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 fabulous bright colour challenge for us to work with:

Bright colours may not be considered traditional for a Christmas card, but I am on a roll and so that is my starting point for everything currently! I decided the best way to highlight each of these was to balance it with lots of white and a touch of festive silver - take a look:

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

I've chosen to feature the ice skates and wreath from the Sophisticated Sled bundle - one of my favourite Online Exclusives bundle for the festive season. I love both the sled and the ice skates in this set - both items that I've never owned in my craft collection previously. I've used the sled on a couple of cards previously (you can see those cards here and here) but for today's card I wanted to feature the ice skates.

These skates are so cute; they have separate diecuts for the blades and boots and a neat slit into which you can insert the separate diecut laces - so clever. I decided to add four pairs of skates, each with a different coloured pair of laces. In order to accommodate 4 pairs, I decided to use a slimline design. I created a mat layer comprising a panel of each of the 4 colours, then added a white panel embossed with the Snowflake Sky embossing folder (you can see this detail more clearly on the photo below). Whilst this is a narrow embossing folder, it's easy to emboss one half of the panel then move the cardstock along and emboss the other half to achieve a continuous background.

I hung each pair of skates from a silver-on-white heat-embossed wreath, decorated with clear basic rhinestones for a little added sparkle. I finished each wreath with a large co-ordinating bow (this is from the retired Pierced Blooms Dies). You can see the detail of the individual elements that make up the wreath and skates in the close-up below:

I added a simple sentiment, also from the 'Sophisticated Sled' stamp set to the bottom corner of my card base, to complete my card. The diecutting on this card took a little while, but I love the finished card - it was worth 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 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; I'll be spending mine attending more of the virtual #Stampin' Up! Backstage@Home2024 event - a training event for leaders with lots to be learned. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

SOPHISTICATED SLED BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (50.25)	SNOWFLAKE SKY 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (10.25)	RHINESTONE BASIC JEWELS (5.75)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)	METALLICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)
SILVER 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) FOIL SHEETS (4.75)	GORGEOUS GRAPE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	PUMPKIN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	MELON MAMBO A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a seasonal theme challenge chosen by Heather H:

I had limited options this week as I don't have much current product featuring seeds or acorns, but this actually made the challenge easy as there was only one way to go - take a look:

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

The Iconic Celebrations designer series paper has patterns suitable for lots of different occasions and fortunately it has a lovely repeating acorn pattern. I paired a panel of it with a couple of labels cut using the Iconic Imagery Dies and paired it with a sentiment from the co-ordinating stamp set, along with a couple of stamped and diecut leaves and some twine for a little extra embellishment: 

I used Basic Beige for my base and main label - I think it gives a nice natural tone when paired with Mossy Meadow and Pecan Pie - what do you think? The perfect seasonal card to let someone know how thankful you are for all they do. 

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.
• 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.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

ICONIC CELEBRATIONS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	ICONIC IMAGERY BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (36.75)	MOSSY MEADOW A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	MOSSY MEADOW CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	PECAN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	BASIC BEIGE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)
VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)	BASICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	LINEN THREAD (4.75)

Today I'm sharing a card that uses the layout over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown that was inspired by the pink snowflakes in the top right corner of the Hand Stamped Sentiments inspiration photo:

It's big on layering too so I'm also linking up over at Inkspirational where that's the current theme. So let's take a look at what I made:

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

Today's card is a celebration of some old favourites - with just a sprinkling of something new! The starting point for my card today was the strip of retired Whimsy and Wonder pink and white snowflake-patterned designer series paper. I don't mind admitting I hoarded a stash of this oh-so-pretty paper that makes for a beautifully feminine seasonal card. I paired it with a layered base in retired Blushing Bride and Basic White, paired with a multi-layered diecut snowflake, made from a retired shiny snowflake and layered stitched diecut snowflakes, finished with a large centre gem. I added a tied snowflake trinket too and the 'new' is a sprinkling of the white loose snowflakes from the current mini catalogue; these are great for a shaker card but also work as a chunky embellishment too. Check out those layers:

A silver heat-embossed sentiment from another old favourite, the 'Snow is Glistening' stamp set, completes my card. I do love a non-traditional colour scheme for a Christmas card; this one would also be lovely for someone celebrating a birthday at this time of year too. A total of 8 layers, yet still clean and uncluttered - just how I like 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 day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

WHITE LOOSE SNOWFLAKES (7.50)

RHINESTONE BASIC JEWELS (5.75)

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:

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

GARDEN GREEN CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

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:

SHY SHAMROCK A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

SHADED SPRUCE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

SHADED SPRUCE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

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:

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)

GARDEN GREEN A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (7.50)

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:

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

LEAF FALL 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (10.25)	OXIDIZED COPPER 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (7.50)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)	METALLICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	PRETTY PEACOCK A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)
PECAN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

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:

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)	JOYFUL SAYINGS MIX & MATCH EPHEMERA PACK (ENGLISH) (9.00)	GREETINGS OF THE SEASON PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)
METALLICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	ADHESIVE-BACKED METALLIC GEMS (8.50)

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:

HUMBLE HOME BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (37.75)

COUNTRY WOODS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)

SPOTLIGHT ON NATURE DIES (33.00)

EARLY ESPRESSO A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

NIGHT OF NAVY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

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:

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)	JOYFUL SAYINGS MIX & MATCH EPHEMERA PACK (ENGLISH) (9.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	NIGHT OF NAVY A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	ADHESIVE-BACKED METALLIC GEMS (8.50)
FULL OF LIFE 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	FRIENDS FOR LIFE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (7.50)