Get Well Soon

My friend, Kath, had a car accident last week.  She is doing ok now but is still battered and bruised - glad you are starting to get back to normal Kath.

Here is the card I made for her - can you guess what punch I used to make the petals of the flowers?

They are the wings from the new Extra Large Two Step Punch!!! I inked around the edges of each 'wing' and grouped them into threes before attaching to each branch (also from the punch) to look like flowers.  I first saw this idea on Julie's blog.

The tiny tags attched under the bow are so cute - I couldnt resist using them! There are 17 stamps in the Tiny Tags set (thats right - 17 stamps for £18.95) and the Meduim Jewellery Tag Punch fits some of them perfectly.

Recipe;

Cardstock - Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Pink, Certainly Celery and Whisper White.

Ink - Rose Pink, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose.

Accessories - Two Step Bird Punch, Scalloped Border, Pretty in Pink ribbon, Medium Jewellery Tag.

Non SU - Die Cut.

Cards for Men

One thing I struggle with is making mens cards - I think this is the same for most of us really, its very inconsiderate of them not to appreciate a nice flowery card or ones with butterflies isnt it?

Here is one I have made using some Specialist Designer Series Paper.  Its not really paper though, its more like card and has a gorgeous texture.  I have been stroking this paper since the new catalogue came out last year and decided that I must start using it!!!

The white star was stamped in White Craft ink and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.

Recipe:
Cardstock - Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow
Stamp Sets - In the Stars, Happy Moments (Retired)
Specialist Designer Series Paper
Ink - Whisper White Craft
Accessories - 2 Jumbo Eyelets, White Embossing Powder.

Thanks for stopping by
Jan

Simply Said

It was my Sister In Laws birthday the other week (I am not going to give her age away!) and I used the template from my Hubbies wedding anniversary card to make an unusual card blank.

The I stamped out the flowers and then used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to overlay the first image with the darker colour then cut them out.  I raised some of the flowers on dimentionals to give some depth. 

The butterflies were stamped with Pixie Pink ink, dots of glue applied and then Rose Pink Fine Cosmo Glitter was sprinkled on top.  Once dry, I punched the butterflies out and secured using dimentionals.

Recipe

Carstock - Gable Green, Pixie Pink, Whisper White

Ink - Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink.

Stamps - Simply Said, Sincere Salutations, Flight of the Butterfly

Punches - Oval Scallop, LArge Oval, Butterfly, Eyelet Border

Accessories - Rose Pink Fine Cosmo Glitter, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon. 

Brayered Bling

I had a training session the other week with by SU 'MUM' Sara who showed my some different techniques for brayering.  This card was made using four different colours from the Soft Subtles Re-inkers and baby wipes to create the background image.

Its not too clear from the photo, but the background was sprayed using the new Champaigne Shimmer Paint which gives you a beautiful sparkly effect.

The flowers are made using images from the 'Sticky Cuts Sweet' double sided adhesive sheets.  These are 12 X 12 sheets of double sided adhesive die cut letters and images which are purfect for use with glitter.  I have just realised, I seem to be reaching for the glitter a lot lately - I must be turning into my Mum...!

The line below the flower stems is just sticky strip which has been covered in glitter - a really simple idea but gives a lovely straight line.  It also was a cunning plan - as I had a faint line there from the brayering!!!

Recipe
Cardsock - Lovely Lilac, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Stamp set - Occastional Greetings
Accessories - Clear Brads, Glitter - Rose Pink, Orchid and Celery Fine Cosmo, Sticky Cuts Sweet Flowers
Frame from Hodgepodge Hardware

Thanks for stopping by!
Jan

Wheely Good Weekend

Hi there!

Just had a fantastic class using Stampin' Around wheels.  We looked at three different techniques, general rolling, making backgrounds and mitred cornering.  We used a selection of different wheels to see the different effects you can get when creating backgrounds.

The butterflies are glittered - not sure if you can see it too well on the photo.  I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to align the plain butterfly and butterfly flower images, then put dots of Tombow glue on the tiny flowers and sprinkled glitter on the glue dots for a bit of bling.

