Another new job

Hopefully all the Spring mini catalogue orders are now in... if you have something you want last minute I can probably squeeze in an order at lunchtime but you will have to call me on 07968 951957 to be sure.

Tomorrow I will be able to show you the new Summer mini catalogue and some projects using the products from here, but today I just wanted to wish Kat good luck with the first day of her new job.  Hopefully the card will arrive soon as I was a little slack with posting it, but I'm sure this blog post will arrive safely.

I've had a play with some Early Espresso card stock to make this card, as a born and bred user of Chocolate Chip (similar colour 'brown') this is a brave move for me, and I think I can safely say that I really like this shade of Brown and will be using it a lot more :).

The DSP is from the Hostess section of the main catalogue, which means you can only get your hands on it when you host a party and your sales are over £150 - so why not book a FREE party now as I have dates available through May and June (see my Home parties for more).  Just contact me for available dates.

Stamp-a-ma-jig

So the weather today has been totally rubbish, but at least the forecast was right!

I spent the morning catching up on some walking (!) and making use of my NT membership... despite the bad weather it was really lovely and it was great to see the sun come out after lunch when the walking was all done and dusted ;) lol.

I've got quite a few cards to share with you this week, but I can't share them yet for various reasons... instead here is a quick card I made using the For Everything stamp set, which needs the help of a Stamp-a-ma-jig for the best results.

I've chosen some colours that I don't normally pick, So Saffron and Peach Parfait, to co-ordinate with one of the sheets from the Just Add Cake DSP pack.

After inking up the flower stems I used my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the flower heads... but then decided it needed more colour so punched out a couple of flowers using the Boho Blossoms punch and adhered these on top.

For the sentiment I inked up the border part of the stamp leaving the 'friendship' sentiment out and changed this to one of the Teeny Tiny Wishes sentiments, again using the Stamp-a-ma-jig.

If you want to find out more about how useful the Stamp-a-ma-jig tool is, just search for tutorials on the web... all I can say is that I can't craft without mine and for just £10.95 it's a complete bargain.

I would recommend you get one if you have or plan to use the following stamp sets:

For Everything (page 48)

All in the Family (page 46)

Any stamp or set which has sentiments and images on the same stamp, as you can select to use just the image, or just the sentiment when you have the Stamp-a-ma-jig to help you.

A little birdy tells me

Where has the day gone... 

I still have lots to do before tomorrow - eek!

So, just a very quick post to remind you that you only have tomorrow left to order any products from the Spring mini catalogue and to take advantage of the April offer of FREE papers with a purchase of £45.

Anyway, a little bird tells me that there are lots of great products coming in the new Summer mini catalogue which will be released on Tuesday, but I can't tell you what these are yet... however, here's a sneak peak of one of the new stamp set's.

I've used the Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper (DSP) which is one of the packs you can get FREE this month when you spend £45... 

As well as some new products this card features one of my old favourites, the Bird Builder punch, punched out from Rich Razzleberry to co-ordinate with the DSP and combined with Island Indigo and Pool Party from the 2011/13 In Colour range.

Reminders for next week

By my calculations it's Friday (sorry, scheduling posts at the beginning of the week again)! I'm running out of projects to share with you but with any luck I will get to do some crafting this weekend.

I have a couple of reminders for you for next week:

I'm hosting a Come and Craft event next Friday from 6.30pm at my home (GU16) - contact me to book your place.

Bring your craft stash and come along for a few hours and make a few cards and share inspiration.

If you are a beginner or do not have your own materials, you will be able to purchase pre-prepared card packs to make and I will be available to provide any necessary guidance.

Please bring your own glue (supplies available for purchase if necessary).

Secondly, if you don't know already... don't forget that the Spring mini catalogue ends on Monday!  So wanted to share a couple of ideas with you using one of my favourite stamp sets and co-ordinating punches before they retire... it's the Perfect Postage set....

I've already shared a few cards with you that uses this stamp set, so here is another one which uses one of the stamps in the background, designed by Amy.

And this one uses the punch along with a few other items:

I've used the Perfect Pairs sentiments stamp set from the main catalogue as these fit nicely inside this punch, and as you can see you can create a border too.  I've used Whisper White and Rose Red for the sentiment on this card.  The image is from the lovely Button Buddies stamp set which is designed to fit the Designer Buttons... so cool!

