Colour Block Celebrate Sunflowers Thank You Card Trio CASC&S 427

by Joanne James6. July 2021 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. It's a new month and Holly is hosting and our first challenge is a colour challenge: 

      

These colours made me think of autumn so for my card today I pulled out an old favourite and set to work - take a look:

 

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

Celebrate Sunflowers - These colours really reminded me of sunflowers so I pulled my 'Celebrate Sunflowers' set from the shelf and set to work. I didn't want to have any leaves on my flower, so I decided to focus on the large image and stamp it in a neutral Early Espresso. I couldn't decide whether to go with white or a more natural Crumb Cake for my base, so I made one of each.  I love the detail on this large bloom and also added a partial stamp in Crushed Curry to decorate the inside of my card too: 

 

Colour Blocking - I used a technique called 'colour blocking' on my card today. I stamped the sunflower once onto cardstock in each of the three challenge colours, then using my rectangle stitched framelits I cut each image into three identical rectangles and then mixed the pieces to create three, pieced images using one piece of each of the three blocks of colour, hence the name. This is a great technique for clean and simple cards. 

Added Texture - Since I had three more pieces, I created a third card, this time using a Crumb Cake base and this time I added some dry embossing using my Tasteful Textile embossing folder to the base of my card - you can hopefully see the subtle added detail below:

 

Here's a photo of all three versions together - which one is your favourite?

I'm also linking my cards up over at Inspire.Create today where they are looking for thank you cards. I will be sending these cards out in the post to my Stampin' Up! customers - so if you'd like to receive one, head on over to my Stampin' Up! store by clicking on the links below!

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! color 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:

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

Flowers of Friendship Punched Floral Trio CCS425

by Joanne James22. June 2021 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Shannon has asked that we add three similar shapes to a panel across the centre of our card. Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

    

For my card today I decided to go pastel with pale blue and yellow which is the current colour challenge over at Less Is More and I created a pretty row of punched flowers backed with gingham - take a look:

 

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

The flowers on today's card are courtesy of the new 'Flowers of Friendship' stamp set. I stamped them in Basic Grey onto So Saffron cardstock and added a little extra tone-on-tone shading with my So Saffron Blends. I punched the two different-sized flowers with the co-ordinating Flowers & Leaves Punch and layered a row of three against a simple stitched rectangle of Balmy Blue gingham, finishing the centre of each with pale blue pearls. I added a sentiment from the same set to complete 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. 

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! color 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:

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

Sweet Strawberry Thank You Card FMS490

by Joanne James19. June 2021 20:37

Happy Saturday - it's the weekend! Today I'm sharing a card inspired by Jen B's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches:

I had the Sweet Strawberry bundle out on my desk, so thought I'd combine a little something old with something new for today's card - take a look:

 

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

Sweet Strawberries - I used the Sweet Strawberry stamp set and Strawberry Builder Punch as the focus for my card today, retaining Jen's circle and using it as a base for a couple of punched strawberries and leaves.  I also added a little additional decoration inside my card:

Something Old - My 'something old' is the Berry Blessings DSP that I used, that was one of the free gifts with Sale-A-Bration earlier this year. I used if for my card base and stitched rectangle, and also punched my strawberries from the paper. Don't you just love this bold red and green combo?

Something New - My 'something new' is the checked embossing folder I used on my white panel. This check reminds me of picnic baskets so I thought would work well with the summery strawberries! Not that there's much chance of a picnic here at the moment - our beautiful sunny weather has been replaced with torrential rain all day yesterday!

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 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.

Loose Flower Flourishes In Colour Gingham Card

by Joanne James14. June 2021 15:58

I've had a super busy day today but I managed to squeeze in a quick 30 minutes of crafting earlier to whip something up for Linda's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week and I've just time to quickly type this and link up under the wire:

    

I was intrigued by the wide open space and those small circles/dots and having spent best part of the last week mulling over my options this is what I eventually found time to make - take a look:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

 Whilst the sketch is a guide to be interpreted, I decided to 'stay small' with those dots and use them to showcase the pretty in colour Loose Flower Flourishes in the new catalogue. I paired them with some Fresh Freesia gingham from the Pansy Petals DSP pack and an oldie-but-goodie sentiment from 'Dressed to Impress', which I diecut with one of the new Scalloped Contours Dies and stamped in another of the new in-colours, Polished Pink. I also added a little ribbon behind and another pair of those flower embellishments - how pretty are they, right?! 

