Dainty Delights For A White Wedding

by Joanne James31. January 2023 11:14

Today I'm squeaking in another entry for the challenge over at Time Out that was also inspired by the current AAA Cards Challenge of white on white and this week's Global Design Project #GDP379 theme of Love:

       

I love that Beth Pearson quote on the Time Out badge and it got me thinking about love in the context of weddings - the time when everyone should feel this way about the person they are standing in front of, right? I love the purity of white for a wedding card so couldn't resist the opportunity to create a clean and simple wedding card featuring a little of 'something old, something new' take a look:

 

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

All About Texture - When working with white-on-white, it's good to think about layers and texture to create interest. For a clean and simple card, there's a need to create interest without overwhelm and still preserve unpatterned 'white space'. The new Dainty Delight Dies are perfect for adding a delicate touch; each of the skinny flowers and stems has a subtle embossed detail that is perfect for clean and simple cards. I created a bough of flowers and greenery, and tucked it under my diecut sentiment and allowed it to flow freely across the front of my card. 

Forever and Always - I used a sentiment from the retired 'Forever and Always' bundle, heat-embossing the words 'Forever &' in silver and then adding the large diecut 'Always' as the main focus of my card. I do love a good sentiment diecut and can honestly say I will never part with my 'Always' dies. 

A Standout Cut - I adhered my thick white cardstock to a foam adhesive sheet before cutting out the word 'Always' as I wanted to create a little height another way to add interest to an all-white, clean and simple white-on-white card:

 

I really love this card - all I need now is the good news that anyone I now is getting married so that I have the opportunity to send 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:

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

Always in My Heart Ombre Stripe Anniversary Card

by Joanne James14. February 2021 11:00

Today I'm sharing another card using that oh-so-pretty floral die, this time using this week's Global Design Project #GDP278 sketch. Those pretty pink stripes and florals were also inspired by the pastel-striped biscuits in the good-enough-to-eat inspiration photo over at Time Out this week and I'm also having a second entry over at Addicted to CAS where the theme is hearts:

       

My card is all heart for sure with my white floral version - take a look:

 

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

I used a few narrow strips cut from some left over pieces of Oh So Ombre DSP (gotta love a Sale-A-Bration freebie!) I decided to make this card a clean and simple anniversary card, so added a silver heat-embossed sentiment to the banner that also comes in the Floral Heart Dies set. I've not used this before but I really like the way it folds and the stitched detailing. A sprinking of Rococco Rose sequins separated from my Woven Threads sequin assortment complete my card:

 

 I love the clean and delicate appearance of this card, with the soft pinks against the white. Very romantic, don't you think?!

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.

Foiled Floral Hearts For AYSI 242

by Joanne James22. January 2021 13:00

Friday already? Where did that week go?! 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:

       

I need to warn you up front - this is a photo-heavy post with lots to look at! I took the sketch quite literally and decided to use that layered shape to make another card using my Floral Hearts Dies. Here's the card I made - take a look:

 

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

Photographing Foil - I couldn't resist another of those fabulous foil floral hearts, so decided to go with Rococco Rose foil again and a Rococco Rose/White colour scheme. I addition to my heart, I layered a cluster of layered flowers and leaves to the right of my heart. Foil is super tricky to photograph though, whether in natural or artificial light, because of it's reflective qualities. Here's another shot below - I just can't explain how beautiful this foil is in real life:

 

Reverse Ombre Kaleidescope Heart - I had seen a sunburst-type technique using the Oh So Ombre paper (yours free with a £45 purchase during Sale-A-Bration before the end of 28 February) and decided that with the floral cluster on the right of the heart, this would provide the perfect anchor for a similar effect on the centre of my heart. This technique is really easy to achieve: You need to cut two identical shapes, in my case hearts, but with the ombre design of the paper reversed each time, i.e. the first one needs to go light to dark from left to right, and the the second one needs to go dark to light from left to right. You then cut them identically into sections, and switch out alternating pieces before piecing back together. I used the very pale side of the paper for my heart, and I just love the subtle effect. You can see it more closely below:

 