Other materials:

Scallop Trim Border punch, Paisley Petals DSP.

If you want to order anything from the Spring mini catalogue and take advantage of the FREE papers from the April offer when you spend £45, get in touch today as I probably won't be able to get your order made in time if you don't let me know before the end of the weekend!  Email me at jadedcrafter@gmail.com.

Completing the set

Here are a couple more cards using the flower stamp from the Button Buddies set... to match the one I showed you yesterday.  I was still trying to create something a bit different to my usual style and managed to achieve this by using colours from the Regals collection.

The card above is Cajun Craze inked onto Whisper White and then I have stamped the image directly onto the card base to create a background behind the flowers.  Notice that the smaller flower is raised up with dimensional sticky pads and I've added buttons to finish off the centres.

This card base is Cherry Cobbler stamped all over with the flower image using Versamark ink to create a lovely background which you can't see very well in the photo.  Then, I have used a panel of Daffodil Delight matted onto Early Espresso.  Again the flower is raised up with a dimensional.

Here's the full set including yesterdays card...

A different style

I've been playing with a few different styles, having borrowed a stamp set or two, it seems only wise to have play and move away from my typical style - whatever that is (lol!)!

I needed to create a set of note cards with a flower theme.  Not being a big fan of flowers generally I thought I'd give the Button Buddies stamp set a try as this would allow me to work within the boundaries of the request but also create something a little less 'girly' than flowers normally involve.

I've inked the image in More Mustard and stamped onto Very Vanilla and then used the 'button' die from the Timeless Junior Alphabet dies set to create faux buttons... and then run these through the Square Lattice embossing folder to give them some texture.  With the linen thread tied through the button holes and then raising these with dimensional sticky pads, I was quite pleased with my finished layout, which I then adhered to a Soft Suede card base and embellished with some Grosgrain Ribbon.

I did mention that I was creating a set, but as I am a little limited on ideas for posts this week you will have to check back for the other 2 cards that goes with this one :).

Scalloped circle die - ladybird

Here is a great card idea which uses the scalloped circle die, designed by Amy, which was shared with us on Sunday at a crafty get together.

It's a nice quick card consisting of mainly punches, and something a bit different which would be suitable for a number of occasions.

I'm going to have to have a proper play with this die soon...

Treat cup holder tutorial

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you an idea using the treat cup holder for an Easter card (see here).  Today I have a slightly tweaked version of this card, that I took along to the crafty get together at a fellow demonstrators house, Fiona, yesterday.

I have a full tutorial available for this card, but unfortunately as soon as I tried to upload it into my blog all the page settings and everything else went all squiffy (!), so if you would like the details please email me and I will send them to you in a pdf file.

The card uses the lovely Something Sweet stamp set and I have used Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo for the colour scheme - not my usual sort of colour choice, but one I will be using again now as it's so bright and cheerful.

The Designer Series Paper is from the paper pack included within the the Hostess only products, Cheerful Treat (see page 9 of the catalogue).  Of course, you can only get your hands on these papers for hosting a party if your sales are over £150.  So, if you would like more details check out my Home Parties page for more or contact me.  

Last few days of Spring mini catalogue products

I've been enjoying crafting most of today with a few of the other demonstrators over at Fiona's.  It was a very relaxing session and we made a selection of projects.  Some of these included products from the new Summer mini catalogue that will be released on 1st May, so you will have to check back to see these in just over a week.

For now though, I can share with you one of the cards we made using the lovely You are Loved stamp set from the current Spring mini catalogue.  The card was designed by Kat...

Featuring Pretty In Pink, Old Olive and Very Vanilla, there was quite a lot of inking and stamping for this card, but it was a lovely idea to finish off the day with.

The centre of the card has been embellished with a piece of the Very Vanilla Satin ribbon 'ruffled' up along by using red sticky strip (tape).  I love this technique as it adds a lovely texture to a card.

Don't forget this stamp set and the others in the Spring mini catalogue which you can find on the right hand side of my blog, will ONLY be available until the end of the month.  So why not take advantage of April's offer when you spend £45, and get a pack of paper for FREE with your order.

