Lovely as A Tree

Well, England are out of the cup so hopefully, we can start to get back to normal (you tell I am not a fooball fan!?).

I made this card for the craft fair at Hemsworth on Saturday and forgot to post it on my blog, but anyway - here it it.  Sorry about the quality of the photo - I am no David Bailey!!!

Its basically the same technique as the deer card I made a earlier in June here, but I used a tree from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set.

I couldnt decide on the sentiment so made it as a card for any occasion by just stamping letters from the Just Perfect Alphabet set, stamping each one out with a 1/2" circle punch.  Then I gently inked around each one with Bashful Blue ink, covered them in Chrystal Effects and when dry, mounted them on 3/4" Old Olive circles.

Recipe

Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip
Stamp sets - Lovely as a Tree & Just Perfect Alphabet.
Inks- Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip
Accessories - Chocolate Chip Ribbon, White Gel pen (highlights to the ground and water), brads, Chrystal Effects.
Tools - Brayer, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, sponge dubers, 1/2" and 3/4" circle punches.

Jan

Darling Dots and Change of Scenery

What do you think of the new design for my blog!?  I m really proud that I managed to do this - I am not at all technical - but whilst messing around with Blogger (the system used for my blog) this morning I decided to have a play and now I have some lovely images to 'pretty up' the background of my blog!!!

I have been busy planning for a craft fair this week and 'found' my Darling Dots set - I really should use this set more.  The presents image is from some card candy the lovely Sara gave me before Christmas!

The colours are from Earth Elements, so all look gorgeous together, SU are very clever in putting colours in to colour families which takes out so much of the hard work when putting colours together.

Recipe
Stamps - Darling Dots, Fun & Fast Notes
Cardstock - Really Rust, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Ink - Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Basic Gray
Accessories - Elastic Cord, Eyelett Border Punch, Large Star, 1" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle and 1 1/4" Circle punches.

OK off to get more bits ready for the fair.  If you fancy coming to the craft fair tomorrow the address is St Helens Church, Cross Hill, Hemsworth, Pontefract WF9 4SJ - it would be great to see you there!!

Jan
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Brayering Class

As I promised on Sunday here are photos of some of the finished cards we made in the Brayering Class on Saturday.  The first one uses the resist technique where a versamark ink image is stamped onto white paper and then heat embossed with  clear embossing powder. 

We then brayered the top of the card in Bashful Blue ink and the bottom in Old Olive.  The rest of the shrubbery was created using a variety of images from the Autumn Days stamp set in Old Olive and Garden Green.

To create the next card we used different methods of masking to create the sun and the hills with some shadowing using sponge daubers.  The main brayering was done with So Saffron and the shadowing with Pumkin Pie.

The plants were stamped with Pumpkin Pie, but this time we used Pocket Silhouettes.  Again we masked off some of the hills to give an illusion of depth

 

I just had to do this card again - and the ladies loved this!  Unfortunatly we ran out of time to finish off the cards, but hopefully they will be able to practice and finish them off.  We did do samples using various other techniques and when I get the chance I will make those up to show more ideas for using the brayer.

If you are interested in attending a class on brayering, please email me - if I can get enough people together I will hold the class again soon.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog!

Jan X

Ps. I will be attending the craft fair at St Helens Church, Cross Hill, Hemsworth, Pontefract WF9 4SJ on Saturday.  If you fancy coming along to see some of the Stampin' Up products 'up close and personal' or just for a crafty chat - please do, it would be great to see you!!!

Recipies
Card 1 - Old Olive cardstock & ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Versamark, Bashful Blue & Garden Green Ink, Autumn Days Stamp set
Card 2 - Pumpkin Pie Cardstock & Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, So Saffron Ink, Pocket Silhouettes Stamp set.
Card 3 - Chocolate Chip & Bashful Blue Ink & cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock
Accessories for all cards - Brayer, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, White Gel Pen

Sweet Treat Pouch

Sorry for not posting for a few days but I have had a busy, busy week with a workshop, class and meeting a lovely couple of SU demonstrators - Anna & Heather.  I am still recovering from it so will post all the info over the next couple of days.

I had a brilliant workshop on Thursday night with Anne, the ladies from my Stampers Ten grounp and some of Annes friends.  Thanks ladies - it was fab to meet you all!!!

Here is the make and take we did.

It took a little longer to make than I planned but there were a few of us and they did a brilliant job, well done everyone.  Here is a video tutorial by Monica Gale on how to make the pouch.

The total amount for the workshop came to over £300 so Anne managed to earn a FREE level 2 Hostess Set plus £55 (yes, thats right £55!!!) in free products - and what a giddy kipper Anne was when I told her.

