This is a quick post with details of this month's exciting Stampin' Up! offer and the new 'Best of...' set for September. This month's offer is on this great butterfly-themed bundle:

Buy the Papillion Potpourri stamp set and Bitty Butterfly Punch (pages 90/183 of the Annual Catalogue) together before 30th September and receive a 15% discount. If you've been considering purchasing either or both of these items, then this is the promotion for you!

 Secondly, the 'Best of...' set for September is 'Best of Christmas' - a lovely set of four stamps, that includes the little brother of the much-loved and missed 'Dasher':

This set represents great value at £13.95 (clear mount only) and like the other 'Best of..' sets, will be available until 31st March, although the sooner you get this set, the sooner you will be able to get cracking on those Christmas cards!

I will be posting ideas using both of these sets this month, so do check back to my blog in the coming weeks for inspiration. Meanwhile, if you would like to order either, do get in touch and I can place an order for you.

Until next time, happy stampin'!

Good evening devoted blog followers! I've returned from my two week family holiday in the USA and am back with you. You might not have noticed my absence, as I managed to schedule quite a few blog posts for you all to read whilst I was holidaying with Mickey Mouse (and my family too, but clearly The Mouse takes centre stage - I am his No.1 Fan!) More on my holiday shortly, but meanwhile I have lots of Stampin' Up! news to share with you, so the next few blog posts will be information-related whilst we catch up on the latest offers that are available.

So the first, and most important of these: the Autumn-Winter Seasonal Catalogue is now live! This is what it looks like:

I have updated the link on the right-hand side of my blog page to the electronic version of the catalogue - please feel free to browse at your leisure and enjoy the fabulous new kits and products that are available to make your festive season easy and beautiful at the same time. I will be sharing my favourite items with you later this week and once the James Juniors are back at school in  few days time, I will be making and sharing Christmas cards and projects in earnest, but for now, click on the link below to start browsing and creating your festive wishlist:

There is also a carryover list of popular items from last year's catalogue that are still available - these can be seen below:

If you would like a paper catalogue, to place an order or are thinking about hosting a party, please give me a call or drop me a line and I will be happy to help. I can honestly say there are some fabulous items in the second of this year's seasonal catalogues; it was quite tortuous to have my pre-order arrive just before a two-week vacation, that meant I didn't get the opportunity to try out some of my wonderful new goodies. That said, my vacation more than made up for it: this year it was a special one to Orlando, Florida. At 6 and 8 years old, my children are at a great age to enjoy everything that Disney World and beyond has to offer. Today, I'm going to share not a project, but one of my most special holiday photos with you:

This is me swimming with a dolphin at Discovery Cove, Orlando. See that big grin? This was a 'bucket list' moment for me, as I've always wanted to swim with a dolphin and I just couldn't keep that smile from my face.

Back with a few more information-related posts today, then full on with the creating towards the end of the week.

Until next time, happy stampin'!

Today I'm sharing a card I made recently for a football-mad friend. The 'Great Sport' stamp set was an obvious choice for this card - here it is:

There's lots of layering on this card, both in the background and the central design: I stamped the images a few times, then fussy cut the wings and punched and layered the football and fussy cut and layered the stars along the top. The card was inspired by Brian King who often uses layering to great effect. In this instance, it gave me the opportunity to use some 'Chelsea blue' to echo the fan team colours of the recipient and avoid the card being too 'black and white'. Some stamping inside the card and on the envelope added the finishing touches.

I'm sure I'll use this card design again - it would work for any footie-mad fan.

Back tomorrow with another card and lots of news; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Great Sport

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Pacific Point, Basic Black

Tools: 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch

Today it's time for another Angry Birds birthday card - well, it must be at least a few weeks since I shared the last one! This is another card I made a while ago for one of Ben's friends, who is officially Angry Birds number one fan! I took my inspiration from a tiered birthday cake I saw on Pinterest and decided on a bird tower with a pig on top. Here is the finished card:

I decided to make the features 3D to add interest and character to the faces. Just as I was punching the pieces for the final piece, the green pig, which I had absolutely intended to be a king pig, complete with crown, I had a visit to my craft room by young Master James who came to check on progress. He politely asked what I was doing, then announced, "Oh no, Mummy - it can't be a King Pig; it has to be a Grandpa Pig - they are Zak's absolute favourite!" A quick consult of my Angry Birds Visual Dictionary and some minor modifications, and Grandpa Pig was born. Check out the moustache: 

That has to be one of the best things about making your own cards - you can make exactly what you want and it can be completely personalised to the recipient, even if the requirement isn't always known until the last minute!

Back soon with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Whisper White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze

Tools: Itty Bitty Punch (circle), Owl Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

Today I'm sharing a recent commission card I made for a friend of mine who wanted to welcome the latest addition to her extended family, another in a long line of little boys! The brief was 'simple classic' and we agreed a bib style card would be perfect. I made a 6" square card, using the new Circles Framelits to create the bib: 

 I scored the central section on the reverse at 1/2" intervals and finished with tiny pearls for added detail. I added took the opportunity to create a layered label using my new baby Label Love stamp and co-ordinating Artisan Label punch - here's a close up:

How cute is this? I love how easy it is to create the background layer which in this instance added just enough colour to pop this off the front of this largely white card. I used some of my retired Bashful Blue card stock - I will miss this colour for baby boy cards, it's such a perfect shade. 

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Label Love

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue (retired)

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Bashful Blue (retired)

Tools: Artisan Label Punch, Circles Framelits, Simply Scored

Finishing Touches: Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Basics Pearls

A quick post from me today. Here is the last of my favourite Telford swaps to share: this one was by Maria (you can see her blog here):

I like it because it used a number of products and sets I don't have and showcases some beautiful clear embossing. I love the overall finished effect of this card and the unusual colour combination too.

Back tomorrow with another of my cards; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Postage Due

Cardstock: Primrose Petals, Pool Party, Whisper White, Early Expresso

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Primrose Petals, Pool Party, Versamark

Tools: Big Shot, Delicate Design Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Floral Fusion Sizzlit

Finishing Touches: Clear Embossing Powder, Early Expresso Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Basics Rhinestones

Today I have another of the swaps I received at our training event in Telford a little while ago to share with you. This card was made by Jenny Moors and we laughed as we swapped as I had used the same stamp set but taken a completely different creative approach (you can see my Telford swap card here). Here is Jenny's card:

I love the bright colours of this card and there is tons of detail here, right down to the paper pierced edge. It's also a great example of a very well made slider card - here's the inside of the card extended so that you can see what I mean:

If you would like to re-create this card, Jenny has provided a step-by-step tutorial on her blog here. Back with the last of my favourite three swaps I received at Telford next time; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Summer Silhouettes, Petite Pairs

Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi

Tools: Paper Piercing Essentials Pack

Finishing Touches: Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Basics Rhinestones

I was recently fortunate to gain another member to my growing team of Crafty Owls, so as is customary I like to make a card and gift to welcome them into the fold. Here is the card I made to welcome Samantha to my team:

This card was inspired by one I saw on Splitcoast Stampers by Pretty Paper Cards. I cheated a little with the background, using my retired spritz tool and the 'grunge' stamp from the retired 'French Foliage' set, as I have yet to invest in the grunge stamps in the new annual catalogue. I took the opportunity to use another of the lovely new in-colours - this time Crisp Cantaloupe. I also made a co-ordinating decorated notebook for those all important notes, dates and business tips that will be heading Samantha's way; when you're new to Stampin' Up!, there can be a lot to remember, even with a helpful upline in place to guide and support you. You can see the book in the picture below:

If you would like to join my team, whatever your motivation, then do get in touch. Stampin' Up! can be a great way to earn an income whilst doing something you really enjoy, whilst also making new friends and providing you with access to some of the best paper crafting products on the market at a substantial discount. I can support you, whether you wish to build a profitable business or simply become a hobby demonstrator and feed your crafting habit! If you are interested in joining my team and would like to benefit from the incentives and training opportunities that Stampin' Up! has to offer, please give me a call or drop me a line for a chat about what's involved ato how to take the next step. 

There is also a Stampin' Up! Creative Tour coming to a town near us soon; if you would like to 'try before you buy' and experience first hand some of the corporate benefits that Stampin' Up! offers its demonstrators, then I would be happy to take you along as my guest - get in touch if you would be interested in taking advantage of this exciting opportunity. 

Back soon with another project; until then, happy stampin'! 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Happy Day, French Foliage (retired)

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Crumb Cake, Crisp Canteloupe

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Honeycomb Embossing Folder

Finishing Touches: Basics Pearls, Linen Thread, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Tea Lace Paper Doily

As my regular blog followers will know, my son recently shared a birthday party with one of his school friends. The gift for his friend had a dinosaur theme, so we decided to dust our favourite dinosaur stamp set down from the shelf and make a card and our very own wrapping paper to match. Here it is:

The card is a case of a Julie Kettlewell card I saw on Pinterest, with one or two additions. I decorated the envelope too just to add a nice finishing touch and you can just see the wrapped gift in the background with its co-ordinating paper. I love the bright colours and think it makes such a fun design for a 6 year old. 

The wrapping paper was fun to make too; a great summer holiday activity for the kiddies. I'm actually wondering whether I should get them started on making my Christmas wrapping - now there's a thought...!

Back soon with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Dinoroar (retired)

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Brights Designer Series Paper (retired)

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Old Olive, Night of Navy, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey

Tools: 1" Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch

Finishing Touches: Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

This year's 'in colours' have been around for a couple of months now and I find myself using them more and more. I prepared some colour comparison cards with my Mosaic Madness stamp set and punch to show how the new colours compare tonally with other SU colours in the same colour ranges some time ago, but I haven't shared them until now as I was waiting on a back order of two of the blue colours, then when they finally arrived I was so busy playing I totally forgot about finishing and blogging the card set! I tidied my desk this week and rediscovered them, so thought I would share them as I still get asked questions about how these colours blend. So one by one, here they are:

The blue collection:

Coastal Cabana is a lovely turquoise blue, darker than Pool Party but not as intense as the returning Bermuda Bay.

The orange collection:

Crisp Cantaloupe is a fresh pink-peach colour, very like the melon that inspired its name. It's the lightest in the orange colour range.

The green collection:

Pistachio Pudding is a pale green, again lighter than its nearest green neighbours.

The brown collection:

Baked Brown Sugar is a lovely rich shade of brown, more intense than Crumb Cake but not as dark as Soft Suede.

The pink collection:

Strawberry Slush is a lovely vibrant pink, brighter than Primrose Petals but again not as intense as Melon Mambo. the other great thing about this year's in-colours is they all co-ordinate beautifully together, as well as complimenting many of the existing colours. Here is the complete card set including each of the card colour sets:

So what do you think: which in-colour is your favourite and what's your favourite in-colour combination? Post me a comment below, or better still, pop over to my Facebook page and share a picture of something you've made in your favourite in-colour combination. Back soon with another project; until then, happy stampin'!