Card for my Sister

Being back in the UK for a bit, I have finally gotten around to using my Xcut alphabet die from Hobbycraft that I picked up in the sale last year.

In fact, Hobbycraft have a lot of sale items in store now (1 year on) which I am having to resist the temptation to look at.

So here is the card, using some DSP from Stampin' Up!, a lovely laser cut wooden button from totallybuttons.com  that I've had in my stash from years ago and a few other items.

Easter chicks

I wasn't expecting to be back in the UK for Easter, and I don't really celebrate as such... but where there's chocolate to be had!

I'm still a little restricted with my stash as I haven't extracted everything out of storage yet but I do have my trusty owl punch with me, and surprisingly I managed to create something with an Easter theme using it.  

I had to add some feathers (with embroidery threads!) as these little chicks looked too much like yellow owls on my first attempt... I think maybe some wings might have helped?

Anyway, here are the other materials:

Scallop Circle die;

Designer buttons;

Ruffled ribbon - Pool Party;

Subtles collection DSP;

Linen Thread;

Word Window punch;

Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

Last SAB sample

Sale-A-bration ends on 22nd March... so don't forget that you can select a FREE product with every purchase of £45.  This is the biggest and best Stampin' Up! event of the year so don't miss out.  Check out full details here if you haven't taken advantage of this offer already.

Today I have my last Sale-A-Bration sample to share with you.  Another design by Amy.

Using one of the stamps from the Vintage Verses stamp set, Amy has created this lovely bright card with a selection of designer papers from the 'Brights Collection' paper pack.

New catalogue and blog hop

The new Spring/Summer catalogue is released today and can be found here.  To celebrate, some of the Stampin' Stars demonstrators have decided to take part in a blog hop and to share with you some of the new products.

So, welcome to the Stampin' Stars Blog Hop and an extra special welcome to those of you have hopped here from Lesley's blog.

Details of the next blog to hop to can be found at the bottom of this post, along with a complete list of those taking part, just in case you get lost ;).  

For my project I decided to create a card and co-ordinating gift card holder, using the cute Henry Says stamp set.

The card is to celebrate the arrival of a baby girl... but the gift card holder could be used for any occasion...;)

The card base is Pink Pirouette and I have added a piece of DSP from the Subtles Collection paper pack to the base, before adhering a length of the Crochet Trim (see page 173 of main catalogue) and then a length of Pretty in Pink Stitched Grosgrain ribbon.

The 'elephant' image has been inked in Basic Grey and stamped onto another DSP from the Subtles Collection paper pack and then cut out and mounted with Dimensionals.

You will see I have then added the sentiment inked in Rose Red, and also selected the word 'BABY' from the 'B' stamp from the Alphabet Occasions stamp set, to go above this.  To embellish I've punched out some heart shapes using the Owl Punch and added a Designer Button.

The gift card holder has been created from an A6 envelope, and decorated with the same materials as the card.  I've added a sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, punched out with the Word Window punch to finish it off.

If you would like detailed instructions for this gift card holder do check back tomorrow when I will have another example for you using alternative products and a full step by step tutorial.

If you would like to order any items from the new Spring/Summer catalogue or the main catalogue please contact me at jadedcrafter@gmail.com.

Don't forget that the Sale-A-Bration event running until 22nd March means you can get FREE products with every spend of £45 (excluding postage).  I am offering FREE postage as well if you place your order before Sunday 3rd February and are able to collect your products from me (GU16).

Finally, as promised, the next blog, to hop to, is - Cary's blog.  Thank you for visiting my site and I hope to see you again some time.

Full list of blog hop participants in case you get lost or find a broken link:

Fiona Whitten
Louise Sims
Lesley Gillett
Esther Boulter
Nicky Johncock
Pip Todman
Sarah Piggott
Jan Frances  
Nic Parr
Natalie O’Shea
Lesley Lendon
Jade Stutely **you are here**
Cary Buckham
Victoria Rogers 
Kim Gibbons Fee
Di Richardson
Emma Burgess
Teej Clout
Joanne Penny

Happy anniversary M&D

Well I trust everyone has had a good Christmas.  I'm currently in Arizona,enjoying the warmer climate after a trip to the Grand Canyon at below zero temperatures.  Do check out my travel site for more on this if you are interested.

Despite being away I do have a few crafty posts lined up to share with you so keep checking back.  Today it's my parents wedding anniversary, so here is the card that I made them.

It uses one of the images from the For the Birds stamp set which has a lot of choices for many occasions...

The base is Bashful Blue and I have teamed this with Pink Pirouette and Whisper White using a strip run through the Argyle embossing folder and layered onto a Scallop Trim Border punched from Whisper White.

I've added a couple of butterflies from the Beautiful Butterflies embosslits die, cut from Shimmery White card scraps and a button tied with Linen Thread to finish.

Festival of prints patchwork

I have to show you some more of the new papers in the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue! 

 

Festival of Prints DSP, which comes in packs of 48 sheets measuring 11.4 x 16.5cm has so much variety, as they will work for non Christmas cards too :).

 

I've created a little patchwork card here, CASE'd from Saffire, as I was struggling to come up with something suitable for a 'quilting' themed commission.

 



 

I've used different products than Saffire and the Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp set which is going to be gone after this month.  Yes my favourite sentiment stamp set :(

 

Materials:

Festival of Prints DSP - current Autumn/Winter mini catalogue;

Top Note die;

Curly Label punch;

Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp set;

Designer Buttons;

Cardstock - Rich Razzleberry and Chocolate Chip;

Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon

 

Don't forget GBWR (Wheelchair Rugby) in the paralympics today - I'll be at the game at 3pm so look out for me... if not my sister is one of the support team on the sideline :)!

Quilted lavender bags

I do love the fabrics in the Stampin' Up! catalogues, but I'm just no good at sewing... but fortunately my mum is!

I wanted some lavender scented bags for gifts, so mum not only made some for me using the Flirtatious fabric, but also harvested some of the lovely lavender fresh from her garden...

Mum is a keen quilter so the little lavender bags were created with a 'quilt' style using all 3 of the different fabrics that come in the pack and finished with a variety of ribbons and buttons.

Here are a few more, all stuffed with fresh lavender...

I found a great site for quilting layouts that would work for cards http://www.equiltblocks.com/  so may have to give a few layouts a try soon.

Congratulations Amy and Dave

I've had this card ready for ages, as the majority of my crafting sessions tend to be with my crafty friend Amy... so I had to make it in secret, as it's for her new baby boy who arrived YESTERDAY!

Congratulations to Amy and her husband Dave on the arrival of their new bundle, Alexander (Xander)...  I look forward to meeting him sometime soon x

I've actually used Amy's stamp set, Fox and Friends to create this card with the cute little monkeys and carefully stamped them using my stamp-a-ma-jig so they 'hang' from each other.  You will see the middle one has been cut out by hand and raised up with dimensionals and his tail is looped into one of the letters, which was a bit fiddly, but I think achieves the desired effect.

I've used a Top Note die cut from Whisper White card stock and mounted this onto a Bashful Blue Top Note and then added the lettering cut with the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet dies, of course stamping the cheeky monkeys first.

You can just make out the 'hello baby' sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set placed just above the 'BOY' inked in Bashful Blue, and then I have mounted the panel onto Shimmery White card and added a designer button to finish.

I really hope Amy likes this card - it's always hard to come up with new ideas for fellow demonstrators...

Get well gift

I have my big shot class this morning, and I couldn't wait until after the class to share one of the cards with you...

Do you recognise the flower?  Last week it was a bookmark, and this week whilst I was designing my class, I thought I would incorporate it onto the front of a card so it becomes a gift and a card.

I just love the Fun Flowers die as the flowers created are just great on their own, so I kept the card base simple using Chocolate Chip and Whisper White (embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder).

The sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set has been inked with Versamark ink, which is clear, and then embossed with Whisper White embossing powder melted with a heat gun.

There's also a secret ingredient used on this card to make it smell all flowery :).

Hopefully the weather will improve over the rest of the weekend as I have no plans on Sunday and hope to fit in a bit of walking... but that may be all alone, as no one wants to venture out in the miserable rain... COME ON summer, where are you!!!

Owl punch for baby shower

This morning I'm over at the craft show in Bracknell with my crafty friend Amy.  Amy had a baby shower organised for her by her sister yesterday and here is the card I made for her...