I can place orders anytime and postage can be arranged directly to you (normal price £4.95).  However, if your order is £45 or more this month and you can collect it from me (GU16) postage will be FREE too.

Contact me now to place your order via email at jadedcrafter@gmail.com or telephone 07968 951957.



New job

I'm working today so don't have time to craft... instead, here is a card I made last weekend for my friend Tori who started her new job this week. 

It another card that makes use of the great Timeless Junior Alphabet dies, run through my Big Shot machine.  I've coupled Melon Mambo for the base with Wisteria Wonder and Very Vanilla.  Using the Square Lattice embossing folder on the Vanilla piece, I've quickly created a background that suits the little cat from the Patterned Pets stamp set which I've inked in Basic Black and then cut out and mounted with dimensional sticky pads.

Being a cat fan, I assume this card was well received, and I know the first week of the new job went well...

Hello Holly

I only have time for a quick post today.

Here is a card I made recently to send to friends following the arrival of their new bundle.  Congratulations to Lisa, Richard and little Edward, and a great big hello and welcome to Holly!



I had a play with the All in the Family stamp set to create this card, and kept thinking of so many other ideas that I could make with all those different stamps included in the set (28 individual pieces which you can mix and match!).

Materials:

Card stock - Pink Pirouette (base), Melon Mambo (lettering and scalloped circles).

DSP - 'Subtles' collection;

Stamp set - All in the Family;

Ink - Pink Pirouette;

Punches - Scallop Circle, 1' 3/8" circle;

Accessories - Timeless Junior Alphabet dies using the Big Shot machine, 'Subtles' Brads.

Turtles :)

Hi All and Happy Thursday!  Well, it definitely is for me, as I have the day off in return for working on Saturday this week... and I'm off the Paralypics first test event at the Olympic Stadium, and very excited about it too.  Check out the details of how the GBWR (GB Wheelchair Rugby) team are getting on here and more details on the event and the play offs that I will be watching later this afternoon.

If you don't know already, my sister works for the GB Wheelchair Rugby team and hence the advantage of getting tickets to this event... it's not quite the Olympics but it will do for me.

Anyway, todays project features a 'turtle', so next time you see me ask me about the link to what I am up to today :) lmao!?

These cute little bookmarks are created using the Fox and Friends stamp set from the main catalogue.  I've inked them up onto Very Vanilla card stock and then punched out with the 1' 3/8" circle punch before mounting onto a co-ordinating scalloped circle punch which I have run through the Square Lattice embossing folder.

These bookmarks are easy enough to make with large paperclips, using red sticky strip ('tape') to fix them with.  Of course there had to be a card incorporated into the idea...

It's quite a simple card in co-ordinating colours.  And I've entered it into the Crafty Boots Challenge - No Girls Allowed.

Come and craft in Cambridge

Last night I had my second Come and Craft in Cambridge session... the two lovely ladies who joined me are actually friends from work, although one is leaving at the end of the week to be a full time mum!

We had a great evening and lots of cards were made...

I think my favourite has to be the beautiful wedding card with the silhouette owls.  I just love the colour combo and the sentiment from the Curvy Verses stamp set.  Here is a close up:

Wishing you love and laughter... forever after!

The colours are Wisteria Wonder, Very Vanilla and Basic Black.  The sentiments from the Curvy Verses set all fit nicely inside the Decorative Label punch as used here.

If you live close to the CB4 area of Cambridge, why not come along and join in a future Come and Craft session as I'm hoping to make these a more regular event much in the same format as the sessions I run back home in Camberley.

Bring your craft stash and come along for a few hours and make a few cards and share inspiration.

If you are a beginner or do not have your own materials, you will be able to purchase pre-prepared card packs to make and I will be available to provide any necessary guidance.

Please bring your own glue (supplies available for purchase if necessary).

 

Contact me for more details at: jadedcrafter@gmail.com



Kids party bag ideas

What are kids into these days?  I'm probably the last person you would ask... but I know I liked these little guys when I was young and can't imagine that much has changed as they can be found all over the web when searching for ideas.

I thought these would make great party bag gifts, as they are easy and cheap to make from a bag of lollipop sticks... just add a scalloped circle punch and a few other circle punches, or you can improvise and use those 'wiggly' stick on eyes :). 

