If you're local to Northampton, you will probably have heard about the Northampton Clown - he has been big news here in the last week or so, even reaching the dizzy heights of the national press. He's been trending on Twitter, has his own hashtag and social media page - and he is the inspiration for this birthday card that I made for my Dad, who celebrates his birthday today:

I've had the idea of an abstract face with a moustache ever since I bought my Petite Curly Label Punch and decided to create a clown face, complete with red nose, specs and candy-dot topped party hat. This little trio bear absolutely no resemblance to the Northampton Clown, but were fun to create nonetheless!

Here's a close-up of one of them, showing the piercing I used to give the face shape:

Back tomorrow with the card I made for Grampa from James Juniors; until then many happy returns of the day Dad and to everyone else, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Having just heard the Royal baby news, I really should be blogging a baby boy card today, but since I don't have one of those prepared I'm sharing a leaving card instead!

This card was a commission for someone who needed a leaving card for a colleague. The person in question is known for her keen sense of style and for always having a bag, jewellery and accessories to co-ordinate with any outfit, even her flipflops match; she is also known for her love of animal prints. With this in mind, I set about creating a card that would reflect her personality and one of the things her colleagues love and would miss most about her. This is what I came up with:

A tic-tac-toe of shoes, handbags and jewellery, ready to mix and match. Here's a close up of the flipflops (I made a template by hand for these) - aren't they just the cutest?

The handbags were made using either a3/4" circle the vest from the owl punch, or in the case of the one below the cupcake builder punch and the petite curly label punch:

I used Basic Black and More Mustard as my base colours and created a custom sentiment. If you're looking at the sentiment panel and thinking it's the right shape but the wrong size for the Decorative Label Punch, you would be right; I created a custom label using My Digital Studio (MDS) and printed it out on my computer. You may have noticed the advert for MDS on the back cover of the new annual catalogue; as demonstrators we are getting early access to this new software and I'm really enjoying playing with it. I'll have more to share in the coming months, but for now it was the ideal solution to finding just the right words to finish off my card.

Back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, More Mustard (retired), Animal Print Papers - from my craft box (non SU)

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Basic Black

Tools: 1" Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch (retired), Owl Builder Punch, Petite Curly label Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch

Finishing Touches: Mini Brads, Basics Rhinestones

Another big news day today - although this is more of a personal milestone for me: I have filmed my first online video tutorial!! Videos are useful for sharing all kinds of tips and techniques and I'm hopeful this will be the first of many.

I decided my first video would be a 'basics' introduction to stamps and in particular how to mount your wood and clear mount stamps, along with some tips and hints to get the best results from clear mount stamps. Whilst this may seem obvious to a seasoned stamper, I've spoken to a few people recently who are new to stamping and this is something that they would definitely have benefited from. So ladies, this is for you!

It also features a quick notecard made using the Petite Curly Label Punch; this punch, previously a Sale-A-Bration item, is now available to purchase in the main catalogue until June 30th. Along with either the Pretty Petites Sale-A-Bration stamp set or the Ciao, Baby! stamp set featured in the Spring-Summer seasonal catalogue, this punch is great for layering with the larger label punch or using on its own to create super quick cards. 

So, here is the link to my video, which is hosted on my YouTube video channel:

Here is a picture of a thank you card I made recently to pop in with a customer order, using the same punch:

This kind of punch is great if you've got lots of cards to make or just want to add some detail to a 3" square.

Do leave me a comment to let me know what you think of my first video; if there's anything else you would like to see a video tutorial on, then do let me know.

Back tomorrow with more stamping delights - until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Ciao, Baby!, Pretty Petites (Sale-A-Bration - retired)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Sycamore Street DSP (Sale-A-Bration - retired)

Inks: Island Indigo, Melon Mambo

Tools: Petite Curly Label Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch

Another Valentine's Day card today - well, only one more day to go!

I was playing about with my new Petite Curly Label punch and the Pretty Petites (just one of the stamp sets available free if you spend £45 or more during Sale-A-Bration 2013) and Ciao Baby! stamp sets that fit it perfectly and thought how the little punched shapes would make cute love letters ... if only I could find some super-small envelopes! So, some quality time with my Simply Scored Scoreboard later, and done - 4 envelopes that are the perfect size for the punched love tokens.

A set of 4 makes a great card; you could even write a mini note on the blank one and hide inside for your loved one to find.

I finished off with a 'love' stamp coloured with a real red marker and blender pen; this stamp is from the retired set 'Outlined Occasions' but it just finished this card off nicely.

I hope this leaves you inspired to create - until next time, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Pretty Petites, Ciao, Baby!, Outlined Occasions (retired)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red

Inks & Stampin' Write Markers: Real Red

Tools: Petite Curly Label Punch, Blender Pen, Simply Scored

A quick post from me today as I've been busy preparing for a forthcoming wedding fair. Another card with Valentine's in mind: this time, using the 'together' stamp from the 'Happy You' hostess set in the main catalogue: 

I've used a front fold overlapping design in vanilla for a change, with the stamp coloured with markers and a blender pen and showing through a punched circle. I've used a lovely piece of More Amore designer paper on the right for contrast and a punched Pretty Petites label to hold the card closed.

That's all for today. Join me tomorrow for a 3D project - meanwhile, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Happy You, Pretty Petites

Paper: Very Vanilla, More Amore (DSP)

Ink: Real Red; Stampin' Write Markers: Real Red, Primrose Petals

Tools: Blender Pen, Petite Curly Label Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch

As promised, I have lots more Sale-A-Bration to share with you: today, a trio of cards featuring the other flower stamp in the Madison Avenue stamp set, along with some beautiful co-ordinating papers.

Two of the cards also highlight one of the new Pretty Petites stamps, effortlessly puched out with the new Petite Curly Punch. The Pool Party and Tangerine Tango ribbons and the button are also from the Sycamore Street Ribbons and Buttons Pack - and did you notice the embossing on the third card? This is courtesy of the new Vine Street Embossing Folder; I love the subtle texture - it gives the card an 'extra' dimension.

So, 6 new products - and you could have any of them free for every £45 spent during the Sale-A-Bration promotion. Sale-A-Bration runs until 22nd March, so who knows - if you start now, maybe you could collect them all?!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Madison Avenue, Pretty Petites

Paper: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Sycamore Street (DSP)

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit, Tangerine Tango

Tools: Vine Street Embossing Folder, Petite Curly Label Punch, Circles Die, Scallop Border Punch

Finishing Touches: Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack