by Joanne James7. September 2017 20:30Good evening lovely readers! I was tempted to share a Christmas card today but as it's my birthday I thought a birthday card was in order. Not one to me though - instead one that I made for Ben from Rebecca for his birthday recently - another masculine card to fit with the theme over at the Global Design Project this week which also happens to use this week's Color Throwdown colour palette too:
I decided to make another slightly larger card than usual as I wanted to be able to personalise it - take a look:
Here's the lowdown on today's card:
Recipe For Success - Every time I make a card with someone in particular in mind, I try to choose something personal or meaningful to that individual; after all, that has to be the biggest benefit of crafting your own. That is no more so than when it's a card for your nearest and dearest, and Rebecca was clear this card needed some key things: the number 10, the word 'brother', some form of birthday greeting and both a football and the colour red - the colour of Ben's beloved Manchester United football team. Armed with such clear requirements, it made the job of designing this card super easy.
Numbers and Letters - I used both my large letters and numbers today. My letters were stamped using 'Letters For You' again like yesterday's card and cut out with the Large Letters Framelits. I used my numbers to create a tone-on-tone repeating background pattern of the number 10; a good way to include it without having it front and centre. I also used the banner die from the Large Numbers Framelits for my happy birthday banner.
Retro Rubber - I substituted the 'O' in 'BROTHER' with a football, courtesy of a little 'retro rubber' from the long-retired stamp set, 'Great Sport'. I'm so glad I held on to this set - I have used the football and basketball in this set sooo many times!! A true blast from the past - so one for a link up with SUO Challenges too this week as this is their theme, how appropriate!
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.
What kinds of stamps have you held on to and would never part with? Do leave me a comment below - Id love to know!
I hope you enjoyed today's post; I'll be back tomorrow with another project - definitely for Christmas and with a little more retro rubber thrown in! Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: masculine cards, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Shop online, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Number of Years, Letters For You, Large Letters Framelits, circle punch, Great Sport, Large Numbers Framelits, Sunshine Sayings
by Joanne James6. September 2017 20:25Good evening lovely readers! So today was the day that saw my precious James Juniors return to school - I got lots of work done, but boy was the house quiet! So we are about to return to our school routines and something close to normal working will resume. I've been busy making lots of Christmas samples in readiness for my open house on Friday however September is also a big birthday month for us, with several family members and friends celebrating birthdays (my good self included!) So today I'm sharing a card that I made for my Dad's birthday that fits perfectly with the theme over at the Global Design Project this week:
I decided to make a slightly larger card than usual as I wanted to be able to personalise it - take a look:
I decided to use the High Tide stamp set for my card - such a great set for masculine cards and one that you can use to make quite colourful masculine cards (they don't always have to be brown :-) ) I stamped my beach scene off to the left as I wanted it to act as something of a background for my sentiment, then paired the Happy Birthday from the 'Butterfly Basics' stamp set with my stamped and diecut 'DAD' - you know how much I love these letters and co-ordinating framelits! I'm not generally one for frills, especially on a masculine card, so pretty ribbon was a no-no for me, however I did add some burlap beneath my diecut letters for a little extra touch - I think it fits nicely with the beachy theme too.
If you like the High Tide set and live local to me, you might like to know that this is the set we will be using in one of my October Monthly Technique Classes - get in touch if you would like more information.
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.
I hope you enjoyed today's quick post; I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: High Tide, Large Letters Framelits, Letters For You, masculine cards, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Shop online, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Classes
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by Joanne James1. September 2017 05:00Happy 1st September everyone! Yes, this day has finally arrived! The new Autumn-Winter Seasonal Catalogue is here - you can download an electronic copy by clicking on the image below:
Physical catalogues have gone out in the post to my existing customers and anyone else who requested a copy; there will of course be a permanent link to the catalogue in the box on the right side of my blog page until 2nd January 2018 when the sales period ends. I've already shared a few sneak peeks and there is so much more to come! For today, put your feet up and browse the new catalogue in all its glory.
And there's more good news! Between now and the end of October, we have a fabulous promotion too - host a party with qualifying sales and you can earn the Merry Patterns stamp set for FREE in addition to your standard Stampin' Rewards that you will receive. Check it out here:
The Merry Patterns Stamp Set is a two-step stamp set exclusive to this promotion and, with its candles, holly, jolly deer and classic sentiments, reflects all the cosiness and warmth you associate with the season. As a party host you will get this set for free if your party sales reach the qualifying amount of £250. So why not gather some friends, get creative and earn rewards and a free stamp set into the bargain! I have both daytime and evening party slots available - either call me on 07773 421446 or email me via [email protected] to book yours.
The lovely people at Stampin' Up!'s home office have also produced a short video that shows the Merry Patterns stamp set in action along with some great samples - check it out:
Isn't that great?! Lots of creative possibilities for sure with this set.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or queries. Don't forget to use this month's current hostess code KJ9FSDMS if you are placing an order online to receive an extra thank you from me. Back soon with more creative inspiration for you. Until then, happy browsing and get writing that wish list!
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by Joanne James30. August 2017 05:00The Bank Holiday is over and we are back to normality. I'm sharing another card from my recent technique class featuring the Colorful Seasons stamp set using the baby wipe technique, this time with a winter theme - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Triple Stamping Technique - Today's card uses the same babywipe reinker technique that I shared with you yesterday, this time using the snowflake outline images and also incorporates another fun technique: triple stamping. This is where you stamp over several layers to create a dimensional image, or alternatively stamp over a single layer then cut your sheet into a central piece with two surrounding frames using your trimmer. Each stamped section is then layered with a solid coloured mat in between to add dimension to the image.
Seasonal Layers Snowflake - The co-ordinating Seasonal Layers Thinlits have a number of fun dies and today's card features one of the snowflakes, so incredibly detailed - check it out in the close up at the start of today's post. It makes a great focal point, this time with a glitter enamel dot as its centrepiece.
A Frosty Colour Combo - Today's colour combination is all about frosty, cold wintry days - here it is for you if you'd like to save it to use on your winter and Christmas projects:
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 from my class that also uses the baby wipe reinker technique. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Seasonal Layers Thinlits, Colorful Seasons, Babywipe Technique, Classes, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Triple Stamping, Christmas Pines, Christmas
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by Joanne James28. August 2017 05:00Today it's a Bank Holiday Monday here in the weekend and for once it looks as if the sun is going to shine - woohoo! I'm sharing a card from my recent technique class featuring the Colorful Seasons stamp set using a fun technique - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Baby Wipe Technique - The Colorful Seasons stamp set has a great selection of solid and outline stamp images that work well with the babywipe reinker technique. This is where you create your own multi-coloured ink pad by adding a selection of colours to a baby wipe and then use this as your ink pad to create a variegated look. I used the technique with the small solid leaf stamp for my autumnal card - it reminds me of falling autumn leaves, which are often a mix of colours.
Seasonal Layers Skeletal Leaf - The co-ordinating Seasonal Layers Thinlits have a number of fun dies that include this gorgeous leaf, so incredibly detailed. It makes a great focal point, tied with a little linen thread and a decorative wooden heart (this one is retired but I've included the link below for the current version).
An Autumnal Colour Combo - This colour combination sums up the season for me - here it is for you if you'd like to save it to use on your autumn and fall projects:
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 from my class that also uses the baby wipe reinker technique. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Seasonal Layers Thinlits, Colorful Seasons, Babywipe Technique, Classes, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online
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by Joanne James22. August 2017 10:00Today I'm sharing my second card in a row for the current colour challenge over at As you See It:
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, this was the first card I made using these colours and the Carols of Christmas bundle - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Carols of Christmas - I used the other large sentiment from the Carols Of Christmas stamp set on my card today, again inking the sentiment in Elegant Eggplant and Real Red, using the rock 'n' roll ink technique to blend the colour across the centre of the stamp for a two-tone effect. I layered my stamped panel using my Layering Squares Framelits for a little extra colour and detail.
A Fancy Fold - The real interest on today's card is the fancy fold. This is called a Folded Corner Card, although I adapted the fold to the centre as I wanted a wide border that was equal and opposite to the inside edge, where I decorated the border with stamped and cut out poinsettias.
Paper-Pieced Poinsettias - For the opposing corner, I used the detail of the poinsettia corner thinlit and paper-pieced the flowers, berries and leaves, finishing off with a few pearl centres. It was a little fiddly, especially the berries, however worth it to show both of the poinsettia pieces.
So what do you think? Which one do you prefer - yesterday's card which you can see here if you missed it or today's? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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.
