The Aliens Have Landed!

by Joanne James10. May 2013 21:16

Good evening, blog followers! Apologies for the lack of blog post yesterday; things have been very busy in the world of the Crafty Owl this past few days and yesterday just ran away with me. Anyway, back today with a card I wanted to share in advance of next week's card class featuring my favourite punch of all time - the owl punch. This punch really is so versatile; there are many examples of alternative uses for this punch.  Today I'm sharing an alien pop-up card, inspired by the many examples found on Pinterest - this is the outside: 

Recognise the alien in the spaceship? An upside-down owl with one eye, along with some punch art planets and stars. When you open it up, the inside looks like this: 

A trio of aliens pop up to wish you a happy birthday! This kind of card is such fun - you can customise your aliens and make them different every time. perfect for a birthday that's 'out of this world'! The owl punch is the feature punch for this month's card class - if you live in Northampton and the surrounding areas and would be interested in attending one of my classes, do get in touch for more details. Right - I'm done with the alien puns; I'm off to try and schedule tomorrow's blog post as I'll be on a Stampin' Up! regional training day in Telford all day - should be fun! Until tomorrow, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes (retired)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Concord Crush (retired), Poppy Parade (retired) 

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Concord Crush (retired)

Tools: Owl Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Oval Framelits, Bitty Banners

Spring Tulips

by Joanne James21. April 2013 20:34

It's the middle of April and finally my tulips in the garden are starting to bud! Still not yet in bloom, unlike my neighbour's daffodils which cheer me up every time I drive on and off the drive. So whilst I'm waiting for the real thing, I thought I would share a tulip card I made:

Can you tell how I made the tulips? Yes, my much beloved Owl Punch was used to create the petals; a whole one (minus feet!) for the base, followed by two sections overlaid for petals. I sponged the edges of the sections in the co-ordinating ink colours to add body and tied the stems with some linen thread for simplicity. I also paper-pierced the background just for added interest; this was so easy with my piercing tool and guide template, yet quite effective I think.

This is just one of many alternative uses for the owl punch. I will be sharing this and many more of them in my next card class on May 15th; if you would like to attend, just contact me at [email protected] for more details. Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Cardstock: Rose Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers:  Rose Red, Daffodil Delight

Tools: Owl Punch, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

Finishing Touches: Linen Thread

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Cards | Classes | Punch Art

Oh Hello - Welcome to my Team!

by Joanne James16. April 2013 22:19

Lots to share today: new Stampin' Up! offers, some lovely makes and a 'sneak peek' of tomorrow's post - but you'll have to read everything else first!

Stampin' Up! has announced two great offers that will run from April 15th-May 30th: If you host a £250 party, you will earn an additional £25 in hostess credits to spend on any items you like from the current annual and Spring-Summer catalogues - that's a whopping £65 worth of product absolutely free, just for hosting a party. All you need to do is contact me to arrange a date, invite your friends round and pop the kettle on - I'll take care of the rest.

If you've ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, there's another great offer that will be of interest to you: if you sign up before 30th May, you will receive an extra £25 worth of product of your choice in your starter kit - that's a total of £155 worth of product for £99 cost - bargain! You will also receive a business supplies pack worth £45, which brings the total value of the starter pack to £200 - a great deal at half the price. Whether you want to be a hobby demonstrator and simply take advantage of the opportunity to purchase your craft supplies at a discount, supplement your existing income or work with a specific financial goal in mind, or build a business out of your love of crafting that has endless opportunities and the flexibility to work the hours of your choice and do a much or as little as you like, Stampin' Up! has something for everyone. In addition to the extensive resources that Stampin' Up! offers, I like to give my team members something 'extra'. In addition to my personal support in helping you make the most of everything that Stampin' Up! has to offer, I like to share my enthusiasm and passion and inspire them to create great things. Here's the welcome card and gift I made for new members of my team during Sale-A-Bration earlier this year, inspired by something similar I had seen on the SU corporate blog:

 

A lovely decorated notebook for those all important moments when inspiration strikes and a co-ordinating welcome card. I used the Vine Embossing Folder and co-ordinating stamp from the Madison Avenue stamp set, highlighting with some hearts from my Owl Punch and the 'Oh Hello' stamp set from the stamp set of the same name. Here's a close-up of the notebook:

And here's a close-up of the co-ordinating welcome card: 

So if you would like to say 'Oh Hello' and join my team of Crafty Owls, do get in touch with me here if you'd like more information. Alternatively, if you've already decided and are ready to order your starter pack, just click here to complete the form online - it's really straightforward.

