I have another post for you today with the details of a whole range of new Online Exclusives that launched last week - and the new kits for November too! Firstly, Online Exclusives! A reminder that you won’t find these products in any catalogue; they are available whilst supplies last - all from the convenience of the online store. 

There are 2 new suites. First up - the Otterly Adorable Suite:

This suite collection has otters, otters everywhere: playful otters on stamps, otter-shaped dies, otters frolicking on patterned paper, plus fun embellishments. It’s what you need to create aww-some cards and scrapbook pages.

The Otterly Adorable Suite Collection includes:

OTTERLY AMAZING PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (10% off)
* 10 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, d, e

OTTERLY AMAZING DIES (10% off)
* 15 dies
* Largest die: 3-1/2" x 1-1/2" (8.9 x 3.8 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
* Compatible with the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

OTTERLY ADORABLE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* Acid free
* Lignin free

LOST LAGOON SOFT CORDING
* Width: 1/8" (3.2 mm)
* Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

RIVERSIDE IRREGULAR PEARLS
* 120 adhesive-backed pieces
* 40 each of 3 colours
* 5 mm, 6 mm
* Product colours: Gray Granite, Lost Lagoon, white

 

Use the Marbled Elegance Suite Collection for all your love-themed craft projects for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays. Also available in French and German.

The designs in this collection are perfect for card making and gift packaging. Colour your cards with marbled paper or heart stamps. Customise the gift bags for each recipient with the sentiment stamps and add the gold thread for a glamorous touch.

The Marbled Elegance Suite Collection includes:

HEARTS OF ELEGANCE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (10% off)
* 11 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, d

HEARTS OF ELEGANCE DIES (10% off)
* 10 dies
* Largest die: 4-1/2" x 4" (11.4 x 10.2 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

MARBLED ELEGANCE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* Acid free
* Lignin free

GOLD TWISTED THREAD
* Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

ADHESIVE-BACKED HEART SEQUINS
* 120 adhesive-backed pieces
* 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm
* Gold

GIFT BAGS COMBO PACK
* 16 stampable bags, 8 of each colour in 2 sizes
* Large bag: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
* Small bag: 3-5/16" x 3-11/16" (8.4 x 9.4 cm)
* Food safe

There are 4 new bundles: the Pretty Petals bundle:

 

The Pretty Petals Bundle includes the Pretty Petals Stamp Set and the Pretty Petals Dies.

Stamp, then cut out flowers and more flowers! The Pretty Petals Bundle has stamps and dies for creating small bouquets, big bouquets, and entire landscapes!

PRETTY PETALS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET
How do you like your flowers? One delicate bunch? Or an entire blooming garden? With the Pretty Petals Stamp Set, you can create what you want! Make a mixed bouquet by stamping the greenery in one colour and large and small flowers in multiple colours. Or stamp images repeatedly to create a card background blooming with colour.
* 6 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, d, e

PRETTY PETALS DIES
Cut out bunches of blooms without scissors! The Pretty Petals Dies cut out one large floral grouping. The smaller dies cut out individual greenery pieces and flower petals. Combine them to create a single flower, a small bouquet, or an entire floralscape.
* 6 dies
* Largest die: 2-5/16" x 3-1/16" (5.9 x 7.8 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
* Compatible with the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

Our coordinated craft bundles save you time and money! Buy the bundle and save 10% off the price of buying the stamp and tool separately. Plus, bundles will help you quickly cut out stamped images for a single project or create multiples of the same project with ease.

The Umbrella Days Bundle:

Send sunny thoughts even on rainy days with the Umbrella Days Stamp Set. This stamp set features rain-themed images and thoughtful sentiments for condolences, thanks, and thinking-of-you cards. Lean into the rain theme and colour the line-art images with watercolours or use your favourite colouring technique.

* 7 cling stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, d, e, h

Cling stamps from Stampin’ Up!
* Are premium rubber stamps.
* Have deeply etched images for excellent detail.
* Are pre-cut so you don’t have to trim them.
* Cling to clear blocks without slipping.
* Are repositionable—temporarily mount on clear blocks to stamp, then remove to store.
* Save space—one set of blocks (sold separately) works for all your cling and photopolymer stamps.
* Have images on the spine of the case for easy storage and quick reference.

