Crushed Curry Cheerful Daisies For AYSI 305

by Joanne James11. August 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 recipe challenge chosen by me:

       

I love yellow, am a big fan of designer paper and make more thank you cards than any other type of card so I created my recipe with these things in mind and can't wait to see what you come up with! I decided to use the sketch over at Try Stamping On Tuesday for my layout and am featuring spots alongside my daisy as my entry for the current theme over at The Flower Challenge - take a look:

 

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

I loved the TSOT layout this week and whilst I didn't go with the slimline option (I've been making a lot of those lately), I think it works as a standard card front too. Since the board contained so many of my favourite things, I thought I would challenge myself to use Crushed Curry as my main yellow; of all the yellows, this is probably the one I use the least and rarely use it outside of autumn/fall. I decided to keep my card monochromatic and use only shades of this colour. I used some of the Inked Botanicals designer series paper that features a spot design for the rear circle shape, then substituted the uppermost circle with a daisy stamped and diecut with the Cheerful Daisies bundle. After inking my flower petals, I used a blending brush on my stamp to remove some of the ink and soften the resulting stamped petals; you can see the contrast to the flower centre, which was stamped at full strength. I then used the same blending brush to add that excess ink to my mat layer behind the daisy, to allow my Very Vanilla leaves to standout from the base:

I stamped my sentiment in Early Espresso as it was less harsh than black and added a trio of (retired) enamel dots to complete my card. So what do you think? Is Crushed Curry a favourite yellow of yours or do you prefer others in the collection? I still prefer Lemon Lolly and Daffodil Delight, but at the same time I love how this card turned out.

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

Enjoy your day; we have birthday celebrations in the James household today so whilst the James Juniors are spending the morning paintballing with friends, I am baking a special birthday cake to enjoy at the celebrations later. I'll be back soon 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.

Gorgeously Made Masked Friendship Card TTT 220

by Joanne James3. August 2023 17:00

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 Vicky is our featured designer this week. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

    

I went down the final column with ink blending/blues and greens/gems and had a go at creating a masked and blended background to highlight the foliage stamps in the Gorgeously Made bundle - take a look:

 

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

I've been working a lot with the Gorgeously Made bundle lately as I've been working through ideas to include in this month's Gorgeously Made Create With Joanne and Jan Tutorial Bundle and this is one the ideas that I was experimenting with that didn't make it into the tutorial itself. I was inspired by the sketch over at Sunday Stamps and whilst ordinarily I would have gone with a large diecut sentiment, I decided to turn the sketch on its head and go for something vertical that used one of the small sentiments in the set, but in a way that highlighted it in an unusual way. When using a bundle for the first time, I like to consider less obvious ways to use it and this card includes one of those. Instead of adding the sentiment to my card by stamping it onto white cardstock, diecutting and adding with dimensionals, I created four label pieces from diecut masking paper and positioned these down the middle of my white panel. I then blended my trio of blue and green inks and stamped my foliage on top of my blended background, going off the edge and over the masked areas - I recommend you use your Stamparatus for this so that you get a good strong black image. When complete, I removed the masking paper labels to leave four white apertures that I could then stamp my sentiment into:

I added a sprinkling of coloured gems that picked up the colours of my blended background, but if you don't have coloured gems that match you chosen background colours, you can custom colour clear rhinestones with Stampin' Blends in corresponding colours. So what do you think of today's card? This is a good way of minimising layers and a neat way to use label dies in a creative way and this style of card would work in other colourways too.

 

Remember if you would like more ideas of ways to use the Gorgeously Made bundle, if you purchase the bundle from either myself if you're in the UK and Europe (or Jan if you're based in New Zealand) during either August or September, you will receive a copy of our tutorial bundle with instructions for four projects and access to our exclusive customer Facebook Group - for more details read about it in yesterday's post here.

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 two projects; in addition to my fortnightly Festive Friday post, I am also the Guest Designer over at CAS On Friday. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

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

Gorgeously Made Clean and Simple Thank You CCS 517

by Joanne James1. August 2023 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Sue is hosting this month and our first challenge is a colour challenge: 

  

For my card today I chose to make a clean and simple thank you card using the Gorgeously Made bundle:

 

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

The stamps in the Gorgeously Made stamp set are perfect for loose, collage-style stamping so I took three different ones including my sentiment and inked each in one of the challenge colours, then overlaid my stamped foliage with a pointed diecut one in Cajun Craze:

 

I used Very Vanilla for my card base as it seemed to compliment this trio of warm, naturalistic colours. And that's all there is to it - a quick and easy thank you 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'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Rays of Summer Sunshine For AYSI 304

by Joanne James28. July 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 chosen by the lovely Jane:

    

There's so much to love about summer: vacations, an abundance of home grown vegetables, trips to the beach, longer days ... but for me the best thing of all about summer is an abundance of sunshine! I don't need the heat but I definitely welcome the brightness that the extra sunshine brings; it lifts my mood and I am so much more productive too. So my clean and simple card today focuses on sunshine and I decided to CASE the designer, Susan Wong, over at Global Design Project too - take a look:

 

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

Copy and Selectively Edit - I used the same layout as Susan's card, the inked ombre effect and a banner tag sentiment details, but no nighttime camping scene for me! I masked a circle on my white cardbase and stamped the 'Rays of Light' stamp inside it, using Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Calypso Coral inks and building the colour from the centre of the sunshine outwards. I added a couple of diecut clouds and added my sentiment to a yellow banner tag, as my sun was very hot and orange in colour and I wanted to bring out more yellow. I tied my tag with gold twine and added a trio of (retired) gold glimmer enamel dots to complete my card:

I'm also linking today's card up over at CAS on Friday where they currently have a theme of 'summer' too. As an aside, I will be guest designer for them for their next challenge, so you will definitely want to check them out :-) It's actually been quite grey here in the UK this week, so I'm hoping that August will see the return of the summer sunshine that I crave!

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 on Sunday 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.

Cheerful Daisies Square Floating Frames Cards TTT218

by Joanne James20. July 2023 17:00

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

 

I went down the first column with Friendship/Any Colour/Any Shape Die and actually made two cards today, the fist one of which is for our challenge - take a look:

 

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

Floating Frame - I haven't made a floating frame card in ages and I thought the new Cheerful Daisies bundle, with lots of differently shaped and sized pieces, would be perfect to showcase this technique. I decide to make two square cards (more on that in a moment) and stamped lots of daisies and leaves in my chosen colours, before diecutting and laying out on my craft mat to a cover a space slightly larger than my 6" card front. When I was happy that the whole area was covered with no large gaps, I adhered a sheet of Press 'n' Seal over them and ran through my diecutting machine with the largest of the square Stylish Shapes Dies, to cut out my central square. I set this to one side, then flipped over my frame and added dimensionals to each of the pieces, before flipping back over, centering and adhering to my cardfront. Once all elements were stuck down, I removed the Press 'n' Seal and trimmed any pieces that were overhanging the edge. I then added my heat-embossed sentiment and a single enamel dot to the square inside the frame I created to finish:

 

Isn't that something?! I love the effect of this technique. 

Sentiment Style - I still had my central square so I made a second card, this time using Bubble Bath cardstock as my card base. Here's that finished card: 

 

I followed the same process, adding dimensionals to the reverse and centering the square panel before removing the Press 'n' Seal. This time, I decided to make a feature of another of the sentiments in the Cheerful Daisies set and repeat it four times along each edge of my square panel - I really like this effect. If you look closely at the close up below, you can also see the stitched detail of the square die around the edges of the diecut pieces too:

 

So what do you think? Do you like this style of card - is it something you've tried, either with this set or others? If you do a search on my blog you will find several other examples where I've used this technique. Do let me know what sets you've used - I'd love to know in the comments below!

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. 

Another reminder too that for more great ideas on how to make the most of the Cheerful Daisies bundle, if you purchase it from me before the end of the month (or place an order of equivalent value) you will receive a copy of the tutorial I've created with my friend Jan Clothier and access to our private Facebook group.

 

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.

24 Hour Stamp Sale - 15% Off All Annual Catalogue Stamp Sets!

by Joanne James19. July 2023 08:07

Can’t stop staring at a certain stamp set (or two, or three)? Stock up on stamp sets at a stellar price! For one day only, you can buy select cling stamp sets at a 15% discount. This short and stamp-tacular sale only happens once a year, so get in gear—it’s time to shop ’til you drop! 

Are you ready? The biggest stamp sale of the year is today - 19th July! It’ll only last for 24 hours, so you will need to act fast to grab the goods. It actually started at 11pm yesterday evening here in the UK. 

For 24 hours from 18 July at 11:00 p.m. to 19 July 10:50 p.m. (UK) online, each of the stamp sets from the 2023–2024 Annual Catalogue will be available for purchase at a 15% discount (excluding host sets).

If you see something you like, you can either place an order through me, or you can shop directly through my online store. My shop will have a category under the menu item 'Specials' entitled “Stamp Sale” that displays every stamp set on sale to ensure a quick and easy shopping experience.

