Have a Snappy Day Gran!

by Joanne James13. September 2016 08:00

Today I have a card for the Fab Friday challenge, but first I would like to say thank you to the Fab Friday team for choosing my in-colour Christmas tree card as one of their winners for the last challenge (if you missed it, you can see that card here). I love the challenge of trying to create something to a brief, but it's even more special when my creative efforts are recognised. This week the team have a great sketch to play with:

   sip-challenge-65-monochromatic

I'm also linking up with the peeps over at Stamps Ink Paper as I went monochromatic with a couple of the gorgeous By The Shore papers and a cute coral-coloured crab from the You're Sublime stamp set:

 

I also used my Layered Circles framelits for my focal point and created a customised sentiment - oh how I love that Labeler Alphabet 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. 

Back tomorrow with my post for this week's new challenge over at Create With Connie and Mary. 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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The Clearance Rack Has Updated and a Special Offers Reminder

by Joanne James13. September 2016 07:00

Clearance Rack

Just popping by with a quick post to let you know that the clearance rack has updated. Lots of bargains to be had, some items with up to 60% off. You can see the full range of items by clicking here.

Don't forget there are still a range of special offers including main catalogue products. The current items will be on offer until 11pm tomorrow, when they will change to the last week of special offers. You can see the current list here.

 

Back tomorrow with some stamping; until then, happy shopping!

 

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Cookie Cutter Halloween Scarecrow

by Joanne James12. September 2016 22:16

Monday, Monday - the start of a new week! I have been busy moving mountains today, metaphorically speaking at least, but did manage to squeeze in a little crafting time to make a card with this week's colours over at Pals Paper Arts:

Pals Paper Arts PPA317

I was attracted by this bright colour palette and thought it would be perfect for an autumn card featuring the little scarecrow from the Cookie Cutter Halloween set:

Today's card really is a triumph in purple: another of the houndstooth patterns from the Petals and Paisleys Speciality Designer Series Paper pack, this time in Rich Razzleberry, along with some of the ribbon from the co-ordinating trio pack in the same colour. I used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour in the sweet scarecrow in each of the challenge colours, then punched him out using the Cookie Cutter Builder punch. Did you realise there were two stamp sets that each contained fun little figures that could be punched out with the Cookie Cutter Builder punch? I love it when you get more use out of a punch like this! I stamped a crow and fussy cut him and attached him to the scarecrow's hand and it was this that inspired my sentiment, taken from the Acorny Thank You stamp set. He looks like he is just dropping in to say 'Hi', doesn't he?

Purple is one of my favourite colours yet I don't often use it in my card making. This card is definitely making up for it today!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

 

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Back 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.

Thoughtful Branches Autumn Leaf Trio

by Joanne James11. September 2016 10:00

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of my good friend LeAnne to host this week and she has a great set of colours for you to work with:

    

I used the sketch over at TGIF Challenges for the layout of my card today. These colours screamed 'autumn' to me and I immediately reached for all my leaf sets! This is what I ended up with:  - take a look:

 

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

Thoughtful Branches - I decided to use the leaf from the Thoughtful Branches stamp set as the focal point for my card today, stamped in Crushed Curry and with a little Cajun Craze added with a sponge dauber to create the variegated effect. I cut these leaves out with the co-ordinating Beautiful Branches thinlits dies and also cut out a few of the double-leafed stem in Pear Pizzazz, and snipped off a single leaf from each to place behind my stamped one. I love the pop of colour this diecut leaf adds, along with the addition of texture. Each of my leaf duos was backed with a 1 3/8" punched circle. Don't forget the Thoughtful Branches bundle is still available while stocks last - snap up yours if you haven't already before it's too late!

Petals and Paisleys Houndtooth - The centre panel of my card features another of the Petals and Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper designs, this time a Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla houndstooth pattern. This paper exudes warmth and adds interest without detracting from the leaves as the focal point.

Sentiment-Free - Today's card is one of those few that is sentiment-free, on the outside at least. I debated whether or not to run a horizontal sentiment banner across the front of the leaves instead of adding the burlap ribbon behind, or stamping one onto the base frame of the card, but in the end decided against it. I didn't want to disturb the symmetry or form of my leaves so kept with a clean, uncluttered front. This also means that I can add a sentiment of my choice when I come to send my 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. 

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

The Paper Players Design Team
 
 
Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN! 

 

I look forward to seeing what you create with this week's colours. I'm hoping for better weather today as I have some gardening jobs to see to - yesterday was so miserable, although it didn't dampen the spirits of Ben and his fellow classmates who played in their first rugby match of the season. They managed a 4-4 draw too, so were feeling rather chuffed as they strolled in to their post-match tea! Today also heralds the start of the hockey season an a return to basketball, so sporting weekends are once again about to become the James family norm!

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.

