Still here

Oh my goodness, has it really been that long since my last blog post?  Bad blogger!

Since the last post I have been to the USA again and returned armed with lots of lovely new materials, including some fabulous & very original stamps from the rather wonderful                           VivaLasVegasStamps store...                                   a hidden little gem off Sahara.

This place is well worth a visit if you are ever in town - it is a stampers dream with walls and walls of amazing rubber stamps for all occasions. The image on the right came from there and seemed apt to accompany this post.

I have been working on a new range of cards and next week will have something to share that I am really excited about...so watch this space...

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

For Mum...

I recently got a new Vintage Verses stamp set and included in the messages was one that reads

"Wishing you a day as perfect as you are..."

When I started to consider how I might use that particular sentiment (perfection is pretty rare after all)  Mum, was the word that immediately sprang to mind.  As this Mother's day card was born, using the  perfect as you sentiment as a focal point..


 This card is a shortfall design - which basically means the front of the card is not as wide as the back of the card, allowing some of the internal  design to be visible even when the card is closed.



The second picture shows the inside of the card when fully opened. There is an option for a private message tag to be included - this would slip into an open pocket on the inside panel.



There will be more Mother's Day designs coming in the next week or so. If you have something specific in mind for a card to send on Mother's Day to someone you love, then please do get in touch.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

One for the boys...

This week I have been busy making cards for men and thought I would share a couple of designs with you today. These were all for men who do not have the more traditional  interests often featured on shop bought cards.


The first one (on the right) was the card I made for my nephew's birthday this week.  The card was built onto a neutral tone card base, all ink edged and distressed by hand.  These type of cards can be made to suit any style of clothing and in a range of colours and patterns ..and not just for men either.


Sticking within the grey tones the card below was, by request,  a grungy birthday card. All hand stamped  using a combination of basic greys and some summer star fruit inks. The 3D rosette on the front was hand stamped, hand cut and layered. The inside panel of card was stamped to match.

 And the last one for today - this landscape card was made using a combination of blues and greys  stamped and over stamped onto an ink-edged white background, layered onto a black card base.
Hand stamped and pierced 3 D greetings panels were added to the front centre. The inside of the
card was stamped to match.


Of course I do also make cards with sports themes, sports cars, speed boats, poker and beer etc... but the real beauty of hand made cards is that  as well as having the potential to be personalised with names and dates or other personal greetings, they can be made to suit the interests and lifestyles of the intended recipients.

If you would like a card made for someone you care about please do get in touch...I am more than happy to help you to go the extra mile to add that extra smile.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Bad Blogger 2013

Oh my goodness I cannot believe I have neglected my poor blog yet again. It is a good job there is no blog police or I would be in serious trouble!

I have excuses a plenty... the pre festive rush was exhausting... the Festive Feast was fabulous and I had a great time. Thanks to everyone who came down to visit that weekend and a special thanks to all the lovely customers. Once that was finished I still had to make the cards for us to send to family and friends and I was busy right up until the night before Christmas.

Christmas was pretty quiet (we like that) and as a  family we were rather unwell over Xmas and into the New Year... and health issues have followed us through January and into February...

But these are just excuses. Although the blogging has fallen by the wayside, orders have been coming in and cards have been going out and all is well in the Serendipity world.

So here are a few of the creations for 2013 so far...


Left: A simple all occasions card featuring hand stamped, cut and decoupaged flowers and butterflies

Right: A hand stamped celebration card given the splatter spray treatment

 Left: Bright and bold birthday card for anyone with a need for speed. Hand stamped with punched border

Above:  Layered and Embossed hand stamped card with hand cut 3D flowers


Left:: Hand stamped, hand cut flowers and butterflies layered across this card, finished with pearls.

Right: Cream scallop card layered with neutrals, hand stamped greeting with a feature 3D frame embellishment and bow.

Left: 3D  Faux box card featuring butterflies and greenery.

Above: Scallop card double embossed with hand cut border details and 3D glittered Decoupage





Left: Hand stamped Granddaughter birthday card using two step stamping, hand cut flowers, paper piercing and decoupage, finished with mini pearls.

Right: With Love  multi layered vibrant patterned all occasions card with hand cut borders and sentiment panel.










This is just a small selection of cards form the first weeks of 2013...just to prove I have not been as idle as my blog might suggest. If you would like me to make a card for any occasion or for any of the special people in your life then please do get in touch today.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Festive Feast 2012

This weekend sees another fabulous Festive Feast event over two days at Stoke Newington Town Hall on  Church Street, London N16 . ...and I am delighted to be attending as a stall holder this year.

Entry is free to the public and there are a wide variety of stalls selling gorgeous handmade goodies (I am on stand 14, which is  to the right as you come through the main doors), a refreshment stall and of course Santa will be in his grotto on the stage at the back of the hall.

Frosty and I hope to see you - if you do come along please drop by and say hello. Any customer who  says Frosty said to say hello will get a little something extra  in with their purchases.

Buy something Original for your loved ones this year and support Handmade Christmas.

Hope to see you at the weekend

Take care

Christa   xx

Deck the halls...

The Festive Season is almost upon us and  I have been so busy making things for the upcoming craft fairs.

This year, as well as the usual cards and gift tags, I am trying to make lots of different things ... one of which is constructed flower wreaths like the one in the picture here.

These take a long time to make, cutting all the flower shapes, inking and curling each petal, building each unique bloom, painting the frame and tying ribbons before arranging the finished blooms and adding a little glitz. This one is in non-traditional colours but they can be made in any colour palette and in a range of sizes.  They are really pretty and I will have one in my home this year for sure.

As the countdown begins I will bring sneak peeks of other products and details of the craft fairs I will be attending. In the meantime if you would like one of these, please contact me to discuss the details.

Until; next time, take care

Christa   xx

Last minute

 I have just finished this nautical themed card after receiving an anguished plea from a regular customer for a last minute card for a  man's 70th birthday.

 A little stamping and embossing later I had the basis for this card and with a little nautical trim and some metal hardware for the porthole, it is done and  will soon be on its way to the hopefully happy customer....

I do offer an occasions list service to avoid any last minute rushes and this lady has decided now is the time to take advantage of this.

The occasions list simply means that she will give me a list of all the birthdays, anniversaries and occasions she would normally send a card, along with any important details regarding likes and dislikes and I will make the cards and sent them to her in plenty of time for her to write her message and send the card on to the intended recipient. So no more missed birthdays or last minute dashes for a card and she can still call me if she needs anything else that was not on her list.

If you would like to know more about this service please drop me a line

Until next time

Christa   xx