Recipe;

Cardstock - Chocoloate Chip, Whisper White

Ink - Chocolate Chip, Bashfull Blue

Stamp set - Flight of the Butterfly

Stampin' Around Wheels - Forever Flowers, Leaves A La Carte

Punches - Eyelett Border, Butterfly Punch
Accessories -, Chocolate Chip Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Dazzling Diamonds & Light Blue Fine Cosmo Glitter
Non SU - die cut oval for top of tissue box

Here are my brilliant crafting buddies - Abby, Kim, Anne & Jean.  Thank you ladies for a fantastic morning, I loved every minute - hope you had a good time too!!!

Its the first time I have used this venue and was a little worried, but there was no need - its fab.  I have booked the next two months classes and I am also thinking of starting a monthly crop - so if you are interested in joining, please email me and I will start the ball rolling.

Hope you have a lovely weekend in the sunshine!
Thanks
Jan
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The other side...

Well, i promised that I would show the other side of the bag after having our workshop and here it is...

We made the Leo the Lion - Hes just GORGEOUS isnt he - Julie showed us how to make him (and the monkey) at the Sheffield Experience Event in March (here is a link to Julies blog - check out the giraffe...).

Have to go now - work beckoning..... sob!
Jan

Well its proving to be a fab weekend!  Lovely weather, Hubby's doing the roast dinner, and theres loads of motorbike racing on the TV!!!

I have been quite busy this week getting things ready for a workshop on Thursday and my class on Saturday. 

At the Sheffield training event we had in March, on the the demonstrators, Amanda, had the most amazing photo bag (here)- and I just HAD TO HAVE ONE!!!

Heres my version...

I havent got any nice photos (other than ones with bikes & cars on!) that I could use so I decided to make some punched animals and put them in the pockets.  As I will be doing a workshop this Thursday - and have agreed to do a punched animal as a make & take - I am only posting a photo of one side of the bag (as its got the project on!  But I promise to post a pic of the other side after the workshop.

The backing paper is from the Tall Tales Designer Series Paper which is just gorgeous!

All the shapes are cut using current punches available in the Ideas Book and Catalogue - email me if you would like to place and order for some.  Once punched out - I inked all the way around the edges of the punched shapes to make them 'pop' out.

I will post the recipies for the animals, and the photo of the other side - soon!  Thanks for bobbing over to see me.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Jan

Were getting NEW COLOURS!!!!!

Stampin Up have just announced a mega change in their colours – and some of the new ones are beautiful – I for one can’t wait for them!! The US have had ‘In Colours’ for some time and we have been going mad for them for ages and they are coming!!!

Some of our old favourites are to be retired in the new catalogue in October to make room for the new colours and there will be new Colour Collections (instead of Colour Families).

Basically there will be 40 standard colours from 1st October 2010 - instead of the 48 we have now – and then 5 In Colours. After the first year there will be 40 standard colours plus 10 In Colours. How good is that?!!!

Here are the new Colour Collections - Brights, Neutrals, Subtles and Regals.

Kraft is being re-named as Crumb Cake! Aparently it is a name of a cake over there?

The 15 brand new colours available from 1st October will be as follows:-
Melon Mambo
Rich Razzleberry
Pacific Point
Daffodil Delight
Tangerine Tango
River Rock
Soft Suede
Early Espresso
Cajun Craze
Riding Hood Red
Cherry Cobbler
Pink Pirouette
Marina Mist
Baja Breeze
Wild Wasabi

Here are the retiring colours – don’t forget, it you love the items in these colours (inks or co-ordinating products) which are retiring in October, you have a few months to stock up on them!!!

Oooh, I cant wait to see the new colours 'up close and personal' - from what we have seen they look amazing and the new combinations will be stunning.  Why does October seem so far away? - I will have burst with excitement before then!!
 
Jan
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24 Years - WOW!!!

It was our 24th Wedding Anniversary yesterday and here is the card I made for my DH.

