Daffodil Daydream Vellum Daffodils Easter Card AYSI 292

by Joanne James10. February 2023 12:00

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

 

My favourite thing about Spring - this was an easy one! I always know that spring is on its way when I see daffodils poking their heads through the soil and there is something so cheery about their trumpets nodding in the wind, in their various shades of yellow. I love a tulip too, but as a Welsh person my national flower will always win out. So I grabbed my 'Daffodil Daydream' stamp set and set to work. I have made many cards with this set, and I'm sure that flowers will be a popular choice for Deborah's fill in the blank challenge this week, so I set out to create with mine in a different way. Inspired by a number of cards I'd seen on Pinterest using other kinds of flowers, this is what I came up with - take a look:

 

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

Ring The Changes With Vellum - I decided that instead of stamping and colouring my daffodils, I would heat emboss them in white onto vellum. For those of you that are not big fans of colouring, this is a great alternative way to use those line-drawn stamps. I wanted them to stand away from my background, so used a white frame made using my stitched rectangle dies and carefully adhered the points of my vellum flower to the frame, adding a small foam pad beneath the leaf that sits directly on the background as it can't be seen beneath the embossing.

Use Up Those Scraps - I used a selection of stripes measuring 1cm in width in a repeating pattern to add colour to my card, using the five colours I would have used if I was colouring the image. This is a great way to use up scraps that are leftover from other projects - we all have these random strips, don't we? My top tip for creating this kind of background is to cut a piece of white cardstock slightly smaller than your desired finished size and glue your strips to this before trimming the edges to size to create a neat finish. I added a sentiment combined from the two in the set, along with a scattering of clear sequins to complete my card:

A Daffodil Pair - I loved this card so much, I created a second one using the other daffodil in the set too. This time I rotated it from portrait to landscape, as the single daffodil is smaller:

 

I paired this with a layered diecut sentiment from my favourite Love For You Dies, for a card that could work for any occasion - I will probably send it to one of my dearest old school friends for St David's Day on March 1st - I know she will appreciate it! Check out the detail below:

 

Here's a photo of both cards together - which one do you prefer?

 

I love them both and had so much fun experimenting with this technique. This was such a fun way to bring new life to this much-loved stamp set. 

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. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

  • Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
  • 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. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Love is Kindness and Blessed Easter TTT196

by Joanne James9. February 2023 16:00

It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at TicTacToe! It's the turn of Team X to host this week and the lovely Elizabeth is our featured designer this week. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

       RRCB 199

I took the diagonal of heart/free/diecut on our board (it also works for the first column heart/red/stitching) and was totally inspired by the image over at The Card Concept too for my clean and layered card - those pretty tulips and the chalkboard hearts. This led me to go rooting through my retired stamps for the perfect stamp - and I ended up finding not one but two stamps, so I made two cards! Since they are old stamps and my colours also match the current challenge over at Retro Rubber (I used pink, white and green) I'm linking up there too. So here's my first card - take a look:

 

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

Love Is Kindness - 'Love is Kindness' is a stamp from way back in 2015 but one I couldn't part with! I love those wrapped tulips and that sentiment quote is just so beautiful and true. It is actually a single wood-mount stamp, but for today's card I stamped just the sentiment first in Versamark onto Basic Black cardstock so that I could heat emboss it in white and cut it out with my (retired) Sweet & Sassy Hearts Framelit Dies. I then stamped the stamp again in black onto white cardstock, so that I could fussy cut the tulips and colour them with my Stampin' Blends. I added a piece of Sweet Sorbet baker's twine before adding to the edge of my chalkboard heart. 

