It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Jeanne has asked that we feature a vertical panel with any shape:

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

For my card today I decided to grab some brightly coloured inks and my new 'It's A Science' stamp set and create a fun card for a science fanatic - take a look at what I came up with:

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

I stamped a row of atoms in my chosen colours down the length of my white card base; I used my Stamparatus and the hinge-step technique to space them evenly down the card front. I stamped my sentiment and microscope onto some basic white cardstock, I fussy cut the microscope and added some highlights with my Smoky Slates Blends markers and added it to my cardfront with dimensionals for a little extra lift:

I finished my card with some sequins from my stash in colours that complimented the colours of my atoms. I just love this set - both my kids are science nerds and since one of them is hoping to study Bio-Chemistry at university in September, I know this is a set that's going to see lots of ink.

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:

IT'S A SCIENCE CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	TAHITIAN TIDE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	PARAKEET PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	PUMPKIN PIE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	BERRY BURST CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	SMOKY SLATE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)
TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (6.25)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.50)

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for an interesting colour challenge, chosen by the lovely Heather H:

Whilst I love our challenge photo this week - isn't the colouring on that crab amazing?! - I wasn't sure how I was going to use it on my card. Turns out after a quick perusal of stamp sets, it wasn't that tricky after all - take a look:

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

I thought a spot of colouring was in order and grabbed my Blends in each of the challenge colours and stamped and coloured an image from the 'By My Side' stamp set. I used the Grey Granite for my ground shadow, but it doesn't appear anywhere else on my card. I picked up the Tahitian Tide in my (retired) designer paper banner and made my base from Crumb Cake and Poppy Parade, adding interest with my Dots and Spots Die for my main panel. I did use a piece of in-colour twine that is actually white and Sweet Sorbet for my bow, but there is such a small hint of colour you really can't tell the difference and it blends in just fine. 

I stamped a simple sentiment next to my image, highlighting the word 'friend' by stamping it on Tahitian Tide cardstock and paper-piecing it in place:

And that's my card - a brightly coloured note to send a friend a little 'hello'.

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 colour challenge, black or other neutral can be used in outlines and sentiments but no other colours should be included. Stampin’ Up colours are used for reference but colours that are a close match are welcome.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

BY MY SIDE CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (21.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	DOTS & SPOTS DIE (30.00)	2022–2024 IN COLOR 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	CRUMB CAKE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	POPPY PARADE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)
TAHITIAN TIDE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.00)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (6.25)	2022–2024 IN COLOR BAKER'S TWINE PACK (14.00)	POPPY PARADE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)	TAHITIAN TIDE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)
CRUMB CAKE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)	GRAY GRANITE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)

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

I went down the first column with green and blue, layers and diecut and used a couple more of my washi diecuts from my friend and teamie Elizabeth for my card today - take a look:

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

The diecuts are from a set of rainbow florals and I thought the green rose was really unusual, but paired with the blue one beautifully. I used them to frame my Nested Essential diecut panel, onto which I stamped a sentiment from the 'Quiet Meadow' stamp set in Starry Sky ink. I wanted those coloured roses to really standout, so backed my sentiment panel with a couple of white diecuts using the largest of the Artistic Dies. The only other colour I added was a sprinkling of green and blue rhinestones:

There are four layers to this card, but because it uses minimal colour and lots of white, it still retains a clean and elegant feel. 

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. 

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. 

One last reminder before I go - Bonus Days have started today: from now until 31 July, you will earn a £4.50 coupon redeemable against any order placed next month for every £45 you spend in July - so now is the time to get shopping, especially with today's update of the Clearance Rack too!

Enjoy your day; I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

QUIET MEADOW CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (20.00)

ARTISTIC DIES (33.00)

NESTED ESSENTIALS DIES (32.00)

STARRY SKY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.50)

Everything is happening on the 6th of July! Tomorrow sees the start of a new BONUS DAYS promotion! When you shop between 6 and 31 July and spend £45 you will earn a £4.50 coupon! Make sure you save all your coupons because you can redeem them (and I mean ALL of them) between 1 and 31 August. There’s no limit to how many coupons you can earn!

The infographic below provides a great summary of how Bonus Days work:

Make sure to watch the video below if you're new to this promotion and would like to know more: 

 In addition to Bonus Days, there will be a new collection of Online Exclusive products launched tomorrow too:

You can see some of the new products in the graphic above - the full collection will be online from 11pm tonight in my online store here under 'Online Exclusives'. 

Finally, there is one more important thing happening tomorrow - there will be a Clearance Rack refresh too!

