Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Elizabeth to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

Yes this week it's a sketch challenge with a difference - no specific layout; instead the challenge is to make a one layer card design. I knew exactly where I was going with this, although it did take me a while to get there (more on that to follow!) For now, here's my card - take a look:

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

One Layer Definition - For the avoidance of doubt, we are using the following as our definition of a one layer card:

"A one-layer card is a simple card made from a single piece of cardstock or paper, with no additional layers or embellishments. The design is directly printed, stamped, or drawn onto the surface of the card base”.

In other words, if you need glue - it isn't one layer! 

Peaceful View - A background stamp such as 'Peaceful View' is great for a one layer card, in as much as the entire scene is laid out in one go. Ideally, you need a card base that is smaller than the main image, so that the image goes off the edge, however I decided I'd try something a little more complicated and stamp the image leaving a border around the edge, to give the illusion of another layer. I also wanted to heat emboss the main image (perfect for my entry into 'E is for Embossing' over at The Alphabet Challenge) to add more depth. I'm not going to lie, both of these things complicate a one layer card and it did take me a couple of attempts to achieve the end result. In case you want to give it a go, this is how I did it, step by step:

• Use a stamping platform - essential for even stamp coverage with a large stamp with solid blocks of colour like this
• Mask a border around your cardfront using masking tape
• Use an embossing buddy liberally over the cardfront before you stamp to reduce static
• Ink the image with Versamark and use a Versamrk pen to touch up the edges where the stamp borders the masking tape to ensure good coverage and clean, straight edges
• Emboss the image with black embossing powder
• Ink with a blending brush/es to colour as desired
• Wipe with a tissue or soft cloth to remove any excess ink on the embossed areas
• Remove the masking tape to reveal the border

The touching up of the edges before embossing is key to achieving a clean finish - skip this step and you will lose the effect.

Summer Sunset - There are lots of ways that you could colour the finish image; I decided to go with a summer sunset (perfect for the 'Summer' challenge over at CAS on Friday) and I was actually inspired by a sunset I saw in a movie a couple of weeks ago ('Sicario' by Taylor Sheridan if you were wondering - not up to Yellowstone standards in my view, but the sunset was amazing!) and it just so happened that the team at Color Hues were using the exact same two colours I decided to use: peach and cobalt. I used Peach Pie and (retired) Starry Sky respectively (although you could use Blueberry Bushel for a close match if you don't have Starry Sky) and I used my blending brushes to create a gradient of colour, with just two inks:

I left my card sentiment-free; I could have placed one on that area of open sky between the bird on the fence and the tree, but I really didn't want to detract from the beauty of the scene itself. I didn't add a single embellishment or other detail to my card - and I can honestly say, I love the finished result! What a great challenge - I can't wait to see what you do with it this week.

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 Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; the James Junior and I are 'home alone' this week as the hubby is in China on business, but since A-Levels are now officially over and the youngest of the James Juniors is 'unemployed' until he hopefully starts university in September, we have lots of fun planned. Today we are off to the home of British Formula 1 racing, Silverstone, for an advanced driving skills day with our local police force (unfortunately I don't get to drive - just spectate), followed by a pub meal on the way home - so looking forward to that! I'll be back soon with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

PEACEFUL VIEW CLING STAMP SET (£19.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (£9.00)	BASICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (£20.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£16.00)	BLENDING BRUSHES (£14.00)	PEACH PIE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)
BLUEBERRY BUSHEL CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)

Today I'm sharing a card that I made for the inspiration challenge over at SUO Challenges using the Sketch Saturday layout:

I took my inspiration from the cream flowers on the seat of the chair, the straw hat and that lovely green background of the SUOC photo. I grabbed my Beautiful Gallery papers as I wanted to make a feature of one of the pages featuring some pretty cream florals - take a look:

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

First things first: yes, I did take some liberties with that sketch! All of the elements are there, albeit in different proportions. I really wanted to use the Impressions Abloom frame to showcase as much of that pretty paper as possible and whilst I first made the elements proportional, that rectangle behind didn't look right. So I removed the ribbon border that I had added and replaced with a smaller rectangle with border detailing, which I embossed with my (retired) Subtles embossing folder for some added texture, inspired by that straw hat in the picture. The elements of the sketch are still there, but with a wider interpretation than usual:

A simple thank you sentiment and a few brass enamel dots complete today's card.