The Cake Celebrations bundle:

The Cake Celebrations Bundle includes the Cake Celebrations Stamp Set and the Cake Celebrations Dies. Also available in German.

Celebrate any event in style with help from the Cake Celebrations Bundle! Stamp the glaze and floral decorations on your paper, then die cut using the cake tiers. Make the cake the background to your paper crafts and turn your sentiments into a centrepiece. Or stamp the whole cake on your card and add a banner to the top using the banner die. Whatever your decoration strategy, this bundle will help you make a decadent paper crafting dessert.

CAKE CELEBRATIONS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET
Create scrumptious cakes with the Cake Celebrations Stamp Set! Whether you go with a one-tier wonder for a birthday card or dress up a wedding invitation with a two-tiered cake, this stamp set helps you decorate your paper crafts with cakes fit for any celebration. Use the fabulous icing details and decorative flora to detail your cake for an anniversary card. Or turn the celebratory sentiments into the focal point of your crafts. However you use it, this stamp set will help you make a card anyone will love. Just don’t forget the candles!
* 23 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, h

CAKE CELEBRATIONS DIES
The Cake Celebration Dies are a great way to get friends and loved ones excited about birthdays, anniversaries, life milestones, and more. Use these dies to make a sweet cake the focal point on your cards. Or build an epic multitier cake—complete with a frosting glaze!—for major event invitations. The banner, cake stand, and floral decorations can help you add that extra special touch for an extra special paper craft.
* 14 dies
* Largest die: 2-3/16" x 1" (5.6 x 2.5 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
* Compatible with the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

 

The Classic Wedding bundle:

 

The Classic Wedding Bundle includes the Classic Wedding Stamp Set and the Classic Wedding Dies. Also available in French and German.

Create your own wedding scene for all the newlyweds in your life with the Classic Wedding Bundle! Stamp the fun vintage images, then precisely cut them out with the coordinating dies. Customise your cards with different colouring techniques or keep things simple by stamping in a single colour. Your recipients are going to love it!

CLASSIC WEDDING PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET
Celebrate the happy couple with the Classic Wedding Stamp Set! Create a paper craft that celebrates weddings and all other love occasions. Try new colouring techniques with the fun vintage images and then pair them with the coordinating sentiments. It’s the perfect set to have on hand for all your card making throughout the year.
* 14 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, d, e

CLASSIC WEDDING DIES
Put together your own wedding send-off with the Classic Wedding Dies! In this set, one die cut will cut out multiple pieces, allowing more creativity and versatility. Easily put together your own scene to celebrate any love occasion with vintage paper cut-outs.
* 15 dies
* Largest die: 3-1/2" x 2-5/8" (8.9 x 6.7 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

Finally the Happy Hibiscus bundle:

 

The Happy Hibiscus Bundle includes the Happy Hibiscus Stamp Set and the Happy Hibiscus Hybrid Embossing Folder.

Head to paradise with the Happy Hibiscus Bundle! Try different crafting techniques with the coordinating stamp set and hybrid embossing folder. Stamp your image and precisely cut it out with the dies. Add a fun background to your card base and assemble your paper craft that recipients will love!

HAPPY HIBISCUS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET
Create a tropical, colourful paper craft with the Happy Hibiscus Stamp Set! This Two-Step Stampin’ set is perfect for trying out different colouring techniques. Multiple floral and leaf images can easily be layered for an exotic floral arrangement. Or keep things simple with a single stamp, highlighting the elegant line art. Add one of the included sentiments for the final touch!
* 12 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, d, e

HAPPY HIBISCUS HYBRID EMBOSSING FOLDER
The Happy Hibiscus Hybrid Embossing Folder is an easy way to get tropical flowers into any paper craft. Emboss your card base for a special background or easily cut out individual flowers. Mix and match the paper you use for a vibrant card front that any recipient will love!
* 1 embossing folder
* Embossing folder size: 6" x 6-1/4" (15.2 x 15.9 cm)
* 11 dies
* Largest die: 4" x 2-1/2" (10.2 x 6.4 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

Our coordinated craft bundles save you time and money! Buy the bundle and save 10% off the price of buying the stamp and tool separately. Plus, bundles will help you quickly cut out stamped images for a single project or create multiples of the same project with ease.

