by Joanne James24. February 2017 20:29Yay it's Friday! Today I'm sharing a card that I made last week following my half-term visit to the movies with the James Juniors - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Movie Inspiration - We had been to the movies to see the fun computer-animated comedy movie 'Sing' (you can read all about that here if you're interested) and with this week's Paper Players challenge in mind (use a sentiment as the focal point on your card) I decided to create something using the movie title image as my inspiration:
With a daughter who sings and often participates in public performances and examinations, I knew that this would make a great encouragement card for her - I'm sure you can see the similarities.
Love Those Letters - I know I say it every time I use them, but the Large Letters Framelits are so worth the investment - I love them! Buying them during Sale-A-Bration leaves you only £1 away from two free gifts too, what a great time to invest! Here I layered them, cutting one set in red and then tracing the inner line of the framelit with a pencil and fussy-cutting them by hand in order to leave a thin border visible. I also used my Labeler Alphabet for the 'loud' part of my sentiment - a great 'mix and match'.
Fake Illumination - I used a liberal dose of gold metallic enamel shapes to create my illuminated letters and heat embossed the starburst from the Kinda Eclectic stamp set to give the illusion of bright lights shining in the background along with a strip of gold glimmer for extra sparkle. The layering and lettering detail made this card less than 'clean and simple', hence the reason why I decided not to use it as my Paper Players card.
I love this card though - just shows that sometimes inspiration can strike in the strangest places. What things inspire you? Do 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.
I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Earn Free Products, Earn Free Product, Labeler Alphabet, Large Letters Framelits, Kinda Eclectic, Sale-a-bration, Sale-A-Bration 2017, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies
by Joanne James23. February 2017 07:00Today I'm sharing a congratulations card that I made for one of the hard-working members of my team who has been achieving great things during Sale-A-Bration - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
A Sparkly Celebration - I took the 'Celebrate' stamp in the 'Love Sparkles' stamp set and decided to create a multi-coloured embossed background to echo the idea of sparklers and fireworks. I used a selection of (retired) coloured embossing powders - Melon Mambo,Blushing Bride and Crushed Curry - but you could equally ink your stamp with the same colour inks and a sponge dauber, then heat emboss with clear embossing powder.
Going For Gold - I added a stacked gold glimmer 'you', diecut with my Hello You Thinlits, a couple of strips of gold glimmer top and bottom and a starburst of gold glitter stars to add to the celebratory feel.
Be A Hoot Too - My team of demonstrators, known as The Hoots, range from happy hobbyists to full-time business builders - everyone is welcome and they are all united by a love of crafting and more specifically, a love of crafting with Stampin' Up! products. If you have ever considered joining Stampin' Up!, whether to get a discount on your hobby supplies or because you want to run your own successful direct sales company (or somewhere in between), Sale-A-Bration is one of the best times of the year to do so. During Sale-A-Bration, your starter kit is extra special as not only do you get your choice of £130/175 Euros worth of product for £99/129 Euros, but you get to choose an additional 2 stamp sets FOR FREE - that could be worth as much as an extra £93/126 Euros. There are so many ways in which you can benefit from being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator - please do give me a call on 07773 421446 or email me if you'd like to discuss further.
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.
Congratulations Helen and I hope you liked your colourful card!
Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
by Joanne James22. February 2017 07:00Today I'm sharing a card for this week's challenge over at CAS(E) This Sketch:
I decided to break out one of my new sponge brayers and some Irresistibly Floral embossed paper for my card today - take a look:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Easy Embossing - I decided to brayer the circle shape onto a piece of Irresistibly Floral Specialty Designer Series Paper using a sponge brayer. This is the first time I've brayered with one of these and I must confess I'm rather impressed - they make it so easy to get a smooth graduated finish and are great for this kind of ink technique, really bringing out the pattern of the paper. I created a simple circle stencil using a spare piece of cardstock and my Circle Framelits and brayered from bottom left to top right of my circle as I wanted to try and emulate the less-than-perfect circle of the sketch. As for the paper - this patterned clear-embossed white paper is great for colouring and sponging - a great embossed finish without any for of Versamark or heat tool required. Cheating? No! Easy? Most definitely!!
Co-ordinating Florals - I stamped a flower from the Falling Flowers stamp set and diecut it and a couple of leaves from the co-ordinating May Flowers Framelits to ground my simple diecut sentiment (cut from the now retired Greetings Thinlits - still one of my go-to sets!) This bundle which you can see on page 127 of the annual catalogue also co-ordinates with the patterns on the Irresistibly Floral embossed paper - and makes designing easy!
Fresh Colour Combination - I chose a fresh, spring colour combination of pink and green to compliment my contrasting black and white background and sentiment today - here it is if you would like to save it for future inspiration 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.
Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Irresistibly Floral, Falling Flowers, May Flowers Framelits, Brayering, Greetings Thinlits, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Shop online, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Circles Framelits
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by Joanne James21. February 2017 01:00
I know how much you've all been enjoying the benefits of the Sale-A-Bration promotion; as if it couldn't get any better this is a quick early post today to let you know that there are some new items being added to the selection of products that can be earned free with a £45 order: there are two new stamp sets and some rather lovely glimmer paper.
Like the other items in the Sale-A-Bration catalogue, these items will be available free with each £45 spend from now until the end of the Sale-A-Bration period, 31st March. You can see full details for each of the new product on the new Sale-A-Bration flyer here.
Back later with today's creative project; until then, happy shopping!
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Tags: Promotions, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Sale-A-Bration 2017, Sale-a-bration, Earn Free Product, Earn Free Products
Sale-a-bration | Shop Online | Shop Stampin' Up! Online | Stamping
by Joanne James17. February 2017 20:32Yay it's Friday! It has felt a little like the weekend here today as my hubby has had the day off today having been away all week so the four of us have spent the day doing fun family things - a little more on that on Sunday's post though! Today I'm sharing a little card that I made for this week's challenge over at Less Is More where the challenge is for a one layer card featuring opposites that also works for the current CASology challenge too:
I haven't managed to play along with the LIM ladies for a while but as they are celebrating their birthday this month I was determined to squeeze in an entry at some point. I toyed with 'rain and shine' but decided to allow the ideas percolate in the back of my mind as I went about my jobs this week and as I was flicking through my Stampin' Up! catalogue last night I was suddenly inspired - take a look:
Cute eh?! Here's the low-down on today's card:
Love You Lots - I happened across the hostess set 'Love You Lots' and realised it had the perfect pair of opposites with the massive elephant and the teeny tiny mouse. I decided they would be perfect for a little love note ready for one of my James Juniors next week.
Another Way With Watercolour Pencils - I wanted to try something a little different in terms of technique on this card too: I stamped my pair and sentiment in Archival Grey ink and coloured them with my Basic Grey and Whisper White watercolour pencils and my aquapainter onto a Crumb Cake (kraft) cardstock notelet. The lovely Darnell Kraus of NBUS fame used this as an optional theme on one of her recent challenges (check out Darnell's creations and the wonderful gallery on her blog here) and it intrigued me; I decided today's card would be the perfect opportunity to try it out; I must say I really like the effect.
A quick heads up for any of you with Watercolour Pencils on your wish lists; they have been incredibly popular with demand outstripping supply. Current stocks are likely to last only another few weeks before ordering will be suspended temporarily in order for stock levels to be replenished, so if you want to get your hands on them in the short term order now; once current stock has run out, they are estimated to be re-orderable mid- to late April.
And Finally A Love Heart - I finished my card with a tiny Blushing Bride enamel heart to add just a pop of colour to my otherwise neutral card. I toyed with adding some Blushing Bride baker's twine but decided against it - after all, sometimes less is more!
A sweet notelet using minimal supplies and perfect to send a few words of love!
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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Tags: Host a Party, Love You Lots, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Shop online, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Earn Free Product, Earn Free Products
Cards | Host a Party | Shop Online | Shop Stampin' Up! Online | Stamping
by Joanne James16. February 2017 07:00I'm a little more organised today with a nice early post featuring another card that I made using the gorgeous balloon papers that can be yours free during Sale-A-Bration with an order of £45 or more:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Double Gate Fold Card - I used one of my favourite patterns in the Sale-A-Bration Carried Away Designer Series Paper pack for my double gate fold card today. This is such a fun card to showcase designer paper and with a base of 12" x 6", you can get two cards out of one sheet of designer series paper - bonus! Here's a peek at the inside panel too:
Up and Away Tiny Treat - I also dressed up one of Stampin' Up!'s Clear Tiny Treat Boxes with a 3D diecut hot air balloon and some of the Carried Away paper for a co-ordinating sweet treat - take a look:
I love these boxes - they are so easy to dress up some sweets or a small gift. Great for a little Friday afternoon after-school treat or to make a fun addition to someone's birthday present.
Everyone Loves A Freebie - Would you like to get your hands on the Carried Away Designer Series Paper? If you buy all the other supplies I used on today's card, you'll earn enough to qualify for a free Sale-A-Bration item - like the Carried Away Designer Series Paper. Just click on the items in the table below to go directly to my online shop and add these items to your basket.
