This Birthday Piggy and Perfect Partners CCS 486

by Joanne James6. September 2022 13:00

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

  

For my card today I decided to colour one of the fun birthday images in the 'This Birthday Piggy' stamp set - take a look:

 

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

I used a combination of Stampin' Blends and Stampin' Write markers to colour my image and added a strip of brights DSP to my card base for a pop of extra colour:

 

This pattern is retired, but I've added a link below to the current equivalent. Whilst I didn't use them on today's card, this is the perfect opportunity to mention that the 'This Birthday Piggy' stamp set also has a new set of co-ordinating dies that will be available this month only, as part of the Perfect Partners promotion. It is one of six stamp sets from the annual and June-December catalogues that feature - see the other sets below:

 

 

Stamp set and dies are available separately, but if you don't already have the stamp set you can purchase both and receive a 10% bundle saving - bonus! This promotion runs until 30th September, so grab your dies without delay.

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.

New 2022 Sale-A-Bration Items Added

by Joanne James7. August 2022 15:58

Just a quick post with additional information out this week: you all know that this year's second Sale-A-Bration promotion will end on 31st August 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. Now there's more good news: from now until the 31st August, you will also be able to choose from a number of other items (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):

 

If you would like more information or to place an order, go here to purchase from my online store (don't forget to add this month's hostess code 6SQFH49A). 

Remember as with all items offered as part of the Sale-A-Bration promotion, they are only available whilst stocks last. Currently all items are still available, however current stock levels suggest that a number of the original items will have run out before the end of the month.

Back soon with a new creative project; until then, happy shopping!

Hippest Hippos Blue Birthday Ballet Dancer PP600

by Joanne James17. July 2022 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Ann to host this week and she has a fun Clean and Simple challenge for us to work with as we celebrate another milestone with our 600th challenge:

       

Cards for kids - what fun! I used Karren's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches this week which was perfect to highlight my ballet dancing hippo - take a look:

 

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

I couldn't resist another outing with my 'Hippest Hippos' Sale-A-Bration stamp set and co-ordinating Hippo Dies, this time I decided to feature the sweet ballet dancing hippo. My colours were taken from the palette over at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week. This is my first foray into the world of coloured hippos - I usually stick with the grey kind! I stamped, coloured and diecut one, backed with a couple of rectangles of DSP (these are from retired collections but I've included the links to the current equivalents below). I also gave my hippo a flower in her 'hair' and added a liberal does of clear Wink of Stella to her tutu and ballet shoes:

I finished with a birthday sentiment from a retired set in a co-ordinating font and another coloured hippo inside my card:

 

And that's all there is to it! Remember this is clean and simple week - so your card should:

 

  • Have minimal layers and embellishments
  • Have plenty of open, or "white" space
  • Be simple and uncluttered

I think my blue hippo fits the bill - and is a fitting way to celebrate our 600th challenge 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 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:

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!

Enjoy your day; I'll be keeping out of the sun, enjoying a BBQ lunch and enjoying the glorious weather we are having here at the moment. 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.

Hippest Hippos Swim Trio AYSI278

by Joanne James1. July 2022 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 my favourite, a sketch challenge:

      

Since today celebrates the launch of the new July-December mini catalogue and the start of the second Sale-A-Bration promotion of the year, I couldn't resist the opportunity to create with some new goodies! I'm not quite in the Christmas zone yet though, so decided to pair the summery colour palette over at Global Design Project #GDP349 this week and the inspiration phrase of "Fun In The Sun" over at Try Stamping On Tuesday (but not the sketch for obvious reasons) and use two of my FREE Sale-A-Bration products to create a splashy pool-inspired card featuring a trio of hip hippos - take a look:

 

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

Hippest Hippos - So how adorable are these hippos??! The stamp set contains 4 sentiments and a trio of hippos in a variety of poses - and the co-ordinating Hippos Dies extend the versatility of these semi-aquatic mammals further with the inclusion of a boat, bath tub and lots of accessories too. I 'dressed' my hippos in sunglasses, a snorkel and mask and cleverly adapted the ballet dancer in the set by adding an inflatable rubber ring that I made out of a retired stitched oval die to create a trio that are ready for some water-based fun.  