 

There are also a number of additional single stamps and accessories - click on 'Online Exclusives' in the online store for more details:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are 2 new kits that have been added to the online collection for November too:

 

Layered Landscapes Kit

 

 

 Do you long for the great outdoors but don’t actually want to go outdoors? Then the Layered Landscapes Kit is perfect for you! DIY lovely home decor with this unique kit that includes four 7-1/8" x 7-1/8" x 3/4" (18.1 x 18.1 x 1.9 cm) frames and pre-cut paper pieces. You can either stand the frames up on their included easels or hang them on your wall. Either way, your houseguests are sure to love your new artwork!

Kit includes:
* Pre-designed projects
* Step-by-step instructions
* Pre-cut pieces (No prep work! Get right to crafting)
* 4 white frames
* Frame size: 7-1/8" x 7-1/8" x 3/4" (18.1 x 18.1 x 1.9 cm)
* Enough adhesive to complete projects
* A 9-7/8" x 6-1/2" x 2-3/4" (25.1 x 16.5 x 7 cm) printed designer box for storage or crafting on the go

Product colours: Balmy Blue, Basic Beige, Basic Gray, Berry Burst, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Gray Granite, Lemon Lime Twist, Misty Moonlight, Mossy Meadow, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Pecan Pie, Soft Sea Foam

 

The second kit is the Nature's Paintings Kit:

 

 

 

Embrace your creative side with the Nature’s Paintings Kit. This unique kit includes everything you need for a fun creative experience: a colouring book, Watercolor Pencils, and a Water Painter. All you need is some imagination and water! Create lovely, picturesque images using advanced colouring techniques with this craft kit. Or make something that’s never been seen before—like green flowers with purple leaves. Keep it realistic or colour outside the lines—it’s up to you. And once you’re done, you can use your finished artwork to create a one-of-a-kind card front!

Kit includes:
* Pre-designed projects
* Line art illustrations
* Step-by-step instructions
* 24 watercolour paper pages, 2 each of 12 designs
* 8 Watercolor Pencils
* 1 Water Painter
* Colouring book: 4-1/2" x 6" x 1/2" (11.4 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm)
* A 9-7/8" x 6-1/2" x 1-3/4" (25.1 x 16.5 x 4.4 cm) printed designer box for storage or crafting on the go

Product colours: Berry Burst, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Red

 

Lots to look over here! Check out my online store for more details and to purchase any of the items above.

It's August and there are some important promotions to bring to your attention! Firstly, we all love gorgeous Designer Series Paper, me especially, and during the month of August you can enjoy a 15% discount on select papers from the current annual catalogue. Now is a great time to stock up and save on some of our most popular paper designs! The papers included in the promotion are detailed below:

A reminder too that August is the month to redeem the Bonus Days coupons you earned in July:

The designer series paper sale is perfectly timed for redeeming those Bonus Days coupons earned; remember the must be redeemed before August 31st, so the sooner the better.

Also this month - we have two new great kit collections that have been released. The first of these is the Haunted Home Kit:

Get your Halloween crafting on with the Haunted Home Kit! This kit costs £17 and comes with all the paper pieces you need to assemble your very own haunted paper house. You’ll start with cardboard walls, pre-cut vellum, and other paper pieces for accessorising. Assemble the house following the instructions then add your own ghostly touch to it. It’s the perfect paper crafting activity for any gathering with fellow crafters, friends, and family during the spooky season!

The second kit is the Christmas Wishes Christmas card kit:

Keep your Christmas card crafting easy AND elegant with the Christmas Wishes Kit! This kit comes with 8 bright red card bases detailed with gold foil and coordinating gold, shimmer envelopes. Create your own Christmas cards using the pre-cut paper pieces, the stamp set, and Stampin’ Spot. Use the included address labels to send your cards to your recipients! This kit costs £22.

All of the above items can be found in my online store by clicking the links below. Happy shopping!

