Another hint of Christmas

Another Christmas card - I'm on a roll LOL! The snowflake image has been embossed with white embossing powder, then cut with the scallop circle punch. The bird has been stamped using Island Indigo on white cardstock, then cut with the 1" circle punch and popped up on dimensionals in the centre of the embossed snowflakes. The rest is pretty self-explanatory, I think! Please get in touch if it's not :) 

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Four Seasons (hostess), Wacky Wishes (hostess)
• Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Versamark
• Cardstock: Island Indigo, Whisper White
• Other: Top Note die, 2 3/8" Scallop circle punch, 1" Circle punch, White embossing powder, In-colour 11-13 designer paper, In-colour printed brads, dimensionals.

It's beginnning to look a bit like Christmas!

I made a start on my Christmas cards! This one is a nice, quick one to get in the mood :) It uses the Snow Festival printed tags, which are fab for a range of Christmas projects such as cards, tags, gift boxes etc. They are available in the Autumn/Winter catalogue, a bargain at only £3.75 for 25 tags!

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Happy Hour, Starburst wheel
• Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green
• Cardstock: Gumball Green
• Other: Snow Festival designer printed tags, Cherry Cobbler seam biding ribbon, white Baker's Twine.

Happy birthday sis!

I've finally found a bit of time to blog! The kids have been hogging the computer lately - I think I'll have to ration them LOL! Here's the card I made for my sister's birthday last month.

I've started with a base of naturals ivory cardstock and a layer of melon mambo designer paper. I embossed a piece of espresso core'dinations cardstock using the vintage wallpaper embossing folder, then sanded the surface. This removes the top layer of cardstock to reveal the inner core to give a distressed, antique look. I also added some dotty scalloped ribbon, turned over to hide the dots! The sentiment has been stamped using espresso ink onto a die cut of ivory cardstock, and flowers stamped in melon mambo ink have been cut out and adhered using dimensionals. Flower centre pearls and a snippet of crochet trim add the final touch.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Sincere Salutations (retired)
• Ink: Early Espresso, Melon Mambo
• Cardstock: Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso core'dinations
• Other: Labels Collection Framelits, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Cheerful Treat Designer paper (retired), Scallop Dots ribbon, Crochet Trim, basic pearls, dimensionals.

Halloween

Here's a quick post with a Halloween treat I made. I started making the treats, then realised that I would have no-one to give them to as the boys are at Gran's house and I'm on a late shift so won't see any Trick or Treaters! The original plan was to fill them with some orange-coloured chocolate balls I'd seen in the supermarket but as they won't be used as treats, I've substituted a chocolate drinking straw for demonstration purposes :)

Front

Back

The new skinny cello bags are great for little treats, and the topper can be changed to suit the occasion. 

Hope you have a fab Halloween, back soon!

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps: Mixed Medley (hostess A/W)

Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White

Other: Two Tags Bigz die, 1 3/4" Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" Scallop circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, Cello bags.

Retiring lists

It's time to make room in the Stampin' Up! warehouse for all new stamping goodies! Here are the lists of items that are retiring from the current catalogue. They are selling quickly, so if there's anything you need, please get in touch :)

Retiring stamps

Retiring accessories

This post will remain at the top of the blog till the end of September. Please scroll down for newer posts!

Goodbye simply soft

This is one of the Hostess sets that are retiring this month. I had plans to make lots of cards with these stamps – I didn’t get round to making most of them but I’ll be holding on to this set for my personal use as it’s gorgeous and I can’t bear to part with it :)

Products used (all Stampin’ Up!):

• Stamps: Simply Soft (hostess), Petite Pairs
• Ink: Black Stazon, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz
• Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder (textured), Concord Crush, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
• Other: Designer Paper (In-colour 2011-2013), Labels Collection dies, Scallop Edge border punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam binding, Basic pearls, Aqua Painter, dimensionals.

A thank you card

Here’s a card made with some products from the summer mini that I didn’t get round to posting. Here’s hoping some of them make it into the NEW annual catalogue, which starts October 1st ;)
Products used (all Stampin’ Up!):

• Stamps: Curly Cute
• Ink: Soft Suede
• Cardstock: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade
• Other: Fun Flowers Bigz L die, Fancy flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Attic Boutique DSP (summer mini), Adorning Accents Edgelits die (summer mini), Circle Fire Rhinestone brads, Whisper White 5/8” satin ribbon.

Bye bye July (almost)

July has thundered along at an alarming rate, as usual! The last few weeks at school are always full - fun and fitness day, discos, performances etc. Then there's birthdays and holiday preparations. This year we've had my niece's emigration to add to the mix so parties, photos and kids bonding-time had to be squeezed in there somewhere. Crafting has taken a backseat this month :)
I have made a few cards to show you though. This one was for Sophie, who has been helping James with his literacy for a few months. She has really boosted his confidence, and he's not quite so nervous of going to big school now! A little pressie and card were definitely required as a thank you for all her hard work.

Products used (all Stampin’ Up!):

• Stamps: Just Believe
• Ink: Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush
• Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Concord Crush, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
• Other: Cheerful Treat Designer Paper (hostess), Fancy Flower punch, Bird Builder punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop Trim border punch, Concord Crush stitched poly ribbon, stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals.

Where oh where…..

……..has this month gone? Certainly not in the pursuit of a suntan – hypothermia and webbed feet would be more likely LOL! I’m hoping I get this posted in time to link to the Pals Paper Arts challenge 137, which is a sketch challenge this time round.
The not quite navy card base has been stamped with the chart/ledger stamp using not quite navy ink. A circle of confetti cream cardstock has been stamped with the globe image in crumb cake ink and attached to the card base. The ship has been inked in not quite navy in, then cut out and attached to the globe layer using dimensionals. The compass has been stamped in cajun craze ink, then cut out with the 1 1/4” circle punch and attached using dimensionals. Linen thread has been wrapped around the left hand side of the card to add a little texture and balance.
Products used (all Stampin’ Up!):

• Stamps: The Open Sea
• Ink: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Cajun Craze
• Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Confetti Cream
• Other: 1 1/4” punch, stamp-a-ma-jig, linen thread, dimensionals. 

Double whammy

Sit down and take a deep breath. I’ve managed to participate in TWO challenges AND get a photo taken before the challenges close! I think that’s a first for me :) The two challenges are the ColourQ challenge 137:

       

and also the Freshly made sketches 37:

I flipped the sketch to landscape and started with a crumb cake card base and added a subtle background using the swirl from Everything Eleanor and second generation stamping. I inked the stamp, then stamped onto a piece of scrap paper before stamping on the card – this produces a paler impression. I used the very vintage wheel with razzleberry ink onto white cardstock, then sponged a little crumb cake ink on the edges to soften them a little. This has then been trimmed and added to a navy layer with one scalloped side.

The label shape from Everything Eleanor has been stamped with bashful blue ink on white cardstock, and the sentiment added using navy ink. This has been trimmed and attached to the card using dimensionals. Two razzleberry coloured flowers have been cut out and attached to the top right hand corner of the label. A pearl in the centre of each flower finishes the card off.

Products used (all Stampin’ Up!):

• Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Sincere Salutations
• Ink: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue
• Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Night of Navy
• Other: Scallop Edge border punch, Basic Pearls, Stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals.

On your bike

I’m trying to participate in more challenges at the moment, but unfortunately I don’t often get them finished and photographed in time :) I created this card with the ColourQ challenge 137 in mind.

I started with a gray card base and panels of turquoise, limeade and wisteria cardstock with the corresponding designer paper. The bike has been stamped using gray ink on white cardstock with a gray layer underneath as a mat. The presents have been coloured using inks and an aquapainter for a little pop of colour.

I thought the white layer looked a bit bare, so I added some wisteria bakers twine, a green (old olive) button and turquoise brads – I think it might be better with the image off-centre and a ribbon/twine trim. I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock and cut into little banner shapes.
Products used (all Stampin’ Up!):

• Stamps: Pedal Presents, Happiest Birthday Wishes
• Ink: Basic Grey, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder
• Cardstock: Basic Grey, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
• Other: Designer Paper (Brights, In-colour 2011-2013), Wisteria Wonder Bakers Twine, Designer Buttons (Brights), Brads (Brights), Aqua Painter, dimensionals.

New goodies

I’ve finally had a chance to use some of the products from the new summer mini, and take some photos!

I created a pretty edge to the card using one of the new edgelit dies and matching embossing folder on blushing bride cardstock. The flower image (from the apothecary art stamp set) has been stamped in black ink on white cardstock, then cut using one of the new framelits dies (labels collection). The flowers were coloured using an aqua painter and several of the pink inks to produce some depth of colour, and green on the leaves. A mat of green designer paper (twitterpated) with a white trim, created using the dotted scallop ribbon border punch, lies under the main image. Black satin ribbon with a tab accent provides another layer. The sentiment has been stamped in black on pear cardstock and trimmed into a banner shape.

Products used (all Stampin’ Up!):

• Stamps: Apothecary Art
• Ink: Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz, Certainly Celery
• Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz
• Other: Labels Collection Framelits dies, Adorning Accents Edgelit dies, Adorning Accents Embossing folders, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Black 5/8” satin ribbon, Aqua Painter, dimensionals.

Lots to tell you!

I've got lots of Stampin' Up! news for you today.

Products

The new summer mini is now live with lots of great new products - check out the link below or on the right hand side to see for yourself :)

One of the fab new products is the Simply Scored Board. The board is based on Imperial measurements, with grooves every 1/8" to make scoring nice and easy, and there is a metric plate that sits on top for crafters who prefer working in centimetres.

Also available this month, though it isn't in the mini catalogue, is a diagonal plate for the Simply Scored. This allows you to make envelopes to your own specifications for n0n-standard card sizes, as well as many other uses.

Here's a video showing you how to make an envelope.

Become a Demonstrator

There are also several fabulous recruitment promotions this month from Stampin' Up! Ever thought of signing up as a demonstrator? Now you can sign up for just £99! And don't worry if you already own Stampin' Up! products - the new starter kit is fully customisable so YOU choose the products you need, upto a value of £130. Business supplies, worth a further £45, are included AND you get free shipping! A great deal whether you want to start your own flexible business, or just buy for yourself.

And as an added incentive, if you sign up as a demonstrator in May, Stampin' Up! will give you free registration for Convention 2012 in Mainz, Germany (worth £149!) What are you waiting for?! Please get in touch if you would like more information about joining the SU family :)

More Spice Cake

Another self-explanatory card today! Triangles of spice cake designer paper on confetti cream cardstock form the card base. The trees have been stamped in chocolate chip ink onto another piece of confetti cream cardstock. There are small, coloured inclusions in this cardstock which gives it a rustic look - ideal for today's card. The rustic feel is echoed in the layer of chocolate chip cardstock with torn edges. You can't see from this photo, but I've used textured cardstock for added character. The sentiment has been stamped with chocolate chip ink, then cut using the decorative label punch. TIP: Stamp the sentiment, then turn the punch upside down so that you position the sentiment exactly where you need it. The same punch has been used with textured chocolate chip cardstock to produce an accent layer underneath.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)
• Ink: Chocolate Chip
• Cardstock: Confetti Cream, Chocolate Chip
• Other: Spice Cake DSP, Decorative Label punch, dimensionals.

Spice cake

A simple and self-explanatory card today - spice cake DSP on mustard and soft suede cardstock layers. A panel of DSP on soft suede cardstock across the middle with twill tape knots. A tag of soft suede cardstock with punched-out layers of very vanilla, pool party and more mustard cardstock, stamped with soft suede ink. The tag is removeable, so can be used as a bookmark etc.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)
• Ink: Soft Suede
• Cardstock: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
• Other: Spice Cake DSP, Two Tags die, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, Twill tape, dimensionals.

Another challenge card

Today's card was inspired by another colour challenge - this time it was the Just add Ink colour challenge 112, to use the following colours:

I've used pink pirouette, crumb cake and chocolate chip inks to stamp several of the images from the spiced paisley set. I also stamped one of the images using versamark, then used heat and powder and dazzling diamonds glitter to add a little sparkle to the background layer. Next I embossed this layer using the square lattice embossing folder to add a bit of texture, and added to a chocolate chip mat and a crumb cake card base.

A strip of chocolate chip cardstock, cut with the lace ribbon border punch, provides a background for the gorgeous lace crochet trim. A double-loop bow of the lace has also been added using an antique brad.The sentiment has been stamped in chocolate chip ink onto an oval of vanilla cardstock, and added to the fabulous vintage-looking frame (cut with one of the tags dies in pink pirouette).

And I thought I was on time to post to the challenge blog! Unfortunately I forgot the time difference between here and Oz ;) Here’s a closer look at the glittered paisley - unfortunately you lose a lot of the glitter when it is embossed.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Spiced Paisley, Sincere Salutations
• Ink: Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
• Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
• Other: Lace Ribbon border punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits die, Extra Large Oval punch, Victoria Crochet trim, Antique brads, Heat and Stick powder, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

A SAB colour challenge

My mojo was missing-in-action, so I thought a colour challenge might get the creativity flowing. I decided on the Splitcoast Stampers colour challenge CC366, to use Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight and Pool Party with a neutral of white or Vanilla. An added option was to use ribbon or seam binding. Kerching!!! A card is born!

A strip of pool party DSP has been trimmed with a daffodil border, made using the dotted scallop ribbon border punch, and layered onto vanilla cardstock. The vanilla ribbon has been added with the ends tucked under the vanilla mat, which has then been added to the poppy cardbase.
The stamp image from the SAB set Fresh vintage has been stamped in daffodil, poppy and pool inks onto vanilla cardstock, then cut out with the 1 1/4” square punch. These have then been mounted onto a scalloped square of the corresponding coloured cardstock, and adhered to the top of the vanilla layer at different angles. (Didn’t I do well not putting them in a straight line? It really had my OCD gene a-jangling, though :) )
The sentiment has been inked using the 3 different markers, and stamped off-centre (gulp!) onto an oval of vanilla cardstock on a poppy scalloped oval. A little flower, made with the boho blossom punch and a large pearl, occupies that spare space next to the sentiment. I crumpled the layers a little to give a bit more texture.
I’m really pleased with this one, I probably wouldn’t have teamed these colours together but the end result is so bright and cheery. I may just use this one again :)
Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB set), Petite Pairs
• Ink: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party
• Cardstock: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
• Other: Spice Cake DSP, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, 1 1/4" Square punch, Scallop Square punch, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Pearls, 3/8" Vanilla velvet ribbon, dimensionals.

Another SAB card

Here's a card I made for my niece's birthday last week. It uses another stamp set that you can get for free with a £45 order during the Sale-a-Bration promotion, as well as that gorgeous free designer paper! Sorry about the quality of the photo, it was an 'about to go in the envelope' job!

The frame image has been stamped in pool party ink onto pool party cardstock, and the centre cut out using the curly label punch. A ruffle of twill has been stapled underneath the frame image and the ends trimmed to a point. The sentiment has been stamped in soft suede onto vanilla cardstock, then positioned under the opening of the stamped frame. The frame is popped up on dimensionals - I can't seem to make a card without them! A card base of limeade cardstock and everyday enchantment designer paper provides the perfect backdrop - I added a little crumb cake ink around the edges of the paper to give a more vintage look.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Elementary Elegance (SAB set)
• Ink: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
  
• Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
• Other: Curly Label punch, Twill Tape, dimensionals, staples.

Sale-a-Bration card

As promised, a card made using one of the stamp sets available during Sale-a-Bration. This has been sent as a belated birthday card to a lovely friend that unfortunately I don't see too often. Must try to remedy that this year :)

The image has been inked using markers and stamped onto white cardstock, which has then been matted onto black cardstock. The border stamp has been used on a strip of limeade cardstock using limeade ink, and a layer of small black scallops adds definition. I used the dotted scallop ribbon border to achieve this, and cut the border in half before attaching to the back of the limeade panel.

The main image has been used as a background on the wisteria card base - I 'stamped off' the ink to produce a paler impression on the cardstock. The flower stamp also provides a pale image on the sentiment circle to provide continuity in the card design, with the sentiment stamped in black ink. Rhinestones have been used on the sentiment, one of the flowers and in the lower corner to add a bit of bling!

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB set), Petite Pairs
• Ink: Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black
• Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Basic Black
• Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Rhinestone jewels.

Sale-a-Bration is here!

One of the highlights of the Stampin' Up! year is the Sale-a-Bration promotion. You can choose a free gift for every £45 order during the promotion, so a £90 order will get you 2 gifts and so on. This year, there is a choice of four stamp sets and (for the first time) a designer paper pack. The paper is absolutely gorgeous, I think it's the best DSP SU have ever given us! And it's free! What could be better?

I'm off to drool, I mean create some projects with my new FREE products! Don't forget to click on the Sale-a-Bration image on the right to see what products YOU could be drooling over soon!