I've seen a few other charaters made in the same way... you could do matching 'everything you need for a kids party' too, the ideas are endless!

Handy to have cards

It's so easy to forget a birthday... and as a card maker I am probably even worst than most people!  So here is a card idea that I CASE'd from the web and adapted a little in order to use some more of those lovely Nursery Nest papers (see left hand card, as the other card uses papers from the Brights collection paper pack) that you can get FREE this month with an order of £45.

It uses the very lovely Button Buddies set which is designed to fit the Designer Buttons available in the main catalogue.  And couldn't resist making 2 of these handy cards, in Marina Mist and Perfect Plum with co-ordinating buttons...

I have used the Top Note die to cut a piece of Whisper White and then cut a strip of the DSP also using the die.  To cover the join I have used some Grosgrain ribbon in Early Espresso... note that it's just a length of ribbon and then I have cut off a small piece and tied a knot in it to create the 'bow' by fixing this with sticky strip/red tape.

The sentiment from the Easy Events stamp set has been stamped in the same colour as the image stamp, Chocolate Chip and the button was fixed on with sticky strip/red tape to make sure it was extra secure. 

Cupcake madness

I'm just about to leave for Cambridge :( so have a quick post to share with you the cards we made at my cupcake madness class this morning.  I think everyone really enjoyed themselves, catching up and crafting, I know I did!

I was really brave with these ideas, and stayed away from my usual style and colours.  However most of the ideas themselves have been done before.  For example you may recognise the handbags from this post sometime ago, the flower shop... and of course the hot air balloon from here.

If you like any of these cards and missed out on the class today, then they will be available in pre-prepared packs at my Come and Craft evening on the 4th May from 6.30pm, so if you don't have your own craft stash but want to come and have a play... just contact me and book you place. 

And by all means if you already have your own stuff you are welcome to come along and spend the evening sharing ideas and inspiration.



Nursery piggy

So, I'm slowly getting myself organised.  My class schedule is now updated until the end of June, I've booked dates for Come and Craft sessions at my home (GU16) and at my 'during the week' home (CB4) and I've set aside some dates for possible demo's and private classes.

So if you are interested in booking a FREE demo or a private class then check out my Home parties and Classes pages for more details or contact me.

Today I'm out and about catching up with friends, walking and baby sitting, so in the meantime I have a card to share with you that uses some of the Nursey Nest DSP that is on offer for FREE this month when you spend £45 on Stampin' Up! products. 

I've combined the Pear Pizzazz papers with Blushing Bride which is also included in the colour scheme of some of these papers.  And I've created a little piggy bookmark with the Button Buddies stamp set.

There is quite a lot going on with this card so I will just leave you with a list of materials...

Materials:

Stamp sets - Button Buddies, Woodgrain, Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment);

Card base - Blushing Bride card stock;

DSP - Nursery Next;

Punch - Word Window;

Accessories - Designer Buttons; Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder;

Book a demo/workshop or private class

Why not book a demo/workshop or private class.  I still have 2 dates available at the end of April (so you can take advantage of the April offer), or why not book for after 1st May when the new Summer mini catalogue will be released?!

Have a FREE demo in your home!

All you have to do is open your home up and invite your friends along to enjoy a demonstration of the Stampin' Up! products.  You and your guests can create something of their own to take home.

See my Home parties page for more. 

What about a private class? 

I also offer private classes/parties that are tailored to your specifications e.g. a particular theme or hen night etc.

Just gather a minimum of 4 people, pick the theme and we can hold a class in the comfort of your own home. The pricing will be dependent on the number of cards and number of participants.  For an indication and/or ideas have a look at the advertised classes on my site.

Or contact me for more information:

Email: jadedcrafter@gmail.com

Telephone: 01252 834132 / 07968 951957

***

I must apologise in advance for the poor quality of the photo of this card... it seems to be a bit green, but I can assume you it's definitely Pacific Point from the 'Brights' Collection which features on the papers I have used from the Beyond the Garden DSP pack which you can get FREE during April when you spend £45.

I think the papers in the pack which feature Pacific Point are my favourites as I'm not generally a very flowery person... 

Anyway, this card gave me quite a lot of trouble... as the flowery theme isn't easy for someone like me to work with!  I think it turned out pretty well in the end.