It uses the Owl punch which is currently a fabourite of both Amy and myself as there are just soooo many things you can do with it.  I'm not entirely sure this came out as well as it could have done as I was struggling to find the right sort of punches and cut all the little bits up to create the baby grow and perhaps should have just stuck to 2 colours or included more So Saffron somewhere...

Anyway, you can hopefully see what I was trying to do with the brads, although the top one makes the collar look like a bowtie!

I've had a terrible week and was complete exhausted when making it, in fact almost didn't find any time to make it at all - I'm sure Amy will appreciate it.

Materials:

Card stock - Bashful Blue, Whisper White, So Saffron;

Embossing folders - Designer frames, Perfect Polka Dots;

Punches - Owl punch (body to create the baby grow), Scallop Circle punch (to create the leg holes and punch out the corners of the Whisper White and Bashful Blue embossed panels, Word Window (for sentiment);

Accessories - Designer Brads, Designer Button;

Ink - So Saffron;

Sentiment - Teeny Tiny Wishes.

I thought I'd create some little tags for the gifts that I got and had a play around with the Teeny Tiny Wishes sentiments to get the 'Just For Baby' wording that I wanted... a length of the Whisper White Organza ribbon and that was that.

Happy Birthday Kat!

One of my friends, Kat, is celebrating her birthday this evening, so looking forward to that.  I am posting her card a bit before she will get it... so hopefully it won't spoil the enjoyment!

The card base is Melon Mambo and I have used some of the papers from the Hostess DSP pack - Cheerful Treat cut with the Labels Collection Framelits dies.  Onto this I have mounted a frame cut with Melon Mambo and then I have raised up the stamped image from the Apothecary Art stamp set from the Summer mini catalogue with dimensionals after colouring with Stampin' Write Markers.  The sentiment is from the All in the Family stamp set and I've finished off the card with a Designer Button tied with some Bakers Twine, also from the Summer mini catalogue.

The Summer mini catalogue only runs until the end of August, so why not book a FREE party in July or August and you can purchase products from both the mini and the main catalogue and get your own copy of each to keep from FREE. 

Finally I wanted to share with you an idea I came up with to utilise the bookmark that I shared with you yesterday (see here).  I've used it as a gift tag on the pile of presents that I and the girlies have clubbed together to give to Kat... and of course tied it all up with Stampin' Up! ribbon as she will be just as excited about keeping that for her crafting stash too!

No sneak peak of what is inside - Kat will have to wait until tonight :).

Fun flowers bookmark

What a lovely grey day... although at least I did see a little sunshine this afternoon after getting caught in a slight drizzle this morning :).  Off to a BBQ at my old work place tonight for a leaving do... so hope the weather holds out.

Anyway, I've been trying to squeeze in a bit of crafting all day but can't possibly show you any of the cards I have made as the recipients are both readers of my blog... so you will have to check back over the next couple of days to see what I've made for them.

I thought I would share these bookmarks with you instead.  My inspiration comes from the fact that someone received flowers at work yesterday... and everyone who didn't was a little put out so this is for all those friends and colleagues who I can safely say made this week very enjoyable indeed ;)!

Although I totally CASE'd the idea from this blog which has a great little tutorial.  All you need is some card stock and the Fun Flowers die which is my latest new purchase... I've had my eye on this for ages and finally got it as a treat after such a hard few weeks at work recently.

The colours I have used are Melon Mambo and So Saffron (sponge daubed with Chocolate Chip) and I've embellished with Designer Buttons, Brads and some Bakers Twine.

I've already got lots of ideas for using this including at my next class on Saturday 7th July, where we will be using the Big Shot and some of the many dies and embossing folders from the Stampin' Up! catalogue to make a selection of cards.  If you would like to come along and give it a try the class itself is just £8 and I still have a couple of spaces left, so contact me to book you place.  Or why not pay the full price of £20 and get £15 to spend in the catalogue as well as the class?

Finally, don't forget it's my Come and Craft session this Sunday from 2pm at my home (GU16) - just bring along your craft stash and come and have a play.  I'm hoping to set a couple of challenges using specific stamp sets and other items from Stampin' Up! to see what we can come up with so looking forward to sharing some new ideas.