A Trio Of Dies - In addition to using the Sale-A-Bration Hippos Dies to cut out the hippos and their accessories, I also used the 'waves' die in the set for some partial diecutting to create the base for my stitched circle apertures that I wanted my hippos to sit in. The circles were diecut using the Stylish Shapes Dies and my panel cut using the Rectangle Stitched Dies. I like the way you can see the wave impressions beneath the die on the solid coloured cardstock, but the Tahitian Tide In-Color DSP beneath peaks through, a little like the sparkle of light on water. I added some splashes cut from this paper to my top layer, but I think they get a little lost - I think if I did them again I might use some in-color glimmer paper; what do you think?

 

Watercolour Pencil Wonder - I stamped my hippos directly onto Grey Granite cardstock, then added highlights and shading using my watercolour pencils, blended out with a blending pen. This is quite a neat way to use watercolour pencils and is a great way to add a little depth to your image without having to do lots of colouring. Did you know too that July is National Watercolour Month? Watercolouring can take lots of forms besides the traditional 'brush, water and paint' method. I look forward to sharing more watercolouring tips and tricks during the coming month. 

Both the 'Hippest Hippos' stamp set and the Hippo Dies can be yours FREE with a purchase of £45 (you will need two £45 purchases to get both items - they can be purchased separately). To get yours just click on the links to the online store below and place your order - you know you want to!!

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 and I'll be back on Sunday with my card for our new theme challenge over at The Paper Players. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

A New Stampin' Up! July-December Mini Catalogue AND A Second Sale-A-Bration!

by Joanne James1. July 2022 02:00

A new month and so many reasons to celebrate today - or should I say, Sale-A-Brate?!

First up, we have a new mini catalogue, with everything you need for your seasonal and festive crafting, to take you from autumn, through to Halloween, Christmas and beyond! Here is the new mini catalogue, in all its festive glory:

 

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 will be automatically sent to customers who have purchased with me in the last 3 months. 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!

And as if that wasn't enough, we get a second bite of the Sale-A-Bration cherry this year too, with our second 2 month long Sale-A-Bration promotion! Starting from today 1st July until 31st August, you can once again get more bang for your buck when you shop, host or join. 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 a reminder of how Sale-A-Bration works: 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 1 July and 31st August. 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 a fabulous joining option during this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion: as usual, you can become a demonstrator for just £99 and choose £130 of FREE products for your Starter Kit. In addition to an extra £31 worth of product in your starter kit, you will receive the Making Plans Collection, comprising the making Plans stamp set, notebook trio and a 2022-July - 2023 December Making Plans Planner which includes a beautiful reusable planner - check out the collection below:

 

There couldn’t be a better time to join the Stampin’ Up! family. Plus, the whole kit ships for free! 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.

 

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 - this time the 'Perfect Pomegrante' stamp set shown above. Even if your order 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.

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 soon with lots of projects showcasing products from the new catalogue and today's post for our new challenge over at As You See It. Until then, happy shopping!

He's The Man Masculine Anniversary Card

by Joanne James1. June 2022 09:00

Today I'm sharing a quick masculine card, perfect for the challenge over at Inspire.Create that uses the current sketch over at Sketch Saturday:

   

I thought this was a great sketch layout that was perfect to showcase the new He's The Man designer series papers - take a look:

 

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

The papers in the He's The Man Suite are fabulous - a great selection of masculine designs covering everything from cars, to camping, cooking and lots more besides. Better still, the paper pack includes two whole sheets of pre-diecut pieces that can be used to embellish your cards - no stamping required! I used to different paper patterns and one of the diecuts from the pack, along with some retired Crushed Curry twine that picked up the yellow on the tent and a couple of diecut trees from the (retired) Christmas Trees Dies that reflected the shape of the trees on the DSP:

 

That's it - simple as that! I'm also entering today's card over at The Alphabet Challenge where they are on 'D is for Diecuts' this week - the diecuts in this set really are the best!

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 love these papers so much I am going to feature them in an upcoming class - you can read all about it here and do get in touch if you'd like to register.

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.

Last Chance Products From The January-June 2022 Mini Catalogue

by Joanne James31. May 2022 08:00

It's nearly time to see all of the lovely items that will be retiring from the current 2022 January-June Mini Catalogue on 30th June!  I'm just popping by to let you know that the Last-Chance Products promotion will go live at 11pm this evening, UK time. All items retiring will be available for LAST CHANCE purchase, with some items that can be discounted by up to 50% - yay for a bargain!

In order for you to get organised, the list has been released in advance - here's the link to the full list so you can filter by language/category/price etc. and I've also included a couple of visuals below:

 

 

So get those shopping lists ready and if you're shopping online remember to add the current host code for an extra thank you in the post from me!

Back later with today's creative post - until then, enjoy writing those shopping lists!

Simple Sending Smiles In-Color Card And Time To Join The New In Color Club

by Joanne James4. May 2022 18:00

Today I'm sharing the card that I sent out with the paper copies of the new Stampin' Up! annual catalogue to my loyal customers. I used the new 'Sending Smiles' bundle and my card also features each of the new in-colours - take a look:

 

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

Sending Smiles - I had lots of these cards to make, so purposely designed a fairly clean and simple, almost one layer (save the diecut sentiment) card. For this kind of mass production the Stamparatus is a must: I added flower stems, each set of petals and then the sentiment to separate platform plates, then without needing to move my card, stamped each colour in turn. Once all my card bases were stamped, I added my diecut sentiment; I added adhesive sheets to the reverse of my Tahitian Tide cardstock to speed up the gluing process and added some Tombo behind the vellum to attach it to the cardbase.

New In Colors - Let's take a look at those new 2022-24 In Colors: 

 

Whilst the In Color collections aren't designed to be used together, the colours in this collection compliment each other beautifully, don't you think? 

Want Them All? - Would you like to add these colours to your ink collection? Stampin' Up! have made that even easier for you this month. Between 3-31 May, when you join Stampin' Up! as a new demonstrator, you receive not only £130 of product for £99, but you will get an additional £62.50 worth of In-Color products FOR FREE! 

 

You will receive a full set of in color ink pads, a mixed pack of in color cardstock, in color designer series paper and a pack of in-color grid paper in your FREE product bundle. Your kit is sent postage-free and there are a range of ongoing benefits, from product discounts to training and most of all the opportunity to grow a business that works for you and have fun and build friendships as part of the wider Stampin' Up! community.

If this isn't for you, then you might like to consider joining my new In Color Club. 

2022-24 In Color Club Details

To help you spread the cost and gradually grow your new in-colour collection, I am offering an in-colour club (UK customers only). It begins this month and runs for the next 5 months, up to and including September. Each month, you will receive a collection of products for one of the colours, with each month featuring a different colour. You will be sent a reminder on the 1st of the month, and your in-color club invoice will need to be paid by the 15th of the month in order that items can be ordered in good time.

Each month, you will receive: 

  • 1/2 pack of A4 cardstock (12 sheets)
  • 1/2 roll of 1/8" (1cm) In Color Metallic Woven Ribbon
  • 1 ink pad
  • 1 ink refill
  • 1 Stampin' Write Marker
  • 30 In Color Matte Decorative Dots
  • Eight 6”X6” In Color DSP sheets
  • Four sheets 6" x 6" In Color Glimmer paper
  • In Color Baker's Twine
  • A hand stamped card featuring your in-colour of the month

Since all of the colours are also available as Stampin' Blends, there is the option to add on a Stampin' Up! Blends Marker Combo Pack each month for an additional £8.50.   

Details:

Basic Pack Cost: £31.65 plus postage and packaging (Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For) every month May through September. If you are local, you can avoid the cost of shipping and arrange to collect. 

Payment can be made by Paypal or bank transfer (or cash/cheque for local customers).

If you would like to join my new colour club this month, then you can email me to sign up 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 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

I am also linking my card up over at The Alphabet Challenge where they are currently on 'B is for Blooms' as we go back through the alphabet once more.

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.

Stampin' Up! 2022-23 Annual Catalogue Live and In Color Join Promotion

by Joanne James3. May 2022 09:00

The wait is over - it's May 3rd and the new 2022-23 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue is here! You will find a permanent link to the new catalogue on the right hand side of my blog but for today you need look no further than the picture below which will take you straight to the new catalogue: 

 

The new catalogue is fantastic, with so many great new products to choose from. I've sent paper copies to everyone who has shopped with me in the last 6 months; a digital copy of the new catalogue can be accessed via the image above and it will be permanently linked via my blog on the right hand side if you don’t have a paper copy and wish to browse. If you have your paper copy and just want to go straight to the shop to place your order, click here - ordering systems have now fully transitioned from the old stock items to the new so you are good to go! Also, remember to add the current hostess code for May CUUXZD2C if your order is less than £150 and ensure your preferences are set to 'contactable' to receive a thank you in the post from me.

