It's been a quiet week here on the blog - I have been enjoying some post-exam time with the James Juniors to have some fun and blogging hasn't been high on the agenda - although I do have two posts for you today! First up I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As You See It where it's time for my favourite, a sketch challenge:

Not only do we have a sketch challenge, this layout, chosen by my friend and teamie Jan, is my all-time favourite 'go to' - if you peruse my blog you will find lots of cards that follow this layout style. What's more, in a complete stroke of fortuitous serendipity, the ladies over at Color Throwdown have one of my all-time favourite colour combos too, so I just knew I would have to combine the two! I used my favourite Gorgeous Grape purple for my card base and decided to go full-on bright florals - take a look:

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

I created an arc of flowers using the Paper Florist Dies, to frame my sentiment from 'Something Fancy'. The Paper Florist Dies are a set of standalone dies easily overlooked - you can find them on page 165 of the annual catalogue and they are showcased on projects on page 33. They make fabulous large flowers that are great for 3D projects, home decor and to decorate gift packaging. I made up a tone of flowers so that I could experiment with the shapes, sizes and flower combinations, but settled on these three for my card:

A trio of enamel dots and a simple happy birthday sentiment inside was all I needed to complete today's card. I just love this card - is it ok to send a card to yourself if you love it so much?!

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.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

SOMETHING FANCY CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	PAPER FLORIST DIES (35.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	GORGEOUS GRAPE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	HIGHLAND HEATHER A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	GORGEOUS GRAPE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)
MELON MAMBO A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	BUBBLE BATH A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	GRANNY APPLE GREEN A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	REGALS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)

Today I'm sharing two cards, both inspired by Jen B's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches this week:

I thought this was the perfect layout to showcase a piece of the Countryside Inn designer series paper - the only question was which sheet to choose! Eventually I settled on a busy, dark blue floral - take a look:

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

I kept my card really simple with some layering to pick up on the colours in the paper and I finished with a diecut sentiment that I haven't yet used from the Wanted To Say Dies and a sprinkle of self-adhesive sequins:

This style of sketch is great if you have a 'busy' paper design as it really allows it to shine. Before I constructed my card though, as I worked out where I wanted to place my diagonal lines, I decided I couldn't allow the central section to be 'hidden' under my navy panel, so I snipped it out. This gave me an odd-shaped scrap, but one that was perfect to create a second card by layering it onto a navy panel:

For my second card I added a simple stamped sentiment from the 'Gorgeously Made' stamp set that I stamped in Night of Navy on a scrap of Basic White cardstock and again added a few blue sequins to highlight the pretty blue in the paper:

These sequins are supposed to be Balmy Blue but I think they look much more like Tahitian Tide, especially when paired with this paper. A great #simplestamping card - a couple of scraps and a few more sequins and an additional card, from just one piece of designer series paper. I'm linking my second post up over at Just Add Ink where they are looking for us to use two of scraps, strips and sequins; I went with scraps and sequins, although I had a strip of leftover DSP too which I added to the inside of my card - no need for wastage!

Here's one final photo of both cards together:

Which one do you prefer? I must say I like them both in their own way. That paper is so pretty - and all the better for being on offer this month as part of the designer series paper sale!

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. I'm spending mine doing some admin whilst the James Juniors delight in having a big tidying session, throwing away all of their notes and revision materials in a celebration of post-scholastic freedom! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

COUNTRYSIDE INN 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.98)	WANTED TO SAY DIES (37.00)	NIGHT OF NAVY A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	TAHITIAN TIDE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	MISTY MOONLIGHT A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.00)
NIGHT OF NAVY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	PASTEL ADHESIVE-BACKED SEQUINS (7.50)	GORGEOUSLY MADE CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (23.00)

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 my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

I decided to share another of the fun animals from the Zoo Crew designer paper on my card this week; this time it's the turn of the ballet-dancing hippo for a sweet birthday card for a little girl - take a look:

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

I used a base layered with some retired Country Floral Lane designer paper which picked up on the Petal Pink of the hippo's tutu, then inspired by the challenge over at SUO Challenges I decided I would delve into my ribbon stash and use the verticals for a double trim of beautiful Pool Party satin ribbon (the one I've used is retired but I've linked to a current equivalent below) and tied with a statement bow. I coloured my hippo with Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends then fussy cut her and added her to my card:

A diecut sentiment from the 'Charming Sentiments' stamp set completes my card. I just love this Zoo Crew paper for fussy cutting - you can create so many different cards with the characters featured.