I have the second of my technique classes this month this morning so I will be busy. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with another project - perhaps I'll share something from today's class. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Christmas, Carols of Chistmas, Card Front Builder Thinlits, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Layering Squares Thinlits
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by Joanne James21. August 2017 19:30Today I'm sharing a card for the current colour challenge over at As you See It:
Continuing with my run of Christmas cards, I decided it was time to finally ink up my new Carols of Christmas bundle - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Carols of Christmas - Carols of Christmas is a bundle that features in the new forthcoming Autumn-Winter seasonal catalogue. Christmas has come early at Stampin' Up! though and it has been available to all customers to purchase since the beginning of August, a whole month early. It features two large focal sentiments and a range of accompanying pieces, with everything from baubles to poinsettias and a sweet deer. Here I've inked the sentiment in Elegant Eggplant and Real Red, using the rock 'n' roll ink technique to blend the colour across the centre of the stamp for a two-tone effect.
Frame Your Card - The Carols Of Christmas bundle also includes some great card front builder thinlits that can be used to create frames and decorative borders to your cards. I used the patterned edge frame on my card today. It adds a nice decorative border to your card without being too fussy.
Hanging Baubles - I also cut out my ornaments individually using the co-ordinating thinlits; this is useful as it means you can be lazy when stamping the baubles and strings and stamp them in the colour that you want for your strings (here I stamped them in black) then stamp them again on some scrap paper in your chosen colours, then just cut out the baubles and pop them on top of the original stamped ones, enabling you to combine colours with ease. If you look at your card at an angle (see my thumb nail at the top of this post), you will be able to see the original stamps underneath if you pop you ornaments onto mini dimensionals - which are perfect for this by the way! - but they can't be seen from the front, so worth the time saved I think. I also used a few leftover baubles to decorate the inside of 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.
So I have something of a confession to make: this is actually the second card I made for this week's As You See It challenge - I had an idea that I used for the first one but when finished I wasn't sure that I liked the finished result. I might share that one with you tomorrow to see what you think!
I have the second of my technique classes this month tomorrow morning so am looking forward to working with the Color Theory Suite, which is our bundle of choice. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
by Joanne James19. August 2017 21:35Today I'm popping by with a quick post and a card for this week's challenge over at CASology where they have a fun cue word:
Many of the designers over at CASology this week were inspired to use cacti or hedgehogs on their cards. Me? I have Christmas on the brain this week and I immediately thought 'holly' - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
I use the holly berry sprig from the 'Holly Berry Happiness' stamp set, on carryover from last year and now available all year round in the annual catalogue, to create a holly wreath that I coloured in with my Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers. I used the same layout that I used for my recent quilted Christmas card, stamping my wreath off the page and adding a strip of Coffee Break DSP and a sentiment banner accented with a piece of punched holly, courtesy of the Holly Berry Builder Punch, to finish. I stamped this lovely verse onto the inside too:
It was fun to get this set out again and always worth remembering that the annual catalogue has some great Christmas sets - you don't have to wait until the release of the new Autumn-Winter seasonal catalogue if you want to start festive crafting in earnest.
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.
I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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by Joanne James18. August 2017 20:16 had a little crafty time today and was creating with more of my pre-order stash and decided I just about had time to squeeze in a card for the current challenge over at Less Is More (this was my starting point for today's card but I'm too late to link up unfortunately) which also fits the bill over at Stamp Ink Paper and ATCAS this week:
I went with a rather less obvious vehicle for my one layer card today - take a look:
Since the dictionary definition of 'vehicle' is 'a thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, lorry, or cart' I think my donkey more than qualifies; not the most common mode of transport granted, but one that transported Mary on that momentous journey to Bethlehem so many years ago.
I've used a combination of stamps from one of my favourite sets in the new Stampin' Up! Autumn-Winter catalogue called 'Night In Bethlehem' to create my card today. It has a set of co-ordinating framelits which I will share another day; today's card uses the stamp set alone, with some additional masking and brayering to create the illusion of depth and layers, finished with an embossed star. I also stamped the verse that comes with this set on the inside too (in my second colourway):
Little more than stamps, ink and paper today - and I love this card! In fact I liked it so much I made a second version in an alternative colour combination too:
Which one do you prefer? Leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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:
by Joanne James17. August 2017 09:40My week has been whizzing by as usual, but I've had a few snatched opportunities to create with my pre-order goodies and managed to whip up a quick card using this week's CAS(E) This Sketch using some new products:
I used a new stamp set called Christmas Quilt and some new co-ordinating designer series paper called Quilted Christmas for my border for my clean and simple Christmas card:
Such a versatile set with a wonderful homespun feel that will be useful for Christmas and beyond and is sure to appeal to the seamstresses out there. A lovely sentiment for the inside 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.
The items used on today's card will be available to purchase when the new seasonal catalogue goes live on 1st September; if you're not already on my mailing list and don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator of your own and would like me to send you a catalogue, please get in touch with your details and I will pop one in the post to you when mine go out within the next week or so.
Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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