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 'National Wear Red Day' which is on February 3rd - who knew?! 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 my card  is definitely 'wearing' red; I used red, ribbon and texture from the inspo list and grabbed another of those Sale-A-Bration freebies that I haven't shared with you yet and this is what I came up with:

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

Around The Bend - Today's card features another of those Country Lane designer papers which inspired the overall colour scheme, and was perfect to pick out the red which I highlighted with two layered pieces cut using the Around The Bend Dies. These dies offer lots of decorative and layering options - here I've used both the scalloped curve die and the curved perforated stitched layer on top, which allows more of my red to show through. 

Sending Support - The sentiment is from 'Sending Support' - another of the stamp sets you can receive free with a £45 order. It's full of encouraging and uplifting sentiments - I added a second one with a diecut heart to the corner of the inside too:

So Much Texture - The Around The Bend Dies are great for adding detail and texture: the layers, along with the embossed diecut flowers and leaves which are from the same set, along with the woven ribbon all add texture and interest to my card:

These dies are great for adding texture and interest to a card with minimum effort - I can't wait to share more samples with you.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

AROUND THE BEND DIES (31.00)	COUNTRY FLORAL LANE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.25)	SWEET SORBET A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	SWEET SORBET CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (7.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.25)	MINT MACARON A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)
BALMY BLUE A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	PETAL PINK A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	DOUBLE OVAL PUNCH (18.00)

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.

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:

LABEL ME FANCY PUNCH (18.00)	DAINTY DELIGHT CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.25)	STARRY SKY A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	BLUSHING BRIDE A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)
BLACKBERRY BLISS A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	FRESH FREESIA A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	REGALS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.25)	STARRY SKY 1/8'' (3.2 MM) METALLIC WOVEN RIBBON (8.50)	FRESH FREESIA 3/8" (1 CM) OPEN WEAVE RIBBON (6.75)
BRUSHED BRASS BUTTERFLIES (9.50)

It's the 5th January and time for a new mini-catalogue and our Sale-A-Bration promotion! This year there will be only one Sale-A-Bration promotion: it runs from today until 28th February. You can click on the catalogue on the right hand side of my blog page or below to access the Sale-A-Bration leaflet to download a copy or click on the icon above or on the right to go directly to my online shopto place an order - we are LIVE!

So how does Sale-A-Bration work? For anyone who hasn't come across it before, it's Stampin' Up!'s annual promotion that is loaded with offers whether you shop, join or host. You can earn a free Sale-A-Bration product for every £45 you spend between 5 January and 28 February. There is also the opportunity to earn even bigger rewards with a £90 purchase. It's the perfect time to purchase those products you've had on your wish list and earn more products for free! 

It’s also one of the best times of the year to join Stampin’ Up! There is are three fabulous joining options during this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion: 

• OPTION 1: Spend £99 and receive £170 of product of your choice.
• OPTION 2: Spend £125 and receive £170 of product of your choice and an exclusive limited edition Boho Blue Mini Cut & Emboss Machine
• OPTION 3: Spend £125 and receive £170 of product of your choice and a white Mini Cut & Emboss Machine

There is plenty of choice and flexibility, whether you want to be a hobby demonstrator and just use your discount to enable you to purchase craft supplies more cheaply, or alternatively would like to build a flourishing direct sales business and sell supplies to others - it's entirely up to you. Above all else, it's a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals united through a common love of crafting.

Hosting is also even more rewarding during Sale-A-Bration. When you host a party and reach a certain amount in sales (see the Stampin’ Rewards chart in the Sale-A-Bration brochure for more information), you can earn a free stamp set!

Even if you reaches the qualifying amount on your own outside of a party, you can earn the same free stamp set too, both in person and when shopping in my online store. What's more, you can even apply your Stampin' Rewards to a Starter Kit and become a demonstrator yourself - I would love to welcome you to my team!

If you would like to host a virtual party, please do get in touch. Equally if you've ever thought about becoming an SU! demonstrator, now is a great time to do so - I would love to have a no-obligation chat with you about joining my team and the benefits.

As if that wasn't enough, today also sees the launch of the new January-April 2023 mini catalogue - full of gorgeous new products:

Just click on the image above or in the sidebar on the right to browse the catalogue online, or contact me on 07773 421446 if you would like a paper copy posted out to you and you don't already have a demonstrator; paper copies have been sent to my regular customers. If you are as excited as me and just can't wait, here's the link to my online store - everything is available to purchase from today!

Finally, a new kit has also been added to the online store today:

Say thank you to the people who make your day, every day with the Saying Thanks all-inclusive card kit! This month’s kit has everything you need to show appreciation to family and friends who light up your life! Make nine bright, colourful cards in no time to say thank you, recognise friends, and share your gratitude with a bright watercolour wash that won’t go unnoticed! You’ll never miss an opportunity to express gratitude with this colourful kit!

This kit retails at £13 and includes:

• Enough supplies to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—and 9 coordinating envelopes.
• Printed and foil die-cut words, pre-cut pieces, and enough adhesive to complete projects.
• White bakerʼs twine and iridescent diamond sequins.
• Finished card size: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm).
• Coordinating colours: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade, Tahitian Tide.

If you would like more information on any of the above, please don't hesitate to get in touch! 

Thanks so much for popping by - it's always nice to share good news! Back later today with today's creative post that uses some exciting new product! That post will go live at 0900 GMT. Until then, happy shopping!

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 14 December 2022, at 11p.m. and 15 December 2022, at 10:59 p.m (UK).

This is a great time to stock up on last-chance items, to pick up one of our all-inclusive papercrafting kits or to treat yourself to a bargain or some stocking fillers from the clearance rack. So start making those lists and head off to the online Stampin' Up! store to place your order. Remember to add the current hostess code Q7VHHWQD to receive an extra thank you in the post from me.

