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
• 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.

LiveJournal Tags: Pedal Presents,DSP,challenge,SU,cards

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.

LiveJournal Tags: Apothecary Art,Framelits,Edgelits,punches

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.

Technorati Tags: SU,cards,challenge,Sincere Salutations,Spiced Paisley,dies,punches

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!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you've all had a fabulous Christmas, with time with the family and lots of lovely crafty presents! I've been very remiss in not posting but the Christmas mojo has been missing this year. Here are a few creations - if you need further information, just get in touch!

Hope that 2012 is a very Happy and healthy New Year for you all :)

Happy birthday sis!

Here's the card I made for my sister's birthday several weeks ago, using the gorgeous Beau Chateau designer papers. I must admit that I completely ignored these papers in the catalogue but then I saw them 'in the flesh' and they are fabulous! Not sure about the rooster on one of the papers, but the advantage of double sided papers means I don't have to use him ;)

I started with a square cardbase of Natural Ivory cardstock, added the brown DSP, then cut the pink DSP to the right size before tearing one side and inking with soft suede ink. Some vanilla 1/4" grosgrain ribbon has been layered onto a strip of suede cardstock (cut with the dotted scallop ribbon border punch).

I have used a designer frames embossing folder on more of the ivory cardstock, torn round the outside of the frame and inked using soft suede. The sentiment has been stamped with suede ink onto an oval of pink cardstock and added to the inside of the frame.

My sister loved it but in hindsight, I wish I'd added some pearls for a bit more bling!

Thank you

Well, October has been and gone already! Not much crafting for me for various reasons, but I'm hoping to rectify that this month as I need to get cracking on the Christmas cards! Here's one card I made earlier in the month for the members of my Stamper's 6 group - it showcases some of the lovely new products available in the 2011-2012 catalogue. I actually made it in several colourways but this is the one I got a photo of.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Curly Cute
• Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo
  
• Cardstock: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Basic Black
• Other: Lace Ribbon border punch, 1" Circle punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits die, Boho Blossoms punch, Extra Large Oval punch, Rhinestone jewels.

New catalogue!

It's that special time of year again - we can order lots of gorgeous products from the new 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! catalogue!

Please use the link at the right-hand side to see for yourself all the new products. We've got 5 fabulous new In-Colours, and lots of new stamps, designer papers and accessories (including some must-have ribbons!)

The new In Colours:

The hostess benefits have changed in the new catalogue too, so it's much easier to get the sets that you like! A hostess will now earn 'hostess pounds', the amount depending on workshop sales total. These hostess pounds can then be used to buy hostess-exclusive products or anything else in the catalogue. And any set can be bought with the lowest qualifying workshop!

Too late!

Wow, the past few weeks have flown by. I had a few cards featuring retiring products that I wanted to post before the new catalogue went live, but I'm last-minute-Larry as usual! Never mind, I'll be ordering new goodies tomorrow and hope they arrive quickly (I have a NEED for a certain new ribbon ;)) As a demonstrator, I could order some new products early, so I may be giving a little teaser over the next few days to whet your appetite! In the meantime, here's a few I made earlier.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Fast and Fabulous (hostess L2), Simply Said
• Ink: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade
  
• Cardstock: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Whisper White
• Other: In Colour Designer Paper pack (hostess L1), Large Oval punch, Scalloped Oval punch, White 5/8" Organza ribbon.
  

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Kimono Kids
• Ink: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze
  
• Cardstock: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
• Other: Modern Label punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits die, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta ribbon.

Sold out!

The following items on the last chance list are no longer available:

Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets

Pewter Jumbo Eyelets

Red Riding Hood 12 x 12 cardstock

Sense of Time stamp set

2010-2012 In Colour Classic ink refills (set)

Star punch

Cute by the Inch (W) hostess set

Afterthoughts (W) hostess set

Silver elastic cord

Choo Choo stamp set

Jolly Holiday DSP

Wild Wasabi 12 x 12 cardstock

Tart and Tangy

Right on Track wheel

Sanded background

Tempting Turquoise 12 x 12 cardstock

Whisper White 12 x 12 cardstock

On Board Art Journal

Real Red 3/8" taffeta ribbon

Spiral punch

Forest Friends

Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin'

Night of Navy 5/8" satin ribbon

On a Pedestal

I will try to keep this list up to date! Please scroll down for newer posts.

More retirees.

This card features several products on the last chance list. The Greenhouse Gala designer paper and Afterthoughts stamp set (clear mount) are still available, but the jumbo eyelets have sold out.

The designer paper has been cut with the top note die, cut along the perforated line and stuck to a top note shape cut from pumpkin pie cardstock. This has then been cut in half vertically and added to a card base of chocolate chip. Jumbo eyelets have been added to the baja breeze oval layer, and twill threaded through the holes before being tied together with linen thread. the sentiment has been stamped on pear pizzazz cardstock and added using dimensionals.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Afterthoughts (hostess L1)
  
• Ink: Chocolate Chip
  
• Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz
• Other: Greenhouse Gala designer paper, Top Note Die, 1 3/4"circle punch, Extra Large Oval punch, Pewter Jumbo eyelets, 3/8" Twill tape, linen thread.

A new home

Here's a 'new home' card made using one of the wheels that is retiring this month. I must admit that I often forget about my wheels as they are stored on a high shelf and 'out of sight' certainly seems to be 'out of mind' for me. I think a re-organisation of my craft space is called for (so that I can get new catty stash in there!)

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps – Neighbourhood wheel, Four Frames, Sincere Salutations
• Ink – Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze
• Cardstock – Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
• Other – Decorative label punch, Mat pack, Paper piercing tool, Markers, dimensionals.

Last chance!

It's that time of year again! Stampin' Up! need to make space for all the new products in the 2011-12 catalogue, so some of the current products are retiring. This is your last chance to get them, and only while stocks last. As some products are reduced by 40%, this may not be long! Please click below to get the list.

Don't forget that the current mini catalogue only lasts until the end of September, and there's no guarantee that the products will carry over to the new catalogue. Please contact me if you would like to order any products from the mini or last chance list, before it's too late!