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	COUNTRYSIDE INN 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	COUNTRY LACE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	COUNTRY WOODS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	FULL OF LIFE 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	LILY POND LANE 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)
MEDITERRANEAN BLOOMS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	PERENNIAL LAVENDER 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	TAKE TO THE SKY 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	THOUGHTFUL JOURNEY 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	TO MARKET 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	UNBOUNDED BEAUTY 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)
WILDLY FLOWERING 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	WINTER MEADOW 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.99)	HAUNTED HOME KIT (17.00)	CHRISTMAS WISHES KIT (ENGLISH) (22.00)

You all know what a fan I am of Stampin' Up!'s kits - they make for a perfect crafty evening in with friends, whether you are a seasoned crafter or have never crafted before and would like to try something new. Kits are fun, quick and easy and all-inclusive so there's nothing to buy and nothing to store afterwards and with so many different styles and types, there's something for everyone. During August you can save up to 30% on all kits - what could be better?! You don't need a code - all kits have already been discounted in the online store - links to each of those currently available are below; I'll be sharing details on some of my favourites on social media during this month, but I just want to draw your attention to some recent new additions, including the Festive Tags kit that launches today:

If you would like to start crafting handmade creations for Christmas and New Year, the Festive Tags Kit has everything you need to create 15 festive gift tags in less than an hour - no stamping required! There are several other Christmas card and tag kits in the online store too, so definitely worth a look.

Another recently launched stamping kit is the Boho Beach kit:

This all-inclusive kit comes with everything you need to make eight beautiful beach-inspired cards. Send a friendly note to the people you love and don’t miss the acrylic-poured paint art style used in this kit for a dazzling marbled colour effect! It’s time to take a well-deserved break, sit back, and take friends and family to the beach from the comfort of your home!

Finally the Blossom Wishes Kit:

Celebrate your friends with special slimline cards from the Blossom Wishes Kit! With vellum blossoms and foiled details, you can quickly put together a fun paper craft! This kit also comes with pre-cut sentiments in Dutch, English, French, and German, so you can send a card and say hello to friends near and far.

Kits make great gifts too - you can make up the projects and then give them away for someone else to use or give them an unopened kit to bring them crafting pleasure of their own and there are some great kits for children, including the fun Love This Memory Notebook - this could be a fun way to record and document vacation activities:

To get your hands on a discounted kit, you can either get in touch to place your order or alternatively visit my online store. Or if you would like to arrange a 'kit together' event with friends for a fun evening out, then do get in touch!

As with all kits, they are available whilst stocks last; the online store will show a full range of what is currently available; to purchase, simply click on the links below. Happy shopping!

FESTIVE TAGS KIT (11.70)	BOHO BEACH KIT (ENGLISH) (18.90)	CONFETTI BIRTHDAY KIT (ENGLISH) (19.80)	FOREVER FRIENDS KIT (ENGLISH) (18.00)	COLORFUL KALEIDOSCOPE KIT (ENGLISH) (19.80)	LOVE TREATS KIT (ENGLISH) (15.40)
TIMELESS GREETINGS KIT (ENGLISH) (17.60)	CHRISTMAS GIFTING KIT (ENGLISH) (16.80)	COZY & BRIGHT KIT (ENGLISH) (17.60)	LOVE THIS MEMORY NOTEBOOK KIT (ENGLISH) (16.80)	THE BEST REMEDY KIT (ENGLISH) (17.60)	A MILLION THANKS KIT (ENGLISH) (16.80)
KINDNESS CARDS KIT (ENGLISH) (15.40)	ROBOT BUDDIES KIDS CARD KIT (ENGLISH) (15.40)	LIGHT THE CANDLES CARD KIT (ENGLISH) (18.90)	LOVE, SANTA TAG KIT (ENGLISH) (14.70)	CHRISTMAS WHIMSY CARD KIT (ENGLISH) (14.70)	SENTIMENTAL ROSE CARD KIT (ENGLISH) (18.90)
A LITTLE SMILE CARD KIT (ENGLISH) (14.00)	YOU ARE MY ANCHOR CARD KIT (ENGLISH) (14.00)	BLOSSOM WISHES KIT (11.70)	WREATH OF BLOOMS KIT (11.70)	SAYING THANKS KIT (11.70)	BIRTHDAY CARD ORGANIZER KIT (19.20)
CELEBRATE TODAY MAGNET BOARD KIT (16.80)	PETAL NOTES CARD KIT (9.10)	NOTES OF CHEER CARD KIT (11.70)	KERCHIEF CARD KIT (9.10)	PRECIOUS PARCEL CARD KIT (9.10)

