goes

 All the Visible Image links are listed below

Visible Image group page on Facebook. Our friendly Group is here ...it would be lovely to see you there. You will see lots of gorgeous makes by the DT and customers to inspire your own creativity. 

The main Visible Image Facebook page is here; there are regular giveaways...open world wide. Do check out the Facebook LIVES and videos where you will be able to see lots more samples and ideas. 

Their Instagram page can be found here 

Pinterest here

And once again the shop web site is here; where all their gorgeous stamps and stencils can be purchased.

I have also started up a Visible Image  Artist trading card swap over on their customer page. 46 swappers including several of the Design team took part in the first "Just be you" one. This was my swap for May using the Beautiful soul set which I sent off to my swap partner.

I actually made 4 as I keep one, send one to my granddaughter and I also swapped one elsewhere.

We had huge fun in May, the folder in the group is so inspiring to look through and see everyone's makes. The sign up for the 2nd swap is open now, until 28th May. If you would like to join in please go to the Customer Group Facebook page. Just drop a message to Visible Image to join the group if you are not already a member. Everyone worldwide is welcome to join us. Visible Image ATCs have been flying all over the world!

There will be lots more makes shared in the coming weeks using the fab new release so do check out the website and follow on social media. I do not blog everything I make so if you would like to check  me out on Instagram you then won't miss anything.  This is the link to my account, @jane.tyrrell

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Bye for now,

Jane x

The reopening of Dotty's Teahouse

I am super excited to be finally able to tell you that after nearly 5 long Lockdown months Dotty's Teahouse reopened on Monday. Many of my long term blog readers will remember when Dotty's first opened 5 years ago. I had taken a walk down our High Street in Carshalton, Surrey, the week I retired as an NHS physiotherapist. I noticed a little sign that a new vintage tea rooms was opening and they were looking for some unique products to sell. I contacted Rebecca, the owner, to tell her about my cards. We met, she loved my hand made cards and the rest is history! From day one I have sold my one of a kind handmade cards exclusively in her wonderful Tearooms and been warmly embraced as part of the Dotty family. I  have so enjoyed witnessing her success over the years including seeing her open up her delightful Tea Garden 2 years ago in Coulsdon. 

Covid 19 hit Dotty's hard and like most businesses she had to close during both Lockdowns. However Rebecca is one of the most resourceful women I have met and she started up a Dotty Delivery service. Dotty delights are delivered in a real London taxi to local areas and this service has been a huge hit. My daughter treated my Hb and I to a delivered afternoon tea last year and it was superb.

During Lockdown Dotty's Teahouse has undergone a total interior transformation. I had a sneak peek of the newly refurbished inside a few weeks back and shared some photos on Instagram. I sneaked in early this morning just as she was opening up and took lots of photos, too many to share on IG, so I decided to show them here in Jane's Journal. It will also be lovely to have a record to look back on.

 Dotty's has undergone a complete refurbishment and my oh my, how elegant she looks. There is new heating, lighting, seating, counter......the list goes on and on. In late June she will also open a delightful new upstairs seating area too. All these things are best explained with photos so here we go.....

This was my delightful view when I turned up first thing this morning. The door was open, the covers were off the windows and the outdoor seats were in place. 

I love the board outside, how true this is. 

The girls were busy at the brand new counter setting out the Dotty delights for the day.

The new chairs and tables are gorgeous. Very chic. Lots of tables had been reserved.

My shelves were stacked and ready with my latest cards for sale. 

This little cutie I have named Tracy Teacup sneaked onto my shelves today. She has an inky backgroumd and I have stamped her dress out a second time and paper pieced it. The sentiments I have stamped are perfect to team her with. As you can imagine tea themed cards are very popular at Dotty's and I constantly add new ones. 

Here is a close up of some of my cards for sale. I have new baby, new home, birthday, motivational cards and every occasion in between available. Each is one of a kind. 

I will also have a new range of "family" sentiment cards on my shelves soon. Here is a sneak peek of one of them.

On the counter today at Dotty's were a delicious cheese cake 

as well as a delicious variety Dotty delights created by the talented new Executive Pastry Chef Sarah, who has also joined the Dotty team. Sarah comes with an incredible range of experience; 

She spent her career to date working in the most elite establishments in London from the best 5 star hotels to patisserie shops and Michelin star restaurants

She is regarded as one of the most talented pastry chefs in her field and was featured in Elite Traveller Magazine in 2018 as one of the top 14 female chefs in the UK. She has achieved lot in her career including producing her first pastry book called "Patisserie Perfection" in 2015

The counter was being filled up as I arrived...yum!

And if cupcakes are your preference feast your eyes on these beauties.

Takeaway is also available and look at the gorgeous boxes you get to take them home in.

Dotty's also now has an alcohol license so if you fancy a glass of wine or something bubbly with your meal there is plenty to choose from. 

There is even a "snug" a little hidden away from it all room to enjoy a more private Dotty experience.

 Such gorgeous vintage inspired decor. 

And finally from the end of June you will be able to climb these stairs and sit in the brand new upstairs dining area. Yes Dotty's is going up in the world, literally.

So while the upstairs is being finished you can sit at this pretty table. I think this is one of my favourites and no wonder it was reserved!

Or how about here?

And of course Carshalton is the home of the photogenic ponds....here they are on a sunny day at the other end of Carshalton High Street.

You will find Dotty's Teahouse in the High Street Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3AE. She is open 7 days a week Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sundays 11-4pm. Booking a table, rather that turning up, is highly recommended as she does get very busy, especially at the weekends. 

Before I close here are a couple more of my cards which are on my shelves now, all one of a kind and handmade with love and ink in my garden studio. 

Thanks so much if you got all the way to the end of this very photo heavy post. I am sure you will agree, the transformation of Dotty's is wonderful. If you never saw my first Dotty post 5 years ago this is the link here. How far she has bloomed and grown since then.

Remember "A brew will see us through!" (I think cake and a card is pretty helpful too! 😄)

I post many more of my makes and weekly Dotty visits over on Instagram. Do check me out over there. My account is @jane.tyrrell or just click on this link.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x