The additional £20 in free products offer on workshops with sales totals of £250 or more, is on for both June and July.  Please contact me ASAP if you would like a workshop to make sure you get your workshop booked.
 
Recipe
Designer Series Paper - Sweet Treat Papers
Stamp sets - Tiny Tags, Fox & Friends
Accessories - Brad, Rhinestone Brad, Flower (Pretties Kit) Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
Punches - Small Tag, Tag & Word Window
Ink - Always Artichoke, Markers

Thanks for stopping by.
Jan

Beginners Class

As promised, heres a couple of photos of the cards made at my beginners cardmaking class on Saturday.

As usual we had a great time playing and hopefully will have another beginners class soon.  Heres a  photo of one of the cards made - I love the glittered wings on the butterflies. 

This was only the second cardmaking class my ladies have had and they have come on so well.  They were so proud of their creations - and I am so glad that I have helped them learn so much. Theres no holding them back now!!!

My next class is on Saturday 29th June at 2pm at the Doghill Community Centre in Shafton.  I still have some places left so please contact me ASAP if you would like to come, there are more of the class here.

Stamp sets - Fun & Fast Notes, Flight of the Butterfly
Cardstock - Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Brilliant Blue, Cameo Coral & Blush Blossom
Ink - Basic Grey, Pale Plum & Perfect Plum, Marvelous Markers
Designer Series Paper - Rose Red & Brilliant Blue (retired)
Punches - Large Oval, Scalloped Circle, Butterfly & Star
Accessories, Dazzling Diamonds, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Certainly Celery (retired) & gold brads

Thanks for taking the time to bob over.
Jan

Blog Award

Good morning!

Hope you are enjoying the weekend - I am having a great one so far. Did a beginners class yesterday (I promise I will post pics soon) and went out for a lovely meal last night to get away from all this football malarky.

Today I am going to a friends house for a day of crafting - Yey!!!

I recieved this award recently from the totally AMAZING Peg - have a look on her blog for the most fantastic ideas & check out the lily!!!

As I have already had this award I wont be playing along this time, but I would like to thank Peg for thinking of me.

OK have to get ready now for going out to play...

Thanks for stopping by, have a super weekend
Jan
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Happy Birthday

Wow, did you go through the links for the Blog Hop?  There were some AMAZING ideas and projects done by demonstrators using the new products.  I keep going round for another look!!!

It was my freind Sara's birthday yesterday and I thought I would show you the card I made. 

The background, water and shadow for the deer were all created by brayering (this is a way of applying ink using a 4" wide roller). 

To position the main image of the deer I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and then sponged Chocolate Chip ink for the floor.  I know Sara has recieved her card so I am safe posing it here now LOL. 

Recipe
Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip
Inks- Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip
Accessories - Chocolate Chip Ribbon, White Gel pen (highlights to the ground and water).
Tools - Brayer, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, sponge dubers, Large Oval, Scalloped Oval & Scalloped Border Punches

I will be holding a class using all the techniques used on the card next weekend - for more details just click on the 'Classes' tab at the top of my blog.

Hope you have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.
Jan

Its the Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome to the New Product Blog Hop! 

Today from 10am, several ladies from the In Love With Stamping website are giving you examples of projects made using some gorgeous new products from Stampin' Up.  Due to the number of posts there may be some slight problems with the links on the Blog Hop - if you do have any problems PLEASE bob back over later and continue your journey!

The products include three new colours, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede.  Each new colour has matching cardstock, full sized inkpads and lovely Polka Dot Ribbon.  Also included in the new products released by SU are Window Sheets and double sided Designer Series Paper.

All being well you will have come over to me from the totally amazing Sara Stampers blog.  I wish I could be as half as creative as she is - she has some gorgeous work on there hasnt she!

Anyway, here is my project for the Blog Hop.  Mini books using the Window Sheets, cardstock and Polka Dot Ribbon in Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Soft Suede.

As soon as we could order the new products from Stampin' Up! I got some of the window sheets.  These are REALLY pretty clear acetate sheets with delicate flowers and vines printed on them.

As some of you may already know, Me and Sara do craft fairs and events and I thought I would make a few mini books for our next fair at the end of June.  Here are some photos of the indivdual mini books.

The window sheets are perfect covers for the mini books - how nice would a photo between the window sheet and the inside cover look?

To make the back cover I cut some chipboard into oblongs and then covered the back and the front of the chipboard in cardstock. The pages are Whisper White cardstock cut slightly smaller than the back cover.

The covers are made by cutting cardstock and the Window Sheet to the same size as the back cover. You should have seen my face as I was cutting the Window Sheet heet, LOL!!!

