It's Wednesday so that means a new collection of Wednesday Weekly Deals! This week's deals are included below - they will be available for one week only, before a new collection of deals is announced.

As always, if you want to take advantage of any of the deals on offer, you can support my business by placing your order online by clicking here or using the link to my store on the right hand side of my blog page where it says 'Shop Online' or with me in person. Don't forget to add the Hostess Code for October (you can find this under the 'Shop Online' section on the right) and be sure to make sure that you don't check the 'no contact' box if you'd like to be kept updated with the progress of you order and receive a little thank you in the post from me. 

Here's a summary of this week's one-week only Wednesday deals - click on each item to go to the online store to purchase:

Ampersand Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Basic Metal Buttons	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Jumbo Sticky Rounds
Regals Designer Buttons	Spook Central Designer Ensemble - Digital Download	Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

This week is all about Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - there are three different ones to choose from! Along with buttons, this week's MDS ensemble and jumbo sticky rounds, useful for flowers!

As always, these offers will only be around for one week, so don't delay - get shopping!

It's Sunday and time for this week's challenge over at The Paper Players, where Jaydee has a fun Halloween theme challenge for us this week:

I used the layout over at Freshly Made Sketches again this week for my card (although I'm not sure my card is as 'clean' as is required; the layout was too good to pass up) as I thought it would be perfect to highlight my first Halloween pumpkin - here's my card:

I used a piece of Motley Monsters DSP on a base of Tangerine Tango for the front of my card; I love this paper and the little eyes that peek through between the trees, although I must confess this looks so much better on a sheet of 12 x 12" and it was difficult to take my scissors to it! I used the Halloween sentiment from 'Mingle All The Way', colouring the letters with a Tangerine Tango Stampin' Write marker and mounted this on a circle of Basic Black. This circle was mounted on top of a piece of chevron-embossed Crushed Curry and black chevron ribbon and the card finished with a cute little pumpkin from the Fall Fest stamp set and cut out with the matching framelit. It's tricky to see from the photo, but the pumpkin was then covered in Crystal Effects and allowed to dry, so it has a lovely dimension and shine.

That's my simple Halloween card for today; why not pop over to The Paper Players challenge blog and check out this week's inspiration from the other designers? As always, there are some great cards on show.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Fall Fest Photopolymer Bundle	Motlley Monsters Designer Series Paper	Mingle All The Way Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Tangerine Tango A4 Card Stock	Basic Black A4 Card Stock
Card Stock A4 Crushed Curry	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Big Shot Magnetic Platform	Circles Collection Framelits Dies	2" Circle Punch
Crystal Effects	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Basic Black 3/4" Chevron Ribbon	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Well what a day! The highlight has definitely been Ben's birthday party with his class mates at Bugtopia, an insect and reptile centre near here. He had the most amazing time, holding everything from stick insects and tarantulas to chameleons and crickets! I will share some photos with you when I've had a chance to download them from my camera, but for today thought I would share the cards I made for Ben's two fellow 'birthday boys' with whom he shares his special day and some of the sweet treats that made it into the party bags. So first up, one of Ben's frineds is currently dinosaur mad, so I made a card using the new retired 'Dinoraur' stamp set (with a soon to be 7 year old son, I couldn't possibly part with my set, retired or otherwise!). I decided to create a fun card with a removable dinosaur bookmark made with the Scalloped tag Topper punch. Here is the card with the bookmark in its little pocket:

And here is the bookmark when removed, showing Triceratops on the bottom too:

This card was such fun to make and perfect for a would-be palaeontologist. I have a bonus share for you today too: given the theme of our party, I used the Goodie Gear Simply Created Treat Kit for some suitably themed sweet treats - take a look:

I bought a box of jelly frogs and tied them into the kit bags, decorated the labels and made a little stamped frog button (this is also from the retired 'Spring Sampler' stamp set). I thought I would share these with you as these bag kits are currently available on the Clearance Rack for just £1.79, and the Pumpkin Pie versions too - bargain or what?! Go and snap up a few to add a little 'wow' factor to your party treats! We also gave each child their very own butterfly garden to enable them to hatch their own caterpillar eggs into Painted Lady butterflies - a perfect project for the forthcoming long school summer holidays!