I've used quite a few punches for this too, as seem to be getting into them a lot recently.  Why not have a look at page 116 to 119 in the main catalogue and start building up your punch collection too...

Materials:

Base - Pacific Point card stock

DSP - Beyond the Garden;

Other card stock - Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White;

Punches - 5-Petal Flower, Bird Builder (leaves), Scallop Trim Border, Word Window; 1'3/4" circle;

You will see I have mounted the flower onto the 1'3/4" circle punched from Pacific Point and then placed this in the centre of one of the shapes from the Perfect Penants die run through the Big Shot machine.  A 1/2" circle punched from the DSP to finish and it's done.

Upcoming classes

I can still squeeze in one or two more for my Cupcake madness class this Sunday, although if you want to get the stamp set included in the price (as advertised) you will have to wait until I place my next order later this month...

Sun 15th April 10.30am

Cupcake madness class - £20 (including Create a Cupcake stamp set RRP £16.95*).  Or just £8 without the stamp set. Ideal for beginners and more advanced crafters will be able to enjoy having a play with an extensive range of the tools on offer in the Stampin’ Up! catalogue and create some alternative ideas using the Create a Cupcake stamp set which may only be available until the end of April. Don’t think that cupcakes are the only thing on offer, you will be amazed at how many other things can be created with this stamp set. * clear set

I have also just updated my class schedule to include June. I will also hosting a number of FREE Come and Craft sessions at my home in Camberley and my 'other home' in Cambridge... so check out my Classes page and/or keep an eye on my Upcoming Events list.

If you would like to receive full details of any classes and events and other future offers then contact me and get yourself included on my mailing list.

Today I have a card for you that shows off the Build a Cupcake punch which is available from the Spring mini catalogue (only until the end of this month)...  I love this punch (and the stamp set too!)!

Check back for the matching bookmark that I posted late yesterday too...

Actually, thinking about it, this looks more like an ice cream than a cupcake... which got me thinking of another idea that this punch and the stamp set can be used for, I feel another project coming on :).

But for now here are the details for this idea:

Card base - Crumbcake;
Canopy - created using the Word Window punch alternately on a piece of Real Red and a piece of Whisper White card stock;
Embossing folders - for the icing and trim across the middle of the card I used the Square Lattice embossing folder, and for the bottom of the card base I have used the Stripes embossing folder;
Cupcake - created using the punch from Chocolate Chip card stock and a scrap of striped DSP from the 'Brights' collection.  I've then topped it off with a cherry punched from the red Glimmer Paper available in the Spring mini catalogue... this is great stuff as it doesn't shed all over you like normal glittery paper :).
Sentiment - Create a Cupcake stamp set.

What a great weekend...

Ok, so it's now Wednesday, but my weekend had a couple of days extension either side so I couldn't resist sharing it with you, despite having already shared a card with you today!

After Thursday's crafting session last week I still had cards to make, and being away for a long weekend from Friday meant I had to take some stash with me, although it didn't venture out of my case for long as most of the last few days has been taking up with my other favourite hobby... walking!

Here is the rainbow I was treated to amidst the rain and hail yesterday... definitely some card inspiration in there somewhere I feel?!

I conquered about 15 miles yesterday so am suffering a little today with sore legs and a bad back, so had to cut today's walk down to about 5 miles and come home for some TLC and crafting :). 

I didn't get too far with that (lol!) but instead, if you check out my classes page, you will see that I have now added classes for June.  And I've also introduced some Come and Craft sessions...

And, here's a sneak peak of tomorrow's card idea for you.  It's a bookmark to match the sentiment on the card... which I have covered in Crystal Effects to try and protect from usage...

Watch out for the stamp price increase

The Royal Mail has announced that postage charges here in the UK will go up from 30 April 2012.

You can see the new charges here.

Since the increases are quite large you may want to consider stocking up on first and second class stamps this month. The stamps, which do not have prices on, like the ones you get in books of stamps will continue to be valid for the service named on them after the increase.

And don't forget to be careful when layering up your cards, so that they will 1) Fit in the envelope; and 2) Fit within the size guidelines for the postage levels.  I try to keep the layers to 1 or 2 if the cards are going to be posted, but it's hard sometimes...