I bought some SU rub ons ages ago but I have never been that confident using rub ons in the past. I always ended up with bits of the designs missing no matter how hard I tried not to. But the SU ones are great - no bits missing and a really professional finish - I am converted!!!

The binding holes were done using my Crop A Dile making sure they all lined up. I then threaded silver coloured binding rings through the holes to keep all the pages in place. Ribbon bows and knots were tied to the rings to decorate.

I got a little carried away making them and made a slightly different version which has a chipboard back and front cover.  This was made in the same way as the first ones but I used the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper to cover both the front and back covers.

The paper matches the Soft Suede perfectly so I used the Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon on the binding rings.  The birds are just punched out using the Two Step Bird Punch in Old Olive and Certainly Celery cardstock and the edges inked.

Thank you for coming to see my blog, I do hope you are having a great time taking in all the inspiration on the Blog Hop?  I will now pass you on to Kims Blog for even more ideas!

Recipe
Cardstock - Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery, Old Olive
Designer Series Paper - Cottage Wall
Window Sheets
Polka Dot Ribbon Grosgrain - Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede
Accessories - Crop A Dile, Two Step Bird Punch, Cherished Memories Rub ons.
Non Su - Chipboard, binding rings.

Jan

Update on Mrs Miggins and Blog Hop Info

Well, its been an 'interesting' night following our cat, Mrs Miggins, operation.  She is doing well, thankfully!  When she came home she was in a total panic as she had been fitted with a collar to stop her trying to lick the wound.

She was really disorientated and trying to run away so we ended up taking her collar off as she was so distressed we were worried she would make herself ill.  Straight away she seemed more relaxed and eventually settled down for a sleep.

This morning has been fun (not!) she has been going crazy wanting to go outside - I never want it to rain but it would be handy today, at least then she would be happy to stay indoors!! 

Anyway, back to crafting - over at the In Love With Stamping website (here) lots of us are doing another Blog Hop.  Those of you who have done this before will know just how much fun and inspiration these are.  You will visit groups of blogs with posts for items made using some of the 11 new products launched by Stampin' Up.

The Blog Hop goes live at 10am on the 6th June so make a note in your diary to come over for the chance to see some of the lovely ladies creations.  Here is a little taster of something I made the other day using some of the new products.

The new colours are absolutely stunning!  Here I used Melon Mambo card, ink and the gorgeous spotty ribbon.  The stripey paper is actually the Bride Speciality Paper (why do they call it paper?  its card!!!) and I used my brayer with Melon Mambo ink to change the colour of it. 

I have seen so many people doing this but when I came to do it myself I was convinced that I would end up with a blotchy mess - but it was fantastic!  No patches, no lines and so quick to do - this is definitely going to be included in my Brayering Class on 19th June!!!  I got so carried away, I ended up doing the brayering on the flowery paper.  This is the Night & Day Speciality Paper and again was so easy to brayer.

Don't forget to bob back over to see the projects on the Blog Hop on 6th June from 10am.  All you will need is access to the sites, a cuppa, biscuits (preferably chocolate) and some spare time to chill and be inspired.

Recipe
Cardstock, Ink and Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon - Melon Mambo
Stamp set - Baroque Motifs
DSP - Bride, Night & Day
Accessories - Brayer, Large Oval & Scalloped Oval punches.

Jan
Ps. I still have some places left on my Brayering Class - please contact me to book your place ASAP.

Silent Night Wedding Card?

Hi there.

I have been quite busy lately with loads of things over the last few days.  Work, workshops, getting ready for my classes and keeping Mrs Miggins (our cat) entertained! 

She is going to the vets for an operation this morning and being quite streetwise IS NOT HAPPY that she cant go out to do her own 'shopping'.  Shes been pacing the house and crying all morning, and driving me potty!

Here is a card I made the other day at the St Saviours crop at High Green near Sheffield using the Silent Night stamp set.  I know its more of a Christmas stamp set but I have seen some coloured in using more summary colours and fancied having a go.

I stamped the church image in Always Artichoke and then used my Watercolour Wonder Crayons directly onto the image, blending with my Blender Pens.  Its really easy and so relaxing - when I started doing the colouring in I was really stressed out but within minutes I was chilled out.  But then crafters know how theraputic crafting is!!!

The church image is just matted onto Always Artichoke card - punching the corners using a circle punch for interest.

Recipe
Cardstock - Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Blush Blossom
Stamp sets - Silent Night, Mr & Mrs
Accessories - Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, 1/2" circle Punch.

Thanks for stopping by, have to go - Mrs Miggins is driving me mad....
Jan
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