Flutter By Wednesday's Cute Stamps and Cards Double Act

I bought some new Lavinia Stamps at Ally Pally at the weekend.  I already have some but I really struggled with brayering and so had hardly used them as they are so well suited to a brayered background.  I also bought an inking tool and some foam pads and had a go at making a soft distress ink background for my images.  I botched the first attempt and recognise that I need more practice.  I heat embossed the fairy which added some "sparkle" making it suitable for entry into this week's Flutter By Wednesday challenge and I am actually very pleased with the effect.  Papers are by Basic Grey, the ticket stamp was free with a Craft Stamper magazine and the purple lace ribbon, also an Ally Pally purchase, is LLB.  Other embellishments are from my stash.  This card is for my best matey's eldest daughter.  I have to post it now (and hope she doesn't see it) to enter it into the great sketch over at Cute Stamps and Cards.

I made my second card in double quick time (which means it took me two hours instead of four!) using one of the GF Cheeky Cherries (stamped from Julie - thank you) with some K&Co papers and a little Stampin Up sentiment! I so enjoyed the sketch at Cute Stamps and Cards that I used it twice. I chose the image because I thought she would be easy to colour but actually the large face and the abundance of hair caused me some difficulty. I like the colours even though I have only just realised that they are very similar to the ones Julie used when she made a card for me with the same image!

Thank you for your lovely comments.  I promise to drop by soon to see all of your lovely work!