I'll be back tomorrow nice and early with my Paper Players post for the week; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Scalloped Tag Topper Punch	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Old Olive A4 Card Stock	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad
Card Stock A4 Crushed Curry	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad	Cajun Craze A4 Card Stock	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad	Cherry Cobbler A4 Card Stock
Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad	Night Of Navy A4 Card Stock	1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Real Red Goodie Gear Simply Created Kit

Well what a day! The highlight has definitely been Ben's birthday party with his class mates at Bugtopia, an insect and reptile centre near here. He had the most amazing time, holding everything from stick insects and tarantulas to chameleons and crickets! I will share some photos with you when I've had a chance to download them from my camera, but for today thought I would share the cards I made for Ben's two fellow 'birthday boys' with whom he shares his special day and some of the sweet treats that made it into the party bags. So first up, one of Ben's frineds is currently dinosaur mad, so I made a card using the new retired 'Dinoraur' stamp set (with a soon to be 7 year old son, I couldn't possibly part with my set, retired or otherwise!). I decided to create a fun card with a removable dinosaur bookmark made with the Scalloped tag Topper punch. Here is the card with the bookmark in its little pocket:

And here is the bookmark when removed, showing Triceratops on the bottom too:

This card was such fun to make and perfect for a would-be palaeontologist. I have a bonus share for you today too: given the theme of our party, I used the Goodie Gear Simply Created Treat Kit for some suitably themed sweet treats - take a look:

I bought a box of jelly frogs and tied them into the kit bags, decorated the labels and made a little stamped frog button (this is also from the retired 'Spring Sampler' stamp set). I thought I would share these with you as these bag kits are currently available on the Clearance Rack for just £1.79, and the Pumpkin Pie versions too - bargain or what?! Go and snap up a few to add a little 'wow' factor to your party treats! We also gave each child their very own butterfly garden to enable them to hatch their own caterpillar eggs into Painted Lady butterflies - a perfect project for the forthcoming long school summer holidays!

I'll be back tomorrow nice and early with my Paper Players post for the week; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Scalloped Tag Topper Punch	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Old Olive A4 Card Stock	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad
Card Stock A4 Crushed Curry	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad	Cajun Craze A4 Card Stock	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad	Cherry Cobbler A4 Card Stock
Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad	Night Of Navy A4 Card Stock	1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Real Red Goodie Gear Simply Created Kit

Good evening everyone! Firstly, can I say a big than you to Helen, Dotty and Granny for your lovely comments on Rebecca's blog post yesterday - it's always nice to get comments and she was very touched by your kind words and asked me to say thank you to you all today.

On to today's post! I wanted to play with my new photopolymer stamps that arrived last week (free with each order of £60 or more - read all about the May offer here) and am just managing to squeeze in my entry to this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge, where this week there is a colour challenge. I also loosely based my card on the sketch over at Fab Friday:

Whilst the PPA design team came up with a great variety of cards suitable for both men and women this week, this colour scheme led me to make a masculine card. As I mentioned, I wanted to use my photopolymer stamps to try out an idea inspired by a printed card I saw recently on Pinterest (you can see that card here) - here is my card:

Clearly without the absolute pinpoint accuracy of the printed medium, yet this alphabet was relatively easy to stamp and align using the Sans and Stripes photopolymer stamps without the need for a stamp-a-ma-jig. I cut the word bubble by hand (another reason to add to my list of 'Why I need an e-cutter'!) and backed this with a contrasting coloured panel that I embossed with the Chevron embossing folder, rounding the corners to echo the shape of the word bubble. Lastly, I punched a contrasting heart and popped it on a dimensional. I liked this card so much, I also made one in the reverse colourway:

I think I like my Cajun Craze base the most, but this alternative version comes a close second. What about you - which one appeals to you most? I made this card with Father's Day in mind - still a good month away, but it pays to be organised! It would equally make a good birthday card for a special Dad.