Even More Foil - I loved this card so much, I decided to make another using Very Vanilla and Blushing Bride, this time using the Love You Always Specialty Foil Papers for the centre of my heart:

 

 Both cards feature the same sentiment and the first one is decorated with the edge of some linen scalloped ribbon, whilst this one has a tab of the pretty metallic Blushing Bride ribbon that features in the suite - check out those specialty foils below:

 

So, so pretty! I also remembered to take a picture of the inside of this one - I finished it with a sentiment from the Bloom & Grow stamp set:

 

I'm linking the first of today's cards up over at Global Design Project #GDP275 for their Love theme this week, and the second one over at SUO Challenges where they too are celebrating with a Love theme for their current challenge.

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

 

 And the second one:

 

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 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. I have a day of household chores today, but will be rewarded with dinner being cooked for me today - young Master James has his practical Food & Nutrition lesson today and is cooking rissotto, so we are delaying the 'lesson' until dinner so that we can enjoy the fruits of his labour fresh from the stove. I'm looking forward to it already! 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.

True Love Black and White Floral Friendship Card

by Joanne James21. January 2021 09:00

Today I'm squeaking in a card for the current challenge over at CAS(E) THis Sketch that also uses a trio of colours over at Color Dare too:

       

I was intrigued by this sketch and as I sat at my desk and looked out onto yet another grey and rainy day, I wanted to work with some bright colours that reminded me of spring - here's my card:

 

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

I used some of the black and white True Love designer series paper for my background and took some of the flowers from another sheet, fussy cut them and coloured them with my Old Olive, Daffodil Delight and light Pumpkin Pie Blends and used them to sit either side of my diagonal sentiment strip. I actually used some of the flowers from the edge of the paper that were incomplete, as they are really useful to sit either side of a border line. For the bottom flower, I cut into the paper and placed it partially under and partially onto my sentiment strip; you can see that here:

My sentiment is taken from the 'Always in my Heart' stamp set - perfect for a card to celebrate friendship or a birthday and a great example of how this set goes beyond valentine's, weddings or anniversary. A trio of matte black enamel dots finished my 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. 

Enjoy your day; finally the sun is shining here - it's amazing what some sunshine does to lift your mood. Well, that and restoration of the internet of course - hurrah! 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.
 

Red and White Heart Hello For TTT96

by Joanne James14. January 2021 17:00

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

 

Lots of love-related elements on this week's board, but you are by no means restricted to creating a Valentines/wedding/anniversary card - this is your opportunity to get creative! I couldn't resist another card using my Floral Heart Dies and the sentiment that made me buy the accompanying stamp set - take a look:

 

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

You Had Me At Hello - Any of my regular readers will know that the sentiment that features on the central heart that features on today's card is a line from one of my most favourite movies of all time - Jerry Maguire. If you'd like to read the back story to this, check out this previous post where I explained all. The Floral Hearts Dies were definitely on my wish list, but it was this stamp that sold me on the bundle. What can I say - I am an old romantic at heart!

Hearts and Flowers - Having stamped my sentiment in Real Red so that the wording would appear in white (I definitely recommend using your Stamparatus for this to give good, solid ink coverage), I decided to border it with the main die from the Floral Hearts Dies in white. This card is unashamedly made with Valentines in mind, with its red and white colour combination and showy red satin ribbon and bow detail, but sometimes it just has to be done!

And More Hearts - The background designer paper is now retired, but there is a similar design in the Snail Mail pack or you could even stamp a similar design with the tiny heart stamps in the Always in my Heart stamp set. I also added a trio of bright red resin hearts to my card to finish; these are actually from the Snail Mail Suite, but work perfectly for a Valentine's card and blend easily with other sets 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. 

I might keep this card for the DH, as he would certainly appreciate the sentiment, if not the fancy heart and showy bow. We don't generally send each other Valentine's cards since we got married, as our wedding anniversary is the following week, but it sometimes serves as a useful reminder to him to get a card for the following week - it is fair to say Mr James is not known for either remembering or celebrating memorable dates without a little help, much preferring spontaneous romantic gestures. Unexpected flowers are always lovely though, so I'm not complaining!

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'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.