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. 

Enjoy your day; it's still roasting here in the UK so whilst I'm enjoying the warm weather, I'll be keeping out of the sun! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

NESTED ESSENTIALS DIES (£32.00)	IMPRESSIONS ABLOOM DIES (£32.00)	BEAUTIFUL GALLERY 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.75)	FRIENDS FOR LIFE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£9.60)	MOSSY MEADOW A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)	BASIC BEIGE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)
MOSSY MEADOW CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

Today I have a second post for a card I made for the challenges over at TGIF Challenges and Hand Stamped Sentiments:

I can never resist a good sketch and I was totally inspired by the pretty colour palettes over at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week (I chose the one on the right). I decided to heat-emboss my flower in white for a change - allowing me a second entry over at The Flower Challenge too. To my card - take a look:

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

I used both the pinks and lilacs of the HSS colour palette and the hydrangeas in the photo above to create the focal point of a single hydrangea, heat-embossed in white and blended with a trio of colours, and also added extra petals that I'd snipped from a second flower for added dimension. I emphasised the circular element of the sketch by stamping my base with the circular stamp from 'Elements of Text' along with some splatters - you can see that detail on the background better in the close up below:

I added a strip of (retired) Lighter Than Air DSP across the bottom below my repeated sentiment and some extra diecut leaves, ribbon and pearls to finish. It's a little bit busier than my usual style, especially with the loopy ribbon, but I love the finished effect - especially with the repeated sentiment banner.

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. 

Enjoy your evening - it's still hot, hot, hot here! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

THANKFUL GARDEN BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£62.00)	ELEMENTS OF TEXT CLING STAMP SET (£25.00)	BLENDING BRUSHES (£14.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)	FRESH FREESIA A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (£9.00)
BASICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (£20.00)	FRESH FREESIA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)	BUBBLE BATH CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)	PRETTY IN PINK CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)	UNINKED STAMPIN’ PAD & WHITE CRAFT REFILL (£10.00)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Claire to host this week and she has a fun clean and simple challenge for us to work with:

Fresh and fruity - but in a clean and simple style! I  - couldn't resist another Celebratory Sips creation, with a focus on citrus fruits for today's card - take a look:

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

There's really not much to this one: a clean white card base, stamped in Cloud Cover with a retired sentiment from the 'Sweet Citrus' stamp set, and three glasses, one orange, one lemon and one lime adorned with fruit slices, fussy cut from the designer paper and popped up on dimensionals and a selection of sequins and enamel dots in coordinating colours from my collection to finish:

Doesn't that look so refreshing?! So what fresh and fruity creations do you have up your sleeve? We'd love you to share them with us, just remember to keep them clean and simple, which we define as:

• Lots of clean 'white' space (it doesn't have to be white in colour - just free of pattern)
• Minimal layers
• Minimal embellishments

This should be the overriding focus of your card - the fruity theme runs secondary to this.

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 Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; it's Father's Day here in the UK today, so we will be celebrating one of the best here in the James household. I'll be back soon with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

CELEBRATORY SIPS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£16.00)

CLOUD COVER CLASSIC STAMPIN' INK REFILL (£5.25)

Happy Monday everyone! I have a couple of quick posts today - this is the second one. There are too many good sketch challenges around this week - I just had to get creative! This card is using Cecile's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches and is also my entry over at The Flower Challenge this month where they are all about embossing (heat or dry):

 I do love the challenge of working with Cecile's layouts - she designs the most beautiful and inspiring clean and simple cards! When I saw this week's sketch, I knew exactly where I was going with it - take a look:

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

My dear crafty friend Elizabeth over at Paper Sweetness shared some beautiful Pinkfresh Studio washi tape designs with me a little while ago and whilst I've used most of them up, I still had this fabulous fuschia that I have been waiting for just the right opportunity to use. Cecile's sketch was perfect for it; I tucked it behind my central square and allowed it to hang over the front in all its glory, adding a smaller piece with a dimensional on the left - you can see that more clearly below:

I added my sentiment to the central square (from the retired set 'Hydrangea Haven') and picked up on the touches of gold with a thin gold border and some tiny gold pearls. I toyed with leaving the frame plain, but there were so many lovely examples by the FMS Design team that featured embossed backgrounds that I decided to emboss it with the exposed brick embossing folder and I must say I'm really pleased with the finished effect. I also added a small heat embossed birthday greeting; this card is for my Mum who has a significant birthday later this year and she loves fuschias, so I'm sure this card will make her happy! 

Enjoy your day: mine is going to be a busy one! I'll be back tomorrow with a couple of cards for tomorrow's new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

EXPOSED BRICK 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (£10.25)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£16.00)

STYLISH SHAPES DIES (£28.00)

GOLD FOIL SHEETS (£4.75)

BLACKBERRY BLISS CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)

Happy Monday everyone! I have a couple of quick posts today with cards I made last week and can't wait to share! The first is using the fab layout over at Hand Stamped Sentiments:

 I still can't put that Celebratory Sips designer paper down!! Today's creation is still all about the purple tones too - take a look:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

Another couple of fussy cut glasses, this time accompanied by two panels of another of the patterns in the pack. I used the back and front of the same sheet, and diecut them using one of the rectangular dies from the Nested Essentials Dies, cutting each one in three passes, with a partial diecut each time to enable me to keep the edge pattern and elongate the shape - this is a great way to get more out of a basic shape die. I finished my cardfront with a diecut 'celebrate' cut with one of the Wanted To Say Dies:

The Wanted To Say Dies are one the Last Chance page on the website and if you don't already have them, I can highly recommend them - they are so useful! I finished the inside of my card using a sentiment from a retired set called 'Sip Sip Hooray' which coordinates perfectly with these new papers:

I stamped my sentiment slightly wonky, so stamped it again onto a label cut with the die that I used to create those long panels on the front of my card and added that to the inside of my card (shh - don't tell!) Another fun card to add to my stash!

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. 

Back shortly with my second card in its own post; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

CELEBRATORY SIPS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.75)	WANTED TO SAY DIES (£11.10)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (£28.00)	NESTED ESSENTIALS DIES (£32.00)	PURPLE FINE SHIMMER GEMS (£7.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£16.00)
GORGEOUS GRAPE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Stef to host this week and she has a fresh colour challenge for us to work with:

I have made some time-consuming cards this week (check out my earlier posts in case you missed them) - but today's card definitely wasn't one of them! I saw Stef's colours and knew I had some retired paper in my stash featuring all three colours that would be perfect. So I grabbed some dies and the great layout over at Sketch Saturday and set to work. Take a look at what I came up with:

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

The retired You're A Peach designer series papers feature all three of Stef's chosen colours, so I chose a couple of my favourites and cut a couple of rectangular panels, one with a (retired) Everyday Details die, and layered them up as per the sketch. I went with a sentiment from the Grateful Blessing stamp set, embossed on a blue circle cut with one of the Spotlight on Nature Dies for an additional pop of colour:

Three simple layers, a couple of diecuts, a heat-embossed sentiment, some enamel dots and a twine bow - done! A great standby card for my stash and I managed to use up some of my retired papers too - bonus.

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 Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

GRATEFUL BLESSING PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£19.00)	SPOTLIGHT ON NATURE DIES (£33.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£16.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (£9.00)	BASICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (£20.00)	BAKER'S TWINE ESSENTIALS PACK (£10.25)
BALMY BLUE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

Happy Monday everyone - I'm starting the week with a card I made using Jen B's fab layout this week over at Freshly Made Sketches:

This is one of those layouts that's perfect for showcasing patterned paper and the focal rectangle offers limitless creative possibilities! I knew this was my opportunity to spend a happy few minutes cutting into a new pack of paper and indulging in a little fussy cutting too - take a look:

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

Yes - today's card features the new Turtle-y Cute Designer Series Paper! It has some great patterns, along with a number of designs featuring turtles doing everything from swimming, to gardening, to playing the drums - so fun! I decided to use one of the turtleshell patterns for the bottom panel and I paired this with some (retired Sale-A-Bration) Sunshine & Rainbows featuring patterned clouds to give my background an abstract sense of landscape. 

