Christmas Gifts

Anything I have made recently has found its way to the bin, this one narrowly missed.
I have used a Stamplorations stamp set Retro Mod Shapes to make these Christmas gifts. It's a great set with many shapes to mix and match. This is using a square and a leaf shape.

I realised that I should have spaced them so there was a clearer area for the words to go over, if you see what I mean. I just chose the most clear area and wrapped the overlay there.
I added a little bit of sparkle to the stars. 
I'm linking this to
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - where the theme is Gifts

And August Rudolf Days over at Scrappy Mo's blog. How is it possible we are near the end of August?
On the bright side, it is a beautiful day today and a Bank Holiday weekend is looming. I hope everyone here in the UK is able to enjoy it that we don't get typical bank holiday weather! Here we always make two plans - wet and dry. :)
Hopefully I can get back into it and find my mojo, especially as I need a birthday card for next week.
Enjoy your day.
x

Punched pink butterflies

A few months ago I bought a butterfly punch as I'd seen some lovely cards made by sewing punched butterflies onto card. I thought - Oh yes, I must have a go at that! 
 I didn't save these pictures and can I find them now?   No.

Anyway I had a go and this is what I made:

  
I've spent a stupid amount of time trying to get a good photo of this so here are a few and that's what you're getting!

 
 I made this by inking an acrylic block and spritzing with water. Then I smooshed it onto paper and when it was dry I punched out the butterflies. 
I placed them (that makes it sound very easy!) then fixed them on with tiny amount of glue on under the bodies.  

 
 Then I stitched along the whole length. The stitching does not bear close scrutiny and I did find the machine went too fast at times so I used the wheel. I hadn't accounted for the angles I'd put the butterflies at. 

Mrs A's Butterfly Challenge is currently to use punches and/or pink. I only have two punches and one is a butterfly so this was the perfect opportunity to break it out. 

AAA Cards are currently looking for stitching.

 

 Finally, am I brave enough to enter the CAS Mix Up challenge? The cards there are so amazing and inventive and always look immaculate, mine is a bit scruffy and I'm not entirely happy with the design. 
I used a water spray to get the colour effect on the pink, and also stitching and a punch.

Finally, if anyone can tell me how to get a really good white when taking a photo, I'd be grateful. I've tried using a lamp, but maybe it's the wrong kind, and I have got the white balance set right.