Happy New Year! Time to say hello to 2019 a brand new year with brand new possibilities.
But what’s with the blog title? Read on and I shall explain …
Over 2018 I have added a fair few bits and pieces to the craft stash and I decided that in 2019 my philosophy should be, use it or lost it.
Given how much I love craft stash, you can guarantee that you’ll be seeing a fair few blog posts over the coming weeks and months because there ain’t no way on this planet that I am losing it! *stamps foot resolutely.
So, what better day to kick this resolution off than the first day of a brand new year?!
It is with great pleasure, therefore, and without further waffle, well there might be some, that I would like to introduce you to Mama Elephant!
Mama Elephant has some of the most delightful clear stamp and creative die concepts that I have seen. Unique, timeless and versatile is how I would describe them, if I had my business head on. HAPPY-SQUEEEEEEAL! and OOOOH-LOVELY!, is how I would describe them if I had my ‘naughty spending money when I shouldn’t’ head on.
You know what I mean ;)
Anyhoo, having popped an order in for some of these fabby stamps via Simon Says Stamp I actually forgot about them until they popped through my letterbox a while later – so that was an unexpected joy, for sure!
You already know about the long wait that they had to be used so I’m sure they will be thanking their lucky stars for my new year’s resolution, lol.
Anyways, I’m still waffling and I haven’t even shown you what I ended up making with them. Soz and here’s the first.
After the busy end to last year’s workshop season and design deadlines I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed sitting down to spend some time simply colouring this design in.
Nothing clever, nothing fancy, just some relaxed me time. *happy sigh.
It’s not bad is it?
I added a little twinkle with a black Wink Of Stella pen and then some Anita’s 3D Clear Gloss but apart from that, just the trusty old pencils – which still smell lovely when I open the box.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t really want to stop so when I had finished the first one, I started a second – and then a third!
I will share a little secret here. You probably know that I sometimes have trouble sleeping. Well, at the end of this relaxing craft session I ended up sleeping for TWELVE HOURS!!! Oh my, and they say that crafting should be on prescription – I totally agree!
Anyhoo, if you are interested in seeing how I made these little creations, just use the page number links below to work your way through the three wee projects.
Enjoy!
GENTLEMAN CRAFTER 
Happy New Year John, wish you all the best their is.
Your cards are awesome, thank you for showing and so glad you slept well after making these beauties.
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Happy New Year John. The cards are lovely. Even though the stamp is the same they look different. I find that colouring in is relaxing and I have been known to doze off whilst doing it, but then I am pretty ancient ha ha.
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Happy New Year John hope you have a prosperous and healthy one, love the cards and the stamp looks amazing I’m sure you’ll use it loads even just for its relaxing colouring in.
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Just lovely, the first one is my favourite, but you must be so pleased with all three. My first oxide pads I purchased were the same colours as number three, as they are my favourite colours of all time, but I think I could manage colouring in without worrying about all the shading. I hope you find some more stamps in your stash, I look forward to seeing them in the New Year. All the best for 2019 and look forward to finding more of your creations and I hope you get a few more ‘round the click’ sleeps. Love Joan x
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Beautiful, John! Really lovely and well made stamp. The images are sharp, crisp and clear, and your colour of each of the cards is fabulous. Well done you clever chap!
Oh … and Happy New Year too! May this year bring you joy, happiness, peace, love and perhaps a lottery win. Not so big that it turns your head and makes you giddy thinking about Rolex watches and a Rolls Royce, but enough to give you the giggles and pay the mortgage and bills for a good few months.
Much love ~ Cobs. x
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I’m not into stamping really, but I’m going to have a look. Simple stamp I think, but very effective. I’ve just given my craft room a complete re-vamp, so it’s time for something outside my comfort zone. Have a good year John. More good night’s sleep. xx
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Happy New year John I love these cards,it just proves that you do not need to over embellish if you have good stamps.
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This is a cracking stamp just love love love the
simplicity of the flowers. I really enjoy ‘colouring in’ and find it relaxing although I’ve never managed a mega sleep like yours but I can live in hope ha ha.
Looks like 2019 is going to be a good crafting year
Keep smiling Karen x
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Fabulous cards John, Love the colours used and different colouring mediums. Loving that you have recently used Simon Says Stamp and Mamma Elephant as these are my recent discoveries. Happy New Year, glad to hear you managed 12 hours sleep. Keep up the good work. Wishing 2019 is a brilliant year for you xx Hazel
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