The card I have to share with you today was created for a commission, and quite difficult to design something to incorporate the photography, allotments and walking theme that I was given.  I managed to get the latter 2 included but didn't want to overwhelm the card or cause issues with the postage so stuck to that.

However, I did manage to feature some of the DS Papers that you can get FREE this month with an order of £45 - see the link on the right of my blog for more details. 

The papers I have used here are from the Nursery Nest paper pack which has a 'baby' theme, but as you can see some of the papers are suitable for other occasions too.

I've created an Easle card type base from a piece of Lucky Limeade cut at 28 x 12.5cm.  The centre piece is the Scalloped Circle die cut from Calypso Coral and then in the centre I have adhere a Very Vanilla circle which I have run through the Square Lattice embossing folder.

The DSP from the Nursery Nest pack features in the background, mounted on a piece of Very Vanilla to make it stand out a little.  I've also used the same paper for the Decorative Label punch where I have inked and stamped the sentiments from the For My Family stamp set in Island Indigo.

The 2 big flowers are created with the medium sized flower from the Daisies #2 die - 3 flowers cut from Calypso Coral and layered up.  In the centre I have added a circle of So Saffron cut from the centre of the largest flower, which has been run through the Square Lattice folder.  The small flower is the smallest one from the die with the medium centre, created in the same way.

The finishing touches are some butterflies cut form So Saffron using the Beautiful Wings embosslit die and some Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon.  Note that the laser cut walking boots are non Stampin' Up!

Nursery flowers

I'm placing an order today so if you want to save on postage (normally £4.95) and live near to my home or work (GU16 or CB4) contact me now at jadedcrafter@gmail.com to place your order.

Yesterday's bad weather kept me indoors so I'm hoping this improves today as I've got the day off and want to make the most of it before going back to work!

I've been having a play with the Button Buddies stamp set and the Nursery Nest DSP pack which you can get FREE during April when you spend £45.

I've had a pack of buttons for a while and finally decided to use them...

Base - Marina Mist card stock

DSP - Nursery Nest, get these FREE during April with an order of £45.

Punches - 1' 3/8" circle, Scallop circle, eyelet border.

Other card stock - Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz.

Accessories - Designer Buttons from the 'Subtles' collection and Stampin' Write markers (Marina Minst and Pear Pizzazz).

Stamp set - Button Buddies, Petite Pairs (sentiment).

Last minute 60th cards

What do you do when your mum sends you a text asking for 3 x 60th birthday cards before the weekend?

Well, they probably could have waited until I was back after the weekend, but I was going away and didn't want to disappoint, plus it was a good reason to play with the Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper which you can get FREE this month when you spend £45.

I've gone with a swing card style card as always think a special birthday deserves something a bit different.

I've used colours I don't normally choose, So Saffron and Calypso Coral... although I think the Beyond the Garden papers actually feature Daffodil Delight, but although some of the Stampin' Up! colours in different shades don't work together, these 2 do.

The swing card has been created with the top note die on an A6 Calypso Coral card base, I've then cut a further 2 x top note's from So Saffron and Calypso Coral card stock and cut the latter one out around the 'seam'.  I ran the DSP through the top note die as well and cut this in half and fixed to the base of the centre piece and then created the daisy from the Daisies #2 die and layer up 3 pieces.

I've decorated the edge of the front of the card and the folded back flap with a strip of So Saffron card stock edged with the Scallop Trim Border punch and then added the 60 which is cut using the Timeless Junior Alphabet dies.

Of course with 3 cards to make I couldn't stop at just one... so made another in Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo DSP. 

You will have to check back for card number 3 as I went for a totally different design for this...

Anyway, if you want to place an order email me today at jadedcrafter@gmail.com and you can save on postage (normally £4.95) if you live near to me (GU16) and combine with other orders that I will be placing tomorrow.

Happy Egg Day!

Happy Easter one and all!  I hope you got lots of eggs today...

I don't actually normally do eggs, but more often than not my good friend Cat seems to remember to get me one, although maybe that's because it's around the time that I see her (because it's usually quite near to her birthday)... and I always feel guilty that I haven't got her anything!

So, this year I have made her a card to celebrate... and it has chocolate included too!  I actually made her a Melon Mambo one (see further down below for pic) but the photo comes out a bit bright and scary on it's own so I have posted this one to show you the design...