I then added a stitched rectangle for my central panel and added a fussy cut BBQ chef and accompanying fussy cut kettle BBQ to create my focal image. I don't have the Turtle-y Awesome stamp set and dies, so I paired my images with a suitable sentiment from the retired stamp set bank called 'Outdoor Barbeque' (I flipped Jen's sketch as I needed the sentiment on the left rather than the right to fit) - I think it works, right?

We love to BBQ during the summer months and my husband loves all things related to outdoor living - so this card will definitely make him smile!

If you're a fan of fussy cutting, stay tuned: I have lots more of these little turtles cut out and can't wait to make them into other projects, so watch this space!

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. 

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

TURTLE-Y CUTE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£16.00)

TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£7.50)

POOL PARTY A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

SHADED SPRUCE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Jan to host this week and she has a fun theme challenge for us to work with:

OK - hands up: how many of you save little bits and pieces thinking 'I'm sure they will come in handy'? Well, this week Jan's recycling challenge is the perfect opportunity for you to get them out and turn them into something! I received a gift last Christmas that had the little wooden tag on that I used on today's card attached - and it has been sat in my embellishments box ever since. So today was the perfect opportunity to turn it into a new project - take a look at what I came up with:

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

In the spirit of the challenge, not only did I recycle this wooden tag, but the paper and diecuts on my card were also leftovers from other projects that I found in my scrapbox. The paper is from the Winter Meadow DSP pack which is still available (link at the bottom of this post). I had one small piece, so cut a horizontal patterned piece then cut another using the blue pattern on the reverse to sit behind it. The diecuts were also leftovers from my box: the Lost Lagoon pieces I snipped from a larger pinecone diecut and the Shaded Spruce pine sprigs were also a good match for the paper, so I used those too! I tied the wooden sentiment tag with some (retired) silver twine and added a sprinkle of rhinestones for some added wintry sparkle:

Since the sentiment was etched onto the wooden tag, this became a no-stamping card - other than for a sentiment on the inside. So quick, easy and used up lots of bits and pieces - and another Christmas card for my stash!

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

WINTER MEADOW 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£16.00)

RHINESTONE BASIC JEWELS (£5.75)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous LeAnne to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

I actually went really simple with my design this week, choosing to feature one of the designs in the new Beautiful Gallery designer paper pack - take a look:

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

The Beautiful Gallery paper pack has some beautiful painted designs and I decided to use this harbour design as the focal point for my card. I wanted to use as much of the sheet as possible, so I trimmed my DSP sheet to cover my entire cardfront then cut my three rectangles out of it using my paper trimmer, backing each one with Secret Sea cardstock before carefully gluing the panels back in place. This way I managed to use the panels to add interest without breaking the scene. 

I rotated the sketch through 180 degrees as the positioning for my sentiment banner obscured less of my image this way; I added a simple greeting using the 'Best Family Ever' stamp and added a twine bow and some sequins for just a little extra decoration to complete my card:

This is going to be my Father's Day card for my Dad. I know we are still a few weeks away from the day itself, but it feels good to be organised for once!

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 Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; I am going to cheer along my husband who has entered into out local 10k race run this morning, then we will be enjoying a carb-rich lunch to celebrate on completion and are heading out to the cinema this afternoon to see the final Mission Impossible movie - any other Tom Cruise fans out there? I'll be back soon with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

BEAUTIFUL GALLERY 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.75)

BEST FAMILY EVER PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£11.50)

SECRET SEA A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

SECRET SEA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)

CLOUD COVER A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

NEUTRALS ADHESIVE-BACKED SEQUINS (£7.00)