Lastly, I promised a 'sneak peek' of tomorrow's post, which will feature one of the cards from my class tomorrow evening - so here it is:

You'll have to come back tomorrow to see the whole thing though - until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Oh Hello, Madison Avenue (Sale-A-Bration - retired)

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade (retired)

Inks: Crumb Cake, Island Indigo

Tools: Vine Embossing Folder (Sale-A-Bration - retired), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Owl Punch

 

Angry Bird in Action - Masculine Swap Card

by Joanne James15. April 2013 21:20

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I was on a team training day yesterday. One of the things we like to do at these events is share 'swaps', where we each make multiples of a card or 3D project with a particular theme in mind and then 'swap' with each other. This is a great way to share in each others creativity, inspire others and to be inspired and also gives lots of items to share with customers at parties and classes. The theme for yesterday's swaps was 'masculine' and whilst I often struggle with 'grown-up' masculine, having a 5 year old son gives me plenty of opportunity to design for 'young' masculine and I'm never short of ideas. As you can see in yesterday's post, Angry Birds is an ever-popular theme at the moment, so with this in mind I worked up a slightly altered version to a card that I seem to make quite a lot of these days. Here's my original card that I've made a number of times:

And here's the slightly altered version that I made for my swaps yesterday - can you spot the key difference?

Did you spot it? Instead of sponging around a template for clouds as in the first card (I use the top of the cupcake from the Cupcake Builder Punch for this  - it makes a great cloud!) I partially embossed the background using the new Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and sponged blue in between the clouds, leaving the bottom right hand corner un-embossed to allow me to stamp my sentiment onto a flat card surface. Another small difference is that instead of using Chocolate Chip cardstock for the slingshot, I used Crumb Cake, stamped in Chocolate Chip ink with the Woodgrain stamp. This last decision was prompted more by the fact that I had a large number of Crumb Cake card offcuts from a previous project that were perfect for use here (if you're reading this Chris P, this one's for you - I told you I'd find a use for those Crumb Cake offcuts!!) Punch art is great for using up all those odds and ends of cardstock left over from other projects, although having set out to make 30 of these, I did wonder if I should have chosen something a little more straightforward!

Anyway, I was really pleased with the way the all turned out. The design of this bird is slightly different to the red bird on yesterday's bookmark - I think the eyebrows make him look angrier. Here's a close up of the detail:

I love the beak too - there's just so much going on in this card, even after making so many I don't really tire of it. All my swaps were exchanged yesterday so I can't show you a photo of all 30, however I did make a few extras for some upcoming birthdays so I'll leave you with this last group shot of the little red fellas getting ready to be launched from their slingshots:

On that happy note, I'm off to start prepping; the Easter holidays are finally over and the children are back to school tomorrow. i'll be sad to see them go, but on the up side I'll have more time to spend in my craft room and I have lots there to keep me busy. I'll be back tomorrow with a new project - and possibly a 'sneak peek' of one of the cards we will be making in Wednesday's card class. So come back tomorrow and check it out; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Wacky Wishes (Hostess), Woodgrain

Cardstock: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Inks: Real Red, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue

Tools: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Small Heart Punch, Owl Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch (circle), Big Shot, Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Finishing Touches: Linen Thread

Punch Art Angry Birds Bookmarks

by Joanne James14. April 2013 21:38

I've been enjoying a quarterly training day with my wider Stampin'Up! team today, so have lots of lovely new craft things to share with you over the next week or so. The theme of our swaps today was 'masculine'; I'll share mine with you in the next day or two when I have a half-decent photo. Meanwhile, to get you in the mood another non-card project today, keeping with the masculine theme: I made these Angry Bird punch art bookmarks a while a go and for the 'little men' in my life, they were certainly a big hit:

Aren't they just the cutest? They take a little while to make and use lots of different punches, but they're really effective. Guaranteed to make even the most reluctant reader want to open their storybook! They also make a great party bag gift for a child's birthday, either ready made or in kit form: contact me at [email protected] if you are interested in either of these. I made lots of these so here's one more picture of the whole collection:

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

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Cardstock: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Basic Black, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango

Tools: Heart Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Small Heart Punch, Owl Punch

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3D Projects | Punch Art

Easter Bunny Punch Art Card and Gift Box

by Joanne James31. March 2013 21:43

I hope everyone has been enjoying a lovely Easter day, with plenty of chocolate eggs thrown in! This is my last Easter offering to share with you all and was inspired by one of my other hobbies - biscuit making. I recently enjoyed a fun day out with a friend at the Biscuiteers Icing Cafe in Notting Hill, where we spent a pleasant morning icing Easter bunnies in various poses, spring lambs and Easter eggs. My favourite was a lovely pale brown bunny with floppy ears, that shows him from behind with an iced bunny tail - he inspired this punch art bunny card, which shows him with a couple of friends:

 

I love the simple design with the polka dot paper and oval framelits, with just a touch of colour to each bunny tail to make them 'pop'. I didn't add a sentiment because although this card was for Easter, I wanted it to be able to use it for any occasion. My biscuits from that day are all long gone but I have the same cutter to make more at home and so designed a co-ordinating gift box, which is just the right size for a similar biscuit to fit in and would make a lovely gift for someone special:

I just made a simple shallow box with a Whisper White base and Marina Mist lid using my Simply Scored, then attached the punched bunny oval to a belly band made from the reverse side to the spots on the card, which just holds the box securely together. Next time I make one of these I'll try and include a photo of the biscuit too, although they don't hang around for long in our house, it has to be said!

Back tomorrow with thoughts of spring - until then, eat lots of chocolate and happy stampin'!

 

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Polka Dots Parade DSP

Tools: Owl Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Ornament Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch (flower), Oval Framelits, Simply Scored

Finishing Touches: 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Marina Mist, Basics Pearls

Happy Easter From The Crafty Owl

by Joanne James31. March 2013 12:24

Happy Easter blog followers! This is the first of two blog posts today and this one is for you: the Crafty Owl is entering into the spirit of things and is playing bunny dress up ready for his Easter egg hunt today: 

I could have simply made a rabbit from my owl punch (just one of the many things the owl can become - this is such a versatile punch!) but instead decided to dress him as a bunny rabbit, complete with hat ears and bunny nose - cute, eh?!

Happy Easter everyone - I'll be back later with a bunny of a different kind. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Wacky Wishes (hostess)

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Grey, Basic Black

Ink: Pretty in Pink

Tools: Owl Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

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Cards | Punch Art

Peepo Bunny Rabbit Punch Art

by Joanne James21. March 2013 22:06

So today's card was a case of something similar I saw on Pinterest which I actually made as a birthday card for a special 7 year old recently who is just mad about rabbits. I thought I would share today as it could just as easily be adapted to an Easter card. This is the front:

I used the 'Memorable Moments' stamp set to create the 'Happy 7th Birthday' - this is a great set that allows you to create custom birthday and anniversary greetings for pretty much any number combination. The outline stamp also fits the Labels Framelits perfectly. I love the idea of the rabbit hopping into his hidey-hole, only to open the card and see him reappear on the inside.

 

Here's a close-up of the inside: 

You can see the detail of his face and the subtle sponging just adds texture and character to his features. My favourite has to be the extra-large pompom tail on the front though I just love it!