 

Stitched Greenery - The background for both of my cards features the current Stitched Greenery coverplate die. I don't use this nearly enough - it gives such a delicate background detail and adds interest without overwhelm. A few complimentary pink sequins was the final finishing touch for my cards - here's a photo of them both together:

 

A Blessed Easter Bonus - As I mentioned above, whilst rooting through my retired stamps, the next one on the shelf was 'Blessed Easter' from 2014 and I thought these tulips would also work in this colourway. I switched out the heart for an oval and added an Easter sentiment. A little extra envelope decoration on this one too:

 

 Here's a close up of this one - which version do you prefer? Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

 

I have to say for me I think the first one wins - but I love them both and hope you enjoyed seeing the same idea with two different sets.

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. 

A tictactoe board offers so many creative possibilities - how does this week's board inspire you? Why not have a go? We would love to see you in the gallery and who knows - you might be selected for Designer's Choice and be eligible to be a guest designer on a future challenge. 

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

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

 

Around The Bend CAS Thank You Card CCS 504

by Joanne James7. February 2023 13:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. We are into the second month of the year and I am your hostess for February! Our first challenge is a colour challenge: 

 

For my card today I took the opportunity to have another play with my Around the Bend Dies and create a clean and simple thank you card - take a look:

 

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

Today's card features the detailed corner die. I added a piece of Country Gingham Balmy Blue check to my Balmy Blue card base, then overlaid a piece of white featuring the corner diecut on top. Onto this white panel, I stamped a simple 'thanks' from the 'Biggest Wish' stamp set and added a diecut flower with leaves using other dies in the set:

 I love the embossed detail on the diecuts in this set - it adds interest and allows a single flower to take centre stage, with nothing else needed to compliment that pretty corner detail.

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. 

As a reminder, for our colour challenges, you must use all of the stated challenge colours. You may also use neutral colours; however, the challenge colours should be the most noticeable ones featured on your card. We use Stampin' Up! color names for reference, but you are welcome to use any other companies' products as long as you match the challenge colours as closely as possible.

Enjoy your day; I'm looking forward to catching up on some crafting before a super-late school run this evening; the youngest of the James Juniors is having to forgo his weekly club hockey practice in order to participate in a whole school House Singing competition. Apparently his house is singing 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor - having listened to the practice, I'm not sure the audience will, but there we are!!

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

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
 

New Wreath of Blooms Home Decor Kit Now Available

by Joanne James3. February 2023 13:15

Get ready for the latest addition to the Kits Collection by Stampin’ Up! The Wreath of Blooms Kit gives you everything you need to make your own home decor piece and it's now available in the online store. Roll and shape the pre-cut pieces and put your wreath on display!

 

This kit includes:

  • One 8" (20.3 cm) diameter chipboard wreath.
  • Pre-cut paper pieces that can be rolled and shaped into three-dimensional blossoms.
  • Multicoloured brads to keep everything together.
  • Thick twine to hang your wreath.
  • Enough adhesive* to complete the project.
  • Coordinating colours: Cajun Craze, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Petal Pink, So Saffron, white.

*Please note that you will need a hot glue gun for this project, which is not included in the kit.

If you would like to see this kit in more detail, please check out the video below:

This is such a beautiful kit - and would you believe, only £13 - this is an absolute bargain for a home decor kit! No excuse to not add a touch of Spring colour to your home and enjoy a little creativity in the process! 

Get yours in my online store today - just click on the link below:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
 
This kit would also be a great little project for a crafty get-together with friends too; if you would like to arrange one, do get in touch!

More Reasons To Sale-A-Brate - New FREE Products Added

by Joanne James3. February 2023 12:50

We are in our second and final month of this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion: you all know that this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion will end on 28th February and in addition to hosting and joining benefits (you can read about those here) you also earn a free product for every £45/90 spend - you can see the existing items here.

Good news: from now until the 28th February, there are more reasons to celebrate! You will also be able to choose from the catalogue items below (you must use the special code as detailed as opposed to the usual item code to get one of these items free with a £45/90 spend):

 

Remember, you need to use the special Sale-A-Bration item code for each product - these are different to the standard product codes for these items, which are still available to purchase in the annual catalogue. 

