Out of Africa Wild About You Animal Print Card

by Joanne James29. April 2019 19:15

Just a quick creative post from me today following on from my earlier share about the 'Everything Is Rosy' limited edition product medley that is coming later in the week (you can read all about that here if you missed it). I'm sharing a quick card that I made at the weekend that was initially inspired by last week's CASology challenge theme of 'Africa' (now closed but you can check out their amazing gallery here) that inspired me to use up some of my epic stash of retired designer series papers with this rather intriguing sketch from the CAS Colours and Sketches team:

  

So here is my card: 

 

A selection of 'Go Wild' retired animal print papers, inset beneath a trio of apertures cut using my rectangle stitched framelits dies and a sentiment from the retiring 'A Little Wild' stamp set - that's all there is to it! It definitely felt good to use up some of those retired papers too.

I'm also linking up my clean and simple card with the team over at Addicted To CAS where their current theme is 'contrast' and I think my varied animal skin-inspired prints are definitely that!

 

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'll be back tomorrow with another project and compared to today's you might need sunglasses for it - bright is the word! Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Everything Is Rosy - Limited Edition Kit Available May 1st

by Joanne James29. April 2019 16:00

When I attended Onstage recently, we were updated on some exciting new Stampin' Up! developments, one of which was the development of a new concept called the 'product medley'. Product medleys are a concept based on demonstrator feedback. In addition to being filled to the brim with cute, coordinating products, they have been designed to provide you with endless creative possibilities.

The Everything Is Rosy Product Medley is our first product offering of this kind and this exclusive, limited-time collection of coordinating, petal-packed products has everything you need to let your creativity bloom.

The Everything Is Rosy Product Medley costs £74 and includes these exclusive products:

 

Here's a close-up of the stamp set detail:

And here's a selection of photos of projects made with the Everything Is Rosy Product Medley (there are more of these to view on my Facebook page that you can access here):

             

             

             

The nice people at the Stampin' Up! home office have also produced this short video that shows the products in the suite in more detail:

The set was shared with demonstrators at Stampin' Up!'s recent demonstrator-only Onstage event, however we have been unable to pre-order it so we will be waiting in line with you to get our hands on it! I can assure you the samples shared above really don't do this suite justice; having seen it in real life it really is beautiful, especially the rose gold elements. Everything is Rosy costs £74 and is available from May 1st until May 31st only or while supplies last, so if this set is for you, be ready to order as soon as it launches on May 1st as it is likely to be hugely popular!

2019-20 Annual Catalogue Sneak Peak - Introducing Mosaic Mood PP439

by Joanne James28. April 2019 09:00

 

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

 

I decided today that I'd make a card with something old (my stamp set is the retiring 'Eastern Beauty') but mostly something new and share a sneak peek of some of the specialty designer series paper that will be coming along in the new annual catalogue - take a look:

 

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

So today's card really is all about the paper! Due to ongoing EU Customs issues, European demonstrators who attended Stampin' Up!'s recent Onstage event were unable to place an early pre-order, so our only new goodies to play with were the products we came come with. One of those was a pack of the new Mosaic Mood Specialty Designer Series Paper though, which is perfect for backgrounds, borders and more! It has some gorgeous printed pages with roses, butterflies and hummingbirds that can be fussy cut to add as embellishments too and what's more they have some amazing UV detail that gives a great glossy, soft sheen - check it out on the rose below:

This detail really makes this paper shine! Since I featured my sentiment on the circle element of my sketch, I used a butterfly from the paper in place of the sentiment on the sketch to keep the whole thing balanced. I liked this card so much that I cut into a few more sheets and changed my base colour to create another card using the sketch that features a hummingbird that I cut from a different sheet of paper:

 

Again, here's a close-up of that gorgeous glossy detailing, this time on the whole of the bird:

 

The colours are not as visible as the glossy finish is reflecting the light, but take my word for it this really makes these papers something special. 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's projects for you to pin for easy reference:

 

And my second card:

 

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!

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; one of the James Juniors has a birthday party to attend today, but otherwise we have a sport-free day so are looking forward to lunch and an afternoon indoors escaping the storm-force gales we have experienced the last couple of days! 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.

Happiness Blooms Coral Flowers

by Joanne James27. April 2019 21:00

Today I've been battling a mountain of ironing and watching one of the James Juniors playing back-to-back hockey games in storm-grade winds (a dedicated sportswoman indeed!) so I'm late with today's post but wanted to share a quick card I made for the current challenge over at Inspire.Create where they have a great sketch to work with:

 No photo description available.

My card features stamp, papers, ribbon and a sentiment from the Memories and More kit from the Happiness Blooms Suite  - take a look:

 

I just love this suite and am so sad it is going to retire as it's one of my favourites from the Spring-Summer catalogue - i love the contemporary design and bright colours and the Bitty Blooms punch pack is super-useful 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. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with my post for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Needlepoint Elements Subtles Floral Thank You Card

by Joanne James25. April 2019 20:50

I had a class today featuring the Needlepoint Nook Suite so have been making lots of cards featuring these products in the last week or so as everything has been out on my desk. Today's card is a clean-and-simple one using the current sketch over at SUO Challenges and the colour challenge over at Less Is More:

My card features two of the dies from the Needlepoint Elements Framelits used in an unconventional way - take a look:

 

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

A Floral Trio - When putting together one of my class cards, it occurred to me that the three leaf sprig and the three-looped piece when used together could make a sweet little flower. I had a little play and eventually decided to snip away my central green leaf before adding my pale pink flower petals, in which I left the diecut pieces in place. I created three of these flowers and added to my panel, with a little stitched edge detailing. I love it when I discover another use for a die or punch - so much versatility!

Super Subtles - I recently shared a colour family poll over on my Facebook page where I asked my followers to vote for their favourite of the Stampin' Up! colour families. I'm a Brights girl myself, however Subtles won with an overwhelming majority so for everyone who voted - this card is for you! I chose to feature Soft Sea Foam and Petal Pink on my card, possibly two of the most subtle colours in my collection and must admit the soft colours and calming green make this a favoured colour combination of mine. 

Simple Thanks - I added a simple tone-on-tone stamped sentiment to the front of my card and used my Stamparatus so that I could get ink good coverage and a strong stamped image. I just love this gadget!

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.

 

Paper-Pieced Graceful Garden CAS Card

by Joanne James24. April 2019 21:00

I'm not sure how Monday turned into Wednesday, but sometimes that's just how it goes! So a quick share today with my second paper-pieced card that I originally made for our challenge over at The Paper Players this week: clean an simple paper piecing. I am totally 'on the fence' about this card - it didn't look as good as it did in my mind, so I ended up making another one for the challenge, but thought I'd share with you as I'd love to hear what you think. So here is my card:

This card used the retiring Graceful Garden stamp set and features a rose that I more often have coloured rather than paper-pieced, but I wondered what it would look like in some rose-patterned paper. I used one of the beautiful pink rose designs from the Petal Promenade pack for the flower and some Floral Romance paper for the stem. A little background stamped detail, a few artisan pearls and a sentiment finish my card. So what do you think - does it work? I really would welcome your thoughts on 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 evening and I'll hopefully 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.

The Clearance Rack Has Updated!

by Joanne James23. April 2019 09:00

What a great start to a Tuesday - I logged on this morning to find a surprise update to the Clearance Rack. There are now lots of new items available, some with as much as 60% off. As is always the case, popular items will sell out quickly, so don't spend too long deliberating - get in there quick! There are some great paper bargains, including many designer series papers, accessories, kits, framelits and even a few punches. 

Click here to go the clearance rack in my online store and grab a bargain whilst stocks last! Don't forget to include the current hostess code FRRF6WRW make sure that 'allow your demonstrator to contact you' is ticked in order that you receive your special 'thank you' in the post from me. 

Race you to the shop - first one there gets the bargains! Happy shopping! 

Hand Delivered Teacher Thank You Card For PP438

by Joanne James21. April 2019 09:00

 

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

       

Remember: this is clean and simple week. What do we mean by 'clean and simple' ? Create a card that has:

  • Minimal layers and embellishments
  • Plenty of open space, also known as 'white space'
  • Is simple and uncluttered

I struggled initially with Anne-Marie's challenge this week; I think not getting into my craft room all week hasn't helped! I had an idea for a card and then once I'd made it I really wasn't sure about it; I'll share that card tomorrow and would love you to come by and take a look and tell me what you think. Meanwhile, after a break and a change of stamp set, along with this week's CAS(E) This Sketch layout and the CAS Colours and Sketches colour palette, I created a second card and felt much happier about the whole thing! So here's that card:

 

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

Paper Piecing - Not to be confused with 'paper piercing', paper piecing is the technique of stamping an image and then stamping either the whole or partial image again on coloured or patterned paper and fussy cutting it to piece it together on the main base image. I used it for both the skirt that my teacher is wearing (Blueberry Bushel in-colour DSP) and the pile of books she is carrying (a mix of Wood Textures DSP and solid colour cardstock). This is a fun way to add pattern to areas of your stamped image and can be used with a wide variety of stamps - those with larger areas suitable for colouring, such as those in the Hand Delivered hostess set, are particularly good. 

Primary Brights - I love this colour combination; the trio of primary colours is very bright and also seemed appropriate for a teacher thankyou card. I added further interest to my books by using a couple of different scraps of Wood Textures DSP for additional subtle detail. 

A Teacher Thank You - The sentiments in the 'Hand Delivered' stamp set suggest that the pile of books is intended to make a graduate congratulations card, yet I think they are perfect for a teacher card too. There is a thank you sentiment in this set, but I opted to use the words from the 'Picked For You' set instead, so that I could use a teacher-specific greeting on my front banner (both of the banner elements come from the Lakeside framelits set) and continued this theme with the wording on the inside too:

This card is sure to brighten someone's teacher's day! Both of the James Juniors have male form tutors this year, but Ben has plenty of female subject teachers who are worthy of a little end-of-year gift, so I think it might be heading to one of those. Both of these stamp sets are so useful for teachers cards, and both are set to retire with the current annual catalogue so if they're on your wishlist make sure you put them in your shopping basket before it's too late.

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!

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 will be having an Easter egg hunt, followed by a roast for lunch and then an afternoon in the garden making the most of the wonderfully warm weather we have been blessed with the last couple of days - we need to make the most of it as I'm sure it won't last! Wishing you a pleasant Easter bank holiday weekend however you choose to spend it. 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.

Under The Mistletoe Plaid Merry Christmas Wishes

by Joanne James19. April 2019 15:00

Hi everyone! I've been recovering from Stampin' Up!'s Onstage event and making the most of the Easter vacation with the James Juniors this week, so crafting time has been non-existent and blogging opportunities even less so! Today though the sun is shining and I am spending a glorious afternoon in the garden, so thought I would take the opportunity to share with you a card that I actually made as a second one that I made for the challenge set by my fellow Paper Players teamie the lovely LeAnne last week to use plaid or check on your card. Here's my card:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

Christmas Plaid - Ok, so the irony of sharing a Christmas card on Good Friday isn't lost on me! However given that Stampin' Up!'s retiring lists were announced earlier this week (if you missed my post you can read all about it here) this is actually a great time to share this card as it showcases 2 products that are on that list and will be going away for good. The first of these is this fabulous plaid designer series paper that is from the 'Under the Mistletoe' pack. As is always the way, all of the designer series papers in the annual catalogue will be leaving us to make way for the new, so if you have a favourite then now is the time to stock up. If you're the type of person that 'does Christmas' all year round or likes to get ahead and work on Christmas projects during the summer months, then you should seriously consider stocking up on this paper as I can tell you that the new annual catalogue doesn't contain any festive Christmas-themed designer series paper designs, so it will be September before we have the new seasonal range on sale. You have been warned! 

Large Letters - The second retiring item on today's card are those fabulous Large Letter Framelits, which along with the co-ordinating 'Letters For You' stamp set are retiring with this catalogue. I know that the old has to make way for the new, but I will be so sad to see these go! They have been a staple in my craft collection and whilst they might leave the catalogue, they will always have a space in my die collection - they are SO useful! These will most definitely not be going into my retiring products BOGOF sale in July, so if you want a set, you need to order them now! 

A Festive Colour Combination - The paper really does do all the hard work on this card and sets the colours for each of the other elements with a can't-go-wrong festive colour combination. If this is a colour combination that appeals to you, feel free to save the image below for your future inspiration:

 

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 off for a James family gathering for dinner. 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.

Last Chance - The List of Retiring Products Has Been Announced!

by Joanne James15. April 2019 20:00

 

It's here - the list of products that will be retiring from this year's annual and Spring-Summer seasonal catalogues has been announced!

You can see and download the full list of items retiring from the current Spring-Summer catalogue by CLICKING HERE.

You can see and download the full list of items retiring from the current Annual catalogue by CLICKING HERE.

It's worth noting that there are some clear mount stamp sets that are included on the annual catalogue retiring list that are included because they are retiring in clear mount. They will still be available in the new annual catalogue, but in a new cling-mount version. Should you order one of these sets and stock of clear-mount sets already be depleted, you will be sent a new cling-mount version ahead of the new catalogue release, The affected stamp sets are as follows:

CARRY-OVER STAMP SETS NOW IN CLING:
Pop of Petals
Label Me Pretty
Special Celebrations
Itty Bitty Greetings
Botanical Bliss
This Little Piggy
Flourishing Phrases
Stitched All Around
Hold on to Hope
Heartland
Peaceful Place
Barn Door
Accented Blooms
Birthday Backgrounds
Perennial Birthday
Dashing Deer
Winter Woods
Kindness & Compassion
Dandelion Wishes
Healing Hugs
Sorry for Everything
Love You to Pieces
Tropical Chic
Bee Thankful
Animal Outing
Little Elephant
Beautiful You
Painted Glass
Little Twinkle
Beautiful Day
Magical Mermaid
First Frost
Rooted in Nature
Country Road
Lilypad Lake
Sea of Textures
Artisan Textures
Gallery Grunge
Bokeh Dots
Crafting Forever

Retiring products are only available WHILE STOCKS LAST, so if you've still items on your wish list from this year's annual or spring-summer seasonal catalogues, you need to check the retiring lists and if they're on it put an order in pronto! Don't forget to add this month's online hostess code: FRRF6WRW

Some of the things I will miss most that feature on this list include:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
 

I will do a further review tomorrow, however if you want to stock up on any of the retiring in-colour items and you haven't already done so, especially re-inkers, I would urge you to do that sooner rather than later as they are always the first things to sell out.

Click on the links below to take you directly to my online shop to purchase any of the 2017-19 in-colour items that are retiring:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

I will be putting in an order this evening at 8.30pm, so if you're a customer who lives local to me and would like to save postage, get your order to me by then and I will add it to mine. Alternatively hop online to get the latest on stock availability. There are no initial discounts on retiring items, however these may be introduced at a later date depending on stock levels. 

I hope to be back tomorrow with a creative post and an update on the retiring list; until then, happy shopping!

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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!

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