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 - we have swimming and go karting in store. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Stampin' Up Supplies, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Sale-A-Bration 2017, Carried Away, Lift Me Up, Up & Away Thinlits, Earn Free Product, Earn Free Products, Promotions
Cards | Promotions | Sale-a-bration | Shop Online | Shop Stampin' Up! Online | Stamping
by Joanne James15. February 2017 21:57Wednesday evening already? Where did the beginning of this week go?! That's what having the James Juniors home from school on half term does for you! We have been having fun with more still to come this week. Time I got back to sharing a card or two with you though; here's one that I made in my Sale-A-Bration class earlier this month featuring a selection of the gorgeous balloon papers that can be yours free during Sale-A-Bration with an order of £45 or more:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
Carried Away With Colour - I love designer series paper at the best of times, but I could get totally carried away with this one! The bright and colourful prints in the Carried Away designer series paper pack are just gorgeous; great for cards but they also make great scrapbook backgrounds too. Check out this gorgeous palette of colours to be found in the 6 designs in this paper pack:
Lift Me Up Too - We all know how Stampin' Up! does such a great job of product co-ordination in terms of inks, cardstock and accessories; there are also times when suites of products co-ordinate too. The Carried Away papers are designed to co-ordinate perfectly with the Lift Me Up Bundle in the Spring-Summer Occasions catalogue. The diecut and stamped balloons along with some useful sentiments in a great modern font, make it easy to pull together professional-looking cards. Here I left some of the diecut balloon open so that the papers below would peek through and used the stamp set for the sentiment and to decorate the envelope and inside of my card.
Everyone Loves A Freebie - Would you like to get your hands on the Carried Away Designer Series Paper? If you buy all the other supplies I used on today's card, you'll earn enough to qualify for a free Sale-A-Bration item - like the Carried Away Designer Series Paper. Just click on the items in the table below to go directly to my online shop and add these items to your basket.
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 using these fabulous papers. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Carried Away, Lift Me Up, Up & Away Thinlits, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Sale-A-Bration 2017, Sale-a-bration, Earn Free Product, Earn Free Products
Cards | Promotions | Sale-a-bration | Shop Online | Shop Stampin' Up! Online | Stamping
by Joanne James13. February 2017 07:00Happy Monday everyone! Today I'm sharing another card using this week's CAS(E) This Sketch, along with the colours over at Can You Case It:
This was the first idea I had when I saw this sketch - I just had to break open my Everyday Hero set and get colouring! Here's my card:
Everyday Hero is such a fun set! There are lots of different super hero stamps that can be combined to make great comic book characters. Today I created a 'superwoman' and coloured her with my markers before fussy cutting and positioning her flying in from the side with a few clouds that I had left over from some of my balloon projects. I stamped my skyline onto a piece of Basic Grey and adhered this directly onto my Bermuda Bay panel, then popped my sentiment in between.
I love this fun card and can think of so many women deserving of this accolade!
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; it's officially the first day of half term here so I am looking forward to making the most of spending some time with the James Juniors with lots of things planned. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
by Joanne James11. February 2017 20:00I've had a rare relaxing day today: mostly about food, family fun and a little stamping time too. I made a card for this week's challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches where there have a great sketch this week:
Here's my card:
Here's the low-down on today's card:
A Perfect Mix - I got this set for the little baking images; as a keen baker I knew I would have lots of fun with these. I love the punny sentiments too and they make for some cute little love notes - I couldn't resist the 'one in a dozen' for my card today.
A Stitched Rectangle - I used one of the square Stitched Shape Framelits to create my elongated stitched rectangle. This is really easy to do and a great way to get even more value out of your framelits. All you need to do is cut your cardstock to the required width, then place your square stitched framelit at one end and partially cut, stopping before the end, then move the framelit to the other end and partially cut again towards the middle.
A Little Foxy - I was originally going to use the grey heart pattern on the reverse of the sheet of A Little Foxy designer paper on my card, to accentuate the blue of my egg. On something of a whim I flipped it over before I glued it and decided I liked this diagonal lined pattern better with the added colour. Well, we can all change our minds!
I think this would make a fun masculine Valentine or just a note to let someone know how special they are.
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 this week's card for a new challenge over at The Paper Players. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
by Joanne James10. February 2017 19:38It's Friday - hurray! I've spent the day cleaning and getting lots of my household chores out of the way so that I can enjoy a quiet weekend with my nearest and dearest - and maybe even squeeze in a little crafty time! Today I'm sharing a super-quick Valentine's card - with only four days to go, it's perfect if you need a last minute love note. I'm also linking up with a couple of Love-themed challenges that are happening this week over at Paper Craft Crew and Stamp Ink Paper:
Here's my card:
I had a few offcuts from my Sending Love paper pack, so I made up a whole bunch of little envelopes with them. My teeny, tiny love note is the focal point for my red and white card; I just love the little die in the Love Notes Framelits set that allows me to make these cute little envelopes - as do my children, who keep wondering where they're going to find one next! I simply added a border using a couple of the heart stamps in the Sealed with Love stamp set and I was done. Super quick, super easy - no excuse not to make one ... or two, or three or four!
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.
Tomorrow is a rare sport and activity-free day in the James household. The James Juniors are hoping to wake to snow; I have to say I think this is the only thing that will get them out of their pyjamas, they are so looking forward to a quiet day. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
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Tags: Sealed With Love, Sending Love, Shop online, Shop Stampin' Up online, Shop Stampin' Up! Online, Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up Card, Stampin' Up Card ideas, Stampin' Up Supplies, Love Notes Framelits, Valentines, Valentine's