If you have your eye on any of the other Sale-A-Bration items, do bear in mind that they will only be available whilst stocks last - it is possible that they could run out before the end of the promotion, so don't leave it to0 late to place your order. 

I'll be back soon with another project. Until then, happy shopping!

 

 

This Birthday Piggy CCS503 Double

by Joanne James31. January 2023 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Since we have a fifth Tuesday in January (where did this month go?!), we have a retro double challenge for you!  As a reminder, this is where we pair one of our previous colour combinations with an old sketch and you have to use both to make your card. You don't have to use an old set too (although you are welcome to!) - I decided these colours and the layout were perfect for 'This Birthday Piggy' which also means I can play along with my friends over at Just Us Girls this week where they are celebrating with clean and simple birthday cards.

      

As a point of note, the Just Us Girls badge this week has a great reminder of the definition of 'clean and simple' - one point of interest, lots of open space, minimal layers and few embellishments. These are the same criteria we use at CAS Colours & Sketches too so players, take note!  

I repeated my 'It's Your Birthday!' sentiment, stamped in Tuxedo Black, in the corner of my white panel and for my focal point I used that super-sweet piggy celebrating his birthday, complete with cake and balloon:

 

I coloured my image with my Stampin' Blends (colours substituted with the closest ones in my collection: Pink Pirouette (retired), Lovely Lipstick (retired) and So Saffron). I cut out my image using the Playful Piggy Dies - did you know these are still available here in Europe on the Clearance Rack, for the bargain price of £11.60 (reduced from £29)? This image could easily be fussy cut too, but there are so many great dies in this set in addition to those that cut out the images, they are definitely worth the purchase:

That's all there is to it - an easy, fun clean and simple birthday 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. 

As a reminder, for our colour challenges, you must use all of the stated challenge colours. You may also use neutral colours; however, the challenge colours should be the most noticeable ones featured on your card. We use Stampin' Up! color names for reference, but you are welcome to use any other companies' products as long as you match the challenge colours as closely as possible.

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

Edited to add: My cute birthday piggy was Chic of The Week over at Just Us Girls - woohoo!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

https://www.stampinup.uk/products/playful-piggy-dies?demoid=5006714

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Love For You Love You So Much Valentine AYSI291

by Joanne James27. January 2023 12:00

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a colour challenge, chosen by me:

    

I love this colour combo, but when I saw the fabulous creations by the rest of the team I did wonder if my creation truly did them justice! I went for another Valentine's card - inspired by the words over at Time Out and perfect for the challenge over at Paper Craft Crew where I haven't played for a while and love is in the air too - and created another card for someone I love; take a look:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

I went with a skinny diecut sentiment courtesy of the Love For You Dies and allowed it to overhang my diecut circle, and decorated the edge with a selection of hearts and flowers stamped and cut from the same bundle. I thought the blues were a nice contrast to the pinks and great for a not-too-girly Valentine's or anniversary card; I added some of the new Essentials Enamel Dots in Night of Navy to the centre of my flowers for added embellishment: 

For my card base I used one of the Tea Boutique pre-printed notelets in Turquoise Tide - I love the faux-texture of the finish on this paper. The same pattern can be found in the Tea Boutique DSP pack too if you wanted to make your own base. 

I really love the combination of these colours and can't wait to see what everyone does with them for this challenge!

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. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

  • Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
  • 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 colour challenge, black or other neutral can be used in outlines and sentiments but no other colours should be included. Stampin’ Up colours are used for reference but colours that are a close match are welcome.
We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

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

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Adorable Owls You're So Cute Valentines Card TTT194

by Joanne James26. January 2023 16:00

It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at TicTacToe! It's the turn of Team X to host this week and I am the featured designer this week. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

    

I went down the first column with diecut, heart and patterned paper and had another play with those Adorable Owls, taking my inspiration too from the scattering of red hearts in the inspiration photo over at Hand Stamped Sentiments - take a look:

 

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

I went with a similar layout to the card I shared with you previously, as I wanted to create another sentiment using my Alphabet A La Mode Dies. This time I added my 'Hoot!' having stamped a shower of hearts behind the 'O', and finished my sentiment with a heat-embossed one from the Adorable Owls stamp set. I used the other two owls in the set, again coloured with my Stampin' Blends and popped up on dimensionals on wither side of the central panel: 

I used a piece of the Country Lane Floral DSP for my base this time as I wanted even more hearts - it is a Valentine's Day card, after all!

