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

I went clean and simple this week so will also be playing along over at CASology where the cue card is 'Summer'. I used my Waterfront stamp set to create a beach scene reminiscent of my favourite Caribbean vacations - take a look:

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

A Waterfront Beach - Waterfront is one of those sets that I don't feel I've used anywhere nearly enough and I'm so glad it's carrying over into the new annual catalogue. It's a great set for creating unique scenery and landscapes for all seasons so was perfect for my bright beach huts on the shore under the bright sun and shade of the palm trees. I decided to feature the 2018-20 In Colours on my card today; these are such a great co-ordinating set of brights they were just perfect for my card today. 

A Nested Label - Did you spot the new label I used for the scene on my card? It's from the Stitched Nested Labels that co-ordinate with the Bird Ballad Suite in the upcoming new catalogue and they have such pretty stitched border detail. The whole label is symmetrical; I cut the point off mine on the right side as I wanted my label to align to the right of my card. 

Making Waves - I added a little interest and texture to my Blueberry Bushel background by running it through the retiring Seaside embossing folder. I love this embossing folder and use it lots so will be sad to see it go. 

And that's all there is to it, other than to say do you think if I wish hard enough I could jump into my card and find myself relaxing on that sunny beach 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:

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: 

Waterfront Photopolymer Stamp Set (£16.00)	Stitched Nested Labels Dies (£33.00)	Seaside Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (£8.00)	In Color 2018–2020 Classic Stampin' Pad Assortment (£31.50)	Blueberry Bushel A4 Cardstock (£8.00)
3/4" (1.9 Cm) Circle Punch (£12.00)	1" (2.5 Cm) Circle Punch (£12.00)	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)

Happy weekend everyone! Today I'm sharing another of my Needlepoint Nook cards from a previous class that really showcases the co-ordinating designer series paper  - take a look:

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

Embroidered Paper - The Needlepoint Nook Suite is perfect for creating the look of handcrafted embroidery with much less effort and has stamps, papers, accessories and framelits that fit the theme. The papers in this suite are so pretty, they look almost as if they have been hand embroidered. I love the multi-coloured pattern I used on this card - so pretty!

Hand-Stitched Stamping - The floral elements in the Needle & Thread stamp set are distinctive stamps that have the almost photographic appearance of embroidered flowers. I used a combination of ink pads and Stampin' Write Markers to create a bright spray of flowers, adding in a few additional diecut pieces too. 

A Stitch in Time - There's more stitching with the stitched border but my favourite is definitely the stitched sentiment label that conveniently fits the Pretty Label Punch.

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:

Needle & Thread Photopolymer Bundle (£43.00)	Needlepoint Nook 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper (£10.25)	Pretty Label Punch (£17.00)	Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Poppy Parade A4 Cardstock (£8.00)
Blushing Bride A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Crushed Curry A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Very Vanilla A4 Cardstock (£9.00)

This is today's second post; if you missed the notification about the discounts on retiring products that Stampin' Up! announced today please click here. Today I'm sharing a couple of cards from a class I held much earlier in the year featuring the Serene Garden bundle. I shared one of the other cards we made here in case you missed it. This bundle is retiring next week so I thought I ought to get around to sharing the other two! Both of these cards were a CASE (Copy and Share Everything or Copy and Selectively Edit, depending on your interpretation of the cards on page 166 of the annual catalogue. Here's the first one:

And here's the second one:

This is such a beautiful bundle; the Garden Scene Framelits allow for some fabulous layering, especially when paired with the Big Shot Embossing Mats - check out the emboss detail on the cards above. It's also a great set if you like to colour, as the second card illustrates.

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:

(if you need further information on any of the other elements used please leave a comment or email me directly):

Serene Garden Photopolymer Bundle (£39.50)

I received some good news from Stampin' Up! HQ this morning and wanted to pop by to quickly share it with you: as we approach the end of our Last-Chance Products promotion, Stampin' Up! has announced that it has now identified some items that can be discounted by up to 25% - yay for a last-minute bargain!

Click here to see the list of discounted items from the Spring-Summer Catalogue.