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a 'fill in the blank' challenge designed by me:

As a cardmaker I like to send all kinds of cards but my favourite type of card to send is a birthday card - I love to let people know I'm thinking of them on their special day. Here's one I made recently for a sweet friend of mine:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Celebrate with Sale-A-Bration - I used a single stamp set on today's card - the 'Happy Birthday To You' stamp set is one of the sets that can be yours free with a £45 purchase during Sale-A-Bration and is perfect for celebratory cards, including birthdays. It includes this gorgeous floral cake and a few sentiments and makes a great one-layer card - perfect for #SimpleStamping. I heat embossed my cake and sentiment in silver and coloured with my Blends markers in So Saffron and Seaside Spray - a little fussy cutting and some mats and layers in my feature colours, along with a few rhinestones for extra sparkle add a touch of glamour to this #SimpleStamping card and help to make it a real standout, yet it really is just stamps, ink and paper. 

Not Into Fussy Cutting? - I fussy cut the flowers and sentiment on my card today and it really was quite straight forward, but if fussy cutting isn't your thing, there is a set of co-ordinating Birthday Dies available as part of the Co-ordination Product Release (you can read more about that in my earlier post here)  that are useful for cutting out the cake and flowers. The dies would be especially useful if you wanted to make a batch in one go and save yourself some valuable time. 

Stampin' Up! Gift Vouchers - The Perfect Gift - My card was actually the second thing I created to share with you today. I designed it to co-ordinate with a gift voucher wallet, which is a replica of one I made recently for one of my lovely customers who was celebrating a milestone birthday. Did you know that I provide Stampin' Up! gift vouchers (for any amount) that you can purchase for yourself or a friend or loved one - there's nothing nicer to give a stamper as a gift!! When I have a request for gift vouchers, I love to create a fancy wallet for them - after all, they are a gift in themselves. The one below is a pared-down version of the one that I designed for the lovely Jane, as hers included big silver glimmer numbers too. I liked it so much I thought I would make another one - I find myself using gift wallets more and more, especially for my growing niece and nephew who appreciate money above most other things these days and it's nice to at least be able to make it look more like a gift than to just tuck a few bank notes into a card. For my gift wallet I fussy cut the cake too, and added the whole thing to a belly band of Seaside Spray DSP covered in some (retired) silver polka dot acetate and decorated with a ribbon bow, this time putting the 'Happy Birthday' sentiment front and centre:

So pretty, even if I say so myself! Here's a photo of both the card and co-ordinating gift voucher together:

I, for one, would be thrilled to receive this little combo for my birthday - or Mother's Day ... or pretty much any day really!! I'm also linking today's card up with the peeps over at Time Out Challenges who are celebrating their 6th birthday - congratulations! - since my project is for birthdays and includes the option of fussy cutting. Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you put your creative thinking caps on, why not check out the blogs of the other As You See It team members:

Amy Jasper

Heather Cooper

Jan Clothier

Jane Knudsen

LeAnne Pugliese

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

• Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
• Fill in the blanks with the words that are right for you and then create your project with those words in mind. Tell us, in your blog or on your site, what words you used.
• Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your blog post. Turn off word verification so we can leave you lots of lovely comments. Make sure you link the post not the whole blog to the Linky. Use #AYSIXXX when uploading to a public gallery.
• If you’re unsure about ‘the rules’, check the details under the Challenge Guidelines tab on the As You See It Challenge homepage.
• In a Fill in the Blank challenge, complete the sentence in the Challenge Banner with the phrase that is true for you and create your project using the words you used. Tell us what you said in your blog or on your site.