There's a little tab to keep the sweets inside and avoid having to break the card to get them out... with a little hole inside the card, although I have yet to work out how to get the 1/2" circle punch to reach far enough across the card to create the hole so had to cut it by hand instead.

If you haven't seen the 'treat cups' before, you can find these on page 95 of the main catalogue. There is a matching stamp set on page 35 - Something Sweet, which is designed to fit these little plastic cups so you can create something a bit different. I've been wanting to have a play with this stamp set for a while...

I couldn't stop at just one of these cards, so made a few as presents... the Melon Mambo one is my favourite as it's so bright and cheery :).

You will have to check back in a couple of weeks for the full details and dimensions on how to make this card...

Happy birthday Cat

A boating theme is very appropriate for the recipient of this card and of course a cat!

I'm away with my friend Cat this weekend celebrating her birthday... here's the card I made her which is a CASE of a card that my crafty friend Amy made during one of our crafty get together's a few weeks ago.  The card uses 2 different stamp sets - Sail Away and the 'Cat' from Patterned Pets.

The base is Riding Hood Red from the Regals collection... I often forget about these colours but as you can see, they include some lovely deep shades.

To add some 'life' to the card I have raised up the window sill and the cat with dimensional sticky pads

Materials:

Card stock - Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Whisper White;

Ink - Basic Black;

Designer Series Paper - Holly Berry Bouquest (yes, it's a Christmas paper pack but a lot of the papers are suitable for other occasions too!);

Punch - Scallop Trim Border used on a strip of Very Vanilla, Word Window;

Sentiment - Teeny Tiny Wishes, inked with Versamark ink and embossed with Whisper White embossing powder (fast becoming one of my fav's, see Wednesday's post for another idea using this technique).

Other - Blender pen to create a wash for the 'sea' with a Stampin' Write Marina Mist marker pen.

And I couldn't resist making a co-ordinating box for her rather belated Christmas and Birthday present this year :(.

It's created from the Pillow Box die which I ran through my Big Shot machine and popped out in a flash and stuck together with red tape.  A piece of the DSP to match, a quick punch of the Curly Label punch and 1'3/8" punch and a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes and it's just a case of trying to fit the present inside :).

It's so much fun creating a special card for someone...

If you want to stock up on craft stash during April, don't forget the FREE paper offer (see right of my blog for full details) when you spend £45.  I've got some projects ready to share with you using some of these papers so you can see just how lovely and versatile they are.

Quick Easter card

Just a quick card to share with you today as I am dashing off for a weekend of walking, boating and birthday celebrations :).

However, I do promise lots of ideas using the papers featured in this months offer coming up this week as I spent yesterday afternoon crafting at Amy's and then came home to create some more...



This card features the Decorative Label punch, with a border, also created with the decorative label punch. It's very easy to do, just punch out the centre piece in Whisper White and then punch out 2 shapes in your chosen border colour, I have used Pink Pirouette here.

Then you simple cut each of the 'pink' pieces in half, one vertically and one horizontically. Then fix them to the back of the centre piece and snip off the overlaps on the corners and points and it's done... then just fill with your choice of 'whatever'. I have gone with Easter Eggs, which I thought was appropriate, just egg shapes run through a couple of different embossing folders.

Materials:

Card stock - Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip;

Punch - Decorative Label, Word Window;

Embossing folders - Perfect Polka Dots, Square Lattice;

DSP - Brights collection paper pack;

Sentiment - Teeny Tiny Wishes (of course!).

Engaging love

Today I have a card for you featuring another of the stamp sets in the current Spring Mini Catalogue - You are Loved. 

REMEMBER the current Mini Catalogue products will only be available until 30th April - I will be placing an order next week so do let me know if you want to save on postage and combine your order with others.

Here's the card that was created for an engagement ...

I have used the 2011-13 In Colours - Island Indigo and Pool Party.  The image has been stamped in Versamark ink and then embossing with Whisper White embossing powder and set with a heat gun.  It creates a lovely effect against the darker shade of card.  I've done the same with the sentiment (from the For My Family stamp set) and then snipped a strip around this. 

The panel and the sentiment have then been raised up with dimensional sticky pads.