It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at TicTacToe! It's the turn of Team X to host this week and I am the featured designer this week. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

I went down the first column with diecut, heart and patterned paper and had another play with those Adorable Owls, taking my inspiration too from the scattering of red hearts in the inspiration photo over at Hand Stamped Sentiments - take a look:

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

I went with a similar layout to the card I shared with you previously, as I wanted to create another sentiment using my Alphabet A La Mode Dies. This time I added my 'Hoot!' having stamped a shower of hearts behind the 'O', and finished my sentiment with a heat-embossed one from the Adorable Owls stamp set. I used the other two owls in the set, again coloured with my Stampin' Blends and popped up on dimensionals on wither side of the central panel: 

I used a piece of the Country Lane Floral DSP for my base this time as I wanted even more hearts - it is a Valentine's Day card, after all!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

ALPHABET À LA MODE DIES (40.00)	STITCHED RECTANGLE DIES (33.00)	COUNTRY FLORAL LANE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.25)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.25)	BALMY BLUE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	SOFT SUEDE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)
CRUMB CAKE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	SO SAFFRON STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (5.75)	SWEET SORBET CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (7.50)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	BASICS EMBOSSING POWDERS (17.00)

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 fun Clean and Simple challenge for us to work with:

Time to feature a bird on our cards! I used the fresh colour palette over at Global Design Project and the sketch layout at Try Stamping on Tuesday to make a clean and simple card for a friend using another new set featuring a comical feathered friend - take a look:

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

Today's card features one of the comical feathered friends in the 'Silly Goose' stamp set; a great set with lots of fun small images that are great for colouring. I chose to use the image of the goose, complete with straw hat, floating in her rubber ring with her friend the frog. Simply coloured with my Stampin' Blends and cut out using one of the Stylish Shapes Dies, I backed it with a couple of strips of spotted designer paper, one retired and one from the Dandy Designs Sale-A-Bration pack - they tie in with the spots on the goose's rubber ring:

I added a simple banner sentiment to complete my card (anybody else singing that song from Toy Story now?) I originally made yesterday's cards for today's challenge, but decided they weren't quite clean and simple enough - if you missed yesterday's post and you'd like to see a couple more cards made with a different bird, then be sure to check it out 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 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:

Enjoy your day; we may or may not be off to the hockey pitch again today, if the temperatures rise high enough above zero for the ice to melt. If not, a warm afternoon in my craft room beckons! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

SILLY GOOSE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.25)	BALMY BLUE A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	DAFFODIL DELIGHT A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	BALMY BLUE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)
DAFFODIL DELIGHT STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	GRANNY APPLE GREEN STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)

Today I'm sharing a couple of cards using Jacquie's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches:

Today's cards feature three new products, and two of them can be yours FREE with a qualifying Sale-A-Bration purchase - take a look at the first one:

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

Alphabet A La Mode - I used the big open space of the sketch to feature part of my sentiment, diecutting the word 'PARTY' minus the 'A' using the new Alphabet A La Mode Dies. This is a great value set of letters, numbers and punctuation that are perfectly sized to make custom sentiments for your cards. 

Adorable Owls - The star of today's card though is the cutest little owl from the 'Adorable Owls' stamp set - one of the products that can be yours FREE with a £45 purchase during the current Sale-A-Bration promotion. I stamped the owl, complete with party hat, coloured him with my Blends and fussy cut him, before popping him up on dimensionals and adding him to my sentiment in place of the letter 'A':

Dandy Designs - Both cards feature patterns from the Dandy Designs designer series paper for the frame - a great bumper pack of 48 sheets in fresh pastel colours. I loved the first card so much, I made a second one featuring a more girly colour palette, with another of the Dandy Designs patterns as the basis for my colour scheme:

Here's a close up of this card - I went with violet eyes for this little owl:

I love both of these cards - the Adorable Owls are just my favourite Sale-A-Bration freebie during this promotion. They are just so cute!

Here's a photo of both cards together:

Which one do you prefer? Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear 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 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

It has been freezing here again today - so no hockey at all, although I did enjoy a frosty walk in the countryside as an alternative. The canal that runs close to our house has totally frozen over - all of the ducks were sheltering under the bridges where the water was a little warmer and not yet turned to ice, poor things. Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

ALPHABET À LA MODE DIES (40.00)	STITCHED RECTANGLE DIES (33.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.25)	BALMY BLUE A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	BALMY BLUE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	FRESH FREESIA A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)
FRESH FREESIA STAMPIN’ BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	PETAL PINK STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	SOFT SUEDE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	CRUMB CAKE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (8.50)	COASTAL CABANA A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	PETAL PINK A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)
TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (5.75)

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!