Happy shopping!

A quick reminder that you have until 10.59pm to place your order online and take advantage of the current annual catalogue sale - happy shopping!

Create more by spending less during the Seasonal Sale! Between 15 and 18 November 2022, select products from the 2022–2023 Annual Catalogue will be on sale with the following discounts:

• 10% off all punches
• 15% of all stamps (Host stamp sets are not included in this sale)
• 20% off all dies
• 20% off all embossing folders
• 20% off all non-specialty and non-assortment Designer Series Paper

With the season of giving upon us, this is a great opportunity to buy gifts for your fellow crafting enthusiasts, or to stock up on supplies for all your upcoming handmade projects. Remember, this sale is for four days only so don’t miss out! You can order directly in my online store or alternatively if you live local to me, you are welcome to add to my order to save on postage - please get your orders to me by tomorrow evening ready to put through first thing Friday.

If you have a Stampin' Up! wish list, now is the ideal time to share it with me if you haven't already. I can then make sure that any friends or relatives that want to buy you a gift for Christmas purchase exactly what you'd like and yet you will still receive a surprise - a win-win! If you get it to me before the end of the week, you could get even more than you bargained for ;-)

I'll be back with a reminder on Friday - meanwhile, happy shopping!

I'm here with news of a new collection that was released at the start of this month, the Fitting Florets Collection. Suitable for any occasion, including Christmas and seasonal celebrations, the sweet Fitting Florets Collection is a great addition to your stamp collection. From colour schemes to sentiments and embellishments to dies, these unique products blend together so that your cards and crafts fit whatever occasion you might need. Send birthday wishes, express your gratitude, or spread Christmas cheer—with so many options to mix and match you’ll be set no matter the celebration all year! 

The Framed Florets bundle is a pre-release that will be included in the 2023 January-April Mini Catalogue. In addition to the bundle, for the duration of the pre-release only, you will also be able to order a number of additional exclusive products, that will be available only while supplies last - an additional festive sentiment stamp set, co-ordinating designer series paper and embellishments - you can see the detail below:

There's also a handy video from the Home Office that shows the product in more detail:

What do you think - pretty right? Also perfect for those of you that love frames and anyone who has been missing ovals since our layering oval dies retired. 

If any of these items appeal to you, click on the images below to go to the online store to purchase. Remember some of these items are whilst stocks last, so don't leave it too late. happy shopping!

Links to the Online Store:

FITTING FLORETS COLLECTION (ENGLISH) (92.50)	FRAMED FLORETS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (51.25)	FRAMED FLORETS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	FRAMED FLORETS DIES (35.00)
GOLD ADHESIVE-BACKED SWIRLS (8.00)	FRAMED & FESTIVE CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	FITTING FLORETS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.25)

What a great start to a Tuesday - I logged on this morning to find a surprise update to the Clearance Rack. There are now lots of new items available, some with as much as 60% off. As is always the case, popular items will sell out quickly and stocks are already lower than they were earlier today, so don't spend too long deliberating - get in there quick! There are some great paper bargains, including many designer series papers, accessories, kits and punches. 

Click here to go the clearance rack in my online store and grab a bargain whilst stocks last! Don't forget to include the current hostess code WUN4D92Q in order to receive your special 'thank you' in the post from me. 

Race you to the shop - first one there gets the bargains! Happy shopping! 

We have just entered the month of October, synonymous with Halloween and the practice of 'trick or treat'. There are no tricks here though, only treats as far as Stampin' Up! us concerned so here is a round-up of everything happening this month.

FREE SHIPPING TODAY ONLY

First up - free shipping on orders over £60 for today only:

Orders need to be placed before 10.59pm this evening - just click on the image to visit the online store and enjoy the saving. This is a great time to stock up on basics, supplies for Christmas crafting, or a kit or two for Christmas gifting. Remember to add the current hostess code WUN4D92Q for a thank you from me.

STAMPIN' UP! LAUNCHES IN BELGIUM AND IRELAND TODAY

Secondly, Stampin' Up! Has launched into both Belgium and Ireland today! This means that anyone living in those countries can now both order from my online store and are able to join my team - how exciting! This is a great opportunity for fellow crafters in those countries to discover Stampin' Up! products and if they decide they want to join Stampin' Up!, either as a means to receive a discount on their own purchases or because they would like to embrace a new business opportunity, then there's even more good news:

£154 FOR £99 STARTER KIT OCTOBER JOINING OFFER

The Stampin' Up! Starter Kit is on offer this month in all markets: between 4-31 October, the starter kit has an enhanced value of £154! For just £99, you can choose £154 of products from the annual or mini catalogue, the clearance rack, our kits collection or items that are currently available on pre-order too. The starter kit also comes with free postage (and not just today!) and includes free catalogues and other useful business supplies too. There are so many benefits to joining Stampin' Up! right now:

• An ongoing 20% discount on all product purchases, for at least the next 6 months
• See and pre-order new products before they are released to the general market
• An invitation to Stampin' Up!'s exclusive Demonstrator Facebook Group
• An invitation to my Team Facebook Group
• Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events
• The opportunity to build a business that could generate you an income if you wish

Or you could simply enjoy the great offer that is the starter kit itself this month - it's entirely up to you. If you'd like to join my team, then just click here and it will take you to the right place; there is always a 'join me' link in the right-hand column of my blog and if you have any questions or would like to chat through any of the details, just give me a call.

Finally, there are new kits being added to our kit collection today, including a gorgeous Birthday Card Organiser Kit that would make a great gift for yourself or a loved one. I've included a picture above but check out today's other post for more details where I will give a roundup of a few of the newest kits in the collection.

That's all for now - you can see today's creative post here in case you missed it!