That's all from me today; back tomorrow with another project. until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Sans And Stripes Photopolymer Stamp Set	Cajun Craze A4 Card Stock	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad	Night Of Navy A4 Card Stock	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad
Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Small Heart Punch	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Envelope Punch Board

There are 10 days left until the end of Sale-A-Bration. Lots of you have taken advantage of the extra hostess benefits on offer to host a party or received one or more of the great free gifts on offer with every £45 spend. Today I thought I would take the opportunity to remind you of the benefits of joining Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration:

• The starter kit will be £99 and includes products of your choice up to the value of £150 - this is a whopping £51 of extra product!
• You will also receive a business supplies pack including annual and seasonal catalogues, order forms, etc.
• You will receive a 20% discount on every order you place
• You will also receive a 30% discount on the first order you place over £150 within the first 30 days of sign up
• You will receive 2 free months of Demonstrator Web Services
• If you reach £225 sales within the first quarter (ending 30th June 2014), you will maintain your demonstrator status until 30th September. If you don't, your demonstrator status will lapse, but without penalty; you have no obligation to purchase anything other than your starter kit if you don't want to.
• If you join my growing team, you will get to benefit from my knowledge, help and support in addition to that of one of the UK's most successful teams of demonstrators and the considerable resources provided by Stampin' Up itself. You will receive your own team welcome pack from me, along with your own complimentary copy of my demonstrator software Product Table Builder worth £35 

Here's part of the welcome pack I sent to one of the lovely ladies who joined my team recently, designed to co-ordinate with a card I made for the Mojo Monday challenge recently (you can read more about how I made the card here):

In addition she also received a handbook and other items that will be useful as she grows her Stampin' Up! business. Whether you want to feed your own crafting habit by having access to discounted craft supplies, or would like to earn a little (or a lot!) extra income and run your own business, I am here to support you in any way I can.

You have just 10 days to take advantage of the enhanced Sale-A-Bration sign up offer: contact me on 07773 421446 or joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk if you would like to know more or alternatively sign up here today!

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies used:

Simply Celebrate	Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
Magnetic Platform	Perfect Pennants	Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay	Card Stock A4 Crushed Curry	Card Stock A4 Strawberry Slush
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad	Basic Black A4 Card Stock	Circles Collection Framelits Dies	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Squares Collection Framelits Dies
Versamark Pad	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder	Heat Tool - Uk Plug

Today's card is one I designed for this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge, where I was attracted by the layout and the 'frame' element that is central to the sketch:

Here is my take on the sketch:

My card is a riot of graphic patterns and colour, using the Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper as the inspiration for my colour scheme. I added a layer of texture with a Bermuda Bay panel that I dry-embossed with my Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, then layering the various elements in contrasting papers and finishing with a banner of Crushed Curry that I stamped with Versamark and heat embossed in black embossing powder to give it a lovely sheen. Cutting my frame was easy with the aid of my square framelits - this is one of those times when they are invaluable. I popped my chevron punched pieces on dimensionals, using them to draw the eye to my button 'You' (this is a partial stamp of the 'You & Me' stamp in the Perfect Pennants set).