Due to ongoing supply issues, there are a number of items that are unavailable at catalogue launch - this includes the magnetic plates for both of the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machines (even though only one is listed below):

 

I will keep you up to date here on the blog as these items arrive.

There is also a promotion that goes live today to coincide with the launch of the new catalogue:

 

It’s always exciting to be able to invite people to join our community of crafters and creators. And right now it’s even more exciting because when you sign up between 3 and 31 May to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, in addition to £130 worth of products for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up! will receive the following 2022–2024 In Color products in their Starter Kit for FREE:

 

Click on the links above for a closer look at each item.

I would love to chat with you about the benefits of joining my team and being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator; as always, you can always find the link to join my team on the right hand side of my blog page; alternatively it's right here if you fancy jumping right in!

That's a lot of information for one post; if I were you I would put the kettle on, put your feet up and get comfy and settle down with your new catalogue for a browse and start creating that all-important wish list!

Back later this morning with today's creative post; until then, happy shopping!

Waves of The Ocean Pocket Edge To Edge Shaker Card

by Joanne James2. May 2022 10:00

Happy Bank Holiday Monday to my UK readers! Today I'm sharing a card that uses the colour palette over at Hand Stamped Sentiments

I'm loving all of the blue colour palettes that are about at the moment, especially since I have been giving my Waves of The Ocean Suite a workout and the two pair perfectly! I thought the HSS colours were perfect for a little project that I've been wanting to have a go at for a while - an edge to edge pocket shaker card. My good blog friend and fellow Tic Tac Toe challenge team member Stef Perry over at Perry Papercrafts made this fabulous card a while ago and I have been wanting to have a go and thought that the Waves of Inspiration bundle would be just the thing to make my own version - take a look:

 

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

Waves Of The Ocean - Since this card is really all about the shaker, the stamping is fairly simple. I used all three ink colours to create my blended seascape background using my blending brushes and stamped a single wave in Versamark and heat embossed it in white; this forms the base of my shaker. 

A Pocket Shaker - creating the shaker itself is rally easy. You just need a flimsy acetate pocket - the wrapping that your new dies come in is perfect for this - then you attach it to the back of the panel on three sides to form a pocket, fill with the sequins on your choice (I used some retired ones from the Whale of a Time suite, minus the pink shells, along with some clear, white and silver ones) before taping the fourth side shut. You then mount this panel on your card front, and add any additional diecuts to the front of your card; I layered a Coastal Cabana foil and white cardstock pair of waves cut with the Waves Dies over my stamped image, and snipped a sentiment and added it to the opposing corner:

 

The sequins still move around the front of the card, although a little less freely than with a traditional shaker. On the upside there is less bulk though so this kind of card is great for posting. I just love this idea and am really happy with how this card turned out - thanks Stef for the inspiration, I knew I'd get around to making one eventually!

Going, Going, Gone - Today is your final reminder that lots of things are ending today - it is the last day that the following items will be available:

  • Last Chance Products, stamps and accessories from the current 2020-21 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue
  • All Together exclusive paper, stamps and dies (only the skin tone Blends are carrying over to the new annual catalogue)
  • Waves of The Ocean Suite exclusive papers, foils and embellishments (only the stamp set and dies are carrying over to the new annual catalogue)

When tomorrow comes, it will be all about the new annual catalogue so if any of the above are still on your list, you best click the links below and hop over to the online store 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. 

Enjoy your day; I will be back later with one (maybe two!) posts as I have a few makes 'in progress' on my desk along with news of a great new joining offer that will be starting tomorrow to coincide with the new annual catalogue launch - exciting stuff! 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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It's always a great time to join Stampin’ Up! New team members can get £130 worth of products for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up! Stampin' Up! has something for everyone: join my growing team and benefit from my support to enjoy Stampin' Up! however you choose.

If you're interested, call me for a chat to understand how I can help you realise your goals. Alternatively, if you have already decided to sign up and you just can't wait, please click here for the link to the online form where you can sign up and order your starter kit right away! 

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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.