by Joanne James7. November 2013 20:31As promised, today's creative post features another of this month's class cards and also uses the Snow Day stamp set that I featured earlier in the week, but this time there's not a snowman in sight! Take a look at the card to see what I mean:

I cased the idea for this card from one made by Monica Gale (you can see her original card here), although mine looks quite different to hers I think with a much richer colour palette. The 'warm wishes' sentiment becomes a garland here, with the accessory pieces from this stamp set hanging from it; the only other thing that's needed is a fireplace!
I also did a reverse-coloured version of this card, with a seam binding ribbon bow:

Which one do you prefer? I'm favouring the clean lines of the first one, but like the second one too. Either way, it's always nice to be able to use one stamp set in a variety of different ways and I think this stamp set is more versatile than you might think at first glance. I have a few other ideas up my sleeve too, so check back for future posts on other ways you can use this fun set.
I have a jam-packed couple of days ahead, starting with the excitement tomorrow of a night out to hear Billy Joel in concert. I've always wanted to hear him sing live, so I'm very much looking forward to it. Before I go though, I will be back with the last of the Digital Scrapbooking Days 50% off offers and another creative post; until tomorrow, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
by Joanne James7. November 2013 10:17It's nearly the end of the Digital Downloads Offers week - we are at Day 7 already! Today's 50% off kit is the Autumn Traditions Kit:
Check out today's blog post at MyDigitalStudio.net to see how the designers have used this set to create Thanksgiving dinner invitations and a lovely autumnal scrapbook page. If this leaves you inspired enough to want to create your own items using this kit, just click on the image above and hop over to my online shop to download your copy today whilst there is 50% off.
Back later with today's creative post. Until then, happy (digital!) stampin'!
by Joanne James5. November 2013 22:19A quick creative post from me today - this is one of the cards we are making in this week's card classes, a one layer card using the Snow Day stamp set:

I love this cute snowman set and there are so many ways you can stamp him, but he's really great for a one layer card which is handy if you need to produce lots of cards in one go. Despite the fact that he's a snowman, I avoided using white on this card; my chosen colour combination was inspired by a recent challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary and I like the effect of the Soft Sky on Very Vanilla, with a little Smoky Slate and Raspberry Ripple for impact.
Check back next time for another card using this stamp set, that looks completely different. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
by Joanne James5. November 2013 21:37I've had a busy day today and have another tomorrow, so a couple of short and sweet posts from me today as I may not be able to squeeze in a post tomorrow before my next class this week. So, firstly, today's digital scrapbooking day 50% offer - today it's the turn of the Be Brave Pocket Cards:
There are a couple of very different layouts using this set over at MyDigitalStudio.net, so if you need some inspiration, pop over and take a look. Remember, the set is only available at half-price for today only, so click on the image and pop over to my online store if you would like to purchase it.
Back shortly with today's creative post!
by Joanne James4. November 2013 21:26Today's post features one of the cards that I'm making in my classes this week: it's a 3" x 4" notelet card, with co-ordinating DSP bespoke envelope made with the new Envelope Punch Board. This really is a great piece of kit and can be used for so much besides envelopes, but before we get ahead of ourselves I thought I would shoot a short video to show you just how easy it is to make a simple envelope to fit a card that isn't a 'standard' size.
So here is the card I made:

The card itself is very simple, with some festive washi tape and a small punched square, that has been embossed with the Stylish stripes TIEF and had a little Christmas tree punched out using one of the Merry Minis punch trio. Then a tiny button and twine bow to finish and a simple sentiment and done. The great thing is that with the new envelope punch board a co-ordinating envelope really can be created in minutes - just watch the video below to see how easy it is:
Isn't that great? The ladies at my class today couldn't believe just how easy it was to create a perfect envelope. It was a good job this was our last card of the class, otherwise I think they would have spent the whole afternoon making envelopes and not cards! The envelope board can be used for so much more though; watch out for more videos showing you how to get the most out of this great new tool.
I'm also linking today's card up with the colour challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary, where this week's challenge is to make a card using my featured colours:

If you would like to be inspired, pop over to their blog and see how other designers have used this colour combination in a variety of different ways. Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Merry Minis, Washi Tape, Stylish Stripes TIEF, Stampin' Up Supplies, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up, Shop online, Petite Pairs, video tutorial, Envelope Punch Board
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by Joanne James4. November 2013 20:01Today is Day 4 of Digital Scrapbooking Days Offer Week and today it's the turn of the Modern Medleys overlay kit for the 50% offer - here it is:
This is a set of papers that are available as 'traditional' DSP and come in a black/vanilla colourway, but don't forget as a digital download they can be recoloured so that you can create your own custom DSP if you like - check out today's post over at MyDigitalStudio.net to see what the designers have created using this staple set of background overlays.
Remember - 50% off for today only, so don't miss out - if you like the look of this paper set, click on the picture and pop over to my online store to download it today!
Back shortly with today's creative post - and a video for you too!
by Joanne James3. November 2013 16:36So, as promised, a creative post at last today! I've been busy this weekend preparing for next week's Christmas card classes, so I have lots to share with you this week, including a couple of videos. Today's card is another made with the circle thinlits card and I'm just in time to link up with this week's Merry Monday Challenge over at Always Playing With Paper, where this week's challenge is to make a Christmas card featuring Santa:

My very first thinlit card was using the 'Best of Christmas' santa, but today I thought I would go for something a little different and so am using the cute santa from the 'Colour Me Christmas' stamp set. Here's my card:

I used a bright red and white colour scheme and coloured my santa with my Stampin' Write markers to give a bold finish. I then cut out my stamped image using the scalloped circle framelit from the thinlit set, which I layered on an offset red scalloped circle for interest. I also used the mini-chevron framelit to create a border edge to my card and finished with a button and some ribbon, and added some Dazzling Diamonds to the trim on santa's hat and coat with the aid of my two-way glue pen just to give a little added sparkle. Well, it is a Christmas card after all!
I hope you like my card; do pop over to the Merry Monday page and see what the designers and other participants have come up with on this theme. Back tomorrow with a card and video for you, as well as a quick post with the digital deal of the day. I also have my first Christmas card class of the week tomorrow, which I'm very much looking forward to and a trip to the cash & carry in readiness for our school bonfire and fireworks display next weekend: a packed day in store, but with the children back at school tomorrow following their half-term break that will be one less thing to think about! Until tomorrow, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up Supplies Used:
by Joanne James3. November 2013 15:47There will be a creative post today, I promise, but firstly a quick post with today's digital download offer. Today is Day 3 of Digital Scrapbooking Days and for today only you can order the All Time Fave Photobook at 50% off. Here's a picture of some of the things in this great kit - if you'd like to buy it, just click on the image and it will take you directly to my online store.
Check back tomorrow for the next Digital Scrapbooking deal! Back in a bit with today's creative post.
by Joanne James2. November 2013 21:52Today is officially Digital Scrapbooking Day and today there are two ways to celebrate! Today's 50% off set is the Hello There Kit:
This is a really versatile set. If you would like to see some great projects made with this set, then go to today's post at MyDigitalStudio.net to see what some of the designers have created with this kit - and just for today you can purchase it by clicking on the image above for just £3.48. And if that wasn't enough, there is a TOTALLY FREE digital download kit available to everyone for one day only! Here it is - the Moments Ago stamp brush set:
This set of handwritten phrases would be great for cards and scrapbook projects alike and I can think of lots of uses for them. If you haven't already, go and download your copy - only a couple more hours to go! Don't forget to check back tomorrow for another set with 50% off - tomorrow it's the turn of the All Time Favourite Photobook template.
That's my digital post for today; back soon with another fun project, but until then, happy stampin'!
by Joanne James1. November 2013 20:38Tomorrow 2nd November is Digital Scrapbooking Day over at Mydigitalstudio.net, but Stampin' Up! is celebrating not just tomorrow but for eight days, starting today!

Every day from today until the 8th November, Stampin' Up! is offering a digital download at 50% off - here's the full list if you would like to check them out:
- 11/1 Amped Up Ampersands Kit
- 11/2 Hello There Kit + FREE Moments Ago Stamp Brush Set
- 11/3 All Time Fave Photobook Template
- 11/4 Modern Medley Overlays Kit
- 11/5 Be Brave Pocket Cards
- 11/6 Nobody’s Business Photobook Template
- 11/7 Autumn Traditions Kit
- 11/8 Afternoon Daydream Kit
I'll feature a link to each of the discounted sets via my blog every day, but remember - they are valid for one day only; don't delay in visiting my online store to purchase yours!
Here's the link to today's kit set, the 'Amped Up Ampersands' kit - so useful for both cards and scrapbooking:
If you'd like to see some great projects made using this set, hop on over to mydigitalstudio.net to see what the designers there have been creating. Pop back tomorrow when there will be a FREE download to celebrate Digital Scrapbooking Day, in addition to another 50% off deal.
Until then, happy stampin!