Click here to see the list of discounted items from the 2018 Annual Catalogue.

The discount pricing will go into effect at 7:00 p.m. (UK) time this evening Thursday, 30 May. For anyone local to me, I will be putting through one last order which you are welcome to add to if you would like to save on P&P, but you need to message me by 8pm this evening. 

Many thanks and happy bargain hunting!

I'm later posting today - it's been a busy day! I had a class last month featuring the Needlepoint Nook Suite and made a few additional cards featuring these products whilst everything was out on my desk that I've still to share. This suite is retiring with the new catalogue so time to get to it! One of the cards I made focuses on paper piercing (not to be mistaken with paper piecing!). The dies from the Needlepoint Elements Framelits that are just perfect for this - take a look:

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

Paper Piercing - No need for a paper-piercing tool and stencil for this card: The detail of the largest of the Needlepoint Elements Framelits provides easy paper-piercing detail with one roll through the Big Shot. 

A Stitch In Time - I decided to highlight some of the detail on the paper-pierced panel by adding some stitching to the design. I used some copper metallic thread and a needle from my sewing box to outline the main flower and add detail to the centre. When I started out, I had intended to stitch the whole design; the small portion I did achieve took a lot longer than I expected though, so in the end I decided to stop at the flower. I do like the effect; a project for another time, perhaps!

All About Copper - Navy, white and copper is one of my favourite metallic colour combinations. Today's card features a few different copper elements: a copper foil stitched border, copper embossed sentiment, copper metallic thread and a copper sequin to finish my flower. Most of these are carrying over, with the exception of the copper metallic thread - I will miss it!

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:

Needle & Thread Photopolymer Bundle (£43.00)	Needlepoint Elements Framelits Dies (£28.00)	Needle & Thread Photopolymer Stamp Set (£20.00)	Copper Foil Sheets (£3.75)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)	Versamark Pad (£8.25)
Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder (£4.75)	Copper Metallic Thread (£3.25)	Metallics Sequin Assortment (£4.75)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)	Night Of Navy A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Be Mine Stitched Framelits Dies (£33.00)

Today I'm sharing a card for the current challenge over at Fusion where they have a great sketch and fun photo inspiration of a hedgehog on a scooter:

Whilst I don't have any scooters, I do have a sweet hedgehog in my collection so I paired him with some retired Painted Seasons Designer Series Paper to create today's card - take a look:

Not much to say about today's card as it's a nice easy make with some layers and a horizontal masked sentiment to show off that pretty paper and sweet coloured hedgehog - a hedgehug to brighten someone's day!

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. 

The James Juniors are on half term this week so we will be hoping for sunshine and looking forward to a week away from the books and some outdoor fun, in addition to the obligatory trips to the dentists and hairdressers! Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Hedgehugs Clear-Mount Stamp Set (£18.00)	Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Poppy Parade A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (£28.00)

Today is a two card day!You can see my earlier post here. I'm sharing another card using this week's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches:

This sketch is definitely a 'keeper' - so many possibilities! I made another quick notelet card using some other retiring products - take a look:

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

Farewell Delightfully Detailed - I used one of the Delightfully Detailed Notelets as the base for my card. It seemed almost a shame to cover up some of the beautiful watercoloured front with my piece of Mint Macaron, but I do love the soft washed tones that show through my circle window aperture (punched with my retired 2 1/2" circle punch). These notecards are useful for a standby quick card as the pretty base is ready prepared for you.

...and Delightfully Detailed - The Delightfully Detailed Notecards are designed to work with the Delightfully Detailed Designer Series Paper, a collection of pretty laser-cut sheets that can be cut up to fit your card fronts exactly. I had snipped one of the full sheet designs into smaller pieces to use on cardfronts and had some small pieces unused and these were perfect to place inside my window and also for a couple of leaves/buds to place behind my sentiment.