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 forecast to be super hot here in the UK today, so I will be taking it easy I think! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

ZOO CREW 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.98)	CHARMING SENTIMENTS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	SENTIMENT SILHOUETTES DIES (33.00)	POOL PARTY 3/8" (1 CM) GROSGRAIN RIBBON (7.50)	PETAL PINK A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	SMOKY SLATE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)
SMOKY SLATE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)

Today I have my card for the new challenge over at Festive Friday Card Making and Paper Crafting Challenge. 

The challenge that we are celebrating this week is 'Global Forgiveness Day' which is on 7th July. Remember the fun thing is that at Festive Friday you do not need to actually celebrate the occasion; your goal is to simply use three or more items from the inspiration list on your project. This week I used green, blue, heart embellishment, background stamp and maps/globes from the list along with the layout over at Hand Stamped Sentiments and the colour palette over at Sunday Stamps (I used Cherry Cobbler, Soft Sea Foam and Boho Blue from the palette) and this is what I came up with:

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

The HSS layout is a great one to showcase that Watercolour World background stamp on that feature panel because although there is a large focal sentiment too, you still get to see plenty of the map detail. I decided to try something different with this stamp today: I stamped the map in Soft Sea Foam onto Basic White cardstock, then immediately clear embossed it. This both intensified the colour of the soft green and allowed me to add my Boho Blue ink with a blender brush to my image around the coastal outline, blending out to nothing, without discolouring the land. I love this effect! I used a Boho Blue card base and DSP layer to bring out the blue colour, and added a sentiment from the retired 'Begin With A Dream' stamp set that I embellished with a (retired) Cherry Cobbler heart: 

Having punched a couple of notches in either side of my map layer, I then added a length of Cherry Cobbler thick twine and tied it in a bow to finish my card. I would normally do this across a sentiment, but since the twine doesn't obscure the wording I went with it and I quite like the finished result.

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. 

How does our board inspire you? I can’t wait to see what YOU create! For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the Festive Friday Card Making and Paper Crafting Challenge Design team:

Enjoy your day; exams are officially over in the James household today so we are having lunch out and a trip to the farm to pick strawberries this afternoon to celebrate - we know how to live! I'll be back soon with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

WATERCOLOR WORLD CLING STAMP SET (22.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	2023–2025 IN COLOR 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	BOHO BLUE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	BOHO BLUE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	BLENDING BRUSHES (13.00)
SOFT SEA FOAM CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	BASICS EMBOSSING POWDERS (17.00)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (6.25)

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 is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

I went across the middle row with twine, flower and bright colour (my card also works for the middle column of DSP, flower and enamel dots) and decided to play along with the current Color Hues challenge of yellow and green, Global Design Project #GDP399 where the theme is 'fruits' and at my favourite SUO Challenges where they are asking us to add ribbon, lace or twine. I decided to make another card using the Sweet Citrus bundle and this time instead of lemons, thought I'd try my hand with limes - take a look:

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

I paired Lemon Lime Twist with Parakeet Party for two beautiful, bright greens (I find Lemon Lime Twist to be one of those colours that looks more green when paired with a true green, as on this card, but equally looks more yellow when paired with a true yellow) and used a backing of Glorious Gingham added a Scalloped Contours diecut rectangle before decorating with my limes and a sprinkling of lime blossom flowers and Lemon Lolly gems. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing those embossed citrus fruits - they add so much texture and dimension to an otherwise simple card:

I added my twine to the lower portion of my scalloped rectangle - I love that the scallops make it easy to attach evenly. I rarely use lace on a card, but despite an extensive ribbon collection I probably use way more twine on cards - go figure! Another cheery thank you card that will be heading out to one of my customers with their next order :-)

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 am busy baking today, as tomorrow marks the official end of exams for both James Juniors and this weekend we will be having the delayed celebrations for Rebecca's 18th birthday which was last week. I have a special cake planned - if it works I'll be sure to share a picture over the weekend! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

SWEET CITRUS HYBRID EMBOSSING FOLDER (31.00)	SWEET CITRUS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	GLORIOUS GINGHAM 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (8.50)	PARAKEET PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	LEMON LIME TWIST CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	LEMON LOLLY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)
ADHESIVE-BACKED SOLID GEMS (7.50)	SCALLOPED CONTOURS DIES (33.00)	BAKER'S TWINE ESSENTIALS PACK (10.25)

Today I'm sharing a card that was inspired by a new-to-me word that Time Out Challenges introduced me to:

I used the layout from Sketch Saturday to make my card that totally sums up the meaning of the word 'sportive' to me - take a look:

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

What could be more playful and lighthearted than a roller skating emu, I wonder?! Whilst I'm not sure roller skating is considered a 'sport', it's certainly fun. I fussy cut my emu from the Zoo Crew designer paper and paired him with some Lemon Lolly stripes and an oversize sentiment from the 'Sweetest Cherries' stamp set: 

A stitched frame and trio of Lemon Lolly solid gems complete today's card. This card makes me smile! I might even send it to one of my oldest friends, who one summer spent our entire summer vacation trying to teach me to roller skate. She was so good at it and even after 6 weeks of what felt like daily practice, I still had all the hallmarks of Bambi on wheels, but we had so much fun in the process it didn't matter. Happy childhood memories!

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. 

Remember - today is free shipping day! If you are looking for something to pop in your shopping basket, I would highly recommend a pack or two of the Bright & Beautiful designer series paper - it's so versatile and I've used lots of mine already!

Enjoy your day; I am out and about as both James Juniors have exams today. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.98)	ZOO CREW 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.98)	LEMON LOLLY A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	SWEETEST CHERRIES PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (17.00)	PEBBLED PATH CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	ADHESIVE-BACKED SOLID GEMS (7.50)
BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.00)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Shannon has asked that we add a square focal point. Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

For my card today I took my inspiration from the symmetrical focal point and decided to create a fun good luck card featuring a cute ladybird - take a look:

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

A Confession - So first up, a confession! I actually made my card for today's challenge and it wasn't until I was writing up today's post that I realised I had my sentiment in the wrong place. I almost went with it - the sketch is a guideline, that's all - but in the end I decided to make a second version that was faithful to Shannon's layout and compare the two. So the card above is my 'take two' - my original card is the one below:

On this one I added my sentiment from the 'Charming Sentiments' stamp set to the card base, whereas on the sketch the sentiment in on the focal square. Here's a photo pf both cards together - which one works better for you? 

I must be honest, I'm on the fence; I like my second version more than I though I would - kudos to Shannon for her layout!

Ladybug Builder - I thought a ladybug - or ladybird as we call them here in the UK - would make a cute centrepiece for a good luck card. I wondered why ladybirds are considered lucky in many cultures and Google tells me it's simply that they are one of the chief insects to eat crop pests - the gardener's friend. The Ladybug Builder punch made light work of mine - a simple punching of the elements and some heat-embossed black dots for a little extra shine:

Remember The Inside - I designed this card with a child in mind, so couldn't resist adding another stamped comical smiling ladybird to the inside of my card with another sentiment from the 'Hello Ladybug' stamp set:

I love making good luck cards for children; so much of their lives seem to consist of exams and tests, it's nice to send some positive vibes and let you know you are wishing them every success! I am linking today's card up with the team over at Inspire.Create who are sharing cards for babies or children and at the Alphabet Challenge Blog where there are on 'F is for Flying' - my ladybird has her wings ready to go!

