Whimsy and Wonder Stitched Snowflakes in Pink PP564

by Joanne James24. October 2021 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 LeAnne to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for you to work with:

 

So many ways to use this sketch! I decided to go with a larger slimline card and showcase one of my favourite paper designs in the current mini catalogue - take a look:

 

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

Whimsy and Wonder - I love the rather less traditional colours of the Whimsy and Wonder specialty designer series paper and I particularly love the iridescent foiling on some of the sheets, such as the snowflakes on the paper I am featuring on today's card. I cut three rectangular panels of DSP using my stitched rectangle dies and matted each with some brushed silver foil cardstock and a layer of basic white too.

Stitched Snowflakes - For the focal point to anchor my banner, I decided to create a large layered snowflake, using two snowflakes cut using my Stitched Snowflakes Dies and backed this with an additional iridescent snowflake. I added a large rhinestone and silver trim bow - here's a close up so that you can see just how pretty it is:

 

Finishing Touches - I heat embossed my sentiment from the 'Merry Snowflakes' stamp set in silver onto a banner of Blushing Bride on the front of my card, and stamped another sentiment from the same set onto the inside panel:

 

I added snippets of snowflakes both to the inside and beneath the panels on the outside of my card to complete the look - you can never have too many snowflakes, right?! I just love this card - so gloriously feminine, yet festive 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!

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; we are enjoying a restful day at home. If it stays fine we might go for a long walk this afternoon, and since it's the start of half term I may see if I can cajole the rest of the James family into completing a jigsaw with me on our return! 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.

 

Delicate Baubles Red and Grey Christmas Snowflake

by Joanne James22. October 2021 09:00

Today I'm sharing a clean and simple Christmas card for the current challenge over at CAS Christmas:

I knew I had some red and grey plaid in my retired paper collection so thought I would use this as the basis of my card featuring another of those Delicate Baubles dies - this time the snowflake:

 

The paper features more muted tones of red and grey (Cherry Cobbler and Grey Granite) than I remembered, but I actually quite like the effect. A simple 'Noel' greeting that I fussy cut from the 'Tidings and Trimmings' stamp set and a single rhinestone complete 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. 

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.

Delicate Baubles Christmas Tree TTT136

by Joanne James21. October 2021 18:00

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

    

I decided to give my Delicate Baubles Dies another outing - the Christmas tree was calling my name! - so I too the first column on the Tic Tac Toe board with Christmas Tree/Bow/Green and in a fun twist decided to pair with the colour palette over at Just Us Girls this week for a rather unconventional Christmas card colour scheme - take a look:

 

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

This And That - The key to making today's card work is the piece of retired This and That Epic Day design series paper that I used for the frame on my card. It does such a good job of bringing all three colours together and makes the bright bauble tone in rather stand out in a way that jars, I think.

Delicate Baubles - Another bauble paper-pieced in block of the JUGS challenge colours, with some sparkly enamel dots to highlight the starbursts and a gold enamel star to top the tree. I trimmed the base of the bauble on this one so that it didn't have a double border edge.

Add A Bow - I could have added a diecut bow using the die in the Delicate Baubles die set that I used on my previous bauble cards, but decided that something more showy was needed so added a triple bow in Pool Party sheer ribbon - so pretty!

 

A simple 'Noel' sentiment from the 'Trimmings & Tidings' stamp set completes my card. So what do you think - is this colour scheme too unconventional for a Christmas card? Do leave me a comment below - as always, I'd love to know your thoughts.

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; as of this afternoon, both of the James Juniors will be officially enjoying their half term break, so I am looking forward to spending more quality time with them next week. 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.

Whimsy And Wonder Christmas Tree Trio For Color Throwdown

by Joanne James20. October 2021 07:00

Today I'm sharing a very special card as it was made for this week’s new challenge over at Color Throwdown, where I am delighted to be the featured designer this week!

This is the colour palette we are working with:

 

How pretty is that trio of pastels?! I am in a real groove with Christmas card making at the moment, so no ghosts for me! I decided on a trio of Christmas trees instead - take a look:

 

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

Christmas Tree Dies - These skinny Christmas trees are from the Christmas Tree Dies and I think they are my absolute favourites in the set! They can be used in traditional and less conventional colours and still look great. I cut a tree in each colour and also used a piece of watercolour-effect designer paper that was from last year‘s winter mini catalogue that featured the same heather and aqua tones.