Since the front of my card was (relatively) understated, I went big with my sentiment on the inside and chose this one from 'Happiest of Birthdays':

This card was quite quick to put together, which was perfect since I was so strapped for time. It felt good to make just enough time to get it out of my head and onto paper - do you ever feel like 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. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project for this week's CAS Colours & Sketches challenge. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Dragonfly Garden Floating Frame Technique

by Joanne James24. May 2021 20:37

Happy Monday everyone! Today was class day so my day has been a busy one. I'm just popping in to share a couple of my class cards that I made using this week's Color Throwdown colours:

We were using the Dragonfly Garden stamp set and co-ordinating Dragonflies punch and one of the things I wanted to do today was to teach my class ladies how to create a card using the 'floating frame' technique. So this actually means I have two cards for you! Here's the first one: 

 

And here's the second one, featuring the outer frame element:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

Floating Frames - The floating frame technique is really easy to create with a few basic tools: some 'Press and Seal' food wrap or similar, a framelit - I used my Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies - and lots of dimensionals! You simply stamp and punch/diecut your images, lay them out, cover with Press and Seal, trim to frame size and cut out your central piece, before adhering dimensionals to the back of the diecut pieces and adhering to your chosen card base. Finally you remove the Press and Seal and your floating shapes remain in place. 

Dragonfly Garden - I used a combination of large punched dragonflies in the three challenge colours and interspersed them with smaller white ones to fill in the gaps. The dragonflies are a great shape and size for a floating frame as they are easily identifiable even when only partially visible:

 

Frame It - For the central portion, I added a rectangular border and heat-embossed sentiment:

Lastly, here's a photo of both cards together - which one do you prefer?

 

I think I like the one with the central detail and coloured frame best, but I like the other one too - it's a tough call!

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 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.

All About Polka Dots for PP541

by Joanne James16. May 2021 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 Anne Marie to host this week and she has a clean and simple challenge for you to work with:

       

This week's challenge is all about polka dots - how fun! Remember it's clean and simple week too, which means:

  • Minimal layers
  • Little to no embelllishments
  • Lots of clean, white space (no pattern)

I was considering my options as far as polka dots are concerned and actually made a couple of cards for you today: the first one uses the 'Lots of Hearts' bundle from the current mini catalogue - take a look:

 

These hearts are just perfect for today's challenge as they have both a stamped polka dot and a die that creates a heart shape from diecut polka dots. I paired these with an outline heart and used the sketch over at Inspired By this week for my layout, along with coral, peach and lemon yellow as my three neighbouring colours from the Color Dare challenge wheel (see badges above). With some polka dot DSP behind, there are lots of dots on my card, whilst still retaining a CAS feel:

 

I also added a few more inside, with a continuation of my sentiment in the corner to allow lots of space for uninterrupted writing:

 

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 did create a second card for today's challenge, using the sketch layout over at Fab Friday:

 

When I think 'polka dots', I immediately think Minnie Mouse (no apologies from this Disney fan!) so I couldn't resist another card with some punch art featuring the second most famous mouse of all time:

 

I went unashamedly pink with this card, using the Stitched with Whimsy dies to outline my rectangle and added a fussy cut sentiment from the 'Happiest of Birthdays' set to finish:

 

This is my favourite of the cards that I created this week - so simple, but super cute!

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; 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.

Timeless Tulips Artistry Blooms Ombre Easter Card AYSI 248

by Joanne James16. April 2021 13:00

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:

    

So many ways I could have gone with this one! I loved the row of brightly coloured tulips across the bottom of the current inspiration photo over at HandStampedSentiments and the bright green backgrounds on the two pictures above so I thought I would create another card full of spring blooms with this week's sketch - take a look:

 

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

Artistry Blooms - I saw this background on a card by Tami Hewlett recently (you can see Tami's card here) and I loved the effect so was keen to re-create it. I've played around with reverse ombre before, using the Sale-A-Bration Oh So Ombre papers but as today's card shows, the Artistry Blooms paper in the annual catalogue also has some great ombre patterns that you can have some fun with too. I've featured some of the other colour combinations from this pack previously, but this yellow through green piece is the perfect backdrop for some spring flowers I think. 

Timeless Tulips - I chose to feature brightly coloured spring tulips on my card; I simply stamped and punched a whole bunch of them, along with leaves, and built them up behind the cross panel, where I chose to feature my sentiment:

 

 I had a couple of leaves and tulips left over so I added those the the inside of my card too:

 

Magnolia Memory Border - Aside from adding a sprinkling of dew-like faceted gems and some gold sparklies too, the final detail on my card is the Magnolia Memory border die that I used along the base of my inner rectangle for added interest and detail.

