Stamp a Sweet Impression

Happy Friday! Did this week fly by? Gotta love those four day weeks! It's time to introduce you to Our Friday Friend and this time we're going all the way to England! Please welcome Amy Wanford (Aimes on SCS). We saw this card in Amy's SCS gallery and were immediately enchanted. We couldn't wait to ask her to create a card using Taylor's sketch TECC70 to share with you today (to play along in the challenge hop over to Taylor's blog.) And she didn't disapoint! Check out her delightful card (click on it to see it larger) and read our interview with Amy to learn a little more about her.

--What city/state/country do you live in?

I live across the pond in England. I’m originally from heart of the Peak District, from a small market town called Wirksworth, in Derbyshire. However, I now live in the city of Sheffield, though I’m still very close to the Peak District!

--How did you become addicted to papercrafts? How long have you been stamping?

I’ve always been into crafts, including papercrafts, ever since I can remember! I have a specific childhood memory of my mum coming home with this HUGE pack of different coloured paper. I was SO excited but so frugal with the stuff, it must have lasted years! (Nothing changes – I’m still a hoarder now!)
My main hobby was and still is drawing/doodling as well as stamping now of course!
I was first introduced to stamping by an old friend of mine who decided to set up a business and own a craft shop about 8 years ago. I popped along to visit one day and the rest, as they say, is history! I purchased a couple of stamps and inks from her shop and attempted to make a few cards (I cringe when I think back to them – I thought they were works of art at the time LOL!)
The last few years have been pretty manic so stamping took a bit of a back seat until very recently. I would say that I’ve only been on the real stamping scene myself for less than a year! My true addiction started with the discovery of SCS and a dear blogging friend of mine Kate. We swapped a few images a while ago, (including some sweet Taylored Expressions images!) and I then felt the need to own some of those stamps myself!
I think I’m well and truly addicted to stamping for the long run now thanks to both Kate and Stephanie (who is another dear stamping friend of mine.) Their passion for stamping, positive words of encouragement and friendship never fails to inspire me!

--How would you describe your style? What are you favorite projects to create?

Style…well my style is much like my mood – it changes on a daily basis LOL! One day it’s cute, the next day it’s modern. The only thing that does show quite frequently through my creations is my love for the colour green and birds! I guess my style changes depending on why I’m having an inky session. If I’m making a card for a particular person then I’ll try to adopt a style that I think they’ll appreciate – which I find really hard to do!
I love making cards but when I have the time, I really enjoy making little bags, boxes and treat holders. The part I like best is giving it to the recipient and seeing the smile on their face (and mine!).

--Do you have a favorite SASI image?

This is a toughie because all those cuppies are just so cute! But if I was forced (and I mean forced!) to choose one I think it would have to be the cuppie from the Love Is Sweet set that’s drawing a heart. I think I must relate to it, I love drawing and scarily enough have the same face of concentration when I draw! Though the cuppie that’s just had a smacker on the cheek if very cute too – I love the facial expression and humour! Oh I can’t decide – can I have both please!?

--What is your favorite sweet treat? (feel free to share the recipe if you have one!)

Now I have so many, but I guess that the one that I’d rely on in an emergency would be Gingerbread. I’m no master-chef but I was given a recipe that makes a yummy gingerbread that stays soft and doughy inside. It’s definitely best eaten straight from the oven and dunked into a good cup of tea! If I can bake it, anyone can! Obviously the recipe is written for us across the pond but feel free to try and translate it…not sure what a substitute for Golden Syrup is over there though!
Makes 15 - 20 biscuits

Ingredients
350g plain flour
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
100g butter
175g soft brown sugar
1 egg
4 tbsp Golden Syrup

· 1. Mix together the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda.
· 2. Rub in the butter until it looks like breadcrumbs.
· 3. Add the sugar.
· 4. In a separate bowl mix together the egg and golden syrup then add to the dry ingredients.
· 5. Mix together until it forms a dough. Tip out onto a clean, floured work surface and knead for a minute or two until it is smooth.
· 6. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5.
· 7. Roll out the dough to the depth of a pencil (approx 5mm) and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
· 8. Lay the biscuits on a greased baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown

Mmmmmm...sounds yummy! You can hop over to Amy's blog Crafting Confessions to learn more about today's card and see more of her creations. Thank you Amy for being Our Friday Friend!

If you'd like to be considered for Our Friday Friend all you need to do is upload your TE/SASI/Whimsical Wishes creations to the gallery at SCS and use keyword tayloredexpressions (NO Space). We'd love to see what you are doing with TE stamps!

Have a sweet weekend!

-Jami