Always In My Heart Foiled Heart Anniversary Card PP522

by Joanne James3. January 2021 09:00

Today it's Sunday and time for the first challenge of the new year over at The Paper Players! We have a new trio of guest designers to welcome - hello to Debbie, Amanda and Nancy, and it's the turn of the fabulous LeAnne to host this week and she the perfect theme challenge for you to work with:

    

Something new - what a great theme to get our craft on into the new year! I have so many lovely new things that can't wait to share with you - I was truly spoilt for choice! I decided to use the current layout over at The Spot and use new papers, foils dies and stamps on today's card  - take a look:

 

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

Floral Heart Centrepiece - Today's card features a number of new items from the Love You Always suite, which includes two stamp set and die bundles. On today's card I used the fancy floral heart as my centrepiece, cut from Rococco Rose foil to compliment the foiled specialty paper that I used for my panel piece and decorated it with some additional flowers and foliage cut from other dies in the set. Isn't it just so pretty?!

Love You Always Foils - There are both solid foils and specialty foiled paper in the suite. It's always difficult to show foil to full effect on a photograph, so you'll have to take my word for it how beautiful and shiny it is! Here's another view that hopefully captures some of it for you:

Always In My Heart - The Floral Heart Dies alone are fabulous, but it also had a lovely stamp set too. I decided to go with a white heart for the front of my card, stamped in Merry Merlot (I think this red compliments Rococco Rose beautifully) given that I had used Merry Merlot for my card base and finished with a little extra stamping on the inside of my card:

 

It is my wedding anniversary in February, so I might save this one and use it for my dear hubby - if that's not too organised of me! So what do you think? Is the 'Love You Always' Suite one you can see yourself falling in love with? Do leave me a comment below - I will be sharing more projects using new products from this suite in the coming weeks.

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. No links to the online store today as these products are not available to purchase until 5th January; only another couple of days to wait though!

Enjoy your day; we will be taking our Christmas decorations down today as Jason is back to work tomorrow and this is definitely a two-person job. The Juniors have another week of Christmas vacation but if they had their way, we would have Christmas decorations up until April, so they can't be relied upon to help in a constructive way so it's not a job that can be left until Twelfth Night!! 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.

Current Promotions

Stampin Cut and Emboss

Save up to 30% off on all your favourite kits from 1 to 31 October! 

Click here to see the current kits available and order yours online today.

Join My Team

It's always a great time to join Stampin’ Up! During October you can get even more in your starter kit! New team members can get £160 worth of products for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up! Stampin' Up! has something for everyone: join my growing team and benefit from my support to enjoy Stampin' Up! however you choose.

If you're interested, call me for a chat to understand how I can help you realise your goals. Alternatively, if you have already decided to sign up and you just can't wait, please click here for the link to the online form where you can sign up and order your starter kit right away! 

Shop Online

Access my online shop 24 x 7, 365 days of the year:

Current October hostess code:

9NKXDTTR

Shop Online

Scrapbooking

Stampin' Up! has introduced a new range of 12x12" scrapbooking product and kit - the full range is now available to purchase online. To download a copy of the new digital Scrapbooking Catalogue click here.

Mini Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

'Tis The Season - the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue is here! For more details and to download your copy click here

2024-25 Annual Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

Click on the image to download your copy of the 2024-25 annual catalogue. For a full list of current SU! supplies, go to my online store. If you would like any help or advice, please drop me a line at joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 421446 - I'd be happy to help.

Latest Kits!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The Christmas Ornaments Kit and Card Keeper Kit are the latest kits in the online store - get yours here!

New Online Exclusives

There are new products available exclusively in the online store from 5 November - check them out here.

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!

Follow Me

Monthly Newsletter

Box Builder

Click the button above to use Box Buster to create your custom box design using the Envelope Punch Board!

Kits Collection Now Available!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The new Kits Collection from Stampin' Up! is now available!

Click here to see the current kits available and order yours online today.

I Design For

 

 

 

Stampin' Up Stuff

This is my personal blog and is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up! I hope you find it a plentiful source of ideas and personal inspiration but please don't copy my designs for contest submission or use for classes, publication or sale without express permission.