A Clean And Simple Christmas Corner

by Joanne James6. November 2024 09:00

Today I'm sharing a card that took no time at all to pull together for the current challenge over at CAS On Friday where the theme is 'corner of your card' - take a look:

 

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

A clean and simple card that took no time at all to put together - yes, you've guessed it, I've used another of those A Little Bit Festive Mix & Match diecuts - this stack of presents was perfect to decorate the corner of my card:

A simple sentiment from the retired 'Perfectly Plaid' stamp set and a trio of festive gold pearls complete my card. So easy - the A Little Bit Festive Mix & Match Specialty Designer Series Paper pack is a must-have for speedy festive crafting!

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.

Christmas Classics for CCS548

by Joanne James5. November 2024 13:00

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

      

I'm also playing along with the 'anything goes' CAS challenge over at AAA Cards but since I thought these colours would be perfect for a Christmas card, I'm not going with the optional twist of Halloween. I decided to use an old favourite for my card today that would allow me to indulge in some inlaid diecutting - take a look:

 

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

Shy Shamrock is one of this year's new in-colours but I haven't used it much to date. The retired Christmas Classics bundle is a seasonal favourite of mine and the dies were perfect to showcase both shades of green:

I think Shy Shamrock adds a real freshness to this card - I love the colour combo this week and can't wait to see what our challenge entrants make of them 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 '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! colour 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.

An Heirloom Framed Christmas for FMS660

by Joanne James4. November 2024 15:30

Happy Monday everyone - another week rolls around! Today I'm sharing a card that I made using Judy's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches this week:

 

I don't often use ovals as the focal point on a card, but I was inspired by Judy's sketch as I had some diecut foliage in the A Little Bit Festive Christmas designer series paper pack that I knew would work perfectly for that element at the bottom of the frame - take a look:

 

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

I started with that foliage swag, which might seem a little backward, but I had been wanting to use it to decorate something, so that was the first bit. I then decided to feature one of the large sentiments from the 'Greetings Of The Season' stamp set in my oval. This has to be my favourite sentiment stamp set this season - you can make all kinds of greetings by combining the words in this set and the two larger sentiments are great as a framed feature or on the inside of your card too. Finally, with decoration and sentiment sorted, I had to decide how to 'frame' it and what background to use. Turns out this step took ages; I tried all kinds of embossed and patterned paper finishes, but nothing seemed to work. Then, as I looked at Judy's sketch, the ornate detail she used to decorate her oval reminded me of my old retired Heirloom Frames 3D Embossing Folders - and the retired one fit my sentiment perfectly:

 

A plain Garden Green background to allow the plaster-like embossed detail of my frame to shine, and my card was complete!

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.

Copper Leaf Fall Gratitude For PP714

by Joanne James3. November 2024 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 Elizabeth to host this week and she has a timely theme challenge for us to work with:

 

I used some old favourites with some current ones to make a card for Elizabeth's theme of 'giving thanks' this week - take a look:

 

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

As a lover of designer paper, I couldn't resist this oxidised copper paper, but I find myself in a love-hate relationship with it; I have such great ideas of how to use it, but they never quite turn out as planned! I thought that the Leaf Fall Embossing Folder would make for a lovely embossed finish with this paper and whilst in real life, my card looks really pretty, I'm not sure the photograph does it justice - it's quite difficult to see the embossed detail against the shine of the paper. You can see it better on the close-up below:

I paired my shiny embossed background with one of my favourite thankful sentiments from the retired stamp set 'Lighthearted Leaves' that I heat embossed in copper and added a couple of retired copper metallic leaf embellishments to complete my card. I made a second card with the same design but in the Pecan Pie colour of oxidised copper paper too:

 

 Again, the embossed detail shows up better on the close-up below:

 

Two pretty cards that are perfect to send some seasonal thanks - even if the detail was tricky to capture in a photo!

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 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.

A Little Bit Festive Poinsettia Card

by Joanne James1. November 2024 09:00

Happy Friday everyone! Today I'm sharing a card that uses the layout over at Try A Sketch on Tuesday as my starting point:

 

I'm still making Christmas cards and when I saw that large open oval I thought the double poinsettia in the A Little Bit Festive Mix & Match designer series paper pack would make the perfect centrepiece for my card - take a look:

 

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

Isn't that double flower great? I paired it with some (retired) striped paper from Around The World, and overlaid my flowers with a diecut 'Joy' from the Joyful Sayings pack and added in some gold twine and enamel dots as accents:

This card is big on impact with those larger-than-life elements, yet was relatively quick and easy to put together; the combination of A Little Bit Festive Mix & match papers and the Joyful Sayings diecut sentiments are great for speedy Christmas cards.

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'm out for dinner this evening since the young James Junior is staying at a friends for fireworks and a sleepover - what a treat. 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.

Wooden Humble Home Welcome Card

by Joanne James31. October 2024 15:00

Happy Halloween everyone! First up: this is your final day to take advantage both of the current enhanced joining offer and the 30% off kits sale - two great ways to get more for your money, so consider this your final reminder!

    

Secondly, I do have a quick card to share that I made using the layout over at Sketch Saturday:

This is such a versatile sketch and I had the perfect 'cheat' in mind for that striped panel - take a look:

 

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

I needed a card to welcome someone to their new home, so had my 'Humble Home' bundle out on my desk and I decided that this sketch was perfect to highlight a little punched house in that circle. I punched my house twice out of Country Woods designer series paper, and trimmed the roof from the darker piece and paper-pieced it to my base. I also used another pattern in the pack to punch out the heart, and yet another pattern for my striped panel - yes, my 'cheat' is that the paper is already striped in a variety of coloured wood, so all I had to do was choose a piece with the colours I wanted and cut out a strip - quick and easy! I added a sentiment from 'Humble Home' to my cardbase, and sat my punched house onto a circle cut with one of the Spotlight on Nature Dies, that I threaded with navy twine - I love this effect for a simple added detail:

 

This card is winging its way to a dear friend who loves a simple card and is in the throes of moving house - so I hope she likes this one!

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.

A Little Bit Festive Oval Wreath And A Zentangle Birthday

by Joanne James27. October 2024 20:00

I had a super crafty day yesterday so I have a quick extra post with a couple of cards I made using some sketch challenges that are closing today:

   

The first is a Christmas card that uses the sketch over at Tuesday Morning Sketches and is a no-stamping-at-all card - take a look:

 

I used a diecut wreath from the A LIttle Bit Festive speciality paper pack (I used the offcut to decorate the envelope) and a foiled diecut sentiment from the Joyful Sayings pack. A few metallic gems and a simple gold twine bow were the finishing touches that complete my card:

 

My second card is for the challenge over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge; I haven't managed to play along there in a while but since they are celebrating their 600th challenge sketch I had to play along. Not only that, the sketch was perfect for another zentangled circle creation featuring the Full Of Life designer series paper - take a look:

 

I added a panel of paper and a birthday sentiment from the 'Friends For Life' stamp set, separating the two with a black and white gingham ribbon bow:

 

A few black enamel dots complete my card. This card is heading to my nephew for his upcoming birthday - I think he will appreciate the modern design (the bow maybe less so!)

Here are the visual summaries of the key products used on today's projects 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 evening 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.
 

 

A Little Bit Festive Striped Wreath Christmas Card PP713

by Joanne James27. October 2024 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! If you live in the UK I hope you enjoyed an extra hour in bed this morning as the clocks changed! It's the turn of the fabulous Ann to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

    

I have another Christmas card to share with you today, which I'm also sharing with the team over at Inkspirational where they are all about seasonal cards, and this one is full-on traditional festive - take a look:

 

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

A Little Bit Festive - The A Little Bit Festive specialty designer series paper is the big hitter on today's card: I used a sheet of the red and white striped candy cane panels for the base and one of the diecut wreaths as the backing for my sentiment. This paper is so great for 'one and done' cards, with pre-diecut pieces making light work of decoration. I couldn't stop there today though; in addition to adding in some extra diecut foliage and berries, I added a few other pieces too; for more information, read on!

Greetings Of The Season - I added a heat-embossed sentiment from the 'Greetings of the Season' stamp set to the centre of my wreath, in two parts in order to fit the whole sentiment without obscuring too much of the foliage:

Joyful Sayings - Since the sentiment on the sketch was actually at the bottom of the left panel, not inside the shape, I chose some words that would allow me an extra element instead of substituting something else here; I actually used one of the pre-printed Joyful Sayings elements - it works perfectly.

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. 

I love the traditional festive look of today's card; what's your favourite kind of Christmas card design? Do let me know in the comments below.

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 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.

Santa Stache Nutty or Nice Nutcracker

by Joanne James25. October 2024 13:00

Today I'm sharing a quick card I made a couple of nights ago for the current challenge over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown where the theme this week is 'Nutcracker':

   

I still have my long retired 'Santa Stache' stamp set so paired him with a layout that gave me the opportunity to use up some retired nutcracker-patterned paper I had in my stash too - take a look:

 

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

A quick stamp of my Nutcracker and coloured with my Blends. I diecut his moustache and popped it up on dimensionals for a little extra lift because, well, why not?

 

I used an offcut of patterned paper to decorate both the inside of my card and the edge of my envelope - and done.

No visual summary today - this card was simply for fun and to show some love to old Nutcrackers! 

Enjoy the rest of your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Falling Leaves Copper Friends For Life AYSI335

by Joanne James25. October 2024 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 a recipe challenge from the fabulous Heather C:

    

I don't mind admitting, I struggled with this one! I tried a few things but found combining all of the elements a challenge - but I guess that's kind of the point, right?! In the end it was the inspo photo over at Inspired By that unlocked things for me - take a look:

 

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

Oxidised Copper - I used a panel of Oxidised Copper paper, a gorgeous warm metallic, for my card base. Although I've mostly covered it with my embossed strips, its beauty still shines through. This ticked off both warm tones and metallics. 

Leaf Fall - I decided to make a feature of my dry embossing, so embossed a panel of Early Espresso with the Leaf Fall 3D embossing folder and then cut it into strips, over my oxidised copper panel. I chose this darker brown as I liked the contrast and warmth of those blankets in the Inspired By photo and wanted to evoke that in my fall card. I love the detail of those embossed leaves! Embossed texture - tick.

 Final Copper Touches - I added my sentiment from the 'Friends For Life' stamp set to a tag diecut using one of the Greetings of The Season Dies - these are so useful! - and heat embossed it in copper. A snippet of retired copper ribbon tied with some dark brown baker's twine and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it tiny retired copper pinecone that I found in my stash completed my card and allowed another nod to that Inspired By photo:

Tag and thinking of you sentiment - tick and tick. Recipe complete! So what will you cook up with this week's challenge ingredients? Do share your projects in our gallery and show us your makes!

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 or packaging project that fits the challenge.
  • For a Recipe Challenge use all elements of the recipe - the possibilities within those parameters are endless.
  • Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your post.
  • Make sure you link the specific post and not the whole blog to the Linky. Use AYSI#(insert challenge number) when uploading to a public gallery
  • Please turn off word verification so that we can send you lots of feedback.
  • You can combine our challenge with up to 3 other compatible challenges. 
  • We do reserve the right to delete, or not consider for Top Pick and Featured Artist, entries that do not comply with these guidelines.
We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

Enjoy your day; I'm off to tick off some chores in the hope of a little crafty time over the weekend. 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 Online Exclusives

There are new products available exclusively in the online store from 5 November - check them out here.

Latest Kits!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The Layered Landscapes Kit and Nature's Paintings Kit are the latest kits in the online store - get yours here!

Shop Online

Access my online shop 24 x 7, 365 days of the year:

Current November hostess code:

9NKXDTTR

Shop Online

Mini Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

'Tis The Season - the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue is here! For more details and to download your copy click here

Scrapbooking

Stampin' Up! has introduced a new range of 12x12" scrapbooking product and kit - the full range is now available to purchase online. To download a copy of the new digital Scrapbooking Catalogue click here.

2024-25 Annual Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

Click on the image to download your copy of the 2024-25 annual catalogue. For a full list of current SU! supplies, go to my online store. If you would like any help or advice, please drop me a line at joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 421446 - I'd be happy to help.

Join My Team

It's always a great time to join Stampin’ Up! During October you can get even more in your starter kit! New team members can get £160 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! 

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!

Follow Me

Monthly Newsletter

Box Builder

Click the button above to use Box Buster to create your custom box design using the Envelope Punch Board!

Kits Collection Now Available!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The new Kits Collection from Stampin' Up! is now available!

Click here to see the current kits available and order yours online today.

I Design For

 

 

 

Stampin' Up Stuff

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.