Texture and Pines - I used this week’s Global Design Project layout #GDP314 for my card today and for square element used some shimmer white cardstock embossed with the Evergreen embossing folder. This adds a lovely sheen and great texture and dimension as a background detail. 

Seasonal Swirls - I decided to use the star wreath piece from the Seasonal Swirls Dies for the round element of the design, cut from retired white glimmer paper for a full-on winter sparkle. I also added a few sequins and flicked my background with my clear Wink of Stella pen for added shimmer.

 

I added a sentiment from the 'Sparkle of The Season' stamp set, anchored with a pink enamel heart to complete 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. 

Enjoy your day; you should definitely check out the Color Throwdown design team creations to see what they made of this sugared-almond inspired colour palette this week.

 

Remember too that the 24 hour stamp sale is now in full swing - full details on yesterday’s post here. You have until 10.50pm this evening to snap up a bargain!

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 Starts Tonight Save 15% on Selected Cling Stamps

by Joanne James19. October 2021 19:32

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 coming up on 20 October - that's tomorrow! It’ll only last for 24 hours, so you will need to act fast to grab the goods. It actually starts at 11pm this evening here in the UK. 

For 24 hours from 19 October at 11:00 p.m. to 20 October 10:50 p.m. (UK) online, each of the cling stamp sets from the 2021–2022 Annual Catalogue will be available for purchase at a 15% discount.

Here's a list of all of the stamp sets included in the sale:

 

 

 

 

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 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 - 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 ADG6HG9G 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 set your watches, it's almost time to go shopping - don't miss out! 

Delivering Autumn Cheer CCS 442

by Joanne James19. October 2021 13:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Vicky is hosting this month and this week she has a fabulous colour challenge for us: 

  

I just love this colour combination! Gorgeous colours for autumn, so I decided to use them to get colouring - take a look:

 

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

I stamped a lady from the 'Delivering Cheer' stamp set, cropped her out using my Stitched Rectangles dies and coloured her in with my Blends in the challenge colours. 'Delivering Cheer' is such a fun stamp set with lots of fun combinations of tops and bottoms. It's photopolymer so super easy to align the pieces and is great for both paper-piecing and colouring. I especially like the stamp that allows you to add some funky patterned tights - check it out below:

 

Isn't that a fun detail? I added a piece of Regals designer paper to further emphasise the purple tones; I love purple but Rich Razzleberry isn't a colour I use often - I love it in this combo though! A simple sentiment from the 'Sparkle of the Season' stamp set completes today's card, which is already in the mail!

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.

Enjoy The Moment Note Card

by Joanne James18. October 2021 17:23

Happy Monday everyone! I had a little time today to work on some future projects, and following a lunch time walk with the eldest of the James Juniors who is on half-term break already, where we admired the falling conkers and autumnal leaves, got a little side-tracked into creating a card on my return using this week's Color Throwdown colour palette:

I really loved this mix of browns and aqua and took the opportunity to use some items that haven't gotten much love lately - take a look:

 

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

Enjoy The Moment - I really like the detailing on the seed heads in the 'Enjoy The Moment' stamp set and had it on my desk for another project, but couldn't resist another card with then in these colours. Found on page 26 of the annual catalogue, this is a great set for autumnal cards and works well in neutral colours. 

Everyday Label Punch - After stamping and colouring each of my images, I punched them out with my Everyday Label Punch, as I realised I hadn't used a punch on a card in ages and this label punch is super useful for both tags and cards alike. 

Cork Border - Did you notice the strip of cork paper I added beneath the gingham behind the punched pieces? This is some of the new cork specialty paper that is featured in the current mini catalogue. It's great for adding texture without bulk and really easy to cut with your paper trimmer. You can see it more closely on this image:

 

A little stamping on the inside completes 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. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project for this week's new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. I am also the Featured Designer over at The Color Throwdown this week so be sure to come back for another post featuring their new colours on Wednesday. Until tomorrow, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Party Puffin Give It A Whirl Interactive Birthday Card PP563

by Joanne James17. October 2021 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 Jaydee to host this week and she has a Clean and Simple challenge for you to work with:

       

I decided to use Judy's Freshly Made Sketches layout for my card and having originally decided to go super simple, after yesterday's card I couldn't resist having another go at incorporating an interactive element so I'm having another go over at Just Add Ink too - take a look:

 

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

The stars of today's card are the 'Party Puffins' stamp set - my go to for fun birthday cards - and the Give It A Whirl dies, with a rotating wheel of sentiments and images. You can see the first one above; here's the second one:

 

And finally, the third one:

 

Here's a quick video clip that show how the wheel rotates through the images:

A piece of Patterned Party striped designer paper adds a little coloured border and I used these colours to co-ordinate my coloured images too. A sprinkling of sequins complete 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 Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

These dies are super easy to use and whilst they do add layers to today's card, my overall design is still clean and simple, with minimal embellishments and lots of white space.

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

  
Remember: it's clean and simple week, so minimal layers and embellishments and lots of clean 'white' space on the birthday cards that you share 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!

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'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.

Have A Hoot Peek A Boo Clean and Simple Halloween Card

by Joanne James16. October 2021 09:00

Today I'm sharing a clean and simple card for the current challenge over at Addicted to CAS where the code word is 'Spooky':

   RRCB 169   

I'm also linking up with the ladies over at Retro Rubber where the theme is 'anything goes' and at SUO Challenges where the theme is Halloween too. Whilst digging around in my retired stamp collection the other week, since this is where most of my Halloween stamps are to be found, I remembered there were three different Halloween owls in last year's 'Have A Hoot' stamp set from September 2020 and decided to use it to try a really easy fun fold Peek-A-Boo style card that I had seen Jennifer McGuire make ages ago that I wanted to have a go at. Here's what the card looks like closed:

 

Then as you open the card, it reveals either another image or message - I went with a 'boo' courtesy of the owl hiding behind the pumpkin:

 

Perfect for the challenge over at Just Add Ink this week where they are all about moving parts too. Here's a short video clip so that you can actually see how the peek-a-boo mechanism works:

Isn't that fun?! I embossed the front of my card with my retired cobweb embossing folder to add to the spooky vibe; I'm hoping this doesn't take away too much from the CAS aspect of my card and my 'white space'. Here's a close-up of that mischievous owl:

 

No visual summary of the key products used on today's project since they are all retired; it was fun to take a trip into the retired box to create this super simple card to share with you today.

Enjoy your day; I'm off to the hockey pitch side lines! I'll be back tomorrow with my card for our new challenge at the Paper Players. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

  • Have-A-Hoot stamp set (retired)
  • Cobweb Embossing Folder (retired)
  • Stampin' Blends - various

Delicate Baubles Blackberry Bliss Christmas Tree AYSI261

by Joanne James15. October 2021 13:00

This is my second post of today - you can see my earlier Festive Friday post here in case you missed it. This is my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a colour challenge:

 May be an image of fruit and text that says "い 10.15.21 BLACKBERRY GRANNY BLISS APPLE SILVER GREEN A.Yyo.SoeTt CHALLENGE BASIC WHITE 261"

I really love this combination of deep Blackberry Bliss, bright Granny Apple Green and white with a dash of metallic silver. I made another Christmas card, this time using my new Delicate Baubles Dies - take a look:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

This card was actually really easy to create: I added a strip of Regals DSP to my card base, then added some adhesive sheet to my bauble background and paper-pieced the details into the top layer of my bauble in the challenge colours, adding a trio of rhinestones for extra sparkle:

 

A silver heat-embossed sentiment from 'Tidings and Trimmings' completes my festive 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'm a sucker for an interesting die and I love the detail on the baubles in this set - you will definitely be seeing more of them this festive season!

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.

Today marks the end of a three-day expedition by the eldest of the James Juniors for her silver Duke of Edinburgh award so I am expecting tired feet this evening! At the same time, the youngest of the Juniors is embarking on an army cadet weekend and will be sleeping out in the forest somewhere in the wilds of Cambridgeshire this evening under an improvised shelter. He has an Arctic sleeping bag, but I am really hoping the rain holds off! 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.

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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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