I know this card has an Easter sentiment and this occasion has already passed this year, but it was the perfect fit for my rectangle and I figure it's one off my list for next year - you can never be too organised!

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 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.

I am busy with laundry and household chores today. With one of the James Juniors back to school following the recent break, I have only one at home. Unfortunately today he is definitely behaving like 'Kevin the Teenager' from that infamous Harry Enfield sketch: as I move from room to room, he grunts then slopes off in search of peace elsewhere - he is clearly not in helpful mood today! So back to it - 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.

Springtime Joy Welcome Spring Bunny Card

by Joanne James29. March 2021 11:30

Today I have another card to share that I made using Julee's Mojo Monday layout and those yummy pastels over at The Color Throwdown this week: 

    

I needed a few more Easter cards and those bunny-ear cakes definitely lend themselves to a cute Easter card  - take a look:

 

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

I used Highland Heather for my card base and gingham panel and used the sweet bunny from the 'Springtime Joy' stamp set as the focal point of my card, added some pretty colours to her flowers, then picked up the flower colour and detail in the horizontal border, by adding a trio of flowers made using the medium daisy punch. I finished each with some oversize retired sparkly gems and tucked in my 'Welcome Spring' sentiment that I stamped on an Everyday Label punched piece. I added another sentiment from the set to the inside of my card:

 

How sweet are those pretty colours? Gorgeous! I love the added sparkle from the gems 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. 

That really is it from me today! Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project for the new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches where it's the double this week! Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Ornate Garden Thank You Cards

by Joanne James29. March 2021 10:00

Today I'm sharing a couple of cards that I was meant to share on Saturday but having had a frustrating afternoon of creativity, ran out of time so thought I'd squeeze them in today! Jen Timko has a great sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week and I so wanted to play along:

I had been using one of the patterns in the Ornate Garden DSP pack, originally for my Paper Players card, although I ended up not really liking the end result so made a different one (in case you're getting confused, having already read yesterday's post!) Part of the problem was that these papers have such bold, bright colours that they really don't lend themselves to anything too layered and fussy in my view, so I decided to use them instead with Jen's sketch to make a couple of thank you cards with an altogether more clean and simple look. I made a couple of cards - here's the first one:

 

This one is my favourite with the daisy-only pattern, but I also made a second one using another of the busy floral papers in the pack:

 

On both I kept the sentiments simple, layering a couple of offset thanks diecuts from the retiring Well-Written Dies onto a stitched rectangle, with a border using the already out-of-stock retiring Ornate Borders die. So here's both of them together - do you have a preference?

 

I'm not sure I will ever love these papers, however I was pleased with these cards - more than the one I started out with, for sure!

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 shortly with another couple of posts - including another one using Jen's fabulous sketch! Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Arrange A Wreath Easter Card PP534

by Joanne James28. March 2021 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 Anne Marie to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for you to work with:

    

I got myself into something of a tizzy with this week's sketch and ended up making two cards - this one is for sure my favourite! I loved the inspiration photo over at Just Add Ink this week and thought an Easter wreath would be perfect for the shape in Anne Marie's sketch - take a look:

 

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

Arrange A Wreath - The Arrange A Wreath bundle is perfect for an Easter wreath and this is the only type of wreath I think I've yet to make with this versatile set! I layered two pale green leaf wreath diecuts, then stamped a variety of rainbow-coloured Easter eggs and nestled them in between the leaves, mixing and matching the patterns:

Pink Patterns - I decided to use a pink background for my wreath, again inspired by the JAI photo. I used a piece of Hydrangea Hill DSP in a soft Rococo Rose pattern. I wanted my vertical panels to co-ordinate but not be too busy, as I didn't want them to detract from the detail of my wreath, so I used some of last year's retired in-colour DSP in a gingham pattern.

Going, Going ... - Today's card features so many of my favourite things that will be retiring with the annual catalogue: The Arrange A Wreath stamp set and Wreath Builder Dies, the in-colour Rococo Rose in all its forms, and my favourite embossing folder, the Subtle 3D Embossing Folder. If these items are still on your wish list, you should snap them up now whilst you still can! You can find links to them in the online store below.

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; if you're in the UK, did you remember to put your clocks back? Whilst we lose an hour, the additional hours of sunlight are always welcome - British Summer Time is here at last! I am planning on pottering in the garden today and may have to start eating the Easter eggs that are accumulating in the James household - I know Easter isn't until next weekend, but the temptation is proving too much! 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.

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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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