I'm not one for mix-and-match of patterns as a rule, but sometimes it's ok to step outside of your comfort zone. I hope you're all enjoying your weekend; the weather has been much warmer and brighter here in the UK today - we managed to get some time outside in the garden today, which made a nice change.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Simply Celebrate	Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
Magnetic Platform	Perfect Pennants	Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay	Card Stock A4 Crushed Curry	Card Stock A4 Strawberry Slush
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad	Basic Black A4 Card Stock	Circles Collection Framelits Dies	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Squares Collection Framelits Dies
Versamark Pad	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder	Heat Tool - Uk Plug

Today's post has been somewhat hijacked! I know I told you yesterday that this was an ordinary weekend and whilst that still holds true, something special happened today that I want to share with you. So, Rebecca went for her swim squad training this morning as usual but, unbeknown to me, she was given the option post warm-up to attempt her final distance badge - 1 mile (1.6km). Her previous distance badge achieved was for 1000m some 18 months ago, so I was confident she could do it, but 1 mile - it's still a long way, right? Well, she achieved it and was clearly so pleased with herself she phoned me from the car to tell me. As I turned to share with Ben the good, news, he promptly announced "Right Mum, let's go and make a card quickly before she gets home!" So with about 15 minutes to go, we set to work and this is what we came up with:

I followed this week's sketch layout at Freshly Made Sketches for my card and made a larger than usual 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square card to accommodate my journaling tag. I rounded the corners of all my layers using my Envelope Punch Board (love that you can do this!) to echo the shape of the squares on the tag and co-ordinating Retro Fresh DSP. Ben was keen to incorporate swimming into the card (a challenge at short notice!) so we compromised at embossing the Coastal Cabana band with the Chevron Embossing Folder to give the illusion of waves and movement (in an abstract kind of way!) Lastly, I stamped and fussy cut a star and adhered to the corner of the tag with a dimensional because, well, Rebecca is my star! Ben insisted on finishing off by writing a message of congratulations inside in his best joined-up handwriting and we were just finishing up as Rebecca came through the front door.

She loved her card, which seems perfect recognition for such an achievement; I'm not sure I could swim a mile now, let alone when I was 8 years old!

Back tomorrow with the card that would have been posted today, but was deservedly 'bumped'; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Card Stock A4 Baked Brown Sugar	Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana	Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock	Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper	Retro Fresh Designer Journaling Tags
Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad	Simply Stars	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

I'm finally catching up with my festive card making this week and today I'm very excited to be sharing a Christmas card that I've decided to enter into my first ever challenge! I often take my creative inspiration from challenge sketches or colour schemes, but have never before actually entered one of my card creations. So, here goes - this is today's card:

I'm entering my card into The Paper Players Challenge #164: Sandy's Sketch Challenge, which has the following sketch as the inspiration:

I was quite brave as whilst I kept the layout, I swapped out my scalloped circle and edging for chevrons and a more angular look, but since the sketch is for inspiration and doesn't have to be followed literally I'm hoping that's ok. I've been waiting to use Dasher's little brother on a Christmas card, as I was quite upset at the thought of not blogging about his big brother since his retirement at the end of last year, so this card gave me the perfect opportunity. The Early Espresso base is also quite a departure for me, but it seemed right given my reindeer starting point and I like the masculine feel of this card.

Welcome to any new Paper Players who are reading this! I hope you like the card; back tomorrow with another Christmas card to share. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies Used:

Another brother Birthday card today, but this time for my brother-in-law, who celebrated his 40th birthday recently. I took this card by LeeAnn Greff as my inspiration, changing the colours to use up some of my retired papers and incorporating the necessary changes of sentiment to produce the following card:

A great masculine card, with some Tangerine Tango and Bermuda Bay for pops of colour. Back in a couple of days with the card I made from the children for their uncle; I'll be posting every other day for the next couple of weeks, as I'm having a couple of weeks of dedicated family time before the children go back to school. 

Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Banner Greetings (hostess)

Cardstock: Basic Grey, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Twitterpated DSP (retired), Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (SAB - retired)

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Basic Grey, Tangerine Tango

Tools: Simply Scored, Big Shot, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Typeset Alphabet Die, Paper Piercing Essentials Pack

Finishing Touches: Sycamore Street Ribbon (SAB - retired)