A ducky for baby Elodie

Today I have a new baby card to share with you that I made for my friend Lee and his wife Christine to congratulate them on the arrival of their cute little baby Elodie... and what a beautiful choice of name.  Congratulations to you both x

This card features the very versative Top Note die in Pink Pirouette and Wisteria Wonder, I've embossed the inner piece with the Stripes embossing folder and trimmed off the edge before mounting onto the frame piece.

The ducky from the Easy Events stamp set has been inked with Wisteria Wonder ink (to co-ordinate) and stamped onto Whisper White, which I have then embossed with the Designer Frames embossing folder and cut out and coloured with Stampin' Write markers.

You will notice that my cards are becoming very Big Shot orientated... it's just totally addictive to use it for cuttig and embossing and with som many lovely dies and embossing folders there is very little cutting out by hand like the old days ;).

I've tied some Organza ribbon around the Top Note and then adhered the frame with dimensionals to raise it up slightly.  All of that has then been stuck onto a Whisper White card base... which I do keep going back to because it's so 'clean'.  Then I've added a designer button tied with Bakers Twine to finish.  The colours could be changed to suit a boy too... why not give it a try. 

The Easy Events stamp set is just £23.95 for the clear set and you get 8 fab images with sentiments that you can mix and match :).

Contact me to place an order via email at jadedcrafter@gmail.com.

Scalloped envelope box idea

Well, I got back safely from Sweden yesterday and then had a frantic rush to get myself to Cambridge... and this is the first chance I have had to have a moment to myself.

What a lovely weekend... I can highly recommend Gothenburg for something laid back and full of things to do and see, but be warned it is very expensive to eat/drink there.  We managed to keep within a reasonable budget so I can still afford to go away again sometime :).

Anyway, with so much to do and so little time I didn't even manage to bring much craft stash with me here, so please forgive my fleeting post.

I've created a box using the scalloped envelope die, with some little gift tags, which would make a quick gift.

The box was created with Pool Party card stock, very easy to make with just 2 shapes cut with the die using my Big Shot machine.  I've then added a designer button with some of the bakers twine (current summer mini catalogue) tied through it.

Inside the box I've made some little gift tags/cards with the Packed for Birthday stamp set (also from the current summer mini catalogue), coloured with Stampin' Write markers.

Apologies in advance for any period of radio silence that follows... I haven't had a chance to make anything for a few weeks and this weekend looks like another working one, but I will do my best and get some new ideas posted as soon as I can :).

Summery flowers

I have a very quick summery card to share with you today, in the hope that the sunshine will come out as I'm home again on a Sunday evening... it's not looking good though!

The designer papers are from the Domestic Goddess DSP pack and co-ordinate with the 2011-13 In Colours Pool Party and Calypso Coral.  I've used a panel across the based of the Whisper White card base and a small panel which I have matted onto a piece of Calypso Coral card stock and then added the flower image from the Button Buddies stamp set inked in Calypso coral to match.  Note that this image fits the Scallop Circle punch so you don't have to cut it out :)!

I just love the fact that the Stampin' Up! colour ranges come in co-ordinating card, inks and accessories too, as it's so easy to match everything.  I've punched out a flower using the Boho Blossoms punch from a scrap of Calypso Coral and added this to the centre along with a Designer Button, finally a length of the ruffled ribbon (also in Calypso Coral) and this card is ready for a sentiment... however I'm unsure which one, but no doubt Teeny Tiny Wishes (my favourite sentiment stamp set) will provide something appropriate when the time arises.

Flowery buttons

I thought I'd share another idea using the Designer Buttons with you today...

The Button Buddies stamp set on page 34 of the main catalogue has some great stamps and all of them are designed to fit the Stampin' Up! buttons, although you can of course create plenty of designs without these too.

I recently made a couple of very quick birthday cards using the 'vase with flowers' image from this set, and had a play with some different colour combinations.  Wisteria Wonder, Rose Red and Whisper White, with the flower buttons from the 'Subtles' collection.  And for the second card, Bashful Blue and Perfect Plum.

I find the Stapin' Write marker pens are ideal for inking up stamps with more than one colour and makes it very easy to create cards like this quickly and in a variety of colours.  The sentiments are from the Petite Pairs stamp set, which has lots of lovely words to add to your cards and which I can highly recommend (a close second to the Teeny Tiny Wishes sentiments).

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...

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. 

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;