Petals and Paisleys 'Blessed' Card

by Joanne James9. September 2016 21:52

Hurrah it's Friday - that was a week! Both James Juniors started at their new schools, so we are all change! New routines to get used to and we're all feeling tired and glad that we have the weekend to recharge and help us adjust to our new 'norm'. I have not had much crafting time this week, but ever since I saw this week's sketch over at Retrosketches I wanted to make a card using it and fortunately managed to squeeze in a crafty few minutes this evening to put my idea onto paper. Here's the sketch:

I'm taking a little break from Christmas cards and I knew this layout would be perfect with the new Petals and Paisleys set, in particular the designer series paper. Here's my card:

 

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

Petals and Paisleys - The paper is without question the star of this card. The Petals and Paisleys Specialty DSP has some amazing colours and patterns that work well for fall but are not overly autumnal. The paper I use on my card today is one of the busiest in the pack and was a great choice for this simple layout, which really allows that vibrant, colourful pattern to shine.

Blessed Indeed - I chose to use the block letter sentiment from the Paisleys and Posies stamp set, inking it in Rich Razzleberry and Night of Navy, two of the accent colours in the DSP and stamping it onto my panel of Very Vanilla. I added a couple of the circle stamps from the same set, along with an enamel shape and a retired decorated rhinestone to frame the words.

Ribbon and Twine - I added three loops of Night of Navy twine, knotted at the side as per the sketch, with a piece of the Rich Razzleberry ribbon from the new trio that accompanies this product suite beneath it to finish my 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. 

I just love this card! I am in the process of designing a set of stamp-a-stack cards using this product suite for an all day workshop I have planned for November and this card will definitely make the cut! 

That's all from me today. I'll be back tomorrow with another project but for now an early night is in order. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Warmth and Cheer Jolly Reindeer

by Joanne James8. September 2016 08:05

Today it's time for a new challenge over at Create With Connie and Mary and this week we have a sketch for you:

 

I've been patiently waiting for my Warmth and Cheer DSP stack to arrive as it wasn't available on preorder here in the UK, so as soon as it got here I couldn't resist opening it and using a couple of identical patterns in two different colourways to make my card for today:

 

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

Warmth and Cheer - I'm a big fan of the 6"x6" stacks that Stampin' Up! sells and this one doesn't disappoint. The Warmth and Cheer DSP stack has 24 patterns with everything from sweater patterns to autumnal plaid and Christmas trees to baubles - something for everyone.

My Jolly Friend The Reindeer - I stamped the reindeer from the Jolly Friends stamp set in Memento Black onto Crumb Cake cardstock, before fussy cutting and adorning with a fun knitted bobble hat from the same set. I stamped my hat in Garden Green onto Delightful Dijon cardstock and finished it with a bobble and trim punched in Whisper White and brushed with clear Wink of Stella for sparkle, all punched out with the co-ordinating Jolly Hat Builder Punch. I love it when we have sets that co-ordinate; even better when you can save 10% if you buy the bundle - job done!

Cookie Cutter Christmas - The Jolly Friends set has lots of hats, scarves and accessories to choose from, but no sentiments. I took mine from the the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set as I thought it worked well with my papers and fun reindeer and stamped it in black onto a Whisper White banner.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

 

 

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Do visit the other Design Team members to see what they did with this week's sketch; there's lots of inspiration over on their blogs 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.

Holly Berry Happiness Wreath Catalogue CASE

by Joanne James5. September 2016 20:55

 

Happy Monday everyone! I've had the first of my monthly technique classes today, featuring the Holly Berry Happiness stamp set and co-ordinating Holly Berry Builder punch so thought I would share with you one of the cards we made, which is actually a CASE of one of the cards featured on page 27 of the new seasonal catalogue. I wanted to share with my ladies some hints and tips on creating a wreath with the holly bough stamp. Here's my card:

 

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

Creating A Wreath - The holly bough in the Holly Berry Happiness stamp set can be used to create a beautiful circular wreath, but can be tricky to line up perfectly without practice. My top tips for getting a great result are:

  • Draw around a punched circle or circle framelit in pencil to give you a guide - I used the fourth from largest circle framelit from the recently retired set, which sits just inside the outer edge of the holly bough.
  • Don't bend the stamp if you want to be able to two-stamp stamp and infill easily; place the stamp on a flat surface and allow it to take its natural shape, then take your acrylic block to it.
  • Tape your cardstock to the centre of your grid paper and use the intersecting lines to guide the alignment of your stamps - you should be able to fit one holly bough in each quarter circle.

Green As A Cucumber - Each of my class cards used a different shade of green to show how each of the main Stampin' Up! green inks can be used for different effects on Christmas cards. This card features Cucumber Crush, a really vibrant green - great for the holly and the striped in-colour DSP adds a strong graphic element to this card.

Copper Best Wishes - I heat embossed my sentiment in copper as opposed to white, as in the catalogue sample. I just love this copper embossed look against the black and it co-ordinates with and accentuates the colour of the fir cone embellishments too.

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 spent the rest of the day making jam and ensuring the first of my James Juniors is ready for the start of the new academic year tomorrow. This is even more of a big deal than usual for us, as both children are starting new schools and for the first time will be separated from each other. I'm hoping all goes well - wish me luck! James Junior number two starts school on Wednesday.

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.

Wondrous Wreath Circular Christmas Card

by Joanne James4. September 2016 10:00

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the lovely Jaydee to host this week and she has a great theme for you to work with:

    

What a great theme this week - so many possibilities! I rarely make a circular card, so decided today I would give it a go! I have been on a roll with Christmas cards lately and a circular theme works perfectly for another one - take a look:

 

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

An Oldie But Goodie - The Wondrous Wreath stamp set is a returning seasonal set that is in the current catalogue and is perfect for the theme of this week's challenge. I stamped both layers of leaves in Cucumber Crush, stamping off the base layer once first to achieve the two-tone green. I added some pearls coloured with a red Sharpie for my berries. I used my retired circle framelits to create my card base, using the largest circle. I knew there was a good reason to keep hold of these!

Pinecone Embellishment - My sweet wreath embellishment is made from the new Cherry Cobbler Silky Taffeta Ribbon and some mini pinecone embellishments, tied on with linen thread. I love it when we get a new catalogue - there are always fun new trinkets and charms that are perfect for dressing up projects!

Merry and Bright - My banner is from the new 'Stitched With Cheer' stamp set. I stamped it in Versamark and heat embossed in Copper - I just can't get enough of it! This stamp set is another that co-ordinates with the existing Bunch of Banners framelits dies - always good to get more mileage from existing items you own :-)

Such a fun card! I made a bright green envelope to co-ordinate too using my Envelope Punch Board so this card is officially good to go - another one for my stash.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

 

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

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

The Paper Players Design Team
 
 
Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN! 

 

I look forward to seeing what you create with this week's theme.

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.

Santa's Sleigh Christmas Tree

by Joanne James2. September 2016 08:00

I'm popping my today with a quick card I made for this week's Mojo Monday challenge:

It's 'tall and skinny' week and I had the perfect idea for this week's layout - here's my card:

 

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

Santa's Sleigh Tree - The long, skinny panel on the front of this card is perfect to showcase the Christmas tree in the Santa's Sleigh stamp set - a modern take on a traditional Nordic fir. I stamped mine as a simple outline in Emerald Envy onto extra thick Whisper White cardstock, and added my partially stamped sentiment from the same set, heat embossed in white onto Real Red cardstock, across the bottom.

Presents and Pinecones - I used a small panel of the new Presents and Pinecones designer series paper behind the tree, to tie the colours and panels of my cards together. It adds just enough interest to my otherwise clean and layered card.

Touches of Red - I used Real Red as the accent colour on my card today: the background banner, the sentiment strip, the berries on the DSP and the enamel star on top of my tree. I think it really adds to the festive feel. What's more, the enamel shapes are one of this week's special offers - so a great time to stock up!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

 

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Back 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.

Swirly Scribbles Flower Wreath Thank You

by Joanne James1. September 2016 08:05

This is my second post of the the day; if you missed my earlier post that tells you all about the new Stampin' Up! Autumn-Winter Seasonal Catalogue that launches today, click here. Today it's time for a new challenge over at Create With Connie and Mary and this week we have a colour combination for you:

 

These colours are not quite autumnal and to be honest I'm still firmly in summer mode as far as the weather is concerned, but I decided they would make a nice wreath. Here's my card:

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

Swirly Scribbles Wreath - I used the largest 'scribble' in Sahara Sand for my wreath and backed it with some linen thread to break up the coral panel behind. I just love these thinlits - they are so versatile!

Swirly Bird Flowers - I stamped the three different flower designs in the other two challenge colours and used them to decorate the edge of my rustic wreath. I added some in-colour DSP in Peek-a-boo Peach to my card base too, as it really compliments the flowers.

A Thoughtful Banner -  I balanced my wreath with a sentiment from Thoughtful Banners, punched out with the Duet Banner Punch. I actually punched two of the banners so that I could pop up the central section for a little added dimension. A peach ribbon bow finishes my card.

I found this quite a challenging colour combination, as I'm not a big lover to orange on my cards, yet I really like how this one turned out. Ironic that the neutral was the colour I used the least of - go figure!

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. 

Do visit the other Design Team members to see what they did with this week's colours; there's lots of inspiration over on their blogs too!

Enjoy your day; I'm having a little break at the seaside but will be back with a post for the new challenge over at The Paper Players on Sunday, if not before (it all depends on my wifi!) 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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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.