Today I'm sharing a card using this week's soft colour combo over at Just Add Ink this week:

I thought these muted colours would make for a clean and simple(ish) birthday card using the retiring Layered With Kindness stamp set  - take a look:

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

Layered With Kindness - The Layered With Kindness stamp set is one of those that is great for quick cards, both one layer cards and used in conjunction with the co-ordinating punches as I have here to create something with a little more interest and dimension. The images are distinctive stamps so have the illusion of dimension which is great for adding depth. I layered the leaf stems and a few flowers in the challenge colours, before adding my labels. 

Label Me Lovely - and Fancy - Label punches are always useful and both the Label Me Lovely and the Label Me Fancy punches are great with this set which has sentiments designed to fit and can be layered, but also with a variety of other sets too. They are also great for tags for gift packaging, the Label Me Fancy punch in particular, which has a handy slit and hole on either side of the punch to enable you to add thread or ribbon easily. Whilst the stamp set will be leaving us at the end of the month, the punches are here to stay - great news for Christmas packaging! 

Finishing Touches - I added a sprinking of pink sequins, some split ribbon and used my Stampin' Write Rococo Rose marker to add a fine mist of pink splatters across my card front for a trio of finishing touches to my otherwise simple 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 am hoping to get some more crafting and class prep done today, including getting ready for tomorrow's demonstration session. We are revisiting Stamparatus techniques this week; yesterday was great and resulted in an afternoon of fabulous creations by the ladies on the call who left fired up and inspired - our group was a hive of activity all afternoon, which left me feeling thrilled that they enjoyed the session so much. I also have some ironing to finish and continue my hunt for an earring I lost on Sunday; I didn't leave the house all day so I know it's here somewhere, but so far no luck! Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Layered With Kindness Cling Stamp Set (English)	Label Me Lovely Punch	Label Me Fancy Punch	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Basic Gray A4 Cardstock
Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad	White Stampin' Emboss Powder	Rococo Rose Classic Stampin’ Pad	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad
Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad	Rococo Rose 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon	Woven Threads Sequin Assortment

Another Monday, the start of a new week! I had an online demonstration this morning and something of an admin afternoon, so I've just time for a quick post to share another card for the current Fusion challenge, this time using both the sketch and inspiration layout:

The sketch and inspo photo combined to make the perfect teacher thank you card - take a look:

My bright red apple is courtesy of the 'Harvest Hellos' stamp set and the Apple Builder punch, two of my favourite items for creating teacher thank you cards and on carryover to the new catalogue too - yay! I paired my apple with a retired stamped notepaper background on a Crumb Cake base and swirly thanks diecut, again courtesy of a retired die; the notepaper and die were perfect to replicate the biscuit in the photo though, so it had to be! I also finished the inside with some added decoration courtesy of 'Harvest Hellos': 

I made a few of these cards at the same time to add to my end of year stash; the youngest of my James Juniors is in a transition year at school so I will need a lot of teacher thank you cards come July, so I'm starting now!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Harvest Hellos Cling Stamp Set	Apple Builder Punch	Real Red A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Crumb Cake A4 Cardstock
Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock

Another Monday, the start of a new week! I had an online demonstration this morning and something of an admin afternoon, so I've just time for a quick post to share another card for the current Fusion challenge, this time using both the sketch and inspiration layout:

The sketch and inspo photo combined to make the perfect teacher thank you card - take a look:

My bright red apple is courtesy of the 'Harvest Hellos' stamp set and the Apple Builder punch, two of my favourite items for creating teacher thank you cards and on carryover to the new catalogue too - yay! I paired my apple with a retired stamped notepaper background on a Crumb Cake base and swirly thanks diecut, again courtesy of a retired die; the notepaper and die were perfect to replicate the biscuit in the photo though, so it had to be! I also finished the inside with some added decoration courtesy of 'Harvest Hellos': 

I made a few of these cards at the same time to add to my end of year stash; the youngest of my James Juniors is in a transition year at school so I will need a lot of teacher thank you cards come July, so I'm starting now!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Harvest Hellos Cling Stamp Set	Apple Builder Punch	Real Red A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Crumb Cake A4 Cardstock
Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock

Two posts from me today as whilst I did squeeze in a little crafting yesterday morning, I was too busy enjoying the sunshine the rest of the day to blog - so I'm sharing today! I loved Linda's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week and chose to use green, congratulations sentiment embossing folder from the Festive Friday inspo list:

So many ways to interpret the sketch, but in the end I decided to use up more of those fussy cut Mosaic Mood designer papers and pair some border strips with a gorgeous glossy hummingbird and a sentiment from Praiseworthy Prose:

Praiseworthy Prose is another of those sets that hasn’t seem much (any!) ink so I stamped my sentiment in Soft Suede onto a Very Vanilla stitched rectangle and used my hummingbird to accent it. Some subtle embossing to my mat layer completes my card.

I really like this finished card and its one of those that could be used for men or women, which is great as I didn’t have anyone in mind to send it to when I started creating. 

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:

Mosaic Mood Specialty Designer Series Paper	Praiseworthy Prose Cling Stamp Set	Subtle 3D Embossing Folder	Stitched Rectangle Dies	Very Vanilla A4 Thick Cardstock
Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Claire to host this week and she has a colour challenge for you to work with:

I love Claire's bright colour palette this week! I have been planning my next online class so had the Birthday Jubilee bundle out on my desk and along with Brian's sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch this week my card came together pretty quickly - take a look:

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

I cut two panels in Melon Mambo using one of the Jubilee Beauty Dies and used them to frame my sentiment, adding a couple of floral garlands coloured with my Stampin' Blends in each of the colours. I used my old retired Melon Mambo Blendabilities for the pink flowers; I've some good news for you if you're a Blends fan though - there is a new Melon Mambo Blends combo in the new annual catalogue - woohoo! A little extra stamping inside and decoration on the envelope flap complete my card:

The Birthday Jubilee bundle is retiring at the end of the month and the Jubilee Birthday dies are currently discounted to £16.80, so if you like them now is the time to pick up a bargain! My next online class is on Monday 25th May and features this bundle. You can see the full details here; if you would like to join us, then do message me to book on. I would love to see you there!

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:

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; happy Mother’s Day wishes to those overseas who are celebrating - I hope you are all spoiled rotten! The weather is supposed to turn here today with rain and much colder temps forecast, so I think my time sitting in the garden will be limited. I guess I might have to do some indoor jobs instead!  I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Jubilee Beauty Dies	Birthday Jubilee Cling Stamp Set	Melon Mambo A4 Cardstock	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party A4 Cardstock
Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Glitter Enamel Dots
2" (5.1 Cm) Circle Punch

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 courtesy of the lovely LeAnne:

I have been trying to get some use out of sets that are about to retire and decided to pair today's sketch with the wedding theme over at Global Design Project and create a wedding card for the bride - take a look:

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

For The Bride - I bought the 'Wonderful Moments' set the minute it became available in the catalogue; I love the style of the artist - it's the same design as 'Beautiful You', 'Artfully Aware', 'A Good Man' and 'Beautiful Moments' - and in this particular set it was the bride image that sold it to me. That said - this is the very first time I've inked it up!! Clearly 'so many stamp sets, so little time' in my house!! For me though it is a keeper - the set has some great sentiments, and I adore this bridal image. I decide to heat emboss my image in silver which can be a little tricky to photograph, so I've added a couple of extra images so that you can appreciate the detail and shine:

Lovely In Lavender - I paired my silvers with one of my favourite and oft overlooked papers in the Best Dressed DSP stack - I love the subtle white roses on the variegated Purple Posy background and I couldn't resist using it for my background today. I have a friend who actually got married in a wedding dress that was this soft lilac colour and this card reminds me of that day. 

Outside the Frame - I wanted to use an embossed rectangular frame for one of the layers on my card (I used some retired brushed silver cardstock) but rather than frame my image, I fussy cut the bride and positioned her outside the frame for maximum impact. I really like the finished effect:

I did take one or two liberties with LeAnne's sketch, especially with the sentiment placement, which I had to move and place inside my frame (I heat embossed it on vellum and used this as another of my layers) and I downplayed the vertical strip with a piece of metallic edged ribbon, but hopefully you can see the broad layout there. Either way, I LOVE this card and hope you do too! I had no-one in mind to send my card to when I made it and Rebecca popped her head around the door as I was photographing and asked me who it was for. Jokingly, as the bride has her colouring, I said "no-one in particular; maybe I'll keep it for you." She promptly said "Put it somewhere safe then - it will be at least 25 years before I get married!!" What can I say - a typical teenage girl with other things on her mind!

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. 

Before you put your creative thinking caps on, why not check out the blogs of the other As You See It team members:

Amy Jasper

Heather Cooper

Jan Clothier

Jane Knudsen

LeAnne Pugliese

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; we have a Bank Holiday here in the UK today to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) day. There was a Red Arrows flypast during one of my online demonstration sessions this morning and one of the ladies on the call was lucky enough to see them fly overhead through her skylight as we crafted. I didn't see or hear them but one of the ladies in my choir snapped this rather good photo:

They fly by so fast it's quite tricky to catch a good photo. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Wonderful Moments Photopolymer Stamp Set	Heirloom Frames Dies And 3D Embossing Folder	Best Dressed 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper	Silver 3/8" Metallic-Edge Ribbon	Woven Threads Sequin Assortment
Vellum A4 Cardstock	Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder	So Saffron Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
Purple Posy Stampin' Blends Combo Pack	Ivory Stampin' Blends Marker	Stampin' Blends Color Lifter

Hi everyone! Wednesday already? Oh my! I've had a busy start to my week with online card classes which are really starting to take off as we get used to the technology. I had my main class on Monday using 'Beautiful Friendship' one of my most favourite sets (cards to follow). In order to stave off boredom for a lot of my regular crafty ladies, I've been following up each class with a couple of shorter 30 minute sessions that use the same set we used in our class but using different techniques. This is more like a Facebook live but we still use Zoom so that we are in a classroom format and can all see and talk to each other as I'm demonstrating. I don't do many Facebook lives and must confess I much prefer the classroom format. If anyone is reading this and thinking they would like to know more about online classes or these little demo sessions, then do check out my Facebook page or leave me a comment below and I can add you to my group.

Anyway - time for a blog post! I've had a few server issues with my hosting company earlier this week, so if you popped by and couldn't reach my blog, please accept my apologies - things should all be sorted now I'm told! So today I'm sharing another couple of cards using the #ShareSunshine product giveback download that Stampin' Up! has released to raise funds for Covid-19 related charities - you can read all about it and purchase the download if you are interested in my previous post here. For the first one I used the current Fusion sketch for my layout (great sketch!):

I used the fun loo roll image and once printed die cut it with a stitched circle, and paired it with some retired Bubbles & Fizz Sale-A-Bration papers - take a look:

I added some striped Bermuda Bay ribbon and another of the print out sentiments to the inside of my card:

That's pretty much all we can do right?!

One of my lovely customers, Jane, shared some fabulous cards using this download over on my Facebook page and I noticed that she had used some of these papers and they actually match quite a lot of the sentiments and images, so I got to use up some paper too. If you would like to see Jane's cards, you can see them here - thanks for the inspiration Jane!

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 also managed a quick second card this afternoon, using this week's CAS(E) This Sketch:

I used another or the retired Bubble and Fizz papers and paired it with the martini glass that I coloured with Blends and this fun sentiment:

It finishes inside the card like this:

Enjoy your evening. I spent my day editing and uploading some online class videos and enabling my oven repair man to do his job whilst social distancing - why do these things always break down at the most inconvenient times?! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

#ShareSunshine Digital Download: get yours here

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's my turn to host this week and I have a fun theme challenge for you to work with:

I have been looking at the sentiments in the new #ShareSunshine product giveback download and decided to use one of the funny ones on my card today - take a look:

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

#ShareSunshine - The #ShareSunshine PDF download is the Covid-19 Product Giveback that I shared with you here last week. It includes lots of fun sentiments related to the current social distancing and unique times we find ourselves in that are great for sharing with friends and family to let them know we are thinking of them. I chose to feature the fun 'I've Just Been Working On My Homebody' sentiment and hunted through my stamp sets to find a suitably fit individual ...

We'll Walrus Be Friends - ... and the rotund walrus in 'We'll Walrus Be Friends' was just the thing! I created a repeating background with my stamp. Is it only me that feels like this chap of late? Too much cake and not enough exercise!!

Starburst Punch - The PDF download comes with a list of the ink colours used and co-ordinating products for each of the images and the one I chose fits the Starburst Punch perfectly. I cropped mine first with a 2" circle punch and mounted it onto my Mango Melody starburst; the former is carrying over but the Starburst Punch is retiring so if this is on your wishlist, now is the time to add it to your shopping basket.

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:

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 can't wait to see what happy projects you have to share with us in the Paper Players gallery this week!

Enjoy your day; I will be spending time in the garden and trying to make Sunday feel less like any other day of the week since they all seem to roll into one at the moment! I might make up more Covid cards with my download printouts too to send out to friends and family as I have a few ideas. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

We'll Walrus Be Friends Cling Stamp Set	Starburst Punch	2" (5.1 Cm) Circle Punch	Balmy Blue A4 Cardstock	Mango Melody A4 Cardstock
Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad	Balmy Blue Light Stampin' Blends Marker	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker

Today I'm sharing a couple of projects from one of last month's classes that featured the Peaceful Moments bundle, part of the Painted Poppies Suite. First up a birthday card:

I used the designer series paper from the Peaceful Poppies Suite beneath a diecut layer and embellished with two layered diecut poppies and a banner sentiment. We also made a co-ordinating hanging ornament using the same diecut poppies and a sentiment stamped directly onto a wooden circle:

We don't often make 3D items in our technique class, so this was a change for us. It was a great way to make use of the dies which we were featuring and it's fair to say the ladies loved it too.

Here's a photo of both items together:

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've had one of those days when I've been seriously fighting technology today with nothing going right and the internet is clearly not appreciating all of the at-home Jameses running multiple devices at once! I feel exhausted by the whole thing and like I need to step away - so I'm off to finish my online groceries shopping and then am taking the night off!! 

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Peaceful Moments Bundle (English)	Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper	Pool Party A4 Cardstock	Blackberry Bliss A4 Cardstock	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad	Poppy Parade A4 Cardstock
Real Red A4 Cardstock	Old Olive A4 Cardstock	Mossy Meadow A4 Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

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

I adore the bright colours of the Just Us Girls Challenge photo this week so couldn't resist combining with our board this week for a bright and sunny scene - take a look:

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

Tic Tac Toe Three Ways - I started off with Pink-Flowers-Clouds in the first column as my TTT solution, but by the time I finished realised I had also managed the first row Pink-Diecut-Grass and the diagonal Clouds-Twine-Grass. What can I say? #OverAchiever. Truth is, I was so panicked about not covering three squares, I ended up nearly covering the board!!

A Friendly Silhouette - I used the Friendly Silhouettes dies to create my grassy flower meadow, cutting the whole thing out in Granny Apple Green then again in pink, yellow and red so that I could paper-piece the flowers to the top of the stems as I didn't want a true silhouette on this occasion. I added a few pearls as flower centres. I completed my scene by punching a yellow 1/2" circle, cutting some clouds using a retired die and the two teeny tiny orange butterflies are cut using the Butterfly Beauty Dies - the perfect size for my scene.

A Darling Label Punch - I added a sentiment from the co-ordinating Friend Like You stamp set, but decided to punch it out using the punch in the Darling Label Punch Set box so that it would stand out instead of stamping it straight onto my layer. This kit is retiring so currently a bargain at £16.80 in the online store - link below if you would like to grab one. I also used the Friends Like You stamp set to decorate the inside of my card:

A nice uplifting sentiment for the times we find ourselves in. Sometimes a warm cup of tea, a walk in the sunshine with the ones we love or even a slice of cake delivers just the right amount of pleasure when there is so much going on around us that is not within our control.

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 will be spending some time crafting and creating more delights to share with you in the coming week. I'll be back tomorrow with another project - a lovely card and gift combo, even if I say so myself - you won't want to miss it! Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Friend Like You Bundle	Friendly Silhouettes Dies	Friend Like You Photopolymer Stamp Set	Darling Label Punch Box	Brights A4 Cardstock	Blueberry Bushel A4 Cardstock
Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad	Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine	Pearl Basic Jewels	Whisper White A4 Cardstock