Petal Palette Wishes - To finish my card, I added a simple sentiment from the Petal Palette stamp set that was the perfect size and fit. Another great set that is heading into retirement with this catalogue end - time to snap it up this week whilst you still can!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty Paper (£13.00)	Delightfully Detailed Note Cards & Envelopes (£8.75)	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Very Vanilla A4 Cardstock (£9.00)
Petal Palette Clear-Mount Stamp Set (£33.00)

Happy Bank Holiday Monday to everyone in the UK and to those celebrating memorial Day in the US I hope your day is a reflective one. Today I'm sharing a card using this week's colour palette over at CAS Colours and Sketches and the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches:

I love this bright colour palette and combined it with an almost no-stamping card to say farewell to a favourite die set from the retiring annual catalogue - take a look:

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

Farewell May Flowers - The lovely Narelle who designed this week's FMS sketch is famed for her fabulous flowers (check out her card this week and you will see what I mean - gorgeous!) so there was only one way for me to go this week. My single diecut dahlia along with a pair of leaves from the retiring May Flowers Framelits Dies really allows these bright colours to shine. 

A Simple Sentiment - Another retiring set, Thoughtful Banners, gave me my simple sentiment, that I heat embossed in white onto Basic Black cardstock so that it would stand out.

A Trio of Glimmer - To finish my card, I added a simple trio of Coastal Cabana glimmer dots for a little sparkle.

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:

May Flowers Framelits Dies (£29.00)	Thoughtful Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set (£20.00)	Glitter Enamel Dots (£6.50)	Daffodil Delight A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Coastal Cabana A4 Cardstock (£8.00)
Pumpkin Pie A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Basic Black A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Versamark Pad (£8.25)	White Stampin' Emboss Powder (£4.75)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)

Today extra quick post for a card I made for the challenge over at Inspire.Create Challenge that is about to end this evening:

I love this bright and bold colour palette and had an immediate idea as to how I wanted to use it - it just took me until yesterday afternoon to find the time to make a card! Here it is:

These colours are perfect for some bright and colourful tropical flowers. I layered the square Tropical Thinlit die with Granny Apple Green and Black for contrast, then added a stamped leaf and a couple of flowers to anchor my sentiment, stamping them in Pumpkin Pie and then added some Poppy Parade to the edges using the 'rock and roll' technique.

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:

Tropical Chic Clear-Mount Bundle (£40.50)	Basic Black A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Granny Apple Green A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Glitter Enamel Dots (£6.50)	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (£5.50)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)

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:

I sometimes struggle with making when we are in transition between an old and new Stampin' Up! catalogue - just too much to choose from! - so I was glad of a sketch this week to help things along. I decided to get creative with one of my favourite new suites from the upcoming catalogue called Follow Your Art - take a look:

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

Follow Your Art - The Follow Your Art Suite is perfect for creatives and crafty types. With stamps, co-ordinating dies and papers featuring stamps, ink, reinkers, glue guns, buttons, ribbons and more, there are so many ways to follow your own art with this set. My card features a background piece of Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper and a fun reel of ribbon with heart detail that I coloured with my Stampin' Blends to anchor my sentiment.

A Great Little Gift - One of the other fun items in this suite is the Follow your Art Embellishment kit. With pretty coloured clips, embellishments, twine and four sheets of pretty stitched felt shapes, there are lots of great embellishments for your handcrafted projects. They come in this gorgeous little box too, which you could use to store or gift cards in or give the kit to someone as a gift in itself. Check it out:

I used a felt border beneath my sentiment and added some twine to the centre of a couple of my diecut buttons for a fun touch.

Buttons, Buttons and More Buttons - Buttons feature in this set in more ways than one: I added some diecut paper ones and for the vertical panel I embossed a panel using the new Button Button Embossing folder for additional texture and dimension.

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; we have a long Spring Bank holiday weekend to look forward to so I'm hoping the sun will be shining and allow me some gardening time. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

It Starts With Art Bundle (£44.00)	Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper (£10.75)	Button Button Embossing Folder (£7.00)	Follow Your Art Embellishment Kit (£10.25)	Coastal Cabana A4 Cardstock (£8.00)
Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)	Pacific Point A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Crushed Curry A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Calypso Coral A4 Cardstock (£8.00)
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)