We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project and an update reading last weekend's successful craft retreat now that I'm (almost!) recovered! Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Happy Birthday To You Cling Stamp Set (English) (£0.00)	So Saffron A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Seaside Spray A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)
Versamark Pad (£8.75)	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder (£5.50)	So Saffron Stampin' Blends Combo Pack (£8.50)	Seaside Spray Stampin' Blends Combo Pack (£8.50)	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)
Mango Melody Dark Stampin' Blends (£4.25)	Rhinestone Basic Jewels (£4.75)	Seaside Spray 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Metallic Ribbon (£6.50)

As promised in my earlier post today (you can read that here if you missed it), today I'm sharing something a little different that I gave a sneak peek of on my Facebook page the week before last - a 3D project! Today is the perfect day to share it since it coincides with the launch of the Snowflake Showcase product suite yesterday - you can read all about that here.

The weekend before last I held my second residential craft retreat this year. I love these weekends: they are a great opportunity for me to spend quality time with my customers, some of whom I see at my regular classes but for many who follow my blog and shop with me online and for whom this is an opportunity to get away from it all for some quality crafting time amongst friends. I am grateful that they choose to spend a weekend with me crafting and as such in addition to their goody bags, they receive lots of little pillow gifts and table favours throughout their stay as a token of my appreciation. When they leave at the end of the weekend, I like to gift them a key ring that is unique to that retreat as a reminder of the fun time that they've had. It has to showcase some fabulous Stampin' Up! product too, both on the keyring and the packaging so for this one I just had to feature the limited edition, exclusive Snowflake Showcase products that went live on sale yesterday. So first up here is the packaging for my gift:

I dressed up one of the kraft pillow boxes available in the annual catalogue with some silver-trimmed ribbon and added a sentiment banner stamped tone-on-tone with the border stamp and then heat-embossed my sentiment in silver over the top. I then added the fabulous string of snowflakes diecut to the front of the box for a real 'wow'.

It didn't end there; I continued the snowflake theme inside with a keyring, that had a snowflake tree, a teeny-tiny sentiment and one of my craft retreat logos all stamped onto shrink plastic and reduced in size, along with one of the gorgeous snowflake trinkets that are also part of this suite. I made them in two colourways, Pool Party and Balmy Blue:

Here's a picture of them both together - gift and packaging. What do you think - cute enough to hang your keys from? 

I received such lovely comments from the ladies who attended my retreat, who all said they felt truly spoiled all weekend. Here's one of the pictures I shared over on my Facebook page of us at dinner on the Saturday evening, with some of them sharing another of their table gifts:

Christmas crackers, what else?! I will have more projects using the fabulous Snowflake Showcase in the coming weeks so look out for those and meanwhile do get in touch with me directly or via my online store to order yours whilst supplies last.

Equally, if you would like to be similarly spoiled and enjoy a fabulous crafty weekend away from it all, there are still spaces available on my March 2019 retreat which will be held in the West Midlands on 2-3 March - you can read more about it here and I would love it if you could join me! The dates for next October will be released soon and I already have a waiting list for this event, so if you would like to be one of the first to receive the details as they are published then do get in touch with me via joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk to register your interest as spaces are likely to be snapped up quickly!

Enjoy your evening and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Snow Is Glistening Photopolymer Stamp Set (£20.00)	Snowflake Trinkets (£7.50)	Snowfall Thinlits Dies (£36.00)	Silver 3/8" Metallic-Edge Ribbon (£6.50)	Kraft Pillow Boxes (£4.75)
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Balmy Blue A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Versamark Pad (£8.25)	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder (£4.75)	Rhinestone Basic Jewels (£4.75)

Happy Friday everyone! I've had continuing blog and website issues to contend with this week, so all of my carefully scheduled blog posts have gone awry and you haven't heard from me in the timely manner I had hoped this week! This one should have gone live yesterday, but I'm pleased to be able to publish it finally because this is news of the release of an exclusive limited time collection of products called 'Snowflake Showcase' and trust me you are not going to want to miss it!

It seems following the success of the Blended Seasons stamp set and co-ordinating framelits a few months ago that you love an exclusive, limited offer - so here's another one: two stamp sets, one for Christmas and one all-rounder that both co-ordinate with the Snowfall Thinlits dies - available now until 30 November or whilst stocks last. What's more there are some co-ordinating Snowflake Trinkets and White Velvet paper sheets too. Here's a close up of the products in more detail:

I'm sure this set will be popular and I've taken orders for a few already having given the customers in my Facebook VIP Customer Group a sneak peek a few weeks ago (do get in touch if you would like to know more about the benefits associated with belonging to this group), so don't delay in placing your order - I wouldn't want you to be disappointed. Don't forget if you are placing an order online to also include this month's hostess code RW3QD6VN to receive a free thank you gift from me too! 