It was actually the second card I made, as he contacts the lovely Abby to make my cards and knowing what stamp sets she has, I knew there was a pretty good chance that my first choice of card would have the same images - and it did!!!  So I just had to go and make another card (Oooh dear...).

I bought the template for the card blank from the recent papercraft show at Harrogate and thought it was the perfect chance to play with it.

The Designer Series Paper is from the Sweet Pea paper stack and the reason I chose it is that Ian has recently repainted his motorbike - fluourescent green with airbrushed bubbles - and the paper reminds me of the bubbles, but on a smaller scale.  I will have to get some pics and post them here soon!

Recipe
Stamp sets - Wonderful Words, Baroque Motifs, Simply Said & Love you Much
Cardstock - Real Red, Green Galore, Whisper White
Ink - Real Red
Accessories - Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Scalloped Border

Heres a photo of the cards Abby made (Ian couldn't decide which one I would like so he gave me both!!).  Abby is only 14 and has been making cards for about 9 months - she is such a talented young lady.

Arnt they gorgeous!!! I love what she has done with the shadow effect on the 'Wife' sentiment.

Thanks for the cards Abby!

Jan
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Happy Easter Everyone!

Hi!

Hope your having a wonderful weekend?

My hubby has gone to Rockingham Race Circuit today for a play in his motorbike with his friends so I am having a day playing too - not all day unfortunately.  But I am planning to do some brayering so bob back soon for some ideas on that!!!

Here are a couple of cards with a bit of an easter (well, sweet - LOL) theme.

This first card uses one of the Tiny Tags stamps and the medium Jewelry Tag punch and the chicks are from the Nursery Necessities set.  To make the card so the sweets can be taken out without damaging the front of the card I made a 'trapdoor' at the back. 

Recipe

Cardstock - Yo Yo yellow, Gable Green & Only Orange

Stamp Set - Nursery Necessities, Tiny Tags

Accessories - Sweet Treat Cup, Pumpkin Pie ribbon, gold brad, small sweets, 1 3/4 Circle punch, Jewelry Tag punch, markers to colour in the chick image.

On this card I made a slider to remove the sweets, you just pull on a tab near the top of the card (on the inside).

                                        

The petals of the flower are Large Oval punched shapes, just cut in half with the ends of each petal curled to give some interest.  The stem is a length of ribbon with knots equally spaced and secured with tom bow glue.

Recipe
Cardstock - Yo Yo Yellow, Gable Green, Only Orange, Always Artichoke.
Ink - Only Orange
Accessories - Large Oval punch, Word Window punch, Five Petal flower (for the leaves), Sweet Treat cup, Always Artichoke ribbon.

Thanks for visiting - hope you have a lovely Easter!

Jan
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Its Here - the New Mini Catalogue!!!

At last, I can now share with you the new Mini Catalogue!  If you click on the image of the Mini Catalogue on the right hand side of the screen you can see all the fantastic new products, stamps and punches!!!

I have been bursting to show you this for sooooo long.  If you took a tour of the lovely sites recently as part of the Mini Blog Hop, you can finally see what we have all been raving about.

The Sweet Pea range is so cute and includes coordinating 12x12 double sided papers, stamp set, wheel and some gorgeous stitched felt.  The papers have 48 sheets (2 of each design) for less than £20 and also coordinate with the Trendy Trees stamp set in the main catalogue - so even more value for money!!!

You can also see the new design of punches - I really must get hold of the bird punch, he is absolutely gorgeous! - they even fold to save space in your craft room! 

Its been really hard having to keep quiet about these new products.  But seeing the new items before everyone else it is a fab benefit of signing up as a demonstrator - plus the product discount too (tee hee!), then there is the convention in London in November, training... the list goes on!

To celebrate the launch of the new Mini, if you order £45 or more in products from me before Monday 5th April, I will give you a free full sized inkpad in the colour of your choice.
If you would like to order anything from the new Mini Catalogue, main catalogue or fancy a chat about signing up to be a demonstrator, contact me for more information. 

Right, off to play with my new goodies!!!

HAPPY EASTER

Love
Jan
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