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. 

A tictactoe board offers so many creative possibilities - how does this week's board inspire you? Why not have a go? We would love to see you in the gallery and who knows - you might be selected for Designer's Choice and be eligible to be a guest designer on a future challenge. 

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

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Country Bouquet CAS Flower Trio CCS502

by Joanne James17. January 2023 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. The lovely Michal is hosting this month and her second challenge is a sketch challenge: 

  

Michal has asked that we use a trio of repeating shapes with a sentiment beneath. Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

For my card today I went super simple! I grabbed my Country Bouquet bundle and Country Floral Lane paper and this is what I came up with:

 

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

I punched a trio of heart-shaped flowers and leaves straight from the designer series paper, then added them to my blank white card base. I finished my card with a sentiment stamped just underneath:

 

And that was my card - done! #SimpleStamping at its best! The three hearts were the perfect width for my card. I didn't even finish the inside sentiment - I like the fact that I can use this card for any purpose as it is, so i will either add something when I come to send it or just leave it blank for my handwritten message. Just four items needed for today's card - and you could forgo the designer paper and just stamp your hearts and leaves to create this in different colours if you prefer.

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. I'm linking today's card up over at Just Us Girls where the code word is 'hearts' - might have another go with this theme tomorrow too!

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

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Dainty Flowers Celebrate You Panel Cards

by Joanne James13. January 2023 12:00

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our first challenge of the new year over at As you See It where it's Jane's turn to host and she has a great sketch challenge for us:

 

I thought that large panel was crying out to showcase some beautiful designer paper and obviously I have lots to choose from!! I decided to make a couple of cards, both showcasing one of the beautiful designs in the new Dainty Flowers paper pack. Here's the first one:

 

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

Dainty Flowers - There's a fabulous sheet of paper in the Dainty Flowers pack that has a faux-watercolour print of wildflowers along two sides, which is perfect for cutting into 6 to make multiple cards; this is hat I used for the main panel on my card. I would say it looks like I painted it, but who am I kidding?! I paired it with a contrasting strip in Starry Sky that is another of the patterns in this pack for the card above; for my second card, I picked up the purples and used a piece of Regals DSP in Blackberry Bliss for the border edge:

 

This paper is beautiful and all the better for being FREE during Sale-A-Bration with any £45 purchase. Gotta love a freebie!

Dainty Delight - The sentiment on both cards is from the Dainty Delight stamp set, part of the Dainty Delight bundle that the paper coordinates with - you can find it on page 55 of the mini catalogue.  

Label Me Fancy - I added my sentiment to a simple punched label courtesy of the Label Me Fancy punch. A simple twist of ribbon and a couple of brushed brass butterflies complete each card. In the photos below you can see the faux texture of the watercolour paper - so realistic:

 

And here's the purple version:

 

Here's a photo of both cards together - which one do you prefer? 

 

Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to know what you think. I honestly love them both - this paper is so pretty! Very little stamping on today's cards - the paper definitely does all the heavy lifting.

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. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

  • Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
  • 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 sketch challenge, you are welcome to rotate or flip a sketch. You can replace shapes used such as substituting a circle panel for a square panel. However, we must be able to still see the basis of the original sketch in your finished product.
We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

Enjoy your day; I'm looking forward to hosting an informal open house this morning to share some of my favourite things from Sale-A-Bration and the new mini catalogue - you can be sure today's cards will feature! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

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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.