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. 

Today is the last full study day for both James Juniors - we are at T-1 and T-3 respectively - the end of the exam season is nigh! We have experienced some torrential downpours this morning, so I am hoping to get ahead with my crafty endeavours - I even have a second card to share with you today - I'll be back with that shortly!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

HELLO LADYBUG PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (17.00)	CHARMING SENTIMENTS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	LADYBUG BUILDER PUNCH (21.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	PARAKEET PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (6.25)
BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)	BASICS EMBOSSING POWDERS (17.00)	REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)

Today I've a second post to share a quick second card that I made yesterday pairing a little something old with something new for the following challenges:

I realised at the weekend that I was out of options for simple birthday cards suitable for teenage boys, so I decided to embrace those diagonals over at Just Add Ink and incorporate some rainbow colour for the peeps over at Addicted To CAS who are featuring rainbow colours  - take a look:

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

Whilst searching for something else the other day (isn't that always the way?!) I rediscovered my retired Happy Dies that I thought would make a great diagonal (with a score line top and bottom to be true to the sketch). I popped my top layer up on dimensionals and added a strip of the current Bright and Beautiful designer series paper behind, adding the remainder of my sentiment from the co-ordinating (retired) 'So Much Happy' stamp set in Blueberry Bushel below the diecut:

At the last moment I decided to add a trio of sparkly tinsel gems to finish. I added a happy birthday sentiment inside, but realised afterwards that without it this would make a good congratulations card too - and since I am still stocking up on exam congratulations cards as I'm hopefully going to need a fair few in August, I might go back and make another couple of these to add to my stash and the two birthday cards I made!

There is something so happy about a flash of rainbow stripes against all that white with just as hint of sparkle too, don't you think? Remember that paper is currently on sale too - and with free shipping tomorrow, there couldn't be a better time to stock up!

No visual summary of the key products used on today's project, but everything that is current and still available is listed in the supplies table below.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.98)

TINSEL GEMS FOUR-PACK (7.50)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.50)

BLUEBERRY BUSHEL CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

STOP PRESS for an important announcement: For 24 hours only, starting at 11pm UK time this evening, Stampin' Up! are offering FREE shipping on orders of £60 or more.

The key information is as follows:

• Free shipping applies after the qualifying order amount has been met.
• The minimum qualifying amount to receive free shipping is £60 or more.
• Free shipping only applies during the 24-hour period the promotion is live in each market; this means that the order must be opened and closed between 20 June 2023, at 11p.m. and 21 June 2023, at 10:59 p.m (UK).

This is a great time to stock up on the designer series paper that is on sale this month, to pick up one of our all-inclusive papercrafting kits or to treat yourself to a bargain from the clearance rack. So start making those lists and head off to my online Stampin' Up! store to place your order. Remember to add the current hostess code KFVKVNXK to receive an extra thank you in the post from me.

Happy shopping!

Today I have a super quick post since I'm sneaking in a last minute entry over at Freshly Made Sketches - I couldn't resist Kim's fabulous sketch! 

I'm also playing over at Just Us Girls where you will see immediately how their photo inspired my clean and simple card - take a look:

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

When I saw Kim's sketch I was still in 'one layer card' mode and I decided to make a super simple beachfront scene using my retired 'Waterfront' stamp set, with each of the horizontal elements represented by the sea, sandy beach and the row of beach huts. I stamped the beach and sea and for each of my beach huts, used my Stampin' Write markers to colour and add each one individually:

I masked them off and added a hint of blue sky behind using my blending brush to complete my scene. I decided in the end to not make this a one layer card, and snipped my stamped 'HELLO' sentiment from the 'Gorgeously Made' stamp set and popped it up on dimensionals to complete my clean and simple card.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.50)

BLENDING BRUSHES (13.00)

BALMY BLUE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

CRUMB CAKE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

2022–2024 IN COLOR STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS (17.50)

STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS COLLECTION (126.00)

GORGEOUSLY MADE CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (23.00)