For more information on this set, please see today's second post here, which also includes a 3D project made using this gorgeous suite.

If you have any questions on any of the above, then please do get in touch - I am always happy to help!

Back shortly with my second post of the day; until then, happy shopping!

 Links to purchase the above items in my online store:

Snow Is Glistening Photopolymer Stamp Set (£20.00)

Happiness Surrounds Photopolymer Stamp Set (£16.00)

Snowflake Trinkets (£7.50)

Snowfall Thinlits Dies (£36.00)

White Velveteen Sheets (£4.75)

My team and customers know what a fan I am of Stampin' Up!'s kits - they make for a perfect crafty evening in with friends, whether you are a seasoned crafter or have never crafted before and would like to try something new. Today I want to share with you one of the two popular card kits in the Stampin' Up! range that are retiring at the end of May with the end of the current annual catalogue. 

The Designer Tin of Cards Project Kit features on page 160 of the annual catalogue. Here's a picture of everything that's included:

This generous kit contains blanks and envelopes to create 16 cards and comes with a lovely card organiser storage tin and dividers to keep them in when you're done. Add a Designer Tin of Cards stamp set (this set contains some great stamps to decorate your envelopes and the inside of your cards too), a couple of ink pads and some adhesive and you are good to go! Or if you're an existing crafter with supplies, you could use any ink pads and sentiment stamp set to achieve great results. Here's a picture of the finished cards in the set:

First, fiesta-inspired birthday cards:

 Moroccan-inspired thank you cards:

Floral-inspired sending love and best wishes - great for a variety of occasions:

Lastly, some pretty congratulations cards:

Aren't they great? What's more, the kit has been reduced from £24.50 to just £14.70 - that's less than £1 per card and a fabulous tin to store then all in! 

If you would like to order the above kit, please click on the links below to order from my online store or if you live in or around Northampton, please email me or give me a call to get them added to my next order. What's more, if you would like a bargain impromptu get-together with friends where you each get to make one of these kits, then do get in touch and we can book a date in the diary.

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

Links to my Stampin' Up! Store - Designer Tin of Cards Kit:

Designer Tin Of Cards Project Kit

Designer Tin Of Cards Photopolymer Stamp Set

My regular readers will know what a fan I am of Stampin' Up!'s kits and today I want to share with you the latest all-inclusive kit offering - the Oh Happy Day Card Kit. Here's one of the finished cards from the set:

And here's a catalogue image that shows all of the cards that can be made with this kit:

Here's the low-down on the Oh Happy Day Kit and why I think they are perfect for just about anyone and everyone:

All Inclusive - The Oh Happy Day card kit is one that contains everything you need to create 20 unique cards: card bases, co-ordinating envelopes, die cut images and shapes, a Stampin' Spot ink pad, set of 13 photopolymer stamps and an acrylic block and a range of accessories and embellishments. Simply add your choice of adhesive and you are good to go. 

Great Value For Money - At £31.50, this kit offers exceptional value for money - where else could you buy 20 handcrafted greetings cards at less than £1.60 each and have a stamp set, ink spot, block and a range of embellishments left over to create even more things with too? Not to mention the creative fun you will have putting them together along the way!

The Perfect Gift -  Whether young or old, experienced crafter or new to crafting, this kit is perfect for you. Follow the instructions included or unleash your own creativity and do your own thing - and if you're trying to buy for 'the person who has everything' - I bet they don't have one if these! The kit comes in a lovely gift box too, so all you need is some ribbon and a tag and you are done.

Here is a reminder of this fantastic kit if you are getting organised and want to pin it to your Pinterest 'Christmas Gifts' board to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Also the lovely people at Stampin' Up! have also produced a video showing this kit in more detail if you'd like a close look:

I truly do think that this is one of the best kits yet - it's the bright and colourful equivalent of the equally good Watercolour Wishes kit - you can read all about that one here. Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Oh Happy Day Card Kit

Multipurpose Liquid Glue