So only one more day of Sale-A-Bration left - if you have an order to place or would like to sign up for the enhanced starter kit, you've got less than 24 hours to get in touch with me, so don't delay!

Back tomorrow with more Easter ideas - might even show something using one of the Sale-A-Bration sets, for all you early-birds who already have your free stamp sets and are looking for more great ways in which to use them. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Memorable Moments, Woodgrain. Inside greeting is from a retired set - the current set 'A Word For You' is very similar though.

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Gumball Green

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Tools: Itty Bitty Punches, Large Oval, Small Oval, Circle Punch (various sizes), Ornament Punch, Owl Punch (for nose), Labels Framelits, Trimmer

Finishing Touches: Basics pearls.

 

Comic Relief Red Nose Punch Art

by Joanne James15. March 2013 20:35

Something different for today: anyone who lives in the UK will know today is 'Red Nose Day' or Comic Relief Day, where we all don red noses, host bake sales and generally do something funny for money. You can find out more about Comic Relief and their work, including make an online donation, here but meanwhile having sent my two children to school dressed as heroes, made 35 red nose cake pops (with faces!) and chocolate mini muffins with red noses, of course, I thought I would create my very own red nose punch art card to celebrate the good work that Comic Relief does both at home and abroad. So here it is:

I made my own punch art versions of this year's red Noses with Toes: TSpex, Triceytops and Dinomite. The sentiment is from a retired set, but I thought it was perfect for this card - laughter and smiles is what Comic Relief is all about.

I hope you've all had plenty of red-nose fun today - I'm off to tune into the BBC1 coverage now for the rest of the evening. Just watching Peter Kay's exploits travelling by couch from Belfast to London - hilarious!!

Until next time, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions (retired)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red

Stampin' Write Markers: Basic Black, Real Red

Tools: Itty Bitty Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Mixed Bunch Punch, Circle Punch (various sizes), Merry Minis Ornament Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Trimmer

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Punch Art

Xin Nian Kuai Le - or Happy New Year, in Mandarin!

by Joanne James10. February 2013 20:38

I have been very busy exhibiting at my first wedding fair today, so today's work is that of a guest crafter - my daughter! Today is Chinese New Year and as my daughter is very fortunate to learn Mandarin at school, we decided to make a new year card for her Mandarin teacher, Wan Lau Shu (or Mrs Nelson to the uninitiated - apologies for  the poor phonetics!!) and a small gift.

So first up, the card:

This year is the Year of the Snake, so we decided to decorate the card with a golden snake (yellow/gold is considered the most important colour and the colour of Imperial China) made using a paper-folding technique learned at a lunchtime 'Maths through Art and Design' club (aren't schools great these days?!). We stuck the snake to a bright red card, as red is an important colour in Chinese culture symbolising good fortune and joy and is very popular during new year celebrations. To finish, my daughter carefully wrote 'Happy New Year' in her best character writing alongside it.

She then also made a small gift of a punch art panda bookmark to go with the card. Isn't he cute?

 

Just a few simple punched shapes, diamantes to give his eyes some sparkle and a red bow for luck. So to everyone out there who is celebrating today, a Happy New Year! Until next time, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies (Panda Bookmark only):

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Tools: Large oval punch, 2-step bird punch (the wing), owl punch (circles for eyes and heart for nose), diamantes

 

 

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3D Projects | Cards | Punch Art

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About Me

Hi I'm Joanne and live in Northampton and when I'm not looking after my husband and two beautiful children, am an avid crafter with a passion for all things Stampin' Up!

I must confess that I have never been a big rubber stamper - until I discovered Stampin' Up! that is. I love the fact that I can get such great results with co-ordinating stamps, inks, papers and punches - the possibilities are endless! Join me on my stamping journey as I share the things I love and be inspired to create amazing things yourself!

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This is my personal blog and is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up! I hope you find it a plentiful source of ideas and personal inspiration but please don't copy my designs for contest submission or use for classes, publication or sale without express permission.