All of that is in addition to my Cheerful Daisies tutorial - if you missed the information about this you can read up on it here.

Lots of reasons to shop in July - remember to add the current hostess code 2A6EXGJ4 to your online orders too for a thank you from me.

Today I'm sharing a card I made using the current sketch over at Sunday Stamps which is a slimline and using a pastel colour palette for the challenge over at Just Us Girls this week:

I'm not usually big on pastels, but I do LOVE the new  Lemon Lolly and Bubble Bath colours, and when I received a crafty gift in the post from a crafty friend I was inspired to create something pretty in pink - take a look:

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

One of my dear friends, Elizabeth Stewart of Paper Sweetness fame, sent me a whole collection of fabulous washi diecuts after I was wowed by a card she made using some, so I couldn't wait to create something with them! Since she is the hostess over at Just Us Girls this week it seemed only fair I showed that I was putting her sweet gift to good use! I paired them with existing bits and pieces from my stash, including a decorative panel cut from the (retired) Slim Card Dies in white layered over a base of Bubble Bath and my favourite shape of the Nested Essential Dies, to which I added a diecut 'celebrate' in gold foil from the Wanted To Say DIes and a gold heat-embossed 'you' from an old set:

An extra sprinkle of gold festive pearls completed my card. I love the pretty pastels in the washi tape and the way the elements 'frame' my label and extend along the slimline. Pretty in pink, 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 evening and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

WANTED TO SAY DIES (37.00)	NESTED ESSENTIALS DIES (32.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.50)	BUBBLE BATH A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	FESTIVE PEARLS (6.75)	METALLICS EMBOSSING POWDERS (17.00)
VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)

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

For my card today I decided to play along with the challenge over at CAS on Friday where the theme is 'love' and make a super clean and simple card using the 'Just My Type' stamp set:

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

I couldn't resist the 'Just My Type' stamp set when I saw it in the annual catalogue - the cute typewriter, along with heart, flowers and rainbows makes for a fun set that is great for #SimpleStamping cards. I stamped my typewriter and sentiment onto my cardbase, then stamped a little plant that I fussy cut and popped up on a dimensional for a little extra detail:

Just stamps, ink and paper - #SimpleStamping at its best! I love that punny sentiment too - just perfect for a love note to someone special. I'm also linking today's card up over at Less Is More where the current theme is 'anything goes'.

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:

JUST MY TYPE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (23.00)

MISTY MOONLIGHT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

CALYPSO CORAL CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

SOFT SEA FOAM CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (6.25)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.50)

It's been a quiet week here on the blog - I have been enjoying some post-exam time with the James Juniors to have some fun and blogging hasn't been high on the agenda - although I do have two posts for you today! First up 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:

Not only do we have a sketch challenge, this layout, chosen by my friend and teamie Jan, is my all-time favourite 'go to' - if you peruse my blog you will find lots of cards that follow this layout style. What's more, in a complete stroke of fortuitous serendipity, the ladies over at Color Throwdown have one of my all-time favourite colour combos too, so I just knew I would have to combine the two! I used my favourite Gorgeous Grape purple for my card base and decided to go full-on bright florals - take a look:

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

I created an arc of flowers using the Paper Florist Dies, to frame my sentiment from 'Something Fancy'. The Paper Florist Dies are a set of standalone dies easily overlooked - you can find them on page 165 of the annual catalogue and they are showcased on projects on page 33. They make fabulous large flowers that are great for 3D projects, home decor and to decorate gift packaging. I made up a tone of flowers so that I could experiment with the shapes, sizes and flower combinations, but settled on these three for my card:

A trio of enamel dots and a simple happy birthday sentiment inside was all I needed to complete today's card. I just love this card - is it ok to send a card to yourself if you love it so much?!

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.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

SOMETHING FANCY CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	PAPER FLORIST DIES (35.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	GORGEOUS GRAPE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	HIGHLAND HEATHER A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	GORGEOUS GRAPE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)
MELON MAMBO A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	BUBBLE BATH A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	GRANNY APPLE GREEN A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	REGALS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)

It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at TicTacToe! It's the turn of Team X to host this week and I am the featured designer. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

I went across the middle row with twine, flower and bright colour (my card also works for the middle column of DSP, flower and enamel dots) and decided to play along with the current Color Hues challenge of yellow and green, Global Design Project #GDP399 where the theme is 'fruits' and at my favourite SUO Challenges where they are asking us to add ribbon, lace or twine. I decided to make another card using the Sweet Citrus bundle and this time instead of lemons, thought I'd try my hand with limes - take a look:

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

I paired Lemon Lime Twist with Parakeet Party for two beautiful, bright greens (I find Lemon Lime Twist to be one of those colours that looks more green when paired with a true green, as on this card, but equally looks more yellow when paired with a true yellow) and used a backing of Glorious Gingham added a Scalloped Contours diecut rectangle before decorating with my limes and a sprinkling of lime blossom flowers and Lemon Lolly gems. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing those embossed citrus fruits - they add so much texture and dimension to an otherwise simple card:

I added my twine to the lower portion of my scalloped rectangle - I love that the scallops make it easy to attach evenly. I rarely use lace on a card, but despite an extensive ribbon collection I probably use way more twine on cards - go figure! Another cheery thank you card that will be heading out to one of my customers with their next order :-)

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. 

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 am busy baking today, as tomorrow marks the official end of exams for both James Juniors and this weekend we will be having the delayed celebrations for Rebecca's 18th birthday which was last week. I have a special cake planned - if it works I'll be sure to share a picture over the weekend! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

SWEET CITRUS HYBRID EMBOSSING FOLDER (31.00)	SWEET CITRUS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	GLORIOUS GINGHAM 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (8.50)	PARAKEET PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	LEMON LIME TWIST CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	LEMON LOLLY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)
ADHESIVE-BACKED SOLID GEMS (7.50)	SCALLOPED CONTOURS DIES (33.00)	BAKER'S TWINE ESSENTIALS PACK (10.25)

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 a square focal point. Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

For my card today I took my inspiration from the symmetrical focal point and decided to create a fun good luck card featuring a cute ladybird - take a look:

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

A Confession - So first up, a confession! I actually made my card for today's challenge and it wasn't until I was writing up today's post that I realised I had my sentiment in the wrong place. I almost went with it - the sketch is a guideline, that's all - but in the end I decided to make a second version that was faithful to Shannon's layout and compare the two. So the card above is my 'take two' - my original card is the one below:

On this one I added my sentiment from the 'Charming Sentiments' stamp set to the card base, whereas on the sketch the sentiment in on the focal square. Here's a photo pf both cards together - which one works better for you? 

I must be honest, I'm on the fence; I like my second version more than I though I would - kudos to Shannon for her layout!

Ladybug Builder - I thought a ladybug - or ladybird as we call them here in the UK - would make a cute centrepiece for a good luck card. I wondered why ladybirds are considered lucky in many cultures and Google tells me it's simply that they are one of the chief insects to eat crop pests - the gardener's friend. The Ladybug Builder punch made light work of mine - a simple punching of the elements and some heat-embossed black dots for a little extra shine:

Remember The Inside - I designed this card with a child in mind, so couldn't resist adding another stamped comical smiling ladybird to the inside of my card with another sentiment from the 'Hello Ladybug' stamp set:

I love making good luck cards for children; so much of their lives seem to consist of exams and tests, it's nice to send some positive vibes and let you know you are wishing them every success! I am linking today's card up with the team over at Inspire.Create who are sharing cards for babies or children and at the Alphabet Challenge Blog where there are on 'F is for Flying' - my ladybird has her wings ready to go!

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. 

Today is the last full study day for both James Juniors - we are at T-1 and T-3 respectively - the end of the exam season is nigh! We have experienced some torrential downpours this morning, so I am hoping to get ahead with my crafty endeavours - I even have a second card to share with you today - I'll be back with that shortly!

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

HELLO LADYBUG PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (17.00)	CHARMING SENTIMENTS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (22.00)	LADYBUG BUILDER PUNCH (21.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	PARAKEET PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (6.25)
BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)	BASICS EMBOSSING POWDERS (17.00)	REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)

STOP PRESS for an important announcement: For 24 hours only, starting at 11pm UK time this evening, Stampin' Up! are offering FREE shipping on orders of £60 or more.

The key information is as follows:

• Free shipping applies after the qualifying order amount has been met.
• The minimum qualifying amount to receive free shipping is £60 or more.
• Free shipping only applies during the 24-hour period the promotion is live in each market; this means that the order must be opened and closed between 20 June 2023, at 11p.m. and 21 June 2023, at 10:59 p.m (UK).

This is a great time to stock up on the designer series paper that is on sale this month, to pick up one of our all-inclusive papercrafting kits or to treat yourself to a bargain from the clearance rack. So start making those lists and head off to my online Stampin' Up! store to place your order. Remember to add the current hostess code KFVKVNXK to receive an extra thank you in the post from me.

Happy shopping!