The discount applies to individual stamp sets (not bundles) and can also be used in conjunction with a starter kit and the current Bonus Days promotion - what a great way to get more bang for your buck! Place your order here through my online store or by clicking on the shopping bag icon in the menu on the right hand side - don't forget to include the current hostess code 2A6EXGJ4 for an extra thank you from me. 

I'll be back with another creative project tomorrow, but in the meantime this is a 24 hour event only so you have to act fast to benefit from 15% off these amazing sets, so it's time to go shopping - don't miss out! 

Clean and Simple Science Fun For CCS516

by Joanne James18. July 2023 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & SketchesThis week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Jeanne has asked that we feature a vertical panel with any shape:

 

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

For my card today I decided to grab some brightly coloured inks and my new 'It's A Science' stamp set and create a fun card for a science fanatic - take a look at what I came up with:

 

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

I stamped a row of atoms in my chosen colours down the length of my white card base; I used my Stamparatus and the hinge-step technique to space them evenly down the card front. I stamped my sentiment and microscope onto some basic white cardstock, I fussy cut the microscope and added some highlights with my Smoky Slates Blends markers and added it to my cardfront with dimensionals for a little extra lift:

I finished my card with some sequins from my stash in colours that complimented the colours of my atoms. I just love this set - both my kids are science nerds and since one of them is hoping to study Bio-Chemistry at university in September, I know this is a set that's going to see lots of ink.

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'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

By My Side Friendship Card AYSI303

by Joanne James14. July 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 an interesting colour challenge, chosen by the lovely Heather H:

 

Whilst I love our challenge photo this week - isn't the colouring on that crab amazing?! - I wasn't sure how I was going to use it on my card. Turns out after a quick perusal of stamp sets, it wasn't that tricky after all - take a look:

 

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

I thought a spot of colouring was in order and grabbed my Blends in each of the challenge colours and stamped and coloured an image from the 'By My Side' stamp set. I used the Grey Granite for my ground shadow, but it doesn't appear anywhere else on my card. I picked up the Tahitian Tide in my (retired) designer paper banner and made my base from Crumb Cake and Poppy Parade, adding interest with my Dots and Spots Die for my main panel. I did use a piece of in-colour twine that is actually white and Sweet Sorbet for my bow, but there is such a small hint of colour you really can't tell the difference and it blends in just fine. 

I stamped a simple sentiment next to my image, highlighting the word 'friend' by stamping it on Tahitian Tide cardstock and paper-piecing it in place:

 

And that's my card - a brightly coloured note to send a friend a little 'hello'.

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.

Quiet Meadow Thinking of You TTT216

by Joanne James6. July 2023 17:00

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: 

 

I went down the first column with green and blue, layers and diecut and used a couple more of my washi diecuts from my friend and teamie Elizabeth for my card today - take a look:

 

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

The diecuts are from a set of rainbow florals and I thought the green rose was really unusual, but paired with the blue one beautifully. I used them to frame my Nested Essential diecut panel, onto which I stamped a sentiment from the 'Quiet Meadow' stamp set in Starry Sky ink. I wanted those coloured roses to really standout, so backed my sentiment panel with a couple of white diecuts using the largest of the Artistic Dies. The only other colour I added was a sprinkling of green and blue rhinestones:

 

There are four layers to this card, but because it uses minimal colour and lots of white, it still retains a clean and elegant feel. 

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. 

 

One last reminder before I go - Bonus Days have started today: from now until 31 July, you will earn a £4.50 coupon redeemable against any order placed next month for every £45 you spend in July - so now is the time to get shopping, especially with today's update of the Clearance Rack too!

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.

Bonus Days Are Back, New Online Exclusives and a Clearance Rack Refresh

by Joanne James5. July 2023 18:00

Everything is happening on the 6th of July! Tomorrow sees the start of a new BONUS DAYS promotion! When you shop between 6 and 31 July and spend £45 you will earn a £4.50 coupon! Make sure you save all your coupons because you can redeem them (and I mean ALL of them) between 1 and 31 August. There’s no limit to how many coupons you can earn!

The infographic below provides a great summary of how Bonus Days work:

 

Make sure to watch the video below if you're new to this promotion and would like to know more: 

 In addition to Bonus Days, there will be a new collection of Online Exclusive products launched tomorrow too:

You can see some of the new products in the graphic above - the full collection will be online from 11pm tonight in my online store here under 'Online Exclusives'

Finally, there is one more important thing happening tomorrow - there will be a Clearance Rack refresh too!

 

All of that is in addition to my Cheerful Daisies tutorial - if you missed the information about this you can read up on it here.

Lots of reasons to shop in July - remember to add the current hostess code 2A6EXGJ4 to your online orders too for a thank you from me.

 

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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.